Attack of the Killer Frogs (3 page)

“Can't find Missy anywhere,” Dad said.

“I hope she's OK,” said Lily. “There was blood on the cat flap!”

“Only a few drops,” said Dad.

“What about those webbed footprints?” said Lily. “And that big green puddle?”

“What footprints?” asked Dad.

Lily pointed, but the frog prints had already dried up.

Mum looked at the puddle.

“Well, Missy did that,” she said, and went to fetch a mop.

“I think it's the frogs,” Lily said.

“I'm getting fed up with this frog nonsense.” Dad sounded cross.

“Come on,” said Mum. “All back to bed. Everything will seem better in the morning.”

To Lily, morning seemed a long way off. “Can I sleep upstairs with you?”

“No. I'm going to put my earplugs in,” Mum said. “I've had enough of screaming. I want a good night's sleep.”

“Me too,” said Dad. “Goodnight, Lily.”

“I can't sleep down here with those horrid frogs around,” said Lily.

She pulled on her jeans, then carried her pillows and duvet upstairs to the small landing.

Then she thought, “I must block the cat flap.”

Lily dragged a log basket across the hole. She pulled the wooden handle off the mop-head, and took it upstairs.

After less than an hour, she was fast asleep.

She had left a lamp on downstairs. Pale light shone across the floor and up the stairs to the landing.

Behind the closed door, Mum and Dad slept. Rose Cottage was silent.

Then it started.

Something very strong pushed the log basket clear of the cat flap.

Lily woke as something soft yet heavy hit the floor with a ‘flump'. Then another. And another.

She peered down the stairs.

Her jaw dropped open.

Five giant frogs were squatting by the back door. Ten yellow eyes glinted in the gloom.

Lily kept very still. Her heart pounded. She gripped the wooden mop handle like a spear.

“I should wake Mum and Dad!” she thought. But Lily didn't want to bang on the door in case the frogs heard her.

Besides, her parents used good earplugs. Nothing would wake them.

The cat flap rattled. A huge head slowly pushed through.

The biggest frog of them all forced its way inside.

This frog looked older than the others. It had one blind eye, like a cold, white marble.

Lily ducked out of sight. But her shadow danced across the wall. All six frogs saw it.

The frogs began to move.

The first one reached the bottom of the stairs. It climbed very fast.

Lily felt dizzy with fear. “They're going to eat me!”

She banged on the bedroom door.

“Mum! Dad! Help! Help me! The frogs are coming!”

The first frog reached the landing. The second was close behind.

Lily raised the wooden mop handle, and hit the frog as hard as she could.

The frog stumbled back and fell onto the one behind. They both tumbled down the stairs.

When the frogs hit the floor, they burst, melting into a gloopy, green puddle.

Three more frogs began to climb the stairs.

Lily banged on the door like crazy, but Mum and Dad were fast asleep.

The next frog to reach the top took Lily by surprise.

It leapt, knocking her back against the door. Its claws dug into her T-shirt. Lily felt its hot, foul breath on her face.

The second frog jumped. It landed on the back of the first frog.