Fablehaven I (3 page)

the telescope closer to the window, she spent some time

mastering the knobs, bringing the leaves on the trees below

into crisp focus.

Let me see, Seth said. He was standing beside her.

Pick up those toys first. A mess of toys lay piled near

the open chest.

Grandpa said we can do what we want in here.

Without making it a disaster. You’re already wrecking

the place.

I’m playing. This is a playroom.

Remember how Mom and Dad said we need to pick

up after ourselves?

Remember how Mom and Dad aren’t here?

I’ll tell.

How? Stick a note in a bottle? You won’t even remember

by the time they get back.

Kendra noticed a calendar on the wall. I’ll write it on

the calendar.

Good. And I’ll look through the telescope while you

do that.

This is the one thing in the room I was doing. Why

don’t you find something else?

I didn’t notice the telescope. Why don’t you share?

Don’t Mom and Dad also tell us to share?

Fine, Kendra said. It’s all yours. But I’m closing the

window. Bugs are coming in.

Whatever.

She shut the window.

Seth looked into the eyepiece and started twisting the

focus knobs. Kendra took a closer look at the calendar. It

was from 1953. Each month was accompanied by an illustration

of a fairyland palace.

She turned the calendar to June. Today was June 11.

The days of the week did not match up, but she could still

count down to when her parents would return. They would

be back June 28.

This stupid thing won’t even focus, Seth complained.

Kendra smiled.

Collecting Clues

The next morning, Kendra sat at breakfast across from

her grandfather. A wooden clock on the wall above

him read 8:43. Reflected sunlight flashed in the corner of

her eye. Seth was using his butter knife to bounce sun rays.

She was not seated close enough to the window to

retaliate.

Nobody likes the sun in their eyes, Seth, Grandpa

said.

Seth stopped. Where’s Dale? he asked.

Dale and I got up a few hours ago. He’s out working.

I’m just here to keep you company on your first morning.

Lena set a bowl in front of Seth and another in front of

Kendra.

What’s this? Seth asked.

Cream of wheat, Lena replied.

Sticks to your ribs, Grandpa added.

Seth probed the cream of wheat with his spoon.

What’s in it? Blood?

Berries from the garden and homemade raspberry preserves,

Lena said, placing a platter on the table containing

toast, butter, a pitcher of milk, a bowl of sugar, and a

bowl of jam.

Kendra sampled the cream of wheat. It was delicious.

The berries and raspberry preserves sweetened it to

perfection.

This is good! Seth said. Just think, Dad is eating

snails.

You kids remember the rules about the woods,

Grandpa said.

And to stay out of the barn, Kendra said.

Good girl. There’s a swimming pool out back that we

got ready for you-all the chemicals are balanced and

whatnot. There are gardens to explore. You can always play

in your room. Just respect the rules and we’ll get along

fine.

When is Grandma coming back? Kendra asked.

Grandpa glanced down at his hands. That depends on

your Aunt Edna. Could be next week. Could be a couple

months.

Good thing Grandma got over her illness, Kendra

said.

Illness?

The one that kept her from going to the funeral.

Right. Yeah, she was still a little under the weather

when she left for Missouri.

Grandpa was acting a little peculiar. Kendra wondered

if he was uncomfortable around children.

I’m sad we missed her, Kendra said.

She’s sorry too. Well, I better be off. Grandpa had not

eaten anything. He pushed his chair back, stood up, and

stepped away from the table, rubbing his palms against his

jeans. If you swim, don’t forget to wear sunblock. I’ll see

you kids later.

At lunch? Seth asked.

Probably not until supper. Lena will help you with

anything you need.

He left the room.

Dressed in her swimsuit, a towel over one shoulder,

Kendra stepped through the door onto the back porch. She

carried a handheld mirror she had found in the nightstand

by her bed. The handle was mother-of-pearl studded with

rhinestones. The day was a bit humid, but the temperature

was pleasant.

She walked to the railing of the porch and gazed over

the gorgeously manicured backyard. Paths of white stones

meandered among flower beds, hedgerows, vegetable gardens,

fruit trees, and flowering plants. Tangled grapevines

curled along suspended lattices. All the flowers seemed to

be in full bloom. Kendra had never seen such brilliant

blossoms.

Seth was already swimming. The pool had a black bottom,

and it was fringed with rocks to make it seem like a

pond. Kendra hurried down the steps and started down a

path toward the pool.

The garden teemed with life. Hummingbirds darted

among the foliage, wings nearly invisible as they hovered.

Huge bumblebees with fuzzy abdomens buzzed from one

blossom to another. A stunning variety of butterflies fluttered

about on tissue-paper wings.

Kendra passed a small, waterless fountain featuring a

statue of a frog. She paused as a large butterfly alighted on

the rim of an empty birdbath. It had huge wings-blue,

black, and violet. She had never seen a butterfly with such

vivid coloring. Of course, she had never visited a world-class

garden. The house was not quite a mansion, but the

grounds were fit for a king. No wonder Grandpa Sorenson

had so many chores.

The path finally deposited Kendra at the pool.

Variegated flagstones paved the poolside area. There were a

few recliners and a circular table with a big umbrella.

Seth leaped from a stone outcropping into the swimming

pool, legs curled up, and hit the water with a big

splash. Kendra set her towel and mirror on the table and

grabbed a bottle of sunblock. She smeared the white cream

over her face, arms, and legs until it disappeared into her

skin.

While Seth was swimming underwater, Kendra picked

up the mirror. She angled the face so it reflected sunlight

onto the water. When Seth surfaced, she made sure the

bright splotch of sunlight covered his face.

Hey! he shouted, swimming away from her. She kept

the glare from the mirror on the back of his head. Gripping

the side of the pool, Seth turned to look at her again,

throwing up a hand and squinting to ward off the light. He

had to look away.

Kendra laughed.

Cut it out, Seth called.

You don’t like that?

Quit it. I won’t do it anymore. Grandpa already yelled

at me.

Kendra set the mirror on the table. That mirror is a lot

brighter than a butter knife, she said. I bet it already did

permanent damage to your retinas.

I hope so, then I’ll sue you for a billion dollars.

Good luck. I have about a hundred in the bank. It

might be enough for you to buy some eye patches.

He swam toward her angrily, and Kendra walked forward

to the edge of the pool. As he started climbing out,

she shoved him back in. She was almost a full head taller

than Seth and could usually handle him in a fight,

although if they ended up wrestling he was pretty squirmy.

Seth changed tactics and started splashing her, making

quick scooping motions across the surface of the pool. The

water felt cold, and Kendra recoiled at first, then leapt over

Seth into the water. After the initial shock, she swiftly

grew accustomed to the temperature, stroking over to the

shallow end away from her brother.

He chased her, and they ended up in a splash fight.

Locking his hands, Seth swung his arms in wide arcs, skimming

the top of the water. Kendra pushed at the water with

both hands, a churning motion that generated smaller but

more focused splashes. Soon they grew tired. It was hard to

win a water fight when both participants were already

soaked.

Let’s have a race, Kendra suggested as the splashing

subsided.

They raced back and forth across the pool. First they

raced freestyle, then backstroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke.

After that they created handicaps, like racing with

no arms or hopping across the width of the shallow end on

one foot. Kendra usually won, but Seth was faster at backstroke

and some of the handicapped races.

When Kendra grew bored, she got out of the pool.

Walking toward the table to retrieve her towel, she stroked

her long hair, enjoying the rubbery texture as the wetness

made the strands cling together.

Seth climbed on top of a big rock near the deep end.

Watch this can opener! He jumped with one leg straight

and the other bent.

Good job, Kendra said to placate him when he

surfaced. Shifting her gaze to the table, Kendra froze.

Hummingbirds, bumblebees, and butterflies swirled in the

air above the handheld mirror. Several other butterflies and

a couple of large dragonflies actually rested on the face of

the mirror itself.

Seth, come look at this! Kendra hissed in a loud

whisper.

What?

Just come here.

Seth boosted himself out of the pool and padded over

to Kendra, arms folded. He stared at the cloud of life

whirling above the mirror. What’s their deal?

I don’t know, she replied. Do insects like mirrors?

These ones do.

Look at the red and white butterfly. It’s enormous.

Same with that dragonfly, Seth pointed out.

I wish I had a camera. I dare you to go get the mirror.

Seth shrugged. Sure.

He trotted over to the table, grabbed the mirror by the

handle, dashed to the pool, and dove in. Some of the insects

scattered instantly. The majority drifted in the direction

Seth had gone but dispersed before reaching the pool.

Seth surfaced. Any bees after me?

Get the mirror out of the water. You’ll ruin it!

Settle down, it’s fine, he said, stroking over to the

side.

Give it to me. She took the mirror from him and

wiped it dry with her towel. It looked undamaged. Let’s try

an experiment.

Kendra placed the mirror face up on a lounge chair and

backed away. Think they’ll come back?

We’ll see.

Kendra and Seth sat down at the table, not far from the

lounge chair. After less than a minute, a hummingbird