What Is Happening Now?

The Case of the Moving Map

Lena Park loves the film Enola Holmes. In her small school bag, she carries a blue notebook, a pencil, and a paper magnifying glass from drama club. After class, rain is tapping on the windows, and the hall smells of wet coats. Lena is waiting near the library with her friends Maya and Tom. “We are starting a detective club today,” she says. Tom laughs, but Maya points at the library door. It is open, and a thin strip of paper is moving under it.

The three friends step inside because the paper is sliding across the floor. The library is quiet, but a clock is ticking loudly above the desk. Lena picks up the paper. It is part of an old map of the school. A red circle is sitting around the music room. Beside it, someone is writing in black pen: Find the key before the bell. Maya whispers, “Is this a game?” Tom looks at the muddy floor. “Someone is walking here right now,” he says.

They follow the muddy footprints because the marks are going toward the music room. The corridor smells of floor soap and old wood. Lena is holding the map, Maya is checking the doors, and Tom is listening. Behind the music room, a chair is scraping. Lena pushes the door. A boy from Year Ten, Leo, is standing by the piano. He is hiding something in his sleeve. “I am not stealing,” Leo says quickly. “I am looking for my brother’s lucky key. He is playing in the concert tonight.”

Because Leo is shaking, Lena looks again at the map. The red circle is not on the piano; it is on the small cupboard behind the drums. Maya opens the cupboard, and dust flies into the air. Inside, a silver key is hanging from a green ribbon. But a note is under it: Return what you borrow. Tom remembers the library desk. “The drama club is borrowing music stands,” he says. “Maybe someone is leaving a message.”

They run back to the library because the final bell is ringing. Ms. Green, the librarian, is putting books into a box. She smiles when she sees the key. “I am testing your detective club,” she says. “Leo borrowed the key and forgot it. I am not angry, but the concert room is locked.” Lena gives Leo the key. Leo opens the music room, and warm trumpet sounds fill the hall. Lena writes one line in her notebook while rain shines on the window: Case one is closing.

Key Words From the Case

Present Continuous

Homework Review