Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow Read Free Page B

they decided to swear on the stars that they would always be there for one another no matter what, with a bond that was stronger than best friends. Then they high-fived and threw some rocks around the clearing before hearing a noise that made them run out of the forest laughing because they were scared raccoons were after them.
    Since that time, Sarah’s parents forced her to join more and more extracurriculars, and their nights together had dwindled down to maybe once or twice a month depending on Sarah’s schedule.
    â€œNice work, Jake,” Sarah called out as they approached Jacob’s lawn. Sarah was the only person Jacob let call him Jake. “We got to spend the rest of the day in the gym playing dodgeball. It was like we were in third grade all over again.”
    â€œReally?” Jacob imagined the backslaps and congratulations he would receive when he returned to school. Usually when he forced a substitute to flee, the class would have to read silently for the rest of the day with Principal Bradley, which was almost worse than having a sub. Giving his class the gift of dodgeball nearly made up for the fact that he was grounded.
    â€œYeah, it was great. Oh, also, Dexter almost got beat up by the MacKenzie twins on the way home.”
    Jacob’s jaw clenched. The MacKenzies must have known that he would be stuck at home, unable to extend his customary Dexter protection. “What happened?”
    â€œThey had him cornered by the basketball hoop, but I jumped in front of them and said that I would eat their eyeballs for breakfast if they so much as laid a finger on him. I think they believed me.”
    Jacob smiled at Dexter. “She saved you?”
    Dexter shifted on his feet and looked away. “It wasn’t a proud moment.”
    â€œSo what about you, Jake? What’s the punishment?”
    â€œUgh. My mom was so mad, she said—”
    Suddenly the street lit up and there was a flash in the forest, almost like an explosion without a sound. A green laser shot up into the sky and then disappeared just as quickly. A moment later there was a faint whirring noise and a hiss. Then the street was silent again.
    â€œWhoa,” Dexter said.
    Jacob’s heart raced. Strange things did not tend to happen on their street. They always happened on other, more exciting streets that he saw on the news.
    â€œWhat in the heck was that?” Sarah asked.
    They watched and listened to see if any more strange lights or noises came from the forest, but nothing more happened.
    â€œMaybe someone should check it out?” Dexter asked. He sat down on the curb.
    Jacob pondered whether investigating a strange light in the forest fell under his mom’s general prohibition against having fun. While he would certainly find the experience exhilarating, he didn’t know if it could be considered “fun” per se, since danger should be confronted only with the utmost seriousness, and serious was the opposite of fun. He concluded that the activity fell under the category “protecting the neighborhood.”
    â€œI’ll check it out,” Jacob said.
    â€œI’m coming with you,” Sarah said.
    Jacob held up his hand. “No, I’ve got this.”
    â€œJake . . .”
    â€œKeep Dexter company,” he said.
    Dexter nodded eagerly. “I actually wouldn’t mind some company.”
    Sarah kicked the ground and said, “Fine.” She sat down next to Dexter in a huff.
    Jacob walked slowly toward the end of the block, turned to give one last wave to Sarah and Dexter, and stepped into the forest. The bright moon cast strange shadows all around him. He hadn’t ever ventured into the woods alone after dark. He swallowed, steadied his nerves, and walked farther in.
    He pushed past the thorny bushes and ducked under low branches, listening carefully for strange noises. When he had nearly reached the clearing, he heard a twig snap. He stopped.
    He saw a