The Puzzle Master by Heather Spiva

looked at Michael, who was flicking spit wads into Greg’s hair. No. He had to get the pole, or win it, or say he’d won it. He’d have the best prize out of the whole stupid club, even if there were a thousand people in it.
    As soon as the last bell rang, Marshall ran straight to Luke’s. He ran fast, paying little attention to the voices around him. Had he listened, he would’ve heard Michael say, “Where ya going Marsh?” But he didn’t. All he could think about was how upset he would be if she had started the puzzle. She had started the other ones without him, what would keep her from not doing this one? The anxiety was killing him.
    He picked up speed and ignored the funny feeling rising in his chest. He couldn’t let it bother him now. He had to get there, before she began. He had to make her stop. It wasn’t fair. The burning and scratchy feeling rose higher, until it was in his throat. His lungs burned, he had to stop. He instinctively reached for the inhaler. This was such bad timing, he thought. He’d made it all the way to the top of Devil’s Hill without needing it, so why did he need it so badly now?
    He stopped in front of Luke’s store. He had to take a breath of it now. Marshall held the inhaler to his lips and depressed the medicine. It coated his throat, and pushed away the tightening that was tearing away at the insides of his lungs.
    His breathing slowed, the air cleared, and he was himself again.
    He stuffed the thing back into his pocket and walked in. Luke wasn’t at the counter. The air wasn’t as smoky as before, but country music was still blaring through the store though, so he knew he couldn’t be too far. But where?
    “Mr. Luke?” Nothing. He headed toward the back room and unhitched his backpack from his shoulders. “Luke, hey it’s Marshall. Where are you?”
    He peered into the bathroom. He wasn’t there. He walked to the back room. The door was closed . He growled inwardly and reached for the handle. Iris better not be in there, working on that puzzle without him.
    Marshall was about to open the door, when heard Luke’s voice high and troubled coming from within the room. He couldn’t make out any words at all, only that he was talking to someone.
    Marshall stopped. He couldn’t go in. If Iris was in there and she and uncle were arguing about something, that would be way too awkward.
    He tiptoed out to the back door. Her new old bike wasn’t there. He walked back in. He figured she would’ve been using the bike to get here, but then maybe she came with Luke. Suddenly, he heard loud, distinct words: “That’s not how it’s supposed to be!”
    Marshall froze. What should he do? Was something bad happening in there that he needed to be a part of ?
    Just then, a customer walked into the store. It was an old man. He went straight to the old book shelves stuffed with paperbacks and began flipping through them, looking for something specific. Where was Luke? Why was he still back there?
    Suddenly, the door swung open, and Luke came barging through the tiny walkway, knocking over boxes and running into bins and birdcages. He still hadn’t seen Marshall.
    “Hey Luke,” Marshall said. He was over by the crates of jelly jars, acting like he was looking for a specific size, even though he’d really been eaves dropping. What use did he have for jelly jars? He didn’t. If Luke asked, he would have to say his mom was looking for some.
    “Oh,” Luke grunted, running a hand through his hair. “Marshall.”
    “Is Iris here?”
    “No, no she’s not.” Luke said this in a hurry and became very busy with some papers at the counter. He still hadn’t lit up. Marshall put down a jelly jar and walked to him.
    “Well, where is she? She wasn’t at school today.”
    “Yeah, sorry about that. Guess we should’ve mentioned it to you. She uh … she had a checkup at the doctor’s today in the bay area.”
    Marshall nodded. He remembered her saying something about that. He