Read Online The Awakening Evil by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online

lives in the servants’ quarters.”
    Of course. How stupid of her. Her poor stepbrother had had to masquerade as a servant all this time. Jane turned around and headed back down the stairs.
    â€œOh, but he will faint with amazement,” Clara said, her eyes twinkling.
    â€œI thought you promised you would stay in yourbed!” snapped a stern and familiar voice. Jason. He marched down the servants’ staircase with a frown on his face.
    Jane ran to him and kissed him on the cheek.
    He stared at her with his mouth dropping open. “Jane,” he cried in amazement. “You look wonderful.”
    He turned his head sharply. Jane followed his gaze. Clara stood in the kitchen doorway, watching them.
    Jane laughed. She leaned close and whispered in Jason’s ear. “Don’t worry. She didn’t hear you. But do try to remember my name is Sarah now!”
    He blushed and nodded. “Sorry!”
    She grabbed his hand. “Come on!”
    She yanked him along with her as she raced outside. Out into the yard. Out into the sun.
    She twirled around and around. She loved the feel of the sunlight on her skin. The smell of the grass. Every sensation felt new—and glorious.
    â€œBut … but—” Jason stammered, watching her. “You seem so—”
    â€œDifferent?” she asked hoarsely.
    â€œWell, yes. You’re—”
    â€œI’m better!” She whooped.
    â€œCan it be?” he murmured. “Can it be?”
    Jane held out her arms wide to both sides. “I am living proof that it can.”
    â€œOh, J—” he began, but caught himself. “Sarah! Sarah!”
    She cackled. Then covered her mouth in embarrassment.What an awful sound. She never used to laugh like that.
    â€œBut—but we must celebrate,” Jason said. “Tonight! We’ll go to a show. Is there any theater in this little town?”
    Jane knew she must refuse. She didn’t want to hurt Jason’s feelings. But she was still in mourning for Thomas. It wouldn’t be right.
    But when she opened her lips to refuse, the words “I would love to go!” popped out.
    She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Why did she say that?
    â€œExcellent,” Jason exclaimed. “That’s settled then.”
    Jason continued talking about where they should go and what they should do. But Jane couldn’t concentrate.
    How could she possibly agree to go to the theater only one month after Thomas’s death?
    Jason looked worried. “I just thought of a bit of a problem.” He chuckled nervously. “What will people say if they see you out on the town with me? After all, I am supposed to be your manservant!”
    â€œLet them say what they like,” she said sharply.
    Jason looked rather shocked.
    Jane felt shocked herself. She didn’t mean that. Of course she cared what people said.
    Everyone in town would be gossiping if she and Jason went to a play together. They would say horrible things about her. Surely they would think that she had never loved Thomas.
    Jane couldn’t be seen with Jason. She couldn’t do anything that would hurt her husband’s memory.
    â€œYou must excuse me, Jason,” Jane said. “This sudden recovery is very confusing for me. I feel as if I am not myself.”
    She gently touched Jason’s arm. “I should not have accepted your invitation. I am still in mourning for Thomas.”
    â€œOf course,” Jason said. “I should have thought of that.”
    â€œAnd now I must go do something that I have been wanting to do since the day I got sick,” Sarah told him. “I am going to take a bath!”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œI won’t be long!” she promised. She turned around and hurried back inside the house.
    Perhaps she had rushed her recovery. Perhaps that is why she had been behaving so strangely ever since she got out of bed.
    Slowly, she climbed the