Kids [Story]

Kids

Timmy stared in horror as the monster clanked around the corner.  The
creature was the most hideous thing that Timmy had ever seen:  It had four
legs, two heads, two arms, evil beady eyes and some of it seemed to be made
of metal.

Heedless of the obvious danger, Terry moved towards the creature, blocking
it's path, but the thing poked at him with something sharp. Terry yelped in
pain and turned, running headlong down the dark passage with Timmy close on
his heels.

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Although Timmy and Terry were twins, their demeanor was about as different
as two youngsters could be:  Timmy was quiet and shy.  He spent most of his
free time studying and trying to learn something new.  Terry, on the other
hand, was always exploring someplace looking for excitement and usually
finding trouble.  The twin's nick names had become "Timmy the Timid" and
"Terry the Terrible".

Today, Terry had convinced Timmy to go exploring in the "forbidden caves".
Today, Terry had found a lot more trouble than he had bargained for.

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"Mother always warned us not to go anywhere near these caves," gasped Timmy
as they ran.  "Now you know why!"

"Save your breath," admonished Terry.  "I think that there is a maze up
ahead.  Maybe we can loose the monster there."

The pair ducked into the dark twisting passages, desperately trying to loose
the awful creature that pursued them.  The clanking of the monster echoed
off the dark cave walls until it seemed that the twins were surrounded by a
horde bent on their destruction.  Suddenly Terry stopped and Timmy ran into
him.

"Don's stop," whispered Timmy.  "I think the brute is right behind us."

"The way is blocked," replied Terry in a shaky voice.  "This is a dead end.
We will have to go back!"

As they turned, the clanking sound became louder and then, suddenly,
stopped.  There, blocking the exit from the dead end tunnel, stood the
monster.

As the awful creature looked in their direction, Timmy wondered vaguely how
the thing could see in the darkness with such small and hateful eyes.  He
did not have long to ponder this mystery for the monster was moving quickly
in their direction.

"Stay behind me," commanded Terry as he bravely moved to confront their foe.

Terry lashed out at the monster, but the creature was too quick moving out
of reach and then cutting Terry with a return blow as Terry was off balance
from his own attack.  Terry cried out in pain but managed to turn and land a
blow on the thing's back.  The creature hardly noticed the impact and
stabbed at Terry again and again.

Terry was bleeding badly as the creature renewed it's attack.  "I'm sorry
Timmy," came Terry's pain filled voice as another blow landed.  "I have gone
and got us both killed."  The words choked off as the monster stabbed deeply
at Terry."

"No," Timmy's shout filled the cavern and a second later the walls were lit
by bright flames burning at the monster.  The creature staggered back, away
from Terry, stunned by the unexpected attack.  More flames were followed by
lighting bolts and suddenly the monster broke in two.  The top half of the
monster fell and lay motionless on the cold stone floor.  The bottom half
turned and fled back down the tunnel.  Timmy knelt, sobbing, by his fallen
brother.

Terry opened one eye, looking up at Timmy.  "Don't cry you big dummy.  I'm
not dead!"  Terry got shakily to his feet.  "It hurts like heck, but I'll
live."  He turned his head looking sharply at Timmy.  "Where in the world
did you learn how to do that?"

"It was magic," Timmy sniffed. His relief that Terry was alive was starting
to give way to annoyance that his brother's foolish exploring had almost
gotten them both killed.  "I learned about it in my studies.  Maybe that is
something you should pay a little bit more attention to!"

"You bet," exclaimed Terry.  "Something like that would come in real handy
in a pinch!  Maybe you could teach me."

For a minute Timmy just stood glaring at his brother.  Then he looked over
his shoulder.  "You know, we had best be getting out of here before another
monster comes along!"

"Yeah," agreed Terry.  "I sure wouldn't want to face another one of those...
things."  He poked at the monster half lying on the cave floor.

The pair made their way back to the cave entrance without further incident.
Outside they stood blinking in the bright sunlight.

"It's a lot later than I thought," said Timmy, judging the position of the
sun.  "We had better get home quick or we will be late for supper and mom
will skin us both alive!"

"Yikes!  That would be worse than the monster," shuddered Terry.  "Well, I
am feeling much better now so we can travel fast!"

Timmy nodded back at his brother and the twins spread their red scaled
dragon wings and flew off towards the sunset and home.


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For the entire Dr. Dolittle collection check out Katherine's web site at;
http://www.mhn.org/~kate/stories/