The sequence they had taken before to get onto the Secret Path had been this:
1. The beach (where Madeline was supposedly born)
2. The Derby Tree (where Madeline cursed the tree and turned its leaves red)
3. A cave (where Madeline killed a lion with her hands)
4. The chapel (where Madeline got married)
5. The reservoir (where Madeline drowned her husband)
6. The beach (where Madeline was almost burned to death)
7. The cemetery (where Madeline was buried)
Obviously, going to the beach twice seemed stupid, but the sequence, they knew, was the key to success. Going to the cave and then to the chapel and then back to the reservoir was also inconvenient, since the cave was not far from the reservoir. But they knew they had to stick to what they had done before because it had worked.
It was close to four o’clock by the time they got back to the cemetery. Starting at the front gate, they walked backward through the cemetery to the tombstone, holding hands the whole way.
“Why do we have to do this?” Cindy asked, sounding nervous.
“Because Madeline Templeton was carried here upside down,” Adam said. “This is our symbolic way of reenacting that event.” He paused. “You sound scared.”
“I am scared,” Cindy said quickly. “I’ve never gone through an interdimensional portal before.”
“We’re really going to end up in a horrible place,” Sally muttered.
“Maybe you shouldn’t go with us,” Adam said to Cindy. “You could stand guard on this side.”
“What am I guarding?” Cindy asked, although she sounded interested.
“You never know what might come back through the portal,” Sally said.
“It might be a good idea if one of us does stay on this side,” Watch said. “If we don’t return, the guard could go for help.” He added, “I don’t mind standing guard.”
Sally glanced over her shoulder at the approaching tombstone. “I bet none of us would mind staying at this point.” But then she suddenly let go of Cindy’s hand. “But it should be Cindy. The rest of us are experienced with this portal.”
“Are you guys sure?” Cindy asked, dropping Adam’s hand and watching them as they continued to trudge backward toward the tombstone.
“You’re the logical person to stay behind,” Adam said, trying to reassure her. “There’s no use going through the portal if you don’t want to do it.”
“Like we’re all having a barrel of fun here,” Sally remarked.
Cindy walked beside them as they stumbled backward. “I feel like a coward.”
“You should,” Sally said. “But I’ll try not to tease you about it.” She paused. “If Bryce should reappear before we do, send him back to look for us.”
“Have him bring his knife,” Watch said.
“No,” Adam said. “Cindy, grab the knapsack. I want to bring his stuff with us.”
Cindy hurried to the tombstone and grabbed the bag. She handed it to Adam.
“How long should I wait here before I go for help?” she asked.
“If we’re not back by dark,” Watch said, “find Bum, tell him what’s happened. He might be able to help.”
“If he can be bothered,” Sally added.
“We’re just about there,” Adam said anxiously. “Let’s hold on to each other tight. Goodbye, Cindy. Wish us luck.”
“Good luck!” Cindy called.
“I feel a whole lot better now that she’s blessed us,” Sally said.
They stumbled as they stepped onto the actual grave. Suddenly everything went black and he felt as if he were sinking. His friends seemed miles away. He couldn’t see them. He was in the eye of a hurricane, where everything was perfectly calm, although he knew madness raged all around him.