Free The Demon Notebook by Erika McGann

can you help us or not?” Jenny asked.
    â€œYou really are a charming bunch, aren’t you?”
    â€œCan you help us?” Jenny repeated.
    Mrs. Quinlan took a deep breath and sat back in her chair.
    â€œI can try,” she said. “But we’re dealing with powers bigger and meaner than anything you could imagine. This isn’t going to be easy. There a few things we can try, but I need your solemn word that you’ll do whatever I tell you. There’s no chickening out now. Understood?”
    â€œUnderstood,” said Grace firmly. “Whatever we have to do, we’ll do it.”
    â€œGood,” said the woman. “Now get out of my house. I have potions to mix, and I need peace and quiet while I do it.”
    â€œDo you want to take my cell number,” asked Grace, “so you can call us when you need us?”
    â€œDo you see a phone around here?”
    â€œOh, then how will you get in touch with us?”
    â€œKeep an eye on the hedge at the end of the football field,” the woman replied. “I’ll tie a red scarf on it when I need you.”
    Grace nodded in agreement. Mrs. Quinlan raised her eyebrows.
    â€œAre you still here?”
    â€œSorry,” said Grace. “We’re leaving. And…you know…thanks.”
    â€œHmph,” was the woman’s response.
    Two minutes later, the girls were back in the cul-de-sac.
    â€œI don’t trust her,” said Adie as they scrambled back through the wiry hedge toward school.
    â€œWell, she’s the only chance we’ve got, and she seems to know what she’s talking about,” said Grace. “Besides, it’s a relief to know we’re not on our own anymore.”
    â€œMaybe, but…I don’t know. What’s the stuff she’s talking about that we can’t chicken out of? What’s she going to make us do?”
    â€œYeah,” said Jenny. “What if she tells us we have to sacrifice a goat or something?”
    â€œI’m not doing that.” Adie frowned.
    â€œMe neither,” said Rachel.
    â€œWe don’t know what we’re going to have to do,” sighed Grace. “We’ll just have to hope it’s nothing like that.”
    The group went silent as they trundled across the football field, each picturing the horrible, gross deeds that might be required to banish the demon they had summoned. Each one was already dreading the sight of a red scarf, tied to a branch of the skinny hedge, dancing in the breeze.
    ***
    On Friday morning, Grace arrived at her locker and was horrified to see a red rose tucked into the door. Whipping it out and stuffing it into her bag before anyone else could see, she turned—to find herself looking straight into the handsome eyes of James O’Connor.
    â€œGood morning.” He smiled.
    She groaned to herself.
    â€œHello, James.”
    â€œI left something for you, on your locker.”
    â€œI got it, thank you.”
    â€œI was wondering if you wanted to go see a movie this weekend.”
    â€œI’m really…I’m very busy. I really can’t.”
    Grace turned and walked quickly down the corridor. James followed, keeping in step with her.
    â€œWhat about just meeting at the park?” he asked hopefully. “Just for a little bit. We could have a picnic or something.”
    â€œI don’t like picnics.”
    â€œNo, of course not.” He nodded solemnly. “They just attract bees and stuff, don’t they? What about just going for a walk then?”
    â€œI’m really not feeling well, James,” she said, stopping suddenly. “I think I’m just going to stay home this weekend.”
    â€œGood idea,” he said. “I’ll come over to your house.”
    â€œNo!” she exclaimed. “Please don’t.”
    â€œJust for a few minutes,” he said. “To see how you are. I could bring some soup.”
    â€œDon’t