Don't Stay Up Late by R. L. Stine

for me.
    The same intruder? The same monstrous creature?
    I was frozen there. Not breathing. I don’t think my heart was beating. It was as if I’d turn to an ice sculpture. I felt cold all over, the cold tingling of total fear.
    I didn’t think I could move.
    There. Another footstep. A soft cough. Closer.
    My phone. I dove for it. My hand trembled so hard, I nearly dropped it.
    Got to call 911. Please—let me call 911 before he comes bursting in.
    No. Please—no.
    The phone was out of power. Dead. The screen wouldn’t even light up.
    No phone. And another footstep.
    Who’s there?
    I tried to call out those words, but no sound escaped my open mouth.
    I squeezed the dead phone in my hand, squeezed it so hard my hand throbbed with pain.
    On trembling legs I made my way to the hall. Still not breathing. Not breathing. Somehow I made it to the kitchen door.
    The floor seemed to tilt and sway beneath me. The whole world was spinning.
    But I forced myself to the kitchen. Holding onto the door frame, I leaned into the room. Gazed all around—and then cried out in total surprise.

 
    28.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” I choked out.
    I stared at Nate, standing on the other side of the white kitchen counter.
    He wore a black denim jacket zipped to the top. The shoulders were wet, and his hair was matted to his forehead. He’d obviously been out in the rain.
    He gave me a weak smile. “I rang the front doorbell. Didn’t you hear it?”
    â€œNo,” I said. I was still trembling. My heart was still doing flip-flops in my chest. “No, I didn’t. I was in the living room, but I didn’t hear the front door.”
    â€œMaybe the bell is broken,” he said, stepping around the counter. He kept his brown eyes on mine, a smile frozen on his face. “When you didn’t answer, I came around the back.”
    I sucked in a deep shuddering breath. I realized I was hugging myself, trying to calm myself.
    Nate stepped up to me. His smile faded. He put a hurt expression on his face. “Aren’t you glad to see me?” He reached out to hug me, but I pushed him back.
    â€œY-you scared me to death!” I stammered. “Seriously. I thought someone broke in.”
    He snickered. “Someone did break in. Me.”
    â€œYou’re not funny,” I said. “Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you call me first? Why didn’t you—”
    He put a hand over my mouth. “I wanted to surprise you, that’s all.”
    I shoved his hand away. “I hate surprises. You weren’t trying to scare me—were you?”
    â€œNo way,” he said. “I wouldn’t do that.”
    â€œThen why are you here?” I demanded. I started to feel calmer. I stopped shaking. I realized I was actually glad to see him.
    He brushed back his wet hair. “I was driving past. I have to go pick up my brother. He’s at a friend’s house a few blocks from here. It’s like a full-time job, driving Tim around. But I thought I’d just peek in and see if you were okay.”
    I laughed. “I was okay until you frightened me to death.”
    He stepped forward and kissed me on the cheek. “Sorry,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to. Really. I just remembered you were upset after last Monday.…”
    His voice trailed off. I knew he didn’t believe me about what I saw here on Monday night.
    â€œWell … I guess it was sweet of you,” I said. “Can you come back and pick me up after Brenda gets home?”
    â€œNo problem.” He pointed to a plate on the counter. “Are those chocolate chip cookies homemade?”
    I opened my mouth to answer, but I heard a shout from upstairs. “That’s Harry,” I said. “See you later.”
    I spun away, trotted across the living room, and started up the staircase.
    â€œLisa! Hey, Lisa!” Harry’s cries were