As Bryan met the giant stare with dismay, Daniel's friend's mouth opened in astonishment. Bryan thought for a moment he might yell, but instead he cast a quick glance in Daniel's direction. David's younger brother was fully intent on searching the contents of the desk.
"This is bad," thought Bryan, preparing to continue his slide an a desperate attempt to hide once again. The giant was quicker. Like lightning, he seemed to get over his confusion and dart forward, surrounding Bryan with a hand that was both powerful and gentle. With a flick of the wrist that left Bryan's stomach lurching, he was transferred from the hand to the deep pocket of the boy's cargo pants.
"Shit! Let me go!" screamed the tiny teenager, but the only response was that the giant hand reentered the pocket, draping casually but menacingly over his little body.
Now Bryan couldn't move, and his attempts to yell were squeezed into silence.
"Shit, Jack, I can't find anything," he heard Daniel grunt. "Let's go find David and see what he was up to. He must be downstairs."
His friend, Jack, answered . . .