Read Online Don't Forget Me! by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online Page B

me! I … can’t … breathe….”

 

    He opened his mouth in an animal growl. His fingers tightened around my throat.
    I dropped to my knees, struggling to free myself. I wheezed as I struggled to take in air.
    I grabbed his arms and tried to pull his hands off me. But he was suddenly so strong, so strong.
    â€œCan’t breathe!” I gasped. “Please!”
    I staggered to my feet. Frantically grabbed him around the waist. And falling forward, stumbling, choking, I slammed him into the wall.
    His hands slid off me. He uttered a startled cry.
    I shoved him out of the way and burst out the front door. Sucking in breath after breath, I jumped off the front stoop and kept running. Down the front lawn, leaping over a coiled garden hose my dad had left there. Over the sidewalk, onto the street.
    I ran. Not thinking. Not feeling anything. My throat aching, throbbing.
    Peter … Peter … Peter …
    His name repeated in my mind like some kind of terrifying chant. I couldn’t stop it. I heard his name each time my shoes thudded on the pavement.
    Peter … Peter … Peter …
    My brother had become a wild animal. A wild animal in a rage.
    Why was he suddenly so angry? Was it because of what the reporter had told me? Because he was forgetting everything? Losing himself?
    Was Peter in a total rage because of what the house was doing to him?
    I ran through an intersection without stopping, without seeing anything. I heard a car horn honk. I heard an angry shout.
    â€œDanielle, you’ve got to think clearly,” I scolded myself. But how could I think clearly? My own brother didn’t remember me. And now he had nearly strangled me.
    I kept running.
    I can’t go home, I told myself. It isn’t safe. It isn’t safe with Peter there.
    But I have to go back! I argued with myself. I’m in charge. I’m responsible for Peter. I can’t just leave him there all alone, prowling around like a lost animal.
    It was nearly dinnertime. My parents were on their way home. They would be back in an hour or two.
    And then what?
    How could I explain to them what had happened?
    Would they blame me for Peter? Would they believe me about the reporter’s story? Could they do anything to save my poor brother?
    Without realizing it, I had run to Addie’s house. I rang the bell and pounded on the door at the same time. “Addie, are you home? Addie—?” I called in a high, shrill voice.
    After a few seconds, the door swung open. Addie gaped at me. “Danielle? What’s wrong? You look horrible!”
    â€œI—I—” I couldn’t talk. I stumbled past her, into the front room. The TV was on. A local newscast.
    Am I going to be on the news too? I suddenly wondered. Talking about how my poor brother went crazy because we live in Forget-Me House ?
    â€œDanielle—?” Addie placed a hand on my trembling shoulder. “What is it? It’s cold out. You don’t have a jacket or anything?”
    I shook my head, still struggling to catch my breath. “I just ran,” I finally choked out. “I had to run. Peter!”
    Addie narrowed her green eyes. “Peter?”
    â€œYeah,” I rushed on. “I don’t think he was ever hypnotized. I think it’s something else. Something much more scary.”
    â€œOh. Right. Peter!” Addie stared at me. “Is he still acting weird?”
    I nodded. “He—he tried to choke me.”
    She gasped. “Where are your parents? They’re not back yet?”
    I glanced at the clock above the TV. Nearly six. “Soon,” I said. “They should be home soon.”
    â€œDo you want to wait here until they get back?” Addie asked.
    I sighed. “I guess.” I dropped onto her couch. I shut my eyes and buried my head in my hands.
    And saw them. The eerie, slime-covered kids in the basement. I saw their sad faces. Heard them chanting my