by Jennifer Walker

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: January 08, 2009

Megan and Ashley were excited about this year's Fourth of July fireworks display. This was the first year their parents were letting them hang out together, by themselves instead of with their own families.
"I trust you to behave yourself and not get into any trouble," Megan's mom had told her. "I promise!" Megan said, making an "X" over her heart with her finger. "Come find us by the fountain as soon as the fireworks are over," Ashley's mother had said. "Yes, ma'am!" Ashley said, holding the fingers of her right hand over her eye, making a salute like she'd seen on television. Now, Megan and Ashley were sitting on a blanket, waiting for the opening ceremonies to start. While they waited, they looked around them at the crowd. In a small town like the one they lived in, everyone knew just about everybody else.

Laurence Miller was standing nearby, talking to a group of people. Laurence ran against Stewart Smith, the mayor, in the last mayoral election. "That Stewart Smith is going to run this town into the ground. He should be run out of town on a rail! I'll take over as mayor if it's the last thing I do!" he was saying, very loudly.

"That was a rude thing to say," Megan whispered to Ashley.

"He's always saying stuff like that. I guess he wants the job pretty badly."

Just then, the crowd grew quiet and the town mayor, Stewart Smith walked out on stage. "May I have your attention, please?" he said into the microphone, sending his voice through all the speakers placed around the park. "Happy Independence Day!" The crowd cheered.

Before he could continue, a white car drove across the grass, its horn blaring. Ashley and Megan jumped up off the blanket. When the car was close to the stage, a red-and-white striped arm reached out of the window and threw a small black object that landed at the mayor's feet. Then, the object exploded!

Megan and Ashley screamed and ran away from the explosion, holding each other's hand so they wouldn't get separated. All around them, people were running and screaming.

"Do you see your parents?" Megan yelled, and Ashley shook her head. "Me neither!"

Finally, they reached the fountain near the entrance of the park. There were so many people milling around, they couldn't see their parents.

"What's going on?" Ashley said. Here eyes were wide with fright.

"I don't know, but it looks like someone blew up the mayor!" Megan answered. She was as scared as Ashley looked.

"Why would someone do that?"

Megan thought of an idea. "I don't know, but it sounds like

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