Rise of the Evening Star

Kendra got into the car and Vanessa shut the door. The engine roared to life spontaneously. Vanessa thumbed her key chain again and the driver’s door opened.

Mom and Dad stood together on the curb, waving.

Doubting whether her parents would be able to see her through the tinted glass, Kendra rolled down her window and waved back. According to Grandpa, with her and Seth out of the house, Mom and Dad would be out of danger.

Although Kendra was unsure what new hazards awaited at70 Fablehaven, at least she could take comfort knowing herdeparture would ensure the safety of her parents.

Vanessa scooted behind the wheel and closed the door.

Her demeanor instantly changed as she tugged on a pair of black driving gloves. How long has he been there? she asked, switching on the lights, throwing the manual transmission into gear, and pulling forward.

Calling a final good-bye, Kendra rolled up the window.

Only a few minutes, I think, Kendra said. He showed up after we skipped out on meeting him at the service station.

Why didn’t you tell me? Seth complained.

I just found out, Kendra said. He called. I was getting off the phone with him when Vanessa pulled up. He was trying to talk me into going.

They drove past the Volkswagen van. Looking back,

Kendra saw the headlights come on and the van pull into the street behind them. He’s following us, Seth said.

Not for long, Vanessa promised. Once we’re out of earshot from your parents, we’ll get rid of him quick. She put on a pair of sunglasses.

Isn’t it a little dark for sunglasses? Seth said.

Night vision, Vanessa explained. I can kill the lights and go as fast as I like.

Awesome! Seth said.

They turned a corner, heading toward the interstate.

Vanessa looked over at Kendra. You were just on the phone with him?

Watch out! Kendra yelled, pointing straight ahead. A

gigantic humanoid figure made of straw shambled out into71 the road, waving a pair of crude arms. Having just rounded acorner, they were not going very fast. Vanessa swerved, but the monstrous figure leapt sideways to continue blocking their path. Vanessa slammed on the brakes. The seat belts locked, and the car stopped about ten yards shy of the creature.

Yellow and bristly under the bright headlights, the oafish figure towered at least ten feet above the asphalt, straddling the yellow line in the center of the road. It had short legs with large feet, a massive torso, and long, thick arms. The bushy head lacked eyes, but a gaping mouth appeared when the monstrosity let out a raspy roar.

A haystack? Seth said, sounding bewildered.

A dullion, Vanessa corrected, throwing the car into reverse. A pseudo golem.

The dullion charged. The engine growled and the tires squealed as they backed away. Vanessa expertly whipped the car around and switched gears, wheels shrieking. They were suddenly going forward again, away from the creature. The sharp odor of burnt rubber filled the car.

As they neared the intersection where they had just turned, the Volkswagen van screeched to a stop, blocking their escape. A second car, an older-model Cadillac, pulled up beside it, completing the barricade. The road was only two lanes wide, and the scant shoulder was steep and rocky.

Vanessa cranked the car into a slide and, after a wild fishtail, tires spinning and smoking, they were again facing the lumbering strawman. The bulky creature shuffled toward them. Vanessa gunned the engine. As the screaming tires72 gained traction, the car picked up speed, but with the dullionrapidly drawing closer, there was not enough space to get going really fast.

Without much room to maneuver, Vanessa did her best, bringing the car to the right edge of the road, then cutting across to the left just before they reached the monster. The tactic kept them from plowing directly into the dullion, but the lunging strawman pounded the car with its huge fists as they roared past. It sounded like they had been struck by a rocket. The car trembled and skidded, and for a terrible moment Kendra thought they were going to sail off the road, but Vanessa regained control and they raced away.

Part of the roof had crumpled above Kendra, and cracks webbed her window and the sunroof. The wheels smelled like they were on fire. But the engine purred and the car seemed to be driving smoothly as the speedometer topped ninety.

Sorry about the turbulence, Vanessa said. Everybody all right?

I bet we left some sweet skid marks, Seth gushed.

What was that thing?

A golem made out of straw, Kendra said.

It looked ridiculous, Seth said. Like a moving haystack.

Kendra realized that Seth had not seen the true form of the creature that had assailed them. You haven’t had milk,

Seth.

Oh, yeah. Did he look like Hugo?

Sort of, Kendra said, but bigger and sloppier.73 The thing bashed us hard, Seth said. He caved in theroof.

They turned onto a wider road, tires whining mildly, then accelerated aggressively. We were lucky to get away with so little damage, Vanessa said. The body of the car has been reinforced and the windows are bulletproof. A

lesser vehicle would no longer be running. They chose the right spot for an ambush.

How could something made of hay hit us so hard? Seth asked.

Who knows what was underneath the straw? Kendra said.

Which is why I didn’t just ram him in the first place,

Vanessa said. Good thing for us.

Kendra checked the speedometer. They were going faster than a hundred miles per hour. Don’t you worry about speed traps?

Vanessa grinned. Nobody will be able to catch us without a helicopter.

Really? Seth said.

I’ve never had a ticket, Vanessa bragged. But I’ve been chased. I’m tough to catch, especially outside of metropolitan areas. I’ll have you to Fablehaven in a little over two hours.

Two hours! Kendra exclaimed.

How do you think I reached your house so soon after you spoke with Stan? We can comfortably average a hundred and fifty on the interstate. Late at night, with our lights off,74 anybody holding a radar gun will think they clocked aUFO.

This might be the coolest day of my life, Seth said.

Except that I don’t have anyplace to put my legs.

I don’t normally speed for fun, Vanessa explained. But we might have enemies following us. Tonight, it’s the smartest course of action. By the way, Seth, your grandma sent you this. She opened a small ice chest between the front seats and removed a little bottle of milk.

Now you tell me, after I missed the dullion. He accepted the milk and drank it. What’s the difference between a dullion and a golem?

Quality, mostly, Vanessa said. Dullions are a bit easier to create. Although I haven’t seen one in ages. Like golems, they’re nearly extinct. Whoever was after you has unusual resources.

They drove in silence for a moment. Kendra folded her arms. I’m sorry we wrecked your beautiful car.