04 Scary Things

Chapter 04 Scary Things Jack pulled out his book and found a picture of the strong men. He read aloud: Gladiators were slaves or criminals who fought in the amphitheater (AM-fuh- thee-uh-ter). They were forced to fight each other or wild animals like lions or bears. The people of Pompeii thought a gladiator fight was great fun. “ That’s not fun! ” said Annie. “ No wonder I think it’s weird here. ”

“ No kidding, ” said Jack. “ That’s not like our time at all. ” Jack and Annie watched as the guards led the gladiators away. They went toward a building that looked like an outdoor stadium. “ That must be the amphitheater, ” said Jack. “ Let’s check it out. ” “ Oh, all right, but it’s not a library, ” said Annie. He and Annie started up the street toward the amphitheater. A large crowd had gathered near the entrance. Men and women cheered as the gladiators marched inside. Jack and Annie started to follow them, but a guard held up his spear. “ No children allowed, ” he said stiffly. “ Run along now. ”

“ Yes, run along! Run for your lives! ” came a raspy, hissing voice. Jack and Annie whirled around. It was the soothsayer. She was waving her bony finger at them. “ Oh, no! Her again! ” said Jack. “ Let’s get away from here. ” He started to take off. “ Wait! ” said Annie. “ I want to talk to her! ” “ Are you crazy?” said Jack. But before he could stop her, Annie ran up to the soothsayer. Jack watched from a distance as the woman talked to Annie. “ Jack, come here! Quick! ” called Annie. “ Oh, brother, ” said Jack. He sighed and went over to Annie and the soothsayer. “ Tell him, ” said Annie. The woman fixed her gaze on Jack.

“ All the streams of Pompeii have dried up, ” she said. “ Remember the stream near the olive grove?” said Annie. “ So what?” said Jack. “ Maybe they just need rain. ” “ No, ” said Annie. “ There’re more scary things. Tell him. ” “ All the birds have flown away, ” the soothsayer said. Jack just stared at her. “ She said that all the rats left, too, ” said Annie. “ And the cows are making strange noises! ” “ But why?” said Jack. “ The sea is boiling hot, ” the old woman said. “ And the ground shakes and speaks. ” “ See, I told you! ” Annie said to Jack.

“ But why are these things happening?” Jack asked the soothsayer. “ Because the end is near, ” she whispered hoarsely. “ We have to leave now! ” said Annie. “ But what about the library?” said Jack. “ What library?” the soothsayer asked. “ Show her the story title, Jack, ” said Annie. Jack took the piece of paper from his bag. He showed the Latin writing to the soothsayer. “ A book with this title is in a library in this town, ” he said. “ So?” the old woman said. “ So we have to save it! ” said Annie. She pulled out her secret library card. The soothsayer stared for a moment at the card and the shimmering letters on it. Then she smiled warmly at Jack and Annie.