Free 25 - Attack of the Mutant by R.L. Stine - (ebook by Undead) Page B

again, I pressed my back against the wall. “Now I have no choice. Now I
have to do something very bad to you, Skipper,” he said flatly, his black eyes
staring hard into mine through his mask.
    “But—why?” I cried. “Why can’t I just leave? I’ll go straight home. I’ll
never tell anyone about you. Really!” I pleaded.
    He shook his head. “I can’t let you leave. You belong here now.”
    “Huh?” I gasped. “What are you saying, Libby—I mean, Mutant?”
    “You belong here now, Skipper,” he replied coldly. “I knew it when I saw you
on the bus for the first time. I knew you were perfect when you told me you knew everything about my comics.”
    “But—but—” I sputtered again.
    “It’s so hard to find good characters for my stories, Skipper. It’s so hard
to find good foes. I’m always looking for new faces. That’s why I was so pleased
when I discovered you.”
    His evil grin grew wider. “Then when you recognized my headquarters building,
I knew you were right. I knew you were ready to star in a story.”
    The smile faded quickly. “I’m so sorry, Skipper. But the story is over. Your
part has come to an end.”
    “What—what are you going to do?” I stammered.
    “Destroy you, of course!” The Mutant replied coldly.
    I pressed my back against the wall. I stared back at him, thinking hard.
    “Good-bye, Skipper,” The Masked Mutant said softly.
    “But you can’t do this!” I screamed. “You’re just a character in a comic
book! But I’m real! I’m a real, live person! I’m a real boy!”
    A strange smile formed on The Mutant’s lips. “No, you’re not, Skipper,” he
said, snickering. “You’re not real. You’re just like me now. You’re a comic book
character, too.”

 
 
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    I pinched my arm. It felt as warm and real as always.
    “You’re a liar!” I shouted.
    The Masked Mutant nodded. A pleased smile formed on his face. “Yes, I’m a
liar,” he agreed. “That’s one of my better qualities.” His smile faded.
“But I’m not lying this time, Skipper. You’re not real anymore.”
    I refused to believe him. “I feel the way I always have,” I declared.
    “But I changed you into a comic book character,” he insisted. “Remember when
you entered this building for the first time? Remember when you walked through
the glass door and a beam of light passed over you?”
    I nodded. “Yes. I remember that,” I muttered.
    “Well, that was a scanner,” The Masked Mutant continued. “When you stepped
through it, it scanned your body. It turned you into tiny dots of ink.”
    “No!” I shouted.
    He ignored my cry. “That’s all you are now, Skipper. Tiny dots of red, blue,
and yellow ink. You’re a comic book character, just like me.”
    He slid toward me menacingly, his cape spreading out behind him. “But I’m
sorry to say you’ve made your last appearance in my comic book. Or in any comic book.”
    “Wait!” I cried.
    “I can’t wait any longer,” The Masked Mutant replied coldly. “I’ve already
wasted too much time on you, Skipper.”
    “But I’m not Skipper!” I declared.
    “I’m not Skipper Matthews,” I said. “There is no Skipper Matthews.”
    “Oh, really?” he asked, rolling his eyes. “Then who are you?”
    “I’m The Colossal Elastic Boy!” I replied.

 
 
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    The Masked Mutant uttered a low gasp. “Elastic Boy!” he exclaimed. “I thought you looked familiar!”
    “Good-bye, Mutant,” I said in a deep voice.
    “Where are you going?” he asked sharply.
    “Back to my home planet of Xargos,” I replied, starting toward the door. “I’m
not allowed to guest-star in other comic books.”
    He moved quickly to block the door. “Nice try, Elastic Boy,” he said. “But
you have invaded my secret headquarters. I have to destroy you.”
    I laughed. “You can’t destroy Elastic Boy!” I boasted. “I’ll stretch out my
elastic arms and wrap you in them, and squeeze you into Play-Doh!”
    “I