The Evil Lives! by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

Almost as if she can see into the future.
    â€œBrandon will play,” Janine repeated.
    Amanda kept staring uneasily at her friend. She’d known her since grade school, but she suddenly felt as if Janine had turned into a stranger.
    Amanda jumped as a loud buzzer interrupted her thoughts.
    The game was about to start.
    I’ll talk to Janine at halftime, Amanda decided. Or after the game. The cheerleaders rose from the bench to watch the opening jump.
    The crowd cheered as the starting players gathered in the center of the court.
    Lincoln won the jump.
    The Shadyside crowd groaned as the kids from Lincoln High whistled and stomped. The Lincoln cheerleaders spread out on the sidelines and led a cheer.
    â€œHear that buzz?
    It’s the Hornets!
    Feel that sting?
    It’s the Hornets!”
    Lincoln’s center dribbled down the court, stopped, pivoted, and tossed the ball to another player.
    The Lincoln player faked a pass, then ducked around a Shadyside guard and raced toward the net.
    The Lincoln kids shouted and pumped their fists. Their cheerleaders jumped up and down, waving their pompoms and urging their team on.
    The Lincoln player stopped suddenly, his sneakers squeaking loudly on the polished floor. He faked a shot. Then he spun around and quickly passed the ball, aiming for a teammate who stood closer to the basket.
    The Lincoln player and Luke both leaped high, stretching their arms and reaching for the ball.
    Luke snatched it out of the air.
    â€œYes!” Natalie shrieked. “Go, Luke!”
    The Shadyside fans rose to their feet, screaming encouragement.
    The cheerleaders waved their pompoms and chanted Luke’s name. “Luke! Luke! Luke!”
    Luke raced down the floor, a look of total concentration on his thin face. Two Lincoln players cut in front of him, but Luke dodged them easily. MoreLincoln players swarmed ahead of him, but Luke weaved his way through them like a fish darting through water.
    â€œHe’s going to make it!” Natalie shouted. “He’s going to score the first basket!”
    The crowd shouted as Luke bulled his way past the last Lincoln player.
    The court belonged to him now.
    Everyone went wild as Luke raced down the floor, straight for the basket.
    â€œLuke! Luke! Luke!” the cheerleaders chanted. “Go, Tigers!”
    Ten feet from the basket now, Luke didn’t slow down. Five feet. Three feet.
    Luke didn’t stop. The ball fell from his hands and rolled to the sidelines. He still didn’t stop.
    The cheering tapered off. Puzzled murmurs filled the gym.
    â€œWhat’s he doing?” someone shouted loudly. “Is he nuts or something?”
    Luke suddenly cut to the right, straight toward the bleachers.
    In a blur of maroon and white, he raced across the floor. Amanda saw him coming and tried to grab him.
    But Luke swept past her, faster and faster, hurling himself into the bleachers.
    People screamed. Others cried out in surprise.
    Luke charged up a few steps. Then he stumbled and fell. He slammed against the edge of the bleacher seat, then bounced to the floor.
    He landed at Amanda’s feet with a thud.
    People stared in shocked silence.
    Luke didn’t move.
    â€œNooo!” Natalie’s scream split the air. She took off down the court, shouting her boyfriend’s name. “Luke!”
    Amanda stared down at Luke, stunned. What’s wrong with his head? Why is it so bloody? And what is that thing lying next to him?
    She dropped to her knees and froze in horror. The “thing” was the top of Luke’s head. His skull. His hair. His scalp—completely torn off.

PART TWO
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Chapter 12

WHY DID HE GO BERSERK?
    â€œI still can’t believe it,” Victoria murmured. She stood in Amanda’s kitchen, a sad, confused expression on her face. “It’s so unreal.”
    â€œI know.” Amanda’s hand shook as she poured some crackers into a wooden bowl. Nobody can believe