Monster Madness by Dean Lorey Page B

something he’s not. He can either be a great Nethermancer or a crappy Banisher. It may not seem like it now, but that can make the difference between him being a hero and him being dead. You wanna be responsible for that?”
    “No, ma’am,” Charlie said quietly.
    “Then grow up.”
    Grow up. The two words hung in the air like a poisonous cloud.
    Desperate to escape it, Charlie turned back to the wall of weapons and searched for something to replace his rapier. After a moment, he spotted just the thing.
    “Another rapier?” Violet said in disbelief as Charlie took down the shiny new sword. It cut through the air with a satisfying swish.
    “Well, if it ain’t broke…”
    “There’s our new little Addy,” a voice behind them said. Charlie turned to see Pinch approach. “I see it didn’t take you long to go over my head to get precisely what you wanted.”
    Oh boy, Charlie thought. Here it comes.
    “The Headmaster told us to upgrade our weapons,” Violet replied, stepping in front of Charlie. “That’s why she made us Addys. We didn’t ask her to do it.”
    “Oh, I’m sure,” Pinch said wryly. “You’re completely innocent, just like every convict in every penitentiary—not guilty to the very last man. So, Theodore tells me we have a little adventure ahead of us, led by young master Benjamin.”
    “The Headmaster wanted you to join us in our quest to get Hydra milk,” Charlie said, “because of your knowledge of the Nether.”
    “Yes, my knowledge is vast and deep, just like the ocean of the 4th Ring—which is, coincidentally, exactly where we are headed. Shall we go?”

    Charlie, Pinch, Theodore, and Violet assembled on the deck of the pirate ship to prepare for their return to the Nether.
    “I may have to open a couple of portals to find the 4th Ring,” Charlie said. “It could take a bit of trial and error because I’ve never portaled there before.”
    “Well, I have,” Theodore said cheerfully.
    They all stared at him in disbelief.
    “What? Okay, yes, it was a mistake and yes, I almost got eaten—but you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, right?”
    “Sounds like you broke the whole carton,” Violet said with a grin.
    “Ha-ha. Good news is, I can get us back there—no worries.”
    Amazingly, he was already over his anger about Mama Rose’s comment. Charlie was astonished at how easily Theodore changed his moods. Emotions for him were like a storm that crept up without warning and blew away just as quickly.
    “Hey, sorry I’m late!”
    They turned to see Brooke arriving in a dinghy. She had changed clothes and brushed her hair. Every time Charlie thought she’d gotten as pretty as she could get, she surprised him by looking even prettier.
    “Hey, Brooke!” Theodore said, bounding toward her. “You’re right on time.”
    “Why is she coming?” Violet asked, clearly aggravated. “I mean—no offense, Brooke—but you’re not a Banisher or a Nethermancer.”
    “True,” she replied, somewhat defensively. “But I’m a Leet Facilitator. I may know some things that are helpful.”
    “Absolutely, and that’s why Professor Pinch is going.” Violet turned to the bearded man. “Right?”
    Pinch grinned, seeming to enjoy the conflict between the kids like a starving man before a great and wonderful feast.
    “I think,” Pinch began pleasantly, “that we should let Charlie decide if Brooke should join us or not. After all, the Headmaster, in her great wisdom, put him in charge of this little adventure, so he should make the call, shouldn’t he?”
    Everyone turned to Charlie. He shifted his weight uncomfortably.
    “Well?” Violet said. “Is she going?”
    “Um…”
    “Do you want me to go, Charlie?” Brooke asked, leaning toward him. Her nearness was unsettling and thrilling, all at the same time.
    “Have fun with this one!” Theodore said, laughing. “All I can say is, this is the first time I’m glad I’m not you.”
    Charlie hated to do it,