Free The Glass Wall (Return of the Ancients Book 1) by Carmen Caine, Madison Adler

Skills?”
    Grace rolled her eyes a little, but stopped her conversation with Ellison to rattle off, “First aid, driving automatic and stick, self-defense, water purification, fire-building, shelter construction, recognizing edible plants, and grilling the ultimate American burger!”
    Ellison grinned.
    “And what does ‘STOP’ mean?” Al asked, nodding proudly.
    “Stop, Think, Observe, and Plan,” she said, sniggering a little with Ellison.
    “And, what are the basic threes?” He raised his brows at his daughter.
    “A human can survive three minutes without air, three hours in the snow without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food.” She sent me a commiserating smile.
    “And, the most important rule?” Al held up his finger, waiting.
    “When complete secrecy and trust is required, use the Mackenzie Covert Code Phrase: ‘Can you get me some of those Blue Pickles?’” Grace giggled.
    “Well done, soldier!” Al gave her a salute and then turned to peer down at me. “It looks like we’ll have to start our little Sydney’s basic training immediately! On the way home tomorrow, I’ll pick up a driver’s guide for you to study. We’ll get this transportation situation cleared up and get you independent ASAP!”
    I nodded, a little intimidated, but feeling a glow of warmth at his words “our little Sydney”. No one had ever called me that before. I was strangely misty-eyed.
    “Betty, can you drop this girl off at the store after school?” Al continued. “She can take the bus home.”
    I nodded, pleased. I didn’t tell him I didn’t have money for the bus fare, but it didn’t matter. I figured I could walk. I would pick a big store that wasn’t too far away.
    “Of course, honey,” Betty replied, sending me a warm smile.
    I was grateful that she didn’t ask why. But then Betty never pried. In fact, she had respected my space and had never forced me into awkward conversations. Suddenly, I realized I’d grown quite fond of her. I was going to steal a really nice present.

 
    Chapter Eight - Caught!
     
     
    Jung Lin, her strange comments, and the mysterious stones kept my thoughts preoccupied the next morning. I stumbled around the house looking for my books and then searching for my sweatshirt before finally making it out the door. We had almost left the neighborhood when I suddenly remembered I had forgotten my backpack. Betty was kind enough to return for it. It would have been a disaster to forget it, as I planned to use it to shoplift her present after school.
    Back at the house again, I retrieved my backpack. Then on the way to the truck for the second time, I picked up a few fairy runes from the grass and stuck them in my pocket. I found them comforting, though I didn’t know why.
    The school day passed uneventfully. My mind continually wandered between Jung and my shoplifting plans. I spent so much time trying to justify stealing Betty’s present that I actually considered nixing the whole plan.
    Finally, the last bell rang and I headed to the bridge where Grace and Ellison were already waiting. They were talking, or it was more like Ellison was talking nonstop while Grace listened, but she didn’t seem to mind. In fact, if I hadn’t known about her crush on Rafael, I’d have sworn she had a small one on Ellison.
    I was nervous. I hated thinking about shoplifting too much before I did it. It was bad luck. Though only caught twice for shoplifting, both times were for items that I had plotted for in advance. A little aggravated, I kicked the engraved letters on the sidewalk and then moved to the gravel on the side of the bridge and kicked that too. A clod of mud arched into the air. There was a plopping sound followed by an enraged squeal.
    I jerked around to see Reese, the girl who looked like she belonged in a private school.
    Reese stared at me with a livid expression.
    Then, I saw the glop of mud dribbling down her pale yellow skirt. My eyes widened.