Monster Gauntlet Read Online Free Page B

over.
    Vasha said, “Why?”
    Cain shot her another glance and his smile faltered a little.
    I said honestly, “The ghost can’t be killed.”
    “But it can be warded off,” Cain said quickly.
    “You mean you’re going to promise not to send it?”
    “Um, no.”
    “It is the Halloween episode,” Vasha added.
    “What? I thought the Halloween show was last month, on October 1.”
    “We’re doing another show on the thirty-first,” Cain said. Then he smiled and added, “On Monster Gauntlet, every episode is the Halloween show.”
    “I’m not doing it if there’s a ghost,” I said. “I’m not suicidal.”
    Cain spoke quickly. “Like I said, you can ward off the ghost. We’ll give you an amulet that is guaranteed to keep it away, if there is one at all. You and anyone near you will be protected.”
    It protects others as well? I liked that.
    All three of us sat around the table looking at each other. Finally, I spoke.
    “How soon do I have to decide?”
    Cain was grinning.
    “Two days,” he said. “Of course, the quicker you decide, the quicker we can get you out of here, and the more days you’ll have to train, or do whatever you want.”
    When I said nothing, he sweetened the deal. “If you sign now, we’ll throw in a bonus. An extra advantage: a weapon, tool, more food ... You decide. Trust me, if you’re thinking of signing on at all, you’ll want that, so you should do it now.”
    There is was: The limited-time offer. I knew it was another sales tactic, but it achieved the desired effect. I was ready to sign on, and I didn’t want to lose the advantage by waiting to do something I was going to do anyway.
    I took a deep breath, exhaled, and said, “Show me the contract.”
    Cain grinned. Vasha wore a cool smile. A slim black brief case appeared on the table and the contract came out.
    I read it and almost pushed it away from me. Then I thought about how I would be led back to the tiny cell where I’d spent the rest of my life, unless I took Sterling’s deal and got out in 25 years.
    “One more thing,” Cain added. “You’ll be going home. This time, we’re doing the show in Scotland.”
    I signed the contract. I felt like I was making a deal with the Devil, but I signed it anyway. I was already damned.
    “Excellent!” said Maximilian Cain. “True to our word, you’ll be released from here and on your way in a few hours. This is so exciting.”
    Yes, it was, but I know “exciting” would probably later turn into “terrifying.” But that’s what I signed up for, literally. I wouldn’t pretend that I didn’t understand the terms of the contract or what I was in for. I knew the truth. I probably just signed my life away.

5
     
     
     Maximilian Cain was right about one thing, at least. As soon as I signed the papers, the process for my release started.
    The transfer happened the next morning. My blue hair was hidden under a wig. Then I was blindfolded and led around by guards or other people pushing or pulling my arms. Shock bracelets were clamped over my wrists, so while my hands were free, I was still restrained.
    After processing, the handlers and I went for a walk. I heard loud buzzing as electronic locks unlocked, and I heard heavy doors sliding open and clanging loudly shut behind us after we passed through. My impression was that this was a very large complex.
    Then we were outside and I was pushed into the backseat of a car. A guide sat next to me. I was ordered not to remove the blindfold.
    The car drove a short distance. I heard large gate rattling as it rolled open. I felt the car go over a bump, and we were out.
    I felt elated. I was out. I desperately wanted to remove the blindfold. That sensation got worse. I couldn’t see the curves up ahead in road, so I didn’t know what to expect. My body and brain couldn’t anticipate or even subconsciously know which way to sway. I was starting to get carsick. God it must hell to be blind.
    After some unknowable about of