Age Level: 6-12

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing; 1 edition

Publication Date: November 17, 2017

ASIN: B076TVWSZ7

Purchase from Mirror World Publishing

Read an Exclusive Excerpt:

Nikki and Tim snooping around the mad scientist’s camp boat.

We got to a place that was covered in brush and thick with willows. We slowed down so we could examine the situation.

A wooden ramp lay between us and the deck of a tiny floating camp. It was way smaller than my houseboat. Either side of the ramp was filled with black water and weeds.

“His truck isn’t here,” Tim whispered. “I saw it leave out earlier.”

“Probably when he went to pick up his order at Big Red’s.”

“I never saw it come back.”

“Maybe he had other errands to run,” I said. “Or realized some of his order was missing and went back for it. I’ll just leave it on his deck.”

I stepped onto the rickety ramp. The boards were rotting and barely hanging together.

“We’d better go one at a time,” I said.

Snooper suddenly began barking wildly and ran ahead of us, almost knocking me into the unknown witch’s brew below.

“Come back Snoop!” I yelled.

He didn’t turn around, but ran right up to the door and began scratching against it.

I hurried after him and tried to grab him, but he ran back and forth on the deck barking and snarling.

“What’s wrong with you, you crazy dog?” I got hold of his collar. Surely no one was home if they didn’t come out to see what the ruckus was about. Then Snooper laid down on the wood planks and whined. “You sure are acting strange.” I rubbed his head, as Tim stepped onto the deck behind me.

I knocked on the door. “Mr. Beekers,” I yelled. “I have a package for you.”

I walked over to a small window and peeked inside. “I don’t see anyone. I guess I’ll just leave it here.” I held the package in my hand. “I hope it’s nothing edible.” I looked around wondering if gators might crawl up to eat anything left outside.

“Just put it on that bench there,” Tim said. “He’ll get it when he gets home.”

I took one more look through the window and thought I saw something move through a ray of light. I jumped back. “I think someone’s in there.”

“Are you sure, Nikki? How could he get here without his truck?”

“Maybe it broke down, and he walked home.” I knocked again on the door. Then I put my ear against it.

“Poo-Yai! Go away, and don’t come back!” a scratchy shrill voice yelled.

Snooper barked sharply.

I jumped back so fast I bumped into Tim, who almost fell off the deck. I turned and ran down the ramp, Tim right behind me. When I got to the road, I looked back to see Snooper still barking at the unopened door.

“Come on Snooper,” I yelled. “Get over here.” I patted my leg as a signal.

He barked a couple more loud yaps, then turned and met me at the road.

“Who was that?” I squealed, as we trotted down the small road leading back to Tim’s house.

“I don’t know,” he said. “But I think we need to stay away.”

Meet the Author:

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com