Night of the Werecat by R.L. Stine Page A

Wendy glanced up. She spotted a large banner stretched across the front of the building.
    â€œThere it is! The Shadyside Cat Circle Breeders’ Show,” she read aloud. She grabbed Tina’s hand and they ran to the entrance. The mews and meowing from inside seemed to be calling Wendy’s name. She was in such a hurry that she almost forgot to wait for her change when she paid the fifty cents admission!
    The big room was filled with long tables. Cages containing cats and kittens stood on each table. Their owners sat behind them.
    Wendy’s eyes widened. “I’ve never seen so many cats!” she exclaimed. “I could spend the whole week here!”
    Tina chuckled. “I like cats, too,” she commented. “But nobody is as cat-crazy as you.”
    â€œI know,” Wendy agreed. “I love them. Do you think my parents would notice if I stayed here forever?”
    They wandered up and down the aisles. Wendy didn’t know where to look first. All those beautiful cats! Each sweeter than the last.
    Wendy stopped at a blue cage containing a long-haired brown and white striped cat. It was nearly as big as a cocker spaniel.
    â€œCyril is a Maine coon cat,” the owner told her. “Would you like to pet him?”
    â€œOh, could I?” Wendy reached into the cage and stroked the silky fur. Her heart melted when the cat purred and licked her hand.
    â€œI wish my parents would let me have a cat,” she said for the millionth time. “When I grow up, I’m going to have a huge house filled with cats and kittens!”
    â€œLook at this, Wendy,” Tina called. Wendy said good-bye to Cyril and joined her friend at a side door. It led into a much smaller room. The room was empty except for a large booth. Blue curtains covered with cat stickers hung from hooks shaped like little cat heads. The curtains were pulled shut.
    Wendy stepped into the room. “Mrs. Bast’s Cat Curios,” she read from the sign over the booth. The letters were made up of colorful paw prints.
    Tina stopped beside her. “It looks closed,” she said.
    â€œLet’s check it out, anyway,” Wendy suggested. “I think Mrs. Bast has my kind of shop.”
    â€œJust remember what your mom said about spending more money on cat things,” Tina warned.
    â€œDon’t worry, I’m not going to buy anything,” Wendy reassured her. “Unless I really, really have to have it,” she added with a giggle.
    Wendy approached the booth. “Hello?” she called. “Mrs. Bast?”
    No response.
    â€œMaybe I should meow,” Wendy joked. “Maybe Mrs. Bast only serves cat customers.”
    â€œThere’s no one here,” Tina said. “Come on, Wendy, let’s go back to—”
    â€œPlease, Tina, I just want to peek inside. I have to find out what’s here.” Wendy reached out to part the curtains. Instantly a hand shot out from inside and grabbed her wrist.
    Startled, Wendy tried to free herself. But she couldn’t. The grip was too strong.
    Wendy’s heart nearly stopped. She felt herself falling through the thick blue curtains!

2

    â€œH elp!” Wendy screamed. “Tina!” The curtains smacked Wendy in the face as she fell into the booth. She struggled against the strong hands that gripped her. “Help!”
    The hands let go. Wendy stumbled backward a few steps.
    â€œWelcome!” a voice croaked.
    Wendy blinked. Across from her stood an old woman, wearing a long red dress. A beautiful hand-painted cat covered the front of it. The woman’s frizzy white hair surrounded her face like a cloud.
    â€œI’m Mrs. Bast,” the old woman announced. Her whole face crinkled up into a zillion wrinkles when she smiled at Wendy.
    â€œWendy!” Tina cried, rushing through the curtains. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI’m f-fine,” Wendy stammered. She rubbed her wrists. For an old