4 THE UPSTAIRS BASEMENT

CHAPTER 4 THE UPSTAIRS BASEMENT Since moving to Stermont, Alexander had been swallowed by a fish-monster, squished by a bubble-wrap mummy, and zapped by electric bugs. He'd survived each attack for two reasons: 1. He had the notebook. 2. His friends were by his side. Now, neither of these things was true. And to top it all off, his new teacher was the strictest, most serious person he'd ever known. Alexander dragged himself into the shiny, towering lobby of his school. His shoulders slumped on the long escalator ride to the thirteenth floor.

Alexander had been all over his new school, but this was his first trip to the principal's office. First of many, he thought. He plodded down the hallway, pausing at a large, stone door. Everything in this school was shiny and high-tech, except for this door. Basement? On the 13th floor?! Heavy stone Five locks UPSTAIRS BASEMENT Alexander cupped his ear to the cold stone. SCRITCHHH! A faint scraping sound came from the door. "Alexander!" Alexander jumped. He turned to see Principal Vanderpants standing nearby, arms folded

"This way, Alexander." Ms. Vanderpants led him down the hall to her office. Everything in the room was clean and gray. Except for a large white bucket near the door.

Didn't Nikki say something about a bucket when she got in trouble last week? Alexander thought. "Have a seat," said Ms. Vanderpants. "I expect you to work hard, even when I am dealing with principal matters. Any questions?"

"Um," said Alexander. "Why does our school have a 'basement' on the thirteenth floor?" Ms. Vanderpants narrowed her eyes. "It's a ...storage room," she said. "Now, shall we get to work?" She handed Alexander a spelling worksheet. Alexander started writing. The room was silent except for his scratching pencil. At one point, the phone rang. "Ms. Vanderpants," said Ms. Vanderpants. Alexander listened while he worked.

"I'm not surprised the milk went bad. That cooler has been overheating since our electricity problem a while back," said Ms. Vanderpants. "What?! Someone stole the spoiled milk? Well, clean up the mess and—" HOO-RONNNNNK!!! The call was interrupted by a terrible noise blaring through the window. Alexander gasped. The honk of the caboose- crasher! Ms. Vanderpants looked at Alexander. Then she slammed the phone down. "I'll be right back." She marched out of the room. Did Ms. Vanderpants hear the monster, too? Alexander wondered. I wish lunch would get here I've got to tell my friends the caboose-crasher is back!