Read The Nightmare Vortex for Free Online Page B

and when it drove off, the man was gone.
    â€˜He was there. At the bus stop.’
    â€˜Maybe he wanted to catch the bus.’ Linden tried to say it without sounding sarcastic but decided he didn’t do a very good job. ‘You’ve had a rough day. Maybe you shouldn’t trust your eyes tonight.’
    Max sighed. ‘You’re right.’
    â€˜I know.’ Linden smiled. ‘You better get used to that. It happens a lot.’
    â€˜You kids going to stand there all night or do you want a lift?’ It was Ben.
    Every bit of Max’s body and pride was bruised and sore and as she got in the car there was only one place she wanted to be. ‘Yeah. Home please.’

‘It says here in the event of high pursuit on snow, the Silver Snowbeast is the only way to escape. It is a twin-engine high-speed buggy that is compact, made completely of natural materials and has a built-in parachute for quick aerial getaways.’
    â€˜Really?’ Max leant her chin on her hand and focused all her energy on trying to lift her head.
    Linden sensed Max wasn’t listening.
    â€˜And then there’s the Minotaur, a single-seater glider that moves through the air in complete silence and runs on the wind of elephant farts.’
    â€˜That’s great,’ Max murmured.
    â€˜Max, did you stay up all night again?’
    â€˜I’ve got to prove to Alex I can be a good spy.’
    â€˜I think even spies go to sleep sometimes.’
    â€˜Max! We’re late, sweetie. Are you and your friend ready?’
    If she doesn’t use Linden’s name soon I’m leaving home, Max thought as she dragged herself off her bed and downstairs.
    When they arrived at school, Toby was the first person they saw. Suddenly Max’s feeling of being a total failure reached new heights.
    â€˜Hey, Max? Ready for your exam results?’ Toby pasted on one of those grins toothpaste companies love.
    Max tried to ignore him. Why do some people seem to have everything? He’s good-looking, popular, has good grades and always gets everything right.
    Max stepped into class and yawned as she found her desk. Mrs Grimshore started talking and Max tried to concentrate. But then something very strange happened.
    â€˜Now class, I’ve come across some exceptional students in my seventy-five years of teaching, but I’ve rarely come across one so gifted.’ Mrs Grimshore was in a much better mood than usual and, Max noticed only now, had a bright blue hairdo and giant teeth.
    â€˜I would like to award the prize of Student of the Year to Max Remy.’
    The whole class cheered. Max looked up. Was it true? Could she have finally beaten Toby? And she thought she hadn’t even passed! As she walked to the front of the class she saw Toby in tears. Kids from all around called her name. ‘Max! Max! Max!’
    She’d done it!
    â€˜Max! Max! Max’
    â€˜Max!’
    Max sucked in a gulp of air and wiped a line of dribble from her mouth.
    â€˜I’m not exciting enough for you this morning?’ It was Mrs Grimshore, with her normal teeth and hair. Please don’t let it be a dream, thought Max.
    â€˜And this is for you.’ Max saw the fat ‘D’ on the exam paper and knew it was real as was Toby’s whale-sized grin.
    â€˜Congratulations, Toby. First place.’ There was polite applause from the class. ‘But we have an equal first place. Linden Franklin.’
    Linden blushed. He liked science but hated when people made a big deal of when he did well.
    At the end of class, as if Max’s life wasn’t miserable enough, Toby and his friends made an appearance.
    â€˜What happened, Max? Forget your brain on the day of the exam?’
    Max wished the Time and Space Machine was with her now so she could program herself right out of there.
    â€˜Maybe you were just too busy to study.’ He winked at his friends. ‘Or maybe you were spending too much