Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2 "Welcome to Moose Manor!" Uncle Walker said as the TV crew got out of their van. His arms were flung wide in greeting. Three people exited the vehicle. Abbi waited for more to come out, but none did. She had thought there must be at least ten—maybe twenty!—people to film a TV show, but apparently this crew only needed a few. She guessed they must be really good at their jobs. Arthur Fitzpatrick shook Uncle Walker's hand. Then he smiled at Abbi and her two best friends. Daniel hid shyly behind his sister.

"It's a pleasure to meet you folks," the Wild Whereabouts host said. His outfit was the same getup he always wore on the show: dark jeans, a khaki vest with lots of little pockets, and a baseball cap with a pin attached to it that said he/him. The weather was unseasonably warm for December in

Maine, but Abbi still worried he would be cold without a coat. "Thanks for letting us visit your home," Arthur said with a broad smile. "Oh, this isn't our home," Lydia said, pointing to herself and Daniel. "I'm just here in case you need any on-screen talent. And my brother's here because he's your biggest fan." Daniel elbowed Lydia. Arthur laughed. It was a warm, bright sound. "Is that so? It's an honor to meet you." He introduced the two people who were with him. The sound engineer had long, wavy blond hair and was named Amy. The camera operator, Steph, was the tallest person Abbi had ever seen! They both wore little pins on their shirts just like the one on Arthur's hat! Amy's said she/her, and Steph's said they/them. Both crew members nodded politely after the introductions, but they were mainly focused on unloading all their equipment.

And it was a lot of equipment! Big cameras and handheld cameras. Tiny clip-on microphones and the large, fuzzy kind. Bags of doodads and whatsits. Plus three tents, neatly in their carrying cases, waiting to be set up in a clearing in the forest.

"All right, kids," Uncle Walker said, "let's help our new friends transport all this to their campsite." "No, no!" Arthur said. He held up his hands to wave off the offer. "We can manage it." Abbi, who had been too nervous even to say hello, scanned the various bags and boxes. "You could hang some of those duffels on the handles of my wheelchair," she said eagerly. Daniel jumped out from behind Lydia. "Yeah, Abbi's great at carrying things!" He reached for the nearest piece of luggage, a blue duffel. Before he could pick it up, Arthur grabbed the bag.

Arthur's face looked shocked and almost scared. Abbi knew that people were sometimes uncomfortable when she offered help, so she gave him her most reassuring smile. "As long as I give permission, it's really okay!" "That's a very kind offer, but how about you help us navigate these woods instead?" His hand was still wrapped tightly around the handle of the bag. "We need to get the lay of the land before tonight." "What happens tonight?" Lydia asked.