The Gravity Keeper by Michael Reisman

the towering trees. “I guess I just never noticed it before.”
    â€œIt’s hidden. Wait, how did you get in? Owen never notices it until I bring him in.”
    Alysha told them about that hint of wind she’d felt and how she’d tripped.
    Simon looked around, breathing in the energy-filled air of the woods. “Wind? That Breeze. It must be that. That’s what called me here, and that’s what let you in, too. The Breeze must be part of the place’s magic.”
    Alysha pounced. “Magic? What?”
    â€œIt’s the place,” Simon said. “It’s special somehow. Can’t you feel it?”
    Alysha took a step back. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
    Simon made up his mind. “Okay. Here’s the truth.” He gestured with his backpack. “I found a Book that lets me control the laws of physics.”
    Alysha stared at him for a minute, glanced over at Owen (who looked away), then rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”
    â€œIt’s true!” Owen shouted. “I’ve seen it!”
    â€œSimon, your games were fun when we were seven, but that’s old now.”
    â€œDo you want me to prove it?” Simon asked.
    â€œOkay, show me what you got,” she said.
    Simon nodded. “I looked up a new formula: friction. It’s the resistance between two objects when they rub against each other. It’s what makes things stick together, and without it, things are all slippery. So there’s a lot of friction when you rub against sandpaper but very little when you slide along a freshly waxed floor.”
    Alysha faked a yawn. “Okay, so let’s go, Merlin. Dazzle me.”
    Simon pulled out the Book and opened it. He said, “Friction,” and smiled proudly at Alysha and Owen as the pages flipped right to the section on friction.
    Alysha folded her arms. “Nice gimmick.”
    â€œYou’re not a very open-minded person, are you?” Simon asked.
    â€œI promise I won’t tell anyone else about this, fine,” Alysha said. “But if you want me to believe you can do magic, I’ll need to see real proof. To do otherwise”—she looked at Owen—“would be ignorant.”
    â€œIt’s not really magic, I don’t think,” Simon said. “It’s science. This Book tells me how science really works, and I can command it. It only looks like magic if you don’t understand.” Seeing her doubt, he nodded. “Just wait.”
    â€œGood, show her what you can do!” Owen said. “You did read carefully and practice, right?” he asked quietly.
    â€œYeah, yeah, sure,” Simon said. “Don’t worry.” He glanced at Alysha. “These symbols are like a language. I just have to make sure I’m saying the right thing.” He spoke a handful of nonsensical words. “Done.”
    Alysha looked around. “Sorry, Science Boy. Nothing’s changed.”
    â€œOh no?” Simon said. “Walk that way.” He pointed toward the clearing.
    Alysha took one step, and her feet slid out from under her as if she’d stepped on the biggest, slipperiest banana peel ever made. She fell on her butt and started sliding forward along the dirt path.
    She let out a piercing scream. “Siiiiiiimmmoooooonnn! What did you do?”
    â€œI took away your body’s kinetic friction,” Simon yelled. “Believe me now?”
    She was speeding down the trail, her hands clawing uselessly at the dirt. Without any friction, everything was slicker than even the smoothest ice. “Yes! Now make it stop!”
    Simon smiled wickedly. “I’ve got a better idea. Oh, Owen?”
    Owen was looking at Alysha with a triumphant smile on his face; he turned to Simon and his eyes widened. He only had time to say, “No, wait—”
    Simon directed the formula at Owen, who was already starting to move away. As the formula kicked in, he