Bad Moonlight

  Danielle nodded.

  “What was it?”

  “That doesn’t matter!” Danielle cried. “What matters is these fantasies aren’t stopping!”

  “Come on,” Caroline urged, putting an arm around Danielle’s shoulders. “Let’s get back to the hotel. You told me you met with Dr. Moore. What did he say?”

  “He says I have violent thoughts because my parents died violently.”

  “Well, that makes sense, I guess,” Caroline said. She guided Danielle gently back toward the hotel.

  As they walked, a picture suddenly flashed into Danielle’s mind. Not a fantasy. Something much more frightening.

  Once again Danielle saw her parents’ accident. Their car soaring off the cliff. Their bodies torn on the jagged rocks below.

  She hadn’t seen her parents’ bodies, not even at the funeral. And no one had told her they’d been torn up on the rocks. But that’s what she kept picturing.

  Why? she wondered, her hands clenched into fists. Why do I keep thinking about it? Why can’t I put it behind me?

  She sucked in a long breath.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Caroline asked, her blue eyes studying Danielle. “Do you want me to ask Billy—”

  “No!” Danielle interrupted. “Don’t tell Billy I freaked out again. He probably already wishes I’d never joined the band.”

  “No way,” Caroline declared. “He thinks you’re great. But, Danielle, Billy really cares about everybody in the band. He’d want to know if something’s wrong.”

  “I still don’t want you to tell him,” Danielle insisted. “I’ll be okay for the show. Please, Caroline. Promise me you won’t say anything to him about this.”

  “Okay, I won’t tell,” Caroline promised.

  A few minutes later they arrived at the hotel. Danielle saw everyone in the small lobby. To her great relief, Kit and Dee were there, too.

  “I can’t believe you two would just take off like that!” she heard Billy scolding Kit and Dee. He checked his watch. “We’ve got a performance in less than an hour, in case you forgot!”

  “We didn’t take off,” Dee snapped. “We’re here, aren’t we?”

  “Hey, I’m sorry, man,” Kit told Billy. “I ran into some friends and didn’t notice the time. I’ll go set up the equipment. Right now. No problem.”

  Kit squeezed Danielle’s shoulder as he hurried past her.

  “What about you, Dee?” Mary Beth asked. “Where were you?”

  Dee shrugged. “I took a walk.”

  Mary Beth frowned. “Where?”

  “Hey—you’re not my mother!” Dee snapped.

  “Never mind,” Billy said impatiently. “We’ve got a show to put on. Everybody move it!”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Danielle wore her sparkling red dress for the performance. Maybe it’s my lucky dress, she thought as the audience stomped and clapped for an encore of “Bad Moonlight.”

  “Hey, isn’t there a curfew in this town?” she called out, teasing the crowd. “If we sing again, anybody under twenty-one will get picked up.”

  “We don’t care!” a girl shouted. The crowd cheered.

  Laughing, Danielle turned to the band. “What do you say? Shall we get them in trouble?”

  For an answer Mary Beth tossed her short red hair and did a riff on the drums. Caroline and Dee played the opening bar of the song, and Danielle turned back to the audience. “You want it? You got it!” she shouted.

  The crowd cheered.

  “Bad Moonlight” killed them again.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “A hit in Hastings!” Billy kept chanting when the show was over. “We’re a hit in Hastings!”

  “You’re not thinking of making that a song, I hope,” Caroline said dryly. “If you are, I have to warn you—the lyrics really bite.”

  Billy laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll leave the songwriting to Danielle. I’m just so pumped!” he added as he hurried to help Kit break down the equipment.

  “So was the audience,” Mary Beth commented. “What an awesome night!”

  “Hey, why don’t we take a walk or something?” Billy suggested, doing a couple of dance steps as he coiled up a cable. “Let’s see what kind of trouble we can get into. I’m not ready to settle down yet.”

  “Count me in,” Kit replied, picking up one of the extra floor mikes. “Let’s get this stuff stowed in the van and go down to the river.”

  They all worked quickly, and in another twenty minutes the equipment was packed.

  As Danielle hopped out of the van, she glanced up at the sky. A thin layer of clouds had covered it all evening. Now the clouds had drifted away, revealing a pale moon. Nearly full.

  “Hey, it feels great to walk. I mean, after being cooped up in that tiny club,” Kit said. He slid an arm around Danielle’s shoulder. “Wow. Check out the moon.”

  Danielle leaned into the circle of his arm. “It’s . . . beautiful,” she said softly.

  Beautiful—and bad, she thought.

  Danielle shivered. I can’t walk under that moonlight, she told herself.

  No more bad moonlight.

  The words forced their way through her mind.

  Her body began to tremble.

  I’m afraid of the moonlight, she realized. Afraid of the bad moonlight.

  Afraid of what it will make me do.

  “Is everybody ready?” Billy asked, slamming the van doors.

  Danielle straightened up and stepped away from Kit. “I think I’ll skip the walk,” she said, trying to sound casual.

  “Huh? How come?” Mary Beth asked. “It’s a perfect night to hang out by the river.”

  “Yeah, come on, Danielle,” Caroline urged. “What’s your problem? I thought you were as pumped as the rest of us.”

  “I am,” Danielle agreed. She struggled to think of a good excuse not to go.

  “Then come with us!” Billy insisted.

  “We’re wasting time standing around talking,” Dee said impatiently. “I’m going on ahead. See you at the river.”

  “We’ll catch up in a minute!” Kit called after Dee.

  He turned to Danielle. “I really wish you’d come,” he told her.

  Danielle felt tempted. The light in Kit’s eyes was so warm.

  But the moonlight was cold.

  Cold and evil.

  Danielle knew she had to stay out of it.

  “Sorry guys,” she insisted, keeping her voice light. “I feel a song coming on. If I don’t work on it now, I’ll lose it.”

  The others grumbled, but they didn’t push her anymore. Danielle knew they wouldn’t. They knew how hard it was to write songs. If an inspiration hit, you had to go with it.

  Danielle grabbed her guitar from the van and waved goodbye. She hurried up to her room. Without bothering to turn on any lights, she flung herself across one of the lumpy beds.

  Her entire body trembled.

  Maybe she should try to write a song. She could use the melody from “Stop Me,” the one she’d written for Dee, and put some new lyric to it.

  She had dropped her guitar by the closet door. Danielle pushed herself off the bed and stumbled toward the closet.

  She stopped halfway across the dark room when she heard a sound.

  A rustling. Then a cough.

  I’m not alone, she realized. There’s someone else in this room.

  Danielle straightened up and started to back away from the closet.

  With a loud creak the closet door swung open.

  Dee stepped out into the dim light. Her amber eyes glinted with fury. “Don’t even try to get away this time,” she whispered.

  Chapter 13

  MAKE IT STOP!

  “Dee—what are you doing here?” Danielle choked out. “I saw you leave for the river.”

  “Yeah, right,” Dee muttered. She clicked on the ceiling light. “You’ve been trying to avoid me, Danielle. But you can’t—not now. Not this time. You and I are going to talk.”

&nbs
p; “No!” Danielle cried. Dee’s intense stare terrified her. “Get out!”

  “Listen to me!” Dee insisted, taking a step closer. “I know the truth about Joey!”

  “Huh? What are you saying?” Danielle rushed past Dee and pulled open the door to the hallway. “I don’t want to hear any more about it! Get out! Get out!”

  “Not until we talk!” Dee insisted in a low voice. Moving swiftly, she advanced on Danielle.

  With a gasp Danielle turned to flee.

  Kit stood blocking the doorway.

  “Kit!” Danielle grabbed his arm. “What are you—? Never mind! I’m so glad to see you!”

  Kit took a step into the room. He turned to Dee. “What’s up? You went with the others.”

  The fire in Dee’s eyes faded. “I changed my mind,” she muttered. “Uh . . . I was just saying good night to Danielle. See you guys. Later.” Avoiding their eyes, Dee stepped past them and out of the room.

  “What was that about?” Kit asked Danielle, drawing her into the room. “You look upset.”

  “I am!” Danielle exclaimed. “Kit, she was so furious! I thought she was going to try to strangle me again. She said she knew the truth about Joey!”

  “Excuse me?” Kit’s voice came out shrill. “What did she mean by that?”

  “I didn’t give her a chance to tell me.” Danielle drew a shaky breath. “But you heard what she accused me of in the van!”

  “Hey, calm down,” Kit said gently. Taking her hand, he pulled her toward the window. “Dee’s been really upset since Joey died, and—”

  “I noticed,” Danielle interrupted.

  Kit nodded. “Yeah, I guess I don’t have to tell you,” he admitted. “But anyway, I don’t think Dee really means what she says.”

  “She didn’t even like Joey,” Danielle insisted. “At least, she didn’t act as if she did.”

  “Some people don’t show how they feel,” Kit replied. He put his arm around Danielle again and pulled her close. “I’m not one of them,” he confided.

  Danielle smiled. “I’m glad you’re not,” she whispered.

  Kit bent his head and kissed her.

  Danielle kissed him back, enjoying the moment.

  A warm breeze blew through the open window, but Danielle shivered. She opened her eyes.

  Moonlight streamed in, bathing them both in its icy glow.

  Ignore it, she told herself. Enjoy the kiss.

  She pressed her hands against the back of Kit’s neck.

  But pulled away suddenly when she heard the long, mournful howl. So close. Just outside the hotel.

  She gasped and stumbled back from the window.

  Another terrifying howl.

  Danielle covered her ears. “Make it stop!” she cried. “Please, Kit! Make it stop!”

  “Huh?” Kit gazed at her with concern. “Danielle—make what stop?”

  Chapter 14

  BILLY DIES

  Kit studied her face. “Do you really hear something?”

  “I—” Danielle paused. Don’t tell him, she thought. Don’t let him know. He’ll think you’re weird. A freak.

  “Danielle?”

  “No,” Danielle said. “I mean, yes. I heard something. A truck, I guess. You know, one of those monster trucks, roaring past.”

  “I didn’t hear it.” Kit shrugged and reached for her again.

  “Listen, Kit, maybe you should go to the river with everybody else,” Danielle told him. “I was going to work on a song, but I suddenly feel really wiped.”

  She could see the disappointment on Kit’s face. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I’m okay.” Danielle put her arm around his waist and urged him to the door. “I’m really glad you came back, Kit.”

  “Me too.” Kit leaned close and kissed her. “See you tomorrow. And try not to worry too much about Dee.”

  Right, Danielle thought as she closed the door behind him. I won’t worry too much about Dee. After all, I have a good list of other things to worry about.

  Like the horrifying fantasies.

  My parents’ car accident.

  The strange animal howls that no one else seems to hear.

  The moonlight. The bad moonlight . . .

  Danielle lowered the shade on the window to shut out the moonlight. She slid the red dress off and slipped into the faded blue, oversize T-shirt that she liked to sleep in.

  The howling had stopped for the moment. Maybe she’d be able to sleep. Then she could forget everything for a while.

  Danielle climbed into bed, pulled the sheet up, and closed her eyes.

  The howling began again.

  Ignore it. It’s in your mind, she scolded herself.

  No. It’s not. It’s real.

  She buried her head in the pillow, forcing away the frightening wails.

  She fell into a fitful, dreamless sleep. Woke fully alert a little after two.

  Caroline?

  No. Still not back.

  Why was Caroline out so late?

  Restless and wide awake, Danielle jumped out of bed. I’ll get a soda from the machine at the end of the hall, she decided. Then maybe try to work on a song.

  She dug some change out of her duffel bag and pulled open the door.

  Danielle froze.

  Halfway down the hall, sprawled on the worn carpet, lay a body.

  Dark blond hair.

  Eyes shut tightly. Mouth hanging slackly open.

  Not smiling.

  Not smiling with the dimple in his cheek.

  Not smiling. Not smiling. Not smiling.

  No. Billy wasn’t smiling.

  Billy was dead.

  Chapter 15

  VERY WORRIED ABOUT DANIELLE

  Not Billy, Danielle thought. Please, not Billy!

  It’s a fantasy, she told herself, trembling all over. Another horrifying fantasy.

  Danielle squeezed her eyes shut.

  I’ll open my eyes, and he’ll be okay.

  I’ll open my eyes, and the body will have vanished.

  She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

  Still there.

  The blood throbbing at her temples, Danielle took a step toward Billy. Then another, and another.

  Billy’s yellow T-shirt rose and fell on his chest. He was breathing!

  Gasping with relief, Danielle ran to him and knelt down.

  A sharp smell floated up to greet her. The smell of alcohol.

  Then she noticed the can in his outstretched hand.

  A beer can.

  “Billy?” she whispered. She tugged his arm. “Billy!”

  He groaned but didn’t move.

  Billy didn’t drink much, she knew. Just a beer once in a while. He never got drunk.

  But how much had he drunk tonight? Enough to pass out in the hotel hallway.

  Why? Danielle wondered. What would make a responsible guy like Billy suddenly do something like this?

  She shook his arm again. “Billy, wake up!”

  Billy groaned again. He turned his head, swallowed, and opened his eyes. “Danielle? What . . . what’s up? I feel awful.” He choked out in a hoarse voice.

  “You fell asleep in the hall,” she told him. “Come on, I’ll help you back to your room.” She took his arm and tugged.

  With great effort she got Billy on his feet. He squinted around the hall, his expression dazed. The beer can fell from his hand and rolled over the carpet.

  “Why’d you drink so much tonight?” Danielle asked. “Partying?”

  Billy shook his head. “A lot on my mind.”

  “Like what?”

  Billy didn’t reply. Danielle guided him to his room.

  He leaned against the door, still dazed. He stared at Danielle, struggling to focus. Then he reached out and pulled Danielle close to him in a hug.

  Danielle closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her and his chin resting on her head. “This isn’t like you,” she whispered. “Tell me what’s wro
ng, Billy.”

  “I wish I could.”

  “Why can’t you?” she asked. “It can’t be that bad.”

  Billy’s hands tightened. Then he straightened up and pushed away from her. “You’re wrong,” he told her. “It’s much worse than you can imagine.”

  “So tell me!” Danielle insisted. “Maybe I can help.”

  “I want to, but—” Billy broke off and shook his head. His hazel eyes darkened. “No. You can’t help, Danielle. Just forget it, okay?”

  “But—”

  “I said forget it!” Billy snapped.

  Danielle stared at him, startled by his sudden anger.

  He muttered good night and stumbled into his room. Danielle stood in the hallway, staring at the closed door, thinking about Billy’s troubled words.

  In the distance the howling started again.

  With a shiver Danielle turned and hurried back to her room.

  Tomorrow, she thought, slamming the door behind her and carefully locking it. Tomorrow I’ll be home with Aunt Margaret.

  Tomorrow I’ll be safe.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “You’re awfully quiet, Danielle,” Aunt Margaret commented as she sponged off the counter after lunch the next day.

  “Yeah, we’re lucky!” Cliff snickered and tossed his rolled-up napkin at Danielle.

  “Ha, ha, Cliff.” Danielle caught the napkin, jumped up from the table, and stuffed it down the back of her brother’s T-shirt.

  “You jerk!” he cried. He reached behind himself and struggled to pull the napkin out.

  Aunt Margaret pulled it out for him. “Cliff—out!” she ordered, rolling her eyes at Danielle. “Go out in the yard and work off some of that energy while I talk to your sister.”

  “There’s nothing to do out there,” Cliff complained.

  Aunt Margaret sighed. “Cliff, you built a fort out of cardboard boxes yesterday. Don’t tell me you’re tired of it already.”

  “Oh, right—the fort,” Cliff remembered. “Okay. I’m outta here.” He dashed out the back door, making machine-gun noises as he left.

  Danielle stacked their lunch plates and carried them to the dishwasher. It felt good to be back in her own house, especially the kitchen. She loved the big square room with its cream-tiled floor, round oak table, and hanging plants in the window over the sink.