The Nightmare Man Read Online Free PDF Page A

nightmare, but it was so horrible. He just wanted it to stop.
    ‘ Aw, have they forgotten about you already? ’
    Luke heard the Nightmare Man’s voice. Then he spun around as he felt the cold, dead hand grabbing his shoulder and –
    Suddenly, they were outside! It was pitch black, except for a bonfire that was burning in the middle of the garden. Luke walked over to it. He realised he was still in his pyjamas, but he wasn’t cold. This meant that this wasn’t real. Logically, there was no need to be frightened or upset because this wasn’t real. After all, what else could the Nightmare Man show him? Nothing could be worse than what he’d already seen.
    He saw Clyde and Rani approaching. Both had their arms full but Luke couldn’t see what they were carrying. Then, the light from the fire showed him. They were carrying his stuff. His schoolwork. His photos. Even his quilt and pillows. Everything that belonged to him.
    And they started to throw it on to the fire. Luke stared, heartbroken, as the photos melted and his schoolwork burned. Rani then revealed his old teddy bear. The one his mum had given to him even though he was already too old for it. Rani smiled and threw it on the fire. Then she turned to look at Clyde.
    ‘You getting rid of that as well?’
    Luke stared, horrified, as Clyde revealed a drawing of him and Luke. It was one of the first pieces of art Clyde had ever shown the others. It meant so much to all of them.
    ‘Yeah,’ Clyde shrugged. ‘It’s all over, isn’t it?
    And slowly and deliberately, he tore the picture up and threw the bits on the fire.
    ‘Please,’ whispered Luke. ‘Stop this…’
    But it wasn’t over yet. He watched as Sarah Jane and Josh left the house and joined them at the fire. She was carrying a photograph in a frame. It was of her and Luke. Both of them were grinning at the camera. They didn’t just look like mother and son. They looked like friends. Best friends.
    ‘Bye, Luke,’ she said, her voice so cold.
    And she threw the photograph onto the fire. Luke watched, tears in his eyes, as the glass cracked and the frame started to burn. The photograph began to bubble and melt.
    Then, holding her hands out, Sarah Jane led the others back into the house. Luke was left, standing there, watching his life burn.
    Suddenly, he sensed something cold and evil. He shivered.
    ‘What are you?’ he asked, without looking up. He knew that the Nightmare Man was standing on the other side of the fire.
    ‘ I’m in every nightmare. Always behind you. Feeding on your fear. ’
    Luke finally tore his eyes away from the fire. He looked up at the Nightmare Man. Through the smoke he could see the creature’s face. It was smiling. This made Luke so angry.
    ‘What do you want? Why are you doing this to me?’
    ‘ Because of your mind! Because of how the Bane made you! You’ve so much potential, Luke. ’
    Luke moved around the fire and started to advance towards the Nightmare Man. He was just a bully and Luke had stood up to bullies before.
    ‘But what do you want?’ he shouted.
    ‘ Life. Your nightmares, your fear, they’re giving me such power. One more little nightmare from you, and I’ll be in your world .’
    Luke stopped and stared up at him. He was still smiling. The flames from the fire were reflected on his rotting teeth.
    ‘You can’t!’
    The Nightmare Man took a step towards Luke, towering over him.
    ‘ I’ll send everyone into an eternal sleep. A whole world of nightmares for me to feast upon. And I’ll just get stronger and stronger and oh, it’s going to be so good. ’ He started to giggle. ‘ And it’s all because of you, Lukey. ’
    Luke was really freaked out now, but he was determined not to let this thing destroy him.
    ‘Where are you from?’
    The Nightmare Man stopped laughing. He looked surprised at the question.
    ‘What planet are you from?’ demanded Luke.
    The Nightmare Man looked down at him and sneered. ‘ I’m from nowhere. I’m from