What Scares You the Most? by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

sailors were so happy to have their sight back, they didn’t question her.
    Deborah pulled her hood over the blue crescent moon on her temple, making sure it was well covered.
    Two of the sailors guided her back to the cabin belowdecks. This time, they did not bolt the door.
    I am going home to England, Deborah thought with a sigh. But what can I do there? Where can I go?
    I cannot return to the village. That is certain.
    She clutched the spell book to her chest.
    Wherever I go, she thought, I will have to use the magic. I have no choice. I will have to use the powers.
    Â 
    On the island, Katherine watched the ship sail away. She watched until it disappeared over the horizon, seeming to fall off the earth.
    Her hair was still wet. Small chunks of ice still clung to her skirt.
    She spread the cloak out to dry. As she did so, the smooth gray rocks turned blue.
    â€œYou have not defeated me, Deborah!” she shouted, shaking her fist at the ocean. Seagulls took off, startled by the fury of her voice.
    â€œYou have not defeated me,” Katherine cried. “I will stay alive here. I will take the breath—the very life of everyone unfortunate enough to stray onto this island. Their breath will keep me alive forever! And then I will take my vengeance on you, my daughter. Yes, someday…someday I will have my revenge!”

17
    â€œThe island was wonderful,” April said. “It really was a paradise.” She smiled into the TV camera.
    The interviewer, a young newsman named Jimmy Clark, pulled the microphone to his own mouth. “And the money you won? What did you have to do to win that money, April?”
    April squinted into the studio lights. He poked the mike back into her face.
    â€œWe were divided into teams,” April said. “And we had these contests called Life Games. And my team won the final contest, which was for bravery. So…”
    â€œI’ll bet you all were very brave to win a hundred grand!” Clark cut in. He laughed. “How did you win the bravery contest, April?”
    April thought hard. “Uh…well…”
    Why couldn’t she remember?
    She had been trying to remember some things about the island ever since she returned home. Shecould remember being abandoned by Marks and the others. She could remember nearly drowning trying to escape in that little boat.
    She could remember saving Anthony’s life. Marlin disappearing. Marlin’s broken ribs.
    But— then what happened?
    How did her team win the bravery competition?
    For some reason, that part seemed to be lost behind a fog.
    â€œWhat was the most dangerous thing that happened?” her friend Pam Largent had asked when April returned home.
    April had stared at Pam, thinking hard. “The most dangerous?”
    Why couldn’t she remember?
    She pictured blue rocks. A cave cut into the rocks. She remembered a smell, a horrible odor.
    But why couldn’t she remember what happened at that cave?
    And now, Jimmy Clark, the TV reporter, gazed at her eagerly, waiting for her answer.
    â€œWe all had to cross a rope bridge,” April told him. “It was torn and broken, and a lot of the ropes were missing. If we fell, it would be a plunge straight down onto jagged rocks. I guess our team was the bravest on the bridge.”
    April knew that was a lie.
    The rope bridge wasn’t part of the bravery contest at all. But she just couldn’t remember.
    Had it been too frightening? Is that why April had shut it from her mind?
    â€œWell, congrats again,” Clark said, shaking hands with her. “And thanks for talking with us. I know you’re going to be doing a lot of interviews. One last question—how does it feel to be a national celebrity?”
    Is that what I am? April thought. Because I survived that island? I’m a national celebrity?
    â€œUh…it feels great!” she answered.
    Â 
    Pam was waiting for April when she got home. “You