Tag was really making Daniel work for the Almanacs.
“What’s the plan?” I asked. “Should we unlock the storage shelter and grab equipment for Zoe? Which one of us is going to belay?”
Back at the freshmen climb, Tag and I learned to belay so we wouldn’t have to climb anymore. Few people volunteered for the job because belaying had none of theglamourthat climbing did. It meant you stood at the bottom of a structure to control a climber’s rope. You gave them slack to climb higher but also enough friction to ensure they didn’t fall.
“Not necessary,” Tag replied, then pointed to the far corner of the field where another copse of strong and sturdy trees stood tall. His arm shook a little. At least four trees were connected by a building fifteen feet off the ground. “We’re breaking into the Hideout.”
The Hideout was a tricked-out tree house where the senior RCIs conducted meetings and stored all their personal climbing equipment. I’d never been up there, but I’d heard enough to know it was a great hangout space. Three walls were decorated with past RCIs’ signatures while the fourth was lined with five sacred equipment stalls.
My guess was the next clue was going straight into Daniel’s stall. “Oh my god,” I couldn’t help but blurt. “This is absurd!”
“What’s absurd?” Tag asked. “Planting it in the Hideout?”
“No!” I exclaimed. “This!” I flung an arm at nothing in particular. “The fact that he’s president, a prefect,anda senior RCI? I mean…” I trailed off, flummoxed. “How is that even remotely fair?”
Tag shrugged, but there was a tightness in his voice when he spoke. “The faculty considered him best suited for the positions. The student body too. They elected him president.”
I shook my head. “You should’ve applied to be a Mack prefect,” I said. “I’m sorry, but you should’ve. Tag, you would’ve been brilliant.”
“How do you know I didn’t apply?” he asked.
“Because Josh…” I started before realizing Josh had never gone into detail about his applicants. He just said why he’d chosen Manik and Daniel.
Had Tag actually applied?
And if he did, why wouldn’t Josh have appointed him? They were so close. He was Tag’s swim coach, and we’d shared so many dinners together at my house. It made no sense.
We reached the base of the tree house, and I assessed the narrow metal ladder leading up to the Hideout’s trapdoor entrance. My stomach turned at the height. “I hope Zoe gets here soon,” I said.
“Yeah,” Tag replied, “since this stunner wasn’t cheap.”
I glanced away from the ladder to see him pull agoofy-looking headlamp out of his backpack. “Holy shitballs,” I breathed. “That crown is befitting of aqueen.”
“Right?” Tag giggled, really giggled like a little boy. “I know we could’ve used it earlier, but I thought it should be saved for a special occasion.”
“Zoe’s going to flip,” I said, smiling. “Before making you take about a thousand photos.”
“I’ll agree to the requisite three,” Tag said. “We don’t have time for a thousand.” He sighed. “I wish she’d get here too.”
“May I read the next clue?” I asked when Zoe didn’t magically appear.
“Yeah, yeah, of course.” Tag handed me the envelope. “My bad, I thought you already had…” He yawned. Someone was getting tired. “Remember, I’m no poet.”
I smirked. It was true, but I couldn’t begin to imagine coming up with these clues myself. This piece of cardstock had a jumble of blue-and-white letters and read:
Trim the sails and take the helm
You are comfortable in this realm
O’ Captain, starboard ho!
Remember to lock up before you go.
“Nice,” I said. “Boathouse?”
“Yep.” Tag clenched his jaw. “I thought we’d throw him an easy one.”
I slid the cardstock back into its envelope. “Beach side isn’t so simple, you know.” We needed to cross Campo’s favorite patrol road to get to the ocean.
