All-Night Party by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

hovered behind her, Gretchen opened the rest of the closets and peeked behind the drapes in the living room.
    Each time, she braced herself for an attack.
    Each time, they found no one.
    Finally, there was only one place left to search.
    The kitchen.
    â€œI can’t go back in there,” Hannah cried. “I can’t bear to see Cindy dead.”
    Gretchen paused with her hand on the kitchen door. “I’ll go in by myself. You stay out here.”
    â€œNo!” Hannah cried. “Don’t leave me alone.”
    Gretchen sighed and took Hannah by the arm. She led her into the living room and sat her on the couch. “I won’t leave you alone, Hannah. We’ll ask one of the guys to search the kitchen.”
    Gretchen heard doors opening and closing upstairs. She kept waiting to hear a shout of discovery. But it never came.
    â€œNo killer. No killer,” Hannah chanted. She pulled her knees up to her chest and started rocking back and forth.
    â€œNo killer inside,” Gretchen repeated softly.
    Hannah shivered. “I’m so cold.”
    â€œThe fire has almost gone out,” Gretchen said. “I’ll build it back up.”
    Gretchen reached into the wood bin and tossed logs into the fire. Soon the flames started to grow, crackling and popping, and warm rays of heat drifted out of the fireplace.
    Hannah climbed up from the couch and stood in front of the fire, holding out her hands.
    â€œBetter?” Gretchen asked.
    â€œA little,” Hannah replied.
    Rain pounded the windowpane.
    Gretchen stared out at the storm. Were they safe? Or was the escaped prisoner hiding out in the woods? Watching the cabin and getting ready to make his next move?
    Would they get off the island alive?
    Gretchen went to check the locks on the windows. Pushing aside the half-open drapes, she checked each window. All were secure.
    But as the drapes fell back into place, Gretchen froze.
    Something on the porch!
    Something moving!
    â€œSomeone is out there!” Gretchen gasped.

Chapter
18

    G retchen raced over to the wood bin and pulled out a heavy log.
    â€œWho is it?” Hannah cried. “What did you see?”
    Gretchen didn’t answer. She ran to the door.
    â€œYou can’t go out by yourself!” Hannah shrieked. “It’s too dangerous! Let one of the guys check.”
    Gretchen reached for the doorknob. “By the time they get down here, he could be gone.”
    â€œDon’t do this, Gretchen!” Hannah begged. “Please!”
    Gretchen pulled open the front door. Lightning flashed across the sky. Rain fell in heavy sheets.
    Gretchen slipped out onto the porch. She raised the heavy log in her hand.
    Her eyes darted from side to side, seeking theslightest movement. The wind sprayed her with rain. She felt her wet clothes sticking to her body.
    Is my mind playing tricks on me? Gretchen wondered. Am I seeing things?
    Over the pounding rain, Gretchen heard a sound.
    Behind her.
    Before Gretchen could turn around, a hand fell heavily on her shoulder.
    Gretchen whirled around, swinging the log in her upraised hand.
    She stared into the eyes of her attacker.
    The log fell from her hand and clattered to the porch floor.
    Jackson.
    â€œWhat are you doing out here by yourself?” he angrily demanded.
    â€œWhen I checked the locks on the windows, I thought I saw someone out here. I was taking a look around.”
    â€œBy yourself?” He scowled at her.
    â€œSomeone had to check things out,” she replied.
    â€œThat was stupid, Gretchen,” Jackson scolded. “You should have waited for one of the guys to go with you.”
    Gretchen didn’t feel like arguing with him. She brushed past him and stepped back into the house.
    Gretchen found a towel in the bathroom and dried herself off. Then she bundled herself in a yellow blanket and stood in front of the fireplace.
    Her soaking-wet hair felt plastered to her head andshe tried to pull a