11 READY TO RUMBLE

CHAPTER 11 READY TO RUMBLE Aaaarrghhh!" Rip, Nikki, and Alexander screamed as they leaped from the coaster. They landed near Dottie. The creature opened its jaws Its howl shook the tunnel. "The ghost!" said Dottie. "It's real!" "It's not a ghost," said Nikki. "It's a whirly- wisp!"

"A whirly-what?" asked Dottie. She swallowed. "That's the thing from Count Chad's crystal ball!" The creature floated toward Alexander, its head bobbing. "Don't be scared, Dottie," said Rip. "We're professionals." Alexander took a step away from his friends. The creature lurched at him. "Watch out, Salamander!" said Rip. "Don't let it touch you!" The skull head began to spin around. "What's happening?!" asked Dottie. Alexander pulled a pencil from his backpack. "If the whirly-wisp tags me, I'll turn to jelly. But if I'm fast enough

With low, quick steps, he ran a loop around the creature. He dragged his pencil along the ground, drawing a circle. "That should do it!" said Nikki. "So long, whirly-wisp!" The creature twisted and jerked. "Didn't the notebook say the monster was supposed to disappear as soon as the circle was drawn?!" yelled Rip. The creature flopped in place, still making a rumbling sound. "Wait a second," said Alexander. He reached up to grab the edge of the creature's gown. "Salamander, no!" Nikki yelled.