Chapter 5

Dylan turned off the camera, popped the lens cap back on, and slipped the video camera back into his backpack. He made to stand up, but Beatrice grabbed his arm and tugged him back down onto his knees. He stared at her, "What's your problem? I thought we were going to the park."

Beatrice shook her head and gestured at me in an exasperated manner, "And just leave him in the dark? He probably thought you were some weird peeping tom or something."

Dylan sighed and rubbed his eyes, "Okay, okay...I'll tell him."

He made to stand up, but Beatrice grabbed his arm again, "Now."

Dylan grumbled, "Do we have to do it in the bushes?"

"Yes - unless you want to be overheard."

"Fine," Dylan turned his brown eyes onto me. "That was my brother. He's kind of a player...let's just say that's not his girlfriend. Don't worry though, all of this is for a good cause."

Dylan winked at me before turning to Beatrice, "Happy now?"

Beatrice opened her mouth to reply when a deluge of water hit Dylan. He jumped to his feet, "What the �""

A thin voice screeched, "That's what you get for hiding in the f*****g bushes, you idiots!"

Beatrice grabbed my hand and dragged me forward, "Run!"

I happily complied, glancing over my shoulder. Behind us, an old man hobbled behind us, screaming obscenities at the top of his lungs. He looked thoroughly insane, tufty white hair sticking straight up, brandishing a half-full bucket above his head.

After a few blocks, we stopped. Beatrice quickly dropped my hand, shooting a guilty look at Dylan who was muttering, "Insane old man. Who waters their plants with a bucket?"

Dylan was completely drenched, his brown hair pasted against his face. Beatrice said mildly, "Well, at least you're not hot anymore."

Dylan shook his head and began walking again, leaving a trail of drips behind him.

...

After arriving at the park, we head toward the large fountain by the path.  Beatrice sat on the edge, watching dead bugs float by in the water. She turned to Dylan, who was standing in the sun, yelling at the sky to dry him faster, "Honestly, Dylan, it's not that bad. You're just wet."

Dylan looked at her, outraged, "Just wet? Just wet? I'll show you."

He pushed her into the fountain. She sat in the shallow pool, a look of utter shock on her face. I covered my smile with my hand as she shouted, "Dylan!"

Dylan smirked at her, "That's what you get for �""

Before he could get the rest of the sentence out, he was tackled by Beatrice.  She knocked him into the grass as she began to tickle him. Dylan's hysterical laughter and breathless pleas for mercy was the last straw. I began to laugh, my shoulders shaking. Beatrice stopped tickling Dylan and they both turned to look at me, twin looks of mischievous evil on their faces. I turned and ran, Dylan and Beatrice close behind.

A pack of kids rounded the corner ahead of me, running at a steady pace together, singing campfire songs. Behind them a few red-faced kids followed, puffing heavily. I stopped and stared as they passed me.

Beatrice and Dylan skidded to a halt behind me, "What?"

I pointed silently at the singing kids. Beatrice and Dylan looked at me, confused, "That's just the cross-country team. They're training. Got to get in shape."

"Yeah, but why are they singing?"

They both shrugged, saying simultaneously, "I don't know."

I shook my head and then paused as my stomach rumbled, "Isn't it about time for lunch?"

Dylan squinted at the sky, "Yeah. Let's head back."

As we left the park, Beatrice and Dylan walked beside of me, chatting cheerfully.