Patrick and Beth blinked. A bright light replaced the darkness of the Imagination Station. It was the sun. They felt a breeze move against their faces. Their feet settled on warm sand.
The Imagination Station slowly faded.
The cousins looked around. They were in a huge empty arena.
“It’s as big as a pro baseball stadium,” Patrick said.
“The walls are amazing,” said Beth.
Rrrowl.
The sound came from behind them. The cousins spun around.
They were suddenly looking at a black-and-orange tiger. The two froze with fear. The tiger was only twenty yards away. It gazed at them and growled again.
“What do we do?” Beth asked. “Do we stand still or run away?”
The tiger took a step toward them.
“Run!” Patrick yelled.
The cousins turned and ran. The arena was a large oval of sand and tall walls. The many doorways were blocked by metal bars.
There was nowhere to hide.
The cousins zigged. They zagged. Their feet kicked up a spray of sand.
The tiger followed slowly. It seemed to know the kids were an easy lunch. It couldn’t be bothered to hurry after them.
“This way!” a man’s voice shouted. “Come to this door!”
The cousins turned and ran toward the voice. They could hear the tiger’s paws thump on the sand. It was moving faster now.
The door was only a few steps away.
But so was the tiger.
Rrrowl!
