The Case of the Forgotten Path & Invisible Thief

It was summer and Max and Mallory were both excited to go to Nineth  grade but at least Max was, Mallory lied about being excited. All she could think about was what if I don't fit in or, they don't like me. "Race you to the big Oak tree! Max said as he interrupted her thoughts.

Max and Mallory raced through the forest until they reached the big Oak tree. "Let's climb the tree!" said Max. "You must be out of your mind if you think I'm going to climb this tree, said Mallory. "Are you a chicken"? Asked Max. "UGH! ... FINE! I'll climb the tree with you," said Mallory. Max's heart pounded as he stared up at the massive oak, its gnarled branches twisting like ancient arms reaching for the sky. Without a word, he shot Mallory a grin, then swung his leg over the first low branch, feeling the rough bark scrape against his palms.

Mallory was already a few feet up, her sneakers kicking off the ground with surprising speed. She pulled herself higher, her legs working like pistons as she moved with the kind of fluid confidence Max had only seen in squirrels. He grinned, deciding he wasn't going to let her beat him to the top.

"Race you!" he called out, already swinging his body up to the next branch with a grunt.

Mallory shot him a quick look, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "You're on!"

The air smelled like pine and adventure, and Max's pulse thrummed with every tug, every stretch, every push against the rough, twisting trunk. The bark scraped his palms, but the sting only added to the thrill. He vaulted up higher, feet finding footholds that didn't look big enough to hold him. He barely noticed how his hands ached, how his arms burned, his mind only on getting one step ahead.

The branches above creaked like they might give way at any moment, but Max didn't hesitate. He pushed harder, his body jerking up with each new grab, the wind whipping through his hair, making him feel like he was flying.

He pulled himself up just in time to hear Mallory shout from above, her voice teasing and triumphant. "Beat you!"

Max didn't even care. He was just hanging there, breathless, on top of the world. And then, as if the whole tree were daring him, he swung himself higher, reaching for the sky. Max carefully lowered himself down the oak tree, one hand gripping a thick branch, his feet searching for solid footing on the bark. He was just a meter from the ground when his foot slipped, sending him tumbling sideways.

With a loud yelp, he flailed wildly, his arms trying to grab a tree then he fell—plop—landing in a heap on the soft grass below.

"Max!" Mallory screamed, her eyes wide with panic as she looked down, starting to climb down from the oak tree. She scrambled down the tree, her heart racing, only to stop short when she saw him lying dramatically, arms splayed out like a ragdoll.

Max groaned, lifting one hand slowly to his forehead, his face contorting in exaggerated pain. "Oww... I think I've broken everything," he said, his voice muffled and painfully fake.

Mallory's heart skipped a beat. "Max, are you—"

He suddenly burst out laughing, rolling over onto his side. "Gotcha!" he grinned, still clutching his stomach like he was in agony.

Mallory blinked, her breath catching, then shook her head with a laugh of her own. "You're the worst!" she said, half relieved and half exasperated. She slid down the last bit of the tree, landing softly next to him.

Max sat up, still grinning. "I couldn't resist. You should've seen your face! You were ready to call 911 for a stubbed toe."

"Yeah, well," Mallory said, pulling him to his feet, "next time, don't try to break your leg on purpose, okay?"

They both burst out laughing, the sound of it echoing through the field, the afternoon sun catching their wide smiles as they dusted off their clothes.

As soon as they stopped climbing the tree they heard a scream that frightened them. Saying "MY CLARINET IS MISSSSING!" Max and Mallory realized it was Mr. brown, for they hadn't heard him play his clarinet this morning. Max and Mallory rushed to Mr. Brown's house they passed the grate Oak tree; they went through the tunnel and passed the waterfall.

By the time they reached the house they were tired and thirsty. "Please give us water!" Max said Panting excessively. Mr. Brown rushed inside to get them water as he realized they ran all the way to his house. "Here you go," said Mr. Brown. "Thank you" Max said gulping down the water. "Thanks for the water but why were you screaming this morning?" asked Mallory. "Someone stole my clarinet; I left it here on the porch in the night and someone stole it...... it's gone!" yelled Mr. Brown. "Are you sure someone stole it?" asked Max. "I'm I sure if someone stole MY CLARINET, FROM MY OWN HOUSE, YES IM SURE WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT!" yelled Mr. Brown, as he spoke out of anger. "Sorry..." said Max "Mallory and I are just observing the situation to help you."

"Hey look! I see footprints!" said Mallory. "If I'm not mistaken, they look like footprints from someone's boot!" said Mr. Brown. "Yeah, you're right, they also lead into your house," said Max.

Gradually a bunch of thoughts popped into Mr. Brown's head, "how did I not notice?", as they went inside suddenly Mallory noticed a Radiant gleam, "what is that?" she asked. "NOOOO......NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, THIS CANT BE HAPPENING!" said Mr. Brown what?" asked Max. my savings my money its.... "It's all gone," said Mr. Brown, "what's all gone asked Max again. Calm down Mr. Brown I'll explain to him said Mallory explain what asked Max ok so you see the shining thing on the shelf said Mallory yeah answered Max that's were all his savings is..........well was and someone broke his safe do you get it now asked Mallory Max nodded his head feeling stupid.