Shadow Wrack by Kim Thompson

into it didn’t 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. She’d never gotten a proper explanation of the Other Side, but judging by the horrible beasts that came from there, it wasn’t a place you wanted to mess with, that’s 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?
    Belle’s door was ajar. She was watching her little TV — another nature show. This one was about dolphins.
    â€œBelle?”
    â€œHm.”
    â€œDo you remember the black spots that were all over the old house before … you know.”
    â€œBefore all hell broke loose. Yeah, I remember.” Belle didn’t look up, but at least she wasn’t angry.
    â€œI found a spot. Here. In my room.”
    Belle snapped her head around, and Willa caught a flash of fear in her eyes. That’s got her attention.
    â€œSure you didn’t spill some ink?”
    â€œIt’s not ink. What do you know about the spots? And the ‘Other Side’?”
    Belle screwed up her face thoughtfully. “I stay away from all that business. Don’t like it. You’ll have to ask Horace.”
    Of course! Willa felt suddenly cheered. She and Horace could figure this out. “I’ll go see him after school. If you see any more spots around, could you let me know?”
    Belle was riveted to her TV again. “Sure thing, sweetie.” 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 Tengu’s room.
    Tengu answered the door. “He’s gone.”
    â€œLeft for the day?”
    â€œNo. He’s disappeared. Didn’t come home last night at all.”
    Willa’s heart sank. Great. Just great. “Did he say anything? Was he acting weird? Was he confused?”
    Tengu shrugged, not looking too concerned. “No, he said he was going for a walk, and then he didn’t come back. He’s probably gone off somewhere to think. Kind of a time-out .” He smiled at Willa’s panicked expression. “He’s over two thousand years old, Willa. I’m pretty sure he can look after himself.”
    â€œBut he gets so muddled. His memory conks out sometimes, and it really upsets him.”
    â€œI don’t think you need to worry. Not yet, anyway.”
    That didn’t sound so reassuring. Willa bit her lip. “I let the phoenix go last night.”
    Tengu’s eyes widened at the news. “Oh!”
    â€œMy mom couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t take it anymore. And I found one of those … black stains. Under her cage.”
    Tengu sat down heavily, taking it all in. “Oh.”
    â€œI thought she’d be better off outside, free and everything, you know,” Willa’s words rushed out. “And I think she’s okay. There are plenty of other birds to keep her company, anyway.”
    â€œYeah,” chuckled Tengu, gesturing to the ledge outside his window, which was lined with pigeons. “Loads of birds. It’s been driving Horace nuts.” He caught Willa’s expression. “Not nuts-crazy , I mean nuts-distracted .”
    â€œI took her up Hanlan’s Hill.” Willa suddenly felt she was about to cry. “I had to let her go.”
    Tengu patted her hand. “You did the right thing. She’ll be fine. And he’ll be fine too. You can’t look after everybody, Willa. Miss Trang will be back soon.”
    Willa nodded, sniffing. Tengu suddenly brightened, rubbing his hands