Read Online The Curse of the Campfire Weenies by David Lubar - Free Book Online

trembling, watching as the creature took final form, solidifying, becoming almost more real than she could bear. He had a large head, as wide as his shoulders, and massive hands that drooped all the way down to his feet. He opened his mouth and hissed. He reached out with one hand, tipped with jagged nails, and started to swipe at her as if he wanted to rip her face off.
    Then he stopped.
    Karen could tell he was staring at the gem.
    And that was when she knew she was at a crossroad. The necklace, and this creature, could be either the greatest thing that ever happened to her or the worst. This was deep, secret magic that could help her or hurt
her. If she was smart and brave, the world could be hers. If she was foolish, she was sure she would suffer.
    â€œThe gem,” she said. “You can’t hurt me when I wear the gem. Is that right?”
    â€œYes,” the creature said in a voice that sounded like acid eating through metal.
    â€œYou must obey my orders. Right?” She was sure of it.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat can you do for me?” Karen asked.
    â€œAnything you desire, I can get. Anywhere you wish to be, I can take you,” the creature said. “I can do anything except change the past or break a bargain.”
    â€œThen I would like—” Karen stopped. There had to be a catch. There had to be a cost. She’d read too many fairy tales to believe otherwise. “What must I give in return?” she asked, proud of her cleverness. She knew most people would never have thought to ask this crucial question.
    The creature reached to his side and touched a small gold candlestick that stood on the edge of the dresser. He scraped his nail along the base, shaving off a gleaming sliver.
    â€œHey, you’re scratching it,” Karen said.
    The creature ignored her protest and held his hand out. “A small payment,” he said. “A tiny piece of gold.” He stared down at his hand, as if weighing the metal. “Just this much. Each day.”
    Karen looked at the candlestick. The shaving was very small. It was nothing. What harm could there be? Karen smiled as she realized how stupid this creature was. He
could scratch that candlestick as much as he wanted. It wouldn’t matter. All she had to do was ask for another one. But she was also proud of her ability to strike a bargain. There was no way she’d let him have what he wanted.
    â€œNot gold,” she said. She pointed to another candlestick. “Silver.”
    The creature glared at her without speaking. Karen realized she was in control. The feeling of power made her shiver. I’ve won, she thought. She waited, knowing the creature would accept.
    Still glaring, he said, “Very well. A tiny piece of silver. Do we have a bargain?”
    Karen nodded, then said, “Bring me a perfect strawberry.”
    It was winter. There was no good fresh fruit at the local market.
    The creature nodded. “As you wish.”
    He melted into the floor. An instant later, he returned, holding one perfect red strawberry in his claws.
    Karen took the berry carefully, avoiding any contact with the creature’s skin. As she placed the fruit in her mouth, she felt as if the act of eating the strawberry was sealing her forever in a bargain with this creature. She quickly forgot such thoughts as she bit into the fruit. It tasted wonderful.
    â€œWhat shall I call you?” she asked.
    â€œIzma,” the creature replied.
    â€œFetch me another strawberry, Izma,” Karen said.

    Fruit by fruit, she ate her fill, then grew tired of the game. She gazed out the window at the cold land. “Take me somewhere lovely and warm.”
    Izma performed a series of motions with his claws. The world flew past Karen and she found herself on a beach. She stood for a moment, blinking against the brightness and enjoying the wonderful warmth of the tropical sun and the soft crunch of pure white sand beneath her