The Secret Path Read Online Free PDF

“Let’s talk about that on the way to the tree. I think I have an idea.”

7
    T he tree was as weird as Sally had described. Standing alone in the center of a vacant lot, it looked as if it had witnessed many bloody battles and been splattered in the process. The branches hung low to the ground, ready to swoop up any kid who ran by. Adam spotted the large hole in the side. It looked like a hungry maw. The edges were rough—sharp teeth waiting to bite down and come together.
    â€œI know a kid who went in there and cameout speaking in tongues,” Sally said. “Snake tongues.”
    â€œIt’s just a tree that’s been cursed,” Watch said. “I’ll go in first to show you there’s no danger.”
    â€œHow can we believe you when you come out?” Sally asked. “You might not even be human.”
    â€œOh brother,” Adam said, although he was glad Watch was going first. There was something pretty scary about a tree with blood-red leaves at the beginning of summer.
    Together, Sally and Adam watched as Watch walked over to the tree and climbed inside the hole. A minute went by and Watch didn’t reappear.
    â€œWhat’s taking him so long?” Adam wondered aloud.
    â€œThe tree is probably digesting him,” Sally said.
    â€œHow did it get the name the Derby Tree?” Adam asked.
    â€œOld man Derby tried to chop it down once,” Sally explained. “I was only five years old at the time, but I remember the day. He blamedthe tree for the disappearance of one of his kids. He had like ten of them, so he could stand to lose one. Anyway, he came here one morning with a huge ax and took a swing at the tree. He missed and accidentally cut off one of his legs. You’ll see Derby walking around town on a wooden leg. All the kids call him Mr. Stilts. He’d be the first to tell you that tree is evil.”
    â€œI just wish Watch would get back out here,” Adam said. He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, “Watch!”
    Watch didn’t answer. Another five minutes went by. Adam was on the verge of running for help when their friend finally poked his head out. He squeezed through the hole with difficulty. It was as if the opening had shrunk since he’d been inside. He walked over to them like nothing had happened.
    â€œWhy were you inside so long?” Sally demanded.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Watch asked, checking one of his many watches. “I just went inside for a second.”
    â€œYou were in there at least an hour,” Sally said.
    â€œIt was closer to ten minutes,” Adam corrected.
    Watch scratched his thinning blond hair. “That’s weird—it didn’t feel that long.”
    â€œDidn’t you hear us calling for you?” Sally asked.
    â€œNo,” Watch said. “Inside the tree you can’t hear a thing.” He paused. “Who wants to go next?”
    â€œI will,” Adam said, anxious to get it over.
    â€œWait a second,” Sally said to Watch. “How do we know you haven’t been altered in some way?”
    â€œI’m fine,” Watch said.
    â€œYou wouldn’t know if you’re fine if you’ve been changed,” Sally said. “You’d be the last person to know. Let me ask you a couple of questions just to be sure your brain hasn’t been operated on. Who’s the most beautiful girl in Spooksville?”
    â€œYou are,” Watch said.
    â€œAnd who’s the best poet in Spooksville?” Sally asked.
    â€œYou are,” Watch said.
    â€œYou write poetry?” Adam asked her.
    â€œYes, and they’re awful poems,” Sally said. “I think he’s been altered.”
    â€œIf I have, it happened a long time ago,” Watch said. “Give it a try, Adam. I want to move on to the next spot.”
    â€œAll right,” Adam said, feeling far from excited about the prospect. He walked