The Dark Corner by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online Page A

these demons is the counterpart of one of your friends. Even though they are completely evil, they are connected to Adam, Watch, and Sally. There is a good chance that they’d do what your friends would do after returning through the Secret Path.”
    â€œYou mean, go home?” Cindy asked, horrified.
    Bryce nodded. “It’s possible. At least it gives us a place to try to pick up their trail. Let’s hurry toAdam’s house. It’s closest, and Adam is the natural leader of the group. His demon is probably as well.”
    â€œWhat do we do when we catch up with them?”
    Bryce allowed himself a faint smile. “I have studied these monsters for a long time. Don’t worry, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

10
    A dam never doubted Bryce so much as when Bryce’s demon woke up and tried to attack them. Adam felt as if Bryce had set up the whole thing. Of course Adam didn’t have much of a chance to be angry at Bryce. Not with a demon climbing to his feet and demanding their blood. The demon eyed Adam up and down. Adam still had his demon costume on, except for the head, which sort of ruined the effect.
    â€œHey,” the demon said. “You’re the one who gave me that red-colored ice-cold lemonade. That gaveme a terrible headache. You owe me. Give me your arm and open a vein.”
    â€œYou think he would at least say please after making a request like that,” Sally remarked.
    â€œGrab some sticks!” Adam yelled, reaching for a branch himself. The trouble was, in this particular dimension, there weren’t a lot of heavy branches lying around. Adam came up with a stick that probably wouldn’t have frightened a goblin, never mind a demon. The others did about as well. Yet the demon seemed upset that they were arming themselves. He continued to rub his ugly head.
    â€œI am not in the mood to fight,” he said. “But if you wish to surrender, I will be happy to drink your blood and bring your cursed souls before the Gatekeepers.”
    â€œSomehow that doesn’t appeal to us,” Sally said.
    The demon turned away. “Then I’m going for my partners. They’ll be more than happy to fight with you and eat you alive. Stay here until we get back.”
    Adam shook his head as the demon left. “Bryce gave us the same instructions. And it looks like it’s going to get us killed, or worse.”
    â€œYou have to quit blaming Bryce for all our problems,” Sally said.
    â€œWe could blame you,” Watch said.
    Adam sighed and threw down his flimsy stick. “I don’t want to blame anyone. I just want to go home. We can’t stay here, but if we leave we’ll miss our chance to get back through the portal.”
    â€œThat is if Bryce returns with our demons,” Watch said. “For all we know he could be at home already, watching TV.”
    â€œMaybe a Twilight Zone rerun,” Adam agreed. “To remember us by.”
    â€œI have faith in Bryce,” Sally said. “If he can’t save us, he’ll die trying.”
    â€œThat should be the least he’d do after leaving us here,” Watch grumbled. He checked his watches. “They’ve stopped. This dimension’s got heavy time distortion on top of everything else.”
    â€œWe’ve got to come up with a plan of action,” Adam said. “Sorehead, Bryce’s demon, and his friends will be back soon.” He paused. “The only thing I can think of is to run.”
    â€œCan demons run fast?” Sally asked.
    â€œLike we’re all experts on demons,” Watch said.
    Sally frowned. “You’re in a bad mood.”
    â€œIt must be because I’m about to be tortured to death,” Watch said. He turned to Adam. “Where should we run?”
    â€œI’ve been thinking about that,” Adam said. “This place is gross and disgusting, but it mirrors our Spooksville as far as its