Free Carter and the Curious Maze by Philippa Dowding Page A

Clarissa, and the wounded soldier, how the Native boy saved him, about his sister calling him again and again. He thought about all of it. He’d seen what scary was, he knew now that the haunted house was for kids. But there was nothing wrong with that, since little kids need haunted houses to get them ready for bigger, scarier things. There were still plenty of strange surprises out there to amaze and delight a person. More than he could possibly imagine.
    â€œMr. Green?” he called quietly.
    A single leaf fluttered down from the tree that was once Mr. Green. It landed gently at Carter’s feet. He stooped and picked it up.
    â€œMr. Green? If you’re listening, the curious maze was definitely the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to me.” It suddenly struck him that despite the terror, the fear, the strangeness of it all, it had been the most exciting day of his life.
    Another leaf fluttered down and landed at his feet. He cleared his throat and raised his voice a little.
    â€œBut Clarissa, Arthur, and I got to the end of the maze, you said so yourself. You also said we could leave when we got to the end, unless you intend to cheat. They’ve both gone back to their own time. And now I’d just really like to go home, too.” A few more leaves fluttered down at his feet.
    â€œI don’t think what you did was right, but the truth is … I was scared. I still am. But I was more than just that. I’ve had to be brave, and smart, and curious, too. And I couldn’t give up, even though I really wanted to. The maze was the best ride at the fair, the best ride I could imagine. Ever.”
    It was true, all of it.
    Then with a tiny click, a door opened at the bottom of the tree that was Mr. Green. A warm light shone from behind the door, the kind of light that made Carter think of sunshine and a summer day.
    He walked across the dark forest, stepped through the door …
    â€¦ and stood at the opening of a very familiar, leafy pathway.
    Carter was back at the beginning of his strange afternoon. Just like that, he had found his way out of the curious maze.

Chapter 17
    That Which Is Most Curious

    C arter stood at the entrance to the curious maze in the exact spot where he stood earlier that day, before the whole crazy afternoon began. The sun was a little lower in the sky, maybe, but apart from that, nothing had changed from the moment he entered the maze.
    Moments before? Hours before? A lifetime ago?
    Huge roller coasters whizzed over his head, their giant wheels squealing. People shrieked as they whipped by, children ate ice cream (in cones!), cars drove past, airplanes zoomed overhead. Carter wanted to hug everyone he saw, wanted to spin in circles laughing, but he didn’t.
    I’m back!
    â€œCARTER! CARTER!” a voice called. It was Sydney! She waved. “Over here!”
    He ran to his sister. Then for the first time since he was seven years old, he gave her a huge hug. He could honestly say that he’d never been so happy to see her, or her amazingly weird red squid hat.
    â€œWhat? What the heck’s wrong with you? Are you okay?” she asked, surprised. Carter was glad that she hugged him back, though, just a little.
    â€œI … I’m not sure,” he said. “Probably not, no, not really.” Sydney ignored him and pointed at the “Welcome to the Curious Maze” signpost.
    â€œI think that’s false advertising: the most interesting ride you’ll ever take? Hardly.”
    Carter didn’t know whether he should laugh or scream. Was she kidding? He looked at his sister, still feeling strange and dizzy, but she didn’t seem to be joking with him.
    â€œSydney, I’ve been gone for hours in that maze. Haven’t you missed me?”
    â€œWhat do you mean? ‘Gone for hours?’ And why would I miss you? I’ve been right here, calling you. You were only gone a few minutes. What’s