Temptation

A bat flapped over his head. Billy glanced up, but the creature was invisible in the fog.

  Billy tried to phone Jay as soon as he got home. No answer.

  He climbed into bed, thinking about Kylie—about her hot, hot kisses.

  Am I crazy? he wondered. Most guys would jump at the chance to go out with such a beautiful girl.

  But I can’t get too close, he decided. I can’t forget why I came back to Sandy Hollow.

  That vampire came too close to hurting Lynette.

  And April is too close to Jay. That’s more important than all Kylie’s kisses.

  I can’t let Jay become a vampire.

  • • • • •

  Jay sat on the beach, listening to the waves tumble and roar as they slid over the jetty and rolled onto the sand. The sound was distant, like a dream.

  A girl slipped her arms around his neck.

  Was she really there?

  Or was she imaginary, nothing but wisps of fog?

  She kissed his face. Then his lips.

  “April,” he whispered. “April.”

  The fog seemed to be lifting. Only patches now. Moonlight twinkled on the surface of the waves. Everything shimmered. Everything.

  Jay tried to focus on the girl. The waves reflected the moonlight, making dancing lights in her hair. She seemed fuzzy, unreal.

  Why was everything such a blur?

  She kissed him. Again and again.

  A gentle breeze stirred the night air, clearing away the last wisps of fog. But that one spot, right where he sat with the girl, seemed covered in mist.

  Her kisses continued, as if they would go on forever. Yes, he thought. Forever. Forever.

  He whispered her name again. “April.”

  Her lips left his, sliding down to his neck.

  Jay felt twin stabs of pain in his throat.

  But they seemed far, far away.

  Part of a dream. Not real.

  “April,” he murmured. “April, what are you doing to me?”

  CHAPTER 25 BUG BITES

  Billy drifted along Main Street, scanning the faces of the people coming in and out of brightly lighted shops, hoping to spot Jay.

  He had been phoning Jay’s condo endlessly. But no one answered. He had to assume the worst—that Jay was with April.

  He knew Jay was under April’s spell.

  April had clouded Jay’s mind.

  Her hold on him would be hard to break.

  I have to keep trying, Billy thought grimly. I can’t give up. I can never give up.

  A blond girl and a muscular boy with sandy hair stepped out of an antique store.

  “Nate!” he called, hurrying toward them. “Irene!”

  Two strangers turned to him with puzzled expressions on their faces.

  Billy mumbled an apology, and the couple hurried away.

  Where is everyone? Billy wondered. Why can’t I find my friends?

  He checked the beach. At least it wasn’t foggy tonight. The moonlight made it easy to see everyone there. But he spotted only a few couples. No one he recognized.

  He had thought a lot about how to destroy April. He knew he had to get her into the sun. Or drive a stake through her heart while she slept. But how could he do it alone?

  If Jay would help him, he knew he stood a chance. Then there would be a way.

  Billy decided to check Jay’s condo. He made his way to the row of condos, found Jay’s place, and rang the bell several times.

  Nobody home.

  He stood on Jay’s doorstep, trying to figure out where everyone could have gone. He pushed the doorbell button again even though he knew he was wasting his time. He heard its muffled ringing from inside the empty condo.

  Billy almost jumped when the door opened.

  Jay gazed at him through half-shut eyes. He appeared weak and pale, as if he might fall down at any moment.

  “Man, you look really awful!” Billy exclaimed.

  “I feel awful.”

  Billy stepped inside. No one else there. “Where are your parents?” he asked.

  “They’re having dinner with some people they met on the beach. I couldn’t go. I think I’d hurl if I tried to eat anything.”

  They sat down on the couch.

  “Were you out partying last night?” Billy asked.

  “Last night?” Jay frowned. “I don’t think I was out too late. I can’t remember. I went walking on the beach with April, and everything else is sort of . . . foggy.”

  Billy studied his friend. So pale. So fragile-looking.

  Nothing on Jay’s neck, but Billy knew the mark of the vampire was there, below the collar, out of sight.

  “You can’t remember because a vampire clouded your mind,” Billy declared.

  Jay shook his head. “Not that vampire junk again,” he groaned.

  “I’ll show you!” Billy cried. “I’ll make you believe me!”

  He yanked Jay’s collar down so hard the top button of his polo shirt popped off and sailed across the room.

  “Hey!” Jay protested. “What are you doing?”

  “There!” Billy announced. “I knew it!”

  Two marks in the soft flesh of Jay’s neck.

  Red. Swollen.

  Puncture holes.

  “Look at your neck!” Billy cried. “Look at the bite marks!” He dragged Jay to a mirror.

  “What about my neck?”

  “Look at it! Don’t you see it?”

  “See what, man? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “The bite marks.”

  Jay sighed. “You want me to believe that those bug bites are vampire bites?”

  “Those are puncture marks.”

  “Those are bug bites!” Jay cried impatiently. “All this vampire talk is crazy, Billy. It’s bad enough being sick during summer vacation. I don’t need you cracking up again. I can’t deal with this!”

  “I’m trying to save you before it’s too late. Before you become one of them.”

  “I’m not too worried, Billy. I’ve had lots of bug bites, and I haven’t turned into a bug yet.”

  “April has messed up your mind so you don’t see things clearly. They can do that, Jay. So when you look in the mirror you see bug bites. That’s what she wants you to see.”

  Jay glared at him. “April? You think April is a vampire? You’re crazy! You leave April out of this. She’s the first girl who ever liked me. If you ruin it for me—”

  “Listen to me,” Billy interrupted. “I know why you’ve felt so bad lately. When April drinks your blood, she leaves behind some of her poison. It makes you sick. And eventually it will turn you into one of them—a vampire!”

  Jay let out a hoarse cry. “Right. And if I go out during a full moon, I’ll become a werewolf.”

  “I’m serious, Jay! You’re in a lot of danger. If April drinks your blood one more time . . . that might be all it takes!”

  “Leave me alone, man,” Jay snapped. “Take a hike. Really. You’re totally disturbed.”

  “I’m trying to help you!” Billy yelled. Anger surged through him. How can I make Jay listen? How can I make him see what’s happening to him?

  “Get out of here, Billy!” Jay repeated.

  Billy leapt to his feet. “I tried,” Billy said with a sigh. “I tried.”

  He whirled around and stormed out the door. I have to prove it, Billy decided. I have to find some way to prove I’m right.

  How do you prove to someone that his girlfriend is a vampire?

  “Hi, Billy,” whispered a husky voice.

  Billy raised his eyes to Kylie. She grinned at him.

  “Where did you come from?” he asked in surprise.

  “I was right here all the time,” she answered. “There’s a barbecue on the beach. Want to go?”

  “Sure,” he answered.

  “Good,” Kylie replied. She slipped her arm through his and licked her lips. “I’m starving.”

  CHAPTER 26 BILLY’S BIG NIGHT

  Apr
il pushed the sand around with her bare toes. The sun had set half an hour ago, but the sand still felt warm against her foot. She heard voices. Glanced up. A boy and girl strolled along the beach, chatting.

  Kylie and Irene had pulled her aside at the barbecue last night. The three of them had agreed to meet tonight on the beach as soon as it turned dark. To compare notes on how their bet was going.

  Kylie and Irene were half an hour late. April wondered if they had forgotten. After all, they had been sort of distracted at the barbecue last night.

  April grinned, thinking about it. She had enjoyed watching Kylie and Billy. Kylie did everything she could to get his attention. But Billy seemed distracted, upset about something. Kylie had been really angry, and it showed.

  I’m surprised she didn’t grab him and bite his neck right there, April thought.

  Bats flapped overhead. April gazed up, thinking it might be Kylie and Irene. But they were just bats, flying from the island for a night of feasting on the mainland bugs.

  It was a clear night. The moon was no longer full, but it still shone brightly. April could see the beach clearly.

  She spotted two figures approaching across a large dune. Kylie and Irene.

  “You’re late,” she informed them when they reached her.

  “So what?” Kylie asked. “You’re immortal. What’s a little time to you?”

  “We’re going to be late for play practice if we don’t hurry,” April said.

  “Kylie doesn’t care,” Irene stated. “I told her we were late, but she had to try on three different pairs of shorts and half a dozen tops.”

  Kylie yawned.

  “It’s too bad we can’t see our reflections in the mirror,” Irene went on. “Poor Kylie really misses admiring herself.”

  “At least I’ve got something to admire,” Kylie shot back.

  “Will you give me a break,” April begged. “I don’t want to waste the whole night while the two of you snap at each other. I’m hungry.”

  “She’s right,” Irene agreed. “We’re supposed to be comparing notes.”

  “Okay,” Kylie replied. “How are you two doing?”

  April grinned. “I’m going to get Jay alone after play practice tonight.”

  Irene shook her head disgustedly. “I haven’t gotten Nate alone long enough to get a sip. His bratty little sister is always tagging along! I’m so happy his parents took her home. They said she was having nightmares about vampires!”

  April shook her head.

  “You’re both going to lose,” Kylie declared. “Billy doesn’t suspect a thing. I’ve been taking it slow.” She smiled, showing the tips of her needle-sharp fangs. “But tonight is his big night.”

  PART FOUR VAMPIRE TRAP

  CHAPTER 27 APRIL IS CAUGHT

  “Don’t even talk to me,” Jay told Billy as soon as he entered the theater for play practice. “I don’t want to hear any more talk about vampires—unless you’re talking about the play.”

  “Jay—” Billy began. But his friend strode away across the stage. Billy watched him, knowing he couldn’t give up, no matter how angry Jay got. I have to keep trying, Billy thought.

  Rehearsal was late getting started. Some of the kids hadn’t shown up yet—including Kylie, Irene, and April. Ms. Aaronson paced back and forth along the front of the stage, glancing at her watch.

  Billy shifted his attention back to Jay. He looks even worse, Billy saw. Jay’s eyes were glazed and watery. He was so pale he was totally white, as if he’d never been in the sun in his entire life.

  Like a vampire.

  How many more sips before Jay became one of them?

  • • • • •

  After rehearsal, Ms. Aaronson asked Nate and Irene to stay for a few moments so they could work on their scenes.

  Billy spotted Jay and April leaving together through the main exit. He started to go after them, but someone blocked his path.

  “It’s nice out,” Kylie told him. “Want to take a walk?”

  “Yeah,” Billy replied. “Let’s catch up with April and Jay.”

  They stepped out of the theater, and Billy looked around for Jay and April. He spotted a boy and girl making out by the corner of the building. Kids were strolling toward town on the narrow road. Others headed directly for the beach.

  No sign of Jay.

  Had April lured him behind the theater? Into the woods?

  Was she drinking his blood at that very moment?

  “Come on,” Kylie urged. “Let’s go into town.”

  Billy scanned the sidewalks as he followed her, searching for Jay and April. He saw kids holding hands. Eating hot dogs. Checking out the window of the Beach Emporium.

  “Do you want to rehearse our scene?” Kylie asked.

  “I only say a few words,” Billy muttered. “They’re not hard to remember.”

  “But I’ve got a lot of dialogue to memorize,” Kylie reminded him. “I could use the help.”

  “Okay,” Billy agreed. “But I don’t have my script. I left it at the theater.”

  “Run back and get it,” Kylie said. “I’ll meet you on the beach by the wooden steps.”

  Billy trotted back to the theater. He expected to find Nate and Irene still going over their scenes with Ms. Aaronson. But the theater was dark.

  Bet Ms. Aaronson locked it up, Billy thought. He tried the door.

  It opened easily. Billy stepped inside the lobby, letting the door slam behind him. The theater was black. He felt his way along the wall.

  Billy tried to remember where the light switch was. He pictured the lobby in his mind. The ticket booth. A Coke machine. The doors leading to the seats. Where was the light switch?

  A noise. Off to his left. A click.

  “Who’s there?” he called.

  No one answered.

  Billy’s heart began to hammer in his chest.

  Why is the theater open but all the lights off? he wondered.

  He slammed against something big and hard. It clanked and rattled.

  The Coke machine.

  Billy let out his breath. He went back to searching for the light switch.

  Another sound. A soft patter. It seemed to echo off the walls and surround him.

  “Hello?” he called, surprised at how shaky his voice sounded.

  Get a hold of yourself, he thought. It’s probably just mice.

  He moved along the wall, feeling for a light switch. Finally his fingers found the edge of a switch plate. Then the switch itself. He flipped it up.

  The overhead lights came on.

  Billy blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness. He took in his surroundings. He stood in the lobby. Alone. If there had been mice, they had scurried for cover the moment the lights came on.

  The rest rooms, Billy thought.

  Was someone hiding in the rest rooms?

  He pushed open the door of the men’s room and stepped inside. Empty. He tried the women’s room. No one there either.

  Okay, he told himself, quit this messing around and get your script. Kylie is going to wonder what happened to you.

  He stepped through the double doors into the auditorium. Rows of empty seats stretched out in front of him. All facing the empty stage.

  His footsteps echoed in the deserted theater as he walked slowly toward the stage.

  He had left his script in the wings, on a wooden stool.

  He started up the steps to the stage. A large bundle of cloth lay on the floor toward the rear of the stage. Billy glanced at the material. Gray streaks on it. Familiar gray streaks.

  It was a backdrop painting of a grimy basement where the vampires kept their coffins.

  It had taken some of the kids hours to paint it. Who would have rolled it up like that and tossed it to the side of the stage?

  Billy hurried over to the backdrop. I should spread it out, he decided. It will get wrinkled if it is left all bunched up like that.

  He grabbed the edge of the backdrop and pulled
hard.

  To his surprise, the cloth had not been rolled up. Merely placed on top of something.

  On top of what? Billy wondered.

  He peered down—and saw the body.

  A woman’s body.

  Billy felt his stomach tighten into a hard knot.

  “No!” he gasped.

  Ms. Aaronson. Sprawled on her back. Her face as gray as the backdrop that had covered her.

  Billy climbed shakily to his feet. He leaned over her—and saw the two bite marks on her neck.

  Not another one, Billy thought. Another vampire murder.

  A movement caught Billy’s eye.

  Was the vampire still here?

  His heart pounding, he spun around.

  And saw a figure hiding in the shadows.

  April.

  CHAPTER 28 APRIL AND BILLY

  She stood in the deep shadows, near the back of the stage. Her eyes wide. Her mouth open.

  Fangs! Billy thought. Are her fangs still down?

  April’s hands flew up to cover her mouth. She made a gagging sound and turned away from the pale body on the stage.

  Should I tell her? Billy thought. Should I tell her she doesn’t have to pretend in front of me?

  Should I tell her I know she is a vampire?

  No. She knows that I know.

  Billy strode across the stage to where April stood. He grasped her arm and spun her around.

  April gave a little shriek when her gaze fell on the body. She took a stumbling step backward.

  “What are you doing here?” Billy asked her. “I thought you were with Jay.”

  “I was,” April said. Her breathing came in sharp gasps. “But he was too tired. He had to go home. I came back to the theater because I wanted to ask Ms. Aaronson something. But I . . .” Her voice trailed off.

  She stood there, trembling, pretending to be bewildered and scared.

  She killed Ms. Aaronson, Billy knew. Just as she killed the others.

  “I just got here,” April insisted. “Only a minute ago. I came in and found Ms. Aaronson. Then I heard a noise. And I hid—because I thought it was the killer. I was so terrified. But it turned out to be you.”

  “I’m going to call the police,” Billy told her.

  She nodded.