He remembered Plato's words: A girl will get interrible trouble if she tries to attend the OlympicGames.
Jack shook his head at her and pointed his finger, asif to say, Get out of here!
But Annie just waved at him again.
Jack kept shaking his head at Annie. He even shookhis fist.
Annie turned back to watch the race.
"It's not a joke!" Jack shouted.
Plato turned and looked at him.
"Of course not," said Plato. "We take the gamesvery seriously."Jack felt his face grow hot. He glared at Annie'sback.
Just then the trumpet sounded.
"The chariots are taking their places," said Plato.
Jack saw the dozens of chariots lined up on the racetrack. Each chariot was pulled by four horses.
Jack glanced back at Annie. She was looking up athim, pointing at the chariots.
The trumpet sounded again.
The horses took off.
The crowd went wild. They were cheering andscreaming and stamping their feet.
Clouds of dust rose up as the chariots raced aroundthe track.
Annie turned back to watch the race. She beganjumping up and down.
"Go! Go! Go!" she shouted.
A few people began staring at the strange smallsoldier with the high-pitched voice.
Jack couldn't take it anymore. He had to get Annieaway before it was too late!
He shoved his notebook into his pack.
"I have to go!" he shouted to Plato.
The philosopher looked surprised.
Jack was afraid to tell him that Annie had brokenthe rules.
"I had a great time. But I have to go home now,"said Jack. "Thanks for everything!""Have a safe journey," said Plato.
Jack waved and started down the steps.
As he climbed down, he saw Annie pull off herhelmet.
Her pigtails flew up and down as she jumped andshouted, "Go! Go! Go!"Her soldier's cape fell off.
Now lots of people were staring at her.
Someone shouted for the guards.
Annie was too busy cheering to notice anything.
Jack moved as quickly as he could.
But two big guards got to Annie first.
