The Wooden Skull (3 page)

 

 

Edgar ran past the false Mary and onto the bridge. The real Mary didn't seem to see him as he came close to her.

“Mary, give me the skull,” Edgar begged. Mary didn't answer. She was staring back along the bridge.

She looked tired and ill. But as Edgar watched, her face began to change. The colour came back to her cheeks and she smiled. She seemed happy and calm.

Then Edgar remembered that the man on the bridge had done the same thing just before he jumped.

Behind Mary, Edgar saw a cart coming from the other side of the bridge. It was pulled by two horses. Edgar looked behind him. The double was walking forward, towards the real Mary. There was no sign of Mr Blood.

The double stepped up onto the wall at the side of the bridge. The real Mary did the same.

“Mary! No!” Edgar cried.

Edgar ran towards the real Mary. He grabbed at the skull that she held in her hand, and snatched it away from her, pulling her off the wall and onto the bridge. Mary lashed out at him and scratched his face with her nails. The double screamed and sprang at Edgar.

 

 

As the cart passed them, Edgar threw the double skull under its wheels.

The horses reared up wild with terror. The skull cracked as the cart ran over it.

The fake Mary howled and stumbled sideways, to the edge of the bridge. Then she tripped and toppled over the wall. With one final scream, Mary's double fell into the dark river.

 

 

Mr Blood came limping onto the bridge and Edgar ran over to help Mary. Her eyes flickered and opened. She stared up at him.

“Edgar, how did you get those scratches on your face?” she asked.

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First published 2015

Text © Benjamin Hulme-Cross 2015

Illustrations © Nelson Evergreen 2015

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ISBN

     PB: 978-1-4729-0831-5

  ePub: 978-1-4729-0832-2

ePDF: 978-1-4729-0833-9

 XML: 978-1-4729-2790-3

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This book is produced using paper that is made from wood grown in managed, sustainable forests. It is natural, renewable and recyclable. The logging and manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.

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