Chapter 1 Questions Josh reached down to pick up his twin sister’s math book When he straightened he was staring into the face of another new substitute Uh sorry Jenny dropped her book on your foot Josh said The substitute stared at him with her bright green eyes She gave him a smile that sent a chill down his spine When she smiled the lobster tattoo on her cheek wrinkled Why did your sister drop her book the red-haired woman asked Josh backed away It was an accident 4
Accident the substitute asked Josh stared at her She acted as if the word were new Suddenly he was yanked backward by his shirt Let’s get to class his sister whispered They walked around the substitute When Josh looked back she was still standing in the same spot talking into a cell phone on her wrist What is going on with these new substitutes Josh asked There are new ones every day Josh and Jenny raced down the quiet halls past rows of lockers It was only the second week of fifth grade and they had already been late three times Jenny looked back at him They’re just spooky And weird Three classroom doors opened at the same time Three substitutes walked out and stared at Josh and Jenny Each had red hair and bright green eyes And each wore gray pants with a blue shirt 5
One substitute had a star tattoo one had a bird and the other had a frog Just like all the new substitutes they each had a long thin cell phone attached to a wristband As Josh walked past them one pointed at him When she spoke the bird tattoo on her cheek seemed to move Student please explain how the president is chosen Josh cleared his throat Um by election What is by election another sub asked We’re late to class Jenny said Josh walked quickly past them When they reached their classroom Josh flung open the door Late again Mr and Miss Stuard their teacher said Sorry Mr Ott Josh said hurrying to his seat Jenny slid into hers Josh was glad to see Mr Ott standing beside his desk He was new this year but everybody liked him 6
Now before I give you your vocabulary test I have exciting news Mr Ott said Josh leaned forward in his seat Mr Ott had been hinting they were going to do a special project the first semester The year before a teacher had someone bring in animals from the zoo every Friday and the class got to learn about them Another teacher turned the classroom into a kingdom with castle walls a king and queen and even a dungeon What could Mr Ott be planning First thing after lunch we will talk about our new project for the semester Josh glanced at Jenny She frowned They both hated waiting for things After the vocabulary test Mr Ott showed a movie about Egypt Hey Josh a voice whispered in the dark What Josh asked He knew it was Curtis Beamer Curtis always talked during movies 7
