into it didnât reveal anything. It was like a black hole from outer space. She stared at it, remembering the last time, when the spots had grown and spread. They were openings to the Other Side, whatever that was, and as soon as you had openings, creatures could come through them into our world. Sheâd never gotten a proper explanation of the Other Side, but judging by the horrible beasts that came from there, it wasnât a place you wanted to mess with, thatâs for sure.
And now there was one simple little spot on her desk. Willa felt a desperate need to tell someone, but not her mom. When Mom gets worried about something, she falls to pieces , she reflected. Who else can I tell?
Belleâs door was ajar. She was watching her little TV â another nature show. This one was about dolphins.
âBelle?â
âHm.â
âDo you remember the black spots that were all over the old house before ⦠you know.â
âBefore all hell broke loose. Yeah, I remember.â Belle didnât look up, but at least she wasnât angry.
âI found a spot. Here. In my room.â
Belle snapped her head around, and Willa caught a flash of fear in her eyes. Thatâs got her attention.
âSure you didnât spill some ink?â
âItâs not ink. What do you know about the spots? And the âOther Sideâ?â
Belle screwed up her face thoughtfully. âI stay away from all that business. Donât like it. Youâll have to ask Horace.â
Of course! Willa felt suddenly cheered. She and Horace could figure this out. âIâll go see him after school. If you see any more spots around, could you let me know?â
Belle was riveted to her TV again. âSure thing, sweetie.â Willa backed away quietly, not wanting to risk upsetting Belle and ruining the moment. She called me sweetie.
After school, Willa biked to the hotel and raced up to Horace and Tenguâs room.
Tengu answered the door. âHeâs gone.â
âLeft for the day?â
âNo. Heâs disappeared. Didnât come home last night at all.â
Willaâs heart sank. Great. Just great. âDid he say anything? Was he acting weird? Was he confused?â
Tengu shrugged, not looking too concerned. âNo, he said he was going for a walk, and then he didnât come back. Heâs probably gone off somewhere to think. Kind of a time-out .â He smiled at Willaâs panicked expression. âHeâs over two thousand years old, Willa. Iâm pretty sure he can look after himself.â
âBut he gets so muddled. His memory conks out sometimes, and it really upsets him.â
âI donât think you need to worry. Not yet, anyway.â
That didnât sound so reassuring. Willa bit her lip. âI let the phoenix go last night.â
Tenguâs eyes widened at the news. âOh!â
âMy mom couldnât take it anymore. I couldnât take it anymore. And I found one of those ⦠black stains. Under her cage.â
Tengu sat down heavily, taking it all in. âOh.â
âI thought sheâd be better off outside, free and everything, you know,â Willaâs words rushed out. âAnd I think sheâs okay. There are plenty of other birds to keep her company, anyway.â
âYeah,â chuckled Tengu, gesturing to the ledge outside his window, which was lined with pigeons. âLoads of birds. Itâs been driving Horace nuts.â He caught Willaâs expression. âNot nuts-crazy , I mean nuts-distracted .â
âI took her up Hanlanâs Hill.â Willa suddenly felt she was about to cry. âI had to let her go.â
Tengu patted her hand. âYou did the right thing. Sheâll be fine. And heâll be fine too. You canât look after everybody, Willa. Miss Trang will be back soon.â
Willa nodded, sniffing. Tengu suddenly brightened, rubbing his hands
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