Read Online Dance of Death by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online

I’m insane.”
    â€œThere, there, my dear,” Deborah murmured soothingly. “Calm yourself.”
    Madeline put her hands over her ears. “Don’t say that!” she shouted, losing control completely. “That’s what everybody always said to Mama.”
    Madeline began to laugh wildly. Mama! I mentioned Mama, she thought. Now everyone will know that I am crazy.
    Deborah slapped Madeline sharply across the face.
    Madeline’s cheek stung. Her whole face tingled. She collapsed onto the kitchen chair. Her head dropped against the table as she tried to hold back hysterical sobs.
    I can’t start crying. If I do, I know I’ll never stop.
    â€œI’m sorry I had to do that, Madeline,” Deborah apologized as she patted Madeline’s shoulder. “But your behavior left me no other choice. And it’s a good thing you brought up your mother. I wanted to do it myself, but I didn’t know how. I know your mother was—not quite right in the head.”
    â€œSay it,” Madeline whispered. She lifted her head and stared straight at her cousin. “Go ahead. My mother was crazy and you think I’m just like her.”
    â€œNo, I don’t think you’re just like her,” Deborah answered. She sat down next to Madeline.
    â€œNot yet. But I think you could be like your mother, Madeline. Particularly if you keep letting your imagination carry you away.
    â€œYou are very important to Justin, Madeline. Your Cousin Marcus and I both saw that at once. Yesterday Justin took care of you after your accident. Why on earth would he want to hurt you today?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Madeline replied. “Cousin Deborah, I just don’t know.”
    â€œDidn’t he offer any explanation for what happened?”
    Madeline thought for a moment. Justin had called some sort of explanation after her, hadn’t he?
    â€œI think he said something about the rose thorn being poisonous,” she answered slowly. “That he had to suck the blood out to make sure the poison wouldn’t hurt me.”
    Deborah clapped her hands in excitement. “There!You see? It’s a perfectly logical explanation. Justin is a doctor. He knows about such things. Why on earth didn’t you believe him?”
    â€œBecause—” Madeline began, then stopped.
    Why didn’t I believe him? It all seems so hazy now.
    â€œDid something else happen in the rose garden, perhaps?” Deborah asked, her sharp green eyes watching Madeline closely. “Something you’re not telling me?”
    Madeline felt her face start to burn.
    Deborah pounced. “So, something else did happen.”
    Madeline nodded. “Justin kissed me.”
    Deborah uttered a delighted squeal and clapped her hands again. “I knew it!” She reached over and hugged Madeline in a suffocating embrace. “I see what happened now. It’s all so simple. But I’m not surprised you didn’t see the answer, my dear. You’re only a young girl, after all. Justin’s kiss must have awakened strong feelings in you.”
    Deborah sounded so knowing. So wise about such matters. Is that what happened? Madeline wondered.
    â€œYou were in such a state,” Deborah reminded her. “Your emotions were heightened. Then something frightening and unexpected occurred. Your imagination got the better of you. You lost control. You’ll have to work on that, my dear. We don’t want you turning out like your poor mother.”
    Madeline’s relief was so great that she felt dizzy. Deborah’s explanation made perfect sense.
    Justin’s kiss had aroused deep feelings in her. He wasn’t trying to hurt me, Madeline thought. It was just my overactive imagination running away with me. That’s all.
    If I can control it, I won’t end up like Mama. All I have to do is stay in control.
    â€œI’m afraid I have to say this, Madeline,”