Free The Light (Morpheus Road) by D.J. MacHale

golden glass ball I had destroyed in my room. Only there was a lot more blood. It ran down the wall and dripped into a red pool that was slowly growing on the gym floor. I watched in stunned wonder as the thick red liquid drooled from what looked like a gaping, vicious wound.
    Cat or no cat, I didn't want to be there anymore. I turned and started running back through the gym but didn't get far.
    Someone was blocking my way.
    He stood between me and the door to the shower. Between me and escape. He was on the far side of the gym, still as a statue, his hollow eyes focused on me. I stood perfectly still, not believing what I was seeing. It was impossible. It had to be a dream, but that was just as impossible because I wasn't asleep.
    Standing alone, silently staring at me, was Gravedigger. My creation. In the flesh. On his shoulder was his gleaming silver pick, his bony white fingers wrapped around the handle. His black hat was pulled down low over empty eyes, but I knew he was watching me.
    The sight jolted me. I didn't stop to think or analyze how impossible it was that a character from my imagination had suddenly appeared in front of me. All I knew was what my gut told me, and at that moment it was screaming that the guy was trouble. I jumped to my right and slammed into a pile of chairs. I stumbled and fell to the floor as the tower of chairs came crashing down on top of me. I had
    63
    to throw my arms up to keep from getting hammered. The chairs hit the floor around me, one after the other, bouncing and twisting every which way.
    I heard a snapping sound, like the crack of a whip. I looked up to see that the climbing ropes had come to life. They pulled away from the rail and were slashing through the air like angry snakes. I watched, transfixed, until one caught the top edge of the stack of tall windows. The rope went taut . . . and pulled over the entire stack. I was in the wrong place. The heavy pile of glass windows toppled directly toward me. If I didn't get out of there, I'd be shredded. I scrambled away on my knees and slammed into a chair. One of the legs jabbed into my side. Pain shot through my rib cage. I didn't care. I had to get out from under the falling glass. The windows loomed over my head, arcing toward the floor. In seconds I would be hamburger. I pushed off the floor, shifting balance to my legs. I coiled and sprang forward with my arms outstretched like a superhero taking off. I sailed over a pile of chairs and landed on an empty spot of basketball court on the far side. My hands hit, and I tucked my chin to my chest and rolled forward. It wasn't graceful. I twisted sideways and slammed into another stack of chairs, toppling them down on top of me. It hurt like hell, but at least I was out from under the falling windows.
    I heard more than saw what happened behind me. The heavy stack of glass hit the floor and exploded. Bits of glass flew everywhere, filling the air with a storm of sharp, shiny fragments. I glanced back in time to see a wave of broken glass headed my way. I ducked quickly and covered my face before I got sliced. I felt the sting through my clothes as I was pelted by the glass, but I didn't dare budge. After a couple of seconds I cautiously peeked over my arm to see the carnage. The four climbing ropes were hanging straight down, swinging gently, no longer animated.
    64
    My adrenaline was spiked, but I forced myself to stay calm, think clearly, and figure a way to get out of there. Dust filled the air. I wanted to cough but didn't for fear of breathing in tiny bits of glass. Cautiously I peered around a fallen desk to see what Gravedigger was up to.
    He was gone. Or maybe he was moving through the junk, winding his way closer to me with his pick held high. I stood slowly and felt the sharp pain in my side where the leg of the chair had jabbed me. I didn't let it stop me. It was the least of my worries. I was almost to my feet when I heard a crackling sound. Quickly I ducked back down and