Super Schnoz and the Invasion of the Snore Snatchers by Gary Urey Read Free Book Online Page B

nose.
    â€œWhere’d you get the material?” I asked.
    Jimmy smiled. “I raided my older sister’s dresser drawer of all her spandex dance clothes. They were all black, so after I finished stitching the get-ups together, I found some silver spray paint in the garage and gave them a couple coats.”
    â€œLet’s try them on,” Mumps suggested.
    Jimmy, TJ, and Mumps slipped into the costumes.They looked exactly like the little aliens who had been snatching my snores. In fact, they looked so real I wanted to reach out and cuff them a good one upside the head.
    â€œMine fits like a sock,” Jimmy said.
    â€œThis one feels good too,” TJ added.
    Mumps strutted around my room, making alien noises. “Since Vivian is about my size, it should fit her perfectly.While you guys are inside Robo-Nose, I’ll be working with Dr. Wackjöb. Schnoz can fly me there in the harness.”
    A knock came at my bedroom door.
    â€œI have some cookies and hot chocolate for you boys.”
    It was my mom.
    Jimmy, TJ, and Mumps quickly ripped off the alien costumes.
    â€œThanks, Mom,” I said, opening the door and taking the plate of goodies.
    â€œDon’t you boys stay up too late,” she said. “Understand?”
    â€œOkay,” we mumbled through a mouthful of cookies.
    When my mom left the room, I looked at the clock sitting on my nightstand. “It’s nine thirty already,” I said. “I’m checking in with Vivian.”
    I pressed the red button on the walkie-talkie. “Vivian. Can you read me?”
    â€œRoger that,” Vivian replied, her voice full of static.
    â€œI saw the costumes Jimmy made. They look just like the real thing.”
    â€œGood. I’ll be drinking soda full of caffeine to stay awake. Remember, when the cloud appears you have to let me know. Then I’ll sneak over to your house. Okay?”
    â€œSounds good,” I answered. “I’ll make sure the back door is unlocked so you can get inside. Over and out.”
    â€œWhat do we do now?” Mumps asked when I turned off the walkie-talkie.
    â€œLet’s play a few games of Electronic Battleship and then go to bed,” TJ suggested.
    Jimmy slurped down the last drop of his hot chocolate. “I won’t be able to sleep,” he said.
    â€œMe either,” I agreed. “But we have to turn out the lights. If the aliens don’t think I’m asleep, they may not come.”
    The Not-Right Brothers and I played a few rounds of Electronic Battleship until around midnight.
    â€œI guess it’s time,” TJ said.
    â€œYou got that right,” I said, crawling into bed and flicking off the light.
    Jimmy, TJ, and Mumps unrolled their sleeping bags on the floor and slid inside.The only sounds were the occasional fart by Mumps, followed by a round of raucous laughter. My eyelids felt as heavy as bowling balls, but I fought the urge to sleep.The Not-Right Brothers, on the other hand, gave in to the sandman too easily. Soon, all three of them were crashed out, thin lines of drool dripping from their open mouths.
    I tossed and turned in my bed, trying to stay awake. My discipline paid off. As the crimson-colored numbers of the alarm clock flashed 4:00 A.M., I felt a gust of warm, heavy air pass over my body. My eyes squinted in the semidarkness. I saw a dark shadow forming above my bed.
    â€œJimmy, Mumps, TJ!” I shout-whispered. “Something’s happening.”
    â€œHuh…” Jimmy mumbled in his half-sleep.
    â€œWhatta…?” TJ muttered, turning over in his sleeping bag.
    A pungent electrical smell filled the room. I watched as the shadow slowly molded into the shape of two little gray aliens. The space invaders hovered at the foot of my bed, staring at me with large dark eyes, each holding a flexible hose the size of a sewer pipe.

CHAPTER 16
    INTO THE SHADOW
    I reached for the walkie-talkie. “Vivian! They’re