The Room OF Woe by Rich Wallace illustrated by Jose Emroca Flores
Chapter 1 Butcher Mountain I had an uneasy feeling about spending two days at Aunt Ida’s house She’s strange Always pinching my ears and telling me what a handsome boy I am She’s totally harmless my father said You’ll be fine We’d left our house only a few minutes earlier My parents had already told me at least five times I’d be fine Of course that made me more certain I wouldn’t be I looked out the car window as we passed the bank and the frozen yogurt shop In one more minute we were out of town
You’ll be in good hands Max Dad said It’s only for a couple of days Mom giggled I admit Aunt Ida is a little odd But Dad and I will be there at night You’ll have nothing to worry about during the day right I nodded Neither of them saw that though since I was in the backseat We were already in the woods driving toward the state park Mom had decided this bird-watching trip was urgent Some of their birding friends had spotted a rare little songbird in the forest on Butcher Mountain Or at least someone thought they had My parents couldn’t resist checking for themselves They also kept assuring me I had nothing to worry about You’ve been to Aunt Ida’s house Dad said It’s very peaceful The stream the forest and that incredible view of the mountain
