11 BIG, ORANGE, AND HUNGRY

CHAPTER 11 BIG, ORANGE, AND HUNGRY Alexander ran through the woods behind his house. He couldn't wait to tell his friends about what Ms. Vanderpants had said and about the onion peel. The S.S.M.P. headquarters an old caboose was hidden in the woods. Nikki was already there, drawing in the dirt with a stick.

"Where's Rip?" asked Alexander. "Not here yet," said Nikki. "I hope he's okay." "Nurse Brock probably sent him home," said Alexander. "So... how was your meeting with Principal Vanderpants?" asked Nikki. "You'll never believe this," said Alexander. "I'm not in trouble. In fact, she made me Head Student Chef for tomorrow's Chili Supper." "Whoa!" Nikki said. "Speaking of 'chef'... That's what I needed to tell you I saw who turned out the lights in gym class. It was our new chef the one who changed the menu!" Alexander frowned. "Hmm, I found something weird, too." He showed Nikki the big onion peel. "This was in the air conditioner! And the dial was set to DOUBLE ANTARCTICA!" Nikki drew a line in the dirt. "Okay, let's make a list of what we know."

-WEIRD CHEF -DESSERT FOR LUNCH -COLD SCHOOL -GIANT ONION -FLYING GREEN BALL MONSTERS Alexander looked at Nikki's list. She had drawn three circles in a row. He gasped when he saw the circles. "Nikki! That's it! Pass me your stick!"

Alexander drew two arcs around the circles. "Those balls were peas! Giant peas!" yelled Alexander. "And... the onion with a skin this size must be HUGE!" Nikki narrowed her eyes. "You think we're up against vegetable monsters?" "Yes!" said Alexander. "Veggie monsters must have lowered the temperature to turn Stermont Elementary into one big vegetable drawer! Like in a refrigerator!" He smacked his forehead. "Oh! Remember that round-looking repair guy? He must be an onion! That was his peel in the air conditioner!" Nikki nodded. "That explains everything except for the crazy lunches. Why is ice cream suddenly on the menu?"

"To fatten you up!" growled a voice. Alexander and Nikki jumped back. The new chef stepped into the light. He yanked off his hat. Green leaves sprung up. "You're a carrot?!" asked Alexander. "Yes!" said the carrot. "And I'm hungry! We plan to eat everyone at tomorrow's feast. But your tender friend said you'd try to stop us... so I felt like having a little pre-dinner snack!" The monster tromped forward, flashing its pointy teeth.

Alexander threw his stick at the carrot. The carrot laughed. "You can't hurt me with a stick! We don't feel pain— we're vegetables!" Suddenly, the carrot froze in place. It began to tremble. SHISSII-SHISSH. A white rabbit peeped out from some nearby weeds. The rabbit sniffed the air, then hopped toward the carrot.