When they neared the shore, Jack realized it was really an island. He figured this was quite neat! He told Tom and Matt. Matt gave out a loud "woohoo" and Tom just said "cool." Jack was the first one to step foot on the island, and claim it their own. Clearly, it was government property, but the boys didn't know . . . and neither would the government. What went on that night would be kept close amongst the three boys in any case, they way they had promised each other.

"Hear ye hear-ye! Ladi- eh . . . Gentlemen. I jack Blakey claim this here island to belong to us. Jack, Matt and Tom. Three brave heroes from the state of New York, that were . . . courageous enough to go through this . . . unknown land. Without fear!"

Tom and Matt cheered in unison from their spots on the ground. After the speech all three boys got up and looked at each other."So what now?" Tom asked.

Matt swacked him on the back of his head lightly. "Search the island, duh!"

"Yeah lets go!" Jack answered.

"In the middle of the night guys?"

"Don't worry Tom, I brought flashlights for each of us." Jack said reaching into a backpack that was still in the row boat, he grabbed two flashlights threw them to Tom and Matt and took out a third from himself. "Plus I got extra batteries."

All three switched on their lights. Matt was a million smiles, pointing the light at his friends and at the trees and ground. Tom seemed to be relaxing at the relief of being able to see. None of the three could ignore the adrenaline that was pumping through their veins, the fear had nearly diminished to nothing, and they were all excited to discover this uncharted land.

Matt willingly went first into the woods, the island wasn't very large, nor small, but to the boys it seemed tremendous. "It might take a week to figure this place out, imagine the whole island." Jack exclaimed, while they crept through the trees. Being that they were agile it was easier for them to move through and around the brush and trees.

"Hey Jack what's that thing?" Matt asked, seeming a bit concerned. His flashlight was aimed toward the sky and the treetops, in and out of the spotlight flew a mysterious creature. Jack knew exactly what it was and was surprised Matt even had to question.

"It's a bat. . . can't you tell?"

"Oh yeah, of course. Oops."

With that problem resolved they continued. Until a few feet later Jack and Matt realized Tom wasn't there.