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stalling. He's resting, the scoundrel! He's waiting for his dinner to settle so he
can chase after me. Quick, do something, Damiano, hurry! Stop talking with
him and, and --

Before Damiano had another thought, he leapt across the grotto and
grabbed Kinderslüka's eyes. At least, that was the attempt. Damiano
discovered he was clinging to the monster with his legs wrapped around
Kinderslüka's waist. Damiano had a hold of Kinderslüka's eyebrows, not his
eyes. He pulled hard.

“Ow!” said Kinderslüka. “Get off me! Stop pulling me -- ow!”

But Damiano now wouldn't let go if his life depended upon it, which now
in fact, it did. If I let go now, he'll conjure his goats and I'll have no chance. I'll
get his eyes now, or die.

Again Damiano pulled hard. “Ow!” Kinderslüka slapped hard at
Damiano, trying to bat him away. Damiano pulled a third time.
And...Kinderslüka's entire face started to come loose. Kinderslüka screamed.

“What are you doing!?”

“I want your eyes.”

“They're just eyes.”

“Liar!” Damiano saw a small crack appearing, right in front of
Kinderslüka's ears and under his jaw. Kinderslüka's face was coming off. The
two lads, bound and gagged, affixed to stakes, vrr-vrred with vigorous
encouragement, thrashing against their bonds to no avail. But their vocal
urging invigorated Damiano.

“Let go of my face!” yelled Kinderslüka. He was punching Damiano now,
soundly and forcefully, which hurt Damiano badly. He was in danger of falling

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