Home?
No. That’s the first place the police will look.
Where? Where?
It was so hard to think clearly. They were close behind him, he knew. Chasing him. Eager to bring him down.
If only he could stop somewhere, close his eyes, shut them all out, and think. Then maybe he could come up with a plan.
But he knew he had to keep running.
His head throbbed. His chest ached.
His long legs were taking him quickly away from the playground. But he still felt awkward, with his sneakers so far below him and his head so high in the trees.
I’ll hide out at Kermit’s house, he thought.
Then he quickly decided that was a bad idea, too.
“I can’t get in Kermit’s house!” he cried out loud. “I’m too big!”
And then he had a truly frightening thought: I can’t fit in any house!
Where will I sleep? he wondered. And then: Will they let me sleep?
Can’t the police see I’m just a boy? Evan asked himself bitterly. He turned the corner and ran past his house. The lights were all off. The door closed. No car in the driveway.
His parents hadn’t come home from work.
He kept running. Running across yards. Ducking low. Trying to hide behind shrubs and tall hedges.
Can’t they see I’m a boy? Not a creature from another planet?
Why do they think I’m so dangerous?
It’s all Conan’s fault, Evan decided. Conan got the firefighters and police all crazy with his wild stories.
His wild, true stories.
And now where can I run? Where can I hide?
The answer came to him as he neared Kermit’s house. Two doors down, a lot had been cleared. And an enormous stack of lumber had been piled at the back. Someone was about to build a house on the lot.
Breathing hard, sweat pouring down his broad forehead, Evan turned and ran across the lot. He ducked behind the tall pile of lumber. And stopped.
He dropped to his knees and leaned against the lumber stack, struggling to catch his breath. He wiped the sweat off his forehead with the sleeve of his T-shirt.
Maybe I’ll hide here for a while, he thought. He lowered himself to a sitting position.
If I sit down and hunch my shoulders, the lumber pile hides me from the street. And it’s shady and cool behind it. And I can keep an eye on Kermit’s house from here.
Yes. This is a good hiding spot for now, Evan decided. Then, after dark, I’ll sneak over to my house and try to explain to my parents what happened.
He leaned his back against the lumber pile and shut his eyes.
He had just started to relax a little when he heard a voice cry: “Got him!”
Evan’s eyes shot open.
He tried to scramble to his feet.
But then he saw who had shouted.
“Kermit!” he cried angrily. “You scared me to death!”
Kermit flashed his annoying grin. “I knew you’d hide here, Evan,” he said, smirking. “I’m so smart.”
Kermit turned and called out, “He’s back here! I was right!”
A few seconds later, Andy gingerly poked her head behind the stack of lumber. Her eyes studied Evan for a few seconds. Then a smile crossed her face.
“You’re okay?” she asked softly. “I was so worried—”
“Yeah. I’m okay—for now,” Evan replied bitterly.
“The whole town is after you!” Kermit exclaimed. “It’s really awesome! It’s like a movie!”
