Chapter 24

In the fifteen minutes it had taken to drive to Galactic Skate, the sky had grown black. Storm clouds obscured the pale, round face of the Halloween moon.

Dorothy thanked Alex’s dads for the ride and raced inside the building with Sam at her heels.

Uncle Enzo was selling tickets at the entrance door. He was grinning like a fox as he stuffed bills into an already overflowing cash box. The wrinkled old man from the skate rental desk stood at his shoulder, shaking his head sadly.

“I’m begging you, son,” the old man said. His voice creaked like rusty door hinges. “Call it off now, while you still can.”

Dorothy slowed, alarmed by the warning. Was the wrinkly guy asking Enzo to cancel the bout?

“Leave me be, Pops,” Enzo said, slamming the lid of the cash box. “I know it’s a gamble, but we’re just going to have to trust that the old curse is gone now. It’s been thirty years already.”

“Thirty years tonight,” the old man said darkly. Just then, a thunderclap burst outside the building and the lights flickered. Both men looked up. “Trust my words, son,” the old man said. “No good will come of this.”

Dorothy grabbed Sam’s hand and raced down the hallway. The conversation had spooked her, and the sooner she found her teammates the better. Was there really a chance that Eva would take her revenge tonight? Grandma hadn’t seemed worried about the bout. But then again, Grandma wasn’t here now, either. Why had Grandma had to go and get herself arrested?

Come on, Dorothy. It’s just a ghost story. Pull yourself together.

When they reached the rink, Dorothy did a double take. The dirty carpet walls were gone, replaced by tall metal bleachers. The wood floor was polished to a glossy sheen, and the track lines looked professionally painted. Uncle Enzo had really gone all out to get Galactic Skate ready for tonight’s bout. And it appeared to be paying off. The bleachers were packed with noisy spectators, most of whom were wearing Halloween costumes. There were superheroes and monsters, witches and pumpkins—even a six-foot banana. Dorothy recognized several faces in the crowd. Merdusa and Boom-Boom from the Flatiron Sirens, kids from school. She even spotted a couple of faculty members.

“Dorothy!” called a friendly voice. It was Mr. Macarini waving to her from halfway up the stands. He was dressed in a beige animal control officer uniform and had what appeared to be a snake wrapped around his neck.

Dorothy jumped involuntarily at the sight of the big snake.

“Gotcha!” Mr. Macarini said with a laugh. He peeled the snake off his neck and shook it. “Rubber!”

Dorothy breathed a sigh of relief and gave the teacher a thumbs-up.

“Can you believe someone left this awesome snake in my car?” he yelled.

Dorothy bit her bottom lip and shook her head. At least Grandma had had the sense to use a fake snake.

After sending Sam up the bleachers to sit with her art teacher, Dorothy raced to the girls’ bathroom to find her team.

She was almost to the restrooms when she spotted a group of Pompoms waving signs that said things like, DERBY GIVES YOU SCURVY, SLUGS ARE SLIMY BUGS, and NO KISSES FOR THE HISSES.

How dare they? Dorothy thought, her teeth clenched. What kind of jerks protest roller derby…at a roller derby bout?

Dorothy had done her best to ignore the daily taunts, but now the Pompoms were on her turf. They needed to be taught a lesson.

Dorothy felt her fingers clench around her skate laces. She felt her arm lift the skates above her head. She was about to throw the skates at the Pompoms when a strong hand grabbed her wrist.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Gigi said.

“Must…get…Pompoms…” Dorothy grunted, struggling against Gigi’s hold.

“Whoa! Calm down, Hulk,” Gigi said, confiscating the skates. “Save it for the Cheerbleeders.”

“Thank goodness you’re here!” It was Jade. Both she and Gigi were already decked out in uniform and pads. “Uh, where’s Grandma?”

Dorothy stared blankly at Jade.

“Earth to Dorothy,” Jade said, snapping her fingers in front of Dorothy’s eyes.

Dorothy blinked. It was as if her brain was moving in slow motion.

“Grandma?” Jade repeated.

“She…parking ticket…police…”

“Oh, great,” Gigi said. “Arrested?”

Dorothy nodded.

“Who’s going to coach, then?” Jade asked.

Dorothy shrugged.

Just then, the music out on the skate arena grew louder.

“Here,” Gigi said, returning Dorothy’s skates. “Go get ready. Now! We’re on.”

A few minutes later, the announcer was calling out names. Dorothy was barely scrambling onto the track as she heard her skate name being called.

She waved at the cheering crowd. Her head felt a lot clearer now that she was skating. Had she really just tried to launch her skates at the Pompoms? Thank goodness Gigi had stopped her. This new, feisty Dorothy was dangerous.

As Dorothy rounded the first corner, she heard a whistle and looked over to see Max waving to her from the middle of the track. He was wearing his black-and-white jersey. Dorothy smiled and waved back. Usually the sight of Max made Dorothy’s heart rate skyrocket. Now it was strangely calming. Max was a flirt, but he was also kind and protective. And with Grandma gone, it was nice to know there was someone else looking out for her.

On their last warm-up lap, several Pompoms approached the track and shook protest signs. Gigi turned sideways, flipped up her skirt and waggled her bottom at them. The crowd roared with laughter. Red faced with embarrassment, the Pompoms slunk back to their seats.

Next, the Cheerbleeders were announced. Dorothy shuddered as she watched the older girls race onto the track. The team was dressed in tattered cheerleader costumes. Their faces were painted to look like exposed muscle tissue and bone.

Dorothy’s vision blurred. For the first time that night she wondered if they really had a chance to beat the Cheerbleeders. Did the Slugs really belong in the championship? After everything she had done to get to the game tonight, was she just going to make a fool of herself in front of her teachers, classmates, Max, and the Pompoms?

Dorothy looked toward the entrance for the hundredth time in the last minute. Still no Grandma. And no Grandma meant no coach.

A whistle blew, and the first jam was under way.

“Next up! Mayhem! Slugs ’n’ Hisses are off to a sloppy start!”