Read Online The Carnival of Lost Souls : A Handcuff Kid Novel by Laura Quimby - Free Book Online

Jack realized that none of it was real—his own room, the dinners, the games, and the presents—they were all part of the professor’s plan. But worst of all, Jack had fallen for it. He broke the law of magic, and believed in the illusion. Shame and anger burned in his throat. “We’re nothing alike. I’m not a liar. You were supposed to be my foster father and take care of me. But you’re nothing but a con man.”
    The professor smirked. “It took me years to create the trick—one with consequences. We had an agreement—justlike a signed contract—and my idea was to lure you into my office with this magic box; if you opened it, you broke our deal. Now you will take my place.”
    “But you studied magic!” Jack pleaded, trying to grasp what was happening. “You had fifty years to learn how to escape the contract.”
    “Exactly. I finally figured out a way to beat Mussini.” The professor raised his voice and glided closer to Jack, never taking his eyes off him.
    “What did you come up with?” Jack stood trembling in the darkness of the room, wearing his faded jeans and favorite worn-out blue sweatshirt, but he already knew the answer.
    “You!” the professor yelled.
    “You traded me to Mussini to save your own skin.” Jack’s voice caught in his throat. “I thought you were my friend.”
    But really Jack had wanted more than a friend, like Mildred had said; he had hoped that the professor could be his mentor and protector. Jack didn’t know what hurt worse, falling for the professor’s trap, or the ache in his heart for believing—for the first time—that he had been loved. The professor never wanted him. He was just using him in his escape plan. Jack stared at the professor and finally the man looked up.
    “You must go with Mussini into his world and pay my debt with your young soul. Now collect your things.”
    Jack shook his head and glanced at his duffel, trying to think about his next move and talk at the same time. “You can’t just trade people’s souls.”
    “Yes, you can.” The professor balled up his fists. “It’s done!”
    “I’m not sticking around. I’ll just call Mildred and get out of here.”
    “Don’t argue with me.” Ignoring his pleas, the professor grabbed Jack’s handcuffs from his hands and shoved them into his duffel. “You will need all of your clever tricks and manacle dexterity where you’re headed. Mussini lives in a dangerous land.”
    Jack’s mind raced, seeking out an escape route. Glancing at the window high above the ground, he knew his only way out was down the stairs and out the door. “I told you, I’m not going
anywhere
with
anyone
.” Jack tried to push the professor aside, but the professor grabbed him by the arm. “Get out of my way!” Jack broke free and took off, running down the stairs.
    The professor chased after him. “You belong to the magician now!”
    Jack darted to the front door, but when he grabbed the doorknob, it was bolted shut. He spun around, but the professor had already made it down to the landing. The professor held his arm tightly. He was trapped. Concheta paced back and forth at the foot of the stairs, tears streaming down her small brown cheeks. The tipsof her fingers almost touched Jack’s face as she looked at him like it would be for the last time. He had seen that look many, many times before. Then two words drifted clearly from her lips. “
Los muertos
.” She almost whispered the ghostly words; he had to strain to hear her.
    Jack’s knowledge of Spanish consisted of “hello,” “good-bye,” and enough food items to order off the menu at Taco Bell.
Los muertos, los what? Los muertos, los muertos
… It sounded familiar. He remembered his sixth-grade Spanish class and the skeletons they made for Halloween. The class decorated the room with white cut-out bony limbs pasted onto black paper.
    Concheta wiggled her way in between Jack and the professor and dug into Jack’s duffel. Her small fingers snatched