10 That’s No Jack-o’-Lantern

CHAPTER TEN THAT'S NO JACK-O'-LANTERN The Giant Monstrous Fiend stood there chewing gum and breathing angrily. Its head was a pumpkin, and its body looked like a crab's. It was wearing the old shoes, and it was just dripping with industrial waste.

Franny hoped it would just jump out the window and go away. And, to her surprise, the Pumpkin-Crab Monster jumped out the window and went away. Unfortunately it grabbed Miss Shelly before it left. With a crash and a scream, the Pumpkin-Crab Monster and her teacher were gone.

The kids just stood there. They didn't know how to help. A few tried crying. A few tried screaming. One tried wetting his pants, although later on he admitted he had no idea why he thought that might help. Some of Franny's new friends hugged her and shrieked, but Franny didn't shriek. Franny thought.

Out the window the Pumpkin-Crab Monster was climbing the flagpole with Miss Shelly. There was no way that Miss Shelly was going to get away from that monster thing. It was holding her tight, and it was climbing higher and higher.

Franny looked at her friends. She really liked them, and she was happy they liked her. She had hoped they would always be her friends, but still she knew what she had to do. Franny reached into her backpack and pulled out a vial. It said ANTIDOTE on it.

"Uh, guys," she said gently. "If you all get your lunches, I think I know what we might be able to do." The kids ignored her. They just ran around in little circles, getting more and more scared and confused.