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!

Contents

Beware!!

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Teaser

AbouttheAuthor

AlsoAvailable

Copyright

“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.

“Wh-whatdoyoumean?”Bradasks,tremblingallover.

“Ijusthadanidea.Agreatidea,”themanreplies.“Iwantyoukidstostayandtryouttheridesbeforethegrandopeningtomorrow.”

Patty’seyesopenwide.“Cool!”shesays.

“Areyousureit’sallrightwiththeowner?”youask.

“I’mBigAl,themanager.AndwhatIsayaroundheregoes.”

BigAldigsaroundinhischeckeredjacketandpullsoutthreemaps.Hehandsonetoeachofyou.

“Studythemcarefully,”hesays.“Ifyouhaveanyquestions,askthemnow.”

Youreyesfalluponthemap.Youhaveaquestion.Butwhenyougazeup,BigAlisgone.He’svanished!

“Awholecarnivaltoourselves!”Pattyexclaims.“Whereshouldwestart?”

Youstaredownatyourmaponceagain.Younoticethatthecarnivalissplitinhalf.Ononesidearetherides.Tonsofthem.Ontheothersideisthemidway,packedwithgamesofchanceandtheFreakShow.

Whatwillyoutryfirst?

Togoontherides,turntoPAGE34.

Tocheckoutthemidway,turntoPAGE77.

“Comeon,run!”youyelltoPattyandBradasyouspinaround.“There’sgottobeanotherwayout!”

BigAlblowsawhistle.Itsshrillblasthurtsyourears.Heblowsitagainand,suddenly,dozensanddozensofcarnivalpeopleappearoutofnowhere.Buttheydon’tlookthewaytheydidbefore.

Somehavegreenflesh.Somearedeathlywhite.Theirrottingskinhangsfromtheirbones.Abovetheirsunkencheekbones,theireyesglowaneerieyellow.

Youwatchinhorrorasmoreandmoreofthemappear.

Whatshouldyoudo?Yourlegswon’tbudge.Youcan’tthinkclearly.You’reterrified!Youstandthere—frozen—inatrance.

ButBradbreaksthespellwhenhescreamsout,“They’reghosts!That’swhythey’rewearingthoseold-fashionedclothes.They’redead!”

“Watchout!Overthere!”Pattyyells.“That—thatghost…It’scomingrightatus.Run!”

RuntoPAGE127.

“Let’sdoit!”yousaytoyourfriends.“Let’sclimbthefence!”

Pattyishalfwayupbeforeyoufinishspeaking.YouletBradgonext.You’relast.

It’sahardclimbup.There’sreallynoplaceonthefencetogetagoodgrip.Butyoumakeittothetop,swingyourlegsover,andtumbledown.Youlandonthegrass.You’reinside!

Youandyourfriendsgazearound.It’sprettydark—theonlylightcomesfromtorches.Atfirstthecarnivallooksthesameasitalwaysdoes.Dinkyrides.Hotdogwagons.Thenthelightsstarttoflickeronineverycornerofthefield—theridesstarttomove.It’sasifthewholeplaceismagicallycomingtolife.

“Hey!Lookatthatgiantrollercoaster!”youexclaim,pointingupahead.“Theyneverhadarollercoasterbefore!”

“Yeah,”Bradagrees.“Andthewholeplaceisalotbiggerthanlastyear!”

“Thisisawesome!”Pattysaysasshesprintstowardtherides.

RaceovertoPAGE7.

YouandBradtakeoffafterPatty.Youallstopinfrontoftherollercoaster.

“Wow!”Pattysaysasshegazesupatit.“It’slikearockettoouterspace!”

Beyondtherollercoaster,youspyacastlesurroundedbyamoat.Andaspooky-lookinghauntedhousesittinghighatopahill.

“ThesearethecoolestridesI’veeverseen!”yousay.“Theystillhavethatdumbchoo-chootrainoverthere,”youpointout,“butwecouldridethisstuffallnightandnevergonearit!”

Pattygrabsyourarmandtugsyouovertotheothersideofthecarnival—tothemidway.Bradracesafteryou.

“Hey!Whereareallthosedinkywoodenboothsfromlastyear?”youaskasyougawkattheamazinggamesofchance.

They’regone.Andintheirplacearegiantvideogamesandhugespinningwheelsstuddedwithhundredsofblinkingcoloredlights!

“Getaloadofthat!”Bradsuddenlycriesout.

YouandPattyspinaround.

Youcan’tbelievewhatyousee!

BemoreamazedonPAGE87.

YouwanderovertotheWheelofChanceandimmediatelynoticetwostrangethings.

First,youreadthesignonthebooth.Itsays“WheelofNoChance.”Thenyouhearthebarker’svoicecalling,“Steprightup!”Butthere’snoonethere.

Noonebutagreen-and-yellowparrot.

“Excuseme,”yousay,hopingsomeonewillanswer.“Isthisgameopen?”

“No,I’mstandingbythiswheelformyhealth,”theparrotcracks.“Now,doyouwanttospinorwhat?”

Theparrotisobviouslyannoyed.“Mammals,”hemutters.“Can’tlivewiththem,can’tlivewithoutthem.”

Youstealaglancearound.Maybeyoushouldskipthisgame.ButBigAlsneaksupbehindyou.

“Spin,”hesays.“Youmustearnenoughpointstowin.”

“ButhowwillIknowifIhaveenoughpoints?”youask.

“Spin!”It’shisfinalword.

GotoPAGE9.

Here’showtospin:

Closeyoureyesandtwirlyourfingeroverthewheelonthispage.Thenletyourfingerlandsomewhereonthewheel.Lookatthenumberyou’velandedon.Gotothatpagenext.

Quick!Gotothepageyoulandedon!

OR

IfyoulandedonSPINAGAIN,spinagain.

You’vedecidednottosneakintothecarnival?You’regoinghomeinstead?Well,it’sagoodthingPattyusuallymakesallthedecisions.Otherwise,you’dneverhaveanyfun!Andthisbookwouldbeoverbeforeitbegan!

Goahead.Takeadeepbreath.Thengoclimbthefence.You’renotscared—areyou?

TurnbacktoPAGE6.

You’vedecidedtohelpthefreaks.Asyouracedownthemidway,youspotBradandPatty.

“Listen,guys,”youtellthem,loweringyourvoice.“We’vegotaproblem.Abigproblem.”

YoutakeadeepbreathandtellthemallaboutMadameZenoandthebluecard.

“So,”youfinishsaying,“somebodymightneedourhelpinthebackoftheFreakShow.”

“What’safreak?”Bradasksnervously.

“Remembertheposterwesawwhenwecamein?Theonewiththethree-headedmanandtheladywiththesnakebody?”youremindhim.

Bradbitesdownonhislip.“Aretheyreallyreal?”

“Surethey’rereal,”Pattychimesin.“Ioncesawabeardedladyatthecircus.”

“Idon’tknow,”Bradsays.“Itsoundskindofcreepy.”

“Well,MadameZenosaidthiswasmyfate.I’mgoingtohelpthem—whatevertheyare.Areyouguysin?”

“Youbet,”Pattyanswers,hereyesshiningwithexcitement.

“Okay,okay.I’llgo,”Bradmumbles.

“Thenlet’shurry!”youexclaim.

RacetothebackoftheFreakShowonPAGE35.

Youruntotheright.“Followme!”youcryouttoPattyandBrad.

Yourunfasterthanyou’veeverruninyourlife.Yoursidesache,butyoukeepongoing.

Whenyourchestfeelsasifit’sabouttoburst,youfinallystop.Andhearacrashbehindyou.Thenatbothsidesofyou.Theninfrontofyou.Trappingyou.

“WelcometotheReptile’sPettingZoo,”adeepvoiceechoesthroughthedarkness.

Reptile’sPettingZoo?YouthoughtthesignsaidReptilePettingZoo.

“Ouralligatorhasbeensolonely,”thedeepvoicecontinues.“Waitingandwaiting—forhisnewpetstoarrive.Andhereyouare—finally.”

THEEND

Theroomisdark,butallaroundyou,youhearhushedmoans.“Helpus!Helpus!”

“We’reinaprison,”Pattysays.“Andlookattheprisoners!They’reweird!”

Pattyisright.Asyoureyesgrowaccustomedtothedarkness,youseecellaftercell.Eachoneholdsastrange-lookingprisoner.There’sanenormousfatladywho’snearlybustingoutofthebars.Agiant.Adwarf.Ayoungladywithboaconstrictorswrappedaroundherwaist.Andawomanwithalongblackbeard!

“We’rethefreakssss,”theSnakeLadysays.“Everynightwhenthesssshowendssss,themassssterlockssssussssup.”

“Themaster?YoumeanBigAlis—”youstarttosay.

“Youmusthelpus!”thegiantinterrupts.

“Sssssssh,”theSnakeLadysays.“Themaster’ssssscoming—youmusssstn’tbehere!Go!Thatway!”Shepointstoadoordownthehall.

Escapethroughthedoordownthehall,gotoPAGE48.

StayandtalktoBigAl,gotoPAGE62.

Youreachoutslowlyandtouchtheredcard.

Toyouramazement,a3-Dheartmagicallyappearsandrisesfromtheflatsurface.Thenitstartstobeat!Tha-dump,tha-dump.Itmustbesomefancyopticalillusion.Youleanclosertofigureoutthetrick.

“Yowwwww!”youscreechandjerkbacktoavoidthewarmredliquidthatnearlysquirtsinyoureye.Isitblood?Itlookslikeblood.“Wow!Cooleffect,”yousay.“Howdidyoudoit?”

“Turnoverthecard,”MadameZenoorders.“Doitnow!”

MadameZenoreallygetsintoheract.Doesn’tsheknowthisisjustagame?youthink.Butyoudoasyou’retold.

Bigdeal.Noweirdpictures.Nohiddenfortunes.Allyouseearethenumbers1,3,2shimmeringingoldscriptagainstamidnightbackground.“Whatdoesitmean?”youask.

“Youwillknowwhenthetimeisright,”thefortune-tellerwhispers.Hervoiceissolow,youcanbarelyhearher.“Itcouldsaveyourlife!”

Whatdoesshemean?TurntoPAGE41tofindout.

Roundandroundthewheelspins.Itfinallylandsonnumber15.NOCHANCE.

Nochance.Doesthatmeanwhatyouthinkitmeans?

Nochanceatall.

Zip.

Zero.

Nothing.

Nada.

Negatory.

Yes.That’sexactlywhatitmeans.Youhavemet…

THEEND

“Hi!”yousaytoBigAl.“Whoareallthosepeople?”

Hedoesn’treallyansweryourquestion.

“WelcometotheCarnivalofHorrors,”hesays.“Youmustplayorpay.Wehavemanygamesonourmidway.Youmustplaytwo.”Hepracticallyspitsthewordmustout.“Ifyousucceed,youcanwinprizes.Butifyoulose,youpaywithyourlife!”

Boy,he’sreallylayingitonthick,youthink.Butit’saprettycoolgimmick.“Okay,I’llplayagame.ThenI’vegottogohome.”

“Noonegoeshome,”BigAlsays,“untiltheyplay.Youmustplaytwogames.Andsurvive.”

“Okay.Okay,”youmuttertoyourself.

Youglancearoundthemidwayatthetwoclosestgames.GuessYourWeightonMarsandtheWheelofChance.Youhavetopickonetostart,oryou’llnevergetoutofhere.

ForGuessYourWeightonMars,gotoPAGE72.

ToplayWheelofChance,gotoPAGE8.

Youtakeafewstepsalongthemidwayhopingyou’vewonenoughprizesandpoints.YounoticethecrowdofpeoplesurroundingBigAl.They’restillchanting,“PAYORPLAY.PAYORPLAY.”

YoubreakthroughthecrowdandgrabBigAl’sarm.“Hey!Doyouknowwheremyfriendsare?”

“Certainly,”BigAlsays,pointingupahead.“They’rerightoverthere!”

“Patty!Brad!”youshoutasyourushuptothem.“Comeon!We’vegottogo!Thiscarnivalisevil!”

Butbeforetheycansayaword,BigAl’svoiceboomsfrombehindyou.“NotbeforeTheFinalChallenge!”

TheFinalChallengebeginsonPAGE84.

Thespaceladyslowlycirclesyouasshesizesyouupfromheadtotoe.“Hmmmm,Ithinkyouweighthirty-eightpounds.”

“Thirty-eightpounds!Boy,areyouwrong!”

“I’mneverwrong,”shesays,smirking.Shesnapsherfingersandtwoenormousguardsappear.Theyeachtakeoneofyourarmsanddragyououtofthecourtyard.

“Idon’tweighthirty-eightpounds!”youyell.Butthenyouremember.Itisn’tyourweightonEarththatmatters.It’syourweightonMars.

Doyouweighthirty-eightpoundsonMars?You’dbetterfindoutquickly,becausesomethingtellsyouthatwhatBigAlsaidabouthavingtosurvivemightbetrue.

WeighinonPAGE134.

Youlandonnumber19.

“Doubleornothing.Doubleornothing,”twovoicesbehindyouecho.

Youwhirlaround—andgasp!It’samanwithtwoheads.

“Congratulations.Youwintenpoints,”oneheadsaystoyou.“Quitwhileyou’reahead!”

“Ahead,getit?Ahead!”theotherheadadds,laughinghysterically.

“Shutup,”headnumberonesays.

“Youshutup,”headnumbertwoshootsback.“Tenpointsisnothing.Youbetterspinagain.Andthistimeit’sdoubleornothing.Yougetdoublethepointswhereveryouland.”

Whichheadshouldyoulistento?

Ifyouthinkyoudon’thaveenoughpoints,gobacktoPAGE9andspinagain.

Ifyouthinkyouhaveenoughpointsandyouhaven’tplayedGuessYourWeight,gotoPAGE72.

IfyouhaveplayedGuessYourWeight,gotoPAGE17.

Itseemsasifhourshavepassed.Ormaybeit’sonlyminutes.

Youtrytounclaspyourhands.Buttheywon’tbudge.It’sasifyourarmsaregluedaroundyourknees.

Youtrytomovesomething.Anything.

Butyoucan’tblinkaneyelid.Yourbodyisparalyzed.Youcan’tevenscream.

Adooropensandtwomendressedinoverallsandwearinggasmasksamblein.Finally.They’reheretorescueyou!

“Looksliketheperfumeworked,”youhearoneofthemsay.

“Yeah.Andjustintime.WeneededanewdummyfortheReal-LifeSpaceDisplay,”theotheradds.

Theypickupyourrigidbodyandcarryyouout.Nowonderthoseastronautsinthesilvertunnellookedsoreal!

Sorry.Youcan’tscream.Youcan’tescape.

Nexttime,youpromiseyourself,you’llstickwiththebabyrides.Butthenyouremember—thereisn’tgoingtobeanexttime…becausethisis…

THEEND

You’reoutside—standinginBennet’sField—gazingatthefencethatsurroundsthecarnival.

“Iguesswe’llhavetowaituntiltomorrownightwhenthecarnivalopens,”Bradsays.

“Noway,”Pattysays.“Let’sclimbthefence.”

What’sgoingonhere?

Youguessedit.Thesilverlockerwasatimemachine.You’vegonebackintimetothefirstmomentyouspottedthecarnival.Nowitappearsasifyouhavetostartalloveragain—fightinghorrorafterhorror,rightupto…

THEEND

You’reprettysurethatthespaceladyguessedwrong!Nowallyouhavetodoissteponthescaletoproveit.

Thetwogoonsshoveyouinsidetheplanetsimulationchamber.It’salongnarrowtube,andit’sreallystuffyinside.Youcanbarelybreathe.

Youstepuponthescale.Youcheckthereadout.Boy,oh,boy!Thespaceladyiswrong!

Youjumpupanddown.“Iwon!Iwon!”

Backoutsideyoucollectyourprize.It’sahugechocolatebar.Youtakeabigbiteoutofitandstufftherestinyourpocket.

Yougazearound.Thecoastisclear.MaybeyoucanfindPattyandBradandgetoutofhere.

Youwalkafewstepsforward.Butaheavyhandclampsdownonyourshoulderfrombehind.

It’sBigAl.

“It’stimetoplayanothergame,”hesays,grinning.

IfyouhavenottriedtheWheelofChance,gotoPAGE8.

Ifyou’vealreadyplayedtheWheelofChance,gotoPAGE17.

Youyankonthereins.Butyourhorseplowsahead,pullingyouforward—closerandclosertothechopping,chopping,choppingblades.Bradsquinchesdowninthecartandburieshisheadinhislap.

Pattyjumpsintothefrontseatwithyou.Togetheryoupullonthereinsandscream,“Whoa,fellow!Whoa!”

Butyourhorsetrotsonward.“It’snouse,”youcry.“We’dbetterjump!”

Youstareovertheside.You’reridingalonganarrowridgeandthere’sadeepdropthatmakesyourbloodruncold!Ifyoujump,you’llplungetoyourdeath!

Thenyouglanceupahead—andspotasaferplacetoleap.Great!

YouareabouttoshowittoyourfriendswhenBradcriesout,“Lookattheelves!Theychopatsettimes.Ifwecangetthehorsetomovefaster,wecanmisstheaxes!”

“That’sdumb,weshouldjump!”arguesPatty.

Whatdoyouthinkyoushoulddo?

Ifyoudecidetojumpout,gotoPAGE103.

Ifyouurgethehorsetogallop,gotoPAGE119.

Carnivalworkers.Thecarnivalworkerswhosetupthesamerinky-dinkcarnivalyougotoeverysummer.

Youcan’tbelieveyoureyes.Youmustbeseeingthings!

Pattytriestosaysomethingsmart,buttheonlythingshemanagesis“Huh?”

“Hey,kids!”aworkeryellsatyou.“Getawayfromthatride.Thecarnivaldoesn’tstarttilltomorrownight.”

Yougazearoundinwonderatthefadedgames,thebabyrides,thetackyfoodstands.Forthefirsttimeinyourlife,italllooksgreat!

“We’llbethere!”youshoutasyouheadforyourbikes.“ThisisthegreatestcarnivalI’veeverseen!”

THEEND

Secondslateryourheadandthebackofyourfeetslamintothewall.You’rehangingupsidedown—inthemiddleofagiganticmagneticwheel!

“AreyoureadyforTheFinalChallenge?”BigAlasks.

“Ofcoursenot!”yousay.“LETMEDOWN!”

“We’llletyoudown—butnotuntilyoufaceTheFinalChallenge.Onespinwilldecideyourfate.Ifyouwin,yougo.Ifyoulose,youstayhereforever.”

Willthatbeyourfate?

BigAlapproachesthewheel.

BradandPattyareholdingontoeachother.

Yourheartispounding.

Yourhandsaresweating.

Thisisit.Onespin.

Hegivesthewheel—withyouonit—ahardturn.Wherewillitstop?Guess!

OnPAGE44?

OnPAGE74?

OnPAGE124?

“Hey,waitup!”youyelltoBradandPattyasyousprintthroughtheSpaceCoastergate.

Theybothignoreyouandchargestraightahead.Youfollowthemintoanarrowtunnelthatleadstotheboardingarea.

Yougazedownatthefloor.Blackrubber.Itmakesyouwalkwithastrangebounce.

Everyfewfeetthereisaroundportholewindow.Whenyouglanceoutone,youseeastronautsplantingflagsonthemoon.Youpeeroutanother.Nowthey’reseatedintheircapsule.Thisisamazing,youthink.Thefigureslookreal.Totallyreal.

Afteralongclimb,youandPattyandBradfinallyarriveattheloadingarea.

Asleekbullet-shapedcapsulewhooshesupandstopsrightbesideyou.Ithasthreesections.Bradclimbsdefiantlyintothelastsection.Youleapintothefront.Patty’sleftwiththemiddlesection.

Andsuddenlyyou’retrapped!

GoontoPAGE58.

Thecrowdisclosingin.Yourpocketsareempty—youhavenothingtodefendyourselfwith.Soyourun!

Youspotacrackinthewall,nexttothewheel.It’ssmall—toosmallforanadulttosqueezethrough—butyoucanprobablymakeit.

“Followme!”youyellouttoPattyandBradasyousqueezethroughtheopening.Itleadstoabackstagearea—andthentotheflapofanothertent.

Youcanhearthecrowdbehindyou,tryingtofollowyouthroughthecrack.

“Comeon!Wecanslipunderthistent,”yousay.Foronce,nooneargueswithyou.

Thethreeofyouduckinandfindyourselfsurroundedbyanothercrowd.Theyareallseatedinchairs.Andtheydon’tmove.Theyjuststareatyouwithglassyeyes.

TurntoPAGE55.

What’sthebigidea?You’regoingtoembarrassthegiantintohelpingyou.

“Hey,you.Youknow,you’rearealwimp,”yousaytothegiant.

Helooksatyouasifhecan’tbelievewhathehears.

PattyandBradlookatyouasifyou’recrazy.

Maybeyouare.

“Youwimp,”youcontinue.“Yousithereallday,takingordersfromthatcreep,BigAl.Andyouliveinthesehorribleconditions.Why?Becauseyou’reawimpandyourefusetofightback.Youcouldbendthosebarsandescape—butyouwon’t.Becauseyouareawimp—W-I-M-P—wimp.”

Thegiantstands.Yougazeup.He’soverfifteenfeettall.Helumbersovertoyou.Heisn’tsmiling.

Isyourplangoingtowork?Ishegoingtobendthebarstoproveyouwrong?Orishegoingtobendyou?

It’soutofyourcontrolnow.

Lookoutthewindow.

Ifit’ssunnyout,turntoPAGE45.

Ifit’srainingorifit’snighttime,turntoPAGE85.

Youstumbledownthecorridortoyourright.Asyoupeerfromsidetoside,youaremetwithhundredsofimagesof—you!Andyoulookprettybaffled.Andscared.

“Hey,Icouldusesomehelp,”youcallout.

Silence.

Youpoundyourfistagainstthewall.

Thewallstartstomove.

Justaninchortwo—aninchortwoclosertoyou!

Youtakeastepback—butthewallbehindyouismoving,too.

Thewallsaremovingtogether.They’reclosinginonyou.

You’regoingtobecrushed!

SqueezeovertoPAGE65.

You’refalling…falling…Youcan’tthinkofanythingelsetodo,soyoustartflappingyourarmslikeabird.

Atthatmomentahugegustofairshootsupfromunderyouandblowsyoubackontothebridge.

Breathinghard,youruntherestofthewayacrossthericketyspan.Whenyoureachthesafetyoftheotherside,youglanceback.Andgasp!Thebridgeandthemidwaybeyondithavevanished!Onlyablackvoidremains!

“Wow!Awesomespecialeffects!”youcryoutloud.Butwasyourfallpartofthespecialeffects,too?Itdidn’tfeellikeit.

YouspinaroundtofacetheHouseofHorrors.Upcloseitappearsreally,reallycreepy.Cobwebsdripdownfromitsroofandaneerieyellowlightglowsinside.Cool!NexttothehouseyouspotasignthatreadsBOATTRIPTONOWHERE.Thereareamazingspeedboatsthatyoucandriveyourself.

Whichshouldyoutryfirst?

WanttotrytheBoatTriptoNowhere?GotoPAGE88.

ReadyfortheHouseofHorrors?GotoPAGE66.

Yousnapyourheadaroundtotheright—whereyouhearfootstepscomingtowardyou.

Youarefacingashortmanwithwrinklyskinandbloodshoteyes.Hisbushyblackhairresemblesascouringpad—andfromthelooksofit,itprobablyfeelslikeone,too.Hisevilexpressionmakesyoucringe.

Buthe’snothingcomparedtothe“things”inbackofhim—twoseven-foot-tallmonsters.Onehasbluehornsandbulgingredeyes.Theotherhasscalyskinandanalligatorsnoutthatsnapsopenandclosedasheeyesyou.

Thetrioallwearlabcoats.Andfromtheeagerwaythey’relookingatyou,yourealizethatyouarethelabrat.

Youstruggletoescapefromthenet.Butyou’retrappedinthewebbing.Likeaflyinaspider’sweb.

“Welcometomyhumblelaboratory,”theshortmansays.“IamDr.FrankN.Stone,themastermindwhocreatedtheCarnivalofHorrors.”

TheCarnivalofHorrors!Youdon’tlikethesoundofthat!

GotoPAGE89.

YourboatglidesthroughthechannelathighspeedtoBoogerBog.Waterspraysupintoyourface.Butsoonyouhavetoslowdown.Treeshavesuddenlysprungupallaroundyou.You’recompletelysurroundednowbytheirtoweringtrunks.

Inthedarklight,theirlimbstakeontheshapeofgnarledarmswithblackened,bonyfingersattheends.Youstarehardatthetreetrunks.Coulditbe?Aretheyreachingoutforyou?

Youslowlyweavetheboatthroughthetwistedtrunksandbranches.They’vegrownsothickherethatyoucanbarelypilotyourboatthroughthem.

Thetreesrustleasifthey’rewhisperingtoeachother.Theirlimbsbegintosway.Asyouglidecarefullythroughthewater,theleavesslapagainstyourface.Slap.Slap.Slap.

Yourheartstartshammeringawayinyourchest.Thisisreallyscary.Justhowfarisnowhere?youbegintowonder.Somethingswipesatyourhair!Whatwasthat?

TurntoPAGE105.

Youglanceoncemoreatthedwarf.Heletsoutanevilcackle.That’sit—there’snowayyoucantrusthim.Besides,youcanhearmusicupahead.You’resureyoumustbenearanexit.

“No,thanks.Idon’tneedanyhelp,”youmumble.

Heshrugs.“Oh,yes,youdo,”hesays.Butthenhesprintsoff.

Youwalkinthedirectionofthemusic.Butafterfiveminutes,yourealizethatyou’renotgettinganywhere.

Maybeyoushouldhavefollowedthedwarf.YoustarttothinkaboutPattyandBrad.Aretheyokay?youwonder.

Justwhenyouthinkyou’llbewanderingthesetunnelsfortherestofyourlife,thepassagewayends!Nowyou’refacingtwodoors—oneredandoneblue.Whichoneshouldyoutry?Youmightaswellflipacoin!

Getacoin.Flipitandcheckwhetheritcomesupheadsortails.

Ifitcomesupheads,takethebluedoortoPAGE57.

Ifitcomesuptails,takethereddoortoPAGE104.

“Let’sgoontheridesfirst!”yousay.“Thatrollercoasterlookedawesome!”

“Okay,”Pattyagrees.“Overthisway!”sheyellsasshechargesovertoit.

Whenyoureachtherides,youcanonlystareinamazement.Thesearethemostfantasticridesyou’veeverseen.Thetoweringrollercoaster…thesoaringspeedboats…thetwistyslides!Everyoneisinmotion.Whizzing,whirling,doingloop-the-loops.Andthey’reallempty!Noriders.Nopeopleinline!

“Cool!”Pattyexclaims.“Wehavethewholeplacetoourselves.”

Brad’sfaceturnsalittlegreenashisgazeswingsfromtheSupersonicSpaceCoastertotheDoomSlide.“Doyouthinktheyhaveridesthatdon’tgoupsidedown?”heasks.

“Comeon!Let’scheckoutthecoaster!”PattycallstoyouandBrad.Thentheyrunofftoitsstartinggate.

Youstopandcraneyournecktogazeupatthecoaster’sfirsthill.Andyougasp!

Quick!GotoPAGE47.

Fiveminuteslater,thethreeofyouaresneakingdownadarkalley.Bradissofrightened,he’spracticallywalkingontopofyou.

Thealleyislitteredwithlargecardboardboxesandoverflowingtrashcans.Anditsmellslikedeadfish.

“Hey!Quitsteppingonmyshoe,”yousaytoBrad.

“I’mnotsteppingonyourshoe,”heshootsback.“I’mnotanywherenearyourstupidshoe.”

Youglancedown.Andnearlyscream.

Brad’sright.He’snotsteppingonyou.Butaboutadozenratsare.

Youshakeyourfootwildly.Theratsscurryoff.

Bradcatchessightoftheratsandtriestobolt.

YouandPattyquicklypullhimback.

“Hey!Look!”Pattysays,pointingupahead.“Adoor!”

OnthedooryouseeabigsignthatreadsKEEPOUT,so…yougoin.

GotoPAGE13.

Youturnbackandheadintheotherdirection.Yourreflectionsbounceoffthewallsatcrazyangles.Areyouwalkingstraight,orhaveyouroundedacorner?There’snowaytotell.Yetthistimeyou’resureyou’regoingtherightway!

“Overhere!”avoicecalls.“Turnleftagain!”

Turnleftagain?Nowyouarereallyconfused.

Ifyouturnleftagain,willyoufinallyescape?

TurntoPAGE118.

HELP!

Youcoveryourheadwithyourhandsandtrytorunintoathickgroveoftrees.Butthebatcirclesinfrontofyouanddivesagain.

“Stopit!Stopit!”youscream.

Asyouturnandracetowardsomelowbushes,yourememberthestories—thehorriblestoriesaboutbatsmakingnestsinpeople’shair.Andtheonlywaytogetthemoutwastoshaveyourhead….

Thosestoriesweren’ttrue—werethey?

Youspotabigstickinthewetdirtandscoopitup.

Thebatswoopsdownatyouoncemoreand—FWAP!Youhitit.

Thebatfallstotheground.

Andyouseeit’sonawire.

It’samechanicalbat.

Allpartoftheride,youthink.Youthinkabouttheboatride.Boy,theyreallymakethingsseemrealatthiscarnival,youthink.Youfeelmuchbetterwhenyougazeupahead.There’saclearing.

Butwhenyouseewhat’sthere—youscream!

TurntoPAGE93.

“Gotawinner,gotawinner,”theparrotsquawks.“You’vewontwenty-fivepoints,plusanythingyouwantintheprizeroom.Stepthisway.”

Eagerly,youfollowthebirdintoastoreroombehindthebooth.It’spackedwiththeweirdestassortmentofjunkyou’veeverseen.Dustyoldcatalogs,stuffedrats,acollectionofaxes,andportraitsofheadlesspeopleholdingtheirownheads!

“Sopicksomething.It’sgettinglate,”theparrotsays.

Notthisgarbage,youthink.Thenyouspotashelfofsmallcanswithbrightlabels:PLAYANDGLOW,CLAYSLIME,andMONSTERBLOOD.MonsterBlood?Hey,isn’tthatthemagicstuffyoureadaboutinGOOSEBUMPS?

“I’lltaketheMonsterBlood,”youdecide.

“Excellentchoice,”theparrotremarks.

Asyouquicklyleavetheroomwithyourprize,youwonder,istwenty-fivepointsenough?Whatdoyoudonext?

Ifyouwanttospinagainformorepoints,gotoPAGE9.

Ifyouhaven’tplayedGuessYourWeightonMarsyet,gotoPAGE72.

IfyouhaveplayedGuessYourWeightonMars,gotoPAGE17.

Youcloseyoureyes.Whenyouopenthem,yourcarlungesforwardwithaburstofspeed—andyouloop-the-loop.Yourmouthdropsopentoscream,butnosoundcomesout.

Nowyourcarstartstoplungedownward—likeanelevatoroutofcontrol.Yourheartpoundsinyourchest.Thisisthefastestandbestrollercoasteryou’veeverbeenon!Asyounearthebottom,youslowdown.Youbegintocatchyourbreath.Andthenyouseewhat’supahead.Ahugeblackhole—atunnel!

Asyoushoottowardtheopenmouthofthetunnel,youbegintoscreamagain.Thedoorofthetunnelisabouttoclose!

Snap!Thedoorcomescrashingdown—behindyourcar.Youbreatheoutalongsigh.Butnowyou’reinatunnelsodarkthatyoucan’tseeathing.

Scary!Butnotnearlyasscaryaswhathappensnext.

Whathappens?TurntoPAGE94tofindout!

“Five,four,three,two,one.Wehaveliftoff,”amechanicalvoiceannounces.

Toyourhorror,therocketblastsoff!You’reslammedagainstthesideofthecapsulewithhurricaneforce.Secondslater,you’veleftEarth’satmosphere.

Arecordedmessagecomeson:“Congratulations.YouaretheperfectweightforourMarsexplorer.We’llbemonitoringyourtripandwillbringyoubackinapproximatelytwentyyears—withaplusorminusten-yearmarginoferrorincasesomethinggoeswrong.Butdonotworry.Nothingcangowrong…gowrong…gowrong.”

THEEND

“Whatdoyoumeanthemagicnumbercouldsavemylife?”youaskMadameZeno.Butthefortune-tellerdoesn’tanswer.Shestaresoffintospace.Sheseemstohavefallenintoadeeptrance.

Youdon’treallybelieveher—thesefortune-tellersareallfakes,butyoumemorizethenumberanyway.1–3–2,1–3–2.Ipickedredinsteadofblue,youchanttohelpyouremember.

MadameZenoputsthecardbackinthedeck.Shecloseshereyesandwavesyouawaywithherjeweledhand.

Youguessthefortune-tellingisover,soyouleavethetenttosearchforPattyandBrad.

Yousquintunderthebrightlightsofthemidway,scanningallthegamebooths.Butyoucan’tfindthem.

You’retryingtofigureoutwhichwaytogowhenyouspotBigAlcomingtowardyou.He’snotalone.He’sleadingalargegroupofpeople.Astheycomecloser,youhearthattheyarechantingsomething.Whatisit?

“PLAYORPAY.PLAYORPAY.”

Whatdoesthatmean?

TurntoPAGE16tofindout.

Awaveofpanicwashesoveryouasthewallscrumblearoundyou.Youthrowyourarmsoveryourheadandcloseyoureyes.

Thensilence.Theshakingstops.

Whenyouopenyoureyes,theroomandallthecostumedpeoplehavevanished.Andyouareoutside—intheridesarea!ButthebiggestsurpriseofallisthatyouspotPattyandBrad!

“Boy,amIgladtoseeyou,”yousay,racingovertothem.“Wherehaveyouguysbeen?”

Bradshakeshishead.“Youwouldn’tbelievetherideswewereon!”

“We’vegottogetoutofherebeforemidnight,”yousay.Quickly,youtellyourfriendsaboutthewarningfromtheladywiththeredparasol.

“Noproblem,”Pattysays.“Look.I’msuretheexitisrightovertherepastthatridecalledtheHalloftheMountainKing.”

“No,it’sthatway—nearthesignthatsays‘HalloweenExpress,’”Bradinsists.

Whichwaydoyouthinkistherightway?

HalloweenExpress?ThenturntoPAGE108.

MountainKing?ThenturntoPAGE107.

Youareabouttoscream.Itseemsliketheonlysensiblethingtodo.

Andthenyourememberthesign.

ReptilePettingZoo.

Youhaveanidea.It’sacrazyidea,youknow.Buteverythinginthiscarnivaliscrazy.

Youcanfeelthealligator’shotbreathonyourarm.Butinsteadofpullingyourarmback,youstretchitout!

“Whatareyoudoing?”Pattyscreams.

Yourfingersreachout.Outoverthealligator’sopensnouttothetopofhishead.

Andyoupethim.

“Nicealligator,”youpurrasyoustrokehisscalyhead.

Yourarmtrembles,butyoudon’tstop.Andslowly—veryslowly—thecreature’smouthbeginstoshut.

Thenherollsoverandfallsasleep!

Youslipquietlyoffthelog,chargefortheshore—andplowrightintoBigAl!

“Well,well,well.Lookwhowehavehere,”BigAlsingsout.“Comewithme.It’stimeforTheFinalChallenge.”

Youhavenochoice.FollowBigAltoPAGE84.

You’respinningroundandround.Everythingisablur.Youcan’tsee,butyouhearthecrowdchanting,“FI-NAL!FI-NAL!FI-NAL!”

Andthenthewheelstops.

Ahugegaspescapesfromtheaudience.

Didyouwinorlose?

Neither.YoustoppedonSPINAGAIN.

GobacktoPAGE25andspinagain.

Thegiantloomsoveryou.He’sastallasthetreeoutsideyourhouse—andalotmeaner.Hishugelipspartandhesays,“Youhurtmyfeelings.”

Thenhebeginstocry.

“Iamnotawimp.Iamnot,”hesaysbetweenhugesobs.

Hesurelookslikeawimp.

TurntoPAGE98.

You’refalling…falling…everythingpassesasifyou’redroppinginslowmotion.Isthis…

THEEND?

Yes.

Thetracksstretchupsohighthattheyseemtotouchtheclouds.Yourgazefollowsoneofthecarsspeedingaroundasharpcurve.Itlookslikethespaceshuttle.Younoticethatithasasafetyharnessthatlocksoveryourbody—you’veseenthosebefore.Theykeepyouinwhentherideturnsupsidedown.Youdidn’twanttoadmititbefore,but,likeBrad,ridingupsidedownisnotyourfavoritething.

Still,thecoasterdoeslookamazing—onepartentersatunnel—andyoucanseethatthecarsgofast.ReallyFast!

You’rejustabouttowalkthroughtheSpaceCoastergatewhenyouhearspookyorganmusiccomingfrombehindyou.Youturnaround.Loominginthedistanceisadarkandcreepyhauntedhouse.

Yougazedownatyourmap.It’scalledtheHouseofHorrors.Hmmm.Youlovehauntedhouses.Andthisonereallylooksscary.

Nowyou’renotsurewhattodo.Youwon’thavetimeforeverything.Thecoasterorthehauntedhouse?Decidenow.

IfyoudecidetojoinPattyandBradontheSpaceCoaster,getonboardonPAGE26.

IfyouwanttogototheHouseofHorrorsalone,gotoPAGE64.

“Comeon!”Pattycries.“Comeon!”

Then,withoutanotherword,sheracesoff.YouandBraddashafterher.

IhopePattyknowswhatshe’sdoing,youthinkasyoutrytocatchup.Becauserightnow,itdoesn’tlookthatway.

Pattyleadsyouthroughamazeofundergroundpassageways.Then,justasyou’reabouttoyell,“Stop!”—shedoes.Andyoufindyourselfstandingoutside,infrontofabarbed-wirefence!

Upahead,youspotanopening.

“Let’sgoin!”Pattysays.

Thethreeofyoucreepthroughthefenceandtrudgethroughsometall,wetgrass.Yougazearound.It’swaytoodarktosee.

Butyoucanhearperfectly.Andthesoundsthatreachyourearsmakeyourskincrawl.

Slithering.Youdefinitelyhearslithering.

Andhissing.

Youwanttoleave.Youspinaround,butyoucan’tfindtheopeninginthefence!Youdoseesomethingelse.Asign!

HurrytoPAGE60.

ThewheelstopsonFREESPIN.Youarereadytotryagain.Butthedumbparrotfliesoverandlatchesontoyourshoulder.

“Ouch!Thathurts,”youcry.

“Freespin,freespin,you’regoingonafreespin.”

“Turnmeloose,”youcommand.Whenyouswivelyourheadtoglareatthebird,ascreamfreezesinyourthroat.Theparrothasballoonedintoanenormousvulture.Hisblack,beadyeyespiercerightthroughyou.Hedigshisrazor-sharpclawsdeeperintoyourshoulder.

Run!—youreverysurvivalinstinctshouts.Butthebirdofpreyhasotherideas.Oneofthemisdinner—withyouasthemaincourse.

Thebigbirdsnatchesyoubythebackofyourshirtasifyouwerearagdoll.Kickingandscreamingandusingeverydefensivemoveyoulearnedfromkarateclass,youstruggleforyourlife.Butit’snouse.Withajerkheliftsyouofftheground.

Andsuddenlyyouhaveafrighteningviewofthecarnivalfromtwentyfeet…thirtyfeet…fiftyfeetup.

FlyontoPAGE50.

Thummp,thump,thump.Yourheartbangsloudlyinsideyourchest.Whatkindofcarnivalisthis,youwonder,whereafreespinismorelikeadeathsentence?

Youcircleagreenclumpoftreetops.You’rereallydizzynow.Youwanttocloseyoureyes.Butyouknowit’snotagoodidea—sinceyou’reflyingfiftyfeethighwithoutaplaneoraparachute.

Asyoucircleclosertothetreetops,youaremetwithahorrifyingview.Fivebabyvulturesinanest,fiveveryhungrybabies,withmouthsgapingwideopen.

Theendisnear.Youaregoingtowindupasatake-homedinner.Unlessyoucansomehowforcethevulturetoletyougo.Frantically,youreachintoyourpockets!

Ifyou’vewonachocolatebaratoneoftheGamesofChance,gotoPAGE76.

Ifyouhaven’t,gotoPAGE115.

Youcan’ttakeonbothmonsters,soyoudecidetowaituntiloneofthemleavestheroom.

YougrabholdofDr.Stone’shand.He’salotstrongerthanhelooks.Withonesmalltug,hepullsyoufreeoftheweb.

Thenheturnstothemonsters.“Okay,”hebarks.“Adjustthenet.It’stimetopracticespiking.”

Spiking?Whatdoeshemeanbythat?

Themonstersleapup.Theyrubtheirhandstogetherinevildelight.Thentheyuntiethenetandheadtothebackoftheroom,wheretwohugepolesrestonthefloor.

Youcloseyoureyes—andhopethatwhenyouopenthem,you’llseethatthiswasalladream.Areallybaddream.

Butwhenyouopenyoureyes,youknowit’snotadream.No—it’savolleyballgame.Thenethasbeentiedtothepoles—andguesswhatpositionyouplay?That’sright.You’retheball!Watchoutforthosetwo-handedspikes!Theycanbeprettypainful!

THEEND

Justastheclockstrikestwelve,thetrainentersatunnel.

Youholdyourbreath,wonderingwhatyou’llseewhenyoureachtheotherend.

Chug.Chug.Chug.

Thechoo-chooslowlypullsoutofthetunnel—andyouaresurroundedbycarnivalworkers—everywhere!

ChugtoPAGE24.

Oh,no!Youthinkthespaceladyguessedright!Nowwhat’sgoingtohappen?

Thetwoguardsshoveyouintothespacechamber.

It’saclear,narrowtubethatrisesfartherupthanyoucansee.

Asthedoorslamsshutbehindyou,oneoftheguardsbarks,“Getonthescale!”

Youstepuponthescale—anditshowsjusthowrightthespacelady’sguesswas.

Youpressthechamber-doorrelease,butit’sstuck.

Youtryagain.Itdoesn’tbudge.

Maybeit’slockedfromtheoutside.

“Hey!Ican’tgetout!”youyelltotheguards.Buttheysimplywave.

“Hey,letmeout!”Nowyou’remad.“Letmeout!”

Allatoncetheroomstartstoshakeandrattle.RRRRRRRR.Thethrustofpowerfulrocketenginesechoesinyourears.Itsoundsasifyou’rebeinglaunchedintospace.Butthat’simpossible,isn’tit?

GotoPAGE40.

YourHalloweenExpresscarpullsupinfrontofacottageandthecottagedooropenswithacreak.Youalljerkyourheadsuptopeeratthedoor.Youseeaskeletonwearinganevilsmile.Andhelungesrightforyou!

“Trickortreat!”hescreeches.Thenhestretchesouthisbonyhandstosnatchyou!

Youpoundonthegaspedal,andthecarshootsforward—outoftheskeleton’sgrasp!

Yourheartbeginstoraceasthecarspeedsoutofcontrol.Youtearthroughaneerieforest,speedpastmorecottages—butstillyoudon’tseeawayout.

Andthenitcomesintoview—aserviceexit!

Allyouhavetodoisstopthecar,jumpout,andscramblethroughthefence,andyou’llbefree.

Youcheckyourwatch—fiveminutestomidnight!

“Oh,no!”Pattyscreams.“Quick,turnleft!Don’tstop!”

Turnleft!AndgotoPAGE83.

They’redummies.That’swhytheydon’tmove!

“They’vegottobeheresomewhere,”youhearBigAl’svoiceboomoutsidethetent.

“Hey!ThisdummylooksjustliketheoneinthatGOOSEBUMPSbook,”Pattysays.

“YoumeanNightoftheLivingDummy?”Bradasks.

Great!youthink.Yourfriendsarechattingaboutbooksminutesbeforeyou’reabouttobeattackedbyamob.Thenyougetanidea.

“Rememberthosemagicwordsthatbroughtthedummytolifeinthatbook?”youaskyourfriends.“Maybewecanbringthisguytolifeandhe’llhelpus—hewasprettytough.”

Yourfriendsagree—it’sworthatry.

Ifyouthinkthewordsarekarrumarriodonnalomamolonukarrano,gotoPAGE69.

Ifyouthinkthewordsareoooopahlupahdummiedupah,gotoPAGE82.

Youleapoutoftheboat.Theputridbrownwatersplashesintoyourmouth.Gross!

Youswimafewstrokesandsuddenlyfindyourkneesscrapingthebottomofthebog.Thewaterhereislessthanafootdeep.Unbelievable!Youwerepracticallyinchesawayfromsafetytheentiretime!

Sloggingthroughthebrownfoam,youwadetoshore.Yourclothesaredrippingwetandsmelllikeasewer.Well,lookatthebrightside,youremindyourself.Atleastyoudidn’tgodownwithyourboat.

Butyourtroublesaren’toveryet.You’restandinginadank,eerieforestthatsurroundsthelake.Creepyscreechesechothroughthenightmist.Andyou’retotallylost.

Thewindstartstoblow.Shivering,youwrapyourarmsaroundyourshouldersandwonderwhereyourfriendsareandwhattheyaredoing.

Then—POW!Somethingblackandfurryswoopsdownatyou!Youduckyourhead,butitcomesatyouagainandagain.

Ahugebat!

TurntoPAGE37.

Youopenthebluedoorandpeerthrough.You’restaringdownalongdarkpassageway.Atleastyouthinkit’slong.It’sdifficulttotell.It’spitch-black.Youdon’tknowwhattodo.

“MaybeIshouldhavepickedtheotherdoor,”yousaytoyourself.“I’mgettingoutofhere!”

Butthebluedoorhaslockedbehindyou!Nowyou’resureyoumadethewrongchoice.Butthere’snowheretogobutforward.

Yourkneesbegintotrembleasyouinchyourwaydownthedarkhallway.

Thepassageendsinabrightburstoflight.Andinfrontofyou,atallpurplemountainriseshundredsoffeetintotheair.

Youbreatheoutalongsighofrelief.You’reoutofthedark!

Youstudythemountain.Itlookssoreal!Butcutintoitsside,youspotadoorway.Aboveitabrightlypaintedsignreads:DOOMSLIDE.WILLYOUBETHE

ONETOSLIDEFOREVER?

TurntoPAGE135.

Steelbarsplungedownfromaboveanddropacrossyourlapandchest,pinningyouinplace.Youcan’tmoveatall.Evenyourheadisheldbysuperstrongheadphonesthatclampoveryourears.Avoicecomesthroughthemannouncing:“Five,four,three,two,one,BLASTOFF!”

Youhearahugebang.Smokeandfireworksfilltheairasyourcarstartsupthefirstbighill.Yourheadpressesbackagainsttheseatasyouclimbhigherandhigher.Thatfirsthillisendless,buttheviewisawesome.Fromthetop,youcanseethemidway,thehauntedhouse,andashadowyswamp.Youcan’tbelievehowbigthecarnivalis!

“Neat!”Pattyyells.“There’sAHHHH—”

Whatevershewasgoingtosayturnsintoawildscreamastherocketplungesdowntheothersideofthehill.Thewindwhipsatyourface.Youarepressedbacksohard,youfeellikeapancake.Everythingpassesinafantasticblur.

Asyourcarshootsuptothetopofthenexthill,you’relaughingandscreamingatthesametime.Thisisgreat,youthink!Butthenyoumakeabigmistake.

TurntoPAGE39.

Blueisyourfavoritecolor.Youturnthebluecardover.

Thereisamessage:Helpus!Youareouronlyhope.Hurrytothebackdoorofthefreakshow.Signed,TheFreaks.

“Whatdoesthismean?”youaskMadameZeno.Shestaresdeepintoyoureyes.Herlipstremble.Sheleansforward.She’sabouttospeak.

Andthenthelightsgoout—andablood-curdlingscreamripsthroughthedark!

Youstarttoboltforthedoorwhenadimlightsuddenlyflickers.Youstareacrossthetable.MadameZenoisgone!

Youreachouttotakethecard.Anditburstsintored-hotflames!Inseconds,theentiretentfillswiththicksmoke.Flamesshootacrossthefloor.Yourunforthedoor.

Outside,yougulpthefreshair.Whew!Youmadeit.

Youglanceback.Nosmoke.Nofire.Notent!Everythinghasdisappeared!Whatshouldyoudonow?

Ifyoudecidetohelpthefreaks,gotoPAGE11.

Ifyoudon’twanttohelpthefreaks,gotoPAGE113.

“There’sasign!”youcallouttoPattyandBrad.“Let’sseewhatitsays.”

Thethreeofyouracethroughthewetgrass.Yoursocksaredrenched.Andyoursneakerssqueakasyourun.Butthat’snotthesoundthat’ssendingchillsdownyourspine.

It’sthehissing.It’sgrowinglouder.

“I’mnotsureIwanttoreadthatsign,”youcallouttoPattyandBrad.

“Iknowwhatyoumean!”Pattyshoutsback.“Ihaveafeelingwe’renotgoingtolikewhatitsays.”

Andyoudon’t.Youreachthesignandreaditaloud.“ReptilePettingZoo!WhoeverheardofaReptilePettingZoo!Whatkindofcarnivalisthisanyway?”

“Thiscarnivalise-evil,”Bradstammers.

You’reabouttoagreewhenyounoticethegrassinfrontofyouisswaying.Somethingisslitheringthroughit.Somethingbig.Andthenitcomesintoview.

“Snake!”Bradcries.

Youknowyouhavetorun—butwhichway?Leftorright?

Ifyouruntotheleft,turntoPAGE125.

Ifyouruntotheright,turntoPAGE12.

You’retooscaredtoturnaround.Andtooscarednotto.Riskingaglanceoveryourshoulder,youseealarge,darkshapebehindyou.It’sabigman.No.Yousquinthard.It’sdarkandhairywithmuddyleavesandgreenvinestrailingfromitsbody.It’ssomesortofswampmonster!

Yourunasfastasyoucan.Yourchestisonfire.Theswampmonsterisgainingonyou.

Youknowyoushouldkeeprunning,butyourheartfeelsasifit’sabouttoexplode.Youhavetostop.

Youturnandstarerightintotheswampmonster’sbloodyeyes.“Neatcostume,”yousayhopefully.

Goodtry—buttheswampmonsterisn’twearingacostume.He’srealandthis,unfortunately,isreally…

THEEND

YoudecidetowaitforBigAl.

“BigAlhastofreethefreaks,”yousaytoPattyandBrad.“Ifhedoesn’t,we’lltellhimwe’recallingthepolice!”

“Freethefreaks?”BigAlsays,burstingintotheroom.“Thefreaksarefreetogoanytime.Thisprisonisjustpartoftheshow.Didyoupullthat‘freeus’jokeonhim?”BigAllaughsheartily.

“He’sssslying,”theSnakeLadysays.“We’reprisonersssss.”

“Oh,comenow,”BigAlsays.“You’renotprisoners.”Andwiththatheunlocksallthecelldoors.Thenheturnstoyouandyourfriends.

“Asyoucansee,thefreaksarefree.Now,comewithme.Youhaven’teventriedonegameonthemidway.”

“Don’tgowithhim.It’sssssatrick!”theSnakeLadycries.

ShouldyougowithBigAl?

Who’stellingthetruth?AlortheSnakeLady?

IfyouwanttogowithAl,turntoPAGE84.

IfyoutrusttheSnakeLady,turntoPAGE102.

Bump.

Achuteopensup.Youlandheadfirstonsoftgrass.

Youblinkseveraltimes.Alongsighescapesfromyourlips.Itwasn’ttheDoomSlideafterall.

Asyouclimbtoyourfeetyouhearsomeonecallyourname.

Youglanceupandshoutforjoy.It’sBrad!AndPatty’sthere,too!

Youtellthemaboutyourscaryrideontheslide—abouthowyouthoughtyou’dslideforever.

“Cool!”Pattyexclaims.“Let’sallrideitthistime!”

“No!”youtellher.“Thiscarnivalistooweird.Anddangerous.Something’snotright.Wehavetogetoutofhere.Now!”

“Yeah,”Bradagrees.“Thefaster,thebetter.”

“Ihaveanidea,”Pattyannounces.YouandBradhuddlearoundher.“Ispottedabackwayoutofhere.Butit’salittlerisky.Wehavetosqueezethroughabarbed-wirefence—andit’sguardedbythecarnival’ssecurityforces.Butweshouldtry!”

AreyougoingtolistentoPatty?

FollowPatty?TurntoPAGE48.

Youchoosenottotakethebackwayout?GotoPAGE86.

TheHouseofHorrors!Youhavetoseeit.Youjusthaveto!

“I’llcatchupwithyouguyslater,”youcalltoPattyandBrad.“I’mgoingtocheckoutthehauntedhouse.”

Youglancedownatyourmapfordirections.Thericketywoodenbridgeovertoyourleftappearstoleadstraightthere.

Asyoustartacrossthebridge,thewoodenplankscreakunderyourfeet.Thenthebridgebeginstosway.Youlookdown.Waydown.Thebridgespansadeep,rockygorge.Gulping,yougrabthehandrail.Youmoveslowly.Astrongwindblowsupfromthecanyonbelow.Thebridgeisswayingwildlynow,tossingfromsidetoside.

Amassivespearoflightningsplitsthesky.Thunderrumblessoloudlyyoujumpandloseyourbalance.“Help!”youscreamasyoutumblerightovertheside—andplungetowardthejaggedrocksbelow!

Howcanyousaveyourself?

Makeagrabforthesideofthebridge?TurntoPAGE46.

Flapyourarmsandtrytofly?TurntoPAGE30.

Thewallsareclosinginfasternow.

Youthrowyourarmsoutandtrytopushthemaway.Butit’shopeless.You’regoingtobecrushedlikeabug.

Yousuckinadeepbreath—itcouldbethelastbreathyoutake.

Theflooropensbeneathyourfeet!

Youdropdown.Down.Down.Down.Along,agonizingscreamescapesfromyourthroatasyoutumblethroughspace.

Willyoueverhitbottom?

“Incomingplayer,”youhearacommandingvoiceshout.“Stations,everybody.”

Alayerofwebbingcatchesyoulikeoneofthosenetstrapezeartistsuse.Gasping,unabletounderstandwhat’shappening,youbounceupanddown.

BouncetoPAGE31.

YoustartupthebrickpathtotheHouseofHorrors.Suddenly,someonesneaksupbehindyouandtapsyouontheshoulder.Youspinaroundandjumpback.

Standinginfrontofyouisabonyskeleton.

Andittalks.

“Don’tgointhere,”theskeletonsays.“Oryou’llenduplikeme….”

Youstareinterroratthehideouscreature.Thenyouburstoutlaughing.

“Wow!Youguysreallywanttomakethehauntedhousetotallycreepy.Thisisgoingtobegreat!”yousay.

You’restillchucklingasyoupushopenthegiantoakdooroftheHouseofHorrors.Itswingsbackwithalong,loudcreak.

Youstepinsideandfindyourselfinanarrowhallway.Thedoorslamsshutbehindyouandthehallturnsdarkerthanastarlessnight.“Ican’tevenseemyhands!”youexclaim.

Youstumbleaheadslowly,pressingyourpalmsagainstthewallstoguideyou.

Whenwillthistunnelend?

LookforawayoutonPAGE80.

Thrumpff!Yourfootplowsintothedoctor’sstomachagain.Butthistime,itsmashesrightthroughit.Andhits…solidsteel!

Thecrunchofmetalechoesintheroom—alongwiththedoctor’sscreams.“Aiiii!”hewailslikeasiren.

Yougazeintothegapingholeyoursneakermade.Thousandsofcircuitsandwiresburnandcrackleinsideit.Thedoctorisarobot!Well,anex-robotnow.Yourkicktotallydestroyedhim.

That’sthegoodnews.

Thebadnewsisheadedforyou.It’sthemonsterwiththebluehornsandred,bulgingeyes.

Youscrambleoutofthenetanddashtowardthedoor.Butthemonsteristooquickforyou.Histentaclearmsshootoutandsnatchyou.Giantsuckersattheendsofhiswristscircleyourthroat.

Yougaspforairasthemonsterpinsyouagainstthewall.Canyoufreeyourselffromhisoozinggrasp?

Try,onPAGE91.

Youslowlyloweryourselfontotheslide.Youstarttostretchoutyourlegswhenthebottomtiltsunderneathyouandthrowsyouforward.You’resliding!Fast!

Thesurfacemustbemadeofsomekindofspecialmaterialbecauseyou’rezoomingdownattopspeed.

Youholdyourbreathasyouflythroughtheblackness.Abumpsendsyoubouncingintotheair.Youscream.Andscream.

Whenisitgoingtoend?

Oh,no!CouldthisbetheDoomSlide?

Youhearscreamsechointhedarkness.Youtwistaround.Butyoudon’tseeanyone.

Theghostlyscreamsgrowlouder—infrontofyou,nexttoyou,behindyou.Screamingandsliding.Andsliding.Neverstopping.

Yougaspforbreath.Andthenyouhearit.

Avoicecutsthroughtheblackness.Throughthescreams.Avoicethatcries,“Welcometotherestofyourlife.WelcometotheDoomSlide!”

THEEND

“Karrumarriodonnalomamolonukarrano.”Yousaythemagicwordsand—thedummycomestolife!

Heopenshismouthandspeaks.“Hey,you.YourfaceremindsmeofawartIoncehadremoved.”

“Comeon,”youplead.“We’retheoneswhobroughtyoubacktolife.Aren’tyougoingtobenicetous?Weneedyourhelp.”

“I’msorry,”thedummysays.“I’msorryyou’resougly….”Thenhelaughsathisownlamejoke.

Youstareathimandhisfacegrowsserious.“Youbroughtmetolife,”hesaysslowly,“butnowyouaremyslaves.

“Forever—until…

“THEEND.”

Wait!Thisisn’tthewaythisissupposedtoend.Quick—youhaveonelastchance.Ifthefortune-tellertoldyouasecretnumber,gotothatpagenow!

“Nine…ten…”

“Brad,shutup.Lookatthis!”

Youpointtothelettersonthefrontofthetraincar.

You’vebeenstaringatthemtheentiretime.Whydidn’tyounoticethembefore?

“Whatabouttheletters?”Pattysayssharply.

“Eleven…”

“Don’tyouseewhattheysay?”youshootback.

“‘Right-WayRailroad,’”Pattyreads.“Sowhat?”

Thechantsofthemerry-go-roundpeopleechoinyourhead.There’sonlyonerightway.There’sonlyonerightway.

Coulditbe?

“Twelve!”

Nowwhat?

TurntoPAGE52.

Sorry.It’snotyourluckyday.Asyoudashtowardthesign,thegiantcranescoopsthethreeofyouupanddropsyouoffintoahollowed-outlog.Youbarelyhavetimetositupstraightbeforethecraftreachesthewaterfall!

Youholdyourbreathasthelogteetersonthefall’sedge.Asitplungesover,youscream.

Ahardspraysmacksyouinthefaceanddrenchesyourclothingasyouracedownthelongslide.Atthebottom,theloghitsapoolofwaterandsinks.

You’restillholdingyourbreathasyouwaittobobtothesurfaceagain.Butitneverhappens.Youkeepgoingdown.

Yourlastthoughtisthatyou’regoingtosetaworld’srecordforholdingyourbreathunderwater.

You’dbettersetaworld’srecordforclosingthebookandstartingoveragain.Maybenexttimeyoudiveinyou’llhavebetterluck.

THEEND

YoustepuptotheGuessYourWeightonMarsbooth.Awomaninaspacesuitmotionsyouinsideagate.Youpassthroughandfindyourselfinthemiddleofacourtyardthatlooksjustlikeaminiaturelaunchingsite—completewithitsownrocket!

“Securitycheck,”theladysaysasshepressesyourhandontoafakescanner.

“Sohowdoesthisgamework?”youask.

“I’llguesshowmuchyouweighonMars,”sheexplains.“Thenyou’llentertheplanetsimulationchamberandstandonthescale.IfI’mstumpedbymorethanonepoundupordown,youwinagiantcandybar.”

“Whatifyouguessright?”

Thespaceladydoesn’tsayanythingatfirst.Shejustsmiles.Anastysmile.Thensheanswers.

“Youlose,”isallshesays.

GotoPAGE18.

Yourreflexesaregreat.Youjumpedoutfastenoughandescapedtheghost—thatghost.Butyoudidn’tseetheotheronebehindthecar—waitingforyou.

Yourhearthammersawayinyourchestasitcirclesyou.Aroundandaroundandaround.

“It’sallright,”youtellyourselfoverandover.“It’snotreal.Thisisjustarideinanamusementpark.”

You’restilltellingyourselfthatastheghostplucksyouoffyourfeet.

Hisblacklipspart.

Heopenshismouth—widerandwider.Untilit’saswideasanentrancetoacave.

Thenhestuffsyouinside.

Instantly,youfeellightheaded,thenlightallover.Youpeekdownatyourhands.

Youcanseestraightthroughthem.You’vebeenturnedintoaghost!Andasyoursensesfade,youhearadistantbellchimetwelvetimes.Toobad.TheCarnivalofHorrorswillbeoneofyourfavoritehaunts—forever!

THEEND

Roundandroundyougo.Theworldisablurofcolors.Youcanhearthecrowdscreaming.“FI-NAL!FI-NAL!”

Andthewheelstops.

“Ahhhhhh,”thecrowdgasps.

Whatdoesitmean?

“YOUWIN,”BigAlsays.“Nowcomethiswaytocollectyourprizeandgohome.”

TurntoPAGE131.

ThethreeofyouduckinsidetheHalloftheMountainKing!

Apaintedbackdropofrounded,snowcappedmountainsrisesonyourleft.Upinthemountains,abigstonecastlerestsinthesunshine.Agroupofcheerfulelvespicksflowersinthecastle’sgarden.

Toyourright,youspottheride—woodencartspulledbyrealhorses.“Comeon!”youcalltoyourfriends.“Jumpinacart.Thisisgreat.We’llbeoutofhereinnotime.”Notime—thatremindsyou.Youglanceatyourwatch.11:45!

Youallscrambleintooneofthecartsandgrabthereins.Yourhorseplodsforward,andyoupassthroughapaintedstonearchway.

Yougasp.Everythinginthepaintedbackdropisnowinfrontofyou.Andithassuddenlybecomereal.Butdifferent!

Thesnowcappedmountainsrisetoblack,jaggedpeaksthatpiercethesky.Thebigstonecastlehuddlesonascary,darkhill.Andtheelves—theyaren’tpickingflowers.

They’re…

TurntoPAGE96.

Youdigdeepintothesidepocketofyourjeans—andfindit!Thechocolatebaryouwon.

It’sagoodthingyoudidn’teatitall—butwillthevulturegoforit?

Withoutwarning,thebigbirdstartshisfinalapproach,divingstraightforthenest.Youpulloutthecandyandwaveitfranticallyinfrontofhim.“Treat!Treat!”youholler.Thesewordsmakeyourdogathomegowild.Butwillitworkonthevulture?

Yes!Hecracksopenhisclaws—justenoughforyoutowiggleloose.Thenyou’refalling,falling.

You’velandedonagianttrampoline.

Fwanggg!

Nowyou’regoingupagain.Higherthistime.Nowyou’refallingagain.

Fwanggg—you’vebouncedupevenhigherthistime.

Everylifehasitsupsanddowns,butitlooksasifyou’llbebouncingupanddownforever—andboy,isitfun!

THEEND!THEEND!THEEND!THEEND!

“Let’sheadforthemidwayandplaysomegames!”yousay.

You,Patty,andBradjogdownawideavenue.Tentsofeverycolorlinethestreet.Carnivalmusicblaresfromloudspeakers.

Youspotagreenneonsignflashingaboveayellow-stripedtent.Thesignreads:MADAMEZENO—FORTUNE-TELLER.

“Excellent!”youexclaim.“I’mgoingin!”

Youtellyourfriendsyou’llcatchupwiththeminaminute.

Youliftthetentflap.Inside,onesmallcandleflickersinthedark.Youhearalowvoicecallout,“Entermychamber.”

ThereisMadameZeno,sittingintheshadows.Shewearsalongreddressdottedwithbrightlycoloredgems.Theyshimmerinthecandlelight.Herblackhairtumblestohershouldersasshebendsoveralargecrystalball.

“Welcome,”shewhispers.Thenshereachesoutandgentlyliftsyourhand.“Letmetellyouyourfuture.”

Tofindyourfuture,gotoPAGE78.

MadameZenostudiesyourhandclosely.Shetracesthelinesinyourhandwithhersoftfingers.

“Iseehorrorinyourfuture.Inyourimmediatefuture,”shewarns.

“Wh-whatkindofhorror?”youstammer.“Whatdoyoumean?”

MadameZenoreleasesyourhand.Shepicksupastrangedeckofcards.Shespreadsthemoutonthetable.Younoticethecardshavepictures—aheadlessman,abloodysword,alarge,evileye.

Shegathersupallthecardsandflipsthedeckover.Thenshedealsoutaredcardandabluecard.

“Turnoneover,”shecommands.“Learnyourfate.”

Pickred?GotoPAGE14.

Pickblue?GotoPAGE59.

Thedoctorleansover.He’ssoclosenow,hissourbreathfillsyournostrils.Thenhisfingertipsbrushyourhandand—POW!Yourfootfliesintohisstomach!Adirecthit!

Butnothinghappens.

Hedoesn’tscream.Hedoesn’tevenmoan.Infact,hedoesn’tseemtonoticeatall.

Hesimplysmilesatyou.

Nowyou’rescared.Reallyscared.Butyouknowyouhavetodowhateverittakestogetoutofthere.YouhavetofindyourfriendsandescapefromthisCarnivalofHorrors.

Yougatherupeveryounceofcourageandstrengthyouhave—andkickhimoncemore.Harder!

Andthistimesomethingdoeshappen—BIGTIME!

TurntoPAGE67tofindoutwhat.

Youturnacornerandareinstantlyblindedbyglaringlights.

Youarestandinginaroomofmirrors.Walls.Floor.Ceiling.Allmirrors!

Everywhereyougaze,youaremetwithreflectionsofyourself!Youtakeafewstepsforwardand—BONK!Youhityourheadonsolidglass.

Youmoveonesteptotheleft,andadozencopiesofyoumoveinthatdirection.

Totallydizzy,youcloseyoureyes.Maybeyoucanfindtheexitwithyourhands.Keepingyoureyesshut,youwalkuntilyourpalmshitagainstanotherglasswall.Thenyouhearavoice.“Comethisway.Overhere,”itcalls.

Youwalktowardthevoice—BONK—asolidwallagain.

Finally,yourhandsfindanopendoorway!Itleadstoamirroredhallwaythatgoesleftandright.Whichwaywillyougo?

Ifyoudecidetoturnright,gotoPAGE29.

Ifyoudecidetoturnleft,gotoPAGE118.

“You’relying!”youyell.“Youarearobot.”

Youquicklyreachupwithbothhandsandtugathishead.Hissharpjawsslashatyou.Butyou’refast.Youholdonfirmlyandpull!

Oh,no!Hereallyisamonster.Andhe’snothappy.

Youknowyou’redeadmeat,butyouhavetotryonemoretime.Justtomakesure.Yougivehisheadonemoretug.Helaughs.Thenhegivesyourheadatug.

Sorry.Youweredoingsowell.Butnowyou’vegoneandlostyourhead.Theonlywayyou’llbeabletofacethechallengeoftheCarnivalofHorrorsnowistoclosethebookandbeginanotherday.Atleastthen—you’llhaveaheadstart.

THEEND

“Oooopahlupahdummiedupah.”Yousaythemagicwordsandwaitforthedummytospringtolife.

Andyouwait.

Andyouwait.

Thedummyremainsthesame.

Butsomethingstrangeishappeningtoyou.Whatarethosefeatherssproutingoutofyourskin?Andwhat’shappeningtoyourfeet?Arethoseclawsyouseegrowingoutofthem?

Isitpossiblethatthemagicwordsareturningyou—CLUCK—intoa—CLUCK—chicken?

That’seggs-actlywhat’shappening.

Well,youlaidaneggthistime.Let’shopeyouwon’tbetoochickentoopenthisbookagainandtryoncemoretoescapefromtheCarnivalofHorrors.

THEEND

Yousquinthardattheroadaheadofyou—andseewhyPattywantsyoutoturn.Theretheyare—thepeopleintheold-fashionedclothes.Onlytheydon’tlookthesame.

Somehavegreenflesh.Somearedeathlywhite.Theirrottingskinhangsfromtheirbones.

Andthey’reallreachingout.Reachingoutforyou!

“Turn!Turn!”Pattyyells.

Youspinthewheelsharplytothelefttoavoidthem.Butyoucan’tdodgetheghostlycreaturethat’srisingaboveyou.He’stenfeettall—witharmssolongthattheyscrapetheground.Hismouthgapesopentorevealhundredsofblackened,rottingteeth.

Heswoopsdownatyou.Youturnthesteeringwheelhardtotheright.Toohard—itcomesoffinyourhands!

“Jump!”youcry.“Jumpandrun!Run!”

Thethreeofyouleapoutofthemovingcar.Butareyoufastenough?Thatdependsonhowgoodyourreflexesare.

Trythistestandfindout.Throwaballintheair.Trytoclapthreetimesbeforeyoucatchit.

Ifyoucandoit—turntoPAGE73.

Ifyoucouldn’t—turntoPAGE127.

BigAlshovesyouandyourfriendsintoahugeredtent.Itseemstobesetupforsomekindofshow.Redcarpetedstepsleaduptoaplatform,whichsitsunderagoldenarch.Thearchtwinkleswithathousandcoloredlightsthatspellout:FINALCHALLENGE.

Trumpetsblastaspeoplefloodintotheviewingarea.Astheymarchin,theyclaptheirhandsandyell,“FI-NAL.FI-NAL.”

BigAlleadsyouupthecarpetedsteps.Youarestandingontheplatformnow—infrontofashimmeringcurtainthathangsdownfromthearch.

Thecrowdbeginstochant,“SUD-DENDEATH.SUD-DENDEATH.”

“Whatdoyouthinkthatmeans?”Pattyasks.

You’regoingtofindoutonPAGE123.

Thegianthangsoveryou,flexinghismuscles.Hesquintsatyouasifyouareabug—readytobesquashed.

“Didyoucallmeawimp?”hethunders.

Youaremuchtooscaredtoanswer.

Thegiantanswersforyou.“You’reright.Iamawimp!”

Andwiththat,hebendsthebars,andyou,Patty,andBradscramblethrough.

“Followme,”thegiantsays.“Iknowawayoutofhere.”

“Whatabouttheothers?”youask,pointingtothefreaksinthecellsthatlinethewall.

“Noproblem!”Pattyyells,grabbingthekeysfromahookonthewall.“Here—catch!”

Youquicklyunlockallthedoors—settingthefreaksfree!

TurntoPAGE126.

“Idon’tknow,”yousay.“Idon’tthinkweshouldtakeanymorerisks.Especiallynotinthiscrazycarnival.”

“Don’tyoutrustme?”Pattydemands.Hereyesflashangrily.

YouglanceatBrad.Hestaresattheground.

“Ijusthaveabadfeelingaboutthis,Patty.Okay?”

ButPattydoesn’tanswer.Shethrowshershouldersbackandstandsuptaller.Andtaller.Andtaller.

Yougasp!Pattyisgrowing!She’snearlytenfeettall!

Shereachesoutalongarmandgrabsyoubythewrist.Hernailsdigdeepintoyourskin.

Youcan’tmove.

YouscreamasPattycontinuestochange.Herskinturnsgreenandlumpy.Hornssproutfromherhead.Andherteethgrowintosharpfangs.

Yourememberthehorriblemonstersonthewallsoftheslide.Pattyhasturnedintooneofthem!

“Letmego.Please!”youplead.

“Toobadyoudidn’ttrustme,”shegrowls.“Ican’thaveyouruiningmyplans.”Hernailssinkdeeperintoyourflesh.

“Ha-ha-ha!”shecackles.Thenshewrapsherslimymoutharoundyourarmandbitesdown.Hard!

THEEND

You’restaringatasignthatreads:WORLD’SFREAKIESTFREAKSHOW!Thethreeofyougapeatthepictures.

There’stheThree-HeadedManwiththeugliestcollectionoffacesyou’veeverseen.AndtheSnakeLady—ayoungblondgirlwithabeautifulfaceandthebodyofaslitheringsnake.

“Thisis,uh—uh—”youstarttosay.Butyoudon’tfinish.Becausealargehandhascomedownonyourshoulder.Hard.

Youslowlyturnandgazeupatahugemanwithshoulderswiderthanarefrigerator.Hehascoal-blackeyeswithathickmustachetomatch.Helooksstrongenough—andmeanenough—topitchyouoverthefencewithonehand.

“Whatareyoudoing?”hisdeepvoicebooms.“You’renotallowedinhere,”hesays,pointingdirectlyatyou.

“We’resorry,”yousay,hopingyouappearsorryandnotjustscared.“Wewantedtolookaround.That’sall.Butwe’llleave.Rightnow.”

Hiseyesstareintoyours.Heclampsbothhandsdownonyourshouldersandsays,“You’renotgoinganywhere!”

Uh-oh.Quick!BetterturntoPAGE4.

YouheadtowardtheBoatTriptoNowhere.Atthedock,youspotastubbyguywithlongarmsslouchingagainstoneofthemooringposts.Inthestrangelightoftheswamp,hisskinshineswithanoily,greenglow.Andhisearsandnoseareascraggyastreebark.

“Steprightup,”hecallsinagravellyvoice.

Hepullsoneofthemotorboatsover.It’sredwithasilverracingstripe!“Youcandofifteenknotsinthesebabies,”hesays.“Butstayawayfromthetreestumps.”

Youwatchthelittleman’ssharpgreenfingernailstearingthemooringropeapart.Assoonastheboatisfree,youjumpin,steponthegas,androarawayfromthedock.

Thewindblowshardagainstyourface.You’reflyingoverthewater.Thisistotallycool!Youheadforachannelthatyouseeupahead.Toobadyoudidn’tnoticethatsignthatreads:TOBOOGERBOG.

EnterthebogonPAGE32.

Dr.Stoneextendsalongbonyhandtopullyoufromthenet.Whenyoupeerintohisface,hiseyesrollupintohishead.

“Pleasedtomeetyou,”herumbles.

Didhesay,“Pleasedtomeetyou”or“Pleasedtoeatyou”?You’renotsure,andyoudon’twanttohangaroundtofindout.

I’vegottogetoutofhere,youthink.

Asthedoctorlowershishandabitmore,youwriggleyourrightfootfreeofthenetting.Ifyougivehimonehardkickinthestomach,maybeyoucanmakearunforthedoor.

Butwhataboutthemonsters?Canyoudodgethem?

Youchangeyourmind.“I’llwait—playitcooluntilatleastoneofthebeastsleavestheroom,”yousaytoyourself.

Thenyouchangeyourmindagain.“No.I’dbettermakemyescapenow!”

Thedoctorloomsinchesaway.Andyou’restillnotsurewhattodo.You’dbetterdecidefast!

Trytokickthedoctorandrun?TurntoPAGE79.

Waituntiloneofthemonstersleavesandtheoddsarebetterthanthreeagainstone?TurntoPAGE51.

NO!

Atthelastminute,youwrenchthesteeringwheelhardtotheleft.Thesideofyourboatclearsthetreewithasickeningscrape.

Youbreatheasighofrelief,butitendsinagroan.Ahuge,sharprootbelowthewaterhasjustrippedintothebottomofyourboat.Youhearatearingsound,thengurglingasthecockpitstartstofillwithwater.

“Nowwhat?”youmutter.

Thenthroughthemistyouspotanotherboat.Butit’ssomedistanceaway.

“Hey,overhere!”youcryout.

Didtheyhearyou?Youcryoutagain.Thenyouglancebehindyou.Morethanhalfyourboatisunderwater—andyou’regoingdownfast.

Whatshouldyoudo?Keepyellingforhelp?Ortrytoswimforsafety?Makeyourchoice—QUICK!

Ifyoudecidetowaittoberescued,gotoPAGE100.

Ifyoudecidetoswimforit,gotoPAGE56.

Thered-eyedbeastleansagainstyounow,pressingyouhardagainstthewall.Themonstermoveshisfaceclosetoyours.Thejaggedhornsatthetopofhisheadnickyourcheeks.

Youcan’tbearitanymore.Youbringyourhandupwithallyourmightandshovehisheadawayfromyours.

Asyouwatchinhorror,themonster’sheadrollsoffitsneck.Theheadtumblestothefloorandlandsatyourfeet.

Theeyesglanceupatyou,andyounoticehishideouslipsmoving.“Thathurt,”theheadsays.“Thatreallyh-h-…”

Heneverfinishes.You’vedestroyedanotherrobot!

“Almostoutofhere,”youwhispertoyourself.Nowallyouhavetodoisslipbythecrusty,alligator-snoutcreatureguardingthedoor.

“Yourobotsaren’tsotough,”yousaytohimwithfakebravery.

“Oh,really?”thescalybeastcroaks.“Well,maybenot.ButwhatmakesyouthinkthatIamarobot?”

TurntoPAGE122

Youdecidetowait.Someoneshouldbeheresoon,youthink.Butafterwaitinginthespaceshuttleforatleastfifteenminutes,you’renotsosure.Noonehasshownuptorescueyou.

Achillrunsdownyourback.Youfeelasifathousandpairsofeyesarewatchingyoufromtheshadows.

Nowthatyou’reaccustomedtothedarkness,youcanseedozensoftracksleadinginandoutofthetunnel.

Andthenyouheararustlingsound.Youfreeze.Youlistenhard.Coulditberats—orsomethingworse?

Youdrawupyourkneesandwrapyourarmsaroundthemtightly.Thenyouhearahissingsound—andyousmellsomethingodd.It’skindofasweetsmell—likeheavyperfume.Youholdyournosebecausethesmellismakingyoufeelstrange.Dizzy.Sick.

HoldyourbreathandturntoPAGE20.

Whatasight!

Youcanhardlybelieveyoureyes!

Youscreamagain.

It’sPattyandBrad!

“Hey,guys,waitup!”youyell.

Quick!HurrytoPAGE26andyoucangoontheSpaceCoasterwiththem.

Theridestops.

Dead.

Youaresittinginthedark.

Nothingismoving.

“Patty!Brad!”youcall.

Silence.

Whydon’ttheyanswer?Theyhavetobethere.

Youtrytotwistaround.Butyou’relockedinyourharnessandclampedinyourheadrest.

Blinkinginthedimlight,youreyesdarttotheleft.Thentotheright.Youspotdozensofemptyspacerocketsliningthewalls.Theyseemtocomeinsections,makinglongerandshorterspacerockets.

Yourmindstartsworkingfeverishly.DidyoursectiondetachfromPattyandBrad’ssection?

Suddenly,thesilenceisshattered.Yourseatlockgrindsopen,andyouarereleasedfromyourharness.Youquicklyspinaround.Patty’sandBrad’scarshavedisappeared!Ifthisisallpartoftheride,maybeyoushouldhopout.Butiftherideisbroken,maybeyoushouldwaitforhelp.

Waitforhelptocome?TurntoPAGE92.

Hopoutofthecar?GotoPAGE111.

Yousitdownontheslideandpushoff.Theworldtiltsasyouplungedown.Down,down,down.

You’rescared.Butyoucan’thelpfeelingthatthisiskindofcool!Slidingandswirlinginthedarkness.

Untilyouhearthescreams.Theeeriescreamsthatfollowyouasyoutwistandturn.

Yourheartstartspoundingwildly.Oh,no!YoumusthavepickedtheDoomSlide.You’regoingtoslideforever!

Andthen,bump.

Achuteopensup.Youhitthegroundhard.Youtumbleoverandoverandfinallystop.

Youlieontheground.Panting.

You’reoutside!

Youscrambletoyourfeetandgazearound.

Youhearlaughter.Itseemstobecomingfromthebrightpinkbuildingafewfeetinfrontofyou.

Youwalkovertoitsbigpinkdoorandpressyourearagainstit.

Yes.Thelaughterisdefinitelycomingfrominside.

Tofindoutwhat’ssofunny,turntoPAGE117.

…they’reswingingaxes.

Yourheartleapsintoyourthroat.Theelvesmovetotheroadsidenow—andthey’rechoppingdownthehorse-drawncartsaheadofyou!Onecartsplintersintoamillionpiecesbeforeyourhorrifiedeyes.

Theelvescontinueontothenextcart.Theirsharpbladesslicerightthroughit!

Yourhorsekeepstrottingupthesteeppath.You’reheadedrightforthewildlychoppingelves!

“Dosomething!”Pattycries.

TurntoPAGE23.

YourhandclampsaroundthecanofMonsterBloodinyourpocket.Quickly,yousnapoffthelidandthegreengunkpoursout.

“Look!It’salive!”Bradshouts.

He’sright.TheMonsterBloodoozesfromthecan,quivers,andappearstostretchandpullitselfup!Thenitstartstorollandbounce,makinghorriblesuckingsounds.

Great!It’srollingintothecrowd,suckingupeverythinginitspath!

“Run!”BigAlscreamsasthehugegreenballrollsoverthepeopleinthecrowd—suckingthemupwithaloudplop.

ThentheMonsterBloodhitsthesideofthetent.Itchangesdirection.

It’scomingafteryou!

HurrytoPAGE129.

Well,lookscanfoolyou.Heisnotawimp.

Andhe’smad—atyou.

Inthenextmoment,hescoopsyouupandhurlsyouatthecellwall.Histhrowissoforceful,yousmashrightthroughthewallandsoaroutofthecarnivalgrounds.

Congratulations!YouescapedtheCarnivalofHorrors—butnotinonepiece.

THEEND

“Okay,getmeoutofhere,”yousaytothedwarf.“Didyouhelpmyfriends,too?”

Thedwarfdoesnotanswer.Hesprintsoffandyouhavetoracetokeepupwithhim.Throughaconfusingmazeoftwistingtunnels.You’resuregladyouhaveaguide.

Thedwarfsuddenlystops.“Thatway,”hesaysgruffly,pointingstraightahead.

Beforeyoucanblink,hevanishesinapuffofsmoke!Andyou’releftstandinginfrontoftwodoors.Onered.Oneblue.Theredonehasasignthatreads:DANGER.Theblueonehasasignthatreads:BIGDANGER.

Ifyouleavebythereddoor,gotoPAGE104.

Ifyoutrythebluedoor,gotoPAGE57.

“Help!Help!Overhere!”youscream,wavingyourarmswildlyintheair.

“Holdon!”adeepvoiceanswersthroughtheheavymist.

Theboatturnsandspeedstowardyou.Asitnears,thevoicecallsoutagain.“Jump!Jumpover!”

Jump?Ishecrazy?Canyoureallyjumpontoamovingboat?

Theboatiscomingclosernow.Closer.Closer.Youstandup.Youbendyourknees.You’reabouttojump—andtheboatspeedsrightpastyou.

Butwait!Itiscirclingbacknowinanice,slowapproach.Itglidesuptoyou,andgigantichandspullyouontotheboat.

“Yousavedme!”youcry.

Yougazeupandgaspinsurprise.Themanintheotherboatisn’taman—it’samonsterwithadroolingsnoutandrowsofjaggedteeth.

“Saveyou?Saveyou?”themonsterrepeats.

Hisredeyeslightup.“Saveyou…goodidea,”hesays.“Iwon’teatyounow.I’llsaveyouforamidnightsnack!”

THEEND(Burp!)

Youmakeit!Youmakeitoutofthepark!

Youalsomakeitoutofthestate!

Infact,thelasttimeanyonesawyou,Patty,andBrad,youwereallatinybliponNASA’sradarscreen.

Congratulations!YouescapedfromtheCarnivalofHorrors.

Happylandings!

THEEND

“I’mnotgoinganywherewithyou,BigAl.IbelievetheSnakeLady!”

“SodoI,”saysPatty.

“Me,too!”Bradechoes.

“That’stoobad,”BigAlsays.ThenheturnstotheSnakeLady.

“Andasforyou,MissReptilia—Itoldyou,you’vebeenoveracting.Ifthesekidsbelieveyou,wewon’tbeabletotorturethemwithourrealhorrors.”

“Ssssssorry,bosssssss,”shesays.“Ssssssowhatdoyouwantmetodowiththem?”

Youcanhardlybelieveit!Realhorrors?

“Whatkindofcarnivalisthis?”youshout.

“TheCarnivalofHorrorssssss,”theSnakeLadyanswers—andthat’sthegoodnews.

TurntoPAGE120forthebadnews.

“We’vegottojump,”youtellPattyandBrad.“It’souronlychance.”

“Okay,”Bradagreesasyourcartinchesuptothechoppingelves.

“Comeon,”youcry.“Now!”ButBradistooparalyzedwithfeartomove.YouandPattygrabhimandhaulhimtowardthesideofthecart.

Yourcarthasreachedtheelves!Oneofthemsmirksasheliftshisax.

It’srightaboveyourneck.

Youpictureyourheadtumblingdownthesideofthemountain.

Withaloudcry,allthreeofyoujump.Youlandwithathudonarockyledge.Itbreaksyourfall.Buttherockistooweaktoholdallofyou.

Youscreamagainastheedgetearslooseandtheworlddropsfromunderyourfeet.Youtumbleoverandover,downthesideofthemountain.

GotoPAGE109.

Youpushopenthereddoor.Anothertunnelliesbeyondit.Youfollowitstwistsandturns,andyourealizethatyou’resloshingthroughcoldmuddywater.Itgrowsdeeperandchillierasyougo.

Withacoldshudder,youdecidetoheadback—untilyouhearaslurpingnoisebehindyou.Whirlingaround,youwatchinhorriblefascinationasgiantearthwormscrawloutofthemud.Gross!

Nowayyou’reheadingbackthere.Youclenchyourteethandslogonward.Upahead,youseeadimgreenlight.Great!Anexit.

Asyoureachtheendofthetunnel,youhearalowgrowlbehindyou.Atfirstyoutrytopretendit’syourimagination.Butthere’snomistakingthesoundofthuddingfootsteps.Gettingcloser.Andcloser.Andnowit’sbreathingdownyourneck!

GotoPAGE61.

It’satreebranch!Grabbingatyou.Tugging,tuggingatyourhair.Youcan’tbreakfree.Itsgnarlystubsdigindeeperasyoustruggle.

Suddenly,youfeelsomethingwrapitselfaroundyourarms.Thenyourlegs.Closingintighter.Tighter.

Yougazedownandseethem—blackknobbytreelimbstwistingaroundyou.Stranglingyou.

Youdropholdofthesteeringwheelandbegintoclawatthebranches,rippingthemaway.

Andthenyoupeerup—andseeaterrifyingsight.It’sahugetree.Andyou’reheadedstraightforit!Yougraspthesteeringwheeltoregaincontroloftheboat.Thetreeisjustinchesaway.

AreyougoingtoCRASH?!

TurntoPAGE90.

“Unlesswhat?”youscream.“Tellme!”

“YoucanescapetheCarnivalofHorrorsifyouleavebeforeclosingtime.”

“Whenisclosingtime?”youshootback.

“Whenthelastridestops….”theladywhispers.“Atmidnight.”

Youglanceatyourwatch—11:40.Twentyminutes—that’snotsobad.Buthowdoyougetoutofhere?

Asiftheladycanreadyourmind,shesays,“There’sonlyonerightway.”

Thenallaroundyou,thecrowdbeginstochant.

“ONLYONERIGHTWAY,ONLYONERIGHTWAY.”Theyrepeatitoverandoveragain.

“Whatisit?”youscream.“Whichway?”

It’suseless.They’renotgoingtotellyou.

Butit’snotmidnightyet.There’sstilltimetofigureitout.

Untilthefloorbeginstotremble.Andthewallsbegintoshake.

Earthquake!

TurntoPAGE42.

“Sorry,Brad.IthinkPatty’sright,”youtellhimasyouturntowardtheHalloftheMountainKing.“IthinkIspottedanexittherewhenwefirstcamein.”

Pattyrunsahead.“Look!”shecriesout.“There’sthepath.ItleadspasttheHalloftheMountainKingtotheexit.”

“Yeah,butwhoarethosepeopleupthere?”Bradasks.“They’reblockingtheway.”

Youpeerupaheadandseethem—thepeopleintheold-fashionedclothes.Andthey’restillchanting—“Onlyonerightway,onlyonerightway.”

“They’renotgoingtoletusout!”Bradpanics.

“Okay.Okay.Ihaveanidea,”yousaycalmly.“Let’sgointotheMountainKingride—maybewecanjumpoffattheendandsneakpastthem.”

Doyouhaveanotherchoice?No.

IfyouwanttogoontheMountainKingride,turntoPAGE75.

IfyouwanttogoontheMountainKingride,turntoPAGE75.

“We’vegottogetoutofhere,it’salmostmidnight,”yousayasyouruntowardtheHalloweenExpressride.

“Hey,maybeweshouldtryoneofthesecars,”Bradsays,pointingtotheredandorangecarsthatrunonatrack.

Thethreeofyoucrowdintoalittlecarthat’sreallymeantfortwo.Youjamyourfootonthegaspedal,andyou’reflying!

“Allright!”Bradcheers.“We’reonourwayhome!Hey,IwonderwhytheycallthisHalloweenExpress?”heasks.

Youturnthewheelsharplytotheleft,andthenyouknowwhy….

SpeedovertoPAGE54.

Yousqueezeyoureyesshutandwaitforthecrash.Finally,youland.Youglanceup.You’reatthefootoftheLogFlumeride.

You,Patty,andBradhavelotsofcutsandbruises,butyou’reokay!Terrific!youthink—untilyouspotthearmyofelveswiththeiraxes.They’rerushingdownthemountaintowardyou!Theonlyescapeistoentertheflumeride,soyoudashinside.

TheLogFlumeremindsyouofawesternloggingcamp,completewithlogcabins,trees,trucks,andasparklingbluelake.

Inthedistance,youcanhearthebuzzofchainsaws.Anddownbythelake,giantcranespickuplogsandploptheminthewater.Someofthelogsarehollowedoutinthemiddlewithseatsforpassengers.Asyouwatch,thecurrentcatchesone.Itglidestotheedgeofawaterfall,plungesover,andshootsdown.

Asyouglancearound,youspotanEXITsign.

Thentoyourhorror,youseeagiantcraneswingingyourway.“Duck!”youscream.

Willyoumakeittotheexit?Isthisyourluckyday?

IfyouarereadingthisbookonaMonday,Wednesday,Friday,orSaturday,gotoPAGE114.

Ifit’saTuesday,Thursday,orSunday,gotoPAGE71.

Somethingtellsyouthatthismonsterisnotarobot.Thisoneisforreal.Maybeit’sthewayhestaresintoyoureyes.Ormaybeit’stherowsandrowsofrazor-sharpteethjuttingfromhismouth.

Youtakeastepback.Hetakesastepcloser.Adropofhisdrooldripsonyourhand.Itsizzlesandburns.

Thisistheend,youfigure.You’llneverescapetheCarnivalofHorrors.NeverseeyourfamilyorPattyandBradagain.

Themonsterliftshisgigantic,clawedhand.Hewavesitoveryourhead.Andyouwaitforthesearingpainasitplungesdowntostrikeyou.

Butthat’snotwhathappens.

Themonsterslowlylowershishandandclutchesathisownneck,andthen—pullshisownheadoff!Andwhenyoudiscoverwhat’sunderneath,youknowyou’restillinbigtrouble!

Quick—headovertoPAGE133.

Yourpulsepoundsinyourearsasyoucarefullyliftyourselfoutofthecar.Thetunnelisdarkandmustyandreallycreepy.Anythingcouldbelurkingintheshadows.

Thismustbepartoftheride,youreason.Andthemoreyouthinkaboutit,themoreconvincedyouare.You’rescared.Butyouhavetoadmit,thisisprettycool.

Inthedistance,youspotseveralredlightsthatseemtoleadtootherdimlylittunnels.Youcautiouslyheadtowardoneofthem.Overheadsomethingdarkandslimydrips.Splatteringonthetopofyourhead.Stingingyourforehead.

Asyoudesperatelytrytowipetheburningslimeaway,somethinggrabsyoubytheknees!

Aaaah!Youlookdown.Apairofred-rimmedeyesmeetyours.It’sadwarfwithscragglyredhairandatoothlesssmile.

“Wantmetoleadyououtofhere,kid?”heasks.You’reabouttofollowthedwarf,butthenyoustop.Ishepartoftheride?Helooksreallyevil.Whatdoyoudo?

Followthedwarf?GotoPAGE99.

Decidenottofollowthedwarf?GotoPAGE33.

Yeoow!Someonesplashescoldwaterinyourface.Youreyesopen.

“Comeon!Wakeup!It’salmostshowtime,”araspyvoicesays.

“Showtime?”yousay,gazingintotheeyesofadwarf.“Whatshow?”

“TheFreakShow.YouaretheAmazingSiameseTriplets.”

YouglancearoundandseePattyononesideofyouandBradontheother.Youtrytopullawayfromthem,butyoucan’t.

“We’restucktogetherwithsomekindofglue,”Pattysays.

“Itisn’tglue,”Bradargues.

“Istoo!”

“Isnot!”

Well,whateveritis—youarestuck.Stuckbetweenyourarguingfriendsforalong,longtime—likeforever.Andhere’ssomethingyoucan’targueabout.Thisreallyis…

THEEND

Helpsomefreaks?That’sagoodone!Youlaugh.

YouthinkaboutMadameZeno,thefire,andthedisappearingtent.Totallycool!Youwonderwhothoughtupsuchawesomespecialeffects.

Youcan’twaittotellBradandPattyallaboutit.

Yousearchforyourfriendsinthebigwoodenboothsthatlinethemidway.Instead,youfindincrediblegamesofchance.Sometestyoureye-handcoordination.Othersrequirepureluck.Buttheyallofferthemostamazingprizesyou’veeverseen—phones,videogames,fifteen-speedmountainbikes.Youcan’twaittoplay!

Youspotaboothacrossthemidwaywithacrowdgatheredinfront.That’sodd,youthink.Didn’tBigAlsayweweretheonlypeopleatthecarnivaltonight?Youwonderifyourfriendsareinthecrowd.Youmovecloser.

“Oh.Igetit,”yousayaloud.“Thesepeoplemustworkatthecarnival.”

You’reabouttocallouttothem.Untilyouseetheireyes.Strange,hauntedeyes.

SeewhathappensonPAGE16.

Thisisyourluckyday.

Youduckasthecraneswingsoveryourhead.

“Run!”youshouttoyourfriends.

Youglanceatyourwatch—11:55.Ifyou’rereallylucky,youcanstillmakeitoutofthecarnivalbymidnight.

Youcanseetheexitupahead.Asyouchargethroughthegate,youfeelreallyhopeful—untilyourunintoBigAl.

Heblockstheexitwithhishugebody.Hismassivehandsareplantedonhiships.“NooneescapesfromtheCarnivalofHorrors!”heroars.

You’vegottofindawayout.Now!

ToyourrightistheentrancetoHalloweenExpress—youcouldtrythat.

Ormaybeyoushouldrundownadifferentpath.There’sgottobemoreexitsaroundheresomewhere.

Choosefast!

Rundownadifferentpath?GotoPAGE5.

HalloweenExpress?GotoPAGE108.

There’snothinginyourpocketbutlint.

“Help!Saveme!”youcry.

Thevultureswoopsdownanddropsyouinthenest.

Thebabyvulturesapproach.

Mouthsopen—readytopeckyoutodeath…

But—goodnews!Theydon’teatyou.Youfalloutofthenestinstead.

Please,closethebookfast,orthenextsoundyouhearwillbeyourbody,hittingthegroundwithanawesomethud.

THUD!

Notfastenough.Okay,don’tgotopieces.PullyourselftogetherandpreparetovisittheCarnivalofHorrorsagain—thenexttimeyou’rebraveenoughtoopenthisbook!

THEEND

ZAP!

BigAlthrowsaswitchandthemagnetshutsoff.Youcomeflyingdowntoearth—rightwhereBradandPattyarewaiting.

“Iplayedyourdumbgame.Now,letusgo!”youtellBigAl.

BigAldoesn’tanswer.Butthecrowddoes.“SUD-DENDEATH!SUD-DENDEATH!SUD-DENDEATH!”

Thecrowdsurgestowardyou.Theyarenotfriendly.Theybackyouupagainstawall.You’retrapped.

Trappedbyamob!

Youreachintoyourpocket,hopingtofindsomethingthatmighthelpyou.Somethingtosaveyou…

IfyouwonacanofMonsterBlood,gotoPAGE97.

Ifyoudon’thavetheMonsterBlood,runtoPAGE27.

Youopenthedoorandenteraroomburstingwithpeoplewhoseemtobewaitingforyou.Youthinkthat’sweirduntilyoustudythem—andrealizesomethingevenstranger.They’realldressedupinold-fashionedcostumes.

“WelcometotheCarnivalofHorrors,”atallwomanwitharedparasolsays,smiling.“Niceofyoutojoinus.”

TheCarnivalofHorrors.Thewordssendshiversdownyourspine.

Thewomanwiththeparasolwhispersinyourear,“Don’tyouwanttoknowthesecretoftheCarnivalofHorrors?”

Younodyes.

“TheCarnivalofHorrorscomesaliveinadifferentplaceandadifferenttimeeachnight.Tonightwe’reinyourtown.Tomorrowwecouldbeinanothercountry!Buteveryplacewestop,weinvitekidslikeyoutojoinus….”

“Thanksfortheinvitation,”yousay,“butIgottago.”

“I’msorry.”Theladychuckles.“YoucanneverescapefromtheCarnivalofHorrors,”shesayssolemnly.“Unless…”

Unlesswhat?TurntoPAGE106.

Youturnleft.Somewhereaheadofyou,youhearlaughter.

“Issomebodythere?”youcallout.

Silence.

Youstareatyourreflectionsinthemirroredhall.

AmItrapped?youwonder.AmIinrealdanger?Oristhisallabig,scaryjoke?Yourheartbeginstorace.

Youinchforwardafewmoresteps—movingtowardthelaughter.Slowly.

“Overhere,”avoicecallsagain.Butnowthevoiceseemstobecomingfrombehindyou!

TurntoPAGE36.

HELP!

Youtakechargeofthereinstourgethehorseon.

“Giddyap,boy,”youandPattyshout.Butyourhorsewon’tmoveanyfaster.

Youshootaglanceupahead.Theelvesarechopping…andashinyblade…isnow…rightover…yourhead!

“No,”youscream.“NO!Letmeoutofhere.”

Youfeelasharppain.Andyourealizeyou’vejusthadtheshortesthaircutofyourlife.Unfortunately,theytookalittletoomuchoffthetop.

THEEND

ThebadnewsistheSnakeLadyfooledyou.

“ThrowthemintothelargecellwithHaroldandalltheotherprisoners,”BigAlcommands.

Youareshovedintoadarkcell.Youhearaclick.You’relockedin.AstheSnakeLadyleaveswithBigAl,youcanheartheirlaughterechodownthehall.

Youglanceintotheothercellsandthink,thefreaksareprisoners.Theydoneedourhelp.Thenyoupeerintothedarknessofyourcell—tofindoutwhoHaroldis.

There’snowayyoucouldmisshim.Haroldisagiant.He’shuge—twiceasbigasafootballplayer.Hishandsare,infact,thesizeoftwofootballs.Hisarmslookliketreetrunks.

Atfirstyouareafraidofhim,butthenyouthink,Hey!He’strapped,too.Maybewecanconvincehimtohelpus.Andthenyougetabigidea!

TurntoPAGE28.

Yougrabthesidesoftheslideandloweryourselfdown.Thesecondyousit,theslide’sfloortiltsupbeneathyouandpropelsyouforward.

Youshriek!

Youraiseyourarmsandscreamlouder.Youslidefasterandfaster.Intotaldarkness.Darknesssoblack,youcan’tevenseeyourownfeetinfrontofyou.

Youreyesdartfranticallyfromsidetoside.Facessuddenlyappearinthedarknessinbrightflashesoflight.Facesofhideousmonsterswithdeformedheadsandoozingflesh.

Butyou’removingtoofasttofocusonthem.Youslideandslide—untilthefacesstopflashingandyou’recoveredinthethick,heavyblacknessagain.

Youscreamasyouroundasharpcurve.Yourheadisspinning.Youpickupspeed.

Whenwillitend?

Thenyouhearthescreams.Chillingscreamsthatechothroughthedarkness.

Oh,no!YoumusthavepickedtheDoomSlide!

ZoomtoPAGE63.

Thecreatureslidesonesteptowardyou,andwithaburningstaresays,“Iamnotarobot.Iamnotgoingtoshutdown.Sodon’tbotherwithanyofyoursilly,humantricks!”

Youstareathim.Youstudyhimhard.Ishelying?Ishearobotliketheothertwo?Orcouldhebealotmoredangerous?

Yourkneesbegintotremblewhenyouthinkaboutnevergoinghome—neverseeingyourfamilyandfriendseveragain.Tearsstarttostingyoureyes.Angrytears!Nocarnival—notevenaCarnivalofHorrors—isgoingtodefeatyou!

Youstaredeeplyintotheevileyesofthecreaturehoveringbeforeyou.

Robot?Realmonster?Youfinallydecide!

Ifyouthinkthecreatureisarobot,trytoknockhisheadoffonPAGE81.

Ifyouthinkhe’sarealmonsterorsomethingworse,staycoolonPAGE110.

“TheFinalChallenge,”BigAlannounces.Andthecrowdgoeswild.

Thenheturnstoyouandsays,“Remember—thefungamesareover.Nowyouareplayingforyourlife.”

“Yougofirst,”BigAlsaystoyou.YouseeBradandPattytakenofftothesidebyahugemaninablackhood.

Twored-haireddwarfsinclowncostumesscurryupthesteps.Toyoursurprise,theyfityouwithnewhigh-topsneakers—sneakerswithmetalstudsrunningupthebacks.Thisisgoingtobesomekindofrace,youthink.Butthenyouchangeyourmind—whentheysnapaheavy,metalhelmetonyourhead.

Thecrowd’scheersgrowlouder.BigAlthrowsaswitch.Thecurtainbehindyoupartsand—Whammo!Thewallbehindthecurtainturnsintoasupermagnet.Yougozingingtothewalllikeadarttoabull’s-eye.

ZingbacktoPAGE25.

“FI-NAL!FI-NAL!FI-NAL!”youhearthecrowdyellingasyouspinroundandround.

You’regettingdizzy.Reallydizzy.Sodizzythatyoufaint.

YoureyesflutteropenonPAGE112.

“Thisway!”YouwavetoPattyandBrad.

Thethreeofyouturntotheleftandkeeprunning—straightintoapond!

“Whydidn’tyoutellustostop?”Pattywhines.

“Don’tcomplaintome!”youshoutback.“Wefollowedyouthroughthefence!”

Youturnaroundandslogyourwaybacktoshore.PattyandBradmakeittherefirst.Youareafewfeetaway—whenyouseeit.

Analligator.

Withitsmouthgapingopen—revealingtworowsofrazor-sharpteeth.

Youfreeze.

Pattyspotsthealligatorandyells,“Quick!There’salog!Jumponit!”

Youscrambleuponthelog,butit’snouse.You’restillaneasytarget.

Thealligatoropensitshugemouthevenwider.Heslithersrightuptothelog.Andyoucantellhe’sready.Readytocrunchdownonyou!

Don’tscreamyet.TurntoPAGE43.

“Yay!Ourhero!”thefreakscheerastheyboltoutoftheircells.

Youfollowthegiantthroughasideexit.Andinnotime,you’releadingallyournewfriendstoyourhouse.

You’resureyourparentswon’tmindtakingthemin.Afterall,howmuchcanathree-hundred-poundgiant,afive-hundred-poundfatlady,andathree-headedmaneat?Hmmmm.Betternotanswerthatquestion.

Justbehappythatyou’vecometo…

THEEND

You’renotfastenoughtogetawayfromtheghost.You’rerunningnow,buttheghostswoopsdowninfrontofyou.Youplowintohim—andpassrightthroughhim!

Thecarnivalpeopleareswarmingafteryou.Theydon’twantyoutoleavethecarnival.

“Hurry!”youyelltoyourfriends—onlythreeminutestomidnight!Youdashoffinonedirection,thenanother.Thecarnivalpeopleareapproachingfromeverywhichway.Theycarrytorcheswithflamesthatleaphighintheair.

Youstealaglanceatyourwatch—11:58.

“Wecan’tletthemcatchus!”youscream.“Let’shide!”

Butwherecanyouhide?Upaheadyouseeagiganticcannon.Allthreeofyoucouldfiteasilyinthere.

Youalsospotababyride—thebabychoo-chootrain—maybeyoucouldsqueezeintothat.

Quick!Pickone—andhopeforthebest.

Cannon?GotoPAGE130.

Choo-choo?GotoPAGE128.

Yousqueezeintothechoo-chooandscrunchdown.11:59.

Lightsfromthecarnivalpeople’storchessweepoveryou.Theirfoulsmellfillsyourlungs.

Thebloodpoundsinyourtemples.

You’resurethey’regoingtofindyou.Butyou’retrappednow.

There’snowayout.

Youhearsomeoneshoutinthedistance.“Closingtime!”Andthenyouhearabellstarttochime…

…Midnight!

“One,two,three,”Bradcountsthechimes.

Youwanttostranglehim!

“Four,five…”

Suddenly,thekiddietrainstartstomove.

“Six…seven…eight…”

Yousitupandwhatyouseeisthebiggestshockofthiswholehorriblenight….

TurntoPAGE70.

TheMonsterBloodhasgrownsobig—nowyoucan’tseeoveritoraroundit.

“Runforyourlives!”Pattyscreams.Butreachingthedoorisimpossible.

Themoundofgreenslimeisbearingdownonyou.Fast!Youstandfrozentothespot.Terrified.Andthen—justintime—you,Patty,andBradleaptotheside.AndtheMonsterBloodslamsintothewallwithacrushingforce—andplowsrightthroughit.

Youstareatthegiantgapingholeinthewall.Quickly,thethreeofyoujumpthroughtheopening.Youarestandingoutsidethemaingate—whereyoucamein!

There’sawidepathofdestructionacrossthefieldandtheforestbeyond.Fromsomewhere,aclockchimestwelvetimes,sendingachilldownyourspine.Andwhenyoupeerbackatthecarnival,ithasdisappeared.Allthat’sleftisaspookysilvermist.

THEEND

Youandyourfriendssqueezeintothecannon.

“Ouch!You’resittingonmyhand,”Bradwhines.

Butyoudon’thavetimetoapologize.

“Doyousmellsomething…burning?”youask.

BOOM!There’satremendousexplosion.Youflythroughspace.Youareheadedforafencethatenclosesthecarnival,andthefieldbeyond.

Willyoumakeitoutofthepark?

GotoPAGE101.

SUCKER!

Youdidn’treallythinkyoucouldgetoutthiseasily,didyou?

Checkoutthetitleofthisbook:EscapefromtheCarnivalofHorrors.

Horrors!Youneedtofacealotmorehorrors—andthen(maybe)you’llescape.

Quick!TurntoPAGE116.

Thefortune-tellersaidthisnumbermightsaveyourlife.Buthow?

Thenyouseeit.Inthecorner.Atallsilverlockerwiththenumber132paintedinred.

“Inhere,”yousay,openingthedoortothelocker.YoupushPattyandBradinside.

Assoonasyouclosethedoor,thelockerbeginstorattleandshake.You’renearlyblindedbyabright,whitelight.Youhearaloudwhooshingsound.Andthenallissilent.Thedoorpopsopen—andyou’reamazedatwhatyousee.

TurntoPAGE21.

Thoseeyesbehindthealligatorsnout—thosebeadyeyes.Youshouldhaverecognizedthembefore.It’sBigAl.

“Hey!Youdidagreatjobhere,”hesayswarmly.“You’vereallygotthestufffortheCarnivalofHorrors.”

“Uh,thanks,”youmumble.“ButIreallyhavetogohomenow.”

“What’stherush?”heasks,pattingyouontheshoulder.“Aren’tyouhavingfun?”

Fun?youthink.Crushedbetweensolidwalls.Thenattackedbyabulging-eyedmonster.Fun?No.Thisisn’tfun.Thisisweird.

“Uh,yeah.It’sbeenreallygreat.But,um,Ireallydohavetogethome,”youstammer.“Soifyou’lljusttakemetowhereverPattyandBradare—andshowusthewayout—we’llbegoing.”

“I’mafraidthatisn’tpossible,”BigAlsays.“Justopenthedoorandyou’llunderstand.”

Youhavenochoice.YouhavetoopenthedoorandgotoPAGE117.

You’vegottofigureoutwhatyouweighonMars.Fast.Buthow?

You’reabouttogiveupwhenyounoticeaflashingsign.Itreads:THEGRAVITYONMARSISALMOST40PERCENTOFWHATITISONEARTH.Okay,nowyoucanfigureitout.

MultiplyyourrealEarthweightbyfour.Nowdropoffthelastdigit.Forexample,ifyouweigh90pounds,90×4=360.Droppingoffthelastdigit,youget36foryourweightonMars.

Ifyoudon’twanttodothemath,youcanleaveittoluck.Justguess.

IfyouthinkyourMarsweightis37to39,gotoPAGE53.

IfyouthinkyourMarsweightislessthan37ormorethan39,gotoPAGE22.

Youopenthedoorandclimbasteeprampthatcurvesaroundandaround.It’scoldanddarkinside.Halfwayuptheramp,youstop.There’sanothersign:WARNING!—YOUMAYBETHEONETOSLIDETOYOURDOOM!

Youcontinueuptheramp.Youfinallymakeittothetop,andfindyourselfstandingonawide,dimlylitplatform.Arowoflong,curvingslidesstretchesoutbeforeyou.Theslidesarenumberedfromonetoten.

Youthinkhard.TheDoomSlide.Youknowyou’veheardaboutitbefore.Butwhere?Wherewasit?

Andthenyouremember!ItwasinaGOOSEBUMPSbookyouread!OneDayatHorrorLand.

Nowyouknowyou’reinbigtrouble.BecauseyourememberallabouttheDoomSlidefromthebook.Yourememberthatifyoupickthewrongslide,you’llspendtherestofyourlifeslidingandsliding—forever!

WhichnumberistheDoomSlide?Whichone?

IfyourememberwhichnumberslideistheDoomSlide(orifyouhavethebookandcanlookitup),chooseaslidethatisnottheDoomSlide.Ifyoucan’tremember,you’llhavetoleaveittoluck.Pickanumberbetween1–10.

Pickslide1,4,or5,andgotoPAGE121.

Pickslide2,7,or9,andgotoPAGE95.

Pickslide3,6,8,or10,andgotoPAGE68.

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHISBOOKFROM

BEGINNINGTOEND!

PrepareyourselftomeettheKnightinScreamingArmor!

YourcousinsarecomingtovisityoufromEngland.They’rebringingsomethingwiththem.Alittlesurprise…

It’sanoldsuitofarmorfromyouruncle’scollection.Ithasareallycoolbattle-axandashield.Andithassomethingelsetoo—orderstodestroyyou!

Yousee,there’sanancientcursethatwasplaceduponyourfamilyandtheknightisheretodeliverit!Andthat’snotall—aghastly-lookinggardenerwiththreeheads,MudSlingingmonstersmadeofgoo,andsomeverynastysheepareallheadedyourway!

Thisscaryadventureisallaboutyou.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andyoudecidehowterrifyingthescareswillbe.

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

Ifyoumaketherightchoices,youwilldefeattheKnightinScreamingArmorandescapeitshorriblecurse.Ifyoumakethewrongchoice…BEWARE!

SOTAKEADEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1NOWTOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

“Pip-pip!Ta-ta!Jollygood!Tallyhoandallthatrot!”yourdadexclaims.

“Da-a-a-d!”youplead.“Pleeeeeeease!”

“Sosorry,”heapologizesinhisbestBritishaccent.“Wejustwantyourcousinstofeelquiteathomenow,don’twe?It’snoteverydaywehavevisitorsfromEngland.It’sbeenoverayearsincewe’veseenthem.Jollygood!Ta-ta!Pip-pip!”yourdadsaysagain.

“Yes,”yourmomadds.“YourUncleWillisgivinglecturesatseveralimportantAmericanmuseums.SoKipandAbbeywillbestayingwithusforawholeweek.Isn’tthatterrific?”

Youonlyhalfagree.KipSaxtonisyourage.Sometimeshecomplainstoomuch.Butmostly,he’saprettycoolkid.Hisfifteen-year-oldsisterisanotherstory.“Abbeyactslikeshe’squeenoftheworld,”yousay.“Shecanbearoyalpain!”

“Oh,you’llhavefun,”yourdadassuresyou.“UncleWillsaysKipandAbbeyarebringingabigsurprisewiththem!”

“Asurprise?”youask.“Whatsurprise?”

GotoPAGE2.

Beforeyourdadcansayanotherwordaboutthesurprise,thedoorbellrings.

“They’rehere!”yourmomcallsfromthefronthall.Sheopensthedoorastheairportshuttlevanpullsaway.Yourcousinsarestandinginthedoorway.“Youhaven’tchangedabit!”yourmomdeclaresasshehugsAbbeyandKip.

“Ihopethat’snottrue,”youmutter.Yourtallblondcousinisalreadystaringpastyouandintothemirrorbehindyou.“Hi,”youmanagetosaytoher.

Abbeyprimpsherlonggoldencurlsbeforesheanswers.“Oh,hi,”shesaysasshepatsherhairaboutahundredtimes.

“StillthesameoldAbbey,”youhavetoadmit.

“Forgether,”someonesays,laughing.It’sKip.“Canyougivemeahand?We’vegotmorestufftobringin.”Yoursandy-hairedcousinmovesbackoutontothefrontstepandpointstotwohugewoodencrates.Thecratesaretallerthanyourdad.

“Whatthe—?”youstarttosay.

“Artifacts!”yourdadchimesin.“UncleWilliscomingherenextweektolectureattheMedievalMuseumdowntown.Itoldhimwe’dstoresomeexhibitshereuntilhearrives.ButIneverexpectedanythingthisbig!Thesecrateswillhavetogointhegarage.”

“What’sinthecratesanyway?”youaskKip.

GotoPAGE3.

“Twosuitsofarmor,”Kipsays.“That’swhat’sinthecrates.They’rereallyold.Fromthefifteenthcentury.WecalloneofthemtheEvilKnight.It’sbeenwiththeSaxtonfamilyforever.TheothersuitwasSirEdmundSaxton’s.He’sourgreat-great-great-great…well,yougetthepicture.”

Thecratesareonwheels.You,Kip,Abbey,andyourdadpullthemdownthedrivewaytothegaragebehindyourhouse.Younoticealabelononeofthecrates.

“Hey,lookatthis,”youcry.Youreadthelabelaloud:

“BewarethisDarkandEvilKnight

Cursedstillfromlongago.

UntilaGoodKnightfightsforright

ThisKnightbringsmiseryandwoe.

That’skindofspooky,”youadd.

“No!Don’treadthatoutloud,”Kipcautionstoolate.“It’sanevilcurseonthewholeSaxtonfamily!”

“Acurse?”Youlaugh.“Youdon’tbelieveincurses,doyou?”

“SureIdo.Andsoshouldyouifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou,”Kipwhispers.“Iguessyou’veneverheardthetale.”

ListentothetaleonPAGE4.

“Thetale?Whattale?”youask.

“ThelegendoftheCurseoftheKnightinScreamingArmor!”Kipanswers.“YearsagoanevilsorceressgotangryattheKing’sbestknight,SirEdmundSaxton.Youknow,ourancestor?Hekilledherfavoritedragon,orsomething.Anyway,sheputacurseonhim—theCurseoftheKnightinScreamingArmor!

“Shemadeaspecialsuitofarmorandsentittohimasagift.Thearmorwashaunted.Itheldthespiritofanevilknight.Thatnight,horriblescreamsandcrieswereheardfromSaxtoncastle.Inthemorning,SirEdmundandallofhisfamilyhadbeenkilled!”

Kip’seyesgrowwideashegoeson.“Allofhisfamilywasdeadexceptoneson.Hehadbeenouthunting.Anyway,hekeptthearmor.Hewastooscaredtothrowitaway!”

Thefourofyouarriveatthegarageandyourdadreachesdowntoopenthedoor.

“Thisisthatarmor.Familylegendhasitthatonedayitwillwakeupagain.ThirstyforSaxtonblood.Thenitwilldestroyallthatisgood!UnlessabraveandnobleSaxtoncandefeatit.IthastobeamemberoftheSaxtonfamily.”

“Ha!”youlaugh.“I’mrelatedtoyou,soI’maSaxton.What’sanEvilKnight’ssuitofarmorgoingtodotome?”

GetyouransweronPAGE96.

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©1995byScholasticInc.

Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyScholasticInc.,Publisherssince1920.SCHOLASTIC,GOOSEBUMPS,GOOSEBUMPSHORRORLAND,andassociatedlogosare

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Firstedition,July1995

e-ISBN978-0-545-84098-9