Bad Dreams by R.L. Stine Page B

after her husband died. Mrs. Travers reported that she had been very helpful. But as far as Maggie and Andrea could tell, all she had done was tell their mother it was natural to feel depressed, and given her a mild sedative to help her sleep.
    Maggie was surprised at how good it felt to talk to her. Brenda had an easy smile and kind eyes. She didn’t seem shocked by anything Maggie said. Even when Maggie said she thought the dead girl, Miranda was after her for revenge.
    â€œI know it sounds crazy,” Maggie had blurted out near the end of the session, “but I think it’s because Miranda died. Now she wants me to die too.”
    â€œDreams can be very upsetting,” Dr. Marsh said softly. “They’re also important clues to what’s really bothering us. I want you to come in again and talk to me next week, all right?”
    Maggie had nodded. “Sure, I’ll come back.”
    â€œDid this shrink figure out what’s going on with you?” Justin asked as they passed The Corner, a school hangout already filled with Shadyside kids.
    Maggie shook her head. “She thinks the dreams are about something else, something that’s bothering me.”
    â€œOh,” Justin said.
    Maggie could tell the subject made Justin very uncomfortable. She knew it was coming betweenthem. “Am I ever going to see you again?” she demanded.
    He didn’t hesitate. “How about tomorrow night?” He grinned at her, moving close. “First you win the two-hundred. Then you and I celebrate.”
    â€œFirst I have to win,” Maggie said, frowning.
    â€œYou’ll win,” he told her. “I know it.” He put his arms around her waist and hugged her.
    It felt great, being in his arms again. She rested her head against his shoulder. For a moment, she forgot her troubles.
    For a moment, it seemed as if nothing could harm her.
    A very brief moment.
    Then, gazing over Justin’s shoulder, something caught her eye.
    Standing across the street. On the sidewalk in front of the hedge. Miranda.
    Miranda. The ghost. Standing there. Watching them.
    Justin must have felt her body tense up, because he let go of her.
    Maggie couldn’t decide what to do. She wanted to cry out, to show Justin that Miranda really existed.
    She wanted to run after Miranda. To grab her. To hold on to her. To show everyone she wasn’t crazy.
    But what would happen if she told Justin?
    One more “crazy” episode—and Justin would give up on her.
    She stared at the ghost with the pale blond hair shimmering in the afternoon sunlight.
    She had to tell Justin. She had to show him.
    â€œJustin!” Maggie cried. “Look! Across the street! It’s her! It’s the ghost! The girl from my dream! Look!”
    â€œHuh?” Justin spun around, following her gaze to the hedge across the street.
    There was no one there.

chapter

20
    M aggie cried out in frustration and darted across the street.
    No sign of Miranda.
    She searched behind the hedge. She ran halfway down the next block.
    Miranda had vanished. Vanished like a ghost.
    â€œMaggie!” Justin chased after her, his features rigid.
    â€œLater!” she called, waving him away. She didn’t want to deal with him right then. She couldn’t. She just couldn’t.
    She couldn’t stand being with another person who thought she was crazy. And no matter what Justin said, she knew he’d be thinking it.
    She wandered around the neighborhood near school, her head down, barely glancing up to check for traffic when she crossed streets. Every few blocksshe would raise her head, expecting to see the ghost.
    But no Miranda.
    Wandering aimlessly, Maggie didn’t get home until after five. As she walked into the living room, Andrea stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of sizzling french fries.
    â€œHey, Maggie!” she called casually. Andrea was wearing her short-short khakis, an orange tank top, and