The Inheritance Book 1

Ch 49 Found It: Graeham Yarrow [Tuesday Afternoon, Week Three]

Graehm couldn't stand to just sit there staring passively at a screen. He could feel his brain cells dying. Movies and shows based on fictional stories--no matter how lauded--were good for one thing only: background noise.

The other kids seemed to feel the same. Averi, in the armchair next to him, doodled in her notebook. Jarrett, Sione and Elizabeth were whispering together on their couch at the far end of the room. Mirabelle and Hannah, apparently now best buddies after their shared ordeal, were playing a card game. Only Bryce, lying on one of the couches, watched the movie. Or, at least he appeared to be gazing in the direction of the screen. That kid had been long-faced and withdrawn for at least five days now. Whatever was bothering him must be significant.

Graehm's eyes were also on the screen, but his mind bounced from one question to the next. How had Allora and Mr. Carter found and rescued the girls so quickly, and in the dark? What was in the hidden basement? What was the story with the shackled Allora-lookalike in the tower room? What about those pterodactyl-sounding shrieks? Graehm did not believe for an instant that they were bobcat cries.

Graehm needed his world to make sense. He had to know, be familiar with, and understand everything about everything around him. If there were mysteries, he couldn't rest until he had solved them.

During their post-lunch break, after feeding apples to the horses and watching the baby goat chase its mother around the pen, Graehm and Averi sat on the swing behind the greenhouse and talked about the tower room.

"I had a nightmare about that old zombie lady coming into my room and slashing me with her nails." Averi clawed the air and made scary sound effects.

"Yes, she certainly needs her nails clipped," Graehm agreed. "But she is just a frail little old lady."

"Tell that to the spirit in charge of my nightmares. I don't know about you, but every time I think about her when I'm in my room, I have to go make sure my door is locked."

Graehm saw an opportunity. "Perhaps your fears would be alleviated if you went back up there and faced them."

"I would rather have a dance party with Mirabelle than see that old lady again." Averi folded her arms and blinked at him.

"Really? With Mirabelle?"

Averi tapped her chin. "On second thought, you're right. Scratch that. I would rather eat a peanut butter and pickle sandwich than see that old lady, or dance with Mirabelle."

"I know. But let's go up one more time?" Graehm's dangling leg didn't reach the ground. He scooted to the edge of the swing seat and pushed off with his foot.

"You little rule-breaker! I'm surprised at you!" Averi leaned side to side to keep the swing moving. "I can't imagine why you would want to go back into that stinky, depressing, creepy room again!"

"I want to see if it has a secret compartment. I've found seven in this castle so far, and all I've found of significance is that pin." He nodded toward the rose brooch attached to Averi's Fruits Basket t-shirt.

"Ha! I knew it!" Averi said. "You and your obsession with the secret compartments. Even if there's one up there, I seriously doubt there's anything in it. But you are not going to stop until you've found out all the castle's secrets. Am I right or am I right?"

Graehm shrugged. "I can't deny it. I was born with a burning need to know every inch of my surroundings. That's just the way I am. I'll tell you something else too: Finding that pin gave me a sort of gambling fever. It was like winning a small prize, and maybe next time I'll hit the jackpot."

"I love ya Graehm, but I cannot relate to you sometimes." A light gust of wind blew Averi's thin hair across her face. She shook it off, but one stringy strand stayed stuck to her lip.