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April Fool

Tick stared at his own reflection in the dark puddle of grimy water only inches away from his face, dismayed at how pitiful he looked Like a scaredy-cat kid, eyes full of fear Both ends of his scarf hung down, the flattened tips floating on the nasty sludge like dead fish He winced when Billy "The Goat" Cooper yanked his ar his back until the pain was almost unbearable

Tick refused to say a word

"Co his knee into Tick’s spine, wedging it below his twisted aretboy"

Tick re huathered around the scene A few iven in and said the words, done as the Goat commanded He would’ve let it end quickly and ain

Billy pushed Tick’s face into the water, holding it there for several seconds Tick reer than the Goat would dare keep him down When he finally removed his hand from the back of Tick’s head, Tick slowly raised himself out of the water, spit, then took a deep breath

"Say it, boy!" Billy yelled, unable to hide the frustration in his voice If he couldn’t get Tick to obey, the tables would turn and he’d be the one suffering a hu defeat "Say it or I’ll wrap your sorry scarf around your head and dunk you ’til you quit breathing"

Tick felt a sudden surge of confidence and he spoke before he could stop himself "Go ahead, Billy Boy At least then I’d never have to look at your Frankenstein goat face again"

His spirits soared when the crowd around theoat face!" one kid called out "Billy the Frankenstein Goat Face!"

This createdof feet as people h

"Leave hiirl yelled over her shoulder

Tick closed his eyes and took a gulp of air, knowing Billy would push hier than ever before But to his shock, he felt his arainst his spine disappeared As Tick’s entire right side lit up with tingles and pressure froed, he scooted away fro up at Billy

The Goat looked down on hier or hate He seemedsurprised

"You’re weird, man," Billy said "I’m sick of you anyway Go ho, then turned to walk aith his hoodlum friends

Tick didn’t totally understand the storm of emotions that swelled within hihed out loud right before the tears came

As Tick walked ho three months he’d just endured After the thrill and exciteer and escapades of Alaska, he’d expected to coer after stranger showing up at his doorstep, delivering one adventure after another

But nothing had happened Nothing

He and Sofia e- to ask the other if they’d seen so or met someone The ansas always a frustrated NO!