BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

MeTarzan.YouDoomed…You’reonvacationinSouthAmerica.Allreadyforsomerealjungleaction:tigers,quicksand,

swingingonvines!Thenyoueatsomeenchantedfruitandstartchangingintoahideousscalymonster!Nowtigersare

theleastofyourworries…You’vegottofindawaytogetbacktonormal.Andfast.Beforeyourfriendsleaveyoubehindinthe

jungleofdoom!Butfirst,you’llhavetoescapealakefullofviciouspiranhas.Orfindyourwayoutofan

undergroundcavern.Ortakeyourchanceswithatribeofheadhunters!You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthe

scareswillbe.StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.Maketherightchoicesandlivetotellthetale.Makethewrongchoice…andBEWARE!

SOTAKEALONG,DEEPBREATH,CROSSYOURFINGERS,ANDTURNTOPAGE1TOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

Contents

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Teaser

AbouttheAuthor

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Copyright

“Allright,JuniorExplorers,IdirectyourattentiontothismagnificentspecimenofBromeliadaechmea…”

Onandontheguide,Mrs.Wheedle,drones.Youcan’tbelieveyou’restuckonanaturestudytour!WhenyousawthebrochurefortheJuniorExplorerAdventureClubatthefrontdeskofyourhotel,it

lookedgreat.Threedayshikinginthejunglewithtenotherkidsyourageandan“experiencedjungleguide.”Howcool!

“Comeon,”youbeggedyourparents.“We’reinSouthAmericaandyouwantmetositbythepoolallday?Icoulddothatathome.Whydidyoutakemetoaforeigncountryifyoudidn’twanttoexposemetonewthings?”

NowyouwishyourparentshadsaidNO!Atleastyourbestfriend,Zoe,iswithyouonthehike.And,eventhoughtheguideisasboringaspossible,thejungleisprettycool.Heavyvineshangcrisscrossedoverthetrail.Strangeandbeautifulflowersindeepcolorssproutfromeveryside.

AsyoufollowbehindZoe,younoticeastrangespikyflowerwithbrightbluepetalsofftothesideofthetrail.Absentmindedly,youreachouttotouchit.

Asuddenbreezemakesthebrightbluepetalsshiver.“NOOOOOOOOO!”theflowerscreams.Youpullyourhandbackatthelastsecond!

RacetoPAGE2.

“NOOOOOOOOO!”thescreamcontinues.“Don’ttouchthatflower!”It’sonlyMrs.Wheedle.“What’swrong?”youask.“Isitpoisonous?Doesitshootvenomorsomethingcool?”“Ofcoursenot!”Mrs.Wheedlehuffs.“Thatflowerisanendangeredspecies.Youcouldhavekilled

it!”Sheturnsandmarchesbacktothefrontofthegroup.“Whew!Thatwasacloseone!”Zoesays,brushingthebangsawayfromhereyes.“Forasecond

there,Ithoughtsomethingexcitingwasactuallygoingtohappen!”Zoe’scool.Waycool.That’soneofthereasonsshe’syourbestfriend.Shehasasarcasticremark

foreverysituation.Andshe’snotscaredofanything.That’swhyyouknowshe’sjustasanxiousasyouaretobreakawayfromthegroupanddosome

realexploring.Justamomentago,throughthetrees,yousawsomethingelsethatwasdefinitelyworthcheckingout.Thereitisagain.Offtotheright.Abouttwentyyardsaway.Incredible!Yourheartskipsabeatat

whatyousee.

FindoutwhatitisonPAGE37!

“THREE!”Thekingclapshishandsthreetimesandtheservantsflipthetimepieceover.Youdothesamething

totheminiaturetimepieceinyourhand.Thesandpoursthroughtheglass.Youtuckthebabyhourglassintoyourshirtpocket.Itfitsperfectly.

“YouhaveonePalooka!NOWBRINGMETHREEPIECESOFGOLD!”thekingbellows.Youglancearoundthechamber.Therearetunnelseverywhere.“Comeon!”youshoutatZoe.“Let’sgo!”Thetwoofyouheadforthebiggesttunnelleadingawayfromthechamber.YouhaveonePalookatofindthegold.JusthowlongisaPalookaanyway?youwonder.

FliptoPAGE58tostartthequest.

Nowayareyougoingtothrowawaymillionsofdollarsworthofjewels!Youscrunchupasbestyoucanandwatchasthepointedrockformationsinchcloserandcloserto

you.Ouch!Anemeraldscrapesyourshoulder.Youhuddlebetweentherocks,holdingyourbreath.Agiantdiamondiscomingstraightforyourhead!Oneinchmoreandyou’rehistory.Yousqueezeyoureyesshuttight.Withascreech,thewallsstopclosingin.Wow!Justintimenottocrunchyourhead!Youopenyoureyes.Youtrytomovebutyoucan’t.You’repinnedinplacebyafortuneinjewels.Youwaitandwait,butthewallsdon’topenupagain.Infact,theyNEVERopenupagain.You’retrappedthere.Forever.Butlookatthebrightside.Youalwayswantedtodieamillionaire.

THEEND

“Excuseme,”youcalltoUnger.“Idon’tmeantoslowusdown,butI’mdyingofhunger.DoyouguyshaveanythingIcouldsnackon?”

“Ofcourse,”saysUnger.“Wenevergoanywherewithoutplentyoffood.”Sheopensthetiger-skinsackslungoverhershoulder.Ungertakesoutahandfulofflowersandpassesthemaround.Theflowersareedible!They’redelicious.You’regladyouasked!

Afterafewmoreminutesofmarchingthroughthehumidgreenjungle,Ungerbringsthegrouptoahalt.You’restandinginfrontofacave.It’sdarkandlinedwithjaggedrocks.Awarm,drybreezewaftsoutfromthecave’smouth.

“That’swheretheFirehearttreeis,”UngertellsyouandBen.Shepointstothesmallcave.“Followthetunneluntilyoureachabigcave.Inthecenterwillbethetree.”

“Thankyousomuch!”youtelltheWarriorWomen.“ItisourpleasuretodefeatthespellsoftheMuglani,”Ungerreplies.“Goodluck,mylittlefriends!”ShepatsyouandBenonthebackandturnstoleave.“Oh,onelastthingaboutthecave,”Ungerremarks.“Bewareoftheguarddragon!”

TurntoPAGE87.

“GRRRRRRRRR!”Thegargoylegrowlsatyoufromshoreandslashesoneofitsrazor-sharpclawsthroughtheair.

Meanwhile,you’restartingtolosefeelingaboveyourkneesnow.Youneverknewwatercouldbethiscold.Thingsarelookinggrim.

“Let’sbecalmaboutthis,”yousay.“Theremustbesomethingwecando.”“Yeah,right,”Zoemoans,rollinghereyes.“Whydon’twejustswimrightupthewaterfall!”“Ha-ha,veryfunny!”youretort.SometimesZoe’ssarcasmisn’tsocool.Butyoustareatthewaterfallanyway.Thewaterpoundsdownfromthejaggedcliffsabove.Sunlight

turnsthefallingstreamsofwatermanydeepshadesofblueandgreen.Butthat’snotwhatyou’relookingat.There’ssomethingelse.Youthinkyoucanmakeouttheoutlineofsomethingbehindthefalls.

Somethingbig.Somethingdark.Isitanotherstonebeast?

HurrytoPAGE31andfindout!

Youstandintheclearing,waitingforthepersonwhoiscomingcloser.Thesoundofleavesrustlinggrowslouder.Youcrossyourlegsandsmile,tryingnottolookscary.Youhopethatwhoeveritiswillhelpyou!

Ben,oneofthekidsfromtheJuniorExplorerAdventureClub,burstsintotheclearing.Itlooksasifhe’sreadingsomekindofacomicbookorapamphlet.Hekeepsglancingdownathisbookthenbackup.Asifhe’slookingatamap.

AtfirstBendoesn’tevennoticeyou.YouremembertalkingwithZoeabouthim.He’sarealbookwormandkindofageek.Hisredhairistousledandhisglassesareslightlycrooked.Frecklescoverhisentireface.

Benseesthetableandrushesovertoitinexcitement.Youclearyourthroatabittolethimknowyou’rethere.

Benspinsaroundfromthetable.Hiseyesgrowbigashestaresatyou.Hestaresatyourclothes.Yoursneakers.Yourterrifyingface.Yourgruesomeclaws.

Droppingthepamphlet,Benpointsatyou.“You’re…you’re…Iknowwhoyouare!”hestutters.“AndIknowhowyougotthatway!”

CatchupwithBenonPAGE21.

Youaretrampingthroughthejungle,followingyourclassmates.Zoeisrightbehindyou.You’vebeendoingnothingbutstudyingplantsallmorning!Thisisthemostboringvacationever!

Oh,no!Notonlyhaveyoubeenzappedoutofthecave,butyou’vealsobeenzappedbackintime!You’rebackwhereyoustarted…andeverythingyoulearnedinsidethemountainisstartingtofade

inyourmemory.It’sasifthewholeadventureneverhappened.PrettysoonMrs.Wheedlewillleadtheclassoffinsearchofthatfunnyflower.AndyouandZoe

willsneakaway!Trytorememberthis:Whenthestonegargoylechasesyou,HEADFORTHECLEARINGTHIS

TIME!

NowgobacktoPAGE1.Goodluck!

Zoe’sright.Whatdoyouowethatnastycaveking,anyway?Hetriedtomakeyouslaves!“ForgetIevenbroughtitup,”youmumble.Youslipthetimepiecebackintoyourpocketandkeep

climbing.AfewmorefeetupthestoneladderandyouandZoereachthesurface.Howsweetthefreshair

smells!Youhopeyouneverseeanothercaveinyourlife!Together,youandZoefindyourwaybacktotheJuniorExplorers.They’renottoohardtofind.They

makesomuchnoise,talkingandshouting.Mrs.Wheedleisupsetbecausenoonefoundtherareflower,butitseemsliketheotherkidshadfun!Youkeepthetimepiecehiddenduringtherestoftheday.Untilafterdinner,whenyouinspectitby

thelightofyourlantern.ShouldIkeepitorsellit?youaskyourself.Youholdtheprettyhourglassuptothesoftlanternlight.That’swhenyouhearthesoundofhandsfumblingtoopentheflapstoyourtent.“Zoe?”youcall.“Isthatyou?”“No!”comesagruffwhisper.Yourecognizethevoice!It’sthekingofthecavepeople!

RacetoPAGE121.

Apuffofmistrisesfromthepooloflava.Throughthemistappearsafierce,sinistershape—adragon.Shortspikescoveritsheadandrundownitsspine.Thoughit’snotgigantic,itlooksquitedeadly.

Thedragonhasrowsofjaggedteethandsharpripplingscales.Twoevil-lookinggreeneyes,withastripeoffieryreddownthemiddle,peerhatefullyatyouandBen.

“Idon’tthinkwecanfightit!”Benyells.Hescramblestopickuphisclub.“Butwe’vegotto!”youshout.Youtightenyourgriponyourstick.Yourbodyistremblingfromhead

towebbedfoot.HISS!Thedragonslithersrightthroughthelavamoat.Asitcreepstowardyou,youhearitssharp

clawsscratchattherock.“Let’sgo!”Benbegs.“Let’srun!Now!”

Ifyourun,gotoPAGE13.Ifyoutrytodefeatthedragon,gotoPAGE36.

Thestonebeastisrightbehindyou!“Thisway,Zoe,”youcallasyouracedownthepaththatleadstotheclearing.Youknowyoucan

scarethegargoylewiththeheavysticksandstonesyouseeontheground.ROAR!Thebeast’svoiceexplodesthroughthejungle.Birdssendoutwarningcallstooneanother.

Yourheartracesevenfasterthanyourfeet.Youstumbleintotheclearing.Thegroundiscoveredinfinegreengrass.Thesticksonthegrassare

justthesizeofbaseballbats.“Quick,”Zoeshoutstoyou.“Grabastick.”Shehasalreadyarmedherselfwithaheavyclubfrom

theground.Outofthecornerofyoureye,youseeahightableofftotheside.Someweirdlittleballsarehanging

offthetabletop.Butyoudon’thavetimetocheckthemout.Instead,youreachdownandpickoutastickandanice,softball-sizedstone.Youspinaroundtoface

thebeast.Growlingdeeply,thegargoylebaresitsteeth.Itripsthroughtheairwithfiverazor-sharpclaws.Thenitpouncesintotheclearing!

TurntoPAGE48andgetreadytorumble!

“Let’stakethetunnelthatlookswet,”yousaytoZoe.“Theremightbesomesortofastream,andsometimesgoldwashesupinastream.”

“Goodthinking,”Zoeagrees.“I’llgofirst.”Shestepscautiouslyintotheslipperytunnel.BAM!Shewipesoutandstartsslidingdownthetunnel.“Careful,”shecallsbacktoyouassheskidsdownthechute.“It’sslipperyyyyy!”Youhavenochoicebuttofollowher!Soyoutakeaflyingleapandjumpheadfirstdownthetunnel,

asifitwereawaterslide.

ZOOMtoPAGE118.

Thedragondrawsnearer.Spikywhiteteethsnapatyou.Iteyesyouviciouslywithitsfierypupils.“You’reright!”youcry.“Wecan’tfightthatthing!Let’sgetoutofhere!”YouandBendropyourclubsandracetowardtheexit.Youstumbleovertheroughrocks.Becauseyourbacksareturned,youdon’tseethedragondipitsmouthintothelavapoolandslurpup

amouthfulofmoltenrock.Withahugepuff,thedragonspitsfireatyou.Theflamesbellowdownthetunnelafteryou,catchinguptoyouinnotimeatall.YoutoldeveryoneinMrs.Wheedle’sgroupyouwereabig-timeexplorerwhocouldsurviveany

adventure!Lookslikeyouwerewrong.Liar,liar,pantsonfire!

THEEND

“Let’stakethetunnelthatgoesdown!”yousay.Youpullthetimepieceoutofyourpockettocheckit.“Hurry,we’veonlygotabouttwo-thirdsofaPalookaleft!”

“Evenifwedogetthegoldintime,doyouthinkwe’llmakeitbacktothegroupbeforetheytakeoff?”Lizasks,glancingatherclunkywatch.“It’salreadytwo-thirty!Weonlyhaveahalfhourleft!”

“Let’sworryaboutthegoldfirst.Ifwegetoutofthismess,we’llmeetupwithMrs.Wheedlesomehow!”youremark.

YoufollowZoedownthenarrowtunnel.Thisoneisnotaswell-litastheother.Thereisonlyonelanternabouteverytwentyfeet.EventhoughZoeisrightinfrontofyou,sometimesyoubumpintoherbecauseyoucan’tseeher.

“Ouch!”Zoecomplains.“Walkfartherbehindme.Youdon’thavetowalkonmyheels.”“Sorry!”youanswer.“I’llhangbackalittle.”Thetunneltwistsandturns.Zoegetssofaraheadofyouthatyoufeelasifyou’realone.Yoursneakerscrunchonthelooserocksonthefloorofthepath.Thesoundechoesdownthe

passageway.Youcanhearyourheartbeating.BUM-bum.BUM-bum.

FliptoPAGE33.

“Hmmmmmm,”Cronbysays,leaningupagainsttheboulder.“Letmethink….”“Don’tthinkfortoolong,”youtellhim,pullingthehourglassoutofyourpocket.“I’veonlygota

thirdofaPalookaleft!”“Okay,ifyou’resobrave,”thetrollsays,“thenyoumustreadlotsofscarybooks.Haveyouever

heardofR.L.Stine?”“Ofcourse!”youshout.Yourvoiceechoesdownthehallway.You’reaGOOSEBUMPSexpert!

You’regoingtoacethisquestion!“Inthebook,RevengeoftheLawnGnomes,aviciousanimalscaresthelawngnomesaway.Isita

bat?Oradog?”Easy,youthinktoyourself.

Eithersay:“Itwasabat!”andfliptoPAGE90.Orsay:“Itwasadog!”andfliptoPAGE30.

Youmakeahardleftanddiveoffthepath.Outofsightofthehunters,youquicklyslipintothegiantflower.

Immediately,thepink-and-whitepetalscloseinaroundyou.Youcouldn’thaveaskedforabetterhidingplace.You’retotallyhiddenfromview.

Thesweetsmellinsidethefloweralmostoverpowersyou.Itmakesyouwanttosneeze.Soyouholdyourbreath.

“Wherediditgo?”Jamescalls.“Thisway,”Gwencries,leadingthehuntingpartyrightpastyourhidingplace.Whew!Itworked!Thehunterspassyouby.Youcatchyourbreathandpushattheflowerpetalswithyourhandsandfeet.Itwon’topenup!Youpushharder.Youstrainwithallyourmight.Youscratchatthepetalswithyourstrongmonster

claws.Butnothingworks.You’retrappedinside!Thepetalstightenaroundyouandslowlybeginchewing.That’sright,chewing.Notallflowersjustdrinkwater,youknow.Firstyouwereakid,thenyouwereamonster.Nowyou’rejustplantfood.

THEEND

Youcan’tbelieveyoureyes!Thebatisthemosthideousthingyou’veeverseen.Itswingsarefoldedarounditshairybrownbody.Ithasenormousearsthataresothinyoucanseetheveinsrunningthroughthem.TwobeadyblackeyesarewatchingyouandCronbycarefully.

Thebatopensitsmouthandtalks!“Whatdidyousayaboutme?”“Oh,no!”Cronbyshouts.“Iwasn’ttalkingtoyou!”“Iheardyou,”thebatsays.“Yousaid‘naughtybat’!”“Iwasn’ttalkingtoyou,Iswear!”Cronbystammers.“I’llteachyoutocallpeoplenames!”thebatsqueaks.“IguessI’lljustbegoing,”youmutter,tryingtoslipaway.“Oh,noyoudon’t,”thebatsqueaksturningtoyou.“Iheardyoucallmea‘badbat.’”Youtrytoarguewiththebat,tellingitthatyoujustsaid“bigbat.”Butbatsseemtothinktheyhaveverygoodhearing!Somuchforthattheory!Butonethingthisbatdoeshaveisverygoodteeth.Toobadforyouand

Cronby.

THEEND

“Idon’twanttoscarethem!”youtellBenquietly.“I’lljustexplainwhoIam.They’llunderstandeverythingafterIeattheFireheartfruitandturnbackintomyself.”

“Who’sthere?”barksMrs.Wheedle.“IsthatoneofmyExplorers?StepoutwhereIcanseeyou!”“It’sjustme,”youcall.“Don’tbescared!Icanexplain!”Youstepoutfrombehindthebush.Mrs.Wheedletakesonelookatyoursharpteeth,fishygrayskin,andhugeglobbyeyesandfaints.

THUMP!Andjustlikethat,thewholerestofthegrouppassesout,too.THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP,

THUMP!THUMP,THUMP!YouandBencan’thelpbutlaugh.“Itriednottoscarethem!”yousay.SteppingoverMrs.Wheedle,

youpluckoneoftheripe,redFireheartfruits.Yousinkyourteethintoit.Immediately,youfeelyourskintightenandyourheadstarttoshrink.Ithappenssoquicklythatyou

don’tbotherfinishingthefruit.You’reakidagain!Moreorless…Backatthehotel,youtellthewholestoryduringdinnerwithyourfamily.Theyallthinkyou’re

jokinguntilaflylandsonthetablecloth.ZAP!Yourlong,stickytongueshootsoutandcatchesthefly.GuessyoushouldhaveeatenthewholeFireheartfruit.Butthen,there’salittlemonsterinside

everyone,in

THEEND.

“GetBACK!”youshout,turningtofacethecavecreatures.“Yeah!”yellsZoe.“GetLOST!”Youpickupastoneandhurlitatthecreatures.Ithitsoneofthemrightonthehead.“WAAAHHH!”itwails.Zoethrowsarock.Thecavecreaturesturnaroundandrunlikecrazy!They’rebawlinglikebabies!“Yes!”youexclaim.“Wedidit!”Zoeshouts.Youturntoherandgiveherahighfive.“Nowlet’sgetoutofherebeforewemelt!”yousay.“Forreal!”Zoeagrees.“I’msosweaty,youcouldpourmeintoabucket.”

RacetoPAGE86.

Asfastasyoucan,youemptyyourpocketsofthejewels.You’rejustsmallenoughtoslipoutintothetunnelbeforetheceilingmeetsthefloorwitharesoundingcrunch.

AsprayofcrunchedjewelsshowersyourbackasyouracedownthetunneltomeetZoe.Youcarefullyslidethetimepieceoutofyourshirtpocket.ThePalookaisnearlyup—there’sonly

aboutahalfaninchofsandintheglass!Notasecondtolose.“Zoe!Areyouthere?”youcallout.“Ifoundthelastpieceofgold!”sheanswers.“ButIdon’tknowhowtogetitout!”Zoeleadsyoudownatunneltoasmallcave.Aglassypoolofwaterisinthecenterofthecave.And

rightinthecenterofthepool,youseeit.“Ican’tbelieveit!”youexclaim.

Whatdoyousee?LookcloseronPAGE100.

“You’reoneofthekidsfrommyJuniorExplorersClub,aren’tyou?”Benasksashestepsovertoyou.“YoumusthavesnuckawayfromthegroupjustlikeIdid.”

You’resogladhe’snotscaredofyou!“Yes,”youmanagetosay.Thegoopinyourthroatisslidingaway.Ormaybeyou’rejustlearning

howtospeakthroughit.“AndI’llbetthatyoucameintothisclearing,sawthistable,andateoneofthemagicfruitsfromthis

basket!“Itturnedyouintoafishmonster!Youfellrightintotheirtrap!”hedeclares.Suddenly,Benliftshisnoseandsniffstheair.Adopeysmilespreadsoverhisface.Asifinatrance,hestumblestothetableandgrabsabananafromthebasket.Heholdsitclosetohis

noseandinhalesthedeliciousodor.Youknowjustwhathe’sfeeling!“No!Ben!”youshout.“Don’teatthefruit!”Yourvoicestillcomesoutallfroggy.Benpeelsthebanana!Ifheeatsithe’llprobablyturnintoamonster,too!

TrytostophimonPAGE79.

Yougetdownonyourhandsandkneesinfrontofthesmalldirttunnel.“Goodluck,”Zoesays.“Ihopeyoufindthewayout!”“Seeyouinfiveminutes.Heregoesnothing!”yousayasyoustarttunnelingthroughthehole.Youcrawlonyourbellythroughthedarkpassageway.Richearthfromthesidesofthetunnelcovers

yourwholebody.It’scakedalloveryourfaceandjammedunderyourfingernails.Finally,yousqueezeoutofthetunnelwithaplop!You’reoutsideinthejungle!

Theonlyproblemis:You’reinsomekindofapit!Steep,squarewallsgoupaboutfifteenfeet.It’sgreattobeoutofthecaveandallthosedark,windingtunnels,butamIreallybetteroffnowthan

Iwasbefore?youwonderwhilestaringatthesmoothwallsofthepit.You’vegotatoughdecisiontomake:ShouldyougobackforZoenow?Yourfiveminutesarealmost

up.Orshouldyoutrytogetoutofthepitfirsttomakesurethatyoucangetout?

TurntoPAGE113togobackforZoefirst.TurntoPAGE80totrygettingoutofthepit.

WheredidZoego,anyway?Wasn’tsherightbehindyou?Orwasshetoochicken?Youturntoscramblebacktothemouthofthecave.Butyoustoptolistenwhenyouhearavoice.“There’syoursupper,”someonesays.It’sZoe’svoice!It’sechoingthroughthecave.“Nowyou’ll

letmego,right?”Supper?Letmego?Who’sshetalkingto?What’sgoingon?That’swhenthesidesofthecaveturnsmooth.Andthefloorstartstomove,likealongpink

escalator.Likealongpinktongue.Withahorrifiedgasp,yourealizewhytheairinthiscavefeelssohumid…You’renotinacave,

you’reinthemouthofagiantstonebeast,asbigasawholemountain!Howisthatpossible?HowdidZoeknow?Andwhywouldyourbestfriendbetrayyou?Thosearegoodquestions,butunfortunatelyyoudon’thavetimetoworryaboutthem.Infact,youonlyhaveaboutfivesecondsbeforeyoulandinthebeast’sacid-filledstomach.Four…

three…two…one…

THEEND

YoucarefullymakeyourwaytowardtheareayouwereexploringearlierwiththeJuniorExplorers.Thattreewiththefruitsthatlookjustlikelittleheartsmustbearoundheresomewhere,youthinkto

yourself.Youpushawaysomethickvinesandseebeforeyouasmallclearinginthejungle.Rightinthecenter

isthetreeyousawearlier.Youreallyhopeit’stheFirehearttree!Itisasmalltreewithdull,flatleavesandgraybark.Thebranchesareloadeddownwithprettyred

heart-shapedfruits.“Look!”youexclaim.“Ben,IfoundthetreeIwastellingyouabout!”“Shhhh!”Bengrabsyoubythearmandpullsyoubackbehindafuzzy,floweringbush.“Quiet,”hewhispers.“Someone’scoming!”

HurrytoPAGE57.

You’retrappedinapitwithtwotigerskeletons!Theycircleyouslowly.Thewindwhistlesthroughtheirbones.Theirjawssnapopenandclosed.

Youcantellthey’redyingtotakeabiteoutofyou.Theydon’thavestomachs,soyoufiguretheycan’treallyeatyou.Buttheystillhavealltheirteeth!Youbackintothecorner,beingcarefulnottosteponanymorebones.Thetigersapproach,theirtailsclickingsoftlyastheylashfromsidetoside.Yourememberanoldjunglemovieyouoncesaw.Theherosangtoawildtigerandputittosleep.

Maybethatwouldworkonatigerskeleton,too!Ormaybeyoucouldleapupononeofthetiger’sheadsandmakeajumpfortheedgeofthepit.

You’reprettyathletic.Eitherway,you’vegottoactquickly!

Tosingasongforthetigersandtrytocalmthem,turntoPAGE117.Tomakeajumpforit,turntoPAGE59.

Youcan’tseearoundthebouldertoseewhoitisthat’swearingtheweirdlittleshoe,butyou’resurethatwhoeveritishadsomethingtodowiththedisappearanceofyourfriend.

“Who’sthere?”yourepeat.“Justme—yourfriendlyneighborhoodtroll!”Atinymanstepsoutfrombehindtherock.Hecarries

abrightlanternthatcastsafloodoflightinthetinychamber.Thetrolliswearingacutelittlemountainclimber’soutfit—completewithlederhosenandstriped

white-and-greenstockings.Awhitebeardcovershiswrinkledface.Hewouldlooklikeatinyclown,buthehasanevilexpressiononhisface.Hismouthissetinahardlineandhiseyes,yourealizewithshock,areRED.

“Where’smyfriend?”youaskthetroll.“Well,that’snowaytogreetsomeone!”thefellowsnaps.Hewalksovertoyou.Hecomesupto

yourwaist.“MynameisCronby.What’syours?”Heextendshishanduptoyou.Heleanstowardyouwithhishandout,scowling.There’ssomethingwickedinthoseredeyes….

Doyoushakehishand?GotoPAGE29.Ordoyouavoidhishandshake?TurntoPAGE81.

Youpullthegummyleafoffyourface.Yourlegisstuckfastinsomekindofhole.Blinkingtoclearyoureyes,yougazedownatyourfoot.

That’swhenyouseethattheholeyoujuststeppedinisnoordinaryhole.It’sagiantanthillofenormousredants.“Pullyourlegoutbeforetheantsgetmad!”Benadvises.“Andhurryup!We’vegottofindthe

Firehearttree!”“Ican’tpullmyfootout!It’sstuck!”youexclaim.Youpullwithallyourmight.Bendingdown,you

scrapeattheanthillwithyoursharpnewclaws.Youhuffandwheezewiththeeffort.It’snogood!Theredantsbegintoswarmaroundyourankle!“Quick,Ben!”youshout.“Grabthatstickandtrytodigmylegout!”Younodyourheadtowardabig

stickontheground.“Idon’tknowifthatwillwork,”Bensays.“MaybeIshouldpoursomewaterfrommycanteenonto

theants.Thatwoulddrownthem!Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”

TohaveBendigyourlegoutwiththestick,gotoPAGE60.Tohavehimdrowntheants,gotoPAGE89.

TheWarriorWoman’sspearisaimedrightatyourheart!Youfeelthesharpstonepointofherspeargrazeyourarmasthespearcomescloser.Yousqueeze

youreyesshut.Atthelastpossiblemoment,theheadWarriorWomanflicksthebladetotheleft.Insteadofplunging

thespearintoyou,shecutsoneoftheropesofthenet.YouandBentumbledowntotheground!“Hee-hee-hee!”TheWarriorWomenguffawasifit’sthefunniestthingthey’veeverseen.“I’mgladtheythinkit’sfunny,”Benmumbles.Hepolisheshisglassesonhisshirt.Youbothare

lyingontheground,coveredindirt.TheheadWarriorWomanholdsupherhandforsilence.Theotherwomenstoplaughingabruptly.

TheWarriorWomandropstoallfoursrightnexttoyou.Shepeersintoyourface,examiningyouclosely.Youcanseeyourownreflectioninherlargeblackpupils.Yourgooeygrayskin,yourbigglassyblackeyes,yourrowsofsharpteeth.

TheWarriorWomanreachesuptoscratchherback.Atiger-skinbaghangingfromhersidefallsopen.Insideyouseeashrunkenhead!

Youdrawbackinshock.

GotoPAGE95.

Youdon’twanttoberudesoyouleandowntoshakehishand.Asyou’reshakinghishand,thetrollgazesintoyoureyesandsmilesaslow,menacingsmile.

Why,thoseeyesaren’tsobadafterall!youthinktoyourself.Icanseemyreflectioninthem!Andthere’ssomethingelse.

Yougazedeeperintothetroll’stwirlingredeyes.There’syourmom!Andyourdad!There’syourhouse!Whataretheydoinginthere?Theeyestwistyouaround.Youfeeldizzy.Therocksofthecavearespinning.Yetyousearchdeeper

intohiseyes.Yourmomanddadarecrying!They’recryingoversomeone….Youlookdeeper.Deeper.Deeperintotheredeyes.THEY’RECRYINGOVERYOU!Becausethey’llneverseeyouagain.Whileyou’vebeengazingdeeperanddeeperintothetinyman’seyes,he’sbeenhypnotizingyou.He

hasmadeyouhisslavefortherestofyourlife.Toobadyoucouldn’tresistthathandshake,’causenowyou’llneverbeabletoresistanythingthe

trolltellsyoutodo.

THEEND

“Itwasadog.JoeandMindy’sdog,Buster,”yousaywithconfidence.Youwatchasthetroll’sfaceturnsscarlet.Hisskinalmostmatchesthefierycolorofhiseyes.“NO!NO!NO!”hescreams.“YoumeanIgotitwrong?”yougasp.“No!Yougotitright!Imadethequestiontooeasy!”Excellent!Youdidit!“NO!NO!NO!”Cronbyscreeches,throwinghisbodyonthegroundandhammeringitwithhistiny

fists.“Ihaven’thadamealintwentyyears,”thetrollmoans.“That’syourproblem!Iwonfairandsquare!”youdeclare.“NowshowmewhereZoeisandgive

memygold!”“Whydon’tyougivemeonelastchance?Wecouldbetforanotherpieceofgold…”hewheedles.

“Thatwayyouwouldhaveallthreeandyoucouldgofree.”Youhesitate.“Idon’tknow.”“Comeon,it’llbefun!”hepleads.“I’llaskyouanotherR.L.Stinequestion.Afterall,timeis

runningout.”It’sahardcall,butyou’vegottomakeadecision:

Doyoubetforthethirdpieceofgold?TurntoPAGE114.OrdoyougrabZoeandthetwopiecesofgoldandgetawayfromthetroll?TurntoPAGE38.

No.It’snotanotherstonebeastyouseebehindthewaterfall.It’sthemouthofacave!“Wemightnotbeabletogoupthewaterfall,”yousaytoZoe.“Butmaybewecangothroughit!

Comehereandlook!”Clutchingyourfloatingstick,youpaddleovertowardthepoundingfallsandmist.Zoefollowsyou.

“Cool!”Zoeshouts.“There’sacavebehindthefalls!Maybewecancrawlthroughandfindawayoutofthismess!”

Youtakeadeepbreathanddivedown—stickandall—underthetremendousspraycreatedbythewaterfall.Thewaterpushesyoudown.Foramoment,youreyesandearsfillwiththepoundingfoam.

Whenyoucomeupagain,youarebehindthesheetofwaterinthemouthofthecave.Thesunlightshinesthroughthemist,creatingtinyrainbowsintheair.It’sprettytolookatthepoolthroughthewaterfall.Thecavebehindyouisn’tnearlysopretty.

Darkjaggedrockscutoutfromitsblackmouth.Awarm,moistwindblowsagainstyourface.Thenyoufeelsomethingslimybrushagainstyourlegunderwater.Whatwasthat?youthink.But

beforeyoucanthinkagain,ITGRABSYOURFOOTANDPULLSYOUUNDER!

Quick!SplashovertoPAGE125.

“It’s‘TanyatheTerror’!”youdeclarewithpride.“WRONG!WRONG!WRONG!”Cronbyshoutswithglee.“Iwin!Iwin!”Oh,no!Yougottheanswerwrong!Yougetasinkingfeelinginthepitofyourstomach.SodoesCronby,soonenough.Exceptthatinhisstomach,what’ssinkingisyouandZoe!

THEEND

Youstumblealongthedarklylittunnel,listeningtoyourheartbeat.Howwillyoufindthreepiecesofgoldwhenit’ssodarkyoucanhardlyseeyourhandinfrontof

yourface?BUM-bum.BUM-bum.BUM-bum.Yourheartbeatmakestheonlysound.Idon’tevenhearZoe’sfootstepsanymore,youthinktoyourselfasyoutrampthroughthe

passageway.That’swhenthetunnelends.That’sright.Youwalksmackintoaroundedstonewall.You’reinasmallcave.Hugebouldersblockthepathforward.It’sadeadend.WheredidZoego?Shewasrightinfrontofyou…Yourheartbeatspeedsup!BUM-BUM.BUM-BUM.BUM-BUM.Whereisshe?

LookforheronPAGE104.

“Let’sgobacktothatbigtunnelandchooseanotherdirection!”Zoeshoutsasyouracebackthewayyoucame.

“Okay,”youpant.Sweattricklesdownthebackofyourneck.“Wejustneedtofindonemorepieceofgold!”youexclaim,pullingthetimepiecefromyourpocketandexaminingit.“We’vegotaboutafourthofaPalookaleft!”

“Bytheway,”Zoesays,“thanksforsavingmefromthetroll!”“Noproblem!”youanswer.Finally,youreachthebigbranchofthetunnel.It’snicetobeabletoseewellagain—thelanterns

thatlinethewallsofthemaintunnelflickerbrightly.Youglancedownthetunnelinbothdirections.Totherightyouseeatunnelthatleadstoalotoflittle

passageways.Therearealotofoptionsthatway,butitmightbeeasytogetlost.Totheleftisonebigtunnelthatlookswet.Ifthere’sanundergroundstreamitwouldbetheperfect

placetosearchforgold,butitmightbeslippery.

EitherheadforthegroupoftunnelsonPAGE109.OrbravetheslipperytunnelonPAGE12.

Gasp!Youcan’tbreatheondrylandanymore!Itmakesnosense!Youwerejustwalkingaroundandbreathingafewminutesago.It’slikeyourtransformationintoafishmonsterisfinallycomplete!

Dizzinessovertakesyou.Youcollapseontheground.Suddenly,itoccurstoyou:You’vegottomakeitbackintothewater,whereyoucanbreathethroughyourgills.

Inchbyinch,youpullyourselfbacktotheriver’sedge.Plop!Youthrowyourselfintotheracingwater.

Whatajoyitistohavethecold,clearwaterstreamingthroughyourgills!IguessIwon’tbegettinganyhelpfromMrs.Wheedle,yousightoyourselfasyoupaddledownthe

river.Unlessshecomesinforadip!Itturnsouttobeaprettygoodlife,livingintheriver.Thereareplentyofsmallfishtoeat,and

sometimesyouevenhuntalligators.Wheneverhumanscomeswimming,youtrytoexplaintothemwhoyouare.Butassoonasyouget

theirattention,theyneverstickaroundlongenoughtofindout.Theymaynotknowwhoyouusedtobe.Buttheyknowwhoyouarenow.You’realegend.Famous

throughouttheworld.Theycallyou…theAbominableFishMonster!

THEEND

“I’vegottofightthedragon!Ican’tleavewithoutgettingoneofthosefruits!”youexclaim.“IfIdon’tgetone,I’llbestucklookinglikeamonsterfortherestofmylife!”

“Okay,”Benagreescourageously.“We’llfightthedragon!”Justthen,youremembersomethingyoulearnedinschoolaboutlizards.Maybeitwillworkona

dragon!“Don’tmove,Ben!”youcommand.“Somelizardscanonlyseemovement.Maybeitwon’tbeableto

seeusifweholdstill.”You’reright.AfteryouandBenstopmoving,thedragonseemsconfused.Itsniffsattheairandscans

thecavewithitsgreen-and-redeyes,butitdoesn’tseeyou.Thedragonlosesinterestandcrawlsbackbehindthetree.

“I’mgoingtograbafruit,veryslowly,”youwhisper.Youtiptoeuptothelavapool,movingatthepaceofaslowmotionreplay.Youslowlyreachover

thesmalllakeofboiling,steamingmoltenrock.

TurntoPAGE82.

Abouttwentyyardsofftotheright,throughthecrisscrossingbranchesandleavesofthejungle,youseeabush.

Abigbushofvines…withfeet!That’sright,twoclawedfeetcarvedinstonearestickingoutfromundertheclingingvines.Youfigureitcouldbeoneofthosetribalruinsinthejungleyou’vereadabout.Youheardthereusedtobesomeprettydangeroustribesofheadhuntersinthearea!You’redyingto

findoutiftheystillexist.Headhuntersshrinkpeople’sheads!Andtheymakesacrificestoancientstatuescarvedinstone.At

leastthat’swhatyou’veheard.Mrs.Wheedlewouldhaveeveryonethinkingthemostdangerousthinginthejunglewasabee.Ormaybeanaphid—theyeatendangeredplants!

“Zoe,”youcalluptoher.“Lookoverthere!There’ssomethingweirdaboutthatbush.Iwishwecouldgocheckitout!”

“I’vegotanidea!”Zoesayswithagleaminhereye.You’vebeenfriendswithZoeforalmostyourentirelife.Andyouknowthatwhenyouseethatgleam

inhereye,itmeansyou’reabouttogetintotrouble—usuallyafunkindoftrouble—butalwaysbigtrouble!

FindoutwhatkindoftroubleonPAGE64.

“I’mnotgoingtoriskZoe’slifeonabet,”youanswer.“Nowhandovermygold.”Thetrollhandsyouthegoldnuggetswithtearsinhiseyes.Heswivelsaroundandpushesapieceof

mossonthehugeboulderbehindhim.Thestonerollstothesidetorevealacloset.Zoeissittingthereonthegroundwithherarmscrossedoverherchest.

“Hepushedmeinhereandlockedmein!”sheyells.“Quick!”yousaytoherasyouhelpherup.“Iwontwopiecesofgold,butwe’rerunningoutof

time!”Zoegetstoherfeet.Cronbykicksatthedustonthetunnelfloor,lookingdisappointed.“Waitjustonesecond,”Zoesays,liftingthetrollupbyhiscollar.“Ihavetofinishupsomethingwith

thislittleguy.”ZoepushesCronbyintotheclosetandpressesthemossbutton.“That’swhatyougetfortrappingpeople!”sheshoutsasthestonerollsintoplace.“Comeon!”youshout.Together,youracebackthroughthetunnel.Youonlyneedonemorepieceofgold!Butwhereareyougoingtofindit?

StartbylookingonPAGE34.

TheWarriorWomenareclosinginonyouwiththeirspears.AndtheywanttomakeHackeySacksoutofyourheads!

TimetoSCRAM!youthink.Andwithoutaword,youpickBenupandtakeoff.YouslippasttheWarriorWomenandracethroughthejungle.Theexoticflowersandplantsblur

beforeyoureyesasyourun.TheWarriorWomenhootandhollerbehindyou.Eventhoughtheyareold,theyrunfast!And

carryingBenisweighingyoudown.Theyarerightonyourtrail.Arrowszingpastyouandstabintothetrees.

“Oh,NO!”Bencries.Youskidtoastop.Aheadofyou,thegroundfallsoffintoadarkpitfilledwithbubbling,oozingtar.Anarrowfliesoveryourshoulderandlandsinthetar.Thetarswallowsitwithalittleburpthat

popswithasplatofgooeytar.Avinedanglesrightinfrontofyou.“Whatdowedo?”Benasks.

Toswingonthevine,gotoPAGE54.Tojumpoverthepit,gotoPAGE75.

“Let’strythedoor,”youshouttoZoe.Yougrabthehandletothebluedoorandtwistitwithallyourstrength.ItpopsopenandyouandZoeslipinside.

Youslamthedoorbehindyou.BANG!Thecreaturesstrikeatthedoorinanger.BANG!You’reinaverydarkroom.It’snotverybig,either.Youcanseedimlybythetorchlightflooding

underthedoor.“Wherearewe?”youaskZoe.“Idon’tknow,butatleastwe’reawayfromthosesponge-headedfreaks,”sheanswers.BANG!Thecreaturespoundonthedoor.Theywantin.“Ican’tbelievewegotawayfromthem,”youadd.“Ithoughtforsurewewerehistory!”“Don’tworry,”Zoeremarks,“wemaystillbehistory!”“Ha-ha,veryfunny,”youanswer.Howcanshebesarcasticatatimelikethis?BANG!BANG!Thecavecreaturesslamonthedoor.“Thisplacegivesmethecreeps!”Zoedeclares.“Me,too,”yousay.Youfeelchilledtothebone.Youturnyourheadandseeaflashofmovement.“Who’sthere?”youasknervously.Goodquestion…

TheanswerliesonPAGE92.

Yousquirmandstruggle,tryingtobreakfreefromtheWarriorWomen.Threeofthemareholdingontoyou!ThreeotherWarriorWomenhavegotBen.Youcan’tmove!

Thewomenareincrediblystrong.Theybindyourhandsandfeetwithcordthatlooksasifit’sbeenmadeoutofplantstalks.TheancientWarriorWomenliftyouintotheairandcarryyouthroughthejungle.

“Ben,whatdowedonow?”youaskhimasyoubouncealongontheshouldersoftheWarriorWomen.“DidyourbookletgiveyouanywaystofighttheMuglani?”

“No,”Benmumbles.“Ifonlywehadtriedtojumpoverthetarpit!Maybethenwewouldhavegottenaway!”

“Maybe,”youanswer.“Ormaybeifwehadacceptedtheirhelpinthefirstplace!”Youtwowillhaveplentyoftimetodiscussit.Soon,yourshrunkenheadswillbehangingsidebysideonthemagictableintheclearing.Onelittle

fishyhead.Andanotherlittleonewithglasses.YoutwocanHANGOUTtogetherallyouwant!

THEEND

YouandZoedashoffthepathintothejungle.YouhearMrs.Wheedleyellingbehindyou.“QUUUUUIIIIIIET!”Youcanpictureher,red-facedandoutofbreath.

AllthenoisesettlesdownandMrs.Wheedlestartstalkingagain.Youstayverystillandlistenfromyourhidingplacebehindabigtree.

“We’vegottwogoodhoursofhikinglefttogettoourcampgroundfortonight.Thatgivesusuntilthreeo’clocktofindthatkerritatlocus!Noweveryone,followme!”

Itworked.They’relookingforthatflower.Andaslongasyouhookbackupwiththemagainbeforethreeo’clock,theymayneverknowyou’regone.

“Zoe,didyoureallyseethekerritatloca-whatever?”“Noway!”shesays,grinningfromeartoear.“Butnowwegettoexplore!”Youmakeyourwaythroughthedenseleavesandvinestowardthestonefeetthatcaughtyoureye

before.“Hereitis,Zoe!”youshout.“Theremustbeastatueunderneaththesevines.”Youbothgetagoodgriponthecreepingvinesandyankthemback.Yourbloodrunscoldatwhat

yousee….

RushtoPAGE47.

“Let’sgobacktowherewewereearlier,”yousaytoBenasyouleavetheclearing.“Afterall,that’swhereIthoughtIsawtheFireheartfruit.”

“Cool!”Benboundsaheadofyou,pushingtheheavyfoliageoutofhiswayasyoubothclimbupasteepslope.

“NowIseewhytheyusethosebigknivesinthemovies,”hedeclaresoverhisshoulder.“Theseleavesarereallythick!”

Asoftrainbeginstofall.Thewaterfeelsgoodonyourgooeyskin.YouandBenaremakingyourwaybacktoMrs.Wheedle’smeetingspotwhenyoucometoabiggnarledtree.

Youheararustlingatyourfeet.Suddenly,youaresnatchedupintotheair,alongwithBen.Youarecaughtinahugenet!

DragyourselftoPAGE44.

Youarehangingsuspendedfromthegianttreeinabignet.Tight,toughropescrisscrosseverywhichway.

“Whoputthisnethere?”youaskBenworriedly.“Doyouthinkitwasthemedicinemen?”“Idon’tknow.Ihopenot!”YouandBenareajumbleofarmsandlegsinthegiantnet.Youcan

hardlytellwhichwayisup!Arustlingsounddrawsyourattentionbacktotheground.Agroupofincrediblytallwomendressed

inleatherandanimalskinsstepoutofthetrees.Theyareveryold,withtan,wrinkledfacesandwhitehairhanginginbraids.Acrosstheirchestsare

slunglong,curvingbows,andtheycarrysharpspearsintheirhands.“Thosearen’tthemedicinemenIwasreadingabout!”Benwhisperstoyou.“Checkouttheirspears,”yousayquietly.“Theydon’tlooktoofriendly!”“WarriorWomen!”Bengasps.“IreadinacomicbookoncethattheAmazonRiverwasnamedafter

someancientWarriorWomen.Theywerecalled…Amazons!”TheleaderoftheWarriorWomenstepsforward.Sheraisesadecoratedspear,pointsitrightatyou,

andjabs!

Quick,turntoPAGE28.

Youdigaroundforgoldonthefloor,amongthejewels.Youcan’tresistslippingafewgemsintoyourpockets.

Anemeraldhere,adiamondthere…Soon,you’veforgottenallaboutthegold,aboutZoe,abouteverythingbutfillingyourpocketswith

jewels!You’refocusingoncollectinggemsanddaydreamingaboutgivingyourmomathousandcarat

diamond!Youdon’tnoticethewallsofthecaveclosinginonyou.Therockformationshangingdownfromtheceilingfitwiththeonesstickingupfromthefloorlikea

hugesetofteeth.Andthoseglitteringteetharechompingdownonyou!Youglanceupfromyourjewel-collectingjustintime.Ifyoumovequickly,therestillmaybejustenoughroomtosqueezeoutthewayyoucame.Ofcourse,

you’llhavetoemptyyourpocketsofallthosejewelstobesureyoudon’tgetsnaggedonarock.Thenagain,maybeifyoulieverylowonthefloorbetweentwostalagmites,youwon’tgetcrunched!

Thenyoucouldkeepyourtreasure.Finderskeepers.You’llberich!It’syourchoice!

DropthejewelsandslipouttoPAGE20.OrlaylowandwaitforthechambertoopenagainonPAGE4.

Ben’sbookletexplainswhyyouhaveturnedintoamonster.Maybewithhishelp,youcanbecomehumanagain!

“TheMuglaniareatribeofmedicinemen—youknow,witchdoctors,”Benexplains.“Theyleavethisenchantedfruitoutheresothatpeoplewillcomeandbeturnedintostrangecreatures.Theydon’tlikepeople.TheMuglaniwanttoturnallpeopleintoanimalsormonsters!”

“Doesitsayanythingabouthowtoundothespell?”youaskBeninahoarsevoice.“Itsaysinthepamphletthatthere’salegendaryfruitthatcanundotheMuglanimagic.It’scalledthe

Fireheartfruit,”Benreadsfromhisbooklet.“IrememberatreethatMrs.Wheedleshowedusthathadfruitsthatlookedlikelittleredhearts.

Maybethat’stheone!”youtellBenexcitedly.“Willyouhelpmefindit?”“Ofcourse,”Bensaysgood-naturedly.“Afterall,yousavedmefromeatingthatmagicbanana!”“We’dbetterhurry,”youdeclare,glancingatyourwatch.“It’salreadytwo-twenty!We’vegottobe

backbythreeorMrs.Wheedlewillkillus!”“Whichdirectionwasthetreeyousaw?Totheleftortotheright?”Benasks.

Flipacoin!Ifitlandsonheads,goleftonPAGE43.Ifitcomesuptails,gorightonPAGE103.

Thecreepingvinesfalltoeithersideofthestatue.Ahideousgargoylecarvedoutofgleamingwhitestonegrinsoutatyou.Ithascrazy,bulgingeyesandlong,sharpteeth.Itlookslikesomekindofamutantcatcreature!

“That’sreallycreepy,”Zoesays.“Itgivesmetheshiversjustlookingatit.”Thenyouhearsomethingelse.Itsoundslikealow,deepgrowl.Itsoundslikeit’scomingfromthestatue!Youfeelahotblastofstale-smellingaironyourface.That’swhenyounoticethebitsandpiecesof

plasterfallingawayfromthestatue.What’sgoingon?youthink.Youshakeyourheadandblinkyoureyes,butitdoesn’thelp.Thegreat

stonebeastliftsoneofitsclawedforepawsandslicesatsomevinesstillclumpedaroundit.Theyfallinpiecestotheground!

“RUN!”Zoescreams,grabbingatyou.Butwhichway?Therearetwopathsleadingawayfromwhereyouare.

Downthepathontheleft,youseeasmallpoolandawaterfall.Maybeyoucouldswimawayfromthebeast!Totheright,youseeaclearingwithheavysticksandrocks.

Tofightthebeastwithsticksandstones,runtoPAGE11.Totryyourluckwiththewater,rushtoPAGE68.

ThebeasttakestwostepstowardyouandZoewhensuddenlyitgivesayelpandstartstotremble!Thegargoylestartslookinglesslikeafiercemonsterandmorelikeascaredpuppydog.Itlooksterrified!

Whining,andwithitstailbetweenitslegs,thegargoylebacksupandrunsaway!You’resoshockedyoudropyourclub.

“Ican’tbelieveit!”youshouttoZoe.“Whathappened?”“Itlookedlikeitwasafraidofsomething!”Zoeexclaims.“Maybeitcan’tgointodirectsunlight.Or

maybeit’safraidofgrass!”“Ha-ha,veryfunny!”youretortasyoucastyoureyesaroundtheclearing.That’swhenyounoticethe

woodentableyouglancedatbefore.Yougetafunnyfeelingaboutit.“Maybethegargoylewasafraidofthistable,”youwonderaloudasyoustrollovertotheancient

table.“What’ssoscaryaboutatable?”Zoeaskssarcastically,pushingherheavybrownbangsoutofher

eyes.“Idon’tknow.”Youshrug.Youbenddowntoexaminetheenormouswoodentable.That’swhenyou

realizethatthetableisdecoratedwithshrunkenheads!Shrunkenhumanheads!

RacetoPAGE110.

“Run!”Benscreams.“Thedragonisafteryou!”Quickly,youslipthepulpyFireheartfruitintoyourpocket.Benboundsdownthetunnel,headingfortheexit.Youturntorunawayfromthedragon,butyourfeetslipontherockandyouhittheground.Your

breathisknockedoutofyou,butevenworse,yourclubrollsawayfromyou!Thedragonletsoutanangryroarandpouncesonyou.Theweightofthedragonpinsyoutothe

ground.HISS!You’refacetofacewithadeadlydragon!

TurntoPAGE133beforeit’stoolate!

YoufigureyoumightaswelltrytalkingtotheMuglani.Ifyourunaway,hemightputanotherspellonyou.

“Excuseme,sir,”yousay,steppingawaysothatyoucanlookhimintheeye.“Areyouoneofthemedicinemenwhoturnedmeintoamonster?”

“Yes,Iam,”herepliesinathickaccent.Still,you’rekindofamazedthatthisancienttribespeaksEnglish.

“Andyou’vedoneverywell.Bothofyouhavedoneverywell,”themysteriousmedicinemanadds,andsmilesatyou.

“Whatdoyoumean?”Benasks.“YoufoundtheFirehearttree!Youpassedthetest!”theMuglanideclares.Outofthejungleall

aroundyou,otherMuglanistepforward.Someofthemaremen,someofthemarewomen,someareevenkids.Allofthemwearleopard-skinrobesandcarryscepters.

“Wearrangedthewholething!”theMuglaniexplains.“WeusedmagictocreatetheJuniorExplorerAdventureClub,andwemadesurethatyoubothfoundyourwayintotheclearingwiththemagicfruitatthesametime!”

“Youmeanitwasallatest?”youask.“Yes,”themedicinemanchuckles.“Andyouwon!”“Butwhatexactlydidwewin?”Benasksnervously.

TurntoPAGE99tofindout.

Youstareintothecrazybulgingeyesofthestonecreature.ItlooksalittlelikeaChineseparadedragon,youthink.It’sbaringitsteethatyouinahideousgrin.You’vegottomakeyourmove.

Sincethebeastismadeofstone,itprobablycan’tswim.There’sonlyonecatch…Neithercanyou!Desperately,youcastyoureyesaround.Onthegroundnexttoyou,there’sabigstick.You’lldefinitelyneedsomethingifyou’regoingtofightoffthatgargoyle.Thenagain,maybethe

stickwouldhelpyoufloatifyoujumpedintothewater.Youpickitup.Thegargoyleswishesitstailangrilyandlicksitschopswithitshuge,gravel-coatedtongue.What’sitgoingtobe?Riskdrowningortakeyourchanceswiththebeast?Bettermakeyourmovebeforeitpounces!

Tofightthestonebeastwiththestick,turntoPAGE112.Tojumpintothewaterwiththestick,turntoPAGE78.

Youknowthere’snogoingback.Notwiththatgargoylecreatureoutside.Thiscaveisyouronlyhope.Butstill,it’ssodarkandspookyinthere.

“Yougofirst,Zoe,”yousayasyoupullyourselfoutontotherocks.Yougesturetowardthecreepycavewithonehand.“Ifyou’resobrave,thenyoujustgorightahead!”

“Okay,scaredy-cat,followme,”shesaysasshestepsintothemouthofthecave.Youstayrightbehindher.

Youarebothdrippingwetandshivering.Butawarmbreezeisblowingthroughthecave.Itdriesyouasyougo.

Youreyesadjusttothedarkness.Jaggedrockslinethewallsofthecave.Youmoveslowlythroughthedark.Zoetellsyouwhenthere’saboulderoraditch.Youwalkfor

whatseemslikeaneternity.Thenyouseesomethingtotallyunexpected…light!“Look!”youshouttoZoe.“Thatmustbethewayout!”

ScrambletoPAGE88.

“It’sveryniceofyoutoofferushelp,”yousay,backingawayfromtheWarriorWomen.“Butwe’vereallygottobegoing.”

Afterall,theWarriorWomanhasashrunkenheadinherbag.Plus,theyhavespearsandbowsandarrows.Youcan’ttrustthem.They’rejusttoodangerous!

“Itwasnicetomeetyou,”Benjoinsin.“Seeyoulater!”TheWarriorWoman’sfaceturnsredasyouedgetowardthetrees.Shesnapsherfingersandallthe

WarriorWomenlifttheirspears.Andpointthemrightatyou!YouandBengaspinfear!Acoldsweatbreaksoutdownyourspine.“Okay,”theWarriorWomansays.“Iadmitit.We’retheoneswhoputthatmagicfruitthereand

turnedyouintoamonster.We’retheMuglani.Andwewantyourheads!”

Quick,turntoPAGE39.

“Let’strytoswingoverthetarpit!”yousuggesttoBen.TheWarriorWomenarerightbehindyou.There’snotimetolose!

Youreachforthevine,butawarm,tropicalbreezepicksup.Itblowsthevinerightoutofyourreach.

“Hurry!”Bencries.“TheWarriorWomenarecoming!”Youreachfarther,farther,tryingtograspthevine.Hard,weatheredhandsclampdownonyourarms.It’stoolate!TheWarriorWomenhavecapturedyou!

StruggletoPAGE41.

“Let’strytogoaroundthelava,”yousaytoZoe.Thelavapoolbubblesandhissesatyou.Itsendsaspookyorangeglowupoveryourface.Youand

Zoestepcarefullytothesideofthelavapool.Butyoursneakerslips!Youflailyourarmswildly!Zoereachesoutandpullsyoutowardher.Justintime!Youlookdownatthegooey,meltedrubberheelofyoursneaker.“Gosh,thanks,Zoe,”yousay.“You

savedmylife.”“Iguessyouowemebigtime,”shesayswithasmile.“Butwebetterkeepgoingbeforethose

cotton-headedfreaksfigureouthowtofollowus.”Thetwoofyoumakeyourwaypastthebubblinglavaandthroughanarrowtunnelthatopensinto…Abigtorchlitcavern!YOU’VEGONEINACIRCLE!Thecavecreaturescheerandlaughasthey

surroundyouagain.TheygrabyoubythearmandleadyoubackbeforeKingCottonheadonhispyramidthrone.

TurntoPAGE135.

Tinyfishjawssnapshutjustinchesfromyournose.Thenthepiranha-likefishsplashesbackintothewater.

Youtakeamomenttobreathedeeplyandcheckthetimepieceinyourpocket.“Look!”yousay,holdingupthehourglass.“OurPalookaisalmostup!We’vegottogettothatgold.

Andfast!”“Iknow!”Zoeresponds.“WhileIwaswaitingforyou,Itriedtofishthegoldoutwithastick.But

theyatethestick!”Sheholdsupashortwetnubofabranch.Youcastyoureyesaroundthecave.Thewallsappeartobewet.Butwhenyouexaminethemmore

closely,youseelittleyellowspecksscatteredalloverthewalls.Theyarecoveredwithslimylittleyellowslugs!

“Ihaveanidea!”youexclaim.Youpullyoursmallarmyknifeoutofyourbackpocket.Youunlaceyourshoeandtietheknifetothelace,withthebladeout.Thenyoucarefullypeeloneoftheslugsfromthewallandplaceitonyourhomemadefishhook.

“We’llgofishing!”youannounce.Butwithbaitlikethat,youmightcatchmorethanyoubargainedfor.

TurntoPAGE119toseewhatyoucatch.

Youwereabouttorunintotheclearingtowardthetree.ButBenheldyoubackjustintime!Asyouwatchfrombehindthebush,Mrs.WheedleenterstheclearingwiththerestoftheJunior

Explorersrightbehindher.“Hmmm,”Mrs.Wheedlemumbles.“Idon’tseethekerritatlocusanywhere!Wherecouldthatplant

be?”“Hey,Mrs.Wheedle,”BillGreencalls.“What’sthenameofthiscooltreewithallthefruit?”“Ican’trememberthescientificname,buthereintheAmazontheycallittheFirehearttree.”You’resoexcitedtohearthatthetreeactuallyIStheFirehearttreethatyoushoutout.“Yes!”youyell.“Whatwasthatsound?”Mrs.Wheedledemands.“Itsoundedlikeitcamefromoverthere,”saysBill’slittlebrotherFred.Hepointstowardyour

hidingplace.“Whatdowedonow?”Benwhispers.“Shouldwetellthemwhoyouare?Ormaybeyoushouldjust

scarethemaway.Afterall,theywon’trecognizeyou!”

Tostepoutandexplainwhathappenedtoyou,gotoPAGE18.Tojumpoutandscarethemaway,gotoPAGE129.

YouandZoeracedownthebigtunnel.“Wherearewegoingtofindgold?”youwonderaloudtoZoe.“Idon’tknow,”Zoereplies.“It’snotlikeyouraveragescavengerhunt.Goldisprettyhardtocome

by!”Thetunneliswideandwell-litbylanternsthathangfromthewallsabouteveryfivefeet.Smaller

tunnelsbranchofftothesidesofthemaintunnel.“Quick,let’stakethisone.”Zoechooses.She’spointingtoatunnelthatcurvesdownward.“There

mightbesomegolddeeperdowntowardthecenteroftheearth.”Aboveyou,youseeatunnelthatgoesstraightup.There’saladdercutintothestone.

Wanttotakethetunnelthatgoesdown?TurntoPAGE14.Wanttotaketheladderaboveyouinstead?ClimbtoPAGE98.

“Hii-Yaa!”youshout,boundingupontotheskullofthenearesttiger.Yoursneakerbarelytoucheshisdecrepitskull,whentheentireskeletoncollapsestotheground.

CRASH!Youlandinatangledheapoftigerbones.Ouch!Itfeelslikeyoutwistedyourleg.Andyoucan’t

moveyourarm.Theothertigerpouncesonyou,butsinceyounowknowhowflimsytheyare,youkickitsskeletonto

pieceswithoneblowofyourgoodleg.Youwon’thavetoworryaboutthosetigersanymore.Butgettingoutofthepitisanotherstory.Yourarmisturningnumbandyourlegfeelslikesomebodyisholdingablowtorchtoit.Youaren’t

goinganywhere!Youyellforhelp.Butbythetimesomebodyfindsyou,it’llbehardtotellyourbonesfromthe

tigers’.Makenobonesaboutit,thisis

THEEND.

“Pleasehelpmedigmylegout,Ben!”youshout.“Ifwetrytodrownthemitcouldjustmakethemmadder.”

“Okay,”Benanswers.Hepicksupthestickontheground,kneelsdowncarefully,andprodstheanthill.

AsBendigs,theantsscurrytoandfro.They’rebrightredwithtinypincers.Youstareandstareatthem.

You’refeelingveryhungryallofasudden.Beforeyoucanstopyourself,yourtongueshootsout!Yourtongueishuge,long,andsticky!Itzaps

upawholemouthfuloftheredants.CRUNCH!Theytastedelicious.Benstaresupatyouinamazement.“Wow!”heexclaims.“That’ssometongue!”SPLAT!Yourtonguedartsoutagain.Theantssticktoitbythehundreds.Soonyou’veeatenallof

them!Youpullyourfootoutoftheruinedanthill.“IguessIwashungry!”youtellBen,wipingthelastfewantcrumbsoffyourmouth.“Thatwasgross!”Benexclaims.“Butwe’dbettergetgoing.WeonlyhaveahalfhourbeforeMrs.

Wheedleandtherestofthegrouptakeoffforthenewcampsite!We’vegottofindthatFirehearttreebeforethen!”

TurntoPAGE24.

Thereisonehugefishleftinthepoolwiththehunkofgold.Thegiantpiranhaistearingthroughthepoolwithyourmakeshiftfishinglinestreamingfromhismouth.

“Checkoutthesizeofthatguy!”youexclaim.“He’senormous,”Zoeagrees.Yougrabatyourshoelaceandyankthehugefishoutofthewater.Holdingitawayfromyourbody,

yousetitdownonthecavefloor.Theknifejutsthoughitscheek.Zoeiswadingthroughtheemptypool,reachingforthegold,whenyouhearatinygaspingvoice.“Setmefree,”itsays.Thepiranhaistalkingtoyou!“Ifyouthrowmebackintothepond,I’llgiveyouawish,”thefishburblesthroughitsgapingmouth.“Thisfishistalking!”youexclaimtoZoe.Youalmostdon’tbelieveityourself.“Comeon.Wedon’thavetimeforthat!”Zoeshouts,grabbingthegold.“We’vegottomakeitback

totheking.Wehavethegoldheaskedfor!Justleavethefishandlet’sgo!”

Totossthefishbackinthepondandmakeawish,turntoPAGE105.Toraceforthethronechamberinstead,turntoPAGE130.

TheWarriorWomenleadyouthroughthejungletofindtheFireheartfruit.Eventhoughtheyseemancient,theWarriorWomenwalkfast!Theyslipthroughthejunglegracefully,hardlydisturbingasingleleaf.

AsyouhikebehindtheWarriorWomen,youbegintofeelveryhungry.Eventhoughyoujustatethatpear,youfeelasifyouhaven’teatenindays.Maybemonstersgethungryfasterthannormalpeople.

Yourstomacheruptswithaloudgrowl.Thejungleleavesbegintoblurbeforeyoureyes.You’refeelingfaint!You’vegottohavesomefoodsoon!

Isthatanorangetreeyouseeofftothesideofthepath?Itsureis!Wow!Anorangewouldreallyhitthespot!

Theorangessmellgreat!Butyourememberthatthelasttimeyouateapieceoffruititturnedyouintoamonsterwithbuggingblackeyesandgooeygrayflesh.

Thesefruitscan’tbemagic!youassureyourself.They’regrowingonatreeinthemiddleofthejungle!Theymustbesafe!Yourstomachgrowlsatyou.Grabanorange!

OrmaybeyoucouldasktheWarriorWomenforsomethingtoeat.

Tograbanorange,turntoPAGE69.ToasktheWarriorWomenforsomethingtoeat,turntoPAGE5.

Fromeverycorneroftheroom,fromeachcrevice,darkformsstepoutoftheshadows.Theymovein,circlingaroundyou.Someofthemareshorterthanyou,sometaller.

Andastheystepintothetorchlight,yourealizewithachillthatpiercesyoutothebone,there’ssomethingveryun-humanaboutthem!

Thefirstthingyounoticeistheirbizarreheads.Theylooklikehideouspuffballs!They’reperfectlyroundandcoveredinaslimywhitefuzz,likemoss.Theireyesarebiggelatinousblobs,glossyandwhite!

You’realmosttoogrossedoutbytheirheadstonotice,buttheirbodiesarecoveredwithheavy,grayrocklikescalesinsteadofskin!Asifsomeonedippedtheminglueandrolledtheminagravelpit.

Whatarethey?Someforgottenraceofcavepeople?Withbig,blobbyeyestohelpthemseeinthedark?Maybethat’swhathappenstoyouifyouspendtoomuchtimeunderground!youthink.

TheyaremovinginonyouandZoe.Yourkneesarestartingtofeelshakyastheydrawnearer.

Aretheyfriendsorenemies?RushtoPAGE91!

“Oh,Mrs.Wheedle,”Zoecallsout.Thegroupcomestoahalt.“Whatwasthenameofthatextremelyrarefloweryouweredescribingthismorning?Theonethatallthefamousscientistsaresearchingfor?”

“Whichone?YoumeantheAmarylliskerritatlocus?”“Isthattheonewiththeweirdtwistingorangepetalsandthebluestems?”Zoeasksinnocently.“Yes,indeed,”Mrs.Wheedleanswers.Shestartstowringherfingersexcitedly.“Whataboutthe

kerritatlocus?”“Isawit!”Zoenearlyshouts.“Ireallydid!”“Where?WHERE?”Mrs.Wheedledoesahappylittlejump.“Ithinkitwasoverthere,”Zoesays,pointingbackdownthepath.“Ormaybeitwasthatway…”

shesays,pointingtotheleftofthegroup.“Weshouldsplitupandsearchforit!”yousuggest.Allthekidsstarttalkingatonce.Now’syourchancetosneakaway!

Quick!SneakovertoPAGE42.

Youchewonthepearthatyoutookfromthebasketonthetable.It’sdelicious—coolandsweet.Thepearjuicedribblesdownyourchin.

“Ican’tbelieveyoudidthat!”Zoe’salittlecrazed.“Youdon’tknowwherethefruitcamefrom.Itcouldbepoisonedorsomething!Maybeallthesepeopleatethefruit!”Shegesturestotheshrunkenheads.

“Icouldn’thelpmyself,”youexplain,takinganothergreedymouthful.“Itsmellssogood.Icouldn’tresist.Idon’tthinkit’spoisoned,”youassureher.“Ittastestoogoodtobepoisoned.”

Butonlymomentsafteryou’veswallowedthesecondpulpymouthfulofpear,youstarttofeeldizzy.Thegroundbeginstotwistunderyourfeet.Thetreesloomoveryou,castingtwirlingshadowsdown

onyou.Theleavesorthetreesaredoingpirouettes.Zoe’sfaceisspinning,spinning,spinning…“What’shappeningtoyou?”Youhearherdesperatecry.

SpintoPAGE94.

ThedragonisbehindtheFirehearttree,cowering.Youracetotheexitofthetunnel.Asyourun,youfeelthewebbedhoodaroundyourheadfoldupandcollapsebackagainstyourscaly

neckandback.Youneverevenknewyouhadituntilyouneededit.“Ben!”youcall.“Areyouokay?”“Youmadeit!”heyells.“Ican’tbelieveit!Ithoughtyouwereagonerforsure!”“Nope,Iscaredthedragon!Ioutscaredit!Andlook,IhavetheFireheartfruit!”Thefruitisstillpulsinginyourhand.Youstareatit,gladthatitdidn’tgetsquishedduringthebattle.

Itsbloodredskinisshinyandslippery.“Heregoesnothing,”yousay,sinkingyourteethintothewarmfruit.

FindoutwhathappensnextonPAGE96.

“Runforit,Ben!”youshout.Youduckoutfromunderthemedicineman’shand.“Uomlackasacka!”themedicinemancommandsinaforeignlanguage.Awindwhipsup

immediately.“Koobootalunga!”heshouts.Eightothermedicinemendressedinsilverrobesappearfromthin

air!Theyalllookexactlylikethefirstone.Withstripesontheirfacesandbigfeatheryhats.Theymustbesomesortofmagicalclones!Snarlinginanger,themedicinemenchaseyou.

Benracesoneway,yougoanother.Fourofthecloneschaseyouasyouripthroughthejungle.Youhurtleoverrootsandsmallplants.Youdodgelowvinesandtreebranches.

Youreachthebanksofariver.Waterrushesbyinamuddytorrent.Severalthick,strongvineshangdownfromagianttree.

Themedicinemenspringoutontothebankoftheriver.Theychuckleanevillaughinunison.Allatonce,theyraisetheirhandstograbyou.

Yougraboneofthevinestoswingovertheriver.Youhopethey’reassturdyastheylook!

SwooshovertoPAGE85.

Youracetowardthewaterfall.Maybeyoucanlosethegiantgargoylethatway.Thestonebeastchasingyoukindoflookslikeacat,youthink.Andcatshatewater,right?

Downthepath,asmallpoolofwaterissurroundedbylushtropicalplantsandflowers.Fromfiftyfeetabove,arivercascadesdownintothepool,sendingupathickmist.

“Jumpintothewater!”Zoeshouts.Shedoesaperfectcannonballfromthemossybank.Youglancearound.Thestonebeastappearsonthepathbehindyou.Itshideousjawssnapwildlyat

theair.Itsthickstonelegmusclesarebunchedup,readytopounce.

TurntoPAGE51.

Youdecideyoudon’twanttosloweveryonedownbyaskingthemforsomethingtoeat.You’lljustsnatchanorangerealquick.

Youstepintotheshadeoftheorangetreetopluckafruit.Andfindthegroundunderyourfeethasdisappeared!

Withalungeyougrabfortheledge.Yourknucklesscrapeonsmallrocksburiedinthesoftground.Youplummetdownward!Yourarmswheelthroughtheair.Youtakeanosedive,landingwithaPLOP!You’reinsomekindofapit.Steep,squarewallsgoupaboutfifteenfeet.Beyondthepityoucanseethedeepgreenleavesofthe

jungleandtheblueskybeyondthem.“Hello!”youcalltoBenandtheWarriorWomen.“Canyouhearme?Ifellintoapit!Helpme!”Butthere’snosoundfromabove.They’retoofarawaytohearyou.Ifonlytheydidn’twalksofast!Nowyou’retrapped!

TurntoPAGE80.

Thekingstoopsdown,bringinghisfacerightuptoyours.Heplacesarockyhandonyourshoulderandgazesintoyoureyes.

“Didyougointomytreasuredjewelcave?”heasksyougravely.“Whatishetalkingabout?”Zoeasksyou.Tellthetruth.Didyougointothejeweledchamberornot?

Ifyoudidgointothejeweledcave,turntoPAGE123.Ifyoudon’tevenknowwhatthekingistalkingabout,turntoPAGE106.

InCronby’stinyfistaretwolittlenuggetsofshimmeringgold!Wow!Ifyoucouldgetthemfromthetrollyou’dbemorethanhalfwayhome.

“I’llplayyouforthegold,”Cronbybargains.“Playwhat?”“Well,sinceyou’renotscaredofanything,I’llaskyouaquestionaboutsomethingreallyscary.If

yougetthequestionright,yougetthegoldandI’llshowyouwhereyourfriendis.”SohedoesknowaboutZoe!

“WhatifIgetthequestionwrong?”youask.“Well,thenIgettokeepthegoldandyourfriend.”Thetrollhasanevilglintinhiseye.“Yousee,I

liketoeathumanbeings.They’resochewy!Ifyoulose,youhavetohelpmecarryZoetomykitchen.She’stooheavyformetocarrybymyself.”Hegigglesinanticipation.

“Noway!”youshout.You’dneverbetonyourbestfriend’slife.“ButI’mafraidyouhavenochoice!”thetrollwhispers.“Howwillyousaveher?Youdon’teven

knowwheresheis!”Cronbythrowshisheadbackandlaughs.Thetrollisright.Youmustplay.

GotoPAGE15todecideyourfate…andZoe’s!

It’sanalligator!Thisjungleriverisswarmingwiththem.Thealligatortugsyoudowntotheriverbottom.Itsteethareclampeddownaroundyourleg.Ashardasyoukickandwrestle,youcan’tshakeitloose.

Strangely,itdoesn’treallyhurt,butyouarestartingtogetangry.Youflipthegatoroverandbiteitontheneck.Afterall,youhaveafullsetofsharpmonsterteeth!

Immediately,thealligatorletsgoofyouandswimsaway.Yes!Youjustfoughtoffanalligator!Thekidsatschoolwillneverbelievethatone!Nowallyou’vegottodoisgetbacktoschoolsoyou

cantellthem!It’stimetogoandstraightenallofthisout.YouaresurethatonceMrs.Wheedleandtheothers

realizewhoyouaretheywillhelpyoufigureouthowtoturnbackintoahuman.Theanswermustlieonthattablewiththefruit!

Inacoupleofdeftstrokes,youreachtheshoreoftheriver.Youpullyourselfoutofthewaterandstandontheshore.

Gasp!Yourgillshuffandpuffuselessly.Youreyessting!Youcan’tbreathe!You’resuffocating!

Quick!FliptoPAGE35.

“Oh,no!”youandZoescreamtogetherasyouslidedownthesmoothstoneslide.BUMP!Youlandonthetunnelfloor.Backwhereyoustarted.“Great!”Zoesaysrollinghereyes.“Wewerealmostout!”“Sorry,”yousay.“Atleastthehourglassisstillokay!”Youholditupforhertosee.“Comeon,”shemoans.“We’vegottofindthegoldfortheking—andfast!”“Zoe,”yousay,“Iamreallysorry.”“Don’tsweatit!”shereplies.Andyouknowthatshe’ssuchagoodfriendshewon’tmentionit

again.“Timeisrunningout,”Zoesays.“Whichwayshouldwego?”

TurntoPAGE14.

“Thelittlesisterisnamed‘TaratheTerrible’!”youdeclarewithpride.“ARRRRGH!”Thetrolljumpsupanddown.“Ican’tbelieveit!Yougotitrightagain!”Youjumpintotheair!Youdidit!“Handovermygold!”youcommandCronby.Withtearsinhiseyes,Cronbywithdrawsthreefatnuggetsofgoldfromthepocketofhislittlepants

andhandsthemovertoyou.“NowshowmewhereZoeis!”youdirect.Youcheckthetimepiece—youstillhaveaboutafifthof

aPalookaleft.Youfollowhimtothemouthofthetunnel,whereZoeissitting,alltiedup.Cronbyuntiesherandscurriesaway.

“Igotourgold!”youexclaim.“Allright!”Shegivesyouahighfive.“Howdidyoudoit?”Youtellherthewholestoryonyour

waytothepyramid.YouandZoereachthegrandchamberasthelastfewgrainsofsandareabouttofallthroughthe

hourglass.“We’vegotthegold!”youshouttriumphantly.Thekinghimselfshowsyououtintothejungle.YousafelymeetupwiththeJuniorExplorer

AdventureClub.Andwhatanadventureitwas!

THEEND

Thebubblingtarpitisn’tthatwide.Maybeyoucanmakeitifyouhurdletowardtheotherbank.“Jumpforit!”youshouttoBen.Youtakeaflyingleapfortheotherside.Youalmostmakeit.Yourfeetsliponthefarbankofthepit.Yourfeetslideintothesteamingtar.You

fallbackward,archingthroughtheair.SPLAT!Thestickytarcoversyoufromheadtotoe.SPLAT!Benlandsrightontopofyou.Themoreyoustruggle,thedeeperyousink.Lookslikeyou’restuck…forgood.

THEEND

“Whatisit?Whydoyouhavetogoback?”Zoeasks.Shestopsclimbingandglancesdownatyouoverhershoulder.“We’realmostfree!”

“Istillhavetheking’stimepiece!”youmoan.“Ican’tstealit.Thatwouldn’tberight!”“Listen,”Zoesaysimpatiently.“Justsetitdownoverthere.He’llfinditsoonerorlater.”Shepoints

atabigrockstickingoutofthesideofthetunnel.Therockisflatontop,justlikeashelf.Itlooksasifthetimepiecewouldfitrightontherock.

“Anyway,”Zoecontinues,checkingherbigwatch,“therestofourgroupwillbehikingoutofhereatthreeo’clock.It’stwo-twenty-five!We’veonlygotabouthalfanhourleftbeforetheyleave!”

“Ifeelbad,”youmoan.“Hesaiditmeantalottohim.Ishouldgosetitdowninthetunnelorsomething.”

“Thatkingwassomeantous.Ican’tbelieveyoufeelsorryforhim!Ifitwereme,”Zoesays,“I’dkeepthehourglassandsellitforalotofmoney!”

Time’sa-wasting.Whatareyougoingtodo?

Ifyourestitontheshelf,gotoPAGE128.Ifyoukeepit,gotoPAGE9.

Youaresurroundedbythestrangemedicinemen.“I’msorry,”youapologize.“It’snotthatwedon’tthinkitwouldbereallycooltojoinyouall.It’s

justthatwehavefamilieswaitingforus.”“Yeah,”Benjoinsin.“Theywouldreallymissusifwebecamemedicinemen.”“Weunderstand,”thetallMuglanisays.“Butyoualsohavetounderstandthatwecan’thaveyou

blabbingaboutallofoursecrets.”Herubshisscepterbetweenhispalmsslowly.“Wepromisewewon’ttellanyone!”youdeclare.“Well,wereallyshouldgo,”Benadds.“Bye!”YouturnyourbacksontheMuglanitoleave.“OomoomoomKlak-kwe-vod-rup!”youhearbehindyou.Youfeelyourbodychangingagain.Thistimebrownhairpushesoutthroughyourskin—allover

yourbody.Youstartshrinking,too!Andgrowatail!You’reamonkey!Andnexttoyouisanothermonkeywearingtinyglasses.It’sBen!WhentheMuglanisaidhedidn’twantyoutellingtheirsecrets,hereallymeantit!Well,atleastyou

haveafriendtomonkeyaroundwith.Youtwocanreallygobananas!

THEEND

Justasthegargoylepouncesatyou,youdoaclumsybackwarddiveoffthebankintothewater.Youplungedownintothedeeppool,grippingtheheavystickwithbothhands.Itseemsasifyou’re

underwaterfortoolong,butthen…Yourfaceandarmsbreakthesurfaceandyoucanbreatheagain.Thestickfloats!Thankgoodness!“Youmadeit!”Zoecheers.“Yeah!”youcryintriumph,gaspingforair.Thewaterisicycold.It’sliketakingabathinanice

cubetray!“Look!”Zoesaysbreathlessly.Shepointstotheshore.Thestonebeastisprowlingbackandforthon

thebank.Itlooksangry.“Itwon’tcomenearthewater,”Zoedeclares.“Excellent!”yousay,shivering.“Butwhatdowedonow?Ifwestayinheremuchlonger,IthinkI’ll

freezetodeath.I’malreadystartingtolosefeelinginmytoes!”Zoedoesn’tsayanything.Herteetharechatteringtoohard.Youfeelyourfeetbeginningtogrow

numbfromthefreezingwater.Areyoudestinedtobecometwohumanicecubes?Orwillyoubetornapartbyabigwalkingrock?

Dog-paddleovertoPAGE6tofindoutifyouhaveanyhope.

“Don’teatit!”youshouttoBenasheliftsthebananatohismouth.Hehasanodd,dreamyexpressiononhisface.Youstepuptohimandknockthebananafromhishand.

Atfirst,Benlooksfuriousthatyousmashedthebananaawayfromhim.Hisfaceturnsred.Thenhelookspuzzledandshakeshishead.Asifhewerewakingfromadream.“Thankyou!”Bensays.“Youbrokethespell!”“Whatspell?”youmanagetocroak.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“Thisfruitisenchanted!Itwasleftherebyatribeofmedicinemen.Itisallexplainedinthis

pamphletIgotatthehotel!It’scalled‘TheMythoftheMuglani.’”

GotoPAGE46tofindoutmoreaboutthe“Muglani.”

Youstandwithyourhandsonyourhipsandcheckoutthepit.NowhowamIgoingtogetoutofthispit?youthink.Andwhywouldsomeonedigabigholeinthemiddleofthejungle,anyway?

Youtaketwostepsback.Maybeyoucanjumpupandgetahandholdonthebankofthepit.Asyourfootlands,youhearaloudCRUNCH!AndtheCRUNCHextendsintoaghostlyRATTLE.Thesoundmakesthehairsonthebackofyourneckprickle.Aspookybreezesweepsoveryou.Thereissomethingmovingbehindyou!Itsoundsasifitmightbeabunchofoldbones.Youturnaroundveryslowlyandverycarefully.

TurntoPAGE126.

“Nicetomeetyou,Cronby,”yousaytothetroll,buryingyourhandsinyourpockets.“HaveyouseenmyfriendZoe?”

Thetrollwrinklesuphisbrow,asifhe’sthinkingveryhard.“Issheaboutthistall?”hesays,holdingahanduptoexactlyZoe’sheight.“Withfrecklesandhairinherfaceandnotverygoodmanners?”

“Yeah.”Younod.“Thatsoundslikeher.”“Yeah,”Cronbysays,stickinghishandsinhispocketsandimitatingyou.“Isawwhichwayshe

went.”“Whereisshe?”youdemand.Thetrollsitsdownontopofasmallrockandcrosseshislegs.“I’lltellyouwhereshewentifyou

tellmewhatyou’redoingdownhere!It’snotoftenweseehumankidsdownhere,”hesayswithcuriosity.“Tomakealongstoryshort,”youexplain,“wewerechasedinsidethewaterfallandwe’vegotto

findthreepiecesofgoldforthekingorwe’llbeturnedintoslaves.”“Ooooh!Youmustbescared!”hewhispers.“No,I’mnotscaredatall,”yousaywithconfidence.“Notscaredatall,eh?”Cronbysays,hisredeyesglimmering.“Well,you’reinluck!LookwhatI

havehere.”

FliptoPAGE71toseewhathe’sgot.

YoureachtopluckoneoftheFireheartfruits.Thedragonstilldoesn’tseeyou.You’removingtooslowlyforthedragontosee!

Theheatfromthelavamakesyoureyeswater.YoutakeoneoftheFireheartfruitsinyourgray,clawedhand.

It’swarm!Justlikearealheart.Andthesoft,fleshyredfruitispulsingwiththeheatofthelava,likearealheartwouldpulse.Itfeelsasifyou’reholdingsomeone’sheart.Gross!

Withaflickofyourwrist,youbreakthefruitfromthetree.Youholditcarefullyinyourhand.Youdon’twanttobreakitopenwithoneofyoursharpclaws!

YouturntoBenandflashhimatoothysmile.ThenyouhearaviolentHISS!Thedragonlungesatyoufrombehindthetree!

DashtoPAGE49!

“I’mnotafraidtogofirst,Zoe!”youdeclareasyouscrambleupontotheslimyrocks.“Oh,yeah?Proveit!”shesaystoyou.“There’snothinginherethatcanscareme!”yousaybravely.YouglancebackasZoepullsherselfoutofthecoldwater.Shetakesoffherwindbreakertowringit

dry.Sheturnstoyouandflashesyouagrin.Youstarttomakeyourwaydeeperintothecave.Thewallsarewetandslimy.Youdon’twantto

touchthembutyouhavetooryou’llfall.Thecaveairfeelshotandhumid.Andthere’sthestrangestwarmbreeze.It’salmostasifsomeonewerebreathingonyou!

“Weird!”youremarktoZoe.“Thecavefloorispink!”Shedoesn’tansweryou.“Zoe?”youcall.“Whereareyou?”Againthere’snoanswer.Youpeerintothedarknessbehindyou.Butyou’reallalone.Ormaybeyou’renotsoallaloneafterall.Youhaveafunnyfeelingsomethingiswatchingyou…

frominsidethecave.

FollowyourhunchtoPAGE23.

YouandBenscrambleovertherocksandintothecave.Therocksarecoveredbyastrangewhitemoss.Themossglowsalittle,helpingyoutoseebetterinthedarkcave.Youuseyourclubasawalkingstick.Ithelpsyoubalanceasyouclimboverthecraggystones.

“Iwonderwhyit’ssohotinhere,”Benmurmurs.“Usuallycavesarecoolerthantheairoutside!”“It’sreallyboilinginhere!”youagree.Asyoustumblealong,thetunnelbeginstoglowwithafaintgoldlight.Thecavegrowsbrighterand

brighter.“Icanseethetree!”youexclaimasyoureachthechamberthatUngertoldyouabout.“Wow!”Benshouts.Thereinthecenterofthecaveisapooloflava.Fromthecenterofthepoolgrowsabeautifullittle

tree.Itslowsweepingbranchesarefilledwithriperedfruits.Theyhanglikedropsofbloodfromeverybranch.

“Howcoolisthat?”youexclaim.Benputsdownhisstickandgivesyouahighfive.“WefoundtheFirehearttree!”

Butasyousteptowardthetree,youhearalow,menacingHISS!

ScrambletoPAGE10.

Youhaveagoodgriponthevine.Youexpecttogosailingovertheriver,awayfromallthemedicinemen.

Butasyougraspthevine,younoticeithasastrangetexture.Itdoesn’tfeellikeaplant.Plantsdon’thavescales!Plantsdon’tslitherinyourhand!Andplantsdon’thiss!

Gasp!You’reholdingontoagiantboaconstrictor!Thesnakequicklyloopsitselfaroundyouanddropsoutofthetree.Youdropwithit!Themedicinemenstandaroundshakingtheirheadssadlyasthetremendousboaconstrictorwraps

itselfaroundyou.Theywantedtoshrinkyourhead.Toobadforthem!IftheytrytotakeyouawayfromtheboaitwillhavearealHISSYFIT!

THEEND

“We’vegottofindourwayoutofthesetunnels!”youexclaim,checkingyourwatch.YouandZoehavethesamekindofbig,clunky,waterproofwatches.Theyareindestructible.And

theycomewithlittlewatch-facelights—justperfectforwhenyou’restuckinacave—likerightnow.“It’stwo-forty-five!”youdeclare.“We’vegottomakeitbacktotheJuniorExplorersbythree.”“Let’stakethisbigtunneloverhere.”Zoegesturestowardawide,roundtunnel.“Ithinkweshouldheadthisway,”youinsist,pointingtoasmallburrowinapatchofsoftearthnear

thefloorofthetunnel.Theholeisjustbigenoughforyoutofitthrough.“Itlooksasifsomekindofanimalcreatedthishole.Itcouldleadtothesurface!”

“Iknow,”Zoesays.“Whydon’tweeachgoandexplorealittle?Wecancovertwiceasmuchgroundthatway.We’llmeetupinafewminutesandreportwhatwefound.”

“Greatidea!We’llmeetbackhereinfiveminutes.”Youcheckyourindestructiblewatchonelasttime.“Ihaveaverygoodfeelingaboutthistunnel!”

Youcouldn’tbemorewrong.

SqueezeonthroughtoPAGE22.

“Guarddragon?”yousay.“Whatdoyoumean,‘guarddragon’?”ButUngerisgone!SheandtherestoftheWarriorWomenhavedisappearedintotherichfoliageof

thejungle.“Well,thanksagain!”Bencallsafterthem.“Doyouthinkshewasseriousabouttheguarddragon?”youaskBennervously.“Idon’tknow,”Benanswers.“Maybeweshouldbringinsomekindofweapon,toprotectourselvesfromthedragon,”you

wonderaloud.“Whataboutthesesticks?”Benasks,pointingtotwoheavybrancheslyingontheground.“Thoselookperfect,”youexclaim.YoupickupthebranchesandhandonetoBen.“Well,we’d

betterhurry.We’veonlygotabouttenminutesbeforetheJuniorExplorersleavewithoutus!Let’sgointothecave!”

RacetoPAGE84!

Zoespeedsovertherockstowardthebrightlight.Youhurrytokeepup.Youcan’twaittogetoutofthiscaveandmeetupwithyourgroup.EvenMrs.Wheedleissoundingprettygoodtoyourightaboutnow.

Butwhenyouglanceup,youseeyouhavestumbledintosomesortoflargeundergroundchamber.Thelightyousawwasnotfromthesun.Itwastorchlight!Castbyhundredsofblazingtorchesthatdecoratetheroomyounowstandin.

“Cool!”Zoemurmurs.“Whatisthisplace?”Thecavernissotallyoucan’tevenseetheceiling.Buttheflooriscoveredinsoftcarpets!Atthe

endoftheroom,asmallpyramidrises.“Itlooksjustliketheoneswestudiedinancienthistoryclass!”youwhisper,pointingtothepyramid.“Yeah!Butthisisn’thistory.ThisisNOW.Checkoutthatthrone!”Zoesaysinamazement.Atthetopofthepyramidisagoldenthronedrapedwithwhatappeartobetigerskins.Zoewalks

overtoit,gapingatthesplendidthrone.Butyou’restartingtofeelnervous.Somebodylitallthesetorchesandyou’renotsosureyouwanttobearoundwhentheygetback.

Toolate.“Uh-oh!”Zoewhispers.“Somebody’scoming!”

Whoisit?ClueinonPAGE63.

Theantsarefranticallytryingtogetbackintheiranthill.Theycrawlalloveryourleg.Andbegintobite!

“Quick,pourthewaterovermyleg!”youcrytoBen.AlargegreenplasticcanteenisslungoverBen’sshoulder.Heopensthecanteenanddrenchesthe

anthillwiththewater.Thewaterdoesn’tkilltheants.ItjustmakesthemREALLYmad!Theyswarmoveryourleg.The

bitesmakeyourlegfeelasifit’sonfire!Theanthillisallmuddynow,andyourlegisstuckevendeeperthanitwasbefore.“Ow!Ben!Helpme!”youcall.“Pullmeout!”Bentakesonesteptowardyoubutstops.“Ican’t!”heexclaims.“I’mallergictoinsectbites!I’llgotrytofindhelp!”Bentakesoff,runningat

fullspeed.Ifonlyyou’dturnedintoagopherinsteadofaclumsy,bug-eyedfishmonster!Thenyoucouldhave

dugyourwayout.BecausebythetimeBengetsback,itwillbetoolate.Theantswillhavemovedyourwholebodyoutoftheiranthill.Bitbybit.Bitebybite.

THEEND

“Itwasabat,”yousaywithconfidence.“WRONG!”thetrollscreams.He’sdelighted.“Itwasadog.Iwin!NowI’mgoingtohavekidstew!

Androastchild!Andgirlcasserole!”“ButIwassureitwasabat!”youinsist.“Itwasnotabat!”Cronbyyells.“Notabat!”“Itwasabigbat!”youinsist.“Abigbat!”Cronbymakesitintoalittlesong.“Notabat!Notabat!Notabat!”Hisvoicegetslouderand

louder,risinginpitchuntilit’sascreech.Ashesingshisawfulsong,anothersoundfillsthetunnelaswell.It’saflutteringsound,awhoosh!Cronby’sscreechesfadeawayastheflappinggetslouderandlouder.Agiant,hairybatlandsontop

oftheboulder!

Quick,fliptoPAGE17.

Whatdothesebizarrecavepeoplewantfromyou?youwonderastheycomecloserandcloser.“Lookupthere!”Zoeyells.Shepointstothepyramid.Allthecreaturesfalltotheirkneessuddenly.Ahugefigureappearsonthethroneatthetopofthepyramid.Hemustbetenfeettall.Hisfaceis

coveredwithstrangeslimymoss,liketheothers,butitisgold-colored,notwhite,andhugehornsstickoutofeachsideofhisbigspongyhead.Hewearsarobeofanimalskins.

“Greetings,”hebooms.HespeaksEnglish!Thecavecreaturesdrawtowardyou.Maybetheyjustwanttosayhello,liketheirking.Thenagain,

whyaretheysurroundingyouiftheyarefriendly?Inaflash,youscanthecavernforanescaperoute.Theyareallaroundyou….

Butofftoyourleftthereseemstobeagap!Ifyoumakeabreakforitnow,youjustmightgetawayfromthem.Oryoucouldstayandhearwhatthebigkinghastosay.Whoknows,hecouldbenice…possibly.It’syourchoice.

Tomakearunforit,racetoPAGE131.Tohearthekingout,turntoPAGE107.

Youstraintoseewhatisintheroomwithyou.Slowlyyoureyesadjusttothedimness.BANG!Thecavecreaturesarestilltryingtogetin!Youseeafaceaheadofyou!It’s…Zoe.OratleastZoe’sreflection.Andit’sbrokenupintoa

thousandlittlepieces.Likeyou’regazingintooneofthosemirroredballs.BANG!CRACK!Thecreaturesarebreakingdownthedoor!Youseeyourownreflection,too.Athousandtimesover.Weird,youthink.Whatisit?Thenyou

freakoutasyourealizewhatitisyou’restaringat…theeyeofaspider!Agiantburrowingtarantulatobeexact!

Thedoorburstsopenandthecreaturesrushin.“Lookout!”theycry.“Becareful!”Youturnbacktothegiantspider.It’scoveredwiththickbrownhairs.Itspincerssnapopenand

closed.Thespiderlookshungry!Youtakethreestepstowardthedoor.Butit’stoolate.Withonesweepofitslong,hairyforearms,thespidergathersyouandZoeup.Itwrapsyouinthickstrandsofsilk.

“Wetriedtowarnyou!”thecavecreaturessaysadly.Youwanttosay“thanksanyway”butyou’rekindofbusy.Infact,you’rereallytiedup.Becausethis

isthebitter

END.

Youtakethetunneltotheleftandrunlikecrazy.Oh,no!Yoursneakerisuntied.Yousteponthelaceandfindyourselfflying…flying…flying…

throughtheair.CRUNCH!Youlandinaheaponthefloor.Theantdropsthebouldertotheground.Itskittersuptoyouandgingerlyplacesoneofitssixfeeton

yourbody.Withapressofitsheel,itsmushesyou.Thelastthingyouhearistheantsaying,“Eww!Ihatethesepinkbugs!I’vegottocallthe

exterminator!”Yuck!Youhavecometoaverymessy

END.

“Canyouhearme?Areyouokay?”Zoeasksanxiously,leaningoveryou.You’vefallentotheground.Thepearrolledoutofyourhandandissittinginthegrass.

Itfeelsasifabombwentoffinsideyourhead.Yourwholebodyfeelssoreandalittletingly.“IthinkI’mokay,”yousaytoZoe.Butinsteadofwords,whatcomesoutisablubberyhowl!“Oh,no!”Zoecriesinhorror.“Ican’tbelieveit!”Hereyeslookasiftheymightpopoutofherhead.Sheispaleandtrembling.Youmovetowardher.Youwanttotellhereverythingisokay.Butshebacksaway.AndthenZoe—yourbestfriendinthewholeworld—turnsawayfromyouandruns,screaming,

intothejungle!“Zoe,wait!”youtrytocallout.Butyoujustmakemoredisgustingbleatingsounds.Yourthroatis

filledwithsomekindofgoopthatkeepsyoufromspeakingclearly.Whywouldsherunawaylikethat?youwonder.Shelookedreallyscared,asifIwereamonsteror

something!That’swhenyouseeyourhands.Andletoutascreamofyourown.Yourskinhaschanged!

FindouthowonPAGE136.

TheWarriorWomanfinisheslookingyouoverandstandsup.“She’sgotashrunkenheadinherbag,”youwhispertoBen.“MaybetheyaretheMuglaniafterall!”Benwhispersback.“Listen,myfriends!”theheadWarriorWomansaysinperfectEnglish.“TheMuglanihavestruckagain!We’vegottohelpthesekidsreversethespellofthoseterrible

Muglani.“MynameisUnger,”theWarriorWomanannouncestoyouandBen.Sheputsoutherhandandhelps

youbothtoyourfeet.“TheMuglaniareourenemies.WealwaystrytohelptheunfortunatepeoplethattheMuglaniturnintomonsters.Willyouacceptourhelp?”

Ungerextendsherhandforyoutoshake.Youseetheshrunkenheadpeepingoutofherbag.Hmmmm…

Canyoureallytrustthesestrangewomenorshouldyougoonyourownway?Youseebyyourwatchit’salreadytwo-thirty.You’vegotnotimetolose!

Toaccepttheirhelp,turntoPAGE122.Toturndowntheofferandgoonyourway,turntoPAGE53.

Wow!TheFireheartfruithasawonderfulflavor.It’slikeastrawberrycake.Asyouchew,yourskinbeginstotingle.Yourfacetwitchesandjumps.Thejunglespins.Everything

blurstogetherandtwirlsfasterandfaster.BANG!Itallstops!Youtakeyourhandsawayfromyourface.“Itworked!”Benexclaims.“You’reakidagain!”Youdidit!Benthumpsyouonthebackandyouburp.Youburpupalittlefire!YouandBenracebacktowardthepathwheretheJuniorExplorerswere.Itdoesn’ttakeyoulongto

findthegroup.Mrs.Wheedleisshoutingforeveryonetogetinlineforaheadcount.Whew!Justintime!Zoe’sthere.Andshe’spsychedtoseeyou.Sheapologizesforrunningfromyouthewayshedid.“Nosweat,”youtellher.“BenandIwilltellyouthewholestory!”Whenyougetbackhome,youbecomefamousforyourfireburps.You’rebookedonallthelate-night

talkshows.It’salsoveryhandyforroastingmarshmallowsforyourtwobestfriends,ZoeandBen.

THEEND

Thecavecreaturespullyoubetweenthem.“Thisisnotatug-of-war!”youshout.“Letgoofme!”Aflashoflightburstsfromnearbyandthecreaturesinstantlydropyou!Theymoaninpain,covering

theireyes.Thebrightlightseemstobehurtingtheireyes.Whatisit?youwonder.ThenyouseeZoestanding

there,grinningfromeartoear.She’sholdingapowerfulmini-flashlight.“ItotallyforgotIhadthis!”Zoeexclaims.“Quick,let’sgetoutofhereonceandforall!”Youmakeyourwaybackthroughthewaterfall.Thegargoylehasgivenupguardingthepool,soyou

areabletorejointheJuniorExplorers.Theyalmostleftwithoutyou!Laterthatnight,youandZoesitinyourtentdiscussingyouradventures.Yousuddenlyrememberthat

youstillhavetheking’stimepiece.YoureachintoyourshirtpockettoshowZoe.Toyoursurprise,youfindthehourglassandahandfulofgems!Theymusthavelandedinyour

pocketswhenthejewelchambercruncheddownandsprayedyouwithrocks.Yousplitthesparklingemeralds,rubies,sapphires,anddiamondswithZoefifty-fifty.Forgetabout

beingJuniorExplorers.Nowyou’reJuniorMillionaires!

THEEND

“Zoe,”youcall.“Let’stakethisonethatgoesup!Itmightevenleadtothesurface!”“Yeah,”sheagrees.“ThenwecouldjustgobacktotheJuniorExplorersandforgetaboutthiswhole

thing!”“Thatwouldbegreat!”yousay.“Here,I’llboostyouup.”OnceZoe’supontheladder,youscrambleuponsomelooserocks.Uptheladder,youclimband

climbandclimb.Thetunnelgetsbrighterasyouclimb.You’realmostbackinthejungle!Soonyoucansmellthe

flowers.Youcanevenhearthetropicalbirdssingingtoeachother.“We’realmostout,”Zoeannounces.“Wow!”youadd.“Ican’tbelieveitwassoeasy!”Butthenyouremember…somethingawful!“Zoe,”youwhispergravely,“Ihavetogoback!”

Oh,no!TellZoewhyonPAGE76.

Theheadmedicinemanwaveshisscepterintheairmajestically.“ByfindingtheFirehearttreetogether,youhavepassedthetest!”Hereachesintoapocketandwithdrawsahandfulofsomekindofpowder.Hesprinklesthepowderoveryourhead.

Ittingles!Youfeelyourskinchangebacktohumanskin!Theclawsdisappear.Yoursharpteethreturntonormal.You’reakidagain!

“Sinceyoupassedthetest,wewillnowmakeyoubothMuglanioftheAmazon!”Hisvoiceboomsthroughthejungle.Heclapshishandsslowly.SoonalltheMuglanijoininclapping.Theybegintochant.“Oomoomoommah-hek-nee-hay.”

“Doyouwanttobeamedicineman?”youwhispertoBen.“No,doyou?”heasks.Youshakeyourhead.TheMuglaniaren’tpayingattentiontoyou.They’reall

busyclappingandchanting.“Excuseme,guys!”youinterrupt.SilencefillstheairastheMuglanistareatyou.“Butwedon’t

WANTtobeMuglani!”“We’lljustseeaboutthat!”theheadMuglanisayswithanevilsmile.

JumptoPAGE77.

Rightinthecenterofthepoolisanuggetofgoldasbigyourfist!Notonlythat,butbehindthepoolyoucanseethemaintunnelthatleadsrighttothethronechamber.

Allyou’vegottodoisgrabthegoldandracebacktotheking.“Cool!”youexclaim.“Let’sgrabitandgetthisoverwith!”Youreachyourhandouttosnatchthe

goldfromthepool.SNAP!Afishjumpsoutofthewaterandnearlybitesoffyourfingerwithitsrazor-sharpteeth.“Whatwasthat?”youcry.Youbendoverthewaterforalook.Ahundredormorefishareswimminginthepool.Theyhaveblindwhiteeyesandsharpteeththat

stickoutoftheirmouthslikepincushions.Theirskinisclear,too.Youcanseetheirinsidesastheythrasharound.

“Getback!”Zoescreamsasanotherfishfliesoutofthewaterrightatyourface!

StepbacktoPAGE56!

Youracethroughthejungleatanamazingspeed.Yourlegsaresuddenlystrongerthaneverbefore!Youcanalsoseemuchbetterthanbefore.It’sprobablybecauseyoureyesaresobig!

Thehuntersarerightonyourtrail.BANG!Abulletwhizzesthroughtheair.They’reshootingatyou!You’vegottogetaway.Totheleft,youseeabigflowerhiddenbyheavyvines.Youcouldhideinit.

Oryoucouldkeeprunning.You’renotsurehowyouknowit,butsomeweirdnewsenseyouhavetellsyouthatthere’swaterahead!

Toruntothewater,turntoPAGE108.Tohideinsidethehugeflower,turntoPAGE16.

“Oh,no!”youcry.“Itcan’tbe!”Thestonepeopleareclosinginfastandyou’restuckonaledgeinfrontofapoolofmoltenlava.You’vereachedthecenterofavolcano!“Whatarewegoingtodo?”Zoeasks,grabbingyourarm.Panicisinhereyes.“Wecouldtrytofightthem,”yousuggest.“Maybethey’renotastoughastheylook.”Thecavecreaturesareapproachingslowly.Theyarewatchingtoseewhatyou’lldo.Sweatis

washingdownyourfaceandneck.Youglancearoundthehotcave,lookingforoptions.Youseethatbehindthelavapoolthetunnelcontinues.

“Maybewecouldtrytogetaroundtheedgeofthepool,”youoffer.“Itseemsprettydangerous,”Zoesays.Bubblesofscaldingairpopatthesurfaceofthepooloffiery

red-and-orangemoltenrock.“Yeah,butsodothey,”youanswer,noddingtowardtheangrycavecreatures.

Ifyoufightthecavepeople,battleovertoPAGE19.Ifyoutrytoworkyourwayaroundtheedgeofthelavapoolinstead,goaroundtoPAGE55.

“Ithinkthetreewasthisway,”yousay,turningtotheright.“Ihopewecanfinditintime!”YouleadBenthroughthedensejungle.Theairishotanddamp.Soonyou’resoakedwithsticky

sweat.Yournewmonsterskinisgrossandgoopy.Itevenstartstosticktotheleavesasyoupartthemwithyourwebbedfingers.

Youtakeasteptogoaroundahugerubber-treeplantwhenoneofthebroad,shinyleavesbouncesrightintoyourface.Itstickstoyourskin,blindingyou.

Youstumbleforward.“Lookout!”Bencries.“Watchyourfeet!”It’stoolate!Youfeelyourfootsinkdownintosomekindofhole.

SinkondowntoPAGE27.

WherecouldZoehavegone?Thetunnelisadeadend.There’snowayoutandyouwererightbehindher!

“Zoe?”youcall.“Zoe!Whereareyou?”Whereareyou?you?you?you?yourvoiceechoesback.That’swhenyounoticethetipofashoestickingoutfrombehindaboulderovertoyourleft.It’sa

greenshoe.Thetipofitcurvesupward…likeanelf’sshoe.“Who’sthere?”youdemand.

TurntoPAGE26,quick.

“Butwait,Zoe,Icouldwishformoretime!”yousay,stoopingtopickuptheslimypiranha.It’ssoslipperyitnearlydropsoutofyourhandsbeforeyoucangetthehookout.

“YouareSOright!”Zoeexclaims,spinningaround.“Wecanwishourselvesrightoutofthismess!”Shestepsbackoutofthepool.

“Thereyougo,”youmurmurasyoueasethefishbackintothewater.Thefishopenshismouthandafewbubblesescape.Asthebubblesbreakonthesurface,hiswords

driftuptoyou.“Whatisityouwishfor?”“Iwanttobeoutofthismess,”younearlyshout.“Takeusbacktoourschoolgroup,upinthe

jungle.”Thefishopensitsmouthandahugesilverbubblepopsuptothesurface….ThewordGRANTED!

echoesthroughthecave.Yourheadisfillingwithsilverlight.Itspreadsthroughoutyourwholebody.

Flash!FlytoPAGE8.

“YourMajesty.”Youaddresstheking.“IcanhonestlysayIdidnotgointoyourjewelchamber.”“Ibelieveyou,”thekingsaystoyou.Thenhestraightensupandspeakstoallthecavedwellers.“Threecheersforthehumans!”Thecavecreaturesshout,“Hip-hip-hooray!”Theyliftyoudownfromthepyramidandcarryyou

aroundontheirscalyshoulders.YougrinatZoeasthecavepeoplecarryyouaroundthecavern.Theyplaceyoudowninfrontofa

longtable.Plattersofrichandexoticfoodarestackedonthetable.Yourealizesometimeduringthefeastthatyouweresupposedtorejoinyourschoolgroupbackinthe

jungle.Butthere’ssomethingaboutthesecavedwellersthatmakesyouwanttostickaround.Maybeforever.Itcouldbetheircute,fuzzyfaces,ortheirpretty,glassyeyes.Ormaybeit’sthemagic“enslavement”

powdertheysprinkledonyourfood.YouandZoelivewiththecavepeopleforsolongthatyoudon’tevenmindwhenmossgrowson

yourfaceandyoureyesturntojelly!You’rejustoneofthegang,fuzzface!

THEEND

Youdecidetohearwhatthekinghastosay.“Maybethekingwillshowusawayout,”youwhispertoZoe.“Humans!”hisvoiceboomsthroughthecavern.“Comeforward!”Twooftherockpeoplegrabyou,oneoneacharm.Theirhandsarecoveredinstonechips.The

stonesdigintoyourskin.“Ow!”youexclaim.“Letusgo,”Zoecries.Therockpeopledragyoubothuptothetopofthepyramid.Theythrowyoudownattheking’sfeet.

Maybeyoushouldhaverunwhenyouhadthechance!

TurntoPAGE135.

Youcansensethatyouarenearwater,soyoukeeprunning.Bulletsripthroughtheleavesallaroundyou.

BANG!BANG!Abeach!Youleapoutoftheheavyfoliageofthejungleontothebanksofaswiftriver.“Oh,no!”GwenShrippcries.“Don’tletitgettothewater!”Thebulletswhizatyoufromeverydirection.Youkickoffyoursneakersanddiveintothewater.

Yourfeetarewebbed,too!Youcanswimincrediblywell.YoucutthroughthewaterawayfromGwenShripp,theworld-famoushunter.Theriveriscoldbutit

feelswonderfulonyourgooeyskin.Yourgiganticeyesimmediatelyadjusttothedarknessofthemuddyriver.Yourealizeyoucanbreatheunderwater!Thecoolwaterflowsthroughthegillsonthesideofyourhead.

Forthefirsttimesinceyoubitthatstrangefruit,alliscalmandquietaroundyou.Butnotforlong…SNAP!Frombehindyou,asetofteethclampsdownonyourleg!Youcryoutinsurprise!What

now?

TurntoPAGE72.

“Let’sheadthatway,”youremarktoZoe.“Sincetherearesomanylittletunnelswe’llhaveabetterchanceoffindingthegold.”

“Excellent,”sheagrees.Youenterthetunnel.Smalltunnelsbranchofflikespokesonawheel,oragiantspiderweb.“Let’ssplitup,”Zoeoffers.“We’llmeetbackhereinfiveminutes.”“Okay,”youagree.Youbothcheckthetimeonyourwatches.“Andifeitherofusgetslost,we’lljust

callouttoeachother!”“Yougotit!”Zoescramblesintoasmalltunneltotheleft.You’veonlysteppedafewfeetintoadifferenttunnelwhenyouhearaheavythudbehindyou.Whenyouturnaroundyourmouthdropsopeninshock.Youseetwolongpointedfeelerswaving

throughtheair.Youreyesarenearlypoppingoutofyourhead.Scrapingthetopofthetunnelisahugeboulderheldupbytwobigblackpincers.Thepincersbelong

toagiantant!Andit’srunningatyou.Fullspeed!

Quick,bolttoPAGE132.

“Zoe!”youyell.“Thereareshrunkenheadsonthistable!”“Letmesee!”Zoebendsdownnexttoyou.Thetableismadeoutofold,crackedwood.Abasketonthetabletopoverflowswithbananas,

oranges,andpears.Thelittleheadshangoffthetabletopbyredstrings.Theirskiniswrinkledandyellow—almostlike

old,driedupapples.Eachheadhasasurprisedexpressiononitstinyface.“Toocreepy!”Zoeexclaims.“Let’snotstickaround.”“Iagree,”yousay.“Iwantedtohaveanadventure,buthavingmyheadshrunkwasn’texactlywhatI

hadinmind….”Youstarttostandupandwalkawayfromthestrangetablewhenyousmellsomethingdelicious.Itsmellsfantastic!

“What’sthatsmell?”youaskZoe.“It’stheweirdfruitinthatbasket,”shereplies.Youturnbacktothetable.Thefruitsmellssogood,youcan’tbelieveit.It’sthemostwonderful

scentyou’veeversmelledinyourlife.Yourmouthstartstowater.Youcanalmosttastethesugaryflavoroffruituponyourtongue.

Youhavetohavesomeofthatfruit.Youdon’tcarewhatelseyoudo,youhavetotastethatfruit.Youreachoutwithyourhandandpickupabeautifulgreenpear.Yousinkyourteethintoit.

Quick!TurntoPAGE65.

Youturnquickly.Atallmanisstandingbehindyou!Hewearsarobeofleopardskinsandcarriesabigstickinonehand.Hisfaceispaintedwithstripes.Andhewearsabigfeatheryhat,justlikethewitchdoctorsyou’veseeninmovies!

TheMuglaniplacesaheavyhandonyourshoulder.Yourmindraces.Whatshouldyoudo?TheMuglanidoesn’thaveaverygoodgriponyou.You

couldwiggleoutofhisgraspandrunaway.Oryoucouldtrytoreasonwithhim.Hedoesn’tlookverydangerous.

ToescapefromtheMuglani,slipawaytoPAGE67.Toreasonwithhim,proceedtoPAGE50.

“GRRRRRR!”Thestonecreatureopensitsmouthtoroar.Youseerowsandrowsofwhitestoneteethlikesharprocks.

Youtightenyourgriponthestickandpreparetofight.“Don’tbecrazy!”Zoeshoutsfromthepool.“He’smuchtoobigforyou…”Toolateforthatnow.Thegargoylepounces,flyingthroughtheair.RRRRRRRIP!Itscold,stoneclawstearthroughthematerialofyourshirtasitpushesyoudown.Thestonebeastpinsyoutothegroundbyyourshoulders.Itsticksoutitstongueandlicksyourface!“AAAAHHHH!”Youscreaminpainastheroughsurfaceofitstonguescrapesacrossyourcheek…

overandoverandoveragain.Lookslikehe’sgotyoulicked….

THEEND

I’dbettergogetZoenow!youthinktoyourself.Itwouldbeterribletoleaveyourfriendstuckinthemountain.

Youcrawlintothedampearthentunnelagain.Youhavedirtcrustedinyourhair.It’salloveryourclothes.It’seveninthesolesofyoursneakers.

Allofasuddenyoubumpintosomething.Somethingthatwasn’tinthetunnelbefore.Somethingsoft.Youpokeatitwithonehand.Itpushesbackagainstyou!Youtrytocrawlbackwardthroughthe

hole,butit’suseless.Sothat’swhomadethistunnel,youthink.AGIANTEARTHWORM!Andunfortunately,thisworm

isnoordinarygiantearthworm.It’sacarnivorousnightcrawler.Oneofthemanyrarespeciesthatliveinthejungle.

Normalearthwormstakedirtinthroughoneend,mashitup,andsquirtitouttheotherend.Thiswormeatspeople!Itsucksyouin,mushesyouup,andsquirtsyououttheother

END.

“Okay,”youannounce.“Iacceptyourchallenge.”“Good,”Cronbysays.“Ifyougetitright,I’llgiveyouthreepiecesofgold,andyouandZoewillgo

free.Ifyoulosethough”—herubshishandstogethergreedily—“IgettokeepBOTHyouandZoe!”Gulp!“What’sthequestion?”youask.Inyourheadyou’retryingtoremembereveryGOOSEBUMPSbook

youeverread.“Hmmmmmm….InabookcalledTheCuckooClockofDoom,there’saboywhohasalittlesister

who’sarealpain.IshernameTaratheTerribleorTanyatheTerror?”ThatquestionISharder….Butyouknowtheanswer!

Ifyouthinkhernamewas“TaratheTerrible,”gotoPAGE74.Ifyouthinkitwas“TanyatheTerror,”gotoPAGE32.

Thehunterisraisingherguntowardyou!Youdon’thaveamomenttolose!Youjumpoutfrombeneaththetableandboundintothejungle.

You’reintothedenseleavesandvinesbeforethehunterscanstopyou.Theirreflexesareslow.They’reprobablystillshockedbythewayyoulook!EvenGwenShripplooksstunned.Hermouthhangsopen.Butonlyforamoment.

“Quickly!Afterit!”Gwencommands.“ButwhatISit?”herhusbandasksnervously.“Itappearstobesomenewspeciesofamphibian,”youhearthehunterreply.“Whateveritis,I’m

goingtogetit!”

KeeprunningtoPAGE101,asfastasyoucan!

ThekinggazesintoZoe’sfaceandbellows,“Ifyouwantustoshowyouthewayout—YOU’REGOINGTOHAVETOEARNIT!”Heletsgoofherandshetumblesbacktothegroundnexttoyou.

“Ishallsetyouatask.Ifyoucanaccomplishitinacertainamountoftime,Iwillletyougofree.Ifyoucannot…”Thekingshakeshishornedheadsadly.

“YourMajesty,whatwillhappentousifwecan’tdoit?”youaskbravely.“IWILLKEEPYOUHEREASMYSLAVESFOREVER!”heroars.Allthestonepeoplesnortandgiggleasiftheirkingjusttoldthebestjokeever.Thekingclapshisstonyhandsthreetimes.“Bringforwardthetimepiece!”hecommands.

TurnforwardtoPAGE120.

“Row,row,rowyourboat,”yousing.Thetigerscocktheirheadsatyouandlisten.It’sworking!“Gentlydownthestream,”yourvoicewavers.Whycan’tyouthinkofthewordstoanygoodsongs?Asyousing,thetigerstaptheirpawsandseemtoenjoythemusic.Cool!You’vemadefriendswith

them.“Okay,guys,”yousay,“I’lljustbegoingnow!”Yougrabontosomerootsstickingoutoftheclay

wallandtrytoliftyourselfup.Immediately,thetigerskeletonsripattheairwiththeirclaws.Youjumpawayfromtheirrazor-sharp

nails.“Row,row,rowyourboat,”yousinguntilthetigerssettledownagain.“Gentlydownthestream.”You’vefoundtworealmusiclovers.Andyou’restuckwiththem,forever.Aslongasyouneverstopsinging,everythingwillgojustmerrily,merrily,merrily,merrily,merrily

…

THEEND

Youshootdownthesmoothandpolishedtunnel.Theflooriscoveredbyaslimy,waterymoss.Youaregainingspeed!Thesidesofthechutearespottedwithweirdpinkflowersgrowinginpacks.Theyhavethick,fleshypetals.Theylooklikebigtonguesstickingoutofthewall.Gross!Youdo

everythingyoucantoavoidthem.Thenyouseethebiggestofthetongue-flowersaheadofyou.Ithangsdowninthetunnel,blocking

yourway.Youflyatitheadfirstandgetstuckonit!Itlicksyou!Yuck!Youpunchandkickatthedisgustingflower.Finally,youslippastitandlandinaheaponthefloorofasmallroom.Inthecenteroftheroomisastillpoolofwater.Zoeisstandingatthesideofthepool,staringdown

intoit.“Tookyoulongenough!”shejokes.“Checkthisout!Ifoundourlastpieceofgold!Theonlyquestion

is…howdowegetitout?”

GotoPAGE100tofindout.

“Yeah,right,”Zoemumbles,rollinghereyes.“We’llfishforpiranha!There’sonlyaboutamillionfishinthere.Itwon’ttakeanytimeatall!”

Youignorehersarcasmandcarefullylowerthemakeshiftfishinghookintothepool.Thepiranhaswarmaroundit,thrashingandfightingeachother.Thewaterboilswiththeirwhipping

bodies.Thenthepiranhathrashoutofthewater!Jumpingalloveryou!Youfeeltheirsharpteethonyour

armsandlegs.“Helpme!”youcrytoZoe,brushingwildlyatthedeadlypiranha.Zoeslapsatthefish.Onebyone,

theyfalltothefloor,flippingandthrashingaround.Youknockthelastoneoffandstandtherecatchingyourbreath.Thepiranhaonthegroundfinally

stopmoving.“Ican’tbelieveit!”Zoewhispersinamazement.“Ididn’tthinktheywouldattackme!Butitactuallyworked!They’redead!”“Allexceptforone!”Zoeremarks,pointingatthepool.“Themotherofthemall…”

HookthebigoneonPAGE61.

Fourservantshurryupthestepsofthepyramidwithahugegoldencage.Withinthecageisanenormoushourglass.Theyplacethetimepieceinfrontoftheking.

ThekingpointsastonyfingeratyouandZoe.“Youmustbringmethreepiecesofgoldfrominsidethismountain.”Hisvoiceechoesthroughthecavern.“YouhaveonePalookatofindthegold.”

“OneWHAT?”Zoeasks.“OnePalooka!”thekinganswers.“It’sourunitoftimemeasurementhereinthemountain.”“Pardonme,sir,”youinterject.“Butdoyouknowwhatthatbreaksdowntoinhumantime?Hours

andminutesmaybe?”Youtaponyourwatchtoshowhimwhatyou’retalkingabout.“Idon’tknow,”thekingsnaps.“Here,takemypockettimepiece.”Hehandsyouabeautifullittle

hourglassinasilverbox.It’ssosmallitfitsrightinyourhand.“Thatwasagiftfrommymother,”thekingsays,bowinghishead.“Ifyouloseit,Iwillboilyouin

lava!”Hedoesn’tlooklikehe’sjokingeither!“Onthecountofthreewewillflipthetimepiecestogether.ONE…TWO…

Quick,turntoPAGE3.

Thekingopensthetentflapsandstickshisheadin.Hesneersatyou.Yourheartbeatquickensasyoustareattheslimy,mossyfaceoftheking.Howdidhefindyou?youwonder.What’shegoingtodo?Thehourglassinyourhandsfeelsasifit’smadeofice.Youtrytohideitbehindyourbackbutthe

kingseesit.“GIVEMEMYTIMEPIECE!”hecommands.Shakingfromheadtofoot,youpasshimthebeautifullittlehourglass.Withaflash,thekingtossesahandfulofpowderonyouandvanishes.Coughing,youwaveyourhandintheair.Youarechokingonthegrittydust.Chokingandshivering.

It’sgettingcold.Verycold.Deadcold.Maybeit’sbecausethekingscaredyousomuch.Ormaybeit’sthechillyjunglebreezesinyourtent.Ormaybeit’sbecauseyouareturningtostone.You’llbefamouswhentheyfindyourstonybodyin

themorning.You’llbearegularROCKSTAR!

THEEND

YoureachoutandshakeUnger’shand.They’restrangeoldwomen,buttheyseemtobefriendly.Besides,youneedallthehelpyoucanget!

“CanyouhelpusfindtheFireheartfruit?”youask.“WereadinapamphletthattheFireheartfruitisanantidotetotheMuglanimagic.”

“Aha!”Ungershouts.“Youreadourpamphlet!WepublishedthatbooklettowarnpeopleabouttheMuglani!”

Shelooksverypleasedthatyoureadtheirbooklet.“Yousee,mysisterwasavictimoftheirmagic.Theyshrankherhead!Ihaveitrightinmybagto

remindmetobeonthelookoutforthem!”“Sothat’swhyshehasthehead!”youmurmurtoBen.“Now,let’sgo!”Ungerhollers.“WewilltakeyoutotheFireheartfruitrightnow!Thenyouwillbe

akidagain!”Excellent!

TurntoPAGE62tofollowtheWarriorWomen.

“Well,totellyouthetruth,”yousayhesitantly,“yes,Idid.”Asyouseetheking’sfaceturnfromgoldtored,youstartapologizingfast.“Youdidn’tsaywecouldn’tgointhere!”youstammer.“Ididn’tevenknowwhattheroomwas.I

endedupintherebymistake.I’msorry.”YouandZoestartbackingawayfromtheking.Youstepdownthefirstfewstepsofthepyramid.

“Seizethem!”thekingcommandsinaboomingvoice.“That’snotfair!”youshout.Nowwhatareyougoingtodo?Thecavecreaturesswarmforward.Theygrabyourarmsandlegs.Theirhardrockyhandshurtyour

skin.Itfeelsasifthey’regoingtoripyouapart!

StruggletoPAGE97!

Thefootstepsarecomingcloserandcloser.Quickly,youduckunderthetable.Theshrunkenheadshangingdownformacurtain.Youprayyoucan’tbeseen.Youwatchfromunderthetableasthreepairsoflegsentertheclearing.Allthreearewearingkhakipantsandarmyboots.

“Whatanoddlittleclearing!”saysaBritish-soundingwoman’svoice.Youseeawomanbenddownandtouchtheearth.Sheiswearingafullsetofkhakifatiguesandcarryingalonghuntingrifle.

She’sahunter!Ajoltoffearblastsdownyourspine.Whatifsheseesyou?Shemightthinkyou’reananimalandshootyou!

“Somekidswerehere,”shedeclares,pattingtheground.“Why,that’sabsurd!”anotherBritish-soundingvoiceanswers.“Whywouldchildrenbeintheheart

ofthejungle?”“James!”thewomandeclaressharply.Shekneelsontheground.“IamGwenShripp,theworld-

famoushunter!IknowthefootprintofasneakerwhenIseeone!IknewIshouldneverhavebroughtyouonthisexpedition!”

“You’reright,Gwendear,”Jamesapologizes.That’swhenGwen,theworld-famoushunter,turnsandseesyouhidingunderthetable.Shequickly

raiseshergun!

DUCKoutofthewayonPAGE115!

Theicywaterfillsyoureyes,ears,andmouth.Yougulpforaironlytoswallowwater,cough,andsputter.Youthrashyourarmsbutitfeelsasifyou’restillsinking!Inyourpanic,youletgoofyourstick!

Yourlungsbegintoache.Youopenyoureyesandtrytoseewhatitisthathaspulledyouunder.It’snogood.Allyoucanseeistheblurryblueofwater.Water…water…everywhere…Withonelastburstofstrengthyoushakeoffthethingthathasyoubythefoot.Gaspingforair,you

reachthesurface.Youlookbackinterrorandsee…ZOE!She’sred-facedandgiggling.“Zoe!”youshout.“YouknowIcan’tswim!”“Sorry.”Shelaughs,treadingwater.“Youlookedsoscaredstaringintothecavelikethat!Ijust

couldn’tresistgivingyoualittledunk!”“I’mnotscared!”youprotest.“Iwasjustwonderingifwe’llbeabletofindawayout.It’ssodark

inthere.”“Justwondering,huh?”Zoeteases.“Wantmetogofirst?”

IfyouwantZoetolead,thenfollowtoPAGE52.Ifyouwanttogofirst,proceedtoPAGE83.

Youarefacedwiththeskeletonofatiger.Thispitmustbeanoldtigertrap!youthink.Yourkneesfeelasiftheymightgiveway.Thebonesofthetigerarefrailanddecaying,buttheyglowwithaghostlyiridescence.Thetiger’s

tailwhipsfromsidetoside,clatteringlikearattlesnake.Itopensitsgiantjawstoroaratyou,butnosoundrushesout.Thetigerhasnovoice.Allyouhearisthetiger’stailrattlinginthewind.Thatandthefranticbeatingofyourheart.

Thetigerstepstowardyou.Onepawlooksevenmorecrushedthantherestofthem.Thatmustbetheoneyousteppedon.

Itripsthroughtheairwithitsclaws.Youstepbackward…CRUNCH!RATTLE!Lookslikeyou’veawakenedthebonesofanothertiger.Hopeyou’vegotguts.It’stwoagainstone.

Quick!FliptoPAGE25.

Youducktotheright.Theanttakesthetunneltotheleft.Itwasn’tchasingyouatall!Itwasonlydoingwhatantsdo—movingthingsaround!

Whew!Youglancearoundatthenewbranchofthetunnelyou’vechosen.Thewallsglitter!Therearefat

gemsstuckinthestone!Wow!You’veneverseensuchbeautifulgemsbefore!Thefartheryougodownthetunnel,themore

gemsthereare!Youcontinuedownthepassagewayintoacave.Yourmouthhangsopeninwonderasyoubeholdthebeautifulcave.Hugestalactiteshangdownfrom

theceiling.Theydripwithjewels.Everywhereyoulook,lightbouncesoffthegleamingfacetsofpreciousgems.Thewallsarecrustedwithrubies,emeralds,sapphires,anddiamonds.

Yousteparoundthestalagmitesthatprotrudefromthefloor.Loosejewelsarescatteredbyyourfeet.Theremustbegoldinheresomewhere!

SearchforgoldonPAGE45.

“I’llsetthetimepiecerighthere,”yousaytoZoe.Youwithdrawtheminiaturetimepiecefromyourshirtpocketandsetitcarefullyontheflatrock.

“I’mready.Let’sgetoutofhere!”There’saloudCLICKfromtherockwhereyousetthetimepiece.Theledgeslidesintothewall!

Youhavepressedasecretbuttonofsomesort!Quickly,youcatchthehourglassasitslidesoffthedisappearingrockshelf.Whew!Thatwasclose!

Italmostfelldownthetunnel.That’swhenyoufeelthegroovesoftheladderyou’vebeenclimbingstarttoflattenout.Theladder

isbecomingsmooth—thewholetunnelisroundingout,turningintoabigroundchute!Youcan’tholdonmuchlonger!

HurrytoPAGE73toseewhathappens!

“I’llscarethemaway!”youwhispertoBen.“Watchthis!”Youjumpoutfrombehindthebigbush.Roaringlikeamonsterfromahorrorfilm,youslashtheair

withyourclaws.“Aaaaaargh!”Mrs.Wheedlehollersatthetopofherlungs.Therestofthekidsscreaminterror.“Run!”Mrs.Wheedlecries.Andtheyscatterlikeflies.AllexceptforBillGreen,whojuststandstherewithhismouthopen.Finally,hisbrothergrabshim

bythearmanddragshimintothebrush.“Nicegoing!”Bensays,takingoffhisglassesandwipinghiseyes.He’slaughingsohard,tearsare

streamingdownhisface.“DidyouseeMrs.Wheedle’sexpression?”youaskwithachuckle.BendoesalittleimitationofMrs.Wheedlescreaming.Hedancesaroundinacircle,flailinghis

arms.Suddenly,hestops.Anexpressionoftrueterrorcomesoverhisface.Hepointsrightatyou.“Mmmmu…mmmu…mmmu…”Benstammersinfear.“What’swrong?”youask.“Areyouokay?”“Mmmmuglani!”Benexclaims.“Behindyou!”

RacetoPAGE111.

“Sorryfish-guy!”youshoutoveryourshoulder.“We’vegottogetbacktotheking!”Yousplashthroughthepoolandintothemaintunnel.“Ican’tbelievewedidit!”Zoeexclaims.“Iknow!”youreply.“I’llalmostbegladtoseeMrs.Wheedle!”Thetwoofyouraceintothethronechamber.Thekingofthecavepeopleispacingonthetopofthe

pyramid.Onlyafewgrainsofsandareleftinhistremendoustimepiece.“Wehaveyourgold!”youcalltohim.AllthecavecreaturesgatheraroundasyouandZoeclimbthestepstothetopofthepyramid.YoukneeldowninfrontofthekingandpullZoedown,too.Bothofyoupresenthimwiththegold

youfound.“IseeyouhavebroughtmethegoldIrequested,”hestateswithhisboomingvoice.Youcanseeyour

reflectioninhisglobbyeyes.Hismoss-coveredfaceisseriousandstern.“IhavejustonequestionforyoubeforeIreleaseyou.”Oh,no!Whatmorecouldhepossiblywant?

FliptoPAGE70tofindout.

“Quick,Zoe,followme!”youshout.Youspinaroundandducktotheleft,speedingpastthecavepeople.Nowayareyougoingtostickaroundtointroduceyourselftoagangofundergroundmutants!

Youhearthemgruntinsurpriseasyourunbythem.Zoeisrightbehindyou.Youseeasmalltunnelofftothesideinthegreatchamber.Thetunnelisbrightlylit.Agoodsign!Youbarrelthroughthetunnel.“Run!”Zoeyells,panting.“They’rerightbehindus!”It’strue,youcanhearthemgruntingtoeachotherastheychaseyou.Aheadofyou,thetunnelgrowsbrighterandbrighter.It’salmostasbrightasdaylight.Maybethe

tunnelleadstotheoutside!Zoeshouts,“Adoor!”andpointsofftotheright.Asmallbluedooriscutrightintothesideofthetunnel.Maybethedoorleadsoutside!Youcantrythedoororyoucanjustgostraight.Eitherway,you’dbettermovefast.Thecave

creaturesaregainingonyou!

Doyousticktothetunnel?KeepgoingtoPAGE134.Ordoyoutrythebluedoor?FlipbacktoPAGE40.

“Aargh!”youcryasyourunawayfromtheant.Youhearitsscuttlinglegsscratchingthedirtbehindyou.Thehugeantchasesyoufartherandfartherintothemaze.Overyourshoulderyouseeitshugebug

eyesandsharppincers.Thatrockinitspincersmustweighaton!Ifitcancarryaboulderthatbig,itcouldprobablysnapyourwholebodyintwowithnoproblemat

all.Aheadofyou,thetunnelbranchesintwo….

Ifyou’rewearingthecolorblue,gototheleftandtoPAGE93.Ifyou’renotwearingblue,takethetunneltotherightandgotoPAGE127.

Thedragonhasyoupinnedtotheground!Itsnapsatyourfacewithitsrazor-sharpteeth.Yougetacrazyidea.Yousnaprightbackatthedragon.Afterall,you’reamonster,too!Yougrowl

andgnashyourownsharpteeth.“Getoffme!”youshout.Youpushthedragonoffyouandscampertoyourfeet.Thensomethinghappens.Somethingunexpected.Youtakeinabigpuffofairandfeelthebackof

yourneckrisingup.It’snotreallyyourneck,butaflapofskinonyourneck.Itrisesupandoutlikeahoodbehindyour

head!Itfeelshuge!Andoutofthecornerofyoureye,youcanseethatit’scoveredwithbrightandcolorful

markings.Itmakesyoulookbiggerandscarierthanyoureallyare!Thedragontakesonelookatyounowandstopshissing.Itstartstowhimperinstead.Itcowersat

yourfeet.Youletoutaterrifyinghowl.Thedragonslinksbacktothetreewithitsheaddown.

SlinkovertoPAGE66yourself.

“Let’ssticktothistunnel!”youyelltoZoeasyouracefromthecavepeoplechasingyou.Thelightinthetunnelissobrightthatyou’resureyouandZoeareabouttoreachanexit.Inanother

minute,you’llbebackinthejungle.ThenyoucangoandfindMrs.Wheedleandtherestofthekids.Youglancebehindyou.Thecavepeopleonyourtrailareclosingin!Youreachaledge.Theexitmustbejustbeyondit.Kickingandpulling,youmanagetohoistyourself

uptothenextlevel.Zoedoesthesame.Ablastofhotairgreetsyou.Spreadbeforeyoubothisapoolofmoltenlava!

Quick!TurntoPAGE102.

Thekingofthecavepeoplepeersdownatyou.Allthefeaturesonhisfacearecoveredbysoftgoldenfuzz.Thethickhornsstickoutfromthesidesofhisenormous,roundpuff-ballhead.

He’ssotallthatyou’regettingacrampinyourneckfromlookingupathim!“Weliveinthismountain.Itisourhome.Youhavetrespassedhere,”hesaysashelowershimself

majesticallytohisthrone.Zoeinterruptshim.“Excuseme,Mr.King,sir,Imean,YourHighness,Imean,whateveryourname

is.”Herfaceisturningred.“Yes,whatisit,human?”heasksimpatiently.“We’reverysorrytohavebustedintoyourhomelikethis.Wereallyshouldn’tbehere,”Zoesays,

brushingherbrownbangsoutofhereyeslikeshealwaysdoeswhenshe’snervous.“Ifyou’dkindlyshowushowtogetbackout,we’dgladlyleave…”

“Ha-ha,veryfunny!”bellowstheking.Allthecavecreaturesstartsnortingandchuckling.“Silence!”thekingbellows,cuttinghissubjectsoff.HeleansforwardandgrabsZoebythearm!

FindoutwhathappensnextonPAGE116.

Youlookdownatyourhands.Whatusedtobesoftpinkskinisnowrubberygrayflesh.Thin,transparentwebbingconnectseachofyourfingers.Andeachfingerendsinasharpclaw!

Howcouldthishavehappened?Youhaveturnedintoamonster!Youreachuptofeelyourface.It’sdifferentthanitusedtobe.Insteadofanose,youfeeltwolittle

airholes.Andyoureyeshavegrown!They’rehuge!Youblinkandtwoclearflapsofskinskimoverthe

surfaceofyourgiganticeyes.Aspikyridgejutsoutfromthetopofyourhead,likeascalyMohawk!Beforeyoucanevenponderwhattodonext,youhearthesoundofsomeonewalkingthroughthe

jungle.Youdon’tthinkit’sZoe,either.Shetookoffintheotherdirection.Whocoulditbe?Maybeit’ssomeonewhocouldhelp.SOMEBODYputthatbasketoffruitthereandhungthose

shrunkenheads.Maybetheywouldknowhowtogetyoubacktonormalagain!Thenagain,lookinglikeyoudo,maybeyoushouldhide.They’recomingcloser.Youcanhearthemhumming.Quick!Makeupyourmind!

Togethelpfromthepersonwhoiscoming,turntoPAGE7.Tohide,turntoPAGE124.

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

WelcometoCampRunningLeaf!It’sthesportscampofyourdreams!Butthisplaceisweird.Thecoachesareslavedrivers.The

campersactlikelittlerobots.Andthefood…well,let’sjustsayit’snothingtowritehomeabout.Theactivitiessoundcool,though!YoucancampovernightandlookforbonesinZombieCave.

Coachsaysyoucouldwinamedal—orbecomeoneofthewalkingdead.Aww,hewasjustkiddingaboutthedeadpart.Wasn’the?

Oryoucancompeteinthe“Selection.”It’sanawesomeobstaclecourse,withstufflikewaterjumps.Only,holdon.Whyisthatwatersquirming?

You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthescareswillbe.

StartonPAGE1.Followtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.Maketherightchoices,andyou’llhavethesummerofyourdreams.Makethewrongchoice…andit’sCAMPERBEWARE!

SOTAKEADEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1TOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

“Allright!”yousaytoyourself.Tenminutesago,itlookedasifyouwerefacinganotherboringdayathome.Allthekidsinyour

neighborhoodareawayatsummercamp.Allbutyou.Yourparentsdecidedtotakeyouonafamilyvacationinstead.Toyourgrandparents’farm.

Boring!ButyourmomanddadjustgotanurgentcalltojoinadigfordinosaurbonesinMongolia.They’re

leavinginthemorning.“We’llbeawayforamonth,”yourmomsays.“Sorry,sweetie,butwe’llhavetosendyoutoCamp

Pendletonafterall.”“IguessI’lllive,”youreply,hidingyourgrin.Yes!Pendletonisasportscamp.Youlovesports!You’vewantedtogotoCampPendletoneversince

youruncleEdtoldyouaboutit.It’sgotthelatestequipmentandthebestcoaches.YouquicklycallUncleEdwiththegoodnews.Hepromisestotakecareofallthearrangements.

He’llevendriveyouthere!Thenextmorning,UncleEdarrives.Yourparentsarerushingaround,gettingreadytoleave.They

kissyougood-byeandremindyoutobecareful.“Don’tworryaboutme,”youreply.“Whatcouldgowrong?”

Nothing,right?Hah!TurntoPAGE2.

“I’mpsyched!”youannounceasyouslideintoUncleEd’sstationwagon.“You’regoingtohaveagreattime!”UncleEddeclares.Youruncleusuallydoesn’ttalkmuchabouthimself.Youaren’tevensurewhathedoesforaliving.

Butyoudoknowhelikessports.That’swhatyoutalkaboutonthewaytoCampPendleton.Onlyit’stakingforevertogetthere.It’soutintheboondocks.Alltheroadsherelookthesame.Youstopforasnack.UncleEdmakesaquickphonecall.Whenhestartsthecaragain,hepullsout

ontotheroad—goinginthewrongdirection!“UncleEd,”yousay,“Ithinkyou’regoingthewrongway.”“Nah,”UncleEdsays.“I’vegotagreatsenseofdirection.”Youspotanoldmaninfrontofalonehouseinthewoods.“Pullover,UncleEd,”youurge.“Let’sask.”“Sportscamp?”Theoldmanfrowns.“There’sacampaboutamileaway.”HegivesUncleEd

instructionstogetthere.“Ifyoupassthegasstation,you’llknowyou’vegonetoofar.”“See,ItoldyouIknewwhereIwasgoing,”UncleEdsays.

TurntoPAGE3.

Aminutelater,UncleEdturnsdownadirtroad.Hepullsuptoamilitary-lookinggatehouse.AbigsignsaysWELCOMETOCAMPRUNNINGLEAF.

Huh?“Where’sCampPendleton?”youcry.UncleEdonlyshrugs.Hedoesn’tseemveryupset.Abeefyguywithacrewcut,awhiteshirt,andawhistlearoundhisneckapproachesyourcar.“I’mCoachRex,”hesays.“Areyouanewcamper?”“No,I’mlookingforCampPendleton,”youanswer.CoachRexclearshisthroat.“Uh—thiswasCampPendleton.Anewownerjusttookoverand

changedthenametoRunningLeaf.”Soeverythingisokay.Right?Yousaygood-byetoUncleEd.HeshakeshandswithCoachRex.“Workthisyoungsterhard,”he

orders.“Oh,I’maslavedriver,”CoachRexanswerswithachuckle.CoachRexandUncleEdlaughliketwooldfriends.

GoontoPAGE4.

CoachRexleadsyoutoacabin.Hepointsoutanemptybunk,andyoudropyourstuffonit.“Thinkyou’reahotshotathlete?”heshouts.Surprised,youstutter,“No,um,I-Ijustlikesports.”CoachRexbarks,“Wedon’tputupwithwimpshere.”Hegivesyoutheonce-over.“Youdon’tlook

verystrong.”Youthoughtyouwereinprettydecentshape.But…“Let’sarmwrestle,”CoachRexdemands.What’shisproblem?Heseemedsofriendlyaminuteago.Yousitatoppositesidesofatable.CoachRexpinsyourarminaninstant.Helooksdisappointed.

“Kid,youdon’thavewhatittakes,”heannounces.“Butyouwill…andsoon.”Itsoundsmorelikeathreatthanapromise.Suddenly,CoachRexbrightens.“Thefirstthingforyoutodoistochooseoneoftwoeventstotake

partin.”Oneeventisanovernighthikeandfossil-huntinthewoodsaroundthecamp.Youlovecampingout.

Soundscool!Theothereventiscalledthe“Selection.”It’saseriesofathleticevents.Thewinnergetsaspecial

prize.Sowhichareyougoingtochoose?

Ifyoupickthehike,turntoPAGE78.IfyoupicktheSelection,turntoPAGE125.

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,andassociatedlogosaretrademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksof

ScholasticInc.

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinor

introducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthe

publisher.Forinformationregardingpermission,writetoScholasticInc.,Attention:PermissionsDepartment,557Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.

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

businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

Firstedition,November1996

e-ISBN978-0-545-84170-2