Zoned Out #2 by James S. Murray & Carsen Smith

Author:James S. Murray & Carsen Smith [Murray, James S. & Smith, Carsen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2022-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ray wanted to pee his pants.

With Meekee perched on his shoulder, he walked through the empty, dark halls of Area 51. He followed the map with directions leading to the home of the dreaded Loch Ness Monster that Dr. Frank had drawn up for him. His every footstep echoed in the vacuous corridors, reminding him just how alone he really was. In his other trembling hand, he held on to the growth ray for dear life, ready to use it at a moment’s notice.

Sending us after these creatures? That woman is trying to get us all killed!

Ray tried to conjure up all the information he had ever seen or read about the Loch Ness Monster.

I know it’s from Scotland. I like Scottish things. Bagpipes aren’t my favorite, but I think I could really look fabulous in a kilt. But kilts can be awful drafty . . .

He thought hard, trying to summon an image of the creature to his mind.

It’s got a long neck. It swims really fast. Rows of sharp teeth.

Ray felt his knees begin to wobble. He stopped in his tracks.

“Meekee?” Ray said.

The alien looked back at him with his three big, blinking eyes. His antenna wagged from side to side like a happy puppy’s tail.

“Do you know how to swim, Meekee?” Ray asked. “Is there even water on your planet?”

“Meekee!”

“Who? Me? Of course!” Ray nervously chuckled. “Of course I know how to swim!”

He didn’t.

“Meekee?” The fuzzy green peach of a creature tilted his head to one side inquisitively.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Ray said.

Meekee blinked back at Ray, the English words clearly going right over his tiny extraterrestrial head.

“Ya know,” Ray said. “I feel like I’m always the one putting effort into this relationship.”

“Meekee!”

“Who am I kidding?” Ray said. “I can’t swim! I sink!”

He hadn’t felt terror like this since at least last week. Ray couldn’t remember a time in his life when he’d been so afraid as the moment he’d accidentally shrunk himself in the middle of a battle with real-life aliens. Even the growth ray felt dangerous in his hand. He looked down at the side of the barrel again, checking for the fifteenth time that the knob was set into Shrink mode.

The last thing I need is to make a giant monster even giant-er.

I can’t believe she sent me here alone. I do much better in teams.

Meekee let out a squeaking, toothless yawn. Even from an alien, the yawn was contagious, sending Ray into an open-mouthed and laborious inhale.

“I’m tired, too, buddy,” Ray said. “Let’s get this over and done with, and then we can go back to bed.”

He glanced down at the map again. They were getting close. Around a few more corners, and they should arrive at the intersection of the Loch Ness Monster observation area and the Area 51 library.

After another hundred steps, Ray looked up.

We’re here.

The iron doors were massive, towering over Ray’s head by at least twenty feet.

Drilled into the wall next to the gigantic, bolted latches,

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