Seth's speed began to flag as they reached the end of the hall where they needed to turn left. This glove gets heavier and heavier, Seth panted.
Let me take it for a while, Kendra offered. He handed it over with no protest. The glove was not terribly heavy, but it was hard to hold, like trying to carry a couple of unrolled sleeping bags. Burdened by the glove, she hurried as best she could.
I wish I had infrared vision like you, Seth said.
Infrared?
Or ultraviolet. Whatever. Is normal light too bright for you now?322 It's the same as ever. Can we talk later? I'm running outof wind.
They trotted along in silence. The hall seemed endless.
Chapter Fifteen
Kendra's heart was hammering, and sweat was drenching her silky clothes, making them feel slimy. The bulky glove flopped around as she ran.
I have to walk for a minute, Kendra gasped finally.
They slowed their jog to a walk.
I can take the glove back, Seth said. Kendra handed it over.
I still need to walk, just a little, Kendra said. Hey, I
see our last turn up ahead.
Still a pretty good ways to the door, and then the stairs after that, Seth reminded her.
I know, I'll be good in a second, sorry to slow us down.
Are you kidding? I'm tired too, and you carried that glove a long way. They walked in silence until they reached the hall where they needed to turn right.
Should we run again? Kendra asked.
We'd better, Seth said.
Kendra was reminded of running laps around the field with her soccer team. She was naturally a pretty good runner, but those first few practices had really tested her. She had almost thrown up a couple of times during the first week. She could run through the stitches in her side and the burning muscles, but once she became nauseated, her willpower to run faded fast. She had been at that point when she asked Seth to stop, and she could feel the unwelcome sensation returning.323 She tried to ignore the dank smell of the dungeon. Thehumid stench alone was enough to make her queasy. She reminded herself that Seth was carrying the glove and doing just fine. The taste of bile rose in her throat. She fought to choke back the sensation until she involuntarily flopped forward, hands slapping the stone floor, and dry heaved.
That's sick, Kendra, Seth said.
Keep going, she gasped. Nothing had come up, but she had a foul taste in her mouth. She wiped her lips on her sleeve.
I think we should stay together, he said.
You'll get big first, she said. I'll catch up.
Kendra, I can't see. I can't run without you with me.
Maybe if you let loose and yack you'll feel better.
Kendra shook her head and stood up. I hate puking. I'm already feeling better.
We can walk for a minute, he said.
Just for a minute, she replied.
Before long Kendra was feeling much steadier. She picked up the pace, not charging as hard as before, trying to conserve energy. I see the door up ahead, she finally said.
The tall iron door loomed into view. Kendra led Seth to the small opening in the bottom of the door. They passed through the brownie entrance and hustled toward the stairs.
Do you see the hole Grandma was talking about? Seth asked.
Yes, off to the left. It's small, looks like a mouse hole.
She led Seth to the hole in the wall near the first step,
She had not remembered how steep and numerous the stairs324 were from the basement to the kitchen. They would barelybe able to reach the top of each step. With the glove, scaling the stairs could have taken hours.
Kendra and Seth wriggled through the hole. Inside they found a brownie tunnel like the one they had followed to get into the dungeon, except it was a stairway entirely of stone.
The stairs were steep but just the right size for brownies. They started scaling the long staircase two steps at a time. Kendra's legs soon felt rubbery. Can we rest for a second?
They paused, both of them breathing hard. Uh-oh,
Seth said after a moment.
What? Kendra said, looking around, worried he had seen a rat.
I'm starting to tingle, he said.
Give me the glove and run, Kendra said.
He handed it off and bolted up the stairs. Kendra followed, finding new energy in her desperation. He was ten steps ahead, then twenty, then thirty. Soon he was out of view. Before long she could see where the steps ended. There was a little extra light filtering in through the door from the kitchen.
She reached the top of the long staircase and crammed the glove through the hole ahead of her. Then she squirmed through the hole.
Kendra, the glove, Seth hissed from beyond the brownie door. His voice was pitched lower again. She raced to the little door, dragging the glove, and lunged through into the kitchen.
Seth was almost back to his normal size. The clothes the325 brownies had made lay in tatters. Kendra heard footstepscoming toward them from around the corner. Seth's face was a mask of panic as he snatched the glove and hastily tugged it on, vanishing instantly. Flashing back into view, he picked up Kendra, and she disappeared as well. They both flickered briefly back into view as Seth grabbed the remnants of the clothes the brownies had made. Then he held still and became transparent.
A second later Vanessa rounded the corner and looked right through them. Did you hear something? she asked uncertainly.
Course not, love, a male voice answered from around the corner. You've been hearing things all day. The imps are on guard. All is well. Kendra recognized the voice. It was
Errol!
Vanessa frowned slightly. I suppose I have been on edge. She walked back out of sight.
Kendra realized she had been holding her breath. It made her feel lightheaded. She started breathing again, as controlled as she could. Seth grabbed a large green dish towel off the counter and wrapped it around his waist.
Suddenly, Kendra started tingling. She slapped Seth's hand. He held her up to his ear. I'm tingling, she whispered.
He tiptoed away from the door. Vanessa had walked away toward the dining room, so he went in the opposite direction. As they entered the living room, Kendra felt the tingling spreading and intensifying. Won't be long, she warned.326 He stuck her behind a sofa. As soon as she was out ofview, she started pulling off her dress, which was feeling tight. After a couple of moments, the tingling became severe, and she felt herself growing. Before she knew it, she was back to her normal size, her body pushing the sofa away from the wall, the unbearable tingles subsiding.
Seth straightened the sofa. Kendra peeked her head up.
If you hold my hand, will I turn invisible too?
Seth grabbed her hand and held still. He became invisible, but she did not. It must just work for small stuff, he said.
Try to find me some clothes, she whispered.
Voices and footsteps were approaching. Seth hushed her, moved to the side of the sofa, and held still.