Demon Stoppers (Complete)

8/10/2019 Demon Stoppers (Complete)

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The Demon Stoppers: Chapter 1

Alan heard the sound of someone falling just above his head. He stopped what he wasdoing and calmly went upstairs. He went through the hallway and looked into the firstdoor he came upon. There was no one in his sisters room. There was no one in his own

room. He went to the master bedroom. He opened the door and crept in. It was dark. Allthe blinds were shut.As Alan continued on, he felt his foot step into something wet. He lifted his foot and

saw a dark liuid on his sole. !"uck,# was his response. There was a sweet, metallic odorin the air. Alan went to the corner of the room. He saw what looked like a log. Hiscuriosity beckoned him and he pulled open the blinds to better see. $hen the sunlightfilled the room, he nearly blacked out from shock.

There was his mom, lying dead on the floor. Her wrists were cut, slashed straightacross% though she appeared to still be alive. Alan, panic&stricken, picked up the phoneand called for an ambulance. Then, after, he wrapped white towels around his momswrists. 'ut when he took a closer look at her face, he saw that she was in fact not alive,

but was only having an involuntary spasm. (he was really dead.Alan, the poor boy, wanted to cry. 'ut he was too in shock to do anything. He wentunder bed and hid. He waited there )till the ambulance arrived, which was about twenty&five minutes later.

*hapter +

A week had passed since his moms suicide, but Alan was feeling worse than ever. A lotof kids at his school were ignoring him. A rumor went around that he was cursed andcaused people to kill themselves. His younger sister, however, seemed to be getting alongfine strangely-. one of the kids bothered her.

/uring recess Alan went to visit his sister, 0aney. 0aney, a tomboy, was playingcatch with her best&friend, (arah. (arah was a huge girl. At nearly si1 feet tall, she wasconsidered to be a giant in the playground. At twelve years old, she was a year older thanAlan, and two years older than (arah. (he waved !hello# to Alan when he stopped by.

!I need to talk to my sister,# said Alan. !2ust to see if shes doing okay.#!Im doing alright,# said 0aney. !Theres no need to check up on me.#(arah stood silently, as if keeping a watch out. Alan grabbed 0aneys ball and put it

in his pocket. !This is serious,# he said. !I think you have a psychological problem.#0aney scoffed, !$ho made you 3reud4#!I dont you,# said Alan. !(houldnt you be in mourning4 "ou know how depressed

Ive been4 I cant even eat pi55a anymore. And youre just all )la&la&la like nothingshappened. Are you some sort of emotionless being without emotions4 $here the hell areyour emotions4#

0aney took her ball back and threw it to (arah to hold. (he gave Alan a bit of ashove. !$hat do you want from me4# she said. !"ou really think I have no emotions4"ou think Im some sorta monster or what4 I know what happened. 6om tried todecapitate herself7 Im dealing with this as best as I can. Im just numb. 8kay. /o youknow what happens when you hit yourself with a hammer on the hand4 "ou get somepain, then you feel numb afterward. "ou cant feel your skin. Thats what Im going


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through. (top bothering me. 9o hang out with your own friends. Im trying to play ballhere.#

:ids began gathering around as 0aney and Alan argued. !Hey,# said one of them. !Ithink these two are brother and sister;#

0aney slapped her forehead. It was clear that she was pretending that she was not

related to Alan.Alan shouted, !"eah, of course were brother and sister. *ant you dummies see theresemblance4#

8ne of the kids got annoyed by this remark. He stepped forward with his sleevesrolled up


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The school bell of (t. :evin >lementary rung after those words.

*hapter @

It was fifteen minutes before the end of the school dayveryone was an1ious,

and most of them hadnt been paying attention to 6rs. ?anderhorns lecture. (he wasgoing on about $orld $ar + or geography or something other. Alan raised his hand.!>1cuse me, 6rs. ?anderhorn,# he said, !do you think I can leave early today4 Im notfeeling so well.# Alan, because of his moms death, had already gotten three days off. 'ut6rs. ?anderhorn felt sorry for him, and he knew this.

!As you wish,# 6rs. ?anderhorn said. !2ust stay safe.# Alan packed gathered histhings and left while everyone gave him a glare. 'ut he didnt care, he went to the coatrack outside and put on his jacket. He went down the hall and, after making a turn at thewashrooms, met with 0aney who was also getting sympathy from all the adults. 0aneyand Alan went outside. They walked along the sidewalk which was half crumbling away.

!$hat did you learn in class today4# asked Alan.

!I was going to learn about the meaning of life,# 0aney replied, !but you insisted Ileave school early.#!/ont give me that,# said Alan. !Its for a good reason, you know. "ou dont want

those dummies following us and taunting us, do you4#!Theyre only taunting us because7# 0aney tried to e1plain. !I dont know why;#!:ids can be cruel,# said Alan.!"es,# said 0aney.The two, after a few minutes of walking, got to the bus stop. The place they were

staying now wasnt close to the school, so they had to travel a bit more. They hatedtaking the bus, but there was no other choice, really. Anyway, they figured it wassomething they would have to do eventually. They certainly couldnt afford a car. How4'y getting a job in stink town4 8fficially known as !Ce1ville.#- o way;

The bus arrived. Alan handed 0aney the tokens and she dropped them both into thechange bo1. They went to the end at with their backs to the window. The bus rumbled asit went along the pothole filled roads. $hile 0aney did her homework, Alan was busylooking outside. He noted the homeless people and the pedestrians who kept close by thecurb to avoid them, even though it was sort of dangerous. He felt sorry for both parties,really.

The bus stopped as Alan was in thought. A slew of people entered, packing everyoneelse in like sardines. 6ost of the men standing sucked in their stomachs while in transit.Alan figured they didnt want to hit anyone with their guts. !I hope I dont look like thatwhen I get older,# Alan said to himself. He then nudged 0aney. !(top studying so hard,your brains gonna e1plode.#

0aney whacked him in the head with her book, !Im not going to grow up and haveto go to community college. Thats more your style.#

The bus came to a sudden halt. The people in front nearly fell over. !0ets go,# saidAlan. Then he and 0aney went outside. The stop was grungy, and the glass in the shelterwas broken. They stepped around the shards and continued on their way. A minute wentby and they were at their new place. It wasnt uite as uaint as their old home, but it was


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A long trek through the woods took the three to a pond. It was brown and mucky, and hadno fish. There werent even bugs swarming around. The sun was going down. Alan wasgetting worried. !$ell,# he said, !show us this creepy thing, (arah.#

(arah lowered down. The others followed her lead. (he pointed. !0ook,# she said.!/o you see it4 /ont tell me Im insane.#

0aney suinted, !I see trees7and thats about it. $hatever it is, well have to getcloser.#!o;# (arah e1claimed. !I dont want to get any closer. I feel safe here.#ow Alan was feeling brave. !9irls,# he said in a patroni5ing tone. Then he went

forward with 0aney following behind. (arah was lagging, but kept them in her site.A plume of smoke came at the trio. They all coughed together. After it was cleared, a

strange creature


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*hapter E

As cra5y as it was, Alan, 0aney, and (arah returned to the woods


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The night turned late, and the three were getting tired. They didnt finish theirhomework, but figured they could do it on (unday which was tomorrow. ow they justwanted to get to sleep. (o, all three changed into their jammies and gathered into thesame bed. They wouldve preferred sleeping in separate beds, but they were much tooscared. They stayed close to one another and left on the lights. 0aney was in the middle,

surrounded by her brother, and (arah.(ome time passed% however, none were getting drowsy. There was too muchadrenalin pumping through their veins. Alan tried to make conversation. 6aybe, hethought, this would help everyone fall asleep. !$ell,# he said, !did you hear about that oilspill4 Its terrible isnt it4 I sure bet something like this would never happen if we were ona hydrogen economy with more alternative energy sources in use. $hat do you guysthink about solar4 I think


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!"eah,# said 0aney. !This place is like a faraday cage. $ell have to use thelandlines.# (o, off 0aney and (arah went to the kitchen to use the regular phone. It wasan old&rotary deal that took !forever# to make a call.

Alan stood by the door. He grabbed an umbrella from the umbrella holder and held itlike a weapon. !8kay,# he said, !were calling the cops. If youre not gone in ten

seconds, youre going to be put into a patty wagon and tossed into a cell.#0aney returned with (arah. They e1plained that the phones werent working. !*heapDncle Trevor,# said 0aney. !He probably doesnt pay his bills.#

!/amn it,# said Alan. !$hat do we do now4#The voice outside chuckled, !That uncle of yours. (o, I guess you have no other

choice but to let me in now, huh4#!2D(T 0>T HI6 I;# said (arah. (arah grabbed a dusty old vase and positioned

herself by the doors. (he whispered, !Ill whack him over the head when he comes in.# Itwas a terrible plan, but neither 0aney nor Alan could offer anything else. They agreed tolet their guest bonk the stranger over the head.

(o, with 0aney behind him, Alan opened one of the double doors. It swung open

with a bang. >h4 There was no one there. !$here is he4# Alan asked himself.Then the stranger appeared. He came into the house. He was wearing a trench coatand carrying a cane, which he used to block (arahs attack. The vase shattered and thepieces fell to the floor.

!$hat a warm welcome,# said the stranger with a grin. !And how do you do4 6yname is Thompson.# His arm e1tended for hand shake, but nobody wanted to shake it.!$ell, never mind then,# said Thompson. He looked around. !Hmm, this is a nice placeyou have here. I think Im going to like staying here.#

!(tay here4# said 0aney. !Are you cuckoo4#!"es,# replied Thompson. !"ou heard my correctly. ow that youre uncles gone, I

will be your guardian. I have all the legal documents if you need to see them.#Alan demanded to see them% so, Thompson reached into the deep of his trench coat

and gladly handed over a roll of papers. 0aney and (arah gathered around to see thedocumentation. All three of them scanned each line carefully with their eyes. Theycouldnt believe what they were seeing. This man, Thompson, indeed did haveguardianship over them


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0aney pointed her finger right at Thompson. !This man is trying to kidnap us; Hesays hes going to stay in our house; "ou gotta do something about this; 0ock him awaybefore our faces appear on the back of milk cartons;#

Thompson was calm and cool. He shook hands with 3red and Ted and had a chat.The friendliness between them indicated that they all knew each other before hand. 3red

looked at the documents which Thompson had shown Alan. 'oth Ted and 3red agreed,!"up. This all checks out.# Then they left without saying anymore. Thompson wavedthem goodbye.

!$HAT;# e1claimed Alan. !Are you serious about this;4 "oure going to be ourguardian4; 6r. *reepy, old man is going to take care of us4; $hats this world comingto4#

!Im only EE years old,# said Thompson. !"ou only get creepy when you hit B.#(arah took a step back. !I dont want to be a1e&murdered,# she said. !Im heading

home.#!o, dont go,# pleaded 0aney. !$e need you;#'ut (arah was off. >ven though her house was some distance away, her long,

running legs made her disappear uite fast. ow it was only Alan and 0aney. Theydreaded what would happen ne1t, although they were beginning to calm. Thompsongenuinely seemed harmless. Actually, the smile behind his curly moustache wassomewhat endearing.

Thompson closed the door to stop the wind and rain from entering. He then took offhis coat and placed it on the coat racket. He was a trim, in shape man, wearing a stripedwaistcoat that accentuated his muscular chest. $ell, muscular for being over forty. Helooked at his watch. The time was nearly one in the morning.

!8ff to bed,# he declared. !As your new guardian I detest late mornings.# He gentlypushed Alan and 0aney up the stairs. !9o to your respective rooms, and I will wake youfor breakfast


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steel cut oatmeal, non&burnt toast, warm milk sweetened with honey, oranges slices,sunny&side up eggs, and animal- welfare approved bacon.

$ith a rumbling stomach Alan dug in. 0aney appeared less voracious, and took thetime to enjoy her meal. !(o,# said Thompson while taking a seat, !if I may, Id like togive myself a proper introduction7A little back story7# His voice slowed down from its

usual speedy tone. !"ou probably dont know about the relationship that your uncle and Ihad, but we were business partners. ?ery close business partners. $e started a companyand sold it. 'ut it made Trevor really paranoid. He was scared that someone was afterhim, so we made this strange legal agreement that Id assume all his assets andresponsibilities if he died. That way, he thought, nobody could get their dirty hands on hisfortune. He trusted me a lot for some unusual reason.#

This was interesting to Alan. !How much money4# he asked.Thompson smirked, !$hy dont you two try and guess4#!JBB, BBB4# said 0aney, guessing first.!Higher,# said Thompson.!+BB, BBB4#

!o.#!@BB, BBB4#!ope.#!A 6I00I8;#Thompson was having a good time. !'oy,# he said, !you kids really dont know

what A 08T is.#Alan took a swing at it so to speak-. !A hundred million4#This made Thompson blush. !"es,# he said. !"ouve got it right. And what do you

think of that4#!I dont care,# said Alan. !$AIT; /I/ "8D (A" )">(4;# He spit out his milk all

over 0aney. 0aney made an annoyed face and barked an e1pletive. Then she cleanedherself up.

!Hold your horses,# said Alan. !"ou7 "ou7# He became flustered thinking abouthow much a hundred million dollars was. $hen his mom was alive, he and 0aneypractically lived in poverty. After dad skipped out of town to go to ?egas start a new lifewith an e1otic dancer, they literally had to pinch every penny. And as you know, itsdamn tough being a single parent on minimum wage. They never went out anywhere.They never got anything new. And they had no allowance. Their food was minimal. Therewere no material pleasures.

Thompson put his arm around Alan after stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth.!"esh,# he said while chewing, !Im going to take you two out to the mall. $ell buysome things to get you comfy here. Hows about it4#

ow this had 0aney engaged. !And what can we get4# she asked. !ew clothes4 8h,I really, really want a new pair of shoes.#

!All that and more,# Thompson said. !$ell go shopping when the stores open.#

*hapter K


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It was about ten in the morning. 6ost places were open by now, and Allan and 0aneywere all too an1ious to go shopping. Thompson drove them around in a big, black*adillac, which very much matched his clothing.

The mall was coming up down the road.!There it is,# said 0aney. !Im so e1cited.#

'ut the e1citement did not last too long% Thompson went right past the mall. Alanwas stupefied, however, kept uiet. He figured theyd be going to another place that wassimilar. This, though, was a misjudgment. They went past every single mall, and even thepla5as.

!Alright,# said Alan. !$hat gives4 "ou said wed go shopping. Im dead tired fromwaking up at si1 in the morning, and darn it, I only have my eyes open now because youpromised us stuff.#

!$here are we going4# asked 0aney, now awfully suspicious.0ooking left, Alan turned the wheel of his car. He weaved in and out of traffic while

maintaining a bad speed which was a speed too fast-. !Cela1,# he said. !Im taking yousomewhere better than a mall.#

!$hat could be better than a mall4# asked 0aney.!*HIA T8$;# e1claimed Thompson. He gave a thumbs&up while looking in themirror. !Its a great place to find bargains.#

!There are no bargains for intendos,# said Alan.0aney whispered, !I think hes going to kill the both of us. (ee the way hes driving.

Hes in a rush to take us to the lake so he can drown us.#Thompson heard everything7but he wasnt annoyed at the remarks. He knew who

he wasveryone in there is a 5ombie. 8kay, there are 5ombies in *hina Town, but far fewer.#

0aney punched Alan in the arm.!8w,# he said, !what was that for4#!I dont know,# she said, !but Im sure this is your fault.#Half an hour or so went by. Thompson went into an underground parking lot and

parked the car. !$ere here,# he said. !*hina Town;# The only response he got from0aney and Alan was in a groan. $hen they stepped out of the car they plugged theirnoses.

!(mell like pee,# said Alan. !$hy does it smell like pee4#!Thats not pee,# said Thompson. !Thats sweet and sour sauce.#Alan groaned. He straggled behind while 0aney kept up with Thompson. The three

left the parking lot, and went outside where they were inundated with a plethora of moresmells


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Alan dragged his feet. His back slumped forward. !0ets hurry this up,# he said. !Ireally want to get home.#

!(tick close,# said Thompson. !$ere almost there.#0aney clapped, and the three went around a man carrying a big, silver pot, and

through a pair of sliding doors which opened automatically. *ool air from the air

conditioning system fell onto their shoulders, which was a relief in contrast to the warm,humid day. Alan breathed a sigh of relief and became less irritated.Thompson led the way and took the two up the escalator. !This is my favorite place,#

he e1plained. !"ou can always find the weirdest things here. Im friends with a man inthe west corner of this place. Thats where well head first. After that, you can go off anddo what you like. Ill give you more than enough money to shop.#

!9ive us the money now,# Alan demanded.0aney had the same thought, but didnt want to be rude.!Alright,# said Thompson. Then he slipped a few hundred dollars into Alan and

0aneys hands. They looked at it and nearly fell back at the same time. It was the mostmoney they had ever seen, and it took practically no effort to get.

!This is too much,# said 0aney. !$e cant take it.#!If you dont want it,# said Alan, !Ill gladly7! 0aney interrupted him with anotherone of her trademark punches to the arm. He said !ow# in his usual manner.

!Treat yourselves once in a while,# said Thompson. !"oure only young once;#This sentiment went across well with Alan and 0aney, especially 0aney who no

longer felt the need at least at this moment- to be modest. (he was going to buyeverything shed ever wanted.

The escalator ended. Thompson, 0aney, and Alan got off. They headed straight left.There wasnt much walking )till they get to the !/ragons >mporium.# This was the shopThompson had been talking about less than a few seconds ago. The three went in. Theplace was dark and messy, but it had a weird, 8riental charm to it. There were herbs andspices, and trinkets, and unidentifiable gadgets.

Alan picked up a stretched li5ard on a stick. !>w,# he said after dropping it.The shop owner, 6u&*hin, waved to Thompson. !Tom,# he said, !how nice to see

you; Are these your children4 8h, you dog. "ou said you didnt want to get married, butwhats this4 "ou have two, and they look just like you.#

!These arent mine,# said Thompson with a bit of a snicker. !However, I am takingcare of them. :ids, introduce yourselves.#

6u&*hin leaned over the counter and smiled at Alan and 0aney. Alan and 0aney,though, were less enthusiastic. They gave uick smiles and said their names. Their shynature amused 6u&*hin. He stroked his white beard and tapped on his gold tooth.

!I do this for good reason,# he said. !A stroke on the beard and a tap on the toothmake for good fortune.#

Thompson was amused by the old mans uirks, but this was confusing to Alan and0aney. Alan and 0aney went around to the side of the shop, and pretended to look atthings so they wouldnt have to chat with the adults anymore.

!This place is funky,# whispered Alan.!In the good way or the bad way4# asked 0aney.


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!In the bad way,# said Alan. !It smells like, well, old people. "ou know that smell.?icks ?apoCub and 6etamucil. I feel like throwing up. Heh7 I bet if I threw up nobodywould notice for days. Ceally, its that bad.#

6eanwhile, Thompson and 6u&*hin were having their own chat.!I think Ive found them,# said Thompson.

!3ound who4# asked 6u&*hin.!TH>6,# repeated Thompson. !/ont tell me you dont know. $eve been talkingabout TH>6 for years


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0aney choked for a moment. !"ou never know when hard times will hit,# wassomething her mom always used to say.

!$ell,# replied 0aney, !we arent going to have hard times anymore.#!Alright,# interrupted Thompson, !I have some matters to attend to. $ill you kids be

okay on your own4#

!"eah,# said Alan, !we should be fine.#0aney nodded in agreement% so, Thompson went away, and disappeared into the doorat the far back of the house. Alan looked.

!Is that the basement4# he asked.!I believe so,# said 0aney. !Have you been in there yet4#!ot yet,# said Alan. !I havent seen every area in this place7# He had a devilish

smile. !(hould we do some e1ploring4#The idea appealed to 0aney, who was ever curious. (he put down her bags. 8ne of

them fell over, and poured out some clothes. !Alright,# she said. !3irst, Id like to see theattic. Ive never been in an attic before. Cemember how dad7 Cemember how dad usedto seal it up to keep the heat inside the house4#

!That cheap bastard,# said Alan. !He was always sealing up the whole house to keepout the cold. I hated that frosted, plastic sheet hed always put over my window. Icouldnt even see outside.#

!$ell, we dont have to worry about him being cheap anymore,# said 0aney. !Hesoff in the wild, blue yonder, somewhere in *anada. (o I hear.#

!Hes not in *anada,# said Alan. !/idnt mom tell you what actually happened4#!o,# said 0aney. !$hat actually happened4#!ever mind,# said Alan.!Tell me,# 0aney insisted, now somewhat irritable. !$hat A*TDA00" happened4#Alan was reluctant. ?ery reluctant. !8kay,# he said. !'ut dont roll over and die

when you hear this7but dad was a secret agent working Afghanistan. He got kidnappedby infidels and was murdered.# This was a lie, but Alan didnt want to upset his sister.(he had no idea that her dad really eloped.-

0aney pounded her fist into her hand, !Those bastards; Those terrorist bastards;#!*mon,# said Alan. !0ets go and see the attic. I bet theres all sorts of kooky crap

up there.#Then he and 0aney left the main foyer and went up the first set of stairs, which was

the staircase theyd been using since they arrived. At the end of the hall there was anotherstaircase that led into the third floor. It was a place they hadnt been to yet, and it madethem curious. It was forbidden by their former Dncle Trevor7 (o, what was there40aney and Alan went to find out.

They got to the third floor.And everything seemed normal7e1cept for the glaring lack of doors. 8n this floor,

the third floor, there was only one door, dead center. 0aney, though still somewhatcurious, dismissed it. (he mostly wanted to see that attic. 'ut Alans interest was piued.He wondered why there were no other doors. $hat sort of room takes up one wholefloor4 8ne that needed to be e1plored;

(o Alan turned the knob of the door. It was found to be locked.!/amn thing,# he said. He kicked at it.Bang! Bang!And the noise traveled through

the entire house.


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!(top that;# said 0aney. !"oure going to get us in trouble;#!3ine,# said Alan. !3orget it. 0ets just go to the fourth floor.#(o, again, 0aney and Alan went up another flight of stairs. The stairs, which were

uite creaky, wobbled ever so slightly. 'ut they held up well enough for the two to get tothe fourth floor. The fourth floor, unlike the third floor, appeared uite normal. There was

a hallway and doors, not too many and not too little. >verything seemed fine.!$ell, this is boring,# said Alan. !Id e1pect something to be off with this level aswell.#

0aney opened the first door to the left, the one that was closest to her. This room, thefirst room on the fourth floor, was bare with nothing but empty bo1es. The second roomhad soiled mattresses piled. The third room had old furniture chairs, tables, etc-. And thefourth room, and final room, had no floor. There was, however, a ladder which led intothird floor room which was previously found to be locked off-.

!Hey,# said Alan, !now we can get into the third floor room.#!Im not going down there,# 0aney while staring into the dimness. !I want to go to

the attic.#

!/ont you know what a detour is4# Alan. 0aney folded her arms. !8kay,# he said.!Ill go in and you stay here.#!o,# said 0aney.'ut Alan went ahead anyway. He climbed down the wood ladder and went below

into the room of the third floor. The room, which took up the entire floor, was very dampand humid. His skin was sticking to his t&shirt.

!Its too dark to see anything in here,# he said. He went into his back pocket and tookout a Lippo lighter. He spun the flint to make a spark, and set the wick on fire. There wasnow enough light to navigate around. He began along the walls and slowly e1plored. Hestopped when he bumped his foot. !8w,# he said.

He saw, under the light of his flame, a treasure chestMtrunk.Alan was going to open it, but spotted a lock.!ow, how am I gonna get this off4# he said to himself.He beat on the old, rusted lock, thinking it could come off. He kicked it and hit it

violently with his fists7but that only made him sore. !/amn it,# he said. He put his earagainst the trunk, and shook it to listen, trying to figure out what was inside. It soundedlike a mi1 of things paper, metal, and even glass. !$hat could be inside4 8h, 9od. Imsalivating. The curiosity is driving me mad.#

!6ad, eh4# said a voice.Alan looked up. (arah was standing over him. (he reached down and, with only her

bare hands, ripped off the lock.!Holy crap,# Alan said in astonishment. !"oure a beast;# Then he opened the trunk.

He moved the flame of his lighter close in, and he and (arah began to look inside.!$hatre you doing here4# Alan asked her while peering in.!I came to see what you guys were up to,# (arah replied. !8h, by the way. I was the

one that locked the door earlier. (orry about that.#!one taken,# said Alan.The trunk was filled with a lot of junk. There was really nothing of importance.

There were empty bottles, bottle caps, and old newspapers7but buried underneath all


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that junk was a key. The key was an antiue, large, and silver


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!This is great,# said (arah as she amused herself while inspecting all the books. !"outwo have your very own library. Although its not uite so idyllic, you can always getsome chairs and place a desk in here.#

Alan yawned and stretched, but he clumsily knocked over the tower of books behindhim. They want tumbling and fell.

!0ook what youve done,# said 0aney.!Cela1,# said Alan. !Ill pick )em up7 (arah, can you help me pick them up4#(arah obliged and helped collect the books into her arms. As she laid them neatly in

a pile, she caught glimpse of something interesting a black scrapbook with gold lettering.The lettering was in an unknown language. $hen she opened the scrapbookMalbum tolook she spotted, on the first page, photos of the very house she was in. The photos,however, were uite dated thoughC> AC> "8D4; I >>/ T8 (=>A: T8 "8D;#!8h, shit,# said Alan. !$e shouldnt be snooping around in here I bet. 0ets get a

move on.#(arah, 0aney, and Alan evacuated the attic, leaving behind the scrapbook. They shut

the stairs before Thompson could see what they were up to. Thompson had his foottapping and his hands were on his waist, although in a somewhat friendly manner.

!I didnt know we had visitors,# he said while looking at (arah. !"ou know,tomorrows a school day.#

!"es,# said 0aney while fluttering her eyes to make herself look pretty and thereforeinnocent-. !$e know that.#

!I hate school,# said Alan.!"ou hate school because youre learning about boring things,# said Thompson. !If

you were, on the other hand, learning about something fascinating


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!"ou get straight As too,# said (arah. !Are you not a nerd4#!I dont do it because I like it,# said 0aney. !I do it because I want to get into a good

university% I want to get into a good university because I want a good job. I want a goodjob because, well, I dont want to work at 6c/onalds.#

!8kay,# said Thompson, !so shall I drop your friend

!(arah,# said (arah.!"es, (arah,# continued Thompson. !(hall I drop your friend, (arah, off to herplace4 Its nearly NBB =6.#

!$ait,# Alan interrupted. !Its not a school day tomorrow. $e have a long weekend,remember4#

Thompson thought for a moment. !$hy, yes,# he said. !I do believe youre right.?ery well. I shall vanish off. If you children need anything, please, dont hesitate to letme know.# Then he ran down the stairs and left.

!(o,# said 0aney. !$hat shall we do4#!I have a JBBB =6 curfew,# (arah replied. !I have to get back home in an hour. 'ut

I dont really think my parents will noticed even if Im half an hour late. Theyre

probably out seeing a movie. "eah. A (unday night movie. Its kind of a ritual.#!I hate this house,# said Alan. !(arah, why dont we go over to your place4 Its nottoo far on bicycle is it4# "ou did come on bicycle didnt you4#

(arah, 0aney, and Allen went down every staircase )till they got to the main floor.8n the main floor they went past the basement door and headed out the back. In the yard(arah unlocked her pink bicycle which was somewhat too small for her.

Alan opened the shed and took out his and 0aneys bicycles. The bicycles were a dullcolor, rusted red with seats that contained many holes.

!Are you sure that wont fall apart on the road4# (arah joked.!"ou know,# said 0aney, !maybe we should ask Thompson for new bikes. He is

pretty loaded.#!0oaded4# repeated (arah.!"eah,# said Alan. !Apparently hes got a ga5illion smackeroos in the bank7 (till, I

dont want to bother him. $hen dad was around, remember when we asked him for newseats4 He threw a bottle at my head.#

!I remember that,# said 0aney, !but I think it was an accident.#!I dont think it was an accident,# said Alan. !8r maybe it was. I dunno. He wasnt

like that all the time. He only got kinda cra5y before he went off to ?7er, Afghanistan.#!8h, hold on,# said (arah. !'efore we go to my place, I have something to show

you. I almost forgot. I pocketed this from the scrapbook before we vamoosed from theattic.# (he unfolded a piece of paper. It was an old note about the house. It said, inuotes,%ocation o# Buried Treasure& Then there were some other comments that were indecipherable handwriting.- It was a schematic of the backyard with a big O in red. The Owas in the middle like a bulls eye, but slightly off center.

Alan was skeptical, but 0aney was enthusiastic. (he took the note and immediatelywent to locate the spot that the O represented. >veryone followed. (he took fifteen stepsahead. Then five left. !Here it is,# she said. !O marks he spot. This is where the )buriedtreasure should be. 8h, I dont care about money. Im just curious.#

!Hey,# said Alan, !dont get your hopes up. I found a treasure chest without anytreasure. 2ust a damn old skeleton key which unlocked the attic with books.#


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(arah went into the shed and got the only two shovels. (he kept one for herself andgave the other to 0aney% and, synchronously, the two began to dig furiously. Alan was ho&hum and sat down on the grass, just his sister and her friend waste their energy. $ell, hethought they were wasting their energy% they didnt.

Alan pestered, !Theres nothing there; This isnt the bleeding 'oonies, you know;#

He returned to the house; IT $A( A 0I>; I 0I>/; I6(8CC";#


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Thompson wasnt surprised. His cool demeanor maintained. !8h, okay,# he said.!$here are they then4#

At F *rescent 6oon (treet, 0aney and (arah were together in (arahs garage. Theywere working furiously on the bo1, trying to get it open. And there was an assortment of

tools at their disposal but none of them were working.!Augh;# 0aney hissed. !This thing is impossible; $hats in here, anyway4;#!I dont know,# said (arah. !6aybe its meant to be closed.#0aney searched around. !Theres gotta be something in your garage that can work.#

(he went into the corner and took the red toolbo1. (he put it on the table and opened it.Inside was a blow torch.

!*areful now,# (arah warned.!$hats the worst that could happen4# 0aney asked.!"ou could burn down my house and kill my parents,# said (arah.!8h,# said 0aney.Then she started up the blowtorch. A long, scorching flame came out. (arah looked

an1ious as 0aney moved it over to the bo1. The fire touched the corner and started tomelt. 2ust then there was a bang on the garage door. It was Thompsons voice.!8pen up,# he said, !youve no business opening that bo1;#(arah and 0aney e1changed !$hat should we do4# looks. They decided that they

should listen. (o, (arah pressed the garage door button and let the garage door open.There was Thompson along with Alan. They hastily went in.

Thompson took the bo1. !Its intact,# he said to Alan. !$e should be safe.#!(afe4# said 0aney.!"es,# said Thompson. !(afe. Theres something very dangerous inside this bo1. Its

pretty damn well sealed, but it can be opened with fire.#!0ike the fire from a blow torch4# asked 0aney. (he turned off the blow torch in her

hand and set it down.!$hy, yes,# said Thompson, !like that from a7# He choked on his spit. !/8T

T>00 6> "8D?> D(>/ THAT; /I/ IT T8D*H TH> '8O4;#0aney wasnt sure what she did wrong, but she knew she did something wrong.

(arah answered for her. !8nly briefly,# she said.!'riefly is too long;# yelled Thompson in a cracking voice. !$e have to get this

thing out of here;#!I can do that,# said Alan.!o;# said Thompson. !o;# He ran out the garage. 'ut before he could even get to

the end of the driveway, the bo1 burst open in his arms. Think of a banana peeling insuper&fast motion.-

A skull with horns dropped out.!$hat is that4# Alan asked.Thompson had it in his hands as if a hot potato. His feet danced while he was

deciding what to do with it. !"ou guys,# he kept stammering, !you guys, you guys, youguys(;# yelled Thompson. !I A6 PDIT> *A06; (>> H8$ *A06 I A64;

*A06, '0D> 8*>A;#


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The skull with horns fell to the ground. It became affi1ed and could not be removed.(till, Thompson gave it a shot. His fingers were in the eye sockets, and he was pullingwith his entire body. $hile doing so and e1ercising futility-, the skull with horns startedgathering material from somewhere unknown% out of thin air, red cells gathered andlumped around to form a face.

Thompson stumbled away. !9et into the garage,# he said. !9et into the garage;#The skull with horns was no longer just a skull with horns but a fully fleshed man.ot a man e1actly, but close enough.-

!=rometheo,# uttered Thompson.=rometheo, red&skinned with horns and eyes abla5e, leapt toward Alan. Alan

screamed, but he was unharmed% for =rometheo could not get to him, for he was beingheld by Thompson whod cracked a whip around his neck.

!9et back,# Thompson said while using all his strength to hold the handle of hiswhip. !This summabitch is strong;#

=rometheo spun his head around and shot fire at Thompson. Thompson ducked, butwhile doing so accidentally let go of his whip. (o free, the monstrous =rometheo headed

for (arah and 0aney. Alan, not being very level headed at this late hour, ran to =rometheoand jumped onto his back. (arah and 0aney, though, did not stand idly by. They joined intoo. (arah gave her best :arate kick, and 0aney grabbed a wrench to smash the attack inthe face.

These efforts though, however noble, were not effective. =rometheo spun andknocked them all to the concrete floor. He let out a roar and set his entire body aflame.Thompson knew this was a critical moment, and he reacted accordingly. He ran away...

7And returned with a garden hose. At full blast he sprayed water onto =rometheo.This put out =rometheos flames and weakened him.

!Ceturn from where you came,# Thompson said in a righteous tone. Then he took outa crucifi1 and shouted !To hell; To hell; 'ack to hell; 'y *hrist I banish you;# Thecrucifi1 from the top threw off lightning. =rometheo groaned in pain as if he had abellyache. Thompson lunged at him and plunged a dagger into his chest.

3ire shot out through the wound. Thompson stood and kept his distant, and watchedwhile =rometheo vapori5ed into nothing.

!$hered he go4# 0aney asked.Thompson let out a sigh of relief. !To the abyss,# he said, !where hopefully he

stays7#After all the chaos, (arahs neighbor came out of her house. (he had on a robe and

bunny slippers. !/ont you know what time it is4# she asked. !Its7goddamn late iswhat it is;#

(arah tried to e1plain herself to 0ynda.!0ynda,# she began, !I dont know how to tell you this, but we just saw a monster. It

had horns, and red skin, and pointy tongue; That was what was causing all the noise introuble. 3or that we apologi5e.#

0ynda grumbled some profanity and returned to her home.!$ell,# said Alan to Thompson, !nows the part where you e1plain everything.#Thompson returned his whip into his trench coat. !$e mustnt speak about it here,#

he said.


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*hapter N

It was 6onday at five in the morning. The church was all empty, e1cept for the spot inthe back where Thompson and the others were sitting, having their talk. (arah, 0aney,and Alan were all drinking coffee. They werent really morning people. To them JJBB

A6 was uite early.Thompson kneeled on the pew and said a uick prayer% then he sat back down.!8kay,# he said, !gather around. I will e1plain everything. It wont be difficult tocomprehend, but it may be difficult to take in. Is everyone ears4#

!All ears,# Alan, 0aney, and (arah said together.!The world as you know,# Thompson began, !is full of evil7but in it is also good.

And the forces of good and the forces of evil are always battling it out. (ometimes evilwins, sometimes it loses. 'ut in order to make it lose we, the good, must persevere. 6ostof the time doing a small deed


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anything, even a packet of bubblegum. ow, I dont know why the 8ne would want to bea packet of bubblegum, but the 8ne could do it if he wanted.#

!(o the 8ne is a )he now4# said Alan.!3or sake of the simplicity,# said Thompson, !I will refer to the one as a )he. I hope

you dont mind.#

!ot at all,# said Alan. !Its just that

!Top of the morning to you,# said 3ather 3eli1 in a thick, Irish accent. !I see youvebrought some people.# He waved and smiled. 0aney, (arah, and Alan returned thegesture.

!"es,# said Thompson. !I feel strongly about them.#!(o, they are aware of everything now4# asked 3ather 3eli1.!ot uite yet,# replied Thompson.!Hurry up,# warned 3ather 3eli1. !The other day when I was gardening, I saw

=uffy.#!Hes still around, huh4# said Thompson. !$ell, we should deal with him before hecauses more trouble. 'ut not )till I get everything in order.#

*hapter JB

Tuesday came and school resumed. 0aney, (arah, and 0aney were by a tree, huddledtogether, talking as uietly as possible.

!Thompson is insane, isnt he4# said Alan.!*an you e1plain what we saw4# said 0aney.!I cant,# said Alan. !Dnless we were all tripping at the same time and saw the e1act

same thing. 'ut I havent tripped in a while.#!(hhh,# said (arah. Her eyes whipped left. !(omeones coming.#It was 9erald and 3rancis. They looked suspiciously at the group.!$hyre you all looking at us like that4# 3rancis asked.!o reason,# said Alan. !$ere discussing, uh, stuff.#!(tuff4# 3rancis repeated. !$hat kinda stuff4 If you dont mind my asking.#!one of your business stuff,# Alan muttered.!$hats that4# said 9erald. !"ou hear that, brother4 He gave you lip;#6rs. ?anderhorn came by. (he looked in a rush and motioned to (arah. !(arah dear,#

she said, !I must speak to you. Its urgent;#(arah went over to her. !$hat is it, 6rs. ?anderhorn4#!I need your help.#!$hat sort of help4#!I need to stick streamers into the classroom ceiling, and Im not tall enough.#!Thats whats urgent4#!Dm, the party is in ten minutes.#!$hats it for4#!Its the =rincipals birthday and Im sucking up. =roblem with that4#!ot at all, 6rs. ?anderhorn. Ill come right along.#


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(arah and 6rs. ?anderhorn left. ow it was just Alan, 0aney, 9erald, and 3ranciswho had on a sinister grin-.

!Isnt this convenient,# said 3rancis. !"our big friend has left; (o, Alan, would youlike to repeat yourself4 $hat was that comment you said earlier4 Id like to hear itagain.#

All Alan could say was !uhhh7#'ut 0aney stepped in front of him and spoke on his behalf. (he poked 3rancis in thechest. !(tay away from my brother,# she said. !"ou touch him and there will beconseuences. "ou ever heard of a Hurts /onut4#

Alan whispered to 0aney, !Thats not how the joke works;#9erald cackled, !3ail;#3rancis e1plained, !"oure supposed to ask me for a )Hurts /onut. Then when I say

)yes youre supposed to hit me and say )Hurts, dont it. That is the proper procedure forthis childish prank.#

!ever been one to conform;# 0aney yelled. Then she kneed 3rancis in the crotch.He fell down with a whimper.

!'rother;# cried 9erald.0aney grabbed Alan by the arm and the two ran for it. 'ut it wasnt long before3rancis recovered and he and 9erald were on their tails.

!$hyd you do that;4# Alan screamed while huffing. !"ou wanna get us killed;4 "ouknow what they say )"ou mess with the bully and you get the goddamn horns;#

!Have a spine;# said 0aney as she ran as fast as she could. !"ou cant let people pushyou around;#

!3ine;# replied Alan. !Ill begin with you when we get home


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!$ell, Im a girl,# said 0aney, !so theyll probably go easy on me. 'ut Ill bet theybeat the crap out of you.#

!Thanks,# said Alan. !I really appreciate your concern.#!"oure welcome,# said 0aney.The crunching footsteps of 3rancis and 9erald could be heard. They were getting

closer and closer. Alan and 0aney slumped lower.!Is that them4# Alan asked.!"es,# said 0aney. !:eep your mouth shut.#!*ome out, come out wherever you are,# said 3rancis. He randomly fired his pellet

gun.8ne of them hit Alan in the forehead. 0aney covered his mouth before he could cry

in pain. !(hhh,# she said. !Its not so bad7# Alan felt the damage. There was a big,walnut&si5ed bump.

!(hit,# he said. !Its like a tumor.#!It is not a tumor,# said 0aney. !:eep your voice down.#!$ere going to find you guys;# 3rancis yelled. !6ay as well say your prayers

now;#9erald snickered, !"eah; (ay yah prayers;#!They wont find us as long as we keep uiet,# 0aney whispered.!(top nagging me,# said Alan. !Ill keep


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!It was hard to find you two,# said Thompson. !$hat are you guys doing off schoolpremises4 /ont you know its dangerous4 A strange man could come by and kidnapyou7 $ell, I am a strange man, but fortunately Im not here to kidnap anyone.#

!Are we in trouble4# 0aney asked.!o,# said Thompson. !Im just here to tell you Im transferring you to another

school. A better one.#!Hogwarts4# joked Alan.!ot e1actly,# said Thompson. !'ut you will learn some interesting things. All

shadows of doubt will be removed.#!8h,# said 0aney.Then Thompson led her and Alan out of the cornfield.9erald and 3rancis stayed behind. !7$ho was that4# 9erald asked. 'oth stood

dumbfounded.

*hapter JJ

The ne1t day had come and it was the bright, early morning. Alan, feeling confident,leapt out of his bed. !"es,# he said, !no more (t. :evin elementary;# He went to thebathroom in his room and brushed his teeth. $hile checking himself out, he observed thatthe mirror was foggy.

He took his hand and wiped away the fog7but the fog returned. And when it didthere was a realistic looking picture


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!$e have to remove all the mirrors in the house,# said 0aney.(o hurriedly, with Alan following along, she went to every mirror in the house and

took them down. At the last mirror she bumped into Thompson who was smoking a pipe.He blew out some smoke then put it down. !3ancy meeting you here,# he said. !$hat areyou kids up to4 Are you ready for school4 $ell be leaving soon.#

!$ell be ready,# said 0aney. !$ere just doing a few things before we go.#!Tearing down my mirrors4# asked Thompson.!How did you know4# said 0aney. !Have you been seeing the fog pictures too;4#!3og pictures4# Thompson repeated. He gasped. !*hrist; ot another one; This is

worse than I suspected.#!8h, is it4# said Alan.!$e have another demon on our hands,# Thompson e1plained. !8h, never mind; 9et

changed


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The lady in the orange vest urged 0aney to go% with clenched teeth she keptmotioning.

ow, Alan finally e1haled. His face nearly turned green when he caught the smellaround him in his nose. !8migod,# he e1claimed, !just do it so we can get outta here,0aney;#

ot willingly, feeling somewhat pressured, 0aney went ahead into the porta&potty.(urprisingly, she found it was uite clean. The door behind her shut courtesy of herbrother-. !ow what4# she said. (he looked at a plaue beside the mirror.

The plaue, which was black with golden letters, read !=D(H TH> 0>?>C A/"8D $I00 0>A?> )>C>.#

The message seemed truthful, but 0aney was still dubious.!$hats taking so long4# Alan said from outside. !/o you need help4 The lady in the

orange vest says you have to push the lever on the toilet. *an you find it4 "ou should beable to find it7#

!"eah;# yelled 0aney. !I know where the damn thing is;#Then she took a paper towel and placed it atop the toilet handle for sanitary

purposes-, and pressed her fingers down. There was a loud beep.Bee)! Bee)! Then astrong, rumbling sensation.0aney became scared. !$hats going on4# she said. !Im getting out of here;# Then

she pulled the door handle of the porta&potty and stepped out.It wasnt all too surprisingly, and you probably e1pected this, but she was in an

entirely different placenglish, geography, math, science, art7and magic. "es, magic. Though it wasnt the kind


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everyone had in their minds. It was H80" 6A9I*, magic which was more dark arts thanwands and rabbits in hats. The magic theyd learn


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A hand in the back shot up. 6r. Cainwater pointed, !"es.#!*ould you tell us about the 3antastic 3our4#!Dh, for legal purposes we now just call them the 3our.#!8h7#!The 3our,# said 6r. Cainwater, !for those who dont know, are four children who

will allegedly stop Armageddon. I dont know if I believe it. 'ut if its real, the chancesare very high that they are here. 8r at the second /ragon (chool.#Alan raised his hand against 0aneys advisement.Again, 6r. Cainwater pointed, !"es, you4#!Ahem,# said Alan. !$hy is this school located in a dump4 And whats with all the

secrecy4 Also, I thought the church is against magic.#!(o many uestions,# smirked 6r. Cainwater. !Ill answer them all as best as I can7

3irst, we are in a landfill, because we do not want to be discovered. $e do not want to bediscovered, because we do not want any demons to find us. (econd, yes. The church isagainst magic, my boyveryone was led out, and shown the other areas

of the /ragon (chool the library, the cafeteria, the gymnasium, more classrooms, andother similarly mundane places. All this ended in an anticlimactic fashion where aregular, old, yellow school bus took them home.

*hapter J@

The door flew up. Alan and 0aney were greeted by Thompson who had on a grin. !$hatdid you learn today4# he asked.

!$hat did we learn4# said Alan. !Its been a week in that damn /ragon (chool andwe havent done anything. >verything is reading, reading, readinglementary. $e havent run into any idiots so far7 :nock on wood, knock onwood.#

!$ell,# said Thompson, !maybe itll pick up in pace later on.# He had a piece ofpaper held in his hand. !8h, your friend (arah called. I took down her message. (he saidto meet her )at the Tutu =ond.#

!Thanks,# said 0aney. !Ill go there, right after I have a bath.#!(ame,# said Alan.!$ait,# said Thompson, !what about your homework4 I dont mean to be a pain in

the rear, but you have to finish it before you leave.#!o homework,# said 0aney. !I finished it up during lunch break.#!6e too,# Alan added.Thompson looked at 0aney. !"eah,# she said, !hes lying.#!Traitor;# Alan e1claimed.!:nowledge is power,# said Thompson. !ow, get going.#Alan kicked off his shoes and marched to his room.


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*hapter JE

$hile Alan was trying to finish his homework, writing an essay on theology, 0aney wasriding her bicycle along an unusually uiet road. It was an area shed spotted on her

school bus trips, and it led almost directly to Tutu pond.0aney, in spite of having somewhat of a stressful week, was in uite a good moodthis day. /emons were the last thing on her mind and she sang while pedaling, !Hey, hey;"ou, you; I dont like your girlfriend; o way, no way; I think you need a new one;# (heswerved from side to side, going around debris. "es, there was a lot of debris, for theroad she traveled was seldom used


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!(o, you say youre headed to Tutu pond4#!"up. 9onna meet my friend (arah.#!How fars Tutu pond4 I heard of it, but I never been there before. Im new to

Ce1ville, actually.#!Are you4 $ell, welcome to the neighborhood in that case;#

!6aybe you can show me around4#!"eah7 "eah, yeah; Thats a great idea. "ou can come with me to Tutu =ond.#!Is it far4#!ot too far. I think a few minutes on bicycle. /o you have a bicycle4#!Tires are flat.#!I can give you a ride on my bicycle. "ou can sit on the front while I pedal. How

good are you at balancing4#!I have a better idea. $hy dont I pedal and you sit on the front, hmm4#!8kay;#(o, 0aney let Adam take her seat, and she went to the front where she balanced her

bottom on the handlebars.

!Ceady4# said Adam. Then he started pedaling the bicycle. The two didnt go veryfast, but the speed was steady, and the flat road proved easy to travel.!(o,# said 0aney. !How long have y


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already tested, if you must know, and it floats like a bar of soap!*an you push us into the water4# 0aney asked. (he took the oars resting on theboats floor and placed them into the oar locks the metal rings on the side-.(arah stared at 0aney and Adam. There was a hint of annoyance in her face, but she

chose not to show it anymore than that. !8kay,# she said in a relenting tone. (he spit intoher hands and rubbed them together, then she placed her hands on the back of the boatand pushed with a heavy grunt.H+RRR'H!

The row-boat went into the water with a splash. (arah got soaked, but 0aney andAdam


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A hearty laugh came from them both. 'ut while they were enjoying themselves,(arah was getting ready to leave. Her jacket was 5ipped up and she was on the path thatled away from the pond. (he had her arms folded, held tightly against her body. The daydid not go as planned.

*hapter JF

Thompson was out on his own% he was dressed in his usual garb, a black trench coat, andblack everything else. He was walking to the hospital. His beloved *adillac was onhiatus, visiting an auto&mechanic in the town which neighbored Ce1ville.

Thompson whistled while on the sidewalk. There was a cane held in his right hand.(trange since there was nothing wrong with his legs. !The hospital is always such adreary place,# he muttered. !$hy cant it be like a veterinarian place4 2ust put the dogsdown.#

A blaring ambulance drove past Thompson. It brushed against the loose fabric on hisshoulder. He paid no mind and kept on his way )till he was at the entrance of white

washed hospital. The entrance for visitors welcomed him with a smiley face that said!welcome.# He went through the sliding doors. There were a lot of sad faces around, andsome laughing children who were oblivious to the gravity of where they were.

!Puiet down,# a mother said to her son who was in tow. !This isnt a playground.And if it were


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!$hy, thank you,# said Thompson, somewhat surprised. !3or a moment there IthoughtA/.!Ah, youve been taken by ecro the demon,# said Thompson. !$ell7# Then hereacted with a swing of his blade.

Trevor, however, now an undead possessed- super creature, was far too uick. Hedodged the attack and retaliated% Thompson was taken by the skull and thrown out thewindow. 3ortunately, Thompson had deployed his whip in time and wrapped it around thebed post in the hospital room, which kept him from falling. He clambered back inside,but Trevor had left into the hallway. Hastily, Thompson chased after him.

Hospital workers screamed as they were bit on the neck and sucked for their blood.!*ease and desist,# said Thompson. !'iting people is against the law;# Trevor ignoredhim and went from person to person, infecting them, and passing his demonic virus. ow

there were at least a do5en of these undead creatures.They were all lurching toward Thompson who now was armed with a dagger. Hetook a wide stance and held it facing down, ready to stab. This, though, was a ruse.Instead, he ran around kicking doors open and pulling up the blinds to let in the light. Thelight came in as thick beams which surrounded the blood&craving undead.

Thompson scolded Trevor, !0ook what youve done to these people;#Trevor picked at his fangs and dripped blood from his mouth in an inadvertently

mocking manner. Then he turned around, hearing the sound of more people, hospitalworkers, approaching. He was entrapped between two light beams.

!/ont do it,# Thompson muttered. !/ont do it7;#'ut Trevor jumped through the light beam. His backside became scorched, but now

he had access to fresh blood. Thompson hurried and ran ahead. It wasnt too easy, sincethere were the undead hospital workers were clawing at him. He threw his elbows andfists, putting them into the light to turn them to fire, and then to dust.

Trevor blocked off the hospital workers whod just come up from the lower floors%they did not know what to do, partly because they were in disbelief. 8ne had the clevercomment of !$hat is this4 Halloween4#

7Trevor bit his head off. >veryone went hysterical. The nurses, doctors, and medicsran for the elevator. The elevator, though, had suddenly become un&operational.

!(tay in the sunlight;# Thompson shouted. !Hes afraid of the sun;#The hospital staff, or what remained of them, uickly scurried to the window and hid

in the suare of light. 0uckily for them the window was in the direct view of the sun, andthe intensity of the light was powerful enough to make Trevor hesitant. Trevor put out hishand to touch then, but completely burnt of the tip off his fingers. He shrieked in pain.

Thompson had out his cross crucifi1-. !*ome on now,# he said, !wouldnt yourather have me4# Trevor turned around, and the two suared off. They circled each other,staring in each others eyes.

This gave Thompson time to notice that the cross in his hand was having no effect,and to him this was strange


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'ut Thompson ignored it and threw a barrage of knives anyway. They wents,is"through the air, though not all of them hit% only some got lodged into Trevors veiny,pulsing chest. And from this undead monsters chest, black blood shot out. It sprayedeverywhere, going onto the ceiling, the walls, and floor.

It occurred to Thompson that this was a mistake. 3or you see, the demon virus was

contained within the blood


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!$hat;# 0aney whispered back angrily.!0ook,# said Alan. He pointed. !Is thatveryone around 0aney looked at her. (he lowered in her seat. !Dh, Ive forgotnow,# she said. !Terribly sorry7;#6s. (omeen turned up her nose and went back to her lecture. (he walked back and

forth in a stiffly manner, accompanied by slides in the background. There was a black andwhite picture of an old man dining in front of people impaled on spikes.

Alan teased 0aney. !Dse your indoor voice;#0aney glared and elbowed him in the shoulder. It hurt like heck, but he did a good

job of keeping uiet. It was kinda easy with 6s. (omeen. 6s. (omeen was a super strictteacher and punished kids in such a whimsical fashion. 8nce she gave a kid detention forsnee5ing too loudly;

(arah uietly switched seats so she could get closer to 0aney and Alan. $hile they

werent close enough to talk to each other without getting caught-, they could now seeone another in plain view.0aney mouthed silently to (arah, !0ets talk at lunch.#(arah mouthed back, !The cafeteria is huge; 3ront or back4#!'ack;#!8kay;#Alan was confused% he couldnt understand lips or women-. The kid ne1t to him was

trying to interpretMdecipher. !I think those two are going to meet with each other insecret,# he whispered. !7And one of them is going to try and punch Adolf Hitler in theface. I dont get it.#

Alan rolled his eyes and leaned away.

0unchtime arrived, and all the /ragon (chool students amassed into the enormouscafeteria. It was a regular ol cafeteria


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!Hm, that looks okay,# 0aney thought aloud. !A boiled egg. 8kay. Ill take that.#The lady with brown hair put a 'alut into 0aneys tray. After, Alan agreed to have

the same% then the two moved down the line and picked up some other things which theythought werent all too yucky. They carried their meals and headed to the far end of thecafeteria, by the toilets, where less kids were.

Alan and 0aney sat in the middle of the blue, rectangular table. They put their traysin front of them, almost in perfect synchroni5ation. !Im famished,# Alan said. !'ut whatshall I eat first4# He looked at the food in front of him. There was the 'alut, a carton ofbanana&flavored milk, a 3uji apple, and a hot&cross bun. !Hm, I need protein,# he said,continuing to think aloud. !I think Ill have the egg first.#

(o, Alan took his spoon and whacked the top of the 'alut. $hen the eggshellcracked, he peeled it off, and after put in his spoon.

!/o you see (arah4# 0aney asked while biting her sandwich.Alan glanced. !ope.# Then he went back to his egg


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!7Ah,# said (arah, !sibling rivalry.# (arah, being an only child, mused whileimagining what it would be like to have a brother or a sisterveryone gasped% never before had a demon been caught by a student. This was historyin the making.

!$hos the king4# 2ohn repeated.Then all at once everyone clapped. He passed around the jar, an antiue&y affair with

Hebrew scripture on the lid, and let everyone have a look. The students chatteredfuriously. (ome were jealous and acted like it was no big deal, while others had their eyesbulging out their sockets. The girls, though, were unanimously impressed.

This was evident when a harem gathered around a 2ohn and ueried him to as howhe did it. !Howd you do it4# they asked. !*an we touch you4#

!0adies, ladies,# 2ohn said. !">(; 'ut to answer your uestion it was no easy feat;"es, I had to fight off many ghouls and slimy creatures. I nearly lost a limb whileswashbuckling on the high seas;#

!$hat spell did you use4# a girl asked.!I did an ol entrapment spell,# 2ohn e1plained, !but I also used a bit of science. "es.

I subdued =uffy with a dose of *B+. 3or you lay people that means I used carbon dio1ide,a la fire e1tinguisher.#

!How clever,# the same girl who asked the uestion said. !"oure sooo smart.#6eanwhile, Alan was gagging figuratively-. !*an you believe this4# he said. !Its

like hes a rock star or something. $ell, only the bimbos seem to be attracted to

at (arah. !$hy, hellooo, there,# he said. He took her by the hand, making everyone elsejealous. !Arent you tall and pretty;#

(arah blushed. Her face turned a creamy red.Alan became enraged


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Alan returned the slap. !(ir, I accept your challenge;#!=ick your weapon,# said 2ohn.!/ont do it,# 0aney whispered.'ut Alan ignored her, and searched his table for a projectile. He picked up the

remaining 'alut egg-. !8kay,# he said, !now you.#

2ohn put his jar in his right hand for safer keeping, and with his left hand he found apudding. !Im ready,# he said. !0ets do this.#Then he and Alan turned away from each other and paced in opposite directions.

$hen they were euidistant from where they originally stood, they began counting aloud!JB, N, G, K, , F, E, @, +...# TH> !J;# 'oth spun )round and launched their items at eachother. 2ohn missed Alan by only an inch


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them had the lungs of a chain smoker. !/ont give up,# Alan said in an encouragingvoice. !$eve almost got )er out;#

ow =uffy could hold no longer, and 6s. (omeen was let go. $hen she tumbledback, she knocked over everyone behind her. They fell in a domino&like fashion. 6s.(omeen got up and spit black sludge out her mouth. (he was covered in the gunk from

top to bottom. !/amn you to hell;# she coughed to the demon.=uffy laughed, !He&he&he; Try and catch me;# Then he floated to the ceiling andbegan tossing hot, lit cigarettes on everyone below. The students rushed for cover underthe tables.

0aney screamed at Alan, !A0AAA;#He shrugged in embarrassment. (arah wanted to say something in his defense, but

wasnt sure how she could. Instead she busied herself, brushing away the cigarettes thatrolled toward her.

6s. (omeen covered her head with a tray, and ran to the wall where a fire alarm pullstation was located. (he yanked the white handle down and activated sprinklers in theceiling. 3rom this came a torrent of mucky water


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=uffys mouth dripped. The temptation for him was too strong though he was neverparticularly resistant to temptation in the first place-. And he went down and went into thejar to eat. Puickly, 6s. (omeen slapped on the lid with the Hebrew scripture, thenscrewed it on as tight as she could. (o, the demon was properly trapped.

All the students came out from hiding. >very one of them was soaked from the

sprinklers, and charred from the hot cigarettes that fell on them. However, in the face ofthis triumph, none of them yet cheered


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!I dunno7 6aybe I couldve done something. I knew she was depressed, eventhough she hid it uite well. $henever I went into her room, I could see that her pillowwas wet from tears.#

!$hat was her name4#!Abigail.#

!=retty name.#!Thanks.#A voice came through the door with the frosted window, !Harris; Alan Harris;#Alan tugged at his shirt collar and gulped. 'ul)!!$ell, alright,# he said. !Ill guess


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The =rincipal knocked.Knock! Knock!Alan nearly jumped when a faced showeditself through a suare hole, which wasnt there before. !$hats your business4# thesuinting face asked in a sueaky tone.

!$ere lost,# said the =rincipal. !/o you know where the *hamber is4#The face suished, giving the appearance of a suee5ed stress ball. !ear here,# it

said. !Turn )round, go straight, and head left on the intersection.#!(ure about that now4#!$ell, if you dont believe me, you can 7#!Alright then. Thank you.#Alan and the =rincipal left, and followed the directions of the face. They turned

around, went straight, and took a left on the intersection. This brought them to theentrance of the *hamber. The entrance of the *hamber was a hole in the floor. A holewhich did not reveal what lied beyond.

!Here we are,# said the =rincipal. !The *hamber.#!And we go in through the hole4# Alan asked.!Theres no )we here.#

!Is this actually legal4#!=robably not. 'ut its this or be e1pelled from school. Its your choice, really.#Alan looked into the hole and threw a nickel in. There was no klinkor klank.

Dnusual. It was as if it was bottomless. !$hat should I do4# he thought. !I cant getkicked out of here. That means Ill have to go back to (t. :evin >lementary. 3rancis and9erald will kick the shit out of me7 8n the other hand, I may fall to my doom.#

!And whats your decision4# asked the =rincipal.!I dont know,# Alan replied. !*an you decide for me4#!8kay,# said the =rincipal. Then he gave Alan a shove.

ow Alan fell into the darkness, into the hole, and there was nothing he could do


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A ten foot spider grinned at him. !(cared are we4# Its eight eyes all blinked at once.!o;#The (pider glared.!8kay,# said Alan, !maybe a little.#The (pider pumped its bristly legs and rose up. 'ut while it was a large creature, it

was still dwarfed by its surroundings. The *hamber was a massive place, grey, dark,empty, and devoid of life.!I, I, I cant believe this,# Alan stuttered. !Ive seen some things before, but this7

Im sorry, I dont really like insects.#!'ut to me,# said the (pider, !you are the insect.#!Is that so4#!6aybe.#!$elp, I can see we arent going to get along. Alright, just stick me in your web and

suck out my juices now, before I become too agitated.#!/ont mock me. This can get worse, boy&o.#!Alright, alright. I apologi5e. 0ets start anew. $hats your name4#

!I dont remember.#!"ou dont remember your own name4#!Celative to my body&si5e, I have a very tiny brain.# The (pider tapped its head.

!There are things I am not aware of. I dont even know my own gender.#Alan was skeptical. !How is that possible4#!"ou have strange standards, my friend. "ou see a ten&foot, talking spider


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*hapter JK

The weekend came and Alan was nowhere to be found. Thompson, however, understoodthat the boy was being punished, and was fine with his absence. He left the washroom,

and after sprinkling around some holy water, e1ited the front doors of the mansion.8utside, on the driveway, 0aney was waiting. (he looked different today, somethingabout her was different.

(he was in a dress


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!This isnt a pi55a,# said 0aney. !Im not the pi55a delivery guy.#!$hat4# said the spiky&haired boy. !"ou kidding me4 "oure kidding me4 Then

wheres the pi55a4#A voice screamed, !Is that the pi55a;4#!8;# the spiky&haired boy screamed back. !(hut the fark up;# He turned back to

0aney. !(orry about that. (o, whyre you here again4#!Im here for the party,# said 0aney. (he showed her present. !(ee.#The spiky&haired boy seemed taken aback. !$hoa, my bad. I had no idea. "ou just

look so, so, so, so, so7#!(o what4#!(o girly.#!Is this not a party for girls4#!o, there are girls here, but most of )em look like me. ?ery unattractive.#!Thanks


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!Havent seen him. I think he must be in the basement. I saw him and a few of hisfriends go down there. 'ut he locked the door. "ou have to know the secret password79od, what an idiot.#

!Hes not an idiot;# said 0aney.!"eah, whatever,# said 6el. !/o you need anything else4 Is anyone on fire4#

!o, thank you,# said 0aney, and then she went off to the table where there werepresents piled up. (he put her present on the very top and made everything topple over.The crash was louder than the blaring music. This made everyone turn around and glance.(ome glared, but most were indifferent. (till, 0aney felt red in the face.

0aney scolded herself, !Try not to be such a klut5.# Then she picked everything upon her own and shuffled off into the kitchen where there was food galore.

There were even every&flavor jelly beans.ah. They were just regular jelly beans.A couple kids were at the table, sitting, just shooting the bree5e, talking about how

lame the party was. (ome were picking at the food which wasnt yet ready to serve. 8neboy was gorging himself on lime 2ello.

!$hatre you looking at4# asked the 2ello&eater. !/o you want something4#At this point 0aney had enough of these weirdoes. (he ran off and went outside totake in a breath of fresh&air. (he leaned against the brick wall to rest her brain. The partywas all too much for her. ever before had she encountered such strange children. $ell,they werent strange actually, but to her they very much were. !$hy would Adam hangout with these people4# 0aney thought. !Im not judgmental but


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0aney reached into the main foyer. (he was overwhelmed with guilt


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6oe went into a cooler and retrieved seven cans of beer. He handed one to eachperson. The boys eagerly pulled the tabs, ready to drink. 0aney held the beer can in herhand. It was tall, maybe FBB 60 at @.FS alcohol.

!I dont drink,# she said.!either do we,# said 9odwin. !This is our firsht time.#

Ted threw back his dreadlocks and took a sip. !ot for me,# he said.2ack smelled the contents of his can. To him it smelt uite putrid.!$hered you get beer from4# asked 0aney.!8h,# said Adam, !we found it in an abandoned trolley. At least we think it was

abandoned. There were some garbage bags in it and a dirty blanket.#0aney was reluctant. !Is this hygienic4#!=robably not,# Adam replied in a nonchalant manner, !but we probably wont die.#The on that, everyone but 0aney drank. Their faces curled. Though the beer was far

from e1pired, the bitter taste was something they were not used to. 6ost alcohol any of)em ever had was in $ine *oolers.

!How ish it4# asked 9odwin.

!Im bu55ed,# said Ted. !6e is mad bu55ed.#!0aaaney,# said Adam, !join the fuuun; $hy arent you drinking4#2ack and 6anny got up and did a random jig while 6oe went to get more boo5e. The

group was really sluggin )em back. This started to worry 0aney who was not in the moodfor any of this.

The boys, however, maintained some sense of decorum7 one of them pissedthemselves. o puke either.

As 0aney was about to get up and leave, she saw something in the corner of her eye.'y the window there was a face. ot just any face though, it was (arah.

(arah rustled by the bushes. (he thought she was being stealthy, but at si1 feet tallshe really wasnt. (he had trouble hiding her big body. !$ell, look at we have here,# shesaid to herself while staring at 0aney and the others through the grimy window. !I cantbelieve shes drinking7 >rm, I think shes drinking.#

'ack inside, Adam had 0aney in a corner. He swayed a bit as she winced, and spokein a somewhat slurred tone, which was most likely psychosomatic. !That dress is great,#he said. !Its like the perfect dress. Totally suits you, man. I could never wear somethinglike that and pull it off. 8nly you.#

!8h, uh, thank you,# said 0aney. !I wore it especially for you.#!It looks great on you7 >eeeh, but it would look better on my floor.# $orlds worst

pick&up line.-!I7 Id prefer to keep it on.#!'aby, why you playin hard to get4 0ets keep it on the reals.#!Dh, okay.#!I like you an you like me. Ciiight4#!"es. 8f course.#!Then lets get it on.#!Id rather not


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Adam punched the space of wall beside 0aneys head in frustration. His friends, whowerent half as inebriated, kept their distances. !6an,# he said, !man, oh, man. 0ove ishard. I thought Id have mastered it by now.#

0aney was silent. (he felt ambivalent. (he felt conflicted. (he felt confused. (he felte1cited. (he felt scared.

(he felt a kiss on her lips.(arah, who was still outside watching, was agape upon witnessing her best friendsfirst kiss. ever in a million years did she think (arah, the tomboy, would go for a guylike Adam. 'ut there it was. The two !lovers# had their lips locked and they were steadilye1changing fluids.

This shouldnt have upset (arah, but for some reason she felt jealous, and it gave hera sinking feeling, as if she were falling. !That horn dog,# she said. !How dare he kiss mybest friend like that1cept now he was clearer than before. His nose

was much larger than originally thought, and it was taking up more than half his face. Hiseyes and lips were tiny by comparison.$hat was he doing following (arah around4(arah went to find out. (he headed toward the big nosed man, who shed nick named

!osey,# and called him out. !I can see you;# she said. !Im going to call the cops;# (hedidnt have a mobile phone, but she picked up a suare&looking rock from her pocket andpretended to dial !emergency.#

osey at that point vanished


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Thompson shut the door. !"es.# He seemed calm, but was really irate A 'A/ 6>68C" 8C $HAT4;#!0aney7 0ook, I was just joking.#


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!$as not; ow say it;#!8kay7 $hat a slut;#!"ou hear that4 "ou hear that, folks4 "our hero is a misogynist; 8h, he struts around

like hes all magnanimous, but hes really a misogynist;#obody knew was a !misogynist# was. The remark really fell on deaf ears.

2ohn spoke through his teeth to 0aney. !0ook,# he said, !I dont have time for this. Ifyou want to fight we can fight. 'ut Im not going to stand around and get into a shoutingmatch. "ou want to settle a score4 $ell settle it


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0aney put her arms up to deflect a telephone. (he was getting wary at having stuff thrownat her, but she hesitated to retaliate in kind. (he was really uite the germaphobe.

'ut when a telephone book from JNGE smacked her in the nose, she forgot all abouther fears. (he picked up a long stick and batted away all oncoming objects% some of themflew back at 2ohn.

!Huh, I see you used to play baseball,# 2ohn said in a snide tone.!*ricket,# replied 0aney.!I see.#!Insert witty remark here;U#The crowd roared as the intensity of the fight increased. 'y now there were cuts,

scrapes, bruises, and even a tooth that went missing7 It wasnt a tooth directly fromanyones mouth


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Ted picked up the mic and spoke into it. !$ell be there in ten. 8ver and out.#

>leven minutes later, 3red and Ted were on *rescent 6oon (treet. They drove along thecurb and stopped in front of house F. All the lights were on, not one was off. They gotout of their car and went along the path, slowly, and carefully. To the side of them were

the prying eyes of neighbors who were obtusely staring through their ?enetian blinds.!I got a bad feeling about this,# said 3red.!"eah,# said Ted, !maybe we shouldnt have eaten those burritos.#The lights in the house suddenly went out. ow it was completely dim. Ted and 3red

took out their big police flashlights and shone them ahead. They went to the front doorwith even more caution before. Teds hands were shaking% he was psyched up to draw hisweapon, his TA(>C or his gun.

3red was a bit cooler though, that being his personality, and he was not yet ready tojump to the most horrific conclusion, although he had seen many things in his time, andwas set to deal with anything from simple assault to a serious battering. 6ostdisturbances seemed to be a mi1ed bag, however. It could probably just be a yelling

match going on inside.3red and Ted stood at the entrance. There were two doors The normal door and thestorm door on front. 3red put away his flashlight and tentatively rang the door bell in arapid fashionIN'! ON'! IN'! ON'! IN'! ON'! After a moment of silence,the two doors creaked open. $ho was inside could not be seen, though a heavy andlabored breathing could be heard.

Ted tried shining his flashlight to get a better look, but the doors were only open partway and the face of whoever was there stayed hidden.

!>1cuse me,# began 3red, !were here to


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!Coger. 8ver and out.#3red and Ted nodded at each other, and slowly turned their heads, looking back at

house F. The main door slammed shut. They uickly stood and jogged to the entrance.They knocked loudly, then rang the door bell when that did not work.

!6aam or mister;# said 3red. !$e will have to come in;#

Ted tried to open the storm door, but found it was closed. !/amn, it,# he said.!'othre probably locked.# (o, without a second thought, he took measure into his ownhands and used his flashlight to smash off the handle and lock-


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There was no response but for the footsteps which were heard again. The twodecided theyd go in>TH.It jumped onto 3red7and started licking his face.!/own boy,# he said, !down boy.#The dog immediately stopped and sat obediently. Ted was relieved. He petted the

animals scruffy head.!Hoo, for a second there,# he said, !I thought you were gonna bite off my friends

face.#!"ou thought that4# said 3red. !And how come I never saw you reach for your

weapon4#!"ou know what they say,# said Ted. !A trigger happy cop is a regretful cop.#!I never heard that saying before, but okay. 9lad to know you have my back.#

!"oure welcome.#!$ell, we better get


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!I got an idea,# said Ted. Then he aimed his gun and, without much forethought,pulled the trigger. He hoped to knock the a1e out of (arahs hand7but instead his bulletricocheted and went astray in darkness. It made a clank sound and then there was light.

A lamp illuminated the room.Ted screamed and nearly fell down. There was a hand


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!ow, youre going to be mad at me when I tell you this


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!He contacted us4 $hen4#!o, no, no. Im going to 0as ?egas to search for him.#!"oure joking.#!ope. I am not. Ive already packed my bags.#0aney pointed to a pile of luggage in the corner of the room.

!8h,# said Alan, !thats why those things were there.#!"ep,# continued 0aney. !Ill be gone very soon.#!"ou cant go.#!$hy not4#!Dh, aside from the dangers, we have a destiny to fulfill.#!$hat destiny4#!The big (pider


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men. (he had soft, luscious lips with a matching voice. 'right crystal&like eyes. *urvyhips. 'ig you&know&whats. And a killer butt.

ow Alan could not not pay attention. His eyes were fi1ated on the screen with hisfavorite news anchor. 0aney, though, was less enthusiastic.

!Today in the news,# 2acky 3awcett said, speaking to the camera as if it were a

person, !a local family torn apart


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!3irst of all, I dont know what the term 0' means. (econd of all, she did not murderher parents. That is to be determined through due process and the judiciary system.#

!(o, do you think shell be the ne1t Hitler4#!$hat4 $hatre you talking about4 $hats this gotta do with Hitler4 Are you guys

from 3o1 ews or whats the deal here4#

Alan took 0aney aside. !0aney, you dont need to talk to these people,# he said in alow, crummy tone. !2ust tell them to go away. $e have important things to do.#0aney, who wasnt adverse to attention, told the journalist to go away in her most

docile voice. !I really apologi5e for the inconvenience,# she said, !but its a school daytomorrow, and I


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(o, 3ather 3eli1 left and went to the kitchen where he prepared a pot of tea. As hewaited for the water to boil, for the teabags to release their flavor, he noticed somethingby the window. He stuck his head forward with a suint. !6y eyes must be deceivingme,# he said. Then he went back to the pot of tea which was by now ready and, with cupscarried it to the living room.

All things were promptly set down on the coffee table.!o biscuits4# Thompson said jokingly.!o,# replied 3ather 3eli1 in a stern voice. !Im afraid not.#Thompson felt as if he had made a gaffe. $ithout any more words, he poured tea for

two, then took a sip from his cup. He went !mmm# when the hot liuid went down histhroat.

!(o,# said 3ather 3eli1, finally breaking the silence, !how goes the uest4#!Ah, not to my liking,# replied Thompson.!$hy4 $hat happened4#!I thought I found the third of four.#!Thought4#

!"ou knew her I believe. The tall one named (arah. (hes been accused of murderingher parents. Im not certain, but they may try her as an adult. I very well think shes goingto go away for a very long time.#

!The girls clearly been possessed by a demon.#!6aybe that isnt the case.#!8h4#!Her behavior is completely normal. o, it doesnt seem as if she is possessed by a

demon7perhaps only influenced by one. "ou know, influence can go a long way in a badsituation. Her parents were neglectful folks, and uite verbally abusive. I can see whysomeone like that would snap. Im betting she bottled all of her emotions.#

3ather 3eli1 picked up his cup of tea from the coffee table, which was now cooleddown at this point. !Its a bad idea to bottle ones emotions.#

Thompson fidgeted. !This really shouldnt have happened. I hate the idea of thetown powers being involved in this. The public may come to know of what is out therelurking


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!"oure right. I cant waste anymore time. The undead are growing in numbers.>veryone would be deceased by now if it werent for the lack of nightlife in this boringtown.#

!Its hip to be a suare.#!(ure is7#

!(o, do they know about their uncle returning from the grave4#!3ather 3eli1, one traumatic situation at a time. Theyre going through so much rightnow. I dont want to worry them. The two buggers can hardly sleep as it is. If they knewall that went on7#

!Thompson, theyre already knee deep in whats going on. "ou cant hide the truthfrom them. "ou will regret it.#

The pot of tea finished. Thompson placed his cup down on the coffee table. !I knowit seems wrong,# he said, !especially since I belong to an organi5ation that e1pounds themorality of honesty. 'ut Ive taken up guardianship and I think its the right thing to doright now. I dont want to put too much on their plate, so to speak.#

3ather 3eli1, too, placed his cup down on the coffee table. !I respect your decision,#

he said. !However, I think you


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$hat was she doing out like this4 3ather 3eli1 opened the sliding door to found out.'etween him and her now was only a thin mesh&screen. !Hullo,# he called out. !/o youneed any help4 $e havent much here, but we are always willing to lend a hand withwhatever we can.#

The woman did not respond. All she did was circle around, aimlessly. 3ather 3eli1 at

this point was uite concerned. He slid the mesh&screen away and stepped outside infurry slippers. !"oung lady,# he continued calling. !Are you lost4 /o you needdirections4# He hobbled forward. He could hear the woman breathing loudly.

And he could see her much better than before. (he was sick looking with pale,mottled skin, a slack jaw, and well sunk in eyes.

3ather 3eli1 called out again. !"oung lady;#This time his voice registered into the womans ears, and she turned around and

started moving in his direction. At first only slowly, only shuffling, but then her speedpicked up. And she became faster, and faster, and faster, till she was running as fast as an8lympian athlete. Then she leapt into the air, a height of at least three stories, and openedher mouth to reveal her long fangs.

ow there was no doubt that she was an undead creature, a monster that some mightcall a vampire, but from where did she come4 3ather 3eli1


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And a bullet went through the sliding doors glass, shattering it, and hit the undeadwoman suare in the forehead. (he fell backwards and hit the ground with a t"unk. 3ather3eli1 went to check on her and saw black blood oo5ing from her forehead. $hen hetapped her with his foot, she twitched once and rolled onto her front. Then, at anunusually uick pace, rigor&mortis set in.

!$hat a lucky shot,# he said. !I really thought these undead creatures would beharder to defeat.# He crouched down and flipped over the body of the undead woman. Helooked her in the face with sympathy. !=oor girl. (he was probably once beautiful.# Thenhe shot her again in the head to make sure she was a goner.

*hapter +@

The bus ride today seemed e1tra long% Alan and 0aney sat in the back, in the seat acrossfrom Aiyana, and 2ohn who kept glaring.

$hile Alan was aware of these nasty looks, he kept his head forward and paid littleattention. He ignored his !foe# in a mature attempt to keep the peace, but this only

infuriated 2ohn even more.6eanwhile, amidst this tension, 0aney was uietly reading with two books sitting inher lap. 8ne was the /ragon (chool te1tbook, appropriate for her grade, and the otherwas a 0as ?egas travel guide. 6ostly she was absorbed with the travel guide. There wereinteresting pictures in it, and no depressing talk about the end of the mankind.

!Hmm,# she said while turning pages.Aiyana, the blonde girl, fiddled her thumbs and stared at the ceiling while prepping

her mind for the upcoming test, which would be both theoretical and practical. Thestudents at this point were coming along s

Demon Stoppers (Complete)

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