Chapter 2

Hannah's POV

"Well, that was fun," I said as I entered my bedroom after a long day in NYC. "Honestly, that was the first time I've been to a city."

"Seriously? No wonder you were taking so many pictures," Wren said, flopping down on my bed. "How many pictures of city residents did you take, anyway?"

I flicked through my camera photos, counting them up. "... 56."

"Hannah!"

"WHAT? This camera has a mind of its own!"

Wren rolled her eyes. "Hey, can you hand me my bag? I think I still have more snacks left."

"You're insane. You're a bottomless pit, and the size of a twig," I grumbled, picking up the bag. It seemed even heavier than last time! "What, did you pack bricks in here?" I complained.

Suddenly, the backpack unzipped. I stumbled back and landed on my butt with a screech of suprise as four penguins leaped out.

"Hannah, wha- OH MY GOD!" Wren exclaimed as she saw the four commando penguins.

The penguins stood in fighting stances before me. I blinked slowly. "Wha-? T-they're the penguins from the Central Park Zoo... WREN! DID YOU SMUGGLE THEM?"

"No, I did not!"

The second shortest of the group lunged forward, planting me firmly on the floor. "Rico, ropes!" He commanded. The second tallest penguin, with a funny tuft of feathers on top of his head, hacked up a long coil of ropes.

A sudden realization came over me. Four commando penguins... Central Park Zoo... Rico... coughing up weapons... Oh. My. God. The penguins of Madagascar, in my house? I must be dreaming...

Before I knew it, Wren and I were tied together with the ropes Rico had coughed up. The tallest, who I knew was Kowalski, whipped out a clipboard. The shortest penguin, who I knew was Private, looked slightly guilty. "Skippah... is this really necessary? I don't think they're spies..."

"SPIES? You think we're spies?" Wren exclaimed.

"Why else would you take so many pictures of us?" Skipper demanded.

"Because my friend here has never been to a city in her life."

"Okay, so I took a few pictures..."

"Hannah. You took 56 pictures. Of the city residents."

I smiled nervously as Kowalski raised an eyebrow suspiciously and scribbled something down on his notepad. "... I don't think you're helping us out here, Wren..."

Wren rolled her eyes. "Look, can we just get untied? I honestly have no idea what the hell is going on here, these ropes are freakin' itchy, and we aren't spies. And I'm HUNGRY."

Skipper shook his head. "I still don't trust you two. You haven't said anything to make us believe you aren't spies."

"Well, let's see... we're 14 years old, in 9th grade, no fighting experience whatsoever... unless arm-wrestling counts..." I thought for a moment, then looked over at Wren. "Anything else to add?"

"I'm hungry."

I rolled my eyes. "So, on that note... can we get untied now?"

"Names?"

"Hannah and B-"

"Wren!" Wren interrupted me. "Call me Wren."

Skipper raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing that's not her real name...?"

I sighed. "Her real name is Brennan, but everyone calls her Wren."

Kowalski's POV

"Skipper," I said, lowering my clipboard, "I think we can trust these girls. They've given us all of the information we need to know. Except..." I raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly are we?"

"Vermont," Hannah replied. She added, "Can you guys please untie us now? Seriously... I'm claustrophobic. Majorly."

Skipper raised an eyebrow. "Kowalski?"

"Claustrophobia is the fear of small, enclosed or cramped spaces," I said automatically, glancing at Hannah. "I think we should untie them."

Hannah looked at me and mouthed, "Thank you," as Skipper and Rico began untying them.

I nodded and quickly looked down at my clipboard, feeling slightly awkward. As soon as they were untied, Hannah stood, and Wren lunged for her backpack. "FOOD!" She yelled. I chuckled. Then my eyes widened as she pulled out a small vial... my human serum!

"Wait... be careful with that!" I exclaimed.

"This yours?"

I nodded.

She tossed it to me.