7 TIGHT SCRAPE

CHAPTER 7 TIGHT SCRAPE Alexander's brain was spinning as he sat down. Just play it cool, he thought. I can't let Ms. Vanderpants know that I know that she knows about monsters! At least, not until I figure out what's in the UPSTAIRS BASEMENT! A few minutes later, Ms. Vanderpants staggered into the room. "Oh. Good morning, Alexander," she said, setting down her now-empty bucket.

Alexander's jaw dropped. He had never seen his principal so... messy. She still had a tightly coiled braid on top of her head, but stray hairs were sticking up. Her sleeve was ripped. And there were long scratches on her hand. "Ms. Vanderpants!" Alexander said. "What happened?" She began wrapping a bandage around her scratched-up hand. "I had a breakfast mishap." She stopped wrapping. Then she took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. "Alexander," she said. "This has to end. Now." She looked into Alexander's eyes.

Alexander shivered. Without her glasses, Ms. Vanderpants's eyes seemed dark and cold, like a shark's. "I've had my eye on you since the day you moved to Stermont," she continued. "I know you've been battling monsters, and RING RING! Alexander jumped, both from the phone ringing and from the fact that Ms. Vanderpants knew about the S.S.M.P. "Excuse me," she told Alexander. "This call is important." Ms. Vanderpants turned to answer the phone, and Alexander's eyes widened.

Jacket ripped to shreds Strange bumpy vest underneath- armor? Alexander pretended to read while he listened to the call. "This is unacceptable," she said into the phone. "I will take care of him myself. My plan can't fall apart now!" WHAM! She slammed the phone down so hard it cracked. "Morty C. Mingus is stuck at the airport. I'm going to pick him up," Ms. Vanderpants said. She leaned over Alexander's desk. "We will finish our discussion later. But now, I need your help."

Alexander swallowed. Ms. Vanderpants gave him a clipboard. "Here are the things I need you to do today." Alexander looked at the list, and then up at his principal. She was already heading toward the door. "I hope I can count on you for everyone's sake." Principal Vanderpants swept out the door, leaving Alexander alone in the silent office.