The Venus Trap Part 7

And he did, but he wished it didn't have to continue in quite that way.

Perhaps it was a trick of the three moons, but the holly plant's leaves seemed to have changed color.. They were no longer green, but almost blue--powder blue.

"You'd best be getting on to your party, Jim," Magnolia said. "You wouldn't want to be remiss in your duties as host. And please close the door gently when you go inside. The little holly plant's asleep."

As he closed the door carefully behind him, he heard a burst of laughter coming from the kitchen, where the guests apparently had a.s.sembled--raucous animal laughter--and, rising shrill and noisy above it, Phyllis's company laugh.

--EVELYN E. SMITH