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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.
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Firstedition,April1996
e-ISBN978-0-545-84106-1