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TheSecretBedroom
R.L.STINE
BillSchmidt
AnArchwayPaperback1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYorkLondonToronto
Sydney
Bobbyneverhadanytroublewithgirls…untilhestarteddatingtheWadetwins.NowoneofthemisouttogetBobby—butwhichone?
DOUBLEDATE
byR.L.Stine
Cominginmid-March1994FromArchwayPaperbacks
PublishedbyPocketBooks
Don’tDoIt!
“Pleaseopenthedoor!”
Thegirlontheothersideofthedoorrepeatedherdesperateplea.“Please!”
Leawasfrozenbyindecision.Afrighteningpictureflashedintohermind.Shesawahideousmonsterwithredeyesbulgingoutofitssockets
andgreenslimedroolingfromitsfang-filledmouth.Themonsterwashulkingontheothersideofthelockeddoor,disguisingitsvoice,usingthevoiceofafrightenedgirlinordertofoolLea.
“Pleaseopenthedoor!”themuffledvoice,nowevenmorefrightenedanddesperate,calledouttoLea.
“I-I’llberightback,”Lea
replied.
Shehadmadeherdecision.Shehaddecidedtounlockthedoor.
BooksbyR.L.Stine
FearStreet
THENEWGIRL
THESURPRISEPARTY
THEOVERNIGHT
MISSING
THEWRONGNUMBER
THESLEEPWALKER
HAUNTED
HALLOWEENPARTY
THESTEPSISTER
SKIWEEKEND
THEFIREGAME
LIGHTSOUT
THESECRETBEDROOM
THEKNIFE
PROMQUEEN
FIRSTDATE
THEBESTFRIEND
THECHEATER
SUNBURN
THENEWBOY
THEDARE
BADDREAMS
DOUBLEDATE
THETHRILLCLUB
TheFearStreetSaga
THEBETRAYAL
THESECRET
THEBURNING
FearStreetCheerleaders
THEFIRSTEVIL
THESECONDEVIL
THETHIRDEVIL
FearStreetSuperChiller
PARTYSUMMER
SILENTNIGHT
GOODNIGHTKISS
BROKENHEARTS
SILENTNIGHT2
OtherNovels
HOWIBROKEUPWITHERNIE
PHONECALLS
CURTAINS
BROKENDATE
AvailablefromARCHWAYPaperbacks
Forordersotherthanbyindividualconsumers,ArchwayBooksgrantsadiscountonthepurchaseof10ormorecopiesofsingle
titlesforspecialmarketsorpremiumuse.Forfurtherdetails,pleasewritetotheVice-PresidentofSpecialMarkets,PocketBooks,1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYork,NY10020.
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Thesaleofthisbookwithoutitscoverisunauthorized.Ifyoupurchasedthisbookwithoutacover,youshouldbeawarethatitwasreportedtothepublisheras“unsoldanddestroyed.”Neithertheauthornorthepublisherhasreceivedpaymentforthesaleofthis“strippedbook.”
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorlocalesor
persons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
ANARCHWAYPAPERBACKOriginal
AnArchwayPaperbackpublishedbyPOCKETBOOKS,adivisionofSimon&SchusterInc.1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYork,NY10020www.SimonandSchuster.com
Copyright©1991byParachute
Press,Inc.
Allrightsreserved,includingtherighttoreproducethisbookorportionsthereofinanyformwhatsoever.
ForinformationaddressPocketBooks,1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYork,NY10020
ISBN:0-671-72483-2
ISBN:978-0-6717-2483-2
eISBN:978-1-4391-2135-1
FirstArchwayPaperbackprintingSeptember1991
1514131211109
FEARSTREETisaregisteredtrademarkofParachutePress,Inc.
ANARCHWAYPAPERBACKandcolophonareregisteredtrademarksofSimon&SchusterInc.
CoverartbyBillSchmidt
PrintedintheU.S.A.
IL6+
TheSecretBedroom
LeaCarsontrippedandherlunchtraywentflyingoutofherhands.
Asshestruggledtoregainherbalance,shewatchedthetraysailtowardacrowdedtable.Almostasifitwere
happeninginslowmotion,Leasawithitthesideofagirl’schair.Thenshewatchedhelplesslyasthebowltoppledoffthetrayandthedarkchilipouredontothesleeveofthegirl’swhitesweater.
Thegirlscreamedandleapttoherfeet,herhandsflyingupliketwostartledwhitebirdstryingtoescape.Sheshookhershoulders,thenbegangrabbingathersleeve,
pullingoffredbeansandchunksoftomato.
ThegirlturnedangrilytowardLea.Everyoneatthetable,acoupleofastonished-lookingboysandagirlwithadisapprovingfrown,turnedtoglareatLea.Leacouldfeelherfacereddening,growinghot.
WhydidIhavetotakechili?shethought.Whycouldn’tIhavejustpickedasandwich?
“Mynewsweater!”thegirlcried,stillscrapingandpullingatthesleeve.Shehadwavyredhair,cutstylishlyshort,andpaleblueeyesthatflashedangrilyatLea,thenbacktohersweater.
“I’msorry,”Leamanagedtosay.“Therewassomethingwetonthefloor.Islipped.”
“I’dbettergoputsomecoldwateronit,”thegirlsaid,
ignoringLea’sapology,ignoringLeaentirely.SheturnedandstalkedpastLea,deliberatelystaringstraightahead.
“I’mreallysorry,”Leacalledafterher.
Holdingherstainedsweatersleeve,thegirlhurriedthroughthelunchroomdoorswithoutturningback.
Leaheardlaughteratanother
tableandknewtheywerelaughingather.Shebentdowntopickuphertray,feelingalleyesonher.
Ijustwanttodie,shethought.
Onlymysecondweekinthisschool,andI’vealreadymadeatotalfoolofmyself.
Itwashardenough,shethought,forsomeoneasshyasshewastoadjusttoanew
highschool,tomakenewfriends,tofeelcomfortable.Sure,shewasprettyenough.Cute,everyonesaid,withhersparklinggreeneyesandherdarkbrownhaircutinashaggypixiestylewithbangsthatgrazedhereyebrows.
Leahasagreatsmile,everyonealwayssaid.Hersmilelightsupherface.
Well,shehadn’thadmuchtosmileaboutatShadyside
High.Thekidsallseemedsosnootyandstuck-up.Andnowshehadtrippedinfrontofhalftheschoolandpouredchilialloverthatred-hairedgirlinthewhitesweater.
“Here,”avoicesaid,startlingLeafromherthoughts.“Haveahandfulofsalad.”
“Oh.”Itwasoneoftheboysfromthetable.HehadpickedupLea’strayandwasscoopinguptheremainsof
herlunch.“Thanks,”Leasaiduncertainly.
Hegrinnedatherasshetookthetrayfromhim.Shecouldfeelherfacegrowhotagain.
He’scute,Leathought.
Notreallyhandsome.Butcute.Hehadafriendly,openfacewithcurlybrownhairandbrowneyes.Hewasshort,likeLea,notverymuscular,veryboyish
looking.HewaswearingamaroonandgrayShadysideHighsweatshirtoverfadedjeans.
HeretrievedLea’ssilverwarefromtheflooranddepositeditonthetray.“Thatlookedlikegoodchili,”hesaid,stillgrinning.
Theywerebothsquattingdownbelowthetabletop,Leaholdingthetrayashecontinuedtossinglunch
remainsonit.Lealickedherlips,anervoushabitshejustcouldn’tbreak.“Islipped,”shesaid.
Well,duh,shethought.Thatwasprettyobvious,wasn’tit?
“Marci’llgetoverit,”hesaidreassuringly.Butthenheadded,“Inahundredyearsorso.”Hisgrinfaded.
“Shewasreallymad,”Leasaid.
That’sobvioustoo!shescoldedherself.Whydoyouhavetosoundlikesuchadweeb?
“She’saredhead,”hesaid,asifthatexplainedanything.
Theybothstoodup.Hewipedhishandsonhisjeansandlookedtothelunchroomdoor.Marcihadn’treturned.Theotherkidsatthetablehadleft.
“You’renewhere,”hesaid,staringintohereyes,studyingher.
“Yeah.Thisismysecondweek,”Leasaiduncomfortably,holdingontothetraywithbothhands.“Nextweekwillprobablybebetter,”sheaddedwryly.
“What’syourname?”
“Lea.LeaCarson.”
“Idon’tknowanyLeas,”hesaid,pullingthebottomofhissweatshirtdownoverhiswiryframe.“I’mDonJacobs.You’veprobablyheardofme.I’mtheguywhopicksthesaladupfromthefloor.”
Lealaughed.Hewaitedforhertosaysomething,butshecouldn’tthinkofanythingtosay.
Ihatebeingshy,shethought.Hateit,hateit,hateit.
Helookedtowardthelunchroomdooragain,thenbacktoher.“Youasenior?”
“No.Junior.”
“Whosehomeroom?”
Shelickedherlips.Shehadtothink.“Mr.Robbins.”
“Wheredoyoulive?”
“OnFearStreet,”Leatoldhim.“Afewblocksfromthe
oldcemetery.”
“FearStreet?”
Leawasalreadyusedtothisstartledreactionfrompeoplewhentheyheardwhereshelived.“Myparentsjustlovetofixupoldhouses,”sheexplained.“WhenmydadwastransferredheretoShadyside,theyboughttheshabbiestplacetheycouldfind.They’llspendyearsmakingitbeautiful,andthen
he’llbetransferredagain.”
Leasighedandglancedatatablebythewall,whereDeenaMartinson,herlunchspreadoutinfrontofher,gaveLeaalittlewave.Shefolloweditupwithawide-eyedlookofsurpriseasshenoticedwhoLeawaswith.Sofar,DeenawastheonlyfriendLeahadmadeatShadyside.
“Myfriendiswavingatme,”
shetoldDonawkwardly.“It’sgettinglate.I’dbettergetanewlunchandjoinher.”
“Ihearthechili’srealgood,”hesaidwithastraightface.
“Thanksforhelpingme,”Leasaid.
Shestartedtomovetowardthefoodline,buthereachedoutandheldherarm.“Sinceyou’renewhereandeverything,”hesaid,hiseyes
dartingtowardthedoorway,“Imean,wouldyouliketogotoamovieorsomethingSaturdaynight?”Hescratchedhiscurly,brownhairandgaveherhismostwinning,boyishgrin.
Leawaspracticallystartledspeechless,butshemanagedtoutterayes.Shestoodawkwardlygrinningathim,tryingtothinkofsomethingelsetosay.
“Good,”hesaid,butthenhisexpressionquicklychanged.Leafollowedhisgazetothedoorway,whereMarcistood,armscrossedoverherchest,glaringatthetwoofthem.
“Later,”Donsaid,andhurriedofftojoinMarci.
Leahurriedtothefoodline.Maybemylonelydayshereareover,shethoughthappily,herhandsunsteadyasshedroppedthesoiledtrayonto
thepileandtookacleanone.ThinkingaboutDon,abouthowfunnyhelookedscroungingaroundonthefloortohelpretrieveherlunch,shepickedupatuna-fishsandwichandaboxofapplejuiceandhurriedtojoinDeena.
“WhatwereyouandDonJacobstalkingabout?”Deenaasked,wipingcrumbsoffherchinwithapapernapkin.
“Oh,mainlyabouthowIspilledmylunchalloverthatgirlstandingthereinthedoorwaywithhim,”Leatoldher,ploppingdownacrossthetablefromher.
“YouspilledyourlunchonMarciHendryx,andImissedit?”Deenacriedwithanexpressionofexaggerateddisappointment.
Deenahadafragile-looking,heart-shapedfaceframedby
veryfineblondhairthatsheworedowntohercollar.Shewasalwayscomplainingabouthowpaleshewasandhowshecouldn’tdoanythingwithherhairbecauseitwassofine,butshewasactuallyverypretty.
DeenahadprobablyalwaysplayedanangelintheelementaryschoolChristmaspageants,Leathoughtonfirstmeetingher.
“Donseemsnice,”Leasaid,takingatentativebiteofhersandwich,tryingtodecidewhetherornottotellDeenathathe’daskedheroutforSaturdaynight.Finallyshedecidedtherewasnowayshecouldkeepfromtellingher!
“He’sverynice,”Deenasaid,watchingoverLea’sshoulderasMarciandDontalkedheatedlyinthelunchroomdoorway.“Everyonelikes
Don.He’sjustoneofthoseguyswhenyoumeethim,youlikehim.Hehasamillionfriends.”
“Andgirlfriends?”Leaasked.
“JustMarci.”DeenaturnedherglanceonLea.“DonandMarci,”shesaid,makingaface.“Man,doesshekeephimonatightleash.”
“Huh?”Leapracticallychokedonhersandwich.
“They’vebeengoingtogethersincewewereinpreschool,Ithink,”Deenasaid,hereyesbacktothedoorwayintimetoseeMarcistormoff,Donscurryingafterher.
“Heaskedmeout,”Learevealedinalowvoice,eventhoughnooneelsewasnearby.
“Who?Don?”
Leanodded,herbangsflying
up,thendroppingbackinplaceonherforehead.
“Justnow?”Deena’sdelicatemouthformedanOofsurprise.
“Yes.Justnow.Heaskedmeoutjustnow.”Leahadtolaughathernewfriend’sastonishedexpression.
DeenareachedacrossthetableandtappedthebackofLea’shandwithonefinger.
“WatchoutforMarci,”shewarned.
“Deena,comeon,I’msureDon—”
“Justwatchoutforher,”Deenarepeatedseriously.
Leatwistedaroundtocheckoutthelunchroomdoorway.Severalkidswereleaving.Thelunchroomwasclearingout.Itwasjustabouttimeforthebellforfifthperiodto
ring.
“Whatdidyouspillonher?”Deenaasked,slidingherchairbackandstandingup.
“Chili,”Leasaid,startingtofeelembarrassedalloveragain.
“Onthatwhitecashmeresweatershewaswearing?”
“Itwascashmere?”Leacried,horrified.
ToLea’ssurprise,Deenawaslaughing.
“It’snotfunny,”Leasaid.“Iwasmortified!”
“Itisfunny—ifyouknowMarci”wasDeena’sexplanation.
Theywalkedtotheirlockers,Deenastillchucklingandshakingherhead,LeathinkingaboutDon,wonderingwhyhehadasked
heroutifheandMarcihadbeenacoupleforsolong.
“Seeyoulater,”Deenasaid,headingdownthehalltoherclass.
ButLeadidn’thearher.ShewasthinkingaboutMarciandDeena’swarningtowatchoutforher,andshewaswonderingifshehadn’talreadymadeanenemy,onthis,hersecondweekinschool.
Lea’shouseloomedinfrontofherlikesomedarkmonsterinahorrormovie.It’sjustasoldandcreepyintheafternoonasitisatnight,Learealized,shiftingherbackpackfromoneshoulder
totheotherandstartingupthebrokenflagstonewalktothefrontdoor.
Aboveher,twowindowsonthesecondfloor,herbedroomwindows,caughttheglowofthelate-afternoonsunandseemedtolightup.Liketwoevileyes,shethought.
Thehouseseesmecominghometoitafterschoolandopensitseyes.AndnowI’mabouttostepintoitsgaping,
darkmouth.
Chillout,Lea,shescoldedherself.Let’snotbeoverlydramatic.
Sothehouseisbigandramshackleandawreck.Thatdoesn’tmakeitevil.
EvenifitisonFearStreet.
Sheunlockedthefrontdoor,strugglingwiththestill-unfamiliarlock,andstepped
intothedarkfronthallway.Itwaswarminthehousedespitethecoolautumnairoutside,warmanddamp,withthatsour,mustysmellsomeoldhouseshave.
WhyonearthdoMomandDadhavetoliketheseoldplaces?sheaskedherself,thefloorboardscreakingunderherfeetasshetossedherbackpackdownandmadeherwaythroughtheemptyhouse
tothekitchentogetasnack.
Sittingatthetableinthesmallbreakfastalcove,thefloweredwallpaperstainedandpeeling,Leaspoonedblueberryyogurtfromthecontainerintoabowlandthoughtaboutthefirsttimeshehadseenthehouse,lessthanamonthearlier.
Ithadbeenanafternoonmuchlikethisone,cool,breezy,thefeelofautumnin
theairdespitethebrightyellowsunhighinthesky.Thelight,ithadseemedtoLea,wascutoffassoonastherealestateagentledthemintothehouse,closingthefrontdoorbehindher.Itwasasifsomeonehadturnedoffabrightflashlight,Learemembered,asifthehousewasturningawaythesunlight,shuttingitout,coveringtheminitswarmdarkness.
Shehadimmediatelybeenappalledbytheage-stainedwalls,thedust-blanketedwindows,thewarpedmoldings,thethreadbare,oldcarpetscoveringthecreakingfloors.Thesmellofit.Thefeelofit.
Herparents,ofcourse,hadimmediatelyfalleninlovewithit.
“It’scharming,”Mr.Carsonhadsaid.
“Thinkofallwecandohere,”Mrs.Carsonhadreplied.
Mrs.Thomas,therealestateagent,apleasant-lookingwomanwearingaverysmarttweedsuitandapermanentsmile,caughttheunhappyexpressiononLea’sface.
“Letmeshowyouthebedroomsupstairs,”shesaid,turninghersmileonLea.
“Theyneedwork,ofcourse.Butthey’reverylarge.Thesecondbedroom—Isupposethatwillbeyourroom,Lea—isthebrightestroominthehouse.Thetwowindowsfacethefront,andsunlightstreamsinalldaylong.”
“It’ssodarkinthelivingroom,”Leasaidgloomily.Shewantedtobegherparentsnottotakethishouse,butsheknewitwashopeless.They
hadlivedinthreedifferenthousesinthepastsevenyears,allofthemasrun-downandcreepylookingasthisone.
“Itwon’tbedarkafterIinstalltracklighting,”Mr.Carsonsaid,eyeingtheliving-roomceiling,thencheckingouttheelectricaloutletsalongthemoldingbythefloor.
“Comeonupstairs,”Mrs.
ThomassaidtoLea.“Becareful.Thebanistermaybeloose.”
Leafollowedherupthestairs,whichswayedundertheirweightandseemedtogroaninprotestwitheachstairtheysteppedon.“Thebanisteriseasytofix,”Mr.Carsonsaidcheerily.
“I’dliketocarpetthestairway,”Lea’smothersaid.“Andcontinuethecarpeting
downthelandinghere.Somethinglight.It’llbrightenupeverything,makeitlooknew.”
“Yeah,sure,”Leamutteredunderherbreath,knowingtheywouldhearher,hopingtheyrealizedhowunhappyshewas.
ShewasunhappyaboutmovingtoShadysideinthefirstplace.Ithadtakenhersolongtomakefriendsbackin
DalyCity,tofeelcomfortableandhappythere.Andjustwhenshewasstartingtohaveagoodtime,herdadgottransferredagainandshe’dhavetostartanewschoolfourweeksafterthetermbegan.
“Wow,Lea,lookhowbigyourroomis,”hermotherexclaimedastheysteppedintothebig,squareroom.Thetwowindowsonthefarwall
glowedwithyellowsunlight.Squaresofwarmlightstretchedacrossthewornbluecarpeting.
“See?Iwasrightaboutthelight,”Mrs.Thomassaid,herhandsinherjacketpockets,hersmilesolidlyinplace.“Andtakealookatthecloset,Lea.”
Leaobedientlywalkedovertothecloset.
“We’llpullupyourcarpetingfirstthing,”Lea’sfathersaid.“Andwe’llsandthefloors.”
Leapulledopentheclosetdoorandstaredintothevast,blackcavernbehindit.Shehadasuddenchill.It’slikeacave,ananimal’sden,shethought.Whatkindofcreatureislurkinginthisdarkcave?
“Didyoueverseesuchabigwalk-incloset?”Mrs.
Thomasaskedtriumphantly,comingupbehindLeaandgentlyrestingahandonhershoulder.Mrs.Thomassmelledofpeppermint.Leainhaleddeeply,Itwassuchasweetfragranceinthesour,oldhouse.
“It’sreallybig,”Leasaid,peeringin,hereyesadjustingtothedarkness.“It’sasbigasaroom.”
Mrs.Thomasseemedvery
pleasedbyLea’sreaction.“Lotsofclosetspace,”shesaid.“Areyouaseniorthisyear,Lea?”
“No.Ajunior.”
“Mydaughter,Suki,goestoShadyside.She’sasenior.I’lltellhertocomeoverandsayhitoyou.”
“Thanks,Mrs.Thomas,”Leasaidawkwardly.
“Now,letmeshowyoutherestofthesecondfloor,”Mrs.Thomassaid,turningherattentionbacktoLea’sparents.“There’sacharmingextraroomthatcouldbeaguestbedroomorastudy.”
Takingalastlookatwhatwouldsoonbecomeherroom,Leafollowedthemoutintothehallway.Mrs.Thomasandherparentswerenearlytotheendofthedark
corridor.ShecouldhearMrs.Thomaschatteringenthusiasticallyaboutthepossibilitiesforthemasterbedroom.
“Hey—what’sthis?”Leahadstoppedatametalladderboltedintothewalljustoutsideherbedroomdoor.Peeringup,shesawthatitledtoawoodentrapdoorintheceiling.“Wheredoesthisgo?”Leaasked.
ThethreeadultscamebacktowhereLeawasstanding.Mr.Carsontestedthemetalladderforsturdiness.“Mustleaduptotheattic,”hesaid,staringupattheceilingtrapdoor.
“Yes,there’sanatticupthere,”Mrs.Thomassaid,checkingthenotesonherclipboard,“Quiteasizableone,actually.Wanttoseeit?”
“No,thanks,”Leasaid
immediately.
“Ofcourse,”Mrs.Carsonsaid.“Iloveattics.WhenIwasalittlegirl,Ispentallmytimeupinourattic,playingwithallthetreasuresupthere.”
“Yeah.Treasures,”Leasaidsarcastically.“Likespidersanddirtandbats.”
Mrs.CarsongaveLeaanunhappylook.“Ireallywish
you’dmakeaneffort.”
“Todowhat?”Leasnapped.
“Togetintothismore,”hermothersaid.“Tobemorecheerful.Atleastalittlebit.It’shardforallofus,youknow.Notjustyou.”
Leafeltembarrassed.Mrs.Thomaswasstaringather.Shehatedtobescoldedinfrontofstrangers.Whycouldn’thermotherever
learn?
“Okay.Wow!Let’scheckouttheattic,”shesaidwithfalseenthusiasm.Shemovedinfrontofherdad,bumpinghimoutoftheway,grabbedthesidesofthegraymetalladder,andbegantoclimb.
“Ithinkyoujustpushthedooraway,”Mrs.Thomascalleduptoher.“Justslideitofftheopening.”
Leareacheduptotheceilingandpushedagainstthetrapdoorwithbothhands.Itliftedeasily.Shesliditofftheopeningandclimbedafewmorerungsontheladderuntilherheadpokedintotheattic.
Itwashotupthere,atleasttendegreeshotterthaninthehouse.Theattic,Leasaw,wasalloneopenspace,longandlow.Theceilingfollowedtheslantoftheroofjust
aboveit.Thewallswereplasterboard,crackedandyellowing.Asingleroundwindowatoneendlittheentirearea.
“Climbonupsowecanseeittoo,”herfathercalledimpatiently.
Leapulledherselfupintotheroom.Whenshestoodup,therewereonlyacoupleofinchestospareaboveherhead.Herfather,whowas
six-three,wouldhavetostoop.
“It’ssobeautifuluphere!”shecalleddowntothem,hervoicedrippingwithsarcasm.“Iwanttospendallmytimeuphere,withallofthewonderfultreasures.”
“Lea,giveusabreak,”herfathersaid,pullinghislargeframethroughthenarrowopening,thenstandingupasbestashecouldtocheckout
theattic.
AfewsecondslaterLea’smomandMrs.Thomasjoinedtheminthelow,stuffyspace.“Notmuchairuphere,”Mrs.Carsonsaid,fanningherselfwithherhand,herfirstcomplaintoftheday.
“Thiswillmakeawonderfulstoragearea,”Mrs.Thomassaid,scratchingthebackofherneck.
Thisplacemakesmeitchtoo,Leathoughtbitterly.
Leawalkedtothesmall,roundwindow.Throughthedust-cakedglass,shecouldseedowntothedrivewayandasmallcornerofthefrontyard,overgrownwithweedsandtallgrass.Theafternoonsunwasloweringbehindthetrees.
Thenshewalkedpastthethreeadultstothewallonthe
oppositesideoftheroom.“Hey—what’sthisdoor?”shecalled,hervoicelouderthanshehadintendedintheclosed-inspace.
Awoodendoorinthewallhadbeenboardedupwithacrisscrossoftwo-by-fours.Leareachedoutandtriedturningthedoorknob.Thedoorwaslocked.“What’sinthere?Whyisthisdoorboardedup?”Leaasked.
Theothersjoinedher.Mr.Carsonturnedtheknob,comingtothesameconclusionLeahad.Itwaslocked.Heinspectedthetwo-by-fours.“Lookslikesomeoneboardedupthisroomalongtimeago,”hesaid,knockinghardonthedoor.Itsoundedthickandsolid.
Mrs.Thomasgrippedherclipboardandheldittightly
againstherchest.Thesmilefadedfromherfaceforthefirsttimethatafternoon.“Well,thatdoorisaveryinterestingstory,”shesaid,alittlereluctantly.Andthenshequicklyadded,“Ialwaysthinkthatmysteriousstoriesaddtothecharmofahouse—don’tyou?”
Leafeltasuddenstabofdread.Shefeltclosedin.Thewallsseemedtobemovingin
onher,theceilinglowering.Shetookadeepbreath,hereyesexaminingthelocked,boarded-updoor.
Lea’sparentsexchangedglances.Mr.Carsonleanedbackagainstthewall,hisheadbentdownbecauseofthelowceiling.
“Whatkindofmysteriousstory?”Mrs.Carsonasked,herdarkeyesalivewithinterest.
Mrs.Thomascontinuedtopresstheclipboardtightlyagainstthefrontofherjacket.“Ofcourse,mostofthehousesonFearStreethavesimilarstories,”shestarted,speakingsoftly.“They’renottrue,Idon’tthink.Atleast,they’renotalltrue.”
Shestaredstraightaheadatthebrassdoorknob.
“Youmeanit’ssomekindof
horrorstory?”Mrs.Carsonasked,evenmoreintrigued.
Leashiftedherweightuncomfortably.
“Idon’treallyknowthedetails,”Mrs.Thomassaid.“Youknowhowthesestoriesgetlostorexaggeratedovertime.AllIknowisthatthereisaroomontheothersideofthatdoor.Andsomethingterriblehappenedinthatroom.”
“Something—terrible?”Leaasked.
“Itwasahundredyearsago.Atleastahundredyears,”Mrs.Thomassaid,herfacecoveredinshadowasthelightthroughtheatticwindowfaded.“Andsomeonewasmurderedinthatroom.Atleast,that’showthestorygoes.”
“Youdon’tknowwho?Or
why?”Leaasked,staringatthetwo-by-foursthatblockedthedoorway.
Mrs.Thomasshookherhead.“Amurder.That’sallIknow.Andtheroom…it’sbeenlockedandboardedupeversince.”
Ahushfellasallfouroccupantsstaredsilentlyatthewoodendoor.
Mrs.Carsonbrokethesilence
withacough.“We’llleaveitjustthewayitis,”shesaid,lookingatLea’sdadasifforreassurance.
“Aren’tyoucuriousaboutwhat’sbehindit?”Mr.Carsonasked.Hehunchedforwardandknockedonthedooragain.“Hellointhere.Anybodyhome?”hecalledloudly.
Theyalllistenedasifexpectingareply.Thenthey
laughed.Nervouslaughter.
“No.Idon’twanttotouchthisdoor,”Mrs.Carsonsaidfirmly.“We’vegotmorethanenoughtododownstairs.”
That’sforsure,Leathoughtglumly.
“Peoplemakeupthesestories,”Mrs.Thomassaid,brightening.“Idon’tknowwhy.AsIsaid,there’sahorrorstoryforeveryhouse
onFearStreet.YetthepeopleI’vemetwholiveonthisstreetareallasniceascanbe.”
Sheedgedherselfbacktothetrapdoorand,withdifficulty,holdingtheclipboardinonehand,begantolowerherselfdowntheladder.“Comeon,folks.TherearesomefeaturesinthekitchenIdidn’tgetachancetoshowyou.”
Herparentsdisappeared
downtheladder,butLealingeredbehind.Shestaredatthedoor,drawntoitandrepelledbyitatthesametime.
Didamurderreallytakeplaceinthishouse?Inthisattic?Intheroombehindthedoor?
Andevenifamurderhadtakenplacethere,whywastheroomlockedandboardedup—forahundredyears?
Leamovedcloser,closer,untilshewasstandingrightinfrontofthedoor.Shepressedheropenpalmsagainstthewood.
Shefeltachilldespitetheheatoftheattic.
Onasuddenimpulseshepressedherearagainstthedoor.
“Oh!”
Whatwasthatsoundsheheard?
Whatwasit?
Wasitbreathing?
No.
No,no,no.
No,thesoundwasthatofherownbreathing.Wasshereallybreathingsohard?
Shesteppedawayfromthe
door,feelingfoolish.
Itwasmyownbreathing,shetoldherself.
Therewerenosoundsfromtheothersideofthedoor.
Iwonderwhattheroomontheothersidelookslike,shethought,drawntothedooronceagain,feelingitsmysteriouspull.
No.
I’vegottogetdownstairsnow.
Sheforcedherselftoturnaround,toturnawayfromit.Stillhearingherownrapid,flutterybreathing,sheloweredherselfdownthroughthenarrow,rectangularopening,carefullyreplacingthetrapdoorintheceiling.
“Yes,Iknow.He’llbehereanyminute,”Leasaid.Withoutrealizingit,shehadwrappedthephonecordroundandroundherwrist,andnowshewashavingtroubleuntanglingit.
“Iseemtobetangledup,”shetoldDeena,holdingthephonebetweenhershoulderandherchinandusingherfreehandtoremovethecord.“No,I’mnotnervousoranything,”Leasaid,laughing.
Justbecauseit’seighto’clockonSaturdaynightandIhaveadatewithoneofthemostpopularseniorsatschool—whyshouldIbenervous?Leathought.
Shepulledthephoneasfarasitwouldgosothatshecouldtakeanotherlookatherhairintheovalmirroraboveherdresser.MaybeIshouldgetridofthesestupidbangs,shethought.I’vehadthemsinceIwasten.Everyoneisalwaystellingmehowcutetheyare.
MaybeIdon’twanttobecuteanymore.MaybeIwanttobesophisticatednow.
MaybeIneedawholenew
look.MaybeI’llwearmyhairspiky,getlong,danglyearrings—Right!AndmaybeI’llgrowsixinchessoeveryonewon’tthinkIlooklikesomesortofpixie.
Socute…
“What,Deena?I’msorry.Iwasn’tlistening,”Leaadmitted.DeenachatteredexcitedlyinLea’searwhileLeapulledathersweater,rearrangingthecollar.“Yeah.
Sure.I’llcallyoutomorrowmorning.Promise.”
Learealizedshehadthephonecordtwistedaroundherwristagain.I’vegottocalmdown,shetoldherself.I’llbeanervouswreckbythetimeDongetshere.
Lickingherlips,sheglancedatherdeskclockforthethousandthtime.Eight-ten.“What,Deena?Whatareyoudoingtonight?”
Deena’sfriendJadeSmithwascomingover,andtheyweregoingtodoeachother’shair.
“Oh,wait.IthinkIhearthedoorbell,”Leasaidexcitedly.Sheheldthereceiverawayfromherearandlistened.
Wasshehearingthings?
“No.No,itwasn’t,”shetoldherfriend.“Thisoldhouse
makessomanynoises.Yeah.Iknow.Listen,Deena,I’dbettergetoffthephone.Yeah.I’mhearingbells.Talktoyoutomorrow,okay?SayhitoJadeforme.No—don’tcutyourhair.Ithinkyoushouldletitgrow.Yeah.Okay.Bye.”
Shereplacedthereceiver,whichwaswetfromhersweatyhand.Pickingupabathtowelshehadtossed
ontoherbed,Leadriedherclammyhands,listeningforthebell.
Shepacedbackandforthforawhile,catchingglimpsesofherselfintheovalmirrorasshepassed.Thedeskclockreadeighttwenty-three.
Whereishe?
Shesatdownontheedgeofherbed,tossingthebathtoweltothefloor,andpicked
upGeorgie,thestuffedtigershe’dhadsinceshewasababy,herspecialstuffedanimal.Shesqueezedthetigertightly,hugginghimtoherchest.
“WhatamIdoing?”sheaskedherselfaloud.
Shetossedtheworn,oldtigergentlyontoherpillowandpickedupacopyofSassymagazine.Anarticlecalled“TwentyIntriguingThings
ToSayonaFirstDate”caughthereye.Shestartedtoreadit,butbecauseofhernervousness,thewordsblurreduntiltheywerejustblackblotchesonthepage.
Shetriedflippingthroughthemagazine,justscanningthepictures,butshedidn’thavethepatienceorconcentrationforthat,either.
Leatossedthemagazineacrossthebed,sighedloudly,
andclimbedtoherfeet,uncertainwhattodonext.
“Lea?”
Hermother’svoicestartledherfromthebottomofthestairs.
“Lea?”
“Yes,Mom?”Leashoutedfromherdoorway.
“Aren’tyougoingouttonight?”hermothercalled.
Leawantedtomurderher!“Mom—I’vetoldyouathousandtimesI’mgoingouttonight!”sheshoutedangrily.“What’sthematterwithyou,anyway?”
Whoa,Leawarnedherself.
Don’ttakeitoutonMomjustbecauseyou’renervousaboutDon.
“He’salittlelate,Iguess,”Leacalleddowninasofter
tone.
Hermotherdidn’treply.Leacouldhearherwalkawayfromthestairway,couldhearhershoesscrapeagainstthefloor,heartheoldfloorboardscreakandsqueak.
Sheturnedtochecktheclockoncemore.Eightthirty-two.
“I’llcallhishouse,”shesaidaloud.
Shetookadeepbreath.ButIdon’tknowhisnumber,shethought.
Shecreptdownstairstogetthephonebookfromthefronthallcloset.Shedidn’twanthermomordadtoseeherbecausethenshe’dhavetoexplainthatshewascallingDon’shousetoseewhyhewaslate.Andthatwouldjustbetooembarrassing.
Phonebookunderherarm,
shehurriedbackupthestairs,thewoodenstepsgroaningannoyinglyassheclimbed.
Afewsecondslatershefoundthenumber.Herheartwasracingasshepuncheditinandlistened.Onering.Two.
“Hello?”Awoman’svoice.MostlikelyDon’smother.
“Hi.IsDonthere?”
Abriefpause.“No,heisn’t.
Whoisthis?”
“Oh.ThisisLea.”
“Lea?”
Therewasloudcracklingontheline.“LeaCarson,”Leasaidloudly,tryingtobeheardoverthestatic.“I’msorrytobotheryou.Donwassupposedtopickmeupateightand—”
“ButDon’soutwithMarci,”
thewomaninterrupted,soundingveryconfused.
“What?”
“Heleftaboutanhourago,dear.”
“Butthat’simpossible!”Leacried.Thensheimmediatelyfeltembarrassed.
“Areyousureyouhavetherightnumber?”Don’smotherasked.
“No.I—uh—guessnot.Sorry,”Leasaid.Shehungupquickly.
Theroomseemedtocloseinonher.Theantiquemahoganydresser,therolltopdeskthathadbeenherfather’s,thehalf-emptybookshelf,thecartonsstackedagainstthewallthatshehadn’thadtimetounpack.Theywereallslidingtowardthebed,surroundingherina
tighterandtightercircle.
Sheclosedhereyes.
Whensheopenedthem,everythingwasbackinplace.
Don’smothermustbemistaken,Leathought.
MaybeDontoldherhewasgoingoutwithMarcibecausehedidn’twanttogointoanylengthyexplanationaboutme.
Yes.Thatmustbeit.
But—whereishe?
Theclockdialseemedtothrob,glowingbrighterandbrighteruntilshehadtoforceherselftotearhereyesawayfromit.Eightforty-seven.
I’mnotgoingtositaroundhereanddrivemyselfcrazy,Leadecided.
Withoutreallythinkingabout
it,sheopenedtheShadysidephonebook.HertremblingfingerrapidlyranthroughtheH’s.
“Hendryx,three-forty-twoCanyonRoad,”Leareadaloud.
Sittingstifflyontheedgeofthebedandleaningoverthesmallnighttablethatheldthephone,shepunchedinthenumberquicklybeforeshecouldchangehermind.
Someonepickedupbeforethefirstringhadended.“Hello?”
LearecognizedMarci’svoiceatonce.
“Marci?It’sLeaCarson.”
“Idon’tbelieveit,”Marcisaid,notintothephonebuttosomeoneelseatherhouse.“Lea?”shesaidintothephone.
“Marci—is—uh…”
WhydidIcallher?Leamoanedtoherself.Thisissoembarrassing.I’llneverlivethisdown.Never!
“Marci,isDonthere?”
Marci’slaughterburstintoLea’sear,coldandcruel.
“Marci—?”
Marcistoppedlaughingabruptly.“Lea,Ican’tbelieve
youfellforit,”shesaidwithfalsehilarity.
“What?”
“Youdidn’treallybelieveDonwouldgooutwithyou,didyou?”Marcicontinued.“Itwasajoke.”
“Now,waitaminute—”Leacouldfeelherangerrising,replacingherembarrassment.
“No,youwaitaminute!”
Marcisnappedangrily.“WhyonearthwouldDongooutwithyou?He’sgoingwithme.Itwasallajoke,Lea.Idaredhimtoaskyouout.ButIneverdreamedyou’dfallforit.”
Marciheldherhandoverthemouthpiece.Leacouldhearhermuffledvoicesayingsomethingtosomeoneelse.ProbablyDon.
“Well,thatwillteachyouto
comeontomyboyfriend,”Marcisaidnastily.“Haveanicenight.”ThephoneclickedloudlyinLea’sear.
Leaslammeddownthereceiver.Thenwithacryofanger,shefellforwardonthebed,buryingherfaceinthepillow.
Thisisn’thappening,shethought.
Shepressedherfaceintothe
softdarknessofthepillowandstifledtheurgetoscreamagain.
Toscreamandscreamandscream.
Whatgoodwoulditdo?sheaskedherself.Itwouldonlybringherparents.Andshedefinitelydidn’twanttoseeherparents.
Shedidn’twanttoseeanyone.
Everagain.
I’llrunaway,shethought.
I’lltakethecar.I’lldriveanddriveanddrive—tillIfallofftheearth!
No.I’lldriveanddriveanddrive—tillIrunoverMarci!
Realizingthatshewassuffocating,Leapulledthepillowawayfromherface.Butshedidn’tmovefromher
facedownpositiononthebed.
Marciissuchaliar,shethought.
Liar,liar,liar.
Itwasn’tajokewhenDonaskedmeoutinthelunchroom.Hemeantit.Hereallywantedtogooutwithme.
Marciforcedhimtodothis.
Yes,that’sit.
Marcifoundoutaboutitandforcedhimtobreakthedate.Ofcourse.Andnowshewaslying,sayingitwasallajoke,thatshehadplannedthewholething,thatitwasjustastupiddare.
Forsure!
Itwasn’tajoke.Donismuchtooniceaguytodosomethinglikethat.Muchtoonice…
LeathoughtabouthowcuteDonhadlookeddownonthefloor,helpingherpickupherlunch.ShethoughtaboutDon’sshysmilewhenheaskedherout.Hownervoushesuddenlybecame,howhiseyeskeptdartingtothelunchroomdoor.
No,itwasn’tajoke.
MarcihadforcedDontodothis.
Liar,liar,liar.
Butthen,ifthatwastrue,whyhadn’tDoncalledher?Hecould’vecalledandexplained.Ormadeanexcuse.Anyexcuse.
WhyhadhegonealongwithMarci’scrueljoke?
WasheafraidofMarci?Or—washejustascruelasshewas?
No!
Confusedandangry,feelingterriblysorryforherself,Leapickedupherstuffedtigerandclutchedittightlyunderherchin.“Youwouldneverbetrayme,wouldyou,Georgie?”sheaskeditinatinyvoice.
Sighingloudly,Leakickedoffthecovers.Shecouldn’tgettosleep.She’dbeen
tryingforthelongesttime.
Shepulledherselfupontoherelbowsandstaredacrosstheroomatthewindows.Curtainshadn’tbeenputupyet,andsilvermoonlightfilledbothwindows.Thelightwaspaleandlovelyandmadetherestoftheroomshimmer.
I’llneversleepagain,Leathought.Shethoughtabout
DonandMarciandwonderedwheretheywererightthen,wonderediftheywerestilltalkingabouther,stilllaughingatherexpense.
I’vegottostopthinkingaboutthem,shetoldherself.Butthatwaseasiersaidthandone.
ThecreakingsoundbroughtLeaoutofherunhappythoughts.
Shelistenedasthesoundrepeated.Itseemedtoberightoverherhead.
Thereitwasagain.
Itwasn’tjustthecreakingofthehouse.Leawasbeginningtorecognizethegroansandsqueakstheoldhousemade.
Thissoundwastooregular,toorhythmic.
Shelaybackonherpillow,
alertnow,listeningharder.
Therethenoisewasagain.
Footsteps?
Yes.Itsoundedlikefootstepsupaboveher.
Butthatwasimpossible.
HuggingGeorgie,shelistenedintently.
Thesoundfadedanddied.
Herimaginationwasplaying
tricksonher.
Tricks…tricks…tricks…
Justajoke…justatrick…trick…trick…
Withthewordrepeatinginhermind,Leadriftedintoatroubled,restlesssleep.
Deena,whereareyou?Leathoughtimpatiently,leaningagainstthetileinthehalloutsidethelunchroom.TheyhadagreedtomeetforlunchafterfourthperiodonMonday.KidswerestreamingpastLea,laughing,
talkingloudly,eagerforlunch,butDeenawasnowheretobeseen.
Asshewatchedeveryonegopast,Leahadtofightthefeelingthattheyallknew.Thattheyallknewthecrueljokethathadbeenplayedonher,thattheyknewhowfoolishshehadbeen,howgullible.
Theyallknow.Andthey’realllaughingatme.
Sheavoidedeveryone’seyes,staringdownathersneakers.
Marcihasspreadthestoryalloverschool.Iknowshehas.
IthadtakenLeasomucheffortjusttoreturntoschool.ShehadspentallofSundaymopingaroundthehouse,feelinghumiliated,betrayed,mortifiedbeyondwords.WhenDeenahadcalledSundayafternoonwondering
whyshehadn’theardfromLea,thewholestoryhadburstoutofLeainastreamofanger.
Deenahadtriedtobecomforting.ButLeadetectedatoneof“Itoldyouso”inDeena’svoice,whichmadeLeafeelevenmorefoolishandalone.
Andnow,hereshewas,standingbythedoortothelunchroomwiththewhole
schoolmarchingby,everyonestaringather,everyonegrinning.
Everyoneknows.
Leascoldedherselfforbeingparanoid,butshestillavoidedeveryone’sglance.
Suddenlysomeonebumpedintohershoulder,hard.“Hey—”shecriedout.
“Sorry.Hepushedme.”A
chubbyguywithdark,curlyhairgrinnedatherwhilepointingatakidbesidehim.Sherecognizedhimfromherhomeroom.HisnamewasRickySchorr,andhewasalwaysgoofingaround.Heshovedhisfriendback,andtheycontinuedonintothelunchroom,carryingonlikelittlekids.
Everyonehereissoimmature,Leathought
glumly.
Exceptforme.I’mnotmatureenoughtobeimmature.
ShewasabouttogiveuponDeenawhenavoiceinterruptedherthoughts.“Hi,Lea.”
LeaswungaroundtoseeDonstandingnexttoher,guiltwrittenacrosshisface.“Hi,”shesaidcoldly,forcing
herselfnottoactsurprisedtoseehimthere,forcingherselfnottorevealanyemotionatall.
“I—Idon’tknowwhattosay,”Donmuttered,staringintohereyes.Hehadhishandsstuffedinhisjeanspockets.Herockeduncomfortablybackandforthonhissneakers.
Leadidn’treply.
Hecontinuedtostareintohereyes.“Ijustwantto—youknow,apologize.”
Leaglanceddownthelonghall,whichhademptiedoutexceptforafewstragglers.Shedidn’tsayanything.
“Iwantedtocallyou,toletyouknow,”Donsaid,removingonehandfromapockettorubthebackofhisneck.“Marci—well,she’ssortofjealous.Imean—”
Hestopped,hopingshe’dsaysomething,hopingshe’dhelphimout.
ButLeadidn’tsayaword.
Sheturnedherglanceonhim,leavingherfaceexpressionless.Hehadbeadsofperspirationonhisforeheadeventhoughitwascoldinthehall.
“Marci’sgreat,really,”Don
continued,stillrockingupanddownonhissneakers.“You’veonlyseenthebadsideofher.Shejustgetsreallyjealous,that’sall.”
Hestopped,tookadeepbreath,andletitout,shakinghishead.“Ishouldn’tbeapologizingforher,”hesaid,staringatLea’sface.“Ishouldbeapologizingforme.I’mreallysorry,Lea.”
“Thanksforapologizing,
Don,”shesaid,keepinghervoicelowandsteady.
“Lastweekinthelunchroom,”hecontinued,alittlelessawkwardly.“WhenIsawyou,Ithought—”Hestoppedsuddenly.Leafollowedhisgazedownthehall.
Marcihadjustturnedthecorner.
Leafeltasharpstabofanger,
mixedwithdread.
“Uh—I’dbettergo,”Donsaidquickly.“Sorry.Really.Ireallyam.”Heturnedand,dodgingtwogirlsontheirwaytothelunchroom,hurriedinahalfruntointerceptMarci.
Learemainedagainstthewall,unmoving,watchingDonandMarci.Hecaughtuptoher,tookherbythearm,andturnedheraround.They
disappearedbackaroundthecorner.
Wow,thoughtLea.MarcisuredoeshaveDonwrappedaroundherlittlefinger!
“SorryI’mlate,”Deenasaid,appearingfrombehindLea,grabbingLea’sshoulder.
Lea,lostinthought,jumpedinsurprise.“Oh,hi.”
“Wagnerkeptmeafterclass.
Itotallyblewthechemexperiment.Hewouldn’tletmeleavetillIgotitright.”
“Oh,that’sokay,”Leasaidwistfully,followingherfriendintothelunchroom.“I’mnotveryhungry,anyway.”
“YoustillthinkingaboutDonandMarci?”Deenaaskedsympathetically.
“Yeah.Iguess.”Lea
shrugged.“IwishIcouldjustshutthemoutofmymind.Justshutthedooronthem,lockit,andboarditup—liketheroominmyattic.”
“Theroominyourattic?”Deenawastotallymystified.
“Nevermind,”Leasaid,andpickedupalunchtrayfromthestack,burninghotandsoakingwet,asusual.
***
AfterschoolLeapulledsomebooksoutofherlocker,loadedherbackpack,closedthelocker,andpreparedtolockit.ItwasthensherealizedthatMarciwasstandingbesideher.
Marci’sshortredhairwasperfectlybrushed,andshewaswearingaveryshortgreensuedeskirtoverblacktightsandasilkygreentopthatemphasizedherfull
figure.JuststandingnexttohermadeLeafeelsmallandboyish.
“Marci,whatdoyouwant?”Leaasked,soundingmoreimpatientthanangry.
“Iwanttoapologizetoo,”Marcisaidsoftly.
“What?”Leahoistedthebackpackontohershoulders.
“ImadeDonapologize,and
nowIwanttoapologizetoo.”
Leahadthesuddenfeelingthatshewasinadream,thatshewassoundasleep,fashioningthiswholescenefromhersubconscious.ShestaredpastMarcidownthehall.Thesolidwalls,thebrightceilinglights,theotherkidsattheirlockers,allseemedtoindicatethatthiswasn’tadream.Itwasreallyhappening.
“YoumadeDonapologize?”Leacouldn’thidehersurpriseorherconfusion.
“Iwenttoofar,”Marcisaid,staringintoLea’seyes.“Ireallydid.I’mnotameanperson.Usually.AndthistimeIjustwenttoofar.AfterSaturdayIfeltterrible.”
“SodidI,”Leasaidbitterly.
“Iwanttomakeituptoyou,”Marcisaid,puttingahand
brieflyonLea’sshoulder.“We’rehavingasororitymeetingtomorrowafterschool.Wouldyouliketocomeseeifyou’dbeinterestedinjoining?”
LeastaredintoMarci’seyes,tryingtoreadherthoughts.
Wasshesincere?WasshereallyinvitingLeatojoinhersorority?Tobecomepartofhergroup?
Leahadalwayswantedtobelong,reallybelong,butwherevershewent,shehadalwaysbeentheoutsider,theshyoutsider.
“I—Ididn’tknowthereweresororitiesatShadyside,”Leastammered.
“Ofcoursethereare.”Marcismiled.“We’remeetingafterschooltomorrowinRoomfour-oh-nine.Pleasecome,Lea.”SheheldLea’sshoulder
againbriefly.“Ireallywouldliketomakeituptoyouforlastweekend.Ijustfeelsoguilty.”
LeapulledawayfromMarciangrily.“Hey,I’mnotstupid!”shesnapped,glaringather.“Thisschoolisonlythreestorieshigh.ThereisnoRoomfour-oh-nine!”
Marcithrewbackherheadandlaughed.“Nevermind!”shecriedinamockingvoice.
Sheturnedandhurriedaway,stilllaughingtoherself.
“Whatadumbjoke,”Leatriedtocallafterher,buthervoicechokedinherthroat,andthewordsdidn’tcomeout.
Leaslammedherfistangrilyagainstherlocker.Thepainranupherarmtohershoulder.“Ow.”
AtleastMarci’sstupidjoke
didn’twork.
AtleastLeawassmartenoughtorememberhowmanyfloorstherewereatShadyside.
Yeah,I’mrealsmart,Leatoldherselfbitterly.Realsmart…
Shecheckedtomakesureshehadsecuredherlock,thenglumlybegantotrudgedownthelonghalltowardthefrontentrance.
WhydoesMarciwanttotortureme?shewondered.
Whydoesshehatemesomuch?
ShecanhaveDon.Really.I’mnotinterestedinhim.Ihopethetwoofthemareveryhappy.
Letthemjustleavemealonetolivemylonelylife.
Asshesteppedoutthedoor,
sheraisedhereyestothesky.Itwasgrayandthreateningrain,andshefeltthegustyautumnwindwhipupandstingherface.Lookingdownatthebottomofthesteps,shesawMarcionthesidewalktalkingtoaclusterofgirls.
WhenLeasteppedoffthesteps,theyinstantlystoppedtalkingandglancedoverather.Thentheyallstartedtolaugh.
Marciwastellingthemaboutme,Learealized.
Angershehadneverfeltbeforeroseupthroughherbody.
I’vegottogetbackatMarci,Leathought,frightenedbyherownvehemence.
I’vegottogetbackather.
LeapushedStopontheremotecontrol,thenpushedRewind.TheVCRclickedobedientlyandbegantorewindthemovie.
ItwasSaturdaynightandshewashomealone,stretchedoutonthecouchintheden,
havingjustwatchedGhostforthethirdtimeinasmanymonths,ormaybethefourth.Shehadlosttrack.
PatrickSwayzeisarealbabe,shethought,stretchingsleepily.Hecancomehauntmeanytime.
Yawning,Leaglancedupatthegrandfatherclockinthecorneroftheroombesidethecartonsofunpackedbooks.“Two-fifteen?”
Shehadmomentarilyforgottenthattheclockdidn’twork.Itwasjustanotherpieceof“valuable”junkherdadhadboughtatagaragesale,intendingtofixitwhenhehadthechance.
Shesmiled,thinkingaboutherdad.Inhisjobasanelectronicscompanyrecruiter,hedidnothingwithhishands,exceptmaybepushpapersbackandforthacrossa
desk.Butwhenhegothome,hishandswereconstantlybusywithprojects,building,examining,repairingeverything,asiftheyhadtomakeupforallthetimetheyspentinreposeduringtheday.
Hermother,Leaknew,hadthesameenergy,thesamedrivetofixthingsup,tomakethingsbetter,toimprovetheworldbypaintingitor
wallpaperingit.
Bythetimethey’refinishedwiththisolddump,Leathought,it’lllooklikearealhome.
Butthen,ofcourse,it’llbetimetomove.
WhenIgetmarried,I’mgoingtosettleintooneplaceandnevermove,shetoldherself,smilingatthethought.MaybeI’lljustdiga
holeintheground,asoft,comfyhole,justbigenoughformeandmyfamily,andliveinitforever,rootedtherelikeatree.
Shewandereduptoherroom,turningofflightsalongtheway,makingsuretheporchlightwasonforherparents.Theywereatapartyacrosstownbeinggivenbyamanfromherdad’snewoffice.Awelcomingparty,herdadhad
describedit.
Wishsomeonewouldgivemeawelcomingparty,Leathoughtwistfully.
Herdeskclocksaiditwasonlyeleven-thirty.Idon’tcarehowearlyitis.I’mtiredandI’mgoingtogotosleep,shedecided.
Thenextday,Sunday,sheandDeenahadmadeplanstogoplaytennisatanindoor
tennisclubDeena’sfamilybelongedtointheNorthHillssectionoftown.
Somethingtolookforwardto,Leathought,yawningsleepily.ShepushedGeorgietothefootofthebed,clickedoffthelamponhernighttable,andslidunderthecovers.
Darknesscoveredherlikeasoftblanket.Outsidethetwinwindowscloudsblockedthe
moon.Theskywasgrayandstill.
Leasettledherheadonthepillow,staringupatthesmoothblacknessoftheceiling.AtleastIwasabletobringmyoldbedwithme,shethoughthappily.Somethingfamiliar.Somethingcozy…
Shehadalmostdriftedintoapleasantsleepwhensheheardthenoiseagain.
Clearerthistime.
Aboveherhead.
Footsteps.Ithadtobefootsteps.
Buthowcoulditbe?
Shetriedtoignorethesound,shuttinghereyestightlyandpullingthesoftfeatherpillowupoverherears.
Butshecouldstillhearthem.
Footsteps.Theceilinggroanedunderthem.
Onestep.Thenanother.Thenintheotherdirection.Asifsomeonewaspacingaboveherhead.
Someoneupstairsintheattic.
Orsomething.
Buthowcouldthatbe?Theroundatticwindowwastoohighandtoosmallforanyone
toclimbin.Andtherewasnootherentryway.
Leasatup.
Theceilingsqueakeddirectlyoverhead.
Shoesagainstthefloorabove.Tap.Tap.Thenback—taptap.Loudernow.
No!
Leakickedoffthecoversandstoodup,herheartpounding.
“Hey!”shecalledout,staringupatthedarkceiling.
Shelistened.
Thetappingstoppedforamoment,thenstartedagain.
Suddenlyveryfrightened,sheclickedonthelamp,thenturnedontheceilinglight.Shepulledhersilkybluerobeonoverherpajamasandslippedintotherubberthongssheusedasslippers.
MaybeIshouldcallthepolice,shethought.
Afterall,hereIamallaloneinthehouse,andsomeoneisdefinitelywalkingaroundupthere.
But,ofcourse,therecouldn’tbeanyonewalkingaroundupthere.
Andifsomeonehadsomehowgotteninupthere,whywashejustpacingback
andforth?Whyhadn’themadeanymovetocomedown?
That’sbecauseit’salljustmyimaginationorcreepy,oldhousenoises,Leatoldherself.Maybethere’sashinglelooseontheroof.
Yes.Ofcourse.Thathastobeit.Alooseshingle.Andeverytimethewindblowsit,ittiltsup,thencomesdownwithatappingnoise.
Leafeltalittlebetter.
Butsheknewshehadtofindoutforsure.
Shewassurprisedtofindherselfonthemetalladderoutsideherbedroomdoor.Itwasasifshehadsleepwalkedouttothehall.Andnowthereshewas,climbingtheladderdespitetheheavyfeelingofdreadinherchest,climbingtheladderandpushingthe
trapdoorupandoutoftheway,andclimbinghigher,highenoughtopeerintothelong,lowattic.
“Anybodyuphere?”shecalled,surprisedbyherownbravery.
Thedarknesswasthickandcold.Andsilent.
Ofcoursethereisn’tanyoneuphere,shetoldherself.
Shepulledherselfupontotheatticfloor,thengropedalongthewalluntilshefoundthelightswitch.Asinglebulbsuspendedfromtheceilingcastpaleyellowlightovertheroom.
Leastaredatthewindow,thenturnedandlethereyesexaminetheboarded-uproom.
Nothing.Noone.Silence.
Breathingasoftsighofrelief,shemovedtoturnoffthelight.
Thensheheardthefootstepsagain.Clearly.
Veryclose.
Threestepsoneway,twostepsback.
Lealookedaroundexpectantly,listening,hopingthenoisecamefromabove
her,fromtheroof.Hopingherbrokenshingletheorywouldprovetrue.
Butsheknewatoncewherethesoundswerecomingfrom.Theywerecomingfromtheroom,frombehindthelockeddoor.
Thisiscrazy,shethought.
Butshemovedtothedoor,takingoffherthongssoshecouldwalkevenmore
silently.Sheleanedagainstoneofthetwo-by-fours,pressingherearagainstthewood.
Thisiscrazy.Thisissocrazy.
Shecontinuedtohearthesounds.
Yes.Sheheardthemcomingfromtheothersideofthedoor.
Crazy.Crazy.Crazy.
Imustbegoingcrazy.
Thisroomhasbeenlockedupforahundredyears.Lockedandblockadedforahundredyears.
“Hello!Canyouhearme?”sheshoutedintothedoor.
Sheleanedforwardexpectantly,pressingherearhardagainsttheoldwood.
Fromtheothersidesheheardnothingnow.Thesoundshadstopped.
Lea’sheartwaspounding.Shetingledallover.Thedimyellowlightmadeeverythingunreal,asifshewerelivinginafaded,oldmovie.
Thesoundshadstopped,asifinresponsetohercall.
“Hello!”shecalledagain,cuppingherhandsaroundher
mouthandshoutingagainstthedoor.
Silenceontheotherside.
Aheavysilence,asifsomeonewaslistening.Listeningtoher.
Andthensheheardasoftplopping,adrippingsound.
Learaisedherheadjustintimetoseethedarkliquidbegintooozeoutfromthe
topofthedoorway.Itdescendedrapidly,inasinglewave,flowingstraightdownthefrontofthedoortothefloor,splashingatLea’sfeet.
Leascreamedandjumpedback.
Itwasathick,darkliquid.Itwasblood.Acurtainofblood.Pouringdownthedoor.Formingadark,wideningcircleontheflooratherfeet.
Holdingherhandstoherface,unabletotakehereyesfromtheflowingwaterfallofblood,shescreamedagain.
Andagain.
“Deena,please—hurry!”
Leahadbeenscreamingintothephonewithoutrealizingit.
“Justtrytocalmdown,”Deenasaid,soundingveryalarmedontheotherendoftheline.“Yousound
hysterical,Lea.You’renotmakinganysense.”
“OfcourseI’mnotmakingsense!”Leashrieked,grippingthephonetightly,gaspingforbreath.“Itdoesn’tmakeanysense!Please—hurry.”
“Okay.Ijusthavetogetsomeshoeson,”Deenatoldher.“I’llberightthere.Whereareyourparents,anyway?”
“Idon’tknow.Someone’shouse.Theydidn’tleaveanumber,”Leasaidbreathlessly,staringatthefloorinfrontofherbedroomdoor,asifexpectingthewaveofbloodtofollowherdownstairs.
“IhateFearStreet!”Deenaexclaimed.“WhydoyouhavetoliveonFearStreet?IhadahorribleexperienceonFearStreetlastyear!”
“Comeon,Deena.I’mallalonehere!”Leapleaded.
“Okay.Bye.”Thelinewentdead.
Leareplacedthereceiver,stillstaringatthefloorbythedoorway.Ofcoursemystorydoesn’tmakesense,shethought.Howcoulditmakesense?
Footstepsinaroomthat’s
beenboardedupforahundredyears?Awaterfallofbloodpouringdownoveradoor?
Shedroppeddownontotheedgeofherbed,herhandstillonthephonereceiver.
Shelistened.Thehousewassilentnow.Sosilentshecouldhearthesofttickingofherdeskclock.Sosilentshecouldhearthebrushofwindthroughtheleaflessoldtrees
inthefrontyard.
Itwasquietuptherenow.Butwasthebloodstillflowing?Wasitfloodingtheattic?Woulditsoonseepthroughherceilinganddownontoherbed?
Terrified,sheglancedupattheceiling.
Thatenormous,circulardarkspotaroundthebrasslightfixture—haditbeenthere
before?Thoselong,straightcracksintheplaster.Shedidn’trememberseeingthem,either.
I’vegottogetoutofhere,shethought.
Shedartedtohercloset,swungopenthedoor,andpulledthelightchain.Nothingintheclosetseemedfamiliartoher.Werethoseherclotheshungonthebar,stackedontheshelves,tossed
onthefloor,pilesofsocksandunderwear,blousesandT-shirtsstillwaitingtobesortedandputaway?
Nothinghereismine,shethought,grippedwithpanic.Nothinginthishouseisfamiliar.Nothinginthishouseisright.
Franticallyshepulledoffherpajamas,kickingthemoutofherway,andgrabbedapairofjeansandagreen,long-
sleevedsweater.
WhereshouldIgo?WherecanIgo?
IfonlyMomandDadwerehere.
Butwhatcouldtheydoabouttheblood,thepouringblood?
Leastartedoutofherroom,pausingatthedoorway,lookingbothwaysdownthehall,thenrealizedshewas
barefoot.
“Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”sheaskedherselfoutloud.Hervoicesoundedsmallandfrightenedinthevastoldhouse.“You’renotthinkingclearly.”
Glancinguptothetopoftheladder,shemadesurethetrapdoorwasinplace.Yes.
Eveninherpanic,evenasshehadrunfromtheblood,run
fromtheattic,pulledherselfinafrenzydowntheladder,tremblingallover,morefrightenedthanshehadeverbeeninherlife,morefrightenedthanshehadeverdreamedpossible,shehadrememberedtoreplacethetrapdoor.
Toherrelief,itremainedinplace.
Andthehouseremainedquiet.
Butupstairs—what?Whatwashappeningintheattic?
I’llcallthepolice,shedecided.
Whyhadn’tshethoughtofitbefore?
Ofcourse.Thepolice.
Sherandownstairs,stillbarefoot,thewoodenstairscoldbeneathherfeetSheturnedonallthelightsasshe
hurriedbacktothekitchen.Aftershesnatchedupthereceiverofthekitchenphone,shedialed911.
Leaheardstaticoverthephoneline,beforetheringing.Afewsecondslateraman’svoicecameontheline.“SergeantBarnett.”
“Hello,I—Ineedhelp.”
“HowcanIhelpyou?”heasked,soundingconcerned.
“I—Imean,there’sblood.Inmyattic,”Leastammered,staringoutthekitchenwindowintotheblacknessofthenight.
“Ibegyourpardon?”
“Please—come.Ihavetoshowyou.It’sblood.Pouringdown.I’mallalonehere.”Learealizedshewasn’tmakingmuchsense.Buthermindwasspinning.Thewordswouldn’tfittogether
right.
Shespunawayfromthewindow,staringbackintothelonghallwayleadingtothefrontofthehouse,expectingtoseesomethingorsomeonestandingthere.
Butthehallwaywasempty.
I’mreallylosingit,shethought.
“Please—hurry,”shepleaded
intothephone.
“I’llsendsomeonerightover,”thesergeantsaid.“Givemeyournameandaddress.”
Lea’smindwentblank.
Nameandaddress?
Sothiswaswhatpanicfeltlike.Thiswashowitblankedyourmind,madeyouforgeteverything—everythingbut
yourfear.
I’vegottogetoutofhere,shethought.
Thedoorbellrang.
Deena!
Hermemoryreturned.Shetoldthesergeanthernameandaddress.
Thedoorbellrangagain,longerthistime,moreinsistent.
“LetmejustmakesureIhaveitright,”SergeantBarnettsaid.
Leagroaned.“Please—hurry.”
Thedoorbellrangandrangagain.
ThepolicesergeantrepeatedLea’saddress.“We’llhaveacarthereinfiveminutes,”hesaid.“Willyoubeokaytillthen?”
“Ihopeso,”Leasaid,hangingupandrunningthroughthehallwaytothefrontdoor.ShepulleditopenjustasDeenarangagain.
“Lea—youdidn’tanswerthebell.Iwassoworried!”Deena’sblondhairwaswindblown,tossedwildlyaroundherface.Herwoolponchoflappedbehindherinthegustingwind.
“Thanksforcoming.Come
in.Hurry.It’ssowindy,”Leasaid,checkingupanddownthestreet.Leavesswirledacrossthelawninawild,unendingdance.Theoldtreesbentandswayed.Itseemedtoherasiftheentirefrontyardhadcomealive.
Shivering,sheslammedthefrontdoor.“I-I’msoscared,”shesaid.
“Idon’treallyunderstand,”Deenasaid,yankingoffher
ponchoandtossingitontothebanister.“Youwentuptotheatticandsawblood?”
“Iwasinmyroom,”Leaexplainedagain.“Asleep.ButIwokeupbecauseIheardnoisesupstairs.”
“Upstairsintheattic?”
“Yes,”Leatoldher.“Footsteps.Atleast,itsoundedlikefootsteps.ButIknewthatwasimpossible.So
Iwentuptotheatticand—andthedoor—bloodstartedtopourdownthedoor,and—”
Deenawaslisteningtoallthisopenmouthed,hereyeswidewithdisbelief.Suddenlyherexpressionchanged,andshestaredintentlyatLea.
“Lea,itwasadream,”Deenasaidsoftly.ShereachedoutandplacedherhandsgentlyonLea’stremblingshoulders.
“What?”
“Itwasadream.Ithadtobe.Youwereasleep,right?Andyoudreamedtherest.Andthenyouwokeupinyourroom,thinkingitwasreal.Andyoucalledme.”
Leabackedoutofherfriend’shands.“YouthinkI’mcrackingup,huh?”
“No,ofcoursenot,”Deena
saidpatiently.“Somedreamscanbereallyvivid.Ihaveveryrealdreamstoo.”
“Itwasn’tadream,”Leainsistedangrily.“Thebloodpouredrightdowntomyfeet.”
DeenaglanceddownatLea’sbarefeet.“Didyouwashitoff?”
“No,ofcoursenot.Ididn’thavetime,”Leareplied,
glancingdownatherfeettoo.
Therewerenobloodstainsonherfeet.Notatrace.
Sheliftedherheadup.“Ijumpedback.Igotoutofthewayoftheblood.ThenIrandownstairs.”
“Lea—”Deenastarted.ButLeagrabbedherfriend’shandandpulledhertothestairway.“Hey—whatareyoudoing?”
“I’llshowyou,”Leasaid.Deena’shandwasstillcoldfromtheoutside.“Comeon.I’llshowyouitwasn’tadream.”
“But,Lea,wait—”Deenaheldback.“Maybeweshouldn’tgoupthere.”
“Whyareyousofrightenedifitwasonlyadream?”Leaasked,challengingherfriend.
“Ijust—”Deenashookher
headasiftryingtogetherthoughtsstraight.“Idon’tlikedark,oldattics.”
“Listen,”Leasaid,tuggingatDeena,“yousaidIwascrazy,so—”
“Ididnotsayyouwerecrazy.Ijustsaiditallsoundedlikeadream.Likeyouwerehavinganightmare.”
“It’sanightmare,allright,”Leasaid,sighing.“Butit’s
real,Deena.It’sallreal.Comeon.”Shepulledwithrenewedstrength.
“Okay,okay.Don’tpullme,”Deenasaid.“Ican’tbelieveI’mdoingthis.”
TheyhesitatedattheladdernexttoLea’sroom.Theybothstaredupatthetrapdoorandlistened.
Silence.
“Comeon,”Leasaid,whispering.Shestarteduptheladder.“I’lljustshowyoutheblood.Thenwe’llcloseitupagain.”
“Ireallydon’tlikethis.”Deenasteppedontotheladder,stayingclosebehindLea.
Leaslidthetrapdoorupandaway.Theybothstaredupintothesilentdarkness.
“That’sfunny,”Leasaid,glancingdownatherfriend,bewildered.“Ilefttheatticlighton.I’msureIdidn’tturnitoff.”
Deenastaredbackather,didn’tsayanything.Thenfinallyshesaid,“Maybeweshouldgetaflashlightorsomething.”
“No.I’lljustturnonthelight,”Leasaid,anddisappearedupthroughthe
rectangularopeningintheceiling.
“Lea,please—”Deenacalledsoftly,hertremblingvoicerevealingherfear.“Don’tgo.Don’t!”
Itwastoolate.Leahadsteppedontotheatticfloor,andDeenawaspullingherselfupbehindher.
TheroughwoodoftheatticfloorfeltcoldbeneathLea’s
barefeet.Shegropedaround,foundthelightswitch,andturnediton.Thelong,narrowatticfilledwithyellowlight.
“There—”Leasaid,pointing.“There’sthedoor.Andlook—”
Bothgirlshuddledtogether,peeringacrosstheatticthroughthedimyellowlight.
Neitherofthemspoke.
Neitherofthemmoved.
Abovetheirheadsthewindwasaroaragainsttheroof.
Leawasthefirsttobreakthesilence.“Idon’tbelieveit,”shesaid,herhandspressedtightlyagainstherface.
“Noblood,”Deenasaidsoftly.
“Noblood,”Learepeated.Theyellowlightmadeeverythingunreal,dreamlike.Butitwaseasytoseethatthedoorwasasithadalways
been,solid,locked,boardedup—anddry.
“Soitwasadreamafterall,”Leawhispered,staringstraightahead.
“Whatarelief,”Deenasaid,sighing.
Leaknewsheshouldfeelrelieved.Buttohersurprise,shefeltmorefrightenedthanever.“Let’sgodownstairs,”shesaidquickly.
DeenaledthewaydownsoLeacouldreplacethetrapdoor.Theywereheadingdownthestairswhenthedoorbellrang.
“Police!”avoicecalledfromoutsidethefrontdoor.
“Oh,no!”Leagroaned,raisingherhandtoherforehead.“Iforgot.Icalledthepolice.WhatamIgoingtotellhim?”
“Police!”thevoicerepeated.Thiswasfollowedbyloudpoundingonthedoor.
“Idon’tknow!”Deenacried.
“Ican’ttellhimIhadabaddream!”Leawailed.
Shepulledopenthefrontdoor.Averyyoung-lookingpoliceofficerstoodundertheporchlightinadarkblueuniform,onehandonhisgunholster,onehandraised,
readytoknockagain.
“I’mOfficerBeard,”hesaid,hiseyesstudyingfirstLea,thenDeena.“What’sthetroublehere?”
“Uh—it’sokay,actually,”Leasaid,holdingthestormdooropenjustafewinches.
“Okay?”Hissmall,darkeyesnarrowedinsuspicion.
“Uh—yeah,”Leasaid,unable
toconcealherembarrassment.“Iheardnoisesupintheattic.Imean,IthoughtIheardnoises.ButIdidn’t.”
“Whatdidyouhear?”thepoliceofficerasked,relaxingandallowinghishandtoslideofftheholsteranddownhisside.
“Ididn’thearanything.Imean—”LeaturnedtoDeenaforhelp,butDeenaonly
shrugged.“Iwentuptotheattic.Therewasnothingthere,”Leacontinued.
“Igotathree-oh-twocall.Emergency,”OfficerBeardsaid,staringintoLea’seyesasifsearchingforthetruestorythere.“MindifIcomeinandhavealookaround?”
“No.Idon’tmind,”Leasaidreluctantly.“Buteverythingisokay.Really.”
Leaheldthedoorasthewarypoliceofficercamein.Thenshefollowedhimaroundashemadeaquicksurveyofthehouse.
“Gladthere’snoproblem,”hesaidwithoutsmiling,returningtothefrontdoorafterhissearch.
“I’msorry,”Leatoldhimsincerely.“Iwasscared.Iwasallalonehere.IthoughtIheardsomething.I’mreally
sorry.”
“Don’tbe,”theofficersaid,steppingoutontothefrontwalkandnoticingalltheemptymovingcartonsstackedagainstthesideofthehouse.“Thiscanbeascaryneighborhoodsometimes.Youjustmovein?”
“Yes.”Leanodded.
“Don’thesitatetocall.Bettersafethansorry.KnowwhatI
mean?”OfficerBeardgrinned,revealinglong,crookedfrontteeth.
“Thanks,Officer,”Leasaid,relieved.“Thanksalot.”
Hereachedupandtouchedthebrimofhiscap,arealmovie-copgesture.LeaandDeenawatchedhimwalkdownthedrivetohisblack-and-whitepatrolcar.ThenLeaclosedthedoorandstartedtolockit.
“No.Don’tcloseit.I’vegottogo,”Deenasaid,checkingherwatch.“Areyougoingtobeokay?”
“Yeah.Fine,”Leasaid,yawning.“NowthatIknowitwasalladream.”
“JadeandIwenttothishorrormovieonce,”Deenasaid,“wherethisgirlkepthavingbaddreams,andthedreamsstartedgettingmore
andmorehorrible,andshecouldn’twakeup,andsheknewifshedidn’twakeup,she’dbetrappedinadreamforever,andthedreamwouldbecomeherlifeandherlifewouldbecomeadream.Jadethoughtitwasreallyneat,butitgavemenightmaresforamonth.”
“Gee,thanksforsharingthatwithme,”Leasaiddryly.
Theybothlaughed.
“I’llbeokay,”Leasaid.“Thanksforcoming.”ShehuggedDeena.“You’rearealfriend.”
“Gotosleep.Andlet’sforgetabouttennistomorrow—youlookawreck,”Deenasaid,pullingonherponchoandheadingoutthedoor.
“Thanks,friend.”
AfewminuteslaterLeawas
tuckedintoherbed,thecoverspulleduptoherchin.Theheavycloudcoverhadparted,andpalesilvermoonlightfloatedinthroughthetwinwindows.Leasawtheglareofheadlightsandthoughtsheheardherparents’carpullupthedrive,butitwassomeothercar,turningaround.
Itmustbequiteaparty,shethought.MomandDaddon’t
usuallystayoutthislate.
Shehadjustaboutdriftedofftosleepwhensheheardsoundsaboveherhead.Dullthuds.Firstinonedirection,thenbackintheother.
Thethudofshoesagainstthewoodenfloor?
No,no,no.
Thesounds,thistimelikefingersonadrum,grew
louder.
Lyingonherback,Leareachedupandpulledthesidesofthepillowupoverherears.Holdingtightlytothepillow,whichmuffledthesoundsaboveherhead,shefellasleep.
***
“Yousureitwasn’tjustthenaturalcreakingofthe
house?”herfatheraskedatbreakfast,dropsofmilkfromhiscerealcatchinginhismustache.
Leashookherheadandhandedherdadapapernapkinfromtheplasticdispenseronthetable.Theyweresittinginthesmallbreakfastnook,sharpbladesofmorningsunlightjabbingthroughthedust-coveredwindows.“No,Iknowthose
soundsalready,”Leasaid,restingherchinononehand,shieldinghereyesfromtheinvadingsunlightwiththeother.
“We’vegottogetcurtainsupinhere,”hermothersaid,squinting.“Lea,youwanttotradeplaceswithme?You’relookingrightintothesun.”
“Maybethere’sasquirrelortwoupthere,”herfathersuggested,liftingthecereal
bowltohismouthandtippingittodrinktheremainingmilk.
“Youmust’vebeensoscared,”hermothersaid,strugglingtoremoveasectionfromhergrapefruit.“Imean,tohavecalledthepolice.”
“Yeah,itwasscary,”Leasaidthoughtfully.
Shehaddecidednottotellthemaboutthebloodpouring
downthedoor.Mainlysincetherewasnobloodpouringdownthedoor.BadenoughthatDeenathoughtshewascrackingup.Shedidn’twanttogetherparentsallworriedtoo.
“Couldbesquirrels.Orevenaraccoon,”herfathersaid,sippinghiscoffee.Whenhepulledthecupaway,hismustachewassoakedfromit.
Howcanhestandthat
mustache?Leawondered,watchinghimdabatitwiththepapernapkin.
“Howcouldaraccoongetinthere?”Leaasked.
“They’recrafty,”herfatherreplied.“Theycangetinanywheretheywant.Youeverlookcarefullyataraccoon’spaws?”
“No,”Leasaid,laughing.
“They’reunbelievablydexterous.”Hecurledhisbighandupandmovedthefingers,ademonstrationofaraccoonpaw.
“Maybeitwasaraccoon,”Leasaid,takingasipoforangejuice.“Yuck.Pulp.”Shemadeasourface.
“I’msorry,”hermothersaidquickly.“Iknowyouhatepulp.Icouldn’tfindthekindyoulike.Thesupermarketis
differenthere.”
“That’sokay,”Leasaid.Shegingerlytookanothersip.
“I’lltakealookuptherelater,”Mr.Carsonsaid.“Butfromnowon,ifyouhearnoises,justignore‘em,okay?”Hesmiledather,hiseyesdarkabovethered-brownmustache.“Don’tpanic.That’sourmotto,right?”
“Right,”Leasaid,picturingthebloodpouringdownthedooragain.
Whatadream!
“Timetogetamoveon,”hermotherdeclared,glancingatthestoveclock.“We’reworkingonthedownstairsbathroomtoday.”BothofLea’sparentsjumpedupandhurriedfromtheroom.
Lealingeredatthetable,
scootingherchairovertogetoutofthesunlight.“Don’tpanic,”shesaidoutloud,mimickingherfather.
“Easyforhimtosay.”
***
Thatnight,hunchedoverherdesk,makingherwayslowlythroughanendlesschapterinhergovernmenttext,Leaignoredthescraping,tapping
soundsaboveherhead.
Thefollowingnight,lyinginbed,thinkingaboutDonJacobsdespiteallherbestintentionsnottothinkabouthim,sheforcedherselftoignorethesoundsagain.
Thumpthumpthump.Thenbackintheoppositedirection:thumpthumpthump.
Mr.Carsonwentuptothe
atticashehadpromisedandcamebackdownwithnothingtoreport.“Isawafewdustbunniesupthere,”hesaid,smiling.“Maybewe’vegotverynoisydustbunnies.”
“ButIheardthesoundsagainlastnight,”Leaprotested.“Loud.Likedrumbeats.Orfootsteps.”
Herfatherscratchedhishead,wrinklinghisfaceinthought.“Couldbealooseshingle.
I’mgoingtohavetheroofcheckedinaweekorso.”
Leaburiedherselfinherhomework,tryingtoconcentratethesoundsaway.Lateatnight,lyinginbed,watchingthedimmoonlightfilterinthroughthenewcurtainshermotherhadjustputup,shethoughtsheheardavoiceupthere,someonetalkinginalowtonerightaboveherhead.
Justignoreit,sheinstructedherself,andthesounddidimmediatelydisappear.
Thenextnightshedreamedabouttheroomaboveherhead.
Inthedreamshewasinbed,unabletosleepbecauseofloud,persistentfootstepsontheceiling.Sheraisedhereyestotheceiling.Thelightfixturewasshaking.Thewholeroombeganshaking
thenfromtheforceofthefootsteps.
Shedreamedthatherbedstartedtoslideacrosstheroomandshejumpeduptorunoutinthehallinherpajamas.Itwasverycoldinthehallway.Shebegantoclimbtheladdertotheattic.Shefeltveryafraid,notadaytimefear,butthetypethatsweepsoveryou,controlsyoucompletely,weakens
yourmuscles,paralyzesyourmind—thekindoffearthatcomesonlywithadream.
Theatticwasdarkandcool.Whensheclickedthelightswitch,itgrewevendarker.Shecreptuptothelockeddoor.AtthispointLeaknewitwasadream.Shewantedtowakeup.Shetriedtowakeup.
Butshecouldn’t.
Shecouldn’tescapefromwhatwastohappennext.
Sheheardavoicebehindthelockeddoor.Itwasagirl’svoice,smallandfrightened,andsoundingveryfaraway.
Lealistenedatthedoor,heardthevoice,thenstartedtopullawaytheheavyboardsthatblockedthedoorway.Tohersurprise,theboardsliftedoffeasily,asiftheywerecardboard,andfloatedaway.
Leahesitated,thenplacedherhandonthedoorknob.Itwasburninghot!
Shescreamedandjerkedherhandbackinpain.
Iwanttowakeup,shethought.
Please—letmeoutofthisdream.
Almostagainstherwill,herhandwentbacktothe
doorknoband,ignoringthesearingheat,turneditandpushedthedooropen.
Leapeeredintoasmallroom.Thelightinsidewasblindinglybright.Someonewasintheroom.ButLeacouldn’tseewho.Itwastoobright.Shehadtoshieldhereyes.
Someonesteppedforward,outofthelight,adark,facelessfigure.
“Whoareyou?”Leacried.
Withoutlooking,sheknewitwassomeone—orsomething—horrifying.Somethinghideous.Somecreaturebringingevilthatwaswaitingtobeunleashed.
“Whoareyou?”sherepeated,raisingherhandsupasiftoshieldherself.
Andthebrightlightfaded.
Andthedarkfiguremovedcloser,cameintofocus.
“No!”Leashriekedassherecognizedthesmilingfigureloomingbeforeher.
ItwasMarci.MarciHendryx.
Leawokeup.Shesatstraightupinbed,shaken,uncertain,bathedincoldperspiration.
Shecouldn’tdecidewhethertolaughorcry.
This,herthirdweekatShadysideHigh,turnedouttobealongweek,alonelyweek.Herparentsbusiedthemselveswithfixingupthehouseandhadlittletimeforher.Deenahadanewboyfriend,atall,blond,skinnybasketballplayernamedLukeAppleman,andwasspendingallhertimewithhim.
Leahadtriedbeingfriendly
withDeena’sfriendJade.ButJadewasverypopularandverybusy,involvedinamillionclubsandwithamillionkids,anddidn’tseemtohavemuchtimeforLea.
Leatriednottothinkabouthowlonelyshewas.ButthatwasjustaboutaseasyasnotthinkingaboutDonJacobs.
ShehadseenDonacoupleoftimesduringtheweek.BothtimeshewaswithMarci.
BothtimeshegaveLeashy,apologeticglancesbeforequicklyturningbacktoMarci.Marci,ofcourse,deliberatelycutLeabothtimes,lookingsharplyaway,anunpleasantscowlonherface.
SaturdaynightfoundLeahomealoneagain,hermomanddadatanotherparty.SheandDeenahadplanstogotothemoviesattheDivision
StreetMall.ButLukecalledDeenaatthelastminutewithtwoticketstoarockconcertatthebigauditoriuminWaynesbridge,andDeena,apologizingagainandagain,beggedLeatounderstandandwentofftotheconcert.
LeawatchedTVforawhile,clickingtheremotecontrol,watchingtensecondsofthisandtensecondsofthat,notreallypayingattentiontoany
ofit.Shethoughtofdoinghomework,butdecidedthatwouldbejusttoopitiful.Shethoughtofgoingtothemovieatthemallbyherself,butthatwouldbetooembarrassing,especiallysincealotofkidsfromShadysideHighwereboundtobethere.
MaybeI’llgorentamovie,shedecided,clickingofftheTVandpacingbackandforthoverthethreadbareliving-
roomcarpetherparentshadn’treplacedyet.Shedecidedagainstit.BythattimeonaSaturdaynightallthegoodfilmswouldberented.
Eventually,atalittleafternine,shewentuptoherroom,planningtolieinbedandstartthenewhistoricalnovelhermotherhadtakenoutoftheShadysidelibrary.
“JustwhatIneed.Anescape
backtoanothercentury,”shetoldherself.
Shehadreadonlyafewpageswhenthesoundsbeganaboveherhead.
Taptap.Taptap.
Thumpthumpscrapethump.
Tryingtoignorethem,sheturnedthepageandkeptreading.
Butthesoundsgrewlouder,
moreinsistent,asifurginghertolisten,forcinghertopayattention.
Again,shethoughtsheheardavoiceupthere.Orvoices.Talkingquietly,languidly,assoftasarushofwind.
Butnotthewind.
Definitelynotthewind.
Leaputthebookdownandgottoherfeet,hereyeson
theceiling.Thelockedroom,sherealized,mustberightaboveherroom,rightaboveherhead.
Thumpscrapethump.
Thevoicesupthereroseandthenfaded.
Thisisdrivingmecrazy,Leathought,herheartpounding.
Sherememberedherdream.Sosilly.MarciHendryx
trappedintheboarded-uproom.
Andtheotherdream,thedreamwiththebloodpouringdownthedoor,thedreamthatwassoreal.
Shepinchedherarm.Hard.
I’mawake.I’mnotdreaming.
Thisisreallife—notadream.
Andthesoundswerestillupthere.
I’mgoingup,shedecided.
Asshepulledherselfupthemetalladderandstruggledtopushthetrapdoorawayfromtheopening,shewassurprisedthatshefeltlessfrightenedthistime.
Shefeltonlyanger.Andcuriosity.
Whatwasgoingon?Who—orwhat—wasmakingthenoise?Andwhy?Justtodrive
hercrazy?
Dad’sprobablyright.It’sprobablyjustaroofshingle,shetoldherself,feelingaroundonthewallandturningontheyellowlight.
Herownshadowjumpedinfrontofher,startlingher.
Don’tpanic.
Surveyingthelong,lowattic,shecarefullymadeherway
overtotheboarded-updoor,walkingslowly,deliberately,listeninghard.
Shestoppedatthedoorandleanedforward.Sheheldherbreath.
Yes.
Shecouldhearvoices.
Toolowtomakeoutthewords.
Butsomeonewasinthere.A
girl.Itwasagirl’svoice.
Herdreamcamebacktoher.
I’mawakenow,shethought.Awake.Awake.
Leapressedherearagainstthedoor.Then,picturingtheflowofblooddownthedoorway,thoughtbetterofitandpulledherheadback.
Shecouldhearthevoice,butshecouldn’tmakeoutanyof
thewords.
“Who’sinthere?”Leacried,notrecognizingherhigh-pitchedvoice.“Who’sthere?”
Shewaitedforareply.
Thevoiceontheothersideofthedoorstopped.
“Iknowyou’reinthere.Iheardyou,”Leacalled,tooexcitedtobeafraid.
Silence.
Eventhewindoutsideseemedtostopitssteadyrush.
I’mgoingtosolvethismysteryonceandforall,Leadecided.
Buthow?
“Areyouinthere?”sheshouted.
Silence.
Sheraisedbothfistsandpoundedonthedoor.
“Areyouinthere?Canyouhearme?”
Shelistened.
Silence.
Herheartwasracing.Hereyeswentoutoffocus,thenfocusedagain.Shefeltoutofcontrol.Buttherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit.
Shehadtoknowwhowaswalkingaroundinthere,talking,makingthosesounds.
Leagrabbedoneofthetwo-by-foursandtuggedatit.Theheavyboardwobbledinherhands.
It’sloose,sherealized.Icanpullitrightoff.
Shesteadiedherselfandpreparedtopull.
Anearsplittingroar—theroarofabombblast—madeherdroptheboard.Shestoodparalyzedbythedeafeningnoise—justasenormous,pointedironspikesshotoutatherthroughthedoor.
Leafellback,andthepointedspikesmissedtheirtarget.Asshestaredinhorror,thespikesslidbackintothedoorbeforecompletelydisappearing.
Buttheroarcontinued,
echoingdeafeninglythroughthelowattic.Sheexaminedherself,gaspingforbreath,herlegsweakandtrembling.“I’mokay,”shesaidoutloud.
“Isthisreallyhappening?”sheaskedherself.“Isitrealthistime?”
Sheturnedandrantothetrapdoor,jumpingontotheladder,nearlyfalling,finallysteadyingherselfbygrabbingthetoprungwithbothhands.
Herheartpounding,Leapulledthetrapdoorovertheopeningandsliddowntheladderontothehallfloor.Shestoodthereforalongtime,leaningagainstthecoldmetal,hereyessqueezedtight,tryingtocatchherbreath,tryingtostopherkneesfromshaking.
Theroarwasstillechoinginherears,asifithadfollowedherdowntheladder.She
shookherheadtryingtoridherselfofit,andbecameawareofanothersoundtoo.
Aringingsound.Verynearby.
Ittookherseveralringstorealizeitwasthephone.
Takinginadeepbreathandlettingitouttocalmherself,toslowherracingheartbeat,shemadeherwayintoherbedroomandhurriedtothe
nighttabletopickupthephone.
Howlonghaditbeenringing?
“Hello?”Hervoicecameoutshrillandtiny,likeacartoonmouse.
“Hello,Lea?”Aboy’svoice.Veryfamiliar,butshecouldn’tquiteplaceit.
“Yes,”shereplied
breathlessly.“Whoisthis?”
“ThisisDon.DonJacobs.”Thevoicesoundedtinny,faraway.Leacouldhearacarhonkinginthebackground,trafficsounds.
Shestartedtotalk,butnovoicecameout.Gottocalmdown,shetoldherself.Calm.Calm.Sheclearedherthroatandtriedagain.“Hi,Don.”
“Listen,Lea—uh,wouldyou
liketocomemeetme?I’matthemallonDivisionStreet.”
“Meetyou?”Ifonlyshecouldcleartheroarfromherears.Didhesayhewantedhertomeethim?
Calm.Calm.
“Yeah.Canyou?”Donasked.“Ireallywouldliketomakeituptoyou.Youknow,forbreakingthatdatelastSaturdayandeverything.”
Don’tdoit,avoicetoldher.
ButLeahadtogetoutofthehouse,awayfromtheroar,awayfromthenoisesandtheroomintheattic.
“Sure.I’llmeetyou,”shesaidgratefully.
Yes!I’mgettingoutofhere!Awayfromthiscreepyoldhouse!
Againshesawthespikes,felt
theimaginedpainofthemshootingintoherbody.Justafewminutesbefore.
“Whereareyou?”sheaskedeagerly,reachinguptopushherhairintoplace,tostraightenherbangs.
“What?I’matapayphone.It’sverynoisyhere,”hesaid,overahonkingcarhorn.
“WhereshallImeetyou?”sheasked,shoutingintoher
phone.
“HowaboutatPete’sPizza?Doyouknowwhereitis?”
“I’mnotsure.ButI’llfindit.”
“Great,Lea.Great.Hurry,okay?Maybewecanstillcatchamovie.It’snottoolate.”
“Okay.Bye,Don.I’monmyway.”
Leahungupandstartedtohercloset,thenbacktothephone,thentothecloset,thenshefinallystoppedinthemiddleofherroom.
Istheroomspinning,oramI?shewondered.
Shesliddownontotheedgeofherbed,breathinghard,andclosedhereyes.Shefeltqueasy.Theroaringinherearscontinued,justloudenoughtobeunsettling.
I’vegottogetoutofhere,shethought.
Ican’tbelievehecalled.Whatgoodtiming!
Shejumpedup,feelingquiveryallover,stillunabletoshakeawaythefear.
Somehowshemanagedtopullsomeclothesfromthecloset,acleanpairoftancorduroyslacksandanew
yellowBenettonsweater.Somehowshemanagedtogetdressedandfindthecarkeysandpullonherdownjacketandlockthefrontdoorandbackthecardownthedrive,thelittleten-year-oldHondaCivicthathadbecomemostlyhercar.Andsomehowshehaddriventhroughthedark,unfamiliarstreetstothemall.
Itbegantorainasshepulledintothenearlyvacantparking
lot.Moststoresclosedatnine.Severalrowswerestillfilledatoneendofthelot—mostlikelytheywerenearthemovietheater,shefigured.
Thewindshieldwipersscrapednoisily,smearingtheglass,makingitevenharderforLeatoseeastherainbattereddown,attackingthelittlecar.
WhatamIdoinghere?Leathought.
GoingtomeetDon,sheanswered.
Thethoughtcheeredher.Thesoundoftherainmadetheroaringinherheadfinallydisappear.Shepulledintoaspotattheendofthefirstrow,cuttheengineandtheheadlights,thewipersslidingnoisilyintoplace.Thenholdingherjacketoverherheadasarainhood,sheranacrossthepuddledasphaltto
thenearestentrance.
Theglassdoorwaslocked.Keepingthecoataboveherhead,Leacheckedinbothdirectionsandsawthesignsforthemovietheatertoherleft.Asshejoggedinthatdirection,thewindblowingasprayofcoldrainontoherface,hersneakerssplashedintoadeeppuddle.Shefeltcoldwatersoakintothecuffsofhercorduroypants.
I’mgoingtolookgreatwhenIfinallygetthere,shethoughtmiserably.
Therainletupabit.Thedouble-dooredentrancebesidethesixplextheaterwasopen,andLeaeagerlysteppedinside.Sheloweredherjacketandshookherselflikeadogafteraswim,watersplashingontothebright,patternedcarpet.
Pete’sPizzawasdirectly
acrossfromthemovietheater.Leacouldseethatitwascrowded,mostlywithyoungpeople.Laughterandloudvoicesdriftedoutintothemall,alongwiththetangyaromaofcheeseandtomatosauce.
Straighteningherhairwithherhand,shehalfran,halfwalkedtowardtherestaurant,pullingoffthedownjacketandtugginghersweater
down.Asshesteppedthroughtheopenentranceway,thevoicesgrewlouder.
Asshewalkedpastthecashierinfront,shesawDon.Hewassittinginaboothinthemiddleoftherestaurant,facingher.Shegavehimaquickwave,buthedidn’tseemtonoticeher.
“Hi,Don,”Leacalledhappily,steppinguptotheboothandstartingtotossher
jacketdown.
Andthenshesawthatsomeonewassittingacrossthetablefromhim.
Marci!
“Oh,”Leautteredweakly,hermouthdroppingopen.
MarciturnedtoLea.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”shedemandednastily.
“I…”LealookedatDon.But
heonlyblushedandgaveaquick,almostimperceptibleshrugbeforeturningawayinembarrassment.
“Ijustwantedtosayh-hi,”Leastammered,feelingherfaceredden.
Donwassignalingherwithhiseyesnow,obviouslytryingtotellLeathatthiswasn’thisidea,thatMarcihadjustshownup.
“It’sgreattoseeyou,”Marcisaidsarcastically.“ButDonandIreallywouldliketobealone.”ShereachedacrossthetableandputherhandoverDon’s.
Donseemedtobeveryuncomfortable,buthedidn’tpullhishandaway.“Uh—Lea,whydon’tyoujoinus?”heasked.
He’sreallyweak,Leadecided.
“No,thanks.I’vegottogo.Haveanicenight,”Leasaid,tryingtosoundcoolandtogether.Buthervoicequaveredwhenshesaidit,revealinghowupsetshewas.
Sheranblindlytowardthedoorway—andcollidedwithawaitresscarryingatrayofsodas.Thewaitressscreamed.Thetrayhitthefloorwithaclatteringcrash.Glassesshattered.Ariverofbrown
sodarolledoverthefloor.
“Oh—I’msorry!”Leacried,muchlouderthanshehadintended.
Everyoneturnedtogawk.LeasawMarciandDonstaringather.Marci,craninghernecktosee,hadabroadgrinonherface.
Readytoburstwithrage,Leafledintothenearlyemptymallandkeptrunning,her
jacketheldoutinfrontofher,untilshewasbackintherain.
IcouldkillMarci,shethought.Killher!
HowcouldDondothistome?
Thesteadyrainfeltcoldonherhair,onhershouldersasitsoakedthroughhersweater.Butshedidn’tputonthejacket.
Shewalkedslowlynow,asifinadaze,notevensureifshewasheadingintherightdirection.Therushoftheraindrownedoutallothersounds.
ButshecouldstillhearMarci’shaughtyvoicerepeatinginherears:“DonandIreallywouldliketobealone.”
I’veneverbeensohumiliated,Leathought,rivuletsofcoldrainwater
drippingdownherforeheadandcheeks.
Stillcarryingherjacketinbothhands,shedidn’tbothertobrushtherainaway.
WhatdidIeverdotoher,anyway?
AndwhatisDon’sproblem?
Ishetotallyterrifiedofher?Didhedeliberatelytrickme?Didshemakehimcallme
tonight?Wasithisidea?
Heactedsoembarrassed,souncomfortablewhenIarrived.Itcouldn’thavebeenhisidea,Leadecided.Marcimusthavearrivedafterhecalledme.
Whydidhejustsitthere?Whydidn’thedoanythingtohelpme?
Sheopenedthecardoorandtossedherjacketacrossthe
seat.Thensheslidbehindthewheel,totallydrenched,shiveringfromthecold,buttooangry,toofurioustonotice.
Neveragain,shethought,fumblinginherjacketpocketforthecarkeys.Neveragain.
Backtothedreary,emptyhouse.
Uptoherbedroom,pullingthewetsweateroffoverher
head.
Shetookahotshowerandshampooedherhair,butitdidn’tmakeherfeelanybetter.
Ineverwould’vegoneifIhadn’tbeensoterrifiedtostayhomealone,shethought.
Ineverwould’veagreedtomeethimifI’dbeenthinkingclearly.
Well,nowMarciwillhaveanotherhilariousstorytotellherfriends,Leathoughtbitterly,climbingintobed.AndeveryoneatShadysidewillhaveanotherbiglaughatmyexpense.
Shecouldfeeltearswellingupinhereyesandfoughtbacktheurgetocry.
IcouldkillMarci.Ireallycould.
Herbitterthoughtswereinterruptedjustthenbysoundsaboveherhead.
Footstepsagain.
Theceilingcreakedundertheirweight.
Theywerefootsteps.Nodoubtaboutit.
Rightoverherhead.
Thudthudthud.
Thenbacktheotherway.
Thudthudthud.
Iwon’tbestoppedthistime,Leatoldherself.I’mgoingtofindoutwhoiswalkingupthere—andIwon’tbefrightenedaway.
Shehadpulledonherrobeandrubberthongsandwasclimbingtheladderoutside
herroom.Afat,blackflybuzzedslowlyaroundthelightfixtureinthehallway,oneofthelastfliesofautumn.
“Don’tyouknowyou’resupposedtobedead?”Leacalledtoit,justtohearhervoice.
Shepushedthetrapdoorupandawayandblinked,surprisedtofindtheatticlighton.
Thensherememberedthatshemusthaveleftitonwhenshefledtheatticearlier.
I’mnotgoingtorunthistime,shethought,pullingherselfupintotheyellowlightoftheatticandclimbingtoherfeet,wrappingtherobearoundher,retyingtheclothbeltmoresecurely.
“ThistimeI’mgoingtolearnyoursecret,”shesaidloudly
tothelockeddoor.Talkingoutloudseemedtogivehercourage,tostrengthenherresolve.
Shestoodafewfeetfromthedoor,studyingit,hereyesmovingslowlyfromthetoptothefloor.
Notracesofblood.Noironspikes.
Noroar.
Shetookatentativestepcloser,thefloorboardsqueakinginprotestbeneathher.Sheleanedforwardtoexaminethedoorinthestrangeyellowlight.
Theboardscrisscrossingthedoorwerecoveredwithathicklayerofdust,shesaw.Theywerelinedwithdeeprutsandcracks,andwerewarpedfromageandfromthedrynessoftheattic.
Thenailheadsprotrudingfromthetwo-by-fourswererusted.Oneoftheboardswasnearlycrackedinhalfandsaggedinthemiddle,heldupbyonlyafewnails.
ItwasobviouseventoLea,whodidn’thavemuchknowledgeorskillincarpentry,thatthenailshadbeenhastilypoundedin.Manyofthemwerecrooked,thenailheadsstickingoutat
oddangles.Someofthenailshadbeenpoundedinonlyhalfway.
Whoeverputuptheseboards,Leathought,wasn’tmuchofacarpenterorwasinaterriblybighurry.
Mrs.Thomas,therealestateagent,hadsaidthatthedoorhadbeenlockedandboardedupforoverahundredyears.Theboardslookedthatold,Leadecided,butthedoor
itselfcouldhavebeenputupthedaybefore.
Thewoodwassmoothandunblemished.Itdidn’tappeartheleastbitwarpedorcracked.Nordidthebrassdoorknobshowanyage.Itwasbright,shinyalmost,asifitwereregularlypolished.
Studyingthedoorcarefully,scientifically,madeLeafeelmoreconfident.Shesteppedrightuptothedoorand,
pressingherearagainstthesmoothwood,listened.
Shepulledawayquickly.
Itsoundedasifsomeonewascryingontheotherside.
Leaningbotharmsagainstthedoor,pressingherfaceforward,shelistenedagain.
Yes.Itsoundedlikeayoungpersoninthere.Andthatpersonwassobbing.
“Hello!”Leacalledexcitedly.“Issomeoneinthere?Canyouhearme?”
Shelistened.
Thecryingstopped.Therewasonlysilence.
Thenagirl’svoice,muffledbythethickdoor,butclearenoughtohear,calledouttoLea.“Openthedoor!Please—openthedoor!”
Lealeaptbackinsurprise.
“Oh!”
Therereallywassomeoneontheotherside,someonelockedin,boardedup.
Buthowcouldthatbe?
Takingadeepbreath,Leamovedbacktothedoor.“Whoareyou?”sheshoutedloudly.
Silence.
“Whoareyou?Howdidyougetinthere?”Leaasked.
Silence.
Thenthegirl’svoicepleadingagain,soundingveryfrightened,veryunhappy.“Openthedoor.Please—openthedoor.”
Leastaredopenmouthed.
Shouldshedoit?
Shouldsheopenthedoor?
“Pleaseopenthedoor!”
Thegirlontheothersideofthedoorrepeatedherdesperateplea.
“Please!”
Leawasfrozenbyindecision.
Afrighteningpictureflashedintohermind.Shesawahideousmonsterwithredeyesbulgingoutofitssocketsandgreenslimedroolingfromitsfang-filledmouth.Themonsterwashulkingontheothersideofthelockeddoor,disguisingitsvoice,usingthevoiceofafrightenedgirlinordertofoolLea.Oncethedoorwasopened,itwouldgrowlinitsnatural,disgusting,horrifying
voice—andpounce.
Leaclosedhereyestightlyandforcedthegruesomepicturefromhermind.
“Pleaseopenthedoor!”themuffledvoice,nowevenmorefrightenedanddesperate,calledouttoLea.
“I-I’llberightback,”Leareplied.
Shehadmadeherdecision.
Shehaddecidedtounlockthedoor.
Downtheladder.Throughthehallwayanddownthestairs,herheartpounding,hermindracingcrazilyfromthoughttothought,wildpicturesforminginherheadofwhatthegirlinsidetheroomlookedlike.Shefoundherfather’sbigmetaltoolchestinthebackpantrybehindthekitchen.Sheshuffledthrough
it,herhandsmovingrapidly,randomlytossingthingsaside,untilshefoundthebiggestclawhammershecouldfind.Shefoundasmallsledgehammerbehindthechestandgrabbedittoo.
Andthenbackupthestairs,toolsinhand.Sheglancedattheclockonthekitchenstoveasshepassed.Nearlymidnight.Herparentsshouldbehomesoon.
Whatasurpriseforthem,shethought.
Whatasurpriseforeveryone.
Cradlingtheheavytoolsinherarms,Leastruggledbackupthemetalladderandhurriedtothelockedatticdoor.
“Areyoustillthere?”shecalledloudly,droppingthesledgehammertothefloor.
“Yes.”Thevoicesoundedsotinynow,sofaraway.“Willyoubesokindastoopenthedoor?”
“I-I’lltry,”Leasaiduncertainly.
“Pleaseopenthedoor!”
“I’mgoingtotry!”Learepeatedasloudlyasshecould.Thegirlsoundedsodistant,Leawasn’tsureshecouldhearher.
Leareachedupandpulledonthehighesttwo-by-four.Itgaveslightlyandpulledawayfromthedoorframe.
Notbad,Leathought,encouraged.ThismaynotbeashardasIthought.
Shechangedthepositionofherhandsontheboard,grippedittightly,andtugged.Theboardwasdryandhadweakenedovertheyears.Itcrackedandsqueakedasone
endpulledcompletelyofftheframe,leavingthenailsinplace.Leausedtheclawhammerontheotherendandprieditoffquickly,almosteffortlessly.Shelettheboardfalltotheflooratherfeet,thenbentoverandtuggeditoutoftheway.
Onedown,twomoretogo,shethought,pleasedwithherself.
Theoldboardswere
practicallyrotten,sherealized.Shepulledtheremainingtwooffaseasilyasthefirst—shedidn’tevenneedthehammer—anddraggedthemtothecenterofthefloor.
“Areyouokayinthere?”Leacalledin.
Silence.
“Canyouhearme?Areyouokay?”
“Pleaseopenthedoor,”thevoicecalled.
“I’mtrying!”Leashouted.“I’vepulledofftheboards.NowIjusthavetofigureouthowtounlockthedoor.”
“Pleasehurry,”thegirlcalled.
Leabentdowntoexaminethedoorknobandthelockbeneathit.Tohershock,shesawabrasskeyinthelock.
“There’sakey,”Leaannouncedexcitedlytothegirlontheotherside.“Icanunlockthedoornow!”
“Please—unlockit!”thevoicepleaded.
Leapausedforabriefmoment,herhandgrippingthemetalkey.Onceagainshepicturedahulkingmonster,coveredinhairandslimeandblood,waitingeagerlyontheotherside,cleverlycallingto
herinitsbestimitationofagirl’svoice.
ButLeahesitatedforonlyasecond.Thensheturnedthekey.Thelockclickedsoftly.
Leaturnedtheknobandpulledopentheheavydoor.
Leafoundherselfstaringintoabeautifullydecorated,old-fashioned-lookinggirl’sbedroom.Theroomwaslitwithcandles,twoonatall,mahoganydresserflickeringagainstthebackwallandoneinsideaglasshurricanelamp,glowingbrightlyfromalow
tableinthecorner.
Thewallswerepaperedindarkmaroonwallpaperthatappearedtobetextured,likefelt.Alargecanopybed,allpinkandsatiny,withaheavy,quiltedpinkbedspread,practicallyfilledtheroom.
Andsittingonthecanopybed,herhandsfoldedinherlap,wasagirl.
Thegirlappearedtobeabout
Lea’sage.Shewasbeautifulinaveryold-fashionedkindofway.
Herhairwasamassofgoldenringlets,wornwithoutapart,thetightyellowcurlstumblingontoherforeheadanddownthesidesofherperfectoval-shapedface.Ablackvelvethairribbonwastiedacrossthecrownofherhead.
Shehadwhiteskinthat
lookedasifithadneverseenthesun,andtinyfeatures,smallblueeyes,aperfect,straightnose,atinymouth.
Shewaswearingahigh-neckedwhiteblousethatseemedasifitwouldbestiffanduncomfortable.Rufflesrandownthefront,andthesleeveswerelongandpuffyattheshoulders.Herblackwoolskirtcamedownoverhershoes.Itlookedheavy
andcumbersome.
She’slikealittleVictoriandoll,thoughtLea,staringinfromthedoorway.She’sevensmallerthanDeena,andmoreangeliclooking.
Thetwogirlsstaredateachotherforalongtimewithoutspeaking.Thegirlonthebedsatveryerect,keepingherhandsinherlap.Nothingmovedexceptfortheflickeringshadowscausedby
thecandlelight.
FinallyLeagotoverhershockwellenoughtobreakthesilence.“Whoareyou?”sheasked.Shewasstillstandingwithonehandonthedoor.
“Thisismyhouse,”thegirlsaid.Hermouthwidenedintoasmile.Hereyessparkledinthecandle-light.
“What?”Leagrippedthe
doortightly.
“Thisismyhouse.Ilivehere,”thegirlrepeated.Hervoicewastinyandsoundedlikeasmallchild’svoice.
“Buthowdidyougetinhere?”Leainsisted.“Imean,uphere?Inthisroom?”
“Doyoulikemyroom?”thegirlaskedeagerly.Sheslidoffthepinkquiltandstoodup.Shemovedherhandina
sweepingmotion,showingoffherroom.Herhand,likeasmall,whitedove,flutteredinthelongcandlelitshadows.
“Yes,it’sverynice,”Leasaiduncertainly,fearbeginningtocreepupherspine.“ButIdon’treallyunderstand.”
“I’vebeensoterriblylonely,”thegirlsaid,tiltingherheadtooneside,thegoldenringletsfallingwithit.“Soterriblylonely,forsomany
years.”
She’saghost,Learealized,staringwide-eyedasthegirlslowlybegantomovetowardher,astrangesmileonherlips.
Aghost.
Butthat’simpossible—isn’tit?
“I’vebeensoverylonely,”thegirlsaid,stretchingher
armsouttowardLeaasshewalkedtowardher.Herexpressionwassoneedy,so—hungry.
Thegirlshimmeredinthecandlelight,herimagefadingintheshadows,thengrowingbrightagainwhenshemovedintothelight.
Aghost,Leathought.
Comingtowardme,herarmsoutstretched.
“No!”
Leahadn’tevenrealizedthatshehadutteredthecry.Shebeganbackingup,backingtowardthesafetyoftheattic.
“Pleasedon’tgo,”thegirlpleadedinhertinyvoice.
“You’reaghost,”Leamumbled,takinganotherstepback,grippedwithfear,heavyfearthatweightedherlegs,thatmadeeverystepa
struggle.
“I’msolonely,”thegirlsaid,forminghersmalllipsintoachild’spout.“CanItouchyou?CanItouchyourhair?”
“No!”Leascreamedagain,herterrormakinghervoicehighandhoarse.“No—please!”
“Iwon’thurtyou,”thegirlsaid,herarmsstilloutstretched,herface
glowinginthedimcandlelight,hereyessparklinglikepalejewels.
“No!”
Leaslammedthedoorshutand,strugglingtocontrolhertremblinghand,turnedthekeyinthelock.
Thenshestoodstaringatthesmoothwoodofthedoor,lickingherlips,swallowinghard,hermouthdry,her
throatchokedwithfear,tryingtocatchherbreath.
Inevershouldhavepulledofftheboards,shethought.Inevershouldhaveopenedthatdoor.
“Pleasedon’tgoaway,”thetinyvoicecalledfromtheothersideofthelockeddoor,“I’msolonely.Ijustwanttotouchyourhair.”
“Thiscan’tbereal,”Leasaid
aloud.Sheturnedandrantotheladder.
Shewasawakenedthenextmorningbythewindrattlinghertwinbedroomwindows.Thenoisestartledherawake.Shesatstraightupinbed.Theroomfeltcold.Themorningskyoutsidethewindowswasgrayandthreatening.
Hercoverswereheapedatthe
footofherbed,andLearealizedshemusthavekickedthemoffinthenight.
WhileIwashavingthatdream,shethought.
Itwasadream—wasn’tit?
Leahadnomemoryofleavingtheatticafterseeingtheghost.Shedidn’trememberturningofftheatticlight,orclimbingbackdownthemetalladder,replacing
thetrapdoor,returningtoherroom,orgettingintobed.
Ithadtohavebeenadream,shetoldherself.Averyvividandfrighteningnightmare.
Soreal.Somanydetails.
Butadreamnevertheless.
Atbreakfastshedecidednottotroubleherparentswithit.Herdadhadalreadybeentothelumberyard,which
openedearlyonSundaymorningsforpeoplelikehim,andheandhermotherwereheatedlydiscussingtheirprojectfortheday—therenovationofthescreened-inporchonthesideofthehouse.
They’resowrappedupintheirplans,theydon’tevenknowI’mhere,Leathought.Shefeltamusedbytheirchildlikeenthusiasm,butalso
alittlehurt,alittleleftout.
AsLeawasfinishingherpancakes,soppingupthelastdropofdarksyrupfromherplate,thephonerang.ItwasDeena,askingifLea’dliketogototheindoortennisclubDeenabelongedtoandhitafewballs.
Leadressedquickly,pleasedbytheinvitation.Watchingtheskygrowmorethreateningoutsideher
bedroomwindows,shepulledonapairofgraysweatpantsandamatchingsweatshirt.Thenshesearchedherdresserdrawersforamoreappropriatetennisoutfittochangeintoattheclub.
It’llfeelgoodtogetsomeexercise,shethought.AndI’llbeabletotellDeenaabouttheweirddreamIhadlastnight.
DeenapickedLeaupinher
parents’stationwagon.Drivingthroughthegraystreets,alight,wetsnowbeginningtofall,shetalkedaboutLuke,hernewboyfriend,tellingLeaabouttheconcerthetookhertothenightbefore,notleavingoutasingledetail,asfarasLeacouldtell.
Itwaswarmandbrightinsidethedomedtennisclub,andmostofthecourtsweretaken
eventhoughitwasSundaymorning.Astheybegantovolley,LeacouldtellrightawaythatDeenawasthebetterplayer.
Theyvolleyedforawhile,thenplayedagame.“Ireallyneedanewracket,”LeaapologizedaftermissingtwoofDeena’sservesinarow.
It’sfunnyhowpeoplestareattheirracketsaftermissingaballormessingup,Lea
thought.Asiftheracketwereatfaultandnotthearmthatswungit.
Deenaeaseduponherserve,andthetwogirlscontinuedtheirgame.“Youhaveaprettygoodbackhand,”Deenasaidastheychangedintotheirstreetclothesafterward.
“Youwenteasyonme,”Leasaid,alittleembarrassed.
“Alittlebit,”Deenaadmitted.“Butonlyalittlebit.”
Bothgirlslaughed.
Outside,thesnowhadstopped,buttheskyremainedgrayandthreateningandthesidewalkswerewet.
AstheywalkedtoDeena’scar,Leabegantotellheraboutthedream,aboutpullingtheboardsoffthedoor,abouttheold-fashioned
bedroom,andthegirlbehindthedoor.
Asshetalked,herbreathformedpuffsofwhitevaporinfrontofher.Likeghosts,shethought.Ghostsfloatingupandvanishing.
“AndthenIwokeupandrememberedeverydetailofthedream,”Leasaid,fasteningherseatbeltasDeenapulledawayfromthecurb.“Icouldevenremember
thesmellofthelittlebedroom.Ithadawoodsmell,sortofpiney,butstalesmelling,old.”
“Weird,”Deenasaid,hereyesstraightaheadontheroad.
“Itwasveryfrightening,”Leatoldher.“Partlybecauseitallseemedsoreal.Andpartlybecausethegirlwasso—soneedy,sodesperateformetostay.”
Deenadroveinsilenceforawhile,slowingtoturnontoLea’sstreet,FearStreet.“I’venevermoved,”shesaidfinally,glancingatLea,thenbacktothestreet.“I’velivedinthesamehousehereinShadysidemyentirelife.SoIdon’treallyknowwhatitmustbelike.Youknow.Todowhatyoujustdid.Movetoanewtown,anewhouse,awholenewworld.Itmustbe
prettyscary.”Shepausedthoughtfully,andthenadded,“EspeciallylivingonFearStreet.”
“Yeah,itis,Iguess,”Leaadmitted.“ButI’vemovedbefore.”
“Whenyoumovedbefore,didyouhavebaddreamsthentoo?”Deenaaskedthoughtfully.
“No.Well,yeah.Idon’t
know.Ireallydon’tremember,”Leasaid,watchingtheoldhousesonFearStreetslipby,grayandominouslookingunderthedarkeningsky.
“Afteryou’veadjusted,”Deenacontinued.“Imean,afteryou’vegottenusedtothenewhouseandeverything,thenightmaresareboundtostop,don’tyouthink?”
“Yeah,Iguess,”Leasaiddoubtfully.
“Youjusthavesomanyanxieties,andtheyhavetocomeoutsomehow,”Deenasaid,pullingintoLea’sdrive.
“Yeah,you’reprobablyright,”Leasaid,grippinghertennisrackettightlyinherlap.“Well,thanksfortheconsultation,Doctor.”
Deenalaughed.“Youcan
writemeachecklater.”
Leareachedforthedoorhandle,butDeenagrabbedherarm.Thesmilehadfadedfromherface.“Youknow,Ishouldtellyousomething,”shesaidseriously,keepingherhandonLea’sjacketsleeve.
“What?”Lealetgoofthedoorhandle.
“Well—Idon’twanttoupset
youevenmoreoranything…”Deenasaid,staringoutthewindshield.
“Deena—what?”Leaaskedimpatiently.
“Well,you’vemadearealenemyofMarciHendryx.”
“TellmesomethingIdon’tknow,”Leasnappedbitterly.Shegrabbedthedoorhandleagain.
“No.Listen,”Deenasaidwithsomeurgency.“Marciisspreadingallthesestupidstoriesaboutyoualloverschool.She’ssayingthatyou’rethrowingyourselfatDon,andthathethinksyou’rejustpathetic.Andshetoldsomekidsthatyoudidthesamethingatyouroldschool.”
Leasighedwearily.“She’ssomean.”
“Well,juststayawayfromher.AndstayawayfromDontoo.MarciwilldoanythingtoholdontoDon.Youreallydon’twantherasanenemy.Iwouldn’ttellyouallthis,but—”
“No.I’mgladyoudid,”Leareplied.ShesqueezedDeena’shandandthenopenedthecardoor.“Really.Thanks,”shesaid,slidingoutofthecar.
“Talktoyoulater,”Deenacalledouttoher.
Leawatchedherbackdownthedrive,thenlinedhereyestothesky,darkasevening,theairheavywiththepromiseofmoresnow.
Theoldhouseloomedoverherlikeashadowygiant.Lea’seyesmoveduptheweatheredshinglestohertwinbedroomwindows.Wassomeonestaringdownather
fromthewindowontheleft?
No.
Itwasjustthereflectionofatree.
Getagriponyourself,Lea,shethought,shivering.
Thehouseseemedtolaughatherfoolishness,ahigh-pitchedwhineofalaugh.IttookLeaafewsecondstorealizethatthesoundcame
fromherfather’spowersaw.
Shecouldseehimworkingontheporchwall.Shecalledtohim,butthepowersawstarteditswhiningagain,drowningouthervoice.
Frowning,shegaveupandhurriedintothehouse.
Shespenttheafternoonhelpingherfather.Heusuallyinsistedondoingeverythinghimself.Butthatdayhe
actuallylethermeasureandmarksomeboards.Andwhilehetookabreaktohaveacupoftea,hereluctantlyagreedtoallowhertohammerinsomenails.Hestoodrightoverhershoulder,watchingeveryswingofthehammerintently,untilshefinallyhadtostopandplayfullyshovehimaway.
ItwasthefirstfunLeahadhadintheirnewhouse.Butit
endedafteronlyafewhours,whenhermotherreturnedfromshoppingwithsixVenetianblindsthatsheinsistedbeputupinthedownstairsbedroomsimmediately.
Thateveningherparentswererelaxingfromtheirday-longhomeimprovementefforts,watchingTVintheden,aPBSnaturedocumentaryaboutgorillas.
“Theyshowthesamegorillashoweveryweek,”Leacomplained.
“Thesearedifferentgorillas,”herfathersaid,straight-faced.
Leawentuptoherroomtotakeanotherstabatthechapterinthegovernmenttextsheshouldhavereaddaysbefore.Theheathadcomeon.Theradiatoragainstthewallmadeapleasant,steamysound.
It’ssowarmandtoastyinhere,IhopeIdon’tfallasleep,Leathought,adjustingherdesklampoverthetextbook.
Shereadforafewminutes,thenstretched,theheatoftheroommakingherfeeldrowsyasshehadpredicted.
Andthensheheardthesoftthudoverherhead.
Sheslammedthetextbookshut.
I’mfullyawakenow,shethought.
OramI?
Formostofthedayshehadbeenabletoforceallthoughtsoftheatticoutofhermind.But,standingup,pushingherdeskchairback,Learealizedshehadtoreturntotheattic.
Shehadtoknowthetruth.Shehadtoknowifithadallbeenavivid,terrifyingnightmareornot.
OutinthehallshecouldhearthelowmurmuroftheTVfromdownstairs.Itwascoolerouthere.Shefeltwide-awakenow.
Takingadeepbreath,shegrabbedthesidesoftheladderandbegantoclimb.
Thedoorwillbelockedandboardedup,justasithadbeenforahundredyears,shetoldherself.JustasitwaswhenIdraggedDeenaupherelastSaturdaynight.
DeenareallymustthinkI’mcrazy.
MaybeIam….
Thedoorslidawayeasily.Leagrabbedtheframeandhoistedherselfupintothe
attic.
Tohersurprise,thelightwason,castingitspaleyellowlightacrossthelow,narrowspace.IttookLeaamomenttocatchherbalance.Then,duckingherheadunderthelowceiling,sheturnedtowardthehiddenroom.
“Oh!”
Thecryescapedherlipsasshesawthetwo-by-foursina
pileontheatticfloor.
Justasshehadlefttheminthedream.
Whichwasn’tadream.
Shesteppedforward,leaneddown,andtouchedoneoftheboards,justtomakesureitwasreal,itwassolid.
Yes.
Then,withoutthinkingaboutit,shesteppeduptothedoor
and,withatremblinghand,turnedthekeyinthelockandpushedthedooropen.
Theroomwasjustasshehadrememberedit.
Leagrippedthedoorknobtightly.Shesuddenlyfeltlight-headed,unsteady.Herkneesstartedtotremble,asiftheycouldn’tsupportherweight.
“Don’tbeafraid,”thegirlsaid.“Iwon’thurtyou.
Really,Iwon’t.”Shestoodinfrontofthedresseratthebackoftheroom,herhandsathersides,gentlysmoothingherlongblackskirt.
Leastaredwide-eyedather,asifwillinghertodisappear.
Thegirlshimmeredandseemedtofadeforasecond,flickeredasthecandlelightflickered.
Icanseerightthroughher,
Leathought,fascinatedandhorrifiedatthesametime.
“MynameisCatherine,”thegirlsaid,loweringhereyesshyly.
Leaexhalednoisily.Shesuddenlyrealizedthatshehadforgottentobreathe.Catherinewatchedherexpectantly,waitingforhertoreply.
ButLeawastoofrightenedto
tellCatherinehername,toooverwhelmedtostandthereandhaveapoliteconversation.
ShewantedCatherinetobeadream.
Shewantedtheroomtobelockedagain,fortheboardstobebackinplace.Shewantedtobedownstairs,safeinherroom.
“Please—”Catherinestarted
inherbreathy,little-girlvoice.
“Areyouaghost?”Leablurtedout,stillstandingintheframeofthedoorway,herhandonthedoorknob.
“Yes,”Catherinerepliedwithouthesitating.Thensheaddedwithsomesadness,“Ittookmesolongtofinditout.Somanyyearstoacceptit.But,yes,Iacceptitnow.Ireallyhavenochoice,doI?”
Sheraisedhersmallwhitehandsinagestureofhelplessness.
“Andnowyou’regoingtohauntme?”Leademanded.
IntheshadowylightitwashardtotellifCatherine’sexpressionwasoneofconfusionorhurt.Herentireformdarkeneduntilshewasjustanoutline,abillowingpuffofsmoke.Then,slowly,herfaceandbodyfilledin
again.ShestudiedLeaforawhile,thensaid,“I’msorry.Idonotunderstand.”
“Howdidyougethere?Whatareyoudoinghere?”Leaasked.
“Itoldyou.Thisismyhouse.”
“Butitisn’t,”Leatoldherimpatiently.“It’snotyourhouse.It’smyhouse.”
“Pleasecomeinandsitdown,”Catherineinsisted,motioningtotheedgeofthecanopybed.“Iwon’tharmyou.Ipromise.Ihavebeensolonelyforsomanyyears.Ijustwanttotalk.”
Leareluctantlyletgoofthedoorknobandtookafewstepsintotheroom,makingsuretoleavethedoorfullyopen.
Ifshemakesanymoveatall,
I’llbeoutofhereinaflash,shetoldherself.ButshehadtoadmitthatCatherineseemedprettyharmless.Andtrulysadandlonely.
Shelookslikeasadlittlegirlplayingdress-upinthosebig,old-fashionedclothes,Leathought.
“Howlonghaveyoubeenaghost?”Leaasked,standinginthecenteroftheroom,herarmscrossed,asiffor
protection.
“Idon’treallyknow,”Catherinereplied,turningtostaredownatthecandleonthedresser.“I’velostalltrackoftime.I’vehadnocontactwiththeoutsideworld.ForalongtimeIjustseemedtofloat.Iwasn’tinthisroom,andIwasn’tanywhere.Iwasjustfloating.”
Asshetalkedherhair,awaterfallofringlets,
brightenedtoagoldenglow,framingherperfectfeaturesinlight.Herexpressionrigidwithsadness,Catherinefloatedtoastiff-backed,woodenchairbesidethecanopybedandsatdown.
“AtfirstIthoughtitwasalladream,along,strangedream,”Catherinecontinued.“ButintimeIcametorealizethetruth.ThatIwasdead.ThatIhaddiedinmyown
house.ThatIwasnowaspirit,aghostMerelyaghost.”
Sheraisedherpale,whitehandsandcoveredherface.Leacouldn’ttellifshewascryingornot,butherwholebodytrembled,fadedintoasmokygrayvapor,disappearedforabriefsecond.Whenshereappearedafewsecondslater,Catherine’sfacewascalm,
composed.
“Youdiedinthishouse?”Leaasked.Thegirlseemedsosmall,sosad,sohelplessthatLeafoundherselflosingsomeofherfear.Shesatdowngingerlyontheedgeofthebed,sinkingintothesoftpinkquilt,andleanedtowardCatherinetolistentoherstory.
“Iwasmurderedinthishouse.”
Catherine’swordscameoutinhersoftvoice,flatandwithoutemotion.Herchintrembledslightly,theonlysignofthefeelingsbehindthewords.
“Murdered?”Leasuddenlyfeltchilled,despitethewarmthoftheatticroom.Thefragrantaromaofburningcandlewaxbecametoosweet,andshefeltasifitwouldchokeher.
“TheysaidIwasevil,”Catherinewhispered,asifrevealingalong-heldsecret.“AllmylifefromthetimeIwasborn.Iwastheirevilsecret.”
“Butwhy?”Leaasked.“Whatdidyoudo?”
“WhatdidIdo?”Catherinelaughed,ahigh-pitchedchild’slaugh.Thelaughturnedscornful,thendied
abruptly,andherfacedarkened.“Iwasborn.That’swhatIdid.Iwasborn,andtheyweren’tyetmarried.”
“Isee,”Leasaidquietly.
“AndsoIbecametheirevilsecret.Theylockedmeup,inthisveryroom.Theykeptmeprisonerheremyentirelife.Theywereafraidthatsomeonewouldfindoutaboutme,thattheirpreciousreputationswouldberuined.”
Catherinefadeduntilnothingremainedbutthechalky,whiteoutlineofherface,floatingoverthewhite,high-collaredblouse.Whenshereturnedtoview,hereyesburnedintoLea’s.
“Canyouimaginethehorrorofit?”sheasked.“Myentirelifespentinthistinyroom,betweenthesefourwalls,underthislowceiling.Thisroomwasmyprison.My
cage.AndallbecauseofsomethingIhadnocontrolover—mybirth.
“Theyweretheevilones.Notme,”shecontinued,moreloudly,hervoicefillingwithvehemence.“Theyweretheevilones,soeviltheywouldbringupachildasacagedanimal.”
Shestoppedforamomentandsighed,hersadeyesliquid,wetinthedarklight,
herhandsclaspedinherlap,hiddeninthefoldsoftheblackskirt.
“Itriedtoescape,”shecontinuedafteramoment.“Ipackedupmyfewbelongings.Ihadbeenworkingonthedoorlockformonths.Ihaditallplanned.Ididn’tknowwhatwasontheothersideofthedoor.Ihadneverseentheoutsideworld.ButIcouldhearvoices
outside.Thesoundsofhoofbeats,ofcarriagewheels.Iheardmyparentsandtheirfriendsdownstairs.Iknewtherewasmoretotheworldthanmytinyroom.IknewIhadtoescape.”
“Anddidyou?”Leaasked,leaningforward,supportingherchininherhands,drawnintothetragicstory.
“MyparentscaughtmeasIwasabouttoleavethehouse.
Ifoughtthem.Theykilledme.”Hervoicebecameflatagain,flatandemotionless.Theglowlefthereyes.Herentireformdarkened.“Theykilledmeandbroughtmebackuptothisroom,myprison,mycage.Andthenthecagebecamemytomb.”
Lealookedaway,turnedhereyestotheflickeringcandlesonthedressertop.Shecouldn’tbeartoseethegrief,
thelookofbetrayalonCatherine’sface.
Neithergirlsaidanythingforawhile.ThenCatherinebrokethesilence.“Icametoacceptitintime,”shesaidsoftly.“IcametoacceptthefactthatIwasnolongeralive,nolongerfleshandblood.ThatIwasfloating,floatingthroughtheyears,aspiritreflectionofmyself.Look.Icanmakemyselffade
anddisappear.”
Catherinedarkenedtosmoke,andthenthesmokefellaway.
“AndIcanmakemyselfappearandglowmorebrightlythananylivingcreature.”Thevoicecameoutofair,butasshespoke,Catherinereappeared,theimagebrighterandbrighteruntilhergoldenhairseemedasfieryasthesun,andLeahadtoshieldhereyes.
Catherinelaughed,abitterlaugh.“ThereisonlyonethingIhavenotbeenabletodo.Ihavenotbeenabletoleavethisroom.”
Leaabruptlyjumpedtoherfeet.“No,”shesaid,speakingmoretoherselfthantoCatherine.“No.I’msorry.Idon’tbelievethis.Idon’tbelieveanyofthis.Thisisn’thappening.”
CatherinewasonherfeettooLeawassurprisedtoseethatshewasatleastafoottallerthanCatherine.“Youmustbelieveme,”theghostinsisted.“Youmust!”
“No.I’msorry.Ihavetogo,”Leasaid,feelingthefearriseupfromherstomach,chokeherthroat.“I’msorry.Thiscan’tbereal.”Sheturnedtowardtheopendoor.
“Please!”Catherinecried.
Ihavetogetoutofhere,outofthishorrifyingdream,Leathought.Shestartedforthedoor.
“Please—I’vebeensolonely,”Catherinepleadedbreathlessly.“Justletmetouchyou.Letmetouchyourhair.”
AsLeamovedtothedoor,shefeltherhairbeinggrabbed.Coldfingerspulled
atherhair,small,coldfingers,butstrong,frighteninglystrong.
“Whatbeautifulhair!”Catherineexclaimed,tighteninghergrip,pullingLeabackbythehairandturningherarounduntiltheywerefacetoface.Catherine’seyesglowedlikeblackoilinmoonlight.“Whatbeautifulhair.”
“Letgoofme!”Leacried.
“Letgo!You’rehurtingme!”
Catherinesmiledandpulledharder.“Whatbeautifulhair.We’regoingtobegreatfriends—aren’twe!”
“Letgoofmyhair!”Leacried.“Please—letgoofmyhair!”
“Letgohome!”
Withascreamofterror,LeafinallyyankedherselfoutofCatherine’stightgraspandranblindlyfromtheroom.
Intotheharshyellowlightoftheattic,ablurofshadows
chasingher.Gaspingforbreath,herheadstilltingling,stillachingfromthecoldfingersthathadpulledherhairsopainfullyhard,Leastaggeredtotheladder.
Shedroppedtoherkneesontheatticfloor,flungherselfontotheladder,and,breathinghard,sliddowntothehallfloor.
“Oh!”Sherealizedshehadforgottentoreplacethe
trapdoor.
Backuptheladder,herkneestrembling,herwholebodygrippedwithfear,shepulledthedoorbackintoplace,thensliddownagainandhurriedintoherroom.
Sheslammedthebedroomdoorandleanedbackagainstit,closinghereyes,waitingforherbreathingtoreturntonormal,waitingfortheachinginherheadtostop,
waitingforthefeartosubside.
I’mokay,I’mokay,I’mokay.
Sherepeatedthewordsagainandagaininherminduntiltheyhadnomeaning.
Stillshakingallover,sheranacrosstheroomandthrewherselffacedownonthebed.
I’mokay,I’mokay,I’m
okay.
Sheburiedherfaceinthesoftbedspread.
Andthenpulledherheadupsharplyandutteredalowcry.
DidIclosethedoortothehiddenroom?sheaskedherself.DidIlockthedoor?
Or—didIallowtheghosttoescape?
Wouldsheescape?Would
shecomeafterme?Followmedownhere?
Leahadthesuddenfeelingshewasbeingwatched.Shepulledherselfuptoherknees,franticallysurveyingtheroom.
No.NosignofCatherine.Nodark,ghostlyvapors.Noglowingblondhair.Nopale,chalkyfacestaringbackather.
Butthedoor,theatticdoor.
Ithastobelocked,Leathought.
Icouldn’thaveleftitopen—couldI?
Climbingtoherfeet,sheknewshehadnochoice.Shehadtogobackuptotheatticandmakesurethedoorwaslocked.
Leaknewshecouldn’tsleep,
couldn’tstayinherroom,couldn’tstayinthehouseifshehadleftthedoorunlocked—ifCatherinewasfree—iftheghostwasfreetohaunther.
Shetookadeepbreathandletitout.Catchingaglimpseofherselfintheovalmirroraboveherdresser,shestopped.Shestraightenedherhair,pushingitintoplacewithtremblinghands.
Thensheopenedherdoorandsteppedoutintothehallway.Downstairs,theTVwasstillon,themurmurofvoicesandmusicfloatingupthestairwell.Leahesitatedatthefootoftheladder.Shefelttemptedtorundowntothedenandtellherparentswhatshe’ddone,andwhatshe’dfoundintheattic.Totellthemeverything.
But,no,shefirsthadtomake
surethedooruptherewaslocked.Shehadtomakesuretheywereallsafe.
Shepulledherselfuptheladder.Herlegsfeltasiftheyeachweighedathousandpounds,butsheforcedherselftothetop.Shereachedupandslidawaythewoodendoorintheceiling,thenpulledherselfup.
Thelight.Theyellowlight.Shecouldneverrememberto
turnitoff.
Pullingherselftoherfeet,sheturnedtowardthehiddenroom,holdingherbreath,dreadingwhatsheknewshewasgoingtofind.
Buttoherrelief,thedoorwasclosed.
Closed—butwasitlocked?
Shehurriedovertotheroom,stumblingoverthetwo-by-
foursonthefloor.
IfonlyIhadnevertouchedthem,shethought,withtrueregret.IfonlyIhadneverpulledofftheboardsorunlockedthedooror…
Thekeywasinplace.Thedoorwaslocked.
Leahesitated,listening.
Silence.
Feelingalittlerelieved,she
hurriedaway.Thistimeshedidremembertoturnoffthelight.Theatticseemedtodisappearcompletelyintheblackness.
Yes.Disappear,Leathought.Justdisappear.
Sheloweredherselfontotheladderandpulledtheceilingdoorinplace.
Safeinherroom,sheshutherdoortightly.
Tryingtocalmdown,shepacedbackandforthforawhile,theoldfloorboardscreakingnoisilybeneathherfeet.Finallyshebegantofeelmorenormal.
Shereachedontothebed,pickedupGeorgie,herstuffedtiger,andhuggedhimclosetoher.“I’mafraid,Georgie,”shewhisperedtothetiger.“I’mreallyafraid.”
Leastaredasthetiger’seyes
begantoglow—red,redder,redder—untilhisentirefaceglowedwithred,demonicevil.
Droppingthestuffedtigerontothefloor,Leabegantoscream.
“Well,Icouldn’tbelieveitwhenshecalledDon,”Marciwassaying,pushingbackhershort,copperyhairasshetalked.“Butwhensheaskedhimout,itwasjusttoomuch,”
ThecrowdofgirlsaroundMarciburstintoscornfullaughter.
“AndIwasthereatDon’shouseontheextensionthewholetime!Iheardthewholeconversation!”Marciexclaimed,deliveringthepunchlinetoherstory,thengrinningbroadly,herpaleblueeyeslightingupwithdelight,asthestoryreceivedthelaughterandapprovalof
herfriends.
Leawasstandingrightaroundthecorner,hiddenbyheropenlockerdoor,listeningthewholetime,tremblingwithangerandembarrassment.
Marcireallyissick,Leathought.Marcicouldn’twaittostarttellingstoriesaboutmetoherfriends.Andsuchviciouslies!
Whyisshedoingthistome?Leawondered.She’salreadywon.ShehasDon.He’shertotalslave.He’lldoanythingsheasks.Whenheseesher,hegoesrunning,wagginghistaillikeaneagerpuppy.
Andshe’stotallyhumiliatedme.She’sembarrassedmeinfrontofDon,andinfrontofherfriends.She’sgotthewholeschoollaughingatme.
She’swon.Sowhydoesshe
keepondoingthis?It’ssick.It’sjustsick,Leadecided.
Sheslammedherlockerdoorandspunthecombinationlock.Adjustingthebackpackonhershoulders,sheturnedthecornerandheadeddownthehalltothefrontexit.
Twogirls,pullingondownjacketsattheirlockers,snickeredoutloudasLeawalkedby.Leacouldfeelherfacegrowingred.
FriendsofMarci,shethoughtbitterly,turningherfacetothewalltoavoidthem.Angrilyshejammedherhandsintoherjeanspocketsandkeptwalking.
Thisisn’tfair.Marciisruiningmylife.Ruiningit.AndIhaven’tdoneanythingtoher!
“Ifonlytherewassomewaytogetbackather!”shesaid
toherself,pushingopenthefrontdoortotheschoolandsteppingoutintoabrightbutblusteryday.“Thenmaybeshe’dleavemealone.”
Allthewayhome,firstonthebus,thenwalkingagainstthegustingwind,watchingtheswirlofleavesaroundher,breathingthesweet-sourautumnair,Leadreamedupsuitablerevenges.Butnoneofthemseemedsuitable
enough.
Idon’twanttoplayanykindofdumbpracticaljoke,Leadecided.IwantMarcitofeelreallybad,reallygrossedout,maybe.Reallyhumiliated.
No.Reallyfrightened.
Yes,LeawantedtoscareMarci.
AsmilespreadacrossLea’sfaceassheturnedontoFear
Street,afunnel-shapedcloudofbrownleavesswirlinghighoverthestreetaheadofher,pastthecemeterythatslopeduptotheright,thecrookedoldgravestonesstandingassilent,graysentries.
Yes,IwantMarcitobeterrified,Leathought,soengrossedinherschemesthatshedidn’tseethesquirrelsthatscamperedjustinfrontofher,ontheirwaytoscavenge
foracornsintheoldcemetery.
IwanthertobeasterrifiedasIwasupintheatticlastnight.
Lastnight.
Yes.
Theideaseemedtofallintoplace,sothatbythetimeLeaunlockedthebackdoorandsteppedthroughthepantryintothekitchen,carefully
wipingthewetsolesofhersneakersonthematbythedoor,sheknewwhatshewantedtodo.
Theideafrightenedher,butonlyalittle.ItwouldfrightenMarciawholelotmore,Leadecided.
Shetossedherbackpackontothekitchencounter,thencheckedtherefrigeratordoorformessages.None.
Odd,Leathought.Hermotheralmostalwayshadsome“emergency”instructionsornewsbulletinsforher.
Headingtothefronthall,shepulledoffhercoatandtosseditoverthebanister.Thensheranupthecreakingstairs,cheeredbyherscheme,hereagernesstogetbackatMarciforcingawaythefearsheknewsheshouldbe
feeling.
She’sruiningmylife.Ruiningit.
Thewordsranthroughhermind,againandagain,asshepacedbackandforthinherbedroom,thinkingaboutherplan,chilledbyit,excitedbyit.
Stopthinkingaboutitandjustdoit,sheurgedherselffinally.
Steppingoutintothehallway,Leapulledherselfquicklyuptheladderandslidbackthetrapdoor.Shesteppedintotheattic,halfexpectingtheboardstobebackinplace,thehiddenroomlockedandboardedup,herencounterthenightbeforeallavivid,mysteriousdream.
Buttheboardswerestillonthefloor.Thesmoothwoodendoorstoodagainstthewall,
exposedandinviting.
Thefearreturned.
Despiteherexcitement,despiteallofherplansforrevenge,thefearcameback.Leacouldfeelherthroattighten,feelallofhermusclestightenasshemadeherwaytothedoor.
Asilentvoiceinsideher,thevoiceofherconscience,mostlikely,hersensiblevoice,her
realisticvoice,toldhertobackaway.Getoutofthere.Leavethedooralone.Leavetheghostalone.
Thevoicetoldhertocloseuptheattic.Tostayawayfromthere.Totellherparentsaboutit.TotellherparentsaboutCatherine.Toletthemdealwiththis.Toletthemfaceallthefear.
Butthatsensiblevoicewastooquiet.Itwasdrownedout
byamuchshrillervoice,amuchmorepowerfulvoice,amuchmorecompellingvoice—thevoicethatcalledforrevenge.
“Openthedoor!”Catherinecalledfrominsidethesecretbedroom.“Please—openthedoorandcomein.”
Leaturnedthekeyand,withouthesitatingtolistentohersensiblevoice,pushedopenthedoorandsteppedin.
“Ididn’tmeantohurtyoulastnight,”Catherinesaidnervously,herhandsclaspedatherwaist.
Shestoodinthecenteroftheroom,dressedasbefore,inthehigh-collared,ruffled
whiteblouseandtheheavyblackskirtthatwentdowntothefloor.
Thesamecandlesglowedonthesmalltableandonthedresser.Leasuddenlyrealizedthatthecandlesinthisroommustburnbutnevermelt.
“Ididn’tmeantohurtyou,”Catherinerepeated,herexpressionseriousandapologetic.“It’sjustthatI
hadn’ttouchedanyoneinsolong.I—Iforgotmyself.”
“That’sokay,”Leasaiduncertainly.“IthinkIoverreacted.Imean,Igotscaredand—”
“Iwon’tdoitagain,”Catherineinterrupted
“MynameisLea,”Leatoldher,movingslowlyintotheroom.
“It’saprettyname,”Catherinesaidsoftly,shyly.“You’reverypretty.Ilikeyourhair.Suchaninterestinghairstyle.”
“Bangs?”Leaexclaimed.“Interesting?”
“Ialwayswanteddarkhair,”Catherinesaid,sittingdowninthehard-backedwoodenchairbythetable.
“Butyourhairisbeautiful,”
Leainsisted.
“WatchwhatIcandowithit,”Catherinesaid,asparkofplayfulnesslightinghereyes.
AsLeawatchedwithamixtureofaweandfright,Catherinemadeherblondhairgrowbrighter,brighter,untilthegoldencurlsseemedtothrobandflash,sendingraysoflighttwirlingaroundtheroom.Then,justasquickly,Catherine’shair
darkened,fadeduntilitwasasdarkastheblackvelvethairribbonshewore,andallofCatherineseemedtogrowdarkandshadowyuntilshewasonlyanoutline,asuggestion,adimpresence.
“Comeback,”Leapleaded.
Catherinereappeared,obviouslypleasedwithherself.“Therearesomeadvantagestobeingaghost,”shesaid,smiling.“Thereare
thingsitispossibletodowithoutabody.Andthentherearethings…”Hervoicetrailedoff.
“Wouldyouliketocomeoutside?”Leaasked,blurtingoutthewordsalmostasasingleword.Sheknewifshesaidthemslowly,shewouldrethinkthemandnotsaythematall.
“What?”Catherine’sprettyfacefilledwithsurprise.
“Wouldyouliketoleavetheroom?Comeoutsidewithme?”Leaasked,herheartpounding.
Catherine’ssmiletransformedherface.Shejumpedhappilytoherfeet.“Yes!”shecried.“Oh,yes!Yes!Thankyou,Lea!Idon’tknowhowtothankyou!Youdobelieveinme,don’tyou?”
“What?”ItwasLea’sturnto
bethrownoff-guardbyaquestion.“Believeinyou?”
“YoudobelievethatI’maghost?AndthatIwon’tharmyou?”Catherineaskedeagerly.
“Yeah,Iguessso.”Leadidn’treallywanttothinkaboutthat.Infact,shedidn’twanttothinkaboutanything.Shewantedtoact.
Ifshethoughtaboutit,she
knewshe’dturnback.
Anditwastoolatetoturnback.
“Whereshallwego?”Catherineaskedexcitedly,clappingherhandstogether.“Wherewillyoutakeme?”
“Toafriend’shouse,”Leareplied.
“Afriend?”
“Well,sheisn’treallya
friend.Actuallyshe’sanenemy,Iguessyou’dsay.”
Catherine’sfacefilledwithbewilderment.
“HernameisMarci,”Leasaid,decidingtotellCatherineeverythingbeforetheybegan.“Iwanttoplayajokeonher,scareheralittle.”
“Alittle?”Catherineasked.
“Alot!”Leacorrected
herself.
Bothgirlslaughed.
“I’mbeginningtounderstand,”Catherinesaid,fussingwiththetightcollarofherblouse.“YouwantmetofrightenMarci.”
“Canyoumakethingsfloat?”Leaasked.
“Icanmakemyselffloat,”Catherinetoldher.“Isthat
whatyoumean?”
“No.Imeanlike,ifyoudisappearedandliftedthatcandleholder,”Leasaid,pointing.
“Doyoumeanlikethis?”Catherinevanishedfromsight.AfewsecondslaterthecandlestickappearedtoliftoffthedressertopandglidethroughtheairtowardLea.
“Yes!That’sit!”Leacried
happily.“That’sperfect!”
Catherinereappearedthenwithasoftwhooshofair,standingbesideLea,thecandlestickinherhand.“Thiscouldbefun,”shesaid,smiling.“I’veneverhauntedanyonebefore.”
“IwanttoconvinceMarcithatIhaveevilpowers,”Leasaid,unabletosuppressaneagergrin.“Iworkedoutthiswholeideaonmywayhome
fromschool.Thisgirlhasbeensoawfultome.Ijustwanttopayherbacksoshe’llleavemealone.”
“I’llbehappytohelp,”Catherinesaid,floatingbackacrosstheroomtoreplacethecandlestick.
“Youjusthavetofollowmycues,”Leasaidexcitedly.“MakeitappearthatI’mmakingallkindsofstrangethingshappen.Iwantto
terrifyMarcioutofherwits.Iwanttomakehersofrightenedthatshe’llneverdaretohurtmeagain.”
“She’llneverhurtyouagain,”Catherinerepeatedquietlytoherself.ShetookLea’shandandsqueezeditgently.Catherine’shandfeltsocoldinLea’s.
Coldasdeath,Leathought.Butsheforcedherselfnottoreact.Shedidn’twanttohurt
Catherine’sfeelings.
“Icannotbelieveyouaretakingmeoutside,”Catherinesaid,floatingupjoyfullyoffthefloor.“Whencanwego?”
Leaglancedatherwatch.“It’squartertofive.Marciisprobablyhomerightnow.Let’sgonow,Catherine.”
“Yes!”Catherinecriedecstatically.“Yes.Now.She’llneverhurtyouagain.
Yes!”
Catherinevanishedfromsight,startlingLea.Shestaredaroundtheroom,searchingforher.
“Catherine?Where’dyougo?”
SuddenlyLeabegantofeelstrange.Atfirstshefeltdizzy.Thenthedizzinessbecamelikeaweightthatpresseddownonthetopofherhead.
“Catherine?”
Leafelttheweightpressitswaydownonherhead,downhershouldersandchest,thendownonherentirebody,lower,lower.
IfeelasifIweighathousandpounds,shethought.
Butthensuddenlyshefeltasiftheweighthadbeenliftedandshebecamesolightshemightactuallyfloataway.
Thenshehadthesensationoflosingcontrol,losingallcontrol.
“Catherine?What’shappening?”Leacried.“Oh—help!Catherine?Stop!Pleasestop!Catherine—whatareyoudoingtome?”
“Relax,Lea,”saidasilentvoiceinsideLea’shead.“Icanfeelthetensioninyourbody.”
“Catherine—whereareyou?Whathaveyoudonetome?”Leacried.
“Itwillbefine,”thevoiceinsideLea’sheadsaidmysteriously.
“You—you’reinsideme!”Learealizedwithhorror.“Insidemybrain!”
Shewasstillstandingintheatticroom.Atleast,shethoughtshewasstanding.Shecouldn’tfeelherlegs,sherealized.Orherarms.Oranything.
Catherinehastakenovermybody,Leathought.I’mstillinside—butI’mnolongerincontrol.
“Itwillbefine,”Catherinerepeated.ThistimethewordscameoutofLea’smouth—inLea’svoice!
“Catherine—please!”Leapleaded.“I’mfrightened.Ifeelsostrange.”
“I’mfrightenedtoo,”
CatherinerepliedinLea’svoice.“I’veneverbeenoutsidebefore.Iwon’thurtyou,Lea.Ipromise.AndI’llseparatemyselffromyouwhenwereachMarci’shouse.Itdoesn’thurt,doesit?”
“No,”Leaadmitted.“Itjustfeelssostrange.Ifeelsolight,soweak.Sooutofcontrol.”
“I’msorryifitfrightensyou.
Butitwouldbeimpossibletotravelanyotherway,”Catherinesaid,speakingsoftlythroughLea’slips.“Itwouldtakeallmyenergy.I’mnotstrongenoughtotravelanydistanceonmyown.”
“Andyoupromiseyou’llgetoutofmybodywhenwereachMarci’s?”Leaaskedwarily.
“Ofcourse,”Catherine
reassuredher.“Iamforeverinyourdebt,Lea.Youaresokindtoinvitemeout.Idon’twantyoutobefrightened.”
Catherine’swordscalmedLea.Inafewsecondsshewasdescendingtheladder,apassengerinherownbody.Afewsecondsafterthat,shehadpulledonherdownjacketandwaswalkingtowardMarci’shouse.
“MarcilivesonHawthorne
Drive,justafewblocksfromhere,”LeainformedCatherine.
“It’ssobeautifulouthere,”Catherinesaid.
Lea’sfeetcrunchedoverthecarpetofbrownleavesthatcoveredthegroundandsidewalk.Thesunhadalreadylowered,leavingonlyafewtracesofpinkandscarletinagrayingsky.Thesweetandpungentaromaof
burningwoodfilledLea’snose.Someonedowntheblockhadafiregoing.
“Everythingissomagical,morebeautifulthanIeverimagined,”Catherinesaid.Leacouldfeelwarmtearsslidingdownhercheeks.
“IguessIusuallytakeitallforgranted,”Leaadmitted.
TheyturnedontoHawthorne.Marci’shousewasjustafew
housesdownthetree-linedblock.Thehousesherewereramblingandold,instylenotmuchdifferentfromthehousesonFearStreet,onlyinbettercondition,thelawnscarefullymanicuredandrakedcleanofleaves.
“It’ssoexcitingtobeinarealbodyagain!”Catherineexclaimed.“Tofeeltheaironmyface.Tofeelthecold.Justtofeel!”
“I’mglad,”Learepliedwithlessenthusiasmthanshehadintended.
IfCatherinelikesbeinginmybodysomuch,willsheleaveitwhenwegettoMarci’s?Leawondered,herfearreturning.Willshekeepherpromise?
WhatwillIdoifsherefusestoleave?
“Hereweare,”Leasaidas
theywalkedupthegraveldrive.Marci’shousewaswhiteshingled,theshinglesrecentlypainted,withblackshuttersframingthewindows,aslopingredroofontop.
Astheysteppedontothefrontporch,Leabegantofeelstrange.Forabriefmomentshefeltagainasifsheweighedathousandpounds.Andthenshecouldfeelthe
weightfloatingup,up,upfromherbody.
Sheraisedherarm.
Leawasincontrolagain.
Shefeltperfectlynormal.
“Catherine?”shewhispered.
“I’mrightbesideyou,”Catherine,invisible,whisperedback.“I’msoexcited,Lea.Thisisthehappiestdayofmylife.”
Catherinekeptherpromise,Leathoughtwithrelief.IguessIcanreallytrusther.
Sherangthedoorbell.“Nowlet’sseeifwecanruinMarci’sday,”shewhispered.
Despiteherexcitement,Leawassuddenlyfilledwithdoubt.WhatamIdoinghere?shethought.Thisiscrazy.Insane.Iletmyangercontrolme.Ijustwasn’tthinkingclearly.Thiscan’twork.
ButthenshethoughtofMarciinthehallatschool,makingupstoriesabouther,andsherememberedthetwogirlswhosnickeredasshepassed.Herdoubtsfadedtothebackofhermind.
Learangthebellagain.Sheheardrapidfootstepsapproachingfrominside.Theporchlightwentonaboveherhead.Thenthedoorwaspulledopenhalfway,and
Marcipokedherheadout,surpriseonherface.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Marciaskedcoldly,herbreathsmokingagainsttheeveningair.
“I—Iwanttotalktoyou,”Leastammered.
Marci’scoldness,herobvioushatred,madeLeawanttoshrivelupintoatinyballandrollaway.
“I’mkindofbusy,”Marcisaid,lookingLeaupanddown,herfaceshowingherobviousdisapproval.
“Justafewminutes,”Leainsisted,herangerreturning,helpingtorestoreherconfidence.“Ithinkweshouldtalkaboutafewthings.”
“Writemealetter,”Marcisnapped,andshepushedthedoorhardtoslamit.
Butthedoordidn’tslam.Itremainedopenafewinches.
Marciwaspushingagainstit,butthedoorwouldn’tclose.ShecheckedtoseeifLea’sfootwasblockingit,butLeawasstandingafootbackfromthedoor.
“Hey!What’sgoingon!”Marcicried,confused.“Thedoorisstuck.”
Catherineisdoingagreatjobalready,Leathought,secretlypleased.ShepushedpastMarciandsteppedintothefronthall,ignoringMarci’shostile,suspiciousstare.
“There’sareasonIliveonFearStreet,”Leasaiddarkly,raisinghereyestoMarci’s.Shehadrehearsedthatlineallthewayhomefromschool.
“Whatdoyoumean?”Marciasked.
ThefrontdoorslammedshutbehindMarci.Shejumped,startledbythenoise.“What’swiththatstupiddoor?”
Lealaughed,nervouslaughtershetriedtodisguiseasevil.
“Iwantyoutostoptellingliesaboutme,”shetoldMarci,staringintoMarci’spaleblueeyes.
“What?WhywouldIevertalkaboutyou?”Marciaskedscornfully.“Whoareyouanyway?”
“Iheardyou,”Leasaid,feelingsurprisinglycalm.“Idon’tknowwhatyouhaveagainstme,butIwantyoutostop.”
“Haveanicenight.Youknowthewayout,”Marcisaid,andstartedtomoveoff.
Asshepassedthehalltablewithatall,blueenamelflowervaseonit,thevasesuddenlyfloatedupintotheair.
“Hey—!”Marcicried.Shestoppedshort,herbackagainstthewall,andraisedbothhandsasiftoshieldherselffromtheflyingvase.
“Itoldyou,”Leasaid,enjoyingMarci’sbeingfrightened,“there’sareasonI
liveonFearStreet.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Marcicried,watchingthebluevasedescendbacktoitsplaceonthetable.
“Ihavepowers,”Leasaid.“Youpickedthewrongpersontohaveasanenemy,Marci.”
“Now,listen—”Marcistarted.
Butthecoatclosetbehindhersuddenlysprangopen,andakhakiraincoatcamedancingout,wavingitsarms,twirlingrapidly.
“No!”Marciscreamed.“Stopit!”
“Iwantyoutostop,”Leasaidquietly,tryingtokeepastraightface.
Catherineisgreatathauntingpeople!shethought.
“Thisisallastupidtrick,”Marcisaiduncertainly.
TheraincoatcollapsedlifelesslytotheflooratMarci’sfeet.
“Getoutofhere,Lea.Goon.Getout,”Marciinsistedangrily,herbackstillagainstthewall,wavingherfingeratthefrontdoor.
“Oh!”Marci’smouthdroppedopenandsheuttered
acryofterrorasherfeetsuddenlyleftthefloorandshefloatedupthreeorfourinches.
Wow,thoughtLeaadmiringly.Forsuchalittlegirl,Catherineisreallystrong!
Marcikickedandstruggled.“Letgo!”sheshrieked,herfacebrightred,hereyesroundwithterror.Twistingherbodyandthrustingher
elbowsbackagainstherinvisiblecaptor,shebrokefreeandfellheavilytothefloor.
Panting,shescrambledtoherfeet.“Mom!”shescreamed,pushingpastLeatogettothestairway.“Mom—helpme!”
Uh-oh,thoughtLea.MaybeCatherinewenttoofar.MaybepickingMarciupwasabadidea.
“Marci—wait!”Leacalled.
Marciwasracingupthestairs,takingthemtwoatatime,screaminghysterically,callingforhermother.
LeawatchedfromdownbelowasMarcireachedthesecond-floorlanding,whereanarrowbalconywithalowrailingstretchedthelengthofthehouse.Doorsopenedoffit.Marcistartedtorundownthebalcony.
“Mom!”shecried.
Marci’smotherappearedfromoneofthebedrooms.“Marci,whatonearth—!”
Marciwasrunningtowardhermotherwhensuddenly,withaloudcry,shetrippedandstumbled,grabbingatthewoodenrailingasshefellagainstit.
Therailinggavewaywitha
sickeningcrack.
AsMarci’smotherandLeacriedoutinhorroranddisbelief,Marciplungedheadfirstoffthebalcony,herhandsfranticallygrabbingatair,grabbingatnothing—until,asecondlater,asecondthatmusthaveseemedaneternity,shecrashedtothefloorbelowwithaloudcrackingsound,likethatofaneggbreaking.
“Ohno!Oh,no!Oh,no!”Mrs.Hendryxwasscreamingoverandover.
LeareachedMarcifirst.Marciwaslyingonherback,hereyeswideopen,staringlifelesslyattheceiling.Herheadwastwistedatanodd
angle.Onelegwaspulledupbehindherback,bentthewrongway.
Lea,feelingforapulse,leanedoverMarciandlistenedforaheartbeat.ThenshepressedherhandunderMarci’snosetoseeifshewasbreathing.
“Mrs.Hendryx—Idon’tthinkshe’sbreathing!”Leashrieked.
“Oh,no!Oh,no!Oh,no!”
Stillchantingherhorror,Mrs.HendryxdroppeddownbesideMarciandcradledherdaughter’sheadinherlap.“Callanambulance!Anambulance!”shescreamed.
Learushedtothephoneand,herhandstrembling,andpushedin911.
“Oh,no!Oh,no!Oh,no!”Mrs.Hendryxwasseatedon
thefloor,rockingbackandforthwithMarci’sheadinherlap,Marci’slegstilltwistedbehindher,bentthewaynolegshouldbend.“She’sgone.Mybabyisgone.”
ShewasstillrockingbackandforthholdingMarciwhenfourparamedicsandtwoyoungpoliceofficersarrivedtenminuteslater.
“Itwasahorribleaccident,ahorribleaccident”wasall
Mrs.Hendryxwasabletosaybeforecollapsingonthefloorintears.
Theparamedicsswungintoaction,pullingoutequipmentfromtheirbags,workingfeverishly,tryingtoshockMarcibacktolife.Butitwasnouse.Shewasdead.
“MarciandIweretalking.Well,actuallywehadanargument,”Leatoldthepoliceaftertheparamedics
hadcalledthefamilydoctorforMarci’smother.
“Didyouseeherfall?”anofficerasked,scribblingrapidlyinhisstenopad.
“Yes,”Leatoldhim,chokingbacktears.“Sheranupthestairs.Shetripped,Iguess.Shefellagainsttherailingandit—itbroke.Andshefelldownhere.”
Thetwoofficersstareddown
atthebody,butLeacouldn’tfaceher.Moreuniformedmenarrived.Marci’sbodywascoveredwithacanvastarp,andfinallythecoronerarrived.
Thereweremorequestions.Morefuriousscribblinginstenopads.AdoctorarrivedtohelpMrs.Hendryx.“Ahorribleaccident,”shewhispered,herfaceblotchyandpuffyfromcrying.She
glancedatLeaasthedoctorledheruptoherroom.“Ahorribleaccident.”
Wasitanaccident?Leawondered,watchingMarci’smotherbeinghelpedupthestairs.
Wasitanaccident?
OrdidCatherinemurderMarci?
Thatwasn’tpossible—wasit?
“Miss,Iaskedifyou’dlikeustodriveyouhome,”oneoftheofficersaskedimpatiently.
“Oh.I’msorry.”Lostinherthoughts,Leahadn’theardhim.“Yes.Thankyou.”
“Followme,”hesaid,headingforthefrontdoor.
Asshestartedtofollowhim,Leafelttheheavysensationagain.Theweightpressed
downfromthetopofherheadandsankdownthroughherchestandintoherlegs,untilshewascompletelyfilledwiththeheaviness.
Catherinehadreenteredherbody.
Catherine,Ineedtotalktoyou,Leathoughtasshefeltherselfbecomealmostweightless.
Catherine,didyoumurder
Marci?
TherewasnoreplytoLea’sthought.Catherinewasapresence,butsilent.
Catherine,itwasanaccident,wasn’tit?
IhatedMarci,butIneverwantedhertodie.
Catherine,pleasetellmeitwasallahorribleaccident.
Silence.
Thenearlybaretreeswhirredbyagainsttheclearblacksky.AfewminuteslaterthetwoofficershelpedLeaoutofthebackseatoftheirblack-and-whiteandaccompaniedhertoherfrontdoor.
Theporchlightcameon,andthedoorwaspulledopenimmediately.“Lea—what’swrong?”herfatherasked.
Learushedintohisarms.“Oh,Daddy.Something
terriblehappened!”shecried.“AgirlIknow—shedied!Shedied!”
Lea,overcomewiththehorroroftheafternoon,couldfeelherselfgrowingheavieragainforjustasecond,andthentheweightfloatedupthroughherbody,throughherhead,untilitdisappeared.
Catherinehadlefther,mostlikelytoreturntothesecretbedroomintheattic.
Mr.Carson,hisarmsaroundLea,searchedtheofficer’sface.
“Yourdaughterisokay,”oneofthemtoldhim.“Therewasanaccident.Herfriendfelloverarailing.Itmusthavebeenaterribleshockforher.”
Leaallowedherfathertoleadherintothewarmthofthehouse.Sheheardthefrontdoorshutbehindthem.Then
shecouldhearthecruiserroaroffdownthestreet.
“Lea—whatonearth!”hermotherexclaimed.
“Itwasanaccident,”Leablurtedout,unabletostopthetearsthatbegantopourdownhercheeks.“Itwasjustahorribleaccident!”
Shetriedtoeatherdinner,butthecoldchickenjustwouldn’tgodown,andthe
mashedpotatoestastedlikepaste.
“I’veneverheardyoumentionthisMarci,”hermothersaid,sittingacrossfromher,staringathersympathetically.
“She’sjustanacquaintance.Imeanwas,”Leasaid.
“You’vebeenthroughaterribleexperience,”hermothersaid,reachingacross
thetableandtakingLea’shand.“Youcaneatlater.Whydon’tyougouptoyourroomandliedownforawhile?”
“Thanks,Mom,”Leasaidappreciatively.Shepushedherchairbackandheadedupthestairs.
Butshedidn’tgointoherroom.Shelistenedinthehallwaytomakesurehermomanddadweren’t
observingher.Thenshesilentlyclimbedtheladdertotheattic.
Ihavetoknow,Leathought,pushingtheceilingdooraway.Ihavetoknowthatitwasanaccident,thatCatherinedidn’tmurderMarci.
BecauseifshedidmurderMarci,thenI’mresponsible.
IfshedidmurderMarci…
Leadidn’twanttofinishthisthought.
Itwasfreezingcoldintheattic.Feelingveryuncomfortable,sheturnedontheyellowatticlight,thenmadeherwaytothesecretroom.
Thedoorwasclosed.
Withoutannouncingherself,Leaturnedthekeyandopenedthedoor.
Catherinewassittingonthebed,handsfoldedinherlap,asifshehadbeenexpectingLea.Apleasedsmilecrossedherface.
“Catherine—didyoupushMarci?”Leaaskedwithoutagreeting.Asternexpressiononherface,shesteppedintotheroomandwalkedovertothebed,standingoverCatherine.
Catherine’ssmiledidn’tfade.
ShelookedupmischievouslyatLeabutdidn’treply.
“Catherine—answerme,”Leademandedimpatiently,handsonherhips.“Didyoupushher?Didyoumurderher?”
Catherineshookherhead,hergoldenringletsshakingwithit.“Itwasadreadfulaccident,”shesaid,smilingupatLea.“Atragicaccident.”
“Idon’tbelieveyou,”Leasaidangrily.“Youpushedher,didn’tyou!”
“Youhavenoreasontosaythat,”Catherinesaidinherteasing,little-girlvoice.“Youdidn’tseeme.”
“Youwereinvisible,Catherine.Iwanttoknowthetruth.”
“I’vetoldyouthetruth,”Catherineinsisted,looking
pastLeatothehalf-opendoorway.
“No,Idon’tthinkyouhave,”Leasaid.“IreallythinkyoufloatedupthosestairsandpushedMarci.”
CatherinerosetoherfeetandsteppedawayfromLea.Shemovedtothedresseragainstthebackwall,thenturnedtoLea,herbackagainstthedresser.“Itworkedoutverywellforyou,didn’tit,Lea
dear?”
Catherine’stone,coldandhard,shockedLea.
Catherine’sfacehardenedtomatchhervoice.Shenolongerwasthepetiteyoungangel.Suddenlyshewasveryold.
“Well?Admitit,Lea.Itworkedoutverywellforyou.Ihelpedyou.”
“Youhelpedme?”LeawasstaringhardatCatherine,astonishedbythetransformation.
“Yes,Ihelpedyou.Andnowit’stimeforyoutohelpme,”Catherinesaid,herfaceinshadow.
“Helpyou?”Leatookastepback.“Now,waitaminute,Catherine.Idon’t—”
Catherinefloatedawayfrom
thedresser,acrosstheroom,untilshehoveredoverLea.“Yes.Youwillhelpmenow,”shesaid,hervoicehard,hereyescold,herfeaturesfrozenincontempt.
“No!”Leashriekedandstartedtorun.Butthedoorslammedshut.SpinningaroundtofaceCatherine,shescreamedather,“Whatdoyouwant?”
“WhatdoIwant?”Catherine
tossedherheadbackandlaughed,scornful,bitterlaughter.“Iwanttobealiveagain.”
“But,Catherine—”
“Iwanttotouchthingsfrominsidearealbody,Lea.Iwanttowalkaround,feeltheground,smelltheair.”
“ButIcan’tdothatforyou!”Leawailed.
“Ofcourseyoucan,”Catherinesaid,staringatLeaneedily,hungrily.“Youhavetoletmeinnow.”
“What?”Leadidn’treallybelievewhatshewashearing.
“Youhavetoletmeinnow,”Catherinerepeated,hoveringoverLea.“Ihelpedyouthisafternoon.Nowyouoweme.”
“But,Catherine—”
Leaglancedoverhershoulderatthedoor.Itwasshuttight.Catherinehaddonethat.Maybeshehadlockedittoo.
Therewasnopointintryingtorun.
Butwhatcouldshedo?
“Youhavetoletmein,”Catherinesaidsoftly,hervoicepuremenace,purecoldmenace.“I’mcominginto
stay!”
“No!”Leapleaded.“Catherine—please!”
ButCatherinehaddisappeared.
Andthen,Leacouldfeelthepressureonthetopofherhead,andsheknewthatCatherinewasslippinginsideher.
ThefirsttimeCatherinehadinhabitedher,Leahadn’tknownwhatwasgoingon.Shehadfelttheweightsinkingthroughherbody,hadfeltthenewpresence,andthenhadfeltlightagain,lightandoutofcontrolofherown
body.Buttheexperiencehadbeensonew,soterrifying,socompletelybewilderingthatLeacouldonlystandpassivelyandletithappen.
Butnow,asshefeltherheadgrowheavy,feltthepressurebegintorundownherback,sheknewitwasCatherine’sinvasion.
Andshetriedherbesttoresist.
“Getout!Getout!Out!Out!”shescreamed.
Andsheconcentratedwithallhermight,concentratedonkeepingCatherineout,onkeepingcontrolofherownbody.
“Out,out—getout!”shecried,hereyesshuttight.
Concentrate.Concentrate.
ToLea’ssurprise,itbeganto
work.
Shecouldfeeltheweightlifting,feelthepressurelighten.
Herheadcleared.Shekepthereyesclosed,concentratingevenharder,moreresolutely.
“Letmein,Lea,”Catherine,invisible,whisperedfromcloseby.“Youoweme,Lea.Letmein.”
“No!”Leascreamedand,openinghereyes,turnedandrantothedoor.
“Letmein,Lea.Youcan’tresistme.I’mcomingin.”
ButLeaturnedtheknobandpushed.
Tohersurprise,itopenedeasily.
Shedartedoutintotheattic,slammedthedoor,andturned
thekeyinthelock.
Ididit,shethought.IkeptCatherineout.Iforcedherout.
Leasliddowntheladdertothesecondfloorbeforesherealizedshewastremblingallover,tremblingsohardherteethwerechattering.
Calmdown,calmdown,calmdown.
Butshecouldn’tstoptrembling.
“Mom!”shescreamed,runningfranticallydownthestairs.“Mom!Dad!Please!Helpme!”
Theycamerunningoutoftheden,bothofthemwithopenmouths,theirfacesfilledwithfearandconcern.
“You’vegottohelpme!”Leascreamed,unabletostopthe
trembling.
HermotherranacrossthediningroomandwrappedLeainherarms.“Lea—what?”
“It’saghost,”Leamurmured,pressingherfaceintotheshoulderofhermother’ssoftsweater.“Aghost.”
“Bringherintotheden,”Mr.Carsoninstructedhiswife.“Lea,comeliedownonthecouch.”
“No!”Leapulledawayfromhermother.“Idon’twanttoliedown!Ican’t!There’saghostinthehouse.ShemurderedMarci,andI’mtheonewholetherout!”
“Lea—”hermotherpleaded,herfeaturespinchedwithworry.
“Lea,you’reveryupset,”herfathersaidsoftly.“You’vebeenthroughaterribleordeal.Now,justcomeintotheden
and—”
“No—Iwon’tliedown!”Leainsisted,knowingshewasoutofcontrolbutunabletodoanythingaboutit.
“Thenatleastcomesitdownandtalktous,”herfathersaidpatiently.
Leasighed.“Okay.”Shefollowedthemintothedenandsatdownontheedgeofthebrownleathercouch.
HerfatherclickedofftheTV.Hermotherstoodinthedoorway,supportingherselfwithahandoneachsideofthedoorframe.
“What’sthematter?”Mr.Carsonasked,sittingdownbesideLeaonthecouch.
“There’saghostupstairs,”Leabegan,tryingtosoundcalm,tryingtoforcehervoicetoremainnormal.“Agirl.Intheattic.Intheroom
behindthedoor.”
“Thelocked-uproom?”hermotherasked,glancingatherhusband.
“Itisn’tlockedanymore,”Leaconfessed,lookingdownattheshaggywhitethrowrugatherfeet.“Ipulledofftheboards,andIunlockedit.”
“Youdid?When?”herfatherasked,sittingveryclose.
“Severalnightsago.IthoughtIheardsomeoneinside.SoIpulledofftheboards.Iunlockedtheroomandfoundaghostinside.Agirlwhowasmurderedinthishouse.Ahundredyearsago.AndIletherout,andshedeliberatelypushedMarciovertherailing.Andnowshe—shewants—”
Lea’svoicecracked.Shestaredattherug.Shecouldn’t
continue.
“You’vebeenthroughaterribleordealtoday,”herfatherrepeated.“Idon’tblameyouforbeingupset.Butwehavetotrytokeepasenseofrealityhere.”
“Youdon’tbelieveme?”Leacried,jumpingtoherfeet.
Herparentswereexchangingworriedglances,signalingtoeachother.
“Lea,you’reshakingallover,”hermothersaid.“I’mgoingtofindadoctor.”
“No!”Leacried.“Imean,Idon’tneedadoctor.I’mnotsick!”
“But,dear,”Mrs.Carsonsaid,“you’renotmakinganysense.”
“I’msureyoujustneedtorest,Lea,”herfathersaid,motioningforhertoreturnto
thecouch.“I’msureyoujustneedsometimetogetoverwhatyousaw.Itwasanaccident,afterall.”
“Butthat’swhatI’mtryingtotellyou!”Leashrieked,pullingatthesidesofherhairinfrustration.“Itwasn’tanaccident!CatherinemurderedMarci!”
“Catherine?”herfatherasked,hisforeheadwrinklinginconfusion.
“Theghost!”Leascreamed.“Theghostintheroomintheattic.”
“Lea,sitdown,”herfathersaidfirmly,standingupandpointingtothecouch.“Ireallydon’twanttohearanymoretalkaboutaghost.”
“Letmetrytofindadoctor,”Mrs.Carsonsaid,bitingherthumbthewayshealwaysdidwhenshewasnervous.She
startedtoleavetheden.
“Okay.I’llproveittoyou,”Leasaid,stilltrembling.“I’llproveittoyou.”Shegrabbedherfather’shandandpulled.“Comeon.Bothofyou.”
“You’retakingusuptotheattic?”hermotherasked,followinghesitantly.
“I’mgoingtoshowyouthesecretbedroom,”Leasaid.“I’mgoingtoprovetoyou
thatI’mnotcrazy.Thatthere’saghostupthere.”
Theyclimbedthestairs,passedLea’sroom,andstoppedatthefootofthemetalladder,allthreeofthemliftingtheireyestothetrapdoorintheceiling.
“Andifthereisnoghostupthere,willyouletmecalladoctor?”Mrs.Carsonaskedtentatively.
“Thereisaghost,”Leainsisted.
Sheclimbeduptheladderasshehaddonesomanytimesinthepasttwoweeks,pushedawaythewoodendoor,andliftedherselfintothedarknessoftheattic.
Herparentsfollowed.Mrs.Carsonfirstandthenherhusband.“Ugh.It’ssocolduphere,”Mrs.Carsoncomplained.
IttookLeaafewsecondstofindthelightswitchonthewall.Shepusheditandyellowlightfloodedthelong,narrowroom.
Breathinghard,Lealedthewaytothehiddenroom.
Andthenstoppedshortwithaloud,disbelievinggasp.
Thedoorwasclosedandlocked.
Theboardswereallinplace,blockadingthedoorway,nailedsturdilyoverthedoor.
Nothinghadbeentouched.Italllookedthesameasithadthedaytheymovedin.
Dr.Harrisonclickedhisbagshut.HestraightenedLea’sblanket,thensmileddownatherthroughhiswire-rimmedbifocals.“You’llbeokay,”hesaid,hisfaceexpressionless,businesslike.“You’vegotquiteafever.Butwe’llbring
itdown.Stayinbedafewdays,okay?Atleasttillthefeverisgone.”
Feelingdrowsyfromthehightemperature,Leathankedthedoctor.Sheturnedherfaceintoherpillow.
Theydon’tbelievemeaboutCatherine,shetoldherselfbitterly.Theythinkthefeverwasgivingmehallucinations.
Acrosstheroomrain
drummedagainstthetwinwindows.Astrongwinddrovewavesofwateragainsttheglass,makingtheoldwindowframesrattle.
LeacouldhearDr.Harrisonoutinthehall,talkinginhushedtonestoherparents.Sheraisedherheadfromthepillowandtriedtomakeoutwhathewassaying.Buthewastalkingtooquietly.
Afewsecondslatersheheard
thethreeofthemgodownthestairs.Sheheardthefrontdoorcloseasthedoctorleft.
TheythinkIimagineditall,Leathought.
MaybeIdid….
Shelookeduptoseebothofherparentsentertheroom,walkingsoftly,almosttiptoeing.“Stillawake?”herfatherwhispered.
“Ifeelverysleepy,”Leasaid,yawning.
“Dr.Harrisonsaysthefeverhasbroken,”hermothersaid,bitingherthumbnervouslyassheleanedoverLea,studyingherasifseeingherforthefirsttime.
“Stoplookingatmelikethat,”Leasaid,wonderingwhyhervoicewassohoarse.
“Youjustneedtostayinbed
forafewdays.Youknow.Restup,”herfathersaid.
“IfeellikeIcouldsleepforaweek,”Leareplied.
Hermotherleaneddownandkissedherforehead.Shesmelledoforanges.Leasmiledandclosedhereyes.
Astrongburstofrainagainstthewindowsmadeheropenthemagain.Herparentshadgonedownstairs.Shepicked
upGeorgiefromthefootofthebedandheldhimclose.“TheythinkI’mcrazy,Georgie,”shetoldthestuffedtiger.
Asifinreply,Georgie’seyesbegantoglowbrightred.
“No!”Leawhispered,andtossedthetigertothefloor.
Whenshelookedup,Catherinewasstandingbesidethebed,bathedinthe
sameharshredlightthathadcomefromGeorgie.
“Catherine—whatareyoudoinghere?”Leaasked,feelingverygroggy.“Howdidyougetdownhere?”
“Thisismyroom,”Catherinereplied,smilingdownatLea.
Theredglowfaded.Allthecolorintheroomseemedtofadeuntiltherewerejusttwocirclesofredlight,glowing
redlightcomingfromCatherine’seyes.
“Yourroom?Whatdoyoumean?”Leapulledherselfuptoasittingposition,leaningherheadagainstthehardwoodheadboard.
“Thisismyroom,”Catherinerepeated,stillsmiling.“I’vebeeninthisroomallalong.”
“Buttheroomupstairs.Thesecretbedroom—”Lea
started.
“Thisisthesecretbedroom,”Catherinetoldher,sittingdownontheedgeofthebed,hereyesstillglowing.“Thisismybedroom.Youwereneverintheroomupstairs,Lea.”
“Never?”Lea’sheadspun.Sheclosedhereyes.
Ireallyamcrazy,shethought.
Rainpoundedagainstthewindow.Leafeltawispofcoldaironherface,adraftfromthewindow.Shepulledtheblanketuptoherchinandgrippedittightly,asifitcouldprotectherfromCatherine,fromwhatCatherinewastellingher.
“Youwereneverinthehiddenroom,”Catherineexplainedinhersoft,little-girlvoice.“Youwerenever
intheroomupstairs—becauseIwasneverintheroomupstairs.Ineverleftthisroom.”
“Idon’tunderstand,”Leasaid,openinghereyes,staringbackatthepale,ghostlygirl.
“Iinvadedyourmind,Lea,”Catherineexplainedinaflat,emotionlesstone.“Igaveyouvisions.Imadeyoubelieveyouwereupstairsinthe
secretbedroom.Butthatroomhasbeenboardedupallalong.Youweredownhereinyourbedroomthewholetime.”
“Butwhy?Why?”Leaasked.Theblanketgrippedtightlyuptoherchinwasn’tkeepingoutthecold,thecoldfearthathadsweptoverherentirebody.
“Thatroomupstairsisevil,”Catherinesaid.Hereyes
glowedbrightscarletasshesaidthis.Shefloatedupoffthebed,hoveringoverLea,thelightfromhereyesburningLea’sface.
Leaturnedherheadaway.
Catherineeasedbackontotheedgeofthebed.“It’sevil.Iboardedtheroomupmyself.Ahundredyearsago.Ididit.Andthatdoorwillstaylockedforever.”
Leadidn’tsayanything.Shefeltsosleepy.ItwashardtoconcentrateonCatherine’swords.Itwashardtomakesenseofthem.
“Isawyougouptotheatticthefirsttime,”Catherinecontinued.“Isawyouapproachtheboarded-updoor.Isawyoulisteningthere.Atfirst,Itriedtoscareyouawayfromit.”
“Youmean—?”Lea
rememberedthosefirstfrighteningvisitstotheattic.
“Yes.Thedrippingbloodandthemetalspikes.Ididthat,”Catherinesaid.“Ihadtoscareyou.Ihadtokeepyouawayfromthatroomofevil.Butitwasn’tenough.WhenIsawyouweredeterminedtoopenthedoor,toentertheroom,Iinvadedyourmind.Imadeyouthinkyouwereupstairs.Imadeyouthinkyouhad
openedthedoor.Butyouweredownhereinyourbedroomthewholetime.”
Catherinelaughed,ahigh-pitchedgigglethatmadehergoldenringletstumbleandshake.Itwasobviousthatshewasbragging,pleasedwithherself,withthetrickshehadplayedonLea.
“Butwhydidyougotoallthattrouble?”Leaaskedinherhuskyvoice.“Whydid
youmakemethinkIwasupstairs?”
“Soyouwouldn’tbeafraidtobeinyourownbedroom,”Catherinereplied,asiftheanswerwereobvious.“Ineededyoutobecomfortable.Ineededyoutofeelsorryforme,tosympathizewithmysadstory.Ineededyoutobelieveinme.”
Leashifteduncomfortably,
grippingtheblanketeventighterwithbothhands,feelingcold,socoldshestartedtoshiver.“What’sgoingtohappennow,Catherine?”sheasked,herteethchattering.
“Nowwe’regoingtosharethisroom,”Catherinesaid,leaningclose.“Andyourbody.”
“No!”Leatriedtoscream,butshefelttooweak,too
sleepy,toodizzy.
“Nowyouaremine!”sheheardCatherinecry.
Andthenshecouldfeeltheweightonherhead,feeltheheavypressuredropdownthroughherbody.Heavy.Soheavy.
SheknewCatherinewasinvadingher,possessingher.
ButLeawastooweak,too
sleepytoresist.
InafewsecondsCatherinehadtakenfullpossession.“Howlovely!”shesaidcheerfullyinLea’svoice.
Catherinehadtakenover.
Duringthenextfewdays,asshewaitedaroundthehouseforhertemperaturetoreturntonormal,Leafeltlikeavisitorinherownbody.Shewasconscious.Shewasalert
toeverythingthatwasgoingon.Butshehadnocontroloverwhatshesaidordid.
Shehadnovoice.Shecouldonlythink.
Shestillhadawill,butshecouldonlyfollow.
ItwasCatherine’sbodynow.
LeawouldarguewithCatherine,trytoconvinceCatherinetoleaveheralone.
ButCatherineignoredLea’ssilentpleas.
AsifLeadidn’texist.
Sometimes,withoutwarning,LeawouldsuddenlyfeelCatherine’spresencefloatoutfromherbody.ThesetimesfilledLeawithhopeandrelief.Backinchargeofherbody,shefeltlikecryingorleapingforjoy.
Butshewasalwaystootired.
Andtoofrightened.
Andthen,tooshortawhilelater,shewouldfeelCatherinereenter,takingoveronceagain.AndLeareturnedtoherfrighteningpositionasasilentpartner,asilentpartnerinherownbody!
WheredidCatherinegowhensheleftLea’sbody?
Leaneverasked.Catherinewouldmostlikelyignoreher
questionanyway.
Catherinewasinchargenow.
Catherinewastheonlyoneallowedtoaskquestions.
Onemorning,whenCatherinehaddisappearedforashortwhile,Leanearlytoldhermotherwhatwashappening.Butshestoppedherselfjustintime.
IfItellherI’mbeing
possessedbyaghost,thataghostiscontrollingmyeverywordandact,I’llspendtherestofmylifelockedupinahospitalsomewhere,Learealized.
Sosheresistedthetemptation,andsoonafterwardCatherinereturned.“Maybewecangoouttoday,”Catherinetoldher.“Maybewearefinallystrongenoughtoleavethehouse.I
havesomebigplansforus,Lea.Someveryimportantthingswemustdo.”
Lea,dreadingtheanswer,askedwhatCatherinehadplanned.Butonceagainhersilentquestionwasignored.
“Youseemtobedoingfine,”Lea’smothersaidcheerily,burstingintotheroom,pullingbackthecurtainsfromthetwinwindows,revealingaclear,sunnyday.“Whydon’t
youtakeawalkorsomethingtoday?Getoutofthisstuffyhouse.”
“Yaay!”CatherineyelledinLea’svoice.Shekickedoffthecoversandclimbedtoherfeet.
“Now,don’toverdoit,”Mrs.Carsonsaid,pullingopenoneofthewindowstoletsomecold,freshairintotheroom.
“Iwon’t,”Catherinetoldher.
“It’ssuchaprettyday.MaybeI’lljustgoforashortwalk.”
“Justpromiseyouwon’toverdoit,”Mrs.Carsonsaid,lookingconcerned.“You’vebeenaprettysickyounglady.”
“Ifeelgreat!”Catherinesaid.
WhenMrs.Carsonwentbackdownstairs,Leapulledonapairofblackdenimsanda
maroonandgrayShadysideHighsweatshirtandthenbegansearchingtheclutteredfloorofLea’scloset.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Leaaskedsilently.“Catherine,whatareyoulookingfor?”
Catherinedidn’treplyasLea’shandscontinuedtosearch.Then,finally,mysteriously,shesaid,“Bigplans,Lea.Bigplans.Aha!Hereitis.”
Shepulledapieceofheavytwineoutofthecloset,twinethathadheldtogetherthelastofLea’scartonsthathadfinallybeenunpacked.
“Catherine—whatareyougoingtodowiththat?”Leademanded.
“Youmean,whatarewegoingtodowithit,”Catherinesaidmischievously.“Wearegoingtohavealittle
fun.”Leahadnocontrol.Againstherwill,shefeltherselfpullthecoarsetwinetaut,thensnapitbetweenherhands.“We’regoingtoteachDonJacobsalittlelesson,”Catherinetoldher.
“Huh?”Leawasn’tsureshehadheardcorrectly.“Don?”
“HeandMarciwererealclose,right?”Catherineasked.Butitwasn’taquestion.“Iheardeverything,
Lea.IheardyoutellingeverythingtoDeenaonthephone.Iwasinyourbedroomallthetime,remember?”
“ButDon—”Leastarted.
“Donneedstobetaughtalessontoo,”Catherinesaidcoldly.“Comeon.Let’sgo,Lea.Let’sseewhatyoucando.”
Donlivedinasquare,red-brickhouseonCanyonRoad.Someonemusthavespenttheentiremorningrakingleaves,Learealized,foranenormousleafpilestoodinthemiddleofthesmallfrontyard.
“Whatabeautifulwalkwe’vehad,”CatherinesaidsilentlytoLea.“Theair—itsmellssofreshandsweet.Ithinkautumnismyfavoritetimeoftheyear.”
Learespondedwithglumsilence.ShehadarguedwithCatherinetheentirewayovertoDon’shouse,tryingtostopherfromcarryingoutwhateverhorridplansshehadforDon.
“ButI’mdoingitforyou,dear”wasCatherine’sonlyreply,andthenshechosetoignoreLeaentirely.
WhentheyhadreachedDon’sblock,Leamadeonelastdesperateefforttoregaincontrolofherbody.SheconcentratedondrivingCatherineaway,onmakingherlegsstop.
ButLeawastooweak.
Catherinewasfirmlyincharge.
DespiteLea’sefforts,herlegskeptmoving,shecontinuedwalkingbrisklyovertheleaf-strewnside-walkstowardCanyonDriveandDon’shouse.
“It’snousetryingtoresist,”Catherinetoldherastheywalkeduptheasphaltdrive.“I’mdoingthisforyou.Donwassuchalittleslaveto
Marci.Heneverstoodupforyou.”
“Catherine,please—”Leabegged.
Butshewasringingthedoorbell.
Pleasedon’tbehome,Leathought.Pleasedon’tbehome.
Footstepsinside.Thewhitefrontdoorwaspulledopen.
Donstoodinthedoorway,astartledlookonhisface.“Lea!”
“Hi,Don,”CatherinesaidinLea’svoice.“Howareyou?”
“Lea—howareyou?”Donasked,holdingopenthestormdoor.“Iheardyouweresick.”
“I’mokaynow.”Shesteppedintothesmallentranceway.Thehousesmelledofroastingchicken.Shecouldhear
heavymetalmusicblaringfromsomewhereupstairs.
“Whatasurprise,”Donsaid,wipinghishandsonhissweatshirt.“Ijustfinishedrakingleaves.Someguysarecomingover,and—”
“I’llonlystayaminute,”shesaid.“Iwantedtoseehowyouweredoing.Imean,youmust’vebeenprettybrokenup.AboutMarci.”
Donloweredhishead,avertinghiseyes.“Yeah,”hemuttered.
Theroomwassilentforamoment,exceptforthemusicfromupstairs.
“Itwasprettytough,”hesaidfinally,stillavoidingherglance.“Suchashock.Imean,suchastupidaccident.Itwas—unbelievable.”
“Yes.Unbelievable,”she
repeatedsoftly.
Lealistenedhelplesslyastheconversationcontinued,CatherinespeakingsosympatheticallytoDon,poor,unsuspectingDon.
IfonlytherewassomethingIcoulddo,Leathoughtdesperately.SomewaytostopCatherine.
ButLeawashelpless.Ahelplessbystander.
“Youwerethere,”Donsaid.“Itmusthavebeenhorribleforyou.”
Theywerestillstandingawkwardlyintheentranceway.Donhadhishandsjammedintohisjeanspockets.
“Yes,itwas,”shesaidsoftly,shakingherhead.“I—Idon’tthinkI’llevergetoverit.”
“Ifeelreallyalonenow,”
Donconfessed,raisingonehandtoscratchthetopofhiscurlybrownhair.
“Well,youshouldn’tfeelalone,”Leasaidmeaningfully.
Donstaredbackatherforalongmoment.Thenhismouthdroppedopenashesuddenlyrememberedsomething.“Thechicken!Mymomwentout.IpromisedherI’dturnofftheoven.”
Heturnedandhurriedtothekitchen.
Assoonashewasoutofsight,Leareachedintoherjeanspocketandpulledoutthelengthoftwine.Shehelditbetweenherhands,untanglingit.
“Catherine—whatareyougoingtodo?”Leademanded.
Noreply.
Leafeltherbodybeginwalkingtowardthekitchen.
“Catherine—stop.Whatareyougoingtodo?”
Noreply.
Walkingsilently,Leacreptintothekitchen.ShesteppedquicklybehindDon,whohadhisbackturned.Hewasbendingovertheopenoven,checkingthechicken.
ShepulledtheropetautandbegantoraiseitoverDon’shead.
WithasilentgaspofhorrorLearealizedthatshewasabouttostrangleDon.
LealeanedforwarduntilshewasalmostonDon’sback,raisingthetwineoverhishead,readytopullitaroundhisneckandchokehimwithit.
Thedoorbellrang.
Donstoodupstraight.
Leabackedawayquickly,lettinggoofthetwine,lettingitfalltothefloor.
“Hey!”Doncried,spinningaround.“Ididn’thearyoucomeinhere.”
“Sorry,”Leasaid.
Thatwasacloseone,Lea,helplessinherownbody,
thought,greatlyrelieved.
Andthen,shakenwithfear,sherealizedthatCatherinehadn’tbeendefeated.Onlydelayed.Shewouldtryagain.
AndLeawouldbeamurderer.Atruemurderer.
Donturnedofftheovenandrantothefrontdoor.Leastoppedtoretrievethetwine,jammingithurriedlyintothepocketofherjeans,then
followedDontothefronthall.
“Hi,guys,”Donwassaying.“I’mallready.Justhavetogetmykeys.”
TwoboysLearecognizedfromschool,CoryBrooksandGaryBrandt,strodeintothehouse.TheywerebothwearingjeansandShadysideHighletterjackets.
“Hey,youknowLea?”Don
asked,headingintothelivingroom.“LeaCarson,thisisCoryandGary,”hecalledout.
“Hi,”Leasaidshyly.
“Howyadoin’?”Coryasked.
“I’veseenyouatschool,”Garysaid.“AreyouinHunter’schemistryclass?”
“Yeah,”Leasaid.“Ijuststartedafewweeksago.”
“Okay.Let’sgo,”Donsaid,reappearing.Hehadbrushedhishairinthefewsecondshe’dbeengone.“Canwegiveyoualiftanywhere,Lea?”
“No.Thanks,”Leasaid.“I’mgoingtowalk.”Shestartedoutthefrontdoor.“Seeyousoon,Don.Takecare.”
Idon’tbelievethis,Leathought.FirstCatherinetriestostranglehim.Thenshetellshimtotakecare.
“Nicemeetingyouguys,”LeacalledbacktoGaryandCory,andthenstartedtojogdownthedriveway,pasttheircar,abeat-upFordFiestawithradio-stationbumperstickerspastedallovertheback,anddownCanyonRoad,joggingagainstthewind,coldandfragrantonherburninghotface.
“Didyouhaveaniceanice
walk,dear?”Mrs.Carsonasked,hearingLeareturn.
“Verypleasant,”CatherinerepliedinLea’svoice.“I’mbeginningtofeelsomuchbetter,Mom.”
“Oh,I’msoglad,”Mrs.Carsonsaid,enteringtheroom,wipingherhandsonadishtowel.
“I’mreallysorry,”Leasaid,“youknow,abouttheghost
stuff,thecrazythingsIsaid.Imusthavereallyworriedyou,Mom.”
Listeningtothis,helplesstointerfere,Leautteredasilentplea:Itisn’tme,Mom.Itisn’tmesayingthosewords.Please,Mom.Can’tyoutell?Can’tyoutellthatitisn’tme?
“YourdadandIwerealittleworried.Youwereobviouslyhavingsomesortofhallucinationsfromthehigh
fever,Lea,”Mrs.Carsonsaid.
“Well,Ifeelreallygoodnow,”Leasaidcheerily.“Likemyoldself.”
Shestartedupthestairstoherroom.
“Catherine,youcan’tdothistome!”Leacried,asilent,desperateplea.
“He’lldienexttime,”Catherinemutteredinadark,
terrifyingvoicetoLea.“Donwilldie,andsowillhisstupid,grinningfriends.They’lldietoo.They’llalldie.”
Theblacknessseemedtopart,andbehinditlaymoreblackness.Thentworectanglesofgraycameintofocus.Thetwowindowsacrosstheroom.
Leasatupastheswirling
shadesofblackliftedandherroomsettledintoplace.
Shefeltstrange,unsettled.
“Catherine?”shewhispered.
Noreply.
AndthenLearealized.Catherinehadleftherbodyagain.
“Catherine?”
Leahadnoideahowlong
Catherinewouldbegone.Sometimesitwasforafewhours,sometimesforonlyminutes.
Wheredoesshego?Leawondered.
Shespunaroundinhersilky,whitepajamasandputherfeetonthefloor.I’mmoving,shethought.I’mmovingmylegs,mybody.I’mdoingthethinking.I’mincontrol.
Itfeltsogood,ifonlyforashortwhile.
I’vegottodosomething,Leathought.I’vegottogetridofCatherine.
BeforeshekillsDon.
Buthow?WhatcanIdo?
Shewrappedherarmstightlyaroundherself,suddenlyfeelingveryalone.
Ihavenoone,shethought
miserably.There’snooneIcantell.NooneIcanturnto.IfItellmyparents,they’llcallthedoctor,andI’llbeinbedfortherestofmylife.IfItellDeena—well,shewouldn’tbelieveme,either.
Noonewouldbelieveme.
I’mallalone,andI’vegottodealwithCatherineonmyown.
Buthow?
Andthenshehadanidea.
Thelockedroom.Theboarded-uproomintheattic.
Thesecretmustbeupthere,Leadecided.
WhyelsewouldCatherinebesodesperatetokeepmeawayfromit?Whywouldshepullallthosetricks,givemevisionstomakemethinkthatIwasinthatroom,doeverythingshecouldtokeep
meoutofit?
LearememberedCatherinesayingthatshehadboardeduptheroomherself,thatshewantedittostayboardedupforever.
Why?
TherewassomethinginthatroomthatCatherinedidn’twanttoletout.Asecret.AsecretfrighteningtoCatherine.
Ihavetoknowwhatitis,Leadecided,climbingtoherfeet.Ihavetofindoutwhat’sbehindthelockedatticdoor.
Theatticwasstillandcold,theairthickandhardtobreathe.Leanearlychokedonthesour,staledustthatinvadedhernostrils.
Sheclickedontheatticlightandmovedquickly,her
rubberthongspaddingoverthecreakingfloorboards,totheboarded-updoor.
WhenwillCatherinebeback?shewondered,thethoughtsendingachilldownherback.
“Catherine?”shecalled.
Noreply.
Whenwillshebeback?
I’vegottohurry.I’vegotto
learnthesecretofthisroombeforeCatherinereturns,beforeshecanstopme,beforeshecaninvademybodyagain.
Withouthesitatinganylonger,shegrabbedthehighesttwo-by-fourandtugged.Itdidn’tbudge.Shetuggedagain.Itwassecurelynailed.
Theboardscameoffsoeasilybefore,sherecalled.Butthat,
ofcourse,wasjustavision,justadream.
Ahammer.Sheneededahammer.
Butwastheretime?
Leahadnochoice.Downtheladder,thendownthestairs.Shecreptthroughthedark,silenthousetotheback,hereyesadjustingtothedimlight,thefamiliarobjectsaroundherstrangeand
mysteriousinshadesofblack.
Ittookawhiletofindherfather’stoolchest,andawhilelongertorummagethroughitinthedark,quietly,oh,soquietly,tofindtheclaw-headedhammer.
Thenbackuptotheattic.
Catherine?Wherewasshe?
Abouttoreturn?Abouttopounce?AbouttostopLea
beforeshecouldlearnthehiddenroom’ssecret,theonlysecretthatcouldpossiblysaveher?
Backintotheatticcold,thechokingsournessofthedust.
Andnowshewaspullingfranticallyattheboards,wedgingthehammerbetweenthedoorframeandtheboard,pushingandpryingwithallherstrength.Franticmotions,desperatemotions.So
frightened.Listeningforanysound,watchingforanycluethatCatherinemightbereturning.
Thefirstboardgroanedasifinprotestandfelltothefloor.Shestartedonthesecondone,breathinghard,coughingonthethick,dustyair,listening,waiting,everyporeonedge,everyporealertasshefeverishlyworkedthehammer,pryingloosethat
boardtoo.
Thesecondboardfellwithasoftthud,kickingupdustasitlanded.
Oneboardtogo.Andthenshecouldpullopenthedoor.
“Catherine?”
Noreply.
Stillnotthere.Maybetherewastime.MaybeLeacoulddoit.
Thethirdboardresistedherefforts.Shewedgedthehammerinandpulled.Itsqueakedandgroanedbutdidn’tmove.Shewasbathedinsweatnow,cold,uncomfortablesweat.Butshecontinuedtoworkfeverishly.
Untilthethirdboardcameoffandfellatherfeet.
Shewasreachingtoturnthekeyinthedoorlockwhenavoicecriedoutrightbeside
her.
“Lea—whatareyoudoing?”
CatherinewashoveringbesideLea,hereyesglowingredwithfury,hertinyfeaturestwistedinanger,hergoldenringletsflyingwildlyaboutherhead.
“Whatareyoudoing?Getawayfromthatdoor!”
Leaignoredherandreached
forthekey.
Butwithastoundingstrength,CatherinegrabbedLeabytheshouldersandpulledherback.
“No!”Leascreamed.“Youcan’tstopme!”Sheducked,pulledoutofCatherine’scoldgrip,andstumbledforwardtothedoor.Thenshegrabbedthekeyandstartedtoturnit.
ButCatherinemovedquickly.
ShefloatedaboveLea,thenvanished.
AndLeafeltthepressureonthetopofherhead,feltCatherinebeginherinvasion,felttheweightbegintodescend.
Leaningagainstthelockeddoor,Leajammedhereyesshutandconcentrated.
Ikeptheroutonce,shethought.Ishutheroutonce.I
candoitagain.Ijusthavetobestrong…strong…strong….
Butthepressurebuiltuntilherheadfeltabouttoexplode.Catherinewaspushingherwayin,determinedtostopLea,determinedtotakecontrolonceagain.
No,no,no,no.Leaconcentratedonkeepingtheghostout.
Theweightbegantolift,thepressurelighten.
Yes!
Shehaddoneit.
“Don’topenthedoor!”Catherine,invisible,shriekedfromsomewhere,somewhereoutsideofLea.“Don’t!”
I’veshutherout,Leathought,herheartpounding.I’veshutherout.
“Lea—don’t!”
Leaturnedthekeyandpulledopenthedoor.
Shepeeredintotheroom,raisedheropenhandstoherface—andstartedtoscream.
ThebedroomwasrevealedmuchasLeahadimaginedit—thedarkwalls,theflickeringcandles,thecanopybed.
Butsittingonthebedwerea
manandawoman.Or,asLeaobservednow,thehorribleremainsofamanandawoman.
Theyweredressedentirelyinblack,whichmadethemdifficulttoseeintheshadowylight.Thewomanworealong,flowing,high-neckeddress;headarksuitandwhiteshirtwithastiffcollar.Theclothesappearedtobeingoodconditionandclean,but
hunginfoldsonthem,manysizestoobig.
Staringintothedarkroom,Leaquicklysawthereason.
Theirbodieshadbegundecomposing,revealingtheskeletonsbeneath.Fleshlesshandswithstick-like,bonyfingershungoutfromtheendsoftheirsleeves.Theirfaceswereskeletaltoo,lockedinhideous,open-jawedgrins.Tinypocketsof
green,decayingfleshstillclunginthecrevicesoftheirskulls.
Themanhadoneeyeinplace,theotheradeep,emptysocket.Thewomanbadnofaceatall.Strandsofspideryblackhairsnakeddownfromthetopofheryellowingskullbone.Ahugeblackwormcrawledoutofaneyesocketanddroppeddownthefrontofherblouse.
AsLeastartedtoscream,bothskeletalfiguresleapttotheirfeet,bonesrattlingastheystood.Theystaggeredtowardthedoor,towardLea,theirbonyhandsoutstretched.
Leascreamedagain.
AndfeltCatherineslipintoherbody.
Distractedbythegruesomefiguresadvancingonher,Leahadlostherconcentrationjust
longenoughforCatherinetogetin.
Andnowshefelttheheaviness,felttheweightofCatherinesinkingthroughher.Helplessonceagain.Catherineincontrolnow.
“Youfool!”Catherineshoutedangrily.“Youfool!”
Thetwoskeletonsrattledcloser,stumblingovertheirill-fittingclothes,theirhands
outstretched,bothpointinglong,accusingfingers.
“Iwarnedyounottoopenthedoor!”Catherinecried.“Thosearemyparents!”
“Sothereyouare,evilchild!”whisperedthewoman,thesoundthatofdry,rushingwind.
“Stayback,ghouls!”CatherinescreamedinLea’svoice.
Buttheskeletonsmovedwithsurprisingagility.
Theman’shandsnappedout,andhisdry,bonyfingerswrappedthemselveslikesnakesaroundLea’sthroat.
“Evilchild!”thewomancried,hervoicewhistlingthroughheropenthroat.
Leagaggedastheman’sfingerstightenedaroundherthroat.Shecouldn’tbreathethroughhernosebecausethe
foulodorofdecayingfleshchokedher.Shetriedtopullawayfromthehideous,grinningskullswiththeirdark,cavernouseyesockets,butbothofthemhadholdofhernow.
Theircadaverousarmswrappedaroundher,smotheringherindarkness,chokingherwiththesoursmellofthedead,laughingtriumphantly,dryhuffsof
silentlaughterblowingthroughtheiropenjaws.
They’regoingtoswallowmeup,Leathought.
They’regoingtomakemelikethem.
Andasshethoughtthis,andasshesurrenderedtothehard,bonyformsthatwereattemptingtosmotherher,LeafeltCatherinefloataway.
I’mgoingtodienow,Leathought.ButCatherinewillnotdiewithme.
Herparentsaregoingtokillmenow,andCatherinewillsurvive.
Leabegantoseeflashesofred,swirlsofred,growingbrighterandbrighterastheskeletonshuggedher,chokedoffherbreath,andwrappedthemselvesaroundher.
AndthenshesawCatherinebesideher,hereyesglowingredasfire,hermouthtwistedinanger,pointinganaccusingfingeratLea’sattackers.
“Theymurderedmeonce!”Catherinescreamed.“Nowtheywanttomurdermeagain!”
“Youevilliar!”thewomanshriekedinbrittlefury.
Theskeletalfiguresrelaxed
theirdeathgriponLea.Leautteredalowcryandsanktoherknees,franticallysuckingair.
“Youevilliar!”thewomanrepeated,turningheryellowed,eyelessskullonCatherine.“Youmurderedusbothandlockedusforeverinthisroom.Butwehavewaitedherealltheseyearsforyou.Wevowednottorestuntilwestoppedyourevil!”
Hereyesglowingevenbrighter,Catherinetossedbackherheadandstartedtolaugh.Butherlaughterwascutshortasbothherparentsleaptather,bonesclattering.
Theycircledherwiththeirputrid,baggyclothes,theodorrisinginavaporofdecay,partsofthemdroppingoff,bonesfallingtothefloor,astheysweptaroundher.
Catherinedisappearedinside
thisfoul,murderoushug.AsLeagapedinfrozenhorror,thevengefulghoulshuggedtheirdaughter,wrappinghertighterandtighterinafurious,swirlinggrip,suffocatingher.
“Helpme!Please—helpme!”CatherinecriedouttoLea.
Catherine’spalehandreachedoutfromthesmotheringembraceofherparents.Butaskeletalhandgrabbed
Catherine’shandand,withaviolentjerk,twistedthehandoffandtossedittothefloor.
CatherineandLeascreamedatthesametime.
Leacoveredherearsandshuthereyes.
Butshecouldn’tshutoutCatherine’sfinalscream—thescreamofananimalcaughtinadeathtrap.
Whenthescreamfadedaway,Leaopenedhereyes.Asshestaredinopenmouthedhorror,allthreeghostlyfiguresmeltedtogetherinaglowing,malodorousballofflame,whichslowlyvanishedinachokingcloudofyellow,sulfuroussmoke.
Sobbinginterror,stillstrugglingtocatchherbreath,Leastaredatthethickyellowvaporasitrosetotheattic
ceiling.
Everythingwentred.
Andthenblack.
Shecouldfeelherselfsinkingtothefloor,butshecouldn’tdoanythingaboutit.
Whensheopenedhereyes,shesawonlywhite.
Isthisheaven?shewondered.
IttookLeaawhiletorealizethatshewasstaringupataceiling.
Andthenhermother’sfacehoveredintoview.
“Lea?Areyouawake?”
Hermotherhadtearsinthecornersofhereyes,andherchintrembledasshestareddownatLea.
“Areyouawake?”hermotherrepeated.
Andthen,fromsomewherenearby,Leaheardthevoice
ofherfather.“Standbackalittle.Giveherroomtobreathe.”
“I’malive?”Leaasked,confused.Shefeltweak.
“Ofcourseyou’realive,dear,”hermothersaid,wipingthetearswithherfinger.
Learealizedshewaslyingonherback.Shelookeddownandsawthatshewasinan
unfamiliarbed,coveredwithasheetandlightblueblanket.
“WhereamI?”
“ShadysideGeneral,”herfathersaid,movingcloser.“You’vebeenverysick,Lea.”
“Ihave?”
“You’vehadsuchahightemperature.Itwasahundredandsixforthreedays,”Mrs.
Carsonsaid,hervoicequavering.
“HowlonghaveIbeenhere?”Leaasked,closinghereyes.Thebrightlightsreflectingofftheshiny,whiteceilingwerehurtinghereyes.
“Nearlyaweek,”herfathersaidsoftly.Andthenquicklyadded,“Butyou’regoingtobeokay.”
“Youmeanitwasalljusta
dream?”Leaasked,openinghereyes,turningherheadtowardherparents.Herheadthrobbedwhenshemovedit.
“Adream?”Mrs.Carsonwasobviouslyconfused.
“Didyouhavealotofdreams?”Mr.Carsonasked.“Sometimeswhenyouhaveahighfever,yougetveryvividandunusualdreams.They’recalled‘feverdreams.’”
“Itwasallafeverdream?”Leaasked.
Shetriedtositup,butherentirebodyprotested,andshegroanedandsankbackontothepillow.
“You’regoingtobeokay,”Mr.Carsonrepeated.“You’rejustweakfrombeinginbedsolong.”
“You’llbehomeinnotime,”Mrs.Carsontoldher.“And
Deenasaysshe’sbeenorganizingallyourhomeworksoyou’llbeabletocatchup.”
“Oh,great,”Leamoaned.“Thanksabunch,Deena.”
Mr.Carsonlaughed.“Soundslikeyou’realreadybacktonormal.”
“Aboyhasbeencallingforyou.Everyday,”hermothersaid.“DonJacobs.He
soundedveryworriedaboutyou.”
Leasmiled.Itwassohardtoconcentrate.“Ican’tbelieveitwasalladream,”shesaid,driftingbacktosleep.
Lea’sfirstthoughtuponreturninghomethreedayslaterwastoclimbuptotheatticandcheckthesecretroom.Butherparentsinsistedthatshestayinbedafew
moredays,andtheykeptacloseandconstantwatchonher.Shecouldn’tsneakupthere.
Finallyshecouldn’twaitanylonger.AwakeningearlyonaSaturdaymorningbeforeeitherofherparentshadstirred,shecreptoutofbed,pulledonarobeandherrubberthongs,andmadeherwaysilentlyuptotheattic.
Palemorninglightfilteredinthroughthecircularwindow.Thefloorboardscreakedasalwaysbeneathhersilenttread.
Sureenough,thehiddenbedroomwaslockedandboardedupstill.
Alladream,Leathought.
Shestoodthereinthesilenceforawhile,tryingtosortoutherfeelings.Shecouldn’t
decideifshewasrelievedordisappointed.
Stillfeelingshaky,sheturnedawayfromthehiddenroomandclimbedbackdowntoherbedroom.Onthewaybacktobed,shepassedtheovalmirroraboveherdresserandtookapeekatherself.
“Ireallyneedahaircut,”shetoldherself.“Mybangsaredownovermyeyes.Ilooklikesomekindofmangy
sheepdog.”
Andthensomethingbesidethedresserlampcaughthereye.
Ablackribbon.
Leapickeditupwithatremblinghand.Sheknewimmediatelywhatitwas.
ItwasCatherine’sblackvelvethairribbon.
Sheheldittightlyinone
hand,runningthefingersoftheotherhandoverthesmoothvelvet.
Catherineandherevilhadbeenreal,afterall.
AndtheroomaboveLea’sbedroomhadheldCatherine’sparents,waitingpatientlyforahundredyearstogettheirrevengeontheirdaughter.
Staringattheribbon,Leafeltastabofrenewedhorror.
Marci.PoorMarci,shethought.
MarcihadbeenthefinalvictimofCatherine’sevil.AndLeahadbeenpartlytoblame.
FeelingsofregretfloodedoverLea.Regretandsadness.
Sheknewthiswasafeelingshewouldhavetolivewithforalong,longtime.
Leatoyedwiththeribbon,tyingitanduntyingitaroundherhand.
Shouldshetellanyonewheretheribboncamefrom?
No,shedecided.
Thesecretbedroommustremainasecret.AnothersecretofFearStreet,astreetofsecrets.
Sheputdowntheribbonand
madeherwaydownstairstofixsomebreakfast.
AbouttheAuthor
R.L.STINEdoesn’tknowwherehegetstheideasforhisscarybooks!ButhewantstoassureworriedreadersthatnoneofthehorrorsofFEARSTREETeverhappenedtohiminreallife.
BoblivesinNewYorkCitywithhiswifeandeleven-year-oldson.Heistheauthor
ofnearlytwentybestsellingmysteriesandthrillersforYoungAdultreaders.Healsowritesfunnynovels,jokebooks,andbooksforyoungerreaders.
Inadditiontohispublishingwork,heisHeadWriterofthechildren’sTVshow“Eureeka’sCastle,”seenonNickelodeon.
WATCHOUTFORFEAR
SILENTNIGHT
Revahasalwayshaditeasy.She’srich,beautiful—andspoiled.Butthistimeshe’sgonetoofar.Nowsomeonehassomesurprisesinstore
forher.Robbery?Terror?Evenmurder?SomeonewantstotreatRevatoaholidayshe’llneverforget!HolidaycheerturnstoholidaychillsforReva.Someoneisstalkingher—someonewantsrevenge.Hermoneycan’thelpher.Noonecan.
R.L.Stine
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