The Dark Corner by Christopher Pike Page B

said. “Did you?”
    Sally stammered. “I don’t understand the question?”
    â€œDemon prosecutors don’t repeat questions!” Bloodbutton yelled. “Answer yes or no! Remember, you are under oath. If you lie, we will press your face into a vat of boiling lava this instant.”
    Sally paused and looked over at Watch. “Yes, I took credit for Watch’s idea. He was the one who figured out the Howling Ghost was actually related to Cindy.”
    The judge pounded his skull. “Scalekeeper! Leave those ten gold tokens alone. A liar cannot be counted a hero.” He paused and surveyed the courtroom, picking at his nose in the process. “Sara Wilcox, we have completed your life review and you are found wanting. Have you anything else to say in your miserable defense?”
    Sally looked as if she were about to cry. But suddenly her old toughness surfaced. She straightened herself up and spoke to the entire assembly.
    â€œI have been accused of bad-mouthing my friends and enemies,” she said. “To these accusations I have no defense. So I did mouth off from time to time. So what? I’m young. I have a right to complain. But I will say, before being sentenced, that you demons are the sorriest-looking bunch of monsters I have ever seen. You live in a dump and you smell like garbage.” She raised her voice. “I take it as a compliment to be found guilty by a bunch of losers like you!”
    Naturally, her remarks did not go over very well. Bloodbutton requested ten eternal lives of agony for Sara Wilcox and the judge nodded his head vigorously. All the while the jury leaned forward, panting as if they couldn’t wait to get their teeth on Sally. Watch kept shaking his head and Foulstew looked both relieved and disgusted at the same time. Altogether, the situation seemed pretty hopeless. It was then that Adam shouted over the din.
    â€œYou cannot take our friend!” he yelled.
    His words quieted the courtroom, but the judge was smiling contemptuously. “Your friend will befound guilty, Adam,” he said. “Have no doubt about that. You may as well say your goodbyes now.”
    The realization finally hit Sally that she was doomed. “Goodbye, guys. Sorry I wasn’t the super heroes you were. I promise I won’t ever criticize you again.”
    â€œSoon you won’t have a tongue to criticize anyone with.” Bloodbutton snickered.
    â€œDon’t gloat over your victory,” Foulstew told him. “It’s disgraceful.”
    â€œYou cannot take our friend!” Adam repeated loudly. “We won’t let you!”
    The judge chuckled and closed his black book. “You have no choice in the matter. Just be thankful you and Watch have managed to escape our judgment. You won’t be so lucky next time.”
    â€œWe don’t want to escape,” Adam said. “We’ll make you a counteroffer. If you release Sally, both of us will stay here in her place.”
    Watch cleared his throat. “Adam. Hmm, don’t you want to discuss this?”
    Adam ignored him. “You will have two of us for her,” he said to the judge. “All we ask is that you return Sally to our world.”
    â€œAdam,” Watch said.
    Foulstew suddenly clapped his hands together. He went to shout out something but the judge silenced him with a sharp look. Once more the judge leaned over his wide table and stared down at Adam and Watch.
    â€œDo you honestly mean to make this offer?” he asked.
    â€œYes,” Adam said without hesitation. He bumped Watch and whispered under his breath. “Say yes.”
    â€œWell,” Watch said.
    Foulstew hissed under his breath. “Say yes!”
    â€œObjection!” Bloodbutton shouted.
    â€œYes or no, Watch?” the judge asked.
    Watch glanced around the courtroom, at the hungry jury, the evil prosecutor, the troubled judge. Finally his eyes came to rest on Sally.