Silent Night 2 by R.L. Stine Page B

again. “No. They were careful.”
    â€œDid they beat you up or anything?” Reva asked, her face tightening with concern as she studied Pam carefully.
    â€œIt—it was horrible!” Pam cried in a trembling voice. “I was so scared, Reva. They threw a coat over me and hit me hard on the head. In the stockroom. When I woke up I was in a bed somewhere. All tied up. Blindfolded and gagged. I—I thought they were going to kill me. I really did.”
    â€œTake it easy, Pam,” Reva said softly.
    Pam let out a sob, her skin pale in the kitchen light. “The man, he really wanted to kill me. He was very hotheaded, angry all the time. Really out of control. The girl sounded too frightened to kill me. She just wanted to get rid of me. They argued and argued.
    â€œFinally they decided to dump me on your driveway and leave town as fast as possible,” Pam continued.
    â€œThey left town?” Reva’s expression was one of surprise mixed with relief.
    â€œYeah. They’re gone,” Pam said. “I heard them say they had a friend in Canada. They were going to go up there and lay low for a while.”
    Pam smiled for the first time. “I’m so glad. I’m so glad they’re gone, Reva.” Her shoulders shook. She lowered her head into her hands and started to cry.
    Reva hurried over and put a calming hand on her cousin’s trembling shoulder. “You’re okay now,Pam,” she whispered. “You’re okay. They’re gone. And you’re okay.”
    Pam was still crying softly when Reva heard the footsteps.
    Heavy footsteps in the front hall.
    Oh, no! Reva thought, raising a hand to her mouth. I left the front door wide open!
    The footsteps grew louder.
    Pam heard them too.
    She jerked her head up, her eyes wild with fear. “They came back!” she cried in a choked whisper.

Chapter 24

WHO’S WATCHING
REVA?
    B oth girls froze, their eyes locked on each other as they listened.
    The footsteps were in the back hall now.
    Pam uttered a low gasp, her shoulders still trembling.
    Reva pulled a copper frying pan off its hook on the wall. Gripping the handle tightly, she held it high, preparing to use it as a weapon.
    The footsteps drew closer. Closer.
    From the hallway Reva heard heavy breathing. “Who—who’s there?” she managed to stammer.
    A few seconds later Victor appeared in the kitchen doorway. At first he saw only Reva. Gesturingto the hall, his eyes narrowed in confusion. “The front door—it was wide open,” he said. “I was worried—”
    â€œVictor!” Pam cried. She dropped down from the stool.
    â€œPam! I don’t believe it! You—you’re okay!” Victor’s handsome face showed surprise, then happiness. He ran across the room and wrapped his arms around Pam, and they hugged.
    A happy ending for all, Reva thought, watching them. Pam is so innocent. She doesn’t even wonder why Victor came over here.
    This works out fine, Reva thought, a pleased smile crossing her face as she watched Pam and Victor hold each other. This saves me the trouble of dumping Victor.
    â€œHey, break it up, you two!” Reva cried. “We’ve got to call Pam’s parents!”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    On Saturday afternoon Reva got a postcard from St. Croix from her brother, Michael. On the front was a white beach shaded by palm trees. On the back Michael had printed:
    We took a boat and went snorkeling at Buck Island. Then Josh and I rode the waves into the beach for two hours! My bathing suit got filled with sand. I miss you. NOT!
    Reva stared at the palm trees. It looked like a nice beach. She imagined the sound of the soft waves rolling onto the sand. She pictured the turquoisewater. She could almost smell the coconut suntan lotion.
    â€œThat little creep Michael has all the luck!” Reva cried bitterly.
    She glanced out the living room window. The sky was nearly as