The Final Nightmare by Rodman Philbrick Page A

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    The witch took another step back. “ For years I searched and waited and searched. And you thought you could just come here and take it from me! ”
    She grabbed at the teddy bear in Sally’s arms but Sally clung tight and wouldn’t let go.
    â€œ I’ll teach you, ” growled the witch. “ I’ll get you just like I got that other brat .”
    â€œBobby will save me,” said Sally, hugging the moth-eaten teddy bear. She squirmed but the witch grinned, showing her blackened teeth, and clutched Sally tighter.
    The air was thick and hard to breathe. “Let her go and you can have the teddy bear,” I said, moving deeper into the house toward them.
    She just laughed and plucked something out of her pocket. It was only when she flicked the end of the wooden match against her fingernail that I realized what it was.
    And only then—too late—did I smell the gasoline all around me.
    I dove, launching myself down the hall, and flinched from the tiny flame of the match as it sailed over my head.
    WHOOOOOSH!
    There was a soft, deadly sound as all the air rushed away. I felt myself being sucked backward. I felt the white heat before I heard the explosion of fire.
    â€œJason!” screamed Sally from far away.
    I couldn’t breathe. My throat burned and my lungs felt full of needles. On hands and knees I crawled down the hall, feeling the fire leap higher behind me.
    â€œSally! Jason!” It was Dad, trying to get in. But the back door was a sheet of flame, the kitchen was full of fire.
    We were trapped. There was no way out.
    The old witch threw back her head and howled with glee.
    Sally kicked with both feet and her heel connected with the old lady’s knee. The witch let out a yelp and Sally punched her in the stomach.
    For an instant her claws relaxed their grip. Sally squirmed and was free.
    â€œGo, Sally,” I yelled and started after her.
    The witch leaped in front of me, her eyes fiercer than the fire. She’s only an old lady, I reminded myself as I kept going. Then she snatched up something from off the floor—a gasoline can.
    That stopped me.
    â€œ Your little sister won’t be so pretty as a crispy critter, will she? ” taunted the witch, swinging the can so that gasoline spattered the floor between us. “ She’ll never escape me. I’ll make a torch from her pretty blond hair. A blazing torch! ”
    The witch swung the gasoline can again. This was it! I lashed out with my foot and caught the can squarely, knocking it out of her hand.
    Shoving her with all my might, I pushed past and raced after Sally, calling her name.
    Flames licked the wall. The front door was no longer visible as the fire leaped high, nibbling at the ceiling. The smoke was so thick I could barely see my hand in front of my face.
    â€œSally!” I called.
    â€œJason!” Her voice sounded distant and I couldn’t see her.
    Beside me the grandfather clock made a sighing noise. Startled, I whipped around just as the old clock was engulfed in flames. The face still watched me but all its old menace was gone. Now it just looked surprised as it melted away.
    As the clock wobbled and crashed to the floor the smoke parted and I finally caught sight of Sally.
    She was surrounded by a ring of fire.
    I called her name again but it was like she didn’t hear me. She looked around wildly, her face white and her eyes big.
    Then suddenly she ran right into the flames.
    â€œSally!”
    I hurled myself through the fire after her, holding my arms over my head.
    But she was gone. Choking on the smoke, I dodged a falling beam and fell.
    As I looked up I saw Sally. She was on the stairs to the second floor, running up and still clutching that stupid teddy bear.
    I called out in horror, knowing she couldn’t hear me. The upstairs hall wasn’t yet burning but I could see the glow of fire from the bedrooms. It was only a matter of minutes before the