Don't Forget Me! by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

you’re going to be okay!” I cried.
    I turned to the kitchen counter. “Peter?”
    He was gone.
    â€œWhere did he go?” I gasped.
    Addie blinked hard, staring at the empty kitchen stool.
    I spun toward the doorway—and saw that the basement door was open again. “Peter?” I ran out into the hall and looked down the stairs. “Peter? What are you doing?”
    He was halfway down the stairs, walking so slowly in the dark, a step and then another step.
    â€œPeter? Can’t you hear me?” I screamed. “What are you doing? Where are you going?”

 

    Finally he turned back. He stared up at me. Even in the dim light, I could see the confusion on his face.
    â€œPeter, come back up here,” I demanded. “Hurry. Why were you going down to the basement?”
    â€œI—I don’t know.” His voice was flat, faint, as if he were half-asleep. He obediently began climbing back up, slowly, his eyes locked on mine. It seemed to take him forever.
    When he finally stepped back into the hallway, I slammed the basement door shut. I wished it had a lock. A chill ran down my back. I remembered those frightening kids in my dream, chanting his name over and over.
    Or was it a dream?
    Were there ghosts down there? Monster kids living in the basement? Zombies like in some horror movie?
    Crazy thoughts. Really crazy.
    But why was Peter heading down there?
    I placed my hands gently on his shoulders and guided him to the living room. “Addie and I are going to help you,” I said softly. “You’re going to be fine again.”
    I led him to the couch. I made him sit exactly where he sat the last time.
    â€œHere’s the coin,” Addie said, handing it to me. “I found it in your room.”
    My hand shook so hard, I dropped it. It rolled under the coffee table. I bent to pick it up.
    â€œWhat are you going to do?” Peter asked.
    â€œI’m going to hypnotize you again,” I said.
    Peter squinted at me. “Again?”
    â€œYou’re going to be fine,” Addie told him, forcing herself to sound cheerful. “You’re going to remember everything.”
    I climbed to my feet and held the chain up. The coin dangled in front of me, catching the light from the front window. Please work! I prayed silently. Please let me return Peter to normal .
    â€œSit back, Peter,” I instructed. “Take a deep breath and relax.” I began to swing the silver dollar gently back and forth.
    Peter slumped back on the couch. His eyes followed the coin from left to right, right to left.
    â€œYou’re starting to feel sleepy,” I whispered. “So sleepy. You can hardly keep your eyelids open.” I let the coin swing slowly. Peter’s eyelids drooped. “You feel so sleepy… so sleepy….”
    I glimpsed Addie out of the corner of my eye. She had a tight grin on her face. She flashed me a thumbs-up. “It’s working,” she whispered.
    â€œNo, it isn’t,” Peter said.
    â€œHuh?” I gasped.
    â€œI don’t feel sleepy at all. You’re just making me dizzy, swinging that dumb coin back and forth.” He started to stand up.
    â€œNo, Peter—” I protested. “Let’s keep trying. Please—?”
    He shook his head. “It isn’t working, Danielle. You don’t know how to do it.”
    I turned to Addie. “I’m doing everything the same. What’s wrong? Why isn’t it working?”
    She sighed. “I’m really sorry. Maybe we should go to school.”
    â€œYes,” Peter agreed, pushing his glasses up on his nose. “School.”
    The coin fell from my hand. I didn’t bother to pick it up. “I’ll get my backpack,” I said.
    Can Peter handle school? I wondered. Should I take him to Dr. Ross instead?
    I turned toward the hall, and uttered a sharp cry when I saw the basement door— wide-open again