Welcome to the Jungle by Matt London Read Free Book Online Page B

Sprout pointed back the way they had come. The entrance to the barn was hidden by the vines they had slashed a minute earlier.
    â€œIncredible!” Rick exclaimed.
    Sprout clapped Rick heartily on the back. “Well, shoot! I reckoned someone as smart as you would appreciate the Prof’s genius.”
    Rick smiled. He had only known Sprout an hour, but he already cared very much about what the boy thought of him. Rick would not have been able to explain it if someone asked him, but he didn’t think he had ever met someone as nice or as cool as Sprout Sanchez.
    Grunting with exertion, Evie continued to hack away at the plants in front of her. “These vines are growing back almost as fast as I can cut through them!”
    Sprout laughed. “The Prof says if you ain’t willing to put in the effort to talk to him, then whatever you had to say wasn’t important enough. Here, let me.” He took the machete from Evie and started swinging wildly at the plants, chopping his way to the far side of the barn. Rick and Evie joined him at the wall, where a staircase of yellow dandelions as wide as Hula-Hoops led to the upper floors of the barn.
    Minding where they stepped, the kids followed Sprout up the organic stairs. As they reached the ceiling on the second floor, Rick saw that a five-foot hole had been cut out to accommodate the dandelion staircase. The kids climbed through the opening, emerging into bright sunlight.
    From the outside, this floor had looked like a greenhouse—given the way that it was covered with glass—but strangely, there were no plants here, just big gray machines with tanks and conveyor belts, chugging away.
    At the far end of the room, a man stood at a worktable with his back to the children. His long white lab coat flowed about his ankles. He swirled a large beaker of colorful chemicals, then added the solution to a metal vat in front of him.
    â€œHey, Prof!” Sprout called out. “Look at what I got here! Visitors!”
    Professor Nathaniel Doran turned to face the newcomers. Under his lab coat he wore dress slacks and a polka-dotted sweater. A surgical mask covered his mouth, its white color contrasting against his rich dark skin and close-cut black hair. He pulled off the mask and scrutinized the children with wise, cautious eyes. “Yes? And who might you—” the professor stopped as he studied Evie’s face.
    She raised an eyebrow at his gaze. “What?”
    â€œYou’re . . . You’re Melinda Washer’s daughter.”
    â€œWho?” Evie asked.
    â€œYour mother is—sorry. When I knew her, she wasn’t married. Melinda Lane. You’re George and Melinda’s children.” He pointed a finger at Rick. “I see him in you, son.”
    Rick felt his cheeks grow warm. Maybe getting Professor Doran’s help rooting the continent would be easier than Rick thought. “That’s right, sir. We’re Rick and Evelyn—Evie—Lane. Our dad sent us here to meet with you. Our mom was going to join us, but things came up.”
    â€œThat is unfortunate.” Professor Doran bowed his head. “I’m sorry to hear that. I have not had old friends visit in quite some time. Did Sanchez show you around?”
    â€œSure did, Prof!” Sprout said. “They’re smart, tough, everything you like, sir.”
    Professor Doran nodded. “I’d expect nothing less from the children of a scientist as brilliant and strong as Melinda Washer.”
    Rick stepped forward. “Professor, we have urgent business to discuss with you.”
    â€œAh, yes,” the professor said. “I don’t suppose you would have come all this way for a social call. Let’s step into my office. If your parents sent you to me, I’d imagine that there can only be one reason.”
    â€œIs that right?” Sprout looked at Rick and Evie with new eyes. “What’s the