A Midsummer Night's Scream by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

me see you.”
    I took a deep breath to steady myself. Claire, you imagined that voice.
    Then I walked out of the dressing room, adjusting the top. I brushed Delia’s dressing-room curtain. “Dee, everything okay?”
    She pulled back the curtain. She hadn’t changed yet. She sat on the bench with her phone to her ear. “I have to take this call. It’s my modeling agent.” She waved me away. “Go on without me. I’ll catch up.” She pulled the curtain shut.
    “You look perfect,” Betty said to me. She tugged at the top of my skirt. “A little snug. Can you breathe?”
    “Sure. No problem,” I said.
    “Follow me. I’ll sign you out,” Betty said, starting to the counter in front. “Simon wants you to go to makeup next. Do you know where the trailer is?”
    “I … think so,” I replied.
    I thanked her, and she said it was so nice to see me. “I hope the movie goes well,” she said. I could tell by the way she gazed into my eyes that she was worried about the whole thing.
    Maybe she believed Mayhem Manor was cursed or something. Or maybe she was just a worrier.
    I didn’t have time to think about it. I stepped into the bright sunlight and started to walk around the side of the building. I shielded my eyes with one hand. I realized I’d left my Ray-Bans in the dressing room. I decided to come back for them later.
    A small white trailer stood in the shadow of the wardrobe building. I blinked at it. It had no sign, no markings on it at all.
    Strange, I thought. Les told me the makeup trailer was at the side of Mayhem Manor.
    I decided they must have moved it. I let out a long breath. The old skirt was tighter than I’d thought. Maybe it would encourage me to lose some weight.
    I climbed the three metal steps to the trailer door, then hesitated. Should I knock? I decided to go right in.
    I pulled open the door and leaned inside. It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust after the bright sunlight. Inside the trailer, I saw a wall of shelves filled with bottles and jars, all different colors.
    Yes. This must be the right place, I decided. I stepped through the doorway and pulled the door closed behind me. I turned—and saw the creature sitting behind a low desk.
    I gasped.
    It took me a few seconds to realize it wasn’t a creature. It was a very hairy little man. I felt my face grow hot. I was embarrassed that I had uttered a gasp.
    But he was a strange-looking little dude. He had to be no more than five feet tall, and he was covered in hair. I mean, he had like a black shrub falling over his head, poking out in all directions. And a stubbly black beard on his round face. And his sleeveless blue wifebeater shirt showed off hairy black arms and a lot of black chest fur.
    OMG. Anybody could have mistaken him for a bear or something. Trust me. He was a real hairy bowling ball.
    I backed against the door. In case the beast attacked.
    But when he spoke, he had a soft, high voice, and he smiled, and I could see he was human, after all. Or at least almost human.
    “Welcome, welcome,” he said. “What can I do for you today?”
    He had tiny hands with curly hair on the backs, and he plucked at the front of his tight shirt as he gazed up at me.
    “Simon Ferris sent me,” I said. And then I stopped. And squinted at him. “Have I seen you somewhere before?”
    He scratched his beard. “I don’t think so.”
    “Haven’t we met?” I had the strongest feeling.
    “No,” he said. “Who are you?”
    I studied his face. He had dark eyes under heavy black eyebrows and a flat nose. His mouth was lost somewhere in his beard.
    “From Mayhem Manor, ” I said. “I’m Claire Woodlawn. I’m playing Darlene.”
    He murmured something under his breath. It sounded like, “Darlene was a nice girl.” But I knew I hadn’t heard right.
    “I’m Benny Puckerman. Everyone calls me Puck.” He nodded his head as if taking a short bow.
    My eyes darted over the shelves all around him, the small bottles and jars. Hundreds