The Creature from Club Lagoona by R.L. Stine Page B

other side. “We’re missing all the fun!”
    That’s when I made a mistake. I looked down.
    Water. On both sides of me. And there I was, stuck right in the middle of it.
    I swallowed hard. The bridge shook more violently. Then I realized my trembling knees were making it vibrate.
    Just keep your eyes straight ahead, I ordered myself. Stay focused on Polly, Mom, and Dad. And keep walking. That’s the only way off the bridge—without getting wet!
    I approached the middle of the bridge. My heartpounded harder. The bridge sank even farther than I thought, dipping just a little into the moat.
    Water sloshed over my feet, soaking my sneakers. I gripped the handrails harder.
    I trudged on, teeth clenched, feeling the water swirl around my ankles.
    Then something caught my attention, just outside my view. What was it? I turned quickly to face it.
    Something black and triangular cut smoothly through the water.
    Is that a fin ? I wondered. I thought of the horrible shark in my book. The black triangle disappeared behind me.
    Panic made my whole body shudder. I tried to calm down.
    There wouldn’t be a shark in the moat, I reassured myself. It would be too dangerous for the people at the resort. It had to be my imagination.
    But then I thought about Jaws . Nobody believed there was a shark there either. Not at first.
    I took five deep breaths to calm down. Then I started walking again. The other side of the moat grew closer. I was nearly there. I was going to make it across.
    â€œTad! Look out!” Polly screamed.
    I heard a splash. Something behind me broke the surface of the water. Waves washed over my feet.
    The rickety bridge shook and swayed.
    I clung to the sides, desperately trying not to fall.
    I glanced over my shoulder.
    The biggest shark I had ever seen rose up out of the water. Its massive jaws opened, revealing a mouthful of deadly teeth.
    Then it lunged for me!

2

    â€œN oooooooo!” I shrieked.
    Rows of razor-sharp teeth flashed in the sunlight. I let go of the handrails and covered my head. I backed up against one of the rope rails, trying to escape the shark. I held my breath, waiting for the sharp teeth to chomp down on me.
    Nothing happened.
    Did the shark sink back underwater? Did I frighten it with my scream? Or was it under the bridge, about to attack from the other side?
    I peeked between my fingers.
    The shark waited right in front of me now. Huge. Menacing. Awesome.
    And only inches from my face. It opened and shutits massive jaws. I froze. Was I going to be a shark snack?
    The jaws opened again.
    â€œWelcome to Club Lagoona!” a tinny voice said.
    Huh? A talking shark? I leaned forward. I could see a tiny speaker in the shark’s throat!
    â€œIt’s time to get wet! ” the shark added. A stream of water shot from its mouth. It squirted me in the face.
    Then the shark sank under the water again.
    It’s a robot fish! I realized. Of course! Like the ones they use in movies.
    I plastered a big smile on my face and tried to look casual. As if I hadn’t been faked out by a mechanical fish. I could hear Polly laughing hysterically as I dried my face on my T-shirt.
    â€œGet wet!” she shouted. She laughed so hard, she doubled over.
    I shot her my nastiest look.
    â€œCome on, Tad,” Dad called. “Quit clowning around. Let’s get checked in.”
    Checking in was the last thing I wanted to do. I was ready to turn around and head home.
    I joined my family at the entrance to the club. The building looked like a gigantic whale head. To get in, we had to walk into the whale’s wide-open mouth.
    Cute.
    Inside the whale’s mouth was the lobby of Club Lagoona. I had to admit, it was pretty amazing. Hugebanana trees and coconut trees grew right up to the high glass roof. Red and blue parrots flew around free. Tiny green chameleons scampered among tropical plants.
    The reception desk stood in the center of the room. Polly, Mom, and Dad