6 IN THE DARK

CHAPTER 6 IN THE DARK Good morning, early bird!" sang a chirpy voice. Alexander's teacher popped out of a hatch in the classroom wall. Alexander sighed. "Hi, Mr. Plunkett." "You're just in time to help," Mr. Plunkett said. He wheeled out an old machine that looked like a cross between a telescope and a toaster. "You'll be running the projector today."

Alexander fussed with the projector while the rest of the class arrived. Rip gave Alexander a slap on the back as he walked by. Alexander noticed Rip's shadow was Rip-shaped. Then Nikki showed up. At least, she looked like Nikki. But she seemed like a totally different girl. She took long steps. She held her head high. And then, she smiled. It was a mile-wide, eyes-closed, stretch-your-cheeks kind of smile. "Salamander!" Nikki stepped in front of the projector's beam. Alexander squinted as light reflected off the silver wires on her teeth. "I love love love my new braces!" she said. "Your dad's the best!"

Her teeth seemed less pointy with the braces. How could I have thought she was a monster? thought Alexander. Then he gasped. Although Nikki stood directly in the light, she had no shadow!

FLICK! Out went the lights. "Okay, class," Mr. Plunkett said. "What's special about tomorrow?" "It's Gopher Day!" shouted everyone except Alexander. Gopher Day? Alexander wondered. "Yes, Gopher Day!" said Mr. Plunkett. "So instead of a boring old science lesson, we're going to watch a filmstrip today!" Everyone cheered. Except Alexander, again. "Mr. Bopp, start the film!"

EVERY YEAR AT NOON ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING EVERYONE IN STERMONT GOES TO DERWOOD PARK... TO SEE THE STAR OF GOPHER DAY: STERMONT STELLA!

Suddenly, a dark blur washed across the screen. "Boooo!" the class shouted. Alexander fiddled with some knobs, but the smudge wouldn't budge. "Aw, nuts show's over, folks!" said Mr. Plunkett, switching the lights back on. "Remember: Bring your families to Gopher Day!" "And also," said Mr. Plunkett, waving a large envelope, "your pictures are ready." He handed out the photos.