Beyond the Shroud Read Online Free Page B

mates, you an’ me?’
    â€˜No thanks,’ I said abruptly. ‘I’ve got all the friends I need.’
    I might as well have saved my breath. He carried on as if he hadn’t heard. ‘Bet you’re wondering how I got my nickname. Know what a weevil is?’
    Impatiently, I shook my head. Over his shoulder I could see that the minute hand of the clock was creeping closer to the six.
    â€˜It’s a bug — an insect that burrows into stuff that’s stored away. Weevils can get inside lots of places. Private places. Anywhere — anywhere at all. I could show you fings about computers you’ve never even dreamed about. Know what a hacker is? Bet you don’t. Look it up in the dictionary — if you know how.’
    â€˜Weevil,’ I said wearily, ‘go away.’
    The minute hand had reached the six. I turned my back on him, pressed Control S to save, and quit. I gave a long, luxurious, phoney stretch, like a guy without a care in the world. When I turned round, he was gone.

The principal’s award
    For the next week, I concentrated on staying out of trouble. I felt like a tightrope walker … and every step I took, I watched my back.
    I made myself stop and think before I did things. Before I said things; before I practically even thought things. As much as I could, I stayed out of everyone’s way — except for Cameron. Having a goody-good for a friend was a bit like having a magical talisman: Cam had a natural talent for keeping away from trouble, and as long as I hung out with him, it seemed to rub off on me.
    Then, on Sunday night, I was in the boys’ bathroom cleaning my teeth when suddenly another reflection appeared next to mine in the mirror. I just about choked on the toothpaste. Scowled at him, bent, spat in the hand basin. Rinsed my mouth, then turned, ready to push past him and out of there.
    But what he said next stopped me dead in my tracks. ‘I know where you’re going in the holidays. You’re going toQuested Court. And I want to come wiff you. You’d be allowed to take a friend. Especially a friend who knows as much about computers as I do — a new boy wiff nowhere else to go. What do you say, Adam?’
    â€˜Where I’m going in the holidays is my business,’ I growled. ‘And if I was allowed to take a friend, you’d be the last person I’d choose. Now butt out and leave me alone!’
    â€˜Remember what I said about weevils? I know more than you fink.’ He smirked. ‘Like I said, weevils can get inside lots of places. Private places. Anywhere at all.’
    â€˜Oh, shut up!’ I snarled. ‘You’ve been sneaking through Matron’s papers — and I hope she catches you!’
    I shoved past and padded through to the dorm. Slid between the cold sheets and turned my back on the room, staring at the familiar pattern of flaking paint on the wall.
    Weevil or no Weevil, Matron or no Matron, a whole week had gone by safely. There was only one week left till I’d escape to Quested Court — and a whole different life.

    I tightrope-walked my way through Monday … Tuesday … Wednesday. On Wednesday after school, I ran all the way back to Highgate and shut myself in the rec room to finish my project. For once, I worked for the entire half hour without a single thing disturbing me. I even managed to do the index. Then, with five minutes to go, I clicked on the Print icon and watched page after perfect page scroll out from the printer.
    I didn’t have time to admire it — instead I snuck into the dorm and hid it under my mattress, where it wouldn’t get crumpled. That night, when everyone else was asleep, I slipped it out and read it under the blankets in the dim glow of my pencil torch.
    First thing on Friday morning, I handed it in. All XI pages: Roman Gladiators, by ADAM EQUINOX. The McCracken’s eyebrows just about hit the ceiling. I’d