The World Above Read Online Free PDF

protested.
    “I’m absolutely serious,” I said. “You have to wait for nightfall.”

     
    Jack tossed the first bean over his shoulder just as the moon began to rise. After additional discussion, it had been decided that the cornfield was the perfect place to grow a magic beanstalk.
    The field was tucked between two of the many hills surrounding our farm. This would make the beanstalk difficult to see from a distance, and if someone did notice that one stalk in the cornfield seemed a bit taller than the rest, well, what of it? With the breeze moving through the field, causing the cornstalks to sway and dance, anything different could be dismissed as nothing more than a trick of the light.
    It is difficult to get people in the World Below to see what they don’t expect to see. Mama has remarked on this more than once. Even I have to admit it’s true. Now we would make this fact work for our cause.
    And so, just as the pale face of the moon peered up over the horizon, Jack and I walked to the cornfield while Mama stayed in the house. I think both Jack and I were surprised that Mama didn’t come along. But she’d instructed us to go together. So that’s what we did, traversing the distance between the house and the cornfield in absolute silence. At the edge of the field, Jack paused, then turned his back to the rows of corn.
    “Count for me, will you?” he asked. He gave a sudden, sheepish grin. “I know it’s only to three, but I’m terrified I’m going to get it wrong, somehow.”
    For once I didn’t tease him. Probably because I knew exactly how he felt.
    “On three, then,” I said.
    Jack nodded.
    “One. Two.
Three
.”
    With one quick, smooth motion, Jack tossed the bean over his left shoulder.
    I swore I saw it flying through the air, a tiny white speck tumbling end over end against the darkened sky. But in the interests of truth, I must admit that I might have made this up. It could have been a trick of the light combined with my own desire. As Jack let the bean fly, the wind came up, causing the cornstalks to rustle and sway, almost as if they were conversing with one another.
    Jack stood for a moment, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. I saw his chest heave and realized he was breathing hard, as if he’d run a race and put on a final burst of speed to reach the finish line.
    “Don’t do it, Jack,” I said suddenly. “Don’t turn around.”
    For Mama had said that it was important to let magic run its own course. Trying to influence it could spell disaster. For this reason, Jack must not look back. He must not watch to see where the bean had fallen. I could do so, Mama said, as I was not the one who would be climbing the beanstalk.
    “I know,” Jack said. “I know.”
    I moved to his side and took him by the arm. He was quivering, his whole body vibrating like one of the plucked strings on my harp.
    “Let’s go in,” I said softly. “We’ll come back at first light.”
    Jack reached out to grasp me by both elbows. “It’s happening, Gen. It’s really happening. I’m going to go to the World Above.”
    “You’re going to go to the World Above,” I said. “Always assuming some crow didn’t get to that bean as soon as it hit the ground.”
    Jack gave a sudden laugh. I felt the tension leave his body.
    “Good old Gen,” he said. “Always trying to make sure I don’t get too far ahead of myself.”
    “Self-defense,” I said. “Slowing you down’s the only way I can keep up.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Jack said. He pulled me forward into a fierce hug. “I love you.”
    “I love you, too,” I said as I hugged him back. We stepped apart and I put my hands on Jack’s shoulders, the better to peer up into his face.
    “Jack, you will be careful, won’t you?”
    “Of course I’ll be careful,” he said. Then he made a face. “At least I’ll try. But you heard Mama, Gen. Ultimately, we are going back to reclaim what Guy de Trabant stole from us. Sooner