1
Page 1
Kai Flamy tiptoed down a dark hallway, a tiny, dim flame flickering in one upraised palm. He gently tested each floorboard with a prod of his big toe, careful not to place his foot down on a loose one that would squeal and alert someone to his sneaking.
For all the creeping around he'd planned on doing tonight, Kai had stolen one of Cole's old ninja suits. The black fabric would make him harder to spot in the darkness - and besides, Cole's name was written on the back. It probably wouldn't hurt that it didn't say Kai.
Kai passed many closed doors as he advanced down the hall. He walked as close to them as was possible, even though the knowledge that his friends were sleeping behind them made him extremely nervous that he would be caught. He still chose to do so, however, because he knew that the floorboards along the sides of the hall were less likely to creak than the ones in the center.
Finally, Kai paused in front of the very last door on the right side of the hallway. He didn't need to press an ear against it as he had originally planned; he could hear Sensei Wu's deafening snores from right where he stood. Kai shook his head, then held his breath as he ever so slowly tested the doorknob.
Locked.
Kai groaned inwardly. Why didn't I realize that it might be locked?! What am I going to do now? He hadn't planned ahead for a situation like this. How was he going to get in now? I can't just burn the door down!