PETER AND THE VAMPIRES

(Volume 1)
Darren Pillsbury
Copyright 2011 Darren Pillsbury, www.DarrenPillsbury.com
Cover copyright 2011 Ronnell D. Porter
Layout design by 2 !ovels, www.2novels.com
"his boo# is a wor# o$ $iction. "he names, characters, places, and incidents are products o$ the writer%s imagination
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,mashwords -dition. /ay 2011
Contents
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PETER AND THE DEAD MEN
1
Five days a$ter leaving Cali$ornia, Peter !ormal was about to see his new home $or the $irst
time.
0e hated it already.
Peter sat in the $ront seat o$ his mom=s beat>up 0onda, his $orehead pressed to the window,
and watched the small town o$ Dus#erville go by. )t was so di$$erent $rom what he was used to.
& two>lane road that stretched through miles and miles o$ $orest, bro#en occasionally by a $arm
or clump o$ houses. "he actual town itsel$ had seven bloc#s o$ shops, $ive stoplights, two
grocery stores, and one movie theater. Peter #new this because he had counted them all.
/ost o$ the store$ronts loo#ed old, li#e something out o$ blac# and white television shows.
Leave It To Beaver or Andy Griffith. !ot many people were out. & $ew men in short>sleeve
shirts, a woman in a $lowered dress. &nd a tall, strange man in a blac# suit and hat, with an
ancient $ace and gri''led beard. 9ho was also carrying a pitch$or#.
Curiously, nobody on the street seemed $rea#ed out by that.
"his was nothing li#e Cali$ornia. "here, it was buildings and condos and malls stac#ed up
against each other as $ar as the eye could see. Lots o$ people, lots o$ tra$$ic, lots o$ e?citement.
!o guys with pitch$or#s.
@Aut what about my $riendsBC Peter had complained when his mother $irst told him they were
moving.
@Dou=ll ma#e new $riends, honey,C /om said.
@9hat is there to do thereBC
@9ell, it=s really close to the ocean.C
,o $ar, the only water Peter had seen was the rainstorm they=d driven through two days ago.
&s upset as he was to leave his $riends behind, Peter never griped again about moving. 0e
didn=t want to ma#e this any harder $or /om than it already was. ,he tried to hide it $rom him
and his little sister Aeth, but she was having a really tough time.
Aut Peter #newE he=d #nown $or a while. ,he had lost her (ob as a legal assistant when her
boss retired $ive months ago, and she hadn=t had any luc# getting a new one that paid enough.
"hey lived in a two>room apartment in not>that>great a neighborhood. Aeth slept in the
bedroom with his mom, and Peter slept on a $old>out couch in the den. Daycare $or his sister was
e?pensive during the school year. During the summer, Peter had to watch his two>and>a>hal$
year>old sister *which was a lot li#e $ighting 9orld 9ar ))) over and over again every day+
while /om went out on interviews. Aut school was starting soon, and she still didn=t have a (ob.
,ometimes, late at night, he could hear his mother crying so$tly in the bathroom where she didn=t
thin# anybody could hear her.
Ae$ore he could get too sad, /om=s voice yan#ed him out o$ daydream world and bac# to the
here and now. @Aeth, you have to ta#e o$$ your bathing suit now, we=re going to meet your
grand$ather.C
@!oFC his sister yelled $rom her toddler seat in the bac# o$ the car. &ll around her was piled
the (un# they=d brought $rom Cali$ornia G suitcases, /om=s computer, bo?es o$ toys.
@Aeth, you cannot wear a bathing suit everywhereFC
@!:FC
0is sister was Hdi$$icult. "hat was the nice way o$ putting it. 0er latest thing was wearing a
yellow ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing suit G everywhere. "wenty>$our hours a day, seven days a
wee#. "o bed, in the bath, to the store, to the movies, to the par#. -verywhere.
)t wasn=t so bad in the summertime. Dou e?pected little #ids to wear bathing suits in the
summertime. Aut this had been going on $or si? months. "he bathing suit was worn and $rayed in
places, and it was more gray now than yellow. /om washed it every couple o$ days, and Aeth
would sit by the washing machine and read stories to it as it swirled around. Isually she would
wear it straight out o$ the washer, wet and dripping, rather than bear to part with it $or the 1
minutes it would ta#e to tumble around in the dryer.
&t the moment she was wearing it over a pair o$ shorts and a white t>shirt. 9hen it got a little
chilly G which it was in the car, with the air conditioner going G she would wear it over her
other clothes. !ot under. !ope, the entire world had to see her love $or ,trawberry ,hortca#e.
/om struggled to #eep her voice calm. @Aeth, we have to ma#e a good impression on
8rand$ather since we=re going to be living with him now. &nd ) would rather he not see you
wearing that bathing suit over your regular clothes.C
@0e wi#e ,tawbewy ,horca#eFC Aeth protested. @I wi#e itFC
@) don=t,C Peter said.
@Dou don= countFC she shouted as she pointed and bared her lower teeth at him.
Peter sighed and turned bac# to the window. 9hen dealing with Aeth, unless it was really
important, it was easier (ust to ignore her. /om hadn=t learned that yet.

They had le$t Dus#erville behind and were on a winding road deep into the $orest when Peter
saw it. 8rand$ather=s house.
)t was monstrously huge and way high in the air. )t had to be, because the roo$ was the only
thing Peter could see over the treesHand they were tall trees. 0e could see some sort o$ balcony
with a railing on the very top, and there were two small towers that loo#ed more li#e they
belonged on a castle.
@9e=re hereFC /om called out. @8et out o$ that bathing suitFC
@!:FC Aeth howled.
@9hy notBC /om argued.
@,tawbewy ,horca#e is C::LFC
"he car slowed down and turned into a little side street. :n the right side o$ the road was an
ordinary house. &ctually, that was being a bit generous. )t was pretty rundown, with $la#ing
paint, a bunch o$ weeds on the lawn, at least one crac#ed window, and a rusty car in the
driveway. Aut all in all, it was a relatively normal one>story home.
:n the other side o$ the street, $ar away up a gravel drive, was 8rand$ather=s house.
!ow Peter #new why the roo$ was visible over the trees. the house was $our stories tall, i$ you
counted the attic. "here were do'ens o$ windows, most o$ them mismatched in si'e, and none o$
them lined up straight with one another. Cra'y built>on rooms popped out $rom the side o$ the
house in the worst possible places.
)t was li#e some giant monster had a baby, and the monster #id (ust stac#ed his giant toy
bloc#s at random to build what was supposed to be a house, because no sane human would have
ever built it.
"he wood had lost its paint years ago, and the weathered gray plan#s crumbled silently in the
sun. "he shutters were blac# and peeling. & couple o$ tall, gnarled trees grew against the side
walls, and overgrown bushes spilled out into the #nee>high lawn.
)t loo#ed li#e a haunted house. :r an abandoned building. :r both.
@:h no,C Peter whispered as a loo# o$ horror crept over his $ace.
@Peter, ) #now it loo#sHinteresting, but it=s a great old place. ) grew up here, you #now.C
@Dou made me leave Carlos and ,teven and Aen $or thisB ) le$t my $riends so we could live
hereBC
@Peter, don=t do this. !ot now. !ot in $ront o$ 8rand$ather. ,mile, o#ayB 9e=ll tal# about it
later.C
Peter loo#ed out the windshield, up ahead o$ the car. "here, standing in the overgrown grass
by the $ront steps, was a cra'y old man to go with the cra'y old house.
0e was tall and gangly li#e a scarecrow, though a well>dressed one. blac# pants, white long
sleeve shirt, gray patterned vest, a tie #notted under his collar. 0e loo#ed li#e he was going to
church.
Aut i$ his clothes loo#ed dressy, his $ace (ust loo#ed scary. 9ild, piercing eyes bla'ed $rom
beneath bushy brows. & scraggly white beard sprouted $rom his chee#s and (aw. 0e was bald on
the $ront and top, but thin wisps o$ hair clung to the sides o$ his head.
8rand$ather <lannagan.
Peter had never met him. 8randma <lannagan had $lown out to Cali$ornia a couple o$ times,
but she had died when Peter was $our. 0e could barely remember her. "here were some $aded
photographs o$ her smiling in $ront o$ their apartment, and eJually $aded memories o$ a sweet
lady who gave him candy when /om wasn=t loo#ing.
"hey had never visited his grandparents= house G at least, not since Peter was a baby G and
8rand$ather had never visited them. ,uddenly Peter wished one o$ the two had happened,
because i$ it had, he would have $ought a lot harder to stay in Cali$ornia.
@9ho=s dat scare>wy manBC Aeth whimpered.
@0e=s not scaryHthat=s my daddy. 0e=s nice, you=ll see,C /om said, though something in her
tone wasn=t e?actly convincing.
Peter loo#ed in the mirror and smoothed his sandy brown hair, then loo#ed down to ma#e sure
his shirt and shorts didn=t have any #etchup or mustard stains. !ormally he couldn=t have cared
less, but something told him he was about to get a military inspection.
8ravel crunched under the tires as the 0onda pulled up to the $ront o$ the house. Peter
watched uneasily as the old man peered inside the car, straight at Peter=s $ace.
/om was the $irst out. @0ello, Dad.C ,he smiled, and gave him a little hug.
@/rmC was his only reply.
,he opened the car=s bac# door and unbuc#led the #iddie seat. @"his is Aeth. Im, don=t mind
the bathing suit.C
<or the $irst time in her li$e, Peter=s sister had nothing to say. ,he (ust sat there in /om=s
arms, $ingers in her mouth, staring at 8rand$ather as he stared bac# at her.
@&nd this is Peter.C
"hat was his cue. Peter opened the door and stepped out.
8rand$ather=s eyes burned a hole in his s#ull. @Peter, ehBC
Peter nodded.
@0ow old are you, boyBC
@!>nine and a hal$,C Peter stuttered. @)=ll be ten in /arch.C
@0rm.C 8rand$ather turned bac# to /om without giving Peter another glance. @,o ) guess
we=ll be moving you in now.C
@9ell, we could go on a little tour o$ the house $irst. "he bags aren=t going anywhere.C
@0rm.C 8rand$ather turned and wal#ed up the $ront steps into the house without another word.
@Dou coming, PeterBC /om called.
@IhhhhH)=m gonna wal# around outside $irst, stretch my legs,C Peter replied.
@:#ay, suit yoursel$.C
@/ommy, he=s a scare>wy man,C Aeth whispered a little too loudly.
@!o, it=s (ust 8rand$ather,C /om said in a hushed voice. @9e=re going to go see your new
room now.C
Peter waited until they were inside. :nce they were gone, he #ic#ed the gravel in $rustration.
Freakin dang it flippin
"housands o$ miles to come live in a rundown shac#.
Peter shielded his eyes with his hands and peered up at the house.
& huge rundown shac#.
)t was sort o$ cool, actually, in a horror movie #ind o$ way.
0e (ust didn=t want to live in a horror movie, that=s all.
Peter circled the house and counted the odd, mismatched windows. &$ter losing count, he
bac#ed up almost a hundred $eet to try and see that cra'y balcony on the roo$ again.
@Psst,C somebody said behind him.
Peter whirled around.
!
About 20 $eet away sat a rundown $ence made o$ graying logs and wood posts that were
nearly swallowed by weeds. Aehind the $ence slouched a pale little #id with sunburned chee#s
and a blond crewcut. 0e had on a dirty shirt with yellow, orange and red stripes, and he wore
barely>tied hightop tennis shoes. Aony #nees stuc# out o$ his oversi'ed shorts, which were
cinched tight with an old brown belt.
"he #id nodded once. @9hat up.C
Peter raised a hand and waved tentatively.
@Dou movin= inBC the #id as#ed.
Peter nodded. @Deah.C
@"hat your granddadBC
@Deah.C
"he #id shoo# his head li#e he pitied Peter. @0e=s craaaaa'y, man.C
Peter smiled a little. @Deah, he sure seems li#e it.C
@P$$, he doesn=t (ust seem cra'y, he is cra'y. ) watch the windows up there sometimes at night,
li#e, two or three in the morning a$ter the midnight monster marathon is overB Lights all over the
place, $loating $rom room to room. Creeeee>py. Dou wanna piece o$ gumBC
"he #id produced a grubby pac# out o$ his poc#et.
What the hek.
Peter wal#ed over and was about to ta#e a piece G
@,orry i$ the wrapper=s sweaty, it=s been in my pants,C the #id said.
!".
Peter hesitated, then too# it anyway.
@Ih, than#s. )=m Peter.C
"he #id stuc# out his hand through the rails in the $ence. @Dill.C
Peter=s eyebrows shot up. @DillBC
"he #id glared. @!o (o#es about pic#les. ) heard Kem all, )=m sic# o$ Kem, ) don=t wanna hear
Kem. 8ot itBC
Peter shoo# his head. @) wasn=t going to say any pic#le (o#es.C
Dill rela?ed. @8ood. 0ow old are youBC
@!ine and a hal$.C
@0aF )=m almost ten, my birthday=s in !ovember. ) could beat you up.C
Peter loo#ed down at Dill. Peter was hal$ a $oot taller and probably twenty pounds heavier.
#eah$ right.
@Aut don=t worry, ) won=t,C Dill reassured him. @)=m (ust sayin=. Aut you and me, we could
beat up a twentyLyear>old.C
Peter $rowned. @0ow do you $igure thatBC
@!ine and a hal$ plus almost ten isHC Dill paused to count. @:#ay, ) don=t #now what that is,
but we could de$initely beat up a si?teen year>old, cu' together we=re older.C
@Ih>huh.C Peter nodded, totally bewildered by Dill=s logic.
@,o, you ready $or schoolBC
@!o.C
@!either am ). ) 0&"- school. ,tarts on /onday, though.C Dill loo#ed around the yard li#e an
old man ta#ing stoc# o$ his li$e. @"he time, where does it goBC
@)t starts on /ondayBC Peter as#ed in shoc#.
@Deah.C
@"hat=s in two daysFC
@!o duh. ) see they taught you the days o$ the wee#.C
@,chool doesn=t start $or another two wee#s in Cali$orniaFC Peter $umed. 8reat, he=d moved to
a giant shac# out in the middle o$ nowhere, and now they=d stolen two wee#s o$ his summer
$rom him, too.
@"hat where you=re $romBC Dill as#ed.
@Deah.C
@&nd school starts in two wee#s thereBC
@Deah.C
@Dou thin# we can move thereBC
@IhhhHC
@9e should totally move there,C Dill enthused wildly, @and then ) bet school doesn=t start $or
another two wee#s in Mapan, so then we could move there, and (ust #eep traveling around the
world to the ne?t place where school doesn=t start $or two wee#s, until we wind up bac# here in
the summer.C
Peter sJuinted at him. @"hat=s insane.C
@!o, man, it=ll wor#. Dou #now how somewhere in the world, it=s always nightB Li#e, it=s
night in China somewhere right no"BC
@DeahhhhHC Peter agreed, waiting $or Dill=s bi'arro logic to #ic# in.
@9ell, there=s probably always someplace in the world where school doesn=t start $or two
wee#s. 9e (ust gotta $ind it over and over and over again. /an, ) am good. Cali$ornia, here )
come.C
Peter laughed. @) don=t thin# my /om=ll let me go bac#.C
@9hat about your dadBC
& long pause. @) haven=t seen my dad $or a couple o$ years.C
@:h. ,orry.C
Peter shrugged. @)t=s o#ay.C
)t "asnt o#ay, but Peter #new that=s what you said in these circumstances.
@Dads are highly overrated,C Dill continued. @/y dad basically (ust comes home $rom wor#,
yells at me, goes to sleep on the couch, and stin#s up the bathroom.C
@-www, gross.C
@0ey, ) tell it li#e ) smell it.C Dill shi$ted his weight, and ga'ed past Peter=s shoulder. @Dou,
uhhhHyou thin# you can get me inside your houseBC
@Ih, sure, ) guess. 9hyBC
@) wanna see inside. Aut he can=t #now about it, o#ayBC
@Dour dadBC
@9ell, him, too, but ) meant your grand$ather.C
@9hyBC
Dill bit his lip. @"here wasHan accident.C
@Ih>huh.C
@) #ind o$ lit his garden on $ire last year,C Dill e?plained.
@90&"BC
@)t was an accidentF ) was trying to scare something out o$ there. Didn=t wor# so good.C
& thrill o$ $ear gripped Peter=s chest. @,care "hat outBC
Dill loo#ed to the right and the le$t, as though he were a$raid o$ who might be listening.
@"here=s something weird going on in his garden at night,C Dill whispered. @-specially the
watermelon patch. "hat=s what ) lit on $ire. 9ell, $irst ) lit the corn, but the watermelon patch
was right ne?t to it. Dou ever seen a watermelon e?plodeBC
@!o.C
@)t=s coooool.C Dill grinned, eyes wide. "hen he stopped grinning. @Aut it=s reeeeaaaally
messy. &nd L:ID. Dou can=t e?actly hide watermelons e?ploding.C
@9hat were you trying to scare outBC
@) don=t #now, e?actlyHbut ) can show you tonight.C
9hat in the world was Dill tal#ing aboutB & stray dogB & bearB 0is voice was way too spoo#y
and low $or it to be some normal #ind o$ animal.
Peter hesitated, then relented. @:#ay, ) G C
@A:DFC boomed an old man=s voice.
Peter swung around to see 8rand$ather striding towards him.
@:h CR&P,C Dill hissed, and shrun# down behind the $ence. @Loo#, meet me out here at ten
o=cloc# tonight, o#ayBC
@Aut what G C
@) gotta go, man, ) gotta 8:FC
Dill scampered o$$ across his yard and raced inside the one>story house. "he screen door
slammed shut behind him.
8rand$ather stomped up to the $ence and switched his glare $rom Dill=s house to Peter=s $ace.
@) don=t want to see you having anything to do with that id(it, you hear meBC
Peter bac#ed up a $oot.
@0>he seems o#ayHC
@0e=s a ru$$ian and a scoundrel and a troublema#er. Dou hear me, boyBC he thundered at Dill=s
house. @) haven=t $orgotten those watermelons, you little mongrelFC
<rom somewhere in Dill=s house came a man=s voice, sleepy and irritated. @,hut up, old manFC
@0e=s a $ool, a scamp, a rapscallionFC 8rand$ather railed at the unseen voice. @9ith parents to
matchFC
@,huuuuuut IPFC the man=s voice roared.
Peter blushed a deep red and put his head in his hands.
%h my God$ &ill "as right'he is ra(y.
@)n the house with youFC 8rand$ather snarled. @8itFC
Peter wal#ed to the $ront door with the old man=s claw clamped down on his shoulder. &ll the
way there, he wondered what aw$ul thing he=d done $or 8od to ma#e him move in with an insane
person.
"
I$ the house was cra'y outside, it was double cra'y inside. /aybe triple cra'y.
"he main hallway was three stories high. & giant wooden staircase angled up to the le$t until it
reached the second $loor, then sloped up to the right until it reached the third. Peter could
imagine Dill having tons o$ $un sliding down the banister $rom the top $loor all the way to the
bottom G if the railing had curved around instead o$ (utting out at sharp angles. Peter pictured
Dill tumbling o$$ into space at the $irst hairpin turn and shuddered.
"o the le$t there was a living room with antiJue $urniture and stained glass lamps. & giant
&rabic rug covered the polished hardwood $loor, and a co$$ee table with a glass plate in the
middle sat in the center o$ the room.
:n the right side o$ the hallway was a cavernous dining hall with a table that loo#ed li#e it
could have served 10 people or more.
Inder the stairwell was a door with an ancient loc#, the #ind in old movies that opened with
s#eleton #eys. Peter gave it a glance and was about to wal# on when his 8rand$ather clamped a
hand on his shoulder again.
@9e have some rules around here, boy. !umber one is you are to !-7-R -!"-R "0&"
D::R.C
Peter loo#ed at it with new interest.
@Dou are never to try to open that door, you are never to play with that door, you are never to
":IC0 that door. :! P&)! :< D-&"0. Do ) ma#e mysel$ clearBC
Peter stepped bac#. @9hyBC
@&nd you are never to &,N &A:I" "0&" D::R.C
Peter loo#ed $rom his 8rand$ather to the door and bac# again.
@7ery well, moving on,C 8rand$ather muttered and started up the stairs. Peter $ollowed.
@"here are many, many rooms in this house,C 8rand$ather growled. @)$ a door is shut, D:!="
:P-! )". )$ a door is loc#ed, D:!=" A:"0-R )". "here are plenty o$ open rooms $or you to
go in and destroy, which ) #now you will.C
"hey reached the second story. "he hall stretched o$$ a very long way in either direction,
longer than Peter would have thought possible.
@&re we going down there to G C
@!o.C
8rand$ather continued up the stairs.
&s he reached the third story, Peter loo#ed down at the hardwood $loor thirty $eet below. 0e
got a little di''y. &ctually he got really di''y, and had to loo# away until he was o$$ the stairs
and sa$ely on the third $loor.
8rand$ather pointed to an open doorway as he wal#ed by. @"hat is your mother=s.C
Peter peered in on a windowless room with a large canopy bed and paintings o$ bowls o$ $ruit.
@!e?t to it is your sister=s.C
"hat room was windowless, too, and nothing Aeth would want. "he walls were dar# purple,
the $urniture was straight out o$ 8eorge 9ashington=s time, and the only painting on the wall
was o$ three women in white robes #nitting a long piece o$ cloth. :ne o$ them held golden
scissors over the thread, waiting to cut it.
8rand$ather wasn=t so good with little girls, Peter was guessing.
@&nd this is yours.C
Whoa.
)t was almost as big as his mother=s, with a large bed along the center wall and a writing des#
and lamp in the corner. Aut the main thing was the giant window across the room, which poured
sunlight onto the $loor. -ven better was a perch in $ront o$ the window, a pillow>lined ledge set
two $eet into the wall, per$ect $or sitting and watching on a rainy day.
Peter hopped up on it and loo#ed outside. Aeyond the glass panes were the branches o$ an
enormous tree, (ust right $or climbing. Peter had never snuc# out in his li$e, but that tree was the
per$ect way to do it.
!ot that he had the $aintest inclination to try. )n $act, when he loo#ed at the ground over thirty
$eet below, he got woo'y even thin#ing about it G (ust li#e on the stairwell G and had to loo#
away again.
"he view was ama'ing. Aehind the house, a vast $ield stretched $or a Juarter mile until it (ust
ended, as though it dropped o$$ into the light blue s#y.
"here was Dill=s house o$$ to the right, completely visible $rom $ront to bac#. "he roo$ was
missing shingles here and there, and generally loo#ed as rundown $rom above as it did $rom the
ground level, but the place had a bac#yard as big as a soccer $ield G and with ne?t to nothing in
it. & rusty metal swing set and concrete patio #ept the weeds company be$ore the overgrown
grass gave way to miles and miles o$ $orest.
,eparating 8rand$ather=s property $rom the tiny house was the ric#ety $ence where Peter had
met Dill (ust moments be$ore. )ts sagging rails and leaning posts stretched down the meadow $or
hundreds o$ yards, then $inally collapsed in a (umble o$ rotting logs beneath the overhanging tree
branches.
Aac# in 8rand$ather=s yard, an untrimmed barrier o$ rose bushes lined the rear o$ the house.
-ven $rom this height, Peter could see the di$$erent colored blooms. red, pin#, yellow, white, and
a do'en variations.
<unny, 8rand$ather didn=t seem li#e the #ind o$ guy to grow roses.
@)=m surprised /om didn=t want this room $or hersel$,C Peter mused.
@-veryone gets the rooms ) assign them.C
@9hy=d you give me the one with the windowBC
@)n case anything ever came through it, ) $igured you=d handle it best.C
Peter stared at his grand$ather $or a hint o$ a smile, any indication o$ a (o#e. "here was none.
%kaaaaay'
Peter turned bac# to the window.
& hundred $eet beyond the roses was what he guessed to be the garden Dill had mentioned. )t
was surprisingly large, almost as big as a $ootball $ield, but overgrown and wild>loo#ing, with a
$orest o$ green corn stal#s standing guard over twisted mounds o$ vines. 0ere and there were
bright green spec#s that could have been watermelons, he supposed.
@) guess the garden grew bac#,C Peter commented absentmindedly. :nly a$ter the words were
out did he reali'e maybe that wasn=t the best sub(ect to bring up.
@9hat did that little vandal tell youBC 8rand$ather snapped.
@Ihhhhh, he said there was an accident. Aut it loo#s li#e everything=s $ine now,C Peter added
with $orced cheer$ulness.
@,tay out o$ that garden, boy,C 8rand$ather commanded.
9hat a relie$. Inhappy visions o$ himsel$ toiling and sweating in the midday sun, pic#ing
peas and cucumbers, completely disappeared.
@&re you the only one who wor#s out thereBC Peter as#ed warily.
@!o one wor#s out there. )t=s not our garden. ,tay out o$ it.C
Peter loo#ed bac# in con$usion. Aeyond the garden, the vast meadow was empty e?cept $or a
(umble o$ stones that loo#ed tiny in the distance.
@)s it Dill=s $amily=sBC
@)t=s no one=s. Leave it alone, and D:!=" 8: )!": "0&" 8&RD-!. &nd don=t go down to
the ocean, either.C
@9hatBFC Peter gasped. @"hat=s the ocean down thereBC
@&t the edge o$ the meadow is a giant cli$$,C 8rand$ather warned, @with a hundred $oot drop to
the roc#s below. ,tay away. &nd don=t get within ten $eet o$ that blasted garden, do you hear
meBC
8rand$ather stomped out o$ the room.
Peter loo#ed bac# out the window and down at the garden.
If it didnt )elong to anyone'then "ho had replanted it after &ill )urned it do"n*
#
They spent an hour dragging in all their suitcases and bo?es $rom the 0onda up to the third
$loor. 8rand$ather untied Peter=s bi#e $rom the roo$ o$ the car and stowed it away in an old,
wooden garage bac# behind the house. Peter loo#ed around inside at the ancient <ord truc#, the
dust>covered tools on the walls, and the stac#s o$ bug>eaten newspapers lying everywhere until
8rand$ather chased him out.
&$ter that, the old man disappeared down a hallway on the $irst $loor and /om went to $i?
something to eat.
Dinner was not in the giant room Peter had seen by the main hall but at a co'y little table in
the #itchen, which ran along the bac# o$ the house. In$ortunately, the $ood wasn=t very good.
canned peas, canned sauer#raut, canned beets. Aeth was having $un, though, smashing
everything $lat li#e panca#es and then lic#ing it o$$ her palms. 8rand$ather was nowhere to be
seen.
/om watched him scrape at his plate. @)=ll get better $ood tomorrow, Pete, when ) go into
town. )t=s all ) could $ind in the pantry.C
@9hy isn=t he here to eat this stu$$BC Peter grumbled.
/om sighed. @"hat=s (ust 8rand$ather. 0e=s probably in his study, reading away.C
@/om, this place is weird.C
,he smiled sadly. @Deah, ) #now. )=d $orgotten a lot.C
@9hat=s in all the loc#ed roomsBC
,hrug. @) don=t #now.C
@Dou don=t #nowB Dou lived here all your li$e and you don=t kno"*C
@:ne thing you=ll $ind out, Peter, is that when your grand$ather tells you not to do something,
it=s best i$ you don=t even think about doing it.C ,he turned to Aeth and $orced a spoon into her
$ingers. @0oney, don=t eat with your hands.C
@9hat about the gardenBC
/om=s eyes got big. ,he acted scared but bro#e into a smile as she tal#ed. @:hhhh, don=t go
in the gardenF 9hatever you do, don=t go in the garden.C
,he stared o$$ into the distance. @) thin# ) wasH$ive or si?, maybe, and ) went and pic#ed
some tomatoes $or my momB Put Kem in my dress and held it out li#e this.C
-ven though she was wearing (eans, /om pantomimed holding out a dress by the corners to
$orm a bas#et o$ sorts.
@9hen ) brought the tomatoes in, my dad G 8rand$ather G he got so mad, he span#ed me till
) couldn=t sit down $or hours. ) cried and ) criedHC
/om snapped out o$ the daydream. 0er $ace grew slightly angry, and she stabbed at her beets
with a $or#. @&nd ) never went in that garden again.C
@9hy aren=t we supposed to go in the gardenBC
@) don=t #now, Peter. Dour grand$ather said it doesn=t belong to us. 0e said not to go past the
rose bushes, because none o$ it belongs to us, and they might thin# we=re trespassing.C
@9ell, who does it belong toBC
/om=s $ace clouded over a bit. @)=m not sure, but ) thin# there=s a bunch o$ hobos who eat the
$ood.C
@0obosBC
/om caught hersel$ and smiled. @0omeless people, honey. )=m sorry, hobo isn=t the accepted
word these days. Aut Khobo= was what we called them bac# thenHthey used to ride the trains all
around the country and live on the really poor side o$ li$e. ) thin# 8rand$ather #ept the garden $or
them, )=m not sure.C
@Did you see the hobosBC
/om coc#ed her head, as though trying to remember. @:nly onceHit was night, and ) saw
somebodyHor something in the garden. ) didn=t go $ind out what it was because ) was scared.
Aut there=s no need to worry, ) lived here eighteen years until ) le$t $or college and nobody ever
bothered us. 0obos are harmless, #id. Must don=t go in the garden, and don=t ma#e any problems
with 8rand$ather, o#ayBC
Peter nodded. @:#ay, /om,C and he meant it.
9hatever it too# to avoid 8rand$ather=s anger, that=s what Peter was going to do.
$
Mom $inished putting Aeth to bed at 5.10. &$ter that, she and Peter read in the den. Read,
because there was no "7.
@0e doesn=t have a "7BFC
@Don=t ma#e a $uss, Peter. :nce ) $ind a (ob maybe ) can tal# him into letting me buy one.C
Peter grumbled as he loo#ed around the room $or something to read.
&ll he could $ind was a wic#er bas#et $ull o$ +ational Geographis. Aut not anything recent
G in $act, not a single one had pictures. "hey were all $rom the 1620=s and (ust $ull o$ writing.
Peter groaned and went upstairs to get some comic boo#s o$ his own. &$ter he returned, they
both read Juietly until 8rand$ather lumbered in.
@"ime $or bed,C he announced as he pointed at Peter.
Peter glanced at the huge wooden cloc# on the $ireplace mantel. 6.2. 0e was supposed to
meet Dill at 10 o=cloc#.
@Aut G C
@"ime $or bedFC 8rand$ather repeated angrily.
@DadHC /om sighed. @Peter=s used to going to bed a little later than this G C
@)=ll not be Juestioned in my own house, /elissa,C 8rand$ather warned.
/om stared at 8rand$ather. 0e stared bac#.
@8o get ready $or bed, Peter,C she said in a dull, $lat voice.
@Aut /om G C
@Peter, (ust do it.C
,ee(.
Peter trudged up the stairs. 0e could hear angry muttering and whispering bac# in the den, but
he couldn=t ma#e any o$ it out.
"here was a bathroom ne?t to his bedroom. &s he brushed his teeth he mentally tallied all the
reasons he hated moving here $rom Cali$ornia.
Boring'stupid'all my friends are gone'a psyho for a grandfather'"ho hates the one kid
"ho lives any"here near me'+% T-'gotta go to )ed like a three.year/old'ant even "alk
out in the flippin )ak yard'ant even go to the oean'
0e pulled o$$ his clothes and climbed into bed under the musty sheets. )t smelled li#e old
people.
Peter $lu$$ed his pillow and coughed. 0e was glad the lights were o$$E he didn=t want to see the
dust that was probably in the air.
Gross.
"he one good thing was that he had a per$ect view out the window. Lying there in the dar#
room, he watched the sliver o$ a moon $ar over the trees and wished he could be in Cali$ornia
right now, under a Cali$ornia s#y.
Where its t"o "eeks a"ay till shool, he added angrily to his list.
And no" &ill is going to hate me$ he thought. 0ell think I stood him up for sure. The one
friend I ouldve made is going to totally
@Do, dude,C somebody whispered outside his window.
Peter bolted upright, his heart thudding in his chest.
@DillBC he whispered bac#.
"here was a $amiliar bu''cut silhouette perched right outside the window. )t waved.
Peter (umped out o$ bed and climbed up on the cushioned ledge. ,ure enough, there was Dill,
seated precariously on the windowsill outside.
Peter searched around $or a second, $ound and unlatched a loc# on the le$t side o$ the glass
panes, and pulled. "he window swung open towards him li#e a door.
@0ow=d you get up hereBC Peter as#ed, ama'ed.
@"he tree, man. ) can climb li#e a mon#ey. 0oo hoo, haw hawFC Dill scratched his underarms
and po#ed out his lips li#e a chimpan'ee.
@,orry ) can=t come. "hey made me go to bed,C Peter said morosely.
@) $igured when ) saw the lights go on in this room and then go out. Luc#y thing you=re by the
tree, ) didn=t wanna have to go $ar on this roo$. 9ell, come on, get dressed and let=s go.C
Peter loo#ed at him, dumb$ounded. @8oBC
@Deah, let=s boogie.C
@) can=t leaveF )=m supposed to be in bedFC
Dill groaned. @Don=t tell me you=re a teacher=s pet.C
@+oHC
@Dou=re probably a straight & student, aren=t youB Dou probably go to dance class, don=t
youBC Dill stuc# out his arms and $lic#ed his $ingers across an imaginary #eyboard. @K0i, my
name is Peter,=C he said in a high, nasally muppet voice. @) play the piano and ) practice every
dayF=C
@) do notFC Peter almost shouted, then loo#ed around uneasily in case someone had heard.
@"hen get dressed and let=s go. Inless you=re a weenie,C Dill said. @& wussy, wussy weenie.C
@!oHC Peter said de$ensively. @)=m (ustH)=m #ind o$ scared o$ heights.C
@Don=t loo# down.C
@"hat=s easy $or you to say.C
@Dude, )=ll go $irst. &ll you gotta do is go about three $eet on the roo$ and then bam, you=re at
the tree, and it=s easy $rom there. Must do what ) do. Don=t worry, ) won=t let you $all. Come onFC
Peter loo#ed bac# at his closed bedroom door. )$ /om or 8rand$ather came in, he was busted
$or sure.
Dill must=ve #nown what he was thin#ing. @Loc# the door, dude, and let=s roc# and roll.C
@) could get in a L:" o$ trouble $or this.C
Dill shrugged. @)t wouldn=t be worth it, otherwise.C
Peter too# a big breath.
Peas, beets, and sauer#rautHbedtime at 6.2Hand not being able to go anywhere or do
anything.
Forget that.
Peter pulled on his pants, shirt and shoes, and loc#ed the bedroom door.
Dill grinned and gave him a thumbs up. @Dou da man.C
%
The climb out on the roo$ was terri$ying. "hirty $eet down, the grass seemed to spin slightly in
the moonlight. Peter started to get di''y, but Dill held onto his arm the whole time. @Don=t loo#
down, (ust grab the branch.C
:nce he reached the limb, Peter hung on $or dear li$e. Dill shimmied his way down li#e an
e?pert until he reached the tree trun#, then hopped $rom branch to branch until he dangled only
$our $eet o$$ the ground. 0e let go, dropped, and rolled.
Peter too# considerably longer, but he $inally made it. 0is an#les and heels stung a little when
he landed, but he was sa$ely on the ground.
Dill slapped him on the shoulder. @) ta#e it all bac#, you=re no wussy weenie.C
@0ow do we get bac# up thereBC
Dill rolled his eyes and pointed to a hole in the tree that made a per$ect $oothold. @Don=t be
such a granny, ) got you covered.C
"hey #ept to the shadows as much as possible, then bolted $or the rose bushes and raced to the
other side.
"he air was per$umed with the smell o$ $lowers and a touch o$ salt $rom the ocean. "here was
no bree'e, though, and Peter couldn=t hear a single wave G only the chirping o$ cric#ets all
around.
"hey wal#ed about hal$way between the rose bushes and the garden be$ore Dill stopped him.
@:#ay, this is $ar enough,C Dill whispered and sat down.
@Aut the garden=s still li#e $i$ty $eet away,C Peter said.
@"rust me, man. )$ there=s something in there, we wanna get a good head start. 8ummy bearBC
Dill produced a crin#led pac#age. Peter too# a couple o$ pieces and popped them in his mouth.
@"has= good,C he smac#ed. @) had beets $or dinner.C
@Igh. ,o was ) rightB )s he cra'y, or whatBC
@Dou were right. 0e told me never to come out here, :! P&)! :< D-&"0,C Peter said,
imitating his grand$ather=s booming voice. "hen he sJuinted. @:r was that the door under the
stairsBC
@Deah, well, he was maaaa>&&&&D when ) blew up the watermelons. Mee', you would thin#
he could spare a couple.C
@"he weird thing is, he doesn=t eat any o$ it.C
@9hatBFC
@Deah. /y mom told me she got in trouble when she was a #id $or pic#ing some tomatoes.
,he said she thin#s that a bunch o$ hobos #eep the garden and eat it all up.C
@0obosBC
@0omeless guys who ride trains.C
@:h, bums,C Dill nodded. @) don=t #now, man. ) guess the stu$$ ) saw could=ve been a hobo,
butHit was a messed/up hobo, then.C
@,o you don=t see it all the timeBC
@!awHonly once in awhile, mostly in the summer and the $allHweird shapes out here at
night, and plants moving around Kn stu$$.C
@"hat=s why you lit the $ireBC
@&ctually, it really "as an accident,C Dill admitted. @)t was the $all, everything in the garden
was dry and #ind o$ dead, but the watermelons weren=t all gone yet. ) couldn=t $ind a $lashlight,
so ) too# my dad=s 'ippo lighter and ) was out there loo#in= around when somethin=, ) don=t
#now what, scared the be(ee'us out o$ me. ) dropped the lighter and ran, and the ne?t thing )
#now, the watermelons are e?ploding and the $ire truc#s are all racin= up the street. Dour
grand$ather about screamed his head o$$ outside o$ my house. & cop came and tal#ed to my
parents, and ) told him what had happened, and then he yelled at me and then he le$t. ) thought
my dad was going to whip me good, but he (ust laughed and told me anything that made that old
$art mad made him happy, and nothing else happened to me. ) (ust can=t let your granddad see me
out here, that=s all.C Dill sco$$ed. @8etting= mad at meHhe=s a big hippo crib.C
Peter coc#ed his head to the side. @& "hat*1
8rand$ather loo#ed $ar more li#e a scarecrow than a hippopotamus, and Peter had no idea
where the baby bed part came $rom.
@& hippo crib. & guy who says K!o, you=re bad $or starting a $ire,= and then he goes and starts
a $ire himsel$.C
@& hypocrite,C Peter suggested.
@Deah, that=s what ) said. "he very ne?t night he=s out with his truc# and he rolls some big
thing o$$ the bac# onto the ground and lights it on $ire till it=s all burned up. 0ippo crib,C Dill
muttered bitterly.
@) wonder why he did G C
@0ey, shhh G did you see thatBC
Peter peered out into the dar#ness, into the green stal#s and vines barely visible in the
starlight. @) don=t see anything.C
@9ait.C
"here was a rustling somewhere out in the middle part o$ the garden, maybe $i$ty $eet inside
the corn. "he leaves shoo# a little.
Peter gulped. @)t was the wind.C
Dill lic#ed his $inger and held it up. @"here isnt any wind.C
,ome vines shuddered and the movement continued to the right. "here was the sound o$
leaves sha#ing and twigs snapping under$oot.
@9hat should we doBC Peter whispered.
@Let=s go ta#e a loo#,C Dill answered.
@9hat, and burn down the garden againBC
@Dude, ) came prepared this time.C
Dill pulled out two small, #eychain>si'ed $lashlights $rom his shorts poc#et.
Peter loo#ed at the o$$ered $lashlight, then out at the garden. "he rustling started again, then
stopped.
@) don=t #nowHmy grand$ather said not to come out here.C
Dill smir#ed. @Dou do everything your grand$ather tells you toBC
@9ell G C
@Dou=re down here, aren=t youB ,o no, you dont do everything he tells you to. Come on,
don=t wuss out now. )t=s probably a raccoon. Raccoons are cool.C
@9hat i$ it=s a hoboBC
@Dou and me, we can ta#e him.C
@) thought you said we could only beat up a si?teenLyear>old.C
Dill thought $or a second. @&ll we have to do is #ic# him, then we=ll run away.C
@9hat ma#es you so braveB Last time you got scared to death and burned down the garden,
rightBC
Dill slapped Peter on the shoulder. @Deah, but now ) got you to go with me.C
Peter hesitated.
Beets and peas. 2345 )edtimes. T"o "eeks of lost vaation.
0e relented and grabbed the $lashlight. @&ll right.C
@Deaaaaaaahhhh.C Dill grinned and headed into the garden.
&
Peter snapped on the tiny little $lashlight, which gave o$$ a beam that was barely any better $or
seeing than the moon. 0e sighed and $ollowed Dill into the garden.
"he dirt was so$t and gave way beneath Peter=s $eet. Low>lying plants G cucumbersB
OucchinisB G brushed against his legs as the boys moved through the rows. Coming up were the
tomato plants, which twirled high above Peter on si?>$oot sta#es.
Ip ahead, Dill crouched over and disappeared into the tangle o$ vines. 0is $lashlight bobbed
behind the tomato plants li#e a glowing $airy $rom a storyboo#.
Peter loo#ed over his shoulder, bac# to the sa$ety o$ the giant house with its dim lights
showing through the windows. "hen he peered $orward into the dar#ness and twisted ropes o$
green.
0e too# a deep breath and plunged on through.
)t was a (ungle in there. & $resh, green, pungent smell $illed his nose. "he plants crin#led
against his body, occasionally tugging against his (eans or shirt. "he little $lashlight illuminated
only the closest vines to him, no more than a $oot or two away.
)n less than a minute he had reached the corn stal#s. 0e paused and whispered, @DillBC
Dill answered $rom somewhere o$$ to the right. @9hatBC
@Dou in the cornBC
@Deah. Come on in.C
Peter pushed into the giant green plants. )t was even harder to see now G the big leaves
slapped his $ace and towered so high above him that they bloc#ed out any light $rom the moon or
stars. )t was (ust Peter, the dim beam $rom the $lashlight, and the shhh shhh shhh o$ the corn all
around him.
Peter stopped to get his bearings. 0e was about to call out $or Dill again when a noise came
$rom up ahead. "he shhh shhh shhh o$ someone else moving in the corn.
@DillBC he croa#ed, his throat dry.
!o answer. Aut the corn stopped moving.
@DillBC Peter whispered again.
"here was the sound o$ something dropping to the ground, a series o$ light thumps. & gentle
pressure touched Peter=s $oot.
0e gasped, stepped bac#, and shone his light on the ground.
& tomato. )t must have rolled across the ground and bumped his $oot.
&nger $lared inside Peter where $ear had once been. 0e pic#ed up the tomato and $orged
ahead, pushing apart corn stal#s.
@Dill, we=re out here to $ind raccoons, not pic# G C
0e meant to say Kvegetables,= but the word stuc# in his throat.
"here was a man right in $ront o$ him.
0e was #neeling on the ground, pic#ing up the tomatoes and 'ucchinis and corn he had
dropped. 0e was dressed all in blac# G blac# pants, blac# shirt, long blac# (ac#et. 0is head was
bent, and he had on a blac# hat that hid his $ace.
A ho)o.
,omething smelled wrong, though. Literally. "he scent o$ green plants was gone. )nstead, the
odor o$ burned leaves $illed the air.
Peter gasped. @)=m sorry G ) didn=t mean to G C
0e stopped spea#ing.
)n the dim glow o$ the $lashlight, Peter saw the hand that was pic#ing up the last tomato. "he
hand was blac#, too.
Aut not &$rican>&merican. Aac# in Cali$ornia, Peter had lots o$ $riends at school who were
blac#. !e?t door in his apartment building, there had lived a $riendly man $rom !igeria who was
dar#er than anybody else Peter had ever seen in his li$e.
Aut even he wasn=t this dar#.
Alac#, li#e in#. Li#e outer space, between the stars.
&nd the hand was too s#inny $or a grown man. )t loo#ed li#e a claw or a s#eleton=s hand, but
charred and crac#ed. Li#e the ashes o$ a log a$ter the $ire has died out. "hat=s when he reali'ed
the clothes and the hat weren=t blac#, either. !ot originally.
"hey were burned. "he man had been burned to a crisp.
0e must=ve died. !o human being could loo# li#e that and still be alive.
Aut he was moving. 0is arm was moving.
+o no no no no no no no
"he blac#ened claw gripped the last tomatoHthen paused.
"he hat tilted up and the $ace loo#ed into the light.
9hat was le$t o$ a $ace.
!o ears, no nose, no hair.
!o eyes. Must gaping holes.
)t was more o$ a s#ull than a $ace, but blac# and charred. "here was s#in still le$t that covered
most o$ the head and hid a lot o$ the teeth. Aut the s#in loo#ed li#e leather that somebody had
roasted on a $ire until it was shriveled as a burned raisin. "he lips were gone, and had pulled
away $rom the yellowed teeth in a permanent sneer.
"he thing loo#ed at Peter with its empty soc#ets.
"hen it lunged at him.
'
Peter screamed, stumbled bac# through the corn, and ran $ast as he could.
@D)LLF D)LL, 8-" :I"F 8-" :I" :< 0-R-FC
Dill=s voice piped up $rom somewhere o$$ to the side.
@9hatB 9hat is itBC
@8-" :I" :< "0- 8&RD-!F RIIIIIIII!FC
Peter tore through the corn and into the tomatoes, $lailing his arms and ripping apart the vines.
0is $eet smushed vegetables under$oot, his head smac#ed into sta#es. 0e spun around di''ily
li#e a drowning man trying to $ind his way to the sur$ace o$ a la#e.
Aehind him, he $elt a tug on the bottom o$ his t>shirt. & tug that didn=t $eel li#e it was snagged
by a vine or a plant.
0e screamed and ran $aster, plowing through anything and everything in his way.
If I ould only see the house again'
&nd then it was there, the dim lights $rom the windows. ,a$ety.
Peter stumbled in the cucumbers but managed to #eep upright, one $oot $lying in $ront o$ the
other. <or the $irst time since he started running, he loo#ed over his shoulder.
!othing was behind him, (ust the ever>receding garden patch.
Peter stopped and whirled around. @D)LLFC he screamed.
,ilence.
@D)LLLLLFC he screamed again and prayed that he hadn=t le$t his $riend behind to die in the
clutches o$ a monster.
"here was a giant sha#ing and shuddering in the tomato plants.
Peter=s heart $ro'e in his chest.
&nd then Dill came tumbling out, batting away vines $rom his $ace, sputtering and spitting
pieces o$ leaves $rom his lips. @Mee', man, why=d you go and scare me li#e thatBF ) peed my
pants, ) was G ) mean, ) almost peed my pants, you scared me so bad. ) thin# ) lost my
$lashlight.C
Peter ran up to the edge o$ the garden and urged Dill $orward, yet #ept his eyes glued to the
vines and stal#s.
@Dill, ) saw a hoboFC
@ReallyBC Dill gasped. @Did you tal# to himBC
@!o, he was burned to a crispFC
Dill stopped in his trac#s. 0is lower lip trembled. @0e wasHhe was burned upBC
Peter grabbed Dill=s arm and pulled him over to the rose bushes. @Deah, he didn=t have any
eyes or nose or anything, and his hand was li#e this G C
Peter contorted his own hand into the shape o$ a claw.
@ G e?cept it loo#ed li#e a branch a$ter a $ire, and his clothes were blac# and burned and
everything.C
Dill loo#ed into the $ield. @Do youHdo you thin# )HC he whispered.
@&nd then it came a$ter meFC
Dill $rowned and loo#ed at Peter. @)t came after youBC
@Deah, it chased meFC
<rom out o$ nowhere, Dill hauled o$$ and hit Peter in the arm. @Dou stupid (er#FC
@:9FC Peter bac#ed away. @0ey, what=s your problemBC
Dill was still coming, arms swinging. @) should #ic# your ass, ma#ing $un o$ me li#e thatFC
@)=m not ma#ing it upFC
Dill stopped swinging. 0is chest heaved up and down as he panted. @,wear to me.C
@) swearFC
)n the moonlight, it loo#ed li#e Dill=s chee#s might be wet with tears. @,o )H) didn=t #ill
anybody when ) accidentally set that $ireBC Peter=s eyes widened with shoc#. @!o, no, ) don=t
thin# so. 9hatever it was, you sure didn=t #ill it, cu' it came running a$ter me.C
Aoth the boys ga'ed bac# at the garden. !othing was moving within its shadows. "he vines
and stal#s were completely still.
@&re you sure you didn=t imagine itBC Dill as#ed, in the same tone o$ voice he might say
gimme a )reak$ dude.
@) ,9-&R. )t came running a$ter me. ) thin# it grabbed my shirt.C
Dill $rowned, and circled around Peter. 0e gasped. @:h my gosh.C
@9hatB 90&"BC
Peter tried to turn to see whatever Dill was loo#ing at. 0e tugged the edge o$ the shirt around
to the $ront, but with the wrin#les and the nighttime dar#ness, he couldn=t see anything.
@"a#e o$$ your shirt,C Dill whispered.
Peter yan#ed it o$$ his body li#e it was on $ire, then shone the $lashlight on it. 9hen he saw
what Dill was tal#ing about, he dropped the shirt li#e it was a live rattlesna#e.
:n the bac#, right where Peter had $elt the tug, was the clear outline o$ very thin $ingers,
smudged in blac# soot.
Aoth boys loo#ed bac# at the garden.
!othing.
,omewhere in the $orest, an owl hooted and $ell silent.
1(
Peter paused at the base o$ the tree, three stories below his bedroom window, and loo#ed at
Dill. @Dou sure you=re o#ay wal#ing bac# in the dar#BC
@) thin# you mean running bac# in the dar#.C Dill loo#ed over his shoulder. @)=ll be o#ayH)
still thin# you=re $unnin= me.C
@<unnin= youBC
@Puttin= me on. Pullin= my leg.C
Peter pointed at the bac# o$ his shirt. @Dou thin# that=s $a#eBC
Dill e?pelled a big burst o$ air. @) don=t #now "hat that is. &ll ) hope is that guy didn=t get
burned up because o$ me.C
@) don=t thin# so. ) mean, he was aliveHC
Dill sJuinted. @/aybe he=s a #iller hobo bac# $rom the grave to get revenge and #ill me.C
@) doubt that. 0e was pic#ing vegetables.C
@0uh.C Dill pondered $or a second. @/aybe he=s a #iller hobo vegetarian.C
@) #ind o$ doubt that, too. Dou sure you don=t want to climb up and spend the night in my
roomBC
@Dude, the only thing )=m more scared o$ than #iller hobo vegetarians is your grandpa. )=ll be
$ine.C
@0ere.C Peter handed Dill the $lashlight. @Dou need it more than me.C
@"han#s, dude. ,ee you tomorrow morning.C Dill trotted bac# towards his own house, #eeping
a wary eye on the dar#ness in Peter=s bac#yard.
@9hat=s tomorrow morningBC Peter whispered a$ter him.
@"hat=s when we chec# it out,C Dill whispered bac#.
P P P
)t was a long and scary climb bac# up to his bedroom, but no #iller hobo vegetarians burst out
o$ the dar#ness to menace him. ,till, Peter chec#ed the latch on the window si? times and put his
heaviest suitcase in $ront o$ it be$ore he $inally settled down in bed. -ven then he lay awa#e $or
hours, loo#ing out into the night s#y and wondering what it was he had seen.
,leep came long be$ore any answers did.
P P P
)n his dreams, he was wal#ing out in the bac#yard, which seemed to stretch in all directions
$orever. "here was a giant bon$ire raging in $ront o$ him. ,par#s $lew up into the night s#y and
settled there amongst the stars.
"hen the $ire ended in one giant burst li#e a bomb going o$$. Peter stepped into the ashes, a
whole acre o$ them, which scattered on a silent wind.
&n arm rose up out o$ the soot G an arm thin as a s#eleton=s, made out o$ the smoldering ash.
Peter #ic#ed, and the arm disappeared in a cloud o$ dust, but another arm rose up out o$ the
dead $irepit.
0e started running, but the $aster he ran, the slower he went.
& body $ormed behind the arm, and a head, and two legs. )t was the burned man $rom the
garden patch, and he began to chase Peter.
"he house loomed up ahead, and Peter made it inside the $ront door and slammed it closed. &s
he did, he could see the wrin#led, charred $ace on the other side, $ollowed by a pounding on the
other side o$ the closed door, a heavy pounding G
P P P
6nok$ knok$ knok.
Peter started awa#e, drenched in cold sweat.
@PeterFC his mother called $rom the other side o$ his bedroom door. ,he sounded mu$$led and
$ar away. @"ime to get upF 9a#e upFC
@)=m awa#eFC Peter answered.
@Area#$ast is ready. 9hy=s your door loc#ed, PeteBC
@/y mista#e.C
"here was the sound o$ her $eet padding away. Peter too# a $ew seconds to stop trembling
be$ore he got out o$ bed.
11
There was dry cereal $or brea#$ast, and bread with (am, but no mil#. Aeth crammed her $ace
with big hand$uls o$ both. 8rand$ather was absent, as usual.
@8rand$ather had some bread in the $ree'er,C /om e?plained, @but apparently he has an
aversion to any $resh $oods. 9ell, that=s not entirely true, there was a carton o$ mil#, but it was a
bitHchun#y.C
Peter let the raisin bran $all $rom his spoon in a dry little avalanche o$ $la#es.
@Don=t worry, )=m going shopping this morning. Dou want to put some water on your cerealB )
#now that=s #ind o$ gross, but G C
@)=m not hungry,C Peter mumbled as he pushed the bowl away.
@Dou o#ay, #idBC /om as#ed, her eyes searching his. @,ad about your $riendsBC
@IhhhHyeah.C Peter nodded. )t was a convenient cover story.
:ver in her high chair, Aeth pointed at the #itchen screen door. @/ommy, dere=s a wittle
boyFC
@)=m not littleFC a voice protested.
Peter loo#ed over (ust in time to see Dill dart to the side.
@)t=s o#ay, Dill, 8rand$ather=s not around,C Peter reassured him.
/om loo#ed at Peter Juestioningly.
@"hat=s my new $riend,C Peter said. @0is name is Dill.C
Dill waved $rom the other side o$ the screen door. @0owdy.C
@Come on in, Dill.C /om smiled. @&ny $riend o$ Peter=s is a $riend o$ the $amily=s.C
@Im, well, not e?actly,C Peter said.
@8rand$atherHBC
@!ot Dill=s biggest $an.C
@"hat=s o#ay, )=m li#e mold, ) grow on people.C Dill swaggered over to the table and stuc# out
his hand. @9hassup, uh, Peter=s mom.C
/om eyed Dill with an amused e?pression. @0i, Dill, )=m /s. !ormal, and that over there is
G C
@Dour last name is K!ormal=BC Dill slapped his #nee and cac#led as he turned to Peter. @Dour
last name is K+ormal=BF Dou didn=t tell me thatFC
@9ell G C
@Aut your grandpa=s name is <lannagan,C Dill said, con$used.
@&nd so was mine, but then ) got married,C /om e?plained, @and changed my last name.C
@:h yeahHwell, don=t worry, ) thin# it=s completely normal,C Dill deadpanned, then snorted.
@:#ay, Dill pic#le,C Peter shot bac#.
Dill scowled and pointed. @0ey now.C
@&s ) was saying,C /om continued, considerably less amused, @that=s Aeth.C
@0i, Aeth,C Dill said to the little girl. @,ay, you don=t loo# normal,C he said in moc# concern,
then $ollowed with several snorting laughs.
Aeth loo#ed at /om as though to say, 0uh*
@&nd what is your last name, misterBC /om as#ed, then pressed her lips together tight.
7h/oh.
&nytime /om used Kmister= or Kmiss= to address Peter or Aeth, somebody was in trouble.
Pressed lips meant twice as much trouble. Peter didn=t see any reason why it would be di$$erent
$or obno?ious neighbor #ids.
@Aodins#i,C Dill replied.
/om=s eyes widened. @Aodin#siBC
@Aodins#iFC Peter laughed.
@Auh>(in>#y,C Aeth gurgled.
@Aodins#i,C Dill repeated to Aeth, and not happy to do so.
Aeth giggled. @Ao>dun>#y.C
@Aodins#iFC Dill snapped. @8et it rightFC
/om glared at him. @Dill, don=t spea# to my daughter that way.C
@"ell her to get my name right, then,C Dill sul#ed.
@,he=s two years old. ,he=ll get it right eventually.C
@"hat=sHC Dill seemed to be holding himsel$ bac#, as though he #new it was the wise thing to
doHthen $inally couldn=t restrain himsel$. @"hat=s not normal.C
&t that point, he literally $ell on the ground and dissolved into a $it o$ laughter.
/om loo#ed at Dill li#e he was a dog rubbing its bottom across the $loor. "hen she loo#ed at
Peter li#e, What in the "orld are you thinking*
@0e wasn=t li#e this yesterday,C Peter apologi'ed.
@) thin# you should escort /r. Aodins#i outside.C /om smiled, but it was not a happy smile.
0er lips were pressed tight together again.
%h rap.
@Abbb>'is>byFC Aeth burbled.
@Aodins#iFC Dill shouted $rom the $loor.
&ou)le rap.
@Dill, 8rand$ather=s coming,C Peter hissed.
Dill too# o$$ li#e an :lympic runner and was out o$ sight be$ore the screen door slammed
shut.
/om loo#ed around. 8rand$ather was nowhere to be seen. ,he reali'ed what Peter had done
and nodded. @&h. 8ood one. )=ll have to remember that.C
Peter got out o$ his chair and headed $or the screen door.
@Peter,C /om said, @)=m not sure ) completely agree with your choice o$ $riends.C
@:#ay. ,o when are we moving bac# to Cali$orniaBC
@Peter,C /om warned, @don=t get a smart mouth with me.C
@Dill=s the only $riend )=ve got,C Peter complained, suddenly mad. @Dou too# away all my
other $riends, now you=re going to ta#e away this one, tooBC
0is mother stared at him $or a moment, then relented with a sigh. @8o on.C
Peter wal#ed out the screen door into the bright ,unday morning sunshine. Dill was crouched
down by the trashcans about twenty $eet away. @Did he see meBC he as#ed, more than a little $ear
in his voice.
@) don=t thin# so.C Peter shoo# his head. @Dude, that wasn=t cool.C
@) kno". )t=s Ao>D)!>s#ee,C Dill enunciated. @Dour sister needs to learn how to tal#.C
@)=m not tal#ing about my sister, )=m tal#ing about you8 )$ you don=t want people to ma#e $un
o$ your name, don=t ma#e $un o$ my nameFC
Dill loo#ed surprised $or a second, then angryHand then it all passed. @:#ay. ,orry.C
Peter #ept $rowning $or a $ew more seconds, but inwardly he was tal#ing to his mom. see$ hes
not so )ad one you get to kno" him.
@/rrrmmmH$ine,C he grumbled.
@<ine. &re weHbac# to normalBC Dill as#ed, then collapsed into a snorting giggle$est.
@)=m gonna #ic# your buttFC Peter hal$>yelled, hal$>laughed. 0e ran a$ter Dill, who sprinted
away, still laughing uncontrollably.
1
They wal#ed out towards the garden patch, slowly.
@Do youHdo you thin# it=s still out thereBC Peter as#ed hesitantly. @"he hoboBC
9hen Dill didn=t answer, Peter loo#ed over at him G and $ound that Dill wasn=t worried
about the garden patch. )nstead, he #ept casting his eyes bac# at Peter=s house.
@9hat are you doingBC
@/a#ing sure your grand$ather doesn=t see me. Dude, let=s hop the $ence and wal# in my
yard.C
@Aut the garden=s on this side o$ the $ence.C
@Must till we get close, then we can go bac# over to your yard.C
@&re you #idding meBC
@Must in case.C
@0e=s not going to do anything to you,C Peter protested.
@9ell, i$ he does come running a$ter me, ) want a pretty good head start.C
Peter remember that Dill had mentioned the e?act same thing last night. @Dou li#e head starts,
don=t youBC
@)$ you got in as much trouble as me, you=d li#e them too.C
"hey hopped the ric#ety $ence and landed in Dill=s bac#yard, which was huge. )t might have
been narrower than 8rand$ather=s, but it stretched way past the garden and into the woods.
@9ow, you guys have a big bac#yard.C
Dill=s voice got de$ensive. @9hy "ouldnt we have a big bac#yardBC
Peter cringed. Dill=s house was nowhere near being called Knice,= but he didn=t have to rub
Dill=s nose in it. @) (ust meant this is a lot o$ land,C Peter bac#pedaled. @9e didn=t even have a
lawn in Cali$ornia, and you guys have a whole $ootball $ield.C
@Deah, well, places ne?t to cra'y old dudes are cheap, ) guess.C
Peter glared at him. @"hat=s not true.C
@9hat, that he=s cra'y or that it was cheapB 9e (ust moved in a couple o$ years ago, so )
remember everything when my mom and dad bought it. 8uess how long it was since the last
person lived in our houseBC
@) don=t #now.C
@,i? years.C
Peter=s eyes got big.
@Deah,C Dill said in an I/told/you/so voice. @!obody wants to live ne?t to cra'y old dudes,
even rich cra'y old dudes.C
@RichBF 8ive me a brea#,C Peter sco$$ed. @0ave you seen my houseBC
@Ih, yea/uhhhhh,C Dill said, li#e he was saying, 9uh/leaaaaa(e$ idiot.
@) don=t mean how big it is. ) mean how rundown it is.C
@)s it rundown on the insideBC
Peter considered. !ow that he thought about it, no, it wasn=t. Dusty, maybe. Aut not rundown.
@& little,C he lied. @Aut we don=t even own the land bac# here. 0e only owns up till the rose
garden, but not the rest o$ it.C
Dill smir#ed. @Riiiiight.C
@)t=s trueF /y mom said that my grand$ather span#ed her once when she went into the garden
because he said it didn=t belong to us.C
@9ell who=s it belong toBC
@) don=t #now. /y mom didn=t really say.C
@/m>hm.C Dill shoo# his head. @Dou #now, i$ you=re gonna be rich, be rich. Don=t lie about
it.C
@)=m not lyingF )$ he was so rich, why didn=t he (ust buy your house during those si? years and
tear it down or somethingBC
@) don=t #now, maybe he was waiting $or a #id li#e me to move in because he li#es ma#ing my
li$e crappy.C
Dill stopped. )n his irritated mood, Peter hadn=t noticed that they had reached the garden.
"hey stood behind the wooden $ence and loo#ed at the plants a hundred $eet away. )t was hard
to see anything beyond the $irst $ew tangled tomato vines or thic# corn stal#s.
@9ellHshould we get bac# in your yard and go over thereBC Dill o$$ered.
Peter craned his nec# to try to see more. !o use. @IhHmaybe we should (ust stay here $or a
minute. Dou #now, scope it out.C
@:#ay,C Dill agreed Juic#ly.
@/a#e sure there are no hobos.C
@Deah.C
"hey stood there $or another $ive minutes, barely moving.
!o hobos appeared.
<inally, Dill climbed the $ence. @Come on.C
@9hat i$ that thing is still thereBC Peter whispered.
@8ood. )t=s better than being bored.C
Peter reluctantly $ollowed. "hey pushed their way gingerly into the rows o$ green, wal#ing
slow as baby deer on the loo#out $or wolves. 9ithin a minute they had bro#en through the
tomatoes and into much shorter plants li#e lettuce and turnips.
@) didn=t see any hobos,C Dill said.
@/e neither.C
Dill #ic#ed at a head o$ lettuce. @&nd ) don=t thin# there are any hiding under there.C
@Probably not.C
Dill turned bac# towards the corn.
@9hat are you doingBC Peter as#ed, panic#ed.
@)=m goin= bac# in,C Dill growled, &rmy soldier>style.
Peter sighed, and stuc# close behind him.
"here was nothing in the corn, either, though they criss>crossed it $ive times.
Dill stopped and $olded his arms (udgmentally. @&re you sure you saw a hoboB :r whatever it
wasBC
@Dou saw the handprint on my shirtFC
Dill pondered this $or a moment. @Dou #now how they ma#e a grill cheese sandwich, and then
somebody sees something in it, li#e Mesus=s momBC
@Dou mean /aryBC @Deah. &nd they say it=s a big miracle, and then they sell it on eAay $or a
lot o$ moneyBC
@9hat does this have to do with my shirtBC
Dill spo#e li#e he was thin#ing hard. @/aybeHmaybe you $ell on your butt, and instead o$
there being a miracle and Mesus=s mom was on your shirt, you got a stupid miracle that loo#ed
li#e a hand.C
@) sa" it, Dill. ) saw the hobo.C
Dill sighed. @9ell, it=s not there now. /aybe it=s a nighttime hobo.C
@/aybe.C
Peter loo#ed at the plants surrounding him. -ven though there wasn=t anybody here now, there
had been last night, and the thought o$ it creeped him out.
Dill shrugged. @9anna see the oceanBC
Peter could hear 8rand$ather=s voice in his head. And dont go do"n to the oean$ either. At
the edge of the meado" is a giant liff "ith a hundred foot drop to the roks )elo". :tay a"ay.
Aut the ocean was the one thing Peter had been loo#ing $orward to the entire trip out here. 0e
nodded. @Let=s go.C
1!
A$ter they le$t the garden they wal#ed another $ive minutes through grass that reached higher
than Peter=s waist. 8rasshoppers clic#ed and chirped and sprang up une?pectedly here and there,
and Peter even saw a rabbit run away through the underbrush.
:ver to their right, the crumbling $ence gave up the $ight and the woods too# over. Peter
peered into the ma'e o$ tree trun#s. "he branches and leaves up above must have been thic#,
because the ground was dar# and shadowy. 0e couldn=t see $ar.
@Dou play in the woodsBC Peter as#ed Dill.
@,ometimes. /ostly (ust watch "7.C
&bout hal$way between the garden and the cli$$, Peter noticed a distant spot where the grass
didn=t grow as thic#. Curious, he headed over and $ound large, $lat stones sun# into the ground in
the shape o$ a $i$ty>$oot rectangle. :ther stones lay scattered in piles o$ rubble. "hese were the
roc#s he=d seen $rom his bedroom window when 8rand$ather showed him the house.
@9hat=s thisBC
Dill shrugged. @Don=t #now. )t=s been out here $orever, though.C
"he boys resumed their tre#. &s they continued to wal#, Peter could hear the ocean now G he
(ust couldn=t see it. "he hori'on wasn=t $ar away, but it seemed to abruptly stop$ to (ust ;uit.
"here was only one lonely tree up ahead in the middle o$ the $ield, a gri''led old thing. )t seemed
to be perched on the edge o$ the world, where land ends and the s#y begins.
9hen they got closer, Peter saw why.
"hey were on a cli$$ at least a hundred $eet tall, (ust li#e 8rand$ather had said. "he height
made Peter sic# to his stomach, and he bac#ed up Juic#ly.
Dill pointed o$$ to the le$t. @)$ you go thataway, there=s a path that goes down to a real
beachHbut it=s a hec#uva long way to get there.C
Peter got down on his #nees and crawled $orward until his head was (ust over the edge o$ the
cli$$. Down below, do'ens o$ boulders and (agged roc#s po#ed up out o$ the crashing waves.
Peter $elt di''y, but he stayed crouched there until he wor#ed up a gob o$ saliva and spit it into
space.
"he little white droplet $ell $orever be$ore $inally disappearing in the sea $oam below.
@Dou gotta go gngghghghhhhh,C Dill said $rom somewhere over to the side, snorting li#e he
was about to hoc# a loogie.
Peter loo#ed up $rom his hands and #nees, then $ro'e. "hat single, gri''led tree in the middle
o$ the $ield was (ust a $ew $eet away. )t didn=t grow up straight in the air. !o, it (utted out over
the ocean at an angle, li#e it was $ro'en midway in the act o$ $alling.
&nd Dill had shimmied up on top o$ it, a leg and an arm dangling down on either side o$ the
trun#.
@Dill,C Peter gasped. @Dill, please, get down $rom there.C
@9hatBC Dill as#ed without a care in the world.
@Dill, please, get downH)=m a$raid you=ll $all, please, get down,C Peter whispered.
@9hat, you mean li#e thisBC Dill teased, and #ic#ed a leg out over empty space.
Peter gritted his teeth. @Please Dill, please, (ust get o$$ o$ that tree.C
@:#ay, o#ay. Mee', you=re white as a ghost.C
Dill scooted down the tree trun# and got bac# on solid land. Aeneath his $eet, a tangle o$ roots
were e?posed at the edge o$ the cli$$, li#e a humongous bird=s nest po#ing out o$ the dirt.
@"here, you happyBC
@Let=s go,C Peter commanded.
@9hat about the beachB Dou wanna go see thatBC
Peter thought about the grey water and the vomit>inducing drop down to the roc#s below.
@!oHlet=s (ust go watch "7.C
@!ow you=re tal#in=.C Dill paused. @Dou thin# you can snea# me into your houseBC
@9hyBC
@Dour granddad must have a s"eet big screen "7, seein= how rich he is.C
@) don=t thin# he has anything,C Peter said. @&ll we do is read boo#s at night.C
Dill=s $ace dropped even $urther than the $all to the ocean. @!ow ) kno" he=s nuts. Loo#s li#e
you=ll be spending a lot o$ time over at my house.C
1"
Actually, Peter doubted that he would be spending much time at all over at Dill=s. :ne
a$ternoon was enough to convince him o$ that.
"he Aodins#i house was mostly dar#. &ll the lamps seemed to have burnt>out bulbs, and all
the window shades were down. "he $urniture was mismatched and threadbare. "he carpet was
shaggy, with bits o$ mystery dirt that crunched under$oot when you wal#ed on them. -mpty cans
o$ soda and bowls o$ stale potato chips sat on every available countertop. "here was a $aint smell
o$ wet dog.
Dill was the youngest o$ $ive #ids, so there was a lot o$ tra$$ic through the house. &nd a lot o$
screaming $or Dill=s sister Charlene to get o$$ the phone or out o$ the bathroom.
Peter spent most o$ the time on Dill=s ratty couch, sandwiched between his $riend and
whatever relative happened to be bored enough to sit through part o$ the ,unday /onster "riple
<eature.
Dill=s brother 9oody had (ust turned $ourteen, and was by $ar the most unpleasant. 0e
watched about 20 seconds o$ )" C&/- <R:/ A-D:!D "0- ,9&/P be$ore he started
#ic#ing Dill across Peter=s legs. 9hich meant he ended up #ic#ing Peter a lot, too.
@9here=s the remote, DillbertBC
Dill shrugged.
Peter #new that Dill hid the remote between the so$a cushions, but he didn=t say anything.
@)$ you ma#e it too easy $or them to change the channel,C Dill had e?plained an hour be$ore,
@they "ill.C
9oody #ic#ed harder. @) ,&)D, 90-R-=, "0- R-/:"-, D)LL9--DBC
@8et up and change it i$ you want,C Dill yawned.
"hat was a little too much e$$ort $or 9oody. 0e (ust sat there $or another ten minutes, #ic#ing
Dill across Peter=s legs, be$ore he got tired and went to go get something to eat out o$ the $ridge.
@,ee what ) mean about ma#ing it easy to change the channelBC Dill smiled li#e he was some
wise #ung $u master advising his not>so>smart student.
Peter bored easily with the cheesy blac# and white movies, so he tried to stri#e up a
conversation. @Do you thin# the hobo will be bac# tonight, or G C
@,hhh, this is the best part.C
Ay the time !)80"/&R- :< "0- 9:L< CR-&"IR- came on, Peter was ready to leave.
@) gotta go. )=ll see you tomorrow morning.C
@:#ay. /eet you at the bus stop,C Dill agreed, never ta#ing his eyes o$$ the tube.
@Aus stopBC
@,chool starts tomorrow.C
%h <=A9.
"he real horror movie was ready to begin, Peter (ust #new it.
1#
That night when /om put Aeth to bed, Peter went up to his room and got ready $or the ne?t
day. 0e pulled out his old bac#pac# $rom a cardboard moving bo?, chec#ed to ma#e sure he had
enough pencils in his plastic case, and thumbed through his three>ring binder $rom last year. ,till
plenty o$ paper in it.
"hen he sat on the ledge in $ront o$ the window and watched the garden through the evening
dar#ness. "here was (ust enough light $rom the house to be able to pic# out the vague shapes o$
things in the gloom.
"he wind was blowing now, and the corn rustled out in the $ield. 0e watched and he watched,
but there was no sign o$ the hobo.
/aybe he really had (ust imagined it all.
0is t>shirt was in the laundry, so even that evidence was gone.
/aybe Dill was right. /aybe it had been a lame>o version o$ Mesus=s mom on a grilled cheese
sandwich. -?cept nobody would pay a thousand dollars $or Peter=s miracle.
Aut that was wrongHhe had seen it. 0e had $elt the hand at his bac#. 0e #new the di$$erence
between dreams and reality, and that had been reality bac# there in the $ield.
&round 6 o=cloc#, /om came into the room and sat on his bed. 0e was still on the window
ledge.
@Dou nervous, #iddoBC
+ot a)out shool. >ore a)out ho)os.
@!aw.C
,he smiled. @Dou=ve had a great attitude about all o$ this, Peter. 9ell, most o$ it. ) (ust wanted
to say Kthan#s.= Dou=veHC 0er eyes teared up a little bit. @Dou=ve made this a lot easier $or me.C
Peter got embarrassed. @)t=s $ine. )t=s no big deal.C
@9ell, than# you anyway. Dou set a good e?ample $or your little sister.C ,he got up and #issed
Peter on the $orehead. @8ood night, Pete.C
,he was almost out o$ the room when Peter blurted out, @/om, is 8rand$ather richBC
/om stopped in the doorway. @9hy do you as# thatBC
@Dill said something about it.C
/om grimaced. @&h, the charming /r. Aodins#i.C
Peter ignored the comment. @9ell, is heBC
@Nind o$. Des and no.C
@9hat does that meanBC
@)t meansH) don=t #now. 8rand$ather has a certain amount tuc#ed away, butHC ,he
shrugged. @Dou won=t see it very o$ten. /y mother used to say that when he opened his wallet in
Manuary, a Mune bug would $ly out.C
/om leaned against the door$rame and got a $araway loo# in her eyes.
@<or a long time ) thought he (ust li#ed pinching pennies. "hen $or a lot o$ years ) thought he
was a cheaps#ate. ) as#ed him one time why he didn=t spend moreHC 0er voice grew bitter.
@9hy he didn=t help us out more when we needed it. &nd he said something really weird.C
@9hat did he sayBC
@0e said blood money never helped anyone who ever touched it.C
Peter $rowned. @9hat does that meanBC
@) don=t #now, Pete. )=ve #nown him $or over 10 years, and there=s a lot about him ) don=t
thin# )=ll ever understand. Li#e why we weren=t supposed to go into the garden.C
& pric#le o$ $ear crept up Peter=s nec#.
I think I might kno".
@Aut he=s letting us live here now, and that=s the important thing.C /om smiled. @8o to sleep.
Love you.C
@Love you, too.C
,he le$t the room. Peter settled into the pillow on the ledge and thought about what she had
(ust said.
Blood money'
0e turned bac# to the garden.
&nd there was the hobo.
Peter $ro'e. -very toe seemed to $ill with ice, and his heart s#ipped a couple o$ beats.
"he man was all in blac# *even his fae, Peter thought+, and it was dar# outside, so it was
really hard to ma#e him out. &nd he was so $ar away, he was no bigger than a toy plastic army
man. Aut he was out there. -very time he moved, Peter could see the blac# o$ his clothes against
the dar# green o$ the garden.
Peter debated i$ he should call his mom, or maybe 8rand$ather. "hat is, i$ he could even get
his tight, dry throat to ma#e a sound.
Aut then he=d (ust get into trouble $or doing what he wasn=t supposed to do, rightB
&nd who would believe him about those empty eye soc#ets, staring up at him out o$ a charred
and ruined $aceB
:ut in the garden, the hobo bent down and disappeared behind a row o$ plants.
Peter sat up and strained to see where he had gone.
,uddenly the hobo stood up in another part o$ the $ield, probably thirty $eet away $rom where
he had been only seconds be$ore.
Wo"$ thats "eird$ Peter thought. "he guy had moved really $ast, but there was no motion o$
the plants to give him away.
It "as like he )ent do"n and then ?ust magially appeared in another part of the field.
"hat=s when the $irst hobo stood up again.
Peter almost wet his pa(amas, (ust li#e Dill said last night.
"wo o$ them. "here were two o$ them in the garden.
&nd then a third hat appeared amongst the corn.
Three.
&nd then anotherHand anotherHand another.
Four'five'si@'
Peter reali'ed that his hands hurt. 0e loo#ed down, and saw that his $ingers were so tightly
scrunched into $ists that his nails were cutting into his palms. 0e rela?ed. Rela?ed his hands,
anyway.
9hen he loo#ed up, there were thirteen.
Di$$erent shapes and si'es, $rom short to tall, $rom s#inny toHnot $at, really. 9ide. &$ter
seeing that hand as thin as a s#eleton=s last night, Peter #new that none o$ them were $at.
Aut they were all dressed in blac# coats and blac# hats.
&nd though he couldn=t see them $rom this $ar away, Peter #newH#new that they all had
charred, burned $aces, and empty soc#ets $or eyes.
"hirteen.
"hey strode out o$ the garden, wal#ing towards the house.
Peter caught his breath. @/om,C he $orced out o$ his mouth, though it sounded li#e a strangled
sigh. @/omHC
"hen they stopped. :ne o$ them raised his arm and a $inger.
0e was pointing at Peter=s window.
Peter almost somersaulted bac#wards, he tried to get o$$ that window ledge so $ast.
0e tumbled to the $loor, and hid with the wall as his cover. 0e waitedHand waitedH
What are they doing*
What if theyre "alking to"ards the house*
I have to look'I 0A-! T% L%%6'
Peter too# a huge breath and $orced himsel$ to pee# over the ledge and out the window.
"hey were leaving. "hey trudged single $ile away $rom the garden, towards where the
decaying $ence ended and the woods began.
:ne by one the $orest shadows swallowed them.
&ll e?cept the last one, who turned bac# towards the house.
0e li$ted one arm, and pointed towards Peter=s window.
&nd then he was gone, too.
1$
)No 9&D,C Dill shouted.
"he two boys were standing at the bus stop. -ven in the warm morning sun, Peter $elt chilled
to the bone.
@) didn=t sleep at all last night.C
Dill grinned. @"hat is totally wic#ed cool.C
@9ic#ed coolBF "hey went into the woods behind your houseFC Peter pointed out.
Dill=s smile $aded. @:h crap.C
@D-&0.C
Dill regained his composure. @9ell, as long as they didn=t point at my window.C
@) don=t #now i$ they pointed at your window or not. ) was hiding $or hal$ a minute,
rememberBC
@9ell why the crap did you do thatBC
@) was scaredFC
@Dou live on the third $loorF "hey can=t get to youF ) live on the $irst $loor G /D 90:L-
0:I,- ), "0- <)R," <L::RF &ll they gotta do is come rip open the window and eat my
brains, manFC
@,orryFC Peter said de$ensively.
@!e?t time when there=s #iller hobos and they=re pointing around, don=t Juit loo#ing, o#ayBF
"hese are my brains we=re tal#ing aboutFC
@Dou could sleep over at my house,C Peter o$$ered.
@)s this the same house that your grand$ather lives inBC Dill said sarcastically. @Cu' )=d rather
ta#e my chances with the #iller hobos. Aesides, we got bigger problems.C
@9hatBC
@"he bus is coming.C
,ure enough, the school bus was approaching down the heavily wooded road. 9ithin twenty
seconds it reached the corner, and there was an aw$ul sJuealing $rom the bra#es as the yellow
monster came to a halt.
Dill led the way up the steps and into the vehicle. Peter $ollowed.
"he bus driver was a rail>thin lady in (eans and some #ind o$ roc# n= roll t>shirt. 0er hair was
still in rollers, and she wore bunny slippers.
@,iddown, Dill, and you too, #id,C she yelled at Peter.
@9e=re goin=, we=re goin=,C Dill shot bac#.
"he bus lurched $orward down the road. Peter nearly $ell on top o$ Dill as they made their way
to the rear.
"here were $ewer than ten #ids on the bus so $ar. & couple o$ mean ones, old and surly. &
couple more were young and terri$ied. "he rest loo#ed da'ed, yan#ed out o$ their summer
vacations too soon. "hey yawned or slept $it$ully, heads up against the windows.
Dill sat down about three seats to the bac#. Peter $ell in beside him.
@"hat was /rs. Petarchi#,C Dill said, and pointed up to the $ront o$ the bus. @Don=t get her
mad, she=s meeeeeaaaan.C
@:#ay.C
@!ow, today is all about survival,C Dill e?plained.
@<rom the hobosBC
@!o, $rom shool. )=m tellin= ya, $orget the hobos, we got bigger problems.C
1%
The bus stopped again much $urther down the street and a little girl got on. ,he was a bit
shorter than Peter, with lots o$ long, straight brown hair. ,he wore some sort o$ weird get>up li#e
a s#irt attached to a top, but not Juite a dress, because there was a white ru$$ly blouse underneath
it. Peter had seen The :ound %f >usi, and this girl loo#ed li#e the #ids in that movie, e?cept
goo$ier, because at least in The :ound %f >usi everybody was dressed goo$y. 0ere on the bus,
she was the only one wearing strange clothes.
&nd her eyes were #ind o$ $ar apart. 9hat with the eyes and the 8erman dress, she loo#ed a
little weird.
,he must have seen Peter loo#ing at her, because her $ar>apart eyes lit up and she made a
beeline $or Peter and Dill.
@:h man,C Dill whispered.
@9hatBC
@Neep your head down, dude.C
@0iya, Dilllllllll,C the girl said as she climbed in the seat behind the boys.
@0i, /ercy,C Dill said bac#, his eyes straight $orward.
>ery*
Peter loo#ed at Dill Juestioningly.
Dill shoo# his head li#e &ont say nothin.
/ercy stood up and put her arms across the bac# o$ the seat so that she was almost hanging
over on top o$ Peter and Dill. @9ho=s your $riendBC
Dill didn=t answer, so Peter stepped in.
@/y name=s Peter.C
@Peeeeeteeeeeer,C /ercy drawled. @&re you new, PeeeeteeeeeeerBC
@Ih, yeah,C Peter $rowned. "here was a Juiet "heeee'"heeeee'"heeeee noise coming $rom
somewhere that he couldn=t place. 0e loo#ed around, trying to see i$ it was the bus.
@"hat=s so nice. ) li#e new people, Peeeeteeeeeer.C
Peter abandoned the search $or the "heeeee sound and turned bac# to /ercy. @Ih, that=s
goodHwhy do you #eep saying my name KPeeeeteeeeeer=BC
/ercy loo#ed at him blan#ly. @"hat=s your name, isn=t itBC
@KPeter.= "hat=s my name.C
@Ih>huh,C /ercy said.
@!ot Peeeeteeeeeeer.C
@Ih>huh.C /ercy nodded.
@Must KPeter.=C
@Ih>huh.C /ercy smiled. @:#ay, Peeeeteeeeeer.C
@Dou (ust did it again G C
Dill put his hand on Peter=s arm and shoo# his head li#e ,ust let it go$ man.
)n the silence, with his head turned towards Dill and an ear aimed directly at /ercy, Peter
reali'ed that the "heeee "heeee "heeeee sound was coming $rom /ercy=s nose.
9hen she breathed in, "heeeeee.
9hen she breathed out, "heeeeee.
Peter pointed hesitantly. @Ih G C
Dill #ic#ed him.
@:wF 9hat=d you do that $orBC
@:hut...79$C Dill hissed.
@Do you li#e pennies, PeeeeteeeeeerBC
@PenniesBC
@) li#e pennies, Peeeeteeeeer. ) collect them. ) have three thousand, two hundred and seventeen
at my house. 9ould you li#e to see themBC
@IhhhhHno, )=m o#ay. )=ve seen pennies be$ore.C
@Do you have a pennyBC /ercy as#ed. @0uhB KCause ) could ma#e it three thousand, two
hundred and eighteen i$ you do.C
@IhhhhHno. !ot on me, sorry,C Peter said.
@"hat=s o#ay, maybe tomorrow, Peeeeteeeeeer. "he earliest one )=ve got is 1611. )t=s very old.
) have a 1611, too, and a 1614, and )=ve been loo#ing to $ill in those other years, but it=s very
di$$icult. ) have a lot o$ 1620=s pennies, andHC
Dill put his head in his hands.
)t was a long, long ride to the schoolyard.
1&
*hen the bus stopped in the school par#ing lot, Peter and Dill (umped o$$ it $ast as they
could. "he other #ids were slow and $ormed a tra$$ic (am, trapping /ercy behind them.
@PeteeeeeerFC she wailed.
"hat was the last Peter heard o$ her as he and Dill raced across the asphalt.
@!o runningFC the bus driver yelled a$ter them.
Peter and Dill ignored her and roared o$$ be$ore /ercy could catch up.
@,o, loo#s li#e you got a new girl$riend,C Dill laughed.
Peter shuddered. @"hat was horribleFC
@,he does that all the time. ,he $inds some guy and latches on li#e a bloodsuc#ing monster
and (ust tal#s and tal#s and tal#s <:R-7-R. "hat=s why you can=t tal# to her, man, it (ust
encourages her. !ow you=re stuc#.C
@9hy didn=t you warn meBC Peter grumbled.
@) $orgot. )t=s been the whole summer, and ) $orgot about her until she got on the bus.C
@0ow could you do thatFC
@:h, ) don=t #now G ) guess ) wasn=t loo#ing out $or my buddy, who &L9&D, loo#s a$ter
me, li#e the time he #ept watching the #iller hobos to ma#e sure they 9-R-!=" 8:)!8 ":
&""&CN /D 0:I,- &!D -&" /D AR&)!,.C
@)t=s not the same thing,C Peter snapped.
@Deah, you=re right, poor baby, /ercy tal#ed to you on the bus, oh my gosh, she might even
tal# to you again$ 0:LD CR&P that=s so much worse.C
Peter sighed. @&ll right, all right, we=re even.C
@8ood.C Dill paused. @:#ay, actually, ) ta#e it bac#, ) thin# listening to /ercy might be worse
than the #iller hobos G C
90&/.
Peter $ell bac# on the ground. 0e=d (ust run into something big.
:ome)ody big.
)t was a #id standing in $ront o$ him, maybe a couple o$ years older than Peter. 0e loo#ed
huge, li#e he could play $ootball. Pro$essionally. 0e was wearing a tight t>shirt and baggy (eans.
0is hair was long and shaggy, and he had a gap in his teeth. "here was a small gang o$ other
boys behind him, all mean, all big and bee$y.
@9atch where you=re going, you little twerpFC the lead #id snarled.
@,orry, "ad,C Dill said as he pulled Peter to his $eet and started herding him away. @0e=s #ind
o$ slow in the head, his mom dropped him when he was a baby.C
@,he did notFC Peter said indignantly. @&nd ) am not G C
Dill clapped a hand over Peter=s mouth as he dragged him along.
@,ee ya, "ad, have a good one, man, bye now, see you laterFC Dill called.
"he gang o$ mean #ids stood there loo#ing stupidly a$ter Dill and Peter, who $inally
disappeared around a corner in the hall.
@9hy=d you do thatBFC Peter griped.
@Dou are the stupidest dumbhead ) #nowF "hat was "ad "urnerpi#e, the absolute worst #id in
school. 0e=s li#e the devil i$ the devil was in $i$th grade.C
@0e wasn=t going to do anything to me.C
@Deah, cu' o$ all the teachers around.C Dill pointed at the $ive or si? adults standing in the
hallway outside the classroom doors G one woman with bushy yellow hair, one man with thic#
glasses, another woman with gray hair who was waaaay overweight and loo#ed li#e a giant
pump#in stu$$ed in a calico dress with a human head on top. @9hat you gotta worry about is
when the teachers arent around. I kno", o#ayB ) been pushed in the pric#ly bushes and dumped
in the garbage can enough times, ) don=t need to get it anymore because o$ your dumb butt.C
@0e=s (ust a bully,C Peter said, although not that con$idently. @)$ you stand up to bullies, they
leave you alone.C
@Riiiight. &nd i$ you leave #iller hobos alone, they don=t ever attac# you in the middle o$ the
night while you=re sleeping and eat your brains. !ever happens.C
Peter stopped Dill by putting a hand on his chest. @Dou #eep tal#ing about that over and over.
9hat are we going to do about itBC
Dill shoo# his head. @9e=ll worry about it at 1 o=cloc#. Intil then, you (ust do what ) say and
worry about getting home in one piece. )$ "ad "urnerpi#e gets ahold o$ you, you=ll "ish the
#iller hobos ate your brains $irst.C
1'
Dill was right. )t was a tough day.
)t started with his teacher, /rs. Cashew. ,he was the overweight lady, the one who loo#ed li#e
a pump#in in a calico dress. &t the start o$ the class, she called roll. Peter wasn=t on there.
@9ho are youBC she as#ed.
@Peter !ormal.C
@9ell, you=re not on my attendance sheet.C
@/aybe you don=t have to go to school,C Dill pointed out hope$ully.
@/r. Aodins#i, do !:" get on my bad side on the very $irst day,C /rs. Cashew snapped.
@Dou, /r. !ormal, go to the o$$ice and see Principal 9ooddale. 0e=ll get this sorted out.C
:n the way to the o$$ice, one o$ the #ids $rom "ad "urnerpi#e=s gang slammed Peter into a
loc#er and #ept on wal#ing without even a loo# bac#. Peter thought about running a$ter him and
decided against it.
:nce in the o$$ice, Peter as#ed to see Principal 9ooddale. & secretary ushered him in to see a
tall &$rican>&merican man behind a des#. "he man stared at him as though he was trying to see
Peter=s insides with ?>ray vision.
@9hat did he doBC he as#ed the secretary.
@0e=s a new student we don=t have on the records,C the secretary e?plained.
"he principal immediately become $riendlier. @&h. ,it down, /r. !ormal, we have some
paperwor# to $ill out.C
"hings went o#ay until Peter gave his address.
Principal 9ooddale loo#ed up sharply. @)s ,eamus <lannagan your grand$atherBC he as#ed
suspiciously.
Peter shrugged. @) don=t #now his name.C
@&nd why notBC the principal bar#ed.
Peter was shoc#ed. @) (ust call him K8rand$ather.= "hat=s all ) #now, honest.C
@)=ll be watching you, /r. !ormal,C the principal warned. 0e didn=t get any nicer a$ter that.
Peter got three $orms to ta#e home to have his mother sign. :n the way bac# to /rs. Cashew=s
class, another one o$ "ad "urnerpi#e=s buddies slammed him into a loc#er and #ept on wal#ing.
@0eyFC Peter yelled.
"he #id turned around, a menacing loo# on his $ace.
Peter whipped around and hustled bac# to his class.
@& #id slammed me into a loc#er,C Peter told /rs. Cashew.
Aehind his tiny des#, Dill started waving his arms and sha#ing his head no no no no no.
@9ell, why did he do thatBC
@) don=t #now.C
@9ell, who was heBC
@) don=t #now, but he was hanging out with "ad "urnerpi#e this morning.C
Dill banged his head on his des#.
@9hat did you do to provo#e him, /r. !ormalBC
@/eBF ) didn=t do anythingFC
@9hy didn=t you get a teacher when it happenedBC
@) (ust didF "hat=s what )=m doing nowFC
@Don=t be smart with me, /r. !ormal. 8o sit down.C
@Aut G C
@,)" D:9!. &nd /r. Aodins#i, stop banging your head on your des#FC
@9hy, why, why, whyHC Dill murmured under his breath as Peter returned to his seat.
&t lunch, the pi''a was soggy and had almost no cheese, the mil# was lu#ewarm and smelled
$unny, and all the ice cream bars were sold out. &s they were eating, /ercy came up and
continued to tal# about her penny collection. Dill and Peter moved, and /ercy $ollowed them as
though absolutely nothing was wrong. ,he got up to 1641 be$ore the bell rang.
:n the way bac# to class, Peter $elt a hand on his shoulder. Ae$ore he could turn around,
members o$ "ad=s gang pulled him behind a bric# wall where pric#ly bushes surrounded the air
conditioning units. Dill (oined them seconds later, pushed by "ad "urnerpi#e himsel$.
@,o, (er#$ace, ) hear you=re ratting me out to the teachers,C "ad snarled.
@!>no,C Peter stuttered. 0e loo#ed around wildly. "here weren=t any adults anywhere to be
seen. 0e thought about yelling $or help, but that could (ust ma#e it worse.
"ad pic#ed Peter up under the armpits, li$ted him easily o$$ the ground, and stared up into his
$ace. @Don=t you -7-R do that again, or )=ll ma#e you wish you were never born.C
Peter nodded Juic#ly. @:#ay.C
"ad nodded bac#, silently.
>ay)e thats it'may)e hell let me go'
&nd then Peter was $lying.
9ellHmaybe K$alling into the pric#ly bushes= was a better way to put it.
0undreds o$ holly leaves stabbed his arms and bac# and $ace. "he sound o$ boys laughing
rang in his ears, then got $arther and $arther away as "ad and his cohorts ran o$$. Peter pulled
himsel$ out onto the cement. Dill emerged $rom the holly bushes a second later, scratched and
red and even a little bloody in a couple o$ places on his arms.
@"his is not a good way to start the school year, man,C Dill sighed.
/rs. Cashew too# one loo# at them when they wal#ed in and e?claimed, @9hat happened to
you twoBC
@9e G C Peter began.
Dill #ic#ed the bac# o$ his shoe.
@Huh, we $ell down,C Peter $inished.
/rs. Cashew got very angry. @<ighting in schoolF ) won=t have itF 8o see Principal 9ooddale,
right nowFC
"he rest was a blur. Principal 9ooddale, angry again. :n their way bac# to class, one o$ "ad
"urnerpi#e=s gang tripped Peter. Aac# in class, Peter was totally lost. /rs. Cashew had started a
$ractions lesson ten minutes ago, and he didn=t understand the $irst bit o$ it. 0is stomach
grumbled loudly $rom not eating the soggy pi''a. 0e was bored, tired, and starving. /rs.
Cashew gave them two hours o$ homewor# assignments. <inally the bell rang. :n the way to the
bus, he and Dill got pushed into the loc#ers again by another one o$ "ad=s gang. :n the bus,
/ercy tal#ed her way up to her three hundred and $i$ty>eight 1656 pennies.
&t 1.22, Dill and Peter stumbled o$$ the bus and collapsed in the grass by the sidewal#.
@,ee what ) meanBC Dill as#ed.
@Aring on the hobos,C Peter said. @) don=t are i$ they #ill me.C
Dill smiled bliss$ully. @&t least we=ll never have to go to school again.C
(
Peter opened the #itchen door o$ his house and po#ed his head inside. "he place was silent
and empty.
@0elloBC he called. @)=m hooooome.C
Dill stood behind him and held onto Peter=s shirt. @) don=t #now i$ this is such a good idea,C he
$retted.
@!obody=s here,C Peter reassured him, when he spied a note on the re$rigerator. 8rand$ather=s
whole house was totally devoid o$ things people usually had G no "7, no photographs on the
walls, and nothing on the ancient <rigidaire, so a piece o$ paper stood out li#e a neon light in a
pitch blac# room.
)t was a note $rom Peter=s mom. ,he had had to tape it on there G 8rand$ather didn=t even
have any magnets on the $ridge door.
Peter,
"he car started stalling and bac#$iring this a$ternoon,
so ) went into town with Aeth to get it $i?ed. 9e=ll
be bac# this evening. )=ll stop by the grocery store and
get some real $ood G until then, eat some canned stu$$.
8rand$ather went out to run errands, so don=t get into
trouble.
Love, /om
@0uh,C Peter said. 0e loo#ed in the pantry and $ound nothing but can a$ter can o$ peas, beets,
asparagus, and Arussels sprouts. "he $ridge was no better G some eggs, old hard cheese, and
withered lettuce.
0e caught Dill tiptoeing through the #itchen and craning his nec# around the doorway.
@0e=s not here. "he note say he=s out running errands.C
Dill per#ed up considerably. @ReallyBC
@Deah, but there=s no $ood. Dou wanna go bac# to your house and get a snac#BC
@&s long as we=re hereHand your grand$ather=s !:"Hhow=s about a tourBC Dill grinned.
1
)Holy cow,C Dill gasped.
"hey were standing on the third $loor, loo#ing down at the open $oyer.
@"his is CR&OD, man. Dou live in a $rea#in= mansion.C @) do !:".C
@Deah, yeah, whatever. ,o where=s your roomBC
Peter showed him. Dill peered out the window. @Loo#s di$$erent $rom the outside,C Dill
mused.
@0uhBC
@9hen ) climbed up here the other night.C
@:h, yeah.C Peter reali'ed he had tried to bloc# out as much o$ that night as possible.
Dill climbed up on the ledge and sat on the pillows. @"his where you chic#ened out and hid
li#e a little girlBC
@7ery $unny.C
@,o where were the hobosBC
Peter pointed to the end o$ the $ence, which stretched $ar beyond the garden and hundreds o$
$eet $rom the house.
@0uh,C Dill said. @&nd they were pointing at youBC
@Deah.C
@"hat=s pretty $ar awayHare you sure they were pointing at youB )t was the middle o$ the
night, rightB 0ow could you seeBC
@) think they were pointing at me,C Peter said, suddenly not so sure anymore. 0ad he (ust
imagined itB
Dill swung his legs o$$ the ledge, obviously bored now. @,o, what else is there to seeBC
@/y mom=s room, and my sister=s, ) guess.C
@Ih huhHwhat elseBC
Peter shrugged. @) don=t #now.C
@Dou haven=t been e?ploring yetBC Dill as#ed incredulously.
@!oF Remember, Kon pain o$ death=BC
@"hat was that door under the stairs, rightBC
@Deah.C
Dill=s eyes got bigger. @Let=s go try it.C
@!oFC
Dill pu$$ed up his chee#s and pffffd out the air. @9ell, let=s go loo#ing around.C
@) don=t thin# that=s a good idea.C
Dill wal#ed out o$ the bedroom and into the hall. @) do. "his might be the last time ) ever get
in this place again. 9here=s the atticB ) bet he=s got a lot o$ cra'y stu$$ in the attic.C
@!o G what are you doingB ,top thatFC
Dill was opening doors willy>nilly. & coat closet, another bedroom.
@Come on, man, where=s your spirit o$ adventureBC
@9here did you get yoursB Dou don=t seem to have it when my grand$ather=s aroundFC Peter
snapped.
Dill opened another door and paused. @0ey, what=s thisBC
Peter loo#ed over Dill=s shoulder and through the door. "here was a corridor inside with a
ceiling at least $i$teen $eet high. -verything was lit by a small s#ylight above, so they could
clearly see the bo?es o$ (un# stac#ed along the walls. "here was a big coil o$ rope, several chairs
without seat bottoms, a dressma#er=s dummy without head or arms *which $rea#ed Peter out G
he hated manneJuins+, a stu$$ed owl, and several large paintings leaning against the wall.
&t the end o$ the corridor was a circular iron staircase that twirled around and around up into
dar#ness.
@"his can=t be the attic,C Dill thought aloud. @)t=s too small.C
@Come on, Dill, let=s get out o$ here. 0ey G what are you doingBC
Dill had already started $orward into the corridor. @Come on.C
@Cut that outFC
@Come onnnnnnn, Juit being such a worrywart, let=s see where it goes.C
Ae$ore Peter could stop him, Dill was already climbing the spiral staircase.
@&rrrrrgh,C Peter groaned, then $ollowed behind him.
"he staircase was cramped. Peter=s shoulders barely $it between the iron railing and the single
metal pole that shot straight up to the ceiling. "he thing was ric#ety, too. )t crea#ed and groaned
under their weight, and shoo# with every step.
@Dill, come on, let=s go,C Peter pleaded.
@)t=s some #inda trap door,C Dill called $rom above. @)t=sHC
"here was a clatter overhead, and sunlight spilled down on Peter=s $ace.
@Coooooool,C Dill announced.
Peter blin#ed against the light, then continued his climb. &t the top o$ the steps, a three>$oot
sJuare hatch $ramed both Dill=s scrawny legs and the blue s#y beyond.
Peter pulled himsel$ up through the trap door and stood ne?t to Dill on the top o$ the house.
"he very top. "hey were on the wooden plat$orm with the white railing, the one Peter had seen
$rom /om=s 0onda as they had approached the house that very $irst day in Dus#erville. &round
them, the roo$ sloped down at dangerous angles. "o the le$t and the right o$ the plat$orm, two
belltower>loo#ing things with tiny windows in them pointed to the s#y.
Down below, the rose bushes loo#ed li#e bonsai trees. Peter could see the entire $ield o$ corn,
not (ust the $ront hal$ o$ the garden that was visible $rom his room. Aeyond the giant meadow o$
overgrown grass, the ocean was a thic# line o$ gray on the hori'on. Peter could even pic# out the
lone, croo#ed tree (utting o$$ the edge o$ the cli$$. "here was Dill=s home, a rundown
dollhouseHand the $orest, which stretched on $oreverHand the road in the woods that led to
school. )t was li#e $lying in an airplane, they were so high up.
@"his is $rea#in= awesome,C Dill whooped. @,o, you still say you don=t live in a mansionBC
@) dont live in a mansion.C
Dill narrowed his eyes li#e <ome on.
Peter grinned. @) live in a astle.C
Dill (er#ed his thumb. @) bet that=s your room over there.C
Peter loo#ed down. "here was a dangerous, twenty>$oot slope o$ roo$ $rom here to where Dill
pointed. "hough he couldn=t see the window, there was the tree they had climbed two nights ago.
"hey were so high, Peter could see all its branches $rom the top. &nd beyond it he could see the
end o$ the $ence, the place where the thirteen hobos had pointed up at his room be$ore
disappearing into the woods.
Peter shivered at the memory. Aut then he saw something that a)solutely terri$ied him.
8rand$ather=s battered truc# chugging up the tree>lined road towards the house. <rom this
height, it loo#ed li#e a matchbo? car driving through potted plants.
@:h crap,C Peter whispered, although there was no need to be Juiet since the truc# was still so
$ar away. Aut it was getting closer. <ast.
@9hatBC Dill as#ed, alarmed.
Peter pointed to the roadway.
@:0 CR&P,C Dill yelped. @8et down, get downFC
0e pushed Peter down to the $loor o$ the outloo#.
@Dou thin# he saw usBC Peter as#ed.
@) don=t #now, and ) don=t wanna $ind out. Let=s goFC
"hey hustled bac# down the spiral staircase a$ter closing the trapdoor, then raced through the
piles o$ (un#. Peter stuc# his head out into the main hallway.
!o sounds $rom the $oyer.
@Come onFC he hissed at Dill, and they stepped out o$ the room and shut the door.
<rom the $irst $loor came the lik lik o$ a #ey in the loc#.
@:h crap oh crap oh crap oh crap,C Dill whined.
@<ollow meFC
"hey dashed into Peter=s room and he $lung open the window.
@:utside, Juic#FC
:ut in the hall 8rand$ather=s voice boomed, @P-"-RFC
@:h crap oh crap oh crap oh crap,C Dill babbled.
"hey scooted out o$ the window, $ound their $ooting on the roo$, and grabbed the tree
branches. Dill began climbing down immediately. Peter too# a second to loo# up, and noticed
how aw$ully steep the roo$ loo#ed $rom this angleH
@Come onFC Dill called $rom below, and Peter started his descent down the tree.
&s soon as they reached the ground, they began running. <irst $or the crumbling wooden
$ence, and then Dill=s house.

They crouched on their #nees, dran# $rom (uice bo?es, and waited around the corner o$ Dill=s
house $or any sign o$ 8rand$ather. 0e never appeared.
@"hin# it=s sa$e yetBC Dill as#ed.
@) don=t need to go home anytime soon,C Peter said.
@0uhHwanna watch "7BC
)mages o$ 9oody #ic#ing Dill, the smell o$ wet dog, and screams $or Charlene to get o$$ the
phone $illed Peter=s mind.
7gh.
Peter loo#ed at the $ence separating 8rand$ather=s property $rom Dill=s. @Let=s go chec# out
where the hobos went into the woods.C
@9hyBC
@)$ we=re already in trouble, we might as well (ust go ahead and get it all over with. "here=s
only so much trouble you can get in.C
Dill shoo# his head. @"otally not true. !o matter how much trouble ) get in, ) always get in
more.C
@9e gotta chec# it out sooner or later.C
@9hyBC
@&ren=t you scared about those things eating your brains anymoreBC
@:h yeah.C Dill considered the situation. @9ell, why go out there and give them the chanceB
K0ey, hobo dude, here=s my brains, come and get Kem.=C
@)t=s the daytime. ) thin# we=ll be o#ay. )=ve only seen them at night.C
Dill rolled his eyes.
@9hatBC Peter as#ed.
@0ow long are you gonna #eep this upBC
Peter was bewildered. @9hat are you tal#ing aboutBC
Dill did a scaredy little dance, waving his arms in the air. @K:h, ) saw hobos. :h, ) saw
thirteen o$ them.= )t was a great story, man, but )=ve had enough $or one day.C
@Dou don=t )elieve meBC
@Dou mean you=re totally seriousBC
@D-,FC
@:h,C Dill said, and loo#ed at Peter $unny.
@9hatBC
@!othing.C
@9hy are you loo#ing at me li#e thatBC
@)=m (ust wondering i$ cra'y runs in your $amily, that=s all.C
Peter blew up. @9hat was that whole thing about being a$raid this morning at the bus stopB
K"hey=re gonna eat my brains, manF= 9hat was thatBFC
Dill shrugged. @)t was $un. ) was playing along.C
@Dou didn=t believe meBC
@)t=s boring around here, man. )t=s been a lot more $un since you got here, butH) thought we
were (ust ma#ing stu$$ up.C
Peter stared. Dill tried again.
@"his morning ) said that you should $orget the hobos, because we=d be luc#y to ma#e it
through one day o$ school, rightB Li#e we=d die, maybe G rightBC
@Deah.C
@) never believed we were gonna die,C Dill sco$$ed. @) mean, ) #new we could get beat up, and
things were gonna suc#, but we weren=t gonna die. )$ ) thought there were really #iller hobos out
in the woods, do you thin# ) would even go to schoolB /an, )=d be out o$ here so $ast it=d ma#e
your head spin. )=d hitch a ride to 0awaii and live there $or the rest o$ my li$e.C
@) can=t believe you don=t believe meFC Peter $umed.
Dill shrugged. @) never saw them. ) didn=t even see the one in the garden.C
@9hat about the handprint on my shirtB 9hat about thatBC
@) don=t #nowH) $igured you put it there with your own hand, and you were (ust trying to
scare the be(ee'us outta me. Aut )=m #ind o$ tired o$ it now, and ) wanna go watch television.C
@8o out there with me,C Peter challenged him.
@9hyBC
@Aecause it is real. Aecause ) did see something.C
@)$ you did see something, why would we go out there in the $irst placeBC
@)$ you don=t believe me, then what does it matterBC
Dill sighed. @&ll right. <ine. "here=s nothing good on till $ive o=cloc#, anyway.C
!
The wal# down to the $orest was a silent one. Despite his anger at not being believed, Peter
tried to put himsel$ in Dill=s shoes. &$ter all, i$ Peter told his /om about the hobos, she wouldn=t
believe him.
Aut she wouldn=t have said she believed him in the $irst place, either.
@Dou thought ) was (ust ma#ing all this upBC Peter as#ed, brea#ing the silence.
@9ellHyeah. ) mean, ) thought it was a game.C
@Aut do you believe me now when ) tell you it=s not a gameBC
Dill loo#ed uncom$ortable. @)$ it=s not a game, then either you=re cra'y, or ) live ne?t to a
bunch o$ #iller hobos. -ither way, )=m not e?actly whoopin= $or (oy.C
Peter nodded. @:#ay, ) can see that. )t=s #ind o$ li#e, do you want to get eaten by a lion or by a
bear. !either one=s a good choice.C
Dill loo#ed at him sideways. @Dou don=tHthin# you=re a lion or a bear, do youBC
@Dill, ) don=t -&" peopleF )=m not cra'yFC
@"hat=s what all the cra'y people say,C Dill muttered under his breath.
"hey reached the end o$ the $ence. Peter loo#ed desperately on the ground $or $ootprints, but
there was nothing. "he weather was warm, and there hadn=t been rain $or who #new how long.
&ny e?posed soil was hard as cardboard.
Peter ga'ed into the woods. "hings got dim rather Juic#ly G he could see maybe $i$ty $eet
into the $orest be$ore it became a tangle o$ tree trun#s and shadows.
@9e gotta go in there,C Peter said.
@9hat, so you can #ill me and )=ll never be seen againB ) don=t thin# so.C
@Come on, Dill, you gotta believe me.C
@)t=s almost $ive. Friends is gonna be on.C
Peter stared at Dill. @Dou watch thatBFC
Dill #ic#ed the ground. @) li#e Friends,C he said in a petulant little voice.
@"hey=ve been showing those reruns $or 00 years. Dou=ve probably already seen whatever it
is si?teen times already.C
@9ell, ) can go watch Friends, or ) can get #illed and eaten by a cra'y #id in the woods.
0mmm, let me thin# about that.C
@Dou said yoursel$ you could beat me up cause you=re older.C
Dill coc#ed his head. @DeahHC
@Dou could wal# in bac# o$ me so you can see everything ) do.C
& $ew seconds passed be$ore Dill made a countero$$er.
@)$ you put your arms inside your shirt, so you loo# li#e you don=t have any, )=ll go in the
woods.C
@9hatBC Peter as#ed, con$used. @9hy do ) have to pretend li#e ) have no armsBC
@)t=ll be harder to get your arms out to attac# me with, and ) can beat you up $aster.C
Peter sighed. @<ine.C
0e started to pull his right arm in through the shirtsleeve hole.
@&nd you gotta tuc# in your shirt to ma#e it even harder.C
@Fine.C Peter tuc#ed in his shirt $irst, then started pulling his arms in again.
@&nd )=m gonna get a big stic# and wallop you on the head i$ you start acting cra'y.C
@/aybe ) should be worried about going in the woods with you, you ever thought o$ thatBC
@Dou want me to go in the woods with youB "uc# your arms in. &nd )=m gettin= a stic#.C
@Fine.C
@<)!-,C Dill $ired bac#.
:nce Peter had his arms sa$ely inside his shirt, he and Dill wal#ed into the $orest. "rue to his
word, Dill $ound a nice>si'ed branch that would be per$ect $or smac#ing somebody in the head.
@Dou better not use that on me,C Peter warned.
@Must #eep wal#in=, armless boy.C
"he trees were all di$$erent types. Peter didn=t #now leaves by their shapes, but he recogni'ed
oa#s and maples. "ons o$ pine trees, too G tall straight ones with spi#y branches, and ones that
loo#ed more li#e Christmas trees. Leaves and pine needles $ormed a springy layer beneath their
$eet. "here were lots o$ little saplings and tiny stal#s, and brambles and patches o$ impenetrable
vines, but Peter and Dill were able to ma#e their way by going around whatever they couldn=t go
through.
"he stri#ing thing was how dar# it was. "here were very $ew patches o$ sunlight shining
through the tree tops. "he $orest loo#ed li#e the sun was hiding away and dar# clouds had ta#en
over the s#y. -?cept that bac# in the $ield, the sun had been shining happily.
)t was li#e twilight, or early school mornings in the winter when the sun hadn=t risen all the
way yet. ,poo#y.
Peter stumbled $or the umpteenth time, but managed to #eep his balance. @)$ ) $all and put out
my eye, )=m going to tell them it was your $ault.C
Dill shrugged. @)=ll tell Kem you went cra'y and wanted to eat people. ) ain=t gonna be your
baby bac# ribs.C
& second passed, and Dill began to sing the song $rom the commercial, @) want my baby>
bac#>baby>bac#>baby>bac#>baby>bac#HC
Peter stopped wal#ing. @0ey, DillHthe birds Juit chirping.C
Dill stopped, too, and loo#ed all around. @DeahBC "hen he caught himsel$, stepped bac#, and
raised his stic#. @0ey, you better not be distractin= me be$ore you try to #ill me.C
Peter was angry now. @&re you going to cut it outB )t=s bad enough ) gotta wal# around li#e
this, you could at least give me the bene$it o$ the doubt.C
Dill loo#ed at him, then lowered the stic#. @Deah, o#ay, no birds. !o hobos, either.C Dill=s
eyes suddenly got wide, and he raised the stic# again li#e a samurai sword. @9hich means
youre ra(y.C
@"his is getting really old,C Peter snapped. @)=m ta#ing my arms out o$ my shirt, and you better
not hit me with that thing because ) really am going to #ic# your butt i$ youHDillBC
Dill wasn=t listening. 0is eyes had $ocused past Peter, deep into the woods. @9hat=s thatBC he
as#ed.
"
Peter turned around. Deeper in the woods sat a building o$ some sort. &t this distance, do'ens
o$ trees almost completely obscured it.
@) don=t #now,C Peter said.
Dill scampered o$$ towards the new mystery. @Come onFC
Peter popped his arms out $rom his shirt and $ollowed.
"hey stopped about thirty $eet $rom the building, at the edge o$ a clearing where the treeline
bro#e. )n the middle o$ the clearing sat an old, old house. :r maybe it was a school. )t seemed
more stately than a home, more o$$icial.
9hatever it was, it was positively ancient. "he thing was built on $our pillars o$ roc#s, one at
each corner. Inderneath it was hard to see much, but the $loor was de$initely about three $eet o$$
the ground. "here appeared to be a tree growing up through the middle o$ the building, though,
straight $rom the $orest $loor and into the house.
"he boards that made up the outside walls were gray and weathered. "he door dangled at an
angle on rusted hinges, and the $loorboards visible in the doorway loo#ed rotten and crumbling.
"he roo$ had hole a$ter hole po#ed in it, and one entire corner was caved in. "here were
windows, but no glass in any o$ the panes. 7ines had overgrown the walls, covering it in ivy.
"he boys hid behind a large oa# tree and waited.
@9hat i$ the hobos are in thereBC Peter whispered.
@) don=t see anything,C Dill whispered bac#.
"hey waited longer. "here were no sounds at all.
@Let=s go over to the side and try to loo# in the window,C Dill suggested.
"hey circled around the building and loo#ed $or any sign o$ movement in the windows.
!othing. Must dar#ness inside, with a $ew sha$ts o$ light po#ing through the roo$ and shining
through the dusty air.
@9hat should we doBC Peter as#ed.
@Let=s go up to the door.C
"hey crept along the side o$ the building and made their way to the $ront steps, where they
waited breathlessly $or what seemed $orever.
"here wasn=t even the sound o$ a mouse s#ittering inside.
Dill put his $oot on the $irst wooden step.
CR-----&&&&&N.
"he step groaned under his weight li#e a vampire in its grave on a ,unday horror movie
marathon.
Peter and Dill stood still as statues.
!othing happened.
Peter loo#ed into the building. )t was hard to see much, but the pinpoints o$ light shining
through the roo$ showed a little o$ the interior. "here seemed to be benches inside, (ust li#e an
old>time>movie schoolhouse.
Dill put more weight on the step, and it groaned louder. "hen he too# another step upH
reeeeeeaaaaak.
!othing $rom inside the building. !o noise.
Dill wal#ed up the rest o$ the stairs and through the doorway. Peter $ollowed, his heart
thudding in his throat.
#
The inside o$ the building was dar# and $illed with cobwebs. "hey dri$ted $rom the ceiling
beams and $illed ever corner. Dill po#ed at them with his stic# to clear a path.
@"his is really $rea#y,C he murmured.
Rough>hewn benches $illed the room, about $ive on each side o$ a center aisle that divided the
building in two. "he aisle led directly to a tree trun# that (utted straight up out o$ the $loor. )t was
cut o$$ straight and level, although the sur$ace was marred by (agged cuts and slashes. )t was the
same tree trun# they had seen outside. "he $loorboards had been built around it, so obviously it
had been intentional.
Peter loo#ed around. Dead $lowers hung on the walls in bouJuets G not (ust dead, but
withered. Li#e they would collapse into dust at the lightest touch.
Dill wal#ed down the center aisle to the tree trun#. -very step made the $loor underneath him
groan.
@)t=s li#e a table, dudeFC he called bac# to Peter. @,omebody made a table out o$ this treeFC
&s Peter wal#ed along the wall, there was a crac#ing sound, and his right snea#er dropped out
$rom under him. 0e $ell to his #nees, then hurriedly got bac# up on his $eet.
Dill loo#ed around, spoo#ed. @What "as that* 9hat happenedBC
Peter rubbed his shin and loo#ed at where one o$ the $loorboards had given way beneath him.
"hree $eet below, he could see the weed>cho#ed $orest $loor under the old building.
@"he $loor crac#ed. 9atch where you=re wal#ing,C he warned.
Peter loo#ed up again. Aesides $lowers on the wall, there were also small animal s#ulls
hanging there. "iny ones, maybe $rom sJuirrels or beavers. "he largest might have been $rom a
dog.
& shiver ran up and down his spine.
@"his is awesome, man,C Dill said as he climbed up onto the tree trun#. @) gotta admit, it=s
way better than Friends.C
Peter #ept wal#ing to the very bac# o$ the building. 0e now stood behind Dill, who was
dancing li#e a $ool on the tree trun# table.
7ines grew out o$ the rotting $loorboards and covered the wall completely. Aut there was
movement behind the vines, in the gaps between the individual strands o$ green.
Peter gasped and stood still.
"he movement stopped. -?cept $or something o$$ to the rightH
@Dill, stop,C Peter commanded without loo#ing behind him.
,uddenly, the movement behind the vines ceased.
@9hatBC Dill whispered.
Peter loo#ed bac#. Dill was $ro'en in a #arate #id pose, his arms up and one leg coc#ed in the
air, ready to #ic# somebody in the head.
Peter turned bac# and raised an arm to the vines, and the movement was re$lected behind
them. 0e too# a hand$ul o$ leaves and ripped them away.
"here was a mirror on the wall.
0e could see his hand re$lected Juite clearly. "he mirror was dusty and dirty, but his hand was
visible. Peter pulled more vines o$$ and could see his own eyes.
@Come down here and help me,C Peter yelled.
Dill hopped o$$ the tree trun# and helped him rip away the vines. @9hat do you thin# this
place wasBC
@) don=t #now,C Peter said. @) was thin#ing maybe a school.C
@)=d go to a school li#e this,C Dill said. @"rees growing out o$ the $loorB "hat=s a pretty
$rea#in= cool school.C
@) don=t what #ind o$ a school has dead animal s#ulls on the walls, though.C
@ReallyBC Dill e?claimed, and loo#ed around. @&wesomeF ) would ,: go to school hereFC
"hey cleared a good portion o$ the vines away and were able to ma#e out their $aces in the
gap. Dill waved at himsel$.
@"hat=s a good>loo#in= dude there,C he nodded.
@"han# you,C Peter (o#ed.
@) meant me.C Dill moved closer to the dusty, dirt>spec#ed glass. @) seem to be standing ne?t
to a complete dor#, though.C
Peter laughed. @) thin# you got the two mi?ed up.C
@Peter,C Dill hissed.
@DeahBC
@P>PeterHloo# in the mirrorHC Dill whimpered.
Peter $rowned and peered closer. 0is $ace was $airly clear, despite the dirt and dust. "here
wasn=t anything unusual.
Aut then a shadow o$ movement caught his eye, and he $ocused on what lay behind him.
"here were outlines o$ shoulders and heads.
0eads with hats.
$
Peter $ro'e. -very hair on his nec# raised.
"he menHthe men $rom the garden were behind them, seated on the benches.
"hat=s when it hit Peter. this wasn=t a school house.
)t was a church.
-?cept there were no crosses here. Aut there were animal s#ullsH
)t was li#e no church Peter had ever seen be$ore, not even in the scariest movies he=d ever
watched.
Peter stayed still, as though the hobos couldn=t see him.
"hey didn=t move, either. &t least, their re$lections didn=t move.
@Dou see themBC Dill whispered, almost crying.
@Deah.C
@)s that themBC
@) thin# so.C
@0ow=d they get thereBC
@) don=t #now.C
@) didn=t hear them.C
@!either did ).
@Hwhat do we doBC
"he hobos still weren=t moving.
@Run on three,C Peter whispered. @:neHC Dill shoo# his head. @9aitFC
@"woHC
@!o,C Dill hissed.
@"0R--FC
"hey turned, and the $loor groaned beneath them.
"he hobos were on their $eet, covering the entire center aisle o$ the church.
"heir blac# coats $lapped as they moved.
,#inny blac# hands reached into the air.
0ollow eye soc#ets stared out o$ charred, wrin#led $aces.
@:0 CR&PFC Dill screamed.
"here was no way out. "he hobos were lumbering up the aisle.
Peter didn=t pause to count them, but there were at least ten. Probably thirteen.
0e moved to the right G the $loor crea#ed noisily beneath him G
"he hobos on the right side $ollowed his move, cutting him o$$ $rom the wall.
!o way out.
Peter loo#ed up. "he ceiling was too $ar out o$ reach.
0e loo#ed downH
"hrough the #notholes in the $loorboards, he could see the ground below.
@MI/PFC he screamed at Dill.
@90&"BC Dill screamed bac#.
@MI/P 0)80FC Peter bellowed. @!:9FC
Aoth boys launched themselves into the air at the same time.
"hey seemed to hang there $orever, as the hobos reached the wooden tree trun#H
&nd then Peter and Dill were crashing down into the $loor.
"he boards gave way with a horrendous ,!&P, and the boys slammed into the ground.
Pieces o$ dried, rotten wood showered them $rom all sides.
Peter started crawling, even though he had the air #noc#ed out o$ him. &s soon as it came bac#
into his lungs, he roared, @8:, 8:, 8:FC
0e bellied down against the ground.
<=A<6. <=A<6. <=A<6.
<rom up above him, blac# arms smashed through the $loorboards and swung about wildly li#e
nightmare plants trying to encircle their prey.
Peter dodged one that came within inches o$ his $ace.
@P-"-RFC Dill screamed. Peter loo#ed over.
:ne o$ the arms had grabbed Dill=s shirt, and he couldn=t get away.
Peter crawled ne?t to his $riend and aimed his best #ung $u #ic# right into the $orearm o$ the
grasping limb.
,!&P.
)t was li#e doing a #arate chop through a dry stic#.
"he upper arm disappeared into the hole in the $loor above them. "he hand still hung on to
Dill=s shirt.
@8:FC Peter howled. Dill didn=t have to be told twice.
"hey got clear o$ the edge o$ the school building and struggled to their $eet.
"he hand was still holding on to Dill=s shirt. 0e screeched and sJuealed, and #noc#ed it away
li#e it was a wasp crawling up his (eans.
"he hand hit the ground and spasmed, then tried to grab on to anything within its reach.
&round the corner o$ the scary church, a hobo appeared. )ts $ace was a horrible mass o$ burned
wrin#les, with blac#ened teeth (utting out o$ a lipless mouth.
@RI!FC Peter screamed.
"hey pounded through the $orest, crashing through vines, over logs, through branches,
whatever stood in their way.
"wice Peter $elt the brush o$ a hand at his bac#.
"wice, he pulled $arther ahead in a burst o$ adrenalin and never loo#ed bac#.
Dill was o$$ to his right, loo#ing li#e the devil was at his very heels.
Peter could see the sunlight up ahead through another two hundred $eet o$ trees. "he empty
$ield lay (ust beyond the $orest.
)$ only he could ma#e it to the sun, it would be alright.
"here was a swipe across his nec#. 0e $elt the rough touch o$ burned woodHor burned
boneHscrape across his s#in.
& hundred $eet awayH
<i$ty $eet awayH
"en $eet awayH
,omething pulled at his shirt. "ugged hard.
)t was dragging him bac# into the dar#ness.
9ith a prayer and all his strength, Peter $lung himsel$ $orward, over the last shadow cast by
the trees, and slammed down onto the ground.
0e dragged himsel$ to his $orearms, panting, his chest heaving. Dill was a $ew $eet away. 0is
breathing sounded li#e a dying man in the hospital. Aoth o$ them loo#ed bac#.
&t the very edge o$ the $orest, where the last bit o$ shadow ended and the sunlight began,
thirteen men in blac# stood, their burned $aces and their sightless eyes $i?ed on Dill and Peter.
Aoth boys screamed.
)t didn=t matter how much their throats and chests burned, the boys got to their $eet and ran
and ran and ran.
%
They didn=t stop until they had passed the garden and reached the rose bushes.
Peter loo#ed behind him to ma#e sure they were sa$e. <ive hundred $eet o$ empty $ield
stretched behind them.
0e collapsed to his #nees and tried to #eep $rom throwing up as he gasped $or air.
@DudeHhhhhHhhhHthat wasHmessed 79,C Dill panted.
@!owHdo youHbelieve meBC Peter gasped.
Dill rolled onto his bac# and nodded his head. @DeahHoh man, ) thin# ) peed my pantsHC
@&gainBFC
@Must a little. ) mean, not really, it=s (ust something ) say,C Dill stuttered, then scowled. @9hy
the crap did you ta#e me out there when you #new about those $rea#sBFC
@Dou didn=t believe meF Aesides, ) didn=t #now they=d be waiting $or usFC
Dill sat up, his $ace twisted in $ear. @9hat do we doB "hey really ould come a$ter us tonight
G what do we doBFC
Peter was at a loss. @) don=t #nowH) guessHwe have to tell somebody, Kcause we gotta get
out o$ here. &nd we can=t leave our $amilies behind to get eaten.C
@P$$, ) can totally leave mine,C Dill sco$$ed. @!speially i$ they get eaten.C
@9ell, )=m not leaving my mom or my sister, no matter what.C
@!obody=s going to believe us,C Dill pointed out.
Peter sJuinted out into the garden, still empty and serene.
@) don=t #now about that.C 0e stood up and dusted o$$ his pants. @8o inside and get changed.
)=ll give you a call soon.C
@:#ay,C Dill agreed, then got mad. @0eyFC
@9hatBC
@9hy would ) have to changeBC
@Aecause youHli#e clean underwearBC
@) didn=t pee my pantsFC
@:#ay, o#ay.C Peter started $or the house.
@Aut maybe )=ll change Kem anyway,C Dill called a$ter him. @Clean underwear is good every
once in awhileHC
&
The $ront door crea#ed open. Peter loo#ed around the $oyer. !o sign o$ anyone.
0e went to the right o$ the stairwell, through the cavernous dining room, and bac# into another
hallway. 0e was almost to the #itchen when he passed an open door and glimpsed a room he
hadn=t seen be$ore.
)t was an enormous study, thirty $eet high and every wall a shel$ $ull o$ boo#s. /ost o$ them
were bound in leather, and though there were only a hand$ul o$ colors G blac#, brown, red, blue,
yellow, and white G the various shades seemed limitless.
"here were no windows. & do'en or more $ree>standing shelves stood in the middle o$ the
room, each one loaded down with ancient volumes. & glimmering chandelier with a million
cascading crystals hung high overhead. "he smell o$ old paper $illed Peter=s nose, and the
monotonous tik$ tok$ tik o$ an unseen cloc# was the only sound.
& giant mahogany des# sat $acing the door. )ts sur$ace was clean and bare e?cept $or a pile o$
boo#s and a stained glass lamp that cast a so$t, multicolored light. &nd sitting behind the des# in
a humongous leather chair was 8rand$ather.
0e loo#ed up $rom his reading, his eyes wild behind a tiny pair o$ reading glasses.
@Aoy, come in here !:9.C
Peter tried to #eep his stomach $rom turning inside out as he stepped mee#ly into the room.
"his was it. 8rand$ather was going to span# him, and beat him, and tie him up and throw him
out o$ the house $or disobeying about the garden G
8rand$ather returned to reading his boo#. @Dour mother is out getting the car $i?ed.C
What* That "as it*
@)H) #now,C Peter replied.
@Dou doBC 8rand$ather cast a sharp loo# upward. @Dou were in the house be$ore ) got homeBC
@D>yes,C Peter gulped.
@!o doubt you went and got into all sorts o$ mischie$ with that little id(it across the way,C
8rand$ather grumbled. @)=m telling you, that boy is no good. 0e will lead you down a path o$
ruin i$ you $ollow him.C
8rand$ather went bac# to reading his boo#, and Peter stood there wrestling with his
conscience.
&o I say anything a)out the garden and the "oods*
)$ he did, 8rand$ather would #ill him.
!o, not reallyHbut Peter had seen glimpses o$ the old man=s anger. 0e wasn=t loo#ing
$orward to a $ull>$ledged meltdown.
&nd maybe those burned men in the $orest would leave him alone. /aybe they would never
come bac#Hmaybe this would all blow over, and things would go bac# to normal, and
mentioning it to 8rand$ather would only be inviting misery over a problem that might not ever
happen.
Aut in his heart, Peter #new none o$ that was true. &nd i$ he didn=t tell now, and they did
come bac#Hmaybe as /om and Aeth were opening up the $ront doorH
Peter shuddered.
@)H) wentHmmmmmarden,C Peter mumbled.
@9hat, are you still hereBC 8rand$ather as#ed without loo#ing up. @,pit those pebbles out o$
your mouth, boy.C
@)H) wentHinto the garden,C Peter whimpered.
8rand$ather loo#ed up but didn=t say anything. 0is $ace was empty o$ any emotion.
@&ndHand ) wentHinto the woods,C Peter continued. @&ndHand ) saw something.C
8rand$ather was silent. "here was only the tik$ tok$ tik o$ the unseen cloc#.
0e removed his glasses, $olded them, and laid them on the des#. 9hen he $inally spo#e, his
voice was Juiet, almost a whisper.
@Dou $ool. Dou young, idiot $ool.C
'
Then the power surged bac# into the old man=s voice. @9henBC
@9hen whatBC Peter as#ed.
@9hen did you go into the garden and woodsBC
Peter laid out the story with no interruptions $rom 8rand$ather. ,aturday night in the garden,
and the horrible burned man gathering vegetables there. Last night, ,unday, and the thirteen
hobos pointing at Peter=s window. "oday, less than an hour ago, and the horrible church in the
woods, the chase through the trees, and the thirteen burned $igures stopped at the edge o$ the
shadowy $orest.
"he e?pression on 8rand$ather=s $ace never changed once.
@H)=m sorry,C Peter ended.
9ithout any indication that he had heard, 8rand$ather loo#ed high above Peter, who craned
his nec# to $ollow the old man=s ga'e. "here was the cloc# over the entry to the study. &n oa#>
$ramed piece o$ art, its gold hands pointed to Roman numerals that Peter had learned last year in
third grade. "he time was .0.
8rand$ather moved with une?pected speed as he slammed the boo#, got up $rom the des#, and
strode towards the door. Peter tensed, sure that 8rand$ather=s bony claw would grab his arm and
drag him along through the $orbidden door, where Peter would learn what Kon pain o$ death=
really meant G
Aut 8rand$ather (ust swept right past him, into the hall, and on to the #itchen. Peter too# a
second to recover $rom the shoc#, then ran a$ter him.
)n the #itchen, 8rand$ather slid the old, beaten phone over the counter. )t still had a rotary dial,
which clic#ed and whirred under the old man=s stubby $inger.
@"haddeusBC 8rand$ather boomed. @"his is ,eamus <lanagan. /y daughter brought a car into
your shop today. 0ave you $i?ed it yetBC
Peter could hear the garbled voice that replied, but could not ma#e out what it said.
@Aut you haven=t given it bac# yetB 8ood. "ell /elissa that you caused a problem, a serious
problem, and she can=t drive the car till it=s $i?ed. "hen tell her it will ta#e three hours, and $i? it
while she waits.C
"he voice sounded pu''led on the other end.
@) #now there=s no problem. /a#e one up and stall $or time. ,end her and my granddaughter
across the street to Lowman=s diner, and pay $or her meal, since you caused the problem.C
,houting, li#e a voice on helium.
@) don=t care about your reputation, and ) #now you go home at si? G do it anyway. )=ll pay
you 00 dollars above whatever you would normally charge, overtime included. !oB "hen how
much do you wantBC
"here was a pause on the other end. "hen, a $ew tentative words.
@<ine. )t=s a deal. Aut whatever you do, D: !:" L-" 0-R :R /D 8R&!DD&I80"-R
C:/- 0:/- I!")L D:I 0-&R <R:/ /- &8&)!.C
8rand$ather banged down the phone and turned to Peter.
@Dou=ve caused a hell$ire amount o$ trouble, and now you=re going to cost me precious time
ma#ing sure you=re sa$e.C
@9hat do you meanBC
@,a$eF ,a$eF ) have to get you to sa$etyFC 8rand$ather bellowed. @9hat part don=t you
understandBC
@9hat about DillBC
8rand$ather=s $ace got red. @Did that id(it do thisBF Did he G C
@0e got me to go into the garden, but ) made him go into the woods,C Peter interrupted.
@9hy in heaven=s name did you ma#e him go into the woodsBC
@Aecause he didn=t believe me. 0e didn=t see anything in the garden.C
8rand$ather shoo# his head. @) never thought ) would see the day when that little $ool showed
more brains in his head than my own $lesh and blood.C
@)s he in dangerBC Peter as#ed $rantically.
@:h, yes. "hat=s putting it mildly.C
@9hyBFC
@9hat do you mean, KwhyB=C
@9ho are theyB 9hy are we in dangerBC
@9e don=t have time $or this, boy G C
@"ell meFC Peter yelled, almost on the verge o$ hysteria. @)$ )=m going to die, ) want to #now
whyFC
8rand$ather didn=t reach out, and he didn=t #neel down or anything li#e what they normally do
on "7. Aut his eyes weren=t as angry, and his voice was the tiniest bit so$ter.
@9e have a lot to do be$ore sundown, boy. 8et your $riend over here, !:9, and )=ll tell you
what ) can while you both help me ma#e preparations.C
8rand$ather turned away and wal#ed down the hall.
@,o we=re not going to dieBC Peter called a$ter him.
@) didn=t say that,C 8rand$ather shouted bac# without stopping.
Peter waited a $ew seconds $or the punch line, or at least a reassurance. !one came.
@"hat was a (o#e, rightBC Peter yelled. A=ight*1
8rand$ather=s $eet $aded away.
@:h crap,C Peter $retted, and dashed out the screen door to Dill=s house.
!(
The two boys stood at the wide entrance to the garage, which was ten times bigger than it
needed to be to house 8rand$ather=s 160=s <ord pic#up truc#. "he building was $alling apart,
with more gaps in the weathered boards than actual protection $rom the rain. )nside, all sorts o$
(un# hung on the walls. 8rand$ather was pulling items o$$, one by one, and stac#ing them on a
ric#ety pine table. a pitch$or#, a hatchet, and an assortment o$ (agged>loo#ing cutting tools.
Peter loo#ed up. "he sun was high enough that the s#y wasn=t red yet, but it would get there
soon. ,hadows stretched long on the ground.
Dill grew increasingly edgier the longer he stared at 8rand$ather. 0e shi$ted $rom $oot to $oot
the way a trapped ga'elle might as a lion paced nearby.
@Dude, do ) have to be hereBC Dill whispered to Peter.
@Des, you id(it, you do,C 8rand$ather growled as he uncapped a metal canister o$ gasoline.
@Dou both trespassed, you both committed acts ) $orbade you to do, and you have upset $orces
you #now nothing o$. ,o, in your possibly $inal $ew hours here on earth, ) thin# a lesson detailing
your stupidity and arrogance are in order.C
@)s he #idding about our K$inal $ew hours here on earth=BC Dill whispered again.
@) don=t thin# so,C Peter replied glumly.
@8reeeeeaaaaat.C
8rand$ather pointed at Peter. @) told you speci$ically not to go in the garden.C
@Aut you didn=t say why.C
8rand$ather shouted and shoo# so much that spittle $lew $rom his mouth. @) shouldn=t have to
say whyF ) should say, KDon=t do it,= and you don=t do itF PeriodFC
@)$ you=d told us there were dead dudes in the garden, ) thin# maybe we would=ve stayed
away,C Dill pointed out.
Peter marveled at Dill=s calm collectedness as he spo#e. 8rand$ather=s screaming turned
Peter=s #nees into (elly. Dill was normally $rightened out o$ his s#ull by any mention o$ the old
man, but here he was, being yelled at, and he had the presence o$ mind G or stupidity G to
answer.
8rand$ather grabbed the table and leaned way over, li#e a vulture. @:r maybe you might have
wanted to go into the garden even more.C
Dill loo#ed $rom side to side, considering. "hen he shrugged. @:#ay, that=s probably true.C
@<oolsFC 8rand$ather pointed at Peter again. @&nd then you ma#e the most egregious blunder
o$ all, and actually go and disturb them in their cursed sanctuaryFC
@9hat=s a sanctuaryBC Peter as#ed, trying to $a#e coolness li#e Dill.
@9hat=s an egre G egre G egretBC Dill as#ed.
@"hat=s a bird,C Peter whispered.
@9hat=s a bird got to do with dead hobosBC Dill whispered bac#.
@<irst o$$, they are not Khobos,=C 8rand$ather snapped. @"hey are a $amily called the
"odenhorns, and they died over two hundred years ago.C
Peter and Dill stared.
@) thin# ) li#ed hobos better,C Dill said.
!1
)They were a $amily o$ Juestionable character, a $ather and his twelve sons who came here
$rom -urope G some say Kescaped= here, possibly because o$ a murder one o$ the younger sons
was rumored to have committed. Peter, your great>great>great>great>great>great>great>
grand$ather Mohn ,tephen <lannagan lived in this house at the time the "odenhorns arrived by
boat and too# a sta#e on the land, shortly a$ter the &merican Revolution. K"oo# a sta#e= G they
did not pay, though the land legally belonged to Mohn ,tephen. 0e was a peaceable man, not
inclined to con$rontation. Aesides, they built $ar enough $rom his house that he could #eep his
distance until the matter was resolved in court. & traveling (udge made the circuit every $ive
months, and the "odenhorns had arrived (ust a$ter the (udge=s last round. Mohn ,tephen was
biding his time until he could get a legal notice o$ eviction, and then the elected lawman o$ the
town could ta#e over.
@"hings were mostly unremar#able with his new neighbors until Mohn noticed that the crops he
tended were lighter than the previous year=s harvest. 0e had no proo$, though he suspected the
men were thieving $rom his gardens in the pitch blac# o$ night.
@0e con$ronted the old man o$ the $amily once, out in the open $ield. 0e calmly told the $ather
that he understood they might be in need o$ $ood, but Mohn needed it to $eed his own $amily.
,ince the "odenhorns had money $or tools, surely they could a$$ord to $eed themselves. :r, i$
not, they should at least barter $or Mohn=s $ood G with meat they caught, or labor, or something.
@&s Mohn made his case, $irst one tall son wal#ed up behind his $ather, then another, then
another, until all thirteen men o$ the "odenhorn clan stood $acing Mohn ,tephen. 0e was
somewhat rattled by the display, but he $inished spea#ing his peace nonetheless.
@"he old man=s only reply was in heavily accented -nglish. K"his is $rom the land. )t is our
land. "hey give us the land. 9e ta#e what we want. !ot yours.=
@!o one moved. Mohn surmised the tal#s were over, and wal#ed Juic#ly bac# to his house. "he
brothers and $ather stood there, watching him go, and did not move until he had entered his
home.
@"hey were an odd sort, and they #ept mostly to themselves. 9hatever else their $aults, they
were industrious G by their own hands they managed to clear the entire $ield o$ trees and build a
house in the space o$ three wee#s. "hey had a goodly sum o$ cash on hand to buy hammers and
saws in town, which $urther $ueled gossip o$ robbery and murder bac# in 8ermany, or the
!etherlands, or wherever it was they came $rom.
@"hey were also hunters, or seemed to be, $or they spent an inordinate amount o$ time in the
woods. 0ours at a time, and odd hours at that. Mohn ,tephen wrote in his diaries that he would
see them trudging into the woods at dus#, lanterns bla'ing, and disappear into the trees.
@)t was not until months later that a <rench trapper revealed the truth. 0e was in the woods
gaming $or beaver and $o? pelts when he noticed a building bac# in the $ar reaches o$ the $orest.
0e investigated and $ound what appeared to be a church, but one unli#e any he had ever seen
be$ore. "here were no crosses, no signs o$ ChristianityHinstead, there were animal s#ulls and
bones, and strange bindings o$ plants and $lowers that lined the walls. & wooden stump was the
centerpiece o$ the building G the walls and $loor had evidently been built up around it. :n that
stump was the evidence o$ do'ens o$ #ni$e mar#s, and perhaps what might have been burned
sacri$ices. :$ animals or plants, the <renchman could not say.
@)n his state o$ ama'ement, he did not notice the man who entered the building behind him. 0e
was young, with a scru$$y beard and long overcoat. 0e carried an a? with him, and shouted in a
strange, garbled language the <renchman did not understand.
@K) am sorry,= the <renchman said in his mother tongue, K) did not mean to trespass.=
@"he stranger answered in bro#en <rench, KDou are on holy ground. Leave be$ore ) #ill you.=
@"he <renchman protested, KAut there aren=t any crosses.=
@K9e $ollow the old gods, the gods o$ the $orest and death,= the man said, and suddenly rushed
at the <renchman with his a?. !ow, the <renchman was used to outwitting bears and wolves, so a
man was not impossible to escape. 0e rushed over the rough benches and burst into the open,
and $ast as he could he ran to the town, where he spread the word about the $amily. they were
pagans who believed in strange $orces and spirits o$ nature.
@"hat was something the 8od>$earing people o$ the township could not stand. ,tolen land and
$ood could be abided, $or awhileHbut these were heathens with dar# belie$s. <or that, they
would be $orced to leave Dus#erville township immediately.
@& delegation o$ $ive men gathered that a$ternoon to deliver an ultimatum to the "odenhorn
clan. leave this place and never come bac#, or su$$er the conseJuences. "hough he would have
been glad to have the thieves gone, Moseph ,tephen begged the men to wait $or the traveling
magistrate.
@"he men re$used and went to the house. "hey banged on the door and demanded the $amily
come out. Mohn had re$used to go, but he stood outside waiting. 0e wrote that he could hear
angry voices on the wind, and then the sound o$ gun$ire. 9ithout waiting to see what had
happened, he hurried inside and barricaded his $amily within. 0e didn=t #now i$ it was the
brothers or the townsmen who had $ired, but he $eared the worst.
@)t turned out the clan shot $irst, and in doing so #illed two o$ the men $rom the town. "he
three who lived claimed that the $ather and his eldest son had shot without provocation, but years
later, one o$ the townsmen recanted, and said that it was a shoving match that escalated too $ast.
@!o matter G two men were dead. )t was murder at worst, manslaughter at the very least. Aut
rather than #ill the entire group, the $ather and sons (ust stood and watched as the three survivors
$led.
@Perhaps later the "odenhorns wished that they had $inished them all o$$. "he three men ran
into town, screaming about the madmen by the $orest, claiming they had hauled o$$ the bodies to
ma#e sacri$ices to their demon gods. Ay night$all, a mob o$ $i$ty men passed by Mohn ,tephen=s
house with torches and guns. Mohn tried to reason with them, but the mayor assured him that
(ustice would be done, that this was an Ko$$icial= underta#ing o$ the town and that all the men had
been deputi'ed. Mohn watched them go, and heard them murmuring about how many ropes and
trees they would need that night.
@"he mob descended on the house and $ound the bodies o$ the two dead men still outside,
untouched.
@&s the representative o$ the mob, the mayor yelled out that the entire $amily was to surrender
themselves on charges o$ murder. "he $ather yelled bac# an obscenity, $ollowed by the oath,
K"he land is oursHwe are o$ it, we will stay $oreverF=
@"he mayor warned them that this was their last chance, but there was no $urther answer $rom
the house.
@"he townsmen claimed later that it had been a spur>o$>the>moment idea, but someone had
obviously been preparing, because they had brought along gallons and gallons o$ #erosene. "hey
doused the new wood o$ the house and lit it with their torches. "hose same men claimed they had
only been trying to smo#e the $amily out, not #ill them G and that may have been true. Aut the
old man and his sons surprised them. -ven as the $lames climbed high into the night, and the roo$
collapsed down upon them, the "odenhorns re$used to leave the house. People tal#ed a$terwards
o$ the screams, but no one would go in to save them. &nd absolutely no one came out.
@"hey searched the ashes in the morning and $ound thirteen charred bodies. "hey dug a giant
hole right there on the cli$$ and buried them without so much as a prayer $or 8od to be merci$ul
to their souls. /aybe that=s the way the $amily would have wanted itHwhy would a pagan care
i$ someone read a Aible over his graveB
@!o one in the town tal#ed about that night ever againHat least, not $or years, and only then
in hushed tones. /ost o$ them (ust tried to $orget that it had ever happened. )t was over and done
with, as $ar as they were concerned.
@Aut it wasn=t over. !ot at all.C
!
)Two wee#s a$ter the $ire, Mohn ,tephen noticed that he was again losing vegetables $rom his
garden. 0e immediately $elt bad and wondered i$ he had made a $alse accusation. Perhaps the
$amily had not been stealing $rom him at all. )n his diary he wrote that a$ter the $i$th straight day
o$ his ripe plants being pluc#ed clean, he stayed up with a shotgun to wait $or the thie$=s return.
@&bout midnight, a rustling in the garden roused him $rom sleep. 0e called out to the person
to show himsel$, that he had a gun, but there was no answer. ,tupidly, as he admitted, he
ventured into the garden. )t too# him a minute, but he $ound his thie$.
@-?cept the thie$ was a corpse, charred blac# as coal, with no eyes in his head.
@Mohn ,tephen dropped the gun in $right and ran $or the house. "he ne?t morning he $ound his
gun undisturbed and the $ield again pic#ed clean o$ ripe vegetables.
@Perhaps embarrassed by his cowardly showing the night be$ore, he warned his wi$e and three
small children to stay indoors be$ore he set out $or the site o$ the burned>down house and the
mass grave.
@9hat he $ound there chilled his soul. "he giant hole loo#ed as though it had been dug upH
$rom the inside out. <ootprints led $rom the grave to the house, to the remains o$ a wardrobe that
had not been completely consumed by the $ire. )nside hung a $ew blac#ened pantsHbut the most
notable thing was that the wardrobe was otherwise empty. &s though someone had ta#en the
clothes out and gotten dressed.
@Cowardice be damned, Mohn ,tephen ran bac# to his $amily and moved them to his in>laws=
cabin two miles away. <or seven wee#s he #ept vigil at night, waiting $or 8od #nows whatHbut
it never came. "he garden was pic#ed bare, and he saw lanterns every so o$ten in the nighttime
woods, but nothing more. -ventually he moved his $amily bac# into the house and $orbade them
to go into the garden, or the $ield beyond it, ever again. 0e planted hedges o$ rose bushes as a
barrier $or his little ones, and ordered them never to step past the $lowers.
@0e told a $ew o$ the townsmen, but everyone (ust laughed at him and promptly $orgot. !o
one wanted to remember anything about that horrible day, and Mohn ,tephen=s wild tales were an
uncom$ortable reminder.
@"hen one day the townspeople reali'ed that the "odenhorns= pagan temple was still standing.
,ince it was an a$$ront to their religion G and the one $inal reminder o$ their unbridled K(ustice=
G two men were elected to go into the woods, $ind the thing, and tear it down.
@"hey never returned.
@"wo days later, a search party o$ $ive men went out loo#ing $or them. "hey never returned,
either.
@!o one had to point out that all seven o$ the missing men had been part o$ the mob that
burned down the "odenhorns= house. &nd since the rest o$ the men in town had been present that
night, it was decided that the matter would best be dropped. !o one ventured into the $orest near
the property again.
@&nd so it continued $or 200 years,C 8rand$ather growled, @until a $ool o$ a ne?t>door
neighbor child stole into the garden one autumn night and set $ire to the dried>out hus#s o$ corn.
"he only things still le$t were the watermelons, but that was enough. &pparently the "odenhorns
were waiting on them to ripen $ully. )nstead, they burst li#e mortars and wo#e me up in the
middle o$ the night.C
@) didn=t #now watermelons e?plodedFC Dill protested.
@QI)-"FC 8rand$ather thundered G then sighed. @) #new they might come $or restitution.
"here were precedents in our $amily=s records, when someone had wandered where they
shouldn=t have. ,o ) $ollowed the instructions o$ my great>great>grand uncle. ) bought a steer
$rom a $armer in town, then delivered it unconscious to the edge o$ the garden at night. Ay the
time ) was bac# to the truc#, ) saw a shadowy $igure with a lantern pour something over the
animal, and it burst into $lames. "it $or tat, ) guess they saw it. Aurn something o$ theirs, burn
something o$ ours.C
@:hhhhhh, so you=re not a hippo crib,C Dill reali'ed.
8rand$ather $rowned. @9hatBC
@!othing,C Peter said. @9ellHwhy would they come a$ter usB 9e didn=t steal any o$ their
$ood this time.C @&nd we didn=t blow up the watermelons, either,C Dill pointed out.
@Aut you entered their house o$ pagan worship, and no one who set out a$ter it has ever
returned. -?cept $or you two. ) have a $eeling they won=t let that stand.C
Peter $elt cold $ingers creeping up his legs and bac#. @9ell, what do we doBC
@"hey=re 'ombies,C Dill piped up. @9e shoot Kem in the head.C
@"hey=re not 'ombies,C 8rand$ather snarled. @Oombies are $rom 0aiti and the 9est )ndies.C
@9ell what are they, thenBC Dill snapped bac#.
@Dead men.C
Dill rolled his eyes. @:h yeah, 'ombies and dead guys, two totally di$$erent things.C
@9hat do we doBC Peter repeated.
8rand$ather loo#ed up at the s#y. Red clouds glowed on the hori'on, and the orange sun was
dipping $ast behind the trees.
0e grabbed some o$ the sharp gardening tools on the table and handed them to Dill and Peter.
"hen he grabbed the pitch$or# and hatchet $or himsel$.
@8o insideHloc# yoursel$ in your roomHand pray.C
Dill and Peter loo#ed at him, bewildered.
@8)"FC 8rand$ather roared.
"hey turned and raced bac# to the house.
@) don=t thin# that=s much o$ a plan,C Dill muttered once they were inside.
!!
The boys stood by the ledge in Peter=s room, arms braced on the pillows, their bodies leaning
$orward. "hey watched the s#y outside the window turn deep violet. "he shadow o$ the house
stretched across the entire lawn, swallowing everything in its path. &nd the dar#ness in the $orest
#ept getting deeper and deeper.
@/aybe nothing=ll happen,C Dill o$$ered.
@/aybe,C Peter said without much hope.
@/aybe, you #now, they=re (ust misunderstood. Cu' i$ somebody burned down my house and
#illed me, )=d be a little mad. ) thin# ) might chase people away, but ) don=t thin# )=d come after
them. KDou=re gone, we=re cool,= you #nowBC
@9ould you have shot peopleBC Peter countered.
@/aybe they dropped the gun and it went o$$ by accident.C
@"wiceBC
@0appens in the movies.C
Peter pointed out the window. @,o does this #ind o$ stu$$.C
@Deah,C Dill agreed reluctantly.
@Do those movies usually have happy endingsBC
@)$ one guy out o$ everybody not dying is a happy ending, then yeah. Aut we got two guys
here, so one o$ us is going to have a very unhappy ending.C
@"hree. 8rand$ather=s downstairs.C
@)$ he=s the only one that goes, that=d be a real happy ending $or me.C
@DillFC
@,orry.C Dill sighed. @) gotta start watching more movies with happy endings.C
@0eyH) got a Juestion,C Peter said.
@DeahBC
@Dou=re so scared o$ my grand$ather, but when he was shouting at us, you didn=t seem to care
G you even tal#ed bac# to him. ) don=t get it.C
Dill shrugged. @)=m used to my whole $amily screaming at me all the time. 9hen your
grand$ather=s screaming at me but not chasing me, )=m o#ay. 9hen somebody=s Juiet or when
they=re chasing you, thats when you gotta watch out.C
"he entire lawn was in shadow now. ,tars shone in the s#y overhead. Dar#ness had $allen.
&nd down near the $orest=s edge, a $igure in blac# stole out onto the grass.
<ollowed by another.
&nd another.
&nd another.
Peter=s heart s#ipped a beat every time another body ran out o$ the woods.
"hirteen s#ipped beats in all.
Dill gripped Peter=s arm so hard he bruised it.
@PeteHC
@DeahBC
@)$ this doesn=t go so great, ) (ust wanted to tell youHC
Dill paused. "he dar# $igures were hal$way across the lawn. !ow the boys could see their
(ac#ets $lapping behind them.
@Dou=ve been a good $riend, too, Dill,C Peter $inished.
@0uhB "hat=s not what ) was going to say.C
@9hat, thenBC
@) (ust wanted to tell you )=m really P.:.=d at you $or ma#ing me go in the $orest.C
Peter stared at Dill.
@Aut ) $orgive you,C Dill continued.
@"han#s,C Peter snapped.
"he burned men were in the garden now.
"he $irst one reached the rose bushes.
Aut no matter how close they were, their $loppy blac# hats hid any trace o$ their $aces.
"hey were all out o$ the garden now, and they split into two groups. :ne gang headed le$t
around the house, and the other group headed right.
"hen they disappeared. "hey were too close to the house to be seen.
Theyre pro)a)ly hugging the "alls right no".
Will they ome in through the kithen$ or the front door*
%r )oth*
"here was the sound o$ the #itchen door reeeeeaaaaking open.
@:h my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh,C Dill whimpered.
<rom out in the $ront hall, there was a dull thudding on the door. "hen the crashing o$ glass.
@) gotta pee, man,C Dill whined.
Peter turned towards Dill and hushed him. @Dou can=t pee, there=s not G C
Dill screamed bloody murder. Peter swung bac# towards the window.
"here was a dead man in the tree, not $ive $eet away. 0is charred $ace did not cover his
blac#ened teeth, and his empty eye soc#ets stared in blind hatred at the boys.
!"
Peter screamed, too, and ran out the door and into the hall. Dill was close behind. Down on
the $irst $loor, charred>blac# arms $lailed wildly through the bro#en glass panes surrounding the
$ront door. 8rand$ather braced himsel$ against the door and swung his hatchet at the grasping
hands.
0e saw Peter. @8et bac# in your roomFC he thundered.
@"hey=re coming through the windowFC Peter screamed.
@"hen G rrrrrrRRRRFC
8rand$ather turned to a couple o$ burnt men who had gotten in through the #itchen.
8rand$ather roared and impaled one o$ them on his pitch$or#.
"he other dead creature $lung himsel$ up the stairs, his empty eyes $ocused on Peter and Dill.
@&&&&0000FC Dill screamed as he ran bac# into Peter=s room.
"here was a tin#ling o$ glass $rom the bedroom window. "he dead man in the tree po#ed his
arm through a shattered pane.
@&&&&&0000FC Dill screamed as he ran bac# out o$ Peter=s room.
"he dead man on the stairs was up to the second $loor.
@RI!, A:DFC 8rand$ather yelled, then hatcheted another dead man rushing into the $oyer.
Peter grabbed Dill=s shirt. @Come onFC
@9here=re we goingBC
@Aac# up on the roo$ G hurryFC
"hey ran to the doorway they had opened (ust hours be$ore. Peter had a bad second when the
#nob wouldn=t turn.
&id Grandfather lok it*
@"he hobo=s coming up the stairsFC Dill screeched.
Aut the #nob was (ust stuc#. 9ith one hard twist Peter $orced the door open. 0e and Dill
spilled inside and Peter slammed it shut.
"he last thing he saw was the burned s#ull o$ a dead man through the third>$loor banister.
Peter $umbled in the dar#ness and managed to loc# the door.
<lik.
"hen came a BA>8 as the dead man slammed into the door on the other side.
BA>8 BA>8 BA>8
Dill bac#ed away. @9hat do we do nowBC
Peter loo#ed around $or a weapon in the dar#nessE only a $ew pale moonbeams shone through
s#ylight above. 0e had stupidly le$t the cutting tools bac# in the bedroom, and unless stu$$ed
owls $rightened these guys, there wasn=t much in here to use $or de$ense.
@9e gotta go up on the roo$ and try to escape that way.C
@0owBC
@)$ we get to my tree G C
@"here=s a dead guy on that treeFC Dill howled.
@0e=s probably inside by now.C
&s i$ to underscore his point, the blows on the door doubled, as though two people were now
slamming against it.
BA>/BA>8 BA>/BA>8 BA>/BA>8
@:h crap,C Dill moaned.
@Let=s goFC Peter shouted, and they darted up the winding iron staircase.
!#
Peter hit his head on the trapdoor and pushed with a mighty heave. "he door clattered on the
roo$ and cold air rushed in.
"he stars were so beauti$ulHPeter couldn=t help but thin# that at least it would be pretty
where he died tonight.
0e pulled Dill up on his $eet and they loo#ed over the balcony=s edge, down towards Peter=s
third $loor bedroom and the tree beside it.
In$ortunately, Peter had $orgotten how steep the roo$ was.
7ery steep.
&nd in the dar# it loo#ed more li#e a vertical wall, then a plunge into nothingness. -?cept
Peter #new that there was de$initely ground down there, si?ty $eet below.
:tay up here and get killed )y dead guys'or go out there$ fall$ and get killed.
%r fall$ get paraly(ed$ and then get killed )y dead guys.
Great.
Dill grabbed the railing and hoisted a $oot over.
Peter pulled him bac#. @9hat are you doingBC he screamed $rantically.
@8ettin= down to that tree,C Dill pointed. @)sn=t that why we came up hereBC
@) can=t go down thereFC Peter wailed.
@9hy notBFC
@)H)HC
"he emptiness at the edge o$ the roo$ seemed to grow be$ore his eyes.
@) don=t li#e heights,C Peter whispered. @) can=t stand them.C
@Dou climbed down the treeFC
@"hat=s di$$erent, there=s something to hang on toFC
Dill snapped his $ingers. @0old onFC "hen he disappeared bac# into the trapdoor.
@9hat are you doingBFC Peter yelled at him.
@0old on81 Dill=s mu$$led voice $loated up. @) saw somethin= we can useHC
BA>8 BA>8 BA>8 came $rom down in the dar#ness.
Dill=s head popped bac# up out o$ the hole. @)=m o#ayFC he cheerily announced as he plun#ed
down a coil o$ rope on the balcony $loor. @"hey=re still having a hard time getting through the
door.C
Peter unwound the rope. "here was maybe 1 $eet o$ slac#.
@Dill, this isn=t enough to climb downFC
Dill $rowned. @Crap. :#ay, )=ll go bac# down and get some more.C
&s he started to put his $oot through the trapdoor, though, a splintering <=A:0 reverberated in
the dar#ness below.
@:r not,C he said hastily, and slammed the trapdoor closed. @8imme.C
Dill grabbed the rope and hastily tied a loop $irmly around his waist, #notted it several times,
then did the same $or Peter.
@9hat are you doingBC
@Dude, (ust pretend we=re mountain climbers. "hey tie a rope to each other, so we will too.C
@Dill, we=re going to $allFC Peter yelled.
@!o we=re not. ) climb li#e a mon#ey. Come on.C
Dill swung himsel$ over the balcony and onto the shingles.
@Dill, ) can=t G C
BA+G8
"he trap door under Peter (umped beneath his $eet, raising him two inches into the air be$ore
slamming bac# down.
"hey were right underneath him.
@Come on, man, we gotta goFC Dill screamed.
@9hat i$ ) $allBFC
@"he rope=ll catch youFC
@Inh>uh, it=ll ma#e you $all, tooFC
Dill stood up straight li#e he was shoc#ed. @)t willBC
BA+G8
Peter $lew up three inches into the air and slammed bac# down.
@:h 8od, please don=t let me dieeeeeeeeFC he yelled, and vaulted over the balcony. 0e landed
about eight $eet to the right o$ Dill.
@Don=t $all, D:!=" <&LLFC Dill hollered.
BA+G8
"he trapdoor e?ploded open. & charred $ace and crumbling hat pee#ed out o$ the hole, and
those sightless eyes $ound Peter.
)n a $lash, the thing bolted out o$ the hatch and strained one arm through the wooden rods o$
the balcony railing. "he s#eletal $ingers swiped the air (ust inches away $rom Peter=s $ace.
@8:, 8:FC Peter screamed as he began bac#ing down the roo$.
@)=/ 8:)!8, )=/ 8:)!8FC
"he dead man was climbing over the balcony railing now, his body a smudge o$ blac# against
the dar# violet s#y.
@D)LL, 0-=, C:/)!8, 0-=, C:/)!8FC Peter shrie#ed.
@)=m almost to the tree, ) almost got it G C
"he dead man stepped down onto the roo$.
Peter=s $oot slipped out $rom under him and he began to slide down the shingles.
,eeing his pri'e get away $rom him, the dead man lunged a$ter Peter and began to slide, too.
@D))))LLLLFC
Dill braced himsel$ and pulled the rope tight. Peter=s $all too# a curving arc, and he slid out o$
the path o$ the dead man and came slowly to a stop.
"he dead man, however, 'oomed right past Peter li#e a #id on a waterslide. 0is body shot into
the air. :nly at the last minute did his bony $ingers grasp the gutter on the edge o$ the roo$. "he
metal groaned under his weight, but it #ept him $rom $alling.
@Come on, dudeFC Dill hollered. 0e started pulling the rope up hand$ul by hand$ul. @Quit
loo#in= at him, we gotta get outta hereFC
Peter moved sideways li#e a crab, #eeping his whole body $lat against the shingles.
Aehind him came the sound o$ metal crunching. Loo#ing down, Peter saw that the hobo was
inching his hands along the gutter, dangle>wal#ing himsel$ on the metal pipe li#e it was a set o$
mon#eybars.
&nd the dead man was $ast.
Peter pic#ed up his pace. Dill put out a hand and hauled him up to his spot by the tree.
@"h>than#s,C Peter gasped.
@!o problem, now let=s goFC
Dill scurried the $ew e?tra $eet to the tree branch and began to climb down.
Peter loo#ed over at the hobo inching his way along the gutter. <urther up, three other dead
men had emerged $rom the trapdoor and were now crawling down the roo$ li#e giant blac#
spiders.
Peter lunged $or the tree branch and caught it under his armpits, rattling the limb badly.
@0ey, )=m climbin= over hereFC Dill shouted.
@,orry,C Peter whispered, and started his descent. 0e made it to the tree trun# at the same time
the dead man on the gutter reached the tree. :ne blac# hand shot out and grabbed the limb. 0e
let go o$ the gutter and swung onto the branch.
@Peter, (umpFC Dill yelled.
@9e=re too high upFC Peter called bac#. 0e was still at least twelve $eet o$$ the ground. Dill
was about $our $eet lower than him.
@0e=s coming too $ast, PeterFC
)t was true G maybe with all the muscle and $lesh burned o$$ him, the dead man was lighter.
9hatever the case, he swung down the tree branch with ease, twice as $ast as the boys.
@9- 8:""& D: )"FC Dill screamed. @:ne, two, threeFC
Peter let go. 0e seemed to $all $or an eternity.
!$
*hen his $eet hit the ground, Peter collapsed at the #nees and rolled. -lectric (abs shot
through his toes and calves, and he pounded the ground with his $ist to try and bloc# out the pain.
@:w ow ow ow ow ow ow,C Dill hissed over to the side. 0e was rolling around in the grass,
holding his #nees.
@Dou o#ayBC Peter as#ed.
@!:.C
"here was a rattling and shuddering o$ leaves above. Peter loo#ed up.
"he dead man was $alling through the air, his (ac#et $laring around him li#e a superhero=s
cape.
6A/T07>9. 0e slammed to the ground, legs spread wide, and hunched over li#e a wild
animal hunting its prey.
In$ortunately, Dill was closest. 0e screamed.
"he hobo sprang $orward, and its blac# hands closed around Dill=s nec#. 0is scream turned
into a strangled cry.
@D)LLFC Peter yelled. 0e started to move $orward, but his $oot was tangled in the rope.
The rope.
Peter didn=t #now what possessed him G maybe it was watching the Indiana ,ones movies a
do'en times G but he too# the slac# between him and Dill and threw it over the hobo=s head. &
loose loop encircled its nec# now.
"he monster paused $rom cho#ing Dill and loo#ed up almost Jui''ically.
9ith all his might, Peter yan#ed the rope hard as he could.
"he loop snapped straight and taut.
"he dead man=s head popped cleanly o$$ his body, twirled through the air, and T07+6!&
down into the grass.
@&&&&&&&00000FC Dill screamed, then lapsed into a $it o$ coughing.
9hat happened ne?t would have been comical i$ not $or the threat o$ imminent death. "he
hobo let go o$ Dill and $lung its hands up to its $ace G e?cept its $ace was no longer there. "he
hands $lailed around. <inding nothing, the hobo turned around as though loo#ing $or something,
and somehow magically sensed where its head lay. "he dead man got up o$$ o$ Dill and darted
over to its s#ull. 8ingerly, li#e cradling a baby, it li$ted the head into the air.
Peter watched in horri$ied ama'ement until he heard rustling above.
"wo dead men had reached the tree. &nd there were more above them, li#e an in$estation
spreading across the roo$.
<urther in the distance, Peter heard the distinct eeeeeeeW0A9"hap"hap o$ the #itchen screen
door slamming shut. 0e could imagine more dead men swarming out into the yard. "hey would
be here any second.
&nd now the headless hobo had turned around. Rather than try to replace his s#ull, he was
carrying it li#e a lantern.
Peter hoisted Dill to his $eet. "hey loo#ed at each other.
9ithout another word, they ran.
6A/T07>9. 6A/T07>9. "wo more dead men hit the grass behind them.
eeeeeeeW0A9"hap"hap
Peter didn=t dare loo# bac#.
"hey shot through a gap in the rose bushes and sped $or the garden. Dill rasped horribly
through his bruised throat.
&s they ran into the tomato plants, there was a tug at Peter=s waist. :ver to his right, Dill
screamed, and his voice went @uh9I0uhC li#e he=d been (er#ed bac#wards. Peter loo#ed
around, e?pecting to see one o$ the hobos with its arms encircling him. )nstead he saw the rope,
which he=d completely $orgotten. )t was snagging on the tomato plants and sta#es as the boys ran
past.
Aehind him, the dead men had reached the rose bush. 0e didn=t have time to count, but
somehow Peter #new instinctively that all thirteen were there.
& sad voice inside o$ him wondered what had happened to 8rand$ather. Aut there was no time
$or thatH
@"he rope, Dill, the ropeFC
Peter grabbed it, went bac# around the tomato plant, and got directly behind Dill.
"he dead men were hal$way to the garden.
@RI!, RI!FC
Dill too# o$$ again, and Peter $ollowed behind him with the rope coiled in his arms. 9ithout it
trailing behind and snagging plants, they made $ar better time.
Peter could hear the sounds o$ leaves snapping and swishing as the dead men reached the
garden.
"he boys roc#eted through the corn, the stal#s whipping around them and smac#ing Peter in
the $ace. "hen they were through, tromping into the open air and the blac# night s#y.
Ip ahead, there was no place to go. -?cept 200 yards to a hundred>$oot>tall cli$$.
Aehind them came the sound o$ the dead men crashing through the corn.
:n the right, the $orest. :n the le$t, more $ields.
!o matter where they turned, the dead men would eventually catch them.
@9hat do we doBC Dill hu$$ed as they #ept running towards the ocean.
<an "e use the rope to pop off all their heads*
+o'"e might get one$ )ut the others "ill kill us after that.
We ould irle around them$ try to trap them "ith the rope
But the rope is too small$ and "ell )e right ne@t to them$ "ithin arms reah.
Forest$ fields$ liff "ere dead.
&nd then it came to him.
Peter sped up and pulled even with Dill. 0e held enough rope in his hands that the remaining
slac# between them (ostled in the air instead o$ dragging on the ground.
@Run $or the cli$$FC he screamed at Dill.
@&re you cra'yBFC
@) have a planFC
@9hatBC
@"rust meFC
!%
There were no longer any sounds o$ cornstal#s being trampled under$oot. "he dead men were
out in the $ield, right behind them.
Ip ahead in the distance, Peter could ma#e out the silhouette o$ the tree on the cli$$.
@9hat=s your planBC Dill yelled again.
@9e=re going to (umpFC
@90&"BFC
Dill unconsciously slowed down.
Peter loo#ed bac#. "he dead men were only twenty $eet behind them and gaining ground.
@D)LLFC
Dill loo#ed over his shoulder, and shot $orward with a sudden burst o$ adrenalin. 0is lips
stretched tight over his $ace in a mas# o$ $ear.
@&R- D:I <R-&N)!= CR&ODBC
@Must go to the right o$ the treeFC Peter screamed. @&nd really (umpFC
"he tree was a hundred $eet ahead.
"wo do'en dead men=s $eet thudded on the grass behind them.
@Peter, we=ll dieF )t=s too highF &nd there are roc#s G C
Peter $elt the scrape o$ burned bone across his shoulders.
"he dead men were almost on top o$ them.
"he tree was ten $eet away.
@AR-&N R)80"FC Peter screamed, and immediately turned le$t.
&s he did, he let go o$ the rope in his arms.
& hand clamped down on his shoulder.
Aut he was already at the edge o$ the cli$$.
@MI/PFC
!ow he was soaring into space, into blac#ness, his $eet and legs still #ic#ing, but with nothing
beneath them. ,wimming in air.
0e was dimly aware o$ Dill screaming beside him.
<ar beneath, he could see the glint o$ moonlight on the water and waves, outlining the sharp
roc#s a hundred $eet below.
0e had time $or one last thought.
%h rap'I hope &ill tied the knots tight.
"here was a horrible wrenching pain around his waist, and it $elt li#e all his guts were
smushed $rom his belly up into his ribcage.
@0CNNNNN,C Dill gagged o$$ to his right.
Peter was no longer $alling. 0e was swinging.
Right past Dill, as a matter o$ $act.
0is $riend=s $ace was beyond surprised as it whooshed by.
"he rope had held. Peter had gone on one side o$ the giant tree, and Dill had (umped on the
other. "he rope had caught on the tree trun#, and now Peter and Dill were dangling midair,
swinging bac# and $orth li#e two pendulums.
&nd all around Peter, the dead men were tumbling through the dar#ness.
& smell o$ burnt wood and smo#e $illed his nose, and there was the crac# o$ charred bones as
Peter and a hobo slammed into each other. 0ands clawed at him, but $ound no hold. <ingers
ra#ed his legs as the dead man spiraled downward.
"he last thing Peter saw were its empty eyes as the dar# $igure plummeted away.
"he dead men were all around them now, a $loc# o$ blac# birds clipped o$ their wings G and
then they were past, $lailing in the air, dropping towards the ocean and the roc#s.
<=A<6.
<=A<6.
<=A<6.
:ne by one they smashed into the boulders below, s#ulls bursting li#e glass bottles, limbs
$lying, ribcages splintering li#e matchstic#s. Pu$$s o$ ash billowed in the air. &nd the waves
rushed over them, washing their scattered pieces out to sea.
Dill swung past Peter again, but slower this time as their momentum gave out. 0e was loo#ing
down at the roc#s and the scattered arms and legs $loating in the sea $oam.
@,sssssweet,C he murmured.
!&
Now that his terror was subsiding, Peter reali'ed the loop around his waist $elt li#e it was
cutting him in hal$. 0e grabbed the rope above him and pulled so that his stomach wasn=t bearing
all his weight.
Dill saw and did the same. @:hhhhh,C he groaned. @Dou #now when you snapped o$$ that
guy=s head with the ropeBC @DeahBC
@/y stomach $eels li#e that right about now.C
@Deah.C
"he tree crea#ed above them as they swung slower and slower through the air.
@Ay the way,C Dill added, @than#s.C
@"han#s $or saving me on the roo$.C
@!o problem. Dou #nowH) $eel li#e )=m going to pu#e.C
@9ell don=t get it on me. &nd don=t pee, either.C
@"oo late on that one.C
"hey dangled there $or a while longer, both waiting to see i$ Dill would upchuc#. ,omehow he
#ept it down.
@Phew. 8ood plan, dude.C
Peter beamed in the dar#ness. @)t "as pretty cool, wasn=t itBC
@,o, how do we get bac# upBC Dill as#ed.
@IhHC
Peter loo#ed up at the tree. "here was about $ive $eet o$ rope between both boys and the trun#.
@Dou don=t #now how we=re going to get bac# up thereBFC
@) didn=t thin# that $ar ahead.C
@) ta#e it bac#. +ot so good plan,C Dill scowled.
@) can=t thin# o$ everything,C Peter snapped.
@/aybe your 8rand$ather can come getHC
Dill trailed o$$.
@) don=t #now i$ heHgot out,C Peter said.
@Deah.C Dill paused. @,orry, man.C
@) didn=t #now him very wellHC
@9ell, i$ somebody had to die, better a cra'y old man than you or me.C
Peter glared at Dill.
@)=m (ust sayin=,C Dill protested.
@9ell, stop.C
"hey were silent again $or awhile.
@9e should try to $igure out how to get bac# up,C Peter $inally said.
@:#ay.C
@/aybe you can climb the ropeHget up to the rootsHand then hold on while ) climb up.C
@9hat i$ the rope slips and you pull me o$$ with youBC Dill as#ed. @Inh>unh.C
@Dou got a better ideaBC
@)=m (ust sayin=.C
Ip above there was a slight patter o$ pebbles $alling. ,ome o$ the dirt hit Peter.
0is heart leapt into his throat. @8rand$atherBC he as#ed, and loo#ed up.
"here was a $igure up there, but it wasn=t his grand$ather.
Peter #new immediately because it had no head.
)t was the dead man Peter had decapitated.
!ow the s#ull leered $rom the thing=s right hand as the body crouched atop the tree trun#.
@&&&&&&&0000FC Dill screamed.
@90-R-=D 0- C:/- <R:/BC Peter yelled.
@0e musta been a slower runner without his headFC
"he thing leaned over the tree and grabbed Dill=s side o$ the rope with its $ree hand. )t (er#ed
the cord, and Peter G the heavier o$ the two boys G san# a $oot as the rope slipped across the
tree trun#.
:$ course, as Peter san#, Dill rose a $oot closer to the dead man.
@!:F P-"-R, D:!=" L-" 0)/ D: )"FC Dill wailed.
@90&" D: D:I 9&!" /- ": D:BC
@) D:!=" N!:9, C:/- IP 9)"0 &!:"0-R PL&!FC
"he dead man yan#ed on the rope again. )t slid across the bar# with a "rrrrrhhhhh sound.
Peter (er#ed down another $oot. Dill rose higher and screeched even louder.
"he dead man e?tended his hand with the head in it. Peter could see the s#ull in the moonlight,
the burnt s#in pulled tight over blac#, grinning teeth.
"hen another dar# $igure appeared behind the dead man, a silhouette against the stars.
+o please God no not another one
"he silhouette raised its arms, then swung down.
T07+6.
"he dead man toppled $orward and somersaulted past Dill, an a? (utting $rom its bac#.
0is hand let go o$ the head, which $ell separately $rom the body.
Down, down, downH
<=A<6 on the boulders. &rms and legs $lew everywhere in a cloud o$ soot. 9L7+6 went the
head into the sea. &nd the waves washed away the remains.
Peter loo#ed bac# up. "here stood 8rand$ather, his white shirt ripped and covered in ash. 0is
tie loo#ed li#e the end had been $ed into a woodchipper.
@"han# you than# you than# you than# you, dudeFC Dill howled in glee.
@) have hal$ a mind to send you down there with him,C 8rand$ather growled.
Dill shoo# his head vigorously. @Don=t do that.C
@8ive me one good reason why not.C
Dill loo#ed pensive, then brightened. @)=m a hec# o$ a guyBC
@Can we do this laterBFC Peter yelled. @"han# you $or coming and saving us and all, but can
we not die right nowBC
8rand$ather snarled, then leaned down to the rope without another word.
!'
Sauer#raut never tasted so good.
Peter and Dill sat at the #itchen table, scar$ing down $or#$ul a$ter $or#$ul o$ the stu$$. )n the
dim light o$ the #itchen, Peter saw that both he and Dill were covered head to toe in soot, with
only the occasional strea# o$ s#in wiped clean by sweat. "he #itchen was covered with $ootprints
and blac# smudges, too, where the dead men had obviously passed by.
8rand$ather sat at the head o$ the table watching them eat. 0e had a nasty gash on his
$orehead, and $lec#s o$ blood spotted his cra'y hair.
@/m$, mm$ and then ) was li#e, K0ey, man, this rope G we could use this rope to, li#e, totally
escape,=C Dill muttered through a mouth$ul o$ cabbage. @)t was all, mm$, in my head $rom the
beginning, mm$.C
@Mumping o$$ the cli$$ was my idea,C Peter pointed out as he chewed.
@) was (ust saying ) had the )eginning o$ the idea in my head,C Dill smac#ed. @/m$. Dis is
good sauer#raut.C
8rand$ather (ust sJuinted at him.
@Did we #ill them allBC Peter as#ed 8rand$ather.
@) believe so. "rust me, we would #now by now i$ we didn=t.C
Dill spo#e through a mouth$ul o$ cabbage. @&re they really goneBC
8rand$ather $rowned. @9hy wouldn=t they beBC
@/aybe they=re, li#e, under the water, and they=re setting up a little #ingdom o$ dead guys
under the sea, and they=ll get all the pirates who ever died to sail a big ship up and attac# us
again.C
8rand$ather (ust stared at Dill.
@9hat, haven=t you ever seen 9irates of the <ari))eanBC Dill as#ed.
@!o,C 8rand$ather growled.
@Don=t you #now anythingBC
@"hey #ind o$ e?ploded when they hit the roc#s. ) don=t thin# they=re coming bac#,C Peter
said.
At least$ I hope not.
@Does that mean we can go in the garden nowBC Dill as#ed 8rand$ather.
"he old man bared his teeth. @Dou will continue to stay :<< my property, you little no>
goodni#.C
Dill pulled bac#. @:#aaaayHC
"hen he shrugged and returned to devouring his sauer#raut.
@Aut (ust remember, ) helped you get rid o$ the dead guys. )t was li#e you had termites, and )
was the sprayer man. 9shhh$ pshhh G dead guy problem :7-R.C
Right behind Dill, the #itchen hallway door banged open.
@&&&&000FC Dill screamed, sputtering sauer#raut all over the table.
@9hat in the world is going on in hereBFC Peter=s mom yelled $rom the doorway. ,he loo#ed
hal$>horri$ied, hal$>ama'ed.
Aeth, who was sitting in /om=s arms, pointed at Peter. @Dou=we dirrrrrrty.C
@9hat is going :! hereBC /om repeated, now (ust angry. @"he outside o$ the house loo#s
li#e somebody drew all over it with charcoal, the #itchen loo#s li#e a barbecue pit got dumped in
it G C
8rand$ather pointed at Dill. @)t was his $ault.C
@/-BFC Dill cho#ed. @) didn=t G C
8rand$ather leaned in threateningly towards Dill. @9&,!=" )", id(itBC
Dill paused, then hopped out o$ his chair and waved to Peter=s mom. @) gotta go.C
@Dill Ao G Ao G C
@Aodins#iFC Dill yelled as he ran across the #itchen.
@Aodin#yFC Aeth gurgled happily and clapped her hands.
@Dill Aodins#i, you get bac# here right nowFC Peter=s mom shouted.
@,orry, gotta go, gotta go,C Dill called out.
@Dou are going to clean this mess up, young manFC /om yelled.
@Dou got it, lady,C Dill said as he bolted out the #itchen screen door.
Peter stood up and ran a$ter him.
@9here are you goingBC /om demanded.
@)=ll be right bac#,C Peter promised as he darted outside.
"(
Dill was already hal$way across the yard.
@Dill, wait upFC
"he boy turned around. @:h. 0ey.C
Peter trotted over. @Dou want me to tell her it was me, tooBC
Dill sighed. @) don=t care. ,he doesn=t li#e me, your granddad doesn=t li#e me, nothing ) ever
do ma#es anybody li#e me.C @I li#e you,C Peter said so$tly. @)n $actHyou=re my best $riend.C
Dill smiled. @Dou #now whatB Dou=re my best $riend, too.C
"hey stood there, uncom$ortably silent.
@&ll right, enough o$ this mushy crap,C Dill said, and turned bac# towards his house. @) gotta
get cleaned up be$ore my dad sees me, or something really bad=ll happen tonight.C 0e loo#ed
bac# at Peter. @"hat was a (o#e, by the way. K,omething really bad.=C
Peter laughed. @Deah. Aut we=ll probably (o#e about it one day. KRemember that time those
dead guys G =C
@I!0>I!0,C Dill said, and covered his ears. @!:. ) don=t ever want to tal# about this
again.C
@Aut G C
@!:. ) peed my pants three times today. "0R-- ")/-,. "oday was a three>pee>er day. )
don=t -7-R want to remember this day.C
@Dou peed your pants three timesBC
Dill shu$$led his $eet. @"hey were (ust little sJuirts,C he said de$ensively. "hen he got mad. @)
don=t have to e?plain mysel$ to youFC
@/aybe we should get you diapers.C
Dill bunched up his $ace. @)=m gonna #ic# your butt i$ you don=t shut upFC
@9hyB -verything=s bac#Hto Knormal.=C
Dill=s $ace rela?ed, then bro#e into a grin. @Dou=re a real goo$ball, you #now thatBC
@) learned $rom the best.C
@&h, stop it.C Dill waved a hand li#e he was batting away a compliment. @,ee you tomorrow.C
Peter $elt an invisible punch land in his stomach. @&t the bus stopBC
Dill groaned. @,chool. ) $orgot.C
@Deah, getting chased by dead guys ma#es you $orget stu$$ li#e thatHC
@,":PFC Dill covered his ears. @) don=t want to tal# about it again, everF -7-RF
LalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalaHC
Dill sang all the way bac# to his house.
Peter smiled.
)$ he could survive being attac#ed by a bunch o$ dead hobos, and nearly $alling o$$ a roo$, and
(umping o$$ a hundred $oot cli$$, he $igured he could ma#e it through his second day o$ school.
/aybe.
PETER AND THE VAMPIRES
1
Monday morning started o$$ the way all /onday mornings started o$$. badly.
Peter had a sore throat be$ore he even le$t the house. )t hurt a little to swallow his cereal. !ot
enough to stay home, but it wasn=t $un to eat. &nd the Crispy Chocolate $la#es were all gone, so
all they had was /om=s raisin bran, which he didn=t really li#e. "he raisins made him thin# o$
little bugs hiding in his bowl.
@0urry, Peter,C /om said, @you=ve got to catch the bus.C
@Deah, huwwy, Petah,C mimic#ed his two>and>a>hal$ year>old sister Aeth $rom her high
chair. @Dou gotta #esh da bus.C
@)=m hurrying,C Peter snapped. )t was tough to swallow little bugs with a sore throat.
@Don=t you ta#e that tone o$ voice with me,C his mother said crossly.
@Don= you ta= da= tone o$ voyss wi= me,C Aeth said and clapped.
@Ae Juiet, Aeth,C Peter scowled.
@9eter,C his mother said insistently as she pointed at her watch.
@)=m going,C Peter said, and got out o$ his seat. 0e was tired o$ the bugs anyway.
P P P
)t didn=t matter, because the bus was late.
Peter (oined Dill at the main road in $ront o$ 8rand$ather=s house. &s usual, Dill was starting
his homewor# thirty minutes be$ore it was due. 0e sat crouched on the cement sidewal#,
scribbling things hastily on a crumpled sheet o$ paper.
@9hy do you always waitBC Peter as#ed.
@Ih, cu' it suc#sB 0omewor# suc#s.C
@9ell, have you ever thought that maybe it suc#s because you wait so long to do it, and then
it=s a big emergencyBC
Dill rolled his eyes. @9hen do you do your homewor#BC
@&t night a$ter dinner.C
@<igures.C
@9hat does that meanBC
Dill #ept his head down as he wrote. @)t means you always do what grown>ups tell you to do.
-ver since ) met you, it=s, K:h, we=re not supposed to do thatF :h, we=re not supposed to go in
thereF=C
Peter $rowned. 0is throat hurt, his mother had been mean to him, his sister was a pun#, and
now his best $riend was calling him a teacher=s pet. @Deah, well, the last time we did something
we weren=t supposed to, a bunch o$ dead guys came up out o$ the woods and G C
@0-DFC Dill shouted, and pointed a $inger at Peter. @) don=t want to tal# about itFC
-ver since the $ight with the dead hobos two wee#s ago, Dill had shut down every attempt
Peter made to tal# about it. "o Dill, it was ancient history G gone and buried.
@)=m (ust saying, that whole thing proves ) don=t always do what )=m told.C
Dill returned warily to his homewor#. 0e #ept shooting $urtive glances at Peter as though
e?pecting another surprise conversational attac#. @"here=s a big di$$erence betweenHthatHand
doing your math homewor#, dude.C
@) don=t thin# so,C Peter said, annoyed.
@Do whatever wor#s $or you, man. ) do what wor#s $or me.C
Peter pointed at Dill=s crumpled paper on the sidewal#. @"his doesn=t loo# li#e it=s wor#ing so
great.C
@9hile you were busy doing your homewor# last night, ) was eating $udgesicles and watching
the monster marathon on Channel 11.C
@9hat, againBC
Dill ignored Peter=s sarcastic tone. @Deah, some vampire movie and a <ran#enstein movie. )
was busy sJuee'ing all the $un ) possibly could into my last $ew hours while you were doing
your history report.C
@0istoryHC Peter=s stomach suddenly san#. @9e didn=t have a history report.C
Dill loo#ed up, his eyes wide. @Deah we did. Remember, on a Dus#erville historical $igureB
)=m doin= my great>great>grandpa. 0e got hung $or stealing horses $rom the town mayor.
"hey=re due $irst thing.C
Panic $looded Peter=s body. )t all came rushing bac# G the writing on the chal# board, upper
right corner. 0),":R)C&L <)8IR- G 2 P&8-,. @) don=t #now any historical $igures in
Dus#ervilleFC
@/a#e one up, that=s what )=m doing.C
@) thought your grandpa stole horsesBC
Dill shrugged. @) don=t #now. /aybe he did. 9ho cares, it=s a better story than K0e grew
corn.=C
Peter sJuatted down on the cement beside Dill, undid his bac#pac#, and ripped out a piece o$
paper $rom his noteboo#.
Dill smir#ed a little as he continued to write. @Whos doing their homewor# at the last
minuteBC
@,hut up,C Peter muttered.
Aut be$ore he could write down a single word, the bus arrived.

Peter and Dill scrambled to the bac# o$ the bus and sat down immediately. Dill scribbled
$uriously on his paper, $illing it with chic#en scratch. Peter (ust stared blan#ly at his, trying to
come up with some sort o$ hal$>believable details about some imaginary relative.
"hen he remembered the things 8rand$ather had told him about two wee#s ago. @) could write
about Mohn ,tephen and the dead guys we G C
Dill shot out a hand without loo#ing up. @DID-. ) D:!=" want to "&LN about it.C
@Aut he=s the only guy in my $amily ) #now anything about.C
@Deah, and what e?actly are you gonna write about him, that he lived ne?t to a bunch o$ hobos
who stole his tomatoesB ) don=t thin# /rs. Cashew=s gonna buy that.C
)t was the most Dill had said on the sub(ect in two wee#s. &nd he was e?actly right. unless
they had seen it with their own eyes, no one would ever believe what Dill and Peter had been
through that night.
@Aut G C
@0i, Peeeeeeteeeeeeer,C a girl=s voice interrupted.
Peter loo#ed up to see /ercy Chalmers leaning over the seat in $ront o$ him. 0e hadn=t even
noticed that the bus had stopped to let her on.
/ercy was a little weird. ,he wasn=t ugly, but she wasn=t pretty, e?actly. 0er eyes were a little
too $ar apart. ,he was s#inny as a piece o$ grass. ,he had this really Juiet whistle coming out o$
her nose when she breathed. "heeeeee..."heeeeee. &nd sometimes Peter could see little hairs
po#ing out o$ her nostrils. ,he always said his name @Peeeeteeeeeer,C which was really
annoying. ,he always wore the same type o$ clothes. a white blouse and some sort o$ dress with
suspenders that made her loo# li#e the #ids in The :ound %f >usi. ,he claimed to have
seventeen cats. 0er $amily didn=t celebrate holidays, and she was always as#ing people $or
pennies $or her collection. @Do you have a pennyB Can ) have itB Dou don=t need it, it=s a
penny.C Plus, her name was /ercy, which was a little weird, too.
&nd she li#ed Peter.
,he was always wal#ing by his des# at school and smiling li#e a puppy. @0i,
Peeeeeteeeeeeeer.C ,he always tried to get on his team in gym class, always trac#ed him down at
lunchtime, and always sat near him on the bus. )t was really annoying.
@)t=s your girl$riend,C Dill whispered. @Niss your girl$riend, 9eeeeeteeeeeeer.C
Peter elbowed Dill. @:hut up,C he hissed, then hal$>smiled at his not>so>secret admirer. @0i,
/ercy.C
@9hatcha doin=BC /ercy as#ed.
@) $orgot to do my homewor#,C Peter said. @!ow )=ve got to write something on a historical
$igure in Dus#erville, and ) don=t #now anybody.C
@9ell then who are you going to write aboutBC
@0e=s going to ma#e something up,C Dill said. @)=m writing about my great>great>granpa who
$ought the )ndians, then made $riends with them and went to live in their teepee.C
@) thought he stole horses,C Peter said.
@) $igure this is more interesting.C
@Dou can write about my great>greatHgreat>great>uncle, ) thin#,C /ercy o$$ered. @0e was
the $irst co$$in salesman in the county. 0e made a lot o$ money when cholera hit the town two
hundred years ago.C
@Collars #illed peopleBC Dill gasped. @) told my mom ) hated wearing shirts with collars G )
kne" they could #ill youFC
@!ot collars, silly G holera. )t=s a disease that #ills you.C /ercy=s voice dropped to a
whisper. @)t ma#es you poop too much.C
@Death by poopingBC Dill laughed. @:h my gosh, that is the absolute worst way to die -7-R.
Dour uncle made a ton o$ dough because people pooped themselves to deathBC
@"hat=s #ind o$Hweird,C Peter said.
@Aut you can ma#e it cool, (ust add in some new $acts,C Dill advised. @/a#e it so he was
buried alive or something.C
@"hat=s not trueFC /ercy protested.
@)n one o$ his own co$$ins. Deah, that=s awesome,C Dill said e?citedly. @"here was a sale, and
he $ell inside, and the co$$in loc#ed, and no one $ound him $or two wee#s and he was all dried up
li#e a raisin. Deah, write that.C
Peter tried not to gag as he thought o$ all the raisins he=d had $or brea#$ast that morning.
@"hat=s not true at allFC /ercy cried out.
@9hat does being true have anything to do with historyBC Dill as#ed as he turned bac# to
writing his paper. @#ou don=t #now what happened.C
@) do tooF /y mother told meFC
@Do you have a video o$ itBC Dill as#ed.
@7ideo cameras didn=t e?ist bac# then,C /ercy said, in a voice li#e duh$ you are so stupid.
@"hen you have no idea i$ anybody=s telling the truth. ) don=t believe anything i$ you can=t see
it on "7.C
@9ell, they didn=t have "7 until, li#e, 1630,C Peter said. @,o what do you thin# happened
be$ore thenBC
@"hey made it all up.C
@They made it all up*C /ercy repeated incredulously.
@8eorge 9ashington, -gyptians, Christopher Columbus, they made it all up. "hat=s why it=s
$ine to write whatever you want. "hey made it all up, you ma#e it all up, what=s the di$$erenceBC
@Dill, that=s the stupidest thing )=ve ever heard,C Peter said.
@9hatever, man. Dou write your paper, )=ll write mine.C
@Dou can come up here and sit with me, Peeeeeteeeeeeer, and )=ll tell you all about my great>
great>great>uncle,C /ercy said sweetly.
@Deah, go sit with your girl$riend, Peeeeeteeeeeeer.C
@,hut up,C Peter hissed. @)=m o#ay, /ercy, than#s anyway.C
@8o sit with your girl$riend and learn about your new $amily $or when you get married,
Peeeeeteeeeeeeeer,C Dill giggled.
Peter hit him in the arm.
@:w.C Dill $rowned and shut up.
@9ell, who are you going to write about, thenBC /ercy as#ed.
@IhH)=ll be o#ay,C Peter reassured her.
@0mph.C /ercy slid down out o$ view. ,he was silent $or a moment, then her head reappeared
over the top o$ her seat.
@PeeeeeteeeeeeeerHdo you have a pennyBC
!
Peter was still writing at his des# when the $irst bell rang. 0is paper was all about a guy,
Mebediah something, who $ought in the &merican Revolution with the )ndians and opened a corn
store be$ore he became mayor, rode o$$ on a bunch o$ horses, and got buried alive. Peter couldn=t
thin# straight G he was (ust writing, writing, writing in a panic. 9hatever came out sounded
good.
Intil /rs. Cashew $inished ta#ing roll and then stood up in $ront o$ the room.
@9ell, class, ) hope you did some e?cellent research about historical $igures in Dus#erville.
"here are so many interesting stories, ) thought maybe we=d share some o$ them be$ore we begin
our lesson.C
Peter=s heart was beating 0&RD. +o$ not me$ he prayed silently. +ot me$ 9L!A:!.
/rs. Cashew=s eyes scanned the roomH
please please not me
Hpassed over PeterH
oh thank you thank
Hand then came bac# to him.
,he smiled sweetly. @0ow about you $irst, PeterBC
P P P
Peter sat in silence on the bus ride home.
@)t could=ve been worse,C Dill said.
@0owBC Peter scowled.
Dill thought $or a second.
@) could=ve had to read mine out loud.C
@"han#s a lot, Dill, you=re really helping.C
Peter could see it in his mind=s eye, the big red K<= at the top o$ the paper. /rs. Cashew had
put it there in $ront o$ the whole class, a$ter an angry lecture on how history is about truth and
there=s nothing more important than the truth.
@&men,C Dill had piped up $rom somewhere in the bac# o$ the room.
&nd now Peter had to get his mother to sign the paper and bring it bac# the ne?t morning.
0e=d never gotten an < be$ore in his li$e.
Peter shuddered and coughed. 0is throat $elt li#e somebody had rubbed it with sandpaper.
@Dou don=t loo# so good,C Dill said.
@) don=t $eel so good.C
@Peeeeeteeeeeeer,C /ercy=s voice came $rom behind him.
%h God.
Peter loo#ed around to see /ercy smiling sweetly, her $ace perched on the seat ne?t to him.
@9hatBC Peter as#ed harshly.
,he loo#ed ta#en abac#. @Dou should have sat ne?t to me this morning and let me help you.C
@Deah, Peeeeeteeeeeeer,C Dill teased.
Peter glared at Dill. Dill grabbed the place on his arm where Peter had punched him that
morning and scooted bac# a $ew inches.
@) could have told you about my great>great>great>great>uncle, and how he sold co$$ins, and
you could have written down everythingHC
Peter=s head was pounding. 0is eyes $elt tight and scratchy, so he closed them.
@Hand you could have gotten an & and when you read it in $ront o$ the class, /rs. Cashew
wouldn=t have gotten mad and you wouldn=t have to get anybody to sign it, Peeeeeteeeeeeeer.C
Peter put his hand to his $orehead. 0e $elt hot and clammy. @9ell, it=s too late now.C
@Aut you can sit beside me now, Peeeeteeeeeer. 9e could sit and tal# be$ore the bus ride is
over, andHC
/ercy loo#ed li#e she was about to ta#e a big (ump o$$ the high diveHbut despite her $ear,
she decided to go $or it.
@Hand i$ you wanted to, you could come over to my house a$ter school and we could have
snac#s and watch "7. )$ you wanted to.C
:h 8od. "hat was all he needed. &n invitation to go sit on /ercy Chalmer=s couch covered in
cat hair, and listen to her nose go "heeeee "heeee "heeee all a$ternoon while they watched
weird church "7.
"here was a sharp pain in Peter=s head. Aeside him, Dill was trying to contain his laughter.
@9ell, ) don=t want to,C Peter answered crossly.
/ercy loo#ed shoc#ed at Peter=s tone. @9ell, maybe tomorrow G C
Dill went Juiet. :r maybe Peter (ust couldn=t hear him because o$ the pounding o$ blood in his
ears.
@!o, not tomorrow.C
/ercy loo#ed li#e somebody was threatening to throw one o$ her dolls down a well. @9ell,
maybe G C
@!:, not today, not tomorrow, not any day,C Peter said angrily. @Don=t you get itB ) don=t
want to. -7-R.C
Peter turned around and leaned his head against the seat in $ront o$ him. 0e had a #not in his
stomach the si'e o$ a watermelon, but it wasn=t because o$ the pounding in his head or the
scratchiness in his eyes. )t was the way he had treated /ercy.
0e $elt horrible, but he couldn=t $orce himsel$ to turn around and say anything to her. ,he
might thin# he had changed his mind. "hen she might start tal#ing again. !o, whatever he did,
he couldn=t turn around.
"hey rode the rest o$ the way in silence. 0e heard /ercy get o$$ at her stop and wal# past him,
but he never opened his eyes.
@8oodbye, Peter,C he thought he heard her say. 0er voice was sad.
0uh$ he thought. :he didnt say 9eeeeteeeeeer.
&nd then she was gone.
"
Peter and Dill got o$$ the bus.
@Dou o#ay, manBC Dill as#ed.
@)=m $ine.C
Peter tried to wal# straight, but the ground $elt li#e a big ship, pitching and rolling beneath his
$eet.
@Cu'Hyou were #ind o$ harsh on /ercy.C
@9hat=d you want me to do, kiss herBC Peter snapped. ,uddenly it was hard to breathe. 0e
stopped wal#ing and leaned over, his hands on his #nees.
@,eriously, dude, you loo# pretty bad,C Dill said, but his voice sounded small and distant.
Little bitty voice coming out o$ Dill=s $ace, (ust two $eet away.
@)=m o#ayHC Peter insisted, and then his #nees buc#led and he $ell to the ground.
@:h (ee', oh (ee',C he heard Dill cry out, although he couldn=t see him. @Don=t move, o#ayB
)=m gonna go get your mom, don=t move, o#ayB :h (ee', oh (ee', it was only an <, dudeFC
"hen there was the sound o$ Dill=s $eet running away.
&nd then there was nothing.
P P P
0e could hear voices as he dri$ted in and out o$ consciousness. "hey didn=t ma#e much sense,
but he didn=t care. )t was li#e he was treading water in an ocean o$ dar#ness, waves li$ting him
up and down, up and down. 0e $elt li#e throwing up sometimes, but then it would pass. "he
voices would come bac#, then go away again. "he waves would stop moving $or awhile and he
would dri$t peace$ully down into the dar#, and then it would all start over.
#
Peter wo#e up on the couch in the den. "here was a damp cloth draped across his $orehead.
0e $elt very wea#, and his mouth tasted bad.
)t was dar# outside. Pitch blac#. "he room was dar#, too, e?cept $or a lamp very close by.
8rand$ather was sitting ne?t to him in a wooden chair, reading $rom a giant leatherbound boo#.
@0i,C Peter tried to say, but it came out as more o$ a $roggy croa#.
"he old man peered over tiny spectacles. 0is wild hair loo#ed yellow and dingy in the
lamplight.
@8ave your mother a bit o$ a $right there, boy,C 8rand$ather said gru$$ly.
@9hatHwhat happenedBC
@Dour little $ool o$ a $riend came in yelling about you dying. 9e $ound you passed out in the
middle o$ the lawn, too# you to Dr. Rarrigen right away. 0e said it=s the $lu, particularly nasty
case. 8ave us some medicine to help with the nausea, but said there was no reason to ta#e you to
the hospital in Charterton unless you get over 101 degrees. ,o we=ve been putting ice on your
$orehead and spooning broth down your throat the last 22 hours.C
@"wenty>$our hoursBC Peter said. 0e tried to sit up and $ound he couldn=t.
@Don=t get up. )$ you have to vomit again, let me #now, there=s a bowl by the couch.C
@9here=s /omBC
@,leeping. ,he stayed up with you all yesterday night.C
Peter shoo# his head. @) don=t remember any o$ thatHC
@9hat about the doctor=sB Dou were answering his Juestions.C
Peter closed his eyes. @) was on the bus with DillH/ercy was thereHC
8rand$ather #nitted his brows. @/ercy ChalmersBC
@Dou #now herBC
@) #now her $amily. 8o on.C
@) got an < on my paperHC
@9hat paperBC
Peter paused. 0e=d already spilled the beans, and it was too hard to thin#. 0e might as well tell
everything.
@0istoryH) was supposed to write about a historical $igure in Dus#ervilleHC
8rand$ather snorted. @Dou don=t #now a damn thing about Dus#erville.C
@) made it all upHthat=s why ) got an <.C
8rand$ather turned bac# to his boo#. @9hy didn=t you as# me, you id(itB ) #now everything
about this accursed town.C
@Dill made up a whole bunch o$ stu$$Hhis grand$ather or somebodyHbecame an )ndianH
lived in a teepeeHhe says all history stu$$ is made>up, so ) made up some, too.C
8rand$ather snorted again. @<ools o$ a $eather. ) told you that boy is trouble (ust waiting to
happen.C
@/ercy tried to get me to write about herHgreat uncle or somethingHsold co$$insHC
8rand$ather loo#ed bac# up $rom his boo#. 0e shut it and was Juiet $or a minute. 9hen he
spo#e, he was very serious.
@9hat did she tell youBC
@0e sold co$$insHmade a lot o$ moneyHcollarHsomethingHC
@Cholera. Des, that=s the o$$icial storyHthe made>up one. /aybe your id(it $riend is onto
something.C
@9hat=s choleraBC
@)t=s not what #illed all those people, ) can tell you that.C
Peter per#ed up. @9hatBC
@&nd those co$$ins were only hal$>used. K0al$ lived>in,= you might say.C
Peter sJuinted. )t was getting harder to concentrate. @9hat are you tal#ing aboutBC
@Dar# days, boy. 8o bac# to sleep.C
Peter didn=t want to, o$ course. 0e wanted desperately to hear about the people who died $rom
something other than choleraHand the hal$>used co$$insH
Aut dar#ness had its say, and sleep gently washed over him again.
$
He wo#e up in the morning as his mother wiped a cold cloth on his $orehead. ,he loo#ed
worried.
@0oney, how are you $eelingBC
@Aetter.C
)t was true. 0is stomach wasn=t nauseated, and his head didn=t hurt so much anymore. 0e $elt
very wea#, but that was mostly it.
@Can you eat somethingB ,ome ice cream or somethingBC
/mmmm. )ce cream. Peter $elt ten times better.
0e nodded. @) don=t have to go to school, rightBC
0is mother #issed his $orehead. @0oney, you don=t have to go to school $or a long, long time.C
Peter suddenly $elt a hundred times better.
P P P
)t wasn=t so bad a$ter that. 0e got stronger with every meal. 0e listened to the ancient radio in
the den as he laid on the couch. *Despite Peter=s pleadings, 8rand$ather still hadn=t bought a
television.+ "hey #ept Aeth $ar away $rom him G hal$ so he could recover in peace, hal$ so she
wouldn=t get sic# G and that was the best part o$ all.
Dill called 9ednesday a$ternoon. A0ey$ "hats up. #ou okay*1
@Deah,C Peter said.
AI thought you "ere dead$ man.1
@"han#s,C Peter said sarcastically.
A+o$ I "as really "orried. I ame around Tuesday$ your mom said you hadnt even "oke up
yet. I thought you "ere in a oma or something.1
@:h.C 9ow, Dill was being sincere. "hat was a $irst. @)=m o#ayHthan#s $or running and
getting them.C
A#ou sared me$ dude.1
@,orry.C
A#our fae sares me most of the time any"ay$ so no )ig deal.1
@0a ha.C
A0ey$ guess "hat 1
Aut that was when his mother too# the phone away. @,orry, Dill, Peter needs his rest. 0e=ll see
you again when he=s well, o#ayB Aye.C
,he hung up while Dill was still protesting on the other end o$ the line.
%
Sunday night was both good and bad. "here were hamburgers $or dinner, which was good. 0is
mom grilled them in a pan on the stove. &nd <rench $ries, too, the curly #ind, that she ba#ed in
the oven.
Aut Peter $elt well enough that /om said he should go bac# to school the ne?t day. @)$ you=re
strong enough to be running around the house a$ter Aeth, you=re strong enough to go bac#.C
"hat was bad. Aecause now he had to get that history paper signed. "he one he made up. "he
<.
0e was dreading itHmaybe /rs. Cashew would $orget all about it. 0e had been sic# $or
awhile nowH
!o, /rs. Cashew had it in $or Peter. ,he would never $orget.
!ever.
Peter trudged up to his room a$ter dinner and un'ipped his bac#pac#. "here it was, the big red
K<.= Peter sighed. <irst he would have to e?plain to /om. "hen there would be a huge lecture,
and grounding, and G
7nless Grandfather signed it.
8rand$ather already #new about it. &nd he hadn=t seemed to care that much.
Peter thought bac# to that night when he wo#e up and $ound 8rand$ather reading by the
couch. 0e had almost $orgotten their tal# about the $ailing grade. &nd something elseH
something about co$$ins that had only been hal$>usedH
Peter pic#ed up the paper, $olded it in hal$ so no one could see the red letter at the top, and
snuc# out o$ his bedroom.
P P P
/oments later he #noc#ed at the wooden doors o$ the giant study. <rom within he heard
8rand$ather grumble, @Leave me alone.C Peter pushed the door open and headed inside anyway.
"en thousand boo#s, old and worn, loomed over his head. ,helves o$ dar# wood soared thirty
$eet in the air. "he smell was li#e a musty boo#shop or a town library. the scent o$ old and
yellowed paper.
8rand$ather was sitting at his mahogany des#, another giant boo# laid out in $ront o$ him. 0e
didn=t loo# up as he spo#e. @) said leave me alone. 9hat part o$ that didn=t you understandBC
@) need you to sign something.C Peter slid the $olded paper across the des#.
@9hat=s thatBC @"hat=s my history paperHthe one ) made up.C
@&h. Don=t want to $ace the music, hm.C 8rand$ather $lipped a page. @)=ll not do your dirty
wor#. 8o get your mother to sign it.C
Panic welled up inside Peter. @Dou said it wasn=t any big deal to ma#e stu$$ up.C
8rand$ather loo#ed up in irritation. @&nd when did ) say thatBC
@Dou said maybe Dill had it right, cu' people made stu$$ up.C
"here was a very slight change in 8rand$ather=s $ace. &lmost undetectable, but it was there. @)
have absolutely no idea what you=re tal#ing about.C
@"he co$$insF Dou said G C
@) never said anything about co$$ins. ) never said anything at all. Dou must have been
delirious.C
@9hatB !o, you said G C
8rand$ather snatched the history paper up and scribbled on it. @"here. &re you happyB 8o
away and leave an old man in peace.C
@Aut G C
8rand$ather threw the paper at him. @8itFC
Peter ran out o$ the study with the hard>won signature in hand. 0e was pu''led, that was $or
sure, but he was almost always pu''led a$ter tal#ing to his grand$ather.
/ore importantly, he was relieved that his mother would never have to #now about the made>
up historical $igure Mebediah 9hat=s>his>name.
&
It rained that night. & thunderstorm blew in $rom the sea with $lashes o$ lightning that lit up
the yard as bright as day. "hunder rattled the glass windowpanes. :utside, tree branches scraped
the house and the shutters banged open and closed.
Peter lay in bed, the covers up past his nose, and watched the $irewor#s in the s#y. 0e wasn=t
scared. 9ell, not much. "o #eep his mind o$$ his nervousness, he counted the seconds between
the lightning and thunder. 0e=d read somewhere that seven seconds was one mile.
@:ne one thousandHtwo one thousandHthree one thousandHC
"here was a rumble li#e a mountain collapsing in an avalanche.
Peter got up $rom his bed and made his way to the window. 0e sat on the cushions on the wide
window ledge and loo#ed out past the corn$ield and the $orest. <rom up here on the third $loor he
could see everything. :n the $ar right was Dill=s ramshac#le little home. ,traight ahead, past the
cli$$ and over the whitecapped water, distant bolts o$ lightning twisted li#e angry, glowing
sna#es.
:ne o$ them hit nearby and lit everything li#e a giant $lashbulb. )$ he had been counting, Peter
wouldn=t have had time to get to @two one thousandC be$ore the thunder ripped the air.
Aut Peter wasn=t counting. Aecause he had seen something.
,omeone.
:ut in the yard.
& hint o$ white, that was all. "iny. Aut it had been there.
Peter=s stomach twisted. 0e remembered what had happened the last time he saw someone out
in the yard.
!ow it was dar#. Peter strained his eyes, but there was no lightning to help him.
@Come on, come onHC
&nd then it came again, bleaching out everything around the house $or one brie$ second.
)t was a girl. & girl in a white dress, a ,unday church dress. 0er hair was plastered against her
head, and her clothes clung to her body. ,he stood about 0 $eet $rom the house, loo#ing up at it.
Ip at Peter=s window.
Peter=s throat clenched tight, but he leaned closer to the glass, waiting $or the ne?t blast o$
lightning. 9ater wasn=t e?actly running down his window because the roo$ (utted out over it and
protected it $rom the worst o$ the rain. Aut the droplets on the glass made it harder to see, harder
to ma#e out details.
"he lightning $lared again.
"he girl was closer. "hirty $eet now, maybe. &nd at that distance, he could see that she wasn=t
wearing a dress. )t was a blouse, with a white top with straps and a s#irt, that loo#ed li#e it
belonged in The :ound %f >usi.
/ercy Chalmers was in his bac#yard in the middle o$ a thunderstorm, loo#ing up at his
window.
<rea#ed out, Peter stumbled bac# and $ell o$$ the window seat with a loud @:::<.C &$ter a
second o$ lying on the $loor, he cautiously li$ted himsel$ bac# up so he could see. Aut he #ept his
head low, close to the pillows, (ust high enough to see down into the yard.
-verything was dar# as he waited $or the ne?t burst o$ lightning.
)t had been /ercy, alright. "hough he couldn=t really ma#e out her eyes, they had seemed a
little too $ar apart. "he hair loo#ed dirty blond, though dar#er than normal G probably $rom
being soa#ed in the rain.
9hat in the world was /ercy Chalmers doing in his yard, in the middle o$ one o$ the worst
storms Peter had ever seenB
0e guiltily remembered telling her Kno= on the bus. 0e had been so mean and rude. :$ course,
he had $elt aw$ul, and had been deathly sic#, but that was no e?cuse G
:r was itB 0e had told her no, he didn=t want to hang out with her at her house, and now she
was outside his window in a rainstorm. )magine what she might have wanted to do i$ he had said
Kyes.=
Peter shuddered.
,he would have $ollowed him every"here.
&nother burst o$ lightning, and the yard and $orest were bright as noon.
Aut /ercy was gone.
'
Peter yawned as he wal#ed to the bus stop the ne?t morning. &$ter /ercy disappeared last
night, Peter hadn=t been able to $all asleep $or the longest time. &t one point he thought he heard
a door open somewhere downstairs, and had imagined her climbing up the giant staircase,
leaving a sopping wet trail behind her.
9eeeeeteeeeeeer'
Aut that was his imagination. ,he must have seen him in the window and, embarrassed to be
$ound out, run home as $ast as she could.
9hich was #ind o$ insane, because she lived over a mile away. Peter could imagine her
trudging through the dar# and creepy $orest, the rain and wind lashing the trees around her.
Peter shivered.
:he really was ra(y.
Dill was already down at the corner, sJuatting on the sidewal#, $uriously writing on a piece o$
paper.
@0ey, DillFC
Dill loo#ed up with a big smile. @PeterF Dou o#ayBC
@Deah, yeah, )=m $ine.C
@Cool. Dou missed a lot o$ stu$$.C
Peter shrugged. @)=ll ma#e it up. Dude, you wouldn=t believe what happened last night.C
@Deah, yeah, big thunderstorm G ) live right ne?t door, rememberB !o, dude, listen G C
@!ot the thunderstorm G /ercy Chalmers.C
Dill loo#ed shoc#ed. @Dou heardBC
@0eardB ) saw her.C
Dill=s mouth opened li#e a surprised $ish. @Dou sa" herBC
@Deah, down in my bac#yard. ,he was standing out behind the house in the middle o$ the
stormF ,he=s cra'y, man G she=s stalking me nowFC
Dill stared at him. @9henHwhen was thisBC
@Ihhhh, last nightB Dou were there, rememberB Aig thunderstormBC
Dill shoo# his head, slowly, li#e something was (ust plain wrong. @"hat=s impossible, Peter.C
@) saw herF ,he was wearing di$$erent clothes than normal, but it was still that same (umper
thing she always wears, (ust white. ,he was right outside in the yard, ) swearFC
@&re youHo#ay, PeterB &re you sure you=re not still sic#BC
Peter $rowned. @9hy are you acting li#e thatB Don=t you believe meBC
@DudeH/ercy Chalmers is dead.C
Peter laughed onceHand then stopped cold. This "as a ?oke$ right* Peter waited, #nowing any
second his $riend would yell @PsychFC or @Did you #now that Kgullible= isn=t in the dictionaryBC
or something else. )t was a (o#e, it had to be.
Aut Dill loo#ed pale and serious, with no indication that he was telling anything but the 8od=s
honest truth.
Peter had never met anyone who had died. -?cept $or his grandmother, but that was years ago,
and he didn=t remember her very well.
0e had seen it on "7 plenty o$ times, yeah, but he had never kno"n anyone who had died.
&nd she had been out in the cold and the wet because o$ Peter.
@9hatHhow did you $ind out so $astBC Peter as#ed.
Dill=s brow crin#led. @9hat are you tal#ing aboutBC
@0ow do you #now she=s deadB Did she get sic# $rom running around in the stormB Did she
die that wayB 0ow do you #nowBC Peter was tal#ing loud now, but not out o$ anger. )t was more
li#e pleading. @Dou couldn=t have heard this Juic# G she can=t be dead G C
@K"his Juic#=B Peter, she died last 9ednesday. "he $uneral was last <riday.C
Peter=s #nees trembled, but he held himsel$ up. "he whole word went still all around him.
"here was no sound e?cept $or Dill=s voice.
@Dou couldn=t have seen /ercy last night, man. ,he=s been dead almost a wee#.C
1(
It had been sudden. !o one #new $or sure, but the story was that /ercy had $allen sic# on
/onday night, shortly a$ter Peter. ,he hadn=t come to school on "uesday. 9hen the school
called 9ednesday night to chec# up on her, /ercy=s crying mother had answered. @,he=s gone.
/y baby is gone,C was all she said.
&ll o$ this was hearsay, someone hearing it $rom someone who had heard it $rom someone
else. ,upposedly a #id had eavesdropped on /rs. Cashew in the teacher=s lounge, but no one
could say who that #id was. ,omebody else claimed his parents were at the drug store when
/ercy=s $ather rushed in, $rantically searching the aisles $or bo?es o$ medicine, yelling at the
pharmacist $or help. &ll o$ it was whispers and rumors, a giant game o$ "elephone where the
details di$$ered depending on who was telling it.
Aut there was no mista#ing the newspaper. <riday morning, a tiny notice in the obituaries said
the $ollowing.
>iss >ery <halmers$ age BC$ passed a"ay Wednesday$ :eptem)er 2th. The funeral "ill )e
privately held. >iss <halmers is survived )y her parents$ =oald and :a)rina <halmers. :he "as
an only hild.
An only hild. Peter thought about i$ he diedHabout his little sister Aeth, and how she would
cry. ,he would be an only child, then, tooH
)t was so sad.
&nd not only had Peter been mean to /ercy two days be$ore she diedHhe might have #illed
her, too.
11
)That=s ridiculous,C Dill said with a mouth stu$$ed $ull o$ baloney sandwich. @"hat=s totally
ridiculous.C
"hey were sitting in the ca$eteria at lunch. 0undreds o$ #ids wal#ed all around them, but the
room was noticeably Juieter than usual. "he news o$ /ercy=s death had $allen li#e a $og on the
school. )t was hard to be a #id, (ust going on your way with other #ids your age, and then
suddenly one o$ them wasn=t there anymore. ,omeone you #new. ,omeone you=d stood in line
ne?t to, or sat behind them on the bus.
:r were good $riends with. &gnes ,mithouse sat in the corner o$ the room with Natie
Arammelson. "heir eyes were red and pu$$y. "hey had been $riends with /ercy, playing
hopscotch and (ump rope at recess, passing notes in study period. !ow they sat silently, side by
side, barely touching their ca$eteria $ood. 9ithout warning, &gnes burst into tears as Peter
wal#ed by. 0e $elt li#e crying himsel$, and hurried away so the girls wouldn=t see.
!ow all Peter could do was pic# miserably at his bagged lunch. @) got sic# /onday. ) was sic#
that morning with a sore throat. /ercy got sic# that nightHshe probably caught it $rom me.C
@:#ay, loo#, )=m no genius, but even ) #now that you don=t get sic# that $ast. -?cept maybe
$rom that thing in &$rica where you bleed $rom your eyes. 9hat=s that calledBC Dill got one loo#
$rom Peter and pressed on. @!ever mind. Aut people don=t snee'e on you and all o$ a sudden you
got a cold. )t ta#es a huge while. Li#e, days. Dou didn=t get /ercy sic#, Peter.C
@Dou don=t #now that. /aybe ) was sic# on <riday and she caught it then.C
Dill bit into a cupca#e he peeled out o$ a $oil pac#. @Im not sic#. )$ you=re so contagious, how
come ) didn=t get sic#B !obody else got sic#. Dou got it $rom somewhere, she got it $rom
somewhere, but she didn=t get it $rom you. Quit blaming yoursel$.C
@) still can=t believe it.C Peter shoo# his head. @) swear ) saw her last nightH) swear it.C
@Dude, you were seeing things,C Dill said as he crunched on potato chips. @Dou were stupid in
the head. )$ ) was you, ) wouldn=t come bac# to school $or, li#e, another si? wee#s. /aybe till
(ust be$ore Christmas vacation.C
Peter loo#ed around, made sure no one was listening, and then leaned over the table. @Do you
thin# G C
@!:,C Dill interrupted.
@Dou don=t even #now what ) was going to say.C
@Des ) do. !:.C
@/aybe it was her ghost.C
@:h.C Dill considered. @9hy didn=t she $loat up to see you, thenBC
@) don=t #now.C Peter $rowned. @9hat did you thin# ) was going to sayBC
@) said we weren=t ever going to tal# about that again,C Dill hissed.
@Dill, we can=t pretend it never happened.C
@9hy notBFC Dill demanded.
@Aecause we gotta $igure this /ercy thing out, that=s whyF )$ there could be dead people out in
the woods, why couldn=t there be a ghost, tooBC
@) don=t #now. ) guess i$ she is a ghost, it=s a good thing.C
Aewildered, Peter as#ed, @0ow is a ghost a good thingBC
@9ell, she li#es you.C
Peter loo#ed at Dill li#e, #eah$ A+&*
@9ell, it=d be bad i$ she hated your guts.C
@Aut ) was really mean to her on the bus.C
@:h yeaaaaahH) $orgot about that. :h, man, you=re screwed. Dou got a ghost P.:.=d at you.C
@Dill, )=m being serious.C
@,o am ).C
@,erious about whatBC someone as#ed.
)t was ,usie 9ong, a girl $rom class. ,he and &ndrew /ic#lethorpe wal#ed up with their
ca$eteria trays and sat down ne?t to Peter and Dill.
@Ih, nothing,C Peter said.
@,erious about whatBC ,usie as#ed again. 0er eyes were piercing beneath the level $ringe o$
her blac# bangs.
!either Peter nor Dill said anything.
@,erious about 90&"BC she repeated $orce$ully.
@<ractions,C Dill answered through a mouth$ul o$ cupca#e.
@<ractionsBFC &ndrew said. 0e had on a white starched shirt and a sweater vest. Peter and Dill
might not have been popular at school, but they weren=t nerds. 9ith his co#e>bottom glasses and
tousled hair, &ndrew was every inch the nerd. ,o was ,usie, although she didn=t loo# nearly as
gee#y as &ndrew.
@0ec# yeah, $ractions. ) hate $ractions. )=m ,-R):I,. ,erious as a heart attac#.C Dill went
bac# to munching on several potato chips at once.
@) li#e $ractions,C ,usie chirped. @)t=s li#e a pie. )$ you thin# about it, you can slice a pie into
any number o$ pieces you li#e.C
@) li#e pie, too,C Dill said. @Cherry, strawberry, banana cream pie G C
@)=m tal#ing about $ractions,C ,usie protested.
@9ell )=m tal#ing about pie.C
@0ey, hey, guys G 1.121623FC &ndrew shouted.
,usie and &ndrew both laughed. Peter and Dill loo#ed at the two o$ them li#e aliens had (ust
grown out o$ their $oreheads.
@9hatBC Peter as#ed.
@)=m tal#ing about pi, tooFC &ndrew beamed.
Dill shoo# his head bac# and $orth rapidly. @WhatBC
@PiHit=s a number,C ,usie e?plained.
@!o, it=s a dessert,C Dill said.
@!o G pi G 1.12162 G C
Dill got up $rom the table. @Deah, yeah. Aye, pie guys.C 0e (er#ed his head, and Peter
$ollowed.
@,ee you in class,C Peter said.
@Aye,C ,usie and &ndrew called out, somewhat sadly.
@Dou shouldn=t ma#e math (o#es around them,C Peter heard ,usie whisper as he wal#ed o$$.
@"hat was #ind o$ rude,C Peter said as caught up with Dill.
@Loo# who=s tal#ing. &t least )=m not rude to dead people.C Dill saw Peter=s $ace and
immediately bac#pedaled. @,orry, sorry, loo# G sorry. "hey=re (ust nerdy, man.C
@9ell, people say we=re weirdoes.C
Dill loo#ed surprised. @9ho says thatBC
Peter shrugged. @) don=t #now. "hey sure act li#e it, though.C
@9ell, you don=t get less weirdo>y by hanging out with nerds, so $orget it.C
Dill dumped his garbage in the trashcan and stac#ed his tray. Peter $ollowed suit and they
wal#ed outside.
@Loo#, what do ) do about the ghostBC
@) don=t #now. &pologi'e, ) guess.C
@<or being meanBC
@Deah, man, you don=t want a ghost P.:.=d at you.C Dill shoo# his head and e?haled. @I sure
wouldn=t.C
1
It was a long drive bac# on the school bus. Peter was very aware o$ /ercy=s absence in the
seat behind him. )t was highlighted even more when the school bus paused at /ercy=s houseH
and then sped away Juic#ly, as though the school bus driver was embarrassed she had $orgotten.
<or a $ew seconds, Peter thought he might cry as the Chalmers= lonely little house receded in the
distance.
@9hy couldn=t she come bac# during the dayBC Peter as#ed as he and Dill got o$$ the school
bus and wal#ed home.
@Duh. 8hosts don=t come out in the day.C
@Deah they do. ) heard about this dead sailor that tourists saw on a boat in ,an Diego during
the day.C
@"hat was a tourist ghost. =eal ghosts don=t come out in the day.C
@9hyBC
@8hosts don=t li#e light. "hey=re not made out o$ anything, so they can=tHyou #nowHthey
don=t li#e the light, o#ayBC
@Aut whyBC
@Loo#, you want e?planations, )=ll go get &ndrew $or you. "0-D D:!=" L)N- "0- L)80".
-verybody #nows that.C
@,o i$ she=s mad at meH) should shine a light on herBC
@) don=t #now. Dou gotta be care$ul, man.C
@9hat do you meanBC
@Must don=t ma#e her any madder than she already is.C
@9ell what happens i$ ) doBFC
Dill shrugged helplessly. @) don=t do ghosts, man.C
Dill wished him luc# and they parted ways. Dill didn=t o$$er to hang out, and Peter wouldn=t
have $elt li#e it anyhow. 0e did his homewor# duti$ully up in his room, loo#ing out the window
every $ive minutes to see i$ a small $igure in white was out on the lawn.
!othing. Must long green grass, un#empt rose bushes, and the shadows o$ oa# trees.
Dinner was eggplant casserole. Peter would have ordinarily complained, but tonight he ate (ust
enough to avoid any comments $rom his mother. ,he had her hands $ull with Aeth, anyway, who
ended up with more eggplant in her hair than in her mouth.
0is grand$ather, as usual, was absent $rom the table. Peter wondered i$ he should as# the old
man anything, then thought better o$ it. 0e remembered being shouted out o$ the study G and all
$or nothing. /rs. Cashew never as#ed him $or his < history paper. -ven she seemed to have
$allen into a $og at school, and Peter noticed she avoided loo#ing at /ercy=s empty des#.
&$ter dinner, Peter got a $lashlight out o$ the laundry room and went up to bed.
@&re you $eeling o#ay, PeterBC his mother as#ed, concerned.
@Must tiredHg=night.C
)n his room, Peter sat at the des# ne?t to the window, as $ar away $rom the glass as he could
get while still being able to see the lawn outside. 0e clic#ed the $lashlight on, then o$$. :n, and
o$$. &nd he waited. 9aited as the sun went down and the shadows grew.
1!
Peter wo#e with a start, drool dribbling down his chee#. 0e was still at his des#. 0e wiped the
sleep $rom his eyes and loo#ed over at the alarm cloc#. 11.20.
,omething had wo#en him up. 0ad it been a dreamB ,omeone had been calling his name,
$rom $ar awayH
9eeeeeeteeeeeeeer'
!ot a dream.
)t was coming $rom outside.
@9eeeeeteeeeeeeeeer'C
& lump rose in his throat. 0e couldn=t breathe. 0e shu$$led his hand to $ind the $lashlight, but
bumped it o$$ the des#top in the dar#ness, then (umped when it clattered on the $loor.
@9eeeeeteeeeeeeeeer'C
0e le$t the $lashlight and instead inched towards the window. ,lowly he came up to the perch
and loo#ed outside.
"he moon was out. -verything was visible in its gentle glow, though shadows dotted the
landscape. "rees rustled in a light wind, grass sighed in the bree'e.
& little girl dressed in white stood out on the lawn.
/ercy.
"here she stood, 0 $eet away $rom the house.
,he was loo#ing up at Peter=s window.
!oHshe was loo#ing up at Peter.
Peter $ell and scrambled bac#wards again, (ust li#e last night, but this time he #ept his wits
about him.
Get the flashlight. Turn it on. If shes a ghost$ she "ont like the light$ right* %r itll shine
through her$ right*
God$ please dont let her float up here'please dont let her ome inside'
Peter clic#ed on the $lashlight, and a com$orting yellow circle appeared on the wall. &ll he had
to do was shine it on her, and she wouldn=t li#e it, and she would leave him alone. 0e turned
towards the window. "he beam $ollowed along the wall. &ll he had to do was point it out there
on the lawn and she would go away, because ghosts don=t li#e light G
-?cept /ercy wasn=t out on the lawn.
,he was on the other side o$ the window. :utside his room.
"he yellow circle o$ light swept across her $ace.
1"
)A&&&&&&&&&8000FC Peter screamed. 0e dropped the $lashlight again. )t clattered
several $eet away, no longer pointing anywhere Peter could see it.
/ercy stayed at the window, her $eet on the small slope o$ roo$ outside. ,he was bathed in so$t
light $rom the moon. 0er $ace was the color o$ mil#. ,hadows $illed her soc#ets, so that he
couldn=t see her eyes. Aut she loo#ed gentleHnot mad, at least.
Peter bac#ed up against the bed. 0is eyes never le$t her $ace.
@PeeeeteeeeeeerHC she said so$tly.
@/H/ercyBC he whispered.
,he raised her hands to the window and pressed her palms against the glass.
@Peeeteeeer, let me in.C
@/ercy, you=reHyou=re dead,C Peter whispered.
@!o )=m not, silly. ,eeB )=m $ine.C
/ercy waved one hand and smiled. 8oosebumps ran up and down Peter=s bac#.
@"hey said you were. )n the newspaper. "hey said you died.C
@"hey were wrong. Peeeteeeeeer, let me in, it=s cold out here.C
@Dou=reHyou=re not a ghostBC
@!oFC she laughed, though the sound was strangely chilling. @:pen the window and )=ll show
youFC
@Cu'Hcu' i$ you were a ghost, you could (ust come inHrightBC
@) told you, )=m not a ghost. PleaseHC "hough he couldn=t see her eyes, Peter #new they were
$ocused directly on him. @Hcan ) come inBC
@/ercyH)=m sorry $or what ) said on the bus.C
@)t=s o#ayHthey said you got sic#. ) got sic#, too, but )=m better now.C
Peter suddenly reali'ed something. 0e had $irst seen /ercy $i$ty $eet away on the ground.
"hen, only seconds later, she was outside his window.
Aut this was the third $loor.
@/ercyHhow did you get up here that $astBC
,he laughed again, a sound li#e the tin#ling o$ a bell, but in a dar# cellar $illed with cobwebs.
@,illy, ) climbed. "here=s a tree right here.C
Peter shoo# his head. )t=s true, a person could reach the window using the tree G Peter had
snuc# out that way his very $irst night in 8rand$ather=s house. Aut there was no way what /ercy
was saying was possible. Dill was awesome at climbing trees, and there=s no way he could have
made it to Peter=s window in less than thirty seconds.
@Peeeeteeeeeer, please let me inH)=m so thirsty. ) wanted to see you so bad, PeeeeteeeeeerH
let me in, )=m thirstyHC
Peter shoo# his head even more violently. 0e crouched down and $elt blindly $or the $lashlight
because he could not ta#e his eyes o$$ o$ /ercy.
@P---"----R.C 0er voice was angry now. @Dou were mean to me, Peeeteeeeer. Don=t be
mean again.C
"hen her tone grew soothing.
@Let me in, and it will all be betterHlet me in, Peeeteeeer, and we can plaaaaaaayHC
Peter=s hand $ound the $lashlight. 0e saw the beam appear on the opposite wall.
@P-----"-------R, L-" /- )!.C ,he was banging on the window, her palms hitting the
glass. @P----"------R, L-" /- )!FC
0e swung the light up to her $ace.
If shes a ghost$ itll go through her. The light "ill go through her and shell go a"ay.
Aut the light didn=t through her.
&nd she didn=t go away.
Aut now he could see her eyes.
"hey were blac#. &ll o$ it. !o white, no blue part. Must blac#.
Li#e a shar#=s.
Peter screamed again, long and loud and high>pitched.
/ercy screamed bac# at him, but it was more li#e a snarl. 0e could see her teeth, li#e small
white pearls in her mouth G e?cept $or her two incisors, which were long and pointed.
Li#e a sna#e.
Like a vampire.
,till screaming, Peter wheeled around and slammed into the bedroom door. 0e dropped the
$lashlight, opened the door, and #ept running into the hallway G
,mac# into the arms o$ his grand$ather.
Loo#ing into those cra'y eyes, Peter screamed again.
@,hut up, you $oolFC 8rand$ather yelled bac#.
Peter stopped screaming.
0is mother was right behind 8rand$ather, running in her pa(amas through the hall. Peter
noticed, in the one small part o$ his mind that wasn=t overwhelmed with terror, that 8rand$ather
was still dressed in his day clothes.
@Peter, Peter, what=s wrongBC /om dropped to her #nees beside 8rand$ather and too# Peter in
her arms.
@/>/ercy Chalmers G she=s outside my windowF ,he=s a vampireFC
8rand$ather stepped Juic#ly into the bedroom.
@Peter, calm down G Peter, it was a bad dream. "here=s no such thing as vampires.C
Down the hall, Aeth was crying. ,he padded out in her PM=s and ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing
suit, her $ingers in her mouth.
@:h sweetie, come here G come here,C /om called, and Aeth came running into her arms.
@9ho=s /ercy G Ch G what did you call herBC /om as#ed.
@/ercy Chalmers, a local girl,C 8rand$ather said, bac# $rom Peter=s room. @:ne o$ his
classmates. ,he died last wee#.C
@:h, honey,C /om whispered and pushed the hair $rom Peter=s $orehead. @)=m sorry, ) didn=t
#now.C
@,he=s not dead, /omF ,he was right outside my window G C
@0oney G honey.C /om too# his chin in her hand and loo#ed right into his eyes. @"hat=s not
possible. Dou had a bad dream.C
@!o she=s notF ,he=s right outside my windowFC
@"here=s nothing out there, boy. ) chec#ed,C 8rand$ather growled.
Peter loo#ed at him. "heir eyes loc#ed. "hen Peter pushed away $rom his mother and went
bac# into the bedroom.
"he lights were still o$$. Peter ran up to the window and stared out.
!othing there. Must silver moonlight on grass and trees.
@Aut she wasH) tal#ed to herHC
<ingers clamped down on Peter=s shoulder, and he yelped. )t was his 8rand$ather=s hand,
sturdy and calloused and claw>li#e.
@"here=s nothing out there now, boy,C 8rand$ather said.
@Aut there "as,C Peter whispered.
/om wal#ed in carrying a sni$$ling Aeth in her arms. @Peter, it was a bad dream. Come on, get
bac# in bed.C
"error $illed every inch o$ Peter=s body. @/omHnoHC
@Perhaps it would be best i$ the boy slept with you tonight, /elissa,C 8rand$ather said.
/om loo#ed completely surprised. @Dou thin# soBC
@!ormally ) don=t li#e coddling children, but the boy is obviously still recovering $rom being
sic#. 0e=s had a bad shoc#. )t wouldn=t hurt.C
@) wanna sweep witchoo, tooFC Aeth cried, and roped her arms around /om=s nec#.
@) thin# that=s a good idea,C 8rand$ather said. 0e never crac#ed a smile.
@PeteBC
Peter loo#ed out the window again, then bac# at his mother and nodded Juic#ly.
@:#ayHo#ay, grab your pillow and you can sleep in my room. Come on, Aethie, let=s get
your stu$$ed animals.C
Peter wal#ed over to the bed to grab his pillow, but his eyes were still on the window.
@Aoy,C 8rand$ather said.
Peter loo#ed over at him.
@"here are no such things as vampires, boy.C
Peter nodded hal$heartedly.
@Aut i$ there "ere, they can=t enter a house without being as#ed in by someone living,C
8rand$ather continued. @Dou didn=t do that, did youBC
Peter $rowned. @Dou believe meBC
@)n your dream, you D)D!=", did youBC 8rand$ather repeated sternly.
@!o.C
@8ood.C "he old man turned to go. @)$ you have that dream again, D:!=".C
@Dou believe me, thoughBC
@"here are no such things as vampires, boy,C 8rand$ather said, and then he wal#ed out o$ the
room.
1#
It was a long time till morning.
Aeth and /om slept together on one side o$ the #ing>si'ed bed, Peter on the other. 0e never
$ully $ell asleep, and when he seemed to be on the verge, he got (olted awa#e by every little
sound. Aoards crea#ing, trees scraping, the wind sighing G the tiniest noise made his body snap
to attention, li#e one o$ those dreams where you=re $alling, $alling, $alling, and (ust as you hit the
ground you (er# and wa#e up.
"hat must have happened twenty times.
"he one good thing was that there were no windows in his mother=s room. Peter thought that
was (ust luc#, (ust a matter o$ chance, until he heard a crea#ing outside the bedroom door.
Peter sat there $or a good $ive minutes, ears aching to catch any more noiseHbut all he could
hear was the gentle breathing o$ his mother and sister beside him.
0e $inally decided he had to get up. <or his mom=s sa#e. <or Aeth=s sa#e.
0e wal#ed past the nightlight /om had plugged in and went to the door. 0is hand rested on
the door#nob $or what seemed li#e an hour. "hen he slowly opened the door about three inches.
"here was his grand$ather sitting on a wooden chair in the well>lit hallway. 0e heard the
crea# o$ the door and turned his head towards Peter.
Peter loo#ed at him.
0is grand$ather glared bac#.
9ithout a word, Peter slowly shut the door and crept bac# to bed.
0e $inally got to sleep a$ter that.
1$
)No 9&D,C Dill howled.
"hey were standing at the bus stop. Dill=s barely>started homewor# lay unnoticed on the
ground where he had abandoned it $ive minutes ago when Peter ran up.
@"hat=s e?actly the way it happened. )t was aw$ul, even worse than the dead guys in the
garden G C
@,":P.C Dill threw up a hand, palm out. @) don=t want to tal# about it.C
@9ell, what should ) doBC
Dill put his hand up to his chin. @9ellHthere=s )talian $ood.C
@9hatB 9hat good is spaghetti going to do meBC
@8arlic, man, garlic. Neeps vampires away.C Dill nodded sagely. @8irls, too. Igh.C
@9ell, ) li#e spaghetti, but wouldn=t it (ust be better to have the real garlic itsel$BC
Dill shrugged. @) guess you can do that. ,ta#es through the heart wor#, too.C
@9hy are you so obsessed with $oodBC
@0uhBC
@,tea#sF &re you supposed to coo# it, or can it be rawBC
@!:::, "ooden sta#es, not food stea#s. &lthough a hamburger would be good right about
now.C Dill lic#ed his lips, then sighed. @Don=t you watch "7 at allB Buffy The -ampire :layer
reruns are on ,aturday nights at 11. Dou should ta#e notes.C
@) don=t thin# ) have until ,aturday, so why don=t you (ust tell me nowBC
Dill tic#ed o$$ the options on his $ingers. @9ooden sta#esHgarlicHsunlightH crossesHuhH
hold onHC
@Loo#s li#e somebody else should watch more movies, too,C Peter taunted.
@0oly water.C Dill pointed at Peter. @The Lost Boys. Rent it.C
@)t=s Rated R, rightB ) can=t.C
@9hy notBC
@)=m only nine and a hal$F /y mom won=t let me watch thatFC
Dill tsked with his tongue. @9hy does she deny you the classicsBC
@9ould you (ust G C
@9ooden sta#es, garlic, sunlight, holy water, silver bullets G C
@) thought that was werewolves.C
@IhHhmmmH) thin# it wor#s $or vampires, too.C
@9hat=s holy waterBC
@Churches sell it. :r give it away. ,omething li#e that. "hey have bowls o$ the stu$$.C
@9hyBC
@) guess $or vampire attac#s, ) don=t #now.C
"here was a distant rattling sound li#e an old machine coughing and clan#ing to li$e. Aoth the
boys turned to loo#.
&n ancient, weather>beaten truc# puttered out o$ the ramshac#le garage behind 8rand$ather=s
house and down the gravel driveway. Aehind the wheel sat the old man, his cra'y white hair
blowing in the bree'e.
@0ey, where=s your grandpa goingBC
@) don=t #now. 0ey, 8rand$atherFC Peter yelled and waved.
"he old man totally ignored them as the old truc# roared past, not 20 $eet away.
@/an, that was cold,C Dill said as the truc# grew small down the road.
@0e=s going somewhere,C Peter murmured.
@Dou are brilliant, you #now thatBC
@!o, ) mean, he=s going somewhere important. ) told you he #ept watch last night, rightB 0e=s
going to go do something, ) (ust #now it.C
Dill loo#ed at Peter. Peter stared bac#.
@8et your bi#e, )=ll meet you right bac# here,C Dill yelled as he ran to his house.
@9hat about schoolBC
@Let=s (ust call it a $ield tripFC
1%
They pedaled $uriously down the two>lane road, $ollowing the path Peter=s grand$ather had
ta#en. "hey had to pull o$$ into the trees along the side when they spotted the school bus in the
distance. Luc#ily the driver roared on past, and they started again at double their previous speed.
@9eHhaveHno ideaHwhere he=s going,C Peter panted.
@9hereHwould you goHi$ you were hunting a vampireBC Dill whee'ed bac#.
"he answer was 8reenvale Cemetery, a good three miles away. )t wasn=t that hard to $igure
out, especially since 8rand$ather=s truc# was par#ed outside the huge loc#ed gates and stone
walls.
"he boys coasted up to the truc#. !o sign o$ 8rand$ather, although in the truc# bed there was
a collection o$ shovels and tools ca#ed with dried dirt.
@<rea#y,C Dill said.
@9here do you thin# he wentBC Peter as#ed.
@Duh, same place we=re going.C Dill hid his bi#e behind a large clump o$ bushes $ar away
$rom the truc#, then ran over, grabbed Peter=s bi#e, and did the same with it.
Peter peered up at the eight>$oot stone walls. 0e pushed against the massive iron bars o$ the
gates, which moved maybe a $raction o$ an inch. "here was absolutely no way they could climb
any o$ it, and the bars were too close together to sJuee'e through. )t was hopeless.
@9e can=t get in.C
@,ure we can,C Dill assured him.
@Aut it=s loc#edFC
@&re you gonna #eep yelling till :ld /an Par#er comes outBC Dill whispered.
:ld /an Par#er was the #eeper o$ the cemetery. <rom what Dill had told him, Par#er was a
recluse who lived with his big, blac# dog in the little cottage on the hill, only a couple hundred
$eet $rom the $ront gates. 0e was supposedly even weirder than 8rand$ather.
Peter loo#ed around a stone column and watched the house $or any sign that the old man was
stirring.
@!oHhe=d probably (ust sic his dog on us.C
@KOactly,C Dill said, and tugged at Peter=s sleeve. @Come on.C
@9here are we goingBC
@Round the bac#.C
& hundred $eet down the road, the wall too# a 60>degree turn into the $orest. ,oon they $ound
a good climbing tree with limbs that reached over the stone $ortress.
@Ip we go,C Dill whispered, and began climbing li#e a mon#ey.
Peter $ollowed him up more care$ully. Ay now Dill was shimmying out on the branch that
bridged the stone wall.
@DillBC
Dill wasn=t listening. :nce he crossed the wall, he grabbed the branch and swung o$$ it,
dangled $rom the drooping limb, and dropped out o$ sight.
@:w,C came a disembodied voice $rom the other side.
Peter $ollowed suit and shimmied out, dangled, and $ell. 0is $eet burned with sharp pain as he
hit the ground and tumbled onto his rear end.
@:#ay, we=re in,C Dill said. 0e was already on his $eet and scanning the graveyard. "he place
seemed almost pleasant, its tombstones peace$ul in the early morning light.
@Deah, but how=re we going to get outBC Peter as#ed.
Dill loo#ed bac# up at the tree branch $our $eet above them. @:h crap.C "hen he shrugged and
started snea#ing o$$. @9e=ll $igure something out.C
Peter ran up behind him. @0ow will we #now what we=re loo#ing $orBC
@Loo# $or a cra'y old man.C
1&
They ran through the cemetery, duc#ing behind tombstones, running past statues o$ angels
that watched them with unseeing eyes. Ae$ore long they made it to the center o$ the graveyard,
where a do'en simple stone buildings rose up out o$ the ground.
:ne o$ them had an iron door on it that was pushed hal$way open.
"he name cut into stone above the door was $aded with time, though not enough that it
couldn=t be read.
C0&L/-R,.
@0oly crap, that=s it,C Dill whispered as they hun#ered down beneath the base o$ another angel
statue.
@9hat do we doBC
@9ell, i$ he=s $ightin= a vampire in there, I don=t want to get in his way.C
@)t=s /ercy, Dill. )t=s not (ust a vampire, it=s /ercy. &nd that=s my grand$ather in there.C Peter
bit his lower lip, then made his decision. @) gotta go help him.C
0e was two steps away $rom the hiding place when Dill dragged him bac#. @0old on,
someone=s coming,C Dill hissed in his ear.
"he iron door grated, clanged, and opened all the way as 8rand$ather stepped out. )n one hand
he held a shovel, in the other a crowbar. & canvas bag was slung around his nec#, and a hammer
hung $rom a loop in his pants.
@9hoa,C Dill breathed.
8rand$ather stood there staring into the woods, an angry and de$eated loo# on his $ace. <inally
he turned around and started to pull the door closed. )t grated and scraped aw$ully on the cement
$loor o$ the crypt.
@,-&/I,FC a loud voice boomed.
Peter about messed his pants.
:ver the row o$ tombstones, almost $i$ty $eet away, they could barely ma#e out a short, $at
man with a blac# beard strea#ed with silver. 0e wore plaid pa(amas and a hunter=s cap, and he
cradled a shotgun in his arms. & giant dog that loo#ed li#e a mop made o$ blac# yarn bar#ed at
his side.
@:ld /an Par#er,C Dill whispered. 0e paused, then added, @) thin# ) peed my pants.C
@Dou old lunatic G what the hell are you doingB 8et out o$ thereFC Par#er roared.
@) haven=t done a damn thing,C 8rand$ather snapped. @Must let me G C
@8et away $rom that doorF 9hat are you G is that a shovelB 9hat are you doingBFC
@/inding my own business, (ust li#e you should.C
@) could have the sheri$$=s department out here and arrest you, old manFC
@<or whatBC
@8raverobbingFC
Dill and Peter both gasped Juietly.
@"respassing at the most, Par#er. &nd ) don=t thin# you=d want to call the sheri$$, seeing as we
both #now what happened here last winter.C
Peter loo#ed at Dill, who shrugged.
9hatever 8rand$ather was tal#ing about, it was enough to ma#e :ld /an Par#er reconsider.
@0mph. 9e=ll let it go this time, ,eamus. !ow get away $rom that crypt.C
@Let me loc# the door again G C
:ld /an Par#er <LA<6!& the shotgun. @)=ll get it later. 8et along now, ,eamus.C
Peter watched as 8rand$ather moved away $rom the stone mausoleum, muttering under his
breath. 0e wal#ed past :ld /an Par#er, who turned and $ollowed him.
In$ortunately, the blac# mop dog did not.
)t was snu$$ling in the grass, not ten $eet away $rom Peter and Dill.
Peter held his breath as the dog drew closer and closer, sni$$ing and snorting. )t raised its head
and loo#ed straight $orward G but not at the statue where Dill and Peter were hiding. )t was
loo#ing at the open crypt. & low growl built in its throat.
@PercivalFC :ld /an Par#er yelled. @8et over hereFC
"he dog growled once more, then turned and loped a$ter its owner.
)t $elt li#e ten minutes went by be$ore Peter breathed again.
@Mee',C Dill gasped.
Peter loo#ed around at him. @Dou didn=t really pee in your pants, did youBC
Dill loo#ed down. 0e was wearing blac# corduroys that wouldn=t have shown any wet spots
even i$ he had lost control o$ his bladder. @IhhhhHno. KCourse not. Come on, let=s get out o$
here.C
@&re you cra'yB 9e=ve got to go in there.C Peter pointed at the stone building and the iron
door.
@&re you cra'yB ) peed my G ) mean, ) almost peed my pants already, ) don=t need toHalmost
do it again.C
@9e have to #now what 8rand$ather saw in there.C
@) thin# ) can go the rest o$ my li$e without #nowing that.C
@"hen stay here.C
Peter started towards the crypt.
@&w, man,C Dill muttered, and $ollowed a$ter him.
"he building was large, with a $loor that sun# deep in the ground. "he smell o$ damp earth
$illed the air and seemed to press against their $aces. Cobwebs hung li#e clouds $rom the ceiling.
Its no" or never.
Peter wal#ed down the stone steps into the dim light o$ the tomb and waited $or his eyes to
ad(ust to the dar#ness.
0e #ind o$ wished he hadn=t. Long cement bloc#s rose $rom the ground one a$ter the other,
$our $eet high, with tarnished brass plaJues bolted to the sides. "here must have been twenty o$
the graves, each with a giant stone slab neatly stac#ed atop it.
-?cept one.
:n that one, the stone slab was pushed as#ewHso that someone could loo# inside.
%r so something ould get out.
Peter approached the grave slowly, his heart thudding in his ears.
Grandfather ame in here and left. !ither he did something'or he didnt find anything'
"hih makes it safe'right*
0e reached the cement bloc#. & brass plaJue hung on its side, too, still shiny and new in what
little light shone in $rom outside the tomb.
/-RCD C0&L/-R,
@)sHis that itBC Dill as#ed, his voice trembling.
Peter too# a breath, stood on his tiptoes, and peered over the side o$ the crypt.
"here was nothing inside.
!o body, no co$$inH
Hno /ercy Chalmers.
1'
)So what do we do nowBC Peter as#ed as he and Dill rode their bi#es away $rom the cemetery.
@9ellHyour grandpa loo#ed li#e he meant business.C
@DeahBC
@Li#e he showed up to do something.C
Peter remembered the angry e?pression on 8rand$ather=s $ace as he stepped out o$ the tomb.
@DeahHC
@,o ) $igure we oughta get some stu$$ and get busy, too, in case she comes bac#.C
@9hat #ind o$ stu$$BC
Dill pulled a hard le$t into a par#ing lot across the street. Peter $ollowed and coasted to a stop
beside him.
@0ere,C Dill said, pointing to a gray building.
Peter loo#ed at the sign out $ront in the grass. :n it was a picture o$ a lady in blue, #neeling
and praying. "he name o$ the place was spelled out in gold letters ne?t to her.
@K:ur Lady o$ Perpetual Peace,=C Peter read. @"his is a church, Dill.C
Dill nodded. @& <atholi church.C
@9hat are we going to get hereBC
@9hatever we need. "his here is li#e KNill>&>7ampire>R>Is.=C
@DillHC Peter warned.
Aut Dill was already up the $ront steps and opening the door.
@DillFC Peter hissed, then $ollowed him inside.
"he church was big and open. 9ooden pews lined the center aisle all the way up to the $ront,
where there were a couple o$ tables and a cross on the wall. Red and gold banners hung $rom the
ceiling. Light $iltered in $rom stained glass windows. !o one was inside.
&ll this was li#e other churches Peter had been in, e?cept $or two things. :ne, there was a
stand near the entrance that loo#ed li#e a s#inny bird bath. &s Peter got closer, he saw that the
bowl on top did indeed have water inside. &nd two, a si?>$oot tall bo? stood against the le$t wall
o$ the church. )t loo#ed li#e a $at, wooden telephone booth, but without any glass to see inside.
@Dill, what are you doingBC
Dill had pluc#ed a cross o$$ the wall. & tiny $igurine o$ Mesus was attached to the wood. @:ne
cross. Chec#.C Dill swiped his hand through the air li#e he was chec#ing o$$ an invisible Kto do=
list.
@"hat=s stealingFC
@9e=re (ust borrowing it,C Dill whispered bac#. 0e reached in one poc#et and brought out a
plastic circular thing, then screwed it apart and $lic#ed with one hand. Little plastic rings popped
out and $ormed a cup, which he dipped in the water bowl on top o$ the bird bath.
Dill grinned. @Collapsible drin#ing cups are a"esome.C
@&re you going to drin# thatBC
@!o way G this is that holy water stu$$. )t=s li#e acid $or vampires.C
@Aut this is /ercy we=re tal#ing aboutF ) don=t want to throw acid on herFC
@9ell, ) li#e my nec# without any holes in it, so i$ you can tal# her out o$ doing that, )=ll #eep
the holy water in the cup.C
@)=m pretty sure they don=t want you ta#ing thatFC
@9e need it. "hey can ma#e more.C
@Dill G C
"here was a sJuea#ing noise $rom across the church. Aoth boys $ro'e $or a second, then
duc#ed behind a pew.
& door opened in the wooden telephone booth, and a little old lady tottered out towards the
church entrance.
@9here=d she come $romBC Peter as#ed.
@"hat=s aHa concession stand,C Dill said.
Peter was Juite con$used. @"hey have hot dogs in thereBC
@IhHo#ay, maybe it=s called something else. Dou gotta go in there.C @90&"B 9hyBC
@Cu' there=s a priest in there, too, and you gotta tal# to him.C
@9hyBC
@Cu' he=s about to come out, and ) gotta get more stu$$, so go now, manFC
Dill pushed Peter towards the wooden booth, but was care$ul not to spill the holy water in his
collapsible cup.
@9hat do ) doBC
@,ay, K<orgive me, $ather, $our sins ) have=Hor something li#e that, ) can=t remember, they
say it in the movies all the time. Must ma#e it up. )t=ll be easy, they=re always nice on television.
8o, be$ore the priest comes outF 8:FC
(
Peter ran towards the open door, got inside, and sat on the wooden seat built into the booth.
0e loo#ed out $rantically at Dill, who waved at him and pantomimed closing a closet or
something. Peter reluctantly reached out and shut the door.
)t was totally li#e being inside a wooden phone booth. Really dar#.
Peter (umped as a voice came $rom somewhere on the other side o$ the wooden wall.
@Des, my childBC
@IhHuhHC
Peter=s heart was beating (ust as $ast as when he loo#ed in /ercy=s tomb. @)HhaveH$orty
sins, or something li#e thatH$orgive meBC
@0ow long has it been since your last con$ession, my son,C the voice said. )t sounded $riendly
and #ind. &n older man. Peter rela?ed a little bit.
@IhH) don=t #now, to tell the truth. <orever, ) thin#.C
@0ave you ever con$essed be$ore, my childBC
@IhHnot to you guys,C Peter said. @/y mom has made me con$ess stu$$ be$ore, but this is
#ind o$ new.C
@Dou sound very young. 0ow old are youBC
@!ine and a hal$.C Peter rela?ed a little. Dill was right. This "as easy.
@&ren=t you supposed to be in schoolBC
%kay$ not so easy.
@DeahH) was hoping you could $orgive me $or that.C
@) would guess that something as simple as that would not have brought you in here today, my
child. )s there anything weighing on your mindBC
0o" a)out vampires*
@Nind o$.C
@9ould you li#e to tal# about it.C
@)t=s complicated.C
@"hat=s why )=m here.C
Peter considered. "he voice seemed so nice and gentleHmaybe this guy really could help him.
@9ellHthere=s this girl who li#es me. ,he=s #ind o$ weird.C
@Des.C
@) don=t li#e her so much.C
@9hy notBC
@,he=s a girl. Plus, she=s weird.C Peter wanted to say, 9ay attention$ dude.
@/m. 8o on.C
@,he bugged me a lot. &t school.C
@/m>hm.C
@&nd then she got sic# and died.C
@)=m very sorry to hear that. "hat must be troubling you greatly.C
@Deah, ) was really sad at $irstHbut now she=s still bugging me.C
@Dou mean, you thin# about her a lotBC
@9ell, yeah, but, ) mean, she=s still )ugging me.C
@) don=t understand.C
@,he came by last night and was bugging me.C
@)n your dreamsBC
@!o, outside my window.C
"here was a long pause.
@Doung man, is this a (o#eBC
7h/oh.
@!o, no G we thought she might be a ghost at $irst, but now )=m pretty sure she=s a vampire.C
@Doung man, this is a very serious place, and it is not the time $or silly pran#s.C
:#ay, maybe this guy ouldnt really help him.
Aut Peter decided to try one last time.
@,ooooooHany adviceBC
@Des, you should stop this $oolishness and tell me what sins you have committed, including
this lie you=re engaged in right now.C
%kay$ this is a)solutely no help "hatsoever.
"here was a clatter outside. Peter winced.
@9hat was thatBC the voice as#ed, alarmed.
@IhH) don=t #now. Can we get bac# to how bad ) am and how )=m a liar and all thatBC
@0old on,C the voice commanded.
@Ih, wait, no, come bac#FC Peter said as he stumbled out o$ the phone booth.
"he priest was already outside. 0e loo#ed close to 8rand$ather=s age, but with a $ull head o$
hair and a clean>shaven $ace. 0e was dressed in a long blac# robe with a white collar at the top.
&s Dill would=ve said, (ust li#e in the movies.
:n a regular day the priest might not have been such a bad guy. -?cept this wasn=t a regular
day, what with Dill in the middle o$ the church aisle, arms crammed with a do'en crosses
ranging $rom tiny to huge, and the collapsible water cup still clutched in one hand.
@:h crap,C Dill muttered, then ran $or it.
@,":PFC the priest called out.
>ay)e God is on this guys side, Peter thought, because as soon as the old guy yelled, Dill
tripped and went down in a pile o$ crosses. "he collapsible cup hit the $loor and, well, collapsed.
0oly water went $lying everywhere.
@:wFC Dill yelled, $irst when he hit the $loor, then again when the priest yan#ed him up by one
ear. 0e was pretty $ast $or an old guy.
@:9>:9>:9>:9>:9FC Dill howled as the priest hauled him up.
@D:IFC the priest yelled at Peter. @:7-R 0-R-, !:9FC
Peter sighed.
"his wasn=t going to be pretty.
1
)+ou understand this is e?tremely disruptive behavior,C the priest said.
@) do,C 8rand$ather agreed. @&nd they=ll both get the thrashings o$ their young lives, <ather
,tevens.C
"he priest sat behind a des# in a room at the bac# o$ the church. "here wasn=t much on the
walls, (ust a $ew $ramed Aible verses and a couple o$ paintings o$ old guys in $unny hats.
Peter and Dill both huddled in two high>bac#ed chairs $acing the priest. 8rand$ather stood
between them, his arms $olded. 0e glared down continuously, $irst at Peter, then at Dill.
@) (ust can=t understand why someone would do this,C <ather ,tevens said. @:ne o$ them lies
while the other one steals G this is e?tremely alarming behavior, especially at this age, /r.
<lannagan.C
@) didn=t lieFC Peter protested.
@) was (ust borrowing that stu$$FC Dill said indignantly. @) woulda brought it bac#. -?cept $or
the holy water, but )=da brought that bac#, too, i$ ) didn=t use all o$ it.C
@9hat in the world would you be borrowing ten cruci$i?es $orBC <ather ,tevens as#ed angrily.
@&nd holy waterBC
@7ampires, man,C Dill said.
@Dou seeBC "he priest loo#ed at 8rand$ather but pointed at Peter. @"hat was the same
nonsense this one was sayingF 9hat e?actly are you letting them watch on "7BC
@<ar too much, it would appear,C 8rand$ather said.
@9e don=t even have a "7FC Peter complained. @-verything ) told you was the truth G why
won=t you believe meBC
@7ampiresB Little girls who Kbug you= $rom beyond the graveBC <ather ,tevens sco$$ed.
@Dude, you believe in guys who come bac# to li$e,C Dill pointed out.
"he priest got red>$aced. @:ur Lord Mesus Christ was not a vampireFC
@)=m not sayin= he was,C Dill shrugged. @Aut he was dead, and he came bac#, rightB )=m (ust
sayin=.C
@"hat is blasphemyFC the priest sputtered.
@9hat=s thatBC Dill as#ed.
@)t=s saying bad words with 8od=s name,C Peter e?plained.
@9ell, (ee', my dad does that all the time when he stubs his toe or runs out o$ beer. 9hy don=t
you get him in here, not me.C
@/R. <L&!!&8&!FC the priest roared.
8rand$ather=s hand clamped down on Peter=s shoulder. 0e didn=t dare loo# up.
@) assure you, <ather,C 8rand$ather said in a very solemn voice, @the problem will be ta#en
care o$. :$ that you can be certain.C
Peter shuddered. &$ter hearing that, he wished the priest would #eep him loc#ed up in the
phone booth.

Dill and Peter $ollowed 8rand$ather silently out to the truc#. &$ter he placed their bi#es in the
bac#, the old man held the passenger door open $or them, closed it, went around, and got in
himsel$.
"he boys waited. 8rand$ather cran#ed the engine. 9utter putter$ lank lank. "he truc# bac#ed
up, then grinded $orward into drive. 8rand$ather never loo#ed at them once.
Dill was about to burst. @9ellBC
@9ell, whatBC
@9hatHuhHwhat=re youHC
@,pit it out, boy.C
@&re you going to #ill usBC
@!o.C
"he truc# turned right out o$ the par#ing lot instead o$ le$t. Le$t would have been towards
home.
@9here are we goingBC Peter as#ed.
@) am ta#ing you two criminals to school.C
Dill pointed bac# at the church. @"hat guy can=t prove anything.C
@0e=s a priest, Dill,C 8rand$ather said without any humor whatsoever. @Muries tend to believe
them more than (uvenile delinJuents.C
@8rand$atherHyou #now we were ta#ing all that stu$$ $or a reason, rightBC
8rand$ather was silent $or a moment. Peter thought that meant the end was nigh. )nstead,
when the old man spo#e, it was a Juiet, simple Juestion.
@Dou were there in the cemetery, weren=t you.C
@0uhB 9hat cemeteryB ) don=t #now what you=re tal#ing ::<.C Dill grunted as Peter elbowed
him.
@Deah,C Peter admitted.
@Dude,C Dill hissed in Peter=s ear, @he can=t prove anything, either.C
@) saw you, Dill,C 8rand$ather growled. @Aehind the statue, out o$ the corner o$ my eye.C
@9asn=t me.C
@Did you go inBC 8rand$ather as#ed.
Dill and Peter answered at the same time.
@!o.C
@Des.C
@9ell, which is itBC
@9e didn=t see anything,C Dill vowed.
@Aecause there was nothing to see,C Peter added. @!o co$$in, noHbody. !othing.C
@Do you remember what ) told you last night, boyBC
@Hthat there aren=t any such things as vampiresBC
@"hat=s right. :$$icially, in broad daylight and in serious people=s minds, vampires do not
e?ist. "hey are stories used to $righten children into saying their prayers and eating their greens.
Do you remember what ) told you that night you were sic#, and we tal#ed about /ercy=s $amilyB
0er great>great>great>great>great>uncle and the co$$ins he soldBC
@ImHyou said that cholera didn=t #ill those people.C
@Deah, the pooping did,C Dill said.
8rand$ather loo#ed at Dill with an e?pression somewhere between angry and con$used.
@Cholera. Death by pooping,C Dill e?plained help$ully.
8rand$ather loo#ed bac# at the road and shoo# his head.
@9ell, what #illed them, thenBC Peter inJuired, trying to divert attention away $rom Dill.
@!o one=s entirely sure how G C
Dill opened his mouth to answer.
8rand$ather loo#ed sharply over at him.
Dill shut his mouth.
@0ow the $irst death occurred,C 8rand$ather continued. @)t was 8ilbraith Chalmers, the
youngest son o$ Mohn Auchanen Chalmers, a mere 1 years old when he died. Aut however it
happened, 8ilbraith did not stay dead.C
@0e was a vampireBC
@"here are stories $rom a 9innapota#a )ndian tribe that a -uropean traveler passed through
this region in the 1500=s and #illed two young men $rom the village. "he warriors o$ the village
pursued the -uropean, who $led into the night. "he village mourned and did all proper burial
rights $or the two braves, according to 9innapota#an customs. Aut they were astounded when
the two young men appeared in the village the very ne?t night, alive and well. 0owever, they
wereHchanged.C
"he s#in on Peter=s nec# crawled. 0e remembered /ercy at the window. 0e remembered her
eyes, blac# li#e a great white=s. &nd with teeth li#e a cobra=sH
@"here was a great battle in which the two braves #illed almost hal$ o$ the men o$ the tribe.
"he 9innapota#ans claimed the young men could $ly, but they were $inally caught in clever
traps devised by the village elders. "o the great surprise o$ everyone in the tribe, the two young
men burst into $lames when the morning sun came and shone upon their bodies. "o be sa$e, the
)ndians burned the bodies o$ all the others the two had slainHand nothing happened. !o one else
appeared a$ter death ever again. "he 9innapota#ans lived only $ive miles away $rom the
township we #now today as Dus#erville. &nd that story they told happened e?actly one wee#
be$ore 8ilbraith Chalmers was o$$icially laid to rest. Manuary 12
th
, 1522.C
@Dou thin# the )ndians bit 8ilHthat 8il guyBC
@!o. ) thin# the -uropean did, the one that $led into the $orest. Aut there are no stories about
8ilbraith appearing a$ter death. "here are only stories about a mysterious illness that $ell on the
town, #illing person a$ter person. /en, women, children G it didn=t matter. KCholera,= they said.
"hirty>seven people died in the space o$ $our wee#sHuntil something happened.C
Dill and Peter waited $or the ne?t words. @9hatB 9hat happenedBC
@,omeone $igured out what was going on and stopped it once and $or all,C 8rand$ather said as
he (ammed on the bra#es. "he truc# lurched to a stop in $ront o$ the school.
@9hoB 9ho stopped itBC Peter cried out.
@Deah, what=d they doBC Dill demanded.
@Dou=re late $or school.C
@Aut G C
@) have wor# to do be$ore this thing gets out o$ hand. !ow get bac# to your studies and #eep
out o$ my way, or li#e ) promised <ather ,tevens, you "ill get the thrashings o$ your lives.C
Dill raised a hand tentatively.
@9hat,C 8rand$ather bar#ed.
@9e need a note.C
@9hatBC
@9e need a note. "hey won=t let us in without a note.C
@:r worse, they=ll call /om,C Peter said.
8rand$ather grumbled and muttered. @8ive me a piece o$ paper and something to write with.C
Peter $umbled in his bac#pac# and produced paper and a pen. 8rand$ather scribbled a
message, then handed them both bac#. Peter loo#ed down at the paper. 9hatever the writing
said, he certainly couldn=t read it.
@Can we G C Dill began.
@8)"FC 8rand$ather bellowed.
Peter and Dill got. "he truc# roared o$$ as soon as they slammed the door.
@Dude,C Dill said. @Dour grand$ather=s raaaaaa(y.C
@) #now,C Peter said.
@&nd scary.C
@Deah.C
@Aut he=s cool.C
Peter stared at Dill, who shrugged.
@/y granddad tal#s about his arthritis and how his $a#e teeth don=t $it and how much mucus
he coughs up in the morning.C Dill loo#ed admiringly a$ter the truc# as it puttered its way down
the street. @Dude, )=d trade $or your grandpa=s stories any day.C
!
A$ter a lot o$ e$$ort trying to translate 8rand$ather=s message, the school secretary gave up
and told Dill and Peter to go bac# to class.
@9ell, )=m glad to see you gentlemen $inally decided to (oin us,C /rs. Cashew said in her
most withering voice.
<or the $irst time in his li$e, a teacher=s sarcasm didn=t have any e$$ect at all on Peter. 0e=d
had a vampire outside his bedroom window last nightE a mean teacher=s snar#y comments didn=t
really measure up to that.
&s he sat down, the $irst thing Peter noticed was /ercy=s empty chair, and a sharp pang
nudged his conscience once again. 0e couldn=t help but $eel partly responsible. 0e still believed
that i$ he hadn=t been mean to her on the bus, none o$ this would have happened. Peter #new that
it didn=t ma#e any sense, but that didn=t change the way he $elt.
"he second thing he noticed was that there was a second vacant seat in the classroom, the
place where &gnes ,mithouse normally sat. &gnes was one o$ /ercy Chalmers= best $riends.
Peter leaned across the aisle to as# Cindy /ooten where &gnes was.
Cindy (ust shrugged. @) don=t #now. Natie Arammelson said she tal#ed to her really late last
night, and &gnes said hang on and put down the phone, but she never came bac#. Natie $inally
hung up and tried to call again, but nobody ever answered.C
Peter stole a loo# at Natie Arammelson over in the corner. ,he loo#ed worried, unsure o$
everything. &$ter all, her two closest $riends in the world were dead or missing.
@Natie doesn=t #now what happened to her,C Cindy /ooten said. @!obody #nows.C
"
,y P/, nobody had any more in$ormation, but now the entire town was abu'' with the
news o$ &gnes=s disappearance. Dill and Peter watched $rom Dill=s $ront lawn as a ,heri$$=s
department patrol car sped by.
@Dou thin# they=ll $ind herBC Dill as#ed.
Peter watched the car recede into the distance. @) hope so.C
"here was a BA> BA> BA> noise $rom over in Peter=s yard. 8rand$ather was up on a ladder,
nailing cloves o$ garlic and cruci$i?es over every window and door.
@:#ay, where=d he get those crossesBC Dill complained. @) try to get some, ) get busted and
)=m in big>time trouble. Aut he=s got li#e two hundred o$ them stashed away somewhere. )s that
$airBC
@!o, but )=m sure glad he=s got Kem,C Peter answered.
Dill watched 8rand$ather nail another cross over a second>story window. @Can ) spend the
night at your houseBC
@Dou=re probably better o$$ at your own place.C
@9hat, do you "ant me to get turned into a bloodsuc#erBC Dill said angrily.
Peter rolled his eyes. @Dou #now /ercy=s coming $or me G at my house, you=re gonna get
caught right in the middle o$ it. )$ you stay at your house, she=ll probably leave you alone. Must
don=t invite anyone in. 7ampires can=t come in unless you invite them.C
Dill wiped his brow. @Phew. 9ell, )=m $ine then, cause my /om hasn=t invited anybody into
our house e?cept you sinceHC Dill thought $or a minute. @) don=t thin# /om=s invited anybody
into our house e?cept you, -7-R.C
@Dour mom never invited me into your house,C Peter pointed out.
Dill pumped his arm. @D-,. )=m totally sa$e, dude.C
@Can ) come spend the night with you, thenBC Dill loo#ed genuinely alarmed. @0ec# no, man.
,he=s your dead girl$riend. Leave me out o$ it.C
#
Supper was lateHlate enough that it was dar# outside when Peter $inished his lasagna. 0e
nervously watched the sun disappear through the #itchen windows as he scooped the last bit o$
noodles and cheese into his mouth.
"o top it o$$, /om had had a really bad day. "he grocery store cler# was rude to her,
somebody=s car door had put yet another dent in the 0onda, and her (ob search was going
nowhere. ,he tal#ed most o$ dinner about how she hated this town and how much she=d wanted
to leave when she was young, and she was sullen and Juiet $or the rest.
&s usual, 8rand$ather was nowhere to be $ound. Peter wondered i$ the old man ever ate. &t
least, i$ he ever ate what the rest o$ them ate.
,omebody once told Peter that i$ you wanted to raise mean dogs, you should $eed them
gunpowder. )$ that was true, then Peter guessed that 8rand$ather lived on a steady diet o$ the
stu$$.
)t was almost pitch blac# when Peter cleared the table. 0is mother was washing the dishes.
:ver in the corner, Aeth was playing with another one o$ her dolls she had pulled hal$ the hair
out o$.
@Peter, could you ta#e out the garbageBC his mother as#ed.
Peter $ro'e, and said the $irst thing that came to mind. @!o.C
0is mother loo#ed at him in shoc#. @9hat do you mean, Kno=B "a#e out the garbage, PeterFC
Peter shoo# his head. @) can=t.C
!ow his mother was getting indignant. @:h you most certainly an. !ow ta#e it out right now,
it=s almost over$lowingFC
@/om, )=ll do it in the morning,C Peter said.
@Dou=ll do it when ) tell you to do it, young manFC
@Please, /om, ) swear )=ll do it $irst thing tomorrow morning G C
Aeth was beginning to ta#e an interest in the conversation. @"a#e out da gawbage, PetahFC she
yelled.
@,hut upFC Peter yelled at Aeth.
@Peter, don=t you dare tal# to your sister that wayFC
@Deah, Petah, shu= upFC Aeth called bac#.
@Aeth, don=t you tal# li#e that either,C /om snapped.
@:#aaaaay, /ommy,C Aeth said, then stuc# out her tongue at Peter as soon as /om=s bac#
was turned.
@Please, /om, )=ll do anything else you want, anything G (ust don=t ma#e me ta#e out the
garbage tonight, pleaseB 9leaseBC
@0onestly, Peter, ) don=t #now what=s gotten into you lately. )s it DillB "hat boy is a bad
in$luence G C
@Dill=s my $riend,C Peter nearly shouted.
@Don=t you ta#e that tone o$ voice with me, young man,C his mother commanded. @<ine, you
don=t want to ta#e out the garbageB Dou can clean every toilet in this entire house this wee#end.C
Peter=s whole body rela?ed in relie$. Intil he saw his mother roll up her sleeves and li$t the
trash bag out o$ its plastic container.
@9hat are you doingBC Peter as#ed in horror.
@Doing what my son "ont do,C /om hu$$ed.
Peter ran over to her and grabbed her arm. @/om, pleaseHwhatever you do, please don=t ta#e
this outside. Please. )=ll do it in the morning, )=ll clean the toilets, )=ll do whatever you want me
to do, (ust please don t take this outside right no".C
/om stared at him. @Peter, what=s come over youBC
<or a split second he weighed the possibilities o$ using the word Kvampire= to e?plain his case.
Nnowing his mother as he did, it didn=t ta#e longer than a split second to rule it out. @/om,
please please please please PL-&,- don=t go out there G 8R&!D<&"0-RFC he yelled. )$
8rand$ather heard him and came in to tell /om Kno,= that would be the end o$ it.
@Peter, are you scared o$ the dar#BC
@!o, /om, )=m not G 8R&!D<&"0-RFC
@,top yelling $or 8rand$ather and listen to me. !ow, i$ you=re a$raid, ) can understand that G
C
@)=m not a$raid o$ the dar#, /omF 8R&!D<&"0-RFC Peter bellowed, but with no reply.
@Petah=s a$waid o$ the daw#,C Aeth giggled.
@!: )=/ !:"FC Peter snapped. @Please /om, please don=t go out thereFC
@Peter, you=ve got to learn that sometimes you have to $ace your $ears, o#ayB !ow, )=m not
a$raid o$ the dar#, so )=m going to ta#e this garbage out there,C and she rambled on and on, but
all Peter could thin# o$ was a small girl in a white dress, with eyes blac# li#e a shar#=s, waiting
$or his mother in the night.
@:N&DFC Peter yelled, and snatched the trash out o$ his mother=s hands. @:#ay, )=m going to
ta#e it out, seeB &re you happy nowB )=m ta#ing it outFC
0e opened the regular wooden door and paused at the screen doorHthen $orced himsel$ to
open it, "illed himsel$ with every ounce o$ his being to step into the chill night air.
Peter=s mom $rowned as he wal#ed out and shut the wooden door behind him.
@) don=t get him, Aeth. ) (ust don=t get him at allHand he=s not even a teenager yet.C
Aeth (ust made a thhhwwwwpppppthhhhh sound with her tongue, and went bac# to playing
with her doll.
$
The trash cans were around the side o$ the house, about $orty $eet away $rom the #itchen door.
!ot very $ar away, at allH
Hand yet, an eternity.
Peter let go o$ the screen door and heard it close eeeeeeeW0A9"hap"hap behind him. 0e
wal#ed slowly once he was out in the open, loo#ing all around him $or any sign o$ danger. "here
was only the dar# night s#y and the moon. Pale light illuminated everything around G trees,
grass, Dill=s house, garden patch, $orest.
!o /ercy. !othing and no one in a white dress.
Its only D3CC. The last time I sa" >ery$ it "as nearly midnight. Theres no "ay shes out
no"'theres no "ay.
"hat made him $eel better. &lmost.
&s he wal#ed along slowly and peered all around, something occurred to him. the longer he
stayed outside, the longer /ercy had to show up. Long time eJuals badE short time eJuals better.
Peter bolted $or the garbage cans.
In$ortunately one was $ull, and the metal lid on the other one was stuc#. 0e grabbed the
handle and pulled hard. "he whole can came up an inch o$$ the ground, then clattered down with
a thud, all without the lid budging.
Peter=s heart was pumping so hard it nearly e?ploded in his chest.
Forget this. I an ?ust leave the trash )y the an'Ill put it in tomorro" morning. #eah$
tomorro" morning$ like I shouldve done in the first plae.
0e dumped the bag on the ground and turned to run bac# to the house.
-?cept /ercy was standing right in $ront o$ him, $ive $eet away.
@&&&&0FC Peter yelled and stumbled bac# into the garbage bag and the metal cans. "he cans
clanged loudly as they spilled to the ground. Peter tumbled down amongst them but scrambled
Juic#ly to his $eet. &s he got bac# up, his $oot almost slipped on the lid o$ the garbage can,
which had apparently been #noc#ed loose in the $all.
%h great$ +%W you ome off.
/ercy smiled. @PeeeteeeeerHC
0er $ace was $ully visible in the moonlight. ,o were her eyes. Deep pools o$ blac#, li#e a
bottle o$ in# spilled in a puddle on the ground.
@Dou were so un$riendly last night. )=m glad you came outside. !ow we can tal#.C
@9>what do you want, /ercyBC
@,illyH) want you.C
Peter nearly tripped against the garbage cans as he tried to bac# up. 0is le$t $oot got tangled in
the plastic garbage bag ties, and he tried to sha#e it o$$.
@) want you to come play with me. 9e can hang out, li#e when ) as#ed you on the bus. )s that
so much, PeeeteeeerB ) (ust want to hang out with you. 9e=ll have $un, ) promise. )t=s so much
$un. 9e can go wherever we want, we can fly wherever we want toHover the ocean and bac#
againHand no school, Peeeteeeer, no one to tell us what to do. &nd i$ they try, well, then we
(ustHC
,he smiled. "he same smile a shar# gives be$ore it eats its prey.
Peter shivered, and tried again to $ree his $oot $rom the handles o$ the garbage bag. 0e #ic#ed,
and there was a clattering sound as (un# $ell out. "he smell o$ rotting bananas and lasagna scraps
$illed the air.
/ercy stepped closer. ,he was smiling, though not wide enough $or her two sna#e teeth to be
seen. Aut Peter #new they were there. 0e #new they were there (ust li#e he #new that this "as
the end.
0is last image in li$e would be those teeth as she lunged $or his nec#.
"he ne?t image, whatever he saw, wouldn=t be with the eyes o$ a living person.
@Peeeteeeeer, (ust thin# how $un it will beHwe can stay up all night and no one will ever care.
9e can do whatever we want, and no one can ever stop usHC
&ill'if only &ill "ere here.
Dill would #now what to do. 0e=d be able to $igure it out Ghe=d watched every monster
movie on "7, ever.
/ercy was only three $eet away now.
Peter bac#ed up G and $ell. 0is hand sJuished into something wet and nasty $rom the
garbage. Igh.
Forget a)out that. Think$ think. &ill said silver )ullets rosses
Crosses.
0e held up his $ingers so that one crossed the other, in a symbol li#e a Kt=.
/ercy loo#ed down at him, pu''led.
Peter loo#ed at his hands. "hey were dripping red.
0e $elt li#e screaming until he reali'ed it was (ust lasagna sauce. "hat=s what he had put his
hand in. Aut it was red and dripping. 0e tried not to imagine it as his own blood, which would be
pouring out o$ his body any second now and into the mouth o$ /ercy Chalmers i$ this cross
thing didn=t wor# G
G which it seemed to be doing.
,he stood there, loo#ing down at him and his lasagna covered, $inger>made Kt= shape.
"hen she leaned over and, with her thumb and $ore$inger, e$$ortlessly $lic#ed his $ingers apart
li#e she was playing @Area# "he PencilC at school and had (ust snapped somebody=s yellow R2.
@!e?t time,C she smiled sweetly, @try using a real cross.C
,he leaned over him, and her mouth opened.
0er $angs gleamed in the moonlight.
Peter screamed and raised his hand to ward her o$$.
0is hand, dripping with redHlasagna sauce.
Lasagna
Italian
-ampires hate Italian
Garli
@8arlicFC Peter screamed, and reached up and smac#ed /ercy in the $ace with his goopy red
hand.
/ercy drew bac# in shoc# and closed her mouth. ,he loo#ed down at the bits o$ noodle and
cheese dripping onto her dress G and screeched. Loudly.
@D:I /-,,-D IP /D DR-,,, D:I L)""L- M-RNFC she yelled as she tried to wipe away
the red sauce.
@"here=s garlic in thereFC Peter crowed. AamF
@!o there=s not,C /ercy said contemptuously. @)t=s a "7 dinner.C
%hhhhhhhhhh man.
Peter reached around $or whatever he could get his hands on.
/ercy lunged again with $angs bared.
Peter=s hand closed on the trash can lid.
/ercy was in the air, her arms outstretched.
Peter hurled the garbage can lid through the air li#e a giant <risbee G
6=A+G, right into the side o$ /ercy=s head.
,he went down li#e a bag o$ potatoes and thudded into the grass.
@:h crap, oh crap,C Peter whimpered. 0e got up and ran as $ast as he could with the garbage
bag tugging on his $oot and ripping and scattering everything behind him.
/ercy pushed hersel$ up on her arms and loo#ed over her shoulder.
@"hat 0IR",C she howled.
Peter made the mista#e o$ loo#ing behind him as he ran $or the #itchen door.
)t was li#e she was wearing a rope around her body that made her weightless. ,he (ust pushed
o$$ $rom the ground and suddenly she was in the air and hurtling towards him, arms outstretched
and dress $lapping in the wind.
,he was $lying.
<lying towards him.
Peter turned around. 0e didn=t dare loo# bac# again.
0e could hear her hissing somewhere above him.
0e was at the #itchen door now. 0is $ingers closed on the handle, and he $lung open the screen
door G
A&!8. Ae$ore he was even hal$way through, the screen door slammed against his body,
pinning him against the regular wooden #itchen door.
/ercy was on the other side o$ the $limsy wire screen, wailing and scratching at it with
$ingernails that loo#ed li#e #nives. &nd she was ripping through it with every slash o$ her
$ingers.
0is hand $umbled $or the door#nob as he watched her shredding the wire. )n only a $ew more
seconds, the gap she was tearing would be big enough to stic# her head through.
0is $ingers closed around the door#nob and twisted, (ust as the screen ripped apart and her
head came through li#e a giant eel snapping at his throat.
Aut he was already $alling, $alling bac#wards into the #itchen, where he thudded onto the hard
linoleum $loor.
&bove him the screen door slammed. &s it did, /ercy=s head seemed to hit some invisible
$orce $ield that made her draw bac# in pain and $rustration. ,he tried again to $orce her way into
the house, but the invisible glass wall repelled her once more and #noc#ed her two $eet bac# into
the night.
@Dou can=t get in unless ) invite you,C Peter remembered. @&nd ) &/ !-7-R 8:)!8 ":
)!7)"- D:I )!FC
/ercy howled and spat and screamed and hu$$edHand then stopped. ,he hovered gently in
the air and loo#ed directly into Peter=s eyes.
@"his isn=t over,C she said so$tly. &nd then she bolted straight up into the night s#y, out o$
view, li#e 8od himsel$ had pulled her by a string up into the clouds.
%
Peter lay there on the $loor, chest heaving, until he remembered where he was. 0e whirled
around, his lasagna>covered hand leaving red palm prints on the $loor, and prayed that his
mother would be there, her mouth hanging open, ready to cry and babble about how sorry she
was that she hadn=t trusted him, no" she understood why he didn=t want to ta#e out the garbage,
and could he ever $orgive her G
,he wasn=t there. !obody was there.
Peter loo#ed bac# at the shredded screen door, and closed his eyes. 0e had no idea how he
was going to e?plain that.
"hen he had to laugh, (ust a little. "here was a murderous vampire obsessed with #illing him
and turning him into one o$ the undeadHand he was worried that the screen door to the #itchen
was ripped.
%h man.
0e hobbled to his $eet and went to the sin#. 0e turned on the water, washed o$$ his hands, then
dried them on a dish towel.
9hat was he going to sayB "his was horrible. !o matter what, /om wasn=t going to believe
him G
@P-"-RFC his mother called.
Peter (umped two $eet. 9hen he hit the ground again, he reali'ed she was yelling $rom the
$ront o$ the house.
@)n hereFC he called bac#.
,he hadn=t seen the screen doorHyet.
/om stuc# her head in the doorway to the #itchen.
Peter held his breathHthen reali'ed that the re$rigerator was bloc#ing her view o$ the #itchen
bac# door.
@9here have you beenB )=ve been calling you $or the last three minutesFC
@IhHout bac# with the garbage.C
@:h. 9ell, you have a little $riend out in the $ront hallway.C
Peter=s heart li$ted.
&ill.
!ow that Dill was here, he could help out. 0e would #now what to do, he would #now how to
$i? the situation, he had seen every Dracula movie there ever was. &t the very least, he could
ta#e the blame $or the ripped screen door.
9hich /om hadn=t seen yetHalthough she would. Aut $or now Peter was sa$e.
@Don=t be too long, it=s a school night,C /om said. @)=ll be upstairs, )=m putting Aeth to bed.C
@:#ay, /om.C
,he wal#ed through the #itchen and disappeared up the bac# stairs.
Peter bolted $or the $ront. 0e was almost there be$ore he reali'ed something was wrong. Dill
wouldn=t have come to the house. 0e would have called.
Aut maybe he saw Peter $ighting /ercy and ran outside.
Aut then why didn=t he come and helpB
9ellHDill was #ind o$ a coward when it came to monsters.
Aut he wouldn=t leave Peter alone to die li#e thatH
Peter slowed down as he approached the $ront $oyer.
"here was only one e?planation.
/ercy.
!o, that wasn=t right either G /om had said that she=d been calling $or three minutes.
Peter had been $ighting /ercy $or the last three minutes, easily. "here was no way /ercy
could have gotten inside the house during that timeHwas thereB
7ampires could $ly, but as $ar as Peter #new they couldn=t clone themselves.
:r so he thought, until he rounded the end o$ the giant stairwell.
&
It wasn=t /ercy, though.
Aut it wasn=t Dill, either.
)n $act, it wasn=t anybody. !ot that Peter could see.
)n the living room across $rom the stairs was a long mirror that stretched over the $ireplace. )n
it, he could see the re$lection o$ the entire room, including himsel$, as he approached. &nd there
was no one in there.
Peter wal#ed into the room. @&nybody hereBC
@Must little old me,C a voice behind him said.
Peter whirled around. )t was a girl with blond curls and a pug nose. ,he was wearing a plaid
dress and a ru$$led white blouse.
&gnes ,mithouse. "he girl who had disappeared.
Peter glanced at the mirror over the $ireplace.
&ccording to the re$lection, he was the only one in the room.
Peter loo#ed bac# at her. "here was a scar$ around her nec# and white sunglasses perched on
her nose. Aoth hid something horrible, Peter was sure o$ it. "wo bloody little bite mar#sHand
eyes blac# as night.
&gnes smiled ever>so>$riendly at him $rom behind the plastic daisies ringing her shades. @0i,
Peter. )t=s nice to see you again.C
)ce water $illed Peter=s $eet and legs. @9hat are you doing hereBC he croa#ed.
@Dour mother was so nice to invite me in,C &gnes e?plained. @Dou #now the best part about
thatB ) can come over any time ) want nowFC
&gnes clapped her hands li#e she=d (ust gotten the birthday present she wanted most in the
world.
Peter $elt li#e throwing up. @9hat do you wantBC
0e moved slightly, to put a table and lamp between him and &gnes.
@Must to see how your tal# with /ercy went.C
@/y tal#.C
@Must now. :ut in the yard.C
#ou mean the one "here she tried to suk out all my )lood*
@ImHwellHC
@,he said ) should come with her, but she seemed li#e she wanted to spend some alone time
with you,C &gnes con$ided. @&nd ) was li#e, K"hat=s cool, )=ll (ust hang out.= &nd then ) thought,
KD=#now, i$ it doesn=t go so great, maybe we better have a plan A.=C &gnes smiled sweetly. @,o )
told /ercy, and she was li#e, K8reat,= and ) rang your doorbell, and now here ) amFC
@Ih>huh.C Peter nodded, trying to ta#e it all in. @,ooooHwhat do you wantBC
&gnes leaned in. 0er eyebrows arched high over her sunglasses. @Do you li#e /ercyBC
Peter sJuinted. @9hatBC
@,he li#es you,C &gnes whispered in a $a#e way, as though /ercy was right outside the room
and could hear.
>ay)e she really is.
Peter=s stomach turned, and he darted a Juic# glance around. !o /ercy.
@Dou=re all she ever tal#s about,C &gnes continued. @,he=s (ust boy>cra'y. KPeter this, Peter
that.= ,o ) came over to $ind out i$ you li#e her.C
@Like herBC
:he ?ust tried to kill me$ Agnes. Tell >ery I "ant to marry her.
@Couldn=t you have sent a note overBC Peter as#ed, and edged behind the couch.
@Li#e KChec# Des or !o=BC &gnes laughed. @9e tal#ed about it, but that=s more o$ a school
thing, and as you=ve probably guessed, ) don=t thin# we=ll be going bac# to school anymore.C
&gnes grinned. @Inless they start having night classes.C
Peter was loo#ing $or something, anything, he could use as a weapon. ,o $ar he could only see
a candlestic#, but it loo#ed li#e it was brass and not silver. "here were some old !ational
8eographics lying around, but he doubted he could #ill a vampire with paper cuts.
@,ooooH"hat do you want, &gnesBC Peter said $or the umpteenth time. @Do you li#e
/ercyBC
@IhhhhhH/ercy=s o#ayHC 0o" do I say this and not get killed* @Hbut ) don=t really li#e
her the way ) thin# she li#es me. /aybe we should (ust be $riends.C
&gnes stamped her $oot. @/ercy=s not going to li#e that.C
#eah$ she didnt seem to like it too muh "hen she "as ripping through the sreen door "ith
her la"s and fangs.
&gnes sighed. @) told her girls mature $aster than boys. ) said, KLet=s go $ind a cute $i$th grader,
an older man,= but nooooooo, she has to have you.C
Peter shrugged and smiled goo$ily. @Dou #now me, )=m (ust reallyHimmature.C
&gnes too# her $irst step towards Peter. Peter automatically too# two steps bac#.
@) thin# you could really learn to li#e her. Must spend a little time with her, Peter. )t=ll be a
$riends thing G love can come later. 9e=re going to have so much $unF Dou really don=t #now
what you=re missing out onF !o more school, ever.C
"hat would normally be reason enough $or Peter to do (ust about anything, short o$ selling his
soul. &t the moment, however, the sa$ety o$ /rs. Cashew=s classroom seemed li#e the most
wonder$ul thing in the world.
Peter studied the doorway to the den out o$ the corner o$ his eye. )$ he bolted $or it, could he
outrun herB
@Im, you #now, ) thin# )=m going to stic# with school.C
&gnes $rowned. @Really.C
Running was his best option. "here was nothing in here to de$end himsel$ with.
But there are knives in the kithen.
@Deah. )=m, uhH)=m really digging $ractions.C
@<ractions.C
@Deah. )t=s li#eHpie.C
@Pie.C &gnes $rowned, clearly not $ollowing.
Good. <onfuse her. <ount of three on stra")erry pie.
@Deaaaah. Aanana cream pieHcherry pieHstraw G C
@) love your $amily, Peter,C &gnes interrupted.
Peter $ro'e, the countdown #aput. 0e hadn=t been e?pecting that.
@Dour mom was carrying your little sister when she answered the door G she=s sooo ute8C
&gnes sJuealed.
&nd then her voice changed, got dar#er. "here was an evil sense o$ humor in her words now.
@,o cute that ) could (ust eat her up.C
Peter=s blood went $rom icy to boiling. @Dou stay away $rom my sister,C he snarled.
@&ll that tal# about pie was ma#ing me hungry.C &gnes smiled. @9ell, what about your
momBC
@)$ you hurt my momHC
@Dou=ll whatB 9hat=ll you do, PeterBC &gnes moc#ed him.
Peter=s entire body shoo# G $rom $ear or anger, he couldn=t tell.
9hen &gnes ne?t spo#e, her voice was soothing, gentle. @)t doesn=t have to be li#e this. &ll
you have to do is come with me. /ercy came and got me last night, and it=s beenHC
&gnes too# a big breath and blew it out.
@)t=s "onderful, Peter. Don=t get me wrong, it was scary at $irstHthe dying part. Aut then )
wo#e up again a couple o$ hours ago, (ust li#e /ercy said. !verything is (ust li#e she said. <lying
is so oolHand li$e is going to be di$$erent now. ,chool doesn=t matterHgrown>ups don=t
matterHthe only bad thing is how thirsty you get,C &gnes muttered, and lic#ed her lips. @Aut
/ercy told me there=s something you can do to ma#e that go away, too.C
Peter reali'ed that she was loo#ing at his nec#. )t $elt li#e a coc#roach was creeping across his
s#in.
9ithout thin#ing, he bolted $or the door.
&gnes leaped through the air and snagged him by his shirt be$ore he even got hal$way there.
@"hat=s not a good idea,C she said, and smiled right into his $ace.
9ith a single $lip o$ her arm, &gnes threw him $ive $eet in the air G entirely over the couch
G and sent him sprawling onto the $loor.
,he hovered midair and slowly advanced towards him.
Peter=s arm hurt $rom landing on it badly, but he had no choice e?cept to move. 0e bac#ed up
on the $loor li#e a crab in slow motion.
@)$ you won=t come out o$ the house, Peter, maybe we=ll (ust get it over right here.C
@8etHget what overBC Peter as#ed sha#ily, although he already had a good idea.
@/ercy=s going to be sooooo mad at me.C &gnes shoo# her head, then whispered, @,he
wanted to #iss you $irst, but she=ll get over itHthe important thing is we ta#e you along with us.C
Peter discovered that it was hard to crawl when all your limbs $elt li#e (elly. 0e wasn=t sure i$
it was $rom the #nowledge that &gnes planned to turn him into a vampire right here and nowHor
i$ it was because she planned to #iss him.
&gnes was almost directly over him when she too# o$$ her sunglasses. 0er eyes were li#e
/ercy=s G blac# and oily, no white or color at all under the lids.
@PeterHC she whispered. @Peter, do you thin# )=m prettyBC
Peter pointed at her s#irt. @) can see your underpants.C
@90&"BFC &gnes screamed, and 'ipped bac#wards in the air about two $eet, her hands
pressed against her legs.
Peter $lipped over onto his belly and crawled $or his li$e.
&gnes loo#ed up and scowled. @:h, you littleHC
Aut by then Peter was under the co$$ee table, which had a wooden $rame with a plate o$ glass
in the middle.
&gnes $lew to the ground beside the table, hissing and clawing.
Peter #ic#ed at her with all his might and smac#ed away her hands.
"hen she was gone, only to reappear on the table top. 0er palms pressed down against the
glass, and she peered straight into Peter=s $ace $rom twelve inches away.
,he hissed li#e a cat. 0er $angs gleamed in the dull lamplight. "hey loo#ed oddly out o$ place
among her other teeth, li#e two #nives against a row o$ pearls.
@:#ayHso that=s how you want to playBC &gnes smiled with her cobra $angs and shar#=s
eyes. @/aybe your little sister would li#e to come with us.C
@!:FC Peter yelled. @!:, D:!=" D:I D&R- G C
Aut &gnes was already gone, up into the air and away.
'
Peter scrambled out $rom under the co$$ee table and ran a$ter her. "here was a part o$ him that
said this was all a trap, that &gnes was doing this to draw him out. Aut there was an even bigger
part that pictured Aeth asleep in bed and &gnes drooling over her.
"hat was never going to happen. -ven i$ Peter had to die to stop it, that was never going to
happen.
0e dashed out into the open hallway. "he giant staircase sloped thirty $eet in the air,
crisscrossing $rom the $irst to the second story, then in the opposite direction to the third $loor.
&gnes was already hal$way to the top, twirling in the air so her dress poo$ed out. ,he smiled
sweetly. @,o you decided to come out and play.C
@Leave my sister aloneFC Peter yelled as he launched himsel$ up the steps two at a time.
&gnes $loated higher.
@)=ve changed my mind. ) don=t want some grubby little boy, especially one who doesn=t
appreciate what we=re trying to do $or him. Aut )=ve always wanted a little sister. ) can comb her
hair, and dress her, and teach her everythingHso she an )e ?ust like me$C &gnes cac#led.
Peter made his way up to the second $loor. @,top.C
@9hyBC
@)=llH)=ll go with you. Must leave my sister alone.C
&gnes dri$ted down through the air li#e a dandelion pu$$ on a summer bree'e.
@&re you sureBC
Peter loo#ed into those dar#, bottomless eyes. 0is sister would never loo# li#e that. !ot while
he could do anything about it.
)$ he tac#led &gnes, would they $all to the groundB 9ould it be enough to #ill herB 9ould it
#ill them bothB
0e loo#ed down at the hallway $loor, twenty $eet below.
)t didn=t matter. 0e had to try.
@Des,C Peter said.
&gnes held out her hand.
@"hen come with me. )t only hurts $or a second, PeterHand then everything is wonder$ul.C
Peter put out his sha#ing handHwithdrew itHand $inally placed his palm in hers.
<rom out o$ nowhere, a thic# metal chain slapped and wrapped itsel$ around &gnes=s body,
:0I+6 :0I+6 :0I+6.
@9hatBFC she cried out.
@8-" &9&D <R:/ 0-R, A:DFC 8rand$ather boomed $rom somewhere below.
Peter pulled bac#, but &gnes held onto his hand li#e a vise. ,he snarled at him, drool dripping
$rom her $angs. @:h no you doo::::!=" G C
"he chain yan#ed her towards the ground with such $orce that her grip on Peter=s hand
slammed him against the staircase banister. "he wood railing stopped him, which bro#e her hold
on his arm.
0er plastic daisy sunglasses (er#ed out o$ her other hand and tumbled over and over towards
the $loor.
Down she plummeted. &s she dropped, Peter could $inally see 8rand$ather. 0e was pulling
the chain hand over hand, his arms moving so $ast they were almost a blur.
&gnes slammed into the hardwood $loor and screamed. 8rand$ather was immediately on her,
looping the chain again and again around her arms. "hen he slid a padloc# through the lin#s G
<LI<6.
&gnes $lipped around and snapped her teeth at 8rand$ather, but he was already out o$ reach.
,he struggled but couldn=t move her arms. ,till screaming, she launched into the air, headed
straight $or Peter.
6A/<0A+68 "he chain snapped tight as she reached the second $loor. Peter scampered bac#
on the stairs and watched her clic#ing teeth through the wooden poles in the banister.
"he chain tugged her out o$ view again. Peter crawled to the edge o$ the stairs and watched
&gnes $lit to and $ro as 8rand$ather tried to reel her in. ,he was li#e some horrible, demonic
balloon on a chain instead o$ a string.
"hen there was a glint in her eye and the brie$est o$ evil smiles. Peter didn=t understand until
he saw her dart down instead o$ up, speeding $ast as she could G $or 8rand$ather.
@!:FC Peter yelled.
)t was too late. 0er mouth was open, her $angs were out. ,he aimed straight at 8rand$ather=s
high collar, (ust to the le$t o$ his #notted tie. &nd 8rand$ather didn=t do a thing to stop her. 0e
(ust stood there, e?pressionless, as she $lew at him li#e a bullet.
& strangled cry came out o$ Peter=s mouth as &gnes buried her teeth in 8rand$ather=s throat.
!(
CLA+6.
&gnes=s eyes widened.
,o did Peter=s.
"he only person who loo#ed totally unconcerned was 8rand$ather.
@:w :w :9FC &gnes yelled, her words mu$$led since her teeth were still embedded in
8rand$ather=s white collar.
"hen she started whipping her head $rom side to side, thrashing bac# and $orth li#e a puppy
with a chew toy. "here was a ripping sound, and she bac#ed up in the air with tattered cloth still
stuc# to her $angs.
!ow that the collar was torn o$$ the shirt, Peter could clearly see the metal band encircling
8rand$ather=s nec#. )t loo#ed li#e a steel ring about $ive inches tall, with a hinge and a latch to
put it on and ta#e it o$$.
&gnes reali'ed what had happened, but she was too late. 8rand$ather had already reeled her
in. ,he had nowhere to go.
!ow that he was in range, 8rand$ather punched her in the mouth.
:r at least that=s what Peter thought until 8rand$ather pulled bac# his hand, revealing a shiny
apple stuc# $irmly onto &gnes=s $angs.
,he screamed until her chee#s pu$$ed out, but the apple didn=t move. ,he tried sha#ing her
head bac# and $orth to dislodge the $ruit, but it was stuc# tight.
,o she tried to $ly away.
"hat wasn=t any good either, since 8rand$ather was holding onto the chain securely.
&gnes didn=t (ust loo# li#e a balloon anymore, she loo#ed li#e a pig in an old timey cartoon,
the ones they roasted with an apple in its mouth. & $loating balloon pig in a plaid dress and
ru$$led shirt.
&gnes screamed and #ic#ed her legs, but 8rand$ather hung on to the chain.
@"han#s,C Peter said over the edge o$ the railing.
@) thought ) told you not to invite them in,C 8rand$ather spat.
@)t=s not my $aultF /om invited her, not meFC
8rand$ather muttered, and then started dragging &gnes towards the doorway under the stairs
G the one he had warned Peter to stay out o$, on pain o$ his li$e, on Peter=s very $irst day in the
houseF
@9hat are you going to do with herBC
@!ever you mind. 8o to bed.C 8rand$ather used a #ey to open the door, and struggled to pull
&gnes inside.
Peter $elt an odd tug o$ emotions inside him. &gnes had (ust tried to #ill him. 9orse, she
might have tried to #iss him. Aut she was still the little girl in the third row at school, the one
with the pug nose and the Aarbie lunchbo?.
@Dou=re notHgoing to #ill her, are youBC Peter whimpered.
@Aoy G C 8rand$ather warned, but was cut o$$ by a voice $rom above.
@Peter, what=s all this ruc#usBC his mother called $rom the top o$ the stairs. @) can hear you
$rom the third $loorFC
Peter=s heart stopped. "hen he reali'ed that $rom where she stood, she couldn=t see anything o$
what was going on with 8rand$ather and &gnes below.
&gnes heard /om=s voice and screamed, but the apple in her mouth made it sound li#e high>
pitched humming.
8rand$ather gave the chain a hard yan#, and both he and &gnes disappeared into dar#ness.
"he door closed a$ter them with a clic#.
@9hat was thatBC /om as#ed as she peered over the edge o$ the banister.
@IhHwho #nows,C Peter said. @8rand$ather=s wor#ing down in the basement, ) thin#.C
@9ell what was all the screamingBC
@ImHC Peter loo#ed down and saw the daisy sunglasses that &gnes had been wearing not
two minutes be$ore. 0e pointed at the hardwood $loor. @) reali'ed &gnes le$t her sunglasses.C
@Dou screamed about thatBC
@DeahHli#e, :0 CR&PFC
@"wiceBC
@9ellHthen ) dropped them. ,o ) screamed again. :0HD:IAL- CR&PFC
0is mother loo#ed at him and shoo# her head slowly. @) don=t #now about you, Peter. ,top
screaming so your sister and ) can go to sleep. &nd you go to bed, too, young man, it=s a school
night.C
Peter nodded.
0is mother disappeared $rom the edge o$ the staircase. 9hen he heard her $ootsteps $ade
away, he $inally put his head in his hands.
"his was horrible. 0e=d almost died tonight G twiceF 8rand$ather was downstairs, probably
driving a wooden sta#e into the heart o$ a girl $rom his class. &nd /ercy was still out there, $ree
to cause trouble and try to #ill him again.
>ery.
9here was sheB
Peter loo#ed up instinctively at the giant window over the $ront door. )t was ten $eet by ten
$eet, crisscrossed by white strips that created do'ens o$ glass panes.
&nd right behind them, twenty $eet above the ground, /ercy was $loating. 9atching him.
Peter sti$led a scream and shran# bac# against the wall.
,he sneered at him, wheeled around, and launched into the air. ,he $lew directly towards the
$ull moon, and Peter watched as her body grew smaller in the distance, until she darted in a
di$$erent direction and was swallowed by the blac# night s#y.
!1
Okay$ Im kind of glad I didnt spend the night at your house$1 Dill=s voice crac#led over the
phone.
@"his isn=t $unny,C Peter whispered into the receiver. 0e #ept a watch$ul eye out in case his
mother should enter the #itchen.
ATell me a)out it$ man. +ot only do you have t"o girls trying to kiss you BL!<0 theyre
dead$ too. 0o"d you get so unluky*1
@) have no idea.C
AWhat do you think your Grandfathers doing do"n there* #ou think hes$ like$ going to keep
her hained till the sun omes up and she )ursts into flames*1
@Dill, they=re in the basement. "here=s no windows down there.C
A0ave you )een do"n there*1
@!oHC
AThen ho" do you kno"* >ay)e its not "indo"s$ may)e its a seret tunnel "ith mirrors
plaed e@atly right that reflet the sun from some"here a)ove ground$ and it hits one mirror
and then the ne@t$ )am )am )am$ and then the "hole )asement gets filled "ith sunlight$ and
FWWGGGG000.1 Dill imitated a bon$ire going up in $lames.
@Must $or #illing vampires underground,C Peter deadpanned.
@If the last fe" "eeks at your house have taught me anything$1 Dill lectured, Aits that you
gotta )e prepared for everything. #our granddad o)viously is I mean$ ome on$ a vampire/
)loker metal nek thingee. Thats AW!:%>!.1
@/ercy=s still out there, Dill.C
A#eah.1
@9e gotta go stop her.C
A7m'didnt you ?ust say >erys still out there*1
@Des.C
A:o$ see$ after that you should say$ EWhih is "hy you gotta stay in your house and not go
outside tonight$ &ill. :ee$ thats "hat you shoulda said.1
@"hin# about it. &gnes disappeared yesterday, and now she=s bac# as a vampire. /ercy=s tried
to get me twice now. 9ho do you thin# she=s going to go a$ter ne?tBC
"here was a long pause on the other end o$ the line.
A>!*1 Dill cried in panic.
@!o, she doesn=t even li#e you. ) thin# she=s going a$ter Natie Arammelson, her other best
$riend.C
AWo".1 Dill whistled so$tly. A:uks to )e 6atie Brammelson right a)out no".1
@Dill, we=ve got to go save herFC
A7m'no.1
@Dill, you heard that story 8rand$ather told us in the truc#. thirty people died and became
vampires till somebody stopped it. 9e=ve got to stop it be$ore it gets out o$ hand.C
AThat "as$ like$ five hundred years ago$1 Dill said.
@)t was not.C
A9eople )eame vampires a lot faster )ak then.1
@9hatBF 9hy do you say thatBC
ABeause$ uhhhh'they had less )lood in their )odies. They "ere smaller.1
@Dill.C
A#ou ever )een in a really old house* !veythings littler than normal little )eds$ little
door"ays like ho))its or something.1
@DillFC
ALet your grandfather handle it$ 9ete. 0e seems to "ant to.1
@9ell, ) can=t get down in the basement Kcause the door is loc#ed. &nd i$ ) #noc# on the door
it=ll wa#e my mom up, and she=ll stop me $or sureFC
A<ant it "ait till morning*1
@!o.C
AWhats going to stop >ery from killing us$ huh*1
@) have an idea. 8rand$ather gave it to me.C
!
The boys sat on their bi#es in the battered garage behind the house.
@Do vampires need to be invited into garages be$ore they can bite youBC Dill as#ed nervously.
@)t=s part o$ the houseH)=m sure it wor#s the same way,C Peter reassured him.
@Dou better be right.C Dill $iddled with the pie tin dangling around his nec#. Peter had cut out
the center, and a$ter much grunting, they had $orced it over Dill=s (ug ears and down to his nec#.
@)t=s too loose,C Dill complained.
Peter ripped scotch tape $rom a plastic dispenser. @0old on.C 0e bent Dill=s pie tin so it
overlapped, then taped it together so it held more tightly on his nec#.
@"his suc#s, man. )t=s not going to stop anything.C
@)t=ll be $ine,C Peter assured him. 0e ad(usted the pie tin around his own nec#, replaced the
tape in his school bac#pac#, and slung his arms through the straps.
@Inh>unh. ,he=s going to bite right through this, dude, and then it=s 8&/- :7-R.C
@Do you have a $illing in your teethBC
@DeaaahhHC Dill said warily, not really sure where this was going.
@Dou ever touch a $or# and your tongue to it at the same timeBC
@:h man, that=s the worstF )t=s that weird tingling, it=s horribleFC Dill paused. @9hat does that
have to do with anythingBC
@Aiting a pie tin is (ust as bad. )t really tastes horrible.C
Dill loo#ed at Peter li#e you idiot. @Dou=re telling me you hope to stop an undead bloodsuc#er
$rom #illing me by ma#ing her teeth feel "eirdBC
@9ell, it=ll be really tough to punch through, too.C Peter shi$ted uneasily. 0e decided not to
tell Dill how badly the #itchen screen door was shredded. @Aesides, we don=t have much o$ a
choice.C
@9hy don=t you (ust call NatieB "ell her, K0ey, Natie, i$ any dead $riends o$ yours stop by
tonight, don=t let Kem in, o#ayB= Must tell her that.C @) already called. 0er dad answered and
yelled at me, then hung up.C
Dill scrunched up his $ace. @)t=s only, li#e, nine o=cloc#FC
@)t=s almost 10.10 now.C
@9hatever. ) still say you #noc# on the basement door. )$ your mom sends you to bedH
wellHthat=s not the worst thing that could happen tonight, that=s $or sure.C
@) already tried. ) #noc#ed as loud as ) could without her hearing. 8rand$ather didn=t answer at
all.C Peter put his hand on Dill=s shoulder. @"here=s no other way, Dill.C
Dill sighed. @Deah there is. "he other way is we stay home and don=t become undead. 9hy
are you so set on trying to stop /ercyBC
@Do you #now what &gnes said to me when she was in the living roomBC
@&ccording to you, she said a lot.C
@,he said she would turn Aeth into a vampire i$ ) didn=t come with her G and then she $lew
upstairs to try and ta#e her.C Peter shoo# his head. @9e can=t let that happen to anybody else,
Dill. 9e=ve got to try.C
@0ec#, she can have my brothers and sisters, as long as she doesn=t bring them bac#.C
Peter loo#ed into Dill=s eyes. @&re you up $or thisBC
Dill glared at him. @&ll this to save a stupid girl. ) don=t even like girls, man.C
@Come on.C
"he two boys pedaled o$$, down the driveway and o$$ into the night.
!!
It only too# 20 minutes to get to Natie Arammelson=s house. "he bi#e ride too# them past :ur
Lady o$ Perpetual Peace again.
@9anna stop in and say hi to <ather ,tevensBC Peter as#ed.
Dill (ust snorted.
"hey $ound her house on a winding bac# road. Peter replaced the school directory in his
bac#pac#, and they stared up at the dar# windows.
@:#ay, now whatBC Dill inJuired. @Cu' ) #now i$ you weren=t going to call her dad bac# a$ter
he hung up on you, you=re de$initely not going to #noc# on her door in the middle o$ the night.C
@ImHlet=s chec# out the house.C
"hey crept around the bac#. "here was a window a(ar on the second story. Curtains inside
blew $aintly in the night bree'e.
@Dou thin# that=s hersBC Peter whispered.
@"his is the absolute stupidest thing we=ve ever done,C Dill said.
@9hyBC
@WhyB Cu' )=m standing outside o$ the house o$ some girl ) hardly #now, and we don=t #now
i$ that=s her room, and you won=t go #noc# on the door, so we=re gonna turn around and not do a
dang thing, and any second ) might get bit and turned into a vampire cu' all )=ve got on to protect
me is a pie tin around my nec#FC Dill $umed, then scratched under the metal. @&nd it itchesFC
@9ho=s thatBC called a girl=s voice.
@:h crap,C Dill whimpered as he hid behind Peter.
Natie Arammelson stuc# her head out the window. ,he was a redhead, but in the dar#ness her
hair loo#ed almost completely blac#.
@NatieBC Peter whispered.
@9ho=s thatB 9ho are youBC Natie as#ed $ear$ully.
@)t=s me, Peter !ormal. &nd Dill Aodins#i. <rom school.C
Dill waved over Peter=s shoulder. @0i.C
@9hat are you doing hereBC
@9e came here to warn you.C
@9arn me about whatBC
@!ot to let anybody in.C
Natie paused and coc#ed her head. @Dou came all the way over here to tell me not to let
anybody in.C
@Des.C
Natie did an e?aggerated shrug. @Ih, whyBC
Peter and Dill loo#ed at each other.
@Dou=re the big genius here, man, not me,C Dill muttered.
Peter loo#ed bac# up at Natie in the second story window and too# a big breath.
@/ercy Chalmers. ,he=s not dead. 9ell, she is dead, but she=s bac#. ,he=s a vampire now, and
we=re worried that she=s coming a$ter you. Aut vampires can=t come inside a house unless you
invite them in, and that=s why we=re here, to tell you not to let /ercy or &gnes inside. -?cept
&gnes won=t be a problem, because my grand$ather has her loc#ed up at home in the basement.C
-ven in the moonlight, Peter could see Natie=s loo# o$ alarm. 0e added hurriedly, @Aecause she
attac#ed me. ,he=s a vampire too, now, and we thought that since /ercy turned her into one, she
was coming a$ter you ne?t.C
@Dou=re $rea#in= her out, man,C Dill whispered into Peter=s ear.
Natie disappeared and the window slid shut.
Dill hung his head. @8reat.C
Peter tried to put a positive spin on it. @9ellHnow she #nows.C
@9hy=d you have to tell her the whole storyB )t=s a pretty $rea#y story, you #now. ,he=s
probably in there dialing 611. K0ello, police, ) have two cra'ies out on my $ront lawnH=C
@) didn=t see you volunteering $or anything,C Peter retorted.
@) haven=t even seen /ercy yet. <or all ) #now, you could=ve gone cra'y, and you=re (ust
ma#ing this stu$$ up.C
Peter scowled at Dill. @9hat are you sayingBC
@) believe you, ) believe you,C Dill bac#trac#ed. @Aut ) only believe you cu' o$ the other pretty
weird stu$$ G C
@Dou mean the dead guys in the garden patch.C
Dill winced. @,ee, why do you gotta go thereB 9e=re out in the middle o$ the night, there=s a
vampire on the loose, and you bring that up. ) told you, ) don=t wanna tal# about G C
<LI<6.
Aoth boys (umped and screamed.
@,hushFC Natie said $rom the bac# door, now wide open. @Dou=ll wa#e up my parents.C
Dill sighed in relie$. @:h, man, we thought you=d split and called the cops.C
@) don=t understand a single thing about what you said G C Natie began.
Peter held out his hands, palms $acing out, li#e you an stop right there. @) #now it=s a hard
story to believe G C
@ G but ) thin# it=s really, really mean o$ you to go tal#ing about my best $riend that way,C
Natie cho#ed, her voice a mi?ture o$ sadness and anger. @)$ this is some #ind o$ a (o#e, it=s a
really stupid one, and ) hate both o$ you.C
@9hoa, nelly, hold the phone,C Dill said. @9e=re trying to save you.C
@8ood,C Peter whispered to him.
@,eeB ) can step up,C Dill whispered bac#.
Natie started to cry.
Dill sighed. @&wwww crap. Dou handle it.C
@Natie, we didn=t want to ma#e you sad, it=s (ust we were really worried about you.C
<rom bawling to raging, Natie turned on a dime. @)t=s not nice to tal# about people=s best
$riends li#e that,C Natie spat. @Don=t you #now how it ma#es meHC
Natie trailed o$$, then peered more closely.
@&re those pie tins around your nec#BC
Dill put his hand over his eyes in shame.
@Ihhhh, yeah,C Peter said.
@HwhyBC Natie as#ed.
@Aecause they=ll ma#e her teeth $eel all googly i$ she tries to bite us,C Dill answered with a
complete lac# o$ conviction.
Natie sJuinted li#e she could hear the words, but they weren=t ma#ing an ounce o$ sense.
Dill shoo# his head. @) #now, ) #now.C
@Natie, you gotta believe me. /ercy=s shown up twice now, trying to get me to come with her.
,he got to &gnes G ) seriously thin# she=s coming a$ter you ne?t.C
@9ait. 9ait wait wait wait wait.C Natie held up her hands and snapped her head, li#e oh no
you did +%T ?ust say that. @/ercy Chalmers, my best $riend, is bac# $rom the dead, and she
came to you $irst, &gnes second, and me lastB ) don=t think so. !ow ) #now you=re lying.C
Dill stood on his tiptoes to get ne?t to Peter=s ear. @-?plain to me again. "hy are we ris#ing
our lives to save herBC
@)$ she=s li#e this alive, can you imagine what she would be li#e deadBC
@/mHgood point.C
Peter turned bac# to Natie, e?pecting another outburst. )nstead, she stood there with her mouth
wide open and her eyes bulging.
@) didn=t mean it, Natie,C Peter apologi'ed. @9e=re all really scared right now, which is why )
(ust said that, and why you=re beingHthe way you are, ) guess, but G C
@/mHC Natie mumbled.
@9hatBC Peter as#ed.
@/>m>mmHC
@0uhBC Dill leaned in closer to get a better listen.
@/>m>m>m>mercy,C Natie stuttered and raised her pointed $inger.
Peter and Dill turned around, right into the smiling blac# eyes o$ /ercy Chalmers.
!"
)A&&&&&000FC Dill and Peter screamed. "hey immediately tried to bac# up, but instead
toppled into Natie, which sent them all $alling into the house.
@0uhB 9ha G ha ha ha haF 9e=re sa$eFC Dill crowed as he reali'ed they were inside the
#itchen.
0e $orgot about his leg, which was still stic#ing out over the cement porch.
9ith one swipe, /ercy snagged his $oot and yan#ed Dill out o$ the doorway. Nic#ing and
screaming, he dangled upside down $rom her outstretched arm.
@Dou see thisB "his is a pie tin on my nec#F Don=t even "RD biting meFC
Peter and Natie stood up inside the house.
@/ercy, let Dill go, PL-&,-,C Peter begged.
@/mmmmHno.C ,he gave an evil smile. @)=ve decided ) li#e Dilly better than you. 0e=s not
mean to me, are you, DillyBC
@/y name is D)LL, and )=ll be mean to you, give me a chanceF ) was mean to you all the time
behind your bac#, ) said aw$ul things G C
@,0I" IPFC /ercy roared, loud as a tiger.
@:#ay,C Dill sJuea#ed.
@/ercy, please. Don=t hurt DillHyou can have me,C Peter said.
/ercy turned up her nose. @) don=t li#e you anymore.C
@"hat=s my $ault, /ercy, not hisHpleaseH)=ll do anything you want, (ust don=t hurt Dill.C
@Des, don=t hurt Dill,C Dill said in a little mouse voice.
@D:I "&N- &9&D &LL /D <R)-!D,FC /ercy shouted at Peter. @Dou ta#e away &gnes,
you ta#e away Natie G ) thin# )=ll ta#e away one o$ your $riends, now, Peeeteeeeeer.C
@Peter didn=t ta#e me away G you didn=t even come get meFC Natie suddenly wailed. @Dou=re
alive, and you didn=t even tell meBC
/ercy loo#ed at her Jui''ically. @)=m not alive. )=m a vampire.C
Natie stomped her $oot.
@&nd you went to Peter be$ore meBF &nd &gnes G why would you choose &gnesBC Natie
went $rom shouting to whining. @9e were best $riends, /ercy G why would you choose
&gnesBC
@Aecause you=re so annoyingBC Dill o$$ered help$ully.
/ercy shoo# him bac# and $orth violently.
@)=ll shut up, )=ll shut up,C Dill babbled.
@&gnes lives closer. Lived closer.C ,he glared at Peter. @&nd ) made a mista#e with Peeeteeeer
here. 0e=s done nothing but hurt me and be mean to me andHandHC
Peter couldn=t believe it. 9as /ercy cho#ing upB
@Hand )=ll never let you hurt me again, Peeeteeeer,C she snarled. @!ow )=m going to hurt
D:I.C
9ith one $lic# o$ her arm, she $lipped Dill li#e a ragdoll and caught him by the collar.
@)=m gonna pu#e,C Dill hac#ed.
,he hoo#ed both o$ her arms under Dill=s and brought her hands up behind his head.
@0ey, that=s a $ull nelsonFC Dill e?claimed, ama'ed. @Do you watch wrestlingBC
@,hut upF 8oodbye, Peeeteeeeer.C
@/-RCD, !:FC Peter yelled as he launched himsel$ out o$ the doorway.
"oo late. ,he shot into the s#y, dragging Dill along with her. Peter=s hands closed on air as she
rose into the night.
Natie shrie#ed. Peter stared up as the two small outlines moved dar#ly against the stars and
began to hover away over the treetops.
@Peter, helpFC Dill cried. @0elp me, help meeeeFC
Peter rushed to his bi#e.
@9hat should we do, what should we doBC blubbered Natie. @,hould ) call the policeBC
Peter whipped o$$ his bac#pac#, ripped out a pen and paper, and wrote down his telephone
number. @Call my house, !:9. &s# $or my grand$ather and tell him it=s an emergency. "ell him
/ercy too# Dill and )=m going to save him.C
@0ow are you going to do thatBC
Peter slung his bac#pac# over his shoulder and stepped onto his bi#e. @) don=t #now,C he
whispered, then raced o$$ down the street.
!#
He could see them G barely G in the moonlight. /ercy was moving slowly over the
treetops. "hough Dill was a scrawny little #id, she probably wasn=t used to carrying something
heavy while she $lew.
&ill.
Peter cursed himsel$ $or dragging Dill along. 0e=d been right, this was dumb, DI/A G two
#ids against a vampireB &nd now Dill was paying the price $or Peter=s stupidity.
Peter couldn=t a$$ord to be stupid again.
0u$$ing and pu$$ing, he pedaled $ast as he could, his eyes on the night s#y, trying to ma#e sure
he #ept /ercy and Dill in sight. "hat was why he heard the truc# $irst instead o$ seeing it.
9utter groan lank$ putter putter lank.
"wo beams o$ light cast Peter=s shadow $ar on the road in $ront o$ him.
"he ancient truc# swerved into the middle o$ the road and chugged up beside Peter. "hrough
the passenger window, 8rand$ather was yelling and swiping his hand in a K,":PF= motion.
Peter bra#ed, and so did the truc#. 9hen they both came to a halt, 8rand$ather hopped out and
ran to the bi#e.
@Aoy, am ) glad to see G C
@8et o$$FC 8rand$ather commanded.
Peter almost $ell, he (umped o$$ so Juic#ly. 8rand$ather grabbed the bi#e and threw it in the
bac# o$ his truc#. )t landed beside an ominous>loo#ing steel bo? that hadn=t been there at the
cemetery. "he bo? was slightly larger than a hotel mini>$ridge and was crisscrossed with chains,
which appeared to be bolted or $astened to the truc# bed.
9hen the bi#e smac#ed into it, the metal case started to bang and clatter.
@9hat are you waiting $orB 8et in, get inFC 8rand$ather bar#ed as he headed $or the driver=s
side door.
&s he raced $or the passenger side, Peter glanced $ear$ully at the metal bo?. )t (umped about
two inches into the air. "he chains restrained it, though, and then it crashed bac# down.
:nce in his seat, Peter pointed bac# behind him. @)s thatHBC
@Dour lady caller $rom earlier in the evening,C 8rand$ather growled. @9here=s she headedBC
Peter loo#ed dumb$ounded. @) don=t #now, she=s in a bo?.C
@"he other one, the other oneFC 8rand$ather raged.
@:hhhh, /ercyF ) don=t #now G she=s up there.C
Peter pointed up at the s#y, where a tiny blac# shape could still be seen over the trees.
8rand$ather cursed when he saw it, then slammed the truc# into gear and drove o$$ down the
road.
@,he=s got DillFC Peter moaned.
@) #now G a blubbering little snot called the house. ) would have been here sooner, but ) had
toHpac#.C 8rand$ather sJuinted at Peter. @)s that a pie tin around your nec#BC
Peter hal$>winced, hal$>smiled.
8rand$ather groaned and turned bac# to the road. @"his is not going to go well,C he muttered
to himsel$.
@9hy=d you bring &gnesBC
@) wasn=t about to let that that thing stay in the same house with my daughter and
granddaughter.C 8rand$ather glared at Peter. @#ou ) might let her alone with, $or getting me into
all o$ this nonsense. 8rab the bag by your $eet, and be care$ul.C
Peter reached down and pulled up a canvas bag G the same one he=d seen 8rand$ather
wearing at the cemetery.
@:pen it up. /ind you don=t cut yoursel$.C
Peter=s hands trembled as he pulled the bag open and stared at an assortment o$ props straight
out o$ a horror movie. 9ooden sta#es. "wo hammers. Crosses. & #ni$e that gleamed silver in the
moonlight. & string o$ garlic bulbs.
@"a#e one o$ each and put it in your bac#pac# there.C
Peter started gathering the tools, then hesitated. @8rand$ather, )H) don=t #now i$ ) can do
thisHC
@Do you want to save your $riendBC
@:$ course.C
@"hen you=ll do what you have to.C
Peter (er#ed his thumb bac# towards the rear o$ the truc#. @9hat about herBC
@9ho, the one in the bo?B "here are some boo#s that say once the head o$ the vampire line is
destroyed, all his victims return to normal. 9e=re going to test that theory tonight.C
@AutHwhat i$ /ercy=s not the head vampireBC
8rand$ather was silent.
@9hat=s going to happen to /ercyBC Peter whispered.
8rand$ather shoo# his head slowly. @"here=s only one thing to do.C
@,he=s a #id,C Peter protested.
@9ho=s ta#ing other children $rom their $amilies. ,he=s not the girl you #new, boy. ,he=s
something evil now, something ran# and $oul. Remember that, and don=t hesitate when you have
the chance. Dour great>great>great>great>great>great grand$ather 9illard didn=t.C
Peter stared. @&re you tal#ing aboutHC
@1522. 8ilbraith Chalmers. Dou as#ed who stopped the madness bac# thenB 9illard
<lannagan, the son o$ Mohn ,tephen.C
@"he guy with the hobos in the gardenBC Peter as#ed, shoc#ed.
@Mohn ,tephen, yes. 9illard was his son, (ust a lad when the "odenhorns met their grim end.
9hen he saved Dus#erville as a man, he had to $ight to do it. "he Chalmers $amilyHC
8rand$ather gritted his teeth. @"he Chalmers $amily did everything they could to stop him. "hey
#new G they kne", boy. "hey helped. "hey aided and abetted, and i$ they didn=t do that, they
certainly turned their heads while their son went $rom $amily to $amily, destroying one li$e a$ter
another. "hey even profited o$$ it, what with the uncle selling co$$ins to the $amilies, #nowing
that his nephew had done his murderous deeds, and would bring him more business to come. Aut
the boo#s never recorded that, did theyB 9hen it was all said and done, 9illard was an outcast,
and a Juarter o$ the town had died $rom holera. 9ell, history repeats itsel$ tonight. /y great>
great>great>great grand$ather then, and you and ) now. Let=s hope the results are the same, but
that the body count is a good deal less.C
@Did, uh, anybody help your greatHwhatever grand$atherBC
"he old man ignored the Juestion. @Do you #now how to do itBC
@Do whatBC
@& sta#e through the heart. )t=s the only thing that will stop her...that you would be capable o$.
)$ you get the opportunity, ta#e it. "hen wait $or me, )=ll $inish the (ob. Aut whatever you do,
don=t ta#e out the sta#e. Leave it in. )$ you don=t, she could come bac# to consciousness. &nd
that will not be a pretty sight, ) guarantee it.C
@"here=s no way to stop her without hurting herBC
8rand$ather shoo# his head Kno.=
@"here=s no way to bring her bac#, you=re sureBC
@!one, boy. )n all my readings, the boo#s say there=s only one thing to do.C
@Aut in $airy tales, they always save their $riends. -verything=s always o#ay.C
@"his isn=t a $airytale, boy,C his grand$ather said so$tly. @&t least not one with a happy
ending.C
@Aut boo#s G you said boo#s cover up the truth, that people change the story, li#e the
cholera.C
@"he boo#s aren=t wrong. !ot about this. )=ll be the one to do it i$ ) can, but i$ ) can=t, ) need to
#now G can you do thisB Can you do this to save your $riend, and this town, and your mother
and your baby sisterBC
Peter was still $or a long momentHthen nodded silently.
@) can=t hear you,C the old man growled.
@Des,C he whispered.
@Aoy G C
@#es,C Peter nearly yelled. @)=ll do whatever ) have to.C
@"hat=s a good lad, a brave lad.C 8rand$ather=s tone wasn=t e?actly kind, but there was a sort
o$ Juiet pride in his voice.
Aut Peter was lying.
0e didn=t #now i$ he could do this at all.
9lease God'make this all a dream'make it so Im still sik$ and lying on the ouh in the
den$ and all of this is ?ust a dream'
8rand$ather peered up through the top o$ the windshield. @,he=s veering o$$ to the le$t.C
Peter loo#ed outside the window. @9ait G this is where the bus lets her o$$F ,he must be
going homeFC
@"hen ready yoursel$, boy. 9e have a dar# hour ahead o$ us.C
!$
The truc# pulled into a wooded driveway with a long, low tunnel o$ treetops overhead. &t the
end o$ the drive, the headlights illuminated an old, old house, probably built in the time o$
8ilbraith Chalmers. )t was two stories tall with a giant wooden porch and peeling paint.
&s the truc# came to a stop, they saw it. an old storm cellar on the side o$ the house, set in the
ground not thirty $eet away. "he door was hal$way open, bloc#ing their view G and then it
slammed shut.
@Let=s go,C 8rand$ather said, and hopped out the door. 0e grabbed something out o$ the bac#
o$ the truc# and then ran $or the house.
Peter ran a$ter him to the cellar door. 8rand$ather bent and pulled at the handle. !othing. "he
door didn=t budge.
@,tand bac#.C 9ith that warning, 8rand$ather heaved an a? into the air and down into the
wood with a sic#ening CR&CN.
,uddenly, light $looded all around them.
@0o there,C an angry voice shouted. @9ho are you, and what the hell do you thin# you=re
doingBC
Peter sJuinted against the $lashlight beam. Aehind it stood a tall man, thin as a s#eleton,
dressed in blac#.
@Dou #now who ) am, Chalmers, and you #now why )=ve come,C 8rand$ather snarled. @,tand
bac#, we need to get into this cellar.C
@Dou=ll do no such thing. 8et o$$ my property, or )=ll have the law here $aster than you can
snee'e.C
@Call themF Let=s show them what dar# secrets you=re hiding, (ust li#e your ancestors. 0ow in
8od=s name could you do that to a childBC
/r. Chalmers pointed a bony $inger. @Dou=re one to tal#, ,eamus <lannagan. Dou $orget, )
#now e?actly what you did thirty years ago.C
Peter=s ears per#ed up. What*
@!ow get o$$ my land,C /r. Chalmers growled, @be$ore ) $inish what the town should have
done bac# then.C
@)=ve been to the cemetery, Chalmers. &nd )=m not leaving without the thing you too# $rom
there.C
8rand$ather swung the a?e again against the storm cellar door. <=A<6.
@,":PFC Chalmers shouted, and ran $or 8rand$ather.
@Loo# outFC Peter yelled.
"he man in blac# tac#led the older one, and they spilled to the ground in a (umble o$ arms and
legs. "he $lashlight spun through the air and thudded in the grass. Peter pic#ed it up and ran to
8rand$ather=s aid.
@!ever mind meFC the old man bar#ed. @8et in the house G somewhere in the house there=s
got to be a way to the cellarFC
Peter dashed $or the $ront porch and opened the door G only to have his way bloc#ed by a
woman in a housedress. 0er eyes were pu$$y and red.
@9e only wanted to #eep our little baby girl,C she whimpered. @9e thought we were going to
lose herH) only wanted my baby to stay with me.C
@) #now, )=m sorry,C Peter said, and meant it G but he had to get into the house. 0e tried to
push past her, but hands grabbed his shoulders and held him bac#.
@Don=t you hurt herFC the woman screamed. @Don=t you hurt my baby girlF Leave her alone,
you nasty little brat, leave her aloneFC
Peter turned and smac#ed her arms with the heavy metal $lashlight, and the woman screamed.
Peter whac#ed her again, and she turned him loose. 0e $led into the dar# house as $ast as he
could.
@8regoryFC the woman screamed behind him, and ran out into the $ront yard. @8regory, he=s
going to hurt my babyFC
!%
Peter ran to the nearest door he could see and $lung it open. a closet. 0e ran to the ne?t, the
$lashlight beam bobbing every which way. & bathroom. 0e ran into the #itchen, where the
moonlight streaming through the windows made everything loo# ghostly. :ver in the corner was
another door. Peter ran to it, his heart pounding, his mind $illed with images o$ /ercy bent over
Dill=s li$eless body.
0e opened the door and $ound dar#ness. & long, ric#ety staircase made $rom plywood
descended into utter blac#.
& light switch was on the rough cement wall inside, but when Peter $lipped it, nothing
happened.
0e shone the $lashlight down instead. & cement $loor and a bag o$ potatoes appeared in the
circular beam. "here was a sJuea# somewhere, a rat or a mouse disturbed $rom its late>night
scavenging.
Peter shudderedHand started down the stairs.
<reak'reak'reeaaaaak'
&s he went, he rummaged in the bac#pac#. 0is right hand held the $lashlight, so he couldn=t
use the sta#es and hammer. 0is $ingers closed on the cool metal o$ a cross, and he pulled it out o$
the bag.
"he wall to his le$t ended hal$way down the stairs. :nce he was past it he swung the ray o$ his
$lashlight into the middle o$ the basement.
)t was one big room, the whole length o$ the house, and stac#ed with a hundred years o$ (un#
and #nic##nac#sHe?cept $or the middle, which had been cleared $or two tables. -ach one had a
co$$in on top o$ it. Aoth cas#ets were open G the $irst with a top that swung open on hinges, the
second with a lid that lay on the $loor.
"he $irst was white and pretty, with pin# velvet lining inside and shiny metal handles on the
outside. ,hriveled $lowers lay on a cross>stitched pillow, but the co$$in was new. :nly a $ew
smudges o$ dirt marred its pristine sur$ace.
"he other co$$in was entirely di$$erent. )t was a simple pine bo?, $ar older than the white one.
Dried dirt ca#ed every sur$ace. Magged nails po#ed out here and there.
"he lid on the $loor loo#ed hac#ed apart in the middle, li#e something G or someone G had
smashed its way out.
&nd inside the co$$in itsel$, rust>colored splotches covered the wood.
Alood. Dried blood.
Peter tried to swallow, and couldn=t. 0e reached the end o$ the stairwell and swung the
$lashlight around the room.
"he beam passed over a pale, writhing shape. <ear cho#ed his brain and urged him to run, but
Peter whipped the light bac# on the thing he had glimpsed.
Dill. )t was Dill lying on the $loor, his hands and legs tied with old rags. &nother was stu$$ed
in his mouth. 0is eyes were wide and very much alive. "he pie tin still hung around his nec#,
apparently untouched.
@DillFC Peter whispered in relie$. &s he ran over to his $riend, he reali'ed Dill was (er#ing his
head and his eyes upward, trying to tell him something.
Peter aimed the light at the wooden beams o$ the ceiling. !othing. &s he was bringing it
down, though, brightness struc# the corner o$ the room.
/ercy Chalmers clung to the wall, her blac# eyes glinting red in the light.
,he hissed and sprang straight at Peter.
!&
Peter dove and rolled under one o$ the tables. :nce he reali'ed what was directly above him,
though, he scampered bac# out in the open.
/ercy popped up on the other side o$ the table across $rom Peter. "he white co$$in between
them partially bloc#ed her $rom view.
@PeeeteeeeeerH) thought you might come.C
Peter held up the cross with one hand and the $lashlight with the other. @Let him go, /ercy.
Let him go and we=ll leave you alone and never come bac#, o#ayBC
/ercy slowly circled around the table. Peter went the other way, trying to #eep as much space
between them as possible.
@) thin# we both #now that=s not true,C she smir#ed. @) heard your grand$ather up there hitting
the cellar door with somethingHan a?, maybeB "hat=s not a very polite way to #noc#.C
Peter darted his eyes between /ercy and the dar#ness around her, trying to $ind some glint o$
moonlight to let him #now where the door was. )$ he could (ust open it, and 8rand$ather could
come down here and save himH
@)t=s not so bad, Peeeteeeer,C /ercy whispered. @)t=s (ust li#e $alling asleepH wa#ing up in
the bo? was scary at $irst, but my daddy was thereH(ust li#e ) was there $or &gnes. ) didn=t even
bury her, ) (ust brought her down here.C
Peter glanced at the old pine bo? and the dried red strea#s within.
/ercy $ollowed his ga'e. @,illy, ) wouldn=t put her in there. "hat=s what saved me, though.
Daddy said our $amily had #ept it all these years, he didn=t #now whyHwhy would you #eep an
old co$$in down in your basementB Aut when ) got sic# li#e you did, they wouldn=t ta#e me to
the doctor. ) begged and pleaded with them, Peeeteeeer, but it=s not our wayHour preacher says
only 8od can heal, and you have to put your $aith in 0im, not doctors. Aut Daddy said when it
was near the end, and he could $eel me slipping away, he came down hereHhe said he could
hear the voices whispering to him, they told him what to doHhe scraped o$$ some o$ that red and
put it in a spoon$ul o$ water, then /ommy made me drin# itHsaid it was medicine, better
medicine than any hospital could give me. &nd then ) $ell asleep, $or a long time. 9hen ) wo#e
up, ) $elt so much betterHe?cept ) was thirsty, Peeeteeeer. ) was thirsty.C
/ercy=s voice changedHbecame sadder.
@&nd ) was lonely. /ommy said ) couldn=t see any o$ my $riends ever again. ,he said ) wasn=t
li#e them anymore, that they wouldn=t understand. Aut they were a$raid o$ me, PeeeteeeerHmy
own mommy and daddy, they were a$raid o$ me. ) could see it in their eyesH) could smell it on
them. &nd ) was soooo thirsty. Daddy and /ommy gave me some o$ their own, sJuee'ed into a
glass, but it wasn=t muchHnot enough. ) #new ) had to drin# moreHand i$ ) had to do it, why
not ma#e my $riends understand me at the same timeB 9hy not ma#e them (ust li#e meB "hen
we could all be together, and have a wonder$ul timeH$orever.C
/ercy stopped circling the table and loo#ed into Peter=s eyes. 0er little white co$$in lay
between them.
@) (ust wanted you to li#e me, Peeeteeeer. ) (ust wanted to be with you. Put down the cross. )t
won=t hurt, ) promise.C
0is voice shoo#. @Let Dill go, /ercy.C
@&$ter you put down the cross, Peeeteeeer. Put it down.C
@Let him go $irst, /ercy.C
/ercy=s $ace contorted with rage. @) ,&)D, PI" )" D:9!FC
,he slammed her hands against the white co$$in and sent it 'ooming across the table. Peter had
no time to reactE the cas#et smac#ed him in the chest and sent him $alling bac#wards to the
ground.
"he $lashlight went spinning o$$ across the $loor. 0is bac#pac#, hal$ un'ipped already, spilled
its contents everywhere. "he wooden sta#e went rolling away, the hammer dinged and clattered
on the cement. "he garlic, the #ni$e, and everything else G paper, pens, pencils G went $lying
across the room.
6I<6. /ercy=s $oot sent the wooden sta#e clattering o$$ into the shadows.
<LA+G. "he hammer $lew through the air and disappeared under an old, cobwebbed bed in
the corner.
Aut the cross was still in his hand.
Peter loo#ed over (ust in time to see /ercy pic# up the #ni$e, e?amine it, and throw it over her
shoulder into the dar#ness. 0e tried to $lip over and scramble away, but she pinned him to the
$loor with one $oot.
@Peeeteeeer,C she chided him, @you weren=t planning on being very nice to me.C
Peter loo#ed over his shoulder. @Dou=reHyou=re not planning on being very nice to me,
/ercy.C
@"hat=s not true.C /ercy removed her $oot and #neeled down beside him. @)t=ll be (ust li#e
,leeping Aeauty or ,now 9hiteHe?cept )=ll put you to sleep with a little #iss, and then )=ll wa#e
you with another. "hat=s all, Peeeteeeer. )=ll be Cinderella, and you can be Prince Charming, and
we=ll dance in the s#y together. 9e=ll dance in the s#y with the stars.C
,he leaned over him. 0e could hear her breath.
"hat=s when he swung out with the cross and cloc#ed her in the head.
"hump. ,he slumped to the ground.
Peter loo#ed about wildly. )t was all gone G the sta#e was gone, the hammer, the #ni$e G
there was nothing to #ill her with. Relie$ washed over him. !ow that he couldn=t do it, all that
was le$t was to save his $riend.
0e ran over to Dill and set the cross down on the ground. Dill Kmmphed= and Kmrrmed= as
Peter tried to un#not the rag around his wrists.
@) #now you wanna tal#, but we gotta get you out o$ here, Dill, so hold your horses.C
&s soon as the bindings slipped o$$ his hands, Dill immediately reached up and clawed the gag
out o$ his mouth.
@P-"-R, A-0)!D D:IFC
Peter loo#ed over his shoulder.
/ercy was rising up over the other side o$ the table. /urder was in her eyes.
Peter whirled around to reach $or the cross G
/ercy was $aster. ,he reached out and $lipped the heavy table over e$$ortlessly. "he white
co$$in spun through the air and crashed upside>down on the cross, pinning it out o$ Peter=s reach.
@P-"-R, RI!FC Dill screamed, but be$ore the words were out o$ his mouth, /ercy was
across the room and clutching Peter=s nec# in her hands.
@) MI," 9&!"-D D:I ": A- !)C- ": /-FC she screamed, and threw him into a carton
o$ old boo#s. Peter bounced o$$ and thudded to the $loor.
@9&, "0&" ,: /IC0 ": &,NBC she bellowed as she hauled him into the air again.
@9&, )" ,: 0&RD ": A- !)C- ": /-BC
,he tossed him li#e a rag doll. 0e crashed onto the white co$$in and rolled o$$ onto the ground.
0e loo#ed around blearily, trying to $ocus his eyes on anything he could use to de$end himsel$. &
pen, an eraser, a noteboo# G
& pencil. & yellow number 2 pencil.
/ade o$ wood.
&nd still sharp.
0e put his palm over it and slipped into his long shirt sleeve.
@) (ust wanted you to li#e me,C /ercy cried behind him. @9hat was it, was ) not pretty
enoughB 9as ) not smart enoughB 9as ) not cool enoughBC
,mall hands grabbed Peter by his shirt and pulled him to his $eet.
0e was $ace to $ace with her, peering into her blac# eyes.
-?ceptHthey weren=t scary anymore. "hey were (ust sad.
@9hy couldn=t you li#e me, PeeeteeeerBC she whispered.
@/ercyHC he breathed.
@DesBC she as#ed, hope$ully.
"ears stung his eyes.
@)=m so sorryHC
0is arm stabbed outward.
0er body (er#ed a little, and a loo# o$ surprise came over /ercy=s $ace. ,he tilted her head
down slowly to her chest, where hal$ o$ a number 2 pencil (utted out o$ her blouse.
,he started to $all.
Peter caught her in his arms, and lowered her gently to the $loor.
,he loo#ed up at him and smiled wist$ully. "he blac# in her eyes was $ading, li#e a video o$
an in# stain played in reverse. <irst there was a little white near the corner o$ her eyes, and then
more, and then a tiny ring o$ blue as the blac# shrun# still more.
0e brushed the hair bac# $rom her $orehead. @)=m sorry, /ercyH)=m so sorry.C &nd to his
surprise, Peter reali'ed he was crying.
"he blac# was almost all goneHher eyes were bac# to normal now.
,he smiled at him again. @PeeeeteeeerHC
&nd then she was gone.
!'
Peter stared down at her. 0is whole body shoo#.
Dill was behind him, tugging at his shoulder. @Peter, man, come onHwe gotta get out o$
hereHC
Peter loo#ed at the pencil he had plunged into her heart.
:he ?ust "anted to )e :leeping Beauty'she ?ust "anted to )e :no" White'
0e remembered his grand$ather=s words in the truc#.
Ill finish the ?o). But "hatever you do$ dont take out the stake.
The )ooks say theres only one thing to do'
This isnt a fairy tale'at least not one "ith a happy ending.
The )ooks arent "rong. +ot a)out this.
Peter loo#ed at /ercy=s $ace, her li$eless eyes staring at the ceiling.
0e too# hold o$ the pencil.
@PeterHwhat are you doingBC Dill whispered in horror.
9ith one strong yan#, he pulled the pencil out.
)mmediately the hole in her s#in began receding, healing.
@P-"-R, !:FC Dill yelled.
"he blac#Hthe blac# began $lowing bac# into her eyes.
Peter held his breathHthen leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.
@:0, 8R:::::::,,,,,,,,,FC Dill screamed.
Aeneath him, /ercy gasped. Must a little.
Peter drew bac#, and loo#ed down into her eyes.
"hey blin#ed. Alue and normal. "he blac# was gone.
@PeterBC she whispered.
@)t=s o#ay,C he told her, and struggled to help /ercy to her $eet. @)t=s o#ay. "he boo#s aren=t
always right.C
@HwhatBC
"hudding $ootsteps cut short his answer. Peter spun around to see 8rand$ather standing at the
base o$ the stairs, sweaty and bloodied, eyes $lashing wildly around the room.
)n one hand he held a hammer. )n the other, a wooden sta#e.
@!o, 8rand$ather, it=s o#ayFC
"he old man raced across the room. @:ut o$ my way, boyFC he bellowed as he raised the
wooden sta#e.
/ercy screamed.
@8rand$ather, !:FC Peter yelled, and covered /ercy with his body. @)t=s o#ayF ,he=s alrightF )
#issed herFC
@9hatBC 8rand$ather gasped, eyes wide with alarm.
@) sta#ed her with a pencil, but ) #issed her G she=s o#ay nowFC
@)t=s true, it=s true,C Dill groaned $rom the corner, his hands hiding his eyes. @) saw it all, the
whole horrible thingHohhhhhhhHC
@"he sta#ingBC 8rand$ather demanded.
@"he #issing,C Dill moaned.
8rand$ather grabbed /ercy=s $ace roughly and turned it this way and that. 0e loo#ed at her
eyes, then $orced open her mouth and peered at the even row o$ small white teeth.
@Dear 8od in heaven,C 8rand$ather whispered.
@"hat=s 8ilbraith Chalmers= co$$in, 8rand$atherFC Peter said, and pointed at the pine bo?.
@"hey gave her 8ilbraith=s dried blood when she was about to die G that=s what made her a
vampireFC
8rand$ather approached the co$$in and peered inside. <rom his rear poc#et, he produced a
cross and touched it to the dried brown stains inside.
"he co$$in immediately burst into $lames.
@:utsideFC 8rand$ather yelled. @:utsideFC
@)=m goin=, )=m goin=FC Dill howled as he hopped towards the staircase, rags still binding his
an#les.
<ire $rom the co$$in spread to the piles o$ trash around it.
/ercy and Peter ran up the stairs. 8rand$ather grabbed Dill under his arms and sprinted up the
steps behind them.
Ay the time they reached the lawn outside, the entire $irst story o$ the house was abla'e.
/r. Chalmers lay sprawled on the grass. 0is wi$e #nelt beside him, blotting a cut on his mouth
with the edge o$ her dress. "hey watched in shoc# as the windows shimmered with crac#ling
yellow light, but neither o$ them paid any more attention to the $ire when they saw the little girl
running out the $ront door.
@/-RCDFC /rs. Chalmers screamed, and ran to her daughter.
@/ommyFC /ercy cried as her mother swept her into her arms.
/r. Chalmers tottered to his $eet, bawling li#e a baby, and grabbed /ercy to his chest. 0e
san# to his #nees and cradled her in his arms. 0is wi$e hugged them both $or dear li$e.
Dill, Peter, and 8rand$ather stood by the old man=s truc# and watched the $amily embrace in
the light o$ the growing $lames.
@,eeBC Peter said. @,ometimes the boo#s are wrong.C
8rand$ather grunted.
Dill leaned against the truc#. @9ith everything )=ve seen tonight, )=m gonna have to get some
therapyHC
@"he pencil in the heartBC Peter as#ed.
@The kiss on the lips,C Dill scowled.
<rom behind them in the truc# came a scream. @&&&&&&&&0000FC
Dill (umped two $eet in the air and came down with his hands bunched in his hair.
@9hat was thatBFC he cried out.
"here was a banging $rom inside the metal bo? in the truc# bed. & little girl=s mu$$led voice
called out, @Can somebody please get me outta hereBC
@9ho=s thatBC Dill gasped.
@&gnes G and it sounds li#e she=s o#ay nowFC
8rand$ather cautiously unchained the metal bo?.
@) thin# ) peed my pants. &8&)!,C Dill moaned.
@Dou mean, since the other day in the cemeteryBC Peter as#ed.
Dill paused.
@Huh, yes. Des. "hat was the only other time, yes.C
Dill paused again.
@&nd then only a little.C
"(
The $ire truc#s came $ar too late to save the house, but they watered it down until there was no
danger o$ it spreading to the surrounding $orest.
&gnes and /ercy G both $ully recovered G cried in a $ar corner o$ the yard, then laughed
and tal#ed, at least until &gnes=s parents showed up, and then the crying started all over again. &
couple o$ sheri$$=s deputies came and tried to sort out how one little girl who had gone missing,
and another who had been dead and buried a wee#, now seemed to be $ine and dandy. "he
deputies spent a lot o$ time tal#ing to 8rand$ather, the Chalmers, and /ercy and &gnes. Peter
and Dill #ept out o$ the way as much as they could.
9hile the deputies were still Juestioning the adults, /ercy bro#e away and stole over to the
truc#.
@0ey, Peter. 0ey, Dill,C she said shyly.
@0ey, /ercy,C Peter smiled bac#.
Dill (ust scowled and hid behind the truc#.
@) (ust wanted to say )=m sorry.C
@) understand. )t wasn=t your $ault.C
@) don=t thin# )=m going to be going bac# to school,C /ercy said.
Dill popped out $rom behind the truc#. @ReallyBC
@/y mom and dad said there=s nothing here $or us nowHand it might be hard with people
tal#ing about it, soH) thin# this might be the last time we see each other.C
@"hat=s awesome,C Dill beamed.
Peter #ic#ed him.
@:wwww999,C Dill grunted.
@) (ust wanted to say than# you. )=m glad weHC /ercy stopped and blushed. @)=m glad it
turned out the way it did.C
@/e, too,C Peter said.
@)=ll never $orget you, Peter.C
,he leaned over and #issed him lightly on the chee#. "hen she smiled and ran bac# to her
parents.
@:h 8od,C Dill cho#ed out, and made pu#ing sounds. @"his (ust gets worse and worse.C
@Ae Juiet, Dill.C Peter laughed, then stopped. 8rand$ather was wal#ing over.
@8et in the truc#,C the old man muttered. Dill and Peter hopped in immediately.
"1
-rand$ather drove down the tree>covered driveway and out into the main road. "he very $irst
light o$ morning was (ust starting to color the s#y.
@9ellBC Peter as#ed.
@"hose people should be hanged,C 8rand$ather snarled.
@/ercy and &gnesBFC
@!o, the Chalmers, her parents. Doing what they didHplaying with dar# $orces li#e that, with
no regard $or the conseJuencesHa $amily o$ bad apples.C
@"hey (ust wanted to save their daughter,C Peter pointed out. @9ouldn=t you have done that
$or /omB :r $or AethBC
8rand$ather loo#ed down at him and narrowed his eyes.
@:r meBC Peter as#ed.
@"hem, maybe. Aut not a troublema#er li#e you,C 8rand$ather grunted, and turned bac# to the
road.
Peter smiled. "hings were de$initely bac# to normal now.
@9hat i$ &gnes tal#sBC Dill as#ed worriedly.
@,he won=t,C 8rand$ather answered.
@0ow do you #nowBC
8rand$ather glowered. @) made sure o$ it.C
@9hat about /ercyBC Peter prodded. @,he said this was going to be the last time ) see her.C
@9hich is a good thing, as $ar as )=m concerned,C Dill added.
@) convinced her $ather that getting out o$ town might be (ust what the $amily needs,C
8rand$ather said.
@Dou did thatBC
@"han#s, man,C Dill said grate$ully. @) owe you one.C
@"he o$$icial story will be that /ercy had a rare heart condition, one that caused her to lapse
into a coma. "he $amily, in their grie$, dug up her co$$in and miraculously $ound her alive. )n
their shoc#, /r. Chalmers #noc#ed over a lantern and set the house abla'e.C
@&nd &gnesBC
@)n a $it o$ mourning, &gnes ran away $rom home and was sleeping in /ercy=s old bedroom,
unbe#nownst to the Chalmers. Luc#ily she made it out o$ the house, too, a$ter the $ire started.
&nd that=s the o$$icial story, to be entered into the town history boo#s,C 8rand$ather stated
bitterly.
@Poop,C Dill said.
8rand$ather turned sharply towards Dill. @9hatBFC
@)t=s li#e the cholera story,C Dill e?plained. @"he o$$icial story. Death by poop.C
@0m.C 8rand$ather turned bac# to the road. @& whole avalanche o$ it, boy. 0istory repeats
itsel$ once again.C
@9hat about NatieBC Peter as#ed.
@9hoBC
@"he girl who called you. ,he saw /ercy G in $act, she saw /ercy $ly o$$ with Dill.C
@0rm.C 8rand$ather paused. @Did anyone elseBC
@!o.C
@9ell, you=ll (ust have to deny it, then.C
@Dou want us to lieB -verybody=ll thin# she=s cra'yFC
@) can live with that,C Dill nodded.
@Must stic# to the o$$icial story,C 8rand$ather said. @"he uno$$icial story always has a way o$
getting out, anyhow.C
@Aut how are /ercy and her parents going to moveB Do they have insuranceBC
@!o.C
@"hen how are they going to move without any moneyBC
@"hey have it now,C 8rand$ather scowled.
@0owB !o one=s going to buy a burned>down house.C
@) already did. :n the condition that they leave and never return.C
Dill and Peter stared, open>mouthed.
@/om said you were doing o#ay when we moved here, butHyou have that much moneyBC
Peter as#ed.
@) have enough.C
@Can ) borrow a twentyBC Dill pleaded with his best puppy dog smile.
@!o.C
@0ow about a dollarBC
@!o.C
@Dou #now,C Dill said, loo#ing down at his hand li#e he was studying his nails, @somebody
might start as#ing some Juestions somedayHand, wellH) might (ust start tal#in=.C
8rand$ather (ammed on the bra#es and screeched the truc# to a halt.
@) won=t tal#,C Dill babbled in panic, and made a 'ipping motion over his lips. @) swearFC
@9e=re home,C 8rand$ather snarled.
Peter loo#ed outside. ,ure enough, there was the giant gloomy house. "he sun was (ust
beginning to pee# over the treetops o$ the $orest.
Dill bolted out the truc# door. Peter $ollowed him.
@Dou an= me are o#ay, rightBC Dill called out to the old manH$rom a sa$e distance. @9e=re
still $riends, rightBC
8rand$ather didn=t say anything, (ust wal#ed towards the $ront door and went inside.
@Mee', your grandpa hates me,C Dill muttered.
@9ell, when you try to blac#mail himHC Peter trailed o$$, then grinned. @9e did it, Dill.C
Dill put out his hand as though to #eep Peter away. @Don=t tal# to me.C
Peter loo#ed genuinely surprised. @9hat=s wrongBC
@)t=s your $ault ) saw what ) saw tonightFC
@Loo#, )=m sorry ) dragged you to Natie=s house G but it all turned out o#ay. Aesides, you got
to $lyF "hat must=ve been really coolFC
Dill re$lected $or a second. @&ctually, that "as really cool. -?cept when ) peed my pants.C
@) thought you said G C
Dill $lailed his arms all around li#e a cra'y man. @"hat=s not what )=m tal#ing aboutFC
Peter loo#ed pu''led. @"hen whatBC
@D:I N),,-D 0-R, /&!FC
@DeahBC
@0ow could you D: thatB 0ow could you do that to meBF /a#e me watch that, blechhHC
Peter smiled. 0e #new e?actly what to say to ma#e Dill $lip out.
@Dou #nowHit wasn=t that bad.C
@:0 8R:,,F Dude, this is worse than a chic# $lic#FC
@) was thin#ing about doing it againHC
@&&&&&&000F ,":PF ,":P )"FC Dill stormed o$$ towards his own house. @)=m going to
be sic#,C he muttered to himsel$.
@0ey Dill G C
@Don=t K0ey, Dill,= meF ) don=t #now who you are anymoreFC
@Nissing is great, Dill G you should try it sometime.C
Dill pointed angrily at Peter. @) D: !:" -7-R 9&!" ": "&LN &A:I" "0), -7-R
&8&)!F !-!=FC
@,ee you at the bus stop in an hour, Dill,C Peter called.
Dill grumbled and snuc# into his $ront door.
Peter grinned and loo#ed bac# at his own yard. 0e had about thirty minutes be$ore his /om
got up G thirty minutes to pic# up all the garbage scattered by the trashcans and come up with a
believable e?cuse $or why the bac# screen door was shredded to bits.
9iee o ake.
0e yawned and then whistled a tune as he wal#ed towards the house.
"he sun rising over the trees had never loo#ed so beauti$ul.
PETER AND THE CHAN-E.IN-
1
Peter=s little sister Aeth was cra'y, there was no doubt about that. 0e (ust never reali'ed ho"
cra'y until the a$ternoon o$ /om=s (ob interview.
Peter and Dill had come home $rom school and were sitting in the #itchen eating ice cream
sandwiches. Peter was a straight$orward #ind o$ guy who (ust too# big bites out o$ his, while Dill
claimed there was an art to it. 0e held up the bar o$ vanilla ice cream with its chocolate wa$ers
on the top and bottom, then demonstrated step by step.
@<irst you gotta wait till the chocolate bread is so$t. "hen you gotta lic# the ice cream stic#ing
out between the bread piecesHthen you gotta bend the bread top and bottom till they touch and
you got, li#e, a big Kol chocolate ravioli with ice cream inside. Then you eat it.C 0e wol$ed the
Kravioli= down in two bites. @/mmmm ///.C
@Dou eat the whole thing at the end, anyway,C Peter pointed out. @9hy do you do all that
stupid stu$$BC
@)t all (ust comes out as poop at the end, anyway,C Dill said in a moc#ing, $a#e>intellectual
voice. @9hy don=t we s#ip all the in>between stupid stu$$ and (ust eat pG C
@D:!=" ,&D )",C Peter shouted. @)=m -&")!8, you dor#.C
Dill continued in the nerdy pro$essor voice. @Aut it would be so much simpler i$ we would
s#ip ice cream sandwiches and (ust eat G C
@,0I" IPFC Peter yelled.
/om rushed into the #itchen carrying Aeth in her arms. ,trangely enough, /om was dressed
in a sil# blouse, blac# s#irt, and high heels. Aeth, not strangely at all, was wearing corduroy
pants and a long sleeve shirt with her ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing suit over the top o$ them.
<or over a year, Aeth had worn that one>piece ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing suit almost every
day. During the summer it was $ine G the weather was hot, and little #ids sometimes wore their
bathing suits all day long. Aut Aeth re$used to give it up when cooler weather rolled in. &nd she
wanted everyone to kno" she was wearing it. 9earing it under her shirt and pants wasn=t good
enoughE nooo, she had to wear it outside her normal clothes.
& wee# ago Dill and Peter had been playing chec#ers in the den when Aeth wal#ed into the
room G wearing her bathing suit, o$ course.
@9hy do you thin# she does thatBC Dill had whispered. @"he bathing suit, ) mean.C
Dill was whispering because i$ Aeth was ignoring you, it was usually best not to draw her
attention. Inless you wanted your toys bro#en or your hair pulled.
@) don=t #now. 9hy don=t you as# herBC
@0ey Aeth, why do you wear G C
@,0I= IPFC Aeth screamed at him. "hen she #ic#ed the chec#erboard into the air and ran out
o$ the room.
@/aybe she li#es ,trawberry ,hortca#e a L:",C Peter mused.
@) li#e "7, but ) don=t wal# around wearing one.C
@Dou can=t wear a "7.C
@Must because you said that, )=m going to go $ind a dead "7 somebody threw out on the side o$
the road and )=m gonna ma#e clothes out o$ it,C Dill said resolutely. @)=m gonna ta#e out the
insides and )=m gonna cut a hole in the top $or my head and )=m gonna wear it around li#e poor
people wear barrels in old movies.C
@)$ you do that, everybody=ll see you na#ed through the "7 screen.C
Dill thought about that $or a second. @)=ll turn it around and wear it bac#wards, so all they=ll
see is my butt. "hat way ) can moon everybody, and they can=t say anything, cu' )=m wearin=
clothes.C
"han#$ully, so $ar, Dill had not made good on his threat.

,ac# in the #itchen, /om shi$ted Aeth $rom her le$t arm to her right. @Peter, )=ve got a $avor
to as# you.C
Peter winced. 9henever /om said she had a $avor to as#, it wasn=t a $avor, it was a command
with Kplease= attached to it.
@) sent out my rSsumS to Charterton Iniversity.C
@9hat=s a re'>uh>mayBC Dill as#ed as he unwrapped a second ice cream sandwich.
/om ignored him. @"he Legal &$$airs department (ust called and as#ed i$ they could move up
my interview $rom tomorrow to today G C
@9hat=re you interviewing $orBC Dill as#ed be$ore lic#ing the ice cream sandwich.
@ G so ) need you to babysit Aeth $or the ne?t couple o$ hours.C
@9hatBFC Peter shouted.
@9haBFC Aeth as#ed in almost eJual shoc#.
@0& haaaaa,C Dill said to Peter, imitating the bully $rom "0- ,)/P,:!,.
@!o wayFC Peter re$used.
@!unh>unhFC Aeth bellowed. @!o ba=ysitFC
@8uys, this (ob is very important to me,C /om said calmly, but with a great deal o$ stress in
her voice. @) need you both to be on your best behavior and help me out here, o#ayBC
@!oF Let 8rand$ather babysit herFC Peter said angrily.
@D G !:FC Aeth said, Juic#ly changing her mind. ,he hugged /om $iercely. @) wan= stay w=
youFC
/om pried Aeth=s arms $rom around her nec#. @)=ll be bac# soon, sweetie. Intil then, you=re
going to be good and do what Peter says, o#ayBC
@!oooooFC Aeth wailed.
@9hy can=t 8rand$ather do itBC Peter as#ed. 8rand$ather was the only one Peter had ever met
who could #eep Aeth in line. ,he was so scared o$ him, she ran out o$ the room every time he
wal#ed in.
@) already as#ed him and he said no.C
@9hy notBFC
/om rolled her eyes. @0e said he had something important to do. Li#e my (ob interview isn=t
Kimportant= enough $or himHC
&t that very moment, 8rand$ather wal#ed into the room, loo#ing li#e he always did. $ancy tie,
suit vest, dress pants, and wild, un#empt beard. 0e retrieved his set o$ #eys $rom the #itchen
counter without loo#ing at anyone else.
:n cue, Aeth stopped crying and watched the strange old man in Juiet terror. )n normal
situations, Peter would be a$raid to challenge his 8rand$ather about G well, about anything. Aut
he had $ought dead men and little girl vampires in the last $our wee#s, and that had given him a
bit more con$idence. Aesides, the threat o$ babysitting Aeth wasn=t a Knormal= situation.
@8rand$atherF 9here=re you goingBC Peter as#ed.
8rand$ather loo#ed $irst at Aeth, then Peter. @) have things to do in town,C he said brusJuely.
@Can=t they wait a couple o$ hoursBC Peter begged.
@!:.C
@0e (ust doesn=t want to babysit her, that=s all,C Dill announced.
8rand$ather stared at him.
Dill tried to hid behind his ice cream sandwich. @Dude, ) don=t blame you, man,C he said
mee#ly.
@:h PL-&,-, you all act li#e Aeth is so di$$icult,C /om said in e?asperation. @,he=s !:".C
Dill started snic#ering. @Deah, right.C
8rand$ather pointed at Dill. @<or once, ) agree with the id(it.C "hen he wal#ed out o$ the
house.
@/om G C
@Peter, ) don=t have time to debate this with youF Dou=re going to be babysitting Aeth $or a
couple o$ hours, and that=s $inalF PleaseB "han# youFC she said without waiting $or a reply to the
Kplease.=
@0& haaaaa,C Dill repeated.
@&nd you can help him, young man,C /om snapped.
@/eBFC Dill as#ed in surprise. @!o. Inh>unh. !o than#s.C
/om wal#ed over and snatched the ice cream sandwich out o$ Dill=s hand (ust as he was about
to ta#e a bite.
@0-D G FC
@0& haaaaa,C Aeth said, doing a pretty passable imitation o$ the ,)/P,:!, bullyH$or a
two>and>a>hal$ year>old, anyway.
/om $lashed her dangerous, tight>lipped smile. @Dou come in my house, you eat my $ood,
you annoy me to within an inch o$ my li$e, and you don=t want to do anything to helpB )s that
how it isBC
Dill sJuinted as though in deep thought. @9ell, technically it=s not your house, it=s the cra'y
old man=sHC
@DillFC Peter hissed, trying to hush him.
@<ine. !o more ice cream sandwiches. !o more eating here. !o more $avors. !o more
nothing. 8et out, /r. Aodins#i.C
@Deah, /i>tuh Ao )n#ies,C Aeth said, $ull o$ sel$>satis$action.
Dill watched with great an?iety as /om wal#ed over towards the garbage can with the ice
cream sandwich. )t had already been lic#ed, pressed, and $ormed into a delicious, chocolate>
vanilla ravioliH and now it was about to go in the trash.
Peter #new that Dill wouldn=t hesitate to eat it out o$ the trash can a$ter /om le$t, i$ that=s
what it too#. Aut he was also undoubtedly weighing the $ate o$ every other ice cream sandwich
that he might not get in the $uture. 9ith $our older brothers and sisters, ice cream sandwiches
were a rare commodity in Dill=s house. "hey tended to get eaten very, very Juic#ly.
Dill pointed at the treat in her hand. @Can )Hta#e that with meBC
@&bsolutely not. )=m throwing it away.C
"hen /om delivered the death blow. ,he bypassed the garbage canHand headed straight $or
the trash disposal in the sin#.
@9&)"FC he shrie#ed, his eyes pee#ing out $rom behind his $ingers. @:#ayHi$ ) help out
Peter, can )Hcan ) have that bac#BC
/om smiled evilly. @) guess.C
@&nd ) can still have other ice cream sandwichesBC Dill as#ed, de$eated.
@) suppose.C
,he handed bac# the ice cream sandwich ravioli. Dill let out a phe", and loo#ed over at Peter.
@,he doesn=t $ight $air, dude,C he whispered.
@0& haaaa,C Aeth roared again.
@) don=t see what you=re Kha>ha>ing= about,C Peter told her crossly. @"hat means we=re )oth
gonna babysit you.C
Aeth stared down blan#ly at Peter, then Dill.
"hen she screamed.
&nd screamed.
&nd screamed some more.
!
Five minutes a$ter /om le$t, Aeth was still screaming.
@!o ice cream sandwich is worth this,C Dill grumbled.
@Let=s ta#e her outside,C Peter suggested. @/aybe she won=t sound so loud out there.C
"hey herded her out the #itchen door and into the bac#yard.
Aeth #ept screaming.
)t had rained the night be$ore and the grass was still damp. )n addition, brown mushrooms had
sprung up everywhere. "iny ones the si'e o$ Peter=s thumbnail, big ones wider than his palm G
there were literally hundreds o$ them throughout the meadow.
Aeth wasn=t the least bit interested in mushrooms. ,o she #ept screaming.
@,top thatFC Peter yelled bac#.
,he didn=t stop. )n $act, she was starting to turn purple.
@)t=s too bad the hobos aren=t around anymore,C Dill mused. @9e could (ust ta#e her over to
the garden and let them get rid o$ her.C
@Dude, that=s messed up,C Peter scolded him.
@Dude, shes messed up.C Dill turned to Aeth and shouted, @,hut upF 9e=re babysitting youF
Dou gotta do what we sayFC
Aeth stopped long enough to sneer. @Deah, "ight.C "hen she started screaming again.
@Dou didn=t really thin# that was going to wor#, did youBC Peter as#ed.
@)t wor#ed $or about $ive seconds,C Dill said de$ensively. @) don=t see you doing any better.C
@)$ you stop screaming, )=ll give you an ice cream sandwichFC Peter told her.
Didn=t help.
@)$ you stop screaming, )=llH)=llHC Peter said, $lailing about $or a better reward.
Dill yelled, @0ey, Aeth G you #now where the word Kbabysit= comes $romB )t=s cu' when the
baby was being bad, you sat on itF Dou=re being bad, so )=m gonna sit on D:IFC
9ith that he started running bac#wards towards her, his butt in the air.
Aeth stopped screaming. ,he gritted her teeth, balled up her $ists, and #ic#ed Dill sJuarely in
the rear end.
@:9FC Dill yelled as he $aceplanted in the wet grass. @-9FC he e?claimed as he wiped dewy
pieces o$$ his $orehead.
Aeth started cac#ling.
Peter laughed, too. @0ey, that was a pretty good plan.C
@"hat wasn=t in my plan. ,he was supposed to run away,C Dill muttered angrily. @!ot #ic#
me.C
Peter tried to contain his snic#ering. @:h. 9ell, she=s laughing now.C
@Im supposed to be the one who=s laughing,C Dill seethed. @!ot her. !ot youH/-.C
Peter loo#ed over and saw that now, o$ course, Aeth had developed a $ascination with the
toadstools. ,he had pic#ed one $rom the grass and was e?amining it closely.
@A-"0FC he yelled. @Don=t touch that, it could be poisonousFC
@!unh>unh,C she said.
@Ih>huh, mushrooms are poisonousFC
@9hy dey on pi''a, denBC
@"hose are special mushrooms that aren=t poisonous. 9e don=t #now about that oneFC
Aeth loo#ed dubious, and #ept eyeing the mushroom as though she might eat it (ust to spite
Peter. 0e wanted to wal# over and slap it out o$ her hand, but he #new Aeth. i$ he did that, she
would run through the meadow and chow down on every mushroom she could grab.
@Dou should (ust let her eat it,C Dill whispered. @)$ it actually is poisonous, it=ll ta#e care o$
her $aster than the hobos.C
@,hut up, Dill,C Peter scowled.
@9ha you sayin= ovah dereBC Aeth shouted.
@) was (ust saying how you=re gonna get warts now,C Dill said matter>o$>$actly.
Aeth loo#ed con$used. @9haBC
Dill pointed at the mushroom in her hand. @"hose give you warts. -ven i$ you (ust touch Kem.
Dou better go wash your hands, or you=re gonna get warts out the wa'oo.C
Aeth scrunched up her $ace. @9hassa wartBC
@Dou #now those hairy bumps on witches= nosesBC
,he nodded.
@That,C Dill emphasi'ed. @Dou can get Kem on your hands, on your tongue, all over your $ace
G C
Aeth wrin#led her nose, stuc# out her tongue in disgust, and threw the mushroom as $ar away
as she could.
Peter loo#ed bac# at Dill and grinned. @8ood one.C
@) #now,C Dill said haughtily.
Peter couldn=t let Dill=s head get that big without de$lating him a little. @)t=s nice that your
plans go the right way sometimes.C
@/y plans al"ays go the right way.C
@,o having /ercy pic# you up and $ly you bac# to her vampire hideout was part o$ your
planBC
Dill loo#ed momentarily panic#ed. @) D:!=" 9&!" ": "&LN &A:I" )". Aesides,C he
sneered, @that was your plan, dummy. K:h, oh, let=s save some girl we don=t even li#eF :h, oh,
pie tins stop vampire teethF=C
Peter grimaced, then went bac# on the o$$ensive. @,o Aeth #ic#ing your butt now was in your
plan, too.C
@Dyyyyes,C Dill said, slightly hesitating.
@Aut you (ust said it wasn=t.C
@!o ) didn=t.C
@Des you did, (ust a minute ago.C
@) (ust wanted you to thin# it wasn=t.C
@9hyBC
Dill shrugged. @"hat was in my plan, too. ) ma#e you thin# whatever ) want you to thin#.C
@=ight.C
@,ee, ) wanted you to say that. )t=s in my plan.C ,uddenly, Dill loo#ed past Peter and got a
pu''led loo# on his $ace. @0ey, where=d she goBC
Peter wasn=t $alling $or it. @9hat, is that in your plan, so you can go, K/ade you loo#=BC
@!o, dude, seriously G where=d she goBC
<rom the sound o$ his voice, Peter could tell that Dill wasn=t #idding. 0e loo#ed around, and
sure enough, Aeth was nowhere to be seen.
9hich was impossible. ,he=d only been 10 $eet awayH8rand$ather=s house and Dill=s
property were each over 200 $eet away. "hey had only been ignoring her may)e 1 seconds at
most. "here was no way she could run that $ast. &nd besides, they would have heard herHrightB
@/aybe she=s hiding,C Dill suggested.
@) guess,C he agreed, though he wasn=t really convinced. "wo wee#s be$ore, /om had $inally
persuaded 8rand$ather to let her hire a lawn service to cut the grass. )nstead o$ its customary
waist>high length, the green blades now (ust came up to Peter=s shins. ,o Aeth wasn=t hiding in
the grass, and there was nowhere else e?cept the garden, which was even $arther away than the
house. "hey would have seen her be$ore she disappeared in between the rows o$ corn and tomato
plants.
Peter cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, @AethFC
@Aehhhh>uthhhFC Dill called.
@Dou go that way, )=ll go this way,C Peter suggested.
0e started to wal# towards the house, calling out his sister=s name every $ew steps. 0is $irst
$eelings o$ shoc# and disbelie$ had now given way to $ear. Peter had seen some very bad things
in the past couple o$ wee#sHbut they had all happened at night. 0ow could this beB )t was the
middle o$ the a$ternoon, in broad daylight G how could she (ust disappearB
0e turned bac# to Dill. @0ey, do you see any $ootpri G C
Ae$ore he got the entire sentence out, Peter stopped cold.
"
There she was right where they had last seen her, e?cept now Aeth was sitting on the ground
with a placid loo# on her $ace.
We "alked right past her8 We ouldnt have missed her'ould "e*
But ho"*
@0ey, Dill, there she isFC
Dill turned around and literally staggered bac# in surprise. @0ow=d she get thereBC he
demanded.
@) don=t #now. 9here=d you go, AethBC
Aeth (ust shrugged.
Peter wal#ed over. ,he was sitting in the middle o$ a patch o$ lawn that was ringed by an
almost per$ect circle o$ mushrooms. &nd her ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing suit *not to mention
her pants on underneath it+ was getting soa#ed by the dewy grass.
@Aeth, get up, you=re getting wetFC
,he stood up without any sort o$ complaint and watched Peter with the same peace$ul
e?pression on her $ace.
@Did you hide anywhereBC Peter as#ed.
Aeth shoo# her head Kno.=
@0ow=d you do thatBC Dill as#ed.
Aeth $rowned li#e, What do you mean*
@0ow=d you hide $rom usBC
Aeth (ust shrugged again.
@9hat are you, playing the Juiet gameBC Peter as#ed, getting annoyed now.
@Dude, shhh, it=s better than the screaming game,C Dill warned.
@Come on, we gotta get bac# in the houseHyour pants are soa#ing wet.C
Aeth stepped out o$ the circle o$ mushrooms and started wal#ing towards the house. Peter and
Dill $ollowed behind her.
@"his is "eird,C Dill whispered.
@) #now,C Peter agreed Juietly. @9here=d she go when she disappearedBC
@"hat=s not what=s weird.C
@9hat=s weird, thenBC
@,he=s being good.C Dill said it li#e he had (ust seen a mountain sprout legs and wal# o$$ over
the hori'on.
@,he can be good,C Peter said de$ensively.
@Dude, when has she ever been good in your entire li$eBC
Peter had to thin# about that. "hen, when he $inally had an answer G
@Aeing asleep doesn=t count,C Dill interrupted.
0e was stumped, then. @:#ay, that is weird,C Peter admitted.
@/aybe she ate one o$ the mushrooms.C
Panic rose in him again. @Dou thin# it made her sic#BC
@!o, ) thin# it made her good. 9e should, li#e, go pic# every single mushroom in the whole
$rea#in= $ield.C Dill loo#ed at Peter sternly. @<or her. Im never gonna eat one.C
@Deah, ) didn=t thin# you would.C
Dill nodded. @) li#e me (ust the way ) am.C
@Ih huh.C
@&nd ) li#e her (ust the way she is right now, dude, so we really gotta go pic# those
mushrooms.C
@Later. <irst we have to ma#e sure she doesn=t get sic#. &nd we have to get her to change her
clothes.C
Dill made a $ace. @&nd ta#e o$$ the ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing suitBC
@Deah, ) #now,C Peter said. @,ay goodbye to the Juiet game.C
Dill sighed. @8reat. 0ello screaming game.C
#
,ut she didn=t ma#e a peep. )n $act, when Peter as#ed her to remove the bathing suit, she did
so without even a hint o$ hesitation.
Dill and Peter stared at each other.
Loo#ing Juite peace$ul, Aeth sat on the $loor in her still>wet corduroy pants and long>sleeve
shirt.
@Dude, )=m gonna go pic# some o$ those mushrooms R)80" !:9,C Dill said.
@Do whatever you want, you have to get out anyways. ) gotta get her changed into something
else.C
@<ine G I don=t wanna change her diapers. -n(oy the stan#.C
@,he=s getting potty trained,C Peter corrected him.
@Deaaaah, )=ll bet she is.C
@Must cu' you still wet your pants G C
@0-DFC Dill shouted and pointed angrily be$ore stomping out o$ the room.
Peter pulled o$$ Aeth=s shoes, soc#s, shirt and pants, leaving her only in her plastic potty>
training undies.
@Aecause you=re being such a good girl, we=ll put you in a pretty rainbow shirtHhow about
thatB )s that goodB 8ood AethHC Peter cooed.
,he li$ted her arms and allowed Peter to slip the pin# t>shirt over her head without complaint.
Aut when he tried to put pants on her, she shoo# her head Kno.=
@Come on, Aeth, you=ll get cold without them. 0ere, (ust give me a $oot G C
Aeth stared at Peter $rom under her eyebrows and shoo# her head very, veeeery slowly. ,he
loo#ed li#e some old 8od$ather dude $rom a mobster movie silently telling an enemy not to
reach $or his gun.
Peter was a little ta#en bac#, but he tried again. @Aeth, you gotta wear pants, what=ll /om say
i$ she comes bac# home and G C
@8RRRRRRRRRR.C Aeth bared her teeth and growled li#e a pitbull guarding its dinner.
-?cept scarier.
@:#ay, o#ay,C Peter said nervously, and dropped the tiny pair o$ blue (eans on the $loor.
@9ell, you=ve been such a good girl, you can, uh, go around li#e that i$ you want.C
Aeth=s $ace reverted bac# to serene, and she (ust sat there, seemingly waiting $or something
else to happen.
@IhhhHyou hungryB Dou want an appleBC
,he nodded slowly, once.
@:#aaaayHcome on, let=s ta#e you to the #itchen.C
Peter carried her down the stairs at arm=s length, a little worried that she might start growling
again.
Dill was already in the #itchen eating another ice cream sandwich.
@DudeFC Peter said, annoyed.
@&ude,C Dill answered. @Dour mom said i$ ) helped you, ) got more ice cream sandwiches.C
0e put out his arms in a motion that said, 0ere I am doing "hat Im supposed to )e doing and
Whats your pro)lem* all at once. 0e loo#ed a lot li#e Chandler $rom the television show
<R)-!D,.
@) thought you were going to go get some mushrooms.C
Dill snorted. @) thought you were going to dress her. 9hat, you got tired hal$way throughBC
Peter sat Aeth in her highchair and snapped the tray on in $ront o$ her. @,he, uhHshe #ind o$
growled at me.C
@:h, so she=s bac# to normal then.C
@!o, it was a little $rea#yH#ind o$ scary.C
Dill lic#ed his ice cream sandwich. @Li#e ) said, she=s bac# to normal.C
Peter got out an apple and washed it. @!o, man G i$ she was bac# to normal, she would=ve
(ust screamed. ,he growled li#e an alligator or something. )=ve never heard her ma#e that noise
be$ore.C
9hile Peter sliced the apple into $ourths and cut out the middle parts $ull o$ seeds, Dill
grabbed a wooden coo#ing spoon and wal#ed over to Aeth=s highchair. 0e loo#ed at her $rom
the $ront, then the side, then $rom the other side. "he whole time, Aeth #ept her head per$ectly
still and (ust $ollowed Dill with her eyes.
Dill gently prodded her shoulder with the spoon.
Aeth=s shoulder moved bac# without any resistance. ,he watched everything with her eyes,
but never moved her head.
9hen Dill stopped pushing with the spoon, her shoulder moved bac# into place.
Peter was getting a (ar o$ peanut butter out o$ the cabinet as Dill conducted his e?periments.
@Don=t do that,C Peter reprimanded him.
Dill turned around towards Peter and gestured in the air with the spoon. @,he seemsH
di$$erent.C
@0owBC
@,he doesn=t seem cra'y.C
9ith blinding speed, Aeth leaned out o$ the highchair, grabbed the spoon $rom Dill=s hand,
and started whapping him with it on his head.
W0A9/W0A9/W0A98
@:9F :9F :999FC Dill shrie#ed as he ran over to Peter at the sin#.
Aeth stood up in her highchair and threw the wooden spoon.
T07+68 )t smac#ed Dill right in the $orehead.
@::::::999999FC he screeched.
@Aeth, don=t do thatFC Peter shouted.
Aeth slumped bac# down in her highchair and sat, waiting serenely. &ll the time she had been
attac#ing Dill, her e?pression had never changed $rom Oen>li#e peace$ulness.
Peter had to sti$le a laugh. )t was pretty $unny to see Aeth loo#ing so totally unconcerned as
Dill rubbed his scalp and watched her warily.
@9ell, she=s bac# to normal,C Dill muttered.
@) don=t #now i$ )=d call it normal,C Peter said as he stac#ed the apples on a plastic dish.
@,he=s hitting me and acting li#e a brat,C Dill snarled. @,he=s bac# to normal.C
$
Peter put the plate o$ apples and the (ar o$ peanut butter on her high chair tray. "hen he turned
around to $ace Dill. @Aut she=s not ma#ing any noise. )$ she was bac# to normal, she=d have been
screaming her head o$$ the whole time. Loo# at her, she=s G C
Peter turned around and stopped spea#ing.
Aeth was suc#ing on her teeth, li#e she was trying to get the last morsel out o$ her gums.
"hough the peanut butter was untouched, the plate in $ront o$ her was completely empty.
@:h my gosh.C
@9hat=s the G holy <%W,C Dill said as he leaned over and reali'ed what had happened.
@)s that even possibleBC Peter as#ed. @"o eat a whole apple that $astBC
@9ell, obviously, unless you thin# she stuc# it up her butt,C Dill replied.
@,he ate a whole apple in, li#e, three secondsF &nd we never heard herF "hat=s impossibleFC
@Aetter chec# her butt, then,C Dill advised.
@,hut up, Dill. Dou must=ve been hungry, huhBC he as#ed Aeth. 0e retrieved another apple out
o$ the $ridge, washed it, and reached $or the #ni$e to cut it up.
Dill held up a hand without ta#ing his eyes o$$ Aeth. @Dude, wait.C
@9hatBC
@8imme the apple.C
@9hyBC
@Must gimme the apple.C
Peter handed it over. Dill placed it on Aeth=s tray, whole and uncut.
Aeth regarded them both peace$ully, then loo#ed down at the $ruit.
@9hat=d you thin# she was going to do,C Peter sco$$ed, @eat it in one G C
Aeth grabbed the apple and stu$$ed it whole into her mouth. 0er chee#s pu$$ed out li#e the
world=s largest chipmun#. "hen she <=7+<0!& it twice with her teeth, and G7L9 it was gone.
@90::::&&&&FC Peter and Dill both yelled at once.
@:h my 8:,0 did you see thatBC Dill howled.
@"hat was cra'yFC Peter yelled. @"hat was G that doesn=t happenFC
Aeth opened her mouth in a window>rattling AIIIRRRRRP and spat the stem out on the
tray in $ront o$ her.
@"hat was C::LFC Dill shouted happily.
Aeth loo#ed over at the (ar o$ peanut butter and sni$$ed it. "hen she opened her mouth, stuc#
out her tongue, and scooped out a large dollop o$ peanut butter with a ,LIRP.
@-www, that 9&,!=" cool,C Dill said disapprovingly. @,he=s even weirder now than she was
be$ore.C
&s though she heard him and wanted to up the ante, Aeth wrapped her lips around the edge o$
the plastic (ar and bit into it with her teeth.
Peter waved his arms in a panic. @Aeth, don=t do that, you=ll hurt yoursel$FC
Aeth (er#ed her head sideways and tore o$$ a huge hun# o$ plastic $rom the container. &s she
chewed, it made a crin#ly, crac#ly noise in her mouth.
@Dude, that is !:" right. "hat is !:" rightFC Dill shouted, his voice bac# to glee$ul.
@Aabies can=t do thatFC Peter said, not even believing what he was seeing.
Aeth shoved some more o$ the container in her mouth and started chomping. )t sounded li#e
somebody was (umping up and down on empty two>liter Co#e bottles. "he weirdest thing was,
she loo#ed no more concerned than i$ she were suc#ing on a paci$ier.
@Dude, that is messed IP G it is /-,,-D IPFC
@) #now it=s messed upFC Peter yelled bac#. @Dou don=t have to repeat it twiceF 9hy are you
repeating it twiceBC
@Dude, ) am (ust telling you that "0), ), "0- A-," "0)!8 )=7- -7-R ,--!FC Dill shoo#
his head in admiration. @,he could totally beat that Mapanese guy with the world record $or eating
hot dogs.C
@9ould you shut IP $or a second so ) can thin#BFC
@9hat=s there to thin# aboutB 9e=re gonna be rich, manF Dou thin# they have the 8uinness
Aoo# o$ 9orld Records telephone number on the internetBC
@,top tal#ing about world records and hot dogs and G C
<=7+<0. Aeth had pic#ed up the plastic plate and ta#en a giant chomp out o$ it. & bite>
shaped chun# was missing, and tiny shards o$ plastic shot out o$ her mouth as she chewed.
@DIIIIID-FC Dill howled with glee. @9e=re gonna be on "7F ) call shotgun, )=m her
manager, ) get hal$ o$ everything she ma#esFC
,uddenly, Aeth made a strangled sound, li#e something was caught in her throat. ,he whee'ed
and started to turn pin#.
Peter gasped. @:h my gosh, she=s going to cho#eFC
@,mac# her on the bac#FC Dill yelled in alarm. @0urry, she=s valuableFC
Peter rushed around the high chair and thumped Aeth between the shoulder blades. )t too# a
couple o$ whac#s, but she $inally opened her mouth and gave a horrendous, hac#ing cough. &
slime>covered hun# o$ plastic shavings shot across the room, hit the cabinet under the sin#, and
splattered goop everywhere.
@&aghF DICN, she got meFC Dill wailed as he danced around, a $ew dots o$ mucus wetting his
shirt.
Peter chec#ed to ma#e sure Aeth was o#ay *she loo#ed completely unconcerned+, then ran
across the room to ta#e a loo# at the upchuc#ed bloc#age. )t was the si'e o$ a tennis ball, with
(agged pieces o$ plastic stic#ing out at all angles. Peter was pretty sure that i$ a 8reat 9hite
,har# swallowed the thing, the clump o$ plastic would #ill it. Plus, the snot covering it all was
thic#, green, ungodly smelly, and utterly revolting.
Dill gagged. @Dude, )=m gonna pu#e.C
Peter covered his nose and mouth with his t>shirt collar and tried to bloc# out the smell. @)
didn=t #now loogies could smell that bad,C he said, his voice mu$$led by his shirt.
@Dude, loogies don=t smell at all. "hat=s a loogie $rom hell,C Dill whispered.
@8ive me a brea#, it=s not G C
@<rom 0-LL,C Dill repeated.
@Don=t use that #ind o$ language around her,C Peter said, and turned bac# to his sister. @)$ she
starts saying it around my mom G C
Peter=s voice caught in his throat.
Aeth wasn=t in her high chair.
%
)Dill,C Peter hissed.
Dill turned around $rom the loogie $rom hell. @9h G 90&"B 9here=d she 8:BC
@Dill, something=s seriously wrong with my sister,C Peter said nervously.
@Dude, something=s been seriously wrong with your sister $or a loooong time. )t (ust got
wronger today, that=s all.C
Peter held up a $inger. @,hh.C
"hey listened care$ully. <rom the ne?t room over came the sounds o$ baby babbling, the $irst
normal noise Aeth had made since coming bac# in the house.
@Let=s go,C Peter said. "hey ran across the #itchen and into the den G but Aeth was nowhere
to be $ound.
"hey searched room to room, behind chairs, beneath so$as, even under pillows G but no Aeth.
"hey continued their way all through the $irst $loor, loo#ing everywhere they could thin# o$, but
wound up without a single lead.
Peter threw his hands up in $rustration. @9here did she goB 9e heard her G C
Peter and Dill both $ro'e as they wal#ed into the #itchen.
Aeth was bac# in her high chair.
<ear yan#ed on Peter=s insides. 0e loo#ed slowly and care$ully around the #itchen.
@Dude,C Dill whispered. @Do you thin# someone else is in hereBC
Peter shoo# his head. @) don=t #now,C he whispered bac#.
"hey both approached the high chair tentatively, as though waiting $or a burnt>up hobo to
come (umping out o$ the pantry, or a $ourth>grade vampire to suddenly swoop through the air.
Aut there was nobody but Aeth.
"hey approached $rom the side and stood in $ront o$ her. ,he was sitting calmly, her hands
$olded, her eyes staring out into space.
Dill $rowned. @DudeHdoes she loo# a little green to youBC
Peter ignored him. @AethHhow did you (ust do thatBC
Aeth turned her head sloooowly towards them. 0er eyes gradually shi$ted $rom their
thousand>yard stare and $ocused on their $aces. <or the $irst time since the bac#yard, she smiled.
)t was terrible.
"he smile was $ar bigger than her $ace should have been able to hold. )n $act, her chee#s
reached several inches past her ears. )nside her lips, the teeth were long and yellow and dagger>
li#e, as though they belonged in the mouth o$ some ancient, horrible creature.
Peter and Dill grabbed each other in $ear.
@:0 /D 8:D, ,0-=, "0- M:N-RFC Dill shrie#ed.
Aeth threw her hal$>eaten plate across the room with a clatter, stood up in her high chair,
leaned $orward, and R:&R-D. !ot Kroared= as in yelled, or shouted, or shrie#ed or screamed
li#e a normal human being might. !o. ,he R:&R-D the way a lion would, deep and rumbling
and $ull o$ bass G an impossible sound coming out o$ any human body, much less a two>$oot
tall one.
Peter and Dill screamed at the same time.
Aeth (umped up out o$ her high chair G literally ?umped three $eet in the air G and landed
BA+G8 on the $ood tray with her legs shoulder>width apart. "hen she opened her mouth again
and her tongue G not the little pin# tongue they had seen scoop out peanut butter (ust a $ew
minutes ago, but a horse>si'ed tongue bigger than what was possible $or any human being G
rolled out and waggled bac# and $orth over her (agged teeth.
Probably more things happened a$ter that, but Peter didn=t see them because he and Dill were
running out o$ the #itchen, screaming at the top o$ their lungs.
Aehind them they heard the highchair crash to the ground. "hen came the sounds o$ toenails
scrabbling and scratching on linoleum, li#e the world=s largest puppy rushing across the $loor.
@9hat happened to herBFC Peter screamed.
@Autt>ugly happened to herFC Dill yelled bac#.
"hey raced through the den, into the $ront hallway, and past the staircase into the dining room.
Peter loo#ed over his shoulder, but Aeth was nowhere to be seen.
Peter reached out and slapped Dill=s arm. @0old on, hold on,C he whispered.
@DudeFC Dill snarled as he #ept running. @/aybe you wanna be Autt>Igly /onster Aaby=s
ne?t snac#, but I don=tFC
@,he=s not $ollowing usFC
"hey stopped running, crouched down, and loo#ed around the doorway bac# into the main
hall. Aeth was nowhere to be seen.
@"hat wasn=t her tongue,C Peter said in shoc#.
@9ell, it is now,C Dill said. @-ither that or she stole it out o$ an elephant.C
Peter shuddered. @&nd those teethFC
@/aybe Aeth turned into the Aig Aad 9ol$ or something,C Dill suggested.
@9hatBFC
@Dou #now G Little Red Riding 0oodB K/y, what big teeth you have=B K/y, what a big
tongue you have=BC
@Little Red Riding 0ood didn=t say, K/y, what a big tongue you have=FC
@,he would=ve i$ she=d seen it. &nd remember, the Aig Aad 9ol$ ate 8ranma in that story. )
don=t wanna be 8ranma.C Dill loo#ed thought$ul. @0ey, maybe we can get Aeth to eat your
grand$atherHC
Peter loo#ed bac# around the corner. no Aeth. @9hat are we gonna do, DillB 9e can=t hurt her
G she=s my sisterFC
@"hat=s not your sister,C Dill sco$$ed.
@/aybe it is. /aybe the mushrooms did that to her.C
@Deah, right. ,too>piiiid.C
@)t=s not any stupider than her turning into the Aig Aad 9ol$,C Peter snapped.
Dill threw up his hands. @)=m (ust trying to help. Dou don=t appreciate it, $igure it out on your
own.C
Peter was about to retort when he $elt something plop on the bac# o$ his nec#. "error surged
through him and he (er#ed around, ready to see a ra'or>toothed monster baby standing right
behind him G
!othing was there. Peter wiped his nec# and loo#ed at the clear goop sliming the palm o$ his
hand. ,uddenly, three more plops splattered his shoulder.
What the hek*
@Peter,C Dill whimpered under his breath. Peter turned around and saw Dill=s head was craned
up, so he loo#ed up, too.
Aeth was $ourteen $eet above them, upside>down on the ceiling. 0er body was in crawling
position with her hands and #nees on the ceiling itsel$, but her head was pointing up *or do"n,
depending on how you loo#ed at it, since she was $acing the $loor+ as she stared at Peter and Dill.
Long, stringy strands o$ saliva dripped slowly $rom her $ang>$illed smile. &nother drop plopped
on Peter=s $orehead.
@0hr>hhr>hhhhhhhhrrrrrr,C Aeth chuc#led.
&
)A&&&&0000FC Dill and Peter screamed as they too# o$$ through the dining room and
down the hall.
Peter loo#ed bac# over his shoulder. Aeth was racing upside>down across the ceiling,
crawling $aster than any baby in the history o$ the world.
&nd she was gaining on them.
@,0- C&! CR&9L :! "0- C-)L)!8FC Peter shrie#ed.
@!: DI0FC Dill howled bac# at him.
Peter tried $uriously to thin#. :n the entire $irst $loor, there weren=t many doors they could
loc# G it was mostly one giant series o$ hallways and big, open rooms.
-?cept $or the doorway under the stairwell, which was loc#ed G and which Peter was not
supposed to open on pain of death, according to 8rand$ather.
&ndHthe doors to 8rand$ather=s study. 9hich was coming up in a matter o$ yards. Peter
could see the doors up ahead G closed. 0e (ust prayed that they weren=t loc#ed. @Dill, in hereFC
Peter grabbed the bac# o$ Dill=s shirt collar with his le$t hand and tried the door handle with
his right. <lik. )t opened.
@8ggg###hFC Dill gagged as Peter yan#ed him into the study.
Peter had a $leeting glimpse o$ an upside>down, monstrous grin (ust as he slammed the study
door in Aeth=s $ace. "here was a thump on the other side, then garbled baby cursing that sounded
li#e @Rar>ar>ar>ar>arrrrrrFC "hen BA+G BA+G BA+G BA+G BA+G on the wooden door.
"hen silence.
,uddenly, there was a shu$$ling sound across the sur$ace o$ the door itsel$, li#e something was
crawling over it. ,econds later, the door#nob started to twist.
@Dude, loc# it, Juic#FC Dill yelled $rom where he lay on the hardwood $loor.
Peter leapt over and clic#ed the deadbolt loc# (ust as the thing on the other side started to rattle
the door bac# and $orth. 0e could imagine Aeth #neeling on the other side, door#nob between
her hands as she roc#ed up and down, trying to $orce the door open with the weight o$ her body.
&$ter a $ew seconds and another batch o$ grumbling @Rarrarararrrarrrarrs,C the sound o$
crawling slipped across the door and disappeared.
,ilence.
Dill loo#ed around in shoc#. @9here are weBC
'
Peter $ollowed his ga'e. "he room was truly spectacular G thirty $eet high, with every wall
housing giant shelves pac#ed with thousands o$ boo#s. & do'en more shelves $illed up the
middle o$ the room. "here were no windows, but there was a glimmering chandelier that hung
over a giant mahogany des#. :n the des# sat a tiny, stained>glass lamp and a stac# o$ open
boo#s. "he smell o$ old paper $illed the air, and an ancient cloc# tik tik tiked over the entrance
to the study.
@Pretty cool, huhBC Peter as#ed.
@<oolBC Dill repeated in disbelie$. @Dude, you=ve got a li)rary in your house.C
Peter nodded li#e, Aaaaannd'*
@Dude, that=s about the worst thing ) can even think o$.C Dill loo#ed bac# at the study door and
shivered. @-?cept $or having a Autt>Igly /onster Aaby crawling around on the ceiling, maybe.C
Dill reconsidered. @>ay)e.C
@"here=s nothing wrong with having a library in your house,C Peter said reproach$ully.
@)t=s bad enough in schools, now ) gotta live ne?t to oneBC
@9e=ve got bigger problems,C Peter snapped. @9hat are we gonna do about AethBC
@) don=t thin# that=s Aeth.C
@Dill, come on. )t looks li#e Aeth.C
Dill=s eyebrows shot up in disbelie$. @Dou thin# that loo#s li#e AethB 9hen did Aeth get a
mouth outta Lord %f The =ings and start crawlin= around li#e ,pidermanBC
@) don=t want to thin# it=s Aeth, either, butHwhat i$ it isBC Peter as#ed helplessly. @9hat i$ the
mushrooms did that to herBC
@"hen ) guess we better $ind out how to stop the mushrooms.C
@0owBC
Dill scowled and threw up his hands in e?asperation. @Dude, we=re in a $rea#in= libraryF
9here else are you gonna $ind out about mushroomsBC
@:n the internet.C
@Ih>huh. &nd where=s your computerBC
Peter sighed. @)n the #itchen.C
Dill pointed to the study door. @9hich is out there with Autt>Igly /onster Aaby. ,o, you
wanna get on the internets, be my guestF Must close the door behind you.C
Peter loo#ed around. Dill did have a pointHmaybe there "as something in here about
mushrooms turning babies into horrible, $ang>toothed monsters that could crawl up walls.
@&lright, alright. Come on and help me.C
Dill $rowned. @Come and help you whereBC
@)n here G loo#ing at the boo#s.C
@9hat, are you #idding meB ) don=t read.C
Peter $rowned in disbelie$. @Dou can=t readB 0ow the hec# do you do anything in schoolBC
@) an read, dummy, ) (ust dont. Dou got a "7 in here, )=ll watch it $or research, but ) don=t
do libraries.C
@/aybe ) should let Aeth in here, and then we=ll see i$ you Kdo= libraries or not,C Peter
threatened.
Dill glared at him li#e, %h$ so its gonna )e like that$ is it*
@<)!-. 9here=s the mushroom boo#s.C
@) don=t #now, you start loo#ing over there, )=ll start over here.C
Dill grumbled loudly as he too# o$$ $or the other side o$ the room.
1(
Peter started at the bottom o$ the stac#s closest to the doorway and immediately began to
despair. /any o$ the volumes were so old that the $aded titles on their spines couldn=t be read, so
he had to pull out each boo# and loo# inside $or the title page. &nd even when he did that, most
o$ the boo#s were impossible to understand, either because they were $ull o$ words he didn=t
recogni'e G !ternus 9ugna Inter Bonus Fuod >alum or &ie grosse !n(yklopGdie H)er
&Gumling$ Feen und sonstig H)erirdish GeshIpfe G or words that #ind o$ loo#ed li#e -nglish,
but not really. The londes of fairie folke an nought )e speyde )y the eyes of mankynde$ e@ept
"ithout aide of spelles or sondry thinges in +atur "hih leade in normal ourse as doores to
s"ih londes.
@9hat the 0-CNBFC Dill shouted $rom his side o$ the room.
@9hatBFC Peter yelled bac#.
Dill stuc# his head around a boo#shel$. @"his stu$$ is all gobbledygoo#F )t=s li#e a buncha
mon#eys banged on a buncha typewriters and this is the crap they came up withFC
@) thin# it=s other languages, Dill.C
@"his is &mericaF "hey should write in &mericanFC
Dill wal#ed over to the study door.
@9hat are you doingBC Peter as#ed in alarm.
@)=m not reading boo#s in /on#ey "al#F ) D:!=" -7-! R-&D A::N, )! &/-R)C&!F
Come on, let=s see i$ Aeth=s still out there.C
@"hat=s a really bad idea,C Peter warned.
@Dou #now what=s a really bad ideaB ,itting inside here with stupid mon#ey boo#s all dayF
Mee', 8ramma, come on, let=s (ust ta#e a loo#FC
Peter reshelved his own boo# o$ Kgobbledygoo#= and (oined Dill at the door. !ow that Dill
actually had his hand on the door#nob, he didn=t loo# Juite so con$ident.
@IhHo#ayH)=m (ust gonna open the door and we=re gonna pee# out.C
@:#ay.C
Dill so$tly undid the deadbolt and pulled the door bac# slooowly, (ust $ar enough so that both
boys could see through.
Aeth sat upside>down about ten $eet away $rom them, her plastic diapie pants planted $irmly
on the ceiling. ,he was ne?t to the lighting $i?ture outside the study, a hanging lamp with a
do'en curved arms that ended in tiny, $lame>shaped light bulbs. ,he was crunching contentedly
on one o$ the glass lightsE $rom the loo#s o$ it, she=d eaten about si? o$ them so $ar.
,he saw the boys immediately.
@Raaa>rararararraaaaFC she screeched as she bolted across the ceiling on her hands and #nees.
Dill slammed the door and clic#ed the deadbolt bac# in place. Ip above him, there was a
BA+G BA+G BA+G which shoo# the wooden door li#e a battering ram.
@Raaa>rararararraaaaFC Aeth muttered outside in the hallway.
@)=m (ust gonna go chec# out some more deeeee>light$ul boo#s over here,C Dill said Juic#ly
as he (ogged bac# to the shelves.
11
Peter san# down on his rear end and put his $ace in his hands. )t was hopeless. "here must
have been two or three thousand boo#s in the room, at leastE many o$ them were on top shelves,
$ar out o$ reach. "hey would have to climb to those *which might appeal to Dill+. -ven i$ they
loo#ed at every single one, it would ta#e hoursHmaybe even days be$ore they $ound anything
that could help them. Ay that time /om would surely have come home, straight into the clutches
o$ a monstrous, rampaging baby.
Peter slowly li$ted his head and propped up his chin on one palm. 0e surveyed the room and
rac#ed his brain $or a plan. There had to )e a )etter "ay...
0is eyes dri$ted to a particular wall o$ boo#s. ,pec#les o$ light played across them slowly.
Peter $rowned. :pekles of light* 9here were those coming $romB
0e loo#ed up and had an aha moment. "he chandelier. "he light had to be $rom the crystal
shards that hung $rom its grace$ul $rame. Aut curiously enough, no matter where he loo#ed, those
spec#s weren=t shining anywhere else in the room.
Peter stood up and wal#ed over to the shel$. &s he got closer, it seemed that a ma(ority o$ the
little pinpoints o$ light were dancing around one boo# in particular. a worn, leather>bound giant
titled Fairieland3 9ortals To The %ther World And Its &eni(ens.
Peter heaved the giant volume o$$ the shel$ and crac#ed it open in the middle. "he $irst page
he turned to had a picture o$ an old painting. )n it, a mother loo#ed down $ear$ully into a baby=s
cradle, where a toothy, wild>eyed in$ant snarled up at her.
"he baby in the cradle loo#ed unnervingly li#e Aeth. :$ course, the baby in the painting was
wearing a bonnet, not a pin# rainbow t>shirt and plastic potty>training pants. Aut the mouth G
especially the teeth G were the same.
@DillFC Peter shouted.
@9hatBC
@) thin# ) $ound out what happened to AethFC
1
Peter lugged Fairieland over to 8rand$ather=s mahogany des# and placed it on top o$ a pile o$
already>open boo#s. Dill peered over Peter=s shoulder as he read.
"he language was slightly more di$$icult than what Peter was used to, but a piece o$ ca#e
compared with the londes and sondry thinges o$ the other stu$$ he=d loo#ed at.
A<hangelings are the offspring of fairies or trolls e@hanged for human hildren. When a
human hild is kidnapped$ the immature fairie left in its plae "ill assume the humans
appearane do"n to the smallest detail. :hapeshifting a)ilities or fairie glamour spells initially
allo" the supernatural )eing to look idential. But as time goes )y$ the hangeling "ill )egin to
e@hi)it features )oth physial and )ehavioral that )etray it as inhuman.1
Peter gasped. @Dill G it=s not mushrooms at allF Aeth got #idnapped and replaced with a troll
babyFC
@Aeth=s a troll babyBC
@DeahFC
@Dude, that ma#es a ton o$ sense. 9hen do you thin# it happened, bac# in Cali$ornia be$ore
you moved hereBC
@9hatB !o, doo$us, today.C
Dill sJuinted in disbelie$. @) dunno, man. ,he=s been acting li#e a troll baby ever since I met
her.C
@,he never grew teeth li#e that be$oreFC
@) didn=t say she looked li#e a troll baby till today, ) (ust said she ated li#e a troll baby.C
@,he never crawled on the ceiling be$ore, eitherFC
@0ow do you #nowB 9hat, were you watching her every single minuteBC Dill wal#ed o$$ $rom
the table $lapping his arms li#e wings. @/aybe you go o$$ to school and she=s li#e, K:h, la la la,
time to crawl on the ceiling now cu' )=m a troll babyF=C
@9here are you goingBC
@)=m bored. Must tell me the good parts.C
Peter shoo# his head and started reading aloud. @K"he changeling child will gradually grow
uglier in appearance and potentially mal$ormed. )t will also become ill>tempered and given to
screaming and biting.=C
@Duuude, that proves it G she=s &L9&D, been a troll babyFC
Peter ignored him. @KAeauti$ul children are in greater danger o$ being traded $or changelings.
Aeauty, particularly blond hair, attracts $airies and trolls.=C
Dill snorted. @9ell, we #now a blind troll got her then.C
Peter grew de$ensive. @0ey, Aeth isHcute. ,he=s a pun#, but ) thin# you could call her
beauti$ulH$or a little #id.C
@Dude, she=s beauti$ul li#e mon#eys are beauti$ul. /aybe they=re beauti$ul to other mon#eys,
but that=s about it.C
Peter shoo# his head and #ept reading. @K)n modern times, the stories o$ changelings have been
attributed to various developmental disorders in children. )n earlier ages, a child mista#en $or a
changeling might have simply been mentally retarded.=C
Dill howled with glee. @0a haF Dou=re a changeling, too, dudeFC
Peter glared at Dill. @,hut up. K"he detection o$ changelings is simple but ha'ardous. "he most
reliable method is to throw the changeling in a $ire, whereupon the changeling shi$ts $orms and
$lies up the chimney.=C
@:oooh, coolFC Dill cried.
@9e are !:" throwing it in a $ire,C Peter insisted. @Listen to this. K0owever, i$ the parent is
wrong, as could Juite possibly be the case with autism or Downs ,yndrome, this method o$ten
results in the death o$ the innocent child.= 9e are !:" throwing it in a $ire.C
@Dude, ) thin# at this point it=s pretty sa$e to say that thing ain=t Aeth. ) say we throw it in a
$ire.C
@) am !:" going to throw any babies in a $ire, even i$ they &R- troll babiesFC
@<ine,C Dill grumbled.
@KLess violent approaches can be ta#en to tric# the changeling into betraying itsel$ as a $airie
or troll,=C Peter continued. @KChangelings may initially appear dull and unintelligent, but they
possess a certain wily cunning and wisdom.=C
@9hat does that meanBC Dill as#ed.
@) thin# it means that they seem stupid to begin with, but then they turn out to be really smart.C
@) guess your sister=s not a troll baby then, cu' she=s (ust plain stupid.C
@"hen ) guess that means you=re definitely not a troll baby,C Peter retorted.
@Deah,C Dill agreed, then $rowned. @9ait, whatBC
Peter continued reading. @K:ne o$ the most popular methods is to brew beer in an eggshell,
upon which the changeling will e?press shoc#, as in one popular story. I have lived a hundred
years and seen many things$ )ut I have never seen )eer )re"ed in an eggshell8=C
Peter loo#ed up $rom the boo#. @0ow do you brew beerBC
Dill shrugged. @) dunno, but my dad=s got a lot in our $ridge i$ that helps any.C
Peter shoo# his head. @Call me cra'y G C
@Cra'yFC Dill shouted and pointed his $inger at Peter.
Peter glared at him in disgust be$ore continuing, @ G but ) bet it already #nows that "e #now
it=s a troll baby, and it doesn=t really care.C
0e #ept on reading. @K"he changeling=s betrayal o$ itsel$ is one o$ the main ways humans can
view $airies out o$ their normal element in $airieland. "here are other methods, such as a
bewitched ointment that allows the viewer to see $airies, which are normally invisible to the
human eye.=C
@Dude, ) need math test answer ointment,C Dill said.
@K:therwise, $airies may choose to reveal themselves to humans, but unless they do so, cannot
be seen unless the viewer chooses to enter the $airie realm. ,ee page 122.=C
Peter $lipped several pages and gasped.
1!
In the new section, there was yet another picture o$ an old painting. a man standing in a ring
o$ mushrooms, surrounded by $airies swirling through the air and several ugly trolls on the
ground.
@Dill, loo#FC
@Read it to me.C
@) can=t, it=s a pictureF L::N at it FC
Dill wal#ed over, grumbling, and too# a loo# at the boo#. @9hat, it=s some dude standing in a
bunch o$ mushro:0, CR&P.C
Peter pointed to the page e?citedly. @K<airy rings are circles o$ mushrooms growing in $ields or
$orests, and are by $ar the most reliable gateways to the $airie #ingdom. &ny human who steps
inside one may well be transported to the $airie world, whether they desire it or not.= Aeth
stepped inside one o$ theseF Dill, that=s why she disappeared G she=s in the $airie worldF 9e
gotta go in there and get her bac#FC
Dill $rowned and pointed at the te?t. @9hoa, whoa, loo# G K"here are many dangers i$ one
enters the $airie world.=C
@K"ime does not e?ist in $airie world as it does in the human world,=C Peter pic#ed up. @K:ne
night in $airieland may be eJual to a hundred years in the human world.=C
Dill grew truly e?cited. @,9--"F Dude, that means i$ we spend one night there, we don=t
have to go bac# to school -7-RF=C
@K"he most notorious story o$ a human being trapped in $airie world is Rip 7an 9in#le,=C
Peter continued. @K"hough the strangely dressed men he encountered did not identi$y themselves
as $airies, they undoubtedly were. -ither the liJuor they gave him was a $airie ambrosia, or he
went to sleep in a $airy ring. -ither way, when he awo#e he discovered that twenty years had
passed. 0e did not recogni'e anyone $rom the town where he lived, their having grown old and
died or moved away. /oreover, even though a person e?periences $airie time in hours, it is
possible that he can age as though Khuman time= is passing. "wo hours spent in $airieland can
o$ten age a person by decades, as was the case with 7an 9in#le, who laid down a young man
and awo#e white>haired with a beard. ,ince time shi$ts unpredictably outside the human
dimensions, 7an 9in#le=s e?perience is not always the case, though it should be ta#en into
account be$ore entering $airie world.=C
Dill stro#ed his chin. @) could use a beard.C
@KAesides the uncontrollable aspects o$ sped>up time, the dangers o$ $airieland include
wasting away physically. )$ the visitor to $airieland does not eat anything or $all asleep, he is $ar
more li#ely to wal# away $rom the visit una$$ected. "here is also the danger o$ physical attac#s,
which can be Juite vicious depending on which type o$ $airie is the aggressor. ,mall winged
$airies are usually more mischievous than malicious. Arownies, elves, and gnomes are usually
more troublesome, but rarely lethal. "hough 9ill o= the 9isps have been #nown to lure travelers
to their deaths in swamps, the visitor to $airieland should be especially care$ul o$ trolls and their
various cousins *red caps, bogies, #obolds, goblins, etc.+, who are aggressive, ill>tempered, and
prone to deadly and unprovo#ed acts o$ violence.=C
Peter gulped.
@8reat,C Dill muttered. @9hy couldn=t we get a stupid $lying $airy changelingB Aut nooooo,
we had to get a $rea#in= troll baby.C
@KLuc#ily $or humans, there are some protections that a traveler can ta#e to sa$eguard himsel$.
"urning clothes inside out, such as a (ac#et, will discourage $airy and troll attac#s.=C Peter loo#ed
up $rom the boo#. @) guess we gotta wear our clothes inside>out.C
Dill $rowned. @ReallyB "hat seems aw$ul stupid.C
Peter shrugged. @Aeats me, that=s (ust what it says.C
Dill thought $or a second. @/aybe they=re a$raid o$ the dirty underwear.C
Peter=s $ace contorted into a yuk8 e?pression. @9hatBFC
@)$ you turn your underwear inside>out, maybe they don=t want to touch the s#id mar#s, so
they leave you alone.C
@,#id mar#sBFC
@Deah, the little lines $rom your butt. Dou #now, when you don=t wipe so goodBC
@-999FC
@"hat=s how my dad says you #now which side o$ your underwear is which. yellow in the
$ront, brown in the bac#.C
@8R:,,FC
Dill rolled his eyes. @Don=t act li#e you don=t have s#id mar#s.C
@) don=tFC
@9ell, you=re going to get beat up by trolls then.C Dill crac#ed his $ingers. @Dirty underwear is
gonna save my li$e. &nytime my mom says $rom now on to put on a clean pair o$ tighty>whities,
)=m (ust gonna tell her no, ) gotta be sa$e $rom troll attac#s.C
Peter loo#ed at Dill out o$ the corner o$ his eye, then went bac# to reading.
@K&lso, $airies and trolls particularly disli#e iron. -ven the simplest ob(ect made $rom iron
causes physical pain or distress in a $airie creature, and thus ma#es a particularly e$$ective
weapon against $airie $ol#.=C
@9hy don=t they li#e ironsBC Dill as#ed.
@) don=t #nowHcu' they=re hotBC
@Aut that means you gotta #eep it plugged in all the time.C Dill shoo# his head. @,tupid
$airies.C
@:#ay, so we gotta get out o$ hereHget an ironHthen we gotta catch the changelingH and
then we gotta ta#e it bac# to the mushrooms in the $ield, go to $airieland, and trade it bac# $or
Aeth.C
Dill nodded in agreement. @Aut $irst we gotta turn our underwear inside>out.C
Peter wrin#led up his nose. @Must #eep it on the )!,)D- o$ your pants, dude.C
@9hat, we don=t wear it on the outside li#e your sister=s ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing suitBC
@!:.C
Dill scowled. @9ell, what $un is thatBC
@)t=s not $un at &LL. ) don=t want to see your s#id mar#s.C
@Dude, how is the smell going to #noc# out the trolls i$ it=s trapped in my pantsBC
@&w, M--O Dill, cut it out.C
@,eriously G how are they going to be a$raid o$ the s#id mar#s i$ they can=t ,-- themBC
&s Dill chattered on, Peter closed the boo# G only to see something beneath it that caught his
eye.
1"
/n the des# was an e?tremely old boo# with yellowed pages, which were $illed with
indecipherable symbols and strange letters. !e?t to it lay a noteboo# with sentences scrawled in
pencil. Peter recogni'ed the handwriting immediately $rom notes that 8rand$ather had le$t on the
#itchen table.
"he penciled words seemed to be a translation o$ the ancient boo#. -very so o$ten there were
Juestions in parentheses, as though 8rand$ather was not clear about the meaning o$ some o$ the
strange te?t.
The <7=:! shall fall upon the Flannagan family for thirteen generations$ at "hih point it
*the $amilyB the curseB+ "ill end$ and all de)ts "ill )e paid. The final mem)er of the family "ill
)ring a)out great "orks and "oe$ )ut the last )attle )et"een good and evil *$inal battle o$ the
$amily, or $inal battle o$ all timeB+ "ill settle the <7=:! and finally destroy
@Destroy whatBC Peter whispered under his breath.
@9hat=d you sayBC Dill as#ed, his voice mu$$led.
Peter loo#ed up. Dill was nowhere in sightE apparently he was somewhere behind a boo#case.
@!othing,C Peter called out, then loo#ed down at the noteboo#. 0e $lipped bac# through
several pages o$ the handwritten (ournal, but the rest was mostly boring scraps o$ sentences about
things he didn=t understand G @the library at &le?andria,C @the rise o$ the Aeast,C @the great
Deceiver.C
The <7=:!'thirteen generations'the last )attle )et"een good and evil'the final mem)er
of the family'
9hat did it meanB
&nd destroy "hat*
@0ow do ) loo#BC Dill as#ed as he came out $rom behind the boo#case, his trademar# yellow,
orange, and red>striped shirt turned inside>out. ,o were his oversi'ed shorts. the holey poc#ets
hung outside the pants li#e the bunny ears o$ a raggedy, stu$$ed animal. "han# 8od his
underwear was nowhere to be seen.
Dill immediately saw that Peter loo#ed e?actly the same as $ive minutes be$ore. @0ey, what
givesB Dou=re not even dressed yetFC
Peter had been so engrossed in the $oreboding translation about the Curse that he hadn=t
reali'ed Dill was getting prepped $or battle. @ImH) was getting ready toH), uh, got distracted
by something else in the boo#,C Peter hal$>lied.
@Do you see me getting distractedB !oF Do you see me slac#ingB !:FC Dill ranted. @8et it in
gear, !ormalFC
@&ll right, all right,C Peter said as he slipped out o$ the chair.
@9hen that troll baby bites your butt, )=m gonna laugh my head o$$F Aut it=s not gonna bite
meF 9anna #now whyBC
@) kno" whyF !ow shut up and let me changeFC Peter snapped as he headed behind a
boo#shel$.
Aut Dill was en(oying himsel$ too much to let it go. @&m ) the only one around here who cares
about getting your sister bac# $rom the troll babyBC
@Dou don=t care about Aeth at all, you (ust want to wear your underwear inside>outFC Peter
stuc# his head out and loo#ed around the boo#shel$. @Ay the way, than# you very much $or not
wearing it outside, at least.C
Dill grinned. @:hhhh, )=m not wearing it at all.C
Peter $rowned. @9hatBFC
@"hat=s right, )=m goin= ommando,C Dill said proudly as he $ished out something $rom his
bac# poc#et. @&nd i$ that troll baby comes a$ter me, ) got my secret weapon R)80" 0-R-.C
Dill thrust his dingy tighty>whities up in the air li#e some proud soldier rallying his troops in
the Inderwear 9ars.
Peter duc#ed bac# behind the sa$ety o$ the boo#shel$, than#$ul that he had seen only dull gray
in Dill=s hand and nothing yellow or brown.
1#
The $irst assault on the troll baby didn=t go so well.
"hey opened the doors o$ the library Juietly and peered outside. "he ceiling, walls, and the
$loor were bareE the changeling was nowhere to be seen.
@0ead $or the #itchen $irst,C Peter whispered. @Let=s get the iron.C
"hey padded so$tly down the hallway, Peter loo#ing $orward and Dill loo#ing behind them $or
any sign o$ the creature. 9hen they reached the #itchen, Peter stuc# his head through the open
doorway and scanned the room. !o sign o$ AethHor whatever had ta#en her place. "hat didn=t
mean she wasn=t hiding somewhere, though.
"he laundry room was across the #itchen and eating area, in a little cubbyhole (ust past the
oven and stove. "he door was closed, which hope$ully meant the changeling wasn=t inside.
Peter loo#ed bac# at Dill and (er#ed his head in a mon motion. "hey tiptoed across the
#itchen, loo#ing every which way $or an indication they were being $ollowed.
)nstead, they heard it $irst. a low, raspy, breathing sound. 0hh'hhh'hhhh'
)t was behind them.
Peter and Dill loo#ed over their shoulders, and Peter mentally slapped himsel$ on the $orehead.
9hen he had stuc# his head in the #itchen, he had loo#ed at the $loors, at all the walls around
him, at the ceiling. 0e had loo#ed upE he (ust hadn=t loo#ed straight up.
Aeth was right above the door, clinging sideways to the wall in a crawling pose. -?cept it
de$initely wasn=t Aeth anymore. )t still wore the pin# rainbow shirt and plastic potty>training
pants, but now the changeling had turned a light shade o$ green, gone completely bald, and
developed long, pointy ears. )ts eyes had also bugged out o$ their soc#ets li#e ping pong balls
with tiny blac# pupils. "he creature stared at Peter and Dill with a slightly Jui''ical loo#,
perhaps con$used by their inside>out clothes.
"hat didn=t stop it $rom attac#ing, though.
@RaarararararaaaaFC it shrie#ed as it launched itsel$ $rom the wall li#e a giant $rog and thudded
into Peter=s chest, #noc#ing him to the ground.
&ll the air in Peter=s lungs "hooshed out the second he hit the $loor. 0e never had the chance
to scream, but Dill was doing $ine $or both o$ them.
Peter desperately tried to breathe, but couldn=t G and what was worse, his arms and legs $elt
so wea# that he could do nothing but stare up at the green, grinning thing on his chest. )t opened
its (agged teeth and $lopped around its purplish>pin# tongue. "he bug eyes stared intently into
Peter=s as the changeling coc#ed its head. Peter didn=t #now what was more horri$ying. lying
there helpless with the hot, damp breath on his s#in and the droplets o$ drool on his shirt G or
what happened ne?t.
& white shape 'oomed directly over his head and $lopped over the changeling=s $ace. -?cept
the shape wasn=t e?actly all whiteHthere were some $aded tan and yellow stains all over it, and
several brown>colored strea#s.
Dill=s tighty>whities.
In$ortunately, it was right about then that Peter=s breath rushed bac# into his lungs, and he
was hit with a smell li#e a school bathroom that hadn=t been cleaned in three wee#s.
Aehind him, Dill yelled, @AullseyeFC
Peter screamed louder than he had in his entire li$e, louder even than when he had con$ronted
vampires and burned>up dead men. Dill=s underpants were ?ust that horrifying.
Aad as Peter had it, the changeling had it ten times worse. )t didn=t reali'e what had happened,
apparently, and it (er#ed its head le$t and right with the tighty>whities draped over its $ace. "hen
it too# a big snu$$ling breath, li#e a dog sni$$ing another dog=s butt.
Peter assumed that Dill=s butt smelled much worse than a dog=s, because the changeling
screamed louder than Peter had ever heard anything else scream, even himsel$.
"he baby troll $lipped bac#wards o$$ o$ Peter=s chest, apparently in a panic G but, blinded by
the $oul underwear wrapped around its head, it ran $ull>tilt into the wall. W0A>8
)t immediately turned around and raced right into a #itchen chair.
:LA>8
)t staggered around in circles, screaming and sha#ing its head violently, trying to sha#e $ree o$
the nasty blind$old on its $ace.
@&CN>&CN>&CN&CN&CN&CN&CN&CN&CN&CNFC
@90:=, "0- >A+8C Dill shouted at the changeling. @90:=, D-R D&DDDFC
Peter pulled himsel$ o$$ o$ the $loor, grabbed Dill by the arm, and dragged him towards the
laundry room. Ay now the changeling had gotten wise. it had rolled onto its bac# and was
#ic#ing, scratching and clawing at the tighty>whities on its $ace.
:$ course, Dill was still being Dill. @90&DD&D:I "0)!N :< /- !:9, AI"">I8LD
/:!,"-R A&ADB 90&" D: D:I "0)!N :< /- +%W*8C
Ay the time Peter opened the laundry door, the changeling had ripped the underwear to shreds,
$lipped bac# onto all $ours, and was positioned to charge. )t loo#ed li#e a miniature bull with
Doda=s $ace, e?cept Doda was $urious, his eyes were bloodshot with rage, and he was $oaming at
the mouth. Plus he was wearing a pin# rainbow shirt and plastic undies.
@A::>D&0, "R:LL A&ADF A::>D&0FC Dill whooped.
@8et in hereFC Peter yelled as he dragged Dill inside the laundry room. "he changeling
charged $ull>tilt, its $inger> and toenails scrabbling over the $loor. Peter slammed the door (ust in
time, and the changeling hit the wood with a B%%>8
@RaaaaaararararararararararararararFC it screeched, and head>butted the door again. B%%>8
&nd again. B%%>8 &nd again. B%%>8
"hirty seconds later the head>butts ceased, and Peter could hear the thing muttering angrily to
itsel$ as it paced bac# and $orth across the #itchen $loor.
@N),, /&0 AI"", "R:LL A&ADFC Dill yelled in a $a#e ,outhern accent.
"here was another screech outside, another clic#ing o$ nails, and another B%%>8 B%%>8
B%%>8 against the door be$ore the changeling went away chattering to itsel$ again.
@Don=t ma#e it any angrier than it already isFC Peter hissed.
@/aybe it=ll #noc# itsel$ out on the door, you ever thought o$ thatBC
@/aybe it=ll come busting through the door, you ever though o$ thatBC @Dou=re (ust (ealous
that my underwear totally saved the day,C Dill said smugly.
@Deah, about that. i$ you ever have to ma#e the choice again between letting me die and
throwing your smelly underwear two inches in $ront o$ my $ace, L!T >! &I!, o#ayBC
@9hatever. ) noticed that our turned>inside>out clothes didn=t do a dang thing. Dou notice
thatBC
@) was too busy trying not to pu#e.C
@Deah, that troll baby=s gross now, huhBC
@) wasn=t tal#ing about the troll baby, ) was tal#ing about the G C
@"hat=s why ) don=t read boo#s,C Dill interrupted. @Dou read something, you do it, and
$rea#in= troll babies still #ic# your butt. ,tupid boo#s. )=m never going to read anything again my
entire li$e.
Dill paused. @-?cept comic boo#s.
0e paused again. @&nd the $unny papers. -?cept <&/)LD C)RCL-, ) don=t read <&/)LD
C)RL-. :r A--"L- A&)L-D G why do they even still have A--"L- A&)L-DBC he
complained.
Peter had moved on to loo#ing $or the iron. "here it was, up on the rows o$ metal rac#s lining
the laundry room wall. & thousand things sat up there. liJuid detergent, bottles o$ bleach and
stain remover, a bo? o$ ,nuggle dryer sheets, several rolls o$ paper towels, an old blender, an
even older egg beater, tons o$ unused "upperware containers, a pac#age o$ 20 ,cotch tape
dispensers /om had bought $rom the nearest o$$ice supply store, a giant pac# o$ Post>)t notes, a
rusty old can o$ ball point pens and ,harpies, a spray bottle o$ $urniture polish, mounds o$ rags
$or dusting G
@9hy don=t we (ust go out the windowBC Dill as#ed.
Peter loo#ed over at the ancient washer and dryer sitting side by side and the window (ust
above them. )t would have been so easy to climb up on one o$ the machines, open the window,
(ump out, and ma#e a run $or it. Peter could clearly see the rose bushes out bac# and the open s#y
and $ields beyond.
Aut /om would be coming home soon. "hey couldn=t possibly stall her $or longer than two
minutes. )$ they begged her to stay outside until 8rand$ather came home, that would surely ma#e
her barge past them into the house. )$ the changeling didn=t #ill her, shoc# over $inding a troll
baby instead o$ her daughter "ould. :R she would $rea# out over Peter and Dill losing Aeth and
#ill them both, which was a situation worth avoiding, too.
"here was the chance 8rand$ather might get home be$ore her. 0e might #now e?actly what to
do. Aut even though he had been surprisingly un>angry about the vampires and the hobos, he
hadn=t e?actly been nie about them, either...and Peter still $elt guilty that he had lost Aeth, and
that somehow this was all his $ault $or being a bad brother.
!ot to mention the $act that it could be hours be$ore either o$ them came home. &nd during
that time, the trolls and $airies could be doing 8od #nows what to Aeth on the other side o$ the
$airy ring. "hey had to get her out now. "here really was no choice.
0e reached up, pulled the iron down o$$ the shel$, and loo#ed at Dill resolutely.
@!o. 9e=re going bac# out.C
Dill pointed at the iron. @9e don=t #now i$ that thing=s gonna wor#.C
@"he boo# said G C
@"he boo# said inside>out clothes were gonna scare it, too. 9hich they didn=t. :nly my
underwear saved the day, which ertain people said was a bad idea.C
@&nd it 9&,,C Peter shot bac#. 0e he$ted the iron up in the air, and swung it li#e a weapon. )t
was Juite heavy. @)$ it doesn=t li#e irons, we can still use it to clobber it over the head. "hat=ll
#noc# it out, and we can go ta#e it to $airy land and get Aeth bac#.C
Dill held up the iron=s electrical cord. @,hould we get it hot $irstBC
Peter raised his eyebrows. @8ood idea.C
"here was an outlet on the wall right ne?t to the door. Peter plugged it in and sat it upright on
the ground to wait.
"he two o$ them discussed options $or a couple o$ minutes, such as using the egg beater as a
weapon, or maybe the ironing board, which stood $olded up against the wall. -ventually they
abandoned those ideas. "he boo# said $airies hated ironsE it said nothing about egg beaters or
ironing boards.
@0ow do we #now it=s readyBC Peter as#ed.
@0old it up,C Dill advised him. Peter did, and Dill spit a tiny ptt o$ saliva out o$ his pursed lips.
Peter made a $ace. @-9FC "hen he saw the spit si''le, pop, and disappear $rom the iron=s
sur$ace. @:ooooh.C
Dill nodded wisely. @)t=s ready.C
1$
The second attac# on the troll baby didn=t go so well, either.
Peter unplugged the iron. 0e waited until the troll baby sounded li#e it was $ar enough away
$rom the laundry room, then burst through the door with the iron held out in $ront o$ him.
&t $irst the changeling wheeled around, a loo# o$ $ury on its $ace. "hen utter bewilderment
too# over. )ts mouth closed, its eyes bugged out even more, and its eyebrows *actually, the empty
brow where its eyebrows were supposed to be+ shot up on the green $orehead.
Peter laughed. @)t doesn=t li#e itFC
@Come on, pun#,C Dill sneered at the changeling in the voice o$ an action>movie star. @)t=s
laundry dayFC
@0uhBC Peter as#ed.
Dill changed the line. @)t=s ironin= dayFC
@"hat=s stupid.C
@) don=t see you saying anything cool. EIt doesnt like it8C he mimic#ed Peter in a high>
pitched, girly voice.
@,hut upF ) don=t G C
@)t=s movingFC Dill sJuealed. @)ron it, iron itFC
"he changeling was on the move. )t had crouched down on all $ours and was now circling
them slowly, teeth bared. & low rrrrrrrrrrrr rumbled $rom its throat.
Peter turned around slowly, #eeping the iron between him and the changeling at all times. Dill
$ollowed his lead, #eeping Peter and the iron between him and the changeling.
Peter accidentally stepped on the loosely trailing power cord, and tried to #ic# it away.
@9hat=re you waiting $orBC Dill yelled.
@9hat=m ) supposed to doBC Peter yelled bac#.
@,team it, $old it, press it, ) don=t #nowFC
Peter thrust the iron out a $ew inches. "he changeling immediately scampered bac# a $oot,
then resumed its slow circling.
@D-,FC Dill cried. @)=m gonna get &LLLL the wrin#les out o$ your $ace, Autt>IglyFC
Peter lunged out again, but $urther this time. "he changeling bac#ed up Juic#ly, never ta#ing
its eyes o$$ the iron.
Dill cac#led li#e a maniac. @0& 0&&&&F )=m ta#in= you to the cleaners, troll babyF )=m
gonna G C
"he changeling suddenly darted $orward, its teeth snapping midair. Peter and Dill both (umped
bac# in panic.
@CR&PFC Dill shouted and whined all at the same time.
@Dill, you=re not helpingFC
@9ell you=re not eitherFC
@Dou=re welcome to ta#e the iron and get up here insteadFC
@Ih, no, that=s o#ay, you=re doing a great (ob.C
,uddenly the changeling bolted $orward G though not at Peter or Dill. )nstead, it aimed
several $eet to their right. Peter (er#ed bac# and watched, pu''led, as the changeling 'oomed
past. 0e reali'ed too late what the little monster was aiming $or. the iron=s electrical cord, which
Peter had #ic#ed o$$ to the side.
"he changeling snagged the cord in its (aws mid>stride and never slowed down. 9ith a
power$ul yan#, the iron (er#ed out o$ Peter=s hands and sailed through the air. )t CL&!8-D on
the $loor, leaving a huge dent in the linoleum, then bumped and bounced cra'ily as the
changeling ran out o$ the #itchen, pulling the iron behind it li#e a Chihuahua dragging a pull toy.
@Dou "ere doing a great (ob,C Dill amended.
"hey could hear the iron clan#ing and thumping around the houseHand then nothing. "hen
came the s#ittering o$ tiny claws on hardwood $loor.
@Ih oh,C Dill said.
@Aac# to the laundry roomFC Peter shouted as the changeling roared around the corner on all
$ours, its $ace livid and eyes bulging out as much as ever.
:nce more they (ust barely got the laundry room door shut in time.
B%%>8 B%%>8 B%%>8 B%%>8 B%%>8
"his time, it too# more than a minute $or the changeling to stop head>butting the door. -very
twenty seconds or so, it would return $or another B%%>8 and then wal# away again, muttering
under its breath in troll babble.
@Do you thin# that gives it a headacheBC Dill as#ed.
Peter san# down against the washing machine and put his $ace in his hands. @9hat are we
going to do nowBC
@Dude G the "indo".C
@9e have to trap it, DillFC
@"he eggbeaterBC
@!o,C Peter moaned.
Dill placed one $inger against his lips and $rowned $or a $ew seconds. "hen he brightened up
considerably.
@:#ayH$irst we open the dryer door.C
Peter turned to loo# at the circular door on the machine ne?t to him. Inli#e the washer, which
loaded $rom the top o$ the machine, the door was on the $ront side o$ the clothes dryer.
@"hen you open the laundry room door,C Dill continued. @"he troll baby=ll come running and
(ump at you. Dou duc#, and it=ll $ly through the air right into the dryer. )=ll be on top o$ it and
slam the door shut, and A&/F Put a $or# in itFC Dill punched the air in e?citement. @9e can even
turn the dryer on i$ you want toF Deaaaaah.C
Peter stood up, a light in his eyes and the gears turning in his brain. 0e opened the dryer door.
& bunch o$ bedsheets and pillowcases were still inside, $orgotten and un$olded.
0e loo#ed $rom the laundry room door to the dryer, then bac# to the wooden door. "he light in
his eyes died.
@)t won=t wor#,C he said glumly.
Dill was outraged. @9hatBF 9hy notBFC
@"he dryer=s not in a straight line with the door. )$ the changeling doesn=t (ump $rom e?actly
the right place, it=s not gonna go in the dryer. -ven i$ it does (ump e?actly right, the dryer hole is
really small G it might not go in.C
@)$, i$, i$. &ll ) hear are Ki$s.= 9hat about a good old>$ashioned K9e can do it, Dill, cu' you=re
the smartest dude ever and that=s the best idea I+ T0! W%=L&=BC
@9hat happens i$ ) don=t duc# in timeBC
@9ell, (ust ma#e sure that you do.C
@9ell, what happens i$ ) do, but the changeling (umps too highB "hen it=s gonna land on top o$
you on the dryer.C
Dill paused and thought about that. @:#ay, new plan.C
@)t was a good idea, though,C Peter reassured him. @)$ we (ust had a big enough hole $or it to
(ump into, and we were sure we could get it to (ump straight inHC
@Deah, yeah, whatever,C Dill grumbled.
Peter=s eyes lit up again. 0e loo#ed down at the dryer door, then searched the metal shelves
lining the wall.
@Dill, ) got it.C
@9hat,C Dill muttered.
@9e=re going out the window.C
@"0&"=, /D )D-&FC Dill sputtered.
@&nd it=s the best idea ever.C Peter started rummaging through the sheets in the dryer, loo#ing
$or something.
Dill was slightly ta#en bac#. @IhH) #now. "han#s.C
Peter pulled a pillowcase out o$ the machine and held it up $or inspection.
@IhHare we goingBC Dill as#ed.
@8et up on top o$ the washer and open the window. &nd see i$ you can get the ironing board
outside.C
@0uhB 9hyBC
@Dou=ll see.C Peter placed the pillowcase on top o$ the dryer and turned to the metal shelves
against the wall.
@9hat are you doingBC
Peter grinned over his shoulder. @Must ta#ing a $ew things with us.C
Dill scrambled up on top o$ the dryer. @)$ we leave, how=re we going to catch the troll babyBC
@,imple. )=m coming bac# in.C
@90&"BC
@Aut $irst,C Peter said cryptically, @we=ve got to get the hole ready $or the troll baby to (ump
throughHC
1%
Twenty minutes later, Peter opened the #itchen screen door as slowly as he could. !o matter
how care$ully he tried, though, it still made a long, low s;ueeeeeeaaaaak. 0e loo#ed through the
panes o$ glass in the wooden bac# door but couldn=t see the troll baby at all. 0ope$ully it had
moved on to another part o$ the house. Aut he was still planning to loo# diretly overhead be$ore
he opened the door all the way.
Fool me one$ shame on you$ troll )a)y. Fool me t"ie$ shame on me.
Peter chuc#led to himsel$. !ot because he $ound the thought particularly $unny, but because he
was trying to ignore his heart hammering in his chest.
"he screen was still shredded $rom where /ercy had tried to rip her way through it (ust a
couple o$ wee#s be$ore. 8rand$ather hadn=t gotten around to replacing the wire mesh yet.
Last time I "ent through this door to get away from some)ody trying to kill meJ this time Im
"alking through it to get to some)ody trying to kill me.
Peter didn=t chuc#le at that thought.
0e opened the wooden #itchen door, ma#ing sure to loo# through the crac# overhead $or any
signs o$ a green troll in a pin# rainbow shirt. :nce the door was open all the way, he loo#ed
behind the door, too, and everywhere else he could thin# o$. !othing.
Pausing $or a second, he coc#ed one ear towards the #itchen and listened. !o s#ittering o$
toenails, no troll baby muttering, no raspy breathing.
0e wal#ed slowly into the middle o$ the #itchen, his ga'e $litting around as Juic#ly as he
could move his eyes.
!o changeling.
Peter pic#ed a spot in the middle o$ the #itchen where he could see both the doorway to the
den and, on the other side o$ the room, the hall that led to 8rand$ather=s study.
&o I really "ant to do this*
+o.
But I have to.
For Beth.
0e too# a deep breath and screamed as loud as he could, @0-D, ,!:"A&LL, )=/ )! "0-
N)"C0-!FC
<rom somewhere in the den he heard a Jui''ical grunt, @GurnBC $ollowed by the puppy>dog
clac#ing o$ toenails on a hard sur$ace. 9ithin seconds, the changeling barreled over the top o$
the doorway, still on all $ours and upside>down on the ceiling. ,lobber dripped $rom its bared
teeth and splattered on the $loor below. )ts eyes glowed with a $erocious hatred as it headed
straight $or Peter, who too# o$$ in the opposite direction.
Peter pumped his legs as $ast as he could move them. 0e could hear the troll baby behind him
as he rounded the corner into the hallway. "here was the study, coming up $ast on his le$t.
0e blew past it and headed $or the dining room.
Aehind him, he could hear the hk/hk/hk o$ the changeling=s nails on the ceiling. 0e
couldn=t tell e?actly where it was G whether a $ew $eet behind him, or a do'en G and he
couldn=t loo# over his shoulder, not even $or an instant. )$ he did, and stumbled and $ell, or i$ he
lost even a second to his pursuerH
Peter pushed the thought out o$ his mind as he ran through the cavernous dining room and
headed $or the main hall o$ the house.
"here was a loud T07>9 behind him, and suddenly the nails were scratching <=6/<=6/
<=6 along the hardwood $loor instead o$ the ceiling. "he changeling had decided to continue the
chase right>side up, and $rom the sound o$ things, it was maybe ten $eet behind him, i$ that.
<rap G it might not )e enough'
Peter sped out o$ the dining room and into the main $oyer. 0e ran to the $ront door and opened
it a couple o$ inches. <or the $irst time, he allowed himsel$ to loo# bac#.
"he changeling was hurtling around the corner o$ the dining room and into the hall, twelve
$eet away.
Peter stood there, door#nob in hand, $ro'en to the spot.
"he changeling loc#ed eyes with him. 9ithout brea#ing stride, it catapulted into the air,
straight $or Peter=s head.
9ith every bit o$ speed he could summon, Peter $lung open the $ront door and dove to the
ground.
1&
The changeling sailed right by his $ace G in $act, he could $eel the bree'e as the green claws
swept past his hair. Aut missed him it did, and instead sailed right into the web o$ ,cotch tape
that crisscrossed the entire $ront door$rame.
Aac# in #indergarten, Peter=s Physical -ducation class used to play KPopcorn.= "he P- teacher
had an old parachute, one she said that soldiers had had used in 9orld 9ar )) when they (umped
out o$ planes. &ll the #ids would ta#e a hand$ul o$ the sil# material and stand in a circle, then
whip the cloth in a $ren'y as the P- teacher threw dodgeballs in the center. "he balls would
shoot up in the air li#e popcorn #ernels, $all bac# down, hit the billowing cloth, then shoot bac#
up again.
Peter had always wondered what would happen i$ the class had held the outstretched parachute
over an empty swimming pool and a #id had (umped o$$ the high dive. 9hen he and Dill were
standing on the ironing board attaching the strips o$ ,cotch tape across the doorway, each strip
an inch apart in a tightly woven pattern that loo#ed li#e a giant tennis rac#et, the Juestion came
bac# into his mind. what would happenB
0e $igured it would probably loo# something li#e what happened to the troll baby.
"he changeling smac#ed right into the scotch tape and #ept on going. "here was no way the
tape was strong enough to hold to the door$rame li#e a spider=s web G the troll baby was too
heavy and going $ar too $ast G but Peter was counting on that. )nstead, the tape grid ripped o$$
the doorway and closed around the troll li#e a butter$ly net, and immediately stuc# to itsel$. "he
changeling went $lying through the air encased in a stic#y, scotch tape cocoon.
"hen it hit the bric# steps outside and bounced. @&&8F --8F ::8FC it screeched every time
it smac#ed into a new step. Ay the time it hit the lawn in $ront o$ the porch, it was a helpless
(umble o$ balled>up scotch tape rolling around in the grass.
Aut Peter #new it wouldn=t stay that way $or long. &lready the changeling was gnashing its
teeth and trying to brea# $ree o$ its plastic bindings.
@Dill, the pillowcaseFC he yelled as he raced out the $ront door and down the steps.
Dill darted out o$ the bushes and whipped the pillowcase around the taped>up ball. @8ot itFC
Peter loo#ed over at Dill=s house. !one o$ the Aodins#is were outside, and since 8rand$ather
lived on an otherwise deserted side street, that meant no one had seen anything.
Peter grabbed one edge o$ the pillowcase $rom Dill. @Come onFC he shouted. @9e can=t let
your $amily seeFC
@/y $amily=s seen weirder thingsFC Dill yelled bac#.
@9hat, weirder than us dragging a screaming troll baby around in a pillowcaseBC
@)=ll (ust tell them it was your sister G they=ll completely understandFC
1'
,oth boys ran as $ast as they could, dragging the snarling load behind them. "hey sped around
the $ront o$ 8rand$ather=s house, down the side past the garbage cans, and into the bac#yard
towards the rosebushes.
Peter could hear the changeling=s enraged screeches and the sound o$ plastic popping inside
the pillowcase. )t was (ust a gamble now i$ they could reach the mushrooms in time.
"hey sped past the roses and angled away $rom the garden patch, towards the stretch o$ open
$ield where this nightmare had begun only two hours be$ore. "he pillowcase slid and bumped
along the grass behind them.
Peter heard the sound o$ $abric ripping. 0e loo#ed down and saw $our tiny, clawed $ingers
shredding the cloth.
@0IRRDFC
@)=/ 0IRRD)!8FC Dill shrie#ed.
"hey mowed over at least a hundred mushrooms as they $rantically searched $or the $airy ring
where Aeth had disappeared.
@), "0&" G C&R-<ILFC Peter warned.
@) &/, ) &/FC
"hen he saw it, plain as day. a per$ect circle o$ brown toadstools, si? $eet ahead.
@,":PFC Peter cried.
Dill dropped the twitching pillowcase without being told twice. "he cloth bag was thrashing
and rolling every which way li#e some horrible cocoon about to produce the world=s most
terri$ying butter$ly.
Dill eyed the $airy ring. @Dude, we don=t have to go in there, do weBFC
@) don=t #now, ) don=t #nowFC Peter said $rantically. "iny green hands were tearing the
pillowcase to shredsE in a matter o$ seconds, the changeling would be out. )$ it didn=t #ill him and
Dill on the spot, it might (ust (ump in the $airy circle and go bac# to its own world. "he idea o$
$ollowing it to a land o$ a thousand troll babies was about the worst thing Peter could imagine.
@9ait G dude, Aeth=s a hostage, rightB 9e=ve got a hostage, tooFC
Peter eyed the snarling pillowcase. @Dou call that a hostageBC
Dill (er#ed his thumb at the $airy ring and whispered, @They don=t #now that.C
&s Dill=s meaning dawned on Peter, he smiled G Ahhhhh8 then (ust as Juic#ly $rowned
again. @,oBC
@,o do what they do in every ban# robber cop movie G negotiateFC
@Ih G o#ay, o#ay G ahem.C Neeping one eye on the thrashing pillowcase, Peter started
shouting at the $airy ring. @I/, <&)RD P-:PL- G 9- 0&7- D:IR "R:LL A&ADF &!D )
N!:9 D:I 0&7- /D ,),"-RF I0, 9- 9)LL "R&D- D:I A-"0 <:R G C
Peter didn=t have time to $inish be$ore the grass in the $airy ring began to whip and sha#e li#e
some giant $an was blowing on it. & tiny head rose up through the green, as though an elevator
plat$orm hidden beneath the ground was pushing its way up through the lawn.
Peter and Dill gasped, e?pecting an army o$ green, $anged monsters to start popping out at
them.
)nstead, Aeth rose up through the grass, apparently unharmed. ,he was dressed in some sort o$
strange leather out$it, with a ragged little s#irt, a halter top, and a chain o$ tiny bones hanging
around her nec#. ,he also had scraps o$ the same leathery material clutched in her hands and,
oddly enough, clenched between her teeth.
,he loo#ed over at Peter and Dill.
@A-"0FC they both cried out.
@:h my gosh, )=m happier to see you than )=ve ever been in my whole li$eFC Peter e?claimed.
@Dude, that=s not saying much.C
@,hut up, DillF Aeth, get out o$ that circle o$ mushrooms G hurry, come over hereFC
Completely ignoring her brother, Aeth bent over, $aced the grass beneath her $eet, and
screamed. "he piece o$ leather in her mouth $ell to the ground. Aeth didn=t careE she (ust #ept
screaming.
&nd it wasn=t scared or $rightened screaming. !o, Peter #new the sound $rom e?perience. it
was pure, $lat>out rage.
&s though summoned by the sound o$ her voice, the changeling slashed through the last bits o$
cloth and burst out o$ the shredded pillowcase. ,trands o$ tattered scotch tape covered every inch
o$ his body li#e the scraggly $eathers o$ a prehistoric dodo bird (ust hatched $rom its egg.
Aut this dodo bird was maaad.
"he changeling $aced Aeth and $i?ed its bulging ping>pong eyes on her.
Aeth Juit screaming and loo#ed up $rom the $airy ring.
Peter=s heart stopped in his chest.
"he changeling lunged $orward onto its $ront arms, opened its mouth, and R:&R-D. )ts
tongue $lailed bac# and $orth li#e a whip and sprayed spit and mucus across the grass.
Peter #new the changeling was about to charge. "hough it was suicide, he tensed his body,
ready to tac#le the troll and wrestle it into the $airy ring himsel$ G anything to ma#e sure his
sister got away sa$ely.
Aeth loo#ed at the changeling, then sJuatted down and 0:9L-D. 0er $ace was a mas# o$
$ury. 0er s#in went $ire>truc# red. 0er eyebrows were so contorted with hatred, Peter could
barely recogni'e her. )n $act, he was #ind o$ $rightened.
,o was the changeling.
"he troll baby shut its mouth and hunched bac# on its hind legs. )t blin#ed once, and seemed
utterly lost as to what to do about the wailing banshee in $ront o$ him.
Aeth rushed out o$ the $airy ring, arms beating the air, still screaming with rage.
"he changeling whimpered li#e a scared dog, then turned around and $led.
Aeth chased it, screaming, in circles around Peter and Dill. ,he never got close G the troll
baby was too $ast $or that G but she never let up. ,he (ust #ept screaming and chasing,
screaming and chasing.
"he troll baby #ept darting loo#s over its shoulder at Aeth, then doubling its speed and
'ig'agging away, the strands o$ tape on its body $luttering li#e plastic streamers $rom a little
#id=s bi#e handles. ,eeing the loo# o$ terror on its $ace, Peter almost $elt sorry $or it.
&lmost.
<inally it gave up. )t (umped in the air and dove head$irst into the $airy ring. Li#e a (ungle
animal $alling into a trap in the ground, the changeling disappeared completely, leaving behind
only shivering blades o$ grass.
0aving lost the main ob(ect o$ her $ury, Aeth turned on Peter. @90-R- /D ,"&9A-RRD
,0:RC&N- A&=)!8 ,IIBC
Peter was too shoc#ed by the troll baby=s e?it to understand her right away. @Dour, uh G BC
@90-R- ,"&9A-9D ,0:RC&N-FC Aeth screamed at the top o$ her lungs, her $ace now
an unnatural shade o$ purple.
@)n the house, in the houseF )n your room, up in your roomFC
Aeth turned and ran howling across the $ield. 9hen she got in the bac# door to the #itchen, she
didn=t stop screamingE the sound (ust got muted a little as she raced through the house up to her
bedroom. Peter assumed that she had $ound her bathing suit when everything $inally went silent.
Peter loo#ed over at Dill, whose mouth had dropped open at the beginning and never shut the
whole time. Dill loo#ed bac# at him.
9ithout a word, they ripped out all the toadstools that made up the $airy ring, scattered them
across 8rand$ather=s giant bac#yard, and ground them to pulp beneath their tennis shoes.
&nd, (ust to be sure, they #ic#ed over every other mushroom in the $ield, too.
(
Mom got the (ob.
<i$teen minutes a$ter Peter and Dill cleared the $ield o$ mushrooms, she wal#ed in beaming
and laughing, carrying ta#e>out Chinese $ood and a hal$ gallon o$ $ancy ice cream. ,he was in
such a good mood that she even invited Dill to stay, which was a miracle.
:ver dinner, she told them all about how the head o$ the :$$ice o$ Legal &$$airs had been so
impressed with her bac#ground, how he said they never got people at Charterton Iniversity with
such big>city e?perience, and that a$ter twenty minutes o$ tal#ing he=d as#ed how soon could she
startB
@9e still have to iron out the details, o$ course,C /om said.
Peter and Dill e?changed a loo#. Iron, Dill mouthed with a giggle.
/om ignored him. @)=ve got to get daycare $or Aeth, and )=m still negotiating my $inal salary,
o$ courseHC
,pea#ing o$ his sister, Peter watched her care$ully throughout dinner. <rom every indication,
she seemed to be the same old Aeth. wearing her ,trawberry ,hortca#e bathing suit, messily
eating Nung Pao Chic#en with her hands, and throwing won tons o$$ her high chair onto the
$loor. -very so o$ten she would interrupt /om=s story, at which point Peter=s stomach would
clench with $ear.
@/ommy, mommy, dey was wittle gween mens wi= stic#s an= dey was meanFC
@Ih huh, that=s nice, Aeth.C
@/ommy, mommy, dey stole ,tawbewy ,horca#eF ) ha= to go beat Kem upFC
@"hat=s nice. ,o, as ) was saying G C
0e shouldn=t have worried. Aeth=s babbling was (ust as messy as her eating, and totally
incoherent to anyone who hadn=t been there. "he secret o$ what had happened that a$ternoon was
sa$e.
8rand$ather wal#ed into the #itchen as they were eating ice cream. Peter=s heart beat $aster
$rom $ear, but he calmed himsel$ down. "hey had cleaned the house hastily be$ore /om got
home, and there were no tell>tale signs the troll had le$t behind G not even any hand> or
$ootprints on the ceiling. "here was no reason 8rand$ather would ever #now.
@Dad, ) got the (obFC /om grinned.
@8ood $or you,C he said emotionlessly as he wal#ed into the hall.
:n an ordinary night /om might have been crushed, but she (ust turned bac# around and #ept
on chatting about how interesting the (ob was, and how nice her new boss seemed, and how good
it would be to get bac# to wor#.
,everal minutes o$ happy ice>cream>eating passed be$ore the poop hit the $an.
@P-"-RFC 8rand$ather yelled $rom down the hall. Peter=s heart immediately leapt into his
throat, and he suddenly reali'ed the most important thing he and Dill should have done while
cleaning up. not mopping drool. !ot replacing the iron. !ot pulling stray bits o$ tape o$$ the $ront
door.
0e had $orgotten to replace the boo# in 8rand$ather=s study.
9hether Dill had $igured it out or not, he #new $rom the tone o$ 8rand$ather=s voice that he
didn=t want to stic# around.
@,ee you later, dude,C he said as he slid out o$ his #itchen chair. 0e turned bac# brie$ly, (ust
long enough to snag his bowl o$ ice cream and carry it with him as he popped out the bac# door.
@0ey, bring that bowl bac# a$ter you=re $inishedFC /om called merrily a$ter him. !ot even
Dill=s dessert thievery could ruin her day.
1
Peter trudged warily down the hallway and stopped at the study. 0is heart was hammering
inside his chest as he tapped at the door.
@Come in,C 8rand$ather snarled $rom inside.
Peter pushed the door open. 8rand$ather was sitting behind his mahogany des# in his leather
chair. "he chandelier was turned o$$, so the only light came $rom the tiny, stained>glass lamp on
his des#, which cast hal$ o$ 8rand$ather=s $ace into shadow as he glared at Peter.
@) believe )=ve made it clear that this room is o$$>limits to you when ) am not home.C
Peter nodded silently. 0is #nees trembled a little as 8rand$ather held up the copy o$
Fairieland3 9ortals To The %ther World And Its &eni(ens.
@)s there something you=d li#e to tell meBC the old man bar#ed.
+ot really'
@9ell, you #now how /om had her (ob interview todayBC
@Des.C
@9ell, you were gone, and Dill and ) had to babysit Aeth.C
@,oBC
@,oHsomething happened.C
"he story came out in $its and starts. about the mushrooms in the $ield, how Aeth mysteriously
disappeared and then reappeared out o$ nowhere, how she had acted odd and then started turning
into a tiny, green, big>eared troll baby.
8rand$ather didn=t seem phased by any o$ it, though he loo#ed none too pleased.
@"hen it chased us in here,C Peter said guiltily and stopped tal#ing.
8rand$ather=s eyes narrowed to slits. @7sBC
@DeahHme and Dill. Aut don=t worry, the monster baby didn=t get in.C
8rand$ather closed his eyes as though he were in pain. @) am more concerned that the monster
id(it $rom ne?t door did.C "hen his eyes snapped open and he scowled. @9ellB ) assume the story
ends with something other than you ma#ing $riends with the changeling and helping it ta#e over
my granddaughter=s identity.C
@:h G you #now about changelingsBC
8rand$ather rolled his eyes. @Do ) #now about changelings,C he muttered to himsel$, then
snapped at Peter, @:$ course ) doF "he better Juestion is, how do youBC
Peter loo#ed con$used. @9ellH) told you, it started out loo#ing li#e Aeth, and we had to $ight
it G C
@Aut how did you #now it was called a changelingBC
Peter pointed at the boo# on 8rand$ather=s des#. @"hat boo#.C
8rand$ather pointed to Fairieland. @"his boo#.C
@Des.C
@) didn=t leave this boo# out.C
Peter shoo# his head Kno.=
8rand$ather loo#ed around his study G not because he needed to, but $or dramatic e$$ect.
@"here are over 3,000 boo#s in this room. 0ow did you manage to $ind a boo# about changelings
in less than three wee#s= timeBC
@IhH) don=t #now.C
@Dou don=t #now,C 8rand$ather said sarcastically.
@9ell, we=d already starting loo#ing when ) noticed there was this light shining on one across
the room, so ) pic#ed it out.C 0e gestured at the boo# in the old man=s hand. @"hat one.C
8rand$ather=s eyes opened wide. 9ider, in $act, than Peter had ever seen him open them
be$ore. 0e loo#ed genuinely surprised.
@DouHsaw a lightB ,hining on (ust one o$ themBC
@Deah.C
8rand$ather was silent $or a moment. 9hen he spo#e, it was in a decidedly less angry voice.
@,o, you $ound this boo#, discovered you had a changeling on your handsH what happened
ne?tBC
@Does the light mean anythingBC Peter as#ed.
@:ther than an incredible piece o$ good luc#, no,C 8rand$ather said. @9hat happened ne?tBC
@Aut you loo#ed really surpr G C
@What happened ne@t.C
Peter $inished the story, ending with the destruction o$ the $airy ring. 8rand$ather sat Juietly
$or a moment. "hen he nodded, once, as he stood up.
@9ell done.C
Peter had to ta#e a $ew seconds to ma#e sure he wasn=t dreaming.
@K9ell done=BFC he as#ed, bewildered. @"hat=s itBFC
8rand$ather wal#ed around the des#. @9hat more do you wantBC
Peter bac#ed up against the wall, a little a$raid that 8rand$ather was going to spring across the
room at him. @Dou=re not madBC
@9ell, unli#e previous incidents,C 8rand$ather emphasi'ed with a dollop o$ irritation, @you
didn=t misbehave or do anything mischievous. "hings (ust happened, and you coped with them as
best you could.C
8rand$ather was almost to the study door. &ma'ingly, he didn=t seem li#e he was going to
reach out and cho#e Peter.
@9here are you going, thenBC Peter as#ed.
@"o chec# on your sister. ) doubt another changeling came bac# in her place, but ) want to
ma#e sure nonetheless.C
@Dou=re not going to throw her in the $ire, are youBC
@"hat method o$ detecting changelings went out o$ style sometime in the 14
th
century. "here
are sa$er, more humane ways.C 8rand$ather loo#ed at Peter suspiciously. @Dou didn=t G C
@!o,C Peter said de$ensively. @&re you gonna touch her with a hot ironBC
8rand$ather stopped with his hand on the door#nob and stared at Peter. @9hat in the world are
you tal#ing aboutBC
@"he boo# said $airies don=t li#e irons, so we plugged /om=s into the wall and GC
@Iron. "he metal iron, as in the main component o$ steel. <airies don=t li#e iron$ it hurts them
to touch it.C
@:h,C Peter said, a little embarrassed.
@Aut since a laundry iron has steel, it would probably achieve the same e$$ect. ) might (ust use
the iron mysel$ to test her reaction G but old$ and de$initely not plugged in.C
8rand$ather was hal$way out the door when Peter spo#e up again. @9aitHC
"he old man turned bac# around, severely annoyed. @)$ you wanted to clear your conscience,
consider yoursel$ $orgiven. Must don=t go bac# in my study again when )=m not here. -ver. -ven
i$ you are being chased by G C
@) saw something on your des#,C Peter blurted out.
8rand$ather stopped moving. 0e $ro'e there at the door, arm $ully e?tended. 0is $ace didn=t
move in the slightestE his eyes certainly didn=t get larger this time.
@HohBC he said, sounding only vaguely interested.
@Deah, there were some boo#sHand a noteboo# you were writing in. )t said something about
a curse on the <lannagan $amily.C 8rand$ather didn=t say anything $or another ten seconds. 9hen
he did spea#, his $ace didn=t change, but his voice was absolutely neutral. !ot angry, not
irritated, not impatient. Certainly not happy, butHdisconnected. -motionless.
@"here is no curse. )t=s an old rumor ) ran across while researching our $amily tree.C
@Aut the noteboo# tal#ed about the end o$ the world G C
@Des, well, it=s a rather idiotic rumor. <orget you read it.C
@Aut all your other stories about hobos and vampires are strange and cra'y G why isn=t this
one trueBC
@Aecause it=s not. <orget about it.C
@Aut maybe G C
@) told you it=s balderdash G why in the world would you even careBC 8rand$ather snapped,
bac# to his old sel$.
@"ons o$ bad stu$$ #eeps happening to me. 9hat i$ it=s the curseBC
8rand$ather shoo# his head. @)=ve told you, Dus#erville is a strange place, with supernatural
goings>on that have a$$ected hundreds o$ people over the centuries. "hose $orces have been here
$ar longer than our $amily has. Dour recent encounters are (ust part o$ the bigger picture. "hey
are not connected to any curse, because there isnt one.C
@Aut G C
@Go to )ed,C 8rand$ather said sternly and wal#ed out o$ the study. Peter could hear the old
man=s $ootsteps on the hardwood $loors, $ading away.
"hough it was a little too early to go to sleep, Peter still went up to his room, i$ $or no other
reason than to get out o$ 8rand$ather=s way. "he rest o$ the evening, he played the conversation
over and over again in his mind. !one o$ his Juestions had been answered, but there was one
thing he was certain o$. he had never heard 8rand$ather use that tone o$ voice be$ore in his li$e.
"he old man had used that neutral, unconcerned way o$ spea#ing twice G when as#ed about the
curse, and also when Peter had as#ed about the light in the study, the one that had pointed out the
changeling boo#.
8rand$ather had always been truth$ul be$ore, at least to Peter=s #nowledge. "he old man had
omitted some things, probably, and re$used to tal# about others, yes, but he had never $lat>out
told a lie.
"onight, $or the $irst time, it sounded as though he might have.
&s he dri$ted o$$ to sleep that night, Peter wondered which was stranger. everything that had
happened with the changeling todayH
Hor the reasons why 8rand$ather had lied.
PETER AND THE S*AMP M/NSTER
1
Rory /cCus#en and 8reg 9itherspoon sat on the old wooden doc# and dangled their bare
$eet in the la#e. Rory had a simple bamboo stic#, and 8reg was using a carbon sha$t $ishing pole,
but neither o$ them was having any luc#.
@9e didn=t get out here early enough,C 8reg complained.
@)t=s only 5 o=cloc#,C Rory pointed out.
@) told you we shoulda been out here by seven.C
@Quit yer whinin=, it=s all good.C
Rory was dressed in cut>o$$ blue (eans and a white t>shirt. 8reg was a bit tubby, and his mom
wasn=t #ind when buying his school clothes. ,he always went preppy rather than cool, and she
seemed to be in denial about 8reg=s weight issues. &s a result, 8reg had on #ha#i shorts and a
collared, button>up shirt that was a si'e too small. 0is belly po#ed out a little $rom beneath the
bottom.
@"hey=re not biting,C 8reg grumbled.
@"hey will.C
@/aybe we should go tubing instead.C
Rory sighed. @Dou got no patience, 8reg. Must rela?.C
@)=d rela? better i$ ) had a co#e. 8et me a co#e, will youBC
Rory got to his $eet on the boards o$ the gently swaying doc#. )t was the $loating type that rose
and san# as the water level changed, but was still anchored to tall wooden posts stic#ing up out
o$ the la#e. "hat way, heavy rains wouldn=t cover the doc#, and a really dry summer wouldn=t
leave it too high above the water.
Rory wal#ed the twenty $eet up to the shore. "hey had le$t their supplies up closer to the ban#
so they wouldn=t accidentally #noc# anything in. "he par# rangers looooved to hand out tic#ets
$or even the smallest bits o$ littering. )$ a potato chip bag got away $rom them and a ranger
spotted it, Rory would be cutting grass $or two months trying to pay o$$ the $ine.
0e rummaged in the cooler and pulled out a couple o$ soda cans $rom the si?pac#. 0e $igured
they could have one now, one about eleven when they ate their PATM sandwiches, and one $or
the bi#e ride bac# home.
0e loo#ed up the muddy dirt path that circled through the weeds and marsh grasses. "he bi#es
were a good tenth o$ a mile up the trail, deep among the twisted swamp trees. 0e wasn=t worried
anybody would steal them, thoughE the innertube riders never came this $ar down the springs.
Aesides, Rory had loc#ed the bi#es up with his chain, and that suc#er was heavy>duty. !othing
but a blow torch was going to cut through those lin#s.
<rogs croa#ed $rom the water and insects bu''ed in the trees. "he sun spar#led o$$ the la#e.
"he air had started o$$ cool on their bi#e ride earlier that morning, but was Juic#ly warming up.
Rory popped the top on one o$ the sodas and too# a long, slurping gulp. Ay the time he=d
$inished drin#ing, all the animal noises were gone.
Rory didn=t notice it at $irst. 0e was only a $ew steps along the doc# be$ore he reali'ed how
silent the la#e had become.
@-verything went aw$ul Juiet, didn=t itBC he called out.
@0uhBC 8reg coc#ed his head, then noticed that Rory had already opened his drin#. @0ey,
man, Juit ta#in= so long with the co#es, )=m gonna die o$ thirst up here.C
@:#ay, o#ay, )=m comin=, )=m G C
"here was a noise $rom the marsh reeds over by the ban#. & low, rumbling
k"""""""""hhhhh, li#e a #id using the bac# o$ his throat to imitate a bomb going o$$.
Rory stood still on the doc#.
>ay)e it "as a )ullfrog'a really 07G! )ullfrog'
@0ey 8reg, did you hear thatBC
@9hatBC
@)t was li#e aHa rumbling sound.C
@) hear my stomach rumbling, that=s what I hear. Come onFC
Rory was about to ta#e another step when something long and dar# moved through the water
to the right o$ the doc#.
)t must=ve been ten $eet long, maybe more. )t was hard to seeE the water was pretty clear
because o$ the spring that dumped into the la#e, but the sun glinting o$$ the sur$ace didn=t help
any. "he only detail Rory could ma#e out $or sure was a thic# tail that tapered to (ust a $ew
inches wideH
Hright be$ore it disappeared under the doc#.
Alligator.
@Rory, come :!FC
Rory loo#ed up to see his $riend still seated on the edge o$ the wooden pier.
9ith his $eet in the water.
@8reg, 8-" IPFC Rory screamed. @8-" :I" :< "0- 9&"-RFC
8reg $rowned in con$usion. @Rory, what G C
@&LL)8&":RF 8-" :I" :< "0- 9&"-RF I!D-R "0- D:CN, &LL)8&":RFC
8reg=s eyes went wide. "hen he grinned.
@&wwwww, good one, man. "his ain=t <lorida, there aren=t any gators around here.C
,pit $lew out o$ Rory=s mouth, he was so $rantic. @8R-8 MI," PL-&,- 8-" :I" :< "0-
9&"-R, PL-&,- 8-" :I" :< "0- 9&"-R PL-&,- PL-&,- PL-&,-FC
8reg was obviously con$used to see this screaming cra'y person who, (ust a $ew seconds
be$ore, had been his mild>mannered $riend. 8reg rolled onto his bac# and li$ted his dripping $eet
high in the air.
@"here, are you happy n G C
CR&CN.
"he doc# between Rory and 8reg li$ted a $oot into the air and buc#led in the middle. & do'en
boards splintered into (agged pieces be$ore crashing bac# down.
Aetween the scraps o$ shattered wood, Rory caught a glimpse o$ something be$ore it slipped
bac# into the water.
Rory had never seen a live alligator in his li$e. "he $ew times he=d been out o$ Dus#erville
were to visit his grandparents in )owa and to go on a $amily car trip to see /t. Rushmore. 0e=d
been to Canada twice. "hat was about it.
Aut he=d seen plenty o$ Discovery Channel programs on cable.
&nd that wasn=t an alligator.
&lligators were scaly and tough and green. "his thingHit was grayish and slic# and round.
"he head, or what he had seen o$ it, was about the same si'e as his $amily=s super>huge big
screen "7.
-?actly what the creature was, Rory had no idea. Aut it was very large, and it was power$ul
enough to turn a si?>$oot wide doc# into matchstic#s.
@8regF 8et upFC
8reg scrambled to his $eet. 0is $ace was white as a ghost, and his body was trembling.
@8reg, get over hereFC
8reg shoo# his head rapidly.
@8reg, you gotta get out o$ thereFC Rory yelled. @)t=s still in the waterFC
@9hat do ) doBC 8reg wailed.
@Mump the crac#ed partFC
@) caaaaan=tFC
@Des you can, yes you canF Dou can do it, ) #now you can do itFC
8reg crouched down on the wooden plan#s and started to cry.
Rory scanned the water around the doc# and between the bro#en $loorboards, searching $or
any more dar# shapes. !othing so $ar, but the thing could be bac# any second.
@8reg, you can do it, ) #now you can, (ust tryFC
8reg shoo# his head. @) can=tHplease don=t ma#e meHC
@8reg, it=s going to get you i$ you don=t get out o$ thereF Must run and (ump, you can ma#e it, )
#now you canFC
,omething caught Rory=s attention. /aybe a $oot away $rom him was a glint o$ red in the gap
between the boards. "hen it disappeared. Dar# sliminess covered it $or a brie$ second, then
pulled bac#, and the red reappeared.
An eye its an eye )linking.
,uddenly, the sun>ba#ed boards directly under Rory=s $eet buc#led and pitched wildly to the
side.
0e was in the air. &nd then he was $alling.
&s he hit the cold water, he saw the shape shoot out $rom under the doc#, and he #new it was
over. 0e (ust hoped it wouldn=t hurt too much.
9ater rushed over his $ace and pounded in his ears.
0e $elt a tiny sting on his leg, li#e an ant bite. )mmediately, everything started to get $u''y and
con$using. &nd though he was underwater and could $eel himsel$ sliding down into
unconsciousness, he could hear a mu$$led sound somewhere up above him.
)t was 8reg screaming.
&nd screaming.
&nd screaming.
"hen the screaming $aded away, and there was only dar#ness.

)Come on, now,C Dill said. @Dou #now it=ll be cool.C

Peter and Dill were seated around the #itchen table, eating wa$$les that /om had coo#ed in
the toaster. Dill had only agreed to come in the house once Peter had assured him that
8rand$ather was loc#ed away in the study, as the old man usually was on ,aturday mornings.
&nd ,aturday a$ternoons. )n $act, almost all o$ the time.
/om sat a $ew $eet away, trying to get Aeth to eat some Cheerios.
@9hat did you say this place was againBC Peter as#ed.
@)tcheepatuc#nee ,prings. Dou can start all the way up at the top and rent an innertube or a
ra$t, and go all the way down the river and stop be$ore you get to the la#e. "hen they=ll load you
up in a truc# and drive you bac# up to the top and you can do it all over again. )t ta#es li#e an
hour, and sometimes there=s otters in the springs, and you can see clear down to the bottom. Dou
gotta wear old shoes, though, cu' there=s some roc#s.C
@) don=t understand how you can=t say Khypocrite= but you can say )tchy G what is it againBC
@)"C0>ee puh>"ICN>nee,C Dill enunciated. @)t=s an )ndian name. )=m part )ndian, so ) can
say it real easy.C
/om loo#ed over at Dill. 9ith his blond bu'' cut, his sunburned white s#in, and his (ug ears
stic#ing out, he loo#ed li#e the most un>)ndian person in the entire world.
@Dou=re part )ndian,C /om repeated, clearly not believing him.
Dill nodded. @Des.C
@Amerian )ndian.C
@De>eeees,C Dill said in a sing>song voice, annoyed that his ancestry was being Juestioned.
@Didn=t you say last wee# that you were part pirate, tooBC Peter as#ed.
@Deah, soBC Dill scowled.
@!othing.C
@WhatBFC
@Dou (ust seem to be Kpart something= o$ whatever movie you watched that day.C
@9hat are you sayingBC Dill as#ed, his eyes narrowing.
@9ell, you watched 9irates %f The <ari))ean last wee#, and yesterday you watched &anes
With Wolves. 9hat are you going to be when you watch !.T.BC
Dill sJuinted angrily at Peter.
Peter tried to contain his laughter. @:rHor a movie about poopBC
@PoooooopFC Aeth spluttered at the other end o$ the table, splattering Cheerios everywhere.
@) don=t li#e what you=re saying,C Dill snarled. @Plus, there aren=t any movies about poop.C 0e
coc#ed his head as though considering something very important. @Cu' )=d totally watch that
movie.C
@Aoys, boys,C /om called out. @Let=s #eep this conversation out o$ the toilet, shall weB 9here
do you get the last name Aodin#si $rom, DillBC
@9hy do you as# me totally cra'y Juestions li#e thatBC Dill $umed. @"hat has nothing to do
with )ndians.C
@:#ay, /r. Aodinis#i, what=s your )ndian nameBC
Dill didn=t miss a beat. @,wims 9ith Aig :tters.C
@,wims 9ith Aig :tters.C /om=s tone o$ voice sounded li#e 7h huh. =iiiiight.
@DesF )tcheepatuc#neeF :tters swim around there all the timeFC
@&re you sure it=s not K"ells Aig ,tories &nd <ibsB=C Peter as#ed, laughing again.
@)=ll bet you.C Dill stuc# out his small $inger. @Pin#y swear. <ive buc#s says there=s otters.C
@Inh>unh,C Peter said, sha#ing his head.
@9e don=t bet, Dill,C /om e?plained.
@Cu' you=re sared,C Dill smir#ed.
/om loo#ed at Dill li#e he was about to get a span#ing. Dill stopped smir#ing and went bac#
to eating his wa$$le.
@9has an ottahBC Aeth as#ed.
@)t=s li#e a big rat that lives in the water,C Dill stated matter>o$>$actly.
Aeth loo#ed horri$ied.
@Aut it=s $riendly, and it swims around and plays with other otters all the time, and it=ll come
up to you if youre in an innertu)e in Itheepatuknee,C Dill emphasi'ed.
Aeth=s $ace wrin#led up in worry. @) don= wanna see no ottahs,C she whined.
@Dou=re not, don=t worry,C /om told her.
@Come oooooonnnn,C Dill pleaded. @"his is probably gonna be the last hot day $or the rest o$
the year, and the water=s really cool, and did ) mention the ottersB 9e can innertube down the
spring G C
@&lright, alright, &LR)80",C /om groaned. @Must G stop talking. Dou want to go, PeterBC
Peter shrugged. @)t could be neat.C
/om glared at Dill. @&ll right, you two can go.C
Dill beamed a thousand>watt smile. @Cool. Can you drive usBC
!
)I have no idea why )=m doing this,C /om grumbled as her car chugged down the tree>lined
road.
@Cause you looooove us,C Dill answered.
@) don=t love you, Dill,C /om muttered.
@)=m o#ay with that as long as you drive me there.C
Peter laughed. /om had never li#ed Dill much, but she put up with him because he was
Peter=s only $riend since they had moved to Dus#erville a month ago. ,he tried to get Peter to
ma#e new $riends every wee# at school, but Peter and Dill were #ind o$ outsiders. :ther #ids
didn=t li#e Peter much because he was new, and they didn=t li#e Dill because he wasHDill.
&ctually, that wasn=t true. !obody e?cept the school bullies really disli#ed them. Peter got
along $ine with most o$ the #ids, but nobody was really welcoming or super nice to himHe?cept
the nerds. :r weird girls who turned into vampires.
"hat was another thing. he and Dill had been through too much together. <rom the dead men
in the garden patch, to the undead mess with /ercy Chalmers, to Aeth being replaced with a troll
baby (ust a wee# be$ore, Dill had su$$ered through a lot with Peter. "hat created a bond that went
beyond (ust having a bud to hang out with a$ter school.
!ot that Peter=s mom understood, but that was o#ay. ,he didn=t #now about the vampires, and
she still blamed Dill $or the blac# soot mar#s the dead guys had le$t when they invaded the
house. Peter intended on #eeping it that way. 0e didn=t #now how she would react i$ he told her
the truth. ,he probably wouldn=t believe any o$ itHbut then again, what i$ she were presented
with undeniable evidenceB ,he might move them bac# to Cali$ornia. & month ago, that would
have suited Peter (ust $ine. Aut now he had Dill, his best $riend in his entire li$e, and he didn=t
want to move (ust because some stupid classmates had come bac# $rom the dead.
Peter o$ten wondered, Why is this happening to me* And "hy here* !othing even remotely
strange had ever happened bac# in Cali$ornia. 0e $igured it had to be related to the noteboo#
he=d seen in 8rand$ather=s study the day Aeth disappeared. @"he CIR,- shall $all upon the
<lannagan $amily $or thirteen generationsHC
0e wanted to #now what it meant, but the one time he had as#ed 8rand$ather about it, the old
man had seemed to lie. 0e said it was nothing more than a rumor. "he topic was clearly o$$>
limits, li#e the doorway under the stairs that Peter was $orbidden to open K:! P&)! :<
D-&"0.=
&s#ing 8rand$ather about it again would only get him in trouble, and trouble was the $urthest
thing $rom his mind right now. "he weather was gorgeous. )t was already :ctober, and $or the
$irst time in wee#s G and maybe the last time $or months to come G it $elt li#e summer again.
"he sun beat down on the car=s roo$, and the wind blowing through the open windows was
deliciously hot.
@9hy can=t you ride your bi#esBC /om as#ed.
@"oo $ar, too $arFC Dill protested.
@"oo $ah, too $ah,C Aeth echoed. ,he was strapped in the bac# seat ne?t to Dill, and #ept
trying to smac# him on the head.
@)t=s li#e, ten miles,C Dill continued as he batted away Aeth=s hand.
@"en my>uws,C Aeth shrie#ed.
@<ine. ) guess (ust give me a phone call when you=re ready to come home. Do they have
payphones thereBC
@:h yeah,C Dill said. @9e=ll (ust need a couple o$ Juarters.C
@&lright. )s there anything else you need, PeterBC
@) don=t thin# so.C
@/oney,C Dill said. @0e=ll need some money $or an innertube.C
@0ow muchBC /om as#ed.
@<ive dollars.C
@:hhhhh, so that e?plains why you wanted to bet,C /om reali'ed.
@Deah, but only $ive dollars. )=m not greedy, you #now.C
Peter snorted. Dill whac#ed him on the head $rom the bac#seat.
@:#ay, Peter, get my purse out and grab a $ive. &nd some Juarters.C
@&hem.C Dill cleared his throat. @), uhH) could use some money, too. ,ince you guys don=t
bet.C
/om didn=t even glance over her shoulder. @0ow much.C
@<ive dollars.C
/om breathed out in e?asperation. @<ine.C
@&nd we could use another $ive dollars $or $oodHthey=ve got a cool little cart where they sell
hot dogs and stu$$.C
/om shoo# her head. @<ine.C
@<ive dollarsHeach.C
/om glared at Dill in the rearview mirror. @Dou=re really pushing it, you #now that, /r.
K,wims 9ith Aig :tters=BC
@Must thin# o$ it as my babysitting $ee $or that time that helped you get a (ob.C
)t was trueE /om had been o$$ered the (ob as a legal secretary at Charterton Iniversity
immediately a$ter her interview, which had been made possible by Peter and Dill babysitting
Aeth $or the a$ternoon. Peter didn=t thin# it wise to mention that they had lost Aeth, though. )n
another dimension. &nd that, $or a while, she had been replaced with a green>s#inned
changeling.
/om grimaced. @<ine. <ive babysitting dollars $or each o$ you, but the rest is coming out o$
your allowance, Peter.C
@&w, manFC
Dill patted him on the shoulder. @)t=s worth it, dude.C
@)t better be,C Peter grumbled, @cu' you=re paying me bac#.C
Dill smiled and nodded. @,ure, sure.C
@)=m serious, Dill.C
@,ure, sure.C
@DilllllHC Peter warned.
@:ttahsFC Aeth screamed, and pulled Dill=s hair.
@&aaaaahFC Dill yelled, and the sub(ect o$ money was $orgotten.
"
Mom=s 0onda turned o$$ the main road and through the gate, which had a big log on top with
the words )"C0--P&"ICN!-- ,"&"- P&RN burned into the wood. )t loo#ed e?actly li#e
the signs outside summer camps in any o$ a do'en #ids movies Peter had seen over the years.
"he car puttered down the road $or another mile be$ore $inally reaching the end. "here they
saw several log cabin buildings o$ various si'es, $ive picnic benches, stac#s o$ blac# innertubes,
and a do'en #ids swarming around a couple o$ par# rangers. "he #ids ranged $rom Peter and
Dill=s age to teenagers.
!earby were several public telephones in plastic bo?es attached to wooden posts. &nd there
was a hot dog cart, (ust li#e Dill said, run by a short man with a mustache.
/om drove into the gravel par#ing lot and eased into a space between a minivan and a (eep.
,everal parents stood around chatting, waiting to ma#e sure their #ids were o#ay be$ore they
drove o$$.
&s /om unbuc#led Aeth $rom her car seat, Dill and Peter spilled out o$ the car. Dill was
carrying a plastic supermar#et bag over his arm, and he started rummaging through its contents.
Peter wandered over to a sun>bleached poster behind a scratched plastic window. :ver the
years, do'ens o$ people had carved their initials in the logs that held the display in place.
9-LC:/- ": )"C0--P&"ICN!-- ,"&"- <:R-,", 0:/- :< "0- ,"&"-=,
L&R8-," !&"IR&L ,PR)!8,F
)"C0--P&"ICN!-- ), &! )!D)&! 9:RD <R:/ "0- L:C&L 9)!!&P:"&N&
"R)A-, 90: <),0-D 0-R- <:R 0I!DR-D, :< D-&R,. )"C0--P&"ICN!--
/-&!, K0)DD-! 9&"-R,,= 90)C0 !)C-LD D-,CR)A-, "0- ,-7-!"--!
!&"IR&L ,PR)!8, "0&" AIAAL- IP <R:/ "0- 8R:I!D &!D M:)! ":8-"0-R
": <:R/ & ,)!8L-, L&R8- ,"R-&/. "0- ,"R-&/ RI!, "0R:I80 "0- <:R-,"
A-<:R- M:)!)!8 L&N- 0&/P,"-&D. "0- 9&"-R ), <R-,0 &!D CL-&R &" "0-
,:IRC- :< "0- ,PR)!8,, AI" D:!=" DR)!N )", MI," ": A- ,&<-F :""-R,,
A)RD,, &!D <),0 <R:/ L&N- 0&/P,"-&D L)7- )! "0- ,"R-&/, D-&R>R:I!D,
&!D C&! :<"-! A- ,--! :! & D:9!,"R-&/ ":IR.
"0- ,"R-&/ RI!, <:R &L/:," "9: /)L-, <R:/ "0- !:R"0-R!/:,"
"R)AI"&RD. PL-&,- D: !:" L)""-R G N--P "0- 8R:I!D, CL-&! &!D ,&<-
<:R "0- &!)/&L,, &!D &L,: :"0-R 7),)":R, ": -!M:DF
Aelow that there was a map. "here was a winding blue line that got bigger here, smaller there,
and $inally dumped into a much larger la#e.
@&re you sure this is absolutely sa$e, DillBC /om as#ed worriedly.
@:h, yes ma=am,C a voice spo#e $rom behind them.
"hey all loo#ed over to see a tall man wearing the beige shirt and pants o$ a ranger. 0e was
tan, brown>haired, and had a spar#ling white smile. 0e put out a welcoming hand, which /om
met hal$way, even with Aeth wrapped around her nec#.
@)=m -ric 0artwell, the lead ranger. &re these your brothersBC he as#ed in a teasing voice.
@IhHuhHthat one=s my son,C /om said, #ind o$ da'ed, as she pointed to Peter.
"he ranger smiled. @Dou must be new around here. ) don=t recogni'e any o$ you guys e?cept
that rascal over there. 9hat=s up, Dill.C
@K,up, -ric,C Dill replied.
@Dou #now each otherBC Peter as#ed.
@Deah, -ric=s wor#ed here since ) was a #id,C Dill e?plained. @"his here=s Peter, and that=s his
mom, and that=s his sister Aeth.C
@9ell hey, Aeth, you sure are a pretty little ladyFC
Aeth hid her $ace in the croo# o$ /om=s nec#.
-ric grinned. @,he ta#es a$ter her mother, e?cept $or the shy part, ) hope. 9ell, KPeter=s mom=
G C
@/elissaHmy name is /elissa,C /om said, and laughed a little. )t sounded li#e a giggle.
Peter and Dill stared at each other.
@/elissa,C the ranger repeated. @"hat=s a pretty name.C
/om giggled again.
@:h grooossssssss$C Dill whispered.
Peter $elt a little odd. 0e hadn=t seen his mother act this loopy inHwell, never.
@"he guys are completely sa$e, we haven=t had an accident in years. "he spring is a pretty
slow>moving current, but it can get over $our $eet deep at points, so we o$$er li$e preserver
(ac#ets.C
/om nodded. @"hat sounds good. ) want them to wear those.C
@&w manFC Dill moaned. @:nly gee#s wear li$e preserver (ac#etsFC
@9ell then, you=re going to have to be a gee# $or a day,C /om ordered.
@)=m not payin= $or that,C Dill re$used.
@"hey=re $ree,C -ric o$$ered help$ully.
@8reaaaaaaat,C Dill muttered.
/om smiled at the ranger. @,oHit=s -ric, rightBC
@Dup. 0ave you been in town long, or G C
@0-DF Let=s get this show on the roadFC Dill bar#ed.
@Dill,C /om warned.
@/oney money money,C Dill chanted as he held out a hungry hand.
/om $umbled with her purse and pushed some money into Dill=s grubby $ist.
@8o,C she said through bared teeth, and (er#ed her head. ,he so$tened when she loo#ed over at
Peter. @0ave $un, sport. Call me when you=re done.C
@"han#s,C Peter said, and ambled o$$ a$ter Dill. 0e loo#ed bac# at the ranger, who was still
tal#ing to /om.
@-ric=s cool,C Dill said. @0e=s old, but he=s cool.C
@0ow old is heBC Peter as#ed.
@) don=t #now. :ld. "wenty>eight or something.C
@/y mom=s thirty>two.C
@8ee', man, she=s $rea#in ancient.C Dill shoo# his head. @:ld people. "he only good thing
about them is when they give you money.C
#
As they stood in line, Peter and Dill loo#ed at the thirty or so innertubes leaned against each
other li#e a roll o$ giant, licorice Li$esavers. "here were also a couple o$ red plastic #aya#s and
yellow in$latable river ra$ts. Completing the picture were small piles o$ blue plastic paddles and
smelly, orange li$e preservers.
"hey weren=t in line long when a college>aged ranger up $ront called, @!e?t.C
Dill stepped $orward. @Do.C
@9hat do you want,C the ranger said. 0e was a gaw#y>loo#ing #id with $rec#les and glasses.
@9hat can we getBC Peter as#ed.
College Ranger tic#ed o$$ the options in a bored voice. @"here=s innertubes $or $ive dollars a
day. "he #aya#s are $i$teen dollars a day, and the ra$ts go $or twenty>$ive.C
Dill pointed to a nearby shed where metal cylinders, rubber hoses, and breathing mas#s lay on
the concrete $loor. @9hat about thoseBC
@0uhB :h, that=s scuba eJuipment. "here=s a couple o$ deep holes and some caves in the la#e
where spring water $lows out and ma#es everything crystal clear. )$ you=re certi$ied, you can rent
out the eJuipment and dive down there.C
@)=ll ta#e that.C
@Dou=re not certi$ied,C the $rec#led #id said, clearly irritated.
@:h yes ) am,C Dill said, even more irritated that he was being doubted.
@!o you=re not.C
@)=m "ay more certi$ied than you are.C
"he ranger sJuinted his eyes li#e What*8 and then he recovered. @:#ay, smart guy, what=s P,)
stand $orBC
Dill didn=t miss a beat. @Dou=ve got to be certi$ied to #now that. )$ you don=t #now, then )=m
not telling you, cu' then )=d have to #ill you. Pun#.C
@Dou little G C
@9e=ve only got ten dollars,C Peter interrupted as he held out the bills.
"he college #id grabbed the money and handed them each a huge, blac# rubber donut. @!e?tFC
he yelled.
@9hy=d you do thatBFC Dill whispered angrily to Peter. @) almost had himFC
Peter pointed at the side o$ the shed where a hand>painted sign listed prices. @"he scuba
eJuipment costs a hundred buc#s.C
Dill began scooting his innertube down the gravel path, rolling it hand over hand. @) could
have argued him down.C
@9hat about the li$e preserversBC Peter as#ed.
@,hhhhFC Dill pointed bac# to Peter=s mom, who was still wrapped up in tal#ing to -ric the
ranger. @)$ we don=t have to loo# li#e gee#s, then let=s not loo# li#e gee#s.C
@9hat i$ we $all out and drownBC
@Dude, it=s li#e two $eet o$ water. Dou $all o$$, you=ll probably hit your butt.C
Peter loo#ed bac# at the huge pile o$ li$e preservers. "hey loo#ed cold, wet, and totally
uninviting. 0e didn=t really want to wear oneH
@:#ay,C he said, and $ollowed Dill.
@0eyFC College Ranger called out. @0ey, you two #idsF Dou $orgot your li$e preserversFC
@PeterFC /om shouted. @DillFC
@PeetahF Diii>uwlFC Aeth screeched.
Dill stopped and hung his head in $rustration. 0e turned bac# to loo# at Peter.
@Dour $amily has a way o$ suc#ing the $un right out o$ everything, you #now thatBC he
grumbled as he and Peter headed bac# to get their orange vests.
$
The $irst thing Peter noticed was the crystal clear water. -very little detail o$ the sandy river
bottom and the reeds that grew on the ban#s was sharp as a photograph. "he water was a little
cold, but on a hot day li#e today it $elt re$reshing.
Peter and Dill sat in the center o$ their innertubes, which too# a bit o$ e$$ort because o$ their
bul#y orange vests, and pushed o$$ $rom the ban# into the middle o$ the stream. )mmediately the
current caught them and gently moved the tubes down the waterway.
@"his is awesome,C Peter said. 0e $lipped over on his belly so he could loo# straight down.
"here were all sorts o$ multicolored pebbles and green grasses underwater.
Dill reached into his plastic bag and pulled out a snor#eling mas#. @9ait=ll you try this
puppy.C
@9here=d you get thatBC
@/y sister ,hayna=s closet. ,he went on a beach trip with a $riend two summers ago.C Dill
handed over the mas#. @"ry it out.C
Peter put the strap over his head and dipped the $aceplate down into the water. )t lea#ed some,
and the mouthpiece $or the breathing tube smelled li#e a musty garden hose, but he could see the
river bottom even clearer. Dill was right, this was really cool.
Dill rummaged in his bag some more and brought out a de$ormed, rolled>up swim $inHbut
(ust one. <irst he too# o$$ his right tennis shoe and placed it in the grocery bag. "hen he pried the
$in this way and that, bent it into a semblance o$ normal, and put it on his bare $oot.
@9hat happened to the other oneBC Peter as#ed.
@/y brother 9oody lost it in the la#e last year. ) almost didn=t bring this one, but, you #now, )
$igured one=s better than nothing, rightBC
Mudging $rom the way the $in curled around li#e a letter KC,= Peter wasn=t so sure, but he didn=t
say anything to Dill.
"hey $loated la'ily down the stream, trading the mas# bac# and $orth to ga'e at the bottom o$
the riverbed. )t wasn=t too long be$ore Dill punched him in the arm.
@:wFC Peter yelped. @9hat=d you do that $orBC
@:tter, dudeFC Dill pointed e?citedly. @:tterFC
,ure enough, there it was. a slee# little brown head po#ing up out o$ the water. 9ith a tiny
splash, it $lipped onto its bac# $or a $ew seconds, $lic#ed its tail, and then dove underwater. Peter
put the snor#eling mas# under the sur$ace and watched it $lit away into the bed o$ reeds on the
riverban#.
@0ey, man, gimme the mas#FC Dill shouted. @) wanna seeFC
"hey dri$ted down the spring $urther, but didn=t spot another otter. "here were butter$lies,
though, and dragon$lies that bu''ed through the air. -ventually the shouts o$ other #ids got
$arther and $arther away, and Dill and Peter were virtually alone on their stretch o$ the stream.
Peter rela?ed and stared up at the clouds above. 0is butt was cold in the center o$ the
innertube, but the rest o$ him was marshmellowy warm.
@Dill, )=ve been thin#ing,C Peter said.
@Ih>huh,C Dill mumbled through the mas#=s breathing tube, his $aceplate in the water.
@9hy does all this weird stu$$ happen to usB <irst the dead hobos in the garden, then /ercy
and &gnes G C
Dill thrashed around in his innertube until he was loo#ing at Peter. @) don=t want to tal# about
itFC he shouted through the breathing tube, although the mouthpiece messed with his lips and
teeth, so it sounded more li#e a hollow I donh "anna tok a)ouddit8
@Aut don=t you ever wonderBC
Dill ripped out the breathing tube. @Dude, ) have enough bad dreams as it is about youHC
Dill shuddered, then resumed tal#ing.
@Hkissing that chic#, without you as#ing me stupid Juestions.C
@) only did it to bring her bac# to li$e,C Peter protested.
@Aanh G unh G dunhFC Dill waved his arms around li#e I dont "anna hear this. @) don=t
care, ) didn=t need to see that.C
@Dill, ) saved her li$eFC
@9hateverF !e?t time, don=t do it in $ront o$ meFC
@) 0&D to do it in $ront o$ you G she #idnapped you, rememberBC
@Deah, right. ) thin# you en?oyed it.C
@) did notFC Peter yelled, genuinely shoc#ed.
@Did too.C
@Did notFC
@9hatever. ) don=t need to see that #ind o$ thing, ) gotta put up with it enough in movies as it
is.C
Dill dun#ed his head bac# down under the water.
Peter noticed a sloping area o$ the ban# that led up to picnic tables. @0ey Dill, is that where
we=re supposed to get outBC
Dill suddenly screeched underwater.
@9hatBC Peter as#ed, terri$ied.
@:ddahsFC Dill said through the breathing tube.
@9hatBC
@:ttersFC Dill said a$ter pluc#ing the tube $rom his mouth. 0e pointed downstream. @"here=s
two otters swimming around up thereFC
@"hat=s cool, but shouldn=t we get outBC
Dill loo#ed over at the ban#. @!aaah, later. ) wanna see the ottersFC
@Aut that=s where we=re supposed to get out, rightBC
@Deah, but we can wal# bac#, it=s not that $ar.C Dill saw that Peter was unconvinced. @Dude,
the $arthest it goes is down to the la#eHcome on, the truc#=s not there, it probably (ust le$t and
too# everybody. )t=ll be li#e twenty minutes be$ore it comes to pic# us bac# up.C
@&re you sureBC Peter as#ed hesitantly.
@:$ courseF :tters, manFC
Peter sighed. @&ll right. <ine.C
%
They continued dri$ting down the spring. 9ithin minutes the otters sur$aced and began
swimming around each other in a hilarious game o$ tag. Dill lent Peter the mas#, and he could
see their tails $lapping away, scooting them through the water as they twirled around each other.
<i$teen minutes later the otters $inally disappeared, and the boys too# a serious loo# at their
surroundings. "he trees overhead were so thic# they blotted out the s#y. "he spring had become
$ar more cho#ed with reeds and bushes, and the once>dry ban#s now loo#ed soggy. <rogs
croa#ed everywhere around them, and insects chirped $rom the trees.
@:h man,C Peter groaned. @Dill, where are weBC
@Down near the la#e. 9hy do you worry so muchB Dou got the Dillster here, ) #now this place
li#e the bac# o$ my head.C
@"hat=s Kthe bac# o$ your hand.= Dou can=t see the bac# o$ your head.C
@) don=t care i$ ) can=t see it, ) #now it anyhow.C
Dill used his hands and the blue $lipper to guide himsel$ over to the riverban# and run his
innertube aground.
@Come on, let=s (ust get up on the ban# and -99999.C
0e had tried to get o$$ the innertube and wal# up on the muddy shore, but immediately sun#
up to his #nees in mud.
Peter laughed. @)s the bac# o$ your head that gross, tooBC
@,hut up.C
Dill pulled the gooey blue $in out o$ the mud with a ,LIIIIRRRRP. 0e tried to step up the
ban#, only to $all $ace down in the gun#.
@CR&PFC
Peter laughed so hard he almost $ell out o$ his tube. @&re you o#ayBC
Dill pushed himsel$ up. )t loo#ed li#e somebody had smeared chocolate pudding all over his
$ace.
@"his is messed up,C he muttered. :nce bac# in the spring, Dill plopped under the sur$ace and
washed away the mud $rom his $ace and hands.
@"his suc#s,C he gasped when he came up $or air.
@0ere, ) thin# it might be more solid over here.C Peter guided his tube to a di$$erent spot $ull
o$ reeds and bushes. 0e was able to mat down the plants under his snea#ers and #eep himsel$
$rom sin#ing into the mud as he pulled his tube ashore.
&$ter switching out the swim $in $or a tennis shoe, Dill $ollowed suit. ,oon they were both on
relatively solid $ooting.
Peter loo#ed around him. "here were pools o$ water and mud everywhere, and only the barest
hint o$ dry ground.
@9ell, /r. K) #now this place li#e the bac# o$ my head,= you wanna lead, or should )BC
@:h, no, /r. K) thin# )=m so much smarter than you but really ) (ust got luc#y,= you go on.C
Dill invited Peter to ta#e the lead with a sweep o$ his arm. ,o Peter led the way.
@0ave you really been bac# this $arBC he as#ed, ta#ing special care to wal# wherever plants
and weeds were growing.
@:nce. ) went with my brothersHthey, uh, they #ind o$ le$t me out here. C
Peter $rowned bac# at Dill.
@"hat=s how ) got so goodFC Dill protested. @) had to $ind my way outFC
@&re there sna#es bac# hereBC Peter as#ed, a little worried.
@:h yeah. Dou can see the sna#e holes.C
Peter loo#ed where Dill was pointing. )n some o$ the drier patches o$ earth, blac# holes about
an inch or two across dotted the ground.
@"hose could be gopher holes,C Peter said nervously.
@Dou thin# gophers live out hereB Inh>unh.C
@9ellHwhat #ind o$ sna#es are thereBC
@&ll #inds G copperheads and water moccasins and rattlers and cobras G C
@"here are not cobrasFC
@Deah there are.C
@!unh>unh, they=re only in, li#e, )ndia.C
@/aybe some moved here. :r hitched a ride with a truc#er.C
@0itched a ride with a truc#erBF "ruc#ers can=t drive $rom )ndia, it=s on the other side o$ the
worldFC
@!ot it=s not, DI0. )t=s a state, dummy. )t=s nearH<lorida or something.C
@!ot )ndiana G IndiaF Li#e by China and Russia, ten thousand miles awayBFC
@:h.C Dill sul#ed $or a second, but then his $ace brightened. @Ooos have cobras. /aybe some
escaped.C
@"hey can=t escape, they=re in glass cages.C
@/on#eys escape all the time.C
@"hat=s only in moviesF &nd even i$ mon#eys got out, they=re way smarter, so they probably
$igured out ho" to get out. Cobras can=t do that.C
@Dou=re saying a mon#ey could #ic# a cobra=s buttBC
Peter shrugged. @) don=t #now G C
@!uh>unh, it C&!=",C Dill interrupted. @9anna #now why, /r. K) #now where all the stupid
countries are=BC
@9hy.C
@Cu' a sna#e ain=t got no butt to #ic#. :ooohF <&C-FC
Dill put his hand in his own $ace and danced around li#e he=d (ust made a game>winning
touchdown.
In$ortunately, he stepped in more goo.
@Crap,C he muttered.
Peter was about to say, K"hat=ll teach you,= but he stopped as he reali'ed something. the marsh
had gone silent. &ll those little croa#ing $rogs were Juiet now. -ven the insects had stopped
ma#ing noises.
@0ey DillHC
@Ighhh, whatBC Dill said as he tried to scrape the gun# o$$ his an#les.
@Dou hear how Juiet it isBC
@,oBC Dill as#ed, still occupied with the muc# on his $eet.
@"here were $rogs and insects be$ore, and now there=s nothing. )t=s too Juiet.C
Dill loo#ed up with a $rown. @Dude, cut that out, you=re gonna (in? us. "hat=s what they say in
the movies all the time, right be$ore G C
Dill=s eyes suddenly bugged out, and he dropped to his #nees in the mud.
@9hat G BC
@8et downFC Dill hissed. @8et down !:9FC
Peter at $irst thought it was a $a#e>out, but the $ear in Dill=s $ace convinced him otherwise. 0e
duc#ed down. @9hat is itBC
@) saw somethingHC
&
Peter raised his head above the $erns and moss>covered logs. :nly gnarled swamp trees,
bushes, and pools o$ muddy water lay ahead.
@9hereBC
@Aehind those plants.C Dill pointed to a thic#et o$ marsh vines about thirty $eet away. "he
greenery was so dense that Peter couldn=t see through it, not even a patch o$ light.
@9hat was itBC
@) don=t #now.C
@9as it bigBC
@Pretty big.C
@9hat=d it loo# li#eBC
@) dunno. Ninda brown.C
@Do you thin# it=s a bearBC
Dill considered $or a $ew seconds. @)$ it was, it was a real little one.C
@/aybe a wild pigBC
Dill loo#ed at Peter. @"hey got wild pigs in hereBC
@Deah, warthogs. ) mean, ) don=t #now i$ they=re in this marsh, but G C
@"here it is G loo#, the bushes movedFC
,ure enough, the bushes trembled the slightest bit.
@9hat should we doBC Dill as#ed.
@9hy don=t we (ust leaveB 9e gotta get bac# and go tubing again.C
@9hat i$ we ignore it and it comes and hunts us downBC
@)$ it=s something that would hunt us down, ) really don=t thin# you wanna go po#ing around
in that bush a$ter it.C
Dill loo#ed around and grabbed a short, heavy tree limb. @:#ay, )=ll (ust toss this in there.C
@!o, let=s (ust G C
Ae$ore Peter could $inish the sentence, Dill stood up and lobbed the stic# right into the middle
o$ the thic#et. "he stic# was heavy enough that it sun# immediately into the leaves and
disappeared.
Peter was about to cuss Dill out when the scream cut him o$$.
@&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&0000000000000000FFFFFFFFFFC
)t was high>pitched and horrible, li#e an animal in agony. &nd it was coming right out o$ the
bushes.
Peter=s blood $ro'e in every vein in his body. Dill collapsed to the ground and grabbed Peter=s
arm as though they were on a rollercoaster ride.
"he scream stopped.
@:h my god oh my god oh my god,C Dill blubbered so$tly.
@Do you still thin# that was a good ideaBC Peter $umed.
@9hat=re we gonna do what=re we gonna do what=re we gonna do,C Dill whined.
Peter was at a loss. 9hatever was in that bush, Peter de$initely didn=t want to turn his bac# on
it. Aut he sure as hec# wasn=t going to go $ind out what it was, either.
"hen he heard another noise, much so$ter. )t sounded li#e crying. Li#e a little homesic# #id in
bed at camp who doesn=t want the other #ids to #now.
@0ey,C Peter said loudly.
Dill whac#ed Peter on the arm. @9hat are you doingBFC
Peter ignored him. @0ey, you in the bush G can you hear meB )s somebody out thereBC
"he crying stopped, and everything was Juiet again. Dill hung onto Peter=s arm.
@Can you ma#e a noise i$ you hear meB :r come outBC
"here was a shu$$ling deep within the vines. Dill=s grip hardened li#e steel around Peter=s
elbow. ,till, nothing emerged $rom the thic#et.
Peter loo#ed down and saw another stic# on the ground. )t was slightly smaller than the one
Dill had thrown, but still plenty big. &s he bent to pic# it up, Peter debated $or a second. 9as this
a good ideaB
Better than leaving that Ething in there and "aiting for it to ome get us.
Peter swung his arm and let go. "he stic# twirled through the air and slammed down into the
vines.
@&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00000000000000FFFC came the scream again.
Aut this time, something charged out o$ the bush.
@&&&&&&&&&000000FC Peter and Dill wailed as the thing rushed towards them.
)t was wider than Peter, though not Juite as tall. /ostly slic# and brown, it was tangled in
green vines ripped $rom the thic#et. )t had two arms that $lailed wildly, and two hind legs
pumping bac# and $orth under its stout, stubby body. -ven in his terror, Peter reali'ed something
loo#ed aw$ully $amiliar about the creature.
Wait a minute'
"he thing got within $ive $eet o$ Peter, then veered to the right and ran screaming through the
$orest. "hat is, until it tripped over a log and went down ,PL&" in a puddle o$ mud.
Peter ran over.
@9hat are you doingFC Dill howled. @Let it go, let it goFC
"he thing was struggling to right itsel$.
@)t=s o#ay, it=s o#ayFC Peter said soothingly.
@!o it=s notFC Dill yelled and $lapped his arms. @)t=s not o#ayF 8et away, get away $rom itFC
@,hut up, Dill G it=s a #idFC
Dill stopped moving. @& #idBFC
)t was de$initely a #id. Covered head to toe in a thic# cocoon o$ slime, with vines draped all
over his body, but de$initely a #id. Inder the mud, Peter could ma#e out shorts, a shirt with a
collar, and a goopy scru$$ o$ hair.
"he boy stopped struggling and rolled over onto his bac#. Peter pulled away some vines $rom
the #id=s head until he saw two eyes, a nose, the entire $ace. "he mud parted, and the boy=s
mouth trembled.
@)t got Rory,C the #id sobbed, and burst into tears.
'
They too# the #id down to the springs to wash up. &t $irst he was terri$ied, but Peter and Dill
$ound him an e?tremely shallow section to bathe in.
@)t can=t get you here,C Peter e?plained. @)t=s not deep enough.C
@)t=s not (ust in the water,C the #id moaned, and wiped his nose. @)t=s everywhere.C
&s the #id $inally started to clean himsel$, Peter and Dill wal#ed o$$ to the side and tal#ed
under their breath.
@Do you #now who he isBC Peter as#ed.
@8reg 9ithersomething. 0e=s a grade ahead o$ us. ,o=s that Rory #id he mentioned.C
@8regBC Peter said to the #id, who $linched li#e someone had $ired a gun. @9hoa, it=s cool, it=s
cool. 9e (ust wanted to #now i$ that was your name.C
8reg nodded slowly and turned bac# to the water.
@9hat do you thin# happened to himBC Peter whispered.
@) dunno. !othin= good.C
"hey watched as the mud gradually dissolved $rom 8reg=s body, leaving behind a chubby #id
in #ha#i shorts and a polo shirt. "he shirt had been pin# at some point, but now was stained a
slic#, wet brown. 0is hair seemed to be blac#, but 8reg re$used to stic# his head underwater, so
it remained a goopy mud color, too.
@Let=s get you away $rom the water,C Peter said once it was clear that 8reg was $inished. "hey
led him up on dry land where they=d stashed the innertubes and sat him down on a rotting log.
8reg re$used to loo# at Dill or Peter. )nstead, he spent every second chec#ing his surroundings
li#e a terri$ied mouse in a nature documentary.
@,oHC Peter began. @9hat, uhHC
@9hat happened, dudeBC Dill demanded.
Peter #ic#ed Dill. Dill went @:www999,C but settled down when 8reg $inally spo#e.
@)=m hungry,C he whimpered.
Peter loo#ed at Dill. @Dou got anything in that grocery bag with your mas#BC
@Dude, it was supposed to be a snac# $or us.C
@) thin# 8reg needs it more.C
Dill grumbled and pulled two $oil>wrapped granola bars out o$ the plastic bag. 8reg hungrily
unwrapped them and stu$$ed them in his mouth.
@8reg, can you tell us what happenedBC
8reg started scanning the woods again. @)t got Rory.C
@9hat got RoryBC
@"he monster,C 8reg hal$>whispered, hal$>sobbed.
Dill=s eyes almost bugged out o$ his head.
@& monsterBC Peter prodded.
@Did it loo# li#e a burned>up hoboBC Dill as#ed nervously.
@Dill,C Peter warned.
@:r a girl with $angsBC
@D)LLFC
8reg shoo# his head Kno= and continued to dart his eyes all around.
@9as it an alligatorBC Peter as#ed.
@"hey don=t have alligators here,C Dill in$ormed him. @"hat=s in <lorida.C
@/aybe they do.C
@9ell maybe they have cobras, too.C
Peter rolled his eyes and turned bac# to 8reg. @9as it an alligatorBC
@!ot unless an alligator learned to wal#,C 8reg said. 0e started to roc# bac# and $orth, bac#
and $orth.
@IhHalligators can wal# on land, 8reg,C Peter pointed out.
@!ot on two legs, they can=tHand they=re not ten $eet tall, uh>uh, not an alligator, not an
alligatorHC 8reg chanted over and over. @!ot an alligator, not an alligatorHC
@9ell, what was it thenBC
@!ot an alligator, not an alligator, not an alligatorHC
@9here did it happenBC
@&t the doc#,C 8reg moaned.
@"he monster wal#ed up on the doc#BC
8reg shoo# his head Kno= repeatedly. 0e loo#ed li#e he was going to cry again.
@9here, thenBC
@)n the waterHit (umped out o$ the water, pulled him in, and swam away with himHtoo# him
down in the waterHswam away, swam awayHC
Chills ran up and down Peter=s nec#. @IhHthen what happenedBC
@) waited and waited, cu' ) had to (ump the holeH) didn=t want toHbut then it came bac#. )
saw it and ) (umped across the hole and ran up on the land and ) thought ) was sa$e Gbut )
wasn=t, it came up a$ter me, it wal#ed up and ran a$ter me, ) wasn=t sa$e, ) wasn=t sa$e anywhere,
not anywhereFC 8reg wailed, and collapsed into a shivering mess on the ground.
@9hat do we doBC Dill whispered.
@) don=t #nowHyou thin# there=s really a monster in the la#eBC
@) seen some things in the last month that were a lot weirder than that.C
Peter raised his eyebrows in a #ouve got a point #ind o$ way. @9e should get him bac# to the
truc#.C
@9hat i$ Rory=s still out thereBC Dill as#ed.
@9hat do you meanBC
@9hat i$ whatever it is that=s out there didn=t get him the way 8reg saidBC
@Dou don=t believe himBC
@Dude, he=s a couple $ries short o$ a happy meal. )$ he told me the s#y was blue, )=d probably
double>chec#.C Dill loo#ed o$$ into the distance. @) thin# we should go ta#e a loo# and ma#e
sure Rory doesn=t need help.C
@Dou (ust want to see a monster.C
Dill smiled the tiniest bit. @Don=t youBC
@9hat i$ it runs a$ter usBC
Dill pointed at 8reg shuddering on the ground. @DudeHi$ he outran it, ) thin# you and ) can.C
@0m.C Peter turned bac# to 8reg. @8reg, are you sure Rory=s notHout there anymoreBC
@) told you it got him.C
@9ell, what i$ Rory got awayB ,houldn=t we go chec#BC
@!o,C 8reg moaned. @!o, no, nooooHC
@9hy notBC
@)t=ll get usHit=ll get us, it=ll get us, it=ll get usFC 8reg repeated, his voice getting higher and
more $rantic every time.
@9e=ll be there to protect you, 8reg. ) promise.C
8reg shoo# his head Kno.=
Dill bent over so he was $ace>to>$ace with 8reg. @Dude, Pete and ) are going bac# to loo# $or
Rory. !ow, you can come with us i$ you want, but i$ you don=t, you can stay here and $ight it by
yoursel$ when it comes bac#,C Dill said in his spoo#iest voice.
8reg=s $ace contorted in horror.
@Hor you can come with us, and we=ll #ic# its butt i$ it tries to mess with you,C Dill added
cheer$ully. @,o what=s it gonna beBC
1(
-reg shu$$led along, whining and sni$$ling. Peter and Dill $ollowed close behind, wheeling
their innertubes hand over hand along the marshy ground.
@!ice,C Peter said sarcastically.
@"han#s.C
@!o, ) meant that was crappy,C Peter whispered. @0e=s scared out o$ his wits, and you=re
$rightening him even moreBC
@Dou obviously don=t have older brothers.C
@Dou #now ) don=t.C
@Deah, cu' i$ you did, you=d #now that=s how you get anybody to do anything.C
@"hat=s not cool.C
@)t wor#ed, didn=t itBC
Peter grunted. @Deah.C
@&nd i$ we $ind Rory, )=d say it all turned out o#ay.C
@/m.C
0al$way there, they reached two bicycles chained to a tree. Peter inspected the loc#.
@0ey, 8reg, is this yoursBC
8reg started to whimper. @)t=s Rory=s chain, it=s Rory=s chain.C
@)t=s o#ay, man, it=s o#ay,C Peter said soothingly. @Let=s (ust #eep wal#ing.C
@8uess he didn=t #now the combination,C Dill said.
@Deah.C
@"hat=s a sweet bi#e. ) wonder i$ ) could G C
Peter grabbed Dill by the nec# and $orced him to #eep wal#ing. @9ould you come onBC
"he $arther they marched down the path and the closer they got to the la#e, the more agitated
8reg became. Ay the time the water was in view, he was tal#ing to himsel$ in a tiny, desperate
voice.
"he water was beauti$ul, a spar#ling sheet o$ sunlight. "he doc# was a dar# shadow on its
sur$ace G or, at least, what was le$t o$ the doc#. & long rectangular patch still remained
untouched out in the water, and on the shore, the beginning o$ the wal#way was still attached to
the ground. Aut everything in between was really messed up. Part o$ it was submerged at an
angle. ,napped plan#s were stic#ing up everywhere li#e something had tried to smash it apart.
Dill whistled. @9ell, something happened out here.C
"hey were still a good thirty $eet $rom the doc# when 8reg started pacing bac# and $orth. 0e
wouldn=t ta#e his eyes o$$ the water, and he #ept babbling to himsel$ in high>pitched baby tal#
that neither Peter nor Dill could understand.
@) don=t thin# he=s going any $arther,C Peter whispered.
@:#ay, o#ayHhey, 8regFC
8reg screeched and (umped a $oot in the air.
@9hoa, !elly, chill out,C Dill said, putting out his arms. @Dou=re gonna stay up here with
Peter, and )=m gonna go chec# out the doc#, o#ayBC
@Dou=re "hatBC Peter as#ed in shoc#.
@)=m gonna go chec# it out.C Dill put his innertube on the ground and stac#ed Peter=s on top.
"ogether they loo#ed li#e a pile o$ two huge, blac# doughnuts.
@)t=s all busted up and dangerous. Plus there=s not even anything to see,C Peter said. @9e
should go bac#.C
@Come on, we came all this way, and we=re not even gonna loo#BFC
Peter hu$$ed. @DillHC
@Must stay with him,C Dill commanded as he trotted down the slope towards the la#e.
@"his is a really bad ideaFC Peter yelled a$ter him.
Dill stopped about $ive $eet $rom the doc# and stared at the ground. <or a second, Peter
thought that Dill might have actually listened to him and come to his senses.
@0ey Pete, come down here $or a second.C
Peter glanced at 8reg, who was watching him with panic#ed eyes.
@Must $or a second, 8reg, o#ayB Must stay here, )=ll be right bac#.C
8reg started gnawing on the collar o$ his shirt. Peter mouthed okayyyyy to himsel$ and wal#ed
down the ban#.
11
Dill was standing on a muddy patch o$ shore, where an inch>deep impression was still visible
in the sand and muc#. )t was three $eet long and shaped li#e Dill=s blue swim $in, (ust much,
much bigger.
"here was only one. "he ban# above was too dry to ma#e an impression, and any trac# behind
it had been erased by the la#e water.
Peter $elt the bac# o$ his nec# pric#ling with $ear.
@"hat=s not an alligator trac#,C Dill said.
@0ow do you #nowB 0ave you seen an alligator trac# be$oreBC Peter argued in an attempt to
#eep himsel$ calm.
@9ellHnoHbut give me a brea#, does it look li#e an alligator trac#BC
Peter had to admit that it didn=t. @9hat do you thin# it isBC
@Loo#s li#e $rea#in= Aig Aird=s $oot.C
@:r your scuba $in.C
@Deah, ) was thin#ing that, too.C Dill scrunched up his nose. @Dou thin# Rory and 8reg are
putting us onBC
Peter hadn=t considered that possibility. 0e glanced bac# up at 8reg, who had ta#en re$uge
behind the pile o$ innertubes, and any lingering hope he had disappeared.
@!oH) don=t #now any #id who=s that good at acting cra'y.C
@0uh.C Dill turned around and headed $or the doc#.
@9hat are you doingBFC
@8oin= $or a pee#.C
@Dou=re cra'yF 0ave you even looked at the doc#BC
@Quit being a little girl, dude.C
@Quit being stupidFC
@9hatever.C
Dill wal#ed out on the weathered boards.
Ip by the innertubes, 8reg let out a mourn$ul whine. Peter searched the water in a panic G
then reali'ed it was probably Dill venturing out onto the doc# that was putting 8reg in an uproar.
Dill (umped the three $oot gap o$ pulveri'ed plan#s and landed on the end o$ the wal#way, the
rectangular part out in the water. 0e loo#ed all around him, hands on hips, inspecting the la#e.
@) don=t see nothin=,C he yelled.
@8et bac# here, thenFC Peter hollered.
Dill waved him o$$, and instead $ished out his snor#el mas# $rom the plastic grocery bag he=d
carried with him.
@90&" &R- D:I D:)!8BFC Peter bellowed.
Dill put the mas# on his $ace, #neeled down on the doc#, and stuc# his head underwater.
Peter grabbed his hair and pulled at it an?iously. ,tupid Dill G this was (ust li#e him. "a#ing
Peter out into the garden the night he moved in, climbing out on the tree that hung over the ocean
cli$$Has long as Dill thought there wasn=t any real danger, he=d do (ust about anything. &nd
then, once he saw e?actly what he=d gotten himsel$ into, he=d wet his pants and want to crawl
under his bed.
8reg=s whine turned into a sJueal.
Dill raised his head up out o$ the water. @)t=s pretty clear down here, but ) don=t see nothin=.C
@"hen come bac# inFC
Aehind Peter, the sJueal rose in pitch. )t was really getting annoying.
0e turned bac# towards the innertubes. @0ey, 8reg, you=re sa$e, man G cut it out, alrightBC
"hat=s when the sJueal became a scream. 8reg pointed out at the water.
Peter whipped around and saw G
!othing. Must the sun shimmering on the la#eH
9ait.
"here.
)t was easy to missHa K7= in the water, small but getting bigger. &nd $aster.
&nd headed right $or the end o$ the doc#.
9here Dill had his head in the water again.
1
)D)LLFC Peter screamed. @D)LLFC
"he K7= was even closer to the doc#. "wenty $eet away now.
@D)LLLLLLLFC Peter screamed as he ran $or the water=s edge.
"here was no way he could ma#e it in time.
Peter was unsure i$ Dill heard the screaming, or i$ he saw the thing in the water $irst. 9hatever
the reason, Dill pulled his head up out o$ the la#e and scooted bac# on the gray boards o$ the
doc#.
-ither way, he escaped by the s#in o$ his teeth.
"he sur$ace o$ the la#e e?ploded, and a monstrous head burst out o$ the water and clamped its
mouth on the wood plan#s where Dill had been (ust seconds be$ore.
8reg was right. it wasn=t an alligator. )t loo#ed more li#e a giant salamander, gray and mottled
brown, with slimy s#in and a head si? $eet across. "wo large, red eyes, big as so$tballs and
smooth as glass, bulged out $rom the side o$ its head. -yelids $lic#ed down over the eyeballs,
covering them in gray be$ore snapping bac# up.
"he mouth, while huge, had no teeth. )t was li#e a trout Peter had caught once on a camping
trip, with a bony ridge where its gums should be. !ot that the lac# o$ teeth made it any less
terri$ying. "he head was as big as a small car, and big enough to swallow Dill whole.
9hich Dill seemed to reali'e pretty Juic#ly. )n less than a second, he was on his $eet and
racing towards the hole in the doc#.
Aehind him, the monster slid bac# into the la#e. )ts huge tail whipped the water into a $roth.
@D)LL, RI!FC Peter screamed.
Dill launched himsel$ into the air and over the (agged hole in the boards. Aut as he landed, the
doc# tilted under his $eet. 0e started to slide sideways toward the water.
"he K7= shape circled around the end o$ the doc# and headed $or the middle section. Peter=s
heart leapt into his throat.
Dill regained his $ooting and bolted $orward, legs pumping triple>time. 0e was almost to the
shore when the doc# rose up in the air.
"he monster was ramming it $rom underneath.
)t loo#ed li#e a whale bursting up out o$ the ocean. "he monster=s entire upper body cleared
the sur$ace o$ the la#e with the doc# draped over its head. Peter could see muscular arms $olded
at its sides. "hey loo#ed li#e a $rog=s legs, complete with webbed $ingers G but some
prehistoric, nightmare $rog, not the little things hopping in the marsh. "hose rippling arms were
longer than Peter=s whole body.
"he creature must have li$ted the doc# $our $eet out o$ the water. & shoc#wave rippled the
boards li#e a #id snapping a (ump rope. Plan#s splintered li#e twigs.
"hat wave o$ motion caught up with Dill and launched him li#e a catapult. 0is legs and arms
waved comically as though he were swimming midair, and then he thudded onto the grassy ban#.
@D)LLFC Peter yelled, but relie$ $looded his body. Dill was o$$ the doc#, out o$ the water. ,a$e.
&nd then 8reg=s voice echoed inside his head.
I thought I "as safe )ut I "asnt$ it "alked up and ran after me$ I "asnt safe$ I "asnt safe
any"here$ not any"here
@D)LL, RI!FC Peter screamed. @)" C&! C:/- IP :! L&!DFC
&s he shouted, it was li#e his words made the thought come true.
"he monster threw the doc# o$$ with a toss o$ its head and lurched clumsily out o$ the la#e. )ts
belly was spec#led and pale. )ts legs were shaped li#e its arms, but bigger and more muscular.
"he tail came last, weaving and splashing through the water.
"he thing was huge, li#e a dinosaur. /aybe not as tall as a ">Re? G its head was only ten
$eet o$$ the ground, and it stretched twenty $eet $rom snout to tail. Aut that didn=t matter. "he last
">Re? Peter had seen was in a museum, and that was (ust bones.
"his thing was alive, and it was coming a$ter his best $riend.
@D)))))))LLLLLLLLLFC Peter screamed again.
Dill was already running up the ban#, but in a di$$erent direction $rom Peter, as though to lead
it away. Aehind the glass o$ his $aceplate, his eyes were as big as his mas#.
"he monster reached the shore and immediately pic#ed up speed. "he muddy la#e bottom
must have made it harder to wal#E once it hit solid ground, it moved $aster. Peter noticed its $eet
were li#e those o$ a huge $rog G webbing between the toes and triangular in shape, (ust li#e the
$ootprint in the mud.
&nd li#e its $eet, its stride was giant as well. <or every $i$teen o$ Dill=s $ootsteps, the creature
only had to ta#e one. Peter saw it clear as day. Dill wasn=t going to escape.
,omewhere behind him, 8reg #ept screaming and screaming.
1!
Peter $rantically searched the ground $or the biggest roc# he could throw. "here was one about
the si'e o$ a tennis ball, smooth and gray. Peter snatched it up and hurled it through the air.
!ormally he wasn=t that great o$ a shot, but maybe because he=d thrown instinctively, without
time to worry, his aim was e?ceptionally good. "he roc# smac#ed into the si'e o$ the monster=s
head with a "0ID, hard enough to ma#e the $lesh dimple be$ore it bounced o$$ onto the ground.
"he monster stopped and R:&R-D G a low, rumbling sound. "hen it swung its head over to
see where the stinging blow had come $rom.
Peter stood there, dumb$ounded.
"he monster charged.
&lthough it didn=t seem possible, 8reg=s scream actually got higher and louder as Peter turned
tail and ran up the slope.
@RI!FC Peter yelled. 8reg didn=t need to be told twice. he darted away $rom the pile o$
innertubes and raced o$$ into the woods.
"he ground shoo# under the weight o$ the monster, but Peter didn=t dare loo# bac#. 0e (ust
#ept his eyes on the ground and tried his best to #eep $rom $alling.
0is shadow ran in $ront o$ him by a $ew $eet. &nd then his shadow was gone, blotted out by
the bigger dar#ness o$ the monster.
)t was right behind him, and there was nowhere to go. 0e couldn=t reach the trees in time,
which might have slowed the monster down. "here weren=t any caves. "here were a $ew big logs
he might have gotten under, but they were $urther bac# in the $orest.
"here were only the innertubes, stac#ed $our $eet high.
Peter $elt drops o$ slime splatter across his shoulders.
<ear shot through him li#e electricity. 0e leaped into the air, hit the top o$ the innertubes,
scrambled down the doughnut hole in the center, and huddled on the grassy bottom li#e a baby.
"he monster=s head appeared over the innertubes, bloc#ing out the sun. )t coc#ed its head, and
Peter saw a single red eye blin# above him. "hen it attac#ed the top innertube with its gaping
(aws.
Peter screamed and the monster roared. & whole shower o$ nasty>smelling water dripped onto
Peter, and he could see the purplish>pin# s#in lining its mouth. Alood vessels Juivered (ust
beneath the sur$ace, long sna#y veins that lead to a blac# hole at the bac# o$ its throat, no bigger
than a bas#etball.
But )ig enough to s"allo" me up
Peter got a closer view o$ its teeth, too, or rather, the lac# o$ them. & long, blunt ridge o$
toothless gum rimmed its entire mouth.
)ts tongue was the weirdest thing. )t loo#ed li#e a li'ard=s, long and rubbery, but ending in a
$leshy, spi#ed ball. )t reminded Peter o$ strange $ruit he had seen in grocery stores in Cali$ornia,
e?otic yellow orbs with bumpy, dull thorns G e?cept the monster=s version was pin#.
0e didn=t have much time to thin# about it, though, because he was busy trying not to get
eaten. 0e pulled himsel$ into a $etal position and tried to #eep as $ar away $rom that slobbering
cave as he could.
"he monster gnawed at the top innertube, but couldn=t seem to get anywhere. )t pulled bac# its
head, and a big dollop o$ mucusy slime plopped down on Peter=s arm. "hen it opened its mouth
again and the tongue shot out.
Peter had only the brie$est image o$ somebody throwing one o$ those yellow $ruits at him, and
then it was bac# in the monster=s mouth. "09)P. Aut in that brie$ second, the spi#ed tongue
thumped against his li$e preserver and scraped across his thigh on the way bac# up.
Peter loo#ed down at the li$e preserver, which had several small holes in it $rom the thorns on
the tongue. 0is leg had a scratch on the s#in, nothing much at allHbut suddenly he $elt di''y. 0e
loo#ed up. "he monster seemed $arther away G much $arther, in $act. "he view $rom the bottom
o$ the innertubes, which in reality was only $our $eet, loo#ed deep as a twenty>$oot well. 0is
vision began to dim around the edges.
<ar, $ar away, he could hear 8reg wailing in the $orest somewhere.
Peter wasn=t sure i$ it was a dream or reality, but suddenly the monster li$ted its head, loo#ed
away, and moved o$$, leaving only a ring o$ beauti$ul blue s#y that was getting dar#er by the
second.
,leep nudged the edges o$ his mind, and his eyelids got very, very heavy.
Whats going'on'
&nd then something grabbed him $rom beneath.
1"
The $right (olted him with adrenaline. -verything got clearer and brighter $or a second. Peter
remembered where he was G trapped in an innertube tower with a giant monster trying to eat
him. &pparently it had $igured out how to get at him $rom underground.
Peter screamed.
@,hut up, DudeFC came Dill=s mu$$ed voice $rom the other side o$ the innertubes.
@DillBC
"he innertube raised up $our inches and Dill=s $ace appeared, pressed $lat to the ground.
@Come on, it=s gone G get out and let=s goFC
Peter tried to move, but $ound that invisible lead weights had somehow been attached to his
limbs. @Can=t,C he mumbled. @"ooHtiredHC
@"oo tiredBF "hat thing almost ate you and it=s going to come bac#F C:/- :!FC
Dill pulled the innertubes o$$ o$ Peter, who sprawled onto the ground with his legs and arms
going everywhere. 9ithin the tight con$ines o$ the innertube, he $elt li#e a ca#e ba#ed in one o$
those little metal circles. Aut Dill had li$ted the ring be$ore he $inished coo#ing, and now his
body was the batter oo'ing out everywhere.
Dill gasped. @Peter, what happened to your legBC
Peter lolled his head around and peered at his thigh. "he place where the monster=s tongue had
gra'ed him had turned bright red and pu$$ed up li#e a thousand mosJuitoes had (ust had a
luncheon bu$$et on him. 0e touched the pu$$y red s#in and discovered he couldn=t $eel anything
on his leg at all.
@0uh,C he noted groggily, li#e he=d (ust seen a really interesting $lower.
Dill hoo#ed his hands under Peter=s armpits and started dragging him through the swamp.
@Dude, come onHget up, get up, get upFC
Peter struggled to wal#. Dill supported him as well as he could, but Peter $elt li#e he was
wading through wet cement. Dar#ness was closing in around him li#e the circle at the end o$
cartoons where Por#y Pig stuttered, @A>duh>b>duh b>duh that=s all, $ol#s.C
Peter=s $eet gave out beneath him and he slumped to his #nees.
Thats all$ folks.
@Come on,C Dill hissed $rantically. @Must a $ew more $eet.C
@Can=tHC
Dill reached over and noogied Peter=s head hard.
@:wwwwwFC Peter mumbled, seriously annoyed. Aut he #ept shu$$ling $orward on his #nees
as Dill dragged him by the arm.
Peter could see where they were headed. )t was a giant $allen tree trun#, rotted and covered
with moss. "here was a deep hole underneath it $illed with leaves and dar#ness.
Dill pushed Peter $orward, and his body toppled into the hole li#e a rag doll. 0is head bumped
wet, mushy earth, but he didn=t care at this point. 0e only wanted to sleep.
Dill scooted into the hole a$ter him and propped Peter=s head up. @Dude, are you o#ayB Dude,
stay awa#eFC
Dill opened Peter=s closed eyelids with a thumb and a $ore$inger and tried to loo# at his
eyeball.
Peter batted away Dill=s hand. @Lea$$ me Klone,C he mumbled.
,omewhere out in the marsh, there was a scream. Peter=s eyes shot open.
Greg.
Peter struggled to sit up, though his arms $elt li#e rubber gloves $illed with water.
@8ottaHsave 8regHC
@,tay down, PeteFC Dill commanded.
& low, throaty roar drowned out the scream.
@)t=s gonna get 8regFC Peter whined. 0e loo#ed out the little window between the ground and
the tree and struggled to $ocus on the blurry $orest.
0e could ma#e out 8reg, running through the marsh. Aehind him lumbered the monster,
pushing aside the more bendable trees, even #noc#ing down a small pine. )t didn=t run $ast, but
its strides were so huge that it covered ground Juic#ly.
& lot more Juic#ly than 8reg.
@8R-8FC Peter yelled, although his tongue didn=t wor#, so it sounded a lot more li#e
@8rruuuugFC
Aut 8reg heard and ran towards the $allen tree.
Dill clamped a hand over Peter=s mouth and pulled him bac#. @Don=t, man, it=ll get usF ,hut
up, shut upFC
8reg was running, tears streaming down his chee#s, the horror on his $ace more $rightening
than any 0alloween mas#. Aehind him, the monster slammed through two more trees and
splashed the water out o$ every puddle it stomped in.
"hen it opened its mouth.
@!nnnnnnmmmhhhhFC Peter screamed, mu$$led behind Dill=s hand.
"he tongue darted out ten $eet and shot the pin#, thorny blob into 8reg=s nec#, then 'ipped
bac# into the monster=s mouth.
8reg uttered a strangled cry as he $ell (ust $eet away $rom the hiding place. 0is eyes peered
deep into the hole and met Peter=s. 0e tried to drag himsel$ $orward, but his arms and legs
seemed to have stopped wor#ing. "he monster=s shadow $ell over him, though all Peter could see
were its gigantic $eet straddling 8reg. Droplets o$ slime spattered on the lea$>covered ground
with a sound li#e rain$all, and the monster=s low, rumbling growl was the distant thunder.
@Dou promised,C 8reg cho#ed out hoarsely. @Dou said i$ ) went bac#Hyou wouldn=t let it get
me...C
Peter trembled. Aehind him, he could $eel Dill sha#ing, too.
"he end o$ the creature=s snout suddenly lowered into view and clamped down on 8reg=s
body.
@Dou promisedHC he whispered as his eyes closed. "hen the monster li$ted his body $rom the
ground, head and arms dangling limply, and 8reg disappeared $rom sight. "he giant, muscular
$eet turned and thudded slowly away. &s the monster got smaller in the distance, Peter could see
8reg hanging li$eless $rom its mouth, the way a dog carries a sleeping puppy.
Dill burst out crying behind him. 0ot tears splashed Peter=s nec#.
#ou promised.
"he world went blac#.
1#
,e$ore he was even $ully awa#e, Peter $elt the cold. 0is whole body was shivery and damp,
and when he tried to move, his arms cramped up.
Peter $orced his eyes to open. )t was very dar#. "he hole in the ground under the tree, once
bright with sunlight, was now dim and gray. Dill sat in $ront o$ it, eyes watching the outside
world, #nees held tight against his chest.
@DillBC Peter murmured. 0e lic#ed his dry lips. 0is mouth tasted li#e dirty cotton.
@PeterFC Dill gasped, both e?citement and terror in his voice.
@IhhhhhhHhow long have ) been outBC
@0oursH$our or $ive, ) thin#. )t=s getting dar#.C
"he image o$ a $rightened boy, his body being li$ted up $rom the ground, swelled inside
Peter=s brain.
#ou promised'
Peter=s eyes widened, and he tried to sit up. @8regBF C
Dill shoo# his head. 0is eyes welled up with tears. @0e=s gone, man. 0e=s gone, you can=t
help him.C
@DillHno, he can=t be G C
@Peter, that thing got him. )t too# him. 0e=s 8:!-.C
Dill buried his $ace in his hands and his bac# shoo#, li#e he was crying silently.
Peter remembered Dill dragging him into the hole, putting a hand over his mouth, telling him
to be Juiet. &ll while 8reg was still out there, aloneH
0e wanted to say something angry, to ma#e Dill $eel aw$ul $or leaving 8reg to die, but he
stopped. )t was obvious that Dill was punishing himsel$ enough already.
And'if he hadnt done it$ that thing might have gotten me$ too'
Peter settled bac# against the cold, damp earth and shivered. @"hat wasHthat was all real,
wasn=t it.C
Dill said nothing, (ust nodded.
Peter loo#ed down at his leg. )t was bac# to normal G no pu$$iness, no redness, (ust a little
pin# scratch.
Wait a minute.
@DillHC
@9hatBC
@) don=t thin# he=s dead.C
@PeterHC Dill sni$$led. )t was obvious $rom the tone o$ his voice that he didn=t even want to
discuss it.
@!o, listen to meF "hat thing, its tongue, it shot out and stung me or something, and ) passed
out. )t made me really, really sleepy, but it too# $ive minutes $or it to wor#, rightBC
@Deah.C Dill nodded, his heart not really in the conversation. 0e was (ust going along with
Peter because he didn=t have the energy to $ight.
@9ell, that thing 'apped 8reg in the bac#. ) mean, it hit him really hard G he probably got a
$ull dose. ) bet that=s why it put him to sleep li#e that,C Peter said as he snapped his $ingers.
Dill sighed. @0ow do you #now it=s not poisonB 0ow do you #now it didn=t #ill himBC
@Cu' )=m $ineF Loo# at me, )=m $ineFC
)t was true, mostly. 0is hands and legs still $elt li#e they were rubber gloves, yes, but rubber
gloves stu$$ed with (elly now instead o$ water. &nd they were getting stronger every minute.
/ost o$ all, his head and vision were clear.
Dill sJuinted his eyes. 0e loo#ed li#e he wanted to believe, but (ust wasn=t Juite there yet.
@9hy, thoughB 9hy put stu$$ to sleepBC
Peter sat and thought. @) don=t #now. Aut )=m o#ay. ,o maybe 8reg is o#ay, and Rory is,
tooHC
@Dou don=t #now thatFC Dill started to tear up again. @/aybe it ate RoryFC
Peter=s stomach turned at the thought. @/aybeHbut that thing, whatever it is, isn=t that big. )$
it ate me or you, do you thin# it would be running a$ter more stu$$BC
Dill pondered that one. @!oHC
@Aig sna#es on the Discovery Channel ta#e forever to digest their $ood. "here=s no way he ate
Rory, he=d be sleeping till ChristmasFC
@"hat=s not a sna#e, Peter,C Dill pointed out.
@Deah, it=s a big, $rea#in= huge salamander.C
Dill laughed in spite o$ himsel$. &n overgrown salamander was a lot less scary thanHthat
thing.
@!ot a crocodile,C Peter continued, @not a sna#e, a salamander. )=ll bet you a million dollars
they=re (ust asleep. )$ a little scratch $rom its tongue put me out $or $our hours, imagine what a
whole bunch o$ that stu$$ would do.C
&o you really )elieve that* Peter as#ed himsel$.
0e shuddered. "he alternative was too horrible to contemplate.
@9ellHwhat do we doBC Dill as#ed.
Peter thought $or a second. "he memory o$ its mouth snapping above the innertubes made him
shiver. @9e can=t go hunt it ourselves,C he decided.
@9ell, that=s the $irst thing )=ve heard that ma#es any sense,C Dill agreed.
@9e gotta go get the rangers.C
Dill=s $ace tightened. @DudeHC
Peter loo#ed out the hole. 0e #new e?actly what Dill was thin#ing. @0ave you seen it yetBC
@!ot since it got 8reg.C
@"hen we=re probably sa$e.C
Dill (ust sat there, not saying anything.
@DillHwe gotta get out o$ this hole sometime.C
Dill $inally relented. @:#ay,C he sighed. 0e peered into Peter=s eyes. @Dou readyBC
Peter $le?ed his arms and straightened his legs. "hey were tingling li#e they had been asleep,
but it wasn=t pain$ul. Must #ind o$ numb. @) thin# so.C
Dill nodded and crept out o$ the hole. Peter crawled across the dan# soil and $ollowed him.
1$
They too# it slow at $irst, going $rom tree to tree and pausing at every little noise. 9hen it
became obvious that the monster wasn=t around, they gradually sped up. 9ithin $ive minutes,
they were running $or their lives.
<i$teen minutes later they heard something new. the chugging o$ a truc# engine. Peter and Dill
e?changed howling laughs and dashed through the trees.
"he truc# was $ully loaded with #ids and innertubes. )t was (ust driving o$$ when the boys
bro#e out o$ the treeline and into the clearing.
@9&)"FC Peter screamed, waving his arms.
@,":P, ,":PFC Dill bellowed.
:ne o$ the teenagers in the bac# o$ the truc# banged on the cab roo$. @0old on, stop, hold onFC
"he truc# coasted to a standstill. Ranger -ric, the guy who had been tal#ing to Peter=s mom
earlier that morning, opened the door and stepped out.
@0ey, DillF Peter, rightB 0aven=t seen you allH C -ric=s voice trailed o$$ as he loo#ed more
care$ully at their $aces. @9hat=s wrongB 9here are your tubesBC
Peter pointed bac# at the marsh and struggled to spea# as he gasped $or breath.
@"wo #idsHbac# thereHsomething got them.C
1%
The ranger station loo#ed li#e a log cabin $rom the outside, but inside it was nice, with carpet
and smooth walls and $ramed photographs o$ the par#. Peter and Dill sat wrapped in towels and
dran# hot cocoa as they eyed the adults in the room.
-ric straddled a chair across $rom them. &nother ranger and two sheri$$=s deputies stood
behind him. Peter=s mom was there, an?ious and a$raid, trying to control a restless Aeth. )n the
corner o$ the room stood 8rand$ather, arms crossed over his vest and tie. &s always, he loo#ed
e?tremely disapproving.
Dar#ness showed through the one plate glass window in the building. :utside, yellow
$lashlight beams swept the $orest.
@:#ay, you=re saying a "hat got themBC -ric as#ed.
@) don=t #now,C Peter answered.
@Dou said you saw it.C
@Deah we saw it,C Dill snapped. @but we=ve never seen it be$ore, so how=re we supposed to
tell you what it was when we don=t kno" what the hec# it isBC
@Aut it wasn=t an alligator or a crocodile,C -ric continued calmly.
@9e told you that,C Peter said.
@&nd it wasn=t a shar# or anything.C
Dill rolled his eyes. @!oooooo, it came up out o$ the water.C
@9hat about aHhippopotamusBC
@9e #now what a hippopomatusHhippopomamuH) #now what a hippo is,C Dill growled.
@)=m not stupid.C
@)=m (ust saying that you=ve probably never seen a live hippo be$ore,C -ric e?plained, @so
maybe you wouldn=t recogni'e one in person.C
@0ippos don=t wal# on hind legs, do theyBC Peter as#ed.
@Probably not, no,C -ric conceded.
@"hen it "asnt a hippopotamus$C Dill almost shouted.
@Calm down, Dill,C /om said, though she seemed pretty upset hersel$.
@8uys, you gotta wor# with me here,C -ric said. 0is chair was turned bac#wards underneath
him, and he settled his arms on the bac#rest. @Dou=re basically telling me a dinosaur lives in the
la#e.C
@Dinosaw,C Aeth burbled happily.
@!ow, that=s a pretty big whopper to swallow. &re you sure you=re not e?aggeratingBC
@#es,C Peter emphasi'ed, then $rowned. @) mean, no, we=re !:" e?aggerating.C
@Peter, please, i$ you #now anything that could help the rangersHC /om pleaded.
@) already told them everything ) #nowFC
"he ranger tried to loo# sympathetic. @DillB Dou want to tell me the truthBC
Dill narrowed his eyes. @)=m tired, and )=m hungry, and ) saw some #id get carried o$$ by a
monster, and this hot chocolate suks, and )=m $rea#in= P.:=D because D:I 8ID, N--P
&,N)!= /- )< )=/ "-LL)!8 "0- "RI"0 :R !:"FC Dill hollered. @"0-R-, ), "0&"
-!:I80 "RI- ,"I<< <:R D:IBC
"he sheri$$=s deputy standing behind -ric stepped $orward. 0e was tall, and much older than
Peter=s mom. 0e wore a cowboy>loo#ing hat and sunglasses, even though it was dar# outside.
@,how some respect, you little pun#,C he snarled.
@) can handle this, Deputy Men#ins,C -ric said so$tly.
Dill loo#ed up at Men#ins de$iantly. @)=ll show some respect 90-! D:I ,":P &,N)!8 /-
"0- ,&/- ,"IP)D QI-,"):!, :7-R &!D :7-R &8&)!FC
@Dill,C -ric warned.
@Dill,C /om hissed.
@) D:!=" G C
@,hut up, you young hoodlum,C 8rand$ather bar#ed $rom the corner o$ the room.
Dill shut up and shran# down under his blan#et. Peter had the $leeting impression that Dill
loo#ed at 8rand$ather the same way he=d loo#ed at the monster.
@-verybody, let=s (ust calm down,C -ric said. @8uys, loo#Hwe=ve got a do'en deputies and
rangers out there searching the marsh on your say>so. ) can=t #eep Kem out there all night unless
you give me a little something more than a brontosaurus.C
@Don=t be dumb. )t was li#e a bigger, $atter, slimier one o$ those raptor things $rom ,urassi
9ark,C Dill said, @but not as badass. Aut still really mean>loo#ing.C
@DillFC /om snapped. @Don=t use that #ind o$ languageFC
@9ell, it "as,C Dill protested.
8rand$ather cleared his throat $rom the corner, and Dill hun#ered down in his blan#et again.
Peter had been thin#ing while everyone else was arguing. @Ranger -ricHC
@DesBC
@Dou said you=ve got a whole lot o$ people searching, but you don=t believe us.C
@) believe something happened out there, Peter. /aybe it was an accident, or maybe you guys
were playing around and something got out o$ handHor maybe there was some #ind o$ animal. )
don=t #now.C
@,o you don=t really believe us.C
-ric shi$ted in his seat. @Li#e ) said G C
@Must say !:,C Dill snapped.
-ric glared at Dill.
@Dou=re beginning to get on my nerves, Dill,C -ric warned. @&nd ) wouldn=t do that i$ ) were
you, because )=m the best $riend you=ve got in this room right about now.C
Dill snorted. @0ow about loanin= me twenty buc#s, thenBC
@Dou don=t really believe us,C Peter continued, trying to ta#e the heat o$$ o$ Dill, @but you=ve
got a bunch o$ people out there with $lashlights. 9hyB )$ you don=t believe us, there=s got to be a
reason they=re even loo#ing.C
-ric went a $ew seconds without answering. 9hen he spo#e, his voice was weary. @9e called
Rory /cCus#en and 8reg 9itherspoon=s houses, and nobody has seen them since early this
morning. "heir parents said they were going $ishing. Rory=s parents didn=t even see him leave, it
was so early. Aoth $amilies are coming over here now, guys, and )=d really, really li#e to tell
them something believable that might help me get their sons bac#.C
Dill didn=t say anything this time. 0e (ust stared into his cup o$ cocoa.
8reg=s $ace appeared in Peter=s mind, his lips moving, right be$ore he disappeared into the air.
#ou promised'
0e started to cry silently.
@Peter, what=s wrongB 9hy are you cryingBC -ric prodded gently.
Dill bro#e down, too, into a single, mourn$ul sob. @Aecause you=re probably not going to get
them bac#.C
@"hat=s not true,C Peter argued, wiping away his tears.
:ut o$ the corner o$ his eye, he noticed the deputies were leaning in hungrily, waiting $or new
in$ormation.
@Peter, they=re not asleep,C Dill said angrily. @<ace it.C
@9ho=s not asleepBC -ric as#ed. @Rory and 8regBC
@"hey areF ) $ell asleep, you saw meFC Peter snapped at Dill.
@:h.C -ric put his hand over his eyes and rubbed his temples with his $ingers.
@)t=s trueFC Peter said, and pointed to the scratch on his leg. @)t stung me, and ) $ell asleep $or
$ive hoursFC
Deputy Men#ins suddenly stepped $orward and grabbed Dill=s shoulders. @9hat are you not
telling us, you little snotBC Men#ins snarled. 0e started sha#ing Dill roughly, ma#ing his head
snap bac# and $orth. -verybody gasped.
@Men#ins, cut it outFC "he other deputy grabbed Men#ins= arm, but he (ust shrugged him o$$.
@) #now your $amilyFC Men#ins hissed in Dill=s $ace. @) #now youFC
@:$$icer G C -ric sputtered.
@,":P )"FC Peter screamed.
Men#ins suddenly (er#ed away $rom Dill, his hold bro#en. 8rand$ather stood there with a
hand$ul o$ the deputy=s uni$orm bunched up in one rough, callused hand.
@"hat=ll be enough,C 8rand$ather said coldly.
Men#ins #noc#ed 8rand$ather away. @Dou get your hands o$$ me.C
@"hen you #eep away $rom that boy,C 8rand$ather said without batting an eye.
@Dou=re luc#y ) don=t ta#e you in $or assaulting a police o$$icer.C
@Dou=re luc#y ) don=t per$orm a citi'en=s arrest $or child abuse.C
@) #now what he is,C Men#ins snarled. @) #now his brothers, ) see his brothers all the time in the
station. &nd ) #now his daddy, oh believe you me, ) #now alllll about his daddy G C
@&nd ) #now you, &nthony,C 8rand$ather growled. @) #now all about your $ather, too, with his
bootlegging and card>shar#ing, and his $ather be$ore him G oh, theres a good evening o$
stories. ,o i$ you=re loo#ing at $amily histories, )=d advise you not to start while )=m standing
here.C
Men#ins too# a step bac# and scowled behind his sunglasses. @Dou cra'y sonuvaHC he
muttered be$ore retreating behind -ric=s chair.
-ric got to his $eet. @) thin# we better G C
@Call it an evening, yes,C 8rand$ather interrupted. @"hey=re obviously not telling us the truth,
and i$ there=s a reason behind it, )=ll get it out o$ them.C 0e glared at Deputy Men#ins. @&nd
nobody else will do anything.C
@/r. <lannaganHC -ric tried.
@And no)ody else,C 8rand$ather repeated.
"here was silence in the room, bro#en only by the sJuelch $rom a radio.
ABase$ this is Gutmann$ over.1
"he #indly>loo#ing o$$icer who had tried to stop Men#ins pressed on his wal#ie>tal#ie.
@Canode here. :ver.C
@We found something at the lake$C the wal#ie>tal#ie crac#led.
Peter=s heart leapt into his throat.
Deputy Canode loo#ed at the two boys, then at Peter=s mom and Aeth. @IhhhHwe still got
those two #ids here, and a little KunHC @Its not that ?ust t"o )ikes hained up to a tree.C
@,eeBC Dill crowed. @9e told youFC
@And the dok.C
@9hat about itBC
@0ard to say. >ost of its gone. <oulda )roke apart in a storm and sunk$ )ut it "oulda had to
have )een one hek of a storm. Theres still part of it out in the "ater$ and a setion on the land
1
@)t didn=t brea# in a stormFC Peter cried.
@"he monster ripped it upFC Dill shouted.
-ric motioned $or them to be Juiet.
@ )ut "e didnt find anything else$1 the voice on the wal#ie>tal#ie said.
@&ll right,C Canode said. @Neep loo#ing and #eep me posted.C
@=oger. %ver and out.C
"he room was Juiet as everyone absorbed the bad news. 8rand$ather $inally bro#e the silence
when he grabbed Dill and Peter by their nec#s and $orced them to their $eet. @Let=s go.C
@!ow wait (ust a minute,C Men#ins snarled.
@/r. <lannagan G C -ric said.
@9hat are you waiting around here $orBC 8rand$ather snapped at the ranger and deputy. @Dou
haven=t heard enough $airytales about dinosaursB Don=t you have two lost boys you should be
loo#ing $orBC
-ric and Men#ins loo#ed at each other G -ric helplessly, Men#ins angrily.
@<ine. 9e=ll be o$$, then,C 8rand$ather grumped, and herded Peter and Dill towards the door.
@9hat i$ we need to tal# to them againBC Men#ins as#ed in an accusing voice.
@) thin# you #now where ) live, Deputy,C 8rand$ather shot bac#.
@)=ll ta#e them in my car, Dad,C /om o$$ered.
@"hey=re coming with me. ) want to have a little chat with them, man to man.C
@Dad G C
@>an to man,C 8rand$ather repeated. /om #ept Juiet and shi$ted Aeth in her arms.
@)=ll see you at the house,C 8rand$ather said, and ushered Dill and Peter out o$ the ranger=s
station and into the dar#.
1&
-rand$ather turned up the heat in the ancient, battered truc#. "he warm air spilled over Peter=s
bare s#in, giving him pleasurable shivers up and down his nec#. "hen he remembered 8reg
being li$ted into the air, and those goosebumps went pric#ly and cold.
#ou promised'
:ver by the passenger door, Dill seemed a little happier. @Dude, that was a"esome,C he said to
8rand$ather. @) thought you hated me.C
@Let=s get something straight right now, you little hooligan,C 8rand$ather growled. @) don=t
li#e you. )=ve never li#ed you. ) never "ill.C
@IhhhhhHo#ay,C Dill said, con$used.
@) (ust disli#e that $ool Men#ins even more.C 0e too# his eyes o$$ the road long enough to glare
at Dill. @&nd that=s saying something.C
Dill shran# bac# against the passenger door and tried to ma#e himsel$ as small as possible.
Peter shoo# his head. @Dou don=t believe us.C
@) never said that.C
@K"hey=re obviously not telling the truth,=C Peter rattled o$$ in an authoritarian voice, @Kso why
don=t we all go home and )=ll beat it out o$ them.=C
@Don=t you sass me, boy,C 8rand$ather scowled. @"he problem with you is that you go
blabbing your mouth to every "om, Dic# and 0arry about things no sane person would ever
believe, and then you get mad when they don=t.C
@Dou meanHyou do believe usBC
@Does that mean you=re not saneBC Dill piped up.
8rand$ather pointed at Dill without loo#ing away $rom the road. @)=m warning you.C
@9ellHwhy do you believe usBC Peter as#ed.
@Aecause the one thing that hoity>toity ranger didn=t tell you G and probably doesn=t #now
G is that this has happened be$ore.C
Peter and Dill leaned $orward.
@,omeone saw dinosaursBC
@!o. Aut people have disappeared. -very seven years, something seems to happen out near
those springs. ,even years ago, it was a strange drop in the wildli$e. <ourteen years ago, two
school children went missing. "wenty>one years ago, a boat $ull o$ high school students went
out on the la#e and never came bac#. "he thing seems to avoid adults, and instead attac#s prey
that=s smaller and wea#er. "he pattern goes bac# a long, long time. 0undreds o$ years, actually.
Aut people tend to $orget what isn=t in $ront o$ their $aces, and most o$ them are too stupid to
read their history, so these things happen and are $orgotten so they can happen all over again.C
@9hat is itB "he monster, ) mean.C
@Did you read those blasted in$ormation boards they=ve got up all over the par#BC
@IhHone o$ them,C Peter said.
@Do you happen to remember what )tcheepatuc#nee meansBC
@Hsomething about watersBC
@K0idden waters,= that=s what those $ools staple up on their boards everywhere. K0idden
waters,= my $oot.C
@Can we (ust s#ip this part, and go to where you tell us everything we need to #nowBC Dill
as#ed impatiently.
8rand$ather turned his bla'ing eyes slowly over to Dill. Dill, in turn, shran# bac# behind
Peter.
@"hey=re mistranslating the original root o$ the words $rom the 9innapota#an language,C
8rand$ather continued.
@:hhhh man,C Dill moaned. @0ere they come again.C
@0ere comes "ho againBC 8rand$ather snapped.
@"he )ndians. "he )ndians this, the )ndians that. 7ampires and )ndians, giant $rogs and )ndians
G every $rea#in= thing is about the )ndians. 9hy you gotta bring up the )ndians againBC
@Aecause they were here long be$ore the white man, you young $ool, and #new $ar more about
the land around us G including the things in it.C
@9ell, they=re not here anymore, so why you gotta #eep bringing Kem upB Nnow>it>all
)ndians,C Dill muttered.
8rand$ather loo#ed li#e he was about to have a $it.
@"he name is wrongBC Peter bro#e in.
@9hatB :h G yes.C 8rand$ather shot daggers at Dill, then turned bac# to the road. @"he
)ndians use a similar term $or both Khidden= and Kdeadly,= the thought being that whatever you=re
hunting out in the wild is especially dangerous when you can=t see it. K)tcheepatuc#nee= doesn=t
mean Khidden waters=, it means Kdeadly waters.=C
@Does it mean Kgiant salamander,= tooBC Dill as#ed.
Peter e?pected 8rand$ather to lay a verbal smac#down on Dill, but the old man surprised him.
@!ot the word itsel$, but strangely enough, there are cave paintings south o$ here which depict
large animals the )ndians hunted. Aear, deer, wild boarHthey were all $ollowed by depictions o$
men, the order perhaps suggesting a chain o$ who hunted what. Aut there is a larger drawing that
$ollows those men, larger than any #nown animal in these parts, and it loo#s a bit li#e what you
described this evening to the rangers. "ailH triangular hands and $eetHgiant mouth, taller than
two men standing on the other=s shoulders. "hat drawing has never been adeJuately e?plained,
although it suggests that something might have been hunting the )ndians.C 8rand$ather paused.
@&ccording to the eggheads over at the Charterton Iniversity archeology department, that cave
painting is over $our hundred years old. Perhaps a thousand. &nd i$ you go bac# in the historical
record, every seven years G or at least, a multiple o$ seven G there is a ma(or disturbance, and
o$ten a tragic disappearance. "he tribal elders even proclaimed that every seventh year, the tribe
would move away $rom the springs and not allow their children to go there.C
@9hat are you sayingBC Peter as#ed.
@)t seems this creature you saw is on a cycle. &nd $or whatever reason, it goes on a rampage
every seventh year. Perhaps it is preparing $or hibernation, perhaps it needs $ood $orHother
purposes.C 8rand$ather glanced uncom$ortably over at the boys, then bac# at the road.
@9hatever the case, this is a very dangerous time to be around the springs.C
@9hy didn=t you tell us that be$ore we went over thereBC Dill as#ed sharply.
@) didn=t #now you were going, you id(itF "he $irst ) heard o$ it was when the rangers called,
saying you were spouting o$$ about giant li'ardsF &nd even i$ ) had #nown you were going to the
springs, ) wouldn=t have necessarily remembered G the cycle is every seven years, not e?actly
something ) write on my calendar.C
@9hat about it stinging me, and my $alling asleepBC Peter as#ed.
@) don=t #now about that,C 8rand$ather admitted.
@9ell, it stung 8reg, too, and carried him o$$. 9hat do you thin# it did with himBC
@) don=t #now about that, either,C 8rand$ather said Juietly.
@&ll he #nows about is )ndians,C Dill muttered.
@9hat did you sayBFC
@!othingFC Dill said with a $a#e smile.
@Do you thin# that they could still be aliveBC Peter as#ed.
8rand$ather was silent a good ten seconds be$ore he answered. @) don=t #now, boy. ) don=t
#now. Aut it might be better $or them i$ they=re not.C
@9hat does that meanBC Dill as#ed.
@)t means ) don=t want you going around those springs ever again, you hear meBC
@Aut G C
@) mean itF Dou hear meBC
@Des, sirHC Peter murmured.
@:#ay, okay,C Dill said. @Mee'.C
8rand$ather pointed at Dill. @#ou, now, you can go there as much as you want.C
@0a, ha. <unny>$unny,C Dill said, without a trace o$ amusement in his voice.
Peter wasn=t paying attention. 0e was staring out the side window. 8rand$ather=s truc# was
passing over the bridge that spanned the la#e. 0al$ a mile away, he could see $lashlight beams
slashing through the trees and re$lecting dimly across the water.
#ou promised'
Peter settled bac# into his seat and didn=t say another thing $or the rest o$ the ride home.
1'
The truc# pulled into the gravel driveway o$ Peter=s house.
@:ut,C 8rand$ather commanded. Peter and Dill spilled out the passenger side door, and the
truc# continued on towards the garage.
"here was an uncom$ortable silence as the two boys stood there. Peter reali'ed that they
hadn=t tal#ed about what had happened G to each other, without adults around them G since
they had been under the $allen tree.
)n other words, they hadn=t tal#ed about 8reg.
@9ell,C Peter said.
@Deah,C Dill replied.
@9e got luc#y.C
Dill nodded. @,IP-R luc#y.C
@9hat, uhHwhat are we going to doBC
@) don=t #now about you, but )=m never going bac# there again.C
Peter moved some gravel around with his $oot. @9hat about 8regBC
Dill sti$$ened. @9hat about himBC
@Dill, it=s our $ault that he gotHthat the monster got him.C
Dill shoo# his head. @!o. !o way.C
@9hat are you tal#ing aboutB :$ course it is.C
@0e didn=t have to go.C
@Dill, you said that we were going to leave him there $or the monster to get him unless he too#
us to G C
@) N!:9 90&" ) ,&)DFC Dill shouted. Peter could barely see Dill=s $ace in the dar#ness,
but it was obvious $rom his voice how much he was su$$ering. @) was there, rememberBC
@) (ust $eel really bad.C
@9ell so do )FC Dill whimpered. @,o do ). Aut what are we supposed to do about itB Dou want
to go $ind that thing againB Cu' ) sure don=t.C
@!o, butHC
Peter=s voice trailed o$$.
Dill stared at the ground. @)=m sorry it happened. ) really, really am. )=d give a whole lot i$ we
could (ust have a do>over, but that=s never gonna happen.C
Peter shoo# his head. @!o, ) guess not.C
"hey stood there in silence a $ew seconds more until Peter=s mom drove up in the battered
little 0onda. )ts headlights washed over them, illuminating Dill=s sad, hurt eyes.
@)=m goin= home now,C Dill mumbled.
@)=ll see you,C Peter called a$ter him.
@Deah.C Dill wal#ed on over to his house. !o one was there to greet him, no one to worry
about him almost dying today, nobody to tell him how much they loved him.
Theyll pro)a)ly yell at him for )eing late$ Peter thought gloomily.
0e turned bac# to his own house and went inside.
(
The $irst thing Peter did was ta#e a bath to get the dried mud and sweat o$$ him. ,hortly a$ter
he got dressed, /om called up that dinner was ready.
-verything was Juiet at the #itchen table. -ven Aeth, who was usually tal#ative during the
most tense and inappropriate moments, loo#ed e?pectantly bac# and $orth between Peter and
/om. "han# goodness 8rand$ather was bac# in the study, same as he always was.
Peter scraped his plate with a $or# through most o$ the meal. 0e ate little and said even less.
/om #ept silent until the very end. @)s there anything you want to tal# about, PeteBC
0e shoo# his head Kno.=
@)s thereHanything new you might want to tell meBC
Peter li$ted his eyes $rom his uneaten meatloa$ and glared at her. @9hy, so you can tell that
Ranger -ric guyBC
/om $rowned. @"his is serious, Peter.C
@)sss sewious, Petah,C Aeth said very seriously.
@) #now thatF Don=t you thin# ) #now thatB ) was thereFC he yelled.
0e reali'ed that he sounded (ust li#e Dill had bac# in the driveway. Peter wondered i$ Dill had
$elt then the way that Peter did now. that his /om didn=t believe him, that she was attac#ing him
when he already $elt aw$ul and completely powerless to do anything about it. 0e made a mental
note to apologi'e to Dill tomorrow morning.
/om sat up tall in her seat. @)=m going to overloo# your little temper tantrum and chal# it up
to a really bad day.C
Peter went bac# to staring at his $ood.
@Aut ) want you to absolutely promise me something. are you sure you don=t #now anything
else about what happened to those two boys.C
@) already told you everything,C he said sullenly.
@&re you sure you didn=t (ust imagine itBC
Peter let his $or# clan# down on his plate.
Good thing I never told her a)out the dead ho)os or >ery.
@/ay ) be e?cusedBC
0is mother loo#ed angry, then so$tened a little.
@)$ you want to tal# about it later, )=ll be here to listen.C
Peter got out o$ his chair and went up to his room.
1
Sleep didn=t come easily. )t seemed li#e hours as Peter lay in bed watching shadows move on
the ceiling. & couple o$ times he had to go to the window to reassure himsel$ that nothing was
out there. Aoth dead men and little girl vampires had attac#ed this houseE there was no reason to
thin# that a giant $rog monster wouldn=t wal# a $ew miles to come a$ter him, too.
0e dropped o$$ to sleep around midnight, but his dreams were troubled. )n them, he was bac#
in the swamp, running $or his li$e, holding onto someone=s hand. ,ometimes it was 8reg,
sometimes it was Dill, sometimes /om or Aeth. Aut every time, he $elt their hand slip out o$ his.
9hen he loo#ed bac#, there was the swamp monster, pluc#ing them $rom the ground. Peter
would scream and cry, but he had to #eep running, he had to #eep running a"ayHand he would
see the ne?t person, Dill or /om or Aeth, and he would ta#e them by the hand. Aut then the
swamp monster came and grabbed them all over again.
<inally he reached the end o$ the swamp, an endless $ield o$ holes dotted with moss>covered
tree trun#s. 0e was alone, with everyone he cared about gone G because he had left them,
because he was scared, because he had run away. Aehind him, he could hear the swamp monster
crashing through the trees.
0e started to run between the holes in the ground, but hands grabbed the cu$$ o$ his (eans. 0e
loo#ed down and saw 8reg=s pale $ace in the dar# beneath the tree trun#, his hands reaching out,
his lips $orming the silent words.
#ou promised.
Peter tore himsel$ away, but bac#ed too close to another hole, where more hands reached out
and pulled at his clothes. &gain, 8reg, trapped beneath the tree, moaning silently.
#ou promised'you promised.
"he sound o$ $alling trees and ripping branches was getting closer.
0e tripped and stumbled $rom hole to hole, every one o$ them with clutching hands, a pale
$ace with terri$ied eyes, and a single phrase repeated over and over again.
#ou promised'you promised'you promised'you promised'
"he trees o$ the swamp burst apart and there was the monster, mouth open, tongue lashing out.
Peter $ell bac#wards into one o$ the holes, but instead o$ one pair o$ hands, there were
hundreds pulling him down into the dar#ness. )nstead o$ one $ace, there were do'ens. all o$ them
8reg=s, all o$ them pressing around him, all o$ them $orming those two words in a silent scream.
#%7 9=%>I:!&.
P P P
Peter=s whole body (er#ed li#e he=d (ust stuc# his $inger in an electrical soc#et.
0e was awa#e, bac# in his room, in his own bed. 0is pa(amas were soa#ed in cold sweat. 0e
trembled and hugged his legs tight to his chest. "he scratch on his thigh smarted a little. 0e
rubbed it, and remembered $alling asleepH
9hich made him thin# o$ 8reg getting thwac#ed in the bac#H
9hich made him thin# o$ Rory and 8reg asleep somewhere, alive but unconscious, with the
giant monster drooling over them.
Peter $elt aw$ul as he lay there trying to $igure out what to do. "he answer didn=t come, but he
did reali'e where he should start loo#ing $or it. 0e climbed out o$ bed, changed into a $resh t>
shirt and shorts, and crept Juietly out o$ his room and down the stairs.

In the #itchen there was a wooden des# built into the wall, with shelves above it where old
coo#boo#s went to die. "his noo# was /om=s little o$$ice, with a co$$ee cup stu$$ed $ull o$ pens,
and tons o$ post>it notes stuc# everywhere. Peter $ound that $unnyE he doubted 8rand$ather=s
house had ever seen a post>it note be$ore they=d moved in.
Aut the most important thing was /om=s laptop computer, which she had brought with her
when they moved $rom Cali$ornia. 0e sat in $ront o$ it now as he waited $or it to boot up.
0e=d been bugging his mom $or a year to get a $aster computer, but they=d been too poor. !ow
that they were better o$$, Peter still didn=t see them buying a new one any time soon. -ven i$
8rand$ather "as stin#ing rich, he was less $amiliar with computers than with post>it notes. 0e
absolutely re$used to loo# at the thing, no matter how many times /om o$$ered to show him how
much in$ormation he could $ind online.
@) have all the boo#s )=ll ever need in the study, than# you very much,C he always harrumphed.
"hey still didn=t have a cable modem, so Peter had to wait $or the computer to $inish beeping
and sJuelching as it logged on to the internet. 0e supposed he should be than#$ul that he could
get on the web at all. Living in a house without a television made him appreciate the smallest
things, even ancient internet connections.
9hen it $inally came up, he went onto 8oogle. )t too# him a while to bring himsel$ to type the
gruesome words, but he $inally entered
how animals store $ood
and pressed K-nter.= &$ter several minutes o$ reading through entries on body $at, he $ound an
interesting lin#.
An Australian man "as attaked and knoked unonsious Thursday )y a fresh"ater
roodile. >r. =o)in Atten)rough told reporters that he "as ertain he "as going to die "hen
the animal dragged him under the "ater and he )laked out. 0o"ever$ he a"oke in an
underground lair "here the roodile hid its food. 0e had suffered numerous in?uries in the
attak$ )ut the roodile "as not present "hen he a"oke. >r. Atten)rough s"am out of the ave
entrane )ak to the river$ over a hundred meters from "here he "as attaked$ and esaped to
shore "here a passer)y alerted authorities. AI dont think Ill go s"imming again e@ept in a
s"imming pool$1 >r. Atten)rough told reporters.
Peter wanted to #now more, but a$ter ten minutes o$ searching, he $ound almost nothing about
crocodiles= underwater hideouts.
But they e@ist. And a roodile is lose to an alligator'and an alligator is sort of lose to the
thing "e sa" today.
"hen he typed in the search words
animal stings
A$ter clic#ing through another do'en lin#s, he $ound one on spiders.
&epending on the speies$ the venom an paraly(e its prey rather than killing it. This keeps
the vitim alive and fresh longer for onsumption days or "eeks later.
!ot only that, he $ound another interesting bit on (elly$ish, o$ all things.
In order to avoid the poisonous effets of the )o@ ?ellyfishs tentales$ Australian lifeguards
"ill "ear full )ody suits made of a pantyhose/like material. The loth is thin enough to allo"
them to s"im freely in the oean$ )ut thik enough to stop ?ellyfish stinging ells from reahing
their skin.
"hat last article set Peter=s mind wor#ing.
@&lthough )=m not wearing pantyhose,C he murmured to himsel$.
!
Peter rapped lightly on the window o$ Dill=s bedroom, the one he shared with his brother
9oody. "he whole house was only one story tall, so the window was easy to reach. 0owever, it
was three o=cloc# in the morning. Peter wondered how hard he would have to #noc#, and how
long, be$ore Dill wo#e up.
&s it turned out, not long at all. &lmost immediately he heard Dill=s panic#ed voice.
@9ho=s thatBC
@)t=s me,C Peter whispered.
Dill came to the window, li$ted it up, and stared at Peter in disbelie$.
@9hat are you doing hereBC Dill loo#ed him up and down. @&nd what are you wearingBC
)t was true, Peter had on some pretty odd clothes. layers and layers o$ thic# sweaters, three
pairs o$ (eans, and gloves and a cap $or cold weather. Luc#ily the air was still cool, or he would
have been sweating li#e a pig.
@) gotta go bac#,C Peter e?plained. @"his is what )=m wearing so it can=t sting me.C
Dill loo#ed at him in shoc# and then slowly got angry. @!o. !o, unh>unh, !:,C he hissed.
@)=m not going.C
@:#ay, but Ive got to go bac#. )=m having nightmares about 8reg, and ) #now it=s not going
to get any better until ) try to #eep my promise.C
@9e did try,C Dill said bitterly. @9e did everything we could.C
@!ot everything. !ot yet.C
@)t=s not $air.C Dill was almost crying now. @9e=re didn=t "ant 8reg to get ta#enHwe
shouldn=t have to go bac#.C
@Dou don=t. ) do. ) thin# ) can help him, so )=m going to try.C
@9hat, loo#ing li#e you weigh $ive hundred poundsBC
Peter glanced down at his bul#y clothing. 0is arms wouldn=t even lay $lat on his sides, his
sweaters were so thic#. @)$ its tongue can=t punch through the clothes, it won=t be able to get
me.C
@Dou gonna bet your li$e on thatBC
Peter shrugged.
@Let the cops and the rangers handle itFC Dill whispered.
@"hey don=t believe us,C Peter said. @&nd you heard 8rand$ather. the thing goes a$ter #ids, not
adults. )t=ll stay away $rom the rangers and they=ll never see it, so they won=t #now we=re telling
the truth.C
Dill leaned his $orehead against the window $rame and closed his eyes. @) don=t even #now
why )=m $riends with you. &ll sorts o$ horrible crap always happens when you=re around.C
Peter bristled at $irst, then reali'ed Dill wasn=t e?actly saying no. @,ooooHBC
Dill groaned and shoo# his head. @9hat=s the plan.C
@<irst we gotta wa#e 9oody up and get him to drive us out there.C
Dill=s eyes got huge. 0e laughed, then clapped one hand over his mouth and loo#ed bac# over
his shoulder. 0is older brother was still in bed, snoring away without a care in the world.
@WoodyB Dou wanna get Woody in on thisB Dou=re stupider than ) thought. 0e=s not gonna do
anything e?cept beat the crap out o$ us $or wa#ing him up.C
@Must do it.C
Dill shoo# his head, and then went over and tapped on his older brother=s shoulder. @9oody,C
he whispered.
9oody #ept snoring. Dill $lic#ed 9oody=s ear.
@9oooooody,C he said in a louder, sing>song voice.
9oody batted Dill=s $inger away and rolled onto his side.
Dill reached down, grabbed 9oody=s tighty>whitey underwear, and yan#ed hard.
@9hu mm uhh 0-DFC 9oody howled. 0e bolted upright and immediately smac#ed Dill on
the top o$ the head. @9hat are you doing, you little PI!N G C
@:wF Cut it outFC
Dill raised his arms over his head in protection, but it didn=t help. 9oody groggily rained
down a series o$ blows on his little brother. @Dou little snot, )=ll teach you to give me a wedgie
when )=m G C
@9oodyFC Peter called $rom the window.
9oody stopped hitting Dill. 0e leaned over and peered at the window.
@9ho=s thatBC
@Peter. Dill=s $riend.C
@9hat do you wantBC 9oody $rowned. @&nd why are you so $atBC
Peter reached into his (eans poc#et and whipped out three twenty dollar bills. @) wanna hire
you to ta#e us to the la#e. !o Juestions as#ed.C
9oody=s eyes got big. 0e lic#ed his lips greedily. @) lost my driver=s permit.C
@Dill told me that doesn=t matter. 0e said you still drive around when your dad=s asleep.C
9oody smac#ed Dill.
@:wFC Dill stared at Peter. @Dude, ) told you not to tell him thatFC
@&in=t got a car,C 9oody said.
@Dill said you use your Dad=s car.C
9oody smac#ed Dill again.
@:9F 9ould you ,":P thatBC
@)=ll get my hide tanned i$ ) ta#e that car out.C
@"hat=s why )=m paying you si?ty buc#s.C
@9here=d you get that money, PeteBC Dill as#ed.
@:ut o$ my mom=s bill$old.C
@Dou stole itBC
@) $igured it was $or a good reason.C
Peter should have been watching 9oody. 0e wasn=t, which gave the older boy a chance to
creep closer and snatch the money out o$ Peter=s outstretched hand.
@0ahahahahaFC
@Dou give that bac#FC Peter said angrily.
@8et lost, you little twerp.C
@8ive it bac#, 9oody, or you better do what we want you to,C Dill warned.
@:r whatBC 9oody sneered.
@:r )=ll go wa#e up /om and Dad right now.C
@)=ll (ust tell them it=s my money. K,ides, you wouldn=t dare. )t=s G C 9oody peered at the
cloc# radio, and got angry all over again. @Dou little pun#s, wa#ing me up at three in the
/:R!)!8 G C
@)=ll totally do it,C Dill interrupted. @"hey=ll be mad, but they=ll be even madder when they
$ind out you=ve got si?ty buc#s when you bro#e the #itchen window last wee#.C
@8o ahead,C 9oody taunted.
@&nd )=ll tell them about ta#ing the car.C
@) don=t care.C
@&nd )=ll tell them what you=re hiding under your bed.C
9oody=s eyes got really big. @Dou do and )=ll #ill you.C
@"hen drive us to the la#e,C Dill proposed, @and we=ll $orget all about that other stu$$.C
9oody loo#ed bac# and $orth between Dill and Peter, then wrin#led his nose up in distaste.
@<ine. Let=s get this over with.C
"
In order not to wa#e the rest o$ the Aodins#is, 9oody put the $amily station wagon in neutral,
and all three boys grunted and pushed the wagon down the driveway until it was out in the main
road. )t almost rolled into a ditch be$ore 9oody (umped in and slammed on the bra#es.
!ow the station wagon was rattling down the road to the )tcheepatuc#nee springs. 0eavy
metal music blared $rom a boom bo? on the $ront passenger seat.
)n the bac#, Peter stared up at the ceiling o$ the car. "he $abric had come loose and was
hanging slac#ly down. /om=s little 0onda was in pretty bad shape, but the Aodins#is= ride made
hers loo# li#e a brand new A/9.
&s they approached the ranger=s station in the dar#ness, Peter wondered i$ it was all worth it.
,tealing $rom his mother, stealing a car, driving without a license G and they still had another
ten laws to brea# in the ne?t hal$ hour.
"hen he remembered the dream and 8reg=s $ace loo#ing out o$ all those holes in the never>
ending $ield. Peter shivered.
@Dou=re oldBC Dill as#ed in wonderment. 0e was dressed in about $ive layers o$ winter
clothing, too, and was already tric#ling sweat $rom his bu''cut.
@!o. Must remembering.C Dill nodded and $ell silent.
&s the station wagon approached the par# gate, its one wor#ing headlight illuminated a sign
hanging $rom a white metal barrier.
CL:,-D I!")L <IR"0-R !:")C- G AD :RD-R :< "0- DI,N-R7)LL-
,0-R)<<=, D-P&R"/-!".
9oody hit the bra#es and the car sJuea#ed to a halt. @"his is it, you dor#s. ) ain=t brea#in= the
law.C
@Dou already are,C Dill countered.
9oody turned around and smac#ed Dill on the head again. !ow, though, Dill had on three
winter hats.
@Didn=t hurt,C Dill nyah>nyahed as he bolted out the door.
Peter got out, too, dragging their supplies behind him. -ven be$ore he shut the door all the
way, 9oody was bac#ing up the car.
@) ain=t waitin= $or your sorry butts,C 9oody sneered.
@<ine,C Peter said. 9hatever disli#e he=d originally $elt $or 9oody had trans$ormed into
hatred over the last thirty minutes.
@,uc#errrrrrr,C 9oody hooted. 0e put the station wagon into drive and roared bac# up the
road towards home.
@0ow do you put up with himBC Peter wondered aloud to Dill.
@) #eep hoping they=ll put him in (ail some day.C
#
Now that the car=s yellow headlight was gone, the par# was almost completely pitch blac#.
@Could we get a lightBC Dill as#ed. @)$ )=m gonna get eaten, )=d li#e to at least see it coming.C
Peter rummaged in his bac#pac# and handed a $lashlight to Dill. "hen he clic#ed on one $or
himsel$ and shone it at the ground.
& dummy made out o$ Peter=s clothes lay on the dusty road. )t loo#ed $airly li$eli#e in the
dar#, i$ you ignored the lumpy (eans and the lac# o$ hands or $eet. )t didn=t have a $ace, either,
(ust a stu$$ed t>shirt, but the snow cap it wore helped disguise that $act. Pieces o$ duct tape
covered it everywhere, #eeping the pants anchored to the rain coat it wore, and the hat and head
attached to the body.
@"he bac#pac# is #ind o$ heavy,C Peter said. @Can you carry the dummyBC
Dill nodded, wal#ed over to Peter, and tried to pic# him up.
@0a, ha, very $unny,C Peter said without a trace o$ humor in his voice.
Dill pulled the real dummy up on his bac# li#e a soldier carrying a $allen comrade. "hen he
and Peter wal#ed around the metal gate and warning sign. &s they went, they #ept their eyes and
ears open $or any sign o$ danger. giant swamp monstersH$orest rangersHirate deputiesH
Aut there was nothing and no one to be seen. "he only thing they could hear was the
scrunching o$ their own $eet in the gravel and the burbling o$ the stream in the distance.
,oon they reached the three or $our buildings that made up the rangers= compound. "he
innertubes were all loc#ed up with a metal chain pulled through their centers.
@9e=re not going out in those, are weBC Dill as#ed in alarm.
@!o, o$ course not.C
)nstead, he headed $or the large shac# behind the innertubes. "here was a latch and a heavy>
duty padloc# #eeping the door closed. Peter opened up his bac#pac# again and pulled out a small
hatchet.
Dill=s eyes bugged out. @Ih, what=re you G C
@Point your $lashlight at the door,C Peter commanded. :nce Dill obliged, Peter slammed the
hatchet into the metal latch, ripping it hal$way o$$ the door.
6=A/<0A+G8
@DID-FC Dill hissed.
Peter put a $inger to his lips. @,hhhHC
Aoth he and Dill strained to hear anything large and threatening in the early morning dar#ness,
but there was nothing e?cept the so$t liJuid sounds o$ the spring.
6=A+GGGG8 "he rest o$ the latch crac#ed out o$ the wood. "he still>loc#ed padloc# hung
limply on the end o$ it.
Peter pulled open the shed door with a thrill o$ $ear. 0e couldn=t believe what he was doing, or
how easy it was, or how much trouble he was going to get into when they caught him.
Im doing it to save a life$ he reminded himsel$, and swung his $lashlight beam into the shed.
"he red #aya#s hung on hoo#s in the wall. "he yellow ra$ts stood upright on their sides to
preserve space. "he orange li$e preservers, still wet and smelly, were stac#ed in the corner. &nd
beside the blue paddles sat the scuba tan#s and mas#s.
Peter struggled to haul out one o$ the yellow ra$ts. @8et two blue paddles,C he ordered Dill.
@&nd $our li$e preservers.C
@<ourBF 9hyBC
@:ur clothes are so big, none o$ these are going to $it us. 9e=re gonna have to $igure out how
to tie two together and wear them that way.C
@"here=s not even any adults around, and you want to wear li$e preserversB )=m not.C
@Dill, as soon as you hit the water all those sweaters you=re wearing are gonna swell up li#e
one o$ those sponge thingies in the little pills.C
@"he ones where you drop it in hot water, and it turns into a bunny or somethin=BC
@Deah.C
@,oBC
@,o you=ll sin# to the bottom o$ the la#e.C
@:h.C
9hile Dill busied himsel$ with the oars and li$e (ac#ets, Peter snagged a scuba mas# and a
complicated tangle o$ hoses and dials. "hen he tried to drag one o$ the scuba tan#s out o$ the
shed.
%oof. "he suc#er was heavy. 0e had only moved it about si? inches.
@Come on, help me with this,C he told Dill.
Dill helped Peter drag the metal cylinder out to their pile o$ stu$$. @9hat do you want this
$orBC
@Must in case.C 0e didn=t tell Dill that it was part o$ the planH(ust in case Dill didn=t li#e the
plan and decided not to come along.
:nce they had arranged their eJuipment, Peter pic#ed up his $lashlight and hatchet and wal#ed
over to the main ranger=s station building.
@9hat=re you G oh, dude, no,C Dill moaned.
@9hat i$ there=s something in there we can useBC
@&ren=t we in bad enough trouble as it isBC
@"hat=s the point. 9e=re in bad enough trouble as it is. 0ow much worse can it getBC
@Dou say that, but you really don=t #now,C Dill said. @"rust me, I kno".C
@9e=re about to go hunt down a swamp monster, and you=re worried about par# rangersBC
Dill considered. @:#ay, you have a point.C
Peter loo#ed at the door. "he wood was pretty solid, and there was a deadbolt above the
handle. Aut there was that one big window, a single sheet o$ glass, (ust a $ew $eet o$$ the
groundH
Peter shined his light through the window onto the des#s and water cooler inside. ,itting on
the $loor were a bunch o$ wal#ie>tal#ies, plugged into the wall and charging.
@,tay bac#,C Peter warned Dill. Peter shielded his eyes and then smashed the hatchet into the
glass.
6L::::::000008
"he whole window collapsed in a hundred little pieces. 8lass was everywhere. on the ground,
inside the building, even on Peter=s bul#y sweater sleeves. 0e brushed them o$$ with his gloved
$ingers.
Dill shoo# his head. @:h my 8:,0, you are either way cool, or waaaay stupid.C
@)$ ) was doing this $or $un, )=d be stupid,C Peter said as he used the hatchet to clear out the
(agged pieces o$ glass still (utting up $rom the window sill.
@)nstead, you=re doing it so you can chase down a giant $rog monster. )=d say you=re still
stupid.C
@Dou=re doing it with me, so you must be way stupid, too.C
@9ellHC Dill was at a loss $or words. @) #now you are, but what am )BC
Peter climbed up through the window $rame and into the ranger=s station. 0e got two o$ the
wal#ie>tal#ies and then shined his light around, loo#ing $or anything else. 0e tried the des#
drawers, but most were loc#ed, and the ones that were open (ust had pencils or $iles in them.
0e didn=t want to spend all night crac#ing open metal drawers and waiting $or someone to $ind
them, so he headed bac# $or the window.
@)s there a gun in thereBC Dill as#ed e?citedly.
@!o,C Peter said. @9e couldn=t ta#e a gun.C
@9hy notBC
@9e don=t #now how to shoot a gunFC
@Ih>hunhF )$ you=ve seen movies and "7, you #now how to shoot a gun.C Dill pointed his
$inger li#e a pistol and made a po" noise. @9e=d #ill that swamp monster ;uik i$ we had a gun.C
@Deah, i$ you didn=t #ill yoursel$ or shoot a hole in the ra$t $irst,C Peter said.
@9hatever.C
@Deah, "hatever. !o guns. !ow help me haul this stu$$ down to the cree#.C
)n $ive minutes they were situated and ready to go. Peter was even wrong about the li$e
preservers, which actually "ere big enough to $it over their layers o$ clothing. "hey (ust had to
let the blac# straps waaaaaay out, as $ar as they reached.
:nce the li$e(ac#ets were in place, they loaded up their supplies in the ra$t. &s they were
moving the scuba tan#, Dill as#ed e?citedly, @Dou gonna use this to #ill the monsterBC
@9hatB 0ow=m ) supposed to do thatBC "he tan# was part o$ his plan, but not to #ill anything.
@0aven=t you ever seen M&9,B :h, wait, ) $orgot, your mom doesn=t let you watch anything
cool.C
@,he does too,C Peter scowled. @9hat=s M&9,BC
@)t=s a really really really old movie, but it=s C::L. )t=s all about this shar# named Maws and
he=s eatin= people and they try to catch him and he eats most o$ Kem e?cept they shove a scuba
tan# in his mouth and shoot it and it blows Maws up. A::/FC
@0ow are we supposed to blow it upBC
@,ee, that=s why ) want a gun,C Dill e?plained, as though to a child.
@!: 8I!,,C Peter repeated.
$
They positioned the ra$t hal$ on the ban#, hal$ in the stream, and stepped in. "hey had to use
the blue paddles to push o$$ $rom the shore, but once they were in the main current, the ra$t
moved along swi$tly. "he cylinder sun# down several inches into the rubber $loor, but Peter
reasoned that it was no heavier than him or Dill and there$ore o#ay. 0e sat bac# and tried to
rela?. "he ra$t was Juite spacious, with more than enough room $or everything they=d brought
along.
@!ow what=s the plan you said you=ve gotBC Dill as#ed.
Peter $lipped the dummy onto its bac#, un'ipped a poc#et on the rain (ac#et it wore, and
pluc#ed out an alarm cloc#. &nd not (ust any alarm cloc#. it was the hated, ancient, wind>up
clan#er that wo#e him $or school every morning, the type with two little brass bells at the top
that sounded li#e a $ireman=s alarm going o$$.
@) don=t thin# the monster has eaten anybody,C Peter began, then paused. @Ih, yet.C
@8reat,C Dill muttered. @9ay to get me pumped up.C
Peter ignored him. @) thin# it in(ected them with stu$$ to paraly'e them and #eep them asleep. )
got a little scratch, and ) was out $or hoursHthey=re probably gonna sleep $or days, maybe even
wee#s. ,o i$ we $ind them in time, we can get them out.C
@,o how=re we gonna $ind KemBC
@)=m gonna go out on the la#e with the dummy here, and maybe the monster will attac#.C
@90&"BC Dill yelled.
@Quiet,C Peter shushed.
@:h crap,C Dill said, and loo#ed around at the dar#ness. @Dou thin# it=s here alreadyBC
@!o, but there might be rangers, and they might stop us i$ they hear you.C
@9ell, i$ that=s your brilliant plan, to go out in the middle o$ the $rea#in= la#e so that thing can
come a$ter us, then ) hope they D: stop usF "hat=s ,"IP)DF )=m not doing thatFC
@) #now. )=m going alone,C Peter said.
@HhuhBC
@)=m going with the dummy and you=re staying on the shore. 9e=ll each have a radio, so we
can tal# to each other. 9hen it attac#s, )=ll throw the dummy overboard, and hope$ully it=ll ta#e
it bac# to its hideout.C
@&aaaand that=s going to help us howBC
Peter held up the cloc#. @)=ve set it to go o$$ in twenty minutes. )$ the monster doesn=t show
up, )=ll #eep resetting it till he does. 0e ta#es the dummy, the ringer will go o$$, and maybe we=ll
be able to hear where the thing is #eeping the other guys.C
@9hat i$ it=s, li#e, a hundred $eet underwaterB 0ow=re we supposed to hear it thenBC
@"he monster got up out o$ the water and wal#ed around, rightB ,o ) thin# it breathes air. -ven
i$ it does breathe in water, "e don=t. )$ it really did #noc# out 8reg and Rory, it=s probably
stashing them somewhere they can breathe.C
@,o once we hear the alarm cloc# and $igure out where Rory and 8reg are, then we hightail it
bac# and tell everybody.C
@Deah.C
@,ooooo if the monster attac#sHand if it actually gets $ooled by the dummyHand if it ta#es
the dummy bac#Hand if the alarm cloc# goes o$$Hand if you can get bac# to shore be$ore it eats
you, tooHthen everything wor#s out $ine.C
@IhHyeah.C
Dill nodded li#e he agreed. 9hen he spo#e, though, he didn=t.
@"his is the ,"IP)D-," plan )=ve ever heard.C
@9ell, it=s something,C Peter snapped. @)$ you can thin# o$ a better one, let me #now.C
@0ow about this plan G we turn around, go home, and get bac# in bed.C
@&$ter we=ve already bro#en into the rangers= station, and ripped o$$ my mom, and stole your
parents= carBC
@Dou mean a$ter you bro#e into the rangers= station, and you ripped o$$ your mom, and Woody
stole the car.C
@:h, so you=re not involved at all,C Peter said sarcastically.
Dill spread his hands behind his head as he lay bac# in the ra$t, totally unconcerned. @)=m (ust
an innocent bystander.C
@,o you want to be an innocent bystander that leaves 8reg and Rory behindBC
@:$ course notHbut dude, your plan suks.C
@9e=ve gotten luc#y be$ore.C
@Deah, well, luc# runs out.C Dill tapped the scuba tan# with his $oot. @Dou didn=t e?plain what
this is $or. &nd why are we wearing all these $rea#in= clothesBC
@)$ our luc# runs out.C
@0uhBC
@) got the idea $rom something ) readH) bet its tongue can=t get through a ton o$ clothes, so i$
it tags us, we won=t pass out.C
Dill shoo# his head. @9e=re doomed,C he muttered.
%
The spring carried them along Juic#ly. :n the way they were mostly silent, although every so
o$ten Dill would start in on @why did ) let you tal# me into this.C Peter would remind him o$
8reg being li$ted up and carried o$$, and Dill would $all silent again $or another $ew minutes.
9hen they started hearing $rogs croa#ing, they #new they were getting closer. "he reeds grew
thic#er around them and the spring narrowed. & so$tly dri$ting $og crept over the sur$ace o$ the
water. "hey had to brea# out the paddles to #eep moving along.
"hey would pause at every odd sound and strain to detect a low, gurgling rumble, or the thud
o$ giant $eet in the mud. Aut every time they stopped, all they heard was the ribbiting o$ $rogs.
&$ter about $i$teen minutes o$ pushing through the swamp, they reached the end o$ the bog
and the beginning o$ the la#e. Peter guided them over to the riverban# where they beached the
ra$t and stepped onto the land. "he $og crept slowly over the ground, only a $ew inches above the
grass.
@Cool,C Dill said, and #ic#ed at it. & little pu$$ o$ white mist swirled around his shoes.
Peter wanted to play in the $og, too, but the heaviness in his chest #ept him $rom (oining in.
Dill loo#ed over at his $riend, reali'ed the seriousness o$ the situation, and turned bac# to the
ra$t.
&s they unloaded the bac#pac# $ull o$ stu$$, Dill as#ed one more time, @&re you sure you want
to do thisBC
@&ctually, ) really, really don=t,C Peter said grimly. @Aut ) made a promise. Come on, let=s
chec# the wal#ie>tal#ies.C
@:#ay, now, )=ve seen a whole lotta movies with truc#ers and <A) agents and stu$$, and when
they tal# on their radio, you say whatever you gotta say, and then you say K:ver,=C Dill
instructed as they turned on the radios.
@)=ve used wal#ie>tal#ies be$ore, Dill,C Peter said.
@Dou haveBC
@Deah, my dad brought some home $rom wor# one timeHC
Peter=s voice trailed o$$. 0e thought o$ his dad $or a $ew seconds and wished that he was bac#
in Cali$ornia, away $rom this thing in the la#e and away $rom his promise, and that his dad had
never le$t.
I "ish for a lot of things$ )ut they never ome true$ he thought sadly.
But I really$ really need this one to.
Peter said a silent prayer that he would come out o$ this aliveHhim, and 8reg, and Rory.
Dill grew uncom$ortable in the silence, so he did what he always did when he got
uncom$ortable. he tal#ed. @)=ve always wondered why they say Kover,= you #nowB &re they
saying it cu' they=re li#e, K:#ay, it=s going over to you now,= or is it, K:#ay, )=m done tal#ing
now, my turn is over, you can tal# now,= or maybe G C
@D)LL.C
Dill cleared his throat. @)=m (ust sayin=. Don=t get all hu$$y on me.C
@,orryHlet=s (ust do this.C
"hey turned on the radios and Peter pressed the tal# button. !othing happened on Dill=s
handset.
@Crap,C Dill said.
@9hich channel are you onBC Peter as#ed.
@0uhBC
Peter shined the $lashlight on his radio and saw that the #nob was dialed to channel 1. 9hen
he loo#ed at Dill=s radio, it was on 1. 0e twisted the #nob and tried again. "his time, there was a
loud crac#le o$ static on Dill=s handset.
@"esting, testing, one two three,C Peter spo#e as he wal#ed away $rom Dill.
Dill pressed the tal# button on his radio. @0ear you loud and clear, good buddy, got a big
brown bear with a bubblegum machine on top, gonna ta#e my load to &ustin and dump it there,
over.C
@9hatBFC
@"hat=s truc#er tal#.C
@9ell, don=t do truc#er tal# when )=m out there, ) gotta #now what you=re saying, alrightBC
@<ine,C Dill sul#ed.
Peter reached inside the dummy=s poc#et and pulled out the alarm cloc#. 2.10. 0e set the
alarm cloc# $or 2.10, then decided to give it a $ew more minutes and nudged it up to 2.1. 0e
replaced the cloc# sa$ely, then turned bac# around to Dill.
@9ellHC
Dill shu$$led a little. @8ood luc#, man.C
Peter nodded and got into the ra$t.
)t $elt li#e he was going down a deep dar# hole that he wasn=t ever going to climb out o$ again.
&
Dill pushed the ra$t o$$ $rom the beach, and Peter paddled out into the la#e. )t was tough
going, but soon enough he was a hundred $eet $rom shore.
-verything around him was dar#. 0is little $lashlight beam didn=t cover much distance out
hereE all it could really do was illuminate a mur#y patch o$ water close to the boat. )$ he aimed it
$urther than that, it (ust #ind o$ died out, and i$ Peter aimed it up into the air, it disappeared
completely. )t made things scarier, the $act that the dar#ness could swallow everything up that
easily. "he only com$orting sight was Dill=s little pinpoint o$ a $lashlight on the beach, a beacon
to show where sa$ety was.
"he water lapped Juietly at the edge o$ the boat. 0is $ace was a little cool $rom the night air,
but at least his body was warm. Inder all his clothes, Peter was even beginning to sweat a little
a$ter all that rowing.
Ip above him, a thousand stars $illed the night. "he moon was only a Juarter $ull, so the stars
shone brighter than ever G brighter than he had ever seen in the light>cho#ed s#ies o$ Los
&ngeles, that=s $or sure. 0e would have en(oyed watching the stars $or awhile, but he had wor#
to do. 0e chec#ed his digital wristwatch. 2.21 &/.
"he radio sJuelched. Peter (umped, and the whole ra$t roc#ed in the water.
@0o"s it goin there$ good )uddy*C Dill=s voice crac#led over the wal#ie>tal#ie. @%ver.C
@Dill, what did ) tell you about no truc#er tal#BC Peter hissed into the radio. @I ?ust alled you
Egood )uddy$ thats all. Fine$ I "ont all you good )uddy.C
@8ood. Must #eep it simple.C
@0ey$ I didnt say over$C Dill complained. @7h$ over.C
@Dill, ) swear, i$ you don=t cut it out, your L)<- is going to be over.C
@#ou didnt say Eover$ either$1 Dill pointed out. A+ot a =!AL over$ any"ay. %ver.1
@D)LL G C
@:#ay, o#ayFC Dill shouted $rom the shoreline, $ar away.
Peter shoo# his head and chec#ed his watch again. 2.21 &/.
9hile he was waiting, he decided to inspect the scuba tan# and mas#. &bout 10 seconds into it
he reali'ed how hopeless it was. "here were a couple o$ hoses stic#ing out o$ the mas#, and he
had no idea how to connect them to the tan#. &$ter a $ew minutes he gave up and prayed that he
stayed above water the whole time. /aybe he could use the mas# to hold his breath i$ need beH
0e loo#ed over at the dummy and shone the light on it. )t lay there totally rela?ed and
unconcerned about the horrible $ate that awaited it. being chomped on and ta#en to the monster=s
underground lair.
Peter shivered and chec#ed his watch again. 2.12.
Better reset the alarm$ Peter thought, and reached over to the dummy. &s he did so, he caught
a glimpse o$ something strange in the la#e.
"he water was normally $lat with tiny little ripples in the sur$ace. Aut there was something
small $loating out about si? $eet $rom the ra$t. "he very $aint light o$ the moon re$lected o$$ it
di$$erently, and that=s how Peter noticed it. )n the dar#ness, it seemed to be about the si'e o$ a
so$tball, (ust #ind o$ $loating there on top o$ the la#e.
,uddenly, a thin covering $lic#ed over it, then disappeared.
Peter=s heart sei'ed up. 0e swung the $lashlight beam over at the shape.
"he ball was red and glassy.
The monsters eye.
)nstinctively, Peter duc#ed down in the ra$t and $lattened himsel$ against the $loor. "hat=s what
saved him.
"he water e?ploded li#e there was a bomb underneath the ra$t, which heaved up into the air. )t
tipped slightly to one side but didn=t $lip over. )$ Peter had been sitting upright, he would have
been thrown into the la#e. &s it was, the wal#ie>tal#ie, $lashlight, and scuba mas# 'ipped across
the rubber $loor and smac#ed into the $ar side o$ the ra$t. "he tan# banged into Peter=s leg
pain$ully. "he dummy $lailed around too, but stayed where it was.
,omewhere in the distance, Dill screamed in terror.
"he ra$t slammed bac# down on the water. )t had probably only (umped up a $oot or two at
most, but Peter $elt li#e he=d $allen o$$ a cli$$.
0e wished that he was still in the air as he $elt the creature brush up under the ra$t. "he rubber
molded to its shape, and $or a second Peter actually $elt the sur$ace o$ its s#in moving under his
hands. "hen it was gone, and the ra$t settled bac# into the water.
0e raised his head $or a Juic# loo#. "he thing had doubled bac# around and was swimming
$or the ra$t again. Peter could see not only its eyes but the whole head (ust under the sur$ace o$
the water.
"he radio sJuelched. @9eter$ are you there*C Dill shrie#ed over the spea#er. @%h my gosh$
9eter 9!T!=$ A=! #%7 T0!=!* 7h$ %-!=8C
Peter didn=t have time to grab the wal#ie>tal#ie because the monster slammed up under the
ra$t again. "his time it roared as its mouth bro#e through the water.
:ne hal$ o$ the rubber boat bent up into the air. Peter and the scuba tan# were heavy enough
that they anchored the other hal$ down in the water. -ven then, the ra$t $elt perilously close to
$lipping over.
"he dummy was in the part o$ the ra$t that bent upwards. )t tumbled on top o$ Peter, who
sti$led a scream as it landed on his head.
"here was a 'ipping sound as the monster=s s#in sJuea#ed along the underside o$ the rubber
boat. 9ithout waiting another second, Peter grabbed the dummy and threw it overboard, then
plastered his body to the bottom o$ the ra$t.
"he dummy plopped in the la#e. "hen came a giant ker/:9LA:0 as the monster bro#e up out
o$ the water.
Peter=s head was below the edge o$ the ra$t, and he still saw it. "he monster rose $ive $eet out
o$ the la#e li#e a miniature whale. "he moonlight glistened o$$ its slic# body.
"he dummy was lodged $irmly in its (aws, high up in the air.
:9LA:08 "he monster smac#ed bac# into the la#e, and there was a giant churning sound as its
tail beat the water into $roth. "he sound grew $urther and $urther away by the second.
Peter raised his head (ust over the edge o$ the ra$t and watched as the monster paddled away. )t
#ept its head high out o$ the water, and Peter could see the dummy hanging limply $rom its (aws.
/ost o$ the dummy=s body was in the airE only its $eet were submerged as they trailed along the
sur$ace o$ the la#e.
@9!T!=* 9!T!=$ A=! #%7 T0!=!* %-!=8 %-!=81 the radio crac#led.
Peter #ept his eyes glued on the monster as he groped $or the wal#ie>tal#ie. 9hen he $ound it,
he pressed on the button and brought the radio close to his mouth. @)t wor#ed, Dill, it wor#edFC
he whispered. @)t really wor#edFC
Must then, the alarm cloc# went o$$.
"he noise was distant and mu$$led>sounding to Peter, but that was because he was a hundred
$eet away. "he alarm was plenty loud to the monster, which stopped in shoc# and loo#ed around,
turning its head this way and that as it searched $or the source o$ the clanging.
@:h crap,C Peter whispered.
@Is that the alarm lok*C Dill as#ed over the radio. @Isnt it a little early* 7h$ over.C
@:h crap, oh crap, oh crapHC
"he monster #ept its head above water the entire time. <inally it opened its mouth. "he
dummy toppled out and splashed in the la#e. 9ithout the giant (aws smothering it, the alarm
cloc# (angled loud and clear.
"he monster roared and grabbed the dummy again. "o Peter=s horror, it shoo# its head bac#
and $orth violently until the upper and lower halves o$ the dummy $lew apart.
& cho#ed cry escaped Peter=s throat.
@+ot enough dut tape$C Dill murmured over the radio. @%ver.C
"he alarm cloc# $lew through the air <LA+G <LA+G <LA+G <LA+G and then plopped in
the la#e. "he bells clan#ed dully underwater, $ading as the cloc# san# deeper and deeper until
nothing could be heard at all.
"he monster prodded the li$eless top hal$ o$ the dummy with its nose. "hen it whipped its head
around and stared at the rubber ra$t.
Peter darted his head down. Aut not Juic# enough.
@9eter$ get out of there8C Dill cried. @9eter$ its oming8C
'
There was a great whooshing sound, li#e a movie submarine going into an emergency dive.
Peter grabbed an oar, got to his #nees, and started paddling li#e a madman.
@9!T!=$ 07==#8C Dill screamed. <unny thing was, Peter could hear him (ust as clearly
across the la#e as he could on the wal#ie>tal#ie.
0e wasn=t moving $ast enough. )n $act, the ra$t was hardly moving at all. )t was li#e a
nightmare, where the werewol$ is racing through the haunted house towards you, and you can=t
even move a muscle.
W07>9.
& giant shape thumped the underside o$ the ra$t. ,uddenly, Peter was moving upwards very
$ast. "he ra$t $lew into the air atop the $orehead o$ the monster. "hen the monster was $alling,
and the ra$t smashed bac# down into the water.
Peter tumbled head over heels and slammed into the $ront o$ the boat. "he air tan# thudded
pain$ully into his ribs. "he $lashlight and radio smac#ed into him, too, but the plastic oars went
$lying o$$ into the air.
This "as )ad. This "as very$ very )ad.
Peter struggled to a sitting position. 0e #new he only had a $ew seconds. & calm voice in his
head told him to grab the $lashlight and radio and stash them inside his sweaters.
The rangers "ill )e mad if you lose the radio.
0e didn=t re$lect on how luc#y he would be i$ the rangers ever saw him again.
)nstead, he clic#ed both the $lashlight and wal#ie>tal#ie o$$ and stu$$ed them down his shirt,
where they $elt ice cold against his s#in.
"he scuba mas#. Peter loo#ed around and saw it at the bac# o$ the ra$t. 0e scrambled past the
scuba tan# and headed towards the other end, then strapped the mas# in place over his head.
&t that e?act second, the monster thrashed up out o$ the la#e. )t chomped on the opposite end
o$ the ra$t where Peter had been mere seconds be$ore.
Peter screamed and grabbed one o$ the ra$t=s plastic handholds. "he monster=s gaping (aws
opened and closed, moving $urther and $urther up the rubber boat. )t had no teeth, though, so the
ra$t never popped and de$lated. )nstead, everything (ust disappeared into the monster=s gullet,
inch by inch.
"he scuba tan# was down there at the monster=s end o$ the ra$t, too, caught on the seams in the
rubber boat bottom. "he way it was positioned, the tan# loo#ed li#e a giant cigar (utting $rom the
creature=s lips. "he monster ignored it and #ept chomping away.
Must beneath the la#e=s sur$ace, Peter could see the giant webbed hands paddling the water,
#eeping the swamp monster a$loat.
Aut then its legs stopped paddling.
"he monster started to sin#.
&nd as it san#, it pulled the ra$t along with it underwater.
!ow the ra$t was tilting at a rapidly increasing angle. 8ravity tugged Peter down, but he hung
on to the plastic handhold $or dear li$e. Cold water surged over the part o$ the ra$t still in the
monster=s chomping (aws. Peter could see the dar# lining o$ its mouth, and beyond that, the pitch
blac# hole at the bac# o$ its throat.
Its trying to get me to slide into its mouth8
Peter #ic#ed and #ic#ed in an e$$ort to get traction, but his $eet (ust s#idded o$$ the slic#
bottom o$ the ra$t.
0is handHhis hand was slipping.
+o please God$ no
0is $ingers slipped o$$ the handle, and down he went across the wet rubber sur$ace.
!(
The air tan# saved him. Peter=s $eet hit it, and it stopped his $all. !ow he was perched atop it
li#e a bird on a pole, momentarily saved $rom the (aws beneath.
"here was another handhold by his $ace, which he grabbed with both hands. "hat was (ust a
temporary stopgap, thoughE every second that passed, the creature san# lower underwater, and
the ra$t (utted up at an even worse angle. )n seconds, Peter would $all o$$ the tan# and then lose
his grip on the handhold.
0e vaguely remembered Dill=s story about the movie shar# and how they used the air tan# to
blow it up. 0e had no idea how to ma#e the scuba tan# e?plode, though.
Didn=t matter. 0e had nothing to lose. 0e bent his #nees and #ic#ed with all his might against
the top o$ the cylinder.
"he $orce was enough to $ree the scuba tan# $rom whatever seam or strap was #eeping it in
place, and it slid right down into the monster=s mouth and (ip8 into the blac# hole o$ its throat.
"he creature stopped chomping. & shudder went through its body and it started to gag. & great
burst o$ water shot out o$ its mouth and drenched Peter=s (eans as he hung onto the plastic
handhold $or dear li$e.
>ay)e itll hoke to death please God like it die$ let it hoke to death.
"he monster shuddered again G swallowed a giant mouth$ul o$ water G
&nd then it burped. & blast o$ putrid wind rushed past Peter and the air rumbled with a sound
li#e a $oghorn.
"he monster had (ust swallowed a big metal tan# o$ air, and all it did was burp.
%h <=A9.
9ithout warning, the monster snapped its head to one side, and the ra$t along with it.
Peter=s $ingers (er#ed $ree o$ the handhold, and he tumbled through the air and plunged
head$irst into the la#e.
0is body $linched $rom the shoc# o$ the ice>cold water, and he $lailed his arms in panic. Aut
his $our sweaters and three pairs o$ pants suc#ed up water li#e a sponge and weighed down his
limbs so much that he could barely move.
"he only thing that saved him was the scuba mas# and the li$e (ac#et. "he mas# #ept the water
$rom going up his nose, even as buc#ets o$ it $illed his mouth. &nd the li$e (ac#et bobbed him
almost immediately to the sur$ace, right side up, where he cho#ed out the la#e water and gasped
$or breath.
"he $irst thing he saw was the rubber ra$t go $lying through the air and splash down about
twenty $eet away. "he second thing he saw was the monster turn its head towards him and open
its mouth.
"he li$e (ac#et had saved him $rom drowning. In$ortunately, it wasn=t going to save him $rom
being eaten alive.
,omething smac#ed hard against his side.
Peter screamed and $uriously tried to swim away. "he smart part o$ his brain #new it was
hopeless, but that part wasn=t in charge anymore. "he dumb, pure survival part o$ his brain had
ta#en over and was #eeping his legs #ic#ing as $ast as they could go.
,omething whapped against his leg this time. )t was hard and bumpy, and then it disappeared.
Aut it was (ust pressure G li#e somebody had cloc#ed him in the butt with a ner$ $ootball.
The tongue its hitting me "ith its tongue8
Peter remembered how $ast 8reg had gone unconscious G and yet Peter $elt $ine.
&id it "ork* &id the lothes keep me safe*
"here wasn=t any stinging pain. 0e could still see clearly. 0e didn=t $eel sleepy G on the
contrary, he was (ust as panic#ed and terri$ied as ever.
"here was a rumble behind him, a gurgling roll o$ thunder that he could $eel vibrating through
the water.
%h God oh God please please please dont let me die
:$$ to his side, the monster glided past him. )t didn=t attac#, but instead slid through the water,
serene and totally calm.
& new $ear rose in Peter=s chest.
Is it going after &ill*
0e could hear Dill screaming $rom the ban#, his words punctuated every $ew seconds by
@:verF :verFC
Was it going to get &ill$ then ome )ak to finish him off*
!o. :nce it was twenty $eet away, the monster curved le$t and started a slow loop around
Peter. )ts eyes stayed above the sur$ace o$ the la#e and watched as he $rantically doggie>paddled
$or land.
Peter waited $or the thing to rush over and eat him, but it didn=t. )t (ust #ept swimming around
him in big, la'y circles.
Whats it "aiting for*
"09&CN.
&nother hit underwater, this time on his #nee. &nd Peter $inally understood.
Its "aiting for me to pass out8
"he tongue had hit him three times now, but every time it had been stopped by multiple layers
o$ clothing. "he monster didn=t #now that, though. )t was probably pu''led about why its venom
was ta#ing so long.
9lay dead.
"he little voice in Peter=s head was Juiet, but insistent. 0e wanted to tell it, @&re you cra'yBC
but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed li#e the best thing to do. "he monster had
held the dummy out o$ the water, rightB Li#e it was trying to #eep the dummy sa$e.
7ntil he ripped it to piees$ the survival part o$ his brain pointed out.
But it only did that )eause of the alarm lok$ his smart brain argued. Beause it figured out
the dummy "asnt real.
-ven though it went against every instinct he had, Peter stopped thrashing in the water,
stopped #ic#ing his legs, stopped moving his arms. 0e (ust $loated there and listened to Dill
screaming @:verF :verFC in the distance.
"he monster glided behind him, o$$ to his right. "here was another rumble that he could $eel
all through the water. "hen a splash, li#e the creature was turning G
8iant (aws clamped down on Peter=s body $rom his #nees to his nec#.
!1
O0 <=A9 %0 <=A9 %0 <=A9
Peter wanted to scream, but his throat closed up. 9hich was probably best, because i$ he had
startled the beast, who #nows what it might have done. )nstead, it li$ted him gently in the air and
started moving $orward through the water.
"he pressure on his limbs was uncom$ortable, but not unbearable. 0e probably couldn=t have
escaped it, but it wasn=t crushing him. Nind o$ li#e i$ Dill were sitting on him, but not a 00>
pound $at guy.
"he water was passing beneath him at a cra'y speed, almost li#e he was on a motor boat. <ar
away, he could hear Dill shrie#ing as he reali'ed the creature had gotten Peter.
But it didnt$ &ill. +ot yet. It ?ust thinks it has.
Peter stayed as rela?ed as he could, although the image o$ the monster snapping the dummy in
hal$ #ept playing in his brain. &nd he #ept resisting the urge to turn his head and see what it
loo#ed li#e to be carried in the mouth o$ a dinosaur. !o telling how the thing would react i$ it
still #new Peter was awa#e. -ven i$ it didn=t react at all, Peter was a$raid he would go Dill one
better and actually poop his pants $rom $right.
Peter wished he could tell Dill to not be sad, but he couldn=t. 0e couldn=t even hear his $riend
screaming anymore. "he thing was moving so Juic#ly that they had le$t Dill $ar behind.
"he scuba mas# was $ogging up, but Peter could see well enough to #now the monster was
staying about eighty $eet away $rom the shore at all times.
9lease God$ please let it stay a"ay from the middle of the lake. 9lease dont let it have a ave
out there.
&nd (ust li#e that, the monster turned towards the shore. &t $irst Peter was over(oyed, but then
he reali'ed that as the monster approached the la#e ban#, it wasn=t slowing down. "he shoreline
was getting closer by the second. ,i?ty $eet awayH$orty $eet awayHtwenty $eet awayHwasn=t
it going to stopBF
"here was a big hu$$ing sound in the creature=s throat, almost as though it were ta#ing a
breath. &t the last second Peter reali'ed that was e?actly what it was doing, and he managed to
get a mouth$ul o$ air (ust be$ore the monster dove. "he last thing he saw was the hard>pac#ed
mud o$ the shore rushing at him be$ore mur#y water covered his $ace.
&gain, the scuba mas# saved him. 9ith his mouth closed and the mas# covering his nose, he
wasn=t going to drown. )$ the monster didn=t spend too long underwater, that is.
But'shouldnt it have hit the )ank )y no"*
Det the monster was still swimming. Cold water was still rushing past Peter=s $ace and ears.
Were underneath the shore, he reali'ed.
"hen Peter $elt himsel$ tilting upwards, and :9L%%:0, he was out o$ the water again. Cold air
stung the s#in on his $ace. 9herever he was, it was completely blac#. "here was absolutely no
light anywhere.
Peter opened his mouth and too# another breath. 0e didn=t even gasp, they had been
underwater $or so short a time.
"he monster lowered Peter slowly through the dar#ness, then rela?ed its (aws and dumped him
onto something that $elt li#e sJuishy mud. 0e rolled over once, landed on his bac#, then stayed
still. Aehind him, he could hear the monster breathing so$tly.
hhhh'hhhhhh'hhhhhh.
&s his eyes ad(usted, Peter reali'ed he wasn=t in total dar#ness. Ip over his head he could see
pinpoints o$ light, though they were $ew and $ar between. "hey might have been stars, but there
were only a hand$ul o$ them, and there had been so many out on the la#e.
:$$ to Peter=s side there was a splash, a gurgle, and no more breathing. )t too# him about ten
seconds to decide that he was completely alone in the cave.
Where did it go*
&ill. It "ent )ak for &ill.
Peter sat up and $elt himsel$ sin# slightly in the muc# beneath him. 0e ignored it and untuc#ed
his shirt. )mmediately, the radio and $lashlight spilled out between his legs.
Radio or $lashlight $irstB
I have to "arn &ill')ut I an go faster if I an see "hat Im doing.
0e groped $or the $lashlight, $ound it ne?t to his #nee, and clic#ed the button. Light $looded
the cave. "o his unaccustomed eyes, it was li#e staring into the sun. "he $og on his mas# didn=t
help, either. "hough he couldn=t ma#e out the details yet, there was something #ind o$ white in
$ront o$ him. 0e blin#ed several times and moved closer.
)t was a s#eleton buried hal$way in the mud.
Peter screamed and scrambled bac# through the oo'ing muc#. 0is rear end thudded into
something, and he screamed again as he turned around.
)t was a chubby #id in a collared shirt and #ha#i pants.
@8R-8FC Peter yelled, over(oyed.
8reg didn=t move. 0is eyes stayed shut.
Peter=s mas# was almost completely $ogged up, so he tore it o$$ and was immediately
assaulted by a horrible stench. )t was the worst thing he=d ever smelled in his li$e, the odor o$ a
thousand rotting $ish. 0e stopped himsel$ $rom gagging and went bac# to breathing through his
mouth.
Peter leaned over 8reg and Juic#ly chec#ed his body. !o bite mar#sHno bleeding. 0ad he
been wrongB 0ad the stinger on the tongue been way more power$ul than he thoughtB 9as
8regHdeadB
Peter too# o$$ a glove, grabbed the #id=s head, and #new instantly that he was alive. !ot
because o$ his pulse or anything li#e that, but because he was still warm. 0is s#in was pin# and
healthy, and when Peter leaned over 8reg=s nose, he could hear a $aint whistle coming out o$ his
nostrils.
&s Peter swung his $lashlight bac# to the s#eleton, his heart lurched inside his chest. Aut on
closer inspection, Peter reali'ed that it couldn=t be Rory G in $act, it wasn=t even human. )t was
way too big, and the s#ull was long with a pronounced snout. 9as it a bearB /aybeHbut it
de$initely wasn=t the same s#ull Peter had seen grinning $rom the Molly Roger in pirate movies.
Peter shone his light around the cave, which was big, probably a hundred $eet wide. Aehind
him the mud was carved out in a giant room almost ten $eet high. 0ere and there, a do'en thic#
columns o$ earth rose $rom the ground to support the weight o$ the Kceiling= above. 0e pointed
the $lashlight up and saw hundreds o$ small holes.
,na#e holes.
Breathing holes, probably. 0e could even ma#e out a $ew stars through the ones directly
overhead.
Aehind him, there was a giant circle o$ water twenty $eet long, obviously where the monster
went in and out.
&nd all around the cave were bones.
"hey were in the mud $loor, in the columns that (utted up to the ceiling, in the walls. "here
was no way to tell what all o$ them were. Peter hoped they were animals G bears and deer and
stray dogs G but in one corner o$ the cave, he spotted a s#ull that loo#ed e?actly li#e a pirate
$lag. 0e only caught a glimpse be$ore turning away.
"here was something more important he had to do. &bout $i$teen $eet $urther up in the cave
lay another #id=s body. "his one was smaller, thinner, with dar# hair and a muddy t>shirt. )t had
to be Rory. Peter shu$$led over to him on his #nees and chec#ed $or signs o$ li$e. "he #id=s s#in
was warm, too, and he was breathing so$tly through his mouth.
&ill. I gotta "arn &ill$ or this ould )e him ne@t.
%r >!.
!
Peter slid bac# through the mud and $ound the wal#ie>tal#ie in the brown goop. 0e twisted
the :! #nob, praying that the swim in the la#e hadn=t ruined it.
"here was a horri$ying second o$ silenceHand then the gorgeous hiss o$ static. 0e clic#ed on
the button. @DillB )t=s me, Peter, )=m aliveFC
0e let go o$ the button. !o response.
9lease God'let him )e okay$ please please please
%h$ "ait.
0e clic#ed the button again. @:ver,C he added.
!othing.
"hen a crac#leH
@9!T!=* %0 ># G%:0 9!T!= #%7=! +%T &!A& I T0%7G0T #%7 W!=! &!A&81
Dill screamed over the wal#ie>tal#ie.
Peter grinned. @Dou=re supposed to say Kover.= :ver.C
@:07T 79$ #%7 :T79I& #%7=! +%T &!A&8 I thought you "ere dead for sure$ I sa"
that thing arry you a"ay uh$ over.1
@Dill, you got to get out o$ there. )t=s coming bac# $or you.C
@Well$ Im not there anymore$ I "ent hasing after IT to try to find #%7'over.1
@Dill, you didn=t go in the water, did youB 8et outFC Peter yelled.
@&ude$ I like you$ youre my )est friend and all$ )ut I dont like you T0AT muh. Im on the
shore. Where are you* %ver.C
A)=m under the riverban#. ) thin# ) saw some trees, and there=s a bunch o$ sna#e holes in the
ground.C
@&ude$ you ?ust desri)ed half the entire lake. 0o"m I supposed to find you*1
Peter loo#ed up at the ceiling and got an idea. @Can you see thatB )=m pointing my $lashlight
up through the sna#e holes, can you see itBC
@Theres fog on the ground every"here$ dude81
@"hat=s the best way to see itF Loo# $or a bunch o$ lit>up $ogFC
@%kay$ Ill'"ait$ hold on.1
@DillBC
@:hut up$1 Dill hissed.
Peter stayed Juiet $or what seemed li#e an eternity.
<inally Dill spo#e again over the wal#ie>tal#ie. @That thing "ent )y in the "ater'I dont
think it sa" me. Its headed )ak "here I "as "hen you "ere out in the )oat. Ill look for your
light$ hold on.C
Peter counted to thirty. Must as he was about to clic# the button on the wal#ie>tal#ieH
@I see it8 I see it8C Dill yelled.
"here was a mu$$led thumping overhead, and Dill=s voice spo#e through one o$ the sna#e
holes. )t sounded li#e he was tal#ing into a ten $oot cardboard tube. @Can you hear meBC
@DesFC Peter shouted (oy$ully. @8et me out o$ hereFC
@0owBC
@0ave you got the bac#pac#BC
@DeahHBC
@"here=s the hatchet, and ) brought a rope G dig a hole, tie the rope to something, and )=ll
climb outFC
@&re 8reg and that other #id down thereBC
@Deah, but they=re asleepF 0urry, Dill, 8-" /- :I" :< 0-R-FC
,oon there was a dull thwac#ing sound overhead, and little pieces o$ dirt began to $all through
the sna#e holes. )n less than a minute, larger chun#s started to $all. Peter #ept loo#ing nervously
bac# at the pool o$ water, and wondered what he would do i$ the monster sur$aced.
@0urry it upFC he yelled.
@)$ you wanna get out o$ there $aster,C Dill panted, @come out here and help me digFC
@9atch out $or the monsterFC
@)=m watchin=, )=m watchin=.C
!!
Minutes later, a bloc# o$ soil as big as a cement bric# splashed into the mud, $ollowed by an
avalanche o$ smaller pieces. "he gap in the soil loo#ed as big as a manhole now. Mudging $rom
its sides, the ground must have been at least two $eet thic# between the cave and the outside
world.
& head peered down through the hole in the ceiling, a bu''cut silhouette o$ blac# against the
starry s#y.
@8et the ropeF 8et the ropeFC Peter screamed.
@&lready on it, (ee'FC Dill tossed one end o$ the rope down into the hole. @&re you gonna be
able to $it throughB Dou loo# pretty $at in all those sweaters.C
Dill had a good point. !ot that Peter couldn=t $it through the hole, but that he was going to be
weighed down by e?tra pounds o$ wet cloth. )$ he too# them o$$, he could climb out o$ the cave
$aster. :n the other hand, i$ the monster came bac# and tried to sting him, he=d need every bit o$
protection he could get.
Luc#ily, Peter had tied #nots in the rope while 9oody had driven them to the par#. 9ithout
those, he wouldn=t have stood a chance o$ getting up to the sur$ace.
@)=ll be $ineFC he yelled, then gave the rope a $irm yan#. )t held. Peter (ust prayed that Dill was
better at tying #nots than he was at $ractions.
0e started to climb, but it was hard going. "he rope was di$$icult to hold onto with his cold>
numbed hands, and he hadn=t reali'ed how heavy his soggy clothes really were. Aut the #nots
helped immensely, and sheer terror lent him strength. 0e was almost to the top when he heard a
giant splash o$ water and a low, throaty roar. -?cept the sounds came $rom above him rather than
below.
Dill screamed. @P-"-R, )"=, 0-R-, )" C&/- :I" :< "0- L&N-FC
@RI!, D)LL, RI!FC
@) C&!=", )"=, G 9&"C0 :I"FC Dill howled, and (umped $eet $irst down the hole. 0is
muddy tennis shoes smac#ed right into Peter=s $ace, and both boys tumbled down into the muc#.
@:9FC Peter yelled as he rubbed his nose. @:9, :9, :9FC
@,orry, man, it was right behind meFC
&s i$ on cue, the starlight $rom above went blac#. & throaty roar shoo# the cave and drops o$
liJuid showered down on the mud. Dill shone his $lashlight up at the hole, and the blac#ness was
replaced with a single red eye.
Aoth boys screamed. "he monster roared again and clawed at the hole with one huge webbed
$oot. Aut big as the hole was, the monster couldn=t even get its hand through.
"he creature gave up trying. -verything went silent aboveground.
@9hat=s it doingBC Dill whispered.
@) don=t #now.C
Dill lowered his $lashlight and caught 8reg and Rory in its beam. @:0 CR&PF )s that themBC
@Des, shhhh,C Peter hissed, and strained to hear what was going on above them.
:$$ in the distance there was a gigantic splash o$ water.
@:h my gosh G D)LL, CL)/A "0- R:P-F CL)/A )" !:9FC Peter screamed as he
scrambled to his $eet.
@9hatBFC
@)"=, C:/)!8 )! 0-R-FC
@Aut the hole=s too small. )t can=t G oh.C Dill shone the light bac# behind him, and saw the
pool o$ water glistening in his $lashlight beam.
Peter raced $or the rope and sJuatted down. @Quic#, step up on my bac#FC
Dill didn=t need to be told twice. Ising Peter=s shoulders as a launching pad and the rope
#nots as handholds, Dill was able to reach the ceiling within seconds. "he only part that gave
him trouble was getting past the last couple $eet o$ soil.
)n the pool behind Peter, a couple o$ air bubbles popped on the water=s sur$ace.
@0IRRD, D)LL, )=/ C:/)!8 IPFC
Peter shoved his $lashlight down the nec#hole o$ his sweaters and started to climb. 0e blin#ed
at the pieces o$ dirt $alling in his eyes $rom Dill scrambling above. 0is wet clothes seemed even
heavier than be$ore. 0is $eet and hands $elt carved $rom ice. 0e bloc#ed it all out. !one o$ it
mattered.
,ust get out of the ave.
0e was only hal$way up the rope when the water erupted and the monster=s $ront hands
slapped up on the mud ban#.
Ay now, Dill was bac# on solid ground. 0e e?tended one arm into the hole. @CL)/A, P-"-R,
CL)/AFC
"he outraged roars beneath Peter inspired him. he climbed that rope $aster than any #id in any
gym class in the history o$ the world. &s Peter reached the ceiling o$ the cave, Dill grabbed the
straps o$ Peter=s li$e preserver and tugged $or all he was worth.
W0A9.
"here was a $amiliar burst o$ pressure against Peter=s rear end, li#e his mom had (ust smac#ed
him a good one on the butt. "he monster was trying to sting him again.
@PILLFC Peter screamed.
@)=/ PILL)!8, )=/ PILL)!8FC
W0A9. "his time the hit came on the bac# o$ his #nee.
Peter=s hands reached the dirt o$ the riverban#. 0e was almost there.
&nd then something big and power$ul clamped down on his le$t $oot. )t hurt, but it wasn=t
e?cruciating. )t $elt li#e a body builder was pressing his an#le hard between rolled>up wet
towels.
@)"=, 8:" /-FC
@PILLLLLLLFC Dill howled, and he leaned bac# with all his weight.
Peter #ic#ed his legs li#e an :lympic swimmer and strained against the rope. "he shoe in the
monster=s mouth started to slide o$$.
@)"=, 9:RN)!8FC
Must as Peter yelled, his $oot slipped out o$ the snea#er and he shot the e?tra distance up onto
solid ground. Dill somersaulted bac#wards. <rom out o$ the hole came the wet smac# o$
something enormous $alling into mud.
Peter lay panting on the ground.
I made it.
"hen, down inside the cave, there was an aw$ul noise. a splash o$ water so huge, it sounded
li#e a sumo wrestler had done a belly $lop.
!"
)D)LL, )"=, C:/)!8 IP <R:/ "0- 9&"-RFC
Dill raised his head. @9hatBFC
Peter struggled to his $eet and loo#ed towards the woods. "en $eet away was a thic#et o$ small
marsh trees, one o$ which Dill had used to tie down the rope. "he trees were spaced so closely
together that it would be impossible to run through them, and they were no good $or hiding. the
trun#s were so scrawny, the monster could probably (ust bend them aside or snap them li#e
twigs.
Peter loo#ed $or another hiding place, but it didn=t matterE the monster burst out o$ the la#e
and slapped its ugly $eet up on the shore. Peter bac#ed up beside Dill and watched as the creature
reared up to its $ull height. <i$teen $eet o$ grayish blac#, outlined against the stars in the s#y.
Peter could see the shape o$ its two bulging eyes as the creature stared down at them.
"hen it opened its mouth and roared. "he ground shoo# beneath Peter, and the inside o$ his
chest vibrated $rom the dea$ening sound.
Dill screamed, grabbed the hatchet $rom the mud, and threw it through the air. Peter prayed
that it would smac# the monster right between the eyes and #ill it dead so they could all go
home.
)nstead, it hit the monster=s le$t arm and glanced harmlessly o$$. )t might have nic#ed the
creature=s s#in, but it was hard to tell in the dar#ness.
-ither way, the monster didn=t ta#e it well. )t roared and lunged at Dill.
@:h crap,C Dill whispered (ust be$ore the giant (aws grabbed him. @0-LLLPFC he screamed as
the monster li$ted him high in the air.
@D)LLFC Peter shouted. 0e loo#ed vainly $or anything to use as a weapon, but there was
nothing on the ground. "he hatchet was too close to the creature. &s Peter turned around to loo#
behind him, his $lashlight rolled against his s#in li#e a wet popsicle. Peter ripped his tuc#ed>in
sweaters out o$ his pants, and out dropped the $lashlight.
@0&!8 :!, D)LLFC
"oo late. 9ith a $lic# o$ its head, the monster tossed Dill a good twenty $eet through the air.
0e landed with a thud on the muddy ban#, and his screams were cut short.
@D:I G D:I G C Peter yelled, trying to thin# o$ the worst word he #new, but instead he
(ust ran $orward and smac#ed the monster=s #nee with the $lashlight. &s soon as he did it, he
reali'ed (ust how bad a mista#e he had made.
"he creature loo#ed down at him and opened its mouth wide. Peter held up his arms and the
$lashlight, trying to shield his $ace. 0e #new the tongue was coming G but unli#e be$ore, his
head was the closest thing to the monster, and it was unprotected. )$ the tongue hit his scalp, he
would $all asleep $or who #new how long, and then it would 'ap Dill and carry them both bac# to
the cave, and patch up the hole, and no one would ever $ind out what happened to them G
Aut the tongue didn=t $lash down at Peter.
)nstead, the monster=s whole head did.
"here was a second=s impression o$ the mouth getting very big, 7-RD $ast, and then great wet
$laps o$ s#in slapped all around Peter. ,uddenly he was hoisted into the air and turned upside
down. 0e slid $ast and hard into goopy dar#ness, li#e he=d gone head$irst down a waterpar# slide
made out o$ raw meat.
!asty wet $lesh pressed against him $rom all sides until he landed in what $elt li#e a cocoon
made o$ chic#en liver. 0e couldn=t tell, because everything was completely blac#. 9ater sloshed
all around him. ,omething hard slammed into his bac# and he grunted in pain G but the chic#en
liver pressed against his $ace and wouldn=t allow him to breathe.
)t was at that moment he reali'ed he had been swallowed alive.
0e was going to su$$ocate to death in the stomach o$ the monster.
!#
Terror ran through his body li#e electricity, and he $orced his arms out in $ront o$ him. 9ith
his nose tuc#ed under his arm, Peter now had a poc#et o$ air, and he suc#ed it in greedily. )t
smelled worse than the rotting $ish in the cave, but he breathed it anyway.
"he whole (iggly mess around him shoo#, and the hard ob(ect behind him (utted into his bac#
again. "he monster was wal#ing.
Peter #ic#ed his legs until he somersaulted into a right>side>up position. )t was li#e trying to
turn around inside a sheet o$ plastic greased with Crisco, but he did it.
0is nose was still under his arm. 0e pushed his hands out, and the chic#en>liver stu$$ gave
way. 0e had a little more room to breathe. !ow i$ only he could see.
&s he $lailed about in the slimy dar#ness, he remembered that the $lashlight was still clutched
in one icy $ist. 0e clic#ed it on, and #ind o$ wished he hadn=t.
"he thing=s stomach pressed in on him $rom all directions li#e an overly tight sleeping bag. )t
was rather small, considering how big the monster was. &nd it loo#ed e?actly li#e chic#en guts,
too, e?cept spongier and a bit pin#er, with tons o$ veins running (ust under the s#in.
Peter wanted to bar$, but he couldn=t let himsel$. 0e had to $igure out how to get out o$ here.
!o time $or pu#ing.
)$ he only had the hatchet, he could have cut his way out. Nill the monster at the same time,
too. Aut the hatchet was sitting harmlessly outside.
Peter thrashed around in the $leshy balloon and reali'ed he had to do something else be$ore he
got out. he had to )reathe. "here was almost no air in here, and he would probably blac# out i$
he didn=t $igure out something Juic#.
"he hard ob(ect stuc# in his bac# again. 0e turned his head and the $lashlight and immediately
saw the scuba tan#. "he monster had swallowed it out in the boat, and now it was in here with
Peter, inside the creature=s stomach.
Its full of air8 At least Ill )e a)le to )reathe'
"he whole stomach shoo#, and Peter and the tan# (ostled around violently. )t $elt li#e the
monster was running now.
Peter scrambled to grab the #nob atop the scuba tan#. 0e dropped his $lashlight, but it didn=t
matter because his hand $ound the dial. 0e turned it Juic#ly round and round.
:sssssssssssssssssssss.
"he welcome sound o$ hissing air $illed his ears and he whooped with (oy. &lmost
immediately, the $leshy walls o$ the stomach began to pull away $rom his body. <aster and $aster
they e?panded, until he could reach out in a sweeping circle and not touch anything.
The air tank is )lo"ing the monsters stomah up$ ?ust like a raft8
"he (iggling around him came to a haltE the monster must have stopped moving. Peter and the
air tan# sloshed around in the goop. )n the glint o$ the $lashlight, he could see he shared the space
with at least a do'en dead $ish, a car license plate, and a bunch o$ tangled $ishing line.
"he stomach #ept getting bigger and bigger. "he veins stood out even more clearly now in the
rapidly stretching $lesh.
IIIIIIRRRRRRRPPPPPP.
Rattling vibrations shoo# Peter. &ir "hooshed past him as the stomach shran# by a good two
$eet.
7h oh'nononononononono
Peter shone his light up above him. "here was a hole at the top o$ the stomach, though it was
clenched tightly together. )t loo#ed a lot li#e the bac# o$ Peter=s own throat when he loo#ed at
his tonsils in the mirror.
)t was slowly getting $arther away $rom him as the stomach e?panded again.
"he hole was clamped shut, and then all o$ sudden, it opened to the si'e o$ a bas#etball.
IIIIIIIIIRRRRRRPPPPPPPPP.
Peter shoo# li#e he was on a roller coaster, and the stomach shran# smaller.
"he monster was burping. )t was burping out all the air in its stomach.
@:n no you D:!=",C Peter yelled, and ripped o$$ his li$e preserver. "he hole was closer to
him now, and he stood up sha#ily. "he way the $lesh gave way under his $eet, it $elt li#e he was
standing on a waterbed or on one o$ those /oon Aounce castles at little #ids= birthday parties.
Aut he was able to #eep his balance long enough to cram his li$e preserver into the hole, $orcing
it past the $lap o$ s#in that #ept the stomach clamped shut.
:ssssssssssssss went the air $rom the scuba tan#. "he stomach was in$lating again, and the
li$e>preserver>(ammed hole was out o$ reach within seconds. Peter toppled bac# down on his
butt and watched.
"he stomach (iggled again, but this time, the hole didn=t open. )t was stu$$ed closed with the
li$e preserver.
&nd the stomach was getting bigger.
Aig as a re$rigeratorH
AiggerH
Aig as a carH
Peter could have $illed the place up with water and done laps li#e in a pool, it was so big.
,uddenly the whole place pitched and swayed, and Peter got thrown to the other side o$ the
stomach. "he canister rolled over beside him.
"hey were moving. Aut it didn=t $eel li#e be$oreE this time, the monster seemed to be
staggering around instead o$ running.
"hen it $ell.
Peter toppled over and over. "he tan# clanged against his head, but he didn=t cry out, because
he was so ama'ed at what he heard outside. a giant kersploosh o$ water.
"he monster was in the la#e.
"he whole stomach was sha#ing li#e an earthJua#e and getting bigger every second. "he
stomach lining was stretched as tight as a volleyball now, and Peter=s hands and body didn=t
even sin# down in the $lesh anymore. 0e #new this because he was bouncing bac# and $orth as
the monster thrashed and (er#ed around him.
,uddenly there was a ripping sound and a 9%9 li#e a giant balloon. Peter=s $ace got smac#ed
with slac#, goopy s#in, and then cold water rushed over him.
0e screamed, but only bubbles came out o$ his mouth. 0e #ic#ed and tore through whatever
was around him li#e he was tearing through stretched>out chewing gum.
0is $ace bro#e the sur$ace o$ the la#e, and he coughed and gagged $or air.
@P-"-RBFC Dill screamed $rom the shore. 0e was only twenty $eet away.
Peter #ic#ed hard and strained with his arms. 9ithout his li$e preserver, though, the soggy
sweaters were weighing him down, pulling him underwater.
I survived )eing eaten alive'Im +%T going to dro"n today.
0e $orced himsel$ above water and too# another gasping breath, but more water $illed his
mouth than air.
%kay$ may)e I am going to dro"n'
&s his head slipped beneath the water, small hands grabbed him and $orced him up to the
sur$ace.
&ill.
Dill had (umped in the la#e, wearing his own li$e preserver, and was dragging Peter towards
the shore.
@N)CNFC Dill screamed in his ear.
Peter #ic#ed with every ounce o$ energy he had. & $ew seconds later, he $elt his $eet hit the
la#e bottom. 0e and Dill trudged the rest o$ the way and collapsed on the muddy ban#.
!$
Then Peter remembered what had (ust happened and turned bac# around.
"hirty $eet $rom shore, the monster=s body was $loating in the la#e. )t lolled about on its bac#,
and its arms and legs twitched in the air. Aut where its belly had once been, there was a giant
gaping hole.
@:h my 8:,0 you should have seen it,C Dill gasped. @Dou ever seen a $rog blow up its throat
so it can croa#B !ot die, ) mean, but krrk/ikkkk$ krkk/ikkkk.C
Dill did a surprisingly good imitation o$ a $rog.
@9ell, the monster=s belly started getting huge G ) mean, 0I8- G and he stopped chasing
me and (ust stood there. "hen he AIRP-D really loud, and his belly shran#. 0e started coming
a$ter me again, but he stopped and burped again. &nd then he tried to burp again, but he didn=t.
0e (ust #ept snapping his mouth but nothing would come out, and his stomach got bigger, and
bigger, and A)88-R, and he started wal#ing around li#e he was drun#, and then he $ell bac# in
the water and A::/F /onster guts were $lying -7-RD90-R-F )t was li#e the nastiest piUata
you ever saw, dudeF &nd then D:I came out, and ) was li#e, 0:LD CR&P, ) thought you were
deadF 0ow=d you do itBC
@0e ate the scuba tan# out on the la#e. )t was in there when he swallowed meHC Peter
stopped $or a second and trembled at the horrible memory, then resumed his tale. @) turned it on,
which made the stomach bigger. "hen ) stu$$ed my li$e preserver in his throat so he couldn=t burp
anymore.C
@&9-,:/-F Dude, that was better than $lippin= M&9,, manF "hey (ust blew the shar# up,
you came :I" o$ the monster $rom the )!,)D-F <rea#in= 9)CN-DFC
@Deah,C Peter laughed wea#ly. @) #ind o$ $eel li#e Monah.C
Dill stared at Peter. @9ho=s thatBC
@MonahB )n the AibleB 8ot swallowed by a whaleBC
"here was absolutely no sign o$ recognition on Dill=s $ace.
@&nd the whale spit him up a$ter three daysBC Peter persisted.
@Dude, you=re thin#ing o$ Pinocchio.C
Peter sighed and loo#ed bac# out at the la#e. "he sun had begun to come up somewhere in the
distance G not over the hori'on, yet, but there was enough light in the grayish>pin# s#y to
clearly see the carcass o$ the monster, which had stopped twitching. )t (ust slowly $loated out
$urther into the center o$ the la#e.
Peter almost $elt sorry $or it. )t was a magni$icent animalHnobody had ever seen a living
creature li#e it be$ore, and now it was dead. 0e had #illed it.
"hen he remembered that the thing had swallowed him alive, and he didn=t $eel bad at all. )n
$act, he was pretty dang glad.
@0ey Pete, you #now the best thing about thisBC Dill prodded him. @9e got proo$ this time.
Deah, ) #now your grand$ather believes us and all, but we never really got in trouble li#e this
be$ore, and then you went and bro#e into the rangers stationHman, we=d=a gone to (ail $or sure.
Aut they can=t say anything about "0&"FC Dill cac#led, and pointed out at the creature=s body.
@DID-, 9- 8:" PR::<FC
&s i$ it had heard them and wanted to ta#e its last chance at revenge, the monster began to
slowly sin# into the la#e. <irst the giant hole in its chest $illed with waterHthen the legs and
arms slowly san# beneath the sur$ace.
@!:::::FC both boys screamed at once, pleading with outstretched arms.
)t was over within seconds. "he tips o$ the webbed $ingers disappeared, and the monster was
entirely gone.
Peter stared out at the la#e in a da'e. Dill shoo# his head and muttered, @9hyB 9hy meBC
@9hy youB 9hy /-BF )=m the one who got swallowed aliveFC
Dill $rowned and scrunched up his nose. @Deah, and got covered in monster guts.C
Peter loo#ed down at his clothes and saw that he was indeed slimed over with pieces o$ s#in
and raw meat, not to mention a layer o$ mil#y>loo#ing goo. )n that second, his mind $looded
with the horror o$ what he had (ust been through. "he monster=s mouth slamming down around
himHthe stomach pressing against his $aceHthe smell.
0e screamed, (umped to his $eet, and tore the top two layers o$ sweaters o$$. "hen he pulled
the top layer o$ (eans o$$, too, and cast them aside. 0e collapsed on the ground and moaned.
Dill loo#ed at him. @Dou o#ay, manB Dou loo#ed li#e you were $rea#in= out there. Ninda li#e
ol= 8reg.C
@"hat=s cu' ) "as,C Peter grumbled.
@0ey, what about 8reg and RoryB 9hat do we do about themBC
@9e can=t drag them out, and ) don=t about you, but ) can=t even wal# ten $eet.C
<rom behind them came a burst o$ static. Peter and Dill both whipped their heads around.
<urther up the ban#, Dill=s wal#ie>tal#ie lay on the ground, and a series o$ voices crac#led over
the spea#er.
@This is ,ao)s$ Im do"n at the station. Looks like some)ody )roke in.C
@0o" )ad*C
Dill pointed at the radio in surprise and indignation. @"hey=re not saying Kover=FC
@Broke the "indo" in the main offie$ raked the lok on the shed'looks like they stole a
raft and some su)a e;uipment$ pro)a)ly some other stuff.C
@Great. Any)ody got any idea "ho did it*1
Peter crept up the ban# and pressed the button on the wal#ie>tal#ie. @IhHthat=d be me.C 0e
let go o$ the button, then remembered something and pressed it again. @Im, over.C
@Whos this*C a voice demanded angrily.
@"ell him he=s supposed to say Kover,=C Dill instructed.
Peter waved his hand $or Dill to be Juiet. @Ih, this is Peter !ormal. "he #id $rom yesterdayBC
@%h$ I remem)er you$ all right$C the voice growled. @Where are you*C
@:ut by the la#e, on the shore. Dou might want to bring a doctor or something G we $ound
8reg and Rory. "hey=re o#ay, they=re (ust #noc#ed out. :ver.C
"here was a stunned silence $or about $ive seconds on the other end o$ the radio.
@:tay there. Well find you. ,ao)s$ s"ith over to the other )and.C
!o more voices came out o$ the wal#ie>tal#ie a$ter that.
@) don=t get itHhow did those guys ever get to be rangers, and they don=t even #now to say
Kover=BC Dill complained. "hen he sighed. @,o we=re (ust gonna wait $or Kem, huhBC
@Dou could ta#e o$$H) didn=t say anything about you, so you could run $or it and not get in
trouble.C
Dill brightened. @"hat=s right, ) totally couldHC "hen he loo#ed serious again. @!aah, ) better
stic# around. Dou always need bac#>up.C
Peter smiled. @Ay the way, than#s $or saving my li$e.C
@"wice,C Dill said, and held up two $ingers. @)$ you=re #eeping trac#. Im not.C
@0ow do you $igureBC
@) got you out o$ the cave, and ) pulled you out o$ the water.C
@9ell, you dug a hole in the cave, but you smac#ed me in the $ace when you (umped in. Plus,
) blew up the monster, so that #ind o$ evens out the whole cave thing.C
Dill narrowed his eyes. @,ounds li#e some)odys #eeping trak.C
"he sun was (ust beginning to pee# over the trees across the la#e. "he wind blew slightly, and
the $irst birds began to chirp behind them.
Dill scooched across the ground on his rear end and settled about ten $eet away $rom Peter.
@9hat=d you do that $orBC Peter as#ed.
@!othin=. Dou (ust wait over there, and )=ll wait over here.C
Peter loo#ed at him in surprise. @9hyBC
Dill pinched his nose with his $ingers and thumb. @Cu' you stink, man. :oooooo>weeeee.C
!%
The rangers arrived about twenty minutes later, along with a couple o$ paramedics and three
sheri$$=s deputies, including Deputy Men#ins *who had on his sunglasses, even though it was
barely light outside+. Ranger -ric led the way.
@Peter, Dill G are you alrightBC he called as they bro#e through the woods.
@Deah, we=re o#ay,C Peter said.
-ric got close to Peter, then bac#ed o$$ with a sour loo# on his $ace. @Igh, what=s that smellBC
@) told you you stan#, dude,C Dill gu$$awed.
@9here=s the other #idsBC Men#ins snarled.
Dill pointed. @Down in the hole.C
"he deputies rushed over and peered in with $lashlights. :ne o$ them climbed down the rope
and disappeared $rom view.
"he paramedics started chec#ing Peter and Dill out, shining little $lashlights in their eyes and
moving their arms and heads bac# and $orth.
@Cut that out, man,C Dill complained.
@9e=re $ine, we=re $ine,C Peter assured them. @) thin# you better go help Rory and 8reg.C
@<ound KemFC the man in the cave called, his voice hollow and mu$$led. @"hey=re aliveFC "hen
he said something else under his breath, some words Peter had never heard be$ore, $ollowed by,
@Dou guys, there=s bones every"here down here.C
Men#ins and -ric turned around and stared at the boys.
@Don=t loo# at me, man,C Dill said.
@0ow=d they get in thereBC -ric as#ed.
@&re you ready to hear the truth yetBC Peter challenged him.
@Does the truth involve a twenty>$oot>tall dinosaurBC
@Des.C
@"hen no, ) don=t thin# ) am,C -ric answered.
@)t was more li#e a giant $rog,C Dill o$$ered. @& dino$rog. :r a giant salamanderHa
dinomander. :rHsalasaur. :r G C
@&ill.C Peter made a K'ip it= motion across his lips.
@"hey=re not wa#ing up, Men#insFC the man called $rom down in the hole.
@8et down there,C Men#ins snarled at the paramedics.
"he two men in blue (umpsuits grabbed the rope and climbed down into the ground. &$ter a
minute, one o$ them called out, @"hey=re breathing and they appear to be stable, but they=re in
some #ind o$ stupor and they=re not wa#ing up. 9e gotta get Kem bac# to the hospital.C
Men#ins pointed at Dill and Peter. @Dou boys better have a good e?planation $or all this.C
@"hey=re #noc#ed out,C Peter told him. @"he monster stung them and put them to sleep. ) thin#
it was going to hibernate and eat them later.C
Men#ins shoo# his head. @"hat=s not what ) call a good e?planation.C
Dill stuc# out his chin. @) want a lawyer.C
@9hatBC
@) #now my rights, ) watch all the cop shows. ) want a lawyer.C
Men#ins balled his hand up into a $ist. @9hy you little G C
-ric stood up between the deputy and Dill. @) thin# we can do this later, can=t weB Right now
our priority is those two #ids down in that cave.C
Men#ins pointed at Dill. @)=ll deal with you later.C
@"al# to my lawyer, dude,C Dill retorted.
@Deah,C Peter added.
0e=d (ust been eaten alive. /ean sheri$$=s deputies didn=t scare him.
9ellHmaybe a little.
!&
The hospital was small by most standards, but large $or a town o$ Dus#erville=s si'e. )t stood
three stories high, and probably had a hundred rooms or so. Right now Dill and Peter were on the
$irst $loor in an emergency room station, sitting atop a padded table where people normally laid
down. 8rand$ather wal#ed into the room as the doctor was e?amining them.
@Dou alright, boyBC 8rand$ather as#ed.
@Dup,C Dill a$$irmed.
@) wasn=t tal#ing to you,C 8rand$ather snarled.
Dill $idgeted silently $or the rest o$ the chec#>up.
"he doctor $ound nothing more than some bruises and scrapes. 0e did coat their cuts with
some purplish liJuid, though, which stung li#e $ire.
@:9FC Dill yelled. @0ey, cut that outFC
@&nd you say you got eaten aliveBC the doctor as#ed Peter.
@Des,C Peter sighed. )t was the $i$tieth time he=d answered the Juestion in the last hour, and
nobody had believed him yet.
@Ay a giant amphibian.C
@Dino$rogFC Dill chimed in.
@/m>hmm,C the doctor said as he scraped some gun# o$$ o$ Peter=s hair and put it in a test
tube, then labeled it with a stic#er.
Ranger -ric and Deputy Men#ins came in the room shortly therea$ter.
@9hat=s the word, docBC Men#ins said.
@,ome minor cuts. ) cleaned them up with iodine, they=re good to go.C
@9hat about theHC -ric said, and gestured to his hair.
@) too# some swabs. 9e=ll run them through the lab, but you=d be better o$$ sending the boy=s
clothes and those tissue samples to Charterton Iniversity=s science department. "hey=re better
eJuipped $or something li#e this than we are.C
@Dou actually thin# he got ate upBC Men#ins growled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
@) didn=t say that,C the doctor protested, and loo#ed bac# at Peter and Dill. @/aybe we should
re$er them to psychiatrics $or an evaluation.C
@Dou #eep those guys with the butter$ly nets away $rom me. &re we banged up enough to stay
home $rom school tomorrowBC Dill inJuired.
@!o, you=re $ine.C
@9ell, crap,C Dill muttered. @Dou got eaten $or nothing, Pete.C
:nce the doctor le$t, -ric loo#ed around the room.
@Ih, where=s your mom, PeterBC he as#ed hope$ully.
@Aac# at the house, bliss$ully unaware o$ this $oolishness. Dou can deal with me,C 8rand$ather
said.
@:#ayHwhat about Dill=s parentsBC
Deputy Men#ins stared down at Dill. @9e called Kem, but $rom what ) #now about Aodins#i=s
$ol#s, they=d probably (ust assume we loc# him up as pay $or the gas to come get him. )sn=t that
right, Aodins#iBC
@9here=s my lawyer, copBC Dill shot bac#.
Men#ins bared his teeth. @Dou little snot>nosed G C
@Dill, you=re in an aw$ul lot o$ trouble,C -ric butted in. @)t would loo# better i$ you
cooperated.C
@&nd what trouble is that, e?actlyBC 8rand$ather as#ed.
@9ell, $irst o$$, their involvement in the disappearance o$ those two boys.C
@0ow are theyBC
@"hey=re awa#e and doing $ine. "he doctors said they were under the in$luence o$ some #ind
o$ depressant or sedative, but they were able to bring them out o$ it with stimulants.C
@&nd what did the two boys say about what happenedBC
-ric shi$ted $rom $oot to $oot. @Ih, Rory doesn=t remember anything. 8reg says he doesn=t
remember much, but he #eeps mumbling about aHC
@& whatBC 8rand$ather pressed.
@& giant $rog,C -ric said Juietly.
@Dino$rogFC Dill yipped.
@9ell, until you have a more credible alternative, it would seem that the boys will have to be
ta#en at their word,C 8rand$ather said.
Men#ins pointed out into the hallway. @"hat #id=s brain has been twisted by these two pun#s
here. ) don=t care what you say, old man, these two (uvenile delinJuents did something to those
#ids, and )=m gonna $ind out what.C
@&nd how do you e?plain the cave $ull o$ bonesBC 8rand$ather as#ed.
@) got no idea how they did it, but G C
@&re you suggesting two ten>year>old boys dug an underground cave, gathered hundreds o$
bones G some human, $rom what ) understand G and placed them thereBC
@0ow do you #now so much about thisBC Men#ins sneered suspiciously.
@Dour $ellow deputies are a tal#ative bunch.C
@Dour little grandson here might=ve been mi?ed up in some sort o$ ,atanic cult with all those
bones. 9hat do you say to thatBC
@) say we conduct a lie detector test.C
Men#ins loo#ed surprised. @"hat=s not admissible in court, and you #now it.C
@Aut it would clear things up. 9hile we=re at it, why don=t you dredge the la#eB )$ there really
is some giant reptile=s carcass down there, why don=t we settle this once and $or allBC
Men#ins hu$$ed and pu$$ed. @)=m not about to as# ta?payers to spend thousands o$ dollars to go
running a$ter your boy=s lies.C
8rand$ather smiled menacingly. @)=ll pay $or it, Men#ins. )=ll even hire a private crew to do it.C
Men#ins smir#ed, then shoo# his head. @"hat la#e is a crime scene, old man. !obody but
nobody is doing anything until ) say so.C
-ric spo#e up. @) thin# that should be ,heri$$ 8underson=s call.C
@0e=s out o$ town, so shut up, 0artwell, and stay out o$ this.C
-ric=s $ace $lushed in anger.
@9ho=s going to inspect the caveBC 8rand$ather as#ed.
@9e called the university. "hey=re going to send down some biologists to ta#e a loo#,C -ric
muttered.
@) would suggest the archeology department, too. /y guess is that some o$ those bones are
well over a hundred years old. 9hich would seem to rule out these two boys,C 8rand$ather
snarled at Men#ins. @,o what other trumped>up charges are you going to try to pin on themBC
@"hat=s my lawyer,C Dill said, and pointed up at 8rand$ather.
@Quiet,C he snapped.
@:#ay, o#ay,C Dill whispered.
@9ell, there=s the matter o$ them brea#ing into the ranger station buildings and stealing the
ra$t and scuba supplies and wal#ie>tal#ies,C -ric said.
@"hat=s trespassing, brea#ing and entering, and grand the$t right there,C Men#ins grinned.
@"hat=s enough to put them in (uvie till they=re 15 $or sure.C
@9e did that to save Rory and 8regFC Peter argued.
@:r maybe to cover up whatever you did to them.C
@Dou thin# you could prove that in a court o$ lawBC 8rand$ather as#ed.
@Dou bet your bottom dollar, ) could,C Men#ins sneered.
@) doubt it. !ot until you can provide an eyewitness who remembers something other than
giant $rogs.C
8rand$ather and Men#ins stared each other down until -ric interrupted. @9e=re tal#ing close to
a thousand dollars worth o$ damages, /r. <lannagan.C
@9ell, ) suggest a compromise. "he boys should pay bac# what they owe.C
Peter loo#ed up at 8rand$ather. @9haaaaatBC
@0ey, what #ind o$ a lawyer are youBC Dill shouted.
@)=m sure we can wor# out a suitable schedule o$ community service. "hat way, the boys can
repay their debt to the rangers, and it won=t have to go on their permanent records.C
@Dou can=t do thatFC Men#ins sputtered. @)=m ta#ing this to courtFC
@"hen )=ll $ight it with every penny )=ve got.C 8rand$ather smiled grimly. @&nd as you #now,
Men#ins, )=ve got Juite a $ew pennies. ) can see the headlines now. K,heri$$=s Department
Prosecutes "wo Local Aoys :ver 8iant <rog Case.= )t might (ust ma#e the national newspapers.C
@"hat=s my lawyer,C Dill grinned, until 8rand$ather=s heavy hand clamped down on his
shoulder.
@Dou do whatever you want, old man, but those two hoodlums right there are going to see
their day in court.C
@!ot i$ the ranger=s department doesn=t press charges,C -ric said.
Men#ins loo#ed over in surprise. @9hatBC
@&nd ) don=t thin# we will,C -ric continued. @&s senior ranger at the par#, the state $orestry
department will as# me my opinion G and it=s my opinion we shouldn=t press charges. Provided
we can wor# out some sort o$ a compromise, /r. <lannagan.C
@ 0artwell G C
@,hut up, Men#ins,C -ric shot bac#.
"he deputy loo#ed li#e he was going to tear someone in hal$. @Dou=ll be sorry you crossed me,
boy.C 0e loo#ed bac# at 8rand$ather, Dill, and Peter. @Dou=ll &LL be sorry,C he swore as he
stomped out o$ the room.
@) apologi'e about that,C -ric said to Dill and Peter. @"he rest o$ the sheri$$=s department is
really great, but Men#insHhe=s got a bit o$ a chip on his shoulder.C
@/ore li#e a redwood,C 8rand$ather muttered.
@)=ll call you with the details about the community service, /r. <lannagan, and we=ll hash
something out, o#ayBC
-ric stuc# his hand out towards 8rand$ather, and they shoo# on it.
@"a#e care, guys. ) don=t #now i$ ) believe all that stu$$ about monsters, butH) thin# you
probably did something pretty brave out there today.C -ric=s eyes twin#led. @&nd say hello to
your mom $or me, o#ay PeteBC
!'
A$ter the ranger had le$t, 8rand$ather ushered them out o$ the hospital and over to his battered
truc# in the par#ing lot.
@Do you thin# they=ll do anything about the monster=s bodyBC Peter as#ed.
@!o.C
@9hy notB )t=s li#e #nowing where the Loch !ess monster is and not doing anything about
itFC
@Deah, we could be $amousFC Dill shouted.
@Ay the time Men#ins $rees up the crime scene G which will probably be months $rom now G
$ish will have pic#ed those bones clean. &nd with the currents $rom the springs, the parts could
wind up scattered all over the la#e.C
@/aybe it=ll $loat bac# up or wash to shoreFC Peter protested. @/aybe.C
@9hy don=t you hire a boat li#e you said and pay people to go $ind itBC
8rand$ather snorted. @) don=t want to give Men#ins a reason to throw me in (ail.C
@Aut you could be $amousFC Dill begged.
@&ll the more reason not to do it.C
@9hy do you thin# 8reg isn=t saying what really happenedBC Peter as#ed.
@0e may not remember. "he brain is a peculiar thingHsometimes when we go through
something horrible, the mind only remembers what it thin#s we can handle.C
@"hen what are they going to sayBC Peter as#ed. @)$ they don=t believe us, and there=s nobody
to tell them the truth, what are they going to tell everybodyBC
@Didn=t you learn anything last time with those vampires, boyB Theyll make something up.C
Peter sighed in despair. -ven when he told the truth, people didn=t believe him.
"hey had reached the truc#. 8rand$ather unloc#ed the driver=s side door.
@Dou believe me, right, 8rand$atherBC
"he old man peered down at Peter. @"hat thing really ate you alive, hmBC
@Des.C
@&nd you blew it up $rom the inside, ehBC
@Ih>huh.C
@Dou smell li#e it.C 8rand$ather (er#ed his head towards the truc# bed. @Ride in the bac#.C
@Dou=re #idding, rightBC Peter as#ed in ama'ement.
@) don=t want my truc# smelling li#e $rog guts,C 8rand$ather said as he climbed into the cab.
@0a ha ha ha ha haFC Dill laughed, and pointed at Peter. Aut when he tried the passenger door,
it was loc#ed.
@Dou, too,C 8rand$ather snarled at Dill through the closed window.
@9hatBF 0e smells badFC
8rand$ather shrugged. @,uit yoursel$. )t=s about a $ive mile wal# bac# to the house. :r you
can as# Deputy Men#ins $or a ride in his cruiser, i$ you li#e. )=m sure he=d love to see you again.C
Dill grumbled as he got into the bac# beside Peter. @) don=t care ho" much lawyering you did
today, you old coot, ) ain=t payin= you $or any o$ it, ma#in= me ride in the bac# o$ the truc#HC
@Dou like riding in the bac# o$ the truc#,C Peter pointed out.
@!ot with somebody covered in $rog guts.C
@,o you don=t want to #now what it was li#eBC Peter as#ed. @)nside the stomachBC
Dill reconsidered. @9ellHwas it coolBC
@)t was 8R:,,.C
&ll the way home, Peter told Dill about the horrors o$ being eaten alive. :ut here in the
sunshine, it seemed li#e a $ading nightmare, and tal#ing about it made it better. &lmost $unny, in
a way.
&ctually, being bac# there in the truc# bed with the wind in his hair made a lot o$ things
better. 0e didn=t care that nobody e?cept 8rand$ather believed them. 0e didn=t care how long he
was going to have to do community service. &nd he didn=t care that he now had an enemy in the
sheri$$=s department.
9ell, Peter did care a little about that. Aut he could deal with it, because 8reg and Rory were
bac# in the hospital, awa#e and sa$e and alive.
0e had #ept his promise.
An0 no12 an e34er5t 6rom t7e ne3t no8el in t7e series9
PETER AND THE *ERE*/.VES
(Volume )
1
It was a ,aturday a$ternoon, and Peter was cleaning plants.
Peter and Dill were at Dus#erville=s only indoor mall, wearing orange plastic vests over their
clothes and wiping the dust o$$ o$ leaves. &s part o$ their punishment $or
wrec#ing a state par# rangers= station, they had to wor# $or the rangers until they paid o$$ a
bro#en loc#, smashed window, and a stolen ra$t and scuba tan#. &nd at less than minimum wage,
it was going to ta#e about a hundred and $i$ty years.
:$ course, nobody cared that they had done all o$ that to save two schoolmates $rom certain
death, because nobody believed their story about the giant swamp monster in the town la#e.
"his was Peter=s $irst e?perience with telling adults about the strange events that had started
when he moved to Dus#erville two months ago. "he wee# he moved in, he had to $ight thirteen
dead men who lived in the woods outside his grand$ather=s crumbling mansion. "wo wee#s a$ter
that he had to deal with a girl who died and came bac# as a vampire. "hen there was the $airie
changeling that had swapped places with his two>and>a>hal$>year>old sister Aeth. &nd the
swamp monster a$ter that.
&ll in all, it had been a busy eight wee#s.
!o adults other than 8rand$ather #new about his strange adventures, not even Peter=s mom.
8rand$ather #new because he had been dealing with the same problems all his li$e. )n $act,
Peter=s whole $amily had been dealing with horrible supernatural disasters $or at least 200 years.
Peter still didn=t #now whyE he had $ound mention o$ a centuries>old curse among 8rand$ather=s
private papers, but the old man wouldn=t tal# about it. )n $act, 8rand$ather wouldn=t tal# about
much o$ anything unless a monster was beating down the door and trying to #ill them. /ost o$
the time he (ust #ept to his study and read his thousands and thousands o$ ancient boo#s.
)n Peter=s opinion, the old man=s reaction was $ar better than the one he got $rom everybody
else. 9hen the swamp monster=s remains disappeared and the victims developed amnesia, Peter
and Dill had been doubted by the adults, threatened by a sheri$$=s deputy, and sentenced to
community service.
&t the moment, they were dusting trees in the sitting area outside a couple o$ clothing stores.
9ell, 9eter wasE Dill (ust ga'ed (ealously at what was ta#ing place a hundred $eet away.
"he area around the 9ay /o= "oys store was roped o$$, and wor#ers at the shop were
demonstrating the newest toy ,I7 to a crowd o$ #ids. )t was one o$ those miniature plastic cars
with an electric engine, the #ind $ive>year>olds played with in the driveways o$ their homes.
Peter had never had one, and had always associated them with rich #ids.
"his particular ,I7 had a lot o$ pep. )t could go really $ast, bra#e on a dime, and turn in tight
circles. )t was the #ind o$ thing that parents hated because it was dangerous, and #ids loved $or
the e?act same reason.
@) gotta get me one o$ those,C Dill sighed longingly.
Peter sprayed another plant and wiped it down. @<irst you gotta help me clean.C
Dill grumbled as he went bac# to wor#. @)$ this is the way they treat heroes, man, )=m turnin=
into a supervillain. )=ll bet the Mo#er or Le? Luthor tried to save somebody $rom a giant $rog, too,
and that=s what turned them bad.C
@ImH) #ind o$ doubt it.C
@<ine, then )=ll be the $irst bad guy who gets P.:.=d about having to clean plants cu' he saved
somebody.C
@Less tal#ing and more cleaning,C an adult voice said behind them.
-ric 0artwell was the head o$ the par# rangers. 0e was really old G 25 or 26 G but cool. 0e
had re$used to press charges against Peter and Dill, which meant they wouldn=t go to (uvenile
detention. Aut he was also ma#ing them clean plants, so he wasn=t that cool.
@9hy do we ha$ta do thisBC Dill complained.
@9estland /all sponsors the Par# Rangers. &s part o$ that deal, we maintain all the indoor
$oliage they=ve planted in the common areas. ,o every other wee#end we clean and water the
plants $or them.C
@:r get your slaves to do it,C Dill muttered.
"he mall was really Juite nice. there were sitting areas between a lot o$ the shops, with bric#
islands where trees and bushes grew. <or such a little town, Dus#erville had a pretty big
shopping center. )$ a person stood at one end o$ the mall, the other end was too $ar away to see.
&nd there were two $loors, all o$ them $ull o$ sitting areas and bric# islands.
"hat was a lot o$ plants to clean. Peter, Dill, and si? other rangers had been wor#ing since
10&/. &s it approached $ive, they were $inally getting close to $inishing.
@9hy don=t you use $a#e plants insteadBC Dill demanded.
@Live plants loo# better,C -ric said.
@Deah, but $a#e ones don=t die,C Dill pointed out as he pic#ed up a hand$ul o$ dead leaves and
put them in the canvas bag draped over his side.
@9e=d still have to dust them.C
@Aut we wouldn=t have to "ater them.C
-ric was clearly getting e?asperated. @Dou #now whatB 9hy don=t we (ust rip out all the trees
in the $orest, and replace them with plastic onesB 0ow about that, would that ma#e you happyBC
@0ec# yeah, ) wouldn=t have to ra#e the lawn anymore in the $all. &nd you wouldn=t have
$orest $ires anymore G everything=d (ust melt instead o$ burn. &nd when trees $ell down, you=d
(ust stand them bac# up again.C Dill sighed wist$ully. @"he world would be a better place.C
@Dou=re wasting your time,C Peter warned -ric, but the ranger still plowed ahead.
@Dou wouldn=t have any more apples,C he argued.
@,oB Must drin# more grape soda.C
@"here wouldn=t be any more grapes to put in the soda.C
@"hey don=t put it in no",C Dill said, a scorn$ul loo# on his $ace. @)t=s all arty $ishy.C
@&rti$icial,C -ric corrected him.
@"hat=s what ) said.C
@Aut trees convert carbon dio?ide to o?ygen G i$ we didn=t have trees, we=d su$$ocate and
die.C
Dill put out one hand as though to ward o$$ -ric=s stupidity. @9hatever, witch doctor. )=m a
scientist man, and ) #now i$ they can ma#e grape soda without any grapes, they can do whatever
the hec# you=re tal#ing about.C
@Dou seriously would rather have plastic trees everywhere than beauti$ul, green, natural oa#s
and pinesBC
@) wouldn=t have to 9&"-R them.C
@Dou wouldn=t have to water these, either, i$ you hadn=t bro#en the law,C said an angry voice
that made both Peter and Dill (ump.
Deputy Men#ins wal#ed up, mirrored aviator sunglasses on his nose and a scowl on his $ace.
0e wore a wide>brimmed hat and a leather bomber (ac#et over his tan ,heri$$=s Department
uni$orm.
"he last time Peter had seen him, Men#ins had been trying to get him and Dill thrown in (ail.
8rand$ather and -ric had been the only obstacles to stand in his way.
@Deputy Men#ins,C -ric greeted him coolly.
@"hese boys payin= their debt to societyBC
@"hey=re doing (ust $ine.C
Men#ins stared Peter down. @Dou boys got o$$ easy this time. 9atering daisies ain=t my idea o$
punishment. !e?t time you screw up, you aren=t gonna have namby pamby wet nurses around to
save your sorry hides.C Men#ins loo#ed over at -ric. @!o o$$ense, Ranger.C
-ric (ust gave him a tight, humorless smile.
@9hat=s a wet nurseBC Dill as#ed innocently.
@Aoy, you sassin= meBC Men#ins snarled.
Dill shran# bac# in $ear behind -ric=s legs.
@9hy don=t you move on, Deputy. )=ve got it $rom here,C -ric said.
@)=ll move on when )=m good and ready.C
-ric (ust $olded his arms and waited. Peter and Dill didn=t move an inch, out o$ the $ear o$
doing something wrong.
@&ren=t you going to ma#e them wor#BC Men#ins bar#ed.
-ric smiled. @,ure, a$ter our visitor leaves.C
Men#ins muttered something under his breath and started to wal# away. &s soon as Peter
rela?ed, though, Men#ins whipped bac# around and pointed at him.
@)=ll be watching you,C he said with a mirthless grin, then turned and stal#ed o$$. -ric muttered
something under his breath, too. Peter didn=t catch it, but apparently Dill did. 0is eyes got big.
@Did you (ust say G C
@Aac# to wor#,C -ric commanded.
@"hat was a )ad "ord.C
-ric snapped his $ingers. @) mean it, you two, get bac# to wor# or )=ll have Deputy Men#ins
order you around $or the rest o$ the day.C
Dill immediately bent over the nearest plant and started dusting. Peter (oined him, and -ric
le$t.
@9hat did he sayBC Peter as#ed.
@) don=t #now e?actly, but )=ve only heard it on 0A:, so you #now it=s gotta be bad,C Dill
whispered. @Dude, we gotta get outta here.C
@0ow are we gonna do thatBC
@:ne o$ us could slip and $all and bust our head open. ) thin# they=d let both o$ us go $or that.C
@) don=t want to bust my head open.C
@9hat=re you loo#in= at me $orB ) don=t either.C
Peter rolled his eyes. @9hat else have you gotBC
<or the ne?t ten minutes as they watered and dusted plants, Dill came up with one bad idea
a$ter another. )t helped the time go $aster.

They were $inally saved when Peter=s mom showed up. ,he was pushing a stroller even
though she was carrying Aeth in her arms. Aeth was li#e that. a$ter two minutes o$ riding in the
stroller, she wanted to be carried. &$ter two minutes o$ being carried, she wanted bac# in the
stroller again.
!ormally that made /om very cross. Aut right now she didn=t seem to mind, because she had
a big grin on her $ace as she wal#ed up.
@0i, guys. 0ow=s it goingBC
@0i guys, hi guys, hi guysFC Aeth screeched.
@0ow does it loo# li#e it=s goingBC Dill sul#ed. @)=m cleaning plants.C
@)=m sure you=re an e?pert at it by now. Don=t let me stop you.C
-ric suddenly appeared out o$ nowhere. @/elissaFC
@:h, -ric G ) didn=t #now you would be hereFC
Peter $rowned. @Aut /om, ) told you -ric was going to be here all day G C
@,o how=s it going supervising the outlawsBC /om interrupted, and stepped in $ront o$ Peter
to bloc# him out.
9henever his mom got around -ric, it made him $eel #ind o$ weird. 0e didn=t #now why, but
he wasn=t sure he li#ed the way she loo#ed at him, or the way he loo#ed bac# at her. -ach o$
them was $ine by themselves, but put them together and it got a little too gooshy.
Dill must have $elt e?actly the same way, because he crossed his eyes, puc#ered his lips li#e a
gold$ish, and made silent #issing noises. Peter put his hand to his mouth to sti$le his laughter.
Luc#ily, nobody else noticed Dill=s little show.
@:h, you #now, had to crac# the whip a $ew times,C -ric grinned. @9hat=s new with youBC
/om laughed. ,he sounded a little too happy. @9ell, remember ) told you ) got that (ob as a
legal secretary at Charterton IniversityBC
"hey proceeded to chat about how /om had started wor# on 9ednesday and was really
en(oying it, but didn=t have a thing to wear, that=s why she was here shopping, and blah blah
blah.
/eanwhile, Dill had turned around, put his hands around his sides, and started moving them
up and down. <rom Peter=s viewpoint it loo#ed li#e Dill was #issing somebody who was running
their $ingers up and down his bac#.
Peter snorted. In$ortunately, that drew Aeth=s attention. ,he loo#ed over /om=s shoulder at
the lovey>dovey show Dill was putting on G and (ust as he started wiggling his butt, too.
@/::::/F Diwl=s ma#in= #issy #issy $un o$ youFC Aeth hollered.
Dill $ro'e with his butt po#ed out midair, and loo#ed over his shoulder.
/om whipped around, her $ace redder than Peter had ever seen be$ore. &t $irst he thought it
was anger G and then he reali'ed she was blushing.
@IhHwhy don=t you guys go ta#e a brea#BC -ric suggested Juic#ly. @Dou=ve been wor#ing a
long time, go sit on that bench over there. 9&&&&D over there.C
/om, still Cherry Nool>&id red, glared at Dill and Peter as they trudged o$$. Dill snarled at
Aeth, who was the only one with a smile on her $ace.
!
As they slumped down on the bench about thirty $eet away, Peter pointed out, @&t least we=re
not dusting plants anymore.C
@0ey, you=re rightF Dour bratty sister actually helped us outFC
@Don=t call her a brat.C
@Aut she is.C
@Deah, but only I can call her a brat.C
@/y brothers would never say that about me. "hey=d let anybody call me names.C
@Deah, well, your brothers are #ind o$ (er#s.C
@,ee, ) don=t mind you saying that at all. /ostly cu' it=s true. ,o ) should be able to call your
sister a brat, cu' that=s true, too. /&! is that true.C
@DillHC Peter warned.
@9hatever. Let=s $igure out how to get out o$ the rest o$ wor#, too.C
&s Dill rattled o$$ another series o$ bad ideas, Peter=s eyes wandered over the nearby shops.
"he toy store people had ended the demonstration and ta#en the ,I7 bac# inside, so there was
nothing to see there.
& coo#ing store had a bunch o$ wic#ed #nives on display in the window. "hey loo#ed li#e the
ones on "7 that could cut through a soda can. 0e imagined a bunch o$ nin(as brea#ing in and
stealing a set, then throwing them and pinning each other to trees. :r maybe they could (ust buy
the #nives. &lthough he doubted i$ nin(as wal#ed into stores and bought #nivesE it (ust didn=t
seem right.
"hen Peter=s eyes dri$ted to the women=s clothing store ne?t door and he shuddered.
"here was a manneJuin in the window.
0er s#in was bone white. Li$eless blue eyes stared out $rom her $ace. ,he had blood>red lips
and eyebrows thin as a ra'or blade. 0er dar# brown hair cascaded in curls down her bac#, and a
blue evening gown hugged her body while baring her ivory shoulders and nec#.
,he was pretty, $or a manneJuin. Aut Peter hated manneJuins.
"hey had always creeped him out. 0e remembered the $irst manneJuins he ever saw as a little
#id, and how he=d been convinced they were $ollowing him through /acy=s.
&t least the woman in the window loo#ed human. )t was the $rea#y ones that really got to him.
headless. &rmless. 0eads only. !o upper body, (ust the legs and the waist.
"here was some commercial he=d seen years ago that $eatured a pair o$ blue (eans wal#ing
around without anybody in them. "hat gave him nightmares $or awhile, the thought o$ empty
pairs o$ (eans creeping up and down the dar# sidewal#s outside his house. &nd there were always
a couple o$ those dummies in any department store G legs in (eans or sweatpants, but nothing
above the waist.
People didn=t get born li#e that. "hey died i$ they did G no heart, no brain, no $ace. )t was
way too $rea#y.
9hich is what made the woman in the blue evening gown more com$orting than the usual
manneJuin. -ven though she was plastic, all the parts were there. 0er hands and arms had (oints,
so they bent at di$$erent angles. 0er nec# could move, too, and her head was slightly coc#ed to
one side. :ne arm was positioned in a K7=, and a blac# beaded purse hung $rom her elbow. ,he
was a $ancy woman on her way to a plastic limousine, which would ta#e her to a restaurant with
plastic $ood, where a hundred other manneJuins would sti$$ly dance all night in each others=
in$le?ible arms.
"hat image started to creep him out again.
,he loo#ed elegant and beauti$ul, even though her s#in was ghostly and her eyes were cold
and dead. Peter $ollowed her ga'e and tried to $ind the e?act spot where she was loo#ing. )t
seemed to be the glass doors to the par#ing lot, and he wondered i$ that was intentional or an
accident. 9as she tired o$ being stuc# here, never movingB Did she loo# all day at those doors so
she could watch the $reedom (ust outsideB :r had some store cler# (ust stuc# her up there and
arranged her any which wayB
Dill=s voice interrupted his daydream. @&re you listening to meBC
@9hatB Ih, yeah.C
@9hat=d ) sayBC
@IhhhhHan ama'ing idea $or getting us out o$ wor# $or the rest o$ the day.C
Dill per#ed up and beamed. @"hat last one "as pretty good, wasn=t itB ) G heyyyy, you=re
lying to meF 9hat=s so interesting that you can=t pay attention $or one single minuteBC
@Dou sound li#e /rs. Cashew.C
/rs. Cashew was their teacher at school. "heir very old, very sJuat, very un>$un teacher.
@"hat=s not cool, man.C Dill swung his eyes around the mall. @9hat=re you loo#ing atBC
@!othing.C
@Come on, what were you loo#ing atBC
Peter couldn=t admit to loo#ing at the manneJuin, because Dill would ma#e $un o$ him about
something stupid li#e wanting to buy a dress. 9orse, he couldn=t admit to being afraid o$
manneJuins, because then Dill would ma#e $un o$ him $or being a wimp in addition to wanting
to buy a dress.
@"he #nives in the window o$ the coo#ing store. ) was thin#ing o$ a bunch o$ nin(as brea#ing
in and throwing them everywhere.C
@"hose are pretty cool,C Dill admitted.
@"hey could probably cut through a co#e can.C
Dill turned to him in e?citement. @Dou saw that on "7, tooB 9ic#ed, huhBC
@Deah,C Peter agreed, relieved that he had escaped endless moc#ery with his Juic# thin#ing.
0e let his eyes dart bac# to the manneJuin, $or no real reason other than he was thin#ing o$ how
luc#y he was to have dodged a bullet G
0er head had moved.
,he wasn=t loo#ing out at the glass doors anymore.
,he was loo#ing right at Peter.
0is heart thudded against his ribcage so hard he thought it might brea# through.
Peter=s mom wal#ed over to the bench with Aeth in her arms and a big smile on her $ace.
@:#ay, guys, time to go.C
Dill slumped bac# onto his $eet. @/an, ) hate watering these dang plants.C
@9ell then, you owe me, because ) got you out o$ doing it $or the rest o$ the day.C
Dill=s (aw dropped in surprise. @9hatBFC
@/r. 0artwell said you=ve only got hal$ an hour le$t, so you can come with me G if you
promise to behave yoursel$.C
@&LR)80"FC Dill whooped, and (oined in with /om as she waved goodbye to -ric, who
waved bac# happily in return.
Peter didn=t notice any o$ that. 0e was still staring at the clothing store window and the
manneJuin in the blue dress. 0is #nees had gone wea#, and the palms o$ his hands $elt cold and
clammy. 0ad someone moved her head, and he (ust hadn=t seen themB :rHhad something else
happenedB
9hen Dill touched his shoulder, Peter (umped.
@Mee', calm down, Pete. Dou can get one $or Christmas.C
Peter had a sudden vision o$ coming down Christmas morning to $ind the manneJuin standing
beside the tree, staring at him.
@9hatBF 9hy would you say thatBFC
Dill $rowned. @Aecause they can cut through soda cans, dude. Quit wiggin= out and come on,
be$ore -ric changes his mind.C
@:hHhahahahahaFC Peter laughed $rantically. @Dou mean #nivesH#nives cut through soda
cansFC
Dill didn=t say anything. 0e (ust gave Peter a strange loo# as he wal#ed o$$ a$ter Aeth and
/om. Ae$ore Peter $ollowed them, he glanced bac# at the manneJuin one last time.
,he was $acing the glass doors o$ the par#ing lot again, as though she had never moved in the
$irst place.
"
)This stin#s,C Dill grumbled as he wal#ed down the aisles o$ women=s clothing in the
Aroo#lines Department store.
"hey were wal#ing among the business suits and blouses. /om was pushing Aeth=s stroller as
she chec#ed the rac#s, trying to $ind something she li#ed. @) can ta#e you bac# to clean more
plants i$ you want,C she o$$ered.
@9hy can=t we go hang out in the toy storeBC
@Aecause ) don=t trust you,C /om said as she held up a pin# blouse over her body and loo#ed
in the mirror.
@9e don= twus= you,C Aeth sneered $rom her stroller.
Dill glared at Peter. @0elp me out, dudeFC
@0uhBC
Peter wasn=t paying attention. 0e was trying to #eep his eyes on every manneJuin in the store
at once. )t was Juite di$$icult, seeing how there was a new one around every corner. 0eadless
onesHarmless onesHones with $acesHones withoutH
@Dou=re worthless in a $ight, man,C Dill said in disgust.
Aeth #ic#ed Dill $rom her stroller.
@:9F ,he #ic#ed meFC
@Don=t #ic# Dill, Aeth,C /om said absentmindedly.
)n retaliation, Dill pulled down the ad(ustable canopy on the stroller so that Aeth was plunged
into dar#ness.
@&&&&&&&&&00000FC Aeth screamed.
@Dou twoF "wenty $eet awayFC /om said angrily as she li$ted up the stroller top.
@) didn=t do anythingFC Peter protested.
@,he #ic#ed meFC Dill whined.
@"wenty $eetF !owFC
Dill stuc# his tongue out at Aeth as he and Peter trudged o$$ into the women=s (eans section.
@/an, your mom is so un$air. ,he=s always ta#ing your bratty sister=s side.C Dill pee#ed
sideways at Peter, who was loo#ing distractedly all around the store. @Cu' she=s such a brat,
she=s the biggest brat, the brattiest big>bratty G yo, P-"-RFC
Peter swung his head around. @0uhBC
@9hat is with youBFC
Peter glanced nervously around the store. @)$ ) tell you something, will you promise not to
ma#e $un o$ meBC
Dill sti$led a laugh. @:h yeah,C he said, in a tone o$ voice li#e :uuuure I "ill.
@9hen we were sitting down bac# in the mall, did you see the manneJuin in the dress shopBC
Dill clasped his hands and li$ted them to his chee#. @:hhhhh, does Pe>tah want a dwessB Does
he wanna loo# all pwetty $or the big danceBC
Dill began twirling around li#e Cinderella at the ball.
@Aoom>ba>ba Aoom>ba>ba G C he sang, imitating some #ind o$ pol#a music.
@Dude, ,-R):I,LD,C Peter snapped. @) thin# she loo#ed at me.C
@Cu' she #new you wanted her pwetty, pwetty dwessFC Dill snorted, and doubled over $rom
the laughter. @,he wanted to buy a "een People and loo# at all the d"eaaamy boys with youFC
@) thin# she might have been alive.C
Dill stopped laughing and loo#ed up.
@,ay whatBC
@) didn=t see anybody move her head when she loo#ed at me. &nd ) didn=t see anybody move
it bac#, either.C
@Dou=re #idding me, rightBC Dill said, his eyes narrowing.
Peter scanned the department store. @!o.C
@Dou=re telling me that the dummy moved her head hersel$.C
@Deah.C
@"hat=s stupid.C
Peter (ust #ept watch on the room.
@9hy do you #eep loo#ing around li#e thatB -ven i$ it "as true, she=s not here now.C Dill
stopped, then got a $rantic loo# on his $ace. @)s sheBC
Peter lowered his voice. @)=ve always hated manneJuins. -ver since ) was little, ) always $elt
li#eHsomething was "rong about them. ) can=t e?plain it. &ll ) #now is, ) saw one move bac#
there in the mall, and now we=re surrounded by a whole bunch more. )=m not ta#in= my eyes o$$
o$ them.C
&s Peter spo#e, Dill started loo#ing around the store.
"here were manneJuins everywhere.
9omen in dresses and sweaters.
/en in suits.
0eadless bodies in t>shirts.
Legless torsos wearing winter coats.
Aodiless sets o$ legs in blue (eans.
&nd heads. 0eads with no eyes, no noses, no mouths, wearing cold weather hats and baseball
caps.
Dill was $idgeting now. @9hy are you always $rea#ing me outBC he whined.
@)t=s not li#e )=m ma#ing it up,C Peter protested.
@Let=s get out o$ here, then.C Dill brightened. @Let=s go see a movieFC
"here was the Cineple? 3 hal$way down the mall. Peter had seen a couple o$ matinees there
with Dill since he had moved to Dus#erville, but never an evening show.
@&re you cra'yB /y mom=s not going to let us out o$ her sight.C
Dill loo#ed around the women=s section, and rubbed his lower lip. @Leave that to me.C
#
Melissa <lannagan had $ound two new suits and $our blouses, all o$ which were on sale $or
2V o$$. Aeth was Juietly occupying hersel$ in her stroller, which was a miracle unto itsel$. &ll
in all, /elissa $elt pretty happy. 9hen she stopped to wonder why, she reali'ed that she hadn=t
heard Dill Aodins#i=s voice in over $ive minutes.
9hen he suddenly piped up again, every muscle in her bac# automatically tensed.
@0ey, /rs. !ormal, can we go sit outside on a benchB )t=s pretty boring in here.C
,he didn=t bother to turn around. @!o, Dill.C
@:#ay. 0ey, how do you wear this thingBC
/elissa sighed and loo#ed over her shoulder. <irst she saw that $ive other women were all
standing nearby. ,ome were giggling behind their hands, others had a loo# o$ disdain on their
$aces.
"hen she saw Dill, who was wearing an oversi'ed bra on his head. :ne cup $it neatly li#e a
cap, while the other dangled onto his shoulder.
@) never saw anybody wear it li#e this, but ) can=t $igure out how you=d do it otherwise,C Dill
yelled across the aisles.
@Dill, ta#e that o$$ right now,C /elissa hissed. 0er eyes darted to the other women nearby,
who loo#ed at her li#e, <ant you ontrol your hildren*
@0e=s not mine, he=s my son=s $riend,C she e?plained to the nearest woman, who (ust turned up
her nose and wal#ed away.
@9hat about thisBC Dill called out, and held up some rather s#impy women=s underwear. @)t
loo#s li#e underroos to me, but ) ain=t never seen underroos li#e this be$ore.C
@Dill, put those D:9!FC /elissa seethed. ,he could $eel her $ace $lushing red.
@0ey, where do babies come $romBC Dill shouted.
P P P
@"old ya,C Dill whispered as he and Peter stood in line at the movie theater.
@Dou wore a )ra on your head,C Peter said, horri$ied. @&nd you touched girl=s under"ear.C
Dill wiped his hand on his (eans with an e?pression o$ disgust. @Don=t remind me. &nd don=t
ever say ) never did nothin= $or ya.C
"he entrance to the Cineple? was actually on the outside o$ the mall. !ight was beginning to
$all, and dar# clouds were moving rapidly in the distance.
/om stood beside them in line. Aeth was in her stroller, crying about not being able to go see
a movie, too.
@Dill, you=re sure your mother is coming to get you at nine o=cloc#BC
Dill nodded. @,he gets o$$ $rom the diner at nine and she=s gonna come pic# me up a$ter that.C
/om handed a ten dollar bill to Peter. @Ae good. &nd when you get out o$ the movie, tell
Dill=s mom you have to come right home, got itBC
Peter nodded. @!o problem.C
@Dou=re going to see the animated movie, rightBC
@Ih>huh.C
@:#ay. Dou sure you=ll be all rightBC
@/om, we=ll be $ineFC
0is mother smiled worriedly, then turned to go.
Dill coughed.
/om loo#ed bac# at him. @Aye, Dill.C "hen she started to push Aeth=s stroller.
Dill coughed louder.
/om loo#ed around again. @)s there something you want, DillBC
@Could you loan me $i$teen dollarsBC
@9hatBC /om as#ed in disbelie$.
@9ell, it ta#es nine buc#s to get in. ) thought me and Peter could get a popcorn and soda, too.C
/om=s $ace contorted in rage. @Dou said you were planning to go to this movie anywayFC
@) didn=t say ) had any money.C
@Dill Aodins#i, ) have had more than enough o$ you todayF Dou have been nothing but a pain
in my rear end, and you=re always as#ing $or money, and this is too much, it is ":: /IC0FC
@9hat i$ ) promise never to ma#e smoochy sounds around -ric anymoreBC
/om stared at Dill and gritted her teeth. "hen she reached $or her wallet.
$
)Am ) good or whatBC Dill mmphed through a mouth$ul o$ popcorn.
@Dou=re good,C Peter admitted.
"hey had wal#ed into the theater pretty early, so they had the best seats in the house. &s they
ate their popcorn and watched the slide show ads $or &rmy recruitment and &rlito=s ,andwich
,hop on 2
th
street, Dill turned to Peter.
@Do you really thin# the manneJuin movedBC
@Can we not tal# about thatBC Peter as#ed, irritated.
@0ey, )=m usually the one who says that.C
@!o, you say, K) don=t want to tal# about itF=C
@9ell, ) dont want to tal# about it,C Dill hu$$ed. @Dou=re sure you didn=t imagine itBC
@) didn=t imagine it.C
@Did any other dummies loo# at you in the department storeBC
@Must you.C
@0a ha,C Dill said without laughing.
"he Coming &ttractions started, and Peter spent the ne?t two hours trying to $orget the
manneJuin.
&t one point during the movie he almost had a heart attac#. )n the dar#ness at the side o$ the
theater aisle, a woman=s white $ace appeared in the shadows. 0er hair was dar#, and he could see
some #ind o$ blue clothing on her, too.
Peter was about to scream when a bright scene in the movie bathed the room in light, and he
could tell that she was a teenage usher in a blue vest. ,he scanned the $aces in the room, then
wal#ed out.
)t too# Peter a long while to get bac# into the story onscreen.
%
The movie let out at 5..
@"hat was #ind o$ dumb,C Dill said as they le$t the theater.
@) thought it was pretty $unny.C
@"he octopus was stupid. 0e wasn=t scary at all, and ) don=t thin# he woulda turned good li#e
that all o$ a sudden.C
&s they argued and wal#ed out o$ the Cineple?=s rear e?it into the mall, they $ound themselves
near the giant $ountain. & two>$oot>high marble wall enclosed a shimmering pool that stretched
twenty $eet across. & stone tower rose up out o$ the center and gushed water into the air. Aut the
best part was the money.
& metal plaJue invited everyone to pitch in and ma#e a wishE $our times a year the $ountain
would be cleaned out, with the proceeds going to the @/a#e & 9ishC $oundation $or terminally
ill #ids. &pparently a lot o$ people made wishes, because the $ountain $loor was a carpet o$
pennies, nic#els, dimes and Juarters. "here were even a $ew gold>colored dollar coins scattered
here and there.
Dill stood at the edge o$ the $ountain and ga'ed longingly at the bottom. @/an, i$ ) could (ust
get in there $or ten minutes, )=d be the happiest dude on the planet.C
@Deah,C Peter agreed. "he glittering treasure trove "as inviting. @Aut we=d be stealing money
$rom sic# #ids, and that=s not cool.C
@9hy do you have to always ruin my dreamsBC Dill as#ed in e?asperation. 0e loo#ed around
stealthilyE the last movie theater crowd had dispersed, and there was nobody else in the mall. &ll
around them, the shops were closed up $or the night. 8iant metal chain lin# gates had been
pulled down $rom the ceiling and e?tended all the way to the ground.
@Dou #now, ) could (ust G C
@!:,C Peter snapped.
Dill sighed, then wal#ed over to one o$ the metal gates. @Cool, )=ve never seen that be$ore.C
@Dou=ve never been at the mall when they all closed upBC Peter as#ed. 0e had seen it several
times bac# in Cali$ornia.
@!ope.C Dill grabbed the metal lin#s o$ the gate and pulled up on it.
<LA+6.
"he gate rolled up maybe si? inches o$$ the $loor, but was stopped by a hoo# and padloc#
chaining it to the ground.
@Cut that out, you=re gonna get us in trouble.C
Dill rolled his eyes. @!o )=m not, )=m (ust e?perimenting. Dou #now what your problem isBC
@!o, what,C Peter said, with absolutely no interest in the answer.
@Dou don=t e?periment enough. Dou=re always too worried about G C
@9here are we supposed to meet your momBC Peter bro#e in.
@:h. :h, yeah, ) guess ) should call her.C
@C&LL herBF ) thought she was going to meet us at nineFC
@Dou believed thatB P$$.C Dill waved his hand li#e give me a )reak. @) #new your mom was
gullible, butHC
@Dou L)-D to my momBFC
@) didn=t lie$ ) #ind o$ bent the truth.C
@0ow did you bend the truth, e?actlyBC
Dill shrugged. @:#ay, so ) lied.C
@,o no one=s coming to pic# us upBFC
@8ee', calm down. 9e=ll go call the diner now.C
"here was a metallic <LA+G behind them. Peter $linched, then twisted around to loo#.
,ome pimply teenage guy in a uni$orm was at the Cineple?=s e?it. 0e was standing on the
other side o$ a metal gate he=d (ust pulled down $rom the ceiling.
@9hy are you doing thatBC Peter as#ed $ear$ully.
@9e gotta loc# up the entrance to the mall,C the #id said as he padloc#ed the gate to the $loor.
@Aut there=s 6 o=cloc# moviesF 9here=s everybody going to come outBC
@:ut the $ront by the par#ing lot, duh. Dou better get out o$ here, they don=t want people in the
mall a$ter nine.C
@9e=ve got to call his mom,C Peter said. @Let us bac# in.C
@Ise your cell phone.C
@) don=t have a cell phone.C
"he #id $rowned in disbelie$. @9ho doesn=t have a ell phoneBC
@/eF Let us bac# inFC
@"oo late, ) already loc#ed it.C
@Let us use your cell phone, then,C Dill said.
@Deah, right.C "he #id pointed to the le$t. @"here=s some public payphones down there.C
&nd then he disappeared inside the glass doors o$ the movie theater, which snapped shut with
a loud CL)CN. Doors which, Peter noticed $or the $irst time, didn=t have any handles on the
outside. )t was li#e he was being loc#ed inside a prison.
Peter and Dill were the only ones le$t in the empty $irst $loor o$ the mall.
@8uess we better go call my mom,C Dill suggested.
&
They loo#ed $or $ive minutes be$ore they $ound a payphone near a public restroom. )t was out
o$ order.
@,tupid phone people,C Dill griped. 0e loo#ed over at Peter accusingly. @"hat guy might=ve
been a butthole, but he was right G why don=t you have a cell phoneBC
@9hy don=t youBFC
@Dou=re rich, )=m not.C
@/y grand$ather is rich, not me, and he won=t even buy a television. ) don=t thin# he=s going
to get me a cell phone.C
@,tupid phone people,C Dill repeated.
"hey set o$$ in search o$ a wor#ing telephone. &s they wal#ed through the mall they never saw
a soul. )t was eerie, being there by themselves in such a huge, empty place. 9ith no people
anywhere, Peter imagined he and Dill had stumbled on the ruins o$ some ancient civili'ation
whose inhabitants had mysteriously disappeared.
"hey $inally reached another couple o$ public telephones near a mall e?it. Dill pumped in a
$ew coins le$t over $rom the movie theater and dialed a number.
@)s that the diner where your mom wor#sBC
@!aw, she=d=ve le$t there by now. )=m calling home.C
-ven $rom a $ew $eet away, Peter could hear the busy signal.
@9hat in the worldB &re you the only people on earth without call waitingBC he grumbled.
@!o, we have it, but we have dial>up internet. ,omebody must be on.C
@9hat about your sistersB "hey=ve got to have cell phones, rightBC
@Charlene rac#ed up a two hundred dollar bill and got hers ta#en away. Cu' o$ that, my
parents won=t even let ,hayna have one.C
Peter hung his head in despair. @9hat are we going to doBC
@Let=s go outside. /aybe there=s somebody out there.C
"hey made their way to an e?it, but the doors were already loc#ed. Peter grabbed onto the
handle and shoo#, 0&RD, but it was no use. the deadbolts were in place.
@:h my gosh,C he whispered. @9e=re loc#ed in.C
Dill laughed. @CoolFC
Peter stared at him.
@9hatBC Dill protested. @)t=s cool, you kno" it=s cool. 9e got the whole place to oursel$ G
it=s li#e we o"n itFC
@) don=t #now about you, but )=m hungry, and )=m tired, and ) don=t want to sleep on a bench,
and ) really don=t want to have my mom grounding me because D:I lied and said your mom
was going to come pic# us upFC
@:h, yeahHthat=s not so cool.C
@KThats not so ool$=C Peter mimic#ed him in an angry little #id voice, then shouted, @)t is ,:
+%T coolFC
@Chill, Pete. "here=s gotta be somebody around, let=s go $ind Kem.C
"hey started (ogging through the mall, $ootsteps echoing in the empty halls.
"hey didn=t see anyone.
&$ter a $ew minutes they stopped to catch their breath. Peter noticed that they had almost
reached the place where /om had rescued them $rom the plant dusting.
&nd where he had seen the manneJuin in the blue dress.
Peter=s stomach #notted up even worse. 0e remembered loo#ing over at her and seeing that
she was $acing a di$$erent directionHthen loo#ing bac# moments later and seeing her head had
moved again G
& loud CL&!8 echoed in the distance, $ollowed by the rattling o$ a shop$ront gate.
)n his mind=s eye, he could see the gate slowly risingHto reveal her shoe on the $loor. & blac#
shoe on a dead, plastic $oot.
0e $elt his #nees go wea# with $ear.
@0G C Dill started to yell.
Peter didn=t let him get $urther than that. he wrapped his hand around Dill=s mouth and tac#led
him to the ground.
@/rrrrmmmmphFC
@,hut upFC Peter hissed.
Dill slopped his tongue over Peter=s palm. 9ithout thin#ing, Peter pulled his hand away in
disgust.
@-9F 8rossFC
@9hy G C Dill started.
@9hat i$ it=s the manneJuinBC Peter whispered.
@8imme a brea#,C Dill said sarcastically, but he was drowned out by a booming voice $ar
down the aisle o$ shops.
@"hose stupid, snot>nose pun#sH)=ll have their heads on a platter i$ it=s the last thing ) doFC
echoed through the empty hall.
Deputy Men#ins.
Peter loo#ed at Dill. Dill loo#ed bac# at Peter.
@)t=s even worseFC Dill said under his breath.
Peter didn=t #now i$ he agreed with that, but it was a close second.
"hey crept along the $loor li#e soldiers under $ire until they were hidden sa$ely behind a
thic#et o$ plants.
"hrough the leaves, Peter could see Deputy Men#ins swaggering out o$ a shoe store. & pretty
woman the same age as Peter=s mother $ollowed Men#ins out, then turned bac# to pull down the
gate.
@"hat twit o$ a ranger #eeps protecting them. "hey=re bad apples, and he=s too dumb to see it.
)t wouldn=t surprise me i$ they=re behind the vandalism, too.C
@)t=s been getting worse,C the woman said. @Desterday, Mennie /onroe told me the loc#s on
the bac# o$ her shop were all torn up. &nd $or some reason, the security cameras #eep $rit'ing at
night, li#e somebody=s messing with them, so we can never get any o$ it on video.C
@/aybe ) should stay behind and help that idiot security guard.C
@) thin# somebody=s $orgetting about our date,C the woman said.
@9ell, one day )=m gonna catch Kem red>handed, and when ) doHC
:LA98 Men#ins "happed his heavy $lashlight into the palm o$ his hand.
"he woman hoo#ed her arm through the deputy=s and cooed, @) $eel so sa$e and secure being
around law en$orcement.C
@Aest in the state,C Deputy Men#ins laughed. )t was not a pleasant sound.
"he two adults wal#ed down a side corridor towards an e?it. "heir voices grew $ainter. & door
opened and then closed, $ollowed by the :07+6 o$ a deadbolt sliding into placeHand then the
voices were gone.
Dill and Peter were totally alone in the mall.
'
)Try the ones at the end and wor# your way to the middle,C Peter ordered as he shoved the
bars on the e?it doors one by one.
!othing. :n every one, the deadbolt was loc#ed.
@!o go on mine,C Dill sighed.
"hey had tried every e?it door on the $irst $loor. -very single one was loc#ed.
@9e gotta try the theater,C Peter urged.
@Dude, you heard Men#ins G i$ he catches us in here, we=re toastFC
@/aybe they won=t call the cops i$ we e?plain.C
@Deah, right.C Dill shoo# his head. @Let=s try the phone again.C
P P P
"hey called Dill=s house but still got a busy signal.
@Can=t you D: somethingBC Peter $retted.
@Li#e what, wave my magic wandBC
@0ow long are they going to beBC
@Dude, i$ Charlene is )/=ing her $riends, there ain=t no tellin=.C
&$ter arguing $or several minutes, Dill agreed to try the movie theater.
,ince the metal gate was three $eet away $rom the theater doors, they couldn=t #noc# directly
G so they banged on the gate instead. "hey called and hollered, but no one ever came. &nd the
doors were blac#ed out, so there was no way someone could see them $rom inside.
Peter slumped to the ground and chec#ed his watch. )t was almost 10.00. @/y mom is going
to call your house soon, and she=s going to <R-&N when she $inds out )=m not there.C
@&s long as somebody=s on the internet, she can=t get through. Must li#e us.C
@Deah, but she can wal# over.C
@9hy don=t you call your mom and as# to sleep over at my placeBC
Peter hadn=t slept over at Dill=s house in the two months he=d been in Dus#erville. 9hen
as#ed by his mother why not, he had gone on at great lengths about the smell o$ wet dog in Dill=s
house *even though they didn=t o"n a dog+, not to mention that Dill had to share his bedroom
with his obno?ious brother 9oody. "here=s no way /om would buy it. :$ course, he didn=t
want to tell Dill that and hurt his $eelings.
@9e got a new phone with caller )D on it,C Peter lied. @,he=ll see it=s not coming $rom your
house.C
@:h.C
,uddenly, there was a gurgling sound. Peter loo#ed around in $ear.
Dill patted his stomach. @)=m hungry.C
@"hat was youBF )t sounded li#e a cat underwaterFC
@)=m really hungry.C
@9ell what do you want me to do about itBC
Dill loo#ed up towards the second story and bro#e into a smile. @Let=s go chec# out the $ood
court.C
@9hatBF !o, we=ve gotta #eep calling your houseFC
@)t might ta#e Kem another hour to get o$$ the phone. )=m hungry now.C
@!:. 9e have to #eep calling.C
Dill=s stomach gurgled again, but much louder this time. @<ine. Dou #eep calling. )=m going
up to the $ood court.C
Peter loo#ed around the mall. )t was still brightly lit, but he #ept imagining the manneJuin
slowly turning her headH
@<ive minutes, Dill,C he warned.
@"en minutes and we=ll come right bac#, ) promise.C
Peter scowled. @9hat are we going to eat, anywayB -verything=s loc#ed upFC
Dill ran to a nearby escalator that had been shut down $or the night.
@9e=ll seeFC he shouted as he started up the steps.
1(
All o$ the burger and Chinese places in the $ood court were not only loc#ed up, there wasn=t
even any $ood le$t in the display cases. "he employees had cleaned up $or the night without
leaving a trace.
@) told you,C Peter scolded.
@Loo#FC
Dill pointed to a cinnamon bun shop. Lo and behold, there were cinnamon buns still on
display behind the glass cases. Dill grabbed the metal security gate li#e a mon#ey at the 'oo and
drooled at the $ood on the other side.
@0ow are you going to get in thereBC Peter sco$$ed.
Dill li$ted up on the gate. "he padloc# stopped it $rom going $ar, but there was probably si? or
seven inches between the bottom o$ the gate and the ground.
@0old it up.C
@9hatBC
@)=m goin= in.C
Peter held the gate up, which wasn=t too hard to do G it must have been specially weighted so
that any shop#eeper could li$t it easily. /eanwhile, Dill got on his bac# and scooted along the
tile.
@Dou can=t $it in there,C Peter said.
@9atch me.C
0e bent his right shoe at an angle and slid it easily under the gate. "hen he put his entire right
leg under, which was easy, too. Aut when he got to his body, he had to suc# in his stomach and
e?hale all his breath.
@DillHC Peter cautioned.
@Li$t itFC Dill whee'ed.
)t too# a bit o$ scrunching, but Dill was able to $inally wedge his entire body underneath. "hen
he placed his head $lat against the $loor with one ear against the ground and slid himsel$ all the
way under. <or a second it loo#ed li#e his ear was going to catch and rip o$$, but it $inally $lipped
under the gate, too.
@0&FC Dill e?ulted as he got up o$$ the ground.
@"his is stealing,C Peter said gravely.
Dill hoisted himsel$ up onto the counter and clattered over behind the display case. @) got
money. )t=s not stealing i$ you leave money.C
@9e=ve got, li#e, a buc# $i$ty. Dou=ve gotta save some coins so we can ma#e a phone call, and
the cheapest thing on the menu is a dollar. Dou=re telling me you=re only going to have one mini
cinnamon bunBC
@)=ll leave an ):I.C
Peter watched through the glass as Dill opened the bac# o$ the display case.
@0ow=re you going to pay them bac#B &re you going to say, K:h, hey, there was this time )
bro#e into your shop, so here=s ten buc#sB=C
@)=ll throw the money behind the counter and run away.C ,uddenly Dill loo#ed up in
e?citement. @:R we could ta#e some money $rom the $ountain and leave it here, and then ) could
(ust pay the $ountain bac#FC
@Dou=re going to steal $rom sic# #ids so you can eat cinnamon bunsBC
@)t=s not stealing, it=s )orro"ing. Dou want anything, /r. ,unday ,chool PreacherBC
Peter=s stomach $elt a little hollow, but he couldn=t give in to Dill and ta#e any o$ the
cinnamon buns.
Hcould heB
@Must oneHor two,C he relented.
@DeahFC Dill passed several hand$uls o$ treats under the metal gate to Peter. &$ter Dill
sJuee'ed bac# to the other side, they sat on the ground eating the pastries in all their stic#y
goodness.
@"ell me this isn=t cool,C Dill said happily.
@)t=s pretty cool,C Peter con$essed. @)$ we weren=t going to totally get busted.C
Dill lic#ed sugar $rosting o$$ all o$ his $ingers. @Dou only live once.C
&t that e?act moment, the lights went out.
-?cept $or the moon $iltering in through the s#ylights and a $ew isolated spots o$ yellow
streaming out o$ shop windows, the mall was plunged into dar#ness.
@:h crap,C Dill whispered.
11
They literally had to $eel their way down the escalator to get bac# to the $irst $loor. Peter
wondered i$, once they reached the phones, there would even be enough light to see the #eypad
and dial the number.
@"his is so not cool,C Peter muttered as he traced his $ingers along the escalator=s rubber
handrails.
@)t=s not my $aultF Did ) shut the lights o$$B !:.C
@9e=ve got to get bac# to the phone and call your mom, nowFC
@9hat, am ) stopping youBC
"hey reached the $irst $loor and wal#ed along the shop$ronts, letting the glow $rom the glass
windows light their way.
@/y mom is going to #ill me,C Peter moaned.
@Quit complaining and let=s (ust get bac# to the phone,C Dill snapped.
@Fine.C
@<)!-.C
,omewhere deep in the mall, a metal gate groaned and rattled open. "he sound echoed over
and over again in the vast dar#ness.
Peter and Dill both paused to listen.
"he echoes died away. :nly silence remained.
@Hdid you hear thatBC Peter as#ed $ear$ully.
@Deah,C Dill murmured. @Do you thin# we oughta go $ind itBC
)mages o$ a $riendly security guard $lashed through Peter=s mind, only to be replaced by other
possibilities. Deputy Men#ins. 7ampires. ,wamp /onsters.
%r something else.
9hat the Ksomething else= could be, he didn=t e?actly #now, but he wasn=t eager to $ind out.
@) thin# we should #eep going and ma#e the phone call,C Peter whispered.
@:#ay,C Dill agreed Juic#ly.
"hey #ept to the glow o$ the shop windows, but sped up a little $aster than be$ore. &s he
wal#ed, Peter tried to #eep his mind o$$ o$ where that sound had come $rom G but $ailed.
Was it from one of the large department stores*
%r'some"here else*
Peter stopped.
:$$ to his right, he could have sworn he heard bushes moving. 0e loo#ed over at the island o$
landscaping in the center o$ the dar# $irst $loor, but couldn=t see anything.
@Dill,C he whispered.
Dill paused and turned around. 9ithout the sound o$ $ootsteps, the Juiet "hshh and scrape o$
branches was a tiny bit more noticeable G
&nd then the sounds stopped, as though the person ma#ing them reali'ed he had been $ound
out.
@Did you hear thatBC Peter breathed.
@0ear whatBC Dill as#ed worriedly.
@)H) thought ) heard something in the bushes over thereHC
"hey stood there $or hal$ a minute, straining to hear anything else.
,ilence.
@&re you trying to $rea# me out even moreBC Dill as#ed through gritted teeth.
@!o, sorryH) guess ) imagined it.C
Despite that e?planation, Dill didn=t suggest chec#ing out the shrubbery.
Peter certainly wasn=t going to o$$er. @Let=s go,C he whispered.
"hey began $umbling through the shadows again G until he heard the sound o$ whispers $rom
somewhere up above.
@Dill,C Peter murmured.
"hey both stopped. Peter tried to hear over the pounding o$ his heart, but the whispers had
ceased, (ust li#e the noise in the bushes.
@What*C Dill whispered in both $ear and anger.
@Dou didn=t hear itB Ip on the second $loorBC
@This isnt funny$ man$C Dill hissed.
@) swear, )=m not trying to G C
@0ey,C Dill interrupted, pointing. @Loo# over thereFC
1
Peter loo#ed to the center o$ the mall. )n the glow o$ the moon through the s#ylights sat a
woman on a bench.
,he was tall, with long brown hair cascading down her nec#. ,he sat with her bac# to Dill and
Peter so they couldn=t see her $ace. "he bench was surrounded by a bric# island $ull o$ plants and
$erns, so it was hard to see much more than the bac# o$ her head.
Peter=s chest $looded with relie$. &t this point he didn=t care i$ she turned them in to the cops.
&s $ar as he was concerned, she was their tic#et out o$ there.
@/a=amBC he called.
-ven though he spo#e normally, his voice sounded li#e a shout in the silence.
"he woman didn=t move, not even a millimeter.
@Ih, ladyBC Peter said.
&gain, no reaction.
Relie$ slowly drained away, and $ear began to creep bac# in.
@Dou thin# she=s dea$BC Dill as#ed.
@) don=t #now.C
Peter crept out into the center o$ the mall $loor. Dill was right behind him, a hand on his
shoulder.
"he woman sat still and Juiet only $i$teen $eet away.
@Lady,C Peter whispered harshly.
"he woman #ept staring o$$ into the dar#ness.
Part o$ him $eared she would suddenly whip around, her eyes blac# li#e a shar#=s, her lips
drawn bac# over $angs. Aut even more than that, he was a$raid because he had no idea "hy she
"ouldnt ans"er.
@/issHBC
Peter circled around the $erns and the bench so that he could see everything about her G and
immediately his $ear became panic.
)t was the woman.
"he manneJuin.
"he one who had turned her head in the shop.
Peter gasped G but nothing happened.
,he sat there on the bench, staring out into space. Li$eless.
Dill e?haled in relie$.
@)t=s a dummyHdummy,C he said to Peter.
Peter stepped closer. ,he wore the same blue evening dress, had the same painted>on blue
eyes.
@)t=s the same one ) saw earlier,C Peter managed to say. 0e still #ept waiting $or her to move,
$or her head to slowly swivel aroundH
@9hatBC
@"he one ) told you about,C Peter e?plained, his voice Juivering. @"he manneJuin ) saw in the
shop, the one that turned her head.C
Aut she seemed harmless now. ,he only sat there, Juiet and serene in the dar#ness.
<inally he understood. this was all a (o#e. ,omebody was playing an elaborate pran# on them,
loc#ing them up in the mall, placing this dummy here to scare them. !one o$ it was real.
,omeone G -ric, maybeB Deputy Men#insB G #new e?actly how to scare him, and had done
everything in their power to ma#e him pee his pants.
Aut it wasn=t going to wor#. !ot today.
0e stepped closer to the dummy, close enough to touch her.
,he was actually very beauti$ul. 0er hair loo#ed almost real, and her $ace was $lawless. ,he
could have been a supermodel or a movie star i$ she were real.
Peter stared at her and wondered who would have been twisted enough to drag a dummy out
into the middle o$ the mall and put her here on the bench.
9ithout warning, her hand lashed out and grabbed his wrist.
0e was too surprised to scream. 0e tried to pull his arm away and $ound that he could not. 0er
grip was cold and hard, li#e carved ice against his s#in.
Aehind him, Dill gasped.
"he manneJuin=s head slowly rotated so that her unseeing eyes stared into Peter=s. <rom
somewhere inside her body came a voice. )t did not emerge $rom the mouthE instead, it seemed to
reverberate somewhere within her chest, hollow and empty. 0er lips never moved.
A#ou must leave.1
<inally Peter $ound his own voice. he screamed. Dill (oined in, twice as loud.
"he manneJuin=s hand let go o$ his wrist.
A#ou >7:T L!A-!$1 the voice repeated, as dry and inhuman as a drumbeat.
Peter pulled away and ran. Dill $ollowed close behind.
Read the rest in P-"-R &!D "0- 9-R-9:L7-,F