The Glass Wall (Return of the Ancients Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

flowers, and large paintings on the walls. There was even a fireplace, but there was no fire burning in it.
    I glanced around, wondering what to do, but then a woman dressed in khaki pants and a white blouse entered from a door in the corner of the room. She was tall, thin, and reminded me of an ostrich.
    “You must be Sydney,” she greeted and came over to shake my hand. “I’m Sister Ann and we are so happy to have you here.”
    The office door opened and a lanky, sandy-haired, freckle-faced boy about my age came into the room.
    “This is Ellison. He’ll be your buddy the next few days.” Sister Ann continued, “You know, show you to your classes and things like that. He’s also in your mentor group, so I’m sure you’ll be friends in no time.”
    Ellison flashed me a wide grin and held out his hand.
    I shook it and swallowed nervously. So he was going to watch me for a few days. I didn’t like being shadowed. I preferred to hide in the background and fly under the radar.
    “We are glad you are here, Sydney.” Sister Ann smiled at me again and then waved her hand in an obvious dismissal.
    “Let’s go!” Ellison strode to the door and opened it for me with a bow. “We missed our mentor group meeting today, but I’ll introduce you to everyone tomorrow. We’ve got to hurry. It’s almost time for English.”
    Holding my breath, I followed.
    The boy oozed friendliness and he loved to talk. In fact, it seemed he couldn’t stop. He talked to everyone he met, about anything and everything, as he guided me up the steps and toward our classroom. He introduced me along the way, but there were so many kids that I lost track of their names.
    I was relieved when I finally sat at my desk and didn’t have to smile at yet another kid that I knew I’d never remember.
    The bell rang.
    English was my favorite subject. I nervously wondered how I’d compare to the other students here.
    “You’ll be used to this place in no time,” Ellison whispered loudly from the desk next to mine.
    I tried to smile. It came out more like a grimace.
    A rotund man with thinning hair entered the classroom and the chatter died.
    “I’m your new substitute, Mr. Richards,” he introduced himself congenially, sitting on the edge of the desk. “I know that you say a prayer before each class, and since I’m not Catholic, can any of you help me out?”
    There was a momentary pause before Ellison raised his hand. “I’d be very happy to show you how we pray here at Issaquah Catholic, Mr. Richards.”
    “Very well.” The substitute teacher nodded. “Thank you, Mr. …?”
    “Ellison Cunningham,” he replied, rising to his feet. With a solemn expression, he placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head.
    The classroom fell silent and I lowered my eyes.
    There was a lengthy pause and then Ellison intoned, “Dear Dark Lord Cthulhu—”
    He didn’t get any further.
    The entire classroom erupted into snickers.
    I glanced nervously at the teacher, but the man’s lips were twitching.
    Mr. Richards waited until the laughter died and then suggested, “Perhaps, you would like to try again, Mr. Cunningham?”
    Grinning widely, Ellison bowed his head.
    This time, the prayer was short and to the point.
    I found myself smiling a little. But only for an instant, as I couldn’t let myself relax yet. I still had no idea what was in store for me.
    The morning flew by.
    I found the classes difficult to follow and I was overwhelmed. I’d have to study hard to catch up. I wasn’t sure I could do it.
    I had science for the fourth period.
    The teacher was Mrs. Kemensky. Ellison had warned me about her, saying she was slightly demented but lovable. She obviously loved cats. She had several framed photos of them on her desk and she wore a pink sweatshirt with a hand-painted kitten.
    I listened to her lecture. At one point, she sidetracked into atoms, ions, and cations.
    “Now, remember what you learned in your freshman year,” she said, taking