The Demon Conspiracy

  ***

  When I got to life science class at the end of the day Mrs. Cecere had moved the girl in black to the vacant seat beside me. The classroom didn’t have desks, just these black tables with shiny tops where you could cut up crayfish or frogs or other gross stuff and the juice wouldn’t soak into the furniture. Each table seated two people and since I was the last person to join an already even-numbered class I had sat alone. But not anymore. The girl in black introduced herself.

  “I’m Melissa,” she said, grinning with perfect, ultra white teeth. “Melissa Godwin. Since we sit at the same table now I figure we should get to know each other.”

  “Kelly Bishop,” I said. “Thanks for helping me.”

  “No problem. You’re the one Donnivee hates so much.”

  “Why does Donnivee hate me?”

  “Because you’re way prettier than her.”

  “No, I’m not. She’s got that gorgeous blonde hair.”

  “She’s cute for a thug. But most boys are afraid of her. That’s because she’s beaten most of them up.”

  “She beats up boys?”

  “Or girls. Sooner or later Donnivee hates you. And when she hates you, she beats you up. Your last name is Bishop, huh? That’s a good name for a chess player. It’s not as good as King or Queen or even McQueen. But it’s still pretty good.” As she spoke Melissa reached into her backpack and took out a brochure. She passed the brochure to my side of the table. I read the heading out loud.

  “The Halloween Classic Open Chess Tournament? Why’d you give me this?”

  “If you’re really good at chess you’ll want to play in that tournament. There’s scholarships and prize money and stuff. Even if you’re not sure how good you are, you should still find out.”

  I lightly explored Melissa’s thoughts, but she suddenly looked me right in the eye. “What?”

  I stopped the scan and backed off. Had she detected me inside her mind? “How’d you know I play chess?”

  “Easy. I’m gonna be a detective. And if you need a body guard I’m your girl.”

  I sized her up from head to foot. Melissa was possibly the skinniest girl in our class. “Why is Donnivee afraid of you?”

  “She thinks I’m crazy and nobody messes with a crazy person. If I’m around you all the time, Manson Stanfield won’t bother you either.”

  “Who’s Manson Stanfield?”

  “Donnivee’s only friend. Manson isn’t tough, but she likes to watch fights, so she hangs out with Donnivee ‘cause sooner or later Donnivee will get in a fight with somebody. But not with you, if I’m around. I’m your only hope.”

  I wasn’t sure if this girl was serious, kidding, or just plain weird. But I liked her just the same. I played along. “Okay, you’re hired.”

  “You’re safer already.”

  Mrs. Cecere started class then and we didn’t get another chance to talk until after the bell rang. But when science class was over, I decided that I’d stumbled onto my newest best friend. I really liked this strange girl. We traded phone numbers and planned to go to the mall together that Sunday.

  “I don’t have a cell phone,” I said. “I live with foster parents. I don’t think they can afford to get us cell phones.”

  “That would be rather pricey, three phones, for you and your brothers.”

  I looked at Melissa sideways. “Seriously, how do you know so much about me?”

  “Maybe I’m not really going to be a detective. Maybe I’m a stalker.”