The Marsh Demon (4 page)

Edgar and Mary both tried to reach the torches behind the tree. Mary got hold of one.

The monster pulled Edgar away before he could reach the other torch.

Then it grabbed Mary and held them both, one in each hand.

The marsh demon swung them high up into the air until they were both staring into the monster's foul face. It opened its evil mouth.

“No!” screamed Edgar, closing his eyes.

He heard an even louder roar from the monster – and it let go of him. He fell through the air and landed in the marsh with a muddy splash.

When he opened his eyes he could see the monster thrashing around wildly, huge flames leaping across its skin. It was roaring in pain.

It began to stumble towards the town.

Mary and Mr Blood rushed to the edge of the marsh and pulled Edgar out.

“What happened?” he croaked.

“Mr Blood was right,” said Mary, shaking. “Fire. I stuck my torch down the monster's throat.”

“Will it die?” asked Edgar.

“Yes, in the end,” said Mr Blood. “But some marshes can burn for days.”

They all looked towards the town. The monster was crashing from house to house. The air was full of smoke and screaming.

“Should we help them?” said Edgar.

“We came here to help them, and they tried to feed you to a demon,” said Mr Blood. “I think it's time we left them alone now. Don't you?”

Copyright © 2013 A & C Black

This electronic edition published in May 2013 by Bloomsbury Publishing

Text copyright © 2013 Benjamin Hulme-Cross
Illustrations copyright © 2013 Nelson Evergreen

First published 2013 by
A & C Black
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
50 Bedford Square,
London, WC1B 3DP
www.bloomsbury.com

The right of Benjamin Hulme-Cross and Nelson Evergreen to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages

A CIP catalogue for this book is available from the British Library.

eISBN 978-1-4081-8072-3 (e-book)

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