Chapter 5: Rescue In Monster Land (Part 2)
Finally deciding that Zombos must be held by the dark power in the tower on the right, our valiant rescuers wait patiently for nightfall before making their rescue attempt.
"That's funny," said Steve Brown.
“What's funny?” asked Iloz Zoc.
“I was thinking about the first time we met.”
“How odd; I was thinking about that, too. Why, it seems like only yesterday — I remember it quite clearly,” said Zoc, cupping his hands behind his head as they reminisced.
“Now what?” I said.
“Don’t leave me,” moaned Zombos. He had just returned from taking junior to see Curious George, at Zimba’s insistence of course. She can be so cruel at times.
“Here, just hold this compress to the back of your neck — and keep your head lower. Take deep breaths, too. I will return.” I handed him the cold compress.
The doorbell rang again. “Oh, bother!” I hopped down the staircase a few steps at a time.
When I opened the front door, I was quite startled. A UPS truck was parked in the driveway, and a deliveryman was standing on the front steps, two boxes piled at his feet and a smile on his face. He shoved his electronic signing gadget in my face with glee.
“How did you get through the gate?” I asked.
“Oh, your lawn guy, Petronious... ”
“That’s Pretorious,” interrupted a high-pitched voice coming from behind the tall shrub on the left.
“... Pretorious let me in.” The UPS man was practically beaming. “Please sign here.”
“I see,” I replied. “Did you have any trouble getting past the sand pits?”
“What? Those?” He glanced around. “Nah, made me a little homesick, though; I spent the last four years with UPS Egypt.”
“Really?” I cleared my throat. I signed for the delivery.
“I’m Steve Brown. I’ll be your regular delivery person from now on.”
“How appropriate.” I handed the signing gadget back to him. “I am... ”
“You must be IL; they told me about this place. Hey, can I get a photo?” He pulled a cell phone from his pocket and stuck his head close to mine.
This will freak ‘em out for sure back at the... ”
“Thank you,” I said, quickly picking up the boxes.
“Not sure why everyone’s so spooked about this place. I mean, that other guy they told me about is doing fine; he’s got the feeling back in his arm already — electric eels in the fountain — hey, who woulda guessed?”
“It helps keep the duck population down,” I said.
Article comments