by Jeff Strand
This time she stayed down.
No!
“It’s sad times for the world of science when one’s own creations try to attack him,” Dr. Prethorius muttered. “Sad times indeed. I had such high hopes for Specimen 313. Oh well. Plenty of acid to go around.”
He returned his attention to Max and began to dig out more shovelfuls of soil. His eyes were wild and he flung each scoop of dirt as far as he could, hitting several of the other specimens.
Max had never been so terrified. He opened and closed his leaves, figuring that at this point it didn’t really matter if Dr. Prethorius got mad at him, but the doctor kept himself well out of harm’s way.
Behind him, Jenny lay on the ground, unmoving.
“They all laughed at me, you know,” said the doctor. “When I grew the world’s largest pumpkin, oh, they were filled with praise, but when I carved it into the world’s largest jack-o’-lantern, they called me mad! I ask you, would a madman create a cherry tree with fruits that ooze deadly poison? Would a madman develop blades of grass sharp enough to slice off your fingers?” His digging became even more frantic.
Poor, poor Jenny. She shouldn’t have tried to save him.
Max tilted forward as the next scoop of dirt came from underneath his roots. And then he realized that Jenny was slowly rising up again.
Don’t do it! he said. He’ll kill you! It’s too late for me!
Jenny straightened up completely but did not bend forward. Yet she continued to strain at something.
What are you doing?
Be quiet. I can’t concentrate.
Don’t do anything!
Be quiet!
With the next scoop of dirt, Max tilted forward even farther, at about a forty-five-degree angle from the ground. He wondered how it felt to have acid burn through him.
All of Jenny’s leaves were pressed tightly against her stalk as she strained, strained, strained…
One of her roots popped out of the ground.
And then another.
Then a third.
Max’s amazement overshadowed his terror as Jenny pulled herself out of the ground and took an actual step forward.
With the next shovelful of dirt, Max fell forward and almost smacked against the ground.
“What should I use?” asked Dr. Prethorius. “A few drops of acid to make it last, or should I just pour the whole bottle right on—” He let out a yelp and dropped his shovel as Jenny’s leaves clamped down upon his leg.
She straightened again. The doctor dangled upside-down from her trap, struggling desperately but unable to escape.
“Let me go!” he screamed. “I’m your master! Let me go! Please, please, please, let me go!”
Should I let him go? Jenny asked.
I don’t think so.
Me either.
I love you, Jenny.
You’re a good friend, Max. Would you like to share?
Yes.
She slammed the shrieking doctor against the ground, which did not shut him up, and then dragged him to the side. His arm slid underneath Max’s leaves. Max bit down.
Try to get his head, too, said Jenny, stepping forward.
Max did. Dr. Prethorius stopped screaming as they pulled him in two.
Thank you, said Max.
They ate without speaking for a while.
What’s wrong? Max asked.
I don’t think I can replant you.
Oh.
I’m sorry.
That’s okay.
But I can bring humans to you. I’ll leave the greenhouse and get them, as many as you want. You’ll eat and eat and eat until you get healthy again.
That would be nice.
They continued to enjoy their meal. The doctor tasted better than the other humans he’d eaten. Perhaps insanity made meat more tender.
Maybe he didn’t have a lover, but Max had a friend, and he knew that he could be happy for a long, long time.
The story contained in this eBook is one of nearly 20 short stories
featured in
The Monster’s Corner
Available Fall 2011
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