Yes, Beck’s skills are much more visual than verbal. As the writer in the family, I am much, much better at name-calling.

“I’ll tell you who I am, you cantankerous contrarian. I am your awesome twin brother and the author of our family’s adventure books.”

“You also have a crusty booger inside your left nostril.”

“Hey, you put that there!”

“Well, duh.”

“It’s very realistic-looking.”

“I picked up some tips about playing with light and shadow from the grand masters’ collection at the Hermitage art museum today.”

“Oh. That’s pretty impressive.”

“Thanks.”

“Um, what were we fighting about?”

“I forget.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

“Let’s go help Storm with that clue.”

“Cool.”

And just like that, Twin Tirade 607 was done.

We headed into Storm’s room to start work. We were going to help Dad find the Enlightened Ones’ world headquarters, no matter where it might be.

(I really hoped it was hidden inside a volcano crater! That would be so cool!)

And all we had to help us was the first clue, the one the museum guard handed to Dad:

Even Storm was stumped. And if that’s the case, you know this one’s going to be a doozy.