The Dark Corner Read Free Page A

you guys sure?” Cindy asked, dropping Adam’s hand and watching them as they continued to trudge backward toward the tombstone.
    â€œYou’re the logical person to stay behind,” Adam said, trying to reassure her. “There’s no use going through the portal if you don’t want to do it.”
    â€œLike we’re all having a barrel of fun here,” Sally remarked.
    Cindy walked beside them as they stumbled backward. “I feel like a coward.”
    â€œYou should,” Sally said. “But I’ll try not to teaseyou about it.” She paused. “If Bryce should reappear before we do, send him back to look for us.”
    â€œHave him bring his knife,” Watch said.
    â€œNo,” Adam said. “Cindy, grab the knapsack. I want to bring his stuff with us.”
    Cindy hurried to the tombstone and grabbed the bag. She handed it to Adam.
    â€œHow long should I wait here before I go for help?” she asked.
    â€œIf we’re not back by dark,” Watch said, “find Bum, tell him what’s happened. He might be able to help.”
    â€œIf he can be bothered,” Sally added.
    â€œWe’re just about there,” Adam said anxiously. “Let’s hold on to each other tight. Goodbye, Cindy. Wish us luck.”
    â€œGood luck!” Cindy called.
    â€œI feel a whole lot better now that she’s blessed us,” Sally said.
    They stumbled as they stepped onto the actual grave. Suddenly everything went black and he felt as if he were sinking. His friends seemed miles away. He couldn’t see them. He was in the eye of a hurricane, where everything was perfectly calm, although he knew madness raged all around him.

4
    W hen everything returned to normal, Adam realized they were in a place that was far from normal. It was Spooksville and it was not. As they looked around in wonder, they realized they were in a heavenly version of their home. A sweet scent filled the air. The surrounding trees were a lush green. Everything seemed to be glowing with a faint golden light, radiating love and joy.
    â€œThis isn’t so bad,” Sally remarked.
    â€œIt looks like paradise,” Watch said, removing his glasses to clean them. “It’s amazing we endedup in such a wonderful place, considering how scared we were.”
    â€œI wasn’t scared,” Sally said quickly, letting go of their hands. “I think it was me who lifted our overall vibes.”
    â€œI liked the way your arms shook so much when you weren’t scared,” Adam said.
    â€œThey only shook because I was holding on to your arms,” Sally said, stepping away from the tombstone. She sucked in a deep breath of the sweet air. “I love this place! Look at the sky. It looks like one huge rainbow. I don’t know if I want to go home.”
    Watch was concerned. “We tried the Secret Path to find Bryce. But if he’s off fighting evil, I doubt that he’s here.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Adam agreed. Then he stopped and stared down at some initials carved into the base of the tombstone—BP. He pointed them out to the others. “Bryce Poole. He must have been here.”
    Sally bent over the initials. “It’s only a couple of letters, but he could have carved them.” She raised her head and stared out of the cemetery, which actually looked more like a park. “I wonder where he could have gone?”
    â€œLet’s walk into town and ask for him,” Watch said, replacing his glasses. “I think I see people in the distance.”
    â€œWait a second,” Adam said. “We should figure out where we are before we talk to anyone.”
    â€œThat’s easy,” Sally said. “We’re in heaven.”
    â€œYou mean we’re in a heaven,” Adam said. “This place is beautiful but it’s still Spooksville. See, the castle’s over there, and the ocean is down that