Throwback by Peter Lerangis

Author:Peter Lerangis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2019-09-05T16:00:00+00:00

19

Leila examined the lacquer box, holding it in two hands. The warmth of the wood was a great contrast to the cheerful, wintry skating scene painted on the top. It was so vivid and lifelike, Leila could practically hear the ringing of bells.

Actually, she was hearing the ringing of bells. Someone was at the door.

She set the box on her desk. The warmth of the wood made her curious about what Auntie Flora kept in there, but the thick brass hasp held tight. In its center was a small round keypad with buttons labeled 1 through 6.

She would have to investigate later.

“Leila, Rachel’s here!” her mother called.

Leila turned toward the door, checking her phone once more for a message from Corey. None. She thought about his grandmother. In Leila’s memory, she was still dead. That had not changed.

But maybe it would. There was still a chance that Corey would pull off a rescue. Leila wished she knew more history, like exactly how long it took for the buildings to collapse and how soon the survivors started to run away.

She ran out toward the front door, just as it swung open and Rachel bounded in.

“What’s up?” Leila asked.

Rachel staggered past her and clomped into Leila’s bedroom, flopping on the bed. “I am so trashed from that party!”

“The Diet Cokes were killer,” Leila said, following her in.

“I mean the dancing!” As Rachel kicked off her shoes, she spotted Leila’s new discovery. “Nice lacquer box!”

“It’s my aunt’s.”

“My dad brought one home from Moscow once,” Rachel said. “Anything inside it?”

Leila shrugged. “I don’t know. I can’t open it.”

Rachel fiddled with the lock, pressing random numbers. She glanced up with a mischievous smile. “Do we want to know?”

“Yeah. I guess.”

“We can crack this. It’s only six numbers. That means only six factorial choices, which would be . . .” Rachel thought a moment. “Seven hundred twenty possible combinations, assuming the combo itself has six numbers.”

“I hate math geeks,” Leila said.

“I know, especially if they’re hot. And funny.” Rachel sighed. “I guess I would hate me, too.”

Leila threw a pillow at her. Rachel fell back on the bed, giggling and kicking her feet in the air. Leila noticed a crisscrossing of scratches on her left ankle. “What happened to you?”

Rachel grimaced. “Catsquatch attacked. Can you believe it? I think it was offended by your Catwoman costume. I had to explain I wasn’t you. You know, to cats, all humans look alike.”

“Ha ha,” Leila said.

A waft of buttery blueberry pancake smell sighed into the room, and Rachel jumped off the bed. “Gee, Leila,” she said in a loud voice, “we better go help your mom make breakfast!”

“Nice try for points, kid, but they’re done!” Leila’s mom called back. “Come and get ’em!”

Rachel winked at Leila and ran out of the room. Leila checked the phone one more time. Nothing from Corey.

Taking a deep breath, she put it in her pocket and followed her friend.

Catsquatch, aka Jabba the Cat, was waiting outside when the two girls left. As the door opened it sprang to its feet and bared its teeth.

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