CHAPTER 43

Dib felt a rush of different emotions: relief that it had worked, surprise, excitement, wonder at what it could lead to.

"Man," Zita said, summing up Dib's feelings with one word. "Could be a coincidence," Zim said. "Do more, quick." Dib did, putting together the eight pages of each day, in order from Section One to Section Eight. Each time, an obvious letter formed in the center of the crisscrossed mass of lines. After the F was an L, then an O, then an A, and a T. Then C ... A ... T.

"Look," Dib said, pointing down the line of stacks they'd formed, confused, but happy that the letters were so obvious. "It spells FLOAT and then it spells CAT."

"Float cat?" Gaz asked. "Doesn't sound like a bloody rescue code to me." "We just need to keep working," Dib said. Another couple of combinations made them realize that the second word was actually CATCH. FLOAT and CATCH.

"Definitely not a coincidence," Zita said. "Definitely not," Dib agreed. He couldn't wait to see more. Zim gestured toward the storage closet. "We need to go through all of them—all those boxes in there."

"Yeah," Dib nodded. "Let's get on it." "We can't help," Zita said. All three of them looked at her. She returned their glares. "At least not me and Dib here. We need to get the Runners out in the Maze."

"What?" Dib asked. "This is way more important!" "Maybe," Zita answered calmly, "but we can't miss a day out there. Not now." Dib felt a rush of disappointment. Running the Maze seemed like such a waste of time compared to figuring out the code. "Why, Zita? You said the pattern's basically been repeating itself for months— one more day won't mean a thing."

Zita slammed her hand against the table. "That's bullcrap, Dib! Of all days, this might be the most important to get out there. Something might've changed, something might've opened up. In fact, with the freaking walls not closing anymore, I think we should try your idea—stay out there overnight and do some deeper exploring."

That piqued Dib's interest—he had been wanting to do that. Conflicted, he asked, "But what about this code? What about—"

"Dib," Gaz said in a consoling voice. "Zita's right. You shanks go out and get Runnin'. I'll round up some Gladers we can trust and get workin' on this." Gaz sounded more like a leader than ever before.

"Me too," Zim agreed. "I'll stay and help Gaz." Dib looked at him. "You sure?" He was itching to figure out the code himself, but he decided Zita and Gaz were right.

He smiled and folded his arms. "If you're going to decipher a hidden code from a complex set of different mazes, I'm pretty sure you need an Irken's brain running the show." His grin turned into a smirk.

"If you say so." Dib folded his own arms, staring at him with a smile, suddenly not wanting to leave again.

"Good that." Zita nodded and turned to go. "Everything's fine and dandy. Come on." She started toward the door, but stopped when she realized Dib wasn't behind her.

"Don't worry, Dib," Gaz said. "Your boyfriend will be fine." Dib felt a million thoughts go through his head in that moment. An itch to learn the code, embarrassment at what Gaz thought of him and Zim, the intrigue of what they might find out in the Maze—and fear.

But he pushed it all aside. Without even saying goodbye, he finally followed Zita and they went up the stairs.

Dib helped Zita gather the Runners to give them the news and organize them for the big journey. He was surprised at how readily everyone agreed that it was time to do some more in-depth exploring of the Maze and stay out there overnight. Even though he was nervous and scared, he told Zita he could take one of the sections himself, but the Keeper refused. They had eight experienced Runners to do that. Dib was to go with her—which made Dib so relieved he was almost ashamed of himself.

He and Zita packed their backpacks with more supplies than usual; there was no telling how long they'd be out there. Despite his fear, Dib couldn't help being excited as well—maybe this was the day they'd find an exit.

He and Zita were stretching their legs by the West Door when Keef walked over to say goodbye. "I'd go with you," the boy said in a far too jovial voice, "but I don't wanna die a gruesome death." Dib laughed, surprising himself. "Thanks for the words of encouragement." "Be careful," Keef said, his tone quickly melting into genuine concern. "I wish I could help you guys." Dib was touched—he bet that if it really came down to it, Keef would go out there if he were asked to. "Thanks, Keef. We'll definitely be careful."

Zita grunted. "Being careful hasn't gotten us squat. It's all or nothing now, baby." "We better get going," Dib said. Butterflies swarmed in his gut, and he just wanted to move, to quit thinking about it. After all, going out in the Maze was no worse than staying in the Glade with open Doors. Though the thought didn't make him feel much better.

"Yeah," Zita responded evenly. "Let's go." "Well," Keef said, looking down at his feet before returning his gaze to Dib. "Good luck. If your boyfriend gets lonely for you, I'll give him some lovin'."

Dib rolled his eyes. "He's not my boyfriend, shuck-face." "Wow," Keef said. "You're already using Letter M's dirty words." He was obviously trying hard to pretend he wasn't scared of all the recent developments, but his eyes revealed the truth. "Seriously, good luck."

"Thanks, that means a lot," Zita answered with her own eye roll. "See ya, shank." "Yeah, see ya," Keef muttered, then turned to walk away. Dib felt a pang of sadness—it was possible he might never see Keef or Zim or any of them again. A sudden urge gripped him. "Don't forget my promise!" he yelled. "I'll get you home!"

Keef turned and gave him a thumbs-up; his eyes glimmered with tears.

Dib flipped up double thumbs; then he and Zita pulled on their backpacks and entered the Maze.