The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham Page B

shivered. “So I didn’t just imagine the construction site from 1970,” he said. “I was there .”
    Walter laughed. “Wasn’t that fun?”
    â€œYou tried to lure me here that day,” Teddy said, suddenly angry. “You tried to get me to come to this awful place the same way you got here—through the sewer trench!”
    â€œAwww, I thought we were pals.”
    â€œYou’re not my friend,” Teddy said, as much to himself as to Walter.
    â€œIt’s not just me,” Walter said. “Good ol’ Sloot gave it a try too. Even your big-bellied buddy was working on you.”
    â€œAlbert?” Teddy breathed.
    â€œOh-ho-ho! I can’t believe you’re so naïve. He’s the one who picked you out! I laughed my buns off watching him try to coax you into the river.”
    Teddy glared upward, wondering how he could have been so stupid.
    â€œC’mon, don’t be mad,” Walter cooed. “We just want more friends.”
    â€œSo why didn’t you stay?” Teddy said. “Something grabbed you in the trench.”
    â€œMy turn was up. You see, a new kid like you can visit our time at the place we crossed over, but you can only see what happened to each of us once, and only for a few minutes. Enough time for us to try to convince you to come over too. But nobody could get you to take the leap. Too chicken, I guess. Bawk-bawk-buh-kawwwwk!”
    â€œToo smart,” Teddy said.
    â€œSo smart that you came here on your own?” Walter chided him. “Welcome.”
    He revved up the saw again and cut through the wooden archway on which he was sitting. The entire arch collapsed and he fell to the porch, landing on his feet.
    â€œTah-dah!” Walter said, raising his arms in the air like an Olympic gymnast after a big dismount. “Enough chitchat. I’m supposed to bring you to the tree.”
    He started toward Teddy with the toothy saw still clenched in one fist. Teddy backed away, wondering how he could fight someone who could cut off his own finger without feeling any pain.
    Then he realized that Walter’s finger had been gone since 1970. That was only a replay . But there was the punch Teddy had thrown in the dark when Sloot, Joey, and Oliver had jumped him. I gave Oliver that bloody nose , he thought. The boys can be hurt here.
    As he backed up, his foot felt the edge of the trench. It gave him an idea. Teddy waved his arms, pretending like he was fighting for balance to keep from falling in.
    â€œWhere you going?” Walter taunted. “Back into the sewer? Ick.” He charged at Teddy, the circular saw roaring, its cord dangling between Walter’s legs.
    â€œNo,” Teddy snapped, suddenly crouching, more balanced and ready than he’d let on. “You are!”
    In one swift motion, he dove and grabbed the saw’s cord, yanking it taut between Walter’s legs. Walter’s foot hooked the cord, and he stumbled, plummeting into the sewer trench.
    There was a sickening crack as Walter hit the floor of the trench, where the sludge had drained away. All was silent for a moment, but then Teddy heard something even more gut-wrenching—Walter’s pleading voice.
    He was no longer laughing. In fact, it sounded to Teddy like he was crying.
    â€œHellllp!” Walter begged. “I think my leg’s broken. Please. I can’t climb up—I hurt my finger. There’s scorpions down here. I wanna go home.”
    It was hard to listen. Teddy realized that Walter’s pleas were what he must have said in 1970 on the day he disappeared—the dim world was replaying his disappearance.
    But as sad as Walter’s cries made him feel, Teddy knew he couldn’t let him out. He was far too dangerous.
    â€œI’ll look for you when I get free,” he called down.
    â€œI’m scared,” came Walter’s shaky voice from below.
    â€œI promise,” Teddy said, then