First Date by R.L. Stine, Sammy Yuen Jr. Page B

siren grew louder.
    What’s taking so long? she wondered. It seems like hours.
    â€œCome on, Sparks. Drink this. It’ll make you feel a little better.”
    He accepted the drink. “Hey, I was only kidding around,” he said. “Just playing, you know?”
    â€œI know,” Chelsea said, eyes on the door.
    Hurry! Hurry!
she thought.
    â€œI had a few beers, but—”
    â€œTake it easy,” she urged. “Drink the Coke. Please.”
    He had taken only a few sips when the front door burst open and two white-uniformed paramedics rolling a stretcher hurried into the room. “Where is he?” one of them, a tall, lanky young man with bright red hair, cried. He pointed to Sparks. “You?”
    Sparks set the glass of Coke down carefully on the counter. He turned to the tall paramedic. “Burned my hand,” he said quietly.
    â€œOooh—how’d you do that?” the other paramedic asked, staring at the hand, making a disgusted face.
    â€œJust lucky,” Sparks said dryly.
    â€œCan you walk okay?” the tall paramedic asked.
    Sparks nodded.
    â€œWe’ll take you to Shadyside General.”
    â€œWait—” Chelsea started. Where was the FBI agent? She couldn’t let them leave without him.
    To her relief a man in a long, black overcoat appeared in the doorway. “Agent Forrest,” he said, introducing himself loudly, holding up a badge and an ID card. His eyes went across the room to Chelsea. “You okay?”
    Chelsea nodded. “Yes. I’m okay. But I’m glad you’re here.”
    Sparks groaned in pain, then turned groggily to Chelsea. “What’s going on?”
    Agent Forrest pocketed his badge and stepped upto the paramedics. “Take him to the hospital. I’ll ride with him.” Then he said to Sparks, “I’m Agent Forrest from the FBI. I just want to ask you a few questions.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Sparks repeated, dazed and confused. He stared hard at Chelsea, trying to focus his eyes.
    She looked away.
    Forrest put a hand gingerly on Sparks’s shoulder. “Let’s get that hand looked at. Then we’ll have a little talk.”
    â€œWhat have I done?” Sparks demanded. “What’s this all about?”
    He was still protesting as the two paramedics led him out the door, followed by the FBI agent. Agent Forrest disappeared, then poked his head back in. “You sure you’re okay?”
    Chelsea nodded.
    â€œWant me to stay while you lock up?”
    â€œNo. I’m fine, really,” Chelsea insisted. “I’ll close up, then go straight home.”
    â€œWe’ll need to talk to you later,” Forrest said, then disappeared again.
    Chelsea exhaled loudly, slumping back against the wall.
    Suddenly she heard footsteps scraping across the kitchen floor. “Who’s there?” she cried, startled.
    Ernie poked his head in from the kitchen window.“What’s going on out there?” he asked. “Ready to close up?”
    â€œErnie—where were you?” Chelsea demanded.
    He pointed toward the back door.
    â€œYeah. Let’s get out of here,” Chelsea said, sighing.
    It didn’t take long to close up. Ernie left, taking a bag of leftover fried chicken with him.
    Chelsea watched him leave, then started to click off the lights. Her heart was still pounding, she realized. She felt trembly all over. Her fear lingered, even though Sparks had been captured.
    â€œOh!”
    She cried out in surprise when she saw the dark figure standing in the doorway, outlined by the streetlight outside. In her fear it took her a few seconds to recognize him.
    â€œWill!”
    He gave her a shy smile and made his way toward her. “Sorry I’m late.”
    â€œOh, Will—I’m so glad to see you!” Chelsea cried.
    Without hesitating, she ran around the counter and into his arms.
    The startled expression on