The Fantastic Seahorse Brigade
The Fantastic Seahorse Brigade consists of Sandy and Mila. Mailboxes, sidewalks and even some buildings are their targets. They are like ninjas, stealthy and fast only hampered by fits of giggles. Mila holds the cardboard up while Sandy quickly sprays the cut part then they take off running. Mila likes to watch when someone sees it. Most people scratch their heads, look around and smile. That is the best to Mila, when they smile. Sandy always wants to run off. Mila always makes them wait. They hide together somewhere where they hug each other, hold hands and wait.
Every day after school but before Mom and Dad come home MIla throws off her backpack, grabs the other backpack, pets Furball and runs to the kitchen. She grabs two packs of cookies her Mom leaves for her after school snack. Mom thinks she eats too many cookies so she only leaves one pack out for her but Mila knows where the box is. Mila grabs the pack on the counter and then pull the step stool up to the cabinet above the microwave to get the other pack.
Mila has to be fast since she is the last stop on the bus and Sandy has the first bus stop. She might already be there. Wasting no time she swings the backpack on and shuts the door making sure she locks it behind her and has her key around her neck. She always looks back because Furball has gotten on the ledge to see her go. She waves while looking back but running ahead.
Left on Farrow Street, right on Milton Street. She can see the park. She can see Sandy. She is waiting. Sandy must have been there only a few minutes since Mila was really quick today.
Mila gets to Sandy who is on the swings and is just swaying. Mila drops to the ground breathing a little hard. She swings her backpack in front and pulls out the packets of cookies. She hands one to Sandy.
They sit. Sandy’s day was fine and Mila says her day was fine too. Actually, Mila had a very good day but she doesn’t want to say that to Sandy since Sandy said her day was only fine.
Sandy was supposed to bring something to drink but Sandy didn’t give her anything so Mila didn’t want to ask where the drink was. They eat their cookies and Sandy just talks about what they are going to do today now that school is over.
They are ready. Mila opens her backpack again and waits for Sandy to get the cardboard and the spray paint. It was Sandy’s idea to leave it in the park. There is a spot right next to a big metal box and the wall of the bathrooms. Sandy said that if someone finds it they can’t get in trouble. Mila was worried that someone might take it but Sandy said no one would.
Mila is supposed to make sure no one is around when Sandy goes back there to get it. She looks and the coast is clear. Sandy is back with the spray paint can and the cardboard. Sandy shoves it into the backpack. They start walking back near the houses. Sandy is quiet today so Mila doesn’t try to talk a lot either.
They get to a house that has a black metal fence in front of the small grass yard. Sandy looks up at it. She doesn’t go in. Mila also looks up at it. Mila asks Sandy if this is the place for today. Sandy says yes but she says that they aren’t going to put the sea horse on today. She wonders why but Sandy looks serious today, maybe something happened in school so Mila will let Sandy do what she wants.
Sandy asks to Mila to give her the spray paint. Mila swings her backpack around and opens it. Looking left and right and around. Grabs the paint and hands it to Sandy. Mila is a little excited since this is something different. She wants to ask but Sandy looks so serious and mad now.
Mila asks Sandy if she is okay. Sandy tells Mila to look out for anyone. Mila says okay and starts to look out for anyone. She keeps looking up and down the street but no one is coming. There are some other kids playing at corner house but they are busy and do not see Mila and Sandy.
Sandy jumps back over the fence but making a lot of noise. Sandy yells, “run! run!” and grabs Mila’s arm to make Mila run with her but Mila falls. Her shirt is twisted in Sandy’s fist. Sandy looks mad and her eyes are red. Mila wonders what Sandy did, she dares to look even though Sandy is mad that she fell down. She sees She looks up at the garage and she reads a word. Mila knows its a bad word. Mila is confused. Sandy is telling Mila to get up but she can’t. Sandy is pulling her. Mila is worried now. Sandy screams at Mila to get up. Tears start welling up in Mila’s eyes. Sandy says another bad word and reaches down to untwist her fist in Mila’s shirt sleeve. Sandy undoes it and runs. Mila gets up and starts to run after Sandy but Sandy runs too fast.
Mila hears a door open. Mila turns to look and sees a boy from school sneering at Mila. Mila starts running but the boy starts running too. The boy yells at Mila saying, “I knew it!” Mila runs but is snapped back. The boy has grabbed the backpack. Mila tries to slip her arms out but then remembers the cardboard is still in there. Mila does not want to lose it so she starts to struggle. The boy grabs her by the arms and twirls her around so now Mila sees his twisted face.. He spits, “I knew it!” Mila is scared. The boy is bigger than she is and he looks mean like those evil ladies in the disney movies. His eyes flick back behind Mila, his face changes. Sandy punches the boy in the forehead, hard. The boy lets go of Mila. Sandy tells Mila to run and Sandy doesn’t looks calm. This time Mila runs.