“Why me?” I asked. “I can’t hack computers or make surveillance equipment. What good am I to you?”
Kiki shook her head as if I had missed the point. “Other than me, you’re the only person alive who’s seen the Shadow City. That morning you watched me climb out of the hole in front of your house, I had a hunch you’d find the trapdoor. I left you my copy of Glimpses of Gotham just to make it a little easier. But believe it or not, Ananka, there aren’t too many people who’d jump into a hole just to see what’s down there. You even followed me into Central Park in the middle of a blizzard. Your tailing skills stink, but you’ve got guts.
“Besides, you’re far more important to this operation than you think. We’ll have to do a lot of research before we explore the Shadow City, and I’d rather not have some nosy librarian breathing down my neck. Your library has all the books we could possibly need.”
“How do you know about my library?” I asked.
“I didn’t know it was a secret,” said Kiki vaguely.
“But why didn’t you just tell me what was going on? Why did you have to drag me to half the Girl Scout meetings in Manhattan?”
“You spent two months following me around, so I figured you’re the sort of person who likes to see things for herself. That’s why I let you see me at the Marble Cemetery. And I took you to meet the other girls so you’d know exactly what I was up to.”
It was neither the first nor the last time I would be surprised by how well she knew me.
“Okay,” I sighed. “When do we get started?”
Kiki reached into her bag and pulled out one of the mysterious golden envelopes.
“This one is for you.”
I opened the envelope and pulled out a printed card.
Outgrown the Girl Scouts? it read in large letters. Join the Irregulars, and begin the greatest adventure of your youth. First meeting to be held at 17:00 on the second Saturday in April at 133 ½ Bank Street. Absolute secrecy required. No disguises, recording equipment, or toxic substances allowed inside.
“The Irregulars?” I asked, slightly confused.
“It’s the name of our new troop.” She paused as if waiting for a laugh. “Well, I thought it was funny,” she added when it became clear that I didn’t get the joke.
“What do we do if one of the girls doesn’t want to join?”
Kiki stopped smiling. “We’ll have to kill her, won’t we?”
I stared at her in horror until she broke into a grin.
“Come on, that’s hilarious,” she insisted.
• • •
The Atalanta School for Girls had seen the last of Kiki Strike. Until the second Saturday in April, I was on my own again. Now that Kiki’s plans for the Shadow City were under way, she had better things to do, she informed me, than memorize state capitals. I wished I could follow her lead, but I knew my mother and father would never let me blow off the seventh grade. They didn’t care what clothes I wore or what I ate for dinner, but missing school was not an option. I was jealous that Kiki’s parents seemed to have their priorities in order. While Kiki Strike was preparing for a great adventure, I would have to finish the school year, and that meant dealing with the Princess by myself.
When I arrived at school the following Monday, I found The Five hovering around my locker. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my stomach remained calm and my heartbeat slow and steady. Even without Kiki around to rescue me, I wasn’t afraid. Somehow, the Princess had lost her power over me.
“Step back!” Sidonia snapped at her posse as I approached. The large pink diamond on her right hand glittered under the fluorescent lights. “Give me some space, you morons.”
I walked past her to my locker and started to dial the combination.
“I know you didn’t steal my ring,” said the Princess coldly. I braced for an apology that wasn’t going to come. “Naomi saw the girl who passed the note. Is she a friend of yours? What’s her name?”
“When did you start taking an interest in seventh graders, Sidonia?” I asked. “Are you having trouble making friends your own age?”
The Princess gritted her teeth and took a deep breath.
“Naomi said the girl didn’t look well. A bit on the pale side and awfully small for her age. I hope she’s eating well. I would hate for my hero to fall ill.”
Whatever Sidonia was after, it couldn’t be good. I turned around to look her in the eye.
“You’ve got your ring back, so why don’t you go harass some fourth graders and leave me alone.”
The Princess frowned, and for a moment I thought she might slap me. Instead, she bared her teeth in what passed for a smile.
“By the way, where is your friend today? I’d love to thank her in person. Do you think you could arrange a meeting?”
I still didn’t buy it. The Princess never thanked anyone for anything. Common courtesy was too common for her. I glanced over at Naomi, who looked as though she’d aged ten years over the weekend. Somehow, she must have convinced the Princess she was innocent.
“I’m not her social secretary,” I answered. “If you want to meet my friend so badly, you’ll have to find her yourself.”
The Princess’s cheeks colored with rage. “If you insist, squid girl,” she hissed.
“Squid girl?” I laughed. “If that’s the best you can come up with, it’s a good thing you’re rich. You’d suck as a scholarship student.”
I spent the rest of the day wishing Kiki Strike had been there to see the Princess stomp off in a huff.
• • •
The following weekend, I set out for the first meeting of the Irregulars at 133½ Bank Street in Greenwich Village. When I reached what I thought was the right block, I walked up and down the street, searching for the building. After several trips, I came to the conclusion that while there was a 133 and a 134, there was certainly no 133 ½ Bank Street. I sat down on a stoop to review my options, and was soon joined by DeeDee Morlock. Her dreadlocks had been trimmed to a uniform length, and she was wearing a violet dress sprinkled with acid burns. I watched as she walked up and down the street, occasionally pausing to reread her invitation. Eventually she stopped in front of me, her confusion written on her face.
“Excuse me. Do you know where I can find 133½ Bank Street?” she asked. I didn’t blame her for failing to recognize me from the Girl Scout meeting. I knew I wasn’t particularly memorable.
“I wish I did. I’m looking for it, too,” I said.
“Oh, hi. I’m DeeDee,” she smiled, offering a hand, which I noticed was stained an unusual shade of green. “Are you a member of … ” She remembered the secret nature of the gathering and caught herself before giving too much away.
“Ananka,” I said, shaking her hand. “And yes. I mean I guess we’ll both be members. That’s if we can find the right address.”
“Yeah, it’s weird, isn’t it? It’s like the building just disappeared.”
A thought flashed through my mind.
“It’s a hidden house,” I said.
“What’s a hidden house?” DeeDee asked, eyeing me carefully.
“They’re all over Greenwich Village,” I explained. “But hardly anybody knows they’re here. You can’t see them from the street. They’re hidden behind other buildings. They used to be stables or servants’ quarters—things like that.”
“Do you think that could be the entrance?” asked DeeDee, pointing to a wooden gate on the side of the building where I sat. It was roughly the same height and width as a large horse.
“It must be,” I said, rising to my feet.
We stood nervously in front of the gate. DeeDee reached for a bronze door knocker in the shape of a severed hand.
“Hey, you!” shouted someone from across the street, and we both jumped. It was Oona Wong, dressed in a black, ninja-inspired jumpsuit. “Is that the way in?”
Immediately after we had knocked at the gate, it opened to reveal a tiny woman with unnaturally red hair, wearing a shi
rtdress that flattered her thin but muscular build. She looked both ways down the street before quickly pulling us inside.
“You are very punctual,” she said in a thick Russian accent. “This is a good sign.”
“Verushka?” I sputtered. Though the hair and clothing were different, the voice was unmistakable. She smiled at me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, my dear.”
“Are you Kiki’s mother?” asked DeeDee.
“No,” said Verushka sadly. “Her parents have been dead for many years. I am only the housekeeper. Come, I will take you inside. Then I must return for the other girls. I think they will not find the house.”
“I’ve never seen a housekeeper with muscles like hers,” whispered Oona as Verushka turned to lead us through a brick passageway.
“Neither have I,” I agreed.
We left the passageway and entered an enchanted world. A wall of ivy, shooting its tendrils in every direction, encircled a patch of meadow. Golden daffodils rose from the ground in random bunches. A breeze pushed its way through the high, unmanicured grass and shook the wild rosebuses that grew among the ivy, stirring a storm of pink petals. In the center of the garden, hidden beneath the limbs of an enormous weeping willow, was an ancient wooden cottage with shuttered windows and two toylike chimneys. It was a house fit for Little Red Riding Hood or Snow White. The only proof that we hadn’t been transported to another time and place was the quick, angry blare of a car horn from beyond the walls.
“This is amazing,” said DeeDee, spinning around to take it all in.
“It is safe,” said Verushka cryptically as she led us up a stone path and left us at the front door of the cottage. I scanned the yard in vain for any signs of August Quack-enbush’s grave, and then stepped into a living room that was stark and modern.
“This is more my style,” said Oona appreciatively, stroking a wooden chair that looked more like a prop from a science fiction movie than a piece of furniture. Television monitors covered one entire wall of the small living room, each screen showing a different view of the house’s surroundings. On one, I watched Verushka guiding two more girls through the brick passageway. On another, I saw Kiki exiting a room in another part of the house, a rolled-up map tucked under her arm.
Seconds later, Verushka arrived at the front door with Luz Lopez and a girl I assumed was Betty Bent in tow. This time Betty was a pretty olive-skinned girl with glossy black hair cut into a bob. Kiki stopped her at the door.
“Is this a disguise?” she demanded.
“No,” said Betty shyly. “I followed the instructions. But I’m feeling kind of naked.”
“You can put your sunglasses on if it will help,” said Kiki.
“Thanks,” murmured a grateful Betty, quickly hiding her eyes behind the largest sunglasses I’d ever seen.
Kiki turned to the rest of us.
“Welcome, ladies,” she said. “Would you like to take a seat?”
We sat side by side on the two large sofas in the small living room. Kiki unrolled the map and taped it to the fireplace mantel. It was a street map of downtown Manhattan. Next to it, she placed a hand-drawn diagram of the Shadow City. The other girls looked at one another in confusion.
“I’ll make the introductions,” Kiki announced. “Luz Lopez is one of the finest mechanical engineers in New York. Although her mother doesn’t know it, she is secretly designing a small robot that can be programmed to do most of her household chores. DeeDee Morlock is a chemist. In a few short minutes, she can concoct the deadliest poisons and craft the most powerful explosives. We should all be thankful that she’s chosen to use her powers for good instead of evil. As for Betty Bent, this is the first time in over four years that anyone has seen her without a disguise. Oona Wong is a master forger and computer hacker. She’s been breaking the law since the age of five. And this,” she said, turning to me, “is Ananka Fishbein. She will be our urban archaeologist. Not only does she know more about this city than most history professors, she has access to one of the most useful libraries in the country.”
“Who are you?” asked Luz in a businesslike fashion.
“My name is Kiki Strike.”
Betty Bent raised her hand. “What do you do?” she asked timidly.
“Anything I want,” said Kiki Strike. “Now allow me to tell you why I’ve invited you here today. As you’ve seen, each of you has an unusual gift—a gift that has gone unappreciated by your parents, your teachers, and even the Girl Scouts. You could choose to spend your youth winning grade-school science fairs or, in Oona’s case, trying to avoid juvenile hall. Or you could choose to do something truly spectacular. I think it’s time to put your skills to real use. If you join the Irregulars, you will embark on one of the greatest adventures of all time.”
“Will it be dangerous?” asked DeeDee.
“That’s an interesting question coming from a girl who nearly blew up her own house,” Kiki responded.
“Good point,” noted DeeDee thoughtfully.
“Come on, let’s hear it, then,” said Oona.
“Okay,” said Kiki, “but what I’m about to tell you can never leave this room. If one of you decides to confide in your friends or parents, you’ll have the rest of us to deal with. And I’m pretty sure you don’t want to be on Oona’s bad side.”
“That’s right,” said Oona, glaring at each of us.
“Ananka and I have uncovered evidence of an underground city deep beneath downtown Manhattan.” Kiki gestured to the map. “It’s called the Shadow City, and it was built about two hundred years ago by criminals looking to smuggle goods and hide from the police. If I’m right, there are huge tunnels about seventy feet underground,” she said, pointing at the diagram she’d drawn. “They’re connected to the surface by long ladders that lead to hidden rooms underneath buildings throughout the city.
“Right now, we’re the only ones who know the Shadow City exists. Even Ananka and I don’t know what’s down there yet. We’ve only seen a tiny part of it, and it was never completely explored, even back when it was still in use.”
“Do you think there’s treasure down there?” asked Luz.
“That’s what I’m hoping,” said Kiki. “But before we start to search for treasure, the Irregulars are going to map all the entrances to the Shadow City.”
“Who wants a map if we could have treasure?” demanded Oona.
Kiki rolled her eyes. “Really, Oona. I thought you of all people would understand. It’s very simple. If we have the only map, we control the Shadow City.”
“So what?” asked Oona.
“If we don’t control the Shadow City, someone else will.”
HOW TO PREPARE FOR ADVENTURE
The Boy Scouts were onto something when they advised their members to “Be Prepared.” They understood that those who prepare will prevail.
If you want to be prepared for adventure of any magnitude, make sure to carry the following tools in your handbag at all times.
1. A Compass: Always know where you are—and where you’re going. Even the most familiar environments can be confusing under certain conditions, such as rain, snow, or darkness. Getting lost is not only dangerous, it’s a waste of time.
2. A Pocket Flashlight: You can purchase inexpensive flashlights no larger than a pen at most discount stores. Keep one on your person at all times—even if you’re not afraid of the dark.
3. A Swiss Army Knife (or Equivalent): A standard SAK comes with a valuable set of tools that can help you out of countless scrapes—such as a screwdriver, scissors, a magnifying glass, and a nail file. Do not attempt to board an airplane with one unless you enjoy a good frisking.
4. A Credit Card (Expired): Should you find yourself locked in (or out) of a room, a credit card can be used to open a surprising number of doors. Practice on a bathroom door until you master the technique.
5. A Notebook and Pen: Boring? Perhaps. But these are the two most essential tools of any ad
venturer. Always keep track of what’s been said, where you’ve been, and what you’ve learned.
6. Duct Tape: Take a roll with you wherever you travel. It can be used to immobilize criminals, fix essential equipment, and make a cute skirt if you’re in a bind.
7. Chewing Gum: Fresh breath should be a priority for everyone. However, gum also comes in handy if you want to jam a car’s ignition or stick notes in secret places.
8. First Aid Supplies: If you can’t understand how these might come in handy, please refer to the end of chapter 8.
CHAPTER SIX
The Best-Laid Plans
Confidence is the force that runs the world. Mixed with a dose of charm, it has the power to produce everything from prom queens to presidents. You see, the sad truth of the matter is, most people are hopelessly gullible. Look us in the eye and spin a good story, and we’ll be more than happy to believe you. You could tell the average person that the moon is made of cheese, and if you said it with a pleasant smile and the right amount of conviction, her only question would be “Cheddar or Swiss?” Tell five twelve-year-old girls that they can take control of an underground city and if you say it like there’s not a doubt in your mind, they’ll never ask how.
Leaning casually against the fireplace, Kiki Strike oozed confidence. With one arched eyebrow, she made it clear that there were no questions that couldn’t be answered, no arguments she couldn’t defeat. But while we may have had our reservations, Kiki had already won us over. It didn’t matter if she were mad, malevolent, or simply mistaken. At that moment, all that mattered was that, of all the thousands of girls in Manhattan, she had chosen only five. She had seen things in us that no one else had ever bothered to look for.
DeeDee was the first to speak up.
“I thought you said we were the only ones who knew about the Shadow City. Has someone else found the tunnels?” she asked.
Kiki pulled a scrap of newspaper from her pocket and handed it to DeeDee.
“It’s a story from the New York Times,” she announced. “Six weeks ago, the police got word that a shipment of counterfeit designer handbags had made its way from Shanghai to Chinatown. But when the cops got to the address on Canal Street, they found an ordinary herb shop. They tore open boxes and dumped out every drawer, but they couldn’t uncover anything hotter than chili powder.