The Demon Notebook by Erika McGann Read Free Book Online Page A

guess I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
    â€œYeah,” said Grace, “see you, guys.”
    She dragged her feet as she made her way slowly to her mom’s car. Patricia Brennan was already out of the car and hurrying toward her. She caught her daughter in a big bear hug.
    â€œAre you all right, sweetheart?” she gasped, hugging her tightly. “I was so worried. We all were. Nobody’s parents could get through. It was awful!”
    She pulled Grace back so she could look at her.
    â€œYou look so tired, love. Are you okay?”
    Grace’s nose was stinging with the tears that threatened to pour out, so she simply pursed her mouth in a tight smile and nodded vigorously.
    â€œOh, you poor thing!” her mother said, hugging her again.
    Grace wished her mom would let go and get back into the car. She was afraid she would burst out crying in the middle of the school parking lot. She leaned back, indicating she was ready to leave, and they both got into the warm car, her mother occasionally glancing at her with a sympathetic smile.
    Back at home, Grace’s mom reheated a hearty stew and placed a big bowl of it in front of Grace. On a large blue plate she piled homemade muffins and scones.
    â€œWhen did you make all this?” asked Grace.
    â€œDuring the night. I was too worried to sleep,” her mom said with a tired smile.
    Grace bit back the tears again and began devouring the hot, tasty stew. Still hungry, she managed to finish off two muffins and half a scone with butter and jam. When her belly was full, her eyelids became suddenly heavy.
    â€œOff to bed now, love,” her mom said softly, almost lifting her off the chair and up the stairs. “You need to get some rest.”
    â€œI have to talk to the girls,” Grace muttered, barely awake.
    â€œLater, hon,” her mom said, tucking her into bed.
    â€œIt can’t wait,” Grace continued to mumble. “Poor Una.”
    â€œAre you worried about Una?” her mom asked. “I didn’t see her with you at the school. I can call her parents, if you want.”
    â€œThey don’t know,” Grace’s voice was barely audible. “They weren’t there.”
    Her mom frowned for a moment, then decided her daughter was probably already half asleep and dreaming. She kissed her forehead and left, closing the door gently behind her.

“Girls, give me a hand with this, would you?” Ms. Lemon called as Grace and Adie crossed the school parking lot.
    They hurried over to help the teacher with the large suitcase she was trying to haul out of the boot of her car.
    â€œIt’s really heavy, Miss,” said Grace, struggling with the weight as they lowered the bag to the ground. “What’s in it?”
    â€œOh, just some odds and ends,” the woman replied. “You know, for class.”
    â€œFor class?” said Adie.
    â€œHmm, well not your class. Another class.”
    â€œIt smells funny, Miss,” Adie said, turning up her nose as a puff of dust flew up from the tattered-looking material.
    â€œIt’s old, Adie,” said Ms. Lemon. “It’s been gathering dust for a few years, I’m afraid.”
    â€œDo you need help carrying it in, Miss?” asked Grace.
    â€œNo need, girls. See?” Ms. Lemon pulled up one end of the bag by the handle, and it began to roll along the ground on a pair of very squeaky wheels.
    â€œThanks, you two,” she said. “You can run along now. Don’t be late for class.”
    Obediently, they headed into the main building and toward Grace’s locker, which had become their regular rendezvous point each morning. The other two arrived a few minutes later.
    â€œAnything to report?” asked Grace.
    â€œOnly that my parents nearly lost it over the snow thing,” replied Jenny. “You should have heard the stuff my dad was going to try to get to the school. He went halfway across the state to