CHAPTER 14

ME AND DAN’S eyes meet, and we swallow so hard, our Adam’s apples pump.

It seems time froze in this factory. The clanging hasn’t stopped. Now there’s a body.

Everyone looks scared and confused as we discuss what to do.

Then all of a sudden . . .

“AAAAH!” The dead arm comes to life and flings Styrofoam at us.

We jump back, run . . . and then realize . . .

It’s Chad.

“Come in for a swim, scaredy-cats,” he jokes.

“YOoooo, I almost peed on myself,” Jeremiah says.

Jen shakes her head. “Again with the rude surprises, Chad?”

Christopher is confused. “How’d you get down here before us?”

Chad points at the fireman’s pole. “Slid down that.”

Christopher says, “Too bad you didn’t fall off it and get sense knocked into you.”

He turns and heads for the door leading out of the factory. One by one we follow him. Even Chad climbs out and runs to catch up to us while laughing and making fun of our reactions.

I hang back so I don’t have to hear him. Jeremiah starts walking with me.

“’Sup?” I ask Jeremiah.

“Nothing. It’s just . . . Chad being Chad, I guess.”

“Yeah, he’s too extra,” I tell Jeremiah. “But I was worried you’d fall off that belt and get hurt. Like, seriously hurt.”

I see just enough of the side of Jeremiah’s face to know he’s glad I care.

He whispers back, “Me too. I didn’t even want to climb it.”

“So why did you?” I ask.

“Once Chad started it, everyone rode that lane. How’d I look if I punked out?”

“I get it,” I tell him. “I was right there riding in Chad’s lane too.”