#9: Wrath of the Gummy

I nearly fainted but I was sure if I had fainted the Praying Mantis Baby would have eaten me. The single most shocking thing I could have heard and it had to be that the Praying Mantis Baby had an older sister. I have to say – it was not something I was expected.

Mitch was shuddering as though he’d eaten five warheads at once, his face just as pinched. Hannah was shaking her head and hugging herself, muttering, “No – no, it can’t be.” under her breath.

“Wait,” I said, feeling nauseous. “How does that even work?”

“Well, see – we’re more like step-siblings,” Gizmo explained. “We have the same mother.”

“Sofya from Crime and Punishment is your mother?”

“What? No, my mom’s name is [redacted].” (You cannot know!)

I stuttered in confusion.

“Listen,” Gizmo began, taking advantage of our bewilderment. “I just need the Theoretical Physicists’ Stone–”

At that moment, Hannah’s shoe began ringing. “Hold that thought,” she said, holding up a finger. She slipped off her shoe and pressed it to her ear. “Hello?” A pause as a garbled voice spoke through the shoe. “Gasp! No way! I’ve been – no way! All right, I’m on my way!”

Mitch and I looked at her inquisitively.

“I’ve got to go to Hawaii. I’ve been selected to compete in the Hula-Hooping World Championship!”

Before we knew it, Hannah left via the floo network. She sent Jon and Mrs. Stone to fill in for her during this epic show down. Meanwhile, Gizmo and her little brother hadn’t moved and the Theoretical Physicists’ Stone remained hidden.

“All right!” Jon said, smacking his fist into his hand. “Let the show down begin!”

Mitch and I looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between us.

“Wait, Jon – Gizmo was explaining stuff,” I said. “The rules are we gotta wait for them to explain before we attack.”

“But I want to hit someone with my sack of children!” Mrs. Stone said, whirling her sack hopefully.

I shook my head and she moped behind us.

Gizmo jumped back in. “My brother needs the Theoretical Physicists’ Stone. Otherwise, he’ll die.”

“Sounds good to me,” I said.

“No, that can’t happen! See he’s the only one that can control the army – without him the praying mantis babies would wreak havoc on the world!”

“They already are,” Mitch said.

Gizmo growled in frustration. She glanced around the catacomb, perhaps in hopes of finding something to convince us. She growled again before saying hastily, “All right! I didn’t want to have to play this card! Alyssa! Remember that gummy you ate? It was poisoned and I have the antidote. Unless you have over the Theoretical Physicists’ Stone, you’re going to die a slow painful death!”

Okay – this time I fainted.