The Word Eater by Mary Amato Read Free Book Online

He slowed to a walk, the concrete sidewalk slamming up through his thin-soled sneakers. He wished he could run so fast that his feet would leave the ground. He wished his bones were hollow like a bird’s so he could fly. He’d fly above Thirty-sixth Street, past the turnoff to his house, past the parkway and the zoo. He’d fly and fly and keep on flying, out of town, out of the world.
    Ahead, the stoplight turned red. He pounded right into the intersection, and a car screeched to a stop, honking. The driver got out to yell, and Bobby took off running again, plowing past a group of third graders on the corner who were too scared to protest. When he got home, he ran straight to his father’s den and locked the door.
    He turned on the computer and called up the Internet.
    Outside, Ripper barked. Somebody screamed. Bobby parted his window curtain and lookedout. Helmet Head. She was in the driveway walking over to Ripper’s pen, closer than Bobby had ever seen her dare to come. Staying hidden, he eased the window a crack.
    â€œThat’s the last time you’re going to scare me.” Lerner was talking to Ripper. “I’ve got a little surprise for you named Fip.”
    Every cell in Bobby’s brain came to attention. What did she mean—a surprise named Fip? Bobby saw her flash a smile at Ripper and walk into her house. No way! Lerner Chanse never smiled at Ripper. The image of Lerner riding on a broomstick with her short blond hair sticking straight up flew in and out of Bobby’s mind. Maybe she wasn’t a witch, but odd things were happening and she was involved. It all started with the thumbtacks, which he got when he slammed into her. She brought in an article about Jay’s Star, and the next day the star disappeared. Then, she used the lunch menu to hold some bug, and the spinach soufflé disappeared. A bunch of coincidences? No way! Today the principal talked about the missing vending machine, and guess who was passing out candy bars like a millionaire? And Lerner was smiling when Droan’s tests disappeared. That was definitely odd.
    Bobby got his binoculars and tried to see into Lerner’s bedroom window. What was going on? And what was this surprise named Fip? No luck. Her curtains were drawn.
    Turning back to the computer, he typed in “vending machine.”

    Lerner ran in the back door, holding her backpack tightly against her chest.
    Martha met her at the door with a meow.
    â€œHello, good old Martha!” Lerner scooped up her cat. “Come on up to my room! I’m going to do a little experiment that I think you’ll like.”
    â€œStop right there, young lady,” Mrs. Chilling said with a sour smile on her face. “I have three messages for you. Number one: The school calledyour mother at work to inform her of your detentions! Number two: Your mother called here to get an explanation! And number three: You’re grounded until further notice!”
    Lerner looked at Mrs. Chilling’s pursed lips. You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Mrs. Chilling? she said to herself. She took Martha up to her room where the cat climbed onto her desk and settled down for a nap.
    Lerner sighed. She wished Marie were here. Marie would help her figure out what to say to her parents. She sat at her desk and started spilling her guts.

    Lerner shook Fip out of his ink bottle and set him on the top of her desk so that she could get a good look before describing him to Marie.
    Fip took one whiff of good old Martha and his gizzard practically turned inside out. He screamed and curled into a ball.
    Martha blinked and twitched her whiskers, but she didn’t bother getting up.
    â€œSorry, Martha, I think he’s scared of you.” Lerner scooped up her old cat and put her in the hallway.
    Fip took a quick breath in and glanced around to get his bearings. Ever since that earthquake, he was on edge. But, ah! A tangy whiff! There was a piece of