BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

Bummer!Youhavetotakeyourbrattylittlesister,Joanie,withyoutothemall.BeforeyouandyourfriendSidcanstopher,Joanierunsintoamagicshop.Ofcourse,shetoucheseverythinginthestore.ButwhenJoanieleavestheshopcarryingabigbookofmagicspells,youknowyou’reheadedfortrouble.Bigtrouble!

Thebookofspellsbelongstoanevilmagician.Andhe’sgoingtouseeveryterrifyingmagictrick—sawingyouinhalf,throwingknivesatyou,evensettinghundredsofrabbitsloose—togethisbookback!Timeisrunningout.ThemagicianhasputapowerfulspellonJoanie—herbodyisslowlyevaporating.Andyou’renext!

Canyoudestroythemagicianbeforehewaveshiswandandmakesyoudisappearintothinair?

You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthescareswillbe!

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

SOTAKEADEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1NOWTOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

Contents

Beware!!

TitlePage

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

Teaser

AbouttheAuthor

AlsoAvailable

Copyright

Youflattenyourselfagainstthewall.Youlistenhardforanoise—anynoise.Willyoubeabletomakeyourescape?

Theonlysoundyouhearisyourownraspybreathing.Youslowlypeeraroundthecorner.Allclear.“It’snowornever,”youmurmur.

Youtakeadeepbreathandsprinttowardfreedom.

Bang!Thedoorslamsbehindyouasyouflingyourselfontothelawn.

“Madeit!”youcheer.Butyouknowthere’snotimetocelebrate.Youglancearound.Sofarsogood.Youracearoundthesideofthehouse.

Andcometoadeadstop.

TurntoPAGE2.

Theretheyare.Standingrightbyyourbicycle.

Yourmotherandyourlittlesister,Joanie.

“Hi,sweetie,”yourmothergreetsyou.“Whereareyouofftoinsuchahurry?”

Yourstomachsinkstoyourtoes.Youweresoclose.Soclosetoescape.Nowyouknowwhat’scoming.

“I’mmeetingSidatthemall,”youmumbletoyourmom.

“Thatsoundslikefun,dear.I’msureJoaniewouldliketogo,too.”

“Maaaa!”youwail.“Joanieissuchapain!Shegetsintoeverything.Ihavetowatchhereverysecond!”

“Joaniewillbehave,won’tyou,cutie?”YourmotherturnstoJoanieandkisseshercheek.

Joanienodssweetly.Shegivesyouabigfakesmile.

Good-byefun,youthink.

Yourbrattynine-year-oldsisteralwaysgetsyouintotrouble.Shehastotoucheverythingshesees.“Breakitortakeit”seemstobeJoanie’smotto.Butshe’ssodisgustinglycute,nooneeverseemstogetmadather.Grown-upsloveherbrowncurlsandbrightblueeyes.

“Look,Joaniewantstoholdyourhand,”yourmothergushes.“Isn’tthatcute?”

Beforeyoupuke,turntoPAGE3.

YoushakeoffJoanie’shand.Onceyourmotherisoutofsight,youknowJoaniewilldrophercutie-pieroutine.

“Listenup,Joanie,”youtellher.“I’mincharge.Sohurryupandgrabyourbike.I’malreadylate.”

“Ihavetogetmydiaryfirst,”Joaniesays.

Thatstupiddiary.Joanienevergoesanywherewithoutit.

“Youtwohavefun,”yourmothertellsyou.ThenshefollowsJoanieintothehouse.

“Joanie,”youholler.“I’mleaving.NOW!”Youjumponyourbikeandpedalasfastasyoucan.Hopefullynoneofyourfriendswillspotyouridingtothemallwithyourlittlesister.YouglancebackandseethatJoanieispedalinghardtokeepupwithyou.

Whenyoureachthemall,youandJoanielockyourbikesintherack.“Don’twanderoff,”youinstructJoanie.

“Who,me?”sheaskssuper-sweetly.

HurrytoPAGE18.

Howcanaguywithoutaheadchokeyou?Butthefingersatyourthroattightentheirgrip!

“Helpme,”youmanagetochokeout.

JoaniefindsaswordonthewallandchopsofftheMagician’sarm.Youandthearmfalltotheground.ThenJoaniepriestheMagician’sfingersoffyourneck.

“Thanks,”youtellJoanie.“Thatwasclose.”

Youstandupandwalkovertothehead.“Yuck,”yousay,pickingitup.Youbringitovertothecabinetandplaceitontheemptyshelf.

It’sover.

“What’sgoingon?”Sidasks.Heissittingontheguillotine.ThetrancemusthavebeenbrokenwhenyoudefeatedtheMagician.

“It’salongstory,”yousay.

Thenyounoticesomething.Thewallsoftheshopseemtobedissolvingaroundyou.You,Joanie,andSidhurryoutthedoor.YouturnbackandseethattheMagicShophasalreadydisappeared.YouglancedownattheMagicBookinyourhand—it’sfadingawaytonothing!

Well,afteradayliketoday,maybeyou’renotsosurprisedafterall.

THEEND

“Where’smysister?”youdemand,racingintotheroom.

Thegiantsmileshiscreepysmileatyou.“You’rejustintimefortheshow,”hesays.

That’swhenyounoticethekidnexttoSidisn’tarealkid.It’saventriloquist’sdummy.Areallyuglydummy.

“Where’sJoanie?”youaskagain.Ofcourse,knowingJoanie,shecouldhavewanderedoffbyherself.

Thedummy’sredeyesblinkopen.“I’mFreakyFreddie,”thedummysays.“Childrendon’tlikeme.TheythinkI’mtooscarytolookat.”

“Sid,comeon,”yousay.“WehavetofindJoanie.”

ButSidjuststaresblanklyahead.It’sasifheweremadeoutofwood.

Uh-oh.

“Ineedcuterdummiesformyact,”thegiantexplains.“Thenpeoplewilllikeme.”

No,youthink.Itcan’tbe!Younoticealargecabinet.Yourushtowarditandyankitopen.

“Joanie!”youshriek.Shegazesatyousilently.She’sadummy!Andcrumpledbesideherisanotherdummy.Youpickitupandgaspinhorror!

Thedummyhasyourface!

Younowknowhowthiswill

END.

“Joanie,”youspitoutthroughclenchedteeth.“We’veonlyjustarrived,andalreadyyou’ve—”

You’reinterruptedbyapokeintheback.Youwhirlaround.There’sSidwithagoofysmileonhisface.

“Ooooops,”Sidsayssheepishly.Heholdsuphishands.They’rehandcuffedtogether.

“Sid,”youscoldhim.“You’reasbadasJoanie!”

Aboomingvoicemakesyoujump.“Iseethatyouareenjoyingmymagictricks.”

Great,youthink.Thestoreowner.Nowwe’llhavetopayforthetrickswe’vetouched.Butwhereistheguy?Youglancearoundtheshop.Youdon’tseeanyone.Yousmellsomethingthough.Somethingmustyandrotten.

“WelcometotheMagicShop,”thevoicesays.Atall,thinmanwithaskinnymustachestepsoutoftheshadows.He’sdressedallinblack.Hisblackcapeswirlsaroundhimasiftherewereastrongwindblowing.

Except,youremindyourself,we’reindoors.

“IamtheMagician,”thetallmandeclares.

TurntoPAGE125.

Joaniehasalreadydisappeared.Toobadyoucan’tjustletherstaylost.Youglancearoundthemall.

“Theresheis,”yousay,pointingacrossthecourtyard.

Joaniestandsfrozeninfrontofashopwindowasifshewereinatrance.Foramomentyoucouldswearherfeetarefloatinginchesoffthefloor.

Can’tbe,youtellyourself.Youblinkandlookagain.No,herfeetarestillontheground.

“‘TheMagicShop,’”youreadthestore’ssignaloud.

“She’sgoingin,”Sidwarns.

“Comeon,”youcry.“We’vegottogetheroutofthere.Thatstorewon’tknowwhathitit.”

YouandSidfollowJoanieintotheMagicShop.Ittakesafewsecondsforyoureyestoadjusttothedimlight.

Sidgivesalittlegaspbesideyou.“Wow,”youmurmur.Theshopisfilledfromfloortoceilingwithmagictricks.

Ofcourse,Joanieistouchingeverysingleone.

Youshakeyourheadasyouwatchherfiddlingwithaminiatureguillotine.Butthenshesticksherfingerintoplaceunderthetinyblade.

“Joanie,don’t!”youshout.

Beforeyoucanstopher,shepullsthestring.Thebladedropsrightthroughherfinger!

RushovertoPAGE114!

“Hey!”youexclaim.“Wheredidhego?”

Sidpointstowardablackcurtainattherearoftheshop.Youwalkuptothecurtainandgiveitayank.There’snothingbehinditbutasolidbrickwall!

Weird.

“It’stimetoleave,”youtellSid.Heagrees.YouquicklyfindJoaniekneelinginfrontofahugebookcase.

“Comeon,Joanie,we’regoing,”youtellher.

“ButI’m—”

“Now!”youcommand,yankinghertoherfeet.

“WeneedtoremoveSid’shandcuffs,”yousayonceyou’reoutside.“Wehavesometoolsbackatourclubhouse.”

“Maybethiswillhelp,”Joaniesays.Sheholdsupanoldbook.ThewordsMagicBookofSpellsarewrittenacrossthegoldcover.

“Joanie!”youscreech.“Whatareyoudoingwiththat?’

“Itriedtotellyou,”Joaniewhines.“Butyoudraggedmeoutofthestore.Besides,Ithinkthere’saspellinhereforgettingoutofhandcuffs.”

“Well,somebodyneedstodosomething,”Sidgrumbles.“Ithinkthesecuffsaregettingtighter.”Whatshouldyoudo?

Ifyoudecidetotryaspellfromthebook,turntoPAGE32.

Ifyoudecidetogobacktotheclubhouseanduseregulartools,turntoPAGE47.

“Let’sgetoutofhere!”youtellJoanieandSid.YougrabtheirarmsandpullthemawayfromLarry’sfrontdoor.

Thethreeofyouhidebehindatallrowofhedges.

“Sowhatarewegoingtodonow?”Siddemands.

“Idon’tknow.I’mthinking,”youreply.

“You’retheonewhogotusintothismess,”Siddeclares.

“Me?”youcry.

“Yeah,you.Ifyouhadn’tbroughtyourlittlesistertothemallwithus,then…”

YouandSidargueandargue.

SuddenlyyourealizethatJoaniehasbeenquietforalongtime.Toolong.

Youturntostareatyoursister.

Oh,no!Timehasrunout!

WhileyouandSidwerearguing,Joaniehasbeendisappearinganddisappearinganddisappearing.Andnowyoucan’tseeheratall.

THEEND

Theredball!It’snotthere!

“Youlose,”Mr.Knowledgeannounces.

“Notsofast,”Joaniedemands.“Thegameisnotoveryet.Youhavetoshowuswhat’sundertheothercups.”

“Donot!”Mr.Knowledgesneers.

“Dotoo!”Joanieinsists.“Orelseyou’llbeknownasacheater!”

Yougrabthemiddlecupandliftitup.Noredball.Sidpicksuptheleftcup.Nothing.You’vebeentricked!

“Cheater!”Sidyells.YouandJoaniejoinin,chanting,“Cheater!Cheater!”YoupointaccusingfingersatMr.Knowledge.

“Grrrrr!Mmmurrkkk!”AwfulsoundsburstfromMr.Knowledge’smouth.Hishairturnsgrayandstringy.Hegrowsatleasttwofeet.Hisfaceswellsupintoapuffymaskwithyellowslimerunningoutofhiseyesandnose.

HereachesoutwithoneenormousmonsterhandandgrabsJoanie.

“Appetizer!”hegrunts.BeforeJoaniecanscream,hepopsherintohismouth.

“Maincourse!”themonsterbooms,grabbingSid.HeeatsSidinonebite.

“Dessert,”themonstersays,reachingforyou.

Youguessedit.Thisis

THEEND.

Thehorriblelaughterfillsyourears.Therottingsmellfillsyournose.Andthenthereheisinfrontofyou.

TheMagician.

“There’snoescape,”hesneers.Hegrabsthehourglassaroundyourneckandpullshard.Thecordsnaps.

“Justafewmoregrainsofsandleft,”hesays,holdingupthehourglassforyoutosee.“ThenI’llhavethreenewheadsformycollection.”

TheMagicianwaveshishand.Thewoodencabinetappears.Hesnapshisfingers.Thedoorsflyopen.Theterribleshrunkenheadsstareoutatyou.

“Thechubbyonewillgofirst,”theMagiciansays.Youhearaclankingofmetalwheels.Yougasp!Arealguillotinerollsintothecenteroftheroom!

GotoPAGE80.

There’snowayyou’reclimbingintothatDumpster!You’regoingintothefactory.You,Joanie,andSidcreepuptothedoor.Youjigglethehandle.It’slocked.

“Nowwhat?”youask.

“Thefireescape,”Sidsays.Youglanceupatthefireescape.Mostoftheguardrailshavebrokenawayandseveralofthemetalstepsaremissing.Thenailsthatanchorthestepstothebrickwallarerusty.Thereisametalladderattachedtothebottomstep.It’saboutthreefeetoveryourhead.

“I’llgofirst,”yousay.“Givemeaboost.”

YouplaceahandonJoanie’sshouldertosteadyyourself.Sidlockshisfingerstogether.Youplaceyourfootinhishands.Heboostsyouup.Yougrabthebottomrailandpullyourselftherestoftheway.

Youstepontothefireescape.Itwobbles,swingingfromsidetoside.

Youfindthereleasemechanismfortheladder,anditdropsdown.Itmakesaterriblegroaningsound,butitstillworks.SidandJoaniecarefullyclimbupbehindyou.Whenyoureachthesecondfloor,youfindabrokenwindow.

Youpeerinsidebutit’stoodarktoseeanythingbutshadowyshapes.Youclimbinthroughthewindow.

Twoshinyyelloweyesgreetyou.

TurntoPAGE118.

Youfeellight-headed.Youareabouttofaint.There’ssomethingyoushoulddo.Butyoucan’tthink.Oh,whatisit?

Moretentaclesswirlaroundyourbody.You’rebeingslowlydrawnforwardintothemassofworms.

Justasyouareabouttobedevouredbythemassoftinywormmouths,yourememberwhatitwasyouweresupposedtodo.

Youforgottoscream.YouforgottogivethewarningtoSidandJoanie.Thatmeansthey’lltakethispath,thinkingitistheSafePath.

Ithadbeensuchagoodplan.Ifonlyithadworked….

THEEND

Youdon’tthinkyou’llbeabletostealbacktheMagicBook.Larrymusthavehiddenitsomewherebynow.Youronlychoiceistobuyitfromhim.Butyouhaveaproblem.

“Howarewegoingtoraisefiftydollars?”Sidasks.

That’satoughone.

YoulookoveratJoanie,thinkinghard.Ifyoudon’tgetthebookback,Joaniewilldisappearinanhour.

Youshiverwithfear.Butyoucan’tletthefearclogyourbrain.You’vegottenoutoftoughersituationsbefore.

“Iknow,”Joaniepipesup.“YoucansellsomeofyourCDs.You’vegotamillionofthem.Andallthemusicyoulistentostinks.”

YoustareatJoanieasifshewerecrazy.

“I’vegotabetteridea,”youtellher.“Whydon’tyousellyourcollectionofBarbiedolldesignerclothes?Whydoessheneedfivecoats?Areyouafraidshe’llgetcold?”

“Shutup!”

“No,youshutup!”

Luckily,Sidinterruptsyou.“I’vegotanidea!”heshoutsoveryourargument.

TurntoPAGE37.

Soyouthinktheballisunderthemiddlecup.

WRONG!

Butyoucanhaveanotherchancetoguessagain.

Andthistime,payattention!Keepyoureyeonthatlittleredball.

TurntoPAGE87.

YoudecidetoletthescorpionfinishofftheMagician.

Youhearthescorpionslitherforward.

Gotoit,youthink.EattheMagician.Crunchhimtobits.Swallowhimwhole.Stinghimwithyourpoisonstinger.

Thescorpionslidespastyou,rightuptotheMagician.

You’regoingtoenjoythis.

“Hey,pal,”thescorpiongreetstheMagician.

Anyminutenow,youthink.

“Ah,myoldfriend,”theMagiciananswers.“Howareyou?”

Thisisn’tgoingthewayyouimaginedit.

“Sowhatarewegoingtodowiththispeskykid?”thescorpionaskstheMagician.

“Wait!”youcryout.“Ithoughtyouweregoingtosaveme.ThisistheScorpionSafetyway!”

“Sorry,”thescorpiontellsyou.“ButI’moff-duty.”

THEEND

“Lookout!”youshout.Theballsoffirespeedtowardyou.Youputyourhandsinfrontofyourface.Youcatchafireballandtossitback.Beforeyoucantakeabreath,thejugglersthrowanotherfireballatyou.Onceagain,youmanagetotossitback.

Whyaren’tmyhandsburningup?youwonder.YounoticeSidandJoaniegazingatyouinawe.

Thejugglerssurroundyou.Somehowyoumanagetoreturneveryballtheythrow.Asyoutosstheflamingballsintheair,thejugglersspeakineerieflattones.

“We,”saysonejuggler.

“Know,”saysthesecond.

“Whoyouare,”saysthethird.

“Whatdoyoumean—yeowch!”It’shardtotalkandjuggleatthesametime.Youdropthefieryballand—poof!—alltheotherballsvanish.

“YoutooktheMagician’sbook,”thefirstjugglersays.

“TheMagicianwantsitback,”saysthesecond.

“Thenhe’lleatyoufordinner,”saysthethird.

TurntoPAGE64.

YourollyoureyesatJoanie’ssickly-sweetact.YourushthroughthemalltomeetyourfriendSid.YouspothimpacinginfrontofTheComicConnection.Sidiswearingabluejacketthatisalittletoosmallforhischubbyframe.Herunsahandthroughhisspikyblondhair.“Wherewereyou?”hedemandsasyouhurryovertohim.

“MymommademebringJoanie,”youexplain.

“Really?”Sidraisesaneyebrow.“Thenwhereisthelittleprincess?”

Oh,no!DidyouloseJoaniealready?

TurntoPAGE7.

“Sid.Joanie,”youwhisper.“Ifnoneofussaidthat,andthebirddidn’tsaythat,whosaidthat?”

“TheMagician?”Joaniesqueaks.

Thethreeofyouturnslowlyandscantheroom.

Amanstepsoutoftheshadows.It’snottheMagician.Butyoudon’tfeelanybetter.Thisisthebiggest,grossest-lookingguyyou’veeverseen.

Hismassivebodytowersoveryou.Youreyestravelup,up,uptotheman’sface.Hisskinisthecoloryourfaceturnswhenyou’reabouttobesick.Droolrunsoutofthecornerofhismouth.Youcansmellhisfoulbreathfromacrosstheroom.Heisonecreepydude.Andhedoesn’tlookhappy.

We’reinbigtrouble,youthink.

Thegiant’svoicebooms:“GIVEMEMYBIRDIE!”

TurntoPAGE65.

Youdecideit’seasiertoclimbdowntheropeladder.

Youuntangleyourselfandstartdown.Whenyouslidetothebottom,youmotiontoSidandJoanietofollowyou.Yourfeethittheground.Youquicklyduckbehindsomeboxes.

YoucanhearLarry,D.J.,andBuddyjokingupahead.Luckily,therearepilesofcardboardboxesstackedaroundthewarehouse,sothebullieshaven’tnoticedyou.

Yet.

You,Sid,andJoanietiptoebehindthestackedboxes.Youpeeraroundtheside.

D.J.andBuddyaresprawledafewfeetaheadofyou.They’relaughingandpunchingeachotherinthearms.LarryhastheMagicBookinhishands.Hislipsappeartobemoving.

That’swhenyourealizewhatisgoingon.

“Larryisreadingoneofthemagicspells,”youtellSidandJoanie.

TurntoPAGE42.

“What’swrongwithme?”youask.Youtrytostandup,butyourmusclesdon’tseemtobeworking.

Youhearagasp.SidandJoanierushtowardyou.TheMaskedManholdsouthishandandhelpsyoutoyourfeet.

Youglancedown.Yourmouthdropsopeninhorror.

Yourfeet!Yourfeetareonbackward!

YouturntotheMaskedMan.“Whatdidyoudotome?”youdemand.

“Thetrickwasgoingsowell,”heexplains.“Isawedyouinhalfwithoutaproblem.Butthen…”Heshrugshisshoulders.

SidandJoaniecrowdaroundyou.“Youhavetofixthis!”Sidshouts.Joaniegazesatyourbackwardbottomhalfinawe.

“Icantry,”theMaskedMansays.Hepicksupthesaw.

“Noway!”youyell.“Whoknowswhatkindofmistakehe’llmakenexttime!”

“Well,”Joaniesays,“Momalwayscomplainsthatyoudon’tknowifyou’recomingorgoing.Nowyouhaveanexcuse!”

THEEND

“MaybethefishbowlwouldbeagoodplacetohidetheMagicBook,”yousay.Youwalkovertotheshelfandpeeratthefishbowl.Thefishstareback.

“Noway,”Joaniesays.“Itwillbetotallyobvious.”

“Andthefishmightgetmad,”Sidadds.

“Idon’tthinkthat’sgoingtohappen,”youtellthem.You’vejustnoticedthefisharen’treal.They’rejustpaintedontheinsideoftheclearbowl.Youreachintoit.

Anddoadouble-take.Youcan’tbelievewhatyousee!Yourhandbecomesinvisibleinsidethefishbowl!Itdisappearscompletely.

Youtestitagain.Youpullyourhandoutofthebowl,shakeoffthewater,andthenstickitbackin.Itdisappearsagain.Thisissocool!

“Hey,Joanie!”youshout.“Checkthisout.”

Joanieglancesyourway.Youwatchhereyestraveldownyourarmtothefishbowl.Hermouthdropswhenshenoticesthatyourhandappearstobegone!

Thenyouliftyourarmoutofthewater.Joanie’seyesgrowwidewithterror.Youglancedownattheendofyourarmwhereyourhandshouldbe.

“Myhand,”yougasp.“Where’smyhand?”

TurntoPAGE106.

Granny’sroughtreatmentisstartingtoannoyyou.

“Letmehelpyouthere,”GrannyKapustasaysinhercracklyvoice.Assheyanksyoutoyourfeet,youspotsomethingonthefloor.Itlookslikeatooth.

GrannyKapustapushesyouinfrontofher.Thatcreepyfeelingisback.YouglanceatGranny.Shehasstoppedtopullshutawindowcurtainanddoesn’tnoticeyouwatchingher.

Youdon’tbelieveit!Herblueeyes—theyturnedyellow!Itwasjustforasecond,butyouknowwhatyousaw.That’sit,youthink.We’vegottogetoutofthishousebeforeit’stoolate.

Buthow?

Youreyesdartaroundthehallwaysearchingforsomeescaperoute.There’sanopendoorupahead.Itmightbeyouronlychancetogetoutofherealive.

Doyouwanttoescapebygoingthroughthedoor?GotoPAGE33.

IfyouwanttogointothekitchentograbPattheRat,gotoPAGE89.

Toobad.Thisisn’tyourluckyday.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Oh,no!Itdidn’twork—theMagicianisstillalive!

Butwhereishe?

Youeyethecrumpledcape.Hecouldn’tstillbeunderthere,couldhe?

Youcreeptowardthecape.It’sjustapieceoffabric,youtellyourself.Youtrytoshakeoffafeelingofdreadasyoumoveslowlyforward.

CLINK!Yourfootaccidentallyhitsthehourglassthatwassittingonthefloor.Itskittersacrosstheroom,stoppinginfrontofthecape.

Youreachoutforthehourglass.Butanotherhandclutchesitfirst.Ahandthatstretchesoutfromunderthecape.

TheMagician’shand!

TurntoPAGE51.

Comeon,youknowbetterthanthat!IfyoutouchahaironJoanie’shead,you’llbegroundedforlifeandyouwon’tbeabletofinishtherestoftheadventure.Sotakeadeepbreath,counttoten,andbenicetoyourlittlesister.

Goon.Youcandoit.

GobacktoPAGE6.

“What’sahenway?”Mr.Knowledgerepeatsthequestion.

Youcan’thelpyourself.“Ahenweighsaboutsixpounds,”youshoutfromtheaudience.Youlovetheseoldjokes.

Mr.Knowledgegazesoutattheaudience.“Verygood,myyoungfriend.Youmayaskthenextquestion.”

Youknowexactlywhattoask.“Howdoweescapefromhere?”

Mr.Knowledgelooksstartled.“Thatisaninterestingquestion.Itrequiresaninterestinganswer.Please,joinmeonstage.”

You,Joanie,andSidraceuptothestage.WhenyouarestandingbesideMr.Knowledgeyouareamazedtoseethattheentireaudiencehasvanished.

“Theanswertoyourquestionisintheredball,”Mr.Knowledgeexplains.Hepullsasmallredballfromhispocketandplacesitonthetableinfrontofhim.Fromadrawerinthetable,heproducesthreesmallcups.Heputstheminarow—onecupontheright,onecupinthemiddle,andonecupontheleft.

ThenMr.Knowledgetakestheredballandplacesitunderthemiddlecup.

Nowwhat?

FindoutonPAGE87.

ThecurseoftheMagicBookmustbeworking.Joanieisdisappearing!Youdon’twanttoscareher,soyoudon’tsayanythingabouthermissingears.

Butyou’dbettergetthatbookback—fast!

“Okay,backtotheplan,”yousay.“Let’strackdownthosejerksandfindoutwhatthey’vedonewiththeMagicBook.”

“Shh,”Joaniehisses.“Ihearsomething.”

YouandSidliedownwithyourearstothefloor.Nomistakingthatlaugh.Larry,D.J.,andBuddyaredownstairs.

Youcreeptowardthecenteroftheroomwhereyouthinkyou’llbeabletohearthembetter.Thefloorsqueaksunderyourfeet.Youtrypickingyourfeetup,high,asifyouweremarching,andputtingthemdownslowly.

It’sworking.Nomoresqueaks.Footup—footdown.Footup—butthistimethereisnofloorbeneathyourfoot!

Youdesperatelytrytobalanceyourselfontheedgeoftheholeinthefloor.Yourkneesstarttoshake.Backandforthyousway.Youtrytosteadyyourself,usingyourarmsforbalance.

Itdoesn’twork.You’refallingintotheopenspace,downtowardthehardcementfloorbelowyou!

TurntoPAGE127.

Youcan’tjuggle?That’sokay.Nottoomanypeoplecan.It’sreallyhard!

Butthisisastoryaboutmagic.Sonow,PRESTO!youcanmagicallyjuggle!

TurntoPAGE17.

You’vegotit!YougrabtheMagicBookfromtheflooroftheDumpster.Butyouloseyourbalance.Yourarmsandlegsflyoutintheairasyousinkdownintothetrash.

Youscrunchupyourfacetoavoidbreathingintheawfulstench.Youopenoneeyeandpropyourselfupononeelbow.

Tworedeyespeerbackatyou.

Along,twitchynoseisinchesawayfromyourface.

Youarestaringatthebiggestratyou’veeverseen.Thisratisthesizeofasheepdog!

YouflingyourselfashardasyoucantotheothersideoftheDumpster.Butit’snogood.Youslipandslideontheslimytrash.Youdon’tevenhavetimetoletoutascreamwhenthemonsterratlungesforyourthroat.

THEEND

It’satrick,youtellyourself.Buthowdoesitwork?

Asecondswordpiercesthecabinet.Withoutthinking,youliftyourfootandstepontotheswordasitslicesthroughtotheotherside.Somehow,itmanagestoholdyourweight.

That’sit,yourealize.Ihavetosteponeachswordasitcomesthroughthecabinetwall.

It’sdifficult,butyoumanagetokeepyourbalanceasyouclimbontopofeachswordthatslidesintothecabinet.Bythetimethefinalswordispushedthrough,youarecrouchinginatinyspaceatthetop.

Nowwhat?youwonder.

Thentheswordsareslowlypulledoutagain.Aseachswordslidesout,youplaceafootontheswordbelowit.

Finally,youarestandingagainatthebottomofthecabinet.Thedoorflingsopen.

“Excellent!”TheMaskedMancongratulatesyou.“Suchgoodworkshouldberewarded.Whatisityouwant?”

“Wewanttogetoutofhere,”youtelltheMaskedMan.“Howdoweescapethiscrazyplace?”

TheMaskedMangazesatyousadly.“I’msorry,butIcan’ttellyouthat.”

TurntoPAGE50.

Sidlooksterrible.Hisfaceisthecolorofpaste.Hiseyesaresqueezedtightlyshut.Hismouthiswrinkledupinatightgrimace.

“What’swrong,Sid?”youask.Butyouthinkyoualreadyknowtheanswer.

“Idon’tlikesmallspaces,”hewhispers.

That’swhatyouwereafraidof.

“Areyouclaustrophobic?”Joanieasks.“Doyouhaveaterriblefearofclosespaces?Doyoufeellikeyoucan’tbreathe?Thatwe’rerunningoutofairinhere,andyou’reabouttosuffocate?”

Sid’shandsreachoutforJoanie’sthroat.YougrabSid’swrists.“Cutitout,”youwarnthem.

Thisisjustgreat,youthink.Sidisabouttogoballistic.You’retrappedinsideacardboardbox.Whatelsecouldgowrong?

You’reabouttofindout.

TurntoPAGE122.

“Okay,let’sseeifwecanfindaspellthatwilldothetrick,”yousay.You’rewillingtotryanything.Yougrabthesmall,gold-coveredbookfromJoanieandskimthepages.

“Itmustbewritteninsomekindofcode,”yousay.“I’veneverseenwordslikethisbefore.”

“IbetIcanreadit,”Joaniebrags,grabbingthebookbackfromyou.“Letmehaveit.”

“Fine,smarty-pants,”yousay.“Goahead.”

Joaniestudiesthebook,turningthepagesslowly.“Itmustbeaforeignlanguage,”shesaysfinally.

“Yeah,likeTransylvanian,”Sidjokes.“MaybetheEnglishtranslationisinthebackofthebook.”

Joanieflipstothebackpages.“Ithinkyou’reright,”shesays.“ThislookslikeEnglish.”

Youpeeroverhershoulderatthebook.“Ohright,”yousaysarcastically.Yousnatchthebookbackfromher.“IfthisisEnglish,thenwhatdoes‘Ibindosyagetnobistagoo’mean?”

Unfortunately,youareabouttofindout.

GotoPAGE40.

Thatdoorlookslikeyouronlychancetoescape.

There’snotimetoexplaintoSidandJoaniewhatyou’redoing.Yougrabtheirhandsandbegintorun.Youpushthemthroughtheopendoor.Thenyouslamitbehindyou.Youslidetheboltshut.JoanieandSidstareatyouasifyouwerecrazy.

Youputyourfingertoyourlips,listeningatthedoor.Horriblegrowlingsoundsstartcomingfromtheotherside.

“Comeoutofthere!”Grannybellows.Thenclawsscrapeagainstthedoor.

“Grannydoesn’tsoundsofriendlyanymore,”Sidsaysnervously.

Youfeelaroundinthedarkandfindalightswitch.Asinglelightbulbflasheson.Youareatthetopofcementstepsleadingintoacellar.Youglancearoundthedamproom.You’reinluck!Younoticeasmallwindow,highupneartheceiling.Andit’sopen!

“Wecangetoutthatway,”youtellSidandJoanie,“butweneedsomethingtoclimbon.”

“There,ontheothersideofthecellar,”Sidpointsout.“Thosedrypetfoodbags.”

YouandSidcrosstothestackofbags.Thenyounoticewhat’swrittenonthem.WildWolfChow.

TurntoPAGE72.

TheMagicianwillbehereanyminute!

“Thosejugglersmadeitsoundlikewe’regoners,”Sidwhisperstoyou.

“Evenifwegivehimbackhisbook,”Joanieaddsglumly.

You’vegottoactfast.Butyoucan’tescapebecauseyoudon’tknowwhereyouare.Besides,theredoesn’tseemtobeanormaldoorinthisblackroom.Youronlyhopeistohidethebook.ThentheMagicianwillneedyoualiveifhewantsthebookback.

“We’vegottohidethebook,”youtellSidandJoanie.“I’mgoingtoputitinthecoffin.”

“No,”Sidsays.“Itwillbetooeasytofind.Let’slookaround.”

Yousearchtheroomforahidingplace.Thereisn’tmuchchoice.Awideshelfrunsalongonewall.Onitsitsalargefishbowlwiththreeexoticfishandanold-fashionedmetalbirdcagewithayellowcanary.

Ifyoustillthinkthecoffinisthebestplacetohidethebook,gotoPAGE101.

Ifyouhidethebookinthefishbowl,turntoPAGE22.

Ifyouputthebookinthebirdcage,turntoPAGE132.

Youopenyoureyesandsneakanotherlookatthecowboy.It’shardtoseehisfaceasyouspinroundandround.Heseemstobeconcentratingveryhard.

“Isthistricksafe?”Joanieasks,hervoicetrembling.Shesoundsscared.It’skindofnicetoknowshe’sworriedaboutyou.

“I’lltellyouasecret,younglady,”thecowboyassuresher.“It’satrickknife.Completelyharmless.”

“Cool,”Sidsays.HeandJoanieleanforwardintheirseats.

Maybethecowboyknowswhathe’sdoing,youthink.You’veseenthisactincircusesbefore.

Youshutyoureyesjustbeforethecowboythrowstheknife.

“Ooooops!Wrongknife!”arethelastwordsyoueverhear.

THEEND

Youdon’tthinktheMagicianwillletyougoonceyougivehimthebook.Yourbestbetistoescapenow.Buthow?

“IftheMagiciangotout,”yousay,“socanwe!”

“Buthe’smagic,”Joaniecounters.“Andheknowshiswayaround.Heprobablybuiltthiscreepyroom!”

“Fine,”youtellher,“don’thelp.Yourpointylittleheadwilllookgreatonthatshelf.”

Joaniestampsherfeet.Thehollowsoundechoesinthesmallroom.“Quitpickingonme,”shewhines.

YouandSidrollyoureyes.“Comeon,Sid,”yousay.“Maybewecanfindsomesortoftrapdoor.”Youbegintappingonthebrickwall,searchingforahiddendoor.

Joaniestompsovertothecorner.Shesitsthereandpouts.

Youignoreherandwaveatthecoffin.“Thisstuffhadtobebroughtinheresomehow,”youtellSid.Youhaveanaggingfeelingthatyouhadthesolutionaminuteago,butitslippedaway.

Joanie’ssingingTVjingles.She’ssoannoying.

“Joanie,cutitout!”youyell.“We’retryingto—”Thensomethingoccurstoyou.Asstrangeasitseems,youthinktheanswerisinsomethingJoaniesaidordid.

IstheclueinsomethingJoaniesaid?FindoutonPAGE46.

IstheclueinsomethingJoaniedid?TurntoPAGE108.

“Let’sstealsomethingfromLarry,”Sidsuggests.“SomethingthathewouldbewillingtotradefortheMagicBook.”

“That’sanawesomeidea,”youtellSid.

“ButwhatarewegoingtotakefromLarry?”asksJoanie.“Andhowarewegoingtogetitwithoutanyoneknowing?”

“Don’tworry,”youreassureJoanie.“Iknowexactlywhatwecando.”Youglancearoundthemallparkinglottobesurenoonecanhearyou.Youdropyourvoicedowntoalowwhisper.“YouknowthatpetratLarrylikestocarryaroundinhispocket?”

“DoI?Ugh,”Sidsays.

“Well,we’regoingtostealit.Whenit’snotwithhim,hekeepsitinacageinhisroom.”

“Whatarewewaitingfor?”Joaniecries,alreadyhurryingtowardthebikes.“Let’sgo!”

RushtoPAGE123.

What’sahenway?Youhavenoidea.Mr.Knowledgemustbeverysmart.

“Ahenweighsaboutsixpounds,”Mr.Knowledgesays.

Yougroan.Thatoldjoke.

“HowdoyougettoCarnegieHall?”someonecallsfromtheaudience.

“Practice,practice,practice,”Mr.Knowledgeanswers.

“Whydidthechickencrosstheroad?”someoneshouts.“Whydofiremenwearredsuspenders?”anotherpersoncalls.

YouturntoJoanieandSid.“Thesearejuststupidoldjokes,”yousay.“Idon’tthinkMr.Knowledgewillbeanyhelptous.”

“Agreed,”saysSid.“Let’scheckoutMs.Cardsharp.”

You,Joanie,andSidfindasidedoorandsneakoutoftheauditorium.Thedooropensintoasmallroom.Theonlyfurnitureisaroundtablewithfiveemptychairsplacedaroundit.Awomanwithfrizzyblondehairstandsinfrontofthetable,shufflingcards.

“I’mMs.Cardsharp,”shegreetsyou.“We’vebeenwaitingforyou.Timetomeetyourfellowplayers.”

TurntoPAGE56.

Thecabinetstops.Phew!Youdon’tthinkyoucouldhavetakenanymore.Yourstomachsettlesdown.Sid’sfaceturnsbacktoitsnormalcolor.

“Thatwasfun!”Joanieexclaims.Youglareather.

Thedoortothecabinetisflungopen.Awomanwithfrizzyblondehairsmilesatyou.Shewearsaredstripedshirt,ablackvest,andshinyblackpants.Shehasavisorsittinglowonherforehead.Sheshufflesadeckofcards.

“Ihearyouwanttoplayalittlecards,”shesays.“You’vecometotherightplace.”Shetalkssofastyoucanbarelyunderstandher.“Wearejustabouttostartanewgame.”

You,Joanie,andSidstepoutofthecupboard.Youfindyourselfinasmallroomwithalargeroundtablewithfiveemptychairs.

Thetableiscoveredwithasmoothgreencloth.Yellow,red,andbluechipsarepiledontheedgeofthetable.YouheartherustlingofthecardsflyingthroughMs.Cardsharp’sfingers.

“Nowmeetyouropponents,”Ms.Cardsharpsays.

TurntoPAGE56.

Loudclapsofthunderechoaroundthemall.Theskygrowsdarkeranddarker.Hugecracksappearinthefloor.

Youwatchinhorrorasahugesplitinthetilemovestowardyou.Faster,faster—

“Lookout!”youshout.YoushovetheMagicBookintothewaistbandofyourpants.Youtrytooutrunthewideninggapbutit’snouse.Youfallintotheopening.

Yourhandsreachupfortheedge,butthegroundisshakingsomuchyoucan’tgetagoodhold.Youslidedowndeeperanddeeperintotheblackhole.Yourfingersscrapeatthedirtalongthesides.Youtrytofindsomethingtoholdontobutthere’snothing.Thedirtcrumblesawayunderyourfingertips.

“Help!”youshout.Butthereisnoonetohelpyou.

Youplungeintotheearth’sdarkness,tumblingover,andover,andover.

PlummettoPAGE60.

Youfeelsomeonegrabyourotherfoot.ItmustbeJoanie.Youareeasilyliftedupward.

Nowthatyouthinkaboutit,youarebeingpulledthroughtheholeintheceilingawfullyfast.Toofast.Youhaveaterriblefeelingthatitisn’tJoanieorSidholdingontoyourankles.

You’repulledthroughtheopeningintheceilingontothesolid,hardfloor.Youliethere,eyesshut,tootiredandtoofrightenedtomove.

Butyoucan’tputitoffanylonger.Youhavetofindoutifit’sSidandJoanie.Youopenyoureyes.Nobody’sthere.

Youuntangletheropeladderfromaroundyourfeet.Thenyouhearafaintshufflingsoundbehindyou.

Youglanceback.Threekidswalktowardyou.Theyarewearingwhatlooklikebaseballuniforms.

“Hello,”youcall.Thekidsdon’tanswer,butkeepadvancing.Closerandcloser.

Thenyougasp.Thesearen’tordinarykids—they’recorpses!

TurntoPAGE90.

YouwatchLarry,D.J.,andBuddy.Youcan’thearwhatLarryisreadingfromthebook,butsomethingmustbefunny.Everyoneislaughing.

That’swhenyounoticetherabbits.

Rabbitssuddenlyseemtobeeverywhere.Theyarehoppingoutfrombehindastackofcartonsontheothersideoftheroom.OnelittlewhiterabbithopsrightontothebookinLarry’shands!

Larryyelpsandjumpsup,droppingthebook.Youhavetocoveryourmouthtokeepfromlaughingoutloud.Larrythebullyisafraidofacutelittlebunny!

Larry’snotlaughinganymore.Hescanstheroom.“Getthosefurrymonsters!”heshouts.D.J.andBuddyjumpupandbeginchasingtherabbits.

Theyareheadedrightyourway!

“We’vegottofindaplacetohide,”Sidhisses.

ButLarrydroppedtheMagicBook.Youspotitonthefloorrightwhereheleftit—unguarded.Thismightbethebestchancetogetitback.

Whatshouldyoudo?

Ifyouhideintheboxes,turntoPAGE70.

Ifyoumakearunforthebook,turntoPAGE52.

Asyounearthetop,youcheckthesandinthehourglass.Notmuchtimeleft.YougiveSidonelastshove.Hefallsforwardovertheedgeoftheopeningintheceiling.Youpullyourselfupandover,floppingontothefloorbesidehim.

“Notimetorest,”youtelltheothers.“Thesandhasalmostrunout.We’vegottofindMr.Knowledge.”

Assoonasyousay“Mr.Knowledge,”lightsflashon.Youarestandinginthebackofanothertheater.Adrumrollannouncesthattheperformanceisabouttobegin.You,Sid,andJoaniequicklyfindemptyseats.

Amaninadarkbrownsuitwalksonstage.Hepullsonhisthinmustacheandpeersattheaudience.

“Askmeanyquestion,”hesays.“Iknowalltheanswers.I’mMr.Knowledge.”

“What’sahenway?”someoneshoutsfromtheaudience.

Doyouknow?

Yes?GotoPAGE26.

No?GotoPAGE38.

Youarepulledthroughthedoorwayandintoglaringwhitelights.JoanieandSidtumbleoutafteryou.

Yougazeupatthecreature.Youstartlaughingwhenyourealizethefacethatscaredyouwasonlyagorillamask!

Themantakesoffhismaskandwinksatyou.He’sshortandbald.“Hadyougoingthereforaminute,didn’tI,pardner?”hesays.HesoundslikeyourcousinfromTexas.

Themandropsthegorillamaskonthefloorandpicksupagiantcowboyhat.That’swhenyounoticehe’sdressedheadtotoeinacowboyoutfit—jeans,cowboyboots,spurs.HehelpsJoanietoherfeet,thenshakesSid’shand.

“You’rejustintime,pardner,”hetellsSid.

“Intimeforwhat?”Sidasks.

“Intimeforsomerealfun,”thecowboyanswers.

Youglancearound.Youareonastagethathasbeendecoratedtolooklikeawesternranch.Balesofhayarestackedaroundafakebarndoor.Alargewoodenwheelpaintedred,white,andbluestandsinthecenterofthestage.

Whatkindofplaceisthis?youwonder.Thenyoufeelsomethingcoldandhardpressedintoyourback.

Aknife.

GotoPAGE86.

“Whydon’tweplayDraw?”youmanagetosay.YouusuallydowellatDraw,andit’ssaferthantryingtoplayagameyoudon’tknow.

Everyoneseemstoliketheidea.Ms.Cardsharpdoessomefancyshuffling.Thenshetakesacardfromthemiddleofthedeckandplacesitonthetableinfrontofher.Shepassesthedecktoherleft.

Thedeckofcardsispassedaroundthetable.Eachpersontakesacardandputsitfacedownonthetable.Thenthedeckofcardsreachesyou.Withatremblinghand,youpullacardfromthedeck.Youtakeadeepbreathandcrossyourfingersforluck.

Whatcarddidyoudraw?

Findadeckofplayingcards.Shufflethemandthen,withoutlooking,drawonecard.Putthecardfacedowninfrontofyou.ThentakeadeepbreathandturntoPAGE74.

Getreal!WhenhasJoanieeversaidanythingthatwasofanyhelp?

Areyouhavingagoodhairday?BecauseyourheadisgoingonpermanentviewintheMagician’scollection.

THEEND

“Let’sgototheclubhouse,”yousay.“Wemusthavesomethingthatwillwork.”Youleaveyourbikesatthemall.Sidcan’tridewithhishandslockedtogether.Luckily,yourclubhouseisonlyafewblocksaway.YoumadeitlastsummeroutofthetoolshedbehindSid’shouse.

Thethreeofyousneakintothetoolshed.Sidishandcuffed,andJoanieishidingastolenMagicBookinherbackpack.Youfigureyou’rebetteroffwithoutanygrown-upsaround.

“Okay,”yousay.“Let’sgettoworksettingSidfree.Onsecondthought,”youtease,“maybeweshouldkeephimaprisonerawhilelonger.”

“Wecanplaycopsandrobbers,”Joaniesuggests.“Wealreadyknowwhotherobberis!”

“Thatwon’tbeanyfun,”youjoke.“He’salreadycaught!”

“Comeon,guys,quitkiddingaround!”Sidwhines.“Thesehandcuffsaregettingtighter!Really!”

YouglancedownatSid’swrists.Yourealizehe’sright.Thecuffsarestartingtodigintohisskin.Theyweren’tdoingthatwhenhefirstputthemon.Couldtheybemagichandcuffs?

TurntoPAGE83.

“Hey,what’sgoingonoverthere?”It’sthevoiceofMr.Pool,theownerofthenearbyyogurtstore.D.J.liftshisfootoffyourhand.

“You’redead,”Larrygrumbles,pickinghimselfup.“We’reoutofhere,”hetellsD.J.andBuddy.“Bringthebook.”

D.J.yanksthebookfromyourhand.Severalpagesofthebooktearout.Youwatchthemfluttertotheground.

ThethreebulliesstrutawaywiththeMagicBook.

“Letthemhavethestupidbook,”Sidsays.

“Areyouallright?”Mr.Poolcalls.

“Fine,thanks.”Youstandupandwaveathim,andMr.Poolgoesbackintothestore.

Yougatherupthefourpagesthatarescatteredonthegroundinfrontofyou.

“Whatdoyouthinkthis…”Youstopspeakingandquicklyreadthroughthefirstparagraph.Silently.

Oh,no!Thisisterrible!YougazeoveratJoanieandswallowhard.

“What’swrong?”Joaniecries.“Youlooklikeyou’regoingtobesick.”

TurntoPAGE130

“I’lldothesawn-in-halftrick,”yousay.Atleastyou’veseenthistrickbefore.WhoknowswhataCabinetofSwordsis?

“Excellent!”TheMaskedManclapshishands.Thetablewiththelongboxonitrollstowardyou.Takingyourhand,theMaskedManhelpsyouclimbintothebox.

Youliedowninthehardwoodenbox.Yourheadsticksoutoneend.“SowhatdoIdo?”youask.YougazeupattheMaskedMan.Helooksawfullynervous.

“Leaveitalltome,”hetellsyou.Hetiesablindfoldoveryoureyesandplunksthelidonthebox.

“IfIcanjustrememberwhatI’msupposedtodo,”youheartheMaskedManmutter.

Youdon’tlikethesoundofthat!

“Hey!”youshout.Youpoundonthelid.“Ichangedmymind!Iwanttodotheothertrick!”

Butnooneanswers.Youlistenhard,tryingtofigureoutwhatisgoingon.

Thenyouhearthesharpteethofalargesawslicingthroughthelidofthebox!

TurntoPAGE135.

“Ican’ttellyou,”theMaskedMancontinues,“butIknowtwopeoplewhocan.”

HesnapshisfingersandJoanieandSidawakenfromtheirtrance.Theyglancearound,dazed.

“Whathappened?”Sidasks.

“TheMaskedManisgoingtotellushowtogetoutofhere,”youexplain.

“Good,”Joaniesays.“Becausethesandinthehourglasshasalmostrunout.”

Youholdupthetinyhourglass.It’sstillontheropearoundyourneck.Youhadalmostforgottenaboutit.ButJoanieisright.Thereisverylittlesandleft.Youaredowntominutesnow.

“Whocantellusthewayout?”youasktheMaskedMan.

“YoucanaskMr.Knowledge,”hetellsyou.“Heknowseverything,andheanswersallquestions.”

TheMaskedManpicksupapieceofropeandthrowsitintotheair.Theropestiffensthenrisesuptotheceiling.Itdisappearsintodarkness.

“Mr.Knowledgeisperformingupthere,”hesays,wavingattherope.“OryoucanaskMs.Cardsharp.Shewouldknowthewayout.She’splayingcardsrightnow.”

TomeetMr.Knowledge,climbtheropetoPAGE97.

IfyouwanttomeetMs.Cardsharp,gotoPAGE82.

YouarefrozeninfearasyouwatchtheMagician’shandgraspingthehourglass.

WhereistherestoftheMagician?youwonder.

Youdon’thavetowaitlongtofindout.Thecaperises,rises,rises,untilittowersoveryou.Thesilkyfabricslipstothefloor.

TheMagicianstandsbeforeyou,onehandholdingthehourglass.Hisotherhandshootsoutandgrabsyoubythethroat.

Youtrytoscream,butthewordsarechokedoff.TheMagician’sfingerssqueezetighterandtighter.Thehourglassdanglesinfrontofyoureyes.

Twograinsofsandleft.Andthenitwillbealloverforeveryone.

Youmuststopthosegrains.It’syouronlyhopeofdefeatingtheMagician.Youstruggleforairandreachforthehourglass.

Youmiss.Yourlungsareburning.Youareabouttopassout.Youhaveonemorechance.

Youlungeforthehourglass.Doyougrabit?

Closeyoureyes.Letyourfingerlandononeofthenumbers.Thengotothatpage.

77887788

“Wehavetograbthebooknow,”youurge,“whileLarryandhisfriendsarechasingtherabbits!”

Larry,D.J.,andBuddyracearoundtheleftsideofthestackofboxes.You,Joanie,andSidsneakaroundtherightside.Yougrabthebookoffthefloorandrun.

Whenyoureachthedoor,youglanceback.Larryandhisfriendsstilldon’tnoticeyou.They’retoobusytryingtocatchalltherabbits.

“Hurryup,”youwhispertoSid.“Openthestupiddoor.”

“I’mtrying,”hesays.“It’sstuckorsomething.”

You,Sid,andJoanieallpushyourweightagainstthedoor.

“Goingsomewhere?”avoicebehindyousays.YoustopshovingthedoorandturntofaceLarry.BuddyandD.J.standrightbehindhim.

D.J.andBuddysnicker.Youaretrappedbetweenthebulliesandadoorthatwon’topen.

TurntoPAGE102.

Thepathhasturnedintoaslithering,slimy,giganticsnake!

Youslideoffthebackofthesnakeanditrearsupitsheadandhissesatyou.Itsenormoustongueflicksatyou.Youstumbleoutofitsreach.

ThismustbethePathtoDoom.You’vegottogoback.Buthow?Thesnakeslithersaway.Yourushbackontothestonesofthepath.

Yourunfasterandfaster.Butyou’reconfused,you’velostyoursenseofdirection.AreyourunningbacktowardSafety?OraheadtoDoom?

Thenyouseeit.

Rightinfrontofyoustandsagiantscorpion.Hismouthisopen—waiting.

Yougocoldwithhorror.Youchokedownthefeelingofpanicinyourthroat.Thepathbelowyou,theoneyou’vebeenrunningon,iscoveredwithscorpiondrool.

TurntoPAGE121.

Whenyouroundthebackcornerofthefactory,youspotanoldwoodendoor.Butbeforeyoucantestit,youhearmusic.

Hip-hopplayingloudly.

“It’sthem,”youwhisper.“Quick!Let’shide.”Thethreeofyouduckbehindapileofoldtires.

Justintime!Larry,D.J.,andBuddystrollaroundthecornerofthebroken-downbuilding.D.J.takesalongswigfromasodacan.Thenhecrushesthecanandpitchesitintoanold,rustyDumpsternearthecanal.

AbiggrayratpokeshisheadoverthetopoftheDumpsterandthenleapsout.Theenormousrodentisfollowedbyanother.Thenanotherandanotherandanother.Gross!

Youholdyourbreathtokeepfromscreaming.ButLarryandhisfriendslaugh.Figures.They’reratsthemselves!

“Let’sgo,”Larryorders.YouwatchD.J.tosssomethinggoldtowardtheDumpster.Thentheygointheolddoor.Oncethecreepsareinsidethefactory,yousneakoutfrombehindthetires.

“IthinkD.J.threwtheMagicBookintheDumpster,”Joaniesays.

“No,hedidn’t,”Sidsays.“Theytookthebookinsidewiththem.Let’sfollowthem.”

TosearchtheDumpster,turntoPAGE120.

Tosneakintotheoldbuilding,turntoPAGE12.

YouhopetheCabinetofSwordswon’tbeasdeadlyasitsounds.

“Let’sgettowork,”theMaskedMancommands,clappinghishands.“Nowyoustandthere.”HeyanksSidtoonesideofthewoodencabinet.“Andyoustandrightthere,”heinstructsJoanie,pullinghertotheothersideofthecabinet.Thenhepassesahandoverherfaceandmuttersafewstrangewords.

Herexpressiongoescompletelyblank.

HedoesthesamethingtoSid.Sidstaresintospace—unmoving,unblinking.

“Wh-whatdidyoudotothem?”youstammer.

“It’sforthetrick!”theMaskedManinformsyou.“They’reundermyspell,ofcourse!”

Ofcourse.

“Whatkindoftrickisthis?”youask.

“You’llseerightnow!”TheMaskedManwaveshishandsoverhishead.SidandJoanieopenthedoorsofthetallcabinet.Insideyouseethebladesoftenswordsrunningfromonesideofthecabinettotheother.

Somehowyoudon’tthinkyou’regoingtolikebeingthisguy’sassistant.

TurntoPAGE124.

“MeetMr.LuckyLuck,”Ms.Cardsharpannounces.

Ashortmanwithbrightredhairenterstheroom.Hesitsdownatthetable.Heiswearingashirtcoveredwithfour-leafclovers.Rabbits’feethangfromhisbelt.There’sahorseshoearoundhisneck.

“MeetMs.NineLives,”Ms.Cardsharpshouts.

“Meow,”saysatallwoman.Sheisdressedlikeablackcat.Twocatearsstickuponeithersideofherhead.

“MeetMr.RamblerGambler!”

Atallmaninasparklinggoldsuitwalksintotheroomandtakeshisseat.Diamondssparkleonhisfingers.

“Well,that’sourlittlegroup,”Ms.Cardsharpsays.“Takeaseat,andletthegamesbegin.”Withthat,alltheotherplayerssitdownatthetable.

YouglanceoveratSidandJoanie.Theyeachgiveyouathumbs-upsign.Thatmakesyoufeelalittlebetter.Youpulloutachairandsitdown.

“Whatshallweplay?”Mr.LuckyLuckasks.“HowaboutKaboobie?I’mluckyatKaboobie.”

Uh-oh.You’veneverheardofKaboobie.Whatiftheyonlyplaygamesyoudon’tknow?

TurntoPAGE45.

YouwaitforJoanie’sanswer.“Idon’thavethebookanymore,”shefinallysays,hervoicetrembling.“IbroughtitbacktotheMagicShopinthemall.Ididn’twanttodisappear.”

Yourheartsinksintoyourtoes.Great,youthink,nowIhavetogettothemallandconvincetheMagiciantohelpme.AndI’llterrifyeveryoneIseeonthewaythere.

Butyoudon’tknowwhatelseyoucando.Youhurrytothemall.

“AAAAAAAhhhhhh!!!!”Awomaninsideahouseshrieks.Sheyanksdownthewindowshade.You’dbetterhurry.Withthiskindofreaction,youmightberunoutoftown!

Yousticktothealleyways,hopingtoavoidterrifyingtoomanypeopleoranimalsonyourwaytothemall.

Finallyyoureachthemall.YourushtotheMagicShop.

Andhavethescareofyourlife!

TurntoPAGE131.

Yourwholebodygrowswarm.Youbegintosweat.Youhavethestrangestfeeling—asifyouwereglowing.Andthensuddenlyyoufeelokay.Normal.

Butforsomereason,JoanieandSidarestaringatyouinhorror.

“Whatisit?”youcry.“Hassomethingterriblehappened?AmIgreenorsomething?”

Buttheydon’tansweryou.Insteadtheyleapoutoftheboxandrunawayfromyouasfastastheycan.Theydisappearbehindanotherstackofboxes.

“Joanie?Sid?”youcallafterthem.Youwonderwhatscaredthem.

You’llhavetofindthemlater.Rightnow,youhaveascoretosettlewithLarryandhispals.Youjusthopethespellworked!

TurntoPAGE91.

“Oops,”D.J.says,dumpingJoanie’sstuffoutofherbackpack.TheMagicBookfallstotheground.

“You’dbetterputeverythingback!”Joanieyells.

“Sure,”Buddyrepliessarcastically.Thenhegrabsoneofhernotebooksandbootsitintotheairlikeafootball.D.J.spotsthegold-coveredMagicBookontheground.Heleansdownandpicksitup.

“Givethatback!”youyell.YoutrytosnatchthebookoutofD.J.’shand.

“Wantit?”D.J.taunts.“Catch.”HethrowsthebooktoLarry.Thebooksailsoveryourhead.

“What’sthis?”Larryasksashecatchesit.

Larrymaybethedumbestpersoninschool,butevenLarrycantellthisbookisspecial.

“I’lljusttakethisbookwithme,”Larrysays.“Ifyouwantitback,itwillcostyoufiftydollars.”D.J.andBuddystartlaughing.

Withoutthinking,yourunatLarry.Youslamintohim.Theimpactknocksyoubothtotheground.ThebookfliesoutofLarry’shandontothepavement.Yougrabforit,stretchingoutyourfingersasfarastheycanreach.You’vegotit!

ThenD.J.’sbigfootcomesdownonyourhand.

Ouch!TurntoPAGE48.

“Wakeup!”Someoneisshoutingintoyourear.

Youopenyoureyes.Sidisstandingoveryou.

“Whathappened?”youask.“Wherearewe?”

“Idon’tknow,”Sidanswers.“Undergroundsomewhere?”

Youriseunsteadilytoyourfeet.YounoticeJoaniesittingonthefloor.Shelooksasifshejustwokeup.

Youglancearound.Thewallsoftheroomarepaintedblack.Awoodencoffinsitsonalowtable.Behinditisablackvelvetcurtain.

“Doyouthinkthere’sanotherbrickwallbehindthere,liketherewasbackattheMagicShop?”youjoke.

“Onlyonewaytofindout,”Sidsays.

Youwalkuptothecurtain,unsureofwhatmayhappennext.Beforeyoucanpartthethickfabric,threemendressedinredtightssomersaultintotheroom.

Theyreachthecenteroftheroomandbegintojuggle.Ballsflythroughtheair,fasterandfaster.Then,toyouramazement,theballsturnintoballsoffire.Oneofthejugglersturnsyourway—andthrowsaglowingfireballrightatyou!

Oh,no!Doyouknowhowtojuggle?

Ifyoucanjuggle,turntoPAGE17.

Ifyoucan’tjuggle,turntoPAGE28.

Youmoveclosertothedoorandlisten.

“It’sjustthesoundofthelocksonthedoorbeingopened,”youwhisper.

“That’salotoflocks,”Sidsays.“Whysomany?”

Beforeyoucananswer,thedooropensacrack.Awateryblueeyestaresoutatyou.Thedoorswingsopenwider.Anorange-hairedoldwomanstepsout.Shewearsbluesockswithhigh-topsneakers.Shehasayellowapronoverherflower-printdress.

“Hello,”shesaysinaraspyvoice.ShegazesatJoanie.“Whatacutelittlegirl,”shecomments,pattingJoanie’scurls.Joaniegivestheoldwomanoneofherbigsmiles.Theonewheresheshowsoffherdimplesandfluttershereyelashes.

“WhatcanIdoforyouchildren?”theoldwomanasks.

“We’refriendsofLarry’s,”youspeakup.“HesentustogetPattheRat.HehastotakePattothevet.”

Thewoman’seyessquintintotinypeaholes.Hermouthpinchestogethertightly.

What’sgoingon?Thewoman’sfacewrinklesupasifitisabouttoexplode.

GotoPAGE92.

You,Sid,andJoanieallhaveyoureyesgluedonthecupontheleft.YouholdyourbreathasMr.Knowledgeslowly,soslowly,liftsuptheleftcup.

Theredballrollsout.

“Wewin!”youcheer.You,Sid,andJoanieslaphighfives.“Now,Mr.Knowledge,howdowegetoutofhere?”

“Theanswerisintheredball.”Hehandsthesmallballtoyou.“Throwitagainstthewall,andtheanswerwillberevealed.”

Youhurltheballagainstthewall.Onimpact,theballsplattersintoredpaint.Thepaintrunsinalldirectionsuntilitmakesadoorway.

Youglancedownatthehourglass.Oh,no!Therearejustafewgrainsofsandleft!

“Runforthedoor!”youshout,pushingSidandJoanieforward.“We’realmostoutoftime.”

ThethreeofyoujumpthroughthereddoorwayandfindyourselvesbackinsidetheMagicShop.

“Wedidit!”Sidcheers.“We’rebackinthemall!”

Thenyouhearit.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

TurntoPAGE11.

Youlost.Yourcarddoesn’tbeatthekingofspades.

“It’sonlyacardgame,”yousay,risingfromthetable.“We’llfindourwayoutofhereonourown.”

“Notsofast,”Mr.RamblerGamblersayssharply.“YouhavetodowhatItellyou.Thatwastherule.That’swhyweallowedyouintothegame.”

Yousitdown.Youwon’tgobackonapromise.

Mr.RamblerGamblerleavestheroom.Whenhecomesbackin,heiscarryingarhinestonesuitandapaperbag.

“Thisismyfavoritesuit,”Mr.RamblerGamblertellsyou.“Eachandeveryoneoftheselittlerhinestoneshereneedstobepolished.Butdon’tworry,”headds.“Yourpalscanhelpyou.”Heemptiesthepaperbagonthefloor.Threebaby-sizedtoothbrushesandabottleofpinkliquidrollout.

“Isuggestyougetstarted,”Mr.RamblerGamblersays,handingyouthesuit.

Yougazedownatthesuitinyourhands.Theremustbe4,000rhinestonessewnontoit.

Thegrainsofsandinthehourglassaregoingtorunoutlongbeforeyouarefinishedcleaningthesuit.Youstartcleaning.YoualmostwishtheMagicianwouldhurryupandfindyou.Atleastthatwayyou’llcometoalessboring

END.

“Beforeweenduponthedinnermenu,”Sidinterruptsthejugglers,“canyoutakeoffthesecuffs?”

ThefirstjugglersomersaultsovertoSid.Hejiggleswiththecuffs.Theyclattertothefloor.

“Howdidyoudothat?”youask.WhenyouandSidtriedtounlockthehandcuffsitseemedimpossible.

“It’satrick,”thejuggleranswers.“Everythingisatrickhere.”

Suddenlyallthreejugglersfreeze.

“TheMagician,”theycrytogether.“He’scoming!”

Allthreedisappearinapuffofsmoke.

TurntoPAGE34.

ThegiantreachesoutforthebirdinSid’shand.Theguy’shandisasbigasSid’shead.

“Ismylittlebittlebirdieokay?”Thegiantmakeskissingsoundsatthebird.“I’mavanillaguest,”heexplains.“Iwaspracticingthrowingmyvoice.”

“Youmeanyou’reaventriloquist,”Joaniecorrectstheman.

Goodmove,Joanie,youthink.Getthegiantmad.

ThehugemanpeersdownatJoanie.

Uh-oh,youthink.Hereitcomes.

“You’recute,”thegianttellsJoanie.

“Iknow,”shereplies.Theysmileateachother.Youdon’tbelieveit!Joanie’scuteactisworkingonthisgrossguy.

“Canyoushowushowtogetoutofhere?”Joanieasks,flashingherdimples.

“Comewithme,”thegiantsays,takingJoanie’shand.

“Joanie,wait,”youcall.You’renotsureyoucantrustthisguy.

“DoyouwanttojustsithereandwaitfortheMagician?”Joanieasksyou.

“She’sgotapoint,”Sidadds.

Whatdoyouthink?

Shouldyougowiththeuglygiant?Ifso,turntoPAGE110.

Ifyouthinkitwouldbebettertowait,gotoPAGE67.

Youglancedownandseethatyourfeetarenolongertouchingthefloor.Youfloathigherandhigher.

TheMagiciansnapshisfingers.Youareturnedupsidedown,suspendedinmidair.Thenyoustartshakinglikeasaltshaker.

Everythingfromyourpantspocketsfallstotheground.WhentheMagicianissatisfiedthatyoudon’thavethebook,hedoesthesamethingtoSidandJoanie.Gumwrappers,markers,rubberbands,evenasandwichfallontothefloor.

“Youmusthavehiddenthebook,”theMagicianrealizes.

THUD!You,Sid,andJoaniedropontothefloor.

“Hey!”Joaniecomplains.“Thathurt.”Sherubsherbackside.

“Thatwasnothing,”theMagiciangrowls.Youhaveaterriblefeelingheistellingthetruth.

TheMagicianclapshishands,andatinyhourglassissuddenlyhangingfromaropearoundyourneck.“Thesandwillrunoutinexactlyonehour,”heexplains.“Ifyoufailtoreturnthebookinperfectconditionyouwilljoinmycollection.”

“W-W-Whatcollection?”youask.

Outofnowhere,agustofwindblowsasidethevelvetcurtainbehindthecoffin.Whatyouseemakesallthreeofyouscreaminterror!

Whatisbehindthecurtain?FindoutonPAGE113.

Youdon’ttrustthisguy.“Nooffense,butIthinkweshouldstayhere,”yousay.Youholdyourbreath,wonderingwhatthegiant’sreactionwillbe.

HeletsgoofJoanie’shandandstalkstowardyou.Youreyestravelup,up,uptohisgrossface.

Youdon’tbelieveit!Thereisatearstartingtotrickledownhisslimycheek.

“Youdon’twanttogowithme?”thegiantasksinatremblingvoice.“Youdon’tlikeme?”Heflingshimselfontothefloor.Hisshouldersshakeashewailsandmoans.

“Boohoohoohoo,”heweeps.

You,Sid,andJoanieexchangepuzzledlooks.“No,no,welikeyoualot,”yousay.“Reallywedo.”

Butit’snouse.Thegiantiscryingsohardhecan’tevenhearyou.Hugetearsrollontothefloor.Youaresoonknee-deepintears.

Thenchest-deep.

Nowyoucantastethegiant’ssaltytears.

You’regoingunder.Under.

Youstartcryingyourselfwhenyourealizethisis

THEEND.

YoudecidetoconfronttheMagician.Youpointtotheremainsofthebook.

TheMagicianstaresdownatthetornpages.Heletsoutadeafeningscream.Hisheadspinscompletelyaroundandsparksflyoffhisbody.

Youarefrozeninterror.

Hemovestowardyou,staggering,lurchingforward.Hisstiffhandsreachoutforyours.

“Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,”hesays,shakingyourhand.“BytearinguptheMagicBookofSpells,youhavereleasedmefromanevilcurse.”

“Idid?”yousay.

“Yes,youdid,”theMagiciancontinues.“NowIwilldosomethingforyou.Whatdoyouwant?”

“Iwanttogohome!”youtelltheMagician.“WithSidandJoanie.”Thenyouthinkofsomethingelse.YouwhisperyourrequestintheMagician’sear.

“Noproblem,”theMagicianassuresyou.

Hetapsyouwithhismagicwand.Aflashofgreenlightalmostblindsyou.Youblinkafewtimestoclearyourvision.

You’rehome!SidandJoaniewavetoyoufromyourfrontlawn.ThenLarry,D.J.,andBuddyhurrydownthestreet.

“Weweresoworriedaboutyou,”Larrysays.“Youknowyouareourthreefavoritepeopleinthewholeworld.”

THEEND

BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!

Theairsuddenlyturnsicycold.

Anoiseblaststhroughthewarehouse.Itissolouditknocksyoudown.Youfeelallsquishedtogether,likesomeoneputyouinablenderandpushedthemixbutton.

Whenyoustandup,yourealizethatyou’renolongerinsidethewarehouse.Infact,thereisnowarehouse!

There’snoemptylot.There’snoDumpster.There’snotevenanygroundinfrontofyou.Thereareonlytwonarrowstonepathsthatarchoverthenothingness.

WhatdidIdo?youwonder.YouglancedownatthepageintheMagicBook.Youreadthetitleofthespell.

“TheSpellforTwoPaths—OnetoSafety—OnetoDoom.”

YouexplainwhathappenedtoSidandJoanie.Youdon’tseeLarryandhisbuddiesanywhere.

“Sowhichpathdowetake?”asksSid.“WhichisthePathtoSafety?”

“Idon’tknow,”youanswer.“Therestofthepageistornoff.”

GotoPAGE107.

“Theboxes!”youcry.“Wecanhideintheboxes.”

Youquicklyopenoneofthehugeboxesyou’vebeenhidingbehind.Allthreeofyouscrambleinside.

YouhearLarryandhisfriendsstillchasingrabbits.Theysoundawfullyclose.Minutespass.

“Thisissooooboring.”Joanieletsoutalongsigh.“IguessI’llwriteinmydiary.”

Joanieunzipsherbackpack.Sheshiftsaroundthebooksandpapersuntilshefindsherdiary.

“Howcanyouwriteatatimelikethis?”asksSid.“Youcanhardlyseeinhereit’ssodark.”

Sid’svoicesoundsalittleshaky.

Joanietakesatinyflashlightoutofherpackandflicksiton.ItsfaintyellowbeamshinesdimlyonSid’sface.

“Uh-oh,”youwhisper.

What’swrongwithSid?

FindoutonPAGE31.

“IwanttousetheTerrifyingSpell,”yousay.“IfIcangiveLarryandhisbuddiesagoodscare,maybetheywon’tpickonmeanymore.”

Joanieflipstopage71intheMagicBook.Sheclearsherthroat.Youcanfeelalittletrickleofsweatrundownyourcheekasshebeginstoreadthespell.“Spmub.Esoog.Dooold.”Joaniecan’tkeepfromgigglingwhileshepronouncesthestrangewords.

Nothinghappens.

“Youdidn’treaditright,”youtellJoanie.“Stopgigglinganddoitagain.”

“Ireaditright,”sheinsists.“Howdoyouwantmetoreadit?Likethis?”

Joaniere-readsthespell.Onlythistime,shemakeshervoicesoundevilandraspy.

Notbad,youthink.Infact,itmusthavebeenverygoodbecausesomethingstartstohappentoyou.

TurntoPAGE58.

“Hey,Sid,”yousay.“DoyouthinkGrannyhasapetwolf?”

“Let’sjusthurryupandgetoutofhere,”Sidreplies.Hereachesforasack.“Theseweighaton,”hesays,staggeringundertheweight.“TellJoanietogiveusahand.”

ButJoanieisnowhereinsight.

“I’lllookforher,”Sidoffers.Hemakeshiswaythroughthejunkinthecellar.Butafterafewminutes,youdon’thearhimpokingaroundanymore.

“Si-id,”youcall.Noanswer.Whereiseveryone?“Ifthisisajoke,”youyell,“it’snotfunny!”

Youlookatthestackofbagsinfrontofyou.Thebigblacklettersonthesideofthebagstareupatyou.

Itcan’tbe,youtellyourself.Itcan’tbe!

Thebagdoesn’tsayWildWolfChow.ItsaysWerewolfChow.

Werewolf!Achillrunsdownyourspine.“Sid!Joanie!”youshriek.

ThenyouseeGrannyKapustaclimbinginthroughtheopenwindow.Herfaceandarmsandlegsarecoveredwithdarkhair.Twofangliketeethhangoutofhermouth.Shesnarlsatyou.

YouhaveaterriblefeelingyouknowwhySidandJoaniedisappeared.Andwhat’sabouttohappentoyou!

THEEND

Youpickthecupontheleft.

Thethreeofyouholdyourbreath,waitingtoseeifyou’recorrect.Somuchisridingonyourchoice.It’syouronlyhopeofescape.

Mr.Knowledgeliftsupthecupontheright.Noredball.Sofarsogood.

“Iwillgiveyouachancetochangeyourmind,”Mr.Knowledgeoffers.

Heplaceshishandontheleftcup.Youstareatit.

Istheredballunderthere?

Ifyouwanttochangeyourmindforthemiddlecup,turntoPAGE85.

Ifyouthinkyoushouldstaywiththeleftcup,turntoPAGE62.

Butterfliesdanceinyourstomachaseveryoneatthetableturnsovertheircards.

Ms.Cardsharpturnsoverthetenofclubs.

Ms.NineLivesturnsoverthejackofhearts.

Mr.RamblerGamblerturnsoverthekingofspades.

Mr.LuckyLuckturnsoverthefiveofclubs.

Yourcardisstillfacedownonthetable.Youareafraidtoturnitover.Onlyanacecanbeattheking.Ifyouwin,Ms.Cardsharpwillhavetotellyouthewayout.Ifyoulose,you’llhavetodowhateverthewinnersays.

Turnoveryourcard.Isitanace?Didyoubeatthekingofspades?

Ifyouwon,turntoPAGE104.

Ifyoulost,turntoPAGE63.

Forgetit!ThereisnowayyouaregoingtopayLarry$50forabookhestolefromyou.No,you’regoingtofindLarryandtakethebookbackfromhim.

“Larryandhisfriendshangoutattheoldchemicalfactory,”youtellSidandJoanie.“We’llgooverthere,sneakin,andstealthebookback.”

“Greatplan!”Sidcheers.Youcantellhe’stryingtomakeJoaniefeelbetter.“Whatarewewaitingfor?Let’smove!”

Thethreeofyoubiketotheedgeoftown.Whenyoureachtheoldbrickbuilding,youseethatmostofthewindowsareboardedup.Abatteredsignisnailedtothefrontdoor.ItreadsDONOTENTER.

“Howarewegoingtogetin?”Sidwhispers.

“Let’scirclearoundback,”yousay.

YoufollowSidandJoaniearoundthebatteredbuilding.Thebrickwallsarecrackedandcrumblinginplaces.Anoldmetalfireescapecoversonesideofthefactory.Andamurkycanalrunsbehindit.

Thewholebuildinggivesyouthecreeps.Yourparentsalwaystoldyoutostayawayfromthisplace.You’veevenhearditwashaunted.

TurntoPAGE54.

“Goahead,”youtellJoanie.“Useamagicspellonthedog.Butitbetterwork,”youadd.“Thisdogisabouttoattack!”

Joanieslipsforward.Thedog’seyesswitchfromyoutoher.Hismusclestense.HeshowsJoaniehissharp,yellowteeth.

JoanieholdsoneofthepagestornfromtheMagicBookinfrontofher.Shereadsthewordsinasoothingtoneofvoice.

Youwatchinamazement.Thedog’sgrowlsturnintolittlewhimpers.Hiswholebodyrelaxes.Heliesdownandrollsover.ThenhesitsupandholdsoutapawforJoanietoshake.

Joaniestartstocrossovertowardthedog.Youstopher.“It’satrick,”yousay.

“Ofcourseit’satrick,”Sidsays.Sidisclimbingintotheroom.“She’sreadingamagicspell.”

“Imean,”youexplain,“Idon’tbelievethatafewstupidwordscanturnaviciousdogintoapussycat.”

TurntoPAGE117.

Yougiveiteverythingyou’vegot.Youstretchyourarmoutsofaritstartstocramp.Then,usingeveryounceofstrengthyouhaveleft,youlungeforthehourglass.

You’vegotit!EverymusclestrainsasyouliftthecordandplaceitaroundtheMagician’sneck.Thehourglassdanglesunderhischin.

You’renottoolate.Youwatchthelastpieceofsanddropintothebottomofthehourglass.

TheMagician’sfacebeginstochangeinfrontofyoureyes.Hiseyesturnupinhisskull.Theskinonhisfacebubbleslikeoatmeal.

Yourealizethatthehandatyourthroathasrelaxeditsgrip.Ithasn’tletgoyet,butyoucantakedeeperanddeeperbreaths.Airfillsyourlungs,andyoubegintofeelstronger.

YoureachbackandswingyourfistattheMagician’sface.TheMagician’sheadtopplesoffhisshoulders,andbouncesaroundonthefloor!Joaniescreamsbehindyou.

ButtheMagician’sbodystillhasyourneckinapowerfulgrip!

TurntoPAGE4.

“Ithinkwe’dbettergivetheMagicianwhathewants,”youtellthem.

JoanieandSidnod.Yousighandwalkovertothecoffin.

Butwhenyouliftthelid,youdiscoverthebookhasdisappeared!

“It’sgone!”youshout.JoanieandSidrushovertothecoffin.Theypeerinside.

“Maybethere’sasecretcompartment,”Sidsuggests.

Youhearfootsteps.Theysoundasiftheyarecomingcloser.Andcloser.

“Doyouthinkit’stheMagician?”Joaniewhispers.

“Idon’tknow,butIsuredon’twanttofindout,”youtellher.“Let’shideinthecoffin.”

TurntoPAGE103.

Didyouscream?

Oh,no!Youdidscream.ThatwasthewarningsignalforJoanieandSid.Iftheyheardyou,theyarenowwalkingdowntheotherpath—therealPathtoDoom.

It’snottoolate,youtellyourself.Icansavethem.

“I’vegottosavemysisterandmyfriend,”youexplaintothescorpion.“I’vegottogoback.”

“Youcan’tdothat,”thescorpionwarns.“Lookbehindyou.”

Youdon’twanttolookbutyoumust.Slowlyyouturnyourheadaround.Yougasp.Thereisnopathbehindyouanymore.

Theroadhasvanished.Youarestaringatmistyemptyspace.

There’snowayback,youthink.There’snowaytowarnSidandJoanie.It’sallthefaultofthatstupidMagicBook.

Youpullthebookfromyourpocket.Youripoffthecoversandyankoutthepages.Youteareachpagetoshredsandthrowitontheground.

Thensomethingweirdhappens.Evenweirderthaneverythingelsethathashappenedtoday.

Greensmokerisesupfromthetornpages.Youwatchwithfascination.Thinwispsofsmokespiralupwardaseachpieceofpaperburstsintoflames.

Thegreensmokeformsitselfintoashape.Whatisit?Whatishappening?

HurrytoPAGE133—ifyoudare!

Youstareattheglisteningbladeoftheguillotine.Youcan’ttearyoureyesaway.ThenyounoticeSid.Heistakingstrangestiffstepstowardtheterriblemachine.

“Sid!”youcry.“Whatareyoudoing?”Yourushoverandgrabhisarm,buthedoesn’tstop.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

YouwhirlaroundandglareattheMagician.“Stoplaughing!”youscream.“Whatdidyoudotohim?”YouseeJoanietremblinginthecorner.

“Heisinmypower,”theMagicianboasts.“Thereisnothingyoucando.”

YoushakeSid,hard.Helookslikeazombie.Hiseyesareglassyandhehasthesameblankexpressiononhisfaceasthosegruesomeheadsstaringatyoufromthecabinet.

ThetrancemusthavemadeSidstronger.Heeasilyshakesyouoff.Heliesdownandplaceshisheadundertheterribleblade.

“NO!Sid,no!”YouglanceatthehourglassdanglingfromtheMagician’shand.Onlyfivegrainsleft.Timeisrunningout.

You’vegottodosomething.Youcan’tstandhereandwatchyourbestfriendgethisheadchoppedoff!Butwhat?

TurntoPAGE95,beforeit’stoolate!

Chillsrundownyourspine.Thatscreamsoundedasifsomeonewerebeingtortured.

Thethreeofyoustandperfectlystill.Anotherloud,horriblehowlscreechesfromsomewhereaboveyou.Thensilence.

Youdon’tlikewhatyouhearnext.

Footsteps.Andtheyareheadedyourway.

“Shouldwegoback?”Joaniesqueaks.

Butyouhavenotimetodecide.Adooropensattheotherendofthesteps.Afaceappearsinthedoorway.

Aterrifyingface.Afacewithslitswhereeyes,nose,andmouthshouldbe.Longblackstringyhairsticksoutaroundthefaceandhangsdownontothecreature’sshoulders.

YoubackupintoJoanie,whostumblesintoSid.

“Ouch!”

“Getoff!”youhearbehindyou.Nochanceofescapethatway.

Alargehandreachesoutandgrabsthefrontofyourshirt.

“Help!”youcry.

Hurry!TurntoPAGE44.

“WechooseMs.Cardsharp,”yousayenthusiastically.“Iloveplayingcards.I’machampion.”

“Atwhat?”Joaniesays.“GoFish?”

Youignorethatremark.

“Goodchoice,”theMaskedMantellsyou.“Ifyouwin,Ms.Cardsharpwilltellyouanythingyouwanttoknow.”

Somethingoccurstoyou.“WhatifIlose?”youask.

“Thenyoumustdowhateverthewinnerwants,”ishisresponse.

I’lljusthavetomakesureIwin,youtellyourself.

TheMaskedManknockstwiceonthefrontoftheswordcabinet.Thedoorswingsopen.TheMaskedMangesturesforyoutostepinside.JoanieandSidclimbinbehindyou.

Thedoorcreaksshut.Thecabinetbeginstospinroundandround.You’regettingverydizzy.Sidislookingprettygreen.Ifthetwirlingdoesn’tstopsoon,you’regoingtothrowup!

TurntoPAGE39.

Ifthosehandcuffshaveaspellonthem,you’dbetterprythemoffquickly.Whoknowswhatcouldhappen!

Yougatherupsometoolsandgettowork.Youinsertneedlenosepliersintothelinksofthehandcuffs.Yousqueezethehandleashardasyoucan.Theydon’tbudge.

“Howaboutifwesmashthelock?”Joaniesays.Shehandsyouahammer.Sideyesitnervously.

“Carefulwiththat,”hecautionsyou.

“Justdon’tmove,”youinstruct.“Pullyourhandsasfarapartasyoucan.”

Siddoeswhatyoutellhim.YouseeabeadofsweattrickledownSid’sforehead.Thenhecloseshiseyes.Youtakeaimandbringthehammerdownashardasyoucan.

SMASH!

Diditwork?

FindoutonPAGE115.

Youcannotmoveamuscle.Youarefrozenstiff.GrannyKapustapriestheglassofmilkfromyourhand.Youwatchherbutyoucan’tdoanything.Youcan’tevenblinkyoureyes.

Themilk.Theremusthavebeensomethinginthemilk!

GrannyKapustahurriestothecabinetandtakesoutabigpot.Thepotmatchestheonealreadyboilingonthestove.Next,sheputswater,salt,andpepperinthepot.Shehumsasshecooks.

“Iwasalloutofkidneys,”sheexplains,“whenthethreeofyoushowedupatmydoor.NowIhavesixfreshones.”

Youlisteninhorror.Thistimewhenshesaidkidneys—yourealizedshewassaying“kids’knees.”

THEEND

Youaretotallyconfused.

“It’suptoyou,Sid,”yousay.“Ihavenoidea.”

“Theredballisundertherightcup,”Sidinsists.

YoulookatMr.Knowledge’sface,hopinghisexpressionwillgivesomethingaway.Buthisfaceremainsablank.

“Allright,”yousay.“We’llgowiththecupontheright.”

Mr.Knowledgerestshisfingerslightlyontheright-handcup.Heisabouttoliftitupwhenheturnstoyou.“Areyousure?”heasksquietly.

Thisistorture.Ofcourseyou’renotsure,butyoudon’tfeelanymoresureaboutanyoftheothercups.Youcan’twaitanylonger.

“Therightcup!”youshout.Let’sjustgetthisoverwith,youthink.

Thecupontherightisslowlylifted.

Didyoupickthecorrectcup?

FindoutonPAGE10.

Youpeeroveryourshoulderatthecowboy.

“Standaside,kid,”thecowboysays,flashingtheknifebladeatyou.“You’reinmylight.”

Youdon’tneedtobetoldtwice.“Sorry,”youmumble.Youtakeafewstepsback.

Thecowboystridestowardcenterstageandpositionshimselfinfrontofthewheel.Hetossestheknifeintotheairandcatchesitbehindhisback.Thenhetossesitupandcatchesitwithhiseyesshut.Joanieapplauds.

“My,whatacutelittlegirl,”thecowboysaystoJoanie.“Wouldyouliketoseeanothertrick?”

“Sure,”Joaniesays.Sidnods.Youdon’tthinkyoueverwanttoseeanothertrickinyourlife.

“Takeyourseats,takeyourseats,”thecowboycommands,wavingSidandJoanietowardfoldingchairsatthesideofthestage.Thenheturnstoyou.

Youhaveaterriblefeelingthatyou’vebeenchosentobepartofthecowboy’sact.Rightyouare!Thenextthingyouknow,thecowboyisstrappingyoutothewoodenwheel.

“Youberealstill,”thecowboyinstructs.“Nowiggling.”

Nowwhat?youwonder.

FindoutonPAGE128.

Mr.Knowledgebeginstomovethecupsaroundthetable.Hestartsslowlyatfirst,thenhishandsmovefasterandfaster.Heswitchesthemiddlecupwiththerightone.Thenhemovestheleftcupintothemiddleoftheothertwo.Thecupnowontheleftandthecupnowontherightareswapped.

You’regettingdizzywatchinghishandsmove.

“Whereistheredball?”Mr.Knowledgeasks.“Ifyouanswercorrectly,Iwilltellyouwhatyouwanttoknow.”

Ifyouthinktheballisunderthecupontheright,turntoPAGE85.

Ifyouthinktheballisstillunderthemiddlecup,turntoPAGE15.

Ifyouthinktheballisunderthecupontheleft,turntoPAGE73.

Yougiveitallyou’vegot,butyourgraspfallsjustshortofthehourglass.

“Joanie,”youmanagetogasp.“Helpme.Useanotherspell.”

Asyouslipinandoutofconsciousness,youhearJoaniereadingsomething.Butyoudon’tunderstandthewords.

Youreyesclose.Youareabouttopassoutwhenyoubecomeawarethattheroomisfullofpeople.YoufeeltheMagicianyankedawayfromyou.Youreyesflutteropen.

Youcan’tbelievewhatyousee!

TheMagicianisbeingstuffedintothecabinetbydozensofattackers—attackerswholookexactlylikeyou!

“Joanie!”youshout.“Whatdidyoudo?”

Shebitesherlip.“Ithoughtitwouldbeagoodspell.”Sheholdsoutthepageforyoutoread.

MultiplyYourStrength.

ItlooksasiftheMagicianhasbeendefeated.Assoonasthecabinetdoorclicksintoplace,itdisappearsinapuffofsmoke.Theother“yous”turnandgazeatyouexpectantly.

Itisaveryweirdfeeling—tobestaredatbydozensoffacesidenticaltoyourown.Whatareyougoingtodowiththem?

“Great,”Joaniegrumbles.“Asifoneofyouwasn’ttoomany.”

THEEND

Youarebeingridiculous.Hereyescouldn’thavechangedcolor.Itmusthavebeensometrickofthelight.Youheadintothekitchen.

Theweirdsmellisstrongestinhere.GrannyKapustashufflesovertothestoveandtakesthecoveroffabigpot.Shepicksupalargewoodenspoonandstirstheboilingmixture.Thensheglancesoverhershoulderandwinksatyou.

“Howaboutaglassofmilkbeforeyouleave?”sheasks.“Maybeafewcookies.”

“Sure,”Sidanswersquickly.Thatfigures!Sidisalwayshungry.

WhileGrannyKapustagetsthemilkandcookies,youlookaroundthekitchenforPattheRat.Youhearthemetalbarsofacagebeingrattled.Thesoundiscomingfromunderthekitchentable.

Kneelingdown,youreachunderthetable.Yougrabthecageandpullittowardyou.

Youcan’tbelievewhatyousee!

TurntoPAGE126.

Youstifleascream.Thecorpsekidskeepcomingtowardyou.Youstareattheminhorror.Rottingfleshfallsfromtheirbones.Theirsunkeneyesstareoutoftheirskull-likeheads.Theyshuffletoastoprightinfrontofyou.

“Wha-whatdoyouwant?”youstammer.

“You,”oneofthecorpsesanswers.

Youbackupalittle.Youreyesdartaround,searchingforaquickexit.

“Waitaminute,”someonesays.It’sSid.

“Sid!”youshout.“Whereareyou?IsJoanieallright?”

“Stopyelling,”Joaniesays.“We’rerighthere.”

JoanieandSidstepoutfrombehindthethreecorpses.

“Theyaskedustoplayontheirbaseballteam,”Sidexplains.“Theyneedthreemoreplayers.”

“Wejoinedtheirteam,”Joaniesays.“They’reevengoingtoletmeplayfirstbase!”

Youcan’tbelievewhatyouarehearing.Thisisawful!

“Sid,”youcry.“Itrustedyou!Howcouldyouletthishappen?”

Sidhangshishead,embarrassed.Heknowswhatyouareabouttosay.

“Ialwaysplayfirstbase!”

THEEND

YouwonderwhereLarry,D.J.,andBuddyare.Theymusthavecaughtalltherabbits,sincethefurrycreaturesarenotrunningaroundanymore.

Youhearnoisesbehindsomeotherboxes.

“Letgoofher!”Sidshouts.

“Leavemealone!”ThatwasJoanie.LarryandhispalshavecorneredJoanieandSid!TimetotestthisTerrifyingSpell.

Yourushovertothestackofboxes.Larryhashishandsclenchedintofists.D.J.andBuddyaresneering.JoanieandSidcowerinfear.Youcan’tbelieveLarryandhisfriendsaretoostupidtonoticethatJoanie’searsandfingersaremissing!

“Hey,youjerks!”youshout.“Leavethemalone.”

Larryturnsatthesoundofyourvoice.TheTerrifyingSpellmusthaveworked.Youwatchhisfacegocompletelywhite.Hiskneesactuallybeginknockingtogether.

D.J.faints,andBuddycovershisfacewithhishandsandstartscrying.SidandJoaniealsogazeatyouinhorror.

“Let’sgetoutofhere!”Sidexclaims.HegrabsJoanie’shand,andtheyraceoutofthefactory.

“Youwimps!”yousaytothethreeterrifiedbullies.“Don’teverbotherusagain.”

“W-w-wewo-won’t,”Larrystammers.

Thattakescareofthat,youtellyourself.Youwalkoutofthefactorysmiling.Butyoudon’tsmileforverylong.

TurntoPAGE96.

“Aaa-choo!”

Theoldwomansneezes.Shepullsahandkerchieffromherpocketandblowshernoseloudly.

“Myallergies,”sheexplains.“ComeinquicklyorI’llbesneezingalloverthethreeofyou.”

You,Sid,andJoaniefollowthewomanintothehouse.

“I’mLarry’sgrandmother,”thewomantellsyou.“GrannyKapusta.”

“LarryinsistedwebringPatrightaway,”Sidsays.

“ThatsoundslikemyLarry.”GrannyKapustalaughs.“Alwaysinahurry.”Shepushesthethreeofyoudownahallway.Hard!

She’salotstrongerthanshelooks,youthink.

“Comewithme,”sheorders.“LittlePattyhasbeenkeepingmecompanyinthekitchen.I’mmakingspaghettiandkidneymeatballsfordinner.”

Kidneymeatballs?Gross.Thatmustbewhatthatweirdsmellis.

GrannyKapustagivesyouanotherhardshove.Sohardyoustumbletothefloor.

TripovertoPAGE23.

Youdecidetoclimbuptheropeladdertosafety.Butitisalotharderthanyouthoughtitwouldbe!

Sidiswaitingtohelpyou.Youcan’tseehisface,buthishandsreachdownthroughtheholeintheceiling.

Theclimbgetsharderandharder.You’removinguptherope,butonlyaninchatatime.Yourhandsbegintoache.Yourarmmusclesfeellikemush.

“Trytoswingyourfootuphere,”youhearawhisperfromabove.“Ifwecangrabholdofyourfoot,wecanpullyouup.”

Youhavenoextrabreathtoanswer.Theropefeelslikeitisonfire.Yourshouldermusclesburnandyourfingersstarttocramp.

You’vegottotrytoswingyourfootup.Youcan’tclimbanylonger.You’reexhausted.

Slowlyatfirstthenharderandharder,youswingbackandforthwiththerope.Youkickyourlegsuptowardthehole.

Justwhenyouthinkyouareabouttodropoff,youfeelahandgrabyourankle.

Youdidit!You’resafe!

TurntoPAGE41.

Thedog’stoothyholdhasstrengthenedbut,strangely,itdoesn’thurt.Thisisoneweirddog,youthink.YoutakeacloserlookattheGermanshepherd.Youkickyourlegagain.That’swhenthedogstops.

Juststops.

Itreleasesyourleg.Youhearawhirringsound.Thedog’seyesflashtwice.Thenhetipsover,feetintheair.

Youreachoutafingerandlightlypokethedog.Noreaction.

Youpatthedog.Noreaction.

YouglancebackatSidandJoanie.Joanieshrugshershoulders.Sidraiseshiseyebrows.

“Woof!”youbarkinthedog’sear.Noreaction.

Thenyounoticesomethingonthedog’sstomach.Somethingstrange.

Asilverwind-upmechanism.

It’samechanicaldog!It’sjustlikeatoydogonlybigger.SidandJoanieclimbthroughthewindow.Sidsetsthedogbackupright.Thethreeofyourollonthefloor,laughing.

Joaniekneelsinfrontofthedogandpatsitsnose.

Youstoplaughing.Yourmouthdropsopeninshock.

You’vejustnoticed—Joanie’searshavedisappeared!

RushtoPAGE27.

“We’llgiveyouthebook!”youshout.“Juststopthehourglass.AndreleaseSid!”

TheMagicianturnsthehourglassonitsside.Heplacesitonthefloor.Youarerelievedtoseethegrainsofsandstopflowingthroughthenarrowopening.

“Youcan’t!”Joanieshrieksatyou.“Youcan’tgivehimbackthebook.He’sevil.He’lluseittodoevilmagic.”

Youignorewhatshesays.Youpullherbackpackoffhershoulders.Thebucklesopenunderyourfingers.Yougrabthebook.

“Bringithere,”theMagiciancommands.

“Ican’twatchyoudothis,”Joaniesays.Shesitsbyherbagandturnsherbacktoyou.

Youclutchthebookclosetoyourchestwithbothhands.Youtaketeenytinybabystepsacrosstheroom.

“Quitstalling!”theMagiciandemands.Youcrosstheroomandstandinfrontoftheevilman.

TheMagiciansnatchesthebookfromyourhands.Abigsmirkappearsonhisface.Butitsoonturnsintoagrimace.

“BadHareDay,”theMagiciansputters,readingthetitleofthebookoutloud.

GoontoPAGE119.

Everyoneandeverythingfleesinterrorasyoupassby.Dogsbark,childrenscream,andcatshiss.

What’sgoingon?Youglanceatyourreflectioninastorewindow.Youexpecttoseeahideousmonster.

Insteadyoulookasyoualwaysdo.Nothingisdifferent.Sowhatmakesyousoterrifying?

Thestoreownerspotsyouandquicklyboltshisdoor.Youhavetodosomethingfast.YoumustfindJoanieandhaveherreversethespell!

Youhurryhome.That’swhereyouthinkJoaniewillbe.

Butwhenyoutrytoopenthedoor,youdiscoverit’schain-lockedfromtheinside.“Joanie,”youcallthroughthecrackinthedoor.“It’sme!Letmein!”

“Goaway!”Joanieshrieks.Youpeerthroughthetinyopening.Joanieiscoweringunderthedining-roomtable.

“It’sjustthespell,”youexplain.“Assoonasyouremovethespell,youwon’tbescaredofmeanymore.”

“Goaway!”Joaniescreamsagain.Thisisgoingtobeharderthanyouthought.Thenyougetanidea.

“Okay,Joanie,I’llgoawayifyou’llgivemetheMagicBook.”Youcantakethespelloffyourself,youfigure.“I’llevenstandallthewaybythecurb.Youcanjustslidethebookthroughthecrackinthedoor.Okay?”WillJoaniedoit?

TurntoPAGE57.

YoudecidetoaskMr.Knowledgethewayout.Butfirstyouhavetoclimbuptherope.

“Youwantmetoclimbupthatrope?”Sidasks.“Noway!I’mtheonewhogetspickedlastingymforeveryteam.”

“Comeon,”yousay.“Atleastyoucantry.JoanieandIwillhelpyou.I’llgiveyouaboostuponmyshoulders.”

“It’seasy,”JoanieassuresSid.Shescramblesuptheropeanddisappearsintothedarkness.Thisdoesn’tseemtomakeSidfeelanybetter.

YoukneeldownandletSidstandonyourshoulders.Slowly,slowly,youstandup.Yourkneeswobble.

“Nomoresupersundaesforyou,Sid,”yougasp.“Youweighaton.”

“That’sright,”Sidsays.“Teasemeaboutmyweight.”

“Aw—forgetit,”yousay.“Justclimb.”

Sidmanagestoputonehandovertheotherandclimbsuptherope.Assoonasheliftsoffyourshoulders,youscurryupbehindhim.“Youcandoit,Sid,”youencouragehim.

Butcanhe?

TurntoPAGE43.

JoanieopenstheMagicBooktopage98.TheSpelloftheGenie.Shereadstheweirdwordsthenwaits.

Baboom!

Youareshakenoutofyourboxjustintimetoseethedoortothewarehousecrashinward.Agiantenterstheroom.Heissotall—overeightfeet—thatheneedstobendhisheadtoenterthedoorway.

Andheissougly—bigboilscoverhisfaceandarms.Hairgrowsoutofhisnoseandears.Theonlyreasonthatyouhaven’trunawayisbecauseyou’retooscaredtomove.Yourfeetfeelgluedtothefloor.

“Whocalled?”bellowsthegiant.“Anditbetterbeforagoodreason.”

GotoPAGE109.

Yougazeatthedog.Canyougobackoutthewindowbeforethesnarlinganimalhasyouforlunch?

Youtenseyourmuscles,gettingreadytosprint.Thewindowisonlyfourfeetbehindyou,youtellyourself.Youcanreachitbeforethemean-lookingdoginfrontofyoutakesabigchunkoutofyourbackside.

You’reabouttomakeyourmovewhenJoaniestepsupbesideyou.

“Icantakecareofthis,”sheannounces.Inherhandisoneofthetorn-outpagesfromtheMagicBook.“I’mgoingtocastaspellonthedog.”

Thegrowlingdogisabouttoattack.Youhavetodecidequickly!

Ifyouwanttorunforthewindow,turntoPAGE116.

IfyouthinkJoaniecancastaspellonthedog,turntoPAGE76.

Joaniepullsthemagicwandoutofthefishbowl.Youwaitforsomethingterribletohappen.

Nothing.

“It’sneatthewaythewanddisappearswhenIstickitinthefishbowl,”Joaniedeclares.Shestirsthewateragain.“IcanfeeltheMagicBookwhenIstir,butIcan’tseeit,”sheadds,pullingthewetwandoutofthewater.

Sheputsthewandintothebowlathirdtime.Shestirssohardwatersplashesovertherim.

“Joanie,wehaveto—”

Younevergetachancetofinishwhatyouweregoingtosay.Youhearabubblingsoundcomingfromthefishbowl.Thengurgling.ThenWHOOSH!Watergushesoutofthefishbowl.YouglanceatSid.Hestaresattherushingwater.

Joanieshrieksanddropsthewand.Waterpoursontothefloor,risingquickly.Thepaintedfishcometolifeandstartswimmingintheknee-deepwater.

Nowyourecognizewhatkindoffishtheyare.

Man-eatingpiranha.

Piranhaaren’tchoosy.Theydon’tmindbeingkid-eatingpiranha.

Thisisdefinitely

THEEND.

Youdecidethecoffinisthebestplacetohidethebook.Yourunovertoitandtrytoliftthelid.Itwon’tbudge.

“Helpme!”youyelltoJoanieandSid.“Maybetogetherwecanpryitopen.”

JoanieandSidrushovertothecoffin.Gruntingandgroaning,thethreeofyoutugontheheavylid.Itgivesaninch,thentwoinches.Enoughtoslipthebookinside.Thenthelidsnapsshut,almosttakingyourfingerswithit.

Justintime!Asoundbehindyoumakesyouwhirlaround.Youseeablackhattoppleofftheshelfacrosstheroom.Ablackcrowfliesout.Itcirclestheroom,thenlandsonthecoffin.Youwatch,stunned,asthecrowturnsintotheMagician.

“Youthreemeddlingchildrenhavetakensomethingofmine.Iamheretogetitback.”TheMagician’svoiceechoesthroughouttheroom.Hetakesasteptowardyou.“Whichoneofyouhasmybook?”hedemands.

“Welostit,”yousayquickly.

“Don’tyoudarelietome!”Thewholeroomseemstoshakewiththesoundofhisvoice.“Liesmakemeveryangry.Youdon’twanttoseemewhenI’mangry,”theMagicianwarns.

TheMagicianpointsatyou.Sparksflyfromhisfingers.Whatishedoingtoyou?

HurrytoPAGE66.

Larrytakesasteptowardyou.Youwaituntilhestickshismeanfacerightuptoyours.Thenyoukickhimintheshins.Ittakeshimtotallybysurprise.

Larryyelpswithpain.Hehopsaroundononefoot.Helooksreallysilly.

SidandJoaniestartlaughing.Thismakesyoufeelgood.

UntilyouseeD.J.andBuddyclosinginonyou.

Youknowthethreeofyouarenomatchforthethreeofthem.Youglancedownatthebookinyourhands.Itgivesyouanidea.

You’llputaspellonthem!

Larrystopshoppingandstartscomingtowardyouagain.Youholdthebookinfrontofyouandbegintoread.

“Ibinmaterdosgribbendatter!”youshout.

Everyonefreezes.Youcontinuetoshoutthenonsensewordsonthepageinfrontofyou.

Nothinghappens.

“Ibinmaterdosgribbendatter,”yourepeat,overandover.

“Ibinmater!”Larryshouts.“Ibinmater.Youthinksomedumbwordsaregoingtosaveyou?”BOOM!!

TurntoPAGE69.

You,Joanie,andSidclimbintotheemptycoffin.Thelidclicksshutaboveyou.Thethreeofyouaresquashedtogether.

“Watchyourelbow!”Joaniesnaps.

“Hey,thatwasmyeye!”Sidcomplains.YougetamouthfulofJoanie’shair.

Youarestartingtosweat.Youfeelasifyou’regoingtosuffocate.Youhavetogetsomeair!

Youplaceyourfeetononesideofthecoffinandpush.Youtrytocreatesomespacebetweenyou,Joanie,andSid.Yourshoulderspressagainsttheoppositesideofthecoffin.Youhearaloudclick.

“Whatwas—?”SWOOSH!Thebottomofthecoffinpopsopenandyouaresuddenlyslidingdownametalchute.Fasterandfaster,tumblingoverandover.

Thechutecomestoasuddenend.Youcrash-landontothehardfloor.JoanieandSidhitthefloornexttoyou.

“LookfortheMagicBook!”yousay,jumpingup.

JoaniespotstheMagicBooklyingonthefloorbyatallwoodencabinet.Justasshereachesforit,amanstepsoutfrombehindthecabinet.Hisfootlandssquarelyonthebook.

TurntoPAGE112.

Thisisit.Youcan’tstallanymore.Everyoneiswaitingforyoutoturnoveryourcard.

Youcan’tlook.Youflipoverthecardwithyoureyesclosed.

Youhearloudgaspsatthetable.

“Hooray!”youhearJoanieshout.

“Youdidit!”Sidcheers.

Youdidit?Youreyesopenwide.Youlookdownatthecardinfrontofyou.

It’sanace!Youwon!

“Yes!”youcry.Youjumpupfromyourseat.JoanieandSidthrowtheirarmsaroundyou.Thethreeofyoujumpupanddown.

“Ididit!Ididit!”youchant.

Nooneatthetableismoving.

“Bigdeal,”Ms.Cardsharpsaysflatly.“We’replayingFiveHundredCardDraw.Youhavetodoitfourhundredninety-ninemoretimes!”

THEEND

YoustareatthecoverofthelittlegoldbookJoanieholdsinherhand.TheMagicBookofSpellsiswritteninfancywritingacrossthecover.

“Oh,wow,”yousay.“Larryandhisfriendshavebeenreadingyourdiary.”

“Andtheywerelaughing!”Joaniewails.

“Butwhatabouttherabbits?”Sidasks.“IfLarrydidn’thavetheMagicBook,wheredidallthoserabbitscomefrom?”

“Look,”yousay,pointingtothewordsonthecardboardbox.O’CONNOR’SPETSHOP.

“WehavetheMagicBook,”Sidsays,“solet’sgetoutofhere!”

“Buthow?Larryandhisgangofjerkswillstillwanttojumpus,”youremindhim.

Joanieopensthebook.“Ithinkweshoulduseaspell,”shesays.“It’stheonlywaywe’llescape.”

Youhatetoadmitit,butJoanieisprobablyright.

“Okay,”youtellher.“Butwhichspell?”

Joaniereadsthetableofcontents.“IthinkweshouldusetheSpelloftheGenie,”shesuggests.

“Waitaminute,”Sidsays,readingoverhershoulder.“HowabouttheTerrifyingSpell?”

IfyouwanttousetheSpelloftheGenie,gotoPAGE98.

IfyouchoosetheTerrifyingSpell,turntoPAGE71.

AlookofhorrorcomesoverJoanie’sfaceasshestaresatwhereyourhandshouldbe.Hereyeswellupwithtears.

“Hereitis,”youexclaim.Youpokeyourhandoutofyoursweater.“Gotcha!”Youdoubleover,laughing.

“Youhaveareallysicksenseofhumor,”Joaniemutters.Shesticksouthertongueandstompsaway.

“Hey,nowweknowthebookwon’tbeseenifweputitinthefishbowl,”youtellSid.“Eitherthefishbowlorthewatermakesthingsinvisible.We’dbetterputthebookinsomethingtokeepitfromgettingwet.Butwhat?”

Sidreachesintohispantspocketandpullsoutaplasticbag.Ithashalfofapeanutbuttersandwichinit.Heremovesthesandwichandstuffsthewholethingintohismouth.“Hereyougo,”hemumbleswithhismouthfull.

YoutaketheBaggiefromSidandslipthebookinside.ThenyoudroptheBaggieintothefishbowl.

Joaniecomesupbesideyou.Shepicksupashortblacksticksittingontheshelfandtapsitonthefishbowl.

“Whatdoyouthinkthisis?”sheasks.

“HowshouldIknow?”yousnap.“Maybeit’stheMagician’smagicwand.Quitplayingwithit.”

Joaniesticksthewandintothebowlandstirs.

Oh,no!Maybesheshouldn’thavedonethat!

TurntoPAGE100.

Joaniegrabsthebookfromyourhand.

“Theremustbesomeclue,”shesays.YoustareatJoanie.Sheisstillfading!Herhandsarebarelyvisible.Italmostlooksasifthebookisfloatingintheair.

“There’snotimeleft,”yousay.“We’vegottogetthebooktotheMagicShopbeforeyoudisappearcompletely.”

Youhaveaplan.It’sasimpleplan.Butitjustmightwork.Andit’stheonlywaytosaveJoanie.

“I’lltakeonepath,”youexplain.“Ifyouhearmescream,thetwoofyoutaketheotherpath.Thatwillbemysignal.”

Youstandbetweenthetwopaths.“Bringthebookwithyou,”Sidsays.“Maybeitcanhelp.”

Youstareatthetwoidenticalstonepaths.Whichoneshouldyoutake?

Allyouhavetogoonisluck.Istodayaluckyday?

Thatdependsonthedayyouarereadingthisbook.

Iftoday’sdateiseven,taketheleftpath.TurntoPAGE111.

Iftoday’sdateisodd,takethepathontheright,andturntoPAGE129.

YouarepositivesomethingJoaniedidwasthecluetoyourescape.Butwhatwasit?

Youretracehersteps.Sidfollowsrightbehindyou.Whenyoucometoanabruptstop,Sidbangsintoyou.

“I’vegotit!”youcry,jumpingupanddown.

“What?”Siddemands.“You’vegotwhat?”

“Joanie,youarefantastic!”Youswoopovertoherandplantabigkissonherhead.Shestaresupatyou.

“Wh-wh-whatdidIdo?”shestammers.

“WhenJoaniethrewherfit,shestampedherfoot,”youexplain.“Itmadeahollowsound.Thatmeanstheremustbeatrapdoorunderneaththisspotonthefloor.”

Thethreeofyouquicklyrollbacktherug.Thereitis—ashinymetallatchinthefloor.Yourkeytofreedom!

Thetrapdooropenswithacreakandagroan.Youcanseethetopofasetofstairs.Awaveofdamp,musty-smellingairrisesupthesteps.

“Comeon,”yousay.Youleadthewaydownthestairs.

“Ican’tseeanything,”Joaniecomplainsbehindyou.

“Shush,”youwhisper.“Wedon’tknowwhatwe’llfinddownhere.”

That’swhenyouhearit.Abloodcurdlingscream.

GoontoPAGE81—ifyoudare!

“Icalledyou,”youmanagetosay.“Weneedhelpescapingfromhere.Wewanttogohome.”

Thegiantgenieopenshismouthandletsoutablastoflaughterthatsendsyouhalfwayacrosstheroom.

“You’vecalledthewronggenie,”shoutsthehugegenie.“I’mtheEvilGenie.Humansserveme.”

Thegeniereachesdownandpicksyouup.Heneatlytucksyouunderhisarm.HeissoenormoushecanfitJoanieandSidunderhisotherarm.

“Youwillsoongetusedtoyournewhome,”hegrowls.“Iliveinacastlefarfromhere.Youwillcleanthecastle,rakethehay,chopthefirewood,andherdthecows.OfcourseyouwillalsocookmymealsanddoanythingIsay.”

Thegenieshoutsastrangecommand.Theroombeginstofadeaway.

Well,youwantedawayoutofthefactory.

Nowyou’llhavetofindawaytoescapefromthegenie!

THEEND

“Okay,”youtelltheothers.“Let’sgetoutofhere.”

Thegiantopensatrapdoorinthefloor.HepullsJoaniethroughit.Sidfollowscloselybehind.

Youpeerintothedarkholeinthefloor.Adampsmellmakesyournosecrinkle.Youseecrookedstepsleadingdown.

Youhopethiswasn’tamistake.

Youclimbdownthesteps.Youfindyourselfinadarktunnel.Moldandcobwebsclingtotheroughwalls.Theothersarefaraheadofyou.Youhavetofollowthesoundsoftheirvoices.

Youfinallycometoanopendoorway.Youglanceinside.Youaremetwithaweirdsight.Sidissittingonthegiant’sknee.There’sanotherkidsittingonthegiant’sotherknee.Theugliestkidyou’veeverseen.

Butyoudon’tseeJoanieanywhere.What’sgoingon?

RushintotheroomonPAGE5.

Youtakeonestepontotheleftpath.Youstopandglancearound.Sofarsogood.Nothingterriblehashappened.

Yougatherupyourcourageandcontinuetowalk.Butslowly.Veryslowly.Yourhandsareclenchedintotightfists.

Youscanahead,lookingforsignsoftrouble.Youseesomeone—shestandsonthepathinfrontofyou.Sheiswearingasilkywhitedress.

Sheiswavingherhandatyou.Sheistryingtotellyousomething.Youcan’tquitehearher.

Youhurrytowardher.

“Thisisthewrongpath,”shesayssweetly.

Thewrongpath!Herwordsechoinyourears.Youtrynottopanic.Yourbodyturnscold,thenhot.

You’vegottotrytoturnaround.Youhavetorunback,butyourfeetwon’tmove.

Ahugeblacktentaclewrapsaroundyourankles.Thetentaclescomefrombeneaththewoman’sdress.

Youhearahigh-pitchedlaugh.Thebeautifulwoman’sfacedissolvesintoamassofworms.

Yourheartstartspoundingandyoucanscarcelybreathe.Tentaclessnapforwardandwraparoundyourchest.Theystarttosqueeze.Andsqueeze.

TurntoPAGE13.

Themanistallanddressedinasequinedwhitesuit.Hewearsabluemaskthatcovershalfhisface.YoucantellhehasnoideaheisstandingontheMagicBook.

Youwanttokeepitthatway.

“Welcome,welcome,welcome,”theMaskedMansays.“Areyoumynewassistants?”

“Uh,why,yesweare,”yousay.YouglanceatJoanie.Shegivesyoualittlenod.ThenyouwinkatSid.Hewinksback.Heunderstoodyourplanimmediately.

YouapproachtheMaskedManandshakehishand,pullinghimoffthebook.“Nicetomeetyou,”yousay,walkinghimtowardSid.YouglancebacktoseeJoaniegrabtheMagicBookandslipitintoherbackpack.

“Oh,good,”theMaskedManreplies.“Icanneverseemtokeepassistants.Nowcomealong.”

TheMaskedManleadsyouovertoalowtable.Youdon’tlikewhatyousee.Onitisalong,gleamingswordandaverysharpsaw.Alongboxliesonatablenearby.

“Whichtrickwouldyouliketodo?”theMaskedManasks.“TheCabinetofSwords?Orwouldyouratherbesawninhalf?”

Youdon’tlikethoseoptions.Buthe’swaiting.Choose!

Tobesawninhalf,turntoPAGE49.

TryyourluckintheCabinetofSwordsonPAGE55.

Youwereright.Behindthecurtainisabrickwall.Butthere’ssomethingelse,too.Awoodencabinetwithrowsofglassshelves.Andontheshelvesareheads.

Humanheads.

You,Sid,andJoaniestandfrozeninfear.Youcan’ttearyoureyesawayfromthehorriblesight.Twelveshrunkenhumanheadsstarebackatyou.

“Youmonster!”youshout.YouforceyourselftofacetheevilMagician.

Buthedisappearsthroughthebrickwall.Again.

Youhavetothinkofsomething.Youreallydon’twanttohaveyourheadshrunk.Youdon’tevenwanttoseeJoaniegetherannoyingheadshrunk.

“Nowwhat?”Sidasks.

“Let’sgivebackthebook,”Joaniesays.

“Idon’tthinkweshould,”Sidargues.“Hemightnotletusgoafterwegivehimwhathewants.Thatbookisouronlyassurancethathewon’thurtus—atleastforanhour,”headds,glancingatthehourglass.

“Butifwedon’tgivehimthebook,he’lltakeourheadsforsure!”Joaniecounters.Theyturntoyouforadecision.

IfyouthinkyoushouldgivethebookbacktotheMagiciannow,turntoPAGE78.

Ifyouthinkyou’llhavebetterluckbyhangingontothebookandtryingtofindawaytoescape,turntoPAGE36.

“Joanie,don’tmove!”Youracetoherside.YourmomwillbefuriousifyouallowedJoanietochopoffherfinger.Youforceyourselftolookdownatyoursister’shand.Youhopeyou’llbeabletostandthesightofallthatblood.

Joanieslowlypullsherhandfromtheguillotine.Shegrinsupatyou,wavingallfivefingers.

DoyoustrangleJoanienow?TurntoPAGE25.

Ordoyouuseeveryounceofstrengthandtrytoignoreyourlittlesister’stricks?TurntoPAGE6.

“Ohwell,”Joaniesighs.“Ithoughtitwasagoodidea.”

ThehandcuffsarestillonSid’swrists.

Sidstandsuptosearchforothertools.Hetripsoverabox.Hefallstothefloor—andthehandcuffssnapfree!

“Doyoubelieveit?”hesays,holdingouthisarms.

“Thecuffsmustopenautomaticallyifyoufall,”youreply.“Let’sgetbacktothemallsowecanreturnthehandcuffsandthebook.”

“Andgetourbikes,”Joanieadds.

You,Sid,andJoaniehurrybacktothemall.Youarejustabouttoenterthroughthemaindoorswhenyouhearavoicebehindyou.“Well,lookwho’shere.Thenerdpatrol.”

It’sLarryGreen.LarryGreenistheschoolbully.Thisyearhehaschosenyouashislatestvictim.

“Goaway,Larry,”yousay.Youtrytosoundcool.“Wedon’twantanytrouble.”

BuddyandD.J.,Larry’sonlytwofriends,stepoutfrombehindsomeparkedcars.

“We’recollectingforcharity,”Larrytellsyou.

“Yeah,”D.J.sneers.“Eachofyougivesusadonation.”

“Onlyifyoucanspelldonation,”youjoke.ThismakesD.J.mad.HegrabsJoanie’sbackpack.

Oh,no!TheMagicBookisinthere!

TurntoPAGE59.

Joaniehastakenyoucompletelybysurprisewithhergoofyidea.“Areyoucrazy?”yousnap.“Ouronlychanceistorunforthewindow.”

Beforeshecanarguewithyou,yougrabJoanie’ssweaterandshoveheraheadofyou.Youracetothebrokenwindow,pushingherhard.Joaniejumpsoutontothefireescape.

You’resoclose.Youstretchyourarmforward.Yourfingersgrabthesill.Youhaveonefootovertheedge.

Bam!Theweightofthedoghitsyou.Hispowerfuljawsclampshutaroundyourrightleg.Thedogyankshard,draggingyoubackwardintotheroom.

Yourfingernailsscratchonthedustyfloorasyoudesperatelytrytoresistthepullofthedog.Butit’suseless.There’snothingtoholdonto,nothingtograb.

Youtwistandturn,hopingtowrenchyourlegfree.Thisseemstomakethedogangry.Itsnarlsthroughclenchedteeth,clampingdownharderonyourleg.

TurntoPAGE94.

“Thedoglooksfriendlynow,”youwarn,“butaminuteagohewasreadytotakeachompoutofme.”

“Ithinkthespellworked,”Sidsays.

“Me,too,”Joanieagrees.Younoticethedogeyeingyou.

“Maybeyoushouldreadthatspellagain,”youtellJoanie.“AndSidandIwillfindoutifthedogisreallyourfriend.”

“Goodidea,”Sidsays.

YouandSidslowlyapproachthedog.Youplaceyourselvesoneithersideofhim.“Nicedoggie,”yousay.

Joaniereadsthemagicspelloveragain.YoureachouttopattheGermanshepherd.

Youfeelthestrangestsensation—asifyou’reshrinkinginsideyourskin.Yourbodybeginstoshake.Youfalltothefloor.Yourolloverafewtimes,thensitbackonyourheels.

Oh,no!No!No!No!YoulookoveratSid.Thesamethingishappeningtohim.WhatspelldidJoanieread?

Joaniestandsoveryou.Hereyesarewidewithshock.Thepaperinherhandfallstotheground.

Youreadthefirstline—

SpelltoTurnOneIntoaPlayfulDog.

THEEND

Youreyesadjusttothesemidarkness.Youquicklydiscoverthetwoglowingeyesbelongtoamean-lookingGermanshepherd.Itbaresitsteeth.Alow,threateninggrowlcomesfromitsthroat.

Thisisnotafriendlydog.

Youtrytoremainabsolutelystill.Yourmomalwaystoldyouthatdogscansmellfear.“Uh,nicedoggie?”youmanagetosay.Thehugedoggrowlsagain.

Slowly,veryslowly,youglanceoveryourshouldertoseewhatSidandJoaniearedoing.

Joaniehasalreadyfollowedyouinthroughthewindow.Nowsheispressedupagainstthewall.Sidisstilloutsideonthefireescape.Hiseyesarewidewithfear.

“Backup,”hecallsouttoyou.“Youcanmakeitthroughthewindow.”

You’renotsosure.Thewindowlooksawfullyfaraway.

TurntoPAGE99.

“Thisisnotmybook!”theMagicianthunders.

“Now!”youshouttoJoanie.Shejumpstoherfeet.InherhandistherealMagicBook.Joaniehadbeenwaitingforyoursignal.Whileyouwerestalling,shewassearchingforamagicspellthatmighthelpyou.

“Nopraeetpaslanook,”Joaniepronounces.

“Huh?”yousay.YoudoubtthenonsenseshejustreadwillstoptheMagician.

“Nooooo!”theMagicianroars.Hishandsflyupashetriestocoverhisears.Joanierepeatsthestrangewords.

Amazing!Thespellseemstobeworking.

“Nooooo!”theMagicianwailsagain.Hewrapshimselfentirelyinhiscape,asifhehopesitwillblockoutthesoundofthespell.Heiscompletelyhiddeninsideit.Thenthecapedropssilentlytothefloor.

TheMagicianhasvanished.

Didthespellwork?Thatdepends.Istodayyourluckyday?TheMagicBooksaysMonday,Wednesday,andFridayareluckydays.

Ifyou’rereadingthisonaMonday,Wednesday,orFriday,turntoPAGE134.

Ifyou’rereadingthisonaTuesday,Thursday,Saturday,orSunday,gotoPAGE24.

YoudecidetosearchtheDumpster.IfD.J.threwawaytheMagicBook,thenyoucangrabitandgetoutofthisspookyplace.Whenyou’resureLarryandhispalsareinside,you,Sid,andJoanieruntotheDumpster.

Somehow,you’reelectedtogointotheDumpster.YousteponanoldmilkcrateneartheDumpsterandthrowonelegoverthemetalside.Youhangontotheedge,gazingatthemoundoftrash.

Yuck.Wadsofslimypaperssmearedwithgreasystainsclumptogether.Moldyfoodcontainersandbananapeelsrotinpiles.Gross-lookingthingsyoucan’tevenidentifyarescatteredamongboardsandplasterhunks.

Thesmellisoverpowering.TherottinggarbagemusthavebeenintheDumpsterfordays.Youtrytoholdyourbreathasyoudropontothedisgustingheap.

“DoyouseetheMagicBook?”SidyellsfromoutsidetheDumpster.

“Notyet,”youreply.“Waitaminute.”Youkickawaysomejunk.“IthinkIseesomethingwithagoldcover.”

Youdigthroughthetrash.Thereitis!YoucanseetheMagicBook.Itislyingbetweentworustyoldmetalcans.

Youkneeldownandreachbetweenthetwocans.Thetrashshiftsunderyou.Youmakeadesperatelungeforthebook.

TurntoPAGE29.

Thegiantscorpionwhipshistailbackandforth.Youknowevenaregular-sizescorpionhasadeadlysting.

“Areyougoingt-t-toeatme?”youstammer.Yourvoiceshakeswithterror.

“YES,IAM,”shoutsthescorpion,lungingtowardyou.

Yourlegsturntorubber.Youdidn’tthinkhewouldreallyansweryou!Thisscorpiontalks!

“Justkidding,”hegrowls.“I’mgoingtosaveyou.Where’sthatcutesisterofyours,andthechubbyboy?Ithoughttherewerethreecoming.”

“Youmeanthisistherightpath?”youmanagetoask.It’shardtobelievethisisthePathtoSafety.Giantsnakesandhugetalkingscorpionsdon’tmakeyoufeelverycozy.

“Yes,indeedy,”thescorpiongrowls.“YouareontheScorpionSafetyway.Hadyoufooled,didn’tI?”

“Ye-yes,”yousay.“IthoughtforsureIwasascorpionsnack.”

“Everyonedoes.”Thescorpionsnickers.“That’swhytheyallscream.”

Scream?DidIscream?youwonder.

TurntoPAGE79.

Joaniesuddenlyclutchesyourhand.Hard.

“Joanie,”youwhisper.“Whatisit?What’swrong?”

“It’s—it’s…”Shecan’tseemtospeak.Sheshovesherdiaryinyourface.

“Idon’twanttoreadyourdumbdiary,”youtellher.“It’sjustfullofallthatstupidjunkyouwrite.”

Sheshovesthediaryatyouagain,onlyharder.

“Stopit,”yousayfirmly.“Idon’thavetimeforthis.I’mtryingtothinkofawayoutofhere.”

You’rebeginningtogetangry.WhydoesJoaniealwayshavetoactlikesuchajerk?Sidisabouttoexplode.LarryandhisfriendshavetheMagicBook.It’sbeginningtolookasifthere’snowayoutofthismess.

Joanie’svoicebreaksintoyourthoughts.

“Thisisn’tmydiary!”shecriesout.“It’stheMagicBook!”

FliptoPAGE105.

You,Sid,andJoaniehavenotroublefindingLarry’shouse.Helivesinawhitehousewithgraytrim.Thegrassinfrontofthehouseisneatlycutandtwobarrelsofbrightredgeraniumsguardthestepstothefrontporch.

“AreyousureLarryliveshere?”Sidjokes.“Thislookslikeaplacewherenormalpeoplelive.”

Sid’sright,everythinglooksnormal.Butyoucan’thelpwonderingwhyyouhavesuchbutterfliesinyourstomach.

Youwalkupthestepstothefrontdoor—thenhesitate.Relax,youtellyourself.Yourplanisgoingtowork.Youknockonthefrontdoor.Youcanhearfootstepsinside.

“Justaminute,”yellsthepersoninthehouse.Frominsidecomesaslowscrapingsoundasifsomeoneweredraggingsomethingacrossawoodenfloor.Again—silence.

Click!Click!Snap!Click.Swish,click.

“What’smakingthatnoise?”Joanieasks.

Ifyouwaitaroundtofindout,turntoPAGE61.

IfyouthinkenteringLarry’shouseisadangerousidea,gotoPAGE9.

YouwatchasJoanieandSidsilentlypulleachswordfromthecabinet.Theyplacethemonthelowtablewiththeothergleamingsword.Whenalltenswordsareremoved,theMaskedManwaveshishandsagain.Hepronouncessomemorestrange-soundingwords.SidandJoaniepushyouintothecabinet.Youhearalocksnapshut.

Silenceanddarknesssurroundyou.Thisisworsethanbeingsquishedinthecoffin.AtleastthereyouhadSidandJoanieforcompany.

Andyouweren’twaitingtofindoutwhatthoseswordsweregoingtobeusedfor.

Youdon’thavetowaitlong.Somethinghardandcoldslidesinfrontofyourankles.Youpeekdown.

Yikes!It’sthelongbladeofasword.Andtherearetenmoretogo!

Oh,no!GotoPAGE30.

“Greatshop,Mr.Magician.”Youuseyourmostpolitevoice.Maybethatwayhewon’tbeangryaboutSidandJoanieplayingwiththetricks.

“Yeah!Coolstuff,”Sidpipesup.HereachesouttoshaketheMagician’shand.Whatajerk!Hemusthaveforgottenhewashandcuffed!

TheMagicianpeersdownatSid’swrists.Youhearalowrumblethatgraduallyturnsintoacreepylaugh.

“Sid’ssorryabouttryingthehandcuffs.”YouelbowSidsothathe’llputonhismostsorryface.Hedoes.

“Butwereallyhavetogethome,”youcontinue,“soifyoucouldgetthekey…?”

“Key?”TheMagicianbringshisfacedirectlyinfrontofyours.Younoticelittlewispsofsmokeescapingfromhiscollar.Thisisgettingtooweird.

YouglancearoundforJoanie.Adultsusuallygoforhercuteact.Maybeshecan“cute”theMagicianintogettingthekey.

YoufeelSidtuggingonyoursleeve.Youturnbackaround,buttheMagicianhasvanished.

Wheredidhego?

TurntoPAGE8.

PattheRathasdoubledinsizesinceyoulastsawhim!

WhathasLarrybeenfeedinghim?youwonder.

Youstareatthehugegray-and-whitecreature,nowaboutthesizeofaloafofbread.Hislonghairlesstailswitchesbackandforth.

“IseeyoufoundlittlePatty-cake,”GrannyKapustasays,standingoveryouwithaglassofmilk.

Youstandup,holdingontoPat’scagewithonehandandtakingtheglassofmilkwiththeother.JoanieandSidarealreadysittingdownatthekitchentable.Platesofcookiesandhalf-emptyglassesofmilksitinfrontofthem.

“Comeon,guys,”yousay,“I’vegotPat.Weshouldbegoing.”

“Drinkyourmilk,”Grannysays.“Havesomecookies.”

Youtakeasipofmilktobepolite.“Comeon,Joanie,getup,”yousay.ButJoaniedoesn’tmove.NeitherdoesSid.Theystareblanklyahead.

That’swhenyounoticeyourlegsarebeginningtogonumb.

TurntoPAGE84.

Withasharpjolt,youstopfalling.Yourfootiscaughtortangledinsomething.You’reupsidedownhangingbyonefoot.Whenyourheadstopsspinning,youpeerupatwhatsavedyourlife.

It’saropeladderthatsomeonemusthavehungfromtheholeinthefloor.You’resuspendedfromtheceiling,hanginghalfwayintotheroombelow.

“Areyouokay?”Sidwhispersaboveyou.

“I’mfine,”youmutterback.Butyourfootisstartingtohurt.Andhangingupsidedownismakingyoudizzy.

Anditwon’tbelongbeforeLarry,D.J.,andBuddyspotyou.

“Quick!Climbbackup,”Sidsays.

Butthebookisdownthere,youthink.AndI’malreadyhalfwaydown.

Youdon’thavemuchtimetodecide.Justtaketheeasierroute.Butisiteasiertogouparopeladderortogodownone?

Ifyouthinkitwillbeeasiertogoup,gotoPAGE93.

Ifyouthinkitwillbeeasiertogodown,gotoPAGE20.

Youwatchthecowboypickupfourdeadlylookingknives.

Nowyouknowyoudon’tlikethis.

“Excuseme,”youbegin.Butyouaresofrightenedthatyouhavetroublegettingthewordsout.

Thecowboydoesn’thearyou.Hetakesthreeknivesinhislefthand.Theotherknifeheaimsdirectlyatyourhead.

THWANG!Theknifethudsintothewoodnexttoyourleftear.Thatwasclose.

THWANG!Asecondknifecutsintothewoodnexttoyourrightear.Thatwasevencloser.

“Hey!Waitaminute!”Yourvoicecomesoutasasqueak.THWANG!Thethirdknifethudsrightaboveyourhead.

“Andnowforthegrandfinale,”thecowboyannounces,“Iwillspinthewheel.”Hestridestowardyou.

“Letmeoffthisthing!”youshout.Butthecowboyignoresyourprotest.Hesmilesatyou,graspsthesideofthewheel,andgivesitasharpyank.

Roundandroundyouturn.Thecowboytakesaimwiththelastknife.

“Noooooo!”youwail.Youcan’tlook.Youshutyoureyes.

HoldyourbreathuntilyougettoPAGE35.

Yougatherupyourcourageandstepontothepath.Youlooktotheright—nothing.Youlooktotheleft—nothing.

Youcontinueforward.Yourealizethatyou’reholdingyourbreath.It’smakingyoudizzy.

Takeafewdeepbreaths,youtellyourself.

Youcontinuetowalk,tryingnottothinkaboutwhatcouldbeaheadofyou.

Theroadhadbecomeslickanduneven.Itfeelsasifitisshiftingunderyoursneakers.

Youlookdown.Thestonesinthepatharetiny,shiny,andslippery.Infact,thepathdoesn’tlooklikeapathanymore.Itlooksmoreliketheskinofa—

Ofagiantsnake!

RacetoPAGE53.

Youhavenochoice.Youhavetotellher.

“It’snotgood,”youwarnJoanie.Yourvoicetremblesasyoureadtheterriblewordsaloud:“‘Thepersonwhotakesthisbookwillhaveonehourtoreturnitordisappearfromthisworldcompletely.’”

Thethreeofyoustareateachotherinsilence.

“I’mgoingtodisappear?”Joanieasksfinally.

“Don’tworry,”youtellJoanie.“You’renotgoingtodisappear.It’sjustastupidprank.”

Joanierunsherhandnervouslythroughherhair.Youwatchhereyeswideninterror.Sheletsoutapiercingshriek.

“It’strue,”shecries.“Iamgoingtodisappear.”

Sheholdsherhandinfrontofyourface.Herfingertipsaregone!

“We’llgetthebookback,Joanie,”youpromise.“Wejustneedaplan.”

Youfigureyouhavetwooptions.Youcouldtrytoraisethe$50andbuythebookfromLarry.OryoucouldfollowLarryandtrytostealbackthebook.

Whichshouldyoudo?

Ifyouwanttostealbackthebook,turntoPAGE75.

Ifyouwanttobuybackthebook,gotoPAGE14.

TheMagicShop!It’sgone!

Youstareattheemptyspotinfrontofyou.ThereisnosignthattheMagicShophaseverbeenthere.

WithouttheMagicianandtheMagicBook,youwon’tbeabletobreakthisTerrifyingSpell.Youaregoingtobethiswayforever.

Maybeyoucanbecomeastarinhorrormovies—whereeverythingisascream!

THEEND

“Thebirdcage,”youdecide.

“Goodidea!”Sidgrabsthebookandracesacrosstheroom.Hestickshisfingerintothebirdcage.

“Don’tbescared,littlebird,”hecroons.“I’mgoingtoopenyourcageandputsomethinginside.”

“Hurryitup,”youurge.“TheMagiciancouldbehereanyminute.Anddon’tforgettoputthebookunderthepaperlininginthecage,”youadd.“Wedon’twantbird‘doo-doo’alloverthebook.”

“Stupid!”

“OfcourseIwasgoingtocoverthebook,”Sidsnaps.“Youdon’thavetocallmestupid.”

“Ididn’t!”youdeclare.Butifyoudidn’t,whodid?

“Youidiot!”

“Okay,”youcry,“whichoneofyoucalledmeanidiot?”

“Dummies!”

“It’sthebirdtalking!”Sidexclaims.YouandJoanierushovertothebirdcage.

“Saysomethingelse,birdie,”Joaniecoaxes.Sidopensthecageandslipshishandinside.

That’swhenyouhearanewvoice.

“Iwouldn’tdothatifIwereyou!”

TurntoPAGE19.

Youwatchthegreensmokeasitcontinuestotakeform.Yourmouthopenswiderandwiderinawe.

Ahumanfaceappearsatthetopofthesmoke.Afaceyouknow.

TheMagician.

He’scomeforhisbook.Well,it’stoolate.Thebookisinshredsaroundyourfeet.

Sothisisthefinalshowdown.Whatshouldyoudo?

Ifyouletthescorpionfinishhimoff,turntoPAGE16.

IfyouconfronttheMagicianyourself,turntoPAGE68.

Thisisyourluckyday.

AssoonastheMagiciandisappears,Sidwakesupfromhistrance.HeandJoanieraceforthedoor.

Youstandoverthecape,staringatit.

It’sstrangetothinkhowfrightenedyouwere,onlymomentsbefore.Anditwasthiscapethathadyousoscared.Youpickthecapeupoffthefloor.Itissosmoothandsilky,youhavetowrapitaroundyou.

Itfeelsgood.Youknotthestringsunderyourchin.Yougazedownatthebeautifulfabric.Youbegintoturn,thenyoutwirl—fasterandfaster.Youlovethewaythecapefloatsoutbehindyou.

“Hey,comeon,”Joaniecallsfromthedoorway.

“Let’sgetoutofhere!”Sidadds.

Youturntowardtheirvoices.Punychildren.Theyarenothingbeforeyourgreatpower.Youknowwhatyoumustdo.

Yousnapyourfingers.Behindyouthecabinetdooropens.YouwatchSid’smouthdropopen,andJoanie’seyesgrowwideinterror.

“Yourheadswillbeperfectformycollection,”youtellthem.Theguillotinerollsfartherintotheroom.

YouhavebecomethenewMagician.

THEEND

Youpoundharderonthebox.

“Help!”youshout.“Getmeoutofhere!”

Theteethofthesawslicebackandforth,backandforth—inchesfromyourstomach.

Youcan’ttakeitanymore.Youpassout.

Whenyouopenyoureyes,youarestillinthebox.Yourblindfoldisoff.Youtouchyourstomach.Stillinonepiece.Andthereisn’tanybloodorpain.Justanoddticklingsensation.

Iguessitreallywasjustatrick,youtellyourself.

Youcanhearapplause.“Thatwasagreattrick!”youhearJoaniesay.

“Reallycool,”comesSid’svoice.

Thelidislifted.TheMaskedManpeersdownatyou.

“Allrightinthere?”heasks.

“Youbet!”Youclimboutofthebox.

Andimmediatelyfallover.

What’swrong?

FindoutonPAGE21.

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHISBOOKFROM

BEGINNINGTOEND!

“Don’tgointhebasement!”yourauntwarnsasyoustartagameofhide-and-seekwithyourtwohorriblecousins.

Doyoulisten?Noway!

Butwhileyou’rehidinginthebasement,yourstomachgrumblesandgrowls.Youopenanoldrefrigeratorandfindajarofpurplepeanutbutterandastalechocolatecake.Whichshouldyoueat?Watchout:ASMALLtasteofoneofthesefoodscouldcauseBIGtrouble—youmayneverbethesameagain!

You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthescareswillbe.

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

SOTAKEALONG,DEEPBREATH,CROSSYOURFINGERS,ANDTURNTOPAGE1TOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

Youcan’tbelieveyourparentsdidthistoyou!

YourmomanddadareofftoEuropeonabusinesstrip.SoyouhavetospendthesummerinFiskevillewithAuntFionaandUncleHarvey.WhichmeansspendingthesummerwithyourcousinsBarneyandDora.

Whichmeansasummeroftorture.

Barneyisayearolderthanyouandabully.Doraisayearyoungerandawhinypest.Notwhatyouhadinmindforyoursummervacation.

Youstareglumlyoutthecarwindowasyourauntanduncledrivehomefromtheairport.AuntFionaturnsaroundinthefrontseatandbeamsatyou.“BarneyandDoracan’twaittillwebringyouhome,”shesqueals.

I’llbet,youthink.Bad-NewsBarneycan’twaittopoundmeintotheground.DoratheDragcan’twaittoropemeintoplayingwithherdolls.

UncleHarveypullsthecarintoadriveway.Youstareatthehouse.It’stwostorieshighandrun-down.Thelawnischokedwithweeds.Thefrontstepsarecrackedandcrumbling.Notverypromising.

Atleastthecreepycousinsaren’taround,youthink.Maybeyoucansneakoffbeforetheyknowyou’rehere.

Thenaloudbangmakesyounearlyjumpoutofyourskin!

GoontoPAGE2.

Barneyrunsoutthefrontdoor,lettingitslambehindhim.Youslowlystepoutofthecar.Barney’spudgyfacebreaksintoameangrinunderhisthickblondhair.Eventhoughhe’sonlyayearolderthanyou,he’stwiceyoursize.Whileyourauntanduncleunloadthecar,hepunchesyouonthearm,hard.

“Hi,wimp,”hesnarls.

Doraskipsaroundthesideofthehouse,holdingherobnoxiousorangecat,Puff.Dora’sdarkhairhangsintwolongbraidsoverhershoulders.Sheeyesyouwithasmirk,thengiggles.Puffhissesatyou.

Whatasummer!youthink.Maybeyoucanspendyourentirevacationupstairsinyourroom.

Butno.“We’vebeenwaitingforyou,”Barneysays.“Let’splayhide-and-seek.”

Oh,no,youthink.It’sstarting.

“It’snicetoseeyou’realreadyhavingfun,”AuntFionagushes.“YouruncleandIhavetogobacktoworkattheuniversity.I’lltakeyoursuitcaseupstairsforyou.”

“No,really—”youprotest.“Idon’tmind—”

“Nonsense,”UncleHarveyresponds.“Youkidsgoonandplay.There’sjustonething.It’sveryimportant.Youcanplayanywhereyouwant,butdon’tgointhebasement.”

TurntoPAGE23.

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

GoosebumpsbookseriescreatedbyParachutePress,Inc.

Copyright©1996byScholasticInc.

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

trademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksofScholasticInc.

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,

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

Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.

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

orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

Firstedition,July1996

e-ISBN978-0-545-84112-2