At last, the group’s cul-de-sac came into view, and everybody started walking a little faster at the promise of almost being home.

“First things first,” Becca said, leading them all toward Miguel’s house. “Let’s go reunite Elephant with his owner.”

Matt

Matt left his scooter at the end of his own driveway before hustling over to join the others as they all approached Miguel’s front door.

“Angelito!” Miguel bellowed after he stepped inside. “We have something for you, little bro!”

“What is it?” a little voice called from the living room. “I’m watching television. I’m mad at you—you promised we’d play video games this afternoon!”

“There’s somebody here who wants to see you,” Matt answered, and they all made their way into the living room.

Angel was laying on his belly on the carpet, his chin resting in his hands, propped up on his elbows. When he looked over and saw that Miguel was holding an unfamiliar cage, he frowned.

“A new hamster?” he said, sitting up. “Miguel, I told you I don’t want to replace Elephant, he was too special—”

“Look closer, Angelito,” Miguel said. “Does this hamster look familiar, even though he’s wearing a suit?”

The mention of the suit piqued Angel’s curiosity. He wriggled his way up from the carpet and came over to the cage, looking inside curiously.

“Elephant!” he screamed, reaching in to grab the hamster and hold him close, kissing the top of his fuzzy little head over and over. “Oh, I missed you so much, such a good boy you are, where did you get this suit? You look like you’re going to a movie premiere!”

That made Matt laugh, and the others too.

“Does this mean you beat the Game Master?” Angel said. “The one who kidnapped Elephant in the first place?”

“We sure did,” Becca said proudly. “We beat the Game Master to win Elephant back. Nacho too.”

Miguel smiled as Angel wrapped his arms around his brother’s waist. “Thank you so much, Miguel,” Angel said. “I know you always promised me that you’d find Elephant again, but you did it, you actually did it!”

Miguel squeezed the boy back. “Anything for my little brother,” he said. “It was a piece of cake, really.”

“Yeah,” Frankie said bitterly. “A piece of dirt cake.”

Angel looked in confusion at the friends as they all smiled. “What does that mean?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Miguel said. “What do you say we go set up Elephant’s new cage in your room? Maybe we can connect the new one with the old one, using one of the plastic tunnel tubes to create a hamster mega-mansion.”

“Yes!” Angel cheered, holding Elephant close to him again as he hurried up the stairs. “This is the best day ever! I forgive you for missing out on video games, by the way.”