The Dark Corner Read Online Free PDF

“You are under our control. You will go home now and act as if nothing has happened. But later tonight we will come for you and take you and your little brother away.” He grinned and his mouth was full of many sharp teeth. “We will take you to the Dark Corner.”

7
    T he demon that approached was taller than the others and thinner. He was also dressed differently. He wore a gray cloak instead of a furry hide, and he walked more like a man than a demon. The earlier demons had danced and jumped around like hungry animals, but this demon headed straight for them as if he had important business to complete. Adam had no doubt that he was one of the dreaded Gatekeepers, and that after he had judged them, he would torture them to his heart’s content.
    The three friends looked anxiously at one another as the demon neared.
    â€œMaybe we can reason with him,” Sally said.
    â€œLike we reasoned with the others?” Watch asked.
    â€œWhatever happens,” Sally said, “I don’t want to go first. And don’t tell him it was my idea we came to this horrible place.”
    â€œGo first with what?” Adam asked.
    â€œWith whatever he’s going to do to us,” Sally said.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Watch said. “He’ll probably lower us into the boiling pit together.”
    â€œShh,” Adam said. “He’s almost here. Don’t give him any ideas.”
    The demon arrived a minute later. He stood directly in front of them and silently studied them. His face was as ugly as the other demons’, with scaly skin, a wide slobbering mouth, and piercing green eyes. As he scanned the street, it seemed as if he was whispering to himself.
    The whispers sounded vaguely human.
    â€œWhat are you three doing here?” he asked, keeping his head down.
    â€œIt wasn’t my idea to come,” Sally said quickly.
    â€œWe mean you no harm,” Adam said. “We came here looking for a friend.”
    â€œWhat is this friend’s name?” the demon asked.
    Adam squirmed against his pole. “His name is not important,” he said. “At least not to you. He’s our friend. We only want to find him and leave this place.”
    â€œYour counterparts have stolen some of your hair?” the demon asked.
    â€œYes,” Watch said.
    â€œThen it is not easy for you to leave here,” the demon said. “They have probably crossed over to your world by now. You cannot return until they come back here.” He paused. “Or until they are forced to return here.”
    Adam wondered at all the information the demon was volunteering. “Who are you? Are you a Gatekeeper?”
    The demon spoke in a whisper. “I am not a Gatekeeper. But one will soon come for you. You must not let him take you. If he does, you are doomed. You will never escape here.”
    â€œYou speak like a friend,” Watch said. “Are you here to help us?”
    The demon nodded. “I am here to help.” As he spoke he reached up and peeled back his face, and they saw that he was wearing the mask of a demon. In the sober red light of the hellish realm ahandsome young boy with dark hair and brown eyes stared at them.
    â€œBryce!” Sally exclaimed. “I knew we’d find you!”
    Bryce put his finger to his lips and glanced once more up and down the streets. “Shh! Don’t say my name so loudly. I am a hunted man.”
    â€œBut you’re only a kid like us,” Watch said.
    â€œHere I am a great danger to the Gatekeepers’ power,” Bryce said firmly. “I have been here almost a year, fighting their powers of darkness.”
    â€œBut I saw you last week,” Sally said.
    â€œTime moves differently in the Dark Corner,” Bryce said. “There is so much suffering here that time passes at a crawl.”
    â€œIt’s moving pretty slow for us right now, chained here,” Watch said, trying to