Lubors and Vis and Joes. I remember how Joe told me his phone didnt work. Now he wants me to use it and it really doesnt work. What do they call that kind of joke? Its not funny. But something.
11:35.
If I was back at Creekside it would be lites out.
You didnt call Creekside did you? I ask Joe. But hes not paying attention. He frowns at the phone in my hand witch rings and then stops. We are not getting thru. I remember the old lady who thot I was God. Not even you can get the phones to work she said. Joe presses redial and we try again. Still nothing.
Why doesnt Vis mom have a landline? he mutters.
I know a bit about what is going on by now. Theres a New Years Eve concert and something is going to happen and it will be about Pee Yan Vee Yah. Thats all I know for sure because Lubor and Joe talk a lot of Pee Yan Vee Yan and I have no idea what there saying. And even when they speak English I do not know what they mean a lot of the time. They talk about 80 a lot. Is 80 there yet? Whos with 80? When is 80 going on? Will 80 know the words?
What is this 80? I asked when I was trying Vis phone.
It was like 80 was somebodys uncle—or an animal like a hamster.
80 is old if its a person I said.
And if theres an 80 year old hamster its a miracle.
80 is letters Vi told me. A and T.
Oh. AT. Whoever that is.
Her phone didnt work either.
That was a few minits ago. Now it is 11:47 and they are all back in the room together and something is going on because they have coats and boots on. Joe holds my skates.
We have to get closer he says. AT will be going onstage soon and we have to find a phone signal. Come on.
We walk upstares. Joe and Lubor hold onto my arms. Vi talks to me.
We are going for a car ride she says. Its about twenty minits from here to the concert. We need you to be awake to talk to your brother. So you have to be good. No running away. No shouting ok?
I dont know what to say. There are more of them and they are bigger and stronger than me and I have no shoes.
Promise? she says. Promise you will not try to escape and you can sit in the car until we find a signal from your brothers phone.
I shake my head.
I cant promise I say.
Im wondering if she will slap me again but she doesnt.
Lubor! she calls.
Next thing I know there is a thing on my head like a blanket or something. I cant see. Lubor and I gess Joe grab my arms and legs and carry me outside.
Nobody comes to save me. Im thrown into a place that smells like dust. I hear a click and then silence. It takes me a while to get free of the blanket because I cant see or stretch out very far. When my head is clear I still cant see. Its super dark. There are 2 lumps near me—my skates. And a bigger lump under me—a spare tire. I hear a familiar rumbling noise and feel a vibration around but mostly under me. We start to move.