The Deadly Past by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online Page A

possible. Or maybe they’re here to prevent the rip in time, too.”
    Cindy was doubtful. “They must be behind the attack of the dinosaurs. That makes more sense.”
    Watch gestured toward the volcano. “We won’t know until we meet them.” He started once more on his way. “We don’t have far to go.”
    They did, in fact, reach the saucer within the next half hour, but no one appeared to be at home. They shouted and even pounded on the shinymetal but no one poked his head out. There was, however, a black cave nearby, which could lead into the heart of the volcano. But just before they entered it the ground rumbled and a huge cloud of steam belched overhead. This cloud was shot through with a haunting red light, which obviously came from the hot fires percolating deep inside the volcano. Now Cindy was beginning to have second thoughts about exploring. She gestured to the cave entrance.
    â€œIt feels awfully warm in there,” she said. “The volcano must be on the verge of erupting. Do you think it’s a good idea to enter an erupting volcano?”
    â€œI think it’s very dangerous idea to explore a volcanic cave at any time, especially now when it may or may not be filled with aliens,” Watch said. “But I also think it’s just as dangerous to return to Spooksville with the mystery of the time warp unsolved. For all we know our town could be under heavy dinosaur attack at this very minute. People might be dying.”
    Cindy stared at the dark opening. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
    â€œYou can stay outside if you want. I won’t tell Sally.”
    Cindy smiled. “I’m not worried about Sally’s opinion. Did she get upset when I got carried away by the pterodactyl?”
    â€œShe wept.”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œReally. She was distraught.”
    Cindy shook her head in wonder. “So all I have to do to get her to like me is to die. Isn’t that weird?”
    â€œIt’s the same with most people.” Watch gestured to the cave. “We better get inside. I wouldn’t be surprised if this volcano started dripping lava at any minute.”
    Cindy followed him. “If that happens we won’t be able to get back outside,” she warned.
    The interior of the cave was not merely uncomfortably warm but intensely hot. Had the temperature been any higher their skin would have begun to blister. Also, the air was thick with sulfur fumes. They tried not to cough because they didn’t want any aliens to know they were coming, but it was next to impossible to breathe normally. Cindy found herself growing dizzy and Watch’s vision began to blur. Still, they kept on because they were from Spooksville and they were used to adventures and saving the world.
    After about a hundred yards the cave split in three directions. It was like the Haunted Cave. They weren’t sure which tunnel to take. But Cindy believed she heard voices coming from the middle one. Yet she wasn’t positive. Watch couldn’t hear anything.
    â€œBut we might want to come at them from the side,” he said. “And observe what they’re doing before we introduce ourselves.”
    Cindy nodded. “Why don’t we take the tunnel on the right then? It might loop around and join the others.”
    â€œSounds like a plan,” Watch said.
    They were in the new cave a few minutes when Cindy asked Watch, “Were you upset when the pterodactyl stole me away?”
    â€œI came after you, didn’t I?”
    Cindy leaned over and gave him a hug. “Maybe you should be my boyfriend instead of Adam.”
    Watch was astounded. “Adam is your boyfriend?”
    Cindy paused. “Well, yes, sort of.”
    â€œDoes he know that?”
    Cindy frowned. “Maybe he doesn’t. Should I tell him?”
    Watch shook his head. “No. Why break up a perfect relationship?”
    The tunnel on the right