It Won't Stay Down! (Prefix)
Practice Words
Two-syllable words formed by adding common prefixes such as re-, un-, in-, and non- to base words.
I set out from my hut to explore somewhere new. After a long walk, I find a row of homes under a full moon. Jack-o-lanterns glow beside the doors, and small green lights line the street. But every home is dark inside, and no one is around. If this spot is empty, I may need to retreat with nothing to show for it.
I go in to inspect the homes. The golem that should defend them stands still and silent in the street. It is old and worn, with cracks across its body and vines creeping up its sides. 'Not scared,' I whisper, but I say it a bit too loud.
Something moves between the huts. A cat walks toward me, and it looks normal at first. But I can see the walls behind it, right past its body! A cold chill crawls down my back. 'Okay, an odd cat,' I say. 'That is fine. I will not retreat, despite the chill.'
I redo my search. Raised huts sit along the path, lit by glowing torches, but not a soul is inside. The street is as empty as before. The people who lived here are long gone. Only their torches remain, still burning in the dark.
Nonstop rain begins to fall. The sky grows dark, and a big shape rises up beside one of the huts. It is a serpent with glowing green eyes, standing tall over me. I feel unsafe out in the open. A single torch shines nearby, but it brings little comfort against this creature.
I slip past the serpent but run into something worse. A zombie stands in the middle of the path. Its red eyes glow in the rain as it stumbles toward me. Despite the danger, I will not retreat. I unpack an arrow, ready my bow, and take aim. 'Sorry, friend. It was unwise to pick this fight.'
I defeat the zombie, but then something I did not expect happens. A shape rises right up from its body! The shape floats in the doorway of a hut, green eyes still glowing in the rain. It seems unfair. Even in defeat, this creature will not stay down.
The rain clears as I retreat, and the cat comes back to walk beside me. But more pale green things float among the white flowers. They stare at me with stern, cold eyes. It is unwise to remain. I must return to my hut right now!