10. Homecoming
Ben
I didn’t want to think about Splinters.
I didn’t want to think about Mina Todd’s crusade.
More than anything, I didn’t want to be afraid.
I just wanted to be Ben Pastor, ordinary high school student, for one day of my life.
We only had a half-day of classes, letting out early so we could enjoy the Homecoming carnival on the soccer field. Though I wanted to look out for Mina, she said I’d be more useful enjoying myself.
She didn’t need to tell me twice.
Like everything in Prospero, the Homecoming carnival was small but enthusiastic. Most of the faculty participated, either sitting in on the dunking or pie-throwing booths, or supervising activities. Mr. Finn stood by a catapult he had built, wearing a garishly striped jacket and a straw hat like an old carnival bar
