Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9 FRANKY STRETCHED HIS LONG ARMS. He stretched his long legs. He stood on his tippy toes and felt around. His fingers touched the bottom branch, but Shadow was still too high up. Stand up and stretch as high as you can. Put your arms way up over your head. Now wiggle your fingers about. Can you feel a kitten? No, you cannot. That's how Franky felt. "We'll never be able to reach her," said Peter. "Never say 'never' when friends work together!" said Franky. "Wolfy, climb onto my shoulders."

Wolfy climbed up and reached for Shadow. But they were still not high enough. "Vampyra, can you climb onto Wolfy's shoulders?" asked Franky. Vampyra climbed up. But they were still not tall enough. "We're so close!" said Vampyra. "Okay, Peter. Your turn," said Franky. "Be careful!" "But it's so high up!" said Peter. "I'll hold your legs," said Vampyra. "And I'll keep us steady," said Franky.

"We won't let you fall," said Wolfy. "A Junior Monster Scout is always careful and kind." "Well, okay, then," said Peter. He climbed up Franky, up Wolfy, and up onto Vampyra's

shoulders. "A little to the left," said Peter. "A little more. Almost there..." Peter's fingers touched soft fur. "That's it!" said Peter. "Meow," said Shadow. Peter gently lifted Shadow off the branch and climbed back down. He stepped off Vampyra's shoulders and onto Wolfy's head. "Owwwww!" howled Wolfy. "Sorry!" Peter said. Shadow squirmed in Peter's hand. Peter stepped off Wolfy's head and onto Franky's bolts. "Yeowch!" Franky hollered. "Didn't mean that," said Peter. Shadow arched her back. Peter held her tight and slid down off Franky. "That was a challenge!" Peter said.

"You're telling me," grumbled Wolfy, rubbing his head. Once they were all back on the ground, the black kitten jumped right onto Peter's head and curled up under his hat. "I'm so glad you're safe, Shadow!" said Peter. "I was scared that you'd stay lost." "Meow," said Shadow. She had been scared too. But they were still in the Gloomy Woods, and that made them all a little scared. "Maybe we should get out of here," said Wolfy. Everyone thought that was a very good idea. Since Wolfy and Vampyra could see better in the dark, they led the group out of the Gloomy Woods. It felt good to be back in the sun, even for Vampyra, who preferred to sleep in during the day and stay up later at night.

But little did they know that while they'd been helping Peter to rescue Shadow, things had gone crazy in the village! Peter and the Junior Monster Scouts could not believe what they saw. Everyone was leaving the village! Horses and wagons and people with packs and bags and baskets and suitcases marched down the road away from the village and away from the Gloomy Woods and the Junior Monster Scouts. They were taking the road toward the lake, and they were sure in a hurry. It was a long, long line of frantic villagers, with the mayor at the front, leading them all with his bullhorn, on his bicycle. "Hurry!" the mayor shouted through his bullhorn. "Run! Run for your lives! Orderly running, please. No pushing or shoving!" But everyone pushed and shoved. They were running for their lives!