The Deadly Past Read Free Page A

you, and I can’t think of another cave that’s even close.”
    The flames from Watch’s shirt began to flicker.
    The pterodactyl took a step closer, saliva dripping out of its mouth.
    â€œIt’s going out!” Cindy cried.
    Adam felt desperate. “Is there any way we can block off the entrance of the cave?”
    â€œWith what?” Sally demanded. “Our dead bodies?”
    â€œWe are not going to die,” Adam snapped at her. “Sally, Cindy—you two get to the rear of the cave. Watch and I will try to hold it off with the stick.”
    Neither of the girls protested. The sight of the pterodactyl slowly approaching on its long nailed feet was enough to shatter the strongest will. Even Adam and Watch began to back up, without consciously realizing it. The pterodactyl’s huge eyes seemed to swell in anticipation. It knew it had them, that there was no escape for the frail humans.
    â€œIf only this stick was sharp at one end,” Adam said bitterly. “We could stab it, make it think twice about attacking again.”
    â€œWe don’t have time to sharpen it,” Watch said quietly.
    Adam glanced over at him. “Is this it? Is this the end?”
    Watch took a deep breath. “Maybe not for all of us. But it will take one of us, that’s for sure.”
    â€œAnd that one will die?”
    â€œYes. Horribly.”
    Adam grimaced. “It can’t be one of the girls.”
    â€œIt can’t be one of us.” Watch paused. “You are brave, Adam. But even you cannot just walk in front of that beast and let it take you. No one could.”
    The pterodactyl skipped toward them.
    The flames at the end of the stick died.
    The pterodactyl stuck its head in the mouth of the cave and screeched.
    â€œStop it!” Cindy screamed behind them.
    Adam swung weakly with the stick. “It can’t get any worse than this,” he gasped.
    Watch put a reassuring hand on Adam’s uninjured shoulder. “But this might be the perfect chance to get a good shot at it. Maybe if you went for one of its eyes, partially blind it. That could be our only hope. Aim for an eye.”
    Adam nodded. “I’ll try.”
    He did try, but his effort proved useless. The pterodactyl was too quick for him, and the beast knew instinctively how to protect its eyes. It held its head back as it advanced, using its claws to lead its attack. Several times Adam almost had his stick ripped from his hands.
    Each step backward brought Adam and Watch closer to the rear of the cave, to the girls, and tothe end of the line. In all the bizarre dangers Adam had faced since moving to Spooksville, he had never felt so helpless.
    â€œI have an idea,” Sally said behind Adam as he neared the rear wall. “Let’s wrap another piece of cloth around the stick, set it on fire, and then crack open my lighter and douse it with what fluid is left in the container. That will create one huge flame that should last a few seconds. While it’s burning, Adam, try to get the end of the stick into the thing’s mouth. If that doesn’t chase it away, we might be able to slip past the beast to get outside.”
    â€œWe’ll be easy pickings outside,” Watch said. “Especially with no stick to protect us.”
    The pterodactyl raised a claw and swiped at them.
    Adam and Watch jumped all the way back.
    The four of them pushed up against the back wall of the cave.
    â€œWe are practically dessert in here!” Sally shouted. “Let’s do it! Rip off the dry part of your shirt, Adam! Now!”
    Adam did as he was told. In seconds Sally had the cloth wrapped around the end of the stick.First she lit the cloth and then cracked open the lighter by smashing the top of it against the cave wall. Adam had to hold the tip of the burning stick close to her, and as a result the pterodactyl was free to approach within ten feet. Sally held the open lighter fluid