Part 6 (2/2)

Dad whistled. Ferrari?

No, Vanessa said. Custom made. I got a deal through a friend.

You'll have to introduce me, Dad said.

In your dreams, Mom muttered.

Standing beside the sports car, Kendra could not believe she was going to get to ride in it all the way to Fablehaven.

Low and aerodynamic, the glossy 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 showroom or at a car expo-not something that anybody would actually drive.

Vanessa pressed a couple of b.u.t.tons on her key chain.

The pa.s.senger door swung open and the trunk popped up.

There should just be room for the suitcases in the trunk, she said. She leaned the pa.s.senger seat forward and tucked Seth's duffel bag behind the driver's seat.

Shotgun, Seth called.69 Sorry, Vanessa said. House rules. Tallest pa.s.senger getsshotgun. The back is a bit cramped.

Seth drew himself up to his full height. I've almost caught 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 pa.s.senger seat forward a bit and pushed the back upright. Can you live with that? Seth nodded glumly. His legs were twisted sideways with the knees together. Kendra might be able to spare an extra inch or two once she gets settled, Vanessa soothed.

Vanessa stepped aside so Kendra could get in the car.

Kendra met her eyes and glanced at the Volkswagen van parked down the road. Vanessa winked in a way that suggested she was aware of the threat. Kendra hesitated for another moment. Kaleidoscope, Vanessa murmured.

Kendra got into the car and Vanessa shut the door. The engine roared to life spontaneously. Vanessa thumbed her key chain again and the driver's door opened.

Mom and Dad stood together on the curb, waving.

Doubting whether her parents would be able to see her through the tinted gla.s.s, Kendra rolled down her window and waved back. According to Grandpa, with her and Seth out of the house, Mom and Dad would be out of danger.

Although Kendra was unsure what new hazards awaited at70 Fablehaven, at least she could take comfort knowing herdeparture would ensure the safety of her parents.

Vanessa scooted behind the wheel and closed the door.

Her demeanor instantly changed as she tugged on a pair of black driving gloves. How long has he been there? she asked, switching on the lights, throwing the manual transmission into gear, and pulling forward.

Calling a final good-bye, Kendra rolled up the window.

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

Why didn't you tell me? Seth complained.

I just found out, Kendra said. He called. I was getting off the phone with him when Vanessa pulled up. He was trying to talk me into going.

They drove past the Volkswagen van. Looking back, Kendra saw the headlights come on and the van pull into the street behind them. He's following us, Seth said.

Not for long, Vanessa promised. Once we're out of earshot from your parents, we'll get rid of him quick. She put on a pair of sungla.s.ses.

Isn't it a little dark for sungla.s.ses? Seth said.

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

Awesome! Seth said.

They turned a corner, heading toward the interstate.

Vanessa looked over at Kendra. You were just on the phone with him?

Watch out! Kendra yelled, pointing straight ahead. A gigantic humanoid figure made of straw shambled out into71 the road, waving a pair of crude arms. Having just rounded acorner, they were not going very fast. Vanessa swerved, but the monstrous figure leapt sideways to continue blocking their 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 ma.s.sive torso, and long, thick arms. The bushy head lacked eyes, but a gaping 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 golem.

The dullion charged. The engine growled 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-model Cadillac, pulled up beside it, completing 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 smoking, they were again facing the lumbering strawman. The bulky creature shuffled toward them. Vanessa gunned the engine. As the screaming tires72 gained traction, the car picked up speed, but with the dullionrapidly drawing closer, there was not enough s.p.a.ce to get going really fast.

Without much room to maneuver, Vanessa did her best, bringing the car to the right edge of the road, then cutting across to the left just before they reached the monster. The tactic kept them from plowing directly into the dullion, but the lunging strawman pounded the car with its huge fists as they roared past. It sounded like they had been struck by a rocket. The car trembled and skidded, and for a terrible moment Kendra thought 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 her window and the sunroof. The wheels smelled like they were on fire. But the engine purred and the car seemed to be driving smoothly as the speedometer topped ninety.

Sorry about the turbulence, Vanessa said. Everybody all right?

I bet we left some sweet skid marks, Seth gushed.

What was that thing?

A golem made out of straw, Kendra said.

It looked ridiculous, Seth said. Like a moving haystack.

Kendra realized that Seth had not seen the true form of the creature that had a.s.sailed them. You haven't had milk, Seth.

Oh, yeah. Did he look like Hugo?

Sort of, Kendra said, but bigger and sloppier.73 The thing bashed us hard, Seth said. He caved in theroof.

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