Read Online The Deadly Past by Christopher Pike - Free Book Online Page A

wouldn’t go that far,” Adam whispered.
    They jumped at his words, but were wise enough to keep their voices down. Watch leaned over from where he was chained to the wall and peered into the dark cave.
    â€œIs that you, Adam?” he whispered.
    â€œYes. I’m here. But try not to look my way.”
    Watch straightened up quickly. “You’re right.”
    â€œWe’re saved,” Sally gushed quietly.
    â€œI knew Adam would come,” Cindy said.
    â€œHe hasn’t saved us yet,” Bryce muttered.
    â€œI have a hand laser,” Adam whispered. “I took it from those dead aliens over there. But I’m not sure how to use the thing.”
    â€œI think you just have to aim and fire,” Watch said.
    â€œI don’t want to have to kill the fat heads,” Adam explained. “I don’t know how to set the laser for Stun.”
    â€œJust kill them,” Sally hissed. “They’re trying to kill us.”
    â€œWhatever setting the gun was on when you took it,” Watch said, “that setting probably kills. When the others were attacked, they were not just trying to stun the fat heads.”
    â€œBut there are two more settings,” Adam whispered.
    â€œYou’ll just have to guess which one is Stun,” Watch said.
    â€œBut whatever you do,” Bryce added, “when you fire at them be careful not to hit the metal box. We’re all convinced it’s a bomb of some type.”
    â€œAdam knows that,” Sally said. “He’s not stupid.”
    Bryce was annoyed at her. “You know, Sally, you’re a fair-weather friend. I make one little mistake and you jump all over me.”
    â€œJoin the club,” Watch muttered.
    â€œI’m going to open fire now,” Adam said, changing the setting on the laser and taking aim. “Wish me luck.”
    â€œGood luck, Adam,” Bryce said.
    â€œSo Bryce likes Adam now that Adam is saving his life,” Sally muttered.
    â€œQuiet,” Watch snapped. “Let him concentrate.”
    Adam found it difficult to focus. The aliens were all so close to the metal box. He didn’t see how he could shoot them without hitting it. Also, he continued to worry that he was about to kill the aliens, whether they were evil or not, and without fair warning. Yet in the end, he had to push all that aside. He had come here to do a job and he had to succeed. Too many people were depending on him. Bracing his shooting arm on a rock protruding from the cave wall, he managed to steady his aim.
    Adam squeezed the trigger.
    A bolt of red light hit the tallest alien and it crumbled to the floor.
    Adam didn’t know if the creature was dead or merely unconscious.
    But he kept on shooting.
    Two more blasts and two more aliens went down.
    But the last of the fat heads had managed to draw its weapon and get off a shot. Adam saw a burst of red light and then the wall beside him exploded in a shower of burning sparks. He was knocked to the side, onto the floor, and the laser pistol flew from his grasp.
    â€œAdam!” his friends screamed.
    Adam was stunned but still awake. He scrambled for his laser in the dark of the cave as six laser blasts soared over his head. It was good that he had been knocked down or else he would be dead already. But he still had the advantage because he didn’t think the alien could see him. Adam would need only one good shot to finish off the bad guys.
    Adam’s hand bumped against the laser.
    He raised it while still lying on the floor of the cave, propping his right arm up with his left palm, sighting along the barrel. For a moment the alien paused, perhaps thinking Adam was finished. It was in that moment that Adam shot it, a clean hit to the chest.
    The alien went down.
    â€œAdam!” his friends cheered.
    Adam jumped up and ran into the chamber.The chains the aliens had used to secure his friends were long. Adam told them all to stand back while