Fright Christmas by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

you,” I stammered. “You’re just a bunch of dummies.”
    â€œI don’t think so, Kenny,” one of the mannequins chuckled. “We’re not dummies—you are the dummy!”
    All the dummies broke out into a horrible laugh. Shrieking and laughing—and chanting, “Kenny is a dummy. Kenny is a dummy.”
    I turned and dashed the other way. I ducked around a corner. All clear. I made a run for it.
    â€œNot so fast, Kenny!” A dummy popped out from behind a counter. He stuck out his stiff, hard leg and tripped me.
    â€œGet away from me!” I shouted as I struggled to my feet.
    â€œNeed a hand, Kenny?” the dummy screeched. He unscrewed one of his hands and flung it at me.
    I ran and ran.
    â€œYou can’t leave us, Kenny,” a dummy in a bathing suit warned. “We’re just starting to have some fun!”
    â€œKenny is a dummy. Kenny is a dummy.” Their hideous, chilling cries echoed through the empty store.
    I covered my ears and ran back down the aisle.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw more of them chasing me. An army of them—marching out of the men’s clothing department!
    â€œKenny is a dummy. Kenny is a dummy,” they all chanted.
    I ran faster!
    Straight toward the toy department—and stopped.
    In the dim light, two giant wooden soldierstwisted their stiff heads. Stretched out their stiff arms. Then stepped forward awkwardly.
    They slid their long, golden sabers out of their belts.
    They gazed straight at me—and began to march.
    Their long, sharp blades whistled as the soldiers sliced the air with them.
    â€œGive up, Kenny!” they screamed. “We know what to do with a monster like you.”
    Fighting my panic, I turned and ran.
    The wooden soldiers chased after me.
    â€œWe’re going to get you, Kenny!” they shouted. “You don’t have a chance!”
    I ran faster and faster.
    My lungs burned and my legs ached. But I couldn’t stop.
    I had to get away!
    PING!
    The sound came from directly in front of me.
    The sound of an elevator!
    Why hadn’t I seen it before?
    No time to figure it out.
    I ran straight to it. The doors flew open. I jumped in.
    The soldiers approached. Only a few feet away now.
    I jumped into the elevator. I frantically banged the buttons.
    Nothing! The doors wouldn’t close.
    The soldiers moved in closer.
    I hit the buttons again and again.
    â€œHere we come, Kenny!” The soldiers waved their sabers over their heads.
    One reached into the elevator and pinned me against the wall.
    I pushed and kicked it. I tried to shove it off. It wouldn’t let go.
    â€œHold him!” the other soldier ordered. “Don’t let him escape!”
    The soldier in the elevator grabbed my arm and yanked it hard, dragging me out.
    â€œNo!” I shouted. “Let go! Let go!”
    One foot in the elevator, one foot out—I slammed my hand against the buttons.
    The elevator doors began to close.
    With one mighty yank, I wrenched free of the soldier—just as the doors slammed shut.
    I felt the elevator jerk under my feet. I could feel it begin to move. Going down.
    Going down.
    I stared up at the floor numbers.
    The number three lit up.
    Would the soldiers take the escalator down?Would they be there on the first floor? Waiting for me. Ready to attack.
    Hurry! Hurry!
    I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants.
    I hit the button for one again and again.
    The light at three went dark.
    Two lit up next.
    Then one.
    I faced the doors—ready to jump out and run.
    But the elevator didn’t stop. It kept moving. Down. Down. Down.
    I pounded on the emergency stop button, but the elevator kept falling.
    I swallowed hard.
    I felt the elevator picking up speed. Dropping faster and faster.
    This can’t be! No building in Shadyside had a basement so far down!
    The elevator continued to drop—zooming down now.
    I crouched down and got ready to crash. I covered my