by A. A. Volts
If I planned everything just right, I would be able to avoid getting on the bus. That way I could walk to the Prudential, sneak in and do some investigating all before my parents got home from work.
I wished it didn’t have to be that way, but even though my father was the manager, I was still considered ‘persona non grata’ (an unwelcome person) as far as the security guards and Mr. Moneybags were concerned. It may have something to do with me grabbing Mr. Moneybag’s leg and not letting go, when I was much younger—last year.
The plan was to sneak in by the Prudential service entrance. I just had to be inside long enough to smell where the gold was hidden.
As we were leaving school for the day, I managed to sneak inside the 7-Eleven convenience store.
“Hey, Clash. Aren’t you taking the bus?” asked Taters.
“Shh. No, I have some things I need to do.”
“If you’re sneaking out, I want in,” said Taters.
I didn’t want to sound mean, especially since he was so happy, but I had to move forward with my plan and Taters wasn’t in it.
“Sorry, you can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because, I have to follow the plan and you’re not in it,” I replied.
“Where are you going anyway?”
“I’m sneaking into the Prudential building,” I replied.
“Well, that settles it. I’m going that way anyway. Besides, if you don’t let me come, I’ll tell the Safety Patrol that you’re trying to sneak out.”
“Fine, but I won’t be responsible for you,” I replied, as I paid for my bag of chips.
“I can take care of myself,” replied Taters.
By the time we left 7-Eleven, the bus was gone and so was the Safety Patrol kids.
“What are we doing there?” Taters asked as we walked at a brisk pace.
“I have to find something. Something that used to be in my family.”
I didn’t tell him that if I had my way, that day would come. I thought it was best to keep that from him for the time being.
“Can you imagine what people would say if they saw us walking in our true form?” Taters asked. “A troll and a goblin, what a combination.”
“I can’t even imagine,” I said. His question made me think about it. Would they run from us? Accept us? Perhaps they would hunt us.
Only time would tell. Deep down I knew that day would come, I just didn’t know when.
“If there was ever a war between the humans and us, what side would you choose?” I asked.
“I don’t think I could,” replied Taters. There was something strange about Taters. I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly, but the way he looked at everything as though he was longing for attention. I had the impression that Taters was a very lonely kid.
“Here, this way,” said Taters.
“No, we are going through the service entrance,” I replied.
“You’ll never make it past security that way.”
“I have a plan,” I said.
“Unless you can turn invisible, that won’t help you. Trust me, I know the way,” Taters insisted and started to walk toward the underground parking garage.
I followed close behind him. After a couple hundred feet or so I noticed the security cameras.
“This isn’t going to work, security will be all over us.”
“Don’t worry about it, just follow my lead,” said Taters. I was sure that any minute we would be caught I really wasn’t looking forward to be grounded yet again. But, it served me right. That’s what I get for not following the plan and for listening to my lower human tendencies.
“I’m telling you, we should’ve followed the plan.”
“What’s up with you and all this planning business?” asked Taters.
“My dad always tells me that I need to plan for the future, if I want things to work out.”
“I don’t think that includes planning to sneak into high security buildings,” said Taters, laughing.
He was probably right. In any case, it couldn’t hurt to be prepared.
“A car is coming. Hide,” said Taters as he ran behind an oversized SUV.
Uncertain of where to hide myself, I followed him.
“That was close,” I said. “Great, here comes security. How do you suppose we get past them?”
“See that door straight across?” Taters asked.
“That’s no use, we need a code to enter it,” I replied. My heart raced as security got closer.
The adventure continues on Chapter 2 to get the full book visit us at: www.AAVolts.com/I-am-Goblin.
“I Am Goblin,” is the first book of my new middle-grade “I Am Series,” which it’s scheduled to be released in May of 2013.