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Copyright

“Why do we have to go there?” I wailed from the backseat of the car. “Why?”

“Gretchen, I’ve told you three times why.” Dad sighed. “Your mother and I have to go to Atlanta. For work!”

“I know that,” I replied, leaning over the front seat. “But why can’t we go with you? Why do we have to stay with Grandma and Grandpa?”

“Because we said so,” Mom and Dad declared together.

Because we said so. Once they said those deadly words, there was no use arguing.

I slumped down in my seat.

Mom and Dad had some kind of work emergency in Atlanta. They got the call this morning.

It’s not fair, I thought. They get to visit a cool city like Atlanta. And Clark—my stepbrother—and I have to go to Mud Town.

Mud Town.

Well, it’s not really called Mud Town. But it should be. Because it’s a swamp. Grandma Rose and Grandpa Eddie live in southern Georgia—in a swamp.

Can you believe it?

A swamp.