7 HOLE IN THE WALL

CHAPTER 7 HOLE IN THE WALL Alexander kept looking over his shoulder on the walk home. "Keep your eyes peeled," he said. "The monster could still be nearby!" "So, what kind of monster is it?" Rip asked. "It must be enormous!" Alexander shook some sand out of the notebook. "Here's a super-big one," he said. He read the page aloud.

SKYSCRAPER- SURAPER 50-story-tall snail, covered in spikes. HABITAT 49-story-tall buildings. DIET Bricks, glass, and steel.

LAST SLOWPOKE! Skyscraper-scrapers always come in last place. BEHAVIOR This monster grinds its spiky shell against tall buildings. It eats whatever falls off. WARNING! Skyscraper-scrapers are only afraid of one thing: French chefs. Carry a spatula and say "BONJOUR" a lot to stay safe.

"What do you think, guys?" Alexander asked, shutting the notebook. "I don't know," said Rip. He popped a chocolate drop into his mouth. "That snail-thing attacks skyscrapers, not lampposts and grade schools." "Good point," said Alexander. "I wonder if BBOOOOMMMM!!! The ground shook. A trash can fell over. Its lid rolled down the sidewalk, stopping at Alexander's feet. "Did you feel that?" Alexander asked. The air was still. In the distance, a woman was jogging with her dog. "Over there! Behind the roller rink!" said Nikki. She pointed to a roundish building nearby. They watched birds scatter from behind the roller rink. The trees were shaking.

Rip swallowed. "That must be—" BBOOOOMMMM!!! The trees shook even more. And then— GRRAAARRR! A terrible, lizard-shaped monster rose above the roller rink. It was partly hidden by trees. Alexander squinted. "Is that a DINOSAUR?" he asked. "I think so!" said Rip. ROLLER RINK

Just then, the jogger bounced past, talking to her little dog. "Some strange weather we're having Huh, Sniffy?" She jogged off, smiling. "The dinosaur-thing is right there," said Nikki. "How could she not have seen it?!" "Hold on— it's moving!" said Rip. The monster dropped down behind the big roller rink. Alexander started running toward the rink. "Come on, guys! We need to get a closer look!" They ran over and peeked around the edge of the building. "Where'd that dino-thing go?" asked Nikki, looking around. "I don't know," said Rip. "But look what it did!"