BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

AREYOUREADYFORPOWERPLAY!?

InthisspecialeditionGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS,you’vegottochoosetherightPOWERobjectstotakewithyou.Choosewrongandyou’re—gone!

AttheCircusofFear,you’llneedtobepreparedforanything—andeverything—thatcangowrong.Likewalkingthetightropeafterit’sbeencutwithshears!AndoutsmartinganevilringmistresswhowantstoturnyouintotheKidWhoLivesinaJar!

Sostopclowningaroundandmakeyourfirstchoices.Becauseitalldependsonyou.Willyouhititbigunderthebigtop?Orwillsomethingbiggettoyou…beforethefinale?

NOW,TURNTHEPAGE,CHOOSETHREEPOWEROBJECTS,ANDGETREADYTOPLAYWITHPOWER!

Contents

Beware!!

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Teaser

AbouttheAuthor

AlsoAvailable

Copyright

BEFOREYOUJOINTHECIRCUS…READTHIS!

Congratulations!Afteraweekatcircuscamp,youandyourfriendRichiehavebeenselectedtospendaweekasguestperformersinareal-lifecircus.

Butthisisnoordinarythree-ringadventure.

Thisisaterrifyingcircusofdoom!

OnlyifyoumaketherightchoiceswillyouandRichiesurviveyourbone-chillingexperienceunderthebigtop.

SincethisisaspecialGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS,yougettotakethreethingswithyouforextrahelp.Readthroughthelistofobjectsonthenexttwopages.Thendecidewhatyouthinkyouwillneed.

Butremember,youmaytakeonlythreethings.Nomore!

Whatwillyouneedmostwhenthegoinggetstough?

It’suptoyoutochoose….

GoontoPAGE2.

Chooseanythreethingsfromthelistbelow.ThenpackyourbagsandheadforthecircusonPAGE4!

CAMERA:Greatfortakingpicturesoftheothercircusperformersyoumeet.Alsousefulforrecordingproofofevildoing(ifbysomestrangechanceyourunintoanytroubleduringthisadventure).

DICTIONARYOFCIRCUSTERMS:Asmallbookthatwillteachyouthecoolwordsandphrasesusedbycircusfolk.

MIRROR:Usefulforputtingonclownmakeup(andforlookingoveryourshoulder).

PEPPY,YOURPETSNAKE:Notnecessarilyuseful,butyoucantakehimeverywherewithyou(andyou’renotsureyoucantrustyourfamilytoremembertofeedhim).

CHOCOLATEBARS:Youmightwanttotakethesealongifyoulovechocolate.Thatway,you’llbepreparedifyougetacraving.

TALCUMPOWDER:Theprofessionaltrapezeartistsusetalcumtokeeptheirhandsfromslippingwhentheygripthebars.Youmightwantsomeifyouplantodoanyswinging.

BAGOFPEANUTS:Atastytreatforyou(andagoodbribeforangryelephants).

BUNCHOFBANANAS:Notonlyaretheyhighinpotassium,butthepeelsareusefulifyouwanttogetinvolvedwiththeclownacts.

YOURLUCKYBASEBALLCAP:Youworeiteverydayatcircuscamp.Nothingbadhappenedtoyou.Youfiguremaybethecapkeptyousafe.

BALLOFTWINE:Usefulfortyingthingstogether,reconnectingbrokenropes,etc.

BULLWHIP:Afifteen-foot-longleatherwhipmightcomeinhandyifyourunintoanylionsortigersontheloose!

Choosethreethings.ThenstarttheadventureonPAGE4.

“Welcome!”avoiceboomsatyouoveramicrophone.“WelcometothemostastoundingshowonEarth!”

Youstepintoadimlylitcircustent.Ropeshadowsdanceonthepointedcanvastops.Thesmellofanimalsfillsyournose.

“Good-bye,honey,”yourmomcallsfromtheentryway.Sheblowsyouakiss.“Havefun.”

“Okay,Mom…bye,”youmumble.You’redistractedbyhowspookythecircustentlooks.Sogloomy.Socreepy.

“Howcomeit’ssodarkinhere?”RichieFieldstonwhispersatyourside.Hebrusheshisredhairoutofhiseyes.

“Idon’tknow,”youanswer.“Andwhereiseveryone?”

YouandRichiewereincircuscamptogetherthissummer.Youlearnedhowtoflyonthetrapeze,doclownacts,andridebarebackonahorse.

Youwerebothsogoodatit,youwonthechancetospendawholeweekinarealcircus.

“Whatareyoutwowaitingfor?”afemalevoicecommandsoverthemicrophone.“Comeondown,youluckykids.Andmakeitfast!”

Yousquintintothedarkness.Thevoicesoundsfamiliar.

“MistressBarbara?”youcall.“Isthatyou?”

“Thename’snotBarbara,”thevoicesnaps.“It’sBarbarous!”

GoontoPAGE5.

Barbarous?Yougulp.Youandyourmommettheringmistressofthecircusoutside.Sheseemedsweetandfriendly.

Butshedoesn’tsoundsosweetnow!

“Hurryup!”hervoiceboomsoverthemicrophone.

“Comeon,Richie!”youexclaim.“We’dbettergetdownthere!”

Youhustledownthedimaisle.Richiefollowsreluctantlybehindyou.Youtossyourbackpackdownonachairinthefrontrowandstepontothesawdust-coveredfloorofthemainring.Richieplopsdowninachair.

Suddenlythelightssnapon.Bright,glaringlightsthatalmostblindyou.Inthenextinstant,acurtainswingsback.MistressBarbarousstepsoutholdingacordlessmicrophone.Sheiswearingblackleatherpants,aredsatinblouse,andasnugblackvest.Shesmileswickedlyatyouandclapsherhandsthreetimes.

“Letthefunbegin!”shebellowsintothemicrophone.

Frombehindher,amaninablackcaperidesintothering,standingonahorse.

He’scarryingahugesilverknife!

Andhe’spointingitatyou!

RacetoPAGE6.

SWOOSH!Themanonthehorsegallopsrightbyyou—sofastandclose,henearlyknocksyoudown.

“You!”MistressBarbarouscries.Shepointsatyouasshestridesintothemiddleofthering.“Moveit!GetovertheresoMortontheKnifeThrowercanpractice!”

Shepointsatahugewhiteboard.It’satargetwithanoutlineofapersonpaintedonit.

Youknowfromcircuscampwhattodo.You’resupposedtostandinfrontoftheboardwithyourarmsoutlikethepaintedoutline.Thentheknifethrowerwillthrowknivesatyou.

Missingyou.Youhope!

Youglanceatthemanonthehorse.Andathissharp,sparklingknife.Thiscouldbereallydangerous,yourealize.

Maybeyoucouldstillcatchupwithyourmomoutside.Thenagain,ifyoudefyMistressBarbarous’sorders,there’snotellingwhatmighthappen….

Well?

Ifyoustandinfrontoftheboard,turntoPAGE33.

Ifyouruntocatchupwithyourmom,turntoPAGE9.

Youdecidetofacethedangersonthefloor.Youtakeadeepbreathtosteelyourself.“Ready,”youmurmur.

Timetodealwiththelions,theknifethrower,MistressBarbarous—andwhateverelseisouttogetyou!

Yougripthebullwhiptightlyasyoujumpoffthetrampoline.Youlandonthedirtfloor.

“GRRRRR!”thelionsgrowlhungrily.

Thehairsonthebackofyourneckprickle.

Thethreefurrybeastscircleyou.Theylookravenous.

“Inthecenterring!”MistressBarbarousannouncesoverhermicrophone.“It’stoday’smainattraction—lunch!”

Yourubyoursweatyforeheadwiththebackofyourhand.“Hup!”youyell,crackingyourwhipatthelions.

Thelionsbackawayastep.

Buttheknifethrowerdoesn’t.

WHHHSSSSSHH!Aknifesailssoclosetoyourhead,itpartsyourhair.Youcan’thelpscreaming!

KeepyournervessteadyuntilyoureachPAGE16.

Plungeyourhandsintothespinningsugar?

Whynot?youthink.It’llbefun.

Carefully,youballyourhandsintofists.Thenyoudipthembothintothemachine.

Littlebylittle,youbegintopickupthecottoncandy,wrappingitaroundandaroundyourhands.

“Yummy!Yummy!Letmehaveit!”Mr.Peepersdemands,droolingwithanticipation.

Youholdoutyourfiststowardthegreedyclown.

Ihopehe’sacarefuleater,youthink.

“Holditrightthere!”commandsanicyvoice.

It’sMistressBarbarous!No!

Youspinaroundandgasp.

Hereyes—

They’reflamingpurple!

GoontoPAGE82.

“Getintoplace!”Barbarousdemandsoverthemicrophone.

“Forgetit!”youshout.“I’moutofhere.”

Youspinaroundandraceuptheaisle.YouwavetoRichieasyouzippasthim.Ihopeheleaves,too,youthink.

Yourun.Outofthecreepytent.Throughthedustoftheparkinglot,whereyourmom’sminivanisheadingfortheroad.

“Mom!”youshout,wavingyourarmsfrantically.“Wait!Comeback!”

Yourmomhasthewindowrolledup.

Oh,no!Shecan’thearme,yourealize.

Butsheglancesover.Sheseesyouwavingandwavesback.

“Bye!”shemouths.Sheflashesyouabigsmileandthenpullsoutoftheparkinglot.

Whydidn’tshestop?youwonder.

Youhearanastylittlelaugh.Behindyou.Youwhirlaround.

It’sMistressBarbarous.Wavingandsmilinggood-byetoyourmombehindyourback.

Nowonderyourmomleft!ShethoughtyouandBarbarouswerehappilywavinggood-bye.

“Backinside!”MistressBarbaroussaysthroughclenchedteeth.

Dowhatshesays.GobackintothetentonPAGE48.

Aworldrecord?Cool!

Theguysoundsnice,andobviouslyhehasgoodtasteifhe’scallingyouamazing….

Yourstepsslowasyouturnaroundandgoback.

Insidethesideshowtent,atallmaningreenpantsandawhitepirate-stylesilkshirtsmilesatyou.

“I’mPietro—andyou’refantastic!”hesayswithabroadgrin.“Whatspeed!Haveyoueverthoughtaboutacareerasarunner?”

“YoumeanlikeattheOlympics?”youask,pumpinghishand.

“No,”Pietroreplies,shakinghishead.“Imeanlikerunningaroundandaroundthecircusringwiththelionsandtigerschasingyou.”

Pietro’seyessparklewithamischievousglint.

GotoPAGE76.

YoudecidetogosearchingforRichie.Youexittheclowntentthroughtheback.Itleadsintoasmall,darktentthathascandlelightflickeringinside.Soft,eerieviolinmusicdrawsyouin.

Ahugetrunkfullofglitteringcostumesstandsopen.Youglimpseadressingtablecoveredwithcandles.Seatednexttothetableisasmall,bent-backedgypsy.Helooksaboutahundredyearsold.He’splayingtheviolin.

“Yourfriendisnothere,”thegypsyannounces.

Weird.Howdidheknowyouwerelookingforsomeone?

Youshiver,wonderingifthisgypsyisfriendorfoe.

Butbeforeyoucanaskhimanything,youhearagrowl.

Behindyou.

Allthehaironyourneckstandsonend.

TurnaroundonPAGE84.

“Now,getinyourjar!”MistressBarbarousgrowlsatyou.Shepushesyoutowardafour-foot-talljarfilledwithoozinggraygoop.It’sthesamejaryousawintheposter.

“Don’tdoit!”theLizardBoycalls.“Whateveryoudo,don’tgetintothatjar!”

TheGirlwithFiveTonguesshouts,“Run!”

Itcomesout,“Run-run-run-run-run!”

“She’stoostrong!”youcry.“Ican’tbreakaway!”

Evenwithyoukickingather,MistressBarbarousisabletoliftyouup.Shestartstoshoveyouintothehugejar.

Yourhanddipsintothecold,stickygel.It’ssodisgustingyoufeellikeyoumightretch.Plus,itsmellsterrible.Worsethanthesmellofrottingflesh!

“No!”theLizardBoycries.“Makeadealwithher!”

Youhavenoideawhathe’stalkingabout—butyouwouldgiveanythingtostayoutofthejar.Soyoucallout.

“Iwanttomakeadeal!”youshout,strugglingtokeepBarbarousfrompushingyouintothestinkyjar.

GotoPAGE40.

Waytogo!Youbroughtyourluckybaseballcapwithyou!

Andyouworeitforthebigperformance.

Thelionfallingonyoudidn’thurtabit!Anditturnsouthedoesn’twanttoeatyouafterall—hejustranoveryoubyaccident.Hecouldn’tstopfastenough.

Yougentlypushthelionoffyouandspringtoyourfeet.

Theaudienceroarswithapplause.

You’reahugehit!Thecrowdcan’tgetenoughofyou.

Youfeelsoluckythatyoudecidetowalkthetightrope,eventhoughyouneverpracticedit.

“Butthere’snonet!”Pietroobjects.“Don’tbefoolish!”

“I’mincrediblylucky!”youboast.“Standback!”

Thecrowdgoeswild.

You’veonlygotoneproblem.You’veturnedtoaveryunluckypage.Checkitout.Thepagenumberis13.

Youloseyourbalanceonthewireandfalltothefloor.Oooh,toobad.Yourhopesforacircuscareerhavejustbeendashedtotheground!

THEEND

Okay,youthink.I’lltrusthim.Withhishelp,I’llbeabletogetoutofhere!Besides,somethinginhisvoicesoundssincere.LikehereallywillhelpmeifIshowhimthephoto.

Youstopandturntofacetheliontamer.

“Letmesee,”hesayseagerly,hurryingtowardyou.

Youshowhimthecamerascreen.

TheGreatBostinistaresatthephotoforaminute.Hisfacetwistsintoalookofanguish,anger,andpain.

“Noooo!”hecries,openinghismouthinawideroar.

CheckoutthepictureonPAGE92.

Itmightberisky.Butyouhavenochoice.Youreachintoyourpocketandpulloutthesmallmirroryoubroughtfromhome.

Asyoudance,youholdupthemirrorandaimitatthependant.Youcanbarelyholdthemirrorstill,yourfeetaremovingsofast.

Butallatonce…

ZZZZZAP!

Yes!You’vecaughtthereflectionofthemagicpendant!

Thepurpleenergyboltshootsoutofyourmirrorandstraightintoyoureyes.

Thelightfillsyoureyes.Blinding,searingpain!

“Owwwww!”youscream,droppingthemirrorandcoveringyoureyes.

TurntoPAGE59.

You’resoscared,yourheartfeelsasifithasjumpedupintoyourthroat.Butyoutrynottoletthefearshow.

Theknifethrowerdrawsanotherknife.Inaflash,youcrackyourwhipathim.Youknocktheknifeaway.

“Ow!”hescreams,poppinghisfingersintohismouth.

“Yes!”youshouttriumphantly.

Barbarousfliesintoaction.Sheblowsawhistle.Itbringsaclownambulanceracingintothering.Thesirenblaresastheclownsrushtotheknifethrower’sside.

Theclownsmakethelionsnervous.Theypaceandroar,rippingtheairwiththeirrazorclaws.

Lions…clowns…acrobats…knifethrowers…

You’recompletelysurrounded.

It’sbigtroubleunderthebigtop!

GoontoPAGE70.

“H-h-howdidthishappentoyou?”youstammer.

“Ithappenedtoallofus,”Dannysays,noddingattheothersideshowexhibits.“Wecamehereasnormalkids.ButBarbaroustrappedusandusedhermagiconus.Nowwe’refreaks.”

“Andwe’llbehereforever,”theGirlwithFiveTonguesmoans.Herothertonguesrepeatthelastword,likeanecho.“Forever-forever-forever-forever.”

Theeerieechomakesyourskincrawl.

“I’vegottofindRichieandgetoutofhere!”youdeclare.“ButhowdoIdoit?”

“Idon’tknow,”Dannysays.“Wealltriedtorunaway.Toescape.ButBarbarousalwayscaughtus.”

“Someone’scoming,”Mr.Peepersdeclares.He’sbeenkeepingwatchwhileyoutalktoyourfriend.“ProbablyMistressBarbarous!”

“Quick!Hide!”Dannywhispers.

“No!Run!”Mr.Peepersinstructsyou.

Hideorrun?Hideorrun?Quick,choose!

Ifyou’reafastrunner,dashtoPAGE62.

Ifnot,you’dbetterhideonPAGE39.

Thatnight,you’retheringmasterofthenewAll-StarKidCircus!You,Richie,andalltheothersideshowkidsarethestars!

Richieridesbarebackonahorse.DannyMendlesonjugglesfiveclubsoffire.MerrilldoesanamazingtrapezeactwiththeboywhousedtobetheKidwithRottenFlesh.Nowhe’sanormalkidnamedElliotGlass.

Theothercircusperformers,theregularclowns,acrobats,andjugglers,helpoutintheshow.They’redelightedthatthereignofMistressBarbarousandherevilrelativesisover.

“Butwhataboutthependant?”Richiewhisperstoyouneartheendoftheshow.“Ifitfallsintothewronghands—”

“Thatwillneverhappen!”youinterrupt.“Justwatch.”

Asagrandfinaletothecircusyouclapyourhandsthreetimes.Threemagnificentelephantsparadeintothering.

Theyputtheirfrontlegsintheairandstandup.

Youraceforwardandpositionthependantonthegroundinfrontofthebiggestelephant.Whenshelowersherhugefrontfeet,shecrushesthejadetosmithereens.

“Goodnight,everyone!”youaddressthecrowdoverthemicrophone.“I’mproudtoannouncethatthisisaveryhappy

END!”

Youglancenervouslyaround,tryingtomakeupyourmind.You’vegotthreechoices.

YoucankeepsearchingforRichie.

Or,sinceyou’rehereintheclowntent,youcandisguiseyourselfasaclown.

OryoucanhideandhopethatRichiecomestofindyou.

Choose!

TosearchforRichie,turntoPAGE11.

Todisguiseyourselfasaclown,turntoPAGE35.

TohideandwaitforRichie,turntoPAGE58.

“Iwon’tshutup!”theLizardBoyyellsatMistressBarbarous.“I’mgoingtotellthiskidthetruthaboutyou!”

“Yeah,”theDogGirlbarks.Sheturnsherhoundfacetowardyou.“Wewereallnormalkidsonce.Butnow…rrrrrufff!”

YoustarehardattheLizardBoy.

“Hey,”youblurtoutasithitsyou.“Aren’tyou…?”

“DannyMendleson,”theboysays,noddingsadly.

Yourstomachtightensintoaknot.

DannyMendleson!Hewaslastyear’swinneratcircuscamp.Hewonthechancetojointhecircusforaweek.Andthenhedisappeared!

“I’mMerrillThornbush,”theGirlwithFiveTonguespipesup.“Iwonatcircuscamptwoyearsago.I’vebeenhereeversince.”

“Since-since-since-since,”theotherfourtonguesecho.

Oh,no,youthink.Thismustbewhereallthecircuskidsendup!

Quick!TurntoPAGE12.

“Youjustcan’tstayaway,canyou?”Barbaroustaunts,grinningatyou.Youstareupatherinterror.

MistressBarbarousissoevil!Whatwillshedotomenow?youwonder.Yourteethchatterfromcoldandfear.

Shedragsyouintothecenterringunderthebigtopandshovesyoudowntothedirt.Thenshequicklybacksaway,leavingyouthere.

Youstruggletoyourfeet…andgasp.

Allaroundyou,circusactsaregoingon!Deadlyacts!

Theknifethroweronhorsebackridesaroundandaroundthecenterring.Aiminghisknifeatyou.

Aboveyouontrapezesaretwowomeninpinkleotards.Theylookreadytojump.Rightontopofyou!

Threeferociouslionsarewanderingaroundloose.Theyroarandgrowl.

“Welcome,circuskid!”Barbarousbellowsoverthemicrophone.“Welcometoyourfirst—andlast—performanceunderthebigtop!”

TheshowstartsonPAGE72.

“Yes!”yougasptothetinyclownatyourside.“Ihavefood.I’vegotabagofpeanuts.”

“Peanuts?”Mr.Peeperssputters.“Peanuts?DoIlooklikeanelephant?WhatwouldIwantwithabagofpeanuts?”

“Givemeabreak!”youwhisperwiththelastofyourbreath.“Pleasehelpme!”

“Don’tyouhaveanychocolatebars?”thepudgyclowndemands.

Toobadyoucan’tanswerhim.Youjustgaspedyourlastbreath.

Oh,well.Nicetry.

Atleastyou’velearnedsomethingfornexttime.Andthisisarulethatwillgetyouthroughallkindsoftrickysituations,bothinGOOSEBUMPSandinreallife:

Chocolatecanalmostalwayssavetheday!

THEEND

“Whatareyoudoingupthere?”youcallsoftly.“Andhowcomeyoudroppedslimeonmyhead?”

“Mymouthwasopen.Idrooledbyaccident,”Richiewhispers.“Hurry!Climbtheladder.Noonewillfindusuphere.”

Youstartclimbing.Whoops!It’stoolateforyoutotakethisadvice:

Neverhideanywherewithsomeonewhodrools.Becauseyouknowwhat?IfRichiedrools,itwon’tbelongtillhealsostartshiccupingorburping.

Whichisexactlywhathedoes,theminuteyougetupthere.

“Brrrruuuup!Oh,excuseme,”Richiemutters.

“Aha!”MistressBarbarouscallswhenshehearshimbelch.“Caughtyou!”

Shepullsoutanancientpendantfromaroundherneckandamirrorfromherpocket.Sheusesthesetwoitemstoworkaterriblespell.Withinseconds,shehastransformedthetwoofyouintoconjoinedtwins.Joinedatthestomach!

That’sright.YounowshareatummywithRichieFieldston.Whichmeansthatwhenheburps,youburp!Youtwoareabighitinthesideshow.Peoplelovetobringyouthingstoeat.

“Please,Richie,”youbeghimeveryday.“Nobeans!”

THEEND

Congratulations!Youspottedallthelionsanddidthemathcorrectly!Youmaynotbelucky—butyou’resmart!

Youdidn’tneedthatluckybaseballcapafterall.

Foryourreward,yougettosurvivebeingknockedoverbythelion.

Youalsogetthreehints.

Hint#1:Whenyouchooseyourobjectsagainatthestartofthebook,takethethingthathelpspeopletogetagoodlookatthemselves.

Hint#2:Runningfromdangeralmostnevergetsyouanywhere.

Hint#3:Whenyougooutinthesun,wearsunscreen.Thiswon’thelpyougetthroughthisbook,butitwillhelpyouinreallife!

NowgobacktoPAGE2andbegintheadventureagain.Anddon’teventhinkabouttakingyourluckybaseballcapifyouwanttooutsmartMistressBarbarousin

THEEND.

Yourhandfallsonthecanoftalcumpowder.Yougrabit.Itjustmightwork!Youyankoffthecapanddumpthewhitedustintoyourpalm.

“Ha!”youcryasyouthrowthepowderintheGreatBostini’sface.

“Grrrr!”Theliontamergrowlsangrily.Hisheadsnapsback.Thetalcumpowderhitshisnose.

Andhestartstosneeze.

“Ah—ah—ah…”

TurntoPAGE66.

Youthrowyourselfflatjustintime.

Oneinstantlaterthelionsailstowardyou….

Butbecauseyouducked,hefliesoveryourheadandlandsonMortontheKnifeThrowerinstead.

“Nooooo!”Mortoncriesastheliontoppleshim.

Youstandupanddustyourselfoff.

“Duckagain!”thevoicecallsfromabove.

Youhittheground.Thenyourolloverandpeerintothedarkareaofropesandplatformsatthetopofthetent.

It’sRichie!youthink.Thistimeyourecognizedhisvoice.

He’sbeenhidinguptherethiswholetime!

Asecondlionleapsoveryou.Butthistime,theliondoesn’tevenseemtobeaimingforyou.He’sleapingattheGreatBostini,theliontamer,who’sbeenstandingnearthelioncagesatthesideofthering.

Withahorriblegrowl,thelionripsBostini’scostumetoshreds.

Thelionisgoingcrazy!Attackinghismaster!

“Helpme!Please!”Bostinibegsyou.

GivehimahandonPAGE126.

Yougazedownandseeanotheryoungwomaninapinkleotard.Exceptshehasablacksnakesewnonhercostume.Anothercobra.

OtherwiseshelooksexactlylikeSaratheHumanSnake!

Twins?Uh-oh.Doesn’tMistressBarbaroushavetwinsisters?

“Who’sthat?”youcalluptoSara.

“Oh,no!That’sSusan,mysister,”Saramoans.“ShegetsreallyjealouswhenIworkoutwithanyonebesidesher.”

“Hey,whatareyoudoing,Sara?”Susanyells.Shesoundsreallyangry.“Who’syournewfriend?”

“I’mjusthereforaweek,”yousay,tryingtosoundfriendly.

“Really?”shesneers.“Well,becareful,I’dhateforyoutofall.”TWANG!Sheshovestheladder.

Youglaredownather.Shehasacoldglintinhereye—andahugepairofsteelshearsinherhands!

“Climbfaster,kid,”sheshoutsatyou.“Oryouwon’thaveanythingtoclimbon!”

Thenshescalestheladderasfastaslightning.She’srightunderyourrung.

“Leavemyfriendalone,”Saracries.

Butit’stoolate.Susancutstherungunderyourfeet!

HoldontightuntilyoureachPAGE44.

DustfliesupunderyourfeetasyouandMr.Peepersrunthroughthecircustents.

WhataboutRichie?youthink.He’sintrouble,too!

“Ihavetogobackformyfriend!”youshouttoMr.Peepers.YouturntogohelpRichie,butthenyouseetheevilclownstretchinghisarmsagain.Theawfulwhitehandsarecomingforyou!

“Nevermind!”youscream.“Let’sgo!”

Mr.Peepersducksunderalioncage.Youfollow.Youbothcrawlonyourbelliestotheotherside.Thenyouhidebehindalargeleathertrunk.

Youwatchastheclownhandssearcheverywhereforyou.Buttheycan’tfindyourhidingplace.Finallytheygiveupandshrinkaway.

“Wedidit!”youexclaim.“Thankyousomuch!”

“You’rewelcome.Now,where’smychocolate?”Mr.Peepersholdsouthishandexpectantly.

“It’sinmybackpack,”youanswer,breathinghard.“Ileftitinthemaintent.”

“Allright,followme,”Mr.Peepersordersyou.

“B-b-butMistressBarbarousisinthere!”youstammer.“Shewastryingtokillmebefore!”

HurrytoPAGE46.

Asyoudance,youpullthebullwhipoutofyourbackpack.Withasnapofyourwrist,youcracktheleatherwhipinthegypsy’sdirection.

Toobad!Notonlydoesthewhipnothittheviolin,butitcurlsaroundintheairandlashesbackatyou!

Thewhipwrapsitselfaroundyourbody!

“Noooo!”youcryasyoufalltothefloor.Youcan’tmoveamuscle!Thewhipiswrappedaroundyourbodylikeacobra!

MistressBarbarousroarswithlaughter.Shedrawsnearer.

Quick!Whatelsedidyoubringwithyou?

Nothing.

Youwouldn’tbeonthispageunlessyouhadthechocolatebars,thecamera,andthebullwhip.

Youknowtherules.Youwereonlyallowedtobringthreethings.Faceit!You’verunoutofprops.

You’rewhipped!

THEEND

“Wait!”Bostinicalls.“Thephoto!Iwanttoseeit!”

“Noway!”youshout.Itwouldbetooriskytotrusthim.You’vegottofindRichieandgetoutofhere.

ThelasttimeyousawRichie,aclownhadhimpinnedtothegroundwithagiantshoe.Thatwasinthebackstagetent.Sothat’swhereyougo!

Crowdsofcircuspeoplemillaroundinthebackstagetent.They’redressedintheircostumes,drinkingcoffeeandreadingthenewspaper.Afewofthemglanceatyou,thenlookawayinboredom.

Richieisnowheretobeseen.

Hmmm,youthink.IneedhelptofindRichieandgetoutofhere.Maybeoneofthesecircuspeoplecanbetrusted.

Butwhichone?

TrytofindsomeoneniceonPAGE42.

Youwhirlaway,dancingfasterandfastertoescapetheknife-tippedbow.

“Whatanact!”MistressBarbarouscries.“I’magenius!”

Thegoodnewsis:Youdon’tgetstabbedbyRamon’sdeadlybow.Youlearnhowtodancearoundit!

Thebadnewsis:Youhavetodancearounditeverysinglenight!

YouandRamonarethenewstarsofthecircus.Youractiscalled“RamonandtheDance-CrazyKid.”

Whileheplays,youdancewildlyaroundthecircusrings.Youwhirlandtwirl,yourfeetflyingupinapatternofcrazyrhythms.Theaudiencecheers,especiallywhenyoutakeyourbowattheendofthebigshow,andyou’restilldancing!

Whattheydon’tknowisthatyou’realwaysdancing!Themagicofthecharmneverwearsoff.Youdancedayandnight…weekafterweek…yearafteryear…

You’rearegulardancingfool!

THEEND

Nowayareyougoingtotrustthisperson,youdecide.

Whichisaverysmartmove.

Maybeyouknew,andmaybeyouwereonlyguessing.Eitherway,you’reright.ThewomanwiththeblackcobraonhercostumeisSusan,thetwinsisterofSaratheHumanSnake.

Sara’stheniceone.Susanispureevil.

Unfortunately,rightthenGeyorgthehugeclowngivesonefinalshakeofhisarms.

Youcan’thelpit.Heshakesyousohard,youletgoofhiscostume.

Youcloseyoureyes.

“Helllllp!”youscreamasyouhurtletowardtheground.

LandonPAGE63.

Youstandinfrontofthetargetandstretchoutyourarmsandlegstomatchthewhiteoutline.

“Remembertoholdstill,”Richiecallstoyou.Hesoundsnervous.Butnotanywherenearasnervousasyouare.

You’repetrified!

Yourheartpoundsinrhythmwiththehorse’shoovesstompingaroundthering.

BA-BOOM.BA-BOOM.BA-BOOM.

“Don’tmove!”theknifethrowerwarns.“Notaninch.Notunlessyouwanttogethurt!”

Withahorribleglintinhiseye,hepullsbackhisarmandthrowsthehuge,gleamingknife.

Itlooksliketheknifeiscomingstraightatyourheart!

Areyougoingtojuststandthere?Orshouldyoutrytoleapoutoftheway?

Ifyouleapoutoftheway,turntoPAGE75.

Ifyoustandstill,turntoPAGE60.

MistressBarbarous’seyesnarrowassheliftsthecordthathangsaroundherneck.Danglingfromitisanancient-lookingjadependant,carvedwiththeimageofaface.

“You’llbesorry,”MistressBarbarousrepeats.Shequicklypullsoutasmallmirror.Shedanglesthependantinfrontofitandgazesatthereflection.

YourmouthfallsopenasyouseeabeamofpurplelightshootfromthependantfaceinthemirrortoMistressBarbarous’seyes!

MistressBarbarousglancesupatRamontheGypsy.Hereyesarepoolsofglowingpurplelight.Youswallowhard.

“No!”Ramoncriesasthepurpleenergyboltshootsfromhereyestohis.Asecondlater,thegypsybeginstoplayhisviolinwildly.Fasterandfaster.Likeatrainpickingupspeed.

Andtheviolinbowinhishandsbeginstogrow.

Youcan’tbelieveyoureyes.

Thebowgrowslongerandlonger.

Andasharpbladeshootsoutofthetip!

SeewhathappensonPAGE86.

Youdecidetodressupasaclown.ThatwayyoucansearchforRichieandnotbenoticed!

Youstartbypullingonacrazyclownwig.Green.

Yourhandsshake.Hurry!youurgeyourself.You’vegottofinishbeforeanyonecomesin.

Yousitatthemakeuptabletoputonwhiteclown-facepaint.Youaddahuge,frowningblackmouthandbluetrianglesaroundyoureyes.

Withinminutes,youdon’tevenrecognizeyourself!

Allyouneednowisacostume.Abunchofthemarehangingonarackbehindyou.

Youpickasuitthat’shalfredandhalfgreen,splitrightdownthemiddle.Thecostumeisbigandfloppy,muchtoobigforyou.Butsowhat?Clownsalwayswearbaggyclothes,right?

Forafinaltouch,youpullonapairofgiantclownshoes.

Perfect!youthink,staringatyourselfinthemirror.NowIcangoanywhere,andnoonewillknowit’sme!

Boldly,youwalkrightoutintothemiddleofthebigtent.

And,BAM!RightintoMistressBarbarous!

HopeyourcostumeworksonPAGE115.

YoudecidetosneakpastMistressBarbarousattheexit.Itseemslikethebestchanceyou’llgettoescape!

“I’mgettingoutofhere,”youwhisperuptoRichie.

Youslinkalongtheshadowsattheedgeofthetent.Youhidebehindpoles.Youduckundertheseats.

MistressBarbarousistalkingwithoneofthecircusperformers.She’sshowinghimsomesortoflargeposterthatsheholdsinherhands.

Here’smychance,youthink.Iftheystaybusy,maybeIcansneakpastthem.Justslipout,behindMistressBarbarous’sback….

Asyouapproach,MistressBarbarousunrollstheposterandholdsitupinfullview.

Youwanttoscreamwhenyouglimpsewhat’sonit.

CheckouttheposteronPAGE49.

Astar?Forgetit.You’veheardenoughliesfromthesecircuspeople.Youwanttogohome!

Soyoukeeprunning.Straightacrosstheparkinglot.Downtheroad.Upahill.Downanotherroad.

It’ssixlongmileshome,butyoumakeit.Pantingandoutofbreath,youdragintoyourroom,flopdownonyourbed,andfallintoadeepsleep.

Yousleepforeightdaysstraight!Bythetimeyouwakeup,thecircushasmovedontoanothertown.

It’stoolatetohelpanyofthekidsstuckinthesideshow!AndtoolatetohelpRichie.

Sure,youescapedsafely,butyouleftyourfriendsbehind.

Andyoudon’tthinkyou’llgettothegoodendingsinthisbookifyouabandonyourfriends,doyou?

Noway.

Sogobacktothebeginningandtryagain.Becauseonething’sforsure.Thisisnotahappy

END.

“Butthere’snoonehere!”youprotest.“Idon’tknowhowtomakecottoncandy!”

“Figureitout!”Mr.Peepersscreams,jumpingupanddown.“Makeitformenow,orI’lltellthebig,meanclownwhereyouare!”

“Okay,okay,”yousayquickly.Man,whatawhiner!

Youfliponthecottoncandymachine.You’vewatchedpeoplemakeit,soyousortofknowwhattodo.Youpourapacketofpinksugarintothebowl.

“Hurry!”theclownscreams.“Yummy,yummy,yum-yum-yum!”

Thefuzzypinkcandystartstobuilduponthesidesofthemetalbowl.Youneedapaperconetotwirlitup.Butyoucan’tfindone.

“Doyouseeanyofthosepapercones?”youaskthetinyclownasyousearch.

“Nevermindthat!”hesnaps.“Justuseyourhands!”

Yourhands?Thatkindofsoundslikefun!

Butthesugarisspinningprettyfast.

Isitreallyagoodidea?

Touseyourhandsforthecottoncandy,turntoPAGE8.

Torefuse,turntoPAGE97.

“Iwanttohide!”youtellDannytheLizardBoy.“Butwhere?”

“Comeinhere,”hewhispers.

QuicklyyouslipintothecagewiththeLizardBoy.

“Getdown,”Dannycommands.Hepointstothecornerwithhistail.

YouliedownonthecoldcementfloorneartheLizardBoy’spilesofstrawandfood.Usinghistail,Dannycoversyouwithdustystraw.Youtrynottosneeze.

Youkeepverystillassomeonestepsintothesideshow.

Thesoundofheelsclickingonthecementfloorcomescloserandcloser.

IsitMistressBarbarous?Youcan’ttell.

Youholdyourbreathandpraythatthestrawwillcoveryouenoughtokeepyouhidden….

Holdvery,verystillonPAGE54.

MistressBarbarousholdsyouoverthejarofgoo.Hereyesnarrowassheglaresatyou.

“Whatkindofadeal?”shedemands.

“Offerhersomething,”theLizardBoyadvisesyouinawhisper.“Somethingshemightwant!”

Offerhersomething?Whatwouldshewant?

Whathaveyougot?

Ifyoubroughtalongyourluckybaseballcap,thecamera,orthedictionaryofcircusterms,turntoPAGE101.

Ifyoudidn’tbringanyofthosethings,turntoPAGE67.

Theballoftwine?Yes!You’vegotit.

Youcanthinkofabouttwomillionwaysyoucoulduseittogetoutofthissituation.Forinstance:

1)Youcouldquicklyloopafewloopsandmakealasso.Thenyoucouldtakeaimandtossit,hopingtocatchtheloopontheendofatrapezeswingbehindyou.Thenyoucouldpullthetrapezetowardyou,doaflipoverthebar,andswingawaytofreedom.

2)YoucouldusethetwinetotieupGeyorg’shands.Thenyoucouldslidedownoneofhisskinnylegsasifitwereafirefighter’spole.

3)Youcouldcutapieceoftwine,tietheendstogether,andstartplayingcat’scradletoconfuseanddistractallthecircusperformersbelowwhoaretryingtokillyou.

4)Youcouldmakea—

Holdit!You’retakingtoolongtomakeupyourmind.

Youmissedyourchancetomakeachoice.FindoutwhatyoudowiththetwineonPAGE114.

Youglanceatawomaninapinkleotard.Shehasapinksequinedsnakesewnonthefrontofhercostume.Shesmilesatyou.Agoodsign,youthink.

Thenyoutakeanotherlookatthesnakeonhercostume.

It’sacobra!Whoa!

“Hi,I’mSaratheHumanSnake,”shesayssweetly.“Youmustbeoneofouryoungguestperformers.Wouldyoulikemetoshowyousomecooltricksonthetrapeze?”

“Um—sure,”youagree.“ButcanIaskyouafewquestionsfirst?”Inyourhead,youadd:Like,howdoIgetoutofthishorriblecircus?

“Oh,comeon.”Saragiggles,takingyourhandandleadingyoutowardthemaintent.“Let’shavesomefunontheropesfirst.Wecantalklater!”Shegrinsatyouplayfully.

Okay,youthink.IfIgoandworkoutwithherforawhile,maybeshe’llhelpmeescape.

Thenagain,maybeshe’sleadingyoutoMistressBarbarous!

Doyoudaretrusther?

Thatdepends.Howmuchdoyoulikesnakes?

Ifyoubroughtyourpetsnakefromhome,you’llprobablytrusther.TurntoPAGE102.

Ifyoudidn’tbringyourpetsnake,turntoPAGE73.

Thehugeclownputshishandsuptocoverthehorrorunderneath.

Underthemakeupthere’snoflesh.Noskin.Justbones!

Justagruesome,worm-eatenskull.

It’shorrifying!You’refrozenwithfear.

“Comeon,”Mr.Peepersyells.“We’vegottogetawaynow!Onceheputshisfacebackonhe’llcomeafteryouagain!Run!”

Thepudgyclownturnsandboltsoutofthetent.Yourun!Yourheartpoundslikeabassdrum.

YoufollowMr.Peeperstoasmallertentnexttothebigtop.Thistentisfilledwithfoodmachines:ahotdogcooker,nachos,popcorn,peanuts,acottoncandymachine.Butthetentisdeserted.

There’snoonetosellthefoodtoyou.

“Cottoncandy,”Mr.Peepersdemands.Heseemedsocutebefore.Nowhe’sallredintheface.“Iwantcottoncandy!Now!”

GivehimwhathewantsonPAGE38.

“Aaahhh!”youcry.Youkickfrantically,tryingtofindanotherrungtostandon.Youholdonwithyourhandsfordearlife.

“Goodluckwithyournewfriend,Sara!”Susancries.Shejumpsofftheladderandhooksatrapeze.Sheletsoutanevilchuckleasshesailsaway.

“Holdon,”Saracries.“I’lltrytohelpyou.”

“Oh,no,youwon’t!”Susanscreams.Shefliesoverandthetwoofthemstartfightingaboveyouontheladder!

Ittremblesandshakes.Great!Justwhatyouneed!Nowit’sevenhardertoholdon!

Uh-oh.What’sthatticklingfeeling?

Yourpetsnakechoosesthatmomenttoslitheroutofyourpocketandslideupyourarm.Uptowardyourarmpit!

Thisisnotagoodtimetobetickled.

“Asnake?Ooohh!Ilovesnakes!”Susancriesfromabove.

“Oh,no!”Sara’ssweetvoicecriesdowntoyou.“Lookout!”

Holdonforonemoreminute,whileyouturntoPAGE90.

YouhavetostopMistressBarbarousfromgettinganothermirror!

Youstaredownatyourhand.

Hey.I’vegotawhip!yourealize.Andthelionsseemtobeobeyingyourcommands.Thatgivesyouanidea….

CRACK!Yousnapthewhipintheair.

“Hup!Lions!”youaddressthethreekilleranimals.“Attack!”

YoupointatBarbarous,whoisracingawayonherhorse.

“Attack!Attack!”youshout,crackingyourwhipandpointingatBarbarous.

Thelionsroar.Theyheardyou!Excellent!

Theonlythingis:Catsdon’tunderstandpointing.

Whenyoucommandthemtoattack,theyattackyou!

Youknow,it’snotpolitetopoint.

Andinthiscase,it’snotsafe,either!

THEEND

“Allright,allright,”Mr.Peepersgrumbles.“I’llgoandgetyourbag.Youwaithere!”

Youcowerbehindtheleathertrunk,hopingthatnoonefindsyou.Sweattricklesdownthebackofyourneck.

I’llgetmybackpack,findRichie,andgetoutofthismadhouse,youthink.

Suddenlyyouhearthepitter-patteroflittlefeet.It’sMr.Peepers.Heclutchesyourbackpackinhistinyhands.

“Here!Ifoundit!”heannounces.“Nowit’schocolatetime!”

YouunzipthepackandgiveMr.Peepersallthreecandybars.Heearnedthem.

“Mmmm,goody,goody!”hechuckles.Heunwrapsone,stuffsitintohismouthwhole,andgrins.

“IhavetogofindmyfriendRichie,”youdeclare.Youpullyourpackontoyourshoulders.“ButbeforeIgo,canyoupleasetellmewhatisgoingonhere?Whyiseveryoneouttogetus?”

Mr.Peepersshakeshisheadsadly.

HearthestoryonPAGE107.

“I’vegotadictionaryofcircusterms,”youoffer.“It’sreallycool.Ittellsyouwhatstuffmeans.Like‘salto.’That’sacertaintrickonthetrapeze.Orthe‘catcher.’That’s—”

Barbarousbeginstolaugh.Shelaughssohardthatshedropsyou.

SPLAT!Rightintothegoop!

“Whatanidiot!”shesnaps.“Iownthiscircus.DoyoureallythinkIneedadictionarytotellmewhatasaltois?Oh!You’refunny!You’rereallyfunny!”

Theringmistressdoublesover,howlingwithlaughter.

Whichisfinewithyou.Whileshe’slaughingyouclimboutofthejarandsneakawayfromher.

“Ha-ha-ha!”shehowlsbehindyou.

Slippingandslidinginyourgoop-coveredshoes,youstarttorun.

Don’tstopuntilyougettoPAGE55.

MistressBarbarousgrabsyourarm.Hard.Andmarchesyoubackintothetent.

Youdon’tputupafight.Afterall,whatchoicedoyouhave?Yourmomisgone.Andshe’snotcomingbackforaweek.

Insidethetent,theknifethrowerisstillracingaroundandaroundthering.Helooksimpatient.

“What’sgoingon?Iseverythingokay?”RichieasksyouasMistressBarbarousleadsyoupasthimandintothering.

“Everythingisjustgreat!Sitbackdown!”MistressBarbaroussnapsatRichie.“Yourfriendisabouttobecomearealcircusstar.Doyourstuff,circuskid,”sheaddstoyou.Shepushesyoutowardthewhitetargetboard.

“Goodluck!”shespits.“You’llneedit!Morton’snotverygood!”

Notverygood?Yougulpasyouhurrytotakeyourplace.

Notverygood!

FacetheknifethroweronPAGE33.

Theboldblackheadlineacrossthetopoftheposterreads:SEEITTODAY!THENEWESTADDITIONTOTHESIDESHOW:THEKIDWHOLIVESINAJAR!

Andunderneathisapictureofyou!Trappedinajarofslimy,oozyliquid!

Yourheartpounds.Ifyoudon’tgetoutofhere,MistressBarbarousisgoingtosealyouinajar!

MistressBarbarousstartstorolluptheposter.She’sgoingtoseeyou!

Youcrouchdownandliftthebottomofthetent.Maybeyoucansqueezeoutundertheside.

Youflopdownontoyourstomach.Yousqueezeunderthecanvas,crawlingoutofthetenttofreedom.

Youstanduptobrushyourselfoffoutside.Free!

“Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”asternvoicebehindyoudemands.

Areyoureallyfree?FindoutonPAGE89.

“I’mnotsure,”youanswer.Youclutchthependantinyourfist.“Doyouthinkit’llkeepworkingforme,thesamewayitworkedforMistressBarbarous?”

“Ofcourse,”Ramonreplies.“Theyallusethatpendant!Everyoneinherfamily.GeyorgtheClown,theGreatBostini,hersisters—theyuseiteveryday.Otherwisetheirstrangepowerswillgoaway.”

“Youmeaniftheydon’tusethependant,thenthey’lljustbenormal?”youask.

Ramonnods.

“Okay,”yousay.“ThenIhaveanidea.Comewithme.”

HurrytoPAGE103.

“Letmego!”youmanagetocroak,eventhoughtheevilclown’shandsareclampedaroundyourthroat.

“Psst,”avoicenearyousays.Youfeelatugonyoursleeve.

Youglancedown.Acutelittleclowninafrillypinksuitistryingtogetyourattention.Hischeeksareroundandrosy.Blueglitterstarsarepaintedaroundhiseyes.

Theclownwho’schokingyoudoesn’tnoticetheotherclown.

“Hi.I’mMr.Peepers.Gotanythingtoeat?”thepudgylittleclownwhisperstoyou.“Ifyoudo,I’llhelpyougetfree.”

Thislittleclownismyonlyhope!yourealize.

Butdidyoubringanyfoodwithyouonthisadventure?

Togivetheclownthechocolatebars,turntoPAGE105.

Togivehimthebagofpeanuts,turntoPAGE22.

Togivehimthebunchofbananas,turntoPAGE68.

Ifyoudidn’tbringanyfood,turntoPAGE113.

Youdon’thaveyourluckybaseballcap.Toughluck!

You’llhavetorelyonyourwitsinstead!

Inthepuzzlebelow,thewordLIONSiswrittenforwards,backwards,up,anddown.

Circleallthelions.Thencountthem.

Afteryoucountthem,multiplybyfour.

That’sthepagenumberyoushouldturntonext.

Ifyoufindallthelionsanddothemathcorrectly,you’llbeverylucky.There’sahintwaitingforyouonthecorrectpage!

Butifyougetthewronganswer…

Ooooh.Badluck.You’llturntoapagethatmakesnosenseatallforthispartofthestory.Andthenyou’llbehopelesslylostinthebook!

Goodluck!

Followtheinstructions.Thenturntothecorrectpage.

“Takethecuffsoffthekid,”MistressBarbarouscommandstheclown.“Icanhandlethis.”

“Don’ttryanythingfunny,”theclownpolicemanwarnsyou.Heunlocksyourhandcuffs.“That’smyjob!Ha-ha-ha!”

Hesomersaultsaway,laughingathisownjoke.

MistressBarbarousgrabsyourarm.Shehasanamazinggrip.Shesqueezessohard,herhandalmostbruisesyou.

“Comeon,circuskid,”shesnaps.“You’rewaytoomuchtrouble.I’mputtingyouinthesideshowrightnow!”

Yougulp.Canshereallydowhatyousawontheposter?youwonder.

Cansheputyouinajar?

ThejariswaitingforyouonPAGE99.Getgoing!

“Whatisthatsmell?”amalevoicebooms.

It’sdefinitelynotMistressBarbarous!

Butyoucouldstillbeintrouble,yourealize.

Thefootstepscomecloser.Abigblackboottippokesintothestrawbyyourface.

“Ismellfreshyoungmeat!”thevoicebellows.

Inthenextinstant,hepriesawaythestrawyou’rehidingunder.Hegrabsyoubytheshoulders.

“No,Bostini!”Mr.Peepers’svoiceshouts.“Leavethekidalone!”

Bostini?TheGreatBostini?He’stheliontamerMr.Peeperswarnedyouabout.OneofMistressBarbarous’sdangerousrelatives.

Bostiniopenshismouthwide.Incrediblywide!

Hegrowlsatyou.“Roooarrrr!”

That’swhenyounoticehisteeth.

They’repointed.Long.Razorsharp.

They’retheteethofalion!

“Aaaaaahhhhh!”youscreaminterror.

TurntoPAGE77.

Youtearthroughtheopeningattheendofthesideshowtent.Totheoutdoors.

Yes!You’refree!

Butyoustinkworsethanadeadskunk.It’sfromtheslimecoveringyou.

Outside,youspotalarge,fenced-inareawhereamanwithahugehoseiswashingtheelephants.

Doyouthinkyouhavetimetostopandgettheslimewashedoff?Yousmellsobadit’smakingyoudizzy!

Ordoyoujustwanttokeepgoing—untilyou’refarawayfromthiscircusofdoom?

Ifyouaskthemantohoseyouoff,turntoPAGE127.

Ifyoukeeprunning,turntoPAGE118.

Youdashintothebigtentandglancearound.

Empty.Quiet.Noknifethrower.

Good!Youslingyourbackpackoveroneshoulderandwonderwhattodonext.

That’swhenyoufeelsomethingdropontoyourhead.

Youputyourhandupandcautiouslytouchyourhair.

Yuck!It’swet!Justadrop,butslimy!

Who’saboveyou?Someoneisupthereinthedarkatthetopofthetent,droppingslimygoopintoyourhair!

Youtiltyourheadbackandgazeup.

Afigureisperchedonasmallwoodenplatform.Theplatformthatthetrapezeartistsswingfrom.

Fromthewayhe’scrouching,you’reafraidhe’sgoingtodroponyouatanymoment!

Bettermove—andfast!—toPAGE65.

Whatdidyoubringwithyou?Sometalcumpowder?Aballoftwine?Acamera?Yourpetsnake?

Yourmindraces,tryingdesperatelytothinkofwaystousethethingsyou’vebroughttothecircus.

Butyourmindisn’tfastenough.

Thegypsy’sviolinbowslicesforward.

Rightatyourthroat!

GoontoPAGE31.

Youdecidetohide.You’resureRichiewillcomelookingforyou.Thenyoucanescapetogether.

Butwhereshouldyouhide?Youglancearoundquickly—andspottheclowncar.

Hmmm,youthink.Thatoughttobeagoodhidingplace.

Andbesides,you’vealwayswantedtoseeinsideaclowncar.Tofindouthowtheyfitsomanyclownsinsidesuchasmallspace.

Youhurryovertothelittlecar.It’spaintedbrightyellow,withasirenontop.

Youopenthedoor.It’sdarkinside.Youcan’tseeanythingasyoucreepin.

“Ouch!”avoicecries.

WatchyoursteponPAGE71.

Foraninstant,youreyesburnfiercely.

Mistake,youthink.Thiswasahorriblemistake.

Butthenyoufeelastrangesensationofpower.Itshootsfromyoureyeballstoyourbrain.

Idon’twanttodanceanymore,youthink.

Instantly,yourfeetstopmoving.Yes!Itworks!

Youfeelsopowerful!Suddenlyyouknowthatanythingyouwant,anythingyouthink,willcometrue!

“Youdon’tbelonginacircus,”youshoutatMistressBarbarous.“Youbelonginazoo!”

Withoutdoinganythingelse,yousimplystareatherandimagineherasanape.

ZAPPPP!

“Nooooo!”shecriesasthepurplebeamhitsher.Inasplitsecond,sheistransformedintoalarge,hairygorilla.

“Wow!”youexclaim,yourmouthgapingopen.“Cool!”

Youtakethependantfromtheape’shand.ThenyouturnyourpurplegazeonRamon.“Stopplaying,”youcommand.

Ramondropshisbow,exhausted.

“Whatareyougoingtodowiththependant?”heasksnervously.

MakeupyourmindonPAGE50.

THWACK!

Youshouldhaveducked!

“Ooooohh,”Richiecries,turninghiseyesaway.

Hecan’tstandtolookatyou.You’repinnedtotheboardlikeabutterflyinascienceproject.

“That’sit,Morton,”MistressBarbaroussayswithasightotheknifethrower.“YouhavetheworstaimI’veeverseen.You’refired.”

ToobadforMorton.

Butit’smuchworseforyou!

THEEND

Theflashingkniferemindsyouthatyou’reinterribletrouble.Here’swhatyou’reupagainst:

1)MortontheKnifeThroweristryingtokillyou.

2)Thetwintrapezeartistsarelurkingabove.

3)GeyorgtheClownwantstocrunchyou.

4)Thelionsarewaitingtotearyoutoshreds.

You’vegotproblems!You’dbetterthinkfastanddecidewhattodo.

Shouldyoujumpoffthetrampoline?Ontheflooryou’llbeabletousethewhipontheanimals—andontheknifethrower,too.

Orshouldyoukeepbouncingonthetrampolineandtrytobouncesohighthatyou’reoutofreach?Youseeanemptytrapezeaboveyou.Maybeyoucanreachit….

THWAP!Thekniveskeepcoming!Hurry!

Tokeepbouncing,turntoPAGE91.

Ifyouthinkyoucanhandlethelions,turntoPAGE7.

You’reoneofthefastestkidsyouknow.You’refast,realfast.

“Later,guys!”youcry.“I’lltrytocomebackforyou!”

YouglanceoveratMr.Peepers.

“Thatway!”heinstructsyou,pointingtotheotherendofthesideshowtent.

Youtakeofflikelightning.Butasyouburstthroughthetentflapsintothesunshine,youhearaman’svoicebehindyou.Calling.

“Hey,kid!Waitup!Thatwasamazing!Iclockedyouattwo-point-threesecondsforthatsprint!Aworldrecord!”

Thevoicesoundsfriendly.

“Comeback!”hecalls.“Icanmakeyouastar!”

Hmmm…

Ifyougobacktothesideshow,turntoPAGE10.

Ifyoukeeprunning,turntoPAGE37.

“Ssshhhh!Stopscreaming.It’sallright,”avoicemurmursinyourear.

“Huh?Whathappened?WhereamI?”youcroak,openingyoureyes.

“You’rehomeinbed,ofcourse,”yourmomtellsyou.“Butyou’vegottowakeup.It’stimetogetreadyforyourweekatthecircus.Remember?”

Oh,no,youthink.Thiswasalljustadream?

Youshudder.

Man,oh,man.Ifthatwasjustadream,youcan’timaginehowscarytherealthingwillbe!

“Ichangedmymind.IthinkI’lljuststayhome,”youtellyourmom.

Andthat’sexactlywhatyoudoin

THEEND!

“Ah,here’stheswitch!”MistressBarbarousexclaims.

CLICK!Brightlightsilluminatethesideshow.

Youchokebackaterrifiedscream.

Yourhandisclutchingthetailofagiantlizardwiththefaceofaboy!You’retouchingoneofthesideshowfreaks!

Youdropthetailindisgust.

“Iseeyou’vemettheLizardBoy!”MistressBarbarouschuckles.“I’msureyoutwowillbecomegoodfriends!”

Thecrazythingis:Helookssortoffamiliar.

Thewholetentisfilledwithfreakykids!

There’sagirlwithfivetongues.Shecan’tevenclosehermouth!Thefivetonguesflopoutontoherchin.It’ssogross!

Nexttoherisadoggirl.Shehasthebodyofagirlbuttheheadofadog!Andinsteadoffingersshehaspaws!

“Run!”theLizardBoywarnsyou.“Run—orshe’llturnyouintoafreak,justlikeus!”

“Shutup!”BarbarousshoutsattheLizardBoy.“ShutuporI’llmakeyouintoapairoflizard-skinboots!”

GoontoPAGE20.

Youturntoracetowardtheexit.You’vegottogetoutofthewaybeforetheslimeguydropsdown!

Butyoufreezeinyourtracks.

MistressBarbarousisstandingbytheexit.She’stalkingtooneofthecircusperformers.Probablytellinghimtobeonthelookoutforyou!

Ifshespotsyou,you’redead.

“Pssst!”Fromabove,youheartheguyontheperch.

“It’sme,Richie!”hecallsdowninaloudwhisper.“Comehidewithme!”

Youseealadderleadinguptotheplatform.Youcouldclimbitandhidewithyourfriend.

Butmaybeyoushouldjustmakearunforit.Youdon’twanttobeinthiscreepycircusforoneminutelonger!

Makeupyourmind—beforeMistressBarbarousseesyou!

ToclimbupandhidewithRichie,turntoPAGE23.

TorunpastMistressBarbarous,turntoPAGE36.

“AAAAAHH-CHOO!”theGreatBostinicries.

Hisheadsnapsforwardinagreatconvulsivesneeze.Hismouthopenswideenoughforatelevisiontofitinside.

Thenitchompsclosedwithaterriblesnap.

Unfortunately,itsnapsshut…onyou!Histeethclosearoundyourneck,bitingyourheadrightoff.

Heswallowsyourheadinonegulp.Butthere’soneparthedoesn’tlike.Yourears!

Heburpsthemup.

“Perfect,”MistressBarbarouscoosassheentersthesideshowtent.Sheuseshermagicpowerstosticktheearsontothesidesofyourneck.Nowyouhavenohead,butyoucanheareverythingjustfine.

“Wehaveanewattractionforthesideshow,”MistressBarbarousannounces.“TheEerieEar-ieKid!”

THEEND

Youthinkquicklyaboutthestuffyoubroughttothecircus.

Noneofitseemslikesomethingthiscrazedringmistresswouldwant.You’renotgoingtobeabletomakeadealwithher.

There’sonlyonethingyoucanthinkoftodo:Screamyourheadoff!

“Helpme!”youscream.“Somebodycomequick!”

Asecondlater,abulky,muscularmanwithahugemustacherushesintothesideshow.

“What’sgoingon?”heasks,scowlingatMistressBarbarous.

Thesoundofhisvoicemakesherjump.Andshedropsyouintothejar!

It’sawful.Thestinkygoopcoversyourwholebody.Ugh!

“Nothing,Janos,”MistressBarbaroussnaps.“Ijusthiredanewpersonforthesideshow,that’sall.”

“No,shedidn’t!”youshoutfromthejar.“Shedidn’thireme!Shekidnappedme!Iwantoutofhere!”

“Barbarous,areyouuptoyouroldtricks?”Janosdemands.

“Backoff!”MistressBarbaroussnarls.Shepullsoutacarvedjadependantonacordfrominsideherblouse.

“No!”Janoscries.“Please,notthependant!”

SeewhathappensonPAGE78.

Youbroughtbananasfromhome.Luckily,youstuckoneinyourpocket.

Youcanbarelyspeak,becausethegiantclownischokingyou.Butyoureachintoyourpocketandpulloutthebanana.

Youtossittothepudgyclown.

“Justabanana?”theclowncomplains.“Nochocolate?”

“Yousaidyou’dhelp,”youchokeout.

“Yeah,yeah.”Mr.Peeperspeelsthebanana,eatsit,andtossesthepeeltothegroundinfrontofthehuge,evilclown.

“Hey,lookatme!”Mr.Peepersyells.Thenhedeliberatelystepsonthepeel.HeslipsandlandswithadramaticSPLAT!

“Ha-ha!”thehugeclownlaughs,lettinggoofyourthroat.

Youfalltotheground,gaspingforair.

You’resopsychedthatyou’refree!

Butthenthehugeclowntakesastepforwardandslipsonthebananapeelhimself.

“Whoops!”hecriesindelight,falling.

Falling…falling…fallingyourway!

TrytododgehimonPAGE87.

Thewomaninthepinkleotardswingstowardyou.“I’mSusantheHumanSnake,”shecallsinasweetvoice.

Whenshecomeswithinafewfeetofyou,shereachesout.

Thankgoodness,youthink.She’sgoingtohelpyou!

Helpyougetawayfromtheclown…

Youstarttotakeherhand.Butasyouleanout,shegrabsyouranklesinstead!

Aninstantlater,sheletsherwholebodydropsothatshe’shangingontothebottomofyourlegs.Herweightdragsatyou.

YouwerehavingtroubleholdingontoGeyorgbefore.

Nowyou’redoomed!

“Ahhh!”youcry.“Getoffme!”

Youtrytokickherloose.Butsheholdsontight,laughing.

Yourhandsachefromclutchingtheclown’scostumesotightly.Whatareyougoingtodo?

Thenyouremember:Youbroughtsomestufffromhome.

Butwillanyofithelpyounow?

Ifyoubroughttheballoftwine,turntoPAGE41.

Ifyoudon’thavethetwine,turntoPAGE122.

Somethinghorribleisgoingtohappen,yourealize.

Butwhat?

MistressBarbarousreachesforthelargegreenjadependantshewearsaroundherneck.Sheliftsthependantinonehandandtakesoutasmall,ancient-lookingmirrorwiththeother.

Achillofdreadcreepsupyourspine.Thatpendantisdangerous.You’resureofit!

Youraiseyourwhip,readytosnapitandknockthependantandmirroroutofBarbarous’shands.

Butrightthen,oneofthelionscrouches,taillashing.He’sabouttospringatyou!

Nowyou’vegottwotargets!Butwhichismoredangerous?Thelion—orMistressBarbarous?

Youhaveonesplitsecondtodecide!

Ifyoucrackthewhipatthelion,turntoPAGE121.

IfyoucrackthewhipatMistressBarbarous,turntoPAGE128.

Youfreeze.Panicked.

You’vejuststeppedonsomeone.Butwho?

“Getoffmyfoot!”thevoiceintheclowncarsays.

Hey!Yourecognizethatvoice.

“Richie?”youask.

“Yeah!”hecries.“I’msogladyoufoundme!Iwasjusthidinghere,hopingyouwouldcome!”

“Excellent!”youexclaim.“Let’sgetoutofhere!”

Youreachforthehandle.ButbeforeRichiecanansweryou,thecardoorfliesopen,andaclownclimbsin.

Thenanotherclown.

Andanother,andanother,andanother…

“Ouch!”Richiescreamsasyouandhearesquashedagainstthebackofthecar.

“Hey,getout!”youcry.“There’snotenoughroom!”

Buttheclownsdon’tlistentoyou.Theykeepcomingandcomingandcoming.

Theycallclownmakeup“pancakemakeup.”

Nowyouknowwhy—you’resquashedasflatasapancake,andyouwishyoucouldmakeupanotherendingtothisstory!

THEEND

Wild,loudcircusmusicstartstoplay.

Spotlightssweepacrossthecircusrings.You’reafraidtomoveamuscle.

Thentheclowncarspeedsintothecenterring,almostrunningyoudown.

Yourheartstartshammeringwhenyouseethefirstclownstepoutofthecar.It’stheclownwhocanstretchhisbody!

Hisnameiswrittenonhisshirt:GEYORGTHECLOWN.

Geyorgstretcheshisarmsoutlong,grabbingyoubytheshoulders.Thenhestretcheshislegs!

Up,uphegoes.Liftingyouupwithhim.

Amomentlater,he’sfifteenfeettall.Andyou’redanglinginmidair!

“Don’tdropme!”youpleadwithhim.

“Ha-ha-ha!”heroarswithlaughter.

Youclingtohiscostumesoyouwon’tfall.

HoldontightuntilyoureachPAGE96.

“Thanksalot,”youtellSara.“ButI’mlookingformyfriendrightnow.Maybelater.”

“Yeah,whatever,”shesays.Assheturnsaway,youglimpsesomethingflickeringoutofthecornerofhermouth.

Itlookslikeaforkedtongue!

Youprobablyjustmadeaverygoodchoice!

Youhurryonthroughthecrowdsofcircuspeople.Leavingthebackstagetent,youfindyourselfintheclowns’dressingroom.It’sstrangelyquietasyoustepinside.

“Richie?”youcalloutsoftly.Noanswer.

Therearenoclownsinsight.Thelittleclowncarsitsemptyofftotheside.Dressingtableswithmirrorsandlightslinethesidesofthetent.Thisiswheretheclownsputontheirmakeup.

Richie’snotinhere,youthink.WhereshouldIlooknow?

You’retryingtodecidewhenyouhearavoiceoverthemicrophonesystem.It’sMistressBarbarous!

“Attention,staff,”shesays.“Ourtwoyoungvisitorsarelost.Keepyoureyesopen.Bringthemtomeifyouspotthem!”

Yourthroattightensupwhenyouhearthat.Noweveryoneinthewholecircuswillbelookingforyou!

DecidewhattodoonPAGE19.

Youdidn’tbringthebullwhip.

Nowayareyougoingtoletgoanddroptothefloorwherethoselionsarewaiting!

Notwithoutawhipofsomesort.

Youholdontight.Tighter.PrayingthatGeyorgtheClowncan’tshakeyouoffandmakeyoufall.

Butsuddenlyyouhavesomethingelsetoworryabout.

Oneofthewomeninpinkleotardsswingstowardyouonarope.Youglanceathercostume—andseeacobrasewnonthefront.Inblacksequins.

Doesthatringabell?

Ifyou’vemetthetwinsistersbefore,you’llknowwhetheryoucantrustthistwin.Ifnot,you’llhavetoguess.

Ifyoutrustthistwin,takeherhandonPAGE69.

Ifyoudon’ttrusther,turntoPAGE32.

Nowayareyougoingtostickaroundandgetstuck!

“Yikes!”youcryasyouleapawayfromtheboard.

THWAP!Theknifepiercesthewoodentarget.Stabbingitrightthroughtheheart!

“Whoa!”Richiecries.

Whatkindofcircusisthis?Ifyouhadn’tmovedyou’dbedead!

“Richie,let’sgetoutofhere!”youyell.“Comeon!”

YouandRichieracetowardtheclosestexit.It’saslitinthetentflaps.

“Catchthem!”MistressBarbarousscreamsoverthemicrophone.“Don’tletthemgetaway!”

YouandRichiedashoutofthemaintentandintoalargebackstagetent.Costumesandpiecesofcircusequipmentarescatteredonthefloor.

“What’sgoingon?”Richiecries.Heshootsyouaterrifiedglance.“Aretheytryingtokillusorwhat?”

“Idon’tknow!”youyell.“Butlookout!”

Aclowncarisbarrelingstraightatyou.

Tryingtorunyoudown.

“Jump!”youshout.“Outoftheway!”

DodgetheclowncaronPAGE94.

Pietrolaughswhenheseesthehorrifiedlookonyourface.

“No,no.”Hechuckles,shakinghishead.“Don’tworry,it’snotdangerous.Here’swhatwillhappen:You’llleadaparadeofclowns,unicyclists,andanimalsoutintothering.”

“Okay,”yousaycautiously.“Soundseasysofar.”

“Good,”Pietroexclaims.“Thenyou’llstarttorun.Theclownswon’tbeabletokeepup,sothey’llfallallovertheplaceactinggoofy.

“Here’sthetrickypart,”hecontinues.“Thelions,tigers,andunicyclistschaseyou.You’llrunfasterandfaster,lookingoveryourshoulderlikeyou’rescared!Finally,yourunawayandheadbackstage.Whatdoyouthink?Wanttobeintheshow?”

“Yeah!”youexclaim.Itsoundslikefun!

“ButwhataboutMistressBarbarous?”youask.“She’sbeenouttogetmeeversinceIgothere!”

TurntoPAGE131.

TheGreatBostini’shorriblelionteethsnapintheair,inchesfromyournose.

“Ahhhh!”youscream.

Panicfillsyou.YoukickatBostini.He’senormous—nearlysevenfeettall!Hislongblackhairisgreasedback.

Bostiniroarsagain,baringhisdeadlyteeth.

It’sterrifying!

Youhavetodosomething!

Desperately,youreachintoyourbackpack.Doyouhaveanythingthatmightworktofighttheliontamer?

Whatdoyouhavewithyou?

Ifyouhaveacamera,maybetheflashwillblindhim.TakeBostini’spictureonPAGE100.

Ifyouhavetalcumpowder,throwitinhisfaceonPAGE25.

Ifyoudon’thaveeitherofthese,turntoPAGE119.

Janosbacksfearfullyawayfromthependant.

“Go,”MistressBarbarouscommands.“Thisisnoneofyourbusiness.”

“Okay,”Janosagrees,givingalittlenodinyourdirection.“What’syourrush?I’mgoing.I’mgoing.”

Suddenlyyourealizesomething.He’stryingtogiveyouasignal.Tryingtotellyouthatnowisyourchancetoescape!

Barbarous’sbackisturned.She’swatchingJanos.He’sleavingveryslowly.

Hebacksoutofthesideshow.Oneslowstepatatime…

Thanks,Janos!youthinkasyouclimboutofthejar.

WhileBarbarousisstillwatchinghimleave,yourunouttheotherway.You’recoveredinthedisgustingglop,butyoudon’tstoptotrytowipeitoff.

Youraceasfastasyoucan!

RuntofreedomonPAGE55.

“Aaahhh!”youscreamasthelionknocksyoutotheground.

Foraninstant,yourheartstops.

I’minforit,youthink.Thisistheend!

Baku’srazor-sharpteethgrazeyourthroat.

Butinthenextinstant,youhearsomething.Asoftnote.Fromtheviolin.Thegypsyisplayingasoothingsong.

Thegiantlionrollsoffyouinstantly.Andhedropsintoadeepsleep!

It’samazing.Youcan’tbelieveyoureyes.Theferociousbeastisnowcurleduplikeanappingkitten.

“Baku!Wakeup!”MistressBarbarousshouts.“Wakeup!”

Butit’snouse.Shewheelsaroundtofacethekindlygypsy.“Ramon!You’llbesorryyoudidthat!AndI’llmakethekidheresorry,too!”

Shereachesforacordthatshe’swearingaroundherneck.

TurntoPAGE34.

MistressBarbaroustakesastepclosertoyou.

Youwanttodartawayasfastasyoucan.Awayfromthedangerousringmistress.

Butwhichway?She’sblockingtheexit.

Youhaveonlytwootherchoices.YouseetheflapthatyouandMr.Peepersracedthroughearlier.Itleadsintothebigtent.Maybetheclownswillbegonebynow!AndmaybeyoucanfindRichie.Thenyoutwocouldescapetogether.

Youalsonoticeasignpointingtoanotherflap.ItreadsSIDESHOW.Hmmm.Theremightbeawayoutthroughthere.

Buttheveryideaofasideshowmakesyourskincrawl.Thefreakyexhibitswouldprobablybeextra-disgustinginacrazycircuslikethisone.

“Nowcomeoverhere!”MistressBarbarousdemandsasshedrawsnearer.

“Hurry,”Mr.Peeperssqueals.“Whichwayareyougoingtorun?”

Ifyouraceintothesideshow,turntoPAGE116.

Ifyourunintothebigtent,saygood-byetoMr.Peepersnow.ThenracetoPAGE56.

Youdarttotheleft.

“Aaaahhhhhhh!”youscream,watchingthehugeclownflipintheair.WHAM!Hehitsthegroundrightwhereyouwerestandingasecondago.

Phew.You’resafe!

Orareyou?

“Run!”Mr.Peepersurgesyou.“Getoutofherebeforehekillsyou!”

Youglanceatthehugeclownontheground.

Hiselasticarmshavebeguntostretchoutagain!Towardyourthroat!

Youscrambletoyourfeetandtakeoff.

“AndwatchoutforMistressBarbarous,”thepudgyclowncallsafteryou.“Sheandherwholefamily.They’rebad.Theydothings….”

Hisvoicetrailsoffbehindyouasyoudashbacktothebigtent.Towardtheexit.Itseemslikethebestplacetorun.

Theonlyproblemis:Thelasttimeyouwereunderthebigtop,amaniacknifethrowerwastryingtokillyou!

Ishestillthere?

FindoutonPAGE56.

MistressBarbarous’seyesareterrifyingpoolsofglowingpurplefire.Sheglancesatyourcotton-candywrappedhandsandlaughs.

“CandyHands!”shedeclareswithdelight.

Inthenextinstant,sheshootsaboltofpurplelightoutofhereyes.

Asthebolthits,youfeelastrangechargeofenergy.Atremendousshock.

Yourtrytowriggleyourfingers.Youcan’tevenfeelthem!

Youstaredownatyourhands.

Insteadoffingers,fivetuftsofcottoncandyspringfromeachpalm.

Horrorfillsyou.

“Nooooooo!”youcry.

Yourhandsareprettysticky,butturntoPAGE88anyway.

Dannytellsyouthereal,humannamesoftherestofthesideshowfreaks,andyouusethependantandmirrortochangethembackintokids.Atlastthere’sonlyoneleft.

“What’sthatkid’sname?”youaskDannyasyoupointattheBucketofHumanSlobber.

It’sahideous-lookingbucketofmilkyslimewithtwoeyesfloatingontopoftheliquid.Andredhair.

“Idon’tknow,”Dannymoans.“Hejustarrivedtoday.”

“Richie?”youcry,youreyesopeningwide.

Inanswer,thetwofloatingeyeballsblinkatyoufrantically.

“RichieFieldston,beyourself!”youcommand,usingthependant’spower.

Inaflash,theBucketofHumanSlobberchangesintothered-hairedkidyoucametothecircuswith.

“Yuck!”Richiesays,shakingoffthelastdropsofslobber.

“Yeah!”alltheothercircuskidscry.

“Whatnow?”MerrillThornbush,whousedtobetheGirlwithFiveTongues,asksyou.

“Nowwedowhatwecameheretodo!Weputonashow!”youannounce.

ShowtimestartsonPAGE18.

Youturnaroundslowly—andseetwolargemammalswithmanes.

Oneofthemisalion.

TheotherisMistressBarbarous!Herblackhairswirlsaroundherjustlikeamane.

Thelionstaresatyouandlickshischops.

MistressBarbarousglaresatyouwithalookofpurehateinhereyes.

Theybothlookasiftheywanttoripyoutoshreds!

“Baku,kill!”MistressBarbarouscommandsthehugelion.

Thedeadlybeastleapsatyou.Pawsoutstretched.Teethbared.Clawsslashingtheair.

TurntoPAGE79.

Luckilythehugegraythingwiththetrunkoutsidethetentisn’tanelephant.It’sacar!Anewspaperreporter’scar!

“Help!”youscream.“Getmeoutofhere!”

“What’sup,kid?”thenewspaperreporterasks.

“Thisplaceisanightmare!”youshout.“Getmeoutofhere,andI’llgiveyouagreatstory!”

Thereporterdrivesyoustraighttothenewspaperoffice.Youtellhimallaboutthehorriblecircus.YoushowhimthephotosoftheLizardBoyandtheothersideshowcreatures.

“Wow,”thereportersays.“Thisisafront-pagestory!”

You’resogladyou’resafeandthatthenewspaperstaffbelieveyourstory.Youwereworriedthatthey’dlaughatyou.

Noonelaughsatyou…untilthepapercomesoutthenextday.Thenyourwholetownhasagoodchuckleatyourexpense.

Youdidn’tgiveyourstorytoarealnewspaper.Yougaveittooneofthosecheapsupermarkettabloids.

Theheadlinereads:KIDFINDSLIZARDTWINATTHECIRCUS!

ItshowsaphotoofyourightnexttoashotoftheLizardBoy.

Let’sjustcallyouLizardofromnowon.Everyoneelsedoes!

THEEND

Theknife-tippedbowseemstohaveamindofitsown!

Itlungesandleapsforyouwhilethegypsyplaysthemusic.AndRamoncan’tstopplaying!

Youdodgefranticallyoutoftheblade’sway.MistressBarbarousstandsontheothersideofthetent,stillholdingthependantandthemirror.Shetapsherfoottothemusic.

“Dance,circuskid!”shecommands.Sheshootsboltsfromherpurpleeyesatyou.

Instantly,youbegintodance.Youcan’thelpit.

Adeadly,dangerousdance!

KeepdancingonPAGE98.

There’safifty-fiftychancethatyoucandodgethehugefallingclown.

Italldependsonwhichwayyoumove.

Totheright?Orleft?

Flipacoin.

Ifitcomesupheads,jumptotherightonPAGE106.

Ifit’stails,dodgeleftonPAGE81.

MistressBarbarouslaughsanevillaugh.

“Pleasechangemyhandsback!”youbegher.“Please!”

“Hey!Iwantmycottoncandy!”Mr.Peepersdemands.Hejumpsupandtakesahugechompoutofyourleftpinky.

Instantly,thecottoncandygrowsback.It’smagic!

Amomentlater,Richiewalksin.Hisfaceismiserable.Andhe’shidinghisownhandsbehindhisback.

“Whathappenedtoyou?”youaskhimwithagulp.

Hepullshishandsouttoshowyou.He’sgotfivesticksofbutterinsteadoffingers!

“Butterfingers,”hesaysglumly.“Forthepopcornmachine.”

“Youtwowillworkhere,inthefoodtent,”MistressBarbarousdecides.“You’llbeourspecialattractionstogetkidstobuymorecandyandpopcorn.Whatabrilliantidea!”

You’llneverbeabletoleavethecircusnow.Butatleastyou’llgetfreecottoncandyfortherestofyourlife!

THEEND

Yourheadwhipsaround.It’sapoliceofficer!

“Oh,thankgoodness!”youexclaim.You’resogladtoseehim!“Thankgoodnessyoufoundme!Theladywhorunsthiscircusisnuts.She’stryingtoputmeinajarofsomething.Andshe’sgotthisposter,and—”

Thepoliceofficerpullsoutapairofhandcuffs.

“Holditrightthere,”heorders.Hecuffsyouanddragsyoutowardthefrontofthecircus.“Idon’twanttohearbadtalkaboutthering-mistress,understand?Shemaybecrazy,butshe’smyboss.Besides—”

Youglancedownandnoticesomething.Thisguyiswearingclownshoes!He’saclowncop!

“Ilikecrazythings!Crazy,wackythings!”hesaysinasillyvoice.Hepullsoutarubberhornandstartshonkingitlikemad.

“Hey,boss!Ifoundthiskidtryingtoescape,”theclowncoptellsMistressBarbarousasheshovesyoutowardher.

Shenarrowshereyesatyou.

Nowyou’reinbigtrouble.TrytogetoutofitonPAGE53.

Youglanceup.Whatyouseeissoscaryyoualmostletgooftheropeinhorror.

Susanhaschangedintoagiantblacksnake!

“Hideyourpetsnake!”Sarascreamsfromaboveyou.“Whenevermysisterseesasnakeshechangesintoone!”

“Hiss!”TheevilSusanslinksdowntowardyou.

QuicklyyougrabPeppyandstuffhimintoyourpocket.Yousway,danglingbyonearm.

Phew!Itworks!Susanchangesfromasnakebackintoatrapezeartist.

Butyourhandissotired.Youcan’tholdonanylonger!

Youletgo—anddrop.

“Ahhhhhh!”youscream.

FalltoPAGE109.

Youdecidetokeepbouncing.Higher…higher…

Youthrowyourwholebodyintothenextbounce.

Yourarmscirclearoundlikewindmills.Yourlegspushhardastheyhitthetrampoline.

Itworks.Yousailintotheair.Up…up…

Yes!You’vebouncedhighenoughtoreachthetrapezeswing!

Yougripitwithyourhands.Thenyousomersaulttoasittingposition.

THWAP!Anotherknifesailsby,underneathyou.

“Ha!”youtaunttheknifethrower.“Youcan’treachme!I’mtoohigh!”

YoulaughasMortonhurlsoneknifeafteranotheratyou.Theyallfallshortofthetarget.

Butwehavenewsforyou.

Youlaughedtoosoon.

StoplaughingonPAGE111.

“What’swrong?”youask.Yougazeatthepicture—andflinch.Oh,no!

Bostini’seyesareclosed.Andhismouthlooksweird.

WhatmadeyouthinkyoucouldtakeagoodpictureofafreaklikeBostini?That’swhathewanted,agoodpictureofhimself.

“Ilookawful!”heshouts.

Andhestartstocry!Youcan’tbelieveit.He’sjustabigbaby!

Thisismychancetoescape!youthink.

Youdartfortheexittothesideshow.Asyourun,youturnandtakeafewmorephotographsofthesideshowexhibits.

Whynot?Ifyougetoutoftherealive,you’llwanttotellpeoplewhatyou’veseen.Noonewillbelieveyouunlessyouhaveproof.

FLASH.FLASH.FLASH.

Yousnapthepictures,thenrunfortheexit.

Theminuteyoudashthroughthetentflap,though,youcomefacetofacewithsomethinghuge.Somethinggray.Somethingwithatrunk.

GoontoPAGE85.

TheinstantMistressBarbarousshootsthatstrangepurpleglareatyou,youfeelyourbodybegintochange.

Slowly,painfully,youdoubleover.Thenyoudoubleoveragain.Andagain!

“Noooo!”youscreamwhenyourealizewhat’shappening.

Youaren’tjustgoingtobeshotoutofacannon.

You’regoingtobecomeacannonball!

Yourwholebodyisrollingitselfup!Beforeyouknowit,youareaball-shapedhumanbeingwhocan’twalkortalk.

Infact,youcan’tdoanythingexceptflyoutofacannonatthirtymilesperhour.

Butit’sbetterthanlifeinajar.

Actually,flyingthroughtheairisfun!Youliketheapplausefromtheaudience.Onsomenightsyoureallyenjoyyourself.Youhaveaball!

Infact,youareaball!

THEEND

Youleapoutofthewayofthespeedingclowncar.

Thecarscreechestoahalt.Thedoorsflyopen,andcircusclownsstartpouringout.

AskinnyclownwitharainbowwigpushesRichiefacedownandputsagiantclownshoeonhisback.

“Helpme!”Richieshouts.

Youstepovertotrytohelphim,butyoufreezeinyourtracks.

Ahugeclownwithagreenfaceandahideous,glaringsmileisstalkingtowardyou.Histeetharehorrible.They’reblack.

Hisarmsareoutstretched.Reachingforyou.Asifhewantstograbyoubythethroat.

He’stoofarawaytoreachme,youthink.

Butitdoesn’tmatter.

Becausehisarmssuddenlystarttostretchandgrow!

Thearmsgrowskinnierandskinnierastheylengthen.

“Nooooo!”youscream.

Thelongarmsreachyou!

Thentheclown’swhite-glovedhandsclosearoundyourthroat.

FinishscreamingonPAGE51.

Youbroughtamirroralongwithyou.Andsuddenlyyouhaveaplan.

Quickly,youpullthemirroroutofyourpocketandflashitatMistressBarbarous.

“Amirror?”youshout,tauntingher.“Youwantamirror?Well,Ihaveone!Comeandgetit.”

Hereyesgleamwhensheseesit.Sheseemsdesperate.

“Hey!”sheshouts,turningherhorsetowardyou.“Givethattome,youlittlebrat!Ineeditnow!”

“Noway!”youcry,backingaway.

Barbarousgallopsstraighttowardyou.Sheleansdown,tryingtograbthemirroroutofyourhands.Themagicpendantdanglesfromherfist.

YouletBarbarousgetclose.Veryclose.

Thenyousnatchthependantfromherfist.

WHACK!Itswingsintothemirror—andthemirrorshatters.

“No!”Barbarouscries.“Whathaveyoudone?Noooooooo!”

TurntoPAGE120.

YouclutchatthesleevesofGeyorg’scostume.Holdingonfordearlife.

Thenhestartsshakinghislongarms!

He’stryingtoshakeyouoff!

You’llplungetotheground!

Below,thelionsarewatchingandcircling.

They’rewaitingforyoutodropintotheirmidst.Atastylittlesnack!

Youscanthefloor,lookingforsomewayout.

There’satrampolinerightbelowyou.Ifyouletgooftheclown,youmightsurvivethefall.

Butonceyoustopbouncing—willyousurvivethelionattack?

Thatdepends…

Didyoubringthebullwhipwithyou?

Ifyouhavethebullwhip,turntoPAGE125.

Ifyoudon’thavethebullwhip,turntoPAGE74.

“Forgetit,”youtellthepudgyclown.“I’mnotputtingmyhandsinthere.Itmighthurt!”

“ButIwantcottoncandy!”Mr.Peepersscreams.“Cheater!Cheater!Cheater!”

Wow,youthink.Thisguyactsasifhe’salreadyhadenoughsugarforoneday.

Butyoupromised.Soyou’vegottokeepyourword.

Quicklyyouglancearoundthetent.Youspotsomepinwheels.Yougrabone,ripthetopoff,andusethesticktocatchtheairyspunsugarinthecottoncandymachine.Whenyou’vescoopedupabigwadofit,youhandittotheclown.

“Yummy!Thankyou!”Mr.Peeperscoos.

“Okay,whatever,”youmutter.

Youscratchyourhead.Nowwhat?

Youhavetwothingstodo—findRichieandescapefromthecircus.Butfirst,youwanttogoandpickupyourbackpack.Youleftitinthemaintentunderthebigtop.

Youjustpraythattheknifethrowerisn’tstillwaitinginthere!

HurrytothebigtentonPAGE56.

Nomatterhowhardyoutry,youcan’tstopdancing.

Staycalm,youtrytotellyourself.That’swhatyoulearnedincircuscamp.Andthink!Whatcanyoudo?

Ifyouhaveamirrorwithyou,maybeyoucantrytocatchthereflectionofBarbarous’spendantandaimitintoyourowneyes!

Butthatmightbedangerous.Whoknowswhatwillhappenifyougazeatthemagicpendant?

Ontheotherhand,ifyouhavethebullwhip,youmightbeabletowhiptheviolinoutofthegypsy’shands.

Ifyouhavethemirrorandyouwanttouseit,turntoPAGE15.

Ifyouhavethebullwhipandyouwanttouseit,turntoPAGE29.

Ifyoudon’thaveeither,turntoPAGE57.

MistressBarbarousdragsyouintoalong,narrowtent.

Thesideshow.

It’sdark.Spookyandcompletelydark.

“Now,wherearethelightsinhere?”Barbarousmumblestoherself.Shesearcheswithherfreehandforalightswitch.

Hey,youthink.Whileshe’ssearchingforthelightswitch,maybeIcanfindsomething,too!Somethingthatmighthelpmegetoutofhere.Aweapon!

Youwaveyourhandsfranticallyinthedark.

Yourhandbrushesagainstsomethingscaly.Yougrabit.

Itfeelslikethetailofalizard!Notmuchofaweapon—butmaybeit’sbetterthannothing.Howdesperateareyou?

“Whereisthatswitch?”Barbarousgrowlsfuriously.

Youdon’thavemuchtime!

Areyougoingtousethescalythingasaweaponornot?

Ifyou’vealreadybeeninthesideshow,youknowwhatyou’retouching.TurntoPAGE130.

Ifthisisyourfirstvisittothesideshow,turntoPAGE64.

Youfindthecamerainyourbackpackandwhipitout.Youaimitrightattheevilliontamer’sface.

FLASH!

AbrightflareoflightpopsinBostini’seyes.

“Aaaahhhh!”hecries,roaringevenmoreloudly.Butforaninstantheletsgoofyou.

It’sjustlongenoughforyoutogetaway.

“Run!”theLizardBoyshouts,urgingyouon.

YoudashoutoftheLizardBoy’scageandracetowardthesideshowexit.

Behindyou,though,youheartheGreatBostinicalling.

“Wait!I’llhelpyouescapeifyouletmeseethepicture.I’vealwayswantedagoodpictureofmyself.”

Hmmm.WithBostinionyourside,yourchancesofescapingfromthecircusaremuchbetter.

Butwhatifhe’slyingtoyou?Afterall,hejusttriedtoeatyou!

TowaitandshowthepicturetoBostini,turntoPAGE14.

Tokeeponrunning,turntoPAGE30.

“Don’tputmeinthejar!”youimploreMistressBarbarousasyoustaredownatthegrossgoop.“I’vegotsomethingcool,andI’llgiveittoyou—ifyouletmeoutofhere!”

“Whatisit?”Barbarousasks.Sheeyesyoususpiciously.

“You’regoingtoloveit!”youassureher.“It’s—”

Ifyousay“acamera,”turntoPAGE124.

Ifyousay“myluckybaseballcap,”turntoPAGE117.

Ifyousay“adictionaryofcircusterms,”turntoPAGE47.

Youcanfeelyourpetsnake,Peppy,curledupinthepocketofyourkhakishorts.Youlovesnakes.SaratheHumanSnakegivesyouagoodfeeling.Eventhoughshedoeshaveacobraonhercostume.

Youdecidetotrusther.

“Okay,”youtellSaratheHumanSnake.“Let’shittheropes.”

Saraleadsyouintothebigtop.

“Followme,”sheinstructs.“Andholdontight!”

Shebeginstoclimbaropeladderthathangsdownfromthehighestpointontheroof.

Youfollowandclimbuptheroperungs.Youfeeltheladderswayasthetwoofyouclimb.

Butthenyoufeelsomethingstrange.

TWANG!Theropejerks.

Someoneisfollowingyouuptheladder!

FindoutwhoitisonPAGE27.

YourheartpoundswithnervousexcitementasyouandRamonracethroughthecircustowardthesideshow.

“Keepyoureyesopen,”youtellhim.“IfyouseeBostinioroneoftheothers,letmeknow.”

WithRamonstandingguard,youslipintothesideshow.Yougraspthemirrortightlyinonehand,thependantintheother.

“You’reback!”theLizardBoycrieshappily.Thenhespotsthependant.“Oh,no!Keepthatthingawayfromus!It’sevil.”

“No,it’snot,”youassurehim.“Itcandogood,too!Watch.”

Youpositionthependantsothatthefaceisreflectedinyourmirror.Thenyoustareatthereflection.

ZAPPP!Thepurpleenergyboltzipstoyoureyes.

“DannyMendleson,beyourselfagain,”youcommand,staringattheLizardBoy.

BZZZT!Inaflash,theLizardBoychangesbackintoanormalkid.Thesamekidyoumetayearagoatcamp.

“Thanks!”Dannyyells,jumpingupanddownwithjoy.

“Don’tthankmeyet,”youanswer.“We’vegotawaystogo.”

SavetherestofthesideshowkidsonPAGE83.

YouandRichiestareatthetorncostumethattheGreatBostiniwaswearingonlyaminuteago.

Nowit’sbeingwornbyasmallchimpanzee.

Thetwinsistertrapezeartiststransformintoharmlesslittlegardensnakes.

AndMortontheKnifeThrowerchanges,too.Intoawhiteminiaturepoodle!

“Whatajoke!”youlaugh,pointingattheyappingdog.

“Lookatthat!”Richieexclaims.

YouspinaroundandseeGeyorgtheClown.Heisslowlytakingoffhisclownsuit.

Yougasp.Underneath,he’snotahumanbeingatall!

He’saskeleton!

Don’tscreamuntilyoureadPAGE110.

Yourfaceturnsredasthecruelclownsqueezesyourthroat.Tighter.Tighter.

Butyouturnyourheadandmanagetosqueakoutananswertothetinyclownbesideyou.

“Chocolate,”yougasp.“I’vegotchocolatebarsinmybackpack.”

“Chocolate!Goody,goody!”Mr.Peepersexclaims.“I’llhelpyou!”

Intheblinkofaneye,Mr.Peeperspicksupahugewoodenmalletandswingsitatthemeanclown’sknees.

WHACK!WHACK!

“Yeowwwwww!”thehugeclowncriesinpain.Heletsgoofyou!

Youdroptoyourhandsandknees,pantinghard.Youcanbreathe!You’resothankful!

“Comeon!”Mr.Peepersyells.Hepullsyoutoyourfeet.“Let’sgo!”

FollowhimtoPAGE28.

Thecoincomesupheads,soyoulurchtotherighttoavoidthegiantslipping-and-slidingclown.

Oops.Wrongway.

“Whoa!”theclowncriesashisfeetflyupintheair.

Withahuge,groaningcrash,hecomesdownontopofyou.

SPLAT.

You’dliketocry“Ouch!”butyoucan’t.

You’dliketotellhimtogetoffyou—butyoucan’t.

You’devenliketostartthisbookoverandforgetaboutthebananasnexttime….

Hey,nowthat’ssomethingyoucando!

THEEND

“MistressBarbarousisevil,”Mr.Peeperswhispers.Chocolatedrooldripsdownhischin.“Herwholefamilyisevil.Theyhavemagicpowers.Barbarous,MortontheKnifeThrower,GeyorgtheClown,theGreatBostini,whoistheliontamer,andMistressBarbarous’stwosisters.Allofthem.Shegetsherpowerfrom—”

Butbeforetheclowncanfinish,youhearafamiliarvoice.Onethatsendschillsupyourspine.

“Aha!”MistressBarbarouscries.“Caughtyou!”

Youstareupather.

MistressBarbarousisstandingatthefarsideofthetentwithherhandsonherhips.Shelooksfurious.

“Howdareyourunawayfromme?”shebellows.“You’reinbigtrouble,circuskid!”

Quick!TurntoPAGE80!

Youcoweronthegroundwithyourhandscoveringyourhead.

ThelionlandsonyouwithadeafeningCRUNCH!Heliesthere,dazed.

Theaudiencegasps.

It’sfivehundredpoundsofbeastagainst…what?Seventy,eightypounds?

You’dhavetobeprettyluckytosurvivethat!

Well?Howluckyareyou?

Doyouhaveyourluckybaseballcapwithyou?

Ifyoudo,turntoPAGE13.

Ifyoudon’t,turntoPAGE52.

Youplungetotheground,screamingyourheadoff.

Butasyoufall,youroldfriendMr.Peeperscomestotherescue!Heshovesabigtrampolineunderyou.

BOING!Youbounce.You’rebreathlessandshaken,butokay.

“Listenup,kid.”Mr.Peeperslecturesyouasyouclimboffthetrampoline.“Neverbringasnaketothecircus.They’llgetyouintoalotoftrouble.”

He’sright.You’llneversurvivethecircusifallyou’vegotischocolate,acamera,andasnake.

Butsinceyoumadeitthisfar,yougetabreak.GobacktoPAGE2andchooseagain.

Thechocolatebarsaregood.Andthecameraisokay.ButpicksomethingbesidesPeppy,yourpetsnake!

Choosesomethingotherthanthesnake.GobacktoPAGE2.

“Ican’tbelieveit!”yougasp.Youstareatthedecrepitclownskeletoninhorror.

Asthelasttracesofthemagicwearoff,Geyorg’sbonesdisconnectfromeachotherandcrumbletotheground.

“Whatisgoingonhere?”Richiemoansagain.

Inanswer,Mr.Peeperstheclownracesupandhugsyourlegs.

“Youdidit!YoutookBarbarous’spowersaway!”heshouts.“Nownoneofthemwilleverbehumanagain!”

“Yes!”youandRichiecheer.Youhigh-fiveeachother.

“Wow,”Richiesays.“Nowlet’sgetoutofhere!”

“Notyet,”youtellhim.“We’vegottofreethekidsinthesideshowfirst.Comeon.”

Youracetotheclowntentandfindahandmirror.Thenyoutakeitandthependanttothesideshowtent.

WithMr.Peeperstellingyouwhattodo,youstareatthereflectionofthependantinthemirror.

ZZZAAPPP!Apurplebeamofenergyboltsintoyoureyesandlightsupyourface.

Usingthepowersofthependant,youchangeallthesideshowkidsbackintonormalhumanbeings.

CelebrateonPAGE18.

Theknifethrowerfinallyrealizesthathecan’treachyoubythrowinghisknivesupintheair.

Butthereissomethingelsehecandowiththem.

Whatishedoing?youwonderashespinsonhisheel.Heaimshisknivestowardthecornerofthetent.

Rightattheplacewherealltheropesaretiedandstakedtotheground.

Heaimsatoneropeinparticular.Theropethatholdsallthetrapezeequipmentintheair…

Theoneholdingyouintheair!

THWAP!

“Aaaaagh!”youshriekasyouplummettotheground.

Talkaboutcuttingshortyourcircuscareer!

THEEND

“ThereissomethingyoucoulddobesidesbetheKidWhoLivesinaJar,”sheofferswithameangleaminhereye.“Youcanbethehumancannonball!”

“Okay!”youagreeeagerly.Itsoundsbetterthanthegoopjar.Dangerous,butlessdisgusting.

MistressBarbarouspullsastrangejadependantfromaroundherneck.Thependantiscarvedwithaface.Thenshetakesasmall,ancientmirrorfromthepocketofherblackvelvetvest.

Holdingthejadependantinonehand,shegazesatthereflectionofthejadefaceinthemirror.

Suddenly,abeamoflighttravelsfromthependanttoMistressBarbarous’seyes!

Instantly,hereyesturnpurple.Thenherwholefaceseemstoglowwithapurplishlight.

Thenherpurpleeyesstarewithanoddevilpowerdirectlyatyou!

GoontoPAGE93.

“Idon’thaveanyfood.”Youchokeoutthewordsastheevilclown’sfingerstightenaroundyourneck.

Mr.Peepersshrugsandstartstowalkaway.Youknowhe’syouronlychance!

“Wait!”yougasp.Youthinkfast.

Yourmomgaveyousomemoneytospendduringtheweek.“I’llbuyyousomethingtoeatifyouhelpme!”youwhisperdesperately.

“Okay,”thelittleclownagrees.

Hereachesintoadeeppocketinhisclownsuitandwhipsoutaseltzerbottle.Withaquickflickofhisthumb,Mr.Peepersblaststheevilclowninthefacewithseltzerwater.

“Aaahhhh!”thegiantclownscreams,lettinggoofyouandbackingaway.

Yourheartracesasyougulpinbigbreathsofair.

Thebadclownishowlingandwrithinginagony.

Youstareathimtoseewhyhe’sscreamingsomuch.Afterall,it’sjustseltzer!

Yikes!Yourmouthdropsopen.Hisclownmakeupisrunninginriversdownhischeeks.

Butunderneaththegreenmakeup,there’snoface!

TurntoPAGE43.

Aropeladder!youfinallydecide.I’llmakearopeladder.

Butwhileyouweremakingupyourmind,Geyorgtheclownwasbusy,too.He’sstretchedhisfingerslikepretzels.They’rebendingaroundbackwards—reachingfortheballoftwine.

Beforeyoucanevenstartonyourropeladder,Geyorgsnatchesthetwinefromyourgrasp!

Oops.

Thechanceofsurvivingthisadventurejustslippedfromyourgraspaswell!

THEEND

MistressBarbarousgrabsyoubybotharms.Younoticeathickropecoilhangingfromherbelt.Alasso!

“Hey,clown,I’mlookingfortwokids,”shesnarls.“Haveyouseenthem?”

Yourheartpounds.Youshakeyourheadsilently.

Butyoushakeitalittletoohard.Yourwigfliesoff!

“Ha-ha-ha!”MistressBarbaroushowlswithlaughter.“Youalmosttrickedme,kid!Almost!”Thelastwordbecomesagrowl.

Youtrytobreakintoarun,butthebigclownshoestripyou!InaflashMistressBarbarousuncoilsthelasso.

Beforeyouknowit,you’retieduplikeacalfatarodeo!

StruggletoPAGE129.

“Quick!Thesideshow!”youyelltoMr.Peepers.YoubothdashawayfromMistressBarbarousandintothesideshow.

“Comebackhere,youlittleimps!”MistressBarbarousshouts.Shelungestowardyou.Butshetrips!

BAM!Shewipesout!

Good!youthink.Moretimetogetaway.

Butthat’swhenthewretched,rottensmellofthesideshowfillsyournose.

“Whoa!”youexclaim.Youcan’thelpbutstop.Thesmellissobaditmakesyoufeelfaint.

Andthenyouseetheexhibits.

Yougaspinhorror.

FacetheuglytruthonPAGE123.

“Everybodyneedsaluckybaseballcap,”youtellMistressBarbarous.

“Okay,handitover,”shedemands.Sheplunksyoudownontheground.

Youpulloffyourcapandplaceitgentlyinherhands.

“Nowcanyoupleasetellmethewayoutofthiscrazyplace?”youbegher.

MistressBarbarouspullsthecapontoherhead.

“Youknow,thishatdoesfeellucky!”sheexclaims.

“See?Itoldyou!”yousay.“Now,whichwayistheexit?”

“Ifeelsolucky!Ifeellikethebestballplayerthereeverwas!”sheshouts.Shelookssoexcited.Tooexcited!

MistressBarbarouspicksyouupandhurlsyouthroughtheair.

SPLAT!Youlandinthejarofsmellygoop.

“Whataluckythrow!”MistressBarbarousboasts.Shestridesover,clampsthelidonthejar,andsealsitclosed.

Luckyforher.Unluckyforyou.

You’redoomedtofloatinthedisgustinggraygoopfortherestofyourlife.

Butlookonthebrightside—you’llneverrunoutofhairgel.

THEEND

Youkeeprunning.Whocareshowbadyousmell?Youjustwanttogetasfarawayfromthecircusasyoucan!

Feetpounding,youracetowardtheroad.Afewcarsdriveby,butnoneofthemstopwhenyouwavetothem.Infact,thedriversholdtheirnoses.Youmustreallysmellawful.

Finallyyoucometoagasstation.Youcallyourmomandbeghertocomegetyouimmediately.

Whenshepicksyouup,allshecansayis,“Honey,yousmellawful!”

Andthestinkneverfades.Nomatterhowhardyouscrub!

Atschool,yourteacherholdshernoseeverytimeyouwalkintotheclassroom.Yourfriendswon’teatlunchwithyou.Evenyourparentsaskyoutostayinyourroomwiththedoorshut.

Oneyearlater,thecircuscomesbacktotown.Sadly,youmakethedecisiontoreturn.

“Hi!Weknewyou’dbeback,”theLizardBoysays.Heandalltheotherfreaksarehappytoseeyou.

Youclimbintoyourjarandpullthelidclosed.

Thesideshowistheonlyplaceyoubelongnow.

Yes,thisendingstinks,buthey!Sodoyou!

THEEND

Youdon’thavethecamera.Youdon’thavethetalcumpowder.Andtherestofthestuffyoubroughtseemsuseless.There’snothingyoucandoexceptscreamyourgutsout.

“Help!”youyell.Youcowerawayfromtheliontamer’srazor-sharpteeth.

Toobadnoonehearsyou.NooneexceptMr.Peepers.AndMr.Peeperscan’tstandthesightofviolence,sohesqueezeshiseyesshut.

Andsoshouldyou.Becauseyoudefinitelydon’twanttoseewhathappensnext.It’stoogoryanddisgustingforwords!

ButhaveyoueverwatchedthoseTVprogramsaboutwildanimalseatingtheirprey?

Thatshouldgiveyousomeideaofwhathappenstoyouin

THEEND.

Asyoustare,MistressBarbarousbringsherhorsetoahaltandslidesofftotheground.Thenshesuddenlythrowsherhandsuptocoverherface.

Youbackawayfromher.Thependantissafeinyourfist.

“Noooooo!It’shappening!”shemoans.“You!You’veruinedeverything….”

YourmouthfallsopeninshockassmokebillowsupfromMistressBarbarous’sbody.

Rightinfrontofyou,MistressBarbarousbeginstochangeshape.Firstsheshrinksinsize.Thenfursproutsalloverherbody!Thenshefallsforwardontoallfours.

“Ican’tbelieveit!”youmurmur.

MistressBarbaroushasturnedintoaweasel!Acoal-blackweasel!

Shebareshersharpteethatyou,thendartsaway.

Richiedropsdownfromtheceilingonarope.

“Whatisgoingon?”Richieasks.“I’veneverseenanythinglikeit.Ever!”

Allaroundyou,MistressBarbarous’srelativesarechangingshape.Changingintoanimals!

WatchthemtransformonPAGE104.

CRACK!Yousnapthewhipatthelion.

Holdon!Waitjustasecond!

Youthinkalionismoredangerousthantheringmistress?

No,no,no!

Youobviouslyhaven’tspentenoughtimearoundher,oryou’dknowbetter.

RememberwhenMistressBarbarouscalledyou“lunch”?

Well,shewasn’ttalkingaboutwhatthelionsweregoingtoeat.Shewastalkingaboutherownideaofatastymeal!

Sorry!Youalmostreachedagoodendinginthisbook.Butalmostisn’tgoodenough.Sostopreading.

Whydon’tyougoandmakeyourselfalittlesnack?

Afterall,that’swhatMistressBarbarousisdoing!

THEEND

Youdon’thavethetwine.

Oh,well.Itdoesn’tmatterthatmuchanyway.

Becauseaminutelater,youloseyourgrip.

Susanfliesthroughtheairandgrabsontoatrapeze.

Youreachoutforone,desperately.Butyoumiss.

Youbegintotumbleforward,thenfall.

Butyou’reacircusperformer!Soyoudon’tjustfallflatonyourface.

Noway.

Youtwistintheair,thendotwo-and-a-halfbackwardsflipsandatriplepike.

Thenyoufallflatonyourface.

Needlesstosay,youwon’tbeperformingthattrickagain!

THEEND

Yourstomachflipsoverasyoustareopen-mouthedatthesideshowexhibits.

TheLizardBoy…

TheGirlwithFiveTongues…

TheBeardedGirl…

Andthatsmell!It’scomingfromacagethat’sdarkinside.Youcan’tmakeoutwhat’sinit,butasignovertheexhibitreads:SEEIT!SMELLIT!AND

FORANEXTRA$5YOUCANTASTEIT!THEKIDWITHROTTENFLESH!

Disgusting!Revolting!Nowaydoyouwanttoseeit.Thestenchalonemakesyoustaggerandfalltoyourknees.

ThenyoulockeyeswiththeLizardBoy.Thegiantlizardisasbigasyouare.Hisfacelooksalmosthuman.

Exceptthatit’scoveredinscales!

SomethingintheLizardBoy’seyeslooksfamiliar.Normal.

Then,withaflashofdread,yourecognizehim.It’sDannyMendleson!Akidwhowasatcircuscampwithyoulastyear!Lastyearhewonthechancetospendaweekinthiscircus.

“Becareful,”hewhispers.“Don’tletBarbarouscatchyou,oryou’llenduphereforever.Likeme!”

Forever?Uh-oh!FindoutwhathemeansonPAGE17.

“Here,takeit.Takemycamera!”youoffer,desperatetoescape.

MistressBarbarouseyesthecamerahangingaroundyourneck.

“Okay,Iwill!”sheexclaims.Shedropsyouandgrabsit.

“Saycheese,”shesings,pointingthecameraattheLizardBoy.“No,wait.Saymoldycheese!Becausethat’swhatyourscalyskinlookslike!Ha-ha!”

Thenshepushesthebutton.

Nothinghappens.

Uh-oh.Thebatterymustbedead!

“Thisisapieceofjunk!”Barbarousgrowls,tossingthecameratothefloor.

CRASH!

Well,ifitwasn’tjunkbefore,itisnow!

“Getinthejar!”sheroarsatyou.

“No!Wait!”youplead.“Don’tmakemegetinthere.I’lldoanythingyouwant!Anything!”

“Anything?”Barbarousrepeatswithatwistedsmile.

TurntoPAGE112.

Youhavethebullwhipcoiledinyourbackpocket,soyoudecidetodrop.Ifthelionsattack,you’llwhipthem!

YouletgoofGeyorg’scostume.Withyourarmsstretchedoutwide,yousaildowntothetrampolinebelow.

BOING!

Youhitthetrampolinedeadcenter—andbouncebackup!

Perfect!

BOING!

You’reupintheair…thendown…

BOING!

It’sfun!Toomuchfun.

SomuchfunthatyouforgetthatMistressBarbarousandallherevilrelativesaretryingtokillyou!

Then—THWAP!

Aknifebreezespastyou,almostslicingyourear.

KeepbouncingandturntoPAGE61.

Youdon’tlikeBostini,butyou’retoonicetostandaroundandwatchapersonbeingtorntoshreds.

Fearlessly,youcrackyourbullwhipatthelion.

Thebeastflinchesandgrowlsatyou.ButthenitrollsoffBostiniandsaunterstothesideofthering.

“Excellent!”youcongratulateyourself.

“Don’tgetsmart,circuskid!”MistressBarbarousshoutsatyou.Sheputsherfingerstohermouthandwhistles.

Immediately,atallwhitehorsegallopsintothering.Barbarousjumpsupandstandsonitsback.“I’mgoingtogetanothermirror,”shecallsassheridestowardanexit.“Thenyou’llbesorryyouevertouchedthatwhip!”

“Ifshegetsanothermirroryou’reasgoodasdead!”Richiecallsdownfromabove.“Sheusesitforhermagic!”

Uh-oh.He’sright.Ifshegetsanothermirror…

Hey!Doyouhaveamirror?

Ifyoubroughtthemirrorwithyou,turntoPAGE95.

Ifyoudidn’t,turntoPAGE45.

“Excuseme,wouldyoumindsprayingmeoff?”youcalltothemanwiththehose.

Henodsandaimsthehoseatyou.

Whoa!Thestrongblastofwaterknocksyoudown.Youmanagetostandupagain,buttheblastingstreampushesyoubackwards.Backtowardthebigtop.

“Stop!”youshout,wavingyourarmsandtryingtosignaltothemantostopsquirtingyou.

Buthejustlaughsandturnsupthewaterpressure.

Youstumblebackwards.

Backintothecircustent.

AndintoMistressBarbarous’swaitingarms!

TurntoPAGE21.

Who’smoredangerous?ThelionorMistressBarbarous?

Barbarous,youdecide.Definitely—Barbarous!

Youwhirlandsnapyourwhipather.

CRACCCK!Theleatherlashcurlsaroundherhand,knockingthemirroraway.

“Aaahh!”shescreamsasthewhipstingsherhand.

“GRRRRR!”

Youglanceoveryourshoulder.Whoa!Thelionisspringingatyou!

“Duck!”avoicecallsfromhighabove.

Duck?Whosaidthat?

Whocares!

Justdoit!

HitthedirtonPAGE26.

MistressBarbarouskneelsbesideyouandstaresintoyoureyes.Herwholefacelightsupwithapurplishglow.

“Soyouwanttobeaclown?”shedemands,glaringatyouwithpurpleeyes.“Fine!Aclownyouwillbe.Forever!”

Yougaspasapurplelightningboltshootsoutofhereyesandstreakstoyourface.

MistressBarbarouslaughs.“Here,havealook,”shesays,holdingupasmallmirrorforyoutosee.

Yougazefearfullyintotheglass.

Themakeuplooksdifferent.Morereal.Morepermanent.

Itispermanent!Theclownfacewillnevercomeoff!

ButnowthatMistressBarbaroushasworkedhermagiconyou,sheleavesyoualone.Therestoftheweekinthecircusfliesby.Theshowsaregreat.Littlekidslaughandpointatyourclownface.It’sablast!

It’snotsuchablastwhentheweekendsandyouhavetogohome,though.Littlekidsstilllaughandpoint.Everyonedoes.

Butatleastwhentheteachercallsyoutheclassclownit’snotentirelyyourfault!

THEEND

Ican’thitMistressBarbarouswiththislizard!youthink.ThisisDannyMendleson.BarbarousturnedhimintotheLizardBoy!

Thelightsblareon.

Yup,youwereright.You’reholdingDanny’stail.

“Dropthatlizard!”MistressBarbarouscommands.“He’sourstarattraction!”

Youdoasshesays,settingDanny’stailgentlyonthefloor.

“Hey!”Dannycrieswhenheseesit’syou.“You’reback!You’vegottogetawayfromher!”

“Oh,bequiet!”Barbaroussnaps.“Freaks,meetyournewroommate:theKidWhoLivesinaJar!”

“Noooo!”youshout.Youtrytobreakfreefromhergrasp.Butit’snogood….

FaceyourfateonPAGE12.

“Don’tworry,IcanhandleMistressBarbarous,”Pietrosays.“Shejustlikestoscarethenewcomers.Comeon!Let’sgopractice!”Heleadsyouintothebigtop.

Thatevening,you’renervousbutexcitedforyourcircusdebut.Youwearacoolblueoutfitwithsilverstreaksdownthesides.

Yourcuecomesandyouraceoutintothering.Theclownschaseyou,thenfloptotheground,exhausted.Everyonecheers.

Nowtheanimalschaseyou.

Agiantlionisrightonyourtail.Youraceevenfaster.

Thecrowdgoeswild.

Itlooksliketheferociouslionisreallychasingyou!

Itevenfeelslikehe’schasingyou.Whoa.

“GRRRRROAR!”hethunders.

TWANG!Yourshoelacecomesuntied.Youflythroughtheair—andlandflatonyourface.

Andthelionpounces!

CoveryourheadonPAGE108.

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

It’sofficial:You’retheGrandPrizeWinner!

Pickyourprize:atouroftheHasleyToyCompany,orHasley’snewesttoy—akid-sizedrobotcalledtheAnnihilator3000.Butchoosecarefully!

Takethetourandyou’llgetlockedinthefactory—wherethetoyscomealiveatnight.WatchoutforZorgs.Thosenastymonstertoyswanttosuckoutyourbrain.AndstayawayfromNastyKathy.Thislivingdollmaylooksweet,butherheartispureevil!

Ifyouchoosetherobot,makesureyou’rereadyfortrouble.TheAnnihilatorisbentondestruction!Firstitgoesafteryourcat.Thenitgoesafter…you.Yikes!Howdoyoudisablearagingrobot?

You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthescareswillbe!

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

SOTAKEADEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1NOWTOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS.

“Hey,Mom!Lookatthis!I’mawinner!”youshout.

Youraceintothehousewithaletterthat’sjustarrivedinthemail.Itcameinastrangeblackenvelope.Addressedtoyou.ThewordsHASLEYTOYCOMPANYareprintedontheback.

“Look,Mom!”Youwavetheletterintheair.“Iwon!”

“That’snice.”Yourmotherisreadingthenewspaper.Shedoesn’tlookup.

“Mom.Forreal!IwontheGrandPrize!”youannouncehappily.

“That’sgreat,sweetie.”Youcantellshe’snotreallylistening.

“Igetmychoice,”yougoon.“AtouroftheHasleyToyFactory,ortheirbiggestandbesttoy—theAnnihilator3000.It’sthistotallycoolrobot.It’sasbigasIam!”

“TheAnnihilatorwhat?”Shelooksup.You’vegotherattentionnow.“Whendidyouenterthiscontest?”sheasks.

Hey.That’sweird,youthink.

“Ididn’t,”youadmit.

Yourmomlooksconcerned.“Howdidtheygetyourname?”shewantstoknow.

GoontoPAGE2.

Youglancedownattheenvelopeinyourhand.Itsuddenlyseemscreepythatit’sblack.

“Idon’tknowhowtheygotmyname,”youadmit.

Yourmomthinksforaminute.“Maybeitwasthatelectronicgameweboughtlastyearforyourbirthday.Remember?Wesentyournameinontheregistration.”

“Thatmustbeit,”yousay,sighingwithrelief.“Isn’titgreatthatIwon?”

“Oh,sweetheart.”Yourmompatsyourshoulder.“Don’tgetyourhopesuptoohigh.Sometimesthosecontestsarefakes.Theysayyou’vewon,butthenthere’sacatch:Youhavetobuymagazinesorsomething.”

“Noway!”youprotest.“Theletterdoesn’tsayanythingaboutmagazines.”

Youhurrytothephoneandcallthespecialnumberintheletter.Youdialit.Amananswers.Amanwithascratchyvoice.

“Hello,”hesays,addressingyoubyname.“I’vebeenwaitingforyourcall.”

GoontoPAGE3.

“Whichprizedoyouwant?”themanasks.

Youhadn’treallythoughtaboutityet.

Andthenithitsyou.Themanknewyourname.Buthow?

Ashivergoesdownyourspine.

Youshakeyourheadandtrytoconcentrate.Soheknewyourname.Bigdeal.Noteverykidontheplanethasjustwonahugeprize!

“Hello?Areyoustillthere?”themancalls.

You’vegottosaysomething.Whichprizedoyouwant?ThelettersaysthatifyoutakethetouroftheHasleyToyFactory,you’llgetafreevideogametoo.

ButtheAnnihilator3000isthebesttoythecompanymakes!

“Uh,ifIchoosethetourofthetoyfactory,canIbringafriend?”youask.

“Sure,”hereplies.“Sowhat’sitgoingtobe?”

IfyouwanttotourtheHasleyToyFactory,turntoPAGE44.

IfyouwanttheAnnihilator3000,turntoPAGE69.

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©1998byScholastic

Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyScholasticInc.SCHOLASTIC,GOOSEBUMPS,GOOSEBUMPSHORRORLANDandassociatedlogosaretrademarksand/or

registeredtrademarksofScholasticInc.

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,

downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher.Forinformationregardingpermission,writetoScholasticInc.,Attention:PermissionsDepartment,557

Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,

orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

Firstedition,1998

e-ISBN978-0-545-82079-0