Fablehaven Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven Series, Book 2)
Brandon Mull
The New Student
Crowding into homeroom with the other eighth graders,
Kendra found her way to her desk. In a moment the
bell would ring, signaling the start of the last week of school.
One final week and she would leave middle school behind
forever and start anew as a high school freshman, mingling
with kids from two other junior highs.
A year ago that had sounded like a more exciting
prospect than it did now. Kendra had been stuck in a nerd
rut since around fourth grade, and a fresh start in high
school might have meant an opportunity to shed the quiet,
studious image. But this had been a renaissance year.
Amazing how swiftly a little confidence and a more outgoing
attitude could elevate your social status. Kendra no longer
felt as desperate for a new beginning.
Alyssa Carter sat down in the desk next to her. I heard
we get yearbooks today, she said. She had short blonde hair
and a slender build. Kendra had met Alyssa after making the
soccer team back in September.
Great, I looked hypnotized in my picture, Kendra
groaned.
Yours was adorable. Remember mine? My braces look
the size of train tracks.
Whatever. You could hardly even notice them.
The bell rang. Most of the kids were in their seats. Mrs.
Price entered the room accompanied by the most disfigured
student Kendra had ever seen. The boy had a bald, scabrous
scalp and a face like a chapped welt. His eyes were puckered
slits, his nose a malformed cavity, his mouth lipless and
crusty. He scratched his arm, crooked fingers lumpy with
bulging warts.
The hideous boy was otherwise nicely dressed in a black
and red button-down shirt, jeans, and stylish tennis shoes.
He stood in front of the class beside Mrs. Price while she
introduced him.
I'd like you all to meet Casey Hancock. His family just
moved here from California. It can't be easy starting at a
new school so late in the year, so please give him a warm
welcome.
Just call me Case, the boy rasped. He spoke like he was
strangling.
Would you look at that, Alyssa murmured.
No kidding, Kendra whispered back. The poor kid
barely looked human. Mrs. Price directed him to a desk near
the front of the room. Creamy pus leaked from multiple
sores on the back of his scabby head.
I think I'm in love, Alyssa said.
Don't be mean, Kendra muttered.
What? I'm serious. Don't you think he's a hottie?
Alyssa was acting so sincere that Kendra found herself
repressing a smile. That's just cruel.
Are you blind? He's amazing! Alyssa sounded genuinely
offended that Kendra didn't agree.
If you say so, Kendra placated. Just not my type.
Alyssa shook her head as if Kendra were crazy. You must
be the pickiest girl on the planet.
Morning announcements were droning over the loudspeaker.
Case was talking with Jonathon White. Jonathon
smiled and laughed. That was strange ---- Jonathon was a jerk,
not the sort of kid to befriend a circus freak. Kendra noticed
Jenna Chamberlain and Karen Sommers sharing looks and
whispers as if they too found Case attractive. Like Alyssa,
they didn't seem to be joking. Scanning the room, Kendra
didn't see a single student who seemed repulsed by his
appearance.
What was going on? Nobody who looked this weird
could come into a class without raising any eyebrows.
And suddenly the truth was apparent.
Casey Hancock looked inhumanly deformed and
hideous because he was not a human. He had to be some
sort of goblin who looked like a normal kid to everybody
else. Kendra alone could see his true form, the aftereffect of
having been kissed by hundreds of giant fairies.
Since leaving Fablehaven nearly a year ago, Kendra had
seen magical creatures only twice. Once she had noticed a
bearded man barely a foot tall pulling a length of pipe out of
a pile of rubble behind the movie theater. When she tried to
move in for a closer look, the tiny man scurried away into a
storm drain. On another occasion she spotted what looked
like a golden owl with a human face. She made eye contact
with the creature for an instant before it took flight in a
flurry of gilded feathers.
Such odd sights were usually veiled from mortal eyes.
Her Grandpa Sorenson had introduced her to magical milk
that enabled people to see through the illusions that normally
concealed mystical creatures. When the fairy kisses
had made that ability permanent, he had warned Kendra
that sometimes it was safer to leave certain things unseen.
And here she was, staring at a grotesque monster posing
as a new student in her homeroom! Mrs. Price came down
the aisle handing out yearbooks. Kendra doodled absently
on one of her book covers. Why was the creature here?
Surely it had something to do with her. Unless repulsive
goblins routinely infiltrated the public school system. Was
he here to spy? To cause trouble? Almost certainly he was up
to mischief.
Glancing up, Kendra caught the goblin staring at her
over his shoulder. She should be glad to be aware the new
kid had a hidden identity, right? The knowledge made her
nervous, but it would help her prepare to counter any threat
he might pose. With her secret ability, she could keep an eye
on him. If she played it cool, Case would have no idea she
could see his true form.
* * * *
Shaped like a huge box, Roosevelt Middle School was
constructed so that in winter the students never needed to
go outdoors. Interior hallways connected everything, and
the same room where they held assemblies doubled as an
indoor cafeteria. But beneath the June sun, Kendra found
herself seated outside for lunch with three friends at a circular
table connected to curved benches.
Kendra signed Brittany's yearbook while munching on a
croissant sandwich. Trina was signing Kendra's, Alyssa was
signing Trina's, and Brittany was signing Alyssa's. It was
important for Kendra to write a long, meaningful message
after all, these were her best friends. Have a great summer
might work for acquaintances, but true friends required
something more original. The key was to mention specific
jokes you had shared, or fun things you had done together
during the year. At the moment, Kendra was writing about
the time Brittany couldn't stop laughing while trying to give
an oral report in History.
Suddenly, uninvited, Casey Hancock plopped down at
their table holding a lunch tray loaded with cafeteria
lasagna, sliced carrots, and chocolate milk. Trina and Alyssa
scooted aside to make room for him. It was almost unprecedented
boldness for a lone boy to settle in at a table with
four girls. Trina appeared slightly annoyed. Alyssa shot
Kendra a look as if she had just won the lottery. If only
Alyssa could see what her new crush actually looked like!
I don't think we've met, Case announced, his voice
pinched and gravelly. I'm Case. I just moved here. Just
hearing him speak made Kendra's throat sore.
Alyssa introduced herself and the others. Case had been
in two of Kendra's classes since homeroom. He had been
well received each time he had stood up front for an introduction,
particularly by the girls.
Case lifted a forkful of lasagna to his toothless mouth,
affording Kendra a glimpse of his narrow black tongue.
Watching him chew made her stomach churn.
So what do you do for fun around here ? Case asked
around a mouthful of carrots.
We start by sitting with people we know, Trina said.
Kendra covered a smile. She had never been so grateful to
see Trina giving somebody a hard time.
Is this the cool kids' table? Case replied with mock surprise.
I'd planned to start at the bottom and work my way
up. The comeback left Trina speechless. Case winked at
Alyssa, to show he meant no harm. For a scab-faced goblin,
he was pretty smooth.
You've been in some of my classes, Case said to
Kendra, wolfing down more lasagna. English and Math. It
was hard to look into those squinty eyes and keep her face
pleasant.
That's right, Kendra managed.
at my old school. I'm just here to hang out and meet
people.
That's how I feel, Brittany said. But Kendra and
Alyssa get like straight A's.
You know, Case said, I hate going to the movies
alone, but I have no friends yet. You guys want to catch a
show tonight?
Sure, Brittany said.
Kendra was stunned by the outlandish bravado of asking
out four girls all at once on the first day at a new school.
This was the smoothest goblin of all time! What was he
after?
I'll come, Alyssa said.
Okay, Trina agreed. If you're on your best behavior, I
might even let you sign my yearbook.
I don't give autographs, Case replied offhandedly.
Kendra, you coming?
Kendra hesitated. How could she sit through an entire
movie beside a foul monster? But how could she abandon
her friends when she was the only person who knew what
they were getting into? Maybe, she conceded.
The crusty goblin took a final bite of lasagna. How
about we meet outside the theater at seven? The one on
Kendall by the mini mall. Just trust to luck that something
good will be playing. The other girls agreed as he stood up
and walked away.
Kendra watched her friends talk animatedly about Case.
He had won Alyssa at first sight. Brittany was an easy sell.
And Trina was the sort of girl who liked to be catty but then
got attracted if the guy stood up to her. Kendra supposed she
would have been impressed herself if she didn't know he was
a revolting monster.
There was no way she could tell her friends the truth
about Case. Any accusations would sound crazy. But he was
almost certainly up to something shady.
There was only one person in her whole town whom
Kendra could tell about her situation. And he wasn't exactly
her most reliable acquaintance.
Seth lined up against Randy Sawyer. Randy was quick,
but short. Seth had started the school year a bit shorter than
most of the boys in his grade, but was finishing the year
taller than average. The best strategy against Randy would
be to go long and make the most of his height advantage.
Spencer McCain hiked the football to himself and
dropped back. Four boys went out, while four others covered.
One defender stayed at the line counting alligators. Seth
jerked like he was going to cut across the field, then raced
straight for the end zone. Spencer lofted a high spiral. The
pass was a little short, but coming back for it, Seth out jumped
Randy and hauled it in. Randy immediately tagged
Seth with both hands, downing him just shy of Chad
Dupree's sweatshirt, which marked the front of the end zone.
Third and goal, Spencer declared, jogging down the
field.
Seth! a voice exclaimed. Seth turned. It was Kendra.
His sister didn't usually talk to him at school. Roosevelt
Middle School was sixth through eighth grades, so Seth was
at the bottom of the pecking order after having ruled his elementary
school the previous year.
Just a second, Seth called to Kendra. The guys were
lining up. Seth got into position. Spencer hiked the football
to himself, then threw a short interception to Derek Totter.
Seth didn't even bother chasing Derek. He was the fastest
kid in their grade. Derek dashed all the way to the opposite
end zone.
Seth trotted over to Kendra. Bringing good luck as
usual? he said.
That was a weak pass.
Spencer only gets to quarterback because he throws the
best spirals. What's up?
I need you to come see something, Kendra said.
Seth folded his arms. This was all very uncommon. She
wasn't just talking to him at school, she wanted him to go
someplace with her?
We're kicking off! Randy yelled.
I'm in the middle of a game, Seth told her.
This is Fablehaven-type stuff.
Seth turned to his friends. Sorry! I have to quit for a
You know how I can still see magical creatures?
Yeah.
There was a new student in some of my classes today,
she explained. He's pretending to be human, but he's actually
an ugly monster.
No way.
My friends think he's cute. I can't see what he looks
like. I want you to describe him to me.
Where is he? Seth asked.
Over there, talking to Lydia Southwell, Kendra said,
pointing subtly.
The blond kid?
I don't know. Red and black shirt?
He is cute! Seth gushed.
What does he look like?
He has the dreamiest eyes.
Knock it off, Kendra demanded.
He must be thinking the most beautiful thoughts.
Seth, I'm serious! The bell rang, announcing the end
of lunch.
He's really a monster? Seth asked.
He looks a little like the creature who came in through
the window on Midsummer Eve, Kendra said.
The one I salted?
Yes. What is he pretending to look like?
Is this a joke? Seth asked suspiciously. He's just some
new kid you have a crush on, isn't he? If you're scared, I can
go ask
for his phone number.
I'm not messing around. Kendra swatted him on the
arm.
He looks athletic. He's got a dent in his chin. Blond
hair. It's kind of messy, but cool. Like it's on purpose. He
could probably get a part on a soap opera. Good enough?
Not bald and covered in scabs and pus? Kendra verified.
Nope. Is he really all disgusting?
He makes me want to puke. Thanks, see you later.
Kendra hurried away.
Mr. Soap Opera was also moving away, still chatting
with Lydia Southwell. For a monster, he had good taste. She
was one of the cutest girls in the school.
Seth figured he had better get to class. Mr. Meyers had
threatened to give him detention if he was late again.
* * * *
Kendra sat in silence as Dad chauffeured her to the
movie theater. She had tried to persuade Alyssa not to go.
Alyssa had started to act suspicious that Kendra secretly
wanted Case all to herself, and since Kendra could not tell
her friend the truth, she had to drop it. In the end, Kendra
had decided to join them, concluding that she could not
leave her friends alone with a scheming goblin.
What movie are you seeing? Dad asked.
We're going to figure it out when we get there, Kendra
said. Don't worry ---- nothing racy. Kendra wished she could
tell her father about her predicament, but he knew nothing
about the magical properties of the preserve Grandpa and
Grandma Sorenson managed. He thought it was just a normal
estate.
You're sure that you're ready for finals?
I've been keeping up with my assignments all year. It
will just take a quick review. I'll ace them. Kendra wished
she could talk to her Grandpa Sorenson about the situation.
She had tried to call. Unfortunately, the only number her
parents had for him led repeatedly to a recorded message
informing her that the call could not be completed as dialed.
The only other way she knew to contact him was through
the mail. So, just in case the phone was out for a while, she
had written Grandpa a letter describing the situation, which
she planned to mail the next day. It felt good to lay out her
predicament to somebody besides Seth, even if it was just on
paper. Hopefully she would get through by phone even
before the letter arrived.
Dad pulled into the movie theater parking lot. Alyssa
and Trina were standing out front. Beside them stood a
hideous goblin wearing a T-shirt and khakis.
How do I know when to pick you up? Dad asked.