Chapter 5: Campout

The kids pushed open the door and stepped out onto the beach. As the sand drifted back to the ground, they saw that their surroundings remained the same: the beach was empty, and nothing could be seen in the shadows of the trees further up the island but tropical vegetation. The brilliant colors in the west were quickly fading into darkness. Besides the gentle rhythm of the waves rolling on the shore, the only sound was some birds chirping. Nothing seemed threatening; in fact, the place was very peaceful.

Goddard hopped out of the Hover-Sub after the kids and studied the island interestedly. Beside him, Libby gazed around admiringly, Carl seemed to be enjoying the soothing setting, and Sheen was actually kept silent for a few moments while he took everything in. Cindy was the only one not in a good mood. Although she could tell it wasn't the same island, it still reminded her a lot of the one she and Jimmy had been stranded on. But she was too angry and upset to find happiness in those memories right then. Quickly she pushed the thoughts away and got back to business.

"OK," she began, "Sheen and Carl, you two go collect wood for a fire while Libby and I set up camp."

"But I'm frightened of dark jungles!" Carl objected. "They irritate my…"

Cindy held up a threatening fist. "Just go or you'll have something worse to be frightened of!"

Carl shrank away and hurried off toward the jungle after Sheen, who had already entered its dark interior. Goddard trotted after them. As soon as they were gone, Libby smiled and shook her head, but Cindy was still annoyed. Without a word, they got to work removing the sleeping bags from the Hover-Sub, spreading them out on the beach, and unpacking some of their food.

Eventually, Sheen returned, wobbling under the weight of the load of sticks in his arms. Goddard was at his heels, and Carl came last, panting and carrying a much smaller stick pile than Sheen. Libby grabbed some of Sheen's sticks so they could roast marshmallows, then the boys plopped the rest down in the center of the circle of sleeping bags. As Carl dropped dramatically to the sand, looking half-dead, Goddard shot a laser beam at the sticks. Immediately there was a roaring fire in the middle of the kids' campsite.

Libby picked up a bag of marshmallows. "I'm starvin'!"

Sheen raised his hand eagerly. "Let the feast begin!" he cried.

"Ya better calm down," Libby advised, but Sheen paid no attention. As he began to devour the chocolate, Libby stared in shock. "Uh, Sheen, we were gonna use those for S'mores!"

Sheen stared at the chocolate bar in his hands as he chewed. "Mmm…taste…too… good…"

"Careful, Sheen," Cindy warned dryly. "Remember the time you passed out from excess sugar intake?"

Sheen stopped mid-bite to retort indignantly. "Hey! This isn't half as much sugar as I ate that day!"

Carl joined Sheen, and together, they ate most of the candy bars in a matter of minutes. Libby found herself watching in horror as she slowly chewed a marshmallow.

"I think I'm losin' my appetite," she said, cringing at the boys.

Suddenly, a low growl from the jungle pierced the air! Carl cowered down and Sheen hid behind Libby.

"What was that?" Libby wondered fearfully as they stared into the jungle.

At first, all they could see was darkness. Then, all at once, several figures leapt out of the shadows! All were dressed in loincloths made out of leaves and held wooden spears. As they stepped toward the campsite, they didn't appear very friendly, either.

"This doesn't look good," Libby commented, gazing in terror at the approaching natives.

"They're cannibals that won't be satisfied till they've tasted human flesh!" Sheen cried out dramatically. "I volunteer Carl!"

Carl turned angrily on Sheen. "Hey!"

"Sheen, I think you might be right!" Then Libby caught herself. "Well…not about volunteerin' Carl." She glanced over at her friend, desperate for an idea. "Girl, you got a plan?"

Cindy was as wide-eyed as Libby. "Um, run!" she yelled.