The Third Horror by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

the beginning.
    I'm afraid things aren't going to go right on your movie, Kody. I'm afraid there might be a lot of tragic accidents.
    A lot.
    What choice do I have, after all?

     
    I mean, I can't really let you become a big movie star, can I? You made a promise to come back, to find me.
    Well, maybe it's time, Kody.
    Maybe it's time right now. No time like the present. Isn't that the old expression?
    Well, okay. You can keep your promise now, Kody.
    Here I come.
    The morning sun beamed down on the metal trailer top, heating it like an oven. Desperate for some fresh air, Kody rolled a window open, but there was little breeze.
    She squeezed behind the small Formica table and stared down at the fruit plate and blueberry muffin she had picked up at the caterers' table.
    Why did I take this stuJ0P? she asked herself I have no appetite.
    Kody's stomach felt as if it were tied in a knot. Her throat still throbbed, dry and achy. She took a sip from a bottle of water she had also picked up from the table.
    She carried the water with her as she slumped onto the low couch. The leather felt warm and sticky under her. A fly buzzed noisily, banging its body against the windowpane.
    Maybe I should quit, she thought sadly, raising her legs onto the couch cushion and stretching out. She rubbed the cool water bottle over her burning forehead.

     
    Maybe I should quit before I go crazy, Kody thought.
    Maybe everyone already thinks I'm crazy.
    Maybe everyone already thinks I'm some kind of murderer!
    She sighed and shut her eyes, covering them with one arm.
    I thought so long and hard about doing this movie. I talked to Mom and Dad about it for months and months.
    I was so sure I'd made the right decision.
    But now . . .
    She heard the tapping at the trailer door, but ignored it.
    At first she thought it was just the creaking of the trailer.
    But then she recognized the rhythm of the soft knocking.
    Tap tap tap.
    Silence.
    Then: tap tap tap.
    This time Kody didn't delay.
    The grip of terror tightening every muscle, she forced herself to her feet.
    And as the final tap sounded, she dove to the door and pushed it open.

Chapter 13
    "Rob!" Kody cried, her voice revealing her shock.
    "Hi." He stood on the bottom step, one hand resting on the slender railing. The bright sunlight made his auburn hair glow. He peered up at her, his expression serious.
    "Rob—I thought—"
    What did I think? Kody asked herself. That it was my dead sister knocking on the door?
    Maybe I really am crazy!
    "Just wondered how you were doing," Rob said.
    "Okay, I guess." She backed up, motioning for him to come in.
    He climbed the steps quickly and lowered his head

     
    as he stepped into the narrow trailer. "Bad morning, huh?" he muttered. "Did you hear anything about Joanna? Is she—?"
    Before Rob could finish, Kody threw her arms around him and pressed her mouth against his. "Hold me," she whispered. "I need you to hold me." Then she kissed him again.
    Kody had never done anything like that in her life.
    Cally had always been the bold one, the aggressive one, the one who took action. Kody had always stood back enviously and watched Cally as Cally made sure she got everything she wanted.
    But now Kody had acted on impulse, had acted because she felt so strange, so frightened, so—needy.
    Rob didn't seem to mind. As she lowered herself to the couch, he dropped down beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and kissed her, kissed her . . .
    They were still wrapped in each other's arms as the door swung open and a figure stepped quickly into the trailer, clearing her throat loudly.
    "I guess you didn't hear me knocking," Persia said.
    Kody pulled back from Rob with a start. Rob leaped to his feet, his mouth wide open.
    Persia laughed. "Well, Kody," she said coldly, "you're certainly learning how to succeed in the movies."
    Rob glared at her angrily. "What's your problem, Persia? What do you want?"
    "Bo says we're breaking for the day. The girl died,"

     
    Persia