Welcome to the Jungle by Matt London

“Speaking of which—” He pulled out his pocket tablet and inspected the waterproof device. “We have less than a day left to stop the two continents from colliding.”
    Evie gulped. She couldn’t believe that the countdown was more than half over. If only she hadn’t lost the first super root, they’d have anchored the continent by now and rescued their parents.
    The sound of blaring music interrupted Evie’s thoughts. “It’s like the soundtrack to an old Hollywood musical,” she muttered to herself, expecting to see dozens of long-legged dancers in diamond-encrusted swim caps forming kaleidoscopic designs in the water. But as they were propelled into yet another indoor lake all she saw was more inflatable animals—a crocodile here, a stingray there—all pink, and without occupants. Was there no one else in this puffy pastel heaven?
    â€œI say, one more meager handful. It is all I ask.”
    â€œThat sounds like 2-Tor!” Evie said.
    The voice grew louder. “Evelyn? Is that you? Over here!”
    Evie slipped out of her boat and waded to the edge of the lake. The ground, the walls, everything in this place had the give of an inflatable bouncy castle. Maybe it
was
an inflatable bouncy castle? Pretty cool. It must have been that tall castle spire she had seen from the golf course, in the middle of New Boca.
    She slipped several times climbing out of the lake, but then managed to beach herself, her soggy shoes squeaking on the plastic. Rick and Sprout paddled over to her and climbed out of the water, dripping everywhere.
    2-Tor stood a few dozen yards away. He wore a collar around his neck that chained him to an inflatable palm tree. On a pedestal in front of him was a silver tray piled high with wriggling earthworms, and at his side was the woman poacher from the jungle. She turned to look at the three children and tossed a fistful of worms at 2-Tor, who snatched them out of the air with his beak, gobbling them eagerly.
    â€œGood evening, children!” 2-Tor said with a full mouth, a breach of manners he would have reprimanded Evie for, she was certain. “This is Elizabeth, otherwise known as the Big Game Huntress, one of the most violent and devious poachers on the planet. She’s wanted by the authorities in over two dozen nations.”
    â€œA pleasure,” the Big Game Huntress said, sounding like she was trying out to be a contestant in the
America’s Most Apathetic
competition.
    Evie’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “2-Tor, you’re chained up. Why do you sound so happy?”
    The bird swallowed loudly. “She is serving me all the worms I can eat. Have you ever had worms, Evelyn? They’re delicious!”
    â€œLet him go,” Rick demanded, wearing his serious face.
    The Big Game Huntress gave a nasty cackle. “What? Never. This is the first I’ve ever seen a specimen like this. He’s exquisite. You hear that, bird? Exquisite. He’s the prize of my collection. You can’t have him.”
    Evie wasn’t afraid. “We’ll take him by force if we have to.”
    â€œOh yeah? Force? How’d that work out for your friend last time?”
    Sprout rubbed the big knot on the back of his head ruefully.
    â€œGo ahead, kids. Try me. Next time I’ll make you sleep longer. A
lot
longer. Ya dig?”
    A sweet voice interrupted. “Oh, will you leave those little dears alone? Hello, my darlings. Please, have a cookie. Have two of every color.”
    A huge plastic flamingo in the lake turned to face them. The back of the flamingo was curved, forming an inflatable throne upon which the littlest old lady Evie had ever seen reclined. She was skinny as a stick. Her bright white hair fluffed above her wrinkly head like the mane of a Pomeranian. She wore bulbous sunglasses and a mottled nylon pink tracksuit that whistled when she moved. In her hand was a mug made from a hollowed-out