Chapter 9 - Yates and the Monster

Leo threw his sword towards the monster like a lightning. He jumped in as the monster followed the sword stupidly. The last bottle carrier came in and then put the stack of books from the fifth shelf onto the passage floor. They carefully placed the books back to the shelf. Rachel turned the flashlight on again, complaining all about how she hated to explore the passage before killing the monster. Derek ran to the entrance of the wall and placed another book. Rachel watched the monster as he took three very large pieces of sharp-edged wood. He threw them out of the hole to lure the monster away.

“I’ll put the last book back,” murmured Derek to himself.

“Why?” called Rachel.

Derek didn’t answer. He handed Leo the book.

“I’ll do it,” said Jane.

Leo handed the book to Jane. She didn’t forgot to look at the monster, which looked absolutely puzzled. Her heart was still pounding quickly.

They followed Rachel’s flashlight.

The secret passage twisted and turned, making everybody feel that it was endless. A bottle carrier moaned. Rachel jogged in front of the others. She jogged faster and faster, and finally vanished in a bend. Jane’s heart pounded even faster. She wasn’t as panicked as before, but she was still afraid. Leo jumped at the bumps on the passage floor.

And, Jane heard Rachel’s familiar screech suddenly.

“What the?” shouted Derek.

“The stupid passage ends here! It’s been blocked by some bricks,” screamed Rachel.

“Remove them,” shouted Derek thoughtfully. “Secret passages are often hidden very well. I hope we’re still in the Summer Corner.”

They saw Rachel moving a pile of bricks. The boys went to help her. She suddenly jumped out of the hole of the end of the passage. Jane heard a very loud thud and another screech—a boy.

“Is she safe?” asked Leo.

“Who cares?” said Jane. She still thought that Rachel was a bit annoying. She looked out of the hole and understood why there was a thud.

It was a room outside. The end of the passage was high above the floor, and there was something very odd inside: it was something like—a food truck.

It was basically the same as a food truck, but it had no wheels and no ceiling.

The children were in a hole on the wall. Rachel had vanished.

“Ahh! How—who are you? H-how did you get here? What’re y-you doing?” cried a boy’s voice.

“What are you doing?” screamed Rachel’s voice.

“How did you magically appear?” said the boy.

“The secret passage!” yelled Rachel.

“Wh-wh-what?”

“YOUR SECRET PASSAGE! YOUR OWN SECRET PASSAGE IN YOUR OWN ROOM! Are you a Season Changer, huh? I—I don’t even know you. NOW TELL ME: ARE YOU FROM THE SUMMER CORNER OR NOT? YOU’RE SUSPICIOUS! VERY SUSPICIOUS! DON’T YOU EVEN KNOW THERE’S A STUPID PASSAGE IN YOUR ROOM? HOW COULD YOU DARE BUILD A FOOLISH SECRET PASSAGE IN YOUR FOOLISH ROOM? AND WHAT DOES THIS DO? ARE YOU SELLING SOME FOOLISH FOOD? YUCK!”

Then she started to gasp crazily for a breath because she’d been crying those too fast. She went on, “Oh, god! What—”

“She’s absolutely mad,” whispered Derek.

“Sorry, ” said the boy, “but I don’t know myself actually! Well, guys, we are in the Summer Corner. Come down! I’ll—”

“How?” cried Derek suddenly.

“Jump!”

Derek jumped to the edge of the top of the food truck. Jane followed suit, and so did Leo.

“ I’m Yates, Y—A—T—E—S, Yates. Yates Fox. I’m just a young snack seller. Hey, would you like some kiwi cake or salmon biscuits? Very tasty, you know!”

“What the?” said Derek.

“I’ve never ever heard of that,” said Jane. “But what about the mon–”

“Me too,” Rachel chimed in looking revolted. “Sounds sickening.”

“Don’t worry—never mind—you can have some delicious chicken honey cookie!”

“YUCK!” said Rachel. “ARE YOU STUPID? I’M ONLY HAVING THAT RUBBISH IF YOU’RE SELLING TICKETS TO ME TO BEAT THE MONSTER!”

“What?” asked the boy gasping, looking very shocked.

“There’s a monster over there!” cried Rachel and another bottle carrier together.

“Let me see!” said Yates loudly. He went out of the room and carried a ladder in. He climbed into the hole firmly. No sooner everyone followed him.