CHAPTER 2: SOUVENIRS & SALTWATER CROCS
Charlie Brown, Frieda, Linus, and Eudora were doing some souvenir shopping in town. They were also shopping for some clothes to bring back home. Linus had found a digeridoo to ship back to Sparkyville since he probably couldn't take it on the plane when they left. Eudora picked up some postcards with Australian life on them. Charlie Brown bought an explorer's hat. And Frieda got some boomerangs that she would also ship back home later. As far as the clothing went, they all bought a variety of outfits and new swimwear for when they went back to the beach.
As the day progressed, they went to have lunch at a burger place. Charlie Brown had gotten a call on his cell phone. It was Franklin.
"Hey Franklin," he greeted. "What's up?"
"Charlie Brown, when you guys get done, come meet up with us at Zac's," said Franklin. "Franco just challenged Zac to a rugby game."
"Does this have to do with Franco thinking Zac is trying to get with Patty?"
"It does."
"Rats! I was afraid this would happen."
"Me too, man. We're just leaving the arcade. We'll see you in a few."
"Okay, Franklin." Charlie Brown hung up his phone. "Good grief, Franco!"
"What is it, hun?" asked a concerned Frieda.
"Franco just challenged Zac to a rugby game for bragging rights and Peppermint Patty's honor!" sighed Charlie Brown.
"Oh no!" said Eudora.
"You don't think they'll come to blows, do you, Charlie Brown?" asked Linus.
"I hope not, Linus," said Charlie Brown. "Because we've all noticed Zac being quite flirty with Patty, but we all know she can be a bit, well…"
"Oblivious?" said Eudora.
"Thick-headed?" Frieda replied.
"Dense?" added Linus.
"That and more," Charlie Brown responded. "Franklin said to meet up at Zac's because that's where they're headed now." And the kids finished their lunch and went to Zac's place.
While that was going on, Snoopy, Woodstock, Gracie, Hops, and Snowflake were having their own adventure. They decided to explore some wetlands near the ocean.
"So what exactly are we looking for, Snoopy?' asked Gracie.
"Different plants and flowers," Snoopy replied.
"We need t' be careful 'round these parts," warned Hops. "No tellin' what kind o' animals are 'ere."
"We'll keep that in mind," said Gracie.
"||||| |||| ||||||," Woodstock chirped.
"Let's try t' stay close," said Snowflake. "Predators will 'ave a hard time tryin' t' eat all of us at once."
The dogs, bird, and kangaroos continued to explore the wetlands. Pretty soon they stopped for a rest. Snoopy sat on a weird log. The kangaroos drank from a nearby brook.
"Wow, we haven't found a single rare flower or plant while out here," said Snoopy.
"Maybe we're looking in the wrong spots," suggested Gracie.
"Maybe," agreed Snoopy, "but we should keep searching, either way. There has to be something weird and out of the ordinary here in Australia." Snoopy didn't know it, but he had just sat on a saltwater crocodile, and it was waking up.
"Maybe if we go further north, we may find something," the beagle continued, oblivious to the vicious caiman now eyeing him and just waiting for the right moment to strike. Gracie and Woodstock saw the croc waking up though, and began to try to warn Snoopy, who just kept talking. He finally noticed their changing demeanor.
"What's with you guys?" he asked, genuinely confused. Hops and Snowflake came in just in time.
"SNOOPY, GET UP!" yelled Hops. "YOU'RE SITTIN' ON A SALTWATER CROCODILE!"
The beagle turned to see nothing but razor-sharp teeth in his face. He sped off before the jaws of the crocodile could shut and bite him. The dogs and bird hopped in the pouches of the kangaroos and they took off for home with the crocodile hot on their tail. Once they made it back to the road, by coincidence, Xavier and Claire, Jadan and Joey's parents, went by.
"Xavier, wasn't that Hops, Gracie, Snowflake, and Charles's dog, Snoopy?" Claire asked.
"I think so," Xavier responded. "Let's pick them up." And the pets all hopped in the back of the pickup and they rode back to the Grandin household, right as the crocodile made it to the road. Snoopy decided he would stay closer to his owner, or in the backyard of the house and not go adventuring for the rest of the trip, unless he was with the rest of the gang.
NEXT CHAPTER: WHEN THE GAME TURNS INTO A BRAWL