Chapter twelve it's still really hot here and I don't see anyone anywhere as Peev and I make our way back home. It's almost four and I want to be exactly where I'm supposed to be when my dad gets home. Now that I've found all three girls and I at least have some idea of how the compass works, managing my dad's rules and whatever is going on with him is the hardest part of this whole thing. And of course, after finding our way back to our secret entrance near the stinky dumpster, the door we used earlier is locked. Locked Crumbs. Now what? Come on, Peev, I say, and tug him around the corner to explore. There has to be another way in. We walk all around the back of the building, and just as I start to get a little panicky, I notice a small box with a red button on the wall next to a huge metal door, which looks like a big garage door. Do you think that opens, boy? Peev makes a noise, half snort, half sigh, but I have an idea what that means. Should I push it? He stares at me, then sits and lifts a paw to scratch behind his giant ear. Okay, I say, I'm going to do it. Now he yawns, and I can't tell if he's saying think harder or could you please hurry up already. I decide it must be the second one, then walk up and press the button. My heart crawls up my throat as I wait, but nothing happens. The door doesn't budge, not one bit. Come on, I grumble and smack the button again. Not a single noise. No movement. Nothing. Crap. Now what? P whines just a little, like he wants me to notice something I'm missing. I go over and scratch his head, then grab his leash so we can try something else. His ears perk up and I stop to listen also. A low grinding noise comes from the building, and then the door inches up, sounding like a grumbly old man. My heart stops. I can't move. And then I realize I do not know what's on the other side of that door. Over here, buddy, I whisper, and tug Peev behind a wall of recycling bins and at least three rows of five gallon water bottles shove up shoved up against the wall. He whines louder, so I stroke his ears and kiss his head as I peek out between the stacks. When the door is all the way up, a man comes out. He looks like someone's dad, the kind who coaches soccer and really likes baseball caps, and he's dressed in a brown maintenance uniform, so I know he works in our building. Really, he says, looking up and down the alley, we're in the middle of a heat wave and water shortage, and someone thinks this is a practical joke. This is not funny, he yells. Some of us have work to do. Peef sits up straighter, like he needs to protect me from this man, but I keep kissing his head. Hang tight boy, I tell him. The guy disappears into the building, and the old man door starts groaning again, though this time it sounds like music to my ears. I can definitely beat that thing, I think, and after I count to ten, grab Peeves leash and take off running. I'm about ready to choke on my heart at this point, but I just keep taking deep breaths and hoping for the best. We slip inside. I have to duck, but Peev strolls right through, and the man is nowhere in sight. Holy cannoli, Peev, I sigh. That was close. A door slams right when I say that, and I gulp, not sure if I'm hearing someone coming or going. Over here, boy, I say to Peev and start running. We're in this big maintenance room with tools, crates, a forklift, and way too many doors lining the walls. I have no idea which one to choose, but I decide I better pick one before that coming or going person finds me. The one I pick leads me to a hallway. After that, there's just one door to pick, which makes me feel nervous. But what am I gonna do? With a deep fluttery breath, I swing that open and then I grin. The stairs Yay! Thank goodness. We don't need to mention the eighteen flights of stairs that we have to climb, but since Peev can take the stairs two at a time, it's a lot less work for him. We get to the apartment and I want to cheer as I pull out my key, but wait, because my dad could be standing on the other side, eyebrows low and angry. I open the door slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible, as if that will matter. Peev pushes in ahead of me. Not one little bit quiet, and I hold my breath and listen. Nothing. The best kind of nothing. I scan the foyer table, the place my dad always leaves his keys, but it's empty. He's not here. Whoa boy, I say, more like I'm exhaling than speaking. That was way too close. Peave chuffs hard, almost like he's telling me not to do that again. I'll try, I tell him, that's all I can do. I'm my best. I'll try. I spend a few minutes taking off Peev's leash, getting him some water, and washing my sweaty face. Literally three seconds after I rehang my towel, I hear my dad's key in the lock. My stomach flip flops, telling me everything I'm trying not to know about this. I took a big risk. I almost got caught. I'm carrying around a lot of secrets for a middle school kid. Hey there, my dad calls, flinging his keys onto the table with a metallic crash. I come bearing pizza. Plastering a smile over my nerves, I go to meet him. Smells good, Dad. Thanks so much. His smile is big and real. Thank you, Coral. I really appreciate you doing what I asked. He sets the pizza down on the table and hugs me. It means a lot. No problem, I tell him, feeling tiny and sad in his arms. Let's go eat. I'm starving. Okay, I say, and pick up the pizza box. It smells great, but I have a feeling I'll have trouble getting it down. Turns out this saving the world business is very complicated.
SPEAKER_00
Hi everyone, this is Lucy, and I'm back, and I just wanted to recap the past few chapters. So within the past chapter, we met Angory, and she's from India, and we find out that her power is fire and to put out fire. And so we find that out within chapter 11. And within chapter 12, it's essentially Coral coming back to um New York and still kind of sneaking around her father, trying to slip in the house before he gets home. And at this point in the book, I was just wondering when it's gonna all catch up to her. I feel like there's gonna be a moment where her father is eventually gonna catch on to what she's doing. So I'm excited to um figure that out and get to that part of the book. But yeah, I can't wait.
