Donbavand - Secret of the Changeling

Mr. and Mrs. Watson were terrified when their son, Luke, first transformed into a werewolf. But that was nothing compared to their terror at being forcibly moved to Scream Street and discovering that there was no going back.

Determined to take his parents home, Luke enlisted the help of his new friends, Resus Negative, a wannabe vampire, and Cleo Farr, an Egyptian mummy, to find six relics left behind by the communitys founding fathers. Only by collecting these magical artifacts would he be able to open a doorway back to his own world.

Just as Luke and his friends finally succeeded in their quest, Mr. and Mrs. Watson realized how happy Luke had become in his new home and decided to stay on in Scream Street. But the newly opened doorway was becoming a problem Sir Otto Sneer, Scream Streets wicked landlord, was charging normals from Lukes world to visit what he called the worlds greatest freak show.

To protect Scream Street, Luke, Resus, and Cleo must try to close the doorway by returning the relics to their original owners and the next recipient is right on their doorstep....

The Banshee threw back her head and wailed. Her voice rose and fell, rattling windows and shaking ornaments. A vase of flowers shuddered across the sideboard and dropped to the floor with a smash.

THANK YOU! Dr. Skully roared over the din. YOU CAN SIT DOWN NOW! Favel Tap finally came to a stop and smiled at her new classmates as she sat down at her desk.

In the front row, Resus Negative cautiously removed his hands from his ears. Yikes! he exclaimed. If thats how banshees tell you their name, remind me never to ask for her address!

Or be anywhere near when she stubs her toe, said Cleo Farr, smiling.

Luke Watson shifted impatiently in his seat. This is ridiculous, he muttered.

Tell me about it, agreed Resus. I cant believe were back in school either.

Thats enough chatter, you three, said Dr. Skully. May I remind you that class has started. Now, let us turn our attention to the world of flora and fauna. Please all open your textbooks to chapter twelve. Im happy to announce that this morning an expert on the subject of seeds and bulbs will be paying us a visit....

The door opened and a large, tattooed man dressed in a pink tutu and tiara squeezed into the room. Wotcha, kids! grunted Twinkle the fairy.

Dr. Skully grinned an eerie sight on a face without lips. Twinkle has very kindly agreed to tell us everything he knows on the subject of beans.

Thats right, grunted the fairy, stomping around the class to place a single brown bean in front of each pupil. These are magic beans, and even though theyre quite valuable, they should never be taken as full or partial payment for a cow or any other farm animal. I once knew an old woman whose son set off to market wiv a cow

Kian Negative raised his hand, interrupting the story.

Wot? asked Twinkle.

Im a vampire! he proclaimed.

Twinkle looked confused for a moment, then continued. So, as I was sayin, I once knew an old woman whose son...

Luke, squashed in next to Cleo at a desk designed for one, sighed heavily. We shouldnt be here, he moaned.

I know, said Resus. Who wants to learn about this nonsense?

I dont mean that, retorted Luke. I mean that we should be off returning the next relic! Zeal Chillchase promised that lessons would be canceled until wed given them all back.

He cant help it if G.H.O.U.L. is starting to get suspicious, Cleo whispered. He said things have to look as normal as possible and there are so many kids living on Scream Street now, itd look odd if they werent all in school.

Luke had to admit she was right. When he had first been moved to Scream Street, Resus and Cleo had been the only other pupils taught by the skeletal Dr. Skully. But now there were seven children crammed into the teachers dining room. Sitting next to Resus was his young cousin, Kian. Behind them was the ghostly Ryan Aire and his brother, Finn, with Favel Tap perched at the end of their desk. Each of the new pupils was busy scribbling notes into his or her exercise book on the uses of magic beans.

Resus held his bean up to the light and squinted at it. Youre not telling me theres a whole plant in there, waiting to get out.

It cant be any more eager to get out than I am, hissed Luke.

Me too, said Cleo. Eefas sister is arriving from Australia this morning with her baby daughter. She said I can go over and play with her later.

Resus made a face. What is it with girls and babies? You go all loopy at the mere sight of what is basically just a poop and puke machine!

I hope you three are taking in everything Twinkle is telling us, boomed Dr. Skullys voice.

The trio looked up to see their teacher glaring at them from his desk.

Yes, sir, fibbed Luke. Cleo and I were just helping Resus to understand how plants might grow from these beans.

Dr. Skully gave him a brief nod, then turned back to Twinkle. Please continue, he said.

Then in the morning, both the boy and his mother were amazed to find their humble little cottage in the shadow of a massive...

Luke waited until he was sure Dr. Skully wasnt watching them before he continued in a whisper, Every minute we sit listening to this, Sneers charging more normals to come and poke around Scream Street. We have to get out of here!

Youre right, but how? said Cleo.

Leave that to me, said Resus with a wink, then he began to root around in his cape.

A few moments later, Cleo raised her hand. Sir! she called out. Dr. Skully!

The skeleton pulled his attention away from where Twinkle was drawing a golden harp on the blackboard. Yes, Miss Farr? he said. What is it now?

I dont think Resus is feeling very well, sir! The vampire was resting his head on the desk and moaning softly.

The new pupils watched as Dr. Skully stood and made his way over to the trio. If this is another of your jokes, Master Negative...

I dont think it is, sir, said Luke. He said he wasnt feeling right this morning.

Dr. Skullys fingers clicked as he rested his hands on his bony hips. Whats the matter, Resus? he demanded.

A gasp went around the room as the vampire lifted his head to reveal a face covered with fat, glistening mollusks.

I think Ive got slug flu, he croaked.

Slug flu? said Luke with a smile as he, Resus, and Cleo dodged between crowds of normals at the edge of the square.