Switched by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

jogging down the long aisle to the door. “I know she’s here. I’m going to find her!” I shouted back.
    I heard Margie call my name. But I ducked around a group of tough-looking guys in muscle shirts and black denims who were entering the restaurant—and dived out the door.
    Lucy is here and she couldn’t have gone far, I told myself.
    I crossed the mall walkway to the CD store and peered up and down. It was late, I realized. Several of the stores were closing for the night. Lights were dimming. Salespeople were locking doors.
    The mall was nearly deserted. A few late shoppers were making their way to the parking lot.
    I turned one way, then the other, trying to guess which direction Lucy had headed.
    She must have driven here, I decided. Unless she came with Margie and Hannah. When she saw me enter the pizza restaurant, she ducked out to escape to the parking lot.
    Walking quickly, I made my way to the exit. I peered into each store I passed, searching the nearly empty aisles for her.
    â€œWhoa!” My heart skipped a beat as I squinted into the Clothes Closet, one of Lucy’s favorite stores. I thought I saw her in the back of the store, holding up a pink blouse, discussing it over the counter with a salesgirl.
    I turned into the store and began running through the aisle, waving and calling her name. I was halfway to the back when I saw the girl’s face clearly.
    And realized it wasn’t Lucy.
    They turned to me, startled. “Can I help you?” the salesgirl asked.
    â€œNo, no, thanks,” I replied breathlessly. “I—I was looking for someone.” I turned and hurried out of the store.
    The music cut off as I stepped back into the mainwalkway. A strange silence settled over the mall. I heard a baby crying somewhere down the aisle. Shouted voices. The clatter of shopping cart wheels.
    Without the background music, they all sounded sort of eerie. Too loud. Not normal.
    I stepped out through the first exit I came to. The broad parking lot was nearly deserted. A woman in a bright blue halter top and blue shorts was loading shopping bag after shopping bag into the trunk of a beat-up car. Two little kids were jumping up and down in the backseat.
    Several cars were easing out of the lot, turning onto Division Street. Bright headlights rolled over me, forcing me to shield my eyes, as I hurried through row after row, searching for Lucy.
    No luck. I was too slow, I realized. She got away.
    Angrily, I shoved a shopping cart out of my way. It clattered noisily over the pavement, coming to rest against a curb.
    I turned and spotted my car two rows down.
    â€œHey—!” I cried out in surprise when I saw Lucy—in my body—waiting for me at the side of the car.

chapter

12
    â€œL ucy—hi!” I shouted. “I’m here!”
    My sneakers thudded hard over the asphalt as I began running toward her.
    â€œLucy—you’re here! I—I’ve been searching all over for you!”
    Now maybe we can get things straight, I told myself. Maybe Lucy will tell me what’s going on.
    Even from a distance, she appeared tense. She had both arms down stiffly at her sides, her hands balled into tight fists. “Nicole!” she called.
    Not her voice.
    Not Lucy’s voice.
    I stepped up beside her, breathing hard.
    â€œNicole—we have to talk.”
    Not her voice. Not her face.
    Margie’s face.
    Margie grabbed me, squeezing my throbbing shoulders with both hands. She turned and called to a car several rows down. “She’s here, Hannah. Hannah—I’ve got Nicole!”
    I blinked several times, willing Margie away. Willing Lucy in her place.
    But it was Margie. Not Lucy. My eyes had played a cruel trick on me.
    â€œShe’s right here!” Margie called to Hannah. I saw Hannah step around the other car and start toward us.
    â€œNo!” I shrieked.
    What were they doing here? Why had they followed