Danger Guys and the Golden Lizard by Tony Abbott Page B

auditorium.
    Zeek went with me.
    â€œTomorrow,” Mrs. Emerson was saying, “we go in search of the Golden Lizard of Maribo!”
    Zeek and I got halfway up the aisle, but the pudgy-fingered suit guy suddenly pointed toward the back door, and the men filed out and disappeared.
    â€œHa! Scared of us,” whispered Zeek.
    That’s when I heard it.
    â€œâ€¦ and what will make our search for the mysterious Golden Lizard even more exciting,” Mr. Emerson said, “is that we’ll be joined by a couple of junior explorers. Their parents have already said they can come with us.”
    I froze. I looked over at my mom. She was smiling weird at me again.
    â€œA couple of very active young adventurers,” Mrs. Emerson added.
    â€œZ-z-z-zeek?” I said. He didn’t answer. His mouth was hanging open like it does when Mr. Strunk hands him back a test with an A on it.
    â€œA couple of … Danger Guys!”
    A roar went up in the auditorium. Cheers exploded off the walls. People were jumping up and down.
    And that was just Zeek and me!
    The next thing we knew, we were dressed from head to foot in official Danger Guy gear. Hats, supply belts, packs, canteens. The works.
    It was eight in the morning, and we were at the airport with our families, piles of luggage, and the Emersons.
    In fact, both Zeek’s parents and mine were taking a pleasure cruise at the same time as our big expedition. Our parents are almost as good friends as Zeek and me.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Mr. Emerson was telling our parents, “the boys will be waiting for you safe and sound.”
    â€œAnd with lots of exciting stories to tell you, I’m sure,” Mrs. Emerson added.
    Zeek’s mom turned to us. “We’ll see you boys in three days, when our ship docks at the Maribo coast.”
    â€œThat’s right,” my mom added. “And don’t worry about us, we’ll be having plenty of excitement, too.”
    Zeek’s sister, Emily, stepped over, reading from a brochure. “Three decks, tons of movies, games, and all the desserts you can eat!”
    My mom laughed. So did Mrs. Pilinsky.
    I turned to Zeek. “Do you see that? No tears or anything. We’re taking an expedition into unknown jungles in search of the supermysterious Golden Lizard, and our families are laughing.”
    â€œPretty sad, isn’t it?” Zeek said, shaking his head. “We probably won’t make it out alive.”
    â€œHave fun!” my mom said.
    â€œIt’s a jungle of death!” I said. She just smiled.
    â€œShe’s trying to hide her fear,” I said to Zeek.
    After we waved good-bye to our folks, Mr. and Mrs. Emerson told us about the Golden Lizard.
    â€œNot very much is known about it,” Mr. E. said. “It could be something the size of a trinket, or it could be a huge statue. There are plenty of legends about the Lizard, though. It’s supposed to have some kind of magic power.”
    â€œCool!” Zeek said, nudging my arm. “Maybe it holds the secret of life, or something.”
    Mrs. Emerson handed Zeek and me our tickets. Then she held out a wrinkled brown sheet of paper. “A few months ago, we discovered an old map showing the way to the Golden Lizard.”
    â€œWow!” cried Zeek, unfolding the crinkly paper. It showed mountains and rivers and jungles. A dotted line wound across the map.
    I couldn’t believe it. “Zeek, this is it,” I said. “The expedition of a lifetime.”
    Mr. E. reached over, unsnapped a pocket on Zeek’s jacket, and tucked the brown paper inside. “Take good care of this. Just in case.”
    I turned to Zeek. He stared back at me. “Just in case what ? You mean, this might really be dangerous?” I asked.
    Mrs. Emerson looked around at the people in the airport. “There are some who would stop at nothing to find the Golden Lizard.”
    â€œFlight 119 for