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RYANDALTON

“We’ll need to walk from here, and stay close together. That
‡eld’s only meant to mask one person.”

It wasn’t just that the front door was gone. It was that a hole
now gaped in the front wall of Fred’s house. Splintered wood
and broken bricks littered the foyer.
From their vantage point in a cluster of trees, the group
surveyed the scene.
“Gee, I wonder if they’re here,” Malcolm said.
“How many times is Fred going to have to ‡x his house?”
Valentine said.
Quelling his nerves, Malcolm darted across the lawn and
ducked inside the broken doorway. The others entered on his
heels, just as Malcolm caught the echo of voices.
On tiptoes, he crossed the tile and crouched next to the
railing. On the other side was a drop-o¤ to Fred’s gigantic living
room below. I forget how big this place is. Half the twins’ house
could ‡t in the foyer.
The voices were louder now, coming from below.
“Where are you friends?” an angry voice blared. “Where
would they hide?”
“I dunno. How ’bout your mama’s house?”
Malcolm suppressed laughter. Fred was de‡nitely here.
“What are the Gilbert twins’ weaknesses?”
“They’re allergic to jackass fools, so y’all should be safe.”
Malcolm glanced back. Valentine covered her mouth to
mu©e her own laughter. Grinning, he placed a ‡nger over his
lips and leaned forward.
Fred sat in a wooden chair, hands tied behind his back,
looking as relaxed as if he were lounging around the house. He

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