Wanted by R. L. Stine Page B

pumpkin. It looked perfectly fine to me.
    Dad said not to argue with the customers. “How about one dollar off?” I said.
    That seemed to make him happy. The man pulled out his wallet and paid. Then the three of them headed to their car.
    Why did he pick a pumpkin with a flat side? I wondered. I mean, it was his choice.
    I didn’t have long to think about it.
    I slid the man’s money into the cash register and was about to close the drawer — when I heard a shrill shout.
    â€œHelp! Help us!”
    I recognized Dolly’s voice.
    â€œSomeone! Help us! The pumpkins are alive!”
    â€œThey’re alive!” Dale cried, screaming in fright.
    â€œHelp! The pumpkins are ALIVE!”
    Oh, wow. “I knew it!” I muttered. “I knew it!”
    I slammed the cash register drawer shut, leaped over the counter, and ran to help my sisters.

“Dolly? Dale?” I frantically screamed their names. “Are you okay?”
    As I searched in a panic, it started to rain a little harder. I could hear the raindrops pattering on the pumpkin leaves. A light mist had settled over the field. People were hurrying to their cars.
    I spotted the twins at the edge of the field. They were standing behind a row of three large pumpkins. All around them, the fat leaves trembled from the wind and sudden rain.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I cried breathlessly. I ran up to them, my eyes on the pumpkins. “What’s happening?”
    The girls both burst out laughing.
    â€œThe pumpkins —” I said. “What happened? What did you see?”
    â€œIt was a joke,” Dale said. She and Dolly bumped knuckles.
    â€œWe knew you’d believe us,” Dolly said. “Because you’re crazy.”
    All a joke. And I fell for it.
    It made me angry. I don’t like being fooled by two little squirts.
    â€œWho says I’m crazy?” I barked.
    â€œDad says,” Dale answered. They both had big grins on their faces.
    â€œDad says I’m crazy? I don’t believe you.”
    â€œIt’s true,” Dolly said. “He says ever since you got to this farm, you’ve been acting like you’re nuts.”
    â€œ What did I say?” Dad stepped between us. “Who is nuts?”
    â€œNothing,” Dolly said. “Nobody.”
    â€œWe were just teasing Devin,” Dale told him.
    â€œWell, why don’t you tease him out of the rain?” Dad said. “It’s starting to come down hard. Go. Go with your mother.” He motioned to Mom, who was busy collecting everything off her table and putting them in a red wagon.
    Dad turned to me. He slapped my shoulder. “We had a good day. Good work, Devin.”
    I followed him to the cash register. He removed the money drawer, turned, and motioned toward the farmhouse. “Are you coming?”
    â€œIn a second,” I said. I saw Haywood standing under a tree. He held a black umbrella over his head. He seemed to be watching me.
    I watched Mom, Dad, and the twins hurry down the path to the farmhouse. Behind me, the pumpkin leaves clattered and shook, pattered by the rain.
    Pumpkins appeared to glow in the eerie yellow-gray light. Outside the field, the tall trees bent and swayed.
    It’s like everything is strange. Nothing is normal.
    I trotted over to Haywood. He moved the umbrella so I could get under it, too.
    â€œDon’t know where this rain came from,” he said. “The day started out so nice.” He had a line of dirt down one side of his face. He was drenched in sweat, and his stringy hair fell over one eye.
    â€œYou worked hard,” I said. “I had the easy job.”
    He snickered. “Maybe you want to trade?”
    â€œI don’t think so,” I said, and I laughed.
    He motioned to the field. “Still a lot of pumpkins left for Halloween tomorrow. Your dad said it might be even more crowded than today.”
    The wind made a howling sound through