Oh God, the sun. I didn't think a few miles could have such a change in weather. Dorothy's grandma’s house looked exactly how I expected: a rustic, baby blue two-story, right out of a greetings card.

The car parked in a gravel lot in the… backyard? Front yard? Skinny trees scattered the luscious lawn, flowers bloomed everywhere, and a cobblestone path led to the ghostly front door.

Dorothy’s mom turned off the car, shutting off the music. I hugged my bookbag and got out. Dorothy finished drinking a coffee when she opened her door beside me. For some reason, Jamie got the front passenger seat instead of her.

“Thanks, Ms. Grail,” I said. “I hope we didn’t bother you too much.”

“Bless your heart. I'd be happy to. Don’t forget any stuff in here.”

“Okay.”

Guess I wasn’t ready for summer if the sight of sparkling car paint made me cringe. Dorothy banged on Jamie's window, then opened his door. She rubbed the hand laying in his lap, and his eyes fluttered open.

Ms. Grail helped us get our bags out of the trunk. We walked up the path to a small porch, where she knocked on the door.

Jamie wrapped his arm around her, supporting his tired body.

Dorothy’s eyes suddenly went wide. She leaned into my ear.

“Look at the birds,” she whispered, and pointed behind her into the yard. A big bird's nest laid on a small, abandoned picnic table, with three black birds. Crows.

“You don't think…” I quivered.

“No! She's fine, Jack.”

“Just being superstitious.”

The door creaked open, with dust and pebbles falling from the hinges.

A fair-skinned boy in baggy gray jeans and a silver bubble jacket greeted us. His black hair covered half his face and rested on his shoulders.

“Hello,” he welcomed in a silvery voice. He'd make a good singer. “Happy summer.”

I cocked my head and looked at Dorothy. She shrugged.

“Oh! Are you a cousin?” Ms. Grail asked.

“Just a friend. I'm Pasitheo. Rosetta asked me to watch over her house while she stayed at her sister's. I go to the Youth Club around the corner.”

“But she never said anything about leaving on the phone. We talked about this for weeks!”

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He gently grabbed my suitcase handle, not even looking at me. His gaze stayed on Ms. Grail. Gray eyes, sharpened by the yellow sun. He pulled something out of his jeans’ pocket and handed it to her. Suddenly, Ms. Grail jolted, her eyes blooming in ecstasy.

“Was I saying something?” She rubbed her temple. “Maybe not. Anyway, I hope you all have a good time! Call me when you settle in, Doribear.”

I put my arm around Jamie as Ms. Grail left his side. It felt weird, but it was obviously better than a concussion on the stones. She gave us a cheesy smile and gallivanted down the path, jumpy and delighted like a kid with candy.

Dorothy gave a weak wave and dug her hands in her pockets. A silky hand grabbed mine.

“Theo Morgan,“ said the mystery boy. “Come inside.”

He held the door open for us to trudge into the ancient porch room. The aroma of baking chocolate sweetened the air, distracting me from the torn walls and abandoned relics. A short hall led to a hefty kitchen door hidden behind a white curtain. Dorothy led us inside and couldn't have looked less excited. The kitchen was compact and frozen in time from, I assume, the fifties. Everything crafted out of amber wood, even prettier with the open window. And Rosetta seemed to have an obsession with deer. Antler and woodland decor painted everything.

Jamie left me and rubbed his eyes.

“What’s cooking, Pasadena?” he yawned to Theo as he moseyed into the kitchen.

He set our luggage by an island counter in the center of the room. An old timer rang, catching Theo's entire body.

He reached into the oven (without mitts) and pulled out a giant tray of chocolate cookies. They basked in the sunlight on the island. He turned on a standing fan in the corner, cooling them instantly.

As they cooled, a cloud of deja vu hit me. Those cookies. I had one yesterday. From the crow.

“I fixed up the rooms for you.” He picked up my suitcase. “I’ll get you comfortable.”

“Oh, thanks,” I said. “I’m Jackson, by the way. The frowny one is Dorothy, and the sleepyhead is Jamie.”

“Nice to meet you all. Can I help you bring your stuff upstairs?”

I grabbed a few cookies and followed Theo through the creepy dining room and to the black staircase in the next hall. The floral wallpaper made me nauseous (no offense), but the polished rails and floor were comforting.

Dori and Jamie climbed up the stairs behind us. The destined hall had five rooms, including a bathroom.

“Hey, Theo?” I tapped him on the shoulder. “What did you give Dorothy's momnbefore she left?”

He leaned his head and sighed. “A good luck charm.”

“You’re hot,” Jamie spouted.

Theo coughed out a small laugh. “Right on. Um, anyway, I'll be downstairs if you need me.”

He set our luggage down, squeezed through us, and glided back down the creaky stairs.

I nudged Jamie. “What’d you say that for?”

“Trying to crack him,” he snarked. “Doesn't it seem too… weird?

He didn’t need mitts for the oven. The fact that he’s replacing Rosetta and we never got a call from her?”

“Maybe,” Dori mumbled.

“He’s strange!”

“It's weird, but you don't have to ‘crack’ him or whatever,” I said.

“I don't wanna think about it. I’m gonna change into something else, okay?” Dorothy uttered, flat as steel.

She hauled her red tote bag down the hall to the farthest bedroom.