Silent Night 2 by R.L. Stine Page A

sprawled on her back. A body.
    A girl’s body.
    Pam!
    Panting loudly, Reva dropped to her knees beside her cousin.
    â€œOh, no,” she moaned. “They killed her.”

Chapter 23

FOOTSTEPS
    P am’s eyes were closed. Her hair fell in a tangled disarray beneath her head. Her skin was gray under the pale wash of light from the lights overhead in the trees.
    â€œThey killed her,” Reva murmured. She swallowed hard. Her throat suddenly felt dry. A chill ran down her back.
    Glancing up, she saw a low, dark form racing across the frozen grass toward her. She jumped to her feet, then realized it was only King, her guard dog.
    The big dog lowered its head and let out a soft, whimpering sound.
    â€œIt’s okay, King,” Reva said, her voice tiny and frightened. “It’s okay, fella. Get lost. Get lost, King.”
    The dog stared at her for a moment, its eyes red in the eerie light. Then it sat on its haunches on the edge of the driveway.
    Reva heard a low groan. She lowered her eyes to the driveway.
    Pam blinked. Once. Twice. She groaned again. Her eyes opened. She stared up blankly at Reva.
    â€œPam!” Reva cried. She dropped back down beside her cousin. “Pam! You’re—alive!”
    Pam struggled to raise her head. But the effort proved to be too much for her. Wincing in pain, she closed her eyes and lowered her head back to the driveway.
    â€œYou’re alive!” Reva repeated. She cradled Pam’s head in her hands. She stroked Pam’s damp, tangled hair.
    â€œI’m not so sure,” Pam groaned.
    â€œWe’ve got to get you inside,” Reva said, shivering. “Do you think you can stand up?”
    â€œLet’s give it a try,” Pam replied shakily. “I-I’ve been tied up. My legs, they were completely numb.”
    Reva helped pull Pam slowly to her feet. Then, allowing Pam to lean on her, Reva slipped an arm around her cousin’s waist and guided her up the driveway to the house.
    â€œThey—they knocked me out. I was just coming to when they heaved me out of the car,” Pam said as Reva lowered her onto the dark leather couch in the den. “I hit my head on the pavement. I guess I blacked out again.”
    â€œLie down on the pillows,” Reva instructed Pammoving a soft satiny pillow behind Pam’s head. “That’s it. I’ll get you a glass of water.”
    â€œThanks,” Pam said, shutting her eyes. “I-I’m still a little dazed, I think. I’m very shaky. You know? Everything’s trembling. My heart is racing.”
    â€œI’ll call Dr. Simms,” Reva said, heading toward the kitchen. “And your parents. They’ll be so happy!” And then she added, “I’ll call the FBI too. I have their number right by the phone. And the Shadyside police.”
    Reva hurried to the kitchen. She filled a glass with cold water from the dispenser in the refrigerator door.
    As she started to return to the den, she cried out, startled to find Pam right behind her. “Hey—you scared me!”
    â€œSorry,” Pam murmured, lowering her green eyes.
    â€œYou should lie down, Pam.”
    â€œI don’t want to be alone,” Pam said fretfully. “I’m so . . . shaky. I’ll just sit down at the counter.” She pulled out a wooden kitchen stool and climbed onto it.
    â€œWhat happened?” Reva asked, watching Pam gulp the water. “How did you get away?”
    â€œThey had a big fight over what to do with me,” Pam replied, working nervously at the tangles in her hair with one hand. “There were two of them.”
    â€œYeah? Did you get a good look at them?” Reva asked, leaning her hands on the white counter.
    â€œNo.” Pam shook her head solemnly. “They had me blindfolded the whole time. I only heard their voices.”
    â€œDid you hear their names?” Reva asked eagerly.
    Pam shook her head