5 EAR WE GO AGAIN

CHAPTER 5 EAR WE GO AGAIN Alexander met Rip and Nikki after school. He pushed his bike so they could walk together. "We did more experiments on Rip at recess," Nikki told Alexander. "We know one gummy makes his ears turn blue, but if we double it..." She tossed two gummy worms in the air. "Fetch, boy!"

Rip chomped the gummies. His ears became blue and pointy, and a dozen blue freckles bloomed on his cheeks. "See? The spots are back!" said Nikki. "But he's not fully a monster Rip skidded to a halt. "SHHH!!" he said. "There it is again! Do you hear it?" "Hear what?" asked Alexander. "The clicking sound," Rip said. "Nope," said Nikki. "Sorry, Rip." "Really?!" Rip said, waving his arms. "It's a bunch of clicks, like dice rolling on a table... aw, it's gone again." "Your ears just faded back to normal, Rip," said Nikki. "Maybe that sound is, like, part of your monster powers."

"Yeah, maybe," said Rip. They walked a while in silence. "Oh," said Alexander. "Did your teacher tell you Morty C. Mingus is coming to school for the 100th Day party?" "The steam shovel writer?" asked Nikki. "Yeah." "You know, if Ms. Vanderpants invited him, then maybe he's another undercover monster," said Alexander. "Like Dr. Tallow!" Rip snorted. "He MUST be a monster— he created a steam shovel that sings about saying 'excuse me' when you burp!" Nikki laughed. "Well, I guess we'll keep an eye on him," she said. "There's your house, Salamander. See you tomorrow!"