The Magic Misfits by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2017-09-19T00:00:00+00:00

TEN

After beating one of the unbeatable games, the four friends went to the fun house and the hall of mirrors. When the others went to the sideshow, Carter excused himself, saying he needed the bathroom. In actuality, he didn’t want any of Bosso’s gang to find him in there again.

Finally, they each tried their might at the Test Your Strength machine. None of them won. “It’s the one game in the whole place that isn’t rigged,” Leila noted.

“Oh, it’s rigged all right,” Ridley groaned, “if you’re not a giant hulk with huge muscles.”

“We have to ride the Ferris wheel!” Leila cried, dragging the others along.

The four of them made their way into a rusty caged car. As the ground retreated beneath them, Carter’s stomach dropped and he came face-to-face with the full moon. Ridley called out to the woman at the controls, “Keep an eye on my chair, please! That bell was very expensive!” When the others stared at her, aghast, she added, “What? You guys are the only ones allowed to crack jokes?”

The metal car jerked to a halt at the wheel’s highest point and swung slightly in the wind. Leila rocked back and forth next to Carter, making the car swing harder.

“Cut it out,” growled Ridley. “You’re going to make me puke tiny cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches everywhere.”

“Sorry!” Leila said. “It’s this cage.… I’m always thinking of an escape.”

“You’re going to rock your way out?” Ridley asked.

“Maybe!”

For a moment there was nothing but the wind and the squeaking of the swinging car. As Carter looked out over the small town, he felt that warm feeling wash over him. He was on top of the world in more ways than one.

“Do you guys like it here?” Carter asked.

“In Mineral Wells?” Ridley said. “Sure. As small towns go, it’s not so bad.”

“Not so bad?” Leila chimed in. “It’s wonderful! There’s fresh air. The trees and hills are great for hikes. The people are nice—”

“The people are okay,” Ridley interrupted.

“I guess the kids at my school aren’t so great,” Leila admitted. “But I don’t think they mean to be as cruel as they are.”

Ridley nudged Theo’s arm and then whispered to him, “Uh, yes they do.” He smiled politely at her.

“You always think the best of everyone, don’t you?” Carter asked. He’d never known someone like Leila.

“I try to,” Leila said, her voice dropping. “Before I was adopted, I lived in an orphanage. It… wasn’t wonderful. So ever since, I’ve tried to be thankful. It’s not easy. But it’s better than feeling sorry for myself.”

DING-DING-DING-DING-DING.

(That was the sound of a bell from someone winning a prize down on the midway, but I bet you thought it was a symbol that Carter suddenly realized he and Leila had lots in common. Nope! It was just a bell…)

(…Or was it?)

“I never feel sorry for myself,” Ridley said. “Whenever I’m angry or frustrated or lonely, I put the energy into something constructive, like practicing magical transformations.”

After the Ferris wheel, they regrouped in the center of the midway as crowds of people pushed around them.

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