The Secret Life of Sam by Kim Ventrella

The Secret Life of Sam by Kim Ventrella

Author:Kim Ventrella
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-07-21T00:00:00+00:00


10

HE HIT THE GROUND WITH an almighty crack, and for a second he was certain he was dead and gone, just like Pa. Slowly, Sam rolled onto his back blinking up at the sun. A sudden gust of air ruffled his hair, and he sat up just as a stream of glittering blue and green disappeared inside the hollow. A group of kids ran after it, laughing and reaching their hands into the tree, pulling out clumps of dirt and dead leaves.

“I don’t understand. Where’d they all go?” one of the kids said.

“Stop that!” Sam said, dragging himself to his feet. “Get out of here!”

At the sight of Sam shouting and waving his arms, the kids raced back to the baby playground, squealing with laughter.

Sam ignored them. He didn’t have time for games. He thrust his hand into the hollow, and then his head, ignoring how the rough bark scraped at his skin. He punched and clawed at the wood, but it was no use. He’d failed. With that thought slicing through his brain, he sank to the ground again, defeated.

The wind lifted his hair and rattled the few dead leaves still clinging to the tree. He’d left Pa behind, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake tomorrow. All he had to do was act fast, get the Boy or the cat or whatever out of the way, and then he and Pa could escape before time ran out.

A surge of hope like he hadn’t felt in weeks filled his chest. But what if it doesn’t work and the doorway closes for good? that same cruel voice whispered in his head. Then he’d just have to make sure that he and Pa couldn’t get separated. Use a rope, or maybe handcuffs. When the invisible hook came to get him, it would capture Pa, too, and then they’d both be sucked out the other side.

His brain whirring with plans, Sam got to his feet, surprised to find he wasn’t hurt. It all seemed so simple now. Pa might be dead, but that didn’t mean he had to stay that way. Sam could bring him back.

“Hey, there you are.” Edie jogged over, her purple hair blowing wild around her head. “What are you doing out here?”

“Nothing. I just . . . I needed some air.” Sam didn’t like lying to Edie, but he was a lot more concerned with his plan.

“Are you okay?” She tugged on the sleeves of her flannel. It was the same one she’d worn the day before, since she hadn’t gone home to change. She cocked her head. “Is it about your dad?”

“No. Well, yes, but . . . you wouldn’t understand.”

Edie’s expression hardened, her mouth straightening into a thin line. “I lost my dad too, remember?”

“I know, but this is different.”

He could feel the hurt simmering behind Edie’s eyes, but he didn’t know what to say to make it better, and he didn’t have time to focus on someone else’s problems.

“You’re right, it is different,” she said, and he couldn’t tell if she was mad at him or just sad about her dad leaving.



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