Don't Close Your Eyes! Read Online Free PDF Page B

it. It poured over the two helpless boys, covering them in thick, gooey gunk.
    “Help! Stop it!”
    “Stop!”
    They started to gasp and choke. They couldn't breathe.
    Finally, the ink stopped spewing. I spit the last few drops onto the ground. The Wilburs were screaming and crying.
    One of the girls turned to me. “Awesome magic trick!” she said.
    But I backed away in horror.
    I knew it wasn't my magic. It was evil magic. It was magic from the
thing
living inside me.
    I had no control. No control of my own body.
    What would Inkweed do next? What would happen to me next?
    I turned toward my house and let out a scream:
“Oh no!”

14
    B USTER !
    My huge furry dog came running across the yard toward me, snarling and snapping his teeth.
    Buster is a wolfhound. He's as big as a horse— and he
hates
me! Don't ask me why, because I don't know why. He just does.
    “Yaaaaiii!”
I let out a cry as the monster dog leaped at me. He knocked me to the ground with his powerful front paws and snapped his teeth at me, growling and snarling.
    Buster liked to show me who was boss. Even though I didn't need to be told!
    But this time, the furry beast was in for a surprise.
    Once again, I felt the hot rage swell in my chest. It rose to my throat—and burst out of me in an ear-shattering scream of rage.
    I lost control. My front yard became a swirling red blur.
    Inkweed, with all his terrible rage, took over my body.
    Without even realizing what I was doing, I grabbed Buster by his neck and stomach. I hoisted him off the ground.
    He uttered a startled
yelp
.
    I raised the huge dog high over my head and held him there as if he weighed nothing!
    I let out another cry of rage—in a voice that wasn't mine, a voice I'd never heard before.
    Then I raised the dog higher, tightened my muscles, and prepared to slam him to the ground.
    The front door opened. Mom poked her head out. “Maxie?” she called. “You're playing with Buster? That's so
cute!
Don't move. I'm going to get the camera.”
    Mom vanished into the house.
    I felt my muscles suddenly relax. With a loud sigh, I set Buster down gently on the grass. The confused dog stared up at me for a long moment. He made soft whimpering sounds. Then he turned and hurried away.
    Dinner. Dad brought home a bucket of chicken, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw. A feast—but I didn't feel much like eating.
    When Mom and Dad weren't looking, Colin shoved a wet gob of mashed potatoes into my T-shirt pocket. I just left it there. I didn't feel like getting into anything with Colin tonight.
    I yawned. I kept blinking, trying to keep my tired eyes open.
    Mom buttered a biscuit and took a bite. “Max, I almost forgot,” she said. “Coach Freeley called, looking for you. He said your tryout for the swim team is tomorrow after school.”
    I nearly choked on my chicken leg. “Uh … I might be too tired to swim tomorrow. I haven't been sleeping well.”
    Dad had his plate piled high with chicken breasts and a mountain of mashed potatoes. He burped. Swallowed. Stared harshly at me. “Too tired? What kind of excuse is that?”
    “A
lame
excuse?” Colin chimed in.
    “Go to bed early tonight,” Dad said. “You'll be ready to swim tomorrow.”
    I sighed. “Maybe this swim team thing is a bad idea,” I said. “You know cold water makes my skin pucker up.”
    Dad slammed his fist on the table. One of his chicken breasts flew into his lap. “You're trying out tomorrow,” he boomed. “You promised.”
    “Maybe I'll work out for a year or two first,” I said. “You know. Get in shape. Then try out.”
    Dad glared at me. “You're going to make the team tomorrow, Max,” he said. “Colin is a champion swimmer, and you will be too.”
    Colin jumped to his feet. “Would you like to seeall my trophies and medals, Max? Maybe that will inspire you.”
    “Sit down, Colin,” Mom scolded. “You just want to show off.”
    “At least I have something to show off,” Colin said. “Tell you what, Max.