Who Let the Ghosts Out? Read Online Free

they? Tell me where they are, and I might let you live!”

5
    “W HOA —! P LEASE —” I JUMPED to my feet and tried to back away. But I tripped over the curb and landed on my butt on the grass.
    The fog swirled over me, pinning me to the ground. Inside the mist, I could see the man in the swirling cloak.
    “Tell me!”
he screamed.
    His breath was a rush of hot wind, putrid like rotten fish. The stench hung over me. I held my breath, waiting for it to fade away.
    “Tell me where they are!”
Again, the hot, smelly breath roared over me.
    “Who—? Where?” I choked out. “I—I really don't know what you're talking about.”
    “Don't lie to me, fool!”
    A wisp of black fog shot over my arm. I let out a scream as sharp pain stabbed through my hand.
    “No—oh, please!” I uttered a weak cry as the skin began to peel back from my fingers. My fingernails flopped loosely.
    “Ohhh. It hurts! It really hurts!” I could see allthe blue veins and yellow tendons and muscles of my hand.
    I opened and closed my fist, trying to lessen the pain. I watched the tendons and muscles move, the tiny veins pulsing with blood. Stab after stab of fiery pain shot up my hand, my arm, my whole body.
    “See what I can do?” the voice boomed, sending another spray of hot, fish-stinking breath over me.
    “Yes,” I whispered, gaping at my ugly, wet claw. “Please—it hurts so much. …”
    A wave of his shadowy arm, and the skin slid back over my hand. It moved over my fingers like a tight-fitting glove. The fingernails pulled back into place.
    “Next time I won't be so nice. Next time, I will peel you like an orange.”
    Shaking, I tried to move my fingers. They seemed to work okay.
    This can't be happening, I told myself. My hand still ached. Please, Max—wake up from this nightmare.
    I stared at the figure, hidden in the black cloak. Who is he? I wondered, struggling to stop my body from shaking. What does he want with me?
    “Now, tell me where they are!” the voice boomed.
    “I … really don't understand,” I said, gazing up at the billowing figure in the fog. “Who are you?”
    “My name is Phears. I am the Animal-Traveler.”
    I climbed to my knees. “You … travel inside animals?” My voice trembled.
    “Stop stalling,” he rasped, floating over me like a black cloud. “I've been in your room. I couldn't find them. Where are you hiding them?”
    “You … you've been in my room?”
    “They might as well surrender.” Phears ignored my question. “Their parents are gone for good. And we, their prisoners, have all escaped. All the ghosts are out.”
    “Huh? I—I can't help you. I don't know what you're talking about,” I said, my teeth chattering. “I'm not hiding anyone. I'm just here walking my inside-out dog.”
    “You're lying!”
he screamed. His hot breath blasted me, so putrid I couldn't breathe. “Say your final prayer!”
    “No—please! Please! I'm not hiding anyone. You got the wrong guy! Did you try my neighbors?”
    The thick fog floated over me. A roar filled my ears. I stared up at the shadowy figure. The darkness swirled tightly around me, circling me, smothering me.
    I grabbed my throat. It felt as if someone was squeezing my neck … tighter … tighter …
    I squirmed and ducked and dodged, but I couldn't escape the choking grip on my throat.
    This isn't fair, I thought. He's got the wrong guy … the wrong guy. I'm going to die—and it's all a mistake.
    Gasping, wheezing, I struggled for breath. My chest burned. The ground swayed beneath me. I fell to the grass. Everything started to spin.
    I couldn't fight it. Couldn't breathe.
    Finally, I gave up and surrendered to the fog, surrendered to the hot, black, choking wind.

6
    B RIGHT LIGHT WASHED OVER the darkness. I blinked.
    I must have passed out for a moment. I was still on my knees on the corner.
    The light split in two. I blinked again and a car came into focus. It turned the corner, and the beam from its twin headlights rolled