15 THE QUEEN ANT

CHAPTER 15 THE QUEEN ANT Alexander, Rip, and Nikki wriggled against the steel cable holding them in place. Ms. Vanderpants pointed her narwhal horn at Alexander as she spoke. "Now, Stermont is in serious— Ouch!" Ms. Vanderpants whirled around. An ant creature had chomped her armadillo tail.

"Shoo, you pest!" yelled Ms. Vanderpants. She spun in place, trying to grab the ant. The gi-norm-ants!" said Alexander. "They're trying to help us!" More ants skittered toward Rip. They began chomping at the cable with their sharp mandibles until SPROING! the cable snapped. Then the ants bowed down to Rip. "Nice work, guys!" said Rip. They must think you're the queen ant! Hurry, give them an order!" said Nikki, pointing to the curtains. "Ants!" said Rip. "Take down those curtains!"

The gi-norm-ants formed a line and marched up the curtains. They snipped their way across the top of them. Principal Vanderpants looked up. FLOWIP! The curtains crashed down on her. Morty C. Mingus stopped talking, and turned to look. Ms. Vanderpants's horn ripped through the fabric. She looked up, seething with anger. Everyone in the auditorium gasped.

The younger students and Mr. Hoarsely screamed and shouted, pointing at Principal Vanderpants and the blue ant creatures. They all scrambled out of their seats, and fled the auditorium. But the adults and older kids including Dottie— just seemed surprised that the curtains fell. They didn't seem to notice the monster ants, or that their principal had a horn and a tail. Mr. Mingus threw up his hands. "As Stanley said in book 38: 'When you run out of steam, shovel off.' I'm out of here!" He stormed out of the auditorium. "Wait!" Alexander's dad called, chasing after him. "You forgot to sign my books!"

Ms. Vanderpants untangled herself from the shredded curtain. "You've ruined my plans!" she yelled. "That's exactly what we wanted to do," said Alexander. "We stopped you and your evil plans!" Ms. Vanderpants scratched her horn. "Wait. Evil plans? What are you talking about? I meant my plans to stop the boss-monster. To get your notebook back."

"Huh?" Alexander said. "But we thought—" GLAARGHII!!!! A scaly green arm reached down from the catwalk and grabbed Alexander's principal. "I thought I could count on you, Alexander!" Ms. Vanderpants cried. "But I guess I was wrong..." The arm pulled her up into the darkness.