Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Author:Rebecca Roanhorse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2019-01-13T16:00:00+00:00

“Are you sure this is it?” Mac asks as we make our way up the dusty road. The lushness of Canyon de Chelly is behind us, and if we turn around, we can still see Spider Rock. But up here, on the lip of the canyon, there’s just a trailer home with an old pickup truck in front. I didn’t know what I expected Spider Woman’s house to look like. Maybe a massive web, or a dark cave where you can’t see your hand in front of your face, but there’s nothing like that around here.

We reach the driveway and pause. A sign on top of an old tin mailbox reads THE NA’ASHJéII. RUG WEAVERS EXTRAORDINAIRE! in red and black letters.

“This must be the place. Mr. Yazzie?” I ask, peeking down into the neckline of my hoodie, where our guide is sound asleep again.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t wake him,” Davery says. “He’s probably traumatized after what he went through with Mac.”

“I’m traumatized, too!” Mac mutters. “You don’t see me napping.”

“Don’t be rude. He’s old.” Then, eyeing the trailer door, I say, “Well, we didn’t collect all these gifts just to stand here and not find out whether this is her. Let’s go knock.” I pat the backpack pocket holding our three precious items, touch my mom’s necklace (which I’m wearing for as long as I can) for bravery, and march forward.

I look at the area around the trailer. Besides the truck, there’s a small fenced-in yard with a massive satellite dish and a little toolshed. Thick green extension cords run from the shed to the trailer, and as we get closer, I can hear a television blasting from the home, the laugh track echoing. Seems normal enough. No piles of children’s bones out here. Of course, who knows what’s hiding in that toolshed.

I square my shoulders, take a deep breath, and let it out, reminding myself that I’m a descendant of a Hero Twin. I can do this. I think?

I climb the three front stairs and raise my fist. Knock three times, firm and heavy. I hold my breath and wait for the door to open, but nothing happens. Just more fake laughing.

“Do you think maybe she can’t hear us over the TV?” I whisper to Davery.

He shrugs. “I didn’t know spiders liked sitcoms.”

I knock harder. “Hello?” I yell, just in case. “Is anyone home?”

The television shuts off, leaving the yard suddenly quiet. Footsteps clomp across the floor inside as someone comes to the door. I wring my hands nervously.

“Who’s there?” comes a woman’s voice. She doesn’t sound mean, but maybe a little irritated, like we just interrupted her favorite show.

“Sorry to bother you,” I shout, cupping my mouth and leaning close to the door, “but we’re looking for…” I hadn’t thought this through. I can’t say Spider Woman—that would be too weird. Because what if this is the wrong house? Then we’d really have some explaining to do. But I can’t just stand here. I clear my throat and try again.

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