Monster Blood IV

13

With a gasp, Evan bent to pick up the can.

Had the blue Monster Blood spilled out?

No.

He lifted it carefully, holding one hand over the open top.

Conan stopped at the edge of the yard. “What are you three babies doing out so late?” he demanded. “I’ll tell your mommies!”

“Give us a break, Conan,” Andy called. “We’re not bothering you!”

“Your face is bothering me!” Conan shot back. Then his eyes fell on the can in Evan’s hand. “What’s that?”

Evan nearly dropped the can again. “This? Uh… nothing…. It’s…”

Evan’s mind went blank. He couldn’t think of a good lie to tell Conan.

Kermit grabbed the can away from Evan. “It’s candy,” he told Conan. “Blue Fruit Roll in a Barrel! We saw it on TV, and it’s awesome.”

“Give me some!” Conan ordered. He reached out his big hand.

“No way!” Kermit teased him, pulling the can back. “We’re not sharing with you!”

He pretended to lick the blue candy. “Wow. That’s really excellent!”

“Guess I’m going to have to take it from you,” Conan declared menacingly. He took a step toward them, his hand outstretched. “Give it.”

“Are you crazy?” Evan whispered to Kermit. “Why did you tease him? Now he’s going to take it and—”

“No problem,” Kermit whispered back. A sly grin spread over his face. “Watch.”

“Give it,” Conan thundered, waving his outstretched hand. He took another step toward them. Another.

Evan heard the crackle of electricity before he saw the white spark.

Conan’s eyes bulged. His hands shot up. His knees buckled.

“Urg. Urg.” He uttered two strange cries as Kermit’s invisible electric fence zapped him again.

Conan staggered back, gasping for breath. His broad chest heaved up and down. He reminded Evan of a bull about to charge.

Kermit raised the can and pretended to eat the Monster Blood again. “Wow. That is excellent!” he declared.

Conan glared at the three of them. Even across the dark yard, Evan could see the fury on his face.

But the bull couldn’t charge. Couldn’t get to them. Not as long as the electric fence was turned on.

Conan balled his hands into fists. “You’re history,” he called to them. “All three of you. You’re roadkill.”

He spun around. Swinging his fists hard at his sides, he stomped into his house.

Andy let out a sigh of relief. “That was pretty good!” she told Kermit.

A high, shrill giggle escaped Kermit’s throat. “Yeah. Not bad!”

“There’s just one problem,” Evan murmured. “We’re roadkill if we ever leave this backyard!”

He turned to Kermit. “Give me back the can. We’d better close it—”

Evan gasped.

The can in Kermit’s hand! He was holding it upside down!

Evan grabbed for it.

Too late.

With a sick PLOP, the blue gunk dropped out of the can.

It landed on the grass in front of Evan’s feet. He stared down at it as it quivered. Quivered and shook, like blue Jell-O.

It glowed in the light from the moon. Glowed bright blue.

Bobbed and trembled.

And grew.

“It’s… changing shape!” Andy cried. She leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees, and gazed down wide-eyed at it.

The blue blob wiggled. It rolled over once, moving away from Evan.

And grew some more.

It rolled again. Wiggled from side to side.

And then rose up. Up… as if trying to stand.

“I don’t believe this!” Evan choked out. “It’s some kind of creature!”

“You’re right!” Kermit agreed. “It’s ALIVE!”