THE BIG YELLOW BUS

Even though Megabat kept reminding Daniel that camp would be fun, when leaving day came, Daniel was still scared.

“Birdgirl and I made you guys a care package.” Talia from next door had come over to say goodbye.

“Miew!” Priscilla the cat wound around Talia’s ankles and glared up at her indignantly.

“And Priscilla helped by suggesting that we add the sparkly bow,” Talia added. She leaned down to scratch the cat’s ears before handing Daniel a box with a big, glittery ribbon on top. “It’s got puzzle books, candy, juice boxes, glow-in-the-dark eyeball stickers and stamps so you can write letters to us if you have time.”

“Coo-woo,” cried Birdgirl. The pigeon was perched on a tree branch near the front door. “Coo-woooooo.”

“Mine will missing yours alsowise, Birdgirl. But ours will be home in justing one week with new friends and adventuresome stories to tell.” Megabat repeated the things Daniel’s parents kept saying. “Rights, Daniel?”

“Maybe.” Daniel sighed. “If we don’t drown in the leech-infested lake or get poisoned by the food first.”

“Okay.” Daniel’s mother closed the trunk of the car. “Time to go, sweetie.”

Megabat gave Birdgirl a peck on the cheek, Daniel pet the cat and waved miserably to Talia, and the friends got into the backseat. While they drove, Daniel’s parents talked about the greatness and fun-ness of camp. Megabat—hidden inside the cup holder—listened, getting more and more excited, but Daniel just stared out the window. Finally, they pulled into a big lot. It was empty except for a few cars and a bunch of families standing around with luggage.

“This must be the spot!” Daniel’s mother popped the trunk and got out.

Megabat frowned. It didn’t look like the pictures. Where were the little log cabins and sailboats? There was a large puddle where the pavement dipped. Could that be beautiful Lake PieCrust?

“Don’t worry,” Daniel said, noticing Megabat’s confusion. “This isn’t camp.”

Megabat followed Daniel’s gaze. Turning into the parking lot was a big yellow bus!

Megabat couldn’t contain his excitement. “Ours is riddening a school bus to camp?!”

“Yup,” Daniel said miserably. “It’s going to take us a million miles from civilization.”

After many hugs, a few photos and some fresh tears, it was time to board. With Megabat tucked into his pocket, Daniel joined a lineup of laughing, jostling children.

When it was their turn to climb the stairs, the bus driver gave Daniel a big smile. “First time at camp?” he asked.

Daniel, whose eyes were still red from crying, nodded.

“Tell you what,” the driver said. “A week from now, I’ll be bringing you home. If you can tell me ten things you did that were fun, I’ll give you this bobblehead.”

Megabat peered out to see a figurine on the dashboard. It was an Ewok—a character from Star Wars that looks like a teddy bear. When the bus driver touched its head, it danced in a delightful wibbly-wobbly way. Megabat had never wanted anything so badly before!

“Sure,” Daniel muttered. “But I can tell you right now, you’ll end up keeping it.”

“We’ll see about that.” The driver winked, then turned to salute the next kid getting on the bus.

Daniel walked down the aisle, past the rows of tall, dark-green benches. He picked one and sank down. As the other kids filed on, they took the seats around him, but nobody sat next to Daniel—which was just as well because Megabat was much too excited to stay quiet.

“Mine has longly dreamed of riddening a school bus.” He hung over the edge of Daniel’s pocket to see out the window. “Is ours leaving yet?”

“Shhhh. Not yet, Megabat. You’ll feel it when the bus starts, okay?”

“All aboard!” the driver called merrily. “Next stop, Camp Wildwood!”

Like a sleeping dragon, the bus roared to life.

“Wahoooo!” Megabat cried in glee.

The bus lurched forward, then backed up and lurched again. Daniel clutched his stomach. “I think I’m gonna puke.”

Meanwhile, Megabat was having the time of his life. “Wheeeeeeeee!” he shouted as he flailed back and forth.

“Huh?” A boy with dark, curly hair turned around in the seat in front of them. Daniel only just managed to push Megabat’s head down into the pocket in time. “Did you say something?”

“Oh…um…,” Daniel answered nervously. “Not really.”

The bus pulled out of the lot, turning sharply and sending the kids sliding on their green benches.

“Oh,” the boy said. “I thought you were yelling wheeeeee!” He shrugged and turned back in his seat, but a moment later the bus took another sudden turn.

“Wahooooo! Ours is out of controooool!”

The curly-haired boy turned again. He pointed to Daniel’s shirt pocket. “Okay, maybe you didn’t say anything. But your talking bat sure loves school buses.”