It smelled dirty and musty, and vaguely of animal, like an old dog who’d just come in from the rain. Only not as friendly. Good. I’m starving, she said, relaxing a bit. They might get through this yet. Me too, said a squeaky, high-pitched voice from behind her. she’s blood ran cold. Her stomach lurched and she swung around, knowing what she would find. The tall ugly one was there, his face plastered with a stupid grin. He was too tall to stand up, so he hovered, looking down at her with his head tilted at a weird angle. His arms reached out, stretching from one wall of the tunnel to the other.
How ‘bout you, Wilkes? he said through his grotesque smile, this time in his normal voice. The stocky how to read a fertilizer label one poked his head from behind his partner and smiled menacingly at the cluster of frightened girls. Yeah, Cal. I always have room for a snack. He ran his tongue over his chapped lips and nodded. The stink of his breath moved through the stale air, reaching she’s face. RUN!!!! she cried. Rhiannon grabbed Cricket and the girls took off. Behind them the two men sprang into action as well. The short one in back, Wilkes, shoved his partner from behind and ended up knocking him over.
Cal tripped and fell, his long legs and arms flinging in all directions as he went down, making him look like a giraffe on ice skates. Wilkes climbed over him and accidentally stepped on his throat. OW! Cal squeeked. Get up, will ya’? Wilkes called, looking over his shoulder as he stumbled ahead. Come on! Rhiannon led them further under the castle, following her familiar path to the secret kitchen door. Come on! she said as they rounded a corner. It’s just ahead. They wasted no time, knowing the men couldn’t be far behind. Their voices bounced off the stone walls, surrounding the girls as they ran.
Here. This one, Rhiannon said, catching her breath. She put Cricket down and reached for the door. She turned the handle, but nothing happened. She twisted harder, furiously shaking it back and forth. It’s locked! she cried, looking over her shoulder at the other girls. She pounded on the door with her fists. HELP! Rhiannon cried to anyone who might be listening on the other side. That’s great, she said, kneeling as she gasped for breath. Who’s going to be standing in the back of a huge kitchen pantry, she thought, on the other side of a secret door?
