The Academy: Book 2 by Chad Leito Read Free Book Online

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    Asa didn’t like jalapenos, but he did not tell Teddy. He did go all the way to the market in the middle of Town to get this food. I can eat it, even if I don’t like it.
    “I have some things to tell you too, Asa.” Teddy said. “I’ve discovered something that I think is going to be very important. Here, grab a plate.”
    Asa obeyed and the two of them fixed their meals. “You’ve discovered something?” Asa said.
    Teddy waved the knife in front of Asa’s face. “Not here,” he whispered. “I have to tell you in the secret compartment. Let’s eat down here. You tell me your story while we eat, then we’ll go,” Teddy pointed his knife above the bathtub, and raised his eyebrows to say ‘up there.’
    Unsure why Teddy was whispering, Asa asked, “why up there?”
    “You’ll see. It needs to be up there.”
    Asa couldn’t help but think that no one could hear his cries from the deep cave they had dug into the mountain. He brushed the thought away, and tried not to worry. Again he thought: Teddy wouldn’t hurt me.
    The two of them sat down, and Asa told Teddy the entire story of what had happened in the woods. He talked about finding the two dead monkeys, following Joney to the Multipliers ’ campsite, and of helping Jen get out of the trap (At this point, Asa couldn’t help but wonder if Jen had gotten back to her mountain alive). As always, Teddy was a good listener: he remained attentive and asked questions to clarify things when appropriate. As Asa told the story, he remembered why he liked Teddy. He’s polite, and he takes what I say seriously. He’s still the old Teddy, just a little…exhausted.
    After eating a full meal and hearing what Asa had to say, Teddy looked much healthier. He’s at his best when he’s working on a problem, Asa thought. It’s what he loves the most . They sat in silence for a moment, Teddy considering what he just heard.
    “And you’re sure that these Multipliers aren’t from the Academy?” Teddy asked.
    “Well, I’m not sure , but I really don’t think those guys came from here. Teddy, you should have heard the way they were talking—they had weird accents. And I’ve definitely never seen anyone from the Academy look as grungy as they did.”
    Teddy sat his plate down on the stone coffee table, and rocked in his wicker chair for a moment. “I don’t know what they could be doing,” he said. “And you said that they were on a mission… hmmmm. Maybe they’re out there and supposed to be setting traps for crows. There aren’t as many of them around these mountains as there used to be.”
    So Teddy had noticed the crows disappearing too. “But they said they were waiting to get some sort of orders,” Asa said.
    Teddy shrugged. He rocked in his chair with his fingers interlocked over his gaunt abdomen. “I’m thinking that what I have to show you might help clarify things. You think the presence of the Multipliers has to do with you?”
    “I guess so. Whenever Multipliers are doing anything, I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of me. After all that happened last semester, it’s hard to think it’s a coincidence that they’ve set up camp so close to my dwelling.”
    Teddy looked over Asa, his jaundiced eyes were firm and unmoving, as though trying to communicate something unspoken. “I agree with you , Asa. I think that you’re the reason they’re here.”
    Teddy rocked some more, and stared at Asa while the wood creaked beneath him.
    Asa looked away, pretending to not be disturbed by his friend’s intent look. He couldn’t help but wonder what Teddy was thinking.
    “C’mon,” said Teddy, rising. “I want to show you that thing now.” Without looking behind to see if Asa was following, Teddy climbed up into the tunnel over the bathtub. Asa heard a splash as Teddy dove in and began to swim up towards the safe room.
    All of a sudden, Asa felt as though he wanted to vomit. With Teddy gone, he let the misery he felt flood his