Ocean and her four brothers chewed on toast silently at the table of Miss Miller. The old lady herself was standing, looking quite grave. She muttered something about the kettle, and turned and walked out. "I have a plan. I think." Ocean whispered. The four others leaned in. "I believe we need to ask the oldest person we know in the village about the Embers." Eliot blinked doubtfully. "But that would be Old Jake! And he's insane!" He whispered back in an alarmed tone. "I know, but maybe he'll be kind to Miss Miller, and she can ask him to give us answers." Ocean explained in a hushed voice. Rupert shrugged. "Sounds good to me." Just as Miss Miller came in. Ocean cleared her throat and asked the old lady, "Ma'am, mind if we five go outside?" Miss Miller looked very flabbergasted for some reason. "Er- no. You cannot. There is a terrible storm." Davis countered immediately, "No, there isn't! That bucket for the leak doesn't have any water in it! And the ceiling isn't dripping." Miss Miller opened her mouth, but nothing came out as she stared at the ceiling. "Miss Miller, are you trying to keep us inside?" Collins asked very carefully. The old mistress bit her lip. "Well..of course not! I just...need your help. Doing the dishes!" Eliot raised an eyebrow. "I just did the dishes." The room was stiff with silence. Ocean, with the sharpest ears, heard horses approaching the house. They were coming closer and closer to the door..... "Follow me guys! Don't hesitate!" She screamed and raced up the stairs. The other four looked surprised, but followed when they heard men's voices outside. Now upstairs, Ocean raced into the far back room. The men had broken down the door and were searching the house. Ocean flung open a window and jumped the eight-foot-jump onto the soft ground. Rupert and herself helped the others down after Ocean recovered. "WHY ARE THOSE MEN CHASING US?!" Eliot screamed over the shouts behind them. No answer was given. The five Stone children were running toward the wood that backed up to Miss Miller's house. Arrows plunged into the ground around them. Pling! One hit Davis's shoulder. "NO!" Collins screamed and stopped running, backing up to his fallen brother. Rupert ran over and hoisted Davis onto his back before continuing the run. Eliot was on Ocean's back because he was the smallest. Ocean glanced at Davis nervously. Her brother was groaning, and blo0d was dripping down his dirty shirt. Ocean didn't think he was going to make it.
