Chapter 43
THE CAVERNOUS PACE UNIVERSITY GYMNASIUM has been transformed into a bustling showground of creativity and innovation.
Playing host to a bunch of middle schoolers obsessed with robotics is no small or tidy undertaking.
Crumbled Doritos and Cheez-It baggies litter the ground.
I am struck by how many middle school kids were willing to give up their fall break and the rest of the school week to participate.
Most of the bleachers, usually occupied by cheering fans, are now collapsed, and the space is lined with tables adorned with laptops, wires, and a myriad of mechanical parts.
Banners displaying the names of competing schools flutter overhead, adding splashes of color to the otherwise industrial setting.
In the center of the gymnasium floor, an elevated makeshift arena has been erected, complete with a maze of obstacles and challenges for the robots to navigate.
Based on the stooped postures and splayed bodies huddling around their creations, the teams are making articulation adjustments and fine-tuning their programming.
Erika steps forward. “There he is.” She points toward the arena.
At that moment, scratches boom from a central announcement system.
“Good morning, parents. If you are just joining us, we are running a bit late this morning. We’ve had quite the battle to the final three.
Instead of formal presentations, we’re inviting you to just wander the space.
Every team has a flag. Ask them about their experiences this week, what they’ve learned, and the amazing maneuvers they’ve learned to perform.
In the center ring, Peekskill Junior High, Scarsdale Middle, and Pinepoint Academy are currently competing for the top prize. Enjoy your explorations.”
“He did it.” Erika claps. “Made it to the end. Little stinker. Head to the middle?” She strides forward.
A bumping sound over the speakers, and then the voice continues. “Your students should be ready to leave in about ninety minutes. We will make announcements then. Thank you.”
“An hour and a half?” Erika abruptly stops walking, and I bump up behind her, taking the opportunity to give her a quick hug.
Clint and I glance at each other over her head. The tightness around his eyes says it all. “Yeah, we won’t be waiting that long. I’ll go talk to the coach.”
Reid’s dark hair, spiky in the crown, is about all we can see of him as he bends low over a thick laptop. Erika and I find a few metal chairs off to the side. The rest of his team is doing assembly, but as Reid is one of their strongest programmers, they probably know to leave him alone.
Erika suddenly straightens. “I’ll be right back.” She stalks away.
My eyes follow her. Two teen girls in identical wide-legged jeans and huge hooded sweatshirts stand about thirty feet behind us. They look familiar, but no names come to mind.
I shift back to watching Reid. He hasn’t moved.
So focused. I imagine him designing some elaborate air and space control system.
He’s always chatting about how plane travel will look so different in twenty years.
I swallow the lump forming in my throat.
We need to get us all out of here. I glance back at Erika and then pull out my phone to take a picture of Reid.
A couple missed texts from Alyssa glare up from my screen.
We found something.
Call me.