[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
5:31:00 PM
2/25/08 5:31:00 PM
Top
Page No 256
251
The Encounter
the occult. Someone who knew what to look out for, and if nec-
essary, someone who could battle it.
Kids at school had started calling her the All-School
Ghostbuster.
Now, as she lay in the darkness of her room, she could feel her
gift at work again. The old, familiar dread surrounded her but
it wasn t dread for herself. It was dread for Krissi.
Prayer wasn t something Becka was great at. Truth was, she
knew she should be doing a lot more of it than she did. But with
schoolwork, friends, TV, and the fast-paced life of high school, it
was usually pretty hard to find time. Still, she tried.
Especially tonight. She had to. When she felt this kind of dread,
she knew she had no option. It was the only way she could battle
. . . whatever was going on. And, at least for tonight, it was the only
thing she could do for Krissi, the only way she could help.
So Becka started to pray.
+ =
Page 197
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Scott stared intently at the computer screen. Ttocs, the mystical
holy man he had created, was locked in mortal combat with a
blood-drinking banshee. According to Hubert, the Crypt Mas-
ter, the ghoul had been lying in wait for just such an attack. Now
the monster leaped onto Ttocs s neck, dug her fangs into his
arteries, and sucked with all her might. Not only was she draw-
ing Ttocs s blood, but his brains were also being sucked through
the hollow, needlelike fangs.
Scott hit the Alt, Shift, and R keys on his keyboard and
watched numbers flash across his screen. This was the comput-
er s version of throwing dice.
The numbers appeared: 11, 4, and 3. Scott groaned. The 11
meant he got away, but not without losing most of his mental
abilities. The two low numbers meant he had lost his armor and
long sword. In short, Ttocs had survived. Barely.
0310715350_invisible.indd 2510310715350_invisible.indd 251 2/25/08
5:31:00 PM
2/25/08 5:31:00 PM
Top
Page No 257
252
Bill Myers
Scott thumped his desk in frustration.
Darryl, who was sitting in the station beside him, gave a loud
sniff. So, it s just a game, huh? He grinned.
Scott ignored him. What good is it being a holy man when
there are goons like that who can destroy you in one round?
You shouldn t have used your sword.
What do you mean?
You re a mystic, right? A holy man?
So . . .
So, use your telekinesis powers your magic. Instead of
fighting them with swords, use your spells.
Suddenly Scott s screen began to flash. One of the other
players was challenging him to combat. He d obviously smelled
blood and was close enough to go in for the kill.
Again Scott rolled the dice. Again the numbers were too low.
And thanks to the attack of a common, everyday flesh eater,
the great Ttocs suddenly died. His internal organs had been
devoured and the rest of his brain sucked out. Scott slapped the
desk again. He was out of the game.
And another thing, Darryl sniffed while pushing up his
glasses, you were only playing halfway.
What do you mean?
To really win at this thing, you have to play body, mind,
and soul.
I was.
No way. Your character was too nice. Next time make up
somebody ruthless and bloodthirsty. Save the nice-guy act for
reality.
Page 198
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Scott gave him a look, then turned back to his screen and
watched as his name and location were bleeped from the map.
His face flushed with anger. He knew it was only a game, but
still . . . part of him had been up on that screen. Part of him had
just been destroyed.
He folded his arms and leaned back. So Darryl thinks I m
0310715350_invisible.indd 2520310715350_invisible.indd 252 2/25/08
5:31:00 PM
2/25/08 5:31:00 PM
Top
Page No 258
253
The Encounter
holding back, does he? That I was too nice? Okay, fine. Next time
I ll create a better character. Next time I ll play with everything I
have. They want bloodthirsty and ruthless, they ll get bloodthirsty
and ruthless. He smiled grimly. The new and improved Ttocs will
be unstoppable.
As he waited for Darryl and the others to finish for the eve-
ning, Scott grabbed a paper and pencil, rose to his feet, and
crossed to the Game Book on the center table. This was a book
that listed various types of characters, explaining their abilities,
weapons, powers, personalities, and so forth. He flipped the
book open. He would need all the help and hints he could get.
He would still keep the name Ttocs. But this new version would
be the best player they had ever seen.
0310715350_invisible.indd 2530310715350_invisible.indd 253 2/25/08
5:31:00 PM
2/25/08 5:31:00 PM
Top
Page No 259
031020755X_relation_fm.qxp 9/8/06 2:21 PM Page 1
This page is intentionally left blank
Top
Page No 260
255
Page 199
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
3
K
rissi!
Philip threw open the car door and staggered into the blind-
ing blue light. She was his life, his reason for living. If she had
to meet some awful fate, he would meet it with her. If he had to
give up his life to save hers, he would.
But once he stepped outside, the light was no longer blue. It
was orangish white, like the sun. And it no longer hovered above
him. It was rising over the mountains in the east, right where the
sun would rise.
Philip shook his head and blinked. It was the sun. He was
staring at the rising sun!
He rubbed his eyes and took half a step back. But instead of
grass under his feet, he heard the crunch of gravel. His mouth
opened in surprise as he saw he was no longer standing in grass,
but on asphalt.
What was going on?
He looked around. He wasn t in the field anymore. He was
standing next to his dad s Jeep on Highway 72!
What are you doing out there?
He spun around to see Krissi sitting up in the passenger s
0310715350_invisible.indd 2550310715350_invisible.indd 255 2/25/08
5:31:00 PM
2/25/08 5:31:00 PM
Top
Page No 261
256
Bill Myers
seat. Her eyes were puffy from sleep, but other than that she
looked perfectly fine.
What . . . ? He swallowed. Are you okay?
She gave a long stretch. Yeah.
He looked back into the sky. It was blue and gorgeous and
clear. Not a flying saucer in sight.
Why didn t you wake me? she asked. What time is it?
Before he could check his watch, she squinted at the dash clock.
Six twenty-five! My folks are going to kill me. Hurry up, we
have to get home.
Philip nodded numbly and crossed to his side of the Jeep. As
he climbed inside, Krissi scolded him again. You should have
woke me.
He reached for the ignition. I, uh, I didn t know you were
asleep.
Yeah, right, she scoffed. She pulled down the vanity mirror
to check her hair and makeup. I must have really zonked out.
Philip fired up the Jeep. It started on the first try. What, uh,
what was the last thing you remember? Last night, I mean.
She scowled, trying to think. I was getting out to look for
that stupid cow.
Page 200
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Philip took a deep breath to steady himself. You don t
remember seeing those lights? You don t remember getting
sucked into the air?
Krissi gave him a look. What s that supposed to mean?
He could find no answer.
I remember getting out of the car and you telling me I
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]