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I’ve looked forward to finallythe famous Seth

Sorenson, Vanessa said

Me? Seth replied inanely

Vanessa sue-tied Kendra was starting not to like her

Vanessa glanced at her small, fashionable watch I hate to be in a rush, but we have a lot of ground to cover before the night ends

You’re welco, Mom said We could make up the spare bed

Kendra experienced an acute et out of there Errol aiting outside, and he had acted suspicious of Vanessa Who knehat he ht?

Vanessa shook her head with a regretful smile I have an appointht owl I slept in late We’ll get to Stan’s in one piece

Can I get you some refreshoodies in the car, she said We should get on the road

Dad had pulled out his wallet At least let us chip in on gas

I wouldn’t think of it, Vanessa insisted

You’re saving us a long drive, Dad persisted It’s the least-68 I was going there anyhow, Vanessa said, picking upSeth’s suitcase, the largest of the bunch Giving your children a lift is my pleasure Dad snatched Kendra’s suitcase before Vanessa could grab it as well Instead Vanessa seized

Seth’s duffel bag

Mom opened the door, and Vanessa walked out, followed by Dad I can get s, Seth said from behind

I’ easily toward her car

Whoa! Seth said when he got a look at her dark blue sports car

Dad whistled Ferrari?

No, Vanessa said Custoh a friend

You’ll have to introducebeside the sports car, Kendra could not believe she was going to get to ride in it all the way to Fablehaven

Low and aerodynalossy vehicle had twin tailpipes, a sunroof, and fat tires like a race car In spite of the dead insects plastered to the front, it looked like the sort of vehicle you would expect to see in a showroo that anybody would actually drive

Vanessa pressed a couple of buttons on her key chain

The passenger door swung open and the trunk popped up

There should just be room for the suitcases in the trunk, she said She leaned the passenger seat forward and tucked

Seth’s duffel bag behind the driver’s seat

Shotgun, Seth called69 Sorry, Vanessa said House rules Tallest passenger getsshotgun The back is a bit craht I’ve alht up with her, he said Besides, she’s more flexible

Good, Vanessa said, because we’ll have to slide her seat forward to fit the two of you I don’t often have riders in the back Dad handed Kendra’s duffel bag to Vanessa and then loaded the suitcases into the trunk

Seth slouched into the backseat and fastened his seat belt Vanessa slid the passenger seat forward a bit and pushed the back upright Can you live with that? Seth nodded gluether Kendra ets settled, Vanessa soothed

Vanessa stepped aside so Kendra could get in the car

Chapter Four

Kendra en van parked down the road Vanessa winked in a way that suggested she are of the threat Kendra hesitated for another ot into the car and Vanessa shut the door The engine roared to life spontaneously Vanessa thuain and the driver’s door opened

Mo whether her parents would be able to see her through the tinted glass, Kendra rolled down herand waved back According to Grandpa, with her and Seth out of the house, Moh Kendra was unsure what new hazards awaited at70 Fablehaven, at least she could take co herdeparture would ensure the safety of her parents

Vanessa scooted behind the wheel and closed the door

Her deed on a pair of black driving gloves How long has he been there? she asked, switching on the lights, throwing thea final good-bye, Kendra rolled up the

Only a few minutes, I think, Kendra said He showed up after we skipped out onhim at the service station

Why didn’t you tell me? Seth coetting off the phone with hi

They drove past the Volkswagen van Looking back,

Kendra saw the headlights come on and the van pull into the street behind the, Vanessa promised Once we’re out of earshot froet rid of hilasses

Isn’t it a little dark for sunglasses? Seth said

Night vision, Vanessa explained I can kill the lights and go as fast as I like

Aweso toward the interstate

Vanessa looked over at Kendra You were just on the phone with hiigantic huurea pair of crude ar very fast Vanessa swerved, but thetheir path Vanessa slammed on the brakes The seat belts locked, and the car stopped about ten yards shy of the creature

Yellow and bristly under the bright headlights, the oafish figure towered at least ten feet above the asphalt, straddling the yellow line in the center of the road It had short legs with large feet, a , thick ar mouth appeared when the monstrosity let out a raspy roar

A haystack? Seth said, sounding bewildered

A dullion, Vanessa corrected, throwing the car into reverse A pseudo golerowled and the tires squealed as they backed away Vanessa expertly whipped the car around and switched gears, wheels shrieking They were suddenly going forward again, away from the creature The sharp odor of burnt rubber filled the car

As they neared the intersection where they had just turned, the Volkswagen van screeched to a stop, blocking their escape A second car, an older- the barricade The road was only two lanes wide, and the scant shoulder was steep and rocky

Vanessa cranked the car into a slide and, after a wild fishtail, tires spinning and s strawunned the engine As the screaained traction, the car picked up speed, but with the dullionrapidly drawing closer, there was not enough space to get going really fast

Withoutthe car to the right edge of the road, then cutting across to the left just before they reached thedirectly into the dullion, but the lunging strawe fists as they roared past It sounded like they had been struck by a rocket The car treht they were going to sail off the road, but Vanessa regained control and they raced away

Part of the roof had crumpled above Kendra, and cracks webbed herand the sunroof The wheels sine purred and the car see smoothly as the speedometer topped ninety