Read Online Bad Dreams by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online Page B

Mr. Avery.
    â€œMilton, that’s enough,” Mrs. Avery spoke up.
    â€œNo, please tell me,” Maggie pleaded.
    â€œShe was killed,” the old woman blurted out. “Murdered.”
    â€œShe was stabbed,” Mr. Avery said in a hushed whisper. “Stabbed right in her own bed.”

chapter

12
    J ustin had his arm around her. That felt good.
    It was Saturday night. The movie he had taken her to was a goofball comedy. Maggie usually enjoyed silly movies, but this time she couldn’t lose herself in the story.
    A girl was murdered,
really murdered,
in my bed and now I’m dreaming about her. That was all Maggie could think about.
    After the movie, Justin kept his arm around her as he guided her out with the crowd, out into the mall parking lot. It was a balmy spring night, the air soft and sweet. A pale half-moon floated low in a purple sky.
    â€œI guess you didn’t like the movie as much as I did,” Justin said.
    â€œNo, I liked it,” Maggie lied.
    She suddenly had the feeling that she was being watched.
    She turned and stepped out from under Justin’s arm.
    Dawn, her arm in a cast, was standing at the edge of the parking lot with Tiffany. She waved to Maggie. “Don’t you want to sign my cast?”
    â€œDawn!” Maggie cried, startled to see her. “I’ve been trying to call you. I—hope you still don’t think—” She hurried over to them. Justin followed slowly behind.
    â€œGuess I should apologize,” Dawn said, flashing her a warm smile. “I said some pretty weird things after I fell.”
    â€œWell, you have to believe me. I didn’t do it, Dawn,” Maggie said simply.
    Dawn shrugged. “Well, somebody pushed me. But it doesn’t really matter now.” She grinned at Maggie. “Tiffany’s going to beat you out for the two-hundred IM anyway. Hey, Justin.”
    Justin nodded. “Hey.” Then he tugged on Maggie’s arm, impatient to lead her away.
    Maggie signed Dawn’s cast.
    â€œWe’ve got to get going,” Justin urged.
    â€œSee you at practice,” Maggie told Tiffany. She told Dawn she’d call her. Then she hurried after Justin, who had already started toward his car.
    Maggie couldn’t help sneaking glances back at the two girls. Even though she knew she hadn’t pushed Dawn, Maggie still felt guilty.
    â€œI know Dawn thinks I pushed her,” Maggie told Justin. “No matter what she says.”
    â€œThat’s Dawn for you,” Justin said, unlocking the door on the passenger side for Maggie. “Like when she loses a meet, there’s always an excuse.” He opened the door for her. “And if she trips, she was pushed.”
    â€œI guess,” Maggie replied thoughtfully. But as she climbed into the car, her good mood faded. The uneasy feeling had returned.
    Justin’s car was upholstered in soft black leather. Maggie settled back in her seat. Relax, she told herself.
    Justin started the car, then fiddled with a control on the dash. The top cranked down, letting in the moonlight and the warm spring breezes. He smiled at her. Then he pulled out of the parking lot, making the tires squeal.
    They didn’t drive far. About a block from the mall, he parked on a deserted street.
    Maggie glanced around, surprised. “Why are we stopping here?”
    Justin pretended to peer outside. “Looks like we’re lost,” he said, and grinned. Even in the evening darkness, his blue eyes were gorgeous.
    Maggie grinned back. “I don’t mind.”
    Justin leaned over, slowly bringing his face toward hers.
    Her eyes were locked on his. She felt her heart start to pound with excitement.
    But she quickly found that kissing was awkward in the tiny car. For one thing it had bucket seats. They were so low, it was hard to reach each other.
    Then they both got tangled in their seat belts.
    Untwisting herself, a gruesome thought suddenly