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 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.
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.