Chapter 11

chapter eleven Neither Quint or Dirk really understand this need I have to rescue June. "We just have to!" I say. "It's the right thing to do." Quint rolls his eyes, and leans over— He likes her. Like, like likes her. Cot that. Argh! I say yes just to shut them up, and then we all agree—we'll go to the school to rescue June.

We gather around the big map in the command center to plot a route across town. After some intense debate, we agree on: 1. Down South Street, past the Dozer zone. 2. Across the old bridge, where the Octo-Beast lives (DRIVE FAST HERE!). 3. Around the quarry, where the Stone Tower Monster hangs out. 4. Straight down Main Street, which requires serious driving skills to navigate all the abandoned old cars and undeaders. 5. Up Spring Street to Parker Middle School, where we race inside and I say, "JUNE, I'M HERE TO RESCUE YOU! COME WITH ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!" and June says, "OH, THANK YOU, JACK SULLIVAN! YOU ARE AN AMAZING HERO!" 6. Hop back into Big Mama and cruise back to the tree house, pumping summertime hero jams. 7. Live happily ever after, slaying monsters and living the good life. We all pretty much agree—

Good plan. Great plaid. Best plan anybody ever had in the history of plans? But what to do about Rover? Quint's working on building him a little Snoopy-style doghouse (monsterhouse?), where Rover can sleep and play with his bone. But the monsterhouse isn't done yet. So I say to Rover (like he can understand me...), "Rover, I have to go do something very important. Post-Apocalyptic Action Hero business. You stay here. And for once, DON'T FOLLOW!"

Rover makes a super-sad puppy-monster face. "Don't you make that face at me, Rover," I say. "We'll be back in two shakes of a monster's tail." Inside Big Mama, I wrap my fingers around the leather wheel. I can't believe it. It's happening. The moment I've been waiting for. The opportunity to truly be Jack Sullivan, Post-Apocalyptic Action Hero. It's here. And this is it—the big one...

THE RIDE THROUGH MONSTER LAND TO RESCUE JUNE. All right, fellas. Buckle up. It's time to go get my gal. She doesn't even know your name. Shut up. AND WE'RE OFF!!

At the Old Bridge, I gun it past the Octo-Beast. The Octo-Beast bursts out of the water, flinging his slimy tentacles around! Our bottle-rocket launchers don't fail us— BLAM. BOOM, DE-TENTACLED! At the quarry I burn rubber, pedal to the metal, racing right beneath the giant Stone Tower Monster.