The Locker Read Free Page A

two more minutes to cover the rest of the classrooms, and then she hauled me out the back door and showed me the athletic field, then the gym, the cafeteria and snack bar, and finally the auditorium. The campus was small but much nicer than some I’d been to—there were trees everywhere and benches and even picnic tables for eating outside on nice days.
    â€œAhhh, if spring would just get here and stay here …” Noreen took a last longing glance over her shoulder as she ushered me back into the main building again, and I nodded.
    â€œI’m not used to your cold weather,” I said.
    â€œIt’s not usually this chilly in spring—though it has been known to snow at Easter!” Noreen sighed. “Things are blooming and we’re still stuck in jackets—I want sunshine and swimsuits!” She shut her eyes as if dreaming of summer, and let out a huge sigh. “Come on, let’s go to your locker, and then we’ll brave Mrs. Clark’s history class. If we’re really lucky, she’ll spend so much time making you feel at home, she’ll forget about the test we’re supposed to have today!”
    I had to laugh. As Noreen raced off again, she glanced at the piece of paper in her hand and quickly scanned the rows of lockers we were passing. Finally she stopped at the end of the hall, and as I caught up with her, I saw her stare at the top locker, then down at the paper, then up at the locker again.
    â€œIs there a problem?” I asked, coming up behind her. “If it’s already taken, I’ll just go back to the office and ask—”
    â€œNo!” She whirled around, and for just a split second her smile had this odd little twist to it, almost like someone had pasted it there on her face. But then it melted into her familiar grin again, and I knew I must have imagined it.
    â€œI mean … no, it’s not taken,” she said. “This one wouldn’t be taken. As you can see, it’s perfectly empty.”
    I couldn’t really see, because the door was closed, but I followed the point of her finger to the end locker on the top row.
    â€œHere it is,” Noreen said. “Right here. You can go ahead and put your jacket in if you want—the building’s always hotter than anyone can stand.”
    I was watching her as she talked, but she wasn’t looking at me now, and she wasn’t looking at the locker, either. Her eyes were fixed on some vague spot in the air above my head, and she was shoving the piece of paper into my hand as if she didn’t want to hold it anymore. After throwing her a puzzled glance, I read the combination, then reached up to open the door.
    â€œThat’s funny.” I frowned. “I can’t get the lock open.”
    I tried the combination again, holding my breath as I twisted the dial. When I reached the last digit, I pulled at the latch, but it still wouldn’t give.
    â€œThere must be a mistake,” I told Noreen. “It must be the combination to some other locker.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” she said quietly.
    â€œHere. Hold my purse, will you?”
    Determined now, I took the lock in both hands, gritted my teeth, and turned the knob slowly and carefully.
    â€œThird time’s a charm,” I mumbled, and to my surprise, the door popped open so suddenly that if I hadn’t known better, I’d have sworn something heaved it out at me from inside. The impact sent me sprawling back several steps, right into Noreen, who put up her hands to steady me.
    â€œMust have just been stuck,” I said, relieved. “I hope it doesn’t do that every time I need to get it op—
    I never got to finish my sentence.
    As a sickening stench washed over me, I choked and started to gag, dimly aware of hands clutching my throat, clawing for air—
    From far away someone called to me, but the hall was a total blur now—dark and brown and