Goosebumps Most Wanted #5: Dr. Maniac Will See You Now by R.L. Stine Page A

escaping Dr. Root.
    “Leave him alone!” Bree screamed at the huge doctor. “Leave Richard alone!”
    But his tiny black eyes locked onto me, and he raised the needle higher.
    Panic made my legs buckle. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
    And then I sneezed .
    I gasped in surprise as the sneeze blew the needle right out of Root’s chubby hand.
    The needle flew into the air, then fell and bounced on the carpet.
    The big man bent down to grab it — and I sneezed again. A powerful jet blast of a sneeze.
    It sent Dr. Root slamming backward into the wall. He hit so hard, the whole office shook. He sank to the floor like a dead whale and didn’t move.
    My sneezes are like explosions here , I realized. Have I found my superpower?
    “This KICKS my KIELBASA!” the Purple Rage screamed. Roaring angrily, he lowered his head and came running at me.
    I let out a super-sneeze and sent him flying backward across the room. He landed on his back on the desk. The Scarlet Starlet screamed and jumped to her feet.
    Dr. Maniac opened his mouth in a crazy, high-pitched giggle. His eyes rolled in his head. He tossed back his cape and flew across the room, hands outstretched to grab me.
    I sneezed so hard, I nearly knocked myself over. Maniac gasped as my sneeze blew his hair straight up in the air. I sneezed again and sent him crashing against the wall.
    “Run!” I cried to Ernie and Bree. “Go! Go! I’ll hold them here with my super-sneezes.”
    They both took off.
    Shaking his head, Maniac pulled himself to his feet. He looked dazed. He turned angrily to the Scarlet Starlet. “Why aren’t you helping us?” he cried.
    She raised both hands and wiggled her fingers. “I’m waiting for my nails to dry.”
    “That’s CRAZY!” he shrieked. “Don’t you see we have a PROBLEM here?”
    “Don’t shout at me, Maniac,” she replied coldly. “I’m a star !”
    I turned and saw Ernie and Bree rocket out the door.
    Dr. Root groaned. But he was still knocked out.
    Maniac pulled the Rage to his feet. He dragged the Starlet beside him. The three of them were lining up, preparing an all-or-nothing attack.
    Yes, I was outnumbered. But I had an awesome weapon.
    I scratched my nose, making sure it was ready.
    “Know what PIPS my PIPE?” the Rage screamed. “You actually think you can beat us.”
    Dr. Maniac giggled. “No way you can win, Richard. You’re only a wimpy kid with bad allergies.”
    “Wrong,” I said. “I’m a wimpy kid with super-sneeze powers!”
    “He has a certain star quality,” the Scarlet Starlet said. “He really should talk to my agent.”
    The Rage growled at her. “Shut up and attack him. Come on — let’s go!”
    I didn’t give them a chance to move.
    I sucked in a deep breath — and sneezed as hard as I could.
    The mighty blast sent all three of them crashing into the wall. They hit hard and cracked right through the plaster, into the back office.
    Wow! This is fun! Seriously!
    I spun around and darted to the door. I pushed it open and ran outside. Into bright daylight.
    Where are Bree and Ernie? I wondered. Can we get back to the real world?
    Blinking in the sudden bright light, it took me a moment to see the crowd. The crazy crowd, running, flying, leaping around, fighting and shouting.
    “Whoa! What is going on?” I shouted.

I stared up and down the crowded city block. My mouth dropped open in shock.
    Superheroes fought on rooftops and sidewalks. Wildly-costumed men and women swung from ropes and slid along webs. Characters flew overhead, their shadows trailing under them on the street.
    I heard deep frog croaks and saw Captain Croaker hopping in the park on the next block. He was followed closely by his little sidekick, Terry Tadpole.
    “Look ouuuuuut!” a voice screeched.
    I ducked as Ziggy and Higgy, the Battling Bat Brothers, zoomed right at my head. Whistling and screeching, they soared into the sky.
    “Crime does not pay!” a voice boomed behind me.
    “But it’s a good hobby!”