Youll love this wild and thrilling tale. It DOES NOT STOP!

Dave Barry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Includes
ers
Will Wild
cue
Relic Res
r
Scavenge
Hunt!

RAYMOND ARROYO
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Your next WILD adventure awaits . . . Exclusive Sneak Peek!

Tentacle illustrations 2016 by Jeff Nentrup

Dont think Im crazy.

When I was four years old, I started seeing fuzzy things
shadows, to be exactout of the corners of my eyes. Theyd
appear at school, down near the Perilous River, even at my friends
houses. My mom took me to the eye doctor, but he told us there
was nothing wrong with my visionand that I needed more sleep.
Over the years I convinced myself that the shadows were nothing
to worry about.
Then, at my little brothers birthday party this year, I saw
something so scary that I couldnt ignore ita hulking black form
darker than anything I had ever seen before. Thankfully, my aunt
Lucille knew exactly what that shadow wasand its a whole lot
crazier than I ever imagined! It turns out that I can see things
nobody else can, dark things. And this supernatural gift might
just protect the world from some (very creepy) ancient evils. I told
you it was crazy!
Then I accidentally made things worse this week when I tried
to help my brother by borrowing a sacred relic that is believed
to protect Perilous Falls. Well, the minute I grabbed the thing,
the river waters rose, boats sank, and these scaly croc creatures
started crawling up and down Main Street. Aunt Lucille tells me I
awakened the Darkness and endangered the whole town. This was
not part of the planhonest.
I now have to set things right before its too lateand I havent
even told you about the prophecy!
Join me. I need all the help I can get. And I promise itll be an
adventure!

ONE STOLEN RELIC. ONE ANCIENT EVIL.

ONE WILDER ADVENTURE.

RAYMOND ARROYO

CROWN BOOKS
FOR YOUNG READERS
NEW YORK

Hang on to your pith helmets!

Keep reading for a sneak peek. . . .

Arro_9780553539592_2p_all_r1.indd 3

7/31/15 10:55 AM

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the
authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,
events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Text copyright 2016 by Raymond Arroyo
Jacket art copyright 2016 by Jeff Nentrup
Illustrations copyright 2016 by Antonio Javier Caparo
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Crown Books for
Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Childrens Books, a division of
Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
Crown and the colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.
Visit us on the Web! randomhousekids.com
Educators and librarians, for a variety of teaching tools, visit us at RHTeachersLibrarians.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Arroyo, Raymond.
The relic of Perilous Falls / Raymond Arroyo. First edition.
pages cm. (Will Wilder ; [1])
Summary: A thrill-seeking twelve-year-old boy with a mysterious family heritage who
discovers ancient objects of rare powerand must protect them from the terrifying demons
who will do anything to possess them Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-0-553-53959-2 (trade) ISBN 978-0-553-53960-8 (lib. bdg.)
ISBN 978-0-553-53961-5 (ebook)
[1. Adventure and adventurersFiction. 2. RelicsFiction. 3. SupernaturalFiction.
4. FamiliesFiction. 5. PropheciesFiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.A74352Re 2016 [Fic]dc23 2015006124
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
First Edition
Random House Childrens Books supports the First Amendment
and celebrates the right to read.

ATTENTION READER: THIS IS AN UNCORRECTED ADVANCE EXCERPT.

Arro_9780553539592_2p_all_r1.indd 4

7/31/15 10:55 AM

PROLOGUE

The Courtyard of Hell

Ortona, Italy
December 20, 1943

azi bombs hurled half the dome of the Basilica di San

Tommaso Apostolo to its marbled floor, exposing a
smoke-filled night sky. Even the stars failed to pierce the
darkness hanging over the church. Shattered marble and
brick, busted statues, and splintered chairs rose on all sides
like ugly snowdrifts. A biting cold filled the dilapidated
church. Aside from the dust, the only thing moving among
the rubble was a darting figure.
A young man, trailed by shadows, scaled a ruined wall
that had once served as the cathedrals entrance. He moved
with speed and precision. He wore the green uniform of
an American soldier and a round brimmed helmet on his

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

head . Reaching the top of the debris, he lay flat, studying

the chalky pit before him .
For the last three hours he had fought through the narrow streets of Ortona, desperate to reach the bombed-out
church . An elite team of German paratroopersThe Green
Devilshad taken control of the town days earlier . Crawling on his belly for much of the journey, the soldier painstakingly advanced block by terrible block, alone . Each time
he dashed into the open, Nazi snipers fired from multiple
positions . He was quick, but there were few places to hide .
Crumbled buildings blocked alleys, and clouds of debris
made a clear view of the church all but impossible . Lifeless
bodies filled the cobblestone streets . The soldier pressed
a sleeve to his nose throughout the journey to block out
the unbearable stench . The closer he got to the church, the
worse the smell . At least it was a familiar scent . Like rotting
fish, it had always been the first sign for himthe sign of
what was to come .
The American soldier had reached the town with the
First Canadian Infantry Division after being separated
from his platoon in Sicily a week earlier . But his Canadian
allies knew nothing of his personal mission: to get inside
the Basilica of St . Thomas the Apostle in Ortona before it
was too late . Now he finally rested on its ruins .
From the canvas satchel on his back he drew a flashlight,
aiming its beam at the wrecked high altar below . Chunks of
the ceiling had smashed the main altar in two, so the top
stone now formed a dilapidated V . He jerked a handkerchief

The Courtyard of Hell

from his pocket and covered his nose . The stink was intensifying . With his free hand he pulled a pair of gloves and a
velvet pouch from the satchel . Then he made his move .
Silently, the soldier leapt down the hill of debris and
turned sharply to the left, crouching between a huge piece
of the roof and the altar . With the flashlight he studied the
damaged marble .
The front of the altar had shattered, exposing a shiny
gold casket . The soldier carefully freed the bent chest from
the broken stone . On the lid was a delicate painting of St .
Thomas the Apostle, his hand raised in a blessing . The soldier removed his scuffed pith helmet, ran a hand through
his thick black hair, and pressed his ear to the top of the
chest . He balanced the flashlight on the edge of the container, the light catching his sharp cheekbones and wild
green eyes . Slipping a knife blade into the keyhole on the
front of the box, he waited to hear a familiar click . After
a few attempts the lock gave way and he pried open the
centuries-old, warped golden lid .
AH-CHOO! The soldiers sneeze echoed through the
church . Outside, cannon fire and gunfire lit up the night
sky in bursts . He dimmed the flashlight and spun his head
around . Peering into the darkness, he searched for the thing
he could feel approaching . But he saw nothing . Remaining
stone still, he desperately tried to hold back another sneeze .
AH-CHOO!
He had to be quick . One of them, maybe more, was near .
Opening the golden casket, the soldier, wearing cotton

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

gloves, lifted out the bones of the Apostle Thomas. First

the skull, then the ribs, arm bones, pieces of the legs, and finally the remains of the handsone of which had touched
the side of Jesus. He placed each relic in the velvet sack,
then bundled the sacred load into his satchel.
Herr Jacob Wilder, a gravelly, pinched voice called out
from above.
Startled, the soldier tilted his flashlight upward. Blocking a statue of Jesus, a six-foot-tall Nazi officer in a long
black leather coat straddled the broken altar stone. His skin
had a yellowish tint. A trail of dried blood started at a wound
on the left side of his face and ran down into a burgundystainedcollar. Dust covered his head and clothing.
The stench nauseated Jacob Wilder.
I will not hurt you, Jacob. The Brethren told me I would
find you here, the Nazi wheezed in accented English. Have
you got them all?
Jacob Wilder secured his satchel and yanked the gloves
from his hands, saying nothing. He palmed the pith helmet,
placing it on his head as he stood.
I am here to assist, the Nazi hissed, jumping down
from the altar. The Brethren asked me to ensure your safe
passage out of the city. Do you have the bones?
Your name? Wilder demanded in a low, firm voice,
pulling the brim of his helmet low. He backed up a few feet,
as if preparing for a fight. What is your name?
The Nazi clacked his tongue as if chastising the American for lacking manners. Captain Gerhold Metzger of the

The Courtyard of Hell

SS, he said stiffly . I am a collaborator with the brothers

at Montecassino, he whispered . The officer smiled, but it
never reached his eyes .
Wilder pinched the bridge of his nose, stifling a sneeze .
Your name, beast?
I told you: Metzger, the Nazi gasped, stumbling toward
the young soldier . It is imperative that we see the bones .
His eyes darted from side to side . The skeleton in your bag
could be the bones of a pious monk or some beggar with no
family . How do you know they belong to the apostle? Let us
have a look for confirmations sake .
Quiet! Wilder said evenly . Give me your namenow .
It is hard to know what is true . If you believe those to
be the actual bones of Thomas the Apostle, let us see them,
the Nazi pressed, choking on every word . A bright young
man like you already knows the truth . Would a saint allow
this to happen to his shrine? The Nazi released a guttural
laugh, his arms jerkily indicating the wreckage surrounding
them .
As if wielding a weapon, Jacob Wilder raised a small vial
filled with clear liquid and splashed it across the front of
the Nazi . Reveal your name, serpent! Come out of him!
The officer quaked and grimaced, madly attempting to
scrub away the fluid streaking down his face and uniform .
His whole body trembled . Then, as if he were a balloon suddenly drained of air, the Nazi crumpled to the ground . In
his place stood a pale young man with long, gleaming white
hair, a suit nearly as white as his skin, and yellowed eyes .

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

His elongated, bloodless fingers were adorned with diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies .
Your name? Jacob Wilder said forcefully .
Must we? the silky voice, neither male nor female,
responded . The name will do you no good . Then his expression changed to shock . You can see me? the creature
muttered with some worry . He waved a jeweled hand in the
air and began to squeal, You see me!
The black aura around your disguise gave you away . Humans dont have those . Youre a liar and the father of lies .
The demon smirked and casually looked down on the
deflated Nazi officer . Is there nowhere for us to rest our
weary head? Poor fellow died three days ago . It seemed the
ideal time to raise him again . Well, you work with what you
have . He glanced up at Jacob and hovered in his direction .
Young Wilder, you have strengths and gifts . A Seer, are we?
How nice .
Wilder said nothing . He looked down at the demons
startlingly white suit, seemingly lit from within . The color
was consistent except for the lower part of the pants, which
were streaked with dirt and blood . Sharp animal hooves
peeked from beneath the cuffs, where feet should have been .
Your gifts are extraordinaryand look how the Brethren use you . Theyve made you a common thief, sent to loot
the spoils of others! the demon jeered . He shook a lengthy
finger in Jacobs face . Stealing is still a sin, you know .
The soldier remained silent .
Why so quiet, Wilder? Your dear brothers lack our spe-

The Courtyard of Hell

cial gifts . They see nothing . Oh, they play at their rituals,
but we have powers theyll never understand . Why are you
not the leader of the Brethren? I could help you become
leader . They would all follow you instead of that bearded
fool . . . . The demons yellow eyes flashed . You question
Abbot Anthony the Wise, dont you?
Jacobs face flushed . That is what you say . He looked
straight ahead, not at the demon .
Of course you question Anthony . . . . Look where his
leadership has gotten you . The world your Brethren created
lies in ashes . Their prophecy has failed . The Sinestri have
risen, and we are conquering the world . Sieg Heil! Jacob, we
are here for you now . Let us see the trinkets in your bag .
Jacob Wilder extended his flat hands in front of him,
touching his thumbs and index fingers together in the form
of a triangle . He inhaled deeply .
Your fortress in America burns, even at this moment,
the demon whispered soothingly . There is nothing to return home to, Wilder . Gathering the bones of the dead
wont help you now . But as leader you could rebuild something new

A red flash lit up the remaining walls of the Basilica of St .

Thomas the Apostle for several seconds . Two Nazi artillerymen noticed the strange light from their second-story window a block away from the church .

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

Is that a flare? a short soldier holding his rifle out the

window asked his superior .
Lifting a pair of binoculars to his eyes, a young bony officer scanned the edges of the church . He struggled to see by
the flashing cannon fire . There is a man running on that
wall . Shoot! the officer screamed .
Looking through the scope of his weapon, the sharpshooter saw nothing . Each time an explosion lit up the
scene, there was only debris .
Sir, if someone was there, he is gone, the short soldier
said, lowering his rifle . Or maybe it was only a shadow .
It was a man, I tell you, the officer said, falling into a
nearby chair and rubbing his eyes . He had a light-colored
helmetnot like the Canadians . I saw him!
Could have been a statue in the church, the sharpshooter replied, unconcerned .
No . This was no statue .
On late watches, sir, the eyes can play tricks on us .
His hands were glowing, the officer sputtered like a
scared child . The mans hands were redand they were
glowing!

CHAPTER 1

A Ride in the Yard

ll Will Wilder meant to do was ride the donkey at his

eight-year-old brothers backyard birthday party . He
didnt mean to hurt anyone, he didnt mean to unlock his
destiny, and he certainly didnt mean to see the shadows.
But that is exactly what happened . Life often came at Will
while he was focused on something else .
Since Will was twelve and nearly five feet tall, his parents thought he had outgrown riding the donkey they had
rented for his brother Leos birthday .
Arent you a little old for a donkey ride, Will? Its for
the kids . Cmon, Deborah Wilder said, playfully mussing
his spiky black hair in their sweltering backyard . She had
a thin face like Wills, full lips, and blue-purple eyes that
even the hardest of hearts could not resist for long . It was
no wonder her TV show, Supernatural Secrets, had so many

10

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

fans. Youre getting so big, the donkey could ride you! Why
dont you and your friends go finish that catapult thing
youve been working on? She gave him a quick one-armed
hug and made her way back toward the party guests.
Mom, please, just one time around the yardor maybe
down the block, Will begged.
No, youll kill it, you big ox! she said over her shoulder
with a smirk. Deborah swept back her straight brown hair and
bent down to fix Wills six-year-old sister Marins pink dress.
So now donkey rides have age restrictions? Will yelled
after her. I didnt know that, Mom! Is there a height limit
too? But Deborah Wilder paid him no attention. She had
already mingled back into the crush of family, children, and
neighbors in the fun part of the yard.
Marin stuck her tiny pink tongue out at Will, both hands
on her hips. Follow the rules, mithter. Follow the rules,
she scolded with a lisp before cartwheeling away.
Sulking in defeat, Will shuffled back toward his three
friends, two boys and a girl, who were watching closely from
the fence at the rear of the yard. Since when am I too big? Will
believed he had at least another year, maybe two, before
he would officially outgrow amusements like donkey rides.
He knew he had to let them go eventually. But not now
especially when money and prestige were on the line.
Strike one, Will-man, Andrew Stout, a massive kid with
blazing red hair, and one of Wills closest friends, bellowed.
Wheres my five dollars?
Im not finished yet, Will said.

A Ride in the Yard

11

Oh, no . Youre finished . I said you couldnt get on the

donkey, and you aint on the donkey . So pay up . If you want
to try again, itll be double or nothing .
Can we check the law on this? interrupted a rail-thin
boy with eyes that looked like black BBs behind his rectangular glasses . Simon Blabbingdale lightly poked Andrews
side with one of the thick paperbacks he always seemed to
be carrying . Is it legal for Sheriff Stouts adolescent son to
bet on ponies at a birthday party? Simon unleashed a series of high-pitched snorts, which he considered laughter .
Nobody joined him . Simon and Will had been friends since
the first grade . When no one in the cafeteria would sit next
to the scrawny, curly-haired kid with glasses, Will did .
Can it, Simon . Andrew flicked the paperback from his
ribs and focused on Will . We made a deal, Will-man, so pay
up . I need the money for our trip . The big kid extended his
open palm .
The Wilders had invited Andrew and Simon to join them
in Florida at the National Pee-Wee Karate Championships .
Leo, an accomplished brown belt, was to compete at the
tournament in two weeks time . Will and his friends would
tag along for moral support and hit a few amusement parks
between matches .
What if I told you that I just came up with a new way to
get on the donkey? Will mysteriously threw out, his hands
clasped behind his back .
Lets see it . Double or nothing, Andrew said .
Camilla Meriwether, a girl with wide green eyes, a long

12

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

chestnut-colored ponytail, and braces, rapped her knuckles

on the fence behind her . Guys . Can we please try to act a
little more mature? I mean, its embarrassing . If Wills parents dont want him riding the donkey, why cant we just
have some cake and enjoy the party?
Andrew and Will eyeballed each other, then in unison
turned to Cami . Uh, no .
Cami was the only girl Will spoke to in his entire class .
She was kind, sort of cute, and always spoke her mind
even if he rarely listened to her . Okay, well, while you little
guys play your cowboy games, Im going to get some punch .
She marched over to one of the refreshment tables .
When Cami was out of earshot, Andrew spoke up . All
right, get onto the donkeys back, Ill give you ten bucks . If
you dont, you have to pay up . Deal?
Will furrowed his brow and got in Andrews face . Deal .
They shook on it and Will started to leave, but a swift tap
on the arm from Simon stopped him .
I was thinking, as long as everybodys making wagers,
Simon said, looking over the top of his glasses, Ill buy you
the first souvenir of our tripno more than five dollarsif
you race the donkey around the yard . You cant just ride it .
Im talking a full gallop . If theres no gallop, you pick up the
souvenir .
Will considered the offer for barely a second . Im going
to be ten dollars richer and score a free souvenir . Youre on
too . He shot the boys a crooked smile, then ran off to appeal the donkey ban to the authority of last resort .

A Ride in the Yard

13

Dan Wilder, Wills father, with his tortoiseshell glasses

and blue apron, stood at the barbecue pit on the deck methodically tending his perfectly spaced burgers . He laid
them out like houses on a map at one of his city planning
meetings . Dan Wilder was an architect, a city councilman,
and a planner for the town of Perilous Falls . He had a refined sense of order even when it came to grillingpatties
were restricted to the lower grill, veggies on the top .
As dads went, Dan was a handsome one . He had a strong,
square jaw, and aside from three slight scars on the left side
of his face, Dan could have been on the cover of any grocery
checkout aisle magazine . A dad of few words, he usually
kept to himself, attentively watching while others chattered on . Indeed, he had overheard Wills donkey pleas all
day by the time the boy made his approach .
Dad, I was wondering . . .
Without looking up from the smoldering patty at the
end of his spatula, Mr . Wilder announced, The answer . . .
son . . . is no . Then, brightening, he added, Do you want
a burger?
Unless it can ride me around the yard, no thanks . Will
stalked away in a huff to plot his next move .
He climbed onto a picnic table close to his house and
studied the landscape like a general planning an invasion .
How to get on that donkey?
On the opposite side of his yard stood the squinty-eyed,
mustached Heinrich Crinshaw . The Wilders bow-tied
next-door neighbor was chairman of the Perilous Falls City

14

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

Council and a constant if disagreeable presence at family events . On the surface Mr . Crinshaw seemed a refined
gentleman, even warm .
Until he opened his mouth .
In a flat drone, he advised the neighborhood kids to stay
on the Wilders side of the fence, worried that they might
leap into his garden and ruin the rare flowers and herbs he
spent thousands of dollars maintaining .
Theres nothing over there for you, he croaked to the
kids when their parents were out of earshot . Then, bending
down to their level, with a smile he added, Though my dog,
Suzy, might like to see you all . She so enjoys children . She
ate two last yearbones and all .
Mr . Crinshaw turned away as a couple of the little girls
immediately burst into tears .
Will spied Aunt Freda, Deborah Wilders blond relative, who had made herself snack guardian . Looking like
an albino elephant caught in a kelly-green bedsheet, Freda
jealously protected the table from approaching guests, gobbling cheese squares and chips as she made her way toward
the cake at the other end of the table .
Across from Aunt Freda, near the drink station, Mayor
Ava Lynch held a circle of parents spellbound . Her red suit
and helmet of hard black hair seemed out of place at a backyard summer party . With the help of some sort of greasy
youth cream, her skeletal face was quite animated that day .
No, no . . . this city has got to move beyond the shackles of
its history or we will never grow, she brayed, as if giving a

A Ride in the Yard

15

campaign speech . At nearly seventy years old, the mayors

booming voice could still fill a yard, even reaching Will .
Thats why I decided to cancel this years Jacob Wilder Day
celebrations . The world is changing, and it is high time Perilous Falls evolves with it . We cant pretend were in the era
of Jacob Wilder anymore, she said, chuckling .
Will saw his great-aunt Lucille Wilders face flush with
color at the mention of Jacob Wilder . Fireworks were coming . The compact woman with strawberry-blond hair spun
on her heels to face the mayor .
Who are you to cancel a forty-five-year tradition? Aunt
Lucille asked in a sharp voice, her curls trembling as if to
emphasize the point . My father gave his life for this town,
and Ill be stewed if you are going to stamp out his memory . Find another punching bag for your campaign, Ava
preferably someone living . You should all remember, there
would be no Perilous Falls were it not for my father, Jacob
Wilder . Those watching the little woman with fire in her
arresting blue eyes fell silent .
Oh, Lucille . You have to admit that your fathers superstitious tales were wearing thin even when we were children . All that devil stuff . . . Mayor Lynch laughed, trying
to win over the crowd . I know that your father founded the
townand it is wonderful that you run his little museum,
bless your heartbut those antique trinkets and all your
daddys stories wont make a safe and prosperous future
for Perilous Falls . Were in the twenty-first century now,
honey . People no longer believe the things our parents did .

16

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

And we just dont have the resources to celebrate old fables,

or even the one who created them .
The red hue of Aunt Lucilles face clashed with the
powder-blue silk pantsuit she wore . Like loose pajamas, the
material swallowed up Lucilles trim framebut not her
hands, which had balled into fists .
Your eyes see nothing, Ava, dear. They never did . My
father was a visionary who had courage and virtues youve
never possessed . If you dont agree with his beliefs, or his
warnings, say so . But dont disparage a man you never
knew . Without my family, you might still be seating customers at Belles Lounge . Lucille stared holes into the
mayor . My grandfather Abe opened his first iron ore mine
here when it was nothing but wilderness . My father tamed
that wilderness with a purpose . He established schools and
churches, and the city hall that you profane . He always said
Perilous Falls was to be the last stronghold against the dark
madness of the world . Our faith and our traditions are what
sustain this town, Ms. Mayor. It is who we are . It is who
we will always be . That is the legacy of Jacob Wilder, and I
will celebrate him with or without mayoral approval . Now,
if youll excuse me . Aunt Lucille turned a withering glance
on the mayor and bolted toward the house .
Poor womans lost her mind, Mayor Lynch whispered
to those nearest her .
Though in her sixty-sixth year, Aunt Lucille looked far
younger as she strode across the yard with the ease and

A Ride in the Yard

17

grace of a powerful dancer . She stopped next to Wills mom,

throwing an arm dramatically on her shoulder .
Deb, dear, I totally forgot that I have a physical therapy session today, Aunt Lucille said . I left my gift for Leo
on the kitchen table . Tell him I want to see his new karate
moves and take him out on the boat one day this week, just
him and me .
Did Ava say something? Deborah asked, suddenly serious . Dont leave . Why dont you two try to settle your
differences?
Deceit and lies are differences to be avoided, not settled . Ava Lynchs lies have done enough damage to this family . . . , Aunt Lucille said darkly, shoving both hands into
her brocaded silken pockets . Then, smiling, she added, I
would love to stay for the rest of the party, but my physical
therapy is so important these days . Lets talk later, dear .
Catching sight of Will on the picnic table as she reached
the kitchen door, she threw him an exaggerated kiss and,
her finger bouncing as if striking a note on an invisible
piano, silently mouthed, Youbegood . With a wave,
she was gone in a flash of blue silk .
Deborah followed Aunt Lucille to the center of the yard
and announced, Theres only one more donkey ride to go
before we eat . Its the birthday boys turn! She motioned
for her younger son to come forward .
Mom, I dont need a commercial . The eight-yearold with the pouty lips and glasses rolled his eyes . Leo

18

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

reluctantly edged past his friends toward a jumpy donkey

leashed to an old bearded fellow .
You ride as long as you want, Mrs . Wilder cooed to the
red-faced Leo . Its your day . Youre the boss . She returned
to filling cups with punch and ordered Mr . Wilder to start
doling out his precious hamburgers .
From the fence Andrew snapped a ten-dollar bill over his
head, nodding knowingly at Will . Simon rotated his hands
in a circular motion to spur Will to action .
Feeling the pressure, Will glared at Leo riding the donkey in lazy rings . He struggled to devise some way onto the
animals back .
Just then, something out of the corner of Wills eye drew
his attention . A hunched black form crept into the very edge
of his vision, sending a chill through his body . The air suddenly reeked, and his nose tingled . Will was afraid to look
directly at the form, but he could feel its menace . Given its
size, it could have been a crouching bear or even an ogre
from one of his kiddie books . But when he mustered the
courage to turn his head to face it, he saw nothing .
Shadows and fuzzy things appearing in his peripheral
vision had been an ongoing problem for Will since he was
at least four years old . He had seen them at school, down
near the Perilous River, even at friends houses . His mother
had repeatedly taken him to the eye doctor to diagnose the
problem . But each time, Dr . Schwartz reported that there
was nothing wrong with Wills vision and that the shadows
were likely the result of too little sleep . Dr . Schwartz sug-

A Ride in the Yard

19

gested that they continue to monitor the situation and

that Will get some extra rest .
This shadow is different, Will thought with a shiver . It had
density and more shape than the others . It seemed alive .
Will might have dwelled on the shadow all afternoon had
an idea not flashed into his mind, pushing those thoughts
aside . The catapult. Thats how he would win the bet and get
the donkey ride . Hed take his mothers advice after all .
Will had been working on the contraption for three weeks,
since the start of summer break . Rather than walking around
the block to school, which was right next to his house, Will
thought it might be fun to simply fling himself over the fence
and into the schoolyard . Once classes resumed in the fall, he
reasoned, the catapult could cut his daily travel time in half
and allow him to sleep at least an extra five minutes a day .
He had constructed the machine out of an old infant car
seat from the family garage, as well as springs and levers
rescued from the Hinnom Valley Dump . Aside from launching Marins stuffed animals and a few books over the fence,
the catapult had yet to move anything substantial . Leo
regularly begged Will to let him be the first human trial .
Each time, Will would gravely shake his head and deny his
younger brothers request .
Its not ready yet . Its not safe, hed say seriously . Soon,
Leo, very soon .
Will leapt off the picnic table, grabbed his pith helmet from
the deck, and ran across the lawn . Where are you going with
that thing? Dan Wilder yelled from his burger station . Will?

20

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

A gift from his aunt Lucille, the war-ravaged helmet had

once belonged to Wills great-grandfather, Jacob Wilder.
At the center of the hat was an impressive brass medallion with an angry pelican, wings spread, feeding its young.
The splendor of the helmet ended there. The canvas on the
front of the hat had been badly marred by six crisscrossed
slashes. A powerful pair of jaws had chomped into the right
side of the brim, leaving a healthy bite mark behind. Still,
the hat gave Will confidence. It had become part of his standard attire, much like his red sneakers and white socks. And
though he sometimes carried it in his backpack, if an adventure was afoot, the helmet was on Wills heada sure
sign of trouble to his parents.
At the makeshift corral at the other end of the yard, Leo
told the stooped old man holding the donkeys reins, I
think Im ready to get off.
Have it your way, the old gent said, shuffling forward
to help the boy down.
Not so fast, Leo. Its your birthday lap. Will sandwiched
himself between the old man and his brother. Its a special
moment.
Im getting sleepy going round and round.
Will looked over his shoulder to make sure his mother
was occupied with the kids and that his dad was still passing out burgers at the grill.
I have a surprise for your birthday. Will pushed Leo
back onto the donkey. What have you been wanting to do
for weeks?

A Ride in the Yard

21

Leos eyes grew huge . Test the catapult!

Everythings set . Ive adjusted the weight and added
some springs . I think it just might work this time . You could
even make it over the fence . But . . .
But what? Its my birthday! Leo drew his eyebrows together and shoved his lower lip out in an exaggerated pout .
Can I use the catapult or not?
The old man holding on to the donkey was tired of listening . If its all the same to you boys, Im going to get a
taste of cake . Then Johnny and I are headin back to the
farm . He tied the animal to the fence post with Leo still
aboard and tottered away .
Will had that familiar wild glint in his hazel eyes . If you
agree to let me ride the rest of your birthday lap on the donkey, you can test the catapult .
Should we ask Mom? Leo wondered .
She said you were the boss . I heard her . The choice is
yours .
Leo brightened and leapt off the donkey . Within seconds
Will had untied the reins from the post and mounted the
animal .
Go get in the catapult, Leo . Ill come by and launch you
in a minute, Will instructed his brother . Leo bounded like
a small bear across the lawn, adjusting his glasses as he
dodged party guests .
I think you just lost ten bucks, moron, Simon told
Andrew as they leaned against the fence . Now lets see how
fast he can move on that thing .

22

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

The donkeys owner spotted Will on the animals back.

Hey, son, youre too big to ride Johnny! he yelled.
Before the old fellow could form another word, Will
had jammed his heels into the animals backside, determined to win the bet with Simon. The donkey began to
buck wildly, lifting its hind legs and kicking at the air. Will
tried to get the animal to gallop, but it had other ideas.
Round and round it spun, trying to remove the boy from
its back.
Parents pulled their children close to shield them from
the donkeys killer hooves. A disgusted Mayor Lynch hastily excused herself and headed out the yards side gate,
Heinrich Crinshaw following close behind.
On the deck, Dan Wilder dropped his tongs into the barbecue pit. Terror covered his face. Not the donkey, he said
almost to himself. Will! Will! Off the donkey!
The braying animal leapt atop the snack table, sending
potato chips and cookies flying in all directions. Ignoring
Wills frantic tug on the reins, the donkey started jumping
up and down. At the other end of the table, Aunt Freda focused on the trembling birthday cake before her.
Deborah! she yelped to her niece. Should I take the
cake to a safer spot or just leave it? But before Mrs. Wilder
could respond, the bouncing donkey sent the tables edge
and the cake flying into Aunt Fredas jaw. She tumbled
backward, her face covered in frosting.
The donkeys hooves skidded off the tables surface, Will
still holding on.

24

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

William David Wilder! Get down! Deborah Wilder

screeched through gritted teeth as she attempted to revive
her unconscious aunt .
That could be kind of difficult right now, Will said, one
arm around the donkey, the other holding his pith helmet
in place . Heeee-yaaaa, he boomed, grinding his heels into
the sides of the donkey . The animal reared up and began to
run toward the tree at the far end of the yard, not far from
where Leo impatiently squirmed in the catapult .
Hurry up and launch me, Leo demanded, holding the
sides of the old car seat . I have a birthday party to get back
to . Leo had tied pillows to the front and back of his body to
buffer his landing .
Will galloped onward . The lever for the catapult, a
slightly warped Louisville Slugger bat, was just eight feet
away . Will reached his hand out, ready to throw the switch .
Almost there, Will grunted . Suddenly the donkey slid
to a complete stop, tearing up the grass with its hooves and
tossing Will headlong toward the catapult .
Aaah! Will screamed as he flew into the lever, cracking
the bat . Splinters of wood pierced his skin, slicing his hand
and wrist .
PLUUUUNG. Will looked up from his throbbing wrist to
see Leo sailing into the upper branches of the tree . His catapult really worked!
Leo flew much higher than Will thought possible, but
his brothers body wasnt arcing wide enough, and he was
dangerously approaching the top of the fence .

A Ride in the Yard

25

Mom! DAAAAAAD! Leo screamed on his descent .

Will realized with a pang of guilt that he should have
tightened the tension on the springs . But before he could
calculate how much added force would be necessary, Leo
smashed shoulder-first into a wooden slat, breaking the top
off and flipping into the schoolyard .
Leo! Dan Wilder yelled, running toward the edge of his
property and his whimpering son . Youre punished, Will,
he fumed as he began to scale the fence, still in his blue
apron . I meanall summer!
The whole yard fell quiet as everyone listened to the
scene on the other side of the sun-bleached wooden slats .
Are you all right? Can you stand up? Dan asked Leo .
My arm hit the board . I cant move it, Leo whined .
His arm may be broken . Hes bleeding, Deb, Dan
shouted over the fence . Were going to have to take him to
the hospital .
Will felt a stabbing sensation in his heart . He didnt care
about his hand . He had hurt his brother, ruined the party,
and possibly spoiled the trip to Florida . All at once, something else arrested his attention .
In his peripheral vision, Will saw a dark form rise on his
left .
There is nothing there. Im just stressed and tired, he told
himself . Refusing to look to the side, Will squeezed his eyes
shut, hoping the shadow would disappear . With a deep
breath, he opened just one eye and turned to the left . There
stood a hulking black forma thing at once fearsome and

26

Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls

old . It took the shape of an enormous man and was darker

than anything he had ever seen before . A chill ran through
Wills body . He stumbled backward against the tree . Then
the form melted into a deep black shadow stretching the
length of the yard . It covered every inch of ground, even
though the sun shone above .
Will! Deborah Wilder ran toward her son . Whats
wrong?
Its so darkso dark! Will repeated, his eyes fixed on
the pitch-black lawn before him .
Whats so dark? Cami asked, racing to his side .
Confused partygoers and Wills friends stared at the
frightened boy .
The old man struggled to pull the crazed donkey away
from Will . But the beast bared its teeth in a perverse smile
inches from Wills faceall the while emitting high-pitched
squeals that could have passed for cruel laughter .

WILL WILDERS RELIC RESCUE

SCAVENGER HUNT
IME

ITS T E
M
FOR SO NAL
T
A IO
INTERN ATION!
E X P L OR

In Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls, Will not only discovers
an ancient relic right in his own hometown but he also
discovers that relics carry messages with them. Will is now on
a new global adventure to rescue other relics around the world.
Want to join him?
Get together with your buddies and solve each of the following
relic-related clues together. This is not a test. Its an exploration
to find the worlds most amazing relics. Each of them are
centuries old and amazingly they are still in existence today.
You wont believe what youll find!
NOTE: Each clue possesses several hints to aid your online or
library research to find the correct answer. Remember, a good
explorer knows that research is key! Bottom line: Trust your
instincts. Verify your facts. And have faith that the answer is
near.
HOW TO PLAY: Answer questions 1 to 8. Then take the circled
letters from your answers and rearrange them in the Solution
Zone to decipher the age-old message of the relics.

PRINT OUT THE FOLLOWING PAGES AND

LETS PLAY!
rel ic (rel ik), n. 1. an object esteemed and venerated because
of association with a saint or martyr 2. an object (such as a
piece of clothing or the bone of a saint) that is considered holy
rel I quary (re-l -kwer-), n. 1. a container that is used to
hold holy objects (called relics)
e

#WILLWILDER

WILL WILDERS RELIC RESCUE

SCAVENGER HUNT CONTINUED
Remember: You can use online and library resources to answer each
question. Research is key, explorers!
1. CLUE:
I was an active painter in Rome in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
One of my most famous works of art is a painting called Doubting Thomas,
which can be found in Sanssouci Germany. Who am I?

2. CLUE:
I am on display at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Italy
and measure approximately 14.3 x 3.7 feet. My origin is the subject of
much debate among historians and scholars, but one thing for sure is that
radiocarbon dating confirms that I am from the medieval period. What am I?

3. CLUE:
I am one of the six patron saints of Europe. I was born in 1347 and I died in
1380. And get this! Although I was not decapitated, my mummified head is
guarded closely at the Basilica of San Domenica to this day. Who am I?

4. CLUE:
Herods daughter demanded that my head be brought to her on a serving
tray. What? A serving tray!?? This is how I met my demise. It is said that my
head is safely saved and on display at Amiens Cathedral, one of the largest
classic Gothic churches of the thirteenth century. Who am I?

Turn the page for more!

#WILLWILDER

WILL WILDERS RELIC RESCUE

SCAVENGER HUNT CONTINUED
5. CLUE:
I am a famous and rare garment said to be housed in Chartres
Cathedral, one of the Frances finest examples of Gothic architecture.
I was thought to have been destroyed in a fire in 1194, but, miracle of
miracles, three days later I was found unharmed in the treasury. What
famous relic am I?
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __ __ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

6. CLUE:
Im a solid gold arm with two fingers extended toward the sky. Im
known as a reliquary. I hold items associated with the saints, in this
case, St. Peter the Apostle. And more specifically, I hold an ulna. Yep,
one of the bones in the forearm. Although Im currently empty, I am
on display at this famous institution in New York City. (You can use
the short name.)
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
7. CLUE:
I am a reliquary that holds something sharp, something that inflicted
pain. Actually, I hold just a small piece from a larger item. This item
was worn on one mans head, though not by choice. Although I am on
display at the British Museum, it is a Latin inscription that identifies
my contents. What is the larger item that my small piece is from?
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Turn the page for more!

#WILLWILDER

WILL WILDERS RELIC RESCUE

SCAVENGER HUNT CONTINUED
8. CLUE:
I am a sealed glass vial containing a dark, solid substance. Several
times a year I am displayed to a packed crowd in the Naples Cathedral.
While the vial is being handled during a solemn ceremony, this
solid mass suddenly liquefies before everybodys eyes. What are my
contents?
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
SOLUTION ZONE
Place all your letters here and then unscramble them below to reveal
the message of the relics:
1. __ __ 2. __ __ __ __ 3. __ __ 4. __ __ __ 5. __ __ __ __ 6. __
7. __ __ 8. __ __
FINAL ANSWER CLUE:
Three simple but important things a successful relic explorer must
have and do:

S ___. ___
V ___ ___ ___ ___
F ___. ___ ___
A ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___
T ___.
___ ___ ___ ___

See the following pages for the answer to each clue

and the final solution and message from the relics.

#WILLWILDER

ANSWERS TO WILL WILDERS RELIC

RESCUE SCAVENGER HUNT
1. ANSWER:
Caravaggio. My name is Caravaggio and I painted Doubting Thomas
which is currently on display at Sanssouci in Potsdam, near Berlin,
Germany.
2. ANSWER:
Holy Shroud of Turin. This burial cloth has been shown to bear
the image of the face of a man, and that man is said to be Jesus. A
photographer was able to point out a clearer version of the image when
he noticed it looked more detailed in the negative, or reverse. The Holy
Shroud is currently held in Turin Cathedral in northern Italy.
3. ANSWER:
Catherine of Siena. This may be one of the more grisly relics on display
in modern days. Interestingly, although the pious Catherine was illiterate,
she wrote a book called Dialogue of Divine Providence wholly by dictating it.
4. ANSWER:
John the Baptist. The reliquary containing the head of John the Baptist
remained in the Amiens Cathedral until the French Revolution, when
inventory was made of all Church property and treasure and relics were
confiscated. In 1793, representatives of the government demanded that
the relic be buried in a cemetery. But instead, the mayor of the town,
secretly and under fear of death, kept the relic in his house. Once the
revolutionary persecutions had ended, the head of St. John the Baptist
was returned to the cathedral in Amiens in 1816, where it remains to this
day.
5. ANSWER:
Tunic of the Blessed Virgin. It said to have been worn by the Virgin
Mary during the birth of Christ.

#WILLWILDER

ANSWERS TO WILL WILDERS RELIC

RESCUE SCAVENGER HUNTCONTINUED
6. ANSWER:
The Met. This is the short term for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York City. The Metropolitan Museum of Arts earliest roots date back
to 1866 in Paris, France, when a group of Americans agreed to create a
national institution and gallery of art to bring art and art education to
the American people. Today, tens of thousands of objects are on view at
any given time inthe museums two-million-square-foot building.
7. ANSWER:
Crown of Thorns. This reliquary was made to house a relic of the Crown
of Thorns, the wreath of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ at
his crucifixion.The thorn is displayed behind a crystal window and is
identified by a Latin inscription: Ista est una spinea corone / Domine nostri
ihesu cristi (This is a thorn from the crown of Our Lord Jesus Christ).
8. ANSWER:
Blood of San Gennaro. This relic is an ancient round and flattened
sealed glass vial. During the ceremony, the reliquary is repeatedly picked
up, moved around, and upturned to check whether the liquefaction has
taken place. If it has, the dark mass is seen to flow freely into the vial.
The liquefaction sometimes takes place almost immediately, or can take
hours, even days.
SCAVENGER HUNT ANSWERS:
Place all your letters here and then unscramble them below to reveal the
message of the relics:
1. r v 2. y s h t 3. t e 4. h a i 5. u i v r 6. e 7. f t 8. f a
FINAL ANSWER CLUE:
Three simple but important things a successful relic explorer must have
and do:
Trust. Verify. Have Faith.

#WILLWILDER

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

In the prologue of this chapter sampler, Jacob encounters someone
sinister in the basilica near the shattered altar as he is rescuing the
relic. Choose any part of this scene and illustrate what you see in
your minds eye. Use regular pencils, colored pencils, and/or pens.
Remember to include as much detail as possible: What are the
characters wearing? What is in the background? Consider modeling
your drawing on a graphic novel and adding speech bubbles.

#WILLWILDER

QUIZ: WHATS YOUR

BRETHREN GIFT?
You may be a part of the Brethrenbut you just dont know it yet. And every
Brethren has a gift. Aunt Lucille thinks she knows yours. Is she right? Take this
quiz and find out what your Brethren gift is.
For each question, circle the answer that fits your personality most.
1. Your two best friends are splashing along the edge of a river when
suddenly the water violently rises up and they are trapped and
trying to swim out. You are nearby at the top of the bank and see the
whole thing. What do you do?

a. Your sixth sense tells you that a huge tree branch will sail by in the raging
current and suck your frightened friends into the water. You run to the
rivers edge to pull them back. Good ol gut instinct.

b. Although you arent feeling scared, you scream a high-pitched scream.

A Jet Skier hears it and accelerates toward your friends. They are able to
jump on the Jet Ski and motor to safety. Wow, some lungs on you!

c. Clear-minded and determined as ever, you envision a life preserver in the

hull of a nearby sailboat. Of course a boat would have a life preserver
thats logical! Youve got true vision.

d. You race toward the rivers edge with your arms outstretched. The closer
you get, the farther that dark, stormy water recedes. Did you do that?
Forget water bearer. YOURE a water scarer!

2. On the school soccer field, some big kids are picking on a smaller
kid who just messed up and allowed the opposing team to score. Its
getting pretty heated between the players, and the team gangs up on
the smaller kid. How do you handle the situation?

a. You have a hunch that the kids on the other team are feeling kind of bad
for the smaller kid, so you approach them and easily rally them together
to protect the kid. Very perceptive!

b. Its easy to see that this is a situation for an adult, so you catch the coachs
attention and he steps in and calms the crowd. Smart thinking!

c. You know this smaller kid has asthma and see him reaching in his pocket
for his inhaler. You instinctively know that its not thereits in his jacket
on the sidelines. You grab it from the jacket and rush in to help him.
Youre a good soul.

d. You jump in the middle, face the bullies, and tell them to step on back.
They do. Wow. Youve got the power!

#WILLWILDER

3. You and your friends are playing hide-and-seek in the woods

when suddenly you hear one friend calling for help in the distance.
You look toward the source of the voice and are dismayed to see
so many obstaclesa rocky hill, patches of dense foliage, and
a wandering coyote that looks a little hungry. Its going to be
difficult to get to your friend quickly. Whats your plan?

a. You have a sense that things arent as bad as they look and youre
positive you can overcome any of the obstacles to reach your friend.
Youve got awesome instinct!

b. You remember your older brother is fishing close by. You let loose a loud
Tarzan yell (a special code you share with your brother) and, like magic,
he appears. And he brings his buddies too. High five!

c. You focus on the task at hand and forge ahead. There may be hurdles
ahead but you have a knack for seeing what others cant and for
powering through. Youve got a good head on your shoulders!
d. Your boots get you up the hill, and your discovery of a sword-shaped
branch helps you hack through the leaves. As for the coyote, when you
two make eye contact, you narrow your eyes and furrow your brow. He
does a double take and runs off. You are large and in charge!

4. It starts raining just as school lets out. Youre rushing down the
school stairs to catch your ride when you see a friend slip and fall.
Some rush to help and others stand back and snicker. How do you
respond?

a. You know your friend well enough to guarantee hell be up on his feet in
a jiffy. Excellent forecast!

b. Youre right outside the nurses office, so you call upon her in case theres
anything seriously wrong. Well done, Doc!

c. Even though theres a small crowd around your friend, you can
immediately see theres an ankle injury. Whats more, you can see
in your minds eye exactly where the crutches are in the nurses office
and you jump into action. Way to save the day!

d. You quickly approach your friend, who is surrounded by classmates.

There are too many people! In order to make some room for help,
you stand tall and, with the sweep of an arm, the crowd retreats.
Smooth move!

Turn the page for more!

#WILLWILDER

5. Which one of the following describes you best?

a. You have insight into other people and empathy for where they are
coming from. Its almost like clairvoyance!

b. You like to be of service, especially when people are in need. Youre gifted
with a helpful heart by nature.

c. Youre a leader. Youve discovered that you can see the big picture when
others find it kind of fuzzy, which means you have a unique ability to show
people the way. Youre grateful to have a clear head and vision.

d. You like to make sure everyones okay. If that means you have to fight to
keep bad things away, you will. You could say youve got a bit of a warriors
will.

WHATS YOUR GIFT?

Tally up your answers and see which Brethren gift you have.
MOSTLY As: SENSITIVE
Youre a Sensitive. Your gut instinct is strong. You may be able to predict the
future and its outcomes.
MOSTLY Bs: SUMMONER
You are a Summoner. You can call down the angels (whether earthly or
heavenly) in a time of need. You have the ability to beckon for help
AND GET IT!
MOSTLY Cs: SEER
You are a Seer. You keep your thoughts and actions pure so you can focus the
big picture and lead. Did you ever notice that you seem to see more details in
the world than others?
MOSTLY Ds: REPELLER
You are a Repeller. You have the powerful gift of driving away the hostile, the
adversarial so that others are safe and cared for. You bring light where there
may have been just darkness.

#WILLWILDER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raymond Arroyo
Arroyo is a New York Times bestselling author,
producer, and lead anchor and
and managing
managing editor
editor of
of EWTN
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and three
childrenand
(none
of whom
pith helmets or
steal relics for kicks). You can follow him on Facebook
and on Twitter at @RaymondArroyo and follow
Will Wilder on Twitter @RealWillWilder.

Order your copy of

Will Wilder:
The Relic of Perilous Falls
5.625 8.5

by Raymond Arroyo

SPINE: 1.043

Youll love this wild and thrilling tale. It DOES NOT STOP!
Dave Barry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

ANCIENT EVIL.
ENTURE.

WHAT IF A SPECIAL GIFT ALLOWED Y

TO SEE THINGS NO ONE ELSE COULD

Will Wilder has always caught glim

of shadows. But when an impulsive
unlocks an ancient prophecy, Will a
begins to see nightmarish things, chan
his life forever.

RAYMOND
ARROYO

WHAT IF YOU COULD TAP INTO THE

SUPERNATURAL POWER OF ANCIEN
RELICS AND ANTIQUITIES?

FALLS . . .

Will suddenly feels the pull of a sa

relic hidden away by his great-grandfa
and guarded by his sweet (but lethal) a
Lucille, curator of a museum of legen
artifacts. Unconvinced that the
protects Perilous Falls from dange
floodwaters, Will decides to borrow it
his own purposes, accidentally unleas
unspeakable evil.

ear. Aunt Lucille leaned

I can help you.
Wills face. It was black,
ything got icy cold.
he boy. It was a spirit.
bly been seeing them for

ers that fired my imagination.

ts.
estselling author

WHAT IF DEMONS AND FEARSOME

CREATURES BEGAN PROWLING
THE STREETS?

ng, intrepid young hero who

. And I love his aunt Lucille!
es bestselling author
e

As boats sink and monstrous beasts c

from the rising waters, Will must lear
harness his new abilities at lightning sp
to defeat a dark enemy shadowing
every move. Braving secret chambers
deadly obstacles to confront his grea
fears, Will proves that the actions of
twelve-year-old can change the world.

CAN

RAYMOND ARROYO
CROWN

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

From one of the below retailers:

For more online accounts, click here.

HANG ON TO YOUR PITH HELMETS!

ITS GOING TO BE A WILD RIDE.

ONE STOLEN RELIC. ONE ANCIENT EVIL.

ONE WILDER ADVENTURE.

WELCOME TO PERILOUS FALLS . . .

Tell me what you saw. Dont be afraid, dear. Aunt Lucille
leaned close, and in her huskiest voice added, I can help you.
It was a shadow. Fear washed over Wills face. It was
black, like a phantomright next to me. Everything got icy
cold.
Lucille placed a silken arm around the boy. It was a spirit.
You saw a dark spirit, Will. Youve probably been seeing them
for a long time, hmm?

R
Theres suspense, adventure, humor, and characters that fired my imagination.
Great fun and great frights.
Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Will Wilder is a brand-new, refreshing, entertaining, intrepid young hero who
magically combines humor and genuine suspense. And I love his aunt Lucille!
Mary Higgins Clark, New York Times bestselling author
and Queen of Suspense