“Such a deliciously creepy song it was . . . ” —from Peter Pan The mood at the studio on Monday evening was grim. Students whispered nervously in small groups. No one watched television in the café. No one bought snacks. No one danced. Freakin’ eerie, Justin thought. Everyone at school had talked of nothing else all day, except where was Diamond Landers? What could have happened to her? And still the rain poured down. Justin couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen sunlight. He forced himself to begin warm-ups in his favorite corner of the largest dance room. Two girls whispered frantically in the opposite corner. Another girl did a series of deep knee bends over and over and over. Two others sat with heads bowed, not speaking to anyone. He felt the same uncertainty. After dismissing the five- and six-year-olds from their class, Miss Ginger hurried into the room. “Let’s circle up, guys,” she said warmly. “We need to talk.” Justin managed to position himself between Layla and Mercedes.
