Chapter 8

Chapter 8 HARPER, HARPER, YOU CAN DO IT! RIGHT? BECAUSE, REALLY, THE WHOLE TEAM IS COUNTING ON YOU. When the golem asked for the next volunteer, Harper stepped forward. She didn't hesitate. And though she felt a sliver of fear run through her, she didn't show it. Whatever happened, her friends were there, cheering her on. Well… most of her friends were there. Morgan hadn't shown up at the library that day. "Choose your tools," said the golem. "IF THERE'S ANYTHING GOOD LEFT," Theo muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. But Harper wasn't too worried about that. Morgan had taken a lot of useful items, but he hadn't bothered

taking the useful ingredients. Harper figured she would make her own items. As luck would have it, the first chest she checked held an abundance of nether wart. "This is perfect!" she said. "MORGAN TOOK ALL THE POTIONS. BUT WITH THIS, I CAN BREW MY OWN." "What will you use potions for?" asked Jodi. "There's a lot of lava in the Nether," said Harper. "Lava is very dangerous… UNLESS YOU DRINK A POTION OF FIRE RESISTANCE. Then it can't hurt you."

Po's mouth dropped open. "So you're planning to swim in lava? Harper, you're my hero!" Harper grinned. "Pretty cool, right? Just don't try this at Field Day, kids." Harper traveled through the warped forest, over the cliff, and down to the shore of the great lava lake. It stretched out nearly as far as she could see. She would have to be quick.

She drank down her freshly brewed, orange-hued potion in a single gulp. Then she prepared to dive—but she hesitated. She had faith in her potion; she was sure she'd done it right. Still, the thought of entering the lava made her nervous. But there was no turning back now. She dove headfirst into the lava. She didn't feel a thing! Harper began swimming. She knew she had only a few minutes before the potion would wear off, so she had to move quickly.. When she had made it halfway across the lake, she realized she would not make it the rest of the way in time. But that was okay. Harper had planned for this. She set some stone blocks in front of her, creating a small, two-by-two stone island in the middle of the lake. She hopped onto the island and set down her brewing stand. Then she made another potion, and she drank it immediately. She decided to leave the brewing stand where it was. It would be useful on the way back. She even left some key ingredients behind, so that she'd be able to brew again in a hurry. As Harper swam, a shadow passed over her. It startled her. There were no clouds in the Nether. What could it be?

She looked up, and a great, fearsome ghast was just above her. Its tentacles hung low, and it made a strange mewing sound. Harper dove beneath the surface. Had the ghast seen her? She waited for several seconds. Soon, she could wait no longer. She had to come up for a breath! Harper swam up. To her relief, the ghast had drifted away. But then Harper realized she had lost precious seconds. How long had she been beneath the lava?

She hesitated with indecision. Should she hurry toward the far shore? Should she turn around and return to her island of stone and brew another potion? The hesitation cost her. Her time was up. Harper could suddenly feel the heat of the lava. It gripped her like a fiery fist. She could see the flames all along her arms! Harper yelled for help, but no one was close enough to hear her.