I cringed and wished he hadn’t brought up about the time Jessica rode all the way home in silence because she was mad at me. Jessica looked at me and smiled, as if to say, “Don’t worry, I know how dads are.” Out loud she said, “Hi, Mr. Rathbone. Nice to see you. These are my friends, Kayla and Samantha.”
“Nice to see you again!” my dad said to the girls. “I remember you both from the school dance at Baber Intermediate. Well, pile on in.” As he said this I realized the car would be a little tight for us all. I smiled to myself. It would be nice to scrunch in close with Jessica. . . .
“Rodney, you and Rishi get up here with me. Let the girls have the back.”
That daydream didn’t last long! For the next five miles I had Rishi’s elbow digging into my ribs. Turns out scrunching wasn’t much fun.
As we pulled into the deserted Ledges parking lot, my chicken sense started tingling. Samantha must have been having similar thoughts. “Shouldn’t there be a truck here or something?” she asked.
Kayla growled, “Rishi.”
As usual, Rishi just smiled. “Have no fear. Look!” He pointed across the road to the entrance. Some teenager was holding an ESPN sign—except it didn’t look very official. We got out anyway and my father started to join us.
“What are you doing?” I asked him.
“You didn’t think your old man was going to drive off and miss all the excitement, did you?”
The last thing I needed was my dad directing a bunch of photographers on how to take pictures of me. I said, “I was kind of hoping I could handle this on my own.”
He looked disappointed . . . but only for a second. “No problem, son! Those fries were awfully salty and I can’t seem to get a milk shake out of my mind. Vanilla or chocolate? Oh, it’s a tough decision.” He started the car. “Text me when you want me to pick you up!” he called out as the Honda sped off down the quiet, wooded road. The brake lights flickered once before he rounded a bank and drove out of sight.
A chilly breeze blew across the parking lot and I couldn’t help shivering. Something sure seemed strange about this photo shoot—but it was too late now. We crossed the road.
“You work for ESPN?” Kayla asked the kid with the sign. “What are you, like twelve years old?”
Before the kid could answer, Rishi spoke up. “Don’t worry, Kayla. The woman I spoke to on the phone sounded real mature.”
“I’m an intern,” the kid added defensively. “See? I’m holding a clipboard and everything.” He looked down as if reading something. “Mr. Rathbone?”
I didn’t like this but just nodded.
He pulled out a walkie-talkie. “He’s here. He’s got some friends with him.”
His walkie-talkie hissed for a second. A voice said, “All right. Send him up here to get his makeup done, but make sure his friends wait down there with you. I’ll send someone down in five minutes to take them to the, uhh, interview.”
Nervous pangs gripped my chest. “Wait, my friends can’t go with me?”
The intern kid said, “You heard him. They’ll be picked up in a few minutes.”
“But I don’t see why—”
“Listen, do you want to be interviewed or not?”
I was about to answer “or not” but Rishi cut in. “Oh, he does, he does . . .”
I looked at the girls. All three wore worried expressions. I noticed that the woods in back of them were beginning to grow dark as the late-afternoon sun dipped below the treetops. “I don’t want to leave you guys,” I said.
“Nonsense,” Rishi insisted, “we’ll be along in a minute. Go, go.”
Jessica said, “Don’t feel bad about us. It’s not your fault. I’m sure we’ll see you in a minute.”
I had little choice after that but to walk into the woods . . . alone. I passed a big sign that said, DANGEROUS CLIFFS—STAY ON MARKED TRAILS ONLY. Beyond it was a smaller sign that explained the park’s trail system. White Trails were the safest. After that there were various colors until you came to Red Trails. They were the most dangerous. I also noticed with alarm that the trail I was on led to the “Devil’s Hole,” which was right by something called the “Devil’s Icebox.” Did every trail in this place have to start with the word “Devil”?
I continued on, heading farther into the boulders and cliffs. For a little while I could hear Kayla far below whining to Rishi. “. . . So, is standing in a parking lot your idea of VIP treatment? . . .” As the trail rose higher, however, her words grew fainter. I grew more nervous. I couldn’t believe I was missing Kayla’s complaints.
I got to the top of a bluff. Other than the wind rattling through dry leaves, it was quiet. The sun was definitely getting lower in the sky. I looked around and noticed an ESPN sign pointing down into a ravine. Unfortunately, the sign looked like it had been painted on the back of a pizza box. I strongly considered walking back out and telling everyone that I had gotten lost. There was something off about the whole setup and the idea of heading down into a dark chasm—alone—seemed about the worst thing I could do. It had also started to dawn on me how strange it was that no one had told me to bring a uniform, let alone a football.
“Hello,” I called out. The only reply was my voice bouncing off the boulders. That’s it, I told myself. No way I’m heading down there.
“Hey, Mr. Rathbone!”
I turned. The intern guy had followed me up the trail. “The interview team wants to know what’s keeping you.”
“Uhh, explain to me again why I’m being interviewed down there?”
“This is the Ledges. It’s a famous place in these parts. The producer said it will make a real dramatic backdrop. Now look, it’s my job to see you go in there, so get moving.”
For the first time there was a threatening tone to his voice. Being an official coward, I hurried ahead into the gorge. As the trail dipped lower into the chasm the air grew cooler and wetter. The rock sides were covered with a thick, slimy green moss. I was soon at least fifty feet down in the depths of the chasm. I looked up. There was no way to climb out other than the trail—which I suddenly noticed was marked RED! I went over a big tree root and wound around some boulders and under a ledge or two. Every now and then side passages branched off in different directions. I hoped I hadn’t wandered off and gotten lost.
“You made it,” a slick voice suddenly sounded from up ahead.
I didn’t see anyone, but hearing a voice brought a wave of relief.
For a moment. Then I recognized the voice and my knees began to quake. How could I have been so dumb? I had walked straight into a trap and now found myself at the bottom of a gorge with no means of escape. I had even sent my dad away!
On the bright side, I no longer needed to worry about tomorrow’s game or Mama’s grand opening. It seemed pretty unlikely I’d be returning from Nelson Ledges anytime soon.
Chapter 15
IN THE DEPTH OF THE LEDGES
“So,” I asked, “I take it the photo shoot is off?”
Toby stepped out from behind a bend in the trail. “I have to admit,” he sneered, “I was getting a little worried that you wouldn’t come. Sorry for doubting you.” He let out an evil laugh. “How funny was that whole ESPN thing? I mean, why on earth would ESPN want to interview you of all people? Who’d be dumb enough to fall for that?” He paused and held his hand over his mouth. “Oh yeah, Rishi would!” He laughed some more and wiped a tear from his eye. “That guy cracks me up. He actually believes you’re someone special.”
Despite the fear coursing through my body, my anger rose when he insulted my best friend. “At least I can count on him . . .”
“To what?” Toby asked. “To always get you in trouble? Anyway, I’ve finally got you right where I want you, Rat-bone. Last year you weaseled your way out of all my plans, and this year you’ve managed to win over my lame brother. He’s athletic, but I’ve got th
e family’s intelligence gene . . .”
He continued to ramble on. I was only half-listening. I knew that in addition to being evil, Toby was a big coward. Hey, it takes one to know one! That meant somebody else was probably lurking nearby to do his dirty work. But who? Josh and Trevor were now my friends, so they were out of the picture. I couldn’t think of anyone else in Garrettsville strong enough, tough enough, or nasty enough to join him out here. Maybe Toby’s plot wasn’t as brilliant as he thought.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I said, “but I think I’ll be leaving now.”
“Not so fast. My tutor has lined up a few surprises for you.”
His tutor? I should have guessed Lutzkraut was behind this! It certainly explained the “mature” woman who had called Rishi about the photo shoot. My legs began to shake as my eyes swept the ravine for alternate escape routes. Toby noticed.
“Oh, there’s no escape. I made sure of that.” He snapped his fingers. Four kids wearing Windham Bombers sweatshirts came out from around the bend. They glared at me with folded arms.
I remembered Belicheat’s phone call to Mrs. Lutzkraut. This wasn’t good at all. I started inching back the way I’d come.
“Going somewhere?”
I spun around. Sure enough, Bruno and Bart were blocking my way. At least this time their names were printed on their shirts! Bruno smirked, “I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it turns out. And as for our little bet from the other night, looks like we’ll be finding out right now how tough you are. Ain’t that right, Bart?”
“Yep.”
By now my legs were shaking so bad that a cloud of dust began to form around my feet. I noticed an opening to my right that separated two massive boulders. It wasn’t much more than a wide crack.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Toby ordered. “I’ve waited a year for this moment. The time has finally come to get my revenge! Hahahaha! You’re mine now and there’s no way out. . . .”
“What about over there?” I asked, pointing to the crack I’d been eyeing.
Confusion flashed across his face. “What?”
I didn’t wait to give him an answer. Instead, I sucked in my stomach and plunged between the rocks. I could hear Toby scream, “Get him!” as I scrambled frantically through the narrow channel. It was real tight and dark. I scraped my way through. I almost got stuck but pushed on, popping buttons off the front of my shirt. I realized this was one time being small was a definite asset. Bruno and Bart would have greater difficulty, and I knew Toby wasn’t going anywhere without them.
After a few feet the passage began to open up and I could move more quickly. I was increasing my lead, but once they squeezed through the opening I knew my pursuers would be right on me. I weaved in and out of the twisting passage. I came around one big turn and was faced with a horrific sight. The path ended at the foot of a massive slab.
I stood there gaping, breathing hard. The rocks around me rose straight up for at least thirty feet, too steep and high to climb. I was cornered. My chest tightened as I was gripped by an unbelievably powerful fear. I backtracked a few feet, in case I had missed some passage. It was no good. The shouts from Toby and company were getting louder. They must have squeezed through and would soon be on me.
Yes, I’ve been in more bad spots than any kid I know, but hearing the approach of Bruno, Bart, Toby, and the other Windham players was the most scared I’ve ever been in my life.
Until I heard something near my feet go, “Pssst!”
“AGGHHH!” I screamed. Was I losing my mind? I glanced down into what looked like a black hole. Two eyes glowed back at me. Was it a zombie? Was it Gollum? I fell back against the wall. Whatever it was, the creature was coming out to get me . . .
“Rodney,” it whispered.
. . . and it knew my name! I got ready to bolt back to Bruno and Bart, preferring their fists to whatever this beast had in store for me.
A gray hood popped out of the darkness. “Rodney, it’s me . . . Pablo.”
“Pablo?”
“Yeah, from school.”
“You’re not a zombie?”
“I don’t think so. Are you being chased by those guys?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
“Then hide in here with me.”
It sounded like a great offer. He slid back in and I squirmed my way in after him. The opening was super tight but inside the hole opened up a bit and was large enough for us both to sit. He lifted a couple of rocks and partially concealed the opening.
I wanted to ask him what he was doing in a hole in the middle of Nelson Ledges but noises from outside stopped me. I watched feet stomp by. I knew they’d be back once they reached the end. I just prayed they didn’t see the hole. Sure enough, I heard a howl of confusion and anger. After another minute I heard the grumbling gang returning.
“I don’t understand it. Where did they go?” Toby’s voice whined.
“You said you picked the perfect place,” Bart or Bruno barked at him. “You said there was no escape.”
“There isn’t any escape! I chose this spot after studying like three trail maps. I don’t understand.”
“Well apparently there is a way out! My dad and the tutor aren’t going to be happy about this. Let’s get out of here.”
I heard them walk off. After a minute I said to Pablo, “That was a close one.”
“Guys!” Toby shouted from right above me. “Get back here. I heard a voice coming from this hole. I knew that coward Rodney was hiding! And he’s talking to himself!”
Great. Like getting caught wasn’t bad enough, now everyone would think I was crazy, too.
Pablo tugged on my sleeve. “Hurry,” he whispered, “there’s a passage at the back of the hole. It’s real narrow and loaded with spiders but it does lead to an exit. That is, if we don’t get stuck.”
My brain launched into a frantic debate. Creepy, dark, tight passage full of spiders or Bruno and Bart’s fists? Why couldn’t I be wrestling with a simple choice like vanilla or chocolate milk shake?
A booming voice yelled, “We got you now, Rathbone!”
Okay, creepy passage it was. I motioned onward and Pablo started crawling. I went to follow but a hand reached in and grabbed my ankle. One of the twins was trying to yank me out! I kicked back hard and felt a crunch.
“Aghhh! My nose! You’re dead, Rathbone!”
Under other circumstances, I would have been paralyzed by fear hearing those words, but not today. Pablo had disappeared into the dark before me. I wiggled after him on my hands and knees. Before I could stop myself, I slid down a wet, slick rock into pitch-blackness. At the bottom the passage leveled out. I heard Pablo scrambling along ahead.
“Wait up,” I yelped in the dark. There was only enough room to wiggle on my stomach. I knew it would be impossible to turn around. Without Pablo I’d never get out alive.
“This way,” he said.
I wanted to cheer, Thank God for Pablo!
“I think,” he added.
“What do you mean, you ‘think’?” I screamed. I felt like I was about to suffocate and realized I could now add claustrophobia to my long list of fears.
“I’ve never done this without a flashlight,” he said, “but I’m pretty sure we’re going in the right direction. Of course if we’re not, then we could be in big trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?” I asked.
“Ever read Tom Sawyer?”
“What?” I wheezed. I didn’t think this was the time for a literary discussion.
“Well,” Pablo continued, “there’s this bad guy named Injun Joe who gets lost in a labyrinth of caves.”
“What happens to him?”
“Oh, he never finds his way out and dies.”
“He dies?” I almost screamed.
“Yeah, it was a real good b
ook. Last time I crawled through here, I got home and found three spiders in my pants.”
“Spiders?” He wasn’t helping my panic level.
“Yeah, they weren’t nearly as bad as this big millipede thing that—”
“You think you could change the subject?” I begged. By now I had thousands of little itches all over my body.
“Oh, okay. Hey, I just saw this real good show on the Discovery Channel. It was about earthquakes. I bet this passageway is the absolute worst place to be in an earthquake. There are millions of pounds of rock and dirt above us right now. It wouldn’t take much to bring it all dow—”
“Ahhhhh! Ahh! I need to get out!” I shouted. “OUT!”
“Okay, relax, Rodney. There’s the exit. See the light up ahead?”
He was right. With each slither, more light came pouring in. I’d never been so happy to see the sky peering through the cracks. I noticed the space around me getting higher and wider and suddenly we were in a big cave. I was able to stand up and it felt great.
“This is a cool cave, right?” Pablo asked.
I nodded and sat down on a boulder. As my heartbeat gradually returned to normal I noticed that the top of the cave opened up to the sky. One wall sloped gradually and wasn’t too steep. Tree roots hung down almost like the rungs of a ladder. I looked over at Pablo and smiled. “So, do you mind my asking, what were you doing back there in that hole?”
“Oh. I heard people coming so I ducked into it.”
“But what were you doing out here, at the Ledges, by yourself?”
Even in the dim light I noticed his face sag a bit. “I spend a lot of time out here,” he said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Well, I like to walk here from town and explore. I sketch the cliffs, but I guess that’s not the real reason.”
I didn’t ask what the real reason was. I figured if he wanted to tell me, he would. In school I had heard all kinds of stuff about Pablo. I knew that some of it was true and that some of it was just mean stuff kids say.
Revenge of the Bully Page 14