Clark stared at me. Frozen. His eyes on the raging monster.

“Clark!” I said, through clenched teeth. “Open … the … letter. NOW!”

He reached into his jeans pocket with a trembling hand. He fumbled with the flap.

“Hurry, Clark!” I pleaded.

He finally managed to tear a hole in the corner of the envelope.

And then I screamed.

The monster dove forward.

He grabbed my arm. He yanked it hard.

And pulled me toward him.

The monster pulled me close.

I stared up into his hideous face—and gasped.

His eyes were deep, dark pools—with tiny worms swimming in them!

I twisted my head away—so I wouldn’t have to stare into those horrible, wormy eyes.

The creature gripped me tighter.

His hot, sour breath swept over my cheeks.

He opened his jaws wide.

His mouth was filled with bugs! I saw them crawling up and down his tongue.

I screamed. And struggled against the monster’s hold. But he clutched me too tightly.

“Let me go!” I shrieked. “Please—!”

The monster bellowed in reply, hitting me with a blast of his hot breath.

He smells like a swamp, I realized as I fought against his grasp. He is a swamp. He’s like a living swamp.

With my free hand, I pounded on the creature’s arm. I nearly gagged when I felt the moss. His whole body was covered with a layer of wet moss!

“Let me go!” I pleaded. “Please—let me go!”

Clark leaped forward. He grabbed my arm and tried to tug me away. “Leave her alone!” he shrieked.

Charley charged out of his corner. His lip curled back and he let out a low snarl. Then he sank his teeth into the monster’s hairy leg.

Startled, the monster jerked away, dragging me along with him.

But Charley wouldn’t give up. I glanced down to see him dig his teeth deep into the monster’s foot.

With a growl, the beast raised his foot. And with one fierce shake, he hurled Charley across the room.

“Charley!” I cried out. “Charley!”

I heard Charley whimper on the other side of the room.

“He’s okay,” Clark said, breathlessly. He tugged harder on my arm, trying to wrestle me free.

With another angry growl, the beast swung at Clark. Shoved him hard against the wall. Then the monster leaned down—and pulled me up to his face.

He opened his mouth.

His disgusting, bug-infested tongue rolled out.

And he LICKED me.

He ran his hot, bumpy tongue up and down my arm.

Then he lowered his enormous teeth—as he prepared to chew off my hand.

“Nooooo!” A horrified shriek tore from my throat.

The monster’s jaw swung down. His mouth gaped open. The bugs swarmed over his yellow teeth. He lowered his mouth to my hand.

Then he stopped.

And let me go.

He backed away, staring at me. Staring at my arm, eyes bulging.

I stared at my arm too. It was covered with disgusting, monster saliva.

The monster raised his hands and clutched at his throat now. Choking. Choking on something.

He raised his wet eyes to me.

“You—you human?” he choked out.

“He can talk!” Clark gasped.

“You human? You human?” he demanded.