It was 2:30 am and Carter stood at the end of his driveway in indecision. It had been a week since he had seen Mr. Stalnaker and he was genuinely worried. He hadn’t seen him since the day he snuck off to investigate the Brockett’s yard.

Checking the darkened windows of his neighbours carefully to see if anyone might be spying on him, he finally just took a deep breath and crossed the cul de sac. Once he hit their yard he swiped the flashlight on his phone to light a path.

Over the last week the “landscapers” had dug numerous holes throughout the yard and he didn’t want to take the chance that he might fall into any of them. As he carefully weaved his way though to the backyard he listened carefully for any noises that might indicate someone had seen him.

The backyard, if it was possible, was in worse shape than the front. There was a small bulldozer sitting precariously on a small hilltop of soil. Random boulders lay strewn about the yard brought in for what he assumed was some sort of aesthetic look.

He carefully tiptoed up to one of the basement windows and peered inside. It was utterly and completely dark even with his hands pressed against the glass cupping his eyes.

He then slipped over to the next window. Again pitch black. Felling defeated he sat back on his heels when something in the bushes caught his eye. It was Mr. Stalnaker’s hat. He reached out his hand to pull it out when someone grabbed him by the arm and wretched him upwards and back.

“And just what do you think you’re doing?” Jeffery shouted at him.

“Ah, I was looking for,” he glanced around the yard trying to quickly think of a possible reason for why he would in their yard at 2:30 in the morning.”

“Well?” Jeffery asked, shaking Carter’s arm in a grip that was sure to leave bruises.

Finally, something clicked. “I was looking for buried treasure. I figured that’s why you’re digging all of these holes. But all I found was this hat.” He held up the hat he’s just managed to swipe

The grip on his arm loosened a bit as Jeffery looked around the darkened yard. “You think there’s treasure here.”

“Well, sure,” Carter said, feeling more and more grateful that Jeffery had been the brother to find him. Robbie wouldn’t have been fooled nearly so easily.

“Well it’s not yours! It’s mine! Go dig up your own yard.” He pushed him forward towards the front lawn. Carter nearly fell into one of the holes as he fought to regain his balance.

“Go on! Get out!” He shoved Carter again.

This time Carter fell flat on his face. He scrambled up and raced through the yard as fast as his legs could carry him. Meanwhile, Jeffery stood with hands on his hips surveying the yard with renewed interest.