Half World Read Online Free PDF Page A

murmured. “Pardon me. I have slight congestion. Never mind. I’m calling about your mummy.”
    Melanie’s arms prickled with a rush of goose bumps. Something was wrong. She didn’t know what, but she could feel it all over. “Yes?” she quavered.
    â€œYour mummy had an obligation . We had a deal. She gave her word, but she broke her promise. That wasn’t very nice at all, was it?” The sticky voice laughed, like he was joking.
    Melanie’s hand shook. This was a prank call. He was a perv or something, and she shouldn’t listen to him. He was bad. She slowly began to lower the receiver toward the cradle.
    â€œDon’t!” the voice roared.
    Melanie, heart quaking, obeyed.
    â€œListen, you little half-wit,” the stranger hissed. “Don’t you dare hang up on me! Your parents made a deal. I let your mother have fourteen years with you in the Realm of Flesh, but when I said it was time you both had to return. Well, Mummy came back to Half World like she was told, but she thought she could leave you behind and I wouldn’t be able to get to you. But if you don’t come to Half World I’m going to hurt your mummy, aren’t I? I’m going to make her scream, and I’ll call you. Wherever you are. And you’ll have to listen.”
    â€œPlease,” Melanie said hoarsely. She couldn’t think. He was mad, obviously. But could he really have her mother?
    â€œOf course I have her,” the creepy voice replied conversationally. “Let me call her over.” His voice dropped conspiratorially. “She hasn’t been herself. Not that she was ever much to begin with. But if she was always half of what she was, maybe now she’s a quarter.” The sound of rustling.
    â€œFumiko!” He whistled encouragingly.
    Melanie heard him calling her mother like she was a dog.
    â€œC’mere! Come on! That’s a good girl. Someone wants to talk to you. Here. Take the phone. That’s it. Now say ‘hello.’”
    â€œHello,” a soft voice said.
    Melanie’s hand shook. “Mum?” she whispered. “Mummy, is that you?”
    â€œHello,” the familiar voice repeated, in the exact same tone. “Hello.”
    â€œSay something else!” Melanie heard the sticky male voice command. “Say, ‘Darling Melanie, come and save me.’”
    â€œDarling Melanie, come and save me,” her mother’s monotone parroted.
    Hope withered inside Melanie. It was true. A madman had her mother.
    â€œGive it back,” Melanie heard the grotesque man say. Something clacked and banged.
    â€œNo.” Her mother’s voice was weak. “Melanie. Stay awa—”
    A loud thud.
    Melanie’s heart stopped.
    â€œI guess there’s a little life left in her yet,” the repulsive voice chuckled. “Surprising ol’ gal, she is. Where was I? Ahhh, yes. If you ever want to see your mummy again, and so on and so forth, leave the house immediately and proceed to the Cassiar Tunnel. Enter the tunnel that is farthest west. I really don’t know where you’ll end up if you go through the wrong Gate. So PAY ATTENTION!” he roared.
    â€œWest side,” Melanie sobbed.
    â€œGood girl,” the vile voice soothed. “You’ll find there are numerous doors lining the inside wall. Go through door number four! Get it? Door four! Your prize-winning entry into Half World!”
    â€œP-please,” Melanie quavered, “don’t hurt her.”
    â€œP-please, don’t hurt her,” he mimicked in a falsetto. His voice dropped low. “You better get your fat ass over here. You better start RUNNING!”
    Melanie slammed the phone into the cradle. She looked frantically about the room. What should she do? Her mum was kidnapped! She needed help. Adult help. It was a trap. She couldn’t go to the Cassiar Tunnel by herself. Her parents were caught up in