Emmie normally goes to school by the winding path around the edge of the swamp. But today she is probably going to be late because the three girls walking in front of her are really slow. She could try walking past them but then they might notice her and try talking to her or teasing her or something. She would probably make much better time just cutting through the swamp, even if it is really muddy. She has pretty thick boots on after all.
The swamp is eerie and quiet. The only sound is the squelching of her boots in the mud. She can't see anything moving in the water, but she can hear the occasional croak of a frog. She is almost to the other side when she hears a loud splash behind her.
A large frog stares back at her, its eyes glittering and reflecting the dim light.
The frog turns slightly, and hisses at her. Its eyes glow with an unearthly yellow light.
But the frog lands on Emmie's hand, paws her face, and licks her cheek with its rough, slimy tongue.
Emmie freezes for a second before giggling.
"That tickles!"
This frog reminds her of her neighbors dog who always licks her face when she visits.
The frog's eyes glare at her. Then they blink. Then they glow again, this time with a deep blue hue.
Emmie blinks herself, confused. She's pretty sure frogs aren't supposed to glow like that.
The eyes begin to flicker from icy blue to a fiery orange, then back again. The frog opens its mouth and speaks to her in a raspy voice, "Little girl. You have trespassed into my swamp. I protect this place just as a dog guards its master's house. I do not tolerate trespassers. Especially not little girls."
"I have no use for little girls. I will make a fine meal out of a girl like you."
It opens its mouth and a large, slimy tongue comes out and wraps itself around Emmie's head.
The frog starts pulling her head towards its gaping, slimy maw.
The frog is too strong, however. It just keeps pulling her head towards its mouth.
Miraculously, her teeth manage to pierce the slimy tongue. The frog yelps in pain, relinquishing his hold on Emmie's head. He quickly pulls his tongue back into his mouth.
When she finally reaches the other side of the swamp, the sun has already set. The swamp glows with an eerie blue light.