In the Land of the Lawn Weenies Read Online Free Page A

that right.”
    â€œBesides, we take turns,” Danny said. “Grandpa’s real fair about that. And tonight, it’s my turn.” He grinned and winked at me.
    â€œWhat?” I still didn’t understand.
    â€œAlone at last,” Danny said. He started laughing. The grin spread wider as it dripped down his chin like stretched taffy.
    I moved away until I felt the wall press against my back.
    â€œAlone,” he repeated. “Alone with a crizzle. Only one way that can turn out.” Danny kept laughing as the flesh melted from his face like wax on a candle. And his eyes, even as they slid away to reveal what lay beneath, looked hungry. Very, hungry.

LIGHT AS A FEATHER, STIFF AS A BOARD
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    T hey’d been playing the game all summer, and it had sort of worked, but Sharon suspected they hadn’t really done it right. Each evening kids from around the neighborhood would gather on one of the lawns, and they’d select a victim. Sharon believed it had to be someone heavy. With a light kid like Ray or Julie, it wasn’t much of a trick. But with a heavier kid, they’d know if the game was real.
    The group wasn’t exactly the same each night, but there were certain kids who usually came. And there were certain kids who usually messed everything up. Billy, for instance, would do almost anything to get a laugh, even if it meant ruining the game.
    Sharon had spent most of the day playing with Julie. Now she noticed that several kids had gathered
half a block away on Kate’s front yard. “Come on,” she said to Julie.
    â€œI don’t know,” Julie said. “I don’t think I want to play.”
    â€œWhy not?” Sharon took a step away from her friend. She had to join the others before the game started. Once they formed the circle, it would be too late.
    Julie wrapped her arms around herself as if trying to hold onto her decision. “Kate’s so bossy. I hate that.”
    â€œI know how you feel,” Sharon said. She looked down the street anxiously. The game would start any minute. “Just don’t pay any attention to her. It’ll be fun. And it’s the last day of vacation. You can’t miss it.”
    Julie shook her head. “I really don’t want to go.”
    â€œPlease,” Sharon said. “It won’t be as much fun without you.”
    â€œOh, all right,” Julie said. “If it means that much to you.” They walked down the street and gathered with the rest of the kids. Behind them the last of the sunlight melted away in puddles of red and purple against the sky. It would be dark soon.
    Up ahead, Sharon saw that Kate had already taken charge of the group.
    â€œLet’s do it,” Kate said.
    Anne stretched out on the ground and crossed her arms over her chest. She closed her eyes.
    â€œNo,” Kate said, poking Anne’s arm. “You’re too light. Get up.”

    Anne stood without arguing, but Sharon could tell that the girl was disappointed.
    Kate scanned the group like a shopper looking for the nicest piece of meat in the display case. “Hmmm, what about Todd?”
    â€œSure,” Todd said, grinning at the honor. He took Anne’s place on the ground.
    â€œI knew your weight would come in handy someday,” Billy said.
    Everyone gathered around Todd. Sharon knelt by his left leg. She could feel a change in the air as the kids grew serious.
    Kate, kneeling by Todd’s head, started the game.
    â€œLight as a feather, stiff as a board,” Kate said.
    In a circle, starting at Kate’s left, each of the others repeated the phrase: “Light as a feather, stiff as a board.”
    Sharon spoke when her turn came, making sure she sounded properly serious and somber. Each of the remaining kids took a turn, ending with Ray.
    â€œTodd was in a car accident,” Kate said as she sent the next phrase around the circle.
    Again, they each repeated the