I immediately took out the next letter. My fingers fumbled with the paper because I was so nervous, not only because of what I was reading but because of Alanis discovering me.
.
Dear Jordan, It began today.
I am slowly being- drawn into a cocoon, l am not sure yet what sort of an insect is doing this to me, but it's happening ever so gradually.
Whatever it is, it is weaving itself around me from my feet up and doing a good, tight job of it. Today, I was unable to get out of my room. When I stood up, I fell over. I was lying on the floor for some time before I was discovered.
Dr. Walker came immediately. I told him what way happening and he tried to convince me itwasn't true. I listened and listened and smiled and nodded and then he left. They had to bring my food to me.
I can still sit up well enough to write to you.
But don't worry. I will think of some way to get out.
I didn't tell Mother about it. Why worry her any more than she isworried about both of us? If you get to see her, don't say a word about me.
Ian
.
How horrible for him, I thought. Father should help him. I tore open the next envelope. The next letter was very short.
.
Dear Jordan,
It's around my knees.
Ian
.
I heard footsteps an the stairway, stuffed the bag of letters back into the closet, and hurried out just as Alanis turned toward our room. She didn't hear me hurrying behind her, but when she saw I wasn't in the room, she turned. "Hey. Reading those letters again?"
"Yes," I said. I didn't want to lie about it. It might only make her more curious. She wasn't that interested anyway. I was sure she thought it would be boring.
"I have some interesting news for you."
'What?"
"I did just what I said. I mentioned Toby DeMarco and your great-aunt became very disturbed. She wanted to know exactly where I had heard about her and I said I couldn't remember. I asked her who she was and she shook her head and said she forgot. Isn't that silly? First, she gets agitated at the mention of her name and then she says she doesn't know who I'm talking about. We got to find out ourselves s
omehow."
"How?"
"I don't know. We'll call." she said and showed me she still had the slip of paper with Toby DeMarcors name and number.
"What will we say?"
"I don't know. Jeez. Give me time to think, will you?"
"Why do we have to know anyway?" "Ain't you curious?"
"No."
"Yes, you are." She stared at me a moment. "You look upset, flushed. What did your brother tell you in his letters? Did he tell you something bad or something sexy?"