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"So it’s"Can he help us get in touch with our folks?"

Mike frowned "I guess, but he usually asks that you stay and help with the cao home now? It’s much safer here"

I could tell Chubs wanted to press this issue, but Lia has the Slip guy had this setup?"

"Two or so years, I think," Mike answered "Man, I can’t wait until youto lose your ot the distinct impression that he and Mike were not all that fond of each other

"And there are hundreds of kids here just roa around unchecked?" I asked "How has he been able to stay here so long without the PSFs catching on?"

Mike had already explained how the caathered there--some who had escaped fro enough to avoid it all together--had responsibilities

"Oh, see, now that’s the beauty of being under the Slip Kid’s protection," Mike said "The PSFs can’t attack him because of who he is and what he could do to them Even ol’ Gray is terrified of hiers "Santa!"

Zu giggled

"You’re not too far off," Mike said "This is going to sound super sappy, so feel free to give me shit for it, but every day here feels like Christht away Once we reached the clearing that, I assumed, had once been used for campers to set up tents, ere surrounded by dozens of kids To our right, teens were playing volleyball--with an actual net I heard a few shrieks of laughter and stopped to let a few little girls rush by in front of ht Zu’s attention

They all looked happy Up and shiny and smiley And clean Not covered in cuts and bruises and mud like ere, but in decent clothes and shoes A few kids lounging under the trees stopped whatever it was that they were doing and actually helped us carry the fruit boxes toward a white buildingasked or prompted

The Office/Camp Shop was the sturdiest of the structures we had passed so far, built in acabins with their dark green doors

"This is where we keep the food," Mike said, like it was theto hear "And where the Slip Kid runs the whole show--I’ll bring you guys in for an introduction Get permission for you to stay a while"

"We need permission?" Chubs asked "What happens if he says no?"

"He’s never said no before," Mike said, shifting the box onto his shoulder so he could drop an arrinned ear-to-ear

"Now, you couldn’t have been at Caledonia I would re char with those dark eyes and di back a smile as he watched my reaction "Where did she come from, and where can I find one?"