Nightmare Academy Read Online Free PDF Page B

fresh baked bread. Through another wide archway to the left was a game and activity room; three boys and a girl were playing a game of pool, and Jay Leno was doing his opening monologue on television.
    â€œWow,” said Elijah as they followed Margaret from room to room. “A game room, a pool table, a library . . . “
    Elisha narrated as well. “Hey you even have an elevator!”
    â€œThat takes you up to the rooms. Do you want to see your rooms first, or do you want to eat first?”
    â€œLet's eat,” said Elijah, and he wasn't acting.

    Sarah opened the passenger door of the van to let a dirty vagrant enter.
    He climbed into the expansive freight compartment, removed his coat and hat, then took a chair next to the radio console. From where they were parked, they had a good view of the shelter through the van's passenger window. They could hear the kids still talking, describing the place. “Looks like they're going to be warm and safe.”
    Sarah wagged her head. “Life is full of surprises.”
    Elisha's voice came over the radio as she conversed with Margaret. “So, how many kids are here?”
    â€œAt last count, I think around twenty. Some have been here for a week or so, and some are fresh off the street, like you. Grab a spoon. Bowls are over there.”

    'A game room, a pool table, a library.. “

    â€œI think I'll take these headphones off.”
    Sarah and Nate exchanged a glance. Elisha was letting them know she wouldn't be able to hear them for a while.

    They sat at one of the dining tables with bowls of hot soup and slices of fresh bread, and Margaret sat down across from them.
    Elisha muttered, “Who wants to say grace?”
    Margaret smiled. “You go ahead.”
    Elisha bowed her head and prayed, “Dear Lord, thank you for this food and for a place to spend the night. In Jesus' name, Amen.”
    The kids got right down to the business of eating, trying to observe their surroundings and ask—or answer—questions between bites and slurps.
    â€œIt's nice to see kids who still say grace before they eat,” Margaret commented.
    â€œIt's a God thing,” said Elisha.
    â€œSo how long have you been on the road?” Margaret asked.
    Elisha admitted, “A while.”
    â€œYeah,” Elijah muttered. “A while.”
    â€œSo how's it been going?”
    Elijah admitted, “Not great. We're both low on money, guess that's obvious, and stealing's wrong, so—”
    â€œReally?”
    He looked up from his soup. “Really what?”
    â€œYou believe stealing is wrong?”
    He gave her a look. “Yeah. Is that news?”
    She laughed. “Oh, no, not at all. But it's refreshing to see, especially under these circumstances. Say, I want to show you something.” She slid two brochures across the table, one for each of them. “I don't show this to everybody, but you two are kind of special. Now, as always, there's no obligation . . . “
    Well, thought Elijah, now here's a new twist: a youth shelter with a sales presentation. We should have known there was a catch.
    What's it going to be? Elisha thought. A vacation package? A time-share? Maybe they're recruiting people to sell candy door-to-door.
    Their thoughts came to a dead halt the moment their eyes fell upon the brochure's large, bold title.
    Elijah picked up the brochure and opened it. It was a simple brochure, printed on glossy paper and folded into thirds, with color photographs. He read some of the copy inside: A very special opportunity to be all you can be, and we pay the bill. Classes, activities, new friends . . .
    He was reading for information, of course, but also stalling for time, trying to make sure his voice would not quiver when he finally read the title out loud: “The Knight-Moore Academy.”

    As one, Nate and Sarah leaned forward, eyes wide open, pressing the headsets against their ears.

    â€œUhh . . . what is