The Secret Path by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online Page B

do, here at the end of the Secret Path, is approach the tombstone walking backward.”
    Sally jumped. “Let’s try it!”
    â€œWait a second. What if it works?”
    â€œWe want it to work. We have to give Watch his glasses.” Sally paused. “You’re not getting scared again?”
    Adam spoke impatiently. “I wasn’t scared to begin with. What I’m saying is even if we do go through the doorway into another dimension—how do we know we’ll end up in the same dimension Watch is? Bum said there were many Spooksvilles on the other side.”
    â€œI guess there’s no way to tell unless we try it. We’ll just have to risk it.”
    Adam shook his head. “I’ll risk it. Alone. You stay here and stand guard.”
    â€œWhat am I standing guard against? All the danger’s on the other side. I’m coming with you.”
    â€œNo. You said it yourself—it could be dangerous.”
    Sally stared at him. “You’re not just trying to impress me, are you? Because if you are, it’s not necessary. I like you already.”
    Adam sighed. “I’m not trying to impress. I’m just trying to keep you from getting killed.”
    Sally snorted. “Adam, you just got here. I grew up in Spooksville. Dark doorways are an everyday occurrence for me.” She reached for his hand. “Come, well go together, holding on to each other. That way if we end up in the witch’s evil realm, I’ll have someone cute to keep me company for the rest of eternity.”
    Adam hesitated. “You really think I’m cute?”
    â€œYes. But don’t let it go to your head.” She paused. “Don’t you think I’m cute?”
    Adam shrugged. “Well, yes, I suppose. You look all right.”
    Sally socked him. “All right? I look all right? Brother, you have a thing or two to learn about insecure females.” She took his hand. “Let’s do this quick before I lose my nerve.”
    Adam could feel her trembling. “You are scared, aren’t you?”
    Sally nodded. “I’m terrified.”
    Adam nodded. “So am I.” He tightened his grip on Watch’s glasses. “But we’ve got to try. Our friend could be in danger.”
    â€œYou sound like a hero on a movie of the week,” Sally said.
    â€œI’ve been called worse.”
    Together they walked to the entrance of the cemetery. Then, still holding hands, they began to walk backward toward the tombstone. It was difficult because they had to keep glancing over their shoulders to keep from stumbling. Adam found, as they neared the grave, that his heart was pounding wildly. The sky seemed to dim more. Out the corner of his eye, he thought he saw red light flicker in the tower of Ann Templeton. He believed he saw her image beckoning him. Laughing at him.
    The tombstone rose up behind them.
    The wind stirred. Dust flew. Blinding them.
    â€œAdam!” Sally cried suddenly.
    Adam felt himself stumble. No, it was more as if he’d tripped and fallen off a cliff. An invisible precipice at the edge of the world. The earth disappeared beneath his feet; the skyceased to exist. He fell without moving. He continued to grip Sally’s hand, although she could have been a million light-years away for all he could see of her. In fact, he could see nothing, not even the dark storm that lifted him up as swiftly as it threw him down. Dropping him in another time, in another dimension.

11
    T he tombstone stood before them. In a dark and dreary place.
    â€œWe’ve been turned around,” Sally whispered, standing beside Adam, still holding his hand.
    â€œWe’ve been more than turned around,” Adam whispered back.
    He was right—boy, was he right. The sky was not completely dark, but washed by a faint red glow. It was as if the haunting light of Ann Templeton’s tower had spread from horizon tohorizon. The trees