“Your dad invented all kinds of cool stuff! He invented robots!” I exclaim, and then feel embarrassed, because Imani winces, as if she’s heard it a million times.

“No, he invents robotic devices. From surgical and medical assistants to driverless cars. And hundreds of other devices. The point is, the only way he’d let me go to a public school is if he built a new one and made sure it had state-of-the-art science labs. I cried about that for a week. I mean, a new school is a great thing, right? But how could I go there if all the kids knew my dad bought the place? That’s when my mom suggested using my middle name as my last. Dad would only agree if I promised to go on this white-water thing. He thought it would give me a chance to make friends before the semester starts. I didn’t want to go, I personally hate camping because of the bugs and snakes and stuff, but it was the only way. The Project Future Leaders thing in exchange for one year as a normal kid.”

“Only one year?” I ask.

“It was the most he’d agree to. One year to make real friends, to show other kids who I really am, before they get their minds blown.”

“You really hate being your father’s kid that much?” I ask.

She flashes me a look that makes me want to melt into the ground. “I love my father! He’s totally the best dad in the world! But I hated prep school because so many kids sucked up to me, and some of the parents and teachers, too. All because they wanted to get close to this billionaire celebrity. It’s so gross! It made me want to lock myself in my room and hide under the bed. Which is what I did, and how I started this whole mess.”

Mia says, “None of this is your fault. You didn’t break the dam, or get the grown-ups killed, or make Tony dance on the edge of a slippery cliff.”

“No, but if I hadn’t wanted to go to public school, we wouldn’t be here and none of this would have happened. I’m, like, the worst entitled rich kid that ever lived.”

“You’re no such thing!” Mia cries, and throws her arms around Imani. “You’re my brave friend. Mi amiga brava! And your secret is safe with us. Right, Daniel?”

“Totally!”

To my complete surprise, she turns to Deke. “What about you? Can you keep her secret?”

Without hesitation, he says, “Of course. Are you kidding? If I told, my parents would probably get fired. So, does this mean you’ll let me go?”

Mia borrows my jackknife and opens the blade as she approaches the prisoner.

“Not exactly,” she says. “Did you think we’re stupid?”

36. The Invisible Rope