,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,T]IJIAN 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

  

,= EV]Y =E/ DE/ROY$ 

,= EV]Y ELF :O FI<TS BACK  

,LITTLE ONE1 

,IT WILL BE YE>S BE=E Y\ READ ?IS /ORY1 & LONG] /ILL BE=E Y\ F9D ! MESSAGES ,I'VE SMUGGL$ TO Y\ 9 IT4 ,BY ! TIME Y\ READ ?IS1 ! WORLD ( ,T]IJIAN WILL PROBABLY BE GONE4 ,IT SEEMS ! ELVES :O LIVE !RE HAVE DISAPPE>$4 ,I WAIT & WAIT1 BUT !Y NEV] RETURN4 ,! ELVES SEEM TO BE DY+ ) !IR =E/S4 

,BUT ,I'LL LET Y\ 9 ON SOME?+ ,I WI% ,I'D LE>N$ A LONG TIME AGO4 ,NO ONE IS BORN AN ELF2 !RE >E ONLY ?OSE :O *OOSE TO ACT AS ELVES4 

,P]HAPS ,I DIDN'T LE>N ?IS 9 TIME TO SAVE ,T]IJIAN1 BUT IF Y\ >E BRAVE 5\< TO HOPE & /RONG 5\< TO ACT1 !N MAYBE ,I WILL HAVE SAV$ ,T]IJIAN AFT] ALL--9 Y\4 

,! WORLD IS Y\RS4 ,%>E IT4 ,DEF5D IT4 

,I WAIT ANXI\SLY TO SEE Y\ AMONG US1 & TO GREET Y\ ) OP5 >MS6 

,Y\RS1 

,S4 

#a 

  

,ONCE !RE WAS A LITTLE BOY NAM$ ,CONNOR4 ,HE WAS A SMALL *ILD1 MU* SMALL] ?AN ! RE/ ( HIS PE]S1 & HE DIDN'T GET ALONG ) !M MU*4 ,9 FACT1 HE SP5T A LOT ( TIME PLAY+ ALONE4 

,CONNOR LIV$ 9 A NEI<BORHOOD 9 :I* ! ONLY O!R *ILDR5 W]E V]Y Y\NG1 TOO Y\NG TO WALK1 LET ALONE PLAY4 ,DON'T />T FEEL+ BAD = ,CONNOR1 ?\<--HE WAS QUITE CONT5T ) BE+ ON HIS [N4 

,CONNOR'S H\SE WAS BUILT ON ! $GE ( A GREAT =E/4 ,?IS IS :]E HE SP5T MU* ( HIS TIME BETWE5 WAK+ UP & FALL+ ASLEEP4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR W\LD GO 9TO ! =E/S JU/ BEYOND :]E HIS LAWN 5D$1 & HE W\LD 5T] A WORLD ( MAKE-BELIEVE4 

,H\RS W]E SP5T PLAY+ 9 ?IS MAKE-BELIEVE WORLD4 ,IT WAS NOT SURPRIS+ = AN ANIMAL !RE TO SPEAK TO Y\4 ,FA]IES & ELVES EXI/$ & PLAY$ !RE1 TOO1 & MAGICK WAS AS COMMON AS ! W>M SUMM] BREEZE4 

,CONNOR AFFECTIONATELY CALL$ ! WOODS & ! WORLD ?AT EXI/$ 9 !M ,T]IJIAN4 ,IT WAS NAM$ AFT] A MY?IC ELF ?AT ,CONNOR BELIEV$ HAD ONCE LIV$ 9 ! =E/1 :O HAD1 ACCORD+ TO LEG5D1 F\<T (F MANY GREAT BEA/S & DRAGONS ?AT WI%$ TO DE/ROY IT4 

,LITTLE DID ,CONNOR KN[ ?AT ! WORLD ( ,T]IJIAN ACTUALLY EXI/$6 ,?IS SECRET WORLD ( 5*ANTM5T WAS HIDD5 JU/ BEYOND HIS WORLD ( MAKE-BELIEVE1 RI<T NEXT TO ! WORLD ( MUNDANE ?+S4 

,!RE W]E ALL K9DS ( SECRETS 9 ?IS WORLD4 ,MAGICK DID EXI/1 & IT FL[$ ?R\< EV]Y?+ ?AT LIV$4 ,FA]IES FLEW ?R\< ! AIR BY DAY & AT NI<T !IR LI<TS DANC$ 9 ! SKY4 ,& ! BE/-KEPT SECRET WAS ! ELVES ?AT LIV$ 9 ! =E/ & PROTECT$ IT FROM H>M4 

,?IS FANTA/IC EV]YDAY WORLD WAS HIDD5 TO ,CONNOR4 ,?AT IS1 IT WAS1 UNTIL ONE DAY E>LY 9 SUMM]1 A NEW FAMILY MOV$ 9 D[N ! /REET4 ,CONNOR HE>D ?AT !RE WAS A Y\NG GIRL :O LIV$ !RE4 ,EV5 ?\< HE WAS EXCIT$ AT ! PROSPECT ( ANO!R *ILD HIS AGE1 HE WAS TOO %Y TO 9TRODUCE HIMSELF4 

,ONE DAY1 ,CONNOR PE]$ \T HIS W9D[ & SAW ! LITTLE GIRL TROTT+ D[N ! /REET4 ,%E HAD H] H&S 9 H] POCKETS AS %E MADE H] WAY D[N ! ROAD1 UP HIS DRIVEWAY1 & F9ALLY RI<T UP TO HIS FRONT /EP4 ,!RE WAS A TAP AT ! DOOR1 & LITTLE ,CONNOR PEEK$ \T ! W9D[ BE=E PULL+ ! DOOR OP54 

,! LITTLE GIRL /OOD ON ! /EP WE>+ A %IRT TWO SIZES TOO BIG4 ,%E )DREW ONE H& FROM A POCKET ( H] %ORT %ORTS & SAID1 

0,HI60 ) A BIG SMILE & A SLI<T WAVE4 0,I'M ,MORIKO4 ,MY FAMILY JU/ MOV$ 9 UP ! BLOCK40 

0,I'M ,CONNOR10 HE /AT$1 HIS H& /ILL CAUTI\SLY ON ! DOOR H&LE4 

0,WANNA PLAY80 %E ASK$1 KICK+ H] FOOT4 

0,ALRI<T40 ,CONNOR GRABB$ HIS %OES & /EPP$ ONTO ! POR*4 

0,BUT ,I HAVE TO BE BACK BE=E DUSK40 

0,OKAY10 REPLI$ ,MORIKO AS ,CONNOR TI$ HIS %OES4 0,SO :AT DO Y\ USUALLY DO >\ND H]E80 

,CONNOR HOPP$ UP & SUGGE/$1 0,WE C\LD GO 9 ! WOODS & PLAY MAKE-BELIEVE40 

,MORIKO AGRE$1 & ! TWO LITTLE ONES SCURRI$ ?R\< ,CONNOR'S BACKY>D UP TO ! $GE ( ! LAWN1 & !N /EPP$ 9TO ! =E/4 ,! LEAVES RU/L$ 9 ! W9D1 BLOCK+ \T ! BUSY NOISES ( ! RE/ ( ! WORLD4 

,! TWO *ILDR5 BEGAN PLAY+ A GAME ( MAKE-BELIEVE AS !Y 5T]$ ! WOODS4 ,CONNOR BECAME ,A/OR1 ! DRUID ( ,T]IJIAN1 GUID+ ! W>RIOR ,YLVA TO A SACR$ GROVE DEEP 9 ! =E/4 

,AS !Y J\RNEY$ ?R\< ! =E/1 ! *ILDR5 SAW TWO Y\NG DE] WALK+ ALONG A PA? ?R\< ! TREES4 ,TE *ILDR5 /OPP$ !IR PLAY & WAT*$4 ,ONE DE] NUZZL$ ITS HEAD AGA9/ ! O!R BE=E GALLOP+ (F ?R\< ! WOODS4 ,! O!R PRANC$ QUICKLY BEH9D ! FIR/1 & ! TWO CIRCL$ & *AS$ EA* O!R 9TO ! =E/4 

,LITTLE ,MORIKO & ,CONNOR CR\*$ TOGE!R1 LOOK+ AFT] ! TWO Y\NG DE] 9 AMAZEM5T4 ,!N ,MORIKO GLANC$ AT ,CONNOR1 BUMP$ H] HEAD AGA9/ HIS1 & D>T$ (F ?R\< ! WOODS4 

,CONNOR JUMP$ UP & *AS$ AFT] ! LAU<+ GIRL1 RUNN+ ?R\< TANGL$ BRAN*ES & JUMP+ OV] LOGS4 ,! RU%+ =E/ SL[$ AS !Y CIRCL$ EA* O!R1 GIGGL+ 9 GLEE4 

,CONNOR TAGG$ ,MORIKO BE=E HOPP+ (F 9 ANO!R DIRECTION4 ,MORIKO WAS MU* FA/] ?AN ,CONNOR1 & %E CAU<T UP QUICKLY4 

,%E REA*$ \T H] >MS & TACKL$ HIM1 & ! TWO ROLL$ D[N A HILL4 ,LEAVES FLEW UP AS ! TWO TUMBL$ D[N4 

,LY+ 9 ! LEAVES AT ! TRUNK ( A Y\NG COTTONWOOD1 ! TWO LOOK$ UP ?R\< ITS BRAN*ES & TRI$ TO CAT* !IR BREA?4 0,HAVE Y\ EV] NOTIC$ H[ DIFF]5T TREES LOOK FROM ! BOTTOM80 ,MORIKO ASK$ AS %E GAZ$ UPW>D4 ,CONNOR LOOK$ UP1 & HE C\LDN'T QUITE PUT HIS F+] ON IT1 BUT IT WAS AS IF HE HAD NEV] SE5 A TREE BE=E4 

,AS HE LAY !RE APPRECIAT+ ! VIEW ( BRAN*ES AGA9/ A BACKDROP ( LEAVES & SKY1 A T9Y SQUIRREL POK$ ITS HEAD \T FROM ! BRAN*ES ABOVE !M4 ,?IS S5T ! TWO *ILDR5 9TO FITS ( GIGGLES4 ,! SQUIRREL COCK$ ITS HEAD UPW>D T[>DS ! TREE BRAN*ES1 & ,MORIKO ASK$1 0,:AT DO Y\ ?9K IT'S TRY+ TO TELL US80 

,CONNOR %RUGG$ AS ! SQUIRREL SCURRI$ UP ! TREE4 ,MORIKO JUMP$ UP & GRABB$ ONE ( ! L[] BRAN*ES4 ,%E PULL$ H]SELF UP ONTO ! FIR/ BRAN*1 /OOD UP1 & LOOK$ = ANO!R4 ,AS %E SWUNG UP ONTO ANO!R BRAN*1 ,CONNOR YELL$ AT H]1 0,:AT >E Y\ DO+80 

0,COME ON UP10 ,MORIKO YELL$ BACK1 PUTT+ H] FOOT ON A ?ICK BRAN* & BOO/+ H]SELF UP ONTO ! NEXT4 

0,NAH10 ,CONNOR SAID1 /&+ UP4 0,CLIMB+ TREES IS DUMB40 

,MORIKO JU/ GAVE A LITTLE LAU< BE=E PULL+ H]SELF UP ONTO A BRAN*4 ,%E SAT !RE RE/+ = A MOM5T4 0,Y\'RE JU/ AFRAID40 

0,NO60 PROTE/$ ,CONNOR4 ,BUT 9 FACT1 ,CONNOR WAS AFRAID ( HI< PLACES4 ,IT CAN BE V]Y H>D = PEOPLE TO ADMIT !IR FE>S1 BUT IT IS H>D] /ILL TO FACE !M4 ,CONNOR YELL$ UP TO ,MORIKO1 0,I JU/ DON'T FEEL LIKE CLIMB+4 ,LET'S DO SOME?+ ELSE40 

0,COME ON10 ,MORIKO REPLI$ AS %E SWUNG H] LEGS1 0WE CAN CLIMB TO ! TOP & LOOK OV] ! TOP ( ! =E/60 

,IT W\LD BE A NICE VIEW1 ,CONNOR ?\<T1 BUT IT'S WAY TOO DANG]\S4 ,EV5 ?9K+ ( SITT+ ON ! L[E/ BRAN* MADE HIS /OMA* UNEASY4 

,MORIKO /OOD UP ON H] BRAN* & /EPP$ OV] TO A NEI<BOR+ ONE4 ,ONE ( H] FEET SLIPP$ AS %E MOV$1 TWI/+ ,CONNOR'S /OMA*4 ,%E PE]$ ?R\< ! BRAN*ES & LEAVES ( ! TREE1 & %E SL[LY P>T$ SOME ( ! SMALL] BRAN*ES AS %E 9*$ ALONG ! BRAN*4 

0,HEY ,CONNOR60 %E YELL$ D[N AS %E PE]$ \T ( ! TREE1 

0,!RE'S A NE/ OV] !RE60 

,CONNOR'S EYES FOLL[$ H] PO9T+ F+]4 ,SQU9T+ 9 ! BRI<T SUN1 HE NOTIC$ A BUNDLE ( TWIGS BY ! TOP ( A NE>BY OAK TREE4 ,A BIRD WAS P]*$ 9 ! NE/1 WAT*+ ITS SURR\ND+S4 

0,LET'S GO LOOK AT IT40 

,SLID+ D[N ! TREE1 ,MORIKO GOT TO ! GR\ND EV5 FA/] ?AN %E HAD GOTT5 TO ! TOP4 ,TE TWO LITTLE ONES SCURRI$ OV] TO ! GROVE ( OAKS4 ,LOOK+ UP ?R\< ! BRAN*ES1 ,MORIKO ASK$1 0,:AT K9D ( BIRD DO Y\ ?9K IT IS80 

,! BIRD'S LI<T BR[N HEAD SCANN$ ! TOPS ( ! TREES 9T5TLY4 ,IT RU/L$ ITS FEA!RS1 REVEAL+ A PAT*WORK ( BR[N & :ITE1 BE=E L[]+ ITS D>K R$ TAIL OV] ITS LITTLE ONES4 

,IT ONLY TOOK ,CONNOR A MOM5T BE=E HE EXCLAIM$1 0,IT'S A HAWK60 

,MORIKO />T$ TO CLIMB A BRAN*1 0,LET'S GO TALK TO IT40 

0,NO1 Y\ DON'T WANT TO SC>E IT AWAY40 ,CONNOR PULL$ H] D[N4 

0,WE HAVE TO MAKE FRI5DS ) IT FIR/40 

0,GOOD IDEA40 

,CONNOR ADMIR$ ! BEAUTIFUL CREATURE AS HE SAID1 0,I WANT ONE ( ITS FEA!RS40 

0,ASK H] = ONE10 ,MORIKO REPLI$4 

,CONNOR LOOK$ UP AT ! HAWK & YELL$1 0,MRS4 ,HAWK60 

0,HEY60 ,MORIKO HIT ,CONNOR4 0,H[ DO Y\ KN[ ?AT %E'S M>RI$80 

0,OH YEAH40 ,HE />T$ OV]3 0,MS4 ,HAWK8 ,W\LD Y\ M9D GIV+ ME ONE ( Y\R FEA!RS80 

,! HAWK LOOK$ D[N T[>DS HIM BE=E TURN+ H] EYES BACK T[>DS ! =E/4 ,T9Y HAWKS TRI$ TO PEEK \T FROM UND] !IR MO!R'S FEA!RS4 ,TO ,CONNOR1 !Y JU/ LOOK$ LIKE PUFFS ( FLUFF4 

0,%E SAYS Y\ HAVE TO E>N IT10 ,MORIKO /AT$ ) A LAU<4 

0,E>N IT80 ,CONNOR ?\<T4 ,SOME PEOPLE ADMIRE ANIMALS BY KILL+ !M TO HANG ON WALLS OR WE> AS CLO?+1 BUT ?AT SEEM$ LIKE A DUMB IDEA TO ,CONNOR4 0,H[ DO ,I E>N A FEA!R80 HE ASK$4 

,! HAWK SPREAD ITS W+S & FLEW PA/ ! TREES & OV] A CLE>+4 ,! TWO /EPP$ =W>D & WAT*$ ! CREATURE FLY4 ,IT SWOOP$ D[N OV] ! VALLEY ?AT LAY BETWE5 ! TWO SIDES ( ! =E/4 

,IT SCREE*$ AS IT SO>$ OV] ! WOODS NE> ! 5D ( ! VALLEY4 ,CIRCL+ ! TREES A FEW MORE TIMES1 ! HAWK LET \T ITS CRY1 0,K,E,EE]60 

,MORIKO LOOK$ OV] AT ,CONNOR4 0,%E SAID ?AT TO E>N A FEA!R1 WE HAVE TO SAVE ! =E/40 

0,FROM :AT80 ,CONNOR WAS PUZZL$4 ,! =E/ HAD NEV] BE5 9 ANY K9D ( REAL TR\BLE BE=E4 

,MORIKO LOOK$ \T ACROSS ! CLE>+4 0,I'M NOT SURE :AT1 BUT ,I ?9K IT MI<T BE OV] !RE40 ,%E RAIS$ A F+] TO :]E ! HAWK CIRCL$4 ,NOISES RO>$ \T FROM ! TREES1 & WISPS ( BLACK SMOKE ROSE ABOVE ! =E/'S CANOPY4 

0,COME ON1 ,A/OR4 ,LET'S GO40 

,CONNOR & ,MORIKO WALK$ ?R\< ! VALLEY4 ,! GRASS >\ND !M /RET*$ TO OV] TWICE !IR HEI<T4 ,IT :IPP$ & WAV$ AS ! W9D BLEW BETWE5 ! =E/S4 ,! RU/L+ ( A ?\S& LEAVES FILL$ ! AIR4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES FOLL[$ ! WISPS ( BLACK SMOKE ?AT L+]$ 9 ! AIR4 ,BY ! TIME !Y 5T]$ ! O!R SIDE ( ! =E/1 !Y C\LD NO LONG] SEE ! SMOKE ?R\< ! CANOPY4 ,9/EAD1 ! TWO FOLL[$ ! GR[LS COM+ FROM DEEP 9 ! =E/4 

,/EPP+ UP ! /EEP HILL1 ! TWO ADV5TUR]S >RIV$ AT ! $GE ( A CLE>+4 ,CONNOR HAD NEV] SE5 ?IS CLE>+ BE=E4 ,!RE WAS NO LIFE ON ! GR\ND4 ,!RE W]E NO FL[]S OR EV5 GRASS4 ,9/EAD1 !RE WAS ONLY DIRT & CAK$ MUD4 

,ANCI5T TREES LAY ON !IR SIDES1 NAK$ & /RIPP$ ( !IR BRAN*ES4 ,GIANT 5TANGL+ ROOTS W]E SEV]$ FROM !IR TRUNKS1 /ILL GRASP+ UPROOT$ SOIL4 ,:]E Y\NG TREES HAD ONCE /OOD1 N[ !RE W]E ONLY SNAPP$ & BROK5 TRUNKS4 

,CONNOR FELL 9TO ! GIANT TRACKS ?AT CUT ?R\< ! GR\ND4 ,HIS KNEES SUNK 9 ! MUD AS HE KNELT BE=E A DY+ TREE4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR C\LD NOT HELP BUT LET TE>S FILL HIS EYES4 ,& AL?\< SOME ?9K IT IS A T]RIBLE ?+ = BOYS TO CRY1 ESPECIALLY 9 FRONT ( A GIRL1 ,CONNOR LET ! T9Y TE>S FALL4 ,!Y TRICKL$ D[N HIS NOSE & DROPP$ TO WET ! GR\ND4 

,MORIKO LOOK$ ACROSS ! /RET* ( B>R5 GR\ND BE=E SITT+ D[N ON H] FEET & WRAPP+ H] >MS >\ND ,CONNOR1 HOLD+ HIM TI<T4 ,CONNOR LET HIMSELF CRY 9 H] >MS = A :ILE BE=E EV5TUALLY RIS+ TO HIS FEET4 

,MORIKO LOOK$ AWAY FROM HIS TE>Y EYES & WIP$ AT H] [N4 

,! TWO LOOK$ UP ! HILL4 ,A BIG YELL[ MA*9E SAT AT ! 5D ( ! PA? ( BROK5 TREES & TORN GR\ND4 

0,?AT'S :AT WE NE$ TO SAVE ! =E/ FROM10 ,MORIKO /AT$ AS %E GAZ$ /EADILY AT ! MA*9E4 0,?AT IS :AT'S DE/ROY+ ! =E/40 

,! MA*9E LOOK$ LIKE A D+Y YELL[ DRAGON ( MON/R\S PROPORTIONS4 ,! TRACKS ALONE W]E AS WIDE AS ,CONNOR'S \T/RET*$ >MS1 & ! :EELS MU/ HAVE BE5 AT LEA/ TWICE HIS HEI<T4 ,AT ! FRONT ( ! MA*9E1 !RE W]E MASSIVE CLAWS & BUZZ+ SAWS ?AT CUT LIKE GNA%+ TEE?4 

0,H[ >E WE SUPPOS$ TO /OP ?AT80 ,CONNOR /AMM]$1 DI%E>T5$4 

,MORIKO SAT QUIETLY1 LOOK+ AT ! BROK5 TREES4 0,I DON'T KN[40 

0,MAYBE ! ELVES WILL HELP80 ,CONNOR WOND]$ AL\D ) JU/ ! SLI<TE/ GLIMM] ( HOPE 9 HIS EYE4 

0,! ELVES80 ASK$ ,MORIKO CURI\SLY4 

0,YEAH1 ELVES60 ,CONNOR REPLI$1 LOOK+ BACK AT ,MORIKO ) WIDE EYES4 0,ELVES LIVE 9 =E/S & PROTECT !M4 ,=E/S LIKE ?IS ONE40 

0,OH1 ,I BELIEVE 9 ELVES10 ,MORIKO REASSUR$ HIM4 0,BUT DO Y\ REALLY ?9K !Y LIVE 9 ?IS =E/80 

0,SURE4 ,ELVES LIVE 9 ALL =E/S4 ,!Y ONLY LEAVE :5 !Y CAN NO LONG] PROTECT ! =E/4 ,?AT'S :5 =E/S DIE40 

0,H[ DO Y\ SUPPOSE WE CONTACT !SE ELVES80 ,MORIKO ASK$ SUSPICI\SLY4 

0,I'M NOT SURE10 REPLI$ ,CONNOR1 0,BUT MAYBE !Y APPE> :5 !Y'RE NE$$40 ,CONNOR TOOK NOTICE ( ! D>K5+ SKY4 ,! SUN HAD ALREADY DIPP$ BEL[ ! HORIZON1 & ITS LI<T WAS QUICKLY FAD+4 0,IT'S GETT+ D>K ?\<4 ,I PROBABLY NE$ TO BE GETT+ HOME40 

,MORIKO TOOK A LOOK AT ! SKY & ANO!R LOOK BACK AT ! MA*9E4 

0,WE NE$ TO COME BACK40 

0,WE WILL TOMORR[10 SAID ,CONNOR AS HE BEGAN WALK+ BACK 9TO ! =E/1 0BUT ,I NE$ TO GET HOME1 OR ,I'LL BE 9 BIG TR\BLE40 

,SI<+ HEAVILY1 ,MORIKO TURN$ & RAN AFT] ,CONNOR4 ,! TWO LITTLE ONES RU%$ HOME AS ! SKY D>K5$4 ,:5 !Y PASS$ 9TO ,CONNOR'S BACKY>D1 !Y P>T$ WAYS4 ,CONNOR CREPT 9TO HIS H\SE JU/ AS D9N] WAS SET ON ! TABLE4 

0,CONNOR60 ,HIS MO!R LOOK$ AT HIS MUDDY %OES & DIRTY OV]ALLS4 0,WA% UP & *ANGE6 ,D9N]'S READY40 

,CONNOR KICK$ (F HIS %OES1 HURRI$ UP ! /AIRS1 & *ANG$ CLO!S4 ,AFT] WA%+ HIS H&S1 HE F9ALLY SAT D[N AT ! TABLE4 ,CONNOR REMA9$ QUIET AS HE ATE4 ,HIS MO!R PE]$ OV] AT HIM & WAT*$ AS ! LITTLE BOY PU%$ HIS FOOD >\ND1 SI<$1 & TOOK DI/RACT$ BITES4 

0,Y\'RE AWFULLY QUIET1 ,CONNOR40 

,! LITTLE BOY %RUGG$ AS HE />$ D[N AT HIS PLATE4 

0,IS SOME?+ WRONG80 

,RE/+ HIS FACE AGA9/ HIS H&1 ,CONNOR REPLI$1 0,:Y IS ! =E/ BE+ DE/ROY$80 

0,DE/ROY$80 ,HIS MO!R ASK$ ) SURPRISE4 

0,!RE WAS A BIG YELL[ MA*9E \T 9 ! WOODS1 & IT HAD CUT D[N A LOT ( ! TREES40 

0,IT'S NOT BE+ DE/ROY$1 ,CONNOR4 ,!Y'RE CLE>+ ! WAY = A NEW ROAD SO MORE PEOPLE CAN MOVE NE> ?IS NEI<BORHOOD4 ,I'LL BET ?AT 9 ONE ( ?OSE H\SES !RE WILL BE ANO!R KID Y\R AGE1 & Y\ WILL HAVE ANO!R FRI5D40 

,CONNOR ?\<T AB\T ?IS4 ,HE LIK$ ! IDEA ( HAV+ MORE KIDS HIS AGE >\ND1 BUT ,MORIKO HAD JU/ MOV$ 94 ,BESIDES1 HE LIK$ ! =E/ MORE4 

0,BUT :AT AB\T ! =E/8 ,CAN'T PEOPLE MOVE SOME:]E ELSE80 

0,WELL1 Y\ SEE ,CONNOR1 !Y >E ALSO SETT+ UP ELECTRIC L9ES4 ,NOT ONLY WILL WE HAVE *EAP] ELECTRICITY1 BUT WE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO GET MORE *ANNELS ON ! TELEVISION40 

,CONNOR ?\<T AB\T ?IS AGA94 ,HE LIK$ ! IDEA ( HAV+ MORE *ANNELS ON ! TELEVISION1 BUT HE DIDN'T WAT* IT MU* ANYMORE4 ,BESIDES1 HE LIK$ ! =E/ MORE4 

0,BUT :AT AB\T ! ANIMALS 9 ! =E/1 MO!R80 

0,Y\ KN[1 ,CONNOR1 !Y >E ACTUALLY PLANN+ TO BUILD A P>K TOO4 ,9/EAD ( HAV+ TO PLAY >\ND 9 ! WOODS1 Y\ WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON SLIDES & SW+S40 

,CONNOR ?\<T AB\T ?IS1 TOO4 ,HE LIK$ PLAY+ ON SLIDES & SW+S1 BUT IT WAS NEV] AS FUN AS EXPLOR+ & ADV5TUR+ 9 ! WOODS4 ,F9ALLY1 ,CONNOR CAME TO A CONCLUSION4 ,HE LIK$ ! =E/ MORE4 

,LIKE MO/ MO!RS1 ,CONNOR'S MO!R WORRI$ AB\T HIM4 ,%E KNEW IT MI<T BE UNSAFE = HIM TO BE \T !RE NE> ! CON/RUCTION SITE4 ,:AT IF A CUT TREE FELL ON HIM1 OR WORSE8 ,%E =BID ,CONNOR TO GO NE> ! SITE4 

0,CONNOR1 ,I WANT Y\ TO /AY AWAY FROM ! CON/RUCTION & ! MA*9ES4 ,IT'S DANG]\S1 & Y\ MI<T GET HURT4 ,PROMISE ME Y\ WON'T GO NE> IT40 

,CONNOR ?\<T AB\T ! HAWK & HIS ADV5TURE TO E>N A FEA!R1 BUT HIS MO!R HAD TOLD HIM NOT TO GO !RE4 ,SO1 QUIETLY1 HE AGRE$1 0,I PROMISE ,I WON'T40 

,AFT] F9I%+ HIS FOOD & WA%+ HIS PLATE1 ,CONNOR SP5T ! RE/ ( ! TIME BETWE5 D9N] & B$TIME POND]+ ! SITUATION 9 ! WOODS4 ,:5 HIS MO!R S5T HIM (F TO B$1 HE WAS /ILL QUITE CONFUS$4 

,HE BRU%$ HIS TEE?1 *ANG$ 9TO HIS PAJAMAS1 & EV5 PULL$ UP HIS COV]S1 BUT ,CONNOR WAS /ILL RE/LESS4 ,HE LAY 9 B$ ?9K+ = :AT FELT LIKE =EV]4 ,HE DIDN'T LIKE ?AT ! WOODS W]E BE+ DE/ROY$1 BUT HE DIDN'T KN[ :AT ELSE HE C\LD DO4 

,!RE IS NO?+ ,I CAN DO AB\T IT4 ,?IS IS TOO BIG ( A SITUATION = SOMEONE AS LITTLE AS ME4 

,JU/ AS ?IS ?\<T CAME TO HIS M9D1 !RE WAS A TAP AT HIS W9D[ ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! ROOM4 ,HE ROLL$ \T ( B$ JU/ AS !RE CAME ANO!R TAP4 ,HE CREPT =W>D SL[LY1 & AS HE PE]$ \T ! W9D[ ANO!R TAP MADE HIM JUMP BACK4 

,HE LOOK$ \T AGA94 ,ACROSS HIS LAWN1 LITTLE ,MORIKO WAV$ AT HIM1 HOLD+ A H&FUL ( T9Y ROCKS4 ,CONNOR OP5$ HIS W9D[1 & %E CREPT ACROSS ! LAWN4 

0,:AT >E Y\ DO+ H]E80 ,CONNOR DEM&$4 0,IT'S ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T40 

0,LET'S GO \T 9 ! WOODS10 ,MORIKO SAID ) A MIS*IEV\S GR94 

0,:AT80 ,CONNOR SAID 9 %OCK4 0,IT'S MIDNI<T1 ,I CAN'T GO \T4 ,PLUS1 ,I TOLD MY MOM ,I W\LDN'T GO \T !RE ANYMORE4 ,I W\LD GET 9 TR\BLE = SURE40 

0,ONLY IF WE GET CAU<T40 ,MORIKO TUGG$ AT HIS >M ) A GR94 

0,LET'S GO6 ,WE'LL BE BACK 9 A LITTLE BIT40 

0,MORIKO1 NO60 

,PUTT+ H] H&S ON H] HIPS1 ,MORIKO *ALL5G$ HIM4 0,:AT >E Y\1 SC>$80 

0,NO40 ,CONNOR PAUS$4 ,BUT :5 HE C\LDN'T ?9K ( AN EXCUSE1 HE SAID 9 DEFEAT1 0,I'LL GO *ANGE40 

0,HURRY60 ,MORIKO :ISP]$ ) A GIGGLE4 

,CONNOR SLIPP$ ON HIS BLACK OV]ALLS & TI$ UP HIS %OES BE=E SNEAK+ \T ! W9D[4 ,! TWO CREPT ?R\< ! BACKY>D & 9TO ! WOODS4 ,! CANOPY ( LEAVES HID ! =E/ FROM ! BRI<T LI<T ( ! MOON1 LEAV+ A WORLD %R\D$ 9 D>KNESS4 

,N[1 ,CONNOR WASN'T ESPECIALLY AFRAID ( ! D>K1 BUT ?AT HAD ALWAYS BE5 9 ! D>KNESS ( HIS [N ROOM--A M]E VEIL PULL$ OV] FAMILI> SURR\ND+S4 ,BUT AS HE & ,MORIKO MADE !IR WAY ?R\< ! WOODS1 HE EXP]I5C$ A COMPLETELY DIFF]5T FEEL+4 ,IT WASN'T SO MU* A FE> ( ! D>K1 BUT MORE ( A FE> ( :AT HID 9 ! D>K4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR C\LDN'T HELP BUT FEEL AS IF !RE W]E SOME?+ FOLL[+ HIM4 

,CONNOR :ISP]$ 9TO ! NI<T1 0,:AT >E WE DO+ \T H]E1 ANYWAY80 

0,I WANT$ TO GET A CLOS] LOOK AT ! MA*9E40 

,HE>+ ! E*O ( TWIGS SNAPP+1 ,CONNOR /AMM]$1 0,CAN'T WE DO ?IS :5 IT'S LI<T \T80 

0,( C\RSE NOT10 ,MORIKO SAID MATT]-(-FACTLY1 0?AT'S :5 ! WORK]S >E !RE40 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES TREKK$ T[>DS ! WORKSITE4 ,AS !Y WALK$ ?R\< ! VALLEY1 ! MOON PROVID$ NE>LY 5\< LI<T TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT WAS DAY4 

,MOV+ ?R\< ! WAV]+ RE$S1 ,CONNOR :ISP]$1 0,DID Y\ HE> ?AT80 

,MORIKO PAUS$4 ,TE GRASS >\ND H] SWAY$ 9 A BREEZE ?AT WAS QUITE COOL = A SUMM]'S NI<T4 0,HE> :AT80 

0,I ?\<T ,I HE>D :ISP]+40 

,! TWO /OOD /ILL AS ! GRASS >\ND !M SWAY$ & :IPP$ 9 ! W9D4 0,CONNOR1 IT'S JU/ ! W9D40 

0,I HE>D VOICES10 ,CONNOR PLEAD$1 0,I SWE>40 

,MORIKO LOOK$ CAUTI\SLY ?R\< ! GRASS AS !Y NE>$ ! $GE ( ! VALLEY4 ,%E RAIS$ H] H& SL[LY1 & ?R\< ! WAV+ GRASS1 ,CONNOR MADE \T ! %APE ( A WOLF 9 ! TREES4 ,AT FIR/ !RE WAS ONE1 !N !RE WAS ANO!R1 & !N ! :OLE PACK MAT]IALIZ$ SL[LY \T ( ! =E/4 

,MORIKO /EPP$ \T ( ! GRASS1 & %E SL[LY TIPTO$ =W>D4 ,BUT %E SUDD5LY /OPP$ AS ONE ( ! WOLVES PAUS$ & RAIS$ ITS HEAD T[>DS ! TWO *ILDR54 ,MORIKO LOOK$ 9TO ! CREATURE'S EYES BE=E TURN+ H] [N EYES AWAY4 ,! WOLF TOOK A /EP =W>D1 & !N ANO!R4 ,MORIKO MOV$ =W>D1 EV] SO SL[LY1 & ! WOLF BOLT$ ?R\< ! TREES4 ,! PACK TURN$ & RAN ) IT AS IT D>T$ ?R\< ! WOODS4 

,CONNOR LET HIS BREA? GO1 & ! TWO BEGAN ASC5D+ ! HILL4 ,! MOONLI<T ILLUM9AT$ ! B>R5 WA/EL& ?AT ! MA*9E HAD CREAT$4 ,AS ! TWO LITTLE ONES NE>$ ! CLE>+1 !Y BEGAN TO SEE MOVEM5T 9 ! WOODS4 

,AT FIR/1 IT WAS AS IF A BL9D+ W9D WAS BL[+ ?R\< ! TREES1 & IT S\ND$ AS IF ANIMALS W]E SCATT]+ ?R\< ! =E/ >\ND !M4 ,LEAVES RU/L$ & FALL5 BRAN*ES SNAPP$ AS FIGURES RU%$ PA/4 ,MORIKO & ,CONNOR DUCK$ TO ! GR\ND4 

,! =E/'S AWAK5+ BROKE ! SIL5CE ( ! NI<T4 

,W]E ! TREES MOV+ & ! =E/ ALIVE8 ,AS FA/ AS ?IS ?\<T CAME TO ! *ILDR51 ! NOISE /OPP$4 ,! =E/ GREW /ILL1 & AN E]IE SIL5CE CREPT ACROSS ! CLE>+1 LIKE CALM BE=E A /ORM4 

,CONNOR & ,MORIKO CREPT TO ! $GE ( ! WORKSITE1 CR\*+ BEH9D A FALL5 TREE4 ,!IR T9Y EYES D>T$ ACROSS ! SURREAL L&SCAPE ( B>R5 GR\ND & TORN UP ROOTS4 ,SITT+ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ?IS =SAK5 GROVE WAS ! YELL[ MON/]1 SLEEP+ 9 ! MOONLI<T4 

,JU/ AS ,MORIKO WAS AB\T TO ASK AB\T ! NOISE1 !Y SAW FIVE D>K FIGURES /&+ AT ! $GE ( ! CLE>+4 ,!Y EM]G$ FROM ! TREES 9 COMPLETE BLACK AS IF !Y C>RI$ ! =E/'S D>KNESS ) !M4 ,! FIGURES DISP]S$ SWIFTLY ACROSS ! B>R5 CLE>+4 

0,DO Y\ ?9K ?OSE %AD[S GU>D ! MA*9E80 ,MORIKO ASK$ AS %E :ISP]$ 9TO ,CONNOR'S E>4 0,!Y MI<T KN[ WE >E H]E40 

,ONE ( ! %AD[S /OOD NE> ! $GE ( ! =E/ PE]+ D[N ! B>R5 /RIP4 ,TWO O!RS MOV$ ACROSS ! SITE PICK+ UP *A9SAWS ?AT LAY SCATT]$ >\ND ! WORKSITE4 ,ANO!R RAN T[>DS ! MA*9E & SLID BETWE5 ITS MASSIVE TRACKS4 ,! LA/ DROPP$ A BAG NE> ! SIDE ( ! MA*9E4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES WAT*$ 9 SIL5CE AS ?IS OR*E/RA ( MOVEM5T TOOK PLACE4 ,!Y DID NOT KN[ :AT ! TWO W]E DO+ ) ! TOOLS1 & !Y C\LD NOT SEE :AT ! ONE WAS DO+ UND]NEA? ! MA*9E1 BUT !Y WAT*$ AS ! ONE ) ! BAG %OOK A CAN NOISILY4 

,AMONG ! CLATT] ( ! GR\P1 A HISS S]V$ AS A BACKDROP AS ! LA/ FIGURE MOV$ ! CAN ACROSS ! MA*9E4 ,! TWO LITTLE ONES WAT*$ 9 PUZZLEM5T AS ! FIGURE SPRAY$ 9 BIG R$ LETT]S3 

,E,L,F 

,A SMILE %OT ACROSS ! FACES ( ! LITTLE ONES1 & 9 A BUR/ ( EXCITEM5T1 !Y BO? EXCLAIM$1 9 VOICES PROBABLY A BIT TOO L\D = !IR CIRCUM/ANCE1 0,IT'S ! ELVES60 

,! LA/ SYLLABLE E*O$ \T ACROSS ! CLE>+ & ?R\< ! WOODS4 ,AS IF ! TWO HAD FLIPP$ A SWIT*1 ! ELVES /OPP$ IMM$IATELY4 ,! ONE OV]SEE+ ! GR\P QUICKLY WAV$ ! O!RS TO ! WOODS4 ,! FIGURES GRABB$ :ATEV] GE> !Y HAD & SCATT]$ 9TO ! D>K =E/4 

,MORIKO & ,CONNOR JUMP$ \T ( !IR HID+ SPOT & 9TO ! CLE>+1 YELL+1 0,NO6 ,WAIT60 

,BUT ! FIGURES HAD LEFT 9 A TRAIL ( RU/L+ LEAVES & SNAPP+ TWIGS4 ,! TWO /OOD BEWILD]$ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! WORKSITE4 

#b 

  

,! NEXT DAY1 ! TWO LITTLE ONES SNUCK ?R\< ! WOODS TO LOOK OV] ! WORKSITE4 ,! BIG YELL[ MA*9E WAS MOV+ ACROSS ! CLE>+ BY ! TIME !Y HAD >RIV$4 ,IT HAD TAK5 ! WORK]S HALF ! DAY TO CLEAN UP FROM ! NI<T BE=E4 ,HALF ! *A9SAWS W]E UNUSABLE1 BUT ! MA*9E RO>$ AFT] ! CREW ( WORK]S REPLAC$ A FEW ( ! P>TS ?AT HAD BE5 DAMAG$4 ,! TWO LITTLE ONES WALK$ AWAY FROM ! SITE1 !IR FEET HEAVY ) DISAPPO9TM5T4 

0,:AT >E WE GO+ TO DO N[80 ,CONNOR ASK$ AS HE KICK$ AT ROCKS4 0,WE SC>$ AWAY ! ELVES1 ! ONLY HOPE ( SAV+ ! =E/40 

,MORIKO /OPP$ TO SIT D[N ON A FALL5 TREE4 ,ONE SIDE ( ! TREE WAS *>COAL2 IT MU/ HAVE BE5 /RUCK BY LI<TN+4 0,IF ! ELVES >E GONE1 !N WE'RE GO+ TO HAVE TO BE ! ELVES & SAVE ! =E/ \RSELVES40 

,= A MOM5T1 ,MORIKO FELT SAD = ! GREAT TREE ?AT HAD FALL5 & BURN$4 ,BUT ALL >\ND ITS ROOTS1 LITTLE PLANTS & FL[]S ATTEMPT$ TO PEEK \T ( ! A%ES ( ! TREE4 ,! LITTLE PLANTS ALL REA*$ T[>DS ! LI<T ?AT %9$ ?R\< ! NEW OP5+ 9 ! CANOPY4 

,! TREE ,MORIKO WAS SITT+ ON HAD ONCE BE5 A GREAT TREE4 ,ITS BRAN*ES HAD REA*$ ACROSS ! TOP ( ! =E/1 BLOCK+ ! SUNLI<T FROM ALL ( ITS BRO!RS & SI/]S & ALL ! LITTLE PLANTS BEL[ IT4 

,MO!R ,NATURE HAD A WAY ( DE/ROY+ :AT WAS DE/RUCTIVE1 :E!R ) FIRE OR LI<TN+4 ,MORIKO RAN H] F+]S ACROSS ! 9TRICATE PATT]NS ( ! BURNT WOOD1 ADMIR+ ,NATURE'S DE/RUCTIVE BEAUTY4 ,AS %E LOOK$ AT ! LITTLE BLOOM+ FL[]S1 %E WOND]$1 OR IS IT A CREATIVE BEAUTY8 

,CONNOR SAT ON ! FALL5 TREE1 NEXT TO ,MORIKO4 0,DO Y\ REALLY ?9K WE CAN /OP ! MA*9E80 

0,I'M NOT SURE1 ,CONNOR40 ,MORIKO RUBB$ ! BLACK A% & *>COAL (F H] F+]TIPS4 0,BUT ISN'T IT WOR? TRY+80 

,AS ,MORIKO GA!R$ A% & SOOT FROM ! FALL5 TREE & PUT IT 9 A LITTLE P\* TI$ TO H] BELT LOOP1 ,CONNOR LOOK$ >\ND AT ! FALL5 TREE4 0,DO Y\ ?9K WE C\LD PILE SOME ( ! LOGS 9 FRONT ( ! MA*9E80 

,MORIKO SMIL$ & EXCLAIM$1 0,?AT'S A GREAT IDEA6 ,) ALL ! TREES 9 FRONT ( ! MA*9E1 IT W\LDN'T BE ABLE TO MOVE40 

,! *ILDR5 GREW EXCIT$ AS !Y TALK$ OV] !IR PLANS4 ,!Y W\LD GO & F9D ! BIGGE/ TREES ?AT ! MA*9E CUT D[N1 & ! TWO ( !M W\LD MAKE A GREAT BIG PILE ! SIZE ( ! MA*9E SO ?AT IT W\LDN'T BE ABLE TO MOVE ANY F>!R4 

,CONNOR 9T]RUPT$ !IR S*EM+ TO ASK1 0,SO :5 DO Y\ WANT TO DO ?IS80 

,!RE WAS NO HESITATION ON ,MORIKO'S P>T3 0,TONI<T60 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES F9I%$ ! LA/ DETAILS ( !IR PLAN & RAN BACK TO !IR HOMES4 ,IT SEEM$ TO TAKE =EV] = NI<T TO ROLL >\ND1 & BY ! TIME ,CONNOR W5T TO B$1 HE WAS RE/LESS & WAIT+ ANXI\SLY = HIS P>5TS TO FALL ASLEEP4 

,CONNOR GREW IMPATI5T AS HE WAIT$ ?R\< ! NI<T4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT ! SUN WAS GO+ TO RISE BY ! TIME HE HE>D ,MORIKO TAP ON HIS W9D[4 ,HE CRAWL$ \T ( B$ & LOOK$ \T HIS W9D[ TO SEE A ?\S& />S DANC+ ABOVE4 

0,>E Y\ READY = ?IS80 ASK$ ,MORIKO4 ,CONNOR C\LDN'T TELL IF H] VOICE WAS T5SE FROM EXCITEM5T OR FE>4 

,! TWO ( !M WALK$ ?R\< ! WOODS :ILE QUIETLY :ISP]+ !IR PLAN BACK & =?4 ,CAU<T UP 9 ?IS1 ,CONNOR B>ELY TOOK NOTE ( ! D>K SURR\ND+S4 ,:5 HE F9ALLY NOTIC$ ! D>KNESS !Y W]E WALK+ ?R\<1 HE LOOK$ UP TO ! />S4 ,I'M TOO 9 LOVE ) ! />S TO BE AFRAID ( ! D>K1 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR ?\<T4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES REA*$ ! WORKSITE AFT] RUNN+ ?R\< !IR PLAN = AB\T ! SIXTY-SIX? TIME4 ,!Y LOOK$ PA/ ! MA*9E & F\ND A FEW ( ! CUT TREES ?AT ! WORK]S HADN'T TAK5 AWAY4 

,! TWO W5T TO EI!R 5D ( ONE ( ! TREES1 WRAPP$ !IR T9Y >MS >\ND ! B>K1 & LIFT$ 9 UNISON4 ,!Y PULL$ & /RA9$ & /RA9$ & PULL$1 BUT ! TREE WAS JU/ TOO HEAVY = !M4 

,DET]M9$ NOT TO GIVE UP1 !Y LOOK$ = A SMALL] ONE4 ,!Y WRAPP$ !IR >MS >\ND ANO!R TREE & AGA9 /RUGGL$ TO LIFT IT1 BUT !Y C\LD B>ELY PULL IT (F ! GR\ND BE=E DROPP+ IT AGA94 

0,?IS ISN'T WORK+10 SAID ,CONNOR AS !Y FAIL$ 9 !IR ?IRD ATTEMPT TO MOVE A TREE4 0,WE HAVE TO TRY SOME?+ ELSE40 

,! TWO ( !M F\ND A PILE ( TREES ?AT HAD BE5 CUT 9TO SMALL] PIECES4 ,AL?\< ! PIECES W]E ONLY ! SIZE ( LITTLE ,CONNOR1 !Y W]E CONSID]ABLY HEAVY4 ,BUT ) ! TWO ( !M LIFT+ ) ALL ( !IR /R5G?1 !Y MANAG$ TO MOVE A LOG 9TO ! PA? ( ! MA*9E4 

,!Y COLLAPS$ ON ! GR\ND BREA?+ HEAVILY4 ,MORIKO LOOK$ OV] AT ,CONNOR4 ,BETWE5 GASPS ( AIR1 %E SAID1 0,?IS IS GO+444 TO TAKE444 A :ILE40 ,CONNOR RESPOND$ ) A NOD & A HEAVY SI<4 

,! LITTLE ONES CONT9U$ MOV+ ! LOGS 9 FRONT ( ! MA*9E4 ,CONNOR'S >MS GREW SORE1 & HIS BACK A*$ FROM SO MU* LIFT+4 ,BUT ! PILE !Y W]E MAK+ WASN'T V]Y BIG YET1 SO DESPITE ! PA91 ! TWO CONT9U$4 

,F9ALLY1 :5 !Y C\LDN'T LIFT ANY MORE1 !Y GAVE UP4 ,! PILE !Y HAD MADE WASN'T QUITE AS TALL AS ! MA*9E1 OR EV5 AS TALL AS LITTLE ,CONNOR4 ,! TWO F9I%$ ! PILE (F BY GA!R+ FALL5 LIMBS & BRAN*ES & DRAGG+ !M ONTO IT4 ,!Y CONT9U$ UNTIL ! MORN+ BIRDS BEGAN S++ TO GREET ! RIS+ SUN4 

,! TWO LOOK$ AT ! PILE !Y HAD MADE1 & !Y SMIL$ AT !IR WORK4 ,IT LOOK$ AS IF IT C\LD /OP ! MA*9E1 & JUDG+ BY ,CONNOR'S SORE >MS1 IT C]TA9LY FELT ?AT WAY4 

0,WE BETT] HURRY HOME BE=E \R P>5TS WAKE UP10 ,MORIKO SAID AS %E LI/5$ TO ! BIRDS4 ,%E SNUCK A GR9 9 AS %E CONT9U$2 

0,WE'LL COME BACK & CELEBRATE \R VICTORY LAT]40 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES /AGG]$ BACK ?R\< ! =E/1 CLIMB$ ?R\< !IR W9D[S1 & COLLAPS$ 9TO !IR B$S4 ,CONNOR FELL ASLEEP IMM$IATELY ) HIS >MS SPRAWL$ ACROSS HIS %EETS4 

,! NEXT MORN+1 ! TWO MET UP \TSIDE4 ,!Y YAWN$ EV5 ?\< IT WAS NE>+ MIDDAY1 & !Y RUBB$ ! CRU/ \T ( !IR SLEEPY EYES4 ,TE *ILDR5 WALK$ BLE>ILY TO ! WORKSITE4 ,!IR BODIES & !IR MUSCLES A*$ ) EV]Y MOVEM5T4 ,AS ,CONNOR YAWN$1 ALL HE C\LD ?9K AB\T WAS GO+ BACK TO HIS B$4 

,! *ILDR5 F\ND A TREE TO HIDE BEH9D NE> ! WORKSITE4 ,!Y PEEK$ !IR LITTLE HEADS \T & SAW M5 /&+ >\ND ! PILE ( LOGS4 ,A FEW ( ! M5 SCRAT*$ !IR HEADS AS !Y LOOK$ AT IT4 ,A FEW ( ! O!R M5 BEGAN GRABB+ PIECES & SETT+ !M ASIDE4 

,IT ONLY TOOK A FEW M5 TO UNDO ALL ! WORK ?AT HAD TAK5 ,CONNOR & ,MORIKO ! 5TIRE NI<T4 ,IT WAS ONLY A MATT] ( TIME BE=E ! MA*9E />T$ UP & ! M5 REVV$ UP !IR *A9SAWS4 ,& ) MORE ?AN HALF A DAY'S WORK AHEAD ( !M1 ! M5 9 ORANGE BEGAN CUTT+ D[N ! TREES4 

,! TWO *ILDR5 SAT 9 DISBELIEF1 !IR M\?S HANG+ OP54 ,BUT 9/EAD ( GETT+ DISC\RAG$ & DESPAIR+1 !Y W5T RI<T BACK TO PLANN+4 

0,WE C\LD TRY ?R[+ ROCKS AT IT4 ,MAYBE IT WILL BREAK40 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR %RUGG$ AT HIS [N SUGGE/ION4 

,!Y WAT*$ AS TEAMS ( M5 9 ORANGE CUT AWAY ! BRAN*ES ( A TREE4 ,TE MA*9E FOLL[$ BEH9D1 GRABB+ ) ITS MASSIVE CLAWS4 ,TE GIANT SAWS RO>$ AS !Y RIPP$ ?R\< ! TREE4 

0,Y\ ?9K ROCKS WILL DO IT80 ,MORIKO ASK$4 

0,I DON'T KN[40 ,CONNOR WAT*$ AS ! MA*9E LIFT$ ! TREE & DROPP$ IT 9 A PILE ( O!R TREES4 ,IT SEEM$ ?AT SOME?+ SO MASSIVE C\LD NEV] BE /OPP$4 0,BUT IT'S WOR? A %OT40 

,! TWO KIDS REMA9$ AT ! WORKSITE = ! RE/ ( ! DAY4 ,!Y WAT*$ ! WORK]S' PROGRESS ?R\< ! WOODS2 AL?\< IT WAS SL[] ?AN USUAL1 !Y /ILL MANAG$ TO CLE> QUITE A LOT4 

,:5 ! :I/LE BLEW & ! WORK]S LEFT1 IT WAS NE>+ SUND[N4 ,CONNOR & ,MORIKO HURRI$ ?R\< ! WOODS & BACK 9TO !IR HOMES4 ,!Y BO? ATE UP !IR D9N]S & QUICKLY PREP>$ = B$4 ,:5 !Y W]E SURE EV]YONE 9 !IR H\SES WAS ASLEEP1 !Y CRAWL$ \T !IR W9D[S & DA%$ ACROSS ! =E/4 ,ALONG ! WAY1 !Y GA!R$ AS MANY ROCKS AS !Y C\LD F9D1 C>RY+ !M 9 !IR %IRTS4 

,:5 !Y >RIV$ AT ! WORKSITE1 EA* TOOK AIM & BEGAN ?R[+ ROCKS AT ! W9D%IELD4 ,IT TOOK SEV]AL %OTS BE=E ,CONNOR HIT ! GLASS ) A L\D ?UNK4 

,! TWO KEPT TRY+1 ?R[+ ! ROCKS H>D] & H>D]4 ,!Y TRI$ FROM DIFF]5T DI/ANCES1 UP CLOSE & F>!R AWAY4 ,!Y TRI$ ?R[+ !M FROM DIFF]5T ANGLES & FROM ! SIDE4 ,BUT :5EV] ! ROCKS W\LD HIT ! GLASS1 !RE WAS ! SAME ?UNK+ NOISE4 

,?AT WAS UNTIL ,MORIKO PICK$ UP A NA/Y LITTLE ROCK1 ALL JAGG$ & R\<4 ,%E ?REW IT /RAI<T AT ! FRONT W9D%IELD1 & H] EF=TS W]E REW>D$ ) A L\D CRACK4 

,! TWO JUMP$ & *E]$ AT ! CRACK !Y HAD MADE 9 ! W9D%IELD4 ,!Y CELEBRAT$ BY ?R[+ MORE ROCKS4 ,A FEW ( ! FLY+ ROCKS CAUS$ ! GLASS TO CRACK SOME MORE4 ,& AS MORE ROCKS W]E ?R[N1 SOME MORE6 ,! TWO *ILDR5 ?REW ROCKS UNTIL !IR PILE WAS GONE & !Y W]E PICK+ ROCKS UP (F ! GR\ND4 

,IT WASN'T LONG UNTIL !IR >MS GREW SORE1 & !Y PAUS$ TO LOOK AT ! W9D%IELD4 ,! CRACK EXT5D$ FROM ! TOP ALL ! WAY D[N ! GLASS4 ,9 ! MOON'S :ITE LI<T1 IT LOOK$ LIKE A BOLT ( LI<TN+ 9 A /ORMY SKY4 

,TIR$ & PR\D ( !IR WORK1 ! TWO *ILDR5 DRAGG$ !MSELVES BACK ?R\< ! =E/ & ACROSS !IR LAWNS4 ,!Y PULL$ !MSELVES ?R\< !IR W9D[S BE=E COLLAPS+ ON !IR B$S4 ,IT ONLY TOOK SECONDS = BO? ( !M TO DRIFT (F TO SLEEP4 

,! NEXT MORN+1 ,CONNOR WOKE E>LY1 SO E>LY ?AT HIS MO!R WAS /ILL 9 ! KIT*5 MAK+ BREAKFA/ = H]SELF4 ,HE SNUCK 9 & UP TO ! TABLE4 0,Y\'RE UP E>LY10 %E COMM5T$ CURI\SLY AS %E PREP>$ HIM A B[L ( GRANOLA4 

,! LITTLE BOY ATE HIS C]EAL 9 SIL5CE4 0,Y\ LOOK AWFULLY TIR$10 %E CONT9U$4 0,:Y DON'T Y\ GO BACK TO B$80 

0,I'LL BE F9E10 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR SAID AS HE RUBB$ HIS TIR$ EYES4 ,HE ALWAYS 5JOY$ /AY+ UP LATE & WAK+ UP E>LY1 & IT WAS BE/ :5 HE HAD A GOOD REASON = DO+ SO4 0,I'M GO+ TO GO SEE IF ,MORIKO WANTS TO PLAY 9 A LITTLE BIT40 

0,Y\ HAVE BE5 PLAY+ 9 ! WOODS A LOT4 ,Y\ HAV5'T BE5 GO+ NE> ! WORKSITE1 HAVE Y\80 ,HIS MO!R ASK$4 

0,ONLY A FEW TIMES10 ,CONNOR SAID ALMO/ TRU?FULLY4 0,!Y MOVE A LOT EA* DAY40 

0,WELL1 JU/ /AY CLE> ( !RE4 ,T]E'S BE5 A LOT ( PROBLEMS \T !RE1 & !Y PROBABLY DON'T NE$ ANY KIDS RUNN+ >\ND CAUS+ !M TR\BLE40 

0,WE'LL TRY NOT TOO BE TOO MU* ( A PROBLEM = !M10 SAID LITTLE ,CONNOR ) A MIS*IEV\S LITTLE GR94 

,CONNOR F9I%$ UP HIS BREAKFA/ & WA%$ HIS DI%ES BE=E RUNN+ \T TO GO TO ,MORIKO'S H\SE4 ,:5 HE /EPP$ \T HIS DOOR1 %E WAS ALREADY SITT+ ON HIS POR*4 

0,>E WE GO+ TO GO LOOK N[80 ,MORIKO ASK$ ANXI\SLY4 

,CONNOR NODD$4 0,BUT WE HAVE TO BE C>EFUL ?AT !Y DON'T SEE US40 

,! TWO HURRI$ ?R\< ! WOODS1 JUMP+ OV] LOGS & DODG+ TREES4 ,BO? W]E FILL$ ) EXCITEM5T1 & A LITTLE N]V\SNESS1 AS !Y RAN TO ! SITE4 ,!Y SL[$ AS !Y APPROA*$ ! B>R5 

CLE>+1 & CREPT UP TO IT C>EFULLY4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES HAD TO HOLD !IR M\?S TO KEEP !MSELVES FROM GIGGL+ AS ! M5 9 ORANGE SPAT & SWORE4 ,! GLASS ( ! YELL[ MA*9E WAS COMPLETELY CRACK$4 ,IT LOOK$ WORSE 9 ! DAYLI<T ?AN IT HAD ! NI<T BE=E4 

,! M5 AT ! WORKSITE W]E TRY+ TO FIX ! W9D[4 ,!IR ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE ! W9D[ FAIL$1 PROVOK+ M\?FULS ( GIGGLES FROM ! *ILDR54 ,! M5 GAVE UP & REMOV$ ! DOOR'S H+ES 9/EAD4 ,IT WAS NOT LONG BE=E A NEW ONE >RIV$1 & AL?\< IT TOOK !M HALF ! DAY1 ! MA*9E />T$ UP1 ALMO/ LOOK+ BR& NEW4 

,! *ILDR5'S EXCITEM5T TURN$ TO DESPAIR AS ! MA*9E ROLL$ ONCE AGA9 ?R\< ! WOODS1 CLE>+ A PA? = ! M5 ) *A9SAWS4 

0,WE HAVE TO FIGURE \T SOME?+10 DEM&$ LITTLE ,MORIKO4 ,! TWO *ILDR5 SAT ON ! $GE ( ! WORKSITE = MO/ ( ! DAY WOND]+ H[ TO /OP ! MA*9E4 ,! SUN PASS$ HALFWAY ?R\< ! SKY1 & ! WORK]S EV5TUALLY TOOK A BREAK = LUN*4 ,CONNOR WAS ALMO/ READY TO GIVE UP :5 HE SAW TWO SQUIRRELS BU/L+ ?R\< ! BRU% 9 ! =E/4 

,! SQUIRRELS1 !IR M\?S FULL ( ACORNS1 SCANN$ ! WORKSITE FROM ONE SIDE BE=E D>T+ ACROSS IT4 ,!Y SCURRI$ ?R\< ! MUDDY TRACKS ( ! MA*9E & !N CLIMB$ UP ITS MASSIVE :EELS4 ,!Y WORK$ HURRI$LY AS !Y /OR$ !IR ACORNS 9 ! OP5+S ( ! MA*9E4 

,CONNOR POND]$ ?IS AS HE WAT*$ ! SQUIRRELS D>T (F 9TO ! =E/4 0,:AT DO Y\ ?9K ! ELVES W]E DO+ UND] ! MA*9E80 

,MORIKO ROLL$ H] EYES4 0,TRY+ TO /OP IT1 NO D\BT40 

0,YEAH1 ,I KN[40 ,CONNOR MESS$ ) HIS HAIR4 0,BUT DO Y\ ?9K ?AT IS :]E Y\ KILL IT80 

,MORIKO /OOD QUIET = A MOM5T4 0,( C\RSE60 ,H] EYES GREW WIDE4 0,! UND]BELLY IS ! WEAKE/ P>T ( ! DRAGON4 ,I BET IT IS ! SAME ) ! MA*9E60 

0,:AT IF WE JAMM$ IT ) ROCKS & /ONES80 ,CONNOR PO9T$ AT ! DOOR ) ! BROK5 W9D[ ?AT LAY AB&ON$ ON ! SITE4 

0,Y\ SAW :AT !Y C\LD DO AGA9/ ! W9D[4 ,:AT IF WE /UCK !M UP 9SIDE ! MA*9E80 

,MORIKO LET \T A %ORT SI< & SMIL$ AS %E LOOK$ AT ! QUIET MA*9E4 0,LET'S DO IT TONI<T40 

,?AT EV5+1 EV5 ?\< LITTLE ,CONNOR'S EYES W]E SORE & HIS BODY TIR$1 HIS EXCITEM5T /ILL GREW AS HE WAIT$ = ! SUN TO GO D[N & ! MOON & />S TO COME \T4 

,LATE ?AT NI<T1 ! TWO LITTLE ONES CRAWL$ \T ( !IR B$S1 SNUCK \T !IR W9D[S1 & RAN ?R\< ! WOODS1 JU/ AS !Y HAD ! PREVI\S NI<TS4 ,!Y APPROA*$ ! WORKSITE ?R\< ! ?ICK =E/S4 ,! B>R5 /RIP ( L& /RET*$ ACROSS ! WOODS1 F>!R ?AN LITTLE ,CONNOR HAD NOTIC$4 0,IF !Y KEEP CUTT+1 !Y'RE GO+ TO GO RI<T ?R\< ! =E/40 

,MORIKO SMIL$ AS %E PICK$ UP A ROCK4 0,DON'T WORRY4 ,WE'LL /OP !M40 

,! TWO TIPTO$ >\ND ! MA*9E1 EYE+ IT FROM DIFF]5T ANGLES4 ,:ILE ,MORIKO SLID UND] ! MA*9E1 ,CONNOR PICK$ UP ROCKS & /ONES ?AT LAY >\ND ! SITE4 ,HE MADE A LITTLE PILE NEXT TO ! PLACE ,MORIKO'S FEET /UCK \T FROM UND] ! MA*9E4 ,T5 HE LAID D[N A PILE = HIMSELF1 TOO1 & CRAWL$ UND] ! OPPOSITE SIDE4 

,IT WAS V]Y D>K UND]NEA? ! MA*9E2 LITTLE ,CONNOR HAD TO RUN HIS H&S ACROSS ITS BELLY4 ,HIS H&S SLID ACROSS COLD & GREASY METAL UNTIL !Y W]E COV]$ 9 A /ICKY MESS4 ,FEEL+ = ANY?+ ?AT MOV$ OR OP5$1 HE BEGAN JAMM+ ROCKS 9TO GE>S & /ICKS 9TO MOV+ P>TS4 

,IT WASN'T LONG BE=E ! TWO HAD US$ UP !IR PILES4 ,!Y CRAWL$ \T & LOOK$ = ANY OBJECTS ?AT !Y MISS$4 ,CONNOR F\ND SOME /ONES & LODG$ !M BETWE5 ! :EELS & ! TREADS ( ! MA*9E4 

,MORIKO1 :ILE EXAM9+ ! MA*9E1 F\ND A CAP ?AT WAS UNSCREW$4 ,%E TOOK A :IFF ( ! OP5+4 0,ICK60 ,%E SAID ?R\< C\<S4 0,IT SMELLS LIKE A GAS /ATION40 

,%E TOOK H&FULS ( DIRT & P\R$ !M D[N ! HOLE4 ,CONNOR TOOK A H&FUL ( T9Y PEBBLES & DROPP$ !M D[N ! HOLE4 0,EV5 ! LITTLE/ ONES CAN /OP A DRAGON40 

,! TWO WORK$ ALL NI<T UNTIL !IR EYELIDS W]E HEAVY & !Y C\LD F9D NO MORE ROCKS AT ! SITE4 ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,CONNOR AWOKE ) A SMILE BEAM+ ACROSS HIS FACE4 ,AS HE ROLL$ \T ( B$1 !RE WAS A TAPP+ ON HIS W9D[4 ,HE WALK$ OV] TO SEE ,MORIKO LOOK+ UP FROM ! LAWN ) A SMILE ?AT MAT*$ HIS [N4 

,HE SKIPP$ BREAKFA/1 RUNN+ RI<T \T ! FRONT DOOR4 ,& HE F\ND IT WASN'T EASY TO RUN & PULL HIS %OES ON AT ! SAME TIME6 ,HE MET ,MORIKO AT ! SIDE ( ! H\SE1 & ! TWO SCURRI$ 9TO ! WOODS ) HIS %OES /ILL UNTI$4 

,MORIKO KEPT A FEW PACES AHEAD ( HIM1 & ,CONNOR /RUGGL$ TO KEEP UP ) H]4 ,AS HE D>T$ ACROSS ! =E/ ) ! W9D BL[+ 9 HIS HAIR1 HE FELT WILD & FREE4 ,HE FELT LIKE A WOLF4 

,! SUN WAS JU/ PEEK+ OV] ! TOPS ( ! TREES AS !Y CROSS$ ! VALLEY4 ,:5 !Y GOT TO ! $GE ( ! WORKSITE !Y BO? COLLAPS$1 PANT+ = BREA?4 ,!Y WAIT$ !RE QUIETLY1 HIDD5 BEH9D A SMALL BU%4 ,IT WASN'T LONG BE=E ! M5 9 ORANGE />T$ APPE>+4 ,! LITTLE ONES WAIT$ ANXI\SLY TO SEE ! DEFEAT ( ! DRAGON4 

,ONE ( ! M5 OP5$ ! GLASS DOOR TO ! MA*9E & SAT D[N4 ,HE TURN$ ! KEYS TO ! 5G9E & ) A L\D SPUTT]1 ! 5G9E />T$4 ,?IS S\ND WAS QUICKLY FOLL[$ BY A S]IES ( CRACK+ NOISES4 

,! MAN FR[N$ AS HE PRESS$ D[N ON ! GAS4 ,! MA*9E MOAN$ & CREAK$ AS IT MOV$ =W>DS A FOOT4 ,IT /OPP$ ) A L\D BANG FROM ! 5G9E4 ,CL\DS ( D>K SMOKE CAME FROM ! EXHAU/1 & !N FROM ! FRONT ( ! MA*9E4 ,IT WASN'T LONG UNTIL BLACK SMOKE FILL$ ! :OLE WORKSITE4 

,BIG GR9S FILL$ ! FACES ( TWO LITTLE *ILDR54 ,! M5 9 ORANGE CR[D$ >\ND ! MA*9E4 ,! TREADS HAD BE5 LODG$ (F ! :EELS1 & ! 5G9E SPEW$ MORE SMOKE ?AN IF IT HAD BE5 ON FIRE4 ,! M5 SPAT & SWORE JU/ AS !Y HAD BE=E4 

,! *ILDR5 WAIT$ AS A TRUCK PULL$ UP TO ! WORKSITE4 ,IT TOOK ! :OLE CREW PU%+ ON ! MA*9E1 & IT /ILL W\LD NOT BUDGE4 

,! *ILDR5 HAD TO COV] !IR M\?S TO /OP !MSELVES FROM GIGGL+ AS ! M5 FELL 9 ! MUD4 

,HALF ! DAY PASS$ BE=E ! M5 HAD ! MA*9E LIFT$ (F ! GR\ND4 ,BY D9N]TIME1 !Y HAD ! TREADS FIX$ & BACK ON ! :EELS1 BUT /ILL IT SEEM$ LIKE !RE WAS NO HOPE ( GETT+ ! MA*9E TO />T4 

,! CREW /RUGGL$ TO PU% ! MA*9E ONTO ! TRAIL]4 ,!Y PU%$ & PULL$1 BUT !Y C\LD NOT MOVE ! MA*9E MORE ?AN A FEW 9*ES4 ,ONE ( ! M5 HAD ! IDEA ( ATTA*+ ! MA*9E TO ! TRUCK4 ,!Y RIGG$ UP *A9S & ! TRUCK PULL$ ! MA*9E SL[LY UP ONTO ! TRAIL]4 

,BY ! TIME ! TRUCK F9ALLY PULL$ ! MA*9E AWAY1 ! M5 W]E PACK+ UP !IR ?+S & LEAV+ ! WORKSITE4 ,MORIKO GRABB$ ,CONNOR BY ! H&1 & ! TWO RAN ?R\< ! TREES4 ,!Y JUMP$ & YELP$ AS ! =E/ FLEW PA/ !M4 

,MORIKO TACKL$ ,CONNOR & HELD HIM TI<T4 0,CONNOR1 WE DID IT6 ,WE /OPP$ ! DRAGON40 

,AS ! *ILDR5 RAIS$ !IR NOSES TO ! SKY1 !IR H[LS E*O$ ?R\< ! =E/4 

,CONNOR WOKE UP LATE ! NEXT MORN+1 OR AT LEA/ MU* LAT] ?AN HE HAD BE5 WAK+ REC5TLY4 ,! SUN HAD ALREADY RIS5 & HIS MO!R HAD ALREADY F9I%$ BREAKFA/4 ,CONNOR PREP>$ HIMSELF SOME TOA/ & P\R$ A GLASS ( JUICE4 ,HE TOOK A BIG SIP AS HIS MO!R COMM5T$1 0,IT'S BE5 A :ILE S9CE ,I'VE SE5 Y\ 9 ! MORN+40 

,CONNOR %RUGG$ :ILE TAK+ HIS TIME TO EAT HIS TOA/4 ,HE WA%$ (F HIS DI%ES1 TI$ HIS %OES1 & MADE HIS WAY \T ! DOOR4 ,MORIKO MET HIM HALFWAY D[N ! BLOCK ) A MIS*IEV\S LITTLE GR9 TO MAT* HIS [N4 

,! TWO V5TUR$ ?R\< ! =E/1 :I* FELT SURPRIS+LY CALM4 ,! TREES W]E ABSOLUTELY /ILL1 & ONLY A FEW BIRDS FLEW ?R\< ! SKY4 ,IT WAS AS IF ! =E/ WAS SLEEP+ TO RECOV] FROM ITS FI<T AGA9/ ! MA*9E4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES MADE IT TO ! CLE>+ & F\ND IT ABSOLUTELY /ILL4 ,!RE WAS NO MA*9E4 ,!RE W]E NO *A9SAWS4 ,& !RE W]E NO M5 9 ORANGE4 

,! *ILDR5 JUMP$ & DANC$ >\ND ! WORKSITE4 ,!Y BO? %\T$ & *E]$4 ,CONNOR GRABB$ ,MORIKO'S H& & !Y SPUN >\ND 9 CIRCLES BE=E FALL+ 9 ! DIRT4 ,! TWO LAY ON ! GR\ND ) !IR H&S RUNN+ ?R\< ! E>?4 ,ONLY A DAY BE=E ! SPOT HAD BE5 B>R5 & DEAD1 BUT N[ ! LITTLE ONES SAW IT AS A S\RCE ( NEW LIFE4 

,MORIKO & ,CONNOR RELAX$ AT ! SITE ( !IR VICTORI\S BATTLE4 ,MORIKO WAT*$ ! CL\DS FLOAT+ PA/1 :ILE ,CONNOR LI/5$ TO ! BIRDS FILL+ ! AIR ) SONG4 

,:5 ! SUN WAS 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! SKY1 ! TWO LITTLE ONES HE>D A SCREE*+ CALL (F 9 ! DI/ANCE4 ,CONNOR %OT A LOOK AT ,MORIKO & JUMP$ TO HIS FEET3 0,IT'S ! HAWK60 

,! LITTLE ONES RAN \T 9TO ! VALLEY TO SEE ! BIRD SWOOP L[ ?R\< ! GRASS4 ,IT EM]G$ ) A SMALL ROD5T 9 ITS TALONS & FLEW UP TO ! TREES1 GLID+ ALONG ! =E/'S CANOPY4 ,MORIKO & ,CONNOR RAN ?R\< ! VALLEY1 FOLL[+ ! HAWK'S FLI<T4 ,A COOL BREEZE BLEW ?R\< ! GRASS ?AT REA*$ OV] !IR HEADS4 

,! TWO *ILDR5 MADE !IR WAY ?R\< ! =E/ UNTIL !Y C\LD MAKE \T ! HAWK'S NE/ ABOVE !M4 ,! TWO T9Y HAWKS !RE PAID NO ATT5TION TO ! FOOD !IR MO!R HAD BR\<T HOME2 !Y P]*$ AWKW>DLY ON ! BRAN*1 EXT5D+ !IR T9Y W+S & LETT+ ! AIR BL[ ?R\< !IR FEA!RS4 

0,MS4 ,HAWK1 GUESS :AT80 LITTLE ,MORIKO %\T$ UP ! TREE4 0,WE /OPP$ ! MA*9E4 ,TE WORK]S TOOK IT AWAY YE/]DAY60 

,! HAWK /UCK ITS BEAK 9 ITS W+ & BEGAN CLEAN+ ITS FEA!RS4 ,TE LITTLE HAWKS HOPP$ ALONG ! BRAN*1 FLAPP$ !IR W+S VIOL5TLY4 

,MORIKO TURN$ TO ,CONNOR4 0,%E ?ANKS US = MAK+ ! =E/ SAF] = H] *ILDR540 

0,Y\'RE WELCOME1 ,MS4 ,HAWK10 ,CONNOR %\T$ ) HIS HEAD ?R[N BACK4 0,DOES ?IS MEAN ,I GET A FEA!R80 

,! HAWK PU%$ ! MEAL TO A BABY HAWK ,CONNOR HADN'T NOTIC$ BE=E4 ,! T9Y HAWK LOOK$ SMALL] ?AN ITS SIBL+S1 & IT SAT & ATE :ILE ! O!RS TRI$ TO FLY4 ,! MO!R HAWK LOOK$ D[N AT LITTLE ,CONNOR & !N FLEW UP TO ! TOP ( ! TREE1 :]E IT SAT WAT*+ OV] ! =E/4 

0,:AT DID ,I DO WRONG80 ASK$ LITTLE ,CONNOR4 ,HE HAD DONE HIS BE/ TO /OP ! MA*9E1 EV5 IF IT HAD TAK5 ! TWO ( !M A FEW DAYS4 

0,MAYBE Y\ JU/ HAV5'T E>N$ IT YET40 ,MORIKO %RUGG$4 0,SEE ! BABY HAWKS80 

0,YEAH10 SAID ,CONNOR4 0,:AT AB\T !M80 

0,!Y LOOK DIFF]5T1 DON'T !Y80 

,CONNOR LOOK$ UP AT !M4 ,!Y SURE DID LOOK A LOT BIGG] ?AN ! LA/ TIME HE'D VISIT$ ! NE/1 BUT ?AT WASN'T :AT ,MORIKO WAS GETT+ AT4 ,CONNOR C\LD B>ELY MAKE IT \T1 BUT !RE WAS A DIFF]5CE 9 ! LITTLE HAWKS4 

0,!IR COLOR IS A BIT DIFF]5T4 ,:5 WE FIR/ SAW !M1 !Y JU/ LOOK$ LIKE LITTLE :ITE PUFFS1 BUT N[1 !Y HAVE T9Y LITTLE FEA!RS4 ,& SEE H[ !Y >E TRY+ TO FLY80 ,MORIKO PO9T$ AT ! LITTLE HAWKS4 ,!Y HOPP$ >\ND ON ! BRAN*1 FLAPP+ !IR W+S 9 ! BREEZE4 0,BUT !Y CAN'T QUITE DO IT YET40 

,! TWO *ILDR5 WAT*$ AS ! T9IE/ LITTLE HAWK $G$ \T ( ! NE/4 ,IT TIPTO$ TIMIDLY ACROSS ! TREE4 ,ITS SIBL+S PAUS$ TO LOOK AT IT BE=E RETURN+ TO TE/+ !IR W+S4 

0,BUT ONCE !Y LE>N TO FLY4440 ,MORIKO BEGAN1 BUT SUDD5LY /OPP$ AS ! T9Y HAWK FLAPP$ ITS W+S 9 ! SLI<T BREEZE4 ,CONNOR'S EYES LIT UP4 0444!N !Y E>N !IR FEA!RS60 

#c 

  

,SEV]AL DAYS PASS$ 9 ! =E/4 ,! SUN ROSE OV] ITS CANOPY1 TRAVEL$ ACROSS ! SKY1 !N SANK 9TO ! TREES AGA94 ,! TWO LITTLE *ILDR5 SP5T A LOT ( TIME 9 ! WOODS4 ,N[ ?AT !IR =E/ WAS SAFE AGA91 !Y HAD MANY ADV5TURES EXPLOR+ IT4 

,ONE DAY1 :ILE ! *ILDR5 W]E FOLL[+ DE] PA?S1 !Y F\ND A SECRET GROVE 9 ! VALLEY4 ,BEYOND IT WAS A SMALL CLE>+ !Y HAD NEV] NOTIC$ BE=E1 AS IT WAS HIDD5 BY ! TALL GRASSES & SURR\ND$ BY ?ORNY TREES4 ,IT WAS ! P]FECT PLACE = DE] TO SLEEP )\T WORRIES4 

,LITTLE :ITE FLUFFS FLOAT$ 9 ! AIR ABOVE ! GROVE4 ,CONNOR LOOK$ AT !M4 0,:AT DO Y\ ?9K ?OSE >E80 HE ASK$ ,MORIKO4 

0,FA]IES60 %E EXCLAIM$4 

0,REALLY80 ASK$ ,CONNOR1 JUMP+ 9 ! AIR TO CAT* ONE4 ,AS HE JUMP$1 ! LITTLE FLUFF FLEW UP JU/ \T ( HIS GRASP4 

,MORIKO LAU<$ AS ,CONNOR JUMP$ & MISS$ AGA94 0,Y\ CAN'T CAT* !M1 ,CONNOR40 

0,WAT* ME TRY10 HE :ISP]$ AS HE CREPT UP ON ONE ?AT WAS FLOAT+ SL[LY ALONG ! GR\ND4 ,HE MOV$ HIS H&S SL[LY & G5TLY CUPP$ !M >\ND IT4 

0,I GOT ONE60 HE %\T$1 JUMP+ UP & D[N4 

0,NOPE4 ,I BET Y\ DIDN'T40 

,CONNOR HELD \T HIS H&S4 0,H]E1 LOOK40 

,MORIKO GIGGL$4 0,LOOKS LIKE A PIECE ( FLUFF TO ME40 

,CONNOR LET IT FLY UP 9TO ! AIR4 0,H[ DO ,I KN[ :I* ONES >E FLUFF & :I* ONES >E FA]IES80 

0,Y\ CAN CAT* ! FLUFFS1 BUT Y\ CAN'T CAT* ! FA]IES40 

,! TWO *ILDR5 LAU<$ AS !Y JUMP$ UP 9TO ! AIR TRY+ TO CAT* A FA]IE4 ,!Y PLAY$ 9 ! GROVE WELL 9TO MIDDAY1 & LIKE ,MORIKO HAD SAID1 !Y W]E ONLY ABLE TO CAT* ! LITTLE FLUFFS4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES LAID D[N & SPRAWL$ \T 9 ! GROVE4 ,!Y LAID & WAT*$ ! FA]IES FLY PA/ WELL 9TO ! NI<T4 ,SOME TIME AFT] ! SUN HAD SET BUT BE=E ! />S CAME \T1 LITTLE COLORS BEGAN TO MOVE 9 ! SKY4 

,!RE W]E LITTLE FLICK]S ( BLUE1 B>ELY NOTICEABLE 9 ! NI<T4 ,!N A BIT ( GRE5 APPE>$ & ! COLORS BEGAN TO GR[4 ,! WALL ( GRE5 & BLUE 9 ! SKY BEGAN TO *ANGE HUES TO VIOLET & !N TO R$4 ,AS IT *ANG$ TO ORANGE & YELL[1 ! WALL ( COLORS BEGAN TO MOVE & *ANGE %APE1 SLI<TLY AT FIR/1 & !N FA/]4 ,AS ! HUES SL[LY CYCL$1 ! WALL BEGAN TO DANCE ACROSS ! SKY4 

,! *ILDR5 NEV] FELL ASLEEP ?AT NI<T4 ,!Y LAID \T 9 ! GROVE WAT*+ ! FA]IE LI<TS UNTIL ! />S TOOK OV] ! NI<T SKY4 ,SOON 5\<1 ! MORN+ SUN PEEK$ OV] ! HORIZON4 

,! SUN PASS$ OV] ! =E/ ?REE TIMES BE=E LITTLE ,CONNOR & LITTLE ,MORIKO RETURN$ TO ! WORKSITE4 ,AS !Y WALK$ UP ?R\< ! WOODS TO ! CLE>+1 !RE WAS A DI/9CT BUZZ ?R\< ! =E/4 ,MORIKO LOOK$ AT ,CONNOR1 H] EYES WIDE4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES RAN UP ! HILL1 & !IR M\?S DROPP$ ) HORROR :5 !Y SAW ?AT ! M5 ) !IR ORANGE TRUCKS FILL$ ! CLE>+4 ,ONLY A FEW MOM5TS LAT]1 ! MA*9E WAS ROLL$ ONTO ! SITE4 ,CONNOR ?\<T IT WAS A BR& NEW ONE1 BUT IT C\LD HAVE BE5 ! OLD ONE ALL FIX$ UP4 

,BO? ! *ILDR5 RUBB$ !IR EYES & %OOK !IR HEADS AS ! MA*9E />T$ UP & ROLL$ =W>D4 ,IT GRABB$ HOLD ( A TREE ) ITS UPP] CLAWS & CUT 9TO IT ) ! L[] SAWS4 

,MORIKO %OOK H] HEAD & :ISP]$1 0,NO4 ,NO4 ,NO40 

,CONNOR FELT HIS EYES WAT] UP1 BUT HE CL5*$ HIS FI/S 9 ! E>? BEL[ HIM4 ,HE SQUEEZ$ ! DIRT 9 HIS F+]S UNTIL IT TURN$ TO A CAK$ MUD4 ,! MA*9E CUT D[N ! FIR/ TREE1 !N A SECOND1 !N A ?IRD4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR WANT$ TO ?R[ A ROCK ?R\< ITS FRONT W9D[4 ,HE WANT$ TO JAM /ICKS 9TO ITS TREADS & P\R DIRT 9 ITS GAS TANK4 

,BUT !Y HAD TRI$ ?IS ALL BE=E1 & ! MA*9E /ILL RETURN$4 

0,WE HAVE TO DO SOME?+10 ,CONNOR PLEAD$1 0ANY?+ TO /OP !M40 

0,WE TRI$1 ,CONNOR40 ,MORIKO PUT A H& ON HIS %\LD]4 0,WE TRI$ EV]Y?+1 & IT FAIL$40 

0,BUT4440 ,CONNOR PAUS$4 ,HE WAS ANGRY1 & HIS HE>T P\ND$ HEAVILY4 ,BUT !RE WAS NO?+ HE C\LD DO4 

,MORIKO /OOD & WALK$ AWAY QUIETLY4 ,CONNOR DIDN'T FOLL[ H] ?IS TIME4 ,HE WALK$ ?R\< ! =E/1 W9D+ ALONG ! DE] PA?S4 ,HE APPRECIAT$ ! LIFE ?AT MOV$ >\ND HIM4 ,! SQUIRRELS RUNN+ ?R\< ! TREES1 & ! BRAN*ES SWAY+ 9 ! BREEZE4 ,HE KNEW ?AT ?IS MI<T BE ! LA/ TIME !Y W\LD BE !RE4 ,AFT] W&]+ = A :ILE1 HE 5D$ UP AT ! HAWK'S TREE4 ,HE =C$ A WEAK SMILE AS HE WALK$ UP TO IT4 

,! T9IE/ HAWK WAS HOPP+ ALONG ! $GE ( ! BRAN*4 ,! LITTLE BIRD FLAPP$ ITS W+S H>D 9 ! BL[+ BREEZE4 ,CONNOR WAT*$ AS ! BIRD /RUGGL$ TO LE>N TO FLY4 ,! LITTLE HAWK $G$ TO 5D ( ! BRAN* &1 )\T ANY MORE HESITATION1 DOVE (F4 ,AT FIR/1 IT G5TLY GLID$ >\ND ! TREE1 BUT ALONG ! WAY1 ITS T9Y BODY LO/ CONTROL & BEGAN TO FALL FA/] & FA/]4 

,CONNOR PANICK$4 0,MS4 ,HAWK6 ,MS4 ,HAWK60 

,! LITTLE BIRD WAS NE>LY 9 FREE FALL :5 ITS MO!R SWOOP$ D[N4 ,CONNOR PLAC$ A H& ON ! OLD OAK TREE4 ,HE TILT$ HIS HEAD ALL ! WAY BACK UNTIL IT RE/$ ON HIS %\LD]S4 ,HE BIT HIS LIP AS ! MO!R FLEW PA/ & CAU<T ! TUMBL+ BIRD 9 H] GREAT TALONS4 

,%E SCREE*$ AS %E FLAPP$ H] W+S1 VE]+ BACK UP TO H] NE/4 ,%E PLAC$ ! LITTLE HAWK ON ! BRAN*1 & /OOD NEXT TO IT EXT5D+ H] [N W+S4 ,TE W9D BLEW G5TLY ?R\< H] \T- /RET*$ FEA!RS AS %E %[$ ! LITTLE ONE H[ TO FLY4 

,LITTLE ,CONNOR SAT D[N B5EA? ! TREE & CROSS$ HIS LEGS4 ,HE RE/$ HIS HEAD ON HIS FOLD$ H&S & POND]$ = A LONG TIME4 ,HE ?\<T1 ,MAYBE ,MORIKO IS RI<T4 ,:AT IS ! PO9T ( TRY+ IF Y\ >E JU/ GO+ TO FAIL8 

,H\RS PASS$ AS ,CONNOR SAT1 ON ! $GE ( GIV+ UP4 ,! SUN HAD LONG PASS$ ! MIDDLE ( ! SKY :5 HE WAS WR5*$ FROM HIS ?\<TS BY A RO> DEEP 9 ! =E/4 

,CONNOR MOV$ =W>D & LOOK$ ?R\< ! TREES4 ,! MO!R HAWK BEGAN EMITT+ A FI]CE SCREE*4 ,F> ?R\< ! ?ICK TREES1 ,CONNOR SAW ! M5 9 ORANGE VE/S AS A CRANE LIFT$ !M TO ! TOP ( A TREE4 ,!Y CUT (F LIMBS & BRAN*ES AS !Y ROSE4 ,BEH9D ! RO> ( ! *A9SAWS1 ,CONNOR SAW ! TREE-CUTT+ MA*9E CREEP =W>D4 ,AL?\< IT WAS /ILL AT A DI/ANCE1 ! MA*9E WAS MOV+ /RAI<T AT ! HAWK'S TREE4 

,CONNOR LOOK$ UP AT ! HAWK'S NE/4 ,! MO!R HAD GA!R$ H] *ILDR5 & /OOD P]*$ OV] H] NE/4 ,H] W+S SPREAD \T1 & %E LEAN$ =W>D 9 A ?REAT5+ MOTION AS IF TO /RIKE4 ,A FI]CE 0,K,E,Y-E]0 ISSU$ FROM H] BEAK AS %E FLAPP$ H] W+S VIOL5TLY4 

,! CREW ( M5 MOV$ SL[LY =W>D ?R\< ! EXPANSE ( TREES4 ,IT W\LD ONLY BE A MATT] ( TIME BE=E !Y REA*$ ! HAWK'S NE/4 ,CONNOR FIGUR$ IT W\LD TAKE ! MA*9E A DAY AT ! MO/4 

,CONNOR PAC$ BACK & =? 9 FRONT ( ! TREE4 ,AS HE MOV$ HIS LITTLE LEGS1 HE BEGAN TO ?9K MORE & MORE QUICKLY1 & AS HE ?\<T HE BEGAN TO PACE FA/] & FA/]4 ,& !N HE /OPP$4 

,HE DID ! FIR/ ?+ HE HAD ?\<T (3 HE RAN4 ,HE RAN AS FA/ AS HIS LITTLE LEGS C\LD C>RY HIM4 ,HE DODG$ TREES1 JUMP$ OV] LOGS1 & RAN ?R\< ! TALL GRASS1 :I* :IPP$ AT HIS FACE4 ,HE RAN ?R\< HIS BACKY>D1 UP HIS /REET1 & /RAI<T TO ,MORIKO'S W9D[4 ,HIS LITTLE LEGS C\LDN'T C>RY HIM ANY LONG]1 & AS HE KNOCK$ H>D ON H] W9D[1 HE COLLAPS$4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR KNELT AS HE WAIT$1 GASP+ = BREA?4 

,MORIKO SLID H] W9D[ OP5 & LOOK$ \T4 0,CONNOR1 >E Y\ ALRI<T80 

,CONNOR TOOK DEEP BREA?S ( AIR4 0,! MA*9E4440 

0,CONNOR1 WE ALREADY TRI$40 ,H] VOICE S\ND$ HOPELESS4 

0444IT'S GO+ = ! HAWK'S NE/40 

,MORIKO GREW QUIET4 

0,I KN[ WE CAN'T SAVE ! =E/10 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR RAIS$ HIS HEAD1 TRY+ TO GA!R SOME DIGNITY AS HE PANT$ = BREA?1 0BUT WE CAN TRY TO SAVE ! HAWK40 

,! ONLY S\ND ?AT FOLL[$ WAS ,CONNOR'S BREA?+ AS IT SL[$4 ,IT WAS ONLY A MOM5T BE=E ,MORIKO JUMP$ \T ! W9D[4 ,! NEXT 9/ANT1 ! TWO W]E RUNN+ (F TO ! =E/4 ,CONNOR WAS /RUGGL+ TO /AY ON HIS FEET1 BUT HE RAN ANYWAY4 ,! TWO LOOK$ LIKE DE]1 RAC+ H>D1 TRAMPL+ ?R\< ! =E/2 BUT !Y FELT MORE LIKE WOLVES1 FA/ & F]OCI\S1 HUNT+ D[N !IR PREY4 

,PA9 %OT ?R\< ,CONNOR'S LEGS AS HE RAN4 ,HIS BODY GREW NUMB1 & HE F\<T (F ! URGE TO COLLAPSE4 ,BUT :5 HE ?\<T HE C\LDN'T GO ANY FUR!R1 HE PU%$ HIMSELF TO MOVE FA/]1 & :5 HE ?\<T HE C\LDN'T 5DURE ANY MORE PA91 HE MADE HIMSELF RUN H>D]4 ,JU/ AS HE ?\<T HE W\LD COLLAPSE1 HE REA*$ ! TREE4 ,MORIKO LOOK$ FRANTICALLY ?R\< ! TREES4 ,%E SAW A GREAT ANCI5T FALL TO ! GR\ND & SPOTT$ ! MA*9E RI<T BEH9D IT4 ,CONNOR RE/$ HIS H&S ON HIS KNEES & PLEAD$ DESP]ATELY1 0,MORIKO1 WE HAVE TO TRY & DO SOME?+40 

0,I KN[10 %E SNAPP$ BACK4 ,%E GAZ$ ?R\< ! FEW TREES ?AT /OOD BETWE5 !M & ! 5CROA*+ MA*9E4 0,I'M ?9K+40 

0,:Y DON'T WE TRY MOV+ ! NE/80 ASK$ ,CONNOR4 0,WE CAN JU/ MOVE IT TO A TREE ?AT'S \T ( ! WAY40 

0,?AT WON'T WORK1 ,CONNOR4 ,LOOK AT ! HAWK40 %E PO9T$ UP TO ! BIRD1 AS IT /OOD READY TO /RIKE ANY?+ ?AT ?REAT5$ H] LITTLE ONES4 0,%E'S TOO FRI<T5$ & ANGRY TO KN[ ?AT WE'D BE TRY+ TO HELP H]40 

,! TWO *ILDR5 PAC$ BACK & =? AS !Y TRI$ TO ?9K ( SOME?+1 ANY?+ ?AT C\LD /OP ! MA*9E4 ,CONNOR ?\<T ( ALL K9DS ( ?+S TO TRY1 BUT HE KNEW NONE ( !M W\LD WORK4 

,MORIKO LOOK$ UP ! ANCI5T OAK4 ,! MO!R HAWK WAS P]*$ ON ITS BRAN* />+ FI]CELY AT ! 5CROA*+ DE/RUCTION4 

0,CONNOR1 ,I'VE GOT IT60 ,MORIKO EXCLAIM$1 JUMP+ OV] TO HIM4 ,%E FLUNG H] >MS >\ND LITTLE ,CONNOR & />T$ DANC+ & SW++ HIM >\ND 9 CIRCLES4 0,I GOT IT1 ,CONNOR6 ,WE CLIMB UP ! TREE60 

0,CLIMB UP ! TREE80 ,CONNOR /OPP$ DANC+ & LOOK$ UP ?R\< ITS BRAN*ES4 ,HIS /OMA* TURN$ AS HE ?\<T AB\T CLIMB+ UPW>DS4 

0,( C\RSE60 ,MORIKO JUMP$ UP & D[N & DANC$ SOME MORE4 

0,!Y CAN'T CUT D[N ! TREE IF !RE >E LITTLE KIDS 9 IT1 ,CONNOR60 

0,I DON'T KN[4440 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR'S VOICE TRAIL$ (F4 ,HIS H& RE/$ ON ! TRUNK ( ! TREE4 ,HE RAN HIS F+]S ACROSS ! CRACK$ SURFACE ( ! B>K4 ,MORIKO SAW ,CONNOR'S WORRI$ FACE1 & %E /OPP$ DANC+ TOO4 

,MORIKO'S EYEBR[S FURR[$ AS %E ?\<T4 0,Y\ DON'T NE$ TO GO UP4 ,WE ONLY NE$ ONE ( US UP 9 ! TREE4 ,BESIDES1 Y\ CAN /& D[N H]E & W>N !M40 

,HE JU/ NODD$ HIS HEAD 9 REPLY4 ,CONNOR WI%$ MORE ?AN ANY?+ ?AT HE C\LD BE BRAVE LIKE ,MORIKO1 BRAVE LIKE A WOLF4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR KNEW HE WASN'T A WOLF4 

,MORIKO WRAPP$ H] >MS >\ND ,CONNOR1 & ! TWO HELD EA* O!R TI<T1 TRY+ TO SQUEEZE ! FE> \T ( EA* O!R4 ,:5 !Y P>T$1 ,MORIKO =C$ A WEAK GR94 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR REPLI$ ) AN UNEASY SMILE ( HIS [N4 

,MORIKO GRABB$ A L[ BRAN* & BEGAN TO MAKE H] WAY UP ! TREE4 ,%E SWUNG FROM ?AT BRAN* TO PULL H]SELF UP ONTO ! NEXT4 ,! BRAN*ES GREW SO D5SE 9 ! MIDDLE ?AT %E PRACTICALLY WALK$ >\ND ! TREE LIKE A SPIRAL /AIRCASE4 

,LITTLE ,CONNOR />$ UPW>DS AS HE WAT*$ ,MORIKO CLIMB HI<] & HI<]4 ,HE LEAN$ HIS HEAD BACK ALL ! WAY TO HIS %\LD]1 & LITTLE ,MORIKO /ILL CLIMB$ HI<]4 ,%E WAS ALMO/ TO ! TOP :5 %E /OPP$ & SAT ON A BRAN* ONLY A FEW FEET BEL[ ! HAWK'S NE/4 ,! MO!R HAWK HAD BE5 WAT*+ ,MORIKO ! 5TIRE TIME4 

,MORIKO LOOK$ UP AT ! HAWK1 & %E GAVE A LITTLE SMILE TO ! BIRD4 ,! BIRD FLAPP$ H] FEA!RS G5TLY AS %E HAD :5 GA!R+ H] [N LITTLE ONES4 ,! MO!R HAWK & LITTLE ,MORIKO P]*$ ON !IR BRAN*ES1 />+ AT ! APPROA*+ M5ACE4 

,! MA*9E CRAWL$ =W>D4 ,! NOISE ( ! MA*9E & ! *A9SAWS BECAME DEAF5+ AS !Y MOV$ CLOS]4 ,ONLY A FEW TREES /OOD BETWE5 !M & ! HAWK'S NE/4 ,! CREW ( M5 ASC5D$ ! LA/ TWO TREES ) !IR CRANES1 CUTT+ BRAN*ES & LIMBS AS !Y ROSE4 ,MEAN:ILE1 ! MA*9E TORE AP>T ANO!R TREE ?AT /OOD 9 ITS PA?4 

,AS BRAN*ES & LIMBS FELL BETWE5 ! TWO TREES ?AT SAT 9 FRONT ( ,CONNOR1 HE />T$ %\T+ AS L\D AS HE C\LD OV] ! BUZZ+ SAWS & ! RO>+ MA*9E3 0,/OP60 

,ONE ( ! M5 WIELD+ A *A9SAW LOOK$ D[N AT LITTLE ,CONNOR /&+ 9 FRONT ( ! TREE4 ,HE WAV$ TO ANO!R MAN ) A *A9SAW1 & ! TWO LOOK$ D[N AT ,CONNOR AS HE %\T$ = !M TO /OP4 ,! M5 C\LDN'T HE> ! %\TS ( ,CONNOR SO !Y M]ELY %RUGG$4 

,! TWO M5 W]E AB\T TO CONT9UE ) !IR CUTT+ :5 !Y SAW SOME?+ ?AT SURPRIS$ !M BO?4 ,?IS T9Y LITTLE BOY ON ! GR\ND TO :OM !Y HAD PAID NO ATT5TION TO BEGAN TO PULL HIMSELF UP ONTO A BRAN* ( ! TREE4 ,! M5 TURN$ (F !IR *A9SAWS AS !Y WAT*$4 

,LITTLE ,CONNOR /OOD ON ! L[] BRAN*4 ,HE WASN'T V]Y HI< ABOVE ! GR\ND1 SO HE DIDN'T FEEL P>TICUL>LY WORRI$4 ,HE PULL$ HIMSELF UP ONTO ! NEXT BRAN*1 & HE WASN'T MU* HI<] ?AN BE=E SO HE TRI$ NOT TO WORRY4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR CONT9U$ UPW>DS LIKE ?IS1 CLIMB+ FROM ONE BRAN* TO ! NEXT4 ,EA* TIME HE CLIMB$ TO ! NEXT BRAN*1 HE WAS ONLY A LITTLE BIT HI<] ?AN BE=E4 

,MORIKO LOOK$ D[N FROM H] BRAN* & *E]$ AS %E SAW ! T9Y FIGURE ( ,CONNOR GETT+ CLOS] AS HE CLIMB$ HI<] & HI<]4 ,%E %\T$ & *E]$ HIM ON AS HE ASC5D$ TO EA* BRAN*4 ,CONNOR PULL$ HIMSELF UP ONTO A BRAN* ?AT WAS ALMO/ TOO HI< = HIS LITTLE REA*4 ,HE MANAG$ TO PULL HIS /OMA* ONTO ! BRAN*1 BUT HIS LITTLE LEGS DANGL$ AS HIS BODY CURL$ >\ND IT4 

,HE LOOK$ D[N ?R\< ! DOZ5S ( BRAN*ES BETWE5 HIMSELF & ! GR\ND4 ,CONNOR WAS ALREADY HALFWAY UP ! TREE1 & HE F9ALLY REALIZ$ H[ HI< UP HE WAS4 ,! BRAN* PU%+ 9TO HIS /OMA* WASN'T MAK+ ?+S ANY EASI]4 

,HE SL[LY EAS$ HIMSELF ONTO ! BRAN*1 UNTIL HE C\LD RE/ HIS BACK AGA9/ ! TREE & CLOSE HIS EYES4 ,HE BREA!D DEEPLY AS HIS HE>T RAC$ & AS HIS /OMA* TWI/$ 9TO TI<T KNOTS4 ,N[ ?AT ,CONNOR HAD /OPP$ HIS ASC5T1 HE WAS TOO FRI<T5$ TO CONT9UE4 

,! TWO M5 ) *A9SAWS HAD REA*$ ! FOOT ( ! TREE1 & ! MA*9E WAS ROLL+ =W>D TO ! TREE !Y HAD BE5 WORK+ ON4 ,ONE ( ! M5 RU%$ OV] TO ! MA*9E & WAV$ AT ITS DRIV]4 ,)9 A MOM5T1 ! RO>+ ( ! MA*9E /OPP$1 & ! =E/ GREW QUIET4 

,MORIKO LOOK$ D[N FROM H] BRAN*1 H] H& RE/+ ON ! ANCI5T TREE4 0,CONNOR1 Y\'RE DO+ GOOD6 ,Y\ ONLY HAVE A FEW MORE FEET TO GO40 ,! FEW BRAN*ES ?AT /OOD BETWE5 H] & ,CONNOR W\LD BE AN EASY CLIMB4 ,!Y W]E SO CLOSE TO EA* O!R ?AT %E HAD WALK$ ON !M LIKE /AIRS4 ,BUT TO GET TO ?AT PO9T1 ,CONNOR W\LD HAVE TO SW+ HIMSELF ACROSS A P>TICUL>LY L>GE GAP1 A GAP ?AT HAD BE5 NE>LY TOO L>GE EV5 = ,MORIKO4 

0,COME ON1 ,CONNOR60 ,MORIKO KEPT %\T+ 9 5C\RAGEM5T4 0,I KN[ Y\ CAN DO IT1 ,CONNOR4 ,I KN[ Y\ >E BRAVE40 

,LITTLE ,CONNOR OP5$ HIS EYES & PE]$ OV] TO ! NEXT BRAN*1 & HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF1 ,MORIKO MAY ?9K ,I CAN DO IT1 BUT ,I KN[ ?AT ,I CANNOT4 ,HE LOOK$ BACK TO ! BRAN* HE WAS AT BE=E4 ,! /EP D[N LOOK$ ALMO/ AS SC>Y AS ! LEAP UPW>D4 ,BUT ! /EP D[N W\LD TAKE ME CLOS] TO ! GR\ND1 HE ?\<T4 

0,I CAN'T DO IT40 ,CONNOR CRI$ AS HE PEEK$ D[N BEL[4 

0,YES1 Y\ CAN6 ,BE BRAVE1 ,CONNOR40 

0,BUT ,I CAN'T4 ,I'M NOT BRAVE1 ,MORIKO4 ,I'M NOT LIKE ,A/OR40 ,CONNOR YELL$ AS HE BALANC$ HIMSELF ON ! BRAN*4 

0,Y\ DON'T NE$ TO PRET5D TO BE A W>RIOR1 ,CONNOR40 ,MORIKO %\T$1 0,Y\ >E ONE60 

,CONNOR CLOS$ HIS EYES & TOOK A DEEP BREA?4 ,HI< ABOVE HIM1 ! MO!R HAWK SCREE*$4 ,HIS EYES BOLT$ OP54 ,HE BELT$ \T A CRY4 ,& LITTLE ,CONNOR SWUNG4 

,HIS T9Y H&S CAU<T A HOLD ( ! NEXT BRAN*1 & HE PULL$ ) ALL ! MI<T ?AT HIS LITTLE >MS C\LD MANAGE4 ,HE SWUNG ONE LEG UP ONTO ! BRAN*1 SLIPP$ IT OV]1 & RE/$ HIS BODY AGA9/ ! WOOD4 

,A BIG SMILE SPREAD ACROSS LITTLE ,CONNOR'S FACE4 ,MORIKO *E]$ ABOVE HIM1 LAU<+ & %\T+ ) GLEE4 ,TE MO!R HAWK BEAT H] W+S 9 ! EXCITEM5T4 

,AS LITTLE ,CONNOR LAY ON ! \T/RET*$ BRAN*1 HE HE>D ,MORIKO FALL SIL5T4 ,A G5TLE W9D BLEW ?R\< ! BRAN*ES ( ! TREE1 & ,CONNOR LIFT$ HIS HEAD FROM ! B>K4 ,HIS LITTLE EYES GREW WIDE4 ,AMID ! EXCITEM5T1 A S+LE FEA!R FROM ! MO!R HAWK HAD FALL5 FROM H] TAIL1 BL[N 9 ! BREEZE1 & L&$ ON ,CONNOR'S BRAN*4 

,CONNOR HELD ! FEA!R TI<TLY 9 HIS LITTLE FI/ AS HE NE>LY JUMP$ FROM ONE BRAN* TO ! NEXT TO REA* ,MORIKO4 ,AS HE CLIMB$ ! F9AL BRAN*ES1 ! W9DS GREW /RONG]1 RU/L+ ! LEAVES ( ! ANCI5T OAK TREE4 

,! MA*9E & ! CREW ( M5 HAD GR[N SIL5T1 & ! W9D BLEW ?R\< ! =E/ UNTIL ! RU/L+ ( ! TREES WAS DEAF5+4 ,CONNOR PULL$ HIMSELF UP BESIDE ,MORIKO1 & %E EXCLAIM$ AS %E HUGG$ HIM1 0,Y\ GOT Y\R FEA!R60 

,CONNOR LOOK$ D[N AT ! MA*9E & ! *A9SAWS & ! /RET* ( TREE /UMPS ?AT LAY BEH9D !M4 0,! FEA!R WAS NEV] :AT REALLY MATT]$40 

,MORIKO UNTI$ ! SMALL P\* ?AT WAS TI$ TO ! FRONT ( H] %ORTS4 ,CONNOR LOOK$ ON CURI\SLY AS %E OP5$ IT4 ,MORIKO P\R$ ITS CONT5TS 9TO H] H&S & SPAT 9TO ! SOOT4 ,%E RUBB$ ! MIXTURE ( SPIT & A%ES UNTIL H] PALMS W]E BLACK4 ,) ONE H&1 %E M>K$ H] FACE4 ,T5 %E RAN A L9E D[N ,CONNOR'S FACE3 0,W> PA9T = ! BATTLE AHEAD40 

,! MA*9E RO>$ AGA9 & ITS SAWS CUT ?R\< ! ANCI5T P9ES ?AT /OOD BE=E ! GROVE ( OAKS4 ,! SLI<T BREEZE ?AT HAD BE5 BL[+ HAD BUILT TO A /RONG W9D4 ,AS IT BLEW ?R\< ! =E/1 ! RU/L+ LEAVES BECAME DEAF5+ AS IF 9 AN ATTEMPT TO MAT* ! RO> ( ! MA*9E4 

,AS ! TREE BE=E ! *ILDR5 FELL1 ! TWO LITTLE ONES JO9$ ! BATTLE CRIES ( ! =E/4 ,TE TREES SWAY$ & %OOK4 ,! HAWK BEAT H] W+S & SCREE*$ ALONG ) ITS LITTLE ONES4 ,MORIKO LET \T A F]OCI\S WOLF H[L1 & ,CONNOR EMITT$ A FI]CE 0,K,E,Y-E]60 

,SUDD5LY1 ! MA*9E SQUEAL$ TO A HALT4 ,ITS SAWS /OPP$ BUZZ+ & ITS 5G9E GREW QUIET4 ,! M5 >\ND ! MA*9E /OOD & LOOK$ UP AT ! TREE4 ,! W9D CONT9U$ TO BL[1 BUT ! CRIES ( ! =E/ QUIET$ AS ONE P>TICUL>LY /UBBY MAN WALK$ =W>D4 

,! /UBBY MAN PULL$ BACK HIS H>DHAT & RAN HIS H&S ALONG HIS BELT L9E1 JU/ UND] HIS POTBELLY4 0,Y\ KIDS NE$ TO GET D[N FROM !RE10 HE YELL$ UP4 0,WE NE$ TO CUT ?IS TREE D[N40 

0,NO60 ,TE TWO *ILDR5 %\T$ BACK4 

0,WE NE$ TO CUT ?IS TREE D[N1 & IT'S GO+ TO BE QUITE DANG]\S TO DO ) TWO KIDS 9 ! TREE40 ,! MAN SQU9T$ HIS EYES AS HE CONT9U$ TO LOOK UP4 0,Y\ ALL DON'T WANT TO GET HURT1 DO YA80 

,! *ILDR5 %OOK !IR HEADS4 ,MORIKO YELL$ BACK1 0,SORRY1 MI/]4 ,WE'RE NOT COM+ D[N40 

,! /UBBY MAN GREW ANGRY4 ,HIS FACE TURN$ R$ & HE HOLL]$ UP1 0,Y\ TWO GET D[N H]E ?IS 9/ANT60 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES C\LDN'T HELP BUT LAU< AT ! MAN'S R$ FACE4 

0,SORRY1 SIR10 ,CONNOR REPLI$ ) A SNICK]1 0WE CAN'T LET Y\ CUT D[N ?IS TREE ) ?IS HAWK'S NE/ UP H]E40 

,SOME ( ! M5 BEL[ BEGAN TO LAU< ) ! *ILDR54 ,! LITTLE /UBBY MAN GREW FURI\S4 ,HE TOOK HIS ORANGE HELMET & ?REW IT AT ! GR\ND4 0,Y\ KIDS GET D[N H]E RI<T N[ OR ,I'LL444,I'LL CUT IT D[N ) Y\ 9 IT60 

,! *ILDR5 /OPP$ LAU<+4 ,W\LD HE REALLY CUT ! TREE D[N ) !M 9 IT8 ,!Y LOOK$ AT EA* O!R ) A BIT ( WORRY 9 !IR LITTLE EYES4 ,CONNOR LOOK$ D[N AT ! ANGRY1 /UBBY MAN & %OOK HIS HEAD4 0,WE'RE NOT COM+ D[N4 ,Y\'RE GO+ TO HAVE TO CUT IT D[N ) US 9 IT40 

,! /UBBY MAN SWORE AS HE /OMP$ TO HIS VEHICLE4 ,! 5G9E SPUTT]$ AS IT />T$ & !N RO>$ AS IT ROLL$ SL[LY =W>D4 ,! *ILDR5 LOOK$ AT EA* O!R & BACK TO ! MA*9E AS ! SAWS HISS$ & !N />T$ BUZZ+4 ,AS ! MA*9E APPROA*$ ! ANCI5T TREE1 TWO LITTLE H&S F\ND !MSELVES TOGE!R4 ,EA* CLUNG MORE TI<TLY TO ! O!R EV]Y 9* ! MON/R\S MA*9E ADVANC$4 

,! BUZZ+ SAWS W]E ONLY A FOOT AWAY FROM ! TRUNK ( ! TREE4 ,! TWO *ILDR5 SQUEEZ$ EA* O!R'S H&S TI<T1 BUT !Y DID NOT WAV]4 ,TE MA*9E 9*$ T[>DS ! TREE4 ,JU/ AS IT WAS AB\T TO CUT 9TO ! TRUNK1 ! SAWS /OPP$ SP9N+ & ! MA*9E BACK$ AWAY4 

,! *ILDR5 *E]$ AS ! MA*9E RETREAT$1 & ! TWO LAU<$ AS ! ANGRY MAN JUMP$ \T ( ! MA*9E4 ,! *ILDR5 SAT 9 ! TREE1 SW++ !IR LEGS & BL[+ RASPB]RIES AT ! M5 :ILE ! /UBBY MAN TRI$ TO FIGURE \T H[ TO GET !M D[N4 

,! /UBBY MAN F9ALLY ?REW HIS H&S UP 9 ! AIR & CALL$ HIS SUP]VISOR4 ,IT WAS ONLY A FEW M9UTES BE=E A PICKUP TRUCK PULL$ UP1 & A MAN ) GLASSES ALMO/ AS BIG AS HIS C[BOY HAT /EPP$ \T4 ,HE EY$ UP ! *ILDR5 9 ! TREE1 & ! TWO LITTLE ONES WAV$ D[N AT HIM4 

,HE TURN$ TO ! /UBBY MAN4 0,?IS IS ! BIG PROBLEM ?AT Y\ CALL$ ME AB\T8 ,A C\PLE ( LITTLE KIDS UP 9 A TREE80 

,! /UBBY MAN GREW R$ AGA9 AS HE TRI$ TO EXPLA9 EV]Y?+ HE HAD DONE & H[ ! KIDS 9SI/$ ON /AY+ UP 9 ! TREE4 

0,!Y'RE EV5 SITT+ !RE SMIL+60 HE %\T$1 NE>LY \T ( BREA?4 

,! MAN ) ! C[BOY HAT PUT HIS H&S ON HIS HIPS4 ,! /UBBY MAN ASK$1 0,%\LD WE JU/ CALL ! POLICE80 

0,NO1 NO60 ,TE SUP]VISOR REPLI$4 0,& GIVE ! M$IA MORE FUEL AGA9/ US8 ',TWO CUTE KIDS TAKE ON BIG MEAN CON/RUCTION CORPORATION4' ,NO40 ,TE SUP]VISOR ADJU/$ ! BRIM ( HIS BIG SUNGLASSES4 

0,WE'LL JU/ HAVE WAIT !M \T40 

0,OV]NI<T80 ,TE /UBBY LITTLE MAN ASK$4 0,%\LD WE LEAVE SOME- ONE TO WAT* OV] ! WORKSITE1 SO !Y DON'T CAUSE ANY MORE TR\BLE80 

,! SUP]VISOR %OOK HIS HEAD4 0,TEY'RE JU/ KIDS4 ,BESIDES1 IT'LL BE SC>I] \T H]E ALONE40 

,SO ! WORK]S JUMP$ 9TO !IR TRUCKS & ! LOT ( !M DROVE AWAY1 LEAV+ ! WORKSITE AS IT HAD BE54 ,! TWO LITTLE ONES SAT UP 9 ! TREE *E]+ AT !IR SMALL VICTORY4 

0,CONNOR1 WE DID IT6 ,WE /OPP$ !M40 ,LITTLE ,MORIKO WRAPP$ H] >MS >\ND ,CONNOR4 

,HE SMIL$ AS HE HUGG$ H]1 BUT !N ADD$ RELUCTANTLY1 0,BUT !Y'LL BE BACK TOMORR[40 

0,!N WE /AY UP ?R\< ! NI<T40 

0,& :AT AB\T FOOD80 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR ASK$4 

,MORIKO %RUGG$4 0,IT'LL ONLY BE ONE NI<T40 

0,BUT !N :AT AB\T ! NEXT DAY80 

,MORIKO SI<$4 0,WE'LL FIGURE SOME?+ \T4 ,= N[1 LET'S CELEBRATE60 

,! *ILDR5 SAT 9 ! TREE AS ! SUN FELL B5EA? ! CANOPY ( ! =E/4 ,!Y PASS$ !IR TIME S++ SONGS & TELL+ /ORIES TO ONE ANO!R4 ,AS ! SUN DISAPPE>$ B5EA? ! HORIZON1 ! TWO LITTLE ONES BEGAN TO NOTICE ! GRUMBL+ 9 !IR TUMMIES4 ,AS !IR TUMMIES GRUMBL$1 !IR EYES GREW HEAVY4 ,& AS !IR EYES GREW HEAVY1 !IR BOTTOMS BECAME SORE4 

,! TWO REALIZ$ ?AT REMA9+ 9 ! TREE WAS GO+ TO BE MORE UNCOM=TABLE ?AN !Y HAD ?\<T4 ,BUT ) HUNGRY BELLIES1 SLEEPY EYES1 & SORE BOTTOMS1 !Y /AY$ PUT4 

,! *ILDR5 DEVIS$ A SY/EM ACCORD+ TO :I* !Y W\LD TAKE TURNS1 ONE ( !M SLEEP+ :ILE ! O!R /AY$ AWAKE ON GU>D DUTY4 ,CONNOR WAS TO SLEEP FIR/1 & ,MORIKO TO TAKE FIR/ WAT*4 

,CONNOR LEAN$ UP AGA9/ ! TREE & CLOS$ HIS EYES4 ,)9 A FEW MOM5TS1 HE WAS ASLEEP4 ,MORIKO LOOK$ AT ,CONNOR & YAWN$4 ,%E BEGAN KICK+ H] FEET 9 AN ATTEMPT TO /AY AWAKE4 ,%E WIGGL$ H] TOES & C\NT$ NUMB]S1 BUT H] EYES FLUTT]$4 ,SL[LY1 %E RE/$ H] HEAD ON ,CONNOR & DRIF$ (F TO SLEEP4 

,:5 ,MORIKO F9ALLY OP5$ H] EYES1 IT FELT LIKE %E HAD ONLY SLEPT = A FEW M9UTES4 ,9 FACT1 ! SUN HAD SET LONG AGO & IT WAS ALREADY WELL 9TO ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T4 ,AS ! W9D :I/L$ ?R\< ! LEAVES1 ! BRAN*ES SWAY$1 C>RY+ ! *ILDR5 ) !M4 ,BUT 9/EAD ( BE+ FRI<T5$1 ,MORIKO FELT COM=T$ ROCK+ 9 ! >MS ( ! GREAT TREE4 

,! =E/ WAS ABSOLUTELY SIL5T EXCEPT = A NOISE 9 ! DI/ANCE4 ,!RE WAS A SLI<T RU/L+ 9 ! =E/1 SO SLI<T IT C\LD HAVE BE5 A SMALL ANIMAL OR P]HAPS JU/ ! W9D4 ,AS ,MORIKO LOOK$ \T ACROSS ! =E/1 IT WAS AS IF IT HAD BECOME ALIVE ) SWAY+ BRAN*ES & RU/L+ LEAVES4 ,A SMALL FOX D>T$ ACROSS ! SITE4 ,IT /OPP$ TO SURVEY ! SC5E BE=E RAC+ BACK 9TO ! SAFETY ( ! =E/4 

,SUDD5LY1 D>K FIGURES BEGAN TO EM]GE NE> ! $GE ( ! CLE>+4 ,MORIKO NUDG$ ,CONNOR AWAKE AS %E WAT*$ ! FIGURES CR\*+ AMONG ! TREES4 ,CONNOR RUBB$ HIS SLEEPY EYES & LOOK$ 9 ! DIRECTION ,MORIKO PO9T$4 

0,:AT DO Y\ ?9K IT IS80 ,CONNOR TRI$ TO :ISP] AS QUIETLY AS HE C\LD4 

,MORIKO %RUGG$ BE=E SL[LY L[]+ H]SELF FROM ! BRAN*4 ,%E $G$ ALONG ! L[] BRAN* TO GET A CLOS] LOOK AT ! FIGURES4 ,CONNOR SLID D[N TO ?AT BRAN* & SCOOT$ UP NEXT TO ,MORIKO4 ,! FIGURES BEGAN TO CREEP T[>DS ! CLE>+4 ,T51 ONE BY ONE1 !Y EM]G$ FROM ! WOODS & MOV$ SWIFLY ACROSS ! B>R5 GR\ND4 ,DESPITE ! MOON'S BRI<T LI<T1 !Y REMA9$ %R\D$ 9 ! =E/'S %AD[4 

,MORIKO TURN$ TO ,CONNOR & :ISP]$ EXCIT$LY1 0,IT'S ! ELVES60 ,CONNOR WAT*$ ! BLACK-CLAD ELVES AS !Y FANN$ \T ACROSS ! WORKSITE AS !Y HAD BE=E4 ,HE L[]$ HIMSELF FROM ONE BRAN* TO ANO!R1 & ,MORIKO FOLL[$ QUICKLY BEH9D HIM AS HE WORK$ HIS WAY D[N ! TREE4 ,BUT NO MATT] H[ EXCIT$ !Y W]E1 ! *ILDR5 W]E C>EFUL TO MOVE QUIETLY4 

,! *ILDR5 REA*$ A BRAN* ?AT WAS AB\T TWICE !IR HEI<T (F ! GR\ND4 ,!Y BO? CRAWL$ ALONG ! LIMB UNTIL !Y C\LD PEEK !IR HEADS ?R\< ! TREE'S BIG LEAVES4 

,! PACK ( ELVES QUICKLY RUMMAG$ ?R\< ! SITE4 ,*A9SAWS W]E BE+ DISASSEMBL$ & ! PIECES BROK54 ,ANO!R ELF WORK$ UND]NEA? ! MON/R\S MA*9E4 ,LIKE LA/ TIME1 ! LA/ ELF /OOD GU>D1 WAT*+ 9TO ! NI<T4 

,! *ILDR5'S EYES D>T$ ACROSS ! CLE>+ AS !Y WAT*$ EA* ELF WORK QUICKLY & QUIETLY4 ,!Y SCANN$ ! WORKSITE UNTIL !Y MET ! EYES ( ! ELF ACT+ AS LOOK\T4 

,:5 !IR T9Y EYES MET ! ELF 'S1 !Y FROZE 9 PLACE1 NOT D>+ TO MOVE & RISK SC>+ ALL ! ELVES AWAY4 ,! WAT* ELF CASUALLY WALK$ >\ND ! WORKSITE TO EA* ( ! O!R ELVES4 ,! ELF :ISP]$ 9 ALL ( !IR E>S BE=E /ROLL+ CALMLY ACROSS ! CLE>+4 

,! *ILDR5 LOOK$ AT EA* O!R ) WIDE1 EXCIT$ EYES4 ,! ELF WAS WALK+ RI<T T[>DS !M6 ,! ELF /OPP$ 9 FRONT ( ! TREE1 & !IR EYES MET AGA94 

0,HELLO1 LITTLE ONES40 ,! ELF 'S VOICE WAS A S(T :ISP]4 0,:AT >E Y\ TWO DO+ UP !RE80 

,LITTLE ,MORIKO REPLI$ MATT]-(-FACTLY1 0,WE'RE PROTECT+ ! =E/ FROM ! MA*9ES60 

,UND] ! ELF 'S MASK1 H] LIPS CURL$ 9TO A SMILE4 0,GOOD4 ,WE'RE DO+ ! SAME40 

0,SORRY WE SC>$ Y\ AWAY LA/ TIME10 ,CONNOR APOLOGIZ$ QUIETLY4 

0,?AT WAS Y\ TWO8 ,OH MY40 ,TE ELF C\LDN'T HELP BUT GIGGLE A LITTLE4 

0,IT'S QUITE ALL RI<T1 LITTLE ONES40 

0,WE TRI$ TO HELP ANYWAY10 ,MORIKO /AT$ AS %E LEAN$ =W>D TO :ISP] EV5 QUIET]4 0,WE BROKE ! MA*9E TO TRY & /OP IT4 ,& :5 ?AT DIDN'T WORK1 WE CLIMB$ UP 9 ?IS TREE TO PROTECT IT40 

0,!RE'S A HAWK'S NE/ UP !RE40 ,CONNOR PO9T$ UP TO ! NE/ HIDD5 9 ! BRAN*ES4 0,WE /AY$ 9 ?IS TREE ALL DAY SO ! MA*9ES W\LDN'T CUT IT D[N1 & WE'LL /AY 9 IT ALL NI<T TOO1 AS LONG AS WE HAVE TO PROTECT IT40 

0,?AT'S V]Y BRAVE ( Y\10 ,! ELF :ISP]$4 0,IT S\NDS LIKE ! TWO ( Y\ HAVE MADE LITTLE ELVES ( Y\RSELVES40 

,MORIKO & ,CONNOR %OT BIG GR9S AT EA* O!R4 ,! ELF LOOK$ BACK AT ! CLE>+4 ,! O!R ELVES W]E NE>LY F9I%$ ) !IR WORK4 0,Y\ TWO %\LD GET D[N = A :ILE4 ,IT'S NOT GO+ TO BE SAFE BY ! MA*9E 9 A LITTLE BIT40 

0,BUT :AT AB\T ! HAWK80 ,CONNOR ASK$ ANXI\SLY4 

0,%E %\LD BE F9E1 LITTLE ONE4 ,%E *OSE A GOOD TREE TO NE/ 940 

,! ELF RAN H] H& ACROSS ! CRACK$ B>K ( ! ELD] TREE4 0,WE'RE GO+ TO MAKE SURE ?IS MA*9E NEV] DE/ROYS ANO!R =E/40 

,! TWO *ILDR5 LOOK$ AT EA* O!R QUE/ION+LY UNTIL ! ELF (F]$1 0,Y\ TWO CAN COME ) US = A LITTLE BIT40 

,! *ILDR5 SMIL$ & SWUNG D[N FROM ! BRAN*4 ,! ELF GUID$ !M TO ! $GE ( ! =E/1 !N HOOT$ S(TLY4 ,TE O!R ELVES CAU<T H] SIGNAL & HURRI$ TO F9I%4 

,! *ILDR5 CR\*$ 9 A BU% NEXT TO ! WAT* ELF4 ,! O!R ELVES SL[LY BEGAN TO ASSEMBLE !RE1 TOO4 ,!N ! WAT* ELF S5T TWO ( ! ELVES RUNN+ ?R\< ! =E/1 & ! RE/ SCATT]$ AMONG ! TREES & BU%ES4 

,TWO ELVES HELP$ ,CONNOR & ,MORIKO CLIMB ONTO A TREE BRAN*1 & ! WAT* ELF :ISP]$1 0,WAT* ! MA*9E40 

,AT FIR/1 ! *ILDR5 SAT & />$ AT ! MA*9E SITT+ 9 ! D>KNESS ( ! NI<T4 ,!N1 A SP>K BUR/ FROM UND]NEA? IT4 ,! T9Y FLA% ( LI<T DI$ QUICKLY1 BUT SL[LY1 A SMALL FLAME BEGAN TO BURN4 ,IT />T$ \T SMALL1 BUT SOON ! FLAMES SPREAD B5EA? ! MA*9E UNTIL ! :OLE UND]SIDE WAS BURN+4 

,!RE WAS A BUR/ ?AT S\ND$ LIKE ?UND]1 & ! FRONT ( ! MA*9E WAS 5GULF$ 9 FIRE4 ,IT SPREAD ACROSS ITS BODY & CONSUM$ ITS M5AC+ CLAWS4 ,IT WASN'T LONG BE=E ! 5TIRE MA*9E HAD BECOME A PYRE BURN+ 9 ! MOON'S LI<T4 

,LITTLE ,MORIKO1 FILL$ ) EXCITEM5T1 LET \T A H[L4 ,CONNOR JO9$ 9 & SOON ALL ! ELVES W]E H[L+ TO ! MOON & S++ TO ! =E/4 

,!N ONE BY ONE1 ! ELVES TURN$ & DISAPPE>$ 9TO ! D>KNESS4 ,! LA/ ELF TURN$ TO ,MORIKO & ,CONNOR4 ,%E SAID NO WORDS TO !M1 & !Y SAID NONE TO H]4 ,%E HUGG$ !M BO? TI<TLY & KISS$ EA* ( !M ON ! =EHEAD1 & !N %E WAS GONE4 

,MORIKO & ,CONNOR SAT SIL5TLY 9 ! NI<T4 ,) !IR >MS >\ND EA* O!R1 ! TWO GAZ$ 9TO ! LI<T ( ! BURN+ MA*9E1 SMILES %9+ ON !IR FACES4 

,! NEXT MORN+1 ! M5 9 ORANGE VE/S F\ND !IR WORKSITE 9 RU9S4 ,BLACK SMOKE BILL[$ FROM ! SMOLD]+ REMA9S ( ! MA*9E4 ,BROK5 P>TS ( ! *A9SAWS LAY SCATT]$ ACROSS ! CLE>+4 ,SOME M5 W]E SIL5T2 O!RS KICK$ ANGRILY AT ! PIECES--& A FEW GR9N$ AT ! ?\<T ( A FEW DAYS FREE FROM WORK4 

,! SUP]VISOR ROLL$ UP 9 HIS TRUCK4 ,HIS FACE WAS R$ ) FURY AS HE YELL$ AT ! M5 :O GA!R$ >\ND HIM 9 A CIRCLE4 ,ONE ( ! WORK]S 9DICAT$ SOME?+ ON ! GR\ND1 & ! SUP]VISOR LOOK$ :]E ! MAN WAS PO9T+4 ,HE /OOD SIL5T = A MOM5T BE=E ?R[+ HIS BIG C[BOY HAT TO ! GR\ND4 

,! SUP]VISOR1 & !N ! POLICE1 TRI$ ASK+ ! *ILDR5 :AT HAPP5$1 BUT ! TWO JU/ %RUGG$ & SAID1 0,H[ W\LD WE KN[ ANY?+8 ,WE'RE JU/ KIDS40 

,EV5TUALLY1 ! SC5E QUIET$ D[N & ! M5 LEFT4 ,LITTLE ,CONNOR & ,MORIKO CLIMB$ UP HI< 9TO ! TREE & LOOK$ D[N AT ! GR\ND :]E ! M5 HAD 4GA!R$4 ,M>K$ 9TO ! CAK$ GR\ND 9 BIG1 BOLD LETT]S W]E ! WORDS3 

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,! *ILDR5 WALK$ ?R\< ! WORKSITE4 ,A PAIR ( FEET WALK$ 9 EA* ( ! GIANT PR9TS ( A MA*9E'S TREADS4 ,ONE LITTLE H& HELD ! O!R1 BRIDG+ ! SPACE BETWE54 

,AS ! TWO WALK$1 LITTLE SPR\TS ( GRASS PEEK$ ?R\< ! CAK$ MUD4 ,! TWO CONT9U$ TO WALK1 & AS !Y DID1 !Y GREW OLD]4 ,& AS !Y GREW1 SO DID ! GRASS4 ,!Y WALK$ 9 ! TREADS AS WILD-FL[]S OP5$ & BLOOM$ >\ND !M4 

,9 ! BACKGR\ND1 GIANT ELECTRIC L9ES HAD BE5 CON/RUCT$1 CUTT+ ACROSS ! =E/4 ,9 ! SKY1 A MO!R HAWK FLEW ABOVE ! TOPS ( TREES4 ,H] LITTLE ONES FLEW BEH9D H]1 FLAPP+ !IR LITTLE W+S1 L&+ ON H] BACK & !N FLY+ ?R\< ! SKY4 

,! TWO LITTLE ONES /OPP$ 9 !IR PA?S & LOOK$ AT ONE ANO!R4 ,N[ !Y W]E NOT SO LITTLE4 ,CONNOR SMIL$ AT ,MORIKO1 :O LOOK$ BEAUTIFUL ) A HAWK FEA!R HOLD+ BACK H] HAIR4 ,%E NODD$ H] HEAD T[>DS ! GR\ND4 

,CONNOR KNELT 9 ! SPOT :]E HE HAD COLLAPS$ & CRI$ YE>S AGO4 ,N[1 WILDFL[]S BLOOM$ :]E HE RAN HIS H&S ACROSS L& ?AT HAD ONCE BE5 B>R54 ,9 ! PLACE :]E HIS FIR/ TE>DROP HAD FALL51 A SMALL SAPL+ WAS ON ITS WAY TO BECOM+ AN OAK4 ,CONNOR /OOD UP & GRABB$ HOLD ( ,MORIKO'S H&4 ,AS ! TWO CONT9U$ ON !IR WAY1 ONE :ISP]$1 0,!RE'S A TIME TO CRY1 & A TIME TO FI<T BACK40 

,! MO!R HAWK LET \T A FI]CE SCREE* AS ?UND] E*O$ ?R\< ! VALLEY4 ,) A FLA% LIKE LI<TN+1 FLAMES SPRANG UP TO 5GULF ! ELECTRIC PYLONS1 & !Y COLLAPS$ TO ! GR\ND ONE AF] ANO!R4 

,AS = ! TWO LITTLE ONES1 !Y KEPT WALK+ & NEV] LOOK$ BACK4 

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,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#d1 #bbb 3 ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,T]IJIAN -- ,ADD$4 

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