Rain spattered across town square, but no one moved. The weather matched their mood.
Emma shivered. “The bigger question is, how’d they escape? I thought figments couldn’t leave the island.”
“And where are they all coming from?” Tyler added with a frown. “We might’ve created last night’s monster squad bydiving in to avoid those orcs, but there were dozens of figments on the island when we got there. Ifwedidn’t make them, who did?”
“Maybe the Darkdeep doesn’t need us anymore,” Emma whispered.
A squeal of feedback reverberated across the square. Everyone jumped.
“This is Mayor Hayt,” a female voice boomed from the lone undamaged stage speaker. “I want you all to know I’m doing everything in my power to determine the cause of this criminality. The perpetratorswillbe caught and held accountable. And wewillhold our wonderful radish festival, as soon as possible.”
A faint cheer went up from the crowd, but Opal’s heart sank. The last thing they needed was an official investigation with the Darkdeep running wild.
“I need your cooperation in two crucial ways,” Mayor Hayt continued. “First, if you have any information about this atrocity, please come forward to the authorities. A substantial reward is being offered courtesy of the Nantes Timber Company.”
There was a muted round of applause. Mayor Hayt waited a beat. “Second, we need to let our cleanup crew get started. So please clear the square, and be sure to attend to your festival duties. We’ll get this straightened out. Thank you.”
Another feedback screech, and the mayor’s voice was gone.
“We’re the perpetrators she’s talking about,” Tyler groaned.
Emma punched his arm. “Figments did this, not us. Westoppedthe destruction.”
“Whatever helps you sleep.” Tyler rubbed the spot she’d hit. “But we definitely have information.”
“Not enough.” Emma took out her phone and scrolled through more blank photos. “We don’t have any evidence. If we say a bunch of imaginary creatures rampaged through downtown, they’ll think we’re lying. Or commit us to an insane asylum.”
“Or think we did it.” Logan’s cheek twitched. “I saw Sheriff Ritchie photographing the ATV tracks. Not many people around here have Trailbreaker Extremes.”
Emma giggled. “Your dad’s going to flip out if he has to reward someone for turning his son in.”
Logan didn’t share her amusement.
“We won’t let that happen,” Opal assured him. “You’ve got four alibis lined up.”
“Unless it’s enough for a new quadcopter,” Nico muttered, but he smiled to show he was kidding. Logan grinned back sourly.
“Real talk: we could take the mayor to the houseboat right now.” Tyler’s voice was growing desperate. “Just show her the freaking Darkdeep and get out of this mess. Anyone who sees it will believe everything we say.”
No.A voice spoke inside Opal, both foreign and familiar at once.The Darkdeep must be kept secret. It felt like ice water sweeping through her veins, but all she said was, “I think taking people there is a very bad idea.”
There was a tense silence before the others nodded one by one. Even Tyler. He sighed with his whole body. “So we’re back to square zero. Again.”
“We still have one clue,” Opal said. In her mind, she could see the lonely skeleton at the bottom of the ravine. “We didn’t finish looking into Roman Hale.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “Right! He left something in the timber company’s warehouse.”
“I’ll swipe my dad’s keys.” Logan shook his head, as if surprised by the words coming out of his mouth. “We can four-wheel out there if I’m not already on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.”
Tyler exhaled, his cheeks puffing. “Our parents are going to notice we’re gone this time. Last night’s demolition derby guarantees it.”
“No choice,” Nico said. “We have to figure this out.”
“Going rogue.” Emma stuck out her hand. “Let’s try this again.”
Opal put hers on top of Emma’s. Nico’s came next, then Tyler. They all looked at Logan.
“Fine,” he snarked. “But you guys should know that I’ll inform on all of you to lighten my sentence.” He shook his head as he placed his hand on top of theirs. “To a life of crime.”
