I had something to do after school, Oliver replied, evasively. He peeled his soggy sweater off.

Nerd class? Chris piped up. Then he laughed raucously at his own joke.

Mom held her hand out for Olivers sweater. Give that here. Ill need to wash it. She sighed loudly. Now get inside. Your dinners going cold.

She ushered Oliver into the living room. Immediately, Oliver noticed that the things in his alcove had been messed with, moved around. At first he thought it was because a mattress had been dragged into place, and everything dumped on top, but then he saw the slingshot lying on his blanket. Beside it was his suitcase, the locks busted, its lid sitting ajar. And then he saw with horror that all the coils for his invisibility coat had been strewn all over the floor, bent out of shape as though theyd been stomped on.

Oliver knew instantly that this had been Chriss doing. He glared over at him. His brother was watching expectantly for his reaction.

Did you do this? Oliver demanded.

Chris shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels, in a picture of innocence. He shrugged. I have no idea what youre talking about, he said with a telling smirk.

It was the final straw. After everything that had happened over the last two days, with the move, and the horrible school experience, and the loss of his hero, Oliver just didnt have the reserves to cope with this. Fury exploded inside of him. Before hed even had a chance to think, Oliver went barreling toward Chris.

He slammed into his brother, hard. Chris barely even staggered backward from the force; he was so big and had clearly been expecting Oliver to lash out at him. And he was clearly relishing Olivers attempts to fight him, because he laughed maniacally. He was so much bigger than Oliver that all it took was for him to place a hand on Olivers head and shove him backward. Oliver flailed helplessly, none of his swipes coming even close to connecting with Chris.

From the kitchen table, Dad called out, BOYS! STOP FIGHTING!

Its Oliver, Chris shouted back. He attacked me for no reason.

You know exactly what the reason is! Oliver yelled, his fists flying through the air, unable to reach Chriss body.

Me trampling on your weird little coils? Chris hissed, quiet enough so that neither of his parents could hear him. Or breaking that stupid slingshot? Youre such a freak, Oliver!

Oliver had exhausted himself fighting against Chris. He backed off, panting.

I HATE this family! Oliver cried.

He rushed to his alcove, picking up all the damaged coils and broken bits of wire, the snapped levers and bent metal, throwing them into his suitcase.

His parents thundered over.

How dare you! Dad shouted.

You take that back! Mom cried.

Now youve really done it, Chris said, grinning wickedly.