Chapter 24

chapter twenty-four The celebration in Fleeghaven lasts all night—and not a single drop of Neat-O Buzz flows (just to be safe, and also 'cause it's gross). But Quint, Dirk, and Drooler sleep straight through the fun times, slumbering hard at the Weary Traveler Inn. They probably would have slept through the next day, too, if not for Kimmy's high-pitched voice erupting inside each of their brains, simultaneously, screaming: "RISE AND SHINE, SLEEPYHEADS! WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO, SLUMBER THE WHOLE DAY AWAY?" Dirk whacks the side of his head, trying to hit snooze—before realizing you can't hit snooze on a telepathic wake-up call. Soon, one by one, the adventurers shamble out of the inn. As they step outside, something stops them in their tracks. "Would you look at that..." Quint says. "Some fine carving," Dirk says. "Skaelka must have been busy."

It is a statue of themselves. Dirk holding a sword and Quint with his conjuror's cannon. They look huge, powerful, imposing, heroic, and Kimmy stands in front, beaming at them. So you love it, right? Go on. Say you love it. I can tell you love it. "I do," Quint says. His voice is quiet and full of awe. "I really, really do." "Course they love it!" a voice calls out. "It was my idea!" Quint and Dirk turn to see Galamelon grinning. He stands at the half-destroyed Cine-Bites meal truck, which he has turned into a rinky-dink souvenir stand. "The monsterfolk are letting you stay?" Dirk asks, making his way to Galamelon. "They're not gonna ride you out of town on a rail?"

Are you kidding? I have been reading out of many towns on many rares,but not this day. After my perfectly timed stuffy pool, which went exactly according to our plan,Owen, when the monster love me. No, we don't. Dirk rolls his eyes. "Well, Galamelon, it's been... I dunno. It's been something." "Ahem. Aren't you forgetting this?" Galamelon asks, and his hand suddenly opens, revealing Dirk's wallet. "HEY, GIMME THAT!" Dirk exclaims, snatching the wallet from Galamelon's hand and stalking off. "Freaking Galamelon..." Dirk finds Quint with Kimmy, leaning against the Wrangler. Nearby, Skaelka is busy sharpening a new axe.

Quint elbows Kimmy and asks her the same question she asked them, two days earlier. "So... you in? You should definitely be in. Say you're in." "In?" Kimmy asks. "In for coming with us! To join the fight!" Dirk sidles up next to them, crossing his arms. "Can't believe I'm saying this, but those brain-poking powers of yours—they'd be good to have around." Kimmy frowns. "Ugh, I wish. I really do! But... this is my home—and I'm staying. Don't start getting all wet in the eye sockets, though, I'll be seeing you soon. Y'know, on account of me having taken, like, nineteen dozen brain-snapshots of you—plus a few real pics, too." Dirk groans. "But for real," Kimmy says. "Thank you. Ears crossed that we get to hang again. And when I see you, you guys are gonna be so pumped. Especially you, ol' lovable, huggable Skaelka!"

I love all this embracing skelter does not hug And so, it is nearly time for the heroes to bid goodbye to the town of Fleeghaven. Monsterfolk crowd around them, offering thanks and handing over balls of freshly harvested dough. "Don't like long goodbyes," Dirk says. He taps the mapparatus, bringing the screen flickering to life. "Time to get a move on."

"Right," Quint says. "Just, um, one second. One last thing I gotta do." Walking to Galamelon's shop, Quint doesn't know what he's going to say. He doesn't even know what he wants to say. "Greetings!" Galamelon exclaims, as Quint approaches. "You look like someone in need of conjuring lessons! And I'm just the master conjurer to guide you on your journey!" Quint frowns. "Dude, it's me." Galamelon looks away. "I know," he says softly. After that, neither of them seems to know what to say. They stare at their feet for a long while. And they just might keep staring at their feet, too, if not for Kimmy. "Ugh, enough with these two..." she says, and— for the last time—brain-pokers their thoughts into the air...