Read Online Amulet of Doom by Bruce Coville - Free Book Online

should be paying attention: final exams were coming up soon, and her grades were only so-so as it was. But somehow she couldn’t bring anything into focus—any more than she could really relate to the friends who spoke to her, gently, kindly, throughout the day. All she could think of was Zenobia, and the amulet, and the horrible creature that had stalked through her dreams last night.
    She was having a hard time sorting through everything. The dream about Zenobia she could understand. It made sense for her to be dreaming about her aunt right now. But where had that … that thing come from?
    It was worse—far worse—than any nightmare her mind had ever conjured up before. Even so, it was easy in the reassuring light of day to dismiss the creature as an invention of her overheated imagination.
    What was not so easy was Zenobia. Not only was there the matter of her appearance after Marilyn had woken last night—an appearance Marilyn could not convince herself was just part of her nightmare, no matter how hard she tried—there was the fact that she had sensed Zenobia near her all through the day.
    It was insane. But she couldn’t shake the idea that her aunt was trying desperately to contact her.
    â€œWhat do you want from me?” she wanted to scream.
    But in her heart she already knew.
    Zenobia wanted her to get the amulet.
    But why? It must have something to do with the creature.
    Again, her mind rebelled. Stretched to the limit, she was willing to admit the possibility of a ghost. The idea that someone who had “passed over” (to use a phrase she had heard almost endlessly during the last three days) could actually require something of someone still living was within her comprehension.
    But that other thing? That creature? No. That had to be a figment of her imagination.
    â€œYou know, of course, my dear Airhead, that you’ve gone out of your miniature mind,” said Alicia as they were walking home together.
    Marilyn’s heart sank. She had thought her old friend would be the one person she could confide in without ridicule.
    â€œOh, not because you think you’ve seen a ghost,” said Alicia quickly. “I just meant you’re out of your mind if you’re starting to get serious about that dork Kyle Patterson. This problem with your aunt Zenobia, on the other hand, requires some serious consideration.”
    Marilyn smiled. She should have known Alicia wouldn’t let her down.
    â€œNow let me get this straight,” continued her friend. “You think Zenobia’s spirit is still hanging around.”
    â€œI’ve seen it.”
    Alice shrugged. “You see something worthwhile in that blond beanpole, too. Your eyesight is not the best.”
    â€œLay off, will you?”
    â€œWell, my credulity only goes so far. You can ask me to believe in a ghost, or you can ask me to believe that Kyle Patterson has redeeming features. I can’t do both at once.”
    â€œThen I’ll believe in Kyle all by myself,” said Marilyn. “It’s Aunt Zenobia who has me going in circles.”
    â€œAh,” said Alicia. “We return to the nub of the question. What do you suppose it is the old girl wants?”
    â€œHer amulet,” said Marilyn. “The one she asked me to take care of.”
    â€œWell, that makes sense. She asked you to take care of it, and now she wants it back. Why don’t you just give it to her?”
    â€œBecause she already has it.”
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    â€œIt’s on her body, in the funeral home.”
    Alicia looked at her strangely. “Marilyn, what is this all about? What’s the whole story?”
    Marilyn looked away.
    â€œHey, Airhead—what is it?”
    â€œYou’ll think I’m crazy.”
    Alicia snorted. “I know you’re crazy. I figured that out sometime in third grade. That doesn’t have anything to do with the current problem.