16 THE POINT

CHAPTER 16 THE POINT Alexander's eyes grew wide as the giant balloon snake towered overhead. "So. About these knots said Rip. FWISH! The snake wrapped itself around him. Knots, thought Alexander. His eyes lit up. "Rip, don't move." "No problem," Rip squeaked. "Hey, airhead!" Alexander shouted at the snake. The snake turned to face Alexander. Then it attacked! Alexander bounced to the left, dodging the snake's head.

He frog-hopped around the arena, changing direction with each leap. "Left! Right! Left!" he shouted. The snake followed Alexander's lead. Alexander sprung off a wall and flew behind the snake. "Down! Around!" Finally, he landed near the snake's tail and rocketed straight up. "PULL!" The snake's head shot through its own coils, stretching its body tight. Its huge jaws snapped at Alexander but missed. He fell to the ground and then looked up. The snake had let go of Rip. It had tied itself into a knot— a giant copy of the clown's balloon animal! The snake began twisting about, trying to untangle itself. But the more it struggled, the tighter it squeezed, until...

BLAM! ...it exploded into a shower of confetti. Alexander ran over to untie Rip. Then the two boys bounced their way out of the fortress. Rip looked at the mop-haired, bug-eyed, gut-filled bag of bones that had saved his life. "Thanks, Alexander." Alexander grinned. "My friends call me Salamander." "You know," Rip said, "anyone brave enough to take on an army of SSSSNNMNHN! The boys turned around. The bouncy fortress had sprouted arms, legs, wings, and a long, spiky tail. It had turned into a huge balloon dragon! The dragon charged at the boys.

AAAAAHH!

The dragon zoomed up into the sky like the world's loudest whoopee cushion. A blindfolded man stood where the balloon dragon had been. He was holding a long, sharp pin. "Did I win?" asked Alexander's dad. He peeked under his blindfold. "Nuts! Not even close!" The boys laughed. "I could really go for some cake," said Alexander.

PFFFT! They hiked back to the party. Alexander's dad studied the donkey poster while the boys headed to the picnic table. They found the clown hiding underneath. His bald cap had fallen off, revealing a shock of white hair. "Mr. Hoarsely!" Alexander said. "You passed me that note?" "Boys you're not dead!?!" said Mr. Hoarsely. Rip flexed his muscles. Alexander rolled his eyes.