diary of a mad mummy - internet archive
TRANSCRIPT
BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS
BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!
YouandyourfamilyarevisitinganexhibitinancientEgyptwhenyoumakeadiscoveryofyourown:a4000-year-olddiarywrittenbyamummy!Cool,youthink,asyouslipthebookintoyourpocket.
Butthenyoufindoutthemummyisalive!Andhewantsmorethanjusthisdiaryback…
HewantsyourBODY!Andyou’vegottofindawaytostophim!
Therearecluesinthediarytohelpyou.Butfirstyou’llhavetodecodeancienthieroglyphicwriting.OrjourneytothepyramidsinEgypt.
Canyouunlockthesecretsofthemadmummy’sdiarybeforehegetsyouunderwraps?
Thisscaryadventureisallaboutyou.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andyoudecidehowterrifyingthescareswillbe.
StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.
Ifyoumaketherightchoices,youwillescapetherevengeofthemadmummy.Youmayevenfindhisburialchamberfilledwithgoldentreasures!Ifyoumakethewrongchoice…BEWARE!
SOTAKEALONG,DEEPBREATH,CROSSYOURFINGERS,ANDTURNTOPAGE1NOWTOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
“WelcometoSanFrancisco,”thetourguidesays.Hervoiceechoesinthemarblelobbyoftheofficebuilding.“ThisisthefamousPyramidBuilding—thecity’smostfamousskyscraper.”
“Whendowegettoseethemummy?”yourfive-year-oldsisterwhinesatyourside.
YoucringeandsqueezeSusie’shand.Youwishyoudidn’thavetodragheraround.Buttakingcareofherisalwaysyourjobonfamilyvacations.
Oh,well,youthink.Whocares?Thisisgoingtobethebestvacationever.YouandyourfamilyarestayinginahotelindowntownSanFrancisco.Youhaveaviewofthewholecityfromyourwindow—includingthetall,spindlyPyramidBuildingjustafewblocksaway.Andthismonth,there’sadisplayofancientEgyptianartifactsinthelobby.Includingarealmummy!Youcan’twaittocheckitout!
“Iwantthemummy!”Susiewhinesagain.
“Iwantmymummy!Iwantmymummy!”yourolderbrother,Derek,chants,imitatingSusie’sbabyishvoice.
YoulaughatDerek’sjoke.ThenyouwhispertoSusie,“We’llseeitassoonasthattourgroupgetsoutoftheway.”
Youpeerthroughthecrowdatthemummyinhisglasscase.
Hey!Didthemummyjustmove?
TurntoPAGE2.
Yourheartstartspounding.Itcan’tbe!Butyouknowyoujustsawthemummy’sarmmove!
Didn’tanyoneelseseeit?
Youstarehardatthebrightlylitdisplaycasesinthemiddleofthelobby.Atourgroupcrowdsaroundtheglass,blockingyourview.Soyoustandonyourtiptoes.Underapinkishhalogenlight,youcanseeanancientbandagedmummylyinginabeautiful,gold-paintedwoodenbox.
It’sthefirstmummyyou’veeverseen.Akingfrommorethanfourthousandyearsago.
Adeadperson.
Somethingaboutitgivesyouthecreeps.
Thetourgroupmovesaway,andthelobbyclears.“Comeon!”Susiesqueals,pullingyoutowardthemummycase.Astrangechillrunsupyourspineasyoustepcloser.
Yougazeatthemummy’sfaceandshudder.Itishideous.Partofhisfaceisstillwrappedup—butpartofitisn’t.Youcanseehisdried,leatheryskinstretchedtightlyoverhisshrunken,bonynose.
Youbackaway—andyourfootbumpsintosomethingonthefloor.
TurntoPAGE3.
Youglancedowntoseewhatyou’vekicked.
“Hey—look!”youcryoutsoftly.
Butnooneislistening.Thetourgroupscattered.Susiehasletgoofyourhand.She’spressinghernosetotheglassinfrontofthewoodenmummycase.Asusual,yourfourteen-year-oldbrother,Derek,isactingasifhedoesn’tknowanyofyou.He’stalkingtosomekidsbythedoor.Yourparentsexamineanotherdisplaycase.
Noonenoticeswhatyou’vefoundonthefloor.Youpickitup.It’sasmallclumpoffoldedpagestiedtogetherattheedgewithdriedgrass.Itlookslikesomekindofancientbook.
Youopenitcarefully.Thepagesseemasiftheymightcrumbleinyourhands.Youpeeratthesquigglymarkingsonthepage.Toyoursurpriseyourecognizewords…They’reinEnglish!Thehandwritingishardtoread,butfinallyyoufigureoutwhatitsays:
“Thisisthefirstdayinmytomb.IamwrappedsotightlythatIfearImayneverbreatheagain.Thebandagesthatpreservemeareaprison.Iamaking,yettheyhavebroughtmehere,drainedmeofmyblood,andboundmewithbandages.Againstmywill!Stop!Ibegthem.Donotdothishorriblething!Iamnotdead!Iamalive!”
KeepreadingonPAGE4.
Yourmouthdropsopenasyouflipthroughtheancientpages.Couldthisbeadiaryofsomekind?Amummy’sdiary?Writtenfourthousandyearsago?
Butwhyisn’titancienthieroglyphics?HowcanitbeinEnglish?
Thisisweird.Definitelyweird.Butsomehow,inyourheart,youknowthediaryisreal.Everywordofitistrue.
Youglancearoundagain.Noonenoticesyou.Youturntoanotherpageandreadon.
“Iamembalmedalive.Me.Thepharaoh.Theking!Andwhy?Foronereasononly.Because,uponmyneck,Ibearastrangebirthmark—aredstaininastrangeshapethatfrightensmypeople.Theythinkitisasignofevil.
“EvenIamnotsurewhatitmeans.DoesitreallymeanIamevil?CouldIactuallyhurtpeople?AmImad?”
Yourhandstrembleasyoufliptoanotherpageandreadon.
“Eachnightmyspiritwalkstheearth.Forcenturies.Eachnightmyspiritwritesthisdiary.Butnow,atlast,mychancehascome.Tonight,mybodywillwalktheearth!Tonight,hereinthisstrangestofallpyramids,Iwillescapemyprison!”
TurntoPAGE9.
TheAmericanlookslikeaniceguy.Youthinkhe’ssomeoneyoucantrust.Andhemightbeabletohelpyougethome.Youdecidetoshowhimthediary.
“Hmmm,”theAmericansays,takingamagnifyingglassfromhissuitpocket.Heflipsthroughthepages,studyingthem.“Verrrryinteresting.”
“Don’ttrusthim!”theEgyptianguardwhispersinyourear.“He’sathief!”
“Iheardthat.AndIcertainlyamnotathief,”theAmericandeclares.“MynameisWebsterMacArthurWooblythethird.ButjustcallmeWeb.I’maprofessorofancientstudiesatCairoUniversity.Andyouare…?”
Youintroduceyourself.
“Nicetomeetyou,”WebWooblysays.“CanIbuyyouaglassoflemonadeintown?Cairoisjustafewmilesfromhere,andI’dliketotalktoyouaboutobtainingthisdiary.”
Obtaining?Asinbuyingit?Hmmm—soundsgoodtoyou!
“Don’tgowithhim!”theEgyptianwarnsyou.
Lastchancetochangeyourmind….
IfyoustilltrustWebWoobly,turntoPAGE28.
IfyoutrusttheEgyptianinstead,turntoPAGE22.
LetthemummytakeSusie?Youcan’tdoit.
“Noway,”youtellthemummy,yourvoiceshaking.“Takeme—butleaveheralone.”
“Yes…”themummywhispersinhishoarse,raspyvoice.Hegripsyourwristwithhisgauzybandagedhandandstartstodragyououtofthehotel.
“Wait,”youtellthemummy.“Ineedtogetmyjacket.”Themummystaresatyouamoment,thenreleasesyou.
“Don’tworry,”youwhispertoDerekasyougrabyourjacket.“I’mjustgoingwithhimsohewon’thurtSusie.ButI’llgetawayfromhimassoonaswe’reoutside.”
“Okay,”Derekwhispersback.“I’llfollowyou.”
“No…you…won’t,”themummysaystoDerek.ThenhepointsabandagedfingeratDerek’shead.Instantly,yourbrotherisfrozenstiff.Hecan’tmove!
Butyoucan,somoveovertoPAGE53.
Nobodyseemstobearound.Nothingbutsand.Egypt’shotsunbeatsdownonyou,makingyoufeeldizzyandfaint.You’dliketositdownintheshade,butthereisn’tany.
Water,youthink.Imusthavewater….
Nowyouknowwhytheysaythingslikethatinoldmovies.You’veneverbeensothirstyinyourlife.
Luckily,youhadalightjacketwithyouinSanFrancisco.It’stiedaroundyourwaist.Youtakeitoffandholditoveryourhead,usingitasatentforshade.
Youopenthediarytothefirstpagewithwriting.It’spageseven.Youstudythehieroglyphs.Theylooklikethis:
Whatdoyouthinkitmeans?Ifitlookslikeabunchofbirdssittingaroundacampfiretoyou,turntoPAGE58.
IfyouseeanancientEgyptiansmileyfaceinstead,turntoPAGE12.
“No!”youcryout.Youstareintothewoodenbox.Themummyisgone!Andsomethingelseisinitsplace.
Gold!Tonsofit.Coins,littlestatues,scepters,andcrowns.Allmadeofgold.
Foramoment,youcan’tbelieveit.Isthissomekindofillusion?Isthereatrapdoorinthebox?Aslidingpanel?Ormirrors?You’veseenthiskindofthingdonebymagiciansonTV.
Youleanintotheboxandfeelthebottomandsideswithbothhands.
It’ssolid.
Youpickuponeofthecoinsandbiteit.
It’sreallygold.
Iguessthechantworked!yousaytoyourself.MaybethemummycamebacktolifeinEgypt.Maybehewentbacktohisowntimeandsentthisgoldtothankme.Hesaidhewasaking,didn’the?Thenyouhearasoundthatmakesyouturnaround.
“Thank…you,”avoicewhispers,echoingintheemptylobby.It’sthefamiliarvoiceofthemummy,withthewheezingsoundbetweeneachword.Butthemummyisnowheretobeseen.“Thank…you…for…saving…my…life,”hesays.“I…hope…this…gold…can…repay…you…in…some…small…way….And…now…I…King…Buthramaman…bid…you…farewell.”
THEEND
Canitbepossible?
Isthemummygoingtoescapetonight?How?
Andisthisthe“strangestofallpyramids”?ThePyramidBuilding?Itwouldseemstrangetosomeoldpharaoh,youguess.
Youreadoverthesamepagesagain—tryingtomakesenseofthem.
“Eachnightmyspiritwritesthisdiary,”itsays.
Noway!youthink.Heisn’twritingwithhishand.He’swritingwithhismind!Themummythinkssomething,anditappearsonthepage.
Awesome.
Youshootaquick,sidewaysglancetomakesurethelobbyguardisn’twatching.Thenyoutuckthediaryunderyourshirt.
TurntoPAGE132.
Frantically,youglancearoundforsomeplacetohide.Anyplace.
Youspotastorageclosetafewfeetaway.Thedoorstandsslightlyopen.Yes!youthinkasyouquicklyslipinside.
Youfliponalight,holdyourbreath,andlisten.
Arethefootstepscomingtowardyou?
Youwait.Yourheartpounds.
Finally,thefootstepspass.
Youbreatheandglancearoundatthesuppliesinthecloset.
Rollsoftoiletpaper.Soaps.Tinybottlesofhotelshampoo.Towels.Mops.Avacuumcleaner.
Andpens!Ballpointpenswiththehotel’snameonthem.Smallnotepads,too.Therearesomejustlikethembythetelephoneinyourroom.
That’swhatyouneed,yourealize.Paperandpen,soyoucanwriteyourfamilyanote!
Youstarttoscribbleanotetoyourbrother,Derek.
Butsuddenlyyounoticesomethingelseontheclosetfloor.Somethingevenbetterthanapen.Keys!Thehousekeepercouldhavedroppedthem,youdecide.Theylooklikemasterkeysthatwillopeneveryroominthehotel.
Ifyouusethekeystoopenyourhotelroom,turntoPAGE41.
IfyouwriteanoteandslipittoDerek,turntoPAGE117.
“Younger,”yourepeat.“Okay.Wecandothat.”
Quickly,youhopoutofthesarcophagussohecan’tcloseyouin.“Followme,”youtellhim.
SnakingyourwaythroughthestreetsofSanFrancisco,youleadthemummytoabuildingafewblocksaway.It’saglass-and-chrome-frontedbuildingwithafancysignpaintedonthedoor.
THEHEAVEN-ON-EARTHHEALTHSPA.
Yourememberthisplacebecauseyou’vepassediteverydayonthewaytoyourhotel.Andit’sopentwenty-fourhoursaday!
“What’s…this?”themummyasks.Hestandsbackfromthedoor,hesitanttogoin.Infact,he’sactingalittleshy.
“It’sahealthspa,”youexplain.“Afancyplacewheretheygiveyouhealthdrinks,mudbaths,andthingslikethat.Theymakeyoulookyounger.That’stheirjob.”
“Really?”themummywhispers.
Althoughitseemsimpossible,youalmostseeaflickerofasmilespreadacrosshislips.
Youleadthewayintothespaandapproachthereceptionist.
“Uh,hi,”youstammer.“My,uh,friend,here,wantstogetaskintreatment.”
Thereceptionisteyesthemummysuspiciously.“Doeshehaveanappointment?”sheasks.
Anappointment?Uh-oh.ThinkfastonPAGE99.
“LookslikeanancientEgyptiansmileyfacetome,”yousayoutloud.
Uh-oh.You’retalkingtoyourself.Andyou’reseeingsmileyfaces.You’dbetterfindsomewatersoon!
YousuddenlyrememberthatyouhadapackofFruityBitescandyinyourpocket.Youreachforthem.They’restillthere!Andthey’reonlyalittlemelted.
Youpoptwoinyourmouth.Ahhhhhhh.
Theyalmostmakeyouforgetyourparchedthroat.
Almost.
Butnotforlong.
GetupandsearchforwateronPAGE24.
Thethreemenleancloserandpeerintoyoursarcophagus.
“Yeow-sa!”theotherguardyells.“He’sstartingtorot!”
No!youthink.Butit’strue!Yourancient,mummifiedbodyisturningtomush!Yourfaceislosingitsshape.Yourhollow,ancienteyesarecavingin,leavinghugeholesinyourface.
Nowonderyoufeelsoweak!
“It’sthesaltair!”themanwiththedeepvoicecries.Hiseyesopeninhorroraspiecesofyourbodybegintofallaway!
“Withoutbandagestoprotectitfromthefogandsaltyair,thedriedfleshismoldingandbreakingdown.”
“Whatshouldwedowithhim?”Georgeasks,holdinghisnose.
“He’snogoodtousnow,”themanwiththedeepvoiceanswers.“We’vegottogetridofhim.”
“No,”theotherguardinsists.“Isaywetakehimbacktothemuseum.”
“Flipacoin,”Georgedeclares.“That’showwe’lldecide.”
Oh,no,youthink.Notanothercoin!
Flipanothercoin.Ifit’sheads,turntoPAGE35.
Ifit’stails,turntoPAGE27.
Seewhat’sinside?Aretheykidding?
Thedoctorscloseinonyou,rubbingtheirhandstogethereagerly.“I’mgoingtoenjoythis,”Stuartsayswithacreepysmile.
“Let’sfindoutwhat’sinthere,”Dr.Laceyaddseagerly.
Youstareatthesurgicaltoolsinterror.Youwanttoscream.Youwanttoyellforhelp.Butwhenyouopenyourmouth,nosoundcomesout.
Youcan’ttalk!
You’llneverbeabletoexplainthatyou’rereallyakid!Whatwillyoudo?
You’redesperatetoescape.Youscantheroom,searchingforsomething—anything—thatwillhelpyou.Youspotachemicalbeakerfullofsomekindofclearliquid.YoupickupthebeakerandtosstheliquidinDr.Lacey’sface!
“Hey!”shesputters.“Hejustthrewwateratme!”
Water?Yourheartsinks.Thatwastheonlyplanyouhad.Anditdidn’twork.
Thesedoctorsaregoingtoopenyouupforsure!
TurntoPAGE31.
Youenterthecool,darktombwithMohammedrightbehindyou.Hecarriesatorchtolighttheway.
Thepassageway,anarrowcorridormadeoflargestoneblocks,iscreepy.Youfeelasifsomeone—orsomething—mightjumpoutatyouatanyminute.
Youwalkafewmorestepsforwardandcometoaplacewherethepassagewaysplitsintoafork,oraY.
“Whichway?”youask.
“Followyourheart,”Mohammedanswersmysteriously.
Myheart?youthink.Isthatsomekindofclue?
Let’ssee.
Yourheartisontheleft.Isthatwhathemeans?Shouldyoutakethepassagetotheleft?
Youpeerdowntheleftpassagewayandseenothingbutdarkness.Ahorrible,emptydarkness—asifnoonehaseverreturnedfromthatpath.
Thenyoupeerdownthepassagewaytotheright.Itlookswiderthantheotheroneandbrighter.Itisn’tnearlysodark.
Ifyoutakethepassagewaytotheleft,turntoPAGE123.
Ifyoutakethepassagewaytotheright,turntoPAGE79.
Yourbandages,theonesthemummy-kidisunwrapping,havetrailedacrosshisarms.
Allatonce,theystarttowrapthemselvesaroundhimjustastheyhadmysteriouslyclungtoyou.Theybindhimquickly.Tightly.Theyseemtohavealifeoftheirown,asiftheywanttochokehimtodeath.
Themummy-kid’seyesflashwithfear.
“No!”hecries,tryingtopullaway.
Yes!youthink.Thisisit!ThisishowIcantradeplaceswithhimagain!
Ifyoucanjustgetallthebandagesoffintime…
Thenthey’llwraparoundhim,justastheywrappedaroundyouinthelobbyofthePyramidBuilding.
Asfastasyoucan,youstarttounwraptherestofyourbandages.
Quickly,youunwrapthehorriblegauzesothatitwillbefreetoencirclethemummy.Thebandageswindthemselvesaroundhisface,hisneck,hisbody.Theypinhisarmstohissidessohecan’tmove!
TurntoPAGE111.
Theguardflipsacoinanditcomesuptails.
“Good,”Georgesays.“Iwin.Now,listentome.”
Youlisten,too,frominsideyourmummycaseinthetrunk.
Butyoucan’thearathing.Andamomentlater,Georgeslamsthetrunkshutandthecartakesoff.
Whoa!youwanttocryasyoufeelthecarzoomingupanddownthefamousSanFranciscohills.Yourstomachwouldbeturningoverrightnow—ifyouhadone—thehillsaresosteep.Itfeelsasifyou’reonarollercoaster.
Georgedriveslikeamaniac.Youcanhearthetiressquealaroundthecornersashemakessharpturns.
Finally,thecarslowsdownandeasestoastop.
Wherearewe?youwonder.
Youhearafoghorn.Andthesoundofwaterlappingatthesidesofapier.Youfigureyoumustbenearadock.Youcanalmostsmellthesaltyairfrominsidethewoodencase.
Whywouldtheybringmetoapier?youwonder.Thenyougetasinkingfeeling.
TurntoPAGE55.
Theguardcouldbemakingthenoise.Oritcouldbethemummy.
Eitherway,youdon’twanttobefound.
Hide—fast!
Youdashacrossthelobbyanddartbehindapillar.
SCRAPE…SCRAPE…
Itsoundsasifsomeoneisdragginghisfeetacrossthefloor.Andwhoeveritis,isstillheadedyourway.
Whocoulditbe?
Youarehalfwaytotheexit.Yourkneestremblewithfear,butyoucan’thelpbeingcurious.
Youhavetomakeadecision.
Ifyoustaytofindoutwhoitis,turntoPAGE45.
Ifyouleavenowandgobacktothehotel,turntoPAGE88.
Beforeyoucanprotest,WebWooblyclimbsontoanothercamel.Assoonashiscamelstartswalking,yoursfollows.
“Wherearewegoing?”youasknervously.Suddenly,thisdoesn’tseemlikeagreatidea.Especiallysincethecamelisn’tverycomfortabletositon.And,boy,doesitstink!
“ToCairo,”Webreplies.
Slowly,thetwoofyoumakethebumpynine-milecamelridetothecapitalcityofEgypt.Whenyouarrive,Webtakesyoutoasmallcaféonabusystreetandordersyouthepromisedglassoflemonade.
“Now,myyoungfriend,”Websays.“Let’stalkaboutthediary.Howdoestwothousanddollarssound?”
Well—howdoesitsound?
IfyoulikeWeb’soffer,takeitonPAGE63.
Ifyouthinkyoucangetmore,bargainwithhimonPAGE114.
Adeadmummycomingaliveagain?Youwanttoseethat!
YouholdthediaryhiddeninsideyourshirtandlookaroundforSusie.“Coming,Mother!”yousay.You’llcomebacktonightandfindoutifwhatthediarysaysisreallytrue.
“Seeyoulater,”youwhispertothemummy.Helookscompletelydeadtoyou.But…youknowyousawhisarmmove.
YoukeepthediaryhiddeninyourshirtduringdinnerinChinatown.Younevergetachancetoreadit.Backatthehotel,Susieishungryagain.Sheinsistsonorderingfromroomservice,buttheynevershowup.Shewantstostayupwaiting,buteventuallyyourparentsmakeyouallgotobed.
Finally,wheneveryoneelseisasleep,yousneakoutofthehotel.Thecool,foggynightairmakesyoushiverasyouwalktwoblockstothePyramidBuilding.Thestreetsareemptyatthistimeofnight.
Whenyoureachthebuilding,youslipinthroughtheopenfrontdoor—andfindthelobbyguardasleep.He’ssittingonastool,slumpedoveratallreceptiondesk.Asmalllightonhisdeskgivesthecavernouslobbyaneerieglow.
Yousteppasttheguard,towardthedisplaysinthecenterofthelobby.Afteraminute,youreyesadjusttothedimlight.
Thenyouspotit—andgasp!
Theglasscaseholdingthemummyisbroken.Themummyisgone!
TurntoPAGE36.
Getinasarcophagus?Nopossibleway,youdecide.
Withadesperatepull,youyankyourarmawayfromthemummy.
Ooooh…badidea.
Rememberhowthemummyhadyourwristinanirongrip,likeavise?Rememberhowstronghewas?
Well…closeyoureyes.
Whathappensnextistoogrosstogointo.Youreallydon’twantthegorydetails.
Let’sjustsaythatyourarm—theonethemummywasholding?—well,he’sstillholdingit.
Andyouaren’t.
Whichmeansthateveniftherewereanotherpagetoturntorightnow,youwouldn’tbeabletoturntoit.Notwhilestillholdingthisbookwithyouroneremaininghand!
Faceit.You’vecomeupshort-handedinthisstory.
THEEND
YoudecidetotrusttheyoungEgyptianguard.Heseemsgenuinelyconcerned.Youhandhimthediary.
TheAmericanlooksdisappointed,butheturnsandwandersaway.
TheEgyptianmantellsyouhisnameisMohammed.Thenheexaminesthediary,hiseyeswidening.“ThisdiarymustbereturnedtotheroyaltombofButhramaman,”hecries.“Onlythenwillthemummyrest.Comewithme!”
“Butwherearewegoing?”youaskhim.
“Tothetomb,”hewhispers.Hiseyesnarrowandhiseyebrowscurlin,makinghimlookasifhehasadeep,darksecret.
MohammedleadsyoubydonkeytotheNileRiver.There,youboardaboatandtravelsouthalldayandallnight.Finally,youreachastrange,uninhabitedpartofEgypt.Inthesteamyheat,heleadsyouthroughalushjungle,andthentoanotherdesertarea,andfinallytothesandy,stoneentrancetothetomb.
“Yougoinfirst,”hesays,pointingtheway.
Me?youthink.Whyme?
TurntoPAGE73.
Youslamthedoorshut.“It’shim!”youwhispertoDerek.“It’sgottobe!”Youleanallyourweightagainstthedoor.Nowayisthemummygettingin!
KNOCK.KNOCK-KNOCK.
“Itcan’tbethemummy,dummy,”Dereksays,hoppingoffhiscot.Hestompsovertothedoorandshovesyouaside.“Imean,isamummygoingtoknockpolitelyonthedoor?”
KNOCK.KNOCK.
“Don’topenit!”youbeg.Youreachforthedoorknobtotrytostophim.
Toolate.Derekswingsopenthedoor.
Standingthereinthedimlylithallwayisasmallfigurewrappedinancientbandages.
Themummy!
BeforeyouorDerekcanstophim,themummypushesthroughthedoorway.There’samummystandinginyourhotelroom!Youcanhardlybelieveit.
“You…stole…my…life…”themummywhispersslowly.“Now…I…will…take…my…revenge.”
Youaretoostunnedtomove.AllyoucandoisturntoPAGE38.
Ifyoudon’tfindwatersoon,youknowyouareagoner,forsure.Soyoustaggerforward,suckingontheFruityBites.Thenyouseeit!
Anothersmileyface!
Maybeyoureallyaregoingmad.
It’sonthatsanddunenotfarfromyou.ArowofEgyptianstatues.Bird-facedpillarscarvedinstone,likeonesyou’veseeninbooksonancientEgypt.
Twostatuesmaketheeyesandsevenmoremakethemouth.Exactlylikethedrawinginthediary!Youpulloutthediary.TurntoPAGE7andcheckitagain.
Thefaceinthediaryhasanose.There’snonosewiththestatues.Butyoufigurethatcouldjustbeapictureofthesun.ToshowhowHOTitisinthedesert.Thatwouldmakesense.
Whatdoesn’tmakesenseiswhytheancientEgyptiansputasmileyfacedesigninthemiddleofthedesert!Andwhythemummy’sdiaryhasapictureofit!
RunovertothestatuesonPAGE133andgetsomeanswers!
Foraninstant,youconsidernotcompletingthespell.Butyoucan’t.Notafteryougaveyourword.
Andbesides,themummyseemssolonely.
“TekiKahruTekiKahraTekiKhari!”youchantquickly,beforeyouloseyournerveagain.
Youholdyourbreath,waitingforthemummytocomebacktolife.
Silence.Nothinghappens.
ThelobbyofthePyramidBuildingisevenquieterthanbefore.Astrangestillnesshangsintheair.It’sasifthewholeworldsuddenlycametoagrindinghalt.
Ahorriblethoughtcreepsintoyourhead.Iseveryonedead?
Youglanceoverattheguard.Helookslikehe’sasleep,buthe’snotsnoringanymore.Ifhe’sasleep,it’sadeep,dreamlesssleep.
Sweattricklesdownyourneckwhileyouwaitforthemummycasetoopen.
Nothing.Nothingbutsilenceandthesoundofyourownheartbeat.
Finally,youcan’tstanditanylonger.Youreachoverandopenthelid.
Whatwillyoufindinside?TurntoPAGE8.
Thehallwayturnsafewmoretimes.Buttherearen’tanymorechoices.Nomoreforks.
Finally,youseeaglimmeroflight.
Light?Where’sitcomingfrom?
Youturnthecornerandspottheanswer.
Theelevator!
Atlast—you’reinthebasementofthePyramidBuilding!
Aren’tyou?
YouruntotheelevatorandpushtheUPbuttonoverandover.Youhopethatifyoupressitharder,it’llcomefaster.
Yeah.Sure.Likethat’severworked.
PressitagainonPAGE56.
Theyflipacoin.“Tails,”Georgedeclares.
Uh-oh.Bigtrouble.Majorbummer.
“Tosshimoverboard,”themanwiththedeepvoiceorders.“Andgetitoverwith!”
Thosearethelastwordsyoueverhear.
Asecondlater,Georgeandtheotherguardflingyouoverthesideoftheboat.Thechillywatersoaksintoyou.Youstarttosink.
Younevercouldswim,evenasakid.
Butthat’snottheworstpart.
Theworstpartisthatthesecoastalwatersareshark-infested.
Andasitturnsout,mummiesmakegreatfishfood!
THEEND
YoudecidetotrustWebWoobly.
Heseemsfriendly.Andwithanamelikethat,howbadcouldhebe?Besides,youlikethesoundofhisoffer.Lemonade—andpossiblybigbucksforthediary!
You’llworryaboutgettinghomelater.YournewAmericanpalmaybeabletohelpyou.
“Acooldrinkwouldbeveryrefreshing,”WebWooblysays,wipingthesweatfromhisforehead.“Let’sgo.”
Heputsonehandupintheair,asifhe’shailingataxicabinNewYorkCity.Thenhestickstwofingersinhismouthandwhistles.
Almostatonce,aguyonacamelridesup.
“Needalift,buddy?”thecameldriverasks.
“Yes,”WebWooblysays.ThenhespeaksafewwordsinArabictothecameldriver.Prettysoon,thecamelkneelsdown.
“Climbup,”Webinstructsyou.
Youdo.Butassoonasyou’reseatedonthecamel,youstarttofeelguilty.Youknowyou’renotsupposedtogetincarswithstrangers!Isgettingonacamelsodifferent?
“Uh,IthinkI’llgetdown,”youstarttosay.
“Toolate,”WebWooblyannounceswithasmalllaugh.
TurntoPAGE19.
Youhavetohide!Youduckintothealcoveofanearbybuildingandhuddleintheshadows.Thelong,blacklimousinecruisesby.
Phew.Closeone.
Exceptaninstantlaterthetwoglassdoorsbehindyouswingopenandtwodoctorswalkout.Oneman,onewoman.
That’swhenyounoticethesignovertheentrance:EMERGENCYMEDICAL
ASSISTANCE.
“Hey,”themaledoctorsaystoyou.“Whatareyoudoingouthere?Youshouldbeinbed.Youareverysick!”
Thenthefemaledoctorstepscloser.Shepeersintoyourface.Atyourshrunken,dried,brown-leatherface.
Shegrabsyourwrist.
“Hey,look!”shewhisperstotheotherdoctor.“Thisisn’tapatient.It’samummy!”
TurntoPAGE86.
Beforeyoucanjumpaway,themummy’shanddartsoutandhegrabsyourwrist.Hepicksupthetailendofoneofhisbandages,alongonethathascomepartlyunwrapped.Quickly,heusesittotieyourwristsbehindyourback—likeaprisoner!ThenhedoesthesamethingtoDerek!
Foranolddeadguy,hesuremovesfast!
Theinstantthebandagetouchesyou,youfeelyourskinbegintowitherandhardenandshrivel.Yourarmsandlegsgrowstiff—sostiffyoucanbarelymove.
Heyanksthebandages,andyouandDerekbothstumbletowardthemummy.Hewrapsmoreoftheancientstripsaroundandaroundyourbodies.
“What’shappening?”youstarttoaskDerek.
ButwhenyouglanceatDerek’sface,youletoutahorriblescream.
Derek’sfaceisbrownandleather-hard—justlikethemummy’s!Andwhat’smore,hiseyesaregone!
Onlytwodeep,emptyeyesocketsremain!Youstareintothem,deeperanddeeper,feelingyourselfgettingdizzy.Italmostmakesyoupassoutindisgust.
HurrytoPAGE76!
“Holdhimdown,”Stuartyells.“I’llsetuptheX-raymachine.”
Xrays?Isthatallthey’regoingtodo?
Oh.
Thatwon’tbesobad.Maybeitwillevenbeinteresting.
YoustopstrugglingandcooperateasthetwodoctorsX-rayeachandeverypartofyourbody.Evenyourhead!
Ashortwhilelater,Stuartstrollsoutofthedarkroom,holdingtheXraysuptothelight.
“Idon’tbelieveit,”hemutters.
“Whatdidyoufind?”Dr.LaceyasksStuart.ShestandsnexttohimandpeersattheXrays.
“Hehasnoorgans.Noheart.Nostomach.Nobrain,”Stuartanswers.“Ofcourse,Ididn’texpecthimtosincehe’samummy.”
“Thenwhat’ssounusual?”Dr.Laceydemands.
“This,”Stuartsays.“LookwhatIfoundinsidehishead!”
Dr.LaceytakesanXrayfromStuartandholdsituptothelight.Shegasps.
“Astonishing!”Dr.Laceyexclaims.“Amazing!”
“Extraordinary!”Stuartadds.
What’sgoingon?Aren’ttheygoingtotellyou?Afterall,it’syourhead!
Findoutwhat’sinthereonPAGE125.
“Yes,”youtellthemummy.“Iknowasecretchantthatwillbringyoubacktolife.”
“What…is…it?”themummyasks,wheezingbetweeneachword.Hesoundseager.
“KlatuBarradaNicto,”yourecite.Youcloseyoureyesandsayitagain,likeachant.“KlatuBarradaNicto.”
“Ha!”themummyexclaims,almostlaughing.“Klatu…Barrada…Nicto?That…is…from…an…old…movie!You…know…nothing.You…are…doomed!”
Uh-oh.He’sright.Thosearethewordsthealienspeaksintheold1950ssci-fimovie,TheDaytheEarthStoodStill.
You’reinbigtroublenow.
TurntoPAGE48.
Georgeholdsyoudownwhiletheotherguardclosesthesarcophaguslid.Tight.
Help!youwanttoscreamasthedarknessclosesinonyou.
Thenyou’rethrownagainstthesideofthesarcophagus.
Theguardshaveliftedyouupontotheirshouldersandarecarryingyousomewhere!
Atfirstyoubangonthesarcophaguslidwithbothfists.Letmeout!yousilentlyscream.
Thenyoulieverystillandlisten.
Fromtheguards’muffledconversation,youfigureoutwhat’shappening.Theyarecarryingthewoodenmummycasetoacarandloadingitintothetrunk.
“Nowwhat?”Georgeaskstheotherguard.
“Nowwetakehimbacktothemuseum,”theotherguyreplies.
“Noway!”youhearGeorgeexclaim.“Areyoukidding?We’vegotalivingmummyhere!Wecouldmakeafortune!”
Frominsidethesarcophagus,youheartheotherguymumblesomething.Georgeanswersback.Itsoundslikethey’rearguing.YouhearGeorgeexclaim,“Okay,we’llflipacoinforit!Heads,youwin.Tails,wedowhatIsay.”
Uh-oh.Yourlifedependsontheflipofacoin!
Flipacoin.Ifitcomesupheads,turntoPAGE67.
Ifit’stails,turntoPAGE17.
Derekislaughinguncontrollably.“Igotyou!”hesqueals,pointingatyou.“Igotyougood!”
“Gotme?”youstammer.“Whatdoyoumean,gotme?”
“Themummy!Thediary!”Hewipestearsoflaughterawayfromhiseyes.“Imadethewholethingup.
“Ibroughtthisdiaryfromhome,”Derekexplains.“Imadethispaperinartclass.IknewweweregoingtoseethemummywhenwegottoSanFrancisco.SoIthoughtupthediaryscam.ThenIdroppedthisinthelobbyofthePyramidBuilding,byyourfeet.Iknewyou’dfallforit.You’llbelieveanything!”
“Mom!”youcomplain,andtrytokickDerekintheshins.
Butyourmomfailstoseeyouasthevictimthatyouare.Aftershehelpsthewaiterupandhandshimsomemoney,shesendsbothofyoutobed—forawholeday!
AndsinceyouandDereksharethesamehotelroom,youcan’tescapehisteasing.
Thensomethingoccurstoyou.Whataboutthemummy?Hedidescapelastnight.Youwerethere.Yousawthebrokenglass.
TurntoPAGE96.
Themanwiththedeepvoiceflipsacoin.It’sheads.
“Okay,takehimbacktothemuseum,”themanagrees.“Butdoitnow.Wesailintwominutes.Gethimoffmyship!”
Clumsily,thetwoguardstossthelidbackonthesarcophagusandhaulyouofftheship.Anhourlater,youarriveattheSanFranciscoFineArtsMuseum.TheyhandyouovertoMarvinDeNeely,themuseumdirectorwho’sinchargeofEgyptiancollections.
“Whathaveyoudonetohim?”Marvinshoutswhenheglancesinthewoodensarcophagus.“Mybeautifulmummy!He’samess!”
I’mnotreallyamummy!youwanttocry.I’makid!
Butwithyourbodyrottingaway,youcan’tevenmanagetositup.Piecesofyourold,hardfleshfalloffinchunks.Itmakesyouweak.Anddizzy.
Youliestillinyoursarcophagus.Tootiredtoevencry.
TurntoPAGE101.
Youstareatthedisplaycase.Yourhandsareclammy.Yourheartbeatsfaster.
Youcan’tbelieveit.Hasthemummyreallyescaped?
Alltheotherglasscasesarefine.There’safancygoldenthroneinone,alarge,feather-shapedfaninanother.Onlythemummydisplaycaseisbroken.Onlythemummyisgone.
Youmissedit.You’retoolate.
Brokenglasslitterstheflooratyourfeet.Itseemsasifthemummypracticallyexplodedoutofhiscase!
Slowly,youinchcloser.Youglancedown,avoidingtheglass.That’swhenyouspotit.Atrailofoldclothbandages.Notjustone,either.Awholebunchofthem.
Youknowthisiscrazy,butitlooksasifthemummyunwrappedhimselfasheranaway!
Youcan’tseethebandagesverywellinthedark.Soyoubendovertopickoneup.Butsomethingstopsyou.
Anoise.
Someoneiscomingfromthefarsideofthelobby.You’dbettergetoutofthere—fast!
Ifyoupickupthebandage,turntoPAGE51.
Ifyouthinkyou’dbetterrun,turntoPAGE18.
“Iknowasecretchant,”youtellthemummy.“IfIsayitfivetimes,itwillbringyoubacktolife.”
Youstarttochantthepowerfulmagicwords.
“TekiKahruTekiKahraTe—”
“Wait!”themummycries,holdinguphishand.“I…know…that…chant!It…does…work.But…I…am…not…ready…yet.”
Themummyholdsouthisbandagedhandstohelpyououtofthesarcophagus.Thenhequicklytakesyourplaceinthebox.Heseemstoalmostsmileashesettlesbackintothemummycase.
“All…right,”themummysays.“Close…the…lid…and…say…the…words.”
“Idon’tgetit,”yousay.“Whydoyouwanttocomebacktolifeinthemummycase?”
Themummygivesyouasad,farawaygazebeforeanswering.“That…is…the…only…way,”hetellsyou.“My…diary…would…have…brought…me…to…life…now—in…this…wonderful…time…of…yours.But…your…magic…is…different.It…works…another…way.”
“Anotherway?How?”youask.
“Never…mind,”themummywarnsyou.Thenhenearlyshouts.“Just…say…the…words.Now!”
TurntoPAGE84.
Themummy’shandsshootoutandgrabyourthroat!Hepullsyoutowardhim.
“Revenge…will…be…mine….”Thesoftwheezingsoundbetweeneachwordthemummyspeaksisterrible.Itfillsyourears,makingyoushudder.
Youstruggleagainsthisgrip.Hishandstightenonyourneck.Youcanhardlybreathe.
Whyisn’tDerekhelpingyou?Youglanceathim.Derek’sstandingnexttoyou,wide-eyed,mouthhangingopen,frozenwithfear.
“Derek!”youtrytosay.Onlyitcomesoutas“D-acckk”becausethemummy’sgripissotightonyourthroat.
Finally,Dereksnapsoutofit.Helungestowardthemummy.Butthemummybacksaway,stillgraspingyoubythethroat.
Themummyletsoutawheezingbreath.“Give…me…the…diary—orelse!”
TurntoPAGE105.
Yourlifeisindanger!Why?
Thewild,worriedlookintheArabman’seyestellsyounottoaskquestions.Youdon’thavetime!Hepressesthecamel’slead-ropeintoyourhandsandrepeatshiswarning.
“Go!”
Gowhere?youwonderasyoumountthecamel.Andwhyme?
Yourideoutoftownasfastasyoucan.
ThefartherawayfromtheMouskiyouget,thebetteryoufeel.
Except…
Issomeonefollowingyou?
Suddenly,you’realmostpositivethere’ssomeoneonyourtail.
Tryasneakymaneuvertogetaway.TurntoPAGE56,then92,then103,then24,thenbackto56again.Don’treadthosepages,silly!Justturntothem.Maybethatwillconfusewhoeverisfollowingyou.ThensneakovertoPAGE52andseeifyou’velostthem.
Youdecidetoopenthedoor.
Butyourheartisracing.Whatifitisthemummyandheknowsyoutookhisdiary?Willhebemad?
Inoneswift,action-packedmove,youflingopenthedoor,takeaflyingleap,andkarate-kickthepersonstandingthere.
KA-POW!Hetumbleshalfwayacrossthehallway.
Uh-oh.Bigmistake.
TurntoPAGE57.
Forgetwritinganote,youdecide.Youwanttoseeyourfamilyagain.Youwanttoconfrontthatcreep—thatmummy—whohasstolenyourlife!
Youpickupthekeysandflipthroughthem.Youspotonewithasmallpieceofmaskingtapeonit.Inblueink,someonehaswrittenthewordmasteronthetape.
That’sit!Thekeythatwillopenyourfamily’sdoor!
Youracedownthehall.Thekeyfits.Justasyouhadhoped.Inaninstant,youturnthelockandburstintoyourfamily’shotelroom.
Toyoursurprise,they’reallsittingtherewideawake…waitingforyou.
Includingthemummy.Wholooksexactlylikeyouusedto!
“Aaaahhhh!”Susiescreamswhensheseesyou.“Aaaahhhh!Gethimaway!”
“Itoldyou!”themummywholookslikeyoushouts.“Itoldyouhewasfollowingme!”
“Grabhim,Derek!Quick!”yourdadsays.
TurntoPAGE92.
Themummy,wholooksexactlylikeyou,movesforwardintothestoragecloset.Hepushesyouback,forcingyouagainsttheclosetwall.You’retrapped!
“Igotyournote,”hegrumbles.Hereachesintohispajamapocket—yourpajamas!—andpullsoutthecrumpledpaperyouwroteon.Hethrowsitinyourface.“Forgetit!You’renevergoingtogetyourbodyback!I’vebeenwaitingtoolongforthischance—mychancetohavealife!”
Stillpinningyouagainstthebackclosetwallwithonehand,hegrabsatyourbandageswiththeother.Thebandagesthatwrappedthemselvesaroundyouallbythemselves.Youtrytofighthimoff,buthe’sstronger.Heunwrapsyoufromthetop,unwindingthebandagesthatencircleyourhead.
“Youwon’tlastlongwithoutthese,”hesays.“Yourbodywillsoonstarttorotandthen—ahh!”
Allatonce,hejumpsback.Alookofterrorflashesintohiseyes.
TurntoPAGE16.
Youdecidetoduckintotheelevator.
Withthediarytuckedunderyourshirt,youcasuallystrolloverandpushtheUPbutton.Butthefirstelevatorthatarrivesisgoingdown.
Oh,well.That’lldo.
Quickly,youslipintotheelevator.Luckilynooneelsegetsonwithyou.Yourparentsdon’tevennoticeyou’regone.
Great,youthinkasthecarwhooshesdownward.Nowyoucanreadthediaryinprivate.
DING.Abellringsasthedoorsopentothebasement.
“Weird,”yousayasyoustepoutoftheelevator.
Thisisthebasement?
Toyouramazement,theplacelooksasifitwerebuiltthousandsofyearsago.Thewallsaremadeofhugeblocksofrough,tanstone.Theonlylightshinesfromafixtureovertheelevatordoors.Inthedimglow,youcanseethattheelevatorsaretheonlymodern-lookingpartofthebasement.
Cautiously,youwalkdownastrange,darkhallway.Yoursneakersscrapeagainstthestones.
It’sreallytoodarktoreadthediary.Butyoucan’thelpwantingtoexplore.
Thediarycanwait,youdecide.
ExplorethebasementonPAGE49.
“Here.Takeit!”Youthrustthediaryintothemummy’sbandagedhands.
HSSSSSSSSSS…
Themummyletsoutalong,raspysoundlikeasigh.Youcouldswearhisexpressionhaschanged.Hisfaceseemstosoftenwithrelief.
“Ahhh,yesss…”themummysays,claspingthediarytohischest.“Now…all…I…need…is…”
Anotherlongwheezeescapesfromhismouthbeforehespeaksthelastword.
“You!”
TurntoPAGE30.
Youdecidetostayhiddenbehindthepillar.Youwanttofindoutifit’sthemummy.Youhavetoseeifthemummyreallycamebacktolife!
SCRAPE…SCRAPE…
Thefootstepssoundnearer…nearer…
Youcan’tstanditanymore!Youpeekyourheadaroundthecorner.
Thefigurestepsintothedimlightofthelobbyfromanearbyhall.
It’sthemummy!
Andhe’salive!
TurntoPAGE62.
There’sabig,uglycrocodileonthestepsinfrontofyou.Crocodilesmeanwater.Thatmeanstheremustbesomenearby!Butrightaboutnow,crocodilesmostlymeandanger.
It’slikehe’sguardingthegold.
Youfreeze.Don’tmove,youtellyourself.Whateveryoudo,don’trun.Noquickmovements.
Butdoyoureallywanttostandthereandbeeatenalive?Especiallywhentherecouldbewaterdowninthatpit!
Yourmindraces,tryingtothinkquickly.
Twoideascometoyou.YoucouldtosssomeoftheFruityBitestothecrocodile.Thenmaybeitwouldleaveyoualone.
Oryoucouldtrymovingvery,veryslowlypasthimonthestairs.Ifyoudon’tfindwater,youmightneedthoseFruityBites.
Whatwillyoudo?
IfyouthrowthecrocsomeFruityBitescandy,turntoPAGE116.
Ifyoutrytomovepasthim,turntoPAGE87.
Thehotel,youdecide.You’vegottogetbacktheretoyourfamily.Youneedhelp!
Butwhatifyourparentstakeonelookatyouandfreakout?Whatiftheydon’trecognizeyou?
You’vegottotakethatchance.
Youtiptoeacrossthemarblefloorofthelobby.Yourfootstepsdon’tmakeasound.Probablybecausethebandagesarestillwrappedaroundyourfeet.
Yousneakpastthestill-sleepingguardandslipoutintothefoggynight.Yourbandagestrailbehindyouasyouheadbacktowardthehotel.Youglancearound,hopingnoonewillseeyou.
Atthecorner,youaccidentallycatchyourreflectioninastorewindow.Yourfaceissohideous,youalmostscream.
Staycalm,youtellyourself.Onlyonemoreblocktogo.
Uh-oh.Herecomesacar.
Quick—hide!—onPAGE29.
Themummybeginstolowertheheavylid.
“Wait!”youcry,sittingupquicklyinthesarcophagussohecan’tshutit.“Isn’tthereanythingelseyouwant?Besidescomingbacktolife,Imean?”
Afteramoment,themummyliftshisdried,bonyhandtohisfaceandstrokeshischeek.Afewprunelikefingersjutoutfrombeneathhisbandages.
“I…want…to…look…younger,”themummywhispers.“My…skin…is…so…dry.”
Younger?youthink.Ishenuts?
Yes.
Buthey!ThisisCalifornia,right?Everyonewantstolookyoungerhere!
There’sonlyoneproblem.Howcanyoumakeafour-thousand-year-oldmummylookyounger?
FindoutonPAGE11.
Whatisthisplace?youwonder.Itsuredoesn’tlooklikethebasementofamodernskyscraper.
Whydon’tyouseeanybigbasementequipment,likeboilersandfurnacesandthings?
Where’sthejanitor,anyway?
Thesoundofyourfootstepsbouncesoffthestonewalls.Theechomakesthebackofyournecktingle.
Thehallwaynarrows.Youduckinsomeplacestoavoidbangingintotheceiling.Thepathtwistsandturns,sometimesslopingup,sometimesdown.
There’sbarelyenoughlightforyoutosee.Youworrythatyouwon’tfindyourwayback.
Maybethisisamistake….
Butyoukeepgoing.Exceptfortheeeriesilenceandthedarkness,thisplaceiscool.You’retoocurioustoturnbacknow.Youcometoasmalltunnelleadingofftotheright.Itseemstoslopeup.
Asetofstonestepsleadsdownontheleft.
Whichway?
Ifyoutakethetunnel,turntoPAGE70.
Ifyoutakethesteps,turntoPAGE83.
Youdecidetopushthemummyoffthetower.Itcouldbeyouronlyhopeofreturningtonormal.Ifheisdestroyed,maybethespellwillbebroken!
“Solong,creep!”youshoutasyoulungeforwardandgivehimahardshove.
“Aaahhghhhgh!”themummycriesashefallsovertheguardrail.Hescreamsthewholewaydown.
Down…
Down.
Hehitsthegroundwithadull,smackingsound.NotaTHUD,really.MorelikeaCRACK.
“Way…to…go!”Derekcries,slowlyliftinghiswrappedarmstogiveyouhighfives.
“Yeah…”yousay,tryingtosmile.Butyourfacefeelsfrozen,evenstifferthanbefore.
Uh-oh.
GotoPAGE100.
You’llhideassoonasyougetabetterlookatthosebandages!
Yourhandshakesasyoubenddowntopickupalongpieceofcloth.It’ssooldandthinandgauzy.
Canthisreallybeabandagethatwrappedupthemummy?
Almostinatrance,youstareattheancientfabricinyourhands.Youreyesglazeover.Allyoucanthinkaboutisthemummy…
Outthere…somewhere…alive.
Whenyousnapoutofthedaydream,youhearthefootstepsagain.Youglanceupandpeerintothedarkcornersofthelobby.
Youspotashadowmoving.
Uh-oh!Timetohide!Youtrytodropthecloth,butforsomereason,youcan’tseemtoletgo.Youglancedownandgasp!
Somehow,thebandagehaswrappeditselfaroundyourhand!
Andaroundyourarm.
It’swrappingupyourwholebody!
TurntoPAGE69.
Nope.Youhaven’tlostthem.
Twoguysarestillfollowingyou.Ondonkeys.Youcanseethemclearlynow.Oneofthemisdressedinablacksuit,blackshirt,andwhitetie.LikeanAmericangangster.Theotheriswearingalong,Arab-stylerobe.
Whatdotheywant?Whywon’ttheyleaveyoualone?
Youridedeeperintothedesert,tryingtoescape.
Thehotsunbearsdownonyou.Butasnightfalls,thetemperaturedropstotwentydegrees.Youshiverandyourteethchatter.Butyoukeepriding.
“Giveup!”theArabmancallstoyoufromhisdonkey.
“Never,”youshoutback.“Never!”
“Youaskedforit,”theAmericangangsteryells.
Withthat,heridesupbesideyourcamel,leapsatyou,andknocksyoutotheground.Thenhegrabsthelead-ropeforyourcamel,climbsbackontohisdonkey,andridesoff.
Leavingyouforthebuzzards.
Allthatforacamel?That’salltheywanted?Youneverknewthatcamelsweresovaluable!Guessnowyoudo.Nowthatyou’restuckwithoutoneinthemiddleofthedesert.
You’vebeenrippedofftwicetoday.Don’tyouthinkthat’senough?Maybeyoushouldjuststartover.Andkeepyoureyesopenthistime!
THEEND
Youstumbleasthemummydragsyoudownthehotelhallway.Heleadsyououtasideserviceentrance.
Fogfloatsinthedarkness,justabovethestreetlamps.Thebackalleyisempty,exceptforaratthatscampersawaywhenithearsyoucoming.
Onceyou’reoutside,youfigureit’stimetomakeabreakforit.“Letmego!”youcry.Youtrytopullawayfromthemummy,butyoucan’t.Hisholdonyourwristispowerful.Hisgripislikeasteelvise.
“Come…on…”heraspsinhisbreathywhisper.“We’ve…got…to…hurry.”
Hurry?Where?
Quickly,themummybringsyoubacktothePyramidBuilding.Nooneseesyousneakbackintothelobbyofthebuilding.Noteventheguard,whoisstillasleep.
Silently,themummypullsyoutowardthesarcophagusthatwashisrestingplaceforfourthousandyears.Shatteredglassisstillscatteredallaround.
“Get…in!”themummyordersyou,pointingtoit.
Getin?Intoasarcophagus?
Ifyougetinthemummycase,turntoPAGE68.
Ifyoutrytoescapeagain,turntoPAGE21.
YoudecidetoaskIllinoisSmithforhelp.
Whynot?He’salwaysfiguringoutancientcursesandtranslatingforeignlanguagesandthingslikethatinhismovies.
“Uh,excuseme,”yousay,walkinguptoSmith.
Actually,hisrealname’snotSmith.That’sjusthischaracter’sname.Butyoucan’trememberhisrealname.
“Yeah?”hesays,glancingatyoufromunderhisfamousbrownhat.
Youhandhimthestrangethinpagesofthemummy’sdiary.“Uh,Iwaswonderingifyoucould—”
Butbeforeyoucanfinishyoursentence,Smithgrabsthediaryoutofyourhands.“Sure,kid,”hesays.“Anytime.”
Thenhepullsoutabig,fat,felt-tippedmarkerandscrawlsanautographacrossthepage,completelyblottingouttheancientwritingunderneath!
Didyoureallythinkamoviestarwasgoingtodecipherhieroglyphicsforyou?
Really?
Well,decipherthis:Ha.Ha-ha-ha.Hah-hah-hah-hah!
THEEND
Suddenly,youhearthetrunkofthecaropen.Someone’sliftingyouout!Yourstiffmummifiedbodyslidesforwardinthewoodensarcophagus.Youbumpyourhead.
Ow!youthink.
“Hurryup!”Georgewhispersloudly.“Theboat’sabouttoleave!Helpmegetthisheavycoffinonboard.”
Onboard!youthink.Wherearetheytakingme?
BUMP.SLAM.OOOMPH.
Yourbodycrashesagainstthewallsofthemummycase,slappingfirsttoonesideandthentheother.Owwww…
Suddenly,youbegintofeeldizzy.Light-headed.Strangeallover.What’sgoingon?
Maybeallthisslammingaroundisgettingtome,youthink.
“Putitdownthere,”adeepvoicesuddenlycommands.“Let’sseethislivingmummyyou’vetoldmeabout.”
It’sanewvoice.Someoneyouhaven’theardbefore.
KA-BUMP.Thetwoguardsdropthesarcophaguswithaheavythud.Thensomeoneliftsthelidandpeersinside.Lightstreamsinonyou.
“Hey!What’shappeningtohim?”themanwiththedeepvoicecries.“Hesmellsrotten!”
TurntoPAGE13.
YoupresstheUPbuttonfivemoretimes.FinallyyouhearthefamiliarDING—thesoundthatmeanstheelevatorhasarrived.Thedoorsopen.
Oh,no!
Ascreamrisesinyourthroat.Butitneverescapes.
Andneitherwillyou.
There,standingintheelevator,isyouroldfriend,themummy.
Yourveryoldfriend.
Themummywasmadwhenyoustolehisdiary.Butthatwasnothingcomparedwithhowhefeelsnow.Hehatestrespassers.Andyoudaredtoenterhissacredburialchamber.Uninvited.
Yourvisittohistombisabouttocometoaveryunpleasantend.Andsoareyou.
Whenthemummyisdonewithyou,you’regoingtoneedallthosemummybandages!
THEEND
Withahorribleclatterofplates,glasses,andsilverware,thehotelroom-servicewaitercrashestothefloor.
Whimpering,hegazesatyoufromthefloorwithabowlofstrawberryicecreammeltingonhischest.Piecesofclubsandwichdecoratehisshoulders.Abigblobofmayonnaisedripsfromhisear.
“Whatdidyoudothatfor?”heasks,moaninginpain.
Youglanceathisrightarm.It’swrappedupinbandages.
“Oops,”yousay.Yougulp.Yourfaceturnsbrightred.“Ithoughtyouwereamummy.”
“Amummy?”thewaiterrepeats.Heshakeshishead.“Man,thishasn’tbeenmyday.First,Icutmyhandandnowthis!”Hemoansagain.“Ohhhhhh.Ithinkmylegisbroken.”
“What’sgoingon?”yourmotherdemandsfromthebedroomdoor.
“It—itwasanaccident,Mom,”yousputter.
Thenyoustartapologizing—fast.Toyourparents.Tothewaiter.Toyourparents,again.AndeventoSusie,forwakingherup.Everybody’smadatyou.Everybodyexceptforoneperson.Derek.Andhecan’tstoplaughing.
TurntoPAGE34tofindoutwhy.
Anancientsmileyface?That’sagoodone!Youdecideit’sabunchofbirdssittingaroundacampfire.Theylooklikethey’rehavingagoodtime,too.
Butwhatdoesitmean?youwonder.Nobody’stheretoansweryou.
Sandswirlsaroundyou.Yourthroatissohotanddry,youcanhardlyswallow.Youhavetofindsomewater.
Thebestyoucandoiskeepwalking.Andsoyoudo.Youwalkandwalkandwalk.
Twentyminutes.Thirty.Stillnowater.
Butthenyouseesomethingelse.Somethingyourecognize.
TheSphinx!Ahugestonemonumentinthedesert,nearthepyramids.TheSphinxhasthebodyofalion,withahumanhead.
Eagerly,yourunthelastfewhundredfeettothestonemonument.Hetowersoveryou,morethansixtyfeettall.
Wow,youthink,gazingupattheSphinx.There’ssomethingeerieandmysteriousabouthim.Helooksasifheknowsasecretandwon’ttell.
Suddenly,youhearavoice.Ahugeboomingvoice,comingfromthegiantstatue.
“Goback,”theSphinxcommandsyou.“Youmustnottrespassonthegravesofkings!”
TurntoPAGE119.
Tenminutesgoby.Twenty.
Youstandinthestoragecloset.Hiding.Waitingforsomeonetofindyou.
Butwhowillitbe?
Youhatethispart.Itfeelstoomuchlikeplayinghide-and-seek.Waitingtobecaught.
Suddenly,youhearfootstepsinthehall.Quietfootsteps.
Youholdyourbreath.
Thefootstepsstoprightoutsidethestorageclosetdoor.
Silence.
Whydoesn’thecomein?youwonder.What’shewaitingfor?
IsitDerek?
Youdon’tdareopenthedoor.Whatifit’snotDerek?Whatifit’ssomeoneelse?
Silence.
Finallyyoustarttoreachforthedoorknob.Beforeyoutouchit,itturnsbyitself.Thedoorswingsopen.
No!
You—yourbody,yourface—you’restandingoutinthehall!
Butitisn’tyou.It’sthemummy,insideyourbody.
Quickly,hereachesoutandgrabsyoubytheneck!
TurntoPAGE42.
Yourhandtremblesasyouturnpageafterpage.They’reallthesame.Allhieroglyphs!
Terrorgripsyourheart.Howcanthediarybewritteninhieroglyphics?Haveyousomehowgonebackintime?Ontopofeverythingelse?
Youglancearoundandseesomepeopleinmodernclothes.
Okay,youreassureyourself.AtleastI’mstillinthepresent.
Youmaystillhaveachanceatgettingbackhome.
Andyouwanttogetthererightnow!
Youturnsharplyandheadbacktowardthesteps.ButayoungEgyptianmaninalong,whiterobeblocksyourway.Hehassmooth,tanskin,blackhair,andsparklingbrowneyes.Younoticehe’swearingabadge.Hemustbesomekindofsecurityguard.
“Noentrance,”hesaysinEnglish.
“ButIjustcameoutofthere!”yousputter.
“Noentrance,”hesays.“TheGreatPyramidisnotopen.”
TurntoPAGE128.
YoudecideDerekisright.Youcan’tletthemummyhavethediary.Itseemsreallycreepytofoolaroundwithmagic,especiallymagicthatbringssomeonebacktolifewho’sbeendeadfourthousandyears!
“Nodeal,”youtellthemummy.Then,justtobesurehedoesn’tgrabthediaryawayfromyou,youripittoshreds.
Hestaresatyouwithhisholloweyesockets.Itgivesyouchills.
Uh-oh.Nowhe’smad.Reallymad.
“Then…I…must…seek…my…revenge,”themummysays,lettingeachwordescapebetweenwheezingbreaths.
Themummy’shanddartsout.Hegrabsyourwrist.He’sunbelievablystrong!
“You…must…come…with…me,”hesays,draggingyoutowardthehall.“Or…”
Or?Youhaveachoice?
“Or…let…me…have…that…child.”
Withthelastword,themummyletsgoofyourwristandpointstoyourlittlesisterwho’sstillasleeponthecouch.
Hmmm…
ShouldyougowiththemummyonPAGE6?
OrshouldyouletthemummytakeSusieonPAGE64?
Yourheartpoundsfasterandfaster.Thediarywastrue!Buthow?Howcananancientmummycomebacktolife?
Themummyistallerthanyouhadexpected.Andbulkier,too.Infact,heseemstobeaboutsixfeetfive,andhe’sbuiltmorelikeafootballplayerthanadeadking.
Hecouldflattenmewithonehand,youthink.
SCRAPE…SCRAPE…
He’scomingcloser.
SCRAPE…SCRAPE…
He’sbiggerthanhismummycase,yourealize.Buthowcanthatbe?Didhegrowlargerwhenhecamebacktolife?
Betterstopwonderingandstartworrying!You’vebeensofascinatedbythemummy,youforgotthatifyoucanseehim,hecanprobablyseeyou!
Youpopyourheadbackbehindthepillar.
Nowwhat?
Youarehidingfromahuge,livingmummyinthemiddleofthenightwithnoonearoundtohelpyou.Runningawayseemslikeanexcellentidea.
Butassoonasyoutakeasteppastthepillar,twobandagedhandswraparoundyourthroat!
TurntoPAGE78.
Twothousanddollars?Foranoldbookyoufoundonthefloor?Thatsoundsgreattoyou!
“It’sadeal,then,”Webdeclares,hiseyestwinkling.“Ionlyhaveonehundreddollarsonmenow.ButIcangettherestbythisafternoon.”
Hepullsahundreddollarsoutofhispocketandhandsittoyou.Youlikethisguy!
“MeetmeintheMouski—theoldshoppingbazaar—intwohours.I’llgiveyoutherestofthemoneythen.Andinthemeantime,I’lltakethediarywithmeforsafe-keeping.”
“Uh,Idon’tknowaboutthat,”youstarttosay.Butbeforeyoucanstophim,Webgrabsthediaryandslipsitintohisbriefcase.Thenhequicklywalksoutofthecaféanddisappearsintothecrowd.
Hedoesn’tevenwaitforthelemonade.
TurntoPAGE74.
“Takeher—notme!”youshout.
What?
You’regoingtoletarevenge-crazedmummytakeyourinnocentlittlesisteraway?Justtosaveyourself?
Whatkindofcreepareyou?Youshouldbeashamed!
“You…are…a…jerk,”themummywhispersatyouashecarriesSusieoutthedoor.
See?Eventhemummythinksyoudidthewrongthing!
“Ah,whocares?”Dereksayswhenthey’regone.“Shewasalittlepestanyway.”
Yeah,maybe.Butguesswhat?Yourlittlepestofasisterwassmarterthanyouthought.Shewasonlypretendingtobeasleep.Whenyouweren’tlooking,shegrabbedthepiecesofthemummy’sdiaryrightoutfromunderyou.Sheslippedthemunderhernightgownandtookthemwithher.Thenshehelpedthemummytapeitbacktogetherandfigureouthowtocomebacktolife.
Andguesswhatelse?Oncethemummywashumanagain,hebecamefamous.SodidSusie.Andhewassogratefultoherthatheshoweredherwithgifts,jewels,andasmallkingdom.Nottomentionherbigmotion-picturedealinHollywood.
Andshe’snotevengoingtoletyouplayyourselfinthemovie.Sothere!
THEEND
Thelightfromyourtorchisdwindling.It’sgoingtoburnoutsoon.
Quick!Memorizethemapandthepathyouneedtotaketoreachtheelevator.Remember—you’reinthetombrightnow.Whenyoucomeoutofthetomb,you’llneedtomakeachoiceatthefirstforkinthepassageway.
Whichway?Rightorleft?
Thenyou’llhavetomakethreemorechoicesatforksorcrossroads.
Rightorleft?
Don’tworryabouttheplaceswherethehallwaysimplybendsorturns.You’lljustfollowitthen.Youronlyproblemischoosingwhattodowhenyoureachaforkinthepath.
You’vegottomemorizeallthreechoices,becausewhenthetorchburnsout,you’llbewalkinginthedark.
Sodoitnow.
Whichwaytotheelevatorfromthetomb?
Shouldyougoleft,thenright,thenright,thenstraight?Ifso,turntoPAGE127.
Orshouldyougoleft,thenright,thenleft,thenright?Ifso,turntoPAGE109.
Standinginthedoorwayinfrontofyouisthemostterrifyingthingyou’veeverseeninyourlife.
You!
Atleast,itlookslikeyou.Youknowthatit’sreallythemummy.Hestoleyourbody,andnowhe’slivinginyourhotelroom.Andwearingyourclothes!
Helooksreallystupidinyourpajamas,too.
Themummy—thekidwholookslikeyou—laughsinyourface.
Thenheslamsthedoor.Anddoublelocksit.
Hey!youtrytoshout.Butnosoundcomesout.
That’swhenyourealize—
Youcan’tspeak!
TurntoPAGE75.
Youflipacoin.Itcomesupheads.
Oritwouldhavecomeupheads.Unfortunately,thecointhatGeorgeflippedwasoneofthosetrickytwo-sidedcoins.Bothsidesweretails.Itdidn’thavea“heads”side!
Ofcourse!That’swhyhewassoeagertoflipacoininthefirstplace!
Whichmeansyou’reoutofluck.
Ifyouwanttocontinuereadingthisstory,keepflippingacoinuntilitcomesuptails.
ThenturntoPAGE17.
Yourthroattightensinterrorasthemummypointstohissarcophagusandrepeatsthewords.
“Get…in.”
Nowaydoyouwanttodoit.Liedowninamustyoldbox?Whereamummylaydeadforcenturies?Whereyoumaybelockedforeternity?Thethoughtishorrifying.
Butwhatchoicedoyouhave?Derekisn’tgoingtoshowupnow.He’sstillbackatthehotel,frozenstiff.Frozenbysomeancientmagicthemummyused.
IfIdon’tgetin,themummywillpointhisfingerandfreezeme,too,youthink.
Youliftonelegandthentheother,climbingintothesmall,gold-encrustedwoodenbox.Themummycaseiscarvedintheshapeofahumanbeing.
Ashiverrunsthroughyouasyouliedown.Howcomeyoufitsosnuglyintothemummysarcophagus?Howcomeitfeelsasifitweremadejustforyou?Isthismoremummymagic?
Andhowlongwillyouhavetostayinthere?Willyoubeabletobreathe?Isthemummygoingtoburyyoualive?
Themummyliftstheheavywoodenlidandbeginstolowerit.Inaninstant,youwillbesealedinsidethisairlessbox—possiblyforever!You’vegottodosomething!
TurntoPAGE72.
Terrified,youclawthebandageswithbothhands.Youtearatthem,tryingtopullthemawayfromyourarms,yourneck…
Butbynowyourhandsarewrappedup.Bothofthem.It’sasifyou’rewearinggauzemittens.Youcan’tgripthecloth.Theharderyoutrytopullthebandagesaway,themoretightlytheyencircleyou.
Yougazedownatyourlegs.Oh,no!They’rewrappedup,too.Infact,yourwholebodyiscompletelybandaged.
Likeamummy!
No!youwanttoscream.Butthesoundwon’tcomeout.
Thenyouhearascufflingsoundagain.Aninstantlater,afigurestepsoutoftheshadows.
Yougaspandstumbleback.
It’sthemummy!
Youstareinhorrorathisbrownandleathery,dried,shrunkenbody.
Thenhestartstowalktowardyou.
FindoutwhathewantsonPAGE82.
Youdecidetoexplorethetunnel.Youstepintoitandstarttoclimbupitsgentleslope.
Almostimmediately,youfeeladraft.There’saweirdchillintheair.Whereisitcomingfrom?Maybethetunnelleadsdirectlyoutside,youthink.
Butthenthetunneltwistssharplyandstartsslopingdownward.
Youkeepwalkingeventhoughthelightisgettingdimmer.You’vegonethisfar.Mightaswelldiscoverwhereitleads.
Afewmorestepsdownwardand—ouch!—yourshouldersscrapeagainstthewalls.
Thetunnel’sgettingevennarrower,younotice.Infact,soonenoughthetunnelissonarrow,youhavetoturnsidewaystofitthrough.
Andwhat’sthatfunnysmell?Itsmellslikeburningrubberorsomething.Itmakesyournosetingleandyourthroatfeeltight.
Suddenly,exploringdoesn’tseemlikesuchagoodidea.Infact,you’rebeginningtothinkit’sallabigmistake.
Butyouhatetochickenoutofanadventure.Andhowdangerouscanthebasementofanofficebuildingbe?
Ifyoukeepgoing,turntoPAGE93.
Ifyouturnback,scurrytothestonestepsonPAGE83.
Theofficerplacesyourdadinhandcuffs!Yourfamilyjuststandstherelookingstunned.
“Youpeoplemustbecrazy!”onepolicemansays.“VandalizingapricelessEgyptianexhibitlikethat.Wegotacallearliertonightaboutastolenmummy,butIdidn’tthinkwe’dfinditthisfast!”
Yourlittlesisterstartstocry.
Derekshouts,“Wait!Wait!You’remakingamistake!”
Buttheweirdestpartofitalliswhatthemummydoes.Hestartstolaugh!
It’sasifhecan’thelpit.Helaughsandlaughsandlaughs.Hecan’tstop.Anditdoesn’tsoundlikeyourlaugh,either.It’smorelikeanevilcackle!Eventhepolicemenlookathimstrangely.
Yourmomlooksdownatyoulyingstillonthefloor.Andshesmiles!Shesmilesrightatyou.
Youstandupwithastartandrunbehindher.
Theofficersbothgasp!Onereachesforhisgun!Butyourmomgrabshisarmwithherhandandstopshim.
“Don’tyoudare!”sheshouts.“That’smyboyyou’reafter!”
Nowit’sthemummy’sturntolookstunned.Yourmomrecognizesyou!Andthat’swhenyoufinallyknowyou’reinforahappy
ENDING
“Help!”youcryout,tryingtowaketheguard.“Someone—helpme!”
Themummy’sdeadeyesocketsstareatyoucoldlyashestartstobringthelidintoplace.
“Wait!”youcry.“Icanhelpyou.”Yourmindraceswithideas,tryingtothinkofsomeway—anyway—tosaveyourself.Thenithitsyou.
“Evenwithoutthediary,Icanbringyoubacktolife,”yousay.
Forthelongestmoment,themummyjuststares.Hiswheezingbreathsaretheonlysoundsthatechointhemarblelobby.Willhebelieveyou?
“You…can?”hefinallyasks.
“Yes!”youdeclarefirmly.
Well,youcanononecondition.Ifyou’vereadtheGOOSEBUMPSbookReturnoftheMummy—andifyoucanrememberthesecretchantthatbroughtthatmummybacktolife!
Thinkhard.Yourlifedependsonit!
Ifyouthinkitwas“KlaatuBaradaNikto,”turntoPAGE32.
Ifyouthinkitwas“TekiKahruTekiKahraTekiKhari,”turntoPAGE37.
Yourheartstartstopound.Youdon’twanttogointothetombfirst.You’renotevensureyouwanttogoinatall.
“Uh,whyarewedoingthisagain?”youaskMohammed.“Remindme.”
Mohammedbringshisfaceveryclosetoyours,nosetonose.
“Becauseifyoudon’t,”hesays,“themummywillrisefromhiscoffininSanFranciscoandstalkyou,dayandnight.Everywhereyouturn,you’llseehiswrinkledskin,hishollow,screamingeyes.You’llhearechoesofthetorturedcrieshescreamedasthehighpriestesswrappedhiminbandagesandburiedhimalive.He’llhauntyourdaydreams,too.Andfillyournightmares.Youwon’tbeabletothinkasinglethoughtwithoutpicturinghiminhismomentofdeath.You’llknowhisagonywhen—”
“Okay!Okay!That’senough!”yousay,suddenlyinterruptinghim.“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
“Goin,”Mohammedsays,andhepointstothetomb.
EnterthetombonPAGE15.
Twohourslater,youtakeataxitotheMouski.It’sanancientpartofCairo—anopen-airbazaarfilledwithtradersandcraftsmensellinggold,gems,silk,spices,andperfume.
HowisWebgoingtofindyouinthiscrowd?youwonder.
Youwait,growinghotterandmorenervouseveryminute.Youdidn’tlikethewayWebdisappearedwiththediaryearlier.Andyoudon’tlikethewaythehighEgyptiansunbeatsdownonyou.
Onehour…twohours…
Bylateafternoon,thetruthsinksin.You’vebeensetup.Web’snotcoming.Hestoleyourdiaryandthiswhole“meet-me-in-the-bazaar”thingwasatrick!
Bummer.
Well,atleastyoumadeahundreddollarsoutofthedeal.Thatwillcertainlypayforacallhome.Youglancearoundtryingtofigureoutwhereyoucanmakeaninternationalphonecall.Suddenly,anArabmanapproachesyou,leadingacamel.
“Here,”hemuttersinalowvoicewithathickaccent.“Takethiscamelandgo!Yourlifeisingreatdanger!”
HurrytoPAGE39.
Foramoment,youstandinthehallwayjuststaringatthelockeddoor.
Locked.
Lockedoutofyourhotelroom.
Lockedawayfromyourfamily.
Lockedoutofyourownlife.
Andnooneevenknowsit!yourealize.Yourfamilyprobablythinksthemummyisyou!
Whynot?Helookslikeyou….
No!youwanttocry.Youcan’tstealmylifethatway!
Butyourmouthwon’tmakeasound.
Suddenly,youhearanoise.Theelevator.Someone’scoming.
Yourheartpoundsfaster.
Don’tletanyoneseeme,youthink.Please.
Quick—hideonPAGE10.
“Whathaveyoudonetomybrother?”youshriek.
Themummydoesn’tansweryou.Hesimplytakesanotherwheezingbreath.
Terrified,youstruggletoliftyourhandstoyourface.Youcanbarelymove.Youwanttoscreamagainwhenyouseeyourfingers.They’rebony,brown,shriveled,anddry—justlikethemummy’s.JustlikeDerek’s.
Finally,youtouchyourowncheeksandfeelforyoureyes.Yourfingersprobethespotswhereyoureyesusedtobe.
“NO!”youscreamasyouplungeyourfingersintothedeep,emptyholesofyoureyesockets.
Youreyesaregone!
Buthowcanthatbe?youwonder.Youcanstillsee.
Butbeforeyoucanspeakagain,thewholeworldseemstogoblack.Suddenly,youcanseenothing.Hearnothing.Feelnothing—exceptaterribledizzyingwhirl.
TurntoPAGE107.
Nooooooo!Unwrappingthebandagesdidn’twork!You’restillamummy.
Yourscreamsaresoloud,theyawakenthesleepingguard.Theonewho’sbeensnoringathisdeskuntilnow.
Startled,hewhipsaroundandlumbersovertowhereyou’restanding.
“Yeowww-sa!”theguardcriesout.“Whatthe—?”
Theguardisapot-belliedguywithredveinsonhisnose.
Instantly,hereachestowardthesideofhisbelt,totheplacewhereaholsterwouldbe.
No,youthink.Pleasedon’tshootme.Idon’twanttodie!
Youstarttoduck.Buthepullsoutawalkie-talkieinsteadofagun.Hepushesthebuttonandspeaksintoit.
“George?Comequick!We’vegottrouble!”theguardshouts.
Thenhemovestowardyou.Helookskindofscared.Heraiseshisfists.
Nowait!youtrytosay.I’mjustakid!
Yourlipsformthewordsbutyourvoicedoesn’twork.Nosoundcomesout.
Youcan’ttalk!
GoontoPAGE113.
“Don’t!”youcryout,althoughthemummyisnearlychokingyouandyoucanhardlybreathe.Thesoundofyourvoiceismuffled,tiny.Notevenloudenoughtowaketheguard.
Themummyliftsyouoffthegroundbythethroat.Youclutchathisbandagedhands,tryingtopullthemoffyourneck.Hisgriprelaxesjustenoughtoallowyoutobreathe.
Buthedoesn’tletgo.
Youstareintohiseyes.Theyseemhollow,empty.Dead.
Thenheopenshismouth.
Ishegoingtospeak?
Whatwilltheancientkingsaytoyou?
FindoutonPAGE121.
Youdecidetotakethepassagewaytotheright.
Attheendofthehall,youcometoalarge,squareburialchamber.Inside,bythelightfromMohammed’storch,youseeastoneplatformwherethemummy’scoffinoncerested.NowthemummyisinSanFrancisco,ondisplay.ButotherspecialobjectsthatoncebelongedtoKingButhramamanarestillthere.
“Sothisisthemummy’stomb?”youaskquietly.
Mohammednods.
“Hey—what’sthat?”youask.Youspotahingedwoodenboxshapedlikeaserpentandpaintedgold.
“Thatiswherethediarybelongs,”Mohammedsays.“Placeitthere.”
He’sright.Thediaryfitsintheboxperfectly.
“NowImustleaveyou,”Mohammedsays.“Itisforbiddenformetostayintheking’stomb.ButIgiveyouthismapandasmalltorch.”Hehandsthemtoyou.“Thelightshouldlastlongenoughforyoutostudythemap.Ifyoumaketherightchoices,youwillfindyourwaybackthroughthemysticalportaltoyourland.Itwasthemummy’smagicthatbroughtyouhere,andthesamemagiccantakeyouback.Goodluck.”
“Wait!”youcry.
Butyouaretoolate.Mohammedhasboltedfromthechamber.
TurntoPAGE108.
Thepolice?Yourparentsarecallingthepolice—tohavethemtakeyouaway?
Yourheartraces,panickedatthethought.
Youknowwhat’sgoingtohappennext.Abunchofmuseumguyswilldragyouawayandstudyyou.Orscientistsfromthegovernment.They’lllockyouup.Stickthingsinyou.Maybeevencutyouopen!
Mom!Dad!yousilentlycry.Don’tyouknowit’sme?
Suddenly,yougetanidea.
Yourelaxyourarmsandplaydead.Reallydead,likeamummyissupposedtobe.
Everymuscleinyourbodygoeslimp.
Youjustlieperfectlystillonthefloor,hardlybreathing.
Thepoliceburstthroughthedoorafewmomentslater.Theyfindanormal-lookingfamilyhuddledaroundamotionlessEgyptianmummy.
“Alivingmummy!Yeah,that’sanewone,”youhearoneoftheofficerssay.“Doeshelookalivetoyou?”
Theotherofficerchuckles.“Yeah,I’veheardsomegoodonesinmytime,butthat’safirst.”Thenheadds,“Allright,put’emup!”
Thepolicemaniswalkingtowardyourdadwithhandcuffs!
TurntoPAGE71.
Forgethim,youdecide.He’sjustamoviecharacter.Whatwouldheknowabouthieroglyphicsinreallife?
Besides,beyondthemoviesetyouseeacateringtruck!
They’dhavesomethingtodrink!
Amomentlateryou’resittingintheshadeofoneofthepyramidswithacool,refreshingbottleofcola.
Youpullthediaryoutofyourpocketagainandstudythepicturesinthebook.
There’sthepagewiththebirds,PAGE7.Andthere’sanotherwithfish.Younoticethateachofthepageshasone,two,orthreestarsinthecorner.
Oneoftheextrasfromthefilmsitsdownnexttoyou.Hepeersoveryourshoulder,noticingtheancient-lookingbookinyourhand.
“Hey,”hesays,pointingtothepagewithbirdsonit.“Thatrestaurant’sstillindowntownCairo.Pete’sChickenGrill.Bestplaceintown.”
Restaurant?ChickenGrill?What’shetalkingabout?
Thenitdawnsonyou.Thepicturesofbirdsandfish.Thestarsinthecorner.Thediaryisarestaurantguide!Who’dhavethoughtButhramamanwasreallytheworld’sfirstrestaurantcritic!
Oh,well,don’tfeelbad.You’vesolvedthemysteryofthemummy’sdiary.Andnowyouknowwheretogetagoodmeal.
THEEND
Thiscan’tbehappening!yourbrainscreams.Thediarycan’tbetrue!Amummycan’tcomebacktolife.Notafterbeingdeadforfourthousandyears.
Butheis!Andheisheadedstraighttowardyou!
Hisnoseisapointedbumponhishard,brown-leatherface.Hiseyesocketshavenoeyeballs.They’rejustbig,gapingpits.Hismouthisopeninahideoushalf-smile,half-scream.
He’ssotiny,youthink.Aboutyourheight,butmuchthinner.Bonier.Sohorrible,butsosmall.
Forjustaninstant,youfeelsorryforhim.
Untilyourealizehe’scomingcloser…closer…
Beforeyouknowit,hereachesoutandtouchesyourface.
Asuddenjoltflowsthroughyou—likeanelectricalshock.Thenthemummypullshishandaway.Yourheartnearlystopsasyouwatchwhat’shappening.
Themummybeginstotransform.
Intoyou!
TrytostoptremblingasyouturntoPAGE94.
Youdecidetotakethestonestepstotheleft.Thenarrowtunnelgivesyouthecreeps.
Afterafewstepsdown,thestairslevelout.Youseeanothersetofstepsleadingupward.Youstarttoclimbagain.
Yourfeetscrapeacrosssomethinggrittyonthefloor.Youglancedownandseesand.
Sand?
Definitelyweird,youthinkasyoureachanotherstonelanding.Youfeelasifyou’vebeenclimbingupanddownfordays.Youstretchyourlegs,andthencontinueupthestairs.
Wheredothestepscomeout?youwonder.AbackexitfromthePyramidBuilding?Dotheyleadintoanotherbuilding?
Ahotbreezerufflesyourhairasyounearthetopofthesteps.
That’sodd,youthink.Itwaschillythismorning.AndtheweatherpersononTVpredictedrain.
Finally,youreachthetop.Youwalkoutsideandsquintasyoureyesadjusttothebrilliantsun.
“Huh?”Yourmouthdropsopenasyougazeatthesceneinfrontofyou.
Sand?Camels?Pyramids?Desert?
Isthis—?No,itcan’tbe.AreyouinEgypt?
TurntoPAGE95.
Themummy’sangryvoiceterrifiesyou.
“Close…the…lid!”heshouts,hisvoicebooming.
Shaking,youdoashesays,shuttinghimintothemummycase.Thenyoubegintorecitetheancientwords.
“TekiKahruTekiKahraTekiKhari,”yousay,yourvoicetrembling.That’sone.“TekiKahruTekiKahraTekiKhari.”
That’stwo.
Yousayitathirdtime.Butnowyourvoiceissteadier.Youconcentratehard,makingsurethewordsarerecitedintherightorder.“TekiKahruTekiKahraTekiKhari.”
Thenafourth.“TekiKahruTekiKahraTekiKhari.”
Youtakeadeepbreath.Onemoretimeandthemummywillcomebacktolife.Youhesitateandswallowhard.
DoIreallywanttodothis?youwonder.WhataboutDerek’swarning?Whataboutnotplayingaroundwithdeadpeople?Whynotjustwalkawayandleavethemummylyingthere,trappedagaininhisclosedcase?
ThinkaboutitasyouturntoPAGE25.
Youtakeasipofthelemonade.
Areyounuts?
Bluelemonade?Imean,comeon!Whoeverheardofbluelemonade?
Itcouldbepoison!Itcouldbesleepingpills!
Thisisterrible.Youshouldn’tbewanderinglooseinEgyptifyoucan’tbemorecarefulthanthat.
Well—noproblem.You’renotlooseinEgyptanymore.
You’reoutcold!
Becausewhateverwasinthatlemonadehasputyouinstantlytosleep.Andwhenyouwakeup,thediaryisgone.
Ofcourse,withoutthediary,youhavenobusinessbeinginthisbook.Socloseitimmediately.Andwhenyouopenitagain,trytobemorecareful.Please!
THEEND
“Reallllly?”theotherdoctorsaysslowly.“Alivingmummy?”Hestepsforwardandpeersatyouoverthetopofhisgoldwire-rimmedglasses.“Amazing!”
“Isurewouldliketoseewhat’sinsidethisguy,”thefemaledoctorsays.“Wouldn’tyou?”
Themaledoctornodsandgrins.“Wecouldmakealotofmoneyonthis,”hemutters.
Youdon’tlikethewaythesetwoarelookingatyou.There’ssomethingcreepyabouttheglintintheireyes.Andtheeagerexpressionsontheirfaces.
Andwhatdoesshemean—seewhat’sinside?Onething’sforsure:Itdoesn’tsoundgood!
Thefemaledoctortightenshergriponyourwrist.
Youglancebackouttothestreettoseeifthelimousineisgone.It’snot.
Whatareyougoingtodo?
Ifyoupullawayanddashoutintothestreet,turntoPAGE91.
Ifyoustayhiddeninthealcovewiththedoctors,turntoPAGE112.
Water,yousaytoyourself.Idesperatelyneedwater.
It’sallyoucanthinkabout.Ifthere’swaterinthatpit,thenyou’vegottogetdownthere.
So,movingasslowlyasyoucan,yousteppastthecroc.
Bigmistake.
Becausethecrocodilewassayingtohimself,Lunch.Idesperatelyneedlunch.
Toobadforyou.Nowater.Notreasure.Noescapefromthecroc.LookslikeButhramaman’streasureisfool’sgold.Andguesswhothefoolis?
THEEND
I’moutofhere,youdecide.Runningintoamummyoraguardwouldprobablybebadnews.
Youracethroughtherevolvingdooratthefrontofthelobby.Yourundownthedark,emptystreetstowardyourhotel.
Hey—arethosefootstepsbehindyou?
Youdon’tlookback.Youdon’twanttoknowifthemummyisbehindyou!
Finally,youreachyourhotelroomandslipinsidewithyourkey.
Phew,youthink.Safe.
Luckily,everyoneisstillasleep.Yourparents’doorisclosed,sotheydon’tevenhearyoucomein.
Theroomisreallyasuite.Yourparentsaresleepinginthebedroomandyou,Derek,andSusiehavethelivingroom.Athinbladeoflightstreamsintothelivingroomfromthebathroom.ThelightisleftonforSusie,whosnoresonthesofa.Derekisstretchedoutonacot.
Youtiptoepasthim,headingtowardyoursleepingbagonthefloor.
Suddenly,ahandreachesoutandgrabsyourarm!
TurntoPAGE131.
Marvinnodstowardthecorneroftheroom.Forthefirsttimeyoulookaround.You’reinahugemuseumstorageroom.Andthereareothermummies,too!Notfarfromyou.They’relyingontablesinthefarcorner.
“Theothersarealwayssayingthesamething,”Marvinexplains.“Pretendingtheyhavefamiliestogetto.Ican’tleavethemaloneforaminute.They’dtrytoescape.AndIwouldn’tbeaverygoodmuseumdirectorifIletallmymummiesgo,wouldI?”
What’shetalkingabout?Aretheothermummiesalive,too?Ishenotgoingtoletyougo?
“You’reanimportantartifactfromancientEgypt,”headds.“Amajoradditiontoourcollection.You’llunderstandifIhavetokeepyouunderlockandkey.”
He’scarryingyouovertoastoragelocker!Abigoneinthefarcorner.He’sputtingyouinit!Waitaminute.Youthoughthewasgoingtohelp!
Youmoveyourhandupanddownlikemad.Pretendingtowrite.Hopinghe’llgiveyouthepencilandpaperagain!
“Don’tworry,”headdsasheswingsthelockerdoorshut.“You’llgettoseeyourfamilyagainsomeday—we’llsendthemticketstotheexhibition!”
THEEND
Thesedoctorsarecreeps,youdecide.They’relookingatyouasifthey’vejustwonthelottery—andyou’retheprize!
You’vegottogetawayfromthem.Youyankyourwristhard.Youdashoutofthealcoveandbackontothesidewalk.
Luckily,thelimousinedriverdoesn’tseemtonoticeyou.Evenwithyourbandagestrailingbehindyou.
Thedoctorschaseyou,butyoumanagetoslipawayfromthem.Yousneakintoasidedoorofthehotelandtaketheelevatortothefourteenthfloor.Yourushtotheroomyousharewithyourfamily.
Thenyoureachforyourroomkey.Yourheartstartstopound.Oh,no!Youforgot.You’reamummy!Nopockets,noroomkey.
Youknockonthedoor.Whatelsecanyoudo?
Youhearfootstepsinsidetheroom.Good.Someone’scoming.
Butwho?
Youhopeit’syourolderbrother,Derek.Hecanbeajerksometimes,butusuallythetwoofyougetalong.
Youwrapyourfacebackupasbestyoucanandputyourhandonyourhip—tryingtolookcasual.
Thedoorswingsopen.
Whenyouseewho’sthere,ascreamrisesinyourthroat.
Who’satthedoor?FindoutonPAGE66.
Beforeyouknowit,Derekandyourdadrushforwardandgrabyourarms.Roughly,theywrestleyoutothefloor.
“No,Dad.It’sme!”youwanttoscream.
Butit’sSusiewhodoesthescreaming.Youglanceatyourmother,hopingthatatleastshewillrecognizeyou.Yourownmother!
Buthereyesgrowwidewithfear.ShereachesoutandyanksSusietowardher.Shehugsyourlittlesisterclosetoprotecther.Fromyou!
You’dneverhurtyourownsister!
Youstruggletogetup,butDereksitsonyourlegs.Yourdadholdsyourarms.
Youflailaroundandpullonearmfree—justforaninstant.Withagauzyfinger,youpointaccusinglyatthemummy.Thenyoupointatyourself,tappingyourownchest.Thenyoupointbackatthemummyagain.
Willtheygetit?Willyourparentsseewhatyou’retryingtotellthem?Thatthemummyisnotreallyyou?Andyouaren’treallythemummy?
Forjustaninstant,theyseemtounderstand.
GoontoPAGE102.
Hey—goodforyou!You’vegotagreatspiritofadventure.
There’sonlyonepitfallwiththatkindofattitude.Youneverknowwhenyou’regoingtostumbleintosomethingbad.
Didwesaypitfall?
Didwesaystumble?
Youtaketwomorestepsandyourfootsuddenlygetscaughtinasmallcrackinthefloor.Youstumbleforward—andfall.
“Aaahhhhh!”youscreamasyoufindyourselffalling.
Falling…falling…intoapitahundredfeetdeep!
Youfinallylandonthebottom.Atleastyoulandonsomethingsoft.Butthenyoustarttosink.
Thickwarmoozecoversyourbody,suckingyouunder.Theoozegrowswarmerandwarmer.Nowit’sburninghot,scorchingyourskin.
Yourealizetheoozeistar—burninghottar!
Youlearnedabouttarpitsinschool.That’swherearchaeologistsfoundtheremainsofcavemenanddinosaurs.Thehottarcoatsthebodyandpreservesthebones.
Congratulations!You’resaved…forthenextthousandyearsatleast!
THEEND
Themummy’sleatheryfacesoftensandthenfillsout.Hisdriedskinbecomesfleshyandalive.
Hey!That’syourface!Notonlythat,he’sevenwearingyourclothes!
Thenheturnsandrunsaway.
Yourfaceandbodystarttotingle.Something’shappening.Somethinghorrible!
Yougrabandclawatthebandagesthatwrapyoutightly.Underthebandages,youcanfeelyourfleshshrivelinganddrying—asifyou’vebeensittinginanovenforfourthousandyears.
It’sthebandages,yourealize.Thebandagesaredoingsomethingtoyourskin!
Younoticealooseendofclothdanglingfromalongbandage.Youyankitandtheclotharoundyourheadbeginstounwind.
Youhavetoseewhat’shappenedtoyou!Youracetowardtheelevators,franticallyunwrappingasyougo.Yougazeintothepolishedchromeelevatordoors.
No!
Yourheartpoundsinterrorwhenyouseeyourreflection.
Yourface!It’sbrownandleathery.Yourskinisdriedandshrunken.Yourmouthisagapinghole.
You’veturnedintothemummy!
TurntoPAGE103.
Noway,youthink,shakingyourhead.Thiscan’tbehappening.Itisn’treal.
HowcanIbeinEgypt?youwonder.How?
Staycalm,youtellyourselfoverandover.YoujustcameoutofthePyramidBuildinginSanFrancisco.IntheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Youcan’tbeinEgypt!
Butyouare.Youseethepyramidsandthecamels.Youhearthewindblowingacrossthedesert.Youfeelthesandinyoureyes.Youcanevensmellandtasteasweet,floweryfragranceintheair.
Youswallowhardandtrytofigureouthow…why…
Suddenly,ithitsyou.Thediary.Thismusthavesomethingtodowiththemummy’sdiary!
Youyanktheancientpagesoutfromunderyourshirtandopenthediaryagain.
Thewordsyoureadjustafewminutesagoaregone.
Instead,thewholediaryisfilledwithsymbolsandpictures.
Hieroglyphics!
GobacktoPAGE60.
“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,”Dereksays.“It’sweirdthatthemummydisappearedlastnight,justlikeIwroteinthediary.Itmustbesomefreakycoincidence.”
“Yeah,”youagreeweakly.“Iguessso.”
Butyou’renotonehundredpercentsure.
Still,youfeelalotbetterknowingthatitwasallabigjoke,evenifyoudofeeldumb.Atleastthereisn’tanymadmummyafteryou,tryingtogetrevenge.
Youdoalotofgreatthingsfortherestofyourvacation.Yourideacablecar,thenvisitGoldenGatePark.YoueventakeaferrytoAlcatraz,theislandprison.
Itisn’tuntilyougetbackhomethatyoufinallyseetheheadlinesinthepaper:FBINABSMUMMY-NAPPERS,RESTORES4000-YEAR-OLDMUMMYTOSAN
FRANCISCOOFFICEBUILDING
Lookslikeyouweren’taloneinthePyramidBuildingthatnight,afterall.
THEEND
Hey—you’renofool.Youaren’tdrinkinganylemonade!
“What’swrong?”Websays.“Don’tyouwanttotryyourlemonade?I’msureit’smuchbetternowthatI’vesweeteneditforyou.”
Youshakeyourhead.“I’mnotthirsty,”youdeclare.
WebWooblyeyesyoucarefully.Thenheputsdowntheglass.Ahugesmilespreadsacrosshisface.
“Congratulations,”hesays.Hereachesintohisjacketpocketandpullsoutawallet.Whenheflipsitopen,youseehisIDcard.
“I’mfromtheFBI,”heexplains.“You’vepassedthetest.Goodjob!I’mhappytoinformyouthatyou’vebeenchosentobepartofasmallteamofkidswhoaregoingtohelpuscatchinternationalart-treasurethieves.”
“Huh?”yougrunt.Youfeeltotallyconfused.
“Youpassedthetest!”Webrepeats,gleefully.“Youdidn’tdrinkthatlemonade,whichshowsthatyouhavegoodsenseandgreatinstincts.Youalsohaveagoodheadfornegotiatingforvaluablearttreasures,Imustadd.”
“Ido?”youask.What’sthisguytalkingabout?
TurntoPAGE130.
Finally,allissilent.
Youopenyoureyes.
Youareallalone,standingontopofCoitTower.Yougazeattheglitteringlightsofthecitybelowyou.Youshakeyourheadafewtimes,tryingtoclearit.
Thenyoufeelahandtapyouontheback.
“Thankyou,”agentlevoicesayssoftly.
Youwhirlaroundtofindashort,tan-skinnedyoungmanstandingbehindyou.Hewearsanancient-lookingrobe,trimmedinpurpleandgold.Onhisneckyouseeabirthmarkshapedlikeaquestionmark.Thebirthmarkthatfrightenedhispeople,justasitsaidinthediary.
“Areyou—wereyou—themummy?”youaskhim.
“IamthelastgreatkingofEgypt,”hesays,smilingshyly.“Thankyouforgivingmemylife.”
Then,beforeyoucanaskhimanythingelse,heturnsandvanishesintothinair.
“Wait!”youcallout.“Comeback!”
Andthenyouseehimagain.Atthebaseofthetower,farbelow.Howdidhegettheresoquickly?youwonder.
Hestrollsoutintothenight.Youwatchashisbrightly-coloredrobedisappearsintothefog.
TurntoPAGE124.
“Anappointment?”yousay.“Uh,no.But,uh,he’sworkingforthegovernment.He’ssupposedto,youknow,checkthisplaceoutandfindoutifyouradsaretrue.Likewhentheysaythatyoucanmakepeoplelookyounger.Canyou?Becauseifyoucan’t,we’llhavetoclosethisplacedown.”
“Really?”thereceptionistasksnervously.“Oh—well,comeonin.I’msurewecanworkhiminsomehow.”
Soon,themummyisuptohisneckinabathtubfullofgreenslimystuff.Abodywrap,theycallit.It’ssupposedtomakehisskinyoungandsmooth.
“Whoa!”theyoungwomanspaattendantsaystothemummy.“It’sgoingtotakemorethanabodywraptogetyouintoshape.Haveyoubeenspendingalotoftimeinthesunorsomething?”
“Yes…”themummysays,wheezingbetweenwords.“It’s…very…hot…where…I…come…from.”
Youpaceupanddownwhilethemummyhasthefullspatreatment.Juicedrinks,steamfacials,mudbaths,chemicalskininjections,vitaminpills,herbalteas—andamassagetotopitalloff.
Whatarethechancesthisisgoingtowork?youaskyourself.Andwhatwillthemummydoifitdoesn’t?
GetsomeanswersonPAGE120.
YouandDerekstareateachotherinhorror.
“Your…arms!”Derekcries,pointing.
He’sright.Yourarmsandlegsareshrivelingupevenmorethanbefore.Yourskinisbecomingharder.Drier.Moreprunelike.Soishis.
Inamatterofminutes,bothyouandDerekhaveshrunkensomuchthatyourclotheshangonyouloosely.Theylookasiftheyarethreesizestoobig.
Andyou’restillshrinking.
Finally,youandyourbrotherarenothingbutdust.AstrongwindoffthebayblowsyourremainsallthewaytoEgypt.Yourdustscattersthroughthegrainsofsandinfrontofanancientpyramid.
Thisadventurehascometoadry,dusty
END
“Getout!”Marvinyellsattheguards,sendingthemaway.
Heliftsyourrottingbodyoutofthemummycase.Gentlyandcarefully.
Hegrabsahandfulofgauzerollsfromadrawer.Thenhestartswrappingyouupagain.
Yes!youthink.Thegauzefeelscoolandclean.
Assoonasthebandagestouchyourskin,youbegintofeelbetter.Morealive!He’ssavingyou!
Youfeelyourstrengthreturn.YousitupandlookMarvinintheeye.
Hedoesn’tevenflinch!It’sasifheexpectedyoutobealive.
Youmoveyourhand,pretendingtowritesomething.Andhecalmlyhandsyouapencilandpaper.
“I’makid,”youwritefrantically.“Themummytradedplaceswithmeandthenescaped.Hestolemybody!Youhavetohelpme.Ihavetogetbacktomyfamily.”
Marvinreadsthenoteoveryourshoulderandsighs.
“Iknow,”hesays.“Iknow.”
Heknows!That’sfantastic!youthink.Maybeheknowshowtochangeyoubackintoakidagain!
FindoutwhatelseMarvinknowsonPAGE89.
Yougazeintoyourmother’seyes.Pleaseunderstand,youwanttosay.Please.It’sme!
Yourmom’smouthstartstoopen.
“Michael?”shewhisperstoyourdad.“Ithinkit’stryingtotellussomething.”
Yourdadgazesdeeplyintoyoureyes.
Doesheseeyouinthere?Oronlyemptyeyesocketssurroundedbyhorrible,dried,leatheryflesh?
Beforeyourdadcananswer,themummyspeaksup.
“Yeah,he’stellingussomething.He’ssayinghe’safterme!”themummycries.“LikeItoldyou!”
Youseeasecrettwinkleinthemummy’seye.Heknowsthetruth.Heknowshe’sstolenyourbody!Heknowshe’stellingahugelie!
Butnooneelseknows.
“Callthehotelsecurity,”yourfatherdeclares.“Betteryet,callthepolice.”
“Yeah,”themummygleefullyagrees.“Callthepolice!”
TurntoPAGE80.
Theroomspins.Youstruggletokeepfromfainting.
Thiscan’tbehappening!
Butonemorelookinthechrome-mirroredelevatordoorconvincesyou.
It’shappening.
You’reamummy.
Atfirst,youaretooterrifiedtothink.Youjuststandthereinthelobby,stunned.
Thenyouhearthesleepingguardstarttomove.
Uh-oh.He’swakingup.
Youdon’twanttofacehim—oranyone—lookinglikethis!
Quickly,youcomeupwithaplan.
You’vegottomakeitbacktothehotel.Maybeyourfamilycanhelp.Butthatmeanswalkingthroughthestreets.You’dhavetotakeyourchancesandhopethatnoonespotsyou—alivingmummy!
Thenagain,youcouldtrytounwrapthehorriblemummybandagesrightnow.Maybeifyougetthemoff,you’llchangebackintoyourselfagain.Whatshouldyoudo?
Ifyougobacktothehotel,turntoPAGE47.
Ifyouunwrapyourself,turntoPAGE115.
You’dbetternottryanything.Messingaroundwithamummy’sspellcouldbackfire.
Themummyopensthediaryandholdsituptothesky.
“At…last…the…stars…are…right,”themummysays.
Youglanceatthepagehe’sholding.It’samapofthestars.Thenyougazeupatthesky.
“He’sright!”youwhispertoDerek.“Look!Thestarsmatch.”
“Awesome,”Derekmurmurs.
“In…the…name…of…my…ancestors,”themummychants,“I…praise…the…stars…and…all…that…shines…in…the…universe.”
Then,toyouramazement,hepullsasmallvialoutfromunderhisbandages.Itlookslikeatesttube!Wheredidthatcomefrom?youwonder.
Heripsthepageoutofthediary.Hepourstheliquidfromthelittlevialontothepage…andeatsit!
Instantly,youfeelthatdizzying,spinningmotion.Thewholeworldgoesblackasifyou’veclosedyoureyes.Thenarushingwindwhipsyourface.Lights—oraretheystars?—flash,explodingallaroundyou.
“Derek!”youcryout.Yourearsfillwithahorriblewailing.EvenifDerekanswered,youwouldneverhearit.
TurntoPAGE98.
Givethemummythediary,orelsewhat?Youarealmosttooafraidtowonder.
“The…diary!”themummyrepeats.Heshakesyoubythethroat,makingyougag.“Imust…have…the…diary’s…magic.That…is…the…only…way…I…can…return…to…life….”
Youfeelthemummy’smustyhotbreathonyourface.Itwheezesoutbetweenhishard,thinlips.Finallyheletsgoofyourthroat.Youlurchawayfromhim,butheclutchesyoutightlybyyourarm.
He’sgotsomegripforalittledeadguy!
“Givehimthediary!”youcroak.Yourubyoursorethroatwithyourfreehand.
“Noway,”Dereksays.“Wecan’tdothat.”
“Whynot?Areyounuts?”youyell.Thenyouglancetowardyourparents’bedroomdoor.“MOM!DAD!”youshout.
Frombehindtheirdoor,youhearyourmother’ssleepyvoicecallingback.“Gotosleep.Youkidsaregoingtobeawreckinthemorningifyoudon’tsettledown.”
“But,Mom!”youholler.
“Notanotherword!”shecallsback.“Now,goodnight!”
Fromhertone,youknowshemeansit.
You’reonyourown.
Themummytightenshisgriponyourarm.
TurntoPAGE110.
Youturnanddashaway.Youraceacrossthedesertsands.
Youdon’ttrusteitheroftheseguys.Whyshouldyou?They’retryingtotakethemummy’sdiaryawayfromyou.ThestrangediarythatmagicallychangedfromEnglishtohieroglyphics.
SandblowsinyourfaceasyouleavetheGreatPyramidfarbehind.Whocares?You’lleatsand,ifyouhaveto.Allyouwantistogetoutofherealive.
Youtrynottoletthefeelingofcoldfearriseintoyourthroat.Youswallowhard,chokingitbackdown.
HowamIgoingtogethome?youwonder.
Andhowcouldthediarychangelikethat?
Thediary.Maybeitcontainssomekindofspecialmessage.Maybe,ifyoucanfigureoutwhatthehieroglyphsmean,thenyou’llknowhowtogethome!
Youwanttoexaminethediaryagain.Youglanceoveryourshouldertomakesureyou’renotbeingfollowed.
Areyou?
Makesure.
ThenturnandruntoPAGE7.
Finally,thespinningstops.Thedarknessclears.Youopenyoureyesandfindyourselfstandingontopofatower.YourecognizeitasCoitTower,anoldlandmarkinSanFrancisco.It’sonahillover-lookingallofthecityandthebay.
Thelongbandagesthattiedyourwristsandattachedyoutothemummyaregone.Butyouarestillwrappedinancientcloth.
Derekisatyourside.He’shideous—stillamummywithwrinkleddryskinandnoeyes!
SoamI,youthink.
“Now…I…will…come…back…to…life,”themummysaysasheliftsthediaryandopensit.“Now…that…the…stars…are…right.And…I…have…the…diary.And…I…am…standing…at…the…highest…place…within…twenty…miles.”
He’sonlyafewfeetinfrontofyou,attheedgeofthetower.Hisbackistoyouashestandsfacingupintothesky.
Youglancedownatyourwrinkledhandsandshudder.Youdon’tfeelsosorryforthemummyanymore.Obviously,hehasyouundersomekindofspell.Howcanyoubreakhispoweroveryou?
Hmmmmmm.Allitwouldtakeisonequickshovetoknockthemummyoffthetower.Andit’saverylongwaydown!
Ifyoupushthemummyoffthetower,turntoPAGE50.
Ifyouwaittoseehimcomebacktolife,turntoPAGE104.
Mohammedrunsawaysofastthatallyoucanhearisthefadingsoundofhissandalsflip-floppingonthestonefloor.
Thensilence.Ahorrible,stone-coldsilence.
Youhavenotimetowaste.Thetorchisn’tgoingtolastlong.Youholditupandpeeratthemap.It’sahandwrittensketchdrawnonbrownpaper,theedgestorn.
Thisisamap?Thisjumbleoflines?
Where’stheYOUAREHEREsign?Yourheartsinks.Youneedhelp!
Butthenyoufigureitout.
Thestepsarethoseclose-togetherlinesonthetopleft.Thetombistheboxattheendoftheangledhallway.
Andthatotherbox?TheonewiththeXinit?That’stheelevator!TheelevatorinthePyramidBuilding!Youknow,becauseyou’veseenlotsofmapsthataremarkedthesameway.TheelevatorsarealwaysmarkedwithX’s.
Andthat’swhereyouneedtogo,ifyou’reevergoingtogetbackhome.
You’vegotapencilinyourpocket.Soyoutakeitoutandwriteinthewordssteps,tomb,andelevator.
Thenyoustudythemap.
TurntoPAGE90andstudythemap.
Youstarehardatthemapanddecidetoturnleft,thenright,thenleft,thenright.
Amomentlater,yourtorchsputtersandgoesout.Youarestrandedinthecoldtombofanancientmummy.Inthedark.
Silence.
Youmoveastepforward,feelingyourwayalongthewall.
Left,right,left,right,youkeeptellingyourself.Youchantthewordsoverandover.Left.Right.Left.Right.
Yourhandbrushesagainstsomethingslimy.
Eeeeeeewwww.Youjerkyourhandaway.
Doyoudaretouchthewallagain?Youdon’thaveachoice.Howwillyoufindyourwayinthedarkifyoudon’t?
Slowly,youreachonehandtothewall.Yuck.Thestonesareslipperywithslime.Youtrynottothinkaboutwhatitmightbe!Youholdyourotherhandoutinfrontofyou.Youdon’twanttosmackintoanythinginthedark.
Finallyyoucometothefirstfork.Youturnleft.Walkalittlefarther.Turnright.Alittlefarther.Goleft.
Now,ifyourememberthemapcorrectly,youhavejustonemoreturn.Thenitshouldbeprettyeasyfromnowon.Keepgoing….
TurnthecorneronPAGE26.
“Derek,please!Givehimthediary,”youbeg.
“Notuntilheletsyougo,”Derekinsists.
Themummyhesitates.WHEEZE…WHEEZE…
Finally,hereleasesyourarm.
YourkneesshakeasyouracetoDerek’scot.Youreachunderthemattressandyankoutthemummy’sdiary.
“Here!”Yourushtowardtheancientmummy.
“Notsofast!”Derekgrabsyourwristtostopyou.“Listen,Iknowaboutthesethings.Mummies,ghosts,aliens—it’salwaysthesame.WeletthemlooseonEarth,andwe’reinbigtrouble.I’veseenitinmoviesalot.Helpingdeadpeoplecomebacktolife,well,it’sabigmistake.Don’tgivehimthediary.Hecouldturnintosomekindofcrazy,evilmonsterand—”
“But,Derek!”youinterrupt.“He’salreadycomebacktolife!What’sthebigdeal?Andanyway,he’sgoingtokillmeifwedon’tgivehimthediary!”
Derekshrugs.“Okay,”hesays.“Butdon’tsayIdidn’twarnyou.You’llbesorry.”
Dereksoundsprettysureaboutthis.Whatdoyouthink?
Ifyougivethediarytothemummy,turntoPAGE44.
Ifyouthinkyoushouldkeepit,turntoPAGE61.
“No!”Themummy-kidletsoutamuffledcryfromunderhisbandagedmouth.
Butyouignorehim.Assoonasheiswrappedup,youreachoutandtouchhimontheface.Yourface.
Instantly,youfeelasuddenjoltofelectricityflowthroughyou.Likeanelectricalshock.Itburnsandstings.
Andyoufeelittwice!Onceinthemummy’sbody.Onceinyourown!Asifyouaretwopeopleatonce.
Youpullyourhandaway.
Allatonce,themummy-kid’sskinbeginstohardenintotheancient,driedbrownleather.Youglancedownatyourownhandsandwatchthemturnpinkagain!
Afterthat,everythingseemslikeablur.Youracetoyourhotelroomandtellyourparentsthewholestory.Noonequitebelievesyouaboutthemummybeingalive,especiallysincehe’snotalivenow.Heseemsperfectlyandcompletelydead.
Butlaterthatnight,whenyoupickupthemummy’sdiary,youfindsomethingnewwrittenonthelastpage.
“Iambackinmyprison—fornow,”itsays.“ButsoonIwillawakenagainandtakemyrevenge!”
Herewegoagain!
THEEND
Youdecidetostayinthealcove.Youdon’twanttoriskbeingseenbyanyoneelse.
Besides,youfigureyoucangetawayfromthesedoctors.
Wrong.
“Grabhim,Stuart!”thefemaledoctorsuddenlyshouts.“Grabhislegs!”
Youstruggletopullaway,butthetwodoctorsoverpoweryou.Dr.Lacey—youcanreadhernametag—grabsyourarms.Theotherguy,Stuart,hoistsyoubyyourlegs.
Theycarryyouthroughtheemergencyroom,downahospitalhallway,andintoasmall,darkexaminingroom.
Withanevilgrinonhisface,Stuartlocksthedoor.Thenhepicksupatrayfullofgleamingsurgicaltools.Oneofthetoolshasajagged,wheel-shapedrazorontheendofit.Likeapizzacutterwithasupersharpblade.Anotheronehaspincers!
“Okay,”hesays.“Let’sseewhat’sinsidethismummy.”
There’snowaytoescape.JustturntoPAGE14.
Theotherguard,theonenamedGeorge,runsthroughthemarblelobbyandlungesatyoufrombehind.Hisarmsencircleyou.Atthesametime,thefirstguardgrabsyourlegs.
No!youtrytoscreamagain.Butinthelastfewmoments,yourtransformationintoamummyhasbecomecomplete.Yourvocalchordshavehardenedintodrysticks.Theywon’tmove.
Suddenly,theterribletruthhitsyou.
Toalltheworld,youareamummy.Notakid.
Youarealivingmummy,afreakofnature,somethingtobefeared…anddestroyed.
Youstruggleagainsttheguards,flailingyourarmswildly.Youkickyourdry,brownlegsatGeorge’sshins.Desperatetoescape,youtwistyoursmall,leatherybody,hopingtoslipfree.
Butyou’renomatchfortheguards.Theyareswiftandpowerful.
Theyliftyouoffthefloor,carryyoutowardthemummy’ssarcophagus—andstuffyouinside!
TurntoPAGE33.
“Twothousanddollars?”yousaytoWeb.“You’vegottobekidding.Thisdiarymustbeworthalotmorethanthat.”
Web’ssmilefadesandhegivesyouanangrystare.
“Okay,”hesaysgrumpily.“Howaboutfourthousand?”
Youshakeyourheadno.
“Eightthousand?”Websuggests.
No.
“Thisismylastoffer,”Websays.“Twentythousand.”
Twentythousanddollars?Isheserious?He’sofferingyouthatmuchmoneyforthemummy’sdiary?Itmustbereallyvaluable.Maybeit’sworthmillions!
Youshakeyourheadno.
“Hmmm,”Websays,narrowinghiseyes.Heglaresatyouasifhehatesyou.Thenhisexpressionchanges.Thelemonadehasarrived.
TheEgyptianwaitersetsatallglassdowninfrontofeachofyou.There’sonlyoneproblem.Hislemonadelooksnormalbutyourlemonadeisblue!
TurntoPAGE135.
Youneedtogetthesebandagesoff!Andyouhavetohurry.Thatguardisgoingtowakeupanysecond.
Frantically,youclawatthebandagesaroundyourneck.Aroundandaroundyougo.Unwrappingonepieceatatime.Somebandagesarelong,flimsypieces.Othersareshortlittlescrapsofcloth.Aseachonecomesloose,youletitdroponthemarbleflooratyourfeet.
Finally,youreachthelastlayerofbandages.Slowly,youpeelawaythethincloththatcoversyourskin.
Skin?
No.That’snotskinunderthere.That’sancient,mummifiedflesh!
It’sashardasfootballleather.Asbrownasbeefjerky.Aswrinkledasasixty-year-oldprune!
Youwhirlaroundandcomeface-to-facewithyourownimageinthemirroredelevatordoors.
Whatdoyousee?FindoutonPAGE77.
Youdecidetothrowthecrocsomecandy.
YouarejustabouttoreachintoyourpocketforsomeFruityBites,whenthecrocodilesuddenlyopenshismouth—andattacksyou,chompingdownhard!
“Aaaahhh!”youscreamasyoufeelhisteethtearthroughyourjeansandbegintopierceyourleg.
CrawlovertoPAGE129.
Youdecidetowriteanotetoyourbrotherandslipitunderyourfamily’shotel-roomdoor.
Clumsily,youpickupapenandclutchitinyourgauzyhand.Yourhandfeelslikeapawwithallthatclothwrappedaroundit.Soyourhandwritinglooksweird.Messy.
Butwhocares?Quickly,youscribbleanote.Itsays:
“DearDerek,Help!Ican’texplainhow,butsomehowI’vebeentransformedintothemummy.Andthemummyhastakenovermybody!Don’ttrustthatcreep.He’sjustpretendingtobeme!I’mhidinginthestorageclosetdownthehall.Please—comehelpme!”
Youthinkamoment.Thenyouaddyourbirthdayandthenameofyourfavoritebasketballplayer.Justsohe’llknowforsurethatit’syou.
Thenyousignyourname.
Yousneakoutoftheclosetandwalkdownthehall.Yourgauzyfeetdon’tmakeasound.Youslipthenoteunderthedoortotheroomwhereyourfamilyisstaying.
Thenyouhurrybacktothestorageclosettohide—andwait.
TurntoPAGE59.
“Whoa,Derek,”youmurmursoftly.“Somethingreallyfreakyisgoingon.”Trembling,yousitbesideDerekonthecot.Youreadthenewentryoutloud:
“Ihavewaitedfortycenturiesforthisnight.Thenightwhenthestarsareonceagainjustastheywereonthenightofmybirth.ThenightIcanreturntolife!Butnowitisnottobe.Why?Iwastooeager.Itriedthespelltoosoonandthediaryhasfallenfrommyhands!”
“Iknewit!”youwhispertoDerek.“IknewIsawhisarmmove.That’swhenhedroppedthediary.”
Yougobacktoreading:
“Andnow,mydiaryhasbeenstolen.Mylifehasbeenstolen!Imusttakerevengeontheonewhostealsmymagic.Perhapsdestroythethief!”
Revenge.Destroy!Thewordsarehorrible.Theyjumpoutatyoufromthepage,aterrifyingwarning.
Derekletsoutalowwhistle.“Buthowdidhewritethat?”heasks.“Howdidhegetinhere?”
Yourememberthewordsyoureadearlier.“He—hewroteitwithhismind,”youexplain.
Derek’seyeswiden.“Buthow—”
Aknockatthedoorcutshimoff.Who’sthere?
TurntoPAGE126.
YoustareattheSphinx,youreyesgrowingwide.
Isthisreallyhappening?IstheSphinxreallytalkingtoyou?Orhaveyoufinallylostyourmind?
Thenyouspotacrowdofpeopleswarmingaroundthebaseofthemonument.
“Goback!”theSphinx’svoiceboomsagain.
Instantly,thecrowdturns.TheyrunfromtheSphinx,screaminginterrorfortheirlives!
Feargripsyou.Youdon’tknowwhythepeoplearescared,butsuddenlyyou’rescared,too.
Soyouturnandflee.Sandfliesinyourfaceasyourfeetpoundacrossthedesert.
“Cut!”avoicesuddenlyshoutsfromamegaphone.
GotoPAGE122.
Finally,aglassdoorinthespaswingsopen,andthemummywalksout.
“How…do…I…look?”heasksyouinhisraspyvoice.
“Uh,younger!”youexclaim.“Muchyounger!”
Andit’strue.Themummylooksaboutfivehundredyearsyounger.Nowheonlylooksaboutthreethousandfivehundredyearsold.
“Thank…you,”themummysays,givingyouasmall,satisfiedsmile.
Thenhewalksoutofthehealthspaandwavesgood-bye.Thelastyouseeofhim,hisbandagestrailbehindhimashestifflystrollsdownthestreet.
Weird,youthink.Butatleastit’sover.
That’swhatyouthink.
Whenyougetbacktothehotel,youpickupthemummy’sdiary.Andgasp.
There,onthelastpage—apagethatwasblankwhenyouleftthehotel—youfindmorenewwriting.Itsays:
“TodayImetanewfriend.Awisefriendwhoknewhowtorestoremyyouth.Whatelsedoesthisyoungpersonknow?Imustfindout!Iwillfollowthisyoungpersonforalleternity!”
Oh,well.Hereyougoagain!
THEEND
Youhangfromthemummy’sgrip,terrified.Yourfeetdangleseveralinchesoffthefloor.Butyoustillcan’twaittohearwhatthemummyhastosay.
“WelcometothePyramidBuilding,”themummyannounces.
Huh?
That’sit?That’sthemessagefrombeyondthegrave?Rip-off!Bogus!
“Putmedown!”youyell,andyoukickthemummy’sknees.
Owwwwww!Yourtoebangsintothemummy’sbandagedleg,onlyit’snotsoftandleathery.Itfeelshard,morelikemetal.
Thenyouhearsoundsdownthehall.Anotherfigureappearsinthedimlightofthelobby.
“Overhere,Sylvia,”thefigurecallsout.“Foundhim.”Thepersonstepsoutoftheshadows.It’saguyinjeansandasweatshirt,carryingsomekindofremotecontrol.
Definitelyhuman.
“Whatareyoudoinginhere?”themandemands.
Youcan’tanswer.Themummystillhasyoubythethroat.
TurntoPAGE136.
Huh?youthink.Didsomeonejustyell“Cut”?
Youglanceoveryourshoulderandnoticeanothergroupofpeopleyouhadn’tseenbefore.
It’samoviecrew.AnAmericanmoviecrew!Itlooksasifthey’remakingsomekindofadventurepictureinEgypt.Thecrowdofterrorized,runningpeopleareallactorsandextras.AndthevoiceoftheSphinxiscomingfromaspeakerontheside.
Cool!youthink.Youwonderwho’sinthemovie.
Thenyouspothim.Thestarofthefilm.
IllinoisSmith!He’sthecharacterinallthoseactionmoviesaboutlosttreasuresandancienttombs.
Hey—maybeIllinoisSmithcanhelpyoufigureoutwhatthemummy’sdiarymeans!
Whatdoyouthink?
Doyouaskforhishelp?
Ordoyoupuzzleitoutforyourself?
IfyouaskIllinoisSmithtohelp,turntoPAGE54.
Ifyoutrytofigureitoutyourself,turntoPAGE81.
Youdecidetotakethepassagewaytotheleft.
Bravely,youmarchdowntheoh-so-darkhall.
Youwalkafewmorestepsbeforeyourealizethatyouarealone.Mohammedisn’tfollowingyouanymore.
“Hey,stupid,”Mohammedcalls.“Whydidyougothatway?”
“Well,”youanswerhiminyourmostreasonabletoneofvoice,“yousaidtofollowmyheart.Andmyheartisontheleft.SoIthought—”
“Isaidtofollowyourheart.”Mohammedsnorts.“Instead,youarethinkingtoomuchwithyourhead.”
Oh.Sodoeshemeanyoushouldhavegonetheotherway?
Yes,stupid.
Anddon’tlooksurprisedatbeingcalledthatnameagain.Youansweredtoit,didn’tyou?
GobacktoPAGE15andtaketheotherpassageway,andwewon’tcallyoustupidanymore.
Forawhile,youjuststareafterhimintothedarkness.
ThenyounoticeDerekonhiskneesafewfeetawayfromyou.
“Whathappened?”Derekmoans.“Ifeelsodizzy.”
“Whathappened?”yourepeat.“Ithinkwejustbroughtamummybacktolife!”
Youhelphimup.ThenyouandDerekgazeateachother.Yourhands,yourarms,yourfaces.They’reallnormalagain!
Nomoremummyskin.Nomoreemptyeyesockets.
Justtwonormalkids—ontopofCoitTower.
Ittakessomequickthinking,butfinallythetwoofyoufindyourwaybacktothehotel.Withoutgettingcaught.Yourparentsneverknowthatyouweregone.
Butbeforeyougotosleep,there’sonelastthingyou’vegottodo.YouandDerekhurryovertothePyramidBuildingandsneakintothelobby.Youjusthavetofindout!Isthemummystillondisplay?
“Derek!”youcry,assoonasyoustepinside.“Look!”
Theentirelobbyisempty.Thereisnomummycase.NoEgyptiandisplay.Everything—everyscrapofevidencethatthemummywaseverthere—isgone.
Asifithadneverbeenthere…
THEEND
“Hehasacomputerchipinhisbrain!”Dr.Laceycries.
Seriously?
Youhopofftheexaminingtableandhurryovertogetalookforyourself.Yup.It’strue!There’ssomekindofweirdcomputerchipinyourbrain.
Forthenextthreedays,thedoctorsperformsixjilliontestsonyou.Luckily,theydon’tcutyouopen.
Andguesswhat?ItturnsoutthattheancientEgyptianswereonthevergeofdiscoveringcomputertechnologies!Atleastthat’swhatoneofthescientiststhinks.Thecomputerchipinyourbrainissimple,butitworks.Itallowsyoutomovearound.
Atfirst,it’sfunbeingascientificmiracle.Youlikealltheattention.Theyputyourpictureinallthenewspapers.Reporterscometointerviewyou.TheyevenmakeaTVspecialaboutyou.
Butafterawhile,thefunbeginstowearoff.Youstarttomissyourfamily.EvenSusie,thesquirt.
SoyoudecidetowriteDr.Laceyanote.Youwanttoexplainthatyou’rereallyakid,notamummy.Andthatyouwanthertohelpyouchangeback.
ButallofyourwritingcomesoutlookinglikeancientEgyptianhieroglyphics!Evenyoucan’treadit.Itlookslikethis:
Which,translated,means:
THEEND
YouclutchDerek’shand.“Don’tanswerit!”youwhisper.
Derekstaresatyou.“Butitmightberoomservice,”heprotests.
“Roomservice?Now?”Youglanceattheclock.It’soneA.M.
“Yeah.Weorderedfoodthreehoursago,remember?”Dereksays.“Butitnevercame.Maybethat’sitnow.”
“Ormaybeit’sthemummy,”youargue.
“Onlyonewaytofindout,”Derektellsyou.
He’sright.Andasscaredasyouare,youknowyouhavetofindout.
Istherealivingmummyontheothersideofthedoor?
“Okay,”yougrumble.“Aquickpeek.”
“Holdonasecond.”Derekgrabsthediaryoutofyourhandsandshovesitunderhismattress.Thenhenodsatyou.Youcrosstothedoorandtakeadeepbreath.
Youopenthedoorjustacrackandpeerout.
Allyoucanseeisagauzybandagedarm.
Areyougoingtoopenthedooralltheway?
Ifno,turntoPAGE23.
Ifyes,turntoPAGE40.
Almostatonce,thetorchflickersout.
Butyoudon’tcare.You’vemadeyourdecision.You’regoingleft,right,right,straight.
Inthedark,youwalkboldlyforward,yourarmsoutstretchedatyoursides.Yourunyourfingertipsalongbothwallsasyougo.
Prettysoon,youfeelthepassagewaybegintoturn.You’vecometoyourfirstchoice.
Youturnleft.
Youwalkalittlefartherandturnright.Youkeepwalking.
Suddenly,inthepitch-darkness,youfeeltwohandsonyourface.
“Aargh!”youwanttoscream.
Butnosoundcomesout.Yourvoiceischokedwithfear.
“Boo!”avoicesays.
BOO?
Boowho?
TurntoPAGE134.
TheGreatPyramid?
Youstareattheguard,yourheadspinning.YoustudiedEgyptinschool.TheGreatPyramidisthebiggestpyramidintheworld.TheonethatsitsinthedesertneartheSphinx.
Yup.You’redefinitelyinEgypt.
“ButIjustcameoutofthere!”youtrytoexplain.“Onlyitwasn’ttheGreatPyramid.ItwasthePyramidBuilding!”
Theguardlaughs.“Ha!YoumeanthatsillybuildinginAmerica?”Heshakeshisheadandlaughsagain.
“You’vegottobelieveme,”youplead.“Andlookatthis!”Youshovethediarytowardtheguard.“Thisdiary.ItwaswritteninEnglishafewminutesago.Andnowit’sallchangedtohieroglyphs!”
Beforetheguardcantakethediary,ayoungmaninatansuit,sunglasses,andastrawhatapproachesyou.
“IseeyouhavethefamousdiaryofButhrama-man,”themansays.HesoundsAmerican.“MayIseeit?”
“Don’tgiveittohim!”theyoungEgyptianshouts.“Giveittome!”
IfyoushowthediarytotheAmerican,turntoPAGE5.
IfyougiveittotheEgyptian,turntoPAGE22.
Ifyouturnandrunfrombothofthem,turntoPAGE106.
Withallyourstrength,youwrestlethecroc,tryingtopryhismouthopen.Youthrowyourselftotheground,whippingthecrocoffthestairsandoverontohisback.
Frantically,youplungeyourhandintoyourpocket.YoupulloutafewFruityBitesandtossthemintohismouth,nexttowhereyourlegis.Thecrocopenshisjawswide…wider….
Coulditbe?Yes!He’slettingyouescape!
Youjumpoutofhisjawssuperfast.Butassoonasyou’reout,thecrocsmackshislipstogetherandopenswide.
Youcantellfromthelookonhisfacethatheonlywantsonething:moreFruityBites!
YoutosshimanotherhandfulofFruityBitesandhurryaway.
Uh-oh.Don’tlooknow.Withaslap-slapofhisstubbylegs,thecrocfollowsyou!Likeapuppy,beggingformorecandy.
Hesnapshisjawstogethertwice.Awarning.Andyouknowwhatitmeans.GivehimFruityBitesnow—orelse!
Well,aslongasyoucanaffordtokeepbuyingFruityBites,you’llstayalive.BUTYOU’REINEGYPT.WhereareyougoingtobuyFruityBitesaroundhere?
Guessyou’reuptheNilewithoutapaddle.Tothecrocodile,youlooklikeonebigFruityBite.
THEEND
Youstilllookconfused,soWebexplainsitalltoyou.
ThediaryyoufoundonthefloorinSanFrancisco?ThatwasplantedtherebytheFBI.WhenyouwenttothebasementofthePyramidBuilding,youfoundtheirfakeversionoftheinsideofarealpyramid.
“YouthoughtyouwanderedthroughthebasementandcameoutinEgypt,butyoudidn’t,”Webtellsyou.“Weputaspecialsleepinggasintheair-conditioningducts.Youfellasleep,andwhileyouwereoutcold,wehadyouflownouttoEgypt.Yourparentsknewaboutthis,ofcourse.Youwokeupintherealpyramidanddidn’trememberathing.Andtheresthasbeenatest.Toseehowyouhandleyourselfintoughsituations.”
“Wow!”youexclaim.“Cool!SonowIworkfortheFBI?”
“Yup,”Websays.“Yougettoskipschoolforawholeyear.Andwe’llevenpayyou.Congratulations!”Heraiseshisglassoflemonadeinatoast.
“Thanks!”youanswerwithahugegrin,pickingupyourownlemonade.Withoutthinking,youtakeabigswig.
Oooops.Rememberhowyourlemonadewasblue?Therewassleepingpotioninit!Oh,well.You’llwakeupsoon,butthey’llneverletyoubeasecretagentnow.Toobadyoumadeamistakewhenyouweresoclosetoahappy
END
Yikes!
Youjump,stumblingoverDerek’scot.Whenyoucatchyourbalance,youspinaround.Youseeyourbrothergrinningatyouinthedimlight.
“Whatareyoudoingup?”Derekwhispers.Heletsgoofyourarm.“Wheredidyougo?”
“Shhhh,”youwhisper,pointingatSusie.Youdon’twanthimtowakeher.
Thenyoutellhimallaboutthemummy.Andthemummy’sdiary.
“Letmeseeit,”Derekdemands,sittingonhiscot.Helovesthiskindofthing.
Withthelightfromthebathroom,youcanseethediarylyingontopofyoursleepingbag.Youhadtobringyoursleepingbagalong,becausethehotelcouldn’tfitanothercotintheroom.
Thediaryisrightwhereyouleftit.
Except…
Youdidn’tleaveitlyingopen,didyou?
Yourushoverandpickuptheancientbook.
Someonehasjustwritteninthediary!Andtheinkisstillwet!
FindoutwhatitsaysonPAGE118.
You’vegottoreadmoreofthis.It’samazing.Themummywritesitwithhismind!
Butjustthenyouhearyourmothercallingyourname.“Yoo-hoo.”Againshecallsyou.“BringSusieandcomeon!”shesays.
You’vegottogetawaysoyoucanlookatthediary.Youdon’twantyourparentstoseeitandtakeitawayfromyou.Notafteryoujustfoundit!Youscanthelobbyforsomeplacetogo.
Youspotanelevator.
Hmmm.Maybeyoucanduckinthereandzoomtothetopofthepyramid.Finishreadingthediarybeforesomeonefindsyou.
Ormaybeyoushouldjustkeepthediaryhiddenandwait.Youdon’twanttogetintotroublewithMomandDad.Andbesides,yourhotelisn’ttoofaraway.Youcouldsneakbackheretonighttoseeifthemummyreallyescapes.Thediarysays,“Tonight…Iwillescapemyprison.”Sowhatwillitbe?
Ifyoucomebacktonight,turntoPAGE20.
Ifyoutaketheelevatornow,turntoPAGE43.
Somehowyoumanagetostumbleovertotherowofbird-facedstatues.Whenyougetthere,yourealizewhatthenoseonthedrawingisfor.
Thereamongthestatues—halfwaybetweenthe“eyes”andthe“mouth”—isaholeinthesand.Andsomestepsthatleaddownintoit.
Youhadn’tnoticedituntilnow,butthesunissettingagainstsomesanddunesbehindyou.Itlooksjustlikethepicturemakingthenoseinthesmileyface!
Younoticeitnowbecauseatthatpreciseangle,thesun’sraysreachallthewaytothebottomoftheholeinthesand.Andthereyouseesomethingamazing.
GOLD.Tonsofit.Coins,littlestatues,scepters,andcrowns.Allmadeofgold.ThetreasureofKingButhramaman.
Sothat’swhyeverybodywantsthediary.It’satreasuremap!
Butgold’snotallyouseedownthere.
Youalsoseeteeth.
Sharp,pointyteeth.
Tworowsofthem.Grinningupfromthegiganticmouthof…acrocodile!
Ascarefullyasyoucan,turntoPAGE46.
Thehandtapsyouagain.“You’reit!”thevoicecalls.Thenlaughs.
Yourecognizethatlaugh.
It’syourbrother,Derek!
Youmadeit!YoumadeitbacktothePyramidBuilding.
“Derek,whatareyoudoingdownhere?”youask.
“Boy,areyougoingtogetit!”hedeclares.“MomandDadarereallyworried.Andthey’remadyouleftSusieallalone.Theyhavepeoplesearchingthewholebuildingforyou.Theysentmedownheretothebasement.”
YoutrytoexplaintoDerekaboutthemummy,butheonlylaughsandshakeshishead.Thenhegrabsyoubytheear.Hedragsyouthroughadooryouhadn’tseenbeforeandupsomestairs.
He’srightaboutyourparents.They’rereallysteamed.Asfarasyou’reconcerned,thisbookmightaswellbetitled,DiaryofaMadMommy.
Youcanforgetaboutanymoreexploring.You’regroundedforamonth!
THEEND
Webglancesatyourglassoflemonadeandsmiles.“SpecialEgyptianrecipe,”hesays.“Ithoughtyoumightlikeit.It’ssweeterthisway.”Heleansbackandwaitsforyoutotasteyourdrinkfirst.He’sbeingawfullypolite.
Whatdoyoudo?Youdon’twanttooffendhimbynotacceptingthedrink.Andyouarereallythirsty.Youcanfeelsandinthebackofyourthroat.
Butthelemonadeisblue.Andyou’renotsosurelemonadeshouldbeblue.
Ifyoutakeasip,turntoPAGE85.
IfyourudelyreachacrossthetableandtakeWeb’sdrinkinstead,turntoPAGE97.
“Oh,sorry.”Theguypressesabuttonontheremoteandthemummyreleasesyou.Youcrashtothefloor.
Ayoungwomanwithdark,curlyhairrushesintothelobby.YoufigureshemustbeSylvia.Sheracesovertothemummy.“Brad!IsMannyokay?”sheasks.
“Ithinkhe’sfine,”Bradtellsher.
“Whataboutme?”yougrumble.Youscrambletoyourfeet.Yourneckhurtswherethemummychokedyou,yourtoehurtswhereyoukickedhim,andyourbacksidehurtswhereyoulanded.
Sylviaturnstoyou,eyesflashing.“WhatwereyoudoingtoManny?”Sheputsherarmaroundthemummy.
“Iwasn’tdoinganythingtohim,”youprotest.“Hewastryingtokillme!”
BradandSylvialaugh.“Iguessitworks,”Bradsays.
BradandSylviaexplainthatMannytheMummyisarobot.He’spartofapublicitystuntfortheexhibit.Theywerejusttestinghimouttomakesureheworked.“Wedidn’texpectanyoneelsetobearoundinthemiddleofthenight!”Bradsays.
MannytheMummyistotallycool!SoareBradandSylvia.Theyletyouplaywiththecontrols.Theyevenaskyoutobepartofthepromotion!Yougettobetheonewhoscreams.
THEEND
BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS
BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!
WelcometotheCarnivalofHorrors.Thisisnoordinarycarnival.Hereyou’llfindawesomerides.Excitinggamesofchance.AndtheweirdestFreakShowever.
Doyoudaretoenter?
AreyoubraveenoughtorisktheSupersonicSpaceCoaster?CanyoumakeitthroughtheHouseofHorrorsalive?
Thisscaryadventureisallaboutyou.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andyoudecidehowterrifyingthescareswillbe.
StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.
Ifyoumaketherightchoices,you’llescapefromthespine-tinglingCarnivalofHorrorsintime.Ifyoumakethewrongchoice…BEWARE!
Sotakealong,deepbreath,crossyourfingers,andturntoPAGE1toGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!
“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”
“Idon’tknow,Patty.Whatdoyouwanttodo?”
“Notfair,Brad.Iaskedyoufirst.”
PattyandBrad.Yourtwobestfriends.Arguing.Asusual.
It’sthelastweekofAugust.AndPattyandBradhaven’tstoppedfightingsinceyoursummervacationstarted.
Pattylikesbeingbossy.Youdon’tmind,though.It’snobigdeal.
It’shardtowinafightwithheranyway.Youdon’tknowwhyBradeventries.Youguessit’sbecausehedoesn’twanttolooklikeawimpinfrontofagirl.
“There’snothingtodo.IguessI’lljustgohome,”Bradsays.Heshoveshishandsinhispockets.Thenhisshouldersslumpandhesortofshrivelsup.YouguessBradiskindofawimp—evenifheisyourbestfriend.
“You’resoboring,Brad,”Pattycomplains.WheneverPattycomplains,herfrecklesreallypopout.Nowthereareaboutamillionofthemspreadacrossherface.
“Hey!Iknowwhatweshoulddo!”Pattysuddenlyburstsout.
GotoPAGE2.
“Let’sbikeovertoBennet’sFieldandwatchthemsetupthecarnival!”
“Idon’tknow,”youanswer.“It’sgettingdark,andMomsaidIhavetobeinbynine.”
“It’sonlyaquickbikeride,”Bradsays.“Areyousomekindofwimp?”
Bradcallingyouawimp?Youcan’tbelieveit!
“Okay.Okay,”youagree.“Butifit’sasbadaslastyear,therewon’tbemuchtosee.Don’tyourememberthemainattraction?”youremindthem.“TheridetheycalledTerrorTrack?Itturnedouttobeababychoo-chootrainthatcircledaroundandaroundandaround.”
Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyousay.Patty’smadeuphermind.You’regoingtorideovertothecarnival.
Ahot,humidbreezeblowsinyourfaceasyoupedalalong.Patty’sinthelead.Nosurprise.AndBrad’spuffingbehindyou.
It’sdarkbythetimeyoureachBennet’sField.
Youandyourfriendsdropyourbikesinthegrassandraceacrossthemoonlitfield,towardthehugewoodenfencethatsurroundsthecarnival.
Totakeacloserlook,turntoPAGE3.
Asyoureachthecarnivalentrance,youhearmusiccomingfrominside.Nottheusualcornyorganstufftheyalwaysplay.Butsomereallystrangemusic.Itsoundsfamiliarandtotallynewatthesametime.
Bradstretcheshisnecktotrytopeeroverthefence.Butnoluck.Thefenceiswaytoohigh.
Pattyjigglesthepadlockonthegate.It’ssealedshut.
“Iguesswe’llhavetowaituntiltomorrownightwhenthecarnivalopens,”Bradsays.
“Noway,”Pattysays.“Let’sclimbthefence.Now!”
“Areyoucrazy?”Bradsays.“We’llgetcaught!”
“Comeon.There’sprobablynooneinthere,”Pattyreplies.
Yourfriendsturntoyoutocastthedecidingvote.Youglanceatyourwatch.It’salmost9:00P.M.Ifyou’regoingtogethomeintime,youshouldstartbacknow.
Whatareyougoingtodo?
Ifyoudecidetogohome,turntoPAGE10.
Ifyouclimbthefencetogetinside,turntoPAGE6.
R.L.Stine’sbooksarereadallovertheworld.Sofar,hisbookshavesoldmorethan300millioncopies,makinghimoneofthemostpopularchildren’sauthorsinhistory.BesidesGoosebumps,R.L.StinehaswrittentheteenseriesFearStreetandthefunnyseriesRottenSchool,aswellastheMostlyGhostlyseries,TheNightmareRoomseries,andthetwo-bookthrillerDangerousGirls.R.L.StinelivesinNewYorkwithhiswife,Jane,andMinnie,hisKingCharlesspaniel.Youcanlearnmoreabouthimatwww.RLStine.com.
GoosebumpsbookseriescreatedbyParachutePress,Inc.
Copyright©1996byScholasticInc.
Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyScholasticInc.,Publisherssince1920.SCHOLASTIC,GOOSEBUMPS,GOOSEBUMPSHORRORLAND,andassociatedlogosare
trademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksofScholasticInc.
Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.
AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,
downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher.Forinformationregardingpermission,writetoScholasticInc.,Attention:PermissionsDepartment,557
Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,
orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.
Firstedition,October1996
e-ISBN978-0-545-84168-9