Read Online Halloween Party by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online

way you and Terry faced them down.”
    â€œWell, I don’t know,” David said uncertainly.
    â€œReally, everything’s fine now,” said Justine. “A few of the decorations are ruined, but so what? What’s important is that no one was really hurt. Alex? Terry? Are you all right?”
    â€œFine,” muttered Alex.
    â€œI’m okay,” said Terry. His cheek hurt where Bobby had punched him, and he suspected there would be a big bruise, but no real harm had been done.
    â€œThank you, all of you, for being so brave,” Justine said, turning her smile up to full wattage. A look of mischief crossed her face, and then she added, “Now are you brave enough for the next surprise?”
    â€œYou mean we’re just going to keep going as if nothing happened?” said Angela.
    â€œWell, I hope so,” said Justine. “If we stop now, Bobby and Marty will have won. Besides,” she added, her lovely face turning pouty, “I’ve worked so hard planning everything. We haven’t even had half the surprises yet.”
    â€œWe also haven’t settled things between the jocks and the wimps,” added Murphy Carter. “Of course, if you wimps want to concede defeat now—”
    â€œNo way!” said Ricky. “We’re just as game as you guys. And for your information, our team has a few more tricks up its sleeve.”
    â€œGood,” said Justine. “Then it’s settled. Why don’t you all relax for a while. I’ll bring out more food. And then in a few minutes we can start the treasure hunt.”
    She disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.
    Terry was starting to get his second wind and wondered what Justine’s next surprise could be. He sneaked a glance at Alex, who was leaning against the wall beside the fireplace, fully recovered from his injury.
    Alex caught his eye and shrugged. Then he mouthed one word: wimp . Terry knew he had to stay on his toes. Alex was still into this dumb contest. That meant Terry had to be too. No way Alex was going to win, after everything that had happened.
    Justine and Philip brought out trays with hot apple cider and cookies, and soon everyone was relaxed and in a party mood again.
    The tape machine was playing golden oldies from the fifties, and Trisha and Ricky began dancing to “At the Hop.” Trisha was smiling and seemed happy again.
    â€œI love these old songs!” Angela said, clapping in time to the music. She leaned back against a corner of the stone fireplace, then gave a little shriek as it shifted and opened.
    Where the solid stones had been—was a human skeleton, its hollow face grinning mindlessly.
    There were several screams and then the sound of laughter as everyone realized it was another “surprise.”
    â€œI see you’ve discovered one of our trapdoors,” Justine said with her smile.
    â€œOne of them?” said Angela. “You mean there are more?”
    â€œRemember,” said Justine. “I promised a lot of surprises.”
    â€œRad,” said Angela.
    â€œHow you doing, Funny Face?” Terry turned to Niki, who was leaning back against the cushions on the sofa beside him, sipping cider.
    â€œOkay,” she said. “How are you? ” She gently touched his cheek where Bobby had hit him.
    â€œI’m okay,” he said. “I just hope Bobby and Marty don’t—”
    He was cut off by a surprised shriek.
    â€œWhat is that?” protested Angela, her face twisted in disgust.
    â€œHuman brain,” said Ricky. He was standing in front of her, innocently holding a dark metal box.
    â€œGet real!” said Alex. “Where would you get a human brain?”
    â€œFrom my uncle,” said Ricky, still innocent. “He runs a medical supply house. He let me borrow it for the party.”
    Angela looked as if she was going to be sick.
    â€œLet me see that!” Murphy said.
    â€œI can’t