Free Traps and Specters by Bryan Chick Page B

them reviewed the Grottoes, the tunnel system beneath the Clarksville Zoo. Tank had them repeatedly come up to the whiteboard to draw pictures of particular sections. He wanted to be certain they’d memorized the passages—how they interconnected and led to different areas.
    Around 11:00, Tank set down the marker, announced it was time, and donned his jacket, which was so thickly padded that it made him look a bit like a small cloud. After the scouts dressed, Marlo sprang to his usual spot on Noah’s shoulder and the group stepped outside and walked to ZOOasis, a big outdoor garden surrounded by a wide web of concrete paths. Flamingo Fountain sat at its core. Mostly devoid of flowers this time of year, the garden was still alive with evergreen bushes and trees. Marble benches were scattered along the grassy paths, and when the group reached ZOOasis, they saw Mr. Darby sitting on one.
    â€œWelcome!” Mr. Darby said as the scouts approached. Noah found it strange that the old man was wearing his sunglasses in the dark. “The four of you have come prepared for a physical challenge, yes?”
    A bit unsure, the scouts nodded anyway.
    â€œExcellent.” The old man peered beyond the four children and said, “All of you, if you’ll come out, please.”
    From around a group of shadowy bushes, the Descenders appeared—Tameron, Solana, Sam, and Hannah. They were wearing the clothes that carried their powers: leather jackets, hats, boots, and gloves. Tameron had his enormous backpack slung over his shoulders. As they neared the scouts, Sam peered out from beneath his long bangs; Tameron, from under the tilted brim of his cap. Hannah worked her jaw over her chewing gum, and Solana stood with her hands on her hips.
    Ella said, “Looks like our opponents just arrived.”
    Hannah loudly popped her gum and winked at Ella.
    Richie said, “So we’re facing off against teenagers who can fly, throw quills, smash out walls, and leap tall buildings in a single bound.”
    Mr. Darby turned to Tank. “Richie has a point, Mr. Pangbourne. Should we award our scouts something to compensate for the Descenders’ remarkable skills?”
    â€œSeems fair enough.”
    â€œVery well. Your animal friends—Blizzard, Podgy, Little Bighorn, any that you know personally—they may assist you.” Mr. Darby turned to the kingfisher sitting on Noah’s shoulder. “Marlo, will you please make sure the scouts’ companions know of this?”
    Marlo chirped, sprang into the air, and dashed out of sight.
    â€œNow then …” Mr. Darby looked toward Tank. “Can you please explain our challenge, Mr. Pangbourne?”
    â€œYou guys ever hear of a game called Capture the Flag?” Tank asked.
    The scouts nodded. They’d played Capture the Flag countless times.
    â€œWell, this is the flag....” Tank slipped a small piece of velvet from his jacket and tossed it toward the scouts. Noah snagged it. It was so thin that it was practically threadbare. “All you need to do is capture it,” Tank finished.
    Noah said, “It tingles.”
    â€œUnspent magic. It used to be part of a curtain.” He held out his open palm. “I’ll take that back now.”
    As Noah handed the flag over, Mr. Darby said, “The game is a way for us to see how you compare to the Descenders—how far you’ve come as Crossers over the past year. With the sighting of DeGraff, the Secret Society is evaluating all its defenses.”
    â€œWhere does the game take place?” Noah asked.
    â€œWherever the flag goes. Here probably. And in the Secret Zoo.”
    â€œBut what if someone sees us running around?”
    Mr. Darby said, “They won’t if you keep to the shadows.”
    â€œSpeaking of the shadows,” Richie said. “Who’s on patrol?”
    â€œSubstitutes. And of course the Specters are helping now as