The Antidote by Susan McCormick

Author:Susan McCormick [McCormick, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: childrens fantasy books; children's books disease; fantasy kids; adventure kids; fantasy boys; medical thriller; medical fiction; Evil; adventures fo
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2021-02-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

Still Here

The Woods

What happened? The kid was still here. Not dead. Not using everything he had to save himself.

He didn’t want him dead. Not yet. But he wanted something. Something only this boy could give him. And give he would.

Chapter 37

Hot Cocoa

The storm had ended, and the forest was silent and damp. Alex and Penelope were silent and damp. The light was fading quickly. Days were short in the winter in Seattle, and deep in this forest, with the trees blocking the little light there was, darkness came well before five o’clock. Alex shivered and squinted into the dim surroundings. For the first time, the forest looked menacing, with giant branches covered with moss pointing accusing fingers toward him and trees so large they could hide anything behind them. Or anyone. Or ILL.

“Let’s go home.” He was more uneasy by the moment.

“But we haven’t found your dog.”

“Maybe he’s at home,” Alex said, though he doubted it was true. It was just too creepy out here.

They found their way slowly through the dark. Alex’s house sat in a clearing, glowing and welcoming. His parents must have switched on every light. He stifled an urge to run toward it.

As they approached, he warned her to keep quiet about the cloud of disease. He had to find his dog, and his mom would never let him out again if she knew ILL was this close.

The door flew open before they made it to the porch steps. His mom spilled out, with his dad close behind. He could see how worried they were. He could see them struggle to pretend they weren’t.

“Hi, honey,” his mom said in a voice that was too high. “Where have you been? You left hours ago.”

Hours ago. Had it only been hours ago?

“This is Penelope.” Alex nodded his head toward Penelope.

His parents exchanged a quick glance. They stepped back into the house, and Alex and Penelope followed. “Nice to meet you, Penelope,” his mom said, her voice still too high.

“She just moved here from California. She’s new at school. I’ve been showing her our woods,” Alex said. Penelope nodded.

He could see his parents relax. His father led them into the living room and sat on the arm of the couch.

“Where’s Valentine?” his mom asked.

Tears stung Alex’s eyes. He squeezed them shut and turned his head. He tried to sound natural. “Well, that’s the thing. We can’t find him. He got away from me, and we’ve been hunting for him in the woods.” He took a deep breath. “He’s not here, is he?” He peered around hopefully.

His parents glanced at each other again. “No,” his mother said. “He isn’t here.”

The tears stung again. He’d actually allowed himself to think Valentine might have come home.

“He’s bound to turn up,” his father said. “Though I suppose he may have found his way to his old home.”

Alex nodded, dejected. He knew Valentine hadn’t gone to any home, this home or his old home.

“You two look wet,” his mother said. “I’ve got some hot cocoa.

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