Free Liar Liar by R.L. Stine

… swim underwater … through the portal … swim back to my world.
    I’m so lucky, I decided.
    I figured out how to return home before I got too weak. Before I started to fade away. Before the pain became unbearable.
    So lucky …
    I was just a block from Max’s house, walking fast, swinging my arms, when the black-and-white police cruiser pulled up beside me.
    â€œStop right there,” a gruff voice barked.

I froze. A cold shudder shook my body.
    Panic choked my throat. My knees felt about to collapse.
    They know!
    They know I’m an Intruder!
    How did they find out?
    A round-faced cop with a flat buzz cut and tiny, round black eyes leaned his head out of the patrol car. “Where you headed, son?” His tiny eyes studied me up and down.
    â€œH-home,” I choked out.
    He frowned and kept his eyes locked on me. “You live around here? Or are you out sight-seeing?”
    â€œNo. I live down there.” I pointed. I told him the address.
    â€œWhat’s your name, son?” The radio in the car squawked loudly. A low voice on the radio was calling out numbers. “Do you have any ID?”
    â€œID? N-no,” I stammered. I reached for my back pocket. “I left my wallet at home. But I’m Ross Arthur. My Dad is Garrison Arthur. He’s with Mango Pictures.”
    â€œWe don’t need your family history,” the cop’s partner said from behind the wheel. “You shouldn’t be walking around at night, kid.”
    He turned to the other cop. “Let’s go. We’ve got a 308 on Sunset.”
    They sped away without saying good-bye.
    I stood there trembling, watching the patrol car whirl around the corner. I hugged myself to stop the shaking. Cold sweat clung to my forehead, my cheeks.
    A close call, I knew.
    I have to get out of here, I told myself. I won’t be safe for a second—until I get back to my own world.
    I took off running. I didn’t stop until I got to Max’s house.
    I was halfway up the front lawn when I saw the dog skeleton poking up from the grass near the hedge. The pile of bones gleamed dully under the moonlight. The ugly sight made my stomach lurch.
    Poor Flash.
    I’ve got to get home before I harm anything else, I told myself.
    Max’s house was dark except for a porch light. Still no one home.
    I made my way along the side of the house to the back. A dim yellow light spilled out from one of the bedrooms. Otherwise, I moved through total darkness.
    I stepped onto the terrace in back. My heart started to pound with excitement.
    I was so hot and drenched with sweat. I could use a cold swim.
    Especially a swim that would bring me home.
    I’ll jump into the shallow end and swim toward the deep water, I told myself. Just as I did that night at Max’s party.
    I’ll swim to the deep end … slip through the portal … and be out of this frightening world forever.
    My shoes scraped the stone terrace as I jogged to the pool.
    I stepped eagerly to the edge. Peered down.
    And stared at bare concrete.
    â€œNo! No! No!” I pounded my fists against my sides.
    The pool had been drained.

I had no choice. There was no water in the pool, and I was out of ideas. I had to go back to my twin’s house. I had to talk to him. He was the only one who might be able to help me.
    I sneaked in through the back door and crept upstairs to his room. He looked up from his computer as I walked in, and flashed me a disgusted scowl. “You’re back?” he sneered.
    He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed out into the blackening night.
    From far in the distance I heard the shrill call of a bird, a strange, trilling sound I’d never heard before.
    A sound from a different world.
    A different reality.
    â€œYou’ve got to help me,” I pleaded. “Tell me, how … how do I get back to my world? What do I have to do?”
    He turned slowly and stared at me for a long while.