12 GOPHER DAY!

CHAPTER 12 GOPHER DAY! Derwood Park was packed with balloons, snacks, and people. "Wow! Gopher Day is a big deal," said Alexander.

"I know," Rip said. "The whole town shuts down for this thing. If you ask me He looked back at Alexander, who had stopped in the middle of the crowd. "What?" he asked. "Look," Alexander said, nodding toward the sidewalk. Rip looked down. The people walking by were casting strange shadows. Some had horns, some had wings, some had tentacles. But none of the shadows looked human.

"It's crazy how nobody seems upset by their weird shadows," said Alexander. "But wait! Look over there!" said Rip. "That kid with the camel shadow is going nuts!" The boy was trying to point out a shadow smasher to his mom. She didn't seem interested, even when the camel shadow did a handstand. Just then, two shoes stepped into view with no shadow. "Nikki!" said Alexander, looking up. He glanced at Rip, who glared back. "I'm glad I found you guys," said Nikki.

"Not now!" Rip shouted. "One monster at a time! We'll handle the shadow smashers, and then we'll kick you out I mean we'll talk mean... um... Salamander?" Nikki looked at Alexander. "What's he talking about?" Alexander sighed. "Nikki, we feel awful about this, but as members of the Super Secret Monster Patrol, we have, I guess, a duty to... That is..." "Wait!" Nikki laughed. "Are you kicking me out of the S.S.M.P.?" "Um," said Alexander. "I, uh..." "Well, that's just perfect," said Nikki. "Because I actually came by to tell you I QUIT!" The boys' mouths fell open. "Oh, please!" said Nikki. "The S.S.M.P. fights monsters! Monsters like, oh, I don't know... ME! I don't want to be in your stupid monster-hating club anyway!"

Alexander frowned. "But "Yeah, yeah," Rip said. "It's a real stake through the heart. Now let's go, Salamander!" "Well, good!" said Nikki. She spun on her heels and disappeared into the crowd. Before Alexander could say anything, he felt a jerk at his arm. "It's almost noon," said Rip, "and I think I know where the shadow smashers will strike!"