13-LIKE A SEWER RAT

LIKE A SEWER RAT Just then, the shadow disappeared. No one moved. We were frozen with fear. Finally, we hid around a corner. Thea gave us half an hour's rest to pull ourselves together. Trap immediately began searching through his backpack. "This calls for some serious munching!" he squeaked. Out of the bag came a cheddar pie, a bag of nachos, and a jar of mozzarella balls. This was followed by three large rolls, a pineapple cheesecake, and a box of MINT JELLY CANDIES. My cousin opened a thermos and chugged down the contents.

"Gotta love that pickled pepper tea!" he spluttered, smacking his lips. He finished with some onion-flavored chewing gum. "It freshens the breath," he explained. Then he massaged his stomach and let out a loud BURP! I know what you are thinking. How could such a sophisticated, civilized mouse like me be related to such an obnoxious, disgusting mouse? I have asked myself the same question many times. Unfortunately, I have not figured it out yet. Trap is definitely one of a kind. I was still thinking about my annoying relative when Thea's voice broke into my thoughts. "OK, this is it," she announced. "See that tunnel over there? That's where the number 7 line begins. But we'll have to cross the

sewage canal to get there." I stared at the canal. It was so dark. It was so smelly. "I can't do it!" I decided. "Sorry, Thea, but I just can't cross over that sewage." My sister didn't blink an eye. In fact, she was already on her way. "Suit yourself," she said over her shoulder. I ran after her. "Wait!" I shrieked. "You can't just leave me here all alone!" Thea put her paws on her hips. "Well, then, come on, 'fraidy mouse!" she snorted. "I haven't got all day! Move your tail, or I'll tie it up in a knot!" What could I do? I followed with my tail

between my paws. I was still scared, but at least I wasn't alone. Thea threw a rope across the canal. The metal hook on the end of the rope grabbed the ladder on the opposite side of the sewer. We crossed the canal, hanging from the rope. Luckily, it wasn't very deep. The STINKING liquid barely reached our snouts. Still, the smell was enough to make any rodent lose his lunch. UGH! I was glad I had only eaten three cheese balls. At last, we made it to the other side. We had reached the number 7 line.