CHAPTER 1: OF SERPENTS AND SPIDERS
3 DAYS TILL THE CONFRONTATION
Mamba and Python were walking in Sparkyville Park. It was three days until the confrontation of the Lizard Ladies. They couldn't believe that they were teaming with the Spiders, their rivals. But according to Cobra and Black Widow, the Lizards had recruited a large number of girls for their gang, in addition to the rogue Spiders members and either Rattler or Anaconda. Cobra, Mamba, and Python didn't let it be known to either Rattler or Anaconda that they knew one of them may have been conspiring with the Lizards. So neither one of them suspect that the girls knows anything.
"Can you believe that we're teaming with the Spiders, Py?" said a bewildered Mamba. "You know it's serious when we team with the rivals."
"I know, Mamba," said Python. "And only three days away from meeting them. I'm scared, Mamba. Remember when I said I feel something bad was going to happen?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, that feeling is getting stronger now than it was before. We really need to watch our backs, Mamba. Don't trust anyone and trust no one!"
"Uh… okay."
"You still have the jewelry box I gave you, right?"
"I do, Python."
"Good. Remember my instructions."
"I haven't forgotten, Py. I got it down."
The girls continued to walk the park. They were on edge, for good reason. A new gang wants to size them up and one of their own may be a member.
Meanwhile at the bus depot, Peppermint Patty and Franco were saying their goodbyes to Thibault. He was going back to military school. While home he was glad to make peace with Marcie and catch up with Patty on what was happening.
"Well, thanks again for seeing me off," said Thibault. "I was glad to hang out with you guys."
"Don't mention it, Thibault," said Patty. "And if you play your cards right, there may be a spot on the team when you come home for the summer."
"Really?" said an excited Thibault. "I'd like that. I actually miss playing with you guys."
"Just keep up the good work on yourself, and you will be guaranteed a place on the team again."
"Okay, see you in a few months."
"See ya, Thibault!" said Patty.
"Auf Wiedersehen, mein Freund!" said Franco. And Thibault got on the bus. As soon as he found his seat, the bus took off. Patty and Franco waved goodbye to Thibault.
At the Brown's house, Charlie Brown and Frieda watched a frantic Sally go back and forth. She was still fuming over her being "snubbed" by Linus over Christmas. Charlie Brown knew his sister could be stubborn and a bit self-absorbed. But now she had gone crazy with her obsession over Linus. He wondered if he should tell her about Linus and Eudora.
"I just found out that Linus was with another girl at the theater on Christmas," she said. "I am going to find out who this jezebel is, and with the help of Eudora, I can put an end to this affair!"
Charlie Brown and Frieda looked at each other with worry when she said that. They both knew Eudora was the girl Linus was seeing.
"Sally," Charlie Brown began, "don't you think you're taking this a bit too far? Besides, it's not like Linus went out of his way to see you in the first place to begin with."
"You should calm down, Sally," said a concerned Frieda. "Relax and take a deep breath."
"I can't calm down!" Sally retorted. "I'm mad and I don't want to stop being mad! At least not until I confront this other girl and Linus! THEN I'll calm down!"
"She's lost it, Charlie Brown," said Frieda.
"I know," sighed Charlie Brown. "And I hope Linus watches himself. Sally went from innocent crush to outright obsession to now borderline stalker. Not quite Thibault-level yet, but she's getting there."
"Maybe we should tell her about him and Eudora dating," Frieda suggested.
"I don't know about that, Frieda," said Charlie Brown. "It might send her over the edge."
"She's already over the edge," Frieda stated. "How much further could she go?"
"That's what I don't want to find out," Charlie Brown replied. They continued to watch as Sally kept on ranting and raving about how she was going to win Linus back.
NEXT CHAPTER: TALKING TREEHOUSES
