Taken Over Read Free

beamed over the crowd at Saffy, who turned a deep red.
    â€˜Welcome, welcome, welcome. Welcome one and all to another exciting year at Monstrum House,’ announced the principal. ‘As you can see, the first years have not arrived yet, and will not do so for another week. I am sure they’re still putting graffiti on walls, stealing cars and other such leisurely activities. But we, we have serious work to get down to. Preferably before they arrive.’



There were murmurs around the hall.
    â€˜SILENCE!’ screeched Stenka, the scariest teacher in the school. No-one made a sound.
    â€˜I am sorry to say that, once again, the Day of Laying has come upon us,’ said Von Strasser.
    Mac elbowed Jasper in the ribs.
    â€˜In the coming days, a swarm of monsters known as Skrinkerscreech will attempt to infiltrate the school grounds,’ continued the principal. ‘The Skrinkerscreech are flying, insect-like monsters.’ Von Strasser paused. ‘Well, I say insect-like, but they are actually about the size of a goat. Or a very small horse. But they look like insects. Quite terrifying, really. In fact, of all the monsters within the Screecher order, I would say that these probably scare me the most. Perhaps it’s their oversized stingers, or their fanged mandibles, or the fact that they were the first species of monster to be classed in the Screecher order. Hmmm …’ Von Strasser stopped speaking, apparently lost in thought.
    Stenka cleared her throat. Their principal looked around in surprise.
    â€˜Oh, yes. Here you all are. Of course. Well, then. Keep an eye open for a swarm of flying goat-sized insect-monsters. That’s all. Bye for now.’ Von Strasser turned his horse around as he waved.
    â€˜Wait!’ Saffy called out. ‘Why are they trying to get into the school?’
    Stenka fixed her with a stare.
    Von Strasser turned back to face them. ‘Thank you, Ms Dominguez. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed the rather beautiful plant that has recently become rather overgrown around the school? It’s screechwort. The Skrinkerscreech nest in it once every five years. They have done so for millennia.’
    â€˜Screechwhat?’ Jasper whispered to Mac.
    â€˜No, screechwort ,’ said Von Strasser. ‘It is the Skrinkerscreech’s birth plant. All monsters need to feed on their birth plant when they first hatch. Without it, they don’t develop any monster characteristics and they can’t become monsters. For example, a Grubbergrind would simply be a spider, an Octoglug would be an octopus, et cetera, et cetera. It is something in the birth plant that causes the monster hatchling to mutate and become a monster. The Skrinkerscreech’s birth plant is screechwort. And it just so happens that we have a lot of it growing here at Monstrum House.’
    Saffy’s jaw had dropped open. ‘Hang on, so what you’re saying is, inside the school grounds there’s a plant that turns monster hatchlings into monsters?’
    Stenka turned to Saffy, looking as if death rays would shoot from her eyeballs.
    â€˜Quite,’ Von Strasser nodded.
    â€˜And you haven’t thought to pull the plant out?’ Saffy asked.
    â€˜Ms Dominguez!’ Stenka exploded.
    â€˜Thank you, Stenka,’ said Principal Von Strasser. ‘But I will explain. Screechwort can’t be killed, Ms Dominguez. It’s a plant with monster characteristics. It thrives in the cold, dark conditions here. It loves negative feelings. Pulling it out makes it come back twice as big. Spraying it with weed killer makes it grow. Besides, it’s quite useful. The leaves are a vital component of many anti-venoms when properly prepared.’
    Von Strasser smiled pleasantly. ‘There will be nineteen monsters altogether. The queen is particularly impressive. You will need to find her nest and stop her eggs from hatching. Enjoy your day.’ He waved, and trotted