The Madrona Heroes Register: Underneath It All

Chapter 40 - The Long Way Around

“That’s going to take too long.” Zoe said. “And what if he leaves while we’re running all the way around?”

“Some of us should stay here and wait.” Zach said.

“How do you even know there’s a way in?” Zoe said.

“I don’t.” Zach conceded. “But we’re wasting time. If I run the whole way I should be able to make it in ten minutes.”

“I still don’t understand why you don’t go through Soul Repair.” Penny said.

“We’d have to break in. It’s closed now.” Binny said.

“That’s not a problem.” Penny said waggling her fingers and raising her eyebrows.

“We’re not breaking into Soul Repair. It would hurt Kay’s feelings.” Binny said in a way that left no room for disagreement.

“It’s fine. I can get back to the distillery room from the shelter.” Zach explained.

“Great. Why don’t I go and you can wait here?” Zoe suggested, arms crossed in front of her chest.

Zach’s shoulders slumped in exasperation. “I know the way the best.”

“I can fly.” Zoe responded with raised eyebrows.

“And if the way in to the basement was on a cloud, you’d be the perfect choice.” Zach sniped back.

“You know what Zach Jordan?” Zoe pushed her face forward as she spoke. “You don’t trust me. You don’t think I can do it. I don’t need you to look out for me. You don’t tell me what to do!”

Thunder sounded in the distance. This time lightning had been visible across the lake before it sounded.

Zach took a deep breath, exhaling through his nostrils before he stepped forward to within inches of Zoe and said in a low but firm voice, “You know something Zoe? I like you. I like you a lot. I know that you don’t like to hear things like that, so I won’t say it again. And this probably means you won’t be my friend. But just know this: you are a hurricane of strong and smart and funny, and better than me at most things. I just think this may be one of the very few exceptions because I’ve already memorized the way.”

Binny and Penny looked at each other, mouths open. Even Cassie and Gabe were taken aback by Zach’s declaration. 

Zoe stood still, her mouth a perfect ‘O’. All speech seemed to have been disabled. After a few seconds she managed to squeak out one word. “OK.”

“Can I go with Zach?” Gabe said to his sister and then leaning over to Zach, “I run really fast.”

“Sure. OK.” Zoe said. 

“Me too.” Cassie chimed in.

Before they turned to leave, Zach said to Zoe, Binny, and Penny, “Just make sure, if he tries to leave that he doesn’t get away.” And then Zach and the two younger kids were gone.

Zoe plopped down on the ground to wait. Binny and Penny stayed a few feet away as Zoe seemed to be lost in thought.

“Maybe we should walk around the house, you know, to make sure Ollie doesn’t try to escape. Just until Zach gets here.” Penny suggested.

Binny and Penny looked to Zoe for a reaction. When they got a barely perceptible nod, they started patrolling the perimeter of the house.

§

“Can we at least bring them some proper clothing for the rain? An umbrella or two maybe?” Julie asked the assemblage of adults. The thunder in the distance wasn’t sounding so distant anymore in Julie’s mind.