46 - How to Kill a Monster Read Online Free Page A

didn’t even take one. I don’t get it, I
thought. I just don’t get it.
    “What’s that you’re reading, dear?” She pointed to Clark’s rolled-up comic,
sticking out of the back pocket of his jeans.
    “Creatures from the Muck,” he answered between bites.
    “Oh, how interesting,” Grandma replied. “I love to read. So does Grandpa
Eddie. We read all the time. We love mysteries. ‘There’s nothing like a good
mystery,’ Grandpa Eddie always says.”
    I jumped up from the table. I just remembered—Grandma and Grandpa’s
presents were still packed in my suitcase.
    Books! Mysteries! Dad told us they loved them.
    “Be right back!” I excused myself and dashed upstairs.
    I started down the long, winding hall to my room. Then stopped when I heard
footsteps.
    Who could it be?
    I gazed down the dark hall. I gasped when I spotted a shadow moving against
the wall. Someone else was up here. Someone was creeping toward me.

 
 
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    I pressed my back against the wall. Held my breath and listened.
    The shadow slid out of view.
    The footsteps grew softer.
    Still holding my breath, I inched down the dark twisting hallway. I peeked
around a corner. And saw it.
    The shadow. Nearly shapeless in the dim light.
    It moved slowly along the dark green walls, growing smaller as the footsteps
faded in the distance.
    I crept swiftly but silently, chasing the shadow through the corridor.
    Whose shadow is it? I wondered. Who else is up here?
    I crept closer.
    The shadow on the wall loomed large again.
    My heartbeat quickened as I chased the mysterious shape.
    The shadow turned another corner. I hurried to the turn as quietly as I
could. And stopped.
    Whoever it was—stood right there. Just beyond the turn.
    I took a deep breath—and peeked around the corner.
    And saw Grandpa Eddie.
    Grandpa Eddie—carrying a huge platter stacked high with blueberry pancakes.
    How did Grandpa get up here? I wondered. I thought I saw him go outside.
    Grandpa came in through another door, I decided. That has to be it. This
house is huge. It probably has lots of doors and halls and stairways I haven’t
discovered yet.
    But what was he doing up here carrying an enormous tray of pancakes? Where
was he taking them?
    What a mystery!
    Grandpa Eddie carefully balanced the big silver tray between his hands as he
made his way down the hall.
    I have to follow him, I thought. I have to see where he’s going.
    I padded down the hallway. I wasn’t too worried about being quiet now. After
all, Grandpa didn’t hear too well.
    I walked only a few yards behind him.
    When I heard the sounds, I froze.
    Sniffing. Behind me. Furious sniffing.
    Oh, no! Charley!
    Charley bounded down the hall toward me. Sniffing. Sniffing furiously. Then
the dog spotted me—and stopped.
    “Good dog,” I whispered, trying to shoo him away. “Go back. Go back.”
    But he broke into a run. Barking his head off.
    I grabbed for his collar as he tried to dodge me—to race down the hall to
Grandpa.
    I grasped the collar tightly. He barked even louder.
    “Rose?” Grandpa Eddie called out. “Is that you, Rose?”
    “Come on, Charley,” I whispered. “Let’s get out of here.”
    I dragged Charley around the corner—before Grandpa could catch me spying on
him. Tugging the dog, I ducked into my room.
    I sat down on the scratchy blanket for a second to catch my breath. Then I
quickly rummaged through my suitcase for Grandma and Grandpa’s mystery books.
    Where was Grandpa going with those pancakes? I wondered as I hurried down the
stairs with the presents.
    Why was he creeping along so silently?
    It was a mystery I had to solve.
    If only I had minded my own business….

 
 
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    “Why don’t you two go out and play while I clean up these dishes?” Grandma
suggested after breakfast. “Then you can help me make my sweet-as-sugar rhubarb
pie!”
    “Play?” Clark grumbled. “Does she think we’re two years old?”
    “Let’s go out, Clark.” I pulled