The Cahill Reunion (The 39 Clues)

Chapter-8

"What is this?" Ian exclaimed. "Cheese puffs? Coke? Grilled sandwich? You call this abomination food in America?!"

     Dan put on a totally fake sad face. "Sadly, yes. But there's nothing one can do so eat up!"

     Amy sighed. "Yeah, I knew you were gonna say that. That's why I went ahead and ordered some sushi for you and Natalie."

     "Thank you!" Natalie said. "I thought I was going to have to eat that."

     "No, Natalie, how could anyone put you through such a horrible situation!" Sinead taunted. But Natalie clearly didn't get that she was being insulted.

     Soon, everyone was well fed and ready to go on some rides again.

     "So, where do we go now?" Madison asked.

     "Well, Phoenix's ankle is still a little sore, so let's get a ride in the lake. It'll be soothing, also Phoenix won't need to walk," Amy said.

     "At last, everything's going my way," Ian said. 

     "Yeah, well, don't get your hopes up, 'cause it won't be like that for long," Dan replied, smirking.

     "Yes, Daniel, I know that after the boat ride, we'll do something that you or somebody else wants," Ian replied.

     Amy pulled Dan by his arm to a side. "I know that face! I've practically grown up watching that face! What're you planning to do to Ian?"

     Dan put on a look of grief. "How could you accuse me, your own flesh-and-blood brother, of such a horrible crime?!"

     "Because you're my flesh-and-blood brother! I'm warning you Dan, if you do anything --" Amy started but Dan cut her off.

     "Oh, I won't be doing anything," Dan said. And with that, he went to join the others. Amy sighed and followed.

     "Ian? Hamilton? Can you help Phoenix?" Amy asked.

     "No problem. I can lift Phoenix on my own," Hamilton replied.

     "Let's go to the lake!" Dan said, punching the air.

     They finally reached the lake. Their ride was a large motorboat with more than enough space for all of them. It was pearl white with the name 'Ocean Mist' painted across the boat. The captain was waving at them from the boat. Amy went to talk to him and pretty soon everyone was on deck. The captain told them to put lifejackets. The others agreed and began putting them on. Except one--

     "I hardly think a lifejacket would be necessary," Natalie argued with the captain. "It'll clash horribly with my dress!"

     "Ma'm, please, you need to put on a lifejacket," the captain insisted.

     "Listen, I've been on more boats than you've driven this boat of yours. I don't need to wear a lifejacket," Natalie said firmly.

     The captain shrugged. "Suit yourself."

     Soon, they were off, with everyone chatting and pointing to fish or a ride that they wanted to go to next. Amy was still suspicious about Dan, although he wasn't showing any sign of plotting a prank. So Amy let her guard down. But Amy soon found out that she was wrong in doing so.

     "And in England, we don't ha--" Ian stopped abruptly. Slinking from the corners in front of him, hissing, was Saladin. He was hissing furiously at Ian as if he would love nothing more than to claw every part of his body.