Chapter 2: Lightning Strikes
Dark clouds were building when Mrs. Wright led Sam, Elliott, Jude, and Aria past the seals and walruses. “I want to go to the petting zoo,” said Aria. “They have the cutest baby goats.”
“Oh!” shouted Jude. “Plus that’s where the flamingos are. I love flamingos!”
Sam and Elliott stared at each other. “Mom, can Sam and I go on our own? We promise to not destroy anything.”
“Sorry, Elliott. Mr. Byers said we must stick together. Where do you want to go?”
“Mom! You know I love the orangutans! Sam, those are your favorites, too, right?”
“Yep,” answered Sam, “even if they’re kinda gross.”
“I know! They play with their poo, and that’s so weird…and awesome!” Elliott jumped up and down. “Please, mom? You don’t have to tell Mr. Byers. Let us go see the orangutans!”
“No!” said Mrs. Wright. “We’ll see them next.”
Elliott and Sam pouted. Of course the girls get what they want. They ALWAYS get what they want!
By the time the group had reached the petting zoo, the skies were looking dangerously green and black. “Stick together,” warned Mrs. Wright. “This weather is so strange. We might need to take shelter soon.”
“Gotcha,” said all of the kids. Still, once Jude saw the flamingos she took off, with Aria on her heels.
“Why do they love those birds so much?” asked Sam. “All they do is squawk and snap at each other.”
“Plus, they’re pink,” added Elliott. “Why are they pink?”
“I think it’s because of the food they eat,” answered Sam, but Elliott had already wandered off toward the concession stand. Sam followed. “We’re going to get into trouble,” he called out.
“We’ll be fine,” said Elliott. “I know my mom. She’s chill.”
Sam looked around. “I’m not afraid of your mom. I’m afraid of our mean ole alligator of a teacher.”
“Please,” said Elliott. “I’m not scared of him, either. We’ll be fine! Ooh! Look! Dino Donuts!” He rushed over to the cashier and pulled out money.”
“Elliott! We’re not supposed to buy anything!”
Elliott ignored him. He grabbed his bag of donut holes and popped one into his mouth. “Mmm! You want one?”
Sam really did want one. He slid his hand into the bag, grabbed one, and took a bite. Elliott was right, they were yummy.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed immediately by the roar of thunder. As if on cue, the sky opened up, and huge crocodile tears of rain pelted down on the boys.
“We gotta go!” yelled Sam, looking around. “Hey! Where did your mom and the girls go?” They were nowhere to be seen!
“I don’t know,” answered Elliott, but we have to get out of this storm. Hurry!” He took off towards the Orangutan Center.
“Shouldn’t we go to the petting zoo barn?” yelled Sam. Elliott couldn’t hear Sam; he was already halfway to the orangutan entrance. Sam sprinted to catch up. He rushed through the sliding doors just as hail began pounding the sidewalk and weather sirens began blaring.
“Elliott!” Sam called. “Where’d you go?”
The place was a ghost town. Sam couldn’t see a soul around except for the orangutans in their exhibit. He guessed perhaps everyone had taken shelter. That was exactly what he was going to do, as soon as he found Elliott.
The lights flickered as he walked around the perimeter of the glass. Sam stopped by a landing, where an orangutan sat munching on pellets. The ape stuck his tongue out at Sam, and he copied.
Just then a huge bolt of lightning lit up the sky, casting light into the massive windows of the exhibit. Sam caught a glimpse of Elliott from the other side of the walkway and waved. “Elliott!” he yelled, grabbing a hold of the huge metal pole holding up the building.
Everything happened so quickly. Lightning flashed. The lights went out. Sam felt electricity shoot down from the pole to his fingers, down his arm, and into his body. Then everything went black.