Welcome to the place where dreams come true. Dogboy, Colta City’s magical champion, along with his girlfriend Cindy McNeil, ventures into the mystical and abandoned Curleyworld amusement park. There, they meet a group of children who’ve made the park their home and the mischievous Willowood. Ride a rollercoaster of adventure where the attractions of Curleyworld spring to life, hiding a dark secret Dogboy is destined to uncover. From thrilling rides

17 The Greatest Hero of All   Dogboy crashed onto the deck of the Mariska a few feet from Wylie, who was using a needle and thread to stitch the main sail back together. Wylie threw his work down and knelt beside the boy, gently slipping off his mask. Blood poured out of Bronson’s nostrils, running down his cheeks, then pooled on the wood under his head. “Bronson,” Wylie said,

16 Throw Off the Bowlines   “Bronson,” came a voice from nowhere, “wake up, buddy. Don’t you hear the sirens?” As the world came back into focus Bronson heard them. And rain spitting on wood. And the frenzied sloshing of the river. He opened his eyes. Wylie was leaning over him, shaking his shoulders to wake him up. Bronson threw his knee into the older man’s gut then scrambled across

15 Return to Liberty Pier   A beam of light hit Bronson in the eyes, blinding him to the person opening the hatch. “Mr. Horum?” Bronson asked, his voice weak and scratchy. “I waited over at Applebottom’s forever,” Cindy said, lowering the flashlight. “What are you doing down there?” Bronson pulled the chain taught a few times, shaking the ladder. “Making sure this thing stays put,” he said. Cindy climbed

14 Terms of Cowardice   “Secrets? I’m not the only one here with secrets,” Bronson said, guarding the ladder with his kattara. Wylie Morgan nursed his head with a cold compress. “Yeah, but I’m an adult,” Wylie said. “We’re allowed to have secrets. Running around all night with criminals, fighting people… What would your dad think?” “Who do you think gave me all this stuff?” he asked, holding up his

13 Summer’s Garden   “I’m the last person on Earth who can help you. Sorry,” Summer said as she sprayed the ferns in the corner of the greenhouse. Bronson and Cindy stood near the arrowhead vines watching her work as the sky grew dark through the glass panes above them. Ladybugs flew around dive bombing the humans, who ducked as they buzzed by. “Cut it with the crap, lady,” Cindy

12 The Business of News   “Confirmed doofus. Who leaves people waiting this long?” Cindy said, slouching in the lumpy plastic chair in the newsroom of the Colta City Herald. Bronson sat next to her in an identical chair with an identical posture. “Trust me,” he said. “I met this guy the other night. He’s mean. He’s loud. But he seemed pretty smart.” Cindy and Bronson jumped when a man

11 A Crime of Curiosity   Bronson went back in for one soft, quick kiss. He felt lightheaded and dopey and nice. Cindy pulled away, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. “Shoot. Did I bite you or something?” he asked. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “No,” she said. “It was fine. Don’t worry.” She gave him a little shove then grabbed her

10 The Grave Soul   Bronson walked in the front door of Cindy’s apartment, noting the open laptop on the couch. Cindy saw him looking, shut the lid, then tossed it on the end table. “That’s personal,” she said. They continued into the kitchen where she poured them each a glass of lemonade. “So this is where you live, huh?” Bronson said. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I don’t hang out

9 The Ghosts You Chase   Bronson sprawled back on the ground, six feet from the speeding car. “Watch out,” Wylie said, throwing his body between Bronson and the death machine bearing down on him. The sedan screeched to a stop inches from Bronson’s face. He crawled up onto his knees, knocking the remains of his lunch off his jeans. The passenger’s side window opened. A serious man leaned his