Over the next few days, everyone at Monster Academy was busy preparing for the visit by the humans.
Mr. Bog, the custodian, mopped up slime trails and drool puddles.
The student council made a large Welcome, People banner to hang in the lobby.
In the computer lab, Ben's class researched humans and tried to learn as much as they could.
"It says here that humans don't howl at the moon," said a werewolf.
He scratched his head. "That's weird."
"Yeah, well, check this out," replied a two-headed girl at another computer.
"Humans have only one brain."
Ben was very curious about the humans too, and looking forward to their visit.
But his mind was also on Winnie.
Ever since the dance, she'd been avoiding him.
In Cooking one morning, he looked over and saw her watching him.
She gave him a funny look and then turned away.
"She's still really mad at me," realized Ben.
He wondered how often she could read his thoughts.
Did she know how bad he felt?
Or how embarrassed he was that he couldn't float through walls like a real ghost?
On the morning of the humans' visit, everyone gathered in the school's lobby.
"The humans will be here any minute," said Mr. Freaky nervously.
"It looks like everything here is totally under—"
The principal gasped as he caught sight of Mog.
"What's wrong?" asked Mog.
Mr. Freaky started trembling. "You're covered in . . . purple spots!"
Mog looked down at himself.
"Oh no! You're right—I am covered in purple spots. What are they?"
Mr. Freaky shook his head gravely.
"I don't know. You must have some kind of monster flu."
Now Mog looked scared. "Do you really think it's a flu?"
"I'm afraid so," said Mr. Freaky.
"You should go to the nurse's office right away.
Please, Mog, the humans will be here soon, and I don't want them to see your spots."
"Mr. Freaky!" cried a witch. "Winnie's covered in purple spots too!"
Winnie shrieked and pointed at the other witch. "So are you!"
The other witch screamed as she looked down at herself.
Ben's eyes went wide as he looked around.
Purple spots were appearing on all the students—even on himself.
"Things are totally out of control!" cried Mr. Freaky.
He took out a handkerchief and blew his noses.
"I wish Miss Bungle were here. We have a full-blown epidemic in our school!"
"What's an epidemic?" asked Mog.
Waldo leaned toward him.
"It's when a disease spreads all over a place, like a school."
Mog looked at the purple spots on his hands and gulped.
"Is this disease . . . serious?"
Waldo shook his head. "I hope not."
"Everybody, go to the nurse's office!" said Mr. Freaky.
"We can't have human visitors while we have a monster flu epidemic.
When their bus arrives, I'll tell them we need to reschedule."
The principal started pacing. "This is terrible.
First Miss Bungle fell ill, and now all the students are sick too!"
Students started heading toward the nurse's office.
Ben was about to follow when he saw the bus from People Place pull up.
Curious about the humans, he ducked behind a tall plant to watch for a few minutes.
Mr. Freaky straightened his tie, took a deep breath, and headed outside.
Ben slipped out after him.
Mayor Hubbletree stepped off the bus with a grin. "Mr. Freaky!"
"Good morning, Mayor," said Mr. Freaky.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Mayor Hubbletree had suddenly frozen.
He was staring curiously at Mr. Freaky. "What are all those purple spots?"
"Purple spots?" said Mr. Freaky, alarmed.
He looked down at his hands. "Oh dear. The epidemic is getting worse!"
Mayor Hubbletree took a step back.
"Epidemic? What's going on here, Freaky?"
"Nothing!" cried Mr. Freaky. "It's just a . . . minor illness, we think.
Everything is totally under control."
"It doesn't sound like it's under control. You just called it an epidemic."
Mayor Hubbletree glanced at the school building.
"I can't bring students into Monster Academy if you're all sick with some weird monster disease!"
"You're right," said Mr. Freaky.
"Maybe we should reschedule the field trip for next week."
"Are you kidding?" cried Mayor Hubbletree.
"I'm not rescheduling the field trip.
Whatever crazy monster illness you have in there, I want no part of it!
In fact, I'm sending over a health inspector to look into this epidemic.
My wife and Dave have been inside that building!"
Mr. Freaky wrung his hands, muttering to himself.
"This is terrible—I was really hoping the fence between Monsterville and People Place would be taken down."
Ben drew in a breath as the mayor folded his arms and scowled.
"Oh, that fence is coming down, all right," Mayor Hubbletree snapped.
"I'm going to replace it with an enormous concrete wall!"