The Dark Corner by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online

them, Cindy. It was demons who had stolen their forms. Please open the door.”
    Cindy finally did as she was told. Bryce practically jumped inside, and then quickly closed the door behind him. Cindy was pleased to see he was as cute as Sally had said. Unfortunately she wasn’t in the mood to enjoy his company. He stared at her anxiously.
    â€œWhat?” she muttered.
    â€œLook into my eyes,” he ordered.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œDo it!”
    Cindy stared into his eyes, and as she did so the memory of staring into other eyes, much darker eyes, came back to her. Sally, Watch, Adam—they had done something to her with their stares! Cruel red flames blazed in her head, even though she felt a terrible chill in the pit of her stomach. She turnedaway and buried her face in her hands, tears burning her eyes.
    â€œWhat’s happening to me?” she cried.
    Bryce put a hand on her shoulder. “The demons used their power on you. They tried to bend your will to theirs. But it’s all right now. The spell is broken.”
    She looked at him. “Who are you? How do you know about demons?”
    â€œSally told you about me. My name is Bryce Poole. For a long time I have been exploring the many sides of the Secret Path. There I discovered many wonderful things, and many horrible things. I have just come from the worst place of all—the Dark Corner. Your friends are trapped there now. They cannot return to this dimension until we capture their counterpart demons and force them back through the interdimensional portal.”
    Cindy put a hand up to her head. She couldn’t keep up. “I don’t understand. My friends returned through the Secret Path. I saw them. I went and ate with them.”
    Bryce shook his head. “Those were not human beings who returned. They were demons. You must have noticed how weird they acted. Even when ademon tries to hide it, his cruel nature comes out. And I know they used the power of their eyes on you. That’s why you feel so confused. But the worst of it has passed. You’re free to do what you wish. You can help me if you want, and I do need your help.”
    Cindy had to take a breath. “They were acting so strange. I do remember staring into their eyes and seeing fire. But then, everything after that is crazy.” She paused. “This is like some kind of night-mare. I just feel like I have to wake up.”
    Bryce was grim. “There will be no relief until we get your friends back. Tell me, what time did the demons say they’d come back for you?”
    Cindy strained to remember. “I don’t know. They didn’t give a time. But I got the impression it would be late at night. I know there were things they wanted to do first.”
    â€œWhat kind of things?”
    â€œI don’t know! If they’re demons, like you say, could they hurt other people?”
    A shadow crossed Bryce’s face. “They can do much worse than hurt people. They can drag them back to the Dark Corner, to the Gatekeepers.”
    â€œWho are they?” Cindy gasped.
    Bryce shook his head. “It’s better not to talk about them, not when it’s almost dark.” He stepped to the window and peered out through the drawn curtains. For the first time Cindy noticed he was carrying a knapsack. “We must search for them, stop them before they capture any more people.”
    â€œShouldn’t we get help?” Cindy asked.
    â€œNo one will help us. No one will believe us. We have to do this ourselves, and we must do it now.”
    â€œBut I can’t leave. I’m watching my little brother. He’s asleep upstairs.”
    â€œIt’s better if you leave here. It’ll be safer for him. Remember, the demons want you in particular. Your brother will stay asleep. He won’t know anything is wrong.”
    â€œBut where will we look for them? They could be anywhere.”
    Bryce was thoughtful. “Each of