The Wishing Stone Read Free Page A

something that doesn’t even exist on this planet. That’s proof that it must be from another world.”
    â€œI’m waiting,” Sally said with her hand outstretched.
    â€œJust a second,” Watch said, closing his eyes once more. “I wish for the finest portal power shield generator in the entire galaxy.”
    A small black, oval-shaped object appeared at his feet.
    Watch knelt and picked this up as well. There were a series of buttons on the side and he experimented with them for a moment. Then he handed the laser pistol to Adam.
    â€œI want you to shoot me,” he said.
    Adam shook his head. “No way. Do you think that force field generator will protect you? What if it doesn’t? You’ll die.”
    â€œI have set the laser pistol on stun,” Watch said.
    â€œHow do you know for sure?” Adam asked.
    â€œShoot Sally and see if it knocks her out,” Watch said.
    Sally jumped back and held out her hands. “Don’t shoot me! Shoot Cindy!”
    Cindy didn’t look too happy about that suggestion. “Don’t shoot anybody!” she shouted.
    â€œShoot a tree then,” Watch said. “It really is set to stun.”
    â€œYou can’t stun a tree,” Sally said. “They’re permanently stunned.”
    Nevertheless, Adam turned and shot the nearest tree. Once again a red beam of light struck out, yet it left no noticeable impression on the tree bark. Adam decided it was safe enough to fire at his friend.
    â€œYou sure you have the force field on?” he asked Watch, taking aim.
    â€œPretty sure,” Watch said. “The force fieldmust be invisible. But the worst that can happen is I’ll be knocked out.”
    â€œGive me the Wishing Stone first,” Sally said, moving to retrieve the stone from him. But as she neared him it was as if she smashed into an invisible wall. She bounced back in midstride. Adam and Cindy laughed.
    â€œThe force field is definitely working,” Cindy said. “Watch, you should leave it on all the time.”
    â€œThat way Sally will never get the stone back,” Adam added.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Watch reassured Sally. “You’ll have it back in a second. But stand back right now. Adam, fire away.”
    Adam once more took aim with the laser pistol and fired. The red beam sprayed over a point two feet from Watch’s body, but it didn’t touch him. Adam ceased firing and Watch turned off the force field. Adam handed the laser back to his friend. Watch admired the two instruments.
    â€œI’ve always wanted gadgets like this,” Watch said.
    Adam was happy for him even though he continued to be afraid of the Wishing Stone. “I’m sure they’ll come in handy living in this town,”Adam said. “Especially if the Cold People or the demons come back.”
    â€œThank you very much,” Sally said, snatching the Wishing Stone from Watch’s hands. “You already have more than I do, and I’m the one who found it. Stand back, all of you. It’s Christmas time in Spooksville.”
    â€œBut what about my new clothes?” Cindy asked.
    â€œYou’ll get those when I’m through,” Sally said.
    She then proceeded to order new clothes for herself: a new bedroom set, a new TV and CD player, and another million dollars—in hundred-dollar bills. When Cindy finally got her hands on the Wishing Stone she didn’t hold back, either: more clothes, a new bike, hundreds of CD’s, boxes of books, and every known computer game. Soon the path was littered with so much stuff it would have taken several large moving vans to haul it all away.
    Adam said as much. “Most of this is just going to go to waste out here. You should have made your wishes back in town.”
    â€œWe can bring the stuff back piece by piece,” Sally said, stuffing her pockets with hundred-dollar bills. “That reminds me, Adam. What