Nightmare Hour by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

“I’ll tell you why!” he screamed. “Tomorrow night is a full moon …and I am a werewolf! ”
    Jillian laughed before she could stop herself.
    The young man was breathing rapidly now, his chest heaving up and down. “I’m trying to save your life,” he said. “I’m a werewolf. Every month, before the night of the full moon, I leave my family and hide here in this inn. I lock myself in this room--to make sure I don’t hurt anyone.”
    Jillian felt her throat tighten. He’s serious, she realized. He really believes what he’s telling me.
    â€œI--I become a raging animal,” James said, turning his eyes to the moonlight pouring in through the window. “And then I could tear you to bits. I can’t help it.”
    Swallowing hard, Jillian stared wide-eyed at him.
    He let out a long, sad sigh. Then he pushed Jillian to the door. Startled, she jerked away from him.
    â€œJust go,” James said. “For your own safety. At ten o’clock tomorrow night the moon will be at its peak--and I will change into a roaring beast.”
    â€œI’m leaving,” Jillian told him. “You don’t have to worry. Tomorrow we’ll be long gone by ten. Mom and I are leaving this horrible place first thing in the morning.”
    â€œGood,” he said. His red-rimmed eyes burned into hers. “Please go. I really don’t want to hurt you.”
    She spun away from him and ran, her shoes thudding loudly over the ragged carpet. Breathing hard, she turned acorner and then another, and finally found her room. She burst into the room, slammed the door behind her, and with a frightened cry threw herself onto the bed.
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    â€œYou fell asleep early?” Mrs. Warner’s voice floated into Jillian’s mind. Jillian sat up in bed, feeling dazed, not sure where she was.
    Her mother frowned as she pulled off her gloves. “I’m sorry you were bored, Jillian. I’m afraid I have bad news.”
    Blinking herself alert, Jillian raised her head.
    â€œHuh? Bad news?”
    â€œI couldn’t finish the purchase today,” Mrs. Warner said with a sigh. “Some other people are making bids too. So we can’t go home. We have to stay one more night.”
    â€œNOOOO!” Jillian yelled. “We can’t! We can’t stay! I promised!”
    Mrs. Warner sat beside Jillian and took her hand. “Jilly! What’s wrong?”
    â€œA werewolf,” Jillian said. “There’s a man hiding here, Mom. He says he’s a werewolf. I promised him--”
    Mrs. Warner squeezed Jillian’s hand lightly. “Another nightmare? I’m so sorry, honey. Do you want me to call Dr. Meyer?”
    â€œNo!” Jillian jumped to her feet. “I didn’t dream it. He’s here. He’s dangerous, Mom. We have to go. Right now!”
    Her mother sighed. “Your nightmares always seem so real.” She stood up and moved to the door. “Show me. Come on. Show me the room. Show me where he is hiding.” She reached out to Jillian.
    Jillian pulled back. Then she changed her mind. “Okay. I will.”
    Her legs trembled as she led the way through the long, twisting halls. She stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall. “I think this is it. I--I think he’s in there.”
    Mrs. Warner stared at Jillian. Then, biting her bottom lip tensely, she stepped up and knocked on the door.
    No reply.
    She turned the doorknob--and pushed open the door.
    The room was dark. Mrs. Warner fumbled for a light switch. She clicked on a ceiling light.
    Holding her breath, Jillian peered into the room. Empty. A bare mattress hanging over the bed frame. One broken dresser drawer on the floor.
    No one here. No sign that anyone had been in the room.
    Jillian shut her eyes. She felt her mother’s hand on her shoulder. “It was a dream,” Jillian moaned. “It was just a dream.”
    Mrs. Warner