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notice. Saul kicks me under the table, but I move my leg and pretend I didn’t notice. After dinner, I go to my bedroom to get ready. I throw binoculars and my cell phone into my backpack. Before I fall asleep, I set my alarm for 4:30 am.
    When the alarm rings, I almost turn it off and go back to sleep.
    Then I remember my plan.
    I lie still to make sure no one else in the house is moving.
    The house is silent.
    Without turning on the light, I dress and grab my backpack. I have to feel my way along the hall and down the stairs. At the door I fumble for my shoes. I open the door an inch at a time. I don’t want to make any noise.
    My kayak is still behind the shed. I pull it to the water and slide it in. It makes a small splash when I let go of the stern.
    I freeze. Nothing moves. My hands shake as I climb into the kayak, but nothing is going to stop me now. In ten strokes I’m under the trees and on my way.
    Dawn is just breaking. There’s barely enough light to distinguish sea from land. My heart thumps. I force my hands to keep calm on the paddle. The kayak glides through the water, slick as a seal. I’m quiet but not fast.
    I glance behind me. In the dark, there’s nothing to see. I lean forward and put on the speed. My stomach muscles tense, and I breathe deeply to give myself more power. I have to get there before anyone else does.
    When I reach Riley Bay, I head straight for the kelp beds to check on the otters.
    â€œHi, guys,” I whisper, even though no one is around. “I’m on a mission today, so I can’t stay and play.” I splash water in their direction. They ignore me and keep eating sea urchins. “Silly,” I say, but I’m glad they’re okay.
    There’s enough light now to see the shore. I climb out of the kayak and drag it past the rocks, then arrange branches over it. You’d have to look closely to see it was there. I brush my tracks in the mud with a pine branch to mask them. As fast as I can, I hike to the hilltop and hide behind a tree.
    Now that I’m still, I think about what might happen if Dad finds out I’m here. He’ll be furious, that’s for sure. It’s tempting to head home and go back to bed and forget about all of this. But then I remember the sea otters. They need me to keep them safe. Until I find out what the man on the hill is doing, I’m not going anywhere. I sit up straighter and wait.
    The sun is still hiding behind the hill when Dad’s boat motors into the bay.
    What’s he doing here? Does he know I’m here? Oh no! Dad stops the motor, and Saul hops onto shore. Dad waves and takes the boat out into the bay.
    I sink back into the tree trunk. Honestly, this was the last thing in the world I expected.
    What are they doing?
    Are they spying on me?

Chapter Five
    Dad and Saul! How can it be? I’m so shocked, I can hardly make my arms and legs move. Spying on me. How could they?
    Anger rises up my face like a red tide. I clench my hands. I’ll show them what it feels like to be spied on.
    When Saul reaches the top of the hill, he’s disguised in the oversized hoodie he was wearing yesterday. Did he think he could hide from me in that?
    Saul sits on a stump. He stares out to sea.
    Waiting for me, I bet.
    I stand up and push off the tree. I’m going to demand an explanation.
    Then I get a better idea. I’ll watch him for a while. Then when I do confront him, he’ll know what it’s like to be watched.
    I creep closer to Saul, staying behind trees so he can’t see me. Saul doesn’t move. I can see the sea otters clearly. He doesn’t seem to have noticed them. Maybe I can only see them because I know they’re there. Maybe he’s not here about the sea otters at all.
    Maybe he’s only here to spy on me.
    Something in my stomach hurts when I think that.
    Saul doesn’t move at all. Is he waiting for me? How many days has he been doing this? How did he