The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike

is sensitive to magnetic fields, and ley lines give off strong fields. From what I've read, the lines are all over the place. We shouldn't have to go far to find one."
    Amesh was surprised. "You want to look for one now?"
    "Why not?"
    "It's getting late. Your father will be home soon. My Papi will be waiting for me. Let's look for one tomorrow, during the day."
    "You're working all day tomorrow. Even if you call in sick, it's too hot to go hiking when the sun's up. You might be used to this climate, but I'm not."
    "I can look for one while you wait here."
    "Listen. There are other reasons I want to do it tonight. The carpet came alive as soon as it got dark. The stars at the center might have been glowing before, and we just didn't notice, but I don't think so. It's possible the carpet only flies at night."
    "What's another reason?"
    "Common sense. If we do find a ley line, and we're able to use it to ride the carpet, then no one can see us. Since I got here, I've been hiking in the evening by the water." I pointed. "The beach is usually deserted, and I have the place to myself. There's lots of room. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where we find a ley line."
    "Does your dad know you hike there?"
    "Of course not."
    "You shouldn't go out after dark."
    "I know, it's an Arab country and I might be killed. What is it with you males? I feel as safe here as I do in any American city."
    Amesh hesitated. "Do you plan to ride the carpet over the water?"
    "If that's the direction the ley line goes."
    "Do you have a compass?"
    "One. But maybe we can buy another in the hotel shop. That way we can search together."
    Amesh glanced at the carpet and smiled. "What are we waiting for?"

CHAPTER FIVE
    B EFORE WE LEFT THE ROOM, I changed into jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Then I packed a bag of supplies: bottles of water, binoculars, protein bars, candy bars, a flashlight, a map of Turkey and the surrounding area, a jacket. I also left my father a note explaining that I had been invited to a slumber party by a girl named Rini.
    Rini was a real girl. I had mentioned her to my father before. In fact, he had met her; she worked at the hotel as a maid. He wouldn't worry if I was hanging out with her, even during the night. But he would still be annoyed I hadn't called and asked his permission.
    "You think we'll be gone that long?" Amesh asked as he watched me prop up my note.
    "Best to be prepared. You should call your Papi and tell him you might be staying overnight with a friend."
    He looked uncomfortable. "He wouldn't believe that."
    "Why not?"
    "I don't have many friends."
    "All you need is one. What about Spielo? Wouldn't he back you up?"
    "Spielo's still in the hospital," he said.
    "Is he okay?"
    "They say he's going to be fine."
    "Then use another friend."
    Amesh fidgeted. "Let's not worry about it."
    "All right," I agreed, going against my gut feeling.

    The sun had completely set by the time we reached the beach. The night was as black as the bottom of the carpet. Amesh carried our supplies while I held our prize. Once again, I was amazed by its weightlessness. It was as if holding it to my chest made me feel lighter.
    The night was warm and dry, but a faint breeze stirred over the water, adding a salty flavor to the air. I felt its coolness on my neck as we took out our compasses and figured out which way was north. I double-checked the accuracy of our tools by following the cup of the Big Dipper to the North Star—a trick I had learned from my dad. Both compasses were working. Now all we had to do was find a spot—no, a line—where they didn'tw ork.
    We walked near the water. I took off my shoes and let the foam wash over my bare feet. Amesh preferred to stay on the dry sand. The beach was deserted. The glow of the stars embedded in the carpet did not waver. There was no denying it—the carpet was reacting to the nighttime sky.
    "I wonder why," I muttered.
    "Sara?" he asked.
    "Why the carpet likes the stars."
    "You would have to