“Oh, gross!” Jermaine could hear Finn yell, more offended than he was frightened by the sand that was pulling in his arm and both legs with a hideous squelching sound. But the words finally got through now that he was more or less pinned. He held his free arm aloft, keeping his sword clear of the sand.

His heart was racing from the exertion, looking over at Jermaine and nodding.

“Okay, okay, just tell me when! I’m ready!”