Chapter 30

At the entrance to the cave behind the waterfall, Zoe was tying a rope to Jeanette. “You’re not coming up until I have every last piece of that treasure.”

The volcano was rumbling even louder now. The smell of burning filled the air as Zoe lowered Jeanette through a chipmunk-sized hole.

“But … but … the volcano’s about to explode!” cried Jeanette desperately.

“Then you better hurry, hmm?”

After a few minutes, Jeanette called out from the cave. “Okay! Pull me up. I can’t hold any more.”

But Zoe didn’t believe her. “If you can still talk, it means you haven’t stuffed your cheeks yet!”

There was a rustling noise from within the cave, and Jeanette mumbled something.

“That’s better,” said Zoe. As she started pulling on the rope to bring her out, the island began shaking harder than ever. Finally, she managed to lift Jeanette out. The chipmunk’s arms were filled with jewels—emeralds and diamonds and rubies and gold.

Zoe couldn’t believe it. She’d been looking for this treasure for years and she’d found it at last!

“Zoe!” chirped a high-pitched voice.

She swung around and saw Alvin and Dave.

“Not another step,” warned Zoe. She grabbed Jeanette and held her tightly in her hands.

Dave took a step forward and spoke softly. He could see at once how crazy Zoe was. “Easy, easy. Jeanette, are you okay?”

Jeanette spat out a few jewels. “I’m a little scared, and those earrings tasted awful.”

“Zoe, you don’t have to do this,” said Alvin.

“I don’t?” screamed Zoe. “I spent ten years looking for this treasure. It’s the whole reason I came to this stinking island!”

“So you didn’t crash-land?” asked Alvin. “You made that whole thing up?”

“They said I was crazy,” continued Zoe. “They said this map was a fake.” She held up a worn and wrinkled piece of paper.

Alvin peered at it. “I think that’s a place mat from a fish restaurant.”

“That’s right,” exclaimed Zoe. “I was working at the Crusty Anchor as a waitress. One day, an old man came in, ordered the all-you-can-eat popcorn shrimp and an Arnold Palmer. He didn’t have enough money to leave a tip. But he said he’d give me something far more valuable.”

Zoe flipped the place mat over, and drawn in crayon on its back was a treasure map.

Zoe was ranting now. “I found it. And all those people who doubted me—my shift manager, Dave Henderson; my assistant shift manager, Dave Henderson Jr.—they were wrong!”

The island shook again, and Zoe lost her balance. The jewels flew everywhere. “No!” screamed Zoe.

Jeanette took advantage of the distraction to jump out of her arms.

“Run!” commanded Alvin.

And they ran. As fast as they could.

At the gorge, Jeanette suddenly froze in place. She couldn’t move another step. She was still attached to the rope Zoe had put on her. Like a leash. Like a chain. She was trapped. Zoe was pulling on the rope, reeling her in.

“You’re going back into that cave! You’re gonna get more treasure. You hear me? You hear me?” Zoe was totally out of control at this point.

Jeanette was terrified. There was no escape. She was going to die in the cave when the volcano exploded.

But just at that moment a dashing chipmunk swung through the air on a vine, as if in slow motion.

“Simone!” said Jeanette.

“It’s Simon!” yelled Simon, swooping Jeanette up into his arms.

But she was still attached to the rope, and now both of them were being dragged back toward Zoe. Simon tried desperately to untie Jeanette, but the knot was too tight. He tried to gnaw it, but it was too thick.

They were getting closer and closer to Zoe when a familiar voice rang out through the jungle. Alvinnnn! Dave was doing his familiar scream. Only for once he wasn’t angry. He needed Alvin right now.

He reached into his pocket, grabbed the pocketknife he’d taken from Alvin on the cruise ship, and threw it to the chipmunk—who caught it effortlessly.

Alvin knew exactly what to do. He sliced through the rope, Zoe tumbled backward, and the chipmunks and Dave took off toward the beach.

“Go! Go!” shouted Dave as they ran. There was no time to lose!

There was a huge blast. The volcano spewed smoke and flames and ash into the sky.

Jeanette and Simon scurried across the log over the gorge. Alvin followed. And Dave brought up the rear. He’d just stepped onto the log when it crumbled and crashed to the rocks hundreds of feet below.

Dave’s hands reached out and grabbed at the side of the cliff. He was hanging on for dear life over the gorge. The chipmunks on the other side looked back in horror. “Hold on, Dave! You can make it!”

And then a shadow loomed over him. It was Zoe. And her feet were inches away from Dave’s fingers.