Chapter 20

chapter twenty I wake, but I don't open my eyes. I'm not ready for today. I don't want to take Neon to the nest. So I keep my eyes shut. Like maybe if I don't open them, the day will never actually begin. But then I hear Neon panting. And I feel him nibbling at my foot, trying to shake me awake. "Morning, Neon," I say, finally opening my eyes. He's staring at me, waiting, giving me a look like he knows things but can't express them. I sigh. I tell myself this is one of those things you just have to do, no putting it off, because that will just make it harder.

Today's going to be lousy. It just is WELL. I'm going to miss Neon. I'm going to miss a Wretch! It's the first time I'm genuinely, 100 percent glad that my friends aren't here. They wouldn't understand this. But that's only because they've never met Neon. And now, they never will.... Soon, Globlet is awake—stomping around, all grumpy because she hasn't had her morning coffee. Johnny Steve does 196 jumping jacks. "As all humans do each morning," he explains.

Then we get to it. Packed up, headed out. Cresting the hill, we see the Wretches' nest in daylight in all its terrifying glory... "Home sweet home, eh, Neon?" I say, trying to ignore the fact that I'm staring at one of the more horrifying sights I've ever seen. "Oh, neat," Globlet says. "They have a corner just for carcasses." I shoot Globlet a quick glare. We need Neon to be happy. It might be horrible-looking to

us, but it's the only safe place to leave him. Near the top of the nest, two Wretches are fighting over a hunk of meat. I wonder, Will Neon be like that soon? Will he be a ferocious, monster-flesh-devouring servant of .e...c.? Or will he remember that once, when he was very young, he met a girl who told him not to attack strange creatures, not to be evil, and to never, ever, ever eat walkie-talkies without permission? I can't think about it any longer—I have to just do it. "Okay, Neon, it's time." I say it quickly, because I feel my lower lip starting to tremble. I walk halfway to the nest with Neon. Any further, and I'm just about guaranteed to get torn to bits. Looking into Neon's eyes, I suddenly understand why my parents cried when they dropped me off at summer camp.

Neon. This is where I leave. You be good. Okay, and try not to change too much I turn to go—but Neon follows. "No, Neon. I go this way. You go that way," I say, pointing to the nest. Neon's head cocks, then he makes a noise that sounds like Wretch laughter. Like he thinks all of this is a game. And that makes this worse. "GO!" I say. "You have to GO!"

Neon's shoulders draw up. He doesn't understand. He can't. He takes a slow, apologetic step toward me, like he needs me—and it breaks my heart. I can't do this any longer. I have to end this. "Fine!" I say. "If you won't go to them—I'll make them come to you." I step past him, then— CRACK! I bang a broken piece of my spear against the Thing-A-Ma-Blasty Gadget Blaster. "WRETCHES!" I shout, using my best J. Jonah Jameson commanding newsroom voice. "COME TAKE THIS ONE! HE NEEDS YOU!" A single Wretch swings its long neck toward me. Its cold, silver eyes lock on to mine—and I bang the spear harder and louder— CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!