While Melvin helped Lester Vanderpeeb to his feet, Candace and Margaret were hurrying down Pluto Place, which ran into Six Moon Highway. The area was deserted. They were either in an unpopulated part of the city, or the citizens of Dork liked to sleep in.
Candace knew they had to stay away from Monkey Wrench, Elbow, and Shoe—and their stun guns. If they got zapped again, it would be curtains.
They turned onto Six Moon Highway and launched themselves into the air. “Up, up, and away!”
Unlike Melvin, Margaret was up and flying on the first try.
“Wow, you’re good,” Candace said.
“Yes, I’m not Melvin Beederman.”
“I noticed.”
Candace and Margaret stopped for a moment, hovering and looking back. There was no sign of the aliens. Maybe they’d given them the slip. Still, they had to find a place to hide. The aliens could appear any second.
Candace pointed to a nearby tree. “Over there. Let’s get out of sight.”
They flew to the tree and hid on a high branch—just in time. Just in the nick of time, to be exact. Monkey Wrench, Elbow, and Shoe appeared around the corner on Six Moon Highway. They came closer … and closer.
Candace held a finger to her lips. Don’t move a muscle.
They didn’t … that is, until Margaret sneezed. “Ah-choooo!”
The aliens looked up.
“We’re out of here!” Candace yelled. She and Margaret took off again, not bothering to say “Up, up, and away.”
ZAP!
ZAP!
ZAP!
“Ha!” Candace said. “They missed us!”
She and Margaret zoomed ahead of Monkey Wrench, Elbow, and Shoe, being careful to zigzag as much as possible. They made a hard right turn around a tall building, and came upon the biggest mall either of them had ever seen. This is saying a lot, since Margaret was the superhero in charge of Saint Paul, home of the Mall of America. And not only was this one huge, but the parking lot was packed with vehicles—alien vehicles, that is. Banners hung on the sides of the building … GIGANTIC ONE DAY SALE!
“No wonder the rest of the city seemed deserted,” Candace said. “Everyone’s shopping.” She looked at Margaret. “The stores open early on this planet.”
“And me without my credit card,” Margaret muttered.
“Let’s go inside. They’ll lose us in the crowd.”
They’ll lose the aliens by hiding in a crowd of aliens? It just might work.
* * *
But the bad guys … uh … aliens were hot on their trail.
“They’re heading into the mall,” Monkey Wrench said. “Split up. I’ll take the front entrance. You two take the sides.”
Elbow headed to the right; Shoe to the left. Things were not looking good for Candace and Margaret.