Jan Burchett - Poacher Panic

This is the weirdest present Ive ever gotten! said Ben.

A shiny glass eyeball was glaring up at him from its brown envelope.

The weirdest present weve ever had. Its my birthday too, his twin sister Zoe reminded him. Whos it from?

Dunno, said Ben. He shook the eyeball out of the envelope. It was the size of a small marble with a black dot in the center and yellow flecks outside.

Zoe took the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper with a printed message.

Happy Eleventh Birthday, Zoe and Ben, she read. But its not signed.

This is one of your jokes, isnt it? Ben asked. He grinned, waving the marble in her face.

His sister shook her head. I dont know anything about it, she said.

Yeah, right! Ben said.

Honest! insisted Zoe. Ive never seen it before.

Maybe Mom and Dad sent it, suggested Ben.

We got their presents already, said Zoe. She carefully studied the stamp on the envelope. Anyway, this letter didnt come from Mexico.

Ben and Zoes parents were veterinarians who traveled the world working with endangered animals. A month ago theyd been sent to Mexico to help protect the critically endangered Chiapan Climbing Rat.

In the past, Ben and Zoe had always gone with their parents. But this September, they would be starting school again, so their parents decided they couldnt go to Mexico. Their parents kept them updated on their adventures with regular phone calls, but it just wasnt the same as actually being there. Grandma was taking care of them while their parents were gone. Right now, she was in the kitchen, frosting a birthday cake.

Ben held up the eyeball. Maybe its a clue to something, he said. Like in those treasure hunts Mom and Dad used to do for us.

Its not much of a clue, though, said Zoe, frowning. What do we do next?

Maybe the sender left a message on our blog, said Ben. Thats how most people get in touch with us! He pocketed the glass eyeball, went to the computer, and logged in. A picture of a gorilla filled the screen. The words animals in danger arched over its head. The deep cry of a silverback male echoed through the room.

During their travels with their parents Ben and Zoe regularly posted updates of their projects on their website. They also used the site to keep in touch with the people theyd met all over the world.

Theres tons of new emails, said Ben. He scrolled down. Theres one from the Elephant Sanctuary in Kenya.

Zoes eyes lit up. Open it! she said.

Ben clicked on the email and a picture of a baby elephant popped up. Aww, Zoe purred. Zahara had a bull calf this morning!

Ben rolled his eyes and quickly scrolled down the list. He was just as passionate about protecting animals as his sister, but sometimes she was kind of annoying.

Theres one from Brian and his orangutans, Ben told Zoe.

I dont recognize the one below it, said Zoe. It says The Island.

Ben clicked on it. By now, youll have the eye, he read slowly. Time to give it back to its rightful owner so the adventure can begin.

Adventure? repeated Zoe. What adventure?

Ben pulled the eyeball out of his pocket. Looks like we have to find this things owner, he said. But whos missing a glass eye?

It looks like a cats eye, said Zoe.

Its not, Ben said. They dont have round pupils like this. Suddenly he ran for the door. I know!

Zoe caught up with him by the bookshelf in the hall. He was wobbling on a chair, reaching for the very top. He pulled down an ugly china tiger that Grandma had brought when she came to stay with them.

The tiger was battered and chipped and had one yellow glass eye. The other was missing, leaving only an empty socket.

Ben looked at Zoe. So did Grandma make this puzzle? he asked.

Put it in and well find out, urged Zoe.

Ben pressed the eyeball into the socket. It fit perfectly.

There was a loud click. Then a three-dimensional image of a man appeared in front of them.

A hologram! said Zoe.

Greetings, my nephew and niece, said the image. Of course, if youre not Ben and Zoe Woodward, then this message isnt for you.

Its Uncle Stephen! said Ben. But he disappeared four years ago.

Their uncle, Dr. Stephen Fisher, was a world-renowned animal specialist. He vanished around the time of their seventh birthday and hadnt been seen since. Ben and Zoe missed their uncle. Theyd loved his crazy ways. He had always made up clever games that had them thinking hard and howling with laughter at the same time.

Im sorry for disappearing some time ago, said the flickering image. This is my hologram. But dont worry, Im not dead far from it, in fact. I went undercover so I could concentrate on my great plan to save endangered animals.

The image stepped closer to them. Im going to tell you a secret, he said. He looked around as if to make sure no one was listening. Ben and Zoe found themselves doing the same. Four years ago, I set up an organization called WILD. This must remain completely confidential!

Whys he telling us about it, then? whispered Ben.

I bet youre wondering why Im telling you about it, Uncle Stephen said, grinning. Ben smiled back. Ive kept an eye on you two and Im very impressed with your work with endangered animals, Stephen said. You both have valuable skills and knowledge. I want you to join me at WILD. Cant tell you where it is, of course, but your contact will be in touch shortly. See you soon!

The image flickered, then disappeared.

Wow! whispered Ben. Uncle Stephen wants us to join his secret organization! Wed better pack.

Hold on, said Zoe. Youre always rushing into things. We dont know where were going yet, or who our contact is.

Children! Grandma yelled from the kitchen. Your birthday cake is ready!

Well talk later, said Ben. Chocolate cake takes priority!

They raced down the hall to the kitchen. They found Grandma standing in the doorway, smiling at them. She held out a chocolate cake with eleven candles.

Just finished this, in time for your WILD adventure, she said with a wink.

Ben and Zoe bumped up and down in the back seat of Grandmas little car as she drove.

I dont get it, Grandma, said Ben. You were in on Uncle Stephens secret all along?

Of course, Grandma said.

Then can you tell us more about WILD? Zoe asked.

Certainly not! said Grandma. Thats up to Stephen.

Grandma suddenly steered the car off the road and drove across a field! The car was lurching wildly over the bumpy ground.

Zoe looked at Ben. Has Grandma gone nuts? she whispered.