Lost Cipher Read Online Free PDF

skinny—“lean” is what his grandma called him all the time—but this kid was big in the chest and shoulders, like some of the eighth grade kids who played football at Lucas’s school. He wore a backward, flat-brimmed cap, with bright blond hair poking out from under it. Slung over one shoulder was a slick, brightly colored daypack with a rubber water tube hanging out of the top. Like his clothes, the pack looked straight off the store shelves. And expensive.
    George was the first to speak. “Welcome to Camp Misery,” he said with a goofy grin.
    The new boy ignored him. Instead, he unzipped one of the pockets of his pack, retrieved a metallic red smartphone and plugged a set of earbuds into it. He tossed the phone and the pack up onto the bunk George had just tried to claim.
    â€œI guess this one’s mine, huh,” he said and started to climb up the ladder.
    Lucas spoke up. “Actually, George was…”
    The older boy froze, one foot on the ladder, and stared over his shoulder at Lucas.
    â€œGeorge was what?” he asked, more annoyed than threatening. But it was hard not to be intimidated by the older, bigger kid.
    â€œHe was going to take that one, but he didn’t get a chance yet,” replied Alex.
    The kid grinned, enjoying the little confrontation. He continued up the ladder and plopped onto the mattress. He dangled his feet off the edge and made a show of looking around, even checking under the pillow. Then, raising his eyebrows in mock surprise, he looked straight at Lucas and said, “I don’t see his stuff up here anywhere. Or his name.”
    Lucas looked back hard at the boy, but George, red in the face again, interrupted.
    â€œJeez, girls. Relax. No need to fight over me. One bunk’s as good as the others.”
    Before Lucas could say anything else, the older boy said, “Great!” He lay back on his pillow, stuck his earbuds in, and began messing with his phone.
    â€œWasn’t we goin’ for a swim?” Lucas said, loud enough for the new kid to hear.
    Alex threw his towel over his shoulder. “Yeah, I think we were.”
    A hand came off the phone and gave them a sarcastic, finger-wagging wave.
    Outside, George said, “Is it me, or is that kid a total butthead?”
    All Lucas could think about was his grandma and her pickup, already halfway back to Indian Hole.

CHAPTER 6
    George Funderburk wasn’t much of a swimmer, but his dives were another story. Standing atop the platform, pale belly jiggling, he would announce himself as the “Fabulous Flying Funderburk” and give a special name—like the “Lake Shaker” or the “Fish Flattener”—to each thunderous cannonball or jackknife he was about to perform. The one he simply called his “Thunder Butt,” a cannonball requiring a two-handful grab of his rear end, quickly became the crowd favorite, at least for some of the other boys. The girls, on the other hand, either shook their heads in embarrassment or tried to ignore George and his enormous splashes. When the camp bell sounded, Lucas had nearly forgotten their surly roommate back in Cabin One.
    Maggie’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “Attention, all campers, please meet at the top of the zip line. Bring your swimsuits and your courage. No wimping out allowed.”
    The swimmers cheered and began swimming to shore. As Lucas, Alex, and George dried off, they saw other kids emerging from their cabins. Just when they thought their roommate wouldn’t take part, they saw him bound off the porch of Cabin One, a towel draped from his shoulders and white, wraparound sunglasses pushed back on top of his long, blond hair.
    â€œAt least he’s not planning on playing with his phone all week,” muttered George.
    â€œYeah, and if we hurry, he’ll still be stuck at the back of the line when we’re already flying across the lake,” said Alex.
    The