Night In Werewolf Woods - Internet Archive...against a big tree. The light of the full moon is...

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BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

It’svacationtime!YourfamilyisgoingtoWoodsWorldcabins.Allthekidssayterrifyingcreaturesroamthewoodsthereatnight—werewolves,trolls,andhideousmonsters.Butyou’renotscared.UntilyourmommakesnerdyToddMorriscomealong.AnduntilToddinsiststhatthetwoofyoumustbravethedarkwoodsonthenightofthefullmoontofindhisstolentreasure.Canyousurviveuntilsunrise—alive?

Thescaryadventureisallaboutyou.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andyoudecidehowterrifyingthescareswillbe.

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

Ifyoumaketherightchoices,youwillescapethewerewolvesofWoodsWorld.Ifyoumakethewrongchoice…BEWARE!

Sotakealong,deepbreath,crossyourfingers,andturntoPAGE1toGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

Contents

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Teaser

AbouttheAuthor

AlsoAvailable

Copyright

“NerdAlert!NerdAlert!”

WeinterruptyourperfectsummervacationatDeepWoodsLaketobringyouthisspecialNerdNews:Yourparentshaveinvitedtheirbestfriends,Mr.andMrs.Morris,andtheirsupernerdson,Todd,tosharethecabinwithyourfamilythisyear!Youcan’tbelieveit.Yourworstnerdmarehasjustcometrue.

“Thiscan’tbehappeningtome!”yousayaloudasyourfamily’sminivanpullsuptoWoodsWorld.You’vealreadyspottedtheMorrises’car.It’sparkedbeneathastringofcoloredlanternshangingovertheentrancetoWoodsWorld.WoodsWorldisthecabincommunitythatyourfamilyhasvacationedateverysummersinceyouwereababy.

ThenyouspotTodd.He’sgawky,stringy-haired,andwearsthickblack-rimmedglasses.

“Hey!Hey!Whatdoyousay?”Toddcallstoyou.Hisbighandwhirly-birdsoutofthecarwindowinanerdywave.

“Benice,”yourmomcautions.

“Yes,maybeToddisdifferentnow,”saysyourdad.

“Oh,he’sdifferent,allright,”youmoan.“Fromeveryoneelseonthiswholeplanet!”

GotoPAGE2.

YourminivanandtheMorrises’carbothrollupthegraveldrivenexttoEvergreenCabin.Yougazearound.Nothinghaschangedsincelastsummer.Thewoodsbehindyourcabinarestilldarkanddeep.Thesparklingbluelakeinfrontofthecabinisassmoothasglass.Anarrow,sandybeachstretchesintoaneasycurvearoundtheshorelineofthelake.

Thesunhasalmostset,leavingbehindafierypink-orangeglowinthesky.There’senoughdaylightleftforyoutonoticeanotetapedtothescreendoorofyourcabin.

“Cool!”youcry.Youjumpoutofthecar.“Thatmustbeanotefrommyfriends,”youtellyourparents.Yousprintacrossthelawnanduptheporchsteps.Youpullthenoteoffthecabindoor.

Toreadwhatthenotesays,turntoPAGE3.

Youunfoldthenote.Youreaditoutloud.“Kids-onlycampfiretonight—eightP.M.atthebeach.”

“Wonderful!”yourmomcries,asshehurriesupbehindyou.“It’sonlyseveno’clocknow.Youcanhelpunloadthecarandthengo.ThiswillbeaperfectopportunityfortheotherWoodsWorldkidstomeetTodd.”

“AndaperfectopportunityforthemtothinkI’manerd,too,becauseI’mwithhim,”youmutter.Butnoonehearsyou.YourparentsandMr.andMrs.Morrishavegoneinsidethecabin.

YouwatchToddunloadhisstufffromthecar.Ashepullsoutaredtinbox,threeverylarge,red-hairedboysbikeupyourdriveway.They’retheMurphybrothers—Jess,Buck,andSharky.

“WelcometoWoodsWorld,Nerdo,”theoldestbrother,Sharky,tauntsTodd.Sharkyisfifteen.Helooksasifhehasbeenliftingweightssincehewastwoyearsold.LastsummerakidtoldyouthatSharkygothisnicknamebecause“gettingintoafightwithSharkyisliketryingtosurviveasharkattack.”

“Iseeyoubroughtusapresent,”SharkysaystoTodd.Hegrabsthetinboxandtossesittohisyoungestbrother,Jess.

“Hey!”Toddshouts.“That’smypewterfigurecollection!Bringthatboxback!”TearsforminhiseyesastheMurphybrotherspedalaway,takingtheboxwiththem.

GotoPAGE12.

It’sacave!

“InallthesummersI’vebeencomingtoWoodsWorld,”yousaytoTodd,“Ineverknewtherewasacavehere.Let’scheckitout.”

Thenyouhearavoicefromsomewheredeepinthecave.Avoicecallingyourname.

YouthinkthevoicesoundslikeSharkyMurphy,butyoucan’tbesure.“Hello?”youanswer.Youstarttomoveforwardintothedeepblackcave.

Toddtugsyouback.“Don’tgoin,”hewarns.

Againthevoicefrominsidecallsyourname.

YoufeelpulledbythevoiceandpulledbyToddatthesametime.What’sitgoingtobe?Goinorstayout?

Toanswerthecallofthecave,turntoPAGE81.

Ifyou’dfeelsaferlisteningtoToddandstayingoutofthecave,gotoPAGE37.

“Done!”thetroll’svoiceboomsinyourhead.Instantlyyoufeelyourarmsbegintobulgewithsuper-strength.Forthesecondtimetonight,youareturningintoasupermuscle-boundkid.Thetransformationiscomplete.Yourwholebodyismusclesontopofmusclesontopofmuscles.

Thepadlockbreaksoffwithhardlyaturnofyourhand.Rrrrrrrrip!Youteardowntheheavylibrarydoor.

Uh-oh!Thenoisebringsyourparentsrunningtoseewhat’sgoingon.Getoutofherefast,sothetrolldoesn’tgetthem,too!

Ifyouduckintothelibrary,gotoPAGE131.

Ifyouheadforthewoods,racetoPAGE73.

Youcan’thelpfeelingsorryforTodd.Youdecidetotakehimtothecampfire.“MaybeifthoseMurphybrothersseeyoucrying,they’llfeelsorryforyou,too,”youtellTodd.

“TheyarethemeanestboysI’veevermet,”Toddwails.Hetakesapackageoftissuesoutofhisshortspocketandblowshisnose.Loud!

“Really,Todd!”yousay.“You’llscarethemwiththathonkingmorethantheycouldeverscareyou!”

“Ijustwantmypewtercollectionback.It’smymostpreciouspossession.”AssoonasToddsaysthis,thefaucetsopenagain.Hecan’tstopcrying.“Ican’tgotothecampfire,”hesobs.“Mysinusesareallcloggednow.You’llhavetofacethemalone,Iguess.”

“Alone?”yourepeat,cheeringupimmediately.“Withoutyou,Todd?”

“I’msorry,”Toddweeps.“Ijustdon’tfeellikegoingtoapartytonight.”

“Ifyouinsist!”yousayhappily.

GotoPAGE9.

Youkeepyoureyesclosed.Yourbodyrelaxes.Youstarttofeelsolight,socalm,so…

Youopenyoureyeswide.Whathappened?

ThebumpagainstthecavewallmusthavereallyknockedyouandToddout.Whateverhappenedafterthatisamysterytoyouboth.Youdon’tknowhowlongyouwerelyinginthatpoolofslimeinthatcave.

Yougazearound.You’reoutofthecavenowandsittingproppedupagainstabigtree.ThelightofthefullmoonisshiningdirectlyonyouandTodd.

Toddsitswithhisbacktoyou.Youlookdownandshriek!

Therearehairy,clawedhandswhereyourhandsshouldbe!

ThenToddturnshisfacetowardyouandsmilesafangedsmile.Youopenyourmouthtoscream,buttheonlysoundcomingoutisasoundyou’veheardbefore….

HOW-OW-OW-OWL!

YourememberSharky’swords:ThisisaperfectnightforthewerewolvesofWoodsWorldtocomeout.

Sharkywasright.Nooneissafehere.Notnow.Notever.Thewerewolvesnowhavetwonewmembersofthepack—youandTodd.Breakouttheshavingcream.Thingsarelookingprettyhairynow!

THEEND

“Okay,Todd,”youannounce.Youfoldupthenoteandslipitintothepocketofyourjeans.“Thismeanswar!”

“Yeah!”Toddagreeswithasuddenburstofcourage.Hegripsyourarmandasks,“Whatwerewolves?Where?”

“That’sexactlywhatwe’regoingtofindout,”youreply.YouquicklyfillToddinonSharky’sstoryaboutthewerewolves.YouslipyoursneakersbackonasToddpullsjeansoverhisLooneyTunespajamas.Then,holdingaflashlightinonehandandanervousToddintheother,yousneakoutthefrontdoor.

Slowly,youandToddcreepdowntheporchsteps.Youstepontothegrassandstop.

Youhearrustlinginthebushesnearthecabin.

“Who’sthere?”youdemandinaloudwhisper.

Theonlyanswerisanotherhauntinghowlfromsomewheredeepinthewoods.Cloudscoverthefullmoonnow,makingitdifficulttoseethepath.

Youspottwosetsofblinkinglightsinthedistance.Tworedlightsblinkinthedirectionofthepathleadingtothebeach.Twowhitelightsblinkintheoppositedirection,downapaththatleadsdeepintothewoods.

“Whichway?”Toddasks,clingingtoyourarm.

Toinvestigatetheredlights,turntoPAGE75.

Checkoutthewhitelights,gotoPAGE30.

YouleaveToddtocryaloneatthecabin.“Youstayhereandunpackyourstuff,”yousaytoTodd.“I’llgotothecampfireandgettheboxbackforyou.”

Youhurryoutthecabindoor.Youheadfortheusualcampfirespotatthesouthendofthebeach.Agiantfireisalreadyblazingwhenyouarrive.Youseeyourfriend,LaurenWoods.HerparentsownWoodsWorld.SheandtheregularcrowdofWoodsWorldkidsaresittingaroundthefirelisteningtoSharkyMurphytellacreepystory.

“…rememberthelegendofthewerewolves,”Sharkyissayingmysteriously.“Atfirstyoumaythinkyouaretalkingtoafriend.Then,whenthefullmooncomesoutfrombehindacloud,you’llseehairbegintogrowonyourfriend’sface.Fangstaketheplaceofteeth.Avoicethatoncewashumanturnstoabeastlyhowl.”Sharkypausesandlowershisvoicetoawhisper.“Look!”hesays.“Thefullmoonisouttonight.ThisisaperfectnightforthewerewolvesofWoodsWorldtoappear.Nooneissafehere.Notnow.Notever.”

GotoPAGE28.

Asyousinkdeeperintothequicksand,youseeToddbeingtransformedbythemoonlight.

Hairgrowsonhisfaceandhands.Histeethlengthenintowolflikefangs.Withflashingredeyes,Toddturnstowardyou.Heopenshismouthandletsoutabloodcurdling,hungryHOW-OW-OW-OWL!

“Todd!”youshout.“Turnyourfaceawayfromthemoonlight!Don’tlookatthefullmoon!It’sawerewolfmoon!Don’tletitgetyou!”

Youtryonemoretimetopullyourfeetfree.Thistimethequicksand’sgriploosens!InoneswiftmoveyouleapfromtheholeandthrowyourselfatTodd.Theforceofyourbodymoveshimoutofthemoon’slight.

YouholdTodddown.Thebeamofmoonlightslowlydisappearsasacloudpassesoverthefullmoon.Asthelightgoesaway,sodoTodd’swerewolffeatures.

“That’sit!”youexclaim.“NowIunderstandwhatwehavetodo.”

TurntoPAGE78.

Ahideouslaugheruptsfromtheman’sfangedmouth.Hiseyesflashabrighterred,spotlightingafacecoveredwithcoarsewerewolfhair.Clawed,hairyhandsreachforyourneckasthemangrowls,“Yes!Iamoneofthem!Andsoonyouwillbeoneofthem,too!”

Heopenshisfangedmouthtobiteyou.Suddenlyyouspottwobuttonsbytheelevatordoor.OnereadsSTOP!andtheotherreadsGO!Youstretchoutyourindexfingerandpressone.

IfyoupressSTOP!turntoPAGE21.

IfyoupressGO!turntoPAGE29.

Youtrytopretendthatyoudon’tseeToddcrying.Butthiskidisnotaquietsniffler.He’saloudsobber!

“Boohoo!Boohoo!”Toddcries.TearsspurtoutofhiseyeslikeawatermainbreakinthemiddleofMainStreet.

“Allright,allright!”youfinallysay.“I’llgotothecampfireandgetyourpreciouspewtercollectionback.”

“I’mcoming,too,”Toddsays.Hewipeshisnoseonhissleeve.Gross!

Youglanceoverattheporch.Theparentsaresobusytalking,theydon’tnoticethatTodd’stearsarefloodingtheplace.Younoticethough.Nowyouhavetodecideifyou’regoingtobringToddtothecampfireorleavehimtocryatthecabin.

IfyoudecidetoditchToddandgotothecampfirealone,turntoPAGE9.

IfyoudecidetodragToddwithyoutothecampfire,gotoPAGE6.

Apromiseisapromise.YoupromisedToddyouwouldgethisboxbacktonight.Youdecideyouhavetogointothewoods.Alone.

It’snobigdeal,youthinktoyourself.I’vebeencomingtoWoodsWorldforever.I’veneverseenwerewolvesherebefore.

YoufollowtheMurphysupagravelpathtothewoods.Youhopetheywillleadyoutothebox.TheonlyproblemistheMurphysarenowhereinsight.Theyhavesprintedupthepathinthedarkness.Youpeerahead,butseenothing.

Thefullmoonisbehindacloud.Totaldarknesssurroundsyoulikeathickblanket.Thewoodsaresilenttonight.Eventheraccoonsandothernightcreaturesseemtohavegonetobedalready.Nothingisouthere.“Nothingexceptme,”yousaysoftlytoyourself.

HOW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!

Youwhirlaround.Whatmadethathorriblenoise?

Youglancetoyourright.Andthentoyourleft.Nothing.

Youcontinuealongthepath.Thegravelcrunchesunderyoursneakers.Andthenyouseeit!Alightflickeringupahead!

GotoPAGE106.

“Aaaaachooo!”Toddsneezes.Thewerewolf’sfurmakesTodd’sallergiesactupinstantly.

“Gesundheit!”

Toddlooksatyou.ThenatLauren.“Whatdidyousay?”heasks.

“Isaid,‘Gesundheit,’”adeep,growlingvoiceanswers.

Toddwhirlsaround.“Huh?”

“Gesundheit,”thewerewolfrepeats.“IwasspeakinginGerman.Insteadofsayingblessyou,IsaidGesundheit.”

YouandLaureninchbackbehindahugetree.“Whathappenedtothewerewolf?”shewhispers.“Nowhe’stalkinglikewetalk!”

“TheSMARTSBOX,”youwhisperback.“ThoseO’smustdoalotmorethanjustfillaperson’sheadwithfacts.Anyonewhoeatsitgetsgoodmanners!Thewerewolfistalkingjustlikeapolitehumanbeingwould!”

GotoPAGE49.

HOW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!Youhearthewerewolveshowlinthenot-too-distantdistance.

“Ohhhh!”Toddmoans,asthepterodactylfliesupandoutofthepit.Theflyingreptiletipssideways.ItdropsyouandToddonthegroundrightbythewerewolves.

Youlandrightinfrontofthewerewolves’feet.Thewolvesarepacingandcircling.Someareonallfourlegs.Somearestandinguprightontwohindlegs.Theirgrowlsandhowlsbounceoffthewallsofthecaveandhityourearslikeapairofcymbalsclashing.

Whew!Whatanodorthesewolvesgiveoff!Youhaveneversmelledanythingsobadinyourlife!

Ahandonyourshouldercausesyoutospinaround.Youarefacetofacewith…andyoureallycan’tbelievethis…!

GotoPAGE20.

You’resureitisasmartideatocapturethewerewolf.YourememberalltheoldapemoviesonTV.KingKongwascaptured!MightyJoeYoungwascaptured!Andnowyouwillcarryonthetraditionwhenyoucapturethiswerewolf!Scientistswillbegratefultoyou.You’llbefamous.Andbesides,howelsecanyouproveyoureallysawone?

Thehairybeastisstillsniffingatthecerealontheground.Itshouldn’tbetoodifficulttotrapit.

“Throwmeyoursweatshirt,”youcalltoTodd.Yoursuper-smartmindhasalreadyfiguredouthowtousethesweatshirttoblindthewerewolf.“WhilethewerewolfissniffingtheO’s,we’llcatchit,”youwhisper.

“Butwhataboutfindingmybox?”Toddcomplains.

“Nevermindthatnow,”yousay.Youstandbehindthewerewolf.It’sclearlyinterestedinonlyonethingnow—eatingtheredO’s.

Toddstandsnexttoyou.Heisreadytohelpinthecapture.“I’llcounttothree,”youexplain.“Thenwe’llgrabthewerewolf.One,two…”

GotoPAGE70.

“Ididit!”youshout.You’reamazedatyourpower.Withnotroubleatallyouliftthesurprisedwerewolfintheair—justbythestrengthofonefinger!

Andjusttoteachthewerewolfalesson,youtwirlitaroundintheairaboveyourhead.Thenyouflingthebeastfar,farintothewoods.Yoursuperstrengthdidthejob!

“HOW-OW-OW-OW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!”criestheairbornewerewolfallthewayintothedarkwoods.

“Youreallydohavesuperstrength!”Toddcries.“Youhaveallthepowernow!”

GotoPAGE31.

Youdecidetoturnbackandfacethewerewolf.Youcouldeasilyhandleoneortwoofthesehorribleredfireants.Butthousandsofthemarerunningforyourankles!

“Comeon,let’sgetoutofhere!”youshouttoLaurenandTodd.

Withyouinthelead,thethreeofyouturnbackonthepathandrun.Thistimeyourunrightintoasnarling,growlingwerewolf.Themoonsuddenlyappearsfrombehindacloud.Thefaceofthewerewolfiscapturedbythemoonlight.Youseeitsfilthyfurdrenchedinthick,slimydrool.Itslong,redtonguelicksitsfangs.Itstandsontwohindlegs.Itsclawedfrontpawsreachforyou.

“Thewerewolf!”Toddcries.“Iknewweshouldhavestayedwherewewere.”

ThewerewolfturnstoTodd.Adisgusting-lookingredfoamdribblesfromitsmouthanddripsdownitsraggedfur.YoucansmellCherry-O’sonthewerewolf’sbreath.ItmovesclosertoTodd.Closer.

“Help!”Toddscreams.

GotoPAGE14.

“Forgetthis!”youcry.“I’moutofhere!”

Youdecideyou’regoingbacktothecabintogethelp.It’sonethingtotrytogetTodd’sstupidboxback.It’sawholeotherthingtobeeatenalivebybats!

Youquicklyturntoleave.Butinthedarknessandwiththebatsflappingaroundyoureyes,youcan’tseewhereyou’regoing.Youtrytoretraceyourstepsoutofthecave.Butyouareblockedbywhatseemstobeawallofice.

Youfeelthefrozenwallwithyourhands.Thesurfaceissocolditburns.Youquicklypullbackyourhands.Thenyouhearastrangerumble.

Theicewallstartstomove!

Itslidesopenlikeaslidingglassdoor.Youseeasmallroomcompletelycoveredinice.Ablastofarcticairrushesoutatyou.Thewarmerairfromtherestofthecavesurgesthroughtheicedoor.Aperfectlyroundicewindowintheroofoftheroommelts.

Lightfromthefullmoonoutsidestreamsinthroughthenewlyformedskylight.Themoonshinesonthefrozenformsofthirteengruesomewerewolves.

Oh,no!Thefrozenwerewolvesarebeginningtomelt!

GotoPAGE109.

Yourubyoureyestomakesureyou’renotseeingthingsthataren’treallythere.Butyou’renot.Whatyouthinkyouseereallyisthere.Andwhatashock—allthreeMurphybrothers,righthere,insidethecave!

“Well,thatexplainsthesmellinhere!”youwhispertoTodd.“Itisn’tthewerewolves.It’stheMurphyswhosmell!”

YouseetheMurphys,buttheydon’tseeyou.They’retoobusydefendingthemselvesfromthewerewolves.Jessisholdingarockandisreadytoheaveitifthewerewolvescometooclose.

Suddenlyonewolfleapsforward.ItpushesallthreeMurphybrothersintothecenterofthepackofwerewolves.

You’veneverseentheMurphyslooksoscared.Theydon’tlooklikebulliesnow.Nowtheylooklikeregularkids.Regularterrifiedkids,thatis.

Forasecondyouthink,Well,itservesthemright!They’retheoneswhogotusintothismess.Butinthenextsecondyoufeelkindofsorryforthem.

Decisions,decisions.Whatwillyoudo?TrytohelptheMurphys,orletthewerewolveshavethem?

LendahelpinghandonPAGE84.

ThrowtheMurphystothewolvesonPAGE87.

Congratulations.YouhavechosentoSTOPthisstoryjustwhenyouwereabouttobeturnedintooneofthem.Butwhatarethey?

ElevatoroperatorsintheBottomlessPitElevator!

Ifyouhadnotstoppedthestoryatthispoint,youwouldhavehadnowheretogobutdown.There’sonlyonethingworsethanabadending,andthat’snoending.Soconsideryourchoicewisebecauseitbringsyoutowhatisofficiallyknownhereas

THEEND.

Anotherlowgrowlfillsthecave.

Toddlooksassurprisedandafraidasyouare.

“No,”Toddsaysinanswertoyourquestion.“Thatwasn’tme.Wasityou?”

Thegrowlingsoundisloudernow.Louderandcloser.

“No!Itwasn’tme!”youreply.

Thefullmoon’sbeamsuddenlybreaksthroughthecrackinthecave’sceiling.ThecloudhaspassedbyandthemoonlightisasclearandbrightasaHollywoodspotlight.

ThistimeitisnotshiningonTodd’sface.

Itshinesonanotherface.Andanother.

Twofacesthatarenotquitehuman.Facesthataretransformingbeforeyourveryeyesintosnarling,growlingwolves.Werewolves,tobemoreexact.Whatshouldyoudo?

YourknowledgeoftheGOOSEBUMPSbookTheWerewolfofFeverSwampwillhelpyoudecidewhattodo.

WhattypeofbirddidtheWerewolfofFeverSwampripapart?

Ifyouthinkitwasacardinal,gotoPAGE57.

Ifyouthinkitwasaheron,turntoPAGE68.

Youthoughtyouwerealone,floatinginthedarkness.Andyouthoughtyourownbreathingwastheonlysoundaround.Butnow,rightnexttoyourear,youhearotherbreathing.Airisbeingsuckedinandblownout.Airin.Airout.

Youstrainyourearstolistenbetter.Youholdyourownbreathsoyouwon’tconfuseitwiththisnewsound.

Yes.Itisbreathing.Slow,even,steady,deepbreathing.

Airin.Airout.Airin.Airout.

Therhythmisasregularasasleepinggiant’sbreathing.

Butinthedarknessyouseenothing.Youreyesarenohelptoyourearsnow.Allyoucandoislisten.

Airin.Airout.Airin.Yourownbreathingbeginstojoinintherhythm.

Airin.Airout.KeepbreathingandgotoPAGE113.

“It’sawerewolf!”Toddyellsinhorror.

Laurencovershereyesandscreams,“Ican’tlook!”

Thedarknessmakesitimpossibletoseeclearly.Andyou’reafraidtoturnyourflashlightonthebeast.Youcanjustbarelymakeouttheformofthewerewolf.It’sstandingonallfourlegs.

ToddandLaurenarecorneredbythebeast.Theyarescreamingforhelp.Thewerewolfhasn’tspottedyouyet.Youhavenoweapons.Whatcanyoudo?

Butwait!You’vegotit!Theboxes!Maybeoneoftheboxeswillhelpyou!

IfyouopentheSMARTSBOX,maybeyouwillbeabletofigureoutageniusplantodefeatthewerewolf.But,thenagain,ifyouareSUPERSTRONG,youcanfightthewerewolfandwin.Whichboxshouldyouopenfirst?

IfyouchoosetheSMARTSBOX,hurrytoPAGE50.

IfyouchoosetheSUPER-STRENGTHBOX,gotoPAGE95.

AskToddandLaurenforadvice?Forgetit!TheysawwhattheSUPER-STRENGTHcerealdidforyou.Nowthey’rebothgobblingupahandfulofit,too.InsecondsToddandLaurenhavebothturnedintomuscle-boundhulks.Thethreeofyoushowoffyourgiantmusclesforeachother.

“Thisissocool!”Laurenexclaims.Sheliftsahugeboulderwithoutevenstraining.

“Power!”Todddeclares,raisingafallentreetrunkabovehishead.

“Hahahahahahahahahaha!”Theevillaughterofthemenacingtrollfillsthewoods.Youcoveryourearstokeepouttheawfulsound.

Thetrollhashadjustaboutenoughofyouthreenow.Hepuckersuphisthick,blubberylipsandwhistles.Instantly,Laurendropstheboulder.Todddropsthetreetrunk.

“Rollover!”thetrollorders.

ToddandLaurenfalltothegroundandrollover.Theirsuperstrengthhasbeenzapped.Buthow?

FindoutonPAGE66.

Youarestrongenough—andsmartenough—toresistthetrance!Whenyouareoutofthetroll’ssight,youreachyourfingersuptoyourears—andpulloutaSUPER-STRENGTHOfromeachear!

“That’sbetter,”yousay.“NowIcanhearagain.”PluggingyourearswithO’ssoyouwouldn’thearthetroll’swhistleworked!Withouthiswhistle,thetrollispowerless.Afteryourmusclesdisappeared,youpluggedupyourearswiththeO’s.Thenyoujustpretendedtoobeyhiscommand.

“Comeback!”Toddcriesoutagain.

“That’sexactlywhatIplantodo,”yousaysoftlytoyourself.Quietly,youtiptoebackupthepathtowherethetrollhasjustchangedhissizetominitroll.Heisperchedonabranchofalowshrub.HespeaksrightintoTodd’sandLauren’sears.“Youwillbeinmyabsolutepowerforever,”thetrollsaystohistwocaptives.“WithorwithouttheO’s,Icancontrolyoureverymovewithmyvoice!”Hepuckersuphislipsandpreparestowhistle.

Laurenseesyousneakingupbehindthetroll.Youputafingertoyourlipsandsignalhertokeepquiet.

GotoPAGE53.

Thenyouseethethingthatstartedthistrouble—theredtinbox.Buckwastellingthetruth.Thewerewolvesdohavethebox.

“Todd,look!”youcryout.Youpointtotheboxrestingatthefeetofthefiercestwerewolf.

“Mypewtercollection!”Toddexclaimswhenheseesthebox.Heforgetsforthemomentthatdangerisonlyinchesaway.Thewerewolves’tongueshangoutbetweenpointedoversizedteeth.Thesmelloftheirhotbreathmakesyoufeelsick.

ThepterodactylfromtheBottomlessPitswoopspastyou.Theflappingofitswingssendsdustanddirtflyingupfromtheground.Thewerewolvestucktheirfacesundertheirfur-coveredarms,tryingtokeepthecloudsofdirtoutoftheirredeyes.

Whilethewerewolves’headsareburiedintheirarms,youandToddcrawlbetweentheirhairylegs.Yougrabtheredtinbox.Thenyousprinttoacorner,outofthewolves’immediatesight.

“Gotit!”youcry,clutchingtheboxtoyourchest.

TurntoPAGE124.

Sharkylaughsanevillaughashefinisheshisstory.Thekidssittingaroundthecampfirestudyeachother’sfaces—searchingforhairormaybefangs.

Ascloudscoverthefullmoon,thecampfirepartybreaksup.Everyonesaysgood-night.LaurenWoodslaughsasshecallstoyou,“Nighty-night,don’tletthewerewolvesbite!”

“Didyoueverseeawerewolf,Sharky?”oneoftheyoungerkidsasksbeforeheleaves.

“Ha!”laughsSharky.“MybrothersandIsawplentyofwerewolftracksinthewoodsjustbeforewecametothiscampfire.Isn’tthatright,Jess?”

“Yeah,”theyoungestMurphybrothersays.“Wesawthewolftrackswhenwewereburyingthatnerdykid’sbox.”

So,youthinktoyourself,theyburiedTodd’sbox.Butwhere?

YoupromisedtogettheboxbackforTodd.Butshouldyougooutalonetonightwhenthemoonisfull?

Ifyoudecidetolookfortheboxtonight,turntoPAGE13.

Ifyoudecidetogobacktothecabin,turntoPAGE71.

Well,thatsuretookalotofcourageonyourpart!NobodyeverpushesGO!whenaclawedhairyhandisreachingovertograbhisorherneck.But,guesswhat?YoupushedGO!AndnowyouandToddarebothGOingtohavetherideofyourlifeontheBottomlessPitElevator.

Butwait!Theelevatordoorslidesopen.Theelevatorisstuck!Youhaveasecondchance.Dosomething—fast!

“One,two,three,jump!”youcry,asyoupullToddoutthedoor.Holdingontoeachother,youandToddbegintofall.

Down,downdeeperanddeeperintothepit.

Youpickupspeed.Yourearsstarttopopasyourbodyplungesfasterandfaster.Yourbodyflipsupsidedown.Everythingisspinning.

Andthenasharpringingsoundpiercesyourears!

TurntoPAGE52.

Youdecidetotakethepaththroughthewoodsthatleadstothewhitelights.

“Pleasehurry,”Toddbegsyou.“Ineedmyboxback.Thosepewterfiguresarelikemybestfriends.”

“We’llgetthembackormynameisn’tPhineasZ.Smeltzenseltzer!”yousay.

“Butyournameisn’tPhineasZ.Smeltzenseltzer,”Toddanswers.Hemissesthejokecompletely.

“Oh,brother!”yousigh.“Comeon,Todd.Let’sfollowthispath.”Youstarttohikeintothewoods.Thepathislinedwithawallofthick,darkbushes.

“Twolightsprobablymeandoubletrouble,”Toddwarns.Hefollowstoocloselybehindyou.Hekeepssteppingonyourheels.

“Moreliketripletroublewhenyou’redealingwiththeMurphybrothers,”youadd.Youdon’treallycareaboutTodd’sbox.Butyoudon’tthinkthebulliesshouldwreckanyone’svacationatWoodsWorld.NotevennerdyTodd’svacation.

AstrangenoiseaheadonthepathcatchesyourandTodd’sattention.Itsoundsliketwigscracking.

“What’sthat?”Toddasks,clingingtoyourarm.

FindoutonPAGE132.

“Notsofast,”saysascratchylittlevoicefromoutofnowhere.“Iamtheonewithallthepowerhere!”

Youallgaspwhenyouseewho’stalking.Atrollnomorethanoneandahalffeethigh.Heisstandingonarockwithhistinyfeetapart,fistscurled,andasmirkonawart-filledgreenface.

“IamtheMasteroftheBox!WhoevereatsfromtheSUPER-STRENGTHBOXismyservant!”Thetrollstaresrightatyouwithhisbeadyblackeyes.Thenhelaughsinyourface.“Ha!Youthinkyouhavepower,pipsqueak?ThatbeastyoujusthurledwasnothingbutasmalldoguntilIfedhimmymagicO’s.Ihavethepower.OnlyIhaveit!Bowdowntoyourmaster,slave!”

“I’mnotyourslave!”youfirebackathim.Youflexthemusclesonyourarms.Yourarmsnowlooklikeamountainrange.“Icouldflattenyouinasecond!”

Youcould.Butwillyou?

IfyouaskToddandLaurenforadvice,gotoPAGE25.

Ifyouchoosetograbanearbybranchandswatthetroll,gotoPAGE56.

“YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKES!”youscream.

Ahugepackofwerewolvesmovingattopspeedburstonthescene.Theyarehalf-man,half-wolf.Foamslidesfromtheiropenmouths.Bitsofleftoversfromthemostrecentvictimshangfromtheirfangsandclaws.Thereisnodoubtinyourmind.Youwillbetheirnextvictim.

Youquicklyaimtheflashlightbeamdirectlyatthem.Maybeyoucanblindthewolvesforaminutewithyourlight.Nowyoucanseethewholepackclearly.Andalltheirredeyesareononething—you.You’restillholdingontotheSMARTSBOX.

“Ofcourse!”youcry.Youreachintotheboxandshovesomecerealintoyourmouth.YouswallowafewO’sandimmediatelyfeellikeagenius.

“Nowthatyou’resosmart,”Laurensays,“whatshouldwedo?”

UseyourbrainandgotoPAGE126.

Thewerewolvesaretooclose.Youhavetostarthowling.It’syouronlyhope.

“HOW-OW-OW-OWL!”

“HOW-OW-OW-OWL!”

“HOW-OW-OW-OWL!”

“HOW-OW-OW-OWL!”

“HOW-OW-OW-OWL!”

“HOW-OW-OW-OWL!”

YouandToddtaketurnshowlingtokeepthewerewolvesaway.Youhavebeenstandingherehowlingforhours.Sofarit’sworking.Thereisnotawerewolfinsight!Goodjob!Keepupthehowlinguntil…

THEEND.

“Honey?”youhearyourmom’svoice.“Honey,you’vebeensleepingforhours.Areyoufeelingallright?”

YouopenyoureyesandlookaroundforTodd.

“Whereishe?WhereisTodd?”youaskyourmother.

“Toddisasleep,too.IhadtowakeyoufinallytotellyouthattheMorrisesandDadandIaregoingtoplaytennis.CanyouandToddstayoutoftroublewhilewe’regone?”

“Oh,Mom,”youassureher,“don’tworry.WhatkindoftroublecouldwepossiblygetintoatWoodsWorld?”

“You’reright,”yourmomsays.“Okay,then.Seeyoulater.”

Sheleavesandyoulieinbedthinkingofalltheeventsofthenightbefore.Wasitallaweirddream?That’sit.Itmusthavebeenadream.Youcloseyoureyesforafewmoreminutesandhearafamiliarvoice.

“Hey!Hey!Whatdoyousay!”

ItisTodd’ssamegoofy-soundingvoice.Butwhenyouopenoneeyeyouseeahairy,scarywerewolfstandinginthedoorwaywearingTodd’spajamas!Oh,no!Ifthisisnotabaddream,yousurehopeitis

THEEND.

Youdecidetotakeonthearmyofredfireants.

“I’vegotanidea,”youannounce.YouswatalargeantoffyourarmandturntoTodd.“Here,holdthisSMARTSBOXwhileIfeedtheantssomeoftheseCherry-O’sfromit.”

YougrabahandfulofO’soutofthebox.Thenyouscattermostofthematthebaseoftheantfilledtreetrunk.Youputtheremainingcerealinyourpocket.

“It’sworking!”Laurenexclaims.“TheantsareallheadingstraightfortheO’s!”

Sureenough,alltheredfireantsarecrawlingoffyourbodiesandovertotheO’s.Thousandsoftinymouthscrunchandmunchthroughthepileofcereal.

Thenyouhaveanevenbetteridea.You’regoingtoslamyourfootdownonthewholehungrycolony,squashingthemonceandforall.Youraiseonefootabovetheobviousleadersofthegroup.Butbeforeyoustompthemout,youstop.Somethingstrangeisgoingon.

Theantsareturningtheirtinyfacesuptoyou.Theyaremakingstrangemotionswiththeirlittlearms!

GotoPAGE59.

“Hey,lookatme!I’mstrong!”Sharkycries.

“Me,too!”Buckexclaims.HepushesanenormousfistinTodd’sface.

“Methree,”Jesssays,testinghisnewstrengthbyliftingToddup.

“HELP!”ToddscreamshighaboveJess’shead.

“Hey,Sharky,”youcallovertothebiggestbrother.“Igiveup.Youwin.YoucanhaveToddandthisjumpingbox.”

“What!”Toddhollers.“Youcan’tleavemewiththem!”

YoutossSharkythejumpingboxwiththetrollstillinside.

JessputsTodddown.HehurriesovertoSharkyandBuck.Sharkystartstoopenthebox.

AtthatmomentyoucatchLaurenandTodd’sattention.Yougivethemalet’s-get-out-of-herelook.Thenthethreeofyoumakearunforit.

Whenyouarefarenoughaway,youglancebackandseeexactlywhatyouwerehopingyouwouldsee.

GotoPAGE114.

“Allright,allright,”yousnapatToddashepullsyoubackfromthemouthofthecave.“Wewon’tgointhecave.Butdoyouwantyourboxbackornot?”

“OfcourseIdo,”hesays,stillholdingontoyou.“ButIthinkI’mallergictocaves.Ifeelkindofstrange.”

“Well,Ifeelkindofstrange,too,withyouholdingontomeallthetime!”Youshakehishandoffyourarmandstepback.Ooops!Instantlyyourfeetsinkintoathick,muckygoothatwon’tletgo.Quicksand!

You’regluedtothespotandsinkingdeeperanddeeper.

“Hey,Todd,”youcry.“Getmeoutofthis,willyou?”

ButToddisn’tlistening.Hehashisbackturned.Heisstaringatabeamoflightshiningthroughacrackinthecave’sceiling.Toddgazesupandshouts,“Iseethefullmoon!”

“Nevermindthefullmoon,Todd,”youbeghim.“Please,pullmeoutofhere!”

Todddoesnothing.YouquicklycheckandseethatToddisn’tstandinginquicksand.Buthecan’tseemtomoveeither.Hestaresmotionlessatthelightofthefullmoon.Toddisinatrance!

TurntoPAGE10.

Thisfallingthingisstartingtogetboring.Withnobottomtothispit,there’snothingtolookforwardto.

Sincethere’snothingtoseedownbelow,youandToddgazeupinstead.Youimmediatelyarehitintheeyewithdropsofsomeliquid.

“Yikes!”Toddscreams.“There’sawholepackofthosewerewolvesupthere!”

Todd’sright.Attherimofthepit,twentyormorehungrywerewolvesareleaningintothehole.Thosedropsthathityouintheeyeweredropsofdrooldrippingfromthefangsofthehairybeasts.

Gross!Thewerewolveswantfood,andyouandToddareit.Youcanfeeltheirfire-redeyesstaringrightatyou.

AhotglobofdroolhitsthetipofTodd’searanddribblesdownthesideofhisneck.

“Oh,disgusting!”hemoans.Hepullshishandawayfromyourarmtowipeoffthesteamingdrool.Uh-oh.Toddisfallingawayfromyou.You’rebothonyourownnow.

GotoPAGE102.

Thewoodsarealivewiththesoundsoftrolls’whistles.Ifyoucouldhearit,youwouldbedeafenedbyit.

Theywhistlelouderandlouderandlouder.Soonthesoundoftheirownwhistledrivesthemcrazy.Theyallholdtheirownearsastheyspinaroundandaroundliketinytrolltops.They’reoutofcontrol!Whiletryingtocontrolyou,theyhavelostallcontrolofthemselves.

Rightbeforeyoureyesyouseehundredsoftrollsdisappearingintotheground.Thefastertheyspin,thedeeperintothegroundtheygo.Soonallofthemarerightwhereyouwantthem—GONE!

Youstandupandbrushthedirtfromyourclothes.Thenyoustrollbacktoyourcabin,whistlingasyougo.

THEEND

“Ugh!”youcry.“Disgusting!”

Thetrollsturnonyou.Allatoncethewholehorriblepopulationofthecreepylittlecreaturesstartswhistling.“Tweeeet!Tweeeet!Tweeeeet!Tweeeeeeeet!”

Yourearsache.Thetrolls’whistlingbeginstoshrinkyoursuper-strengthmuscles.

“We’vegottheoffender!”shoutstheugliesttrollofall.Thick,lizard-skineyelidsdroopdownoverhisbulginggreeneyes.“Everyoneattack!Attacktheonewhoinsultsus!”

Allyourstrengthisgone.Youareaneasytargetfortheattackingtrolls.Theyleapfromtreesandrocks.Theylandalloveryou.Youfalltotheground.Atribeoftrollsquicklycrisscrossesyourbodywithropes,anchoringyoutothespot.

“We’vecapturedthegiant!”thetrollscry.

Whatshouldyoudo?

Ifyouneedmoretimetothink,gotoPAGE94.

Ifyoucallforhelp,screamonPAGE64.

“Werewolves!Therearewerewolvesbehindyou!”youfinallymanagetoscream.“Jump,Todd,jump!”

Youfumblewiththefaultyflashlight.Thistimeitgoeson.YoupointtheflickeringbeampastTodd’sslug-slimedhead.Youaimfortheeyesofthesnarlingbeasts.Yes!It’sworking!

“Thelightishypnotizingthem!”youshout.“Hurry!Jumpacross!”

“Oohhhhhh!”Toddcries,asheglancesbackandfindshimselfeyeball-to-eyeballwiththewerewolves.

“Jump!”youyell.“JUMP!”

Asthewerewolvesreachoutforhim,Toddjumps.YouleanovertheedgeofthegapingpitandgrabforTodd’soutstretchedhand.Youstretchyourownarmasfarasyoucan,and…

IfyoucatchTodd,turntoPAGE80.

Ifyoudon’tcatchTodd,plungetoPAGE61.

Toddisstandingnexttoyou.Heisjustassurroundedbythebeastlybatsasyouare.ButToddisactingasiftheyarebutterfliesinsteadofbats.He’sevenreachingouthishandstothem!

Asuddengustofwindblowsthroughthecave.Thebatsbeattheirwingsfuriously,whichcreatesaninstantwhirlpool.TheforcepullsToddbackwards.

Youcan’tbelieveyourowneyes!Toddisbeingsuckedintoatunnel—atunnelfilledwithyellowbateyes.

“Todd!”youscream.

“Bats!Bats!Everywhere,bats!”Toddyells,asyouwatchhimbeingdrawndeeperanddeeperintothetunnel.“They’rebeautiful!”

Youknewthiskidwasweird.Nowwhatareyousupposedtodo?

GodowntheTunnelofEyesafterTodd?Orturnbackandrunforhelp?

Theeyeshaveit,ifyouturntoPAGE47.

Whenthegoinggetstough,thetoughgetgoing…forhelp!TurntoPAGE19.

“Idon’tknowwhereyourboxis,”youanswerTodd.“ThetrollhasmadeSharkysosmallnow,Ican’tevenhearhisvoice.”

Smallerandsmallerandsmaller.Sharky,Jess,andBuckareshrinkingrightbeforeyoureyes.

“Yes!”thetrollcriesashejumpsaroundgleefully.“NowIhavetheinformationIneed.Theredtinboxwillbemine.IwillbethemasterofanotherboxinWoodsWorld.”

You,Lauren,andToddcreepovertowardthetroll.Youhidebehindthebushesandwatch.Thetrollisclimbingalargemapletree.Hequicklyscalesthetrunkandscampersintotheleafybranches.

“Aha!Ifoundit!”thetrollcries.“It’sbeautiful!”

“That’smybox!”Toddwhines.

“Ssssh,”youwhisper,gazingupatthetree.“Ihaveaplan.”Yousneakovertothebaseofthetree.Yougrabholdofthetrunkandshake.Youshakethetreewithallyourmight.

Thetrollhangsontoabranch.Heswingsbackandforth.ButTodd’sredtinboxfallstotheground.Toddsnatchesitup.

“Run!”youcry.Youandyourfriendstakeoff.“Runfaster!”youshout,glancingbackatthetrollhighinthetree.Youheadforyourcabinattopspeed,becauseyounowknowthatwhatgoesup,mustalwayscomedownin

THEEND.

“Goodevening,”purrsadeep,velvety-smoothvoice.“I’vebeenexpectingyou.”

“Expectingme?Youhave?”yougulp.Yousquintintotheblackness,tryingtoseewhoistalking.Butitistoodark.

“Whenthefullmoonisout,Ialwaysexpectgoodthingstocometomydoor,”thevoicesaysslowly.

“Maybeyoucanhelpme,doctor,”yousaynervously.“Yousee,I’mlookingforaboxthatbelongstomyfriend.Aredtinbox.We’vebeensearchingallnight,butweranintosometrouble.”

“Trouble?”saysthevoicefromtheshadows.

“Wolves.Well,morelikeum…uh…werewolvestobeexact,”youexplain.

“Werewolves,eh?”thedeepvoicesays.Thedooropenswider.Thedoctorstepsoutintothelightofthefullmoon.There’sonlyonethingforyoutodonow—SCREAM!

AndgotoPAGE112.

“Run!”youshout.

Youtakeoff,holdingtheboxesinyourarms.YouglancebacktoseeifLaurenandToddarefollowing.It’ssodarkinthewoods,youcan’tfindyourfriends.

“We’rerightbehindyou,”Laurenassuresyou.

“Run!”youshoutagain.Thenyourwholebodysmacksupagainstatreetrunk.“Oooff!”yougasp.Theimpactknockstheairrightoutofyou.

“Ooooff!”Laurenadds,slammingintoyourback.

“Ooooff!”Toddcries.HeplowsintoLauren.

Youfeeltheacheofsuddenairlessness.Buttheacheinstantlyturnsintoastingingfeelingalloveryourlegs,arms,neck,andface.

“Ouch!Ooo!Youch!”Toddscreams.Hejumpsupanddown,thenrollsontheground.“Redfireants!”

HurrytoPAGE62.

“Don’thurtus!”Buckbegsthebeast.

ThewerewolfsnarlsandliftsBuckupbyhiscollar.ItshairypawsclosearoundBuck’sneck.

“Don’tdoit!”Laurencriesout.

SharkyandJessMurphyarehuddledtogethernexttoatree.Theyhavetheireyescovered,butyouseetearsstreamingdowntheircheeks.You’veneverseentheMurphyslooksoscared.

ThewerewolfignoresLauren’splea.ButthenToddspeaksup.“Pleasedon’thurtthem,”Toddsaysgently.

ForaseconditseemsasifthewerewolfislisteningtoTodd.ButthenittightensitsgriponBuck.ThewerewolfmovesovertowhereSharkyandJessstandshiveringintheirblackhigh-topsneakers.

“GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…”growlsthewerewolf,readytofinishoffallthreeMurphys.

“Youhavetohelpus!”theMurphyscry.

Tohelpornottohelp?Thatisthequestion!TurntoPAGE91.

YouknowyouhavetotrytosaveToddfromthebats.Evenifhedoesn’trealizeheneedssaving.Evenifitmeansyouhavetofacemillionsofbatfacesyourself.

Youstepintothetunnel.Youdon’teventrytofightthepowerofthetunnel’saircurrents.Youletyourbodybesuckedintotheopenmouthoftheblackhole.ImmediatelyyouheartheTHWAPofflappingwings.

THWAP!THWAP!THWAP!

Thesoundissoclosetoyourearsit’sdeafening.Youflapyourownarmsbackatthebats.Thisclearsthewayinfrontofyou.Nowyoucanseethechoiceyoumustmake.

Therearetwomoretunnelsattheendofthistight-squeezingpassageway.Abovethesoundofthebatwings,youheartheroaringofrushingwavesofwater.Thesoundiscomingfromthetunnelontheleft.

Andfromthetunnelontherightcomesawickedhowlingthatcanonlybeonething—wolves.

TotackletheTunnelofWaves,gotoPAGE51.

TobravetheTunnelofWolves,gotoPAGE130.

“Releasemylegatonce!”thetrolldemands.Youopenyourhand,andhedisappearscompletely.Forasecondyouthinkyouarefreeofhiscontrol.

“Tweeeeet!”comeshisshrillwhistlefrombehindyou.Atthesoundofityoufeelarenewedlossofpower.“YoumustdowhatItellyoutodo.Youmustgettheredtinboxforme.Insidetheboxthereareenemiesofthetrolls,”thetrolldeclares.“Imusthavetheboxtocontrolthoseenemiesandprotecttheentirenationoftrolls.”

“Thereareothertrolls?”youask.

“Shhhh!TheslavedoesnotspeaktotheMaster!”shoutsthetroll.“Whereisthebox?Icommandyoutotellmenow!”

“Idon’thaveit,”yousay.“MyfriendsandIarelookingforit,too.”

“Silence!”thetrollsputters.“Youmustsearcheverywhereforthebox.Searchthecabins.SearchtheWoodsWorldcommunitycenter.Gonow!”

Ifyoudecidetosearchthecabinsfirst,hurrytoPAGE76.

Ifyou’drathersearchthecommunitycenterfirst,gotoPAGE60.

YouandLaurenstayhiddenalittlewhilelonger.“Mymothertalkstoourcat,”Laurensays,“butyourfriendisactuallytalkingtoawerewolf!”

Toddandthetalkingwerewolfareactingasiftheyhavebeenfriendsforyears.Theredfoambubblingandfrothingfromthemouthofthewerewolfdoesn’tseemtoupsetToddatall.

“Here,takethis,”Toddsays,handingthewerewolfatissue.“You’vegotgunkcomingoutofyourmouth.Wipeitoff.”

Thewerewolftakesthetissue,wipesitsmouth,andsays,“Thankyou,Todd.”

“IfonlytheMurphybrotherscouldactmorelikeyou,”Todddeclares.“You’resopolite,andtheyaresuchbeasts.”

NosoonerdoesToddmentionthewordbeasts,thansomethinghorriblecrashesthroughthebushes.Toddshrieks.Thepolitewerewolfruns.Youopenyourmouthtoscream,too.

Ifascreamcomesoutofyourmouth,turntoPAGE32.

Ifnothingcomesoutofyourmouth,turntoPAGE119.

Smartmove.YoutosstheSMARTSBOXtoTodd.“Here,catch!”youshout.

Toddmisses.Theboxfallstotheground,andthetopfliesopen.

“Ican’tlook!”Laurencries,stillhidinghereyes.

“Cereal!”Toddexclaims.“Cherry-O’s!”

Sureenough,cherry-coloredO’sspilloutofthebox.Thesnarlingwerewolf’seyeslightupwhenitseesfood.ItsniffsthegroundwheretheO’sspilled.Itsfangsspearone.ThewerewolfpullstheO-shapedcerealoutofitsdroolingmouthandstaresatit.Thewerewolfcan’tseemtodecidewhethertoeatitorplaywithit.

ApieceoftheSMARTSBOXcerealislyingonthegroundnearyourfoot.Youpickitup,smellit,andpopitintoyourmouth.IttasteslikeordinaryCherry-O’s.

Butassoonasyouswallowit,youknowthere’snothingordinaryaboutthiscereal.Yourheadfeelsstrange.Ideasandthoughtsfillyourmindfasterthanyoucanblink.

What’shappeningtome?youwonder.

GotoPAGE103.

WHOOSH!

YoustepintotheTunnelofWaves.Asuddenfloodoficywaterforcesyouforwardthroughthetight-fittingtunnel.

“Todd!”youscreamovertheroarofthewaves.“Todd!Areyouinhere?TODD!”

Adisgustingsmellofrotteneggsfillsyournostrils.“Sulfur,yeecchh!”yousaytoyourself.Yourememberthesamehorriblesmellcomingfromtheoldmillpondathome.Youtrynottobreatheitinasyouscreamoutonemoretime,“TODD!”

Noanswer.

Yougaspforfreshairfromsomewhere,anywhere.Thenyoustruggleagainstthepoundingpressure.Awallofwavespushesyoufrombehind.

It’snouse.Youstopfightingthewaves.Insteadyoustretchyourarmsoutoveryourheadandgowiththeflow.

Waterfillsyourears,youreyes,yourmouth.Theenormous,crashingwavescarryyourbodythroughthetunnel.Thereisnoendinsight!

FloatontoPAGE67.

Theringingissoloud,sohorrible.Thesoundshattersthedarkness.Youhavetostopthenoise.Someway,anyway.Youcan’tstanditanylonger.

Youreachyourarmoutintotheblackness…

…andshutoffyouralarmclock.

Youslowlyopenyoureyes.Youlookaround.Where’sTodd?

Thenyourealizeyou’reathome,inyourbed,clutchingyourpillowfordearlife.

Yourmotherpushesopenyourbedroomdoorandpokesherheadin.“Riseandshine!Today’sthedaywegotoWoodsWorld.”

“Really?”youask.Youneedtomakesureittrulywasalladream—theredtinbox,thepit,thewerewolves.“WhattimearewemeetingMr.andMrs.MorrisandToddthere?”youask.

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”yourmothersays.“TheMorrisesaren’tcomingwithus.It’safamilyvacation—you,me,andDad.Justlikealways.”

Yousmileandleanbackonyourpillow.Thisjustmayturnouttobeafantasticsummerin

THEEND.

InonequickmotionyoureachfortheopenSUPER-STRENGTHBOX.Youthrowitoverthetinytroll.Youstuffhimintotheboxandcloseittightly.

“Gotcha!”youcrytriumphantly.

“No!”screamsthetrollfrominsidethebox.“No!Youcan’tdothistome!IamtheMasteroftheBox!You’llbesorry.Youwill,youwill!I’llgetyouforthis!”

LaurenandToddlaughatthesightoftheboxjigglingaroundontheground.Thelittletrollinsideisrockingitbackandforth.

“No!No!No!”hescreamsagain.

WhatintheworldareyougoingtodowithajumpingboxfullofSUPER-STRENGTHO’sandameanlittletroll?Thentheanswercomestrampingthroughthebushes.

GotoPAGE97.

“Gyzacck!”

“Gyzacck!”

“Gyzacck!”

Hey!What’sgoingonhere?Itisn’tthetrollsayingthisweirdword.It’sLaurenandToddandyou!

You’verunawayfromthetroll,butbeforeyoulefthimheplayedaverymeantrick.Hestoleallyourvocabularywordsandreplacedthemwithjustoneword.Gyzacck!

YouopenyourmouthtospeaktoLauren.“Gyzacck!”

Sheopenshermouthtoanswer.“Gyzacck!”

AndToddcries,“Gyzacck!”

WhatdoesGyzacckmean?Well,itcanonlymeanonething.Foryouandyourfriendsthisis

GYZACCK!

“Lauren!Whatisit?”youcallasyouracetocatchuptoher.

“Thestaircaseisgone!Disappeared!Wehavenowaytogetbackupaboveground!”sheshrieks.

“Hahahahaha!”Thetroll’slaughterfillsthecavernousroom.“I’vegotyouwhereIwantyounow,slaves!TrappedintheunderworldofWoodsWorld!”

Youturnyourheadright.Thenleft.Youdon’tseethetrollanywhere,butyouknowhispoweristhere.

“Hurry,Lauren,”youcry.“Wehavenochoice.Wehavetogobackthroughthetunneltothecave.Maybethepoweroftherosecrystalsisstrongerthanthetroll’spowers.Followme!”

GotoPAGE58.

“Okay,youlittlegnat,”yousnarlatthetroll.“Yournumberisup!”

Usingyournew-foundsuperstrength,youpullatreeupbyitsroots.Youswingitwiththeeaseofaflyswatter.Butjustasthetreeisabouttoswatthetroll,hemagicallydisappears.

“Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!”roarsthepint-sizedpest.Heisnowstandingbehindyou.Hislaughterisevenmoreannoyingthanthehowlofthewerewolves.Andhiswhistleismorepowerfulthananymuscles.

“Tweeeeeeeeeeeee!”thetroll’spiercingwhistlevibratesinsideyourear.Youreturntoyouroriginalskinnybody.Yourmega-musclesdisappear.Youquicklydropthetree.Youarenowpowerlesstoresistthetroll’sorders.

“IamtheMasteroftheBox,andIcommandyoutogobacktoyourcabin!”thetrollsays.Thenhewhistlesagain.

YouheadbacktoEvergreenCabin.ToddandLaurenwatchindisbelief.You’reinatrance!

“Don’tleaveus!”Toddcriesafteryou.

GotoPAGE72.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!”youandToddscreamtogetherwhenyouspotthedroolingwerewolves.

Youstarttorun.YouturnaroundtomakesureToddiskeepingupwithyou.He’sgone!

Andthewerewolfthatwasrightonyourheelsisgone,too.

Youracetowardthedarkendofthetunnel.Theairgetsthinner.Itishardtobreathe.Soonyou’relight-headedfromthelackofoxygen.

Youfeelasifyou’refloating.Isittrue?Areyoureallyfloating?

GotoPAGE65.

YougrabLauren’shandandstarttorunforthetunnel.Thenyoustop.Youwhirlaround,confused.“Hey,wheredidthetunnelgo?”youcry.“Whichwaydowego?”

“Isitthisway?”thetrolltaunts.Hemagicallyappearstotheleftofyou.“Orthisway?”hesays,poppinguptotherightofyou.“Orthisway?Orthisway?Orthisway?”

There’snowaytotellwhichistherightwaynow.Thecellarwallshaveturnedintomirrors.Theyreflectoffofeachother.Nomatterwhatdirectionyouturn,hundredsofreflectionsofthetrollstarebackatyou.

“Therearetoomanyofthem!”Laurencries.“Wecan’tescape!”

Youspotabucketofgolfballsinthecornerofthecommunitycentercellar.Yougrabahandfulandstartthrowingtheballsateachimage.CRASH!Onemirrorimageshatters.CRASH!Anothertrollreflectionissmashed.

Youcontinuethrowinggolfballsuntilthereareonlytworeflectionsleft—oneinfrontofyouandonebehindyou.Youhaveonlyoneballlefttothrow.Youmusthittherealtrollthistimetoescape.

Ifyouthrowtheballatthetrollinfrontofyou,gotoPAGE101.

Ifyouthrowtheballatthetrollbehindyou,gotoPAGE96.

Beforeyoucanbringyourfootdownontheants,Laurenpullsyouback.“Ithinkthey’retalkingtous,”shesays.“Insignlanguage!Mybestfriendisdeaf.Shetaughtmehowtosign.”

“Talkingants?”Toddexclaims.“NowI’veheardeverything!”

“AndIhaven’theardanything—atleastnotfromtheseants,”yousay.Youdon’tbelieveLauren.Yourlegsareburningfromtheirbitesandstings.Youstarttobringyourfootdownontheantsagain.

Laurenwatchestheantscarefully.“Theysaythey’resorrytheyattackedus.”SheinterpretstheirmotionsforyouandTodd.“Theysaytheywerejustscared.”

“Whatelsearetheysaying?”Toddasks.

“TheysaythankyouforthemagicO’s,”Laurencontinues.“ItwasthemagicO’sthatmadethemsmartenoughtocommunicatewithus.TheywarnustoholdontothemagicO’s.Andusethemonlyforemergencies.”

Laurenwatchessomemore,andalookofamazementcomesoverherface.

“Whatisit,Lauren?”youask,onefootstillintheair.

TurntoPAGE123.

Youfeelyourselfbeingdrawntowardthecommunitycenter.ThisisthebuildingwhereguestsatWoodsWorldmeettoplaycards,usethelibrary,socialize,andeatatthesnackbarorcafeteria.

Youhearlaughterandvoicesinsidethecommunitycenterbuilding.ThenyouhearMrs.Morristalkingtoyourmom.“IjustknowthisvacationisgoingtoopenTodduptosomanynewexperiences.He’llreallygrowfromit!”

Shecansaythatagain!youthinktoyourself.

Butyou’renotallowedtothinktoyourself.Thetrollisdoingyourthinkingforyounow.Heisinyourmind,controllingeverymoveyoumake.

Youtiptoepastthedoorwaytothebigactivityroomwhereyourparents,theMorrises,andMr.andMrs.Woodsareallplayingcards.Seeingthemsuddenlymakesyouwanttorunandtellthemallaboutyourtrolltroubles.Doyoudare?

TurntoPAGE125.

Oooops!Youmissed!

“Sorry,Todd,”youcalldownintothebottomlesspit.YouleanoverandwatchToddgetsmallerandsmallerandsmaller.

YouhearTodd’svoicecallingyournameashefallsdown,down,down,down,down,down,down,down,down,down,down,down,

down,down,

down,down….

Butyoudon’tfeeltoobad.Afterall,it’sabottomlesspit,soyouknowToddwillnevereverreach

THEEND.

“Todd’sright,”yousayforthefirsttime.“Thistreetrunkisabigredfireantcolony!”Youfliptheswitchonyourflashlight.Thelightrevealsthousandsofangryantsmarchingontheirenemies—you,Todd,andLauren!

“Thesethingswilleatusalive!”Toddshouts.“Ididasciencereportaboutthemonce.”

“Shouldn’twegetoutofhere?”Laurenasks.Sheslapsatacolumnofantscrawlingupherbarelegs.TheirbitesandstingsmakeLauren’slegspuffupimmediately.Shecan’tgettheredantsoffherbody.Theantskeepstingingastheymarchtowardherneckandface.

“Shouldwegobackandfacethewerewolf?”Toddasksyou.

“Orshouldwestayhereandgeteatenalivebythesefireants?”Laurenasks.

It’salluptoyou.Youdecide.

Ifyouturnbackandriskmeetingthewerewolf,gotoPAGE18.

Ifyoubattlethearmyofants,turntoPAGE35.

YouatetheO’sfromyourrightpocket.Whatdoesthatmean?youwonder.

“TheseSUPER-STRENGTHO’saren’tworkingatall!”Toddwhines.“IfeelevenweakerthanIdidbeforeIatethem.”

“Andyoulookreallyfunny,Todd,”Laurensaysstrangely.

“Aw,comeon,Lauren,”youstarttodefendyournerdyfriend.“Hecan’thelpwhathelookslike.”

Wow,didn’tYOUgetnicesuddenly!YouhadbettersitdownaminuteandrestbeforeyougoontoPAGE127.

“Todd!Lauren!Sharky!Anybody!Help!”youcry.Callingforhelpistheonlywayyou’regoingtoescapethetrolls.

“We’rerighthere!”avoiceanswersyou.

It’sTodd’svoice,butit’scomingoutofthemouthofthetrollstandingrightonyourknee.

“Yes,we’reallhere!”That’sLauren’svoicecomingoutofthemouthofadifferenttroll.

“Hey,dude,what’shappening?”anothertrollsaysinSharky’svoice.

Whatishappening?youwonder.

“Wewereallturnedintotrolls,”Toddexplains.“Andyou’regoingtoturnintoatroll,too,andbeourleader!”

“Me?”youshriek.“I’mgoingtoturnintoacreepy-looking,disgusting,tinytroll?”

“Yourwishismycommand,Master,”saysoneofthetrolls.Hewhistlesshrillyandturnsyouintowhatyou’vejustdescribed.You’reatroll!

Whatwillthekidsatschoolthinkwhentheyseeyou?

“Oh,well,”yousay,“atleastnowthatI’msoshortI’llstandatthebeginningofthelunchlineinsteadofat

THEEND.”

Yes!Youarefloating!

Outofthecave.Intothedarknessofthenight.

Youlookdownandseethelakefarbelow.“Hellodownthere!”youcalltoanyonewhomightbeawakeinthecabinsofWoodsWorld.Noonehearsyou.Nooneseesyoudrifting,driftingawaaaaaaaaay.

AsyoudrifthighaboveWoodsWorldyourbodystartstoshrink.Suddenlyyoufeelverylight.

“Paperthin,that’swhatIamnow,”yousay.“Itmusthavebeenfromnothavingenoughoxygenandbreathingthatbadcaveair.”

YoucontinuetoshrinkasyoufloattowardtheentrancetoWoodsWorld.Youseethemainbuilding.Youseethecarsparkedaroundit.YouseethestringofbrightlycoloredpaperlanternslituptowelcomenewcomerstoWoodsWorld.

Youseemtobefloatingcloserandclosertothelanterns.You’veonlyseenthemfromtheground.Thisisthefirsttimeyou’relookingatthemfromabove.It’stheclosestyou’veeverbeentothepaperlanterns.

“Oh,my!”yougaspwhenyounoticethestrangestthingyou’veseenallnight.

HurrytoPAGE90.

Younoticethattheuglytroll’scommandshavenoeffectonyou.Itdoesn’ttakeageniustofigureoutthereasonyou’veescapedhiscontrol.Yourhandsarestillcoveringyourears!Youcan’thearthewhistlethatseemstohaveputToddandLaurenintosomekindofatrance.Withoutthevibrationsofhiswhistleinyourears,yourpowertoresistthetrollisstillstrong.

Aha!youthink.Sohedoesn’thaveallthepowerafterall!

Whoops.Youshouldn’thaveeventhoughtthat.Thetrollreadyourmind.Andtoproveyouwrong,hesaysatrollwordthatsoundslikeGyzacck!

Youhavenoideawhatthatmeans,butyoudoknowonething—it’stimetograbLaurenandToddandgetoutofhere.

“Run!”youshoutintotheirfaces.Theirtrancelikestaresarebrokenatthesoundofyourvoice.“Run!”youyellagain.

RacetoPAGE54.

You’refloatinginanewtunnelnow.You’resureofthat.Thefeelinghereiscompletelydifferent.ThetightgripofthewavesintheTunnelofWaveshasloosened.Youarefloatingonthesurfaceofacalm,smoothbodyofwater.Theclosenessofthetunnel’swallshasgivenwaytoopenair.Youreyesseenothingbutblacknessasyoubobslowlyupanddowninthewater.Thesulfursmellisgone,replacednowbyodorlessair.

“Icanbreatheagain!”youshoutintothedarkness.

“Icanbreatheagain!”yourownvoiceechoesback.“Icanbreatheagain!Icanbreatheagain!”

“Hello!”youcry,testingtheechoagain.

“Hello!Hello!Hello!Hello!”yourvoicereturnsfromthepitch-blacknothingnessallaroundyou.

Youarealone.Theonlysoundisthesoundofyourownvoice.Andthesoundofyourownbreathing….Butwait!What’sthatothersoundrightnexttoyourear?

StrainyourearstohearbetteronPAGE23.

“Thewerewolves!”Toddshouts.“Starthowling!”

YougrabTodd’sshouldersandgivehimagoodshake.“Snapoutofit,Todd!”youorderhim.

“It’seitherhowlorrun,”heinsists.“Andwedon’tknowwhichwaythewerewolvesareheading.”

“Thereisonemorechoice,Todd,”youreply.Youpointtoastreamoflightattheendofyetanothertunnel.Itlooksasifitmightbethewayout.“There,”yousay.

“Oh,yeah,sure,”Toddsaysnervously.“Ialreadysawthattunnel.Ialsosawthatgiantholeinthefloorbetweenusandthewayout.Justlistentothis.”Todddropsaloosestoneintothehole.Thetwoofyouwaittohearithitbottom.

Itneverdoes.

“Abottomlesspit,”Toddannounces.

HOW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!Thistimethehowlingisn’tcomingfromTodd.He’stoobusytalkingaboutthepit.

“It’sthewerewolves,”Toddwhispers.“Starthowling!”

“No,jump!”youshout.

Ifyouhowltosaveyourself,turntoPAGE33.

Ifyoujumpacrossthebottomlesspit,leaptoPAGE111.

Youdecidetotakethestairstowho-knows-where.Youtakeafewstepsdown.

Thegoodnewsaboutyournewmusclesisthattheymakeyoufeelverypowerful.Thebadnewsis,theymakeyoufeelverystuckinthisnarrowstaircase!

Yourhugeshoulderswedgebetweenthetwostonewallsofthestairway.Youheaddown,down,down,intoacellaryouneverknewexisted.Youhearvoicescomingfromsomewhereevenfurtherdown.

“Thattrollisincompletecontrol.Wehavenochoicebuttodestroyeverythinginhispower,”ToddtellsLauren.“Friendornofriend,wehavetosaveWoodsWorld.”

What?youthink.Myownfriendswanttodestroyme?

You’vegottogetoutofhereandprovethatyouarenotworkingforthetrollanymore.Buthow?

Ifyougobackupstairsandbreakthroughthewall,gotoPAGE128.

IfyouhurrytothebottomofthestairstofaceLaurenandTodd,racetoPAGE107.

“…three!”youshout.Youspringforward.

“Wedidit!”Toddsays.Hemovesoutofthewayandwatchesyou.

“Whatisthis‘we’business?”youask.Youstrugglealonetotiethesweatshirtaroundthewerewolf’seyes.

Itisawell-knownfactthatifananimal’seyesarecovered,itwillnotresistcapture.Youhavenoideawherethatinformationcamefrom.Itjustpoppedintoyourbrain.Butyouknowthatyouknoweverythingnow.

Toddsuddenlydecidestohelp.Hereachesforoneendofthesweatshirt.Bymistakehegrabsthehaironthebackofthewerewolf’sneck.

Thewerewolfroarsinpain.Itfightsandstrugglestoescape.ItturnsinLauren’sdirection.Hereyesarestillcoveredwithherhands,soshedoesn’tknowwhat’sabouttohappen.Evenyouandyoursmartmindcan’tstopthewerewolf.It’sgoingrightforLauren’sface!

TurntoPAGE129.

Thefullmoon,theblacksky,andthethoughtofwerewolvesinthewoodshelpyoudecidewhattodo.Youaredefinitelygoingbacktothecabin.Youcanalwayshuntfortheboxinthemorning.

AsyouwalkalongthepathbacktoEvergreenCabin,Laurencatchesupwithyou.“I’msuregladyou’rebackthissummer.Thiswerewolfthingisreallybadforbusiness!”

“Youdon’treallybelievetherearewerewolvesinthesewoods,doyou,Lauren?”youask.

“Ididn’tuntilIstartedhearingthehowling,”shesaysquietly.“Haveyouheardityet?”

“Givemeabreak!”Youlaughasyoureachyourcabin.“It’sprobablyjustthewindblowingthroughthetrees.”

“Yeah,probably,”Laurenagrees.Shenervouslytwistsastrandofherlongblackhairaroundherfinger.“Well,seeyoutomorrow.”

Thelightsarealloutinyourcabin.Youenterquietly.Youtiptoepastyourparents’andtheMorrises’rooms.They’reallsleeping.ButyouhearanoisecomingfromtheroomyouaresharingwithTodd.Whatisit?

GotoPAGE99.

“Don’tleaveus,”thetrollimitatesTodd’scries.“Hahahahahahahahaha!Yourfriendisuselesstoyounow,”hetauntsTodd.“Useless!Hahahahahahahahaha!”

Withhismagic,thetrollmakeshimselfsmaller.Thenbigger.Thenevensmaller.Hejumpsfromrocktorockchanginghissizewitheachjump.Oneminuteheisthesizeofagorilla.Thenextminutehe’sthesizeofarat.

“Comeback!”Toddshoutstoyou.“Please,comeback!”

Areyoustrongenoughtoresistthetroll’strance?

Ifyoucandofivepush-ups,gotoPAGE26.

Ifyoucan’tdofivepush-ups,gotoPAGE120.

Youdropthelibrarydoorandrun.Youleavethecommunitycenterandheadforthewoods.Likeamuscle-boundgorillatearingthroughthejungle,youuseyoursuper-strengthtopushbackthethinwallofbushesandtreesthatblockyourpath.

Youthinkyouhearfootstepsbehindyou.Youslowdownandturnaroundtolook.Butyouseenothingandnoone.

“Howdareyourunaway!”thetroll’svoicesoundsinyourmind.“Youmustobeymeatalltimes!”

Whilethetrollgivesyoumentalmessages,thewoodsstartmovingallaroundyou.Atfirstitseemsasifthetreesaremoving.Butthenyouseethem.

Trolls!Thetrollsarecomingoutofhiding.

Hundredsoftheuglylittlecreaturesarecrawlingthroughthewoods.Theyaredevouringleavesandsticksanddirtlikemaggotsonrottenmeat.Theystufftheirblubbery-lippedmouthsfullofanythingtheypickup.Youfeelsickasyouwatchthetrollschewwiththeirmouthsopenandtheirthicktongueshangingout.

GotoPAGE40.

Thereisasecretroomontheothersideofthewall.Intheroomyoucan’thearthetroll’scontrollingwhistleanymore.Youfeelyourincrediblestrengthreturning.

Youflexyourmusclesjusttotestthemout.Youwaituntilitseemssafe,thenyoudecidetopushthebookshelfback.

Usingoneshoulder,yougivethewallashove.

Itdoesn’tmove.Youpushandshovewithallyourmight.Nothing.Toobad.Itlooksasiftherevolvingbookcaselockedbehindyou.Well,youdohavethesesuper-dupermuscles—youcouldbreakdownthewall.Oryoucouldgodownthatstonestaircasethatyou’vejustspiedinthecornerofthissecretroom.Hmmmmm…interestingchoice.

Breakthewall?CrashthroughtoPAGE128.

Takethestairstowho-knows-where?GotoPAGE69.

“Thisway,”youanswer.“Towardthetworedlights.”Youleadthewaythroughawallofthornybushes.“Thereshouldbeapathtothebeacharoundheresomewhere,”yousay.

“Youch!”Toddcries.“Thesestupidthornsarescratchingmeallup.”

“Betterwatchoutyoudon’tbleedtoomuch,”youjoke.“Youdon’twantthosewerewolvestocatchthescentoffreshblood!”

Todd’skneestrembleasthetwoofyoupushthroughtheovergrownvinesandshrubs.

“Areyousurethisisthepath?”Toddasks.“It’ssodarkouthere.Ican’tseeathing!”

Beforeyoucananswer,youhearHOW-OW-OW-OWL!Thistimetheterrifyingnoiseisvery,veryclose.

“Oh,no!”Toddwhines.

Whatwasthatsound?Youtrynottopanic—forTodd’ssake.Youflipontheflashlightswitch.Darknessstillsurroundsyou.Youhittheflashlightonyourhand.Once,twice.Stillnolight.

“Stupidbatteries,”youmumble.Butevenwithoutlight,younoticethegroundunderyourfeetchangingfromdrytoslipperyandveryslimy.Whereareyou?

GotoPAGE4.

Youhavenopoweroveryourownactions.Thechoicehasbeenmadeforyou.YouaregoingtosearchthecabinsofWoodsWorld.Thetrollordersyoutostartyoursearchwiththecabinthatisfarthestaway.Youfollowthepathtoasmalllogcabindeepinthewoods.Thereisasignhangingonapostinfrontofthecabin.ItreadsDOCTORW.WOLFF.

Beforeyoucansneakuptothedoor,itopens.

GotoPAGE44.

Thethreeofyoustaredownthedarktunnel.Thedarknessgoesonforever.Thedecisionismadeinstantly.“Thestairs!”youallsayatonce.

Youleadthewayupthestairs.Toddisrightbehindyou,andLaurenisbehindhim.Youarecareful,tryingnottosliponthesteepstairs.Youlookstraightaheadandmoveveryslowly.Beforeyougettothelaststep,youturntomakesureToddandLaurenarestillbehindyou.

It’ssodark.Youcan’tseeanything.

“Lauren?”youcallout.“Todd?Areyouguysthere?”

Iftheyarebehindyou,turntoPAGE118.

Iftheyarenotbehindyou,gotoPAGE82.

“Sharkywaswrongwhenhesaidnooneissafehere,”youtellTodd.“Iknowwhatwehavetodo.Thereisonewaytokeepourselvessafe.Thewerewolfmoonhasnopoweroverusaslongaswestayoutofitslight!”

“Youmeanthelightofthefullmooniswhatstartedturningmeintoawerewolf?”Toddaskscuriously.

“Exactly,”youreply.“Andifwestayoutofthemoonlightwe’llbesafefromwerewolves.Doyougetit?”

Alowgrowlanswers.

“Todd?Wasthatyou?”youwhisper.

Hurry!TurntoPAGE22,beforeitistoolate!

Thesuper-strengthtriorunupthestairsandburstthroughthebookshelfwallofthelibrary.Youexpecttocomefacetofacewiththeenemy.Butinsteadofonewhistlingtroll,thethreeofyouaregreetedbyhundredsofthem.

“They’vetakenoverthecommunitycenter!”Laurensays.Sheusesherhandstotalkinsignlanguage.

“We’resafeaslongasourearsareplugged,”yousignback.

Theleadtrollgoeswild!“What’sthis?”hecries.“They’retalkingwithouttalking!Ican’thearthem!Andtheycan’thearus!Louder,youstupidtribeoftrolls!Louder!”

Herunswildlythroughthecrowdoftrolls,shoutingatthem.

“Standyourground!”yousigntotheothers.“He’sgoingcrazybecausehecan’tcontrolus.”

Nowmanyofthetrollsarecoveringtheirearstoblockoutthedeafeningsoundsoftheirownwhistling.

“Louder!Louder!Louder,youfools!”themostwart-coveredtrollofallshouts.

HoldyourearsonPAGE108.

“Youcaughtme!”Toddexclaims,grabbingyourhand.

“Wecaughteachother!”yousputter.YourhandsgraspTodd’shandsoverthecenterofthehole.“Oh,no!We’ref-a-a-a-a-a-a-l-l-i-n-g!”

“Ican’tlook!”Toddshrieks.

“Oh,brother,”youthink,asyoufeelyourarmsandlegsbecomealltangledupwithTodd’s.“Justmyluck.OfallthepeopleintheworldIcouldhavefallenintoabottomlesspitwith,ithastobeToddMorris!”

Down,down,downyoufall.

Spinningandtumblingheadoverheelsoverheadoverheelswithnoendinsight.

Toddstickstoyoulikesyruptopancakes.Andnowthatyouthinkofit—he’sprobablygettingthatsyrupyslugjuicealloveryou,too!You’renotsurewhichisworse—havingToddgluedtoyouorbeingslimedbyslugs.

Youhaveplentyoftimetothinkaboutit,sinceyou’llbefree-fallingforquiteawhile!

FallovertoPAGE38.

“Comeon,Todd,”yousay.Youreachoverandholdontohisarm.“We’regoinginthecave.We’renotgoingtoletthoseMurphybrothersscareus,arewe?”

“Wearen’t?”gulpsTodd.“Imean,no!Wearen’t!”

Athinbeamofmoonlightshinesintothemouthofthecave.Youcanseethatthefloorispureslime.

Youtakeonestepforward.Yourfeetflyupintotheair.YoulandflatonyourbackandbringTodddownwithyou.

ThenyouandToddstartslidingfasterandfaster.

“WHOA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A!”Yourtwovoicesblendintoone.Yousqueezeyoureyesshut.Youfeelasifyouareslidingdowntheworld’ssteepestwaterslide.

Down,downyougo.Faster.Faster.YouandToddzoomdownaslime-slickedtunnelintotaldarkness.

Justwhenyouthinkyourbodycan’ttakeonemoresecondofthiswildride,itendswithagrand-slamBAM!Yousmashintoawetcavewall.

Ifyouopenyoureyesnow,gotoPAGE85.

Ifyoucan’tbeartolook,keepyoureyesclosedandtrytoturntoPAGE7.

ToddandLaurenarenotbehindyou!

Youturnaroundandstarttogobackdownthestairstoseewhathappenedtothem.BLAM!Somethingsofthitsyouintheface.Itfeelslikealargepillow.Youcan’tbreathe.Youscreamasloudasyoucan.

“What’sallthescreaminginhere?”youhearyourdadask.

Youpullthebigpillowoffyourface.Youseeyourdadgazingdownatyou.

“Timetogetup,”hesays.“Comeon.Todd’swaitingforyoutogotothekids-onlycampfire.Youmusthavedozedoffforafewminuteswhileyouwereunpacking.”

“Kids-onlycampfire?”youaskinadaze.“Haven’twealreadydonethat?”

“Everyyear,thesameoldsameold,”yourdadmutters.“Justlikealways.NothingunexpectedeverhappensatWoodsWorld.Youcanalwayscountonthat.”

“Whateveryousay,Dad.”Yousmile.“Whateveryousay.”

Youlearnedalongtimeagothatsaying“whateveryousay,Dad”istheperfectreplywhenyouwanttobringaconversationwithyourdadto

THEEND.

Thesceneinthesnackbarroomisstraightoutofoneofthoselate-nightsciencefictionmovies.AlltheguestsofWoodsWorld,includingLaurenandTodd,aresittingattableseatingheapingbowlsofSUPER-STRENGTHO’s.Astheyeat,theystarestraightahead.Beforeyouentertheroom,youputontheheadphones.Youhopethey’llprotectyoufromthetroll’swhistle.Nooneevennoticesyou.Well,nooneexceptthetroll.

Thewickedlittlemanisstandingonahighstoolbehindthesnackbar.Hisblubberylipsslobberdrooldownhiswart-coveredchinashedishesoutthefoodtoalineofguests.Betweenspoonfuls,hetakestimeouttowhistlethepiercingwhistle.Thiskeepshisslavestotallyinhiscontrol.Theyareweakuntilhedecidesheneedstheirsuper-strengthpowerstocarryouthisorders.

Yougetonthefoodline.Youplantoknockthetrolloffthestoolwhenyoureachthefrontoftheline.TheguestsmoveinatrancetowardtheirhelpingofO’s.Thetrollpuckersuphislipsandisabouttowhistleagain.Willtheheadphoneskeepyousafe?

GotoPAGE115.

Well,ofcourseyou’retoonicetothrowanyonetothewolves—eventheMurphys.Butwhileyougivetheideaamomentofseriousthought,somethingverystrangehappens.

InsteadofclawingandbitingandtearingatthebodiesofthethreeMurphybullies,thewolveshugthem.Theyevenkissthem!Theypatthemonthebackandgivebig,fangedsmilestoallthreebrothers!

ThewerewolvesaretreatingtheMurphyslikefamily!

“Lookatthat!”yousaytoTodd.“TheMurphysaresomeanbecauseitrunsinthefamily—thewerewolffamily!

“ThatexplainswhytheMurphyssmelljustlikeapackofdirty,hairy,scarywerewolves,”youcontinuewithalaugh.“AsimplecaseofWolfatosis!”

Toddlaughsatyourjokes,butthere’snothingfunnyabouthavingthewerewolves’hotbreathblowingrightinyourface.You’dbetterstartrunning,orforyouandToddit’ssuretobe

THEEND.

YouandToddhitthecavewallwithagiantTHUD.

Youbothopenyoureyesatthesametimeandseethesameeeriesight.

Eyes!Hundreds,nothousands,ofbrightyelloweyes.Eyesontheceiling,onthewalls,onthefloor.

“Bats!”Toddexclaims.Hesoundsmoreamazedthanscared.“Theywon’thurtus.Istudiedallaboutthemforasciencereport.”

You’renotsosureTodd’sright.Twobatsflyrightbyyourface.Theiryelloweyeswhizpastyoulikeshootingstars.Theflappingoftheirwebbedwingscreatesabreezethatsendschillsdownyourspine.

Youwhipyourheadaroundtomoveoutofthebats’flightpath.Asyouduckdown,youfeelbatwingsbrushacrossyourface.Theirtinyclawscatchinyourhair.Thentheyflyaway,yankingoutsmallclumpsofyourhairastheygo.

Thebatssurroundyou.YouturntofindTodd.It’shardtoseethroughthethousandsofflappingblackwings.Whereishe?

GotoPAGE42.

Withaheaveandaho,thebandoftrollshurlsthewhistlingleaderfarintoDeepWoodsLake.Thecoldlakewaterslowlysuckshimdown.WithagiantBLURRRP,thelakeswallowsthetrollforever.

Thecrowdoftrollsliningtheshoreofthelakecheers.Theyseemalittlelessgruesomenowthattheirwickedleaderisgone.YouglanceoveratToddandLaurenandnoticethattheirmusclesaregone,too.Soareyours.

Thethreeofyouhaveyournormalshapesback.Youalltakeoutyourearplugs.Togetheryouthrowyourfistsupintheairandshout,“Wehavethepower!”

AndfromdownatthesouthendofthebeachyouheartheMurphybrothersshouting,“Waytogo,Nerdo!”TheyareholdingoutTodd’sredtinbox.

“Here’syourboxback,Nerdo,”Sharkycalls.“Youdeserveit.”

Toddjustsmilesthatgoofy-lookingsmileandsays,“Ithinktheylikemebetternow,don’tyou?”

Youdon’tknowhowtheMurphysfeel.Butinyouropinion,Todd“Nerdo”Morrisisonecooldude.Andyou’regoingtohatehavingthisvacationcometo

THEEND.

“Sorry,Sharky,”yousay.

“Youhavetohelpus,”Sharkycallsout,whenhespotsyouandTodd.“Wedidn’tmeananyharm.”

Nowthewerewolvesseeyou.Youhavetothinkfast.

“Tellmewheretheboxis,andI’llsaveallofyou,”youshoutabovethegrowlsandsnarls.

“Thewerewolveshaveit!”BuckMurphycriesout.“That’swhywecameinhere!”

“Yeah,weweretryingtogetitbackforyourfriend,orwhateverheis,”Jessexplains.

Youwatchinhorrorasthewerewolveslicktheirchops.Rowsofsharpenedfangsglistenintheglowofthewerewolves’redeyes.TheyarereadyfortheMurphyfeast.

“Please,”Sharkybegs.“Helpus.Please!”

GotoPAGE27.

YouandToddagreeyou’vehadenoughofthewerewolves.“Let’skeepgoingdown,”yousay.

“Yes,”Toddagrees.“Thispterodactylhasfiguredouthowtostayaliveforcenturies.Maybeitwillknowhowtokeepusalivefortherestofthenight!”

“Goodthinking,”youreply.Thentothepterodactyl,youorder,“Downplease!”

Withagiantflappingofhisbonywings,theprehistoriccreaturepointsitsheaddownwards.YouandToddholdontothelooseflapsofskinonitsneck.

Down,down,downthepterodactylflies.

Withoutwarning,thedownwardflighttakesaturntotheleft.Youshinetheflashlightstraightaheadandspotaledge.

Toddseesit,too.“Look!”heshouts,pointingtotheledge.“We’regoingtolandoverthere!”

GotoPAGE98.

“Whatisit,Lauren?”youandToddexclaim.Youbothreachheratthesametime.

“Iwentthewrongway!Isawthetroll!SoIturneddownanothertunnelandendedupontheothersideoftheCaveofRoseCrystals,”Laurenexplains.“Iwalkedthroughthecave,andhereIambackatthistunnel!”

“What!?”Toddshoutsinhisnerdyway.“Wealldiscoveredthegreatesttreasureintheworldtogether.Areyousayingyouwentinthetreasurecavewithoutus?”

Laurencan’tstoplaughing.

“What’ssofunny?”youask.

“TheCaveoftheRoseCrystals,”Laurensays.“Itisn’tthegreatesttreasureintheworld.ItisastoreroomforthesouvenirsofWoodsWorld!Thesearen’trosecrystals—they’replastic!”

“Youmeanit’snotatreasure?”Toddasks.

“Notunlessyoulikepinkplasticheartnecklacesthatsay‘MyheartbelongstoWoodsWorld.’”Laurengiggles.

“AllourheartsdobelongtoWoodsWorld.It’swherewealwaysgoeverysummer,”yousay.“That’swhywehavetosaveitfromthetroll!”Youlookintothedarktunnelandwonderwhattodo.

TurntoPAGE77.

Youarefloatingdirectlyabovethepaperlanternsnow.Forthefirsttime,youseethateachlanternhasaface!

Infact,eachlanternhasafaceofsomeoneyouhaveknowninthepast.HangingonthelineoflanternsareallthepeoplewhousedtocometoWoodsWorld.Forreasonsyouneverunderstoodbefore,theyjuststoppedcominginthesummers!

Butnowyouknowthetruth.Theydidn’tstopcomingtoWoodsWorld.Theyneverleft!

Slowlyyoudriftupandovertoanemptyspaceonthestringofcoloredpaperlanterns.Youhearasoftclick.Suddenlyyoucan’tmove.

“Hey!”youtrytosaytosomeone,anyone.Butyou’reapaper-lanternpersonnow.Youcan’ttalkanymore.Andneithercananyoftheotherlanternpeople.

HopeyoulikeWoodsWorldalot.You’llbehangingaroundhereforalong,longtime.Infactyourstayheremaynever,evercometoan

END.

“Oomphh!”thewerewolfpuffsasyoupounceonit.

“Sorry,”yousay.“IhavetohelptheMurphys.”YouuseallyourstrengthtopullthewerewolfofftheMurphys.Youcan’tdoitalone.“Helpme,Todd!”youplead.

ToddlooksattheMurphysandatyou.Thenhestaresatthewerewolfwhowashisfriend,ifonlyforafewminutes.Toddknowswhathehastodo.Hejumpsonthewerewolfwithyou.Togetheryouknockittotheground.

“TheMurphysdodeservetocry,”Toddsaysashestruggleswiththebeast.“Buttheydon’tdeservetobeathree-coursemealforawerewolf.”

“Grrrrrrr…GRRRRRRRRRR…”roarsthewerewolf.Ittwistsbackandforthwithnewstrength.YouandToddhavefreedtheMurphys.Nowthewerewolfrunsfree,too.Herunsintothedarknesswithanear-piercingHOW-OW-OW-OW-OWL.EventhoughyouandToddtriedyourhardest,thewerewolfhasescaped.

You’reexhausted.You,Todd,Lauren,andtheMurphysfallontheground.Thelastthingyourememberisstaringupatthedarksky.Afullmoonstaresback.

GotoPAGE34.

YouatetheO’soutofyourleftpocket.Andtheleftpocketwastherightpocket!

“IfeellikeSuperman!”Toddcries.HisarmmusclesstretchhisT-shirtsleevestothebreakingpoint.

“HowaboutSuperperson,”LaurencorrectsTodd.“Weallhaveequalsuper-strengthnow.”

Thethreeofyouraiseclenchedfistsintheairandshout,“Wehavethepower!”

ButToddcan’tjustleaveitatthat.He’sgottogoonandonwiththecornystuff.“Wearethesuper-strongtrio!Wepromisetofightfortruth,power,andjusticeforall—”

Asoft“tweeeeeeet”interruptsTodd’sdeclaration.

“It’sthetroll!”Laurencries.“He’sgoingtotakeawayourpoweragain!”

“Notifwecanhelpit,hewon’t,”youreply.Youbegintearingoffpiecesofyourshirtsleevesandstuffingthemintoyourears.“Ifwecan’thearhim,hecan’thurtus,”youremindtheothers.

LaurenandToddpluguptheirears,too—andnotaminutetoosoon.Thetroll’spiercingwhistleisshakingthewholestaircase,butthethreeofyoudon’thearathing.

GotoPAGE79.

“Todd!”youexclaimwhenyouhearhisvoicerightnexttoyou.“What’shappening?HowdidIcatchuptoyousofast?”

“Youdidn’t.”Toddlaughs.“Wecaughtuptoyou!”

BeforeToddcansaymore,yourealizethatyouarenolongerfalling.YouandToddarebothsittingonthebackofsomegiant-wingedthing.

“Whatthe…?”youstarttoask.

“It’sapterodactyl!”Toddexplains.“Probablypreservedinthispitforcenturies!”

Thehuge,prehistoricflyingreptileismovingitshead—firstup,thendown.Itseemstobeaskingyoutochoosewhichwayyouwanttogo—upordown?

Toflyuptothewerewolves,soartoPAGE116.

Togodowntotheunknown,zoomtoPAGE88.

Yes,youdefinitelyneedtimetothinkofawayoutofthismessyou’reinnow.You’reflatonyourbackinthelandofthelittlepeople.You’retiedtothegroundandcoveredfromheadtotoewithdisgusting,uglytrolls.

Theytaketurnsexaminingyou.Slobbering,glop-droppingtrollspeerdownyourthroat,upyournose,andunderyoureyelids.

Thetrollsmaybelittle,buttheirbreathisbig,bad,andugly!Youdecideyou’vehadenough.

It’stimeforyoursecretplan.

Forthesecretplan,gotoPAGE104.

“Havenofear,super-strengthishere!”youcallout.LaurenandToddarestillscreaming.Thewerewolfmovescloserandclosertothem.

Usingyourordinarystrength,youopenthebox.Youexpecttoseesomemega-vitamins.Insteadtheboxisfilledwithveryordinary-lookingoatO’scereal.

Thewerewolfsnarls.ThenitlungesrightforTodd’sthroat.

“Saveus!”Toddshouts.

“Heregoes,”yousay.YoutossafistfulofO’sintoyourmouth.Theeffectisinstant.Super-strengthfillsyourbody.Yourshirtripsattheseams.Enormousmusclesbulgeandburstoutofthetornmaterial.

“Wow!”yougasp.“Thiscouldbefun!”

Butyouknowthatlooksaren’teverything.Arethesenewmusclesasstrongastheyappeartobe?

ThewerewolfisreadytodigitsfangsintoTodd’sneck.Youflexyourmuscles.Anotherseamtearsopenattheshoulderofyourshirt.Youplaceafingerunderthewerewolf’sarmandstarttolift.

“Oh,no.Ihopethisworks,”youpray.

TurntoPAGE17.

Youtakeaimatthetrollbehindyou.Youhurlthegolfballdirectlyatthecenterofhisforehead.

“Arrrrrgh!”thetrollroarsinagony.“Yougotme!”

Thenthestrangelittlecreaturebeginstoshrivelandshrinkrightbeforeyoureyes.

“Agony!Agony!”hecries,holdinghishead.He’sgrowingsmallerandsmaller.Slowly,thetrolldisappears.

AllthatisleftofhimisasmallpileofSUPER-STRENGTHO’scereal!

“He’sgone!”Laurenexclaims.

“Andsoarewe,”yousaytoher.“Let’sgetToddandgetoutofhere.Goonahead.Iwanttogetsomething.”

Reluctantly,Laurenrunsdownthetunnelalone.YoubenddownandpickupthepileofO’sthatusedtobethetroll.Asyouputtheminyourpocket,youhearafamiliarwickedlaughinyourmind.Itisthelaughofthetroll.

Uh-oh,youthink.Thetrollisn’tgone!

ThenLaurenscreams.

GotoPAGE89.

“Well,lookwho’shere.Nerdoandhispals.”SharkyMurphysneers.“Stilllookingforthatboxofyours?”Sharkyandhisbrotherspushtheirwaythroughthebushes.

“Hey,what’sthatotherboxoverthere?”Jessasks.Hepointstotherockingbox,whichisnowbumpingaroundevenmore.

“Nothingtoworryabout,”yousayasyoureachintoyourpocketsandpulloutsomeSUPER-STRENGTHO’s.“Youboyshungry?”

Todd’slookingatyoulikeyou’retotallycrazy!

“Careforalittlemidnightsnack?”youoffernicely.

“Givemeallofit!”Sharkysnaps.Hegrabsthehandout.“Here,”hesays,passingsomeO’stoBuckandJess.“It’sfree!”

AstheMurphyschompontheO’s,theboxjumpsupanddown.“No!No!”thetrollshoutsfrominsidethebox.

Sharkyleansdowntopickupthejumpingbox.Heputshiseartoittolisten.“Whatthe…?”hestartstosay,butasuddengrowthspurtofgiganticmusclesstopshim.

JumptoPAGE36.

Thepterodactylnose-divesdowntotheledgewithagreatswoopingmotion.YouandToddaresureyou’regoingtobethrownoverthecreature’shead.Butthepterodactylevensoutitsflightandglidestoasmoothlanding.Thetwoofyoutumbleoffitsbackandontotherockyground.

“Thank—”youstarttosay.Beforeyoucangetthewholewordout,itswingsareflappingagain.Thepterodactylisheadingbackintothedarknessofthepit.YouandToddareleftaloneonthenarrowledge.

Behindyouthere’sadoor!Itslidesopen.

“Goingdown?”amandressedinanelevatoroperator’suniformasks.

“Dowehaveachoice?”Toddasks.

“Always,”themansaysmysteriously.

GotoPAGE117.

ThenoiseyouhearisToddcryingintohispillow.Youaretootiredtotalknow.Instead,youkickoffyoursneakersandclimbintoyourbedwithyourclotheson.Justasyoustarttodriftofftosleep,youhearHOW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!

“Didyouhearthat?”Toddcries.Hejumpsoutofbedandhurriesovertoyourbedside.ThelightfromthefullmooncastsaneerieglowoverTodd’sterrifiedface.

“Don’tbeafraid.It’sonlythewindhowling,”youmutter.

HOW-OW-OW-OWL!

Toddleapsontoyourbedandscreams,“It’sawildanimal!”

Beforeyoucananswer,arockwithanoteattachedfliesthroughyouropenwindowandlandsonthewoodenfloor.YoupushToddasideandwriggleoutofbed.Youpicktherockup,tearthenoteoff,andreadaloud:

“TheWerewolvesofWoodsWorld

Theylovetoseered,

Sotheboxthatwasyours

Isnowtheirboxinstead!

TheWerewolvesofWoodsWorld

Disappearatdawn,

Soyoumustfindthebox

Beforethisnightisgone!”

TurntoPAGE8.

Youcrawlintothedarktunnel.ToddandLaurenfollowclosebehind.Youonlyhavetocrawlashortdistancebeforethetunnelgetslarger.Youstandupstraightandseearose-coloredglowahead.It’smagicallypullingyoutowardit.

“Whatisit?”Laurenasks.Herfacelookspinkintheglowofthelight.

“TheCaveoftheRoseCrystals!”Toddexclaims.“Geologistshavebeensearchingforthiscaveforyears.Thecrystalsaresupposedtohavemagicpowers.”

“Whatkindsofpowers?”youask.

“Noonereallyknowsforsure,”Toddexplains.“ButIreadinabookthatthelastexplorerstogointothecavesnevercameout.”

“Thenwhyarewegoingin?”Laurenasks.“I’mnotcrazy.I’mturningback!”

Laurenturnsandrunsoutofthecave.Secondslateryouhearherscream.

QUICK!IfyoutellToddtowaittherewhileyouinvestigateLauren’sscreams,turntoPAGE55.

OrletthepoweroftheRoseCrystalspullyoutoPAGE89.

Youpullyourarmbackoveryourheadandletthegolfballflyatthetrollinfrontofyou.CRASH!Anothermirrorshatters.

“Hahahahahahahaha!”laughsthetrollbehindyou.“Wrongchoice,losers!”

YouandLaurenspinaroundtofacetherealtroll.Behindhimthereisamirrorinwhichyouseeyourownreflections.Thetrollhaswon.

Butsomethingisstrange.Reallystrange.

Youstareintothemirroragain.LaurennolongerlookslikeLauren.Andyounolongerlooklikeyou!

“WelooklikeTodd!”Laurenexclaims.“HeturnedusintoTodds!”

NerdAlert!NerdAlert!

Yoursecondworstnerdmarehasjustcometrue.Nowyou’renotjustspendingyourvacationwithanerd.You’llbespendingtherestofyourlifeasanerd.

Youopenyourmouthtospeakandcan’tbelievewhatcomesout.InTodd’svoiceyousay,“Hey,hey!Whatdoyousay!Thislookslikeaswellwaytocometo

THEEND.”

“Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!”youhearfromthedarknessbelowyou.It’sTodd,andhesoundsveryfaraway.Youhavelosthimnowforsure.

Toobad,youthinksadly.Iwasjuststartingtogetusedtohavinghimaround.

“Good-bye,Todd,”youcallasloudlyasyoucan.“I’msorryIsaidyouwereanerd.Ireallydolikeyou,youknow.Honest!”Withtearsinyoureyes,youcalloutonelast“Bye,Todd.I’llmissyou…really,Iwill!”

“Youreallywillmissme?”ahappyvoicecallsoutunexpectedly,rightnexttoyourear.“Wow!That’sswell!”

Huh?What’sgoingonhere?TurntoPAGE93.

Yourmindisracing.Inseconds,everymathfactyoueverlearnedpopsintoyourhead.Everyspellingwordyoueverstudiedflashesbeforeyou.Thetheoryofrelativity,theGettysburgAddress,amapofMarcoPolo’sentirejourney—youknowitall.Everyfactandeverypieceoftriviayou’veeverheardisrightthereinyourmind.You’veneverfeltsosmartinyourlife.

“TheO’s!”youexclaim.“ThecerealintheSMARTSBOXissmartfood!”

“Let’sbesmart,then,”Laurencries,peekingoutfrombehindherhands.“Let’srunwhilethewerewolfisbusywiththefood!”

Immediatelyyourbrilliantbrainhasanotheridea.

“We’regoingtocapturethiswerewolfandshowittotheworld,”youannounce.

“Don’tbestupid!”Laurenshouts.“Wehavetorun—now!”

Thinkfast!Whatisitgoingtobe?

Ifyoutrytocapturethewerewolf,turntoPAGE16.

Ifyoudecidetorun,raceasfastasyoucantoPAGE45.

Youhaveasecretplanyouthinkjustmaywork.“Hey,trolls!”youcalloutsweetly.“Youforgottoexaminemyears.Whydon’tyouhavealook?”

Youcanseethey’recurious.Theytalkinwhispersforafewseconds.Thentheycreepclosetoyourearsandpeerin.Theirnosesfitrightintoyourearcanals.That’sjustwhatyouwerehopingwouldhappen.Withthetrolls’nosesinyourears,youcan’thearathing.

Quickly,youuseyourtonguetoremoveaSUPER-STRENGTHO’sfoodparticlethat’scaughtinbetweenyourteeth.Youswallowtheparticleandfeeltheresultsimmediately.Muscles!

Thetwotrollswhosenosesarepluggingupyourearsaren’tpayingattentiontothemusclesgrowing.Butalltheothertrollsseeitandbegintowhistle.

Withyourmusclesbulgingandyourshirtseamssplittingagain,youworkfasttobreakthroughtheropesthatholdyou.Whenyourhandsarefree,youpressthetwotrollsagainstyourears.Youusethemlikeearmuffstokeepoutthesoundsofthewhistling.

GotoPAGE39.

It’snouse.Thewerewolvescannotfightthesorceress’scrystallight.Onebyone,withaHOWLasemptyandhopelessastheBottomlessPititself,eachwerewolflosesitsbalance.TheyallfallbackwardsintotheendlessnothingthatisthePit.

Falling,falling,fallingforever.TheirhowlsrisetotheopenmouthofthePit,fillingthecaveandthedeep,darkwoodssurroundingWoodsWorld.

TheMurphysthrowthemselvesatyouwithheartfeltthanksforsavingtheirlives.“We’llalwaysrememberyouforthis,”Sharkysays.“Youtoo,Ner…Imean…hey,whatisyournameanyway?”

“Thisismygoodfriend,ToddMorris,”yousay.YouputyourarmaroundTodd’sshoulder.YouandToddtaketheredtinboxandleadthewayoutofthecave.

NothingcanfrightenyouorToddnow.NottheMurphys.Notthewerewolves.Youhavefacedeverypossiblefearandconqueredthemall.Foryouboththisshouldbeaveryhappy

END.

Acandleburnsinajarnexttoalargeboulderonthesideofthepath.Asyouhurrycloser,abreezemakestheflameflicker.There’sanotetapedtothelargerock.

Youbenddownandgrabthenote.Didsomeoneleavethisforyou?Youdrawthecandleclose,squintinginthedarknesstoreadthewriting.

Waxdrips,thenhardensonthesideofthejar,asyoureadthenotealoud:

“TheWerewolvesofWoodsWorld

Theylovetoseered,

SotheboxthatwasTodd’s

Isnowtheirboxinstead!

TheWerewolvesofWoodsWorld

Disappearatdawn,

Soyoumustfindthebox

Beforethisnightisgone!”

Werewolves?Thismustbeajoke,youtellyourself.Butyoucan’thelpgazingintothedarkness.Searching.Youholdyourbreathandlisten.

Thenyouhearthecracklingoftwigs.Footsteps!You’renotaloneafterall.Someoneorsomethingisoutherewithyou!

GotoPAGE133.

Youcreepquicklyandquietlydownthestairs.Younoticeyourmusclesgettingsmallerandsmaller.

“WehavetosaveWoodsWorld,”ToddtellsLaurenagain.“ButIsuredon’tknowhow.”

“MaybeIcanhelp,”yousayfromtheshadows.“Didyoumissme?”

“You’refree!”Laurencriesoutwhensheseesyou.“Andyourmusclesaregone.”

“ItseemsthefartherundergroundIwent,thesmallermymusclesgot.Andaslongaswecan’thearthetroll’swhistle,we’resafe,”youexplain.

“Buthowdidyouescapefromhim?”Laurenasks.“Andhowdidyougetdownhere?Andhow—”

“Holdon,holdon,”youinterrupt.“It’salongstory.Wedon’thavetimetotalknow.Rightnowwe’vegottogetoutofhereandstopthetrollbeforehetakesoverWoodsWorldandmaybeeventhewholeworld!”

“Buthowdowegetoutofhere?”Toddasks.

“Well,”yousay,searchingaroundthecellarforthebestanswer.“Wecangoupthestairs.Orwecangothroughthattunneloverthere.”Youpointacrossthecellartoadarktunnel.

Whichwaywillyougo?

ClimbupthestairsonPAGE77.

GothroughthedarktunnelonPAGE100.

“Grabthem!”theleadtrollordersfrantically.“Tacklethem!”

Hundredsoftinytrollsleapthroughtheair.Theylandonyourarms,inyourhair,onthebackofyourneck.Withyoursuper-strength,youeasilyflingthecreaturesaside.LaurenandToddarehavingthesameluckwiththeoneswhohavelandedonthem.

Thebattleragesonandon.ButtheSUPER-STRENGTHO’skeepworking.Atlastthetrollsaredefeated.

“Getupyoulazy,toadstoolmats!”theleadtrollshoutstotheothertrolls.“Iorderyoutofightforyourtrollleader.Me!”Hescurriesfromplacetoplace,kickingtheothertrolls,pullingtheirears,yankingtheirfat,blubberylips.“Fight!Fight!Fight!”

Thensomethingchanges.Thetrollsarenolongerfightingyou,Lauren,andTodd.Nowtheyhaveturnedagainsttheirleader.Acrowdofangrytrollssweepstheleaderoffhisfeet.Theylifthimhighabovetheiruglyheadsandcarryhimtothelake.

FollowthemtoPAGE86.

Thewerewolves’frozenfacesbegintomovegrotesquely.Astheystarttothaw,thewerewolvesopentheirjaws.Theirfangsgleaminthefullmoon’slight.

Youwatchthehairy,fangedbeastswithfascination.Theyseemtocommunicatetooneanotherinlowgrowlsandshorthowls.Whenallofthemseemtobetotallyunfrozen,theleaderofthepackleadsthewayoutthroughtheopenicedoor.Thepackofwolveswalkrightpastyou.Theydon’tnoticeyoupressedflatagainstthewall.

Youwatchastheylumberintothecave.Whenthelastonehaspassed,youwaitafewseconds.Thenyoufollowthesoundoftheirlowgrowlsthroughthedarkcave.

Wherearetheygoing?

FollowthewerewolvestoPAGE130.

Allthreeofyoupickadifferentmoundoffreshdirtandstartdiggingwithyourhands.InminutesyouandLaurenstandupattheexactsametimeandshout,“Ifoundit!”

Youbothareholdingupidentical-lookingredtinboxes.

“Mycollection!”Toddshrieks.

Youtakeacloserlookatthetwoboxes.“Sorry,Todd,”youannounce.“Idon’tthinkeitheroneoftheseboxesistheonewe’relookingfor.”

Laurenhandsyoutheboxshefound.YoushowToddthatoneboxislabeledSMARTSBOX.TheotherislabeledSUPER-STRENGTHBOX.Youarejustabouttoopenthem,whenyouhearachillingHOW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!

Athunderouscrashingnoisecomesfromthewoodsinfrontofyou.Somethingiscomingtowardyou!Feargripsyou.Youclutchthetwoboxestightly.

HOW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!

Youdashacrossthepathandcrouchbehindalargerock.

Thewallofbushesburstsapart.Asnarling,red-eyed,sharp-fangedbeastboundsthroughtheleaves.

“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!”ToddandLaurenscream.

GotoPAGE24.

“Wehavetojumpacrossthepit,”youinsist.“Itmaybetheonlywayoutofthisplace.”

“Ican’tdoit,”Toddwhines.“You’llhavetogofirst.”

Assoonasyouhearthehowlingagain,allyournervousnessdisappears.“Comeon,Todd!”youcry.“Thewerewolvesaregettingcloser.”

Withoutanotherword,youbackupafewstepsandtakearunningleap.Itissodarkyoucan’tbesureifyou’remakingitacrossthepitornot.Allyouknowisyou’reflyingthroughtheair.

Insecondsyourfeetlandonsolidground.Dirtcrumblesunderyourheels.Youarehalfon,halfofftheedgeofthepit.

“Whoooooa!”youcry,swayingbackandforthovertheopenpit.

“Don’tleaveme!”Toddscreams.

“I’mtryingmybestnotto,”yousnap.Youfallforwardontothegroundinfrontofyou.“Whew!Thatwasaclose—”

Youcan’tfinishthissentencebecausewhatyouseestandingbehindToddismakingyourmouthdropwideopen.

GotoPAGE41.

Inthelightofthefullmoonyouseethedoctor’sface.Long,coarsehaircovershisforehead,cheeks,andchin.Hiseyesflashlikearedfire.Fangsglistenasheopenshismouth—readytobite.

Yourscreamsfillthenightair.Butnoonecanhearyousofaraway.Behindyouagatecomescrashingdownaroundthecabin.Thereisnoescape.ThesearchforTodd’sredtinboxhasbroughtyourighttothewerewolvesofWoodsWorld.Andalsorightto

THEEND.

Airin.Airout.Airin.Airout.

Withthenextairin,yourfloatingspeedsup.You’renolongerbobbingslowlyupanddownonacalmbodyofwater.Nowyouarebeingtowedbysomeforceyoucannotsee.

“Help!”youscream.

“Help!Help!”yourownvoiceechoes.

“Oh,it’snouse,”youcry.

“Oh,it’snouse!Oh,it’snouse!”theechoagreeswithyou.

Inonefinalpulloftheairforce,youaresuckedintoanothertunnel.Alongnarrowtunnel.Youzoomthroughthetunnelandlandinadarkpit.“Oh,no!”yousob.

Butthistimethereisnoecho.

ThereisonlyaloudBURP.

TheDeepWoodsLakemonsterhasjustswallowedyouwhole!Sadtosay,you’reallwashedup.Foryou,thisstoryhascometo…

THEEND.

Thetrolljumpsoutoftheboxandimmediatelymakeshimselfbiggeragain.HebeginstowhistleandshoutattheMurphybrothers.Theytrytocovertheirears,butthemusclesontheirarmsaretoohuge.Theycan’tlifttheirownarmstotheirears.

“Hahahahahahahaha,”thetrolllaughs.“Nowyouaremyslaves!Youwillobeyme!Whereistheredtinboxtheothersarelookingfor?Tellmenow!”

You,Todd,andLaurenwatchindisbeliefastheMurphys’musclesstartshrinking.Whenthemusclesaregone,theMurphysthemselvesstartshrinking,too.

“Whereisthebox?”thetrollrepeats.“Tellmenow,beforeIreduceyoudowntonothing!”

Inavoicemuchsmallerthanhisusualvoice,Sharkycallsouttheanswerthetrollislookingfor.

“Whatdidhesay?”Toddasksyou.“Whereismybox?”

GotoPAGE43.

Thetrollwatchesyouveryclosely.Someonebehindyoutapsyourshoulderandtalkstoyou.Youdon’thearherbecauseoftheearphones.Thetrollwatchesasshetalkstoyouagain.Againyoudon’tanswer.

“What’sthematter?”thetrollasksrightinyourfacesoyoucanreadhislips.“Trollgotyourtongue?Orareyoujustalittlehardofhearing?”Thenthewickedlittlecreaturereachesoverwithhisclawlikefingersandyankstheheadphonesoffyourhead.

Hiswhistlefillsyourears.Youfeelyourmusclesdisappearingandallyourownwillgoingwiththem.

“YouwillsitwhenIsit,”snarlsthetroll.

“Yes,Master,”yousayinatrance.

“Youwillpromisetoobeymealwaysandforever,”hegrowlsatyou.

“Yes,Master,”yousayweakly.

“YouwillbesilentuntilIsayyourtimetobesilenthascometo

THEEND.”

“Goup!”youcommand.

“IthinkI’mgoingto,”Toddsaysinaqueasyvoice.

“Isaidgoup,notthrowup!”youyell.

Thepterodactylinstantlypointsitsheadupwardandflapsitswingshard.Up,up,upyourise.Yousoarthroughthedarknessatspeedsyouneverthoughtpossible.

“Wow!”Toddexclaims.“Thisthingreallymoves!”

He’sright.Infact,asyoulookupyourealizethepterodactylhasmovedsofastyou’realmostatthemouthoftheBottomlessPit.Andyou’realsoalmostatthemouthsofapackofveryhungrywerewolves.

Theirfang-filledmouthsarewatering!

FlytoPAGE15.

Youpeerovertheledgeandseeagreaternothingthanyou’veeverseen.Yougazeup.Darkness.Youglancedownagain.Darkness.Eitherway,itlooksthesametoyou—totallyfrightening.

“Iguesswe’dbettergetintheelevator,”youannounce.YoupushToddforwardintothewaitingcar.

ThedoorclosesbehindyouandTodd.

Awhirringsoundbegins,butyoudon’tfeelanymotion.Thecloset-sizedspaceisilluminatedbyadimredlight.Thelightseemstobeblinkingon,off,on,off,on,off.Thenyoufigureitout!

Theredlightisonwhentheelevatoroperator’seyesareopenandoffwhenhiseyesareclosed.Onwhenthey’reopen.Offwhenthey’reclosed.Hiseyesaretheblinkingredlights!

Intheredglow,younoticetheman’steetharegrowinglongerandsharper.

Toddelbowsyousharplyandcries,“He’soneofthem!”

GotoPAGE11.

“We’rehere,”Laurensaysfromthedarkness.

“Keepupwithme,guys,”youinstruct.

“I’mtryingto,”Laurenanswers,“butIfeelsoweak.”

“Me,too,”Toddwhines.“Ihavenostrength.”

“Well,finesuperheroesyouallturnedouttobe,”youteasethem.“Howarewegoingtogetridofthetrollifyoucan’tevengetupthestairs?”

YoureachintoyourpocketandpulloutasmallfistfulofSUPER-STRENGTHO’s.“Here,”yousay,holdingyourhandouttoyourfriends.“Thisshouldhelp.Aslongaswe’reundergroundthetrollhasnopower.GetyourstrengthbackwiththeseO’s.”

ThethreeofyoueatalittlebitoftheO’sandsitonthestairswaitingfortheexpectedresults.YoucasuallyputyourhandinyourotherpocketandpulloutanotherhandfulofO’s.TheylookexactlyliketheotherO’s,butyouknowyouonlyhadSUPER-STRENGTHO’sinonepocket.

Uh-oh!SomebodymusthaveplantedotherO’sintheotherpocket.

Ifyouatefromtherightpocket,gotoPAGE63.

Ifyouatefromtheleftpocket,gotoPAGE92.

Noscreamcomesoutofyourmouth.Youquicklyseethe“horriblebeasts”comingthroughthewoodsarenoneotherthanSharky,Jess,andBuckMurphy!

“DidsomeonementionMurphys?”Sharkywhoops.HerunsrightuptoToddandgiveshimashove.“Well,Nerdo,hereweare.Bigaslifeandtwiceasscary!”

“Soyouhaven’tfoundyourstupidboxyet?”Jesstaunts.

BucksneaksupbehindToddandpincheshisear.Inanevil-soundingvoicehewhispers,“Didthewerewolvesgetyouyet?Heh,heh.”

Buck’slaughterdoesn’tlastlong.Itstopsinhisthroatwhenahairyhandpincheshisear.Thenagrowlingvoicewhispers,“Didsomeonementionwerewolves?”

It’sTodd’swerewolffriend!TheSMARTSBOXfoodmusthavewornoff.Todd’sfriendisn’tsowell-manneredanymore!Allthatisleftisitsabilitytotalk.

“ItlookslikeI’mgettingthelastlaugh,”thewerewolfgrowlsatthetremblingMurphybrothers.

GotoPAGE46.

Thetroll’stranceistoopowerful.You’veneverfeltsohelpless,soweak,soweird!

“Gobacktoyourcabinandawaitfurtherinstruction.Iwillbeseeingyou,”thetroll’shypnoticvoicerepeatsinyourmind.“Goback.Goback.Goback.”

Thetrollcontrolsyourstepsinthedirectionofthecabin.YouclimbontotheporchandopenthedoortoEvergreenCabin.YourparentsandtheMorrisesarenothomeyet.NoonehasevennoticedthatyouandToddarenotinbed.

Inyourmindyouhearthetroll’svoicegivingyouallyourinstructions.Youhavenochoicebuttoobey.Youareinhispower.Youmovemechanicallytothebathroomtobrushyourteeth.Youreachforthetoothpaste.Insteadyourhandwrapsaroundthelegofthetroll!

GotoPAGE48.

Thewerewolveshaveallloweredtheirarmsandturnedatonce.They’relickingtheirblood-thirstylips.Theireyesglowlikeflamingtorches.

OneofthehairybeastsgrabsToddandbreatheshot,stinkingwolfbreathinhisface.

“No,please!”criesTodd.Youcanseetearsgushfromhiswideeyes.“Youcanhavethecollection!”hetriestobargain.

Thewerewolfsnarlsandbarespointedfangs.ItsmouthopenswideenoughtotakeTodd’swholeheadinonebite.

“HOW-OW-OW-OWL!”youhowl.Youtrytodrawthewerewolf’sattentionawayfromTodd.

Itworks!InfactthewholepackofwerewolvesturnsawayfromtheMurphysandTodd.Allwerewolfeyesareonyou!

Butyou’rereadyforthem.

Inoneswiftmotionyouopentheboxandholdupthepewtersorceress.Theirredeyesreflectoffthecrystalsuninthesorceress’shands.Ablindinglightisthrownbackintothewolves’eyes.Thewolvesstepbackwards.Theytrytoescapethereflectinglightrays.Canthey?

GotoPAGE105.

Youreachintoyourpocketandfeelwhatyouarelookingfor.

“Jawbreakers!”youannouncetoLauren.Youholdoutahandfulofround,coloredcandies.Thenyoutossthemtotheground.

Thepackofwerewolvespounceonthejawbreakers.Theystartchomping.Innotime,painedhowlsfillthewoods.HOW-OW-OW-OWL-OWWWWWL!Allthehairycreaturescryoutinjaw-breakingagony.Yourplanworked.

“Iknewmyplanwouldwork,”youbragtoLauren.“Thosefangedbeastswon’tbebitinganyoneforalong,longtime.”

Rightagain,genius.Allthewerewolves’teethandfangsarebrokenandshattered.Thejawbreakersandyourbrilliantbrainsavedyouandyourfriends.Nowthatyou’vecrackedthecase,you’llbefreetokeepsearchingandsearchingandsearchingforTodd’sboxuntil

THEEND.

Laurenhasaveryseriouslookonherface.Shewatchesthemotionsoftheredfireantsastheyspeaktoherinsignlanguage.“TheysaybewareofthewerewolvesofWoodsWorld,”shesays.“Theysaywearenotsafeuntilwehavetheredtinboxbackinourhands.”

“Dotheyknowwhereitis?”Toddasks.

“Theysaytheyknow,buttheycan’ttellus.There’sanotherpowerinthewoodsthatwehaven’tseenyet,”Laurencontinues.“Theysaywemustkeepsearchingforthebox—weonlyhaveuntildawntofindit.”

“That’sright!”youexclaim.Youtakethefoldednoteoutofyourpocketandreadthepoemagain:

“TheWerewolvesofWoodsWorld

Disappearatdawn.

Soyoumustfindthebox

Beforethisnightisgone.”

“There’snotimetowaste,”yousaytotheothers.“Lauren,telltheantswe’resorrywesmashedintotheirtree.Wewon’thurtthemiftheydon’thurtus.Ourtroublesarejustbeginning,buttelltheantstheirtroubleswithushavecometoan

END.

Youthrowopentheredtinboxandlookatthepewterfigurecollectionforthefirsttime.

“Awesome!”youcrywhenyouseethetreasure.Insidetheboxarethemostfinelycrafted,beautifullyjeweledpewterfigurinesyou’veeverseen.“Yes,”yousaytoTodd.“Itwasdefinitelyworththetrouble.”

Eachfigureisinitsownvelvet-linedcompartment.Youcan’tresisttakingoutthepewterdragonwiththeemeraldeyes.

“Incredible,”youwhisper.Youturnthefigurearoundinyourhandandstudythedetails.Youreturnthedragontoitscompartment.Onebyone,youtakeouteachfigureandstudyit.There’saprincewavingacrystal-bladedswordintheair,aruby-studdedcastle,adiamond-eyedskeletoninahoodedcloak,andamagicsorceressholdingafierycrystalsunhighaboveherhead.

“They’reallsafe!”Toddexclaimswithrelief.Hehelpsyouputthembackandclosesthebox.

“Butwe’renotsafe!”yousay.

TurntoPAGE121andseewhy.

“Well,”youhearyourmomsayingasyouinchclosertoher,“Ijustthinkwe’reawfullyluckytohavesuchgoodkids.It’snicetoknowwecanalwaystrustthemtodotherightthing.”

Therightthing.Therightthing.Therightthing.Yourmother’svoiceechoesinyourhead.

“Don’tlistentoher!”thetrollcries.Hepopsintoviewandstandsonahatracknexttoyou.“Iamyourmasternow!”heshouts.“Youwillobeyme!”

“Yes,Master,”youreply.It’suselesstoargue.Youhavenosuper-strengthwhenitcomestofightingoffthewillofthetroll.

Thetrollordersyoutosearchthelibrary.Theboxcouldbeburiedunderbooks.Yousneakpastthecardplayers.Thelibrarydoorhasagiantpadlockonit.Youcan’tbudgeit.

Icouldreallyusethosesuper-strengthmusclesnow,youthink.

Willyourwishbegranted?FindoutonPAGE5.

Youfeelyourbrainmagicallypowerup.Factspouroutofyourmouthlikeafountainofknowledgegonewild.

“OnMay20,1927,CharlesLindberghstartedhisflightacrosstheAtlantic,”youannounce.“ThefirstAfrican-AmericanSupremeCourtJustice,ThurgoodMarshall,wasbornonJuly2,1908.WolfgangAmadeusMozartcomposedmorethansixhundredworksofmusic!”

Laurenisamazed!“Youknoweverything!”sheexclaims.“Butwhatshouldwedoaboutthewerewolves?”

Yourbrainisalreadysolvingthatproblem.YouknowyoucouldfeedthemtheCherry-O’sandthatmightcalmthem.Butyouhaveadifferentideathistime.

GotoPAGE122.

“No,really,”Laureninsists.“ImeanTodd’sbodyisnowthesizeofathimble,andhehasafishheadinsteadofhisownhead!Hereallydoeslookfunny!”

“Cometothinkofit,Lauren,you’renotlookingtoonormalyourself!”Toddsaysthroughhisnewfishlips.

Sureenough,LaurenandyouandToddatefromtherightpocket,whichturnsouttohavebeentheabsolutewrongpocket.Thatwasn’tSUPER-STRENGTHO’syouate.ItwasFISH-IN-AN-INSTANTfood!

Nevertrustatroll.They’realwaysuptosomethingfishy,especiallywhentheylivebyalake.

“Timetogoswimming,myfinefinnedfriends,”thetrollannounces,ashepopsoutfromunderthestairs.HenodshisheadandmagicallytransportsthethreeofyoutothemiddleofDeepWoodsLake.Sadtosay,whenitcomestofishtales,you’llbethegreatesttaleevertold!

THEEND

Youdecidetobreakthroughthewall.Youtaketwostepsbackward.Thenwitharunningdive,youthrowallyourmusclesagainstthewall.CRRAASSSSSH!Youdidit!You’rebackinthelibrary.

“Uh-oh.Looksliketrolltroubleagain!”yousay.Thewastebasketistippedoverandtheheavydictionaryisonthefloor.Thetrollisnowhereinsight.Hehasescaped!

Tweeeeeeeeeeeet!Thatawfulwhistleagain!

Thetrollisinheresomewhere,youguess.Youhurrytothecardroomwhereyourparentswere.Cardgamesareleftunfinished.Cardsarescatteredalloverthetable.Half-eatensandwichesanddrinksareeverywhere.Yourheadphonesareonthetablewhereyourdadwassitting.Youpickthemup.Dadneverwouldhaveleftitbehindunlessheleftinahurry,youthink.Thetrollmusthavedonesomethingtothem!I’vegottosaveMomandDadbeforeit’stoolate!

Youheadforthesnackbarroom.Youopenthedoorandgasp.

GotoPAGE83.

ThewerewolfpouncesonLauren.

Youscream.Toddscreams.AndLauren…

…laughs!

“Hey,thattickles!”Shegigglesassherollsonthegroundwiththewerewolf.Hereyesaren’tcoveredanymore.“Wolfie,stop!”

“Wolfie?”youandToddrepeattogether.

Youcan’tfigureoutwhatshemeans.Thesmartnessfromthecerealmusthavewornoff.Whyintheworldwouldshebelaughing?

Youshinetheflashlightonthewerewolf.It’slicking,notbiting,Lauren’sface.

“Thisisn’tawerewolf,”Laurensays.AndinthelightfromtheflashlightyouseeLaurenisright.It’snotawerewolfatall.

“Wolfieisthedogfromnextdoor!”Laurenexplains,huggingthehairyanimal.

Ohwell,somuchforthegreatwildwerewolfyouweregoingtocaptureanddonatetoscience.Good-byetoallthosebrilliantideas.Itlookslikeyourchancetobefamousjustcameto

THEEND.

YouhaveenteredtheTunneloftheWolves.

Nowyouhearabone-chillingHOW-OW-OW-OWL!

Again.HOW-OW-OW-OWL!Onlythistimeitisn’texactlybone-chilling.Itsoundsmorelikechalkscreechingonablackboard.

“Idon’tthinkthat’sawerewolfhowl,”yousayaloud.Thenyouseeaverysurprisingsight.

It’sTodd!Helooksawful.Hishairiscoveredinslimedroppedbytheslugsonthecave’sceiling.Hisgeekyfaceiscompletelywhite,andhismouthiswideopeninahowlingO-shape.

“Todd!”youshout,startlinghimoutofhishowling.“Areyoutotallynuts,orwhat?Whatareyoudoing?”

“I’mmakingthewerewolvesthinkI’moneofthem,”Toddanswersinaterrifiedandshakyvoice.“Iheardthemrunning!Ididn’tknowwhattodo,soIstartedhowling.”

“Idon’tbelieveit,”yousay.“Todd,youare—”

Thenyouhearthewerewolves,too.They’rerunning.Butwhichway?Towardyouorawayfromyou?

GotoPAGE68.

Quickly,youduckintothelibrary.Yourgiantmusclesmakeiteasyforyoutoputthedoorbackintothedoorway.Noonecanevenseethatitwasremoved.Youhearyourparents’voicesoutsidethedoor.Youwanttoanswer.Thetrollappearsonatablenexttoyou.

“Donotrevealyourmaster!”hesnaps.

Youcanseethatthetrollisgettingreadytowhistleandmakeyourmusclesdisappear.Beforehehasthechancetopuckeruphisfatlips,youpickupawastebasket.Youthrowthebasketoverthetroll.Thenyouplopaheavydictionaryontopofthebaskettoholditdown.

Thewhistlingbegins.Youfeelyourselfweakeningjustalittle.Youleanagainstabookshelf.Withoutwarning,thewallofbooksbeginstomove!Thenextthingyouknowyou’restandingontheothersideofthewall!

GotoPAGE74.

Youhearthenoiseagain.Andthenyouspotapersonhidingintheshadowsofanevergreentree.

“W-who’sthere?”youstutter.Youshineyourflashlighttowardtheperson’sface.

“Lauren!”youcry.“Whatareyoudoingoutheresolate?”

LaurenWoodssquintsintotheglareoftheflashlight.“Hey!Getthatlightoutofmyeyes!”shecalls.Youpointthebeamoflightattheground,asLaurenstepsoutfrombehindthetree.

“Isawweirdlightsblinkingoutsidemycabinwindow.Idecidedtoinvestigate,”Laurenexplains.“Whataboutyou?Whyareyoucreepingaroundthewoodsatnight?”

“TheMurphybrothersstoleTodd’sredtinboxwithhispewterfigurecollectioninit,”youtellher.YouintroduceLaurentoTodd,andthencontinue.“We’reoutlookingforit.”

“I’llhelp,”Laurenvolunteers.“Let’sjusthopewefindtheboxandnottheMurphys!They’rebiggerandmeanerthan—ooops!”

LaurentripsonsomethingandgrabsontoTodd.Toddreachesoutforyou.Likedominoes,youallfalldowninaline.Yourflashlightshinesonamoundoffreshlydugdirt.Youglancearound.Therearealotofpilesofdirt.

“Hey,”yousay.“Eitherwe’velandedinagopher’sparadise,orsomeonehasburiedsomethinghere.Let’sstartdigging!”

GotoPAGE110.

Quickly,youduckdownbehindanoldtreestump.Youlistenforthefootstepsagain.They’reclosernow.Butinthedarknessyoucan’ttellexactlywheretheyarecomingfrom.

Yourheartpoundslikeajackhammer.

Footsteps.

Closer,closer,closer.

“AAAAaaahhhhhh!”youscream.Ahandisonyourshoulder!You’reafraidtolook!

“Hey,hey!Whatdoyousay?”Todd’svoicebreaksthroughyourscream.“It’sjustme.Icameouttofindyou.Afterall,it’smyboxandIshouldhelpyoufindit.”

Youcan’tbelievethisguy!Hejustscaredyououtofyourwits!Andhe’sstilltalkingaboutthatstupidbox!

Youcatchyourbreathandtrytoslowyourheartbeatdowntonormal.“Getalife,Todd!”yousnapathim.“Youshouldn’tsneakuponmelikethat!”

“Ijustwanttohelpfindthebox,”Toddwhines.“Look—Ievenbroughtaflashlight!”

You’regladit’sToddandnotawerewolf.Infact,you’regladforanycompanyonanightlikethis.“Followme,”yousay.

“Whichway?”Toddasks.

GotoPAGE75.

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

Yourlittlebrother,Denny,runsoffbyhimselfinthehugeMuseumofNaturalHistorybuilding!Youtrytofindhim,butinsteadyoudiscoverthelaboratoryofthestrangeDr.Peebles.

Thescientist“volunteers”youtotesthisnewtimemachine!Wow,youthink.I’mgoingtobethefirsttime-travelingkidever!ThenDennyrunsrightintothemachine—andvanishes!

Well,yourbrother’snotlostinthemuseumanymore.Nowhe’slostintime!Youhavetofindhim—again.Butwhere?Inthedistantpast,wherefiercedinosaursroam?Orinmedievaltimes,battlingwithknightsandwizards?Maybeinthefuture,whererobotsruleoverhumans!Theonethingyouknowforsureis—youmustfindDennyintwohoursorhe’llbelostforever!

You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthescareswillbe!

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

SOTAKEADEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1NOWTOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

Whatacrummyvacation!

You,yourlittlebrotherDenny,andyourparentshavecometoNewYorkCityforChristmasvacation.Youthoughtyou’dgettodoalotofcoolthings,likevisittheStatueofLiberty,ridetothetopoftheEmpireStateBuilding,andice-skateatRockefellerCenter.

Instead,yourparentsaremuseumfreaks.

“It’sentertaining,”yourmomsaysasshedragsyouintotheMuseumofNaturalHistory.

“It’seducational,”yourdaddeclaresasheshowsyouacollectionofancientpottery.

“It’sboring!”yousay,butnoonelistens.

Andtheworstpartisthatyou’resupposedtobeinchargeofyourlittlered-hairedbrotherDenny.OnlyDennydoesn’twantanyonetobeinchargeofhim.“You’renotthebossofme!”hekeepssaying.

YoufollowyourparentsthroughtheMuseumofNaturalHistory.Atfirstitiskindofinteresting.Youreallylikethedinosaurs.

“Waittillyouseewhat’sinthisroom!”yourmomcries.

GotoPAGE2.

Yourushtothenextroom,expectingsomethingexciting.Butyourmomisstandinginfrontofasundial.“Isn’tthiswonderful?”sheexclaims.“Anexhibitontime!”

Great,youthink.Awholeroomfulofclocks!Boring!

ThenDennygivesyouakaratekickinthebackoftheleg.

“Ow!”youcry.“Stopit!”

“You’renotthebossofme!”hesayssmugly.

“Yes,Iam!”youreply,punchinghiminthearm.Hewhinesandcomplainstoyourparents.Youcan’twin!

“I’mthirsty,”Dennysaysnow.Youcanseehe’seatenalmosthalfabagofGummiBearsinlessthanaminute.

“CanyoufindadrinkingfountainforDenny,dear?”yourmomaskswithouttakinghereyesoffagrandfatherclock.

“Comeon.”YougrabDenny’shand.ButDennypullsawayandrunsoffdownahallway.Youfollowhim.Thehallwaytwistsandturns.There’snosignofeitherDennyorawaterfountain.Butneartheendofthehallyouseeasignonadoor:

WARNING!DANGEROUSEXPERIMENTINSIDE

THISDOORMUSTBEKEPTLOCKEDATALLTIMES

GoontoPAGE3.

Dangerousexperiment?Whatdoesthatmean?youwonder.Younoticethatthedoorisslightlyopen.Oh,no!Dennymusthaveruninhere,youthink.

Youpushthedooropenwiderandpeekin.There’snosignofDenny.Atall,skinnymanwithlongwhitehairtiedinaponytailisbentoveracomputer.Thecomputerishookeduptoabig,strange-lookingclock.Betweenthecomputerandtheclockisalargesquarecontraptionthatlookslikeapictureframe.Youcanhearthecomputerandtheclockbeepingandpinging.

“It’sabouttimeyougothere!”thetallmansays,straighteningup.“I’mDr.Peebles.Youmustbethevolunteer.”

“Actually,”youstarttosay,“I’mlookingfor—”

“There’snotimetowaste!”Dr.Peeblesinterrupts.“I’mreadytostarttheexperiment.Comeonover.”

“Well,I—”

“Here!”hesays.Heplacesachainaroundyourneck.Ontheendofthechainissomethingthatlookslikeastopwatch.Avery,veryoddstopwatch,withacomplicated-lookingdialandfourbigknobs.

“Areyouready?”Dr.Peeblesasks.

TurntoPAGE4.

“Readyforwhat?”youask.

“Why,totravelintime,ofcourse,”hereplies.“You’llbethefirsthumaninhistorytousemytravelingchronometer.”

“Chronometer?”youecho.“What’sthat?”

Hepointstothestopwatcharoundyourneck.

“Idon’thavetime—”youstarttosay,butheinterruptsagain.

“Ofcourseyouhavetime!”Dr.Peeblesgoeson.“Itdoesn’tmatterhowlongyouremaininthepastorfuture.Whenyoureturntothepresent,itwillbethesamemomentthatyouleft.Itwillbeasifyouweren’tgoneatall.”

“Howdoesthiswork?”youask,pointingtothestopwatch.

“It’seasy,”saysDr.Peebles.“Pressthebuttonontheleftsidetotraveltothepast.Pressthebuttonontherightforthefuture.Toreturntothepresent,pressthetopbuttonandthebottombuttonatthesametime.”

Cool!youthink.Whatifthisguy’sinventionreallyworks?Travelingintimewouldbeawesome!

“There’snotimetowaste!”Dr.Peeblessays.“I’mreadytobegintheexperimentnow.”

HurrytoPAGE5.

Youthinkforamoment.Dr.Peeblesobviouslybelievesyou’resomeoneelse.Butatripthroughtimesoundslikealotoffun.Morefunthanstaringatcrummyoldbowlsallday.Andsinceyou’llreturnattheexactsametimeyouleft,you’llstillbeabletofindDennyandreturntoyourparentsbeforetheyknowanythingiswrong.

Ontheotherhand,Dennycangetintoalotoftroubleveryfast.Andyourparentswillblameyouifanythinghappens.

Makeadecisionnow.Doyouwanttotravelintime?Orshouldyoulookforyourbrotherfirst?

IfyouchoosetovolunteerforDr.Peebles’sexperiment,turntoPAGE71.

Ifyouthinkyou’dbetterstayandlookforDenny,turntoPAGE62.

R.L.Stine’sbooksarereadallovertheworld.Sofar,hisbookshavesoldmorethan300millioncopies,makinghimoneofthemostpopularchildren’sauthorsinhistory.BesidesGoosebumps,R.L.StinehaswrittentheteenseriesFearStreetandthefunnyseriesRottenSchool,aswellastheMostlyGhostlyseries,TheNightmareRoomseries,andthetwo-bookthrillerDangerousGirls.R.L.StinelivesinNewYorkwithhiswife,Jane,andMinnie,hisKingCharlesspaniel.Youcanlearnmoreabouthimatwww.RLStine.com.

GoosebumpsbookseriescreatedbyParachutePress,Inc.

Copyright©1996byScholasticInc.

Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyScholasticInc.,Publisherssince1920.SCHOLASTIC,GOOSEBUMPS,GOOSEBUMPSHORRORLAND,andassociatedlogosare

trademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksofScholasticInc.

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,

downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher.Forinformationregardingpermission,writetoScholasticInc.,Attention:PermissionsDepartment,557

Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,

orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

Firstedition,April1996

e-ISBN978-0-545-84106-1

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