"Such as...what?"
"I dunno, like a scavenger hunt?"
"Sure. Have you ever done one before?"
"No. Have you?"
"No."
"This could be a problem. Jake? Cassie?" They scurried over. "Have either of you ever made a scavenger hunt?"
"No," they replied in unison.
"Scavenger hunt?" Jordan asked. "I'm good at those. I did one in third grade. Do you guys need me to make one?"
We didn't have anything to say for a moment until Jake spoke, "Yeah, that would be great! Do you want to work with Sara?"
"Nah..." Jordan whispered conspiratorially. "she's too dumb!"
"Well, you go ahead and get started," said Cassie. Jordan needed no further encouragement; she headed up the stairs. Sara trooped after her.
"Should be interesting," Marco nodded at Sara.
"Thanks anyhow," Jake said. "If those two asked me when I was going...to...do something...one more time, I'd-"
"Do what?" Cassie asked innocently.
Jake's face turned an awkward shade-hey Ax, were you there for that?
>No, I wasn't, I was->
Oh, right, of course you weren't.
>Why do you ask?>
I was wondering if you could tell me which of the web colors it was.
>No.>
I'll have to be descriptive then (ha, I did learn something from middle school English!). Jake's face turned an a shade of red that looked like a sickly baby Taxxon. "To...uh...go out with you."
Cassie smiled. "I guess I've got Parcheesi immunity."
I'm guessing Marco was about to say something, but he didn't get the chance. Sara fled down the stairs, traumatized and sobbing. She flung herself onto Mom's lap, muffling her cries. Mom ran her hand over Sara's hair until her whimpers faded. "Are you okay, honey?"
"I saw s-something scary."
"Can you tell me about it?"
"I w-was in the hallway. Looking f-for something to help Jordan with h-her treasure hunt. And I t-tried to open the door to the bathr-room, and I saw a blue m-monster. It had f-four-"
Tom jumped out of his chair, jaw tight.