Yes!
We’re communicating! I realized. We’re talking to each other!
I suddenly felt really excited. I felt like some kind of pioneer.
I’m the first person on earth to communicate with Martians! I told myself.
These creatures are friendly, I decided. They’re not dangerous.
I didn’t really know that for sure. But I was so excited that I had communicated with them, I didn’t want to think anything bad about them.
Dr. Gray has no right to keep them prisoner here, I thought.
And he has no right to lock me up with them.
I didn’t believe his excuse for keeping me here. Not for a minute.
Just because I touched one? Just because I handled one?
Did he really expect me to believe that touching an egg creature could harm me?
Did he really think it would rot my skin off or something?
Did he really think that touching an egg creature would give me a weird disease or change me in some way?
That was just stupid.
I carried that little yellow blob in my hands—and I felt perfectly fine.
These creatures are my friends, I told myself. Touching them isn’t going to harm me in any way.
But I’m a scientist. At least, I want to be a scientist. So I have to be scientific, I realized.
I decided to check myself out—just to make sure.
I raised my hands and inspected them carefully, first one, then the other. They looked okay to me. No strange rashes. No skin peeling off. I still had four fingers and a thumb on each hand.
I rubbed my arms. They were the same too. Perfectly okay.
Might as well check myself out all over, I told myself.
I reached down and grabbed my left leg.
Soft and mushy!
“Oh no!” I wailed.
I squeezed my leg again. Soft and lumpy.
I didn’t have to look. I knew what was happening.
I was slowly turning into one of them. I was turning into a lump of scrambled eggs!
20
“No. Oh, please—no.”
I squeezed my mushy ankle. I couldn’t bear to look down. I didn’t want to see what was happening to me.
But I had to.
Slowly, I lowered my gaze.
And saw that I was squeezing one of the egg creatures. Not my leg.
I let go instantly and raised my hand. A relieved laugh escaped my throat.
“Oh wow!”
How could I think that mushy blob was my leg?
I watched the little Martian scurry back to its pals.
I shook my head. Even though no one else was around, I felt like a total jerk.
Just calm down, Dana, I scolded myself.
But how could I?
The air in the lab seemed to get colder. I couldn’t stop shivering. I clamped my jaws tightly. But I couldn’t stop my teeth from chattering.
I squeezed my nose. Cold and numb. I rubbed my ears. They were numb too.
This is no joke, I thought, my throat tightening. I’m going to get frostbite. I’m really going to freeze.
I tried thinking warm thoughts. I thought about the beach in summer. I thought about a blazing fire in the fireplace in our den.
It didn’t help.
A hard shiver made my whole body twitch.
I’ve got to do something to take my mind off the cold, I decided.
The egg creatures had spread out over the room. I raised my hands again and formed a triangle.
They stared up at it, but didn’t move.
I curled my fingers into a circle.
They ignored this one too.
“I guess you guys got bored, huh?” I asked them.
I tried to bend my fingers and thumbs into a rectangle. But it was too hard. Fingers and thumbs can’t really bend into a rectangle.
Besides, the egg creatures weren’t paying much attention to me.
I’m going to freeze, I told myself again. Freeze. Freeze. Freeze. The word repeated in my mind until it became an unhappy chant.
I lowered myself to the floor and pressed into the corner. I curled up, trying to save body warmth. Or what was left of it.
A sound on the other side of the window made me jump up.
Someone was coming. Dr. Gray? To let me out?
I turned eagerly to the door. I heard footsteps out in the hall. Then a clink of metal.
A slot opened just above the floor to the left of the door. A food tray slid in. It plopped onto the floor.
I hurried over to it. Macaroni and cheese and a small container of milk.
“But I hate macaroni and cheese!” I screeched.
No reply.
“I hate it! I hate it! I hate it!” I wailed.
I was starting to lose it again. But I didn’t care.
I leaned over the tray and held my hands over the plate of macaroni. The steam warmed my hands.
At least it’s hot, I thought.
I sat down on the floor and lifted the tray to my lap. Then I gulped down the macaroni, just for the warmth.
It tasted horrible. I hate that wet, clotted, cheesy taste. But it did warm me up a little.
I didn’t open the milk. Too cold.
Feeling a little better, I shoved the tray aside and climbed to my feet. I strode over to the window and started pounding the glass with my fists.
“Dr. Gray—let me out!” I shouted. “Dr. Gray—I know you can hear me. Let me out! You can’t lock me in here and make me eat macaroni and cheese! Let me out!”
I screamed until my voice was hoarse. I didn’t hear a reply. Not a sound from the other side of the glass.
I turned away from the window in disgust.
“I’ve got to find a way out of here,” I said out loud. “I’ve got to!”
And then, I had an idea.
21
Sad to say, it was a bad idea.
The kind of idea you think of when you’re freezing to death in a total panic.
What was the idea? To call home and tell Mom and Dad to come get me.
The only problem with that idea was that there were no phones in the room.
I searched carefully. There were metal shelves up to the ceiling against the back wall. They contained only scientific books and files. There was a desk in one corner. The desktop was bare.
Nothing else.
Nothing else in the whole room. Except for the dozens of egg creatures and me.
I needed another idea, an idea that didn’t call for a telephone.
But I was stumped. I tried the door again. I thought Dr. Gray might have gotten careless and left it unlocked.
No such luck.
I checked out the slot where my food tray had been delivered. It was only a few inches tall. Way too narrow for me to slip through.
I was trapped. A prisoner. A specimen.
I dropped glumly down to the floor and rested my back against the wall. I pulled up my knees and wrapped my arms around them. I curled into a ball, trying to stay warm.
How long did Dr. Gray plan to keep me here?
Forever?
I let out a miserable sigh. But then a thought helped to cheer me. I suddenly had a little hope.
I remembered something I had forgotten. I had told Anne where I was going!
This morning in her backyard, I had told Anne I was going to take the egg creature to the science lab.
I’m going to be rescued! I realized.
I leaped to my feet and shot both fists into the air. I opened my mouth in a happy cheer. “Yesssss!”
I knew exactly what would happen.
When I don’t show up for dinner, Mom or Dad will call Anne. Because that’s where I’m always hanging out when I should be home for dinner.
Anne will tell them I went to the science lab on Denver.
Mom will say, “He should be back by now.”
Dad will say, “I’d better go get him.”
And Dad will come and rescue me.
; Only a matter of time, I knew. Only a matter of a few hours, and Dad will be here to get me out of this freezer.
I felt so much better.
I lowered myself back to the floor and leaned against the wall to wait. The egg creatures all stared at me. Watched me in silence. Trying to figure me out, I guess.
I didn’t realize that I fell asleep. I guess I was worn out from all the excitement—and the fear.
I’m not sure how long I slept.
Voices woke me up. Voices from out in the hall.
I sat up, instantly alert. And I listened.
And heard Dad’s voice.
Yes!
He was here. He was about to rescue me.
Yes!
I climbed to my feet. I stretched. I got ready to greet Dad.
And then, from the front hall, I heard Dr. Gray say, “I’m sorry, Mr. Johnson. Your son never stopped here.”
22
“Are you sure?” I heard Dad ask.
“Very sure,” Dr. Gray replied. “I’m the only one here today. We’re closed. We had no visitors.”
“He’s about this tall,” I heard Dad say. “He has dark hair, and he wears glasses.”
“No. Sorry,” Dr. Gray insisted.
“But he told his friend that he was coming here. He had something he wanted to show to a scientist. His bike is gone from the garage.”
“Well, you can check outside for your son’s bike,” Dr. Gray told Dad. “But I don’t think you’ll find it.”
He moved it! I realized. Dr. Gray moved my bike so no one would find it!
I let out a shout of rage and ran to the window. “Dad—I’m in here!” I shouted. I cupped my hands around my mouth so my voice would be even louder. “Dad! Can you hear me? I’m in here! Dad?”
I took a deep breath and listened. My heart was thudding so loudly, I could barely hear their voices from the front.
Dad and Dr. Gray continued talking in low, calm voices.
“Dad! Can’t you hear me?” I screamed. “It’s me, Dana! Come back here, Dad! I’m here! Come let me out!”
My voice cracked. My throat ached from screaming so loud.
“Dad—please!”
My chest heaving, I pressed my ear against the window and listened again.
“Well, it’s very strange, Mr. Johnson,” Dr. Gray was saying. “The boy never came here. Would you like to look around the lab?”
Yes, Dad! I pleaded silently. Say yes.
Tell him that you’d like to look around the lab, Dad! Please!
“No, thanks,” I heard Dad say. “I’d better keep searching. Thank you, Dr. Gray.”
I heard Dad say good-bye.
I heard the front door close.
And I knew I was doomed.
23
“I don’t believe this,” I murmured out loud. “Dad was so close. So close!”
I sank back to the floor. I felt as if my heart were sinking too. I wanted to keep dropping, down onto the floor, into the ground. Just keep sinking till I disappeared forever.
My throat ached from screaming. Why couldn’t Dad hear me? I could hear him.
And why did he believe Dr. Gray’s lies? Why didn’t Dad check out the lab for himself?
He would see me through the window. And I would be rescued.
Dr. Gray is evil, I realized. He pretends to be interested only in science. He pretended to be worried about my health, about my safety. He said that’s why he was keeping me here—to make sure I was safe.
But he lied to my father.
And he was lying to me.
Crouched on the floor, I shivered as the frigid air seemed to seep right through my skin. I shut my eyes and lowered my head.
I wanted to stay calm. I knew I had to stay calm to think clearly. But I couldn’t. The chills I felt running down my back weren’t just from the cold. They were also from terror.
Voices in the front snapped me to attention. I held my breath and listened.
Was that my dad?
Or was I starting to hear things?
“Maybe I will take a look around.” That’s what I thought I heard Dad say.
Was I dreaming it?
No. I heard Dr. Gray mumble something. Then I heard Dad say, “Sometimes Dana sneaks into places where he doesn’t belong. He’s so interested in science, he may have sneaked in through a back door, Dr. Gray.”
“Yes!” I cried happily. Every time I lost all hope, I somehow got another chance.
I jumped up and hurried to the window. I crossed my fingers and prayed Dad would walk to the back and see me.
After a few seconds, I saw Dad and Dr. Gray at the far end of the long, white hall. Dr. Gray was leading him slowly, opening doors. They peered into each lab, then moved on.
“Dad!” I called. “Can you hear me? I’m back here!”
Even though I had my face pressed up to the window glass, he couldn’t hear me.
I banged on the glass. Dad kept walking with Dr. Gray. He didn’t look up.
I waited for them to come closer. My heart was banging against my chest now. My mouth was dry. I pressed up close to the window.
In a few seconds, Dad would peer into the window and see me standing here.
And then I would be out—and Dr. Gray would have some real explaining to do.
With my hands and nose pressed against the glass, I watched them move forward. The hall was dark on this end. But I could see them clearly as they peeked into the labs at the other end.
“Dad!” I shouted. “Dad—over here!”
I knew he couldn’t hear me. But I had to shout anyway.
The two men disappeared into a lab for a few seconds. Then they came out and stepped toward me.
They were talking in low tones. I couldn’t hear what they were saying.
Dad had his eyes on Dr. Gray.
Turn this way, Dad, I silently urged. Please—look to the end of the hall. Look in the window.
Chatting softly, they disappeared through another door.
What on earth are they talking about? I wondered.
A few seconds later, they were back in the hall. Moving this way.
Dad—please! Here I am! I pressed up eagerly against the glass.
I pounded my fists on the window.
Dad looked up.
And stared into the window.
He stared right at me.
I’m rescued! I realized.
I’m outta here!
Dad stared at me for a few seconds.
Then he turned back to Dr. Gray. “Thanks for showing me around,” he said. “Dana definitely isn’t here. Sorry I wasted your time.”
24
“Dad—I’m right here!” I shrieked. “You’re looking right at me!”
Was I invisible?
Why didn’t he see me?
“Sorry I wasted your time, Dr. Gray,” I heard Dad say again.
“Good luck in finding Dana,” Dr. Gray replied. “I’m sure he’ll turn up really soon. He’s probably at a friend’s house and forgot the time. You know how kids are.”
“Nooooooo!” I let out a long wail. “Dad—come back! Dad!”
As I stared in horror, Dad turned away and started back down the long hall.
With another cry, I began to pound on the window glass with both fists. “Dad! Dad! Dad!” I chanted with each slam of my fist.
Dad turned around. “What’s that noise?” he asked Dr. Gray.
Dr. Gray turned too.
I pounded the glass even harder. I pounded until my knuckles were raw and throbbing. “Dad! Dad! Dad!” I continued to chant.
“What’s that pounding noise?” Dad demanded from halfway down the hall.
“It’s the pipes,” Dr. Gray told him. “I’ve been having a lot of trouble with the pipes. The plumber is coming on Monday.”
Dad nodded.
He kept walking. I heard him say good-bye to the scientist. Then I heard the door close behind him.
I knew that this time he wouldn’t come bac
k.
I didn’t move from the window. I stared through the glass down the long hall.
A few seconds later, I saw Dr. Gray coming toward me. He had an angry scowl on his face.
I’m his prisoner now, I thought glumly.
What does he plan to do?
25
He stopped outside the window. He clicked on the hall light.
In the bright light, I could see beads of sweat on his forehead. He frowned and stared in at me with those cold blue eyes.
“Nice try, Dana,” he said sourly.
“Huh? What do you mean?” I choked out. My legs were trembling. Not from the cold. I was really terrified now.
“You almost got your father’s attention,” Dr. Gray replied. “That wouldn’t have been nice. That would have spoiled my plans.”
I pressed both palms against the glass. I tried to force myself to stop trembling.
“Why couldn’t Dad see me?” I demanded.
Dr. Gray rubbed a hand over his side of the window. “It’s one-way glass,” he explained. “No one can see into the room from the hall—unless I turn on the bright hall light.”
I let out a long sigh. “You mean—?”
“Your father saw only blackness,” the scientist said with a pleased grin. “He thought he was staring into an empty room. Just the way you did—until I turned on the light.”
“But why didn’t he hear me?” I demanded. “I was shouting my head off.”
Dr. Gray shook his head. “A waste of time. The room you are in is totally soundproof. Not a sound escapes into the hall.”
“But I can hear you!” I declared. “I could hear every word you and Dad said. And now you can hear me.”
“There is a speaker system in the wall,” he explained. “I can turn it on and off with the same control unit that locks the door.”
“So I could hear you, but you couldn’t hear me,” I murmured.
“You’re a very smart boy,” he replied. His blue eyes flashed. “I know you’re smart enough not to try any more tricks in there.”
“You have to let me out!” I screamed. “You can’t keep me here!”
“Yes, I can,” he replied softly. “I can keep you here as long as I like, Dana.”