Chapter 13
Wide Walt in the Monster Dome

The next day, the scouts forced themselves to go to school and tried their best to feign interest in their class work. But being part of a secret civilization responsible for the safety of the world was growing to be quite a distraction. It was hard to solve for x and memorize state capitals when you knew monsters were prowling around in underground tunnels, threatening your neighborhood.

At lunch, the friends ate at a private spot on a cafeteria bench and quietly discussed the Grottoes and the things they had seen there. Around them, students drank their chocolate milk, ignored their vegetables, and shouted at friends. Spills occurred every few minutes, and crumbs flew like shrapnel from grenades. After eating, the four of them headed outside for recess and hunted down another place to talk. They settled on the vacant space beneath the large dome climber toward the rear of the playground. More than eight feet tall, the old steel climber was affectionately called the Monster Dome. It lacked the appeal of modern play structures, which sprawled in all directions, connecting slides and bridges and platforms. The Monster Dome frequently went unused, except by upper-el students to hide out from second graders.

Just a few minutes into their conversation, three kids approached: Wide Walter White and his two cronies, Dave and Doug. As they neared, their big, angry feet kicked through the wood chips, stirring dust.

“Oh great,” Richie said. “This doesn’t look good.”

Noah glanced around. As usual, there wasn’t a playground attendant in sight. The scouts were alone, and Walt was undoubtedly aware of this. For him, bullying was a science.

The scouts hadn’t confronted Wide Walt since their most recent altercation with the broad-shouldered thug. Just weeks ago, Noah had shocked Clarksville Elementary by tripping Walt in the cafeteria, nearly dropping him to the ground.

“Well, well,” Walt growled as he approached. “The Action Dorks, all together . . . and all alone.”

Walt and his friends slipped through separate openings in the bars and stood just beneath the curved peak of the dome. The scouts jumped to their feet and nervously faced the schoolyard bullies. As Noah took a step forward, Megan lightly coiled her fingers around his wrist, holding him back.

Walt smiled at this. He crossed his arms over his chest, resting his forearms on the bulge of his gut. His shoulders were so wide that his head seemed puny in comparison. “Little sis going to fight your battles now?”

Walt’s buddies erupted in exaggerated laughter. The chill air carried the fog of their breath, a stench of corn chips and cheddar cheese.

Walt grumbled, “We got some unfinished business, dork.”

Noah shook his head. “I don’t have any business,” he said. “Not with you.” He discreetly scanned the playground in search of an adult. Behind Walt, a few kids had noticed the unfolding scene and were now busily alerting their friends, who began leaping off rock walls and throwing themselves from swings. Within a minute, they’d have the Monster Dome surrounded.

“I think you do,” Walt said. And he reached up with one arm and shoved Noah. Hard.

Streaks of pain shot across Noah’s chest and curled over his shoulders. He struggled for balance and stood his ground.

Kids were already crowding the scene. Some were hollering. A young girl started to cry and ran off. Inside the open space of the dome, Noah suddenly felt like a fighter before a crowd of spectators—a wary gladiator in the pit of the Colosseum.

“Keep cool,” Megan said.

Noah refused to turn his gaze from Walt. “Why do you want to do this? You ever stop to think that you create a lot of problems for yourself?”

“Oh, I create a lot of problems,” Walt agreed. “But not for me—for other people.” He held his open palms out to his sides in a what-do-you-think-about-that? fashion and glanced over at his buddies, a smug look on his face. “Whoever said I’m not a generous guy.”

Grunting, Dave and Doug nodded their approval. Noah realized how small and insignificant they appeared beside their leader. Without Walt, Dave and Doug would be nothing—stardust in the galaxy of Clarksville Elementary.

“I got something I want to share with you,” Walt said.

“What?” Noah said before he had time to think better.

“This.”

Walt thrust his arms forward and pushed Noah again, harder than before. This time the pain shot all through his torso. He stumbled backward, toppled, and barely prevented himself from falling.

Ella jumped forward and shoved Walt, who barely budged. Walt turned to her and let out a disbelieving chuckle.

Ella propped her hands on her hips and pushed her elbows out to her sides. “Keep laughing, fat boy. I’ll kick your—”

“White!” A voice rang out.

The crowd parted, revealing Mr. Kershen, the toughest sixth-grade teacher in all of Clarksville. He had a broad back, a shaggy mustache, and crooked yellow teeth. In another life, he might have been a Viking.

“White!” Mr. Kershen repeated. “You have got to be kidding me!” Everyone assumed that Wide Walt was the aggressor in any altercation.

Walt spun around and tried to looked surprised that something was wrong. “What?”

“Don’t what me, Walter!” Mr. Kershen jerked his thumb toward the school. “To the principal’s office. Now.”

Wide Walt slouched his gargantuan shoulders and kicked at the wood chips. He squirmed and squeezed his oversized body through a triangular opening in the dome climber and headed toward the school.

Mr. Kershen turned to watch the bully go. Then he faced the crowd of students and waved them away, saying, “Get! Go do something, for crying out loud!”

As the children scattered, the scouts climbed out of the dome, Richie breathing a loud sigh of relief. Mr. Kershen stepped up to them.

“You guys okay?”

All at once, the four of them answered yes.

The rough-looking teacher looked them over. “That clown’s bad news,” he said at last. “Try to stay away from him.”

“We do,” Noah said. “All the time.”

Wrinkles moved across Mr. Kershen’s face as he formed a concerned expression. He nodded, knowing Wide Walt and knowing what Noah had said was true.

The scouts turned and headed for a new spot. Once again, they’d narrowly avoided a beating from the school bully.

Noah wondered how long they could continue to be so lucky.