Read Online Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Thomas Batson, Christopher Hopper - Free Book Online Page B

looked on eagerly. It was their cave. Autumn had voiced the conclusion Johnny had been too skeptical to verbalize. But he knew what he had seen. There was no mistaking the landmarks and the way they were described in such amazing detail. Unless, of course, every waterfall-hidden-cave appeared in the woods the same way.
    â€œ Pioneers of the Western United States ”—Mrs. Briarman began—“by M. S. Ward, Esquire.”
    Thinking their mother had made one of those jokes that adults thought were so funny, Johnny and Autumn stared at their mother. If she was joking, she hid it awfully well.
    â€œForeword: Those who braved the treacherous journey westward, leaving their homes in search of destiny, wealth, and the unknown, faced many hardships. . . .” Mrs. Briarman looked up. “Impressive. This is some fine reading you two are doing. I’m thinking you can go to that bookstore anytime you wish.”
    The siblings were speechless, mouths agape.
    â€œAnd where’s this section about your cave?”
    Autumn stood up cautiously and sidled next to her mom, flipping back to the opening section. 9680 Founding of Allyra had been replaced by Foreword , and the text was completely different. It was as if an entirely different book sat before her. Even the drawing was not the same—now a grand vista of the Rocky Mountains.
    â€œI—I don’t understand,” Autumn said, perplexed.
    â€œWhat is it, sweetie?”
    â€œIt’s not there.” Her mind was racing, trying in vain to sort it out. Johnny, too, was perplexed, thinking as fast as he could.
    â€œGo ahead and show me,” Mrs. Briarman instructed.
    â€œNo, I mean it was right here,” Autumn stated. She flipped the pages back and forth.
    â€œLet me explain, Mom,” Johnny said, a bit distantly, Autumn noted. “She thought our cave was formed the same way the Rockies were, with the plates in the earth and all. But I told her no. This is upstate New York, not Colorado. She’s nuts.”
    Autumn looked to her brother and then to her mom, then back to Johnny. Thanks, bro , she thought. “So . . . our cave wasn’t made by the same gee-o-more-phical—”
    â€œGeographical,” corrected Mrs. Briarman.
    â€œ Geographical am-o-mally—”
    â€œAnomaly,” she helped again.
    Autumn laughed in spite of herself. “ Anomaly that caused the Rocky Mountains to form?”
    â€œNot at all, sweetie,” Mrs. Briarman said. “The Rockies formed through the collision of tectonic plates. The cave on our back property was probably formed through erosion as glaciers receded, or just from runoff as is the case with the softer sandstone.”
    â€œOh, thanks, Mom,” Autumn said absently.
    â€œThanks Mom,” Johnny added.
    â€œThat’s it?”
    â€œYeah, thanks.” Autumn folded up the book.
    â€œWait a second.” Mrs. Briarman put her hand on the cover. “What’s going on with you two?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Johnny asked, getting nervous.
    Mrs. Briarman eyed them both for a second. “Are you playing a trick on me? Where is your father?” She stood up and looked out the window smiling.
    â€œNo, Mom. Everything’s cool,” Johnny assured her. “Argument settled.”
    She looked to him. “You two never resolve things that fast.”
    â€œI guess I just wanted to hear you say it, Mom,” Autumn clarified. She pulled the book away and made for the door. “Thanks, Mom!”
    â€œYeah, thanks, Mom!” Johnny echoed as they let the screen door slam behind them.
    â€œYou two are up to something!” Mrs. Briarman hollered after them. “Wait, you aren’t thinking of going into that cave, are you?”
    â€œUh, well, no . . . not unless . . .”
    But Mrs. Briarman knew better. “At least take the dog!”

9
    Lighting the Blue Beacons
    â€œMISS SIMONSON, see me after