The continuation of Mr. Snaggle’s Oddities. In this part, Peter is pretty sure his friends have been turned into animals. He needs to find the book and hope it has some answers before it is too late.

Audio version by David Carroll:

As always, I hope you enjoy the story.

The next morning Peter woke up very early. He paced across his room waiting for even a peep from the hallway. After what felt like a lifetime, he finally heard it.

He waited for a few minutes while the steps moved past his door and down the stairs. Then he left his room and followed to the kitchen. His mom looked surprised at seeing him awake.

“What are you doing up so early?” She asked.

“Oh I don’t know, I couldn’t sleep I guess.”

“Can I get you some breakfast? What would you like?”

“I’m not hungry. Mom, I saw something at Mr. Snaggle’s last night. I think he’s done something with my friends.”

“That’s quite a story, maybe all this work you do at the circus has you a bit on edge?” She laughed the words.

“I’m not kidding, I followed Jackson and a couple others to his tent last night. I saw their bikes in the grass nearby. I really think he did something to him.” She just laughed even harder.

“That’s ridiculous, Peter, stop telling stories. I happen to know for a fact that Jackson is away at camp right now. I spoke to his mother yesterday.”

Peter froze. His mother was just looking down at him as if expecting him to say something. The words just wouldn’t come. It was more than just coincidence.

“Oh that’s right, I must have forgotten.” He managed.

Peter’s mother smiled. “It happens to the best of us. Now go get dressed, Mr. Snaggle wanted you to come in today. I told him I would send you along whenever you got up. I didn’t think it would be so early, but I don’t think he’ll mind.”

Peter’s shoulders dropped and he slid off the stool. What would he want to tell him? Should he ask him about what he saw? He stopped before he left the kitchen and turned back to his mom. He’d almost forgotten all about it.

“Mom, there was a really old book in my room. I can’t seem to find it anywhere, have you seen it?”

“Yes, dear, it’s on the shelf in your closet. Can’t imagine why you wouldn’t think to check there.” Despite everything, the look she gave him brought a smile. It was more like his mom than he’d seen in days. Peter never did check his closet. “Where did you get that old thing anyway?”

“From Jackson,” he lied. “His uncle found it at a garage sale and got it for him.”

“Well, don’t spend all day reading it up there. You can look it over when you get back from the circus.”

Peter frowned and agreed. In his room, he pulled the book out of his closet and hid it in one of his drawers. He wasn’t really sure why, but it seemed like a good idea. Away at camp, that was the same excuse Billy’s mom had given. Despite that, it was impossible, Peter knew very well that Jackson didn’t leave for camp. He had the feeling if he went to check, John and Tyler would be gone too.

No, whatever was going on seemed to be affecting parents. That made him even more nervous, considering Peter suspected their children were being turned into circus exhibits. What might be in the book that would help him figure it out? Whatever it was, it would have to wait until he got home.

He got dressed and rode his bike to the end of the street. There were cars lining the street now, and luckily Mr. Snaggle seemed busy. Peter walked out to the field of grass next to the tent and frowned when he found the three abandoned bicycles. That was proof enough that they never left. Even if they didn’t go home, they wouldn’t have left their bikes.

Trying not to look nervous, Peter headed into the circus tent. The place had been completely re-arranged to allow for a large stage in the center of the tent. His jaw dropped when he saw the two large rats that were on display there. All around the stage people were shouting and laughing. The rats were dressed in pink clothing.

“Quite large, aren’t they? Just got them in this morning. Some of my best exhibits so far, if I do say so myself.” He hadn’t realized Mr. Snaggle was standing next to him and jumped. “Sorry, my boy, didn’t mean to startle you.”

A few days ago that comment wouldn’t have seemed strange to him. Now he saw it for what the man really meant. He was getting better at turning kids into animals. It made sense the more he thought about it. Despite their size, the rats looked almost real. No extra tails, or eyes, or heads even.

“Where did you get them?”

“From a very small island in the Pacific. It’s not even on most maps. Come, Peter, I have something I wish to discuss with you.” He held out his arm pointing to the laboratory.

“What about the crowd, who’s going to watch them?”

“There’s no need to worry, I have everything under control.”

Peter sighed, he wanted to stay out in the open. In the lab, Mr. Snaggle gestured to a stool for Peter to sit on. “Peter, the time is coming that I will be leaving this place. My show travels all over the world of course. I never stay in one place for very long.” Peter grew more nervous with every word. “You are special, do you know that? I have met thousands of kids looking for even one like you.”

“Like me?” He asked, suddenly curious. Mr. Snaggle smiled down at him.

“Yes, you have a wonderful ability inside you, it’s just waiting to burst. I could tell from the very first time we met. It’s why I asked you to be my apprentice here.”

“What kind of ability?”

“Everything on this earth has something most people cannot see. These special properties can be changed, sometimes they can be made more powerful. Few people have the ability to discover these properties, even fewer can actually use them. This,” he spread his hand to gesture to the whole laboratory, “is where I experiment with these different properties. You have this ability as well, Peter.”

“So… you, like, make potions?” The old man laughed.

“Yes, my boy, something like that.”

Peter gasped. “And, you’re saying that I can make them too?” This was not what he had expected to talk about at all. How exciting! Then he thought of the rats outside and his excitement was gone in an instant. How did Mr. Snaggle always do that? It’s like he took away all his worries.

“What is it, Peter?”

“Um, nothing. You said you were leaving soon. So obviously I’m not going to get to learn any of it.” The answer surprised Peter, it was actually a very good lie.

“That is what I wanted to talk to you about, Peter.” Mr. Snaggle said slowly, picking up speed as he went on. “I have already spoken to your parents, and they’ve agreed that it would be great if you got to travel with me for the rest of your Summer break! Isn’t that wonderful?”

Peter blinked in surprise and suddenly felt very trapped.