I rubbed my eyes. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! It was like…riding a rollercoaster for the first time. The fear, the thrill of it all! It was incredible, but how was I going to even get it out? Wait, get it out? Had I gone crazy?

I placed my hands on top of my head and breathed just like I was taught a long time ago. What was I thinking! "Don't think just act!" A little voice was basically screaming. I wished it would shut up so I could concentrate. My stomach burned as I yelled in pure frustration.

Well, I had to make a decision. I looked back to the dim lights of the camp and back at the crater and I jumped. Dust flew up in my mouth as I butt slid down to the bottom. It wasn't that far, and when I touched down I spit.

Gross. Dust in my mouth…not cool. Small fires surrounded parts of the robot and as long as I didn't get too close, I supposed I'd be okay. I absolutely hated fire, like Paige hated horses…I really, really didn't like fire. Although I couldn't see how Paige could hate horses, they were beautiful and majestic.

Oh never mind, back to the freaky giant robot. I really wished I could just go back, relive this day...and chose not to come down here.

Dang it and my curiosity. I walked the perimeter of the crater, noting the "armor" was black and white, and some words were written on the left side. To punish and enslave. Well that wasn't very nice. Moving on, I came up to its face. I avoided the fires so close, wincing at the heat as I brushed by. He was weird, like foreign you know, like getting an exchange student or something.

I very gingerly reached up my hand and touched his face, my fingers singed. I put them in my mouth. Ow! That thing was friggin' hot!

Hopping up and down, I tried not to scream but holy cow that hurt. I took them out of my moth and waved them trying to cool them with the air. I thought about vengefully kicking it but…that probably wouldn't have ended well. Instead I ventured,

"Hey…robot. Are you alive?" No answer. Either it was unconscious or dead. I was almost hoping for the second one, yet then again I wasn't. I felt weird calling it "robot" and "it" so I decided to call it "him" until further notice. But then again…did robots have gender? Now that was a question to ask science!

Okay now I just had to get him out. But how? Just then…inspiration struck. I clambered up the side of said crater, pulling myself up after many attempts. It was terribly slanted. My stomach hurt really bad, how was I going to explain that to the nurse any how?

'Oh yes, Ms. Nurse I saw something fall out of the sky and I ran after it, tripped over the horse pasture fence and found a giant robot.'

That would be a real hit with them wouldn't it. No. I had to keep him a secret, and so I ran off into the dark to get what I needed to get him out.

-------------------------------------------

"Are you crazy?!"

I realized with grogginess that someone was yelling. I raised my head wearily, peering around. I was slumped on the floor, my head had been resting on warm metal and Paige was standing over the top of me.

"Wha'?" I mumbled, yawning half way through this. I wasn't a morning person. Paige was frowning, as she raged on about something that I hadn't a clue what she was talking about.

"I can't believe you brought it in here! What were you thinking! Do you know how much trouble we—," She glared at me, as I interrupted.

"What are you talking about?" I was surprised that I had phrased a complete sentence despite being almost halfway still asleep. She pointed an accusing finger at the giant robot, her hair falling messily in her face. She was usually a very neat person, but she was also a worry wart.

She'd probably stayed up half the night for me…wait…giant robot? I looked up. I had fallen asleep on the robot, I realized as I noticed a pile of drool. A set of wrenches, a blowtorch, and a few screwdrivers were on the floor beside me.

I sat up quickly trying to remember. I had gotten the thing out with the tractor...and a little bit of help from an adult who won't be named. I promised I wouldn't tell.

Oh.

"I'm going to tell Ms. Jan." Paige turned to go, but I scrambled up, fell, got back up and caught her arm just as she reached the door.

"Please Paige. Don't. It can be our little secret, and I promise to take care of him."

"Izzy, it's not a pet. It's a giant…possibly alien robot!" Paige shook her head.

"Please." I pleaded. She rolled her eyes and mumbled something.

"YES!" I jumped in the air and then hugged her. "Thanks you won't regret this." I was so happy, and I looked back to my greatest and latest project.

Now I had some work to do, I glanced at the clock across the room. 10:45. Oh crap. I was late for my morning bible class. I skipped out the door, leaving Paige behind.

"I've got to go!" I shouted, as she watched me run off. I had to change, go to the nurse, make up a believable story, and kiss some major butt for being late. I'd have to wait until I had some free time before going back to the shop.

I could only hope Paige could keep a secret…and that she'd locked the door behind her.