A New Fear by R.L. Stine

you,” Ruth told him as they continued up to the house. “He wants to teach you all about the lumber business.”
    She is right, Nicholas thought. I will stay in Shadyside. I will work for Mr. Manning until I can pay off the back taxes on the Fear land. Then I will build a mansion so huge no one will ever forget there is a Fear in town.
    Ruth opened the door and they walked inside. Nicholas helped Ruth off with her coat. He thought he noticed her blushing again.
    Poor Ruth, Nicholas thought. She is not accustomed to the smallest attention from a man.
    “I want to go check on Father,” Ruth murmured, her eyes on the floor.
    “Thank you for attending the funeral with me,” Nicholas called as she crossed the room. Ruth gave a little nod in reply.
    Nicholas hung Ruth’s coat on the coatrack and removed his own.
    A high wail of anguish sounded from upstairs.
    Ruth!
    Nicholas dropped his coat and dashed toward the stairs.
    Ruth flew down them. Her face pale.
    Tears streaming down her cheeks.
    Nicholas grabbed her by the shoulders.
    “What is it? What is it, Ruth?” he demanded.
    “My father …”
    Her lips quivered as she struggled to speak.
    “My father is dead!”

Chapter 24

    N icholas sat next to Ruth on the parlor sofa a few hours later. She held a cup of tea in her hands, clutching it so tightly her knuckles were white.
    Nicholas did not know what to say to her. So he just sat there in silence.
    His mind raced over the events that had occurred since he arrived in Shadyside. So many deaths.
    “I need to tell you something, Nicholas,” Ruth said. She kept her eyes on her teacup.
    “What is it?” Nicholas asked when she did not continue.
    “I do not know how to say it,” she admitted.
    Nicholas felt like groaning. He wanted to be alone. He needed time to think. To figure out what he was going to do.
    But he could not leave Ruth all by herself. “Tell me,” he urged, trying to sound patient.
    “It was my father’s last wish that I marry you,” Ruth said all in a rush.
    “What?” He gasped.
    “I was as shocked as you are.” Ruth set her teacup down and turned to face him. “Last night I sat up with him. I was holding his hand. He started talking about dying.”
    Ruth sniffled. “I told him not to be silly. But he would not stop. He said that he wanted us to marry if anything happened to him.”
    Nicholas bowed his head and studied his shoes. I can hear the pain in her voice, he thought. I know she is hurting. I do not want to hurt her further.
    But I cannot marry her.
    Nicholas could not stand the thought of touching Ruth. Her cold, moist skin gave him chills. And her black fish eyes repulsed him.
    I have to tell her about Rosalyn. Then she will understand. She will never have to know I would not have married her under any circumstances.
    She twisted her hands in her lap. “I know you do not love me. I do not love you either.”
    Nicholas glanced at her, surprised. Perhaps she did not wish to marry him! He would convince her that her father would never want her to marry without love.
    Nicholas felt his entire body relax.
    “But we could be good company for each other,” Ruth continued. “I have plenty of money. You would never have to worry about that.” Ruth gazed at him pleadingly.
    Nicholas stood and walked to the empty fireplace. Her voice held a deep sadness. He knew it would be lonely for her living in this large house all alone. But that was not his responsibility.
    He turned to face Ruth. He decided not to mention Rosalyn. It might only make Ruth feel worse. “I am sorry,” Nicholas said, “but I do not think either one of us would be happy if we married.”
    “You are probably right. But I had to ask,” Ruth explained. She sighed. “I owed my father that much.”
    Relief flowed through Nicholas. “I will help you any way I can. I owe your father, too. He showed me much kindness.”
    Ruth rose to her feet and nodded. When she spoke her voice was calm and even. “You are welcome to