The Children of Fear by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

that each carried a small bundle which he guessed held their possessions.
    A rotund woman hoisted the smaller children into the boxcar. Her gray hair, pulled back in a tight bun, matched the hard expression on her grim face. Luke cringed at her cold, scolding voice as she lifted the last child onto the train.
    He watched as her black, beady eyes scanned the inside of the car. Would she notice them and put them out?
    â€œBehave! And be quiet!” she yelled. Luke held his breath as she gave the children one last angry look. Then he heard the boxcar door close with a clang.
    Leah snuggled closer to him. “Luke?”
    He circled her slim shoulders with a comforting arm. “We’ll be all right, Leah. Don’t worry.”
    Luke heard the train’s shrill whistle, then felt the boxcar lurch forward. Corey clutched Luke’s shirt, his tiny fingers pinching Luke’s skin.
    â€œDon’t be afraid,” Luke assured him in a low voice. “We’re going on an adventure.”
    Corey tilted his head back. Through the shadows, Luke spotted his brave smile and he ruffled Corey’s thick hair.
    Luke peered around their dim surroundings. Sunlight and shadows danced around the car as it rocked from side to side. Luke quickly counted over two dozen children in the car. Most looked thin with large, sad eyes. None smiled.
    Then he noticed four older boys swaggering toward him. He guessed they were about his age. They didn’t look as tall as he was, but did look heftier.
    He saw them approach a little girl, then spit in unison. Luke watched as she cowered and pulled her blanket over her head. Then Luke watched them do the same to a little boy. Crying, the child jumped up and ran to the far end of the car. Luke heard the larger boys laugh and jeer at him. He gritted his teeth in anger.
    Luke watched as the boys stopped a few feet infront of the three of them. They stood side by side and glared down at him. He glared back and quickly shifted Corey over to Leah. Then he stood and faced them.
    He saw the largest of the four step forward, squinting his eyes.
    â€œWho are you?” the boy demanded. Luke felt the boy’s thick finger poke into his chest as he spoke. “I never seen you before.”
    â€œGuess you just didn’t notice,” Luke lied, afraid they would be tossed off the train if the matron discovered them. “We’ve been here all along. We’re just quiet.”
    â€œThat so?” the boy asked. “I’m Mike.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “These are my brothers. We’ve decided we’re going to escape. Do you want to come with us?”
    â€œNo,” Luke answered. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Leah and Corey both shake their heads. Luke breathed a sigh of relief, afraid that the idea of escape might have appealed to them.
    â€œSam, open the door,” Mike said.
    Luke watched as one of Mike’s brothers lumbered over to the door. The door creaked and groaned as Sam slid it back. Wind roared into the boxcar. Luke could see the trees and green fields flashing by as the train rumbled over the tracks, leaving the town they were just in far behind.
    â€œSure you don’t want to come?” Mike asked.
    Luke snapped his attention back to the bigger boy. “I’m sure.”
    Mike narrowed his eyes and looked at Corey. “You want to come with us?”
    â€œHe doesn’t want to go with you,” Luke told Mike.
    â€œLet him tell me that,” Mike said with a growl.
    â€œCorey doesn’t talk,” Leah said.
    Mike smiled wickedly. “That so? Why is that? Cat got your tongue? Let me see.”
    Corey tightened his lips and shook his head vigorously.
    â€œCome on,” Mike wheedled. “Let me see.”
    Luke saw Mike take a step toward his little brother and reach out to him. Luke jumped between them and shoved Mike back, pushing on his shoulder.
    â€œLeave him alone,” Luke