The Masked Family

Chapter 8-2

So now Cary was in a bad situation. He knew Grogan had evil plans in mind, but he didn't know exactly what they were or when they'd happen. Not only did no one else suspect a thing, but they all seemed to have been taken in by Grogan's Mr. Nice Guy act.

Cary knew he had to tell the rest of the Nuclear Family as soon as possible. Ever since his encounter with Grogan in the basement, Cary had tried to get the word out...but every time he'd gotten close to talking to someone, Grogan had popped up nearby.

Today, though, Cary had to find a way to warn the others. The longer they stayed in the dark, the more chance Grogan would carry out his plan.

The more chance Cary would be blamed for it.

But he was already too late.

Not long after breakfast, Cary got Celeste to meet him in The Cage...the space under the back porch that the Nuclear Family kids used as headquarters during their adventures.

The Cage had an orange dirt floor and low-hanging beams that even Cary, the shortest kid, had to duck. One of the two latticework walls was a door, complete with hinges and a sliding latch on the outside.

"What is it?" Celeste said loudly as soon as she swung open the door to The Cage.

Cary held a finger to his lips. "Shhh."

Celeste dropped her voice to a loud whisper. "Okay, okay. What do you want to talk to me about?"

"It's Grogan," said Cary, looking around nervously. Through the holes in the latticework wall, he saw that no one was nearby out in the yard. "He said he'll kill me if I don't join him."

Celeste frowned. "Join him?"

"Help him make the family miserable." Cary didn't hear anyone coming, but he still kept looking outside. "He said he'll make everyone think it's my fault."

Celeste narrowed her eyes. "This isn't part of an adventure, is it? The Hurry versus Blacksheep?"

"No!" Cary caught himself raising his voice and dropped it back to a near-whisper. "I swear this isn't make-believe, Celeste! I'm scared."

"Okay then." Celeste twirled her blonde hair around one finger. "Did he say anything else about what he's going to do?"

Cary shook his head. "He just said no one'll believe me when I tell them he said he'll kill me."

"He really is a liar then." Celeste smiled as she reached out to touch his cheek. "Because I believe you."

"But what if nobody else does?" said Cary.

"You know they will," said Celeste. "Grogan just got here, right? You've been here all your life."

"I don't know." Cary stared out through the holes in the latticework. "What if I lose my powers and Grogan gets me?"

"He won't get you." Celeste leaned close and kissed his forehead. "I'll save you."

"But how can we stop him?" said Cary.

"Let's go talk to Mom." Celeste tousled his racing-striped red hair, then turned and pushed open the door of The Cage. "She'll know what to do."