Eight Is Lucky

Jean-Claude is driving Gaius, Terence and Roo-kai to the airport.

It's early morning. The traffic is not bad.

Gaius is in the front passenger seat.

Terence and Roo-kai are in the back.

Terence is kicking the back of Gaius's seat.

Stop doing that, Terence, says Gaius. 

What am I doing? asks Terence.

Kicking the back of my seat, says Gaius. I know you are sad, but that won't help Rusty.

Yes, says Roo-kai. Look at the big picture.

Where is it? asks Terence.

You have to conjure it up in your mind, says Roo-kai. 

What's in the big picture? asks Terence.

Everything that happened to lead to this point, says Roo-kai.

Terence stops kicking the seat.

Thank you, Terence, says Gaius. 

What did I do? asks Terence.

You started thinking about the big picture, says Gaius. 

I didn't, says Terence. I haven't even started. Where does it start?

When you met Rusty, says Gaius. 

Terence sighs. That was when it started.

And became his friend, says Gaius.

And he stole a model boat, and we floated out to sea, says Terence. And then we got rescued.

Roo-kai hiccups. Or is it some deeper emotion?

What? says Terence.

You were looking for Saint Roley's brother, says Roo-kai. I am reminded. Which made me hiccup.

Two lost people, says Terence.

One a bird, says Roo-kai.

One a bold golden boy statue, says Gaius. But Rusty is not in fact lost. He is back at Oceanopolis, where really, he is not in much danger.

Except for Hideo! cries Terence. 

The Head of Slugs will be on the lookout for Hideo, says Gaius. And my fish glue is strong.

How many of Rusty's toes are stuck on with fish glue? asks Jean-Claude.

Two, says Gaius.

That leaves eight others.

Eight. A lucky number, says Roo-kai.

Terence brightens. Is it?

Is doesn't matter. Roo-kai has said it.

Which shows he is wise.