He jogged the whole way, his backpack flopping heavily on his shoulder. There were no other kids on the playground or on the walk heading into the building.
He crept into the school and made his way down the silent, empty hall. His sneakers echoed loudly as he trotted toward the science classroom.
Maybe Cuddles didn’t grow overnight, Evan told himself.
Maybe he didn’t grow at all. Maybe he shrank. Maybe he shrank back to his old size.
It was possible.
It was possible that Andy had fed the hamster only a teeny tiny speck of Monster Blood. Just enough for Cuddles to swell up to the size of a fat rabbit—then shrink right back down to cute, cuddly hamster size.
It was possible—wasn’t it?
Yes! Yes! Evan crossed his fingers on both hands. He wished he could cross his toes.
By the time he reached the classroom, he was breathless. His heart thudded loudly in his chest.
He hesitated at the door.
Please, Cuddles—be small. Be small!
Then Evan took a deep breath, held it—and stepped inside.
Evan stepped into the room, staring at the cage against the far wall. At first, he didn’t see Cuddles.
Had Cuddles shrunk? Had he?
Sometimes prayers are answered, Evan told himself. Sometimes good things happen.
Evan took a few hesitant steps closer. Then a few more steps.
Every muscle in his body had tensed. He was so frightened, it was actually hard to walk.
He could feel the blood throbbing at his temples. He mopped the cold beads of sweat off his forehead.
He still couldn’t see Cuddles. Where was he?
Where?
Gray morning light filtered in through the windows. The floor creaked under Evan’s sneakers.
Evan took another hesitant step toward the cage.
Another step.
Then he cried out in horror.
Evan hadn’t seen Cuddles at first—because Cuddles was too big!
Cuddles filled the entire cage.
Evan held back, gaping in disbelief.
The hamster groaned noisily with every loud breath. It let out several disgusting grunts as its body pressed against the wire cage.
Its big, furry head pushed up against the top of the cage. Evan could see one enormous black eye, the size of a jar lid, staring out at him.
“No!” Evan cried out loud, feeling his knees begin to tremble. “This is impossible!”
The hamster uttered a few more low grunts.
The cage shook on its table.
The big black eye glared out at Evan.
And then as Evan stared in horrified disbelief, the hamster reached up its two pink paws. The toes slipped around the wires of the cage.
Cuddles let out an ugly groan.
Evan saw its spongy pink nose twitch. He saw a flash of big white teeth.
Another groan.
The two front paws pushed against the cage wires.
The wires bent away.
