The Time Fetch Read Free Page B

forward, but when he did, he felt no solid ground. Was he at the edge of the curb? He jumped back in confusion and turned around. But again when he took a step forward there seemed to be nothing solid underneath. It was as if he stood on a tiny island and all around him was a great howling nothing. What had happened to Brooklyn? Where were all the people?
    “Help!” he cried. But his voice was sucked away by the wind.
    “Help!” he called again, trying to balance on what was left of the solid world. “Help!”
    He felt something grab onto his arm and give him a sharp yank. Over the edge he went.
    “Let go!” he protested and tried to pull away, but whatever had him held him in an iron grip. Down he was dragged, through the howling and screaming and the blowing dust. He was falling so fast the pressure in his ears was painful. A gray light came rushing at him, filled with shapes and sound. In his confusion, he thought he saw the tops of trees and rooftops and then the sidewalk rising up. With a hard thunk he hit something and he found to his complete surprise that he was once again standing on Ninth Street. The morning river of people parted busily all around him as if nothing had happened.
    The man with the green fingertips let go of him, but Edward hardly noticed this. He was busy watching the twister moving off, shrinking as it went. It picked up a pile of leaves and a Chinese takeout menu and disappeared down an alley.
    Edward considered going home and getting back into bed. Certainly, this was way too much excitement for so early in the day and, besides, he had lost his lucky hat.
    “What would you have done if I wasn’t here? I cannot follow you everywhere.”
    Edward turned sharply and looked at the man. The guy’s face was scary—so white and papery looking. Edward took a step backward, hoping the man wouldn’t notice. “Yeah, well, thanks. Really. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Could I have my notebook, please?”
    “Every day closer to the Tipping Point you will become a sweeter and sweeter temptation.”
    Definitely nuts.
    “I will give you the notebook for what’s in your pocket.”
    Edward shook his head. “I haven’t got any money. My allowance got finished off yesterday.”
    “I do not touch money. Give me whatever is in your pocket and I will give you your notebook.”
    Edward thought about it. “Okay, fine. But give me the notebook first.”
    The man hesitated. Then the green fingers let go of the beat-up object. Edward took the notebook and tucked it under his arm. The man watched closely as Edward reached into his jacket pocket.
    Edward pulled out one of the little packets his aunt had made up for him and handed it over. Eagerly, the man unwrapped the packet.
    When the paper fell open, he stared for a moment in puzzlement. Then, with an impatient shake of his head, he turned his glittering gaze back upon Edward. “Do you not understand? I am trying to help you. A Fetch should never be moved from its hiding place. You have made it into an irresistible temptation. Give it to me and I will do all I can to bring it safely back where it belongs. Don’t you feel all the eyes upon us? ”
    Totally looney tunes. Paranoid, too.
    Edward backed up slowly. “Those are cookies,” he said soothingly. “Pfeffernusse. My aunt makes them. Try one. I gotta run. I’m gonna be late for school.” He turned around and made a dash for it.
    “Wait!” called the man. But Edward kept right on going.

CHAPTER TWO
    Feenix
    The minute hand still hadn’t moved.
    Those clocks were a scam. Everybody knew it. The prison guards told you they ran on real-world time, but this was an evil goblinslime lie. They ran on slugpower. And then they stared down at you with that look. Daring you to move. Great big no-blink eyeballs. She hated them. She hated not moving. It made her itch. She couldn’t stand it, the thought of another dull and ordinary, dirty sock of a day. How could they waste her time like this?
    Under the