Page 121 (2/2)

“Get him!”

Duck ran all-out, yelling, “Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, ah hah hah hah!” desperate to keep anger at bay, forcing his rin

He made it across the street He ell out in front of the et inside his house and lock the door before they caught him

“Help! Someone help me!” he cried

His next step landed hard

The step after that broke the curb

The third step plowed down through the sidewalk and he fell hard

His chin hit concrete and crunched through it like a rock through glass

He was falling into the earth again Only this time he was facedown

Zil and the others immediately surrounded him A blow landed on his back Another on his behind Neither blow hurt It was like they were hitting hier reach hih the ceh the dirt

“Scratch one chud,” Duck heard Zil crow

Then, “What happened, man?”

“All the lights went out,” so scared

There was a frightened curse, and the sound of running footsteps

Duck Zhang, facedown in dirt, kept sinking