TheSecretBedroom

R.L.STINE

BillSchmidt

AnArchwayPaperback1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYorkLondonToronto

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Bobbyneverhadanytroublewithgirls…untilhestarteddatingtheWadetwins.NowoneofthemisouttogetBobby—butwhichone?

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byR.L.Stine

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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

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THESTEPSISTER

SKIWEEKEND

THEFIREGAME

LIGHTSOUT

THESECRETBEDROOM

THEKNIFE

PROMQUEEN

FIRSTDATE

THEBESTFRIEND

THECHEATER

SUNBURN

THENEWBOY

THEDARE

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THETHRILLCLUB

TheFearStreetSaga

THEBETRAYAL

THESECRET

THEBURNING

FearStreetCheerleaders

THEFIRSTEVIL

THESECONDEVIL

THETHIRDEVIL

FearStreetSuperChiller

PARTYSUMMER

SILENTNIGHT

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Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorlocalesor

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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

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R.L.Stine

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