I noticed, a few days later, people moving furniture into Johnson's office. I remembered hearing that Marian was Johnson's niece. Would she know-? Only one way to find out.

"What do you want, Robin?" She asked, slamming her book shut and scowling at me. "Is Johnson really your uncle?" "Yeah, so what?" "Ok, ok, good. Why did the school costs go up?" She scoffs again. "Why would I know?" "Well, who does it go to?" "It used to go to Dad, but, um, when he-" she gulped back tears. "It goes to my uncle now, so he can give it to the teachers who need it. Theoretically." "What does he really do with it?" "Why do you want to know?" "Please." "He buys furniture. He rolls in the money. That's all I've seen. Probably all he does." I had a sudden flash of appreciation. "Thanks." I gave her a hug and, before turning and walking away, noticed her looking awfully confused, and even a little resentful.

I watched Johnson's office until I was sure that no- one was in it, I snuck in. There was indeed, a lot of paper money, checks mostly, enough to swim in. Before I could think too much, I pulled my bow and quiver from my backpack. I was about to attempt something crazy.  

I scooped up as many checks as I could carry into my backpack. I nocked an arrow with a string attached to my belt and pointed it towards the open window. Just before I shot, Marian burst in. "Robin!" "What is going on here?" yelled Mr. Bass, the math teacher. "Grab on!" I called to Marian, who did as told. I shot the arrow. We were both hurtled out the window.

Marian screamed. We landed on a rooftop. "Are you insane?!?!" Marian screeched. "Probably." I shimmy down the drain-pipe, not even checking to see if Marian was following me. "What are you doing?" "I'm returning that money to everyone." "Wow. You really are insane. Why?" "Because, it's meant to be used for school, not swimming. What your uncle is doing is wrong." "It's not your place, Robin. You're twelve." "It's affecting me. My mom is paying extra money for your uncle to swim in. So is everybody else. That's wrong." "Stop trying to be the hero, Robin. It's not gonna work. You're gonna get in big trouble." "So what?" I landed on the ground. After a moment, so did she. "I can be an outlaw." She snorted. "Who do you think you are? Some kind of cowboy?" "Maybe." "Wow. Robin, you're an idiot. You know that, right?" "Hmmm. Deja vu. Haven't you told me that before?" "Ugh. I'm done trying to reason with you. I'm getting out of here before I'm charged for being an accomplice." "Fine then. I can help them on my own." "Robin, grow up. You're not helping anybody." "Sure I am." "How so?" "Shouldn't you be going now?" "Oh..... Fine." With that, she walked away. Now, I had some work to do.