Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8 The kids met in front of the fitness center an hour later. They were carrying their bathing suits and towels. Flip and Kate were behind the counter. The gym was crowded, and the music was still blasting. "Back again?" Flip asked.

Dink laid the three passes on the counter. "We came for a swim," he said. "Great idea," said Kate. "Come on, I'll show you where to change." She led the kids toward the pool. There were a lot of other kids splashing around. A few grownups sat on the side, watching. The lifeguard prowled around the pool, keeping a sharp eye on the swimmers. Kate stopped in front of a row of four doors. Two of them were labeled MEN and WOMEN. But the two doors in the middle were unmarked. "Here are the changing rooms," Kate said. "No diving, no running, and listen for Danny's whistle. If he blows it once, everyone freeze. Then he'll blow it again twice. That means kids get out of the pool for fifteen minutes while the adults swim. Have a good time!" "See you in three minutes," Ruth Rose said, and disappeared into the girls' changing room.

Dink and Josh went into theirs and found themselves alone. Blue metal lockers lined the four walls. At the far end were showers, sinks, toilets, and a floor-to-ceiling mirror. The floor was carpeted, and there were benches to sit on. Dink walked over to a small closet with STORAGE stenciled on the door. He peeked inside. "See any pandas?" Josh whispered. Dink glanced at Josh in the mirror. "No, but I see a skinny redheaded monkey." "You are so dunked when I get you in the pool," Josh said. The boys changed, stashed their clothes in two lockers, and headed for the pool. The lifeguard stopped them. "Hi, guys," he said. "I'm sure Kate explained the rules, right? You've got about ten minutes before adult swim. Have fun!" "Thanks, we will," Dink said. Ruth Rose came out wearing a lime green bathing suit. The kids jumped into the water at the shallow end.

"Now what?" Josh asked, glancing toward Flip behind the counter. "I wonder what's behind those two other doors," Dink said.

"One might lead to the bowling alley," Josh said. "I think it's right below us." "Maybe we can check them out during adult swim," Ruth Rose said. "When the whistle blows, make sure you climb out on that side." While they waited, the kids swam and splashed each other. Josh tried standing on his head underwater. He came up coughing. Suddenly the whistle blew. Everyone in the pool turned and faced the lifeguard. "Adult swim!" he yelled, and blew the whistle twice more.

There was a wet stampede as the kids clambered out of the water. At the same time, the adults tried to climb into the pool. Most of the confusion was right in front of the changing rooms. No one noticed as Ruth Rose tried the handles on the unmarked doors. One was locked, but the other one opened. "Come on!" Ruth Rose whispered as she slipped through. Dink and Josh were right behind her. When Dink pulled the door closed, it was pitchblack. "Where the heck are we?" Josh asked, shivering. All three kids were dripping pool water. Dink put his arms out and touched smooth walls on each side. He inched one bare foot forward and felt the edge of a wooden step. "I think we might be at the top of a staircase," he whispered. "Let's try to find a light," Josh said. "I hate the dark."