Page 103 of The Holiday Fakers
She nods. “Let’s give it a try.”
I scramble to the ground with Lucky, then lift my arms toward the trunk above me to reach for Billy wrapped inside my coat.
It’s too far.
“Billy! Can you make yourself into a tight little ball for me, bud?”
I can’t hear a reply, but Piper calls down, “He says yes!”
“Awesome. Now this is a bonus part of the adventure. You’re gonna keep your arms and legs tight together, and Piper’s gonna drop you into my arms, okay?”
Piper looks from Billy to me and nods.
“Tight as a ball, Billy! Piper’s gonna let you go in three … two … one … go!”
It’s only a couple of feet, but it seems like twenty until I catch him.
“Great job, Billy! Now let’s get you warmed up again, yeah?”
Piper climbs down and helps get him back in place, then ties the coat sleeves behind my back.
She then lifts Lucky and staggers forward, but immediately stumbles on a branch and nearly drops her.
“Give her to me,” I say. “Run on ahead and bring help this way.”
I shift Billy to one side, now holding him with only one hand, then Piper helps lift Lucky under my other arm.
“Go,” I tell her. “I’ve got them.”
She runs off through the trees, and I take a breath and follow.
“Right then, Billy,” I grunt. “We gotta get our story straight for whenDown East News Nowwants to interview you, okay?”
“Yes,” he replies faintly.
“C’mon now, bud, you’ve gotta be louder than that. Let me hear you sayYEAH!”
“Yeah,” he replies, a little louder this time.
“That’s more like it. Okay, so you went on your epic trek to find the yeti, with your faithful pal Lucky. But your first obstacle was a ninety-foot-deep gorge with hungry alligators at the bottom. Your only route across? A branch that’s narrower than your own foot. You like the story so far?”
He nods. “And there was a bear.”
“That’s right. A massive one.”
Each step for me is agony. My lungs can’t keep up, and the icy air is like knives in my chest. My biceps are screaming at me, and my leg muscles are about to give out.
But I can’t stop. I won’t stop.
I stagger out from the tree line. Piper’s up ahead, running toward the community building and tents by the start and finish line of the race, where a large group of people is gathered. She’s shouting at them, both hands waving in the air.
Adrenaline courses through me, giving me the help I need to move faster.
“We’re nearly there, Billy,” I pant. “Stay awake for me, bud, and tell me the story you’re gonna tell for the rest of your life.”
“Once upon a time,” he begins, his voice still weak. “There was a very brave boy and his doggie, who went hunting a yeti.”
“That’s it. You’ve got it. Keep going. What happens next?”
