Bad Moonlight by R.L. Stine Page B

She’d changed from her worn T-shirt into a new blue tank top, brushed her hair, and put on a littlemakeup. She couldn’t shake the jitters from Billy’s visit. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t look good for Kit.
    He arrived a moment later, killing the engine on his white Mustang and coasting quietly to a stop at the curb.
    â€œYou look great,” he complimented as he joined her on the sidewalk.
    â€œThanks.” Danielle smiled, feeling calmer with Kit around. “So do you.”
    Kit glanced down at his ragged jeans and ratty sneakers. He grinned and grabbed her hand. “Come on, let’s walk.”
    They strolled in silence. The moon dipped in and out from behind scattered clouds.
    Danielle swallowed hard. For once the cold moonlight wasn’t affecting her, wasn’t making her feel strange.
    Weird, she thought. Usually I’d be shivering. Feeling different. Frightened. But not this time.
    It must be Kit, she thought, turning to him. He makes me feel warm and safe.
    As if he felt her gaze, Kit smiled at her. “You’re not so nervous now,” he commented. “Do you want to talk about Billy’s visit?”
    Danielle shook her head. “I thought I would, but I don’t.”
    â€œWell, okay,” Kit replied softly. “It’s just that I thought he upset you, and you wanted to tell me about it.”
    â€œI don’t,” Danielle repeated. “I want to forget it.”
    Kit let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulder.
    But Danielle shrugged it off. She stared up at the moon and felt a sudden rush of energy. “You know what I want?” she asked. “I want to run. Come on, Kit, let’s run!”
    Without waiting for him to respond, Danielle took off down Fear Street. Behind her, she heard Kit call her name. But she kept going. Laughing. Running faster.
    â€œHey, Danielle! Whoa!” Kit shouted from behind her. “You’re way ahead. Wait up!”
    â€œCome on and catch me!” Danielle shouted back without slowing down.
    Danielle loved the rush of wind in her face and hair. The pounding of her heart. The slap, slap of her sneakers.
    Faster! she urged herself. Faster!
    â€œDanielle!” she heard Kit call, far behind her.
    But Danielle didn’t stop. Didn’t want to stop!
    Why am I doing this? Danielle asked herself. Why am I running like mad in the middle of the night?
    She didn’t know. She didn’t care. She couldn’t think. All she could do was run, like a stampeding horse.
    Like a wild animal.
    â€œDanielle!” She could barely hear Kit. He’d never catch up.
    The wind shifted. Danielle sniffed. Her eyes narrowed and she stopped. She stood still, listening.
    Something close by. An animal. Something small.She could hear its tiny heart racing with fear. She could smell it.
    There, in the side yard of that house!
    A rabbit. A small, plump rabbit.
    Danielle’s mouth watered. With one snap of her teeth she’d be able to taste the rabbit’s blood. As silently as she could, she leaped over a low hedge and bounded across the yard.
    The rabbit stood frozen for a split second, then darted away.
    Danielle lowered her head, urged her legs forward. I can catch him! she thought. I know I can!
    I can taste the blood already!

Chapter 23

    A SURPRISE IN THE TRUNK
    â€œH ey, whoa!” Billy’s sharp voice cut through the chatter like a knife. “In case you forgot, we’ve got a show tonight. You want to try rehearsing instead of standing around shooting the breeze?”
    Mary Beth frowned. “We’ve been rehearsing, Billy. Now we’re on a break. Lighten up.”
    â€œRehearsing? Is that what it was?” he shot back. “Could have fooled me. Maybe if you try a little harder, we might be good enough to play for birthday parties!”
    Billy made a big deal out of checking his watch. “Five minutes!” he called loudly as he strode