Zits from Python Pit #6 by M. D. Payne; Illustrated by Keith Zoo

Author:M. D. Payne; Illustrated by Keith Zoo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2015-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

I Pledge Allegiance to Tikoloshe

“Most of our facility—along with the residents—is deep underground,” said François. “However, there was one more thing I wanted to show you upstairs.”

We walked toward the back of the ruin, in the direction that the pterosaur had flown.

We passed a room with rock slabs laid out as tables. Around one table, the adzes hovered over something.

CRUNCH MUNCH MUNCH.

“That must be the cafeteria,” Ben said.

At the sound of Ben’s voice, the adzes’ heads popped up. With a smile, one looked at Nabila. “Hello, snackie!”

Nabila shuddered.

“Don’t bother the residents as they eat,” said François. “Let’s keep going.”

We passed other rooms in the narrow, cool hallway. There was nobody but us.

The end of the hallway led to another large room like the first we had encountered just past the entryway.

“Now we know how the pterosaur exited,” said Shane. “The back of the building is completely gone.”

A warm jungle breeze blew into the room. Vines crept in.

Ben craned his neck to look out at the jungle, which sloped up into a small hill. “I wish I could see another dinosaur,” he said.

Shane pointed up. “Perhaps you should look for a flyby,” Shane said. He turned to François. “I thought you said that you had something to show us upstairs.”

“There is one tower that remains,” said François.

We walked to the far side of the large, open room and came to a door set in the wall. François opened the door to reveal a spiral staircase.

“Up we go,” he said.

We slowly made our way up the spiral staircase. Open windows were chiseled into the stone, and no matter how high we got, still more green from the wild jungle outside crept in.

At the top of the tower was a small room that we could barely fit into.

“Did you bring us up here for the view?” asked Shane. “Because it’s pretty awesome!”

“Do enjoy the view while you’re here,” said François. “But there’s also a bit of business we need to discuss.”

“Business?” I asked.

“You must bow down to the shrine of Tikoloshe and pledge your allegiance,” said François. He stepped aside to reveal a small statue of a gremlin or troll with a wide grin. The statue was surrounded by candles and burning incense sticks.

“That’s one ugly statue,” whispered Shane.

A wind blew through the windows and made the candles flicker. The cloud of incense moved from the statue to Shane’s face.

Shane coughed twice, sneezed, and then . . .

“Arrrrrgh,” Shane yelled. “My nose!”

Shane doubled over in pain. His knees hit the floor. He cupped his nose, which was as red as Rudolph’s, and moaned.

“Shane!” I yelled, and moved forward to help my friend.

I lifted him up by his shoulders and swung his head back.

“Oh man!” I said. “Your nose is completely covered in zits!”

“I think they’re in my nostrils!” he moaned. “It hurts so bad. Make it stop.”

I held Shane in my arms as he dealt with the pain.

“Move away from the shrine, worms,” growled François. “Everyone must pledge allegiance.”

SLAM!

The door at the top of the stairs closed.

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