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Penny screamed. "Nick! Let's go home! Now!" "No!" he screamed back. "We're too close now. I'm not leaving without the Star Clock!" As abruptly as it began, the laughter ceased. The two little Wondernells shivered both with terror and with cold. The darkness grew deeper and damper around them until they could no longer see each other. Only their tightly clasped hands gave them a pitiful smidgen of comfort. Suddenly, an eerie, misty, pale blue light rose from the cove in front of them. In horror, Nick and Penny watched as the ugliest creature imaginable appeared. He was at least a giant! Slimy rags hung from his bony frame. Shaggy hair covered his head and straggled to his claws. He glared at the little ones. "Huh! Wondernells. Um-m-m-m-ml Hah!" As he growled, his breath was nasty and sickeningly hot. "Little fools! Naughty! naughty! Come to see old Snivvely? Um-m-m-ml Hah! Hah! What do you want, Brats?" Nick's throat ached as he tried to speak. Snivvely grunted. "Huh! Speak, Brat! Why are you trespassing in my world? Speak! Um-m-m-ml Hah! Hah! Speak!" Nick swallowed hard. He croaked, then tried again "Our Star Clock. Give it back!" Snivvely sneered. "Huh! Little fool! Why would I want a clock? I have no need. Time is stilled here. Forever traps forever in my cove. I have no clock. Um-m-m-m-ml Hah! Hah! Come see for yourselves, little fools!" Nick and Penny screamed as he reached for them with his grimy, slimy claws. |
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