by R. L. Stine
“Calm down, everyone,” Dad instructed. “You’re not going to harm us—are you, Brent?”
“No. Of course not,” Brent replied. “I just want to be Sammy’s friend.”
“No! Be my friend!” Simon cried. “I need you for my science project!”
Simon turned to Dad. “Can I have him, Dad? PLEASE! Can I have him for my science project? I really need him!”
“That wouldn’t be fair,” Roxanne replied. “Sammy found him first!”
“Everyone—quiet!” Mom ordered. “Brent—I’ve seen pictures of your species in a textbook. Hmm… let me see… what are you called?”
“I’m called a human,” Brent answered shyly.
“That’s right!” Mom snapped her fingers. “Now I remember. Human.”
“Yuck,” Roxanne muttered, making a disgusted face.
“I know I’m ugly,” Brent said sadly. “That’s why I didn’t want you to see me…” His voice trailed off.
I stared at Brent in disbelief. A human. I’d never heard of one before.
I tore my five eyes away from him and turned to Dad. “I know he’s ugly, Dad. But I think I’d like to keep him,” I said. “Can I? I’ll take good care of him. I promise!”
“No. I don’t think so, Sammy.” Dad studied Brent for a moment. “I think we’d better take Brent to the zoo.”
“Huh? The zoo?” I cried. “Why, Dad? Why does he have to live in a zoo?”
“Well, he’ll get much better care there,” Dad answered. “After all, humans are an endangered species!”
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