The Great Escape Read online

  ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, Birdie and I shuffled down the hallway toward the science lab. Today was tough, even though we had our drumming class. (Elijah was in heaven.) All I could think about was our detention. And now it was happening.

  We passed a giant banner that read: BUY YOUR FALL FESTIVAL WRISTBANDS IN ADVANCE! Right now, I didn’t want to think about anything in advance, especially not what was coming next. Phoenix strode ahead. The back of her vintage rainbow shirt made the world seem happy, even though it wasn’t right now.

  Normally, moving slowly is not my thing. But I wanted to avoid the inevitable.

  My first and hopefully last detention.

  Just as we passed the central office, Phoenix disappeared around the corner.

  And at that very moment, none other than my mother, the principal of Rosalind Franklin Elementary, hurried out of the main office doorway, which says ALL VISITORS TO FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY MUST SIGN IN.

  My stomach dropped to the school’s foundation.

  “Hi, girls,” my mom said in her usual nonheadachy, cheerful voice. She clutched a lined yellow notepad in her arms. Even though it was after a full day, her brown suit looked as crisp as it had this morning.

  “I can see you’re off to chemistry club,” she said. “Just swing on by when you all are ready to go home.”

  “Sure,” I said in what I hoped was a peppy voice.

  I gave Birdie a please-don’t-say-anything look. But Birdie didn’t glance back. For some reason, she studied the floor like she might trip on her shoelaces.

  We speed-walked away from the office. “You didn’t tell her?” whispered Birdie, still studying her sneakers.

  “No,” I admitted.

  “I guess you must be pretty upset not to tell your mom. You tell her everything.”

  “Yeah.” My voice caught. Birdie knows I always give my family a summary of my day at dinner. My dad jokingly calls it my scientific report.

  “Did you tell your parents?” I asked Birdie.

  “Yes. Kind of. And my mom immediately wanted to call up Jeremy’s mom, and, well, your mom. But I talked her out of it.”

  “That’s good news.” Birdie’s mom is a lawyer, and when she gets worked up about something, you know it. When she goes to court, she has to convince people that her client is correct. She fights really hard for them by outlining all the evidence that supports her argument. Birdie and I once got to watch her practice what she was going to say. And wow.

  “It’s odd that Ms. Daly didn’t at least tell your mom what happened,” said Birdie.

  “Yeah.” I shrugged. “I have no clue why.”

  We ducked into the science lab and went to the table, where Phoenix was already sitting down. Nearby on the materials table was a bag of iron oxide powder and a bottle of distilled water. Also, in the back of the lab sat stacks of cardboard boxes. Normally, I’d be curious about what we might do with them. But not today.

  I just wanted to get this over with. I also wanted Birdie to tell me what was bothering her—if it was just science detention or something else. But I wasn’t about to ask her about it in front of other people. What if I was the reason she looked so upset? I thought about how impatient I had been yesterday. Oh, gosh. It probably was because of me.

  Ms. Daly sat at her desk, reading over some papers. She didn’t even glance up. She didn’t even say hello.

  This wasn’t a good start.

  Elijah moped at the table across from us and barely waved hello. Memito and Jeremy swung into the room and plopped down. Memito glanced at the clock on the wall as if he was willing it to say 4:00 p.m.

  I got that.

  But not Jeremy. He grinned so hard his dimples pressed into his cheeks. He folded his hands in his lap and sat up extra straight. “We’re ready for our detention,” he said in an enthusiastic voice.

  Ms. Daly pressed her hands into the desk. “Detention? What gave you the idea that this is a detention?”

  “Because it’s after school,” said Jeremy almost giddily. “And you’re really angry with us, right?”

  “Angry?” Ms. Daly shook her head so fast you could just see a blur of silver hair. “Ooooh, you kids would know if I was upset.” She popped out of her chair and paced in front of her desk. “You messed up, but I believe in all sorts of proactive interventions and that’s why you’re here today. This isn’t a detention.”

  “Aw, man.” Jeremy slumped back in his chair and huffed.

  I swiveled around, trying to understand how Jeremy could possibly be disappointed.

  “Jeremy, you’re not even making a teensy weensy”—Memito held up his fingers like he was pinching them—“bit of sense.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” I said.

  “Dude, you actually want a detention?” Elijah shook his head. “Are you dehydrated or something?”

  Ms. Daly motioned for us all to stop talking. “Let’s review some important rules that you didn’t follow yesterday.”

  She grabbed a neon-yellow metric ruler and tapped the Science Lab Rules poster, which hung right above her desk. “Be responsible at all times. No horseplay, practical jokes, or pranks.”

  “Horseplay sounds way dangerous,” said Memito. “Like you’re playing with a horse in school. Those things kick.”

  “Or it’s a theater show about a horse,” said Elijah. And Memito neighed.

  “I don’t think so,” said Phoenix, rolling her eyes.

  “They’re joking,” said Jeremy with a cool shrug. “Can’t you people take a joke?”

  “Not in a science lab,” said Birdie, pointing up at the poster of rules.

  Phoenix raised her hand. “Exactly, because horseplay means you’re goofing off.”

  “That’s a word my grandpa uses,” said Jeremy. “It’s weird.”

  “Well, you can’t horseplay here,” said Ms. Daly. “Whether it’s a weird word or not. And this rule is very important.” She once again gestured up at the list of rules. “Handle all science materials and tools carefully. And put things back.”

  I raised my hand. “I guess that means no tug-of-war.”

  “Bingo!” shouted Ms. Daly. “Give that girl some protective lab goggles, because her life is going to be so bright.” She rocked forward and knit her hands together. “I think you all are very clear on why I’m disappointed in my best students. And why you all won’t be participating in the final fifth-grade Science Challenge on Thursday.” She paused. “An escape room.”

  Loud groans filled the science lab.

  “What?” said Elijah, smacking his hands on the table like a final drum roll. “An escape room? Are you serious? The entire fifth grade is going to do an escape room and we can’t?”

  “My cousin in Kansas said it could be your dream—or your nightmare,” moaned Memito in mock horror. “They lock you up and throw away the key. It’s like prison. If you’re not smart enough to get out, that is.”

  “Well, I’m plenty smart, so that wouldn’t happen to me,” said Jeremy, jabbing his pencil in the air for emphasis.

  All I could think about was how much I’ve wanted to go to an escape room. For a really long time. At least for the past six months. Ever since Memito’s cousin told him about it, and Memito told Birdie and me. It just seems so cool to see if you can solve the mystery and beat the clock. “So it’s a field trip that everyone gets to go on except us?” I asked.

  Ms. Daly waved her arms. “Whoa. First of all, nobody is going anywhere. The escape room is here in the school. That’s what all of the boxes are for.” She gestured to the back of the room at the stacks of cardboard boxes. “I’ve been secretly working on it for the last six weeks. It’s all set up in the PTA office. Which you probably know is just three rooms down from us.”

  “The PTA office has been turned into an escape room?” I said. “That’s so cool!”

  “N
ot for us,” said Jeremy. “We can’t go.”

  “Did I say no to the escape room?” Ms. Daly gestured with her arms like she was holding a tray. “I didn’t. I said that you wouldn’t be going to the escape room along with the other fifth graders. Instead you have a chance to test it out right now—if you all agree to work together.”

  “We have to work with them?” gasped Phoenix, nodding at the boys.

  “We’re going to be stuck with the girls?” Jeremy’s face puckered. I could hear Memito softly groan.

  “Yup, exactly,” Ms. Daly said. “It’s all about teamwork. And if you can work together, then those big fat zeroes you got in lab will”—she swiped the air—“magically go away. This is your choice. However, if one of you doesn’t want to do it, then nobody will be able to do it.” She leaned forward, scanning our faces. “So what do you want to do?”

  “I’m so in!” I said, relief ballooning inside of me.

  “Me too,” said Birdie, who for the first time was acting a little more normal.

  “It’s definitely better than study hall or detention or staring at each other in silence,” said Memito. “That’d be so boring that you might fall asleep and could get science nightmares.”

  “Ha ha,” I said.

  “Guys, I think we should do it,” said Elijah. “I’m down.”

  “I’m not,” said Jeremy. “I don’t want to do it with the girls.” His eyes zeroed in on Phoenix.

  “And I don’t want to do it if he’s doing it,” said Phoenix, shaking her head. “Plus, I’m not a fan of anything timed.”

  “Just forget about the clock,” I said, trying to keep positive. “It’ll be really fun.”

  “Dude, Jeremy. C’mon, you’ve got to say yes,” said Elijah, clutching Jeremy’s shoulder. “Because of what happened, my mom won’t let me play the drums for a week. I can’t go more than a day without my beats.”

  “Okay, folks, I need to know now,” said Ms. Daly. “So what’s it going to be?”

  “Well,” said Jeremy. “I’ve made up my mind.”

  “Me too,” said Phoenix.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The Survival instructions

  Deoxyribonucleic Acid (noun). DNA contains instructions that tell living things how to develop and function. It’s like a secret code that is unique to each person. Detectives can even use DNA left at crime scenes to catch the bad guys!

  “AND THE ANSWER IS?” I prompted. “Will you please say yes to doing the escape room?”

  “Okay.” Jeremy gave a thumbs-up. “Since Elijah asked. And I guess it’s actually cool that we’re doing this.”

  Phoenix waved her bandaged hand. “If everyone else really wants to do it, then I’m in.”

  “Yes!” I said. “Yes, oh yes!”

  “Good. I thought you’d see the light,” said Ms. Daly.

  “My older brother’s going to be so jealous,” said Jeremy, his voice actually sounding a little enthusiastic.

  Birdie fidgeted with her pen and sighed. What was up with her?

  “Um, I just have one question,” said Phoenix. “What’s an escape room?”

  “What?” Jeremy dramatically slapped his forehead. “Dude, have you been living under a rock or something?”

  “Don’t call me dude,” said Phoenix in her slow, calm voice. “And no. My family doesn’t own a TV. By choice. And we don’t live under a rock, although our house is at the bottom of a slight rocky incline.”

  “We don’t need any more fighting around here,” said Ms. Daly. “As soon as I explain more about the escape room, we’ll be all set. And luckily all of your parents have already signed the waiver forms electronically.”

  Okay, my mind was just blown. This meant that Mom and Dad knew the entire time?

  “Waiver forms?” Jeremy leaned forward. “That’s, like, when you do something dangerous. Now I’m extra into this.”

  Me too. I couldn’t wait to get started. Suddenly, the worst afternoon of my life wasn’t looking so bad. “I can’t believe we get to do an escape room.” Even if it’s with Jeremy and his bad attitude.

  “How many of you have done an escape room before?” asked Ms. Daly.

  Birdie raised her hand. “Me.”

  “You have?” I said. Usually I knew if Birdie had done anything cool.

  “Yeah.” Birdie clenched her fist. I really didn’t get why she was acting so strange. “It was for my sister’s birthday. My mom ordered a kit.”

  “That doesn’t count,” said Jeremy.

  “Why not?” I said, defending my BFF.

  “Listen, everyone, let’s remain calm,” said Ms. Daly. “Because you’re going to need to cooperate if you plan on getting out of the escape room.” She looked around ominously.

  “Is it scary?” I asked in a casual voice. But I didn’t feel casual. Instead, I felt a little scared, if you want to know the truth. While I love science and puzzles, I’m definitely not the kind of person who’s into spooky stuff like actual ghosts or anything creepy.

  “Let’s just say it’s a very exciting, high-stakes experience,” stated Ms. Daly. “And it involves a famous scientist whose research led to the understanding of DNA, as in the building block of all life.”

  “Yes!” I couldn’t help popping out of my seat. “I know who it might be.”

  “Shh.” Ms. Daly placed her fingers on her lips. “Hold your horses, Kate. All right, folks, I’ll give you your instructions, but first off, give me your phones. And put away your backpacks.” She pointed to the cubbies on the side wall.

  Everyone handed over their phones, and Ms. Daly placed them in a plastic blue tub. Then we stuffed our backpacks into the cubbies.

  Ms. Daly glanced behind her as if someone might be listening in on our conversation. She then lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Okay, you’re about to enter the game world. This is a game full of puzzles you must solve in order to move on to the next clue. You must be organized. And you must work together. I recommend that you look for clues and communicate with each other if you want to have any chance of getting out of the escape room in time.”

  Ms. Daly’s face grew even more serious. “Handle everything with great care,” she continued. “Do not move anything that doesn’t move easily. Do not take anything apart. If it’s a real clue, you can remove it easily. There are multiple cameras set up in the room, so I will be monitoring you the entire time. If anyone feels that they need to leave, you just call out my name. But if you leave, that will be the end of the game and you will have lost. Oh, and no eating in the room.”

  Everyone looked at Memito. “That would mean no snacks,” he moaned.

  “Exactly.” Ms. Daly raised her eyebrows. “Any other questions?”

  “What happens if we don’t get out?” asked Memito. “Like, something really bad?”

  “Well, you like this school, right?” said Ms. Daly. “You’ll just spend the rest of your life here, then.”

  Memito and Elijah gazed at each other, their mouths open. Birdie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. And honestly, I was a little worried, too.

  “I’m joking,” said Ms. Daly. “I’m just going to go behind that screen over there, and I’ll be right back.” She pointed to a dark brown folding screen. “While I’m away, I’d like everyone to put on your lab coats.” Then she disappeared behind the screen.

  I rubbed my hands together. “Oh, this sounds science-y, you guys.”

  Grabbing a lab coat, I pulled a pair of protective goggles around my neck just to be safe. As I was tucking a pair of gloves into my pocket, a silver-haired person with dark mirrored glasses stomped back into the room.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The Clock Starts to Tick

  Rosalind Franklin (legendary scientist). A British chemist who played a crucial role in understanding DNA. She’s a science superhero who use
d X-rays to take images of DNA. She had so much fun that she used the X-rays to study all kinds of things, even dangerous viruses!

  “JUST CALL ME BLANCHE VIPER,” said the silver-haired woman in a gravelly voice. Honestly, I knew it was Ms. Daly wearing a disguise. But with the sunglasses and brown suit, she looked like a real spy. Maybe because the lights were dimmed, and moody jazz music was playing from the speakers on the desk.

  It felt like we had stepped right into an old movie. Birdie sort of clutched the desk, and even Jeremy didn’t attempt to crack a joke.

  Blanche motioned for us to follow her into the hallway. “We must enter a time portal.” She directed us past a couple of classrooms to the end of the corridor, then stopped in front of the PTA office. “We have gone back in time. It’s now 1953.”

  “Wow, that’s before Pop-Tarts,” said Memito.

  “Or Guitar Hero,” said Elijah.

  “Or YouTube,” continued Jeremy.

  “Yes, well, it was more than a half century ago,” said Blanche. “Now come closer to me.” We all edged around the spy. “I work for—well, I can’t tell you the name of my organization.” Blanche lowered her voice. “It’s top secret. But I need your help. It’s urgent. You see, Dr. Rosalind Franklin—yes, one of the world’s greatest scientists—was in the middle of making a breakthrough in chemistry.”

  “Oh, Rosalind Franklin is my favorite scientist in all of history,” I said.

  “Well, she should be,” cried Elijah. “She’s who our school is named after.”

  “Shhh,” said Phoenix. “We need to listen.”

  The spy known as Blanche Viper looked left and right as if someone might sneak up the hallway at any second. “I must be quick. You see, while working for a secret branch of the government, Central Headquarters for the Knights of Science, Dr. Franklin was using X-rays to take images of a secret, rare, and deadly virus. But our sources learned that the evil mastermind Dr. Hans Dragas plans to steal the last remaining image in her lab.”