The Secret Bedroom by R.L. Stine, Bill Schmidt Read Free Book Online Page A

please—” Deena called softly, her trembling voice revealing her fear. “Don’t go. Don’t!”
    It was too late. Lea had stepped onto the attic floor, and Deena was pulling herself up behind her.
    The rough wood of the attic floor felt cold beneath Lea’s bare feet. She groped around, found the light switch, and turned it on. The long, narrow attic filled with yellow light.
    â€œThere—” Lea said, pointing. “There’s the door. And look—”
    Both girls huddled together, peering across the attic through the dim yellow light.
    Neither of them spoke.
    Neither of them moved.
    Above their heads the wind was a roar against the roof.
    Lea was the first to break the silence. “I don’t believe it,” she said, her hands pressed tightly against her face.

“N o blood,” Deena said softly.
    â€œNo blood,” Lea repeated. The yellow light made everything unreal, dreamlike. But it was easy to see that the door was as it had always been, solid, locked, boarded up—and dry.
    â€œSo it was a dream after all,” Lea whispered, staring straight ahead.
    â€œWhat a relief,” Deena said, sighing.
    Lea knew she should feel relieved. But to her surprise, she felt more frightened than ever. “Let’s go downstairs,” she said quickly.
    Deena led the way down so Lea could replace the trapdoor. They were heading down the stairs when the doorbell rang.
    â€œPolice!” a voice called from outside the front door.
    â€œOh, no!” Lea groaned, raising her hand to her forehead. “I forgot. I called the police. What am I going to tell him?”

    â€œPolice!” the voice repeated. This was followed by loud pounding on the door.
    â€œI don’t know!” Deena cried.
    â€œI can’t tell him I had a bad dream!” Lea wailed.
    She pulled open the front door. A very young-looking police officer stood under the porch light in a dark blue uniform, one hand on his gun holster, one hand raised, ready to knock again.
    â€œI’m Officer Beard,” he said, his eyes studying first Lea, then Deena. “What’s the trouble here?”
    â€œUh—it’s okay, actually,” Lea said, holding the storm door open just a few inches.
    â€œOkay?” His small, dark eyes narrowed in suspicion.
    â€œUh—yeah,” Lea said, unable to conceal her embarrassment. “I heard noises up in the attic. I mean, I
thought
I heard noises. But I didn’t.”
    â€œWhat
did
you hear?” the police officer asked, relaxing and allowing his hand to slide off the holster and down his side.
    â€œI didn’t hear anything. I mean—” Lea turned to Deena for help, but Deena only shrugged. “I went up to the attic. There was nothing there,” Lea continued.
    â€œI got a three-oh-two call. Emergency,” Officer Beard said, staring into Lea’s eyes as if searching for the true story there. “Mind if I come in and have a look around?”
    â€œNo. I don’t mind,” Lea said reluctantly. “But everything is okay. Really.”
    Lea held the door as the wary police officer came in. Then she followed him around as he made a quick survey of the house.

    â€œGlad there’s no problem,” he said without smiling, returning to the front door after his search.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Lea told him sincerely. “I was scared. I was all alone here. I thought I heard something. I’m really sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be,” the officer said, stepping out onto the front walk and noticing all the empty moving cartons stacked against the side of the house. “This can be a scary neighborhood sometimes. You just move in?”
    â€œYes.” Lea nodded.
    â€œDon’t hesitate to call. Better safe than sorry. Know what I mean?” Officer Beard grinned, revealing long, crooked front teeth.
    â€œThanks, Officer,” Lea said, relieved. “Thanks a