Ward 13 Read Online Free

and Grotbags lifted Mark onto the operating table. The metal surface felt cold against his back, but he couldn’t do anything about it. He couldn’tmove at all. Even his eyes were locked in place, staring straight up at the blinding light.
    The surgeon’s face came into view. He sneered down at Mark. “Instant petrification! Good word, isn’t it? It means you can no longer move any part of your body at all – not unless I inject you with the antidote, of course. And, the best part is – you’re wide awake and can still feel pain.”
    Mark breathed fast, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
    â€œI usually finish my victims off first so they don’t feel the agony of being dismembered – piece by piece – they just fall asleep and never wake up again. But, in your case, I think I’ll make an exception…”
    Laughing, Dr Stone placed the empty syringe onto his tray and selected a scalpel to begin his work. Mark watched the razor-sharp blade glint in the light as it came closer and closer to his face.
    â€œLet’s start with that pesky nose, shall we?”
    Suddenly, the doors to the operating theatre crashed open.
    Dr Stone spun round and shouted. “What are you lot doing here? Get back to work this instant!”
    Mark couldn’t turn his head to see who had entered the room, but he could see their reflection in the metal casing of the light above him. Standing in the doorway were half a dozen nurses, the hospital porter – and Archie!
    Nurse Helen held up a syringe containing a red liquid. “The antidote to
Stone’s stonemaker
!” she announced. “We found it in your locker.”
    Dr Stone laughed. “Too bad you don’t have the courage to use it!” he spat.
    The nurses glanced at one another nervously.
    â€œI told you so,” said Dr Stone. He turned to Grotbags. “Get them out of here…”
    The bulky kitchen worker took a step forwards and the nurses began to back away. But the porter stood his ground.
    â€œNo,” he said. “No more…”
    He grabbed Grotbags by the wrist and twisted her arm up her back. The woman cried out in pain.
    Archie turned to Helen. “Go on!” he urged the nurse. “Set Mark free!”
    But Helen – and the other nurses – didn’t move.
    â€œHe’s not that scary!”
    The nurses just stared at Dr Stone in terror.
    Archie sighed. “If you want something doing…” he snatched the syringe from Helen’s hand and raced across the operating theatre.
    â€œOh, no you don’t!” bellowed Dr Stone. He threw his scalpel directly at Archie, the spinning blade just missing the boy’s head, but nicking his ear and drawing blood.
    â€œWhat a crap shot!” Archie yelled. He reached the table and stabbed the needle deep into Mark’s thigh.
    Mark felt his entire body begin to tingle. He found he could turn his head, and watched as Dr Stone grabbed another scalpel and lunged furiously at Archie. Mark cried out. He had to help his friend, but he couldn’t jump off the table and fight because of his broken leg.
    That was it! His broken leg!
    Using all his effort as the antidote swept through his veins, Mark swung his broken leg out as hard as he could. The solid white plaster cast hit Dr Stone’s jaw with an almighty CRACK! Then the surgeon slumped to the floor, out cold.
    â€œ
Stone’s stonemaker!
” laughed Mark as Alfie helped him to sit upright. “It’s nothing compared to Jackson’s jawcracker!”

CHAPTER 7
THE REVENGE
    Dr Stone woke groggily, forcing his eyes open against a thudding pain that completely enveloped his head – but seemed to be focussed on his jaw. He tried to raise a hand to rub his chin, but found he couldn’t move.
    â€œIt’s good stuff, this mixture of yours!” said a voice. “Works really quickly.” A face came into view, then