“I know this morning we said we’d do the secret passage thing ASAP, but that was before.” Nicole leaned around a leaf to make sure Harlow, Alex, and Luna were still where she’d left them. “I’m worried about what will happen to them if we go back to playing the game in an hour.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too. I’m in it to win it as much as the next person”—Stella glanced at Luna—“maybe slightly less, but you do have a point. Harlow is practically catatonic. Alex is dead on his feet, and Luna … Well. Someone needs to save her from herself and from Jewel.”

“We really don’t have a lot of time,” Francis said. “If there’s anything else we’re supposed to solve today, we should do it today, as in before midnight. I think that’s the reset point. Otherwise we’ll fall behind.”

“We still have two whole days. You don’t think that’s enough?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Francis said. “But letting obvious next steps pile up is a mistake.”

“Well, I’m the only one who got a present today,” Stella said. “I don’t know what it is. I have nothing to contribute to group work. I vote we rest and regroup.”

“We’ll have to convince Luna.” Nicole figured a change of plans wouldn’t go over well with her. The girl broke her arm and refused to go home. That’s a specific kind of desperation Nicole didn’t want to fight with. “Or we could trick her into it. I know she’s tired—she has to be. Let’s get her upstairs and have her lie down for a bit. I think she’ll fall out.”

“The Toddler Trick. I’m into it.”

Francis actually laughed. “All right. I guess it’s two against one, then. Go, team.” He walked away, leaving their small group, and joined the others. “Hey, I know we were going to go exploring tonight. Maybe we could rest up for a bit first? I’m like a Snorlax—I always need a power nap.”

“I love Pokémon!” Luna’s eyes widened with happiness. “I’m like a Cubone. You know, just sitting in a field—wailing for my—my dead mom—while wearing a skull on my head.” The room got quiet. “That didn’t sound right, did it? I just meant Cubone’s my favorite. My mom’s not dead, she just doesn’t want to be around me anymore.” She closed her eyes, grimacing.

Alex whispered in horror, “Oh no.”

“Um, can you forget I said that?” Luna asked Francis as if she hadn’t realized everyone else had heard it too.

“Didn’t hear a thing,” he said kindly.

“Okay,” Luna said. “Thank you. My arm hurts.”

“Where’s your, uh, prescription?” Stella barely managed to hold back her laughter.

“In my room.”