2 SOUP'S ON!

CHAPTER 2 SOUP'S ON! Alexander, Rip, and Nikki took the long way home. They followed a path through the woods that led to an old caboose, with the letters S.S.M.P. on the side. SUPER SECRET MONSTER PATROL CLUB MEMBERS Alexander The trusty leader! Nikki Brave and smart! Rip Loud and strong! (But mostly loud.)

The three friends stepped inside S.S.M.P. headquarters. A map of Stermont hung on one wall, near a shelf full of random objects.

"I'm glad we stopped here," said Alexander. He loaded his backpack with monster-fighting gear. "Don't forget the notebook," said Rip. "Already in here," said Alexander. "I never go anywhere without it." He pulled a beat-up notebook from inside the backpack.

S.S.M.P.= (Super Secret Monster Patrol!) CREEPY SKULL! Full of monster drawings! "Now we'll be ready to fight all kinds of monsters," Alexander said. Nikki coughed. "You mean bad monsters, right?" she said. "Of course," said Alexander. Nikki was actually a good monster, called a jampire. JANIPIRES LIKE: seeing in the dark, eating anything red and juicy. DISLIKE: sunlight.

"You know," said Rip, putting his feet on the table. "Dr. Tallow is an awesome teacher. Her classroom-pet zone is super-fun, and now she's letting us ride roller coasters!" "Yeah, whatever," Nikki said. "I think she's kind of— Nikki was interrupted by a voice shouting across the woods. AL! DINNERTIME! "Gotta go!" said Alexander, scooping up his backpack. "See you tomorrow!" Alexander ran through the woods to his house.

His dad set two steaming bowls of tomato soup on the table. "Dig in, AI!" he said. "I'll grab some drinks." While his dad was in the kitchen, Alexander snuck a peek in the notebook. He was so focused on reading it that he missed his mouth with the spoon. SPLAAARP! Soup splattered everywhere. I have to be more careful, he thought. This notebook is the S.S.M.P.'s secret weapon! Alexander wiped the pages with his napkin.