10 JUST IN CASE

CHAPTER 10 JUST IN CASE Alexander stood in a huge stone room— the mummy's chamber. There were strange carvings on the walls. Fake torches gave off a soft, dancing light. Cold fog covered the floor. There was no sign of the hand-creature.

CLACK! Something moved at the far end of the room. Alexander crept toward the noise. The floor felt ice-cold through his footie pajamas. He came to a tall, golden box. There were snakes and beetles carved on the sides. A skull was painted on top. The mummy cuse! he thought. The torches flickered. The case started to shake. Then the lid popped open!

"AUGHGHH!" Alexander jumped back. "EEP! Don't hurt me!" screamed the pale. ghostly figure inside. Alexander stopped. He blinked a few times. "Mr. Hoarsely? What are you doing in there?" Mr. Hoarsely was shaking like a jackhammer. "That guard spooked me. I ran down here and guess what?! The mummy case was wide open, and empty! So I hid inside!" he said. "The Bumpy Mummy must be alive!" "I knew I saw it yesterday," said Alexander. "Y-y-you did?" said Mr. Hoarsely. "Yes. But wait," said Alexander. "I thought the mummy only came alive if someone stole the Ruby Scorpion. And I just saw the scorpion upstairs. It's safe and protected by lasers!"

"Lasers-shmasers!!" Mr. Hoarsely shouted. "The mummy is definitely out there because it's not in here! Case closed!" SLAM! Mr. Hoarsely shut the mummy case. Alexander thought about what Mr. Hoarsely had said. He zipped to the exit, cutting through the swirling fog.