Off the Wall by P.J. Night Read Free Book Online

Cailyn’s story.
    â€œHis eyes were so weird,” Cailyn whispered. “I know I was only six, but I still remember them. They were so white . And they were staring right at me.
    â€œI opened my mouth to call Traci, but it was like one of those nightmares—you know, the ones where you try to talk but you can’t? I could only make this little croaking sound.
    â€œHe lifted up his other hand, and I saw that he was holding a hammer. He held it up as if he was going to smash the window—but then all he did was tap the glass with it. Tap-tap-tap . Tap-tap-tap. ”
    â€œAnd while I was looking at the hammer, his other hand suddenly smashed through the glass. AND HE KILLED ME!”
    As she shrieked the last words, Cailyn lunged at Grace’s throat.
    Jane screamed. So did everyone else who’d been listening to the story. Which made the rest of the girls in the Great Hall scream, even Daria. Which woke up Willow and Katherine—who also screamed.
    Abruptly the overhead lights came on. And a man’s voice yelled, “What’s going on? What’s the matter?”
    Standing in the west doorway were two museumguards. Both were panting from having run so fast.
    â€œUh-oh,” Lucy muttered. “Busted.”
    Now the chaperones were both standing up. Even though the lights were on, Katherine was aiming her flashlight all around like a TV cop. “What happened, girls?” she asked.
    I’ll get us out of this, Jane thought. She was very proud of how not-shy she was growing as the night’s festivities went on.
    She raised her hand. “It’s—it’s all my fault,” she said apologetically. “I get nightmares. I must have screamed in my sleep.”
    Lucy chimed in loyally. “And then I heard her, and it made me scream. And then I guess everyone got scared.”
    â€œ You got scared,” said one of the guards. “I almost had a heart attack when we heard you. Try and keep it down for the rest of the night, okay?”
    â€œWe’re so sorry, officers,” said Katherine, who still seemed to think she was in a TV show. “We won’t let it happen again.”
    â€œThanks,” the other guard said curtly.
    â€œWell, girls,” Willow said sternly when the guardswere gone. “That was an embarrassment. You’re too old for this kind of thing. I want everyone to settle down now .”
    â€œPeople can’t help having nightmares,” Katherine pointed out. She looked kindly at Jane. “Would you like to move your sleeping bag over next to us, Jane? That might make things seem less scary.”
    â€œUm—no, that’s okay,” said Jane. “I’m fine. Really.”
    â€œPlease stay fine,” said Willow. “I’m turning the lights off now, and I don’t want to hear another sound until morning.”
    She snapped off the lights.
    For a few seconds there was total silence. Then Lucy whispered, “Good job, Cailyn.”
    â€œYou have to admit it scared you,” Cailyn hissed back.
    â€œQUIET,” Willow blared. “Go. To. Sleep.”
    And now, at last, the Great Hall actually quieted down. There were a few more whispered giggles. A few rearrangements of sleeping bags and thumpings of pillows. Then, gradually, the room filled with the soft, even breathing sound of people falling asleep.
    Jane was relieved. Now maybe Lucy and Daria wouldjust forget about settling their bet. Jane felt so comfortable just lying here. She could feel her eyelids getting heavy. . . .
    And then Lucy nudged her in the side. “Jane!” she whispered. “Are you awake?”
    â€œNo,” said Jane sleepily.
    â€œWell, be awake! We have to look for the mummy, remember? Daria’s ready to go.”
    Jane groaned. “Can’t you and Daria just go together without me?”
    â€œNo way!” whispered Lucy. “We need you as a witness! Besides, it won’t