Don't Stay Up Late by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

straight ahead on the road, as if he didn’t want to see me sitting beside him. It wasn’t like him at all to be so silent, and he was making me more and more uncomfortable.
    â€œIsaac was telling me about Fear Street,” I said finally to break the silence. “Actually, he was warning me.”
    â€œI don’t believe that stuff,” Nate said, swerving to pass a school bus. “Everyone is so freaked out by the Fear family.” He shook his head. “I’m not friends with Brendan Fear, but I think he’s a good dude.”
    Brendan Fear was a senior at Shadyside High. I’d seen him in the halls, but I hadn’t met him.
    â€œIsaac said I shouldn’t take the job because it’s on Fear Street,” I said.
    Nate stared straight ahead. “Isaac reads too many comic books,” he said.
    That ended the conversation.
    The sun went behind clouds as we turned onto Fear Street, and the sky darkened. Tall trees slanted over the street. The houses looked old. They had wide front yards and were set far back from the street.
    A rabbit darted across the street in front of us, and Nate swung the wheel to miss it. “Whoa!” I cried out as I was swung against the passenger door. “My first dangerous moment on Fear Street,” I joked.
    But Nate didn’t laugh. We passed a wooded lot. A tall, dark-shingled house came into view, set behind a low hedge. “What number is that?” I asked. “I think that’s the house.”
    Nate hit the brake, and we crept past the driveway. The number on the mailbox was thirty-two. “Yes. That’s it.” I gazed up at it through the windshield. The house was completely dark except for an orangey light in the front window.
    As we pulled up the drive, the front porch light flashed on. “Mrs. Hart must have been watching for me,” I said. I straightened my hair. “Do I look okay?”
    Nate finally turned to me. “Yeah. You look fine.”
    My chest suddenly felt fluttery. My hands were cold. “I can’t believe I’m so nervous,” I said. “Guess I really want the job.”
    â€œPiece of cake,” Nate said. He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Go get ’em.”
    My face tingled. I didn’t expect him to kiss me. “I’ve got to pick up my brother at his piano lesson,” he said. “I’ll drop him back home. Then I’ll swing back and get you.”
    I started to open the door. “Good luck,” he called after me.
    I took a deep breath and strode toward the brightly lit front porch.

 
    15.
    Brenda Hart pulled open the door before I rang the bell. “Lisa? Come in.”
    She pushed open the storm door and ushered me into the front hall. The house was warm and smelled of roast chicken. The walls were dark green. A tall brass lamp stood over a table with a stack of unopened mail on its top.
    She shook hands with me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Brenda Hart.” The front entryway opened into the living room. A steep wooden stairway led to the second floor. The living room had the same dark green walls. Two ceiling lights sent down a wash of pale light over the dark furniture, two armchairs behind a low coffee table, facing a steep-backed black leather couch. An open copy of People magazine lay on the couch.
    Brenda motioned for me to take one of the chairs. She was a thin, pretty woman, probably in her late thirties. She had black hair pushed straight back and tied in a loose ponytail behind her head. Her eyes were dark, and the lines beneath them made her look tired.
    She was dressed young. She had a short pleated skirt over black tights, and a long-sleeved cream-colored T-shirt. She sighed as she took the armchair next to me. “It’s been a long day. I’m glad you came.”
    â€œThank you,” I said, clearing my throat. She seemed like a nice person. Why couldn’t I get over my nervousness?
    â€œDo