Party Summer by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

mothballs and detergent.
    This
must
be the old wing, Cari thought. It probably wouldn’t look so bad if the lights were on.
    Following Martin, who walked rapidly, ignoring them, his eyes focused on the carpet, they turned a corner, walked down another long corridor with closed doors on both sides, turned another corner, and continued to walk.

    We’ve walked miles, Cari thought. Where is he taking us?
    Finally Martin stopped in front of an open door. The bronze number on the door said 123-C.
    â€œThis place is bigger than it looks!” Eric declared.
    Martin scowled. “I made up the next four rooms for you,” he said. “You can decide who gets which room.”
    â€œThank you,” Jan said softly.
    â€œI really don’t think you should stay here,” Martin said to her.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou heard me,” he said sharply. “I don’t think you should stay here. It could be dangerous.”
    â€œWhat?” Cari cried.
    â€œThe construction work, I mean,” Martin said, staring into her eyes. “It’s a lot more work than Simon realizes, and very difficult.”
    â€œWell, we’re willing to work hard,” Eric told him.
    â€œI don’t think you’ll enjoy your stay,” Martin said ominously, still staring at Cari. “This old place isn’t much fun when it’s empty.”
    â€œDon’t worry. We’ll be fine,” Jan assured him.
    â€œI’m not so sure,” he said. “There are … other things. Things that you would be better off not knowing about.” As he spoke these words, his voice faded to a whisper.
    â€œYou mean the place is
haunted?”
Jan asked eagerly. “Are there ghosts?”
    Jan’s questions seemed to surprise him. He gazed at her thoughtfully. He seemed to be trying to decide how much to reveal.

    â€œI’m warning you—” he started.
    â€œWell,
are
there?” Jan demanded. “Have you seen ghosts here?”
    He was silent for a long moment. “I have seen things,” he said reluctantly. “Here in the old wing.”
    His tone was odd, cold—almost as if he were teasing them, Cari thought.
    A strange, thin-lipped smile formed on Martin’s shadowy face. “You don’t believe in ghosts—do you?” he whispered.
    â€œNo,” both Eric and Craig exclaimed.
    â€œYes,” Jan said. “Please—tell us what you’ve seen.”
    â€œLeave this place. Go back tomorrow,” Martin said, ignoring her question.
    His face was entirely in shadow. Cari couldn’t see his expression, but his words gave her another chill.
    He turned sharply and, without another word, floated silently away down the dark, empty corridor.

Chapter 7

A SURPRISE AT DINNER
    â€œH and me the suntan lotion,” Cari said, lazily reaching up.
    â€œWhich one? The coconut one or the one that tastes like bananas?” Eric asked, sitting up to search through Cari’s straw beach bag.
    â€œI don’t really care what they taste like,” Cari said, laughing. She shielded her eyes with her hand to peer at Eric, who was beside her on the big yellow beach blanket, wearing faded denim cutoffs. “What number is the coconut one?”
    â€œIt’s eight,” Eric said, twisting off the cap and rubbing some of the white lotion onto his pale shoulders.
    â€œOkay,” said Cari. “That’s good. I want to get a tan, but I don’t want to roast.”
    Eric handed her the tube. Cari began rubbing the lotion on her arms and shoulders, still lying flat on her back.

    â€œWhere is Jan?” Cari asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Eric said. He was watching Craig, who was down by the water in lime green baggies, letting the low waves froth around his ankles.
    â€œShe wasn’t at breakfast or lunch. I haven’t seen her all day,” Cari said, a little worried.
    â€œShe’s probably off somewhere,