Curse of the Komodo. M.C. Berkhousen

how to attract lightning to the zoo without anyone getting hurt.”

      “What about a lightning rod?”

      “We’d have to position it at the top of the water tower to make the lightning hit. It has to be a strong enough strike to alter the electromagnetic field.”

      He thought for a minute. “I can get a lightning rod, but somebody will have to take it up there. I can’t do it. It’s a long way up, and I’m too old.”

      “I can’t do it either. I’m afraid of heights.”

      “I know. Don’t worry, we’ll find someone.”

      What if we didn’t? I was being a coward. If it was the only way to save my brother, I’d do it. I’d take the lightning rod up to the top of the water tower. The only problem was I was a Komodo dragon now. Komodos could climb partway up a tree to catch prey, but I didn’t think they could climb water towers. What we needed was a monkey.

      Gramps stayed at the zoo all day, going back and forth between the Reptile House and the Grizzly Bear exhibit. At noon he went to the café for a hot dog and a cup of coffee. Then he came back to visit me again. He had a bag of food from the café. Glancing around, he made sure no one was within hearing range.

      “I tried to get these hot dogs to Austin,” said Gramps. “But there were too many people around. I couldn’t take the chance. I’ll try again when I leave you.”

      At four o’clock, the security guard came into the Reptile House.

      “The zoo is closing in fifteen minutes, sir. Please start making your way back to the gate.” The security guard held the door open, waiting for Gramps to exit.

      Gramps bent his head down to the cage. “Don’t worry, Luke. We’ll figure this out. Eat your rabbit. You have to stay strong.”

      “Gramps, if you can’t get that food to Austin, hide it in the bushes. I’ll try to bring it to him later, when it’s dark.”

      “Be careful, Luke. Don’t let them catch you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, he left.

      I nosed the rabbit. It looked like a stuffed animal I used to keep on my bed. It had the same kind of nose and puffy little tail. But this one smelled bad. There was no way I could eat it. I pushed it under some straw so I wouldn’t have to see it. I’d try to sneak out again later and find some real food. This time I’d have to be extra careful. If I got caught again, they’d probably put a padlock on my door.

      A few minutes later, Tim came to check my water supply. He stood at the back of my enclosure and peered in at me.

      “How’re you doing, buddy?” He looked toward the pile of straw in the corner. The rabbit’s back paws were sticking out from under the straw. It looked like the rabbit was trying to hide from me.

      “You didn’t eat your rabbit,” said Tim. “How about some mice? Want some nice mice?”

      I didn’t want any nice mice. I closed my eyes and ignored him. I wanted him to go away so I could think. Tim didn’t go away. He came closer and bent down, squinting at the top of my head.

      “You must have been hurt out there yesterday. You’re not acting like yourself at all.”

      I lifted my head and flicked my tongue. I wanted to tell Tim to bring me a double cheeseburger and some fries. I didn’t try to say it. I didn’t want him to faint at hearing a talking Komodo. So I put my head down again and closed my eyes. Soon Tim went away.

      Outside, the sun was going down. I waited until it was completely dark, and then quietly slid out of my glass cage. There was a new lock on the back door of the Reptile House. The lock had a deadbolt. It was the same kind of sliding bolt we had on our doors at home. That lock might keep ordinary Komodos in, but not a kid who knew how to open it. I pulled myself up against the wall. Then I slid the bolt back with my right claw. Lowering myself to the floor, I crawled out into the cool night air.

      Where was that bag of food Gramps brought? I checked the bushes, but couldn’t find it. I looked behind the Reptile House. No bag there, either.

      The lights were still on in the restaurant kitchen. A cook came out and dumped leftovers into the trash can. I waited behind a hedge until she turned out the kitchen lights. After a few minutes she left the building. She headed down the path toward the employee parking lot.

      I flicked my forked tongue to taste the air. I detected no humans, so I hurried over to the trash cans. I tipped them over one at a time and sorted through the trash with my claws. I gobbled up hot dogs, ketchup and chunks of cheeseburger. In the last trash can, I found a lot of food. There was a half-empty carton of milk, a half-eaten chicken sandwich and rinds of watermelon. I pushed all of this and several half-eaten hot dogs into a paper bag. Carrying the bag between my teeth, I crept toward the bear enclosure. I stayed close to the cages and away from the lights. When I reached the bear cage, I pushed myself up and looked in.

      “Austin.” I kept my voice low. “Are you awake?”

      A bear meandered to the side of the cage. “Luke, is that you?”

      “Do you know any other talking Komodos?” I flung the bag onto the concrete ledge at the front of his enclosure. Austin reached his paw through the bars to grab it. He tore it open and stuffed his mouth with food.

      “Thanks, Luke. They gave me raw fish today. I couldn’t eat it. If there’s anything I hate worse than tuna salad, it’s raw fish.”