The Sasquatch Escape (The Imaginary Veterinary) (17 page)

“We don’t need a babysitter,” Pearl said huffily. “We’re old enough to take care of ourselves.”

“I hope you are old enough to take care of yourselves, because being an apprentice for Dr. Woo will not be like working at an ice-cream parlor or in a candy shop. It will be dangerous work, I tell you. And I do not have time to watch over you.”

The scars on Dr. Woo’s face and neck and her missing finger were like neon warning signs. Ben remembered how the hatchling’s flame had nearly burned off his face. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” he said, common sense tugging at his thoughts. His parents wouldn’t be pleased if he came home missing a foot or covered in claw marks.

“Too late for you to change your mind,” Mr. Tabby told him as they reached the gate. “You have agreed. You have signed the contract of secrecy.”
He raised his eyebrows and stared down at Ben. “Are you a man who keeps his word? Or are you a liar?”

“I’m not a liar,” Ben said.

“Ben tells a lot of stories,” Pearl said. “But that’s different from lying.”

“Stories?” Mr. Tabby frowned. “Well, you are forbidden to tell any of Dr. Woo’s stories. Do you understand?”

Ben nodded.

“Then, if you are able to obtain your parents’ permission, I shall see you here Monday at eight o’clock in the morning. Do not be late.” Mr. Tabby opened the gate.

“Should we bring anything?” Pearl asked. “Like a backpack or a sack lunch?”

Mr. Tabby’s nose twitched. “It is always a good idea to bring bandages. Lots and lots of bandages.” He reached into his vest and pulled out two rolled-up pieces of paper, each tied neatly with a ribbon. “I almost forgot. Each of you has earned a certificate in Sasquatch Catching.”

“Thanks,” Ben and Pearl said as they took the certificates.

“Eight in the morning,” Mr. Tabby repeated as he locked the gate behind them. “Do not be late or I shall be most displeased.” Then he turned on his heels and headed back to the old factory.

“Look,” Pearl whispered, nudging Ben with her elbow.

As Mr. Tabby walked away, a tail slid out from under his vest—a long red cat’s tail. But it was there for only a moment, then disappeared as if…

As if it had been…imaginary.

D
o you think we should go into the forest and check on Mrs. Mulberry and Victoria?” Ben asked.

“I guess so,” Pearl said.

They hurried across the road and were just about to head up the forest path when a horn honked and a blue-and-white patrol car pulled up alongside. The darkened window rolled down, and Officer Milly stuck out her head. “Hiya, Pearl. Hiya, Ben. What are you two up to?”

“Nothing,” Pearl said.

“Nothing,” Ben said.

Ben’s reflection stared back at him in Officer Milly’s sunglasses. He looked exactly the same as he’d looked when he’d gotten up that morning. But he’d just had the most amazing adventure of his life.
Shouldn’t I look different?
he wondered.

Officer Milly stared over the rims of her glasses. “It’s been a strange morning. A stray dog got loose in the senior center and made a real big mess. But no one got hurt. You two wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“No,” Pearl and Ben said.

“What about the net that was left in the forest? Do you know anything about that?”

“No,” Pearl and Ben said.

“Well, Mrs. Mulberry and Victoria Mulberry got tangled in the net, but they’re okay. No harm done.” Officer Milly pointed to the rolled-up paper in Pearl’s hand. “Whatcha got there?”

“We got jobs at the worm hospital,” Pearl said.
“We’re going to work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday all summer.”

“What do you do at a worm hospital?” Officer Milly asked.

“Feed the worms,” Ben said.

“Take them for walks,” Pearl said.

“And give them baths,” Ben added. “Stuff like that.”

“All summer, huh?” Officer Milly chuckled. “Well, it sounds like it will keep you two out of trouble. Come on, I’ll give you both a ride home.”

Ben and Pearl climbed into the backseat. As they rode to Pine Street, Ben might have been thrilled about riding in the back of a police car. But his brain was flooded with images—the dragon swooping between clouds, the hatchling dangling from Barnaby’s mouth, the sasquatch eating butterscotch pudding. And, of course, the tail poking out from Mr. Tabby’s vest. All those things were way better than any story Ben had ever told.

“How come you two are so quiet?” Officer Milly
asked, glancing at them in the rearview mirror. “You got some secrets?”

Ben smiled at Pearl. Pearl smiled back.

Grandpa Abe was still at the senior center when Ben arrived back at his house. Barnaby was lying in wait beneath a bird feeder, swatting at chickadees. Once inside, Ben opened his sock drawer and tucked the Sasquatch Catching certificate way in the back. Monday couldn’t arrive fast enough. What would happen at Dr. Woo’s secret hospital? Perhaps he’d learn why the doctor had been covered in fairy dust? And who or what eats kiwi-flavored jelly beans? Perhaps he’d learn where to find the Imaginary World.

Or maybe he’d actually go there.

He scooped Snooze out of the cage and cradled him in his hands. “I think it’s going to be a great summer,” he told his hamster. Snooze stared at Ben with his beady black eyes. Then he curled up into a ball and fell asleep. Ben tucked Snooze back into his nest and closed the cage. Life is simple in
a plastic rectangle, where nothing changes.

But sometimes change is just what life needs. Sometimes change is a very good thing.

Ben smiled. Then he headed into the kitchen to do the dishes.

Wyvern