Locker 13 by R.L. Stine Page A

said, picking up the disk drive, starting across the room with it. “But I have to get organized. Maybe …”
    â€œPlease!” I cried. “Find Mrs. Coffey’s note. We’ve got to get it to the man who’s putting together the computer art show. Please!”
    He narrowed his eyes at me. He probably thought I was crazy.
    But I didn’t care. I needed a victory. I knew there wasn’t much time.
    â€œOkay,” Mr. Handleman said finally. “Bring it in first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll try to look at it during lunch.”
    Not good enough. Tomorrow might be too late, I realized.
    â€œHow late will you be here this afternoon?” I asked breathlessly.
    â€œPretty late,” he replied. “Since it’s my first day, I—”
    â€œI’ll run home after school and get it,” I said. “I’ll bring it to you before you leave tonight. Could you … I mean, would you look at it this afternoon? Please?”
    â€œOkay, I guess. I’ll be here till at least five,” he said.
    â€œYesss!” I cried, pumping my fist in the air. I turned and raced out of the computer lab.
    I can win! I told myself. I can defeat the Fate Master. My animation project is good. I know it is. I’ve worked for two years on it. I’ve put so much hard work into it.
    I don’t need luck. I don’t need good luck at all.
    After school I ran all the way home. I burst into the kitchen, tossed down my backpack, and started to my room. I stopped halfway to the stairs when I heard voices from the living room.
    â€œLuke—is that you?” Mom called.
    Mom and Dad were both there, sitting in the dark. Dad leaned heavily on his cane. Mom had her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
    I stopped in the living room doorway. “Why are you both home so early?” I asked.
    â€œI had to come home. I couldn’t work,” Dad said softly. “That fall I took. It was worse than we thought. Looks like I’m going to need surgery.”
    â€œOh, no,” I muttered. My fault. It was all my fault.
    But I didn’t really have time to talk to them. I had to get to my computer. I wanted to check out the animation one more time before I made a copy for Mr. Handleman. Then I had to rush back to school.
    â€œBut why are you sitting in the dark?” I asked. “Why don’t you turn on some lights?”
    â€œWe can’t,” Mom said, shaking her head. “There’s some kind of trouble with the power lines to our block. The electricity is off. We have no power. No power at all.”

 

    I let out a horrified scream. “Nooooo! My computer!”
    â€œYou’ll have to wait till the power comes back on,” Dad said.
    â€œBut—but—” I sputtered.
    â€œWe’re having so much bad luck all of a sudden,” Dad murmured.
    â€œWe may have to leave the house tonight,” Mom said, sighing unhappily. “Without electricity we have no heat. We may have to check into a hotel or something.”
    â€œOh, no.” I tugged at my hair. A big clump of it came out in my hand.
    I was losing my hair. Losing my teeth. How could I fight back? How?
    â€œHe can’t do this to me!” I screamed. “He can’t! He can’t!” I turned and grabbed the banister and pulled myself up the stairs.
    â€œLuke? What are you saying?”
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    I didn’t answer. I dived into my room and slammed the door shut behind me.
    Breathing hard, I stared at my computer. Stared at the dark monitor screen.
    Useless. Totally useless.
    Frustrated, I kicked the side of my desk. “Owww!” I didn’t mean to kick it that hard. Sharp pain throbbed up my leg, up my side.
    â€œOh, wait.” I suddenly remembered. I already made a copy!
    Yes! I made a backup copy of my project. On my Zip drive. Yes!
    I fumbled frantically through the pile of disks on my desk. And grabbed the