[Janitors 03] Curse of the Broomstaff by Tyler Whitesides

Author:Tyler Whitesides [Whitesides, Tyler]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: YA rt
ISBN: 9781609076054
Amazon: 1609076052
Goodreads: 17723131
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: 2013-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

“Hold your breath.”

Leslie Sharmelle looked haggard and unkempt. Her blonde hair, once so tidy, was frizzy and dirty. Seeing her in the vision with Mr. Clean had been one thing. But now she was here, still clad in her orange prison jumpsuit, a dangerous sneer on her face.

Daisy gasped as she recognized Mrs. Natcher’s substitute teacher. Leslie and Daisy had survived the Vortex together, struggling in a vent above the classroom. The memory was unpleasant, and Daisy slipped to the rear of the group.

And if the convict substitute weren’t bad enough, Spencer saw the improvements that Mr. Clean had made to Leslie’s beast.

The Extension Filth was outfitted for war in deadly looking armor. Strips of metal, carefully crafted from steel trash cans, covered the Filth’s most vulnerable areas. A galvanized helmet sat on the creature’s broad head, sharp spikes protruding from the mask like rhinoceros horns. Metal trash-can lids had been shaped to cover the Filth’s shoulders, the handles of the lids sharpened into deadly razor edges.

“Alan Zumbro.” Leslie’s voice was pinched with excitement at having him cornered at last.

Alan, upon hearing his name, stepped forward. The Filth barked, stringy spit swinging from its strong jaws as it sensed its prey. Leslie adjusted the dial on her battery pack, doing everything possible to hold back the Extension Filth.

“My Pluggers are swarming the hallways,” Leslie explained. “Things will turn ugly if you run.”

The Extension Filth leapt forward, Leslie reigning back as hard as she could. Spencer saw that the bludgeoning tail of the beast was also covered in durable metal, with steel spikes glinting like a flail.

“What happens if I don’t run?” Alan said.

“I’ve come to take you away,” Leslie answered. “Once we’re gone, your friends can go free.”

Alan cast a quick glance over his shoulder, eyes falling on Spencer. The look on his dad’s face caused Spencer’s throat to tighten. It was bravery, strong and undeniable. But the edges were tainted with fear and burden. It was the look of a troubled parent. And for the first time, Spencer knew that beneath it all his dad cared most about him.

Alan looked away, stepping even closer to the Extension Filth. He stared at Leslie and lifted his hands in defeat. “You will not harm them?” Alan gestured to his son and friends.

“You have my word.” Leslie’s voice was a whisper, her face shining with deranged excitement. Her task was coming to a close.

Spencer remembered how anxious Leslie was to prove her worth to Mr. Clean. And he remembered the warlock’s frightful orders. Alan was wanted dead or alive. It was a long way to Washington, DC. Too many chances for escape. Spencer could tell from the glint in Leslie’s eye—his dad would not make it to Mr. Clean in one piece.

Alan hung his head. “Let’s go.”

“Wait!” Spencer burst to the front of the group. The sudden movement startled the Filth, and it roared at the Rebel team. “Don’t you want to know why we’re here?” Spencer challenged.

“Get back, Son,” Alan said.

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