find horror movies much more interesting than either of those facts I only like horror movies I’m not in As the sound of his friends squabbling washed over him Gabe stared out into the swamp He tried to will his brother to show up Instead what he saw through the trees was big and covered with slime and mud Gabe pulled the camera out from under his poncho determined to get a shot of the bog monster Tyler caught one glimpse of the bog monster and screamed Monster Run
Sean didn’t need any convincing and dashed off through the trees with Tyler right behind him At the sound of Tyler’s scream the monster came crashing toward them coughing and spitting Gabe stood his ground camera pointed at the bog monster Tyler doubled back grabbed Gabe by the arm and practically dragged him deeper into the swamp with the bog monster in pursuit 7
through The boys ducked tight spots between the trees and splashed through boggy water They crawled under a briar thicket and scrambled over another fallen tree Pretty soon they couldn’t see or hear the bog monster splashing and grunting behind them Tyler grabbed for the trunk of a nearby tree hugged it and gasped Rest he wheezed Sean was wheezing too He looked at Tyler shaking his head I wouldn’t hug that tree You don’t know what kind of insect life lives in it Gabe watched the woods behind them It’s weird we got away from the monster so easily You call that easy Tyler said It does seem odd Sean agreed Logically the bog creature would know this swamp far better than we do It should have caught us I hope you aren’t disappointed Tyler said Because I’m not Not at all No Sean said Just suspicious 8
Gabe peered into the woods the way they’d come Then he heard a thick hoarse voice calling Gabe Did you hear that Gabe whispered It’s not good when the monster knows your name Tyler said That’s got to be an omen or something He looked at Gabe wide-eyed Maybe it means you’re going to die Unlikely Sean said He walked over to stand by Gabe The swamp around them was noisy Insects whined and buzzed Splashes sounded in the water Things skittered in the underbrush The growth is so thick and shadowy Sean said It would be quite easy for something to sneak up on us Gabe The voice came from behind them Gabe nearly fell over as he spun to face a mud-covered hulk It held Tyler’s arm in one muddy paw Help Tyler said weakly just before fainting 9
