The Ooze by R.L. Stine

Tubby’s dumb brain!”
    I glanced back at Tubby. He seemed exactly the same as always. I guess he didn’t use his brain much.
    â€œYou were right, Colin. The ooze had to be neutralized. And Tubby’s dumb brain did it! It destroyed the creature.”
    â€œWow! Wow! Wow!” Colin couldn’t seem to say anything else.
    â€œHey! Colin! I’m smart again. I’m smart!” I realized. “I got my brain back! And—I know what we have to do next!”
    â€œWhat?” Colin asked, puzzled.
    â€œWe have to get rid of it.” I jerked my head toward the small puddle of ooze. “We’ll stuff it in the cooler and bury it.”
    â€œGood idea,” Colin agreed. “I’ll get the cooler.”
    I kneeled and tickled Tubby’s ears. He rolled onto his back, and I scratched him on the stomach—his favorite spot.
    â€œYou saved me, Tub-man,” I told him. “If I had a smart pet like Chester, I’d be ooze-food by now.”
    I guarded the ooze puddle until Colin returned with the cooler and a shovel. We shoveled the puddle into the cooler and slammed the lid on. Then I tied a rope around it, just to make sure the lid stayed on tight.
    We dug a deep hole in the backyard—under the apple tree.
    Colin and I began to set the cooler into the hole when Colin said, “Wait!”
    â€œWhat? What’s wrong?” I asked.
    â€œWhat’s the capital of Brazil?” he asked.
    â€œBrasilia,” I answered, without even thinking.
    â€œGreat.” Colin grinned. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
    We dropped the cooler into the hole and covered it up.
    We stomped on the dirt until it was hard and flat.
    And that was the end of the ooze.

19

    A bout a week later everything was back to normal.
    Michelle started to teach Chester how to multiply—now that he’d remembered how to add.
    I gave up trying to teach Tubby how to fetch. It was hard enough when he had a brain. Now it would be impossible. But he’s still a great dog.
    The other Science Bowl kids all got their brains back, too. We apologized to Mr. Emerson. We blamed our weird behavior on the cafeteria food. We begged him to give us another chance, and he finally agreed.
    Which is why I’m stuck outside today studying. I’m spending a great, sunny Saturday afternoon with Science Teasers and Mom, Dad, and Michelle. My three coaches.
    â€œNext question, Al,” Dad announced. He turned the page of my Science Teasers book. “What was Galileo’s earth-shaking discovery?”
    â€œI’m sure you know the answer to that one, son ,” Mom said with a laugh.
    While I pretended to think, Michelle wandered over to the apple tree.
    â€œWhat do you suppose these little orange drops are?” she asked as she gazed at the ground.
    I felt my stomach clench as Mom wandered over to the tree. “I’ve never seen anything like them! They almost glow!” she exclaimed.
    â€œMaybe it’s some sort of pollution in the water table,” Michelle suggested. “I wonder if they feel as sticky as they look.”
    She reached out her hand to touch one.
    â€œDon’t!” I shouted. “Don’t go near it! It could be toxic or something.”
    â€œAl’s probably right,” Mom said, stepping back.
    â€œI don’t take advice from inferior life-forms,” Michelle declared.
    Then she reached down and rubbed one of the orange drops between her fingers.
    See? Didn’t I tell you that Michelle was just a little too smart for her own good?

Are you ready for another walk down Fear Street?
    Turn the page for a terrifying sneak preview.

M om smiled, then stood up and headed for the door. “Sleep well,” she said, and flicked off the light.
    I watched her leave the room.
    I heard her gently shut my door.
    The room instantly darkened.
    I gulped and glanced up at the ceiling.
    The same ceiling I saw every