Summary: One of the boys receives shocking news. He doesn't know what to think of it, and neither do the others. What will he do about it? What can he do about it, if he can't take back the past?

Author's Note: Hey ya'll! I'm glad the last chapter didn't offend anyone. Thank you so much for your reviews, they are totally awesome, especially my faithful reviewers! Thanks! On with the story.

Disclaimer: I, in no way, shape, or form, own any part of Holes. It belongs to Louis Sachar.  

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Chapter Five: The Drama's Over, Right?

Magnet made the announcement about his newborn son that night after dinner. He was given the night off on account of his new arrival. Though, he was warned that he would have to make it up later. So, it isn't really a night off, now is it? Magnet had thought.

He didn't dwell too much on it though. He had already learned that nothing was easy at Camp Green Lake.

The boys didn't quite know what to say when Magnet told them about his new son.

"Um…congratulations," Squid offered awkwardly. What else was he supposed to say, now you have to deal with a kid for the rest of your life? He didn't think he would want to hear that. 

"Thanks, I guess," Magnet knew what Squid must have been thinking, because he was thinking the same thing.

For the first time X-Ray finally spoke to Magnet, "Is the baby okay? I mean, healthy and all?"

The boys looked to X-Ray shocked. He had avoided talking to Magnet for the past few weeks.

Magnet stood silent a while, thinking over what this now meant, "Yeah. Healthy baby boy." He smiled, knowing their friendship was rekindled with the simple, but genuine, concern.

"Good."

"What's his name?" Zigzag asked.

"Anthony, his name is Anthony," he sighed. Saying the baby's name brought back the reality of the situation.

X-Ray knew what that sigh meant. It meant he was worried about something, and he was pretty sure what it was.

"Hey, don't worry. You're gonna be fine. You'll go home, see your kid, and you'll be just fine. You're a good guy, and I bet you'll be a good dad too. Don't worry so much, this kid is gonna help you grow up," he seemed to state it, as if what he was saying was a fact.

Armpit's mouth was left hanging as he listened to what X-Ray was saying, "Since when did you get all wise and shit?"

They rest of the gang laughed, thinking the same as well.

"What are you talking about? I've always been, hasn't it shown?" X-Ray laughed along with the others.

"Thanks man. Seriously, it means a lot."

"No problem. Now that all the drama's over, let's get some sleep."

The trumpet sounded and everyone was up and out within ten minutes. The day seemed to go by much faster for everyone. The tension having vanished appeared to have lifted a weight off of all their shoulders.  

Magnet went to work as usual, as did the boys. Although no one complained about the hard work they were each doing, it just didn't seem so hard for some reason. Perhaps it had to do with them all being in the best mood they had been in a while.

Magnet accepted that he now had responsibilities. He knew what he had to do, and he was actually excited. He had a boy of his very own to mold and to teach all that he knew. He may have not known much about school subjects, but that's where Charisma came in. She was a whiz in school, she would be able to help with all that. However, he could teach the boy all of his street smarts. He could hardly wait.

Magnet finished his hole faster than expected and in time to walk with the rest of the boys over to the wreck room. They were on their way when they heard a voice calling out. They turned to see who it was and were surprised to see Mr. Sir running over to them.

"Hey, is Magnet over here?" They were, once again, surprised that he had used someone's real nickname, he normally said some crude remark like 'Maggot.'

"Yeah, why?" Magnet stepped forward, closer to the out of breath man.

"The warden wants you at her place, you have a phone call," he paused a moment to catch his breath and then started walking in the direction of the warden's cabin.

Everyone was completely thrown off. What was he talking about? No one ever received phone calls. They didn't even know there was a phone at camp.

Mr. Sir stopped when he realized he wasn't being followed, "Well? What're you waitin' for, winter ta come? Let's go.'

Magnet began to follow, utterly confused. The others didn't know what to do, but they were extremely curious as to why Magnet was getting a telephone call. They followed as well, figuring they could quench their curiosity faster if they weren't so far when he got off the phone.

When they reached the cabin Mr. Sir knocked on the door and walked in, not waiting for a reply.

"Did you bring him?" she demanded impatiently. Mr. Sir stepped back, stumbling on Magnet's foot, unconsciously touching his scratch scars on his face.

"Yeah, I'm here. What's goin' on?" he stepped in, pushing Mr. Sir out of his way. Though the man didn't like it, he didn't dare say anything. He wouldn't risk getting yelled at by the warden.

The rest of the tent members were crowding the doorway. The warden noticed and said, "It's up to you if they stay. I don't care, as long as they don't touch a single thing in here. Believe me, I will know what's been touched, and I wouldn't want to be the soul that gets caught," she warned.

The boys spilled into the small one room lodging. They were sure to be careful not to lay a hand on anything.

Magnet walked over to the phone she was trying to hand him. "Who's that?"

"The President, I don't know and I don't care. It's some girl," she said as he grabbed it from her. "You have ten minutes. If you're not off by then you have to dig an extra hole for every minute you waste."

She walked out of the room, pushing Mr. Sir with her. Magnet looked a moment at the retreating form of the warden wondering how she had been so kind to him earlier when she had found out about his situation and how different she seemed now. He didn't wonder too much, seeing as he didn't care much.

"Hello…Linda?" No one could remember who he was talking about, intriguing them into the conversation even more, seeing if they could figure it out.

He didn't say another word. He hung the phone up a few minutes later, then made his way out the door.

"Well, that was strange," Zigzag commented, all of them thinking the same thing.

They ran to catch up with him. "Well…who was it?" Squid asked.

Magnet stopped walking and stared into the horizon for a moment. Then he answered,

"A liar."

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Author's Note: There you go. What do you think he meant? Tell me in a review. Or tell me how much you liked/disliked this chapter. Tell me whatever you feel like, in a review.

Man, it's hard getting these stories written out, especially with school and work and all that good stuff. Anyways, I wanted to say a quick thank you to my reviewers, especially devillatina42069 for putting me on her favorites list. And to you faithful ones: Pearl Brandybuck, Spice of Life, and Nosilla who, I'm pretty sure, have reviewed every one of my chapters. Not that I don't appreciate the rest of you, because I do! I just thought they deserved a special shout-out.

XOXOXO – Lilac Bloom