Phantom of the Auditorium by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online

later.” I climbed to my feet.
    Zeke glared up at me. “You still don’t believe me — do you!” he accused. “You still think this is all some plot just to scare you.”
    “Maybe. Maybe not,” I said, climbing over him to get to the aisle. I really didn’t know what to think.
    Brian got up and followed me to the door. I turned back to Zeke, who was still in his seat. “Are you coming? Are you going to walk with us?”
    Zeke stood up without replying. “Yeah. I guess.”
    We were heading down the hall to our lockers when Zeke suddenly stopped. “Oh. I forgot,” he uttered.
    “Forgot what?” I asked. It was nearly dinnertime. I was eager to get home. My mom was probably wondering if I’d been run over by a bus or something. Mom always imagines me run over by a bus. I don’t really know why. I never knew
anyone
who was ever run over by a bus!
    “My math book,” Zeke said. “I have to go to the office. I left it in the auditorium the other night. I’ve got to see if anyone turned it in.”
    “I’ll see you later,” Brian said, backing down the hall.
    “Where do you live?” I called to him.
    He pointed in a direction. South, I think. “See you tomorrow!” He turned and jogged around the corner.
    I followed Zeke to Mr. Levy’s office. All the lights were on, but the office was empty, except for Dot, the secretary. She was shutting down her computer, getting ready to go home.
    “Did anyone turn in my math book?” Zeke asked her, leaning on the counter.
    “Math book?” She squinted back at Zeke thoughtfully.
    “I left it in the auditorium the other night,” Zeke said. “I thought maybe that guy Emile turned it in.”
    Dot’s expression turned to confusion. “Who? Who is Emile?”
    “You know,” Zeke replied. “The little old guy with the white hair. The night janitor.”
    Dot shook her head. “You’re a little mixed up, Zeke,” she said. “There’s no one named Emile who works at the school. We don’t
have
a night janitor.”

14
    Tina Powell called me at home that night. “Just wanted to see how you’re feeling,” she said. “You looked so pale, Brooke.”
    “I’m
not
getting the flu!” I shouted. I really lost my cool. But I couldn’t help it.
    “I heard you sneezing a lot yesterday,” Tina said, pretending to be concerned.
    “I always sneeze a lot,” I replied. “Bye, Tina.”
    “Who was that other phantom who jumped onstage this afternoon?” Tina asked before I could hang up.
    “I don’t know,” I said. “I really —”
    “That was kind of scary,” Tina interrupted. “I hope you weren’t
too
scared or anything, Brooke.”
    “See you tomorrow, Tina,” I said coldly.
    I hung up the phone before she could say anything else. Tina was really becoming a pain, I decided.
    How much does she want to play Esmerelda?
I found myself wondering.
    Just how much does she want the part? Enough to try to scare me away?
    Zeke called later and convinced me that Emile
had
to be our phantom. “He lied to us, right?” Zeke asked excitedly. “He told us he worked for the school. And he tried to frighten us. It’s
got
to be him,” Zeke insisted.
    “Yeah. Probably,” I replied, twirling the scrunchie on my wrist.
    “He’s the right size,” Zeke continued. “And he knew about the trapdoor.” Zeke took a breath. “And why was he there, Brookie? Why was he there in the auditorium at night?”
    “Because he’s the Phantom?” I asked.
    It made sense.
    I agreed to get to school early so that Zeke and I could tell Ms. Walker about Emile.
    That night I dreamed about the play. I was onstage in my costume. The spotlights were all on me. I stared out at the seats filled with people.
    The auditorium grew silent. Everyone was waiting for Esmerelda to speak.
    I opened my mouth — and realized I didn’t remember what I was supposed to say.
    I stared out at the faces of the audience.
    I had forgotten everything. Every word. Every line.
    The words had all flown away, like birds