NICO
Nico followed Emma and Tyler into the display room.
His temper had been slipping all day, but he didn’t want to ruin their excitement. He’d tell them about Opal and Logan later, when they could put their heads together privately, and figure out a plan to keep her away for good.
Emma skipped down the center aisle. “What should we catalog next?”
Nico forced a smile. “You choose.”
“Hmmm.” Emma tapped a finger to her lips. “So many options.” She pointed near the entrance to the Darkdeep’s spiral staircase. “Maybe that pirate sword over there?”
Nico glanced at the wall, but his attention was snagged by the green thing on its pedestal. He’d never given the jar much thought, but something about it now …
Nico walked over and peered inside. Where at first the blob had been a hazy, billowing mass—like mercury—it nowseemed to have more definition. The glossy green ball had stretched somehow, becoming more oblong in shape, like a turtle shell made out of Silly Putty. If Nico squinted, he thought he could see the vague outline of a head.
Then he snorted.Sure, buddy, the sludge ball grew a noggin.Nico turned back to the aisle, but as he did, he felt a prickling sensation between his shoulder blades.
Nico turned around, eyes darting. For a moment, he’d had the unmistakable impression of being watched. Yet there was no one else, not even Opal. The sensation faded quickly. Nico almost laughed, but his heart wasn’t in it. At times the collection really gave him the creeps. Who put all these weird things together? Why? And where was that person now?
“Guys?” Nico called out. “Does this look different to you?”
Tyler looked up from a roll of parchment. “The jar thing? Different how?”
Nico ran a hand through his damp hair. “I don’t know. Just … changed.”
Emma was at his side in a heartbeat. “You know, itdoeslook more solid. Did you shake it or something?”
“I’ve barely looked at it until now,” Nico admitted, chuckling nervously. “But I could swear it was just a swirling glob of goo earlier.”
“You think it’s growing?” Emma whispered, eyes shining as she examined the jar.
Nico held up a hand. “It’s probably nothing. Maybe itwarmed up in here. Or got colder. Whatever. Forget I said anything.”
The curtain swished and Opal walked into the room, her face pinched as if she were deep in thought. Nico muttered something under his breath.
“What is it with you?” Emma whispered, elbowing him in the side. “You’ve been like an angry cat around her all day.”
Opal must’ve heard. “I wouldn’t mind knowing either,” she said drily, crossing her arms. “I thought we were past this, Nico.”
Nico’s face clouded. “I thought we could trust you. I was wrong.”
Opal shot him a baffled look. “What are you talking about?”
“This afternoon. Orca Park. Tell these guys who you were huddled up with, whispering secrets.”
“What?” Then recognition dawned in Opal’s eyes. “Oh, Nico, it wasn’t like that.”
“Logan Nantes.” Nico bit off the name. “Whose dad is busy getting mine transferred to Antarctica. But you had a good laugh with your pal from Overlook Lane.”
Opal’s hands rose. “Nico, I swear, you’ve got it wrong. I didn’t even want to be there.”
“Could’ve fooled me. I saw you two cracking up by the swings.”
“No, tha—”
“I bet you told him about the island, didn’t you?” Nico’s voice dripped with accusation. “The houseboat, the Darkdeep, figments,everything. Whatever it took to score points with the cool crowd.”
Opal stared, openmouthed. Emma had stopped moving. Tyler nervously bit his lip. Finally, Opal squeaked, “I wouldnever.”
