Chapter 7

chapter seven The next morning, I'm launched out of my bed like it's spring-loaded. Because it is. See, Dirk got annoyed with me sleeping in and then complaining that his epic pancake buffet breakfasts were cold—so he and Quint supercharged my mattress springs. But this morning, when the spring-loaded launcher sends me out the window, I'm not even mad...

SPROING-OING-OING! Back inside, I do a sweep of everyone's bedrooms, banging on doors. "Rise and shine, sleepyheads! Up and at 'em! We were supposed to be on the road nineteen minutes ago!" "READY AND RARIN'!" June says, practically exploding out of her bedroom. She looks like a camp counselor, whistle around her neck, action fanny pack clipped to her waist, lists in hand.

Quint appears, standing at attention like he's ready for roll call. "OK, Dirk, get the rest of your stuff," June says, consulting her notebook list. "We gotta get this show on the road!" "Garden's in the back," Dirk says. "Everything else I need is right here." He motions to a small plastic grocery bag, stuffed with a few crumpled shirts and pairs of underwear. "That can't be all you're bringing!" Quint says. "What about clothes? Sunscreen? Change of shoes? Rain jacket? Winter jacket? Spring jacket? Autumn jacket?" While they're discussing how many jackets are appropriate for a post-apocalyptic road trip, I sneak away to say good-bye to Rover. I did most of my good-byes last night—but I saved Rover for today. I try to do it quickly, like ripping off a Band- Aid. But no matter how quickly you yank it off, it still stings. Also, sometimes there's sticky black gunk left stuck to your skin. It's the worst...

I'll see you soon, buddy. Promise. And then we're throwing our stuff into Big Mama, climbing in, laughing, joking, and setting off... —Fifteen minutes later, Big Mama is rumbling through town. My friends goof around, all full of "this is the start of something epic" energy. But I sit quietly, watching the town roll by. We pass my old house. There's a big hole in the ground where the tree house used to be,

before the Wormungulous relocated it to the Joe's Pizza parking lot. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up—like I'm being shocked with static electricity. There's something behind the house, through the trees. I don't know what, but I swear it moves. I rub my eyes, which are—whatevs, I'll admit it—raw from saying good-bye to Rover. When I look back up, whatever it was—it's gone. But I can't shake the feeling that someone or something was there... watching us... —We're turning onto the highway when my eyes refocus, and I see a crowd clustered on the sides of the road. Quint turns and grins. Dirk slaps me on the back. "This part was a surprise. Figured you'd dig it." It's all of our monster friends standing and waving. Bidding us farewell...

We wave and we shout and Dirk blows kisses. But soon, the monsters are in our rearview mirror, and it's open road as far as the eye can see. The Fun Land entrance slides by out my window as we pass the amusement park. It's not the same place it was a year ago: invading