the Aqua Apes(lily 英语版)

PAGEPAGE\*MERGEFORMAT7TheAttackoftheAquaApes1“Youhavethepowertocreatelife!”thatwaswhattheadinthebackofthecomicbookclaimed.“Prettycool,”DylonAdamssaidashestudiedtheadcarefully.Dylonsatontheporchstepsinfrontofhishouse,readingcomicbookswithhisfriends,TonyBrody.“Checkthisout!”DylonhandedTonythead.Itshowedapictureofamadscientist.Hewaspeeringintoagianttankofwaterfullofstrange-lookingcreatures.Creatureswascalledaquaapes.”“‘Aquaapes?’”Tonylaughed.“Theylookmorelikelizardstome.”“Yougrow’em.That’swhat’ssocool.Theycomefrommagiccrystals.See?Dylonpointedtothemagiccrystalsinthemadscientist’shand.“Oh,right.”Tonyrolledhiseyes.“Swimmingmonkeysfrommagiccrystals.Idon’tthinkso.”“Yea,well,theysayit’sguaranteed.Oryougetyourmoneyback,”Dylonsaid.”Theywouldn’tsaythatifitdidn’twork.“Maybe.”Tonydidn’tsoundconvinced.“Youwanttosendawayforthem?”Dylonasked.“Noway,”Tonyreplied.“Comeon.Whathavewegottolose?”“Threedollarsandninety-fivecents,”Tonyanswered.“Pluspostageandhandling.”DylonknewitwouldbehardtoconvinceTonytospendthemoney—buthehadto.Yousee,almostallthekidsinschoolcouldtellcreepystories—storiesabouttotallyweirdthingsthathappenedtothem.LikebeingchasedbyghostsintheFearStreetCemetery.Orgettingattackedbyhalf-human,half-animalcreaturesintheFearStreetWoods.ButDylondidn’thaveasinglestorytotell.Notone.Which,whenyouthinkofit,wastheweirdestthingofall.BecauseeveryoneknewthatifyoulivednearFearStreet,scarythingshappenedtoyou.Period.ButDylonhadlivednearFearStreethisentirelife.Andhedidn’thaveasinglecreepystorytotell.Until--maybenow.IfhecouldjustconvinceTonytosendawayforthemagiccrystals….“Suchasmallpricetopayfor‘thepowertocreatelife.’?”Dylonrepeatedthead’spromiseinhisbestmadscientistvoice.Hewishedtolookmorelikeamadscientist.Itwashardtobereallyscarywithblondhair,blueeyes,andfreckles.“Forgetit,”Tonydeclared.“Firstofall,I’veneverseenaswimmingmonkey.Noteveninthezoo.Andsecondofall,it’simpossibletogrowalivinganimalfroma‘magiccrystal.’Incasenobodytoldyouthis,youneedamommymonkeyandadaddymonkeytogetababymonkey.”“They’renotmonkeys!”Dylonprotested.“They’re…”Dylonstruggledtocomeupwithananswer.“They’re…somethingelse.”“Yeah,aquaapes.Aquaapes.”Tonypointedtothewords.“Samethingasswimmingmonkeys.”“Well,I’mgettingthem,”Dyloninsisted,grabbingthecomicbookoutofTony’shands.Soget’em,”Tonyanswered.Heshovedhiscurlybrownhairoffhisforehead.“Iwill,”Dylonassureshim.“Assoonasyoulendmesomemoney.”“I’mnotpayingforsomestupidwatermonkeys.You’retheonewhowantsthem.”“I’mnotaskingyoutopayforthem.Justthepostageandthehandling,”Dylonsaid.“AndIwouldn’tevenaskyouforthat.ButyoudideatuphalfofmyallowanceyesterdayattheIceCreamCastle.Remember—yoursundaetocelebratethelastdayofsummervacation?”“Okay,okay,”Tonysaid.Thenhestuckhisfingersintohismouthandmadegaggingsounds.“I’llgiveitbacktoyou.”“Youaresogross!”DylonslidawayfromTonyasfastashecould.ThelasttimeTonypulledthisstuntherallydidthrowup.“Justforgetit,”Dylonsaidmiserably.“Oh,allright,”Tonygroaned.“I’llpayforhalf.”Tonyreachedintohispocketandpulledouthismoney.HecountedoutthreedollarsandshoveditintoDylon’shand.“Goahead.Ordertheswimmingmonkeys.Butwhenthemagiccrystalsdon’tcometolife,I’mnotwaitingforthisstupidcompanytosendmymoneyback.You’regonnagiveittome.”“Fine,”Dylonagreed.“Butwhatiftheydocometolife?”“ThenI’llbeamonkey’suncle.”Tonycrackedhimselfup.”Getit?”“Ha,ha,”Dylonsaid,notatallamusedbyTony’slamejoke.“You’llsee.”Inafewweeks,I’llfinallyhaveacoolstorytotellatschool,Dylonthought.Andmaybeevenscary,too.Dylonhadnoideajusthowscaryhisstorywouldbe.2“No!”Dylonshouted.“No!”Dyloncouldn’tbelievehisbadluck.Itwasthefirstdayinthreeweeksthathehadn’tbeenhometowaitforthemailman.Andsureenough,thatwasthedayhispackagearrived.Butthatwasn’tthebadpart.ThebadpartwasthatthemailmanhadjusthandedoverDylon’spackagetoDylon’soldersister,Maria.Mariathoughtshewasthecoolestthingonearth.SheconstantlyremindedDylonshewasalmostthirteen.Almostarealteenager.Notababylike—Dylon—eventhoughDylonwasonlyayearyounger.DylonandTonychasedMariaaroundthekitchentable.“Wecandothistheeasyway,orwecandoitthehardway,”Dylonsaid,closinginonMaria.Heshovedhisopenhandout.“Nowgiveittome.”Butheknewshewouldn’t.Marianeverdidanythingtheeasyway.“Howdoyouevenknowthispackageisforyou?”sheteased.Dyloninchedcloserandcloser.“Becausemynameisonit”hesaidasherippedthepackagefromhergrip.“Jerk!”shehuffed,punchinghiminthearm.Dylonignoredher.Hecouldn’twaittoopenthepackage.Theminutethebrownwrappingwasoff,Tonyheldoutanopenpalm.“What?”Dylonsaid,staringdownatit.“Youmightaswelljustgivememythreebucksbackrightnow,”Tonyanswered.“Itoldyouitwasgonnabeatotalrip-off.”Dylonhatedtoadmitit,butTonywasprobablyright.Theboxdidn’tlookanythingliketheadinthecomicbook.Therewasnopictureofamadscientist.Nomagiccrystalsinhishand.Onlylotsofgoofy-lookingcreatures.Withantennaepoppingupfromtheirheads.Andpinkandbluebowstiedtothem.Theyswamaroundinafishbowl,wearingsillygrins.“Maybetheysentthewrongbox,”Dylonsuggested,turningitaroundinhishands.Mariasnatcheditfromhim.“Ooooh,‘thepowertocreatelife,’?”Shereadfromthebox.“Givethatbacktome,”Dylondemanded.ButMariajustlaughed.“Youtwosuchlosers.What’sthematter?Can’tfindanyrealfriendstoplaywithsoyouhavetogrowsome?”Thenshetossedtheboxonthetableandstrolledoutofthekitchen.“Soarewegoingtomakethesethings,orwhat?”Tonyasked,openingbox.“Iguess.”DylonsatdownatthekitchentableandwatchedTonyslideasmallroundtankfromthebox.Anotherdisappointment.Thetankwasnowherenearasbigastheonethemadscientistheldinthead.Itwastoosmallforevenagoldfish.Anditwasmadeofplastic.Theonlycoolthingaboutitwasthatithadalidwithalightyoucouldturnonandoff.Andthebottomofthetanklookedlikethesurfaceofthemoon—withabigcraterinthecenterofit.Next,Tonypulledoutsomeaquaapefoodandthepackageofmagiccrystals.Itwassmallerthanapackageofsugar.Thisisgoingtobeatotalfailure,Dylonthoughttohimself.Thenheasked,“Howbigaretheapethingssupposedtogetanyway?”Tonyflippedthroughtheinstructions.“Itsaysthathappy,healthyadultaquaapescangrowtohalfaninchlong.”“Ahalfaninch?”Dylonmoaned.“Theonesintheadweremonsters”“Theinstructionssayweneeddistilledwater,”Tonysaid,continuingtoread.“Gotany?”“No.”Dylonanswered.“AndIamnotgoingtospendanymoremoneytobuysomeeither.”“Thenyouarenottogrowanyaquaapes,”Tonyninformedhim.“Becauseitsaysrightherethatyouhavetousedistilledwaster.”“Ihaveabetteridea,”Dylonsaid,suddenlyfeelingmoreenthusiastic.“Let’sgodowntotheFearStreetWoodsandscoopsomewaterfromthelake.”“Areyoucrazy?”Tonyexclaimed.“Haven’tyouheardaboutthegrossthingsthatliveintheFearLake?”Iknowaguywhodranksomeofthelakewateronadare—hehadtogointhehospital.Whoknowswhatwe’llgetifweusethatwater?”“Exactly!”Dylonsmiledhismadscientistsmile.“Whoknowswhatwe’llget!”3ThemomentDyloncametotheendofParkDrive,hidheartstartedtobeatalittlefaster.Withjustonestephewouldcrosstheimaginarysafetylineintodangerousterritory—FearStreet.Eveninthemiddleoftheday,FearStreetwasdarkandscary.Enormousoldtreeslinedbothsidesofthestreet.Andasthesunlighttriedtosneakbetweensomeofthehugebranches,itcaststrangeshadowsonthegroundbelow.Shadowsthatlookedliketheycouldswallowyouup.OnceyouhavewalkeddownFearStreet,Dylonthought,youknowallthecreepystoriesyou’veheardaboutitaretrue.“Theadventureisabouttobegin!”DylonannouncedtoTony.HetookadeepbreathandstartedtowardtheFearStreetWoods.TheywerecreepierthanFearStreet.Scarier,too.Thetreesinthewoodsgrewthickandgnarled—withblacktwistedbranchesthatseemedtoreachout.Reachouttostruggleyou.Tonyhesitated.“Well,areyoucoming,orwhat?”“Thisisareallystupididea,”Tonyreplied.“Itisnot.You’rejustchicken,”Dylontaunted.ThenhestartedflappinghisarmsandsquawkingatTony.“Bawk,bawk,bawk!”“Iamnotachicken,”Tonyinsisted.“Thencomeon.”“There.”Tonysteppedintothewoods.“Areyouhappynow?”“Thisway.”Dylonpointedtothepathahead.ThepaththatleddirectlytoFearLake.“We’dbetterhurry.Thesewoodsgetrealdark,realearly.”Astheyfollowedthetrail,Dylonnoticedhowquietthewoodswere.Hecouldn’thearanybirdschirpingorbugshumming.Oranysoundoflifeatall.Creepy.Reallycreepy.Dylonkepthiseyesgluedtothetrail.Hehadtomakesuretheystayedontherightpath.NowaywashegettinglostintheFearStreetWoods.“Canwehurryitup?”Tonyasked.HefollowedDylonsocloselythathesteppedonthebackofoneofhissneakers.“Doyouhavetowalkontopofme?”Dyloncomplained,yankinghissneakerbackup.“Thelake’srightthroughthere,”headded,pointingstraightahead.“Relax.”“I’mtellingyou,thisisabigmistake,”Tonymutteredastheyreachedthemuddybanksofthelake.“Justgivemethetank,”Dylonordered.TonypulledthelittleplastictankoutofhisbackpackandshoveditintoDylon’shands.DylonpulledoffthetopandhandedittoTony.Thenhesteppeduptotheedgeofthelakeanddippedtheopentankintotheicywater.Otherthanbeingreally,reallycold,Dylondidn’tnoticeanythingweirdabouttheFearLakewater.Itwasn’tgross,orsmelly,oranything.Infact,itwasclear.AndDyloncouldn’thelpfeelingalittlebitdisappointed.Dylonheldthetankoutinfrontofhim.“Okay,nowpourinthemagiccrystals,”heinstructedTony.“Idon’tseewhywecan’tdothispartbackatyourhouse,”Tonycomplained.“It’sstartingtogetdark.”“Bawk,bawk,nawk,”Dylonreplied.Tonyfumbledaroundinhisbackpackforthelittlepacketofcrystals.Whenhefoundit,hecarefullytorethecorneropen.“Whatdotheylooklike?”Dylonasked.“Likesugargrains,”Tonyanswered.HeheldthepacketunderDylon’snoseforhimtosee.“Pour‘emin,”Dylonordered.Heheldthetanksteady.“Heregoesnothing,”Tonysaid.Heshookthemagiccrystalsintothetank.ThemomentthefirstcrystalhitthewaterfromFearLake,Dylonfeltthetipsofhisfingersstarttotingle.Thenthetinytinglingturnedintoasurgeofelectricity.ItraceduphisarmsandsnakedthroughhisentirebodyHebegantoshake.Slightlyatfirst.Thenwildly.Hetriedtoloosenhisgriponthetank.Buthisfingerswerestuck.Thetankbegantocracklewithelectricity.Dyloncouldseetinylightningboltsshootingthroughthewater.Thewaterbubbledandchurned.Dylon’sheartpoundedsohardandsofast,hewasterrifieditwouldexplode.Heopenedhismouthtoscream.ToscreamforTonytohelphim.Butnosoundcameout..4“Tony!”thenamefinallyburstfreefromDylon’sthroat.“Helpme!”ButthemomentDylonscreamed,theshockstopped.Hisarmsandlegsgrewstill.Thewaterinthetanksettledquietly.“What’swrong?”Tonyasked.“Whathappened?”“I’mnotexactlysure,”Dylontriedtoexplain.“Whenyoupouredinthecrystals,ahorribleshockracedthroughmywholebody.ItwastheworstthingI’veeverfelt.”“Let’sputthetoponthetankandgetoutofhere!”Tonycried.Tonyshoved(pushroughly)thetopon.Thenheturnedandcharged(向…冲去)intothewoods,backtowardthestreet.“Waitforme!”Dylonscreamed,dashingafterhim.Theydidn’tstopuntiltheymadeitbacktoDylon’shouseandupthestairstohisroom.Dyloncarefullyplacedthetankinthecentreofhisdesk.ThentheybothsatdownonDylon’sbed,panting.Whentheyfinallycaughttheirbreath,Dylonbentdowntopeerintothewater.“Oh,wow!”heshouted.“Theyarealive!Itworked!Wecreatedaquaapes!”Dylonstudiedtheaquaapesinthewater.Theywerejustlittlewhitespecks.Nobiggerthandustspecksinabeamofsunlight.Buttheywerealive.Atfirsttheyappearedtobefloatingaimlessly.ButwhenDylonsquinted(眯眼看)forabetterview,hecouldseethattheywereactuallywiggling(摆动).Wigglingindifferentdirections.Theaquaapesdidn’tlookanythinglikethepictureinthead—oreventhepictureonthebox.Buttheywerealive.Andmaybetheywouldgrowintosomethingcool.“Idon’tseeanything,”Tonycomplained.TonywassittingonthemiddleofDylon’sbed.“Youhavetogetcloser,”Dylontoldhim.“They’rereallysmall.”Tonydidn’tbudge(让步).“Youarenotgoingtogetashock,”Dylontoldhim.“Icarriedthetankallthewaybackhereandnothinghappened.”Tonystoodupandcrossedovertothetank.“Istillcan’tseethem,”heinsisted.“Where’syourmagnifyingglass?”DylonpulledamagnifyingglassoutofthetopdrawerofhisdeckandhandedittoTony.“Prettycool,huh?’Dylonasked,asTonystudiedthelittlecreatures.“Yeah,”Tonyagreed.“Theyareprettycool.Butwh—”Tony’svoicetrailedoffashewatchedlittleairbubblessuddenlystartfloatingupfromthebottomofthetank.“What’sgoingon?”Dylonasked.HegrabbedthemagnifyingglassfromTonyandpeeredintothebottomofthetank.Thebubbleswereshootingupfromacrystal.Alargeblackcrystal.“What’sthat?”Tonyasked.“Ididn’tseeitwhenwepouredthepackagein.”“Idon’tknow,”Dylonanswered.Theblackcrystalcontinuedtofizz(冒气泡).DylonandTonywatcheditforalongtime,waitingforsomethingmoretohappen.Butnothingdid.Theblackcrystalsimplycontinuedtofizz.***TheblackcrystalwasstillfizzingwhenDylonwenttobedthatnight.Heleftthelightoninthetanksohecouldwatchitashedozedoff.Buttheaquaapeswerewaytoosmallforhimtoseefromhisbed.Hecouldn’tevenmakeouttheblackcrystalfromthatfaraway.Buthecouldseetheairbubblesrisingfromit.Dylonbegancountingthebubblesastheyrosetothesurface.Thenumbersracedthroughhisheadfasterandfaster.Hisvisionblurred(变模糊)ashefocusedonthebubbles.Thenthelightinthetankwentout.Dylonfiguredthebulbinthetanklidhadblown.Hewouldcheckitoutinthemorning.Dylonpulledthecoveruptohisneck.Asherolledovertogotosleep,thelightinthetankflashedon.Andthistimeitglowedmuchbrighterthanbefore.Dylonturnedtowardit.Ishouldjustgetupandturnifoff,hethought.Butbeforehecouldeventhrowbackthecovers,thelightblinkedoffbyitselfagain.Thenon.Thenoff.Itcontinuedtoblink(闪烁)onandoffuntilDylonslidoutofbed.Themomenthisfeethitthefloor,thelightinthetankflaredonandstayedon.Hewalkedtowardthedeskslowly.Cautiously.Ashesteppedcloser,henoticedthattheblackcrystalatthebottomofthetankwasbubblingfuriously.Thewaterbeganchurning(stir).Itturnedfromcleartomurky.Thendark.Dylonreachedouttoturnoffthelightinthetank.Butbeforehisfingertouchedtheswitch,hejerked(猛拉)hishandaway.Whatifhegotanothershock?Thelightclickedonandoffagain.Dylonstoodbythetank.Waiting.Butthistimeitdidn’tflashonagain.Dylonstumbledovertothewall.Ashefelthiswaytowardtheswitchfortheceilinglight,ashortburstoflightfloodedtheroom—asbrightandasquickasastreakoflightning.Andthenaloudbangexplodedintheroom—asloudasaclapofthunder.Dylonwhirled(旋转)aroundtofacethetank.Hecouldhearthewaterchurning.Anotherflashoflightningshotthroughthewater.Thenthelidbegantorumble(隆隆作响).AndbeforeDyloncouldmove,thelidblastedfromthetankandshotuptotheceilingwithacrash!5Whereisit?Whereisit?Dylonranhishandsupanddownthewall,feelingforthelightswitch.Tonywasright,hethought.UsingthewaterfromFearLakewasabigmistake.Dylon’sfingersfinallyhitthelightswitch.Hesnappediton.Hescannedtheroom.Thelidofthetanklayonthefloor.Butfromwherehestood,everythingelseseemednormal.Thewaterinthetankappearedcalmandclearagain.Nothingwasoutofplace.Dylonstoopedtopickupthelid.Therehadtobealogicalexplanationforwhathadhappened.Maybesomethingwaswrongwiththebatteries,Dylonthought.Hepried(撬开)openthelidofthetanktocheck.Sureenough,thebatterieswereoozing(渗出)anoilyliquid.Dyloncrossedovertohisdecktocheckonhisaquaapes.Thelittlecreaturesseemedtobealiveandwell.Onlytheywerehuddledtogetheratoneendofthetank—asiftheyweretryingtohide.Andtheblackcrystalthathadbeenbubblingandfizzingalldaywasgone.Dylonstaredintothewater.Searchingforit.Hesatupforwhatseemedlikehours,waitingforittoreappear.Butitneverdid.Andso,finally,Dylonturnedoffhislightandwenttosleep.***“Dylon!Wakeup!”Hismothernudged(唠叨)himhard.Dylonrolledoverandpulledtheblankettighteraroundhimself.Hecouldn’twakeup.Notyet.Hefeltasifhehadjustclosedhiseyes.“Comeon,Dylon.”Hismothernudgedhimagain.“Youaregoingtobelateforschoolifyoudon’tgetamoveon.”“Youreyesaren’tevenopen,”shescolded.Dylonrolledoverandopenedthemforher.“Happy?”hegrumbled.“No,”sheanswered,“Iwanttoseeyouup.”Dylonpulledhimselftoasittingposition.Thatseemedtosatisfyhismother.“Good,”shesaidassheheadedforthedoor.“Nowhurryupandgetdressedsoyoucanhaveadescentbreakfastbeforeyouleave.”ThemomentDylon’smotherlefttheroom,heplopped(setdownwithanoise)backdownandclosedhiseyesagain.“Mommysaidmoveit,youlittletwerp(讨厌的家伙),”Mariagrowled(咆哮着说)asshepassedhisopendoor.“Ma,”Mariascreamedloudlyoverhershoulder.“Thelittletwerpisstillinbed.”“I’mnot!”Dylonscreamedbackashejumpedoutfromunderthecovers.Hestumbledovertocheckontheaquaapes.Theywerestillreallysmall.Buttheydidn’tlookliketinylittlewhitedustspecksanymore.Theylookedlikebiggerlittledustspecks!Theyaregrowing.Cool!Dylongrabbedasweatshirtfromhisdresser.Whenhehadithalfwayoverhishead,heheardafainttappingsound.What’sthat?Hewondered.Heyanked(猛拉)thesweatshirtdown.Probablyjustsometreebranchesblowingagainstthesideofthehouse,hefigured.Hepeekedoutthewindownexttohisdesk.Thetreeoutsidewasstill.ButDylonkepthearingthesound.Tap,tap,tap.Helistenedtoitcarefully—andrealizeditwasn’tcomingfromoutside.Rightnexttohim.Dylonleapedawayfromthedesk.Thenhestaredintothetank.Andhecouldn’tbelievewhathesaw.Anaquaapewaspressingagainstthesideofthetank.Anditwastappingontheplastic!Thisaquaapewasbig—biggerthanallthelittlewhitedustspeckaquaapesputtogether.Dylonfigureditwasthesizeofatadpole.Dylongrabbedthemagnifyingglassandstudiedthecreature.Upcloseitlookedevenbetterthanthepictureinthead.Anditreallydidlooklikeamonkey,too—allbrownandkindoffuzzy(有绒毛的).Itevenhadarmsandlegs.Itstoodthere,atthebottomofthetank,staringbackatDylon.WithoutadoubtthiswasthecoolestthingthatDylonhadeverseen!“Dylon!Now!”Dyloncouldtellbythetoneofhismother’svoicethatshemeantbusiness.“I’vegottogo,”Dylonexplainedtohisbrand-newpet.”ButI’llseeyoulater.Okay,littleguy?”Theminutethewordscameoutofhismouth,themostamazingthinghappened.I’mimaginingit,Dylonthought.Thisjustcan’tbe.Dylonblinkedhard,thenlookedagain.No,hewasn’tseeingthings.Thebrand-newaquaapewaswavingathim.***“I’mtellingyou,hewaswavingatme,”DyloninsistedforthetenthousandthtimeasheandTonyparkedtheirbikesinDylon’sgarageafterschool.”Andhereallydoeslooklikeamonkey.”“Yeah,right.”Tonylaughed.“Thewholetankexplodedlastnight,andnowwehaveagiantswimmingmonkeywhowaves.”“Ididn’tsayhewasagiant,”Dylonprotested.Heclimbedoffhisbikeandshovedthekickstand(撑脚架)down.Youdidtoo,”Tonyshotback.“Inthecafeteria(自助餐厅)youtoldRandyandZackhewasagiantaquaape.”“Oh,right,”Dylonagreedasheheadedtowardthedoorthatopenedintothehouse.“Well,heisagiantcomparedtoalltheotheraquaapesinthetank.”ThemomenttheyreachedDylon’sroom,TonypushedpastDylontogettothetankfirst.“Whoa!”Tonygasped.“Itoldyouhewasbig,”Dylonsaidsmugly(自鸣得意地).“Big?He’slikethesizeofKingKong金刚（电影名）!”Dylonlaughed.HeknewTonywasexaggerating,buthewashappythatTonyfinallybelievedhim.“Ishewavingatyou?”“Yeah,”Tonyansweredashepickedupthetank.“He’swavinglikecrazy.”“Letmesee,”Dylondemanded.“Waitaminute,”Tonywhispered.Heputthetanktohisear.“Hey!You’renotgoingtobelievethis.”“What?”Dylonaskedexcitedly.“Ithinkhe’ssingingtome,too!”“You’resuchajerk(混蛋),”Dylonreplied.“No,you’rethejerk,”Tonyshotbackashereturnedthetanktothedesk.“There’snogiantmonkeyinhere.”Dylonstaredintothetank.Itwastrue.Thewavingaquaapewasnowheretobeseen.Wherecouldhebe?Dylonwondered.Iknowhewasthere.IknowwhatIsaw.“I’mtellingyou,Tony.Hewasintherethismorning.”“Allright,allright,”Tonymuttered.“IbelieveyouOkay?”DyloncouldtellTonywasn’treallypayingattentiontohim.Hewasstudyingoneofthelittleaquaapes.“Checkthisoneout,”TonytoldDylon.“Thislittleguyisprettyneat.”“Yeah,”Dylonsaidgrudgingly(不情愿地),glancingoverTony’sshoulder.“He’sOkay.”“Look!He’sgotteeny(极小的),tinylittleflipper(鳍状)arms,”Tonysaid.“Yeah,kindof.”“Hey,cheerup.ThisismuchbetterthanIthoughtitwouldbe,”Tonydeclared.“Atleastnotatotalrip-off.(诈骗)”“ButthelittleguyIsawthismorningwasreallycool.”“Thisoneis,too.Onlyhe’smorelikesomekindoffishthingthanamonkey,”Tonypointedout.“Watchhowheswims,”Tonycontinued.“Seehimthere?”Dylonnodded.“H’salmostatthetopofthewater.Nowwatchthis.Theminutehereachesthetop,he’sgoingtoturnaroundandgoallthewaybacktothebottomagain,rightnexttothecrater.Andthen,afterhetouchesthebottom,he’sgoingtoturnaroundandswimallthewaybacktothetop.It’slikehe’sdoinglaps(圈)orsomething,”Tonyexplained.“Maybehe’strainingfortheAquaApesOlympics,”Dylonjoked.Dylonwatchedthetinylittleaquaapeturnaroundatthetopofthetank,justthewayTonysaidhewould.Buthecouldn’tstopwonderingwhathadhappenedtothegiantaquaapehehadseenthatmorning.Dylondidn’thavetowonderforlong.Becausejustasthelittleguyreachedthebottomofthetank,Dylonsawabigbrownhairyfistshootoutfrominsidethecraterandgrab(攫取；霸占)it.Thenittighteneditsgriparoundthelittlecreatureandcrushedit.6“Didyouseethat?”Dylonaskedexcitedly.“Thatwashim!”“Him?”Tonyasked,staringatDylonlikehewascrazyorsomething.“Youmeanit,don’tyou?”“No,”Dylonansweredashestoodupstraighter.“Imeanhim!Itoldyouwehadagiantswimmingmonkeywhowaves!”“Yeah,wellhewasn’tswimming,”Tonypointedout.“AndIdon’tthinkhewastryingtowaveatuseither.AllIsawwasahairyarmthatcreamedthelittleguy.”“I’mtellingyou.Itwashim,”Dyloninsisted.“Maybehejustwantedtoplaywithhimorsomething.”“Playwith?”Tonygasped(气喘吁吁地说).“Hecru