The Prom Queen by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

the baseball team as well. But why would—
    Dawn sat up and broke my train of thought. “Look, Lizzy,” she said. “You know who did it. So do I. So does everybody else in Shadyside.”
    Rachel’s eyes widened. “Who?”
    â€œThe same madman who killed that girl from Waynesbridge and dragged her to the Fear Street woods,” answered Dawn. “And the girl over in Durham. Now, why would Lucas kill those girls? Did they dump him too?”
    â€œI don’t know,” I said. “Maybe he just wants to see himself on TV. He keeps a journal of strange deaths and murders, you know.”
    Dawn rolled her eyes. “Oh, he just thinks that makes him cool.”
    I thought about this for a moment. I guess I was overreacting. The thought of Lucas actually killing Simone did seem incredible.
    â€œMaybe you’re right,” I said.
    We were driving by school now. All the lights were out. The building loomed in the twilight like an ancient and evil castle.
    Great—now even our school was scaring me.
    I made a left at the light. Rachel turned to me, surprised.
    â€œHey,” Dawn said from the backseat. “Division Street is thataway.”
    â€œI want to stop at Simone’s,” I explained. “See if there’s any news.”
    Dawn complained, but I insisted. A minute later I swung the car into the Perrys’ driveway and parked behind their big silver Lincoln. The porch light was on. I guess the Perrys were still praying that Simone would return.
    Rachel went with me as I rang the doorbell. Dawn waited in the car.
    Mr. Perry answered, more haggard than before. His white shirt and tie were rumpled, as if he had slept in his clothes, and a day’s growth of beard darkened his face.
    â€œNo kidnapper has called,” he told us sadly. He stared out over our heads at the car.
    â€œIt’s Dawn,” I explained.
    He nodded. “Listen,” he said, “I don’t want to scare you, but at this point the police are considering it very serious. They say they could be dealing with the same man who—”
    He stopped. He couldn’t bring himself to say the word killed. Instead, he said, “The same man they’re looking for about those other two girls.”
    His eyes met mine. It was as if the life had gone out of them. He didn’t even manage a slight smile. “Get home safe,” he told us and closed the door.
    Back in the car Dawn read our faces. She didn’t need to ask if there was any news.
    As we drove on to the mall, Rachel said, “She was the best actress, you know? Really gifted.”
    â€œShe was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met,” I agreed.
    â€œI can’t believe the whole thing,” Rachel went on. “That she’s gone, you know? There’s like this big, gaping hole in my life where a friend used to be.”
    I bit my lip. “It’s true what they say. You end up wishing you had said all these things to her, before.”
    â€œLike ‘I love you,’ ” Rachel agreed.
    â€œOh, barf!” was Dawn’s response.
    â€œWhat?” I took my eyes off the road to glare at her in the rearview mirror.
    â€œYou heard me. I’m throwing up back here.”
    I could feel the anger rising in my throat. “How can you be so insensitive?”
    â€œLook,” Dawn said. “What happened to Simone is a tragedy. I’m as sorry as you guys are. But let’s not exaggerate. Simone was never my best friend. And if you guys are honest with yourselves, you’ll admit she wasn’t your best friend, either. She was incredibly self-centered. I mean, can you name one single thing she ever did for either of you?”
    â€œJust shut up, will you?” I stepped on the gas. I could feel the back of my neck getting hot.
    I was driving about twenty miles an hour over the speed limit. We rode in silence for several miles.
    â€œLook—”