Slappy- Pausing Boy's Movements

I raised my fists and charged at Slappy.
I only got two steps.
The dummy raised his wooden hand, waved it once in the air—and I froze.
I mean, I really froze. My muscles all tightened. I was totally stuck.
I strained and struggled, but my arms wouldn’t budge. My hands were locked into tight fists. And my legs … my legs were as solid and heavy as stone.
“Can’t move …” I choked out in a faint whisper. “Help me. I … can’t … move.”
“Slappy—let him go!” Maggie screamed. “Unfreeze him! Let Billy MOVE!”
The painted grin on the dummy’s face appeared to grow wider.
“Want to hear a secret?” he said softly. “I don’t know HOW to unfreeze people. I only know how to freeze them.”
...

I struggled to breathe. My stomach wouldn’t move in or out. Every breath I took hurt all the way down.
I felt an itch on the back of my neck. A cockroach? I couldn’t move my hands. I couldn’t scratch it away. It prickled my skin. I felt myself start to sweat.
I couldn’t blink, but my eyes moved a little from side to side. I saw Dad edge toward the broom closet against the wall.
“Let him go! Unfreeze him!” Maggie cried again.
“Maybe someday I’ll learn how!” Slappy exclaimed. “Hahahaha!”
...

He sailed a few feet in the air, then came down hard.
His wooden head hit the floor with a loud smaaaack. His arms and legs were spread out flat.
“I think he’s dead!” Maggie cheered happily.
I felt a burst of energy. My knees bent, and I staggered a few steps. I turned my head from side to side. I tested my hands.
“Hey—I can move again!” I cried. “That broke the spell. I can move!”

- Diary of a Dummy, chapters 7 and 8