HolesLouisSachar

PARTONEYOUAREENTERINGCAMPGREENLAKE

1

ThereisnolakeatCampGreenLake.Thereoncewasaverylargelakehere,thelargestlakeinTexas.Thatwasoverahundredyearsago.Nowitisjustadry,flatwasteland.

ThereusedtobeatownofGreenLakeaswell.Thetownshriveledanddriedupalongwiththelake,andthepeoplewholivedthere.

Duringthesummerthedaytimetemperaturehoversaroundninety-fivedegreesintheshade—ifyoucanfindanyshade.There'snotmuchshadeinabigdrylake.

Theonlytreesaretwooldoaksontheeasternedgeofthe"lake."Ahammockisstretchedbetweenthetwotrees,andalogcabinstandsbehindthat.

Thecampersareforbiddentolieinthehammock.ItbelongstotheWarden.TheWardenownstheshade.

Outonthelake,rattlesnakesandscorpionsfindshadeunderrocksandintheholesdugbythecampers.

Here'sagoodruletorememberaboutrattlesnakesandscorpions:Ifyoudon'tbotherthem,theywon'tbotheryou.

Usually.

Beingbittenbyascorpionorevenarattlesnakeisnottheworstthingthatcanhappentoyou.Youwon'tdie.

Usually.

Sometimesacamperwilltrytobebittenbyascorpion,orevenasmallrattlesnake.Thenhewillgettospendadayortworecoveringinhistent,insteadofhavingtodigaholeoutonthelake

Butyoudon'twanttobebittenbyayellow-spottedlizard.That'stheworstthingthatcanhappentoyou.Youwilldieaslowandpainfuldeath.

Always.

Ifyougetbittenbyayellow-spottedlizard,youmightaswellgointotheshadeoftheoaktreesandlieinthehammock.

Thereisnothinganyonecandotoyouanymore.

2

Thereaderisprobablyasking:WhywouldanyonegotoCampGreenLake?Mostcampersweren'tgivenachoice.CampGreenLakeisacampforbadboys.Ifyoutakeabadboyandmakehimdigaholeeverydayinthehotsun,itwillturn

himintoagoodboy.Thatwaswhatsomepeoplethought.

2

StanleyYelnatswasgivenachoice.Thejudgesaid,"Youmaygotojail,oryoumaygotoCampGreenLake."

Stanleywasfromapoorfamily.Hehadneverbeentocampbefore.

3

StanleyYelnatswastheonlypassengeronthebus,notcountingthedriverortheguardTheguardsatnexttothedriverwithhisseatturnedaroundfacingStanleyAriflelayacrosshislap

Stanleywassittingabouttenrowsback,handcuffedtohisarmrestHisbackpacklayontheseatnexttohimItcontainedhistoothbrush,toothpaste,andaboxofstationeryhismotherhadgivenhimHe'dpromisedtowritetoheratleastonceaweek.

Helookedoutthewindow,althoughtherewasn'tmuchtosee—mostlyfieldsofhayandcotton.HewasonalongbusridetonowhereThebuswasn'tair-conditioned,andthehot,heavyairwasalmostasstiflingasthehandcuffs.

Stanleyandhisparentshadtriedtopretendthathewasjustgoingawaytocampforawhile,justlikerichkidsdo.WhenStanleywasyoungerheusedtoplaywithstuffedanimals,andpretendtheanimalswereatcamp.CampFunandGameshecalledit.Sometimeshe'dhavethemplaysoccerwithamarble.Othertimesthey'drunanobstaclecourse,orgobungeejumpingoffatable,tiedtobrokenrubberbands.NowStanleytriedtopretendhewasgoingtoCampFunandGamesMaybehe'dmakesomefriends,hethought.Atleasthe'dgettoswiminthelake.

Hedidn'thaveanyfriendsathome.Hewasoverweightandthekidsathismiddleschooloftenteasedhimabouthissize.Evenhisteacherssometimesmadecruelcommentswithoutrealizingit.Onhislastdayofschool,hismathteacher,MrsBell,taughtratios.Asanexample,shechosetheheaviestkidintheclassandthelightestkidmtheclass,andhadthemweighthemselves.StanleyweighedthreetimesasmuchastheotherboyMrs.Bellwrotetheratioontheboard,3:1,unawareofhowmuchembarrassmentshehadcausedbothofthem.

Stanleywasarrestedlaterthatday.

Helookedattheguardwhosatslumpedinhisseatandwonderedifhehadfallenasleep.Theguardwaswearingsunglasses,soStanleycouldn'tseehiseyes.

Stanleywasnotabadkid.HewasinnocentofthecrimeforwhichhewasconvictedHe'djustbeeninthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.

Itwasallbecauseofhisno-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!

Hesmiled.Itwasafamilyjoke.Wheneveranythingwentwrong,theyalwaysblamedStanley'sno-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather.

Supposedly,hehadagreat-great-grandfatherwhohadstolenapigfromaone-leggedGypsy,andsheputacurseonhimandallhisdescendants.Stanleyandhisparentsdidn'tbelieveincurses,ofcourse,butwheneveranythingwentwrong,itfeltgoodtobeabletoblamesomeone

Thingswentwrongalot.Theyalwaysseemedtobeinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.

3

Helookedoutthewindowatthevastemptiness.Hewatchedtheriseandfallofatelephonewire.Inhismindhecouldhearhisfather'sgruffvoicesoftlysingingtohim

"Ifonly,ifonly,"thewoodpeckersighs,"Thebarkonthetreewasjustalittlebitsofter."Whilethewolfwaitsbelow,hungryandlonely,Hecriestothemoo—oo—oon,"Ifonly,ifonly."

Itwasasonghisfatherusedtosingtohim.Themelodywassweetandsad,butStanley'sfavoritepartwaswhenhisfatherwouldhowltheword"moon"

Thebushitasmallbumpandtheguardsatup,instantlyalert.

Stanley'sfatherwasaninventor.Tobeasuccessfulinventoryouneedthreethings:intelligence,perseverance,andjustalittlebitofluck.

Stanley'sfatherwassmartandhadalotofperseverance.Oncehestartedaprojecthewouldworkonitforyears,oftengoingdayswithoutsleep.Hejustneverhadanyluck.

Everytimeanexperimentfailed,Stanleycouldhearhimcursinghisdirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-grandfather.

Stanley'sfatherwasalsonamedStanleyYelnats.Stanley'sfather'sfullnamewasStanleyYelnatsIII.OurStanleyisStanleyYelnatsIV.

Everyoneinhisfamilyhadalwayslikedthefactthat"StanleyYelnats"wasspelledthesamefrontwardandbackward.SotheykeptnamingtheirsonsStanley.Stanleywasanonlychild,aswaseveryotherStanleyYelnatsbeforehim.

Allofthemhadsomethingelseincommon.Despitetheirawfulluck,theyalwaysremainedhopeful.AsStanley'sfatherlikedtosay,"Ilearnfromfailure."

Butperhapsthatwaspartofthecurseaswell.IfStanleyandhisfatherweren'talwayshopeful,thenitwouldn'thurtsomucheverytimetheirhopeswerecrushed.

"NoteveryStanleyYelnatshasbeenafailure,"Stanley'smotheroftenpointedout,wheneverStanleyorhisfatherbecamesodiscouragedthattheyactuallystartedtobelieveinthecurse.ThefirstStanleyYelnats,Stanley'sgreat-grandfather,hadmadeafortunemthestockmarket."Hecouldn'thavebeentoounlucky."

AtsuchtimessheneglectedtomentionthebadluckthatbefellthefirstStanleyYelnats.HelosthisentirefortunewhenhewasmovingfromNewYorktoCalifornia.HisstagecoachwasrobbedbytheoutlawKissin'KateBarlow.

Ifitweren'tforthat,Stanley'sfamilywouldnowbelivinginamansiononabeachinCalifornia.Instead,theywerecrammedinatinyapartmentthatsmelledofburningrubberandfootodor.

Ifonly,ifonly...

TheapartmentsmelledthewayitdidbecauseStanley'sfatherwastryingtoinventawaytorecycleoldsneakers."Thefirstpersonwhofindsauseforoldsneakers,"hesaid,"willbeaveryrichman."

ItwasthislatestprojectthatledtoStanley'sarrest.Thebusridebecameincreasinglybumpybecausetheroadwasnolongerpaved.

4

Actually,Stanleyhadbeenimpressedwhenhefirstfoundoutthathisgreat-grandfatherwasrobbedbyKissin'KateBarlow.True,hewouldhavepreferredlivingonthebeachinCalifornia,butitwasstillkindofcooltohavesomeoneinyourfamilyrobbedbyafamousoutlaw.

KateBarlowdidn'tactuallykissStanley'sgreat-grandfather.Thatwouldhavebeenreallycool,butsheonlykissedthemenshekilled.Instead,sherobbedhimandlefthimstrandedinthemiddleofthedesert.

"Hewasluckytohavesurvived,"Stanley'smotherwasquicktopointout.Thebuswasslowingdown.Theguardgruntedashestretchedhisarms."WelcometoCampGreenLake,"saidthedriver.Stanleylookedoutthedirtywindow.Hecouldn'tseealake.

Andhardlyanythingwasgreen.

4

Stanleyfeltsomewhatdazedastheguardunlockedhishandcuffsandledhimoffthebus.He'dbeenonthebusforovereighthours.

"Becareful,"thebusdriversaidasStanleywalkeddownthesteps.

Stanleywasn'tsureifthebusdrivermeantforhimtobecarefulgoingdownthesteps,orifhewastellinghimtobecarefulatCampGreenLake."Thanksfortheride,"hesaid.Hismouthwasdryandhisthroathurt.Hesteppedontothehard,drydirt.Therewasabandofsweataroundhiswristwherethehandcuffhadbeen.

Thelandwasbarrenanddesolate.Hecouldseeafewrundownbuildingsandsometents.Fartherawaytherewasacabinbeneathtwotalltrees.Thosetwotreesweretheonlyplantlifehecouldsee.Thereweren'tevenweeds.

TheguardledStanleytoasmallbuilding.Asignonfrontsaid,YOUAREENTERINGCAMPGREENLAKEJUVENILECORRECTIONALFACILITY.NexttoitwasanothersignwhichdeclaredthatitwasaviolationoftheTexasPenalCodetobringguns,explosives,weapons,drugs,oralcoholontothepremises.

AsStanleyreadthesignhecouldn'thelpbutthink,Well,duh!

TheguardledStanleyintothebuilding,wherehefeltthewelcomereliefofair-conditioning.

Amanwassittingwithhisfeetuponadesk.HeturnedhisheadwhenStanleyandtheguardentered,butotherwisedidn'tmove.Eventhoughhewasinside,heworesunglassesandacowboyhat.Healsoheldacanofsoda,andthesightofitmadeStanleyevenmoreawareofhisownthirst.

Hewaitedwhilethebusguardgavethemansomepaperstosign."That'salotofsunflowerseeds,"thebusguardsaidStanleynoticedaburlapsackfilledwithsunflowerseedsonthefloornexttothe

desk."Iquitsmokinglastmonth,"saidthemaninthecowboyhat.Hehadatattooofa

rattlesnakeonhisarm,andashesignedhisname,thesnake'srattleseemedtowiggle"Iusedtosmokeapackaday.NowIeatasackoftheseeveryweek"

5

Theguardlaughed.

Theremusthavebeenasmallrefrigeratorbehindhisdesk,becausethemaninthecowboyhatproducedtwomorecansofsoda.ForasecondStanleyhopedthatonemightbeforhim,butthemangaveonetotheguardandsaidtheotherwasforthedriver.

"Ninehourshere,andnowninehoursback,"theguardgrumbled."Whataday."

Stanleythoughtaboutthelong,miserablebusrideandfeltalittlesorryfortheguardandthebusdriver.

Themaninthecowboyhatspitsunflowerseedshellsintoawastepaperbasket.ThenhewalkedaroundthedesktoStanley."MynameisMr.Sir,"hesaid"Wheneveryouspeaktomeyoumustcallmebymyname,isthatclear?"

Stanleyhesitated."Uh,yes,Mr.Sir,"hesaid,thoughhecouldn'timaginethatwasreallytheman'sname.

"You'renotintheGirlScoutsanymore,"Mr.Sirsaid.

StanleyhadtoremovehisclothesinfrontofMr.Sir,whomadesurehewasn'thidinganything.Hewasthengiventwosetsofclothesandatowel.Eachsetconsistedofalong-sleeveorangejumpsuit,anorangeT-shirt,andyellowsocks.Stanleywasn'tsureifthesockshadbeenyelloworiginally.Hewasalsogivenwhitesneakers,anorangecap,andacanteenmadeofheavyplastic,whichunfortunatelywasempty.Thecaphadapieceofclothsewnonthebackofit,forneckprotection.

Stanleygotdressed.Theclothessmelledlikesoap.

Mr.Sirtoldhimheshouldwearonesettoworkinandonesetforrelaxation.Laundrywasdoneeverythreedays.Onthatdayhisworkclotheswouldbewashed.

Thentheothersetwouldbecomehisworkclothes,andhewouldgetcleanclothestowearwhileresting.

"Youaretodigoneholeeachday,includingSaturdaysandSundays.Eachholemustbefivefeetdeep,andfivefeetacrossineverydirection.Yourshovelisyourmeasuringstick.Breakfastisservedat4:30."

Stanleymusthavelookedsurprised,becauseMr.Sirwentontoexplainthattheystartedearlytoavoidthehottestpartoftheday."Nooneisgoingtobaby-sityou,"headded."Thelongerittakesyoutodig,thelongeryouwillbeoutinthesun.Ifyoudigupanythinginteresting,youaretoreportittomeoranyothercounselor.Whenyoufinish,therestofthedayisyours."

Stanleynoddedtoshowheunderstood."Thisisn'taGirlScoutcamp,"saidMr.Sir.HecheckedStanley'sbackpackandallowedhimtokeepit.ThenheledStanley

outsideintotheblazingheat."Takeagoodlookaroundyou,"Mr.Sirsaid."Whatdoyousee?"Stanleylookedoutacrossthevastwasteland.Theairseemedthickwithheatand

dirt."Notmuch,"hesaid,thenhastilyadded,"Mr.Sir."Mr.Sirlaughed."Youseeanyguardtowers?""No."

6

"Howaboutanelectricfence?""No,Mr.Sir.""There'snofenceatall,isthere?""No,Mr.Sir."

"Youwanttorunaway?"Mr.Siraskedhim.Stanleylookedbackathim,unsurewhathemeant."Ifyouwanttorunaway,goahead,startrunning.I'mnotgoingtostopyou."Stanleydidn'tknowwhatkindofgameMr.Sirwasplaying."Iseeyou'relookingatmygun.Don'tworry.I'mnotgoingtoshootyou."Hetapped

hisholster."Thisisforyellow-spottedlizards.Iwouldn'twasteabulletonyou.""I'mnotgoingtorunaway,"Stanleysaid."Goodthinking,"saidMr.Sir."Nobodyrunsawayfromhere.Wedon'tneeda

fence.Knowwhy?Becausewe'vegottheonlywaterforahundredmiles.Youwanttorunaway?You'llbebuzzardfoodinthreedays."

Stanleycouldseesomekidsdressedinorangeandcarryingshovelsdraggingthemselvestowardthetents.

"Youthirsty?"askedMr.Sir."Yes,Mr.Sir,"Stanleysaidgratefully."Well,youbettergetusedtoit.You'regoingtobethirstyforthenexteighteen

months."

5

Thereweresixlargegraytents,andeachonehadablackletteronit:A,B,C,D,E,orF.Thefirstfivetentswereforthecampers.ThecounselorssleptinF.

StanleywasassignedtoDtent.Mr.Pendanskiwashiscounselor.

"Mynameiseasytoremember,"saidMr.PendanskiasheshookhandswithStanleyjustoutsidethetent."Threeeasywords:pen,dance,key."

Mr.Sirreturnedtotheoffice.

Mr.PendanskiwasyoungerthanMr.Sir,andnotnearlyasscarylooking.Thetopofhisheadwasshavedsocloseitwasalmostbald,buthisfacewascoveredinathickcurlyblackbeard.Hisnosewasbadlysunburned.

"Mr.Sirisn'treallysobad,"saidMr.Pendanski."He'sjustbeeninabadmoodeversincehequitsmoking.Thepersonyou'vegottoworryaboutistheWarden.There'sreallyonlyoneruleatCampGreenLake:Don'tupsettheWarden."

Stanleynodded,asifheunderstood.

"Iwantyoutoknow,Stanley,thatIrespectyou,"Mr.Pendanskisaid."Iunderstandyou'vemadesomebadmistakesinyourlife.Otherwiseyouwouldn'tbehere.Buteveryonemakesmistakes.Youmayhavedonesomebadthings,butthatdoesn'tmeanyou'reabadkid."

Stanleynodded.Itseemedpointlesstotryandtellhiscounselorthathewasinnocent.Hefiguredthateveryoneprobablysaidthat.Hedidn'twantMr.Pen-dance-keytothinkhehadabadattitude.

7

"I'mgoingtohelpyouturnyourlifearound,"saidhiscounselor."Butyou'regoingtohavetohelp,too.CanIcountonyourhelp?"

"Yes,sir,"Stanleysaid.Mr.Pendanskisaid,"Good,"andpattedStanleyontheback.Twoboys,eachcarryingashovel,werecomingacrossthecompound.Mr.

Pendanskicalledtothem."Rex!Alan!IwantyoutocomesayhellotoStanley.He'sthenewestmemberofourteam."

TheboysglancedwearilyatStanley.

Theyweredrippingwithsweat,andtheirfacesweresodirtythatittookStanleyamomenttonoticethatonekidwaswhiteandtheotherblack.

"WhathappenedtoBarfBag?"askedtheblackkid.

"Lewisisstillinthehospital,"saidMr.Pendanski."Hewon'tbereturning."HetoldtheboystocomeshakeStanley'shandandintroducethemselves,"likegentlemen."

"Hi,"thewhitekidgrunted."That'sAlan,"saidMr.Pendanski."Myname'snotAlan,"theboysaid."It'sSquid.Andthat'sX-Ray.""Hey,"saidX-Ray.HesmiledandshookStanley'shand.Heworeglasses,butthey

weresodirtythatStanleywonderedhowhecouldseeoutofthem.Mr.PendanskitoldAlantogototheRecHallandbringtheotherboystomeet

Stanley.Thenheledhiminsidethetent.Thereweresevencots,eachonelessthantwofeetfromtheonenexttoit."WhichwasLewis'scot?"Mr.Pendanskiasked."BarfBagslepthere,"saidX-Ray,kickingatoneofthebeds."Allright,Stanley,that'llbeyours,"saidMr.Pendanski.Stanleylookedatthecotandnodded.Hewasn'tparticularlythrilledaboutsleeping

inthesamecotthathadbeenusedbysomebodynamedBarfBag.Sevencrateswerestackedintwopilesatonesideofthetent.Theopenendofthe

cratesfacedoutward.Stanleyputhisbackpack,changeofclothes,andtowelinwhatusedtobeBarfBag'scrate.Itwasatthebottomofthestackthathadthreeinit.Squidreturnedwithfourotherboys.ThefirstthreewereintroducedbyMr.

PendanskiasJose,Theodore,andRicky.TheycalledthemselvesMagnet,Armpit,andZigzag.

"Theyallhavenicknames,"explainedMr.Pendanski."However,Iprefertousethenamestheirparentsgavethem—thenamesthatsocietywillrecognizethembywhentheyreturntobecomeusefulandhardworkingmembersofsociety."

"Itain'tjustanickname,"X-RaytoldMr.Pendanski.Hetappedtherimofhisglasses."Icanseeinsideyou,Mom.You'vegotabigfatheart."

Thelastboyeitherdidn'thavearealnameorelsehedidn'thaveanickname.BothMr.PendanskiandX-RaycalledhimZero.

"Youknowwhyhisname'sZero?"askedMr.Pendanski."Becausethere'snothinginsidehishead."HesmiledandplayfullyshookZero'sshoulder.

Zerosaidnothing."Andthat'sMom!"aboysaid.

8

Mr.Pendanskismiledathim."IfitmakesyoufeelbettertocallmeMom,Theodore,goaheadandcallmeMom."HeturnedtoStanley."Ifyouhavequestions,Theodorewillhelpyou.Yougotthat,Theodore.I'mdependingonyou."

Theodorespitathinlineofsalivabetweenhisteeth,causingsomeoftheotherboystocomplainabouttheneedtokeeptheir"home"sanitary.

"Youwereallnewhereonce,"saidMr.Pendanski,"andyouallknowwhatitfeelslike.I'mcountingoneveryoneofyoutohelpStanley."

Stanleylookedattheground.

Mr.Pendanskileftthetent,andsoontheotherboysbegantofileoutaswell,takingtheirtowelsandchangeofclotheswiththem.Stanleywasrelievedtobeleftalone,buthewassothirstyhefeltasifhewoulddieifhedidn'tgetsomethingtodrinksoon.

"Hey,uh,Theodore,"hesaid,goingafterhim."DoyouknowwhereIcanfillmycanteen?"

TheodorewhirledandgrabbedStanleybyhiscollar."Myname'snotThee-o-dore,"hesaid."It'sArmpit."HethrewStanleytotheground.

Stanleystaredupathim,terrified."There'sawaterspigotonthewalloftheshowerstall.""Thanks...Armpit,"saidStanley.Ashewatchedtheboyturnandwalkaway,hecouldn'tforthelifeofhimfigureout

whyanyonewouldwanttobecalledArmpit.Inaway,itmadehimfeelalittlebetterabouthavingtosleepinacotthathadbeen

usedbysomebodynamedBarfBag.Maybeitwasatermofrespect.

6

Stanleytookashower—ifyoucouldcallitthat,atedinner—ifyoucouldcallitthat,andwenttobed—ifyoucouldcallhissmellyandscratchycotabed.

Becauseofthescarcityofwater,eachcamperwasonlyallowedafour-minuteshower.IttookStanleynearlythatlongtogetusedtothecoldwater.Therewasnoknobforhotwater.Hekeptsteppinginto,thenjumpingbackfrom,thespray,untilthewatershutoffautomatically.Henevermanagedtousehisbarofsoap,whichwasjustaswell,becausehewouldn'thavehadtimetorinseoffthesuds.

Dinnerwassomekindofstewedmeatandvegetables.Themeatwasbrownandthevegetableshadoncebeengreen.Everythingtastedprettymuchthesame.Heateitall,andusedhissliceofwhitebreadtomopupthejuice.Stanleyhadneverbeenonetoleavefoodonhisplate,nomatterhowittasted.

"What'dyoudo?"oneofthecampersaskedhim.AtfirstStanleydidn'tknowwhathemeant."Theysentyouhereforareason.""Oh,"herealized."Istoleapairofsneakers."Theotherboysthoughtthatwasfunny.Stanleywasn'tsurewhy.Maybebecause

theircrimeswerealotworsethanstealingshoes."Fromastore,or-weretheyonsomeone'sfeet?"askedSquid.

9

"Uh,neither,"Stanleyanswered."TheybelongedtoClydeLivingston."Nobodybelievedhim."SweetFeet?"saidX-Ray."Yeah,right!""Noway,"saidSquid.

Now,asStanleylayonhiscot,hethoughtitwaskindoffunnyinaway.Nobodyhadbelievedhimwhenhesaidhewasinnocent.Now,whenhesaidhestolethem,nobodybelievedhimeither.

Clyde"SweetFeet"Livingstonwasafamousbaseballplayer.He'dledtheAmericanLeagueinstolenbasesoverthelastthreeyears.Hewasalsotheonlyplayerinhistorytoeverhitfourtriplesinonegame.

Stanleyhadaposterofhimhangingonthewallofhisbedroom.Heusedtohavetheposteranyway.Hedidn'tknowwhereitwasnow.Ithadbeentakenbythepoliceandwasusedasevidenceofhisguiltinthecourtroom.

ClydeLivingstonalsocametocourt.Inspiteofeverything,whenStanleyfoundoutthatSweetFeetwasgoingtobethere,hewasactuallyexcitedabouttheprospectofmeetinghishero.

ClydeLivingstontestifiedthattheywerehissneakersandthathehaddonatedthemtohelpraisemoneyforthehomelessshelter.Hesaidhecouldn'timaginewhatkindofhorriblepersonwouldstealfromhomelesschildren.

ThatwastheworstpartforStanley.Hisherothoughthewasano-good-dirty-rottenthief.

AsStanleytriedtoturnoveronhiscot,hewasafraiditwasgoingtocollapseunderallhisweight.Hebarelyfitinit.Whenhefinallymanagedtorolloveronhisstomach,thesmellwassobadthathehadtoturnoveragainandtrysleepingonhisback.Thecotsmelledlikesourmilk.

Thoughitwasnight,theairwasstillverywarm.Armpitwassnoringtwocotsaway.

Backatschool,abullynamedDerrickDunneusedtotormentStanley.TheteachersnevertookStanley'scomplaintsseriously,becauseDerrickwassomuchsmallerthanStanley.SometeachersevenseemedtofinditamusingthatalittlekidlikeDerrickcouldpickonsomeoneasbigasStanley.

OnthedayStanleywasarrested,DerrickhadtakenStanley'snotebookand,afteralonggameofcome-and-get-it,finallydroppeditinthetoiletintheboys'restroom.BythetimeStanleyretrievedit,hehadmissedhisbusandhadtowalkhome.

Itwaswhilehewaswalkinghome,carryinghiswetnotebook,withtheprospectofhavingtocopytheruinedpages,thatthesneakersfellfromthesky.

"Iwaswalkinghomeandthesneakersfellfromthesky,"hehadtoldthejudge."Onehitmeonthehead."

Ithadhurt,too.

Theyhadn'texactlyfallenfromthesky.Hehadjustwalkedoutfromunderafreewayoverpasswhentheshoehithimonthehead.

10

Stanleytookitassomekindofsign.Hisfatherhadbeentryingtofigureoutawaytorecycleoldsneakers,andsuddenlyapairofsneakersfellontopofhim,seeminglyoutofnowhere,likeagiftfromGod.

Naturally,hehadnowayofknowingtheybelongedtoClydeLivingston.Infact,theshoeswereanythingbutsweet.Whoeverhadwornthemhadhadabadcaseoffootodor.

Stanleycouldn'thelpbutthinkthattherewassomethingspecialabouttheshoes,thattheywouldsomehowprovidethekeytohisfather'sinvention.Itwastoomuch

ofacoincidencetobeamereaccident.Stanleyhadfeltlikehewasholdingdestiny'sshoes.

Heran.Thinkingbacknow,hewasn'tsurewhyheran.Maybehewasinahurrytobringtheshoestohisfather,ormaybehewastryingtorunawayfromhismiserableandhumiliatingdayatschool.

Apatrolcarpulledalongsidehim.Apolicemanaskedhimwhyhewasrunning.Thenhetooktheshoesandmadeacallonhisradio.Shortlythereafter,Stanleywasarrested.

Itturnedoutthesneakershadbeenstolenfromadisplayatthehomelessshelter.Thateveningrichpeopleweregoingtocometotheshelterandpayahundreddollarstoeatthefoodthatthepoorpeopleateeverydayforfree.ClydeLivingston,whohadoncelivedattheshelterwhenhewasyounger,wasgoingtospeakandsignautographs.Hisshoeswouldbeauctioned,anditwasexpectedthattheywouldsellforoverfivethousanddollars.Allthemoneywouldgotohelpthehomeless.

Becauseofthebaseballschedule,Stanley'strialwasdelayedseveralmonths.Hisparentscouldn'taffordalawyer."Youdon'tneedalawyer,"hismotherhadsaid."Justtellthetruth."

Stanleytoldthetruth,butperhapsitwouldhavebeenbetterifhehadliedalittle.Hecouldhavesaidhefoundtheshoesinthestreet.Noonebelievedtheyfellfromthesky.

Itwasn'tdestiny,herealized.Itwashisno-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!

ThejudgecalledStanley'scrimedespicable."Theshoeswerevaluedatoverfivethousanddollars.Itwasmoneythatwouldprovidefoodandshelterforthehomeless.Andyoustolethatfromthem,justsoyoucouldhaveasouvenir."

ThejudgesaidthattherewasanopeningatCampGreenLake,andhesuggestedthatthedisciplineofthecampmightimproveStanley'scharacter.Itwaseitherthatorjail.Stanley'sparentsaskediftheycouldhavesometimetofindoutmoreaboutCampGreenLake,butthejudgeadvisedthemtomakeaquickdecision."Vacanciesdon'tlastlongatCampGreenLake."

7

TheshovelfeltheavyinStanley'ssoft,fleshyhands.Hetriedtojamitintotheearth,butthebladebangedagainstthegroundandbouncedoffwithoutmakingadent.ThevibrationsranuptheshaftoftheshovelandintoStanley'swrists,makinghisbonesrattle.

11

Itwasstilldark.Theonlylightcamefromthemoonandthestars,morestarsthanStanleyhadeverseenbefore.ItseemedhehadonlyjustgottentosleepwhenMr.Pendanskicameinandwokeeveryoneup.

Usingallhismight,hebroughttheshovelbackdownontothedrylakebed.Theforcestunghishandsbutmadenoimpressionontheearth.Hewonderedifhehadadefectiveshovel.HeglancedatZero,aboutfifteenfeetaway,whoscoopedoutashovelfulofdirtanddumpeditonapilethatwasalreadyalmostafoottall.

Forbreakfastthey'dbeenservedsomekindoflukewarmcereal.Thebestpartwastheorangejuice.Theyeachgotapintcarton.Thecerealactuallydidn'ttastetoobad,butithadsmelledjustlikehiscot.

Thentheyfilledtheircanteens,gottheirshovels,andweremarchedoutacrossthelake.Eachgroupwasassignedadifferentarea.

Theshovelswerekeptinashedneartheshowers.TheyalllookedthesametoStanley,althoughX-Rayhadhisownspecialshovel,whichnooneelsewasallowedtouse.X-Rayclaimeditwasshorterthantheothers,butifitwas,itwasonlybyafractionofaninch.

Theshovelswerefivefeetlong,fromthetipofthesteelbladetotheendofthewoodenshaft.Stanley'sholewouldhavetobeasdeepashisshovel,andhe'dhavetobeabletolaytheshovelflatacrossthebottominanydirection.ThatwaswhyX-Raywantedtheshortestshovel.

ThelakewassofullofholesandmoundsthatitremindedStanleyofpictureshe'dseenofthemoon."Ifyoufindanythinginterestingorunusual,"Mr.Pendanskihadtoldhim,"youshouldreportiteithertomeorMr.Sirwhenwecomearoundwiththewatertruck.IftheWardenlikeswhatyoufound,you'llgettherestofthedayoff."

"Whatarewesupposedtobelookingfor?"Stanleyaskedhim.

"You'renotlookingforanything.You'rediggingtobuildcharacter.It'sjustifyoufindanything,theWardenwouldliketoknowaboutit."

Heglancedhelplesslyathisshovel.Itwasn'tdefective.Hewasdefective.

Henoticedathincrackintheground.Heplacedthepointofhisshovelontopofit,thenjumpedonthebackofthebladewithbothfeet.

Theshovelsankafewinchesintothepackedearth.Hesmiled.Foronceinhislifeitpaidtobeoverweight.Heleanedontheshaftandprieduphisfirstshovelfulofdirt,thendumpeditoffto

theside.Onlytenmillionmoretogo,hethought,thenplacedtheshovelbackinthecrack

andjumpedonitagain.Heunearthedseveralshovelfulsofdirtinthismanner,beforeitoccurredtohimthat

hewasdumpinghisdirtwithintheperimeterofhishole.Helaidhisshovelflatonthegroundandmarkedwheretheedgesofhisholewouldbe.Fivefeetwasawfullywide.

Hemovedthedirthe'dalreadydugupoutpasthismark.Hetookadrinkfromhiscanteen.Fivefeetwouldbeawfullydeep,too.

Thedigginggoteasierafterawhile.Thegroundwashardestatthesurface,wherethesunhadbakedacrustabouteightinchesdeep.Beneaththat,theearthwaslooser.

12

ButbythetimeStanleybrokepastthecrust,ablisterhadformedinthemiddleofhisrightthumb,andithurttoholdtheshovel.

Stanley'sgreat-great-grandfatherwasnamedElyaYelnats.HewasborninLatvia.WhenhewasfifteenyearsoldhefellinlovewithMyraMenke.

(Hedidn'tknowhewasStanley'sgreat-great-grandfather.)

MyraMenkewasfourteen.Shewouldturnfifteenintwomonths,atwhichtimeherfatherhaddecidedsheshouldbemarried.

Elyawenttoherfathertoaskforherhand,butsodidIgorBarkov,thepigfarmer.Igorwasfifty-sevenyearsold.Hehadarednoseandfatpuffycheeks.

"Iwilltradeyoumyfattestpigforyourdaughter,"Igoroffered."Andwhathaveyougot?"Myra'sfatheraskedElya."Aheartfulloflove,"saidElya."I'dratherhaveafatpig,"saidMyra'sfather.

Desperate,ElyawenttoseeMadameZeroni,anoldEgyptianwomanwholivedontheedgeoftown.Hehadbecomefriendswithher,thoughshewasquiteabitolderthanhim.ShewasevenolderthanIgorBarkov.

Theotherboysofhisvillagelikedtomudwrestle.ElyapreferredvisitingMadameZeroniandlisteningtohermanystories.

MadameZeronihaddarkskinandaverywidemouth.Whenshelookedatyou,hereyesseemedtoexpand,andyoufeltlikeshewaslookingrightthroughyou.

"Elya,what'swrong?"sheasked,beforeheeventoldherhewasupset.Shewassittinginahomemadewheelchair.Shehadnoleftfoot.Herlegstoppedatherankle."I'minlovewithMyraMenke,"Elyaconfessed."ButIgorBarkovhasofferedto

tradehisfattestpigforher.Ican'tcompetewiththat.""Good,"saidMadameZeroni."You'retooyoungtogetmarried.You'vegotyour

wholelifeaheadofyou.""ButIloveMyra.""Myra'sheadisasemptyasaflowerpot.""Butshe'sbeautiful.""Soisaflowerpot.Canshepushaplow?Canshemilkagoat?No,sheistoo

delicate.Canshehaveanintelligentconversation?No,sheissillyandfoolish.Willshetakecareofyouwhenyouaresick?No,sheisspoiledandwillonlywantyoutotakecareofher.So,sheisbeautiful.Sowhat?Ptuui!"

MadameZeronispatonthedirt.

ShetoldElyathatheshouldgotoAmerica."Likemyson.That'swhereyourfuturelies.NotwithMyraMenke."

ButElyawouldhearnoneofthat.Hewasfifteen,andallhecouldseewasMyra'sshallowbeauty.

MadameZeronihatedtoseeElyasoforlorn.Againstherbetterjudgment,sheagreedtohelphim.

"Itjustsohappens,mysowgavebirthtoalitterofpigletsyesterday,"shesaid."Thereisonelittleruntwhomshewon'tsuckle.Youmayhavehim.Hewoulddieanyway."

13

MadameZeroniledElyaaroundthebackofherhousewhereshekeptherpigs.

Elyatookthetinypiglet,buthedidn'tseewhatgooditwoulddohim.Itwasn'tmuchbiggerthanarat.

"He'llgrow,"MadameZeroniassuredhim."Doyouseethatmountainontheedgeoftheforest?"

"Yes,"saidElya.

"Onthetopofthemountainthereisastreamwherethewaterrunsuphill.Youmustcarrythepigleteverydaytothetopofthemountainandletitdrinkfromthestream.Asitdrinks,youaretosingtohim."

ShetaughtElyaaspecialsongtosingtothepig.

"OnthedayofMyra'sfifteenthbirthday,youshouldcarrythepigupthemountainforthelasttime.ThentakeitdirectlytoMyra'sfather.ItwillbefatterthananyofIgor'spigs."

"Ifitisthatbigandfat,"askedElya,"howwillIbeabletocarryitupthemountain?"

"Thepigletisnottooheavyforyounow,isit?"askedMadameZeroni."Ofcoursenot,"saidElya."Doyouthinkitwillbetooheavyforyoutomorrow?""No."

"Everydayyouwillcarrythepigupthemountain.Itwillgetalittlebigger,butyouwillgetalittlestronger.AfteryougivethepigtoMyra'sfather,Iwantyoutodoonemorethingforme."

"Anything,"saidElya.

"Iwantyoutocarrymeupthemountain.Iwanttodrinkfromthestream,andIwantyoutosingthesongtome."

Elyapromisedhewould.

MadameZeroniwarnedthatifhefailedtodothis,heandhisdescendantswouldbedoomedforallofeternity.

Atthetime,Elyathoughtnothingofthecurse.Hewasjustafifteen-year-oldkid,and"eternity"didn'tseemmuchlongerthanaweekfromTuesday.Besides,helikedMadameZeroniandwouldbegladtocarryherupthemountain.Hewouldhavedoneitrightthenandthere,buthewasn'tyetstrongenough.

Stanleywasstilldigging.Hisholewasaboutthreefeetdeep,butonlyinthecenter.Itslopedupwardtotheedges.Thesunhadonlyjustcomeupoverthehorizon,buthealreadycouldfeelitshotraysagainsthisface.

Ashereacheddowntopickuphiscanteen,hefeltasuddenrushofdizzinessandputhishandsonhiskneestosteadyhimself.Foramomenthewasafraidhewouldthrowup,butthemomentpassed.Hedrankthelastdropofwaterfromhiscanteen.Hehadblistersoneveryoneofhisfingers,andoneinthecenterofeachpalm.

Everyoneelse'sholewasalotdeeperthanhis.Hecouldn'tactuallyseetheirholesbutcouldtellbythesizeoftheirdirtpiles.

14

Hesawacloudofdustmovingacrossthewastelandandnoticedthattheotherboyshadstoppeddiggingandwerewatchingit,too.Thedirtcloudmovedcloser,andhecouldseethatittrailedbehindaredpickuptruck.

Thetruckstoppednearwheretheyweredigging,andtheboyslinedupbehindit,X-Rayinfront,Zeroattherear.StanleygotinlinebehindZero.

Mr.Sirfilledeachoftheircanteensfromatankofwaterinthebedofthepickup.AshetookStanley'scanteenfromhim,hesaid,"Thisisn'ttheGirlScouts,isit?"

Stanleyraisedandloweredoneshoulder.

Mr.SirfollowedStanleybacktohisholetoseehowhewasdoing."Youbettergetwithit,"hesaid."Orelseyou'regoingtobedigginginthehottestpartoftheday."Hepoppedsomesunflowerseedsintohismouth,deftlyremovedtheshellswithhisteeth,andspatthemintoStanley'shole.

EverydayElyacarriedthelittlepigletupthemountainandsangtoitasitdrankfromthestream.Asthepiggrewfatter,Elyagrewstronger.

OnthedayofMyra'sfifteenthbirthday,Elya'spigweighedoverfiftystones.MadameZeronihadtoldhimtocarrythepigupthemountainonthatdayaswell,butElyadidn'twanttopresenthimselftoMyrasmellinglikeapig.

Instead,hetookabath.Itwashissecondbathinlessthanaweek.ThenheledthepigtoMyra's.IgorBarkovwastherewithhispigaswell."ThesearetwoofthefinestpigsI'veeverseen,"Myra'sfatherdeclared.HewasalsoimpressedwithElya,whoseemedtohavegrownbiggerandstrongerin

thelasttwomonths."Iusedtothinkyouwereagood-for-nothingbookreader,"hesaid."ButIseenowyoucouldbeanexcellentmudwrestler."

"MayImarryyourdaughter?"Elyaboldlyasked."First,Imustweighthepigs."Alas,poorElyashouldhavecarriedhispigupthemountainonelasttime.Thetwo

pigsweighedexactlythesame.

Stanley'sblistershadrippedopen,andnewblistersformed.Hekeptchanginghisgripontheshoveltotrytoavoidthepain.Finally,heremovedhiscapandhelditbetweentheshaftofhisshovelandhisrawhands.Thishelped,butdiggingwasharderbecausethecapwouldslipandslide.Thesunbeatdownonhisunprotectedheadandneck.

Thoughhetriedtoconvincehimselfotherwise,he'dbeenawareforawhilethathispilesofdirtweretooclosetohishole.Thepileswereoutsidehisfive-footcircle,buthecouldseehewasgoingtorunoutofroom.Still,hepretendedotherwiseandkeptaddingmoredirttothepiles,pilesthathewouldeventuallyhavetomove.

Theproblemwasthatwhenthedirtwasintheground,itwascompacted.Itexpandedwhenitwasexcavated.Thepileswerealotbiggerthanhisholewasdeep.

Itwaseithernoworlater.Reluctantly,heclimbedupoutofhishole,andonceagaindughisshovelintohispreviouslydugdirt.

15

Myra'sfathergotdownonhishandsandkneesandcloselyexaminedeachpig,tailtosnout.

"ThosearetwoofthefinestpigsIhaveeverseen,"hesaidatlast."HowamItodecide?Ihaveonlyonedaughter."

"WhynotletMyradecide?"suggestedElya."That'spreposterous!"exclaimedIgor,expellingsalivaashespoke."Myraisjustanempty-headedgirl,"saidherfather."Howcanshepossiblydecide,

whenI,herfather,can't?""Sheknowshowshefeelsinherheart,"saidElya.Myra'sfatherrubbedhischin.Thenhelaughedandsaid,"Whynot?"Heslapped

Elyaontheback."Itdoesn'tmattertome.Apigisapig."Hesummonedhisdaughter.ElyablushedwhenMyraenteredtheroom."Goodafternoon,Myra,"hesaid.Shelookedathim."You'reElya,right?"sheasked."Myra,"saidherfather."ElyaandIgorhaveeachofferedapigforyourhandin

marriage.Itdoesn'tmattertome.Apigisapig.SoIwillletyoumakethechoice.Whomdoyouwishtomarry?"

Myralookedconfused."Youwantmetodecide?""That'sright,myblossom,"saidherfather.

"Gee,Idon'tknow,"saidMyra."Whichpigweighsmore?""Theybothweighthesame,"saidherfather."Golly,"saidMyra,"IguessIchooseElya—No,Igor.No,Elya.No,Igor.Oh,I

know!I'llthinkofanumberbetweenoneandten.I'llmarrywhoeverguessestheclosestnumber.Okay,I'mready."

"Ten,"guessedIgor.Elyasaidnothing."Elya?"saidMyra."Whatnumberdoyouguess?"Elyadidn'tpickanumber."MarryIgor,"hemuttered."Youcankeepmypigasa

weddingpresent."

ThenexttimethewatertruckcameitwasdrivenbyMr.Pendanski,whoalsobroughtsacklunches.Stanleysatwithhisbackagainstapileofdirtandate.Hehadabaloneysandwich,potatochips,andalargechocolate-chipcookie.

"Howyoudoin'?"askedMagnet."Notrealgood,"saidStanley."Well,thefirsthole'sthehardest,"Magnetsaid.Stanleytookalong,deepbreath.Hecouldn'taffordtodawdle.Hewaswaybehind

theothers,andthesunjustkeptgettinghotter.Itwasn'tevennoonyet.Buthedidn'tknowifhehadthestrengthtostandup.

Hethoughtaboutquitting.Hewonderedwhattheywoulddotohim.Whatcouldtheydotohim?

Hisclothesweresoakedwithsweat.Inschoolhehadlearnedthatsweatingwasgoodforyou.Itwasnature'swayofkeepingyoucool.Sowhywashesohot?

Usinghisshovelforsupport,hemanagedtogettohisfeet.

16

"Wherearewesupposedtogotothebathroom?"heaskedMagnet.

Magnetgesturedwithhisarmstothegreatexpansearoundthem."Pickahole,anyhole,"hesaid.

Stanleystaggeredacrossthelake,almostfallingoveradirtpile.BehindhimheheardMagnetsay,"Butfirstmakesurenothing'slivinginit."

AfterleavingMyra'shouse,Elyawanderedaimlesslythroughthetown,untilhefoundhimselfdownbythewharf.Hesatontheedgeofapierandstareddowninto

thecold,blackwater.HecouldnotunderstandhowMyrahadtroubledecidingbetweenhimandIgor.Hethoughtshelovedhim.Evenifshedidn'tlovehim,couldn'tsheseewhatafoulpersonIgorwas?

ItwaslikeMadameZeronihadsaid.Herheadwasasemptyasaflowerpot.

Somemenweregatheringonanotherdock,andhewenttoseewhatwasgoingon.Asignread:

DECKHANDSWANTEDFREEPASSAGETOAMERICA

Hehadnosailingexperience,buttheship'scaptainsignedhimaboard.ThecaptaincouldseethatElyawasamanofgreatstrength.Noteverybodycouldcarryafull-grownpigupthesideofamountain.

Itwasn'tuntiltheshiphadclearedtheharborandwasheadingoutacrosstheAtlanticthathesuddenlyrememberedhispromisetocarryMadameZeroniupthemountain.Hefeltterrible.

Hewasn'tafraidofthecurse.Hethoughtthatwasalotofnonsense.HefeltbadbecauseheknewMadameZeronihadwantedtodrinkfromthestreambeforeshedied.

ZerowasthesmallestkidinGroupD,buthewasthefirstonetofinishdigging."You'refinished?"Stanleyaskedenviously.Zerosaidnothing.StanleywalkedtoZero'sholeandwatchedhimmeasureitwithhisshovel.Thetop

ofhisholewasaperfectcircle,andthesidesweresmoothandsteep.Notonedirtclodmorethannecessaryhadbeenremovedfromtheearth.

Zeropulledhimselfuptothesurface.Hedidn'tevensmile.Helookeddownathisperfectlydughole,spatinit,thenturnedandheadedbacktothecampcompound.

"Zero'soneweirddude,"saidZigzag.

Stanleywouldhavelaughed,buthedidn'thavethestrength.Zigzaghadtobethe"weirdestdude"Stanleyhadeverseen.Hehadalongskinnyneck,andabigroundheadwithwildfrizzyblondhairthatstuckoutinalldirections.Hisheadseemedtobobupanddownonhisneck,likeitwasonaspring.

Armpitwasthesecondonetofinishdigging.Healsospatintohisholebeforeheadingbacktothecampcompound.Onebyone,Stanleywatchedeachoftheboysspitintohisholeandreturntothecampcompound.

17

Stanleykeptdigging.Hisholewasalmostuptohisshoulders,althoughitwashardtotellexactlywheregroundlevelwasbecausehisdirtpilescompletelysurroundedthehole.Thedeeperhegot,theharderitwastoraisethedirtupandoutofthehole.Onceagain,herealized,hewasgoingtohavetomovethepiles.

Hiscapwasstainedwithbloodfromhishands.Hefeltlikehewasdigginghisowngrave.

InAmerica,ElyalearnedtospeakEnglish.HefellinlovewithawomannamedSarahMiller.Shecouldpushaplow,milkagoat,and,mostimportant,thinkforherself.SheandElyaoftenstayeduphalfthenighttalkingandlaughingtogether.

Theirlifewasnoteasy.Elyaworkedhard,butbadluckseemedtofollowhimeverywhere.Healwaysseemedtobeinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.

HerememberedMadameZeronitellinghimthatshehadasoninAmerica.Elyawasforeverlookingforhim.He'dwalkuptocompletestrangersandaskiftheyknewsomeonenamedZeroni,orhadeverheardofanyonenamedZeroni.

Noonedid.Elyawasn'tsurewhathe'ddoifheeverfoundMadameZeroni'ssonanyway.Carryhimupamountainandsingthepiglullabytohim?

Afterhisbarnwasstruckbylightningforthethirdtime,hetoldSarahabouthisbrokenpromisetoMadameZeroni."I'mworsethanapigthief,"hesaid."Youshouldleavemeandfindsomeonewhoisn'tcursed."

"I'mnotleavingyou,"saidSarah."ButIwantyoutodoonethingforme.""Anything,"saidElya.Sarahsmiled."Singmethepiglullaby."Hesangitforher.

Hereyessparkled."That'ssopretty.Whatdoesitmean?"

ElyatriedhisbesttotranslateitfromLatvianintoEnglish,butitwasn'tthesame."ItrhymesinLatvian,"hetoldher.

"Icouldtell,"saidSarah.

Ayearlatertheirchildwasborn.SarahnamedhimStanleybecauseshenoticedthat"Stanley"was"Yelnats"spelledbackward.

Sarahchangedthewordsofthepiglullabysothattheyrhymed,andeverynightshesangittolittleStanley.

"Ifonly,ifonly,"thewoodpeckersighs,"Thebarkonthetreewasassoftastheskies."Whilethewolfwaitsbelow,hungry

andlonely,Cryingtothemoo—oo—oon,"Ifonly,ifonly."

Stanley'sholewasasdeepashisshovel,butnotquitewideenoughonthebottom.Hegrimacedasheslicedoffachunkofdirt,thenraiseditupandflungitontoapile.

Helaidhisshovelbackdownonthebottomofhisholeand,tohissurprise,itfit.Herotateditandonlyhadtochipoffafewchunksofdirt,hereandthere,beforeitcouldlieflatacrosshisholeineverydirection.

18

Heheardthewatertruckapproaching,andfeltastrangesenseofprideatbeingabletoshowMr.Sir,orMr.Pendanski,thathehaddughisfirsthole.

Heputhishandsontherimandtriedtopullhimselfup.Hecouldn'tdoit.Hisarmsweretooweaktolifthisheavybody.Heusedhislegstohelp,buthejustdidn'thaveanystrength.Hewastrappedinhis

hole.Itwasalmostfunny,buthewasn'tinthemoodtolaugh."Stanley!"heheardMr.Pendanskicall.Usinghisshovel,hedugtwofootholdsintheholewall.HeclimbedouttoseeMr.

Pendanskiwalkingovertohim."Iwasafraidyou'dfainted,"Mr.Pendanskisaid."Youwouldn'thavebeenthe

first.""I'mfinished,"Stanleysaid,puttinghisblood-spottedcapbackonhishead."Allright!"saidMr.Pendanski,raisinghishandforahighfive,butStanleyignored

it.Hedidn'thavethestrength.Mr.PendanskiloweredhishandandlookeddownatStanley'shole."Welldone,"he

said."Youwantarideback?"Stanleyshookhishead."I'llwalk."Mr.PendanskiclimbedbackintothetruckwithoutfillingStanley'scanteen.Stanley

waitedforhimtodriveaway,thentookanotherlookathishole.Heknewitwasnothingtobeproudof,buthefeltproudnonetheless.

Hesuckeduphislastbitofsalivaandspat.

8

Alotofpeopledon'tbelieveincurses.

Alotofpeopledon'tbelieveinyellow-spottedlizardseither,butifonebitesyou,itdoesn'tmakeadifferencewhetheryoubelieveinitornot.

Actually,itiskindofoddthatscientistsnamedthelizardafteritsyellowspots.Eachlizardhasexactlyelevenyellowspots,butthespotsarehardtoseeonitsyellow-greenbody.

Thelizardisfromsixtotenincheslongandhasbigredeyes.Intruth,itseyesareyellow,anditistheskinaroundtheeyeswhichisred,buteveryonealwaysspeaksofitsredeyes.Italsohasblackteethandamilkywhitetongue.

Lookingatone,youwouldhavethoughtthatitshouldhavebeennameda"red-eyed"lizard,ora"black-toothed"lizard,orperhapsa"white-tongued"lizard.

Ifyou'veeverbeencloseenoughtoseetheyellowspots,youareprobablydead.

Theyellow-spottedlizardsliketoliveinholes,whichoffershadefromthesunandprotectionfrompredatorybirds.Uptotwentylizardsmayliveinonehole.Theyhavestrong,powerfullegs,andcanleapoutofverydeepholestoattacktheirprey.Theyeatsmallanimals,insects,certaincactusthorns,andtheshellsofsunflowerseeds.

9

19

Stanleystoodintheshowerandletthecoldwaterpouroverhishotandsorebody.Itwasfourminutesofheaven.Fortheseconddayinarowhedidn'tusesoap.Hewastootired.

Therewasnoroofovertheshowerbuilding,andthewallswereraisedupsixinchesoffthegroundexceptinthecorners.Therewasnodraininthefloor.Thewaterranoutunderthewallsandevaporatedquicklyinthesun.

Heputonhiscleansetoforangeclothes.Hereturnedtohistent,puthisdutyclothesinhiscrate,gotouthispenandboxofstationery,andheadedtotherecroom.

AsignonthedoorsaidWRECKROOM.

Nearlyeverythingintheroomwasbroken;theTV,thepinballmachine,thefurniture.Eventhepeoplelookedbroken,withtheirworn-outbodiessprawledoverthevariouschairsandsofas.

X-RayandArmpitwereplayingpool.ThesurfaceofthetableremindedStanleyofthesurfaceofthelake.Itwasfullofbumpsandholesbecausesomanypeoplehadcarvedtheirinitialsintothefelt.

Therewasaholeinthefarwall,andanelectricfanhadbeenplacedinfrontofit.Cheapair-conditioning.Atleastthefanworked.

AsStanleymadehiswayacrosstheroom,hetrippedoveranoutstretchedleg."Hey,watchit!"saidanorangelumponachair."Youwatchit,"mutteredStanley,tootiredtocare."What'dyousay?"theLumpdemanded.

"Nothin',"saidStanley.

TheLumprose.HewasalmostasbigasStanleyandalottougher."Yousaidsomething."HepokedhisfatfingerinStanley'sneck."What'dyousay?"

Acrowdquicklyformedaroundthem.

"Becool,"saidX-Ray.HeputhishandonStanley'sshoulder."Youdon'twanttomesswiththeCaveman,"hewarned.

"TheCaveman'scool,"saidArmpit."I'mnotlookingfortrouble,"Stanleysaid."I'mjusttired,that'sall."TheLumpgrunted.X-RayandArmpitledStanleyovertoacouch.Squidslidovertomakeroomas

Stanleysatdown."DidyouseetheCavemanbackthere?"X-Rayasked."TheCaveman'sonetoughdude,"saidSquid,andhelightlypunchedStanley'sarm.Stanleyleanedbackagainstthetornvinylupholstery.Despitehisshower,hisbody

stillradiatedheat."Iwasn'ttryingtostartanything,"hesaid.Thelastthinghewantedtodoafterkillinghimselfalldayonthelakewastogetin

afightwithaboycalledtheCaveman.HewasgladX-RayandArmpithadcometohisrescue.

"Well,how'dyoulikeyourfirsthole?"askedSquid.Stanleygroaned,andtheotherboyslaughed."Well,thefirsthole'sthehardest,"saidStanley.

20

"Noway,"saidX-Ray."Thesecondhole'salotharder.You'rehurtingbeforeyouevengetstarted.Ifyouthinkyou'resorenow,justwaitandseehowyoufeeltomorrowmorning,right?"

"That'sright,"saidSquid."Plus,thefun'sgone,"saidX-Ray."Thefun?"askedStanley."Don'tlietome,"saidX-Ray."Ibetyoualwayswantedtodigabighole,right?Am

Iright?"Stanleyhadneverreallythoughtaboutitbefore,butheknewbetterthantotell

X-Rayhewasn'tright."Everykidintheworldwantstodigagreatbighole,"saidX-Ray."ToChina,

right?""Right,"saidStanley."SeewhatImean,"saidX-Ray."That'swhatI'msaying.Butnowthefun'sgone.

Andyoustillgottodoitagain,andagain,andagain.""CampFunandGames,"saidStanley."What'sinthebox?"askedSquid.Stanleyhadforgottenhehadbroughtit."Uh,paper.Iwasgoingtowritealetterto

mymother.""Yourmother?"laughedSquid."She'llworryifIdon't."Squidscowled.Stanleylookedaroundtheroom.Thiswastheoneplaceincampwheretheboys

couldenjoythemselves,andwhat'dtheydo?Theywreckedit.TheglassontheTVwassmashed,asifsomeonehadputhisfootthroughit.Everytableandchairseemedtobemissingatleastoneleg.Everythingleaned.

HewaitedtowritetheletteruntilafterSquidhadgottenupandjoinedthegameofpool.

DearMom,

Todaywasmyfirstdayatcamp,andI'vealreadymadesomefriends.We'vebeenoutonthelakeallday,soI'mprettytired.OnceIpasstheswimmingtest,I'llgettolearnhowtowater-ski.I

Hestoppedwritingashebecameawarethatsomebodywasreadingoverhisshoulder.HeturnedtoseeZero,standingbehindthecouch.

"Idon'twanthertoworryaboutme,"heexplained.

Zerosaidnothing.Hejuststaredattheletterwithaserious,almostangrylookonhisface.

Stanleyslippeditbackintothestationerybox."DidtheshoeshaveredX'sontheback?"Zeroaskedhim.IttookStanleyamoment,butthenherealizedZerowasaskingaboutClyde

Livingston'sshoes.

21

"Yes,theydid,"hesaid.HewonderedhowZeroknewthat.BrandXwasapopularbrandofsneakers.MaybeClydeLivingstonmadeacommercialforthem.

Zerostaredathimforamoment,withthesameintensitywithwhichhehadbeenstaringattheletter.

Stanleypokedhisfingerthroughaholeinthevinylcouchandpulledoutsomeofthestuffing.Hewasn'tawareofwhathewasdoing.

"C'mon,Caveman,dinner,"saidArmpit."Youcoming,Caveman?"saidSquid.StanleylookedaroundtoseethatArmpitandSquidweretalkingtohim."Uh,sure,"

hesaid.Heputthepieceofstationerybackinthebox,thengotupandfollowedtheboysouttothetables.

TheLumpwasn'ttheCaveman.Hewas.Heshruggedhisleftshoulder.ItwasbetterthanBarfBag.

10

Stanleyhadnotroublefallingasleep,butmorningcamemuchtooquickly.Everymuscleandjointinhisbodyachedashetriedtogetoutofbed.Hedidn'tthinkitwaspossiblebuthisbodyhurtmorethanithadthedaybefore.Itwasn'tjusthisarmsandback,buthislegs,ankles,andwaistalsohurt.Theonlythingthatgothimoutofbedwasknowingthateverysecondhewastedmeanthewasonesecondclosertotherisingofthesun.Hehatedthesun.

Hecouldhardlylifthisspoonduringbreakfast,andthenhewasoutonthelake,hisspoonreplacedbyashovel.Hefoundacrackintheground,andbeganhissecondhole.

Hesteppedontheshovelblade,andpushedontheverybackoftheshaftwiththebaseofhisthumb.Thishurtlessthantryingtoholdtheshaftwithhisblisteredfingers.Ashedug,hewascarefultodumpthedirtfarawayfromthehole.Heneededto

savetheareaaroundtheholeforwhenhisholewasmuchdeeper.Hedidn'tknowifhe'devergetthatfar.X-Raywasright.Thesecondholewasthe

hardest.Itwouldtakeamiracle.Aslongasthesunwasn'toutyet,heremovedhiscapandusedittohelpprotecthis

hands.Oncethesunrose,hewouldhavetoputitbackonhishead.Hisneckandforeheadhadbeenbadlyburnedthedaybefore.

Hetookitoneshovelfulatatime,andtriednottothinkoftheawesometaskthatlayaheadofhim.Afteranhourorso,hissoremusclesseemedtoloosenupalittlebit.Hegruntedashetriedtostickhisshovelintothedirt.Hiscapslippedoutfrom

underhisfingers,andtheshovelfellfree.Heletitliethere.Hetookadrinkfromhiscanteen.Heguessedthatthewatertruckshouldbecoming

soon,buthedidn'tfinishallthewater,justincasehewaswrong.He'dlearnedtowaituntilhesawthetruck,beforedrinkingthelastdrop.

Thesunwasn'tyetup,butitsraysarcedoverthehorizonandbroughtlighttothesky.

22

Hereacheddowntopickuphiscap,andtherenexttoithesawawideflatrock.Asheputhiscaponhishead,hecontinuedtolookdownattherock.

Hepickeditup.Hethoughthecouldseetheshapeofafish,fossilizedinit.

Herubbedoffsomedirt,andtheoutlineofthefishbecameclearer.Thesunpeekedoverthehorizon,andhecouldactuallyseetinylineswhereeveryoneofthefish'sboneshadbeen.

Helookedatthebarrenlandallaroundhim.True,everyonereferredtothisareaas"thelake,"butitwasstillhardtobelievethatthisdrywastelandwasoncefullofwater.

ThenherememberedwhatMr.SirandMr.Pendanskihadbothsaid.Ifhedugupanythinginteresting,heshouldreportittooneofthem.IftheWardenlikedit,hewouldgettherestofthedayoff.

Helookedbackdownathisfish.He'dfoundhismiracle.

Hecontinuedtodig,thoughveryslowly,ashewaitedforthewatertruck.Hedidn'twanttobringattentiontohisfind,afraidthatoneoftheotherboysmighttrytotakeitfromhim.Hetossedtherock,facedown,besidehisdirtpile,asifithadnospecialvalue.Ashortwhilelaterhesawthecloudofdirtheadingacrossthelake.

Thetruckstoppedandtheboyslinedup.Theyalwayslinedupinthesameorder,Stanleyrealized,nomatterwhogottherefirst.X-Raywasalwaysatthefrontoftheline.ThencameArmpit,Squid,Zigzag,Magnet,andZero.

StanleygotinlinebehindZero.Hewasgladtobeattheback,sonoonewouldnoticethefossil.Hispantshadverylargepockets,buttherockstillmadeabulge.

Mr.Pendanskifilledeachboy'scanteen,untilStanleywastheonlyoneleft."Ifoundsomething,"Stanleysaid,takingitoutofhispocket.Mr.PendanskireachedforStanley'scanteen,butStanleyhandedhimtherock

instead."What'sthis?"

"It'safossil,"saidStanley."Seethefish?"Mr.Pendanskilookedatitagain."See,youcanevenseeallofitslittlebones,"saidStanley."Interesting,"saidMr.Pendanski."Letmehaveyourcanteen."Stanleyhandedittohim.Mr.Pendanskifilledit,thenreturnedit."SodoIgettherestofthedayoff?""Whatfor?""Youknow,yousaidifIfoundsomethinginteresting,theWardenwouldgiveme

thedayoff."Mr.PendanskilaughedashegavethefossilbacktoStanley."Sorry,Stanley.The

Wardenisn'tinterestedinfossils.""Letmeseethat,"saidMagnet,takingtherockfromStanley.StanleycontinuedtostareatMr.Pendanski."Hey,Zig,digthisrock.""Cool,"saidZigzag.Stanleysawhisfossilbeingpassedaround.

23

"Idon'tseenothing,"saidX-Ray.Hetookoffhisglasses,wipedthemonhisdirtyclothes,andputthembackon.

"See,lookatthelittlefishy,"saidArmpit.

11

Stanleyreturnedtohishole.Itwasn'tfair.Mr.Pendanskihadevensaidhisfossilwasinteresting.Heslammedhisshovelintothegroundandpriedupanotherpieceofearth.

Afterawhile,henoticedX-Rayhadcomebyandwaswatchinghimdig."Hey,Caveman,letmetalktoyouasecond,"X-Raysaid.Stanleyputdownhisshovelandsteppedupoutofhishole."Say,listen,"saidX-Ray."Ifyoufindsomethingelse,giveittome,okay?"Stanleywasn'tsurewhattosay.X-Raywasclearlytheleaderofthegroup,and

Stanleydidn'twanttogetonhisbadside."You'renewhere,right?"saidX-Ray."I'vebeenhereforalmostayear.I'venever

foundanything.Youknow,myeyesight'snotsogood.Nooneknowsthis,butyouknowwhymyname'sX-Ray?"

Stanleyshruggedoneshoulder."It'spiglatinforRex.That'sall.I'mtooblindtofindanything."Stanleytriedtorememberhowpiglatinworked."Imean,"X-Raywenton,"whyshouldyougetadayoffwhenyou'veonlybeen

hereacoupleofdays?Ifanybodygetsadayoff,itshouldbeme.That'sonlyfair,right?"

"Iguess,"Stanleyagreed.X-Raysmiled."You'reagoodguy,Caveman."

Stanleypickeduphisshovel.

Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehewasgladthatheagreedtoletX-Rayhaveanythinghemightfind.IfhewasgoingtosurviveatCampGreenLake,itwasfarmoreimportantthatX-Raythinkhewasagoodguythanitwasforhimtogetonedayoff.Besides,hedidn'texpecttofindanythinganyway.Thereprobablywasn'tanything"ofinterest"outthere,andeveniftherewas,he'dneverbeenwhatyoucouldcalllucky.

Heslammedhisbladeintotheground,thendumpedoutanothershovelfulofdirt.Itwasalittlesurprising,hethought,thatX-Raywastheleaderofthegroup,sinceheobviouslywasn'tthebiggestorthetoughest.Infact,exceptforZero,X-Raywasthesmallest.Armpitwasthebiggest.ZigzagmayhavebeentallerthanArmpit,butthat

wasonlybecauseofhisneck.YetArmpit,andalltheothers,seemedtobewillingtodowhateverX-Rayaskedofthem.

AsStanleydugupanothershovelfulofdirt,itoccurredtohimthatArmpitwasn'tthebiggest.He,theCaveman,wasbigger.

HewasgladtheycalledhimCaveman.Itmeanttheyacceptedhimasamemberofthegroup.Hewouldhavebeengladevenifthey'dcalledhimBarfBag.

24

Itwasreallyquiteremarkabletohim.Atschool,bullieslikeDerrickDunneusedtopickonhim.YetDerrickDunnewouldbescaredsenselessbyanyoftheboyshere.

Ashedughishole,StanleythoughtaboutwhatitwouldbelikeifDerrickDunnehadtofightArmpitorSquid.Derrickwouldn'tstandachance.

Heimaginedwhatitwouldbelikeifhebecamegoodfriendswithallofthem,andthenforsomereasontheyallwentwithhimtohisschool,andthenDerrickDunnetriedtostealhisnotebook...

"Justwhatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"asksSquid,asheslamshishandsintoDerrickDunne'ssmugface.

"Caveman'sourfriend,"saysArmpit,grabbinghimbytheshincollar.

Stanleyplayedthesceneoverandoveragaininhismind,eachtimewatchinganotherboyfromGroupDbeatupDerrickDunne.Ithelpedhimdighisholeandeasehisownsuffering.WhateverpainhefeltwasbeingfelttentimesworsebyDerrick.

12

Again,Stanleywasthelastonetofinishdigging.Itwaslateafternoonwhenhedraggedhimselfbacktothecompound.Thistimehewouldhaveacceptedarideonthetruckifitwasoffered.

Whenhegottothetent,hefoundMr.Pendanskiandtheotherboyssittinginacircleontheground.

"Welcome,Stanley,"saidMr.Pendanski."Hey,Caveman.Yougetyourholedug?"askedMagnet.Hemanagedtonod."Youspitinit?"askedSquid.Henoddedagain."You'reright,"hesaidtoX-Ray."Thesecondhole'sthehardest."X-Rayshookhishead."Thethirdhole'sthehardest,"hesaid."Comejoinourcircle,"saidMr.Pendanski.StanleyploppeddownbetweenSquidandMagnet.Heneededtorestupbefore

takingashower."We'vebeendiscussingwhatwewanttodowithourlives,"saidMr.Pendanski.

"We'renotgoingtobeatCampGreenLakeforever.Weneedtoprepareforthedayweleavehereandjointherestofsociety."

"Hey,that'sgreat,Mom!"saidMagnet."They'regoingtofinallyletyououtofhere?"

Theotherboyslaughed."Okay,José,"saidMr.Pendanski."Whatdoyouwanttodowithyourlife?""Idon'tknow,"saidMagnet."Youneedtothinkaboutthat,"saidMr.Pendanski."It'simportanttohavegoals.

Otherwiseyou'regoingtoenduprightbackinjail.Whatdoyouliketodo?""Idon'tknow,"saidMagnet."Youmustlikesomething,"saidMr.Pendanski."Ilikeanimals,"saidMagnet.

25

"Good,"saidMr.Pendanski."Doesanyoneknowofanyjobsthatinvolveanimals?"

"Veterinarian,"saidArmpit."That'sright,"saidMr.Pendanski."Hecouldworkinazoo,"saidZigzag."Hebelongsinthezoo,"saidSquid,thenheandX-Raylaughed."Howaboutyou,Stanley?AnyideasforJosé?"Stanleysighed."Animaltrainer,"hesaid."Likeforthecircus,ormovies,or

somethinglikethat.""Anyofthosejobssoundgoodtoyou,José?"askedMr.Pendanski."Yeah,IlikewhatCavemansaid.Abouttraininganimalsformovies.Ithinkit

wouldbefuntotrainmonkeys."X-Raylaughed."Don'tlaugh,Rex,"saidMr.Pendanski."Wedon'tlaughatpeople'sdreams.

Someoneisgoingtohavetotrainmonkeysforthemovies.""Whoareyoukidding,Mom?"askedX-Ray."Magnet'snevergoingtobea

monkeytrainer.""Youdon'tknowthat,"saidMr.Pendanski."I'mnotsayingit'sgoingtobeeasy.

Nothinginlifeiseasy.Butthat'snoreasontogiveup.You'llbesurprisedwhatyoucanaccomplishifyousetyourmindtoit.Afterall,youonlyhaveonelife,soyoushouldtrytomakethemostofit.''

Stanleytriedtofigureoutwhathe'dsayifMr.Pendanskiaskedhimwhathewantedtodowithhislife.HeusedtothinkhewantedtoworkfortheF.B.I.,butthisdidn'tseemtheappropriateplacetomentionthat.

"Sofaryou'vealldoneaprettygoodjobatmessingupyourlives,"saidMr.Pendanski."Iknowyouthinkyou'recool."HelookedatStanley."Soyou'reCaveman,now,huh?Youlikediggingholes,Caveman?"

Stanleydidn'tknowwhattosay.

"Well,letmetellyousomething,Caveman.Youarehereonaccountofoneperson.Ifitwasn'tforthatperson,youwouldn'tbeherediggingholesinthehotsun.Youknowwhothatpersonis?"

"Myno-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grand-father."Theotherboyshowledwithlaughter.EvenZerosmiled.ItwasthefirsttimeStanleyhadeverseenZerosmile.Heusuallyhadsuchanangry

expressiononhisface.Nowhehadsuchahugesmileitalmostseemedtoobigforhisface,likethesmileonajack-o'-lantern.

"No,"saidMr.Pendanski."Thatpersonisyou,Stanley.You'rethereasonyouarehere.You'reresponsibleforyourself.Youmessedupyourlife,andit'suptoyoutofixit.Nooneelseisgoingtodoitforyou—foranyofyou."

Mr.Pendanskilookedfromoneboytoanother."You'reallspecialinyourownway,"hesaid."You'veallgotsomethingtooffer.Youhavetothinkaboutwhatyouwanttodo,thendoit.Evenyou,Zero.You'renotcompletelyworthless."

ThesmilewasnowgonefromZero'sface.

26

"Whatdoyouwanttodowithyourlife?"Mr.Pendanskiaskedhim.

Zero'smouthwasshuttight.AsheglaredatMr.Pendanski,hisdarkeyesseemedtoexpand.

"Whataboutit,Zero?"askedMr.Pendanski."Whatdoyouliketodo?""Iliketodigholes."

13

AlltoosoonStanleywasbackoutonthelake,stickinghisshovelintothedirt.X-Raywasright:thethirdholewasthehardest.Sowasthefourthhole.Andthefifthhole.Andthesixth,andthe...

Hedughisshovelintothedirt.

Afterawhilehe'dlosttrackofthedayoftheweek,andhowmanyholeshe'ddug.Itallseemedlikeonebighole,anditwouldtakeayearandahalftodigit.Heguessedhe'dlostatleastfivepounds.Hefiguredthatinayearandahalfhe'dbeeitheringreatphysicalcondition,orelsedead.

Hedughisshovelintothedirt.

Itcouldn'talwaysbethishot,hethought.SurelyitgotcoolerinDecember.Maybethentheyfroze.

Hedughisshovelintothedirt.Hisskinhadgottentougher.Itdidn'thurtsomuchtoholdtheshovel.Ashedrankfromhiscanteenhelookedupatthesky.Acloudhadappearedearlier

intheday.ItwasthefirstcloudhecouldrememberseeingsincecomingtoCampGreenLake.

Heandtheotherboyshadbeenwatchingitallday,hopingitwouldmoveinfrontofthesun.Occasionallyitgotclose,butitwasjustteasingthem.

Hisholewaswaistdeep.Hedughisshovelintothedirt.Ashedumpeditout,hethoughthesawsomethingglistenasitfellontothedirtpile.Whateveritwas,itwasquicklyburied.

Stanleystaredatthepileamoment,unsureifhe'devenseenit.Evenifitwassomething,whatgoodwoulditdohim?He'dpromisedtogiveanythinghefoundtoX-Ray.Itdidn'tseemworththeefforttoclimboutofhisholetocheckitout.

Heglancedupatthecloud,whichwascloseenoughtothesunthathehadtosquinttolookatit.

Hedughisshovelbackintotheearth,scoopedoutsomedirt,andlifteditoverhisdirtpile.Butinsteadofdumpingitthere,hetosseditofftotheside.Hiscuriosityhadgottenthebetterofhim.

Heclimbedupoutofhisholeandsiftedhisfingersthroughthepile.Hefeltsomethinghardandmetallic.

Hepulleditout.Itwasagoldtube,aboutaslongandaswideasthesecondfingeronhisrighthand.Thetubewasopenatoneendandclosedattheother.

Heusedafewdropsofhispreciouswatertocleanit.

27

Thereseemedtobesomekindofdesignontheflat,closedend.Hepouredafewmoredropsofwateronitandrubbeditontheinsideofhispantspocket.

Helookedagainatthedesignengravedintotheflatbottomofthetube.Hecouldseeanoutlineofaheart,withthelettersKBetchedinsideit.

Hetriedtofigureoutsomewaythathewouldn'thavetogiveittoX-Ray.Hecouldjustkeepit,butthatwouldn'tdohimanygood.Hewantedadayoff.

HelookedatthelargepilesofdirtnearwhereX-Raywasdigging.X-Raywasprobablyalmostfinishedfortheday.Gettingtherestofthedayoffwouldhardlydohimmuchgood.X-RaywouldfirsthavetoshowthetubetoMr.SirorMr.Pendanski,whowouldthenhavetoshowittotheWarden.BythenX-Raymightbedoneanyway.

StanleywonderedabouttryingtosecretlytakethetubedirectlytotheWarden.HecouldexplainthesituationtotheWarden,andtheWardenmightmakeupanexcuseforgivinghimthedayoff,soX-Raywouldn'tsuspect.

Helookedacrossthelaketowardthecabinunderthetwooaktrees.Theplacescaredhim.He'dbeenatCampGreenLakealmosttwoweeks,andhestillhadn'tseentheWarden.Thatwasjustaswell.IfhecouldgohisentireyearandahalfwithoutseeingtheWarden,thatwouldbefinewithhim.

Besides,hedidn'tknowiftheWardenwouldfindthetube"interesting."Helookedatitagain.Itlookedfamiliar.Hethoughthe'dseensomethinglikeit,somewherebefore,butcouldn'tquiteplaceit.

"Whatyougotthere,Caveman?"askedZigzag.

Stanley'slargehandclosedaroundthetube."Nothin',just,uh..."Itwasuseless."IthinkImighthavefoundsomething."

"Anotherfossil?""No,I'mnotsurewhatitis.""Letmesee,"saidZigzag.InsteadofshowingittoZigzag,StanleybroughtittoX-Ray.Zigzagfollowed.X-Raylookedatthetube,thenrubbedhisdirtyglassesonhisdirtyshirtandlooked

atthetubeagain.Onebyone,theotherboysdroppedtheirshovelsandcametolook."Itlookslikeanoldshotgunshell,"saidSquid."Yeah,that'sprobablywhatitis,"saidStanley.Hedecidednottomentionthe

engraveddesign.Maybenobodywouldnoticeit.HedoubtedX-Raycouldseeit."No,it'stoolongandthintobeashotgunshell,"saidMagnet."It'sprob'lyjustapieceofjunk,"saidStanley."Well,I'llshowittoMom,"saidX-Ray."Seewhathethinks.Whoknows?Maybe

I'llgetthedayoff.""Yourhole'salmostfinished,"saidStanley."Yeah,so?"Stanleyraisedandloweredhisshoulder."So,whydon'tyouwaituntiltomorrowto

showittoMom?"hesuggested."Youcanpretendyoufounditfirstthinginthemorning.Thenyoucangetthewholedayoff,insteadofjustanhourorsothisafternoon."

X-Raysmiled."Goodthinking,Caveman."Hedroppedthetubeintohislargepocketontherightlegofhisdirtyorangepants.

28

Stanleyreturnedtohishole.

Whenthewatertruckcame,Stanleystartedtotakehisplaceattheendoftheline,butX-RaytoldhimtogetbehindMagnet,infrontofZero.

Stanleymoveduponeplaceinline.

14

Thatnight,asStanleylayonhisscratchyandsmellycot,hetriedtofigureoutwhathecouldhavedonedifferently,buttherewasnothinghecoulddo.Foronceinhisunluckylife,hewasintherightplaceattherighttime,anditstilldidn'thelphim.

"Yougotit?"heaskedX-Raythenextmorningatbreakfast.

X-Raylookedathimwithhalf-openedeyesbehindhisdirtyglasses."Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,"hegrumbled.

"Youknow..."saidStanley.

"No,Idon'tknow!"X-Raysnapped."Sojustleavemealone,okay?Idon'twanttotalktoyou."

Stanleydidn'tsayanotherword.

Mr.Sirmarchedtheboysouttothelake,chewingsunflowerseedsalongthewayandspittingouttheshells.Hescrapedthegroundwithhisbootheel,tomarkwhereeachboywassupposedtodig.

Stanleystampeddownonthebackofthebladeoftheshovel,piercingthehard,dryearth.Hecouldn'tfigureoutwhyX-Raysnappedathim.Ifhewasn'tgoingtoproducethetube,whydidhemakeStanleygiveittohim?Washejustgoingtokeepit?Thetubewasgoldincolor,butStanleydidn'tthinkitwasrealgold.

Thewatertruckcamealittleaftersunrise.Stanleyfinishedhislastdropofwaterandsteppedupoutofhishole.Atthistimeofday,Stanleysometimescouldseesomedistanthillsormountainsontheothersideofthelake.Theywereonlyvisibleforashortwhileandwouldsoondisappearbehindthehazeofheatanddirt.

Thetruckstopped,andthedustclouddriftedpastit.X-Raytookhisplaceatthefrontoftheline.Mr.Pendanskifilledhiscanteen."Thanks,Mom,"X-Raysaid.Hedidn'tmentionthetube.

Mr.Pendanskifilledallthecanteens,thenclimbedbackintothecabofthepickup.HestillhadtobringwatertoGroupE.Stanleycouldseethemdiggingabouttwohundredyardsaway.

"Mr.Pendanski!"X-Rayshoutedfromhishole."Wait!Mr.Pendanski!IthinkImighthavefoundsomething!"

TheboysallfollowedMr.PendanskiashewalkedovertoX-Ray'shole.StanleycouldseethegoldtubestickingoutofsomedirtontheendofX-Ray'sshovel.

Mr.Pendanskiexamineditandtookalonglookatitsflatbottom."IthinktheWardenisgoingtolikethis."

"DoesX-Raygetthedayoff?"askedSquid.

"Justkeepdigginguntilsomeonesaysotherwise,"Mr.Pendanskisaid.Thenhesmiled."ButifIwereyou,Rex,Iwouldn'tdigtoohard."

29

Stanleywatchedthecloudofdustmoveacrossthelaketothecabinbeneaththetrees.

TheboysinGroupEwerejustgoingtohavetowait.

Itdidn'ttakelongforthepickuptoreturn.Mr.Pendanskisteppedoutofthecab.Atallwomanwithredhairsteppedoutofthepassengerside.Shelookedeventallerthanshewas,sinceStanleywasdowninhishole.Sheworeablackcowboyhatand

blackcowboybootswhichwerestuddedwithturquoisestones.Thesleevesonhershirtwererolledup,andherarmswerecoveredwithfreckles,aswasherface.ShewalkedrightuptoX-Ray.

"Thiswhereyoufoundit?""Yes,ma'am.""Yourgoodworkwillberewarded."SheturnedtoMr.Pendanski."DriveX-Ray

backtocamp.Lethimtakeadoubleshower,andgivehimsomecleanclothes.ButfirstIwantyoutofilleveryone'scanteen."

"Ijustfilledthemalittlewhileago,"saidMr.Pendanski.TheWardenstaredhardathim."Excuseme,"shesaid.Hervoicewassoft."IhadjustfilledthemwhenRex—""Excuseme,"theWardensaidagain."DidIaskyouwhenyoulastfilledthem?""No,butit'sjust—""Excuseme."Mr.Pendanskistoppedtalking.TheWardenwiggledherfingerforhimtocometo

her."It'shotandit'sonlygoingtogethotter,"shesaid."Now,thesefineboyshavebeenworkinghard.Don'tyouthinkitmightbepossiblethattheymighthavetakenadrinksinceyoulastfilledtheircanteens?"

Mr.Pendanskisaidnothing.TheWardenturnedtoStanley."Caveman,willyoucomehere,please?"Stanleywassurprisedsheknewhisname.Hehadneverseenher.Untilshestepped

outofthetruck,hedidn'tevenknowtheWardenwasawoman.Henervouslywenttowardher."Mr.PendanskiandIhavebeenhavingadiscussion.Haveyoutakenadrinksince

Mr.Pendanskilastfilledyourcanteen?"Stanleydidn'twanttocauseanytroubleforMr.Pendanski."Istillgotplentyleft,"

hesaid."Excuseme."

Hestopped."Yeah,Idranksome.""Thankyou.MayIseeyourcanteenplease."Stanleyhandedittoher.Herfingernailswerepainteddarkred.Shegentlyshookthecanteen,lettingthewaterswishinsidetheplasticcontainer.

"Doyouheartheemptyspaces?"sheasked."Yes,"saidMr.Pendanski."Thenfillit,"shesaid."AndthenexttimeItellyoutodosomething,Iexpectyouto

doitwithoutquestioningmyauthority.Ifit'stoomuchtroubleforyoutofillacanteen,I'llgiveyouashovel.Youcandigthehole,andtheCavemancanfillyourcanteen."

30

SheturnedbacktoStanley."Idon'tthinkthatwouldbetoomuchtroubleforyou,wouldit?"

"No,"saidStanley.

"Sowhatwillitbe?"sheaskedMr.Pendanski."Doyouwanttofillthecanteensordoyouwanttodig?"

"I'llfillthecanteens,"saidMr.Pendanski."Thankyou."

15

Mr.Pendanskifilledthecanteens.

TheWardengotapitchforkoutofthebackofthepickup.ShepokeditthroughX-Ray'sdirtpile,toseeifanythingelsemighthavebeenburiedinthereaswell.

"AfteryoudropoffX-Ray,Iwantyoutobringbackthreewheelbarrows,"shesaid.

X-Raygotinthepickup.Asthetruckpulledaway,heleanedoutthewidewindowandwaved.

"Zero,"saidtheWarden."IwantyoutotakeoverX-Ray'shole."SheseemedtoknowthatZerowasthefastestdigger.

"ArmpitandSquid,youwillkeepdiggingwhereyouhavebeen,"shesaid."Butyou'reeachgoingtohaveahelper.Zigzag,youhelpArmpit.MagnetwillhelpSquid.AndCaveman,you'llworkwithZero.We'regoingtodigthedirttwice.Zerowilldigitoutofthehole,andCavemanwillcarefullyshovelitintoawheelbarrow.ZigzagwilldothesameforArmpit,andthesamewithMagnetandSquid.Wedon'twanttomissanything.Ifeitherofyoufindsomething,you'llbothgettherestofthedayoff,andadoubleshower.

"Whenthewheelbarrowsarefull,youaretodumpthemawayfromthisarea.Wedon'twantanydirtpilestogetintheway."

TheWardenremainedatthesitefortheremainderoftheday,alongwithMr.PendanskiandMr.Sir,whoshowedupafterawhile.OccasionallyMr.Sirwouldleavetotakewatertotheothergroupsofcampers,butotherwiseheandthewater

truckstayedparkedthere.TheWardensawtoitthatnobodyinGroupDwaseverthirsty.

Stanleydidashewastold.HecarefullylookedthroughallthedirtdugupbyZero,asheshoveleditintoawheelbarrow,thoughheknewhewouldn'tfindanything.

Itwaseasierthandigginghisownhole.Whenthewheelbarrowwasfull,hetookitagooddistanceawaybeforedumpingit.

TheWardencouldn'tkeepstill.Shekeptwalkingaround,lookingovertheboys'shoulders,andstickingherpitchforkthroughthedirtpiles."You'redoingfine,justfine,"shetoldStanley.

Afterawhile,shetoldtheboystoswitchplaces,sothatStanley,Zigzag,andMagnetdugintheholes,andZero,Armpit,andSquidshoveledtheexcavateddirtintothewheelbarrows.

31

Afterlunch,Zerotookoverthediggingagain,andStanleyreturnedtothewheelbarrow."There'snohurry,"theWardensaidseveraltimes."Themainthingisnottomissanything."

Theboysduguntileachholewaswelloversixfeetdeepandwide.Still,itwaseasierfortwoboystodigasix-footholethanitwasforoneboytodigafive-foothole."Allright,that'senoughfortoday,"theWardensaid."I'vewaitedthislong,Ican

waitanotherday."Mr.Sirdroveherbacktohercabin."Iwonderhowsheknewallournames,"Stanleysaidashewalkedbacktothe

compound."Shewatchesusallthetime,"saidZigzag."She'sgothiddenmicrophonesand

camerasallovertheplace.Inthetents,theWreckRoom,theshower.""Theshower?"askedStanley.HewonderedifZigzagwasjustbeingparanoid."Thecamerasaretiny,"saidArmpit."Nobiggerthanthetoenailonyourlittletoe."Stanleyhadhisdoubtsaboutthat.Hedidn'tthinktheycouldmakecamerasthat

small.Microphones,maybe.HerealizedthatwaswhyX-Raydidn'twanttotalktohimaboutthegoldtubeat

breakfast.X-RaywasafraidtheWardenmighthavebeenlistening.Onethingwascertain:Theyweren'tjustdiggingto"buildcharacter."Theywere

definitelylookingforsomething.Andwhatevertheywerelookingfor,theywerelookinginthewrongplace.Stanleygazedoutacrossthelake,towardthespotwherehehadbeendigging

yesterdaywhenhefoundthegoldtube.Hedugtheholeintohismemory.

16

AsStanleyenteredtheWreckRoom,hecouldhearX-Ray'svoicefromallthewayacrosstheroom.

"SeewhatI'msaying,"X-Raysaid."AmIright,oramIright?"

Theotherbodiesintheroomwerelittlemorethanbagsoffleshandbones,dumpedacrossbrokenchairsandcouches.X-Raywasfulloflife,laughingandwavinghisarmsaroundashetalked."Yo,Caveman,myman!"hecalledout.

Stanleymadehiswayacrosstheroom."Hey,slideonover,Squid,"saidX-Ray."MakeroomfortheCaveman."Stanleycrashedonthecouch.Hehadlookedforahiddencameraintheshower.Hehadn'tseenanything,andhe

hopedtheWardenhadn'teither."What'sthematter?"askedX-Ray."Youguystiredorsomething?"Helaughed."Hey,keepitdown,willyou,"groanedZigzag."I'mtryingtowatchTV."StanleyglanceduncertainlyatZigzag,whowasstaringveryintentlyatthebusted

televisionscreen.

32

TheWardengreetedtheboysatbreakfastthenextmorningandwentwiththemtotheholes.Fourdugintheholes,andthreetendedtothewheelbarrows."Gladyou'rehere,X-Ray,"shesaidtohim."Weneedyoursharpeyes."

Stanleyspentmoretimepushingthewheelbarrowthandigging,becausehewassuchaslowdigger.Hecartedawaytheexcessdirtanddumpeditintopreviouslydugholes.Hewascarefulnottodumpanyofitintheholewherethegoldtubewasactuallyfound.

Hecouldstillseethetubeinhismind.Itseemedsofamiliar,buthejustcouldn'tplaceit.Hethoughtthatitmighthavebeenthelidtoafancygoldpen.KBcouldhavebeentheinitialsofafamousauthor.TheonlyfamousauthorshecouldthinkofwereCharlesDickens,WilliamShakespeare,andMarkTwain.Besides,itdidn'treallylooklikethetopofapen.

BylunchtimetheWardenwasbeginningtoloseherpatience.Shemadethemeatquickly,sotheycouldgetbacktowork."Ifyoucan'tgetthemtoworkanyfaster,"shetoldMr.Sir,"thenyou'regoingtohavetoclimbdownthereanddigwiththem."

Afterthat,everyoneworkedfaster,especiallywhenMr.Sirwaswatchingthem.Stanleypracticallyranwhenhepushedhiswheelbarrow.Mr.Sirremindedthemthattheyweren'tGirlScouts.

Theydidn'tquitdigginguntilaftereveryothergrouphadfinished.

Later,asStanleysatsprawledacrossanunderstuffedchair,hetriedtothinkofawaytotelltheWardenwherethetubewasreallyfound,withoutgettinghimselforX-Rayintotrouble.Itdidn'tseempossible.Heeventhoughtaboutsneakingoutatnightanddigginginthatholebyhimself.Butthelastthinghewantedtodoafterdiggingalldaywasto"digatnight,too.Besides,theshovelswerelockedupatnight,presumablysotheycouldn'tbeusedasweapons.

Mr.PendanskienteredtheWreckRoom."Stanley,"hecalledashemadehiswaytohim.

"Hisname'sCaveman,"saidX-Ray."Stanley,"saidMr.Pendanski."Myname'sCaveman,"saidStanley."Well,IhavealetterhereforsomeonenamedStanleyYelnats,"saidMr.Pendanski.

Heturnedoveranenvelopeinhishands."Itdoesn'tsayCavemananywhere.""Uh,thanks,"Stanleysaid,takingit.Itwasfromhismother."Who'sitfrom?"Squidasked."Yourmother?"

Stanleyputitinthebigpocketofhispants."Aren'tyougoingtoreadittous?"askedArmpit."Givehimsomespace,"saidX-Ray."IfCavemandoesn'twanttoreadittous,he

doesn'thaveto.It'sprobablyfromhisgirlfriend."Stanleysmiled.

Hereaditlater,aftertheotherboyshadgonetodinner.

33

DearStanley,

Itwaswonderfultohearfromyou.Yourlettermademefeellikeoneoftheothermomswhocanaffordtosendtheirkidstosummercamp.Iknowit'snotthesame,butIamveryproudofyoufortryingtomakethebestofabadsituation.Whoknows?Maybesomethinggoodwillcomeofthis.

Yourfatherthinksheisrealclosetoabreakthroughonhissneakerproject.Ihopeso.Thelandlordisthreateningtoevictusbecauseoftheodor.

Ifeelsorryforthelittleoldladywholivedinashoe.Itmusthavesmelledawful!Lovefrombothofus,

"What'ssofunny?"Zeroasked.Itstartledhim.HethoughtZerohadgonetodinnerwiththeothers."Nothing.Justsomethingmymomwrote.""What'dshesay?"Zeroasked."Nothing.""Oh,sorry,"saidZero."Well,seemydadistryingtoinventawaytorecycleoldsneakers.Sothe

apartmentkindofsmellsbad,becausehe'salwayscookingtheseoldsneakers.Soanyway,inthelettermymomsaidshefeltsorryforthatlittleoldladywholivedinashoe,youknow,becauseitmusthavesmelledbadinthere."

Zerostaredblanklyathim."Youknow,thenurseryrhyme?"Zerosaidnothing."You'veheardthenurseryrhymeaboutthelittleoldladywholivedinashoe?""No."Stanleywasamazed."Howdoesitgo?"askedZero."Didn'tyoueverwatchSesameStreet?"Stanleyasked.Zerostaredblankly.Stanleyheadedontodinner.Hewouldhavefeltprettysillyrecitingnurseryrhymes

atCampGreenLake.

17

Forthenextweekandahalf,theboyscontinuedtodiginandaroundtheareawhereX-Rayhadsupposedlyfoundthegoldtube.TheywidenedX-Ray'shole,aswellastheholesArmpitandSquidhadbeendigging,untilthefourthday,whenallthreeholesmetandformedonebighole.

Asthedaysworeon,theWardenbecamelessandlesspatient.Shearrivedlaterinthemorningandleftearlierintheafternoon.Meanwhile,theboyscontinuedtodiglaterandlater.

"ThisisnobiggerthanitwaswhenIleftyouyesterday,"shesaidafterarrivinglateonemorning,wellaftersunrise."Whathaveyoubeendoingdownthere?"

34

"Nothing,"saidSquid.Itwasthewrongthingtosay.Atjustthatmoment,Armpitwasreturningfromabathroombreak."Howniceofyoutojoinus,"shesaid."Andwhathaveyoubeendoing?""Ihadto...youknow...go."TheWardenjabbedatArmpitwithherpitchfork,knockinghimbackwardintothe

bighole.Thepitchforkleftthreeholesinthefrontofhisshirt,andthreetinyspotsofblood.

"You'regivingtheseboystoomuchwater,"theWardentoldMr.Pendanski.

Theycontinuedtodiguntillateafternoon,longafteralltheothergroupshadfinishedfortheday.Stanleywasdowninthebighole,alongwiththeothersixboys.Theyhadstoppedusingthewheelbarrows.

Hedughisshovelintothesideofthehole.Hescoopedupsomedirt,andwasraisingituptothesurfacewhenZigzag'sshovelcaughthiminthesideofthehead.

Hecollapsed.

Hewasn'tsureifhepassedoutornot.HelookeduptoseeZigzag'swildheadstaringdownathim."Iain'tdiggingthatdirtup,"Zigzagsaid."That'syourdirt."

"Hey,Mom!"Magnetcalled."Caveman'sbeenhurt."

Stanleybroughthisfingersupthesideofhisneck.Hefelthiswetbloodandaprettybiggashjustbelowhisear.

MagnethelpedStanleytohisfeet,thenupandoutofthehole.Mr.SirmadeabandageoutofapieceofhissackofsunflowerseedsandtapeditoverStanley'swound.Thenhetoldhimtogetbacktowork."Itisn'tnaptime."

WhenStanleyreturnedtothehole,Zigzagwaswaitingforhim."That'syourdirt,"Zigzagsaid."Youhavetodigitup.It'scoveringupmydirt."Stanleyfeltalittledizzy.Hecouldseeasmallpileofdirt.Ittookhimamomentto

realizethatitwasthedirtwhichhadbeenonhisshovelwhenhewashit.Hescoopeditup,thenZigzagdughisshovelintothegroundunderneathwhere

"Stanley'sdirt"hadbeen.

18

ThenextmorningMr.Sirmarchedtheboystoanothersectionofthelake,andeachboydughisownhole,fivefeetdeepandfivefeetwide.Stanleywasgladtobeaway

fromthebighole.Atleastnowheknewjusthowmuchhehadtodigfortheday.Anditwasareliefnottohaveothershovelsswingingpasthisface,ortheWardenhangingaround.

Hedughisshovelintothedirt,thenslowlyturnedtodumpitintoapile.Hehadtomakehisturnssmoothandslow.Ifhejerkedtooquickly,hefeltathrobbingpainjustabovehisneckwhereZigzag'sshovelhadhithim.

35

Thatpartofhishead,betweenhisneckandear,wasconsiderablyswollen.Therewerenomirrorsincamp,butheimaginedhelookedlikehehadahard-boiledeggstickingoutofhim.

Theremainderofhisbodyhardlyhurtatall.Hismuscleshadstrengthened,andhishandsweretoughandcallused.Hewasstilltheslowestdigger,butnotallthatmuchslowerthanMagnet.LessthanthirtyminutesafterMagnetreturnedtocamp,Stanleyspatintohishole.

Afterhisshower,heputhisdirtyclothesinhiscrateandgotouthisboxofstationery.HestayedinthetenttowritethelettersoSquidandtheotherboyswouldn'tmakefunofhimforwritingtohismother.

DearMomandDad,

Campishard,butchallenging.We'vebeenrunningobstaclecourses,andhavetoswimlongdistancesonthelake.Tomorrowwelearn...

HestoppedwritingasZerowalkedintothetent,thenreturnedtohisletter.Hedidn'tcarewhatZerothought.Zerowasnobody.

...torockclimb.Iknowthatsoundsscary,butdon'tworry,

Zerowasstandingbesidehimnow,watchinghimwrite.

Stanleyturned,andfelthisneckthrob."Idon'tlikeitwhenyoureadovermyshoulder,okay?"

Zerosaidnothing.

I'llbecareful.It'snotallfunandgameshere,butIthinkI'mgettingalotoutofit.Itbuildscharacter.Theotherboys...

"Idon'tknowhow,"saidZero."What?""Canyouteachme?"

Stanleydidn'tknowwhathewastalkingabout."Teachyouwhat,torockclimb?"Zerostaredathimwithpenetratingeyes.

"What?"saidStanley.Hewashot,tired,andsore."Iwanttolearntoreadandwrite,"saidZero.Stanleyletoutashortlaugh.Hewasn'tlaughingatZero.Hewasjustsurprised.All

thistimehehadthoughtZerowasreadingoverhisshoulder."Sorry,"hesaid."Idon'tknowhowtoteach."

Afterdiggingallday,hedidn'thavethestrengthtotrytoteachZerotoreadandwrite.Heneededtosavehisenergyforthepeoplewhocounted.

"Youdon'thavetoteachmetowrite,"saidZero."Justtoread.Idon'thaveanybodytowriteto."

"Sorry,"Stanleysaidagain.

36

Hismusclesandhandsweren'ttheonlypartsofhisbodythathadtoughenedoverthepastseveralweeks.Hishearthadhardenedaswell.

Hefinishedhisletter.Hebarelyhadenoughmoistureinhismouthtosealandstamptheenvelope.Itseemedthatnomatterhowmuchwaterhedrank,hewasalwaysthirsty.

19

Hewasawakenedonenightbyastrangenoise.Atfirsthethoughtitmighthavebeensomekindofanimal,anditfrightenedhim.Butasthesleepclearedfromhishead,herealizedthatthenoisewascomingfromthecotnexttohim.

Squidwascrying."Youokay?"Stanleywhispered.Squid'sheadjerkedaround.Hesniffedandcaughthisbreath."Yeah,Ijust...I'm

fine,"hewhispered,andsniffedagain.InthemorningStanleyaskedSquidifhewasfeelingbetter."Whatareyou,mymother?"askedSquid.Stanleyraisedandloweredoneshoulder."Igotallergies,okay?"Squidsaid."Okay,"saidStanley."Youopenyourmouthagain,andI'llbreakyourjaw."

Stanleykepthismouthshutmostofthetime.Hedidn'ttalktoomuchtoanyoftheboys,afraidthathemightsaythewrongthing.TheycalledhimCavemanandallthat,buthecouldn'tforgetthattheyweredangerous,too.Theywereallhereforareason.AsMr.Sirwouldsay,thiswasn'taGirlScoutcamp.

Stanleywasthankfulthattherewerenoracialproblems.X-Ray,Armpit,andZerowereblack.He,Squid,andZigzagwerewhite.MagnetwasHispanic.Onthelaketheywereallthesamereddishbrowncolor—thecolorofdirt.

Helookedupfromhisholetoseethewatertruckanditstrailingdustcloud.Hiscanteenwasstillalmostaquarterfull.Hequicklydrankitdown,thentookhisplaceinline,behindMagnetandinfrontofZero.Theairwasthickwithheat,dust,andexhaustfumes.

Mr.Sirfilledtheircanteens.

Thetruckpulledaway.Stanleywasbackinhishole,shovelinhand,whenheheardMagnetcallout."Anybodywantsomesunflowerseeds?"

Magnetwasstandingatgroundlevel,holdingasackofseeds.Hepoppedahandfulintohismouth,chewed,andswallowed,shellsandall.

"Overhere,"calledX-Ray.

Thesacklookedtobeabouthalffull.Magnetrolledupthetop,thentossedittoX-Ray.

"How'dyougetthemwithoutMr.Sirseeingyou?"askedArmpit.

"Ican'thelpit,"Magnetsaid.Heheldbothhandsup,wiggledhisfingers,andlaughed."Myfingersarelikelittlemagnets."

37

ThesackwentfromX-RaytoArmpittoSquid."It'ssuregoodtoeatsomethingthatdoesn'tcomefromacan,"saidArmpit.SquidtossedthesacktoZigzag.Stanleyknewitwouldcometohimnext.Hedidn'tevenwantit.Fromthemoment

Magnetshouted,"Anybodywantsomesunflowerseeds,"heknewtherewouldbetrouble.Mr.Sirwassuretocomeback.Andanyway,thesaltedshellswouldonlymakehimthirsty.

"Comingyourway,Caveman,"saidZigzag."Airmailandspecialdelivery..."

It'sunclearwhethertheseedsspilledbeforetheygottoStanleyorafterhedroppedthebag.ItseemedtohimthatZigzaghadn'trolledupthetopbeforethrowingit,andthatwasthereasonhedidn'tcatchit.

Butitallhappenedveryfast.Onemomentthesackwasflyingthroughtheair,andthenextthingStanleyknewthesackwasinhisholeandtheseedswerespilledacrossthedirt.

"Oh,man!"saidMagnet."Sorry,"Stanleysaidashetriedtosweeptheseedsbackintothesack."Idon'twanttoeatdirt,"saidX-Ray.Stanleydidn'tknowwhattodo."Thetruck'scoming!"shoutedZigzag.Stanleylookedupattheapproachingdustcloud,thenbackdownatthespilled

seeds.Hewasinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.Whatelseisnew?Hedughisshovelintohishole,andtriedtoturnoverthedirtandburytheseeds.Whatheshouldhavedone,herealizedlater,wasknockoneofhisdirtpilesback

intohishole.Buttheideaofputtingdirtintohisholewasunthinkable."Hello,Mr.Sir,"saidX-Ray."Backsosoon?""Itseemslikeyouwerejusthere,"saidArmpit."Timeflieswhenyou'rehavingfun,"saidMagnet.

Stanleycontinuedtoturnthedirtoverinhishole.

"YouGirlScoutshavingagoodtime?"askedMr.Sir.Hemovedfromoneholetoanother.HekickedadirtpilebyMagnet'shole,thenhemovedtowardStanley.

Stanleycouldseetwoseedsatthebottomofhishole.Ashetriedtocoverthemup,heunearthedacornerofthesack.

"Well,whatdoyouknow,Caveman?"saidMr.Sir,standingoverhim."Itlookslikeyoufoundsomething."

Stanleydidn'tknowwhattodo.

"Digitout,"Mr.Sirsaid."We'lltakeittotheWarden.Maybeshe'llgiveyoutherestofthedayoff."

"It'snotanything,"Stanleymuttered."Letmebethejudgeofthat,"saidMr.Sir.Stanleyreacheddownandpulleduptheemptyburlapsack.HetriedtohandittoMr.

Sir,buthewouldn'ttakeit."So,tellme,Caveman,"saidMr.Sir."Howdidmysackofsunflowerseedsgetin

yourhole?"

38

"Istoleitfromyourtruck.""Youdid?""Yes,Mr.Sir.""Whathappenedtoallthesunflowerseeds?""Iatethem."

"Byyourself.""Yes,Mr.Sir.""Hey,Caveman!"shoutedArmpit."Howcomeyoudidn'tshareanywithus?""That'scold,man,"saidX-Ray."Ithoughtyouwereourfriend,"saidMagnet.Mr.Sirlookedaroundfromoneboytoanother,thenbacktoStanley."We'llsee

whattheWardenhastosayaboutthis.Let'sgo."StanleyclimbedupoutofhisholeandfollowedMr.Sirtothetruck.Hestillheld

theemptysack.Itfeltgoodtositinsidethetruck,outofthedirectraysofthesun.Stanleywas

surprisedhecouldfeelgoodaboutanythingatthemoment,buthedid.Itfeltgoodtositdownonacomfortableseatforachange.Andasthetruckbouncedalongthedirt,hewasabletoappreciatetheairblowingthroughtheopenwindowontohishotandsweatyface.

20

Itfeltgoodtowalkintheshadeofthetwooaktrees.Stanleywonderedifthiswashowacondemnedmanfeltonhiswaytotheelectricchair—appreciatingallofthegoodthingsinlifeforthelasttime.

Theyhadtosteparoundholestogettothecabindoor.Stanleywassurprisedtoseesomanyaroundthecabin.HewouldhaveexpectedtheWardentonotwantthecampersdiggingsoclosetoherhome.Butseveralholeswererightupagainstthecabinwall.Theholeswereclosertogetherhereaswell,andwereofdifferentshapesandsizes.

Mr.Sirknockedonthedoor.Stanleystillheldtheemptysack."Yes?"theWardensaid,openingthedoor."There'sbeenalittletroubleoutonthelake,"Mr.Sirsaid."Cavemanwilltellyou

allaboutit."TheWardenstaredatMr.Siramoment,thenhergazeturnedtowardStanley.He

feltnothingbutdreadnow."Comein,Isuppose,"saidtheWarden."You'relettingthecoldout."Itwasair-conditionedinsidehercabin.Thetelevisionwasgoing.Shepickedupthe

remoteandturneditoff.Shesatdownonacanvaschair.Shewasbarefootandwearingshorts.Herlegswere

asfreckledasherfaceandarms."Sowhatisityouhavetotellme?"Stanleytookabreathtosteadyhimself."WhileMr.Sirwasfillingthecanteens,I

snuckintothetruckandstolehissackofsunflowerseeds."

39

"Isee."SheturnedtoMr.Sir."That'swhyyoubroughthimhere?"

"Yes,butIthinkhe'slying.Ithinksomeoneelsestolethesack,andCavemaniscoveringupforX-Rayorsomebody.Itwasatwenty-poundsack,andheclaimstohaveeatenthemallbyhimself."HetookthesackfromStanleyandhandedittotheWarden.

"Isee,"theWardensaidagain."Thesackwasn'tfull,"saidStanley."AndIspilledalot.Youcancheckmyhole.""Inthatroom,Caveman,there'sasmallfloweredcase.Willyougetitforme,

please?"Shepointedtoadoor.Stanleylookedatthedoor,thenattheWarden,thenbackatthedoor.Heslowly

walkedtowardit.Itwasakindofdressingroom,withasinkandamirror.Nexttothesinkhesawthe

case,whitewithpinkroses.HebroughtitbackouttotheWarden,andshesetitontheglasscoffeetableinfront

ofher.Sheunclaspedthelatchandopenedthecase.Itwasamakeupcase.Stanley'smotherhadonesimilartoit.Hesawseveralbottles

ofnailpolish,polishremover,acoupleoflipsticktubes,andotherjarsandpowders.TheWardenheldupasmalljarofdark-rednailpolish."Youseethis,Caveman?"Henodded."Thisismyspecialnailpolish.Doyouseethedarkrichcolor?Youcan'tbuythatin

astore.Ihavetomakeitmyself."Stanleyhadnoideawhyshewasshowingittohim.HewonderedwhytheWarden

wouldeverhavetheneedtowearnailpolishormakeup."Doyouwanttoknowmysecretingredient?"Heraisedandloweredoneshoulder.TheWardenopenedthebottle."Rattlesnakevenom."Withasmallpaintbrushshe

beganapplyingittothenailsonherlefthand."It'sperfectlyharmless...whenit'sdry."Shefinishedherlefthand.Shewaveditintheairforafewseconds,thenbegan

paintingthenailsonherrighthand."It'sonlytoxicwhileit'swet."Shefinishedpaintinghernails,thenstoodup.Shereachedoverandtouched

Stanley'sfacewithherfingers.Sheranhersharpwetnailsverygentlydownhischeek.Hefelthisskintingle.

Thenailonherpinkiejustbarelytouchedthewoundbehindhisear.Asharpstingofpaincausedhimtojumpback.

TheWardenturnedtofaceMr.Sir,whowassittingonthefireplacehearth."Soyouthinkhestoleyoursunflowerseeds?""No,hesayshestolethem,butIthinkitwas—"Shesteppedtowardhimandstruckhimacrosstheface.

Mr.Sirstaredather.Hehadthreelongredmarksslantingacrosstheleftsideofhisface.Stanleydidn'tknowiftherednesswascausedbyhernailpolishorhisblood.

Ittookamomentforthevenomtosinkin.Suddenly,Mr.Sirscreamedandclutchedhisfacewithbothhands.Helethimselffallover,rollingoffthehearthandontotherug.

TheWardenspokesoftly."Idon'tespeciallycareaboutyoursunflowerseeds."Mr.Sirmoaned."Ifyoumustknow,"saidtheWarden,"Ilikeditbetterwhenyousmoked."

40

Forasecond,Mr.Sir'spainseemedtorecede.Hetookseverallong,deepbreaths.Thenhisheadjerkedviolently,andheletoutashrillscream,worsethantheonebefore.

TheWardenturnedtoStanley."Isuggestyougobacktoyourholenow."

Stanleystartedtogo,butMr.Sirlayintheway.Stanleycouldseethemusclesonhisfacejumpandtwitch.Hisbodywrithedinagony.

Stanleysteppedcarefullyoverhim."Ishe—?""Excuseme?"saidtheWarden.Stanleywastoofrightenedtospeak."He'snotgoingtodie,"theWardensaid."Unfortunatelyforyou."

21

Itwasalongwalkbacktohishole.Stanleylookedoutthroughthehazeofheatanddirtattheotherboys,loweringandraisingtheirshovels.GroupDwasthefarthestaway.

Herealizedthatonceagainhewouldbedigginglongaftereveryoneelsehadquit.Hehopedhe'dfinishbeforeMr.Sirrecovered.Hedidn'twanttobeouttherealonewithMr.Sir.

Hewon'tdie,theWardenhadsaid.Unfortunatelyforyou.

Walkingacrossthedesolatewasteland,Stanleythoughtabouthisgreat-grandfather—notthepigstealerbutthepigstealer'sson,theonewhowasrobbedbyKissin'KateBarlow.

HetriedtoimaginehowhemusthavefeltafterKissin'Katehadlefthimstrandedinthedesert.Itprobablywasn'tawholelotdifferentfromthewayhehimselffeltnow.KateBarlowhadlefthisgreat-grandfathertofacethehotbarrendesert.TheWardenhadleftStanleytofaceMr.Sir.

Somehowhisgreat-grandfatherhadsurvivedforseventeendays,beforehewasrescuedbyacoupleofrattlesnakehunters.Hewasinsanewhentheyfoundhim.

Whenhewasaskedhowhehadlivedsolong,hesaidhe"foundrefugeonGod'sthumb."

Hespentnearlyamonthinahospital.Heendedupmarryingoneofthenurses.NobodyeverknewwhathemeantbyGod'sthumb,includinghimself.

Stanleyheardatwitchingsound.Hestoppedinmid-step,withonefootstillintheair.

Arattlesnakelaycoiledbeneathhisfoot.Itstailwaspointedupward,rattling.Stanleybackedhislegaway,thenturnedandran.Therattlesnakedidn'tchaseafterhim.Ithadrattleditstailtowarnhimtostayaway."Thanksforthewarning,"Stanleywhisperedashisheartpounded.Therattlesnakewouldbealotmoredangerousifitdidn'thavearattle.

"Hey,Caveman!"calledArmpit."You'restillalive.""What'dtheWardensay?"askedX-Ray."What'dyoutellher?"askedMagnet.

41

"ItoldherIstoletheseeds,"saidStanley."Goodgoing,"saidMagnet."What'dshedo?"askedZigzag.Stanleyshruggedoneshoulder."Nothing.ShegotmadatMr.Sirforbothering

her."Hedidn'tfeellikegoingintodetails.Ifhedidn'ttalkaboutit,thenmaybeitdidn't

happen.Hewentovertohishole,andtohissurpriseitwasnearlyfinished.Hestaredatit,

amazed.Itdidn'tmakesense.Orperhapsitdid.Hesmiled.Sincehehadtakentheblameforthesunflowerseeds,

herealized,theotherboyshaddughisholeforhim."Hey,thanks,"hesaid."Don'tlookatme,"saidX-Ray.Confused,Stanleylookedaround—fromMagnet,toArmpit,toZigzag,toSquid.

Noneofthemtookcreditforit.ThenheturnedtoZero,whohadbeenquietlydigginginhisholesinceStanley's

return.Zero'sholewassmallerthanalltheothers.

22

Stanleywasthefirstonefinished.Hespatinhishole,thenshoweredandchangedintohiscleanersetofclothes.Ithadbeenthreedayssincethelaundrywasdone,soevenhiscleansetwasdirtyandsmelly.Tomorrow,thesewouldbecomehisworkclothes,andhisothersetwouldbewashed.

HecouldthinkofnoreasonwhyZerowoulddighisholeforhim.Zerodidn'tevengetanysunflowerseeds.

"Iguesshelikestodigholes,"Armpithadsaid."He'samole,"Zigzaghadsaid."Ithinkheeatsdirt.""Molesdon'teatdirt,"X-Rayhadpointedout."Wormseatdirt.""Hey,Zero?"Squidhadasked."Areyouamoleoraworm?"Zerohadsaidnothing.Stanleynevereventhankedhim.ButnowhesatonhiscotandwaitedforZeroto

returnfromtheshowerroom."Thanks,"hesaidasZeroenteredthroughthetentflap.Zeroglancedathim,thenwentovertothecrates,wherehedepositedhisdirty

clothesandtowel."Why'dyouhelpme?"Stanleyasked.Zeroturnedaround."Youdidn'tstealthesunflowerseeds,"hesaid."So,neitherdidyou,"saidStanley.Zerostaredathim.Hiseyesseemedtoexpand,anditwasalmostasifZerowere

lookingrightthroughhim."Youdidn'tstealthesneakers,"hesaid.Stanleysaidnothing.HewatchedZerowalkoutofthetent.IfanybodyhadX-rayvision,itwasZero.

42

"Wait!"hecalled,thenhurriedoutafterhim.Zerohadstoppedjustoutsidethetent,andStanleyalmostranintohim."I'lltrytoteachyoutoreadifyouwant,"Stanleyoffered."Idon'tknowifIknow

howtoteach,butI'mnotthatworn-outtoday,sinceyoudugalotofmyhole."AbigsmilespreadacrossZero'sface.Theyreturnedtothetent,wheretheywerelesslikelytobebothered.Stanleygothis

boxofstationeryandapenoutofhiscrate.Theysatontheground."Doyouknowthealphabet?"Stanleyasked.Forasecond,hethoughthesawaflashofdefianceinZero'seyes,butthenitpassed."IthinkIknowsomeofit,"Zerosaid."A,B,C,D.""Keepgoing,"saidStanley.Zero'seyeslookedupward."E...""F,"saidStanley."G,"saidZero.Heblewsomeairoutofthesideofhismouth."H...I...K,P.""H,I,J,K,L,"Stanleysaid."That'sright,"saidZero."I'vehearditbefore.Ijustdon'thaveitmemorized

exactly.""That'sallright,"saidStanley."Here,I'llsaythewholething,justtokindofrefresh

yourmemory,thenyoucantryit."HerecitedthealphabetforZero,thenZerorepeateditwithoutasinglemistake.NotbadforakidwhohadneverseenSesameStreet!"Well,I'vehearditbefore,somewhere,"Zerosaid,tryingtoactlikeitwasnothing,

buthisbigsmilegavehimaway.Thenextstepwasharder.Stanleyhadtofigureouthowtoteachhimtorecognize

eachletter.HegaveZeroapieceofpaper,andtookapieceforhimself."Iguesswe'llstartwithA."

HeprintedacapitalA,andthenZerocopieditonhissheetofpaper.Thepaperwasn'tlined,whichmadeitmoredifficult,butZero'sAwasn'tbad,justalittlebig.Stanleytoldhimheneededtowritesmaller,orelsethey'drunoutofpaperrealquick.Zeroprinteditsmaller.

"Actually,therearetwowaystowriteeachletter,"Stanleysaid,asherealizedthiswasgoingtobeevenharderthanhethought."That'sacapitalA.Butusuallyyou'llseeasmalla.Youonlyhavecapitalsatthebeginningofaword,andonlyifit'sthestartofasentence,orifit'sapropernoun,likeaname."

Zeronoddedasifheunderstand,butStanleyknewhehadmadeverylittlesense.Heprintedalowercasea,andZerocopiedit."Sotherearefifty-two,"saidZero.Stanleydidn'tknowwhathewastalkingabout.

"Insteadoftwenty-sixletters.Therearereallyfifty-two."

Stanleylookedathim,surprised."Iguessthat'sright.How'dyoufigurethatout?"heasked.

Zerosaidnothing."Didyouadd?"Zerosaidnothing.

43

"Didyoumultiply?""That'sjusthowmanythereare,"saidZero.Stanleyraisedandloweredoneshoulder.Hedidn'tevenknowhowZeroknewthere

weretwenty-sixinthefirstplace.Didhecountthemasherecitedthem?HehadZerowriteafewmoreupper-andlowercaseA's,andthenhemovedontoa

capitalB.Thiswasgoingtotakealongtime,herealized."Youcanteachmetenlettersaday,"suggestedZero."Fivecapitalsandfivesmalls.

AfterfivedaysI'llknowthemall.ExceptonthelastdayI'llhavetodotwelve.Sixcapitalsandsixsmalls."

AgainStanleystaredathim,amazedthathewasabletofigureallthatout.

Zeromusthavethoughthewasstaringforadifferentreason,becausehesaid,"I'lldigpartofyourholeeveryday.Icandigforaboutanhour,thenyoucanteachmeforanhour.AndsinceI'mafasterdiggeranyway,ourholeswillgetdoneaboutthesametime.Iwon'thavetowaitforyou."

"Okay,"Stanleyagreed.

AsZerowasprintinghisB's,Stanleyaskedhimhowhefiguredoutitwouldtakefivedays."Didyoumultiply?Didyoudivide?"

"That'sjustwhatitis,"Zerosaid."It'sgoodmath,"saidStanley."I'mnotstupid,"Zerosaid."IknoweverybodythinksIam.Ijustdon'tlike

answeringtheirquestions."

Laterthatnight,ashelayonhiscot,StanleyreconsideredthedealhehadmadewithZero.Gettingabreakeverydaywouldbearelief,butheknewX-Raywouldn'tlikeit.HewonderediftheremightbesomewayZerowouldagreetodigpartofX-Ray'sholeaswell.Butthenagain,whyshouldhe?I'mtheoneteachingZero.IneedthebreaksoI'llhavetheenergyto'teachhim.I'mtheonewhotooktheblameforthesunflowerseeds.I'mtheonewhoMr.Sirismadat.

Heclosedhiseyes,andimagesfromtheWarden'scabinfloatedinsidehishead:herredfingernails,Mr.Sirwrithingonthefloor,herfloweredmakeupkit.

Heopenedhiseyes.Hesuddenlyrealizedwherehe'dseenthegoldtubebefore.He'dseenitinhismother'sbathroom,andhe'dseenitagainintheWarden'scabin.

Itwashalfofalipstickcontainer.KB?

KB?Hefeltajoltofastonishment.HismouthsilentlyformedthenameKateBarlow,ashewonderedifitreallycould

havebelongedtothekissin'outlaw.23

44

Onehundredandtenyearsago,GreenLakewasthelargestlakeinTexas.Itwasfullofclearcoolwater,anditsparkledlikeagiantemeraldinthesun.Itwasespeciallybeautifulinthespring,whenthepeachtrees,whichlinedtheshore,bloomedwithpinkandrose-coloredblossoms.

TherewasalwaysatownpicnicontheFourthofJuly.They'dplaygames,dance,sing,andswiminthelaketokeepcool.Prizeswereawardedforthebestpeachpieandpeachjam.

AspecialprizewasgiveneveryyeartoMissKatherineBarlowforherfabulousspicedpeaches.Nooneelseeventriedtomakespicedpeaches,becausetheyknewnonecouldbeasdeliciousashers.

EverysummerMissKatherinewouldpickbushelsofpeachesandpreservetheminjarswithcinnamon,cloves,nutmeg,andotherspiceswhichshekeptsecret.Thejarredpeacheswouldlastallwinter.Theyprobablywouldhavelastedalotlongerthanthat,buttheywerealwayseatenbytheendofwinter.

ItwassaidthatGreenLakewas"heavenonearth"andthatMissKatherine'sspicedpeacheswere"foodfortheangels."

KatherineBarlowwasthetown'sonlyschoolteacher.Shetaughtinanoldone-roomschoolhouse.Itwasoldeventhen.Theroofleaked.Thewindowswouldn'topen.Thedoorhungcrookedonitsbenthinges.

Shewasawonderfulteacher,fullofknowledgeandfulloflife.Thechildrenlovedher.

Shetaughtclassesintheeveningforadults,andmanyoftheadultslovedheraswell.Shewasverypretty.Herclasseswereoftenfullofyoungmen,whowerealotmoreinterestedintheteacherthantheywereingettinganeducation.

Butalltheyevergotwasaneducation.

OnesuchyoungmanwasTroutWalker.HisrealnamewasCharlesWalker,buteveryonecalledhimTroutbecausehistwofeetsmelledlikeacoupleofdeadfish.

Thiswasn'tentirelyTrout'sfault.Hehadanincurablefootfungus.Infact,itwasthesamefootfungusthatahundredandtenyearslaterwouldafflictthefamousballplayerClydeLivingston.ButatleastClydeLivingstonshoweredeveryday.

"ItakeabatheverySundaymorning,"Troutwouldbrag,"whetherIneedtoornot."

MosteveryoneinthetownofGreenLakeexpectedMissKatherinetomarryTroutWalker.Hewasthesonoftherichestmaninthecounty.Hisfamilyownedmostofthepeachtreesandallthelandontheeastsideofthelake.

Troutoftenshowedupatnightschoolbutneverpaidattention.Hetalkedinclassandwasdisrespectfulofthestudentsaroundhim.Hewasloudandstupid.

Alotofmenintownwerenoteducated.Thatdidn'tbotherMissKatherine.Sheknewthey'dspentmostoftheirlivesworkingonfarmsandranchesandhadn'thadmuchschooling.Thatwaswhyshewasthere—toteachthem.

ButTroutdidn'twanttolearn.Heseemedtobeproudofhisstupidity.

"How'dyouliketotakearideonmynewboatthisSaturday?"heaskedheroneeveningafterclass.

"No,thankyou,"saidMissKatherine."We'vegotabrand-newboat,"hesaid."Youdon'tevenhavetorowit."

45

"Yes,Iknow,"saidMissKatherine.

Everyoneintownhadseen—andheard—theWalkers'newboat.Itmadeahorribleloudnoiseandspeweduglyblacksmokeoverthebeautifullake.

Trouthadalwaysgotteneverythingheeverwanted.HefoundithardtobelievethatMissKatherinehadturnedhimdown.Hepointedhisfingeratherandsaid,"Nooneeversays'No'toCharlesWalker!"

"IbelieveIjustdid,"saidKatherineBarlow.

24

Stanleywashalfasleepashegotinlineforbreakfast,butthesightofMr.Sirawakenedhim.TheleftsideofMr.Sir'sfacehadswollentothesizeofhalfacantaloupe.Therewerethreedark-purplejaggedlinesrunningdownhischeekwheretheWardenhadscratchedhim.

TheotherboysinStanley'stenthadobviouslyseenMr.Siraswell,buttheyhadthegoodsensenottosayanything.Stanleyputacartonofjuiceandaplasticspoononhistray.HekepthiseyesdownandhardlybreathedasMr.Sirladledsomeoatmeal-likestuffintohisbowl.

Hebroughthistraytothetable.Behindhim,aboyfromoneoftheothertentssaid,"Hey,whathappenedtoyourface?"

Therewasacrash.

StanleyturnedtoseeMr.Sirholdingtheboy'sheadagainsttheoatmealpot."Issomethingwrongwithmyface?"

Theboytriedtospeakbutcouldn't.Mr.Sirhadhimbythethroat.

"Doesanyoneseeanythingwrongwithmyface?"askedMr.Sir,ashecontinuedtochoketheboy.

Nobodysaidanything.Mr.Sirlettheboygo.Hisheadbangedagainstthetableashefelltotheground.Mr.

Sirstoodoverhimandasked,"Howdoesmyfacelooktoyounow?"Agurglingsoundcameoutoftheboy'smouth,thenhemanagedtogasptheword,

"Fine.""I'mkindofhandsome,don'tyouthink?""Yes,Mr.Sir."

Outonthelake,theotherboysaskedStanleywhatheknewaboutMr.Sir'sface,buthejustshruggedanddughishole.Ifhedidn'ttalkaboutit,maybeitwouldgoaway.

Heworkedashardandasfastashecould,nottryingtopacehimself.HejustwantedtogetoffthelakeandawayfromMr.Sirassoonaspossible.Besides,heknewhe'dgetabreak.

"Wheneveryou'reready,justletmeknow,"Zerohadsaid.

Thefirsttimethewatertruckcame,itwasdrivenbyMr.Pendanski.Thesecondtime,Mr.Sirwasdriving.

46

Noonesaidanythingexcept"Thankyou,Mr.Sir"ashefilledeachcanteen.Nooneevendaredtolookathisgrotesqueface.

AsStanleywaited,heranhistongueovertheroofofhismouthandinsidehischeeks.Hismouthwasasdryandasparchedasthelake.Thebrightsunreflectedoffthesidemirrorofthetruck,andStanleyhadtoshieldhiseyeswithhishand.

"Thankyou,Mr.Sir,"saidMagnet,ashetookhiscanteenfromhim."Youthirsty,Caveman?"Mr.Sirasked."Yes,Mr.Sir,"Stanleysaid,handinghiscanteentohim.Mr.Siropenedthenozzle,andthewaterflowedoutofthetank,butitdidnotgo

intoStanley'scanteen.Instead,heheldthecanteenrightnexttothestreamofwater.Stanleywatchedthewatersplatteronthedirt,whereitwasquicklyabsorbedbythe

thirstyground.Mr.Sirletthewaterrunforaboutthirtyseconds,thenstopped."Youwantmore?"

heasked.Stanleydidn'tsayanything.Mr.Sirturnedthewaterbackon,andagainStanleywatcheditpourontothedirt."There,thatshouldbeplenty."HehandedStanleyhisemptycanteen.Stanleystaredatthedarkspotontheground,whichquicklyshrankbeforehiseyes."Thankyou,Mr.Sir,"hesaid.

25

TherewasadoctorinthetownofGreenLake,onehundredandtenyearsago.HisnamewasDr.Hawthorn.Andwheneverpeoplegotsick,theywouldgoseeDocHawthorn.ButtheywouldalsoseeSam,theonionman.

"Onions!Sweet,freshonions!"Samwouldcall,asheandhisdonkey,MaryLou,walkedupanddownthedirtroadsofGreenLake.MaryLoupulledacartfullofonions.

Sam'sonionfieldwassomewhereontheothersideofthelake.Onceortwiceaweekhewouldtowacrossthelakeandpickanewbatchtofillthecart.Samhadbigstrongarms,butitwouldstilltakealldayforhimtorowacrossthelakeandanotherdayforhimtoreturn.MostofthetimehewouldleaveMaryLouinashed,whichtheWalkerslethimuseatnocharge,butsometimeshewouldtakeMaryLouonhisboatwithhim.

SamclaimedthatMaryLouwasalmostfiftyyearsold,whichwas,andstillis,extraordinarilyoldforadonkey.

"Sheeatsnothingbutrawonions,"Samwouldsay,holdingupawhiteonionbetweenhisdarkfingers."It'snature'smagicvegetable.Ifapersonatenothingbutrawonions,hecouldlivetobetwohundredyearsold."

Samwasnotmucholderthantwenty,sonobodywasquitesurethatMaryLouwasreallyasoldashesaidshewas.Howwouldheknow?

Still,nobodyeverarguedwithSam.Andwhenevertheyweresick,theywouldgonotonlytoDocHawthornbutalsotoSam.

47

Samalwaysgavethesameadvice:"Eatplentyofonions."

Hesaidthatonionsweregoodforthedigestion,theliver,thestomach,thelungs,theheart,andthebrain."Ifyoudon'tbelieveme,justlookatoldMaryLouhere.She'sneverbeensickadayinherlife."

Healsohadmanydifferentointments,lotions,syrups,andpastesallmadeoutofonionjuiceanddifferentpartsoftheonionplant.Thisonecuredasthma.Thatonewasforwartsandpimples.Anotherwasaremedyforarthritis.

Heevenhadaspecialointmentwhichheclaimedwouldcurebaldness."Justrubitonyourhusband'sheadeverynightwhenhe'ssleeping,Mrs.Collingwood,andsoonhishairwillbeasthickandaslongasMaryLou'stail."

DocHawthorndidnotresentSam.ThefolksofGreenLakewereafraidtotakechances.TheywouldgetregularmedicinefromDocHawthornandonion

concoctionsfromSam.Aftertheygotovertheirillness,noonecouldbesure,notevenDocHawthorn,whichofthetwotreatmentshaddonethetrick.

DocHawthornwasalmostcompletelybald,andinthemorninghisheadoftensmelledlikeonions.

WheneverKatherineBarlowboughtonions,shealwaysboughtanextraoneortwoandwouldletMaryLoueatthemoutofherhand.

"Issomethingwrong?"SamaskedheronedayasshewasfeedingMaryLou."Youseemdistracted."

"Oh,justtheweather,"saidMissKatherine."Itlookslikeraincloudsmovingin.""MeandMaryLou,weliketherain,"saidSam."Oh,Ilikeitfine,"saidMissKatherine,assherubbedthedonkey'sroughhairon

topofitshead."It'sjustthattheroofleaksintheschoolhouse.""Icanfixthat,"saidSam."Whatareyougoingtodo?"Katherinejoked."Filltheholeswithonionpaste?"Samlaughed."I'mgoodwithmyhands,"hetoldher."Ibuiltmyownboat.Ifit

leaked,I'dbeinbigtrouble."Katherinecouldn'thelpbutnoticehisstrong,firmhands.Theymadeadeal.Heagreedtofixtheleakyroofinexchangeforsixjarsofspiced

peaches.IttookSamaweektofixtheroof,becausehecouldonlyworkintheafternoons,

afterschoolletoutandbeforenightclassesbegan.Samwasn'tallowedtoattendclassesbecausehewasaNegro,buttheylethimfixthebuilding.

MissKatherineusuallystayedintheschoolhouse,gradingpapersandsuch,whileSamworkedontheroof.Sheenjoyedwhatlittleconversationtheywereabletohave,shoutingupanddowntoeachother.Shewassurprisedbyhisinterestinpoetry.Whenhetookabreak,shewouldsometimesreadapoemtohim.Onmorethanoneoccasion,shewouldstarttoreadapoembyPoeorLongfellow,onlytohearhimfinishitforher,frommemory.

Shewassadwhentheroofwasfinished."Issomethingwrong?"heasked.

48

"No,youdidawonderfuljob,"shesaid."It'sjustthat...thewindowswon'topen.ThechildrenandIwouldenjoyabreezenowandthen."

"Icanfixthat,"saidSam.ShegavehimtwomorejarsofpeachesandSamfixedthewindows.Itwaseasiertotalktohimwhenhewasworkingonthewindows.Hetoldherabout

hissecretonionfieldontheothersideofthelake,"wheretheonionsgrowallyearround,andthewaterrunsuphill."

Whenthewindowswerefixed,shecomplainedthatherdeskwobbled."Icanfixthat,"saidSam.Thenexttimeshesawhim,shementionedthat"thedoordoesn'thangstraight,"and

shegottospendanotherafternoonwithhimwhilehefixedthedoor.Bytheendofthefirstsemester,OnionSamhadturnedtheoldrun-down

schoolhouseintoawell-crafted,freshlypaintedjewelofabuildingthatthewholetownwasproudof.Peoplepassingbywouldstopandadmireit."That'sourschoolhouse.ItshowshowmuchwevalueeducationhereinGreenLake."

Theonlypersonwhowasn'thappywithitwasMissKatherine.She'drunoutofthingsneedingtobefixed.

Shesatatherdeskoneafternoon,listeningtothepitter-patteroftherainontheroof.Nowaterleakedintotheclassroom,exceptforthefewdropsthatcamefromhereyes.

"Onions!Hotsweetonions!"Samcalled,outonthestreet.

Sherantohim.Shewantedtothrowherarmsaroundhimbutcouldn'tbringherselftodoit.InsteadshehuggedMaryLou'sneck.

"Issomethingwrong?"heaskedher."Oh,Sam,"shesaid."Myheartisbreaking.""Icanfixthat,"saidSam.Sheturnedtohim.Hetookholdofbothofherhands,andkissedher.Becauseoftherain,therewasnobodyelseoutonthestreet.Eveniftherewas,

KatherineandSamwouldn'thavenoticed.Theywerelostintheirownworld.Atthatmoment,however,HattieParkersteppedoutofthegeneralstore.They

didn'tseeher,butshesawthem.Shepointedherquiveringfingerintheirdirectionandwhispered,"Godwillpunishyou!"

26

Therewerenotelephones,butwordspreadquicklythroughthesmalltown.Bytheendoftheday,everyoneinGreenLakehadheardthattheschoolteacherhadkissedtheonionpicker.

Notonechildshowedupforschoolthenextmorning.

MissKatherinesataloneintheclassroomandwonderedifshehadlosttrackofthedayoftheweek.PerhapsitwasSaturday.Itwouldn'thavesurprisedher.HerbrainandhearthadbeenspinningeversinceSamkissedher.

49

Sheheardanoiseoutsidethedoor,thensuddenlyamobofmenandwomencamestormingintotheschoolbuilding.TheywereledbyTroutWalker.

"Theresheis!"Troutshouted."TheDevilWoman!"Themobwasturningoverdesksandrippingdownbulletinboards."She'sbeenpoisoningyourchildren'sbrainswithbooks,"Troutdeclared.Theybeganpilingallthebooksinthecenteroftheroom."Thinkaboutwhatyouaredoing!"criedMissKatherine.Someonemadeagrabforher,tearingherdress,butshemanagedtogetoutofthe

building.Sherantothesheriff'soffice.Thesheriffhadhisfeetuponhisdeskandwasdrinkingfromabottleofwhiskey.

"Mornin',MissKatherine,"hesaid."They'redestroyingtheschoolhouse,"shesaid,gaspingforbreath."They'llburnit

tothegroundifsomeonedoesn'tstopthem!""Justcalmyourprettyselfdownasecond,"thesheriffsaidinaslowdrawl."And

tellmewhatyou'retalkingabout."Hegotupfromhisdeskandwalkedovertoher."TroutWalkerhas—""Nowdon'tgosayingnothingbadaboutCharlesWalker,"saidthesheriff."Wedon'thavemuchtime!"urgedKatherine."You'vegottostopthem.""You'resurepretty,"saidthesheriff.

MissKatherinestaredathiminhorror."Kissme,"saidthesheriff.Sheslappedhimacrosstheface.Helaughed."Youkissedtheonionpicker.Whywon'tyoukissme?"Shetriedtoslaphimagain,buthecaughtherbythehand.

Shetriedtowrigglefree."You'redrunk!"sheyelled."Ialwaysgetdrunkbeforeahanging.""Ahanging?Who—"

"It'sagainstthelawforaNegrotokissawhitewoman.""Well,thenyou'llhavetohangme,too,"saidKatherine."BecauseIkissedhim

back.""Itain'tagainstthelawforyoutokisshim,"thesheriffexplained."Justforhimto

kissyou.""We'reallequalundertheeyesofGod,"shedeclared.Thesherifflaughed."ThenifSamandIareequal,whywon'tyoukissme?"He

laughedagain."I'llmakeyouadeal.Onesweetkiss,andIwon'thangyourboyfriend.I'lljustrunhimoutoftown."

MissKatherinejerkedherhandfree.Asshehurriedtothedoor,sheheardthesheriffsay,"ThelawwillpunishSam.AndGodwillpunishyou."

Shesteppedbackintothestreetandsawsmokerisingfromtheschoolhouse.Sherandowntothelakefront,whereSamwashitchingMaryLoutotheonioncart.

"ThankGod,Ifoundyou,"shesighed,hugginghim."We'vegottogetoutofhere.Now!"

"What—"

50

"Someonemusthaveseenuskissingyesterday,"shesaid."Theysetfiretotheschoolhouse.Thesheriffsaidhe'sgoingtohangyou!"

Samhesitatedforamoment,asifhecouldn'tquitebelieveit.Hedidn'twanttobelieveit."C'mon,MaryLou."

"WehavetoleaveMaryLoubehind,"saidKatherine.Samstaredatheramoment.Thereweretearsinhiseyes."Okay."Sam'sboatwasinthewater,tiedtoatreebyalongrope.Heuntiedit,andthey

wadedthroughthewaterandclimbedaboard.Hispowerfularmsrowedthemawayfromtheshore.

ButhispowerfularmswerenomatchforTroutWalker'smotorizedboat.TheywerelittlemorethanhalfwayacrossthelakewhenMissKatherineheardtheloudroaroftheengine.Thenshesawtheuglyblacksmoke...

Thesearethefacts:

TheWalkerboatsmashedintoSam'sboat.Samwasshotandkilledinthewater.KatherineBarlowwasrescuedagainstherwishes.Whentheyreturnedtotheshore,shesawMaryLou'sbodylyingontheground.Thedonkeyhadbeenshotinthehead.

Thatallhappenedonehundredandtenyearsago.Sincethen,notonedropofrainhasfallenonGreenLake.

Youmakethedecision:WhomdidGodpunish?

ThreedaysafterSam'sdeath,MissKatherineshotthesheriffwhilehewassittinginhischairdrinkingacupofcoffee.Thenshecarefullyappliedafreshcoatofredlipstickandgavehimthekisshehadaskedfor.

ForthenexttwentyyearsKissin'KateBarlowwasoneofthemostfearedoutlawsinalltheWest.

27

Stanleydughisshovelintotheground.Hisholewasaboutthreeandahalffeetdeepinthecenter.Hegruntedashepriedupsomedirt,thenflungitofftotheside.Thesunwasalmostdirectlyoverhead.

Heglancedathiscanteenlyingbesidehishole.Heknewitwashalffull,buthedidn'ttakeadrinkjustyet.Hehadtodrinksparingly,becausehedidn'tknowwhowouldbedrivingthewatertruckthenexttimeitcame.

ThreedayshadpassedsincetheWardenhadscratchedMr.Sir.EverytimeMr.Sirdeliveredwater,hepouredStanley'sstraightontotheground.

Fortunately,Mr.PendanskideliveredthewatermoreoftenthanMr.Sir.Mr.PendanskiwasobviouslyawareofwhatMr.Sirwasdoing,becausehealwaysgaveStanleyalittleextra.He'dfillStanley'scanteen,thenletStanleytakealongdrink,thentopitoffforhim.

Ithelped,too,thatZerowasdiggingsomeofStanley'sholeforhim.Although,asStanleyhadexpected,theotherboysdidn'tliketoseeStanleysittingaroundwhilethey

51

wereworking.They'dsaythingslike"Whodiedandmadeyouking?"or"Itmustbenicetohaveyourownpersonalslave."

Whenhetriedpointingoutthathewastheonewhotooktheblameforthesunflowerseeds,theotherboyssaiditwashisfaultbecausehewastheonewho

spilledthem."Iriskedmylifeforthoseseeds,"Magnethadsaid,"andallIgotwasonelousyhandful."

StanleyhadalsotriedtoexplainthatheneededtosavehisenergysohecouldteachZerohowtoread,buttheotherboysjustmockedhim.

"Sameoldstory,ain'tit,Armpit?"X-Rayhadsaid."Thewhiteboysitsaroundwhiletheblackboydoesallthework.Ain'tthatright,Caveman?"

"No,that'snotright,"Stanleyreplied."No,itain't,"X-Rayagreed."Itain'trightatall."Stanleydugoutanothershovelfulofdirt.HeknewX-Raywouldn'thavebeen

talkinglikethatifhewastheoneteachingZerotoread.ThenX-Raywouldbetalkingabouthowimportantitwasthathegothisrest,right?Sohecouldbeabetterteacher,right?

Andthatwastrue.Hedidneedtosavehisstrengthsohecouldbeabetterteacher,althoughZerowasaquicklearner.Sometimes,infact,StanleyhopedtheWardenwaswatchingthem,withhersecretcamerasandmicrophones,soshe'dknowthatZerowasn'tasstupidaseveryonethought.

Fromacrossthelakehecouldseetheapproachingdustcloud.Hetookadrinkfromhiscanteen,thenwaitedtoseewhowasdrivingthetruck.

TheswellingonMr.Sir'sfacehadgonedown,butitwasstillalittlepuffy.Therehadbeenthreescratchmarksdownhischeek.Twoofthemarkshadfaded,butthemiddlescratchmusthavebeenthedeepest,becauseitstillremained.Itwasajaggedpurplelinerunningfrombelowhiseyetobelowhismouth,likeatattooofascar.

Stanleywaitedinline,thenhandedhimhiscanteen.Mr.Sirheldituptohisearandshookit.Hesmiledattheswishingsound.Stanleyhopedhewouldn'tdumpitout.Tohissurprise,Mr.Sirheldthecanteenunderthestreamofwaterandfilledit."Waithere,"hesaid.StillholdingStanley'scanteen,Mr.Sirwalkedpasthim,thenwentaroundtheside

ofthetruckandintothecab,wherehecouldn'tbeseen."What'shedoinginthere?"askedZero."IwishIknew,"saidStanley.Ashortwhilelater,Mr.SircameoutofthetruckandhandedStanleyhiscanteen.It

wasstillfull."Thankyou,Mr.Sir."Mr.Sirsmiledathim."Whatareyouwaitingfor?"heasked."Drinkup."He

poppedsomesunflowerseedsintohismouth,chewed,andspitouttheshells.Stanleywasafraidtodrinkit.HehatedtothinkwhatlandofvilesubstanceMr.Sir

mighthaveputinit.

52

Hebroughtthecanteenbacktohishole.Foralongtime,heleftitbesidehisholeashecontinuedtodig.Then,whenhewassothirstythathecouldhardlystanditanymore,heunscrewedthecap,turnedthecanteenover,andpoureditalloutontothedirt.Hewasafraidthatifhe'dwaitedanothersecond,hemighthavetakenadrink.

AfterStanleytaughtZerothefinalsixlettersofthealphabet,hetaughthimtowritehisname.

"CapitalZ-e-r-o."

ZerowrotethelettersasStanleysaidthem."Zero,"hesaid,lookingathispieceofpaper.Hissmilewastoobigforhisface.

Stanleywatchedhimwriteitoverandoveragain.ZeroZeroZeroZeroZeroZeroZero...Inaway,itmadehimsad.Hecouldn'thelpbutthinkthatahundredtimeszerowas

stillnothing."Youknow,that'snotmyrealname,"ZerosaidastheyheadedtotheWreckRoom

fordinner."Well,yeah,"Stanleysaid,"IguessIknewthat."Hehadneverreallybeensure."Everyone'salwayscalledmeZero,evenbeforeIcamehere.""Oh.Okay.""MyrealnameisHector.""Hector,"Stanleyrepeated."HectorZeroni."

28

Aftertwentyyears,KateBarlowreturnedtoGreenLake.Itwasaplacewherenobodywouldeverfindher—aghosttownonaghostlake.

Thepeachtreeshadalldied,buttherewereacoupleofsmalloaktreesstillgrowingbyanoldabandonedcabin.Thecabinusedtobeontheeasternshoreofthelake.Nowtheedgeofthelakewasoverfivemilesaway,anditwaslittlemorethanasmallpondfullofdirtywater.

Shelivedinthecabin.SometimesshecouldhearSam'svoiceechoingacrosstheemptiness."Onions!Sweetfreshonions."

Sheknewshewascrazy.Sheknewshe'dbeencrazyforthelasttwentyyears.

"Oh,Sam,"shewouldsay,speakingintothevastemptiness."Iknowitishot,butIfeelsoverycold.Myhandsarecold.Myfeetarecold.Myfaceiscold.Myheartiscold."

Andsometimesshewouldhearhimsay,"Icanfixthat,"andshe'dfeelhiswarmarmacrosshershoulders.

She'dbeenlivinginthecabinaboutthreemonthswhenshewasawakenedonemorningbysomeonekickingopenthecabindoor.Sheopenedhereyestoseetheblurryendofarifle,twoinchesfromhernose.

ShecouldsmellTroutWalker'sdirtyfeet.

53

"You'vegotexactlytensecondstotellmewhereyou'vehiddenyourloot,"saidTrout."OrelseI'llblowyourheadoff."

Sheyawned.

AredheadedwomanwastherewithTrout.Katecouldseeherrummagingthroughthecabin,dumpingdrawersandknockingthingsfromtheshelvesofcabinets.

Thewomancametoher."Whereisit?"shedemanded."LindaMiller?"askedKate."Isthatyou?"LindaMillerhadbeeninthefourthgradewhenKateBarlowwasstillateacher.She

hadbeenacutefreckle-facedgirlwithbeautifulredhair.Nowherfacewasblotchy,andherhairwasdirtyandscraggly.

"It'sLindaWalkernow,"saidTrout."Oh,Linda,I'msosorry,"saidKate.Troutjabbedherthroatwiththerifle."Where'stheloot?""Thereisnoloot,"saidKate."Don'tgivemethat!"shoutedTrout."You'verobbedeverybankfromhereto

Houston.""Youbettertellhim,"saidLinda."We'redesperate.""Youmarriedhimforhismoney,didn'tyou?"askedKate.Lindanodded."Butit'sallgone.Itdriedupwiththelake.Thepeachtrees.The

livestock.Ikeptthinking:Ithastorainsoon.Thedroughtcan'tlastforever.Butitjustkeptgettinghotterandhotterandhotter..."Hereyesfixedontheshovel,whichwasleaningupagainstthefireplace."She'sburiedit!"shedeclared.

"Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,"saidKate.

TherewasaloudblastasTroutfiredhisriflejustaboveherhead.Thewindowbehindhershattered."Where'sitburied?"hedemanded.

"Goaheadandkillme,Trout,"saidKate."ButIsurehopeyouliketodig.'Causeyou'regoingtobediggingforalongtime.It'sabigvastwastelandoutthere.You,andyourchildren,andtheirchildren,candigforthenexthundredyearsandyou'llneverfindit."

LindagrabbedKate'shairandjerkedherheadback."Oh,we'renotgoingtokillyou,"shesaid."Butbythetimewe'refinishedwithyou,you'regoingtowishyouweredead."

"I'vebeenwishingIwasdeadforthelasttwentyyears,"saidKate.

Theydraggedheroutofbedandpushedheroutside.Sheworebluesilkpajamas.Herturquoise-studdedblackbootsremainedbesideherbed.

Theylooselytiedherlegstogethersoshecouldwalk,butshecouldn'trun.Theymadeherwalkbarefootonthehotground.

Theywouldn'tletherstopwalking."Notuntilyoutakeustotheloot,"saidTrout.LindahitKateonthebackofherlegswiththeshovel."You'regoingtotakeustoit

soonerorlater.Soyoumightaswellmakeitsooner."Shewalkedoneway,thentheother,untilherfeetwereblackandblistered.

Whenevershestopped,Lindawhackedherwiththeshovel."I'mlosingmypatience,"warnedTrout.

54

Shefelttheshoveljabintoherback,andshefellontoharddirt."Getup!"orderedLinda.Katestruggledtoherfeet."We'rebeingeasyonyoutoday,"saidTrout."It'sjustgoingtokeepgettingworse

andworseforyouuntilyoutakeustoit.""Lookout!"shoutedLinda.Alizardleapedtowardthem.Katecouldseeitsbigredeyes.

Lindatriedtohititwiththeshovel,andTroutshotatit,buttheybothmissed.ThelizardlandedonKate'sbareankle.Itssharpblackteethbitintoherleg.Its

whitetonguelappedupthedropletsofbloodthatleakedoutofthewound.Katesmiled.Therewasnothingtheycoulddotoheranymore."Startdigging,"she

said."Whereisit?"Lindascreeched."Where'dyouburyit?"Troutdemanded.KateBarlowdiedlaughing.

PARTTWOTHELASTHOLE

29

Therewasachangeintheweather.Fortheworse.Theairbecameunbearablyhumid.Stanleywasdrenchedinsweat.Beadsof

moisturerandownthehandleofhisshovel.Itwasalmostasifthetemperaturehadgottensohotthattheairitselfwassweating.

Aloudboomofthunderechoedacrosstheemptylake.

Astormwaswayofftothewest,beyondthemountains.Stanleycouldcountmorethanthirtysecondsbetweentheflashoflightningandtheclapofthunder.Thatwashowfarawaythestormwas.Soundtravelsagreatdistanceacrossabarrenwasteland.

Usually,Stanleycouldn'tseethemountainsatthistimeofday.Theonlytimetheywerevisiblewasjustatsunup,beforetheairbecamehazy.Now,however,theskywasverydarkofftothewest,andeverytimethelightningflashed,thedarkshapeofthemountainswouldbrieflyappear.

"C'mon,rain!"shoutedArmpit."Blowthisway!"

"Maybeit'llrainsoharditwillfillupthewholelake,"saidSquid."Wecangoswimming."

"Fortydaysandfortynights,"saidX-Ray."Guesswebetterstartbuildingusanark.Gettwoofeachanimal,right?"

"Right,"saidZigzag."Tworattlesnakes.Twoscorpions.Twoyellow-spottedlizards."

55

Thehumidity,ormaybetheelectricityintheair,hadmadeZigzag'sheadevenmorewild-looking.Hisfrizzyblondhairstuckalmoststraightout.

Thehorizonlitupwithahugeweboflightning.InthatsplitsecondStanleythoughthesawanunusualrockformationontopofoneofthemountainpeaks.Thepeaklookedtohimexactlylikeagiantfist,withthethumbstickingstraightup.

Thenitwasgone.AndStanleywasn'tsurewhetherhe'dseenitornot.

"IfoundrefugeonGod'sthumb."

Thatwaswhathisgreat-grandfatherhadsupposedlysaidafterKateBarlowhadrobbedhimandlefthimstrandedinthedesert.

Nooneeverknewwhathemeantbythat.Hewasdeliriouswhenhesaidit.

"Buthowcouldheliveforthreeweekswithoutfoodorwater?"Stanleyhadaskedhisfather.

"Idon'tknow.Iwasn'tthere,"repliedhisfather."Iwasn'tbornyet.Myfatherwasn'tbornyet.Mygrandmother,yourgreat-grandmother,wasanurseinthehospitalwheretheytreatedhim.He'dalwaystalkedabouthowshe'ddabhisforeheadwithacoolwetcloth.Hesaidthat'swhyhefellinlovewithher.Hethoughtshewasanangel."

"Arealangel?"Hisfatherdidn'tknow."Whataboutafterhegotbetter?DidheeversaywhathemeantbyGod'sthumb,or

howhesurvived?""No.Hejustblamedhisno-good-pig-stealing-father."Thestormmovedofffartherwest,alongwithanyhopeofrain.Buttheimageofthe

fistandthumbremainedinStanley'shead.Although,insteadoflightningflashingbehindthethumb,inStanley'smind,thelightningwascomingoutofthethumb,asifitwerethethumbofGod.

30

ThenextdaywasZigzag'sbirthday.Orsohesaid.Zigzaglayinhiscotaseveryoneheadedoutside."Igettosleepin,becauseit'smybirthday."

Thenalittlewhilelaterhecutintothebreakfastline,justinfrontofSquid.Squidtoldhimtogototheendoftheline."Hey,it'smybirthday,"Zigzagsaid,stayingwherehewas.

"It'snotyourbirthday,"saidMagnet,whowasstandingbehindSquid."Istoo,"saidZigzag."July8."StanleywasbehindMagnet.Hedidn'tknowwhatdayoftheweekitwas,letalone

thedate.ItcouldhavebeenJuly8,buthowwouldZigzagknow?Hetriedtofigureouthowlonghe'dbeenatCampGreenLake,ifindeeditwasJuly

8."IcamehereonMay24,"hesaidaloud."SothatmeansI'vebeenhere...""Forty-sixdays,"saidZero.

56

StanleywasstilltryingtorememberhowmanydaystherewereinMayandJune.HelookedatZero.He'dlearnednottodoubthimwhenitcametomath.

Forty-sixdays.Itfeltmorelikeathousand.Hedidn'tdigaholethatfirstday,andhehadn'tdugoneyettoday.Thatmeanthe'ddugforty-fourholes—ifitreallywasJuly8.

"CanIhaveanextracartonofjuice?"ZigzagaskedMr.Sir."It'smybirthday."Toeveryone'ssurprise,Mr.Sirgaveittohim.

Stanleydughisshovelintothedirt.Holenumber45."Theforty-fifthholeisthehardest,"hesaidtohimself.

Butthatreallywasn'ttrue,andheknewit.Hewasalotstrongerthanwhenhefirstarrived.Hisbodyhadadjustedsomewhattotheheatandharshconditions.

Mr.Sirwasnolongerdeprivinghimofwater.Afterhavingtogetbyonlesswaterforaweekorso,Stanleynowfeltlikehehadallthewaterhecouldwant.

OfcourseithelpedthatZerodugsomeofhisholeforhimeachday,butthatwasn'tasgreataseveryonethoughtitwas.HealwaysfeltawkwardwhileZerowasdigginghishole,unsureofwhattodowithhimself.Usuallyhestoodaroundawhile,beforesittingoffbyhimselfonthehardground,withthesunbeatingdownonhim.

Itwasbetterthandigging.Butnotalotbetter.Whenthesuncameupacoupleofhourslater,Stanleylookedfor"thethumbof

God."Themountainswerelittlemorethandarkshadowsonthehorizon.Hethoughthecouldmakeoutaspotwherethetopofonemountainseemedtojutupward,butitdidn'tseemveryimpressive.Ashorttimelaterthemountainswereno

longervisible,hiddenbehindtheglareofthesun,reflectingoffthedirtyair.Itwaspossible,herealized,thathewassomewherenearwhereKateBarlowhad

robbedhisgreat-grandfather.Ifthatwasreallyherlipsticktubehe'dfound,thenshemusthavelivedsomewherearoundhere.

Zerotookhisturnbeforethelunchbreak.Stanleyclimbedoutofhishole,andZeroclimbeddownintoit.

"Hey,Caveman,"saidZigzag."Youshouldgetawhip.Thenifyourslavedoesn'tdigfastenough,youcancrackitacrosshisback."

"He'snotmyslave,"saidStanley."Wehaveadeal,that'sall.""Agooddealforyou,"saidZigzag."ItwasZero'sidea,notmine.""Don'tyouknow,Zig?"saidX-Ray,comingover."Caveman'sdoingZeroabig

favor.Zerolikestodigholes.""HesureisaniceguytoletZerodighisholeforhim,"saidSquid."Well,whataboutme?"askedArmpit."Iliketodigholes,too.CanIdigforyou,

Caveman,afterZero'sfinished?"Theotherboyslaughed."No,Iwantto,"saidZigzag."It'smybirthday."Stanleytriedhisbesttoignorethem.Zigzagkeptatit."Comeon,Caveman.Beapal.Letmedigyourhole."

57

Stanleysmiled,asifitwereallabigjoke.

WhenMr.Pendanskiarrivedwithwater"andlunch,ZigzagofferedStanleyhisplaceinline."Sinceyou'resomuchbetterthanme."

Stanleyremainedwherehewas."Ididn'tsayIwasbet—"

"You'reinsultinghim,Zig,"saidX-Ray."WhyshouldCavemantakeyourplace,whenhedeservestobeattheveryfront?He'sbetterthanallofus.Aren'tyou,Caveman?"

"No,"saidStanley."Sureyouare,"saidX-Ray."Nowcometothefrontofthelinewhereyoubelong.""That'sokay,"saidStanley."No,it'snotokay,"saidX-Ray."Getuphere."Stanleyhesitated,thenmovedtothefrontoftheline."Well,thisisafirst,"Mr.Pendanskisaid,comingaroundthesideofthetruck.He

filledStanley'scanteenandhandedhimasacklunch.Stanleywasgladtogetaway.HesatdownbetweenhisholeandZero's.Hewas

gladthathe'dbedigginghisownholefortherestoftheday.Maybetheotherboyswouldleavehimalone.Maybeheshouldn'tletZerodighisholeforhimanymore.Butheneededtosavehisenergytobeagoodteacher.

Hebitintohissandwich,whichcontainedsomekindofmeat-and-cheesemixturethatcameinacan.JustabouteverythingatGreenLakecameinacan.Thesupplytruckcameonceamonth.

HeglanceduptoseeZigzagandSquidwalkingtowardhim."I'llgiveyoumycookieifyouletmedigyourhole,"saidZigzag.Squidlaughed."Here,takemycookie,"saidZigzag,holdingitoutforhim."No,thanks,"saidStanley."C'mon,takemycookie,"saidZigzag,stickingitinhisface."Leavemealone,"saidStanley."Pleaseeatmycookie,"saidZigzag,holdingitunderStanley'snose.Squidlaughed.Stanleypusheditaway.Zigzagpushedhimback."Don'tpushme!""Ididn't..."Stanleygottohisfeet.Helookedaround.Mr.Pendanskiwasfilling

Zero'scanteen.Zigzagpushedhimagain."Isaid,'Don'tpushme.'"Stanleytookastepbackward,carefullyavoidingZero'shole.Zigzagkeptafterhim.HeshovedStanleyandsaid,"Quitpushing!""Layoff,"saidArmpit,ashe,Magnet,andX-Rayjoinedthem."Whyshouldhe?"snappedX-Ray."Caveman'sbigger.Hecantakecareof

himself.""Idon'twantanytrouble,"Stanleysaid.Zigzagpushedhimhard."Eatmycookie,"hesaid.StanleywasgladtoseeMr.Pendanskicomingtowardthem,alongwithZero."Hi,Mom,"saidArmpit."Wewerejustfoolingaround."

58

"Isawwhatwasgoingon,"Mr.Pendanskisaid.HeturnedtoStanley."Goahead,Stanley,"hesaid."Hithimback.You'rebigger."

StanleystaredatMr.Pendanskiinastonishment."Teachthebullyalesson,"saidMr.Pendanski.ZigzaghitStanleyontheshoulderwithhisopenhand."Teachmealesson,"he

challenged.StanleymadeafeebleattempttopunchZigzag,thenhefeltaflurryoffistsagainst

hisheadandneck.Zigzaghadholdofhiscollarwithonehandandwashittinghimwiththeother.

ThecollarrippedandStanleyfellbackwardontothedirt."That'senough!"Mr.Pendanskiyelled.Itwasn'tenoughforZigzag.HejumpedontopofStanley."Stop!"shoutedMr.Pendanski.

ThesideofStanley'sfacewaspressedflatagainstthedirt.Hetriedtoprotecthimself,butZigzag'sfistsslammedoffhisarmsandpoundedhisfaceintotheground.

Allhecoulddowaswaitforittobeover.

Then,suddenly,Zigzagwasoffofhim.Stanleymanagedtolookup,andhesawthatZerohadhisarmaroundZigzag'slongneck.

Zigzagmadeagaggingsound,ashedesperatelytriedtopryZero'sarmoffofhim."You'regoingtokillhim!"shoutedMr.Pendanski.Zerokeptsqueezing.Armpitchargedintothem,freeingZigzagfromZero'schokehold.Thethreeboys

felltothegroundindifferentdirections.Mr.Pendanskifiredhispistolintotheair.

Theothercounselorscamerunningfromtheoffice,thetents,oroutonthelake.Theyhadtheirgunsdrawn,butholsteredthemwhentheysawthetroublewasover.

TheWardenwalkedoverfromhercabin."Therewasariot,"Mr.Pendanskitoldher."ZeroalmoststrangledRicky."TheWardenlookedatZigzag,whowasstillstretchingandmassaginghisneck.

ThensheturnedherattentiontoStanley,whowasobviouslyintheworstcondition."Whathappenedtoyou?"

"Nothing.Itwasn'tariot."

"ZiggywasbeatinguptheCaveman,"saidArmpit."ThenZerostartedchokingZigzag,andIhadtopullZerooffofZigzag.ItwasalloverbeforeMomfiredhisgun.""Theyjustgotalittlehot,that'sall,"saidX-Ray."Youknowhowitis.Inthesunall

day.Peoplegethot,right?Buteverything'scoolnow.""Isee,"theWardensaid.SheturnedtoZigzag."What'sthematter?Didn'tyougeta

puppyforyourbirthday?""Zig'sjustalittlehot,"saidX-Ray."Outinthesunallday.Youknowhowitis.The

bloodstartstoboil.""Isthatwhathappened,Zigzag?"askedtheWarden."Yeah,"saidZigzag."LikeX-Raysaid.Workingsohardinthehotsun,while

Cavemanjustsitsarounddoingnothing.Mybloodboiled."

59

"Excuseme?"saidtheWarden."Cavemandigshisholes,justlikeeveryoneelse."Zigzagshrugged."Sometimes.""Excuseme?""Zero'sbeendiggingpartofCaveman'sholeeveryday,"saidSquid.

TheWardenlookedfromSquidtoStanleytoZero.

"I'mteachinghimtoreadandwrite,"saidStanley."It'ssortofatrade.Theholestillgetsdug,sowhatdoesitmatterwhodigsit?"

"Excuseme?"saidtheWarden.

"Isn'titmoreimportantforhimtolearntoread?"Stanleyasked."Doesn'tthatbuildcharactermorethandiggingholes?"

"That'shischaracter,"saidtheWarden."Whataboutyourcharacter?"Stanleyraisedandloweredoneshoulder.TheWardenturnedtoZero."Well,Zero,whathaveyoulearnedsofar?"Zerosaidnothing.

"HaveyoujustbeendiggingCaveman'sholefornothing?"theWardenaskedhim."Helikestodigholes,"saidMr.Pendanski."Tellmewhatyoulearnedyesterday,"saidtheWarden."Surelyyoucanremember

that."Zerosaidnothing.Mr.Pendanskilaughed.Hepickedupashovelandsaid,"Youmightaswelltryto

teachthisshoveltoread!It'sgotmorebrainsthanZero.""The'at'sound,"saidZero."The'at'sound,"repeatedtheWarden."Wellthen,tellme,whatdoesc-a-tspell?"Zeroglancedarounduneasily.Stanleyknewheknewtheanswer.Zerojustdidn'tlikeansweringquestions."Cat,"Zerosaid.Mr.Pendanskiclappedhishands."Bravo!Bravo!Theboy'sagenius!"

"F-a-t?"askedtheWarden.Zerothoughtamoment.Stanleyhadn'ttaughthimthe"f"soundyet."Eff,"Zerowhispered."Eff-at.Fat.""Howabouth-a-t?"askedtheWarden.Stanleyhadn'ttaughthimthe"h"soundeither.Zeroconcentratedhard,thensaid,"Chat."Allthecounselorslaughed."He'sagenius,allright!"saidMr.Pendanski."He'ssostupid,hedoesn'tevenknow

he'sstupid."Stanleydidn'tknowwhyMr.PendanskiseemedtohaveitinforZero.IfMr.

Pendanskionlythoughtaboutit,he'drealizeitwasverylogicalforZerotothinkthattheletter"h"madethe"ch"sound.

"Okay,fromnowon,Idon'twantanyonedigginganyoneelse'shole,"saidtheWarden."Andnomorereadinglessons."

"I'mnotdigginganotherhole,"saidZero.

60

"Good,"saidtheWarden.SheturnedtoStanley."Youknowwhyyou'rediggingholes?Becauseit'sgoodforyou.Itteachesyoualesson.IfZerodigsyourholeforyou,thenyou'renotlearningyourlesson,areyou?"

"Iguessnot,"Stanleymumbled,althoughheknewtheyweren'tdiggingjusttolearnalesson.Shewaslookingforsomething,somethingthatbelongedtoKissin'KateBarlow.

"Whycan'tIdigmyownhole,butstillteachZerotoread?"heasked."What'swrongwiththat?"

"I'lltellyouwhat'swrongwiththat,"theWardensaid."Itleadstotrouble.ZeroalmostkilledZigzag."

"Itcauseshimstress,"saidMr.Pendanski."Iknowyoumeanwell,Stanley,butfaceit.Zero'stoostupidtolearntoread.That'swhatmakeshisbloodboil.Notthehotsun."

"I'mnotdigginganotherhole,"saidZero.

Mr.Pendanskihandedhimtheshovel."Here,takeit,Zero.It'sallyou'lleverbegoodfor."

Zerotooktheshovel.Thenheswungitlikeabaseballbat.ThemetalbladesmashedacrossMr.Pendanski'sface.Hiskneescrumpledbeneath

him.Hewasunconsciousbeforehehittheground.Thecounselorsalldrewtheirguns.Zeroheldtheshoveloutinfrontofhim,asifheweregoingtotrytobatawaythe

bullets."Ihatediggingholes,"hesaid.Thenheslowlybackedaway."Don'tshoothim,"saidtheWarden."Hecan'tgoanywhere.Thelastthingweneed

isaninvestigation."Zerokeptbackingup,outpasttheclusterofholestheboyshadbeendigging,then

fartherandfartheroutontothelake."He'sgoingtohavetocomebackforwater,"theWardensaid.StanleynoticedZero'scanteenlyingonthegroundnearhishole.AcoupleofthecounselorshelpedMr.Pendanskitohisfeetandintothetruck.StanleylookedouttowardZero,buthehaddisappearedintothehaze.TheWardenorderedthecounselorstotaketurnsguardingtheshowerroomand

WreckRoom,alldayandallnight.TheywerenottoletZerodrinkanywater.Whenhereturned,hewastobebroughtdirectlytoher.

Sheexaminedherfingernailsandsaid,"It'salmosttimeformetopaintmynailsagain."

Beforesheleft,shetoldthesixremainingmembersofGroupDthatshestillexpectedsevenholes.

31

Stanleyangrilydughisshovelintothedirt.Hewasangryateveryone—Mr.Pendanski,theWarden,Zigzag,X-Ray,andhis

61

no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather.Butmostlyhewasangryathimself.

HeknewhenevershouldhaveletZerodigpartofhisholeforhim.Hestillcouldhavetaughthimtoread.IfZerocoulddigalldayandstillhavethestrengthtolearn,thenheshouldhavebeenabletodigalldayandstillhavethestrengthtoteach.

Whatheshoulddo,hethought,wasgooutafterZero.Buthedidn't.NoneoftheothershelpedhimdigZero'shole,andhedidn'texpectthemto.Zero

hadbeenhelpinghimdighishole.NowhehadtodigZero's.Heremainedoutonthelake,diggingduringthehottestpartoftheday,longafter

everyoneelsehadgonein.HekeptaneyeoutforZero,butZerodidn'tcomeback.ItwouldhavebeeneasytogooutafterZero.Therewasnobodytostophim.He

keptthinkingthat'swhatheshoulddo.MaybetheycouldclimbtothetopofBigThumb.Ifitwasn'ttoofaraway.Andifitwasreallythesameplacewherehis

great-grandfatherfoundrefuge.Andif,afterahundredyearsorso,waterwasstillthere.

Itdidn'tseemlikely.Notwhenanentirelakehadgonedry.

AndeveniftheydidfindrefugeonBigThumb,hethought,they'dstillhavetocomebackhere,eventually.Thenthey'dbothhavetofacetheWarden,andherrattlesnakefingers.

Instead,hecameupwithabetteridea,althoughhedidn'thaveitquiteallfiguredoutyet.HethoughtthatmaybehecouldmakeadealwiththeWarden.He'dtellherwherehereallyfoundthegoldtubeifshewouldn'tscratchZero.

Hewasn'tsurehowhe'dmakethisdealwithoutgettinghimselfindeepertrouble.Shemightjustsay,TellmewhereyoufounditorI'llscratchyou,too.Plus,itwouldmeanX-Raywouldgetintrouble,too.She'dprobablyscratchhimupaswell.

X-Raywouldbeouttogethimforthenextsixteenmonths.Hedughisshovelintothedirt.

Bythenextmorning,Zerostillhadn'treturned.Stanleysawoneofthecounselorssittingguardbythewaterspigotoutsidetheshowerwall.

Mr.Pendanskihadtwoblackeyesandabandageoverhisnose."Ialwaysknewhewasstupid,"Stanleyheardhimsay.

Stanleywasrequiredtodigonlyoneholethenextday.Ashedug,hekeptaconstantwatchoutforZero,butneversawhim.Onceagainheconsideredgoingoutonthelaketolookforhim,buthebegantorealizethatitwasalreadytoolate.

HisonlyhopewasthatZerohadfoundGod'sthumbonhisown.Itwasn'timpossible.Hisgreat-grandfatherhadfoundit.Forsomereasonhisgreat-

grandfatherhadfelttheurgetoclimbtothetopofthatmountain.MaybeZerowouldfeelthesameurge.

Ifitwasthesamemountain.Ifwaterwasstillthere.

62

Hetriedtoconvincehimselfitwasn'timpossible.Therehadbeenastormjustafewdaysago.MaybeBigThumbwasactuallysomekindofnaturalwatertowerthatcaughtandstoredtherain.

Itwasn'timpossible.

HereturnedtohistenttofindtheWarden,Mr.Sir,andMr.Pendanskiallwaitingforhim.

"HaveyouseenZero?"theWardenaskedhim."No.""Nosignofhimatall?""No."

"Doyouhaveanyideawherehewent?""No.""Youknowyou'renotdoinghimanyfavorsifyou'relying,"saidMr.Sir."Hecan't

surviveoutthereformorethanadayortwo.""Idon'tknowwhereheis."AllthreestaredatStanleyasiftheyweretryingtofigureoutifhewastellingthe

truth.Mr.Pendanski'sfacewassoswollen,hecouldbarelyopenhiseyes.Theywerejustslits.

"Yousurehehasnofamily?"theWardenaskedMr.Pendanski.

"He'sawardofthestate,"Mr.Pendanskitoldher."Hewaslivingonthestreetswhenhewasarrested."

"Isthereanyonewhomightaskquestions?Somesocialworkerwhotookaninterestinhim?"

"Hehadnobody,"saidMr.Pendanski."Hewasnobody."TheWardenthoughtamoment."Okay,Iwantyoutodestroyallofhisrecords."Mr.Pendanskinodded."Hewasneverhere,"saidtheWarden.Mr.Sirnodded."Canyougetintothestatefilesfromourcomputer?"sheaskedMr.Pendanski."I

don'twantanyoneintheA.G.'sofficetoknowhewashere.""Idon'tthinkIcanerasehimcompletelyfromallthestatefiles,"saidMr.Pendanski.

"Toomanycross-references.ButIcanmakeitsoitwouldbeverydifficultforanyonetoeverfindarecordofhim.LikeIsaid,though,noonewilleverlook.NoonecaresaboutHectorZeroni."

"Good,"saidtheWarden.

32

TwodayslateranewkidwasassignedtoGroupD.HisnamewasBrian,butX-RaycalledhimTwitchbecausehewasalwaysfidgeting.TwitchwasassignedZero'sbed,andZero'scrate.

Vacanciesdon'tlastlongatCampGreenLake.

63

Twitchhadbeenarrestedforstealingacar.Heclaimedhecouldbreakintoacar,disconnectthealarm,andhot-wiretheengine,allinlessthanaminute.

"Ineverplanto,youknow,stealone,"hetoldthem."Butsometimes,youknow,I'llbewalkingpastarealnicecar,parkedinadesertedarea,and,youknow,I'lljuststarttwitching.IfyouthinkItwitchnow,youshouldseemewhenI'maroundacar.ThenextthingIknow,I'mbehindthewheel."

Stanleylayonhisscratchysheets.Itoccurredtohimthathiscotnolongersmelledbad.Hewonderedifthesmellhadgoneaway,orifhehadjustgottenusedtoit.

"Hey,Caveman,"saidTwitch."Dowereallyhavetogetupat4:30?""Yougetusedtoit,"Stanleytoldhim."It'sthecoolestpartoftheday."HetriednottothinkaboutZero.Itwastoolate.Eitherhe'dmadeittoBigThumb,

or...Whatworriedhimthemost,however,wasn'tthatitwastoolate.Whatworriedhim

themost,whatreallyateathisinsides,wasthefearthatitwasn'ttoolate.WhatifZerowasstillalive,desperatelycrawlingacrossthedirtsearchingfor

water?Hetriedtoforcetheimageoutofhismind.

Thenextmorning,outonthelake,StanleylistenedasMr.SirtoldTwitchtherequirementsforhishole:"...aswideandasdeepasyourshovel."

Twitchfidgeted.Hisfingersdrummedagainstthewoodenshaftofhisshovel,andhisneckmovedfromsidetoside.

"Youwon'tbetwitchingsomuchafterdiggingallday,"Mr.Sirtoldhim."Youwon'thavethestrengthtowiggleyourpinkie."Hepoppedsomesunflowerseedsinhismouth,deftlychewedthem,andspatouttheshells."Thisisn'taGirlScoutcamp."

Thewatertruckcameshortlyaftersunrise.StanleygotinlinebehindMagnet,aheadofTwitch.

Whatifit'snottoolate?

HewatchedMr.SirfillX-Ray'scanteen.TheimageofZerocrawlingacrossthehotdrydirtremainedinhishead.

Butwhatcouldhedoaboutit?EvenifZerowassomehowaliveaftermorethanfourdays,howwouldStanleyeverfindhim?Itwouldtakedays.He'dneedacar.

Orapickuptruck.Apickuptruckwithatankofwaterintheback.StanleywonderedifMr.Sirhadleftthekeysintheignition.Heslowlybackedawayfromtheline,thencircledovertothesideofthetruck.He

lookedthroughthewindow.Thekeyswerethere,danglingintheignition.Stanleyfelthisfingersstarttotwitch.Hetookadeepbreathtosteadyhimselfandtriedtothinkclearly.Hehadnever

drivenbefore.Buthowhardcoulditbe?Thisisreallycrazy,hetoldhimself.Whateverhedid,heknewhe'dhavetodoit

quickly,beforeMr.Sirnoticed.It'stoolate,hetoldhimself.Zerocouldn'thavesurvived.Butwhatifitwasn'ttoolate?

64

Hetookanotherdeepbreath.Thinkaboutthis,hetoldhimself,buttherewasn'ttimetothink.Heflungopenthedoortothetruckandclimbedquicklyinside.

"Hey!"shoutedMr.Sir.Heturnedthekeyandsteppedonthegaspedal.Theenginerevved.Thetruckdidn'tmove.Hepressedthepedaltothefloor.Theengineroared,butthetruckwasmotionless.Mr.Sircamerunningaroundthesideofthetruck.Thedoorwasstillopen."Putitingear!"shoutedTwitch.Thegearshiftwasonthefloornexttotheseat.Stanleypulledtheleverbackuntil

thearrowpointedtotheletterD,forDrive.Thetrucklurchedforward.Stanleyjerkedbackagainsttheseatandtightlygripped

thewheelasthetruckaccelerated.Hisfootwaspressedtothefloor.Thetruckwentfasterandfasteracrossthedrylakebed.Itbouncedoverapileof

dirt.SuddenlyStanleywasslammedforward,theninstantlybackwardasanairbagexplodedinhisface.Hefelloutoftheopendoorandontotheground.

Hehaddrivenstraightintoahole.

Helayonthedirtstaringatthetruck,whichstucklopsidedintotheground.Hesighed.Hecouldn'tblamehisno-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfatherthistime.Thistimeitwashisownfault,onehundredpercent.Hehadprobablyjustdonethestupidestthinghehadeverdoneinhisshortandmiserablelife.

Hemanagedtogettohisfeet.Hewassorebutdidn'tthinkhehadbrokenanybones.HeglancedbackatMr.Sir,whoremainedwherehewas,staringatStanley.

Heran.Hiscanteenwasstrappedaroundhisneck.Itbangedagainsthischestasheran,andeverytimeithitagainsthim,itremindedhimthatitwasempty,empty,empty.

33

Heslowedtoawalk.Asfarashecouldtell,nobodywaschasinghim.Hecouldhearvoicescomingfrombackbythetruckbutcouldn'tmakeoutthewords.Occasionallyhe'dheartherevvingoftheengine,butthetruckwasn'tgoinganywhereanytimesoon.

HeheadedinwhathethoughtwasthedirectionofBigThumb.Hecouldn'tseeitthroughthehaze.

Walkinghelpedcalmhimdownandallowedhimtothinkclearly.HedoubtedhecouldmakeittoBigThumb,andwithnowaterinhiscanteen,hedidn'twanttoriskhislifeonthehopethathe'dfindrefugethere.He'dhavetoreturntocamp.Heknewthat.Buthewasinnohurry.Itwouldbebettertoreturnlater,aftereveryonehadachancetocalmdown.Andaslongashe'dcomethisfar,hemightaswelllookforZero.

Hedecidedhewouldwalkaslongashecould,untilhewastooweaktogoanyfarther,thenhe'dturnaroundandgoback.

Hesmiledasherealizedthatwouldn'tquitework.Hewouldonlygohalfway—halfwayasfarashethoughthecouldgo,sothathe'dstillhavethestrengthto

65

return.Thenhe'dhavetomakeadealwiththeWarden,tellherwherehefoundKateBarlow'slipsticktube,andbegformercy.

Hewassurprisedbyhowfarouttheholesextended.Hecouldn'tevenseethecampcompoundanymore,buthestillkeptpassingholes.Justwhenhethoughthe'dpassedthelasthole,he'dcomeacrossanotherclusterofthem,alittlefartheraway.

Backatthecompound,theyhadduginasystematicorder,rowuponrow,allowingspaceforthewatertruck.Butoutheretherewasnosystem.Itwasasifeveryonceinawhile,inafitoffrustration,theWardenwouldjustpickaspotatrandom,andsay,"Whatthehell,dighere."Itwasliketryingtoguessthewinningnumbersinalottery.

Stanleyfoundhimselflookingdownintoeachholehepassed.Hedidn'tadmittohimselfwhathewaslookingfor.

Aftermorethananhourhadgoneby,hethoughthehadsurelyseenthelasthole,butthenofftothelefthesawanotherclusterofthem.Hedidn'tactuallyseetheholes.Hesawthemoundsofdirtthatsurroundedthem.

Hesteppedoverthemoundsandlookedintothefirsthole.Hisheartstopped.

Downatthebottomwasafamilyofyellow-spottedlizards.Theirlargeredeyeslookedupathim.

Heleaptbackoverthemoundandran.

Hedidn'tknowiftheywerechasingafterhim.Hethoughthemighthaveseenoneleapoutofthehole.

Heranuntilhecouldn'trunanyfarther,thencollapsed.Theyhadn'tcomeafterhim.

Hesatthereawhileandcaughthisbreath.Ashegotbacktohisfeet,hethoughthenoticedsomethingontheground,maybefiftyyardsaway.Itdidn'tlooklikemuch,maybejustabigrock,butinalandofnothingness,anylittlethingseemedunusual.

Hewalkedslowlytowardit.Theencounterwiththelizardshadmadehimverycautious.

Itturnedouttobeanemptysackofsunflowerseeds.HewonderedifitwasthesameoneMagnethadstolenfromMr.Sir,althoughthatdidn'tseemlikely.

Heturneditinsideoutandfoundoneseedstucktotheburlap.Lunch.

34

Thesunwasalmostdirectlyoverhead.Hefiguredhecouldwalkfornomorethananotherhour,maybetwo,beforehehadtoturnback.

Itseemedpointless.Hecouldseetherewasnothingaheadofhim.Nothingbutemptiness.Hewashot,tired,hungry,and,mostofall,thirsty.Maybeheshouldjustturnaroundnow.Maybehe'dalreadygonehalfwayanddidn'tknowit.

Then,lookingaround,hesawapoolofwaterlessthanahundredyardsawayfromwherehewasstanding.Heclosedhiseyesandopenedthemtomakesurehewasn'timaginingit.Thepoolwasstillthere.

Hehurriedtowardit.Thepoolhurriedawayfromhim,movingashemoved,stoppingwhenhestopped.

66

Therewasn'tanywater.Itwasamiragecausedbytheshimmeringwavesofheatrisingoffthedryground.

Hekeptwalking.Hestillcarriedtheemptysackofsunflowerseeds.Hedidn'tknowifhemightfindsomethingtoputinit.

Afterawhilehethoughthecouldmakeouttheshapeofthemountainsthroughthehaze.Atfirsthewasn'tsureifthiswasanotherkindofmirage,butthefartherhewalked,theclearertheycameintoaview.Almoststraightaheadofhim,hecouldseewhatlookedlikeafist,withitsthumbstickingup.

Hedidn'tknowhowfarawayitwas.Fivemiles?Fiftymiles?Onethingwascertain.Itwasmorethanhalfway.

Hekeptwalkingtowardit,althoughhedidn'tknowwhy.Heknewhe'dhavetoturnaroundbeforehegotthere.Buteverytimehelookedatit,itseemedtoencouragehim,givinghimthethumbs-upsign.

Ashecontinuedwalking,hebecameawareofalargeobjectonthelake.Hecouldn'ttellwhatitwas,orevenifitwasnaturalorman-made.Itlookedalittlelikeafallentree,althoughitdidn'tseemlikelythatatreewouldgrowhere.Morelikely,itwasaridgeofdirtorrocks.

Theobject,whateveritwas,wasnotonthewaytoBigThumbbutofftotheright.HetriedtodecidewhethertogotoitorcontinuetowardBigThumb.Ormaybejustturnaround.

TherewasnopointinheadingtowardBigThumb,hedecided.Hewouldnevermakeit.Forallheknewitwaslikechasingthemoon.Buthecouldmakeittothemysteriousobject.

Hechangeddirections.Hedoubteditwasanything,butthefactthattherewassomethinginthemiddleofallthisnothingmadeithardforhimtopassup.Hedecidedtomaketheobjecthishalfwaypoint,andhehopedhehadn'talreadygonetoofar.

Helaughedtohimselfwhenhesawwhatitwas.Itwasaboat—orpartofaboatanyway.Itstruckhimasfunnytoseeaboatinthemiddleofthisdryandbarrenwasteland.Butafterall,herealized,thiswasoncealake.

Theboatlayupsidedown,halfburiedinthedirt.

Someonemayhavedrownedhere,hethoughtgrimly—atthesamespotwherehecouldverywelldieofthirst.

Thenameoftheboathadbeenpaintedontheback.Theupside-downredletterswerepeeledandfaded,butStanleycouldstillreadthename:MaryLou.

Ononesideoftheboattherewasapileofdirtandthenatunnelleadingdownbelowtheboat.Thetunnellookedbigenoughforagood-sizedanimaltocrawlthrough.

Heheardanoise.Somethingstirredundertheboat.Itwascomingout."Hey!"Stanleyshouted,hopingtoscareitbackinside.Hismouthwasverydry,and

itwashardtoshoutveryloudly."Hey,"thethingansweredweakly.Thenadarkhandandanorangesleevereachedupoutofthetunnel.

67

35

Zero'sfacelookedlikeajack-o'-lanternthathadbeenleftouttoomanydayspastHalloween—halfrotten,withsunkeneyesandadroopingsmile."Isthatwater?"heasked.Hisvoicewasweakandraspy.Hislipsweresopaletheywerealmostwhite,andhistongueseemedtofloparounduselesslyinhismouthashespoke,asifitkeptgettingintheway.

"It'sempty,"saidStanley.HestaredatZero,notquitebelievingthathewasreal."Itriedtobringyouthewholewatertruck,but,"hesmiledsheepishly,"Idroveitintoahole.Ican'tbelieveyou're..."

"Meneither,"saidZero."C'mon,wegottogetbacktocamp."Zeroshookhishead."I'mnotgoingback.""Youhaveto.Webothhaveto.""Youwantsomesploosh?"Zeroasked."What?"Zeroshadedhiseyeswithhisforearm."It'scoolerundertheboat,"hesaid.StanleywatchedZerocrawlbackthroughhishole.Itwasamiraclehewasstill

alive,butStanleyknewhewouldhavetogethimbacktocampsoon,evenifhehadtocarryhim.

Hecrawledafterhim,andwasjustabletosqueezehisbodythroughthehole.HeneverwouldhavefitwhenhefirstcametoCampGreenLake.He'dlostalotofweight.

Ashepulledhimselfthrough,hislegstrucksomethingsharpandhard.Itwasashovel.ForasecondStanleywonderedhowitgotthere,butthenrememberedthatZerohadtakenitwithhimafterstrikingMr.Pendanski.

Itwascoolerundertheboat,whichwashalfburiedinthedirt.Therewereenoughcracksandholesinthebottomoftheboat,nowtheroof,toprovidelightandventilation.Hecouldseeemptyjarsscatteredabout.

Zeroheldajarinhishandandgruntedashetriedtounscrewthelid."Whatisit?""Sploosh!"Hisvoicewasstrainedasheworkedonthejar."That'swhatIcallit.

Theywereburiedundertheboat."Hestillcouldn'tgetthelidoff."Ifoundsixteenjars.Here,handmetheshovel."Stanleydidn'thavealotofroomtomove.Hereachedbehindhim,grabbedthe

woodenendoftheshovel,andhelditouttoZero,bladefirst."Sometimesyoujusthaveto..."Zerosaid,thenhehitthejaragainstthebladeof

theshovel,breakingthetopofthejarcleanoff.Hequicklybroughtthejartohismouthandlickedthesplooshoffthejaggededgesbeforeitspilled.

"Careful,"Stanleywarned.

Zeropickedupthecrackedlidandlickedthesplooshoffthataswell.ThenhehandedthebrokenjartoStanley."Drinksome."

68

Stanleyhelditinhishandandstaredatitamoment.Hewasafraidofthebrokenglass.Hewasalsoafraidofthesploosh.Itlookedlikemud.Whateveritwas,herealized,itmusthavebeenintheboatwhentheboatsank.Thatmeantitwasprobablyoverahundredyearsold.Whoknewwhatkindofbacteriamightbelivinginit?

"It'sgood,"saidZero,encouraginghim.

HewonderedifZerohadheardofbacteria.Heraisedthejartohismouthandcarefullytookasip.

Itwasawarm,bubbly,mushynectar,sweetandtangy.Itfeltlikeheavenasitflowedoverhisdrymouthanddownhisparchedthroat.Hethoughtitmighthavebeensomekindoffruitatsometime,perhapspeaches.

Zerosmiledathim."Itoldyouitwasgood."

Stanleydidn'twanttodrinktoomuch,butitwastoogoodtoresist.Theypassedthejarbackandforthuntilitwasempty."Howmanyareleft?"heasked.

"None,"saidZero.Stanley'smouthdropped."NowIhavetotakeyouback,"hesaid."I'mnotdigginganymoreholes,"saidZero."Theywon'tmakeyoudig,"Stanleypromised."They'llprobablysendyoutoa

hospital,likeBarfBag.""BarfBagsteppedonarattlesnake,"saidZero.Stanleyrememberedhowhe'dalmostdonethesame."Iguesshedidn'thearthe

rattle.""Hediditonpurpose,"saidZero."Youthink?""Hetookoffhisshoeandsockfirst."Stanleyshiveredashetriedtoimagineit."What'sMar-yaLuh-oh-oo?"askedZero."What?"Zeroconcentratedhard."Marya,Luhohoo.""Ihavenoidea.""I'llshowyou,"saidZero.Hecrawledhackoutfromundertheboat.Stanleyfollowed.Backoutside,hehadtoshieldhiseyesfromthebrightness.Zerowalkedaroundtothebackoftheboatandpointedtotheupside-downletters.

"Mm-ar-yuh.Luh-oh-oo."Stanleysmiled."MaryLou.It'sthenameoftheboat.""MaryLou,"Zerorepeated,studyingtheletters."Ithought'y'madethe'yuh'

sound.""Itdoes,"saidStanley."Butnotwhenit'sattheendofaword.Sometimes'y'isa

vowelandsometimesit'saconsonant."Zerosuddenlygroaned.Hegrabbedhisstomachandbentover."Areyouallright?"Zerodroppedtotheground.Helayonhisside,withhiskneespulleduptohischest.

Hecontinuedtogroan.

69

Stanleywatchedhelplessly.Hewonderedifitwasthesploosh.HelookedbacktowardCampGreenLake.AtleasthethoughtitwasthedirectionofCampGreenLake.Hewasn'tentirelysure.

Zerostoppedmoaning,andhisbodyslowlyunbent."I'mtakingyouback,"saidStanley.Zeromanagedtositup.Hetookseveraldeepbreaths."Look,Igotaplansoyouwon'tgetintrouble,"Stanleyassuredhim."Remember

whenIfoundthegoldtube.Remember,IgaveittoX-Ray,andtheWardenwentcrazymakingusdigwhereshethoughtX-Rayfoundit.IthinkifItelltheWardenwhereIreallyfoundit,Ithinkshe'llletusoff."

"I'mnotgoingback,"saidZero."You'vegotnowhereelsetogo,"saidStanley.Zerosaidnothing."You'lldieouthere,"saidStanley."ThenI'lldieouthere."Stanleydidn'tknowwhattodo.HehadcometorescueZeroandinsteaddrankthe

lastofhissploosh.Helookedoffintothedistance."Iwantyoutolookatsomething.""I'mnot—"

"Ijustwantyoutolookatthatmountainupthere.Seetheonethathassomethingstickingupoutofit?"

"Yeah,Ithink.""Whatdoesitlookliketoyou?Doesitlooklikeanything?"Zerosaidnothing.Butashestudiedthemountain,hisrighthandslowlyformedintoafist.Heraised

histhumb.Hiseyeswentfromthemountain,tohishand,thenbacktothemountain.

36

Theyputfouroftheunbrokenjarsintheburlapsack,incasetheymightbeabletousethem.Stanleycarriedthesack.Zeroheldtheshovel.

"Ishouldwarnyou,"Stanleysaid."I'mnotexactlytheluckiestguyintheworld."

Zerowasn'tworried."Whenyouspendyourwholelifelivinginahole,"hesaid,"theonlywayyoucangoisup."

Theygaveeachotherthethumbs-upsign,thenheadedout.

Itwasthehottestpartoftheday.Stanley'sempty-empty-emptycanteenwasstillstrappedaroundhisneck.Hethoughtbacktothewatertruck,andwishedhe'datleaststoppedandfilledhiscanteenbeforerunningoff.

Theyhadn'tgoneveryfarbeforeZerohadanotherattack.Heclutchedhisstomachashelethimselffalltotheground.

Stanleycouldonlywaitforittopass.ThesplooshhadsavedZero'slife,butitwasnowdestroyinghimfromtheinside.Hewonderedhowlongitwouldbebeforehe,too,felttheeffects.

70

HelookedatBigThumb.Itdidn'tseemanycloserthanwhentheyfirststartedout.Zerotookadeepbreathandmanagedtositup."Canyouwalk?"Stanleyaskedhim."Justgivemeasecond,"Zerosaid.Hetookanotherbreath,then,usingtheshovel,

pulledhimselfbacktohisfeet.HegaveStanleythethumbs-upsignandtheycontinued.SometimesStanleywouldtrytogoforalongwhilewithoutlookingatBigThumb.

He'dmakeamentalsnapshotofhowitlooked,thenwaitmaybetenminutesbeforelookingatitagain,toseeifitseemedcloser.

Itneverdid.Itwaslikechasingthemoon.Andiftheyeverreachedit,herealized,thenthey'dstillhavetoclimbit."Iwonderwhoshewas,"saidZero."Who?""MaryLou,"saidZero.Stanleysmiled."Iguessshewasoncearealpersononareallake.It'shardto

imagine.""Ibetshewaspretty,"saidZero."Somebodymusthavelovedheralot,tonamea

boatafterher.""Yeah,"saidStanley."Ibetshelookedgreatinabathingsuit,sittingintheboat

whileherboyfriendrowed."Zerousedtheshovelasathirdleg.Twolegsweren'tenoughtokeephimup."Igot

tostopandrest,"hesaidafterawhile.StanleylookedatBigThumb.Itstilldidn'tlookanycloser.HewasafraidifZero

stopped,hemightnevergetstartedagain."We'realmostthere,"hesaid.Hewonderedwhichwascloser:CampGreenLakeorBigThumb?"Ireallyhavetositdown.""Justseeifyoucangoalittle—"

Zerocollapsed.Theshovelstayedupafractionofasecondlonger,perfectlybalancedonthetipoftheblade,thenitfellnexttohim.

Zeroknelt,bentoverwithhisheadontheground.Stanleycouldhearaverylowmoaningsoundcomingfromhim.Helookedattheshovelandcouldn'thelpbutthinkthathemightneedittodigagrave.Zero'slasthole.

Andwhowilldigagraveforme?hethought.ButZerodidgetup,onceagainflashingthumbs-up."Givemesomewords,"hesaidweakly.IttookStanleyafewsecondstorealizewhathemeant.Thenhesmiledandsaid,

"R-u-n."Zerosoundeditouttohimself."Rr-un,run.Run.""Good.F-u-n.""Fffun."ThespellingseemedtohelpZero.Itgavehimsomethingtoconcentrateonbesides

hispainandweakness.ItdistractedStanleyaswell.ThenexttimehelookedupatBigThumb,itreallydid

seemcloser.

71

Theyquitspellingwordswhenithurttoomuchtotalk.Stanley'sthroatwasdry.Hewasweakandexhausted,yetasbadashefelt,heknewthatZerofelttentimesworse.AslongasZerocouldkeepgoing,hecouldkeepgoing,too.

Itwaspossible,hethought,hehoped,thathedidn'tgetanyofthebadbacteria.Zerohadn'tbeenabletounscrewthelid.Maybethebadgermscouldn'tgetin,either.Maybethebacteriawereonlyinthejarswhichopenedeasily,theoneshewasnowcarryinginhissack.

WhatscaredStanleythemostaboutdyingwasn'thisactualdeath.Hefiguredhecouldhandlethepain.Itwouldn'tbemuchworsethanwhathefeltnow.Infact,maybeatthemomentofhisdeathhewouldbetooweaktofeelpain.Deathwouldbearelief.Whatworriedhimthemostwasthethoughtofhisparentsnotknowingwhathappenedtohim,notknowingwhetherhewasdeadoralive.Hehatedtoimaginewhatitwouldbelikeforhismotherandfather,dayafterday,monthaftermonth,notknowing,livingonfalsehope.Forhim,atleast,itwouldbeover.Forhisparents,thepainwouldneverend.

HewonderediftheWardenwouldsendoutasearchpartytolookforhim.Itdidn'tseemlikely.Shedidn'tsendanyonetolookforZero.ButnoonecaredaboutZero.Theysimplydestroyedhisfiles.

ButStanleyhadafamily.Shecouldn'tpretendhewasneverthere.Hewonderedwhatshewouldtellthem.Andwhen?

"Whatdoyouthink'supthere?"Zeroasked.

StanleylookedtothetopofBigThumb."Oh,probablyanItalianrestaurant,"hesaid.

Zeromanagedtolaugh."IthinkI'llgetapepperonipizzaandalargerootbeer,"saidStanley."Iwantanicecreamsundae,"saidZero."Withnutsandwhippedcream,and

bananas,andhotfudge."Thesunwasalmostdirectlyinfrontofthem.Thethumbpointeduptowardit.

Theycametotheendofthelake.Hugewhitestonecliffsroseupbeforethem.

Unliketheeasternshore,whereCampGreenLakewassituated,thewesternshoredidnotslopedowngradually.Itwasasiftheyhadbeenwalkingacrosstheflatbottomofagiantfryingpan,andnowtheyhadtosomehowclimbupoutofit.

TheycouldnolongerseeBigThumb.Thecliffsblockedtheirview.Thecliffsalsoblockedoutthesun.

Zerogroanedandclutchedhisstomach,butheremainedstanding."I'mallright,"hewhispered.

Stanleysawarut,aboutafootwideandsixinchesdeep,runningdownacliff.Oneithersideoftherutwereaseriesofledges."Let'strythere,"hesaid.

Itlookedtobeaboutafifty-footclimb,straightup.

Stanleystillmanagedtoholdthesackofjarsinhislefthandasheslowlymovedup,fromledgetoledge,crisscrossingtherut.Attimeshehadtousethesideoftherutforsupport,inordertomakeittothenextledge.

72

Zerostayedwithhim,somehow.Hisfrailbodytrembledterriblyasheclimbedthestonewall.

Someoftheledgeswerewideenoughtositon.Othersstuckoutnomorethanafewinches—justenoughforaquickstep.Stanleystoppedabouttwo-thirdsofthewayup,onafairlywideledge.Zerocameupalongsidehim.

"Youokay?"Stanleyasked.Zerogavethethumbs-upsign.Stanleydidthesame.Helookedabovehim.Hewasn'tsurehowhe'dgettothenextledge.Itwasthreeor

fourfeetabovehishead,andhedidn'tseeanyfootholds.Hewasafraidtolookdown."Givemeaboost,"saidZero."ThenI'llpullyouupwiththeshovel.""Youwon'tbeabletopullmeup,"saidStanley."Yes,Iwill,"saidZero.

Stanleycuppedhishandstogether,andZerosteppedonhisinterwovenfingers.HewasabletoliftZerohighenoughforhimtograbtheprotrudingslabofrock.StanleycontinuedtohelphimfrombelowasZeropulledhimselfontotheledge.

WhileZerowasgettinghimselfsituatedupthere,Stanley'attachedthesacktotheshovelbypokingaholethroughtheburlap.HeheldituptoZero.

Zerofirstgrabbedholdofthesack,thentheshovel.Hesettheshovelsothathalfthebladewassupportedbytherockslab.ThewoodenshafthungdowntowardStanley."Okay,"hesaid.

Stanleydoubtedthiswouldwork.ItwasonethingforhimtoliftZero,whowashalfhisweight.ItwasquiteanotherforZerototrytopullhimup.

Stanleygrabbedholdoftheshovelasheclimbeduptherockwall,usingthesidesoftheruttohelpsupporthim.Hishandsmovedoneovertheother,uptheshaftoftheshovel.

HefeltZero'shandclasphiswrist.Heletgooftheshaftwithonehandandgrabbedthetopoftheledge.Hegatheredhisstrengthandforabriefsecondseemedtodefygravityashetooka

quickstepupthewalland,withZero'shelp,pulledhimselftherestofthewayovertheledge.

Hecaughthisbreath.Therewasnowayhecouldhavedonethatafewmonthsago.

Henoticedalargespotofbloodonhiswrist.IttookhimamomenttorealizethatitwasZero'sblood.

Zerohaddeepgashesinbothhands.Hehadheldontothemetalbladeoftheshovel,keepingitinplace,asStanleyclimbed.

Zerobroughthishandstohismouthandsuckeduphisblood.

Oneoftheglassjarshadbrokeninthesack.Theydecidedtosavethepieces.Theymightneedtomakeaknifeorsomething.

Theyrestedbriefly,thencontinuedonup.Itwasafairlyeasyclimbtherestoftheway.

Whentheyreachedflatground,Stanleylookeduptoseethesun,afieryballbalancingontopofBigThumb.Godwastwirlingabasketball.

Soontheywerewalkinginthelongthinshadowofthethumb.

73

37

"We'realmostthere,"saidStanley.Hecouldseethebaseofthemountain.

Nowthattheyreallywerealmostthere,itscaredhim.BigThumbwashisonlyhope.Iftherewasnowater,norefuge,thenthey'dhavenothing,notevenhope.

Therewasnoexactplacewheretheflatlandstoppedandthemountainbegan.Thegroundgotsteeperandsteeper,andthentherewasnodoubtthattheywereheadingupthemountain.

StanleycouldnolongerseeBigThumb.Theslopeofthemountainwasintheway.

Itbecametoosteeptogostraightup.Insteadtheyzigzaggedbackandforth,increasingtheiraltitudebysmallincrementseverytimetheychangeddirections.

Patchesofweedsdottedthemountainside.Theywalkedfromonepatchtoanother,usingtheweedsasfootholds.Astheygothigher,theweedsgotthicker.Manyhadthorns,andtheyhadtobecarefulwalkingthroughthem.

Stanleywouldhavelikedtostopandrest,buthewasafraidthey'dnevergetstartedagain.AslongasZerocouldkeepgoing,hecouldkeepgoing,too.Besides,heknewtheydidn'thavemuchdaylightleft.

Astheskydarkened,bugsbeganappearingabovetheweedpatches.Aswarmofgnatshoveredaroundthem,attractedbytheirsweat.NeitherStanleynorZerohadthestrengthtotrytoswatatthem.

"Howareyoudoing?"Stanleyasked.

Zeropointedthumbsup.Thenhesaid,"Ifagnatlandsonme,itwillknockmeover."

Stanleygavehimsomemorewords."B-u-g-s,"hespelled.Zeroconcentratedhard,thensaid,"Boogs."Stanleylaughed.AwidesmilespreadacrossZero'ssickandwearyfaceaswell."Bugs,"hesaid."Good,"saidStanley."Remember,it'sashort'u'ifthere'sno'e'attheend."Okay,

here'sahardone.Howabout,l-u-n-c-h?""Luh—Luh-un—"Suddenly,Zeromadeahorrible,wrenchingnoiseashedoubled

overandgrabbedhisstomach.Hisfrailbodyshookviolently,andhethrewup,emptyinghisstomachofthesploosh.

Heleanedonhiskneesandtookseveraldeepbreaths.Thenhestraightenedupandcontinuedgoing.

Theswarmofgnatsstayedbehind,preferringthecontentsofZero'sstomachtothesweatontheboys'faces.

Stanleydidn'tgivehimanymorewords,thinkingthatheneededtosavehisstrength.Butabouttenorfifteenminuteslater,Zerosaid,"Lunch."

Astheyclimbedhigher,thepatchesofweedsgrewthicker,andtheyhadtobecarefulnottogettheirfeettangledinthornyvines.Stanleysuddenlyrealizedsomething.Therehadn'tbeenanyweedsonthelake.

"Weedsandbugs,"hesaid."There'sgottobewateraroundsomewhere.Wemustbegettingclose."

74

Awideclown-likesmilespreadacrossZero'sface.Heflashedthethumbs-upsign,thenfell.

Hedidn'tgetup.Stanleybentoverhim."C'mon,Zero,"heurged."We'regettingclose.C'mon,Hector.Weedsandbugs.Weedsandboogs."

Stanleyshookhim."I'vealreadyorderedyourhotfudgesundae,"hesaid."They'remakingitrightnow."

Zerosaidnothing.

38

StanleytookholdofZero'sforearmsandpulledhimupright.ThenhestoopeddownandletZerofalloverhisrightshoulder.Hestoodup,liftingZero'sworn-outbodyofftheground.

Helefttheshovelandsackofjarsbehindashecontinuedupthemountain.Zero'slegsdangledinfrontofhim.

Stanleycouldn'tseehisfeet,whichmadeitdifficulttowalkthroughthetangledpatchesofweedsandvines.Heconcentratedononestepatatime,carefullyraisingandsettingdowneachfoot.Hethoughtonlyabouteachstep,andnottheimpossibletaskthatlaybeforehim.

Higherandhigherheclimbed.Hisstrengthcamefromsomewheredeepinsidehimselfandalsoseemedtocomefromtheoutsideaswell.AfterfocusingonBigThumbforsolong,itwasasiftherockhadabsorbedhisenergyandnowactedlikeakindofgiantmagnetpullinghimtowardit.

Afterawhilehebecameawareofafoulodor.AtfirsthethoughtitcamefromZero,butitseemedtobeintheair,hangingheavyallaroundhim.

Healsonoticedthatthegroundwasn'tassteepanymore.Asthegroundflattened,ahugestoneprecipiceroseupaheadofhim,justbarelyvisibleinthemoonlight.Itseemedtogrowbiggerwitheachstephetook.

Itnolongerresembledathumb.Andheknewhe'dneverbeabletoclimbit.Aroundhim,thesmellbecamestronger.Itwasthebittersmellofdespair.EvenifhecouldsomehowclimbBigThumb,heknewhewouldn'tfindwater.How

couldtherebewateratthetopofagiantrock?Theweedsandbugssurvivedonlybyanoccasionalrainstorm,liketheonehehadseenfromcamp.

Still,hecontinuedtowardit.Ifnothingelse,hewantedtoatleastreachtheThumb.Henevermadeit.Hisfeetslippedoutfromunderhim.Zero'sheadknockedagainstthebackofhis

shoulderashefellandtumbledintoasmallmuddygully.Ashelayfacedowninthemuddyditch,hedidn'tknowifhe'devergetupagain.He

didn'tknowifhe'deventry.Hadhecomeallthiswayjustto...Youneedwatertomakemud!

Hecrawledalongthegullyinthedirectionthatseemedthemuddiest.Thegroundbecamegloppier.Themudsplashedupasheslappedtheground.

75

Usingbothhands,hedugaholeinthesoggysoil.Itwastoodarktosee,buthethoughthecouldfeelatinypoolofwateratthebottomofhishole.Hestuckhisheadintheholeandlickedthedirt.

Hedugdeeper,andashedidso,morewaterseemedtofillthehole.Hecouldn'tseeit,buthecouldfeelit—firstwithhisfingers,thenwithhistongue.

Heduguntilhehadaholethatwasaboutasdeepashisarmwaslong.TherewasenoughwaterforhimtoscoopoutwithhishandsanddroponZero'sface.

Zero'seyesremainedclosed.Buthistonguepokedoutbetweenhislips,searchingoutthedroplets.

StanleydraggedZeroclosertothehole.Hedug,thenscoopedsomemorewaterandletitpouroutofhishandsintoZero'smouth.

Ashecontinuedtowidenhishole,hishandcameacrossasmooth,roundobject.Itwastoosmoothandtooroundtobearock.

Hewipedthedirtoffofitandrealizeditwasanonion.

Hebitintoitwithoutpeelingit.Thehotbitterjuiceburstintohismouth.Hecouldfeelitallthewayuptohiseyes.Andwhenheswallowed,hefeltitswarmthmovedownhisthroatandintohisstomach.

Heonlyatehalf.HegavetheotherhalftoZero."Here,eatthis.""Whatisit?"Zerowhispered."Ahotfudgesundae."

39

Stanleyawokeinameadow,lookingupatthegiantrocktower.Itwaslayeredandstreakedwithdifferentshadesofred,burntorange,brown,andtan.Itmusthavebeenoverahundredfeettall.

Stanleylayawhile,justlookingatit.Hedidn'thavethestrengthtogetup.Itfeltliketheinsidesofhismouthandthroatwerecoatedwithsand.

Andnowonder.Whenherolledoverhesawthewaterhole.Itwasabouttwoandahalffeetdeepandoverthreefeetwide.Atthebottomlaynomorethantwoinchesofverybrownwater.

Hishandsandfingersweresorefromdigging,especiallyunderhisfingernails.Hescoopedsomedirtywaterintohismouth,thenswisheditaround,tryingtofilteritwithhisteeth.

Zeromoaned.

Stanleystartedtosaysomethingtohim,butnowordscameoutofhismouth,andhehadtotryagain."Howyoudoing?"Ithurttotalk.

"Notgood,"Zerosaidquietly.Withgreateffort,herolledover,raisedhimselftohisknees,andcrawledtothewaterhole.Heloweredhisheadintoitandlappedupsomewater.

Thenhejerkedback,clutchedhiskneestohischest,androlledtohisside.Hisbodyshookviolently.

76

Stanleythoughtaboutgoingbackdownthemountaintolookfortheshovel,sohecouldmakethewaterholedeeper.Maybethatwouldgivethemcleanerwater.Theycouldusethejarsasdrinkingglasses.

Buthedidn'tthinkhehadthestrengthtogodown,letalonemakeitbackupagain.Andhedidn'tknowwheretolook.

Hestruggledtohisfeet.HewasinafieldofgreenishwhiteflowersthatseemedtoextendallthewayaroundBigThumb.

Hetookadeepbreath,thenwalkedthelastfiftyyardstothegiantprecipiceandtouchedit.

Tag,you'reit.

ThenhewalkedbacktoZeroandthewaterhole.Onthewayhepickedoneoftheflowers.Itactuallywasn'tonebigflower,hediscovered,butinsteadeachflowerwasreallyaclusteroftinylittleflowersthatformedaroundball.Hebroughtittohismouthbuthadtospititout.

Hecouldseepartofthetrailhehadmadethenightbefore,whenhecarriedZeroupthemountain.Ifhewasgoingtoheadbackdownandlookfortheshovel,herealized,heshoulddoitsoon,whilethetrailwasfresh.Buthedidn'twanttoleaveZero.HewasafraidZeromightdiewhilehewasgone.

Zerowasstilllyingdoubledoveronhisside."Igottotellyousomething,"hesaidwithagroan.

"Don'ttalk,"saidStanley."Saveyourstrength.""No,listen,"Zeroinsisted,thenheclosedhiseyesashisfacetwistedwithpain."I'mlistening,"Stanleywhispered."Itookyourshoes,"Zerosaid.Stanleydidn'tknowwhathewastalkingabout.Hisshoeswereonhisfeet."That's

allright,"hesaid."Justrestnow.""It'sallmyfault,"saidZero."It'snobody'sfault,"saidStanley."Ididn'tknow,"Zerosaid."That'sokay,"Stanleysaid."Justrest."Zeroclosedhiseyes.Butthenagainhesaid,"Ididn'tknowabouttheshoes.""Whatshoes?"

"Fromtheshelter."IttookamomentforStanleytocomprehend."ClydeLivingston'sshoes?""I'msorry,"saidZero.Stanleystaredathim.Itwasimpossible.Zerowasdelirious.Zero's"confession"seemedtobringhimsomerelief.Themusclesinhisface

relaxed.Ashedriftedintosleep,Stanleysoftlysanghimthesongthathadbeeninhisfamilyforgenerations.

"Ifonly,ifonly,"thewoodpeckersighs,"Thebarkonthetreewasjustalittlebitsofter."Whilethewolfwaitsbelow,hungryandlonely,Hecriestothemoo—oo—oon,

77

"Ifonly,ifonly."

40

WhenStanleyfoundtheonionthenightbefore,hedidn'tquestionhowithadcometobethere.Heateitgratefully.ButnowashesatgazingatBigThumbandthemeadowfullofflowers,hecouldn'thelpbutwonderaboutit.

Iftherewasonewildonion,therecouldbemore.

Heintertwinedhisfingersandtriedtoruboutthepain.Thenhebentdownanddugupanotherflower,thistimepullinguptheentireplant,includingtheroot.

"Onions!Fresh,hot,sweetonions,"SamcalledasMaryLoupulledthecartdownMainStreet."Eightcentsadozen."

Itwasabeautifulspringmorning.Theskywaspaintedpaleblueandpink—thesamecolorasthelakeandthepeachtreesalongitsshore.

Mrs.GladysTennysonwaswearingjusthernightgownandrobeasshecamerunningdownthestreetafterSam.Mrs.Tennysonwasnormallyaveryproperwomanwhoneverwentoutinpublicwithoutdressingupinfineclothesandahat.SoitwasquitesurprisingtothepeopleofGreenLaketoseeherrunningpastthem.

"Sam!"sheshouted.

"Whoa,MaryLou,"saidSam,stoppinghismuleandcart."G'morning,Mrs.Tennyson,"hesaid."How'slittleBeccadoing?"

GladysTennysonwasallsmiles."Ithinkshe'sgoingtobeallright.Thefeverbrokeaboutanhourago.Thankstoyou."

"I'msurethegoodLordandDocHawthorndeservemostofthecredit."

"TheGoodLord,yes,"agreedMrs.Tennyson,"butnotDr.Hawthorn.Thatquackwantedtoputleechesonherstomach!Leeches!Myword!Hesaidtheywouldsuckoutthebadblood.Nowyoutellme.Howwouldaleechknowgoodbloodfrombadblood?"

"Iwouldn'tknow,"saidSam."Itwasyouroniontonic,"saidMrs.Tennyson."That'swhatsavedher."Othertownspeoplemadetheirwaytothecart."Goodmorning,Gladys,"saidHattie

Parker."Don'tyoulooklovelythismorning."Severalpeoplesnickered."Goodmorning,Hattie,"Mrs.Tennysonreplied."Doesyourhusbandknowyou'reparadingaboutinyourbedclothes?"Hattie

asked.Thereweremoresnickers."MyhusbandknowsexactlywhereIamandhowIamdressed,thankyou,"said

Mrs.Tennyson."WehavebothbeenupallnightandhalfthemorningwithRebecca.Shealmostdiedfromstomachsickness.Itseemssheatesomebadmeat."

Hattie'sfaceflushed.Herhusband,JimParker,wasthebutcher.

78

"Itmademyhusbandandmesickaswell,"saidMrs.Tennyson,"butitnearlykilledBecca,whatwithherbeingsoyoung.Samsavedherlife."

"Itwasn'tme,"saidSam."Itwastheonions.""I'mgladBecca'sallright,"Hattiesaidcontritely."IkeeptellingJimheneedstowashhisknives,"saidMr.Pike,whoownedthe

generalstore.HattieParkerexcusedherself,thenturnedandquicklywalkedaway."TellBeccathatwhenshefeelsuptoittocomebythestoreforapieceofcandy,"

saidMr.Pike."Thankyou,I'lldothat."Beforereturninghome,Mrs.TennysonboughtadozenonionsfromSam.Shegave

himadimeandtoldhimtokeepthechange."Idon'ttakecharity,"Samtoldher."Butifyouwanttobuyafewextraonionsfor

MaryLou,I'msureshe'dappreciateit.""Allrightthen,"saidMrs.Tennyson,"givememychangeinonions."SamgaveMrs.Tennysonanadditionalthreeonions,andshefedthemoneatatime

toMaryLou.Shelaughedastheolddonkeyatethemoutofherhand.

StanleyandZerosleptoffandonforthenexttwodays,ateonions,alltheywanted,andsplasheddirtywaterintotheirmouths.InthelateafternoonBigThumbgavethemshade.Stanleytriedtomaketheholedeeper,buthereallyneededtheshovel.Hiseffortsjustseemedtostirupthemudandmakethewaterdirtier.

Zerowassleeping.Hewasstillverysickandweak,butthesleepandtheonionsseemedtobedoinghimsomegood.Stanleywasnolongerafraidthathewoulddiesoon.Still,hedidn'twanttogofortheshovelwhileZerowasasleep.Hedidn'twanthimtowakeupandthinkhe'dbeendeserted.

HewaitedforZerotoopenhiseyes."IthinkI'llgolookfortheshovel,"Stanleysaid."I'llwaithere,"Zerosaidfeebly,asifhehadanyotherchoice.Stanleyheadeddownthemountain.Thesleepandtheonionshaddonehimalotof

goodaswell.Hefeltstrong.Itwasfairlyeasytofollowthetrailhehadmadetwodaysearlier.Therewereafew

placeswherehewasn'tsurehewasgoingtherightway,butitjusttookalittlebitofsearchingbeforehefoundthetrailagain.

Hewentquiteawaysdownthemountainbutstilldidn'tfindtheshovel.Helookedbackuptowardthetopofthemountain.Hemusthavewalkedrightpastit,hethought.TherewasnowayhecouldhavecarriedZeroallthewayupfromhere.

Still,heheadeddownward,justincase.Hecametoabarespotbetweentwolargepatchesofweedsandsatdowntorest.Nowhehaddefinitelygonetoofar,hedecided.Hewastiredoutfromwalkingdownthehill.ItwouldhavebeenimpossibletohavecarriedZeroupthehillfromhere,especiallyafterwalkingalldaywithnofoodorwater.Theshovelmustbeburiedinsomeweeds.

79

Beforestartingbackup,hetookonelastlookaroundinalldirections.Hesawalargeindentationintheweedsalittlefartherdownthemountain.Itdidn'tseemlikelythattheshovelcouldbethere,buthe'dalreadycomethisfar.

There,lyinginsometallweeds,hefoundtheshovelandthesackofjars.Hewasamazed.Hewonderediftheshovelandsackmighthaverolleddownthehill.Butnoneofthejarswerebroken,excepttheonewhichhadbrokenearlier.Andiftheyhadrolleddownthehill,itisdoubtfulthathewouldhavefoundthesackandshovelsidebyside.

Onhiswaybackupthemountain,Stanleyhadtositdownandrestseveraltimes.Itwasalong,hardclimb.

41

Zero'sconditioncontinuedtoimprove.Stanleyslowlypeeledanonion.Helikedeatingthemonelayeratatime.ThewaterholewasnowalmostaslargeastheholeshehaddugbackatCamp

GreenLake.Itcontainedalmosttwofeetofmurkywater.Stanleyhaddugitallhimself.Zerohadofferedtohelp,butStanleythoughtitbetterforZerotosavehisstrength.Itwasalothardertodiginwaterthanitwasinadrylake.

Stanleywassurprisedthathehimselfhadn'tgottensick—eitherfromthesploosh,thedirtywater,orfromlivingononions.Heusedtogetsickquitealotbackathome.

Bothboyswerebarefoot.Theyhadwashedtheirsocks.Alltheirclotheswereverydirty,buttheirsocksweredefinitelytheworst.

Theydidn'tdiptheirsocksintothehole,afraidtocontaminatethewater.Insteadtheyfilledthejarsandpouredthewaterovertheirdirtysocks.

"Ididn'tgotothehomelessshelterveryoften,"Zerosaid."Justiftheweatherwasreallybad.I'dhavetofindsomeonetopretendtobemymom.IfI'djustgonebymyself,theywouldhaveaskedmeabunchofquestions.Ifthey'dfoundoutIdidn'thaveamom,theywouldhavemademeawardofthestate."

"What'sawardofthestate?"Zerosmiled."Idon'tknow.ButIdidn'tlikethesoundofit."StanleyrememberedMr.PendanskitellingtheWardenthatZerowasawardofthe

state.HewonderedifZeroknewhe'dbecomeone."Ilikedsleepingoutside,"saidZero."IusedtopretendIwasaCubScout.Ialways

wantedtobeaCubScout.I'dseethemattheparkintheirblueuniforms.""IwasneveraCubScout,"saidStanley."Iwasn'tgoodatsocialstufflikethat.Kids

madefunofmebecauseIwasfat.""Ilikedtheblueuniforms,"saidZero."MaybeIwouldn'thavelikedbeingaCub

Scout."Stanleyshruggedoneshoulder."MymotherwasonceaGirlScout,"saidZero."Ithoughtyousaidyoudidn'thaveamother.""Everybodyhastohaveamother.""Well,yeah,Iknowthat."

80

"ShesaidsheoncewonaprizeforsellingthemostGirlScoutcookies,"saidZero."Shewasrealproudofthat."

Stanleypeeledoffanotherlayerofhisonion.

"Wealwaystookwhatweneeded,"Zerosaid."WhenIwaslittle,Ididn'tevenknowitwasstealing.Idon'trememberwhenIfoundout.Butwejusttookwhatweneeded,nevermore.SowhenIsawtheshoesondisplayintheshelter,Ijustreachedintheglasscaseandtookthem."

"ClydeLivingston'sshoes?"askedStanley.

"Ididn'tknowtheywerehis.Ijustthoughttheyweresomebody'soldshoes.Itwasbettertotakesomeone'soldshoes,Ithought,thanstealapairofnewones.Ididn'tknowtheywerefamous.Therewasasign,butofcourseIcouldn'treadit.Then,thenextthingIknoweverybody'smakingthisbigdealabouthowtheshoesaremissing.Itwaskindoffunny,inaway.Thewholeplaceisgoingcrazy.ThereIwas,wearingtheshoes,andeveryone'srunningaroundsaying,'Whathappenedtotheshoes?''Theshoesaregone!'Ijustwalkedoutthedoor.Noonenoticedme.WhenIgotoutside,Iranaroundthecornerandimmediatelytookofftheshoes.Iputthemon

topofaparkedcar.Iremembertheysmelledreallybad."

"Yeah,thosewerethem,"saidStanley."Didtheyfityou?""Prettymuch."StanleyrememberedbeingsurprisedatClydeLivingston'ssmallshoesize.

Stanley'sshoeswerebigger.ClydeLivingstonhadsmall,quickfeet.Stanley'sfeetwerebigandslow.

"Ishouldhavejustkeptthem,"saidZero."I'dalreadymadeitoutoftheshelterandeverything.IendedupgettingarrestedthenextdaywhenItriedtowalkoutofashoestorewithanewpairofsneakers.IfIhadjustkeptthoseoldsmellysneakers,thenneitherofuswouldbehererightnow."

42

Zerobecamestrongenoughtohelpdigthehole.Whenhefinished,itwasoversixfeetdeep.Hefilledthebottomwithrockstohelpseparatethewaterfromthedirt.

Hewasstillthebestholediggeraround."That'sthelastholeIwilleverdig,"hedeclared,throwingdowntheshovel.Stanleysmiled.Hewisheditweretrue,butheknewtheyhadnochoicebutto

eventuallyreturntoCampGreenLake.Theycouldn'tliveononionsforever.TheyhadbeencompletelyaroundBigThumb.Itwaslikeagiantsundial.They

followedtheshade.Theywereabletoseeoutinalldirections.Therewasnoplacetogo.Themountain

wassurroundedbydesert.ZerostaredatBigThumb."Itmusthaveaholeinit,"hesaid,"filledwithwater.""Youthink?""Whereelsecouldthewaterbecomingfrom?"Zeroasked."Waterdoesn'trun

uphill."

81

Stanleybitintoanonion.Itdidn'tburnhiseyesornose,and,infact,henolongernoticedaparticularlystrongtaste.

HerememberedwhenhehadfirstcarriedZeroupthehill,howtheairhadsmelledbitter.Itwasthesmellofthousandsofonions,growingandrottingandsprouting.

Nowhedidn'tsmellathing."Howmanyonionsdoyouthinkwe'veeaten?"heasked.Zeroshrugged."Idon'tevenknowhowlongwe'vebeenhere.""I'dsayaboutaweek,"saidStanley."Andweprobablyeacheatabouttwenty

onionsaday,sothat's...""Twohundredandeightyonions,"saidZero.Stanleysmiled."Ibetwereallystink."

Twonightslater,Stanleylayawakestaringupatthestar-filledsky.Hewastoohappytofallasleep.

Heknewhehadnoreasontobehappy.Hehadheardorreadsomewherethatrightbeforeapersonfreezestodeath,hesuddenlyfeelsniceandwarm.Hewonderedifperhapshewasexperiencingsomethinglikethat.

Itoccurredtohimthathecouldn'trememberthelasttimehefelthappiness.Itwasn'tjustbeingsenttoCampGreenLakethathadmadehislifemiserable.Beforethathe'dbeenunhappyatschool,wherehehadnofriends,andbullieslikeDerrickDunnepickedonhim.Noonelikedhim,andthetruthwas,hedidn'tespeciallylikehimself.

Helikedhimselfnow.Hewonderedifhewasdelirious.HelookedoveratZerosleepingnearhim.Zero'sfacewaslitinthestarlight,and

therewasaflowerpetalinfrontofhisnosethatmovedbackandforthashebreathed.ItremindedStanleyofsomethingoutofacartoon.Zerobreathedin,andthepetalwasdrawnupalmosttouchinghisnose.Zerobreathedout,andthepetalmovedtowardhischin.ItstayedonZero'sfaceforanamazinglylongtimebeforeflutteringofftotheside.

StanleyconsideredplacingitbackinfrontofZero'snose,butitwouldn'tbethesame.

ItseemedlikeZerohadlivedatCampGreenLakeforever,butasStanleythoughtaboutitnow,herealizedthatZeromusthavegottentherenomorethanamonthortwobeforehim.Zerowasactuallyarrestedadaylater.ButStanley'strialkeptgettingdelayedbecauseofbaseball.

HerememberedwhatZerohadsaidafewdaysbefore.IfZerohadjustkeptthoseshoes,thenneitherofthemwouldbehererightnow.

AsStanleystaredattheglitteringnightsky,hethoughttherewasnoplacehewouldratherbe.HewasgladZeroputtheshoesontheparkedcar.Hewasgladtheyfellfromtheoverpassandhithimonthehead.

Whentheshoesfirstfellfromthesky,herememberedthinkingthatdestinyhadstruckhim.Now,hethoughtsoagain.Itwasmorethanacoincidence.Ithadtobedestiny.

82

Maybetheywouldn'thavetoreturntoCampGreenLake,hethought.Maybetheycouldmakeitpastthecamp,thenfollowthedirtroadbacktocivilization.Theycouldfillthesackwithonions,andthethreejarswithwater.Andhehadhiscanteenaswell.

Theycouldrefilltheirjarsandcanteenatthecamp.Maybesneakintothekitchenandgetsomefood.

Hedoubtedanycounselorswerestillonguard.Everyonehadtothinktheyweredead.Buzzardfood.

Itwouldmeanlivingtherestofhislifeasafugitive.Thepolicewouldalwaysbeafterhim.Atleasthecouldcallhisparentsandtellthemhewasstillalive.Buthecouldn'tgovisitthem,incasethepolicewerewatchingtheapartment.Although,ifeveryonethoughthewasdead,theywouldn'tbothertowatchtheapartment.Hewouldhavetosomehowgetanewidentity.

Now,I'mreallythinkingcrazy,hethought.Hewonderedifacrazypersonwondersifhe'scrazy.

Butevenashethoughtthis,anevencrazierideakeptpoppingintohishead.Heknewitwastoocrazytoevenconsider.Still,ifhewasgoingtobeafugitivefortherestofhislife,itwouldhelptohavesomemoney,perhapsatreasurechestfullofmoney.

You'recrazy!hetoldhimself.Besides,justbecausehefoundalipstickcontainerwithKBonit,thatdidn'tmeantherewastreasureburiedthere.

Itwascrazy.Itwasallpartofhiscrazyfeelingofhappiness.Ormaybeitwasdestiny.HereachedoverandshookZero'sarm."Hey,Zero,"hewhispered."Huh?"Zeromuttered."Zero,wakeup.""What?"Zeroraiseduphishead."Whatisit?""Youwanttodigonemorehole?"Stanleyaskedhim.

43

"Weweren'talwayshomeless,"Zerosaid."Irememberayellowroom."

"Howoldwereyouwhenyou..."Stanleystartedtoask,butcouldn'tfindtherightwords."...movedout?"

"Idon'tknow.Imusthavebeenreallittle,becauseIdon'tremembertoomuch.Idon'tremembermovingout.Irememberstandinginacrib,withmymothersingingtome.Sheheldmywristsandmademyhandsclaptogether.Sheusedtosingthatsongtome.Thatoneyousang...Itwasdifferent,though..."

Zerospokeslowly,asifsearchinghisbrainformemoriesandclues."AndthenlaterIknowwelivedonthestreet,butIdon'tknowwhyweleftthehouse.I'mprettysureitwasahouse,andnotanapartment.Iknowmyroomwasyellow."

Itwaslateafternoon.TheywererestingintheshadowoftheThumb.Theyhadspentthemorningpickingonionsandputtingtheminthesack.Itdidn'ttakelong,butlongenoughsothattheyhadtowaitanotherdaybeforeheadingdownthemountain.

83

Theywantedtoleaveatthefirsthintofdaylight,sothey'dhaveplentyoftimetomakeittoCampGreenLakebeforedark.Stanleywantedtobesurehecouldfindtherighthole.Then,theywouldhidebyituntileveryonewenttosleep.

Theywoulddigforaslongasitseemedsafe,andnotasecondlonger.Andthen,treasureornotreasure,they'dheadupthedirtroad.Ifitwasabsolutelysafe,they'dtrytostealsomefoodandwaterfromthecampkitchen.

"I'mgoodatsneakinginandoutofplaces,"Zerohadsaid."Remember,"Stanleyhadwarned."ThedoortotheWreckRoomsqueaks."Nowhelayonhisback,tryingtosavehisstrengthforthelongdaysahead.He

wonderedwhathappenedtoZero'sparents,buthedidn'task.Zerodidn'tlikeansweringquestions.Itwasbettertojustlethimtalkwhenhefeltlikeit.

Stanleythoughtabouthisownparents.Inherlastletter,hismomwasworriedthattheymightbeevictedfromtheirapartmentbecauseofthesmellofburningsneakers.Theycouldeasilybecomehomelessaswell.

Again,hewonderedifthey'dbeentoldthatheranawayfromcamp.Weretheytoldthathewasdead?

Animageappearedinhisheadofhisparentshuggingeachotherandcrying.Hetriednottothinkaboutit.

Insteadhetriedtorecapturethefeelingshe'dhadthenightbefore—theinexplicablefeelingofhappiness,thesenseofdestiny.Butthosefeelingsdidn'treturn.

Hejustfeltscared.

Thenextmorningtheyheadeddownthemountain.They'ddunkedtheircapsinthewaterholebeforeputtingthemontheirheads.Zeroheldtheshovel,andStanleycarriedthesack,whichwascrammedwithonionsandthethreejarsofwater.Theyleftthepiecesofthebrokenjaronthemountain.

"ThisiswhereIfoundtheshovel,"Stanleysaid,pointingoutapatchofweeds.Zeroturnedandlookeduptowardthetopofthemountain."That'salongway.""Youwerelight,"Stanleysaid."You'dalreadythrownupeverythingthatwas

insideyourstomach."Heshiftedthesackfromoneshouldertotheother.Itwasheavy.Hesteppedona

looserock,slipped,thenfellhard.Thenextthingheknewhewasslidingdownthesteepsideofthemountain.Hedroppedthesack,andonionsspilledaroundhim.

Heslidintoapatchofweedsandgrabbedontoathornyvine.Thevinerippedoutoftheearth,butslowedhimenoughsothathewasabletostophimself.

"Areyouallright?"Zeroaskedfromabove.

Stanleygroanedashepulledathornoutofthepalmofhishand."Yeah,"hesaid.Hewasallright.Hewasworriedmoreaboutthejarsofwater.

Zeroclimbeddownafterhim,retrievingthesackalongtheway.Stanleypulledsomethornsoutofhispantlegs.

Thejarshadn'tbroken.Theonionshadprotectedthem,likeStyrofoampackingmaterial."Gladyoudidn'tdothatwhenyouwerecarryingme,"Zerosaid.

84

They'dlostaboutathirdoftheonions,butrecoveredmanyofthemastheycontinueddownthemountain.Whentheyreachedthebottom,thesunwasjustrisingabovethelake.Theywalkeddirectlytowardit.

Soontheystoodontheedgeofacliff,lookingdownonthedrylakebed.Stanleywasn'tsure,buthethoughthecouldseetheremainsoftheMaryLouoffinthedistance.

"Youthirsty?"Stanleyasked."No,"saidZero."Howaboutyou.""No,"Stanleylied.Hedidn'twanttobethefirstonetotakeadrink.Althoughthey

didn'tmentionit,ithadbecomeakindofchallengebetweenhimandZero.Theyclimbeddownintothefryingpan.Itwasadifferentspotfromwheretheyhadclimbedup.Theyeasedthemselvesdownfromoneledgetoanother,andletthemselves

slideinotherplaces,beingespeciallycarefulwiththesack.StanleycouldnolongerseetheMaryLou,butheadedinwhathethoughtwasthe

rightdirection.Asthesunrose,sodidthefamiliarhazeofheatanddirt."Youthirsty?"Zeroasked."No,"saidStanley."Becauseyouhavethreefulljarsofwater,"saidZero."Ithoughtmaybeitwas

gettingtooheavyforyou.Ifyoudrinksome,itwilllightenyourload.""I'mnotthirsty,"saidStanley."Butifyouwantadrink,I'llgiveyousome.""I'mnotthirsty,"saidZero."Iwasjustworriedaboutyou."Stanleysmiled."I'macamel,"hesaid.Theywalkedforwhatseemedlikeaverylongtime,andstillnevercameacrossthe

MaryLou.Stanleywasprettysuretheywereheadingintherightdirection.Herememberedthatwhentheylefttheboat,theywereheadedtowardthesettingsun.Nowtheywereheadedtowardtherisingsun.Heknewthesundidn'triseandsetexactlyintheeastandwest;moresoutheastandsouthwest,buthewasn'tsurehowthatmadeadifference.

Histhroatfeltasifitwascoatedwithsandpaper."Yousureyou'renotthirsty?"heasked.

"Notme,"saidZero.Hisvoicewasdryandraspy.

Whentheydidfinallytakeadrink,theyagreedtodoitatthesametime.Zero,whowasnowcarryingthesack,setitdownandtookouttwojars,givingonetoStanley.Theydecidedtosavethecanteenforlast,sinceitcouldn'taccidentallybreak.

"YouknowI'mnotthirsty,"Stanleysaid,asheunscrewedthelid."I'mjustdrinkingsoyouwill."

"I'mjustdrinkingsoyouwill,"saidZero.

Theyclinkedthejarstogetherand,eachwatchingtheother,pouredthewaterintotheirstubbornmouths.

ZerowasthefirsttospottheMaryLou,maybeaquartermileaway,andjustalittleofftotheright.Theyheadedforit.

Itwasn'tevennoonyetwhentheyreachedtheboat.Theysatagainsttheshadysideandrested.

85

"Idon'tknowwhathappenedtomymother,"Zerosaid."Sheleftandnevercameback."

Stanleypeeledanonion.

"Shecouldn'talwaystakemewithher,"Zerosaid."Sometimesshehadtodothingsbyherself."

StanleyhadthefeelingthatZerowasexplainingthingstohimself.

"She'dtellmetowaitinacertainplaceforher.WhenIwasreallittle,Ihadtowaitinsmallareas,likeonaporchsteporadoorway.'Nowdon'tleavehereuntilIgetback,'she'dsay.

"Ineverlikeditwhensheleft.Ihadastuffedanimal,alittlegiraffe,andI'dhugitthewholetimeshewasgone.WhenIgotbiggerIwasallowedtostayinbiggerareas.Like,'Stayonthisblock.'Or,'Don'tleavethepark.'Buteventhen,IstillheldJaffy."

StanleyguessedthatJaffywasthenameofZero'sgiraffe.

"Andthenonedayshedidn'tcomeback,"Zerosaid.Hisvoicesoundedsuddenlyhollow."IwaitedforheratLaneyPark."

"LaneyPark,"saidStanley."I'vebeenthere.""Youknowtheplayscape?"askedZero."Yeah.I'veplayedonit.""Iwaitedthereformorethanamonth,"saidZero."Youknowthattunnelthatyou

crawlthrough,betweentheslideandtheswingingbridge?That'swhereIslept."Theyatefouronionsapieceanddrankabouthalfajarofwater.Stanleystoodup

andlookedaround.Everythinglookedthesameinalldirections."WhenIleftcamp,IwasheadingstraighttowardBigThumb,"hesaid."Isawthe

boatofftotheright.Sothatmeanswehavetoturnalittletotheleft."Zerowaslostinthought."What?Okay,"hesaid.Theyheadedout.ItwasStanley'sturntocarrythesack."Somekidshadabirthdayparty,"Zerosaid."Iguessitwasabouttwoweeksafter

mymotherleft.Therewasapicnictablenexttotheplayscapeandballoonsweretiedtoit.Thekidslookedtobethesameageasme.OnegirlsaidhitomeandaskedmeifIwantedtoplay.Iwantedto,butIdidn't.IknewIdidn'tbelongattheparty,eventhoughitwasn'ttheirplayscape.TherewasthisonemotherwhokeptstaringatmelikeIwassomekindofmonster.ThenlateraboyaskedmeifIwantedapieceofcake,butthenthatsamemothertoldme,'Goaway!'andshetoldallthekidstostayawayfromme,soInevergotthepieceofcake.Iranawaysofast,IforgotJaffy."

"Didyoueverfindhim—it?"Foramoment,Zerodidn'tanswer.Thenhesaid,"Hewasn'treal."Stanleythoughtagainabouthisownparents,howawfulitwouldbeforthemto

neverknowifhewasdeadoralive.HerealizedthatwashowZeromusthavefelt,notknowingwhathappenedtohisownmother.HewonderedwhyZeronevermentionedhisfather.

"Holdon,"Zerosaid,stoppingabruptly."We'regoingthewrongway.""No,thisisright,"saidStanley."YouwereheadingtowardBigThumbwhenyousawtheboatofftoyourright,"

saidZero."Thatmeansweshouldhaveturnedrightwhenwelefttheboat."

86

"Yousure?"Zerodrewadiagraminthedirt.Stanleystillwasn'tsure."Weneedtogothisway,"Zerosaid,firstdrawingalineonthemapandthen

headingthatwayhimself.Stanleyfollowed.Itdidn'tfeelrighttohim,butZeroseemedsure.Sometimeinthemiddleoftheafternoon,aclouddriftedacrosstheskyandblocked

outthesun.Itwasawelcomerelief.Onceagain,Stanleyfeltthatdestinywasonhisside.

ZerostoppedandheldouthisarmtostopStanley,too."Listen,"Zerowhispered.Stanleydidn'thearanything.TheycontinuedwalkingveryquietlyandStanleybegantomakeoutthefaint

soundsofCampGreenLake.Theywerestilltoofarawaytoseethecamp,buthecouldhearablendofindistinctvoices.AstheygotcloserheoccasionallycouldhearMr.Sir'sdistinctivebark.

Theywalkedslowlyandquietly,awarethatsoundstravelinbothdirections.Theyapproachedaclusterofholes."Let'swaithere,untiltheygoin,"saidZero.Stanleynodded.Hecheckedtomakesuretherewasnothinglivinginit,then

climbeddownintoahole.Zeroclimbedintotheonenexttohim.Despitehavinggonethewrongwayforawhile,ithadn'ttakenthemnearlyaslong

asStanleyhadexpected.Now,theyjusthadtowait.Thesuncutthroughthecloud,andStanleyfeltitsraysbeatingdownonhim.But

soonmorecloudsfilledthesky,shadingStanleyandhishole.Hewaiteduntilhewascertainthelastofthecampershadfinishedfortheday.Thenhewaitedalittlelonger.Asquietlyaspossible,heandZeroclimbedupoutoftheirholesandcrepttoward

camp.Stanleyheldthesackinfrontofhim,cradledinhisarms,insteadofoverhisshoulder,tokeepthejarsfromclankingagainsteachother.Awaveofterrorrushedoverhimwhenhesawthecompound—thetents,theWreckRoom,theWarden'scabinunderthetwooaktrees.Thefearmadehimdizzy.Hetookabreath,summonedhiscourage,andcontinued.

"That'stheone,"hewhispered,pointingouttheholewherehehadfoundthegoldtube.Itwasstillaboutfiftyyardsaway,butStanleywasprettysureitwastherighthole.Therewasnoneedtoriskgoinganycloser.

Theyclimbeddownintoadjacentholes,andwaitedforthecamptofallasleep.

44

Stanleytriedtosleep,notknowingwhenhe'dgetthechanceagain.Heheardtheshowersand,later,thesoundsofdinner.HeheardthecreakingoftheWreckRoomdoor.Hisfingersdrummedagainstthesideofthehole.Heheardhisownheartheat.

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Hetookadrinkfromthecanteen.HehadgivenZerothewaterjars.Theyeachhadagoodsupplyofonions.

Hewasn'tsurehowlongheremainedinthehole,maybefivehours.HewassurprisedwhenheheardZerowhisperingforhimtowakeup.Hedidn'tthinkhe'dfallenasleep.Ifhehad,hethoughtitmusthavejustbeenforthelastfiveminutes.Although,whenheopenedhiseyes,hewassurprisedhowdarkitwas.

Therewasonlyonelightonatcamp,intheoffice.Theskywascloudy,sotherewasverylittlestarlight.Stanleycouldseeasliverofamoon,whichappearedanddisappearedamongtheclouds.

HecarefullyledZerotothehole,whichwashardtofindinthedarkness.Hestumbledoverasmallpileofdirt."Ithinkthisisit,"hewhispered.

"Youthink?"Zeroasked.

"It'sit,"saidStanley,soundingmorecertainthanhereallywas.Heclimbeddown.Zerohandedhimtheshovel.

Stanleystucktheshovelintothedirtatthebottomoftheholeandsteppedonthebackoftheblade.Hefeltitsinkbeneathhisweight.Hescoopedoutsomedirtandtosseditofftotheside.Thenhebroughttheshovelbackdown.

Zerowatchedforawhile."I'mgoingtotrytorefillthewaterjars,"hesaid.

Stanleytookadeepbreathandexhaled."Becareful,"hesaid,thencontinueddigging.

Itwassodark,hecouldn'tevenseetheendofhisshovel.Forallheknewhecouldbediggingupgoldanddiamondsinsteadofdirt.Hebroughteachshovelfulclosetohisface,totrytoseeifanythingwasthere,beforedumpingitoutofthehole.

Ashemadetheholedeeper,itbecamehardertoliftthedirtupandout.Itwasfivefeetdeepbeforeheevenstarted.Hedecidedtousehiseffortstomakeitwiderinstead.

Thismademoresense,hetoldhimself.IfKateBarlowhadburiedatreasurechest,sheprobablywouldn'thavebeenabletodigmuchdeeper,sowhyshouldhe?

Ofcourse,KateBarlowprobablyhadawholegangofthieveshelpingher."Youwantsomebreakfast?"StanleyjumpedatthesoundofZero'svoice.Hehadn'theardhimapproach.Zerohandeddownaboxofcereal.Stanleycarefullypouredsomecerealintohis

mouth.Hedidn'twanttoputhisdirtyhandsinsidethebox.Henearlygaggedontheultra-sweettaste.Theyweresugar-frostedflakes,andaftereatingnothingbutonionsformorethanaweek,hehadtroubleadjustingtotheflavor.Hewashedthemdownwithaswigofwater.

Zerotookoverthedigging.Stanleysiftedhisfingersthroughthefreshpilesofdirt,incasehehadmissedanything.Hewishedhehadaflashlight.Adiamondnobiggerthanapebblewouldbeworththousandsofdollars.Yettherewasnowayhe'dseeit.

TheyfinishedthewaterthatZerohadgottenfromthespigotbytheshowers.Stanleysaidhe'dgofillthejarsagain,butZeroinsistedthathedoitinstead."Nooffense,butyoumaketoomuchnoisewhenyouwalk.You'retoobig."

Stanleyreturnedtothehole.Astheholegrewwider,partsofthesurfacekeptcavingin.Theywererunningoutofroom.Tomakeitmuchwider,theywouldfirst

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havetomovesomeofthesurroundingdirtpilesoutoftheway.Hewonderedhowmuchtimetheyhadbeforethecampwokeup.

"How'sitgoing?"Zeroaskedwhenhereturnedwiththewater.

Stanleyshruggedoneshoulder.Hebroughttheshoveldownthesideofthehole,shavingoffasliceofthedirtwall.Ashedidso,hefelttheshovelbounceoffsomethinghard.

"Whatwasthat?"Zeroasked.

Stanleydidn'tknow.Hemovedhisshovelupanddownthesideofthehole.Asthedirtchippedandflakedaway,thehardobjectbecamemorepronounced.

Itwasstickingoutofthesideofthehole,aboutafootandahalffromthebottom.Hefeltitwithhishands.

"Whatisit?"Zeroasked.

Hecouldjustfeelacornerofit.Mostofitwasstillburied.Ithadthecool,smoothtextureofmetal."IthinkImighthavefoundthetreasurechest,"hesaid.Hisvoicewasfilledmorewithastonishmentthanwithexcitement.

"Really?"askedZero."Ithinkso,"Stanleysaid.Theholewaswideenoughforhimtoholdtheshovellengthwiseanddigsideways

intothewall.Heknewhehadtodigverycarefully.Hedidn'twantthesideoftheholetocollapse,alongwiththehugepileofdirtdirectlyaboveit.

Hescrapedatthedirtwall,untilheexposedoneentiresideofthebox-likeobject.Heranhisfingersoverit.Itfelttobeabouteightinchestall,andalmosttwofeetwide.Hehadnowayofknowinghowfarintotheearthitextended.Hetriedpullingitout,butitwouldn'tbudge.

Hewasafraidthattheonlywaytogettoitwastostartbackupatthesurface,anddigdown.Theydidn'thavetimeforthat.

"I'mgoingtotrytodigaholeunderneathit,"hesaid."ThenmaybeIcanpullitdownandslipitout."

"Goforit,"saidZero.

Stanleyjammedtheshovelintothebottomedgeofhishole,andcarefullybegantodigatunnelunderneaththemetalobject.Hehopeditdidn'tcavein.

Occasionallyhe'dstop,stoopdown,andtrytofeelthefarendofthebox.Butevenwhenthetunnelwasaslongashisarm,hestillcouldn'tfeeltheotherside.

Onceagainhetriedpullingitout,butitwasfirmlyintheground.Ifhepulledtoohard,hefeared,he'dcauseacave-in.Heknewthatwhenhewasreadytopullitout,hewouldhavetodoitquickly,beforethegroundaboveitcollapsed.

Ashistunnelgrewdeeperandwider—andmoreprecarious—Stanleywasabletofeellatchesononeendofthebox,andthenaleatherhandle.Itwasn'treallyabox."Ithinkitmightbesomekindofmetalsuitcase,"hetoldZero.

"Canyoupryitloosewiththeshovel?"Zerosuggested."I'mafraidthesideoftheholewillcollapse.""Youmightaswellgiveitatry,"saidZero.Stanleytookasipofwater."Mightaswell,"hesaid.

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Heforcedthetipoftheshovelbetweenthedirtandthetopofthemetalcaseandtriedtowedgeitfree.Hewishedhecouldseewhathewasdoing.

Heworkedtheendoftheshovel,backandforth,upanddown,untilhefeltthesuitcasefallfree.Thenhefeltthedirtcomepilingdownontopofit.

Butitwasn'tahugecave-in.Ashekneltdowninthehole,hecouldtellthatonlyasmallportionoftheearthhadcollapsed.

Hedugwithhishandsuntilhefoundtheleatherhandle,andthenhepulledthesuitcaseupandoutofthedirt."Igotit!"heexclaimed.

Itwasheavy.HehandedituptoZero."Youdidit,"Zerosaid,takingitfromhim."Wedidit,"saidStanley.Hegatheredhisremainingstrength,andtriedtopullhimselfupoutofthehole.

Suddenly,abrightlightwasshininginhisface."Thankyou,"saidtheWarden."Youboyshavebeenabighelp."

45

ThebeamoftheflashlightwasdirectedawayfromStanley'seyesandontoZero,whowassittingonhisknees.Thesuitcasewasonhislap.

Mr.Pendanskiwasholdingtheflashlight.Mr.Sirstoodnexttohimwithhisgundrawnandpointedinthesamedirection.Mr.Sirwasbarefootandbare-chested,wearingonlyhispajamabottoms.

TheWardenmovedtowardZero.Shewasalsoinherbedclothes,wearinganextra-longT-shirt.UnlikeMr.Sir,however,shehadonherboots.

Mr.Pendanskiwastheonlyonefullydressed.Perhapshehadbeenonguardduty.

Offinthedistance,Stanleycouldseetwomoreflashlightsbobbingtowardtheminthedarkness.Hefelthelplessinthehole.

"Youboysarrivedjustinthenick—"theWardenstartedtosay.Shestoppedtalkingandshestoppedwalking.Thensheslowlybackedaway.

Alizardhadcrawledupontopofthesuitcase.Itsbigredeyesglowedinthebeamoftheflashlight.Itsmouthwasopen,andStanleycouldseeitswhitetonguemovinginandoutbetweenitsblackteeth.

Zerosatasstillasastatue.

AsecondlizardcrawledupoverthesideofthesuitcaseandstoppedlessthananinchawayfromZero'slittlefinger.

Stanleywasafraidtolook,andafraidnotto.Hewonderedifheshouldtrytoscrambleoutoftheholebeforethelizardsturnedonhim,buthedidn'twanttocauseanycommotion.

ThesecondlizardcrawledacrossZero'sfingersandhalfwayuphisarm.

ItoccurredtoStanleythatthelizardswereprobablyonthesuitcasewhenhehandedittoZero.

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"There'sanotherone!"gaspedMr.Pendanski.HeshinedtheflashlightontheboxofFrostedFlakes,whichlayonitssidebesideStanley'shole.Alizardwascrawlingoutofit.

ThelightalsoilluminatedStanley'shole.Heglanceddownwardandhadtoforcehimselftosuppressascream.Hewasstandinginalizardnest.Hefeltthescreamexplodeinsidehim.

Hecouldseesixlizards.Therewerethreeontheground,twoonhisleftleg,andoneonhisrightsneaker.

Hetriedtoremainverystill.Somethingwascrawlingupthebackofhisneck.

Threeothercounselorsapproachedthearea.Stanleyheardonesay,"What'sgoing—"andthenwhisper,"OhmyGod."

"Whatdowedo?"askedMr.Pendanski."Wewait,"saidtheWarden."Itwon'tbeverylong.""Atleastwe'llhaveabodytogivethatwoman,"saidMr.Pendanski."She'sgoingtoaskalotofquestions,"saidMr.Sir."Andthistimeshe'llhavethe

A.G.withher.""Letheraskherquestions,"saidtheWarden."JustsolongasIhavethesuitcase,I

don'tcarewhathappens.Doyouknowhowlong..."Hervoicetrailedoff,thenstartedupagain."WhenIwaslittleI'dwatchmyparentsdigholes,everyweekendandholiday.WhenIgotbigger,Ihadtodig,too.EvenonChristmas."

Stanleyfelttinyclawsdigintothesideofhisfaceasthelizardpulleditselfoffhisneckanduppasthischin.

"Itwon'tbelongnow,"theWardensaid.

Stanleycouldhearhisheartbeat.Eachbeattoldhimhewasstillalive,atleastforonemoresecond.

46

Fivehundredsecondslater,hisheartwasstillbeating.

Mr.Pendanskiscreamed.Thelizardwhichhadbeeninthecerealboxwasspringingtowardhim.

Mr.Sirshotitinmidair.

Stanleyfelttheblastshattertheairaroundhim.Thelizardsscurriedfranticallyacrosshisverystillbody.Hedidnotflinch.Alizardranacrosshisclosedmouth.

HeglancedatZeroandZero'seyesmethis.Somehowtheywerebothstillalive,atleastforonemoresecond,onemoreheartbeat.

Mr.Sirlitacigarette."Ithoughtyouquit,"saidoneoftheothercounselors."Yeah,well,sometimessunflowerseedsjustwon'tcutit."Hetookalongdragon

hiscigarette."I'mgoingtohavenightmarestherestofmylife.""Maybeweshouldjustshootthem,"suggestedMr.Pendanski."Who?"askedacounselor."Thelizardsorthekids?"

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Mr.Pendanskilaughedgrimly."Thekidsaregoingtodieanyway."Helaughedagain."Atleastwegotplentyofgravestochoosefrom."

"We'vegottime,"saidtheWarden."I'vewaitedthislong,Icanwaitanotherfew..."Hervoicetrailedoff.

Stanleyfeltalizardcrawlinandoutofhispocket.

"We'regoingtokeepourstorysimple,"saidtheWarden."Thatwoman'sgoingtoaskalotofquestions.TheA.G.willmostlikelyinitiateaninvestigation.Sothisiswhathappened:Stanleytriedtorunawayinthenight,fellinahole,andthelizardsgothim.That'sit.We'renotevengoingtogivethemZero'sbody.Asfarasanybodyknows,Zerodoesn'texist.LikeMomsaid,wegotplentyofgravestochoosefrom."

"Whywouldherunawayifheknewhewasgettingreleasedtoday?"askedMr.Pendanski.

"Whoknows?He'scrazy.Thatwaswhywecouldn'treleasehimyesterday.Hewasdelirious,andwehadtokeepwatchoverhimsohewouldn'thurthimselforanybodyelse."

"She'snotgoingtolikeit,"saidMr.Pendanski.

"She'snotgoingtolikeanythingwetellher,"saidtheWarden.ShestaredatZeroandatthesuitcase."Whyaren'tyoudeadyet?"sheasked.

Stanleyonlyhalflistenedtothetalkofthecounselors.Hedidn'tknowwho"thatwoman"wasorwhat"A.G."meant.Hedidn'tevenrealizetheywereinitials.Itsoundedlikeoneword,"Age-ee."Hismindwasfocusedonthetinyclawsthatmovedupanddownhisskinandthroughhishair.

Hetriedtothinkaboutotherthings.Hedidn'twanttodiewiththeimagesoftheWarden,Mr.Sir,andthelizardsetchedintohisbrain.Instead,hetriedtoseehismother'sface.

Hisbraintookhimbacktoatimewhenhewasverylittle,allbundledupinasnowsuit.Heandhismotherwerewalking,handinhand,mitteninmitten,whentheybothslippedonsomeiceandfellandrolleddownasnow-coveredhillside.Theyendedupatthebottomofthehill.Herememberedhealmostcried,butinsteadhelaughed.Hismotherlaughed,too.

Hecouldfeelthesamelight-headedfeelinghefeltthen,dizzyfromrollingdownthehill.Hefeltthesharpcoldnessofthesnowagainsthisear.Hecouldseeflecksofsnowonhismother'sbrightandcheeryface.

Thiswaswherehewantedtobewhenhedied.

"Hey,Caveman,guesswhat?"saidMr.Sir."You'reinnocent,afterall.Ithoughtyou'dliketoknowthat.Yourlawyercametogetyouyesterday.Toobadyouweren'there."

ThewordsmeantnothingtoStanley,whowasstillinthesnow.Heandhismotherclimbedbackupthehillandrolleddownagain,thistimeonpurpose.Latertheyhadhotchocolatewithlotsofmeltedmarshmallows.

"It'sgettingcloseto4:30,"saidMr.Pendanski."They'llbewakingup."

TheWardentoldthecounselorstoreturntothetents.Shetoldthemtogivethecampersbreakfastandtomakesuretheydidn'ttalktoanyone.Aslongastheydidas

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theyweretold,theywouldn'thavetodiganymoreholes.Iftheytalked,theywouldbeseverelypunished.

"Howshouldwesaytheywillbepunished?"oneofthecounselorsasked."Letthemusetheirimaginations,"saidtheWarden.Stanleywatchedthecounselorsreturntothetents,leavingonlytheWardenandMr.

Sirbehind.HeknewtheWardendidn'tcarewhetherthecampersduganymoreholesornot.She'dfoundwhatshewaslookingfor.

HeglancedatZero.Alizardwasperchedonhisshoulder.

Zeroremainedperfectlystillexceptforhisrighthand,whichslowlyformedintoafist.Thenheraisedhisthumb,givingStanleythethumbs-upsign.

StanleythoughtbacktowhatMr.Sirhadsaidtohimearlier,andthebitsofconversationhe'doverheard.Hetriedtomakesenseoutofit.Mr.Sirhadsaidsomethingaboutalawyer,butStanleyknewhisparentscouldn'taffordalawyer.

Hislegsweresorefromremainingrigidforsolong.Standingstillwasmorestrenuousthanwalking.Heslowlyallowedhimselftoleanagainstthesideofthehole.

Thelizardsdidn'tseemtomind.

47

Thesunwasup,andStanley'sheartwasstillbeating.Therewereeightlizardsintheholewithhim.Eachonehadexactlyelevenyellowspots.

TheWardenhaddarkcirclesunderhereyesfromJackofsleep,andlinesacrossherforeheadandfacewhichseemedexaggeratedinthestarkmorninglight.Herskinlookedblotchy.

"Satan,"saidZero.Stanleylookedathim,unsureifZerohadevenspokenorifhe'djustimaginedit."Whydon'tyougoseeifyoucantakethesuitcasefromZero,"theWarden

suggested."Yeah,right,"saidMr.Sir."Thelizardsobviouslyaren'thungry,"saidtheWarden."Thenyougogetthesuitcase,"saidMr.Sir.Theywaited."Sa-tanlee,"saidZero.

SometimelaterStanleysawatarantulacrawlacrossthedirt,nottoofarfromhishole.Hehadneverseenatarantulabefore,buttherewasnodoubtwhatitwas.Hewasmomentarilyfascinatedbyit,asitsbighairybodymovedslowlyandsteadilyalong.

"Look,atarantula,"saidMr.Sir,alsofascinated."I'veneverseenone,"saidtheWarden."Exceptin—"Stanleysuddenlyfeltasharpstingonthesideofhisneck.Thelizardhadn'tbittenhim,however.Itwasmerelypushingoff.ItleaptoffStanley'sneckandpouncedonthetarantula.ThelastStanleysawofit

wasonehairylegstickingoutofthelizard'smouth.

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"Nothungry,huh?"saidMr.Sir.

Stanleytriedtoreturntothesnow,butitwashardertogettherewhenthesunwasup.

Asthesunrose,thelizardsmovedlowerinthehole,keepingmainlyintheshade.Theywerenolongeronhisheadandshouldersbuthadmoveddowntohisstomach,legs,andfeet.

Hecouldn'tseeanylizardsonZero,butbelievedthereweretwo,betweenZero'sknees,shadedfromthesunbythesuitcase.

"Howareyoudoing?"Stanleyaskedquietly.Hedidn'twhisper,buthisvoicewasdryandraspy.

"Mylegsarenumb,"saidZero."I'mgoingtotrytoclimboutofthehole,"Stanleysaid.Ashetriedtopullhimselfup,usingjusthisarms,hefeltaclawdigintohisankle.

Hegentlyeasedhimselfbackdown."Isyourlastnameyourfirstnamebackward?"Zeroasked.Stanleystaredathiminamazement.Hadhebeenworkingonthatallnight?Heheardthesoundofapproachingcars.Mr.SirandtheWardenhearditaswell."Youthinkit'sthem?"askedtheWarden."Itain'tGirlScoutssellingcookies,"saidMr.Sir.

Heheardthecarscometoastop,andthedoorsopenandshut.AlittlewhilelaterhesawMr.Pendanskiandtwostrangers,comingacrossthelake.Onewasatallmaninabusinesssuitandcowboyhat.Theotherwasashortwomanholdingabriefcase.Thewomanhadtotakethreestepsforeverytwotakenbytheman."StanleyYelnats?"shecalled,movingoutaheadoftheothers.

"Isuggestyoudon'tcomeanycloser,"saidMr.Sir.

"Youcan'tstopme,"shesnapped,thentookasecondglanceathim,wearingpajamapantsandnothingelse."We'llgetyououtofthere,Stanley,"shesaid."Don'tyouworry."SheappearedtobeHispanic,withstraightblackhairanddarkeyes.ShespokewithalittlebitofaMexicanaccent,trillingherr's.

"Whatintarnation?"thetallmanexclaimed,ashecameupbehindher.

Sheturnedonhim."I'mtellingyourightnow,ifanyharmcomestohim,wewillbefilingchargesnotonlyagainstMs.WalkerandCampGreenLakebuttheentirestateofTexasaswell.Childabuse.Falseimprisonment.Torture."

Themanwasmorethanaheadtallerthanshe,andwasabletolookdirectlyoverherashespoketotheWarden.

"Howlonghavetheybeeninthere?"

"Allnight,asyoucanseebythewaywe'redressed.TheysnuckintomycabinwhileIwasasleep,andstolemysuitcase.Ichasedafterthem,andtheyranouthereandfellintothelizards'nest.Idon'tknowwhattheywerethinking."

"That'snottrue!"Stanleysaid.

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"Stanley,asyourattorney,Iadviseyounottosayanything,"saidthewoman,"untilyouandIhavehadachancetotalkinprivate."

StanleywonderedwhytheWardenliedaboutthesuitcase.Hewonderedwhoitlegallybelongedto.Thatwasonethinghewantedtoaskhislawyer,ifshereallywashislawyer.

"It'samiraclethey'restillalive,"saidthetallman."Yes,itis,"theWardenagreed,withjustatraceofdisappointmentinhervoice."Andtheybettercomeoutofthisalive,"Stanley'slawyerwarned."Thiswouldn't

havehappenedifyou'dreleasedhimtomeyesterday.""Itwouldn'thavehappenedifhewasn'tathief,"saidtheWarden."Itoldhimhe

wouldbesetfreetoday,andIguesshedecidedhe'dtrytotakesomeofmyvaluableswithhim.He'sbeendeliriousforthelastweek."

"Whydidn'tyoureleasehimwhenshecametoyouyesterday?"thetallmanasked."Shedidn'thaveproperauthorization,"saidtheWarden."Ihadacourtorder!""Itwasnotauthenticated,"theWardensaid.

"Authenticated?Itwassignedbythejudgewhosentencedhim."

"IneededauthenticationfromtheAttorneyGeneral,"saidtheWarden."HowdoIknowit'slegitimate?Theboysinmycustodyhaveproventhemselvesdangeroustosociety.AmIsupposedtojustturnthemlooseanytimesomeonehandsmeapieceofpaper?"

"Yes,"saidthewoman."Ifit'sacourtorder."

"Stanleyhasbeenhospitalizedforthelastfewdays,"theWardenexplained."He'sbeensufferingfromhallucinationsanddelirium.Rantingandraving.Hewasinnoconditiontoleave.Thefactthathewastryingtostealfrommeonthedaybeforehisreleaseproves..."

Stanleytriedtoclimboutofhishole,usingmostlyhisarmssoasnottodisturbthelizardstoomuch.Ashepulledhimselfupward,thelizardsmoveddownward,keepingoutofthesun'sdirectrays.Heswunghislegsupandover,andthelastofthelizardshoppedoff.

"ThankGod!"exclaimedtheWarden.Shestartedtowardhim,thenstopped.Alizardcrawledoutofhispocketanddownhisleg.Stanleywasovercomebyarushofdizzinessandalmostfellover.Hesteadied

himself,thenreacheddown,tookholdofZero'sarm,andhelpedhimslowlytohisfeet.Zerostillheldthesuitcase.

Thelizards,whichhadbeenhidingunderit,scurriedquicklyintothehole.StanleyandZerostaggeredaway.TheWardenrushedtothem.ShehuggedZero."ThankGod,you'realive,"shesaid,

asshetriedtotakethesuitcasefromhim.Hejerkeditfree."ItbelongstoStanley,"hesaid."Don'tcauseanymoretrouble,"theWardenwarned."Youstoleitfrommycabin,

andyou'vebeencaughtred-handed.IfIpresscharges,Stanleymighthavetoreturntoprison.NowI'mwilling,inviewofallthecircumstances,to—"

"It'sgothisnameonit,"saidZero.

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Stanley'slawyerpushedpastthetallmantohavealook."See,"Zeroshowedher."StanleyYelnats."Stanleylooked,too.There,inbigblackletters,wasSTANLEYYELNATS.Thetallmanlookedovertheheadsoftheothersatthenameonthesuitcase."You

sayhestoleitfromyourcabin?"TheWardenstaredatitindisbelief."That'sim...imposs...It'simposs..."She

couldn'tevensayit.

48

Theyslowlywalkedbacktocamp.ThetallmanwastheTexasAttorneyGeneral,thechieflawenforcementofficerforthestate.Stanley'slawyerwasnamedMs.Morengo.

Stanleyheldthesuitcase.Hewassotiredhecouldn'tthinkstraight.Hefeltasifhewaswalkinginadream,notquiteabletocomprehendwhatwasgoingonaroundhim.

Theystoppedinfrontofthecampoffice.Mr.SirwentinsidetogetStanley'sbelongings.TheAttorneyGeneraltoldMr.Pendanskitogettheboyssomethingtodrinkandeat.

TheWardenseemedasdazedasStanley."Youcan'tevenread,"shesaidtoZero.Zerosaidnothing.Ms.MorengoputahandonStanley'sshoulderandtoldhimtohanginthere.He

wouldbeseeinghisparentssoon.ShewasshorterthanStanley,butsomehowgavetheappearanceofbeingtall.Mr.Pendanskireturnedwithtwocartonsoforangejuiceandtwobagels.Stanley

drankthejuicebutdidn'tfeellikeeatinganything."Wait!"theWardenexclaimed."Ididn'tsaytheystolethesuitcase.It'shissuitcase,

obviously,butheputmythingsfrommycabininsideit.""Thatisn'twhatyousaidearlier,"saidMs.Morengo."What'sinthesuitcase?"theWardenaskedStanley."Telluswhat'sinit,thenwe'll

openitandsee!"Stanleydidn'tknowwhattodo."Stanley,asyourlawyer,Iadviseyounottoopenyoursuitcase,"saidMs.

Morengo."Hehastoopenit!"saidtheWarden."Ihavetherighttocheckthepersonal

propertyofanyofthedetainees.HowdoIknowtherearen'tdrugsorweaponsinthere?Hestoleacar,too!I'vegotwitnesses!"Shewasnearlyhysterical.

"Heisnolongerunderyourjurisdiction,"saidStanley'slawyer.

"Hehasnotbeenofficiallyreleased,"saidtheWarden."Openthesuitcase,Stanley!"

"Donotopenit,"saidStanley'slawyer.Stanleydidnothing.Mr.SirreturnedfromtheofficewithStanley'sbackpackandclothes.

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TheAttorneyGeneralhandedMs.Morengoasheetofpaper."You'refreetogo,"hesaidtoStanley."Iknowyou'reanxioustogetoutofhere,soyoucanjustkeeptheorangesuitasasouvenir.Orburnit,whateveryouwant.Goodluck,Stanley."

Hereachedouthishandtoshake,butMs.MorengohurriedStanleyaway."C'mon,Stanley,"shesaid."Wehavealottotalkabout."

StanleystoppedandturnedtolookatZero.Hecouldn'tjustleavehimhere.Zerogavehimthumbs-up."Ican'tleaveHector,"Stanleysaid."Isuggestwego,"saidhislawyerwithasenseofurgencyinhervoice."I'llbeokay,"saidZero.HiseyesshiftedtowardMr.Pendanskiononesideofhim,

thentotheWardenandMr.Sirontheother.'"There'snothingIcandoforyourfriend,"saidMs.Morengo."Youarereleased

pursuanttoanorderfromthejudge.""They'llkillhim,"saidStanley."Yourfriendisnotindanger,"saidtheAttorneyGeneral."There'sgoingtobean

investigationintoeverythingthat'shappenedhere.Forthepresent,Iamtakingchargeofthecamp."

"C'mon,Stanley,"saidhislawyer."Yourparentsarewaiting."Stanleystayedwherehewas.Hislawyersighed."MayIhavealookatHector'sfile?"sheasked."Certainly,"saidtheAttorneyGeneral."Ms.Walker,gogetHector'sfile."Shelookedathimblankly."Well?"TheWardenturnedtoMr.Pendanski."BringmeHectorZeroni'sfile."Hestaredather."Getit!"sheordered.Mr.Pendanskiwentintotheoffice.Hereturnedafewminuteslaterandannounced

thefilewasapparentlymisplaced.TheAttorneyGeneralwasoutraged."Whatkindofcampareyourunninghere,Ms.

Walker?"TheWardensaidnothing.Shestaredatthesuitcase.TheAttorneyGeneralassuredStanley'slawyerthathewouldgettherecords.

"Excuseme,whileIcallmyoffice."HeturnedbacktotheWarden."Iassumethephoneworks."Hewalkedintothecampoffice,slammingthedoorbehindhim.AlittlewhilelaterhereappearedandtoldtheWardenhewantedtotalktoher.

Shecursed,thenwentinside.StanleygaveZerothumbs-up."Caveman?Isthatyou?"HeturnedtoseeArmpitandSquidcomingoutoftheWreckRoom.Squidshouted

backintotheWreckRoom,"CavemanandZeroareouthere!"SoonalltheboysfromGroupDhadgatheredaroundhimandZero."Goodtoseeyou,man,"Armpitsaid,shakinghishand."Wethoughtyouwere

buzzardfood.""Stanleyisbeingreleasedtoday,"saidMr.Pendanski.

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"Waytogo,"saidMagnet,hittinghimontheshoulder."Andyoudidn'tevenhavetosteponarattlesnake,"saidSquid.EvenZigzagshookStanley'shand."Sorryabout...youknow."

"It'scool,"saidStanley."Wehadtoliftthetruckclearoutofthehole,"Zigzagtoldhim."Ittookeverybody

inC,D,andE.Wejustpickeditrightup.""Itwasreallycool,"saidTwitch.X-Raywastheonlyonewhodidn'tcomeover.Stanleysawhimhangbackbehind

theothersamoment,thenreturntotheWreckRoom."Guesswhat?"saidMagnet,glancingatMr.Pendanski."Momsayswedon'thave

todiganymoreholes.""That'sgreat,"Stanleysaid."Willyoudomeafavor?"askedSquid."Iguess,"Stanleyagreed,somewhathesitantly."Iwantyouto—"HeturnedtoMs.Morengo."Hey,lady,youhaveapenandpaper

Icanborrow?"Shegaveittohim,andSquidwrotedownaphonenumberwhichhegavetoStanley.

"Callmymomforme,okay?Tellher...TellherIsaidIwassorry.TellherAlansaidhewassorry."

Stanleypromisedhewould.

"Nowyoubecarefuloutintherealworld,"saidArmpit."Noteverybodyisasniceasus."

Stanleysmiled.

TheboysdepartedwhentheWardencameoutoftheoffice.TheAttorneyGeneralwasrightbehindher.

"MyofficeishavingsomedifficultylocatingHectorZeroni'srecords,"theAttorneyGeneralsaid.

"Soyouhavenoclaimofauthorityoverhim?"askedMs.Morengo.

"Ididn'tsaythat.He'sinthecomputer.Wejustcan'taccesshisrecords.It'slikethey'vefallenthroughaholeincyberspace."

"Aholeincyberspace,"Ms.Morengorepeated."Howinteresting.Whenishisreleasedate?"

"Idon'tknow.""Howlonghashebeenhere?"

"LikeIsaid,wecan't—""Sowhatareyouplanningtodowithhim?Keephimconfinedindefinitely,without

justification,whileyougocrawlingthroughblackholesincyberspace?"TheAttorneyGeneralstaredather."Hewasobviouslyincarceratedforareason.""Oh?Andwhatreasonwasthat?"TheAttorneyGeneralsaidnothing.Stanley'slawyertookholdofZero'shand."C'mon,Hector,you'recomingwithus."

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Thereneverusedtobeyellow-spottedlizardsinthetownofGreenLake.Theydidn'tcometotheareauntilafterthelakedriedup.Butthetownsfolkhadheardaboutthe"red-eyedmonsters"livinginthedeserthills.

Oneafternoon,Sam,theonionman,andhisdonkey,MaryLou,werereturningtohisboat,whichwasanchoredjustalittleoffshore.ItwaslateinNovemberandthepeachtreeshadlostmostoftheirleaves.

"Sam!"someonecalled.

Heturnedaroundtoseethreemenrunningafterhim,wavingtheirhats.Hewaited."Afternoon,Walter.Bo,Jesse,"hegreetedthem,astheywalkedup,catchingtheirbreath,

"Gladwecaughtyou,"saidBo."We'regoingrattlesnakehuntinginthemorning.""Wewanttogetsomeofyourlizardjuice,"saidWalter."Iain'ta-scaredofnorattlesnake,"saidJesse."ButIdon'twanttocomeacrossone

ofthosered-eyedmonsters.Iseenoneonce,andthatwasenough.Iknewabouttheredeyes,ofcourse.Ihadn'theardaboutthebigblackteeth."

"It'sthewhitetonguesthatgetme,"saidBo.

Samgaveeachmantwobottlesofpureonionjuice.Hetoldthemtodrinkonebottlebeforegoingtobedthatnight,thenahalfbottleinthemorning,andthenahalfbottlearoundlunchtime.

"Yousurethisstuffworks?"askedWalter.

"Itellyouwhat,"saidSam."Ifitdoesn't,youcancomebacknextweekandI'llgiveyouyourmoneyback."

Walterlookedaroundunsure,asBoandJesselaughed.ThenSamlaughed,too.EvenMaryLouletoutararehee-haw.

"Justremember,"Samtoldthemenbeforetheyleft."It'sveryimportantyoudrinkabottletonight.Yougottogetitintoyourbloodstream.Thelizardsdon'tlikeonionblood."

StanleyandZerosatinthebackseatofMs.Morengo'sBMW.Thesuitcaselaybetweenthem.Itwaslocked,andtheydecidedthey'dletStanley'sfathertrytoopenitinhisworkshop.

"Youdon'tknowwhat'sinit,doyou?"sheasked."No,"saidStanley."Ididn'tthinkso."Theair-conditioningwason,buttheydrovewiththewindowsopenaswell,

because,"Nooffense,butyouboysreallysmellbad."Ms.Morengoexplainedthatshewasapatentattorney."I'mhelpingyourfather

withthenewproducthe'sinvented.Hehappenedtomentionyoursituation,soIdidalittleinvestigating.ClydeLivingston'ssneakerswerestolensometimebefore3:15.Ifoundayoungman,DerrickDunne,whosaidthatat3:20youwereinthebathroomfishingyournotebookoutofthetoilet.Twogirlsrememberedseeingyoucomeoutoftheboys'restroomcarryingawetnotebook."

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Stanleyfelthisearsredden.Evenaftereverythinghe'dbeenthrough,thememorystillcausedhimtofeelshame.

"Soyoucouldn'thavestolenthem,"saidMs.Morengo."Hedidn't.Idid,"saidZero."Youdidwhat?"askedMs.Morengo."Istolethesneakers."

Thelawyeractuallyturnedaroundwhiledrivingandlookedathim."Ididn'thearthat,"shesaid."AndIadviseyoutomakesureIdon'thearitagain."

"Whatdidmyfatherinvent?"Stanleyasked."Didhefindawaytorecyclesneakers?"

"No,he'sstillworkingonthat,"explainedMs.Morengo."Butheinventedaproductthateliminatesfootodor.Here,I'vegotasampleinmybriefcase.IwishIhadmore.Youtwocouldbatheinit."

SheopenedherbriefcasewithonehandandpassedasmallbottlebacktoStanley.Ithadafreshandsomewhatspicysmell.HehandedittoZero.

"What'sitcalled?"Stanleyasked."Wehaven'tcomeupwithanameyet,"saidMs.Morengo."Itsmellsfamiliar,"saidZero."Peaches,right?"askedMs.Morengo."That'swhateveryonesays."Ashortwhilelaterbothboysfellasleep.Behindthemtheskyhadturneddark,and

forthefirsttimeinoverahundredyears,adropofrainfellintotheemptylake.

PARTTHREEFILLINGINTHEHOLES

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Stanley'smotherinsiststhatthereneverwasacurse.SheevendoubtswhetherStanley'sgreat-great-grandfatherreallystoleapig.Thereadermightfinditinteresting,however,thatStanley'sfatherinventedhiscureforfootodorthedayafterthegreat-great-grandsonofElyaYelnatscarriedthegreat-great-great-grandsonofMadameZeroniupthemountain.

TheAttorneyGeneralclosedCampGreenLake.Ms.Walker,whowasindesperateneedofmoney,hadtosellthelandwhichhadbeeninherfamilyforgenerations.Itwasboughtbyanationalorganizationdedicatedtothewell-beingofyounggirls.Inafewyears,CampGreenLakewillbecomeaGirlScoutcamp.

Thisisprettymuchtheendofthestory.Thereaderprobablystillhassomequestions,butunfortunately,fromhereonin,theanswerstendtobelongandtedious.WhileMrs.Bell,Stanley'sformermathteacher,mightwanttoknowthepercentchangeinStanley'sweight,thereaderprobablycaresmoreaboutthechangeinStanley's

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characterandself-confidence.Butthosechangesaresubtleandhardtomeasure.Thereisnosimpleanswer.

Eventhecontentsofthesuitcaseturnedouttobesomewhattedious.Stanley'sfatherprieditopeninhisworkshop,andatfirsteveryonegaspedatthesparklingjewels.StanleythoughtheandHectorhadbecomemillionaires.Butthejewelswereofpoorquality,worthnomorethantwentythousanddollars.

UnderneaththejewelswasastackofpapersthathadoncebelongedtothefirstStanleyYelnats.Theseconsistedofstockcertificates,deedsoftrust,andpromissorynotes.Theywerehardtoreadandevenmoredifficulttounderstand.Ms.Morengo'slawfirmspentmorethantwomonthsgoingthroughallthepapers.

Theyturnedouttobealotmorevaluablethanthejewels.Afterlegalfeesandtaxes,StanleyandZeroeachreceivedlessthanamilliondollars.

Butnotalotless.

ItwasenoughforStanleytobuyhisfamilyanewhouse,withalaboratoryinthebasement,andforHectortohireateamofprivateinvestigators.

Butitwouldbeboringtogothroughallthetediousdetailsofallthechangesintheirlives.Instead,thereaderwillbepresentedwithonelastscene,whichtookplacealmostayearandahalfafterStanleyandHectorleftCampGreenLake.

Youwillhavetofillintheholesyourself.

TherewasasmallpartyattheYelnatshouse.ExceptforStanleyandHector,everyonetherewasanadult.Allkindsofsnacksanddrinksweresetoutonthecounter,includingcaviar,champagne,andthefixingstomakeicecreamsundaes.

TheSuperBowlwasontelevision,butnobodywasreallywatching."Itshouldbecomingonatthenextbreak,"Ms.Morengoannounced.Atime-outwascalledinthefootballgame,andacommercialcameonthescreen.Everyonestoppedtalkingandwatched.Thecommercialshowedabaseballgame.Amidacloudofdust,ClydeLivingston

slidintohomeplateasthecatchercaughttheballandtriedtotaghimout."Safe!"shoutedtheumpireashesignaledwithhisarms.ThepeopleatStanley'shousecheered,asiftherunreallycounted.ClydeLivingstongotupanddustedthedirtoffhisuniform.Ashemadehisway

backtothedugout,hespoketothecamera."Hi,I'mClydeLivingston,buteveryonearoundherecallsme'SweetFeet.'"

"Waytogo,SweetFeet!"saidanotherbaseballplayer,slappinghishand.

Besidesbeingonthetelevisionscreen,ClydeLivingstonwasalsosittingonthecouchnexttoStanley.

"Butmyfeetweren'talwayssweet,"thetelevisionClydeLivingstonsaidashesatdownonthedugoutbench."Theyusedtosmellsobadthatnobodywouldsitnearmeinthedugout."

"Theyreallydidstink,"saidthewomansittingonthecouchontheothersideofClyde.Sheheldhernosewithonehand,andfannedtheairwiththeother.

Clydeshushedher.

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"ThenateammatetoldmeaboutSploosh,"saidthetelevisionClyde.HepulledacanofSplooshoutfromunderthedugoutbenchandhelditupforeveryonetosee."Ijustsprayalittleoneachfooteverymorning,andnowIreallydohavesweetfeet.Plus,Ilikethetingle."

"Sploosh,"saidavoice."Atreatforyourfeet.Madefromallnaturalingredients,itneutralizesodor-causingfungiandbacteria.Plus,you'lllikethetingle."

Everyoneatthepartyclappedtheirhands.

"Hewasn'tlying,"saidthewomanwhosatnexttoClyde."Icouldn'tevenbeinthesameroomwithhissocks."

Theotherpeopleatthepartylaughed.Thewomancontinued."I'mnotjoking.Itwassobad—""You'vemadeyourpoint,"saidClyde,coveringhermouthwithhishand.He

lookedbackatStanley."Willyoudomeafavor,Stanley?"Stanleyraisedandloweredhisleftshoulder."I'mgoingtogetmorecaviar,"saidClyde."Keepyourhandovermywife'smouth."

HepattedStanleyontheshoulderasherosefromthecouch.Stanleylookeduncertainlyathishand,thenatClydeLivingston'swife.Shewinkedathim.Hefelthimselfblush,andturnedawaytowardHector,whowassittingonthefloor

infrontofanoverstuffedchair.AwomansittinginthechairbehindHectorwasabsent-mindedlyfluffinghishair

withherfingers.Shewasn'tveryold,butherskinhadaweatheredlooktoit,almostlikeleather.Hereyesseemedweary,asifshe'dseentoomanythingsinherlifethatshedidn'twanttosee.Andwhenshesmiled,hermouthseemedtoobigforherface.

Verysoftly,shehalfsang,halfhummedasongthathergrandmotherusedtosingtoherwhenshewasalittlegirl.

Ifonly,ifonly,themoonspeaksnoreply;Reflectingthesunandallthat'sgoneby.Bestrongmywearywolf,turnaroundboldly.Flyhigh,mybabybird,Myangel,myonly.

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