Shrunk! Read Online Free PDF Page B

fault.
    I’m going to destroy the planet and there’s nothing I can do about it.
    I feel 100% rubbish.
    Then I feel 100% angry. It’s not all my fault – some of it’s Jacob Devlin’s fault. He was the one that emptied Jupiter out on to the playground.
    I’ll go home. Watch the news. Maybe tell Mum later?
    I turn to go back to the house, but something’s clattering on the street. Someone’s dragging something.
    Grandma’s stick?
    Again?

Chapter 11
    But it’s not Grandma. It’s something huge, with a stick pushing something smaller along the road. The smaller thing’s whimpering.
    I shrink back against the wall.
    The huge thing’s Jacob Devlin, and the whimpering thing’s Eric. Jacob’s got a plastic toasting fork in his hand, and he’s pressing it into Eric’s back. Jacob’s wearing a shiny red plastic devil’s costume. Even in the near dark I can see that it’s meant for a much smaller person.
    â€˜Right, Snot Face Geek . . .’
    â€˜My name’s Eric.’
    â€˜
My name’s Eric
. So?’ He jabs at Eric.
    â€˜So leave me alone.’
    â€˜I might, if you give me all your sweets.’
    â€˜But I haven’t got any.’
    â€˜All right then, if you can’t give me your sweets, then I’ve got something for you. After all, you barfed on me – you “very kindly” gave me your breakfast. I want to give you something back, so I think I’ll give you my dinner.’
    â€˜What?’ The pumpkin lanterns reflect in Eric’s glasses.
    â€˜I’ve been trick or treating,’ says Jacob. He’s doing something with the tail of his devil costume.
    Eric doesn’t answer. He pulls back, but Jacob’s about twice his size and Eric doesn’t get far. ‘And I’ve been eating since I came out of school.’ It’s hard to see in the dark, but I think Jacob’s wrapped the tail of his devil’s costume around Eric’s hands. ‘I’ve eaten Monster Crunch, chocolate witches, popping candy frogs and toffee.’ He lets out a belch. ‘Smokey bacon crisps, mint choc chip ice cream, flying saucers, cola, three hot dogs, lemonade, cheesy krispies, sherbert fountains, and chips.’ Jacob lets out another belch.
    Eric’s pressing himself back against the wall, and Jacob’s holding him tight. Or rather the mass of Jacob’s stomach is holding Eric tight.
    â€˜And I had those chips, with loads and loads of brown sauce, and I washed it all down with milk.’
    I stare through the dark. I don’t think Jacob knows I’m here.
    â€˜So all I’ve got to do is stick my fingers, just like this.’ I see his devil head go back, his fingers against the last light like a pronged tongue going into his mouth.
    â€˜No – you wouldn’t.’ Eric sounds panicky.
    Surely, even Jacob Devlin wouldn’t . . . Maybe he would? I run five paces further back and before I even think about it I lift my hand, put the forefinger and thumb together, and,
    Click
.

Chapter 12
    Oh no. I’ve really done it now.
    Eric’s still got his hands tied together, but there’s this red string, reaching all the way into my hand. It stops at a little red squirming thing.
    A cold hot rush sweeps over me, and for a second I consider dropping it and running.
    â€˜Help!’ A tiny voice comes from the red shiny grub. Eric walks towards me, and I see that he’s gone even whiter, and looks like he’s going to be sick again.
    â€˜No – it’s OK,’ I say, although I don’t believe it myself for one second. ‘I did it.’
    â€˜You?’ Eric’s voice comes out all scratchy and surprised. ‘That thing – that’s Jacob Devlin?’
    I look again at the horrible little grub on my palm, and nod my head.
    We sit in Eric’s utterly weird bedroom. I think we’re both in shock. But