5 A Dark Figure

Chapter 5 A Dark Figure "Ouch! That was my foot," gasped Max. He nudged Sofia sideways. "Did I step on it? Sorry!" she whispered. "There's not very much room under here." As she shuffled away, water dripped from the elephant ear leaves above her head. "What was that?" asked Max. He shook his collar and felt something trickle down his back. "Are there

ants in here?" Paulo stifled a giggle. "Don't worry, they're harmless," he said. "Some animals in the rain forest are dangerous, but they mostly steer clear of people. We'll hear more birds and frogs now that it's getting darker. Listen." He put his finger to his lips. As if on cue, a bird sounded above the buzz of the cicadas. Tonk, tonk, tonk! "That sounded like a bell ringing," said Max. Paulo nodded. "It's called a bellbird." Something roared overhead, and Sofia froze. "What was that? A lion?" Paulo laughed. "There are no lions in the Amazon. That was a howler monkey," he said. The cry echoed through the treetops, followed by a few grunts. Then a low growl. Even Paulo whirled around this time, his eyes wide. "I don't know what that was," he whispered. Max burst out laughing and pointed at Sofia. "I do," he said. "It was Sofia's stomach." "Sorry!" said Sofia sheepishly. "I think it's time for the pastéis." When Paulo handed her the fried treat, she dove right in. Warm vegetables oozed out from the crispy

crust. "Yum," she said, instantly taking another bite. "Your family can really cook!" Paulo sighed. "My mom's recipes are great. I only wish there were more people visiting so they could appreciate them." Sofia nodded. "It would be terrible if she had to close her restaurant." "Shh!" Max whispered. He'd just heard something —the crunch of leaves and twigs. He held his breath, listening. Snap! Crack! Sofia gasped. She gripped Max's arm and pointed. Through the leaves of the elephant ear plant, they saw a dark figure step into view. A tall, thin man slid a bag off his shoulder and set it on the ground. He unzipped the bag and pulled something out. An axe! Max realized. He's here to cut down the tree!

Adrenaline shot through his veins. But before he

could move, Sofia burst out of their hiding place. Blinding light filled the forest as she flicked on her flashlight. Paulo was right behind her. "Stop right there!" he shouted. The man flung his arms over his eyes to block the light. Paulo gasped. "Antonio?" With a jolt of surprise, Max recognized Antonio's dark eyes and mop of curly hair. As Sofia lowered her flashlight, Antonio blinked. "Paulo?" he asked in a wobbly voice. "Is that you?" "What are you doing?" Paulo cried, his voice rising. Antonio's shoulders slumped. "Those chicks are worth so much money," he said, so quietly that it was almost a whisper. Paulo kicked furiously at the dirt.

"I can't believe you would do that! How could you be so greedy?" "It's not for me!" Antonio said quickly. "It's for your mom. So she doesn't have to close the restaurant." He hung his head. "I know it's wrong," he said. "But I didn't know what else to do. Things are bad, Paulo." Paulo stared at his cousin, his face softening. Sofia felt her own anger drain from her. Finally, Paulo spoke. "But there must be another way to save the restaurant that won't harm the macaws or the rain forest."