Dream Dark Read Online Free PDF Page B

into fists.
    Grayish-black fingers reached for Link, and his instinct took over. He lurched forward, and in a split second his hand was around the creature’s throat.
    The movement happened so fast that it surprised them both, and Link almost forgot to tighten his grip.
    The thing lashed out, clawing at Link. “The boy is too far from home.” The voice was strained, a hiss more than anything else. A hand caught the side of Link’s face, broken nails sinking into his skin.
    “Don’t touch me, you freak!” Link threw the mutated thing backward, and it flew at least ten feet, skidding across the dirt. Until then, Link hadn’t realized how strong he was.
    He watched the dark figure rise.
    A smile spread across Link’s face. That thing wasn’t the only creature in the game. There was a Linkubus there, too.
    Boo was back on his feet, stalking across the Tunnel floor and snarling.
    Link held out his hand. He wondered if Macon was watching through the Caster dog’s eyes. “Don’t worry, Boo. I’ve got this.”
    The yel ow eyes locked on Link, and he watched as the man-that-wasn’t-a-man surged forward like he was running in slow motion. Link pul ed the garden sheers from the waistband of his jeans and waited.
    The creature sprang, throwing itself on top on Link.
    He felt the blades make contact and saw the creature’s eyes widen.
    It fel backward, hitting the ground hard. It wasn’t moving, but its chest was stil rising and fal ing as Link sprinted past it, with Boo Radley right behind him.

CHAPTER 6
    Apocalypse
    Link didn’t stop running until he made it al the way through the pitch-black Tunnel. But even when he slowed down, his mind was stil racing.
    What had he done? It wasn’t like he’d had a choice—that thing could’ve kil ed him.
    What was it?
    Did Macon know it was down there?
    The farther Link walked, the more questions he had. His heart didn’t stop pounding until Boo stopped in front of a Doorwel . Even then he stil didn’t feel right—not that he ever did lately.
    Was this what it meant to have superpowers?
    Was it an unfair advantage in a fight? Did it count if you were fighting some kind of monster?
    When Link stepped out of the Outer Door and saw the house, he forgot everything else. Macon said the house was inland, but he must have been joking.
    Obidias Trueblood’s home was practical y carved into the side of a cliff. The warped gray wood blended into the stone surrounding it and hung dangerously close to the waves hitting the rock wal below. Link was sure that if one of those waves was big enough, the whole place would crumble into the sea.
    Who the hell would live here?
    Boo barked as if he was offering an answer, but Link already knew it. A crazy friend of Macon Ravenwood’s—that’s who.
    Link navigated the rocks until he reached the part of the house facing the land, where he saw two crooked windows and a door that had lost its paint to the salty air long ago. There was a round iron ring in the center of the rotted wood.
    Link glanced at Boo, who was watching him expectantly. “Maybe nobody’s home.” The Caster dog didn’t look convinced. “Okay, I’m knockin’.”
    The ring struck the door, and it slowly swung open.
    “Hel o?” Link cal ed.
    No one was there. Link glanced down at the lock.
    It was busted. He stepped into the entryway tentatively. “Hel o? Is anybody home?”
    Inside, the place was like a library. Books were stacked everywhere, and except for a few chairs by the fireplace and a plank table, there was no furniture. Just books and journals from floor to ceiling, and maps tacked to the empty spaces on the wal s in between. The kitchen was off to one side, with a huge window that overlooked the water.
    Someone had to be there. The fireplace was stil lit.
    “Mr. Trueblood?” Link cal ed out over the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks outside.
    “Macon Ravenwood sent me. He has a message for you.”
    Boo sniffed around the room, pausing by a long