Pan's Realm by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online

to tell if the necklace makes you see things opposite from the way you want them to be?” Sally asked. “When Pan used the necklace his emotions were involved. His very kingdom was at stake. You can’t just pretend to get excited about wanting something to be a certain way. I doubt if it works that way.”
    Adam nodded. “I’ve been thinking about that. Yet there’s something I want that I know I really want. I’m going to take a peek out on the road. And, Pan, don’t tell me what I’m supposed to see. We’ll just see if I see the opposite of what I really want and what is actually there. Do you understand?”
    â€œNo,” Sally said. “Just hurry up and don’t get shot.”
    Adam crept toward the open road. Searching up and down, he couldn’t see any elves with bows and arrows. But his view was still shaded by the trees. He needed to get in the center of the road to have a good look around, to see what was up ahead. Taking a deep breath, he jumped out onto the wide path, the crystal necklace dangling around his neck.
    Adam could not see Pan’s castle.
    There were just trees up ahead, endless trees.
    But he did see a bunch of elves.
    They leapt out of the woods, bows in hand.
    Adam dashed back into the woods, back to his friends.
    When he found them, he shook with fear.
    â€œDid you see them?” he gasped. “They’re coming.”
    â€œWho?” Sally asked.
    â€œThe elves. They’re coming this way. We have to get out of here.”
    Pan peered through the trees. “I don’t see anything.”
    Adam continued to tremble. “Are you sure?”
    â€œI don’t see anything either,” Sally said, standing beside Pan.
    Adam relaxed. “The elves weren’t part of my test, but I was definitely right about this necklace. It makes you see the opposite of what you want to see.”
    â€œHow can you be sure?” Sally asked.
    â€œI’ll answer that question in a second,” Adam said. “But first, Pan, tell me how far we are from your castle right now?”
    â€œLess than half a mile,” Pan said.
    â€œAnd when I stood in the middle of the road, should I have been able to see it?” Adam asked.
    â€œYes. It’s a big castle. You should have seen it plainly.”
    Adam smiled. “But I didn’t, and I really wanted to see it. I didn’t have to fake that desire. We’re all anxious to get there and confront Klandor and get Pan’s kingdom back. But all I saw were trees as far as I looked. Also, I saw the elves with their bows and arrows, and you guys say the elves were not there.”
    â€œBut maybe we were wrong,” Sally said. “Maybe we just missed them.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Adam said. “The crystal worked on either my mind or my eyes or both together to make me see something that wasn’t there, and to take away something that was.” He paused and looked up at Pan. “That night, at your party, you won many of the coin tosses. You just thought you lost every one because you were afraid to lose each time, and because you were wearing this necklace.”
    Pan’s face darkened. “I thank you for your insight, Adam, and I admire your bravery to test that insight. I see now that what you say is true and I have to tell you that the truth has set my blood boiling. All this time I blamed myself for my foolishness. Now I see that even though I was foolish, I was cheated as well.” His nostrils flared as he glanced in the direction of his castle. “I am going to race to my palace with this necklace and throw it in Klandor’s face. I will demand that he return my kingdom immediately.”
    â€œNo,” Adam said quickly. “We must come with you. The wizard might trick you again.”
    Pan shook his head. “I cannot wait any longer now that I know the truth. My temper has been stirred, and it has been ages