Nightmare Hour Read Online Free PDF Page B

without windows. With a sigh he dropped onto the wooden cot that served as his bed.
    He leaned against the stone wall, shut his eyes, and tried to think. His stomach grumbled. For breakfast he usually ate Margolin’s leftovers. But this morning the snakes had ruined his appetite.
    Margolin’s cruel words echoed in Ned’s ear: “ Don’t you realize that you are doomed?… He will turn you into a lizard… I shall keep you in a jar .”
    Ned shuddered. He pictured himself as a brown lizard, walking on four scaly legs, tail sliding over the floor, his tongue flicking out at insects.
    â€œNed! Come here!” Ned’s eyes shot open at the sound of Margolin’s shout. “Lazy idiot, where are you? Prepare my lunch!”
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    Ned spent a restless night. Lizards invaded his dreams. He awoke the next morning in a cold sweat, his heart racing.
    Would Shamandra arrive today?
    After breakfast Margolin ordered Ned to clear the table quickly.
    Ned couldn’t stop thinking about Shamandra. He dropped the serving platter, then the utensils. “S-sorry, sir.”
    â€œFool,” Margolin muttered. “When you have finished dropping everything I own, meet me in the secret chamber. We have work to do.”
    Ned cleaned up quickly. Then he hurried to the secret chamber.
    To his surprise Margolin greeted him with a smile. “I have had a change of heart. I have decided to give you a chance to defend yourself against Shamandra.”
    â€œA ch-chance?” Ned asked surprised.
    Margolin nodded. He reached into the deep pocket of his robe and pulled out a small, shiny object. He handed it to Ned.
    Ned examined the smooth, silvery circle. “A common reflecting glass?” He stared at his face in the small mirror. “Sir, how can I protect myself with this?”
    â€œSimple,” Margolin replied, stroking his pointed beard. “When Shamandra begins to cast his spell to change you into a lizard, he will gesture toward you with his left hand. Raise the mirror at just the right moment and you will bounce the magic back at him.”
    Margolin stepped toward Ned. “Your timing must be perfect, boy.” He sighed. “It’s a small chance. But I decidedyou deserve it since you helped me yesterday.”
    Then Margolin added, “Maybe it will work. Maybe not. But it will distract Shamandra and give me time to cast my first spell. A good plan indeed!”
    Margolin started stirring powders in a large bowl. Ned walked to the fire and began practicing with the mirror. He held it at his side, then raised it quickly, aiming it in front of him.
    How much time did he have to practice?
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    Shamandra arrived a few moments later.
    Ned gasped.
    Shamandra was short and slender. His bright-red robe hung down to the floor. His face was hidden behind a red wool hood. Only his eyes--icy, silvery eyes--were revealed.
    He strode slowly, calmly into the room. “Margolin,” Shamandra announced softly, “I am here.”
    Margolin laughed. “Shamandra, is your magic as weak as your voice?”
    â€œI…am…not…weak,” Shamandra replied, saying each word slowly, distinctly. “Sample the Winds of Destruction! ”
    Shamandra raised his left hand high. Ned heard a howling sound, low at first, then louder, until it became a deafening roar.
    A blast of icy, cold wind shot through the room. Then another blast, so powerful it toppled jars and bottles from the shelves.
    The wind became a howling whirlwind.
    Ned dropped to the floor and raised his hands in front of his face. But the wind lifted him up, carried him high, and spun him around the room.
    â€œ Nooooooo! ” A terrified scream burst from his throat as the whirlwind smashed him into the stone wall.
    He hit hard. Pain shot through his body. He slid to the floor, dazed and panting.
    When he finally stood up, Ned saw Margolin point two fingers at Shamandra. “Your winds are as weak