Chapter 5 - THE DOUBLE-CROSS
Leo watched Maya climb back into the crib, her face a mask of defeat. They had been outmaneuvered, and the consequences were immediate.
"We need a new plan," Leo grumbled, pulling his blanket over his head. "She's too fast. We need reinforcements."
"We don't have reinforcements," Maya snapped. "The parents are already waking up."
Just then, a muffled, wet sneezing sound came from the corner of the nursery. It was Toby, their cousin. Toby was a rookie—a chaotic element in the delicate balance of the nursery. He looked at Leo, then at Maya.
Uh-oh, Leo mouthed silently.
Toby opened his mouth, his face scrunching up into a terrifying, pre-sonic-boom distortion.
"Abort! Abort!" Maya whispered frantically. "He’s going to go full nuclear without a strategic plan!"
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Leo scrambled across the mattress, waving the red rattle he had managed to hide as a peace offering. "Toby, wait! Don't engage the adults! We can negotiate!"
Toby didn't negotiate. He was powered entirely by pure chaos. He drew in a massive breath, expanding his chest like an opera singer. If Toby started screaming, Mark and Elena would wake up instantly, and all privileges would be confiscated for a month.
