Free Zits from Python Pit #6 by M. D. Payne; Illustrated by Keith Zoo Page A

yelled Shane.
    A massive, leathery creature flew down toward us.
    SQUUUUUUUUAK!
    My friends and I hit the floor. The monkey grabbed my head so hard, I thought my skull was going to crack. I moved his wrinkly little hand from my eye and saw Director Z and the monsters staring at the winged creature in wonder. It came within inches of their faces before flying back up to the ceiling.
    â€œVow,” said Grigore. “It’s the most ancient monster I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œAmazing,” agreed Pietro. “That wingspan must be at least fifteen feet!”
    WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH.
    The great flaps of the creature’s wings blew cool air into our faces.
    â€œGood evening, Kongamato,” said François. “Enjoy your night!”
    Kongamato flapped down the hallway toward the back of the building.
    We stood up and brushed the moldy dust off of our clothes. The monkey shook his fist at Kongamato.
    â€œWas that a pterosaur?” asked Ben.
    â€œSome would say so,” said François. “Others might call him a hairless bat or bird—though I wouldn’t. We have a few other mysterious creatures like him—though they are all land-based.”
    â€œDinosaurs?” Shane said. “So this is
Tomb Raider
AND
Jurassic Park
?”
    â€œNot exactly,” said François. “But close. Their ancestors were dinosaurs, and thousands of generations later, something between rhinos and cerapods, between bats and pterosaurs, roams the deepest jungles of the Congo. Monsters feared by the pygmy tribes that used to rule this land. Modern times have left very few. But they are here with us.”
    â€œHeeeeeeeeyyyyy!” A tiny voice echoed through the cavernous room. “Let us out!”
    François rolled his eyes and rushed into a small room next to the massive center room.
    â€œThese guys are so impatient,” François huffed.
    â€œWhich guys?” I asked. I couldn’t see anything in the room but a lantern that glowed red.
    François walked over to the lantern and opened it up. Three very large fireflies buzzed out of it and hovered in front of us.
    â€œCool,” said Ben. “I’ve never seen a red firefly before.”
    He stepped up to touch one.
    â€œI wouldn’t do that if I were you,” said François.
    Before Ben could ask why, one of the fireflies exploded in a blast of light—
    POP!
    â€”and a crazed-looking old man appeared in front of us.
    â€œTake that long again, François,” said the old man, “and I’ll break through the lantern.”
    â€œYeah,” two buzzy little voices added.
    â€œTalking fireflies?” asked Gordon.
    â€œAdzes!” said Grigore.
    â€œWhat?” I asked.
    Before Grigore could answer, the crazy old firefly man opened his mouth with a snarl. “Ooooh, François, have you brought us a treat?”
    The firefly man licked his very crooked but very fangy teeth. He looked deep into Nabila’s eyes.
    â€œI’m a tasty, tasty treat!” yelled Nabila. Her arms flapped wildly, and she stumbled toward the old man. He opened his mouth wider.
    â€œEnough!” yelled Director Z. He stepped in front of the old man.
    As soon as the old man’s gaze was blocked from Nabila, she dropped like a sack of potatoes.
    â€œI told you, don’t you dare try to give any orders around here,” said François.
    â€œYou told Chris that,” said Director Z. “You didn’t tell me. And even though this isn’t my retirement home, you have to respect me.”
    POP! POP!
    The two other fireflies flashed into crazy old humans. There was another man and a woman. They rushed over to Nabila.
    â€œDid someone say something about a treat?” both of them said at the same time.
    â€œI think it’s best if you find a meal in the cafeteria,” said François, and he led the three away from Nabila and out into the main room.
    They turned as he