Page 120 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“It’s how we close out the year. The last weekend inOctober, we do a Halloween special. People come in costume, and even if they’vesolved the maze before, it’s different. We add tricks and traps and obstacles. Andpeople in costume, like a haunted house. We keep it tame for the kiddies forthe first few of hours, but after eight, it can get pretty scary out here.”
Kip had never heard Jiro say so much in one go. “You enjoyit?”
“It’s pretty fun.”
“Still looking for volunteers?”
“Sure.” Jiro casually asked, “Think you’ll need ninetyminutes?”
“What’s my goal?”
“We have flagpoles at the entrance that teams carry through.It’s how they signal for help.” He suggested, “Get out, grab one, and getback.”
Kip grinned. “Start counting.”
Jiro blinked once, then quietly obeyed. “One … two … three….”
With a flick of his tail, Kip scarpered.
He jogged along, creating a small racket as he brushed pastdry stalks. Some lanes widened. He found other open spaces, shapes within thelarger design. Suspicions grew into certainty that the maze created some kindof picture.
“… eighty-six … eighty-seven … eighty-eight … “
Kip poured on as much speed as he dared, not wanting todamage the maze as he hit dead ends and doubled back. He flashed back through Jiro’scircle more than once, and each time, the steady rhythm of his voice wouldwarm.
“… three hundred thirty-two … three hundred thirty-three …three hundred thirty-four …”
Jiro was smiling. And that meant they were each—in their ownway—enjoying this.
When Kip darted back into the circle, toting the proof ofhis success, he may have gotten a little carried away.
Joe yelped when Kip tackled him and immediately lostcount. Which was a shame, since the redhead had undoubtedly set a new record.But Joe was caught in a dizzy tumble that never quite turfed them. It went onand on, gradually slowing until all he could hear was Kip’s breathless laughterand the soft rattle of the cornfield coming from somewhere below.
That made no sense. If they were on the ground, the stalksshould be around and above them.
Opening his eyes, he tried to untangle himself from Kip, whowas under him, keeping him out of the dirt and grinning up at the stars.
“It’s a cornucopia, isn’t it?” Kip angled his head enough tocatch Joe’s eye. “The maze. If I look down, that’s what it’ll be.”
Look down? Joe tried to ease off Kip, but his foot swunginto air.
Arms tightened, and a leg casually swept under his, liftingit back in line. Kip was supporting the full length of his body, and Joe wasalmost afraid to understand why. But he needed to confirm his suspicion. Helooked down.
They were suspended in midair, somehow caught between themoon and the maze.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” pressed Kip. “The basket-weavesection is brutal. Slowed me way down.”
Joe managed a nod.
“Hey,” he said gently. “You bad with heights?”
“No. Just … umm … wasn’t ready for ….” Joe faltered, and hishands locked around Kip’s ribcage. “Did you jump?”
“More of a glide.” Kip propped a hand behind his head.“Defying gravity is one of the less-publicized Amaranthine superpowers. Easydoes it. I’ve got you.”
“I’m fine.”
“My nose says otherwise.”
