Trapped by S. A. Bodeen

Author:S. A. Bodeen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250086921
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

10

They were back in the clearing by the cabin. Marco shivered at the sight of it. The odd squirrel ran past the four of them, darting deeper into the trees. Then Leo on the porch called out, “Dinner!”

The bald man grinned, causing the gills on his face to flutter slightly. “Will I like it?”

The boy laughed. “It’s the same as the last meal and you liked that.”

Marco felt Leo shift uncomfortably beside him as the memory played out. The boy’s grandfather said, “Here, take this.” He held out the blurred object.

Leo held it firmly in his arms.

His grandfather said, “I want to pick a little fruit. Unless you already made dessert?”

Leo shrugged. “Dinner was hard enough.”

A sudden rustle in the brush on the other side of the clearing caused the old man to halt. The boy on the steps turned back.

A flash of black fur rushed past Marco.

Leo’s grandfather whirled about to face the trees, and then froze. The panther with the red tail screamed, then pounced on the old man and knocked him to the ground.

Marco cringed.

Leo’s hand tightened around his so hard it hurt.

The cat pinned Leo’s grandfather and bared her fangs. Then she lowered her head and began to—

“No!” Sarah cried.

Leo dropped their hands.

Marco was back in the bamboo, cross-legged, sweating. His hands shook at what he’d just seen. No wonder Leo had run from the cabin without stopping to take the perfume bottle. Or anything else.

Sarah covered her face and peeked out through her fingers.

Marco touched Leo’s knee. “We’ll do whatever we have to. But we’ll get you back to your family.”

“You mean what’s left of it,” said Leo quietly.

Marco didn’t want to say it, but yes, that’s what he meant. His eyes went to Nacho, then over to Sarah. At least, technically, he still had everyone he’d arrived with. Leo couldn’t say the same.

Sarah stood up.

Marco grabbed her arm and tried to yank her back down. “We don’t know if that thing is still around!”

Sarah pulled away. She snatched the white tube and then pushed through the bamboo, Ahab at her heels.

The other three followed. Marco said, “Careful!”

Sarah turned. “It’s gone. And we need a plan.”

“A plan for what?” asked Nacho.

Sarah scowled. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe a plan to get my dad unfrozen and get us OFF THIS STUPID ISLAND before one of us gets eaten!”

Leo frowned.

Sarah quickly said, “Sorry.”

Marco swallowed. As soon as they got back to their camp on the beach, Leo would know they didn’t have the progenitor. And then what?

Nacho said, “I want to go back to Mom.”

Marco knew he couldn’t stall. Plus, he wanted to get back to their camp as much as Nacho did. He’d have to deal with Leo when they got there; there would be no more putting it off. He’d come up with something. He reached out for the weapon. “Sarah, I’ll take that back.”

“Oh, right. And one more thing.” Before anyone could stop her, she ran down to the beach and flung the white tube into the waves.

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