for Baby Mundi, why would they care about this?â
âYeah, donât be a sore LOSER, Clandestino,â Justin said, sniggering.
I walked up to the three boys. âHey, we are not going to drop this matter. All three of you already have a bad record in school,â I said. âIf the teachers find out that you had something to do with sabotaging the race, they will definitely not let you off.â
âYeah, maybe even suspend you,â Clandestino said as he tossed three pens in the air simultaneously and caught them all with one hand.
âThatâs right!â I quickly added. âMaybe even public caning.â I laughed. I could tell that the threat of another suspension had gotten them worried. We had exposed Justin and Leonard before. They could not afford to get into trouble again.
âWhat are we going to do? Suspension? Caning?â Justin whispered into Leonardâs ear. Leonard shrugged him off while Adam tried not to let his anxiety show. He puffed out his chest.
âUnlessâ¦â I eyed Adam. âThere is something you can do.â
âWhat?â Leonard challenged. âWe do not need to submit to LOSERS like you. We can take care of ourselves.â
âWait, wait. Letâs hear them out.â Adam came closer. The CH tattoo was still imprinted on his hairy skin.
CH, CH, CH⦠what could it stand for? Suddenly it dawned on me and I couldnât help blurting out, âThe Credible Hulk?â
Adam ignored my question. âSo, what do you want us to do?â
âFind Mundi,â I said. âWe need your help.â
âAre you nuts, Darryl?â Clandestino yelled. He had not seen that coming.
âFind Mundi?â Adam laughed. âEasy peasy.â
âIt is okay, Clan, we need them. You donât know who we are dealing with. Adam has strengths too,â I said as Adam smiled and nodded approvingly.
âHeâs the Credible Hulk. He has to be,â I whispered into Clandestinoâs ear. âWe could use him. Really. Trust me, for Mundiâs sake.â
Clandestino still looked doubtful, so I added, âIf heâs the Credible Hulk, he may be involved in the kidnapping. I want to keep him close to monitor him.â
Leonard looked at us. âAnd after this you wonât kick up a fuss about the glue?â
Clandestino sighed and whipped out two pens to spin. He was the ultimate pen-spinner and he could spin two, three, and even four pens with his eyes closed. Spinning and mulling over what I had just told him, he weighed the pros and cons of getting Adam come with us to look for Mundi. Finally, he hurled the two pens in the air and they somersaulted magically. He seized them with two fingers and said, âOkay, I have decided. If Adam comes with us, I will not say anything about the glue.â
âWow, how do you do that, every single time?â Leonard asked.
âOkay, we are in!â Adam said. âNow, what do we have to do?â
âOkay, Adam comes with us,â I said, taking charge. âLeonard and Justin, you guys stay here and wait. If there are any new developments, call us!â
âHey, why do we have to stay?â Leonard blustered. âWe want to come too and get in on the action!â
âWe need the two of you to stay here! If Mundi returns, contact us immediately.â
Clandestino was still hesitant about Adam and his friends â our enemies, our daily tormentors â embarking on a mission with us. But he knew he was doing the right thing. He had to give up his pride and rightful medal for one person whose very life was in danger. He had to give it all up to save a friend.
âWe have to go soon! Like now!â Janice said. âMundi could be hanging upside down this very minute.â She always had a knack for painting bad scenarios and imagining the worst! She wasnât called the Drama Queen for nothing.
âBut how?â Adam said.