on the move. Change locations every ten minutes or so; that way, the monsters will have a harder time zeroing in on your location. The car is perfect for this, since you’re constantly on the move. (You might want to close the book in a traffic jam when the car stops .)
4. Don’t ever read out in the open for long periods of time. Sitting under a tree in an open field with no one else around? Not so good. You would be a prime target for harpies, giant earthworms, wood trolls, ogres, faeries (not the cute kind), leprechauns, werewolves, various undead entities…the list goes on.
5. Don’t tell your friends about this book unless you’re prepared to share it with them.
That last one is seriously important. If you tell them about this book and what’s in it, that might be enough to drag them into this world along with you. Without knowing why, your buddies will be chased by monsters without the benefit of being told how to protect themselves.
Trust me, you don’t want to wake up one day and find out your best friend got snatched up and eaten by a coven of vampire zombies, all because you were yapping to him at lunch about this super cool book you’re reading.
So, what if you’re the kind of person who just can’t keep your big mouth shut? (You know who you are.)
Here’s the rule:
You can tell your friends about the book, but only if you have them read through the warnings first and make their own decision, just like you did. Then, after being properly warned, if they still want to make the same bone-headed decision you did and read the book, then you can go ahead and let them.
Just make sure they lock their doors too, because the monsters will find them. Just like they are on their way to find you, even as you read this page. I’m not kidding. Go lock those doors. Right now.
OK, back to the story. I hope this next part doesn’t freak you out!
Chapter Four
I walked down the street, back toward my house, working through what had just happened. It had only been ten minutes and already I found myself doubting what I had seen in the principal’s office. It just didn't make sense that a creature like that could hide in plain view.
"Excuse me, but do you have any change?" said a trembling voice laced with a soft English accent. "Just a few coins. Anything you can spare."
I stopped in my tracks and looked to my right toward the voice. There, nestled between two bushes, was an old woman bent over at the waist with a walking stick clutched in a gnarled hand. I noticed that her other hand was missing completely. In its place, there was a wooden hook screwed into a socket on her wrist. I couldn’t help but think of Captain Hook from Peter Pan.
"I'm just a bit hungry. Anything you have," the old woman said.
Now, it had been a pretty strange day already, so the thought crossed my mind that I ought to run away as fast as I could and not look back. But I couldn't bring myself to do that. I’m not a Boy Scout or anything, but when a little old lady asks for help, it’s just plain rude to ignore her.
I dug into my pockets and searched them, only to come up empty. Next, I let my backpack fall from my shoulders to the ground and I unzipped each section and looked for loose change. All I could come up with was three dimes and a nickel. I held them out to the old lady, feeling a little embarrassed.
"This is all I have. But you're welcome to it."
The old woman leaned her walking stick against her stomach and used her one hand to take the coins from me. As she did, I felt her long cracked fingernails scratch my palm and it sent a weird shiver down my spine.
The old woman withdrew her hand and put the coins in a small purse at her side. She gave me a wink, turned and shuffled away.
"Wait. Is there somebody I can call for you? Somebody that can help?"
She shook her head and mumbled without turning, "Such a kind heart you have. So much like your father."
It took me a few seconds to process what she had just
4. Don’t ever read out in the open for long periods of time. Sitting under a tree in an open field with no one else around? Not so good. You would be a prime target for harpies, giant earthworms, wood trolls, ogres, faeries (not the cute kind), leprechauns, werewolves, various undead entities…the list goes on.
5. Don’t tell your friends about this book unless you’re prepared to share it with them.
That last one is seriously important. If you tell them about this book and what’s in it, that might be enough to drag them into this world along with you. Without knowing why, your buddies will be chased by monsters without the benefit of being told how to protect themselves.
Trust me, you don’t want to wake up one day and find out your best friend got snatched up and eaten by a coven of vampire zombies, all because you were yapping to him at lunch about this super cool book you’re reading.
So, what if you’re the kind of person who just can’t keep your big mouth shut? (You know who you are.)
Here’s the rule:
You can tell your friends about the book, but only if you have them read through the warnings first and make their own decision, just like you did. Then, after being properly warned, if they still want to make the same bone-headed decision you did and read the book, then you can go ahead and let them.
Just make sure they lock their doors too, because the monsters will find them. Just like they are on their way to find you, even as you read this page. I’m not kidding. Go lock those doors. Right now.
OK, back to the story. I hope this next part doesn’t freak you out!
Chapter Four
I walked down the street, back toward my house, working through what had just happened. It had only been ten minutes and already I found myself doubting what I had seen in the principal’s office. It just didn't make sense that a creature like that could hide in plain view.
"Excuse me, but do you have any change?" said a trembling voice laced with a soft English accent. "Just a few coins. Anything you can spare."
I stopped in my tracks and looked to my right toward the voice. There, nestled between two bushes, was an old woman bent over at the waist with a walking stick clutched in a gnarled hand. I noticed that her other hand was missing completely. In its place, there was a wooden hook screwed into a socket on her wrist. I couldn’t help but think of Captain Hook from Peter Pan.
"I'm just a bit hungry. Anything you have," the old woman said.
Now, it had been a pretty strange day already, so the thought crossed my mind that I ought to run away as fast as I could and not look back. But I couldn't bring myself to do that. I’m not a Boy Scout or anything, but when a little old lady asks for help, it’s just plain rude to ignore her.
I dug into my pockets and searched them, only to come up empty. Next, I let my backpack fall from my shoulders to the ground and I unzipped each section and looked for loose change. All I could come up with was three dimes and a nickel. I held them out to the old lady, feeling a little embarrassed.
"This is all I have. But you're welcome to it."
The old woman leaned her walking stick against her stomach and used her one hand to take the coins from me. As she did, I felt her long cracked fingernails scratch my palm and it sent a weird shiver down my spine.
The old woman withdrew her hand and put the coins in a small purse at her side. She gave me a wink, turned and shuffled away.
"Wait. Is there somebody I can call for you? Somebody that can help?"
She shook her head and mumbled without turning, "Such a kind heart you have. So much like your father."
It took me a few seconds to process what she had just
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