Free The Hobgoblin of the Redwoods by Trevor Scott Page B

proudly.
    Danielle raised her brows. “That’s right. You’re pretty smart for ten.”
    â€œYeah,” I said. “She’s pretty smart for a girl.” I laughed out loud, but my aunt wasn’t amused. She simply helped my sister out of the truck and set her down next to the wolf-dog. I was still not too sure about the animal. It looked way too wild to even pet.
    Lucky moved its head to lick my sister’s face, and the motion knocked Sara to the ground. Wimp.
    Sara got up and brushed herself off. “He’s so strong.”
    â€œYeah, but he’s a pussy-cat,” Danielle said, giving her dog a huge hug. “Come on, let’s get you two settled in. It’ll be night soon and we don’t want the Hobgoblin to get you.” She pulled our suitcases out of the back and headed toward the front door, Lucky right at her side.
    I was gonna let it go, but I just couldn’t do it. Did I tell you I’m a curious type? My dad says I’m just like a cat. If a door is closed, I have to find out what’s on the other side. And if my strange aunt mentions a Hobgoblin, whatever that is, I gotta know what she’s talkin’ about.
    â€œDanielle,” I said, running up behind her. “What’s this Hobgoblin thing?”
    She stopped dead in her tracks without turning around, our suitcases still in each hand. “Did I say Hobgoblin?” she asked. Before I could answer, she said, “I’m sorry to bring that up. Never mind.”
    Whenever someone says “never mind,” I like to inform them that that won’t be a problem. Because I “never mind” anything they say. Especially when it’s just “because.”
    But this Hobgoblin really got me thinking. Wasn’t that something like the boogie man? I had a feeling I was about to find out.

3
    My Aunt Danielle showed us her house, giving us the quick tour. My sister would be staying in Danielle’s room on a futon, and I would be in a second bedroom on a little girly bed that Danielle said was hers as a child. In fact, there were initials carved into the headboard where she said my dad had tried to get her in trouble.
    Anyway, I’ll admit right now that I was very tired from the trip. Danielle told us to get unpacked while she cooked dinner. So I unpacked but then crawled onto the bed, just for a second, looking up at stickers of stars and constellations on the ceiling, when I guess I fell asleep.
    The next thing I remembered was waking up in my bed for the summer, the room was completely dark, and I heard movement near the window.
    Then a shadow scooted across the wall. I sat up straight, unsure what to do.
    Then there’s clicking on the wooden floor. I turned my head quickly.
    Bam!
    I’m thrown against the wall, smashing my head with a great bang. Then there’s a heavy ball of weight on top of me. I struggled to get up, my head aching from hitting the wall.
    I felt slime all over my face.
    â€œThe Hobgoblin,” I screamed.
    I thrashed my arms out, trying to escape its hold on me, but I couldn’t move.
    Suddenly, the door swung in and the overhead light flicked on, which would have blinded me, but my eyes were closed.
    Then there’s laughter.
    I finally opened my eyes to find the deadly wolf-dog, Lucky, planted on my chest, his tongue wagging inches from my own mouth. And my sister and aunt standing in the doorway almost falling over in laughter. How humiliating.
    â€œThe Hobgoblin,” Sara mocked. “Oh, it’s killing me. The Hobgoblin is killing me.” She laughed even harder, holding her stomach.
    My aunt gave a little whistle and Lucky sprang from me and ran to her, sitting at her side, its tail swishing across the floor.
    â€œYou know better than that, boy,” Danielle said to the beast, her hand rubbing under the animal’s chin.
    I got to my feet trying to act like nothing had happened.
    â€œThat was fun,” I said.