AlsobyRidleyPearsonKingdomKeepers—DisneyAfterDarkKingdomKeepersII—DisneyatDawn

SteelTrapp—TheChallengeSteelTrapp—TheAcademy

WritingwithDaveBarryPeterandtheStarcatchers

PeterandtheShadowThievesPeterandtheSecretofRundoonPeterandtheSwordofMercy

EscapefromtheCarnivaleCaveoftheDarkWind

BloodTide

ScienceFair

TableofContents123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536

373839404142434445464748Acknowledgments

Thefollowingaresomeofthetrademarks,registeredmarks,andservicemarksownedbyDisneyEnterprises,Inc.:Adventureland®Area,Audio-Animatronics®Figure,BigThunderMountain®Railroad,Disneyland®,Disney-MGMStudios,Disney’sAnimalKingdom®ThemePark,Epcot®,Fantasyland®Area,FASTPASS®Service,FortWilderness,Frontierland®Area,Imagineering,Imagineers,“it’sasmallworld”®,MagicKingdom®Park,MainStreet,U.S.A.Area,Mickey’sToontown®,monorail,NewOrleansSquare,SpaceMountain®Attraction,SplashMountain®Attraction,Tomorrowland®Area,Toontown®,WaltDisneyWorld®Resort.

BuzzLightyearAstroBlasters©DisneyEnterprises,Inc./PixarAnimationStudios

ToyStorycharacters©DisneyEnterprises,Inc./PixarAnimationStudios

WinniethePoohcharactersbasedonthe“WinniethePooh”worksbyA.A.MilneandE.H.Shepard

Copyright©2010PageOne,Inc.

Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyDisney•HyperionBooks,animprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.ForinformationaddressDisney•HyperionBooks,114FifthAvenue,NewYork,NewYork10011-5690.PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmericaFirstEdition10987654321LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataonfile.ISBN978-1-4231-5110-4

TheKingdomKeepersseriesisdedicatedtoStoreyandPaige,forhelpingmeseetheworldthroughtheireyes….

1

FINNWHITMANRANHARD,thenalltheharderstill,DonnieMaybeckbyhissideandkeepingup.Byday,TomSawyerIslandintheMagicKingdomwasanintriguingtangleoftreesandbushesinterruptedbymeanderingpathways.Bynight,itwassomethingaltogetherdifferent.

Especiallywithfourinsanelyangry,sword-carryingpiratesbearingdownonyou,followedcloselybyanalienwithageneticmalfunctionthatposedlikeElvisPresleyandlookedslightlylikeacrossbetweenakoalabearandacuddlydog.

TheguysinthetornT-shirtsandcalf-lengthpantshadleapedfromtheshadowssurroundingPiratesoftheCaribbean—theparkhavingbeenclosedfornearlythreehours—immediatelyinpursuit.Stitch,ontheotherhand,hadappearedoutofnowhere.

Finnmadethemistakeofglancingbackatthem.“Don’tlookback!”Maybeckcalledoutsharply.“Yourface,yourskinis

likeaflashlight.You’llgiveusaway!Believeme,Whitman,thisiswhenitpaystobeyourstruly.”

MaybeckthoughtofhimselfasGod’sanswertoeverything,andwasn’tafraidtosharethatopinion.Ifgivenhalfachance,hewouldmakethepointthathisgreat-grandparentshadbeenslaves,andhisgrandparentssharecroppersonFloridasugarcaneplantations;hewasfiercelyproudofhisAfricanAmericanheritageandofthefactthathisfamilyweresomeoftheoriginalFloridians,insteadofbeingdescendantsofsnowbirdretirees,likeFinnandsomanyofhisfriends—andtheirfellowDHIs.

DHIstoodforDisneyHostInteractive,orDaylightHolographicImage,dependingonwhoyouasked.TherewerefiveDHIs,includingFinnand

Maybeck—hologramsofteenagehoststhat,byday,actedasguidestoguestsattheMagicKingdom.(Theotherthree,Philby,Willa,andCharlene,werebynowsupposedtobeawaitingthetwoboysintheIndianVillageacrossthewaterfromTomSawyerIsland.)

Therewasaglitchinthesoftwarethatprojectedthehologramsinthepark:whenanyofthefiveteenswho’doriginallymodeledfortheDHIswenttosleepatnight,theywouldwakeup,notasthemselves,butastheirholograms,insidetheMagicKingdom.Asitturnedoutthiswasnoglitch—anoldguy,aDisneyImagineernamedWayne,hadintentionallymadethis“crossover”possiblebyrewritingtheprojectioncomputercode.

He’ddonethisbecausehe’dneededthehelpoftheDHIstosolveariddleleftbehindbyWaltDisneyyearsbefore.

Buttonightwasdifferent:thekidshadgonetosleep;they’dcrossedover,becomingtheirDHIsinsidetheMagicKingdomatnight—somethingtheywereusedtobynow.Theyhadleftaspecialfobwithabutton,likeagaragedooropener,insideateepee,toensurethattheycouldallsimultaneouslycrossbackover,retreatingintotheirsleepingbodiesintheirhomes.Thatwasallprettymuchthesameasusual;whatmadeitdifferentwaswhytheywerehereinthefirstplace.

Waynewasmissing.He’dbeenmissingfornearlythreeweeks,eversinceoneverylongday

insideDisney’sAnimalKingdomwheretheteenshadbattledthewickedfairyMaleficentandthegargoylebeastChernabog.

ItwasunacceptabletoleaveWaynemissing.HewasthelastImagineeralivewho’dknownWaltDisneypersonally,who’dknownWalt’splansandintentionsfortheparksandcharacters.Waynehadcreatedtheirabilitytocrossover.HewastheirmentorandtheirleaderintryingtofightMaleficentandherambitiousplans.

WaynehadexplaineditalltoFinn,whatseemedlikealongtimeagonow.“YouknowthemovieToyStory?”Waynehadasked.“Ofcourse.”“Andy’stoyscomealivewhenheleavestheroom.”“Iknow,”Finnhadsaid.“Well,thatwasn’texactlyanewideaaroundhere.Waltdesigneditsothat

whenthelastofthehumans—theguests,thecastmembers,thecleaners,maintenancepersonnel,eventhesecurityguys—leavetheMagicKingdom,the

charactersgettohaveitalltothemselves.”“Yeah,right.”“I’mserious,”Waynehadsaid.“Webegantosuspectthisasoddthings

startedhappening,likefindingequipmentmovedoranAudio-Animatronicsinadifferentpositionthanithadbeenleftinthenightbefore.Strange,unexplainableevents.ButWalthadwanteditthisway,andweleftitalone.Thatis…untilthetroublebegan.Evennow,securityrarelypatrolstheparksatnight,andwhentheydo,thegoodcharactersareleftalonetoenjoytheirfreedomasWaltwanted.”

Thegoodcharacters,Finnthought.HewouldlaterdiscoverthatWaynewastellingthetruth,butwhenhe’d

firstheardthestory,he’dthoughttheguywasnuts.Hehadn’tbelievedaword.Havingbeenraisedtobepolite,hekeptquietanddidn’tchallengetheoldman.

“IhadapetmonkeywhenIwasachild,”Waynesaid.“Mymothergaveittomeformythirteenthbirthday.”

“Fascinating.”“Aterrificpet,amonkey.Arealfriend.ExceptthemorefreedomIgave

him,themorefreedomhewanted.Themorefreedomhetook.Ieventuallyhadtogivehimbacktothestorethathadsoldhimtousbecausehewouldnolongergetbackintohiscageatnight.Hecouldn’tgiveuphisnewlyfoundfreedom.

“Well,thesamethinghashappenedtothecharacters,”hecontinued.“Turnsoutsomeofthemlikehavingtheparkalltothemselves.Mostlythevillains,asitsohappens.Theyenjoybossingaroundthelikeablecharacters,sabotagingthemorepopularrides,andgenerallymakingtrouble.Wethinkagroupofthem—we’renotexactlysurewhoallofthemare—havedecidedtodrivethegoodcharactersout,totakeovertheparkandmakeitadark,evilplace.Theplanseemstobeasimpleone—iftheycanscareawaythegoodguys,onlythevillainswillbeleft.Eventuallyonlypeopleattractedbyevilwillcome.That’swhywecallthemtheOvertakers.Theirmissionistochangetheparkforever.”

WaynehadstudiedFinn’sfacetoseehowmuch,ifanyofthis,Finnbelieved.Hecouldn’treadhim.

“Wehaditwrongforthelongesttime,”Waynesaid.“Wethoughtitwasaboutthemturningitintoa‘darkpark’—aplacewhere,insteadofbeingmagicalandhappy,itwouldbevillainousanddark.We’renolongercertainthat’sthecase.Wenowthinkinsteadtheywanttheparks—maybealltheDisneyproperties—forthemselves.Themoreplaygrounds,thebetter.”

Finnrememberedthedayclearly,rememberedhowhe’dfeltabouttheideaoflosingDisneyWorld,AnimalKingdom,Epcot,HollywoodStudios.AsDHIs—nonhumanholograms—heandthefourotherscouldinfiltratetheparkatnight,makingeffortstospyonandbringdowntheOvertakers.ThishadbeenWayne’sgrandscheme,hisbigplaninmakingthekidsDHIsinthefirstplace.TheirmostrecentefforthadbeenintheAnimalKingdom.They’dmanagedtosaveafriendfromtheOvertakers.ButonlyWaynesawthebiggerpicture.OnlyWaynefullyunderstoodanyofit.

Theyhadtofindhim.ThiswastheirfifthnightsearchingtheMagicKingdom;theirlastnowthat

they’dbeenspottedbythepiratesandStitch,nowthatalltheOvertakersunderMaleficentwouldbelookingto…eliminatethem.OratleasttotraptheirDHIs,asituationthatlefttheirsleepingbodiesbackintheirparents’homesunabletowakeup.TheycalledtheconditiontheSyndrome—shortforSleepingBeautySyndrome.Maybeckhadexperienceditonce.SohadWillaandPhilby,briefly,intheAnimalKingdom.TheSyndromewasnothingtomesswith.

“Notetoself,”Finnsaid,intendingitforMaybeck,“weareglowingbodiesoflightrunningthroughthedarkjungle.Youreallythinkmyfaceisgoingtogiveusaway?”

OfthefiveDHIs,Finnhadthemostcontroloverhiscrossed-overstateasahologram.Thefourothersexistedinakindofsuspendedstatewhencrossedover:halfDHI,halfhumankid,susceptibletogettinghurtbyaccidentoratthehandsofothers.

FinnhadlearnedwithWayne’sguidancetoseparatehimselffromfear,fromallsensation—touch,sound,taste,smell,sight—andindoingsotomakehimselfpurelight,astreamofenergy,ahologramjustlikehisDHIthatDisneyusedastheparkguide.Hecouldn’tmaintainthispurestateforlong—aminuteortwoatmost.ButhelikedtorubhisskillinMaybeck’sface.

Finnranrightthroughthreepalmtrees,notbotheringtogetoutoftheirway.Maybeckweavedandbobbed,avoidingcollision.

“Show-off!”Maybecksaid.“Elitist!”Finnfiredback.Hisbodypassedtransparentlythroughahuge

rockthatMaybeckhadtoscrambleover.“Know-it-all!”Maybecksaid.“Eyecandy!”Finnsaid.Maybeckwaspopularwiththegirlsatschool.Theybothheardthefootfallsatonce:thepirateshadclosedthedistance

andwereonlyamatterofyardsbehindthemnow.“Weshouldcontinuethislater,”Maybecksaid.“Agreed.”“Rightnowweneedsomethingresemblingaplan.”“Ihaveone,”Finnsaid.“Doyou?”Theycontinuedrunning,Finnoutofbreath,Maybecknotwindedatall.“Thatwouldbeno,”Maybecksaid.“Allrightthen.”“Allrightthen,what?”“We’llgowithmyplan,”Finnsaidproudly.“Onlyifyouhaveaplaninthenextfiveseconds,”Maybeckcountered.Atthatinstant,Finnfeltaburningsensationonhisarm.Hedidn’treally

havemuchofaplan,andMaybeck’srelianceonhimhadtakenhimoutofhispureholographicstate.Hewasn’tglowingasbrightly.Hewasparthumanagain.

Hekeptrunning.“Dude,”Maybecksaid.“Yourarmislike,gushingblood.”Finnlookeddown.He’dbeencaughtbythetipofapirate’ssword.Itwasa

nastycut,buthewouldn’thavecalledit“gushing.”Whoosh!Whoosh!Finnheardtheswordslicingtheairjustbehindhim.“Slowpoke!”Maybeckchided.Maybeckduckedtohisrightandwentdown

ontohishandsandknees,tumblingover.Hetrippedupthreeofthepirates,sendingthemflying.HejumpedtohisfeetandcaughtbackuptoFinn.

“Youdomakeyourselfhandy,”Finnsaid.“Whatarefriendsfor?”Maybeckasked.“Here’stheplan…”Finnsaidatlast.“Howareyouatswimming

underwater?”

2

ATFIRST,FINNASSUMEDTHEalligatorwasaDisneyprop.Butthenaflickerofdoubtcrossedhismind:TomSawyerandHuckFinnwereMarkTwainMississippiRivercharacters.AlligatorsandtheMississippiRiverdidn’tfit.

SwissFamilyRobinson,maybe.OrtheJungleCruise.Thedoubt—thefear—madehimlessDHIandmorehuman,lesspurelightandmorefleshandblood.Swimmingunderwater,glowingslightly,hiseyeswideopen,withMaybeckswimmingtohisleft,Finncametoamajorrealization:thealligatorwasforreal.Itwasswimmingrightatthem,itsmouthwideopen.

Hedidn’tknowmuchaboutalligators,butthisonelookedhungry.Andbig.Finnreachedover,grabbedMaybeckbythehand,andpulledhimlower.

Thealligatormisjudgedandswamabovethem.Itturnedwithaflickofitsmassivetailandcameatthemagain.

Atthatsameinstant,thepiratesorStitchmusthavesteppedintotheriverwaterthatsurroundedTomSawyerIsland.Asplashingsoundwasfamiliartoanyalligator—itoftensignaledananimal’sarrivalatthewater’sedgeforadrink.Toanalligatorthatsoundmeantachanceatameal,andforthisparticularalligatortheinstinctprovedtoostrongtoresist.OnlyafootortwofrombeingabletobiteoffMaybeck’sfeet,thebeastreversedcoursewithanotherfiercelashofitstailandheadedforshore.

AsFinnandMaybeckscrambledupthemuddybankonthefarside,windedandspittingoutriverwater,therecameacryofterrorfromacrosstheway:oneofthepirateshadnearlylosthislegtothealligator.HeandtheothersandStitchwereinfullretreat,runningasfastastheycouldintheoppositedirection.

“You’relate,”Philbysaid.Philbywasmaybethebiggesttechno-geekFinn

hadevermet,buthelookedmorelikeasoccerplayerthananerd.FinnsupposedthatalltheDHImodelshadbeenchosenfortheir“average”looks,their“all-American”qualities;allbutCharlene,whowasanythingbutaverage.ShestoodjustbehindPhilbyinfrontofoneoftheteepees,andlookedmorelikeateenagemoviestar.Shehadblondhairandacheerleader’sbody,butshedidn’tfitthestereotypeofwhatallthatimplied.Shewassmartandathletic,cautiousandcurious.

“Wewereworriedaboutyou,”shesaid.Shepointedacrosstheriver.“Lookslikeforgoodreason.”

“Yeah,”Finnsaid,“youmightsayweweredelayed.”“Youmightsaythepirateswerewaitingforus,”Maybecksaid.“Waitingto

grabus.TotrapusintheSyndrome.TheychasedusontotheislandandWhitmanfiguredawayoff,butitwasclose.”

“Waiting,”Philbysaid,“asiftheyknewyouwerecoming?”“That’sthewayIreadit,”Finnadmitted.“Someonehadspottedusinthe

parkandalertedthepirates.Maybeck’sright:itwasaclosecall.”“Comeon!”Charlenesaid.“Beforetheycomeback.”ThewaytheDHIscrossedoverintotheparkwastogotosleepintheir

bedsathome.Onceasleep,they“wokeup”insidetheMagicKingdom;butthatmeantthatwhatevertheyworetosleepwaswhattheywerewearingwhentheyappearedasDHIsinthepark.Knowingthis,Finnalwaysdressedinnormalclothesbeforegoingtobed.Hepulledthecoversupsohismotherdidn’tseewhathewaswearingasshesaidgood-night.Charlene,ontheotherhand,hadamotherwhoinsistedonrubbingherbackandtalkingtohereachnightbeforebed,soCharlenealwaysarrivedintheparkwearinganightgown,assheworetonight.Theboyshadahardtimekeepingtheireyesoffher.

Willa,ontheotherhand,wholookedNativeAmericanorAsianwithherhooded,inquisitiveeyesanddarkbraidedhair,worecargopantsandaT-shirtthatread:BITEME.Onthebackithadthepictureofashark—somekindofpromotionforaseafoodrestaurant.

Onceinsidethenearestofthesixteepees,theKingdomKeeperswereinanelectronicshadow,anareawheretheDHIprojectionsystemcouldnotreach.Theybecameinvisibleoncetheymovedafewfeetfromtheteepee’sdoor.Onlyimpressionsinthesandshowedwhereanyofthemweresitting.ThoughtheirDHIprojectionssometimesdidnotprojectincertainlocations,theyremainedinthepark,justaswhenlightisshoweredontoashadow,theshadowdisappearsbuttheobjectthatwascastingtheshadowremains.Inprojectionshadowthe

DHIscouldstilltouch,feel,talk,smell,andhear;theyleftfootprints.Invisibletotheeye,theywerenotbeyonddetection,andthereforehadtobecareful.Nowinsidetheteepee,theirfourvoicesrangoutfromthedarkness.Toanyonelookinginside,itwouldhaveappearedthatnoonewasthere.Theonlythingthatseemedoutofplacewasasmallblackplasticfobthatlookedlikeagaragedooropener,hangingfromanailinapolebytheteepee’sopendoor.

Philbyremainedasalookoutsomewhereoutsidetheteepee.This,becausethey’dhadunwantedvisitorsbefore.

“So?Whatnow?”Willaasked.“Imeanwe’velookedforWayneeverywhereandIjustdon’tthinkhe’shereinMK.”

“Ifheishere,”Charlenesaid,“we’renotgoingtofindhim.IagreewithWilla.”

“Wecan’tgiveup,”Finnsaid.“Thatwasatraptonight,Whitman,”Maybecksaid.“YouandI…we

walkedintoit.Wecan’tbehangingaroundMKanymore.They’reontous.”“I’dliketodisagreewithyou,”Finnsaid,“butIcan’t.Isaywemoveonto

theAnimalKingdom.”“ButourDHIsaren’tsetupthere,right?”Charlenesaid.Therehadbeena

timewhenCharlenehadunderstoodlittleofthetechnologythatallowedthemtocrossoverandbecomeDHIsbynightinsidethepark.Butnowshespokeastheexperttheyallhadbecome.

“Correct,”Finnsaid.“IfwelookforhiminsideAK,thenithastobeduringtheday,andwehavetogoasourselves.”

“We’dbemobbed,”Maybecksaid.Hemadeavalidpoint,Finnthought.TheDHIshadbecomesopopularthatevenatthemallandatmovietheatersthefivekidswereapproachedandoftenoverwhelmedbyfans.Insideoneoftheparksitwouldbeinsane.TherewerealsocontractualruleslimitingtheirvisitstotheDisneyparksinordertoprotectthe“brand”oftheDisneyHosts.Thekidsoftenignoredtheserules,goingindisguise,but…

“MyparentswouldkillmeifIgotcaught,”Willasaid.“Nowthatthey’veaddedusintoEpcotandtheHollywoodStudios,thecruiselineandtheiceshow,myparentsarefreaking.It’sapparentlyalotofmoneyDisneyispayingintothecollegeaccount.IblowthatandI’mdead.”

“Yeah,samehere,”Maybecksaid.“Myaunthaslecturedmeaboutamilliontimesonnotmessingwiththatcollegefund.”

“Sowedon’tlookforWayne?”Finnsaid.“That’snothappening.”

“IfitmeanswehavetogointoAK,Epcot,ortheStudiosasourselves,I’mout,”Charlenesaid.“Or,ifwegoin,we’vegottotellthecompany,andeverythingthecontractsaystodo.I’minthesamesituationasMaybeckandWilla.Myparentsarecountingonthiscollegemoney.”

“Ican’tbelieveyouguyswouldbailonWayne,”Finnsaid.Hefounditalittlestrangetobetalkingtoadark,emptyteepee,butitwasn’tthefirsttime.

“Psst!”ItwasPhilbyjustoutsidethedooroftheteepee.HisDHIglowedinthedarkness.“We’vegotcompany.”Hesteppedinsideand,ashecrossedintotheprojectionshadow,ablacklineslicedthroughhisimageandslowlyatehim.HisDHIdisappeared.

“Ouch!”PhilbyhadsatdownonFinn’scrossedlegs.Finnmovedover,andPhilby’s

buttmadeanimpressioninthesandbesidehim.“Notapeep,”hewhispered.“It’sallofthem!”

Amomentlater,thecrunchofdrypalmfrondsandjungleleavescouldbeheardasthepiratesenteredtheIndianVillage.

“Theyprobablyskedaddled,”saidamaninalowandominousvoice.Itsoundedasifhehadgravelinhisthroat.

“Footprints!”calledanotherman’svoice.AshudderpassedthrougheachoftheKingdomKeepers.Theyhadgotten

careless.Ayearearliertheywouldhavetakentheextraprecautionofdraggingabranchbehindthemtoerasetheirfootprints.WhenFinnwaspurelight,atrueDHI,hedidn’tleaveanyfootprints,butthatwasn’toftenanditwasn’tforlong.TheotherDHIswerealwaysparthuman,andthereforelefttracks.Finnandtheothersunderstoodperfectlywellwherethosefootprintsled:directlytotheteepeetheynowoccupied.They’dtrappedthemselves.Theironlydefensewastheirinvisibility,andtheirinvisibilitylastedonlyaslongastheyweredeepwithintheteepeeandintheprojectionshadow.

Thevoicesdrewcloser—thepirateswerefollowingthefootprintscloserandcloser.

“It’shere,”alowvoicegrowled,immediatelyoutsidetheteepee.Afaceappeared,partlyinsilhouette,withascragglybeard,darkbrown

moleslikewarts,andwindingscars.Themansteppedinside.Finnspottedtheblackplasticfobhangingfromthepolebythedoorofthe

teepee.Theremotecontroldevicecouldsendthemallbacktothesafetyoftheirbeds.Theirhomes.Butitwasoutofreachnow.Thepirateblockedtheway.

Inthepast,Waynehadtypicallykeptthefobhimself.ButwithoutWaynearound,theyhadtohidethefobsafelyintheparksotheycoulduseittoleave.They’dbeenusingtheteepeeasahidingplace,butnowthatwouldhavetochange.

Finn’shandnervouslyclutchedintoafist.Indoingso,hegrippedahandfulofsand.Hereachedout,hishandsearching,andhebumpedintoCharlene’sarm.Heletsomeofthesandcascadeontoherskin,hopingshewouldgetthemessage.

Overthenextfewsecondsheheardthesofttrickleofsandspilling.Shehadunderstood!ThesoundmovedfromDHItoDHIinasemicircleinsidetheteepee.

Thepirateheardittoo,butcouldn’tfigureitout.Finnscoopeduptwobigfistfulsofsand.Hisheartpoundedinhischest.Thepiratelookedsearchinglyintotheteepee.“Ain’tnoonehere,”hesaid.“Butthemtracksgoinanddon’tcomebackout,”saidthemanwiththe

gravelvoice.“Don’tmakenosense.”“Themkidsiscagey,”offeredathirdvoice.“Wouldn’ttrustthemwithmy

teeth.”“Youain’tgotnoteeth,”saidthemaninthedoorway.“Cometakealook

yourself.”Asecondfaceappearedinthedoorway.Thismanhadlong,greasyhair,a

goldhoopearringinhisrightear,andalefteyelidpartlysewnshut.Hesmelledlikebaconfatandfishguts.

Healsosteppedinside.“Themtracksdon’tmakenosense.”Helookedupintothepeakoftheteepee,searchingforthekids.“Andthemtracksdon’tlie.They’reheresomewhere.”

HelookedrightatFinn.“Maybetheydonedugthemselvesdownintothesandlikeaflounder.”“Youmeanastonecrab,”saidthefirstman.“Imeanaflounder,youlandlubber.Oraray.What’sitmatterwhatkindof

fish,youninny?Pointis,theycouldbehiding’neaththesandandwewouldn’tknowit,nowwouldwe?”

Thetwowerestandinginsidetheteepeenow,onesoclosetowherePhilbyhadsatdownthathehadtobejustabouttouchinghisDHI.Thepiratesused

theirfeettodisturbthesand,diggingdown.“Howwouldtheybebreathing?”thegravel-voicedpirateasked.“HowshouldIknow?”answeredtheone-eyedstinkbomb.“Now!”Finnshouted.Hestoodandthrewbothhandfulsofsanddirectly

intothefacesofthetwopirates.Themenscreamed.Coveringhisface,clawingathiseyes,onefelltohis

kneesasPhilbytrippedhim.Finnsnaggedtheremotecontrolfobonthewayoutthedoorastheother

KingdomKeeperschargedforthedoorway.Twomorepiratesappeared.Startledbythekidsappearingoutofthinair,thetwomenwentwide-eyed

withsurprise.WillaandCharlenefilledthoseeyeswithflyingsand.Thetwopiratesholleredandstaggeredback.

TheKingdomKeepersrushedoutoftheteepeeasagroup.Finn,thefobinhand,ransmackintowhatfeltlikeagiantsponge,bouncedback,andfelltothesand.

Stitchstoodoverhim.“Youdon’tbelonghere,”Stitchsaid.Heshowedhisteeth.Itlookedasifhe

couldbiteFinn’sheadoff—andmaybehadthatinmind.Maybeck,whohadrunpastStitch,nowdaringlycreptupbehindtheblue

alienandkneltdownonallfours.Finngotup.“Neitherdoyou,”Finnsaid.“Shouldn’tyoubebackinspace?Andyou

wanttoknowsomething?Ilikedyouuntiljustnow.Mysisterthinksyou’recute.”

ThiscausedStitchamomentofthought.Finntooktheopportunitytostepforwardandshovethecreatureover

Maybeck’sback.Stitchwentdownhard.Maybeckjumpedup.HeandFinntookoff,turningleftdownanaccess

trail,backtowardthepark.Thepirateswereupnow,angryashornets,andrunninghardtocatchthem.“Ready?”Finncalledout.“Keepclosetogether.Everyoneholdhands.”Nooneargued.Theyclosedranksandallheldhands.Finnhadnevertriedtousetheremotecontroldeviceontherunbefore.

They’dalwaysbeenstandingtogetherasagroup.Hehadnoideaifitwouldwork.Hehopedthatbyholdinghands…

“One…”hecounted.Thepirateswereonlyafewfeetbehindthem.Heheardtheringofsteelas

swordsweredrawn.“Two…”Whoosh!Aswordbladepassedfrighteninglyclosetohishead.“Three!”Hepushedthebutton.Allthehologramsdisappearedatonce.Theblackfob

fellintothebushesatthebaseofapalmtree—alocationFinnwouldetchvividlyinhismemory.

3

FINNOPENEDHISEYES.Itwasthesameasalways:hecouldbarelysee.Hisbedroomwascloakedinamidnightdarkness,theonlylightcomingfromthecolorfulLEDsonhiscomputerandhisDS.HecouldmakeouttheposterofMattDamonoverhead,tapedtotheceilingalongsideaglow-in-the-darkmobileofthesolarsystem.Hereachedoutandtouchedhisface,pulledonhisear—hewashuman.He’dcrossedbackoveragain.Hecouldneverreallybesureiftheexperiencewasanythingmorethanavividdream.IftheotherKingdomKeepershadnothadtheexactsamedreamashishemighthavequestionedallofit.Buttherewasnodoubtingthephenomenonanymore.Asunrealasitwas,itwasforreal.

Asiftoconfirmthis,hefelthisleftarmstingingand,reachingover,feltitstickywithblood.Herakedbackthebedding,worriedaboutstainingthesheet—worriedhismotherwouldseetheblood—andsureenoughtherewasasmearonthesheet.Thepirate’sswordhadcaughthim.Thecutwasn’tdeep,butitwasfiveincheslongandstillbleedingalittle.Hejumpedup.He’dwornhisregularclothestobed—apairofcargoshortsandaRaysT-shirt—andhewasdressedthesamewaystill,includinghisKeens.Hisclotheswerewetand,turningonalightandlookingback,hesawthatthebedwastoo.

Dang!Finnthought,consideringthedamagecontrolnecessarytoputthingsright.HecleanedandclosedthewoundwithtwoBand-Aids.He’dhavetowashthetopsheet,drybothsheets,maybethemattresspadtoo,andremakethebedbeforegettinganysleep.Thedryerwasinalaundryroombythekitchen.Itwouldwakehismother.Hefranticallyrubbedawetfacetowelonthetopsheet,combattingthebloodstain.Hetriedsomesoapandmorewaterandgotmostofitout.Hestrippedthebed,madesurehisbedroomdoorwasclosedtightly,thenclosedhisbathroomdoortomakeaneffectivesoundbarrier.Hehungthesheets

overtheshowercurtainrodandusedhisblow-dryeronthem.Hisclotheswereabiggerproblem.Howwouldheexplaintohismother

thathisclotheshadgottensoakedwhilehe’dbeenasleep?Ayearagohemighthaveinventedsomefairlybelievablestory,butnowbothhisparentswatchedhimlikehawks.TheKingdomKeepershadacquiredlegendarynotoriety.Therehadbeennewspaperstoriesabout“rumors”circulatingaroundOrlandoandonInternetchatsitesthatfivekidshadsomehow“saved”thepark.Abookhadbeenwritten.TheiradventureinsideAnimalKingdomhadbeenwitnessedbyhundredsofparkvisitors,addingcredencetotherumors.Whilemostadultswouldnot,couldnot,fullybelieveanyofthestories,kidshadnoproblemdoingso.Finn’sparentsfellsomewhereinbetweendoubtandfear.TheydoubtedFinncouldleavehisroomatnightandentertheMagicKingdomashisDHI;buttheysecretlyfeareditwastrue.Moreimportantlytheybelieved—falsely—thathesneakedoutatnightandviolatedhiscontractwithDisneybyvisitingtheparks.

They’dinstalledanalarmsystem,claimingtheneighborhoodhadhadsometrouble;infactitwasn’ttowarnthemifburglarstriedtogetintotheirhouse,butiftheirsontriedtogetout.Hedidn’tknowthesecuritycode—thehousewas,infact,aneffectiveelectronicjail.Butif,withoutexplanation,hedumpedapileofwetclothesintothelaundry,questionswouldbeaskedthathecouldn’tanswer.Hehadswornnottolietohisparents,apromisehe’dmadehimselfyearsbefore.Hehadnodesiretobreakthatpromise,sohehadtofindcreativewaystosneakaroundthetruthwithoutoutrightlying.Hesettledonanidea.Hiseffortonthesheethadfailedmiserably:itlookedasifhe’dsmearedketchuponit.

Thethoughtofketchupsteeredhimtowardthekitchenandapossiblesolution.Helovedpotatochipswithketchupandhismotherhadlongagodeniedhimpermissiontoeatthecombinationinhisroom,becausehealwaysmadeamessofit.Sohemadeupaplateofit—atesome,sincehewasconstantlystarving—andputtheplateonhisbedsidetable.Hethensmearedsomeketchuponhisclothesandthesheetsandbundledthemupandputthemintothewasher.Hesethisalarmclockfortenminutesbeforehisparentswouldwakeup,andclimbedintobedbetweenablanketandthemattress.

Hesleptsoundly,wokewiththealarm,andquicklystartedthewashingmachine.

Fiveminuteslaterhismother,wearingaknee-lengthpajamatop,knockedonhisbedroomdoorandentered.Hismotherdidn’tlookgoodinthemorning.Infact,shelookedkindofscary—herhairtangled,herfaceplainandpale,hereyesunabletoopenalltheway.Shescratchedathercollarbone,rubbedhereyeswithherknuckles,andyawned.

“Whatareyoudoing?”“Laundry.Sorry.”“Youaredoinglaundry?”sheasked.“Sowhat’sgoingon?”Hemadeapointofpretendingtotrytohidetheplateofchipsandketchup

beneathasheetofKleenextissue.Itwassuchalameattempt,hewonderedifhe’doverdoneit—butshewasnotfullyawake.Sheraisedhervoice.

“Ah,Finn…Ithoughtwetalkedaboutthat!You’renotallowedtobringfoodintoyourroom.”

“Iknow.I’msorry.Iwasfamished.”“Youeatlikeahorse.Youateagiganticdinner!”“Sorry.”“Youknowtherules.”“Ikindof…Idroppedacoupleofchips,but…Iputeverythinginthewash.”“That’safirst.”“Ireallyamsorry.”“Nomore.Okay?We’vetalkedaboutthis.”Sheturnedandheadedbackdownthehall.Finncelebratedhissmallsuccess.Itwasn’teasytryingtosaveDisney

WorldfromtheOvertakers.Harderstillbeingthesonofdisbelievers.Herodehisbiketoschool.Itwasaseriousstuntbikeandhewasproudto

beseenridingit.Helockeditwithtwolocksalongwithabunchofotherbikes,butinhismindnonewereasslickashisHawkTracerBMX.Heroundedthecornerfrombehindthegymwherethebikeswereparkedandheadedfortheentrance.

Hewasn’tsureexactlyhowithappened,buthecaughtsightofawomanonthesidewalkoutinfrontoftheschool.Shewaswalkingslowly,carryingapurseoverherrightshoulder,andaDisneyland50thAnniversaryCelebrationtoteoverherleft.Finnknewthatparticularkhaki-coloredtotebag—anditwasabigdeal,aseriouscollector’sitem.Hecouldseeacoupledozenpinsattachedtothetote’sfabrichandlesanddidn’tneedtogetanyclosertoknowthatthese,too,wouldbecollectiblepins—theonesthatsoldforhundredsofdollarsoneBay.Heknewwomenlikeher.HecouldspottheDisneyfreaksamileaway.

Whatraisedhishackleswasthatshewaslookingathim.Therewasahugedistancebetweenthem—fiftyyardsormore—andyetFinnknewwhatheknew:

shewasfocusedonlyonhim.Him,andhimalone.Itwasn’tsomethingthatmadeanysense;norwasitsomethinghecouldexplain;hejustknewit.Thatwasall.

Whatmademattersmorecomplicatedwasthatthiswasnotthefirsttimehe’dseenher.Yesterday,afterschool,he’dseenawoman—maybethissamewoman—outthere.Shehadn’tbeencarryingthetote.Wasthatsomekindofsignalforhim?hewondered.Washesupposedtogooutthereandtalktoherbecauseshehadacollector’s-itemtote?Didthatmakeanysense?

Justtheideasentshiversthroughhim.Disneyfreakscameinallshapesandsizes—andallages.He’dlearnedthatthehardway.Hedidn’twantsomegrown-upstalkerfollowinghimaround.Maybeckhadreportedawomanwindow-shoppingtoolongoutsidehisaunt’spotteryshop.He’dseenheroutthereacoupleoftimes.

Wasthisthesamewoman?Finnwondered.WassheanadultKingdomKeepersstalker?Howrandomwasthat?Weretheyallgoingtoneedbodyguardsbeforelong?WhathadstartedoutassomethingcoolfocusedonlyontheDisneyparkshadnowgrownconsiderablywiththeDHIprogram’sexpansion.Wasitgoingtowreckhislifeandleavehimhidingfromadultfreakshows,likethiswomanstalkinghimhereatschool?

Hehurriedupthestairs,stoppingjustoutsidethefrontdoors.Helookedbacktowardthestreet.Thewomanhadmovedon,showingabsolutelynointerestinhimortheschool.

Sowashemakingthisup?hewondered.Orwasshesomekindofprofessional?

4

FINNWASN’TSUREWHATITWAS.Allhismalefriendshatedgirls.Theymadefunofgirlsbehindtheirbacks,wenttogreatlengthstoembarrasstheminperson,andyetneverstoppedtalkingandcomplainingaboutthemwhentheyweren’taround.MakingthingsmorecomplicatedforFinnwasthathedidn’tmindgirlssomuch.Oneinparticularhedidn’tmindatall.

He’dmetAmandainaweirdsortofwayandhadeventuallybeeninvolvedinsavinghersister—infact,agirlwhowasn’treallyhersister,agirloncecalledJez,nowitwasJessorJessica,dependingonwhatweekitwasandwhatcolorhairdyeshewasusing;girlslikedtochangetheirnames,theirlooks,andtheirfriendsasoftenaspossible.Amanda,sometimescalledMandy,wasn’tliketheothergirls—thoughFinnhadsaidthattohisfriendsonceandhadbeenlaughedatuntilhe’dturnedred.Sonowhekeptthoughtslikethattohimself,aprocessthat,asfarashecouldtell,onlycausedhimtothinkaboutherallthemore.

Foralongtime,AmandaandJesshadlivedinanabandonedchurchontheoutskirtsofOrlando.Nooneknewforexactlyhowlong(exceptthem),butFinnknewwhy.Bothgirlswereorphans,bothhadbeeninfostercareinahomeforkidswith“specialneeds”—onlyintheircaseitwasmorelike“specialpowers.”Jesshaddreamsthatturnedoutalotlikethefuture;Amandacouldmovethingswiththepowerofthought.Neithergirlunderstoodhergift,buteachhadlearnedtoacceptit.SincethecrazyeventsinsideAnimalKingdomonaparticularSaturday,thegirlshadbeenswallowedupbyFamilyServices.Livinginthechurchwashistory.Theywereinfostercarenow.

“Rumoristhatthey’regoingtomoveusbackwiththeFairlies,”AmandatoldFinn.ShecalledthegiftedresidentsoftheirformerfosterhomeFairliesbecausesheconsideredthemtobefairlyhuman.

FinnandAmandaweresittingacrossfromeachotheratthefarendofthe

cafeterianormallyreservedforLosers,overbywherekidsreturnedtheirdirtyplates.Butitwasaplacetheycouldtalkwithoutfearofbeingoverheardandrecentlythey’dspentalotoflunchestheretogether.

“Noway!”Finnsaid.Hetookabiteofcoldpizzathetextureofextrudedplastic.HespokewithhismouthfullandwatchedAmandawinceashedid.

“Theycandowhatevertheywant,”shesaid.Sheindicatedherliptosignaltohimthathehadsomecheesestuckonhis.

Hewipeditoff—andthenateit.Shewincedagain.“Wehavenoparents,norelativestoobject,”shecontinued.“Nevermind

thatwebothlikeschoolhere.Nevermindthatwehavenewfriends.”Sheletthathangthereasecond.“Weareatthemercyofasocialworkerfrom—yougettheidea.Fromnoplaceyouwanttobefrom.He’sdecidedthatthepaperworkisawholeloteasierifwegobacktoMaryland.Fostercareisn’tabouthowtofindtherighthomeforakid,”shesaidcynically,“buthowtogetridofkidswiththeleastamountofpaperwork.”

“Thereisnowaythey’resendingyouback.”“Youwanttobet?Anddon’tevenmentionthewordfairbecauseJessandI

havethisthingaboutfair:it’stheworstofallfour-letterwords,alongwithhopeandtrust.”

“Trustisfiveletters.”“Yeah,butit’sjustrustwithataddedontodisguiseit.”“Aren’tweinasunnymood?”“ExcusemeifIdon’twanttoleavehere,ifIdon’twanttobemoved

againstmywill,ifIdon’twanttobetreatedlikeI’malwaysinthewayandthatI’manexpensesomeonehastojustify.Peoplegetpaidfortakingkidsinfostercare.Didyouknowthat?JessandIaresomebody’spaycheck.Nothingmore.”

“ButnotwiththeFairlies,”hesaid.“Youdidn’tfeellikethatthere.”“No,it’smorelikeafamilythere.That’strue.Butit’ssofarawayfrom

here.Youknow?”Shelookedathimlevellyinawaythatheknewhewassupposedtounderstand,buthewasbackattheideaofpeoplebeingpaidtotakekidsintofostercare,sohemissedhermeaning.“Don’tyoucarewhathappenstous?”

“Totally.”“Becauseyoudon’tsoundlikeit.”“Itotallycare,”hesaid.

“How’dlastnightgo?”sheasked.WhenAmandachangedthetopicyoudidn’ttrytorevisittheearliersubjectmatter.

Finnwentwiththeflow.HedebatedtryingtoexplaintheirsearchforWayneandthesuddenandsurprisingpursuitbypirates.Instead,herolleduphissleeve,revealingthepoorlybandagedcut.

“Yikes!”shesaid.“Asword,”Finnsaid.“Firstcomeslove,thencomesmarriage…”saidGreg“Lousy”Luowski,

returningaplatethathadbeenlickedclean.“Thencomemorons,”saidFinn.Luowski,roughlythesizeofasodamachineandprobablyjustaboutas

smart,steppedtowardFinninwhatwasintendedtobeamenacinggesture.Buthisrunningshoehitsomespilledtomatosauceandheslippedandnearlyfellandendeduplookingliketheidiothewas.Histhreatdestroyed,hiscrushonAmandaobvious,hisfaceaboutthesamecolorasthesauce,heretreatedtoplananotherinsult.

“Helikesyou,”Finnsaid.“Idon’tloseanysleepoverit,”Amandasaid.Shereachedoutandtouched

Finn’swoundedarmatthewrist.Hecheckedtoseeiftheemergencydefibrillatorwasstillmountedtothecafeteriawall.Itwas.

“Itgotalittledicey,”hesaid,wonderinghowfarhecouldplayit.“Butyou’llsurvive,”shesaid,withdrawingherhand.“Nosignof…ourfriend.”Hecheckedtheimmediateareatomakesureno

onecouldpossiblybelistening.Luowski,atatablewithfourotherlikespecimens,seemedtobemonitoringthemclosely.

“Don’tlettheEMHsbotheryou,”shesaid.“EMH?”“EarlyModernHuman,”sheanswered.“We’restudyingtheminscience.

Cavemen.”“Ilikeit,”hesaid.“Youdon’twanttomesswithGreg,”shewarned.“Youheardabout

Sammy?”SammyCravitzhadhadhisnosebrokenbyGreginafistfightthatGreghad

started.Thewholeschoolhadheardaboutit,excepttheteachers,apparently.Onlythethingwas,theteachersprobablyhadheardaboutit,buttheywereas

scaredofGregLuowskiaseveryoneelse.Finnhadonethinggoingforhimthatnooneelsehad:he’dlearnedhowto

brieflybecomehisDHIwhilestillawake.Itstilltookconcentrationandpractice,buthecouldsuspendhimselfforafewseconds—sometimesforaslongasaminuteortwo—becomingnothingbutlight.IfaguylikeLuowskitookaswingatahologram,hewouldn’tconnect.Hemightevenlosehisbalanceandcreateanopeningforareturnpunch.Finnwasalmosteagertotesthistheory.HelikedSammyCravitz;andbesides,Luowskihaditcoming.

“Wehaveafavortoask,”Finnsaid.“We?”Heloweredhisvoice.“TheKeepers.”“Whichis?”“We’renotallowedtogointoanyoftheparkswithoutpermission.”“Iknowthat.”“We’velookedalloverMKforourfriend,butwegotnothing.The

abandonedtruckwasfoundnearEpcot,sowewanttocheckoutEpcotnext.Mostoftheothersareafraidtogowithoutgettingpermission,andtheydon’twanttoasktheirparentsforpermission,becausetheyalreadyknowtheanswer.I’mwillingtogo,butapparentlyI’malone.”

“You?You’relikeonlythemostfamousofallofthehosts.”“Amnot.”“Aretoo.You’dberecognizedinananosecond.”“It’stoobigajobforoneperson.”“Countusin,”shesaid.“Ihaven’tevenaskedyet.”“HowdumbdoyouthinkIam?”shesaid.“YouwanttoaskmeandJessto

doitforyou,butyou’reworriedaboutJessbecauseofwhathappenedlasttime,andyetyou’reworriedaboutourfriendevenmore,andsoyoudon’tknowexactlyhowtoaskwithoutseemingselfish,wheninfactit’snotselfishofyouatall,becauseit’sallaboutourfriend,notaboutyou.”Shepushedherplatetotheside.“Arewedonehere?”

“Jeez,”hesaid.“Andtheanswerisyes.Andthesecondanswerisno:youcan’tcome

along.You’realiability—lookitupifyoudon’tknowwhatitmeans.”“Iknowwhatitmeans.”

“Buthowarewesupposedtofindhim?”sheasked.“Idon’tknow.Philbyhasthistheorythatifwegetclosetohim—”“Thetemperaturewilldrop,”shesaid.“Yeah,Iheardthatone.Likeitdid

lasttime.Becauseofher.”“Herandhim,”hesaid.MaleficentandChernabog,hewasthinking.“They

bothneedthecold.Yes.Butwhoknows?Eitherthat,ortheOvertakerswillreacttooursnoopingaround.”

“IthoughtyousaidtheOvertakerschasedyouintheparklastnight.”“Theydid.”“Sowhydoesn’tthatcount?”“Ican’ttellyouthatwe’rerightaboutanyofthis,”hesaid.“Buttherewas

nosignofher.Nocold.Nothingfeltright.Itfeltmuchmorelikewe’dsteppedintoasnakeholethanabeehive.”

“You’rereallyweird.Youknow?”Hedidn’tcomment.“Goodweird,”shesaid.“Butweird.”Shepickeduphertrayandstoodfrom

thetable.“Checkyoure-mail,”shesaid.NeithershenorJesshadcellphonesliketherestofthem.“I’llletyouknowwhatwefindout,ifanything.”

Goodweird,Finnwasreplayinginhishead.Hehardlyheardtherestofit.AndtherewasGregLuowskistaringhimdownfromacrossthecafeteria.

Big,toughGreg.OnceagainFinndebatedtheunthinkable.ThistimeAmandawasn’tthere

towarnhimoff.

***

Finnwasabletocheckhise-mailduringlastperiodstudyhall.

wergoin2dayaftrskool.cu2nite

KnowingtheirplansmadethingseasierforFinn.Hegrabbedabaseballcapfromhislockeranddonnedapairofshadesonhiswayoutofschool.Hebikedtoabusstop,lockedup,androdethetwentyminutesouttotheDisneyTransportationCenter,wherehehoppedabustoEpcot.Hecouldn’tusehisMagicalMemoriesPasstoenterthepark(arareVIPpassissuedtohisfamilybecauseofhisstatusasaDHI)becauseitwouldalertthecomputersystemthat

he’denteredthepark,andhewasforbiddenfromdoingsowithoutapplyingforpermissionbeforehand.ButWaynehadgivenFinnandtheotherKingdomKeepersfakeemployeepassesduringtheirsearchforJessinAnimalKingdom,andhe’dusedthepasstwicesince,anditstillworked.

Finnuseditnow,enteringEpcotthroughaspecialturnstileforemployeesandguestsandthenhidinghimselfamongLeaveaLegacy’srowsofstonemonoliths,whichwerecoveredwithone-inch-highmetalplatesbearingphotographsoffacesofformerparkguests.LeaveaLegacyhadalwaysgivenFinnthecreeps—insteadoffeelingfuturistic,itfeltmorelikethecemeterywheretheashesofFinn’sgrandparentshadbeenburied.

HeknewthatAmandahadP.E.lastperiodonTuesdays,whichmeantshewouldshowerandchangeafterward.HefeltconfidenthehadaheadstartonherandJess.Sohewaiteditout,pacingamongthemarblemarkersandkeepingasharpeyeonthegateentrancetothepark.Fiveminutespassed.Tenminutes.ItwasdizzyingtryingtostudythefacesofthehundredsofpeoplewhoenteredEpcoteachminute.Hedidn’tspoteitherofthegirls,buthedidjumpbackasherecognizedthefaceofanadult.

Thewoman.Hepeeredaroundoneofthemarbleslabsandcheckedagain.He’donly

seenherfromadistanceatschool,andyet…hecouldn’tbeabsolutelycertain,andyet…hewasseeingherinprofilenow…andyet….

Somethingtuggedathim,toldhimtolookoveratthegate.AmandaandJesswerejustcomingthroughoneoftheturnstiles.Hadthemysterywoman’sentrancebeendesignedtocoincidewiththe

arrivalofthegirls?Hadshebeenfollowingthem,onlytoslipintotheparkaheadofthem?

Finnlocatedthewomanagaininthecrowd.Shewaswiththecrowd,walkingtotheleftofSpaceshipEarth,thegiantgolfballforwhichEpcotwasknown.Inthefewsecondshewatchedher,shedidn’tlookbackonce.

“Hey!”FinncalledoutasAmandaandJessapproached.Theytooknonoticeofhim,continuingalong,talkingtoeachother.Hetuckedhischinlowtokeephisfacefrombeingrecognized,andhurried

tocatchup.Comingupfrombehind,hestartledthemboth.“Psst!Amanda!”Shespunaroundandpuckeredherfacedismissively,notrecognizinghim.

Thenherexpressionchanged.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”shesaid,aghast.“Ithoughtthewholepurpose

ofour—”“Ididn’twantyouguysdoingthisbyyourselves,”hesaid.“Hey,Jess.”“Heythere,Finn.”Jesswasexoticlooking.Hefounditdifficulttoseparatewhatheknew

aboutherfromherlooks,butthefactwasherabilitytodreamthefutureseemedtoagreewithherintensebeauty,asifshewereafairyorawitchorsomekindofunknownbeingoralien.Hernaturalhaircolorwasnotnaturalatall,ashockingwhite,likeagrandmother’s.IthadgonethatcolorafterFinnhadrescuedherfromtheclutchesofaspellcastbyMaleficent.Shehidthewhitehairbydyeingit,becomingsometimesabrunette,sometimesaredhead.Forthepastmonthshehadbeenastrawberryblond,anappealinglookthatmadeherseemmoreoutdoorsyandplayfulthanheknewhertobe.

“Aren’tyoutakingariskbycominghere?”Jesssaid.Hervoicerevealednoemotion,nojudgment.Shesoundedhalfasleep,ascalmasthewatersofthelaketheynowapproached.“Amandaexplainedyour…situation.”

“YoutwoaredoingWayneandallofusagreatfavor,”Finnsaid.“Icouldn’tletyougoalone.”

“Soitisn’tthatyouwantedtohangoutwithAmanda?”Jesssaid.“Jessica!”Amandasnapped,blushing.“Iwantedtohangoutwithbothofyou,”Finnansweredwithoutmissinga

beat.HecouldseehehadcaughtJessoffguard.Hesuppressedagrin.“Andprotectus,Isuppose?”Amandasaid.“It’snotlikethat,”hesaid.“No,it’snot,”Amandasaid,“becauseifanyonerecognizesyou—andthey

areboundtobecausethatdisguiseis…pitiful—thenyoumessusupalotmorethanifwewerejustonourown.”

“Soyouwantmetoleave?”hesaid.“No,”Jessanswered,stealingthemomentfromAmanda.“Shewantsto

pretendsheisn’tthrilledthatyoutookaverybigchancebycomingheretoprotectus,andshewantstomakeitseemlikeit’snobigdealwhenweallknowthatitisabigdeal.I,forone,wanttothankyou.Ilikeitthattherearethreeofus.Ifeelbetterthatyou’rehere,andsodoesAmanda,thoughshe’llneveradmitit.”

“Idon’thavetoadmitwhatisn’ttrue,”Amandasaid.“There’salotofparktocover,”Jesssaid.“Threepeoplearebetterthan

two.”“Itmaybemorecomplicatedthanthat,”Finnsaid.Hetookeachgirlbythe

armandledthembehindastandsellingallkindsofmerchandise.Theyquicklypickeduponthefactthathewasusingthestandasascreen,andthatmadethembothcurioustotrytolookarounditandseewhoorwhattheywerehidingfrom.

“It’sawoman,”hesaid.“I’mprettysureIsawherinfrontofschoolthismorning.”

“Seriously?”Amandaasked.“AndMaybecksaidsomewomanwaslurkingaroundCrazyGlaze.

Window-shopping,butlessinterestedinthepotterythanthepeopleinside.”“Andshe’shere?”Jesssaid.Finnnodded.“Isawherenterjustbeforeyoutwo.Ifsheisfollowingyou,

she’sgoodatit,becausesheneverlookedbacktowardthegates,nevergaveanyindication…andIdon’tseehowshecouldhavefollowedme,butI’mnotrulingthatouteither.”

“Sowhatdowedoaboutit?”Jessasked.Amandaliftedontohertoestoseeoverthestand,butFinnpulledherback

down.“IthinkItakethewoman,whileyoutwosearchforatemperaturedrop.”“Wedon’thavephones,”Amandaremindedhim.“Sowhatgooddoesyour

followingthewomando?”“IfIkeepmydistance,Icanseeifsheeventuallytriestofollowyoutwo.If

shedoesthenweknowshe’strouble—probablyanOvertaker—andmaybebymefollowinghersheleadsustoWayne.”

“You’redreaming,”Amandasaid.“That’sgenius!”Jesssaid.“Andifshe’sfollowingyou,”Amandasaid,“whichmakessenseifshewas

watchingyoufrominfrontoftheschool,thenbyfollowingheryoucouldbeledrightintoatrap.Then,insteadoflookingforWayne,we’dbelookingforyouandWayne.That’shelpful.”

Amandawastypicallygentleandgood-natured.Yetitseemedthattheclosertheygrewasfriends,themoresarcasticshebecame.Ormaybeitwasthefoster-homesituationandthethreatofherandJessbeingsentbacktoMaryland

thatwasmakingherthisway.Whateveritwas,hedidn’tlikeherlikethisandwantedtosayso,butJessinterrupted.

“Isaywecallforavote,”Jessproposed.“AllinfavorofFinnfollowingthewoman?”

JessandFinnsheepishlyraisedtheirhands.“Whatever,”Amandasaid.“Butlistenup,AlexRider:ifanythinghappens,

you’dbetterleaveussomeclues.Thisparkisgiganticandwe’releavingheretogether—thethreeofus—yougotthat?”

Shesoundedconcerned—deeplyconcerned.Finnbitbackasmile.“Soundsgoodtome.”“Andme,”Jesssaid,chimingin.Finnspottedabrightgreenballoonforsaleonthecart.Itwastheonly

greenballoon.“Keepalookout,”Finnsaid,“forthatgreenballoon.I’mgoingtocarryit

lowunlessthere’strouble.Ifyouseeagreenballoonfollowingyou,it’sprobablyme,anditmeanssomething’swrong—likemaybethewomanisfollowingyou,orI’vebeenspotted,orsomethinglikethat.Ifthathappens,yousplitup.Nomatterwhat,weallmeetbackhereintwohourssoIcangethomebydinner,andyouguyscangettoyourplacebeforecurfew.Soonerthanthatifthere’strouble.Agreed?”

“Isuppose,”Amandasaid.“You’regoodatthis,”Jesssaid.“I’vehadalittlepractice,”Finnsaid.Heboughttheballoon,andhurriedofftocatchupwiththemysterywoman.

5

“YOUWEREALITTLEHARDONHIM,don’tyouthink?”JessaskedassheandAmandaheadedtowardTheLand.NotonlywasSoarin’theirfavoriteattractioninEpcot,butTheLandofferedacontrolledenvironment—acoolerenvironment—andbecauseofthat,itseemedagoodplacetostartintheirsearchforsignsofMaleficentorChernabog.

“Iwasonlymessingwithhim,”Amandasaid,answeringher.“Heshouldn’tbehere.That’sthewholepointofourbeinghere,right?Sowhat’swiththat?”

“He’sworriedaboutus.”“Yeah,right.Andwho’stheonealwaysgettingintrouble?”“We’vehadourshare,”Jesssaid.NeitherofthemcouldforgetthenightmareofJess’sbeingcapturedbythe

Overtakers,herescapethathadledtoherbeingtrapped,andtheresultingordealinsideAnimalKingdom.Finnhadbeentheonetofindher,andJessnearlyremindedAmandaofthat,butknewshedidn’tneedto.

“He’shandytohavearoundattimeslikethis,”Jesssaid.“Isuppose.Butit’sriskyforhim—forallofthem.Ithinkit’sstupidofhim

tocome.”“You’reworriedabouthim!Doyouhaveacrushonhim?”Jesssaid.“Asif!You’retheonehecan’tkeephiseyesoffof.Himandeveryother

boy.”“Thatissonottrue!”“Webothknowitis,”Amandasaid.“Hey,I’mgoodwithit,sodon’tfight

it.”Sheloweredhervoice.“Whydoyoukeepcheckingyourwatch?We’vegotplentyoftimebeforewehavetobeback.”

“Itisn’tthat,”Jesssaid.“Mywatchshowsthetemperature.Elevation.Abunchofstuff.It’slikeforrockclimbersorsomething.”

Amandamovedclosertryingtoseethewatchface.“And?”sheasked.“Nochangesofar.Eighty-twodegrees.”“Asin,boiling.”“Yeah,butmywatchmaypickuponachangebeforewedo.Yourealize

we’reluckyit’ssohotout?”“Because?”“Becauseit’llbemoreobviousifthetemperaturedropsallofasudden,like

Finnsaysitwill.Andbecauseanykindofsuddenchillwillneedsomekindofexplanation.It’snotasifanything’sgettingcolderouthere,youknow?”

Itwastrue.Everythingaroundthemwasconcreteorstone,storingorreflectingtheintenseafternoonheat.Anydropintemperaturecouldonlybeexplainedbysomethingman-madeorunnatural.

TheLandwashousedinaninelegantglass-and-concretestructurewithahugesignbearingitsname.Asthegirlsapproachedit,theywalkedslowly,tryingtosenseachangeintemperature.Jessmonitoredherwatchcarefully.

“Nothingbuthot,”Jesssaid.“Personally,Ithinkthisishopeless,”Amandasaid.“ImeanIknowFinn

andthoseguyshavefeltachillbefore,butyou’vegottobekiddingme.”“Anyotherideas?”“No.That’sthething,Iguess.Finnissuper-closetoWayne.Hisbeing

missingiseatinghimup.We’vegottodosomething,butI’mnotsurethere’sanypointto—”AmandaturnedbecauseJesshadstoppedwalking.“Sis?”shesaid,usingafavoritenickname.

Jessicastoodtherestaringintospace.Shelookedasifshewasstudyingthesignonthebuilding,butAmandaknewsomethingwaswrong.Shehurriedbacktoher.

“Sis?”“Idon’twanttoloseit,”Jesssaid.Amandawasabouttosaysomethingwhenshethoughtbetterofit.Her

“sister”wasarareandunusualcreatureherself;hergiftof“sight”madeherdifferentinthesamewaythatAmanda’sowngiftsseparatedherfromothers.Inthiswayneitherofthemfeltthatshebelonged,whichonlysolidifiedtheirfriendshipandtheirbond.Amandaknewbetterthantospeak.Sheknewit

intuitivelywithoutneedingtobetold.ShetookJessgentlybythearmandsteeredhertowardaconcretebench.Atthesametime,herconcernfortheirsafetytoldhertosearchforanysecuritycamerasinthearea;intheMagicKingdom,FinnhadbelievedsomeofthesecuritypeopleworkedinconcertwiththeOvertakers.

Again,shewasabouttospeak;again,shecontrolledherself.“Pencil,”Jesssaid.Shesoundedsleepy.“Somethingtowriteon.”Amandadugthroughherpurse.Nopen,nopaper,butshefoundsome

mascara.SheslippedJess’spurseoffhershoulderandrifledthroughitaswell.ShecameupwithaWinn-Dixiereceipt.SheputthemascarabrushintoJess’srighthandandthereceiptontoherlegandsteeredJess’shandtothereceipt.

“Okay.”Shespokesoftly.Jesshadthatfarawaylookgoing.Butherhandbegantomove,andthe

mascarabrushsmearedblackontothereceipt.Itwasnogood:hereffortwasillegible.AmandafranticallydugthroughJess’spurse.Inazipperedpocketshefoundastumpywoodenpencil.Shereplacedthemascarawiththepencil.Jess’shandbegantoscribbleagain.

Sheshadedandcrosshatched,makingthereceiptdarker.Thenshepressedhardandwroteseveralletters,makingthemfatandblack.

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Amandalookedup.Later,shewouldn’tbesureexactlywhyshedidthis.Hadsomethinginstinctivetoldhertodoso,orhaditbeenonlycoincidence?Thesekindsofquestionspesteredherlately,thereasonsbehindevents,thepowerofintuitionandthoughtandwhatrolefateplayedinherlifeandthelivesofothers.Shedidn’tmentionanyofthistoanyone—notevenJess.Itwas“heavy,”deepstuff—andshewasafraidshe’dbeteasedforthinkingaboutsuchthings—butshelayawakeatnightconsideringtheconnectionofherlifetothelivesofothers,whatherlifemighthavebeenlikehadshenotbeenorphaned,whatitwouldmeanforherandJesstobesentbacktotheFairlies,whetherFinnlikedherasmorethanafriend,whereshewasgoingtobeinanotherthreeyearswhensheturnedeighteenandthefoster-caresystemreleasedher.

Shespottedagreenballooncomingtowardher.CarriedhighabovetheheadsoftheguestspouringintoTheLand,itbouncedwiththemovementofthepersoncarryingit.

Finn?Ifso,theyhadnotimetohangoutonabench.

“We’vegottogetgoing,”shesaidtoJess,whosehandsuddenlywentrigidasshestoppedwriting.Sheblinked.

“Jess!”Amandacontinued.“Theballoon.Finn.Thewoman.Wecan’tstayhere.”

JesslookedoveratAmanda,thentookinhersurroundings.“Whoa,”shegasped.Shelookeddownatthereceiptasifseeingitforthefirsttime.“What’sgoing—?”

“Now!”Amandasaid,grabbingthepencilandreceiptandstuffingthemintoherpurse.

Thegreenballoonwasn’ttravelingatthespeedoftheotherguests,butmuchfaster.SheknewitwasFinn.Sheknewitmeanttroublewascomingtowardthemasquicklyastheballoon.

ShepulledJesstoherfeet.“Youokay?”“Yes.Fine.”TheystartedtowardTheLand.“Itwaslike…oneofmydreams,”Jessexplained.“Youknow?Likewhenyougetinthezone.Inadaydream?Likethat.”“Youweretotallygone,”Amandasaid.“Likesleepwalking.”“Exactly!That’sexactlyit.That’sneverhappenedtomebefore.Nothing

likethat.Imean,whenI’masleep,sure.Inmydreams.Butneverlikethat.Neverawake.”

Amandaglancedback.Hereyesfellbrieflyonawomancomingtowardthem,awomanmoreputtogetherthanninetypercentoftheotherparkguests.Shehadherhairupinafancyway,andworeanicenecklace,apressedwhiteshirt.Amandaknewimmediatelyitwasthewoman,thoughshespentnotimeconsideringhowthatmightbepossible.

“It’sher,”shetoldJess.“Followme.”Shepickedupthepace,leadingJessintotheenormous,circularpavilion.

Therewasanescalatorandstairsahead.Abalconyrunningaroundtheperimeterlookeddownintothelowerplaza.Miniaturehot-airballoonsweresuspendedfromthepeakofthetentwithcolorfulstreamerscascadingdownonallsides.

Sheavoidedthepileupattheescalatorandtookthestairs,carefulnottorunanddrawfurtherattentiontothem.

Belowthemwasaseaoftables,mostwithcolorfulumbrellasoverhead.Theumbrellasdidnotexactlyhidewhoeverwassittingbeneaththem.Soshe

plottedacourseawayfromthestairs.“Thisway!”shewhisperedastheyreachedtheplaza.Sheglancedquickly

up.Therewasthegreenballoon,nowonlyafewfeetbehindthewoman.Finnwastakingahugeriskgettingsoclosetothewoman.

Amandacutquicklytotherightanddodgedafewtables,nowinalocationscreenedfromthestairs.Forthetimebeing,they’dditchedthewoman.Shewantedtokeepitthatway.

“Howarewesupposedtohideinthisplace?”sheaskedJess.Buttherewasnoanswer:Jessseemeddazed,likeshe’djustwokenup.

Amandaconsideredthegirls’room,butthey’donlytrapthemselves.“Can’tseetheforestforthetrees,”Jesssaid.Shewaspointingatthe

waitinglineforLivingwiththeLand.AmandatriedtomakesenseofwhatJesshadjustsaid.Trees?Therewere

fruittreesinsideLivingwiththeLand,butiftheytriedtojumpoutoftheboatthey’dbebusted.

“It’sabasketballteam,right?”Jessinterrupted,soundingmuchmoreawake.“Orvolleyball,maybe.Comeon!”

Jessreversedtheirroles,takingAmandabythehandandsteeringhertowardtheline.

“Idon’tthinkthisissuchagoodidea,”Amandasaid.Shespottedagroupoftallgirlsallwearingateamuniform.Theforestforthetrees,sherealized.“Wedon’twanttogetstuckonaride.”

ButJessignoredher.“Excuseme,”Jesssaid,maneuveringthetwoofthembetweentheteamand

thefarwall,asifkeenlyinterestedinthewall’sphotographicmural.Theathletescontinuedtalkingamongthemselves,nottheleastbitinterestedinthetwogirls.

JesshadeffectivelyputahumanscreenbetweenherselfandAmandaandthemysterywoman.Therewasnowaythewomanwouldseethemunlessshe,too,joinedthelineandpushedforward;butthatwouldbenearlyimpossible:severalfamilieshadfiledinbehindtheteam.Thewomanwouldhavetocutthelinetohaveanychanceofseeingthegirls,andthatwouldonlydrawattentiontoher.

ThehardestthingforAmandawasnotlooking.Shekeptaneyeforthegreenballoonbutmadenoefforttoseethroughthetallgirls,forfearofherbeingseen.

“Goodcall,”shesaidtoJess.

“Finnhadbetterbecareful,”Jesssaid.“Yeah,Iknow.”Thelinesurgedforward.Thesistersstayedwiththeteam,keepingup

againstthewallandoutofsightofthevasthall.“Oh,no,”Amandasaid.Thegreenballoonappearedandstoppedaboutfive

yardsbehindthem.Finnwasintheirline.Hehadnotloweredtheballoon,whichmeantonly

onething.“Nomorelooking,”Jessinstructed.“Wekeepourbackstoher.We’llbeon

theride—intheboat—inlessthanaminute.What’sshegoingtodothen?”“Noidea,”Amandaanswered,“butIdon’tthinkIwanttofindout.”“We’vejustgottohope—”Jesscutherselfoff.Itwastoolate:the

volleyballteamfilledupthebackofaboat.Thisforcedthetwogirlsintothefrontofthenextsetofboats.Behindthem,otherparkvisitorstooktheirseats.

Amandastoleonelookinthatdirection.Theballoon,stillaloft,hadmovedfartherbackinline.Finnhadstopped,allowingthoseinlinetopasshim.

Inthatfleetingglimpse,Amandaspottedthewomanaswell.ShewasboardingtherideonthesamesetofboatsasAmandaandJess,onlyafewbehind.

“She’srightbehindus.Likethreerows.Whatdowedonow?”AmandawhisperedintoJess’sleftear.

Jessstaredahead.“Yougotusintothis,”Amandacomplained.“Firstwecalmdown,”Jesssaidwithoutanytraceoftensioninhervoice.

“I’mcomingupwithaplan.”“Now?Nowyou’recomingupwithone?”“Iam,”saidJess.“Ifyou’llallowmetothink,thatis.”Theguidewassaying,“Pleaseremainseated.Pleasekeepyourlegsand

handsinsidetheboatatalltimes…”“That’sit!”Jesssaid.Amandalookedquicklyaround,expectingtoseesomething.“Where?”shesaid.“What?”“DoexactlyasIsay,”Jessinstructed.“Ohyeah,that’sworkedrealwellsofar,”Amandasnappedsarcastically.

“There’snoroomforhesitation,”Jessexplained.“Asinnone.Weeitherdothistogether,orit’syourturntocomeupwithaplan.”

“Okay.Igetit.”Arecordedfemalevoicetookoverfromtheguide.Thenarratorwarnedofa

storm,thenidentifiedtherainforest,andthedesert.Therewasabriefexplanationofthediversityandimportanceofeachtotheearth’secosystems.

“TheAmericanprairieonceappearedasdesolateasthedesert,”thevoicecontinued.

“Getready,”Jesshissed.“Psst!Girls?”JessandAmandafroze.Itwasawoman’svoicecomingfromdirectly

behindthem.Theydidn’thavetoguesswhichwomanitwas.“Psst!You,two!Ineedtotalktoyou.It’sabout—”“Ifyou’dpleasekeepyourvoicedown,”saidtheguide,cuttingheroff.Theboatshadmovedintoadarktunnelwheremoviescreensshowed

workingfarms,ladybugs,andbeetles.“Now!”Jesssaid.Shesteppedofftheboatandontoawalkway,ducking

downintothedarktohide.Amandawasrightbehindher.Analarmsounded.Theboatsstoppedimmediately.Severalguestswere

talkingatonce.“Theygotoff!…Isawthat!…Youcan’tdothat!”Theyhadtrippedsomekindofemergencystop.“Comeon!Let’sgo!”Jesssaid.Togetherthegirlsheadedforthelightaheadandreachedthegreenhouse

wherebananaandotherfruittreesrosefromabeachlikefloorofsand.Twomenincoverallsappeared.“Youcan’tleavetheboat!”oneofthemhollered.“Mysistercan’tholditinanotherminute,”Jesssaid.“Mexicanfood,you

know?”Atwitteroflaughtercarriedtothemfromdownthetunnel.Theguestson

theridehadheardher.“Oh…thanks,”Amandasaidthroughclenchedteeth.“Thiswasyourplan?”“Youcan’tleavetheboat!”thegreenhouseworkerrepeated.“Mister,ifyou

don’tgetmysistertothegirls’room,you’regoingtoneedaboat.Oratleast

somerainboots.”Thealarmstopped.Theboatstartedmovingagain.“Yourticketswillbepulledforthis,”theworkersaid.

“You’rethroughforthenight—probablyfortheyear.”Throughforthenight,Amandaheard.They’dbarelyjustgottenstarted.

Thenagain,Jess’splanhadworked:thewomanwasstuckbackontheboat.They’dgottenawayfromher.

Probablyfortheyear.CouldDisneydothat?Shesupposedtheycouldprobablydoalotofthings

thatdidn’tseempossible.“There’salavatorydownthere,”theworkersaid,pointing,havingushered

themawayoutofviewoftheride.JesselbowedAmanda.“Huh?”Amandasaid.“Thegirls’room,”Jesssaidemphatically.“Oh,yeah,”Amandasaid,“right.”Itwasn’tastretchtotrytolook

embarrassed.Sheheadedtowardthesign.Behindher,twoworkersinlabcoatsappearedandmoveddirectlyforJess.Amandahopedtheyweren’tOvertakers,hopedlikemadthatJesshadn’t

gottenthemoutofonetraponlytoleadthemintoanother.

6

MRS.NASH,ARMSCROSSED,lookeddownonJessandAmandawithfireinhereyes.Shewasawomanwho,tojudgebyherappearance,atewell,andhadnoloveofcosmetics,norofhairdressersorfashionmagazines.ShewascurrentlystretchingoutagreenT-shirttothepointthatthewritingonitwastoodistortedtobelegible.Herarmsborewhitepatchesofdriedskinscratchedtoscarlet,flamingislandsthatcamedownherarmsliketheAlaskanarchipelago.

“Whatexactlywereyouthinking?”shewheezed.Mrs.Nashhadtroublebreathing.

“Amandahadtousethefacilities,”Jesssaid.“IthoughtwehadanunderstandingthattheDisneyparkswereofflimits,”

Mrs.Nashsaid.“Aftereverythingthathappenedtoyou,Jessica,I’msurprisedyou’dgetanywherenearthatplace.”

“IloveDisneyWorld,”Jesssaid.“EspeciallyEpcot.Andithadbeenforever,andwejustwantedtogothere.”

“Didyouplanonmissingdinnerandcurfewaswell?Didyourealizeyoumightloseyourpasses?Youknowhowmuchoneofthosecosts?”

ForMrs.Nasheverythingcamedowntodollars.Therewasastompingupstairsthatwonherattentionanddistractedher.

SevenotherfostergirlslivedinthehousealongwithJessandAmanda,inatotalofthreebedrooms,withtwobaths.Makingaruckuswasstrictlyforbiddenandtheruleagainstitevenmorestrictlyenforced.Mrs.Nashhadbeenbornstrict.

“Wehadnointentionofmissingdinner,”Jesssaid.“Themealshereareso…wonderful.”

“There’snoneedforsarcasm,younglady.”Therewasgreatneedforsarcasmwherethemealsinthishomewere

concerned,butJessheldhertongue.“Yes,Mrs.Nash.”“Whywouldn’tyouwaitfortheweekend?”sheasked,stillconcernedwith

themoneyinvolved.“Weactedspontaneously,”saidAmanda,answeringher.“Werealizenow

thatwasamistake.”“You’rebothgroundedfortwoweeks.Doyouunderstandme?Directly

fromschooltothisfrontdoor.‘DonotpassGo.Donotcollecttwohundreddollars.’Areweclear?”

“Yes,Mrs.Nash,”bothgirlssaid,nearlyinunison.“Yourbehaviorreflectspoorlyonthishouseandmyabilitytocareforyou

girls.Ihopeyou’llconsiderthatthenexttimeyouthinkaboutdoingsomethingasfoolishaswhatyou’vedone.Andnexttime,”shesaiddirectlytoAmanda,“youthinkaboutgoingonaride,youmightthinkaboutusingthegirls’roomfirst.You’reayoungwoman,forheaven’ssake,notafour-year-old.”

“Yes,Mrs.Nash.”“Uptoyourroom,”shesaid.“Youwilldoyourhomeworkandmissdinner.

I’llkeepplatesforyouinthefridge.Youcanwarmthemupafteryoushowmeyourhomework.”

“Yes,Mrs.Nash.”Again,nearlyinunison.Mrs.Nasheyedthegirlssuspiciously,wonderingiftheyweren’tmocking

herbysayinghernameinconcert.ButMrs.Nashwasn’tintelligentenoughtounderstandfullywhatpeoplewerethinkingortryingtodo;itwaseverythingshecoulddotounderstandwhatpeoplewereactuallydoing.Sheunderstoodpunishment.Ifsomethingconfusedher—whichwasoften—shepunishedtheoffender.Itwasasimpleformulaforherthathadworkednicelyfornearlytwelveyearsoflookingafterwaywardgirls:punishfirst,figureitoutlater.

“Well?Whatareyouwaitingfor?”Thegirlstookoffupstairs.SuzieGormanandPatriciaNibshadbeenspying

onthemfromthestairwell.ThegirlstookoffasAmandaandJessapproached.UpontheirarrivalatNashHouse,AmandaandJesshadbeenhazedandharassedbytheothergirls.Butthen,oneday,afterAmandahadpeedintoatoiletwithplasticwrapoverthebowl,allthefurnitureinoneoftheroomshadinstantlyrearrangeditself—withnooneintheroom.Fromthatmomentforward,thetrickshadstoppedandAmandaandJesswerekeptatarespectfuldistance,neverincludedinanythingtodowiththeothergirls,butnevertorturedorthreatenedeither.Itwasaworkable,serviceablearrangement.

Intheirroomnow,opentothehallway—therewerenodoorsonanyofthebedrooms,onlyhalf-hingesleftwherethedoorshadbeenremoved—thegirlssatdownonAmanda’slowerbunkandpulledouttheirnotebooks.Therewerenodesksorbookshelvesintheroom.Allavailablespacewasgiventothethreebeds—abunkbedandatwin-sizerollerbed—andasingle,four-drawerdresserthatthegirlssharedfortheirfewclothes.

Amandastartedinonhermathassignment.ButshelookedoveratJessandsawthatinsteadofherhomeworkJesshadherdiaryopeninherlapandthewrinkled,mascara-stainedreceiptunfoldednexttoit.

“What’sup?”Amandasaid.“It’sjust…itwaslikeadream.Youknow?Oneofmydreams.”“OutsideTheLand?”“Yes.ButIdidn’tgetitall.Nowherenearallofit.AndIthought…”She

sketchedintothediaryaclearerimageofwhatshe’dbegunonthereceipt.ItlookedtoAmandalikeapieceofawall,butwithhorsesdrawnonit.Andthen,thesamelettersasbefore:

MKPFPIFP

Itwasalmostlikeatornpieceofaphotograph;partofthepicturewasthere,partmissing.Thehorseslookedasifthey’dbeenstabbedfromthetopwithwhatappearedtobelances.

“Doyourememberit?”Amandaasked.“Notallofit,no.ButwhatIdorememberisprettyclear.Liketherestof

them.”“Andyouthinkit’simportant?”“Ithasneverhappenedtomelikethat:duringtheday,inthemiddleof

everything.It’salwaysatnightwhenI’mdreaming.It’salwayswhenIwakeupandIcan’tgetitoutofmyhead.Buttoday,inthepark…itjusthitmeallofasudden.Likeyou’dputabagovermyheadorsomething.LikeI’dwalkedintoamovietheater.Yeah,morelikethat.OnlynowIcan’trememberexactlywhatIsaw.AllIknowisthatitscaredme,whateveritwas.Ididn’tlikeit.Ididn’twanttoseeit.Mostofthetime,youknow,itdoesn’tfeellikethat.Idon’treallycareonewayortheother—it’sjustsortofthere,likethatglowinyoureyesafteracamera’sflash.Likethat.”

“Soyouthinkitmeanssomething?”

“Itmust,”Jesssaid,nodding.“Imeanitseemsliketheyallmeansomething.Andthisone…thisonewasdifferent.”

Anhourlaterthey’dmadeitthroughtheirhomework,microwavedtheirdinners,andhurriedtogetinlineforthebathroomsotheycouldtakeshowersbeforebedtime.Anotherhourlatertheywerebothintheirbedsreadingpriortolights-outatteno’clock.

AmandaleanedoutofherupperbunktospeaktoJess.“Iwishwecouldhavetalkedtohim,”shesaid.

“Shh!”hissedJeanniePucketfromtherollaway.Jeanniemadeapointofbeingobnoxiouswheneverpossible.ShewasMrs.Nash’sfavoriteand,asaresult,gotallsortsofprivilegestheothersgirlsdidnot.AmandasuspectedshewasalsoaspyforMrs.Nash,soshedidn’tmentionFinnbyname.

“Hefigureditout,”Jesssaid.“He’ssmartthatway.”“Butstill.”“I’llseehimtomorrowatschool.You’llsee.I’msurehe’sworriedaboutus,

buthewon’tbemad.”Mrs.Nashdidn’tallowthegirlstotakephonecalls.Finnhadnowayto

reachthem,evenifhewantedto.“Bequiet,”Jeanniesaid.“It’sdisrespectful.I’mtryingtoread.”Amandagroanedandlaybackinherbed.Notlongafterthat,thelights

wereturnedoffandMrs.Nashpatrolledoutsidetherooms,preparedtopunishanyonewhospokeaftercurfew.Amandafellintoatroubledbutdeepsleep,drawndownbywhathadbeenanexhaustingafternoon.

Sometimeinthemiddleofthenight,thebunkshookandAmandafeltherselftornfromastrangedreamthatinvolvedFinninaboatinthemiddleofwhitewater.Shesatuptoseeanindistinctshadowcastontothewall,onlytorealizethattheglowcastingtheshadowwascomingfromaportablereadinglightinJess’slowerbunk.Amandahungherheadovertheedge.

Jesswassketchinginherdiaryagain.“Whatareyoudoing?”Amandasaidinathinwhispertoavoidwakingthe

spy.“Gobacktosleep.”“It’sthemiddleofthenight.”“Ihadadream.”“That’stheidea,”Amandasaid.“Thatusuallyhappenswhenwesleep.I

wasjustinonemyself.”“Oneofmydreams,”Jesssaid.“ThesamedreamIhadattheparktoday.”“Thesameone?”AmandatriedtoviewJess’sdreamdiaryupsidedown,

butfinallyslitheredoffthetopbunkandpushedJessoverandclimbedintobedwithher.

“IsthatwhoIthinkitis?”Amandasaid.“Ithinkitis,”Jesssaid.“Andwhat’sthatbehindhim?”“Idon’tknow,butitwasexactlythesameasIsawthisafternoon,onlythis

timeIgotthewholething.”Theimageshe’dsketchedwasstriking.Amandafelttemptedtopointout

howmuchofwhatshehaddrawnborrowedfromthisveryroom,foritappearedtobeanoldermansittingontheedgeofabunkbedwithastringofgibberishwrittenonthewallbehindhim.

“Soyoudreamtthistwice,exactlythesame?”ThisfitapatternforJess,andtheybothknewit:herdreamsthatrepeatedeventuallycametrueinthefuture;thishadhappenedtoomanytimesforthemtobelieveithadanythingtodowithcoincidence.Itwasagift—Jess’sgift—nothingless.

“Andthat’swhoIthinkitis,”Amandacontinued.“Wayne,”Jesssaid.“Hastobe.”“Heknowsaboutyour…ability.Aboutyourdreams,”Amandasaid.“You

supposehe’stryingtocommunicatewithyou?”“Whoknows?”Jesswasstilldrawing.Shewasaddingahorsetothebackgroundbehind

Wayne.“We’vegottoshowthistoFinn,”Amandasaid.JesscontinuedtoshadethesketchbyaddingdarkcirclesunderWayne’seyes.HelookedhaggardandmucholderthanAmandaremembered.“He’sintrouble,”Jesswhispered.“Ithinkweallare,”saidAmanda.

7

IFFINNHADRIDDENHISBIKEstraighthome,noneofiteverwouldhavehappened.Soinaway,Amandawastoblame,becauseshewasthereasonhewalkedhisbikeratherthanriding.

He’djustbeenclimbingontohisbikewhenshe’dcomerunninguptohim,red-facedandoutofbreath.

“Oh,good.IthoughtI’dmissedyou.”“I’mrighthere.”“IhavesomethingIhavetoshowyou.”“Ah…okay.”Heclimbedoffthebike.Shereachedintoherbackpack,slippedherhandinside,andthenhappened

tolookoverhershoulder.“Oh,no,”shesaid.LousyLuowskiwascomingtowardthem,flankedbyMikeHortonandEric

Kreuter.SmarterthanLuowskibyalongshot,bothMikeandEricwishedtheywereastough.Theyworkedhardtoactandlookthepart.Finnthoughtofthemaspilotfish,thefishthatswimwithsharksandfeedoffthescrapsthatspilloutofthescavengers’mouthswhiletheyfeed.

Amandawasholdingasmallbook—no,Finnrealized—ajournalordiaryinherhand.

“Youandme…we’regoingtofight,”Lousysaid.“You’rekidding,right?”Finnsaid.“DoIlooklikeI’mkidding?”“That’soriginal,”saidFinn.WhenLousyLuowskistoodnexttoyou,itwaslikeputtingyourfaceintoa

laundrybininthegymlockerroom.Hehadastringofzitsstretchingawayfromhisnose,severalwithhairs,liketinyantennas,stickingoutofthem.

Finnworkedhardnottoshowhisfear.HisonlyadvantageatthemomentwasthatthebicycleremainedbetweenhimandLuowski—asmalladvantageatthat.

“Hey,Greg,can’tItalktoafriendifIwantto?”saidAmanda.“Himandme,we’vegotsomebusinesstosettle,”saidLuowski.“Spokenlikeatruediplomat,”saidFinn.AmandashotFinnalook,chastisinghimforprovokingLuowski.“Whydon’twetakeitoffschoolgrounds?”Luowskisaid.“Because,”Finnanswered,“ifwetakeitoffschoolgroundsthenyouwill

feelfreetobeatmetoapulp,andsomethingtellsmeIwouldn’tlikethat.”“Yougotthatright.”“SoIthinkI’llstayput,”Finnsaid.“Youcanrun,butyoucan’t—”“Don’tevengothere,”saidFinn.“Mike,”hesaidtoHorton,“you’vegotto

getthisguyabetterspeechwriter.”MikeHortonbitbackasmile,thenlostitcompletelyasLuowskilookedhis

way.“Yougottagohomesometime,”saidLuowski.Itwastrue.AnditwouldbeeasyforLuowskitowaitforhiminany

numberofplacesalonghisroute.Hemightbeabletolockupthebikeandcallhismomtocomepickhimup,buthe’dneverlivethatdown.Hesawhisdilemmaforwhatitwas,evenifAmandadidn’t:aconfrontationwithLuowskinowseemedinevitable.

“So,”Luowskisaid,“whaddawegothere?”HesnatchedthediaryfromAmanda’shandandwaveditoverhisheadtauntingly.

Finnlurchedforward,butLuowskifendedhimoffwithastraightarm.Itwaslikehittingasteelpost.

“That’sprivateproperty,”Finnsaid.He’dseenJess’sdiarybeforeandunderstooditssignificanceasaportalintothefuture.IfAmandahadbroughthimthediary,thenithadtocontainsomethingsignificant.

“AsifIcare,”Luowskisaid.“You’dbettercare,”Finnsaid.He’dmadepromisestopeople—Wayne,

chiefamongthem—aswellastohimself,nevertocrossoveroutsidetheparks,

nevertorevealhisabilitiestopeoplewhowouldn’tunderstand.WaynebelievedthattodosowouldjeopardizethefutureoftheDHIprograminsidetheparks,andthereforetheexistenceoftheKingdomKeepers.ButatthesametimeFinn’sfriendshipwithAmandaandJessdemandedthatheact.LuowskihadnorighttostealJess’sdiary,norighttoenteritspageswithoutherapproval—apermissionshewouldnevergive.Finnfeltboundtodosomethingmorethanjuststandtherewatchingthismoronmisbehave.

Ratherthananger,Finnsoughttheinnerquietthatfreedhim.Hedivorcedhimselffromthemoment,nolongerfullypresent.Hisvisionblurred.Hisskintingled.Hefeltalightnessinhisbeing.Freedom.Hebegantocrossover.

Itwouldn’tlastlong.Hehadtotakeadvantageofthemoment—becomeparthuman,partDHI.

HechargedLuowski,duckingundertheboy’ssurprisedreaction,ahastilyliftedarm.

FinnsnatchedthediaryfromLuowski’sgraspandthrewitatAmanda,knowingthatashetransitionedfully,hisDHImightnolongerbeabletoholdontoanythingmaterial.

“Go!”Finnshouted,wonderingifhewastheonlyonetoheartheelectronicbuzzinhisvoice.

Thediaryflewinslowmotion,itspagesflutteringlikeabird’swings.Amandacaughtitandstuffeditintoherpurse.Sheturnedandran.

Luowskipulledbackhisrightarm,loadingitwithpurpose.Heplantedhisfeetanddeliveredtheswingfromlowtohigh—apunchdesignedtodeliverthemostimpactwhile,atthesametime,snappinghisopponent’sheadback.Itwasaroundhousepunch,meanttoclockFinnunconscious.

Asecondbefore,Finnfelthisentirebodytinglelikealimbthat’sfallenasleep.He’ddonethisenoughtimestounderstandthatnowhe’dfullycrossedover.Sohestoodthere,chinout,awaitingthefullbruntofLuowski’sfist.

Theblowfailedtoland.Luowski’sknuckleswentrightthroughthespacethatshouldhavebeenFinn’sface.Luowskifellforwardand,offbalance,ontotheground.AsFinnduckedback,thefearofthemomentovercamehisabilitytocrossoverandhetransitioned.MikeHortonwouldswearhe’dneverseensomeonemovesofast,convincedthatFinnmusthavesomehowduckedthepunch.EricKreuterwouldclaimthatLuowskihitFinnsquarelyinthejaw,butthatnothinghappened.Forthis,LuowskilaterpunchedKreuterinthejaw,knockinghimdownandaskinghimifhestillthoughtnothinghadhappened.

FinnmountedtheBMXandwasspeedingawaybeforeLuowskihadregainedhisbalance.

“Getontotheseat!”hecalledtoAmanda,whohadturnedtowitnesseverything.

Heslowed.Sheswungalegoverandslidontotheseat,reachingouttoFinn’swaistashestood,drivingthepedalsfasterandfaster.Thebikewobbledandthenspedaway,LuowskicursingandshoutingthathewoulddothingstoFinnthat,technicallyspeaking,wereimpossible.

“You’reinsane,”Amandasaid,herlegsdanglingoneitherside,herhandsgrippinghimalltheharder.

Butthewayshesaidithecouldtellshedidn’tmeanit.Shemeantitasagoodthing.Agoodinsane.

Finnpedaledalltheharder.

8

FINNSTUDIEDTHEPAGEinJess’sdiarywhilethebuzzofconversationswirledaroundhimandAmanda.TheFrozenMarbleenjoyedarushofmiddleschoolstudentseachafternoon,loadinguponchocolate,doinghomework,teasing,conversing,andgenerallyannoyingoneanother.Theirtablewasneartheback,butFinnkeptoneeyeonthefrontdoorincaseLuowskihappenedinside.

Finnhadputashout-out—atext—totheotherKingdomKeeperstojointhemifpossible.TheyattendedschoolsspreadthroughoutOrlando,soFinndoubtedthatPhilbywouldmakeit—hehadthefarthesttotravel—thoughhethoughtCharleneandMaybeckmightshowup.TohissurprisePhilbywasthefirsttoarrive.Heworeaballcappulleddowntightlytohidehisface,asdidFinn.Thecelebritythinghadgonefromexcitingtoannoying;neitheroftheboyswantedtoendureahalfhourofsigningautographsoransweringstupidquestions.

“Hey,”Philbysaid,pullingoverachairandsittingdown.“Hey,yourself,”saidAmanda.Finnpickedupasparkbetweenthetwoandwonderedifhewasimagining

things.“Youmadeitherequickly,”Finnsaid,suddenlyquestioningPhilby’s

motivation.“Caughttherightbus.What’sup?”FinnslidJess’sdiaryovertoPhilby.AtthesamemomentJessenteredthe

shop.FinnwasgoingtoaskAmandahowJesscouldpossiblyknowtheywerethere,buthewasn’tsurehewantedtheanswer—the“sisters”hadaneerieconnectionandseemedtopossesspowersthathadyettobefullyexplained.Butasitturnedout,hewasbeingoverlydramatic.

“Wecan’tstaylong,”Jesssaid.ThankstoMrs.Nash,sheandAmandaattendeddifferentschools.Theymethereeachafternoonbeforeheadinghome.Shesatdownandpulledherbackpackintoherlap.“Mrs.Nashgroundedus,incaseyoudidn’thear.”

Amandasaid,“We’vegottostayatleastafewminutes.Finnwantstotalktoeveryone.”

“About?”JesslookedoveratFinn.Shehadanintensityaboutherthatothergirlsdidn’thave,awayoflookingthroughyouasifreadingyourthoughts.Hewaspartlyafraidofher,partlyintrigued.Alwayscurious.Herlookschangedwithhermoods—todayshewasbrightandcheerful,butthatwasn’talwaysthecase.Herskinshimmered,catchingthelightinanunusualwayandmakingitappeartranslucent.

“You,”Finnanswered.“This,”hesaid,indicatingthediary.“Yourencounterwithsecurity.”

MentionofthatcausedPhilby’sheadtosnaptoattention.Philby’sexpertisewasinallthingstechnical—hewasacomputernerd,electronicswizard,andall-aroundtechno-geek.Healsolovedanythingtodowithsecuritybecausesecurityrepresentedhischiefnemesis.

AsAmandawasabouttoexplaintheirescapadeinEpcot,Maybeck,Charlene,andWillaallarrivedtogether.Maybeckorderedadoublescoopofvanillamixedwithpeachesandalmondcrunch.Thatforcedeveryoneelsetoordersomething.Afewminuteslater,thegroupsatinacirclearoundthetwocafétableswolfingdowntheirorders.

Amandaspokebetweenmouthfuls,detailingtheeventsoftheirordeal,Jess’sspacingoutandthefirstsketchshe’dmade.Jessthenexplainedher“nightmare”andthesketchthattheyallstudiedindividually.

“It’sWayne,”Amandasaid.“Hastobe,”Philbyagreed.“Whatdowedoaboutit?”askedtheeverpracticalMaybeck.“Wehelphim,”saidCharlene.Alleyesfellonher.“What?”sheinquired.Willasaid,“ImeanIgetthatyou’rearallygirl—thecheerleadingandall

that.Right?Butsincewhenareyousoeagertodiveintoaction?”“I’vechanged,”Charlenesaid.“I’dsayso,”saidWilla.“Thestilts.EverythingwedidatAnimalKingdom.Icandostuffthatyou

guyscan’t.Gymnastics,forinstance.”

“Noone’squestioningyourcontributions,”Willasaid.“ButIwas,”shesaid.“Look.IknowthatDisneyhiredmebecauseofthe

wayIlook.Okay?MissMiddleSchoolUSA.Igetit.IfitwhatevertheywerelookingforinaDHIthesamewayMaybeckdoes,andallofusreally.Butoncethiswholeotherthinggotgoing,IhadnoideawhatIwasdoingwithallofyou.You’resmart,”shesaid,lookingatFinn,“orcreative”—Maybeck—“orabletofigurestuffout”—Philby—“ordaring”—Willa—“andwherewasIsupposedtofitintothat?ButAKchangedallthat.I’majock.Icanfoldmyselfinhalf,ordothelimbo,orwalkonstilts,orclimbaclimbingwall.MaybeIcan’tclimbasgoodasPhilby,butIcanstillclimb.IthinkIneededthat.Ineededtofigureitout,whateveritis.Andformeitisathletics.SonowI’m…different,Iguess.I’mkindachargedupaboutdoingwhateveritiswe’redoing,andrightnowIthinkwhatwe’redoingistryingtorescueWayne.Right?I’malloverthat.”

Foramomentnoonesaidanything.ItwasasifsomeonehadpausedtheDVDplayer.Nomovement.TheyallstaredatCharlene.

“Alrightythen,”Willasaid,breakingtheice.“SohowdowefindWayne?”“Idon’tmeantobehardonanyone,”saidtheever-skepticalMaybeck,“but

thisdrawing…hecouldbeanywhere.”“Checkouthisjacket,”saidFinn.MaybecktookthediaryoutofCharlene’shandswithoutasking.Heleaned

inclosetothepage.“You’rekiddingme,right?”“It’sashield,”Willasaid,leaningoverMaybeck’sarmtolook.“It’sanECshield,”Finnsaid.“AnEpcotCenterwindbreaker.Oldguysget

cold.Mygrandpopshakeslikealeafwhenitdipsbeloweighty.”“Givemeabreak!”exclaimedMaybeck.“Thatlogoistiny!Youcan’tseea

thing.Itcouldbeanything.”FinnpassedMaybeckhisphone.“IwentoneBay,”hesaid.“Checkoutthe

blackstripesonthearms.”Theimageonthephone—anEpcotwindbreakerforsale—matchedwhatJesshadsketchedexactly.

Maybecksaidunderhisbreath,“You’redreaming.”Buthenolongersoundedsosureofhimself.“Thepointis,”Finnsaid,“wewon’tknowuntilwefindhim.Okay?And

whataboutthosehorses?Theycouldbeacarousel.”“Acarouselinaroom?”Maybecksnappedcynically.“Wehavetostartsomewhere,”Finnsaid.“Jessgot…Idon’tknow…a

signal…whenshewasatEpcot.Thenshegotmorelastnightinadream.”“It’ssomegibberishonawall,somehorses,andanoldguyinachair,”

Maybeckcomplained.“It’saplacetostart,”saidCharlene.“Wehavetostartsomewhere.Right?

WewastedenoughtimeintheMagicKingdomthesepastcoupleweeks.What’swrongwithtryingEpcot?”

“Butourtickets—ourpasses—werepulled,”Amandaremindedthem.“EverygirlinMrs.Nash’shousewasgivenayear’spassforfree.Buttheytookours.Andit’snotlikewecanaffordtobuytickets.”

“WhichiswhyI’mgoingtosuggestsomethingradical,”Finnsaid.“I’vethoughtaboutthisalot,sobeforeyougoshootingitdown”—thiswasaimeddirectlyatMaybeck—“atleastthinkaboutitaminute.Okay?Giveitachance.”

“That’ssomesetup,”saidPhilby.“I’mnotsayingit’sgoingtobeeasy,”Finnsaid.“AndIknowthatwecan

makeallsortsofargumentsagainstit,butIalsoknowthatwhenyoulookatitfromeveryside,asIhave,itmakestotalsense.Itmayseemrandom,butit’snot.Ipromise.”

Hehadeveryone’sundividedattention,especiallyasheloweredhisvoicesothatitwouldn’tcarry.

“Thepointis,Jesswilltellyouthatshehasn’tcompletedthesketch.AmandasaidshesawhergointokindofatrancewhentheywereinEpcot.Ithinkthat’sbecauseshecanfeelWaynethere.Shedreamedabouthimlater,buttheinspirationforthatdreamcamefromwhathadhappenedatEpcot.Nowthey’vebothbeentoldtheycan’tgobackinanyoftheparks.Securitywillbewatchingforthem:they’reonthelist.Theycertainlycan’tgetinwithus,atnight—becausewearen’texactlyourselvesthen,arewe?Asitis,we’regoingtoneedtogetourDHIsfromMKovertoEpcot.AndevenifwefiguredoutawaytogetJessandAmandainsidethecenterwithus,sincethey’rehuman,theycouldbecaught.Ifwe’rechased,wecanzaptheremote—crossbackoverandbeinourbedsathome—likewedidtheothernight.Theycan’tdothat.”

“AreyouthinkingwhatIthinkyou’rethinking?”Philbyasked.“Doyouseeanyotherchoice?”Finnaskedhimrightback.“Willsomeonecluemein?”saidCharlene.“Yeah,metoo,”saidWilla.MaybecksatupandstaredacrossthetableatFinnintently.Ifanyonewas

goingtomakeafuss,itwasgoingtobeMaybeck.Henoddedslowly.“Okay,I

getit.Iseewhereyou’recomingfrom.”“Well,Idon’t!”Charleneannounced.AlleyesfoundFinnasamomentofexpectationovercamethemall.The

buzzoftheconversationintheroomswirledaroundthem.Spoonsclinkedagainstdishes.Asthedoorcameopen,soundsoftrafficoutonthestreetcouldbeheard.

Finnleanedforward,asdideveryoneelse.Foramomenttheywereinatighthuddle.

Finnsaid,“Ithinkit’stimeweturnAmandaandJessintoDHIs.”

9

THEMAGICKINGDOMclosedatnineo’clockthatnight;Finnwenttobedatnine-fifteen.SodidPhilby,Maybeck,Willa,andCharlene.Hadtheirparentsandguardianscommunicated,perhapstheplansoftheirchildrenmighthavebeenrevealed,perhapssomeonewouldhavestoppedthem.Instead,Finnsaidgoodnighttohisparents,whowerecurrentlycaughtupinanepisodeofSurvivor,closedhisbedroomdoorand,fullyclothed,climbedbetweenthesheets.

He’dlongsincelearnedthathecouldn’twillhimselfasleep.Ifhetriedtomakeithappen,heonlyprolongedhiswakefulness.Philbyhadgivenhimabookonself-hypnosisthatincludedaseriesofrelaxationtechniques;CharlenehadgiveneveryKingdomKeeperANewHistoryoftheRomanEmpire,abooksodense,soturgid,thatnohumanbeingcouldreaditformorethantenminuteswithoutdozingoff.MaybeckhadrecommendedsomesongstobedownloadedtotheiriPods;hefoundthemsoothingandagatewaytosleep.Finnusedacombinationofallthree:helistenedtomusicwhilereadingabouttheRomansandflexinghisanklesanddoingdeepbreathingexercises.Hefellintoadeepsleeptenminuteslater.

***

Theairsmelledbitter,theresultofthefireworksatthepark’sclosing.Finnfoundhimselfsittingonalowconcreteretainingwallnexttoalife-sizebronzestatueofMickeyMouseholdinghandswithWaltDisney.BeyondWaltandMickey,Cinderella’sCastlewaswashedinarichbluelight,itsspiresstabbingthenightsky.Nomatterhowmanytimeshevisited,themagichereremained.Forallthecynicismofhisjealousfriendsatschoolwhoteasedhimabouthisnowpermanentconnectiontothisplace,helovedtheMagicKingdomand

understooditwouldalwaysbeapartofhim.“Fancymeetingyouhere.”Maybeckwassittingontheconcretewalkway,hisbackagainstthemetalfence.Hiseyeshidbehindapairofsunglasses.HisdarkclothingwouldhelphimblendinwiththenightandincludedapairofblackConversebasketballshoes.Helookedcool,andthatannoyedFinn.Maybeckcouldn’thelphimself—hewasthekindofguywhodidn’tevertryforcool,butalwayshadit.Maybeitwastheartistinhim.Maybeitwasthathedidn’thaveparentsandhe’dhadtoforgeanidentityforhimselfoutofwhathisauntoffered.Maybesomekidsunderstoodstuffothersdidn’tandMaybeckwasoneoftheoneswhodid.Hehadthisthingabouthim,partattitude,partconfidence,partselfishknuckleheadedness.Whateveritwas,Finnwouldhavegivenupalottounderstandit.Tograspit.Thereweretimeshedislikedit,wasrevoltedbyit.Therewereothertimes,likenow,whenhecovetedit.

“Haveyouseentheothers?”“Thatwouldbeno,”Maybeckanswered.Heopenedhishandandshowed

Finnthathe’dretrievedthefobfromthebusheswhereFinnhadtossedit.MaybeckpassedittoFinn,whopocketedit.

TheKingdomKeeperseachhadtohitapatchofdeepsleepinordertocrossover.Theyseldomallarrivedatonce,butinsteadappearedovertentotwentyminutes.Finnnowcarriedthedevicethatcouldalonereturnthemtotheirbeds.Atsomepointhewouldhideitsothatanyofthemcoulduseit,incasehewerecaptured.Hecouldn’tallowtheremotetobecapturedalongwithhim.

“Areyouokaywiththis?”Finnasked.Maybeckhadbeenanoutspokenopponentoftheideaintheicecreamparlor.

“It’snotthatIdon’tseeyourpoint.Ido.Ithink,allthingsbeingequal,itwouldbegoodtohavethesisterswithus.Maybewecan’tfindWaynewithoutJess,likeyousaid.Maybethat’strue.But…andit’sabigbut…Ithinkit’stoobigahassletomakeithappen.Right?Firstwe’vegottorecordthemsomehow,thenPhilbyhastouploadthedata.That’salot,inmyopinion.”

“Jessonlygotpartofthepicture.”“Wedon’tknowthat.Imean…Iknowwhatyou’resaying,it’slikehalf

drawn,butwedon’texactlyknowwhat’srealandwhatisn’t.Weneverhave.Right?I’msupposedtobelievethisisreal.Youkiddingme?Acouplehologramstalkingtoeachother.Whoknows,Whitman?Maybeyouknowwhatyou’redoing.Butmaybeyoudon’t.Inwhichcasethisisabigwasteoftime.”

Hesoundedsomatter-of-fact,soconvinced.Finnfounditdepressing.Helookedaround,hopingsomeoneelse—anyone—hadarrived.Theplacewas

empty.“Wevoted,”Finnreminded.Hedidn’twantMaybeckthinkinghe’dforced

thisonthem.“Yeah,yeah.AndIwastheminority.Imaginethat.”“You’remadaboutit.”“Nottrue.Chill.I’malongfortheride,dude.Baabaablacksheep,that’s

me.I’mgoingalongwithyou.”“Whydoyoudothat?”“Dowhat?”“Youknow.”“Pointoutthatwe’redifferent?”Maybeckasked.“Makeadealoutofit.”“It’sme,Whitman.It’slikePhilbyandhisbrain,orCharlenebeinghot.I’m

notsayingthatmakesmespecial,butI’mdifferentfromtherestofyouandI’mnotgoingtodancearounditasifitisn’tthere.I’mAfricanAmerican.Sowhat?Right?There’sgoodpartsofthatandbadpartsofthat,butI’mnotgoingtopretendI’mwhiteandI’mnotgoingtonottalkaboutitjusttomakeyoucomfortable.”

“I’lltellyousomething:Idon’tthinkofyouasAfricanAmerican.Idon’tevenseethatpartofyouanymore.MaybeI’msupposedto,maybeit’sdisrespectfulnotto,butIjustseeyouas…Maybeck.Listen,therearekidsatschool…youknowwhoI’mtalkingabout.Theytrytobe…cool.Theymakeabigdealaboutlisteningtorap,wearthelowriders,talkghettotalk.Ihatethatkindofstuff.Theywanttoactlikethey’resomethingspecial.Butthenthere’syoucallingyourselfablacksheepandmakingtheselittlejabsandreminderslikeIoweyousomethingforwhoyouare,whatyouare—andIdon’tgetthat.Ijustendupnotknowingwhichistherealyou.”

Maybeckeyedhim.“SohowcoolamI?”heasked.“Shutup,”Finnsaid,smiling.“Ultracool,smokin’cool,plainoldcool?”“Uncool,”Finnsaid.“Didyoumishearme?”“Iheardyouokay,Whitman.”Philbyarrived.HewaslyingdownonthegrassbehindMaybeck.Hespoke

asiftheywerealreadyinmidconversation.“It’sacryptogram.”Heheldapieceofpaperinhishand.Hewaveditashesatup.Theedgesofhisimagewere

sparking.Finnwashavingthesameproblem:astrangestaticcomingoffhim.“Whatis?”Finnasked.“ThelettersbehindWayne’sheadareacryptogram.”“Isthatsupposedtobesomesortofhypnosis?”askedMaybeck.“Acode,”Philbysaid.“Alettercode,”saidFinn.“Exactly.”“Anengram?”saidMaybeck.“Anagram?”Philbysaid,correctinghim.“No.Acryptogramsubstitutes

lettersofthealphabetforoneanother.It’slikespystuff.Tricky-to-solvestuffusedbytheCIAandpeoplelikethat.”

“Howtricky?”askedFinn.“Seriouslyharsh,”saidPhilby.“Andbecauseit’sWayne,I’mthinkingit’ll

betoughtoenails.Butifit’sforreal,ifitreallyisWayne,andhesomehowknewJesswoulddreamit—andIknowyoubelievethat,Finn,butI’mnotsosureIdo—thenhe’dmakeitsolvable.AtleastIthinkhewould.He’dknowI’monit.Andhe’dknowI’dGoogleitandfindsitesthatcouldhelpdecipherit.”

SincePhilbyhadbeenworkingwithWaynewhenWaynehadbeencaptured,heblamedhimselfforit.He’ddraggedaroundforthefirstcoupleofweeksaftertheevent,onlysnappingoutofitwhenFinnhadsuggestedtheystarttryingtofindhimbycrossingoverintotheMagicKingdom.

PhilbyhadsupportedFinn’scallforthesisterstobecomeDHIsbecauseitpromisedtokeephimbusy.Heactedimpatient,pickingatthegrassbehindMaybeck,sittingwiththelowmetalfencebetweenthem.HewasthefirsttospotCharleneandWilla.“Allhere,”heannounced.

“Howarewegoingtodothis?”Maybeckasked.Theothersgatheredaround,allfivekidsstandinginfrontofthestatue.“Youmeanleavethepark?”Willaasked.“We’veneverdonethatbefore,”Maybeckremindedher.“NotasDHIs.We

don’tevenknowifit’llwork.”“ThereareDHIprojectorsinHollywoodStudiosnow,”Philbysaid.“They

projectusthereasguides.Itmakessensethatweshouldbeabletoseeourselves,seeeachother,oncewe’rethere.Whenwe’reawayfromtheprojectors,Idon’tknow,it’slikewhenwe’reinsidetheteepee,Ithink.We’rethere,butwe’rein

shadowsowecan’tbeseen.”“We’reinvisible,”Maybecksaid.“Howcoolisthat?”“Totally,”Philbysaid,agreeing.“Butbeinginvisibleisnotgoingall-clear

thewayFinncan.We’restillphysicallythere…here…whatever.That’swhywecanpickupsandandthrowit.Andifwecantouchstuff,thenstuffcantouchus…”

“AsintheOvertakers,”saidCharlene.“That’smypoint,”Philbycontinued.“We’restillatrisk.Andwe’llbein

Epcot,whetherinprojectionshadowornot.WhoknowsiftheReturn—theremotebutton—isgoingtoworkanywherebuthere?ThisiswhereWaynebroughtus.Thisiswherewewerewhenhesentusback.MaybethefobwillworkinsideHollywoodStudiosorAnimalKingdomorEpcot,butwhoknowsuntilwetry?We’llbringitwithusandtrytoReturnfromtheStudios.Andifwegetseparated,ifwecan’tallgetbackheretocrossbackovertogether…”

“Thenwhoeverwasstuckherewouldbestranded,”Willasaid.“TheSyndrome.”

TheDHIsglowedslightly.MorestaticsparkedoffPhilby.Itwentawayashesetthepaperdown.Finnsetdownthehistorybookandhisstaticstoppedaswell.FinntuckedPhilby’ssheetintothebookandshowedtheothersthathewasleavingtheremotethereaswell.Hehidthembeneathabushwithinreachofthepath.Hedouble-checkedthateveryoneknewthelocation.

“Let’sfaceit,”Finnsaid,“there’salotmorethatwedon’tunderstandthanwhatwedo.Thisstuff…we’renotgoingtofigureoutanyofthisstuffuntilwetry.”Helookedaroundattheothers.“Thebusesandthemonorailrununtilmidnight.WecangetfromheretotheTransportationCenter,andfromtheretoHollywoodStudios.”

“Weneedtogetbackaswell,”Charlenereminded.“Sowe’vegottobebackherebymidnight.”

“Iwouldsuggestwedon’ttouchanyone.Wedon’tbumpintoanyone.Wedon’tspeak,”saidPhilby.“Chancesarewewon’tbeabletotellwho’swhereorwhat’sgoingononcewe’reoutsidetherangeoftheprojectors.Soifwegetsplitupbyaccident,wemeetbytheKodakshopjustinsidetheHollywoodgates.Nooneleavesthereuntilwe’realltheretogether.”

“Agreed,”saidFinn.Theothersnodded.“I’malittlescared,”Willasaid.“I’mnotsosureIlikethis.”

“We’reallalittlescared,”Finnsaid.“Speakforyourself,”saidMaybeck.

10

AMANDASATUPINHERBUNK,Mrs.Nash’svoiceringinginherears.

“Didyoujusthearthat?”sheaskedJess.“Yeah,”Jesssaid,swingingherlegsoffherlowerbunk.Hervoicesignaled

hermutualsurprise.Mrs.Nashnevercalledforthem.Shescoldedthem.Shebossedthemaround.Butsheneverbarkedtheirnamesupthestairs—shoutingatNashHousewasstrictlyforbiddenanduniversallypunished.

Jessslidoffherbunk.Bothgirlshittheflooratthesametime.Jeannie,whohadbeengivenDSprivileges,lookedupfromthedevice.

“What’sup?”sheasked.“Whoknows?”Amandasaid,unabletokeeptheterroroutofhervoice.She

didn’tknowhowtorespondtoMrs.Nashcallingthemthisway.Thegirlslookedateachother;Jessshrugged;theybothfingercombedtheirhair(Mrs.Nashwasastickleraboutappearances)andhurriedoutoftheroom.

“Girls?”Mrs.Nashwascallingfromthebottomofthestairs.Shesoundedso…sweet.

“Maybeshe’shadastroke,”Jesssaid,crackingupAmanda.Standingtothesideofthestairsandsneakingapeekdown,thegirlssawa

tallwomanstandinginsidethefrontdoor.Shewasawomanofthirty,properlyattired,hairperfectlycoifed.Shewastoowelldressed,toopretty,tobefromSocialServices.

“Oh,no,”Amandagasped.Shegrabbedforthebanistertosteadyherself.“Amanda?”Jesssaid.“Whatisit?”“It’sher.Imeanshewaswayfaraway,soIsupposeIcan’tbesure,butI

amsure.It’sthewomanwhowaswatchingtheschool.ThewomanFinnsaid

wasfollowingaroundtheKingdomKeepers.She’dbeenatMaybeck’sbefore.”“You’resure?”“Prettysure.Andwhat’sMrs.Nashdoingacceptingavisitorthislate?

Curfew’sintwentyminutes.”“Wecan’tjusthideuphere,”Jesssaid.“Girls?”Someofthesweetnesswasgone.JesstookAmanda’shandandthetwodescendedthestairstogether.“Youhaveavisitor,”Mrs.Nashsaid.“ThisisMs.Alcott,fromthe

TimmerandSchoolinCharlottesville,Virginia.”Sheintroducedbothgirlsbyfirstnameonly,andledthethreeintothesmallpublicroom.ShewasjustabouttositdownwhenMs.Alcottspokeforthefirsttime.

“IfIcouldvisitwiththegirlsinprivate…”Mrs.Nashlookedasifshe’dbeenslappedintheface.“Ofcourse,”shesaid.“ThefourofuscanhaveadiscussionjustassoonasI’vemetthegirlsand

hadachancetovisit.”“That’sfine,”Mrs.Nashsaid,clearlyupsetbytherebuke.Shepulledthe

pocketdoorsseparatingtheparlorfromthehallwayshutonherwayout.ThewomancallingherselfMs.Alcottlookedoverbothgirlscarefully.“Youlookterrified,child,”shesaidtoAmanda.“Isitmescaringyou?I

promiseyouthere’snothingtofear.”Sheloweredhervoice.“I’mnotfromTimmerand,thoughIamontheirboardoftrustees,andIdidgothere,yearsago.Ifindthetellingofsmallliesismostconvenient,thoughIdonotadvocatethepracticeasit’sanextremelydelicatematter,anartformofsorts.Bendingthetruthislikepullingbackaspring—moreoftenthannotitsnapsbackandhitsyou.Stingslikethedickenswhenitdoes.”

“Whyhaveyoubeenfollowingmyfriend?”Amandaasked,carefulnottogiveFinn’sname,butalsowantingthiswomantoknowthatshe,Amanda,wasawareofherrecentactions.

“ForthesamereasonI’vecomehere,”Ms.Alcottanswered.“BecauseIneedyourhelp.Andyouneedmine.”

“Idon’tunderstand.”Jesslookedon,sayingnothing.Amandaexpectedhertojoinin,andwas

disappointedwhenJessdidnot.“Wayne,”shesaid,surprisingbothgirls.

“Whatabouthim?”Amandaasked.“Yourfriendsarehisonlyhope.”Amandasaidnothing.Shehadnowayofknowingifthiswomanwasan

Overtakerposingasafriend,oranhonestfriendofWayne’sdesperatetofindhim.

“TheKingdomKeepers,”Ms.Alcottsaid.“FinnWhitman,TerryMay—”“WecallhimDonnie,bytheway,notTerry,butweknowwhoourfriends

are,”Amandasaid.“YouhavesomethingofWayne’s,”Jesssaidquietly.Hersudden

participationsurprisedAmanda.Ms.Alcotttookadeepbreathandsatbackinherchair.“Howcouldyou

possiblyknowthat?”“Whatisit?”Jesssaid.“It’ssomethingIneedtogettoFinnoroneoftheothers.I’vetriedseveral

timestomakecontact,butithasn’tworkedout.”“You’vebeenstalkingthem,”Amandasaid.“I’manadult.Youallarenot.Thatmakesthings…difficultsometimes.

Furthermore,IhadtomakesuretheOvertakerswerenotfollowingeitherofus—meorthem—andIcouldneverbeabsolutelysure.”

“ArethereOvertakersoutsidetheparks?”Amandasaid.“Waynehasalwaysbelievedso.Buthetendstowardtheparanoidwhenit

comestohisenemies.Ihavenoproofeitherway.Buthewarnedme,andI’vealwaystakenhiswarningsseriously.”

“You’veknownhimalongtime,”Amandasaid.“Youmightsaythat,”shesaid.“I’mhisdaughter.Wanda.Getit?Like

Mickey’swand?”“Aha,”Amandasaid.“Whatisit?”Jessrepeated.“Thisthingyou’vebrought?”“Myfatherhasaveryactiveimagination.It’swhyhe’sbeensucha

successfulImagineer.Thatincludes…well,Idon’tknowhowtoputthisexactly,buthecan‘see’things.Orhethinkshecan.Heclaimsit’sanextensionofhisimagination.Mostofthetimeit’slittlethings:he’llmentionsomeone’snameandwithinamatterofminutesthatpersoncallshim—I’veseenthathappenalotwithhim.Orhe’llknow,fiveminutesbeforeithappens,thatallthelightsaregoingtogoout,thatthere’sgoingtobeapowerfailure.It’snotthathetalks

aboutthesethings.Buthe’llgogetaflashlightoutofthegarage,andrightthenallthelightsgoout.Thatsortofthing.AsachildIalwaysconsideredthesethingscoincidences.AsIgrewolderIsawthemmoreforwhattheywere:prescientmoments.Prescient,meaning—”

“Weknowallaboutprescience,”Amandasaid.“‘Knowingbeforehand.’”“It’sagift.”“Oracurse,”saidJess,winningasympatheticlookfromAmanda.“Yes,Isuppose,”saidWanda.“Thoughformyfather,adefinitegift.He

woulddothingslikepullovertothesideoftheroadwithoutexplanation.Aminutelateracarwouldcomezoomingdownthewronglanehead-onatallthetraffic.Thatkindofthing.Quirkythings.”

“Youstillhaven’ttolduswhathegaveyou,”Jesssaid.“Ididn’tsayhegaveittome,”Wandasaid,correctingher.“Imerelytold

youIhadsomethingofhis.”Amandasaid,“Jesshasasimilargifttoyourfather’s.”“I’dliketoseeit,”Jesssaid,soundingsomewhattrancelike.“Please,”saidAmanda.“Ofcourse.Ihavenoproblemwiththat.”Wandareachedintoherpurse.

“HemadethisthedaybeforeallthatcrazinessattheAnimalKingdom,thedaybeforehedisappeared.He’dkepteverythingaboutyourfriendsprivateuntilthen.Ihadn’theardanythingaboutit.Butwespokethatday—hecalledme,nottheotherwayaround,whichwasthefarmorecommonoccurrence.HetoldmeindetailabouttheOvertakers,aboutFinnandMaybeckandtheothers.Youtwoincluded.He’dnotdonethatbeforeandIknewjusthistalkingaboutitmeantitwassignificant.I’mnowofthebeliefthathemighthaveforeseenhisbeingcaptured,thathecalledmebecauseofthis.Hewaslayingthegroundworkforyourfriendstosavehim,oratleasttosavetheparksifitcametothat.”

Shewithdrewtheitemfromherpurse,openingherpalmtorevealasmall,whitecubemadeoftypingpaper.Thereweresymbolswrittenanddrawnonthecube’ssixsurfaces.

Jesspickeditupandstudiedit,spinningitandtakinginthevariousimages.Sheclosedhereyes,openedthemandlookedoveratAmanda.Sheshookherheadslightly:shehadn’timmediatelyflashedonanythingtodowiththebox.

“WecangetittoFinn,”Jesssaid,notwantingtosurrenderit.“Oh,yes!Couldyou,please?Assoonaspossible!”

“Tomorrow,”Amandasaid.“I’llseehimtomorrow.”“Icanhelpyourfriends,”sheoffered.“Iwanttohelp.”“WecanshowtheboxtoPhilby,”Jesssaid.“He’ssmart.Hemightknow

whatitmeans.”“IlookedupeachsymbolontheInternet,”Wandasaid.“Theywerealleasy

enoughtofind.Butnoneofitaddedup.Andwhocantellwhatorderthey’resupposedtobein?Withouttheorder,themessage—ifthereevenisamessage—keepschanging.Buthedidn’tintenditforme,didhe?Idon’tthinkso.Ithinkitwasforyourfriends.Ithinkthat’swhathewastryingtotellmeinthephonecall,withoutactuallysayingit.HewasalwaysconvincedtheOvertakerswerelistening,watching.Ithinksomeofthatrubbedoffontome,whichiswhatmadeactuallycontactingFinnorMaybecksodifficultforme.Butthenitoccurredtometotalktoyou.They’llbelieveyoumorethanme,anyway.”

“We’llmakesuretheygetit,”Amandasaid.“Iwanttohelp,”thewomansaid.“ThereareanynumberofwaysIcan

helpyourfriends.Accesstotheparks.Researchmaterials.I’mveryclosetomyfather.IknowmuchmorethanIprobablyshould—abouttheparks,theOvertakers,Maleficent,evenChernabog.I’mnotclaimingtobeasusefulasmyfather—there’sonlyoneWayne.Buthecalledmeforareasonthatday,andIthinkthereasonwasformetobeinvolvedinhisrescue.I’mnotsayingIcantakehisplace,butIwanttohelp.”

“We’lltellthemwhatyou’vetoldus,”Amandasaid.“Iwanttoleaveyouwithmyphonenumber,”shesaid,scribblingouta

numberandofferingitfirsttowardJess,butthenpassingittoAmandaasJess’sconcentrationremainedfixedonthepapercubesheheld.“Dayornight,doesn’tmatter.Pleasecall.”

“Okay.”“Ihaveaccesstoallofmyfather’sthings.Hisnotebooks,keys,computer.

ThereareanynumberofwaysIcanhelp.”“WehavetocomeupwithsomethingbelievableforMrs.Nash,”Amanda

said.Mentionofthewoman’snamesnappedJessoutofhertrance.“Yes,thereis

that.”“Icantakecareofit,”thewomansaid.“We’rerecruitingyouasboarding

students.I’llhavetheschoolmailsomebrochuresandapplicationsasakindoffollow-up.I’llcallyou.Icanmakeitconvincing,Ipromise.Icanbevery

convincing.”“Andsocanyoursmalllies,”saidAmanda,whostilldidn’tknowifshe

couldtrustthiswoman.ShemightnothaveanythingtodowithWaynewhatsoever.

Ifnot,thenwhathadbeenherpurposeincomingtotheNashHouse,andwhatdamagehadtheydonebytalkingtoher?

“Irealizeitmaybeaskingalottoexpectyoutotrustme.MyfatherhasspentthepasttenyearstrainingmeinallthingsDisney.It’samatterofprideforhim.Helovestheparks…well…likeheloveshisownchildren.Andthat’sme.Withorwithoutyou,I’mgoingtodowhateverittakestofindhim,torescuehim.”Hervoicechokedandshelookeddown,breakingeyecontactwithAmanda.“Myfatherhasspentbasicallyhiswholelifemakingtheparksmagicalplaces—includingcreatingtheDHIs,Imightadd.TheOvertakerswilldowhateverisnecessarytocorrupttheparks,todriveguestsaway,toruintheexperienceforeveryone.Whetherornottheyhaveambitionsbeyondtheparks,whoknows?ButI’mnotgoingtoalloweverythingmyfatherhasworkedfortobetakenaway.Atleast,notwithoutafight.Maybeyoudon’ttrustme—Ican’tspeaktothat.ButIcantellyouitisn’teasyformetoputmyfaithinabunchofkids.Thatmaysoundharsh,butthat’sjustbeinghonest.That’snotalittlelie,orabiglie,butthetruth.ButIdon’tknowwhereelsetoturn,andmyfatherbelievesinyourfriends.Hebelievesverydeeplyinthem.Hethinkstheycanaccomplishwhathehasnotbeenableto.I’veneverdoubtedmyfather,andI’mnotgoingtostartnow.That’saboutit.That’saboutallIcantellyou.”

“What’sitlike?”Jessasked,hervoicesoftandcomforting.“Excuseme?”Wandaasked.“Havingafather?”Jesssaid.“We’ve…neitherofus…”Hervoicetrailed

off.“It’samazing.It’sthebestthereis.”Amandaswalloweddeeply.Shehadadecisiontomakethatwasn’teasy.“I

knowwhereyoucanfindthem—ourfriends,”shesaid.“Ithinktheycouldprobablyuseyourhelp.”

Wandapursedherlips.Hereyeswelledwithtears.“Thankyou!Thankyoufortrustingme!Youwon’tbesorry,”shesaid.“Ipromise.”

11

THETRIPFROMTHEMAGICKINGDOMtoHollywoodStudioswasastrangemixtureofaneeriesenseofnothingnesscombinedwithaheart-stoppingawarenessofimminentdanger.ThingsFinnhadtakenforgranted,likehavingabusdriverholdthedooropen,werenotavailabletotheinvisible.Onlyhe,Charlene,andPhilbymadeitonboardthefirstbus;WillaandMaybeckwereleftbehindasthedriver,seeingnoone,shutthebusdoor,closingthemout.Forthefifteen-minuteridetotheTransportationCenterFinnhadn’tbeensurewhichofthemhadmadeitonwithhim.Onceatthecenter,hetriedtalking,onlytodiscoverthathehadnovoice.Sound,itturnedout,waspartoftheprojectionprocess.UntilhereachedHollywoodStudios,hewasnotonlyinvisiblebutwhollyaloneinawayhe’dneverexperiencedbefore.Itwasacondition,astate,hefoundunsettlingandfrightful:nooneheardhim;noonefelthispresence.

“ItwasasifIdidn’texist,”hetoldCharleneoncetheywereboththroughtheturnstiles.EnteringtheStudioshadbeentricky.He’dhadnoideawhen,orevenif,theprojectorswouldpickupandstartdisplayinghisDHI.Tocomplicatematters,hespottedtwonightwatchmen.Theymightallowcharacterstheirfreedom,asWaynehadtoldhim,buttheywouldn’tappreciatekidsrunningaround.

He’dtimedhisentryuntilaguardpassed.Hemadearunforit:straightupthestreettowardtheKodakshop.Onesecondhewasinvisible,thenextaglowingblurofcolorfullight.Hecouldseehisarmsandlegs.Asitturnedout,Charlenewasrightbehindhim.Thetwosprinteduptheemptystreettogether,theirattentiononthebackoftheguardwho’djustpassed.

“You!”cameaman’svoice.Adifferentguard;oneneitherofthemhadseen.HeandCharleneskiddedtoastop.

“DoasIdo,”Finnsaidunderhisbreath.SuddenlyPhilbyappearedfromtheturnstiles.Thankfullytheguard’s

attentionhadbeenonFinnandCharleneatthetime,meaningthathemissedaboyappearingoutofthinair.

“Hello,there,parkvisitor!MynameisFinn,”Finnsaidinanextraordinarilyhappyvoice.“CanIhelpshowyouDisney’sHollywoodStudios?”Hestruckapose—onehandout,theotheronhiship.

Charlenecaughton.LikeFinn,shehadlittledifficultyrecallingthelinesshehadoncesaidrepeatedlyduringtheDHIrecordingsessions.

“Hello,there,parkvisitor.I’mCharlene,aDisneyHostInteractive.I’msorry,butI’mnotabletoreadyouridentificationpin.PleaserecitetheguestnumberonyourDisneyPassandI’dbehappytoshowyouaround.”

Theguardreachedout.HishandswipedrightthroughFinn,accompaniedbyanelectronicbuzzing.

“Dang,”theguardsaid.HeranhishandthroughFinnagain.Hereachedforhisradio.“Hey,Tim…it’sTanner.Canyoucheck—?”

“We…areexperiencingaDHIservermalfunction,”saidPhilbycomingupfrombehindtheguard.“Please…standby.”

“Tanner?”Itwasaman’svoiceoverthehandheldradio.“Yeah,I’mhere.Ahhh.…Forsomereasonthosehostthingsdidn’tshut

downproperly.You’dbetterasktechservicestolookintoit.I’vegotthreeofthemoutheretalkingtome.”

“Talkingtoyou?”theradiovoicesaid.“OfferingtoshowmearoundtheStudios.”“Okay.I’monit,”theman’svoicerepliedovertheradio.Finnsearchedhismemoryandsaid,“I’msorryyouwon’tbejoiningme

today.Maybeanothertime.Advancereservationscanbemadethroughthedininghotline.Doyouhaveanymorequestions?”

“Umm…thatwouldbeno,”theguardsaid.“Haveastar-filleddayatDisneyHollywoodStudios.”Finnwalked

mechanicallytowardthecamerashop.He’dstudiedhisrealDHIenoughtoknowthatwhilethe3Dprojectionswerephenomenallylifelike,movementwasnotperfect.Whenwalkingslowly,theDHIstendedtohavestiffknees.Whenrunningfast,theyblurred.

Afewminuteslater,allfiveDHIscollectedoutsidetheKodakshop.The

guardhadmovedonfromFinn,eyeingMaybeckandWillaastheyarrivedlate.Finndidn’tfeellikepushinghisluck.“SplitupingroupsandmeetoveratSoundstageBintenminutes.Ifyou’restoppedbyaguard,sticktothescriptswerecordedforourDHIs.”

“Isthathowyougotaroundhim?”Maybeckasked.“WillaandIsawyoutalkingtohim—”

“Later,”Finnsaid.“Wecancatchuplater.”HeandCharlenetookoffupthestreet,mappingoutarouteinhisheadtothesoundstages.

“Youwereamazingbackthere,”Charlenesaid,runningathisside.“It’samazingthathedidn’tquestionthewaywe’redressed,thatwe’reout

ofcostume.HemustnotknowtheDHIsverywell.He’sprobablyanight-dutyguy.”

“Doyouthinkthey’rewatchingusnow?”sheasked.“Couldbe,”Finnanswered.“Philbywouldknowaboutthesecurity

cameras,butwe’vegottoassumethey’rewatchingus.”“Thenwhat’llwedo?”“Itmaymakesomekindofweirdsensetothemtoseeusallmeetup

outsidethesamesoundstagewherewewerecreated.Thatmaygiveusanexcusetogetinside.”

“Isn’tthatalittlerisky?”sheasked.“Yousawwhathappenedwithhishand,”Finnsaid.“Itwentrightthrough

me.”“Yeah.So?”shesaid.“That’syou.MostofthetimeourDHIsarekindof

halfandhalf.Youknowthat.Theycancatchme.Therestofus.Besides,whatiftheyshutdowntheprojectorslikethatguysaid…”

“Theserversarealwaysrunning,”Finnremindedher.“PhilbysaidsoandsodidWayne.They’llcloseourprogramsandassumewe’reshutdown.Iftheyseeusafterthatthey’llfileamaintenanceticketandforgetaboutit.”

“Ifyousayso.”“Look,thisisourchancetoscoutthesoundstage.Toseeifwecanfigurea

wayinsideandifPhilbycanfigureoutawaytoshootwhatweneedtoturnAmandaandJessintoDHIs.Itwasahasslegettingoverhere.Youwanttoleave?Wecanleave.But—”

“I’mnotupforleaving,”shesaid,“butIalsodon’tliketheideaoftheircheckingusout,knowingwhereweare.TheOvertakershaveguysinsecurity.

Weallknowthat.Gettingluckyoncedoesn’tmeanit’sgoingtohappeneverytime.”

“Thecamerasaren’teverywhere,”Finnsaid,asSoundstageBcameintoview.Itwasalarge,sand-coloredbuilding,likeagiantbox.“Theattractions,mostly.Philbywillknowexactlywhere.Igetwhatyou’resaying:it’sbetterifwedon’tadvertise.Butatthemomentthey’rethinkingwe’repartofacomputerglitch.Wecanusethattoouradvantage.”

“Behindus,”Charlenesaid,havingglancedoverhershoulder.Finnlookedback.Whoever,whateveritwas,wastall,clearlyanadult,and

movedlikeawoman.Sheseemedinahurrytoreachthem.“Whatdowedo?”Charleneasked.Histemptationwastorunfirst,answerquestionslater.Butthey’dhad

successfoolingtheguard.Torunwastolookguiltyofsomething.“Ithink,”hesaid,“wejustdolikebefore.WeplayourDHIs.”“Yousure?”Thewomanwasclosingthegapbetweenthem.“Ah,”Finnsaid.“YouknowthewomanItoldyouabout?Theoneatthe

school?TheoneMaybecksaw?”“Yes.”“I’mprettysureit’sher.”“Sowhatdowedo?”Charleneasked.“Walkfaster,”Finnsaid.Hestoleanotherlookback:thewomanwasstillgainingonthem.“Shouldwerun?”Charleneasked.“Whereto?Wecan’tleadhertothesoundstage,that’sforsure.”“Thenwhat?”Finnstoppedandturnedaround.“EarthtoFinn,”Charlenesaidnervously.“We’resupposedtoberunning

away,notwaitingforhertocatchup.”“Iknow.Butwe’reDHIs,notkidsatschool.What’stheworstshecandoto

us?Scoldus?Shoutatus?”“Howaboutbustus?Whatifshe’slikeparkSecurityorsomething?Whatif

it’sherjobtoverifyviolationsandpullpasses?Whatifshewasattheschooltokeepaneyeonyou?Icannotgetcaught.Myparentswouldkillmeforbeing

here.”“Disneywouldneverallowhertostalkmeatschool.Shecan’tbepark

Security.It’sgottobesomethingelse.”“LikeanOvertaker?”“Youtakeoff,”heinstructedher.“Goaroundtheotherendofthe

soundstage.Findtheothersandhide.I’llstallher.”“Thisisnotimetogetallheroicthere,pal.”Charlenesoundedconcerned.

“Whydon’twejustbothtakeoff?”“BecauseI’mdonewithherfollowingme,”Finnsaid.“Goon!”Charlenehesitatedatfirst,butthentookoffatarun.Finnwaited.Themysterywomancaughtup.Theywerestandingface-to-

face,aboutfiveyardsapart.“You’reFinn,”shesaid.Hecouldtellshewasmarvelingattherealismof

theDHI.Everyonedidthesamethingthefirsttimetheysawhimortheothers.Hecouldfeelherwantingtoreachoutandtrytotouchhim.

“Whatdoyouwant?”heasked.“AmandatoldmeIwouldprobablyfindyouhere.”“That’salie.”“It’snot.Doyouwanttocallher?”shereachedoutandofferedhima

phone.Hesteppedforwardandwavedhisarmthroughher.Shegasped.“I’veheardthetechnologydescribedsomanytimes.But…inperson…it’sreallyquiteamazing.”“Whatdoyouwant?”herepeated.“It’snotaboutwhatIwant,Finn,”sheanswered.“It’saboutwhatWayne

wants.”HewonderedifsomehowthiswasMaleficentindisguise—ifhe’dwalked

intoatrap,ifshe’dfiguredouthowtotransformherselfintothingsotherthananimals.HethoughtheshouldhavelistenedtoCharlene;heshouldhavetakenoffwithher.Hewonderedifitwastoolate.

“WhatdoyouknowaboutWayne?”“Thathe’smissing,”shesaid.“Thatyouandyourfriendsarethekeyto

findinghim.”

“Youthink?”“I’mhisdaughter.I’mWanda.WandaAlcott.”“Wayne’sdaughter?”“Youdon’thavetosoundsoskeptical.Don’tIlookatallfamiliar?Even

vaguelyfamiliar?”“Isawyououtsidetheschool,ifthat’swhatyoumean.”“No,it’snot.Imeant,don’tIlookevenalittlelikemyfather?Peoplesay

wedo.”“No.Nottome.”“Hesaidyouwerethenaturalleader,thesmartestoneofthegroup.”Finnswalloweddryly.HerememberedWaynesayingthatabouthim—not

thathebelievedit.“Notthesmartest.Notbyalongshot,”Finnsaid.“ThatwouldbePhil—

Thatwouldbeoneofmyfriends.”“Philby,”shesaid.“He’skindofyourwiredguy,isn’the?”Hefeltachill.Howdidsheknowsomuch?Charlenewasgone.Outofsight.He’dboughtherthetimeshe’dneededto

getaway.“Don’tdoit,”WandaAlcottsaid,readinghisthoughts.“Icanhelpyou.”“Idon’tthinkso.”“You’reconcernedI’m…her.Maleficent?No.Hardly.I’masafraidofher

asyouare.”Sheansweredhisstunnedexpression.“Oh,yes.Iknowallabouther.Allaboutyou.Myfathertoldmeeverything.”

“HowamIsupposedtobelieveyou’reWayne’sdaughter?”Shesmiledasmallsmile.“You’regoingtohavetodecideifyoutrustmeor

not.”“Not.”“Ithoughttheresemblancemighthelp.”“Nope,don’tseeit.”“Thefirsttime…theveryfirsttime,youendeduponabenchnexttoGoofy.

Mydadwasthere.Hedroveyouaroundinagolfcart.”Finnfeltasifsomehowalltheoxygenhadbeensuckedfromtheair.He

thoughthemightfaint.“Icanhelpyou,Finn.Youcanhelpme,findhim.Please.”Shereachedinto

herpurse.“IshowedthistoJessicaearliertonight.WeagreedthatyouandPhilbyshouldseeit.”

“Idon’tbelieveyou,”hesaid,butitwasalie.Hedidbelieveher—hejustdidn’twantto.

Herhandcameoutofthepurseandopened.Restinginherpalmwasasmallwhitepaperbox.

12

WANDAALCOTTPRODUCEDasizablesetofkeysfromherpurseandunlockedthedoortothesoundstage.

IfshewasWayne’sdaughter,itwasn’timmediatelynoticeable.Shehadauburnhair,apleasantface,andvividgreeneyes.Shewaswearingloosebrownpants,ascoop-necktop,andablacksweater.HerearringsweresilvercursiveletterDs,thefirstletterofthetrademarkDisneylogo.Finnhadneverseenapairlikethem.Thoughherphysicalpresencewasanythingbutthatofaneighty-year-oldman,shehadthesameself-assuranceasherfather.This,amongotherthings,convincedFinnshemightbetellingthetruthaboutbeingWayne’sdaughter.

Itwasthekeysthatactuallysoldhim:whoelsebutafriendorrelativeofWayne’scouldpossessaringofsomanykeys,oneofwhichopenedthedoortoSoundstageB?

Andeventhoughhisbrainprocessedthesequalitiesabouther,makingeveryefforttoconvincehimofherlegitimacy,hewasn’tabouttogothroughthedoor.HeadvisedtheotherKingdomKeeperstostayput.

“Oneofuswillgofirst,”hesaid.“Wedon’tallgoatonce.”“Butthisiswhywecamehere,”Philbyprotested.“Besides,it’sfarsafer

inside.Securitycouldcomealongatanytime.”“Speakingoftime,”Willaadded,“we’velostabunch.TheTransportation

Centershutsdowninjustoveranhour.Whateverwe’resupposedtobedoinghere,we’dbettergettoit.”

“Itcouldbeatrap,”Finnremindedher.“Shedoeslooklikehim,”saidMaybeck,theartist.“Herchinandeyesare

thesame.”Wanda’sfacewarmed.“I’lltellyouwhat,”shesaid,workingthedoor’skey

offtheringandthenreturningtheringtoherpurse.“Finn,ifyou’llgivethepaperboxtoPhilby,myworkisdonehere.”Sheofferedhimthekeytothesoundstage.“Jessicaisn’ttheonlyonewhohasvividdreams.Myfatherhashadsomepowerfulandunusualdreamsfordecades.Dreamsthatleadhimtounusualdiscoveries.Heconstructedthisboxthedaybeforehewentmissing.Hedrewtheimages.He’dtoldmeaboutJessica’sabilitytoseethefutureonthesamedayhegavemethebox.Becauseofthis,Iknowitmeanssomething.Ishowedittoherearlierthisevening,andshesaidtoshowittoPhilby.IfI’veaccomplishedthat,thenyoucanhavethekeyandIcangoifyoulike.”

“No,”saidCharlene.“Ithinkyoushouldstay.”“Iagree,”saidWilla.Finngroaned.“Whatifitwasyourfather?”saidWilla.“Ifwecanhelpherthenwe

should.”“We’realreadytryingtohelp,”Finnpointedout.“That’swhywe’rehere.”“Wayneiscountingonyou,onallofyou—”Wandasaid.“Onallofusto

savetheparks.Hisconcernisalwaysfortheparksfirst,andhisownsafetysecond.TheOvertakerswanttheparkstothemselves.Hehastakensomanyrisksovertheyears.”

“Weneedtogetinside,”Philbysaidanxiously.“It’snotsafeouthere.Therearenosecuritycamerasinside.Whattheyshootinsideisclassified,liketheDHIwork.Itwouldbealotsafer.”

“He’sright,”WandaAlcottsaid.“Securitydoesn’thavekeystoSoundstageB,theworkdoneherebeingclassified.Onceinside,you’llbesafe.”

Finntensed.HeandtheotherDHIsweretheproductofthe“classified”workshereferredto.

“Givemefiveminutes,”hesaid.“IfIdon’tcomebackout,takeoff.”“I’mcomingwithyou,”saidMaybeck.WhenMaybeckmadeuphismind,therewasnousearguing.“Okay,”Finnsaid.“Let’sgo.”Finnopenedthedoorandthetwowentinside.Therewasaseconddoor,

meanttoblocklightandsoundwhencameraswererolling.Maybeckpushedthisseconddoorshutbehindthemandtogethertheyenteredthewindowless,cavernousbuilding.Maybeckfoundsomelightswitches.Itwasanareathesizeofabigairplanehangar.Theceilinghadtobefiftyfeethigh.Hundredsoftheatricallightshungsuspendedfromasteelsuperstructure.Amassivegreen

screenlinedtheentirelengthofonewall.InfrontofthatgreenscreenwaswhereFinnandtheothers,wearingmotionsensors,hadelaboratelyactedoutallkindsofmovementsinorderforthecomputerstoprogramtheholograms.SeeingthespacetookhimbacktotheauditionsandtheweeksofworkherethathadleduptohisbecomingaDisneyHostInteractive.He’dneverknownthen—noneofthemhad—thatWaynehadbeensecretlyplanningtocrossthemoverandsolicittheirhelpindefeatingtheOvertakers.ItseemedlikehewasadifferentFinnnowthanthekidwhohadfirstauditionedhere.

“Notsodifferentthanwhenwewerehere,”Maybecksaid.“Kindof…weird,youknow?”Finnsaid.“Likeweneverleft.”“Yeah.”Theysearchedtheinterior,includingthetwobathrooms,asmalloffice,

changingrooms,andacontrolroomfilledwithelectronics.Maybeckclimbedaladderwellupintothecatwalksandriggingabovethe

soundstage.Hisvoiceechoedashecalledout.“There’snoonehere.We’regood.”

Theyadmittedtheothers.“Wecanmakethiswork,”saidPhilby,exitingfromthecontrolroom.“The

cameras,video,soundediting—it’sallhere.Allweneedis—”“Don’tsayit,”Finnsaid,interrupting.Anawkwardsilencehungintheair.“It’saboutthegirls,isn’tit?”Wandasaid.“They’vebeengrounded,so

there’snowaytogetthemouttohelpyouhere.Butiftheywerelikethefiveofyou…well,thatwouldchangethings.”

Finndidn’tlikeitatallthatshecouldknowthis.CharleneshotFinnalookthatcautionedhimnottotrytostopherfrom

talking.“It’sthat,yes,”saidCharlene,“andalsothatthey’vebeenputontoparkSecurity’swatchlist.There’snowaytogetthemoutofthefosterhomeorintotheparks.”

“ButiftheywereDHIs…”saidWilla.“Iftheycouldcrossoveralongwithus…”

Finnbitbackhistongue,furiousthattheyweresharingsomuchwithacompletestranger.

“Iunderstand,”WandaAlcottsaid.“Butplease,whateveryoudo,don’tforgetthebox.”SheaddressedthistoPhilby.“Itmustbeimportant.”

“Ipromisetotakealookatit,”Philbysaid.“Howdidyougetintothepark?”Finnaskedsuspiciously.“Howdidyou

getpastSecurity?Tonight?Justnow?Whydidn’ttheystopyou?”“Finn!”Charlenechided.“She’sofferingtohelpus.”“It’sallright,”WandaAlcottsaid.“I’dexpectnolessaftereverythingmy

fatherhastoldmeaboutallofyou.Youhaven’texactlyhaditeasy.Ifyouweren’tcarefulyouwouldn’thavemadeitthisfar.”

“I’mnotaccusingyouofanything,”Finncorrected.“You’vemisunderstoodme.I’mjustcuriousformyownreasons.”

“BecauseyouneedawaytogetAmandaandJessicaintothesoundstageundetected,”shesaid.

Finnwithheldcomment,butthesurpriseonhisfacegavehimaway.“Butwhencanyoupossiblydothis?”WandaAlcottasked.“Thegirlsare

grounded.”“Thewomanwhorunsthefosterhome—”Willabegan.“Mrs.Nash.Yes,Imether,”WandaAlcottsaid.“—attendsMasseveryFridaynightandeverySundaymorningfortwo

hours—nearlythreeincludingdrivingbackandforth.”“Buttheothergirls…allthey’ddoishavetoreportthemand—”“Theywon’treportthem,”Maybecksaid,“becausetheothergirlswon’tbe

there.They’vereceivedcomplimentarysessionsatmyaunt’spotteryshop—to‘aprogramonFridayeveningsandSundaymorningsprovidedtodeservinginstitutionsintheOrlandoarea.’I’llbeattheshop,keepingthembusyandmonitoringthem.”

“I’mimpressed,”WandaAlcottsaid.“We’velearnedtoworkasateam,”Finnsaid.“Maybecktalkedhisaunt

intodoingthis.Shedoesn’tknowthefullstory,onlythatshe’shelpinghomelessgirls.”

“Shehasabigheart,”Maybecksaid.“Butnoneofitmeansanything,”Finnsaid,“ifwecan’tgetontothe

propertywithoutbeingseen.SamegoesforJessandAmanda.”“IfIrememberright,myfathergaveyouallemployeeIDcards.”“Yeah,”Philbysaid.“Butit’salongwayfromeitheremployeeentranceto

thissoundstage.Wecanwearhatsandglasses,butit’sstillaprettybigrisk.”“Youwon’tneedthehatsandglasses,”WandaAlcottsaid.“Icangetyou

ontotheproperty.Thegirls,too.”“Buthow?”Finnasked.“You’llneedtouseyouremployeepassestogetbackstage.Nameatime,

andI’llmeetyouatthecostumeshop,”shesaid.Finnhopedformoreofanexplanation.Hedidn’tgetmuch.“MakesureoneofyouhasMaybeck’semployeepasswithyou.Ifhe’s

goingtobeatCrazyGlaze,hedoesn’tneedit.”“Wecandothat,”Finnsaid,buthisvoicerevealedhisskepticism.“Myfatherhadmorethanafewtricksuphissleeve,”shesaid.“Itallcomes

downtotrust,Finn.Leaveittome.”

13

FINNFELTTHEPRESSUREoftimerunninglowas,onFridayevening,he,Jess,Amanda,Willa,Charlene,andPhilbyenteredthroughanemployeegateonthebacksideofDisney’sHollywoodStudios.AmandausedMaybeck’semployeecardtoenter;JessusedWayne’s,providedtoherbyWandaAlcott.

ThetimepressurearosefromMrs.Nash’sschedule.ShespenttwohoursatMass.IttookherahalfhourtoreachthechurchinFridaytraffic,andsheremainedatleastthirtyminutesaftertheservice,prayingforthewelfareofhergirls.ThattotaledaminimumofthreehoursshewouldbeawayfromNashHouse—thesamethreehoursthegirlsofNashHousewouldbeatCrazyGlaze.

ButithadtakenJessandAmandathirtyminutestoreachtheStudios.Withanotherthirtysetasidefortheirreturn,thatlefttheKingdomKeepersonlytwohourstoaccomplishwhatthey’dcometodo.

WandaAlcott’splantogettheminsidetheStudiosrequiredsomehumiliation.ThekidswereshownintocostumestorageandmadetodressupinHighSchoolMusicaloutfits,eitherasbasketballplayersorcheerleaders.

“Dowereallyhaveto?”Finnsaid,adjustingaheadband.“CastmembersareusedtoseeingHighSchoolMusicalkidsherebecause

ofthestreetshow.Theywon’tthinkanythingofit.Theonlythingwehavetobecarefulofis—”

“BeinginthesameplaceatthesametimeasourDHIs,”saidPhilby,interrupting,“becauseourfacesarethesame,andwemightberecognized.”

“Exactly.”Theydividedintothetwogroups:theDHI/filmcharactersandtheHSM

gang,andenteredontothestreetsoftheStudios.WandaAlcottwentaheadofthem,bothasascoutlookingfortherealDHIs,andtounlockthedoorto

SoundstageBaheadofthekids’arrival.NearingSoundstageB,onlyfiftyyardsaway,Finnwasapproachedbya

round,red-facedkidwhohadabully’smischievousnessinhisbeadyeyes.ThiswassomethingWandaAlcotthadnotconsidered:DHIfans.Finnhadencounteredenoughofthesekindsofkidsatschooltoknowwhatwascoming.

HewhisperedunderhisbreathsothatJessandCharlenecouldhear.“Don’tlethimtrytotouchme!He’lleithertrytopushmeorpunchme.He’sexpectinghishandtogorightthrough.”

“Howdowestophim?”Charleneasked.Shelookedseveralyearsyoungerwithherhairinbraidsandwearingablue-and-whiteginghamjumperandredslippers.

“Idon’tknow,”Finnanswered.“Stepbetweenus.”Asexpected,theboydelightedinseeingwhathebelievedtobeahologram

thatwouldserveasapunchingbag.HesteppeduptoFinn,raisedhisfistsandsaid,“Whatchagot,pal?”Hetookaswipe,hisbunchedknucklescomingstraightforFinn’schin.

Finnleanedback,theblowjustmissing.Theboystaggered,off-balance.“Thatwasn’taverynicethingtodo,”Jesssaid,movingbetweenthem.Theboy’sbrowfurrowedandhestopped,stonestill,utterlytakenaback.“Whoareyou?”theboyasked.HesteppedtowardJess.Shesteppedback,

stillblockingFinn.Theboytookasteptowardher.Shestoodherground.“ThisDHIisourguide,”shesaid.“You’llhavetogetyourown.”“Jimmy?”calledanadultfromdownthestreet.Theboy’smother,Finnguessed.“I’lljustborrowhimforaminute,”theboysaidinameanvoice.Finnsteppedback.Buttheboywasathletic.He’danticipatedFinn’smove

andactuallymovedclosertohim.Heswattedout,grabbingforhim.He’dexpectedFinntobenothingbutlight.HisfacetwistedintosurpriseashecaughtFinn’sbasketballshorts.

“Whatthe…?”hemumbled.Finnbrokethecontactandpushedtheboytotheasphalt.Theboyjustsatthere,dumbfounded.“You’renoDHI,”hesaid.

“Go!”Finntoldthegirls.Theyobeyed,headingaway.“Jimmy?”hismothercalledout,concernnowfillinghervoice.Finn,worriedtheboymighttellonhim,said,“I’mageneration-threeDHI,

Jimmy.”Hereachedouthishand.“Morehumanthanever.”Finnhelpedtheboyup.Jimmystoodslowly,awestruckattouchingFinn.“Buthow…”theboysaidmeekly.“Ithought…”Hecouldn’tfinisha

sentence.“Thisis…waycool!”Hereachedoutwhilewearingamaskofincredulity,onceagaintryingtotouchFinn.

ButFinnmovedawayfromtheeffort.“JamesFrancisMcConnor!”theboy’smothershouted.“Youcomehere

thisminute!”“Imustcatchuptomyguests,”Finnsaid.Heturnedandhurriedoff.ReachingSoundstageBoutofbreath,Finnglancedaroundtryingtomake

surenoonewaswatching.Thereweretoomanypeoplemillingaboutforhimtoknow.Atlastitcamedowntoadecision.

Heturnedthedoorknobandopenedthedoor.Inside,hefoundeveryonewaiting.

14

PHILBYRANTHECONTROLS.JessandAmandachangedintoskintightgreenleotardsandtightsthatincludedbooties,gloves,andfullhoodsthatcoveredtheirheadsandfaceslikeskimasks.Patchesofgreenplasticmeshhadbeensewnintothehoodstoprovideawaytoseeout,andtobreathe.

Charleneattachedthethirty-fivewiredsensorstoeachofthegirls.Thesensorswouldmeasureeverykindofjointandmusclemovement.ThenthegirlstookturnsonthegreenstageinfrontofthegreenbackgroundasPhilbydirectedthemtosquat,stand,walk,liedown,run,crawl,dance,andjump.HethoughtupdozensofcombinationsofmovementsasFinnandWillaranvideocamerasthatcapturedandrecorded,frommultipleangles,everymovethegirlsmade.Thegirlsmadesomemistakesandhadtorepeattheirmovements,manyofthemseveraltimes.

Philbyworkedapairofcomputers,onerecordingthevideo,theotherrecordingthedigitaloutputfromeachofthethirty-fivesensors.Thecomputersmeasuredandrecordedthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenthewayeachofthegirlsmovedcomparedtoadatabaseofhowdozensofotherpeoplemoved,includingalltheKingdomKeepers,eachofwhomhadbeenpartofthedatabasenearlyfromitsinception.

PhilbycompletedtherecordingwithjustfifteenminutestogountilJessandAmandaabsolutelyhadtobeheadedbacktotheNashHouse.Hehadagooddealofworkyettoaccomplish,workthathadtobedoneinSoundstageB,withitsphenomenallypowerfulcomputers.

“NowayIcangetthisdoneintime.Andwestillhaveallthevoiceworktodo,”hesaidfromhisseatinthecontrolroom.

“Redalert!”camethevoiceofWandaAlcott,issuingawarningthatmeantsomeone—Security?—washeadingtowardthesoundstage.

Thekidshadpracticedtheirrolesforsuchanevent:Willastoodpoised,readytokilltheoverheadlights;Philbyputbothcomputersintosleepmode;FinnandCharleneshutdownthestand-alonelightsandallthecameras;JessandAmandadisconnectedthemaincablesfromtheirsuits,theumbilicalcordsthatfedthecomputers.Everyonewasintentonhiding.

Allthekidsscattered,havingelectedhidingplacesearlier.Jess—inthegreensuitsitwashardtotellthegirlsapart—haddifficulty

unclippingthelargeplugattheendofthemastercable.Amandamadeitofftheall-greenstage,butJesswasstillstrugglingwiththeoversizeconnector.Therewasnowayshecouldleavethestagesolongasthathugecablewasattachedtohersuit.

Finn,who’dhiddenbehindawallofplywoodpanelsoncasters,watchedhelplessly,desperatelywantingtorunoutandhelpher.

Jesslayflatdownontothestage.Thegreenofhersuitandthecableblendedperfectlywiththegreenofthebackdropandflooring—sheallbutdisappeared.

Thelightswentdark,andFinnheardWillascampertofindaplacetohide.Onlysecondspassedbeforethedoorswungopenandthelightscameon

again.“Idon’tseewhatallthefussisabout,”oneofthetwonightwatchmensaid.

“Doyouseeanything?”“Thereportwassomeonehearingsomething,”theothermansaid.“We

mightaswelllookaround.”Leavingthedooropenbehindthem,thetwowalkedtothecenterofthe

soundstage.OnlythendidFinn,peeringout,seethatalightononeofthecameraswasstillglowing.HiseyesdartedbetweenthecameraandJess,whoremainedflattenedonthegreendeck,onlyamatterofyardsfromwherethetwomenstood.

Oneoftheguardslitupacigarette.“Youcan’tsmokeinhere,”hispartnersaid.“Correction:Ican’tsmokeoutthere.Noone’sgoingtoseemesmokingin

here,unless,Isuppose,you’regoingtoturnmein?”“No.”“Thenwhat’stheproblem?”“Noproblem.”

“Okay,then.”Thesmokerremainedwherehewas.Theotherguardgrewrestlessand

headedforthecontrolroom.Philbywassomewhereinthere.“Youknowwhattheyusethisplacefor?”thesmokercalledout.“Those

hologramkids.”“DHIs,”theothercalledback.“Thekids,yeah.Yougottaadmit,theylookfreakingreal.”“Iknow.”“Theygivemetheweebies,totellthetruth.Imean,ifyouwantguides,

whynotjusthirerealkids?”“It’sDisneyWorld,youmoron.Don’tknockit:it’sapaycheck.”Heentered

thecontrolroom.Finnlostsightofhim,concentratinginsteadonthesmoker,whostoodlessthantwentyfeetfromJess,hisbacktoher.

Sheseizedtheopportunity,crawlingonherstomachacrossthegreenstage,thecabledraggingbehindherlikeagreensnake.

ThemantookanotherdragoffthecigaretteandslowlyturnedinJess’sdirectionasheexhaled.Ifhelookeddown,he’dbelookingrightather.

Finnwilledhernottomove,nottosomuchasbreathe.Theashfromtheman’scigarettebrokelooseandfellslowlytothefloor.

Hisheaddropped,hiseyesfollowingit.Finncouldn’ttakeit.Hespottedagroupofpushpinsstuckintothe

plywood.Hewithdrewoneandthrewitacrosstheroom.Itclatteredandrolled.ThesmokerturnedawayfromJesswithastart.Finnbackedup,deeperinto

shadow.“Hey!”thesmokercalledout.Theothermanreappearedfromwithinthecontrolroom.“What?”“Something…Idon’tknow…overthere.”“Where?”“Idon’tknow.I’mjustsayingIheardsomething.”“So?”“Sowhat?”“Socheckitout,youdoofus.Andputoutthatcigarettebeforeyouburnthe

placedown.”Finnsteppedforwardandsneakedanotherlook.

Thesmokersmudgedouttheburningcigaretteagainstthesoleofhisshoe.Ashedid,Jessonceagaincrawledtowardtheedgeofthegreenstagebehindhim.Shereachedthelengthofhercableandstopped,facedown.

ThesmokerheadedinthedirectionofthesoundofFinn’spin.Hesearchedtheareanearthedoortheyallhadcomethrough.Hispartnerjoinedhim.

“Well,”saidthesmoker,“Iheardsomethingtoo,butitwasn’tmuch.Howdoyouwanttodealwithit?”

“It’sanonevent.I’llcallitin.”Hesnaggedaradiofromhisbeltasthetwomenmadeforthedoor.Hisvoicecouldbeheardfaintlyreportinginastheyshutthedoor.

Fiveminutespassed.“All-clear,”Finnannouncedinaforcedwhisper.“Wewereprobablytalkingtooloudly,”Philbysaid,oncethey’dgatheredin

thecontrolroom.“Wecandothis.Wejustcan’tbesoloudaboutit.”“Wecan’tdoittonight,”Finncorrected.“Lookatthetime.”Toeveryone’ssurprise,they’dlostnearlyahalfhour.“We’regoingtobelate,”saidAmanda.“Thatwon’tbepretty.”“Wecan’tbelate,”Jesssaid.“There’snotellingwhatMrs.Nashmightdo.

Thatwomanis…well,let’sjustsayshe’snotnormal.”“Wemadealotofprogressontheimaging,”Philbysaid.“Butthere’smore

todo,anddon’tforgetthevoicerecording.We’vegottohaveSundayifwe’regoingtopullthisoff.”

“Thenwecan’tbelate,”saidJess.“Butwealreadyare,”saidAmanda.“Unlessanyonehappenstohavea

helicopterhandy?”“Maybeck,”Finnsaid.Theyalllookedathim.“We’vegottogetMaybecktodelaytheothergirls.Ifthey’relate,andif

JessandAmandaarriveatthesametime—”“ThenMrs.Nashwon’tknow,”saidWillaexcitedly.“Butthegirlswill,”Charlenesaid.“Whatabouttheothergirls?”“Jeannie’stheonlyonewhomightputupastink,”saidJess.“Theothers

couldn’tcareless.”“ButJeannie,”Amandasaid,“willdefinitelytellonus.”“Thenyou’llhavetobribeher,”saidCharlene,asifsheknewallaboutsuch

things.“How?”saidJess.“Theremustbesomething.Money?”“No,notJeannie.Allshedoesisreadbooksfromthelibrary.Shecouldn’t

carelessaboutmoney.”“Music?”Philbyasked.“Movies?”Amandasaid,“Iknow!”ShelookedoveratJess.“Herposter.”JesslookedatFinn,thenatAmanda.“Thatcouldwork,”Jesssaid.“What?”Finnasked.“Whateveritis,we’vegottodoit.Wecan’thaveher

wreckingthis.”Thetwogirlsgiggled.Amandasaid,“Areyousure?”“What?”Finnasked,feelinghewasbeingleftoutofsomejoke.“Jeannie’sposterisofyou,Finn.YourMagicKingdomDHIposter.”“Me?”“Whatifwecouldpromisehershecouldmeetyou?”Amandaasked.“Thathardlyqualifiesasabribe,”Philbysaid.“Morelikeapenalty.”“Thanksalot,”Finnsaid.“Well?”Jessasked.“Ifitmeansyourgettingbacksafelytonight,thenabsolutely,”saidFinn.HeglancedoveratAmanda.Somethingfeltwrongaboutagreeingtodo

this.Buthejusthad.

15

JEANNIEPUCKETREFUSEDTOLIEaboutJessandAmanda’swhereabouts,buthercompromisepositionwastoagreenottotellonthem.IfMrs.Nashdidn’task,sheagreedtokeephermouthshut,solongasshegottomeettheboywhoherfavoriteDHIhadbeenmodeledafter.

Mrs.Nashdidn’task.Havingreturnedhometoanemptyhouse,shehadbeenonthephonetryingtofindallhergirlsastheyclimbedthefrontsteps.AmandaandJesswereamongthegroup,havingtimedtheirarrivalperfectly.Notsomuchasaneyebrowwasraised.

Sunday’sforayintoHollywoodStudioswentmuchthesameasthefirstsession:theKingdomKeepersmetJessandAmandabackstage,courtesyofWandaAlcott;everyonedonnedcostumesand,usingemployeeIDcards,gainedaccess.

Philbycompletedthetaskoftranslatingasmanyofthegirls’movementsandspokenphrasesaspossibleintocomputercode.Heassembledthecodeandthendumpeditontoahundred-gigabyteportableharddrive,aboutthesizeofapaperbackbook.ThecreationoftheDHIswashinderedbythepressureoftime—whileeachofthekidshadspentoveramonthinthesoundstagemodelingfortheirDHIs,JessandAmandahadspentagrandtotaloffourhours.Itmeantthat,withoutadoubt,therewouldbegapsintheirmotionandspeech,likeaDVDorCDskipping.Theywerecertainto“godigital”attimes.WhatthatwouldmeanforthetwohumangirlsasleepinMrs.Nash’shouse,ortheappearanceandperformanceoftheirDHIsinsidetheparks,nooneknew.

PhilbyhadanumberofnewconcernsandhesharedthemwithFinnasthetwo,intheguiseoftheirDHIs,sneakedfrominfrontofCinderella’sCastletowardaCastMemberOnlyentrancetotheUtilidor,theundergroundtunnelsystemthatconnectedattractionsbelowtheMagicKingdom.

Therewasnoway,yet,forPhilbytoselectwhocrossedoverandwhodidn’t.Theonlycontroltheyhadovertheirtransitioningwastheblackfobthatalsoreturnedthem.Finnhaddiscoveredthatpullingoutthefob’ssmallbatterypreventedtheircrossingover.Withoutthesmallwatchbatteryinplace,thekidsgotagoodnight’ssleep;withthebatteryinstalled,theycrossedover—allofthem.Therewasnowayyettosendjustoneortwoofthem.ItwassomethingPhilbyhopedtoremedy,perhapseventhatsamenight,butasitwas,they’dlefttheDHIsofWilla,Maybeck,andCharleneinWalt’sapartmentatthetopofCinderella’sCastle,awaitingtheirreturn.Maybeckhadtheall-importantfob.Theywouldhideitintheapartmentastheycrossedback.

Ifthetwoboysweren’tbackbymidnight,Maybeckwastousethefobtocrossallthreebackover,strandingPhilbyandFinnanddeliveringtheirhumanselvesintotheSyndrome.TheDHIserversshutdownatmidnight—thatwaspartofthefixthatImagineershadbelievedwouldsolvetheKingdomKeepers“problem”onceandforall.ThismidnightcurfewwasanotherofPhilby’sintendedtargetswhenheandFinnreachedthecomputerserverfarmthirtyfeetbeneaththesurface.Ifhecoulddefeatthecurfewinstalledinthesoftware,theycouldstayintheparkslongerasDHIs.

“It’scomplicated,”Philbysaid.“That’sanunderstatement,”saidFinn.Thetwoboysmovedquicklybetweenbushes,keepinglowandworking

theirwaytowardtheicecreamshoponMainStreet.TheparkcamealiveatnightwithalltheDisneycharacters.ItwasdifficultifnotimpossibletoidentifyOvertakers,unlessaparticularcharacterwasseendoingsomethingsuspicious.HeandPhilbystuckout.Theyneededtomakeitundergroundasquicklyaspossible.

Theypaused,wellhidden,allowingagolfcarttomakeitdownMainStreetandturnintoTomorrowland.

“Atthispoint,serversprojectDHIsintothefourdifferentparks,”Philbyexplained.“MagicKingdom,AnimalKingdom,Epcot,andHollywoodStudios.Ourcrossed-overDHIsalwayslandintheMagicKingdom.That’sokay,buttimeconsumingifwewanttobeinEpcotlookingforWayne.WhatIhavetodoisfigureoutwhytheMagicKingdomisthedefaultlandingandchangeit,atleastforthetimebeing,toEpcot.That’ssomethingWaynesetup,sohopefullyIcandistinguishtheinstructionwithintheexistingcode,theproblembeingthatifitwaseasytofind,thentheguyswhoscrubbedthecodeto‘fix’theKKproblemshouldhavefounditinthefirstplace.”

“UnlesstheydidfinditandWaynereentereditrecently,”Finnsuggested.“Thatwouldexplainwhywesuddenlystartedcrossingoveragain.Good

point.”“Andnoone’sbeentoldtocleanthecodesince,becausewehaven’tbeen

spotted.”“Anotherreasonnottobespottednow,”Philbysaid.“Howlongtoinstallthegirls?”Finnsaid.“Aroundtwentyminutes.Oncethey’reinstalledhere,theyshouldself-

propagateandinstallontotheotherservers.They’realllinkedbyfiberoptics.Theyshareresources,whichmakestherefreshfaster,andkeepsthefeedhotifoneoftheserversfails.I’llusethosetwentyminutestotrytochangethelandingdefaulttoEpcot.”

“Andyou’regoingtoshowmehowtoreadtheEpcotmaintenancestuff?”Finnreminded.

“Pieceofcake.Icangetthatstartedtheminutethedownloadbegins.”PhilbyhopedthatEpcotmaintenancereportsmightrevealsomethingofthe

Epcotinfrastructure,mightshoworsuggesttotheboyswheretofindthevariousutilityrooms,placeswhereWaynecouldbelockedup.PhilbyhadoncebeenledbyWayneintoapowerfulgraphicrepresentationoftheMagicKingdom’sschematics.Ifsuchathingstillexisted—andtherewasnoreasontothinkitdidn’t—itwouldlikelybeaccessiblefromtheUtilidor’scomputerroom.

Finndidn’ttrustPhilby’soptimism.Whenitcametocomputers,Philbyseemedtothinkallthingswerepossible,whereashisownexperiencehadoftenprovedmuchdifferent.HalfthetimeFinncouldn’tgethisprinter’sscannertowork,muchlesscrackthecodeofDisney’smaintenanceserver.

“Let’sgo!”hesaid,thegolfcarthavingpassedanddisappeared.Theyranfortheboardwalkthatfrontedtheicecreamshop,turnedleft,and

foundthesignthatreadCASTMEMBERSONLY.Theyhesitated,alertforthesoundofanyonecoming.

FinnusedhandsignalstomotionforPhilbytofollowhim.Theyslippedthroughtheshortturninthefencethatledthembackstage,wheretheysawpermanentofficetrailersandemployeeparking,emptyatthishour.Totheirrightwasasmallsetofstairsleadingtoanelevator.Thedoorbesidetheelevatorledtoasetofdescendingstairswhereasignwaspostedhighonthewall:WELCOMETOTHEUTILIDOR—WATCHFORVEHICLES,ANDHAVEAMAGICALDAY!

FinnfeltPhilbyplacehishandonFinn’srightshoulder.Iftheyfailedat

this,inthemorningtheirparentswouldfindtheirsonslyingintheirbeds,impossibletoawaken.Itwouldscaretheirfamiliestodeath.

Nomatterwhat,theycouldnotallowthattohappen.

16

FROMTHEMOMENTFINN’SDHIenteredtheUtilidortunnelshehadabadfeeling.Itdidn’tcomefromanythingobvious.TherewerestillafewCastMembersmillingaround.Mostofthemwerethewomenwhosecostumesrequiredwigs,makeup,andextraattention.Thewigshadtocomeoffandbeputawayinthewigshop,themakeupremoved,thecostumeshungupandputaway.Buttherewerealsootherworkersdrivingthegolfcartsladenwithbottledwater,soda,sweatshirts,boxesof3Dglasses,popcorn,costumes,books,pins,lanyards,cottoncandy,DVDs,andallthehundredsofitemsforsaleinthepark’svariousgiftshops.ItallmovedthroughtheUtilidor—someofitwellpastthehourofthegates’closing.

FinnandPhilby,shimmeringslightlyunderthefluorescentlights,weregreetedwithnodsandsmiles.TheDHIsweregenuinelywelllikedbyCastMembers,andthoughitshouldhaveoccurredtosomeofthemthattheyneversawtheDHIsintheUtilidor,insteadthetwoweremetwithajoyfulsurpriseandtheyactuallyfeltcompelledtowavetoseveralofthosewhoweremosteagertogreetthem.

Philby,whomanagedtokeepfartoomanyfactsinhishead,ledFinntotherightatthefirstintersection,andtotheleftatthenext.HethenwavedFinnacrossthehallandtheybusiedthemselvesatabulletinboard,standingwiththeirbackstoanunmarkeddoor.Finnrecognizedthedoorfromanearliervisittothecomputerroom.

“Ourproblemnow,”Philbysaid,“isthatthedoorwillbelocked.”“WhichiswhyIcamealong,”Finnsaid.“Youtellmewhen,andI’lldoit.”“Andifthere’repeopleinside?Howareyougoingtoexplainthat?”“Iftherearestillpeopleinside,whichIdoubtsincethere’snolightcoming

outfromunderthedoor,andtheyseeme,itwon’tbemedoingtheexplaining.Right?They’retheonescontrollingthecomputers,includingtheDHIserver.Itisn’tshutdown,orwewouldn’tbehererightnow,butwedon’tknowwhatthesoftwaredoes,howitdealswithusoncetheparkisclosed.Weprobablyaren’tsupposedtobehere.Notatthishour.SoIimaginemyshowingupwillsurprisethemjustalittlebit,”hesaidsarcastically.“Allwecandoistryit,andseewhattheydo.Iftheyheadforakeyboard,I’llknowwe’reintrouble.”

“Iftheyshutdowntheserver,”Philbysaidinacautionaryvoice,“theReturnbuttonwon’twork.Itwon’tjustbeyouandme—allofuswillbetrappedintheSyndrome.Allofuswillbelyinginourbedsathomelikewe’rehalfdead.”

“We’reeitherdoingthis,orwe’renot,”Finnsaid.“It’salittlelatetobedebatingthemeritsoftheplan.Forgetus.ForgettheSyndrome.ThinkofWayne.ThinkofJess’sdream,orpremonition,orwhateveritisthatJesshas.Wayne’sintroubleandheneedsus.Endofstory.”

PhilbylookedoveratFinnandnodded.“You’reright.”“IknowI’mright.”“Okay.Sodoit.”“I’mgoingtodoitnow.”“Sowhyaren’tyoumoving?”Philbyasked.“Becausenowyou’vescaredme.Imean,whathappensiftherearepeople

inthere?”“Ithoughtwejustgotpastthat.”“Ithoughtsotoo,”Finnsaid,turningaroundandcrossingthewidetunnel

tothedoorontheoppositeside.Hepausedthereinfrontoftheunmarkeddoor.Apairofvoicescameand

wentatthefarendofthetunneltheywerein.Heknewhemustn’tbeseengoingintothisroom,andsohewaitedtomakesurethevoicesweren’tcomingtowardthem.Buttherewasmoretoitthanthat.Healsostoppedtheretoclearhishead.Heforcedhisfearintoatinyboxatthebackofhismindandheclosedthetopofthatboxandhelockedit.Hewashedallconcernandallsensationsfromhisbody,takingadeepcleansingbreathandfeelinghisconnectiontohissensesexpelledwithhisexhalation.Eventhoughtlefthim,sothatheexistedinanether,afragileplacewherehewasn’tevenFinnanylonger.Hewasn’tevensurehewas—thatheexistedatall.Hewasabundleofjumpingatoms,lightgeneratedbyaseriesofcomputer-controlledprojectors.Ifhecouldbecomepure

light,withoutthoughtandwithoutformorshape,nophysicalbarriercouldstophim.

Heimaginedthetraincomingdownthetunnelandhesteppedforwardandpassedrightthroughthedoorintothehummingroomontheotherside.Thelightfromhisownprojectioncreatedaglowintheotherwisedimroom.Helookedleft:nooneatthedeskthere;right:rowafterrowofshelvinglinedupinstackslikealibrary.Theshelveswerenotfilledwithbooksbutwithcomputerservers,networkhubsandswitching,terabyteharddrives,routers,andthousandsofflashing,colorfulLEDs.Itwasallneatandorganizedwithlabelsattachedtoeachshelfbelowadevice.

OldMcDaniel’sFarmreadacomputerprintout,hanginglikeasignontheendcapoftheoneofthestacks.Aserverfarm.Acomputernerd’sparadise.

Slowly,Finnallowedhisthoughtstoflowagain.Hissensescamebackonlineandhenotonlyprocessedcognitivelybuthefelthisfingersandtoestingle.

Heturnedandreachedforthedoorknob.Hishandwentrightthroughthedoor.Hewithdrewitandclosedhiseyes,tryingtospeedhimselfbacktoalesspurecondition,wherehisbodywouldbemorethanlight.

Hehadn’ttoldanyoftheothers,butthistransitionhadbecomeincreasinglydifficultforhim.Hecouldeasily—perhapstooeasily—transporthimselfintothestateofpureDHI—all-clearhecalledit—astateinwhichhepossessednomaterialquality,inwhichhewascapableofwalkingthroughwallsorontopofwater.Butthewaybacktohishumanselfwassometimesharder.ItoccasionallytookhimmoretimetotransitionbacktobeingpartDHI–parthuman.Hewasn’tsurewhenthatscalehadtipped,butithad;hedidn’tknowwhatitmeant,butknewitmeantsomething.Hetriedthehandleagain,andthistimeitturned.Buthelookeddownathisownhandasifitbelongedtosomebodyelse.

Andmaybeitdid.Philbycamethroughquickly.“Jeesh!Whattookyousolong?”Finnshutandlockedthedoorbehindthem.“Heaven!”saidPhilby,spreadinghisarmsashefacedthestacksofservers.

Finn’sprimaryjobwastogettheminandoutofthelockedroom,ajobhalfaccomplished.Hisotherjob—checkingthemaintenancerecords—wouldhavetowait.

Philbysearchedtheaisles,rowafterrowofservers,inspectingthelabels

tapedbeneatheachblackbrick.UnlikeFinn,hedidn’tseemtheleastbitintimidatedbythemazeofwiresanddisplayofblinkinglights.Helocatedaverticalcolumnofsixmachinesandakeyboardandscreenthataccessedthem.Withinminuteshe’dremovedtheportableharddriveandwasdownloadingthedatafromtheSoundstageBshoot.

Hetypedfrantically,ataspeedFinnhadtroublebelieving.“Donealittlebitofthis,haveyou?”“Forme,”Philbysaid,neverslowing,“thisislikeaviolinistplayinga

Stratosphere—”“Stradivarius,”Finncorrectedhim.“Whatever.Justlikethat.Idreamofmessingwiththisstuff.Formost

companies,itwouldbeamajordealtohaveoneoftheseSGIs.I’mlookingatsixrighthere.Fourmore,acouplerowsbehindus.They’vegoteverythinginhere:Solaris,RedHat,Linux.Allthetop-of-the-lineMacs.ForallIcare,youcanjustleavemehere.”

“Don’tgettoocarriedaway,okay?You’refreakin’.”“Thegirlsaredownloading,”hesaid.“It’sgoingtotakemeawhiletotryto

findthatEastereggofWayne’s—theremote.”“Andthecurfewlimits,”Finnreminded.“Howaboutyouliftthosefirst?”“I’vegottodothisintheorderI’vegottodoit.Butyes,I’llliftthe

midnightcurfewifpossible.”“Iknewyou’dsaysomethinglikethat.”“Maintenance!”hesaid,asifrememberingtokeepFinnbusy.Aflurryof

typing.“Hangonaminute.”HeledFinntoacomputerterminalinthenextrow.Onthescreenwasa

familiarlayout.“IsthatVMK?”Finngasped.Disney’sonlineVirtualMagicKingdomhad

beenshutdownoverayearearlier.Finnhadmissedgoingonthesite.“VMN,actually—VirtualMaintenanceNetwork—butit’sjustlikeit,”

Philbysaid.“That’swhyit’llbeeasyforyou.”Heworkedaboyavatarupaladder,throughadoor,andintoatunnel.At

theotherend,adoorcameclosedbehindtheavatar.“Okay,you’rein,”Philbysaid.Finn’savatarfacedalargescreenlistingallkindsoflocationswithinEpcot:

attractions,foreigncountries,buildings,restaurants,evenagraphiclabeled

PYROTECHNICS.“Startwiththeobviousthingslikeelectricalandphone,”Philbysaid.

“You’relookingforjunctionboxes,placesallthewiresorpipescometogether.ThosemightbeactualroomsintherealEpcot—utilityroomswheretheymighthaveputWayne.Therewillbeacodeatthebottomofeachofthosekindsofplaces.Writedownthecode.Icanprobablyfigureoutprettycloselywhereitisinsidethepark.”

Hetookoff,backtohisownaisle.Theytalkedthroughthegapsinthestackthatseparatedthem.

“Howareyoudoing?”Philbyasked.“Gettingthehangofit.”Finnmovedhisavatarthroughthepuzzleof

colorfultubes,ladders,andpipes.“Whatisthisexactly?”“Themaintenanceguyscreatedavirtualworldthatwouldletthemfixalot

ofstuffremotely.Wayneknewaboutit.”“Wayneknowseverything,”Finnsaid.TalkingaboutWaynemadeFinn

misshimallthemore.Hefoundanintersectionofpurpleandbluetubes.Therewasapulsingcodebeneaththeboxwheretheymet,justasPhilbyhadsaidtheremightbe.Hewroteitdown.Hemovedhisavatarinfrontofthegraphic—adoor—andthenforward.ThedooropenedandthescreenchangedtoputFinninsideasmallroomwherethevariouscoloredtubesterminatedinboxesonthewalls.

Thecodebelowoneoftheseboxeswasflashingredandblue.“IsitokayifItrytoopenabox?”hecalledout.“Goforit,”Philbyreplied.ButFinnhesitatedevenso:Philbywasnotbashfulwhenitcameto

computers.Finnusedthemousetomoveovertothebox,andthenright-clicked,

bringingupamenu.OPEN,REMOVE,OFF,andREPORTweretheonlyhighlightedmenuchoices;therestweregrayedout.REPORTwaspulsing.Finnclickedonit.

Apop-upwindowzoomedopenandlinesofcodescrolled,pausingbrieflyastheyfilledthewindow.Eachpausedbutsecondsbeforetheybeganscrollingrapidlyup.Finnclickedononeofthelinestostopthescrolling.Mostofthewordshadbeencondensed,sothatpowerwaswrittenasPWR,andtemperatureasTMP.Hestudiedthestringsofcodeandnumbers,thentriedtomakesenseofthetimecodethatranontheleft.

“I’vegotsomethinghere,”hesaid.“Writeitdown,”Philbysaid.“I’vehitalineofcodethatcouldbeWayne’s

Easteregg.Itrequiresapasswordtoeditthecode,whichcouldbewhytheguysrepairingthecodedidn’tremoveit.”

“No,ImeanI’vereallygotsomethinghere,”Finnsaid.Hewrotedowntwoofthelinesverbatim.“Ithink…ifI’mright…”Hebackedtheavataroutofthiswallbox,thenoutoftheroominordertotakeawiderviewoftheoverallscreen.Severalofthecodesbeneathvariousboxeswerepulsing.Butnotall,byanymeans.

“I’mbusyhere,”Philbysaid.Finndrilleddownintoasimilarbox—enteringaroomthatalsoshoweda

pulsingcodeandthenajunctionboxwithaflashinglabel.Bythetimeheopenedthepop-upwindow,he’dconvincedhimself.

“Temperaturedrops,”hesaid.“What’sthat?”Finntooknotesfuriously.Thepop-upwindowappearedtobeanerrorlog,

thescrollinglinesanearlyminute-by-minutecataloguingofsignificantvariationsintemperatureswings,allrecordedincentigrade.Temperaturedrops,henoted.Ineachcasethetemperaturehadfallendramaticallybeforeitslowlyclimbedagain.

Hebackedoutoftheerrorlogandfoundhiswaytothewiderviewthatshowedthetubesandwires.Thereweresixcodespulsing.Hewrotethemdownandcircledthemrepeatedlysohewouldn’tforgetthem.

AtthebottomofthescreenFinnsawanidentifyingmarkerchange.BesideCURRENTLYONLINE:1flashedandthenchangedto2.

“Philby…I’vegotavisitor.”Philbydidn’thesitatethistime.HehurriedtoFinn’ssideandranafinger

alongbeneaththeCastMemberMonitorline.“Dang,”hesaid.“Weneedtofindanexit.”“Anexit?Can’tIjustclosethesession?”“Itdoesn’texactlyworklikethat.Onceyou’reinthisworld,you’reinit.”“Soundsfamiliar,”Finnquipped.“Themainproblembeing,”Philbysaid,takingalookatthedoorleadingto

theUtilidor,“aslongasyouravatar’sonlinetheymaybeabletodeterminewhichstationyou’reusing.”

“What!Sogetmeoffline!”“Ijusttoldyou:itdoesn’tworklikethat,”Philbyrepliedanxiously.“It’sa

virtualworld.And…maybe…”Hesprintedaroundthestackandintothenextaisleandbegantuggingoncordsandtryingtosortthroughthemassivebundlesofmulticoloredwires.Finnwasalongsidehimnow.PhilbygrabbedandpulledFinn’sfingersothatitpointedtoaparticularbluewire.Philbythenfollowedthatsamewireasittwistedandtraveledalongthestacktoanothersetofboxes.Hepinchedaplasticclip,andpulledthewirefromabox.

Together,theyracedaroundtotheotherside.Finncouldn’trememberseeingPhilbysoflustered.He’dbeenmumblingtohimselfforthepastthirtyseconds.

“Tracers…userlogs…spiders…notgood,notgood…”TheyreachedtheterminalFinnhadbeenusing.Hisavatarwasgone.“Youdidit!”hesaid,poundingPhilbyontheback.“No…no…no….”Philbymuttered.“Notreally.Notsofast.Notquickly

enough.”Hesprintedtothenextaisleandtypedevenfasterthanbefore.Buthekept

lookingattheroom’smaindoorasifexpectingsomeone.“Whattheheckisgoingon?”Finnsaid.“YouknowthatwireIdisconnected?”“Yeah?”“You’vegottoreconnectit.”“What?”“Wecan’tleavethatkindofthingbehind.It’llgiveusaway.Don’tyouget

it?”“Apparentlynot,”Finnsaid.“Thesearecomputers.”Finnwavedforhimtogivehimmore,liketheywereplayingagameof

charades.“They’reself-monitoring.Theykeeplogsofeverythingtheydo.Every

computerdoes,theseespeciallysobecausethey’reliketentimesmoreseriousthananythingyou’veseen.Ourbeingonhere—it’sallthere.That’snotaworryaslongasnoonegoeslookingforit.”

“Butnow…myavatar…someone’sgoingtocomelooking.”“It’spossible.That’sallI’msaying.”“DotheyknowIwasinthisroom?”

“Bynow?It’spossible,”Philbyrepeated.“Sowhatarewedoinghere?”“Plugthatwirebackin,”Phibysaid.“I’mwrappingup.”“But—”“Thewire!”Philbyyelled.Finntookoff,slippedandfell,gottohisfeetandfoundthewire.Philbyhad

reachedthedoorbythetimeFinncaughtup.“Go!”Finnsaid.“Don’twaitforme.I’llmeetyouintheapartment.Weleft

theremoteattheStudios,remember?We’llhavetogobacktheretoreturn.”“But—”“Don’twaitforme!”ItwasFinn’sturntoyell.Philbynodded.Theyunlockedandcrackedopenthedoor.Philbypeeredout.“It’sclear,”

hesaid.FinnpushedhisDHIoutthedoor.Helockedthedoorfromtheinside,andattemptedtocalmhimself,toclear

hismind.Hisfingerstingled.Hesteppedforward.Hecrashedintothedoor.HewasnotyetpureDHI,notyetabletopass

throughthedoor.Themorehethoughtaboutsomeonecomingforhim,themoredifficultitwastomakehimselfclearenough.Hedebatedjustleavingthedoorunlocked,butitwassuretogivethemaway,certaintomakethemauditthecomputersanddiscovertheintrusions.Hehadtodothis.

Heclosedhiseyesandfocusedonasong,hummingtohimself.OutofnowhereAmanda’sfaceappearedinhisimagination.Thatcombination:Amandainhiseyesandthesong“WithYou”inhisearsand…

Hewalkedthroughthedoorandintothehall.Lookedbothways.Noonecoming.Hewalkedout,innoparticularhurry,hisfeetandfingersbeginningto

tingleagain.Thesongstayedinhishead,theimageofherinhismind.Hefeltsafe.Hefeltgood.Hefelttotallyconfused.

17

“HOWDIDYOUSLEEP,sweetheart?”Finn’smotheraskedhimthenextmorning.

Inthemidstofcookingpancakesandbacon,shehadherhairpinnedupwithwhatlookedlikeachopstick,hersleevesrolleduppastherelbows,andherrighthandonthewrongendofaspatula,scrapingsomeburnedstuffoffthebladewithadeterminedredfingernail.

“Okay,Iguess,”Finnreplied.Hiskneesached,hisheadfeltfat,andhewasbeyondthirsty.Heswilleddownaglassoforangejuiceandwenttothefridgetopourhimselfanother.

“Anythingfungoingonatschooltoday?”“No.”“Theremustbesomething.”“No.It’sboring.Sameasalways.”“Butyoulikeschool.”“Sometimes.”“Thenlet’smaketodayoneofthosetimes!”shesaidbrightly.Hecouldhavebittenher.Shecameoutwithlineslikethisthatdidn’teven

soundlikeher.ShewasprobablyreadinganotherbooklikeParentingYourTeenageMonsterorBe-TeentheTerror.Shetendedtoquotewhateveradviceshewasgetting,whetherfromafriend,abook,orapodcast.

“Youloseanymoreweight,Mom,andyou’regoingtodisappear.”“I’mjustkeepingfit.Fitisit!”Sheflippedthepancake.“Nottoolongonthatside,okay?”Theup-facingsidewasthecolorof

coffeegrounds.Shewasanokaycookmostofthetime,thoughshecouldtrashtheentirekitchenjustmakingpeanutbutter-and-jellysandwiches.Therewascurrentlynotanopensquareinchonthecountertop,unlessyoucountedthehalfacreofspilledpancakeflour,ortheusedteabagwithLakeEarlGreysurroundingit.

“DisneysentusaletterabouttheDHIsbeinginstalledonthecruiseships.They’restillworkingonthat.”

“Thatwouldbeprettygood,”Finnsaid.“Thatwouldbeverygood,”shecorrected.“Foryourcollegefund

especially.”“YouknowWayne?”Finnsaid.“Yes?”“He’smissing.”ThewordscameoutofFinn’smouthandhewondered

exactlywherehe’dthoughthewasgoingwiththis.“Missing?”“Nevermind.”Hewishedtherewerearewindbuttonforreallife,like

AdamSandler’sinClick.Hecouldhaveputittogooduse.“Missing,how?”shesaid.“Asinnoonecanfindhim.”“There’snoreasontobefresh,youngman.”Shedeliveredthepancakes.Heconsideredaskingherforajackhammerbut

worriedshemightsendhimtoschoolwithnobreakfastatall.“That’snoneofyourconcern,”shesaidquickly,hermindjumpingtothe

obviousnextstep.“Iknow.”“Finn?”“Iknow,Mother.Igetit.”“Tellmeyouwon’tgetinvolvedinsomethinglikethat.”“Somethinglikewhat?”“Don’tavoidthequestion.”“Don’tjumptoconclusions,”hesaid,tryingtomoveherawayfromthe

promise.Hewouldn’tlietohisparents.Hewould,andcould,stretchthetruthtothecosmicedgeofreality,butnottellanoutrightlie.

“ShouldIcallsomeone?”sheasked.“AboutWayneImean?”

“Idon’tknow.Whowouldyoucall?”“I’maskingyou.”“Noclue.”“Butyou’reworriedabouthim.”“Iliketheolddude,”hesaid.“Ifigurehe’sjusttakenavacationor

something.Maybehe’sononeofthecruiseshipstryingtosetusup,likeyousaid.Maybethat’sallitis.Ifhewasononeofthoseshipswe’dneverknowaboutit.”

“Wellthen,Ihelpedsolveit!”shesaidinacheerybutcreepyvoice.ShewaswatchingwaytoomuchDesperateHousewives;shewasbeginningtosoundlikethosewomen.

“Whatever,”hesaid.“Youhaven’tbroughtAmandabyinalongtime.”He’dbroughtherbyexactlyonce,andonetimeshe’dcomeonherown.“So?”“So,you’rewelcometodosoanytimeyouwant.Wecouldhaveherover

fordinner?”Toeathardtack?“No,thanks.”“Orforamovieorsomething.”“Yeah,right.”Thepancakestastedprettygoodgiventhathehadtobreakanoutsideshell

toeatthem.“Howarethey?”hismotherasked,hovering.“Ummm,”hesaidthroughafullmouth,avoidingthesecondoutrightlieof

themorning.“Idon’twantyouworriedaboutWayne.”“Ishouldn’thavesaidanything,”hesaid.“Olderpeople.Well,sometimestheyneedavisitawayfromhome,orfresh

air,orevenadayortwointhehospital.ButI’msurehe’sfine.”“That’snotexactlyreassuring.Whatdoyoumean:thehospital?”“Ishouldn’thavesaidthat.Ididn’tmeanthatthewayitsounded.I’msure

he’swithfriendssomewhere.”“Enemiesismorelikeit,”hetoldhispancakes,quietlyenoughthatshe

couldn’thear.

“Yourcellphonebuzzed.”“What?When?”“Whileyouweresleeping.Justnow.AtextIthink.Ashortbuzz.”He’dleftitchargingthenightbeforeamidtheseaofwiresandwallwartsat

theendofthekitchencounter.Heextracteditandunlockedthekeypad.“Hey,where’stherat?”Finnsaid.“Youwillnotcallyoursisterderogatorynames.Notinthishouse,young

man.”“Studentcouncil,”hesaid,answeringhisownquestion.“Daddropped

her?”“Uh-huh.”

jesscrosdovrlstnite.finishdherdream…cllme-pby

“Anythingimportant?”“Huh?”Finnstuffedthephoneintohispocket.“No.Nothing.Juststuff.

Boystuff.Youknow?”“Boystuffasinboy-and-girlstuff?”Itwasallhismothercouldthinkabout.Hewassupposedtobetheone

thinkingaboutgirls,buthecouldhaveswornthatshespenttentimesmoretimethanhedidthinkingaboutallthatstuff.Hebarelythoughtaboutgirlsatall—exceptJessandAmanda,andtheydidn’tcount.Notexactly,anyway.

“Juststuff.”“NomoreofthatKingdomKeepersnonsense.We’reclearonthat,young

man.Yes?”“You’vemadeyourselfveryclearonthat,”hesaid,dodgingyetanother

straightanswer.Threeinonemorning.Thatwasclosetoarecord.Hedidn’twanttopushit.Shewastheonewhoalwaystoldhimtoquitwhilehewasahead.

“IthinkI’llridemybike,ifit’sokay.MaybeI’llwalkAmandahometoday,ifyouwouldn’tmind?”

Asexpected,shepracticallyexploded.“Mind?WhywouldImind?Whatalovelyidea,Finn.Youcouldaskherfordinnerifyouwanted.”

Howcouldhebringagirlhomefordinnerwithhismotheranalyzingeverywordspoken,everygesture?Shetreatedhimlikealabrat.

“Maybeso,”hesaid,notwantingtohurtherfeelings.He’djustboughthimselfatleasttwohoursafterschool,buthewalked

calmlytohisbike,notwantingtoappeartooanxious.Hesuccessfullyflewbeneathhismother’sradar.Hepedaledasfastashis

bikewouldcarryhim.Jesshadcrossedover,confirmingthatPhilbyhadsuccessfullyinstalledher—andpresumablyAmandatoo—ontotheDHIserver.TheirmissionattheStudioshadbeenasuccess.She’dapparentlyfinishedherdreamofWaynewhilecrossedover.

Hecouldn’twaittoseewhatevershe’dsketched.Heone-handedthebikeandcalledPhilby,reachinghimonthesecondring.

18

SCHOOLCOULDSEEMENDLESS.Dayscouldstretchoutforaneternity,asifsomeonehadputweightsonallthehandsofeveryclock,slowingthemdown.Thismustbehowprisonerslookatclocks,Finnthought,thedaysstretchingoutimpossiblylong,compoundingtheirincarceration.Hefeltlikeaprisonerhimself,knowingwhatlayaheadwhenthebellrangandthedoorsopened.

Amandawaswaitingforhimatthebottomofthesteps.“Jesscrossedoverlastnight.”“Iheard.Andyou?”“No,Idon’tthinkso.”“Oh,you’dknow,believeme.Butthat’sstrange.WasitintoEpcot?”“Yes.”“ThenPhilbygotitright.”“Isuppose.”Hewalkedhisbike,Amandaalongsidehim.“Icouldsitonthebar,youknow,”shesaid.“Itwouldbefaster.”Finn’sthroattightened.Ifshesatonthebike’stopbaritwasgoingtobe

cozy—realcozy.“Whataboutyourbag?”heasked,lookingforanexcusetopreventthis

fromhappening.“Icanputitwithyours.Unlessyoudon’twantmeto….”Trapped.“No,that’sokay.Sure.Iguess.”Heheldthebikeforher,

steadyingit.Sheslippedontothebar,heldthehandlebarsandwaitedforFinntomount

thesaddle.Amandawastall,anditsuddenlyfeltasifsheweresittinginhislap.

Herleftshoulderwastouchinghischest,andherlong,darkhairtickledhischin.“I’vegotabetteridea,”hesaid,theirfacesnearlytouching,hisvoice

soundinglikeairleakingfromaballoon.“Whydon’tyoutakethesaddle?”“I’mgoodhere,”shesaid.“No…Ithinkitwouldbesaferwithyouontheseat.Icanstandonthe

pedals.”Amomentlater,rearrangedonthebike,theywereheadingdownthe

sidewalk,shoutingatstudentstogetoutoftheirway.Amandatriedtosteadyherselfbygrippingthesaddle,butgaveupafterablockandplacedherhandsonFinn’ships.Hestoppedpedaling,allowingthebiketoglide,thendrewadeepbreathandcontinuedriding.Fiveminutesstretchedtoten.Shetalkedtopassthetime.

“Whenshewascrossedover,shewalkedaroundthepark.Itwasnighttime,ofcourse,andtherewasn’tanyonearoundforthemostpart.Shesawsomemovementacrossthelake,andshehidoutofsight.Shesaiditwaskindofcreepy,beingthereallalone.”

“I’llbetitwas.TheMagicKingdom’sthesameway.”“Shefeltdrawntocertainattractions.Butthat’showsheis:allsortsofstuff

happenstoherandalotofitcan’tbeexplained.”“Howdidshecrossback?”“Ihavenoidea.”“Whattimewasit?”“Shewokeupinbed,justbeforemidnight.”“Thatwasus,”Finnsaid.“ThatwaswhenPhilbyandIandtheothers

crossedback.Wemetupintheapartment.Butitdoesn’tmakesensethatshecrossedover.Wealwayshavetobetogetherforthattohappen.”

“Butshewasinoneofherdreamsrightthen.Maybethathadsomethingtodowithit.OneminuteshewaswalkingpastFrance,thenextshewasinherbunk.Butshehadthepictureinherhead.AperfectpictureofWayne—thesamedreamshehadbefore,onlythistimeitwasallthere.Atleastshethinksit’severything.”

FinnglidedtoastopinfrontofTheFrozenMarbleicecreamshop.Philbywaswaitingatatableinsidewithastrawberryconcoctioninfrontofhim.ItoccurredtoFinnthathe’dneverseenanyoftheDHIs’housesexceptMaybeck’s,notcountingthechurchAmandaandJesshadsquattedinforafewmonths.Hehadnoideahoworevenwheresomeofhisclosestfriendslived.

“Hey,”Philbysaid.“Hey,”saidFinn.“Hey,”saidAmanda.Shewenttothecounterandorderedamochaminiwithgrahamcrackers,

M&M’s,andchocolatesyrup,andreturnedwithtwospoons,handingonetoFinn.Heregardedthespooncarefully.Sharinganicecreamwassomethinghe’dneverdonewithagirl.Itfelttohimlikesomekindofcontract,somekindofcommitment,andhewasleeryofenteringintoittooquickly.

“Don’tworry,myspoonwon’ttouchyourside,”shesaidinanopenlymockingtone.

Philbyarchedhiseyebrowsandkepthismouthoccupiedwithhisstrawberrywhatever.

“Ididn’tsayanything,”Finnsaid.“Eat,”shesaid.Hestabbedintotheicecreamrecklessly,tookaspoonful,andhummedas

thecombinationhithistastebuds.“Whoa!”hesaid.“Yeah,”saidAmanda.“Ithoughtyou’dlikeit.”“Doublewhoa,”hesaid,winningachocolatesmilefromher.“It’sacryptogram,”Philbysaid.Hepushedaphotocopyfromthepagein

Jess’sdiaryinfrontofFinn.ItshowedanoldguythatlookedsurprisinglylikeWaynesittinginachair.Onthewallbehindhimwastheimageofahorse,apole,andinthedistance,amountainandsometrees.Acrossitallwaswrittenastringoflettersandnumbers.

MKPFPIFPTDIEPRVKPFPRMIFRCQW’MJFQVHT2736/2730

“Whatthe…?”Finnsaid.“It’sakindofcode,”Philbyexplained.“Heisalwaysdoingthis,”Finncomplained.“Whyisnothingeversimplewithhim?”

“He’ssecretive,”Philbyanswered.“It’sliketheStonecutter’sQuill,onlydifferent.”

“Different,how?”“Thatwasananagram.This,clearly,isnot.”“Noneofthisisexactlycleartome,”Finnadmitted.“Heexpectsustobreakit.”

“Buthow?”Amandasaid.“Arewesurethisisright?”Finnsaid,puzzlingoverthecombination.“Jess’sdreamsareaccurate.Youknowthat,Finn.RemembertheAnimal

Kingdom?”“Iknow,butthatwasanimals.Thisis…Idon’tknowwhatitis!

Gibberish?”“Notexactlygibberish,”Philbysaid.“Thoughitwon’tbesimpletofigure

out.He’sleftusafewclues.”“Morethanthis?”Finnasked.“Withinthis,”Philbyanswered.“Clueswithinclues?”“Exactly.”“He’seitherwaytoosmart,orwaytoocrazy,”Finnsaid.“Alittleofboth,”Philbysaid.“Whatclues?”Amandaasked.“Ilovepuzzles.”“Thesenumbersattheendareaclue.Buttheapostrophe’sthebiggie.”“Huge,”Finnsaid,mockinghim.Hedidn’tlikethewayAmandaand

Philbyweresuddenlysobuddy-buddy.“Breakthenumbersapartandyouget—”“Two-seven-three-six—”“Twenty-sevenandthirty-six,”Philbysaid,correctingher.“Andthat’ssignificantbecause?”shesaid.“Howmanylettersarethereinthealphabet?”Philbywantedhertothinkitoutforherself.“Twenty-six.Butoh…my…gosh…”Amandasaidecstatically.“That’sbignews?”Finnasked.“Iknowthatmuch.”“Butifyouaddinthetennumerals,”Philbysaid.“Onethroughzero.”“Notzerothroughone?”sheinquired.“No,Idon’tthinkso.You’llseewhy….”Thesetwowerespeakingaforeignlanguage.“Backup!”Finnsaid.“Byincludingthenumberthirty-six,”Philbyexplained,“he’stellingusthat

heextendedtencharacters—ornumbers—pasttheendofthealphabet.Sotwenty-sevenis—”

“Thenumeralone,”sheanswered.“Andthirty-six—”“Iszero!”Amandasaidexcitedly.“Onefollowedbyazero—isten.”“Yes.Alltogetherit’sadate,Ithink.Ten-fourteen.Octoberfourteenth.”“Whoa!”Finnsaid,seeingthesolution.“Butthat’s…what…twodaysfrom

now?”“Exactly,”Philbysaid,agreeing.“Andsincethatdatemakesatleastsome

senseintermsofthecode,itshowsushewasusingasystem—”“Whereeachletterandeachnumeralrepresentsanumber,”Amandasaid.

“Orinthecaseofthealphabet,adifferentletter.”“Yes,”saidPhilby.“That’sit:acryptogram.”“SoanotherclueistheletterM,”shesaid.Finnwaslost.“Weknowthisbecause?”“Becauseitfollowstheapostrophe,”Philbysaid.“SoMeitherrepresentsanSoraToraD,”Amandasaid,“becausethose

aretheonlythreelettersthateverfollowanapostrophebythemselves,exceptforM,andIdon’tthinkMislikelytobeM.Also,it’sprobablynotD,sinceIbetthismessageisinthepresenttense—apostropheDwouldbeshortforhad,thepast.”

“She’sfast,”PhilbytoldFinn,whomugged,tryingtoappearthathewasfollowingthem.

“Andwheredoesthisgetus,exactly?”Finnsaid.“Cryptogramsareaboutpatterns.Wordsfollowpatterns.Vowelsarein

certainplacesinmostwords.Waynewouldn’tmakeitridiculouslydifficult,justhardenoughthattheOvertakerscouldn’tunderstanditwhentheyfoundit.”

“He’dhavehadtoactuallywriteonthewall,”AmandaexplainedtoFinn.“OtherwiseJesswouldnothaveseenit.Herdreams,hervisions,arelikesnapshotsofthefuture.Shewrotedowneachoftheseletters.Shesawthisclearly.”

“ButallwehaveareacoupleofnumbersandanSoraT,”Finnsaid.“Idon’tseehowthathelpsus.

Wayneneedsusnow.”“Themostcommonlettersarevowels,”Philbysaid.“I’mprettysureIcan

decodethis.TheP’srepeat.TheI’s.Thereforethey’reprobablyvowels.It’sgoingtocometogethereasierthanyouthink.It’slikeScrabbleinaforeign

language.”“When?”“Finn!”Amandasaid,complaining.“Hejustgotittoday.It’snotthateasy.”“ButIthoughtweweregoingafterthetemperaturerecords.Ithoughtthat

wasthewaywedecidedwemightfindMalef—”Hecaughthimself.“Youknow.”

“ThenyouwanttheEngineerBase.”Awoman’svoiceturnedtheheadsofallthreekids.

Wandastoodtherelookingdownatthem.“Where’dyoucomefrom?”Finnsaid,hissuspicionobvious.“Youwillneedtolearntopaymoreattentiontowho’sbehindyou,who’s

watchingyou.IfollowedyouandAmandafromschool.”“You’refreakingmeout,”Finnsaid.“Youweresobusywithgettingherontothebike,youneverlookedatwhat

wasgoingonaroundyou.”Itwastrue:atthetime,Finnhadn’tbeenthinkingaboutanythingelse.“ButtheOvertakersdon’tgooutsidetheparks,”Philbysaid.“Theydidatleastonce,”Finncorrected.“Shedid.IsawherdropJessoffat

thecarwashthattime.”“Anair-conditionedcar,”Amandasaid.“Youdon’tknowthatwasher,”Philbysaid.“SureIdo.SureasI’msittinghere.”“Iwoulderronthesideofprecaution,”Wandasaid,“ifIwereyou.”“What’stheEngineerBase?”Philbysaid.“Whereyou’llgetyouranswers.DatafromtheStudios,Epcot,andthe

AnimalKingdomarefedintoacentralofficethat’shousedinthebacklotoftheStudios.TheImagineersrefertoitsimplyastheBase.”

“WhatabouttheMagicKingdom?”“No.Theirequipmentisolder,andwiththeUtilidor,thatparkisbasically

self-containedandself-sufficientwhenitcomestoengineering.ButEpcot,yes.IfyougetintotheBaseyou’llhaveallthetemperaturedatayouwant.”

“It’stoorisky,”Finnsaid.“Wejustbarelygotoutoftherethelasttime.”“Yes,butthelasttimeyouwereyou,”Wandasaid,“andtheStudiosstill

hadpeopleinside.”

“Yeah?So?”“WhatifthistimeyouwentbackasyourDHIs,atnight,afteritclosed?”“Sameanswer:toorisky.Andcomplicated.Philbyprogrammedustocross

overintoEpcot.”FinnlookedatPhilby,whosefacewasallinaknot.“Didn’tyou?”Finnasked.“Notexactly.IopenedabackdooronthesoftwaresoIcancontrolit.”“Controlithow?”Amandaasked.“Theprojectors,”heanswered.“IcancontroltheDHIprojectorsfromany

laptop,anycomputer.IcandecidewhichparkaDHIlandsinaftercrossingover.”

“Waitasecond!Ididn’thearaboutthis!”Finnsaid.“Itwasn’tlikewehadalotoftimetotalk,”Philbysaid,remindinghim.

“I’mprettysureIcancontrolwhocrossesoverintowhatpark.Iturntheprojectorsoffintheparkswedon’twanttogo,andleavethemonintheonewherewedo.It’sprettybasic.”

“WecancrossoverintotheStudios?”Finnsaidcuriously.“Weshouldbeabletocrossoverintoanywherethereareprojectors:the

twokingdoms,theStudios,andEpcot.Anditgetsbetterthanthat,”Philbysaid.“Meaning?”Amandaasked.“IthinkIshouldbeabletotoggleourDHIsonandoff.”“Samequestion,”Amandasaid.“ItmeansIcandecidewhocrossesoverandwhodoesn’t.”“Cannot,”saidFinn.“Didn’tknowIcoulduntilIwasintheredebugging,butyeah,IthinkIcan.

Andthere’sonlyonewaytofindout.”“WhydoInotlikethesoundofthat?”saidFinn.“Wejusthavetomakesurethatwhoever’sonthelisttogo—oneofthem

hastobeabletogettotheremote,orthere’snoreturn.AndIrealizethatJesscrossedbackoverfromEpcotwhenwehitthereturnintheStudios,butIdon’tthinkweshouldcountonthatalwaysworking.Itwouldbebettertoallreturntogether,likeweusuallydo.Wedon’twanttogetsomeonestuck—asintheSyndrome.”

“Thatdoesn’texactlysoundreassuring,”Amandasaid.

“AndWanda…we’regoingtohavetotrustWandatomovetheremoteforus,”Finnsaid.“It’scurrentlyinMK.It’llhavetobeintheStudiosifPhilbyandIaregoingtogetoutwithouthavingtogoallthewayovertoMK.”

“Icandothatforyou,”Wandasaid.Shepulledupachairtothetable,grabbedanapkinandapen,andstartedtodraw.“Letmeshowyouwheretogoonceyou’reinside,”shesaid.

Finnlookedoverather,wonderingifhecouldtrustthiswomanwiththefob.Therewasonlytheonefob,asfarasheknew.Iftheyeverlostit,therewouldbenocrossingback—theirDHIswouldbestuck,theirhumanselveswouldbecaughtintheSyndrome.Itrequiredanenormousleapoffaith—justthekindofthingWaynewouldusetotestFinn.“TheBase,”Wandasaid,“isgoingtohaveeverythingyouwant.”

19

FINNOPENEDHISEYEStofindhimselflyingbeneathwhatlookedlikeagiantmouth.Heflinched,flailinghisarms,stillhalfasleep.

“You’reallright,”heheardPhilbysay.Itwasn’tamouthabouttoeathim,Finnrealized,butthebottomof

Mickey’sgiantsorcerer’shatintheHollywoodStudiosplaza.Philbysatofftotheside,cross-legged.“You’relate,”hesaid.“Youeverhaveitwhereallyouwanttodoissleep,butitjustisn’t

happening?”Finnsatup.“Allthetime.”“Thatwasmetonight.”“Weshouldgetoutofhere,”Philbysaid.“You’reglowinglikeanight-

light.”“Asifyouaren’t.”“Notexactlysubtle.Someonecouldseeus.”“Didyoubringthenapkin?”PhilbyfisheditoutofhispocketforFinntosee.“Remember,shewarned

usthatit’snotdifferentfromMKoverhere:thecharacterscomealive,andsomeofthemareboundtobeOvertakers.”

“So,westayoutofsight,”Finnsaid.He’dhadanencounteroncewithpiratesfromPiratesoftheCaribbeanthathadcosthimalaserburn.Hestillhadthescartoshowforit.

“Outofsightandnoconfrontations,”Philbyagreed.“Wedon’twantthemtoknowwhatwe’reupto.”

“Duh,”Finnsaid.Thesoundofanexplosionrockedthemboth.“Whatwasthat?”

Philbycheckedhiswatch.“Howincrediblystupid,”hesaid.“What?”“Fantasmic!Sometimestheydoacoupleofshows.”“Butit’salmostteno’clock!”“Andtheydon’tstartuntilit’sdark.WhatcanItellyou?”“Youcantellmethatwedidnotmessthisup!”Finnsaid.“Youwantto

thinkaboutwho’sinFantasmic!?”“Ursula,CruellaDeVil,Scar,Jafar—”Philbywasbeinghisusual

encyclopedicself.“Chernabog,Maleficent!”Finnsaid.“Let’snotforgetwherethaticecream

truckwasfound.Fantasmic!islikeanOvertakerconvention.Whatwerewethinking?”

“Youweretheone,”Philbyreminded,“whogotfreakin’aboutEpcot.”“Jesshadthatdreamthere,”Finnexplained.“Itwasn’tme.Don’tlaythat

onme.IneversaidMaleficentwasthere.ButifWayne’slockedupthere,Maleficentcan’tbefaraway.”Headded,“Whatarewedoingarguingaboutthis,anyway?”

“Thepointis,”Philbysaid,“MaleficentandChernabogcouldhidealoteasierinFantasmic!thananyplaceelse,andthey’dbeprotectedhere,too.Notonlythat,butwhoknowswhattheymightbeplanning?MickeydefendsallmagicinFantasmic!”

“So?”“SotheyabsolutelycouldbehereintheStudios.Therealones,Imean.”“Okay,theycouldbehere.Butit’sWaynewe’reworriedabout.Ifwe’re

goingtotakeonthosetwo,we’vegottohaveWayneonourside.”“Ifthat’spossible,”Philbysaid.“Yeah,Iagree.”“Solet’stakeadvantageofeveryonebeingoutatFantasmic!Right?Ithink

we’regoingaroundincircles.”“I’mjustsaying:ifwefindWayne…”Philbysaid.“WhenwefindWayne,”Finncorrectedhim.“Look,we’vegottotrust

Jess’sdreamandthatmeansWayneissomewhereinEpcot.Ifthey’vecapturedhim,thenMaleficent’sinvolved.”

“Uptoherelbows.”

“SoifwetracktemperaturechangesinEpcot—”“MaybeitleadsustoWayne.Igetallthat.”“ItwillleadustoWayne,”Finnsaid.“AndoncewefindWaynewe’llhelp

himtrapGreenywhetherthat’shereorwherever.”“Greeny…Ilikethat.”“Thanks.Soyou’retheonewiththemap,”Finnsaid.Philbygothisbearings.“Thisway,”hesaid.

***

ENGINEERINGBASEreadtheletteringonadoorinanorangebuildingthatlookedlikeagiantshoebox.ItwassituatedbehindLights,Motors,Action!pastasignthatread:CASTMEMBERSONLY.Finndidnothesitate;hewalkedhisDHIthroughthedoor’sglass,turnedaroundandunlockeditforPhilby.Afterrelockingthedoortheyclimbedsomestairs,assketchedoutonWanda’snapkin.

“Fiveminutes,”Philbyreminded,markingthetimeonhiswatch.Wandahadwarnedthemthatthedoorcomingopenmighttripasilentalarm

toSecurity.Itwasonlyawarning;shedidn’tknowifitwouldactuallyhappen.“Iftheyreceiveanalarmlikethat,”she’dsaid,“you’llhaveatleastfive

minutes,butIwouldn’ttakemuchmorethanthat.”TheyarrivedinaroomthatlookedlikeaminiatureNASAcontrolcenter.

Therewereofficecubiclesaroundthesmallroom’sperimeterseparatedbygraysoundbafflesand,intheroom’scenter,anislandofcomputerterminals.PhilbycircledtheislanduntilarrivingataterminalmarkedHEATING,COOLING.

“You’regood,”Finnsaid,awedbytheeasewithwhichPhilbynavigatedavarietyofscreens,drillingdeeperanddeepertowardtheinformationtheysought:PARKS,EPCOT,MAINTENANCE.ThescreenshowedEpcotasagraphic.IttookPhilbyfourtriesandnearlyanotherminutetostartthescreenflashing.

“What’sthis?”Finnasked.“Anythingflashinghasrecordedtemperatureswingsthatexceedacceptable

limits—inthiscase,tendegrees.”Philbyusedthetouchscreentonavigateintoeachoftheflashingpavilions.

HecalledouttimesanddatesforFinntowritedown.“Can’twejustprintitout?”Finnsaid.“Idon’tseehow,no.Idon’tthinkso.”

Finngrabbedapenandpaperandbegantakingdownthedictateddata.ButPhilbycouldtalkfasterthanFinncouldwriteandhequicklyfellbehind.

Nowthathehadthehangofit,Philbywasflyingthroughscreenafterscreenofmaintenancereports.

“Youseewhat’shappening?”Philbysaid.“No,”Finnsaidsharply.“Ican’tkeepup,andevenifIcould,it’snotlikeI

havetimetothinkaboutwhatI’mwritingdown.So,no.Emphatically,no.”“Thetimes,”Philbysaid.“Thetimes!”Finnhadwrittendowndozensoftimes.Philbywasstillspoutingoffeven

moretimesandnumbers.“I’msorry,”Finnsaid.“Weneedmorethanfiveminutes,”Philbyannounced.“Thisisthe—”Voices.Hecheckedhiswatch.“Notpossible!”Philbywhisperedfrantically.“What?”Finnwhisperedback.“Sevenminutes!We’vebeenheresevenminutes!”“Notpossible,”Finnsaid.“Ijustsaidthat!”Philbycomplained.Theybothheardthedoorcomeopendownstairs.Thevoicesgrewlouder

andmoreeasilyunderstood.Securitypatrolstraveledintwos.Judgingbythevoicesthiswasaman-and-womanteam.Theythumpedtheirwayupthestairs.

FinnpulledPhilbyintooneoftheofficecubiclesandsathimdownonachairnexttohim.HehunghisarmsathissideandindicatedforPhilbytodothesame.Hehunghishead,sothathelookedhalf-asleep.PhilbymirroredFinn’sposition.

“Doorwaslocked,”thewomansaid.“It’snotlikewe’vegotanythingtoworryabout.Couldbeafaultywire.Couldabeensomebodyshookthedoororsomething.I’veseenthatthrowoffafalsealarmbefore.”

“Checkitout!”themansaid.Outofthecornerofhiseye,Finnsawthemanapproach.“What’sthis?”“Well,I’llbe,”thewomansaid,nowstandingdirectlyinfrontofFinn.

“Thesearethosethings.Youknow:thosenewthingstheyinstalled.What-cha-

ma-call-its.”“Halo…”themansaid,fishingfortheword.“Hollow?”“Holograms!”thewomanshouted,asifshe’dwonagameshow

competition.“Whataretheydoinghere?”themansaid.“Whaddayameanwhaddatheydoinghere?”shebarked.“It’sengineering,

youmoron.I’vealwayswantedtotrythis.”ShewavedherhandthroughFinn.Itpassedsmoothly,withonlyabriefstaticbuzzasherhandswipedthroughFinn’supperbody.“Whoa,isthatamazing.”

Sheliftedherarm,abouttodothesamethingtoPhilby.ButifshetriedtowaveherhandthroughPhilby,itwouldlikelynotpassthrough.Inalllikelihoodshe’dknockPhilbyrightoffthechair.

Finnliftedhisheadandmoveditrobotically.“WelcometoDisney’sHollywoodStudios,”hesaid.

Theguardjumpedback,startled.“Jeez!”shesnapped.“WelcometoDisney’sHollywoodStudios!”Finnrepeated,continuingto

movehisheadinthesame,jerkymotions.“Lookwhatyoudone!”themaleguardsaid.“Don’tmesswiththosethings.

Whoknowswhatkindoftroubleyoumightmake?”ThefemaleguardeyedFinncuriously.“I’dsaythisfellahasachiploose.”Themaleguardchuckled.“Youdon’tsupposeitcouldabeenthemtrippedthealarm,”shesaid.“Thesetwo?You’rejoking,right?Youjustwavedyourhandthroughthat

one.”“Yeah,”shesaid,“you’reright.”Buthertoneofvoiceindicatedotherwise.“Morethanlikely,Mr.PotatoHeadagain.Helovestomessaround.”“OrTigger,”shecountered.“I’veseenhimsnoopingaroundlately,outof

bounds,backinherewhereit’sCASTMEMBERSONLY.IcaughthimfollowingUrsulatheothernight.Itwaslikehewasspyingonher.AndwhenIaccusedhim,hegotallinaknot,likeIhaditallwrong.”

“Knowingyou,youprobablydid.”“Thanksforthevoteofconfidencethere,bigguy.”Thetworoamedtheroomforaminute,checkingunderdesksanddoinga

thoroughjobofsecuringtheoffice.

Themanspokeintohisradioaskingwhoeverwasontheotherendto“activatethemotionsensorsinBase.”Onlyafewsecondspassedbeforeavoicecamebackconfirmingthatthesensorswerenowactive,andtellingtheguardhehadthirtysecondsinwhichtoleavethebuilding.

Astheywereheadingdownthestairstheirconversationfaded.“Youdidn’ttellthebossaboutTigger,”themansaid,hisconcernobvious.“Weagreednottosaynothingtonooneaboutwhatgoesonhere.I,forone,

wouldliketokeepmyjob.”“Keepingthejobisagoodthing,”themansaid.ThenthefrontdoorshutandFinncouldn’thearanythingmoreofthem.“Okay,”Finnsaid.“Yousavedmybutt,”Philbysaid.“Keepyourheaddownanddonotmove,”Finnsaid,hiseyeonasmall

wedge-shapeddevicewayuphighinonecorneroftheroom.“Theyactivatedthemotionsensors.”

“Dang!”“Youknowwhatthismeans?Itmeansyou’vegottogoall-clear.Tonight.

Rightnow.”“I’veneverbeenableto.Youknowthat,”Philbycomplained.“You’rethe

onlyone—”“I’mnottheonlyone.Ican’tbetheonlyone.”“You’reit,dude.Noneoftherestofuscancompletelygetourselvesoutof

ourDHIsorcrossoverinthemiddleoftheday.Anddon’tthinkwehaven’ttried.”

“That’snottrue:MaybeckpulleditoffthattimehewastrappedinSpaceMountain.You’vegottotryharder.”

“Nopoint.It’snotgoingtohappen.”Finnhadneverbeencomfortablehavingmoreabilitiesthanhisfriends.Nor

hadheappreciatedWaynetellinghimthathewas,andwouldbe,theteam’sleader.

“Sowhatdowedonow?”Philbyasked,hisheadhangingdown.“ThemomentImove,thatalarmisgoingtotrip,andthat’sgoingtobringthosetwoback,andfast.”

“Notifwecangetyoutothestaircase.Youcandothis,”Finnrepeated.“ItalkedMaybeckthroughit.Icandothesamethingforyou.”

“Idon’tthinkso.”“That’sbecauseyou’reafraidyoucan’tdoit.Butyoucan.WhatIwantyou

do—withoutmoving!—ispictureablankwall.There’snothingonit.Therearenoimagesinyourhead,nothought.Areyouwithme?”

“Okay,Iguess.”“Nothought.Nofear.Nowthere’salightcomingtowardyou—likethe

lightonthefrontofThePolarExpress,youknow?Onebulb,reallybright,outofthedarkness.That’sallthereis—thedarknessandthatonelight.Thecloserthelightcomes,thelessdarkness.Thelighttakesovereverything.There’snoroomforfear,orthought,foranything.Canyouseethathappening?”

“Ican!Myarmsare…tingling.”“No,theyaren’t,”Finnsaid,tryingtocoachhim,“becauseyoudon’thave

arms.Youdon’thavelegs.Thelightgetscloseenoughandyoubecomethelight.Youbecomethehologram.That’sallwearerightnow—light.Projectedlight.Youdon’thavetothinkaboutthat,youjusthaveto…Idon’tknow…knowit.”

Finnstoodfromhischair,hiseyeonthesensorinthecorner.Itdidn’tflash;itdidn’tsensehim.

TherewasnoeasytesttoknowifPhilbyhadsucceeded.Finncouldn’tdropabookthroughhimwithoutthemovementofthebooksettingoffthemotionalarm.

Thenherememberedbacktooneofthefirsttimeshe’dbeenabletoall-clearhisDHI,andhissurprisingdiscovery.

“Youknow,”hesaid,“whenwe’reall-clear,whenwefullycrossover,theneventhoughwecanshapeourselvestofitontoachair,thechairdoesn’tactuallyholdyouup.”

Instantly,Philbyfellthroughthechairandontothefloor,sothattheseatofthechairwasmostlyinsidehischest.

“Noway!”hesaid,realizingwhathadhappened.“Don’tdothat!”Finncautioned.“Don’tquestionit,orchallengeit,oreven

thinkaboutit.Juststandupandkeepthinkingaboutthetrainandthatlight.You’vegottofocusonthatlight.Andgetyourselfovertothestairs—halfwaydownthestairswherethesensorcan’tseeyou.I’llhandlethetemperaturelog.”

Philbystoodup.Themotionsensordidn’trespond.“I’llmemorizewhatIcan,”Finnsaid.“Ican’tuseapentowriteanything

downwithouttrippingthesensor.I’llcallsomenumbersouttoyou.Thenwe’llgetoutofhere.”

Philbymadeitpartwaydownthestairs.“Whatifmyhandsaretingling?”“Picturethetrain.”“Okay,butthey’restilltingling.”Finnstoodatthecomputermonitor;hecalledoutsomeofthedataand

memorizedwhathecould.Thenhegotdownthestairs.Philbylookedworried,andFinnknewhe’dlosthisall-clear.

“I’mgoingtowaithereandlockthedoorbehindyou,”Finnsaid.“ButI’mguessingwhenweopenthedoorthey’regoingtoknowaboutitsomewhereandcomeafterus.”

“There’sthatconstructionshopWandatoldusabout.It’srightnextdoor.Weshouldbeabletohidesomewhereinthereforawhile.Wecantakeourtimegettingbacktotheremote.”

“’Kay,thenthat’stheplan.”Philbyunlockedthedoorandsteppedoutside.Finnpicturedgettingcaught,

andhecouldfeelhisDHIshapeshifting;hisfingerstingled.Heturnedthelock.Thenheclearedhisthoughtandsteppedthroughtheglassdoorandoutside.

“Youwanttoknowwhat’sweirdaboutthat?”PhilbysaidasthetwoDHIsrantowardtheconstructionwarehouse.

“Everything?”Finnanswered.“It’showharditwastokeepfromhavinganegativethought.Andthatwas,

what?—oneminute?Two,atthemost.”“Tellmeaboutit,”Finnsaid.“Mypersonalbestisfiveminutes,thirty-three

seconds.”“Howmessedupisthat?”“Messedup,”Finnsaid.“Butyou’vegottoadmit,it’smajorlyrandomtobe

all-clear,evenifit’sonlyfortwominutes.”“Ifellthroughachair,”Philbysaidproudly.“Youfellthroughachair,”Finnsaid.Theyduckedintoshadow,theirDHIsglowing,asagolfcartzoomeddown

anopposinglane—thesametwoSecurityguards.“Close,”Finnwhispered.“They’llneverfigureitout,”saidPhilby,asmileovertakinghisface.“Ifell

throughachair,”hemumbled.

20

ANOTHERTWOSCHOOLdayspasseduneventfully.TextmessagingamongtheKingdomKeepersestablishedthatnoonehadcrossedover,confirmingthatPhilbyhadfullcontrolovertheDHIsystem.Throughthebackdoorhe’dleftinthesoftware,hecoulddeterminewhocrossedover,andintowhichparkorkingdom.Theywouldstillneedtheremotetoreturn.

ThetwodaysfeltlikeaneternitytoFinn,hisconcernoverWayne’swhereaboutsandconditiondeepeningwitheachpassinghour.Butsomethingbiggerwastakingplaceinhimaswell—notonlyhisconfusedfeelingsabouthisso-calledfriendshipwithAmanda,buthisbiggerunderstandingofwhattheOvertakersmightbeupto.HefeltinhisgutthatheneededtoseethegoaloftheOvertakersinordertoknowhowtostopthem,andsofarthatgoalhadeludedhim.Wayne’sabductionobviouslyplayedapart,justasJess’sabductionintheAnimalKingdomhad.TheyfearedJessandherabilitytodreamthefuturebecauseforthemitwaslikeplayingachessmatchwheretheopponentknewtheirnextmove.Thequestionwas:didtheyfearWayne,andhisconsiderableunderstandingofeverythingDisney,ordidtheyneedhimforsomethingtheyhadplanned?ToFinn,theseweretwoverydifferentpossibilities,eachpresentingitsownchallenges.UntiltheyfoundWaynetheywouldn’tknowtheanswer,buthewasbeginningtorealizethathehadtofacethepossibilitythattheymightnotfindWayne.Ifthatprovedtobethecase,thenhehadtobecomeWayne:hehadtogetoutinfrontoftheOvertakersandwhatevertheyhadplanned,becausefallingbehindwasnotanoption.TherewouldbenocatchingupiftheOvertakerstookcontrol.Theirpowersweretoosubstantial;theirreach,toopervasive.IfWaynewastestinghim,thenhewasfailing.Itwastimetodosomething.Thetroublewas,hedidn’tknowwhathewassupposedtodo.

“Yourfriendsarewaiting,”hismothersaid,asFinncamethroughthefront

doortohishome.Finnglancedintothelivingroom.“Hey,”Philbysaid.“Hey,”saidWilla.“Heythere,”answeredFinn.“We’reherefortheproject,”saidPhilby,awarethatFinn’smotherdidnot

approveofFinn’sassociationwithhisfellowKingdomKeepers.“Theinter-schoolmathcompetition,”saidWilla.Hismother,standingafewfeetbehindFinn,seemedtorelaxalittle.“Youdidn’tsayanything,dear,”hismothersaid.“Iwantedtosurpriseyou,”saidFinn,surprisedhimself.“We’vebeengivenacode—”Philbysaidproudly,addressingMrs.

Whitman.“—thatwehavetobreak,”saidWilla.“Atleastthat’swhatwehope,”Finntoldhismother.“Iftheotherteams

breakthecodefirst—”Heleftithangingtherebecausehewasn’tsurehowtofinishit.

“Thenwelose,”Philbycompleted.“How…interesting,”saidMrs.Whitman.“Wouldyouliketoseeit?”Philbyoffered.“Otherkids’parentsaregoingto

help.That’sano-brainer.”Ashismothersteppedforward,Finnusedherasashieldandshookhis

headviolentlyatPhilby,whohadjusttakenthingswaytoofar.WhatPhilbydidn’tunderstand—hadnowayofknowing—wasthatFinn’smotherhad,untilfiveyearsearlier,workedatNASAontheSpaceShuttleprogram.Afterthebirthofhissister,she’dtriedmostlyworkingfromhome,buthadfinallygivenupherjobamidabudgetcut.

Thethingwas:hismotherwasarocketscientist.Therealthing.Shecoulddoadvancedcalculusinherhead.

“Well,Icouldtakealook,Isuppose,”shesaid.Finnsquintedandhunghisheadandknewitwastoolate:therewasnoway

theywouldbegettingridofhernow.PhilbygotonechancetolookFinn’swayasMrs.Whitmansatdownonto

thecouchbesidehim.Hisexpressionsaid,Whoknew?ButFinn’sheartsank

becauseheknew.Philbyunfoldedthepieceofpaperandplaceditinfrontofher.

Mrs.Whitmanstudiedthepageforlessthanaminuteasthethreelookedon.

“Yourassumptionsareclever,”shesaid.“Withcryptograms,”Philbysaid,“weweretoldthewholethingis

repetition.SothetwowordsthataretheclosestaretheVKPFP—”“—andtheMKPFP,”saidWilla,whowantedinonthis.Finnlookedon,abitbewildered.“Theapostrophe,”saidPhilby,“tellsusMisanSoraT.Apossessiveora

contraction.AndthatmeansthatW—”“CouldbeanN,”saidMrs.Whitman,“ifit’spartofacontraction.Very

good.Let’splaywiththatforamoment.”Shefocusedonthepageandreachedover,acceptingapencilfromPhilbyasifshe’daskedforit,whichshehadnot.

“SoPhastobeE,”shesaid,erasingandaddingtoPhilby’schart.“Because?”Philbyasked.“BecauseprobabilityfavorsR,inTDIEPR,astheplural,S.AndifRisS,

then—”“Pisavowel,andit’sanE!”Willanearlyshouted.“AndifRisS,thenW

can’tbeS.IthastobeT,makingtheapostropheacontraction,justasyousaid,Mrs.Whitman.Igetit.”

Mrs.Whitmanshowedtheothersherwork.Thechartwasbeginningtotakeshape.Finncouldevenunderstandthe

substitutionofletters.

Notwantingtobeleftout,hesaid,“SoMandVhavetobeconsonantsinwordslikethereandwhere…and…whatotherfive-letterwordsendinhere?”

“Therearen’tany,”hismothersaidwithcompleteauthority.“Thereareacouplesix-letterwords,likeadhere,butnofive-letterwords.So,you’reright,Finn.MandVareeitherTorW.”

“AndwealreadyknowthatMisT,”Philbyproclaimed,pointingtothechart.

“SoVisW,”statedWilla.“VisW,”saidMrs.Whitman,addingthistothechart.“Ilovethiskindof

puzzle!”Indeed,Finn’smomwasleaningoverthetable,writinganderasing.She

turnedandpresentedthepagetotheothers.

MKPFPIFPTDIEPRVKPFPRMIFRCQW’MJFQVHT2736/2730THERE—E——ESWHEREST—S—’T

“Whoa!”Finngasped.“Wehaveallthatalready?”“Finn,”hismothersaid,“Googlefour-lettercontractions.That’sthenext

pieceofthepuzzle.I’mgoingtogetusallcookies.”Finnfeltasifhe’denteredaparalleluniversewhereanalternatelife-form

hadtakenoverhismother.Therewasagooddealofevidencetosupporthistheory:first,hismotherwasaskinghimtogetonthecomputer,notoffit;second,shewasofferingcookiesbeforedinner.

Heknewhismothertohaveanearlyuncontrollableaddictiontochocolate,anaddictionthatespeciallyrevealeditselfwhenshewasnervousoranxious.Thatinturntoldhimsomethingabouthercurrentcondition.

“I’monit,”hesaid.Bythetimehereturned,therewasaplateofchocolatechipcookiesonthe

coffeetable,alongwiththreeglassesofmilkandaglassofwater.Anotherpieceofevidence:hismotherspokewithhermouthfulloffood.

Unthinkable.“So…what’dyoufind?”“Therearefour:isn’t,won’t,don’t,andcan’t,”Finnreported.“TwowithOs,onewithanI,andonewithanA,”hismothersaid,licking

chocolateoffherfrontteeth.

Sheadjustedthechartaccordingly.Shehadshadedthelettersthattheyfeltcertainabout.“YoumissedacoupleFs,”Philbysaid,pointingtoherchartand,more

importantly,toherlineofdeciphering:

MKPFPIFPTDIEPRVKPFPRMIFRCQW’MJFQVHT2736/2730THERE—E——ESWHEREST—S—’T

Hechangeditto:

MKPFPIFPTDIEPRVKPFPRMIFRCQW’MJFQVHT2736/2730THERE-RE—ESWHEREST-RS—’T-R-W

“SoIdid!Goodcatch!”“IisA,”Finnannouncedloudly,wantingtobemorethantheerrandboy.Hismothernoddedandscribbledintheletter.

MKPFPIFPTDIEPRVKPFPRMIFRCQW’MJFQVHT2736/2730THEREARE—A-ESWHERESTARS—’T-R-W

“We’regettingtherenow,”whisperedWilla,asifbyspeakingtooloudlyshemightjinxit.

Hismotherread,substitutingwords.“‘Thereare…traces…spaces….’”“Places,”Willasaid.“Places,”Mrs.Whitmansaid,nodding.“Yes,Ithinkyou’reright:‘There

areplaceswherestars…’”“Isn’t,won’t,can’tordon’t,”Finnsaid,supplyingtheonlyfour-letter

contractionsthatseemedplausible.“Wecaneliminateisn’tbecause‘stars’isplural,”Mrs.Whitmansaid.“We

caneliminatecan’tbecausewe’veidentifiedthelettersAandWandthere’snoAorWintheword.Soit’sgottobedon’t.”

“P!”Willaannounced.“TheTofthecode—thelastletter—isthesameasthefirstletterofplaces.”

Finnmumbledtohimself.“Hemadeitsowecouldfigureitout.”“Yourteacher?”hismothersaid.Shenevermissedanything.Hecouldbe

thinkingsomethingupinhisroomandhismothercouldsomehowoverhearit.

“Ourteacher,”Philbyansweredforhim,seeingthatFinnwastongue-tied.“Up,”saidWilla.“Thelastwordisup.Thereareplaceswherestars…

don’t…growup.”“Wedidit!”Willaproclaimed.“Youdidit,Mrs.Whitman,”Philbycorrected.“Wediditasateam,”Mrs.WhitmansaidinatoneofvoicethatFinn

recognizedaspreachy.“Ireallyhadnothingtodoitwith.Iwasmoreofacoachthanaparticipant.”Hismotherwasalwaystryingtoturneverythingintoalifemessage.Ifabugdiedontheporchlightitwasalifemessage.Ifamirageappearedonthehighway,insteadofjustbeingcoolithadtobealifemessagetoo.

“Mo-om!”Finnsaidinhisbestwhine.“Okay,”shesaid,anticipatinghisobjectionbeforeitwasenunciated.“TheMilkyWay,”Willasaid.“Starsjustdon’tgrowup—theyburnoutand

die.”“Butofcoursetheygrowup,”Philbysaid.“Theycan’tdieunlesstheyare

created.Starsareconstantlybeingcreatedandburningup.”“It’sthenaturalorderoftheuniverse,”saidMrs.Whitman.“YouworkedforNASA,mom,”Finnsaid,givingherachancetoredeem

herself.“What’swithstarsnotgrowingup?”“Itwouldappeartobesomekindofriddle,”sheanswered.“Whatteacher

assignedthis?Scienceormath?”Willaanswered,“Math,”atthesameexactinstantFinnanswered,

“Science.”HismothergaveFinntheevileye;sheknewsomethingwasup.“Finn?”Philbysteppedin.“They’rebothrightinaway,”hesaid,soundingtypically

Philby-convincing.“Becauseit’saninter-schoolcompetition,severalteachersfromeachschoolwereinvolvedincreatingthecodeand,Isuppose,whateverriddleisinvolved.”

Philbywaspresentlythecolorofariperaspberry.Finnhopedhismotherdidn’tknowhimwellenoughtonotice—buthismotherdidn’tmissmuch.

“Well,thatmakessense,”saidMrs.Whitman.“Whatkindofriddle?”Finnasked.“Philbyisright,”shesaid.“Starsareconstantlybeingcreated,andstarsare

constantlyburningoutaftermillionsofyearsofburning.Whatmakesitmorecomplicated—muchmorecomplicated—isthatweareseeingthestars,thousands,hundredsofthousands,ofyearsafterwhateverhappened.Ittakeslightallthattimetoreachearth.Sobythetimeweidentifyastaritmayactuallynolongerbethere.”

“Anillusion,”Willasaid.“Yes!”Mrs.Whitmansaid.“Inamannerofspeaking.Butnotexactlyan

illusion,sinceitdidexistinthefirstplace,perhapsformillionsofyears.”“‘Thereareplaceswherestarsdon’tgrowup,’”Willarepeated.“OnaChristmastree,”Mrs.Whitmansaid.“Orinastained-glasswindow.”“Achurch!”Finnsaid.“Doyousupposeit’ssomesortofscavengerhunt?”Mrs.Whitmanasked.Finnglancedattheothers.“I…ah…Ithinkwecantakeitfromhere,Mom.”Mrs.Whitmanbitdownproperlyonhercookieandchewedwithherlips

pressedclosedtightly.Shelookedateachofthem,onebyone.Shetookasipofwater,lookingrightoverthebrimofthecupatFinn.

“Astarfishthathasbeenpreserved,”shesaid.“Amuseumcomestomind.”“Achurchoramuseum,”Finnsaid.“That’sreallygood,Mom.Ithinkwe’ll

takeitfromhere.”“Doesn’toneofthecarmakersuseastarasitshoodornament?”“Really,”Finnsaid,“we’regood.”“Thankyouforthecookiesandmilk,”Willasaid,tryingtohelpFinn.“Theyweredelicious,”saidPhilby.“Andyourcodebreakingwas

awesome.”“Ihopeitdoesn’tdisqualifyyouthatIhelped,”Mrs.Whitmansaid.BothFinnandPhilbyscreweduptheirfacesinconfusion.“Thecompetition!”shesaid.Bothboysnodded.Theywerebecomingtrappedbytheirownstory.Mrs.Whitmanreturnedtheemptycookieplatetothetrayandacceptedthe

emptyglassesaswell.Shelefttheroom.“Whoa,”Finnsaid.“Museums?”Willasaidinawhisper.“Churches?Christmas?What’she

tryingtotellus?”“OneMan’sDreamislikeamuseum,”Philbysaid.

“It’snotimpossibletothinkofCinderella’sCastleasacathedral.”“AtChristmasalltheparksgowildwithdecorations,”Willaadded.“There

mustbeamillionstars.”“Fireworks!”Philbysaid.“That’soneplacethatstarsnevergrowup.They

goup,andtheycomedown.”“Thenumbersattheend!”Willasaid.“Weforgotthenumbersattheend.”“Nowedidn’t,”Philbysaid.“Isolvedthatfirst:ten-fourteen.It’seithera

time,oradate.”“Andifadate,it’stomorrow,”Finnsaid.“Sowhatstarsjustdon’tgrowuptomorrow,andonlytomorrow?”“WeshouldcheckaDisneycalendar,”Willasaid“I’monit.”Finntookoff

toGoogleaDisneycalendar.Heboundedupthestairs.Hewasathiscomputer—havingnoluckatallwiththecalendar—whenhis

motherclearedherthroatfromhisopendoor.“Hey,”hesaid,payingherapassingglanceoverhisshoulder.“Heythereyourself.”“Youdidawesome,”hesaid.“Didyousolveityet?”sheasked.“I’mGooglingsomestuff.”Shedidn’tsayanything.Shejuststoodthere,leaningagainstthedoorframe.“What’sup,Mom?”“Iwashopingyou’dtellme.”Hedidn’tdareturnaround.Ifshegotagoodlookathimshe’dknow

somethingwasgoingon.Hecouldn’thidestufffromherevenwhenhewantedto.He’dlearnedtoavoidsomeofhermorepenetratingquestions,butoutrightlieswerebeyondhim;hedidn’tevenwanttolie.

“Youknow,”shesaid,“whenyoucan’tlookatme,ittellsmealot.”“WhosaidIcan’tlookatyou?”heasked,notlookingather.“I’mjustbusy,

that’sall.”“Whileyou’reatit,whydon’tyouGoogle,OrlandoSchoolCodeContest,

orOrlandoSchoolChallenge,or…anyothercombinationyoucanthinkof.OrIcouldsaveyouthetrouble.Thelastonelistedwasin1996.”

Finnpanicked.Hislungsstung,asdidhiseyes.Hisfingersfeltcoldandhisthroatdry.Allthisinamatterofseconds.Her,hethought.Onlyhismother

couldhavesuchaneffectonhim.“It’stheKingdomKeepers,isn’tit?”“Mom…”“Isthatyouranswer?‘Mom?’That’s…prettylame,Finn.”Lame?Sincewhendidshetalklikehedid?“It’scomplicated,”hesaid.“Youaresogrounded.”“Mom…we’rejustfiguringstuffout.”“You’rejustputtingyourcollegeeducationatrisk,”shesaid.“That’sall.

Doyouknowwhatyourfatherwoulddo?”“Pleasedon’ttellhim!Youhelpedsolveit,afterall.”“Underfalsepretenses.”“No.Notexactly.”“Exactlyandcompletely.”“You’repartofitnow.ThinkwhatDadwouldthinkofthat.”“You’rethreateningme?Doyoureallythinkyou’reinanykindofposition

tothreatenme?You’reabouttoturngroundedintogroundedforever.Asininfinity.Haveyoustudiedinfinity?”

“Thecode,”hesaid,spinningaround.“Thecodeisnothing,Mom.Afrienddreamedit.Iswearthat’sthetruth.Adream.Butsheremembereditexactly,andwedecidedtotrytosolveitforher.”

“Thatisevenlamer,”shesaid.“Butit’sthetruth.Ipromise!Amanda’sfriend,Jess.Shedreamedthe

wholething.Wethoughtitmightactuallymeansomethingandsowetriedtodecodeit.”

“Anditdoesmeansomething,”hismothersaid.Hestaredather,knowingherashedid,knowingthatherarmsandankles

beingcrossedsuggestedaconfidencesherarelydisplayed.ThiswasthePh.D.mom,themathmom,therocketscientist.

“Yousolvedit,”hesaid,aghast.“Yousolvedtheriddle.”“Andwouldn’tyouliketoknowtheanswer,”shesaid,notdenyingit.“Yougottatellme,”hepleaded.“I‘gotta’donothingofthesort,”shesaid.“Igottagroundyou.”

“Sogroundme.Acoupledays,aweek?Icantakeit.”“Twoweeks.Andwesaynothingaboutthistoyourfather,”shesaid.“AsifI’dobjecttothat,”Finnsaid.“WhenItellyouthesolution,you’regoingtodowhateveritisyou’reall

doing—here.Here,tomorrownight,whereIcanbeapartofit.WhereIcankeepaneyeonyou.You’llhaveyourfriendsover,andifIfindoutyou’relyingtomeaboutanyofthis,thennotonlyisthedealoff,butI’mcallingalltheirparents,andI’mputtinganendtothis—towhateveritisyouaren’ttellingmeabout.”

“Itwasadream,Mom.Iswear.”Wasshegoingtomakehimbegforthesolution?TheofficialWaltDisneyWorldResortcalendarhadnothingofinterestforthefollowingnight.Itlefthimwiththefireworksdisplaysatthevariousparks,andnotmuchmore.

“Television,”hismothersaid.“Excuseme?”Finnsaid,aspolitelyaspossible.“Ontelevision,starsdon’tgrowup.Theystaythesameage.”Finn’sjawdropped.Shecouldhaveputagolfballintohisopenmouth.“Genius,”hesaid.

21

“DUMBO?”Maybeckgroanedincomplaint.

“It’ssosad,”Charlenesaid.Allthekidslookedoveratherindisgust,includingAmandaandJess,bothtooembarrassedtoadmitthey’dneverseenthemovie.

“What?”Charlenesaiddefensively.“Thoseears?”“Givemeabreak,”Maybecksaid.“BridgetoTerabithiaissad.Dumbois

just…stupid.”“Isnot!”saidWilla.“Isso,”saidPhilby,supportingMaybeckandquicklydrawingaline

betweentheboysandthegirls.GatheredinFinn’sbasementfamilyroomaroundabehemothofarear-

projectiontelevision,theytalkedthroughtheadswhileFinnhaditonmute.“IthinkWaynemeantWizardsofWaverlyPlace,”saidPhilby.“CoryintheHouse,”saidMaybeck.“Hastobe.”“We’remissingthebiggerpoint,”Finnsaid.“Whichis?”askedAmanda.“Cartoons,”Finnsaid.“There’saplacewherestarsdon’tgrowold:

cartoons.Evenchildactorsgrowupatsomepoint.NotDumbo.Notanyoftheothercartooncharacters.That’swhythisshowisimportanttous.”

“Andbecauseanyofthoseothershowscouldbeonanynight,”saidWilla.“Thisisthefourteenth.Thisisthenighthewantedustowatch,andthisistheonlynightDumbo’sgoingtobeon.TheonlynightithasbeenontheDisneyChannelin…what?”SheaddressedPhilby,thefountofallknowledge.

“Twoyears,”Philbysaid.“It’stonight’sspecialmovie.”

“It’sgottabeit,”agreedFinn.“Butit’storture,”Maybecksaid.“It’snoteither.It’sagoodmovie,”Charleneinsisted.“Andithasagood

message.”“Whichis:‘You’renevertooyoungforplasticsurgery,’”saidMaybeck.

Theyalllaughed,evenCharlene.Theadsstoppedandthemoviecontinued.Overthenexthour,Mrs.

Whitmandeliveredpopcorn,soda,cupcakes,milk,andhotchocolate.FinnandPhilbytooknotesaboutthecharactersinthemovieaswellastrackingtheplot.Willawrotedownthesettingsofthevariousscenes.Maybecksnortedandmadederisivecomments,someofwhichwouldhavegottenhimthrownoutofclassatschool.AmandaandJesswatchedenraptured,withJessdisplayingaseriousappetiteforkettlecornandAmandaforlemoncupcakeswithcream-cheesefrosting.

Bytheend,Maybecksaid,“Idon’tgetit.”Finnmutedthetelevision.“Waynenevermakesiteasy,youknowthat.”“Admitit,Whitman,”Maybecksaid.“Youdon’thaveacluewhywejust

watchedthatmovie.”“Wewatchedthemovie,”Finnanswered,“becauseWaynetoldustowatch

themovie.”“That’sonlyifyouinterpretthecodedmessageacertainway.”“Andhowdoyouinterpretit?”Philbyasked.“HowshouldIknow?”Maybecksaid.“Meaningyoudon’thaveabetteridea,”Philbysaid.“AllI’msayingis,noneofusknowswhywejustwatchedthatmovie.”Silencesettledbetweenthem.FinnstudiedhisnotesandWillaleafed

throughhers.TheylookedateachotherandWillashookherhead.“I’mnotsure.”

“Anyideas,people?”Finnproposed.“Remember,theStonecutter’sQuillwasnocakewalk.Henevermakesiteasy.”

“Noonecouldaccusehimofthat,”Charlenesaid.“Elephants?Ears?Mother–daughter?Determination?”

“Try,tryagain,”contributedPhilby.“Stupid,stupid,stupid,”saidMaybeck.“It’sageekelephantwithear-

wings.AnoverweightWillSmith.”

Hewonanotherlaughfromeveryone.“Thecircus,”saidJess.Theyalllookedather.Shehadn’tspokenawordinnearlytwohours.“It’strue,”Willachimedin.“We’retalkingspecificslikeelephantsand

ears,butthetheme,theoverallsettingisthecircus.”“Thehorsesarefromacarousel,”saidAmanda.“InJess’sdiary.The

pictureshedrew.Thehorsesaren’tbeingstabbed.They’reonacarousel.”“Ipointedthatoutbefore,”Maybeckreminded,“andnobodythoughtto

considerit.”“Achairinfrontofacarousel,”Finnsaid.“TheDumborideinMagicKingdom!”Charlenesaid.“Justoneproblemwiththatidea.”AstheresidentexpertPhilbywonthe

group’sattention.“DumbotheFlyingElephantisnotacarouselandtherearenohorsesontheride.”

“Otherthanthat,”Maybecksaid,“it’sprettymuchaperfectmatch.”“So,it’sCinderella’sGoldenCarrousel,”Charleneproposed.“Ihatetobeastinker,”Willasaid,“butoneofthehorsesinJess’sdrawing

hasstraightlegs.”TheboyseyedWillasuspiciously.Wasthisagirl–boytraptheywerebeing

ledinto?Ajokeorprank?Charlenequelledthatnotion.“She’sright!AndonCinderella’sGolden

Carrouselallthehorseshavebentknees.”“Youcan’tpossiblyknowthat,”saidPhilby,believinghimselftheexpertin

everything.“Howmanytimeshaveyouriddenit?”Charleneinquired.“Trustme:bent

legs.”“Andthere’sthejacket,people,”Maybecksaid.“Let’snotforgetthe

jacket.”“TheEpcotjacketWayneiswearing,”Finnsaid,nodding.“CarouselhorsesinEpcot?”Willaquestioned.“Idon’tthinkso.”“Whenindoubt…?”PhilbysaidtoFinn.“Googleit!”Finnanswered.Hereturnedlessthanfiveminuteslater

carryingaprintout.“So,Itriedabunchofthings.Epcotcarousel—gotallthesehitsfor

CarouselofProgress.It’sinMKandisrarelyopened.Circus,Epcotwasawaste.Butcircustent,Epcot,wasit.FunFactsofEpcotcameupwiththewordscircustenthighlighted.It’sablog,”hesaid,showingthemtheprintout,“from1997.Isearcheditforcircustent,andgotthispartthattalksaboutafieldtriptoWondersofLife.Therewasahallwaywithacircustentattheendofit.Andintheverynextparagraph,there’saloungementionedthathasaMaryPoppinsthemewith…getthis…carouselhorsespaintedonthewalls.”

“MaryPoppins!”anexcitedCharleneshoutedtooloudly.“IknewIrecognizedthosehorses.That’sit!”AtCharlene’sbeckoning,Jesshandedherthephotocopyfromherdiaryandplaceditforalltosee.Thekidsgatheredaround.“ThesecarouselhorsesarefromMaryPoppins.Absolutely.Ican’tbelieve,”shesaidtoJess,“yougotitasperfectasyoudid.”

“I’veneverevenheardofWondersofLife,”Maybeckcomplained.“NeitherhadI,soIWiki’dit,”saidFinn.“Itwasclosedin2004.Andget

this:it’susedsometimesforreceptionsand—”“Fieldtrips,”Philbysaid.“That’swherethey’reholdinghim,”Maybecksaid,sittingupandpaying

moreattention.“Ithoughtyoudidn’tbelieveanyofthis,”Willasniped.“Iwaslockedupbythosebadboys,”Maybeckremindedeveryone.“SowasI,”saidWilla.“TheAnimalKingdomLodge,remember?”“Soyouknow,andIknow,howbaditis.Iwaswaitingforyougeniusesto

figureitout.Butnowthatyouhaveandit’stimeforaction…”“Maybecktotherescue,”Charlenesaid.“Don’tknockituntilyou’vetriedit,”Maybecksaid.“Tonight?”Finnasked.Heslowlylookedaroundtheroom,fromfaceto

face.Herealizedhowthesesixpeoplehadbecomehisclosestfriends.Hedidn’tseethatmuchofDillard,aneighborhoodpal,anymore.ThesesixandtheirmissiontostoptheOvertakersconsumedhim.HecouldusehisbeingaKingdomKeeperasaconvenientexcusewithhisotherfriends.TherolerequiredhimtorecordvocaltracksandoccasionallymodelanewmoveortwoforthehologramImagineers.Butmorethananyexcuses,hewantedtobewiththeKingdomKeepers;hewantedtofindWayneandtakeonMaleficentandChernabogandgetthemlockedupagain.Tovoicethataloudwouldgethimanappointmentwithapsychiatrist,butthesesixothersunderstood;theyhadbeenthere.

“Tonight,”Maybecksaid.“TomorrowisSaturday.Wecansleepitoff.”“Whattime?”Amandaasked.“We’rekindofnewatthis.”“It’slatealready,”Finnsaid.“Ifwealltrytogettobedbyquarterof

eleven,weshouldcrossoveraboutahalfhourlater.”“WeleftthefobattheStudios,”Philbyremindedhim.“I’llpickupthefob,”Finnsaid.“Fantasmic!Fridaywillmeanthereare

busesrunninglate.”“Won’tyoubespotted?”Jessasked.“MyprojectionwilldiesomewhereoutsidetheStudios.Icangetonabus

withoutbeingseen.IfIhappentopoponandoffacoupleoftimes,it’llonlyconvincetheothergueststhatI’mmyDHI.That’sallthatmatters.”

“So,”Philbysaid,“eleven-fifteen,thebathroomsonthewaytoTestTrack.”Eachofthemnodded.“Wewaitforeveryone,”hesaid.“I’llusetheback-doorinthesoftwareto

sendusall.I’llturntheStudiosonforyou,Finn.”Finnnodded.“OnceFinnistherewiththefob,we’llwaituntileleven-thirtyandthenheadfortheWonderspavilion.Ifyou’relate,youcancatchuptousthere.”

“Thelounge,”Finnsaid,“isonthesecondfloor.”“WhatiftheOvertakersareusingWondersasakindofbase?”Charlene

asked.“We’renotgoingtojustbargeinthere,ifthat’swhatyou’reasking,”Philby

answered.“Weshouldgotobedwearingdarkclothingandrunningshoes,”Finn

advised.“I’llbringsomerope,”Charlenesaid.“Bringyourphoneswithyou,”Philbytoldthem.Ananonymousbenefactor—Wayne?—hadsentallfiveKingdomKeepers

freephonesasarewardfortheireffortsintheAnimalKingdom.Thephones,whichcouldconnecttotheInternetaswellassendtexts,hadadirect-connectfeature—likeanintercom—justbetweenthefiveofthem.“Andflashlights,”Finnsaid.“And,Jess,makesureyouhavepaperandpencil,incaseyouhaveoneofyour…youknow….”

“Trances?”Jesssaid.“Whateveritisyouhave,”Finnsaid.“Anyoneupfors’mores?”Mrs.Whitmanshouteddownintothebasement.

“Quick!”Finnsaid,“getoutofherebeforeyoudon’tfitthroughthedoors!”

22

“AREYOUKIDDINGME?”EverythinghadgonesmoothlyforFinn.He’dmadeitintotheStudios,hadretrievedthefob,andhadbeenabouttoboardthelastbusbacktotheTransportationTicketCenter,whenherealizedhe’dbestrandedthere.He’dgoneinvisibleshortlyafterleavingtheStudios’gateandhadbeenstandingnearthebusloadingareawonderingwhattodowhenhe’doverheardaconversationbehindhim.

“CatcharidebacktoEpcotwithyou?”PrintedinlargeyellowlettersacrossawindbreakerFinnread:ORDNANCECREWCHIEF.

“Sure,climbin!Don’tknowwhatwe’dhavedonewithoutyou,Pete,”thedriverofthepickupsaid.Peteclimbedin.AMickeyMousebobbleheadnoddedatthetwomenfromthedashboard.“Wouldhavebeenadisasterwithoutthosepyroeffects.”

“Withoutproblems,”saidPete,“Iwouldn’thaveajob.Happytohelpout.Ijustwishweweren’tdoingtherun-throughofFantasmic!atfiveagaintomorrow.”

“Everymorningthisweek.”“Don’tremindme.Icanhearmyalarmringingalready.”AsPetepulledhimselfupintothecab,theinvisibleFinnsteppedontothe

bumperandpulledhimselfintothetruckbed.TheproblemcameasthepickuptruckwaspassingthroughSecurity

backstageatEpcot,for,asitturnedout,theEpcotDHIprojectorscouldreachallthewayouttothecheckpoint.Finn’sDHIbeganflashingandflickeringonandoffinthetruckbed,onlysecondsbeforethepickuppulledtoastopattheSecurityblockade.Therewasnotarptohideunder.Noemptycardboardbox.Soherolledtothesideofthetruckbednearesttheguardstationandhidasbesthe

could.Hidinghisprojectedimagewasonething—hiseffortaccomplishedthat.Buttherewasnothingtostophispulsingglowfromilluminatingthebackofthetruck.Hefearedeithertheguard,orPete,fromthepassengerseat,wouldpickuponhisblinkingglowanddiscoverhim.Hewaslikeaneonsigngoingonandoff.Hetriedtothinkofhowtotalkhiswayoutofthisifspotted,butcouldn’tcomeupwithanydecentexcuses.

Thedriverannouncedhimselfandmusthavepassedtheguardsomeidentificationforhimandhispassenger.Wouldtheguardcheckthebackofthetruck?

Hedidn’t.Thetruckpulledforward.ThirtyyardspastthecheckpointFinn’sDHIstoppedflickering.Hewasfullyprojectednow,andhehadtogetoutofthemovingtruckbeforebeingspotted.Hecalmedhimself,repeatingtheprocedurehe’doutlinedforPhilby,notforcing,butallowinghisDHItorealizeall-clear.Thenherolledoverthesideofthemovingpickuptruckanddropped.Ifhe’dbeenhuman,hewouldhavebrokenbonesandsufferedaroadrashthatwouldhavestayedwithhimthroughChristmas.Instead,hefelltothepavementandbounced.Nomatterhowpreparedhe’dbeen,hecouldn’tkeepfearentirelyoutofhissystem.Hefeltthecontactwiththeasphalt;hiselbowsandkneeshurtasherolledandsatup,nowontheedgeoftheaccessroad.Hispalmswerescraped,thoughnotbadly,anditoccurredtohimhe’dhavethesewoundswhenheawakenedlaterthatmorning,thathe’dneedanexcuseforthemtouseonhismom.Buthewasinsurprisinglygoodshapeforakidwhohadjustjumpedfromamovingvehicle.

Hestoodup,tookhisbearingsbylocatingEpcot’sfamousgolfball,andheadedofftojointheothers.

Hissurprise,uponarrivingattherendezvous,wasPhilby.Hewasstandingthere,wearingonlyhisunderpants.“No,I’mnotkiddingyou,”Philbysaid.“Itwasasituationbeyondmy

control.”“Asin?”askedCharlene,whocouldn’tkeepthesmirkoffherface.“Asin,IhappenedtofallasleepbeforeIexpected.Iwasgettingdressed—

puttingsomedarkclotheson—whenIheardmymomcomingtocheckonme.She’dprobablyheardmydresserdrawersorsomething—”

“Yourdrawers?”Maybecksaid,winningavolleyoflaughter.“AndIhadtogetintobedfast,andnextthingIknowI’mwakinguphere.”“Here,”saidJess,who’dwornasweater.Philbythankedherashetiedit

aroundhiswaist.“Icanall-clearintooneofthegiftshopsandborrowyouapairofpants.We

justhavetoputthembackbeforeweleave.”That’sexactlywhathedidontheirwaytotheWondersofLifepavilion.

FinnwalkedthroughthefrontdooroftheFutureWorldgiftshop,foundsomeclothesforPhilby,andshovedthemthroughamailslot.PhilbyendedupinsweatpantsandaTestTrackT-shirt.

“Okay,that’stheentrance,”Willasaidastheyapproachedalineofpottedevergreentrees.Thetreeshadbeencleverlyplacedtobothblocktheentryrampandscreentheclosedpavilionfromview.

“Overhere,”Finnsaid,movingthemintotheplantingtohide.Heloweredhisvoice.“We’dbettersplitup.”He’dlongsinceacceptedthattheotherKeeperslookedtohimtohaveaplan.“Thatwayifthere’strouble,maybeonegroupcanhelptheother.Or,attheveryleast,notallofusgetcaughtatthesametime.”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundgreat,”Charlenesaid,theclimbingropecarriedoverherleftshoulder.

“Doyoufeellikeclimbing?”Finnasked.Shepeeredoutattheroundpavilion.“IshouldbeabletogetupthoseXsto

thatlipinthemiddleoftheglass.ItlookslikeIcangetcleararoundthebuilding.”

“There’sasunroomterrace,overthere,”Philbysaid,pointing.“Ifyoucouldlowertherope—”

“Yeah!”saidMaybeck.“You’llneedtotieoffbothends,”CharlenetoldMaybeck.“I’lldoubleit,

likewedoforclimbing,sowecanpullitdownfromthebottomafterweleave.”“Nosweat.”“Philby,Willa,andMaybeckwillclimbandmeetyouonthebalcony,”Finn

said.“Philby,youorMaybeckcouldall-clearandgothroughthedoorandgetitopen.

“Amanda,Jess,andIwillhangnearthefrontdoors.Onceyouguysarein,ifthere’snoonewatchingthefrontdoor,oneofyouwillcomeletusin.Youguyswilltakethesecondfloor,we’lltakethegroundlevel.”

Charlenehelduphermobilephone.Sheworeablackbaseballcaptohelphideherblondhair.“I’llcallifIspottrouble.”

“Mightbetoorisky,”Finnsaid.“Toonoisy.Let’sstickwiththeflashlights.

Threeflashesisclear.Onemeanswehanghereandwaitforyoutocomeback.”“Okay,”Charlenesaid,thestrengthinhervoicebelyingherpretenseof

bravery.“Butyou’llneedaviewofthesunroom.”“I’mwithyou,”Maybecksaid.“Icangiveyoualegup,thenI’llgetaround

tothesideandwaitforyoursignal.I’llpassiton.”“Thatworks,”Finnsaid.“Areyousureyou’reokaywiththis?”JessaskedCharlenesomewhat

timidly.“She’sfine,”Maybecksaid,resentingJess’svoicingherconcern.“Helpmetiethison,”Charlenesaid.AmandaandJessknottedthecoilofropeintoafigureeightthatfitsnugly

onCharlene’sshoulder.Shedouble-checkedtheflashlight,cuppingittoavoidgivingtheirpositionaway.

“Onelastthing,”Finnsaid.“Ifitgoesbadinthere,werendezvousintwostages.First,here,ifitseemssafe.Then,wherewecrossedover,overnearTestTrack.Ifsomeofusmissthefirstcrossover,I’llleavethefobonthewaterfountainbythebathrooms.We’llneedabetterhidingplaceforitafterthefinalcrossover,sokeepthatinmind.”

“We’regood,”animpatientMaybecksaid.“Let’sdothisthing.”HeandCharleneslippedoutofthebushesand,duckinglow,ranquickly

towardtheloomingpavilion.

23

FINNKEPTAMANDAandJessclose,crouchedandsneakingthroughthetreesandshrubs,withPhilbyandWillalaggingslightlybehind.Thegroupgatheredwherethey’dhaveaviewofMaybeck,whohadscurriedoffintotheovergrowthafterboostingCharleneupintothesuperstructure.Maybeckhadtakenapositionwherehecouldseearoundtothebackofthepavilion.

ThefivewatchedinamazementasCharlenescrambledupthecrossbeamslikeamonkey.Shethrewakneeovertherimthatstuckoffthecurvedsurfacelikeashelf,andthenrosetoherfeet,leaningagainstthewallandinchingherwaytoherleft.Afterafewminutes,shedisappearedaroundthecurveofthebuilding.

“WewaitforMaybeck’ssignal.”“Finn!”hissedJess.Shewaspointingtowardthepavilion.“Ontheground.”“Idon’tknowwhatyou’repointingat.”Amandashuddered.“Isthata—”“Snake?”gaspedWilla.“Notjustasnake,”Philbyanswered.“Apython.Agiantpython.”“That’sGigabyte,”Finnsaid,finallyseeingthething.“It’sfromHoney,I

ShrunktheAudience.”Thepythonwasoverfifteenfeetlongandafootindiameter,witha

diamond-shaped,oversizedheadthesizeofalargepumpkin.Hewaspatrollingthroughthegrassandthelandscapingalongthebaseofthepavilion.“What’shedoinghere?”Willawhispered.“Wearen’tanywherenearHoney,IShrunktheAudience.”

“He’swiththem,”Finnanswered.

“Andifhe’sguardingWonders,”Philbysaid,“thenit’sprettyobviouswho’sinside.”

“Seriously?”Willasoundedterrified.“AnOvertakerforsure,”saidPhilby.“Interestingthatthecharacterscome

aliveherethesameasinMKandAK.Ifwethoughtitwaslimitedtojust—”“SpareustheNuttyProfessorroutine,”Willasaid,uncharacteristically

harshly.“IftheOvertakersareinside,thenCharlene’sintrouble,big-time.”“Weshouldhavesetupasystemtodothisinreverse,”Finnsaid,

withdrawinghisflashlightandpreparingtosignalMaybeck.PhilbyslappedhishandoverthefrontofFinn’slight,stoppinghim.“Waitasecond!”hehissed.“Thinkthisthrough.IfyousignalMaybeck,

andhesignalsback,guesswho’llseeit?”Hestaredoffintothegeneraldirectionofwherethey’dlastseenGigabyte.

“Notetoself,”Willasaid.“Where’sthesnakenow?”“Iwaswatchinghim,”Jesssaid.“ButIlosthimbythatcolumn.”“Whatifhe’sheadedhere?”Willasaid,speakingwhattheywereall

thinking.“Don’tsnakeshaveamazingnoses?”“Theydohaveanolfactoryability,”Philbysaid.“Theydon’thavenoses.

Butyes,theycansmellthingsalong,longwaysaway.”“Likenervousgirls?”Willasaid.“WehavetowarnCharlene,”Finnsaid.“Notwiththeflashlight,”Philbycautioned.“That’llbackfire.”WillaquicklytriedtoreachCharlenebyphone.Sheshookherhead.“Must

haveturneditoffwhenwenixedit.”Finnfeltresponsibleforthatdecision.Hetoedarockfreeofthedirtattheir

feetandpickeditup.“Whatifwecoulddistractthesnake?Turnhimaroundsohedoesn’tseeourflashlights?”

“Ithinkitmaybetoolateforthat,”Amandasaid.ShewaslookingofftowardMaybeck,andwhenFinnlookedinthatdirectionhesawwhatshehadseen:asmallwhitelightflashingthreetimes,pausing,andflashingthesamesignalagain.MaybeckwasrelayingCharlene’ssignal.

“Shethinkseverything’sokay,”Finngasped.“Andmaybeitis,”Philbysaid.“Maybeitisn’ttheOvertakersinside,but

Wayne.Maybethesnakeisonhisown,patrollingWondersfortheOvertakers,sure,butnotwiththem.”

“Thatwouldbealuckybreak,”Finnsaid.“Onlyonewaytotestit,”Philbypointedout.Finnnodded.Heextendedtheflashlightthroughthewallofleavesand

pusheditsbuttononce,signaling:danger.

24

THEAREAOFTHEBUSHESwherethey’dseenMaybeck’sflashlightremaineddark.Butfromthegrassthereappearedasilvergrayflashofadifferentsort:snakeskin.AsPhilbyhadpredicted,GigabytehadseenthesignalandhadtakenoffinMaybeck’sdirectiontodetermineitssource.

“Thisisourshot,”Finnsaid.“Maybeckjustboughtusthefrontdoor.Wecan’twaitforCharlene.”

“Areyounuts?”Willasaid.“Wegonow!”Finnsaid.Hereachedout,tookAmandabythehand,andled

heroutoftheshrubbery,somehowknowingthattheotherswouldfollow—thatJesswouldstaywithAmanda,andPhilbywouldjoinhim;Willawasn’tgoingtoremaininthebushesalone.

TheirDHIssprintedacrossthelawn,jumpedarail,andhurrieduptherampleadingtothepavilion’sfrontdoor.Allofthemwerepanting,andPhilbybentovertocatchhisbreath.

“Givemetwoseconds,”Finnsaid,closinghiseyesandattemptingtosettlehimselfintoall-clear.Butitrequiredaprofounddepthofconcentration,mixedwithasurrenderandthesubsequentremovalofanyfear.Standinginthedark,infrontofanenormousabandonedpavilionwithafifteen-footpythonsomewhereoutthere,hefounditdifficulttopicturethepinprickoflightintheseaofdarknessinsidehiseyelids.

“Howdoweknowitisn’tcomingthisway?”Willaasked.“Shh!”Philbyunderstoodthechallengesofall-clear.“Howdoweknowthereisn’tsomething,someone,muchworseinside?”AmandatappedWillaontheshoulderandpointedtoJesswho,standing

alongsideFinn,hadhereyessqueezedshut.

“Iknowthatlook:she’spickinguponsomething,”AmandawhisperedsosoftlythatnotevenPhilbycouldhearher.

Inthegloomydarkness,Jess’srighthandreachedforherbackpocketandpulledoutasmallspiralnotebook,hereyesstillpinchedshut.Herlefthandfoundamechanicalpencilinherfrontpocketand,assheslowlycameoutofhertrance,begantosketch.

Finnpassedthroughtheglassofthepavilion’sfrontdoorandturnedtofacethem.Hecouldbeseentakingadeepbreath.Hetriedtopushthedoor’spanicbar,toopenit,buthishandslidrightthroughtheglassbarrier,andhepulleditbackinside.Heshookhisarms.

“It’scomingback,”Willaannounced,pullingPhilbyandtheothersdowntoacrouch.

Philbypeeredouttoseethesilverpythonslitheringtowardthematahighspeed.“Staydown,”hesaid.

Finntriedasecondtime,andhisglowingarmswentrightoutthedoor.Thethirdtimewasthetrick:thedooropened.

TheothersslippedinsideandPhilbyquietlypulledthedoorclosed.Willabackedherwaythroughthedoor,nevertakinghereyesoffGigabyte.

“Look!”shesaidpointing.“Where’shegoing?”Thepythonreachedthepathandheadedoff,hisbodymaintainingagiant

S-shapeyetstillpropellinghimselfforward,movingtowardthecenteroftheparkawayfromthepavilion.

“Reinforcements.Ifwecouldfollowhim—”“HemightleadustotheOvertakers,”PhilbyconcludedforFinn.“AndmaybeWayne.”“Youcan’tbeserious!”Willacomplained.“It’stoolate,”Philbysaid.“He’stoofast.Theonlywaywe’dbeableto

followhimisatanall-outrun,andhe’dspotus.”Jessgaspedandtheyalllookedatherandherpencilthathadstoppedinthe

midstofmakingthesketch.“Whatisit?”Amandaasked.“It’sme…”Jessanswered.“They’recomingforme.”ForamomentFinncouldn’tthink.Hismind,freeofallthoughtonly

secondsbefore,wasbombardedwithreality—thehardestpartofgoingall-clear.Itwaslikebeingjostledawakefromthedeepestsleepever.Likewakingupin

themiddleofaclassonlytorealizetheteacherhasjustcalledyourname.Heshookhishead.Hishandsweredoingthetinglingthing,andhisfeetfeltasifhewerewalkingonabedofathousandneedles.

“Where?”hemanagedtosay.“Theimagestopped,”Jesssaid,shrugginghershoulders.“TheminuteI

realizeditwasme,theimagestopped.”“We’vegottogetherback,”Willasaid.“Crossherbackover.”“Weneedher,”Finnsaid,withoutthinking.Helookedather,knowingthe

kindofpressuretheywereputtingontoher,butnotseeinganychoice.Theyhadcomealongwaytoreachthismoment.“It’suptoyou.”TheywerewheretheywerebecauseofJess’soriginaldream,becauseofherpowersasaseer.Hebelievedtheyneededhertosearchthepavilion,toconfirmthattheyhadtherightplace.“Noonewillholditagainstyouifyougo.It’sprobablythesmartthingtodo.”

“Theywillcomefrommyleftside.Twoofthem.Amanwitharedbeardandagreentunic,andaboymuchlikehimwearingblue.Iknowthatsoundsridiculous,but…”

“Trustme,”Finnsaid.“Everythingwedoisridiculous.Noonewouldbelievehalfofwhatwe’veseen.”

“Vikings,”Philbywhispered.“Norway.There’safather-and-sondisplay.It’sjustaboutasshehasdescribed.”

“Whatabout…cavemen?”Jessasked.“Iknowthatalsosoundsstupidbut—”

“Nothingisstupid,”Finnsaid.“Youknowthat!Nothere.Philby?Cavemen?”

“SpaceshipEarth.Anotherfather-and-sonteam.Inthescene,thetwoarelookingatpictographsoncavewalls.Theguestsseethemfrombehind,neverseetheirfaces.”

“They’repartofthistoo,”Jessdeclared.“Overtakers,”WillaandFinnsaidinunison.“Howdoweprotecther?”Amandasaidanxiously.“Weknowwhattoexpectnow,”Finnsaid.“Orwhotoexpect.”“Keepthemawayfromme,andI’msafe,”Jesssaid.“Wedon’tknowthatwhatshejustsawwillhappentonight,”Professor

Philbypointedout,raisinghisindexfingerperfunctorily.“Thefutureislonger

thanjustthenextfewminutes.”“Butwhatshesawcouldalsohappentonight,”atroubledAmandasaid.“IfwestoppedtalkingandstartedlookingforWayne,”Finnsaid,“tonight

wouldbeoveralotsooner.”Maybeckappearedatthetopofthestairsandstoppedabruptly.“I

thought…”hewhispered,seeingthemalreadyinside.“Changeofplans,”Finnhissedback.MaybeckmadeaseriesofhandsignalsthatapparentlyFinnwassupposed

tounderstand.Hedidn’t.“HeandCharlenewillstayupstairs,”Philbytranslated.“Nosignofthe

Overtakers.ShouldwesplitupJessandAmanda?”“Yougotallthat,”Finnasked,bewildered,“fromhimpumpinghisfistsa

coupletimes?”“No.Thatlastpartwasme.WhataboutJessupstairs,Amandawithus?If

anyonecomesafterJess,maybewecanactasdecoys,buyingCharlenetimetogetJessoutofhere.”

“Worksforme,”Finnsaid.“Jess?”“Sure.Whynot?”ShegaveafleetingglanceinthedirectionofAmanda

andhurriedupthestairs.Finn,Willa,Philby,andAmandacreptforwardandmovedpastgroupingsofgraymachineswithboldwhitenumbersontheirfronts.Philbyexplained,alittleheavy-handedly,thatWondershadbeenknownforitsinteractivestationslongbeforeinteractivewasevenaword.Therewereallsortsofgamesanddemonstrationssurroundingthemthatinvolvedparticipation,buttheirplugswerepulledandtheywerestackedrandomlytogether—itlookedmorelikeatechnologygraveyardthanaDisneyattraction.

Adoorwayopenedintoavastspacebeneathadome.“ThisremindsmeofTheLand,”Willasaid.“Onlydifferent.”Agrayglowfromthepathlightingoutsideleakedthroughtheskylights,

playingonthecontentslikemoonlight.Atthecenterofthecircularspacewasatheater;therewerestructuresmadetolookliketents,andseatsandtables;thewholepavilionwasdesertedinawaythatsuggestedthattheguestshadfledinahurry.

“Creepy,”Willasaid.“Timesten,”Amandasaid.TherewasasignforBODYWARSontheoppositewallinfrontofaqueue

withstanchionsandchain.“Itwasoriginallyallaboutstufftodowithhealth,”Philbysaid.“Body

Wars,CraniumCommand,TheMakingofMe.Someofitwasreallygross.”“Alotofplacestohideaperson,”Finnsaid.“Andtotallyempty,”Philbysaid.“It’sprettyweirdtoseeanentirepavilion

totallyempty.”“Youthink?”Willasnappedsarcastically.Awhistlecaughttheirattention.Finnlookedbehindthemtothesecond

floor—anenclosedsunroomthatranfullyaroundthebuilding.Maybeckwaswavingforthemtocomeup.

Philbygesturedinhandsignals.Maybeckgesturedback.“DidImissaclassorsomething?”Finnasked.“Hewantsusallupthere,”Philbysaid.“There’ssomethingtosee.”“That’snotsosmart,”Finnsaidimmediately.“We’remoreeffectiveintwo

groups.Asasinglegroupwe’revulnerable.”Philbynodded.HeflashedMaybecksomehandsignals,andMaybeck

turnedfromtherailinganddisappeared.“Okay,Maybeck’scomingdown,”Philbysaid.“YouandAmandawillgo

uptoCharleneandJess.”FinnremainedskepticalthatPhilbycouldhavegottenthatfromMaybeck’s

fewquickgestures,butamomentlaterMaybeckappeared.“You’renotgoingtobelieveit,”Maybecksaid.“Keepaneyeout,”Finnsaid.“Allphonesonvibrate.Callmeifthere’s

trouble.”HeandAmandatookoff.FinnandAmandahurriedbacktothemaindoorsandwerehalfwayupthe

stairswhenFinntripped.Hefellflatintothestonestairsandstruggledtostandbackup,desperatenottolooktoomuchlikeanuncoordinateddork.ButAmandacrawleduphisbackandlaydownontopofhim,holdinghimdown,squeezingthebreathoutofhim,beforeslidingofftohisside,herleftarmstillaroundhim.“Outside!”shewhispered.

Theexteriorwallwasglass.FinnedgedhiseyeovertheedgeofthestaircaseandspottedwhatAmandahadseen:thegiantgraypython,squirmingtowardthepavilion,withfourshapesfollowingclosebehind.Twoadults,twochildren,judgingbytheirsize.

“Vikingsandcave…people,”Finnsaid.Herolledoverandquicklytexted

alltheothers.

MAYDAY!

Finnwaslyingface-to-facewithAmanda,soclosethathecouldsmellaflowerysweetness.Herhandhadseemedtoburnhisbackwhereshe’dtouchedhim.

Philby,Maybeck,andWillaappeared,movingtowardthefrontdoor.“Pssst!”FinncaughtPhilby’sattentionandtriedhisbesttohand-signal

himtocrouchandhurrytojointhem.HethentookAmanda’shandand,bendinglow,thetworacedforthetopofthestairs.

Theyrandownahallandintoaroomwhereareal-lifefabriccircustenthadbeenerectedinsidethereceptionarea.Beyondthecircustent,Charlenewaswavingthemahead.

AsFinnreachedCharleneandJess,theotherthreewerefastonhisheels.Finnsteppedintowhatturnedouttobeaconferenceroomwithalongovaltablesurroundedbyadozenormorecomfortablechairs.Butitwasn’tthechairsorthetablethatcaughthiseye.Itwasthewalls.They’dbeenpaintedwithcarouselhorsesfromMaryPoppins,sohefeltasifhewereattheverycenterofacarousel,lookingout.

“Ohmygosh,”hesaid.“Thisisit.”HeimmediatelyidentifiedthepanelandchairthatJesshadsketchedinher

diary.Theresemblancewasuncanny.She’dcaptureditperfectly.“Butnocodeonthewall,”Jesspointedout.“Orifit’sthere,wecan’tsee

it.”“Maybeit’sinvisibleinkoritneedsaspeciallightorsomethinginorderto

beseen,”Philbysaid.“AndnoWayne,”Charlenesaid.“We’reout-ahere,people,”Maybecksaidashearrived.“Thosefouraren’t

sightseeing.”Finnsaid,“We’llgodownCharlene’srope,assoonaswe’recertainthose

fourareinside.”“Whatfour?”Charleneasked.“We’llexplainlater,”Finnsaid.“Wehavevisitors,”saidAmanda.“Twosetsoffathersandsons.”

“Anddon’tforgetthesnake,”saidWilla.“I’llstandwatch,”Maybeckoffered.“Themomenttheyenterthebuilding,

wegoovertheside.”“Whataboutthesnake?”Willaaskedinadryrasp.“Icandealwiththesnake,”Finnsaid.Ifhecouldmaintainhimselffully

crossedoverinall-clear,thesnakewouldhavenothingtoattack.If,hethought.“Followme!”Charlenesaid,leadingthemthroughajumbledroomwhere

therewerecloudfiguresonthewall.Jessstoppedasifshe’dhitawallofglass.Finngrabbedher.Shesaid,“Iknowthisplace.I’veseenthoseshapes.”Shepointedtoahot-

airballoonandaspaceship—smallplasterreliefshangingonthewallaboutfifteenfeetabovethefloor.

“We’vegottogo,”Finnsaid,pullingherafterhim.Theyenteredaspaciouspatioenclosedinwallsofglassthatmetoverheadlikeagreenhouse.OneofthewindowswasopenandFinnspottedCharlene’sropeloopedoverapipeanddoubled,droppingdowntotheground.

“Philbyfirst.ThenJess,thenAmanda.”Noonearguedwithhim.WhenMaybeckappeared,franticandexcited,

Philbyhookedtheropeinhisfeetandloweredhimself.Jesswentnext.Theywentquickly,inanorderlyfashion,andFinnthoughtbacktoWaynetellinghimthatsomepeoplewereborntoleadandthathewasoneofthosepeople.Hehadn’tbelieveditatthetime,buthewasslowlycomingaround.

“I’mlast,”Charlenetoldhim,whenonlythetwoofthemremained.“I’lltaketheropeoutsotheywon’tevenknowwewerehere.”

“Howcanyoudothat?”Finnasked.“Sameasinclimbing.I’lllooptheropeoverabaruptop.We’llclimbona

doubleropeandthenpullingitoutisamatterofjusttuggingoneendofit.”“Butnofunnybusiness,”Finnsaid.“None,”shesaid.Amomentlatertheywereallintheshrubsatthebaseofthepavilion.Willa

helpedCharlenecoiltherope.Then,fromtheirleft,athickshapeemerged,wormingacrossthegrass

—Gigabyte.Finntriedhisownsignlanguage.Heheldupsixfingersandthen

motionedtowardthethickvegetationtwentyyardsacrosstheopengrass.Philbynoddedtosignalthathehadunderstood.MaybeckpointedbackatFinnandshruggedasiftosay,Whataboutyou?

Finnthumbedhisownchestandthenpointedatthefatgraypython,itstongueslurpingintotheair,searchingforascent.Finnbangedhisfiststogether.

Atthatinstant,GigabyteturnedtowardtheKingdomKeepers.“Now!”Finnsaid.

25

FROMTHEMOMENTFINNtookoffrunning,hewasafraid.Hehatedsnakes.Anykindofsnakegavehimtheweebies.Apythonasthickaroundasabasketballandnearlytwentyfeetlongwasthestuffofhisworstnightmares—he’dneverevenhadadreamthatbad.Somewhereinsidehimheunderstoodhowstupidhe’dbeentooffertoplaythedecoy.Somewhereinhimheunderstoodhowfastasnakethatbigcouldtravelacrosslevelgroundandhowiftherewereanysmallpieceofhimnotfullycrossed-overwhenthesnakecaughtuptohim—forGigabytewouldcatchuptohimnomatterhowfastheran—thathewouldbecaught,crushed,andconsumed.Butheranstraightatthesnake,asfastashislegswouldcarryhim.

Atfirst,Gigabytedidn’tseehim,concentratingonthegroupofsixothers.Thesnakemovedoverthegrassinanalmostlazymotion,asiffilledwithsuchconfidencethatcatchingthekidswasneverinquestion,thatinsteaditwasonlyamatterofwhen,andhowmany,andwhattodowiththemoncetheywerecaught.SuchconfidenceterrifiedFinn;itwastheconfidenceofapredator,akiller.

Despitehisproximitytothedisgustinglylargereptile,thebeastdidn’tturninhisdirection.“Hey!”Finnshouted,tryingtowinhisattention.

ThehugeheadpivotedtowardFinn,oneyelloweyetakinghimin,butthegianttubeofhisbodykeptslidingahead,aimednowataprecisepointdirectlyaheadofCharlene,whohadjustovertakenPhilbyinthefootracetoreachthejungle’sedge.

IttookFinnasecondtorealizewhatwashappening:thesnakewasn’tinterestedinhavingonekidfordinnerwhentheopportunityforsixremainedonlyafewyardsinfrontofhim.

“Scatter!”Finnshouted.Withthat,hebrieflyclosedhiseyesand

summonedthelocomotive’slightinthedarkness—thepinprickofpuritythatwouldallowhimtofullycrossovertoall-clear.Shuttinghiseyesalsohadtheadvantageofeliminatingthesnakefromhisview,andtherebyremovingitfromhisthoughtsandfromanimaginationthatcouldeasilypicturehimasanappetizeraheadofthemainmealGigabytewouldmakeoftheothers.NotonlydidFinnthinkhewasabouttodie,hethoughthewasalsoabouttofailinhiscampaigntosavehisfriends.

Finnopenedhiseyestofindhimselfwithinafewyardsofthething.Gigabyte,respondingtothedistraction,suddenlystraightenedoutfromthewindingSthathadbeenpropellinghimforwardandbentintoagiantC,withFinnatthecenter.

OutofthecornerofhiseyeFinnsawthesnake’stailrecoilandcomeathimwithblindingspeed—likethetipofacrackedwhip.GigabytehadnointerestinbitingFinn,despitetheopenmouthandticklingtongue.HeintendedtoknockFinnoffhisfeet,wraphimselfaroundtheboy,chokethelifeoutofhim,andswallowhimwhole.

Thesnake’stailflewthroughFinn’slegs,makingnocontact.Gigabyte,havingexpectedtohittheboy,rolledoff-balance.ThesnakerecoveredquicklyandtookaimatFinnoncemoreasFinn’sarmsbegantotingleandhisphysicalsensationsreturned.He’dmanagedtoholdtheall-clearforafewpreciousseconds,buthavingasnake’stailwhipthroughhisprojectionprovedmorethanFinncouldbear.Everypieceofhimwassparkingandprickling—hewassubstanceagain,halfhologram,halfhuman,thesameastheothers.ThehumanaspectofhisDHIwouldprovecrushable—ifGigabytegotholdofhim,Finnwasgoingdown.

Thesnakefoldedinhalf,remindingFinnofajackknifingsemitruck.Finnjumpedoverthebodylikeahurdlerbutcaughthistrailingfootandtumbledtotheground.Thesnakereversedcourse,jerkingintoamirrorimageofitself—moreofaVthanaC,withFinnatthecenter;fromFinn’srightswungthehugehead;fromhisleftthepointedtail.TheserpentwasclosingaroundFinn,whoretainedenoughpresenceofmindtoskidtoastopbeforethosesnappingjawsgotholdofhim.He’dseenavideoinscienceclassofareticulatedpythoncatchingandcrushingawharfrat;thesnakehadstruckwithlightningspeedandsnaggeditspreyinitsmouth;itthenatethewigglingratasitquicklycoiledtightlyintoadeathknotthathidallbuttherat’sdesperatelyquiveringtail,whichsoonwentstill.

ThelookinGigabyte’seyeashisheadsweptaroundtoldFinnthatjustsuchastrikewascoming.

Finnturned—trapped—withthesnakequicklyclosingaroundhim.Heshuthiseyesandregainedhisfocus.Hisarmslosttheirtingling.

Agirlscreamed.

***

ToFinn’ssixfriends,Gigabyte’sheadstrikeappearedtohappenwiththespeedofafighterjet.ThemassiveheadseemedtobefeatherlightasitflewlikeaspearatFinn’sbody.

Amandascreamed.TheheadpiercedFinn’sprojectionanddroverightthroughtheboy,once

againmakingnocontact.Onceagain,confusingthepredator.Thesnakeliftedhisheadupintothesky,alreadytwistingandturningits

flashingtongueinsearchofthescentthatconnectedtothepiercingscreamhehadjustheard.

PhilbytuggedhardonAmanda’sarmandgotherrunning.Theplantingwasthick;itwouldnotbeeasygoingforsuchalargesnake.Hecouldtakenothinglikeastraightlinetoreachthem,butwasforcedinsteadtostitchhiswaythroughthedenseundergrowth.Perhapsthisexplainedtheserpent’sattractiontoFinn,whowasoutintheopenandlookedlikeeasyprey.Ifanything,theverysizeofthesnakewasanimpediment.Hewaspowerfulandstrong,yes,buthisweightandmassslowedhimandpreventedhimfromtravelingwellindenseterrain.

GigabytelaunchedhimselfinthedirectionofAmanda’sscream,cuttingarutintothesoftlawn,throwingmudandgrasstoeitherside.

***

Finn,wholosthisbriefstateofall-clearthemomentheheardAmandascream,wasstruckinthebackbythesnake’sdepartingtailandknockedsixfeetupintheairbeforesprawlingontotheground.Likeapendulum,thesnake’stailsweptbacktowardhim,thistimeaimedforhishead.Finnreachedouttoblocktheblow,butforreasonsunknowntohim,endedupclutchingtothetailandholdingonfordearlife.Thissoftenedtheblowandpreventedanother,butleftFinnrushingalongthegrassatnearlythirtymilesanhour,swishedfromsidetoside,andwonderinghowlonghecouldholdon.

Gigabytesensedtheparasiteholdingontohim.Thesnakedidn’tgivefreerides.Heturnedhisheadjustfarenoughtogetaglimpseoftheglowingboy

clingingtohistail—butattheexactwrongmoment.Thesnake’sheadcollidedwithalightbluesteel-railfence.Itbentand

poppedthroughtherailing’stwocenterpipeswhich,asthesnaketurned,puthimintoaheadlock,withhisjawsstucklikeakeyinalock.

Finnletgoandtookoffrunning.Thesnaketurnedfarthertocatchsightofhim,butindoingsofurtherturnedthekeyinthelock,preventinghisownescape.Hestruggledbriefly,writhingwiththeeffort.

Finnran,andranhard.Gigabyte,notabletopullfree,wentstill.Thesnakedislocatedhislower

jaw,thrusthisupperjawforwardand,asthemechanismcameapart,pulledhisheadfromthefence.Helookedtotheright,lickingtheair—thescenttherewasfading;tothelefttherewasonlyabluroflightrunningaway—noscentatall.

Finnheardaferocioushisschargetheairfromsomewherebehindhim.Fartherandfartherbehindhim,asitturnedout.

Hewouldsoontrytodescribethatsoundtoothers.“Likeitwas…cursing,”hewouldsay.Uponreachingtherendezvous,FinndemandedthatPhilbyreturnthe

borrowedpantsandshirt,somethingevenWillabelievedbeyondthecallofduty,giventhesomewhatdesperatenatureoftheircurrentsituation.ButPhilbydidnotobjectandtookoff,returningaminutelaterinonlyhisunderwear,havinglefttheclothesoutsidethedoorofthestore.Againhewassubjectedtoavolleyofcacklesandderisivesnorting.

“Don’tlooknow,”hesaid,outofbreath,“butwe’vegotvisitors.”Finnpeeredaroundtheedgeofthebuildingandouttowardthefountain.“Didtheyseeyou?”heasked,overhisshoulder.“No,Idon’tthinkso.”“Who?”Charleneasked.Philbyanswered,“It’stheVikingsandthecavemanandhisboy.”“They’relookingforus,”Finnsaidinawhisperashejoinedtheothers.

“Mustbe.”Heglancedaroundforaplacetohidethefob,somewheretheycouldfinditwhentheynextcrossedover.Thegardensandgroundswereout—CastMembersworkedonthelandscapingeverydayoftheweek.Thestainless-steelwaterfountainhadnohidingplaces;Finncouldn’tjustleavethefoboutintheopen.

“We’dbetterthinkofsomewherefast,”Charlenesaid,whohadnominated

herselfasscoutandwaskeepingoneeyeonthefountain.“They’regettingcloser.”

“Howcanthisbesodifficult?”Finnasked.Butitwas.UnliketheteepeesintheMagicKingdom,therewasnoobvious

out-of-the-wayspotinwhichtoconcealthefob.“It’sgoingtohavetobethebushes,”Maybecksaid.“Someplaceanyofus

cangetto.We’rejustgoingtohavetotrustthatnoonefindsit.”“Hurry!”Charlenehissed.Finnshowedeveryonewherehewastuckingthefob:nestledinbesidethe

bricksthatlinedaraisedgardenofshrubsandflowers.MaybeckproducedapenfromhispocketandpassedittoFinn.Ifanyone

ofthekidsheldthefobastheycrossedbackover,thefobwouldtravelwiththem.IfFinnpushedthebuttonwithapen,thepenwouldcomealong,butthefobwouldremainbehind.

“Ready?”Finnasked.CharleneabandonedherpostandtheKingdomKeepershuddledtogether

aroundFinn,alongsidetheraisedgardenbed.Hestabbedthebuttonwiththepen.

26

FORTHENEXTDAYandahalfthetextsflewbackandforthbetweentheKingdomKeepers.FinnusedlunchtimetokeepAmandaapprisedofdevelopments:noonehadseenorheardfromWanda;Philbyhadburiedhimselfinresearch,findingouteverythinghecouldaboutdisappearinginks,andbelievingtheyshouldtrytoreturntoWonderstotryouthistheories;Charlenewasconsumedwithtryingoutforadancingpartinaschoolpageant.

“WhataboutMaybeck?”AmandaaskedFinnastheysattogetherinthelunchroom.

“HetextedPhilbytotellhimtobringhimthepaperboxthisafternoon,afterschool.Saidhefiguredsomethingout.”

“Thatsoundspromising,”Amandasaid.“WhataboutJess?”Finnasked.“She’sfine,”Amandaanswereddismissively,withoutamoment’sthought.“I’mjustasking,”hesaid.“Whosaidyouweren’t?”“Asin:hasshehadanymore…uh-oh.”LousyLuowskiwasheadedintheirdirectionwithatraybearingonlyadish

ofjigglinglimegreenJell-O.FinnthoughthehadaprettygoodideawhatLuowskihadinmindfortheJell-O.

“Hello,Greg,”Amandasaidinadisarminglywarmvoice.HertonestoppedLuowskiinhistracks.ThedishofJell-Obumpedagainst

thelipofhistrayandstopped.“We’vegotsomeunfinishedbusiness,”Luowskisaid.MikeHortonnodded

athisside,likeatranslator.

“Greg,”Amandasaidsoftly,drawinghimin.“Haveyouheardaboutthewindhereatschool?”

“That’satrickquestion,”MikeHortonwhisperedtooloudlyintoLuowski’sear.“Windisinvisible,inthefirstplace.”

“That’satrickquestion,”Luowskisaid.“Thinkhard,Mike,”shesaid.“Scienceclassaboutamonthagowhen

DennyFennershovedLoisLongintothecorner.”“Andallthebeakerswentflyingoff….”Hortonstoppedhimself.“Andbrokealloverthefloor,”Amandasaid.Hortonnodded,hisskingoingpale.“What’sgoingon?”Luowskiasked,takinganotherdeterminedsteptoward

Finn.“Itwasn’tpretty,”Hortonanswered.LuowskinowhadthedishofJell-Oinhand,butanarm’slengthfromthe

topofFinn’shead.“WhatI’veheard,”Amandasaid,fixedonLuowskiunflinchingly,“isthat

thewindisactuallylikesomekindofghostthatinhabitstheschoolandhelpsdefendtheinnocent.”

Atthatmoment,Luowski’shairliftedoffhisoilyface,blowingstraightback.Hisshirtsleevesflutteredandrippled.Horton’shairwascaughtbythewindaswell,butnotnearlyinthesameway.Luowskihadtoleanforwardsteeplyjustinordertoremainstanding.

“What…the…heck…is…happening?”TheterrorinhiseyesconveyedLuowski’spredicament.Ifhestoodupstraighthewasgoingtobeblownoverbackward,butthegale-forcewindseemedconfinedtohim,withonlyatinyfractionspillingpastbehindhim.

ThegreenJell-Ocubeswerenolongersquare,butstretchedintotrapezoids.Severalofthemskiddedacrossthedish.Oneescaped,splattingontoLuowski’sshirt.

“Stopit!”LuowskisaidtoFinn,whojustshrugged.“Stopit,youwitch!”hesaidtoAmanda.

“Me?”shegasped,backingherchairupasifafraidofit.“Idon’tthinkghostshearsogood,Greg.I’veheardyouhavetoscreamtogettheirattention.Youhavetoscreamanapology.”

WhateverforceheldLuowskisuddenlydoubled.

Hewasleaningimpossiblyfarforward,likeaskijumper,thesolesofhisrunningshoesfixedtothecafeteria’stilefloor.

Someoftheotherstudentsturned.Onlyafewsecondshadpassedsincethewindhadbeguntoblow.

AmandahadneverstoppedstaringatLuowski,whoseredfacewasnowgrippedinsuchterrorthathelookedlikeabigbaby.

“Idon’tthinktheycanhearyou,”Amandasaid.“I’msorry!I’mso-o-o-o-osorry!”Luowskicrowed.Atthatinstant,theJell-OflewoffthedishandintoLuowski’sfaceandfor

amomentheworeaslimygreenmaskwithonlyhiseyelidspoppingthrough.Thenthewindstoppedallatonce,asifadoorhadbeenshut,andtheforward-leaningLuowskifellflatonhisface,tothedelightofmostofthecafeteria.

Therewerecheersandapplause.FinnlookedacrossthetabletoseeAmanda’sfacefilledwiththelightof

mirth,hereyessparkling,hersmileamilewide.Shechortledandcoveredherlaughingmouthwithherhand,andforthefirsttimelookedawayfromLuowskiandoveratFinn,whosestartledexpressionclearlycaughtherattention.Heshookhisheadfaintlysidetoside.Shewipedthesmileoffherface,suddenlyself-conscious.

“Ithinktheschoolghosthasyournumber,Greg,”shesaid,asshegrabbedhertrayandstoodup.“I’dbecarefulofmakingthreatsifIwereyou.”

Thegreen-facedLuowskirolledoverandlookedupatFinn,abouttosaysomethingwhenhethoughtbetterofit.InsteadheturnedhisgrowlontoHorton,whohadlaughedhimselftotears.

“Wherearewemeetingafterschool?”AmandaaskedFinncalmlyastheywerereturningthesilverwareanddishesofftheirtrays.

“Thatwasyou,”Finnmumbled.“Youcandirectitlikethat?”He’dseenAmandauseherpoweroncebefore.Therewasnodenyingshewasdifferent.

“ThereareallsortsofthingsIcandothatyoudon’tknowabout,Finn.”“Youcan’tjust…dothatinschool.”“OfcourseIcan,”shesaid.“Who’sgoingtobelieveanyonecando

somethinglikethat?TherewillbeadozenexplanationsforwhathappenedtoGreg.Nonewillinvolveme.Justwaitandsee.”

Theyleftthecafeteria,ontheirwaybacktotheirlockers.“DootherFairliesactso—”

“Bravely?”shesaid,interrupting.“Iwasthinkingmorelike…stupidly,”hesaid.“Ha,ha!”“I’mserious.Thatwasstupid.”“GregLuowskiwasgoingtosmeargreenJell-Ointoyourhair.Theleast

youcoulddoisthankme.”“You’reright:thankyou.Butyoushouldfollowthesamerulesastherest

ofus.You’reaDHInow.Youcan’tdrawsuspicion.”“I’maDHIwho’sabouttobesentbacktoMarylandtoahalfwayhouse

fullofFairlies.I’mdesperate,Finn.”“Andhowismisbehavinggoingtohelpyoursituation?”“How’sitgoingtohurtit?”sheasked.“IfIcandoalittlegoodbeforeI

leave,isn’tthatbetterthandoingnothingatall?”Heknewheshouldhaveananswerforthat.Evensomethingtritewould

havebeenwelcome.Butapartofhimunderstoodthatshewasright:whenitcametodoinggood,itwasbettertodosomethingriskyratherthannothingatall.HefeltthesamewayaboutattemptingtofindWayne.

“Whereandwhen?”sheasked,justbeforetheysplitupoffthestairs.“Jelly’splacerightafterschool.”“Gotcha,”shesaid,ascendingthestairseffortlessly,asifastiffwindblew

atherback.

***

MaybecklivedaboveCrazyGlaze,hisauntJelly’spotteryshop.Theshop’sfrontroomwascrowdedwithshelvesofpale,unfiredclayvesselsthatcustomerspaintedandadornedwithglazesandothertreatments,whileitsbackroomcontainedmorerawstock,adeskinthecorner,andasmallkiln.Thetwobigkilnswereoutback,aswerethreemotorizedpotterywheels,andtwomanualones;thewholebackareawascoveredinagraywashthatspokeofyearsofuse.Adjacenttothedeskinthebackroomwasadraftingtable,andnexttoitasewingmachineandalighttable,eachpertainingtoaparticularhobbyofMaybeck’smultitalentedguardian.

Theheavysetwoman,whoserealnamewasBess,hadnotbeengivenhernicknameasaresultofhergirth—substantialthoughitwas—butonaccountofherownmispronunciationofthenameShellyasachild.Jellyhadachoirgirl’s

smile,kindeyes,andfourchins.Hervoicewaslowandhusky,andwhenshelookedatyouitfeltasifshecouldseethingsotherscouldnot—likeafortune-tellerorpriest.

WithalltheKingdomKeepersassembledinthetightspace,Jellyopenedthekilnandcarefullyextricatedabakingsheetcontainingadozenchocolatechipcookies,whichexplainedtheincrediblesmelloftheplace.Shemovedsomebricksandpulledoutasecondsheetoftheoatmealvariety.Maybeckheadedupstairsandreturnedwithaboxofcoldmilkandtheafter-schoolceremonybegan.Oncelipswereproperlylickedfreeofremainingcrumbsandthelastdropsofmilkhadsliddownsugarythroats,Jellyleftthem,shuttingthedoortotheouterroomtodealwithhercustomers.

“So,”Maybecksaid,“Iwasdoinganartprojectforschool,thisthingoflayeringcolors,whensomethingoccurredtome,soItextedPhilby.Isupposeyouknowthatoryouwouldn’tbehere.Thepointbeing,Icouldbewaywrongaboutallthis,andIdidn’tmeantocallamassivemeetingoranything.”

“Nooneforcedustobehere,”Willasaid.“Wewouldn’thavecomeifwehadn’twantedto.”

“Yeah,right.Thethingis,”Maybeckcontinued,“weallknowhowtrickyourfriendis.He’salwaysdoingstuffthathasmultiplemeanings,multiplelayers.That’swhatgotme,Ithink:layers.Workingwiththecolors.’Causethethingis,youlayeryellowoverredandyougetorange,orangeoveryellowandyougetyellow-orange.It’sallaboutwhat’sinfrontandwhat’sbehind.”

“Youkindalostmethere,”Charlenesaid.“It’stheshapesonthebox.They’relikesymbolsorsomething.Curves.

Lines.”“Code?”Philbysaid.“Yeah,Ithink.Inawayatleast.”Maybeckextendedhisopenpalmand

Philbyproducedthesmallpaperboxandhandedittohim.Maybeckswitchedonthelightbox,whichconsistedofasheetofwhiteglassinfrontofapowerful,uniformwhitelight,likethedevicesradiologistsusetoviewX-rays.

“Mytheory,”hesaid,continuing,“isthatWayneexpectedustofigureoutwhatotherswouldnot:thatwhatalonelookedlikesymbolscombinedtosomethingmore.”

“Youmean,kindoflikeus?”Charlenesaid.“Wemakemoresenseasagroup.”

“We’recapableofmore,”Philbyadded.

“Exponential,”Jessadded.Finnrealizedthiswassomethingnew—theDHIstalkingaboutthemselves

asagroup.Ithadalwaysbeenthere,lingeringjustbelowthesurface—theideathatWaynehadintendedthemtoactasagroup,notasindividuals,butthiswasthefirsthecouldrememberanyoneactuallyacknowledgingit.

“Thewholeisgreaterthanthesumofitsparts,”Finnsaid.“Yeah,likethat,Isuppose,”Maybecksaid,“butallI’minterestedinis

layers.”Heheldupthebox.“See,onthissideisaparentheses—theleftside.Turntheboxaround,andthere’sanotherparentheses,alsotheleft,likeastretchedC.”

“Matching,”saidWilla.“Youthinkthey’rebothmeanttobecapitalCs?”PhilbyaskedMaybeck.Maybeckdidn’tanswer.Hespunthepapercubetoshowadifferentface.

“Andthisweirdshape.”Heturnedtheboxtoshowtheoppositeside.“Andthisone.”

“I’velookedthroughadozenlanguagesandafewhundredfonts:Cyrillic,Greek,Roman,ofcourse,”saidPhilby.“Thosesymbolsaren’tpartofanymodernalphabet.Afewofthosemarksareprettyclosetosomeaccentsusedinmodernlanguages,butIdon’tseewherethatgetsus.”

“Becauseit’sWayne,”Maybecksaid.“IfI’mright,it’snotabouttheindividualsymbols,butthewaytheycombine.”

Hemovedthepaperboxclosertothelighttable,theleftparenthesesfacingthekids.Foramomenttheboxcaughtthelightandglowedlikealightbulb;itappearedtogrowbetweenMaybeck’sfingers.Then,ashedelivereditatopthelightbox’sglassplate,themarkontheopposingfacecameintocrispfocus.Thekidspressedtogetherinatighthuddle.

Charlenegasped.“OMG!”saidWilla.“Ithoughtso,”saidtheevermodestMaybeck.“Theleftparenthesesjoins

therightparenthesesandtogether—”“TheyformanO!”saidPhilby.“Ouralphabetafterall!”Maybeckpickedupthebox,turnedit,andreplacedit.Theletterwasa

backwardN,butreversingtheboxformedthelettercorrectly.Therewasanother,fainter,V,butitlookedlikesomethingdrawnandthenerased.He

rotatedtheboxathirdtime.Eachpairofimagesontheopposingsidesofthecube’ssixfacescombinedtoformaletter.

“Turnitaround!”Willasaid.“It’seitheralowercaseb,oralower-,oruppercase,P.”

“Thenit’saP,”Maybecksaid,“becausetheOandNarebothuppercase.”“Agreed,”Philbysaid,alreadygrabbingashapingtoolanddrawingthe

lettersintosomesoftclayonthetablebesidehim:PNO.“Initals?”saidAmanda.“Awhat-do-you-call-it?”“Abbreviation?”saidJess.“No,”saidAmanda.“A…”“Piano?”askedCharlene.“Tryagain,”saidMaybeck.“Adifferentorder.”Philbywrote:NPO,thenNOP.Eachofthekidswasthrowingoutanideaofwhatthevariouslettersstood

for.Philbymovedthetoolthroughthewetclay…O…Beforehe’dreachedthesecondletterJesssaidquietly,“Open.”Theshoutingstopped.Thekilnhummed,ormaybeitwasthelightboxor

theoverheadlights.“Open,”shesaidagain.“OPN.”“Open,”Maybeckrepeated.“Ofcourse.”“ThatissoWayne,”Willasaid.Maybeckcarefullyfoundtheedge,sealedwithathinstripoftape.Ittook

himaminutetolocatearazorblade,butnoonewasgoingtosuggesttheyhurryintothisandteartheboxintheprocess.Atlast,heranthebladethroughthetapeandtheflapwasloose.Twomoreincisionsthroughthegaps,andallsideswerefree.Maybeckcarefullyunfoldedthebox.

“I’vedonethisinmathahundredtimes,”saidPhilby.“Itformsa—”

“It’sacross,”saidAmanda.Maybeckturnedtheboxaroundinhispalmtomakeitapropercross.TheVnowpointeddown,towardhiswrist.

“That’snotaV,”saidFinn.“It’sapoint.”Philbysaid,“It’satipofa—”“Sword,”saidMaybeck.“Onlyboyswouldseethatasasword,”saidCharlenecynically.“Itisso

obviouslyacross.”“It’sasword,”Philbysaid,agreeingwithMaybeck.“ThisisWayne,don’t

forget.”“It’sacross.AndinEpcot,thatmeansFrance.”“AnditwasoutsideofFrance,”AmandasaidtoJess,“thatyoufelt…you

know…feltsomethingthefirsttimeyoucrossedover.”Jessnoddedtimidly.Willasaid,“AndFrancealsomeansNotreDame.TheHunchback—that’s

Disney.”“It’sasword,”Maybeckrepeated.“AndinEpcot,”Philbysaid,mimickingher,“that’s…”Hesquintedhis

eyes.“Norway.TheMaelstromride—”“Ilovethatride!”saidFinn,immediatelywishinghehadn’t.“—hasaswordinit,”Philbysaid,finishinghisthought.“ImpressionsdeFrance,”Willasaid,“isafilminEpcot’sFrance.Itshows

thecathedral,asdoesanexhibitwhileyou’rewaitingtogetintothefilm.He’sleftusanotherclueortheanswerthere.Maybehe’sbeingheldinFrance.”

“Maybehe’sbeingheldinNorway,”Philbyfiredback.

“Maybewesplitupandfigurethisout,”saidFinn.“Divideandconquer,”saidAmanda.“GirlstoFrance,boystoNorway.”“Tonight,”saidMaybeck.“Nineo’clock,”saidPhilby.“Icancrossoverandprogramtheprojectors.

…Ihavetocrossovertoprogramthem;there’snowaypastthefirewallsfromouthere.Ican’tpromisethesystemwon’tgodownatmidnight.Itriedtoreprogramthat,butthingsgotweird,andI’mnotsureIdidanygood.”

“Thatwillgiveusaboutthreehours,”saidCharlene.“Isn’tthatenough?”Philbyansweredfortheboys.“Itdependsonwhatwefind.”

27

BYNINE-FORTYTHEYHADALLcrossedoverintoEpcot.Theyarrivedintothesamelocationasbefore—nearthepublicrestroomsonthewaytoTestTrack.ThistimePhilbyworedarkclothes,whileCharlenearrivedinthesamecottonnightgownsheworesooften,avictimofhersinglemother’slyingdownonCharlene’sbedwithherandbothofthemsubsequentlyfallingasleep.

Finn’sDHIappeared,onhissidewithhislegstuckedupagainsthischest,hishandsflatunderhishead,inthesamepositioninwhichhesleptinhisbedathome.Hesatupandheadedfortheconcreteblockplanterbeforeevensayinghellotoanyone.

Hishandsdugaroundintheplanter.“Okay!Who’sgotit?”hesaid,tryingtokeephisvoicecalm.Theotherslookedathimblankly.Jesssaid,“Gotwhat?”“TheReturn,”Philbyanswered,understandingimmediately.“Thefob.”“Ourwayhome,”saidMaybeck.“Withoutthefob,we’restuckhere.”“TheSyndrome,”Charlenechokedout.“Seriously,”Finnsaid.“Thisisnotimeforgames.Who’sgotit?”He

searchedtheirfacesinthedimlightandknewimmediatelythatitwasnotapracticaljoke.

“You’vegottobekiddingme,”hesaid,desperately.“Listen,”Philbysaid.“Itmaynotbestolen.Itcouldhaveeasilybeenfound

byagardenerwhothoughtithadfallenoutofsomeone’spocketwhentheyweresittingonthewall.”

“Lostandfound,”Charlenesaid.

“Exactly,”saidPhilby.“Oh,perfect,”saidWilla.“Howarewesupposedtofindlostandfound?”“Bylookingforit,”Finnanswered.“Wecan’tfreakout.Stuffhappens.”“Yeah,butithappenstousallthetime,”Willasaid.“That’spartofit,Ithink,”Finnsaid.“Partofbeingwhateveritisweare.”“KingdomKeepers,”saidAmanda.“Don’tyouguysgetit?Youthinkit’s

coincidencethatwe’veallmet?ThatJessandIjusthappenedtomeetyou?Idon’tthinkso.Wayneputyoutogetherforareason.Eachofyouhasapurpose,andtogetherwehavesomebiggerreasonforbeinghere.”

“Wegetit,”saidMaybeck.“Wejustdon’ttalkaboutitalot.”“It’skindoffreaky,”saidCharlene.“Finnisright,”Amandasaid.“You—we—cangetthroughthis.Wehaveto

getthroughthis.Ihavetheabilitytomovethingsaround.Finncanwalkthroughdoors.HeandIwilllookforthefob.OncewegetitbackI’llgotoFranceandFinnwillgotoNorway—howridiculousdoesthatsound?—andcatchupwithyou.”

“Soundslikeaplan,”Maybecksaid.Herarelyagreedwithaplan,soFinntookthisasamajorendorsement.“PhilbyandIwillheadtoNorwayandlookforthesword.”

“Jess,Willa,andCharlie,”Finnsaid,usingCharlene’snickname,“willmakeforParisandthepossibleconnectionbetweentheboxandacross.You’llalsomakesurenooneattacksJessfromherleft.”

“Ithinkthatthreatisover,”Jesssaid.“Nomatterwhat,”Finninjected,fiddlingwithhismobilephone,“wemeet

herebeforemidnight.Nomatterwhereanyofusareateleven-forty-five,weheadbackheretoreturn.”

“Weapparentlycanuseourphones,”Philbydeclared.“Incaseyou’reinterested,”hesaidtoFinn,readingthescreen,“lostandfoundisinagiftshoptotherightoftheentrance.”Hehelduphisphone.“IGoogledit.”

“I’minterested,”saidFinn.HereachedoutandgrabbedAmanda’sarmabovetheelbow.“Youokaywiththis?”

“I’mfollowingyou,”shesaid.

***

WillavoicedwhatCharleneandJesswereboththinking.“Theydidn’ttrytostickaboywithus.”

“Iwassuretheywould,”Charlenesaid.“It’sthesword,”Jesssaid.“Boysandswords.I’llbetifyouaskedFinn,

he’dhaverathergoneaftertheswordthanthelostandfound.”“Staydown,”Willasaid.“Nomatterwhat,wecan’tbecaughtorgetin

trouble.Theboyswouldfryusifthathappened!”Themostdangerousmomentlayahead:crossingthefountainplaza.Their

DHIsshimmeredinthedark,likethefaceofawristwatchlosingitsglow;theydidn’tthrowlight—theywouldn’tbeeasilyseenfromanykindofdistance,butwithintentotwentyyardstheywerevisible.

“We’llgooneatatime,”Willainstructed.“Charlene,you’rethefastest,soyou’llgofirst.Ifyou’rechased,don’tleadwhoever’sfollowingtoFrance,soyou’dbetterhaveaplannowforwhereyou’llgo.”

“TherearetreesbehindTheLand,”Charlenesaid.“AndontheothersideofTheLivingSeasisasmallforest.Icanloseanybodyinthere.”

“We’llmeetattheEiffelTowerintwentyminutesifwegetseparated,”Willaannounced.

“Later,”Charlenesaid.Crouchinglow,sheracedoutacrosstheopenexpanseandintothetrees

acrosstheway.Shewavedatthemandthensteppeddeeperintothevegetation,disappearing.

Jesswentnext.She,too,wasafastrunnerandreachedthetreesapparentlywithoutcausinganyalarm.HerDHIsparkledintheshadows.

Willawaited,atingleticklingheratthebaseofherneck.Somethingwasn’tright.Shewaited,lookingbothdirections.Itwasahum.Notanengine—notexactly—butabikemaybe,thatstickysoundofrubberonconcrete.Toherleftshesawthem:apairofSegwayscooters,thosetwo-wheeledmotorizedscootersthatmaintainperfectbalanceandareriddenstandingup.Policeusedtheminairportsandmalls.Butitwasn’tpolicemenridingthetwoSegways;theriderswere…crash-testdummies.

Shesquintedandblinked,believingshe’dseenwrong.Despiteeverythingshe’dlearnedabouttheparksafterdarkshestillcouldn’talwaysacceptwhatshesaw.

Thedummiesweretalkingtoeachother,ridingtheSegwaysside-by-side,theirvoicestoofainttobeheardatadistance,butvoicesnonetheless;therewas

nomistakingthatsound.TheSegwaysfollowedthepathcurvingaroundtheWorldShowcase

Lagoonand,amomentlater,weregone.Willasprintedacrosstheplazaandintothetrees,makingamentalnoteto

askPhilbyabouttheSegways.Ifcrash-testdummiescouldgetholdofapairofthethings,whycouldn’ttheKingdomKeepersmanagetoaswell?

“Didyouseethat?”sheaskedtheothertwoasshereachedthem,deepintothetrees.

“What?”Charleneasked.“No,”saidJess.“Ah…well…youprobablywouldn’tbelieveitanyway.Let’sjustsaythere

arepatrolsout,andI’mnottalkingDisneySecurity.”“Overtakers?”whisperedCharlene.“Thatwouldbeyes,”Willasaid.“OnSegways,andmovingfast.”“That’srandom,”Willasaid.“Isitsafe?”Jesssaid,clearlyfrightened.“It’sneversafeforus,”Willainformedher.“Thethingtorememberis

we’renothingbutprojectedlight.Imean,thatis,that’swhatwearewhenwe’repureDHI,whichisbasicallynever.”

“Unlessyou’reFinn,”Charlenesaid.“AndMaybeckonce.AndI’vebeenpracticing.”

“Ifwecouldmakeourselvespureprojection—whatFinncalls‘all-clear’—thentherewouldbenothingtocatch—likewavingyourfingerthroughaflame,oroneofthoselaserpointers.”WillasoundedlikePhilbybutwithahighvoice.“Buttheminuteyouletfearintoit,whichisbasicallyallthetime,thenyou’recatchable.”

“Solet’sgetthisoverwith,”Jessdeclared.TheyworkedtheirwaythroughtheplantingaroundandbehindCanadaand

pastsomebathroomstoaspotwhereWillamotionedforthemtostopandsquatdownbehindamerchandisekiosk.TheEiffelTower,shimmeringwithlights,rosetotheirright.Thenightairmadeitlooksoimpossiblyclose.

“Thisistheworst,”Willawhispered.“TheonlywayovertoFranceisacrossthatbridge.Unlessyoufeellikeswimming?”

“Nothanks,”gushedJess.“We’llbetotallyexposed,”Charlenesaid.“Totallyoutintheopen.”

“That’sright.”“Itturnsattheisland,”Willasaid.Thebridgewassupportedbywhat

amountedtoalargerockatthemiddle.“Wemightbeabletohidethere,butIdoubtit.Thetroubleis,youcanseethatbridgefromjustaboutanywhereintheWorldShowcase.Evenfromacrossthelagoon.”ShepointedtothetwoSegwaysmovingpastJapan:small,swift,silentshapes.

“Theirbacksaretous,”Charlenesaid.“Wecouldgoforit.”“Therearemore,”saidJessinachillingvoice.Sherubbedherforeheadas

iffightingaheadache.“Youfeelingokay?”Charleneasked,withevidentconcern.“Picturesinmyhead,”Jesswhispered.“Ithasn’tbeenlikethisbefore.

Samethinglasttime.Itmustbethisplace.”“Or,”Willasaid,“maybebecomingaDHIdidsomethingtoyou.Maybewe

shouldhavethoughtaboutthat.”“Ithinkithastodowithgettingolder,”Jesssaid.“Everyweekit’sdifferent

now.Stronger.”“Wedon’twanttoloseyoutosomesurpriseattack.”“Don’tworryaboutme,”Jesssaid.“Howdowegetoverthebridge?”Charleneanswered.“Wedon’t.”Thetwolookedatherintently.“Wegounderit,”shesaid.

***

AtSpaceshipEarthFinnandAmandacrossedtothewestsideoftheplazaandthenintoajungleplanting,headingtowardtheentranceandthegiftshop.Theywerebothjumpy,alertforOvertakers.

“It’ssoweirdwhenit’semptylikethis,”Amandasaidsoftly.“Yes,itis.Samewiththeotherparks.IthoughtI’dgetusedtoit,butI

don’t.Itfreaksmeout.”“Totally.”“ThereareOvertakershere.Wesawthem.Let’snotforgetGigabyte.”“Oh,thanks.Ireallyneededthatimage.”Amandacrossedherarmsand

lookedafraid.“Ifwehavetorun,headfortheparkinglots.Theprojectorsonlyworkin

theparkitself.We’llturninvisibleoutthere.Oncewedo,oncewelosethem,makeyourwaybackaroundandintothesetrees.Onhandsandkneesifwehaveto.We’llmeetinthemiddle,socircletowardthecenter.Circleagainifyoudon’tseeme.”

“Thereallycreepypart,”shesaid,“isthatyousaythatallsocalmly.LikeIshouldexpecttobechased.LikewanderingaroundonmyhandsandkneesinsomeDisneyjungle,glowingandsparkinglikesomekindofdefectivelight,isnormal.”

“Youkindofgetusedtoit,”hesaid.“Whichmakesitalltheweirder,believeme.”They’dtraveledtwentyyardsormore.Finnheldhisfingerstohislipsand

signaledherthattheywerelookingatthebacksideofthegiftshop.Hemovedclosetoherandspokeincrediblysoftly.“I’mgoingtotrytoget

throughthatbackwall.Ifanyoneshowsup,orifIcomerunningoutofthere,Imayneedyoutodothatwindthingofyours:tostopsomeonechasingme.”

“Noproblem.”“Youcandoitjustlikethat?”“SameaswithGreg,”shesaid.“Andisthereanythingelseyoucando?Anyotherpowersyou’rekeeping

frommethatmightbehelpful?”“Iguesswe’llfindout,”shesaid.“Whatkindofansweristhat?”“Theonlyoneyou’regoingtoget.”

***

PhilbyandMaybeckhadsneakedalongthewestsideofEpcot,pastTestTrackandMexicotoaplacewheretheyhadacleanviewofNorway’scentralbuildingwithitsmanysharplypointedroofsandbarnlikewoodconstruction.

“Inside,”Philbysaid,“there’saNorwegianvillage—”“AndMaelstrom,”Maybeckremindedhim.“Exactly.”“Sowhatarewewaitingfor?”Maybeckasked.“TheSegways.”“WhatSegways?”

“Thetroublewithyouisyoudon’tpayattention.TwoSegwayspassedinfrontofGermanyaboutfiveminutesago,headingcounterclockwise.”

“Towardus.”“Correct,”Philbysaid.“Thosescooterthings.”“Correct.”“Sowehang.”“Untiltheypass.Yes.Thenwe’llstayclosetotheedgethere,makeourway

intoNorwayandheadstraightforMaelstrom.Thatis,unlessyouhaveabetteridea?”

“Noneedtobelikethat.”“Likewhat?”“Likethewayyou’rebeing.”“There’severyneed,”Philbysaid.“YouchallengeeverythingIsay,

Maybeck.”“You’reanerd.That’swhatI’msupposedtodo.”“Sayswho?Likethere’sahandbookorsomething?”“Listen:you’rethenerdandI’mthedude.WhatcanIsay?”“Ithoughtyou’retheonewhodoesn’tlikestereotyping.”“That’strue.”“So?”“SoIcouldcutyousomeslacksomeofthetime.”“Likenow,forinstance.”“Okay,Igetit.Whatyoudon’tunderstand,ishowannoyingitistohang

withaknow-it-all.”“Thendon’thangwithme.”“Idon’tmeanitthatway:you’reokay.It’sjust…annoyingthatyouknow

somuch.”“Pardonmeforliving.”“Youwouldn’tunderstandbecauseyoudon’thavetobearoundit.”“Ihappentoliketoknowstuff.”“I’mnotknockingthat.”“Ofcourseyouare.”

“Youmaketherestofuslookdumb…feeldumb.”“Noway.”“I’mtellingyou,”Maybecksaid.“Idon’tmeantodothat,”Philbysaid.“Igetexcitedaboutknowingstuff.

MaybeItakeittoofar.”“Maybe?”Maybecksnappedsarcastically.“Messagereceived,”Philbysaid.“Butyou’renoprince,either.”“Don’ttelltheladiesthat.”“Ssh!”Philbyspottedapairofslendershadowsonthepathandatthesame

timeheardawhininghumofanelectricmotor.TheSegways!Hestretchedoutanarm,drivingMaybeckintoshadowwithhim.Bothboysworeblack—allthatshowedoftheirDHIswasathinglowalongtheirshouldersandlegs.Itlookedlikenothingmorethanthelightthatwaversfromalightedswimmingpoolatnight;youwouldhavetostarelongandhardtomakeanysenseofwhatyouwereseeing.

MaybeckgaspedaloudastheSegwayspassedandhesawnotpeoplebutcrash-testdummiesridingthescooters.

PhilbywentrigidandstayedabsolutelystillasthenearestSegwaycametoagradualstop.TheSegwayspunintheirdirectionandthedummywaslookingrightatthem.Hespokeinaneerilyelectronic,monotone,computer-generatedvoicelikefromabadsciencefictionmovie.

“RoverTworeportingaudibleanomaly,detectedfourdegreessouthbysouth-southwestfromcurrentposition.”

Thesecondroverslowed,turnedandreturnedtojointheother.“Sourceofanomaly?”Hehadtheexactsamevoice.

“Unknown.Presumedhuman.”“Novisual.Doyoucopy?”“Copy.”“Errantsignal.Willfileatconclusionofpatrol.”“Copy.”ThetworoversspuninunisonandmotoredoffpastMexico,growingever

smaller.“Thatwas…bizarre,”Maybecksaid.“Overtakers.”

“Ah…Duh!Forassmartasyouare,sometimesyoucansaythedumbestthings.”

“TestTrackdummies.”“Buttheycanspeak,”Maybecksaid.“Ikindofnoticedthat.Isupposethetermdummiesisnotquitefair.They’re

probablysomekindofhybridAnimatronic,tobemoreexact.RobotsbuiltfromleftoverequipmentlikethekindofstuffIsawinthemaintenanceshedthattimewithFinn.”

“YouthinkMaleficentisbuildingherselfanarmy?”Maybecksaid.“MaybeWaynefoundoutaboutit.Maybethat’swhatgothimintrouble.

ExceptthatIwaswithhimwhenhedisappeared,andIdidn’tseeanythingtodowithanyrobots.”

“Butifthere’reOvertakerspatrollingEpcot…”Maybecksaid.“Therehastobeareason,”Philbycompleted.“Yes,that’sright.”“Thesword,”Maybecksaid.“Let’sgo.”

***

WithherincrediblespeedCharleneledtheway,runningfromtheirhidingplaceintheshrubstothejunctionofthebridgeandthemainpath.Oncethere,sheslippedoverthelowwallandskiddeddownonherbottom,grabbingontooneoftheprotrudingrocksinthewallandkeepingherselffromplungingintothecanal.

NextcameJess,sothatWillawouldbelast.Jessbentoverandranhard,mimickingeverythingCharlenehaddone.ShecrawledoverthewallandfoundCharlene’soutstretchedhandawaitingher.

“Waytogo!”Charlenesaidinahoarsewhisper.Theywaited.Oneminute.Two.

“What’stakinghersolong?”Charlenesaid.Shestartedbackupthefaceofthebridge,butJessstoppedher.

“Ifsheisn’there,”Jesssaid,“there’sareason.”AmomentlaterWillavaultedthewall,andcaughtuptothetwogirls.“ThedummiesstoppedoverbyNorway.Icouldn’tseewhatwasgoingon,

butbecausePhilbyandMaybeckareoverthere…”

“Youthinkthey’reokay?”Charleneasked.“Thedummiesstayedthereforaminuteandthenmovedon.Iassume

they’reallright.”“Okay,then,”Charlenesaid.“Havebothofyoudoneunevenparallelbars?”“No,”saidJess.“ButIplayedonthebarontheplaygroundwhenIwas

little.”“Couldyouholdyourselfup?”“Yes.”“That’sallyouneedtodo.Willa?”“I’lldookay,”Willasaid.“Handoverhand,”Charleneadvised.“Keepyourfeetpressedagainstthe

barsoyou’rehangingwithyourbacktothewater.Wecan’tbedanglingourlegsortheymightseeus.”

“Whogoesfirst?”Jessasked.Whenneithergirlanswered,shesaid,“Iwill.”

Sheclamberedovertherocks,surprisingtheothertwowithheragilityandflexibility,andfoundherwaytotheclusterofmetalpipesandplastictubesconnectedtotheundersideofthebridge.Shereachedup,hookedherfingersaroundthebiggestpipe,andpulledherselfup,hangingfromitlikeanopossumfromatreelimb.Sheinchedherwaybackward,wrenchingherneckaroundsoshecouldsee.

“It’snotsobad,”shewhisperedtotheothers.Afteraminuteortwoshereachedtherockislandthatsupportedtheturninthebridge.Sheletherselfdown,foundthesamepipecontinuingonthenextsection,andreachedthefarside.

“You’renext,”CharlenetoldWillaasshewavedtoJessandgaveherathumbs-up.

Willasaid,“I’mnotthemostcoordinatedperson,youknow?”“You’lldofine.Don’tlookdown.Justkeepmoving.Youmightwanttogo

feetfirst.”“Okay.”Willainchedaroundontherockstentativelyandgrabbedholdofthepipe.

Shetesteditbyhangingfromit,thengrippeditagainandswungherlegsupsothatherlegsfacedtheisland,andlookedonceoverhershoulderatCharlene,herexpressiondesperateandfilledwithconcern.Charleneofferedherabright

expressionandhopedforthebest.Willaworkedherselfoutoverthedarkwater,movingslowly,butwith

increasingconfidence.“Psst!”ItwasJessfromtheoppositeshore.Shewaspointingwildlyupthe

canalawayfromthelake.CharleneheldherpalmoutlikeatrafficcoptostopWilla.Willaobeyed.Asmallmotorboatpullingasinglebargewasheadedtowardthelake.The

bargehadsomegearonit—anchorsorsomething.ItwasprobablypartofthesupportcrewfortheIllumiNationsfireworksshow.Nomatter:therewasnowayWillacouldmakeitovertotheislandintimewithoutbeingseen.Ifsheremainedperfectlystill,theboatdrivermightnotseeherashepassedbeneathher.

Charlenehand-signaledWillatostayput.Willanoddedheragreement,butCharleneknewitcouldn’tbeeasy,sinceshewasholdingallherweightbyonlyafewfingersandusingherlegstrengthtoclampherfeettothepipe.CharlenegesturedwithherchinforWillatoflattenherselfsoshewouldn’thangdownsofar.Willanodded,lengthenedherhold,andpulledherselfupclosertothepipe.

Willastruggledtoholdon,archingherback,straighteningherlegs.Andthenithappened:shefell.Herfeetslippedoffthepipe,swingingdown.Themomentumprovedtoomuchforhertiredhands.Shelosthergrip,lettinggoofthepipe,fallingfeetfirst,anddropped.Charleneexpectedasplash,butamazingly,Willalandedonthebargeanddespiteherclaimofnotbeingathletic,shehitwiththegraceofagymnast—hertoes,ankles,kneesabsorbingtheshocksothatshearrivedonthedeckofthebargewithonlythemostminimalsound,asmallthud,whichmighthavebeennothingmorethanawavelappingagainstthesideofthevessel,andmighthavebeenlessenedtoobyherbeinginherDHIstate.Thepilotdidn’tturnaroundorreactinanyway.

AterrifiedWillameteyeswithCharlene,alreadyscurryingacrossthedeckofthebargeandlookingforahidingplace.CharlenehadthepresenceofmindtopointtowardFranceandWillanodded.Theywouldmeetupthereifatallpossible.

Willaandthebargemotoredoutintothelake,thedarknesssoonmaskingthem.Thesoundoftheboatmotorfaded.CharlenescamperedacrossthepipelikeamonkeyandreachedJess.

“Whatdowedo?”Jesssaid.“Whatwecametodo,”Charleneanswered.“Wedon’thaveachoice.”

“Howdoyoupeopledothis?”Jesssaid,hervoicestrainingtoconfineheremotions.

“You’llgetusedtoit,”Charlenesaid.“Afterawhile,youactuallykindofcraveit.”

***

Finnwalkedcalmlyandsteadilyacrosstheshortdistancetothebackwallofthegiftshop.HeforgotaboutAmanda,heforgotaboutWayne;hepicturedthelightofthetraininthetunnel,wheatgrassblowinginthewind,asailboatonthewater,allthingstranquilandgentle.

Hishandsandfeettingled,thesensationspreadingupanddowntomeetsomewhereinthecenterofhischest,nearhisheart,fromwherehefeltawonderfullypeacefulswellofsatisfactionandpleasure.

Hewalkedstraightthroughthecinderblockwall,throughadeskandachair,arrivinginanofficespaceatthebackofthegiftshop.Theshelveswereneatlystockedwithboxesandplasticbagscrammedwithitemstoreplaceallthosesoldoutfront.Therewasacomputerterminalonthedesk,astapler,aphone.ADisneypicturecalendarhungonthewallalongsideseveralcartoonsthathadbeencutfromthenewspaperandanewspapercolumntitled“NoGlassSlippersforThisLittlePrincess.”Post-itshungfromeverywherelikeornamentsfromaChristmastree.AlongthewallbythedoorwasasteelcabinettallerthanFinndividedinhalfbyabigdoorontheleftandtwosmallerdoorsontheright,thelowestofwhichborethetitle:LOSTANDFOUND.

Finnproudlyapproachedthelockerandtriedthelever:locked.Hejiggleditseveraltimestonoavail.Next,hetriedthedesk’scenterdrawer,hopingforthekeytounlockthelostandfound:locked.Infact,everydeskdrawerwaslocked.Hesearchedforanailorhookwherethekeysmighthavebeenhungorhidden:nothing.

Heknewhecouldreachthroughthemetallockerdoor,buttodosohewouldhavetobeinall-clear,whiletotouchandpickupthefobhewouldhavetobeoutofhisall-clearstate.Hecouldn’tevenimaginethepainoflosinghisall-clearstatewhilehisarmwasdividedbyapieceofsteel.Besideswhich,thefobhadnotcrossedoverwithhim—itwouldremainfullymaterialwhetherinhishandornot.OnlyitemstheDHIsheldintheirhandsorcarriedinapocketwhentheywenttosleepachievedtheDHIstate;thelockerdoorwouldneedtobeopenedsoFinncouldremovethefob.

Buttomakesurehehadtherightplace,hekneeledonthefloor,settledhimself,andstuckhisheadthroughthedoorandintothelocker.HisDHI’sglowshoneenoughlightforhimtoseeseveralcellphonesandcameras,asweatshirt—andthesmallblackfob.TheReturn.Hebackedoutofthelockerbeforehisownfrustrationremovedhisall-clearstateandthemetalbitintohisneck.

Soclose,hethought,wonderingiftherewasn’tsomethingtobedone.Howcouldhejustleaveitthere?Hetriedanothersearchoftheplace,includingstickinghisfacethroughthetopofthedesk—likelookingintoapoolfromtheedge—andhespottedasetofkeyshewascertainwouldopenthelocker.

Buttherewasnothingtobedoneaboutit.Justastherewasnowayintothelocker,therewasnowayintothedesk.Theonlywaytoretrievethefobwastodosowhilethelockerwasunlockedandopen.Duringbusinesshours,whenEpcotwasoperating.

Hecalmedhimself,walkedthroughthewallandbackoutsideandcaughtupwithAmanda.

“We’reintrouble,”hetoldher.“Wecan’tcrossbackoveruntiltheparkopens.”

“Butthat’shoursaway,”shesaid.“Anddoesn’tthatmean—?”ShestoppedherselfbecauseFinnwasalreadynodding.

“TheSyndrome,”hesaid.“EveryoneofuswillbestuckintheSyndrome.”

28

PHILBYWHISPEREDTOMAYBECK.“Idon’tlikethis.RemindsmeofSmallWorld.”

“Ihearyou,”returnedMaybeckinanequallysoftvoice.TheywereinsidethedoorsofMaelstrom,walkingquietlythroughthe

emptywaiting-linearea,approachingtheattraction’sloadingdock.Themainlightshadbeenturnedoff.Therewasnomusic.Astheyarrivedattheloadingarea,whereguestswouldboardtheboats,theenormouspaintedmuralfacingthemwasbarelylit,sothatonlythemostbrightlycoloredpaintjumpedoutatthem:ared-and-whitestripedsail,thetophalfofthesun,avillageofwhitebuildings.

“Howdoyouspellcreepy?”Maybeckasked.Aboatawaitedthem,thewatergurglingaroundit.“WhydoInotwanttogetintothatboat?”Philbysaid.“Itwouldn’thaveanythingtodowiththeNorwegianandhissonwhojust

happenedintoWonders,wouldit?”“Andtheaxehewascarrying?”Philbysaid.“Ididn’tseethat.”“Ididn’tmentionittoanyoftheothers,becauseIdon’tthinktheysawit

either,butoh,yes:theredheadwascarryingaverylargeaxe.”“You’resocomforting.”“Itry.”“Well,tryalittleless,wouldyou?”Maybecksaid.“Getintheboat,”Philbyadvised.“I’llturnontheride,”hesaid,pointingto

acontrolconsole,“andjumpinasit’smoving.”

“AndifyouhappennottomakeitandIendupintherealone?”“Thesword,”Philbysaid.“You’dbetternotchickenoutandleavemetodothisalone.”“Don’tsweatit.I’llmakeittotheboatintime.”Maybeckclimbedintothesecondrow.PhilbyhittheSTARTbuttononthe

consoleandrantotheedgeand,withplentyoftimetospare,climbedinalongsideMaybeck.

“Okay,we’vegotproblems,”Philbysaid,practicallybeforehehadsatdown.Hepointedtoacurvingbowofaboatthatstuckoutofthemural;itwaswoodenandthree-dimensional.

“Yeah?So?”Maybecksaid.“That’swherethedudeandhissonaresupposedtobe.”Thefrontofthedisplayboatwasempty.“Meaning?”“Theycouldbeanywhere.”“Anaxe,”Maybeckstated.“Truestory.”“Inheresomewhere?”“Couldbe.”“Whycan’twebenormalkids?”Maybeckasked.“IthinkwehaveWaynetothankforthat.Wayneandourparentswho

wantedthecollegefunds.”“Collegefundsdon’tdoyouanygoodifyouaren’talivetogotocollege.”“Truestory.”Theboatbegantoclimb.Intothedark.Intothesoundofrushingwaterand

thepoundingoftheirownheartsintheirears.

***

“Butwhatifshe’sintrouble?”Jessdemanded.“Thenshe’llgetoutofit,orshe’llcallortext,”Charleneanswered.The

twowerehunkereddownwherethebridgeabuttedthepath,onlyamatterofthirtyyardsfromtheentrancetoFrance.Streetlampscastasoftlight.

Charleneledhertotheirright,alongaretainingwallwhereabicycleand

canoewerefixedtothewalltosimulatethetowpathalongtheriverSeine.Reachingtheendofthisretainingwall,theyclimbedoverandintosomewell-manicuredshrubs,andhigherup,tojustbehindabench,overlookingtheplazainfrontofFrance.

“But…”“Ourjobistogetinthereandfindoutifthere’saconnectiontoWayne.

Willaissmart.She’llthinkofsomething.Ifsheneedsus,we’llhearfromher.I’llgofirst.YouwaituntilIsignalyou.Okay?”

Jessclungtotherockwall,lookingtimidandafraid.“Jess,we’regoodatthis.Youhavetotrustme,thesamewaywealltrust

yourdreams.Wewouldn’tbehereifitweren’tforyou.Allthis,everythingwe’redoingisbecauseofyou,becauseWaynepickedyousomehow,anddon’taskmetoexplainit,becauseIcan’t.Noneofthismakesanysenseoutthereinwhateveryonecallsthe‘realworld,’butthisworldisjustasreal,believeme.Andit’stheworldwe’reinrightnow,soyou’vegottotrustme.”

“It’sjustso…different,”Jesssaid,lookingatherownhandglowing.“Iknowwhatthat’slike.Irememberwhatitwaslikethefirstfewtimes.I

thoughtitwassomekindofdream.Ifitwasn’tfortheothers,I’dstillthinkit’sadream.Butitisn’t.We’rehereandwe’vegotstufftodo,andIneedyoutotrustme.Willa’sgoingtobeokay,andifsheisn’twe’llhelpher.It’sjustthewayitis.”

Jessnodded,stillmesmerizedbyherilluminatedhand.“I’llbetyou’reagoodcheerleader.”

“Sittightandwaitformysignal.”Charlenesprangintoaction.Upandoverandpastthebench,lookingthis

wayandthat,stitchingherwaythroughthetall,maturetreesalongtheembankment.ShefacedtheTuileriesGardensasshecrossedandfoundahidingplacetuckedintoastorefront.

ShewavedandJessfollowed,repeatingherstepsnearlyexactly,amazedhowitsuddenlyfeltasifthey’dcrossedtheAtlanticandsteppedintoaforeigncountry.TheParisianbuildingswererealisticandlovely,withtallwindowsandcurvingcopperroofs.Therewereshopsandcaféswithlittletablesoutside,incrediblefountains,brightawnings,gaslamps,andstreetsigns.Theflowersandlandscapingwereallneatlymanicuredandperfect,theairheavywithperfume.

“It’s…amazing.”

“Yes,”Charlenesaid.“Butholdtheapplause.WeneedtofindtheNotreDameexhibit.”

“TheImpressionsmovie.”“Yes.”“Themainpavilionwouldbethenextstreetover,wouldn’tit?”Jessasked.“Mustbe.”Thegirlskepttothefrontofthebuildingsandworkedtheirwayaroundto

theentrancetoasecond,moreelaboratecourtyard.This,too,hadgardensandgaslamps,shopsandfountains.TheplazaendedataformidablestructurebehindwhichrosetheneedleofthetopoftheEiffelTower.

Justthen,JessheardthescuffoffootstepsandpulledCharlenedownwithher,behindalargetrashcanandsomepottedplants.

Apairofcourtjestersappeared,clownlikeintheircolorfulcostumesandfacepaint.Theydancedandleapeduponbenchesbeneatharowoftrees,withcomicalmovements.

ButCharlenerecognizedthemforwhattheywere.“Overtakers,”shewhisperedintoJess’sear.ShemotionedforJesstostaystill.Thetwojesterswereunpredictable,turningthiswayonemomentandthatwaythenext.Suddenlyoneofthem,withpowderedsugaralloverhislips,approachedthetrashcanbehindwhichtheywerehiding.Hecrunchedupapieceofpaperandthrewitaway.IfCharlenehadreachedout,shecouldhavetouchedhim.

“Pardon!”hecalledouttotheotherinFrench.“Oui!”answeredtheother.“T’entendsunronronnement?”CharlenelookedatJesswithapuzzledface.Jessleanedinsoclosethather

lipstouchedCharlene’sear.“‘Doyouhearahum?’”shetranslated.“Non!”“Viensici.”“‘Comehere,’”Jesswhispered.Theotherjesterboundedover,stillplayfulandchildlikeinhismovement.Charleneheldherbreathandtriedtocalmherself,knowingtheclosershe

gottoall-clear,thelessofahumherDHIwouldemit.Thesecondjester,unabletoleavehischaracter,heldhishandtohisearina

sillyway,overemphasizingtheeffort.“Aha!Jel’entends!”

“‘Ihearit!’”“Qu’est-cequet’enpenses?”“‘Whatdoyouthinkitis?’”“Jepensequ’ilyaquelquechosequironronne!”“‘Ithinkthere’ssomethinghumming!’”“Maisqu’est-cequ’ilyaquipourraitronronnerici?Jenel’aijamais

entenduavant.Ettoi?”“‘Butwhatcouldbehumminghere?I’veneverhearditbefore.Have

you?’”“Moinonplus.C’estundesfluos,peut-être?Commentpourrais-je

savoir?”“‘Meneither.Maybeit’soneofthefluorescentlights?HowshouldI

know?’”Charlenenodded,appreciatingthetranslation.Thensheshookherheadand

madeherfingerswalk,indicatingtheyhadtomove.Thejesters,onlyafewyardsaway,weregoingtofindthem.Shefeltcertain

ofit.Atthesametime,shefeltherhandsandfeettingle,andthesameoddsensationpassallthewaythroughheruntilwarmingthecenterofherchest,justbelowherribs.

All-clear,sherealized,havingheardFinndescribeitsomanytimes.ShemotionedforJesstostaydown,asclosetothetrashcanaspossible.

Thenshestoodup,lookedrightatthetwojestersandsaid,“Lookingforme?”TherewasnosenserecitingDHIlinesasshemighthavehadtheybeenSecurityguardsorCastMembers;thesetwowereOvertakers,patrollingforonlyonereason:tofindandcaptureKingdomKeepers.

Asshemovedtowardthem,thejesterslungedforher—andranrightthroughher.Theyfelltothepathandturnedtheirfacesbacktowardher,clearlyjoltedbytheexperience.

Charlene,glowingmorebrightlywiththethrillofhavingachievedall-clear,ranoff,leadingthetwoawayfromJess’shidingplace,whereshewascrouchedbehindthetrashcan.Shevaultedoverabench,justassheranhurdlesforthetrackteam,andheardoneofthejesterscrashintothebenchbehindher.Sheleapedupontotheedgeofthefountainandacrossthewater,landingafootontheretainingwall,springingoffit,andduckingunderatree.

Sheheardasplash—thesecondjesterhadgonedowninthefountain.

Charlenecutleftandvaultedoverasecondwallthroughanarrowgapbetweenyoungtrees.Shewasinacourtyard,blockedtoherleftbythesamelineoftrees.SheranrightandthensharplyleftasshereachedastreetbetweentwoFrenchbuildings.Sheneverlookedback,havinglearnedfromhercoachesthattodosocostprecioustimeinafootrace.Thejesterswerenomatchforheragilityandspeed.Ifshehadlookedbackshewouldhaveseenthetwoagoodtwentyyardsbehind,andslowingasshecontinuedtodevelopmorespeed.

Shefacedmoregardensandtrees—knewshecouldlosethemforgoodhereandcirclebackaround,withanyluck,intimetomeetupwithJess.

Butjustasimportant,sheneededtokeepthejestersbusy,togiveJesstimetoenterthepavilionandlookforanyclues.Shefoughttheurgetoberidofthesetwo.Forthemoment,sheneededthemtofollowher.Sheslowedjustlongenoughforthemtoseeherenterthelandscaping,justlongenoughforthemtothinktheyhadachanceinfollowingher.

Backinthecourtyard,Jessstoodandwatchedthefootraceunderway.Sherantowardthepavilion,rememberingtheimportanceofgettinginside.Sheenteredandstoppedabruptly,overcomebythemagnificenceoftheexhibitionhall.AheadofherwastheemptywaitinglineforthefilmImpressionsdeFrance.TherewasamodelofNotreDameinParis,andahugegargoylecrouchedonapedestal.Shefeltparalyzed,wonderingwhatshewassupposedtodo.Shewasn’tabouttogoinandsitdownandwatchamovie.WhatcluehadWayneintendedforthem?

Sheclosedhereyes,wonderingifshecouldmakeherselfseeoneofhervisions.Sheheardacrackingsoundandchunksofsomething,likerock,strikingthefloor.

Sheopenedhereyestoseethegargoylebreakingapartfromhisrecoiledpose.Smallcracksappearedinhisneck,wideningashisheadmovedandswiveledtowardher.Piecesofconcreteandparticlesofdustfellawayfromhim.Hiseyelidscrackedandbegantoopen.

Shefeltlight-headed.Shesteppedbackandknockedoverastanchion.Thegargoyle’suglymonkeyeyesringedwithspikeslockedontohers,

hypnotizingher.Thesmallwingsonhisbackbegantoflutter,sendingmoredustintotheair.Hewrenchedhisunseenlegsupandoutofthepedestaltostandfourfeethigh,crouchingandcraningtowardherasheblinkedhisdustyeyesinanefforttoclearthem.

“Overhere!”cameagirl’svoice.Jess,spookedwiththesurprise,letoutashortcry,andglancedovertosee

Willa,drenchedheadtotoe.ThegargoylepivotedtowardWilla.“Overhere,monkey-man!”Willasaid.“Orhere!”Jesssaid.ThegargoylejerkedhisheadinJess’sdirection,unabletodecidewhich

waytogo.Moredustflew,andJesscouldseemorecracksappearinginhisbody.Thebeast’swingsbeatmorefuriously,andheliftedintotheair,flying

towardWilla.Shedovetothefloorandslid.Thegargoylelandedheavily,shakingtheentirebuilding,butmissedher.Willacametoherfeet,grabbingontothewaiting-linerope.

“Helpme!”shesaid.Jessgrabbedtheotherendoftherope.Thegirlsdraggedthestanchions

withthemastheychargedthegargoyle.Itstruggledtoturnaround,movingslowly,likesomeonetryingtogetoutofachair.

Thewaiting-lineropecaughtthebeastonhissideandwrappedhiswingstightagainsthisbodyasthegirlscontinuedaroundhimandmetontheotherside.Theytangledtheropeclumsilyasthegargoylefoughtoffbeingcaptured.Buthiswingswerecaughtandineffective.

Themorehestruggled,themorecracksappearedinhisbody.Dustwaseverywhere,likeathickcloud.Thegirlsranfortheexit.

“He’scomingapart!”Jesssaid.“Outoftheway!”shoutedCharlene.Thegirlsturnedinthedoorwaytoseethegargoyleinsilhouette.They

reactedinstinctively.Charlenechargedlikeasprinter,lefttheground,flyingatthestrangecreature,feetfirst.Shehithard,drivingthebeastoverontohisback.Hesmackedthefloorand,ashedid,brokeintoahundredpieces.

Thecloudofdustsettled.Charlenescrambledtoherfeet.“Everyoneokay?”sheasked.“Wheredidyoucomefrom?”Jessasked.“Whatwasthat?”Willasaid.“Gymnastics,”Charleneanswered.“Avaultwithoutthefollow-through.”

Shesmiledwidely.“IalwayswonderedifI’dgetachancetouseanyofit.”Willasaid,“We’dbettergetoutofhere.”“Andfast,”Charlenesaid,agreeing.“IleftthejestershalfwaytoMorocco.

Atsomepointthey’llfigureoutIcircledback.”

“Wejustleave?”Jessasked.“Notenoughexcitementforonenight?”Charleneteased.“Wefindtheothers,”Willasaid.“TheOvertakersknowwe’reherenow.

Thereisn’tmuchtime.”“We’vegottowarnthem,”Charleneadded.“Ifwecan,”Willasaid.

***

“What’sgoingon?”Amandaasked.SheandFinnhadbeenontheirwayaroundtheeastsideofEpcot—pasttheUniverseofEnergypavilion,MissionSpace,andtheabandonedWondersofLife—whenFinnhadgrabbedherbythewristandjerkedherdownbehindagiftcart.

“Looklowtotheground.”Shegasped.“Ourfriendthepython.”“Where’sitgoing?”“AwayfromWonderstowardtheeastsideofthepark.”“Jess!”“Yes…Franceisoverthere.”“Butthen—”“They’reintrouble.”FinntookouthisphoneandtextedCharlene.

snakecominurway

Theystayedhidden,awaitingCharlene’sreply.

ovrtkrsevrywehrneedhelptellmewhendasnakecrosesdabridge…

“Weneedtofollowhim.”“Iwasafraidyouweregoingtosaysomethinglikethat.”“Atadistance.It’llbeallright.”“Whydon’tIbelieveyou?”“Icanleaveyouoffatthearrivalpoint,ifyouwant.”“Alone?Hello?Idon’tthinkso!”

“Okay.Staylow.”FinnandAmandafollowedthesnakeforthenextseveralminutes,staying

wellbehindhim.Finnkeptlickinghisfingerandholdingitupwhentheypaused.

“Winddirection,”heexplained.“He’sgoingtosmellusbeforehehearsorseesus.Butwiththewindcomingoffthelakeasitis,we’refine.”

Theyreachedthecentralfountain,andtuckedbehinditslowwall.“He’sjustsodisgusting,”shesaidofGigabyte.“He’satwenty-footsnake.What’dyouexpect?”HehurriedoutacrosstheplazaandAmandafollowed.Theyturnedright

towardCanada,fromwhereFinnhadagoodviewofthebridgetoFrance.Gigabyteslitheredalong,movingwithastonishingspeed.

snakescrosindabridge…tellmewenhesovr

“Finn…totheleft…”Amandasaid.Finnlookedacrossthewater,wherehesawthepairofSegwaysat

ShowcasePlazacomingtowardthem.

uhohmoreovrtakrs…dontmove

Hehopedhe’dsentthetextintime.ButsuddenlyCharleneappearedfromunderthebridge.ThenJess.Then

Willa.“Idon’tbelieveit!”Amandasaid.“Where’dtheycomefrom?”“Theyaren’tgoingtomakeit!”Atthatmoment,thetwodummiesontheSegwayschangedcourse,spotting

thegirls.“They’regoingtogetcaught!”Finnsaid,standingup.Helookedaround

tryingtothinkwhattodo.Amandasteppedoutalongsideofhim.Sheclosedhereyes,raisedherhand,

palmup.TheSegwaysbrieflyliftedofftheasphaltasiftheyhitaspeedbump,but

thencontinuedtoscootalongnormally.

“Notthesame,”Amandamumbled.Finncouldfeelherconcentrating.BeingaDHIhadlessenedherpowers.Shewastremblingasshesquintedhereyesandliftedheroutstretchedhandforasecondtry.ThistimetheSegwaysroseandfloated,wentoff-balanceandfelltotheasphalt.Thetwodummieswentflyingandbrokeintopiecesastheylanded.Onelostalegandanarm.Theother,botharms.

Theonethatstillhaditslegsstoodbackup,turneditsheadbackaroundahundredandeightydegreestofacethefrontagainandwentoffinsearchofitsmissingarms.

Thegirlstookoffatasprint,joiningFinnandAmanda,whowerealreadyrunningaway.Finnglancedbacktoseethetwodummiespiecingthemselvesbacktogether.ItwouldbeafewminutesbeforetheywereabletoridetheSegwaysagain.

“Wasthatyou?”JessaskedAmanda.“Sorry.Itwasalittlebitstrong,”Amandasaid.“Itdidthetrick,”Finnsaid.Charlenewaswelloutinfrontoftheothers,sinceshewasamuchfaster

runner.“Whereto?”shecalledout.“Norway!”Finnshouted,suddenlyconcernedthathehadn’theardfrom

eitherMaybeckorPhilby.

***

“ThosewhoseekthespiritofNorwayfaceperilandadventure,”aNorwegianman’svoicecautionedfrominsideadarktunnel.

“Idon’tlikethesoundofthat,”Maybecksaid.“Me,neither,”Philbyagreed.“EspeciallysinceitwasWaynewhosentus

here.”Theboatworkedupalongincline,thenleveledoff,facinganAudio-

Animatronicfigureofawomanstandingatthedoorofacabin.Shesaidsomething,butPhilbymissedit.Twomenwereworkingbyaburninglog.

“There!”Maybecksaid.Leaningagainstarockweretwoaxeswithaswordinthemiddle.Philbyhadn’tbeenexpectingitsosoon.

Maybeckstood.“No!”Philbycautioned.“Thealarms!”He’dstudiedMaelstrom.Ithad

dozensofautostopfeaturestokeepguestsfromthedangerofleavingtheboats.ButMaybeckjumpedanyway.Itwasabrilliantjump,nearlystraightup.He

camedownfourfeetintothedisplay.Byjumpingsofar,heavoidedtrippingthelightbeamthatwouldhavecausedanautostop—iftheautostopwasevenineffectafterhours,whichPhilbywasn’tsureof.

Maybeckgrabbedfortheswordandpulled,butitdidn’tcomefree.Philbyandtheboatcontinuedmoving,nowpullingevenwiththetwomenbythelog.Maybeckwouldsoonbeleftbehind.

“It’swiredtotherock!”Maybeckstruggledtofreeit,pullingtheswordandthenuntwistingthewire.

Philbyheardtheringofmetal,likethesoundofaswordcomingoutofitssheath.Maybeck,swordinhand,camerunningaroundthetwomalefigures,vaultedoverapileoflogs,andlandedonalargeboulder.Hetimeditperfectly,slidingdowntherockandbackintotheboat,ontothesamebenchwherePhilbysat.

“Ta-da!”hedeclared,makingthesoundofabrassfanfare.Theypassedmorerocks,andsomeguywithacapeholdingahorn.The

hornsounded.“Thatisn’tsupposedtohappen,”Maybecksaid.“That’snotpartofthe

ride.”Philbylookedworried.Theyapproachedanothergatewayintothenextscene.“Thatwaswaytooeasy,”Philbymumbled,halfexpectingthenextAudio-

Animatronicmannequintospinaroundandchallengethem.“Agreed,”Maybecksaid.HepassedtheswordtoPhilby,whotookaquick

lookatit,thenpasseditback.“We’lldealwiththatoncewe’reoutofhere,”hesaid.Asthebowoftheboatpassedthegatewayacreepyvoicecalledout.“What’sthis?”camethevoicefromawhite-beardedoldmaninwhite

clothes.Hedidn’tlooklikeanyrobot;helookedreal.“Howdareyoucomehere!Stop!ThisisTrollCountry.Begone!Icastaspell…”

Atmentionof“aspell”MaybecksnappedhisheadaroundtocheckwithPhilby.

“Iheardit,”saidPhilby.Thescene’seventswerehappeningquicklynow—tooquickly.Anincrediblyuglytrollappearedattheoldman’sside.“Yes,yes.You’lldisappear.Disappear!Bye-bye!”“It’sthem,”Philbysaid,foritseemedtohimthescripthadtohavebeen

writtenbytheOvertakersthemselves.Spells.Disappearance.EverythingtheOvertakerswantedfortheKingdomKeepers.

“‘Bye-bye,’”Maybeckquotedtheman.“Thatcan’tbegood.”Theboatsuddenlyspunaroundtofacebackward.Theyfellawayfast,fallingdownasurgingwaterfall.“Ihategoingbackward!”Philbyannounced.“Makestwoofus,”Maybecksaid.“GURR-OWLLL!”roaredananimalfrombehindandabovetheirleft

shoulders.Maybeckinstinctivelyducked.“Iamnotseeingthis!”Philbydeclaredasalivepolarbearslashedhishugepawthroughtheair—rightwhereMaybeck’sheadwouldhavebeen.

ThebearcamebacktheotherwayjustasMaybeckfoundthewherewithaltoliftthesword.Heslicedthebear’sleftarmnearlyinhalf.Smokeroseassparkszappedfromit.Abunchofwiresdangledfromthestump.

“ButIcouldhaveswornitwasreal…”Philbysaid,realizingthebearwasnolongeralive,butjustanAudio-Animatronic.

Anotherroar,tentimesasloudasthefirst.Philbydoveintothebottomoftheboat.Maybeckleanedaway.

Asecondpolarbear,standingeightfeettallonitsrearlegs,bentoverandshoveditsteethrightintoMaybeck’sfaceandsnapped,tryingtogetabiteofhim.Maybeckscreamedanddroppedthesword.Itrattledaroundinthebottomoftheboat,andPhilbygrabbedholdofit.

Thebear’smouthbitintothesideoftheboatandstopped.Thebear’sleftpawgrabbedtheboatasitsrightclawedforMaybeck,andcaughthisshoulder.

Maybeckscreamedhorriblyandreachedforthewound.Philbyreactedinstinctively,doingtheonethinghe’dalwaysbeentoldnottodo:hestoodupinamovingboat.Inpart,hewastryingtosaveMaybeck.Inpart,hewastryingtobeMaybeck.

Hejabbedtheswordatthebear.Thebeastsawitcomingandrearedback,takingaswipeatPhilby.OnlythendidPhilbyrealizethatthebear’srearlegs

werefixedtothedisplay—itcouldn’tcomeafterthem.Butthebearhitthesword.Philbyclutchedhislefthandaroundthegriptoholdontoitandwasspunlikeaturnstile.

Heflewoutoftheboat.Butinsteadofthunkingdownontotheoppositedisplay,Philbylanded

softly—toosoftly.HeliftedhisheadtoseeMaybeck’seyesgoimpossiblywide.Maybeck

grabbedPhilby’sfeetandpulled.“Getoutofthere!”hesaid.Philbytried,buthecouldn’tmove.Somethingwasholdinghim.Herocked

hishead,notreallywantingtosee…Gnomes!Therehadtobeadozenofthem.Tinythings,notallerthanaruler—alive!

—withold-manfacesandwarts,andlong,disgustingnosesandweirdears.TheysupportedPhilby—theyhadcaughthim.Butnowtheyheldontohim,claiminghimasaprisoner,whileMaybeckfoughttokeepintheboat.

Gulliver’sTravels,Philbythought.Theboatcontinuedmoving,leavingPhilbybehind.Philbywaswrenchedataninhumanangle,hisshouldersheldbythe

intrepidgnomes,hisfeetbyMaybeck.Heswattedatthegnomes.Oneofthemstabbedhishandwithaminiature

gnomeknife—itwaslikegettingpokedbyaknittingneedle.ThankfullytheImagineershadn’tarmedthegnomeswithsharpenedweapons.Philbybangedtheswordovertohisright,whereitconnectedwithaclank.Heknewhemusthavehitagnomewhenhefelthisrightshoulderjoltfree.Philbynextslappedthebladeoverhisleftshoulder,andnowhewasclear.ButMaybeckhadnotletgo;he’dmovedtothebackoftheboatasithadmovedforwardandnowhadnowherelefttogo.

Allatonce,Philbywasbeingdraggedhalfin,halfoutoftheboat,withsixangrygnomesracingontheirminiaturefeetinaflurrytocatchuptohim.

Thepolarbeargrewsmallerandsmaller,framedbythetunnelastheboatcontinuedmoving.

MaybeckfinallyhauledPhilbyintotheboatjustbeforetheyenteredthroughthenextscene’sgate—wherePhilbywouldhavebeenknockedfreeandleftbehind.

Thereweretrees.Itwasarockycave.ThenarratorsaidsomethingthatPhilbycouldn’tmakeout.Hewastremblingfromheadtotoe.

“Thanks,”hesaid.“Yousavedus,notme!”saidMaybeck,inararedisplayofhumility.JustasPhilbythoughthe’dregainedhisbalance,theboatdroppedaway,

outfromunderthem.Itraceddownaninclineandintoyetanotherscene.Itwasnight.Theywereontheoceanunderthenorthernlights,withanoilrigtotheirleft.

“Cold!”Philbysaid,warningMaybeck,whounderstoodwhatadropintemperaturemeant.

Maleficent.Darkness.“We’realmostthrough,”Maybecksaid.Thankfully,aseavillageappeared,notthegreenwitch.Notthistime.StandingonshorewereWilla,Charlene,Finn,Jess,andAmanda.Aship’s

hornsounded.“Youguysgetallthefun!”Willacomplained.“Yeah,fun!”Maybecksaid,pullinghisbloodyhandawayfromhis

woundedshoulder.Finnreachedoutandhelpedthetwotoshore.

29

THEYHIDBEHINDMEXICO’SMayantemple,wheretheythoughtitunlikelythey’dbefound.WillaprovedherselfworthyofherGirlScoutmeritbadgebycleaningupMaybeck’swound.Itlookednastierthanitwas—thelineofdeepscratcheshadstoppedbleeding.

“First,Ihavesomebadnews,”Finnsaid.HetoldtheothersabouthisexperienceatLostandFound,howhethoughthe’dtouchedthefobinsidethelocker,butthatthey’dhavetowaituntilmorningbeforetryingforitagain.

Adepressingsilencesettledoverthegroup.“Mymotherisgoingtofreakwhenshecan’twakemeup,”Philbysaid.“Minetoo,”saidWilla.“Jellycannevergetmeoutofbed,”Maybecksaid,“butshe’llremember

thelasttime.Thiswon’tbegood.”“IwishtherewassomethingIcouldtellyou,”Finnsaid.“Ifwe’retrappedhere,”saidCharlene,“shouldn’twemakethemostofit?”Theotherslookedatherwithtotalsurprise.Charlenewasusuallythe

whinerofthegroup.“Excuseme?”Willasaid.“Imean…ifthere’snothingwecandoaboutit,ifwehavetobehere

anyway…anditseemstomewedo…thenshouldn’twetrytofindWayneorsomething?Whataboutthesword?Isn’tthatwhywecamehereinthefirstplace?”

“Somebodypinchme,”Maybecksaid.“Charlene?”Willasaid.“Isthatreallyyou?”“Getoffmycase,”Charleneprotested.“Listen,we’reallinbigtrouble,

okay?Ourparents,ouraunt,”shesaid—“andourguardian,”sheadded,addressingJessandAmanda—“they’reallgoingtoloseitwhenwecan’tbewokenup.Andifwedogetbackthere—tomorrowmorning—we’regoingtobeinbigtroublebecausethey’regoingtoknowithassomethingtodowithuscrossingover.Whoknowswhathappensafterthat?Right?ImeantheycouldcontactDisneyorsomething,andmaybetheprogramgetsshutdownagain.MaybeweloseourplacesasDisneyHosts.Idon’tknow.I’mjustsayingifwe’regoingtodosomething,itprobablyshouldbetonight,asinrightnow,becausemymomisgoingtoputhandcuffsonmeorsomething.I’mgoingtobegroundedforeternity.”

“It’sallwrong,”Philbysaid,tracinghisfingersalongthebladeofthesword,whichwaslyingatophiscrossedlegs.

“Well,maybeyouhaveabetteridea,”saidadisgustedCharlene.“Sorry,notyou,Charlene,”Philbysaid.“Thesword.”Hemotioneddownat

it.“Theswordisallwrong.”“Howcanaswordbewrong?”Amandaasked.“Waynegaveusthebox,”Philbysaid,“andtheboxbecamethesword…or

thecross.Butifit’sasword,Ithinkthisisthewrongsword.Ifit’sacross,maybetheclueis:France.”

“TheonlythingwegotinFrance,”saidCharlene,“wasalotofhassle.”“ButifthereareOvertakersguardingFrance,couldn’tthatmean

something?”Jessasked.“Ofcourseitcould,”Finnagreed.“Wewon’tgiveuponthat.”“ButI’mtellingyouit’sthewrongsword,”Philbysaid.“Therehegoesagain,”Maybecksaid.“Andthat’sgottobesignificant.”“Wronghow?”askedAmanda.“TheMaelstromisNorway,sotheswordshouldbeNorwegian,right?”Noonechallengedhim.“Butit’snot.It’sanIrishsword.”“Andyouknowthis,how?SpeakswithanIrishaccent,doesit?”Maybeck

said.Theotherschuckled.“Norwegianswordshavecirclesofmetal,likeadoughnut,abovethegrip,

notcrosses.Andyouseethisroundshape,likeacoin,atthecenterofthecross?

Ithappensthatthat’sanIrishdesign.It’sanoldIrishsword—veryold.Andwhatmakesitparticularlystrangeisthatthere’saflyinthecoinononeside,andashamrockontheother.”Hepasseditaround.

“Engraved,”Jesssaid,handingittoMaybeck.“No,notengraved,”Maybecksaid.Hepickedatthecoinwithhisfingernail

andcaughtanedge.“It’sdrawnonScotchtape,cleartapethat’sbeenstuckon.”“Wayne,”Finnsaid.“Irish.Fly,”saidPhilby.HeheldouthishandtoCharlene.“It’saclue.”“FlyIrish?”Willasaid.“Isn’tthereanIrishairline?”“MaybetheairlinesponsorsoneoftheWorldShowcases,”Finnsaid.“We’regettingaheadofourselves,”Philbycautioned,workingCharlene’s

phone.“Wouldn’thehavedrawnaplaneifhewantedustogosearchingIrishairlines?Butit’safly.Ahousefly.Why?”

“SWAT?”Maybecksaid.“LikeapoliceSWATteam?”“Youaresucha…boy,”Willasaid.“Betterthanthealternative,”Maybecksaid.Philbylookedupfromthephone.“WikilistsabunchofthingsforThe

Fly.”“ThisissoWayne,”Willasaid.“Ihatetosayit,butthisjustseemsso

exactlywhatWaynewoulddo.Youknow?Imean,whendoesheeverjustleaveamessagelike:MaleficentisunderPirates?He’salwaysso—”

“Careful,”Finnsaid.“Hemakessurenoonecouldfigureitoutbutus.It’stoomuchforonepersontoprocess.Butthefiveofus—”

“Sevennow,”saidCharlene.Philbyreadfromthephone.“Okay…therewereabunchofmovieversions

—”“Ilovethatmovie!”saidMaybeck,interrupting.“Hush!”saidWilla.“Lethimspeak.”“Ashortstory.There’samagazine…aU2song—”“That’sit!”saidCharlene.“U2’sanIrishband.”“Andyouwouldknowthisbecause?”Willaquestionedher.“Myparentslistentothemallthetime.DefinitelyIrish.Andthey’vebeen

aroundforlikeforever.”“Okay,people,”Finnsaid.“AreyoutellingmethatWayne,whois

approximatelyninethousandyearsold,wouldhaveanyideawhoU2are?”“I’mjustsaying:it’sasong,”Charlenesaid.“Andthewordsarewicked.

It’sallaboutstarsfalling,andsecrets,andhumanconsciousness.It’sheavystuff.Eclipsesandfriendsand…itcouldeasilybesomekindofmessage.”

“IcanGooglethelyrics,”Philbysaid.“Butthere’smorehere.There’saDaveMatthewssong—”

“Sweet,”saidCharlene.“Iknowthatsongtoo!”“—andapoembyaguynamedBlake,”Philbycontinued.“WilliamBlake,”saidAmanda.“He’sBritish.NorthernIreland’spartof

GreatBritain.AllofIrelandwaspartofGreatBritainbeforeIrishindependence—sowecan’truleoutBlake.”

“AndaSimpsonsepisode.”“IlovetheSimpsons,”Maybecksaid.“There’reacouplewhereBartisthe

Fly.”“Blake,”Amandasaid,“Adeadpoet.Deadforalongtime.Deadasincan’t

bechanged.That’sBlake.”“Anolddeadpoet?”Finnsaid.“That’sgottobenearthetopofourlistif

Wayne’sbehindthis.”“TheDaveMatthewssongisaboutbeingsaved,”Charlenerepeated.“How

muchmoredoyouneedthanthat?Wayneneedstobesaved.”“Waynewouldn’thaveacluewhoDaveMatthewsis,”Finninsisted.“Youcan’tknowthat.”“Idoknowthat,”Finnsaid.“Andthere’snowayhe’dknowaboutU2

either.”“That’sridiculous!”Charleneprotested.“EveryoneknowsU2.”Philby

angledthephoneinthelimitedlight.“Here’sthepoem.”“Readit,”Finnsaid.Philbylookedaround.Nooneobjected.“Okay….

‘LittleFly,Thysummer’splayMythoughtlesshandHasbrush’daway.

‘AmnotIAflylikethee?OrartnotthouAmanlikeme?

‘ForIdance,Anddrink,andsing,TillsomeblindhandShallbrushmywing.

‘IfthoughtislifeAndstrengthandbreath,AndthewantOfthoughtisdeath;

‘ThenamIAhappyfly.IfIlive,OrifIdie.’”

Foramoment,noonesaidathing.“Whoa,”Maybeckgruntedout.“Heavy.”“Notetoself,”Charlenesaid,“theU2songisaboutstarsfallingandsecrets

beingkept.Imean:comeon,people!”“Andthisisaboutlifeanddeath,”Finnsaid.“Anddancinganddrinkingandsinging,”Amandaadded,“allofwhich

happeninEpcotandtheotherparks.”Willasaid,“It’sthepartabouthowthinkingisthestrengthoflife,thatgets

me.Andabouthownotthinkingisdeath,andhowaslongasthat’strue,he’shappy.ThatissoWayne.AndIthinkhe’stellingussomethingdeeper—”

“Oh,please,giveitarest,”saidMaybeck.Sheignoredhim.“Thatit’snotabouthim.It’snotaboutwhetherhelivesor

diesbutthathewantsustofigurethisout—tothink.”“Flying,”Philbysaid.Hewoneveryone’sattention.

“Don’tyousee?”hecontinued.“Willa’sright:it’saboutthinking.Itdoesn’tmatterifit’sthepoemoraU2song.It’safly.ItcouldbesomethinginTheLand,orABug’sLifeoverinAnimalKingdom.Butthinkaboutit.Fly.RighthereinEpcot:Soarin’isaboutflying.And…”Hepulledoutandunfoldedasheetofpaperfromhisbackpocket,andreadit.“Soarin’justhappenstobeonthemaintenancelistforareaswithunexpectedtemperaturedrops.”

“Youcarrythatthingwithyou?”Maybecksaid.“Whatareyou,aBoyScout?”

“FinnandItookabigriskcollectingthisdata.Iintendtomakeuseofit.”“Mission:Space!”Finnadded.“Itinvolvesflight.”Philbycheckedthesheet.“Alsoonhere.”Jesstouchedherforeheadandclosedhereyes.Amandanoticedthe

reaction,thoughtheothersweretooexcitedtospotit.“AndonTestTrackyougofastenoughtofly,”Willasaid.Philbynodded.“Ditto,”hesaid.“There’sthatStarWarsridewhereyou’reinaspacepod,”Maybecksaid.

“OverinHollywoodStudios.”“Idon’thavethatdata,”Philbysaid.Maybeckscoffed.AmandaleanedintoJess.“What’swrong?”“Notsure.”Withhereyesclosedshereachedoutinfrontofher,likeablind

persongropinginthedark.Thenhereyespoppedopen.“Thatwasstrange….”shewhispered.

Whiletheotherkidscontinuedtalking—arguing,wasmorelikeit—AmandaprobedJess’ssuddenconfusionwithaninquisitivelook.Jessshookherhead.“Isawsomething—apattern.Threerectangles.Justforaninstant.”

Finnhadtheattentionoftheothers.“Wekeeptheswordwithus.IthastohavesomethingtodowitheitherfindinghimorfindingtheOvertakers,”hesaid.“It’sgottobeaclue.”

“Ofcourseit’saclue,Whitman,”Maybecksaid.“Thequestionis,whatarewesupposedtodoaboutit?”

“Wehavetheentirenighttocheckitout,”Charlenesaid.“Wecansithereforsixhours,orwecanactuallydosomething.”

“Forinstance?”Maybecksaid.Philbyspokeup.“Checkoutanyride,anyexhibit,anypavilion,thathasto

dowithflyingandthatshowsuponthemaintenancelist.”“SpaceshipEarth,”Willasaid.“Thatgoesontothelist,”saidPhilby,confirmingitsexistenceonhislist.

“AndFinn,yes,weshouldkeeptheswordwithus.Butitshouldbeyou:that’swhatWaynewouldwant.Hecouldhavegottentheflymessagetouswithoutalltheswordstuff,sotheswordmustbeimportant.”

“Therearesevenofus,”Finnsaid.“Threeteamsoftwoandonelookout.Thelookouthastogettosomeplacewithaviewofthe—”

“Fireworks,”Philbysaid.“No,”Finnsaid,“thewholepark.”“Thecontrolcenterforthefireworksisattheverytopofthistemple—the

MayanTemple.”NoonewasgoingtoquestionMr.Encyclopedia.FinnarchedhisheadbacktolooknearlystraightupatthetopoftheMayan

temple.“Howdowegetupthere?”heasked.“There’sadoorontheeastside,”Philbysaid.“Itleadstoastaircasethat

goesallthewayup.Thistimeofnight,noonewillbeinthere.Aslongaswedon’ttouchanything….Finn,youcouldall-clearthroughthedoorandletsomeoneinside.”

“Thatwouldbeme,”saidAmanda,alsolookingup.“Iwasthelookoutlasttime,right?”Shedidn’twaitforanyonetoanswer.“Okay,I’lldoit.ButI’llneedtoborrowsomeone’sphoneinordertoreachyou.”

30

ASFINN’SMOTHERDRIFTEDofftosleepatafewminutespastelevenherbodytwitchedinaseriousconvulsionthatrockedthebed.Shesatboltupright,throwingthecoversoffthebed.Herhusbandreacheddown,pulledthecoversbackup,andwentbacktosnoring.

Thecode!HermindhadplayedtricksonherbyreplayingasadreamtheafternoonspentsortingoutthecodewithFinnandhisfriends,WillaandPhilby.

“Wayne’smissing,”sherecalledFinntellingher—accidentallytellingher,ifshewereanyjudgeofherson.

Howcouldshehavebeensostupid?Thecodehadnothingwhatsoevertodowithanycompetition,andeverythingtodowithWaynegoingmissing.Ithadallmadesomuchsenseinherquickdream:sherelivedtheexpressionsonthefacesofthekidsastheyworkedtogethertosolvethecode,theexchangedglances.Howcouldshehavebeensoobtusetomissitallatthetime?

Shethrewherlegsovertheedgeofthebed,tuggedathernightgowntostraightenit,andhurriedoutofherbedroomanddownthehall.Lateornot,shehadeveryintentionofconfrontingFinn.Thefamilypolicywas,nolying.TheywerenotabouttochangethatpolicyjustbecauseFinnwasnowateenager—ifanything,itwasmoreimportantthanever.

Sheopenedthedoortohisroom,movedtothebed,andhesitatedamomentasshesawherson’speacefulfacecastintheglowofhisvariouselectronics.Inthatinstant,thethoughtcrossedhermindtoturnaroundandleavethisforthemorning.Howcouldshedisturbhispeaceoversomedreamshe’dhad?Whywasshesosuspiciousofherownson?Wherehadhertrustgone?

Sheturnedandtooktwostepsbacktowardthedoor.Butthenshespunaroundsharply,hereyesscanningthefloor.She’dbeenworkingonFinnforfive

years—Moreliketen!shethought—toputhisclothesawaywhenhetookthemoff.She’devenboughthimhisownlaundryhamper.Yeteverymorning,therewerehisclothesfromthedaybefore,strewnabouttheroomasifatornadohadhit.

Sowherewerethey?Noboots.Nopants.Noshirt.Theangershe’dfeltinthebedroomresurfaced.Thisseesawofemotion

wasexhaustingher.Whileheradrenalinewasstillcharged,shemarchedtothebedandgentlypulledbackthecovers.

Fullydressed.Nopajamas.Couldthispossiblymean…?Sheshookhisshoulder.“Finn?Sweetheart?”Sheshookhimharder.Inthepasttwoyearshe’dtakentosleepingso

soundlyshecouldsometimeshaveabearofatimewakinghim.“Finn,dear?”Notatwitch.Notacomplaint.Hedidn’trollover;hedidn’tsquintormoan

ortellhertogoaway.Hedidn’tmove.Itwasasif…“Oh,Lord…”shesaidaloud.Shesteppedbackawayfromthebed,her

bottomliptrembling,andcrossedherarms,tearsforminginhereyes.Shereturnedtohisbedsideandshookhimagain.

“Finn?Finn!Finn!Thisisnotfunny!”Sheshookhimsohardthathislifeless,limp,sleepingbodyjustrocked

backandforthlike…like…Shecouldn’tbringherselftoadmitwhatitwaslike.“Wakeup!Wakeup!”Tearsspilledfromherblotchyfaceasdropletsonhispillow.“Youdidnotdothis.Tellmeyoudidnotdothis!Whereareyou?Come

back!Please,God,comeback!”Thenshefelltoherkneesandwailed.

31

ITTOOKPHILBYTHREETRIEStofindtherightdoor,butfinallyhegothimself,Amanda,andFinnintothebackoftheMayanTempleandupitslongstaircase.Theyreachedaglassed-inboothatthetop.Itwashighenoughandwelldisguisedenoughsothatitcouldn’tbeseenbyparkguestsfromwithinEpcot.Finnusedall-cleartoenterthecontrolroomandunlockthedoor.

InsideitlookedlikeaminiatureversionofsomethingNASAwouldbuild.Therewasawraparoundconsolewithtwocomputers,severaldialsandswitches,andtwophones.

“IllumiNations,”Philbysaid,studyingsomeoftheswitchesupclose.“Thisiswheretheyrunthemusicandthelasersfortheshow.Maybeeventhefireworks—Ican’ttell,butifIhadtoguess—”

“Soyou’resayingdon’ttouchanything,”Finnsaid.“Amanda,”PhilbysaidinhisProfessorPhilbyvoice,“theideaisthatby

beingheremaybeyoucanseetheOvertakersmovearound.Telluswhat’sgoingon.Youtouchanyofthesebuttons,ormesswiththecomputers,andyou’llannouncetothewholeparkthatsomethingiswaywrong.You’llalsotellthemexactlywhereyouare,andthey’llcomeafteryou.Sowhateveryoudo—”

“I’vegotit,”shesaid.“You’resure?”“I’msure.”Together,thethreetesteddifferentlocations,discoveringthattherewasa

projectionshadowbeneaththemainconsole:ifyoutuckedyourselfundertheconsoleonhandsandknees,youdisappeared.Knowingthatinvisibilitycouldprovecriticallyimportanttohersurvival,Amandatookaseatinthecenterchairbehindaconsole.Theboysleftherthere,Charlene’scellphoneinhand,

Amanda’sDHIglowingjustenoughtoallowhertoseetheconsolepanelclearly.Initscentertherewasasinglewordonaplaque:DANGER.

***

“Theycouldhavetriedtomakeitgirl–boy,”Willasaid.“Youknow,likeeverygirlhadtohaveaboywithhertokeephersafe?Personally,I’mgladwewereteamedupthewayweare.”

“I’veneverdoneanythinglikethis.Notexactlylikethis,”Jesssaid.“It’salottogetusedto,Iknow.Beingcrossedoverisnotexactlywhat

you’dcallnormal,isit?”“Definitelynot.”“Theimportantthing,”Willasaid,“isforyouandmetosticktogether.

Safetyinnumbersandallthat.”“Andifwe’re…Idon’tknow…attacked?”“Overtakers?Wetrytoavoidthem.Ifwecan’tthenwerun,andifwehave

to,wesplitupandmeetattherendezvouswhenit’ssafe.Andwhenyoucan,youwanttopracticegoingall-clear.Finngotitreallyearly.Maybeckmanageditonce.Philby,too.Ifyoucanpullthatoffyoucandothingslikewalkthroughwalls,andifsomeonetriestograbyou,theycan’t.NotthatI’dknow.Butwithyour…powers…orwhateveryoucallwhatitisyoudo—”

“Dreams.”“Yeah…yourdreams…maybeyoucanfigureitoutquickerthantherestof

us.Finnsaysit’sallaboutrelaxation,aboutnotthinkingaboutanything.”“Notsoeasyforme,”Jesssaid.“Itendtothinkaboutthepresentandthe

future.I’mnotsosureIcanjustturnthatoff.”“Goodpoint,”Willasaid.“Fornowwejuststickcloseandtrytofigureout

ifthere’sanythingdifferentaboutSoarin’.AnyclueWaynemightbewantingustoget.Thefirsttimewedidthis,wehadtosolvetheStonecutter’sQuillandtheclueswereprettyobvious.Lasttime—”

“Iwastheonegivingtheclues.”“Exactly.”“SodoweknowwhatkindofclueWaynemightleaveus?”“Somethingweird.Wayneisdefinitelyweird.Anditwon’tbeobvious.He

nevermakesiteasy.”

“Thatdoesn’texactlynarrowthings.”“No,itdoesn’t.”“Soitcouldbeanything,”Jesssaid.“Hopefullywe’llknowitwhen—if—weseeit.Butweshouldtryto

remembereverythingweseeandhear.Maybeitwon’tmakesenseuntillater.”“IloveSoarin’,”Jesssaid.“Me,too.ButiftheOvertakersareincontrolofit,maybenotsomuch.”“LikeSmallWorld.”“Exactly.Youneverknowwhattoexpect.”“I’mkindascared,”Jesssaid.They’dbeensneakingalongtheedgeofthe

pathandwerenowonlyfiftyyardsfromtheentrancetoSoarin’.“Finnsaysthat’sagoodthing,”Willasaid.“ButIthinkheonlysaysthat.I

don’tthinkheactuallymeansit.Ithinkwhatheactuallymeansisyoucan’thelpbutbeingscaredsoyou’vejustgottolearntolivewithit.”

“Soyou’rescaredtoo?”“Definitely.Ascoolasitistogoontheserideswhentheparksareclosed,

moreoftenthannotsomethingbadhappens.Ican’thelpbutbe…apprehensive,Iguessyou’dsay.”

“Yousayapprehensive.Isayscared.”“That’llwork,”Willasaid,smilingfaintly,herDHIsparkinginthedark.Creepywasmorelikeit.SheandJessenteredtheSoarin’pavilionandwent

upthewaiting-linerampbetweenhugeaerialphotographsthatgaveWillathechillingsensationshewasbeingwatched.Astheypushedthroughthedoorandintothevastchamberthatfrontedacurved,whiteprojectionscreensixtyfeethighanautomatedvoicespokeintothecavernoustheater:“Ifyouhaveloosefittingshoes,suchasslip-onsorsandals,pleaseremovethemonceyoutakeyourseatandleavethemonthefloorinfrontofyou.Ifyouhaveanycarry-onsthataretoolargeorfragiletofitinsidetheunder-seatcompartments,pleaseleavethemonthefloorinfrontofyouaswellandourflightattendantswillbehappytostorethemforyou.Thankyouandhaveaniceflight.”

“Therideisabouttostart!”whisperedWilla.“We’reoneminutetogo,”saidawomanfromnearthefrontofthe

building.JesspulledonWilla,wantingtoleaveimmediately.Willashookherhead,heldherfingertoherlips,andpointedtotheback

benchofseats.Asfarasshewasconcernediftherewassomeoneinheredoingsomething,thenmaybethatwaswhatWaynewantedthemtodiscover.Itseemedincrediblylateatnighttoberunningtests,althoughshehadnoideawhenregularmaintenancewasdoneontherides,andshesupposednighttimewastheonlyfreetimetheengineershad.IfsheandJesscouldgetintothird-rowseats,oncethemechanismlifted,theywouldbewellbackintothedarkroom.Iftheyheldtheirlegsup,andkeptthemfromdangling,theywouldbebasicallyimpossibletospot.

ShepulledJesswithher.Theytookmiddleseats—morehiddenthantheendseats—andpulledtheirlegsupintotheirchests,wrappingtheirarmsaroundtheirshins.

“We’regointhirty!”calledoutthewoman.“Rachel,let’swatchthesynconthearomatrigger.”Itwasaman’svoice

fromofftotheirleft.Willacaughtaglimpseofstairsrisingfromtheleftofthehall,something

she’dneverseenbefore.Atoncetheroomgrewevendarker.Loudmusicstarted.Willafeltaflutter

inherchest.Shelovedthisride—herfavoriteinallofDisneyWorld—butsomethingtoldherthiswouldn’tbeanyordinaryflight.Iftheyweretestingtheequipment,didthatmeantherewasaproblem?

JessreachedoverandlaidherhandonWilla’srightarmandsqueezed.Willa,intheglowfromthescreen,indicatedthatJessshouldgripherlegswithherarms:theyhadtokeepfrombeingseenatallcosts.

Asthemechanismbegantoliftandrotate,Willacaughtaman’ssilhouettepassinginfrontofthescreenheadinginthedirectionofRachel,whomshenowcouldseewasstandingataconsoleatthescreen’slowerrightcorner.

ThemancaughtuptoRachelandthetwoshoutedateachotherovertheroarofthemusic.

Willalookedup:NewYorkCity,notCaliforniaasshehadexpected.SheandJesswereflyingovertheskyscrapersanddivingdownintotheavenues.Theybankedsteeplyleft,thensharplyright,andtheairsmelledofbagelsastheyreachedabridge.AseagullsquawkedandWillahadtoclampherhandoverhermouthtokeephersquealfrombeingheard.

Theywerechangingthelocationoftheflight.Rachelandthemanweretroubleshootingthetimingandtheeffects.Suddenlytheairsmelledofhotdogsandmustard.FarinthedistanceWillacouldseealongbeachcrowdedwith

familiesinswimsuits.Thewaterwasfrothingwhitefromthousandsmoreoutswimming.

Thegirlspitcheddown,divingtowardthebeach.“No!No!No!”shoutedtheman.Themusicstopped,thescreenwentdark.Thenafewemergencyorwork

lightscameon.WillaandJesswerewellhidden,buttheywerehangingfacingdown,inthediveposition.IfRachelorthemanhappenedtolookup,WillaknewsheandJesswouldbespotted.Makingthingsmoredifficult,itfeltasifshewasgoingtofalloutoftheseat.

“WeneedthesmellofhotdogsontheConeyIslandflyover,”themansaid.Hecalledonawalkie-talkie.“Mr.Devlin?Weneedtomovearomaeffectnumbertwotwenty-one-point-fivesecondsforward.Something’swrongwiththetimecode.”

Anasalvoicereplied.“Rogerthat,John.Iseethathere,too.I’llsyncaromaeffecttwowiththeflyoverandwe’llgoagain.”

“Willwaitforyoursay-so.”WillaglancedoveratJesstoseehowshewasdoing.Hereyeswentwide.Jessmighthavebeendoingfine,butherhairhadcascadedoverherhead

andabarretteonthesidewasslowlycreepingdownherhair,drawnbygravity.IfWillacalledouttoJess,shemightbeheard.Ifshereachedoverand

touchedherJessmightjerk,andifshedidthebarrettewasgoingtofall.Itslippedanotherinch,andjudgingbyherexpression,thistimeJessfeltit,andknewshedidn’tdaremove.

Willastretchedtotrytoreachthebarrette,butcameupseveralinchesshort.Lettinggoofherlegtodoso,shealloweditbrieflytohangdown.Shestrainedagainstthesafetybelt,tryingtobuyherselfthepreciousfewinchesneeded.AsshedidJessmoved,howeverslightly,andthebarrettesliddowntheremainderofherhairandwentairbornelikeasmallblackmoth—withrhinestones.

Willaswipedtheairandmissedthebarrette.Instinctively,herlegkickedouttostopit.Itwasasoccermove,liketrappingandbalancingaballontopofyourfoot.ThebarrettenowlayatopWilla’sConversesneaker,perchedthere.Ifshemovedherlegintheslightest,itwasgoingtoslipoff.

Morewalkie-talkiechatter.Willawastooconsumedwiththebalancingacttopayattention.Butwhenthewordsrangout,“Goodtogointhirtyseconds,”sheknewshehadtrouble.Shebentandliftedherknee,tryingtobringthebarrettehighenoughthateithersheorJesscouldgrabit.Butintheprocess,it

slippedfromhershoeandherreflexwastokickstraightout.Itwasaperfectkick,connectingwiththebarrette.Shesentitflyingtowardthescreen.Itcareenedoffapieceofthesteelsuperstructureandintothesetofseatssuspendedarowinfrontofthem.

Itdisappeared.Thoughloose,ithadnotfallentothefloor.Thetheaterwentdarkandtheflightstartedagain.Thistimetheridemight

havebeenevenmoreexcitingsincesheknewatleastsomeofwhattoexpect,butWilla’sfullconcentrationwasontherowofseatsaheadofthemandtheunseenhairclip.

AstheydovedowntowardConeyIsland,thesmellofhotdogsfilledtheair.

“Yes!”sheheardthemanshout.“That’sbetter.”Theybuzzedawindsurferandwatersprayedintheirfaces.Therewasno

musicnow,justthelightsoundofwind.Clack!Anabrupt,brittlesound.“Fullstop!”themanshouted.Themusicandfilmstoppedandthecarsdescended.AsWillaapproached

thepoured-concretefloorshespottedJess’sbarretteonthefloor,upnearthefrontofthethreerowsofseats.

Shetriedherseatbelt.Locked!Trieditagain.Locked!Therowofseatshitbottomandcametoafullstop.Theseatbeltreleased.ShetappedJessontheforearmandJessreleasedherseatbeltaswell.Theyhadtogetawayfromthathairclip.Theycouldn’tmakeforthe

entranceasthey’dsteprightintoviewofthemanandRachel.WillatookJessbythehand,crouched,andmadeamaddashforthefarwallandthestaircaseshe’dspotted.Reachingtheendofthelineofmachinery,shepaused,holdingJessback.Ithadtobetimedexactlyright.

Themanwalkedpastthefirstrow,nodoubtsearchingforthesourceoftheunfamiliarsound.Hiseyeswouldbetrainedonthefloor.

Three,two…Sheracedacrosstheopenspace,Jessrightbehindher,andreachedthe

staircase.Shepulledthemflatagainstthewall,wishingnow,morethanever,thatshe’dperfectedtheartofall-clear.

“It’sahairthing-a-ma-bobby,”themancalledout.“Someonelostitanditchoosesnowtofalloff.Canyoubelievethatdumbluck?Stoppedthewholetestforafreakinghairclip.Okay!Let’srunitagain.”

Willapointedupthestairstoared-and-whiteexitsign.Sheturnedanimaginarycrankbythesideofherhead,signalingJesstheywouldmaketheirmovewhenthefilmranagain.

“Thirtyseconds!”Rachelcalledout.JessnoddedbackatWilla,lookingterrified,andsicktodeathwithguilt.“Youokay?”Willaasked.Jesssquintedandputherhandtohead.“No,”shesaidinaforcedwhisper.

“Ikeepseeingsomething.”“Asin—?”“Yes.Likemydreams.Likethat.Andthethingis:I’veseenitbeforein

otherdreams.Recently.Likeinthepastcoupleofdays.Rectangles.Buttons,maybe.ATV,Ithink.AndI’veseenittwicetonight:thesamepattern.It’salwaysthesamepattern.”

“Buttons?Likethekindyousewon?”“Thekindyoupush.”“MissionSpace.”“What?”“Buttons.Monitors.That’sMissionSpace.”Willaglancedupattheexit

sign.“Ithinkyou’reonthewrongride…”shesaid.

***

AtnearlythesamemomentJessandWillahadenteredSoarin’,FinnandPhilbyhadbeenpoisedoutsidetheTestTrackpavilion.

“Whatdoyouthink?”Finnaskedquietly.TuckedbehindaFASTPASSkiosktotherightoftheentrance,theboyswerekeepinganeyeoutfortrouble.

“I’mthinkingaboutthosecrash-testdummies.”“Yeah,metoo.”“Andhowthisiswheretheylive.”“I’mwithyou.”

“Andthatwe’rebasicallyaskingforit.”“Ihearyou.”“Butwe’regoinginthere,aren’twe?”“Weare,”Finnsaid.“Isupposeifwecanall-clear,we’reokay.”“It’shardtodowheneverything’scomingatyouatonce.”“It’shardtodo,period.You’retheall-clearexpert.I’manewbie.”“Idon’tknowthatIcoulddoitwithapairofcrash-testdummiescomingat

me.”“Butit’sbecauseofthecrash-testdummiesthatwehavetogointhere,”

Philbysaid.“OramImissingsomething?”“That,andtheflyingthing.”Finnlookeddownattheswordinhishand.“I

feeltotallystupidcarryingthisaroundwithme.”“Livewithit.IthinkWaynewantsustohaveit.”“Besideswhich,it’sheavy.Haveyoueverluggedaswordaround?It’slike

carryingatuba.”“Youplaytuba?”“Ididfortwoweeksinfifthgrade.ThenIgotwiseandswitchedto

trumpet.”“I’mclarinet,”Philbysaid.Itsoundedlikeaconfession.“AndIsinginour

church’syouthchoir,butifyoutellanyoneI’llhavetokillyou.”“Ifthecrash-testdummiesdon’tdoitforyou.”“Don’tkidaroundlikethat.”“Likewhat?”Finnasked.“YouthinkI’mkidding?Ifthosethingsgethold

ofus.…It’snotliketheyhavebrainsorsomething….They’reobviouslybeingcontrolledbysomeoneorsomethingelse,andwebothknowwhothatis.”

“Programmedismorelikeit,”ProfessorPhilbysaid,correctinghim.“MyguessisthatatsomepointtheImagineerstoyedwiththeideaofAudio-Animatroniccrash-testdummies.Therewereprobablyacoupleofthosethingslyingaroundinaroomsomewhere,andtheOvertakersgotholdofthemand‘enlisted’thembyupdatingtheirsoftware.That’sthethingaboutthisplace:theImagineersarelikehumanwizards.Theythinkupallthisstuff,halfofwhichnoneofuseversees.Butsomeoneknowsitexists.Right?Andinthewronghands…well,thethingis,there’sprobablyalotmorestufflikethedummies,stuffwe’venevereventhoughtofbeforethatcanbeusedagainstus.”

“Areyoutryingtogivemeapeptalk?”Finnasked.“Becauseitisn’tworking.”

“I’mjustsaying,we—allofus—shouldkeepoureyesopen.Andweshouldn’ttrustanythingwesee.Andweshouldbelookingforstuffwedon’tsee.WeknowMaleficentcantransfigureherselfintovariousanimals.WhoknowswhatChernabogcando?Whoknowswhatthetwoofthemcandotogether?AllI’msayingis:ifcrash-testdummiesareoutpatrollingonSegways,andtrollsarecomingaliveinMaelstrom,andjestersareattackingthegirlsinFrance,thenthisplaceislitupbyOvertakers.YouknowwhatImean?Theyarelike:volumeonten.Theyareworkingit.Andweneedtobereadyforthembecausewe’rewhothey’reafter.Intheirworld,we’rethebadguys.Andweknowwhathappenstothebadguys.”

“Youarereallydepressingmehere.”“Realitycheck.That’sall.”“Canwegoinsidenow?You’vegotmetotallyparanoid.”“Ifsomethinghappens,yougoall-clearandgetgone,”Philbysaid.“Don’t

worryaboutme.Ifoneofusgetsoutofthis,it’swaybetterthanifwe’rebothcaught.Right?Iknowyou’llcomebackforme.Sonoheroics.Justgetoutandfiguresomethingoutandcomeback.I’mgoodwiththat.”

“Notgoingtohappen.”“Noheroics,”Philbyrepeated.“I’vegotyourback,”Finnsaid,holdinghisground.“Nowlet’stakearide.”

***

Mission:Spacewasbasicallyabunchofpodsonagiantturntable.MaybeckheldanarmouttokeepCharlenefromgoinganyfartherintotheroom.Shewasalittletoocheerleaderforhim,alittletoogungho.Itworriedhimthatshemightbemoreathleticthanhewas,mightshowhimupinsomeway.Hedidn’twanthermakinghimlookbad.

“Ihatethisride,”hesaid.“IwentonitonceandIfeltsicktherestoftheday.”

“Ithoughtweendeduptogetheronthisbecausewecouldbothtakeit.”“WhosaidIcouldn’ttakeit?”“Ithoughtyoujustdid.”“Didnot.Isaiditmademefeelfunky,notthatIcouldn’ttakeit.Butyou’re

theonedoesalltheflipsandgymnasticstuff,notme.”“That’sthepoint.Ilovethisride,”shesaid.“Itgoessofastitpeelsyour

faceback.”“Yeah.Terrific,”hesaid.“Ifyouwanttobelookout,Icandothisalone,”shesaid.“It’snotlike

anyonehastoknow.”“Areyoucallingmechicken,girl?”“Thatwouldbeno,”shesaid.“Itwasonlyanoffer.”“Well,keepit—”Maybeckcuthimselfoff,reachingforhispocketwhere

hisphonewasvibrating.HecheckedthecallerIDandanswered.“Notthebesttiming,”hewhisperedintothephone.Hepluggedhisopenearwithafinger.“Sayagain?…You’reserious?…”HegaveCharleneaweirdlook.“Canshedescribeit?…No…notnow.Threeminutes.Callmebackinthreeminutes.”Heendedthecallandreturnedthephonetohispantspocket.

“MadameHoudinihasbeenhavingvisionsaboutthisride.”“FYI,”Charlenesaid.“Houdiniwasanescapeartist,notaclairvoyant.”“Yeah?WellMs.ClaireVoyant’sbeenzoomingonMission:Space,

accordingtotheWillowTree.SomethingtodowithbuttonsandTVscreens.”“And?”“Andshe’sgoingtodescribeittousoncewe’reinsideoneofthosepods.”“Soweshouldgetgoing,”Charlenesaid.“Yeah.Weshouldgetgoing.”“Sowhyarewestandingherewithyourarmblockingme?”sheasked.Heloweredhisarm.“Becauseitlookstooeasy,”Maybecksaid,still

speakingverysoftly.“Howcanitbethiseasy?It’salmostlikethey’reinvitingustogetintooneofthosepods.”

“Thatmayberight.Butthere’sonlyonewaytofindout.”“ItoldyouthatIhatethisride.Yeah?”“Youmighthavementionedit,”shesaid.“Butyou’retougherthantheother

guys,right?”“You’regoingtohead-tripme?”“I’mbuildingyourconfidence.”“Myphone’sgoingtoring.Wegottagetinthere.”“I’llgofirst,”shesaid.

“Theheckyouwill.”Hecrossedthecurvedcrackinthefloor—ithadappearedwhentheridebeganallowingthefloor-sizeturntabletospin—andapproachedthenearestpod.Totheleftofthecloseddoorwasapalebluepanelcontainingfourgreenbuttons.ThebottomleftbuttonwasmarkedDOOROPEN,writtenvertically.ThetwoontopweremarkedDOORCLOSEDandSEATRESTRAINT.Thebottombuttonwasn’tlabeled.

“Givemeyourphone,”shewhispered.“What?”“Don’tyougetit?Oneofushastobeoutheretopushthedoor-closedand

seat-restraintbuttonsfortheotherperson.”Maybeckstudiedthepanelforasecondtime.“Youthink?”“Iknow.That’stheonlywayit’sgoingtostart.”“Maybeitdoesn’tneedtostart.Maybewejustgointhepodandlook

around?”“Andtherearehowmanypods?Andawhole’notherroomofpodsnext

door.Youthinkwepickedtherightone?”“HowshouldIknow?”“Givemeyourphone,”sherepeated.“ItrustJess.Thishassomethingtodo

withJessandherdreams.Iacceptthat,evenifyoucan’t.”“Ididn’tsayanything.”“YoucalledherHoudini.”Helookedguiltyascharged.Sheheldherhandout.Maybeckpassedherhisphone.

***

On-screen,thehanggliderflightdoveoverYankeeStadiumonitswaybacktowardManhattan.AcrowdoffiftythousandcheeredforaDerekJeterhomerunasthesmellofpopcornfilledtheair.JessandWillausedthecacophonyascover,fleeingupthestaircasetowardtheexitsign.WillamadethemistakeoflookingbackatthescreenandlostherbalanceastheroutedippedleftandlowovertheEastRiver.JessreachedoutandcaughtherjustasWillawasabouttofalldownthestairs.

“Don’tlook,”Jesswhispered.

Bothgirlsavertedtheireyes,lookingupthestairsinsteadofdown—towardthebackofthetheater,insteadofthescreen.

JesscaughtsightofsomethingWilladidnot.Astheyapproachedtheexitdoor,Jessnudgedherandpointed.

“‘ProjectionRoom,’”shesaid,quotingthetitleonthedoor.“Yeah?”“Ithinkweneedtocheckitout,”Jesssaid.“Because?”“It’sanIMAXprojector,”Jesssaid.“So?”“They’resupercooled.Asinverylow-temperature.Andmajorlyclimate

controlled.”“You’rechannelingPhilbyallofasudden?”“Iwroteareportforscienceclass.IhappentoloveIMAXtheaters.And

anythingthree-D.Iknowallaboutthatbooth,andbelieveme,itwouldbeMaleficentheaven,oraperfectplacetohideWayne.Thinkaboutit:noonegoesinthere—it’sallautomated.It’skeptcool.It’sclimatecontrolled.Andit’stuckedupatthebackofthistheater,wayoutoftheway.”

“IsupposeitcouldhavebeenthereasonSoarin’showeduponthemaintenancelist,”Willasaid.

“Sowe’regoinginthere,”Jesssaid,makingitastatement.“Ithinkweare,”Willaagreed.“ButyouneedtocallMaybeckfirstandtell

himwhatyousaw.It’sbeenthreeminutes.”Holdingontotherail,Jesslookedbackatthescreen.Thehanggliderwas

flyingdownBroadwaytowardTimesSquareatnight.Itwasamagnificentsight.“Rightaboutnow,”shesaid,“IwishIhadFinn’ssword.”“We’llmakethecallfrominsidethebooth.It’llbequieter,”Willasaid,ever

practical.“Butshouldn’twetellsomeonewhatwe’redoing,wherewe’regoing?

Whatiftheydon’thearfromusagain,andcan’tfindus.”Willatookbackthephoneandstartedtypinginatext.Jesscouldn’ttellforcertain,giventheflickeringlightfromthefilm,butshe

thoughtWilla’sfacehadgonesuddenlypale.

32

TESTTRACK’SWAITINGLINEturnedbackonitself,weavingthroughaGeneralMotorsassemblylineofcarparts,partlyconstructedvehicles,andtestingareaswherecardoorsweremovedremotelytotestthedurabilityoftheirhinges.Empty,itwasaconfusingtangleofsteelrailings,alabyrinthoftoolsandheavymachinery.

FinnandPhilbymovedthroughthelineslowly,onhighalert,bothfeelinguneasy.Nomatterhowmanytimestheyhadenteredattractionsortakenridesafterapark’sclosing,theeventsalwayshadahauntedqualityaboutthem,asifremovingthepeopleremovedthelifeoftheplaceaswell,leavingonlyghostsbehind.

TheyhadencounteredOvertakersorsuccumbedtotrapssomanytimesthattheynowexpectedthem.Thecharacterstookovertheparksafterclosing,andtheOvertakersdidtheirbesttotakeoverthecharacters.TheDHIkidscouldnotenterintothisconflictwithoutastrongsenseofpersonalrisk.

FinnandPhilbykepttheirheadsup,theireyesmovingandtheirearsalert.Anattackcouldcomefromanywhereatanytime.

“Doyousmellit?”Philbyasked.Ametallic,dustyaromafilledthearea,liketheairduringalightningstorm.

“Couldbejustthemachinery.There’salotofstuffinhere.”“Oritcouldbeher,”Philbysaid.WhenMaleficententeredaroomthatsameelectronicsmellprecededher.

Shecouldthrowfireballs—St.Elmo’sfire—offthetipsofherfingers,coulddrawlaserlikeelectronicfencesintheairtocontainandcapturetheKingdomKeepers.Shewasclearlycapableofgeneratingherownelectricity,likeanelectriceel.ThissmellintheairsetbothFinnandPhilbybackontheirheels.

Containedwithintherailsofthewaitingline,theyturnedtoseeanAudio-Animatronicmechanic,anoldman,maybe40or50,withfathandsandredcheekssittingbyaflashingcomputermonitor.Theybothstoppedshortatthesamemoment,remindedofthecrash-testdummies.Theystoodperfectlystill.Thedummydidnotmove.Theyadvancedcautiously,inchesatatime,theireyesneverleavingthedummyforlong.

Amomentlater,theylookedbackatthemechanicastheypassedahalfdozentrafficsigns.Thelinemovedoveragainstthewallhere.Theyweregettingclosertotheloadingzoneandthestartoftheride.TheypassedthroughtheemptyturnstilesandonthroughthedarkenedroomwhereusuallyanerdyguywholookedlikeayoungDanPatrickfromESPNtalkedyouthroughwhatyou’dexperienceontheride.

“Itisn’twhatwe’dnormallygothroughthatworriesme,”Finnsaid.“It’swhatwedon’texpecttohappen.”

“Withyouthere,”Philbyagreed.Theyenteredtheloadingareaandmovedtothefarendwhereacar

awaited.“Ready?”Philbyasked.“Areyousurethisisevenpossible?”Finnasked.“Idon’tmeantosoundtoomuchlikeMaybeck,butthisismewe’retalking

about.Iknoweveryattraction,everyride,insideandout.That’smyjob,right?AndItakeitseriously.”

Philby’splanwasforhimtogoupintothecontrolboothandstarttheridewhileFinntookaseatintheleadcar.

“Therehastobeatleastoneseatbeltfastenedforacartomove,”Philbyexplained.“Sincethesecondcarwon’thaveanyseatbeltsfastened,itwon’tstartup.Theotherscan’tgoeither,buteveniftheycould,thecomputerwillholdthemback.It’llmeanoursistheonlycaroutthere,andItrustthatalotmorethansomecarcomingupfrombehindusandhittingus,orforcingustogofasterorsomething.”

“ButthatalsomeansI’llbestrappedin,”Finnsaid,“andyouwon’t.”“That’scorrect.IfIhurry,Icanjumpintothecarintime.Theseatbeltmay

notworkatthatpoint—Idon’tknow.”ThesewerethreewordsoneneverheardfromPhilby’smouth.Finnsavored

hearingthemandalmostmadeapointofit,butdecidedtokeephiscelebrationtohimself.

“Ifweseesomething…”Philbycontinued,“ifforanyreasonit’sneeded…ifI’mnotstrappedinIcangetoutofthecarandmeetyoubackatthestartoftheride.”

“Weshouldn’tseparate.That’soneoftherules.”“Rulesaremadetobebroken,Finn.Youknowthat.Thisisoneofthose

times.”“Couldn’twejustskipthecarsandwalkthetesttrack?”“Thecarstriggerthesceneevents.IfWayneleftusaclue,ifhewantsusto

seesomething,it’llbesomewherealongtheride.Wewant—no,it’smorethanthat—weneedthesceneeventsandtheeffectsengaged.”

“Istilldon’tlovetheideaofmebeingstrappedinandyounotbeing.”“I’llholdontight,believeme,Mother.Butit’stheonlywaytostartthe

ride.It’sthis,orwebailrightnow.”“Okay.”Finndidn’tfeelrightaboutdoingitthisway—they’dinstitutedthe

buddyruleafterlosingMaybeck,andsofartherulehadkeptthemsafe.ButPhilbyhadconvincedhimtherewasnootherway;andPhilbyknewthisstuff.

Theloadingareawasgloomywithmostofthelightsturnedoff.Thankfully,therewerenocrash-testdummiesinsight.Finnclimbeddownintotheleadcarandfastenedhisseatbelt.Helaidtheswordonthebenchnexttohim.Theclickofthebeltissuedasenseoffinalitythathefounddisturbing.HedrewinadeepbreathandturnedtofindPhilbylookingdownthroughthecontrolbooth’swindow.

Finngavehimathumbs-up.Philbyreturnedthegesture.Therewasaloudpoppingsound.Thecarhummedandvibratedslightly.Itrolledforward.

FinnlookedbackoverhisshouldertoseePhilbyhurryingdownaladderanddodgingobstaclesandvaultinglinerailingsinanefforttoreachthemovingcar.Lightsblinkedonoverheadwiththecar’smovement:theridewascomingonline;Philbyhaddoneit.

Philbywasnowonlyafewyardsfromtheendoftheloadingdockandrunningfast.Hehadagoodchanceofreachingthecarintime.

Finnspottedsomeoneintheshadows—thesamemechanicthey’dbeenafraidofinthewaitingline,themechanicthey’dseenatthesametimethatthey’dsmelledtheelectricityintheair.

Hecarriedaheavywrenchinhisrighthand.“Lookout!”Finnshouted.

Philbyskiddedtoastop,andduckedjustintimeasthewrenchrippedthroughtheairwherePhilby’sheadwouldhavebeen.

“Catch!”Finnshouted.Hetossedthesword—pommelfirst—toPhilby,whocaughtthegripperfectly.

AsthecarpausedatDISPATCH,forwhatwasannouncedasaseatbeltcheck—notthattherewasanyonecheckinghis—helookedback.

ThemechanictookanotherswipeatPhilbywiththewrench.Philbycaughtthewrenchwiththeswordbladeandaclankingofmetalrang

out.Finntwistedintheseattowatch.HistestcarfacedtheHILLCLIMB.Hesaw

twomorecontactsbetweenthewrenchandtheblade,sparksshootingoffatthesecond.Philbywentdownononekneewiththesecondblow,andthelastthingFinnsawasthecarclimbedoutofsightoftheloadingareawasthemechanicloweringthewrenchtowardPhilby’sheadwithaviciousdeliberateness.

***

CharlenegotthecallsecondsafterMaybeckhittheseat-restraintbutton.JessspokesoftlyintothephoneandsoitwasdifficultforCharlenetohear.

“Iseeascreen,”shesaid,“likeaTVscreen.Therearetwosquaresbeneathittoeithersideandswitchestotheside.Threelabels.Willathinksthelabelsmeanit’syourride,Mission:Space.”

“Yes!She’sright.I’mlookingatabunchofscreensrightnow,andthere’reagazillionsquarebuttonsandswitchesallovertheplace.”

“‘Valves’…‘Hypersleep’…‘FirstStage,’”Jesssaid.“Thosearethelabels.Idon’tknowwhattheymean,oreveniftheymeansomething,butWillathinksit’simportant.”

Charlenerepeatedthethreelabels,hereyessearchingtheconsole.TheHypersleepbuttonwasdirectlybelowtheEngineerscreen.Next,shespottedthe1stStageSepbuttonbelowtheCommander’sscreen.

“That’sallI’vegot,”Jesssaid.Charlenethankedherandwasabouttoaskhertodescribethelocationof

theValvesbutton,whenthedoorshissed.Maybeckhitthebutton.Thedoorwasabouttoclose.

“Ineedyouinhere!”sheshoutedtoMaybeck,realizingthatwithherseatbeltlockedaroundherwaist,shecouldn’treachthe1stStagebutton,onlythe

Hypersleep.“Now!”Foronce,Maybecklistenedtosomeoneelse.Hedovethroughtheopening

asthedoorslidshut,landingacrossherknees,extendedthefulllengthofthecapsule.Hecaughtafoot,andjustwrencheditfree—hisrunningshoecomingoff—asthedoorsealedshut.

Charlenehadreachedouttopullonhislegtofreehisstuckfoot.Itwasinthatconfusionthathereyelituponasetofswitchesstackedvertically:Electrics,Hydraulics,Valves.

Valves!sherealized.Theywereinsuchanout-of-thewaylocation,shemighthavemissedthementirelyhadshenotreachedforMaybeck’sleg.

Butnow,astheinteriorlightswentdark,renderingthecapsulepitch-black,andascreenflickered,showingablueskyfilledwithsoftwhiteclouds,sheworkedtoimprinttheexactlocationofthoseswitches:toherright,andalittlelowerthanherelbow.

“Howlongisthisride?”sheaskedMaybeck,whohadpulledhimselftositting,feetonthefloor,facingthefarleftscreen.

“Idon’tknow.Fiveminutes?Feelsalotlongerthanthat,butthat’swhatI’mguessing.DidIhappentomentionthatIhatethisride?”

Thescreenshowedtheywereliningupwithalaunchplatform.Thepodbegantoshakeandtheroarofrocketenginesdrownedoutallthought.

“We…have…to…focus!”shesaid,herteethrattling.“Wehavefiveminutestofigureoutthesebuttons.”

“Whatbuttons?”“YoutaketheCommanderscreen.”“Gotit.”“Lowerleftbuttonismarked—”“FirstStageSep,”hesaid.“That’sit.I’vegottheHypersleepbuttonand,Ihope,theValvesswitch.

Myguessisthatweneedtoworkthesebuttonsintherightorderandsomethingwillhappen.”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundsogreat,”Maybecksaid.“Whatifwedon’twantittohappen?”

Thecapsuleliftedand,asitdid,theforcedrivingCharlenebackintoherseatbecameintense.Shesensedthecapsule’sspinningandbegantofeeldizzy.

“Notetoself,”Maybecksaid,“Icouldeasilyhurl,orpassout,orwhatever.

Soifwe’regoingtodosomething,Iwouldsuggestsoonerthanlater.”Theliftoffwascausingthecapsuletofeellikeitmightbreakapart.“What…happens…first?”shemanagedtoask.“Stageseparation,”heanswered.“Iknowthatmuch.”“Andthat’syou.Okay….”“Andlikerightaway!”hespitout.Atthatinstant,thenarrator’svoiceinstructedtheCommander,“Initiatefirst

stageseparation…Now!”The1stStageSepbuttonlitup.“Pushthebutton,”Charleneholleredtooloudly,“andholdit!Donotlet

go!”“Gotit!”Maybecksaid,depressingthebutton.“Hyperspaceisnext.”TheMissionControlwomantoldthemtheywerelookinggood.Maybeck

hadafewchoicewordsforher,butkeptthemtohimself.Theman’svoicetoldthepilottofirethesecond-stagerockets.

“Don’tdoanything,”shesaid.“Butwhatif—”“It’snotpartofWayne’sinstructions.”“Butwe’renotevensure—”“Donottouchanybuttons.NotuntilIsayso.”“Whoputyouincharge?”“Youdid,remember?Youwantedmeinthecapsule.Well,hereIam.”Theymighthavebeenabletoseeeachothergiventheglowofthe

monitors,butCharlenecouldn’tsitforward.Shewaspastedbackinherseat.ThecapsuleslingshotaroundthemoonandtheMissionControlmantoldtheengineertoactivateHyperspace.

“Okay….”Charlenesaid,reachingoutandpressingandholdingtheHypersleepbutton.

“HesaidHyperspace,notHypersleep.”“Yeah?Well,we’remakingthisupaswego,”shesaid.Shecouldsee

Maybeck’soutstretchedarm—thankfully,hewasstillholdingthe1stStageSepbutton.

WhileholdingtheHypersleepbutton,shestretchedtofindtheValvesswitch.Shefeltinthedark—topswitch,middleswitch,lowerswitch.Shewalkedherfingersupandcountedthemagain.

Shetalkedtoherself:“Top:Electrics.Middle:Valves.Lower:Hydraulics.”“What’sgoingon?We’reaboutto…crashonMars.”“I’mgoingtothrowtheswitch,”shecalledout.“Holdon.”“Holdon?I’mflatasapancakeoverhere,Charlene,andI’mabouttolose

mycookies.Andthatmakespancakesandcookies,andthat’snotpretty.”Charlenetouchedtheswitch,hesitatingonlyaheartbeat.Thenshepushedit

down.Suddenly,thepressureagainstherchesttripled.“It’sspeedingup!”Maybeckcriedout.“I…know,”shemanagedtochokeout.Butshecouldbarelybreathe.

***

Willaturnedthehandleoftheprojection-boothdoor,pausingbeforepullingitopen.Shedouble-checkedwithJess,whonodded.Willacrackedthedooropenjustfarenoughtopeerinside.

Theoverheadfluorescenttubelightsflickeredandcameonautomatically—motionsensorshadsensedthedooropening.AbaroflightescapedthecrackinthedoorandWilladidtheonlythingthatmadeanysensetodo:shejerkedthedooropen,pulledJessinsidewithher,andeasedthedoorshutasquicklyandquietlyaspossible.

Thefirstthingthatimpressedheraboutthespacewashowneatandcleanitwas.Theequipmentwasbigandclunky—whitemetalboxes,andatallglassonejustahead,allcarefullylabeledandcoveredinwarningstickers.Theprojectoritselfwasenormous,situatedinthemiddleofthenarrowroom.Widefilmfedfromtheglasscaseintotheprojectorandthenloopedaroundandreturnedtothecase.

“TheIMAXfilm,”Jesssaid,“isacontinuousloop.Thisbox,”shesaid,indicatingtheglasstower,“keepsthefilmorganized—seealltherollers?”Theglassboxheldthefilmbetweenrollerstoptobottomsothatahundredyardsormoreoffilmcouldbestoredinafour-foot-by-three-footbox,justfourfeethigh.

“MaybeIgetthefour-one-oneanothertime,ifit’sokaywithyou?”Willasaid,herfacesweaty,hereyesnervous.

“Sure,noproblem.”ButJessstudiedalltheequipmentwithfascination,havingreadaboutitandstudiedit,butneverhavingseenitinperson.

Willamovedquicklythroughtheprojectionroomtoafardoorand

carefullyopeneditaswell.“He’snothere,”shesaid.“It’sastorageroom.”Jesstookhertimeattheprojector.“It’slikeoneofthosecomputercleanrooms,”Willasaid.“Andcheckit

out:thetemperatureandhumidityaremonitored.SoI’mguessingthisistheplacethatreportedthetemperaturedropbacktomaintenance.”

Jessfinallybrokeawayfromherstudyofthegear.“Andthatmeans…maleficent?”

“IfMaleficententeredthisroomthetemperaturewouldsuredropconsiderably,soyes,Iassumeatsomepointshewashere.”

“Forwhatreason?”“That’swhatweneedtofigureout.Doesithavetodowiththeirtestingthe

newNewYorkfilm?SomethingtodowithWayne?Washekepthereforawhile?Idon’tknowtheanswers.”

“We’reassumingWayneisheresomewhereinEpcot,”Jesssaid.“Becauseofmydream—thejackethe’swearingandourdiscoveryoftheboardroommural.Okay?”

“Okay.”“SowhatiftheOvertakersfoundoutthatWaynehaddiscoveredtheir

plans?Imean,whentheytookme,itwastokeepmefromseeingintothefutureandknowingwhattheywereupto.SowhatifWaynepresentedthesameproblem:heknewwhattheywereupto?”

“Okay,I’mwithyou.”“AndWaynehadbeenallovertheparkputtingthistogether.Right?Imean

that’swhathewoulddo,isn’tit?Makesurehewasright?Andlet’ssaythattheOvertakershadsomewayofknowingwhereWaynehadgone.AGPSchipinhisphone,ormaybeamemohe’dwritten,orquestionshe’daskedtothewrongperson.That’snotsoimportant.WhatisimportantisthattheOvertakershadsomewayofknowingwherehe’dbeen,whathe’dbeenupto.”

“Whichcouldhavehappenedinanynumberofways.”“Exactlyright.”“So,”Willasaid,“MaleficentortheOvertakersretraceWayne’ssteps,and

indoingsotripallthetemperaturesensorsbecausethetemperaturedropswherevershegoes.”

“She’ssmartenoughtohidesomewherethatwon’thappen.We’renotgoingtofindherinoneoftheplacesonthemaintenancelist.Idon’tbelievethat’s

goingtohappen.”“Butwe’reherebecauseWaynewasoncehere,”Willasaid.“Ithinkthis

makesalotofsense.”“Me,too.SothatmeansweneedtofigureoutwhyWaynecamehere.Why

Soarin’?Whytheprojectionbooth?HemusthavebeenontotheOvertakers’plan.Theyfollowedhimhere,justaswehave.”

“Sotheyprobablytookwhateveritwasthathewasafter—ifhedidn’ttakeithimself,”Willasaid.

“Possibly.”“Probably,ismorelikeit.”“Butyou’reforgettingsomething:hewentmissingduringallthetroublein

theAnimalKingdomwhenyouguysweretryingtofindme.There’satimethinghere.Themaintenancelogsaremorerecentthanthat,sotheOvertakerscamehereaftertheyalreadyhadWayne.SotheywereorarelookingforsomethingthatWaynedidn’thaveonhimwhentheygothim.YoucanbettheysearchedtheFirehouse—andtheyobviouslydidn’tfinditthereeither.”

“Soit’sstillhere,”Willasaid.“Ithinkso.Ithinktherearecluesofsomesortalloverthepark.Wayneleft

themintheattractionsthathavetodowithflying.He’stryingtosavethepark.Youknowthat’shismainconcern.That’sjustWayne.TheBlakepoemwastryingtotellusthathe’swillingtodietosavetheparks,ifnecessary.Sowhateverhewasworriedaboutishere.”

“Unlesstheyfoundit,”Willaclarified.“True,”Jesssaid.“Butiftheyfoundit,thenwhydidtheykeeplooking?

ThemaintenanceloghasMaleficent—oratleasttemperaturedrops—happeningallovertheplace.”

“Sotheyneverdidfindit!”Willasaid.“Or,there’smorethanonethingtofind.Morethanoneclue,onepieceof

evidence.Waynespreaditaround,knowingthatwouldincreaseourchancesoffiguringitout.”

“There’ssomethingheresomewhere,”Willasaid,spinningaround.“Ithinkso,”saidJess.“Soweconductasearch.Amethodicalsearch,justthewayWaynewould

expectPhilbytoorganizeit.”“Westartatthedoorandworkourwayforward,”Jesssaid.

“Onequestion,”Willasaid.“Coulditbeinthefilm?Ifhesplicedasingleframeintothefilm,woulditeverbespotted?”

“Attwenty-fourframespersecond,”Jesssaid,quotingherresearch,“Idoubtit.Itmightflicker,butyouwouldn’tseeit.Goodpoint.Whatahidingplace!That’sbrilliant,Willa!”

“Thankyou.”“Butwe’regoingtocatchit.Notwhilethefilmismoving.Youreyecan’t

pickitupwiththefilmmovingsofast.”Thefilmwasmovingasthetestdownstairscontinued.“So?”“Waynewouldknowthefilmisstoredintheglassbox.It’stoohardforus

toseeitallinthere.Ifheleftacluesplicedintothefilmitwouldhavetoberightatthestart,rightwherewe’dseeitwhenthefilmwasstoppedandwaitingtoloadand,Ihatetosayit,butitwouldbetheCaliforniafilm,nottheNewYorkonethey’retesting.”Shepointedtoanenormousaluminumwheel—acase—sittingonthefloor.“That’stheCaliforniafilm.It’sbasicallyacrimetoopenthatbox.Thefilmisincrediblysensitivetodustanddirtintheair.Youhandlewithspecialwhite—”

ShewasinterruptedbyWilla’spointingtoapairoftheveryglovesshewasdescribing.

“Okay,”Jesssaid.“I’llcheckthefilmwhileyousearchtheroom.Butyouhavetobethorough.”

“Webothhavetobethorough.”“Andfast,”Jesssaid.“Iftheyhaveaproblemwiththeirtest,theymayhead

uphere.”Theygottowork.Fiveminutespassed.Ten.Jesshadthecaseopenandwas

carefullyreviewingeachframeofthefilm’sleaderbyholdingthefilmuptotheoverheadlight.

Willawasworkingherwaythroughtheroom,inchbyinch,makingnoteofeverypieceofequipmentandanythingthatmightbeunusualaboutit.

“Gotsomething!”Jesssaid,herwhite-glovedhandscarefullyholdingthefilmoverherhead.Willajoinedher.

“Seethespliceline?”Jesssaid.“Imean,thereareseveralintheleader,soit’snotanythinghugebyitself,butseethissecondsplice?It’sasingleframethathasbeencutintothefilm.Andthatisunusual.ThisistheonlyoneI’veseen.”

“Butit’sblack.”“It’sdark,yes.Itblendsinthatwaywiththerestoftheleader.Butit’snot

actuallyblack,justvery,very,dark.Weneedmorelight.”“Suchas?”“I’mnotsure.Theprojector’slightisincrediblybright.Ifwecouldslide

thewholecanoverthere,andIcouldgetcloseenoughtowherethelightisleakingout,maybe…”

“Solet’sdoit,”Willasaid.Thefilmcanwasincrediblyheavy.Evenworkingtogether,thetwocouldn’t

budgeit.“We’llhavetounwindthefilmfarenoughtogettheleaderoverthere,”Jess

said.“Anditcan’ttouchthefloororit’sruined.Useyoursocksasgloves.”“What?”“Takeoffyoursocksandusethemasgloves.You’regoingtohavetohold

thefilm.”AminutelaterJesswasuncoilingthefilmfromthecanandWillawas

supportingit,keepingitfromtouchingthefloor.Jessmanagedtogetthespliceuptotheedgeoftheprojector,fromwhichabrilliantwhitelightseepedoutandilluminatedthedarkrectangleofsplicedfilm.

Whatshesawastoundedher.“It’saseatbeltsign,”shesaid.“Awhat?”“Youheardme.Likeyou’dseeonanairplaneorsomething.”JesshadturnedtolookbackatWilla.Indoingso,she’dlosttrackofher

hands.Theywanderedintotheprojector’sbeam,interruptingit.Shenoticedthisimmediately,butitwastoolate:she’dbrokentheimagebeingprojectedtothescreen.

“Uh-oh,”shesaid.Glancingoutthroughtheprojectionwindowpaneshecouldjustmakeoutthetwotinyfigureswellbelow,atthecontrolconsole.Thebiggerofthetwo—theman—waspointinguptowardthebooth.

“Thelights!”shesaidtoWilla.“Theroomlightscanbeseenfrombelow.Theyknowwe’rehere!”

Willakepthercalm,immediatelycoilingthefilmbackintothecan.Jessfedhertheextralength.

“Isawsomething…Ihavetochecksomething,”Willasaid.

“Sawwhat?”“Inthisbookoverthere.It’sajournal.It’smarkedA-three,whateverthat

means.ButIthinkit’ssomekindofmaintenancelog.Therewassomethingaboutseatbelts…”

“Noway,”Jesssaid.“Way.”Theprojectorstopped.“Thisisnotgood,”saidWilla.They’dfedenoughfilmintothecanthatJesscouldtakeoverandfinishit

up.Willapulledherhandsfromhersocks,droppingoneintheprocess.Shehurriedoverpasttheprojector.Thejournalwasanoversizednotebookwithahardcover.SheflippedthroughthepagesasJessfinishedputtingthefilmawayandclosingthecanister.

“He’sgottobeonhiswayuphere,”Jesssaid.“Iknowhesawthelighton.”“Iknewit!”Willasaid.“Thelastentrylistsaseatbeltinspection.Someof

theseatbeltswerelockingbutnotopening.Andgetthis!Thedatesofalltheothermaintenancework…itendsliketwoyearsago.Theymusthaveautomatedtheworkorsomething.Butthisseatbeltthing…it’sdatedthreeweeksago.”

“RightwhenWaynewentmissing.”“Bingo,”Willasaid.“Ithastomeansomething.”Willamovedtotheprojectionwindow.“Oh,no…”shegasped.“He’sonhiswayuphere.”“Well,wecan’tgooutthedoor.”“Andit’snotlikewecanhideinhere.”“There!”Jesssaid.ShepointedbeyondWillatoadoor.Theyhurriedandopenedthedoor.Itledintotheupper-levelsuperstructure

oftheride—acatwalkthatledoutintothedarkandthesteelgirdersthatsupportedSoarin’shugeswingsbelow.

“We’resupposedtogooutthere?”Willagroaned.“Justdon’tlookdown!”Jesssaid.Theysteppedoutintothedarkandpulledthedoorclosed.Jessmadethe

mistakeofnotfollowingherownadvice:sheglanceddown.Onemisstep,andtheywouldfallsixtyfeetthroughsteelpipestoaconcretefloor.

“Keepmoving,”shesaid,hervoicedrywithfright.

***

Asthetestcarcrestedthehill,theDanPatrickvoiceannouncedthestartofroughroadtestsandthecarturnedanddroppedbackdownaramp,shakingandvibratingitswaytothebottom.Finnrememberedthisastheplacehissisterwouldtrytotalkandhervoicewouldrattle,amusingthefamily.

Thoughtofhissisterandhisfamilymadehimwonderwhatwouldhappenwhenhecouldn’tbeawakened,whenhismotherdiscoveredhimstuckintheSyndrome.Anunpleasantthought,hepusheditaside.

HeheardPhilbyscream,askin-crawlingsoundthatechoedthroughtherideandhecalledback,shoutinghisname.“Philby?”

Thestupidseatbeltwouldn’tlethimoutofthecarnomatterhowhardhewrestledwithit.Themorehefoughtit,thetighteritgrippedhim;hesuddenlysawwhataneasytargethewouldmakeifanyonecameafterhim.He’dgivenPhilbyhisownmeansofself-defense;butFinnwasasittingduck.Astrapped-insittingduck,atthat.

Thebraketestcamenext—thecarracingheadlongtowardabarrier.Finnheldadozenthoughtsinhisheadatthispoint,oneofwhichwasthenotionthatifthemannequinhadattackedthem,thentheOvertakershadbeenexpectingthem;andiftheOvertakershadbeenexpectingthem,thenwouldtheyhavesabotagedthetestcar?Andiftheyhadsabotagedthetestcar,wouldn’tthebrakesbethefirstthingtogo?

Thetestcarflewtowardtheendoftheline.Finnknewwheretoexpectthesensationofbeingslowedbythebrakes,anditdidn’tcome.Instead,thecarmaintainedspeedasitswungleft,followingthetrack.Theleftwheelsliftedofftheconcrete,thenthumpedbackdown.ThecarswungrightasthenarratorsbothsaidsomethingbutthecarwasmovingtoofastforFinntohearit.Finnreachedoutandgrabbedforthedashasthecarenteredasecondbraketestataspeedhe’dneverfeltbefore.Propelleddownastraightawayatanunbelievablespeed,itseemedcertaintocrash.AgainFinnfoughttheseatbelt.Again,hedidnothingbuttightenitanotchacrosshiswaist.

“Braking!”thewoman’svoiceshouted.Butthecardidn’tbrake.Itswungleftagainand,asbefore,nearlyjumped

thetrack—throwingFinntohisright,theleftwheelslifting,thecarbalancedonlyonitstworightwheels,thenslammingdownasitturnedright.

Itrolledtoastopinsidetheheatchamber,thenarratorsayingsomethingabout“extremetestconditions.”Banksofinfraredlightscameonandtheroomquicklywarmed.Finnknewtheride,knewthecarwassupposedtocontinuerightonthroughtothenextchamber.Hecouldseeitahead:thecoldroom.

Butthecarstopped.ThehundredsofheatlampsremainedonandFinnfeltthetemperaturequicklyrising,dangerouslyrising.Foramomenttheheathadactuallyfeltgood,butnowitdidnot.Heguesseditwaswelloverahundreddegreesinsidethecarandgainingrapidly.

105….110….Hewasbeginningtobake.Sweatranintohiseyes,stinging.Hestruggled

againsttherestraints.Hisfacewasburning.Themetalofthecarwastoohottotouch.Hepulledhishandsin.Hethoughthesmelledhishairburning.

Plasticbegantomelt.Thedisintegrationmovedtowardhimfrombothsides,tryingtomeetinthemiddle.Ifthatkindofheatreachedhim…

Smokerosefromthevehicle.Alabeladheredtothesidecaughtfire,flameslickinguptohisright.

Finnwascrazynow,jumpingandbuckingandfightingtheseatbeltrestraint,tryingtoslipupandout.Thethingwasimpossiblytight.Ifhehadn’ttriedsohardtobreakoutearlierhemighthavemadeit;butithadcinchedsotightthathefeltchokedaroundthewaist,andhewasn’tcomingoutofit.Ifhecouldcalmdownhemightall-clearhiswayout,buthewasanythingbutcalm.

“Welcome…”Helookedupthroughhisblurredvision—itfeltasifhiseyelasheshad

burnedoff—andintotheblue-and-whitecoldroomonlytwentyfeetinfrontofhim.

Shewastallerthanheremembered,hergreenfacelonger,herchinmorepointed,thepurpleliningofherrobemore…purple.Smokeswirledaroundthecar.Themeltingplasticinchedtowardhim,athermometerwarninghimofhowlittletimehehad.Hewasgoingtocombust.

“Youneverknowwhentoquit,doyou,Finn?”Hehadneverlikedthatsheknewhisname.Didnotliketohearhersayit

now.Heunderstoodtheheatnow—ithadlesstodowiththelights,andmuchmoretodowiththiswitch.Herassociationwithelectricity—wasshepartelectricityherself?—explainedtheintensetemperature.Andwhatbetterplacetotraphimthaninaroomadjoinedbyawalk-infreezerbigenoughforacar?

“Whereishe?”Finncalledout.“Youneverletwellenoughalone,youngman.”Sheraisedherhandand

pointedathimandwhatlookedlikethetrailleftbyalaserweldercreptupthecar’shood,meltingalineintothemetal.

Finncouldsmellburningrubber.Thetiresweregoing.“Youaredabblingwhereyoushouldn’tbedabbling,”shesaid.“YouandChernabogshouldhavekeptmoving,shouldhavemovedon.But

youcan’t,canyou?Youcan’tleavetheparks.You’restuckhere,whereyouwerecreated.Youwantsobadlytoscareus—toscareeveryone—butyou’repitifulreally.Asad,sillywitchwhocan’tdoanythingbutmaketrouble.Howsickisthat?”

Shemovedhergreenfingerandtheredlaserlinemeltingthroughthesheetmetalofthehoodchangeddirectionaswell.

“Silly?Youstillthinkso?It’sfuntowatchyouburn.Towatchyoupayforallthetroubleyou’vebroughtme.Youandyourself-righteousfriends.Youwillcomeandgo,thefiveofyou,yourfriendWayne.You’llsee.ButIwilllivehereforever.Iamimmortal,amInot?FiftyyearsoldandIhaven’tagedaday.Youtrythat.”

“Oh,Idon’tknow,”Finnsaid.“Youlookahundredtome.”Shedidn’tlikethat.Shetwistedherhorriblefaceintoaballofmeanness,of

spiteandhatred.“Itwouldn’tdotojustkillyou.Youmustbemadetosufferfirst.”Wherehadhebeen?Whathadhebeenthinking?HefeltlikeDorothyinOz:he’dbeenwearingtheslippersallalong.

Slippersthatthisgreenwitchdidnotknowhepossessed.Heclosedhiseyesandpicturedatraintunnel.“Don’tyoudarepassoutonme,boy!Iwanttohearyouscream.Iwantto

seeyousuffer.Openyoureyes.”Hepicturedadeep,bottomlessvoidofblack—acooldarkpitsoperfect

thatnosoundescaped.Hefelthishandstingle.Shemighthavebeensayingsomething,buthedidn’thear.Hefelthislegstwitchandjumpwithstatic,likehisnervesmisfiringjust

beforesleep.Thetrain’slightcametowardhim,growingbrighterandmoreintense.He

leanedforwardandcameoutofthecheststrap—therewasnoheat,nocold.Hefeltnothingbuttheintensetinglinginhislimbsandafullnessinhisheart.Hesatforward.Thewaiststrappassedthroughhim.Hepulledupandoutofit.

Themeltingplasticcreptfromeithersideandjoined,meltingtheseathe’dbeensittingin,justasthewitch’slaserwentstraightuphislegsandchest,passingrightthroughhim.

Incompletedisbeliefshelookedfirsttoherfingerandthentotheboy,asiftherehadtobesomethingmechanicallywrong,asifsheneededtoputanotherbatteryinherfinger,orsharpenherdarkpurplefingernail.

Finnstoodinthesmokingcar,shimmering.“Thingsarereallyheatingup,”hesaidtoher,movingtojumpoutofthe

car.“Finn!Catch!”ItwasPhilby!HewasrunningupthetracktowardFinn,his

leftforearmraisedagainsttheintenseheat.Hethrewthesword.Itflewthroughtheair,endoverend,andFinnreachedtocatchit,tosnatchitoutoftheairthewaytheydidinmovies.Buthewasall-clearandtheswordpassedrightthroughhishandandlanded.Hewouldhavetocomeoutofall-cleartopickupthesword—andthatwouldalsomakehimvulnerable.Hisarmstingled.Hepickedupthesword.

HeslashedandslicedashejumpedfreeofthevehicleandmarchedsteadilytowardMaleficent,whowasalreadyretreatingdeeperintothecoldchamber.

Asshebackedup,theheatonFinn’sbackquicklylessened.Finnheardaspraybehindhim:Philbyhadgrabbedafireextinguisher.Maleficentwasbackeduptotheendofthecoldroomnow.Finndidn’tfeel

thecold,onlytheswingingsteelinhishand.TheinfraredlightswentoffasPhilbydousedthelastoftheflames.“Wewilldefeatyou,”Finnsaid,stilladvancingsteadily.“Thelongeryou

dragthisout,thelesslikelyitisthatyourcharacterwillsurvive.Youunderstandthat,don’tyou?Thestoriescanberewritten.Someofusdie,it’strue.Butothersaresimplywrittenoutofthestory.Editedoutofthefilm.Removed.Permanently.Erased.”Hewitnessedherreaction—ahorrorhe’dnotseenonherconfidentfacebefore.“It’swhatyoufearthemost,isn’tit?WhatyouOvertakersarerunningfrom?Erasure?Insignificance?Thefearthatyourride,yourattractionwillberemovedfromtheparkthewayothershavebeen?Onedayyou’rehere.Onedayyou’regone.”

“Whatdoyouknow?”shesaid.

Hedidn’tquitebelievehiseyesashewatchedhermeltintothegrayconcretefloor,watchedherreformintoasnakeequalinsizetoGigabyte,butbearingadefinitegreenhue.Hishandsandfeettingled,andherealizedthatfearhadgottenthebetterofhim.

Hedidn’tlikesnakes.Shecameafterhimwithaflickofhermightytail,slitheringtowardhim

withblindingspeed.Sheopenedherawfulmouth,revealingapairoffangsthathadtobetwofeetlong.

Heraisedtheswordandpreparedtostrike.Maleficentflickedhertongueinthedirectionofthehalf-meltedtestcar,

andthecarmadeapoppingnoiseandcametolife,itsheadlightssnappingonbrightly.ItrolledtowardFinn,gainingspeed.

Fromthefront—Maleficentinsnakeform.Frombehind—thecar.AndFinninthemiddle,rakingtheheavyswordlefttoright,righttoleft,keepingtheeagersnakeatbay.Maleficentlunged,fangsextended,butFinnslicedforherheadandsheretreated.

“Lookout!”Philbysaid.“JumpwhenIsay!”Finndarednotlookback.Maleficentstruckagain.Finncaughtheronthe

sideoftheheadwiththeblade.Shebled—greenblood—cryingoutasshejerkedherheadback.

“Now!”Philbysaid.Finnjumpedstraightup.Thecarcutunderhim.Hetumbledbackward,rolledalongthehood,and

wasdumpedintotheseatarea,wherePhilbygrabbedholdofhim.“Duck!”Philbyroared.FinntuckedintoaballjustasMaleficent’sbleedingsnakeheadcutthrough

theairoverhead,itsfangsdrippingavenomthatlookedlikepus.Thecartookoff,gainingspeed.Thenarratorsaidsomethingaboutrobots

andpickingupthepace.Thecarmovedfasterandfaster.Andfasterstill.“Idon’tlikethis,”Philbysaid,strugglingtositdowninaseat.Hehelped

Finnturnaroundandplantedhimintheseatnexttohim.Thetestcarwasmovingmuchtoofast.Fasterthanitwasengineeredfor.

Throughoneturn.Aroundanothertotheleft.Anothertotheright.Thetiresscreechedthroughthenextturntotheleftandlouderstilltotheright.More

turns,thecarrockingupontoitspartiallymeltedtires.Atruckcameatthemhead-onandnearlyhitthem—aprojectionthatFinnhadforgottenabout.Thecarshouldhaveslowedthen,butitdidnot.Itwasmovingfartooquicklyforthemtojump.

Itwhippedthroughafewscenesthatshouldhavebeentakenataleisurelypaceandheadedforthebarriertestatfartoohighaspeed.Thebarrierwastimedtoliftoutofthewayoftheoncomingcaratthelastsecond—oneoftheride’smanythrills—butthetimingwassetupforamuchslowerspeed.Thecararrivedbeforethebarrierlifted.Itrammedthebarrierhead-on,punchedaholethroughit,andbrokeoutintothenightairoutside—ontotheovaltrackandthefastest,mostdangerouspartoftheride.

33

CHARLENESTRUGGLEDTOmaintainconsciousnessasMission:Spaceflewoutofcontrol.Thecenterscreen,whichwassupposedtosimulateaviewoutthespacecapsule,showedthemlandingonMars,balancingonaprecipiceaboveathousandfootfall,andthen…

Fallingovertheedge.Thesensationinsidethecapsulewasofbothfallingandweightlessness,a

nauseatingcombinationthatleftMaybeckmakingunpleasantnoisesnexttoher.Oh,pleasedon’t,Charlenefoundherselfthinking.Ifhepukedinsidethe

poditwasgoingtoreek,andshewouldlikelyfollow.Theycrashedatthebottominaroarofmetalandrockandshewonderedif

shehadn’tbeenhalf-DHIatthatmomentwhateffectitwouldhavehadonherbody.Sheassumedshewouldhavepassedout.Butsheremainedawakeandhyperalert,chargedwithadrenaline.

Thescreenhadgonedarkuponimpact.Itnowsputteredstaticandcamebacktolife.

Aman’sfacefilledthescreen:anoldman.Wayne.“Ifyou’reseeingthis,youhavesurvivedanarduousjourneyandJessica

hasmanagedtoseewhatI’dhopedshe’dsee,andthatmeansIamspeakingtooneormoreoftheKingdomKeepers,andonlytotheKingdomKeepers.Italsomeansthatsomethinghashappenedtome,eitherofatemporaryorpermanentnature,andthatnecessitatesdiligenceonyourpart,andlikelyrequiresagreatdealofyouinthehourstocome.It’sprobablydarkinthecapsule,soletmetakecareofthat.”

Thelightscameon.Theeffectwaseerie—asifhewererighttherewith

them.“Thatshoulddoit,”hesaid.“Ifyouwanttotakenotes,you’llfindpaper

andapenbeneaththecenterseat.”Charlenefoundthemandpreparedtowrite.“Idon’tbelievethis,”Maybecksaid.“IthoughtI’dseeneverything.”“Hush!”shesaid.“TheOvertakersareplanningsomethingofascalewe’venotseenbefore,”

Waynecontinued.Hiseyestrackedtohisright.Hewasafraidofbeingdiscovered.“Itwillcomeontheheelsofadeceptionoftheworstkind.Bewareyourfriendsandknowyourenemies.ItrustyouhavefoundthecarouselandthatPhilbyknewwhattodooryouwouldn’tbehere.”

Hewasbeingvague,perhapsinthefearthatdespitehiseffortstheOvertakersmightdiscoverhismessage.Charlenescribbleddownasmuchasshecouldofwhathewassaying.

“Remember:westandunderittogetoutoftherainbutitlivesaboveourbrain.”Heglancedfurtivelytohisrightagain.

“Ihaven’tgotlong.”Hesmiled,wincing.“Noneofusdo.ThesolutionisinNorway.Finnmustknowthat.Trustit.Byallmeans,hemustuseit.Nowandlater.He—youall—willneedmorehelp.WhatI’mtalkingabout:itismightierthanthesword.…Atsomepointyouwillmeetmydaughter,Ipresume,ifyouhaven’talready.Ididn’tnameherbychance,youknow?Doyouknow?Ifyoudon’tnow,youwillbeforelong.”

Theimagefizzledandwentblack.Butjustbeforehedisappearedintoacurtainofstatic,Wayne’sgazeshiftedtohisrightandfrozeasterrorfilledhiskindfaceandCharlenefeltahorriblehollowinthepitofherstomach.

“That’sall?”Maybecksaid.“Iwroteitdown,”Charlenetoldhim.“Whyishealwaysso…Wayne?”“Becauseheis,”Charlenesaid.“Heknowswhatthey’recapableof.He’s

carefulbecauseofthat.”“Yeah,butImean,IseriouslydoubtanyOvertakercouldhavesurvived

whatwejustwentthrough.Heplanneditbrilliantly:beingDHIswedon’thavethesamemass,sothereisn’tthesamegravitationalpullasonanormalperson.ACastMemberorcharacterwouldhavetossedtheircookiesandpassedout.Hecouldputusthroughsomethingnooneelsecouldmakeitthrough.Sowhynotspillthebeansoncewegetthroughallthat?”

“Becausethatvideoisonacomputerserversomewhere.MaybeonlyaDHIcouldseeithere,butwhatifitwasdiscoveredandviewedanotherway?”

Maybecknodded.“Ihadn’tthoughtofthat.”Araremomentofhumility.Thespinningmusthavegottentohim,shethought.

“Weneedtotelltheothers,”shesaid.Shetriedthephone.Withthepod’sdoorclosedshehadnoreception.

“Whichbegsthequestion,”Maybecksaid.“Nowthatwe’rebothinhere,whoisgoingtoopenthedoor?”

Thescreenspitstatic.Thedoortothepodopened.

***

Thecatwalklednowhere.WillaandJesshadwalkedonlyafewfeetwhenthemetalmeshbridgearrivedatadeadend.Behindthemloomedthecloseddoortotheprojectionbooth.

“There!”Jesssaid,pointing.Throughthesmallwindowthatallowedtheprojector’sbeamtoreachthe

screentheycouldseeaman’sheadmovingaround.Willasaid,“Waynewantedustofindthatmaintenancediary.We’redone

here.”Sheglanceddown.Itwassuchalongwaytothefloor.“Howareyouwithclimbing?”

“Asin?”“There’saladderrighthere.Itprobablygoesdowntoanothercatwalk.

Maybewecanfindourwaydown.”“Probably?Thebestwecandoisprobably?”“It’sbetterthanbeingcaught.”Jesssaid,“Okay,I’llgofirst.”Jessforcedherselfnottolookdown.Sheplacedherfeetoneachrung,

carefultomakesureshemadecontact.Therungswerenomorethanathinpieceofsteel,andslipperywithaglossygraypaint.

“He’scoming!”WillahisseddowntoJess.“Thedoor!”Jesslookedupthroughthemeshofthecatwalkandsawthedoorknob

turning.Shehurrieddown,movingdangerouslyfast.Ifshefell…Willaclimbeddownquickly,andfoundthatheranklesweresuddenlyin

Jess’sface.JessleanedbacktoavoidWilla’sshoesandnearlylosthergrip.AtlastthetoesofJess’sshoestouchedthecatwalkbelow.Willa,movingtooquickly,lostcontrol.Sheslippedandfelltheremainingfewfeet,crashingdownontothecatwalk.

“Who’sthere?”themancalledout.LookingdownWillasawatleastfourlevelsofcatwalk,eachconnectedto

thenextbyladders.Thecatwalksprovidedaccesstovariouslevelsofmachinery,forrepairandmaintenance,creatingathree-dimensionalbridgesystem,amazeofnarrowwalkwaysthatbranchedoutorterminatedindeadends.Level3,wherethegirlsnowstood,accessedtheupperreachesofSoarin’sswings,thebenchseatingthatliftedfortyfeetoffthefloortoprovidethesensationofhanggliding.

Behindthem,theNewYorkflightwasreplaying,causingthelightintheroomtoshiftandchangecolor,nowabrilliantblue,nownearlypitch-black.TheeffectcreatedastrobelikeflickersothatonemomentJesscouldn’tseeWilla,andthenasecondlatershegotaclearlook.Itwasaconfusinganddifficultenvironmenttomovearoundinwithoutlosingyourbalanceorgoingovertherail.

JessheardtheclankingofthemanabovethemrunningtotheendoftheLevel4catwalk,andknewthatoncethere,ifhelookeddownhewouldseethem.

Jessstumbledandlungedtotheright.Herarmdisappeared.Shestoppedandthrustherleftarmforward:itvanished.NowshehurriedforwardandtappedWillaontheback,notwantingto

speak.Jessshowedherhowbothhandsdisappearedwhensheputthembeneaththetwo-foot-thickpipethatwasthetophingeoftheSoarin’swings.Thickblackrubberhydraulictubinghungbeneaththehingearm,heldtherebywirestrapping.

Jessmotionedup.Theyglancedbackastheyheardarustlingoffabric:themanwascoming

downtheladder!Jessjumpedupontherailing,grabbedholdofthehydraulictube,andhung

there,herbacktothefloor,hertoesgrippingthetube.Shewentinvisible.BeneaththepipewasaDHIshadow.Willajumpedupandjoinedher,fartherdownthepipe,justastheman

bangeddownontothecatwalktheyhadbeenstandingon.Jessslowedherbreathing,sinceshewasabletohearitherselfandknewit

mightgiveheraway.Themanwalkedtowardthem,peeringintothedark.Heswitchedona

flashlightandwaveditfromsidetoside.Jessdidn’tknowhowanyofthisworked,andperhapsPhilbycouldhave

explainedit,buttohersurprise,astheflashlightstruckhershewasn’tilluminated.Butsherealizedafractionofasecondlaterthatshecastashadowanyway.ItwasactuallyWilla’sshadowshesaw,castontotheswingtotheirright.Aslongastheybothremainedabsolutelystill,theshadowsdidn’tlooklikemuch.Itseemeddoubtfulhe’devennotice.

Thenthesceneinthefilmchangedandthemachineryreactedtolowerthebenchesfarbelow.

Thepipeholdingthemmoved,dippinglowertowardthescreen.Jessfoughttoholdontotheblacktubing,butitwasnouse.GravityclaimedtheaspectofherthatwasnotfullyDHIandshebegantoslide,asdidWillainfrontofher.

Themanmusthaveheardthem,evenoverthemusicoftheride,forhelookedrightatJess—rightintohereyes—thoughhedidn’tknowit.

Down,down,down,sheandWillaslid,awayfromthemanwhoremainedupatLevel3.Andthere,toJess’sright,shespottedtheLevel2catwalk.

Shefeltherfingerslettinggooftherubberhose.Shehadnochoice.Sheswungleftandthenright,buildingmomentum.Witheacheffort,assheclearedtheprojectionshadowcreatedbythepipeaboveher,partofherDHIshowed.

“Hey!”criedtheman.Shewastoofocusedonherdismounttolookup,butsheunderstoodthat

he’dspottedherDHIasitappeared.“You!”hecalledout.Sheletgoandsailedovertherailing,throwingherselfforwardandlanding

brieflyonherfeetbeforefallingtoherknees.Sheheardaclankingaheadofher—Willa,shehoped—buthadnotimeto

figureanyofthisout.Therewasared-and-whiteexitsignthirtyfeetbehindher.“Goforit!”sheheardWillahiss.Themanwasscreamingnowforhelp.“Spies!”hecriedout,believingthemtobeDisneyfansnodoubt—fans

interestedinSoarin’changingfromCaliforniatoNewYork.

Ifonlyheknew….Jessranfortheexitsign.Shefeltthevibrationofthecatwalkbeneathher

feetandknewthatWillawasonitaswell.Theman’sfeetappearedaheadofher—hewascomingdownanother

ladder.Sheranharderandfaster.“Rightbehindyou!”sheheardWillacallout.Awaveofreliefsurgedthroughher:Willawasokay.Willawaswithher.Shebangedintotheexitdoor’spanicbarandthrewthedooropen.An

alarmsounded.Themancriedoutforthemtostop.Shechargeddownthefireescapeasfastasherfeetwouldcarryher,the

warmnightairsplashingontoherfacenevermorewelcome.

***

Asthetestcargainedspeed,FinnturnedtoPhilbyandsaid,“Nobrakes.”“Iremember,”Philbyshoutedabovetheclatter.Theoutsidetrackformeda

circlearoundtheTestTrackpavilionwherecarscouldacceleratetospeedsinexcessofsixty-fivemilesperhour.PhilbyandFinnwerequicklyapproachingninetymilesperhour.

“Thesystemisnotdesignedforthisspeed!”Philbysaid,hisredhairflying,bothhandsgrippingthemelteddashboard.“It’sgoingtojumpthetrack!”

ItoccurredtoFinnthatPhilbyknewsuchthings,thoughthiswasonetimehewishedhedidn’t.

“Asin?”“We’regoingtowreck!”Theaccelerationpinnedthembackintheirseats.Finnknewbytheintense

pressurehowfarfromall-clearhewas,andhowhewasn’tgoingtogetback:hewasscared.Therewasnochangingthatnow.Noeasyfix.

Theboysfoughtagainsttheg-force,heavingforward.“Givemeyourshoes,”Philbysaid.Finnlookedathimwithbewilderment.Itseemedanoddtimetobelocked

infashionenvy.“Yourshoes!”Philbyshouted.“Now!”

FinntorethemoffhisfeetandPhilbyhurriedlyuntiedthelaces.Hekickedoffhisownandworkedthelaceslooseonthoseaswell.

“Tie’emtogether!”heshouted.“Keepthelacesaslongaspossible.”Finndidashewastold.Thecarwasmovingdangerouslyfasternow,

beginningtojumpoffthetrack.Theboysfeltaneeriesensationcombiningbothgravitationalpullandweightlessnessthatsuggestedthecarwasabouttogoairborne.Theintensecentrifugalforcecausedbothboystoleanovertowardthetrack’soutsiderail.Nomatterhowtheyfoughtagainstit,theycouldnotsitup.Ifitwentmuchfastertheywouldbelyingflatontheseat,apositionfromwhichitwouldbeimpossibletodoanything.Withoutseatbelts,eachlittlebumpliftedthemanddrovethemagainsteachotheronthefarrightofthecarwhereFinnsatsquished.

Philby,furiouslycheckinghisknots,happenedtolookback.“Badnews!”hesaid.Finnbattledtheforcesandmanagedtoturnhisheadaroundtoseeanempty

cargainingonthem.Iftheexcessspeeddidn’tthrowtheircaroffthetrack,thenacollisionwouldtakecareofthem.ItwastheperfectOvertakermove:thewreckwouldbeblamedontwo“vandals”whohadbrokenintothepark,switchedontheride,andthenbeenhitandkilledbyanemptycar.Noonetoblamebuttheboysthemselves.HecouldalmosthearMaleficentlaughing.Noneofthemhadevertalkedaboutit,buttheyallbelievedthatshouldtheirDHIseverbekilledoutright,theirsleepingselveswouldbelockedintheSyndromeforever.Theywouldneverawaken.

“We’vegotmajorproblems!”Finnholleredtobeheardovertheroaroftheride.

“Youthink?”Philbyroaredbackathim.Philbyhadhisstringofshoesready.Strungtogether,thefourrunningshoes

lookedlikeanawkwardkitetailorstringofdeadfish.Theylookedlikesomethinginventedjusttopassthetime,withonelacetiedtothenextinadaisychain.

FinnfeltlikechallengingPhilby,likeholdinghisfeettothefireandaskingwhynow,ofalltimes,theguywasstringingshoestogether.Butheknewbetter.Philbywasamanofpurpose.Everythinghedidseemedcalculated,ameanstoanend;ifanything,theguydidn’tloosenupenough.SoifPhilbywantedtotieabunchofshoestogetherwhilegoinginexcessofninetymilesperhour,ridinginacarabouttojumpthetrackandkillFinnalongwithhim,thensobeit:tieaway.

“Here’s…the…deal,”Philbysaid,eachwordanefforttoproducebecauseofthesurprisingamountofpressureimposeduponhischestbytheg-force.“WhenIsaynowwe’regoingtojump.We’regoingoffyourside,overtherail,andthenholdontight.We’retoohighup—andprobablyoverconcrete—toletourselvesfall.Sowe’regoingtohangfromtheoutsideoftheretainingwall.Thesafetywall.Okay?Butlisten,wehavetogetoverthewall.It’sgoingtobemessy.”

“Messy?YouthinkIcantimeajumpgoingahundredmilesperhour?”Finngasped.

“Wewon’tbegoingahundred,”Philbysaid.“Hangontight…”Finnmadethemistakeoflookingback:theemptytestcarwasbearing

downonthem.Itwaseithergoingtocollideandthrowthemfromthecar,orbumptheircaroffthetrack.WhatwasPhilbythinking?

Philbyflungthestringofshoesoverthewindshieldtowardthevehicle’srightfrontpanel.

“Whatthe—?”Finnsaid.“Theemergencystop,”Philbysaid.“That’swhywe’vegottoholdon

tight.”Finnunderstoodthen:leaveittoPhilbytofigurethisout.Hehunkered

downandbracedhimself,kneesthrustforwardintothemelteddash.Herecalledallthetimeshisparentshadchidedhimaboutwearingseatbelts,butthatwasn’tanoptionnow,theseatbeltswerenolongerfunctioningthankstotheexcessiveheat.

Philbylaunchedhiskitetailasecondtime.Theleadshoeslappedthesideofthecar,justmissingthelargeredplasticemergencystopbutton.

“Close!”heshouted.HehadmeantPhilby’sattempt,buthenoticedthatthewordappliedtothetrailingcaraswell:theywereabouttoberear-ended.

Philbywoundupthechainofshoesandlauncheditagain.Finn’srunningshoeslappedthesideofthecar,butmissedthebuttonagain.

Wham!Theemptycarsmashedintothebackbumper.TheboyswhippedforwardandFinnnearlyleftthemovingcar.Hepulledhimselfbackinside.

Philbytriedadifferenttechnique.Heswunghardandgotthestringofshoesgoingoverhisheadinacircle,likeacowboy’slasso,likeahelicopterblade.Thecarbumpedthemfrombehindagain,andthenbackedoffasifithadamindofitsown.

Finnsawwhatwashappening:thetrailingcar’sreartiressmokedasittook

aimtoknockthemfromthetrack.Philbyproppedhimselfupwithjusthislefthandholdingthedash,

droppinghisrightandloweringthecircleofshoeswiththedeftnessofagolfpro.Finn’srunningshoesmashedintotheredbuttonandthecar’sbrakesscreeched.FinnreachedoutandgrabbedPhilbybythebeltasPhilbyliftedoffhisfeet,bothhandsoverhishead,readytoflytohisdeath.Finnheldonwithallhisstrength.Thetestcarscreamed,shuddered,andslowed.

Behindthem,theemptycar,itstiressmoking,barreledtowardthem,acollisionimminent.

“Now!”Philbyshouted.Finnjumpedfromthemovingcar.Hischesthitthesheet-metalretaining

wall,andheturned,hisfingersseekingpurchase.Hecaughthold,stoppedhimself,andthenletgo,droppinganotherthreefeet.Hesnaggedholdofthelipoftherideattracklevel,hisfeetdanglingtwentyfeetabovetheplazabelow.

HecaughtsightofPhilby,inroughlythesameposition,abouttwentyfeetinfrontofhim.

Itsoundedlikeanexplosion.Thetrailingcarcrashedintotheirstoppedvehicle,sendingcarpartsoverheadinashowerofmetalandplastic.Somepieceswentfortyfeetuporhigher,fallingontotheplazabelowingreatthunderouscrashes.Anelectricmotorsailedfiftyyardsoutintoaparkinglotbehindthepavilion.Smokecurledabovethem,whileFinnpicturedhimselfsomewhereinthemidstofallthatdestruction,knowingwhatitwouldhavemeantforhim,understandingwhathadjusthappened.Philbyhadsavedhislife.

Theymovedhandoverhandalongtheperimeterofthetrackuntiltheywereoveranawning.

“Onthree,”Philbysaid.Andtheyletgo,fallinginunison.Theybouncedoffandsliddowntheawningandlandedontheirfeetwithonlyafewscratchestoshowfortheiradventure.Finn’sfacewassunburnedfromtheinfraredlightsandhishairwassingedabovebothearsintotangledcurls.

Theyfoundtheswordpoint-enddowninaflowerbed,whichremindedFinnofTheSwordintheStone.Heretrieveditandfoundhecouldslipitbetweenhisbeltandpantsandthatitwouldhold.

“Don’tknowwhereourshoesendedup,”Philbysaid.“Sorryaboutthat.”Finnfacedhisfriend,thinkingaboutallthathadhappenedinthepastfew

minutes.“Sorry?”hesaid.TheirshoeswerethefurthestthingfromFinn’smind.

ThenhesmiledatPhilby.“Yeah,you’dbetterbesorry.”HethrewanarmoverPhilby’sshoulder,andPhilbydidthesame.Thetwo

headedofftotherendezvousinstockingfeet,thepointoftheswordclankingagainsttheconcreteplazawitheachdeterminedstep.

34

AFTERSOMETEXTING,thegroupmetattherendezvous.Itwasafewminutespast3AM,butnoonelookedtired.Maybeckwasmissingashoe;Willa,asock.FinnandPhilbywereshoeless.

Finnpointedoutthattheycouldn’tjuststandaroundtalking—theywerefartoovisible,fartoovulnerable.Surprisingly,itwasn’tPhilbyorWillawhocameupwiththeideaofsecretingthemselvesintoacorporatelounge,butCharlene.

“RememberthatcharityeventwedidatTheSeaswithNemoandFriends?Theonewiththehospitalkids?How’boutthere?”

“Brilliant!”saidPhilby.“ItusedtobetheUnitedTechnologieslounge.Thecompanylefttheparkin1998and—”

“Spareusthehistorylesson,”Maybeckquipped.“Let’sjustgetoutofhere.”

TheLivingSeaspavilionwasacrosstheplazaandtowardtheentrygate,alocationFinnlikedbecausetheyneededaplacetohideuntiltheLostandFoundopened—anditwouldbeclosebytothelounge.

Theydividedintotwogroupsincasetheywerespottedorattacked.Maybeck’sgroupwentfirst.FinnfollowedwithWilla,Amanda,andPhilbyafewminuteslater.

Thelounge’sdarkwoodpaneling,retrofurniture,walldecorations,andacrylicpianowereathrowbackto1980sdecor.Alargemetalsculptureofafishstaredoutfromonewall.ButtheprizeoftheroomwastheoneentirewallconsistingofawindowintoNemo’sfive-million-gallonaquarium,offeringdazzlingviewsandendlessvisualthrillsasfishandseaanimalsswampast.

FinnaskedAmandatospeakfirst.Hecouldn’ttakehiseyesoffherassherecountedwhatshe’dwitnessedfromthecontrolroomatoptheMayanTemple.

“Ineverhadtowarnanyofyou,”shesaid,“butwhatIsawsurprisedme.Twicethedrawbridgeoverthelakeraisedandlowered—”

“Thatwouldbethebridgeoppositewherewecrossed,”Charleneinterrupted,speakingtoWilla.

Amandacontinued.“Andanyway,theglobeleftthelakethefirsttime,butthesecondtimeIcouldn’tseewhatitwasabout.Nothingmuchhappened.Itjustwentup,andafewminuteslater,backdown.Also,therobotguysontheSegways—thedummies—areconstantlypatrolling.Aroundandaroundthelake.ItseemedtometheOvertakersbasicallyhavefullcontroloftheplace.”

WillatoldthemaboutherandJess’strialsatSoarin’andherdiscoveryofthemaintenancejournalandthesingleframeoffilmwiththeimageofaseatbeltonit.

CharlenetoldaboutWayne’svideo,holdingeveryoneinraptattention.Shereadfromhernoteshisexactwords,lookingupbetweeneachcomment:“‘adeceptionoftheworstkind…bewareyourfriendsandknowyourenemies…remember:westandunderittogetoutoftherainbutitlivesaboveourbrain…thesolutionisinNorway.Trustit…later,youallwillneedmore…’HetalkedaboutWandaandsaidhedidn’tnameherbychance,that‘itismightierthanthesword.’”

Thegroupwassilentforalongtimeafterthatastheymulledoverwhatitallmeant.

Then,beforegettingintowhatCharlenehadsaid,PhilbyjoinedFinnintalkingabouttheirconfrontationwithMaleficent,Finn’snewsunburn,andthewreckofthecaronTestTrack.

“YoucanbettheOvertakerswillhaveitallcleanedupbymorning,”Philbysaid.“They’recleverthatway.”

“Icanconfirmthatafterthewreck,”Amandasaid,gazingatFinn,herfaceaknotofbothconcernandrelief,“allsortsofcharactersheadedinthatdirection.Iheardandsawthem.”

“Whichisgoodforus,”Finnsaid.“Thatshouldkeepthembusytherestofthenight.”

“Asifwe’regoinganywhere,”Willasaid.“I’msogladwefoundaplacetohangout.”

Shefoundherselfthebruntofeveryone’sstaring.“What?”sheasked.“Wayneleftusahalfdozenclues,”Philbysaid.

“Heexpectsaction,”Finnsaid.“Youhavegottobekiddingme!Youtwonearlygotkilled.Maybeckand

CharlenehadtobeletoutofthatpodbyAmandaorthey’dstillbelockedinthere.AndJessandIwerenearlycaptured.Youwanttogobackoutthere?Bemyguest.I’mhappyrighthere.”

“What’sanyofitmean?”Jessasked.“WhatwasWaynetryingtotellus?”“‘Adeceptionoftheworstkind,’”Charlenereadfromherlist.“Betrayal,”Philbysaid,“istheworstdeception.”“Betray—”Willaspitout,unabletocompletelysaytheword.“Noway!”“Atraitor?”Charlenechokedout.“Oneofusisgoingtobetraytheothers?”Maybeckasked.“That’snotpossible,”Willasaid.“Isit?”“Anything’spossible,”Finnsaid.Maybeckgrewsober,suddenlymoreseriousthananyoftheothershadseen

himbefore.“Areyougoingtotellmethatafterallwe’vebeenthrough…?”Buthe,too,couldnotcompletehisthought.

Hedidn’tneedto:everyoneunderstoodhim.“Okay.Well,I,forone,donotbelieveit,”Willasaid.“NeitherdoI,”Charlenesaid.“Nomatterwhat,”Finnadded,“it’sbadforustodoubteachother,to

questionourfriendship—”“Orloyalty,”Philbysaid.“Butapparently,”Maybecksaid,“that’swhatWaynehadinmind.”“Ican’tseehimdoingthat,”Charlenesaid.“Whywouldheturnusagainst

eachother?”“Tosavetherestofus,”Maybecksaid.“Tokeepusalert.”Thegroupsatinadeadlysilenceforalongtime.Lookswereexchanged,

someofthemsuspicious.“Ithinkweshouldmoveon,”Willaproposed.“What’snext?”Philbysaid,quotingWayne,“‘Westandunderittogetoutoftherain,andit

livesaboveourbrain.’That’sahat.”Hewonnodsfromall.“And‘ThesolutionisinNorway.’That’sthesword.”

“Thathastoberight,”Charleneagreed.“Butwhataboutahatandasword?”askedJess.“Dotheymean

something?”“Theymust,”saidWilla.“That’sthewayWayneis.Itallmeans

something.”“Andapenismightierthanthesword,”Philbysaid.“Everyoneknowsthat

expression.ButmaybenottheOvertakers,whichiswhyheleftpartofitout.It’sgottobeWalt’spen,right?”

“Nodoubt.Butwehavetofiguretherestofthisstuffout,”Maybeckcomplained.“Imean,I’mgladtoknowwhathewastryingtotellus—butwhatwashetryingtotellus?”

EveryoneturnedtoPhilby.Hecollectedhimselfandsaid,“Astothefirstpart:hewantsusonguardforatraitor.Noneofuslikesthethoughtofthat,butIthinkwhat’sdoneisdone.We’renotgoingtolookateachotherthesamewayforawhile,andwe’rejustgoingtohavetolivewiththat.”

Mosteveryonenodded.“Wayneshotthatvideohimself.Thatmeanshechosewhatordertotellus

stuffin.Soafterthepossiblebetrayalcomesthehat.Right?Weneedtofocusonthehat.Maybetherestofthestuffwillmakemoresensewhenwefigureoutthehat.”

“Therearesomanyhatstheysell,”Charlenesaid.“Princesshats,baseballcaps—”

“Piratehats.”“Witches’hats?”saidAmanda.“Isupposeweshouldgolookatthemall,”Philbysaid.“Inoneofthe

stores,Imean.I’mnotsurewecandothisonourown.”“Donottellmeyouwanttoleavehere!”Willasaid.Wheneveryonelooked

ather,shesatupright.“Hey…nowwaitaminute…enoughwiththoselooks.We’vegottogetsomethingstraight:justbecauseyoumaydisagreedoesn’tmeanyou’rethetraitor!Youshouldseehowyou’realllookingatme!WhatifI’mtheonevoiceofreasoninallthis?Huh?WhatifI’mrightandPhilby’stheoneleadingusoutfortheOvertakerstocatchus?”

TheyalllookedatPhilby,whoseexpressiondidn’tchangeonebit.“Nicetry,”hesaidtoWilla.

“I’mnottryinganything!”sheprotested.“Excepttomakemeouttobeabadguy.”“I’mjustasking,arewesaferinhereoroutthere?AndIthinktheanswer’s

prettyobvious.”“Willahasapoint,”Maybecksaid,hisattentionfixedonher.Shesmiledat

himforbackingherupandMaybecklookedaway.“Acouplethingsareprettyobvious.Firstofall:weneedtostaypairedupatalltimes.Ifthereisatraitor,wecan’tallowhimorherthechancetosignalanyone.Secondly:therearetoomanyofus.We’retoobigagrouptogosneakingaround.I’mthinkingwesendasearchpartyforthehats.InominateFinn,Philby,andCharlene.”

“Ihatetopointthisout,”Charlenesaid,“butwhoeverthetraitoris,heorshewouldlovenothingmorethantoseethethreeofuscaptured.Philbyisourbrains,Finnourleader—”

“Andyou’reourjock,”Willasaid.“Yeah.Iseewhatyoumean.”Everyoneturnedhisorherattention—andsuspicions—ontoMaybeck.Finn

knewthatofallofthemMaybeckhadbeenacaptiveoftheOvertakersthelongest.Hecouldhavebeencompromisedandnoonewouldknowit.

“CanIsaysomething?”Amandasaid.“Doyoupeopleseewhat’shappening?JessandI,we’renewtothis.Butoneofthethingsthat’ssoimpressiveaboutyou,aboutthisgroup,ishowyouworktogether.Howonepersonpicksupwheretheotherpersonleavesoff.Imean…it’sactuallyprettyawesome.Andnow,allofasudden,inlikefiveminutes,nooneistrustinganyoneandeverydecisionistakingabouttwiceaslongasyouusuallytake.Justanobservation,”shesaid,sittingback.

“Howdoyouundosomethinglikethis?”Charleneasked.“It’snotlikeIwanttoseeanyofyouasthetraitor,buthowamIsupposedtonot?Waynewreckedit.”

“Buthewreckeditforareason,”Philbysaid.“Heknewhowthiswouldmessusup,”Finnsaid.“Wayneoperatesonseriousbandwidth,”Philbysaid.“Hewouldn’thave

thrownthisoutthereifitwasn’timportant.”“We’llpickfromahat,”Finnsaid.“Threenames.They’llgotothestore.”“Noironythere,”Willasaid.“Ahat?”“Wedon’tevenhaveahat!”Maybecksaid.“It’sanexpression,”Finnsaid.Thegloomymoodwasbroken.Charlenewroteouttheirnamesonsmallpiecesofpaperandfoldedthem

up.Jessdrewthreefromthepile.

“Philby,Finn,andCharlene,”sheannounced,unfoldingandreadingthem.“Fate,”saidPhilby.“Irestmycase,”saidMaybeck.“Iamtheman.”

35

FINNHADN’TSAIDANYTHING,buthe’dknownhehadtobepartofthescoutteam;theywouldneedhimtofullycrossovertoall-clearandenterthegiftshopinordertoopenitfortheothers.AfterafewminutesofsneakingovertotheMission:SpaceGiftShop,beingcarefulnottobeseen,FinnunlockedthedoorsfromtheinsideandadmittedPhilbyandCharlene.

“Idon’tfeelgoodaboutthis,”Finnsaid.“SeemsSecurity—therealparkSecurity—wouldknowifsomeonewascruisingthegiftshop.”

“IfparkSecurity’sdoinganything,they’redealingwithwhatevertheOvertakersfailedtocleanupaftertheTestTrackwreck.”

“Westillshouldmakeitquick,”saidCharlene.“Wedon’tevenknowifthisisreallytheclueWaynemeantforus.”

“Hats,”Philbysaid.“Ithastobehats.”Itwasdarkandgloomyintheshopdespitetheabundanceofcheerfulgifts,

lendingthevastspaceasenseofforeboding.Theysplitup.Charleneknewwheretheprincesshatswere;infact,sheknewmuchmoreaboutthelayoutofthegiftshopthantheboysdid.ShedirectedPhilbytothebackandFinntotheleft.

Finnfoundacollectionofkhaki-coloredballcapsforsale.Thecapsboreavarietyoflogosandemblems,whichmadehimwonderifthosedetailshadanythingtodowithwhateverWaynewantedthemtosee.Philbydiscoveredaspacehelmetandsomecharacterhats.Finnjoinedhimintheback,feelingoverwhelmed.Howweretheysupposedtomakeanysenseofthis?Therewereadozenormoredifferenthats,anyoneofwhichmightbeimportant.

“Ifweonlyknewwhythehatisimportant,”hesaid.“Overhere,”hissedCharlene.

BythetimeheandPhilbyjoinedherFinnfeltthey’dalreadyspenttoomuchtimeintheshop.Healsofoundhimselfwonderingwhothetraitormightbe,andwhenheorshemightturnontherestofthem.Hetriedtopushtheideafromhismind,butitwouldn’tyield.

“We’vegottogetoutofhere,”hepressed.“Sowhatjumpsoutatyou?”Charleneaskedtheboys,indicatingashelfof

MickeyandMinnieaccessories.“Let’snotmakethisintotwentyquestions,”Finnsaid.“Iwanttomakesurethismakessense,”shesaid.“Idon’twanttojusttell

you,Iwantyoutoseeit.”“You’reworriedwe’llaccuseyouofbeingthetraitorifitdoesn’twork

out,”Philbysaid,pickinguponhertoneofvoice.“Aren’tyou?”“Ididn’tsaythat.”“Youdidn’thaveto,”hesaid.“Mickeyears?”Finnsaid.“AMinniehat?”“OMG!”Philbysaid,steppingtowardthedisplay.Hereachedoutandtook

Mickey’ssorcererhatinhand.HelookedatCharlene.“Thisiswhatyouwantedustosee,”hesaid.Shenoddedtimidly.

Finntookagoodlookatthepointedsorcerer’scap.Itwasdecoratedwithacrescentmoonandseverallargestars.“Youstandunderittogetoutoftherain.”

“Wearesodense!”Philbysaid.“Wheredostarsnevergrowold?Thesestarsarealwaysthere.”

“ButtheChannel!”Charlenesaid.“TheChannelgotushere.”“Maybebyaccident.Ormaybetherewassomethingelseshowingthatday

besidesDumbo.Wecancheckonthat.”“I’llbetitwasFantasia.I’llbetwemissedit.Mickeywearsthatsamecap

inthemovie,”saidCharlene.“Butthepointis,”Finnsaid,“thatthesorcerer’shatfitstheriddlein

keepingofftherain,andaboutitbeingonyourbrain,butitisn’tthishat,it’stheoneinHollywoodStudios.Thatisthehatthatkeepsyououtoftherain.”

“Fantasmic!”Philbysaid.“Italladdsup.Yousee?Mickey’shat.HollywoodStudios.Thesword.Mickeydefeatsthedragonintheshowwiththe—”

“Sword,”Finnsaid.“AndthedragonisMaleficent,”Charlenesaid.“It’seitherChernabogor

Maleficentthatturnsintothedragon.Right?”“It’sMaleficent,”ProfessorPhilbysaid.“FirstMickeyencountersthe

WickedQueenfromSnowWhite,thenshesummonsallthebaddies—Ursula,Cruella,Scar.JafarbecomesagenieandMickeyaccidentallycallsoutHerculesandChernabog.It’sChernabogwhosummonsthedead,andwhobringsMaleficent.Andit’sMaleficentwhotransfiguresintothedragon.”

“Wheredoestheswordcomein?”Finnasked.“Itdoesn’t.Mickeydefeatsthedragonwithawallofwater.Inthemovie,

Fantasia,it’stheringingofabellthatdrivesChernabogbacktohismountain.”“Nosword?”“Maybethisisanewversion,”Charlenesaid.“Withanewhero.”Shewas

lookingintentlyatFinn.“ThisiswhatWaynewantedustofind,”Philbysaid.“I’msureofit.The

stars.Alltheclues.AndFantasmic!istheperfectplaceforMaleficentandChernabogtohide.Thatshowisallaboutthem,andit’svirtuallydesertedtwenty-threehoursaday.”

“YouandIsawherrighthere,”Finnreminded.“Wedid,”Philbyagreed.“Buttheparksareclosetoeachother.Shecan

transfigureherselfintoabird.I’mnotsayingshe’sintwoplacesatonce.I’mjustsayingWaynewantsusoveratFantasmic!”

“Notbeforewefindhim.”“Wemaynothaveachoiceonthat,”Philbysaid.“Whatifwedon’tfind

himhere?”“Wewill,”saidFinn.“Ifonlywecouldgobackintime,wecouldhaverescuedhimfrom

Wonders.”Charlene’scommentstoppedFinncold.Foramomenthefacedherasifin

atrance.ThenhetookherbytheshouldersandallthreeofthemthoughtFinnwasabouttokissher.Charlenelookedterrified;Philbylookedsurprised;Finnlookedoutofit.

“Weblewit!”Finnsaid.“Youdon’thavetosoundsoexcitedaboutit,”Philbysaid.Thenheadded,

“Blewwhat,exactly?”“‘Gobackintime.’Charlenejustsaid:‘Gobackintime.’”Hestillheldher

shoulders;shestilllookedpanicked.

“Yeah?Sowhat?”Philbysaid.Charlenewasspeechless.SheturnedhercheektowardFinnsothatatleast

ifhetriedtokissheritwouldn’tbeonthelips.Butshedidn’tpushhimaway,andshewouldlatersecretlywonderwhynot.

“ThinkaboutJess’sdreams,”Finnsaid.“Hervisions.What’stheonethingweknowaboutthem?Aboutwhentheytakeplace?”

“Thefut—”Philbysaid,catchinghimself.“Noway!”“What’sgoingon?”Charleneasked,stillbracedforthepossibilityofakiss.PhilbyansweredforFinn.“WhenwewenttoWonders,thewritingwasn’t

onthewallbehindthechair.Itwasn’texactlylikeJess’sdream.NoWayne.Nowordsonthewall.”

“Iwasthere.Iknowallthis.”“Wewereallthere.Butweweretoosoon,”Finnsaid.“Waynehadn’tbeen

broughtthereyet.WegotthereaheadofJess’svision.Itwasn’tthatshe’dgottenitwrong—”

“Wewerejustearly,”Philbysaid,completinghisthought.“Soatsomepointhe’sstillgoingtoendupinthatchair?”Charlenesaid.“Atsomepointtheystartmovinghimaroundtokeephimhidden,”Philby

said.“Like,forinstance,”Finnsaid,“aftertheKingdomKeeperscauseacar

crashatTestTrack.”“OrdiscoverthemaintenancelogatSoarin’,”Philbysaid.“OrenduponMission:Space,”Charleneadded.Theexcitementsparkedbetweenthem.FinnfinallyreleasedCharlene’s

shoulders,apologizing,andshequietlysighedinrelief.“He’stherenow,”Finnsaid.“Icanfeelit.He’sleavingamessageonthe

wallforJessthatshegotdaysago.Wecanstillsavehim.”“Ifyou’reright,he’llbeunderheavyguard,”Philbysaid,notcontradicting

Finn.“Sincewhenhasthatstoppedus?”

36

WONDERSOFLIFEloomedoutofagraygroundfogsuckedfromtheearthasthenightstretcheditscoldarmtowardmorning.FourAMhadcomeandgonebeneathanovercastskythatseemedtodarkenbytheminute.ItwasasifMaleficentherselfwereinthesky,directingthedarknesstocontinue,blottingoutanyattemptsofadawningsuntohintatitsimpendingarrival.

Fromwithinthejunglelandscaping,notfarfromtheiroriginalposition,sevenpairsofeyesstudiedtheabandonedpavilion,sevenheartsbeatwildlyfromacombinationoffatigue,fear,andanticipation.Wherewasthesnake?Thecavemen?WhereweretheNorwegianandhisson?

Theplan,hastilythoughtupbyMaybeck,butagreeduponbyall,wasasimpleoneoftacticaldiversion:MaybeckandFinn,bothcapableofall-clear—thoughMaybecklesssothanFinn—wouldenterthepavilionfirstandpositionthemselveswithaviewoftheboardroom.Charlenewouldarrivetoprovideadistraction,makingherselftheobjectofpursuit.HerathleticabilitywassupposedtobestanyeffortbytheOvertakerstocaptureher.WhileshekepttheOvertakersbusy,MaybeckandFinnwouldrescueWayne.

Jess,Willa,andAmandaweretotakeuppositionsoutsidethepavilion,keepingitunderconstantsurveillance,whilePhilbywouldinfiltratethepavilion’sutilityarea—whichtheybelievedtobeinthebasement—hopingtobeabletomonitor,ifnotcontrol,thestructure’selectricityandsecurity.

IttookthemtenminutestofinallyspotGigabyte.Thehumongoussnakecamefromtheirleft,upthepathtowardthepavilion,itstonguelashingtheairforunexpectedscents.Itcircledthepavilionandheadedbackdownthepathandthroughthelineofpottedtreesthatblockedtheviewofthepavilionfromthepark.

Philbycheckedhiswatch.“Twelveminutes,”hesaid.“Weneedtobein

andoutinten,orthesnakeisgoingtopresentamajorproblem.”“IseveryoneclearonwhattodoifwefindWayne?”saidFinn.“It’suptoCharlene,”Jesssaid,“tocreateadiversion.”“Elevenminutes,”Philbywarned,“andcounting.”“Let’sgo,”FinnsaidtoMaybeck.Thetwoapproachedasidewindowtogether,avoidingthefrontdoor.“Icandothis,”Maybecksaid.Heclosedhiseyes,letoutadeepbreathand

steppedforward,knockingintothewindowashetriedtostepthrough.Hefellback,butFinncaughthim.

“Alittlequieterwouldn’thurt,”Finnsaid,standinghimupagain.“Pictureatrain—”

“IsaidIcandothis!”Maybecksaid.Hetriedagain,butthewindowblockedhimforasecondtime.

FinncouldimaginePhilbycountingdowntheminutes.Hecheckedhiswatch:tenminutesleft.

“Onelasttry,”hetoldMaybeck.“ThenIgoitalone.”Maybeckclosedhiseyes,releasedacleansingbreath,andsaid,“Okay.A

trainlightattheendofatunnel.Nowwhat?”Maybeckdidnotenjoyhavingtoaskanyoneforhelpwithanything.

“Letthetraincometowardyou.Ittakesoverallthedarkness,itblotsoutallsound,eventhesoundofmyvoice.”

Maybecksteppedthroughtheglass.Finnclosedhiseyesandfollowed.Theywereinside.

***

Charleneenteredthroughthefrontdoor,leftopenbyFinn,exactlythreeminutesafterFinnandMaybeckhadbeenseensteppingthroughthepavilion’ssidewindow.

HadFinnsetatrapforher?WashetheoneWaynehadwarnedthemabout?Shehurriedupthemainstairs,keepinglowandholdingontothebanister,

knowingthatFinnandMaybeckwould,atthissamemoment,beascendingthestairs.

Shedidn’tlookback,butheardPhilbyentershortlybehindher,wonderingifhe’dhavetimetobeeffectivebutputtingnothingpasthim.

InthebackofhermindlingeredWayne’swarning:“Bewareyourfriendsandknowyourenemies.”Ifevertherewereanopportunityforbetrayal,thishastilyputtogetherplanwasit.Allitwouldtakeisoneofthemfailingtofulfillhisorherresponsibilityandanynumberofthemmightbecaptured.Itwasanobviousplacetosetatrap.Shepushedawayallhernegativethoughtsandkepthermindonwhathadtobedone.Shewassupposedtodothedistracting,notbethedistracted.Shewasthedecoy,thediversion.Itwastimeforaction.

Tobeeffective,herdecoycouldnotbespottedassuch:ithadtolookasifsheintendedtorescueWayne.Ifshejustwentinyellingandscreaming,theOvertakersmightsensethatherintrusionwasmerelyaruseandshewouldputMaybeckandFinnatrisk.

Soshecameintotheloungeareaquietly,raisedupontiptoe.Shekepttothewallandthenquietlyslippedbetweenitandthecircustent,movingslowlyenoughnottoripplethetentcanvas.

Thedoortotheboardroomwaspartiallyopen.ToherrightwasanotherdoorwaythatledintotheroomwhereFinnandMaybeckwouldbehiding.Ifshewaschased,herplanwastoleadherpursuersrightbeneathMaybeckandFinn,who,byagreement,wouldbeuptheladderandhiddeninthecircustowerinthecenteroftheroom.

Withthedooropen,shecouldjustmakeouttheNorwegianinprofile.Hehadamaneofredhair,astrongjaw,andaweightlifter’sbiceps.

Shemovedcloser,inchbyinch,theclocktickinginherhead.Theyoungboylayfastasleepwithhisheadintheman’slap.

Wasthatall?shewondered.Justthetwoofthem?Shedidn’ttrustit.Wayne’swarningaboutatraitorintheirmidstmadeher

questioneverything,everyone.Shehatedthischangeinherself.Shestoodstonestillandtookinhersurroundings,alertforsomeonehidinginwaiting.Seeingnoone,shedartedacrossthecarpetandplantedherselfbehindtheopenboardroomdoor,andplacedhereyetothecrack.

Wayne!Hewassittinginthechair,hiswristsbound,hiseyeswidewithexpectation.Couldhepossiblyknowshewasthere?

Itallseemedsopossiblenow—everythingthey’dworkedtoward.Shedidn’twanttoblowit.Wayne,afewfeetaway.OnemanbetweenherandWayne’sfreedom.

Itdidn’tmakeanysense.Ithadtobeatrap.FinnwasalwaysthefirsttopointoutthatwheretheOvertakerswereconcerned,whenitlookedtoogoodto

betrue,itprobablywas.ThereweremoreOvertakersnearby.Hadtobe.Maybealreadywatchingher.JustasshefearedthatWayne’srescuenowlookedsuspiciouslytooeasy,theOvertakers,shethought,mustbeholdingback,wonderingwhyitlookedsoeasytograbher.Nothingwasasitseemed.

Theclockkeptmovinginherhead.Philbywouldcutthelightswithfiveminutesleft—exactlythirtysecondsaway.

Sheusedhergymnasticskillsandherexceptionalsenseofbalancetostretchherlegsbetweenthelowerdoorhingeonherleft,andapieceofmoldingtoherright.Herfootfoundthemiddlehinge,andshewentupthewalllikeSpider-Man.Nowwithherleftfootonthetophinge,shepaused,hookedherfingersoverthedoorandswungitopenslightly.

“Hvemerder?”themansaid.“Whodere?”hetriedinheavilyaccentedEnglish.

Charlenestruggledtoholdherselfhighabovethefarsideofthedoor.Finallysheheardthemanmovetheboyoffhislapandthewhisperofhisclothingashecameoutoftheboardroom.Shedoveoverthedoor,reachedback,andcaughtherhand,flippingherselfoverandlandingsquarelyonherfeet.

AstheNorwegianlefttheboardroom,Charleneenteredit.Shepulledthedoorshutbehindherandlockedit.

Wayne,inthecornertoherleft,wastiedtoachair.Hismouthwasgagged,hiseyesfixedstraightahead.Hedidn’tlookoveratherandshewonderediftheyhadhimdrugged.Thistimeitwasobviousthatthewallbehindhimhadbeenscrubbedclean—shecouldimaginethecryptogramhavingbeenwrittenthere.Itwasnowerased.

Theboywaswakingupinfrontofher.Fourheadspokedupfromthefarsideofthetable.Trolls!They’dbeensleepingintheboardroomchairs,buttheyweretooshortfor

Charlenetohaveseen.Theycameawakegroggily,butwithlooksoffiercedetermination.She’dheardtrollscalledcute,buttherewasnothingcuteaboutthese.Twojumpedupontothetable.Twoothersleapeddowntothefloorandranbeneaththetabletowardher.

Thesleepyboyrubbedhiseyesandlookedatherasifshewereaghost.Itwastoolateforhertotrytoall-clear.SherantoWayneandwasreachingfortheknotonhisrightwristwhenatrollgrabbedherlegsfrombehind,pullingherawayfromthechair.Shekickedbackandthelittlemanwentflyingintooneof

hisfriends.Waynecontinuedtostareoffintospace.“Hanginthere,”shesaid,nolongerabletothinkaboutuntyinghim.Athird

trolllatchedontoherlowerleg.Heopenedhismouthandbither.Charlenecriedoutandkickedhim.Thelittlemanrolledlikeasoccerball

andcrashedintothefarwallbelowoneoftheMaryPoppinsCarouselhorses.Thedoorbangedasitwasstruckhardfromtheotherside.Shehadtotimethisjustright.Thetrollsweregoingtomakeamessofthat.

Thethreehadrecoveredandnowjoinedhandswiththefourthtoformasemicircleofsmall,uglydwarvestakingsmallstepstowardher.

Shedidn’thavetoworryaboutWayne—FinnandMaybeckcouldtakecareofhim.HerjobwastogetbackthroughthedoorandleadtheOvertakersawayfromhere.Timingherexitwascritical.

Anothertremendouscrash.Onemoreofthoseandthedoorjambwouldgive.

Shejudgedtheheightofthetrolls—threeandahalffeet.Iftheyraisedtheirarms,maybeashighasfivefeet.

Hertrackhurdlesweresetat“low”:thirtyinches.Thetrollsweretootallforhertohurdleover.

Shesteppedtothewallandranatthematanangle,envisioningherselfinthehighjump.Sheliftedherchest,archingherback,andkickedherfeethigh.Sheflewoverthemupsidedown.

Asshesmackeddownontothefloor—wishingtherehadbeensomekindofmatforhertolandupon—thesurprisedtrollsturnedaround.TheNorwegianboystoodupinhischair.Atthesamemoment,thedoorblewopeninasprayofsplinters.

Charlenespuntheboyintheswivelchairandpushedhim;hefellintothetrollsandtheycollapsedasagroup.

TheNorwegianbarreledthroughthebrokendoorandwascarriedforwardbyhismomentumstraightintotheboardroomtable.

Charlenetimeditperfectly,sprintingbehindhimandoutthedoor.Shehadnodoubtthateveryoneinthatroomwouldnowbechasingher,butsheneverlookedbacktoconfirmit.Shetookoffatfullspeed,throughthedoortoherleft,andouttotheglassed-insunroom,makingforthesamewindowshe’dusedonlyhoursbefore.

Thelightswentout.Atthesametime,aloudelectronicclunksignaledthattheelevatorwasin

useandcomingup.ThreefeetfromthewindowCharlenesawthebrace.Itwasanadjustable

andlockabletubeofmetalthatnowpreventedthesamewindowfromopening.Everywindowhadasimilarbraceinplace.Shewaslockedinside.

Theelevatorclunkedagain.Thedoorswerecomingopen.BehindhercametheNorwegianandhisposseoftrolls,butshewasn’tsuretheycouldseeherinthedark.Theystoppedandlookedaround.

IfshemadefortheelevatoranditturnedoutOvertakerswereinside,shewouldbecaught.IfshewaitedevenasecondortwolongertheNorwegianwasgoingtoseehercroucheddownbesidethewall.

Somethingwinkedatherfromhighuponthewall:apieceofglassreflectingthesmallamountofambientoutdoorlightthatcamethroughtheglassceilingandwalls.

Asecuritycamera.Philby.He’dseenthelockedwindows.He’dsenttheelevatorforher.Itwasa

gamble.Ifsheguessedwrong…BehindtheNorwegian,MaybeckandFinnwouldhavebynowdescended

fromtheroom’stowerandgoneafterWayne.ShehadtokeeptheNorwegianandhispalsbusyforafewsecondslonger.

Theelevatordoors…Sherananddovelikeshewasslidingintothirdbaseinatiedgame—and

slidrightintotheelevator.Theemptyelevator.WasabouttoreachforthepanelwhentheCLOSEDOORSbuttonlitup,asdid

the1.Philby.ThedoorseasedshutjustafractionofasecondaheadoftheNorwegian

tryingtostopher.Theproblemwas,theelevatorwasfarslowerthantheNorwegian.Heraced

downthecurvedstaircasetomeettheelevatoronthefirstfloor.Hestoodthere—allsix-foot-fourofhim—astheelevatordoorsslidopen.Itwasempty.

***

FinnandMaybecksneakeddownthecircus-poleladderandthenhurriedtothedoor,wheretheypaused,withtheboardroomtotheirright.Philby’sphonevibratedinhispocket.

“DoIanswerthat?”hehissedatFinn.“Notnow,”Finnanswered.Theareainfrontofthemwasdarkandeerilyempty.Thecircustenttotheir

leftposedthegreatestthreat—anythingcouldhideinthere—thoughitscanvaswallsremainedmotionless,suggestingthatthetentwasempty.

Finnsteppedtentativelytowardtheboardroom,Philbyrightbehindhim.Philby’sphonebuzzedinhispocketforasecondtime.Finnpeeredaroundthesplintereddoorjamb.Theseatinthecornerwas

empty.Herantothechair,angryandfrustrated.Apatternhadbeenscratchedintothewoodofthearm.Itlookedsomethinglikeaswordoracross,butoncloserexaminationtherewasasecondcrosspiecebeneaththetopbar.

“It’sacombinationofanFforFantasmic!andacrossforthesword,”Finnsaid.Henowknewthepurposeoftheswordandwherehewoulduseit.

Butinhischestwasanemptyholewherehisheartshouldhavebeen.Waynewasgone.

***

AstheNorwegiansteppedintotheemptyelevator,Charlenewashoveringdirectlyoverhim,eachlimbextendedbetweenthewallstoholdherthere.Shelookedlikeafour-leggedstarfish.

Justasheraisedhisheadtolookup,sheletgoanddropped,catchinghisshouldersfromthebackandusingthemomentumofherfalltopullhimoverbackward.Theywenttogether,crushingthetrollsandknockingthemdownlikebowlingpins.Shereleasedhimjustbeforehittingthefloorsothatshecouldland

onherfeet.TheNorwegianhitthefloorhard.Theelevatoralarmwentoffasthedoorstriedtoshutbutcouldn’t.Philbymusthaveoverriddenthesafetyfeature,becausesuddenlythedoorsslidshut,catchingandpinningtheNorwegian’slegs.Hetriedtofreehimself,kickingout,butthedoorsheldhim.Atthesametimetheelevatorbegantoclimb,liftingtheNorwegianandhanginghimupsidedown.Theelevatorstoppedfourfeetoffthefloor,sothathisshouldersweretouchingthecarpet,andtheelevatorheldhislegs.

Charlenespottedasecuritycamerainthecornerandshethrewathumbs-uptowardit.Asthetrollsattemptedtorecover,shetookoffoutthefrontdoorbutquicklyskiddedtoastop.

TwoFoolions—thatshouldhavebeenstonelionsfromChina,butseemednottobemadeofstoneatall,butfromfleshandbloodthatonlylookedlikestone—blockedthepathinfrontofher.Thelionontheleftcockeditsheadtowardher—itheldalioncubwithitsleftfrontpaw.Theliontotherightgrowled.

Charlenefoughttocatchherbreath,terrorripplingthroughher.“Goodkitties,”shesaid.

***

Maybeckheldhisphonetohisear.“It’satrap,”hetoldFinn.“Therearelionsatthefrontdoor.”

“Lions?”“Gigabyte’sattheback.”Hespokeintothephone—“Wayne?”—andthen

listened.“Theyhaven’tseenhimleave.”Hepaused.“Weweresetup,man.Thisisatrap.”

“Isnot!”Finnsaid,tryingtomakesenseofitall.“Stopthinkinglikethat!”Butthetruthwas:hewasthinkingaboutthepossibletraitorasmuchasanyone.HeandMaybeckhadspent,atmost,thirtytofortysecondscomingdowntheladder.SomehowtheOvertakershadmanagedtomoveWayne,anoldguywhodidn’tmovethatfast,inthatshorttime.

“TheyshouldgetbacktoNemoASAP,”Finnsaid.“Nouseinallofusgettingcaught.”

“Nowayanyone’scatchingme,”Maybecksaid,thoughhisvoicelackedhisusualconfidence.

OnlythendidanunwantedthoughtsurfaceinFinn’smind.Thekindof

thoughtthatononehandmadelittlesense,butontheotherhandcouldnotbeeasilydismissed.SuddenlyFinnfearedthattheOvertakersknewthattheKingdomKeeperswereunabletoactivatetheReturn—thatthefobwasmissing.WhatiftheOvertakershadsomehowdeterminedtheKeepers’vulnerablestatusandwerenowsettoexploitit?AslongasthatfobremainedintheLostandFoundtherewasnowayoutfortheKeepers.Theywereeasyprey,indangerofattackandcapture.Maleficentmusthavebeenlickingherchops.Whetherbyaccidentordesign,theKeepershadmadethemselveseasytargets.

MaybecktookouthisphonetorelaytheordertoreturntotheNemoloungeasFinnlookedon,buthespeed-dialedwithoutthinking,andhadnoideawhohehadcalled.Whomeverhewasspeakingto,Amanda,Willa,orJess—FinnguesseditwasWilla—obviouslytriedtoargue,butMaybeckshutherup.“Justdoit!”heshoutedintothephonebeforedisconnectingthecall.“SometimesIhategirls,”hesaidtoFinn.“Allthetalking….”

Iwouldbettheydon’texactlyloveuseither,Finnwasabouttosay,buthekeptthethoughttohimself.

“Easy!”MaybeckpulledFinnagainstthewall.Throughtheloungewindowsthatlookedoutontothepavilion’sdarklowerlevel,litonlybythedimglowofexitsigns,theboyscouldseetwojestersandacrash-testdummy.Theyappearedtobesearchingthevariousscenesandattractions.

Thecrash-testdummyturnedandraiseditsheadtowardthelounge.Itlifteditsroboticarmandpointed.

“Waynemuststillbeinthebuilding.”“Forgetabouthim,wouldyou?”Maybecksaid.“Rightnow,we’vegotto

getoutofhere.Andwe’vegottomakesureCharleneandPhilbymakeittoo.”Hepushedthephone’sdirect-connectbutton.“Philby?”“Here.”“We’vegot—”“Trouble.Iknow.I’mwatchingeveryone.IheardWillajustnow.

Charlene’satthefrontdoor,pinnedtherebythelions.Willa’sright:thesnake’satthebackexit.Thatdummy—therearetwoofthem,actually—lookslikehe’sheadedforthestairs.Icutthelights.Idon’tknowwhatelseIcando.”

“Directus?”Finnasked,leaningtowardMaybeck’sphone.“Canyougetusoutofhere?”

“Therearealotofcameras,tobesure.Butit’snotlikeIcanseeeverywhere.”

“Howmanyexitsarethere?”Finnasked.“Twelve,”camePhilby’sanswerimmediately.“Andtheyonlyhavetwoblocked?”Maybecksaid.“Sowhat’sthebig

deal?”“Thepavilionisclosed.Remember?”Philbysaid.“Theotherexitsare

locked—notelectronically,butwithactualkeys.Frontandbackaretheonlywaysout.Thesunroomwindowsarelockedaswell.ThatstoppedCharlene.”

“Roachmotel,”Maybecksaid.Finnknewhewasright:theOvertakershadletthemin,butwerenow

blockingtheirwayout.Thesituationhadeveryappearanceofhavingbeenatrapfromthestart.

“DidyouseewheretheytookWayne?”FinnaskedPhilby.Maybeckgrimaced;hedidn’twantFinnhunguponrescuingtheoldman.

“Neversawhim,”Philbyreported.“Notinanyofthecameras.”“Thenhe’sprobablystillonthisfloorsomewhere,”FinnsaidtoMaybeck.

“Wecanfindhimandgethim.”“Leaveitalone,Whitman.Hewasbait.That’sall.Weneedtogetoutof

here.”Tothephonehesaid,“Anyideas,genius?”“Yeah,butyouwon’tlikeit,”Philbyreplied.“Howdoyouknow?”Maybeckbarkedintothephone.“Let’shearit.”“Becauseitinvolvesheights.”Maybeck’sshouldersslumped.ToFinnhesaid,“HowdidIknowhewas

goingtosaythat?”Philbytoldthemhisplan.

37

CHARLENEHADMONITOREDthedirect-connectcallbetweenMaybeckandPhilby.Shecutin.

“Philby,Icouldusealittlehelphere,”shesaid.“Thedoorislockedbehindme.”

Thestonelionswereadvancingoneheavystepatatime,makingthepathshake.

Witheachstep,Charlenehadbackedupuntilherspinewaspressedagainstthepavilion’sfront-doorglass.Thefourtrollshadcollectedontheothersideofthedoorbutobviouslyhadnointentionofbecominginvolvedwiththelions,evenif,theoretically,theywereonthesameteam.

“Philby?”sherepeated.Charleneconsideredrunningforit.Beingmadeofstone,thelionswere

movingsluggishly.Butmaybetheirslowmovementwasnothingmorethanthemstalkingher.Shehadthreecatsandlovedtowatchthemstalktheirtoys,oralizardinthebackyard,oraseagull.Shelovedthecontrolledcomplexityofthehunt,thecats’unwaveringfocusandfierceconcentration.Shesawthatsamelooknowinthegraystoneeyesofthelions.Shewaswillingtobetthattheycouldmoveveryfastifneedbe,andhadnodesiretotesthertheory.

“Okay,”Philbysaidafteranexasperatinglylongpause.“I’vegotit.Mytheoryis—”

“Losethetheory,”shesaid.Thelionswerelessthanfifteenfeetawayandmovingsteadilytowardher.“Nowwouldbeagoodtimetoactuallydosomething,”sheadded.“Asin…

rightnow.Thisverysecond.”Rightoncue,thelawnsprinklerserupted,spewingcoldwater.Therewere

spraynozzlesedgingtheentrypath,aswellascircularsprinklersoutinthelawn.Thankfully,noneofthemwasperfectlyset,meaningthatalltheplanters,thegrass,andtheentrypathweresuddenlywetandgettingwetter.

Thelionsmovedawayfromtheedgesofthepathandbumpedintoeachother,frantictoavoidthespray.Catshatewater!

Charlenevaultedoverthegreenmetalfenceandtookoffrunning,keepingherselfinthethickofthespray.Sheheardacollisionasoneofthelionsattemptedtochargeherbutstruckthefencing,dentingit.Itwhinedasitwashitbythewater.

Sheraninazigzagpatternincaseoneofthecatshaddaredtopursueher,butglancedbackandsawwithreliefthattheyhadnot.Togethertheyhadmovedtotheoneplacethewaterdidn’treach—thefrontdoors—convenientlytrappingtheuglytrollsontheotherside.

Soakingwet,Charlenevaultedthemetalfencetwentyyardsfurtheron,pulledoutherphone,andthankedPhilby,tellinghimshe’dmeethimattherendezvous.

“Andoh,BTW,”shesaid,“I’davoidthefrontdoorifIwereyou.”

***

Finnpulledthegrilleofftheairconditioningduct.“Ihatesmallspaces,”hesaid.“Getoverit.”“I’veseenthisinmovies,butIalwaysthoughtitwasfake.”“Ifyou’renotgoinginthere,Iam,”saidMaybeck.Hesqueezedhimself

throughthesmallrectangularventopening,aimingtotheright.“It’stight,”hesaid,hisvoicenowmuted,“butIcanseetheotherventupahead.”

Finncrawledinbehindhim,wishinghisedgynerveswouldhaveallowedhimtofullycrossoverandnotneedtoseekahumanwayoutofthepavilion.Itwouldhavebeensomucheasiertojustwalkthroughthesecondstorywallandfindaplacetojumpdown.

Butthetruthwas,Maybeckneededhim;evenifFinnhadbeenabletoall-clear,hecouldn’tleaveMaybeckalone.Finnstruggledtopullhimselfthroughthehorizontalairshaft.Theductingringedthepavilion’sinteriorwithventsonbothsides,providingairconditioningtoboththepavilion’sshowcaseareaandthepublicandprivateroomsonthesecondfloorthatsurroundedit.

“I’mgoingtosuffocate,”Finncomplained.

“Shutup,”Maybeckcalledbacktohimharshly.“Icanseethoseclowns,”headded,meaningthejesters.

“There’saladder,”Maybecksaidamomentlater,hiseyesonthevent.“Somekindofworkgoingon.Philby’sright:itmightwork.”

Ithadtowork,Finnfeltlikepointingout.Oncetheypoppedoutoftheventilationsystemthroughoneofthevents,thejestersandcrash-testdummies—andanyoneelsedownthereintheshowcase—wouldseethem.Atthatmomentthechasewouldbecomeafootrace.OnlytheirunexpectedroutemightsaveMaybeckandFinn,andonlytheniftheycouldreallymovefastoncetheyleftthesafetyoftheduct.

“Wehavetowait,”Finnsaid.“I’mawareofthat.”“Sobepatient.”“Youbepatient,ifyouwantto.Idon’texactlyfeelsopatient.”“He’llmakeit.”“Yeah.Okay.Butifhedoesn’t,maybewe’vewastedourchanceofgetting

outofhere.Andwhatifthat’stheplan?”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“Isn’titalittletooconvenientthatweandCharlenewereattackedand

Philbywasn’t?Heturnedoffthelights.Whydidn’ttheygolookingtoturnthembackon?”

“Howdoweknowthattheydidn’t?”“I’mjustsaying.”“You’reaccusinghim.”“Amnot.”“Youaretoo.Listen,Maybeck,”Finnwhisperedwhilelyingonhis

stomach.“Wecan’tdothistoeachother.Wejustcan’t.Okay?”Maybeckwassilent.“He’sgoingtoshowup.Wedon’thavetoexpecttheworstineachother.”“Excuseme.Ileftmyviolinathome,”Maybecksaid.Anotherthreeminutespassed.EventoFinnitfeltmorelikeanhour.“Howlongdowejustwaithere?”Maybeckasked.“Atsomepointthey’re

goingtocomelookingforus,andthatventgrilleweremovedisouttheresittingonthefloor,andit’snotlikeyou’llbeturningaroundandpullingitbackinto

place.Isaywegoforit.IfPhilbymakesit,hemakesit.”“Callhim.”“Areyoukiddingme?Ican’tgetmyphoneoutofmypocket.Youcan’t

either!That’sridiculous.”Hewaitedabouttwoseconds.“We’vegottogowithouthim.”

“Wecan’t!”“There’snochoice.I’lltellyouwhat:ithasbeentoolong.I’mgoing.Ifyou

wanttostay,thenstay.”“It’sgoingtotaketwoofus,”Finnsaid.“Hesaiditwasgoingtotaketwo

people.Ifwedon’twaitforhim,there’snoonetohelphim.”“LikeIsaid:youcanwait.ButI’moutofhere.”Maybeckpoppedthegrillefreeoftheventandpulleditbackinside.“So

far,sogood,”hewhisperedbackatFinn.“Idon’tthinkanyonesawthat.”FinndesperatelywantedtowaitforPhilby,butthesmallconfinesofthe

ventilationshaftweremakinghimnauseated.He’dbrokenoutinasweat.Hishandswereshaking.Hehadtogetout,PhilbyornoPhilby.

“Go!”Finnsaid.Maybecksqueezedoutoftheopengrille,andontothemaintenance

scaffoldingPhilbyhadspottedbehindCraniumCommand.Finncouldn’tmovefastenough:hecrawledahead,pulledhimselfthroughthevent,andwashelpedtohisfeetbyMaybeck.

“Checkitout,”Maybecksaidsoftly.Thepavilion,litonlybyambientlightcomingthroughthesand-dollar

skylightsintheroof,wasenormous,fortyorfiftyyardsacross,itsfloorfilledwithcolorfulmarqueesannouncingattractions,kiosks,redandbluestreetlamps,andlushgreengardenbeds.Atitscenterwasalargecarousel.FinnandMaybeckwerelevelwiththecarousel’sroof,andthiswastheirdestination.

Finndidn’timmediatelyspotthejestersorcrash-testdummies,wonderingifPhilbyhadsomehowdistractedthem.

Whereishe?Finnwondered,glancingtowardtheopenventandwishingPhilbywouldarriveintime.

“I’mgoingforit,”Maybecksaid.Hebenttopickuponeendofanarrowaluminumplankfromthescaffolding.Finnpitchedin,grabbingtheoppositeend.Togethertheyfedthelong,slenderpieceofmetalouttowardthetallstepladder,attemptingtobuildabridgebetweenthemandthecarousel.Onthe

thirdtry,theymanagedtolandtheendoftheplankacrossastepintheladder.Maybecktesteditanditheldhisweight.Itaimedslightlyuphill.

“We’llneedanotherfromthere,”hesaid,removingasecondplankfromthescaffolding.Togethertheyplacedthisplankatopthefirst.Maybeckdrewadeepbreathandwalkedacross,hisarmsoutathissidesforbalance.Finnstoodontheplanksatthenearendtosteadythemandcaughthimselfholdinghisbreath.Maybeckwasanythingbutsteady.Hewobbledanddippedandleaned,andseveraltimesappearedtobegoingoverthesidebutmanagedsomehowtoreachthestepladder.Hegrabbedholdofitlikeadrowningmantoaraft,andlookedbackatFinnasiftosay,Whoa.

Maybeckfedthesecondplankouttowardthecarousel’scanopy,extendingthebridge.HecrossedtothecarouselandwavedFinnforward.

Finnhadexcellentbalance.Hecrossedeasily,beingcarefultotakeitslowly,andreachedthestepladderwithoutincident.

“Threeo’clock!”Maybeckcalledout.Finnlookeddowntoseethetwojestersrunningtowardhim.Hiseye

measuredthedistancetothecarouselashisbraincalculatedthetimerequiredtoreachit.Maybeckheldtheendoftheplank.

“Comeon!”Maybeckshouted.Finnsteppedoutontothewobblyplank.Twostepstowardthecarouselthe

firstjesterhitthestepladder,tryingtotipitover.Butthetwoplankscomplicatedhisefforts.Theladderrocked,butdidnotfall.

Finn,however,did.Heslippedandbangeddownontotheplank,nowhalfwaybetweenthe

ladderandcarousel.Thesecondjesterarrivedandimmediatelyjumpedontothestepladderand

climbedwithanunnervingconfidence:he,too,rockedtheladdersidetoside,tryingtodumpFinn.

MaybeckreachedoutahandtowardFinn,whosekneeslidofftheplank,dumpinghimtotheright.HestretchedoutahandforMaybeck,buttheirfingersonlydancedaround,unabletotouch.

Theclimbingjesterlungedheavilytotheleft.ThestepladdertippedandFinnfeltitreachthepointofnoreturn:itwasgoingover.Hescrambledforward,grabbedMaybeck’shand,andfelttheplankandthewholecontraptiongodown.MaybeckswungFinnstronglylikeapendulum.Finnhookedthecarouselcanopy—metal,notfabricasitappeared—withhiskneeand,withMaybeck’s

help,rolledupandontoit.Theladderandbridgecollapsedwithacrash.Theboyswatchedasthe

jesterjumpedawayfromitatthelastsecond,landingeffortlesslyonhisfeet.AndtherewasPhilbyonthescaffolding.He’dcomethroughtheairvent

butwasnowstrandedbythefallofthebridge.Finnsawhim,lookingforsomewaytogethimovertothecarousel.“Go!”Philbyshouted.“Noway!”Finnsaid.Thesilentjestershoppedandranaroundfrantically.Thenonedisappeared

beneathFinn,whorealizedwithdreadthatthethingwasclimbingtowardthem.“Go!”Philbyrepeated.“Wegotogether,”Maybecksaid.“Oritwon’twork.”Finnlookedup.Overheadwasalargemobileofmetalarmsandcolorful

shapes.Abovethemobilewasaprojectionroom—aboothwithlightsandprojectorlensesaimedoutofit.Philby’splanhadbeentoevacuatethepavilionthroughthesmallprojectionroom.ButnowPhilbywasstuckontheotherside—aworldaway.

“Thearmsofthemobilearebalanced,”Maybecksaid.“Wehavetodothistogetherorwecan’tdoitatall.”

***

Finnsawhewasright.Ifhetriedgrabbingontotheendofanyoneofthesculpture’sarms,thearmwouldsimplytiltdowntomeethim.Butifbothboystookholdofoppositearmstheycouldbalancethestructure,keepingitlevel.Withthreeofthem—includingPhilby—theycouldincludeoneboytoholdonatthefulcruminthecenterofthearc.ButifPhilbywerelefttofollow,evenifhereachedthecarousel,hewouldn’tbeabletoclimbthemobilealone.

“I’mnotgoingwithouthim,”Finnsaid.“Areyoukiddingme?”Maybecksaid.“He’safreakinggenius!He’llthink

ofsomething.”“Wegotogether,”Finnsaid.“Incaseyoumissedit,thejokerandhisbuddyareprettymuchplanninga

differentending.”Finnstrainedtofigurethisout.Philbywasn’ttheonlyonecapableof

thinking.Andthereitwas,rightinfrontofhiseyes.“Thewire!”Finnshouted,acrossthevoid.Connectingthetopofthecarouseltobothsidesofthepavilionwasawire

thathadbeenstrungtohanglights.Itlookedthickandstrongenoughtobearaperson’sweight.

“You’llhavetotightrope!”FinncalledtoPhilby.“ButIcan’ttightrope!”“You’reaDHI,”Finncalledback.“Youweighlessthanhalfwhatyou

normallydo.Maybelessthanthat.Youcandothis.Pushforall-clear.Thelighteryouare,theeasierit’llbe.”

Twocrash-testdummiesmarchedintothespace.ThejesterFinncouldseepickedupthetallstepladderanddraggedittowardthecarousel.Thiswasnotgood.

“You’vegottodothis.You’vegottohurry,”Finnshouted.“Grabthatflagforbalance,”Maybecksaid,suddenlyintotheidea.Philbyreachedtheendofthescaffold,removedaflagfromthewall,and

climbeduptothewire.Hetoretheflagofftheshortpoleandheldthepoleinbothhandsatwaistlevel.HeputonefootontothewireandshotFinnalookofpureterror.

“Nosweat,”Finnsaid.“Easyforyoutosay.”“Closeyoureyes.Beascalmasyoucanbe.”Philbyshuthiseyesandtookastepoutontothewire.Heflutteredbackand

forth,thenfoundhisbalanceandtookanotherstep,andanother.“WishIhadacamera,”Maybecksaid.Thestepladderwaspushedupagainsttheedgeofthecarouselawning.“Holdme,”Maybecksaid,goingdownonhisknees.FinngrabbedMaybeck’sanklesasMaybecklaydownandstretchedto

reachtheedgeofthecanopyandthetopoftheladderjustbeyond.“Lower!”hecalledbacktoFinn.Finnleanedforward,clutchingMaybeck’sankles.Ifheletgo,Maybeck

wouldfalltothefloor.Maybeck’soutstretchedhandreachedthetopoftheladderjustasthe

jester’shandappeared.Maybeckmadeafistandsmasheddownontothejester’s

fingers,thentookholdoftheladder’stopstepandshoved.Theladderwentover,takingthejesterwithit.FinnpulledhardandMaybeckscrambledbackupthemetalcanopy.TheybothturnedtolookatPhilby,whowasnowthree-quartersoftheway

acrossthewire.ThreemorestepsandFinncalledout.“Openyoureyes!”Philby’seyespoppedopenandhejumpedoffthewireandontothecanopy.

“Pieceofcake,”hesaid.WithPhilbyinthemiddle,Maybeckononeend,andFinnontheother,ona

countofthree,theboystookholdofthelowestarmofthemobile.Finnmovedslightlytowardthecenterandthearmleveledout.Maybeckkickedout,andthemobilebeganspinning.

Thenextlowestarmswungabovethem.Finnreachedandsteadiedit.“Onthree!”hesaid.

Theyclimbedthemobileasifitwereajunglegym,fromonearmtothenext,andreachedthetop.FinnandMaybeckclimbedthroughoppositeopeningsintheprojectionboothandthenjoinedtopullPhilbythroughyetanother.AsPhilbyhaddiscovered,therewasaroof-accessemergencyexit,muchliketheonetheyhadfoundinSpaceMountain,solongagonowthatitfeltlikeadream.

Outontheroof,inthenightair,therewasnotimeforcelebration.Lookingdown,theysawnothing:thelionsandGigabytehadapparently

chasedtheothersacrosstheplaza,orhadgoneofflookingforthem.TheboysdescendedthefireescapeladdertothegroundandtookoffthroughthejungletowardtheLivingSeas.

“Whenmyeyeswereshut,”Philbysaid,astheyransidebyside.“WhenIwasonthatwire—”

“Yeah?”Maybecksaid.“Ifigureditout.Wayne’smessage.”“You’retellingme…”Maybecksaidbreathlessly,“thatwhileyouwere

tightropingyouwereworkingthingsout?”“It’snotlikeI’vehadalotoffreetime,”Philbycomplained.“Figuredwhatout?”Finnsaid,strugglingtokeepupwiththeothertwo.“WhatconnectsMission:Space,TestTrack,andSoarin’.Whatconnects

whateachofusfound:youandI,Maleficent;thegirls,thatmaintenancejournal;youandCharlene,”hesaidtoMaybeck,“Wayne’svideo.”

“And?”Finnsaid,huffing.

“Seatbelts.”“Huh?”Maybeckgrunted.“TheOvertakersaretargetingrideswithseatbelts.Maintenanceproblems

onSoarin’.FinnwouldhavebeenkilledbybeingstuckinthatTestTrackcarifhehadn’tbeenabletogoall-clear.”

“Seatbelts,”Maybecksaid,withobviouscynicism.“Ithinktheirplanistoholdhundredsofguestshostagebylockingthem

intoseatbeltsthatwon’tcomeundone.Trappingthemonrides.Makingtheridesdodangerousthingstheyaren’tsupposedto—justlikewhathappenedtoallofus.Maybetheyplantomakedemands.Maybetheyjustplantohurteveryone.Butifwedon’tstopthematFantasmic!—ifwedon’tchangethings—badstuffisgoingtohappen.Theseatbeltsaregoingtofail—that’sthemessage.That’swhatWaynefoundout.”

Finn,achingoverthelossofWayne,suddenlyfoundhislegs.Hedidn’tjustcatchupwithhisfriends,heranpastthem.Itwasn’tonlyPhilby’sdiscoverythatputafireunderhim,orthenearmissatsavingWayne,butsomethingmuchbigger.

Theskywasbeginningtosoftenintheeast.Morningwasfastapproaching.

38

THEMEETINGATTHErendezvoushadgonequickly.Everyonewasovertired,irritable,andanxious.FinnhadfoundhimselfsittingonacouchintheNemoloungenexttoAmandaand,asthediscussionhaddraggedon,she’dreacheddownandfoundhishandandgivenitasqueeze.Itwasasmallgestureofconfidence,buttoFinnheimaginedthiswaswhatdrinkingadouble-shotespressolattemustbelike.Hisfatiguevaporized;hisheartracedoutofcontrol.

Withhisracingheartcameracingthoughts.Amandahadopenedsomecreativegateinhisbrainandadozenideascamespillingout,mostofthemfindingtheirwaytohistongue.Foramomenthebabbledattheothers,havinglittleideawhathewasactuallysaying.Thenamemorypoppedintohisheadandherealizedthatthiswaswherehismindhadbeenleadinghimforthepastseveralminutes.

“FiveAM,”heblurtedout,interruptingPhilbywhowas,forthethirdtime,attemptingtoexplainwhyhebelievedtheOvertakersplannedtotakeparkguestsashostages.ButFinnhadwontheattentionofeveryoneintheroom,andwentquicklyaboutexplaininghimself.

“WhenIgotstuckattheStudiosIkindofhitchedaridewithsomeImagineers—atleastIthinktheywereImagineers.Oneoftheguyswasthepyrotechnicscrewchief,aguynamedPete.HewastalkingtothedriverandmentionedthatallthisweektheyweredoingrunthroughsofFantasmic!atfiveAM.Hewasbummedbecausehehadtogetupsoearlytobethere.”

“Thatwouldmakesense,”saidPhilby,everthephilosopher.“ItwouldhavetobedarktoconductatechrehearsalofFantasmic!withalltheprojectorsandfireworksandlighting.Theywouldn’tneedalltheCastMembers,butmaybethere’dbesome.Andtheycertainlycouldn’thaveanyoneintheaudienceincasesomethingwentwrongwithwhateverthey’retesting.”

“It’sourchance,”Finnsaid.“Noaudience.MaleficentandChernabogusingittohide.Theyactoutthepartsandtherestofthedaynoonebothersthem.”

“Weattackthemthere,”Maybecksaid.“Ontheirturf,”Philbysaid.“Idon’tlovethat.”“It’swhereit’ssupposedtohappen,”Finnsaid,resignedtotheidea.

“Waynetoldusasmuch.Thesorcerer’shat.ThesymbolIfoundscratchedintothechair.HewantsustochallengethematFantasmic!”

“Hewantsustodefeatthem,”Philbysaid,correctinghim.“Youtodefeatthem.”

“Us,”Finnsaid.“EvenifI’mtheonecarryingthesword,it’sgoingtotakeallofus.”

“Andhowexactlyareanyofussupposedtogetthere?”Maybeckasked.“He’sright,”Philbysaid.“Themonorailandbusesdon’tstartrunninguntil

twohoursbeforeopening.That’sseveninthemorning.”“Yeah,”Finnsaid,“butPetehastobethere.Andsodoeshisbuddy,the

driver.”Hecheckedhiswatch:4:24AM.“Wecanstillmakeit.”

***

LocatingapickuptruckwithabobbleheadMickeyMouseonthedashinsuchshortorderrequiredthemtosplitup.Theykepttheirdirect-connectphonesatthereadyastheysnuckbackstage.The“backstage”sideofEpcot,asattheotherparks,lookedentirelydifferentfromthesidethepublicsaw:flat-roofed,steel-framedbuildingshousedtheridesandattractions,thefoodstorage,thecostumeandpropstorage,themaintenanceandadministrationfacilities.Therewerelargeparkingareasandanetworkofroadsconnectingitall.Thekidsfannedouttosearchforthepickuptruck.

WordsooncameoverthephoneintercomsthatWillahadfoundthepickupnearsomecream-coloredcontainersbehindChina.FinnandAmandacaughtuptoherquickly,followedafewminuteslaterbyPhilby,whobroughtatarpwithhimthathe’dborrowedfromanothervehicle.Charlenearrivedoutofbreath,sayingshe’dseenMaybeckandJessheadingintheoppositedirection,towardAmerica.

“IthinkMaybeckmighthavegottenturnedaround,”Charlenesaid.“Idon’tthinkheknewwherehewasgoing.”

Itdidn’tsurpriseFinn.Itwasnotonlydarkbutthebackoftheparkwastotallyunfamiliar.Allthebuildingslookedthesame,andtherewereveryfewsigns.

FinnwasabouttocheckonMaybeckwhenamanappearedfromatrailerwhoFinnrecognizedasthedriver.Themanmovedtowardthemandthepickuptruck.

“Turnyourradiosoff,”Finnwhispered,fearingtheymightbeoverheardifMaybecksuddenlycalled.

“Whatdowedo?”Willaasked.“We’retoolate,”Finnwhispered.“Weneededtobeinthebackofthat—”Themanpattedhiscoatandturnedaround,returningtothetrailer.“Thisisourshot,”Philbysaid.Themomentthemanenteredthetrailer,thekidstookoffrunning.They

climbedupintothetruckbedandpulledthetarpoverthem.Itwasdarkenoughout,andearlyenough,thatFinnhopedtheguywouldn’tnoticethetarp.Lessthanaminutelater,hefeltthetruckrockasthedriverclimbedinandstartedtheengine.AgainAmandafoundhishandandheldon.

TherewasstillthechancethatMaybeckandJesswouldfindtheirwaytotheStudios.FinnconsideredcallingWandaandaskingherforhelp,andthemoreheconsideredthis,themorehethoughtitagoodidea.WaynehadmentionedhisdaughteronthevideoCharleneandMaybeckhadseen.MaybeshewouldknowsomethingaboutFantasmic!orbeabletohelptheminsomeway.

Finncouldn’tseemuchinthedarknessunderthetarp.Hetextedtheothers,warningthemthatonceoutofEpcottheywouldbeinDHIshadowandwouldremainsountilnearorinsideDisneyHollywoodStudios.

AsthepickuparrivedattheHollywoodStudiosSecuritycheckpointFinn’swarningprovedcritical:theguardpulledbackthetarptohavealook.TheKingdomKeepersheldtheirbreathandremainedperfectlystill.

“Funny,”aguardsaid,presumablytoanotherguard,“thewayitwasbuncheduplikethatIcouldhavesworntherewassomethingunderneath.”

“Youthinktoomuch,”alowervoicesaid.“I’vetoldyouthatbefore:don’tthinksomuch.”

“We’resupposedtothink,youjerk,”thefirstguardsaid.“Howarewesupposedtokeepthisplacesafeifwe’renotthinking?”

“You’retryingtotrickme.Justbyaskingmethat,you’remakingmethink.

Iknowyourtype.”Theguardleftthetarpinaheapatthebackofthetruck,exposingFinnand

theothers.Finnunderstoodtheriskthatpresented:atanytimetheycouldcomewithinrangeoftheDHIprojectors;whentheydidtheywouldreappear,andifthedriverhappenedtolookback…

Thetruckrumbledandrolledslowlyoutofthegate.“Jump,”Finnsaid.“What?”“Notimetoargue.Jump!”Hestoodandleapedovertheside.Ashewasin

midair,hisDHIsparkled,firstinblackandwhiteandtheninfullcolor.Helandedfeetfirstonthepavement,butwasthrownoffbalancebyhisforwardmomentumandwentdownhard.Likesalmonleapingfromamountainstream,theotherDHIsjumped:firstAmanda,whohadnotquestionedFinnforasecond.ThenCharleneandWillaandfinallyPhilby.

Thebrakelightsonthepickuptrucklitupbrightred—thedriverhadfeltsomethingandwasstopping.

“Theditch!”Finncalledout,asherolledofftheasphaltintothegrassanddownintoadryditchmeanttocarryoffrainwater.Theothersquicklydidthesame.Hedidn’tdarelifthisheadtoseeifthedriverwascomingovertowardthem.Allhecoulddowasstayperfectlystillandhope.

Andhope.Throughthechirpingofcicadasandthehumofelectricpower,Finn

thoughtheheardthesoundofthetarpbeingmovedaround.Thedriverknewhehadn’tputthetarpinthetruckinthefirstplace.Maybehehadn’tfeltthemjumpfromthetruck;maybeithadjustfinallyregisteredthatStudioSecurityhadlookedunderatarpinthebackofhistruck.Ifhe’dseenthemandnowpursuedthemovertotheditchtheywouldhavenochoicebuttorun.Itwouldcreatebigproblemsforthem—parkSecuritywouldbealerted,andwiththetestingatFantasmic!beingtheonlyeventthatwasprobablytakingplaceatthisearlyhour,theirabilitytoinfiltratetheattractionwouldlikelybecompromised.

Theyhadnochoicebuttoliethereandawaittheirfate.Atlasttheyheardthedoorshutandthetruckrumbleoff.Finndirectedthe

groupbehindanoutbuilding.AmandahadgottenWanda’sphonenumberfromthevisitshehadpaidtoMrs.Nash’shouse,butshedidn’thaveitinherphone’scontactlist.Itturnedoutnottomatter,becausePhilbyhadWanda’snumbermemorized,thoughnooneknewhowhe’dgottenitinthefirstplace.Thatwas

thethingaboutPhilby:youlearnednottoask.FinnapologizedforwakingWandaupandthenattemptedtoexplaintheir

situation.Shestoppedhimseveraltimes,wheneverhementionedherfather—firstintheMission:Spacevideo,theninpersonatWonders.SheagreedtopickupMaybeckandJess,sayingshecouldmeetthematEpcot.SheofferedtogetMaybeckaStudioCastMemberSecurityuniformifpossible,andsaidshe’dhaveJesscomedressedasoneofthecastofFantasmic!

Witheveryonenowaccountedfor,Finnfeltbetter.HeledthefourothersdeeperintothebackstageareaoftheStudios.TheFantasmic!technicalrehearsalwasscheduledtostartinlessthanfiveminutes.Astheywalked,PhilbycaughtuptoFinnandAmanda.

“Whydoyousupposethey’dbeconductingtechnicalrehearsalsonashowthat’sbeenplayingforsomanyyears?”Philbyasked.“Haveyouthoughtaboutthat?”

“Ijustassumed…”Finnsaid.Buthedidn’tfinishhisthought.“You’resayingithassomethingtodowiththeOvertakers?”

“Whatelse?Somethingisdisruptingtheshow.Techrehearsalsareallabouttheeffects—thetiming,thelighting,themusic,entrancecues.ItcouldhavebeenwhatgotWaynegoing.Right?HehearsarumoraboutFantasmic!havingproblems.Theproblemscameonrecentlyandaren’tgoingaway.Thefirstfewattemptstofixthemdon’twork,sotheyscheduleawholeweekoftechrehearsalstostriptheshowdownandbuilditbackup,scenebyscene,minutebyminute.”

ItmadesensetoFinn.“Okay.Buthewentmissingwaybeforenow,waybeforetheserehearsals.”

“ButthefirsttimeJessgetsoneofhertelepathicvisionswasthisweek.Rightnow.Becauseheknewsomethingnooneelsedid:ifweweregoingtostopthemwiththeleastrisktotheaudience,wehadtodoitnow,whentherehearsalsaregoingon.ThegeniusofMaleficentandChernaboghidingatFantasmic!—ifthat’sevenwhatthey’redoing—isthattheonlytimeanyone’saroundthatplace,therearelikefivethousandguestshangingout.Who’sgoingtoputthematrisk?”

“Thegeniusofthemhidingthere,”Finncorrectedhim,“isthattheybelongthere.AlltheyhavetodoisstashanAuto-AnimatronicfigureoraCastMemberortwoandthentaketheirplace.Who’stoknow?WholooksthatcloselyatMaleficent?It’sprobablydarkbackstage.Fromoutfrontshe’sprettyfarawayandnotverybig.Greenskin.Weirdchin.Who’sgoingtopullherasideandask

foraDisneyIDanyway?”“Sowhatyou’resaying,Philby,”saidAmanda,“isthattheyaren’ttech

rehearsalsatall.They’remorelikeexorcisms.TheDisneypeopleareactuallysearchingforOvertakersinhopesoffindingthemandlockingthemup,orwhatevertheydowiththem?”

“Iftheyknowwhatthey’reupagainst,”Philbysaid,“thenthat’sexactlywhatthey’redoing.But—”

“Iftheydon’tknowwhatthey’reupagainst…”Finnsaid.“—theneverybodyinvolvedinthoserehearsalsisindanger,”Amandasaid.

“Includingus.”“Mostdefinitelyincludingus,”Philbysaid.Finnsaid,“TheImagineerswillwanttolockthemupandstudythem.If

anyone’sgoingtotakethemon,ifanyone’sgoingtotrytostopthempermanentlyit’sgoingtobe…us.”

Theworddiedonthetipofhistongue.Amandacouldhavecorrectedhim;Philbycouldhavecorrectedhim.Finnreacheddownandtouchedthegripofthesword.

WhyhadWayneputhimincharge,anyway?Whycouldn’titbeMaybeckwiththesword,orPhilbywithhisencyclopedicknowledgeoffamousDisneyswordbattles?Whyhim?Theanswercametohimindirectly,asitsooftendid.Hehadbeenthefirstonetocrossover;thefirstonetomeetWayne;hewasstilltheonlyonewhocouldall-clearnearlyatwill.HewastheonebecauseWaynehadchosenhim.Thereitwas,assimpleashecouldbreakitdown.AskingwhyWaynehadchosenhimwouldonlysendhimrunningincirclesrightbacktothefactthatWaynehadchosenhim.Heneededtostopquestioningitandstartdoingsomethingaboutit.Hishandgrippedtheswordsotightlythat,justforamoment,hisfingersappearedbloodless,hisknuckleswhite,thesword’sgripweldedtohishand.Atonewithit.

“Icandothis,”heheardslippasthisownlips.Asfaintasawhisper,notsomethinganyoneheard—orsohehoped.ButAmandashothimafearfulandsympatheticlookthatsaidotherwise.Attheveryleastshehadheard;attheveryleastoneotherpersonknewhisdeepestfear.

WillaandCharlenecaughtuptothem.“Assignments?”Philbyasked.Thatwasanotherthing:whenthey’dfirst

cometogetherasagroup,everyonewasconstantlyjockeyingforcontrol,tryingtocomeupwithabetteridea,abetterplan.NowonlyMaybeckvoicedthatkind

ofdiscontent,andevenso,lessandless.Philbywasn’ttelling,hewasasking;andnoonebutFinnwouldbeexpectedtoanswer.

“Giveusthelayout,”Finnsaid.MaybethatwaswhyWaynehadchosenhim:becauseheunderstoodthevalueofeachKingdomKeeper,knewwhentoseekadvice.

“Acontrolroom.Seatingforseveralthousand.Twoacresofwaterwithachanneldownthemiddleandanatural-gaspiperunningjustunderthesurface.Aflotillaofadozenbarges.Amultitieredperformancestagecompletewithvarioustrapdoors,ziplines,stuntpillows,alloverfivestorieshigh,includinganotherthreestoriesbelowstagelevelwithmultiplestaircases,dressingroomsandenoughpyrotechnicsonhandtobemonitoredbythefederalgovernment.”

“Sounds…dangerous,”Amandasaid.“Soundsbig,”saidWilla.Philby,hearingtheircomments,snappedhisheadtowardAmanda,then

shotFinnanintenselook.Finnsaid,“AreyouthinkingwhatI’mthinking?”“Ican’tbelievewemissedit.”“Missedwhat,youguys?”Amandasaid.“Younailedit,”Philbysaid.“Fantasmic!haseverything,including

isolation,tomakeit—”“AbaseofoperationsfortheOvertakers,”Finnsaid.“Iftheyevergottheirhandsonalltheordnance—”“That’sfireworks,”WillaexplainedtoAmanda,incaseshehadn’theard

theterm,butAmandanoddedasifshealreadyknewthat.“—togetherwiththeboats,”Philbycontinued,“andthewayFantasmic!is

laidout,itwouldgivethemabaseofoperations.Afort.Adefensiblepositionfromwhichtolaunchstrikesonthevariousparks.”

“Willa,”Finnsaid,“you’llhangback.Weneedonepersonkeepingwatchonthewholeplacewhiletherestofusfocusonspecifictasks.”

“Icandothat,”Willasaid.“You’reourgo-toperson.Anyoneneedshelp,”hetoldtheothers,“Willa’s

it.She’sourwildcard.”“I’vebeencalledworse,”shesaid.“Idon’tknowifIshouldsaythisornot,”Amandasaid.“Butcouldn’tthe

Overtakershangoutinplacelikethisforalongtimebeforeanyoneeverfigured

itout?Imeanit’ssofarremovedfromeverythingelse.”“Ithinkthat’sthepoint,”Finnsaid.“That’sthepointexactly.”“Butwhatifthat’swhatWaynediscovered?”sheasked.“Whatifthey

alreadycontrolFantasmic!—thenaren’twewalkingintoatrap?”PhilbyglancedatFinn,wholookedbackatPhilby.TheirDHIsshimmered,

revealingtheywereonanedgeoftheprojectionrange.TheirDHIsspitstaticandglowedoff-color.

Finnsaid,“No,we’dberunningintoatrap.”Withthat,heandPhilbypickedupthepaceandthegirlsfollowed.Fiveglowingfiguresstealingthroughthedarkupapathtowardflashesoflightreflectingoffthelow-lyingcloudsasboomingexplosionscombinedwithanarrator’sexcitedvoiceripplingthroughtheair.

Theshowhadbegun.

39

“YOU’REGOINGTOHAVEtoduckdownonthefloor,”Wandasaid.

“Onthefloor?”Maybeckcomplained,“Butit’sasubcompact!”“Besides,we’reinvisible!”Jesssaid,findingthestatedisconcertingand

upsetting.Invisibilitywasn’tthethrillshe’dimagined.Itleftherfeelinghalfdead,asifshedidn’texistandneverwouldagain.

“Keeplow,”Wandasaid.“There’snochoice.You’regoingtoreappearatsomepoint,andthoughIdoubtthey’llsearchthecar,theymightglanceinthroughthewindowsorsomethinganditwouldbebadluckifthat’swhenyoushowedbackup.Iputablanketbackthere,andsomeclothes.Justmakeitlookmessy.”

“Messy,”Maybecksaid,“Icando.”HetoldJesshe’dtakethebottomsohewouldn’tcrushherandinstructed

hertopulltheblanketcompletelyoverthem.Shenodded,feelingnervousaboutlyingontopofMaybeck,nervousabouttheSecurityguardsatHollywoodStudios,nervousaboutherinvisibilityandthethoughtshemightsuddenlyreappearatthewrongmoment.Inshort,nervousabouteverything.

“Hurry.We’recominguptothebooth.”Thetwoscrambledtogetdownontothecar’sfloor.Maybecklaydown

face-firstandJesspiledontohisbackandtuggedandkickedattheblanketuntilshewascompletelycovered.Hopefullytheblanketwouldkeepthemintheprojectionshadowandallowthemtoretaintheirinvisibility.

“Andforheaven’ssakestayabsolutelystill,”Wandasaid.Thecararrivedatthebackstagecheckpoint.Sherolleddownherwindow

andshowedherID.“You’renotonthelist,”theguardinformedherbluntlyaminuteorsolater.

OneofthelongestminutesinJess’slife.SheandMaybeckwereascloseashamandcheese;shewantedoutofthere.

“Listen,friend,there’satechrehearsalatFantasmic!Thatshouldbeonyourlistsomewhere.IfyoucheckwithAlexWrightyou’llfindthatnotonlyamIexpected,butI’mlate.OrtryRich.Anyoneofthemwilltellyounotonlytoletmein,butthatyoushouldchewmeoutforbeinglate.”

Theguardsnickered.“Standby,”hesaid.Wandaputherwindowup.Jesssawaflickeroflightbeneaththeblanket.Sherealizeditwasherright

elbow—stickingoutslightlyfromtheblanket—theirDHIswereactive.Shedrewherarmbeneaththeblanket,hopingshe’dfullycoveredtheirfeet.

ShewhisperedintoMaybeck’sear.“We’reinrange.”Henoddedandthebackofhisheadhitherchin.

ThehumofWanda’swindowcomingdownsentajoltofpanicthroughJess.Shefoughtagainsttheanxiety,knowingshecouldillaffordit.Shetriedpicturingtheocean.Allofasuddenshefeltherhandsandfeettingling,thenherarmsandlegs.Shewaspressedupagainstthebackseat—andwatchedherlefthanddisappearthroughtheseatitself.Sheunderstoodimmediatelywhatwashappeningtoher.

ShefoundMaybeck’searunderallthathairandwhisperedsomethingtohim.

“Youtryingtogetmefired?”theguardsaid.“IwokeupMr.Wrightandhewasnonetoohappyaboutit.”

“ButhebackedupeverythingIsaid,”Wandastatedboldly.“Well,yes,ma’am,hedid.Allthat’sleftisformetosearchthecar.Won’t

bebutasecond.”Theguardcuppedhishandsandpeeredthroughtherearsidewindow.Hetriedthedoor.

“Wouldyouunlockthedoorplease,ma’am?”“Whateverfor?”Wandasaid,soundingthreatened.“Ijustneedtotakealook.”“You’vehadyourlook.Itoldyou:I’mlate.”“Thenthesooneryouunlockthedoors,thesooneryou’llbeonyourway.”Wandaheavedalongsighandthrewthemasterswitch.Allthedoors

popped.Theguardopenedthereardoor.“Listen,officer,”Wandasaid,turningtoseeintothebackseat,“there’sno

needto—”“Justdoingmyjob,ma’am.”Hetookholdofacorneroftheblanket.“Listen.Icanexplaineverythingifyou’lljust—”Theguardpulledtheblanketaway.Thebackseatwasempty.“Explainwhat,ma’am?Whatwasthat?”“Ah…themessiness.I’mnotusually…thismessy.”“Nocrimeinthat.Ifyou’djustpopthetrunk,I’llhaveyouonyourway.”Asshepoppedthetrunk,Wandareachedbetweentheseatstopullthe

blanketbackintoplaceoverthekids.Shewhisperedsoftly,“Thankgoodnessyoustayedinvis—”Butshecaughtherselfastheblanketfellflattothefloor.Thekidsweren’tthere.

Then,astheguardpulledopenthetrunk,abulgeappearedandtheblanketroseupfromtheflooronitsown,firstaboutafoothigh,thenripplingandrisinganotherfoot.WandaliftedtheedgeandsawJesslyingonMaybeck’sback.JessgrabbedtheblanketfromWandaandpulleditbackintoplace,hidingthem.

Wanda,whoknewnothingofall-clear—hadnoideahowthetwomighthavemovedintothetrunkandthenreturnedtothefloorofthebackseat—stutteredandtriedtosaysomethingcoherent,butwasbroughtupshortbytheguardtappingonherwindow.Shehadnorecollectionofhisshuttingthetrunk.

“You’resettogo,ma’am.AndIwouldn’tworryabout,youknow…?”Sheofferedhimapuzzledlook.“Themessiness,”hesaid.“Ah!That!”shesaid.“Youhaveagoodday.”“Andyou,ma’am.”Shepulledthecarthroughtheraisedbarrierandreleasedanotherpent-up

sigh.“Whatthe…?Whatwasthat?”“Telluswhenit’ssafetocomeup,”Maybecksaid,hisvoicesounding

strained.“IthinkI’msquishinghim,”Jesssaid.Wandaparkedinfrontofthecostumedepartmentandledtheminside.“You

canprobablypassasaSecurityguard,”shetoldMaybeck,whostooduptaller,appreciatingthecomment.“ThatwouldgetyouinsideasFinntoldyouhewanted.Andyou…”shesaidtoJess.

“Iwillbeofthemosthelpasclosetothestageaspossible.There’satleastachanceI’llseesomethingbeforeithappensandbeabletowarnsomeone.”

“Astagehand,”Wandasaidexcitedly.“Icangetyoutheheadsetandeverything.Itwon’tbehookeduptoanything,butnoonewillknowthat.You’lllookofficial,whichisallthatmatters.”

“Wecanhookituptooneofourphones,”Maybecksaid.“Philbycandothatstuff.”

“Asastagehand,you’dhavefullaccessbackstage,”Wandasaid.“WeneedtofindthedressingroomMaleficentuses.”Maybecksaid,“Amanda’sgoingtodothat.Finnsaidso.”“She’sgoingafterthemissingCastMember,”Jesssaid.“Youarenotgoingtotakeontherealonebyyourself,”Maybecksaid,

tryingtomakehisstatementsoundirrefutable.Jessstudiedhimthoughtfully.“Ofcoursenot.ButthecloserIcangettoher

—physicallyclosertotherealone—themorelikelyImightbeabletoseeherthoughts.Haveavision.Thinkaboutthat,Donnie:whatifIcouldfindoutwhatshewasthinking?Planning?WhatifIcouldseeherfuture?We’dbeonestepaheadofherfromnowon.Howcouldshepossiblywinifweknewwhatshewasgoingtodobeforesheeverdidit?”

Wandalookeddeeplytroubled.“You’rebeginningtoscareme,”shesaid.“Ifit’sokaywithyou,weneedyoutogettoPhilbytofigureoutaphonefor

Jess,”Maybecksaid.“AnditwouldbegreatifyoucouldmanagetogetmeaSecurityradio—arealone.”

“What?”“Ineedtobeabletoknowwhat’sgoingonwiththem.Canyoudothat?”“Icantry,Iguess.”Jesslookedatherwithsympatheticeyes.“That’sallanyofuscando.”

40

MRS.WHITMANKNEWalltheexpressions:Becarefulwhatyouwishfor.Youcan’tundowhat’salreadydone.Hadcalmerheadsprevailed,shemighthaveconsideredtheramificationsofherinitialpanic,mighthavethoughtthroughtheeffecthercontactingtheotherparentswouldhave,mighthavesatdownwithherhusbandandtalkedthisthrough.Butasitwas,she’dconsiderednothing,reactinginsteadtoamother’sconcernforthewell-beingofhersonandbelievingshewasactinginhisbestinterests.

“Anambulanceistakingoursontothehospital,”saidGladisPhilbyoverthephone.

“But…”“Listen,”Philby’smothersaid.“Iknowwethinkweknowwhat’sgoingon.

I’veheardthetheoriesfromtheImagineers,andIhopetoGodthey’reright.OfcourseIdo.Butthefactis,collegefundprogramornot,myson’sinacoma,andIcan’ttakeanychances.Iftheydisqualifyhim,takehimoutoftheprogram,well,honestly,maybethat’sforthebestaslongasIgetmysonback.Ican’tstandthisanymore,totellyouthetruth.I’mdonewithit.”

“ButiftheImagineersareright,”Mrs.Whitmansaid,“thenthedoctorsmightjustmakemattersworse.That’swhywe’rekeepingourFinnathome.YouheardwhatBessMorton,Donnie’saunt,saidaboutDonnie?Shehasbeenthroughthis—she’stheonlyonewhohasbeenthroughthis—andthefactofthematteris,Terrancejustwokeupatsomepointandclimbedoutofbedfitasafiddle.”

“Ifyouwanttocountonthat…onthewordofa…ofan…artist,”shesaidwithagooddealofdisdain,“thatisofcourseyourprerogative.Wehaveelectedtoputourfaithinthedoctors.”

“Iwanttodowhat’sright,”Mrs.Whitmansaid.“Iwasjusthopingwe,theparents,mightapproachthisinasimilar—”

“Wearedoingwhatwefeelweneedtodo.Ifyouaretryingtopressuremeinto—”

“Notatall!”Mrs.Whitmansaid.“I’mnottryingtopressureyouintoanything.”

“Whatiftheyshouldnevercomeback?”Mrs.Philbysaid,herwordschoked.“Idon’tacceptallthisnonsenseourchildrenhavetoldusaboutdreamingandtraveling…ifyouaskme,it’s…well,Ican’tevensayit.It’shorribleiswhatitis.Theevilofoursociety.Whereourchildren,ourdear,preciouschildren,couldevergetholdofsuchthings—”

“Itisnotwhatyouthink!”Mrs.Whitmangasped.“Thedoctorswillruntests.Weshallseewhatwesee.”“Ourchildren—theirholograms—aretrappedinsidetheparkssomewhere.”“Andyouactuallybelievethatnonsense,”Mrs.Philbyreplied,“which

meansthisconversationisover.”“Ifweworktogether,”Mrs.Whitmansaid,“maybewecanfigureoutwhere

they’vegone.Maybewecanfindthemandbringthemback.”“Listentoyou!”“TheOvertakershavekidnappedWayne.I…Finn…yoursonwashereat

myhouse.We…therewasacryptogram,akindofmathematical—”“Iknowwhatacryptogramis!”Mrs.Philbysaid.“Willyoulistento

yourself,Mrs.Whitman?Willyoulistentowhatyouaresaying?”“Iknowitsounds—”“Ridiculous?Absurd?Impossible?Yes,itdoes!Andyou?You’re

delusionalifyoubelievesuch…suchgarbage.”Mrs.Philbywasbreathingheavilyintothephone.“Whatdoyoumean,hewasatyourhouse?”

“Afterschool.HeandourFinnandanotherofthe—Willa…listen,Iknowhowfar-fetchedallofitsounds.We’vebeenaskedtoenduresomuch.Butmypointis:ifthereissometruthtowhattheysayaboutwhathappenedtoDonnieMaybeckthattime,aboutwheretheygoatnight,aboutWayneandthis…thiswartheyseemtobefighting—”

“Wouldyoujustlistentoyourself?”“Butifthereis,”Mrs.Whitmanpersisted.“Ifthereshouldbe—”“Butthereisn’t.Howcouldtherebe?”

Mrs.Whitmanfeltatremendousheadachecomingon.Shegrippedherheadwithherfreehandandtriedtobeobjectiveaboutwhatshewassaying.Sheknewthatifsheweretheoneonthereceivingendofherownargumentshe’dthinktheotherpersonanutcase.

“Idon’tknow,”shemuttered.“Whenthedoctorsrendertheiropinion,”Mrs.Philbysaid,“Iwillcontact

youandtheotherparents.”“Kindofyou.”“It’stheleastIcando.ShouldIcallthisnumber?”Mrs.Whitmangaveherhermobilenumberinstead.“Areyou…goingout?”Mrs.Philbyasked,asifMrs.Whitmanwouldbe

committingtheultimatebad-parentcrimebyleavinghercomatosesoninhispresentstate.

“MyhusbandwillbeherewithFinn,”Mrs.Whitmansaid.“I…thatis…Donnie’sauntandI—”

“Theartist?”“Thesame.Yes.DonnieletslipsomethingaboutEpcot.”Shehesitated,

knowingthescornshefacedforbringingupthesubject.“Wecan’tjustsitbyanddonothing,yousee?”

“But…youcan’tpossiblybelieveanyofwhattheytellus!”“Actually…well…thatis…yes.I’mafraidIdo.”

41

PHILBYKNEWHEHADITinhim.HestoodbehindthecontrolroomthatoverlookedtheexpansivebutemptyamphitheaterfacingtheFantasmic!stageandwalkedthroughthewall,thinkingthismustbehowHarryPotterfeltwhenenteringPlatform93/4fortheHogwartsExpress.Philbyhadalwaysconsideredthattobepurelyfictional,impossible—andyetherehewas,doingit.Hesteppedthroughandfoundhimselfalongsidegunmetalgrayshelvesholdingadozenflashingcomputerslaves.Hewasstandingtotheleftof,andlookingovertheshoulderof,amanwearingaDisneyballcapandadarkbluesweatshirt.Theman’sfullattentionwasontheshowonstage,anditwasagoodthingtoo,forhisangleofviewallowedPhilbytospothisownreflectioninthecontrolroom’sslantedwindows;ifthemanlookedslightlytohisownlefthewouldhaveseentheboyspyingonhim.Philbysteppedbehindanopenlockerdoor,screeninghimself,sothathecouldpeerthroughthecrackbetweenthedoorandthecabinet.Hestudiedtheman’severymove—wherehelooked,howhecontrolledthearrayofknobsandbuttonsontheboardandvariousboxesinfrontofhimaswellasofftohisside.Philbyquicklyidentifiedthelightingandsoundboards.Everythingwascomputerized:theshow’seffectswerebroughttogetheronasinglecomputerscreenthattrackedbyhundredthsofsecondsandstartedandstoppedeachparticularfunction,fromtheopeningandclosingofatrapdoortoalightchangingcolor.Everythingwassynchronizedwiththemusic.Theshowplayedoutonalargeflat-screendisplaythatshoweddozensofdifferentrowsofcategories:fiveformusic;sixforlivesound;fifteenforlights;sixforpyrotechnics;plusadozenotherstageevents.

Themanworeaheadsetthroughwhichhecommunicatedwiththerestofthecrew,keepingoneeyeonthedisplay,theotheronthestagebelow.

“Okay,”Philbyheardthedirectorfromthehousesayoveranintercom,

“we’rethroughtheopeningwithoutaglitch,let’skeepitrunning.”Thetechnicianclickedabuttonontheconsoleinfrontofhim,keepinghiseyesonthescreen.

Philbyquicklysawthatthevariouslycoloredsegmentsofeachrowonthemasterdisplayrelateddirectlytoeventshappeningonstagebelow.Thetechdirectorstoppedtheshowtoadjustoneofthelightingcues,andthetechnician,followinghisinstructions,tappedafewkeysonhisconsole,extendingonebluebulgeonthelightingdisplay.Whentheyranthecueagain,acorrespondingbluelightonstageremainedlitafractionofasecondlongerthanbefore.Satisfied,themanlettheshowcontinue.

Totherightoftheconsolewereseveralothercomputerscreens,andwhilethismighthaveoverwhelmedanyoftheotherKingdomKeepers,Philbyfoundhimselfrightathome.Thetopscreenwasalistofpyrotechniceffectsand,asPhilbystudiedit,herealizedthattheotherscreenspertainedtotheothercategoriesonthelargerflatpanel.Thescreensontherightexpandedandexplainedtheeventsonthemainscreen.ThediscoveryintriguedPhilby:ifhecouldgetintothatchair,hewouldhavefullcontrolovereverylight,sound,trapdoor,andexplosionthathappenedonstage.

Includingthosethatwereneversupposedtohappen.

***

Charlene,Amanda,andFinnweretuckedintoathicketthatlookedoutontothebackstageentrancetotheFantasmic!stage.Fromherethestructurelookedlikeanoil-rigplatform,aseriesofopenconcreteplatformsrisinghigherandhigher,enclosedinsteel-piperailingspaintedaskyblue.Forsafety’ssake,therewasonlyasingleentrancetothebackstagearea.Andthoughthatentrancewaspresentlyunguarded,somethingwarnedFinnnottotryit.Don’tgothere,avoicesaidinhishead,andhetookthistobenotonlyhisownunconsciousthought,butsomehow—andhedidn’tpretendtoknowhowitmightbepossible—amessagefromWayne.Hefeltsomethingguidinghim,likethekindofpowerasongcouldhaveoverhim,orthewayhefeltsometimeslateatnightwhennothingintheworldmadeanysense,andthenhe’dpicturehismotherorfatherandfornoexplainablereasonhewouldfeelokayagain.Likethat.Weird,strangeemotionsthatcarriedthroughandpenetratedhiscore,sodeepthatheknewtoobeythem.

“Weneedanotherwayin,”hesaid,bracinghimselfforthechallengeshefeltcertaintocome.Butonthisnighthewastobesurprised.

“Okay,”Charlenesaid.She’dnevertakenhereyesoffthestage’ssuperstructure.Sheseemedtobebreakingitdownlevelbylevel,boltbybolt.“Ihaveatheory.Justatheory.Ineedlikethirtysecondstocheckitout.”

“Involving?”“IfI’mright,”shesaid,“Icangetyouinthere.”“Goforit,”hesaid.“It’salittlerisky,”sheadded.“Soifanythinghappens…well,don’tforget

aboutme.I’mnotsayingthat.Butdowhatneedstobedonefirstandfiguremeoutafter.Yougotit?”

Wasthisthesamegirlwhohadoncetriedtomakeeverythingallabouther?Couldonepersonchangelikethat?Soquickly?Socompletely?CharleneherselfattributedthechangetoherparticipationintheadventureatAnimalKingdom.AndwhereMaybeckmighthavequestionedher,oraccusedherofbeingthetraitortheyallexpected,Finndecidedtodootherwise.

“ShouldItalkyououtofit?”heasked.“No.Ihopenot.Staytuned.BRB.”Asshetookoff,runningoutintotheopen,Finnreachedforherarmtostop

her,butmissed.Asfarashecouldtellshehadnotyettakenhereyesoffthesuperstructure.Whateverherideawas,itseemedtoconsumeallherattention.Evennow,asshesprintedacrossthepavedarea,asFinnfearedshewasgoingtogoagainstwhathe’dsaidandusethebackstageentranceanyway,asheroseandfelthisjawdroptoallowhimtoyellouttostopher,sheneverflinched,neverlookedawayfromthesuperstructureaboveandaheadofher.

Ashewasabouttocallout,Amandatookhisarmandpulledhimbackdown.Heshookheroffandbrokehergrip,furiousthatshe’dstoppedhim.Whatdidsheknow?IfsomethinghappenedtoCharlene,itwasn’tAmandawho’dgetblamed.No,theblamewouldfallsquarelyonhim.Beingtheleaderalsomeantbeingtheloseriftherewasloss.

Charlenejumpedandspunaroundandwassuddenlyrunningbackwardnearlyasfastasshehadbeengoingforward.She’dbrokenherstaringcontestwiththestage,andwasnowlookingbackatthetrees,atherfriends.Hereyesweredefiant,asifshepossessedasecretnoneoftherestofthemknew.Finnfeltasifshewerelookinghimstraightintheeye.Foramomentanicypanicstolethroughhim:shewasthetraitorabouttobetraythem.

Andthenshedisappeared.Vanished.

Gone.AmandatookFinn’sarmagain,butherfacewasfilledwithexhilaration,

nottheterroranddreadhefelt.“DHIshadow,”shesaidsoftly.TheterracedaudienceseatingofFantasmic!’soutdooramphitheatersloped

downahundredfeetormoretowardtheartificiallakeinfrontofthestage.Thebackofthestagerosetothesameheightasthehighestleveloftheaudiencearea.Charlenehadfiguredoutthatifsherandowntothelowestlevel—thestage-doorentrance—shewouldbeinaprojectionshadow.

“See?”Charlenesaid,causingFinntojump.Shewasstandingafewfeetbehindthem.“Icutaroundandcamebackthroughthelandscaping.Theprojectionlineisjustaboutdeadevenwiththedoor.Itrunsaboutaquarterofthewayaroundthatfarside.Ifoundtheotheredge.Butthere’sanicesolidshadow,thirtyorfortyfeetormore.”

“Thatwassomekindofrisktotake,”Finnsaid.“WouldyouhavesaidthatifPhilbyhadbeentheonetodiscoverit?”She

waitedforhisanswer,buthewasn’tgoingtoencourageher.“Ithinkyouneedtoopenyourmind,FinnWhitman.Ittooksomecalculation,Iadmitit,butitwasn’tatotalguess.There’sneverbeenanyvoiceoverwork,neveranygreen-screenwork,neverevenanydiscussionofourtakingpartinFantasmic!Why?”

“BecauseourDHIsdon’treachoverhere,”heanswered.“Orthere’senoughinterferencetomakeitahassle.Andthey’renotabout

toinstalloneofthoseprojectorsforasingleattraction.Notwhentheycostasmuchastheydo.”

Finnhadhadallthissameinformationathisdisposal.Whyhadshefigureditoutwhilehehadnot?

“Icangetyouinthere,”shesaid.“Icanclimbupthere,findsomerope—there’sgottobeatonofropebackstage,orstrapping,orsomething,andgetyoubothupthere.Amanda’snewatthis,somaybeshecan’ttouchstuffwhenshe’sinvisible,butyouandIcanhaulherup.Oncewe’rein,we’rein.Noone’sgoingtoquestionourbeingthere.I’vecountedtwenty-fivepeoplesofar.”

FinnrealizedthathadbeenpartofwhatCharlenehadbeendoingearlier:countingCastMembers.

“Therewillbecostumessomewhere.Stufflikethat.Wecanmakethiswork.WecangetyouontothestagebeforeMaleficent’sscene.”

Finnremindedher,“Whenyougotosleep,thingsinyourpocketsora

wristwatchornecklacecrossoverwithyou.Thingsheldinyourhandsdonot—maybebecauseasyoufellasleepyouletgo.WhatifwhenIgodownthereintoprojectionshadow,thesworddoesn’tcomewithme?”

“Goodpoint.Soyou’llhavetotieittotherope.We’llhaulitupafteryoutwohavemadeit.Thatwayitwon’tgiveyouaway.”Shepointed.“We’llgothisway,throughthewoods.Oncewedisappear,that’sit.We’redoingthisblind.I’lldomybest,butIwon’tknowwhereyouare,Iwon’tbeabletoseeyou,andyouwon’tbeabletoseeme,sohere’sthecode:onetugontheropemeansgo.Threemeansstop.”

“Whatabouttwotugs?”Amandaasked.Finnanswered,“Twomeansnothing.Wewon’tusetwotugs,justtomake

surethere’snoconfusion.”“Youguyshavedonethisbefore,”Amandasaidinavoiceofresignation.“Justalittlebit,”saidCharlene,motioningforthembothtofollow.

42

THEPLANWASASIMPLEONE:togetFinnintopositionpriortoMaleficent’sappearanceintheshow.AssumingtheOvertakerMaleficenthadtakentheplaceoftheCastMemberplayingher—inorderto“hideoutintheopen”—andthatChernaboghaddonethesamethingaswell,Maleficent’sappearanceinFantasmic!wouldbethemomentforFinntoattackherwiththesword.

Charlenehadanequallydifficultassignment:shewastotrytofigureoutawaytotrapChernabog,hopefullypreventinghisbecomingadragon,ashedidattheendoftheshow.Thewayitplayedout,thedragonwaseventuallysubduedbywater,whichworkednicelyfortheater;butiftheOvertakersrealizedtheywereunderattack,theyweren’tabouttoletsomewaterstopthem.Thedragonwouldbattlebackwitheverythinghehad,includingfirebreathing.Finndidn’twanttogetupcloseandpersonalwiththat.

ThebiggerissuefacingFinn,Amanda,andCharleneatthemomentwashowbigagriptheOvertakershadontheshow.WasitjustChernabogandMaleficent,orwereothersinvolved?Andifso:charactersintheshow,orstagehands,orboth?

“Remember,”FinnsaidtoAmanda,astheystaredatanemptywallwheretheybelievedaninvisibleCharlenewasclimbing,“oncewe’reinshadow,youwon’tbevisible,andmaybeweshouldn’tspeakeither.Don’twantsomeonehearingaghost.”

“You’retakingMickey’splace,right?”“Yes.”“Butwhatifthey’vealreadygottentohim?”“Ifthey’vekidnappedandreplacedtheCastMemberwhoplaysMickey,

thenwe’veprobablylostalready.Mickey’sgottobeonourside.Maybethey’re

ultimatelyafterhim.You’veseenhowthemajorCastMembers—alltheCastMemberprincesses,MinnieandMickey,Goofy,Pluto—alwaystravelaroundtheparkwitha‘handler?’”hesaid.“Guestsaremadetobelievethehandleristheretoguidethecharacter,managethem,speakforthemwhennecessary.Waynesaysthey’reactuallybodyguards.Eventhesmallesthandleristrainedinmartialarts.They’vebeenaroundeversincetheOvertakersappeared.TheImagineersprotectthematallcosts.IftheparkswereevertolosetheMickeyandMinniewhoshowupaftertheparkcloses…”

“Mickey’sabigpartoftheshow.”“Heistheshow.Hischaracterhasobviouspowers—powersgreaterthan

Maleficent’s,andhehastheshowitselfonhisside—it’swrittenandstagedsothathewins.Forallweknow,Maleficentwantedtheseadditionaltechrehearsals—shearrangedforthemtotakeplace—soshecouldstudyandpracticehowtodefeatMickey,todefeathiminbattle.Then,atsomepoint,theplanistoluretherealMickey,nottheCastMemberMickey,fromtheMagicKingdomoverheretotheshow.Thatwouldn’tbeterriblydifficult.Hestepsontothestageandshedefeatshim,andthebalanceofpowerisshiftedforever.Wecan’tpretendtoknowthewayshethinks.She’scunninginthatway:it’sneverassimpleasitlooks.”

“Sometimesitis,”shesaid.“Sometimesthingsarereallyobviousandreallysimple.”

“Youthink?”hesaid.Wasthatthetraitorspeaking?hewondered.“Youcallscalingawallwhilebeinginvisiblesimple?Doyouknowhowmuchapersonreliesonlookingdownandseeinghisorherfoottakeatoehold,orseeherfingersgrabarock?It’slikeclimbingblind.It’sincrediblyhard.That’swhyCharlenewentfirst,”hesaid.“She’shalf-monkey.”

Amandalookedhurt.Finnwasn’tsurewhathe’dsaidtocausethat.“Iwouldn’tletherhearyousaythat,”Amandasaid.“Shelikesyou,you

know?”“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”“Shejustdoes.”“Andyouknowthisbecause?”“Girlsknowthisstuff,Finn,andwetalkaboutit.Andwetextaboutit.And

weIMaboutit.It’swhatgirlsdo.YouguysdosportsandXbox.Wefigureoutwholikeswho.”

“Ah….”

“She’sbeautiful.Youhavetoadmitthat.PrettyenoughtobeonTVorinthemovies.Andshe’sajock.What’snottolike?”

“Iguess.”“Yououghttogiveitashot.”Finnfeltthecenterofhischestturntostone.WhywasAmandatryingtodo

this?“MaybeIwill,”hesaid.“Maybeyoushould.”Whywasshebringingthisupnow?Whywasshepushinghim?“ButIthought…”hesaid.“What?”“Aboutus.Nevermind.It’snothing.”“Youthoughtwhat?Thatwe’resomethingorwe’renothing?”“Iguessso.Idon’tknow.Iguessthat’sright.NothingIguess.”Hefelthis

worldimplodeanddidn’tunderstandanyofit.HethoughtthatheandAmanda—afterallthehandtouching—hadsomethinggoing.Hethoughttheyweremorethanjustfriends.Hisheartwouldn’tstandstillwhenhewasaroundher;hegotalljumpyandfoundhimselfhearinghervoiceamongalltheothers.Hewantedtocatchherlookingathim.Wantedtoseethatshewaslisteningwhenhespoke.

Andnowthis.“There,”Amandasaid.Abluenylonstraphaddroppeddownfromthesecondbackstagelevel

abovethem.Finnfolloweditwithhiseyesandsawittiedtooneofthesteelstanchionssupportingtherailing.

“I’msupposedtogofirst,”hesaid,“andCharleneandIwillpullyouup.”“Whatever.”Hereachedoutandtookherhandinhis,butsheshookhimoffandletgo.

Hereachedasecondtimeandgrabbedhold;thewarmthofherarmsurprisedhim.Hetriedtomakeeyecontactwithher,buthereyesweredarkandhardandcold.Shewouldn’tlookathim.

TheysteppedintotheDHIprojectionshadowand,astheydid,heletgoofherhand.

Hewalked.Lookingdown,hesawsomeleavesscoottothesideanddecidedthatithadtobeherfeetshufflingthroughthem.Shewasrighttherewithhim.

Hewantedtospeak,butdidn’t.Hefoundthenylonstrapandtiedtheswordtoitsendandthenclimbedthe

straplikearopeataropescourse.Hewrappedthedanglingstraparoundhislegandshinniedup,takingseveralminutesandalotofenergytoreachthesecondlevel.IfCharlenewasthere,hecouldn’ttell.Heneitherheardnorsawher.

Butthebluestrapmoved,andFinnturnedandputhishandstoit.HefeltCharlenetugonce:shewastellingAmandaitwassafeforhertotieherselftothestrap.

Finnheldtothestrap,waitingforsomethingtohappen;Amandawouldgivethemasingletugwhenshewastiedonandreadytobelifted.

Finncountedtothirty.Tosixty.HefeltCharlenetugthestrapforasecondtime.Heknewimmediatelythattheonlyweightontheendofthatstrapwasthesword.Hecouldseeitstandupanddanceafewinchesofftheground.

Thefrustrationofhisinvisibilityandsilencebuiltupsomuchthathejustwantedtoscream.

Heheardthescuffleoffeetandwentrigid.GlancingoverhisshoulderFinnsawastagehandandanotherguy—whoappearedtobearigger,judgingbythetoolshewascarrying.ThemenwerecomingrightatFinnandCharlene.TheKeeperswereholdingthestrap,aloopofwhichlayovertherailingandwasgatheredontheplatform.Finnknewthatthewaythestraphungtherehadtoappearunnatural,becauseitwasn’treallyhangingthere:theywereholdingit.

Finnheldhisbreath.Thestagehandandtheriggerwalkedrightpast.Finnmovedslowlyandtrackedthemuntilthey,too,disappeareddowna

staircase.Amandawasn’ttiedtothestrap.Ifshewasdownthere,shewasn’tplaying

along.Adeceptionoftheworstkind.Bewareyourfriendsandknowyourenemies.Charlenebeganhaulingupthesword.Shetookhertimetopreventitfrom

clankingagainsttheconcreteanddrawingattention.FinnrecalledAmandabreakingawayfromhim.Hefeltashiver.He

thoughtbacktoaconversationthey’dhadwhilewaitingforCharlenetoclimb.You’regoingtotrytofindtheCastMember,he’dremindedher.“TheoneplayingMaleficent,”she’dsaid.“Iknowmyjob.”“You’remadatme.”

“IthinkIcouldbeofmorehelpthanasamessenger.”“Your…powers.Iknow.Butit’stoodangerous.”“Andthat’sridiculous.”“IfwecangettheCastMemberplayingMaleficenttotalktotheshow’s

stagemanager—”“WhiletherealMaleficentisoutthereonstage,”Amandahadsaid,“then

maybethestagemanagerseestheproblem—seeshehastwoMaleficents,andthenmaybehebelieveswhat’sactuallygoingonisgoingon.Wewentoveritall,Finn.Igetit.”

“I’mworriedaboutyou,that’sall.”Hehadblurteditout.Itsoundedawkwardnowthatherecalledit.

“Icanhelpyouifyou’llonlyletme.Don’tforgetEverestExpedition.”AmandahadsavedFinn’slifeinsideEverest.Hehadthankedher,and

they’dneverdiscusseditsince.Nowsheapparentlywantedthechancetoplaythesamerole,buttherisktoherwastoogreat.Finnhadthesword.ItseemedlikelythatonlytheswordcoulddefeatMaleficentandChernabog.Agustofwindwasn’tgoingtochangethings.

Amandahadsaid,Don’tworryaboutmesomuch.Itwasn’tthatsimple,andhewishedhecouldhavetoldherwhy.Finnwasdistractedfromhisreveriebythearrivaloftheendofthestrap,

deliveringtheswordatlast.Finnuntiedtheknotandtuckedtheswordawayinacornertohideit.Hecouldn’tgowalkingaroundthestageareawithaswordstuckthroughhisbelt.He’dhavetocomebackforit.

Amandawasdowntheresomewhere.Gone.Onlythewarmthofherremained,searingthetipsofhisfingerswherehe’dheldontoher.

Finnlookedhighupintothevoidofthegray-bluedawnsky,aknotinhischest,confusioninhisthoughts,remorseinhisheart.Hefeltutterlyalone.

***

Philbyspottedapossibleanswertohisneeds.Theengineerkeptglancingattheclockandthenatakeychainthickwithkeys.

Theshow’scontrolboothwastooimportant—sinceitgaveaccesstothecontrolforallthepyrotechnicaldevices—tobeleftunlocked.No,ithadtobeunderlockandkey,andonlyafewpeoplewouldpossesssuchkeys,wouldbegiventhatkindofaccess.Thismanandhowmanyothers?Certainlynotyour

averageSecurityguard.Itwouldhavetobesomeonemuchhigherup—theheadofSecurityforsure,andafewotherkeytechnicalpersonnel.

There!Heglancedattheclockagain.Philby’scuriositywassatisfiedasavoiceoveraspeakerannounced:“Breakinfiveminutes.Preparethestageplease.”

AllPhilbyhadtodowasgettheguyoutsidetheboothwithouthiskeys.Philbysawasolutiontohistwoproblems:thefirst,gettingthekeysawayfromtheman,orremovingthebooth’skeyfromthekeychain,wouldhavetobehandledquickly;thesecond,stoppingtheshow,wouldhappeninjustunderfiveminutes,withthebreak.

PhilbyslippedouttheNextel,madesureitwasinsilentmode,andwroteatext,targetingthephone’s“KKS”group.

philitup:needfantasmicshutdown45min….

HehitSEND.ThetextwouldbesenttothefourotherKingdomKeepers.Philbykepthiseyeonthekeychain.Hewasgoingtohavetosneakacross

onhandsandkneesandcomeupfrombehindandgrabthem—hedidn’tseeanyotherwaytodoit.Hewouldwaitforaparticularlybusypartoftheshow.Themistprojectorswouldbecomingupsoon;thestagewouldgodarkascharactershurriedoutintoplace.Thatseemedaperfecttimetogoforit.

Amessagearrived.

MYBEST:needurcell

philitup:noway…lockedindabooth

MYBEST:Jessisastagehand…needs2bable2rechusall…

FINN:shecanhavmine…illleavitbhindda2ndlevlfirehose…

MYBEST:k

WILLATREE:phil…icanmessupdaboatsisthatgood???

philitup:fantasmic…lolgetit?

WILLATREE:no…phil…realy…rukiddin??stay2datekistuff…standby

Beyondthewindowofthebooth,thestagewentdark.Philbywatchedtheflat-paneldisplayandsawtheapproachofaconfusionofcolorfulbubblescrowdingnearlyeverylineofthemusicandeffectsreadouts.Whateverscenewasnext,itwasbigandbusy.

Thiswastobehischance.Hecroucheddown,keepinghiseyepressedtothecrackbesidethelocker

door.Hisbodytensedwiththefirstonstageexplosion,whichwasquicklyfollowedbyanother.

Philbycrawledaroundthedooranddirectlybehindtheengineer’sseatandeasedhishandtowardthekeys.

Buttheengineer’sheadswunginhisdirection,andPhilbyyankedbackhishand.Hewasbutthethicknessofachairawayfromtheman.HadhebeenhumaninsteadofDHIthemanmighthavefelttheheatfromhisbody,orsmelledhim,orsensedhimsomeotherway.Instead,Philbyheldhisbreathastheman’schairpivotedtowithinaninchofcontact.Thenitswungbacktotheleft,andtheman’sheadwithit.

Philbyreachedup,clutchedthekeysslowlyandtightlytokeepthemfrommakingnoise,andslippedthemofftheconsole.Hecreptbacktobehindthelockerdoorandcarefullystudiedthem.Theengineerhadtoomanykeystokeeptrackof—hehadmarkedthemallwithcolortabsandhadwrittenoneachtab.Philbyworkedthroughthem,makingsurenottoallowthemtojangle.

FCNTL

Hekeptafingerseparatingthiskeyfromtheothersandcontinuedthroughtherest.

MSTR

Philbymarkedthiskey’splaceaswell.Noneofthetenortwelveothersweremarkedwithanythingthathefoundinteresting.Onlythesetwo.Maybeifthingsworkedoutperfectlyhemightgetthembackontotheringunnoticed.

Feelingjitterytobeworkingsoclosetotheengineer,andknowingthatWillacouldpulloffherboatsmaneuveratanymoment,heworkedfuriouslytoremovethekeysfromthering.Itwasaringthatrequiredthedesiredkeytobeworkedtwofullturnsaroundacircle.Philbyhadtopullapieceoftheringaway,asifheweretryingtopryopenastubbornspring.Hegotthefirstkeyoff,tryingtomemorizewhatorderthekeyswerein;thenthesecond.Hepocketedboth,puttingoneineachfrontpockettokeepthemfromclankingtogether.

Therewasnowaiting.Hedidn’thaveanychoicebuttocrawlbackoutbehindthechairandreturnthekeychain.Hedidsowithaslittlefeelingofdread

andanxietyashecouldmuster—hewantedtobepreparedtoattempttogoall-clearifitcametothat:iftheengineercameafterhim,hewouldwalkthroughthewallifpossible.

“Whatthe—?”theengineersaidloudlyintothesmallroom.ForamomentPhilbyconvincedhimselfhe’dbeenseen.Butthenhe

realizedthemanwasreactingtosomethingoutsidethewindow,notinsidethebooth.

Philbydartedbackbehindthelockerdoor.“Comeon!”themancomplained.“We’relikeoneminutetobreak.”He

spokeintohisheadset,havinganastyconversationabouttheincompetenceofthepeoplemanagingtheboats.

Willahadcomethrough.Thetechnicianlookedattheclockastheminutehandmovedtoexactlyfive

minutesbeforethehour.Thetechniciantuggedofftheheadsetandgrabbedhiskeys.Heheadedtothedoor,thenhesitatedasecondasheglancedbacktowardtheconsole.

Philbywonderedifthetechnicianhadseenhim,orhisglow,orsomehowfelthispresence.Themansteppedoutsideandpulledthedoorshutwithauthority.

Itwouldbeatleastafive-minutebreak—theuniontechniciansontheKingdomKeepersDHIsoundstagehadtakenregularfive-minutebreaks.Philbyallowedhimselfanundisturbedfiveminutes.Heslippedintothechairandhunkereddownlow.

He’dbeenwatchingtheflat-paneldisplayforquiteawhile,observingwhateffecteachlinecontrolled.Nowhisfingersfoundthemouseandhewentaboutclickingandextendingeventsthesamewayheworkedavideoeditorormusiccompositionsoftware—changingboththeorderandlengthofspecificevents.Bydoingsohewaschangingtheshow,and,hehoped,stackingthedeckandbuyingFinnadealer’sodds.

Withanyluck,evenwiththeengineerbackinthechair,Maleficentwouldn’tknowwhathither.

***

Finnlefthisphone—aninvisiblephone,butonehecouldfeel—tuckedinbehindthefirehose,feelingsuddenlylostwithoutit.Perhapsitwashisinvisibilitydoing

thistohim.Buthesuspectedsomethingelse.Hewouldtakevisualcues—iftheyweregiven—fromCharleneifpossible,

andwouldalsokeepaneyeoutforJessplayingastagehand.Maleficent’sentrancewasn’ttoofaroff.Hehadtogetinposition.

Amandawouldbedownonthedressing-roomlevel;hehadnoideawhereWillawas,butfromhertexthesuspectedshewasresponsibleforthebreakinthetechnicalrehearsalthathadjustoccurred.Philbywasinsidethecontrolbooth,leavingMaybeck’sidentityandwhereaboutsunknowntoFinn,thoughagainfromthetextheknewthatMaybeckwasinthearea.

Insituationslikethistimeplayedtricksonhim.Clocksspedup.Reactiontimesloweddown.Soonitwouldallreachafeveredpitch,aboilingpoint,withhiminthecenterofthecauldron.

“Youokay?”Charleneasked.They’dfoundtheirwayoutoftheDHIprojectionshadow,visiblenow,andhadtuckedthemselvesintotheentranceofadarkened—andFinnhoped,unused—hallway.Thestagewasalabyrinthofthesehallwaysandstaircases,alloftheminterconnectedinawayitwouldtakedaystomemorize.SomeledtothewingsofthestageitselfwhileothersreturnedCastMemberstosubterraneandressingrooms,andstillotherstotheplatformsbeneathtrapdoorsoruphighintowhatfromtheaudienceappearedtobeatoweringmountain.Someoftheseareaswerelitandsomewerenot,suggestingwhichoneswerebeingusedduringthetechnicalrehearsal.

“Beenbetter,”Finnsaid.“She’sokay,”Charlenesaid,answeringaquestionthatFinnhadn’tasked.

“There’sareasonforhernotgettingontotherope,anditisn’tthereasonyouthink.”

Anditisn’tthereasonyouthink.CharlenewasthereasonAmandahadn’tgottenontotherope.Finnfeltcertainofit.

“Sheprobablysawthosetwocomingtowardusandtookoff.Whoknowswhatthatlookedlikefromdownthere.”

Charleneputherhandonhisshoulderandrubbedthetightnessaway.Hewantedtoaskhertostop,butdidn’t.HewantedtoaskheraboutwhatAmandahadsaid,butdidn’tknowhow.

Shewasabouttoputherselfatasmuchriskashewas.Theywereattemptingtotackleforceswithpowersfargreaterthantheirown.Therewaslittletonochancetheycouldprevailontheirown.

“Thisisonlygoingtoworkifwetimeitright,”shesaid,asifreadinghis

thoughts.Howcouldshedothat?Howcouldsheknowhimsowell?“JustwhatIwasthinking.”“SoI’dwishyouluck,butthatwouldmeanIthoughtyouneedit,andI

don’t.Idon’tthinkanyofthisisaboutluckorchanceorfate.Youknow?Destinymaybe.Ithinksomehowwearesupposedtobehererightnow.Thefiveofus.Thesevenofus.NotbecauseWaynewantsit,orwewantit.Butjustbecause.”

“Because,”heechoed.“Yeah.Thinkaboutwhereeachofuswasbeforewetriedouttobethe

DisneyHosts.Doesthatevenfeellikeyou?Likethesameperson?Notme.Icantellyouthat.It’sallsototallydifferent.Iwaslikethisyahoocheerleader,right?Idon’tknowthatgirl.Notnow.”

“Iknowwhatyoumean.”“Right?”“Yes.It’salldifferent.”“Wearewherewe’resupposedtobe.”“Yousoundlikemymother,”hesaid.“She’salwayslayingthatstuffon

me.”“I’mfreaking,”shesaid.“AndwhenIfreakItalktoomuch.AllImeantto

sayisthatifanythinghappens—”“Donotsayit.”“But—”“No!Donotgothere.”Hefelthishandsshaking.Overthespeakers,heheardthemirrorspeakingtotheEvilQueen.“…inMickey’simagination,beautyandlovewillalwayssurvive.”“Beautyandlove!Didyouhearthat?”Charleneasked.“I…yeah.”Beautyandlove.TheyseemedtodefineCharlene.Itwastimetoreturnforthesword.Maleficentwouldbeonthestagesoon.“That’sourcue,”Charlenesaid.“Right.”“Okaythen,”sheadded.“Okay.”

43

GLADISPHILBY,wearingaHawaiianhousedressoverhernightgown,stoodsobbinginthehallwayoutsideherson’sbedroomasparamedicswiththeambulanceservicemovedhercomatosesonfromhisbedtothewheeledstretcherthatwouldmovehimtothevehicle.

Astheyliftedhim,notamuscleresponded.Helooked…shecouldn’tbringherselftothinkit.Butthatwasthewayhelooked,andtherewasnoholdingbackthetears.

Herhusbandcameoutoftheroom.“Okay,they’vegothimreadytomove.They’vestartedanIV.They’vegotmonitorsonhim.They’llbeintouchwithdoctorsfromthebackoftheambulanceandmaygivehimsomethingontheway.Isignedareleaseallowingthemtotreathim.Ifit’s…youknow….”

“Drugs?”“ThentheIVshouldhelp.Inanycase,they’lldobloodtestsatthehospital

andfigurethisoutsoonenough.Oneofuscangointheambulancewithhim,butItoldthemIwantedtostaywithyou.Weshouldchange—quickly—andtrytofollowthemtothehospital.”

Shenodded.Shecouldn’tgetanywordsout.“Iknowitdoesn’thelpmuch,buttheysayhisvitals—itisn’tadeepcoma.

Theysayit’smorelike…he’sjustsleepingsoundly.”Nowshefoundthestrengthtospeak.“Donottellmethatyoubelievefor

onesecondallthisnonsenseabout—”“Ididn’tsaythat,Gladis.AllIsaidis,heseemsokay.Weneedtochange

andgetinthecar.Thebestwaytohelphimnowistobewithhim.”Shenoddedagain,butMrs.Whitman’swordsflewthroughherthoughtlike

awoundedbird:Wecan’tjustsitbyanddonothing,yousee?

“Frank,”shesaidtoherhusband,“they’llbetestinghimforanhourormore,don’tyouthink?”

“Yes,twoorthree,Isuppose.It’sneverfast.Why?”“Andyousayhe’ssleepingcomfortably.”“Whatisit,dearest?”“Iwanttobewithhim,itisn’tthat.I’mhismother.Butmorethananything

Iwanthimfreeofthis.”“Gladis?”“Ithink…I’mnotsayingIbelieveanyofthis,youunderstand.ButIthink

forthetimebeingwecanputourselvestobetterusethansittingaroundahospitalwaitingroom.”

“Whateverareyoutalkingabout?”“There’saphonecallIhavetomake.”“Atthishour?”Shedrewinalargebreath,swellingthehousedressandfillingherfacewith

colorforthefirsttimesinceshehaddiscoveredherunresponsiveson.“We’regoingtoDisneyWorld.”

44

JESSHADNOIDEAwhatshewasdoing.DressedinablackT-shirt,ablackfleece,andblackjeans—allcourtesyoftheStudios’costumeshop—andwearingablackbaseballcapandaheadset,shewascurrentlywanderingthemazeofhallwaysandstaircasesatthebackoftheFantasmic!stage.TheblackclothinghelpedreducetheglowfromherDHI.Everysooftenshepausedandclosedhereyesandtriedtosummonwhateveritwasthatallowedherdreamstoturntovisions.Ifyou’daskedheraweekortwoearlierifshecouldbringonthisstateshewouldhaveansweredanemphaticno.ButsincethevisionsofWaynehadbegun,sinceshe’dpickedupsomethingwhileawakeinthemiddleofwalkingaroundEpcot,she’dconvincedherselfotherwise.Whyshouldsuch“powers”belimitedtosleep?Besides,shehadasecretweaponworkingforher:technicallyshewascurrentlyasleep;herbodywaslyinginbedatMrs.Nash’s,snoringsoftly,nodoubt.BeingaDHIdidn’tcountasbeingawake;itdidn’tevenfeellikebeingawake.Sowhy,ifhersleepingselfcouldimagineanddream,couldn’tshetapintothatasaDHIandexperienceithere,now,wanderingthehallwaysofFantasmic!—why?

Jessunderstoodthepotentialriskofherefforts.Youdidn’tsummonthedarkthoughtsofsomeone—something—likeMaleficentwithoutuncertainty.Whoknewthedepthofherdarkness,thegravitationalpullofhermenace?WhatifonceJessgotinsideMaleficent’smindtherewasnowayout—whatifitwasamentalmazethattookyouprisonerandneverrelinquishedyou?WhatifMaleficenthadbeenwaitingforjustsuchanopportunity?WhatifshewerepowerfulenoughtomanipulateherownthoughtsoskillfullythatshecouldsendanimagetoJessthatwasalie?WhatifshecouldusesuchalieasatooltomisleadtheKingdomKeepers?Wouldn’tshe,Jess,thenqualifyasthetraitor?

Layeruponlayerherdoubtsbegantoaccumulate.Jessfeltlikeshehad

wormsinherstomachandwonderedifshepossessedenoughstrengthforthistask.Maleficenthadfearedher,hadcapturedandimprisonedher—twice!—hadmadeheratargetforsometimenow.MaleficentsawJessastheobstacletotheOvertakers’success,whetherbecauseofJess’sabilitytoseethefuture,orbecauseofsomeotherqualityJesshadyettorecognizeinherself.Butactivelyseekingawayintoanevilfairy’sthoughtssuddenlystruckJessascrazy.Whathadshebeenthinking?Worse:howhadtheothersallowedhertodothis?

Butitwasn’ttheothers.ItwasonlyMaybeckandWanda,andJessstilldidn’tknowhowmuchshetrustedWandaanyway.WhatifWandawasWayne’straitor?IthelpedthatWaynehadmentionedherinhisvideomessage—ithelpedalot.IthelpedthatWandahadgottenupinthemiddleofthenightandtakenhugeriskstosmuggleherandMaybeckintotheStudios.ButtherewassomethingstillbotheringJessaboutthewoman.TheperformanceatMrs.Nash’shousehadbeenimpressive,andyetithadalsofeltsomewhatauthentic,asifWandahadbiggerplansforherandAmandathanworkingwiththeKingdomKeepers.Perhapssheintendedtoplacethembothinaboardingschoolfarawayfromhere.Jessdidn’tlikeotherwomenmakingplansforher:Maleficenthadplayedmotherformonths.

Neveragain,Jesssworetoherself.Shefeltitthen:aneeriecold,andastrangefeeling,asifananimalhad

crawledinsideherandwerelookingforawayout.Imagesflashedinfrontofhereyes:colorsinthesky;ajetairplane;amanwearingaberet;MickeyMouse,butwithJapaneseanime-styleeyes.

OMG!Finn.Washeconductinganorchestra?Directingtraffic?AndMaybeckand…Wayne,hunchedoverinsomekindofbox,strugglingtobreathe.

ShethrewherheadtothesidebecausetherewasthehorridfaceofChernabogbearingdownonherasthechillincreasedtoadeepfreeze.Shesqueezedhereyestightlyshutandthenforcedthemopenand,Thankgoodness,shewasstandinginthesubterraneanhallwaybeneathFantasmic!

I’mclose,shethought.She’snearby.WherewasAmanda?JessworkedthephoneFinnhadleftforher.Shewroteatexttoalloftheothers:

Icanfeelher.lowerlevel1.she’shere.

Butnotforlong.Thedoorswungopen.Jessloweredherhead,puttingthebrimofthecapbetweenherfaceandthepersonwhocameoutofthatroom.She

couldseeonlythefeet.Itwasn’tapersonatall.Itwasablackrobewithpurpletrim.Andasthe

robepartedslightlyitrevealed…greenanklesandshins.“You!”thefamiliarvoicecalledout.Avoicelikebreakingice.“I’mlatefor

mycue.Areyoutheonetakingme?WhereisAnnie?Areyougoingtoanswerme?Hello?Listen,sweetie,ifAnnie’slate,ifshe’snotgoingtodoherjob,I’llneedyoutothrowtheswitchonthelift.Rehearsals!Whyaretheysounderstaffed?Doyouthinkyoucanhandlethat?Hmm?”

“Yes,ma’am,”Jesssaid,loweringhervoicetodisguiseit.“Theswitch.”“Well,hurryitup!Wehaven’tgotallday.”Thecoldwasintense.Jessrealizeditwasseepingoutfrombeneaththedoor

—Maleficenthadthetemperatureinthedressingroomturneddowntoicehousefreezing.ShehadnoideawheretheCastMemberplayingMaleficenthadgone;butthisthingwasnoCastMember.

Jessfollowedtheflowingblackrobedeeperdownthehall,followedintothedepthsofthestructure,throughtwomorehallwaysanddownanarrowstairwaylikesomethingonaship.Theshow’ssoundtrackgrewlouderthancouldbeexplainedbythesmallspeakersalongthewall,backstagemonitorsthatallowedalltheCastMemberstohearthemusicandactiononstage,sothattheycouldkeeptrackoftheircues.

Jessfollowedtheicycreatureasifshehadnochoice,wonderingwhenthethingwouldfigureoutwhoitwascomingupbehind,andknowingshecouldn’tallowthattruthtoberevealed.Finnwouldbeuptherewaiting.

Finnandthesword:theKingdomKeepers’bestandperhapsonlychancetodefeatit.

***

Charlenefoundexactlywhatshewanted:alonglengthofpiratechain,completewithanoldlockandkey.Therewerethreelengthsofthechaincoiledbackstagealongsideastockofbowsandarrowsandsomerope.Thechainwasimpossiblyheavyandcumbersome,butshedrapeditaroundhershoulderslikeaHawaiianleiandlookedstraightuptheemergencyladderthatleddowntothebackofthestagefromtheverytopofthemountain.

Therewasnotimetowaste:someonecouldarriveatanymomentandstopher.Shestruggledtokeepherselfuprightwiththenewlyaddedweight,tookholdoftheladderrailings,andbegantoclimb.

Fivefeetintotheclimbsheheardvoicesapproaching.Shemanagedtwomorerungsandthenfroze,herfacepressedagainstthecoldmetal.ThetwomenFinnhadheardnowstooddirectlybelowher,withherfeetnomorethanafewinchesfromthetopoftheheadofthetallestone.

“Doyouthinkthey’llfinditthistime?”oneofthemsaid.Itwasimpossibletotellwhowasdoingthetalking.

“No.Foronethinghe’ssupposedtoappearonlyonfilm.Foranother,itdoesn’thappenallthetime.It’slikeatypicalglitch,youaskme.Can’tmakeithappenwhenyouwanttofixit,can’tstopitfromhappeningwhenyoudon’t.”

“I’mdonewiththeseearlymorningtech-rehearsalcalls.”“Youandmeboth.”“Thinkthey’llcanceltheshowiftheycan’tgetitright?”“Dah!Whoarewetalkingabout?Ofcoursethey’llcancel.Andthenyou

andIwillbelaidoffuntiltheyresolveit.”“Youthink?”“No.Iknow.”“Butwhatarewesupposedtodoaboutit?”“Don’taskme.”“ButIamaskingyou.”“Butyoushouldn’tbe.”Backandforththeywent,snipingatoneanother.Charlenedarednotmove

forfearthechainmightrattleorclankagainstthefireladderandgiveheraway.Unlessoruntiltheymoved,shewastrappedhere.Andifshedidn’tgetuptothetopsoon,thenFinnwouldbeinserious

trouble.

***

WearingaSecurityguardcostume,MaybeckwatchedfromstageleftastheEvilQueenturnedintotheHagfromSnowWhiteasabubblingcauldronappearedinfrontofher.Shesummoned“theforcesofevil”toturnthedreaminto“anightmareFantasmic!”

ThiswasFinn’scue,theonlytimethetitleoftheshowwasmentionedfromthestage.ItwasalsosignificantthatthisseemedthemissionoftheOvertakersaswell—toturnthedreamintoanightmare—tostopJess’sdreams.Itallmade

somuchsenseallofasudden.EverythingWaynehadaskedthemtodoatMagicKingdomandAnimalKingdomfocusedlaserlikeintothestorylineofFantasmic!Thegoodbecomingbad;thebadwantingtoruinthedreams.ItwasasifFantasmic!weretheoutlineforanOvertakers’charterofevil.

Onethingseemedcertain:whateverhappenedhereinthenextfewminuteswastobecataclysmic,irreversible,anditwouldaffecttheKingdomKeepersforalongtimetocome.Withoutanyrealevidence,Finnknewthistobetrue.

Becausesomeone’sgoingdown,hethought.Andithadbetternotbeus.

***

Philbyhadchangedthetimeline,blockingMickey’strapdoorliftandMaleficent’sflashyexit.MaybeckorAmandaorWilla—orallthree—wouldstillhavetostoptheCastMemberplayingtheBraveLittleTailorMickeyfromgettingintheway,butPhilbyhadnocontroloverthat.

Whathecouldcontrol…Philby’sarmstung.Itfeltasifsomeonehadprickedhimontheinsideof

hiselbow.Hisheadswam;hefeltlightheadedandslightlysicktohisstomach.His

armburnedandhisvisionblurredandhelookeddowntoseeacomputermouseinhishandandhecouldn’trememberwhyhewasholdingit.

Therewasstillsomethingincrediblyimportanttodo.Adragon?Whatdidheknowaboutdragons?Heblinkedrapidly,reachingforhisarmandtryingtoremovewhateverwas

makingitstingsobadlythere—itfeltlikehe’dbeenclimbingatreeandhadcaughtasplinterinhisarm—buthisfingerscameupempty.

Fire.Itwassomethingtodowithfire.Stoppingthefire?Startingafire?Therewasapoundingonthedoortohisright.Wherewashe?Ashowwashappeningonstagebeyondthewindow.Thecolorswere

beautiful—thelightsamazing.Aman’sfaceappearedintheglass.Someolderdudewearingaballcap.He

lookedfrustratedashetriedtocuphiseyestothewindow,butheclearlycouldn’tseein.SomethingtoldPhilbytheglasswastreatedwithamirror

surfaceontheoutside,buthewasn’tsurehowheknewthis.Hewasn’tsurehowheknewanything.Whywashisbrainsuddenlyvoidofalltherandomthoughtsthatalwaysfilledit?Hespenthiseverywakinghourawashinnumbersandfacts.Hedrownedinthem,morningtonight.Yetnow,eversincethatstinginginhisarmhadstarted,thingsseemedmuchmorepeaceful.Dreamy.

Hefelttired.Hedidn’tlikethefeelingatall.Thewovenofficechairheoccupiedwasunusuallycomfortable.Ascomfy

asacouch.Whatcouldalittlenaphurt?Thedoorjiggledagain.Someonewantedin.Philbystoodtoopenthedoor,butcaughthimselfwhenhishandwasonly

inchesawayfromthedoorknob.I’mnotsupposedtoopenthat.Hedidn’tknowwhy,exactly.Justthathewasn’tsupposedto.Helookedbackandsawtheflatpanel.Thecomputermouse.Somethingtodowithfire.Anddragons.Orwasitonlyonedragon?Hisparentshadlecturedhimaboutdrugsandaboutdrinkingalcohol.He

hadnointerestineither.DrugsanddrinkingmessedupyourmindandPhilbyvaluedhismindfartoomuchtogoexperimentingwithitschemistry.Heunderstoodchemistryatanadvancedlevel.Heunderstoodalotofthingsthatnotmanyotherkidshisageunderstoodandhetookgreatprideinthatfact.

Yethefeltdrugged.Ordrunk.Hedidn’tknowthedifference,sohewasn’tsurewhich.Thatistosay,hedidn’tfeelhimself.Somethingstrangehadovertakenhimfromthemomenthe’dfeltthatstingontheinsideofhiselbow.

Hisfoggymindsoughtanexplanation,forthatwasthewayhismindworked:question/answer.Logiclivedinsidehimlikeaprizedgeminavault.

Foreveryactionthere’sanequalandoppositereaction.Hewasdefinitelyonthereactionendofthings.Butnomatterhowhardhe

tried,hecouldn’tthinkwhyhecouldn’tthink.Hecouldn’tplacewhatactionmighthavemadehimthisway.

Thethoughtofthatgothimlaughing.Softlyatfirst.Tohimself.Butthenthesillinessofthemomentspreadthroughhimlikeawildfireand—

Fire.Thereitwasagain:somethingaboutfireandthatflat-panelcomputer

screenandthatmouse.

Buteventhatseemedfunny.Hislaughterbegananewandhefoundhimselfowningthecozyoffice

chair,bouncingtotherhythmofthemusic—goodmusic—andwonderingwhatitwasaboutthatflat-panelscreenthatwassoincrediblyimportant.

***

Jesskeptherheaddownandmovedtotherectangularboxwiththeredandgreenbuttonsinside.BigbuttonsthatremindedherofthecontrolsoutsidetheMission:Spacepods.Abovetheboxwasasmallergreenlight—darkforthemoment.

SomethingtoldherthisallhadtodowithPhilby,asMaleficentsteppedontoasquareplatformandtightenedherrobessothattheydidn’thangovertheedgesoftheplatform.Sheclippedasafetystraparoundherwaist,keepingherrighthandonit.Jesscouldenvisionherarrivinguponstage,releasingthatstrap,andsteppingoutofablindingspotlighttotaketheplaceoftheHag—awomanwhohadcomedownonthesameplatformonlymomentsearlier.

JesshadwatchedhowtheHag’shandlerhadhandledthings:whenthelittlewarninglightturnedgreen,thehandlerpushedthelargegreenbutton.AmomentlaterthestagehadopenedoverheadandtheHaghadappeared,descendingontheplatform.NowMaleficenthadtakentheHag’splaceandJessassumedthedeviceworkedjustthesametotakesomeonebackuponstage:thecomputerwouldcuethehandler.Ifallthepropersafetyprecautionshadbeenobserved,thenthehandlerpushedthegreenbutton,allowingthecomputertostarttheliftwhentheshow’stimingcalledforMaleficent’sentrance.Ifanythingwasawry,thehandlercouldhittheredbuttonmarkedALLSTOPandpreventtheliftfromrisingthroughthetrapdoorandanyonegettinghurt.

LikeFinn,shethought,knowingthattonightthescripthadbeenrewritten.Thesmallerlightflashedgreen.Jess’sfingershookuncontrollablyasit

hoveredatthelargegreenswitch.Maybetherewassomeotherway.MaybeFinnwastakingtoogreatarisk.

“Goonpushit,youfool!”saidMaleficent.“It’smyentrance!”Jess’sfingerstraightened,alltheindecisiongonefromher,andwithitthe

shaking.Herfingerinchedclosertothebuttonand,atthelastpossiblesecond,sheturnedherheadtowardthegreenthingstandingonthelift,andsheraisedherheadjustenoughtoallowthecap’sbrimtorevealherface.

Inthatmoment,sheandMaleficentmeteyesandshetookgreatdelightas

theevilfairy’swhiteswidenedintheseaofgreenskin,asconsternationovercamethewitch—forthisthingbeforehernevershowedfear.

“You?”shegaspeddryly.Jesssmiledwidely.“Me,”shesaid,gloating.“Enjoytheshow.”JesspushedthebuttonandinaflashoflightandsmokeMaleficentwas

gone.

45

ASTHEFIRE-BURSTsurroundingMaleficent’sentrancereceded,leavingacoilofgraysmoketwistinghighabovethestage,FinnsawaSecurityguardholdingbackMickey,theBraveLittleTailor,preventingtheCastMemberfromgoingonstage.FinnhadnotimetoglanceoverheadandtrytospotCharleneandpreventthedragonfromrearingitsuglyhead—allforty-fivefeetofit;notimetoensurehewouldn’tbeburnedtoacrispbyChernabog,whoheassumedhadtakenthedragon’splacethesamewayMaleficenthadtakentheplaceoftheCastMemberplayingher.Whatoddfunthissubstitutionmusthavebeenforthem—actingoutthemselvesinfrontofaudiencesandtechrehearsals,subtlychangingtheshowinwaystheImagineerscouldn’ttroubleshoot.Preparingforsomethingmuchbigger,muchmoresinister.Takingtheaudienceoftenthousandhostage?Threateningtoburnthemiftheylefttheirseats?SuchanactwouldgivetheOvertakersthekindofclouttheysought,wouldprovidethemanegotiatingposition.

MaleficentturnedtotauntMickey,aswasherrole.Finnnotedthatshehadagreenbandageonherneck—wherehehadcuther

withthesword.Finnsteppedoutontothestage,theswordhelddownathisside.He’d

wonderedhowharditmightbetodetermineifhehadtherightMaleficentandnottheCastMemberplayingher,buthisquestionwasansweredimmediately.Notonlywasherskingreenandbandaged,hereyeswerebloodshot,andthelookinthempurehatred.Buttherewasalsothattwistedsmile—asmilehe’dwitnessedinthebackcorridorsoftheAnimalKingdom’sveterinaryclinic.

“Silly,sillyboy,”shesaid,hervoiceamplifiedbythemicrophoneshewore.PresumingthatCharlenewasinplaceandthatPhilbyhadtemporarily

turnedoffthefireeffectinthedragon,Finntookanotherstepcloser.

“WeknowaboutEpcot,”hesaid.“Theseatbelts.”HerfacereactedlikeachildopeningaChristmaspresentonlytodiscover

coalinsidethebox.Theplanwasinplace.Finnwastoantagonizehertothepointshe’dleave

hermarkonstage,steppingawayfromthecauldron.Hewouldkeepherfocusedandmad,sothatshewoulddirectChernabog,orwhateverforceinhabitedthestagedragon,tolashoutatFinnwithhisfirebreathing.ButFinnwouldleadhermistakenlytoenterintothepathofthefire—thereleaseofwhichwouldbecontrolledbyPhilby,notthedragon—andjustasthebeastunleasheditsfury,PhilbywoulddropFinnthroughMickeytheBraveLittleTailor’strapdoortosafety,whileMaleficentwouldbecaughtandconsumed—andeliminated—byherownevilplan.

Ifallelsefailed,hehadtheswordwithwhichtodefendhimself,thoughhehadknownallalonghewouldneveractuallystrikeherwithit.Theideaofthatrepulsedhim,nomatterhowmanytimeshe’dseenitinamovie,ormadeithappeninavideogame.NomatterthatWaynehadobviouslybelieveditwouldcometothat.

Finncrossedthestage,keepingthesteamingcauldronbetweenhimselfandMaleficent.Philbyhaddoneanexcellentjob—noneofthiswasinthescript.Thecauldronshouldhavebeengonebynow.Maleficentshouldhavealreadysummonedthedragon.Asagreed,FinntookthesechangestomeanthatPhilbywasincontrolandwouldtripthetrapdoorwhenneeded.KnowingthatPhilbyhadhisbackgaveFinnaddedconfidence.

“Yousilly,sillyboy,”sheretchedathim.“Doyouactuallybelieveafewchildrenhaveanysortofchanceagainstourpowers?”Shewavedahandandthecauldrontippedover,spillingasteaminggreen,viscousgoothatwouldhavecaughtFinn’sfeethadhenotjumpedquicklyoutoftheway.

TheFantasmic!cauldronwasalwaysempty;thesteamthatpouredfromitwasmerelyaneffect.Shedidthat!Finnthought.

Thefairyreeledbackherarm,andafireballappearedinherhand.ShelauncheditatFinn,whoraisedtheswordanddeflectedit.Theballflewintothewingsandexploded.Heheardfireextinguisherswhooshingasstagehandstriedtoextinguishtheflames.

Apairofstagehandsapproachedher.“Loretta!”thefirstonecalledatthewitch.“What’sgoingon?”

Shethrewasecondfireballatthem.Theyduckedandthatfireballalsoflewoffstage.

“Wehavearehearsalgoingonhere!”sheholleredcrisply.“Theshow’sbeenthrougharewrite,didn’tyouknow?”

Oneofthestagehandsheldupanoutstretchedpalm—hedidn’twantanymoreofher.Thepairgingerlybackedoffthestage.

“ThenewshowincludesthedefeatoftheKingdomKeepers.”ShemotionedtowardFinnand,asshedid,afenceofbrightlaserlikebeamssurroundedhim.

Finnheard,“TheKingdomKeepers!Ofcourse!IknewI’dseenthatkidsomewhere!”andothersuchremarkstricklethroughthewings.

Finncouldn’tallowMaleficenttoholdhim—itwouldallbeoverquicklyifshecontainedhim.Hedrewinacalmingbreath.Theswordfellfromhishandasheachievedall-clear,andhesteppedthroughthebeamswithoutharm.

Shesnarled,hereyesrollingbackinherhead.Finnglancedbackatthesword—itwastrappedinsidethelasers,outofhis

reach.HewonderedhowmuchofthisPhilbywasawareof.Thingsweren’texactlygoingaccordingtoplan.

“Tricky,tricky,”Maleficentsaid.“That’sanewone.”Finnhadtomoveher,hadtoshifthertoherleft,hisright—andhehadto

dosoquickly.Anysecond—Maleficentraisedherarm.BOOM!Ablindingflashofwhitelightprecededadazzlingwashoffogand

smokethatrosehighintotheskyrevealing…Chernabog.Itwasherspell,hershownow—nolongerFantasmic!,allMaleficent’sdoing.Finnhadtochangethatsomehow—totakeitawayfromher.

Thecreaturewasonlyvisibleforamatterofasecondortwo.Hadanyoneelseevenseenhim?ButhisimagelingeredinFinn’sthought:ahorrificgiantofabeast.Inhisplaceappearedafour-storydragon.ItlookedlikethedragonpuppetthatFinnhadseenbeforeintheshow—onlyitwasreal.

Charlenewassupposedtokeepthedragonupthereontheplatform.TheonethingtheycouldillaffordwasforthedragontoleapdownontothemainstageandcomeafterFinn.Hecouldn’tfightbothMaleficentandthedragonatthesametime.

Maleficentgrinnedandthrewanotherfireballathim.Finnstoodstill.Itpassedrightthroughhimandlandedinthewater.

“Oldgreenfairiesarenolongerneededhere,”hesaid,continuingtomovetohisright.“DidImention—ugly,oldgreenfairies?”

Sheboiled,butbeganmovinginconcertwithhimnow.“Littlechildrenshouldknowtheirplace.Andyouknowwhattheysayaboutchildrenplayingwithfire?”

Sheraisedherarmtosignalthedragon.Itallseemedwrong.Finnhadnotyetreachedthemarkonstageindicating

thetrapdoorhewastofallthrough.Thedragoncraneditshugeheadtowardhim,itsredeyes—eyeballsthesizeofcars—blinkingathim,whileacleargoorandownfromthem.Itopeneditsjaws.Itmoveditsfeet.

Charlenewasnotinplace!Worse,Philbyhadnotopenedthetrapdoor.FinnrushedMaleficentandtookholdofherarmandpreventedherfrom

loweringit,stoppedherfromsignalingthedragontoreleasehisflame.Herarmwasice-cold.Hishandstucktohergreenskin,likeatongue

stickingtoadrypieceofice.FinnnowsawsomethingextraordinaryinMaleficent’seyes:uncertainty.

Confusion.Shehadriddenthatplatformtothestageexpectingtoperformthesamesceneshe’dbeenperformingforsometimenow.Finn’sarrivalandPhilby’smanipulationofthestageeffectshadthrowntheshowoff-script;sheclearlywasn’tsurewhattodonext.Shehadtriedhurlingherfireballstonoeffect;herlasercagehadfailedtocontainhim.

Orwasitfearhesawinhereyes?Fearthathemightdotohernowwhathe’ddoneoncebefore:chokedhertonear-unconsciousness,renderingherpowersuseless.Didhepossessthatabilitystill?

Butno.Thearmheheldbegansproutingfeathers,theskinturningpricklyandleathery.Herfaceelongatedandchangedfromgreentobrown.Herpointynosestretchedandhardenedintoabeak.Aflapofskinstretchedfromunderherjawandturnedabrilliantred.

Finnheardthecursingofmenhorrifiedbywhattheysaw.Heheardloudfootfallsasthestagehandsfledfortheemergencyexits.

Shewastransfiguringintoahideousvulture.Finndroveintoherandknockedherbackward,sendinghersprawlingoverthefallencauldron.Herrightwinghitthespilledgreengooandthefeathersstarteddissolving.Butataloncameupbetweenthemandfoundhischestandpushedhimback,throwingFinnacrossthestage.

Thevulturerosetoitsfeet,itswingsextended.Itwasafoul-lookingthing,withabaldhead,ahookedbeak,andsaggingeyes.Finnbackedup,lookingfortheopentrapdoorinthefloor.

Heglanceduphigherwithoutreallymeaningto:thedragonwaspracticallyfallingoffitsperch,itsneckextended,itsmouthcomingopen.

Finnwasgoingtogetflamed.“Philby!”heshouted.Heneededthattrapdoortoopenrightnow.

***

Philby’sheadfeltasifsomeonehadhookedupanairhosetohisearandpumpedhisheadfulltoexploding.Thestinginginhiselbowcontinued.Hecouldn’tmakesenseofwhatwashappeningtohim.Theonlyothertimehe’dfeltlikethishe’dbeen…atthehospital.He’dcomedownwithaterriblefeverandhismotherhadtakenhimtotheemergencyroomandthey’dputa…needleinhisarm…andithadfelt…exactlylikethis.

TheJell-Obrainwasanewsensationentirely,butevenwithhisthoughtsclouded,PhilbycouldimaginehisparentsfindinghimintheSyndromeandoverreacting.Hismotherhadoverreactingdowntoanartform.

Doctors!TheyweremessingwithhimandhisDHIwasexperiencingwhathisnormalselfwasexperiencingthesamewayhisnormalselfsufferedwhathappenedtohisDHI.

Hebreatheddeeperandfaster.Theyweremedicatinghim.Hehadtofightitandgetpastit.

Fire.Hehadtodosomethingrelatedtofire.Forthefirsttimeinseveralminutes

Philbylookedoutthroughthecontrolbooth’smainwindow.Therewasahuge,butt-uglybirdonstageflappingitswingsat—Finn!PerchedaboveFinnwasa—dragon.Nowthingsbegantomakealittlemoresense.Dragon,fire,Finn.Thishad

somethingtodowithhimandthemouseinhisrighthand.HadFinncalledouthisname?Hadheheardthatfaintlythroughthe

speakermarkedSTAGESOUNDLIVE?Asuddenpoundingonthecontrolboothdoormadehimjumpinthechair.

Heheardaman’svoice.“Issomeoneinthere?Openup!”Philbykeptsilentbutwonderedhowlongitwouldbeuntilthatmangot

inside.

Thatjoltofpanicbrieflyclearedhisthought.Philbyfeltmuchmorelikehimselfallofasudden.

Hespottedasmallvideocameraintheupperleftcornerofthewindow.Itwasfocuseddowntowardtheshow.Hefolloweditswireswithhiseyes,backbehindtheconsoletohisleft,pastseveralwirelessreceiversandsteelboxes.Hereachedbehindtomakesurehehadtracedthecorrectwires.TheyledtoasilverPanasonicdigitalvideorecorder;itslightswereon,includinganilluminatedredRECORDbutton.PluggedintothefrontofthemachinewasasilverthumbdrivebearingMickeyears,alsowitharedlightflashing.Totheleftwasaboxcontainingapileofsimilarthumbdrives.Itonlymadesensetheywouldrecordtheshowsandusetherecordingstotroubleshootorimprovethings.

Theflashingredlightstriggeredsomethinginsidehim.Finn:trapdoor.Dragon:nofire.Hecheckedtheflat-paneldisplay.Yes!Therewereseverallineslabeled

TRAP,andaseparatemonitortohisleftdisplayedastagefloorplanwithTRAP-1,TRAP-2,TRAP-3,allthewaythroughTRAP-7.

Philbywiggledthemouse,drawingthecursoracrossthescreen,andwenttowork.

***

Charlenehadtomovebecausetheguysbeneathherwerenevergoingto.Atthispoint,whatdiditmatteriftheysawher?Thedragonwasaliveupthere.Hewashuge,andshehadtostophim.

Assheclimbed,thechainaroundhershouldersrattledagainthesteelladder.

“Hey!You!”cameanangryvoicefrombelow.“Youcan’tgoupthere!Getdownhere!”ShethoughtsheheardSecuritymentioned.Nomatterwhat,shewouldn’t

havemuchtime.Asshearrivedtothetopoftheladder,Charlene’sheadswooned.The

mountainpeakroseatleastfortyfeetabovethestageandmuchhigherthanthatoffthegroundtothebackofthestructure—itlookedlikeeightyorahundredfeet.Shefeltdizzyandalittlesicktoherstomach.Ittookheranextrasecondortwotorealizethatthegreenish-browntreetrunkinfrontofherwasthedragon’srightleg.Thesizeofitshockedher.She’dknownhertaskwastolockdownthe

dragon,butshe’dneverexpectedthis.Atthatmoment,thebeastwashunchedsofarforward,hisneckcraneddowntowardthestage,thatheseemedpoisedtojump.Herjobwastopreventthisfromhappeningandherfirstreactionwasthatshe’dfailed.She’dletFinnandtheteamdown.

Butthedragondidn’tjump.HejuststayedthereleeringtowardFinnasif….

He’sgoingtospitfire!shethought.Charlene’sconsciousthoughtwasreplacedbyinstinctandaction.Itwasn’t

sodifferentfromasoccergameorgymnastics:youstoppedthinkingandletyourbodytakeover.Sheduckedherheadandcaughtoneendofthechainasitfelloff,springingupandoverthedisgusting,scalyskinofthedragon’srightfoot,grabbingholdofaspineofleatheryskin—ifyoucouldcallitskin—acrossthebridgeofhisfour-toedfoot,allthewhiledraggingthechainwithher.Shecouldn’tallowthebeasttosliphisfootout,soasshelandedbackontheupperplatformsheclimbedthefootagaintoputafullturnaroundthedragon’sankle,butbynowhe’dfelther,bynowhisattentionhadbeendistractedfromthestage,andonegooeyeyeballslidtothesideofitssocketandcaughtthegnat-sizegirldoingsomethingdownthereonhisfootand…kickedheroff.

Charleneflewfromthedragon’sfootlikeabugbeingbrushedoffachild’sarm.Butsheheldontothechain,sothatinsteadofbeingflungtoherdeath,sheendedupbeingswungoutandaroundandcomingbackdowntothefloorwithathud,butwiththechainnowloopedaroundthedragon’sankleexactlyasshe’dwantedit.Bruisedandaching,sheforcedherselfuponherhandsandkneesandcrawledtowardthefreeendofthechain,whereitwashangingovertherungofthenearbysafetyladder.

Thedragonbrieflylosthisbalanceinhisattempttolosethebug.Hesteppedbacktorecover,drivinghisheeldown.

Charlenesawitcomingandrolled,lettinggoofthechain.Theheelcamedownwithastomp.Rightontopofthechain.

Charlenestoodandpulledwitheverythingshehad,butthechainwouldnotbudge.

Thedragon—irritatedandbothered—rearedbackhishead,readytothrowatongueofflameathistarget.

Shecaughtsomethingoutofthecornerofhereye:asmallpileofprops,includingsomebowsandarrowsandfourorfivespears.Theylookedlikethey’dbeenthereforever.Butshetookholdofoneofthespears,testeditsstrength,andthoughtbacktotheonetimehertrackcoachhadlethertrytothrowthejavelin.

Shelookedupatthedragon,rememberingherLanguageArtsblockonGreekmythology.

Achilles.Hismother,Thetis,haddippedhimintheriverStyxtomakehimimmortal.

Butsinceshehadheldhimbyoneheeltodunkhim,thisonepartofhisbodyhadremaineddry,andwastheonlypartofhimvulnerabletoanyweapon.

Achilles’heel.Sherantothesideofthebeast’sankle,searchingfortheindentationatthe

backoftheankle—thesoft,fleshypartbetweenankleandtendon.Sherearedbackthespear,theninaninstantcoileddown,usingevery

muscleinherabdomenandbacktowhipherbodyforward,herarmhesitatingandwaitingfortheslingeffectthatwoulddrawfirsthershoulder,thenherelbow,wrist,andhandahead,up,andoverherhead,sothatthespearseemednowtobepartofherbody.

Sheletgo.

***

Finnfroze,lockedinfearasthevulturemovedtowardhim,pushinghimfartherbackandawayfromanyoftheglow-tapeXsthatmarkedthevarioustrapdoorsonthestagefloor.Ifhecouldn’tgethimselfatoponeofthoseXs,hewasgoingtofry.Getbarbecued.Roasted.Killed.Thedragonhadbeenabouttoflame-throwwhenhe’dsuddenlylookedawayandstumbled.Charlene,Finnthought.Atlast!ButnothingwasgoingtostopMaleficent.Thevulturethrewherneckforward,tryingtopeckFinn’sheadoffhisshoulders.Helookedoverattheswordinsidetheglowingcageoflaserlight.

Ifonly….“Youandme,”Finnsaid,lookingdirectlyintothehideous,droolingeyes.

Thevultureadvancedanotherstep,herpinktongueappearingasitsbeakopened.

“It’sover.”Heheardthevoicebutdidn’tquitebelieveit.Atrickofhismind,perhaps.

Wishfulthinking.Fortherewasnoquestioningwhosevoiceitwas:Wayne’s.Helookedtohisright.Highabovehimonanoutcroppingofrockstoodthe

oldgeezerwithhiskhakipants,hiswhitehair,andhisEpcotwindbreaker.ExactlyasJesshadenvisionedhim.

“We’velost.It’sover.Surrenderistheonlyoption.”“No!”Finnshouted.“They’lltrapusintheSyndrome.We’llbethere

forever.”“Listentohim!”thevulturecroakedoutinagratingvoicemuchlike

Maleficent’s.“He’stryingtohelpyou!”“No!”Finnsaid,takinganotherdangerousstepevenfartherfromtheseries

oftrapdoors.“It’sover,”Waynesaid,turningandlookingdownathim.“Save

yourself….”“Finn!”Finnreeledintheoppositedirectiontowardthevoice.Hervoice.Amandaappearedattheedgeofthestage.Amanda,whohaddesertedhim.

Wasshebehindthis?Hadheallowedhimselftobefooledallalong?Wasshegoingtotrytotell

himtolistentoWayneandgiveup?“Don’tyoudaresurrender!”shecalledout.Sheliftedherhandspalmsout

andpreparedtolevitate,ashe’dseenherdotoGregLuowski.Thewide-eyedvulturepivotedinAmanda’sdirection.Amandahadnearly

killedMaleficentattheirlastmeeting;thevultureraisedherwingsasifdefyingAmandatolevitateheroffthestage.Finnunderstoodherchoiceoftransfigurationthen—abirdhadnothingtofearfrombeinglifted.

ButasAmandamadeawavingmotionwithherhands,itwasn’tthevulturethatfeltthepulseofenergy.

Itwasthesword.Itslidbeneaththelaserfence,castingsparksasitpassedthroughtosafety,andfloatedacrossthestagetoarriveatFinn’sfeet,justasthevulturespunandlungeditsbeakforFinn’shead.

Heclenchedhishandsaroundthesword’sgripandhoistedtheblade,puttingitbetweenhimandthevulture’shead,piercingthefeathersandtheleatherynecksothatthevultureshriekedandcriedoutasthickgreenbloodflowedfromherneck.

Asthebladewithdrewthevultureshrankandcontracted,reformingintothegreen-facedfairyFinnfearedmorethananythingonearth.Maleficentwasbleedinggreenfromherneck.Shestaggered,herbloodshoteyesrollingbackwhiteintheirsockets.Shetriedtospeakbutgurgledandspatandstumbled.

“Killhim!”shehollered,graspingherwoundwithbothbonyhands.

Thedragonroared,throwinghimselfforward.Justastheflamereleasedfromhisgapingmouth,hetooscreamedpainfullyandlurchedtotheside,yankinghislegintotheairandrevealingsomekindofstickstuckthroughhisheel.Hefelltothatside,awkwardlyoff-balance.Hisneckbentandtwisted,andtheflameshothigh,missingFinnentirely.

Allseventrapdoorsopenedatonce.ItwasnotFinnwhofellthroughtosafety.ItwasMaleficent.Shevanished.Finnfellbacktothestage,recoilingfromthedragon’sfireonlytosee

Wayneengulfedbythecoilofblue-and-orangeflame.Ithithimlikeablastfromaflamethrower—anarrowtorrentofroaringfirelikeastreamofwatershotfromahose.

AndWaynewasgone.Thedragonteeteredand,unabletosetdownhiswoundedfoot,hoppedonce

toholdhimselfupright,andthenwentoverbackward,offthemountaintop.Alengthofthickchainflailedlikeawhipbehindhim.

Finnheardatremendouscrashofboneandtreesandjungle.AndtherewasCharlene,risingfrombehindwherethebeasthadstood,andpracticallythrowingherselfovertherailtotrackhisfall.

Amandaranacrossthestage,leapingovertwoopentrapdoors,andslidtoFinn’sside.

“Areyouallright?”shecried,throwingherarmsaroundhim.Finndroppedtheswordandhuggedherback.“Yousavedmylife,”hesaid.“Yousavedusall,”shewhisperedbacktohim.

46

AFTERTHEIRRENDEZVOUSattheStudios’SoundstageB,andalotofexciteddiscussionofwhathadjusthappened,adistraughtWandalistenedasFinnventedhisfrustrationoverlosingthefobandheldupherfather’sclutteredkeychain.

“Usetheseifyoulike,”shesaid,wipingawayhertears.“I’msurethatoneofthemopensthegiftshopatEpcot.Andprobablyanother,theLostandFound.”

“Ithinkhewantedtosaveus,”Finnsaid.“Hemeanttohelpus.Hewasagoodman—”

“Agreatman,”addedPhilby.“Thebest,”saidWilla.Wandanoddedsolemnly.“Iknowhewouldn’twantmecryingoverhim,”

shesaid.“ButI’mgoingtomisshimsomuch.Ifit’sallrightwithyou,I’lldropyouallatEpcot,butthenIneedtogohome.Ineedtobealone.”

CharleneandAmandaembracedher,andthenWillajoinedthemandtheboys,andforamomenttherewasaknotineveryone’sthroatandatearoneveryone’scheek,withWandainthemiddlesobbingandmoaningandFinnthinkinghisheartmightbreakforgood.Hesawinhismind’seyeflashesofWaynesittingonabench,climbingEscher’sKeep,drivingagolfcartthroughanemptyMagicKingdom,ofhisfaceflickeringonFinn’scomputerscreen.Ofthesparkleintheoldguy’seyesandthecalminhisvoiceashefaceddangerafterdanger.Memoriesthatwouldnotsoonfade.

“Hetaughtus—”Finnsaidintothegroup.“Helovedtheseparks,”saidPhilby.“We’reallgoingtomisshim,”saidMaybeck.

“—aboutourselvesasmuchasabouttheparks,”Finnadded.“I’madifferentpersonbecauseofhim.”

“Weallare,”saidJess.Finndidn’tknowhowlongtheystayedlikethat,lockedinagrouphug,

reflectingoneverythingWaynehaddone,butitwasnotashortamountoftime.Maybecktoldastory.PhilbyrecalledhisandWayne’svoyageasavatarsintotheheartoftheImagineeringcomputersystem.JessallowedhowWaynehadsavedherfromcaptivity.Eventuallytheybrokeitup.TheypackedthemselvesintoWanda’scar,sittingonlapsandjammedintoeveryfreeinchofspace,andshedrovethembacktoEpcot.

Wandaapologizedasifsheowedthemsomethingmore,andthendroveoffdownanemptyaccessroadasthesunroseabovethegreentreetops.TheysneakedbackontothepropertyjustasthefirstCastMemberswerearrivingtoopentheattractions.FinngotinsidethegiftshopcourtesyofWayne’skeys,andopenedtheLostandFoundwithanother.

There,ontheshelf,wasthefob.Andnexttoit,ayellowedandfadedDisneysweatshirtthatFinnrecognizedatonceasbelongingtoWayne.ItwassomethingWandawouldwantasakeepsake.IthadprobablybeenleftbehindwhenWaynehadbeenheldcaptiveinWonders.FinncarrieditwithhimandtookhistimereturningcarefullytotheNemolounge.

Hewalkedindisplayingthefob.“Ta-da!”hetrumpeted.“Wecanreturnnow.”

“Nowecan’t!”Philbyfacedaflat-screenmonitorinthefarcornerofthelounge.

Maybeckgroaned.“He’sbeenreplayingtheshow,”hewhisperedtoFinn.“Hetookthisthumbdrivefromthecontrolbooth.Relivingitall.Truthis,he’snotdoingsogood.Hethinksmaybedocsaremessingwithhisrealself.Likemaybethey’remedicatinghim.AndI’vegottosay:he’sactinglikeit.”

“Wecan’tgo,”Philbysaid.WillasaidtoFinn,“CanIseethat?”Finnpassedherthesweatshirt.Shepulledintheothergirls.“Whatdoes

thatsmellliketoyou?”Thegirlsallsniffedatit.Finnleftthem,crossingtoPhilby.

“We’vegottoreturn,Philby.I’vegotthefob.”“‘Bewareyourfriendsandknowyourenemies,’”Philbysaid,quoting

Wayne.

“We’realltired.It’sbeenalongnight,”Finnsaid.“Waynewasthetraitor,”Philbysaid.Hesilencedtheroom.Butitwentbeyondthat.Anunspokenangerfilled

theairwithtension.“Hewaswarningusabouthimself,notoneofus,”Philbysaid.“Sincewhen

wouldWayneever—andImean:ever—tellustosurrender?”“Iwasoutgunned,”Finnsaid.“IfAmandahadn’t—”“I’mnottalkingaboutyou.Orme.Oranyofus.I’mtalkingaboutWayne,”

Philbysaid.“WhywouldWayneevertellustosurrender?Answer:hewouldn’t.”ProfessorPhilbyhadreturned.“Thatwastotallynothim.Noway.Notever.”

“Weallsawhim,dude,”Maybecksaid.“AndwesawMaleficentvanishthroughatrapdoorandthedragonfallfrom

thetopofthestage.”“Isawthedragongettingtiedup,”Charlenesaid.“Hewashurt,buthe

wasn’tdead.AndMaleficenttransformedbackintothatvulturethingandwasbeingrushedtotheveterinarianclinicatAK.That’swhatallthesirenswereabout.”

“Shouldhaveletherdie,ifyouaskme,”Maybecksaid.“Forgetaboutthemforaminute,”Philbysaid.“BeingaDHIhastaughtus

allthatwecan’talwaystrustwhatwesee.Right?Imean…lookatus!Arewereal?”

“Youneedsomesleep,man,”Maybecksaid.“Wealldo.We’vegottohitthebuttonandreturn.Asin:now.”

“Shadows,”Philbysaid.“You’retripping,dude,”Maybecksaid.Philbyworkedakeyboardthatslidoutfromacabinetbeneaththeflat

screen.Thethumbdrive’sredlightblinkedfromthecomputerboxbehindthekeyboard.

“Checkitout,”hesaid.Hebackedupthevideofootageofthebattleonstage.“Willa!”hesaid.“There’sakitchenbackthere.Findmeamatchplease.”

“Dude!”Maybecksaid.“Youarewayover-baked.”“Wehearhimout,”Willasaid.“WhenisPhilbyeverwrong?”“Whenhisrealselfisbeingmedicatedbydoctors,”Maybeckanswered.“Lethimtalk.”Willaheadedofftowardtheloungekitcheninsearchofa

match.“Whatdoyounoticeaboutthevulture?”Philbyasked.“Ugly?”Charlenesaid.“Big?”Maybecksaid.“Scary,”saidFinn.Philbypointedtothescreen.“Shadows.Allthestagelightsmakethething

castaboutadozenshadowsgoingoutfromherfeetlikeastar.”“Okay….”saidAmanda,steppingcloser.“AndFinn?”“Basicallythesamething,”saidJess.“Lotsofshadows.”“Andthedragon,”volunteeredCharlene.“Notasmany,butthatone

shadowisreallydark.”“He’sclosertothosetoplights,”Philbysaid.“Differentpattern,butstrong

shadowsnonetheless.”“Andthisinterestsusbecause?”saidMaybecksarcastically.Willaarrivedwithabookofmatches.“Ifoundthese,”shesaid.“Excellent!”saidPhilby.“Putyourfingerhere,please.”Willahesitated.“You’renotgoingtoburnme,areyou?”“Alittletrustplease?”Philbysaid.“Standyourindexfingeronend.”Willastoodherfingeralongsidethekeyboard.PhilbystruckandlitamatchandmoveditclosertoWilla’sholographic

finger.“Don’tmove,”hesaid.“Pleasedon’tburnme,”shesaid.“Whatdoyousee?”PhilbyaskedFinn.“Anervousfinger.”“Behindthefinger,”Philbysaid.“Ashadow,”Amandaanswered.“Goldstar,”saidPhilby,raisingtheburningmatchtohislipsandblowingit

out.“Irepeat,”Maybecksaid.“Thisinterestsus—”“Becauseofthis,”Philbysaid.Heplayedthevideoforward.Therewasnosound.Thedragonrearedback,

openedhismouth,andthenfellasCharlenespearedhisheel.Thecolumnoffire

eruptedfromhisopenmouthandWaynewasincinerated.EveryoneofthekidslookedawayfromthescreenjustbeforeWayne

burned.“Icannotlookatthat!”Finnsaid.“Donotaskmetolookatthat.”“Andmaybethatwasthepoint,”Philbysaid.“Thatnoneofuswouldhave

thestomachtostudyit.Butyou’vegottolookatit.”Allofthemtookdeepbreathsatnearlythesameinstant.Philbyplayedit

again.“Noway….”mutteredWilla.“What?”saidMaybeck.“IthinkI’mgoingtobesick.”“Ican’tdothis,”saidJess.“Onemoretime,”saidPhilby.“Please.Justlook.NotatWayne,butbehind

him.”Heranthesegmentonemoretime.“Idon’tbelieveit,”whisperedFinn.“Howisthatpossible?”saidCharlene.Maybeckspoke.“It’snotpossible.It’ssomekindoftrickoflight.Abad

anglebythecamera.”“Lighting’sfine,”saidPhilby.“Angleisfine.Butitisatrickoflight.

You’rerightaboutthat.”“Butthere’snoshadow,”saidWilla.“Allthatflame—allthatlight—”“Finn,”Philbysaid.“Iwantyoutogoall-clear.AndIwantyoutoputyour

fingerdownhere,rightwhereWilladid.”Finnconsideredarguing,buthewastootiredtodoit.Instead,heclosedhis

eyesandsummonedthedarktunnelandthepinprickoflight.Heheardthesoundofamatchbeingstruckandseveralofhisfriendsgasping.Helookeddown.

Hisfingercastnoshadow.“Itwasn’tWayne,”Philbysaid.“ItwasaDHIofWayne.”“‘Adeceptionoftheworstkind,’”Jesssaid,quotingWayne’sMission:

Spacevideomessage.“TheytriedtouseaDHIofWaynetotrickyouintosurrendering,”Philby

said.“WayneknewtheymodeledhimforaDHI.Hetriedtowarnusnottobelievehim.NottobelievetheWaynewesaw.”

“He’sstillalive!”Finnsaid,andacheerwentupamongthem.

47

“IT’STHESAMESMELLasthematch,”Willasaid,placingherfaceintoWayne’ssweatshirtagain.“It’ssulphurorsomething.”

“Letmetry,”Philbysaid,sittinginfrontofthekeyboard.Heplacedthesweatshirtinbothhandsandsankhisfaceintoit.Hedrankinahugesnort.

“Cordite,”hesaid,pullinghisfaceout.“Blackpowder.Fireworks.”“Fireworks,”Finnechoed.“IllumiNations,”Willasaid.Theyallfacedher.“WhenIfellontothatbargefromthebridge,itwentallthewayacrossthe

lake,underthedrawbridgebyChinaandaroundbackstagetowheretheystorethatstuffuntilthenextshow,Iguess.Thereareabunchofthebargesbackthere.Guardsandallsortsofsecurity.TheywerecomplainingabouttheEarthGlobe.Itwasmalfunctioning—‘flashing’—theysaid.”

“Wayne,”Philbysaid.“Wedon’tknowthat!”Maybeckobjected.“Flashing?Areyoukiddingme?”Philbysaid.“FlashingasinMorsecode?FlashingasinSOSor‘somebodysaveme’?

Flashingasin:somebodycometrytofixthisthingandfindmehiddenonthebargewheremysweatshirtgotallsmellyfromthefireworks?”

“Doyouthink?”Jesssaid.“No,”Philbysaid.“Iknow.”“Hewantedhissweatshirtfound,”Finnsaid.“Asaclue,”Willaadded.“Well,I’mtired,”Maybecksaid.“Ifwe’regoingtodothis,let’sdoit

beforewe’realldiscoveredintheSyndromeandputthroughwhatPhilby’sgoingthrough.”

“ButifWilla’sright,”Finnsaid,“thenthereareguards.ThatworksfortheOvertakers—noone’sgettingintherewhodoesn’tbelong.Butit’snotsogoodforus.”

“Oneifbyland,twoifbysea,”Philbysaid.Maybeckgroaned.“We’vegottogethimcrossedbackoverbeforehehurts

himself.”Philbysaid,“They’reguardingthedocks.Theexplosives.ButWilla,you

gotoutofthere.”“Iswam,”shesaid.“Sheswam,”Philbysaid.“Twoifbysea.”“Sheswam,”Finnsaid.

***

ThesunhadjustclearedthehorizonasFinn,Amanda,andCharlene—thethreebestswimmersofthegroup—loweredthemselvesintothechillywaternorthofChina.

Theystayedneartheedgeofthecanalandswamslowlyandsilentlythroughthedarkwateruntilfacingaviewofthedockareawhereallthebargesweretied.Nearthebackofthegroup,ontheright,loomedtheEarthGlobe.

Thedockappearedempty.Finnassumeditwasatrick.Hemotionedforthemtostopswimmingandthethreegrabbedholdofrocksonthewallofthecanalandwaited.

Andwaited.Charlenebeganshakingfromthecoldwater.Herlipswereblue.“Areyougoingtomakeit?”Finnwhispered.“Ihopetheyhurry,”sheanswered.Asifoncue,thedarkshapeofaguardappearedontothedock.He’dcome

fromtheEarthGlobe,somethingthatFinntookasagoodsign.“Now?”Amandaasked.“Alittlemore,”heanswered.“Whogoesthere?”shoutedtheguard.HiscallingoutpromptedthedoorofaQuonsethuttoopen.Peteappeared

—thepyrotechnicschiefFinnhadfirstseenwhenhewassmugglinghimselfintoEpcot.Peteappearedtospeaktotheguard,whothenpointedofftowardagroupingofseveralstoragecontainers.

Petemotionedtheguardforwardandheheadedslowlyinthedirectionofthecontainers.

“Okay,”Finnsaid.“Herewego.”ThecommotionbehindthecontainerswasMaybeck.WillaappearedonaSegwayfromtheguard’sleft.Shecameathimfast,

andturnedatthelastmoment,keepingoutofreach.Theguardshoutedatheraswell.

Finn,Amanda,andCharleneswamthesidestroke,thequietestofallthestrokes,drawingclosertotheflotillaofpyrotechnicsbarges.MaybeckandWillatookoff,theguardchasingafterthem.

AsthethreereachedthewatersideoftheEarthGlobebarge,theQuonsethutdooropenedandthreemoreguardsappeared.Petedirectedonetopursuethekids.Thetwoothersseparatedandbeganathoroughsearchofthearea.

Finnpulledhimselfupthesideofthebargeslowly,makingaslittlenoiseaspossible.Helayflatonhisstomach.Amandaarrivednext,andCharlenelast.

Atthebaseofthehugeglobe,whichglowedinacolormapoftheworldatnight,wasametalboxaboutthesizeofadeskstandingonitsside.

Aboutthesizeofaperson,Finnthought.Therewerecablesrunningintothebox.Itlookedtobesomekindofcontrolroom,encasedandenclosedtokeepwhoeverwasintheresafewhilefireworksraineddownallaroundit.

Therewasacarabinerholdingaclaspshutonthefrontofthebox—adoor.Finncrawledtowardthebox.Avanpulledupandoffthepavement,skiddingtoastop.Itthrewupa

plumeofdust.Finncreptonekneeclosertothebox,buthestilllayagoodtenfeetaway.Heheardhismother’svoice.Foramomenthedidn’tbelieveit.Hehadtobefeelingtheeffectsoftheall-

nighter.Itcouldn’tactuallybehismother.Butshespokeagain.“Iwanttotalktowhoeverisincharge,”shesaid.Thatwashismother.Nodoubtaboutit.Petehurriedoverinthatdirection.Finnpeeredthroughthebottomofthe

globe.Hisfather.Hismother.Andtwootheradults.

“Wehavebeensearchingthisparkforoveranhour,”hismothercomplained.“Andthen,justnow…wesawtwo—”

“Kids,”Finn’sfathersaid.“Yes,”hismothersaid.“Runningfromthisdirection.Ifyouhaveharmed

thesechildreninanyway…!”“Harmed?”Peteanswered.“Whatchildren?Wesawsomevandals,some

trespassersjustnow,andIsentacoupleofguardsafterthem.Ifthoseareyourkids,they’reinbigtrouble,lady.”

“Donot‘lady’me,mister.”OneoftheremainingguardsmovedclosertotheEarthGlobebarge.Hedid

soslowlysoasnottoarousesuspicion.Buthewastooclosenow.TherewasnowayFinnwasgoingtogettheboxopenwiththatmanstandingthere.

Finnfeltatugonhiswetshirt.Helookedoverhisshoulder.CharlenewaspointingdowntothefarendofthebargewhereFinnfinallyspottedwhatshewastryingtogethimtosee:anoutboardenginestrappedtotheback.Unliketheotherbarges,theEarthGlobedidnotneedtobetowedintoplace.

Charlenepointedatherself,andthenattheengine.Finnunderstoodthemessage.Henodded.Charlenetookoff,slowlycrawlingonherbellydownthefarsideofthe

barge,keepingherselfflatandlow,herwet,blackclothingblendinginperfectlywiththebarge’sblackpaint.

Finn’seyesroamed,lookingfor…hespottedit:asinglethicklinetyingthebargetothedock.Buthowwasheevergoingtogettoit?

Amandatuggedonhimnext.Hemeteyeswithherandsheheldupbothhands.Thenshepointedtoherself.Thenthehandsagain,andsheslowlypushed.

Finnnodded:Brilliant!Onlythatoneroperemained.Therearesomethingsinthisworldthatwillneverbefullyexplained.Even

theexistenceofFairliesdidnotexplainthemall:howafriendcanthinkofafriendandthephonewillsuddenlyringwiththatsamefriendontheotherend;howatwinwillknowtheexactmomentwhenhisorhertwinhasunexpectedlydied;howthesamesongwillcomeintotheheadsoftwopeopleattheexactsameinstant;howamothercanseeherchildnomatterhowwellthekidishiddeninacrowd.

Finn’smomspottedhim.Hesawthechangeinherface,andtherewasnodoubtinhismind.Next,shespottedCharlenecrawlingtowardtheback.Shewentrigid.ShewasturningtowardFinn’sdadasFinnshookhisheadno,onceandquiteviolently.Shestopped.

Herfathersaidsomethingtoher.Sheshookherhead,hereyesneverleavingFinn.TheyfilledwithtearsandshewipedthemawayandmadeexcusestoPeteabouthowupsetshewas.Shehadnoideawhattodo.Shestoodtherelikeastonestatue.

Finnknewitwasnowornever,butnomatterhowheplannedtogettothelineandreleasethebarge,heknewtheguardwouldstophim.Hemightavoidcapturebygoingall-clear,butthatwouldalsopreventhimfromtakingholdoftherope.Andifhetriedtogetthedooropentothebox,he’dnevermakeit.Theguardwouldpounceonhimandheandthegirlswouldbehauledoff.TheyhadnorighttobeonthebargeortheDisneyproperty.BythetimeanyonegotalookinthatboxWaynewouldhavebeenmovedandwouldbelonggone.

Maintainingeyecontactwithhismom,Finnpointedatthelineholdingthebargetoshoreandwatchedashereyesfoundit.

Shelookedbackatherson,thenonceagaintotheline.Finnusedhishandstomimeuntyingandhepulledhisarmsaparttoindicateseparation.

Ifhismotherturnedhiminnow,allwaslost.HewasputtingWayne’sfateinherhands.Alltheirfates.

Hewaited.Andwaited.“Oh,dear,”hismothersaid.Herkneeswentoutandshefellforward.She’d

obviouslycavedunderthepressure.Finn’splanhadfailed.Petecaughther.ThenFinn’sdadtookherunderherarmandtriedtostand

herup.Butsheusedbeingoff-balancetopropelherselftowardthebarge.“IfIcanonlysitdownforamoment,”shesaid.Shepracticallydragged

Finn’sdadtothesideoftheEarthGlobebarge,andshesatdownontheedgeofthebargenexttoanoldtireusedasabumper.Rightnexttothelinethattiedittoshore.

Hismom.Theperformanceofalifetime.PeteandtheotherparentswerestilltalkingwhenPhilbyshowedup

betweenthecontainers.“Mom?Dad?”Philby’sparents—fortheyturnedouttobetheothertwoadults—criedout

insurprise.

Everyone’sattentionfocusedonPhilbyashesteppedout.“I’msorry.That’sallIcansay:I’msorry.”

Finn’smomslippedthelineoffthecleatthatboundthebargetothedock.Shestoodupandsteppedawayfromthebarge.

Amandalockedherlegsunderacrossbeamthatsecuredtheglobe,rosetoherknees,drewbackherhands,andpushedthemforward.

Theguardfellover.Mr.andMrs.Whitmanfellover.Andthebargejumpedawayfromthedock.

Charlenepulledthestartcordandtheenginekickedtolife.Theguardscrambledtohisfeet,turned,andranforthebarge.Hejumped,

butsplashedintothemurkywater,missingthebarge.Charlenemotoredthemawayfromthedock.Finnhurriedforward,figuredoutthecarabiner,andremoveditfromthe

clasp.Heswungopenthedoor,felltohisknees,andfelttearsrunningfromhiseyes.

Wayne,hisfeetpressedupintohischest,hiswhitehairlikeabeaconoflight,wascrammedintothesmallbox.

Hewassmiling.“Whattookyousolong?”hesaid.

48

DAYSBLENDEDINTOWEEKS.Philbyusedhiscontrolofthesoftwaretokeepthemfromcrossingoverinpartbecausetheirparentsweremonitoringthemcloselyand“headswouldroll”iftheywentDHIagain.

Philby’sonlyconversationwithWaynehadbeenbrief,onthedayofhisrescue.Waynehadspokeninawhisper,notoutofweakness,butintheinterestofsecrecy.

“Thereismoregoingonthanmeetstheeye.It’smuchbiggerthanyouthink.”

“Theseatbelts?”“Asmallpartofit,yes.PresentyourevidencetotheImagineers.Theywill

believeyou.Theywilldothenecessarysafetychecksoftheseatbelts.It’snotanissueiftheyhaveMaleficent.AndI’massuming—”

“SheandChernabog…IheardtheyweretakentotheAnimalKingdom.Tothevetclinicforher,andtheelephantcagesforhim.”

“Thatmaybuyyouthetimeyouneed.”“Timetodowhat?”“Tofinishit.Theyaren’tdone.Therearemoreofthem—manymorethan

weknew.Andtheonlywaytostopthem…”Buttheparamedicsapproached.TheygrabbedWayne’sgurneyand

whiskedhimoffintotheambulance.ItwasthelastFinnhadseenofhim.Finnhadturnedinhiscellphoneandcomputeraspartofhispunishment,

acceptingthatitwouldbeamonthormorebeforehisparentsloosenedupandgavehimbacksomeofhisfreedoms.Butdespiteallthediscipline,heandhismomwouldcatcheyeseverysooften—atthedinnertable,acrossthekitchenwhenFinnwasdoinghishomework—andhewouldseehereyessmilebackat

him.Itwasmorethanhisbeingsafe.Itwasthatshe’dbeenpartoftheteam—insolvingthecryptogram,inuntyingthebarge.She’dbrieflyexperiencedthethrillhelivedwithnearlyeveryday.She’dtouchedit.Sheknewnow.Shewouldneverlookathimthesameagain.

Schoolwasschool:boring…exceptatlunch,whenacertainfriendwouldslideontothebenchnexttohimoffinthefarcorner,andsometimeshewouldfeelherhandglanceagainsthisorwouldcatchalookinhereye,orseeherfightingbackasmile.

“Idon’tknowwhathappenedoutsidethestage,”hefinallygatheredthecouragetosayoneday.“Butwhateveritwas,itwasn’tright.IlikeCharleneandeverything,butIdon’tknowwhyyousaidthethingsyousaid.”

“NeitherdoI.”“Andthat’sit?”Sheshrugged.“Idon’tknowhowtoexplainthis.”“Itwouldhelpbytryingtointhefirstplace.”“I’maFairlie,”shesaid.“Ithinkwe’veestablishedthat.”“Weallhavespecial…traits.Qualities.”“Powers,”hesaid.“Wedon’tthinkofthemthatway.Butokay.Whatever.Wehavethem.”“IwastalkingaboutCharlene,”hesaid.“Shutup,Finn.LetmetalkifI’mgoingtotalk.”Hefelthimselfblush.Thereweren’tmanypeoplewhocouldtellhimto

shutupwithoutgettinghimsteamed.ButwhenAmandasaidit,hewantedtolaugh.

“Myqualityis…whatI’mgoodat…whatI’mabletodoistopush.Tolevitate.Tomoveobjectsawayfromme.”Hedirectedtheintensityofhereyesontohis.“Tomovethingsawayfromme.”

Heswallowed.“Andiftheydon’twanttobemoved?”“IcanmovealmostanythingIwantto.Nomatterhowlarge.Imean,maybe

notabuilding,butImovedatruckonce.”“Justbecauseyou’regoodatsomething,”hesaid,“doesn’tmeanithasto

ownyou.Therearepeoplethatletthathappen,andtherearepeoplethatdon’t.It’sachoice,notaprisonsentence.”

“Thatmakesitsoundeasierthanitis.”

“Letmeputitthisway:youcanpushmeawayallyouwant,butI’mlikeahumanyo-yo.I’mgoingtocomerightbackatyou.”

“It’swhatIdo.Ipushedmyfamilyawaywithoutmeaningto—orIwouldn’tbewithoutthem.”

“Youdon’tknowthat.Youdon’tknowwhathappenedtothem.”“Icanimagine.”“Waynetaughtustoimaginethegood,Amanda.Itisanoption,youknow?

Seriously.”“ThethingwithCharlene.”“Youwerepushingme.Igetthat,”hesaid.“I’llneverletanyonegetclose.”“Youdon’tknowthat.Youcan’tsaythat.”Shesighed,deeplyfrustrated.Heplacedhishandontohersonthebench.Herswasicycold.His,

phenomenallywarmfromnerves.“Ahumanyo-yo,”herepeated.Hewonasmilefromher.“You’reKingdomKeepersnow.YouandJess.Youknowthat,right?”Shenodded.“Therearewayswedothings,”hesaid.“Asagroup.Foreachother.We

alwaysteamup.Nooneevergoesalone.”Shelookedtotallystressedout.“Nooneevergoesalone,”herepeated.“I’lltellyousomething:Idon’tlike

girls.ButIlikeyou.Idon’tcareaboutgirls,butIcareaboutyou,andWilla,andJess,andyeah,Charlene,too.Nothingbadisevergoingtohappentothem.Nevergoingtohappentoyou.That’sjustthewayitis.You’reapartofthatnow.Youcan’tgetoutofit.Wewon’tletyou.Nooneevergoesalone.”

“Yougoingtoeatthat?”sheasked,pointingtosomethingthathadpineappleinitsnamebutwasthetextureofakitchensponge.

“No,”hesaid.“Goforit.”Shereachedoverandsnaggeditandateitintwobites.“Youhaven’t

forgottenaboutJeanniePucket,right?”“Who’sJeanniePucket?”heasked.“Myroommate.Jess’sandmyroommate.Youpromisedyou’dmeether.”

“Oh,great…”“IwasthinkinganicecreamconeatTheFrozenMarble.”“Youmakeitsoundlikeadate.”“Itkindofis.”“Help!”“Icouldcomealong,”sheoffered.“It’ssoundingbetter,”hesaid.“Thanks,”shesaid,stillchewing.“Wellifitisn’tThinWit-less!”growledavoicefrombehindthem.Luowskinowhadastringofzitsfromhisnoseallthewayovertohisear.

MikeHortonstoodtothesideandslightlybehindhim.“Andtheevilwitch,”Luowskiadded.“Blownanyhousesoff-course

lately?”“Takeahike,Luowski,”Finnsaid.“Youandme,we’vegotunfinishedbusiness.”“Mike,”Finnsaid,“Ithoughtyouweregoingtogethimabetterwriter?”Hortontriedtokeepthegrinoffhisface.Luowskisaid,“Yourgirly-friendisn’talwaysgoingtobearound,Whitman.

Don’tyouthinkit’skindofspinelesstoneedagirltodoyourfightingforyouanyway?”

“Sticksandstones,Luowski.YouknowI’mnotgoingtofightyou.You’reacretin.Andifyoudon’tknowwhatthatmeans,lookitup.You’llbeenlightened.”

“I’mcomingforyou,Whitman.”“Mike,”Amandasaid,“domeafavorandgetGregoutofherebefore

there’strouble.”HortonledLuowskiaway.Luowskitriedtolooklikehewantedtohang

around,butFinnknewbetter.Amandahadhimandhalftheschoolscared.“Yourealizewe’reoutcasts?”Finnsaid.“Yes.I’vebeenonemywholelife.It’snotsobadreally.Yougetusedtoit.”“I’mworkingonit.”“Icanhelpyou,”shesaid.“I’dlikethat,Ithink.Butremember:Idon’tlikegirls.”

“Yes.Soyousaid.”“Justsowe’reclearonthat.”“Perfectly.”Shewiggledherhandunderhis.Andhesqueezedhersjusta

littlebittighter.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ThankstoNancyLitzingerZastrowforrunningmyoffice.ToAmyBerkower,DanConaway,and,especially,GenevieveGange-Hawes—allofWritersHouse,NewYork.AlsotoMatthewSnyder,ofCAA.

AtDisneyBookGroupIwanttothankWendyLefkon,JenniferLevine,NellieKurtzman,FrankieLobono,JessicaWard,andthewholepublishingteamforallthehelpontheseprojects.

TheKingdomKeepersbookswouldn’texistwithouttheon-siteresearch,andthistimearound(EpcotandDisney’sHollywoodStudios)theresearchwouldn’thavehappenedwithoutthededicationandtimefromallofthefollowing:AlexWright,JasonGrandtandDebraWren,PeteGlim,JeffTerry,BrianRipley,TomDevlin,RachelatSoarin’,andLorraineandPhilipattheEngineeringBase.

Thankstoeveryoneforkeepingthemagicalive.

—RidleyPearson2010

St.Louis