Michael Belmont and the Tomb of Anubis (The Adventures of Michael Belmont) Read Free

rolled across the floor and jumped to his feet, as Michael began to chuckle.
    "You JERK," yelled Abigail.   "What did you do that for?"   She rushed toward him with a raised fist.   "It isn't funny!" she said, punching at his arm while Michael held her back.
    "Calm down," he laughed.   "It was only a joke."
    "Well I'm glad the two of you enjoyed it," she barked at them.   Then glaring at Liam she said in a measured voice, "You'll pay for that."
    "So how have you two been?" asked Liam, ignoring her.
    "Pretty good, how about you," responded Michael.
    "Never better," he said happily.   "I'm sure glad to see you, it's been a little boring around here lately, but now that you've arrived we're going to have loads of fun."
    "You live in a castle," said Abigail sarcastically, "how could you get bored in a place like this?"
    "Well, there haven't been many other kids around.   I only have a few friends that live nearby, and they've been off on vacation.   I have beaten a lot of video games lately though, which is good."
    "Sounds like a waste of time to me," said Abigail grumpily.
    "What's gotten in to her?" Liam whispered to Michael, who just shrugged and rolled his eyes.
    "Well, what do you two feel like doing?   I know you've had a long day, so do you want to rest or do you want to do something fun?" he asked with anticipation on his face.
    "Whatever," said Michael.   "I'm a little groggy, but I'm up for just about anything."
    "Let's take a walk down to the loch, does that sound alright?" asked Liam.   "Maybe a little later tonight we can play games or something."
    Michael nodded.   "That sounds fun."
    "Let me clean up this sauce before the Calderwood sisters string me up," said Liam.
    After the mess was taken care of, the three of them checked back in with their parents and headed down to the lake.
    It didn't take long for Abigail's mood to improve, and soon all three of them were laughing and enjoying themselves.

    Michael opened his eyes and gasped for breath.   Darkness surrounded him.
    Rubbing his eyes, he swung his legs off the side of his bed, pulling his feet back a little after touching the frigid stone floor.   He sat motionless for a moment, part of his mind still lingering in the world of dreams.
    He had just been soaring through the clouds, the moist, refreshing air filling his nostrils while the warm sun shone brightly above him. A dense, green forest spread out across the mountains far beneath him.
    Michael had often dreamed of flying, but now reality was swiftly setting in.   He felt cold and was agitated by this sudden change of setting.   He lay back down in bed, pulled up the covers and closed his eyes, hoping to return to the comforts of sleep.
    Then he heard the sound again.   It was the same noise he had heard just a few moments ago in his dream; the sound that had pulled him back into the uncomfortable world of reality.   He sat up once again.
    What was that noise? Bagpipes?
    Michael glanced at his alarm clock.   2:47 AM gleamed back at him in bright green numbers.
    Why am I hearing bagpipes at this hour of the morning , he thought to himself.   It must be Liam.   He would be the only one crazy enough to practice bagpipes at this hour.
    Michael had never heard or seen Liam playing the bagpipes, but he could think of no other explanation.
    "Well, if it is Liam he better knock it off quick, or his dad will kill him," Michael said to himself.   Liam's father was a patient man, but not the sort who would put up with obnoxious pranks in the middle of the night.
    The bagpipes sounded again, a bit louder than before, although they were still distant and faint.   They had seemed much louder in his dream, but he knew he wasn't dreaming now.
    Michael jumped down to the cold floor.   The rug, which was normally lying beside his bed, had been removed for cleaning, as a few hours before his little sister Abby had spilled a large bowl of raspberry ice cream on it.
    Michael put on his floppy-eared puppy