“I’m going in,” Doodlebug said
at last. “Wish me luck.”
They heard some whooping
inside, a strange little squawk, and
then nothing more. Encouraged,
Dandelion got the nerve to go next.
After her, Mo and then Bo
entered the Barnacle. Just before he
went in, Punky glanced at Rudyard
and said, “Don’t wait too long, Cuz,
or you’ll be a loser!”
Almost immediately a howl shot
out of the covered bridge. Then
another.Rudyardputhisfingersinhis ears so he didn’t have to hear. But
now he was the only Pinkley left on
the wrong end of the Barnacle. Loser?
No way. Reluctantly, he pushed the
curtain aside and stepped in.
Inside was pitch-dark except
for two gauzy, ghostie-pale figures
f loating near the ceiling. They were
moaning and had only holes for eyes.
Suddenly, one of them zoomed down
towards Rudyard’s face. With a
startled cry, he covered his eyes.
But then, he braced his heart like
theoldwoman hadsaidandwalkedSo what’s your plan
for this apple?
We should make a pie with it!Sweet revenge!Did zomebuggy say, PIE?
Ziss eez a job for Miro!