“The enchantments have been activated,” said Guy. “The compartment is melting.”
“Now what?” cried Flora.
Guy pushed Flora—staring wide-eyed—out the door. “Get to safety! I’ll grab Sylvie and Georgia.” Slicks of chocolate slapped at the soles of Guy’s shoes as Flora vanished.
Sylvie tried to pull herself up, but it wasn’t easy. Pools of chocolate, sweet and fragrant, were gathering on the ground. The Fire Wands jerked as she and Georgia struggled to get in sync.
“Tempered chocolate shouldn’t melt this easily,” cried Sylvie. But like every other recipe touched by magic, typical rules didn’t seem to apply.
Guy grabbed hold of them. “On three, you stand up.”
Sylvie and Georgia nodded.
“One. Two. Thr—”
Snap!
Sylvie felt the tightness that had been clinging to her wrist finally release. She and Georgia tumbled backward again, pulling Guy with them. He sailed up, enrobed in a sticky slick.
Sylvie reached out, but she wasn’t strong enough.
Guy flew over her. “Just get yourselves out!”
The walls around them groaned. The doors twisted inward like bent Tootsie Rolls.
“The compartment is going to collapse,” said Sylvie. “We have to move.” She trudged forward. The exit wasn’t far, but the floor was now full of sinkholes.
Every few steps, bits of solid ground collapsed.
Thick sludge wrapped around Georgia’s ankles. Her fingers dug into a melting post. A chunk of chocolate sloughed off, like hot wax dripping from a candle.
“Maybe there is such a thing as too much chocolate,” cried Georgia. She tried to steady herself on a metal rail, but it was like watching a giraffe trying to surf.It’s only a matter of time before she falls.
Sylvie had to do something.
The empty FizzleFott’s crate floated toward her.
Sylvie’s eyes narrowed.Almost empty.
She stretched out her arm, grabbed hold of the crate, and yanked out a box of Rocket Blast candies.
“Now really isn’t the time for a sugar fix,” yelled Georgia.
But Sylvie wasn’t listening. The crate was wider and heavier than any skateboard she’d ever used. Plus, the ground wasn’t even solid now. Still …it’ll have to do.Sylvie pounded the candies into her fist, mixing melted chocolate in with the sugary dust.
“What are you doing,” cried Georgia.
“Making a ganache to blast us out of here,” shouted Sylvie. The ball of chocolate in her hands started bubbling.
Yes!
Sylvie jumped onto the crate. “Get on.”
“But I don’t know how to ride—ahh!”
Sylvie yanked her up. There was no time to argue. Sylvie launched the fizzing globule into the melting floor. A spray of chocolate shot up, hurtling them toward the door. Sylvie felt her body turn weightless.
Every time she sailed down a half-pipe, she felt like she was flying. But this time, the sensation was real.
