“A gunshot rang out, blasting a hole in the door. A crossbow quarrel zinged through the hole and stuck quivering into the opposite wall. Seth heard the rocking horse clattering down the staircase, the twang of bowstrings, and the overlapping beat of several other projectiles thudding against the door. "That was awesome," Seth told Kendra."You're psychotic," Kendra replied.”

“Wasn't that awesome?" Seth asked.Warren cocked his head, his expression mildly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Kendra--it was pretty cool.""All boys belong in insane asylums," Kendra said.”

“Oh, Kendra, before I forget, Gavin asked me to give you this letter." He held out a gray, speckled envelope."Happy birthday to you!" Seth exclaimed, his voice full of implications.Kendra tried not to blush as she tucked the envelope away."Dear Kendra," Seth improvised, "you're the only girl who really gets me, you know, and I think you're very mature for your age--""What about some cake?" Grandma interrupted, holding the first piece out to Kendra and glaring at Seth.”

“Seth trotted over to Kendra. Bringing good luck as usual It was a weak pass okay”

“Seth put his ear against the door. "I can't hear anything.""There are probably ten of them patiently waiting on the far side, ready to pounce."Brownies are shrimps. All I'd need are some heavy boots, a pair of shin guards, and a weed whacker."The image made Kendra giggle.”

“ You should have Hugo throw you in the pool." The golem turned his head toward Seth, who shrugged."Sure, that would be fun." Hugo nodded, grabbed Seth, and, with a motion like a hook shot, flung him skyward. Kendra gasped. They were still thirty or forty feet away from the edge of the pool. She had pictured the golem carrying Seth much closer before tossing him. Her brother sailed nearly as high as the roof of the house before plummeting down and landing in the center of the deep end with an impressive splash. Kendra ran to the side of the pool. By the time she arrived, Seth was boosting himself out of the waster, hair and clothes dripping. "That was the freakiest, awesomest moment in my life!" Seth declared. "But next time, let me take off my shoes.”