READ ALL GOOSEBUMPS ONLINE

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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 20pt;">THE ABOMINABLE<br />
SNOWMAN OF PASADENA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Goosebumps - 38<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">R.L. Stine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100728221403/goosebumps/images/7/7f/Abo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abo" border="0" height="400" src="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100728221403/goosebumps/images/7/7f/Abo.jpg" width="271" /></a><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">1<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">All my life, I’ve wanted to see snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My name is Jordan Blake. My life has been
twelve years of sun, sand, and chlorine. I’d never felt cold,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">ever</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">—unless you count air-conditioned supermarkets. And I don’t. It
doesn’t snow in the supermarket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I’d never felt cold, that is, until the
adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Some people think I’m a lucky guy to live
in Pasadena, California, where it’s always sunny and warm. It’s okay, I guess.
But if you’ve never seen snow, it seems like something out of a science-fiction
movie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Fluffy white frozen water that falls out
of the sky? It piles up on the ground, and you can make forts and snowmen and
snowballs out of it? You have to admit it sounds weird.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">One day, my wish came true. I got to see
snow at last. And it turned out to be weirder than I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Way weirder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Pay attention, kids. This is going to be
cool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad’s face glowed under the red darkroom
light. My sister, Nicole, and I watched him developing film. With a pair of
tongs, he dipped a sheet of special paper in a chemical bath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I’ve watched Dad develop film all my life.
He’s a professional photographer. But I’d never seen him so excited about
photos before—and that’s saying a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad takes nature photos. Well, actually,
he takes pictures of</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">everything!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He never</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">stops</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">taking pictures. My mom says
that once when I was a baby I saw Dad and screamed. I didn’t recognize him
without a camera in front of his face. I used to think he had a zoom lens for a
nose!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our house is filled with embarrassing
pictures of me—me as a baby in baggy diapers, me with food all over my face, me
crying after scraping my knee, me hitting my sister…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway, Dad had just returned from a trip
to the Grand Tetons. That’s a mountain range in Wyoming—part of the Rocky
Mountains. He was all worked up about the pictures he took there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I wish you kids had seen those bears,”
Dad said. “A whole family of them. The cubs reminded me of you two—always
teasing each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Teasing. Ha. Dad thinks Nicole and I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">tease</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">each other. That’s putting it
mildly. Nicole—Miss Know-it-all—drives me crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sometimes I wish she’d never been born.
I’ve made it my mission to make</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">her</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel the same way. I mean, I try to make her wish she’d never been
born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You should have taken us with you to the
Grand Tetons, Dad,” I complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s very cold in Wyoming this time of
year,” Nicole said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How do you know, Brainiac?” I jabbed her
in the ribs. “You’ve never been to Wyoming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I read up on it while Dad was away,” she
explained. Of course. “There’s a picture book about it in the library if you
want to know more, Jordan. It’s just right for you—it’s for first graders.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I couldn’t think of anything to say back.
That’s my problem. I’m too slow with the comebacks. So I jabbed her again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hey, hey,” Dad murmured. “No jabbing. I’m
working here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dumb Nicole. Not that she’s dumb—she’s
really smart. But in a dumb way—that’s my opinion. She’s so smart she skipped
fifth grade—and landed in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">my</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">class. She’s a year younger than I am and she’s in my class—<i>and</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">she gets straight A’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad’s pictures floated in the chemical
bath, slowly becoming clear. “Did it snow in the mountains while you were
there, Dad?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Sure, it snowed,” Dad replied. He was
concentrating on his work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Did you go skiing?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad shook his head. “I was too busy
working.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How about ice-skating?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole acts as if she knows everything.
But like me, she’d never seen snow, either. We’d never left Southern
California—and you could tell by looking at us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We’re both tan all year round. Nicole’s
hair is greenish-blond from the chlorine in the community pool, and mine is
brown with blond streaks. We’re on the school swim team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’ll bet it’s snowing at Mom’s house
right now,” Nicole said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Could be,” Dad replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mom and Dad are divorced. Mom just moved
to Pennsylvania. We’re going to spend the summer with her. But we stayed in
California with Dad to finish out the school year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mom sent us some pictures of her new
house. It was covered with snow. I stared at the pictures, trying to imagine
the cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I wish we stayed at Mom’s house while you
were gone,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, we’ve been over this.” Dad
sounded a little impatient. “You can visit your mother when she’s settled. She
hasn’t even bought furniture yet. Where would you sleep?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’d rather sleep on a bare floor than
listen to Mrs. Witchens snoring on the couch,” I grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mrs. Witchens stayed with Nicole and me
while Dad was away. She was a nightmare. Every morning we had to clean our
rooms—she actually inspected them for dust. Every single night she served us
liver, brussels sprouts, and fish-head soup with a tall glass of soy milk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Her name’s not</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Witchens,”</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole corrected me. “It’s</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Hitchens</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">know</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">that,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sicole</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">,” I retorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Under the red light in the darkroom, the
photos grew clearer. I heard excitement in Dad’s voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If these shots come out well, I can
publish them in a book,” he said. “I will call it</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Brown Bears of Wyoming,</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">by Garrison Blake. Yes, that has a nice ring to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He stopped to pull a photo out of the
liquid. It dripped as he stared at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That’s weird,” he murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What’s weird?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He set the picture down without saying
anything. Nicole and I glanced at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad—” Nicole said. “I hate to break it to
you, but that looks like a teddy bear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">was</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">a picture of a teddy bear. A
stuffed brown toy bear with a lopsided grin, sitting in the grass. Not the kind
of creature you usually find in the Grand Tetons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“There must be some mistake,” Dad said.
“Wait until the rest of the photos develop. You’ll see. They’re amazing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He pulled up another picture. He studied
it. “Huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I grabbed the photo. Another teddy bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad picked up a third picture. Then a
fourth. He moved faster and faster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“More teddy bears!” he cried. He was
frantic. Even in the darkroom, I could see the panic on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What’s going on?” he shouted. “Where are
the photos I took?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">2<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad—” Nicole began. “Are you</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">sure</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">those bears you saw were real?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Of course I’m sure!” Dad boomed at her.
“I know the difference between a brown bear and a teddy bear!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He began to pace back and forth across the
darkroom floor. “Did I lose the film somehow?” he murmured, clutching his head
with one hand. “Could someone have switched it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The weird part is that you were taking
pictures of bears,” Nicole noted. “And you ended up with</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">teddy</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">bears. That’s just so strange.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad furiously tapped his hands on the
developing table. He muttered to himself. He was starting to lose it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Did I lose the film on the plane somehow?
Switch carry-on bags with someone else, maybe?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned my back to Dad, my shoulders
shaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan? What’s the matter?” Dad grabbed
my shoulders. “Are you all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He spun me around. “Jordan!” Dad cried.
“You’re—laughing!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole crossed her arms. She narrowed her
eyes at me. “What did you do to Dad’s pictures?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad frowned. His voice was calmer now.
“All right, Jordan. What’s the big joke?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I gasped for breath, trying to stop
laughing. “Don’t worry, Dad. Your pictures are okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He shoved one of the teddy bear shots in
my face. “Okay! You call this okay?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I borrowed your camera before you left
for Wyoming,” I explained. “I took a bunch of shots of my old teddy bear, for a
joke. The rest of the film should have your real bears on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I can’t resist a good practical joke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole said, “I had nothing to do with it,
Dad. I swear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Little Miss Goody-Goody.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad shook his head. “A joke?” He turned
back to the photos and developed a few more. The next shot showed a real bear
cub fishing in a stream. Dad laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You know,” he said, putting the picture
of the real bear next to one of the teddy bear shots, “they don’t look as
different as you’d think.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I knew Dad wouldn’t stay angry. He never
does. That’s one reason I like to play tricks on him. He likes to play
practical jokes, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Did I ever tell you about the trick I
pulled on Joe Morrison?” he asked. Joe Morrison is a photographer friend of
Dad’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Joe had just gotten back from Africa,
where he had spent months photographing gorillas. He was all excited about
these fabulous gorilla shots he’d taken. I saw the pictures, and they were
really spectacular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Joe had a big meeting set up with the
editor of a nature magazine. He was going to go in and show the editor these
photos. He was sure the magazine would snap them up in a second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Joe didn’t know that the editor and I had
gone to college together. So I called her up and asked her to help me play a
little joke on Joe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“When Joe went to see her, he showed her
the pictures. She looked at them without saying a word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Finally he couldn’t stand the suspense
any longer. He blurted out, ‘Well? Do you like them or not?’ He’s an impatient
guy, Joe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What did she say?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“She frowned and said, ‘You’re a good
photographer, Mr. Morrison. But I’m afraid you’ve been tricked. The creatures
you photographed aren’t gorillas at all.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Joe’s jaw practically fell off his face.
He said, ‘What do you mean, they’re not gorillas?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“She said, with a perfectly straight face,
‘They’re people in gorilla suits. Can’t you tell the difference between a real
gorilla and a man in a gorilla suit, Mr. Morrison?’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I chuckled. Nicole asked, “Then what
happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Joe practically had a nervous breakdown.
He snatched up the photos and stared at them. He shouted, ‘I don’t get it! How
could that happen? I spent six months of my life studying people in gorilla
suits?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Finally the editor burst out laughing and
told him it was a joke. She loved the photos and wanted to publish them. Joe
wouldn’t believe her at first—it took her fifteen minutes to get him to calm
down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad and I both laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I think that’s really mean, Dad,” Nicole
scolded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I get my joker streak from Dad. Nicole
takes after Mom. She’s more practical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Joe thought it was funny once he got over
the shock,” Dad assured her. “He’s played his share of tricks on me, believe
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad swished another photo through the
chemical bath. Then he held it up with his tongs. It showed two bear cubs
wrestling. He smiled with satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This roll came out great,” he said. “But
I’ve got a lot more work to do in here, kids. Go on outside for a while, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He turned the red light off and flipped on
the normal light. Nicole opened the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Don’t get all messed up and dirty,
though,” Dad added. “We’re all going out to dinner tonight. I want to celebrate
my luck with the brown bears.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ll be careful,” Nicole promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Speak for yourself,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I mean it, Jordan,” Dad warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Just kidding, Dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A wave of heat blasted us when we opened
the darkroom door. Nicole and I stepped out into the backyard, blinking in the
afternoon sun. It always takes my eyes a long time to adjust after I’ve been in
the darkroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What do you want to do?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I don’t know,” I replied. “It’s so hot.
It’s too hot to do much of anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole closed her eyes and zoned out for a
minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole?” I nudged her. “Nicole? What are
you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m thinking about the snow in Dad’s
pictures of the Grand Tetons. I thought it would make me feel cooler.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She stood perfectly still with her eyes
closed. A bead of sweat dripped down her forehead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Well?” I asked. “Is it working?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She opened her eyes and shook her head.
“No. How can I imagine snow if I’ve never felt it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Good point.” I sighed and gazed around
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We live in a subdivision in the suburbs of
Pasadena. There are only three different kinds of houses in our neighborhood.
The same three house styles are repeated for miles around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It’s so boring to look at, it makes me
feel even hotter, somehow. Each block has a couple of palm trees, not enough to
give much shade. There’s a vacant lot across the street from us, next door to
the Millers’. The most exciting feature of our backyard—maybe the whole
block—is Dad’s disgusting compost heap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I squinted and stared some more.
Everything appeared bleached in the sunlight. Even the grass looked almost
white.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m so bored I could scream,” I
complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s ride our bikes,” Nicole suggested.
“Maybe the breeze will cool us off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Maybe Lauren will want to go with us,” I
added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren Sax lives next door to us. She’s in
our class at school. I see her so often, she might as well be my sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We rolled out our bikes from the garage
and walked them over to Lauren’s. We left our bikes at the side of her house.
Then we went around back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We found Lauren sitting on a towel under a
palm tree in her backyard. Nicole sat beside Lauren on the towel. I leaned
against the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s so hot!” Lauren whined. She tugged
on her yellow shorts. She’s tall and muscular, with long brown hair and bangs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She has a nasal voice, good for
complaining. “This is supposed to be winter. It’s winter everywhere else. A
normal winter has snow and ice and sleet and freezing rain and cold, cold air.
What do we get? Nothing but sun! Why do we have to be so</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">hot</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Suddenly I felt a pain in my back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ow!” I jerked forward. Something stabbed
me. Something stinging sharp—and ice cold! My face twisted in pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan!” Nicole gasped. “What’s wrong?
What’s wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">3<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I clutched the icy spot on my back. “What is it?” I cried. “It’s
so cold!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole jumped to her feet and examined my
back. “Jordan, you’ve been stabbed!” she announced. “With a purple Popsicle!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As I turned around I heard mean laughter.
The Miller twins jumped out from behind the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I should’ve known. The Miller twins—Kyle
and Kara. The twin pug noses, the beady little eyes, the matching short-cropped
red hair. Yuck. They carried twin Super Soakers, red ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Miller twins love practical jokes.
They’re worse than I am. And much meaner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Everyone in the neighborhood is afraid of
them. They pounce on little kids waiting at the bus stop and rob them of their
lunch money. Once they blew up the Saxes’ mailbox with a stink bomb. Last year,
Kyle sucker-punched me during a basketball game. He thought it was funny to
watch me turn purple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Millers like to pick on me more than
anyone, for some reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kara is just as scary as her brother Kyle.
I hate to admit it, but Kara can take me out with one punch. I know that for a
fact. She gave me a black eye last summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“‘Oh, it’s so hot. It’s so hot!’” Kara
sneered, making fun of Lauren’s whiny voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle flipped his Super Soaker from one
hand to the other behind his back. He tried to make it look like a really
complicated move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Arnold taught me how to do that,” he
bragged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle wanted me to think he was talking
about Arnold Schwarzenegger. He claims he knows Arnold. I have my doubts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole tugged on the back of my shirt.
“Dad’s going to kill you, Jordan,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I craned my neck backwards. The back of my
white polo shirt was stained dark purple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, great,” I muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad said not to get messed up,” Nicole
reminded me. As if I needed to be reminded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Don’t worry, Jordan,” Kyle said. “We’ll
clean it off for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Uh—that’s okay,” I murmured, backing
away. Whatever Kyle meant by “clean it off”, I knew I wouldn’t like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I was right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He and Kara raised their Super Soakers and
squirted me, Nicole, and Lauren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stop it!” Lauren screamed. “You’re
getting us all wet!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle and Kara laughed their maniac laughs.
“You</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">said</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you were hot!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They drenched us. My shirt was so wet I
could wring a glass of water out of it. I glared at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle shrugged. “We were only trying to
help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Yeah. Sure they were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I should’ve been grateful that all they
did was soak us. We got off easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I can’t stand the Miller twins. Neither
can Nicole and Lauren. They think they’re so hot. Just because they’re thirteen
and they have a swimming pool in their backyard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Their father works at a movie studio.
They’re always bragging about how they go to sneak previews and hang out with
movie stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I haven’t seen a movie star show up at
their house yet. Not once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Aw, you’re all wet,” Kara said, sneering.
“Why don’t you take a bike ride to dry off?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I exchanged glances. When we’re
alone, we don’t get along so well. But when the Millers are around, we have to
stick together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We knew the Millers too well. They
wouldn’t mention our bikes without a reason. A bad reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What did you do to our bikes?” Nicole
demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Millers faked wide-eyed innocence.
“Who—us? We didn’t do anything to your precious bikes. Go see for yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I glanced around the side of
Lauren’s house, where we’d left our bikes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“They look okay from here,” Nicole
whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“There’s something wrong with them,” I
said. “They look weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We approached our bikes. They looked weird
all right. The handlebars had been unscrewed and twisted backwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hope you have reverse gear,” Kyle
snickered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Normally, I’m not the kind of guy who goes
around getting into fights. But something in me snapped. This time Kyle and
Kara had gone too far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I jumped on Kyle. We tumbled to the
ground. We wrestled. I tried to pin him with my knee, but he pushed me over
onto my side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stop it!” Nicole screamed. “Stop it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle rolled me onto my back. “You thought
you could jump me, Jordan? You’re too big a wimp!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I kicked him. He pinned my shoulder to the
ground with one knee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole shouted hysterically, “Jordan! Look
out!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I glanced up. Kara stood over me,
clutching a rock the size of her head. A mean grin spread across her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Drop it, Kara!” Kyle ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I tried to roll out of the way, but I
couldn’t move. Kyle had me pinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kara heaved the rock. Then she let it
drop—right onto my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">4<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I squeezed my eyes shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The rock landed on my forehead—and bounced
off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I opened my eyes. Kara laughed like a
hyena. She picked up the rock and dropped it on my face again. It bounced off,
just like the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren grabbed it. “It’s made of sponge,”
she announced. She squeezed it in her hand. “It’s a fake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle laughed. “It’s a movie prop, moron.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You should’ve seen your face,” Kara
added. “What a chicken!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I kicked Kyle off me and pounced on him
again. This time I was so mad I had the strength of two Kyles. I wrestled him
to the ground. I had him pinned!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What’s going on, guys?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Uh-oh. Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I leaped to my feet. “Hi, Dad. We were
just kidding around.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle sat up, rubbing his elbow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad didn’t even seem to notice that we’d
been fighting. He was excited about something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Listen, kids—I have great news.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Wilderness</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">magazine just called. They want
to fly me to Alaska!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Great, Dad,” I said sarcastically. “You
get to go on another exciting trip while we stay here and die of boredom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“And heat,” Nicole added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad laughed. “I called Mrs. Hitchens to
see if she could come stay with you again—” he began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Not Mrs. Hitchens again!” I cried. “Dad,
she’s horrible! I can’t stand her cooking. I’ll starve to death if she stays
with us!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You will not, Jordan,” Nicole said. “Even
if you ate only bread and water, you could survive a week easily.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole? Jordan? Hello?” Dad said,
knocking lightly on our heads. “Will you please listen to me? I haven’t
finished yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Sorry, Dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Anyway, Mrs. Hitchens can’t come. So, I
guess you two will just have to come along with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“To Alaska?” I cried. I was too excited to
believe it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hurray!” Nicole yelled. We jumped up and
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You guys are so lucky!” Lauren said. Kara
and Kyle stood by. Saying nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re going to Alaska!” I shouted. “We’ll
get to see snow! Tons of snow! Alaskan snow!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I was thrilled. And Dad hadn’t even told
us the interesting part yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s a strange project,” Dad continued.
“They want me to track down some kind of snow creature—an Abominable Snowman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Wow!” I gasped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle and Kara snorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole shook her head. “An Abominable
Snowman? Has anybody really seen him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad nodded. “Some kind of snow creature
has been spotted. Who knows what it really is. Whatever it is, the magazine wants
me to shoot photos of it. I’m sure it’s a wild-goose chase. There’s no such
thing as an Abominable Snowman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“So why are you going?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I poked her in the ribs. “Who cares? We’re
going to Alaska!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The magazine is paying a big fee,” Dad explained.
“And even if we don’t find a snow creature, I’ll still get some great shots of
the tundra.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren asked, “What’s a tundra?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad began to reply, but Nicole stepped
forward. “I’ll handle this one, Dad,” she interrupted. I felt like screaming.
She does that in school all the time, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“A tundra is a huge frozen plain. It
exists in the Arctic, in Alaska, and in Russia. The word</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">tundra</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">comes from the Russian,
meaning—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I clapped my hand over her big mouth. “Any
other questions, Lauren?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren shook her head. “That’s all I
needed to know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Egghead here goes on forever if you don’t
stop her.” I let go of Nicole’s mouth. She stuck her tongue out at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This trip is going to be great,” I cried
happily. “We’ll see ice and snow for real! We’re going hunting for an
Abominable Snowman! Awesome!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">An hour earlier we’d been bored out of our
minds. Now suddenly everything had changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad smiled. “I’ve got to go back to the
darkroom for a while. Don’t forget—we’re going out to dinner tonight.” He
wandered back across the lawn and into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As soon as Dad was gone, Kara started
laughing. “An Abominable Snowman! What a joke!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Typical Kara—she was too chicken to say a
word while Dad was around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Kyle made fun of me, jumping up and down
and squealing, “Alaska! Alaska! I’ll get to see snow!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You both will probably turn blue and
freeze,” Kara sneered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“<i>We’ll</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">be fine,” Nicole said. “It’s</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">your</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">turn to freeze!” She grabbed
Kara’s Super Soaker and sent a spray of water into Kara’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stop it!” Kyle shouted. He dove at
Nicole. Nicole laughed and ran away, turning around to soak them every few
feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Give that back!” Kara yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Millers chased Nicole. Kyle raised his
Super Soaker and let Nicole have it in the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren and I ran after them. Nicole raced
into our backyard. She turned around and squirted the Millers again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You can’t catch me!” she cried, shooting
and walking backward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She was backing right into Dad’s compost
heap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Should I warn her? I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Take that!” she shouted, blasting the
Millers with water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then she slipped and fell backward—into
the compost heap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yuck,” Lauren groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole stood up slowly. Greenish-brown
slime oozed in her hair and dripped down her back, her arms, and her legs.
“Ugh!” she screamed, frantically wiping the glop off her hands. “Uggghhh!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We all stood and stared. She looked like
some kind of Abominable Snowman herself. All covered in glop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were still staring when Dad popped his
head out the back door. “You kids ready to go to dinner?” he called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">5<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“There it is!” Dad shouted over the roar of the small plane’s
engine. “Iknek. That’s the airstrip.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stared out the window at the tiny brown
patch where we’d be landing. For the last half hour I’d seen nothing but miles
and miles of snow. Wow. It was so</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">white</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was cool the way the snow sparkled in
the sunlight. It made me think of Christmas carols. I couldn’t get “Winter
Wonderland” out of my head—and it was driving me crazy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I watched for giant footprints as we flew.
How big would an Abominable Snowman’s footsteps be? Big enough to see from a
low-flying plane?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I hope there’s a restaurant down there,”
Nicole said. “I’m starving.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad patted her shoulder. “We’ll have a
big, hot meal before we set out. But after that, it’s camping food.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How are we going to build a fire in the
snow?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ll be staying in a little cabin,” Dad
replied. “It’s a long way out in the tundra, but it’s better than sleeping in
tents. There should be a stove in the cabin. I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">hope</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">so, anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Can we build an igloo and sleep in that?”
I asked. “Or dig out an ice cave?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You can’t build an igloo just like that,
Jordan,” Nicole snapped. “It’s not like a snow fort or something. Right, Dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad took the lens cap off his camera and
started taking pictures through the plane window. “Sure,” he said absently.
“Uh-huh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole turned to the window, too. I
mimicked her behind her back.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You can’t build an igloo just
like that,</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I mouthed. She acts like she’s my teacher
or something. It’s really embarrassing when she does it in front of everybody
at school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How are we going to find the cabin?”
Nicole asked. “Everything looks the same in all this snow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad turned and snapped a picture of her.
“Did you say something, Nicole?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I was wondering how we’re going to find
the cabin,” Nicole repeated. “Do you know how to use a compass, Dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“A compass? No, but that doesn’t matter. A
man named Arthur Maxwell is supposed to meet us at the airport. He’ll be our
guide through the tundra.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I know Arthur,” the pilot shouted back to
us. “He’s an old musher from way back. Knows everything about dogs and sleds.
He knows this part of Alaska better than anybody, I guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Maybe he’s seen the Abominable Snowman,”
I suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How do you know there is such a thing?”
Nicole taunted. “We haven’t seen any sign of him yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole, people have</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">seen</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">him with their own eyes,” I
replied. “And if there’s no such thing, what are we doing here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Some people</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">say</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">they’ve seen him,” Nicole said.
“Or maybe they</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">think</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">they’ve seen one. I won’t believe it until I get more facts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The plane circled the small town. I played
with the zipper on my new Arctic jacket. I’d been hungry a few minutes earlier,
but now I was too excited to think about food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There really is an Abominable Snowman down
there, I thought. I know there is. I felt a chill, despite a blast of hot air
from the plane’s heater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What if we find him? What will happen
then?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What will happen if the Abominable Snowman
doesn’t like to be photographed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The plane flew very low now, getting ready
to land. We touched down with a bump and taxied along the runway. The plane
lurched as the pilot put on the brakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Something big loomed at the end of the
runway. Something huge, white, and monstrous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad, look!” I cried. “I see him! The
Abominable Snowman!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">6<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The plane squealed to a stop right in front of the big monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad, Nicole, and the pilot all laughed—at
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I hate that. But I couldn’t blame them.
The big white monster was a polar bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A statue of a polar bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The polar bear is the symbol of the
town,” the pilot explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh,” I murmured. I knew I was blushing. I
turned away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan knew that,” Dad said. “He was just
playing one of his practical jokes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Uh—yeah.” I went along with it. “I knew
it was a statue all along.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You did not, Jordan,” Nicole said. “You
were really scared!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I punched Nicole in the arm. “I was not!
It was a joke.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad put an arm around each of us. “Isn’t
it great the way these two kid each other?” he said to the pilot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If you say so,” the pilot replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We hopped out of the plane. The pilot
opened the cargo hold. Nicole and I grabbed our backpacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad had brought a huge, airtight trunk for
film, cameras, food, sleeping bags, and other supplies. The pilot helped him
carry it off the airstrip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The trunk was so big, Dad could fit inside
it. It reminded me of a red plastic coffin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Iknek Airport was like a tiny wooden
house, just two rooms. Two pilots in leather jackets sat at a table playing
cards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A tall, brawny man with dark hair, a thick
beard, and leathery skin stood up and crossed the room to greet us. His gray
parka hung open over a flannel shirt and deerskin pants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This must be our guide, I realized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Mr. Blake?” the man said to Dad. His
voice was low and hoarse. “I’m Arthur Maxwell. Need some help there?” He
grabbed one end of the trunk from the pilot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is an awfully big trunk you
brought,” Arthur added. “Do you really need all this stuff?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad reddened. “I’ve got a lot of cameras,
tripods and things…. Well, maybe I overpacked.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur frowned at me and Nicole. “I’d say
so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Call me Garry,” Dad said. “These are my
kids, Jordan and Nicole.” He nodded toward us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole said “Hi,” and I added, “Nice to
meet you.” I can be polite when I have to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur stared at us. Then he grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You didn’t mention kids,” he mumbled to
Dad after a minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m sure I did,” Dad protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I don’t remember it,” Arthur replied,
frowning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Everyone was silent. We pushed through the
airport door and started down the muddy road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m hungry,” I said. “Let’s go into town
and get some food.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How far is it to town, Arthur?” Dad
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How far?” Arthur echoed. “You’re looking
at it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stared around in surprise. There was
only one road. It began at the airport and ended in a pile of snow about two
blocks away. A few wooden buildings were sprinkled along it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is it?” I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s not Pasadena,” Arthur grumbled. “But
we call it home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He led us down the muddy road to a diner
called Betty’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I guess you’re hungry,” he grumbled.
“Might as well eat a hot meal before we set out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We settled into a booth by a window.
Nicole and I ordered hamburgers, french fries, and Cokes. Dad and Arthur
ordered coffee and beef stew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’ve got a sled and four dogs ready to
go,” Arthur announced. “The dogs can pull this trunk of yours and the other
supplies. We’ll walk beside the sled.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That sounds fine,” Dad said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Whoa!!” I protested. “We’re walking? How
far?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ten miles or so,” Arthur replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ten miles!” I’d never walked that far
before. “Why do we have to walk? Why can’t we take a helicopter or something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Because I want to take photos along the
way, Jordan,” Dad explained. “The landscape is fascinating. You never know what
we’ll come across.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Maybe we’ll come across the Abominable
Snowman, I thought. That would be cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our food arrived. We all ate in silence.
Arthur wouldn’t look me in the eye. He wouldn’t look any of us in the eye. He
stared out the window while he ate. Outside on the street, a Jeep drove by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Have you ever seen this snow creature
we’re looking for?” Dad asked Arthur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur speared a piece of meat with his
fork and popped it into his mouth. He chewed. He chewed some more. Dad, Nicole,
and I all watched him, waiting for his answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Finally he swallowed. “Never seen it,” he
said. “Heard about it, though. Lots of stories.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I waited to hear one of the stories. But
Arthur kept on eating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I couldn’t stand waiting any longer. “What
kind of stories?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He swabbed at some gravy with his bread.
He stuffed it into his mouth. Chewed. Swallowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“A couple of people in town,” he said.
“They’ve seen the monster.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Where?” Dad asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Out by the big snow ridge,” Arthur said.
“Beyond the musher’s cabin. Where we’re staying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What does he look like?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“They say he’s big,” Arthur said. “Big and
covered with brown fur. You might think he’s a bear. But he’s not. He walks on
two feet like a man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I shuddered. The Abominable Snowman
sounded a lot like a vicious cave monster I saw in a horror movie once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur shook his head. “Personally, I hope
we never find him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad’s jaw dropped. “But that’s what we’re
here for. It’s my job to find him—if he exists.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He exists all right,” Arthur declared.
“Friend of mine—another musher—he was out in a blizzard one day. Ran smack into
the snow monster.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What happened?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You don’t want to know.” Arthur stuffed
more bread into his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We certainly do want to know,” Dad
persisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur stroked his beard. “The monster
picked up one of the dogs and made off with him. My friend chased after him,
trying to get the dog back. Never found him. But he could hear the dog whining.
Pitiful howls. Whatever happened to that dog—it sounded pretty bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s probably a carnivore,” Nicole said.
“A meat-eater. Most animals around here are. There’s so little vegetation—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I jabbed Nicole. “I want to hear about the
snowman—not your stupid nature facts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur flashed Nicole an annoyed glance. I
figured he was thinking, What planet is</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">she</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">from? That’s what I’m usually
thinking, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He cleared his throat and continued. “My
friend came back to town. He and another guy went out to try and capture the
snow monster. Darn foolish, if you ask me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What happened to them?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Don’t know,” Arthur said. “They never
came back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Huh?” I gaped at the big guide. I
swallowed hard. “Excuse me? Did you say they never came back?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur nodded solemnly. “They never came
back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">7<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Maybe they got lost in the tundra,” Dad suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Doubt it,” Arthur said. “Those two knew
what they were doing. The monster killed them. That’s what happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He paused to butter another slice of bread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Close your mouth, Jordan,” Nicole said.
“I don’t want to look at your chewed-up french fries.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I guess my mouth had been hanging open. I
shut it and swallowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur seems like a weird guy, I thought.
But he’s not lying to us. He definitely believes in the Abominable Snowman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole asked him, “Has anyone else seen
the snow monster?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yep. A couple of TV people from New York.
They heard about what happened to my friend and came to town to investigate.
They set out into the tundra. Never came back, either. We found one of them,
frozen to death in a block of ice. Who knows what became of the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Then Mrs. Carter—she lives at the end of
Main Street—she saw the snow monster a few days later,” Arthur continued in a
low voice. “She was looking through her telescope and spied him out in the
tundra. He was chewing on bones, she said. Don’t believe me, go ask her
yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad made a noise. I glanced at him. He was
trying to keep from laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I didn’t see what was so funny. This snow
monster sounded pretty scary to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur glared at Dad. “You don’t have to
believe me if you don’t want to, Mr. Blake,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Call me Garry,” Dad repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’ll call you what I please, Mr. Blake,”
Arthur said sharply. “What I’m telling you is true. That monster is real—and
he’s a killer! You’re taking a big risk, chasing after him. No one has ever
caught him. Anyone who goes out after him… doesn’t return.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ll take our chances,” Dad said. “I’ve
heard stories like this before, in other parts of the world. Stories about
monsters in the jungle or weird creatures in the ocean. So far the stories have
never turned out to be true. I have a feeling the Abominable Snowman will be no
different.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Part of me really wanted to see the snow
creature. But part of me hoped Dad was right. I don’t deserve to die, I
thought—just because I want to see snow!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Well,” Dad said, wiping his mouth. “Let’s
get going. Everybody ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m ready,” Nicole piped up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Me too,” I said. I couldn’t wait to get
out in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur said nothing. Dad paid the lunch
check.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We waited for change. “Dad,” I asked,
“what if the Abominable Snowman is real? What if we run into him? What will we
do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He pulled something small and black out of
his coat pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is a radio transmitter,” he
explained. “If we get into any kind of trouble out in the wilderness, I can
radio the ranger station in town. They’ll send a helicopter to rescue us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What kind of trouble, Dad?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m sure there won’t be any trouble,” Dad
assured us. “But it’s good to be prepared for emergencies. Right, Arthur?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur smacked his lips and cleared his
throat. But he didn’t reply. I figured he was angry because Dad didn’t believe
his stories about the snow monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad returned the radio transmitter to his
coat pocket. He left a tip for the waitress. Then we spilled outside into the
cold Alaskan air, ready to head out for the frozen tundra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Was an Abominable Snowman waiting for us
somewhere out there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We would soon find out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">8<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Smack!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Bulls-eye. I hit Nicole in the middle of
her backpack with a snowball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad!” Nicole cried. “Jordan hit me with a
snowball!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad had his camera in front of his face,
clicking away, as usual. “Good for you, Nicole,” he said absently. Nicole
rolled her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then she ripped off my ski cap. She
stuffed it with snow and smushed it on top of my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Snow trickled down my face. The cold
burned my skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">At first I thought snow was cool. I could
mush it up in my hand to make snowballs. Fall down in it without getting hurt.
Put it on my tongue and let it melt into water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But I was beginning to feel the cold. My
toes and fingers were getting numb. We had already walked two miles out of
town. When I looked back, I couldn’t see it. I could only see snow and sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Only eight more miles to the cabin, I thought,
wiggling my fingers inside my mittens. Eight more miles! It was going to take
forever. And all around us, nothing but snow—miles and miles of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad and Arthur trudged beside the dogsled.
Arthur had brought along four Alaskan huskies—Binko, Rocky, Tin-tin, and
Nicole’s favorite, Lars. They pulled Dad’s big trunk and the other supplies in
a long, narrow sled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I each carried a backpack
filled with emergency food and other supplies. Just in case, Dad said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In case of what? I wondered. In case we
get lost? In case the dogs run away with the sled? In case the Abominable
Snowman captures us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad snapped pictures of the dogs, of us,
of Arthur, of the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole threw herself backwards into a
snowdrift. “Look—an angel!” she cried, waving her arms up and down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She jumped up and we checked out the snow
angel. “Cool,” I admitted. I lay on my back to make one, too. When Nicole came
closer to inspect it, I whopped her with a snowball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hey!” she cried. “I’m going to get you
for that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I leaped up and darted away. The deep snow
crunched under my shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole ran after me. We raced ahead of the
dogsled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Be careful, kids!” Dad called after us.
“Stay out of trouble!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stumbled in the snow. Nicole pounced on
me. I wriggled free and bolted away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What kind of trouble could we get into? I
thought as my feet crunched along. There’s nothing but snow for miles around.
We couldn’t even get</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">lost</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">out here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned around and ran backwards, waving
at Nicole. “Try and catch me, Miss Factoid!” I teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Name-calling is so immature!” she yelled,
chasing after me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then she stopped and pointed behind me.
“Jordan! Look out!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hey—I’m not falling for that old trick,”
I called back. I skipped backwards through the snow. I didn’t want to take my
eyes off her, in case she planned to pelt me with snowballs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, I mean it!” she screamed. “Stop!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">9<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Thud!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I landed hard on my back in a pile of
snow. “Unh!” I grunted, stunned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I struggled to catch my breath. Then I
stared around me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had fallen down some kind of deep
crevasse. I sat shivering in the pile of snow, surrounded by narrow cliffs of
bluish ice and rock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stood and looked up. The opening of the
crevasse was at least twenty feet above me. Frantically, I clutched at the icy
walls. I grabbed onto a jutting rock and fumbled for a foothold, hoping to
climb out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I hoisted myself up a couple of feet. Then
my hand slipped and I slid back to the bottom. I tried again. The ice was too
slick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">How would I ever get out of here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where were Dad and Nicole? I tried to warm
my cheeks with my mittens. Why don’t they come to get me? I’m going to freeze
down here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole’s face appeared at the top of the
crevasse. I’d never been so happy to see her in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan? Are you all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Get me out of here!” I shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Don’t worry,” Nicole assured me. “Dad’s
coming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I leaned against the pit wall. The
sunlight didn’t reach the bottom. My toes felt ready to break off. They were so
cold! I jumped up and down to keep warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A few minutes later, I heard Dad’s voice.
“Jordan? Are you hurt?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No, Dad!” I called up to him. He, Nicole,
and Arthur all stared down at me from above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Arthur is going to lower a rope down to
you,” Dad instructed. “Hold on to it, and we’ll hoist you out of there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stepped aside as Arthur tossed one end
of a knotted rope into the crevasse. I clutched the rope with my mittened
hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur shouted, “Heave!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad and Arthur tugged on the rope. I
planted my feet in footholds in the ice, bracing myself against the side of the
crevasse. The rope slipped out of my hands. I clutched it tighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hold on, Jordan!” Dad called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They pulled again. My arms felt as if they
were going to be yanked out of their sockets. “Ow!” I cried. “Careful!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Slowly they hoisted me to the top of the
crevasse. I wasn’t much help—my feet kept slipping on the icy walls. Dad and
Arthur each took one of my hands and dragged me out of the pit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I lay on the snow, trying to catch my
breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad tested my arms and legs for sprains
and breaks. “You sure you’re all right?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It was a mistake to haul kids along,”
Arthur grumbled. “The snow is not as solid as it looks, you know. If we hadn’t
seen you fall, we never would have found you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ve got to be more careful,” Dad
agreed. “I want you both to stick close to the sled.” He leaned over the side
of the crevasse and snapped a picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stood up and brushed the snow from the
seat of my pants. “I’ll be careful from now on,” I promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Good,” Dad said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’d better push on,” Arthur said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We started walking again across the snow.
I gave Nicole a shove once in a while, and she shoved me back. But we were
quieter now. Neither of us wanted to end up frozen to death at the bottom of a
snow hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad snapped away as we walked. “How much
farther to the cabin?” he asked Arthur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Another couple of miles,” Arthur replied.
He pointed to a steep mountain of snow in the distance. “See that snow rise,
about ten miles off? That’s where the monster was last spotted.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman had been seen by
that snow rise, I thought. Where was he now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Could he see us coming? Was he hiding
somewhere, watching us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I kept my eyes on the snow rise as we walked. It seemed to grow
bigger as we came closer to it. The snow rise was dotted with pine trees and
boulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After about an hour, a tiny brown speck
appeared a mile or so away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That’s the abandoned musher’s cabin where
we’ll stop for the night,” Dad explained. He rubbed his gloves together and
added, “It sure will be nice to sit by a roaring fire.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I clapped my mittens together to keep the
blood flowing through my hands. “I can’t wait,” I agreed. “It must be minus two
thousand degrees out here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Actually, it’s about minus ten,” Nicole
stated. “At least, that’s the average temperature for this area at this time of
year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Thank you, Weather Girl,” I joked. “And
now for sports. Arthur?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur frowned into his beard. I guess he
didn’t get the joke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He fell behind us a little to check the
back of the sled. Dad turned around to snap Arthur’s picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“When we get to the musher’s cabin I’ll
take a few more scenery photos,” Dad said, as he changed his film. “Maybe I’ll
photograph the cabin, too. Then we’ll all turn in. We have a big day tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">By the time we reached the cabin it was
almost eight o’clock at night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Took us too long to get here,” Arthur
grumbled. “We left town after lunch. It should’ve taken us about five hours.
The kids having</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">accidents</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">and all is slowing us down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad stood a few feet away from him,
shooting a portrait of Arthur while he talked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Mr. Blake, did you hear me?” Arthur
growled. “Stop taking my picture!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What?” Dad said, letting his camera drop
to his chest. “Oh, yeah—the kids. Bet they’re hungry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I explored the musher’s cabin. It didn’t
take long. The tiny wooden shack was empty except for an old wood-burning stove
and a couple of broken-down cots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Why is the cabin so empty?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Mushers don’t stop here anymore,” Arthur
explained. “They’re afraid of the monster.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I didn’t like the sound of that. I glanced
at Nicole. She rolled her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur bedded the dogs in a lean-to
outside the cabin. The lean-to was a shed built against the back cabin wall. It
was filled with straw for the dogs to sleep on. I spotted a rusty old dogsled
propped in a corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then Arthur lit a fire and began to fix
some supper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Tomorrow we’ll search for this so-called
monster,” Dad announced. “Everybody get a good night’s sleep.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After supper we crawled into our sleeping
bags. I lay awake for a long time, listening to the howling wind outside.
Listening for the thudding footsteps of an Abominable Snowman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole, get off me!” She rolled over in her sleeping bag and
jabbed her elbow into my ribs. I knocked her arm away and snuggled deeper
inside my own toasty warm sleeping bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole opened her eyes. Bright morning
sunshine streamed into the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’ll be back in a minute to fix
breakfast, kids,” Dad said. He sat in a chair, lacing up his snow boots. “First
I’m going out to check on the dogs. Arthur went out to feed them a few minutes
ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He bundled up and stepped outside. I
rubbed my nose—it was cold. The fire in the stove had gone out during the
night. No one had relit it yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I forced myself to climb out of my
sleeping bag and start pulling on clothes. Nicole began dressing, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Do you think there’s a hot shower in this
dump?” I wondered aloud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole smirked at me. “You know perfectly
well there’s no hot shower, Jordan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, wow! This is incredible!” I heard
Dad’s shout from outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I jammed my feet into my boots and raced
out the door. Nicole pushed right behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad stood at the side of the musher’s
cabin, pointing in shock at the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I gazed down—and saw deep footprints in
the snow. Huge footprints.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Enormous</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">footprints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So big that only a monster could have made
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">10<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Unbelievable,” Dad murmured, staring at the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur hurried over from the lean-to. He
stopped when he saw the prints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No!” he cried. “He was here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">His ruddy face grew pale. His jaw trembled
with terror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ve got to get away from here—now!” he
said to Dad in a low, frightened voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad tried to calm him down. “Hold on a
minute. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re in terrible danger!” Arthur
insisted. “The monster is nearby! He’ll rip us all to shreds!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole knelt in the snow, studying the
footprints. “Do you think they’re real?” she asked. “Real Abominable Snowman
footprints?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">thinks they’re real, I thought. She believes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad knelt beside her. “They look pretty
real to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then I saw a light glimmer in his eyes. He
lifted his head and squinted at me suspiciously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I backed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan!” Nicole cried in an accusing
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I couldn’t help it. I started laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad shook his head. “Jordan. I should’ve
known.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What?” Arthur looked confused—and then
angry. “You mean the kid made these prints? It’s a joke?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m afraid so, Arthur,” Dad sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur scowled at me. Beneath his beard,
his face reddened to the color of a slab of raw steak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I cowered. I couldn’t help it. Arthur
scared me. He sure didn’t like kids—especially not kids who play jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’ve got work to do,” Arthur muttered. He
turned and stomped away through the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, you crumb,” Nicole said. “When
did you do it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I woke up early this morning and sneaked
out,” I admitted. “You were all sleeping. I carved the footprints over my own
prints, with my mittens. Then I stepped in the prints on my way back, to cover
my tracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You believed,” I added, jabbing a finger
at Nicole. “For a minute there, you believed in the snow monster.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I did not!” Nicole protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yes, you did. I got you to believe!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I glanced from Nicole’s peevish face to
Dad’s stern one. “Don’t you think it’s funny?” I asked. “It’s just a joke!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Usually Dad liked my jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Not this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, we’re not at home in Pasadena
now. We’re out in the middle of nowhere. The wilds of Alaska. Things could get
very dangerous. You saw that yesterday when you fell down the crevasse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I nodded and hung my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m serious, Jordan,” Dad warned me. “No
more practical jokes. I’m here to work. And I don’t want anything to happen to
you, or Nicole, or any of us. Understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yes, Dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No one said anything for a minute. Then
Dad patted me on the back. “Okay, then. Let’s go inside and get some
breakfast.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur returned to the cabin a few minutes
later. He stamped the snow off his boots, glaring at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You think you’re funny,” he muttered.
“But wait till you see the snowman. Will you be laughing then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I swallowed hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The answer to his question was no.
Definitely no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">11<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After breakfast we hitched the dogs to the sled and set off for
the snow rise. Arthur wouldn’t talk to me and would hardly look at me. I guess
he was angry about my joke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Everybody else has forgiven me, I thought.
Why won’t he?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I walked at the front of the
sled with the dogs. Behind me I heard Dad’s camera clicking furiously. I knew
that meant he’d found something good to photograph. I turned around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A large herd of elk moved toward us,
toward the snow rise. We stopped to watch them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Look at them,” Dad whispered. “Amazing.”
He quickly loaded new film into his camera and started snapping away again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The elk calmly picked their way across the
snow, antlers high. They stopped to eat at a stand of bushes. Arthur pulled
back the rein on the lead sled dog to keep him from barking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Suddenly, one elk lifted its head. It
seemed to sense something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The other elk tensed up, too. Then they
turned and began to gallop away across the tundra. Their hooves thundered over
the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad let his camera fall against his chest.
“That’s strange,” he said. “I wonder what happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Something scared them,” Arthur said
grimly. “It wasn’t us. And it wasn’t the dogs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad scanned the horizon. “What was it,
then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We all waited for Arthur’s answer. But he
only said, “We ought to turn around and head back to town right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re not going back,” Dad insisted. “Not
after coming all this way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur stared at him. “Are you going to
take my advice or not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No,” Dad replied. “I’ve got a job to do
here. And I’ve hired you to do a job. We’re not going back without a good
reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ve</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">got</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">a good reason,” Arthur
insisted. “Only you won’t see it that way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Push ahead,” Dad ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur frowned and shouted “Mush!” to the
dogs. The sled began to move. We followed it, on toward the snow rise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole walked a few feet ahead of me. I
picked up a pile of snow and patted it into a ball. But then I thought I’d
better not throw it. No one seemed to be in the mood for snowball fights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We marched through the snow for a couple
of hours. I slipped off my mittens and wiggled my fingers. Frost kept
collecting on my upper lip. I wiped it away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We reached a stand of pine trees at the
base of the snow rise. Suddenly the dogs stopped short. They began to bark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Mush!” Arthur shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The dogs refused to go farther.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole ran up to her favorite dog, Lars.
“What is it, Lars? What’s the matter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lars howled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What’s wrong with them?” Dad asked
Arthur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur’s face paled again. His hands
shook. He stared intently into the trees, squinting into the brightness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Something’s frightened the dogs,” he said.
“Look how their fur stands on end.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I patted Lars. It was true. His fur stood
straight up. The dog growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Not much scares these dogs,” Arthur said.
“Whatever it is, it’s scaring them bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The dogs all howled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole huddled close to Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“There’s something dangerous on that snow
rise,” Arthur said. “Something dangerous—and very near.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">12<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m warning you, Mr. Blake,” Arthur said. “We’ve got to go back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No way,” Dad protested. “We’re not going
back. I mean it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The dogs barked and skittered nervously.
Arthur shook his head. “I won’t go any farther. The dogs won’t, either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad shouted, “Mush!” to the dogs. They
howled and started backing up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Mush!” he cried again. Instead of going
forward, the dogs tried to turn around in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You’re upsetting them,” Arthur said.
“They won’t go any farther—I told you that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If we turn around now,” Arthur added, “we
can make it back to the cabin before it gets too late.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What are we going to do, Dad?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad frowned. “Maybe Arthur’s right.
Something is definitely frightening the dogs. There could be a bear or
something nearby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Not a bear, Mr. Blake,” Arthur insisted.
“These dogs are spooked. And so am I.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He marched away across the snow, heading
back toward the musher’s cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Arthur!” Dad called. “Come back here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur didn’t turn around. He didn’t say a
word. He just kept walking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He must be really scared, I thought. And
that sent a chill of fear down my back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Still barking excitedly, the dogs pulled
the sled around and started following Arthur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad peered into the woods. “I wish I could
see what’s out there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s go check it out,” I urged.
“Whatever it is, it’ll probably make a great photo.” That usually gets Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He glanced back at Arthur, the dogs, and
the sled, rushing toward the cabin. “No—it’s too dangerous. We have no choice.
Let’s go, kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We trudged back to the cabin. “Maybe I can
persuade Arthur to push on tomorrow,” Dad muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I didn’t say anything. But I had a feeling
it wouldn’t be easy to get Arthur to climb that snow rise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And maybe Arthur was right, I thought.
Those dogs really were scared. It was definitely creepy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur was unhitching the dogs from the
sled when we reached the cabin. The dogs had calmed down a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I yanked off my backpack and collapsed on
top of my sleeping bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We might as well eat supper,” Dad
grumbled. I could tell he was in a terrible mood. “Jordan—why don’t you and
Nicole go gather some firewood. But be careful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We will, Dad,” Nicole promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stood up and started out of the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan!” Dad scolded. “Put your knapsack
back on. I don’t want you going</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">anywhere</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">without it. Understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re just going for firewood,” I
protested. “I’m tired of carrying it. We’ll only be gone for a few minutes—and
anyway, Nicole is wearing hers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No arguments,” Dad snapped. “If you get
lost, that food could keep you alive until we find you. You leave this cabin,
you wear that backpack. Is that clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Boy, was he in a bad mood. “It’s clear,” I
said, strapping on my pack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I crunched across the snow to
the nearest trees. They lined a snow ridge about half a mile away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We climbed the snow ridge. I made it to
the top first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole—look!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On the other side of the snow ridge, I saw
a frozen stream. The first water we’d seen since we’d set out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I skittered down the ridge and
stared into the icy stream. I tested the ice with my foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Don’t step on it, Jordan!” Nicole cried.
“You might fall in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I tapped the ice with the tip of my boot.
“It’s solid,” I told her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Still,” Nicole said. “Don’t take any
chances. Dad will kill you if you have another accident.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I wonder if there are fish swimming under
there,” I said, staring into the ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We should tell Dad about this,” Nicole
said. “He might want to photograph it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We left the stream to gather dead branches
under the trees. We lugged them over the snow ridge and back across the snow to
the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Thanks, kids,” Dad said when we burst
into the cabin. He took the wood from us and started a fire in the stove. “How
about pancakes for supper tonight?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He’s in a better mood now, I thought with
relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole told Dad about the frozen stream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Interesting,” Dad said. “I’ll go take a
look at it after supper. I’ve got to find</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">something</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">to photograph besides all this
ice and snow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The pancakes cheered all of us up—except
for Arthur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He ate a lot, but he didn’t say much. He
appeared jittery. He dropped his fork on the floor. Muttering to himself, he
picked it up and started eating without wiping it off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When supper was over, Nicole and I helped
Dad clean up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We were gathering up the supplies when the
dogs started to bark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I saw Arthur freeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What’s that?” I cried. “What’s upset the
dogs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">13<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The dogs yelped and barked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Was someone out there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">An animal? A monster?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’ll go check,” Arthur said solemnly. He
pulled on his coat and wool cap and hurried out of the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad grabbed his coat. “Stay here,” he
instructed Nicole and me. He followed Arthur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stared at each other, listening to the
yelping dogs. A few seconds later, the barking stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad poked his head back into the cabin.
“Nothing out there. We don’t know what got them upset. But Arthur is calming
them down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad grabbed his camera. “You two get some
sleep, okay? I’m going to check out that stream. I won’t be gone long.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He draped the camera over his fur coat
collar. The cabin door slammed behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We heard Dad’s footsteps crunching over
the snow. Then silence. Nicole and I climbed into our sleeping bags.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I rolled onto my side, trying to get
comfortable. It was after eight o’clock, but still light outside. The sun
filtered through the window of the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The light reminded me of when I was
little. Mom used to try to make me take a nap in the afternoon. I never could
sleep in the daytime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I closed my eyes. I opened them. I wasn’t
sleepy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned my head and glanced at Nicole.
She lay on her back, her eyes wide open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I can’t sleep,” I announced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Me either,” she replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I squirmed in my sleeping bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Where’s Arthur?” Nicole asked. “I wonder
what’s taking him so long?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I guess he’s hanging out with the dogs,”
I said. “I think he likes them better than he likes us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That’s for sure,” Nicole agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We tossed and turned some more. The sky
stayed bright. The light poured in through the cabin window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I give up,” I groaned. “Let’s go outside
and build a snowman or something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad said to stay put.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We won’t go anywhere. We’ll stay by the
cabin,” I assured her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I crawled out of my sleeping bag and
started getting dressed. Nicole sat up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We shouldn’t,” she warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Come on. What could happen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She stood up and pulled on her sweater.
“If I don’t do something, I’ll go stir-crazy,” she admitted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We bundled up. I pulled open the cabin
door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan—wait!” Nicole cried. “You forgot
your backpack.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re just going out the door,” I
complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Come on. Dad said we have to. He’ll be
furious if he finds us outside. And he’ll be even more furious if you’re not
wearing your pack.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, all right,” I grumbled. I hoisted the
pack over my shoulders. “Like something’s really going to happen to us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stepped out into the cold. I kicked at
the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole grabbed my coat sleeve. “Listen!”
she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We heard the crunch of footsteps behind
the cabin. “It’s Arthur,” I told her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We crept around to the back. It</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">was</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He crouched beside the dogsled, hitching
up one of the dogs. Two others were already tied to the sled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Arthur!” I cried. “What’s up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Startled, he turned to us. He didn’t
reply. Instead, he jumped on the back of the sled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Mush!” he commanded the dogs at the top
of his lungs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The dogs leaned forward, tugging hard. The
sled began to slide away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Arthur! Where are you going?” I screamed.
“Come back!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The sled picked up speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Arthur! Arthur!” Nicole and I ran after
him, shouting his name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But the sled raced farther and farther
away from us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Arthur never turned back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">14<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I chased after the sled, watching it grow tinier and
tinier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Arthur! Come back!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s got our food!” I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We couldn’t let him get away. We ran as
fast as we could, our boots falling deep into the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The sled climbed over a tall ridge of
snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stop! Stop!” Nicole screamed. “Please!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We can’t keep up with the dogs,” I
gasped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We have to try,” Nicole cried
frantically. “We can’t let Arthur leave us here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The sled disappeared over the top of the
ridge. We clawed our way up. The snow slid under our feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">By the time we reached the top, Arthur and
the dogs were far ahead of us. We watched in horror as they quickly disappeared
across the tundra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Exhausted, I collapsed in the snow. “They’re
getting away,” I choked out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, get up!” Nicole pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We can’t catch him,” I moaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then Nicole said in a small voice, “Where
are we?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stood up and gazed around. Snow, snow,
snow. All around us, nothing but snow. No landmarks. No sign of the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Clouds had covered the sun. The wind
picked up. Snow began to fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had no idea where we were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Which way is the cabin?” I asked in a
shrill voice. “Which way did we come?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We scanned the horizon through the falling
snow. I didn’t see the cabin anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole tugged on my arm. “The cabin is
that way. Let’s go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No!” The snow came down harder and
faster, stinging my eyes. I shouted into the wind. “The cabin’s the other way!
That’s not the way we came.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Look!” Nicole yelled, pointing down. “Our
tracks! We’ll just follow them home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We started down the ridge, following the
ruts we’d made in the snow. The wind howled, growing stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We followed our own footprints for a short
while. It was so hard to see in the falling snow. All white and gray. The whole
world. White and gray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole peered at me through the thick
curtain of snow. “I can hardly see you!” she shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We crouched low, searching for our
footprints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“They’re gone!” I cried. The snow had
already covered them up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole clutched my arm. “Jordan, I’m
getting scared.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I was getting scared, too. But I didn’t
tell Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ll find the cabin,” I assured her.
“Don’t worry. I bet Dad’s looking for us right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I wished I believed it myself. The wind
pelted us with hard, icy snow. I squinted into the wind. Nothing but white.
White on white. White on gray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Don’t let go of me!” I shouted to Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I said, don’t let go of me! We could
easily lose each other in the storm!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She tightened her grip on my arm to show
she understood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m so cold,” she shouted. “Let’s run!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We tried to run through the snow,
stumbling against the wind. “Dad!” we called out. “Dad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had no idea where we were going—but I
knew we had to go somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Look!” Nicole cried, pointing through the
thick snow. “I think I see something!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stared as hard as I could, but I didn’t
see anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole pulled me along. “Come on!” she
shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We ran blindly. Suddenly, the ground gave
way under our feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Still holding onto Nicole, I felt myself
being sucked down under the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">15<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Down we fell. Down into the freezing white.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The snow rushed up, swirled around us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And buried us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Another crevasse, I thought. Another deep
pit in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Much deeper than the first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We both cried out as we landed. Tangled up
in each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Get off!” Nicole shrieked. “Where are we?
Get off!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Feeling dazed, I struggled to my feet.
Then I grabbed both of her hands and tugged her up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh no,” Nicole groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We both stared up to the top. I could
barely make out the gray of the sky, high above our heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And all around us, high walls of snow.
Powdery snow that blew down on us. I peered up to the top of the pit. Chunks of
snow broke off the icy walls. They made soft</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">thuds</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">as they landed beside us on the
snowy pit floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re trapped down here!” Nicole wailed.
“Dad will never find us. Never!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I grabbed the shoulders of her coat. A
chunk of snow fell off the pit wall and landed on top of my boots. “Try to stay
calm,” I told her. But my voice trembled as I said it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Calm? How can I stay calm?” she demanded
shrilly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad will find us,” I said. I wasn’t sure
I believed it. I swallowed hard, trying to fight down my panic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Daaaaaad!” Nicole screamed. She cupped
her hands around her mouth, raised her head toward the sky, and screamed at the
top of her lungs. “Daaaaaaad!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Daaaaaaaaad!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I clapped a mitten over her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Too late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I heard a low rumbling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The rumbling became a roar as the snow
walls began to crack and crumble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Crumble down. Down on us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Trembling in horror, I knew what was
happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole had started an avalanche.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">16<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As sheets of snow tumbled down on us, I grabbed Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I pushed her against the pit wall. Then I
flattened myself against the wall, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The snow roared down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I pressed myself tight against the
wall—and to my shock, the wall gave way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ooooh!” I let out a startled cry. Nicole
and I tumbled through the side of the pit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stumbled forward into total darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I heard a crash behind us. My heart
pounding, I turned in time to see the pit fill up. Snow piled over the opening
in the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I were sealed in. Shut in this
dark hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our way out was gone. The pit was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We crouched in the dark tunnel-like
opening, trembling, gasping in fright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Where are we?” Nicole choked out. “What
do we do now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I don’t know.” I grabbed the wall. We
seemed to be in a narrow passageway. The walls around us were made of rock
instead of snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My eyes adjusted to the darkness. I could
see a dim light at the end of the passageway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s see what’s down there,” I urged
Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We crawled on our hands and knees through
the passage toward the light. The passage ended. We stood up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We found ourselves in a big cave. The top
of the cave towered high above our heads. Water trickled slowly down one of the
walls. A dim glow came from somewhere near the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The light must be coming from outside,”
Nicole said. “That means there’s a way out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We crept slowly through the cave. The only
sound I could hear was the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">drip, drip, drip</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">of melting icicles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Soon we’ll be out of here, I thought.
“Jordan,” she whispered. “Look!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On the floor of the cave I could make out
a footprint. A gigantic footprint. Bigger than the fake one I’d made in the
snow that morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Five of my shoes could fit inside that
footprint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I took a few steps—and saw another
footprint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole grabbed my arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Do you think it’s…?” She stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I knew what she was thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We traced the giant footprints across the
cave floor. They led us straight to a shadowy corner in the back—and stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I glanced up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole gasped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We both saw it at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The creature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He loomed over us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He stood upright like a human, covered in
brown fur. Black eyes stared out of an ugly face, half-human, half-gorilla.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He wasn’t that tall—about a head taller
than me—but he seemed huge. His body was thick and powerful, with gigantic feet
and fur-covered hands—as big as baseball gloves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re t-trapped!” Nicole stammered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She was right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The entrance behind us had been blocked by
the avalanche. There was no way we could slip past this giant creature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman glared down at us.
Then it started to move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">17<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My teeth began to chatter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I squeezed my eyes shut and trembled,
waiting for the monster to grab us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A second passed. Then another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I opened my eyes. The snowman hadn’t
moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole took a step forward. “He’s frozen!”
she cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I blinked in the dim light. “Huh?” It was
true. The snowman stood frozen in a huge block of clear ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I touched the ice. The monster stood inside
it like a statue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If he’s frozen in ice,” I wondered, “then
what made those giant footprints?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole bent down to study the prints. She
shuddered again at their huge size.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“They lead right to the block of ice,” she
declared. “The snowman must have made them somehow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Maybe he walked back here and accidently
froze,” I suggested. I touched the back wall of the cave, where icy water
dripped from above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Or maybe he goes into the ice to rest,” I
added. “Like Dracula going to sleep in his coffin at dawn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I backed away. It was too frightening,
being this close to him. But the monster stayed perfectly still under the thick
ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole leaned close to the ice. “Look at
his hands!” she cried. “Or paws, or whatever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Like the rest of his body, his hands were
covered with brown fur. He had thick fingers, like a man’s. Jutting out of them
were long, sharp claws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A chill ran down my spine at the sight of
those claws. What did he use them for? Ripping wild animals to pieces? Tearing
up people who got in his way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He had powerful legs, with shorter claws
on his toes. I studied his face. Fur covered his whole head, except for a
circle of hairless skin around his eyes, nose, and mouth. The skin was a
pinkish red. His lips were thick and white and set in a mean-looking grimace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s definitely a mammal,” Nicole
declared. “The fur is a dead giveaway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I rolled my eyes. “This is no time for
biology lessons, Nicole. Wait until Dad sees this. He’ll go crazy! If he can
get a picture of this, he’ll be famous!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yeah,” Nicole sighed. “If we can find
Dad. If we ever get out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“There’s got to be a way out,” I said. I
moved to a side wall and pressed it with my hands, searching for a hole, a
chink in the rock, anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After a few minutes I found a tiny crack.
“Nicole!” I cried. “I found something!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She raced to my side. I pointed out the
crack in the cave wall. She frowned with disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That’s just a crack,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You don’t know everything,” I protested.
“Maybe there’s a secret door here. A hidden passage. Or something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She sighed. “I guess it’s worth a shot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We pressed on the crack. We stuck our
fingers into it. We kicked it. I even tried karate-chopping it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I hate to break this to you, Jordan,” she
said. “But I was right. As always. All you found was a crack in the wall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Well, keep looking,” I snarled. “We’ve
got to get out of here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I kept searching. I ran my hands along the
wall, my back to the monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Suddenly I heard a noise. A loud</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">crack!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole!” I cried. “Did you find something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I whirled around. I realized Nicole hadn’t
made that sound. She stared at the monster in horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What?” I asked her. “What’s wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I heard another</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">crack!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The ice is cracking!” Nicole screamed.
“The monster—he’s breaking out!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">18<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Crack!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The block of ice splintered apart. Nicole
and I pressed ourselves against a wall, watching in horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman burst from the ice.
Chunks of ice smashed on the floor and shattered like glass. The snowman shook
himself, growling like a wolf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Run!” I screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I took off. But there was
nowhere to go. We scrambled to the other side of the cave—as far away from the
monster as we could get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The passageway!” I cried. I ducked down
and started to crawl through the passage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole grabbed me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Wait! It’s blocked! The
avalanche—remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Yes. Of course. The way out of the cave
was blocked by tons of snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Across the cave, the monster uttered a
ferocious roar that shook the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I cowered in a corner of the
cave. I felt her trembling next to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Maybe he didn’t see us,” I whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Then why is he roaring?” Nicole whispered
back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster twitched his gorilla nose in
the air, sniffing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Oh, no! I thought. Can he smell us from
across the cave?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He turned his huge, furry head one way and
then the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He’s searching for us, I realized. He
smells us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Unh!” he grunted. He stared into a corner
of the cave—our corner of the cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Unh!” he grunted again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, no!” Nicole moaned. “He sees us!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The big creature staggered toward us,
grunting with each heavy step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I pressed myself against the cave wall,
wishing the cave would swallow us up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anything would be better than having</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">him</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">swallow us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster kept coming. His footsteps
shook the floor of the cave.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Boom, boom, boom.</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We huddled on the floor. We tried to make
ourselves as small as we could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He stopped inches in front of us and
roared again. A deafening roar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“His teeth!” Nicole cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I saw them, too. Two rows of huge,
razor-sharp teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And reached for us. His sharp claws
flashed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He swiped at me. I tried to duck away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster snarled in frustration. He
reached out again….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He clamped a powerful paw on Nicole’s
head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Help!” Nicole screamed. “He’s crushing
me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">19<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let go of her!” I shrieked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But I knew I was helpless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman growled and turned
Nicole around roughly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then he reached behind her and grabbed her
backpack. He ripped it off her shoulder with a sharp, hard tug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hey!” I cried in horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With one claw he sliced open the canvas
backpack. He reached inside. And pulled something out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A bag. A bag of trail mix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I stared in amazement as he
poured the trail mix into his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Weird,” I choked out. “He likes trail
mix.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster crumpled up the bag and shifted
through Nicole’s pack, searching for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That’s all there is,” Nicole whispered to
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With an angry growl, the monster tossed
Nicole’s pack away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Now what?” Nicole whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I reached into my own backpack, and with a
trembling hand I yanked out my bag of trail mix. I heaved it at the monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The bag hit the floor and slid to the
monster’s feet. He bent down. Grabbed it. Tore it open. And hungrily gulped
down the trail mix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When he finished, I shoved my pack toward
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He grunted. Then he dumped out my stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No more trail mix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Uh-oh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster stretched and roared. Then he
reached down. With two gigantic arms, he grabbed Nicole and me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He lifted us up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He raised us toward his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Toward his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Preparing to eat us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">20<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I struggled, but he was too strong. I pounded my fists on his
chest. I kicked as hard as I could. He didn’t seem to feel it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He clutched Nicole and me like a couple of
dolls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Please don’t eat us!” I begged. “Please!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster grunted. He draped us both
over the crook of one arm. Then he staggered back across the cave, gripping us
tightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I kicked him in the side. No reaction.
Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let go!” I shrieked. “Let us down!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Where’s he taking us?” Nicole cried,
bouncing as the creature tromped across the cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Maybe he wants to roast us, I thought
grimly. Maybe he doesn’t like his kids raw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He lugged us to the back of the cave. With
one powerful swipe of the paw, he knocked a boulder aside. A narrow passage
appeared behind it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole moaned. “Why didn’t we see that before?
Maybe we could have escaped!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Too late now,” I groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The snowman pulled us through the passage.
We came out into a smaller cave, flooded with light. I glanced up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Above us I could see the gray sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A way out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Balancing us in one arm, the monster
scaled the wall of the cave. With big, lurching steps, he climbed out of the
hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Cold air blasted me in the face. But the
monster’s body pulsed with heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The blizzard had stopped. Fresh snow
covered the tundra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster stumbled through the snow, grunting
as he walked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">His gigantic feet sank deep into the snow.
But with each huge step he covered a lot of ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where was he taking us? Where?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Maybe he has another cave, I thought with
a shudder. A cave with more monsters in it. His friends. They’ll all feast on
us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I tried again to break out of the
snowman’s grip. I kicked and squirmed as hard as I could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster growled. He dug his claws into
my side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ow!” I yelped. But I stopped squirming.
If I moved, his claws dug deeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor Dad, I thought sadly. He’ll never
know what happened to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Unless he finds our bones buried in the
snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Suddenly, I heard barking. A dog!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman stopped. He growled
and sniffed the air. Then he gently dropped Nicole and me in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We landed unsteadily on our feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole stared at me in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We started to run, stumbling through the
deep snow. I glanced back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Is he chasing us?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I couldn’t be sure. I couldn’t see him
now. I only saw white.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Keep running!” I shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then I saw something familiar in the
distance. A brown speck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I bumped Nicole. “The cabin!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We ran even faster. If we could just get
to the cabin…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">From the cabin we heard furious
barking—the dog Arthur had left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad! Dad!” we shrieked. We burst through
the door. “We found him! We found the Abominable Snowman!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The cabin stood empty. Empty and bare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">21<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My eyes darted around the empty cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad? Dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My heart skipped a beat. My throat went
dry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where did he go?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Was he out searching for Nicole and me?
Did he get lost in the snow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We—we’re all alone,” I murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I ran to the window. A thin
layer of snow frosted the pane. We peered out into the bright sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No sign of Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“At least the snowman didn’t follow us,” I
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, why did he drop us?” Nicole asked
softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I think the barking dog scared him,” I
replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If that dog hadn’t barked, what would the
monster have done to us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As the question pushed into my mind, I
heard the dog start to bark again. Nicole and I both gasped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The snowman—!” I cried. “He’s back!
Hide!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We glanced around, frantically searching
for a good hiding place. The cabin was so bare—it wouldn’t take the monster
long to find us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Behind the stove!” Nicole urged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We dashed to the small, square stove and
crouched behind it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Outside the cabin we heard the slow, heavy
footsteps of the monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Crunch, crunch, crunch.</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Footsteps over the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole grabbed my hand. We froze, waiting.
Listening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Crunch, crunch.</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Please don’t come into the cabin, I
prayed. Please don’t capture us again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The footsteps stopped outside the door. I
squeezed my eyes shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The door burst open. A blast of cold air
blew into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan? Nicole?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We jumped out from behind the stove. There
stood Dad, with his camera around his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We both ran to him and hugged him. “Dad!
I’m so glad it’s you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hi!” he replied. “What’s going on, guys?
I expected you to be asleep.” He glanced around the cabin. “Hey—where’s
Arthur?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He took off!” I cried breathlessly. “He
took the sled. He took all the food and three of the dogs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We chased after him,” Nicole added. “But
he got away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad’s face filled with surprise, then
horror. “I’d better radio for help. We won’t last long without food.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad—listen.” I blocked his way to the
radio. “Nicole and I—found the Abominable Snowman!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He sidestepped around me. “This is no time
for jokes, Jordan. If we don’t get help, we could starve to death out here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s not joking, Dad,” Nicole insisted,
tugging Dad’s arm. “We really found the snowman. He lives in a cave under the
snow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad stopped and studied Nicole. He always
believes her. But this time he wasn’t sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s true!” I cried. “Come on—we’ll show
you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I tugged him out the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, if this is one of your tricks,
you are going to be in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">major</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">trouble,” he warned. “We’re in a serious situation here and—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad, he’s not kidding!” Nicole cried
impatiently. “Come on!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We led him out into the snow to the spot
where the snowman had dropped us. We pointed out his huge footprints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Why should I believe this?” Dad said.
“You faked the snowman’s footprints this morning, Jordan. These just look a
little bigger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad, I swear—I didn’t make these prints!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ll show you the cave, Dad,” Nicole
promised. “Follow the footprints. You’ll see. It’s unbelievable!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I knew Dad went along with us only because
Nicole insisted. He trusted her. She never played jokes on him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Leaning into the wind, we traced the giant
prints across the snow. Dad couldn’t resist snapping pictures of them—just in
case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The footsteps led us back to the cave.
They stopped at an opening in the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The cave is down that hole,” I told Dad,
pointing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I think Dad believed us now. “Let’s go.
Check it out,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Huh?” I cried. “Back down there? To the
monster?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad was already sliding down to the cave
opening. He reached up to help Nicole climb down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I hesitated. “Dad—wait. You don’t
understand. There’s a monster down there!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Come on, Jordan,” Dad urged. “I want to
see this for myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had no choice. Dad was going in there no
matter what I said. And I didn’t want to wait outside alone. I scrambled down
to the opening of the cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The three of us felt our way along the
narrow passage until we reached the mouth of the big cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Keeping close together, Dad and Nicole
walked in. But I stopped at the entrance and stared into the cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan! Come on!” Dad whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There’s a monster in there, I thought with
a shudder. A huge monster with long claws and sharp teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We managed to escape from him once. Why are
we going back? What’s going to happen to us in there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had a bad feeling. A very bad feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">22<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad grabbed me by the hand and pulled me into the cave. I heard
the drip of icy water against the back wall. I blinked in the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where was he? Where was the Abominable
Snowman?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I heard Dad’s camera clicking away. I
tried to stay close to Dad. I cried out when I spotted the snowman. I expected
him to roar and lumber after us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But he stood stiffly, staring straight
ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Refrozen again. Inside a huge block of
ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole stepped closer to the block of ice.
“How does he do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">amazing</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">!” Dad cried, snapping picture after picture.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Incredible!”</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stared up at the monster’s face. He
glared out at us from inside the ice. His black eyes glittered, his mouth set
in a toothy snarl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is the most amazing discovery in
history!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad exclaimed. “Do you realize how famous
we are going to be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He stopped shooting for a second and
peered up at the brown-furred monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Why stop here?” he murmured. “Why go home
with nothing but photos? Why not take the snowman himself back to California?
Do you know what a sensation that will create?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“But—how?” Nicole asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s alive, you know, Dad,” I warned. “I
mean, he can crack out of that ice. And when he does, it’s really scary. I
don’t think you could control him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad knocked gently on the ice, testing it.
“We won’t let him out of the ice,” he said. “At least not until we’ve got him
under control.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad walked all the way around the block of
ice, rubbing his chin. “If we cut the ice a bit, it might fit into the supply
trunk,” he said. “Then we could carry the snowman back to California in the
block of ice, locked in the trunk. It’s airtight, so the ice won’t melt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He stepped up close to the ice and snapped
a few more shots of the snowman’s snarling face. “Let’s go get the trunk,
kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad—wait.” I didn’t like this idea. “You
don’t understand. The snowman could</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">rush</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">us! He let us go once. But why take another chance?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Look at his teeth, Dad,” Nicole pleaded.
“He’s so strong, he picked us both up at once!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s worth the risk,” Dad insisted.
“Neither of you is hurt, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I nodded. “Yes, but—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s go.” Dad had made his mind up. He
wasn’t going to listen to our warnings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I’d never seen him so excited. As we
hurried from the cave, he called to the snowman, “Don’t go away—we’ll be right
back!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We rushed over the snow to the cabin. Dad
pulled the supply trunk outside. It was about six feet long and three feet
wide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The snowman will fit,” he said. “But with
him inside the trunk, it will be very heavy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We need the dogsled to pull it,” Nicole
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“But Arthur took the sled,” I reminded
them. “So I guess the deal is off. We’ll just have to go home without an
Abominable Snowman. Too bad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Maybe there’s another sled around
somewhere,” Dad suggested. “This is an old musher’s cabin, after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I remembered the old sled I’d seen in the
dog shed. Nicole had seen it, too. She led Dad to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Fantastic!” Dad cried. “Now let’s go get
that snowman before he escapes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We hitched Lars, our only dog, to the old
sled and towed the supply trunk to the cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then we crept silently into the cave,
pulling the trunk behind us. “Careful, Dad,” I warned. “He might have broken
out of the ice by now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But the Abominable Snowman stood where
we’d left him, frozen in his block of ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad began to cut the ice down to size with
a hacksaw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I paced nervously. “Hurry!” I whispered.
“He could burst out any minute!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This isn’t easy,” Dad snapped. “I’m
working as fast as I can.” He hacked away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Each second felt like an hour to me. I
watched the snowman carefully for any signs of movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad, do you have to saw so loudly?” I
complained. “The noise could wake him up!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Relax, Jordan,” Dad said. But his voice
was tight and shrill, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then I heard a</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">crack.</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Look out!” I cried. “He’s breaking out!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad straightened up. “<i>I</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">cracked the ice a bit, Jordan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I studied the monster. He hadn’t moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Okay, kids,” Dad said. “We’re ready.” Dad
had cut the ice into a six-foot-long rectangle. “Help me slide this into the
trunk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I opened the lid of the trunk. Nicole and
I helped Dad tip the ice over and gently drop it into the trunk. It just barely
fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We slid the trunk along the ground to the
opening of the cave. Dad tied a rope around it and climbed out of the hole.
“I’ll tie the rope to the sled,” Dad called from above. “That way Lars can help
me hoist it out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hey,” I whispered to Nicole, “let’s sneak
some snowballs into the trunk—just for fun. We can throw them at Kyle and Kara
when we get home. Snow from the cave of the Abominable Snowman—they’ll never
top that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No—please. Don’t open the trunk,” Nicole
begged. “We just barely got the snowman inside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We can squeeze a few snowballs in,” I
insisted. I quickly made a bunch of snowballs, packing them tight. Then I
cracked open the trunk and slipped them inside, next to the block of ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I checked the monster one last time for
signs of life. The ice was solid. We were safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“They won’t melt in there,” I said sealing
the lid of the trunk shut. We locked it with the bolt and tightened the rope
around it. I felt pretty sure the snowman wouldn’t be able to break out of
there; even if he did crack through the ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ready?” Dad shouted from up above. “One,
two, three—<i>heave</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad and Lars tugged on the rope until the
chest lifted off the ground. Nicole and I squatted beneath it to help push it
up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Again!” Dad yelled. “Heave!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We pushed as hard as we could. “It’s so
heavy!” Nicole complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Come on, kids!” Dad called. “Push!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We gave the trunk a shove. Dad and Lars
tugged it over the lip of the cave opening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad collapsed in the snow. “Whew,” he
muttered, wiping his brow. “Well, the hardest part is over.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He helped Nicole and me scramble out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We all rested a few minutes. Then we
dragged the trunk onto the sled. Dad secured it with the rope. Lars pulled the
sled back to the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Once inside, Dad hugged us both. “What a
day! What a great day!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He turned to me. “See, Jordan? Nothing
terrible happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re lucky,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m so sleepy,” Nicole complained,
sinking onto her sleeping bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I glanced out the window. The sun sat high
in the sky, as usual. But I knew it had to be very late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad glanced at his watch. “It’s almost
midnight. You two should get some sleep.” He frowned. “I’d hate to wake up here
in the morning with no food, though. I’m going to radio for help. You guys can
sleep when we get back to town.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Can we stay in a hotel?” I asked Dad. “In
a bed?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If we can find one,” he promised. He
opened his pack, searching for the radio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He shuffled stuff around in his pack. Then
he pulled things out, one by one. A compass. An extra camera. Cans of film. A
pair of socks, balled up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I didn’t like the look on his face. He
turned the pack over and dumped everything on the floor. He sifted through it,
again, getting frantic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad? What’s the matter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When he turned to me, he had a terrified
expression on his face. “The radio,” he murmured. “It’s gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">23<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No!” Nicole and I both shrieked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I don’t believe it!” Dad cried, pounding
his fist against his empty pack. “Arthur must have taken the radio so we
wouldn’t report him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stomped around the room, frightened and
furious. Our dogs, our sled, our food—Arthur had taken them all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And now the radio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Did Arthur leave us here to freeze? To
starve?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Calm down, Jordan,” Dad said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“But, Dad—” Nicole interrupted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad shushed her. “Just a second, Nicole.
I’ve got to think of a way out of this.” Dad searched the cabin. “Don’t panic.
Don’t panic. Don’t panic,” he instructed himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“But Dad—” Nicole said, tugging at his
sleeve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole!” I snapped. “We’re in huge
trouble. We could die out here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad!” she insisted. “Listen to me! You
wrapped up the radio last night so it wouldn’t freeze. It’s in your sleeping
bag!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad’s mouth dropped open. “You’re right!”
he cried. He hurried to his sleeping bag and reached inside. He dug into his
sleeping bag—and pulled out the radio, wrapped in a wool scarf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He switched on the radio and fiddled with
the dials. “Iknek, Iknek. Come in, Iknek.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad asked the Iknek airport to send us a
helicopter. He tried to describe where we were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I smiled sleepily at each
other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re going home!” she said happily.
“Home to sunny, hot Pasadena.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m going to kiss a palm tree!” I
declared. “I never want to see snow again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had no idea that our snowy adventure was
just beginning!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">24<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ahhhh,” I sighed. “Feel that sun? Nice and hot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The radio said it’s a hundred degrees
today,” Nicole reported.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I love it!” I beamed. “Love it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I slapped more tanning lotion on my chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Our Alaska trip all seemed unreal, now
that we were home in Pasadena. The cold, the snow, the wind blowing over the
rolling white tundra. The snarling, brown-furred Abominable Snowman. It all
seemed like a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But I knew it was no dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad had hidden the trunk with the
Abominable Snowman inside the darkroom in the backyard. Every time I passed it,
I remembered the trip… remembered the creature lying frozen in there—and
shivered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In our swimsuits, Nicole and I caught some
rays in the backyard. Good old sunny Pasadena. Where it never, never snowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Thank goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren came over to hear about our trip. I
wanted to tell her the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">whole</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">story. But Dad told us to keep quiet about it—at least until the
snowman was safely settled somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I don’t believe you two!” Lauren snorted.
“A week ago you wouldn’t shut up about snow. Now you’re letting the sun burn
you to a crisp!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Well, we did the cold thing and now we’re
doing the hot thing,” I told her. “Anyway, I’ve seen enough snow to last me the
rest of my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Tell me about the trip,” Lauren insisted.
“Tell me everything!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s a big secret,” Nicole told her. She
and I exchanged glances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Secret? What kind of secret?” Lauren
demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before we could reply, Dad emerged from
the darkroom. He squinted in the sunlight. He wore a down jacket, a ski cap,
and gloves. He had turned the air-conditioning way up in the darkroom and
covered the trunk with ice packs, to keep the snowman cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m going into the city now,” he
announced, removing his coat. Dad had a meeting with some scientists and
wildlife experts in Los Angeles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He wanted to turn the Abominable Snowman
over to the right people. He wanted to be sure the snowman would be treated
well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Are you kids going to be all right while
I’m gone?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Of course,” Nicole replied. “We survived
the Alaskan tundra. I think we can live through one afternoon in our own
backyard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“My mom is home,” Lauren said. “She’ll be
around if we need anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Good.” Dad nodded. “Okay, I’m off. But
remember—Jordan and Nicole, are you listening? Don’t touch the supply trunk.
Stay away from it—understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Gotcha, Dad,” I promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“All right. I’ll bring a pizza home for
dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Good luck, Dad!” Nicole called. I watched
him jump into the car and drive off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“So what’s the big secret?” Lauren asked
as soon as Dad was gone. “What’s in the supply trunk?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I glanced at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Come on. Spill,” Lauren urged. “I won’t
leave you alone until you tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I couldn’t resist. I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">had</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">to tell someone. “We found him.
We found him and we brought him back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Found who?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The snowman!” Nicole exclaimed. “The
Abominable Snowman!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren rolled her eyes. “For sure. And did
you find the Tooth Fairy up there, too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yes, we did,” I joked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s lying in the darkroom right now,”
Nicole told Lauren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren’s face twisted in confusion.
“Who—the Tooth Fairy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No. The Abominable Snowman. A real one,”
I said. “Trapped in a block of ice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Along with four or five snowballs, I
thought to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Snowballs I could throw at Lauren. For a
nice little surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Prove it,” Lauren challenged us. “You’re
making it all up. You think you’re really funny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I exchanged glances. I knew
what she was thinking. Dad had just told us to stay away from the trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You two are as bad as the Miller twins,”
Lauren complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">That did it. “Come on,” I said. “We’ll
show you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’d better not, Jordan,” Nicole argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We won’t hurt anything,” I promised.
“We’ll just pull open the lid a tiny bit so Lauren can see him. Then we’ll slam
it shut. No harm done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I climbed off my lounge chair and started
across the lawn to the darkroom. Nicole and Lauren followed me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I knew they would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I opened the darkroom door and switched on
the light. A blast of cold air swept over me, making my bare chest tingle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole hesitated in the doorway. “Jordan,
maybe we shouldn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, come on, Nicole,” Lauren chided.
“There’s no Abominable Snowman. You two are ridiculous!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re not ridiculous!” Nicole protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We might as well show her, Nicole,” I
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole didn’t reply. She stepped into the
darkroom and shut the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In my bathing suit, I was shivering from
the cold. It was almost like being back in Alaska.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I knelt beside the huge trunk. I unhooked
the latches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Slowly, carefully, I lifted the heavy lid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Peered inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And let out a chilling, bloodcurdling
scream of horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">25<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and Lauren shrieked and leaped back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole backed into the wall with a</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">crash.</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren ducked under the developing table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I couldn’t keep a straight face. I started
to laugh. “Gotcha!” I cried gleefully. I was so pleased with myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I had scared them to death. They were both
stiffer than the Abominable Snowman. He lay frozen and still inside his block
of ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan—you creep!” Nicole declared
angrily. She punched me in the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren punched me too. Then she peered
into the open trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And let out another scream. “He’s real!
You—you weren’t kidding!” I could see that she was breathing hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s okay, Lauren,” I assured her. “He
can’t hurt you. He’s frozen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She stepped closer and stared down at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s huge!” she cried in amazement.
“His—his eyes are open. They’re so mean-looking!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Close the lid, Jordan,” Nicole insisted.
“Quick. We’ve seen enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Now do you believe us?” I asked Lauren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She nodded. “It’s… awesome!” She shook her
head, stunned at the amazing sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before I shut the lid, I sneaked two
snowballs out of the bottom of the trunk. Snickering, I passed one to Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What’s so funny?” Lauren asked suspiciously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nothing,” I said. I sealed the lid shut
and latched the trunk. That’ll hold him, I thought. We’re safe. Dad will never
know we sneaked a peek at the monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We left the darkroom, closing the door
carefully behind us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That creature is just so awesome!” Lauren
exclaimed. “What is your dad going to do with him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re not sure yet,” Nicole replied.
“Dad’s trying to figure that out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She held her hands behind her back, hiding
the snowball from Lauren. Suddenly she shouted, “Hey, Lauren! Think fast!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She threw the snowball at Lauren. It
missed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Splat!</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It hit a tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nice shot, ace!” I cried sarcastically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But then I gaped at the tree in shock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The snowball—it didn’t crumble to the
ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It started to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">grow</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Thick white snow spread quickly up the tree
trunk—and over the branches. Within seconds, the entire tree was covered with
snow!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Wow!” Lauren gasped. “Nicole—how did you
do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I stared open-mouthed at the
snow-covered tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I was so stunned, the snowball fell out of
my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I jumped back as it hit the ground—and
spread!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, wow!” I shrieked. I watched snow
spread over the lawn like a white blanket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It spread under our bare feet. Over the
driveway. Out to the street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ooooh! It’s cold!” Nicole wailed, hopping
from foot to foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is too weird!” I cried. “It’s a
hundred degrees out—and the snow isn’t melting! It’s spreading—and growing
deeper!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned to see Lauren hopping and
dancing, whirling around wildly. “Snow! Snow!” she sang. “It’s wonderful! Snow
in Pasadena!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan—” Nicole said quietly. “This isn’t
right. We should have left this snow in the cave. It isn’t normal snow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Of course she was right. Any cave where an
Abominable Snowman lives has got to be a weird place. But how could we have
guessed—?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s build a snowman!” Lauren cried
gleefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No!” Nicole warned. “Don’t touch it.
Don’t do anything, Lauren. Not until we’ve figured this out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I don’t think Lauren heard my sister. She
was too excited. She kicked a spray of snow at an evergreen bush. The bush
froze over with snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What are we going to do?” I asked Nicole.
“What’s going to happen when Dad comes home? He’ll kill us!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole shrugged. “Beats me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“But—but—you’re supposed to be the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">brain</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">!” I sputtered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is so cool!” Lauren squealed. “Snow
in Pasadena!” She picked up a chunk of snow and started balling it up between
her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Snowball fight!” she shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stop it, Lauren!” I cried. “We’re in big
trouble here. Don’t you understand—?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren fired the snowball at Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Instantly, thick white snow spread all
over Nicole’s body. Covering her. Covering her until she looked like a snowman!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole!” I cried, running over the snowy
ground to her. “Nicole—are you okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I grabbed her arm. Stiff as an icicle. She
was frozen solid!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole?” I stared into her snow-covered
eyes. “Can you hear me, Nicole? Can you breathe in there? Nicole? Nicole?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">26<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, no!” Lauren shrieked. “What have I done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My sister was a statue. A frozen,
snow-covered statue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole, I’m so sorry,” Lauren cried. “Can
you hear me? I’m so sorry!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s take her inside,” I suggested
frantically. “If we get her in the warm house, maybe we can warm her up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren grabbed one of Nicole’s arms. I
grabbed the other. We carefully dragged her stiff body to the house. Her bare
toes, hard as ice, left a long trail in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“She’s so freezing!” Lauren cried. “How
can we melt the snow?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s put her next to the oven,” I said.
“Maybe if we turn it up full blast, the snow will melt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We stood her in front of the oven. For
good measure, I turned on all the burners on top of the stove.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That ought to do it,” I said. A bead of
sweat trickled down my face. From the heat—or from worry?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren and I watched and waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Watched and waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The snow didn’t melt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s not working,” Lauren groaned.
“Nothing’s happening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I tapped Nicole’s arm. Solid ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I tried to stay calm. But I felt as if a
hundred butterflies were tap dancing in my stomach. “All right, it’s not
working. We’ll have to try something else. Something else…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Tears rolled down Lauren’s cheeks. “Like
what?” Lauren demanded in a trembling voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Well…” I racked my brain for the hottest
place I could think of. “The furnace! We’ll hold her in front of the furnace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We dragged Nicole into the furnace shed
behind the garage. The snow seemed to weigh a ton. It took all our strength to
drag her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned the furnace on full blast. Lauren
stood Nicole in front of the open furnace door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A blast of hot air sent Lauren and me
staggering back. “If this doesn’t work, nothing will,” Lauren sobbed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The heat roared out of the furnace. I saw
reflections of the red flames on Nicole’s icy face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My heart pounding, I watched to see the
ice start to drip and the snow slide off her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But the ice didn’t melt. My sister remained
a human snow cone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan—what are we going to do?” Lauren
wailed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I shook my head, thinking hard. “The
furnace isn’t working. What else is hot?” I was too scared to think clearly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Don’t worry, Nicole,” Lauren told my
frozen sister. “We’ll get you out of this—somehow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I suddenly remembered how warm the
Abominable Snowman had felt when he carried us across the Alaskan tundra. There
we were, ten degrees below zero, surrounded by deep snow, and heat had poured
off the creature’s body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Come on, Lauren,” I ordered. “We’re
taking her to the darkroom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Struggling and straining, we dragged
Nicole back outside and across the backyard to the darkroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stay here,” I told Lauren. “I’ll be right
back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I raced into the kitchen. I pulled open
all the cupboards and drawers, desperately searching for one thing—trail mix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Please, please let there be trail mix
somewhere in this house! I prayed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yes!” I found a plastic bag of trail mix
behind an old box of spaghetti. I grabbed it and flew back to the darkroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren stared at the bag in my hand.
“What’s that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Trail mix.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Trail mix? Jordan, can’t you wait to eat
later?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“It’s not for me—it’s for</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">him</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">.”
I motioned at the trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I unlatched the trunk and pulled it open.
The Abominable Snowman lay inside as before, frozen in the block of ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I grabbed a handful of trail mix and waved
it above the snowman’s face. “Wake up!” I begged. “Please wake up! Look—I
brought you some trail mix!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan—have you totally lost it?” Lauren
screeched. “What on earth are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I can’t think of any other way to save
Nicole!” I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My hand trembled as I frantically waved
the trail mix over the snowman. “Come on! You know you love trail mix. Wake up!
Please wake up! Come out and help us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I leaned over, staring hard at the
monster’s eyes. Watching for him to blink. Watching for any signs of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But the eyes didn’t move. The creature
stared lifelessly up through the block of ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I refused to give up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yum, yum!” I shouted, my voice high and
wild.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Trail mix! Boy, is that good!” I popped a
few raisins into my mouth and chewed. “Mmm-mm! Delicious trail mix. So good! So
tasty! Come on—wake up and try some!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’s not moving!” Lauren sobbed. “Give
up, Jordan. It isn’t going to work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">27<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I jumped when I heard a soft sound. A faint</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">crick.</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stared down at the block of ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Did the monster move?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No. Silence now. The Abominable Snowman’s
black eyes glittered up at me, lifeless and blank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Was it my imagination?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren is right, I thought sadly. My plan
isn’t working.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nothing is working.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I gently touched my sister’s stiff, frozen
arm. Maybe when Dad gets home, I hoped. Maybe he’ll think of some way to save
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What are we going to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">dooooo</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">?” Lauren sobbed. She was no help at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Crack.</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I heard it again—louder this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And then:</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Crrraaaaaccckkkk!</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A long crack ripped across the ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren leaped back with a wild scream.
“It’s alive!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The ice broke up. The furry snowman slowly
pulled himself up, moaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren cried out in fear. She pressed
herself against the darkroom wall. “What’s he going to do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Shhh!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster shook shards of broken ice
from his shoulders. He lifted himself out of the trunk. He uttered a low growl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Jordan, look out!” Lauren cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster lurched toward me. My heart
jumped. I wanted to back away—or</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">run</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">away. But I couldn’t. I had to stay and help Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Unh!” the snowman grunted. He swiped a
giant paw at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren let out another shrill scream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I leaped back. What would the monster do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Unh!” the monster cried again. He took
another swipe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s get out of here!” Lauren shouted.
“He’s going to hurt you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I wanted to run. But Nicole…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The monster swiped at me again—and
snatched the bag of trail mix out of my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I suddenly realized that was all he wanted.
He had been grabbing for the trail mix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He poured the trail mix into his mouth,
gulping it down, swallowing it noisily. Then he tossed the bag away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren pressed her back against the corner
of the darkroom. “Make him go back into the trunk!” she cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Are you crazy? How can I do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The snowman growled and staggered across
the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">His heavy footsteps shook the floor. He
stopped in front of Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He reached his powerful arms around her
snow-covered body—and squeezed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stop him!” Lauren screamed. “He’s
crushing her!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">28<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="fp" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I couldn’t move. I stared in horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The big creature hugged Nicole hard—so
hard that he lifted her off the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Stop!” I finally choked out. “You’re
hurting her!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Without thinking of the danger, I dove
forward. I grabbed his furry arms with both hands—and struggled to pull him off
my sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With an angry grunt, he brushed me away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stumbled back—and fell into Lauren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned to see the monster squeezing
Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren pointed down at the floor.
“Jordan—look!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Gazing down, I saw a small puddle under
Nicole’s feet. Water dripped off her and onto the floor. As it hit the floor,
it evaporated. Vanished from sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Did I see Nicole’s toes wiggle?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Yes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I stepped closer. Caught a glimpse of her
face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A dot of pink appeared on her cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Yes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chunks of snow dropped off her body. They
thudded to the floor, melted, and disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned to Lauren. “It’s working!” I
cried happily. “He’s defrosting her!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A trembling smile crossed Lauren’s worried
face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A few seconds later, the snowman let
Nicole go. The ice and snow had all melted and disappeared. The snowman gave a
satisfied grunt and stepped back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole moved her arms stiffly. She rubbed
her face, as if she were waking up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Nicole!” I cried, grabbing her by the
shoulders. Warm. Her shoulders were warm. “Are you okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She shook her head, dazed. “What
happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lauren ran up to Nicole and threw her arms
around her. “You were frozen!” she said. “Frozen like a snowman! But thank
goodness—you’re all right!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I turned to see the snowman watching us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Thank you,” I called to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I don’t know if he understood me. He
grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Let’s get out of here,” Lauren urged.
“I’m freezing!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Maybe the sun will warm you up,” I told
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We opened the darkroom door and stepped
outside. The sun still beamed down. The air felt sweltering hot. But the whole
yard was covered in snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Oh, yeah,” Lauren murmured. “I forgot
about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Hey—!” I cried out when I saw the
Abominable Snowman leap out of the darkroom. “He’s escaping!” I shrieked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Dad will</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">kill</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">us!” Nicole cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">All three of us started shouting at the
creature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He ignored our cries and thudded heavily
across the snow. His black eyes narrowed on the snow-covered tree. He stepped
up to the tree. Threw his arms around it. And hugged it tightly, just like when
he had hugged Nicole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I watched as the snow began to melt. The
blanket of white slipped down, down, shrinking away—until the tree stood green
and golden again under the sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Wow!” I uttered, hands pressed against my
face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But the big, furry creature had more
surprises in store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">With a loud grunt, he dropped to the snowy
ground. As we stared in surprise, he began to roll in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The snow appeared to stick to his fur. As
he rolled, the snow vanished beneath him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before long, the big creature was rolling
on green grass. The last of the snow had vanished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He jumped to his feet. His eyes went wide,
and he uttered a pained cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What’s the matter with him?” Lauren
demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Abominable Snowman gazed around,
stunned, at the green grass, the palm trees. Then he raised his eyes to the
blazing sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He clutched his fur-covered head and let
out a scream of terror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He seemed confused for a moment.
Frightened. Then he let out a deep grunt—and took off down the street. His big
paws thudded heavily over the pavement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I ran after him. “Wait! Come back!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He tore through someone’s yard and kept
running.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I gave up. No way I could catch him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and Lauren caught up to me.
“Where’s he going?” Nicole demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“How should I know?” I snapped, struggling
to catch my breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I think he’s looking for someplace cold,”
Lauren said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole agreed. “You’re probably right. He
must be so hot. Pasadena is no place for an Abominable Snowman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“He’ll probably find a cave in the
mountains,” I said. “It’s a lot colder up there. I only hope he finds a way to
get trail mix.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We trudged back to our yard. Green again.
And hot. I knew that Nicole and I had one word in our minds—D-A-D.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He had instructed us not to touch the
trunk. We had ignored his warning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Now the snowman was gone. Dad’s big
discovery. Dad’s big chance for fame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Gone. Gone forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was all our fault.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“At least Dad has his photos,” I said
softly. “The photos will amaze everyone all by themselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I guess so,” Nicole replied, biting her
bottom lip tensely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We walked back to the darkroom to close up
the supply trunk. I glanced inside the trunk. Two magic snowballs were left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Those things are dangerous. We’d better
get rid of them,” Nicole warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“<i>I’m</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">not touching them.” Lauren backed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You’re right,” I told my sister. “We
should hide them somewhere. They’re too dangerous to keep around.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole ran into the house and returned
with a heavy-duty garbage bag. “Quick—stuff them in here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I carefully scooped up each snowball and
dropped it in the trash bag. Then I twisted the bag closed and knotted it
tightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Now what?” Lauren asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We should blast them into outer space,”
Nicole said. “If anyone gets hold of them and starts spreading snow around,
we’ll be in big trouble. We need the Abominable Snowman to get rid of the
snow—and he’s gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Pasadena could turn into a ski resort!” I
joked. “We could ice skate on Kyle and Kara’s swimming pool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I shivered. I didn’t want to think about
Kyle and Kara. And I didn’t want to think about snow. “We should bury the
snowballs,” I told them. “But where?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Not in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">my</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">yard!” Lauren protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I didn’t want to bury them in our yard,
either. What would happen to them down there? Would they spread snow
underground? Would snow spring up through the grass?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We left the darkroom and scanned the area
for good burial spots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“What about the empty lot?” Nicole
suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Across the street, right next to Kyle and
Kara Miller’s house, stood a vacant lot. There was nothing in it but piles of
sand and a few empty bottles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Perfect,” I declared. “No one will ever
find the snowballs there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole hurried to the garage and grabbed a
shovel. We crossed the street, glancing around to make sure no one saw us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The coast is clear,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I grabbed the shovel and dug a deep hole in
the sand. It took longer than I thought. Sand kept falling back into the hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Finally, the hole was deep enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole dropped the trash bag into the
hole. “Good-bye, snowballs,” she said. “Good-bye, Alaska.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I covered the hole with sand. Lauren smoothed
it out so you couldn’t tell the sand had been dug up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Whew,” I groaned, wiping the sweat from
my face. “I’m glad that’s over. Let’s go inside and cool off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I put away the shovel. Then Nicole,
Lauren, and I got ourselves some cold apple juice and collapsed in front of the
TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A short while later, we heard Dad’s car
pull into the driveway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Uh-oh,” Lauren gasped. “I think I’d
better go home now. See you guys later.” She hurried out the back door. “Good
luck!” she called. The door slammed behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I gave Nicole a nervous glance. “How angry
will Dad be? He finds an amazing, rare creature, brings it home—we let it
loose, and it runs away. That’s not so bad—<i>is</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole shuddered. “Maybe if we tell him
the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">whole</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">story, he’ll be so glad we’re
not hurt that he won’t be angry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Uh-huh. Yeah. Maybe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The front door swung open. “Hey, kids!”
Dad called. “I’m home! How’s our snowman doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="calibre1" style="margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">29<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We ate supper early that evening. Things were pretty quiet around
the dinner table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“I’m glad you kids are safe and sound,”
Dad said for the fifth time. “That’s what counts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Yeah,” Nicole said, chewing her pizza.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Uh-huh,” I added quietly. I usually had
three slices. Tonight I could barely manage one. And I left the crust on the
plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor Dad. He was trying so hard not to get
upset about losing the Abominable Snowman. But Nicole and I knew how bad he
felt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad dropped his half-eaten slice of pizza
on his plate. “I’ll tell the Museum of Natural History that they’ll have to
make do with the photographs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Photographs are better than nothing,” I
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Better than nothing? Are you crazy?”
Nicole cried. “Those pictures are going to amaze the whole world!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad perked up. “That’s true. I mentioned
them to some TV producers. They went wild.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He stood and carried his plate to the
sink. “I think I’ll go out to the darkroom and develop that film right now.
These pictures are going to cheer me up. I mean, they’re historic. Historic!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I was glad to see Dad snap out of his
disappointment. Nicole and I followed him, eager to see the photos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We sat quietly under the red light while
Dad developed the negatives. At last he pulled the first set of contact sheets
out of the chemical baths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I leaned close to see the
pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Huh?” Dad uttered an astonished cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Snow. Nothing but snow. Ten pictures of
snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“That’s strange,” Dad choked out. “I don’t
remember taking those shots.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole flashed me an evil stare. I knew
what she was thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I held my hands up innocently. “I’m not
playing any tricks. I swear!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“You’d better not be, Jordan,” Dad warned
sternly. “I’m in no mood for kidding around.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dad turned back to the chemical trays and
developed another set of photos. As he pulled them up, dripping wet, we all
squinted at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">More snow. Nothing but snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This can’t be happening!” Dad screamed.
“The Abominable Snowman—he should be standing right</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">there</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">!” He pointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">His hands shook as he grabbed the rest of
the negatives and held them up to the red light. “The tundra shots came out
fine,” he declared. “The dogs, the sled, the elk herd—all there. All perfect.
All of them. But the shots in the monster’s cave—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">His voice trailed off. He shook his head
sadly. “I don’t get it. I just don’t get it. How could this be? Not a single
shot of the creature. Not one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I sighed. I felt so bad for Dad. I felt so
bad for all three of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">No Abominable Snowman. No photos of the
Abominable Snowman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was almost as if he never existed. As
if the whole thing never happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nicole and I left Dad in the darkroom to finish his work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We trudged around the house to the front.
Nicole groaned and grabbed my arm. “Oh, no! Look!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Across the street in the vacant lot, I saw
the Miller twins kneeling down, digging in the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“They’re digging up the snowballs!” I
gasped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Those creeps!” Nicole growled. “They must
have been spying on us while we buried them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’ve got to stop them!” I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We hurried across the street, running full
speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I saw Kyle rip open the garbage bag—and
pull out one of the snowballs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He swung back his arm and aimed at Kara.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“No—Kyle! Stop!” I screamed. “Don’t throw
it! Stop! Don’t throw it, Kyle!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">THWOCK.</span></i><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN OF PASADENA

THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN OF PASADENA Goosebumps - 38 R.L. Stine 1 All my life, I’ve wanted to see snow. My name is Jord...

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THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN OF PASADENA