Chapter 7

7 A bright purple light flashed through the room. When it faded, Pablo, Violet, and Dr. Crisp saw Henry balled up on the floor in the corner. His arms were folded over his head. Next to him stood a giant golden gong. Dr. Crisp rushed over and leaned down. "Are you okay, Henry?" she asked. Her eyes were soft and her voice was gentle. Henry uncovered his head. His face was as red as a beet. Pablo and Violet ran over, too. "What happened?" asked Violet.

Pablo knelt next to Henry and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's just a gong." Pablo smiled. "Don't worry. The Maker Maze is safe. Nothing here can hurt you. Right, Dr. Crisp?" But before Dr. Crisp could respond, Henry stood up, stomped his feet, and let out a loud scream. "Just leave me alone!" "But, Henry. We only want to make sure you're okay," said Violet.

"Why is everyone yelling at me? It's not my fault the Maze keeps exploding! Just let me be!" Henry replied with his hands over his ears. He started speed walking around the room. Everyone got quiet. Pablo and Violet didn't know what to do. Even Dr. Crisp looked confused. After a few moments, Henry stopped. He took several deep breaths. Pablo glanced down at his watch. They didn't have much time. "Henry?" said Pablo. Henry opened his eyes but didn't move his hands. "It's okay if you got scared. We all get scared sometimes," said Pablo. Henry took another deep breath before lowering his hands. "I'm not scared," he finally said. The redness had faded from his face. "It's just that…" Henry fiddled with his fingers. Then he shook his head. "Never mind. It's nothing." "Are you sure?" asked Violet. "Something really seems to be bothering you. You can tell us." "Henry, you don't have to—" began Dr. Crisp.

But before she could finish, Henry made an M with his fingers and said, "I'm okay. Maker's honor." He smiled. Dr. Crisp returned his smile and said, "Well, all righty then. Let's regroup." She walked around the gong as she explained the second half of level two. Dr. Crisp raised a finger in the air. "Step one! Throw a handful of jelly beans on top of your

model eardrum. Step two!" she shouted, raising a second finger. "One of you will strike the gong with this." Dr. Crisp pulled a golden mallet out of her lab coat pocket. It gleamed as she held it in the air. Pablo jumped up and down with his hand raised. "Can I hit the gong?" "You bet, space cadet!" replied Dr. Crisp. She tossed him the mallet. "It looks like a magic wand!" said Violet. Pablo waved it in the air. "Abracadabra! Spaceship, appear!" "I want my own lab coat, just like Dr. Crisp!" Violet laughed. Henry tugged on his sleeves and said, "I want the power to fly!" "Your wish is my command!" said Pablo, waving the mallet at Violet and Henry.

Dr. Crisp continued. "Step three! Observe the model eardrum and jelly beans. And finally, step four! Decide how our eardrums hear sound," she said, flicking her ears with her fingers. Then she said, "No time to waste, Makers! Let's get gonging!" Dr. Crisp opened the giant jar and pushed it over. "Go ahead and grab a handful!" she said to