Chapter 42
We have gym class before lunch, but Mr. Lundin doesn’t say much. He just splits us into teams and gets out the balls to play dodgeball.
He seems broken, a shadow of himself, moving without purpose. Every now and then I glance over at him, sitting in the corner in his red T-shirt and gray sweatpants with a whistle around his neck.
I think of Axel’s mother, the devastation in her voice and despair in her eyes. Something tells me the same thoughts are running through his mind.
He doesn’t blow the whistle once.
When class is over, everyone starts heading to the changing rooms, but I linger behind.
He doesn’t notice me approach. I have to subtly clear my throat before he looks up.
“Is something the matter?”
“No,” I say. “I just wanted to say that it was fun today. The class, that is.”
Mr. Lundin’s eyes are tired, and I don’t think he’s taking my words in. He looks like a big kid waiting to be told what to do. For a moment I wonder if he even remembers my name.
“You’re a good teacher,” I say, even though it sounds awkward and kind of silly. “I just wanted to tell you that.”
“Thank you, Tuva.”
“I’d better go and change,” I say, gesturing toward the locker rooms.
“You do that.”
Maybe I’m imagining it, but it sounds like there’s just a little more life in his voice now.
Mr. Lundin gets up and walks toward the door while I hurry to the showers. By the time I’ve changed out of my gym clothes, the locker room is empty. Everyone else has gone to the cafeteria.
I sink down on the bench and close my eyes.
It’s hopeless. The police don’t believe us, and it’s been over a week since Axel disappeared. The search parties have left the island.
Try as they might, they found no trace of Axel. It’s as if he was never here.
A shudder runs through my body when I think of Ms. Granberg.
What’s she going to do now? How far is she prepared to go? I don’t know how we can stop her.
I bring my hand up to the scars on my neck. Run my fingertips along the raised tissue. I felt strong this morning in the boat. Now I just wish I could run away. I don’t feel safe at school, knowing Ms. Granberg is here.
Then again, I’m not safe anywhere near the water.
There’s not a sound to be heard when I finally gather my things and walk toward the door with my gym bag over my shoulder. As I come to the threshold, I hesitate with my hand on the door handle. I don’t want to stay all alone in this empty building, but I don’t want to leave either.
When I finally open the door, the wind catches it and nearly snatches it from my grasp. It has started to drizzle, and I shiver in the biting cold.
The sky is blanketed in dark clouds that weren’t there before. I hope there’s something hot for lunch. I hope Rasmus has saved me a seat.
I start toward the building with my head down. As I pass the library, someone steps out from behind a bush and blocks my path.
It happens so fast that we almost crash into each other, and I drop my bag. Without thinking, I sink to my knees to pick it up. Then I realize who’s standing over me.
She has her hands by her sides, and I see the glint of that little gold star on her canine when she parts her lips. Her blond hair is tied up in a messy ponytail, nothing like her usual glossy, well-groomed hair.
“We need to talk,” says Ms. Granberg.