Chapter 5

chapter five In the movies, everyone's like, "Road trip!" and the next scene is a big shot of a convertible cruising down the highway and there's a fun road trip song blasting. But in real life, you gotta do stuff first: like pack. Packing is awful, so I decide I'll only bring a few of my favorite things. But then I realize, all my things are my favorite things. I wouldn't have them if they weren't my favorite.

I need the microwave. This toilet, that fancy fur hat. And this pile of stale Snickers bars. The couch, The window from the western wall. And this pocket linen. I've been collecting the stereo system, my books. eh forget the books, but I also need my key chain collection. And c'mon, jerk. Of course, I also have to bring my Zombie Squad—and I don't think they'll fit in the back seat. But just as I'm realizing I have a problem— I learn that Quint has already solved that problem. The tree house starts shaking and I hear the song from The Goonies blasting from some very serious speakers. I rush out onto the deck. My

eyes can barely believe the vehicle I see rumbling to a stop down below..... BIG MAMA ROAD TRIP EDITION In a flash, I'm downstairs, running my hand along the massive new version of Big Mama. "Check this out!" Quint says. "The motorhome is connected to the back of Big Mama, so we can go to and fro without stopping." "I'm all about going to and fro!"

"And back here," Quint says, pointing to a big horse-trailer type thing, "is where your zombies can stay." Monsters are piling out of Joe's to see our new tricked-out ride. Seeing our monster friends together like this makes me realize, again, that this is actually happening. We're saying good-bye—for I dunno how long—to the tree house and Wakefield and our monster friends. And that means there's no way we can leave town without having one final... MEGA MONSTER GOOD-BYE CELEBRATION PIZZA BASH AT JOE'S!

Toward the end of the party, I find myself getting choked up as I watch June and Biggun dancing to an old '80s song about good-byes. I walk outside. The tree house looms above me, more impressive than ever. The idea that this might be the last time I see my tree house, my home, under the moonlight, is too much. "Jack, am I interrupting your tears of joy?" Wiping at my eyes, I see Skaelka. "These aren't tears of joy, Skaelka. These are— nevermind, you wouldn't understand." "I have a favor to ask, Jack. A great favor." I sigh. "Yes, Skaelka. I already told you—if I don't return from this big quest, you can have my collection of wallets taken from zombies."

"Oh, not that. I already took those. This favor is much bigger..." I've never seen Skaelka so serious. Oh man —does she need a kidney? Am I her go-to kidney person? Because I feel like she and June are probably more buddy-buddy than me. And June's got a way better diet. And— "Jack, do I have your attention? So that I may ask the favor?" "Geez, Skaelka. Yeah. Go ahead. You're scaring me." "What I saw out there, in the wilds—Thrull's power is growing... There are things that I must do—and I must do them quickly. So I ask you..."