Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7 Once the elevator doors were open, Park Ranger Woo went to work. She asked everyone to stay back until she'd caught whatever animal was in there. "It's a bat," Abbi muttered again. "All the more reason to clear the area, then," Park Ranger Woo said kindly. "Bats can have rabies or parasites. You wouldn't want to get exposed to any of that!" Abbi nodded and drove toward the other end of the hall. Daniel followed. Barkley tried to sneak a little closer to the action, but Lydia gently snagged his collar,

holding him back. "We gotta let her work, boy. Abbi, should I take Barkley outside? He might spook the bat." "Good call," Abbi said. "I'll be out there soon. I wanna see what Park Ranger Woo does!" The woman walked back to the three friends. She had put on heavy-duty work gloves and was carrying a small plastic container—the kind you might pack a sandwich in for lunch!— with tiny holes poked into the lid. "There's not gonna be much to see yet," she said. "I think your bat is roosting toward the top

of the shaft, so I'm heading upstairs." Abbi deflated. Once again, she was going to miss out on all the action! Park Ranger Woo saw the disappointment on Abbi's face and said brightly, "How about you all wait outside, and I'll come find you once I'm done." "Okay," Abbi said, pouting more than she would like. Daniel gave a thumbs-up to Park Ranger Woo. "Good luck!"

An hour later, the kids were sipping freshly brewed apple cider on the front porch, overlooking the moat. Barkley, happily chowing down on his own dried apple chips, snapped his head up and thumped his tail excitedly.

Abbi glanced toward the door and saw Park Ranger Woo coming out. She was carrying the plastic container, and there was something in it! "Look! She did it!" Abbi cried. "Of course I did," Park Ranger Woo said. "Where's your mom? I assume you all want to take a look at our little friend." Lydia chugged the last of her cider and came to kneel close to Abbi. She was still scared of whatever was haunting the house! Wallis's voice rang out from somewhere above them. The balcony off her office, Abbi guessed. "I'll be right down!" As they waited for Abbi's mom, Park Ranger Woo carefully set the container on the

table. The plastic was cloudy. It was hard to make out what was inside except for a small, dark shape. "Was it a bat?" Abbi asked. "It was a bat, right?" The woman laughed. "It was a bat." Abbi fist pumped, and Lydia let out a long, relieved sigh. Daniel leaned over the table, close to the lid. "How did you get it out?" He reached toward the container before quickly thinking better of it and pulling his hand back.