10 SNOW DAY

CHAPTER 10 SNOW DAY Alexander heard a new sound when he awoke. The sound of his teeth chattering. The cabin was freezing! "Rip? Leo?" he said, sitting up. "Did you— He looked around. Rip and Leo were gone. "AAARGHH!!" Someone was shouting outside. Alexander tried to look out a window, but it was frosted over. He hopped out of bed. He hadn't packed any warm clothes, so he threw on some shorts and a shirt over his pj's.

Then he opened the cabin door, and gasped. The entire camp was covered in a deep layer of snow. The other campers were running every- which-way, laughing and throwing snowballs. Nikki and Rip tromped over, waving. Nikki had tied her yellow floppy hat down over her ears. "Salamander!" said Rip. "While you were hibernating, I told Nikki all about the snombies." "It's crazy," said Nikki. "Did they make this super-fun blizzard?"

"I don't know," said Alexander. "The notebook says they're made from snow, but it doesn't say anything about snombies making snow." BLAAAAAAAAARP! Ranger Harry marched out, still wearing shorts and sandals. "This snow is terrific!" he said. "Now we can learn winter survival skills." The ranger handed everyone a shovel. Rip groaned.

"Camp Rule #19: Work to stay warm!" said Ranger Harry. "You'll all clear different paths around camp." He brought out his clipboard. Dottie raised her hand. "What's salt duty?" she asked. "You'll be spreading salt on the snow to help it melt," Ranger Harry explained. "Just like my dad salts our driveway in the winter!" Alexander said. "Yup! And when everyone's finished," Ranger Harry said, "head to the campfire circle. We're going to cook s'lesses!"

"What are s'lesses?" asked Anna. "They're like s'mores— said Ranger Harry. "Yay!" cheered the campers. "But without the chocolate and the graham crackers," Ranger Harry continued. "And instead of marshmallows, I use dandelion patties." "Booooo!" said the campers. "Get busy, gophers," said Ranger Harry. "I'm going to find firewood." He headed to the trees. Everyone began clearing their trails. "Watch where you shovel!" said Dottie. "My bunny trap is somewhere under this snow." Alexander and Rip dug a circle around the cabins. Nikki plowed her way over a hill.

After a few minutes, Alexander stopped shoveling. "Rip," he whispered. "Did you hear something?" CLINK-CLINK! "It's coming from over by the rope bridge!" Rip said. "Nikki!" said Alexander. They threw down their shovels and followed Nikki's footprints. A round, snowy figure stood on the bridge. "Is that the snombie from last night?" said Rip, squinting. "It doesn't look the same..." said Alexander. This one had no arms and no face. And it was wearing a floppy yellow sunhat.