Free Paraworld Zero by Matthew Peterson

the dumpster took one last leap towards the large bird, but the
pigeon jumped into the air and flew off.
        The animated fire hydrant, now extending thirty feet from the concrete,
squirted water at the cars as they passed by. Seeing the singed dumpster not too far away, the
metallic snake coiled and struck, piercing right through the dumpster’s thick walls.
        The dumpster rolled on the ground to get away, but this only hindered its
escape; the movement simply allowed the fire hydrant to wrap itself around its prey more
efficiently. Lying on its side, the dumpster’s metallic feet kicked violently as the fire hydrant
squeezed the life out of the metal box. The walls began to warp from the pressure, and the hinges
began to buckle. In a desperate fit of rage, the dumpster seized the head of the fire hydrant
with its huge jaws and clamped down tightly until, a moment later, both entities lay motionless
on the ground.
        
    * * *
        
        Still driving frantically, Tonya had no idea of the chaos she’d caused with
her misguided spells; she was more interested in keeping the car in one piece.
        “ Warning! It appears that you may be driving recklessly, ” announced the car. “In the event that you are pulled over by a police officer, you could face possible suspension
of your driver’s license. ”
        “I don’t think it’s my driver’s license these cops are after,” Tonya yelled.
“Besides, I don’t have a license!”
        Not bothering to slow down, Tonya took a sharp turn into a narrow alleyway.
Butch and Simon flew to one side of the car. Several police vehicles and two army jeeps stood at
the end of the road—leaving nowhere for Tonya to go. She stopped the car and looked back to see
her pursuers blocking the pathway behind her. She was trapped.
        “ If you have been drinking, it is advisable that you stop driving immediately, ” the car
stated. “ Would you like me to call one of your listed designated drivers for you? ”
        “Not now,” Tonya said as she revved up the engine.
        “What are you doing?” Simon cried.
        Tonya didn’t respond. Instead, she slammed her foot on the gas pedal and
raced down the street towards the soldiers and officers sitting in their cars.
        “You’re going to kill us!” shouted Butch.
        He reached over the seat to take hold of the steering wheel, but Tonya held
on firmly. The policemen prepared to jump out of their vehicles. Butch grabbed Tonya’s wand from
her lap and waved it around chaotically.
        “ Stop! ” he commanded, flicking the wand at the car. “ Stop! Freeze! Halt! Stop-Stop-Stop! This stupid thing doesn’t work!”
        “Here, let me try,” Simon yelled. He took the wand from Butch’s hand. “ Alakazam! Hocus Pocus! Pretty please?”
        “Give me that,” Tonya said in a disgusted voice. She snatched the tiny wand
from Simon. The two boys closed their eyes and screamed. Within a few feet of ramming into a
police car, Tonya yelled, “ FLY! ”
        The black convertible leapt from the ground as if it were driving up some
invisible ramp. Its rubber tires brushed the top of the first police car and knocked off one of
the flashing red and blue lights.
        The sports car jumped over the rest of the vehicles and landed upright onto
the wall of a high-rise apartment building. Not losing any momentum, Tonya continued to drive.
The wheels whirled against the side of the structure. Falling backwards into their seats, Simon
and Butch opened their eyes in dismay.
        “ Sensors indicate that the alignment of the wheels is no longer properly balanced ,” the car
droned. “ Please have the vehicle checked by a mechanic at your earliest convenience. ”
        “Oh, shut up!” yelled Butch.
        “ Voice prompts deactivated . Have a nice day, ” the computer system said before