“Know what?” Albert said.
He wanted to pull his hand away.
“I know,” she said again, more insistent this time. Then she said five words that Albert never in a million, billion years expected her to say. “I know about the Core.”
He was dreaming.
He was dreaming, and this was all his crazy imagination, making things up as he slept. Probably Farnsworth had let loose another acid fart, and it was messing with his brain.
“Mom,” Albert said. “I think it’s time for us both to go back to sleep. It’s late.”
She squeezed his hand gently as he tried to pull away.
“You’ve done a wonderful job keeping it to yourself. Sure, it wasn’t easy, not blurting out that I do know about what you’re really doing when you’re off with your dad on breaks, but . . .”
“Stop,” Albert said. “Just . . . stop.”
She smiled reassuringly again. “Albert. A mother always knows who her son really is. And I know, just as I knew about your father and his father, that you’re a Balance Keeper.”
And there it was.
Two words, two perfect words that explained everything.
Albert tried to speak, but all he really did was look like a fish out of water, opening and closing its mouth. He had so many questions.
“How?” he finally blurted out. “When? Who?”
Albert’s mom laughed, the sound warm and light and all too real in this moment. “I was married to a Balance Keeper,” she said. “Your dad might have kept the secret from you until the time was right, but I was his wife. And a wife always has a way of prying the truth from her husband. Your dad did so love those peanut butter brownies I used to make.”
Albert nodded. The brownies were pretty good, but good enough to pull the truth out of Bob Flynn? No way.
“The truth is,” his mom said, blowing Albert’s mind even further, “he told me about the Core right before we were married. He didn’t want me to be married to a man who held back the truth. He wanted me to know that, in the future, there was a chance his Balance Keeper genes would be passed on to our children.” She looked at Albert and grinned as bright as the sun. “And they were. To you, Albert.”
He swallowed the lump that had been growing in his throat. This conversation wasn’t full of accusations, fear, and disbelief like Albert had always imagined should his mom discover the truth about the Core. His mom was smiling. A lot. Like she was proud of Albert’s other life.
If this was a dream, he decided, he’d better act quickly, before he woke up.
“I have to go to the Core,” he said. “I have to go as soon as possible.”
His mom ran her fingers through her hair. She nodded, and when she met his eyes again, she looked incredibly sad.
“I already purchased your ticket,” she said. “Your father called me this afternoon, shortly after the earthquake.”
“You talked to Dad?” Albert blurted out. “Is he okay? Is the Core okay? Is the . . .”
His mom held up a hand. “He’s fine, Albert, and he didn’t give me any details, because honestly, I didn’t want them.”
“But you know about me being a Balance Keeper!” Albert said. “That means I can finally talk about everything with you, and not feel like there’s this big weight of the secret on my shoulders, and . . .”
“I don’t want to know the details,” she said. “I don’t want to know what dangerous things my son is out there doing. I just know that you need to be there, and so, because I love you and I believe in you, I’m going to let you go.”
She stood up and pushed her chair back in place beneath the table. “You leave first thing in the morning. The first flight out.”
She turned to go, but before she made it out of the kitchen, Albert leaped from his chair and ran the last few steps to her side.
He flung his arms around her and gave her the biggest hug he could manage.
“Thank you,” Albert said as she wrapped her arms around him, too. “Thank you for not being mad.”
She laughed again and ruffled his hair. “You might be my son, but you’re your father’s son, too. You were born to do this, Albert.” She pulled away from him and held him at arm’s length, so they could look into each other’s matching green eyes. “Just do me a favor? Whatever’s going on down there, make sure it gets right again. And come back to me. You might be a Balance Keeper, but you’re still my little boy.”
Albert raised an eyebrow at the “little,” but nodded. “I promise.”
“You’re just like him, you know,” she said. There was a sad look in her eyes suddenly, one full of memories near-forgotten.
“Like Dad?” Albert asked.
His mom shook her head, and the look in her eyes changed suddenly.
It wasn’t sadness any longer. Was that . . . fear?
“Mom?” Albert asked. “Who am I just like?”
“Get some sleep,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re going to need it. I love you, Albert. And I always will.”
“Love you too, Mom,” Albert said.
She sent him on his way back up the stairs with questions lingering in his mind.
But when he fell into his bed, sleep came in an instant and stole Albert away.
CHAPTER 3
The Cavalry Arrives
The plane ride was endless, or so it seemed.
Albert studied the Black Book the entire time, desperately trying to remember all the Tile symbols he’d yet to learn.
There were so many.
PlantGrow (the ability to grow plants without a seed)
BatSight (the ability to “see” in the dark, like bats)
LaughALot (making someone laugh uncontrollably)
By the time the plane landed, Albert’s brain felt like mush. He grabbed Farnsworth’s crate and walked like a zombie along the moving sidewalks at the airport. But then he saw a familiar shock of white hair at the exit, and his mind cleared. He felt rejuvenated from head to toe.
It was Pap. Maybe Albert would finally get some answers about the most recent Imbalance in the Core. Because surely that was why he’d been allowed to come, right?
He’d texted Birdie and Leroy, but hadn’t gotten any responses from them either.
Why was no one answering him?
Pap hugged Albert and helped him carry his bags to the car and let an eager Farnsworth out of his crate and into the backseat.
Pap’s driving was enough to give anyone a heart attack, and as Albert strapped his seat belt tight around his chest, they were off.
“So,” Pap said a few minutes later, as he swerved right to dodge a turtle in the road, “you’re back earlier than I expected.”
Albert nodded. He’d clutched his Master Tile the entire plane ride, afraid the traitor was going to somehow use the magic of the two Tiles he or she had to pluck Albert’s plane right out of the sky. That begged questions that, after two visits to the Core, Albert had never thought to ask.
Did the power of the Tiles work outside of the Core? Would the Master Tiles hold the same power on the surface? He was always afraid to try it himself, afraid of what might happen if he did.
He pressed his own Tile neatly beneath the collar of his shirt, hiding it away from the world. Pap had been a Balance Keeper once. Maybe he knew the answer to Albert’s questions, and more.
“There’s a traitor,” Albert said. His voice came out rougher than he’d expected. “There’s a traitor in the Core, and he or she is causing Imbalances. I’m scared, Pap.”
Pap rapped his knuckles on the steering wheel. He nodded, like he was mulling something over in his head. “You’re a Flynn,” he finally said. “Flynns are strong. Whoever this traitor is, you’ll give them a good whipping, I’m sure.”
“I hope you’re right,” Albert said.
He thought about Birdie and Leroy and knew they’d both say the same type of thing. A little flash of longing went through him. They were probably already in the Core, waiting for him to arrive.
Suddenly, Pap placed a hand on Albert’s shoulder. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but then he shook his head and sped up to near-breakneck speeds.
The car ride was silent the rest of the way into Herman.
The last time Albert was in Herman, the whole town was covered in a thick blanket of snow. Now buds were forming on the trees, and though a cold wind still whipped at the windows of Pap’s truck, there was a definite “springness” in the air. Everything felt fresh and light, and Albert’s body buzzed with the anticipation of being this much closer to the Core.
Pap whizzed through town, almost blowing through a stoplight. The old tires of his truck squealed as he skidded around a curve, soaring past the square post office. His porch buddies, a group of old men who seemed to never not be playing a game of Tiles, were, as always, sitting on the porch, sucking down gallons of sweet tea.
Farnsworth pressed his nose to the window and yipped happily as they passed by.
“Yep,” Albert said, scratching Farnsworth’s soft ears, “that’s where we first met! Where this all started, huh, buddy?”
The road came to a dead end, and usually, Pap took a sharp right. But not today.
Today, he gunned the engine and soared past Albert’s dad’s house, which was now a blur in the distance. They were heading toward the main entrance to the woods, where just a few months ago, Albert had driven his dad’s snowmobile.
“We’re not stopping at the house?” Albert asked. Farnsworth’s cold nose touched the bottom of his chin as he, too, turned to look at Pap.
The old man shrugged. “I’m under strict instructions. Straight to the Core. No time to waste. And, ahh. There’s your welcome party now, I believe.”
No sooner had he said it than Albert saw two familiar shapes in the distance. They were standing on the edge of the woods. One tall, with a backward hat on; the other shorter and ponytailed.
Pap slammed on the brakes, and the truck skidded to a stop. Albert practically leaped from the front seat; he knew who those two shapes were.
“It’s about time you showed up,” Birdie said as Albert rounded the front of the truck. She stood there with her hands on her hips, grinning like the madwoman she was. And she’d changed her hair! Birdie usually had pink streaks in her blond curls, but now she’d added in a few dashes of blue. Suddenly Albert had a craving for cotton candy.
Leroy stood casually beside her, leaning against a fat tree. “Give the dude a break, Birdie,” he said, striding forward. Had he grown since Albert saw him last? Albert was sure he’d gained at least another inch in the few months they’d been apart. Leroy smiled and held his long arms out. “Well? Did we surprise you?”
Albert pulled them both into a group hug, then stepped back and scratched his head. “So this is why you guys weren’t answering any of my texts? I figured you were already in the Core!”
“The cavalry is here,” Leroy said, bowing. “Or, at least, two great traveling companions.”
Birdie nodded, her eyes wide. “We’re sorry! Your dad asked us not to say a word. Something about being as careful as possible.”
“He wanted us to be here, so we could all enter the Core together,” Leroy added in. “For safety, probably. He was worried about calling you and alerting anyone to your arrival. He thought it would make you feel better if we were all together. Just in case, you know . . .” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “The traitor is waiting just inside.”
Birdie thumped him over the head. “Don’t scare him, you bonehead!”
“I wasn’t trying to scare him, I was just being honest!” Leroy said, and Albert laughed.
Birdie and Leroy would have been the perfect siblings.
“You should be on your way,” Pap said from behind Albert. He handed him his backpack.
“Thanks for the ride,” Albert said. “I wish you could come with us.”
Pap chuckled and draped an arm across Albert’s shoulders. He smelled like old leather and evergreen trees, and Albert suddenly wished he could stay here, in Herman, where it was safe and sound, and there wasn’t a traitor lurking around the corner, just waiting to destroy the world.
Pap sighed. “My time has passed. But yours is just beginning.” He gave Albert a good squeeze and lowered his head. “Keep those two friends of yours close. Loyalty is your best asset in times like these.”
Farnsworth let out a growl and tugged on the toe of Pap’s leather boot.
“And keep that dog under control,” he said, nudging Farnsworth playfully.
“I will,” Albert said. Pap climbed into his truck, and the old engine sputtered to life.
“Albert?” Pap called out the window. He chewed on his lip for a moment and adjusted his rearview mirror. “Just . . . remember who you are. Remember that the Flynns are the good guys. No matter what anyone else says.” He waved good-bye before peeling out, rocks flying behind him.
Albert watched him fade into the distance. That was kind of a weird thing for Pap to say. He shook it away a second later and turned to his friends.
“Farnsworth?” he said. The little dog yipped and circled Albert’s feet. “Lead the way!”
Farnsworth howled once. Then he turned and dashed into the woods, a blur of black amid the evergreen trees.
“That dog doesn’t understand the meaning of lead the way,” Leroy said.
“We’ll find the path together,” Albert said.
Birdie hopped in the middle of them and linked her arms between Albert’s and Leroy’s. “Another adventure awaits us, boys,” she said. “Let’s do this.”
Together, they headed into the woods.
CHAPTER 4
The Troll Tree
Albert had been in these woods many times over the course of his eleven years. When he was younger, he would imagine the trees were alive and it was his mission to discover their secrets. Little did he know, there was life in the ring of trees beyond Herman, and it all centered on the Troll Tree.
Albert knew he’d never forget the first time he came upon it. He had followed Farnsworth through the shadows, determined to deliver a letter to some strange hermit who lived there.
He could still remember the shadows moving through the trees, and the awful, prickly feeling he got when he thought he was being watched. Or followed.
Of course, it had only been Leroy and Birdie making their way through the woods like he was, for their first visit to the Core. The way they seemed to disappear was the work of the Path Hider, who concealed their paths toward the Core to confuse anyone from the surface world who might have seen them.
Now, on Albert’s third time finding the Troll Tree, he was with those shadows. And they had become his best friends in the entire world.
“It’s really fascinating,” Birdie said as she hopped over a fallen log, “that we’re finally entering the Core together. Like, totally as a team.”
“It would be more fascinating if Farnsworth would slow down,” Leroy said. He took his hat off and shook out his sweaty hair.
Albert laughed as they passed by the slingshot tree. Farnsworth was, indeed, doing his typical race ahead. He was a blur of black in the trees, leaping up every so often to snap at a bug.
“I think I’ve memorized the way by now,” Albert said. “We’ll be there soon.”
What he didn’t say was, what will be waiting for us when we reach the tree? Or even worse, he thought, as he swallowed a new lump in his throat, who will be waiting for us?
Albert pressed his Master Tile closer against his chest, and they walked on.
Eventually they came to the familiar stream, and Albert and Leroy took turns leaping over it. Birdie just stomped through the water.
The Troll Tree would be a few minutes ahead.
Albert let the sounds of his friends’ voices distract him from the dread that was gnawing at him.
It didn’t help much, though. The gnawing was still there when the Troll Tree came into view.
And then it got worse.
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The Troll Tree was as wide as a school bus, so large it should have been impossible that it even existed. It was a magnificent being, full of life and secrets just begging to be uncovered. Or, at least, it had been.
The tree was wilting now. The branches hung like tired arms, and where there should have been new springtime buds, there was nothing.
It looked as barren as a tree in the middle of winter.
“It’s . . . dying,” Birdie said. Her voice was only a whisper.
Leroy shook his head. “It looks like it’s already dead.”
Albert rushed forward. He circled the tree, searching for some speck of green. Around and around he went, ignoring Birdie’s and Leroy’s shouts.
It was all so wrong. The bark was peeling in places, like flecks of shriveled skin, so different from the rough, thick covering it had once been.
Albert found the door on the side of the tree, and the handle looked rusted and forgotten. He put his hand on it, about to turn the knob, but he stopped.
If the outside of the Troll Tree looked this bad . . . what would be waiting for him and his friends once they stepped inside?
Birdie and Leroy came up behind him. Farnsworth appeared at their feet, his ears droopy and his tail totally still.
It was Leroy who finally spoke. “I’m not sure what happened here, but we have to go in, and we’re going to do it together.”
He nudged Birdie, who had been standing there staring blankly at Albert. “Right,” she said. She stomped her foot and stood tall. “We go in together, and we face whatever we have to face to make it to the Core.”
Albert’s hand was still on the knob, so Leroy set his over Albert’s. Then Birdie stacked hers on top.
On the count of three, they turned the knob.
The door swung open, creaking on its hinges, and Team Hydra stepped inside the lifeless depths.
CHAPTER 5
A Surprise Welcome
No one had thought to bring a flashlight, but Albert had something even better to cut through the darkness.
Farnsworth was in the lead, his tail wagging like a helicopter blade, his bright-blue eye beams on full blast.