The Evil Lives!

  Janine, she thought suddenly. Janine has the instructions on how to call up the Evil. Maybe they tell how to get rid of it.

  Amanda grabbed the telephone and punched in the number.

  Busy.

  Amanda hung up and peeled off her filthy clothes. She grabbed her bathrobe from the closet hook and shrugged into it. Then she hurried back to the phone and stabbed out Janine’s number again.

  Still busy.

  I have to talk to her! Amanda thought desperately. I have to tell her what’s happened. She’ll help me figure everything out.

  Go over there, she told herself. Stop wasting time!

  She threw off her robe and hurried back to the closet. She dragged out a pair of fresh jeans and pulled them on. She fumbled around for a second pair of sneakers and shoved her feet into them.

  Hurry! her mind screamed at her. Hurry!

  Racing to the chair, she grabbed up the rust-colored sweater, yanking it over her head as she flew from the room.

  In the kitchen, she snatched the car keys from the hook by the refrigerator, then tore down the hall to the front door.

  As she turned the handle, a strong gust of cold air blew the door wide open.

  Amanda gasped.

  Judd stood outside, his face only a foot away from hers.

  Amanda stared at him.

  “Hi,” he said. “Can I come in?”

  “I . . . I guess.” Amanda backed up a step.

  As Judd took a step forward, Amanda heard a squishing noise.

  She glanced down.

  And gasped again, her heart suddenly racing with fear.

  Judd’s sneakers were caked with mud.

  Chapter 24

  BACK TO THE GRAVE

  Judd’s eyes followed Amanda’s gaze to his sneakers. Looks like I walked through a swamp, huh?”

  Or a grave, Amanda thought. “What are you doing here?”

  “I stopped by to see how you are,” he explained. “I mean, everyone is so scared and upset about Natalie. And I didn’t get a chance to talk to you this afternoon. I wanted to make sure you’re all right.”

  Amanda kept staring at him. He’s the one, she thought, her heart racing. He must be. He left the note and the muddy footprints in my room. He signed the note with Sarah’s name.

  The Evil is inside Judd.

  Judd shifted his weight, an uneasy expression on his face. “What’s wrong?” “Huh? Oh. Well, it’s like you said—I’m upset.” Amanda heard her voice shaking and took a deep breath. “But I’ll be okay. Thanks for stopping by.” She reached for the door and began to swing it shut.

  “Hey, wait a sec, Amanda,” Judd protested. “I’m kind of freaked about all this. I thought we could talk a little. Can I come in?”

  “No.”

  Judd stared, his blue eyes startled. “I thought you said I could.”

  Stay calm, Amanda told herself. Don’t let him know I’m on to him. “Sorry, I forgot. I was just leaving for Janine’s,” she explained.

  “I’ll drive you,” he offered.

  “No, you don’t have to do that. Really,” Amanda told him. “It’s getting kind of late. I don’t know how long I’ll be there. Janine’s really upset about everything, and I don’t think she . . .”

  “I’ll drive you,” Judd repeated firmly. “You’re really pale, Amanda. You look like you’re going to pass out. You can’t drive like that.”

  If she slammed the door in his face, he’d find a way in. If she got in the car with him, she might never reach Janine’s.

  “Come on.” Judd reached out and took hold of Amanda’s arm, pulling her through the door. “Let’s go.”

  Feeling helpless and terrified, Amanda walked with him across the porch and down to his car. He kept an arm around her the whole time.

  A week ago I dreamed of getting together with Judd, she thought. Now here I am with his arm around me.

  But it’s a nightmare, not a dream.

  As Judd pulled away from the house, Amanda slipped her fingers around the door handle and pulled.

  Nothing happened.

  Automatic lock, Amanda realized. Why did I ever get in? Now I’m trapped. Trapped in this car with the Evil.

  She glanced at Judd.

  His long fingers gripped the steering wheel firmly as he guided the car around a corner. In the glow of a streetlight, his expression seemed calm.

  Of course he’s calm! Amanda’s mind screamed at her. He’s in control. You got into the car with him, and now he can kill you anytime he wants!

  Feeling her eyes on him, Judd turned his head and smiled.

  Amanda smiled back weakly. Sliding her hands up inside the sleeves of her sweater, she huddled against the passenger door.

  He’s waiting until we get to Janine’s, she thought frantically. He’s going to kill us both at the same time. He’ll burn the house around us. Or blow it up. Something horrible and gruesome.

  Amanda shuddered, and Judd glanced at her again. “There’s an extra jacket in the backseat,” he told her. “Sorry—I didn’t give you a chance to get yours before we left.”

  Before you dragged me out of the house, you mean. “I’m not really cold,” Amanda murmured.

  Judd turned the car onto Canyon Drive. Amanda tensed up even more. She could see Janine’s white, two-story house at the end of the block. Almost there.

  Almost dead.

  “Isn’t that Janine’s car?” Judd asked. He pointed at a blue compact backing out of the driveway.

  Amanda nodded. She could see Janine’s face as she backed the car into the street. Then, as the car turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of Brandon’s red hair glowing in the streetlight.

  “I thought she was waiting for you,” Judd said. “You must have mixed up the time. They’re probably going for pizza or something. Want to follow them?”

  “I guess,” Amanda agreed. If she made it to the pizza place alive, she could jump out of the car and scream for help.

  Janine drove quickly through the winding neighborhood streets, then turned down Park Drive. When she reached Division Street, she didn’t turn off. Instead, she kept driving to the Old Mill Road, then made a right turn onto Fear Street.

  “Guess I was wrong about the pizza,” Judd commented. “I wonder where they’re going.”

  Amanda didn’t reply. The blue car had pulled over to the curb, and she saw Janine and Brandon climb out.

  Another car shot in front of Judd, and he had to stop quickly. By the time he’d started rolling again, Janine and Brandon were out of sight. But Amanda knew where they had gone.

  Into the Fear Street Cemetery.

  What is going on? she wondered as Judd pulled to a stop behind Janine’s car. Why did they come here?

  Amanda grabbed the door handle.

  “You really want to go after them?” Judd asked. “In a graveyard? At night?”

  “Yes.” Amanda tugged at the handle. Still locked.

  Judd’s mouth curved up in a little smile. “Aren’t you scared of ghosts?”

  He’s teasing me, Amanda realized. Playing with me, like a cat with a mouse. “Don’t be silly,” she replied, forcing herself to laugh. “Unlock the doors, okay? You can leave if you want. I’ll get a ride back with Janine.”

  Judd shook his head. “I’ll come with you.”

  “Fine.” Amanda wasn’t about to argue. She tightened her grip on the door handle. “Let’s go.”

  As soon as Judd popped the main lock, Amanda flung the door open, scrambled out of the car, and flew across the street.

  “Hey!” Judd shouted behind her. “Amanda, wait!”

  Amanda didn’t slow down. She raced into the cemetery, following the path she and Janine had taken before.

  “Amanda!” Judd’s voice called. “Come on, wait up!”

  Amanda could hear him sloshing along the path behind her. She tried to pick up her pace, even though the mud sucked at her shoes with every step.

  “Amanda!” Judd’s voice sounded farther behi
nd her now.

  She felt a surge of hope. If I can get to Janine, we can run out the other side of the cemetery, she thought. Find a house and use the phone to call the police.

  Then what? she wondered. What will we tell them? That Judd is possessed by an evil spirit? No way will they believe it.

  Worry about that later, she told herself. Just catch up with Janine and get out of here!

  As she rounded a curve in the path, Amanda finally saw Janine up ahead, pointing at Sarah Fear’s empty grave. Brandon stood beside her, gazing down at the gaping hole.

  Janine turned when she heard Amanda’s footsteps, a startled expression on her face. “Amanda! What are you doing here?”

  Amanda grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. “It’s Judd,” she announced breathlessly. “I know it is.”

  Janine frowned in confusion.

  “The Evil is inside Judd!” Amanda cried. “He left me a note and said I’m next. What are we going to do?”

  Janine’s face grew pale. Her brown eyes widened in fear as she glanced over Amanda’s shoulder.

  Amanda spun around.

  Judd stood on the path.

  “I heard you, Amanda.” His voice sent a chill up Amanda’s spine. “I heard every word.”

  Chapter 25

  GRABBED BY THE EVIL

  “Every single word,” Judd repeated. Anger made his voice harsh. His blue eyes burned coldly.

  I’m next, Amanda thought, remembering the note. Her heart pounded in rhythm with the words. I’m next. I’m next.

  Judd clenched his fists and began moving toward her.

  Amanda backed up a step, closer to the grave.

  “How could you say that about me?” he demanded.

  Amanda stepped back again. She quickly glanced over her shoulder. The empty grave stretched out behind her.

  Judd kept coming, his angry eyes burning into her. He lifted his hands and uncurled his long fingers, reaching for her.

  Amanda screamed.

  “Get away from her!” Janine shouted. She grabbed Amanda’s arm and yanked her to the side. “Brandon!” she cried. “Help us!”

  “Yes. I will.” Brandon turned away from the grave and raised his head.

  Amanda gasped.

  Brandon’s eyes glowed golden-green like a cat’s in the dark. An eerie, supernatural green that radiated evil.

  Evil! Amanda’s mouth went dry as terror shot through her.

  It’s Brandon. The Evil is inside Brandon.

  “I will help you,” Brandon repeated.

  Why didn’t I think of it? Amanda asked herself. Brandon walked in beside Judd the night we called up the Evil. Brandon killed Luke so that he could be the starting player. And Natalie must have told Brandon she was going to talk to the principal. So he killed her too.

  Brandon’s glowing eyes gazed back and forth between Amanda and Janine. “Thank you for calling me up,” he told them. “But now I have no choice.”

  “What do you mean?” Janine’s fingers dug painfully into Amanda’s arm. “What are you talking about?”

  “I must send you both to your graves!” The glow in Brandon’s eyes grew stronger. “You first, Amanda.”

  Amanda’s throat closed up in terror as his green eyes loomed closer, filling her vision. Janine screamed and tried to pull Amanda away.

  Both of them stumbled, falling to their knees in the muddy ground.

  Brandon began to close in on them.

  “Nooo!” Judd shouted. He sprang through the air and landed on Brandon’s back. His fingers clawed at Brandon’s shoulders and neck.

  Brandon shook himself like a wet dog. Judd slipped to the side, but managed to hang on. He grabbed a fistful of Brandon’s red hair and yanked viciously.

  Brandon hardly flinched.

  Judd clamped his other hand over Brandon’s face, his fingers digging into the flesh. “Run!” he shouted to Amanda and Janine. “Get out of here!”

  Janine and Amanda struggled to their feet. Holding on to each other, they began to edge their way around the two boys.

  Brandon reached up and grabbed Judd’s wrists, then bent forward and dragged him over his head.

  Judd hit the ground hard, landing flat on his back in front of Janine and Amanda.

  Amanda cried out and reached out to help him up.

  But Judd rolled away and jumped quickly to his feet. “Run!” he shouted again. Then he dived at Brandon.

  Brandon caught him in midair. Holding Judd over his head, he spun around, then heaved him through the air.

  Judd’s body slammed up against a tree, then dropped to the ground.

  He didn’t get up again.

  “Judd!” Amanda cried. She spun to Brandon. “You killed him!” she screamed. “You killed him!”

  “Amanda, come on!” Janine pleaded, yanking at Amanda’s sleeve. “Hurry! We have to get out of here!”

  “Too late!” With a shout, Brandon knocked Janine aside and grabbed for Amanda. “You’re next,” he growled.

  Chapter 26

  IT CAN’T BE DROWNED

  Brandon’s hands grasped for her throat.

  Amanda ducked and dodged sideways.

  His fingers brushed her hair, and she screamed in terror.

  “Your turn, Amanda.” Brandon snagged the back of her sweater. “Your turn.”

  “No!” Amanda twisted violently away and lost her balance, falling on her side into the mud. “Janine! Help me!”

  Janine uttered a low moan.

  She must have hit her head, Amanda thought frantically. She’s dazed, she can’t help!

  Brandon stalked toward her, reaching for her again.

  Amanda rolled onto her back and kicked out with her legs. Brandon grabbed an ankle, but she kicked up with the other foot and cracked him under the chin.

  His jaw snapped shut on his tongue. Blood spurted from between his lips. He cried out in pain and his grip loosened on Amanda’s ankle.

  She kicked out again, then rolled over onto her knees and tried to rise.

  Her feet slipped in the mud and she began to crawl away, sobbing in fear. “Janine!” she cried. “Get up! Can you get up?”

  “What’s . . . what’s going on?” Janine’s voice sounded weak and confused. “Amanda?”

  “He’s going to kill me!” Amanda sobbed, scrambling through the mud on her hands and knees. “Help me!”

  “It’s too late!” Brandon’s footsteps splashed through the mud as he stormed after her. “It’s your turn, Amanda. There’s nothing you can do!”

  “No!” Amanda scrambled to her feet and raced around to the head of the empty grave. Brandon stood at its foot, glaring at her.

  A pink froth of blood bubbled from his mouth. He sucked it in and swallowed, licking his lips. “There’s nothing you can do,” he repeated. “Nowhere to go. No one to help.”

  Amanda stared at him, her breath coming in ragged sobs.

  “You can’t win, Amanda. You can’t beat me.” His eyes glowed triumphantly. “I will live forever.”

  No! Amanda thought, suddenly remembering. The Evil can be beat.

  It must be drowned.

  She glanced around and her heart sank. We’re in the middle of a graveyard, she thought. There’s no way to drown him. Not here.

  A movement behind Brandon caught Amanda’s eye. Janine. She was on her feet now, moving toward Brandon.

  Brandon heard her. He spun around and grabbed Janine, lifting her from the ground as if she weighed almost nothing. He pinned her arms to her side.

  Janine cried out once, then gasped as he began squeezing the air from her lungs.

  “Stop it!” Amanda screamed.

  She had to do something. Glancing around frantically, she spotted a fallen branch. She grabbed it up and ran around the grave.

  Holding the branch like a baseball bat, Amanda swung it over her shoulder, then brought it crashing against the back of Brandon’s skull with a loud crack.

  Brandon howled. A shudder passed through him.
br />   His grip loosened, and Janine dropped to the ground in heap. Shaking his head to clear it, Brandon staggered sideways toward the grave.

  The grave! Amanda thought quickly. If we can push him in there, maybe . . . maybe he’ll go back in time.

  “Help me, Janine!” Amanda shouted. She grabbed hold of Janine’s arm and hauled her to her feet. “We can’t drown the Evil, but maybe we can send it away. Help me push him in the grave.”

  Janine gazed at her blankly.

  Brandon stopped and turned toward them.

  “Come on, Janine!” Amanda screamed. “Help me shove him into the grave before it’s too late!”

  As Amanda swung the branch at Brandon again, Janine finally seemed to understand. She ran up and shoved him.

  Brandon danced back out of their way. But Amanda kept swinging the branch, cracking him in the knees, then in the side of the head. As Brandon swung his arm out, trying to grab hold of the branch, Janine shoved him hard.

  Brandon dodged back. His heel slid over the edge of the grave. He caught his balance and began to lunge forward.

  Switching her grip on the branch, Amanda held it like a battering ram—and drove it straight into his chest.

  Brandon teetered for a second, then toppled backward into the open coffin.

  Amanda peered over the edge.

  Brandon lay still. His eyes were closed, shutting out their eerie green glow.

  “He’s unconscious! Quick! Close the lid!” Amanda cried. She and Janine ran around to the left of the grave. The lid rested against one side of the grave, stuck in the muddy earth.

  “Use the branch,” Janine suggested quickly. “Pry it loose with the branch.”

  Amanda stuck the branch down, but it was too thick to slip between the coffin lid and the wall of earth. She glanced around for something thinner.

  Her gaze landed on Judd, lying crumpled and still beneath the tree. Tears rose to her eyes. I thought he was possessed by the Evil, she remembered guiltily. How could I have been so wrong?

  A twig snapped.

  Amanda stiffened.