Circle of Silence
THE BIGGEST STORY OF MY LIFE COULD BE HOW IT ENDSIt’s my turn to run a Campus News crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead. A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flag pole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes.A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda, or initiation secrets–until a student lands in the hospital under strange circumstances. I will blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt…or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is not important to this story.)But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast…be sure to watch Campus News at 9am this Friday morning."…an explosive read that will grab you from the very beginning and not let go until you've read the last page. I read this in one sitting." –Starry Sky Books on dancergirl
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THE BIGGEST STORY OF MY LIFE COULD BE HOW IT ENDS
It’s my turn to run a Campus News crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.
A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets—until a student lands in the hospital under strange circumstances.
I will blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt…or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is not important to this story.)
But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast…be sure to watch Campus News at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.
Henry points to the glass-enclosed case that everyone, including Mr. Wilkins, passes by every day.
“I don’t know how long it’s been there. I just noticed it,” Henry tells us.
At first, all I see are the usual trophies: WiHi’s 1994 Sectional Wrestling Trophy, 1953 City-Wide Baseball win, 2011 Girls’ Varsity Basketball champs, Debate Team Champions of 1966.
At last, though, the fakes become apparent. Once I notice them, it’s impossible not to stare at the two “added” to the case. They’re the type of trophies a little kid gets after soccer season, but the first one is more menacing than anything from a recreational center league. A thin rope loops around the girl’s neck. The other end is attached to the shelf above so that the trophy hangs. The original nameplate has been replaced with “Roving Reporter.”
The second fake is scarier. The player’s head is chopped off.
* * *
Praise for Carol M. Tanzman’s
dancergirl
“This addicting, thrilling mystery hits upon many of our worst fears.”
—Booklist
“An explosive read that will grab you from the very beginning and not let go until you’ve read the last page. I read this in one sitting.”
—Starry Sky Books blog
“A fantastic read that I could not put down.”
—The Book Barbies blog
“A page turner…. Had me hooked from the beginning straight through until the final sentence. Dancergirl had me twisted round its proverbial finger.”
—The Little Munchkin Reader blog
“The creepy atmosphere [was] really well-done…this is a great read.”
—Paperback Treasures blog
“Tanzman [has] created realistic, likable characters…kept me on the edge of my seat.”
—Nicole’s YA Book Haven blog
“I loved this book so much….extremely entertaining…I highly recommend this book.”
—jj iReads blog
For Jack, Liana and Dylan
with love and gratitude
Contents
PROLOGUE
Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea…
The words keep time with my pounding heart. Dashing, darting…hurtling forward. It’s like a nightmare. Chasing after the school bus, the train, a minivan. No matter how fast I run, I can’t get there in time. I’m left stranded, alone, surrounded by abandoned warehouses, darkened streets and smelly drunks….
This isn’t a dream. I know where I’m going. I just can’t move fast enough.
Jagger. Jags! I asked you not to do this. Begged you…
My cheeks feel wet. How did I not see the approaching storm? But the streets aren’t slick and the pitter-patter of rain does not mingle with the sound of my feet slapping against rough cobblestones.
I touch my face. Taste the droplet. Salty…
That’s when I know I’ll be too late. Instinct, ESP or maybe just plain terror breaks through. Because it’s my fault. I pushed too hard; it went too far.
Whatever terrible thing I am about to see, I could have stopped. No matter what anyone tells me, no matter who insists, “You can’t blame yourself,” I will always know, deep down, that it’s a lie.
PART ONE
SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER
1
My sweaty palm pushes the Media Center door open on the second day of senior year. The single most important class of my life is about to begin.
“Don’t look so worried, Val,” Marci tells me. “We got this covered.”
I give my best friend since eighth grade a pained look. Sunny Marci. Always seeing the bright side. Except this time, she’s especially naive. There’s no way it’s a sure thing.
Together, we move to the table Mr. Carleton assigned to us. Yesterday, he divided the class into two permanent Campus News teams. First order of business today: each crew votes for producer. The job I covet. The position I worked really hard, during both sophomore and junior years at Washington Irving High School, to get. If mine, it could propel me straight into the college of my dreams.
