Wuftoom by Mary G. Thompson Read Free Book Online Page B

feeling it slowly tightening, shriveling into the withered hole of the worm’s face.
    It did not help when the worm thing showed up that night. It slid into the bedroom late, when Evan was finally about to sleep, nub legs scraping sickly.
    â€œYou have had a visitor,” the thing rasped.
    Evan said nothing and turned his head away.
    â€œYou do not have to admit it. I know.”
    Evan still said nothing.
    â€œOur enemy has offered you the world. It has offered you a life, of sorts. But at what price, proem? Are you not aware that you are faster becoming ours?”
    Evan was not looking, but he knew the creature’s fangs were showing as it grinned.
    â€œWouldn’t you have done it if you could?” Evan asked softly.
    The thing ignored his question. “Our enemy believes it is clever,” it said. “But it is not more clever than we are. We will use its bribe against it and come out ahead.”
    Evan smelled it coming closer. “I won’t help you any more than I’ll help the bug thing,” said Evan. “I won’t help either of you.”
    â€œYou will help us,” the creature rasped. “Or you will pay the price.” It nearly spat the last word at him.
    â€œWhat price could I pay?” he cried, as strongly as he could while still keeping his voice down. “Will you turn me into a fruit fly? Will you kill me? I’d be better off if you did!”
    â€œOur enemies are anxious things.” It smiled at him. The fangs shook, deep inside the withered hole. “When you have not led them to us as you promised, they will not care how hard you’ve tried. They will be glad to have a meal.”
    Evan felt a chill run through him as the image imprinted on his mind. The image of Foul’s sharp fangs, joined by a hundred others. Screeching. He tried not to show his fear, but the worm creature missed nothing.
    â€œSo we will use this gift it has given you,” it said with its fangs showing. “Do you remember where our trap is, proem? The one you so nicely wandered into?”
    â€œNo,” said Evan.
    The worm ignored him. “You will bring more children to it.” It chuckled to itself, a harsh sound with no warmth. “You will walk them into our bodies, the remains of our lost brothers.”
    Evan had suspected what the goo was made of, but hearing the truth was still horrible. He turned his head away again and stared intently at the wall.
    â€œOr you’ll feed me to the bugs,” he said bitterly.
    â€œThey will have you without our protection, no matter what they promised,” the worm replied. “Help us and you live, help them and you die. Bite by bite.” The thing chuckled again.
    Evan knew it was true. He knew that Foul was not trustworthy. He had known that when he took its offer. But how could he do it? How could he force other kids into his own fate?
    â€œYou will do this in the morning, proem. We both know you are short on time. You will bring us all that you can manage in a day, and tomorrow when the sun goes down, I will meet you back here for your change. It is almost time to bring you home.”
    â€œNo!” Evan cried, so loud it echoed in the room. “Not tomorrow! I need more time!” Evan burst into tears. He felt the salt water dripping down his cheeks. It caught in the membranes and stuck there, collecting like rain on an old tarp.
    Two doorknobs turned at the same time, one creaking in sorrow, the other in glee.
    His mother poked her head into the room. She was wearing a thick old flannel nightgown, ragged at the ends like it had dragged a thousand times across the floor. Her hair was messy. Strands fell limply over her eyes. She looked afraid.
    Evan looked up at her. “I’m sorry,” he sobbed.
    His mother sat down next to him and rubbed his back. “It’s okay, honey,” she said. “Did you have a nightmare?”
    Evan forced himself to calm down a