The Beast From the East by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

away.
    “Good luck,” Spork cried as he hurried after Fleg. Gleeb followed. They raced
back toward the stone tunnel.
    “Wait!” I yelled. I ran after them as fast as I could.
    I raced into the rock tunnel. I could hear the beasts up ahead of me. They
growled and grunted, scraping their claws across the walls and ceiling again.
Making a racket.
    I saw them burst through the other side of the tunnel. They split up, running
in different directions.
    Which way should I go? I knew I couldn’t waste time.
    I followed Fleg.
    He wove in and out between the trees. He leaped over some scraggly bushes.
    I panted, straining to keep up.
    Fleg picked up the pace.
    Faster and faster.
    I could barely keep up now. I was gasping for air.
    “Wait!” I shouted desperately. “Wait!”
    Fleg glanced once over his shoulder. He disappeared into the trees. I stopped
running after him.
    Overhead, the sky turned to purple. Soon it would be completely dark.
    I spun around, searching desperately for a beast to tag.
    “Yoo-hoo! Over here!” I heard a call.
    I whirled around.
    Spork. He waved to me from between two tall trees.
    I raced toward him.
    Spork lumbered down a twisting path. I followed him.
    What else could I do?
    Suddenly, my foot caught on a rock. I sprawled into the dirt.
    I forced myself to get up. The woods were quiet around me.
    No beasts.
    I wanted to scream! So I did.
    “Fleg! Spork! Gleeb! Where are you?” I shouted. How could I tag them? I
couldn’t even find them.
    My eyes scanned the area.
    What was that? I squinted harder.
    Yes! A blue furry head! It popped up behind a bush.
    My last chance.
    I gathered my energy and sprinted toward the bush. My hand reached out. “Tag!”
I yelled. “You’re—”

 
 
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    “ Gurraugh !” The tiny beast pawed the air.
    The baby beast! The only beast under three feet tall. Too short to play the
game.
    No fair! I thought.
    My hopes were crushed. Again.
    I picked up a rock and heaved it angrily into the woods.
    “Where is everyone?” I screamed. “Come out and play!”
    The little beast patted its claws together and gurgled happily.
    I stared at it. Why was it here all alone?
    Then it hit me. Of course.
    There must be another beast nearby. A grownup beast to watch the kid. One
over three feet tall.
    One I could tag.
    I checked out the area. Trees and large rocks. I would have to search behind
every one of them.
    Taking a deep breath, I tiptoed silently through the trees. Stopped to peer
behind each rock.
    Crunch. My foot cracked a pile of twigs.
    I stood completely still. And waited.
    Silence.
    I moved forward.
    I listened carefully.
    Silence.
    I crept forward. A beast had to be here somewhere.
    But where?
    Then I heard a noise.
    Mumbling.
    I crept behind a bush and inched closer to the sound. It came from behind a
tall, jagged rock.
    I peeked out.
    Spork!
    Yes! Spork stood behind the rock, talking to himself. He scratched the lumpy
scar on his nose.
    I could easily tag him.
    But was this another penalty rock?
    Would it go up in smoke?
    I didn’t want to end up in a cage dangling above the ground.
    Like Nat. Poor Nat.
    I took another deep breath and inched closer to Spork.
    Spork turned and searched the woods behind him. “Little beast,” he called out. “Is that you?”
    I dropped to the ground and waited.
    My heart pounded in my ears. I forced myself to stay quiet.
    Spork didn’t move from his spot. He sighed and started mumbling again.
    Three more steps and I could tag him.
    Two more.
    I wiped my forehead. One more.
    It was too good to be true. Spork had no idea I was behind him.
    I smacked him hard. “You’re It!” I shrieked.
    Spork gasped in surprise. His big paws shot up into the air. I thought he was
about to faint!
    “I’ve done it! I’ve done it!” I cried happily.
    I was free!
    Nat was free!
    Spork grunted and raised himself up. He towered over me. He didn’t seem the
least bit upset. But he had just lost the game.
    “You’re It!” I