ECOMASTERS Chapter 16

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SPEAKER_01 1:05

Chapter 16 I Feel Pretty Good About Myself Today Yesterday Coral the Pathfinder and Phone Passat the communicator of the EcoMasters carried out our water drop plan flawlessly. Even better, I got back home before my dad came home from work, and gift of all possible gifts, Mr. Dobbins was not anywhere in sight when I got through the front door. That only happens like two times every day for no more than few minutes. I guess everyone has to pee sometime, but it hurts my head to try to calculate exactly how lucky I got. I stroll into the kitchen only to find a complete stranger sitting on our granite island reading a newspaper. My sneakers squeak when I stop, and I just stare, not sure if I should call the police or what? You must be Coral, the man says. He looks a little like a police detective with the shortest possible haircut and dark suit. I gulp. Who are you? You can call me Henry. I step forward and grip the granite, hoping I don't look as nervous as I feel. Okay, Henry, can I ask why you're here in my kitchen? You don't have to worry, he says and smiles. I work for your dad. And you're working here today? He nods. I guess you can say that. I'm here to keep an eye on you. Dread creeps over me. This is not good. Not good at all. I try to stand tall and act cool. I do not need a babysitter. The word your dad used was bodyguard. Didn't something happen that I need a bodyguard? Henry purses his lips and studies me. Pretty sure it had something to do with you sneaking out yesterday. My mouth falls open. He said I sneaked out? He taps the top of his lip with one finger and stares up at the ceiling for a minute. I think he said that the doorman mentioned it. The flush in my cheeks only makes me madder. This is not right. I shouldn't have to be a prisoner in my own home, and I just don't buy that. There's a new danger out in the city waiting just for me? Why would anyone be after me? Okay then, I tell him, needing a little time to regroup. I guess I'll be in my room then. Got it, he says, and goes back to his newspaper. I stand for a moment, glaring at him. His friendly act guy act is super annoying. Might as well call him what he is, a prison guard, wanting to remind him this is still my house. I fling the refrigerator door open and stare inside. I'm not really hungry, but I'm making a statement here. I grab some string cheese and slam the door shut, then march out of the kitchen like I have somewhere to be. Which I do. Lots of places that aren't my bedroom. I just haven't figured out where yet. And now I don't know how I'll get there. Peev looks up at me when I get to my room. At first he looks a little annoyed to be pulled from his snooze, but then his brow ridge furrows, and I know he can tell that I'm upset. This Henry guy has got to go, Peev. He yawns, then cocks his head at me. I wander around my room as I munch the string cheese, scanning my brain for some kind of a scheme. I pop the last bit of cheese in my mouth and glance down at my desk. Under a sock I see the copper ball from Miriam's house peeking out and my pulse freezes. That's it. That's where I need to be today. Miriam's house. I need to tell her that I've found everyone, and then I need to find out what happens next. Okay boy, I need your help. Right on cue, he yawns again, jumps off my bed, and walks over to sit in front of me. The sight of my best friend always ready to help tugs at my heart. I bend down and kiss his nose, then scratch under his chin in exactly the spot he loves. You can't come with me this time, buddy, okay? He raises his chin higher, not ready to be done with the scratch. I'm so sorry to leave you, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Peev whimpers really softly, then gives his head a huge let's get this show on the road shake. That a boy, I tell him, and kiss his nose one more time. I love you, Peev. After making sure I have the compass in my pocket, we go back down the hall. When we get close to the kitchen, I tell Peev to stay. He sits and he looks very intimidating. Pleased, I walk back down the hall, but then I hear his jingling behind me, and my heart sinks. Peev no, you have to stay. He sits. I turn away and the jingling starts again. Come on, buddy, sit and stay. He walks up and licks my hand. With a big huff, I lead him back closer to the kitchen. Now stay, I say, as loud as I dare. Clearly, tired of this game, he barks. I cringe and wait. After a few minutes go by, I finally breathe. Then I hold up my hand hoping he'll remember the hand sign from his puppy training. He chuffs and nods, and I think we're good. I start down the hall. What's up? Henry's voice sounds casual and not, and it stops me cold. Um nothing, just doing a little training with Peev. He's gotta be pretty tough to train. Not really, I say, an idea taking shape in my head. Can you do me a favor, Henry? He smiles, but his eyes narrow. Depends on what it is. Can you give Peve a treat? They're in the pantry closet in the kitchen. You're too busy? Are treats part of the training? I grin, though I'm super annoyed. This guy is good. They totally are, I tell him. I just forgot to grab them and I really have to um you know. I tilt my head toward the hall and I cross my legs for effect. Oh, uh yeah. Sure, okay, come on boy, he waves at Peev, but Peev stays put. Go on, Peev, I say, trying to give him the eye. Peave stares at me, making me think hard about what I'm about to do. Finally, after seconds that feel like hours, he turns and follows Henry. Thank you, buddy. I whisper and dash into the bathroom. I decide not to lock the door, since I'm going to have to leave the shower running. That only seems fair to poor Henry. I put my ear to the door and when I don't hear any talking or jingling outside, I turn on the shower, wrap my hand around the compass, and step into the spray. I wish to see Miriam, I say, and then squeeze my eyes shut. By now it's totally automatic. A weird sucking feeling winds its way through my body, making me feel long and thin. And then, as soon as that thought fills my mind, I hear a huge splash and water smacks my face just as my butt hits something hard. A scream echoes all around me, and I open my eyes to see Miriam's terrified face. She's in her robe, clearly about to enjoy the bath I've crash landed into. I stare up at her, not sure if I should laugh or cry. Then her lip wiggles and mine does too, so we're both snorting with laughter in seconds. I guess this compass thing really does work, Iceparter. And we laugh harder. That it does, my dear. That it does.

SPEAKER_00 10:59

Hi everyone, it's Lucy, and just to recap this past chapter, within this chapter we meet a new character and his name is Henry, and he is put in charge of Coral by her father. He's there as her bodyguard, so to speak. And it's because of what happened the day prior. Um, her dad found out that Coral had left the house, and just to keep track of her more, he hired this man to sit in her house and just keep track of her. And so Coral's kind of um angry about this, but she finds a way around it by using her shower. So she uses her shower to teleport. Um, to uh she goes to Miriam's house. And so she does this just to um see the next step, see what happens now. She's connected her and all the other Eco Masters, and now she wants to see what else she can do and what's next. So that's why she's going to Miriam's house. And I'm excited to see um what Miriam has um for her next. But yeah.