Bug-Napped by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2020-04-13T16:00:00+00:00

The brothers turned to see a man dressed in a white jacket and holding a silver tray. Spread on the tray were dried insects—much like the crispy crunchy kind Leif had to feed his plants!

“Bugs?” Frank gulped.

“You want us to eat them?” asked Joe.

“You can use a toothpick to dip them in the chocolate,” the server explained. “Insects are a great source of protein and quite tasty.”

“No, thank you,” Frank said. “But if you know where we can find a giant beetle—”

“No beetles are being served today,” the server cut in. “Instead, may I suggest the mealworm meatballs or buggy burritos? Phyllis should be out with them in a minute.”

“I’ll pass, thanks,” Joe said. “I think I’m coming down with a… bug.”

As the brothers walked away from the fountain, Frank asked, “Do you really feel sick, Joe?”

“Only from imagining chocolate-covered bugs,” Joe admitted. “I’ll feel a lot better when we find Izumi.”

The adult guests were too busy chatting and snacking to notice there were two kids in the room. While Frank and Joe looked for Izumi, they found bugs behind glass in their natural environments and interactive insect games.

“Check it out, Joe,” Frank called, stopping at the entrance to a darkened room. “Here’s something called the Butterfly Cave, but I don’t think Izumi would be there.”

“He may not be there,” Joe’s voice called. “But I think I found him here.”

“Where?” asked Frank.

He looked around until he saw something tall, completely covered with a white cloth. Underneath the cloth were two feet wearing Joe’s sneakers!

Frank shot over to them and slipped underneath the cloth. He found Joe standing close up against a tall white pedestal. “What are you doing under here?” he whispered.

“Don’t say a word,” Joe replied. “Just look!”

He pointed his chin toward the top of the pedestal. On it was a clear plastic dome. Underneath the dome was a huge multi-legged beetle!

“How do we know that’s Izumi?” Frank whispered. “I don’t see his samurai helmet.”

“That’s because his head is under that little plant inside,” Joe pointed out. “If I could just turn him around so we can see…”

Still under the cloth, Joe lifted the dome with one hand and picked up the beetle with his other. After turning the bug around, he said, “No helmet on this big guy. He may be a beetle, but he’s not Izumi.”

“He’s not even the same color as Izumi,” said Frank. “Put him back and let’s get out of here before—”

“Friends of insects and honored guests,” a voice boomed through the room. “Welcome to the gala opening of Carl the Critter Curator’s Insectarium. In case you haven’t guessed already… I am Carl!”

Frank and Joe stood motionless underneath their tented hideaway.

“I think we found Carl,” Frank whispered.

“Yeah,” Joe whispered back. “And if he pulls this cloth off—he’s going to find us!”

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