Marloweâs grandfather nodded and headed to the tool shed behind the house.
Once he was gone, Marlowe hurried upstairs to find Mitchel.
She burst through his door without knocking.
Inside, she noticed that Mitchel had changed into fresh clothes.
The old ones were beyond repair, so Marlowe had given Mitchel some clothes her father had worn in his youth.
Seeing Mitchel cleaned up and dressed, Marlowe muttered to herself, âHe actually looks quite sharp.
â
âWhatâs wrong?â Mitchel asked as he saw her rushing towards him.
âThere are a lot of cruise ships by the sea.
Are they here for you?â
Marlowe asked, breathless.
Mitchel nodded.
âYes, Iâm leaving now.
Thanks for everything.
â
âThen hurry up, letâs go.
â Marlowe wanted to escort him out before her grandfather returned, urging him to move faster.
At that moment, Mitchel handed her a note.
âThis has the name of a scar-removal cream on it.
â He glanced at Marloweâs shin and added, âItâs better not to leave any scars on your skin.
â
âOkay, I got it.
â Marlowe made a face and shoved the note into her bag without giving it a glance, her thoughts on how Mitchel wasnât so bad after all.
âIâll grab your stuff.
Be quick and come downstairs.
â She hurried down the stairs with Mitchel trailing behind her.
When Mitchel reached the bottom floor, Marlowe was already taking a bag of bread from the kitchen and shoving it into his arms.
âNo time for milk today.
Just have this bread for now; I made it myself.
â
Mitchel gazed at the bread in his arms, his face a mix of emotions.
Marlowe didnât linger on his reaction.
Worried her grandfather might return soon, she urged, âWe need to be quick, or my grandfather will catch us.
â
Mitchel nodded.
As they stepped outside, they could hear Brock and Marloweâs grandfather talking.
âHey, have you seen Marlowe? She dashed off so quickly, and she forgot her basket.
Iâve brought it back for her,â Brock said.
âSheâs here.
Come in and wait inside,â Granger said.
Hearing them, Marlowe tensed up.
As the pair was about to come in, she swiftly tugged Mitchel towards the back door.
They rushed to a wall near the back door, both panting.
Marlowe pointed to a sizable hole under the wall and instructed Mitchel, âHereâs our way out.
Hurry up and get through!â
Mitchel froze when he saw the hole.
He hadnât been in such a tough spot since he was a kid, and he had never climbed through a hole before.
Mitchel stood there, unsure of what to do next.