Page 33 of Aru Shah and the End of Time

Bring On the Next Demon! Wait, Maybe Not…

Mini held the sprig of youth at arm’s length.

“Mini, why are you holding it like that?”

“It’s clearly a biohazard! What if it’s contaminated?” asked Mini. “It’s been in a demon’shairfor who knows how long. How’d she even get it there if everything she touches turns to ash?”

Aru thought of the hair products and jars in the salon. “I think she could only burn living things with her touch.”

“You don’t think the sprig is a living thing?”

“It’s a key to the Kingdom of Death,” said Aru. “You can’t kill death.”

“Hmm.” Now Mini looked even more suspicious of the sprig. “What if holding it does something to me? Like make me young forever?”

“How’s that a bad thing?” Aru wouldn’t mind never getting wrinkles. As a forever-kid, she’d get to go to the front of the line all the time. And she could always get the kid discount at the ice cream place.

“Look at me!” said Mini. “I’d be stuck forever at four feet! That’s…that’s scary.”

Aru pulled a crumpled tissue from her pocket. “If you’re worried about that, then use this so you don’t have to touch the sprig of youth for too long.”

Mini eyed the tissue warily. “Is that used?”

Yep.

“Of course not.”

“Then why are you carrying it in your pocket?”

Aru lifted her chin. “British royalty always carry crumpled tissues with them. They call them handkerchiefs.”

“I’m pretty sure—”

“Four feet forever?” asked Aru, dangling the tissue.

Sighing, Mini took the tissue and wrapped it around the branch. They cast one more glance at the ashes of Brahmasura as they walked to the door.

“First demon slaying!” said Aru, holding up her hand for a high five.

Mini recoiled.

“You really don’t want to touch other people’s hands. That’s the fastest way to get a cold. Or the flu. And if you’re not vaccinated, you’ll die.”

“Yeah, but you might not stay dead. I thought Brahmasura was killed a long time ago.”

“Maybe the souls of demons get to be reincarnated? Like us.”

That was not a comforting thought. Aru lowered her hand. (Nothing is more awkward than an unreciprocated high five…especially when too much time has gone by and you can’t pretend that you were just stretching.)

Seeing Aru’s disappointment, Mini offered another suggestion. “How about an elbow bump instead? It’s hygienicandfun!”

Aru frowned. “You sound like one of those posters in the doctor’s office.”

“I like those posters….They’re informative. And colorful.”

Aru laughed. “All right, fine.”

The girls bumped elbows.