Spot the Swamp Lizard Man [1 ed.] 9781680779790, 9781624021541

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

by Jan Fields Illustrated by Scott Brundage

Spot the Swamp Lizard Man, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Spot the Swamp Lizard Man, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

by Jan Fields Illustrated by Scott Brundage

An Imprint of Magic Wagon abdopublishing.com

Spot the Swamp Lizard Man, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

abdopublishing.com Published by Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439. Copyright © 2017 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Calico™ is a trademark and logo of Magic Wagon. Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota. 052016 092016

Written by Jan Fields Illustrated by Scott Brundage Edited by Tamara L. Britton & Megan M. Gunderson Design Contributors: Candice Keimig & Laura Mitchell

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Fields, Jan, author. | Brundage, Scott, illustrator. | Fields, Jan. Monster hunters. Title: Spot the Swamp lizard man / by Jan Fields ; illustrated by Scott Brundage. Description: Minneapolis, MN : Magic Wagon, [2017] | Series: Monster hunters | Summary: The Discover Cryptids film crew travel to South Carolina to investigate reports of a Swamp lizard man, which they are convinced is a hoax, just like all the other monsters--but Gabe is not so sure. Identifiers: LCCN 2016016972 | ISBN 9781624021541 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781680779844 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Monsters--Juvenile fiction. | Curiosities and wonders--Juvenile fiction. | Video recording--Juvenile fiction. | Hoaxes--Juvenile fiction. | Swamps--South Carolina--Juvenile fiction. | Adventure stories. | South Carolina--Juvenile fiction. | CYAC: Monsters--Fiction. | Curiosities and wonders--Fiction. | Video recording--Fiction. | Hoaxes--Fiction. | Swamps--Fiction. | Adventure and adventurers--Fiction. | South Carolina--Fiction. | GSAFD: Adventure fiction. Classification: LCC PZ7.F479177 Sp 2016 | DDC 813.6 [Fic] --dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016016972

Spot the Swamp Lizard Man, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

TABLE of CONTENTS TENTACLES AND TERROR ...........4 chapter 2 EVIDENCE ...................................9 chapter 3 A WARNING .............................. 17 chapter 4 A CLOSE CALL ........................ 2 6 chapter 5 MORE MONSTERS ....................36 chapter 6 INTO THE SWAMP .....................44 chapter 7 A LIZARD MAN SIGHTING .......52 chapter 8 THE LIZARD MAN ATTACKS ... 61 chapter 9 LOST IN THE DARK ...................70 chapter 10 A SURPRISING DISCOVERY......78

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chapter 1

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chapter 1

TENTACLES AND TERROR Water ran steadily s from the bill of Gabe Brown’s rain slicker hood. His gaze never left the black water of Lake Thunderbird. The storm turned the waves angry. Gabe blinked against the wet. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. When normal people took a boat out on a lake, they expected fun. When the Monster Hunters Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

did it, they hoped they wouldn’t be eaten. Gabe leaned over the water, trying to see past the darkness. Something struck the bottom of the boat. His best friend Tyler slammed into him, nearly sending him headlong into the water. “Do you see anything?” Tyler bellowed in his ear. “No,” Gabe yelled back. The boat bucked in 4

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the water again. Tyler pitched halfway over the side, but Gabe grabbed the hood of his jacket and hauled him back. “Gabe!” At the sound of his brother’s voice, Gabe turned around. He could barely see the shadow of his older brother against the deeper darkness of the stormy night. Ben waved his arm, beckoning Gabe toward him. “Come and get the camera,” Ben yelled. “I think something’s about to happen.” Gabe started toward the rear of the boat as Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the first tentacle erupted from the water. More followed, waving madly. They knocked into the boat, sending it rocking. A particularly rough jostle slammed Gabe against the side of the boat. One of the thick tentacles slammed into Gabe, half wrapping around his middle before jerking him over the side of the boat. Gabe bellowed, “Ben!” 5

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Dark

water

rushed

into

his

mouth, but the thick tentacle didn’t seem interested in holding him. Gabe squirmed free. Still, the water was full of thick thrashing tentacles. Gabe couldn’t see them in the dark. He was swatted back and forth as he struggled to reach the boat. “Gabe!” He turned toward the sound of

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his brother’s voice. “Grab the pole!”

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

As Gabe splashed toward Ben’s voice, something bumped his head. He reached up to push it away, thinking it was another tentacle. Instead he felt the pole. He grabbed it, and Ben pulled him toward the boat. He saw another pole with a hook on it poking at the tentacles. Finally, Ben hauled him over the side of the boat. “Are you all right?” Ben bellowed. 7

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Gabe coughed and nodded. “Thanks.” “I guess this proves there really is a giant octopus in Lake Thunderbird,” Tyler said. “And I got it on camera.” “I don’t know about that,” Sean said. He held the hooked pole he’d used to drive off the tentacles. He pried something off the sharp tip of the hook. “I’m pretty sure it’s man-made.” “Why would someone make a giant killer octopus?” Tyler asked. “Good question,” Ben said. “Along with who. I’m going to find out.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“You know the rule,” said Gabe. “No one goes in the water alone.” Ben nodded. “Let’s go.” As Gabe jumped into the water he wished Tyler would stop calling it a killer octopus. That was his last calm thought before the tentacles started thrashing again.

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chapter 2

EVIDENCE As the van bumped along the pitted back road, Gabe leaned over to look at the image on Sean’s computer tablet. It showed a rather lumpy gray lizard man with big feet and hands. “That doesn’t look very real.” Tyler’s head popped over the seat in front of them and he pointed. “It’s real enough for me. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Like we found out in Oklahoma, fake monsters leave bruises too.” Gabe couldn’t argue after the battering he and Ben had gotten when they swam down to the octopus machine and followed the cables running it back to another boat. The fake octopus people were in jail. Their efforts to drive people away from the lake were over. Sean looked 9

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up from his tablet. “I didn’t get any bruises in Oklahoma.” “You never do,” Tyler answered. “Why?” “Brains,” Sean said. Gabe drew his friend’s attention back to the computer. “So, is this made out of rubber like the octopus in Oklahoma?” Sean looked at him blankly. “I can’t tell from a photo. Though we can safely assume it isn’t real.” “Why is that?” Tyler asked. “They never are.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Gabe didn’t argue with his friend, but he didn’t agree either. He was sure he’d seen real cryptids since they’d joined his brother to make his Internet show, Discover Cryptids. They had seen a lot of fakes, but he believed some of the creatures were real, probably. “Sean,” Ben called from the driver’s seat. “Aren’t you going to share any fun facts about 10

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South Carolina? I’m curious about the state.” “My fun facts are not always appreciated,” Sean said. “Sure they are,” Ben called back, giving Gabe and Tyler a sharp look in the rear view mirror. “Yeah, lay some fun facts on us,” Tyler said. Sean did some quick searching with his tablet. He raised an eyebrow. “Here’s an interesting fact. The Swamp Lizard Man isn’t the only cryptid in South Carolina. According to this, Lake Murray has a water monster.” Gabe shuddered. “No more water monsters Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

for a while. How about a happier fun fact?” “Um, the salamander is the official state amphibian?” Sean suggested. “No wonder the Swamp Lizard Man feels comfortable there,” Tyler said. “They like slimy, creepy things. “Like most reptiles, lizards have dry skin with scales and no slime,” Sean said. “Also, since 11

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we’re looking for the Swamp Lizard Man, I’m not even certain he qualifies as a reptile.” Tyler rolled his eyes. “Fine, just creepy then.” Sean turned his attention back to his tablet, muttering. Gabe looked out the van window at the passing scenery. He felt like he did that a lot. He wondered if he’d ever get used to staying in one place again. “We’re heading into town,” Ben sang out from the front seat. Gabe looked past Sean to see a welcome sign surrounded by bright red flowers. They Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

continued on and soon another sign caught Gabe’s attention. “What’s on that sign?” Ben pulled off the road so they could look over a hand-painted sign with what looked like a dancing Swamp Lizard Man on it. “You don’t see that every day,” Tyler said. “Hey, it’s a restaurant. I’m starving. Can we go in and eat?” 12

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“Sure,” Ben said. “I’d like a closer look at this place myself.” They piled out into the steamy sunshine and walked into the building. Inside, ceiling fans moved the hot air around in a lazy way. The air smelled of fried food and spice. Gabe spotted a photo on the wall behind the cash register. It was the same one they’d seen online. The Swamp Lizard Man with buggy eyes, huge feet, and a long dragging tail. Ben pointed at the photo as he walked up to the counter. “Have you seen the Swamp Lizard Man?” The man behind the counter laughed. He Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

was short and round with close-cropped hair. His laughter showed off big yellowing teeth. “If I’d seen that critter, he’d be on the menu.” “But some people have seen him,” Ben said. “So I hear,” the man said. “You all going to have lunch? We have good shrimp and grits.” “I like shrimp,” Gabe said. “But what are grits? Something gritty doesn’t sound appetizing.” 13

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The man smiled wide at Gabe. “A Southern delicacy made from corn. You’ll like it.” “Sounds good,” Ben said and ordered some for everyone along with cold sodas. They walked over to one of the few empty tables to wait for their name to be called. Gabe looked around and saw a kid about his age, sitting alone with a book open on the table in front of him. The boy had big dark eyes, but he looked a lot like the man behind the counter. He caught Gabe looking and he grinned back at him. He waved for Gabe to come over. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Gabe slipped out of his chair and walked over. “You wanted to talk to me?” “I heard your dad asking about the Swamp Lizard Man.” Gabe was startled into a bark of laughter. Then he shook his head. “Brother. Not dad.” The other kid shrugged. “I could take you to see the Swamp Lizard Man. But you’d have to 14

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come alone, after dark.” Then he held out his hand. “And you’d have to pay me.” Gabe crossed his arms over his chest. “Why all the secrecy?” The kid didn’t answer for a moment, then nodded toward the counter. “My grandparents don’t want me chasing the Swamp Lizard Man, not after what happened.” “What happened?” Gabe was curious, though he thought the boy was putting him on. “The thing attacked me. I almost died. Since then, if I go into the swamp, he comes running. I Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

guess he hopes to finish the job.” The boy smiled. “Hasn’t happened yet. So do you have the guts to see the Swamp Lizard Man?” “Why should I believe you?” The boy turned over the hand that he had held out. On his arm was a thick scar that looked a lot like a bite mark. “’Cause the Swamp Lizard Man tried to eat me, and he almost did it, too.” 15

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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chapter 3

A WARNING Gabe looked at the scar on the boy’s arm for a moment. “That must have hurt.” The strange boy leaned closer. “You can’t imagine how much.” He sat back again. “So, you want to go find the Swamp Lizard Man?” “Why would you go near the Swamp Lizard Man if he tried to eat you?” Gabe asked. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Money,” the kid said. The kid leaned his chin on his hand and waited for Gabe to decide. Gabe couldn’t take his eyes off the thick scar on the boy’s arm. Tyler walked over to Gabe. “So what’s up?” “I was offering your friend a chance to see the Swamp Lizard Man,” the boy said. “You can come too, but you’ll have to pay extra.” 17

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“Actually, you’d have to take all of us,” Gabe said. “We’re here to make an Internet television show about the Swamp Lizard Man.” The boy’s eyes narrowed. “If I show you where the monster is, you can’t put me on the show.” “We could probably manage that. It’s up to my brother.” The boy frowned toward Ben who was back at their table, staring at his cell phone screen. “I don’t like dealing with grown-ups,” he said. “Maybe not, but Ben is where our money Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

comes from,” Gabe said. “Okay, fine. Meet me at nine o’clock tonight at the Lee State Park campground. I’ll be in the cabin next to the artesian well in the youth camping area.” “We’ll be there,” Gabe said. “You better give me your cell phone number so I can reach you in case something comes up.” 18

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The boy shook his head. “I don’t have a cell phone. Be there or don’t be there. But just in case, you better give me twenty dollars up front.” Gabe shushed him and pulled his wallet from his shorts. He only had twelve dollars. He looked over at Tyler, who groaned and handed over eight dollars. He turned to Gabe and mouthed, “You owe me.” Gabe just nodded. “Great, I’ll see you then. Now go on back to your table before my grandparents wonder why I’m talking to you.” He turned his attention toward his book. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Fine, but you didn’t even tell me your name,” Gabe said. The boy barely flicked his gaze toward Gabe. “Jamal. Now go away.” Gabe and Tyler walked back to their table and sat. Ben was at the counter collecting their lunch. Sean looked up at them from his tablet. “You’re back.” 19

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“Nothing gets by you,” Tyler said. “We have a date to see the Swamp Lizard Man tonight.” Sean raised his eyebrows in surprise. “That should be interesting. I didn’t know cryptids scheduled appointments.” “Maybe not,” Gabe said. “But mysterious tour guides do.” Ben set the tray of food on the table, and the hungry boys quickly went to work on it. They discovered that grits were some kind of corn porridge, but with the shrimp, they liked it. When they were done, Gabe told Ben about Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the plan to meet Jamal. Ben frowned. “Sounds like that boy might have taken advantage of you, little brother.” Gabe slumped in his seat. He hated it when Ben treated him like a kid. “You didn’t see the scar. Something bit him.” “It was probably a dog,” Sean said. “According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are 20

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more than 4.5 million people bitten by dogs every year.” “Don’t worry about it,” Ben said. “We were going to camp at the park tonight anyway. Getting a guided tour by a local is a good idea. Even if he did make up the part about the Swamp Lizard Man.” “By camping, you mean staying in a cabin, right?” Sean said. “No, by camping, I meant a tent,” Ben answered. “We have tents in the van and sleeping bags. The park doesn’t have cabins.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“I don’t suppose you’d drop me off at a nice motel,” Sean said. “Me too,” Tyler added. Gabe looked at Tyler in surprise. “I thought you liked camping.” “I used to,” Tyler agreed. “Before the nights were filled with monsters who like biting kids.” “We’ll protect you,” Gabe promised. 21

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“I won’t,” Sean said. “If a monster shows up, each of us needs to be responsible for his own running and hiding.” Tyler slung an arm over Sean’s shoulders. “Thanks. I knew I could count on you.” Ben, Sean and Tyler stood up and headed for

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the door. Gabe gathered up the garbage from

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their lunch and threw it in the trash can. He started toward the door and nearly ran right into a gray-haired woman in a faded blue sweater. The old woman pointed at him. “I heard you all talking to my husband about the Swamp Lizard Man.” She nodded toward the man

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behind the counter. “You stay away from him.”

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“Stay away from your husband?” Gabe asked. She poked him in the middle of the forehead. “Stay away from the Swamp Lizard Man.” “We can’t really do that,” Gabe said, rubbing the spot where she’d poked. “My brother makes a show, like a television show, but on the Internet. He’s going to have an episode about the Swamp Lizard Man.” The woman shook her head. “That monster is dangerous. You boys stay clear. You’re too young to mess with things like that.” Gabe nearly groaned aloud. He hated it when Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

people thought he was too young for things. “I handle the camera for my brother’s show,” he said proudly. “And we’ve filmed episodes about all kinds of monsters. I think I can handle the Swamp Lizard Man.” She shook a finger at him. Her loose sweater flapped, sending the smell of mothballs into the air. Gabe wrinkled his nose. “Mind me, boy. 24

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Stay out of the swamp, especially at night. The Swamp Lizard Man walks in the night.” Gabe was starting to think the old lady was a little weird. He tried to look around her, hoping to catch a glimpse of his brother. But he didn’t see the guys anywhere. They were probably at the van waiting for him. “Boy!” the woman said rather loudly. “You listening to me?” “Yes, ma’am,” Gabe said. “And thank you for the advice. We’ll be careful.” She leaned close to him, peering into his Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

face and whispered in an eerie voice. “Don’t be thinking you can mess with the Swamp Lizard Man. These things ain’t bound by the normal laws of the universe. You mess with that, he make you dead!”

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chapter 4

A CLOSE CALL The road into the park was beautiful, shaded by pine trees. They followed the looping road around to the park office. A young park ranger came over to greet them, introducing herself as Ranger Kelly. She wore a light blue uniform shirt and a ranger hat that shaded her face. A slight sunburn reddened her cheeks and nose. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ben told her they planned to camp in the park for a couple of days. Then he asked her about wildlife in the area. Ranger Kelly smiled and said, “We have a lot of deer and you’ll see raccoons, especially if you don’t secure your food. We also have beaver, otter, fox squirrels, even bobcats. And many birds. Plus, the river is full of interesting creatures.” 26

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“How about lizards?” Tyler asked. “You’ll see more salamanders than lizards,” she said. “Though we have some anoles. And then there are the snakes and turtles.” “Snakes?” Tyler said with a shudder. “They don’t come into tents do they?” “Not usually,” she said. “The wildlife are more afraid of you than you are of them.” “That seems unlikely,” Tyler said. “We’re actually interested in very large lizards,” Sean said, “that walk on two legs.” The ranger laughed. “The Swamp Lizard Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Man? Some folks say they’ve seen him around here. I haven’t. I wouldn’t get my hopes up about spotting anything that unusual here.” “So you don’t believe in him?” Sean asked. The ranger winked at him. “I didn’t say that. You never know what you might find in the wetlands. It’s a beautiful place, but it pays to be alert.” 27

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“Alert for what?” Tyler asked. She shrugged, then patted his shoulder. “You should be fine if you stay to the trails. Just remember to respect nature, because sometimes it bites. And speaking of biting, you’ll want some bug repellent too.” With that she wished them a good day and pedaled away. As he watched Ranger Kelly go, Gabe thought of the thick scar on Jamal’s arm in the restaurant. Just how big a bite did nature take

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here?

The boys quickly set up the two tents from the back of the van. Ben sat at a nearby picnic table, looking over a map of the park. He looked up from his reading and said, “There are designated swimming areas here. You guys want to swim?” Sean wrinkled his nose. “Why would I wish to 28

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immerse myself in water filled with invertebrates, fish, and microscopic horrors?” Tyler thumped him on the back. “Because it’s fun!” “I’ll stay here and read,” Sean said, holding up a handful of pamphlets he’d grabbed at the park office. “Go and expose yourselves to untold diseases without me.” “I’m starting to remember how you avoid ever getting bruises,” Tyler said as he grabbed Gabe by the arm and dragged him over to Ben. “Which way to the swimming hole?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ben stood up. “It’s just past the park office. There’s a trail. I’m coming too. I could use some cooling off. I’d forgotten how hot it gets in the South during the summer.” He’d gone about three steps when he spotted Ranger Kelly on her bike, rolling up near their campsite. Ben’s grin stretched across his face. “Actually, you guys go on. I’ll catch up.” 29

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Gabe groaned. Sometimes his big brother could be really goofy over pretty girls. Tyler tugged on his arm. “Let’s go. I don’t want to watch this.” “Me neither.” They walked through the quiet park. Gabe wondered where everyone was. Surely people came to the park in the summer. When they passed the park office, Tyler said, “Hold on. Let’s grab sodas. I’m melting in this heat.” Gabe shook his head. “I can’t. I gave Jamal all my money, remember?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Yeah, but we didn’t give him all of mine. I’ll treat.” They headed toward the office. While they decided on their drinks, Gabe heard voices nearby. He wondered if it was more park rangers. He followed the sound of the voices around the building to the small parking lot. Two men in jeans and T-shirts stood close together. The short one had spiky blond 30

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hair and was wiping his face with his T-shirt. The other man had red hair and freckles like Ranger Kelly. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “This heat is brutal. I hope it cools down tonight. I could have a heat stroke.” “The money will help you get through the pain,” the blond guy said. “I still haven’t figured out why I’m the one who always has to suffer. Isn’t it your turn?” The blond guy grinned. “I’m too short. Besides, practice makes perfect.” He looked up and spotted Gabe, and the smile dropped off his Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

face. “What are you looking at?” Gabe just shook his head and backed away. He didn’t like the angry way the two men watched him slip back around the office to the soda machine. “Where did you go?” Tyler asked as he handed him a soda and the two headed down the well-worn trail toward the swimming area. 31

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The can was icy against Gabe’s hand. He popped the top and slurped down a gulp. “Nowhere. I heard some voices and wondered if it was more rangers. I was going to ask them about the youth camping area that Jamal talked about.” “Did you ask them?” Tyler asked. Gabe shook his head. “No. They weren’t rangers. They were just two guys. They were weird though.” Tyler grinned at his friend. “Your kind of people.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Thanks.” The boys reached the swimming area. Nearly a dozen kids and adults were swimming in a large roped off area of the pond. With a whoop, Tyler peeled off his shirt and kicked off his flipflops. He dropped the shirt and the towel he was carrying to run for the water. Gabe laid his own towel on the messy pile and pulled off his shirt. 32

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“Come on,” Tyler yelled. “The water is great.” After dripping sweat from his walk over, the icy cold water felt terrific. Gabe and Tyler swam and splashed. Finally Tyler pointed to the farthest part of the roped off area. “Race you there and back.” He immediately flipped over and began swimming furiously. “Hey, cheater!” Gabe yelled before he followed, swimming hard to catch up. He was only a little behind Tyler when he reached the rope. He tagged it and turned to swim back. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Suddenly something wrapped around his leg and jerked him under the water. It dragged him under the rope and into the deeper water outside the safe swimming area. Though the water was only barely over his head, Gabe struggled to break free. He twisted, reaching for whatever held his leg. He felt slick, spongy fingers. Someone was holding him. The 33

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fingers felt all wrong. They were knobby and bent backward at the fingertips. Gabe pried at them, but the grip was tight. He twisted in the water and brought his other foot down hard on the wrist of whoever held him. He kicked it over and over. If he didn’t get free soon, he was going to drown. Suddenly, the fingers let go of his leg. Gabe

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shot to the surface, gasping and coughing.

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Tyler popped up beside him. “What happened to you?” he demanded. “Something grabbed me,” Gabe said. “Like a root?” Tyler asked. “Like a hand,” Gabe said. “Like the Swamp Lizard Man’s hand.”

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chapter 5

MORE MONSTERS The boys quickly qu got out of the water. The cool pond no longer looked inviting. Gabe and Tyler pulled their shirts and shoes back on and headed for the campsite. They found Ben perched on a picnic table talking to Ranger Kelly. He looked up at the boys in surprise. “You’re back fast,” Ben said. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Gabe was attacked by the Swamp Lizard Man!” Tyler announced, making Gabe wince. Ranger Kelly started laughing. Then she looked at the boys’ faces. “Oh, I’m sorry. You were serious.” “It wasn’t really the monster,” Gabe said. Tyler stared at him. “What?” “The hand felt spongy,” Gabe said. “And when 36

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I tried to pry the fingers off, they bent backward at the end. A real hand doesn’t do that.” “Whoa,” Ben interrupted. “You better tell me what happened.” Gabe described the attack. At the end, he said, “I think the guy who grabbed me was wearing Swamp Lizard Man gloves. They were probably part of the suit in the photograph.” “You think someone put on a Swamp Lizard Man suit and went swimming in our pond?” Ranger Kelly said, a smile still pulling at the corners of her mouth. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Not the whole suit,” Gabe said. “Just the gloves. And I think I know who it was.” He described the two guys he had seen at the park office. He told her what they had said. “I think they were talking about the suit. It would be really hot. If the tall guy was going to put on the suit and scare people tonight, he’d worry about how hot it is.” 37

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“That’s not a bad theory,” Ranger Kelly said. “But it’s not right.” “Why not?” “I know those guys you described, Joe and Elliot. They come here most days to swim, because they work nights at Burger Buddy. The tall guy works the fryer. It’s really hot work. The other guy is too short to use the fryer.” “Oh.” Gabe’s shoulders slumped. He really thought he’d figured it out. “Well, someone grabbed me.” “I believe you. You don’t seem like a kid who Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

makes stuff up. But there were other kids at the pond, right?” “Yeah.” “It was probably one of them playing a prank. They could have worn one of those foam superhero hands I see sometimes. It doesn’t have to be mysterious. It usually isn’t.” “With us, it usually is,” Tyler insisted. 38

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“Ranger Kelly knows this park,” Ben said. “And the people. So I’m sure she’s right.” Gabe frowned at his brother. He wished his brother didn’t side with her so fast. “Look, I’ll go check out the pond,” Ranger Kelly said. “But I’m sure it was just a prank.” She walked over to her bike, then smiled back at them. “You know, if you want to learn more about the Swamp Lizard Man, you should check out the exhibit at the museum.” “What museum?” Ben called. “The Cotton Museum in Bishopville. You can Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

even get some Swamp Lizard Man T-shirts.” She threw her leg over her bike and quickly pedaled away. They watched her go, then Tyler said, “Well, if one of those guys didn’t grab you, maybe it really was the Swamp Lizard Man.” “Or some kid who thought he was funny,” Ben said. 39

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Gabe frowned. He didn’t like seeing his brother side with the ranger over him. “I don’t know,” he said. He put his foot up on the seat of the picnic table so he could look at his ankle. A circle of scrapes and bruises marked where he’d been grabbed. “Whatever grabbed me, I don’t think it was a kid. It was strong.” Ben looked over the bruises on his brother’s leg. He nodded. “I think you’re right.” He stood up and looked around. “Our stay here in the park might be more interesting than I expected.” He looked in the direction Ranger Kelly had gone. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Maybe we should check out the pond too.” Gabe crossed his arms over his chest. “I would rather not.” “That museum sounds interesting,” Sean said. “I like museums.” Tyler wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, but you like homework too.” “I like museums too,” Gabe said. “Especially 40

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when they aren’t near anyone who is trying to drown me.” “Fine,” Ben said. “We’ll go check out the museum. It’s not far, so we should be back here in time to eat before we meet your friend from the restaurant.” “He’s not my friend,” Gabe muttered, as they trooped to the van. Ben turned to look back at him. “Yeah, he probably isn’t.” The South Carolina Cotton Museum was in a battered brick building. The front sidewalk had Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

rough columns to hold up the roof, giving the building a Wild West look. Inside were displays with toy tractors and huge bales of cotton. Tyler and Gabe trotted ahead into a room with a stack of cotton bags. Informational signs showed drawings of cotton plants and flowers. A diorama featured a full-sized mule whose tail twitched back and forth. 41

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Sean read aloud from a biography of a local plantation owner. “We’re looking for Swamp Lizard Man,” Tyler said. “Not in history class.” “All information has value,” Sean insisted. The boys saw a diorama with miniature mules, yoked together and moving in slow circles. The sign above the display said The Cotton Gin. “It’s easy to forget how much people once depended on animals for everything,” Sean said. They checked out more displays about

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cotton, mostly featuring weird looking tools and

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machines. “I’m not seeing anything about the Swamp Lizard Man,” Sean said. “I’m not seeing any monsters at all,” Gabe said. Then he stepped through a doorway and came face to face with a giant bug perched on one shadowy display. The thing was as big as a cat with a long needle-sharp snout. Gabe yelped in surprise and jumped back. “Don’t tell me we have to hunt one of those things!” Tyler demanded. Gabe shuddered. How

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many monsters did South Carolina have?

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chapter 6

INTO THE SWAMP Sean stepped around his friends and pointed at a plaque. “That’s a boll weevil. They don’t really get that big.” “How big do they get?” Tyler asked. Sean held up his hand with a tiny gap between his fingers. “About that big.” “Then why put a giant one in a museum?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Tyler demanded. “That thing scared me half to death.” They hurried through the rest of the museum. Finally they were back out in the store area again. “Where was the Swamp Lizard Man exhibit?” A teenager lounging near a glass case called, “Over here.” They walked over and peered into the case. 44

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The display held two plaster casts of big, threetoed footprints and several Swamp Lizard Man T-shirts. Sean knelt to examine the casts closely. “Hey, these were made in the 1980s.” Gabe turned to look at his brother. “Looks like Ranger Kelly was making fun of us, sending us here.” Ben sighed and nodded. Then he perked up. “It was probably a joke. She’s having fun with us.” “Or making fun of us,” Gabe muttered. Sean took pictures of the plaster casts Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

with his cell phone. Then they headed back, stopping for hot dogs and chips along the way. When they got back to the park, Ben grilled the hot dogs. After they ate, they got ready for that night’s meeting with Jamal. “I don’t want to carry too much equipment,” Ben said. “It sounds like this kid is a little jumpy. But bring the night vision camera, Gabe.” 45

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“I think we should bring a digital sound recorder,” Tyler said. “The big microphone rig is too bulky to drag through the swamp. Plus, if we’re trying to travel light, it isn’t light.” “Good idea.” Ben looked over at Sean. “What are you bringing?” Sean tapped his head. “Same as usual, my brains.” “Just as a backup, carry the first aid kit too.” “First aid?” Tyler asked. “Are we expecting this thing to attack?” “It attacked me,” Gabe answered. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“You didn’t think it was real.” “I’m not sure what I think.” “Great,” Tyler stomped off to the van to get the recorder. “Just when I was feeling better.” They locked up the food cooler in the van to keep the raccoons out, then headed up the road to the youth camping area. With the sun down, the camp was closed to all the daytime 46

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visitors and the woods around them were still and dark. “Since the park closes at sunset,” Tyler said, “wouldn’t Jamal have had to get here hours ago?” “The park isn’t surrounded by a fence,” Sean said. “He could just walk in.” “Oh, right.” Tyler flashed his light into the dark under the trees. Shadows danced in the moving light. “Could you stop that?” Gabe asked. “It looks like everything is moving.” “I noticed that,” Tyler squeaked. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

They reached the small building next to a bubbling artesian well. “These wells are manmade,” Sean said, slipping into fun facts mode. “They were drilled by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Pressure underground drives the water to the surface and keeps the water flowing with no pump. The water for the swim pond comes from some of these wells too.” 47

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“It’s pretty,” Tyler said, shining his flashlight at the neatly stacked rock covered in moss. Water spouted several inches above the top, then tumbled down a miniature waterfall to be channeled away from the building and toward the swampy land beyond. A voice spoke from the darkness. “It’s the Swamp Lizard Man’s favorite drinking spot.” The boys turned, and four flashlight beams hit Jamal at the same time. He shielded his eyes from the glare. “Thanks for the blinding!” “You must be Jamal,” Ben said. “I’m Gabe’s Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

brother, Ben.” “I figured,” Jamal said. “I don’t need a big welcome, just cash.” “I already gave you twenty dollars,” Gabe complained. “And I told you that was a down payment,” Jamal answered. “I need ten more. Each.” Ben looked over at his brother. He didn’t 48

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look very pleased. Gabe shrugged. It was up to Ben. Gabe was out of money. Ben sighed and dug in his pocket. He began to count out bills. “Fine, but if we don’t see anything, you’re working this off.” “I’m not working for you,” Jamal snapped. Ben looked at Jamal. “Not you.” He pointed at Gabe. “Him. Let’s go find this thing. Gabe, you have the camera ready.” Jamal held up his hands. “I don’t want to be on camera.” “You won’t be,” Ben said. “We’re just Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

interested in the Swamp Lizard Man.” He turned to Gabe. “Shoot some background too, we can edit down to usable stuff. Keep everyone out of frame except me.” Gabe swung the camera up in front of his face. “No problem.” Jamal eyed the camera, clearly not happy, but finally he said, “Fine, let’s go.” 49

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He led the group away from the well and the small cabin toward the woods. .

As they went deeper into the trees, the ground quickly grew mushy under their feet. “We’re not going to hit any quicksand are we?” Tyler asked.

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Jamal snorted. “No. Mud maybe.”

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They stomped along quietly for a while. The only sound was the mud sucking at their feet. Gabe wondered if the thick muck was going to keep one of his shoes. Suddenly a hollow bellow echoed around them. Everyone froze. “What was that?” Tyler asked. Jamal smirked at them. “Sounds like the

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Swamp Lizard Man.”

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chapter 7

A LIZARD MAN SIGHTING They tromped tromp on through the mud, everyone kept flashing lights into the darkness around them. Everyone except Jamal and Gabe. Gabe didn’t need a flashlight as he had the night vision camera. And Jamal seemed uninterested in what might be in the woods around them. Gabe thought that was weird. If he’d been bitten by a Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

monster, he certainly wouldn’t be so calm about walking through its neighborhood. Gabe trotted up to walk beside Jamal. The other boy looked at the camera with a frown. “Remember, I don’t want to be on that thing.” “You won’t,” Gabe said. “That’s why it’s better if I walk up here. I won’t accidentally get you in the frame.” 52

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Jamal grunted and turned back to stare straight ahead, as if pretending Gabe wasn’t there. Gabe swept the woods with the camera, his eyes on the small screen. He spotted movement once, but it turned out to be a raccoon. “Aren’t you scared to be out here?” he finally asked Jamal. Jamal snorted. “I ain’t scared of nothing.” “That’s a double negative,” Sean announced from behind them. “It means you are afraid of something.” “I ain’t!” Jamal said. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“If the monster really bit you in the arm,” Tyler said as he picked up his pace to join them, “you would be scared.” “You calling me a liar?” Jamal asked, his voice low. “No one is calling anyone names,” Gabe said. “I might be,” Tyler grumbled. “Don’t. Tyler is just saying that he’d be 53

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scared. I would be, too,” Gabe said. “Something grabbed me in the pond today. Something with rubbery fingers. It didn’t even bite me, and I was scared. I thought I was going to drown.” Jamal turned sharply to look at him. “You made that up.” Gabe shook his head. “I didn’t. Tyler and I were swimming in the pond. A rubbery hand grabbed my leg and pulled me under the water. I tried to peel it off, but the fingers were bendy. It hung on hard though. I was afraid it was going to drown me.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Jamal looked at Gabe hard. For a moment, Gabe thought he was going to speak, but then he turned and just marched forward ahead of Gabe and Tyler. Gabe trotted to keep up. “Since the Swamp Lizard Man was at the pond this afternoon, why would it be out here tonight?” “It lives in the river,” Jamal said. Sean spoke up again. “The pond isn’t 54

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connected to the river. The pond is formed by an artesian well.” “I don’t know about the pond,” Jamal said. “I just know about the river.” Gabe heard his brother’s heavy footsteps behind them. Ben reached out and put a hand on Jamal’s shoulder. “I think it’s time you came clean about the Swamp Lizard Man.” Jamal narrowed his eyes and jerked his shoulder free of Ben’s hand. “What are you talking about?” “The hand that grabbed Gabe in the pond Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

was fake,” Ben said. “The monster you’re taking us to see is fake too, isn’t it?” “If you don’t believe me, why did you give me money?” “Because my brother believed you,” Ben said. “And you took advantage of him.” Jamal shook his head. “You’ll see. That thing is out here.” 55

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They all jumped at the sound of another hollow bellow, louder this time and echoing in the trees around them. Gabe couldn’t tell what direction to look, so he spun in a slow circle, using the night vision camera to peer into the woods. “See anything?” Ben asked. “Not so far.” Again the bellow sounded. Ben yelled, “This way.” He ran off into the woods, and the boys ran after him. With only the camera to show him the way through the dark woods, Gabe Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

was afraid he might run right into a tree. He fell behind the others until he was trotting along beside Jamal at the back of the group. Gabe realized he could hear the sound of running water. They must be getting close to the river. He swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t accidentally fall in as he crashed around in the dark. He sure didn’t need that right now. 56

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Ahead, Sean had stopped and was looking at the ground with his flashlight. “Hey,” he yelled. “Look at this.” Gabe caught up and turned the camera toward the ground. He saw what had caught Sean’s attention. A single deep footprint, pressed into the mud. The print was huge with three long toes. Jamal pointed at it. “That’s the Swamp Lizard Man’s print.” “It’s different from the ones in the museum.” Sean bent down to look closely at the print. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Look at this. It’s made up of a smaller print inside a larger one. I think this was made by a person wearing some kind of monster overshoe.” “Are you sure?” Ben asked. “I’m sure it’s not real.” Sean shrugged. “I’m also sure it wasn’t just pressed in with a print maker on a stick. It looks like an adult actually put body weight on this.” 57

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The bellow echoed around them again. This time it was loud enough to vibrate in Gabe’s chest. He jumped and turned the camera toward the woods again. He saw something move between the trees, something big. “Look!” The others turned flashlight beams in the direction Gabe was pointing. Something dashed between two trees. It moved too quickly to see clearly, but it stood upright and had a big head. “Come on.” Ben ran toward the spot they’d

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seen the creature. “Gabe, hurry.”

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Gabe ran, his heart pounding in his chest. He tried to keep up with his brother, but it was tough going. Soon Tyler and Sean both passed him. Gabe picked up speed. He couldn’t miss the shot, but he was running blind. Gabe saw Tyler and Sean jump together over a thin fallen tree just ahead. He tried to time his own jump right, but he couldn’t see the tree clearly. He misjudged and ended up sprawled on the ground. At exactly the same moment, the

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monster bellowed again.

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With the loud yell, no one else heard Gabe’s stumble. They all kept running on ahead. Gabe wallowed to a sitting position, spitting out mud and leaves. He held up the camera and saw the lens was blocked. “I’ll be right there,” he shouted, but again was drowned out by the Swamp Lizard Man’s bellow. He twisted the bottom of his shirt around, looking for a fairly clean spot. Then used it to scrape the mud from the lens. Finally he could see the ground around him again. The mud was littered with hand-sized rocks and broken Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sticks. “I’m lucky I didn’t crack my head open. Or impale myself,” he muttered. He shifted to his knees, the camera pointing ahead. Then he froze. Clearly in the viewfinder, the Swamp Lizard Man stepped out from around a tree in front of Gabe. It waddled toward him, with arms outstretched and reaching.

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chapter 8

THE LIZARD MAN ATTACKS As the Swamp Lizard Man stomped closer, Gabe scrambled up and over the fallen tree, holding the camera on the creature. The Swamp Lizard Man had a long snout, a thick neck, and broad lumpy shoulders. In fact, the whole monster was lumpy. The more Gabe looked at the screen, the Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

less real the Swamp Lizard Man looked. Gabe heard another bellow echo in the woods, but the Swamp Lizard Man never opened its mouth. Gabe was pretty sure he was looking at someone in a costume. But still, that didn’t mean he wanted it to touch him. Whoever was in the suit had half drowned him already. “Ben!” Gabe bellowed. “Tyler! Sean!” 61

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The Swamp Lizard Man turned to look over its shoulder. Then it lumbered away. Gabe saw a gap where the costume head ended. He didn’t want the monster to get away. He climbed the fallen tree and jumped on the Swamp Lizard Man’s back. “Get off!” the creature said, twisting and squirming to try to throw Gabe off. Luckily the lumpy costume gave Gabe plenty of things to hang on to. Plus, the floppy Swamp Lizard Man hands softened the blows when Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the creature slapped at Gabe. The Swamp Lizard Man turned in circles as Gabe bellowed for his brother and friends. The creature staggered close enough to a tree to rub against it. Gabe couldn’t hold on as the tree pushed against him. He fell. The Swamp Lizard Man rushed into the trees. Using the tree for support, Gabe stood

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

63

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up, wincing at the pain from new scrapes and bruises. Something crashed through the brush behind him. Ben, Tyler, and Sean burst into the clearing. “Are you all right?” Ben asked. “The Swamp Lizard Man!” Gabe pointed into the trees. “That way!” They followed the creature’s trail easily enough. The bulky suit left bits behind on thorns and sharp branches. With the suit slowing the creature down, Gabe was sure they would catch him soon. Ben took the lead as they crashed through the Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

swamp. He was bigger, and could push through the brush better. Even using the camera as his only light, Gabe managed to stay close behind him. Suddenly, Ben yelped and fell, tripping over something in his path. Gabe ran to his brother’s side. “Are you all right?” 64

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Ben looked up at him with a sheepish smile. He picked up something from the ground next to him. “This startled me and I tripped.” He held up the Swamp Lizard Man’s long-nosed head. Sean caught up and stopped to lean on a tree and gasp. Tyler pointed a shaky hand at the head in Ben’s hand. “Something took the creature’s head off?” “Yeah,” Ben said, getting to his feet and wiping the mud from his pants with his free hand. “The creature. He probably pulled it off so he could see better since we were chasing him.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Gabe turned a slow circle, looking around with the view screen of the camera. “Guys? Where is Jamal?” “We thought he was with you,” Tyler answered. “He was,” Gabe said. “Until the Swamp Lizard Man attacked. I don’t remember seeing him after that.” 65

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“Do you think the Swamp Lizard Man got him?” Tyler asked. Ben shook his head. “Not likely. I imagine he went home when the plan started to go wrong.” “Plan?” Tyler echoed. “Yeah, these guys are clearly putting on a show for tourists for money,” Ben said. He held up the head for proof. “I still hate to leave him alone out here,” Gabe said as he kept looking around with the camera. “I wouldn’t want to be alone out here.” “We’re got bigger monsters to find,” Ben Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

said. “Let’s go find the guy with the rest of this costume on.” They tromped ahead through the swamp, quickly but not running. As before, there were plenty of signs of the Swamp Lizard Man’s passing. It wasn’t hard to track him. All around them the roar of the river grew louder. “Help!” The shout from the darkness was 66

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definitely no Swamp Lizard Man. “Help me!” Ben began to run toward the voice and the boys followed. They burst through the brush next to the river. The fake Swamp Lizard Man lay on his stomach, clinging to a twisted tree on the river bank. The lumpy creature suit made the man’s head look tiny. He caught sight of Ben and screamed for help. “It’s got me.” Ben ran to the riverbank and grabbed the man’s hand, but the glove of the suit simply pulled free. Ben tossed it to one side. Tyler grabbed the man’s other arm and pulled. Gabe Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

passed the camera quickly to Sean and ran to help. With each pull they gave, a strong tug came from the opposite direction. Something was trying to drag the man into the river. “Are you snagged on something?” Ben yelled as he dug in his heels and pulled on the man’s hand. 67

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“It’s got me!” the man yelled. “The monster! Help!” “Oh please,” Sean said. “There isn’t any monster.” “Argue later,” Gabe yelled as the man was jerked toward the water again. “Come and help pull.” “He’s a fake,” Sean protested. “Maybe so,” Gabe said. “But something’s really pulling him.” “Don’t let it get me,” the man begged. With a groan, Sean set the camera on a Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

rock and joined the others in trying to pull the man out of the river. For a while, it didn’t look like they were going to manage. Whatever was pulling on him, pulled hard! Finally they pulled the man free when one leg of the suit ripped loose from the rest and was left behind. They dragged the man up the riverbank. He moaned in the darkness. 68

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With the wrestling match over, they turned their flashlights on the man’s face. Gabe recognized him at once. It was the shorter man he’d seen earlier in the day. “Are you Joe or Elliot?” Gabe asked. The man looked at him in surprise. “Elliot.” “I thought you were too short for the suit,” Gabe said, remembering the conversation he overheard. “I am. It was supposed to be Joe out here, but his sister showed up at the burger shack, and he didn’t dare skip out. I had to do it. But I couldn’t Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

see in that suit, and I got lost. Then something came out of the water and attacked me.” Gabe crossed his arms over his chest. “Come on. The time for made up stories is long over.” “I didn’t make it up!” Elliot shined a flashlight on his leg. Three deep scratches oozed blood. “Something grabbed me and tried to drag me in the river. It was the Swamp Lizard Man!” 69

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chapter 9

LOST IN THE DARK Gabe turned the camera toward the man’s leg. The wounds glowed green in the night vision view screen. “Those look pretty bad.” Sean walked to the edge of the river and shone his flashlight at the dark, moving water. “I wouldn’t go near there,” Elliot yelled. “That thing could still be there. It didn’t get me, Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

but you’re a lot smaller.” “I don’t see anything,” Sean called, leaning over the water. Tyler walked over and pulled on his friend’s arm. “Just on the off chance, maybe you should come on. If it wasn’t the Swamp Lizard Man, maybe it was an alligator.” “We don’t have any alligators in the Lynches 70

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River.” The boys turned to see Ranger Kelly standing in the brush with the tall man Gabe had seen in the afternoon. “Elliot is probably lying.” “I’m not!” Elliot insisted. “The Swamp Lizard Man tried to drown me.” She looked down at the ragged costume he wore. “I thought you were supposed to be the Swamp Lizard Man.” “You knew about this?” Ben said. She shook her head, sending her ponytail flying. “My brother filled me in when I asked where Elliot was.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Elliot pointed at the tall man. “Hey, don’t put it all off on me. Joe usually wears the suit.” “I know.” She turned to face Gabe. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you this afternoon. My brother gets a lot of goofy ideas for making money, but this is the first one that actually crossed over into fraud.” “Hey,” Gabe said as he walked over to them. 71

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“Do you know where Jamal went?” “Who is Jamal?” Ranger Kelly asked, turning to glare at her brother. “How many people are in on this with you?” “He’s just a kid,” Joe said, fidgeting under his sister’s glare. “He finds people who want to see the monster. That sign at his grandparents’ diner makes it easy to start a Swamp Lizard Man conversation.” Ranger Kelly’s voice rose, “You got a child involved in your scheme?” Joe shoved his hands in his shorts pockets Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

and looked down at the ground. “The kid heard us talking. He said we had to let him in on it. He was going to tell his grandparents if we didn’t.” “You let a child in on your illegal activity.” She stared at her brother. “So where is he now?” Joe shrugged. “He probably went home. He knows this swamp way better than I do.” “Do you have his phone number?” Ranger 72

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Kelly asked. “I need to be sure he got home safely, and find out if his folks know about his side job.” “He doesn’t have a cell phone,” Gabe said. “Yeah,” Joe agreed. “He never gave us a number. He’d call us if he had someone lined up. Then we’d split the money after the show.” “It’s not a show when you’re telling people that you’re the real Swamp Lizard Man,” Ranger Kelly said. “It’s fraud.” “Everyone had a good time,” Joe insisted. “People like to get scared a little.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ben turned to Elliot. “You looked pretty scared when we pulled you out of the river. Were you having a good time?” Elliot shook his head. “Even if Joe’s sister hadn’t caught us, I’ve had enough of this swamp at night. The thing in the river didn’t like me pretending to be the Swamp Lizard Man. I think it took it personally.” 73

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“You think a monster felt insulted?” Sean asked. “You weren’t the one he grabbed,” Elliot insisted. “I thought I was going to die.” “Enough about the monster,” Ranger Kelly snapped. “I need to find that boy.” Joe shrugged. “He lives in the trailer behind the diner with his grandparents.” “Fine, I’ll go check on him.” She turned to look at Ben. “Can you guys get back to the campsite? I need to check on the boy and file a report on these two.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Aw, do you have to?” Joe said. “We didn’t hurt anyone.” Ranger Kelly made a cutting motion with her hand. “I don’t even want to discuss it.” She looked again at Ben, her eyebrows raised. “Can you get the boys back?” Ben nodded. “Will you let us know if you find Jamal?” 74

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Gabe asked. “I know he lied to me, but I don’t want anything bad to happen to him.” “I’ll let you know.” Ranger Kelly led Elliot and Joe away. Ben used the GPS on his phone to get them back to the campsite. Tyler and Sean crawled into one of the tents immediately. Gabe looked up at Ben. “Do you think Jamal is all right?” Ben nodded. “You heard Joe, Jamal knows the swamp well. He should be fine.” Ben yawned. “I’m ready for some sleep. You coming?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Is it all right if I sit out here for a little while?” Gabe asked. “Just for a little while.” Gabe was sitting quietly when he heard rustling in the brush. He turned on a flashlight and shone it toward the bushes. Someone was standing there. “Jamal?” he called. The bushes shook as the figure backed away. 75

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Gabe hurried into the brush. He saw someone darting between trees. “Jamal!” he called. “Come on. Haven’t you done enough?” No one answered. Gabe hurried along after the figure, calling out. Suddenly he heard, “Gabe! Is that you?” He recognized Jamal’s voice and ran ahead. Jamal lay sprawled on the ground, his leg trapped between a rock and a fallen tree. “I was climbing over the tree and I slipped.” “Why didn’t you stop when I called you?” “Stop?” Jamal said. “I yelled as soon as I Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

heard you. I’ve been stuck here forever.” Gabe stared at him for a second. “That wasn’t you I followed?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Can you get me out?” “Oh right.” Gabe grabbed a stout branch and shoved it into the crack between the tree and the rock. He threw his weight against the end, 76

Spot the Swamp Lizard Man, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

shifting the fallen tree slightly. “Can you get your leg out?” Yelping with pain, Jamal pulled his leg out of the gap and flopped back onto the ground. “I thought I’d never get out. Thanks.” “You’re welcome,” Gabe said. He looked around. If Jamal was stuck there the whole

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time, what had he followed in the dark?

Spot the Swamp Lizard Man, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

chapter 10

A SURPRISING DISCOVERY The boys gave gav Jamal a lift home. There, his grandparents and the ranger were starting a search. Jamal’s grandfather carried him inside. His grandmother put an ice pack on his leg. After everyone thanked Gabe for his help, he said to Jamal. “Why did you get involved with the whole fake monster thing?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Jamal shrugged. “My grandparents work hard at the diner. I wanted to help out.” “You can do that by helping at the diner,” his grandfather said. “Not taking money from tourists.” His grandmother nodded. “You stay away from the swamp. There are unnatural things out there.” 78

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“Don’t worry about that,” Ranger Kelly said. “The monster tours are over for good. I’ll make sure of that.” The boys headed back to the campsite. Gabe told Ben about the dark figure he’d spotted in the woods. “It couldn’t have been Jamal,” Gabe said. “But something led me out there to him.” At the campsite, they checked the spot where Gabe had seen the dark figure. In the soft mud was a large footprint with three toes. It looked exactly like the prints in the museum. Sean knelt to look at the print. “This isn’t a Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

double print like the one we saw earlier. It wasn’t made by that Swamp Lizard Man costume.” Gabe looked into the woods. Had the Swamp Lizard Man helped him find Jamal? “Maybe the Swamp Lizard Man has a good side after all.” “Why don’t we pack up and head to a hotel for the night?” Ben said. The boys looked at him in surprise. He smiled. “Better safe than sorry.” 79

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Gabe glanced into the darkness. For a second, he thought he saw a flash of red glowing eyes. With a shiver, he ran to catch up to the

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others. A hotel sounded fantastic to him!

80

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Gabe Ga G abe b Brown’s Bro own wn’s ’s b brother ro oth herr Ben Ben h has a his as hiss own own wn show sho how on how on tthe he e IIn ntern te ern rnet e ccalled et a le al led ed Discover D sc Di scov ovver o er Cryptids. Crryp C ptids tiids ds. Ga G abe be aand nd dh is ffriends riien ends dss Internet Gabe his Ty yle er an and d SSe ean a h elp el p Be Ben n hu h unt nt d ow wn th thes ese es e mo m ons nste ters Tyler Sean help hunt down these monsters aan nd ma make make ke ssure ure ur e tth h he e sh show ow g ow oe o es on o n! Fo Forr this tth his is e piso pi sode so de, tth de he and the goes on! episode, the M Mo ons nste te ter er Hu Hunt ntter n ers tr ttravel trav ravvel el tto o th he ssu unn n y so ou uttthl h an hl nd to ssearch earc ea rh rc Monster Hunters the sunny southland tthe th he SSo ou utth CCa aro olil na n sswamps wam wamp wa mp ps fo ffor or th tthe he e Sw wam mp Li Liza zard za rd dM an. Th an he South Carolina Swamp Lizard Man. The e ev vid iden de en nce e tthey hey ga he g ath th her e p oint oi ntts to oam an iin n a liliz zard za d ssuit. uit.t B uit. ui utt iiff u evidence gather points man lizard But tth he m mo on nsste ste terr iiss a h oa ax, x w hatt m ha ma ad de e tthose hosse ho e tthree-toed hree hr ee-toe -ttoed oed tr oe rac a ks ks? the monster hoax, what made tracks?

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