12 BLIND SIDE

CHAPTER 12 BLIND SIDE The P-rex looked confused by the strange creature at its feet. It had the body of a colorful pinata, and the head of an Alexander Bopp. "Uh, howdy," said Alexander. He gave a little wave. The monster roared, firing pieces of candy from its mouth.

Alexander's cheeks stung as he got hit with flying jellybeans. The P-rex raised its huge foot above what was left of the Battle Burro, ready to stomp. "ATTACK!" Alexander shouted to his friends. Alexander, Rip, and Nikki tore out of the costume. They rolled to the side, just as the P-rex's foot came crashing down. "BLINDFOLDS ON!" Alexander shouted.

Rip and Nikki pulled the bandanas down over their eyes. They each spun around three times. Then they ran in different directions, swinging their sticks like battle-axes. Alexander circled the P-rex, shouting orders to his blindfolded friends. Rip, swing left! I mean, right! Nikki— duck!" The P-rex didn't know whom to chase. It spun around, nearly swiping Nikki with its heavy tail. WHIFF! Rip took a swing and missed. "Guys!" Alexander yelled. "Just come— oof!" The P-rex snatched up Alexander.

"Salamander?!" called Rip. "GAHHH!" Alexander cried out as the P-rex squeezed him in its claws. The monster lifted him up to its open mouth. The P-rex's breath smelled like the inside of a trick-or-treat bag: mint and peanut butter and sour grape and chocolate. Rip yanked off his blindfold. He ran over to the P-rex and began punching its pinkie toe. PLOFF!

Alexander kicked the monster in the snout. Colorful bits of paper flaked off its nose. The P-rex looked back at him, frowning. Alexander shouted down to Rip. "This big loud monster really is just made of paper! We can shred it! Go get Nikki!" Rip found Nikki. She was still blindfolded, attacking a trash can. He led her back to the P-rex. The monster leaned down, about to grab Rip. "Hit it, Nikki! NOW!" Alexander shouted. Nikki gritted her fangs and swung her rake handle hard. WHACK! The end of her stick connected with the P-rex's belly. Then Alexander went flying through the air.