My hands grabbed the highest root I could reach. I pulled myself up. I heard a crumbling of loose dirt.
I pressed myself against the wall as more dirt sifted down the side of the pit, spraying my face.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Waited for the dirt to stop falling. Then I found the next root and began climbing again.
How much time did I have left? How much time before the sun went down?
My shoulder ached. But I had a long way to go. I rested briefly against the wall. Then I continued climbing.
Snap!
The root shattered under my right foot. My leg dangled in the air.
Snap!
The root under my right hand popped loose.
“Hey!” I cried out as I felt myself fall.
I landed hard on the floor of the pit. I lay still for a moment, trying to catch my breath.
I gazed up. A last bit of pink sky glowed over the mouth of the pit.
In the fading light, I looked around. I saw the useless roots on the sides of the deep hole. I glanced down.
Oh, no.
There was just enough sunlight to see the ground beneath me.
It was brown.
And square.
A Free Lunch square.
I was trapped. Trapped on a Free Lunch square. The beasts could eat me—anytime they wanted.
I froze in panic. And heard rumbling footsteps above me.
I huddled in a corner of the pit. Pressed my back against the dirt.
“This way!” I heard Fleg shout. “She’s down here!”
22
Fleg appeared in the opening above me. His flabby chin hung down. His eyes locked onto mine.
“Found you!” he cried.
Spork slid next to Fleg. He grinned down at me and drooled yellow drool. It splattered beside my boot.
“Something down there smells delicious!” Spork cried. “I’m soooo hungry!”
Gleeb shoved his furry face between Fleg’s and Spork’s.
He smacked his lips. I heard his stomach growl.
“Finally!” Spork grunted. “Pull her out! Let’s eat!”
I covered my face with my hands. “Please. Don’t hurt me,” I cried. “I haven’t done anything to you.”
Fleg shrugged. “You play the game. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose.”
Spork and Gleeb reached down into the pit. Their big paws swiped at me.
I pressed my back tighter against the wall. “Please,” I begged. “Please go away and leave me alone. You win, okay? You can have all my points.”
“Points can’t be given away,” Fleg scolded. “You know that.”
The others grunted in agreement. They reached down for me.
My eyes searched the pit.
I needed a weapon.
The roots?
I yanked a fat one out of the dirt.
“Stay back!” I shouted, whipping the root at their paws.
The beasts slapped each other on the back and laughed their ugly laugh.
“You’ll be sorry,” I threatened.
Who was I kidding? This stupid root couldn’t hurt them. And they knew it. I was the Beast from the East. I was dinner.
Fleg leaned into the pit and snarled. His claws were only inches from my face.
I ducked.
His paw brushed against the back of my neck. I felt claws scratch my skin.
I jerked away. The hair on my arms stood straight up.
If only I could burrow into the earth like an animal, I thought.
Fleg’s paw swiped the air in front of my face.
“Stop ducking away,” he shouted. “You’re just making me hungrier.”
“This isn’t fair!” I screamed.
He turned to Spork and Gleeb. “I’m tired of this,” he complained. “Enough stalling.”
His round eyes gleamed down hungrily at me.
“Get her!” he bellowed.
Spork leaned down and grabbed my arm. I felt his claws dig into my skin. He pulled me up and yanked me to my feet.
It’s all over, I thought sadly. The game is over.
23
A cloud passed overhead, throwing the pit into deep shadow.
Fleg howled. He slapped his broad forehead. “Made in the Shade!” he cried.
Spork opened his paw and let go of my arm.
I dropped to the ground. Fell to my knees.
“Made in the Shade!” Spork cried.
“Made in the Shade!” Gleeb echoed.
I climbed to my feet. The angry voices of the beasts made my head throb.
They stomped their feet loudly.
“What’s going on?” I demanded.
“You’re safe,” Spork replied, sneering in disgust. “This time.”
Safe? I breathed a sigh of relief.
“But… why?” I asked, amazed.
“You’re Made in the Shade,” Fleg explained.
“We can’t touch you. It’s a free pass. But you can only use it once.”
Once was enough, I hoped. I didn’t plan to play this game forever.
“We have to let you go this time,” Fleg growled. “But you’re still the Beast from the East.”
“You still have to tag someone before sundown,” Spork agreed.
Gleeb sighed. The three beasts turned to the woods. “We’ll go now,” Fleg announced.
“Wait!” I scrambled to my feet. “How do I get out of here? How can I tag someone if I’m stuck in this pit?”
Fleg rolled his eyes. He reached down and pressed one paw against a purple rock on the ground near the edge of the pit.
The pit floor creaked and groaned.
Then it rose up. Higher and higher.
Finally it jerked to a halt a few feet below the ground.
I was close enough to stare at the beasts’ ankles. I could see shiny black bugs crawling in their fur. I swallowed nervously. Was this some kind of trick? Or was I really safe?
“I still need help to climb out of here,” I told Fleg.
Fleg pounded on the purple rock again.
The floor started moving. This time it stopped level with the ground.
I hopped off the Free Lunch square. The beasts circled me.
“The sun is almost down,” Fleg warned. “The game is almost over.”
“You don’t have much time,” Spork added.
Fleg snorted. Then he turned and lumbered away.
“Good luck,” Spork cried as he hurried after Fleg. Gleeb followed. They raced back toward the stone tunnel.
“Wait!” I yelled. I ran after them as fast as I could.
I raced into the rock tunnel. I could hear the beasts up ahead of me. They growled and grunted, scraping their claws across the walls and ceiling again. Making a racket.
I saw them burst through the other side of the tunnel. They split up, running in different directions.
Which way should I go? I knew I couldn’t waste time.
I followed Fleg.
He wove in and out between the trees. He leaped over some scraggly bushes.
I panted, straining to keep up.
Fleg picked up the pace.
Faster and faster.
I could barely keep up now. I was gasping for air.
“Wait!” I shouted desperately. “Wait!”
Fleg glanced once over his shoulder. He disappeared into the trees. I stopped running after him.
Overhead, the sky turned to purple. Soon it would be completely dark.
I spun around, searching desperately for a beast to tag.
“Yoo-hoo! Over here!” I heard a call.
I whirled around.
Spork. He waved to me from between two tall trees.
I raced toward him.
Spork lumbered down a twisting path. I followed him.
What else could I do?
Suddenly, my foot caught on a rock. I sprawled into the dirt.
I forced myself to get up. The woods were quiet around me.
No beasts.
&n
bsp; I wanted to scream! So I did.
“Fleg! Spork! Gleeb! Where are you?” I shouted. How could I tag them? I couldn’t even find them.
My eyes scanned the area.
What was that? I squinted harder.
Yes! A blue furry head! It popped up behind a bush.
My last chance.
I gathered my energy and sprinted toward the bush. My hand reached out. “Tag!” I yelled. “You’re—”
24
“Gurraugh!” The tiny beast pawed the air.
The baby beast! The only beast under three feet tall. Too short to play the game.
No fair! I thought.
My hopes were crushed. Again.
I picked up a rock and heaved it angrily into the woods.
“Where is everyone?” I screamed. “Come out and play!”
The little beast patted its claws together and gurgled happily.
I stared at it. Why was it here all alone?
Then it hit me. Of course.
There must be another beast nearby. A grownup beast to watch the kid. One over three feet tall.
One I could tag.
I checked out the area. Trees and large rocks. I would have to search behind every one of them.
Taking a deep breath, I tiptoed silently through the trees. Stopped to peer behind each rock.
Crunch. My foot cracked a pile of twigs.
I stood completely still. And waited.
Silence.
I moved forward.
I listened carefully.
Silence.
I crept forward. A beast had to be here somewhere.
But where?
Then I heard a noise.
Mumbling.
I crept behind a bush and inched closer to the sound. It came from behind a tall, jagged rock.
I peeked out.
Spork!
Yes! Spork stood behind the rock, talking to himself. He scratched the lumpy scar on his nose.
I could easily tag him.
But was this another penalty rock?
Would it go up in smoke?
I didn’t want to end up in a cage dangling above the ground.
Like Nat. Poor Nat.
I took another deep breath and inched closer to Spork.
Spork turned and searched the woods behind him. “Little beast,” he called out. “Is that you?”
I dropped to the ground and waited.
My heart pounded in my ears. I forced myself to stay quiet.
Spork didn’t move from his spot. He sighed and started mumbling again.
Three more steps and I could tag him.
Two more.
I wiped my forehead. One more.
It was too good to be true. Spork had no idea I was behind him.
I smacked him hard. “You’re It!” I shrieked.
Spork gasped in surprise. His big paws shot up into the air. I thought he was about to faint!
“I’ve done it! I’ve done it!” I cried happily.
I was free!
Nat was free!
Spork grunted and raised himself up. He towered over me. He didn’t seem the least bit upset. But he had just lost the game.
“You’re It!” I repeated. “You’re the Beast from the East!”
Spork raised a paw lazily and scratched his open eye socket.
I felt a chill of fear. What if Spork refused to obey the rules?
“Sorry,” Spork said softly. “Not this time.”
“Hey—!” I shouted angrily. “You have to obey the rules! I tagged you, fair and square!”
Spork stared at me as if I were being very funny. Something was wrong. But what? What was it? Why didn’t he say something? Spork’s lips curled into a nasty grin.
25
“You tagged me from the west,” Spork whispered. “It doesn’t count.”
I could feel the blood rush to my face. “No fair! I tagged you! I tagged you!” I wailed.
Spork shrugged.
“You have to tag me from the east. Remember?” Spork’s little eyes nearly disappeared as his face crumpled in laughter. “You’re still the Beast from the East!”
I groaned.
How could I have forgotten? That was the most important rule of all.
How was I supposed to know which way was east? I couldn’t even see the sun anymore!
My head throbbed. My whole body ached. I was sore and hungry.
Spork stood there, shaking with silent laughter.
I glanced at the darkening sky.
Wait a minute!
I climbed up on the boulder. The sun was setting behind me. That was the west. In front of me was east.
I studied Spork. Without Fleg around, the big beast seemed less menacing. Harmless almost.
After all, he was supposed to be baby-sitting. And what had happened? He’d lost the little beast.
And now he was so busy laughing at my mistake, he had practically forgotten about me.
“Hey, Spork,” I called. “Do you want to play one of my games now?”
“But we’re still playing this one.” Spork blinked in surprise.
“I’ll pause it. It’s kind of boring anyway, isn’t it?” I asked. “My game is lots more fun.”
Spork scratched the hole where his eye used to be. He pulled a big, black bug out of it, and tossed the bug away. “What’s your game called?”
“Freeze Frame,” I answered quickly.
Nat and Pat loved to play this game.
“We spin around and when I say stop, we freeze—and see if one of us can keep our balance and not fall over.”
“Sounds fun,” Spork agreed. “Why not?”
“Okay then,” I said. “Let’s try it. Spin!” I shouted.
We both started to spin.
I peeked at Spork. His arms swung out as he whirled around.
“Faster!” I called out. “Much faster.”
Spork whirled faster and faster as he turned around in circles.
His tail swished against the bushes. I jumped out of the way.
Spork started to wobble.
“Game—unpaused!” I shouted.
Spork didn’t seem to hear me. He teetered and stumbled into a tree.
“Freeze!” I shouted.
Spork froze in place.
I leaped at him and tagged him. Hard.
From the east.
“You’re It!” I shouted. I backed away. “I tagged you from the east! This time you’re really It!”
Spork placed both paws against his head and closed his eyes. I could tell he was still dizzy. He spread his legs and balanced himself against the tree.
He bopped himself in the face with his paw. “You did it,” he agreed. He ran his bumpy tongue over his lips. He exhaled a deep breath. “I’m It,” he admitted.
“Yes. Yes. Yes!” I cried. I jumped up in excitement.
Spork plopped down against the boulder.
“I’m free!” I shrieked. “The game is over.” I clenched my hand into a fist and pumped my arm.
“I’m going to rescue Nat,” I said. “Which way is he?”
Spork pointed his clawed finger to my right.
“We’re outta here!” I shouted.
I’d never been so happy in all my life.
“Well, Spork old pal,” I said, beaming at him. “This is good-bye. See you!”
“Not so quick,” Spork said. “I’m afraid you can’t leave.”
26
“Forget it,” I said. “You can’t change the rules again! No way.”
“You can’t leave,” he repeated. “The game continues until sunset.” He glared at me stubbornly.
I gazed at the sky. The purple was fading to gray. Not much time left. But enough.
I wasn’t going to be It again.
I could hide until dark. But where?
“Don’t just stand there,” Spork warned. “You could be tagged again.”
“Never,” I insisted. “I won’t let that happen.”
Befor
e I could move, Fleg stomped from behind a tree. The flabby skin under his chin swung from side to side.
Gleeb crept behind him.
“She tagged me!” Spork told them.
“I knew it!” Fleg stared at me. “I knew you played this game before.”
I balled my hands into fists. I was angry. I’d had enough.
They forced me to play their stupid game. But I wasn’t going to lose now.
Fleg waved me away. “You have until I count to trel,” he said. “Then we’re allowed to come after you again.”
He turned his back and covered his eyes. “Gling… proo… zee… freen… trel,” he counted.
I had no choice. I ran.
Don’t stop, I told myself. Don’t think about anything. Run. Find a place to hide.
“Ready or not—here we come!” I heard Fleg cry.
Behind me, the beasts growled and grunted in excitement.
I hurled myself off the path and pushed through the tall, scratchy grass between the trees. I jumped over a clump of cabbage plants.
My legs ached. My feet burned.
But I couldn’t stop.
Not until I reached a hiding place.
I skidded to a stop when I heard rushing water. I nearly fell into the stream. A large blue fish leaped out of the water and snapped at my ankles.
This was no place to hide. I turned back into the woods.
A cold wind blew in my face. The gourds whistled their strange melody.
“Here I come!” Spork shouted off to my left.
I pushed myself faster. No way he was going to tag me.
I glanced around. Which way?
The rock tunnel! I saw it only a few feet away.
I darted into the darkness. Without the beasts yelling and shouting, it was eerily quiet inside. I slowed down and tiptoed through the tunnel.
When I reached the other side, I crept into the dense trees. I slumped against a tree and waited, trying to keep quiet. I was breathing so hard I was afraid the beasts could hear me!
A moment passed.
I felt the trembling that meant the beasts were approaching.
I held my breath and ducked beneath an umbrella plant.
Seconds later, Fleg, Spork, and Gleeb burst out of the tunnel and raced down the path. Four more beasts followed behind them. They passed the bush where I hid. Crashed into the woods. And kept going.
I waited to make sure they were gone.