Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15 THAT NIGHT'S SCOUT MEETING TOOK place around a nice, toasty campfire. Can you smell the wood burning? Can you hear the crackle? Can you see the bright embers dancing up into the star-filled summer sky? Campfires are nice. Summer campfires are even nicer. And summer campfires with s'mores? The best. "Well, sounds like you had a very exciting afternoon," said Esmeralda. She handed out marshmallow sticks. There were a lot of sticks. Not only were the Junior Monster Scouts there; and their moms; and Vampyra's aunts Belladonna, Hemlock, and

Moonflower; but also Dracula, and Wolf Man, and Doctor Frankenstein, and the cubs, and Sprocket, and Igor Junior, and Igor Senior, and finally, last but certainly not least, George. Wolfy's mom, Harriet, opened her Junior Monster Scout handbook. "Let's start tonight's meeting by saying the scout oath," she said. Everyone joined in. "I promise to be nice, not scary. To help, not harm. To always try to do my best. I am a monster, but I am not mean. I am a Junior Monster Scout!" "It sounds like you weren't only helpful today," said Vampyra's mom, Vampirella. "It sounds like you were clever."

"Regular detectives!" said Aunt Belladonna. "Supersleuths!" said Aunt Hemlock.

"No clue too confusing for these clever monsters!" Aunt Moonflower said. "Which is why you are receiving your Mystery Merit Badges," said Harriet. "All four of you." She looked right at George and pinned the merit badge to his shirt. George smiled, and even though no one could see his smile, they could feel it. "Gee, thanks!" he said. "You're very welcome," said Esmeralda. "I believe we have another surprise tonight, don't we?" said Dracula. Vampirella smiled. Her fangs glinted in the campfire light. "Indeed we do," she said. "Fern, cubs, congratulations. You are the very first Little Junior Monster Scouts!" Wolfy leaped up and howled at the moon. Everyone howled along with him.

It was a Junior Monster Scout meeting to remember! OINK! CLUCK! MOO!