Free The Ooze by R.L. Stine

slowly slid across the floor, slithering right by us.
    â€œHey! Look!” I cried out. “Look!”
    The ooze left a slimy trail in front of us. And in the middle of it sat Chester.
    It let him go! It let him go! Chester was alive!
    â€œHere, Chester!” I called.
    Chester didn’t move.
    â€œCome here, kitty-kitty,” I urged. “You’re okay now.”
    Chester just sat there. Staring into space with his mouth hanging open. He looked totally out of it—dumbstruck.
    Dumbstruck!
    â€œOh, no!” I moaned when I realized the truth. “Oh, no! Chester’s completely dumb. Completely dumb! The ooze sucked out all of Chester’s brain! All of it! ”
    â€œLook!” Colin croaked, pointing to the horrible slime.
    The ooze had stopped in its tracks.
    It began to shake really hard now.
    â€œIt’s going to explode!” Colin screamed. “It’s going to explode! Run! Run!”
    But I couldn’t run. I couldn’t move. I could only stare at the horrible ooze, shaking wildly now—and starting to stretch! Stretching straight up. Higher and higher.
    My jaw dropped as it grew. I could see its hideous heart, hammering away, as it rose up, taller and taller. Ten feet tall now.
    Then, with a sickening thwack , two huge bubbles appeared on each side of it.
    They began to stretch, too—stretch out. Out to the sides. Out, out, out.
    â€œWh-what’s it doing?” Colin stammered.
    â€œI-I think it’s growing arms.” I gaped in fear. “It—it is. It’s growing arms!”
    â€œOh, no,” Colin croaked. “Hands, too.”
    Hands. Two wet, glowing hands sprang out from the long, moist arms.
    And then we both gasped—as eight fingers grew from each hand. Long, glowing fingers that began to snake out.
    Snake toward us.
    Reaching. Reaching. Reaching—for our throats.

16

    â€œN ooooo!” I screamed. “Nooooo!”
    The ooze’s glowing fingers stretched until they were inches from my face. Then they stopped.
    Colin grabbed my arm and pointed to the creature’s body. “I don’t think it can move now that it’s changed shape,” he whispered. “I think it’s stuck to the floor.”
    I stared at the neon-orange body. Colin was right. The bottom of the ooze was rooted to its spot. Its hands couldn’t reach any closer.
    â€œLet’s get out of here!” I cried. “Now!”
    Colin and I edged away from the ooze. I trained my eyes on the creature—careful to stay out of its grasp.
    Then I froze in horror.
    â€œL-look, Colin. Look.” A round bubble was forming on the top of the ooze. “It—it’s growing a head.”
    My heart pounded as the bubble grew and grew, then tore open in two spots—forming empty, staring eyes.
    With another rip a huge hole opened, forming a hideous, gaping mouth.
    But the worst part was the brain.
    The ooze had a massive brain.
    I could see it pushing, pulsating against the top of the creature’s head. Straining against its slimy skull.
    â€œCome on!” Colin yanked on my arm. “Let’s go!”
    But I didn’t move.
    I stood there—frozen. And watched as the horrible ooze creature began to grow legs.
    â€œRun!” Colin screamed. “Run!” He grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the steps.
    We charged up the stairs and into the kitchen.
    Squish. Squish .
    Oh, no! He’s following us. He’s following us!
    â€œWe have to hide!” I cried. “Hide!”
    Squish. Squish .
    â€œIt’s here!” Colin screamed. “It’s here!”
    The ooze creature stepped into the kitchen with one of its slimy orange feet.
    â€œThis way!” I shouted to Colin.
    We raced into the living room and down the hall.
    I ran past the linen closet. The linen closet—a goodplace to hide, I thought. “I’ll hide here!” I told Colin, backing up. “You hide in my