The Candy Shop War, Vol. 2: Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull

gallery figured out. Did you snag the jackpot?”
    “Yesterday.”
    “Unbelievable.”
    “They reset the prize. It pays 250 now if you hit all the far targets on one turn.”
    “What was the prize yesterday?”
    “Twenty-five hundred.”
    Roman made a low whistle. “You’re raking them in faster than anyone I’ve seen.”
    “It’s going all right,” Nate said.
    Roman sighed. “Congrats. I better go start playing. Tomorrow I’ll make sure to come when the doors open.” He walked off.
    Nate could tell Roman wasn’t happy, and he felt a little bad about it. He knew Roman was excited to earn a stamp, and the process would be slower while the records stayed high. But in a way they were doing him a favor. Roman didn’t know what he was getting himself into. The perks that came with the stamp would be cool, but there would be strings attached. Bad people were running this arcade. People who had taken down John Dart. The deeper Roman got involved, the greater the danger he would face.
    Nate settled back in and started shooting targets again. He hit all of the far targets three times in succession before somebody cleared their throat behind him. Nate looked up, recognizing Cleon.
    “You couldn’t resist?”
    “We’re not cheating,” Nate replied. “We have the same right to play as anyone else. You guys set the rules. It’s not our fault if we’re good.”
    “Gather your tickets,” Cleon said. “The director wants to have a chat.”
    “Are we in a movie?”
    “The director of the arcade, smart guy.”
    “Why does the director get to chat with me?” Nate resisted. “Is he a police officer? Are you? Am I under arrest for winning tickets?”
    Cleon leaned closer. “You’re in her arcade. You’re on her property. If you wish to continue playing here, you’ll have a talk with her.”
    Cleon awaited a response. If this would provide a chance to meet the person running the arcade, Nate supposed he should play along. It might give him the knowledge the Battiatos needed. Then again, he might end up disappearing just like John and Mozag.
    Nate noticed Pigeon watching him from not too far off. Trevor was observing from across the room. His friends could call in the Battiatos if he disappeared. Besides, who knew what Cleon might do if Nate tried to run? The man currently had the air of a disgruntled bouncer.
    “I’ll come,” Nate said, collecting his tickets.
    “Good choice,” Cleon replied, kneeling to help.
    *****
    Trevor watched Cleon lead Nate away from the shooting gallery. He kept one hand in his pocket, fingering the Shock Bits hidden inside. At the first sign of any struggle, he was ready to spit out his gum and replace it with the electrifying candy.
    Summer walked up to Nate and Cleon with a camera and blatantly snapped a picture of them together. Shaking his head slightly, Cleon gave her an amused smirk as he walked past her. She returned his attention with an innocent grin. Trevor thought it was a smart move. With Cleon knowing she had photographic evidence, he would think twice before letting Nate come to harm.
    Nate seemed to go along willingly. Trevor followed until they passed through a nondescript door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY.
    Pigeon came up beside him. “What should we do?”
    “I want the Battiatos ready to move,” Trevor said. “You have the other walkie-talkie?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Keep an eye on that door. Call if anything happens. And watch my tickets.”
    “Got it.”
    Trevor handed over his tickets to Pigeon. Summer approached as Trevor headed to the door.
    “You’re telling them?” she asked.
    Trevor nodded. “Help Pidge keep watch.”
    On his way out, Trevor noticed a girl staring at him. She looked to be in her older teens or early twenties. Her light brown hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. She wore a blue Arcadeland work apron and was sweeping debris into a dustpan attached to a pole. Her glance moved past him as Trevor returned the eye contact. She had a slight