Finn Finnegan by Darby Karchut Page B

mom. “Um, Gideon is an old friend of our family. Plus, my aunt and uncle have nine other kids, so this just worked out better. And I am learning a ton of stuff from him.” Finn grinned. Stuff like how to peg a monster between the eyes with a hunting knife .
    Mrs. Steel smiled back. Glancing at her watch, she sighed. “Okay, I’m off. Rafe, fifteen minutes with Finn, then you need to get the backyard mowed and your bag unpacked. Your dad will be back shortly. Finn, I hope to see you again soon.” She hurried out the door.
    Rafe shook his head. “Now that we’re through the security check with Dr. Steel, I’ll show you my spear.” He led the way along the hall and up a curving flight of stairs. Reaching the top, they hooked a right into the first bedroom. Rafe shoved a partially unpacked duffle bag out of their way.
    â€œThat’s it.” He pointed at the spear resting on the desk. Nearby, an oval shield, a little shorter than the boys, leaned against the wall. Rafe rapped his knuckles against the black and white hardened cow leather. “My dad went to get some hooks so I can hang them on the wall.”
    Finn picked up the spear. The thick wooden handle was decorated with bands of ornamental beads in crayon-bright colors. A broad, leaf-shaped blade was attached to the business end.
    â€œIt’s more for stabbing than throwing. That’s why it’s shorter than a regular spear,” Rafe explained. “Real ones wouldn’t have all that decoration. The handles would be plain.”
    Finn thrust it in the air a few times. “Nice balance. Is it bronze?”
    â€œYeah. For some reason, my grandfather wanted me to have a bronze one instead of iron.”
    As Finn laid it back down, he noticed a small telescope next to the window. “Is that yours?”
    â€œYeah. Well, my dad’s and mine—he’s a science teacher at the high school. There’s going to be an eclipse of the sun on July tenth and I thought I might get a special filter for this so I can watch without hurting my eyes. Of course, this event is only a partial, not an annular eclipse, which is more rare and…” He paused, and shot Finn a glance. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said with a self-conscious expression.
    Finn frowned in confusion. “What?”
    â€œWell, that I’m some kind of science geek.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with being interested in—” Finn stopped when a light flickered through the window and bounced against the far wall. He bent over and peered out as his master’s truck pulled into the driveway, the sun reflecting off its cracked windshield. “Gideon’s back. I better get home.” Sprinting out of the room, Finn pounded down the stairs, Rafe on his heels.
    â€œIs he going to get mad because you didn’t finish the gate?” Rafe asked as he ran ahead and opened the front door. He held it wide as Finn bolted through it.
    â€œOh, yeah!” And for other reasons . “I’ll see you around,” he yelled over his shoulder.
    Running across the street, he slowed in relief at the sight of the empty truck cab. He must have gone inside already , Finn thought, halting by the gate. Panting, he crouched down on the sidewalk and uncoiled a section of wire, the metal hot from the sun. Okay, look busy . He measured another length. As he reached for the wire cutters, a shadow fell across him.

Thirteen
    Finn froze as bare knuckles rapped on his skull. This is so not good , he thought.
    â€œHmm, I hear nary an echo, so I’m going to assume ye’ve a brain in there.” Gideon stepped around him. “A brain that can follow simple directions. Directions such as, ‘finish this gate by noon. And do not fraternize with the humans next door.’”
    â€œI am almost finished.” Finn rose to his feet and locked eyes with his master. “And anyway, they don’t live next