Bungee Jump Read Online Free PDF Page B

out of a mole on her cheek.
    “You woke them up. I warned you, over and over. That island is theirs, no matter what you think. When someone troubles them, they make trouble.”
    Troubles, trouble. Wow, that’s almost poetic. What other crap is going to come out of her mouth before I dash to the assembly? I’m going to get in trouble if I don’t attend. That’s for sure.
    “They didn’t like our picnic. Is that it?” I ask. “And they made that girl throw up?”
    She picks up a ruler from her desk. For a moment I think she’s going to hit me with it. Instead, she taps it on a row of dictionaries. Tap, tap, tap.
    “They’ve earned their right to peace, Christopher Bigg. Peace, quiet and respect. Your website messed with that. Your picnic upset them. And the bridge project is really stressing them. Imagine what that stupid ride you’re working on will do.” The ruler slams down on the desk so hard that I jump.
    “It’s not a stupid ride. It’s a bungee—” Oh, what’s the use? I’m half tempted to say that the jump won’t even take kids onto Hospital Island. The platform simply straddles our peninsula and their—I mean, the island.
    I could ask, “Do they tell you all this?” Or, “Who do you think you are, a ghost interpreter?” But I’m not in the mood to go head-to-head with Mrs. Dubin.
    My mind flashes back to the picnic. Mr. Roth was polite and respectful to Craven.
    “I appreciate the historical information you helped me find, Mrs. Dubin,” I say.
    The librarian drops the ruler. Her eyebrows shoot upward for a second.
    “I’m sorry if you felt I put too much information on the website,” I continue. “And I am very sorry the leper children suffered all those years ago. But the bungee jump is going to open. So stop threatening me.”
    With that I leap up and sprint for the door and some fresh air. Air to evaporate the sweat pouring from my armpits.
    In the gym, Mr. Roth is giving a lecture on leprosy. It’s almost as good as my report. The principal stands to one side of him. Anya and her mother are on the other side, looking sheepish.
    Everyone turns and stares at me. I step through the doorway and head for where Tom and my friends are sitting. I spot Caitlin. Her arms are wrapped around herself like she’s cold. Her eyes lock on mine. A smile of relief plays across her face.
    “So, as I’ve explained, it’s impossible to get leprosy from visiting Hospital Island. And there has been a cure for this historical disease for a long time. That’s thanks to the work of scientists. Finally, as Anya’s mother has so kindly explained, her daughter’s brief illness had nothing to do with the picnic’s location.”
    There’s a ripple of dutiful clapping. The principal and teachers direct us back to our classes. Tom and other guys around me clap me on my shoulders.
    “Can’t believe anyone believed…”
    “Bummer that a couple of stupid people caused…”
    “We totally stuck up for you but…”
    “No problem,” I reply. We head down the bleachers and onto the gym floor.
    “Nice website.”
    “Thanks!”
    “So who gets to go first at the bungee-jump opening?”
    I laugh as a bunch of students press close to us.
    “Me!”
    “Me!”
    “Me!”
    “We’ll see,” I reply.

Chapter Ten
    “It’s not the official opening, you know.” I’m addressing a crowd of two dozen kids. They’ve shown up for the bungee jump’s first test. We tried to make today’s event hush-hush. Lot of good that did.
    “Yes, the real opening is next week, if all goes well today,” Gord says from beside me.
    Next week . I hope Dad can make it. Mom promised to take the afternoon off work. Bummer that she can’t be here today.
    “But we can watch, can’t we?” asks Tom, standing beside eager-looking Bella and Anya.
    “Of course,” Caitlin says, “but everyone has to stand back behind this gate.” The gate opens onto the catwalk. “Except Gord, Chris and Chuck.”
    “Chuck is the jump master,”