Read Online The Sign of Fear by R.L. Stine - Free Book Online Page A

whispered.
    â€œChristina Davis, stay away! Or I will make you very sorry.”
    Christina turned and picked up her bucket. Then she ran down the stairs as fast as she could. She didn’t even stop to mop up the water she spilled in the hall. Mistress Peterson might not give her any breakfast. But Christina didn’t care anymore.
    All she cared about was getting away from Emily’s room and its deadly secrets.
    Mistress Peterson studied Christina from head to foot as she lugged the bucket into the kitchen. Then she nodded as if satisfied.
    She likes my fear, Christina thought. She wants me to be afraid.
    â€œYou can throw that dirty water out into the yard,” Mistress Peterson said. “And that room upstairs better be spotless when I check it later.”
    Christina nodded. “Yes, ma’am,” she said as she headed out the kitchen door.
    Silently, she made a vow to clean up the water shehad spilled as soon as she finished eating. When she returned to the kitchen, Mistress Peterson gave her a meager breakfast of thin gruel and cold potatoes. Then she put Christina to work again.
    Work.
    Work.
    Work.
    Christina’s days slipped into a dismal pattern. She arose at first light. She worked all day. She fell into her bed exhausted each night. After what felt like moments, Mistress Peterson shook her awake. Forcing her to begin another day.
    Sometimes while Christina cleaned, she allowed herself to daydream about Matthew. About the day he would come back for her.
    Emily did no work at all, as far as Christina could tell. She stayed upstairs in her bedroom most of the time. Except for her trips into the woods.
    Every day Emily went to the woods with a basket over her arm. When she came back, things inside the basket cried and wriggled.
    Christina never had a chance to see what Emily brought home from the woods. Emily always took the basket straight upstairs to her room.
    And Christina stayed away from Emily’s room. She felt too frightened to go near it. But she could still hear the moans whenever she was upstairs.
    Then, one day, Christina woke up before Mistress Peterson came for her. She couldn’t figure out why—until she realized the moans had stopped. An unnatural silence filled the house.
    Christina quickly dressed and tiptoed down the hall.
    She pressed her ear to the door of Emily’s room.
    I know it is forbidden. But I must see what is inside.If I can find out what she is doing, maybe I can stop it. And maybe I can find a way to escape from here.
    â€œChristina Davis! Get down here this instant!” Mistress Peterson’s voice shot up the stairs.
    Christina jumped. She jerked away from Emily’s bedroom. I will get my chance. Someday, she promised herself.
    â€œThere you are!” Mistress Peterson exclaimed as Christina hurried into the sitting room. “You’re late. You’ll get no breakfast. Start your chores right away.”
    Christina’s stomach growled. I’m so hungry, she thought. If I eat any less, I’ll die.
    â€œEmily and I are going out this morning,” Mistress Peterson informed Christina. “We are going to the village. You are going to stay here and clean the sitting room walls.”
    Something is happening, Christina thought. Something is wrong.
    The Petersons rarely went to town. They knew they were not welcome there.
    â€œChristina!” Mistress Peterson’s sharp voice cut through Christina’s thoughts. “Are you listening to me?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Christina answered. “You want me to clean the sitting room walls.”
    Mistress Peterson gave a satisfied sniff. “That’s very good, Christina. I’m pleased to see you’re learning how to behave. It doesn’t do to have too much pride, you know. Particularly not in your situation.”
    Emily giggled from the doorway.
    Hot color flooded Christina’s face. She could feel her cheeks begin to burn.
    I’ll