The Summer Experiment Read Online Free PDF

I’m horrified. I can’t move an inch. But Dr. Bumblebee is telling me not to be afraid.
    â€œWake up, idiot!”
    Excuse me? What did that big bumblebee just say, or think, to me?
    â€œWake up, Robbie.”
    How does this alien insect know my name? Now Dr. Bumblebee is shaking me hard.
    â€œPlease don’t!” I shout. “Don’t touch me, Dr. Bumblebee! I want to go home!”
    â€œWAKE UP!”
    I opened my eyes, squinting at the bright sunshine, and there was Johnny, leaning down over me in the porch swing. He had his hands on my shoulders. Why was my brother shaking me? He should be protecting me instead.
    â€œSave me, Johnny.” I mumbled the words.
    â€œYou’re dreaming,” Johnny said. “You are such a girl!”
    Now I opened my eyes really wide and looked around. I was in the swing in our yard, right where I had fallen asleep. So I dreamed that whole thing? That’s what I get for watching the Allagash Abductions on YouTube. It was an old episode of Unsolved Mysteries . I wondered which was scarier, Dr. Bumblebee or Johnny’s stupid face. But there it was, looming in front of me, with his stupid grin and that tiny gap between his front teeth.
    When I want to be mean back, I say, “Dude, what’s that gap in your teeth? A parking space for a brown M&M?” That always gets to him. So that’s what I said.
    â€œHey, Indiana Jones,” he said, ignoring my insult. “Shouldn’t you be in Roswell looking for spaceships? What are you doing sleeping in the middle of the day?”
    I said nothing. I grabbed my pillow and my notepad where I had even drawn some alien faces with big bug eyes. But, mostly, I had made some important notes for my Plan of Revenge. I stomped off to my room.
    â€œBe patient,” I told myself as I slammed my door. “Victory will soon be yours and it will be oh so perfect.”
    In my room, I sat at my computer and typed the words I’d scribbled on my notepad. I read them again carefully to be sure they were correct. I can’t help myself. This is why I get all As in school. I always check spelling, grammar, neatness, food spills, cat paw prints, you name it.
    Dear Miranda,
    Please meet me TONIGHT after dark at the picnic table on Peterson’s Mountain, near Calley’s Creek. PLEASE do not tell anyone or it will spoil my plans! I have something IMPORTANT to tell you. Tonight’s the night! Keep this secret, okay? I know I can trust you.
    Always, Johnny.
    I figured Miranda had to know Peterson’s Mountain. Everyone in town knows that mountain well. But I couldn’t take any chances. I attached the crude map I had drawn up, simple enough that a Neanderthal could find Calley’s Creek and the picnic table. I marked the e-mail “To Send Later.” I wasn’t ready yet. I had lots of things to do in order to prepare. Just as my brother prepared when he bought all that aluminum foil and tape.
    Back in the kitchen, my mom was just hanging up the telephone. She turned to look at me.
    â€œThat was Grandma,” she said. “This sounds unbelievable, but Sheriff Mallory is calling a press conference this afternoon with the local TV station. Apparently, he saw a UFO last night and he wants to talk about it.”

5
    A Close Encounter
    â€œYou folks have known me a lot of years,” said Sheriff Mallory. He was staring into the TV cameras like that deer you hear about, the one that’s gazing into the headlights. “I always try to be upfront and truthful.” He paused, nervous. He pulled at the top button of his shirt collar, as if it might be choking him.
    â€œHe’s never been good in front of the camera,” my grandma whispered. “We were in the same graduating class. In 1965. Stanley Mallory was the valedictorian, but he was too shy to give the address. So we didn’t have one that year. He’s as honest as the day is long.”
    We were all