Free House of a Thousand Screams by R.L. Stine

the other little people had come out of hiding. They danced around the monster. They snapped their tiny fingers in front of its hideous nose.
    All at once I realized what they were doing. They were trying to distract the monster.
    That’s why they hadn’t just vanished.
    They were trying to save us!
    The monster went mad with rage! It swatted in every direction at the dancing little people.
    â€œLet’s get out of here, Freddy,” I whispered. “While the little guys distract him.”
    Freddy helped me to my feet again. “Where to?”
    â€œThe kitchen.” I knew we could find something to fight the monster in there. Knives, pots and pans, the sprayer from the sink. In the kitchen we might have a chance.
    We were at the kitchen door, when we heard a peepsing scream behind us. I spun around.
    The monster had caught one of the little people! My zebra-striped friend! It clutched the tiny man in its taloned paw and grinned wickedly at me.
    â€œWhat’s happening? What?” wailed Freddy.
    â€œYou don’t want to know,” I whispered. Now I really felt sick.
    Without taking its eyes from mine, the monster tossed the little man into its mouth.
    And swallowed him.
    Whole.

18

    â€œN o!” I screamed.
    Too late. The little man was gone.
    Freddy and I pushed through the kitchen door. I collapsed onto a chair. I tried to ignore the sounds of the monster snarling and swiping at the little people in the hall.
    â€œOh, Freddy,” I moaned. “How could we have been so wrong about the little people? That poor guy gave his life to save us.”
    Freddy’s face was the color of milk. “What are we going to do, Jill?” he whispered.
    I clutched my head in my hands. Think, Jill!
    Uncle Solly had been able to control the monster somehow. But we weren’t Uncle Solly. He’d been a trained magician. We were just a couple of kids.
    We’d have to fight it the old-fashioned way.
    â€œA knife,” I told Freddy. “Find me Mom’s biggest knife. And bring me the big skillet from the cabinet by the window.”
    Freddy dashed around the kitchen, finding the things I’d asked for. The knife he brought me was huge—maybe ten inches long. And the skillet was so heavy, I couldn’t hold it for too long.
    I lined my weapons up on the table in front of me.
    â€œWhat are you going to do?” Freddy asked.
    I grabbed his arm. “I want you to run. Now, while the little people are still keeping that thing busy. Flag down a police car. Or find a neighbor. Or anyone. Just get help.”
    Freddy’s mouth set in a stubborn line. “What about you? I’m not leaving you here.”
    â€œYou have to,” I insisted. “I can’t run. But I’ll be okay. I can see the thing with the glasses, remember? And we know it can be hurt.” I laid a hand on the frying pan. “If it comes near me, I’ll wallop it into next week. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
    I hoped I looked more confident than I felt. I wasn’t at all sure I could hold out against the monster. Especially when I couldn’t even walk!
    But even if I didn’t make it, maybe Freddy could.
    He shook his head. “I won’t do it. You need me.”
    â€œHey! Just who’s the older sister here anyway?” I demanded. I made my voice gruff so he couldn’t hearthe way it shook. “You have to do it. Promise me.” I shook him hard. “Promise me!”
    Slowly, he nodded. He wiped a pudgy hand across his face.
    â€œMaybe the monster won’t even come in here,” he said. “Maybe it’s full.”
    I listened. The monster had gone quiet.
    Somehow, that was worse than the snarling. What had it done to the little people? Eaten them all?
    We sat tense. Every so often, shuffling sounds drifted in from the other room. Like talons scraping on the floor.
    â€œWhat’s it doing?” Freddy