The First Horror by R. L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

confused. “What is your problem, Anthony? That’s my address. Ninety-nine Fear Street.” He swallowed hard. He continued to stare hard at her. “Cally,” he said quietly, “don’t you know about that house? Didn’t they tell you?”

Chapter 10
    “Tell me what?” Cally demanded. “Let’s go!” James cried, pulling her arm hard with both of his hands. “Come on, Cally—you promised!” “Okay, I’m coming, James,” she said sharply. She turned back to Anthony. “You’re almost finished here? Want to come over for lunch?” she blurted out. “You can tell me about the house.” Anthony raised both hands as if shielding himself. “I don’t think so,” he said, a nervous smile forming on his lips. “I mean—” “Are you actually afraid to come to my house?” Cally challenged him. He grinned sheepishly. “Well … not really. I mean—” “Don’t be silly. Come over as soon as you’re finished,” Cally told him. She tossed her hair back behind her shoulders. “I can’t wait to hear your story,” she added lightly. But Anthony’s expression turned solemn. “I don’t think you’ll like it,” he said softly, “I really don’t.” “Cubby? Cub-by!” James frantically called the dog as he pulled Cally into the next yard.
    “I can’t believe you invited him here!” Kody exclaimed angrily. “Look at me! I’ve been painting the porch all morning. I’m a total mess!” “He isn’t coming to see you!” Cally replied nastily. Why did Kody always have to give her a hard time? Couldn’t she forget her jealousy for one minute? “Well, Mom and Dad aren’t here. They went shopping at the mall. What are you going to make for lunch?” Kody demanded. “I’ll make tuna fish sandwiches,” Cally told her. “And I think there’s some egg salad from yesterday. What difference does it make? I want to hear Anthony’s story about this house—don’t you?” “You’re not interested in his story. You’re interested in his bod!” Kody accused. Silence for a moment. Then they both burst out laughing. They never could stay angry at each other for long. Despite their differences, they were still sisters. Twin sisters. Cally reached out and rubbed a smear of white paint off Kody’s cheek. “You look fine,” she told her sister. “I’m covered with paint. I’m going to change out of these shorts,” Kody said, hurrying toward the front stairs. “No luck finding Cubby, huh?” “No luck,” Cally replied sadly. “Poor James. He’s upstairs, probably crying his eyes out. I told him we’d search again after lunch.” “Maybe I’ll come with you,” Kody called from the stairway. “I’ve got to get away from the paint fumes.” The front doorbell rang. “It’s Anthony!” Cally exclaimed. Kody disappeared up the stairs. Cally hurried to answer the door. “Be careful. Wet paint,” she warned.
    Anthony entered the house reluctantly. He had brushed the blades of grass from his hair. He had obviously washed his hands and face with water from a garden hose. The front of his T-shirt was soaked. As Cally led the way to the kitchen, he peered around the living room. “Kind of dark in here,” he murmured. “You must be hungry after all that mowing. I’ve got egg salad sandwiches and potato chips,” Cally told him. “Sounds good.” He had his hands shoved into his jeans pockets. He looked so uncomfortable. “Maybe we could eat outside? It’s such a pretty day.” Cally laughed. “You really don’t want to be in this house—do you?” she accused playfully. Anthony’s reply was solemn. “No, I don’t. I really don’t.”
    Cally, Kody, and Anthony sat in the shade of a big apple tree in the backyard and ate their lunch. Cally had brought a sandwich up to James, but he insisted he wasn’t hungry and slammed the bedroom door in her face. “We’re cutting down some of these trees,” Kody told Anthony. “You know. To let in some sunlight.” “It’s so dark back here,”