‘Come on,’ I yell.

‘Where are we going?’ asks Matt.

‘I don’t know. But when a crowd runs away from a monstrous and terrible cry. I run with them.’

‘Hang on, Rich! I’ve left something important behind!’ Matt says, jumping back into the Teleportaloo.

‘Excellent! Is it a weapon?’

‘No.’

‘A mode of transportation?’

‘No.’

‘Is it some sort of interdimensional utility belt complete with compass, remote Teleportaloo hook-up and hoop-locating GPS system?’

‘Yes.’

‘Really?’ I say, amazed.

‘No. My Superfizz – it’s been opened. If I don’t drink it now, it’ll be flat later. Then we’d be in real trouble,’ Matt says.

‘Move it, sushi head! Follow those fluffy weirdos!’ I say.

We follow in the pillow-footed footsteps of the Naplandians. They seem to know exactly where they are going. They sprint down the wide streets.

The town is not unlike Dunedoo – except that the shops have boarded-up windows and there is the occasional crushed car.

They turn down a narrow bluestone alleyway.

‘Quick, Matt!’ I yell. ‘Follow them.’

They all pile into a bunker.

But just as we get to it, the trapdoor slams shut.

‘It slammed shut,’ says Matt, unhelpfully.

I bang on the door.

The monstrous and terrible crying in the distance seems to be getting closer.

Then there is a . . .

The ground shakes.

A hatch in the trapdoor opens. An enormous duffel bag flies out. The hatch slams shut again.

‘Let us in!’ I scream.

‘Woo hoo!’ says Matt. ‘We won a bag!’

Matt clutches the bag to his chest and begins to make an acceptance speech.

‘Wow, there are just so many people to thank . . .’

I snatch the bag from him and open it.

‘There’s got to be something in here to save us from whatever is making that horrible noise,’ I say. ‘Why else would they throw it out to us?’

‘Well, I think someone should just tell whatever is making that racket to be quiet,’ Matt says. He puts his finger to his lips and gives an almighty . . .

It’s the biggest shhh of all time.

The Naplandians would be proud.

The noise stops.

‘It worked!’ Matt says, giving himself a high five. ‘Now, do you think brunch is a thing here? I’m feeling snacky.’

‘Well done, Matt.’ I pull a squeaky toy out of the bag. ‘Cos this bag is no help. It’s full of weird junk.’

‘What is this stuff? I yell at the trapdoor. ‘Useless! It’s official, Matt. Today is at peak weird. Nothing could make today any weirder.’

‘Wanna bet?’ says Matt.

The ground shakes again.

A shadow falls across the road.