Read Online The Howling Ghost by Christopher Pike - Free Book Online

we have to go now. Before it gets completely dark.”
    â€œShould we bring the skeleton?” Watch asked.
    â€œIt might look nice hung up beside the spider webs,” Sally said.
    â€œI don’t care if you bring it,” Adam said. “Just get this scuba equipment off my back.”
    The girls crossed over to the lighthouse on the rope. Watch and Adam were still in their trunks and they swam. This time they had a flashlight. It was good because the sun had set while Adam was trapped underwater. Just as they stepped inside the lighthouse, Sally reminded them that all the bad things that had occurred had happened at this exact time of day.
    â€œYou don’t have to wait till midnight to see a ghost in this town,” Sally said.
    Adam was relieved to get inside. The interior of the lighthouse was much warmer than the jetty, and he was able to stop shivering. But it was more than comfort that encouraged him. Adam felt as if they were finally closing in on Neil. What had happened in the lighthouse earlier had scared them. That was why they hadn’t come back right away. But after his terror below the sea, Adam felt ready to face anything.
    They started up the long spiral staircase. Like the last time, it was hard climbing. Soon they were hot and sweating. But no one asked to stop and rest. Watch continued to drag the skeleton with him. Remarkably, the dead captain still managed to have a hold of his whiskey bottle.
    After about ten minutes they reached the trapdoorthat led into the upper level. Watch raised his hand for them to stop.
    â€œNow remember,” Watch said, “if the searchlight suddenly comes on, close your eyes. We don’t want you to stumble around. You might fall down this opening.”
    â€œI won’t do that again,” Cindy said, anxious to keep going.
    They entered the upper level. Watch set the skeleton down and studied the wires on the searchlight again. The rest of them examined the wooden ceiling, something they hadn’t thought to do before. Adam focused the flashlight on several grooved lines in the wood.
    â€œThose look like they could be the outline of a door of some kind,” Adam said, pointing.
    â€œBut how are we going to get up there?” Sally asked. “And how are we going to open the door? There’s no knob, no lock.”
    â€œLet me go up first and check it out,” Adam said. He tapped Watch on the shoulder. “Help me shove that desk over, and then I’ll put that chair on top of it.”
    Watch studied the ceiling. “You still won’t be able to reach it.”
    â€œI will if I stand on your shoulders,” Adam said.
    Watch was impressed. “If you fall, you’ll break your neck.” He added, “You might pull me down with you.”
    â€œIt’s a risk we’ll have to take,” Adam said firmly.
    â€œThere he goes trying to impress Cindy again,” Sally muttered.
    â€œI’ll follow you up into the attic, Adam,” Cindy said, interrupting Sally with a nasty look.
    Together they moved the desk. Watch and Adam climbed onto the desk, and Sally and Cindy handed them the chair. Watch carefully positioned the chair and got up on it, taking a moment to balance himself.
    â€œHow much do you weigh?” Watch asked Adam.
    Adam shrugged. “I don’t know. Less than you.”
    â€œIf you fall, don’t grab my hair,” Watch said. “And tuck the flashlight in your belt. But keep it on.”
    Adam did as he was told. Then he looked back up at Watch. “How am I supposed to get up on your shoulders?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s your plan,” Sally muttered.
    â€œClimb up on the chair beside me,” Watch said. Again, Adam did what he was told. “Good. Now give me your foot. I’ll boost you up. Remember what I said about my hair.”
    â€œIf I lose my balance, can I at least grab your ears?” Adam asked.
    â€œI suppose,” Watch