You run as fast as you can, your tiny heart pounding in your chest as you make a last ditch effort to escape. The floor rumbles beneath you as Professor Greene gains ground. You're not sure if you can make it! She's getting closer! You veer suddenly left, diving for the drain. You slip headfirst into the drain just as the Professor's hand closes on the air behind you. You hear the teacher cursing in frustration as darkness surrounds you. You did it! You're alive!
You quickly stagger into the inky blackness of the pipe, eager to distance yourself from your would-be executioner. As you shuffle forward, it occurs to you that you have no idea where this path will lead, or what you'll do once you get there. Your moment of triumph quickly fades into uncertainty. Soon after, uncertainty becomes anxiety. Somehow, after all that's happened to you today, you can't imagine a happy ending to your story. In all likelihood, you'll be tiny for the rest of your life... which actually won't be that long if you aren't careful.
You continue down the pipe for what feels like hours, using your hands to feel your way through the darkness. At last you come upon the end of the pipe. You shield your eyes against the soft glow of early evening until they adjust. As you lower your hand, you assess your situation.
The pipe empties into a flooded ditch behind the school, not too far from the edge of the Faybrook Woods. You stand at the mouth of the pipe, a few feet above this small pool of water. From your perspective, the drop looks dangerous. You'd probably be okay if you hit the water right, but there's no way to be sure. On the other hand, you could try climbing down one of the tall reeds of grass that flank the pipe. So which is it? Jump or climb?
