Cragbridge Hall, Volume 2: The Avatar Battle Read Online Free PDF Page A

challenge that stopped him last time.
    He could do this. His grandfather trusted him to do it. Dr. Mackleprank believed he could. And most of all, using the final key was the only way to help prevent Muns from changing the past.
    Derick shook his head. He didn’t normally have to tell himself that he could do something. Then again, until the last time in the simulator, he couldn’t really remember the last time he had failed. He got into Cragbridge Hall. He made the competition soccer team. He even made his own virtual samurai game. But he had failed when it was most important. And to top it off, he had lost the avatar race to Rafa. He hoped failing wasn’t going to become a habit.
    Derick had climbed down for what felt like more than three stories before he finally reached the floor. He had no sooner touched the ground when the image of Grandpa appeared, glowing in the darkness. He walked through the image as his grandfather explained that he had developed a simulator that would allow him to feel what a figure in history felt.
    “If you are to proceed,” Derick heard his grandfather’s recorded voice behind him, “you must complete a challenge that someone through history has passed. The question is, will you? Doing so will take more than curiosity or knowledge. You must have a cause so important that, like these people in history, you absolutely refuse to give up. If not, you will not pass.”
    Give up. He hadn’t meant to give up. It was only—he thought of his last time in the simulator—a bear attacking him like it had a famous mountain man in history. It had been too much. He could still feel every blow.
    Derick exhaled and approached a large metal door with thick bars and gears that had locked it closed. Secure-looking lockers covered the wall beside it. Today he would not give up. He would survive whatever challenge he faced. He opened the locket that Dr. Mackleprank had given him and removed a small key. It was not the final key that would allow him to change time, but it would open a locker along the wall. Derick retrieved a visor and sensors. They were similar to those from the avatar lab. He knew his life wouldn’t be in any real danger, but he would feel every pain until he came back out again. He had to have the same determination and will, the same character as a great person in history. He had to prove that he deserved the final key.
    A lump formed in his gut. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard just thinking about it. “Failing once doesn’t really mean anything,” he whispered to himself. “How many people would last as long as I did against a grizzly?”
    • • •
    Abby and Carol walked back toward their dorm.
    “I can’t believe how free I feel—done with the last day of first semester!” Carol bounced up and down. “It feels so monumental. Like we just climbed Everest, or won the Super Bowl, or successfully made manicotti—that is not an easy pasta dish to throw together, at least for me. But boy is it worth it—heavenly cheesy epic awesomeness!”
    “I’m not out of the woods yet,” Abby said. “Plus I still can’t quit thinking about Muns’s message.”
    “Sure. Just squash all the fun because the creepy guy threatens us,” Carol said.
    “Sorry,” Abby said. “I am glad classes are over.”
    “Me too,” Carol agreed. “So what should we do to celebrate?”
    “I’ll try not to worry about Muns, but I should still pray that my teachers have mercy on me and that my grades aren’t as bad as they could be.”
    “I’m sure you’re fine,” Carol said, waving her off. “Let’s get some of that double chocolate brownie ice cream and log on the Bridge and watch the history of boy bands or basketball back when they wore those short shorts. Or even better, we could start a dance party on our floor. Check out my moves.” Carol started jumping and whirling, twisting and swaying. “I’m feeling the groove. That settles it. Let’s dance, dance, boogie, boogie,