The New Year's Party

  “What’s taking Liz so long?” Artie demanded. “It’s freezing out here.” He raised his fist to knock—and the door swung open.

  Liz appeared, wearing a red velvet party dress. That deep red is a great color for her, Reenie thought. But Liz is so pale. Even her lips appeared almost colorless.

  Liz swept out her arm, gesturing them inside. “Come in. I’ve been waiting for you,” she said softly.

  “I’m so glad you decided to have a New Year’s Eve party!” Reenie exclaimed. She gave Liz a quick hug. But Liz kept her arms at her sides, her body stiff.

  Why did she invite me if she’s going to act so cold? Reenie wondered.

  Liz turned her back on them abruptly. She walked briskly down the hall toward the only room with a light on. “The living room is this way,” she called.

  Oh, no! Reenie thought as she stepped into the room. She heard Greta give a little gasp behind her. I shouldn’t have come here, Reenie told herself. I never should have come here.

  Liz had decorated the entire room in black. Black crepe paper draped the walls. Black balloons floated at the ceiling.

  It’s not a party. It’s a funeral, Reenie thought glumly.

  “Are your parents home?” Artie asked, gazing around the room tensely.

  “No,” Liz replied. She didn’t volunteer any other information.

  Reenie glanced over at Greta. Greta rolled her eyes as if to say, “Do you believe this?”

  Reenie studied the room, trying to appear interested in the house. But her eyes kept returning to the black decorations.

  “Wow. Your living room is as big as a hotel lobby,” Reenie gushed. She couldn’t stand the silence one more second. Every muscle in her body had tensed.

  Liz didn’t reply. She stared blankly at Reenie. What is wrong with her? Reenie wondered.

  The huge room was practically bare. In a corner Reenie spotted a round table with a punch bowl. Beside the punch bowl stood a large book.

  “Is your family redecorating?” Reenie asked.

  “No,” Liz answered.

  Maybe Liz’s parents couldn’t afford to furnish the whole place at once, Reenie thought.

  “Let me take your coats,” Liz said suddenly.

  They handed her their coats, and she disappeared into the hallway.

  “Whoa. Did we crash the Addams Family’s New Year’s party?” Artie burst out as soon as Liz closed the door behind her.

  “Really,” Sean agreed.

  They stared at each other, wondering what to do. No music. No place to sit. No way to avoid the solemn, black decorations.

  “How about some punch?” Greta suggested. She wandered over to the table and peered into the bowl. “At least it isn’t black,” she announced.

  They gathered around the table as Greta filled four cups.

  “So what is going on here, guys?” Reenie asked in a whisper.

  “Who knows,” Sean replied. “But I say we stay for half an hour and get out.”

  “Definitely,” Artie said. “Liz is giving me the creeps. I’m not even going to try to figure out these black decorations.”

  “Check it out,” Reenie said, picking up the big book from the table. “Liz has an old Shadyside High yearbook. What year is it? Wow—1965. I wonder if her parents went there.” She flipped open the cover.

  Greta snickered. “Listen to this inscription: We’ll be friends until the ocean needs diapers to keep its bottom dry.”

  “Not too corny,” Sean joked, rolling his eyes.

  Reenie turned the page. “Are those the cheerleaders?” Artie cried. “Their uniforms come down past their knees!”

  “Leave that alone!” Liz yelled from the doorway.

  Reenie jumped. She hadn’t heard Liz return. She quickly closed the yearbook.

  “Why were you snooping?” Liz demanded sharply as she crossed the room toward them.

  “Liz, the yearbook was on the table. I didn’t think it would be any big deal. Sorry,” Reenie replied.

  A knock on the front door caught them all by surprise.

  Great! Reenie thought. More people. More people means we can leave early. Maybe the room won’t feel so creepy if it’s crowded.

  “Good!” Liz declared. “I didn’t want to start until we were all here.”

  Start what? Reenie wondered. She watched Artie take a cautious sip of the punch.

  “How is it?” Sean asked.

  “Regular fruit punch.” Artie grinned. He drank down the rest of the cup.

  “Brrr!” Greta cried, rubbing her sleeves. “It’s cold in here.”

  “I know,” Reenie answered. “I don’t think she has any heat on. I wish I’d kept my coat.”

  “Here’s my date,” Liz announced. She led Ty over to the others.

  She sounds a little happier at least, Reenie observed. Maybe Ty will get her in a better mood.

  “Yo—Ty. Where’ve you been, man?” Artie asked. “Haven’t seen you for a while.”

  “Me, either,” Sean said. “We keep getting different shifts at the Burger Basket.”

  Ty shrugged. “I haven’t been doing too much. Just hanging out.”

  Hanging out with Liz, Reenie thought.

  The room grew quiet again.

  I have to ask her about P.J., Reenie decided. We can’t all pretend we’ve forgotten what happened to him. “Any news about your brother?”

  “No,” Liz replied blankly, her face expressionless. “The police still haven’t found any sign of him—except for his jacket.”

  “I hope they find him soon. We all hope he’s okay,” Reenie said.

  Liz stared at her. A harsh, cold stare.

  Believe me, Reenie silently pleaded. You have to believe that. I didn’t mean for anything bad to happen. Not to P.J. Not to you. Not to anyone.

  Liz turned away. “We’ll learn what happened to him sooner or later—won’t we,” she murmured.

  What is that supposed to mean? Reenie wondered. When they find his body? Or what?

  “You think P.J. could have run away?” Greta asked. “Gone to another city or something?”

  “No,” Liz replied flatly.

  “Why don’t you think so?” Greta asked. “Kids our age run away a lot. I mean, it’s pretty common. And he was having a tough time at school.”

  “I know my brother,” Liz said crisply. “P.J. wouldn’t want me to worry. He’d never run away.”

  Liz poured Ty a cup of punch and took one for herself. “It’s time,” she announced, waving them into the center of the room.

  Time for what? Reenie wondered. It’s not midnight yet.

  Liz raised her cup. “A toast to our departed friends. We miss them all very much.” She gazed at each person in the circle, then brought the cup to her lips.

  Reenie took a sip of punch. Horrifying images of the past two months flashed through her mind. The blood dripping down Marc’s cheek. Sandi sprawled on a pile of garbage. Both of their heads twisted completely backward.

  And P.J. so cold and pale as she frantically gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

  Would they find P.J. next? Would his head be turned around like the others?

  Or was P.J. hiding somewhere? Responsible for the murders—and planning to kill again?

  Liz raised her cup. “Another toast to our departed…” Her words trailed off. Her lips trembled and tears began rolling down her cheeks.

  Liz buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

  Poor Liz, Reenie thought. She’s so pale. So thin. I have to remember how much she’s gone through. No wonder she’s feeling so emotional tonight.

  Ty led Liz to a corner at the far end of the room. They could still hear her wrenching sobs.

  “Do you think we should leave?” Greta whispered.

  “I don’t know,” Reenie answered. “It might make Liz feel worse.”

  Reenie glanced over at Liz and Ty. They huddled close together, their backs to the others.

  “Now what?” Sean muttered. “Should we keep p
retending this is a normal party?”

  “No!” Liz said loudly. “I won’t.”

  Reenie turned and saw Liz shove Ty away from her. She strode toward them, her face twisted with anger. Her eyes almost glowing.

  “I’ll tell you why I invited you all here!” Liz declared.

  Ty reached for her.

  “Keep away from me!” she screeched.

  He backed up, a hurt expression on his face.

  Liz narrowed her eyes at Reenie. “The reason I gave this party is because I decided it would be easier to kill you all at once—instead of continuing one by one.”

  Chapter 30

  REENIE DIES FIRST

  “Don’t try to run,” Liz warned. “The doors are bolted.”

  “Liz, this isn’t funny!” Reenie protested.

  “I’m leaving,” Artie declared. “I’m not playing this dumb game anymore.”

  Sean stared hard, studying Liz. “I don’t think it’s a game.”

  “Listen to Sean. He’s the smart one,” Liz told them.

  “Do you mean that you killed Marc and Sandi?” Greta demanded.

  “Now you’re catching on,” Liz replied with a cold smile.

  Reenie felt goosebumps roll up and down her arms.

  “No!” she gasped. “I don’t believe it. You couldn’t kill anyone—no matter how angry you are.”

  “I killed them. And I enjoyed it,” Liz insisted, her eyes burning into Reenie’s. “I loved hearing the crack! as I broke their necks. I loved staring into their terrified faces.”

  Artie dashed over to the big oak door leading to the hallway and yanked on it. It didn’t open. He pounded on it, threw his weight against it. It didn’t budge.

  Greta raced to the windows at the back of the room. She shoved the curtains apart—and found wrought-iron bars.

  We’re trapped, Reenie thought.

  “There are five of us and one of you,” Artie challenged Liz. “You can’t force us to stay.”

  “Watch me.” Liz lifted the tablecloth and slid open a drawer. She pulled out a carving knife.

  “Why?” Reenie pleaded. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Why?” Liz fixed her gaze on Reenie. Her eyes blazed with hatred. “Because a stupid practical joke was responsible for my brother’s death,” she replied.

  “That’s not true!” Sean yelled. “PJ. didn’t die at the party. He—”

  “Who would like to go first?” Liz shrieked. She glanced from face to face. “Don’t all volunteer at once. And don’t worry—I’ll get around to each of you before the New Year chimes.”

  Liz stepped toward Reenie. She raised the knife high above her head. The sharp silver blade gleamed. “How about you, Reenie? You want to be the first to die? You were the first to pretend to be my friend.”

  Liz plunged the knife right at Reenie’s heart.

  Chapter 31

  THE SURPRISE GUEST

  Renie didn’t have time to scream.

  As the knife came down, Sean dove at Liz. He grabbed her arm and twisted the knife away from Reenie before it could stab her.

  The knife clattered to the table.

  Reenie stood paralyzed. She could almost feel the cold knife blade ripping into her body.

  Liz shot out her free hand. Made a frantic grab for the knife.

  But Sean was quicker. He snatched up the knife and pointed it at Liz.

  “Get her, Sean!” Artie yelled.

  “Unlock the door,” Sean ordered Liz. He kept the knife aimed at Liz.

  She didn’t move.

  “Unlock it now!” Sean barked. “I don’t want to hurt you. But we’re leaving—and we’re getting the police.”

  Reenie moved closer to Sean, her heart still thudding, still feeling dazed from her narrow escape.

  “Okay,” Liz gasped. “Okay, I’ll unlock it.” She backed away from Sean. He didn’t lower the knife.

  Liz is giving up, Reenie thought. She closed her eyes and pulled in a deep breath, allowing the relief to sink in.

  But instead of turning to the door, Liz let out a cry of attack—and threw herself at Sean.

  Sean toppled to the floor with Liz on top of him.

  The knife started to fall from his hand, but he grabbed it back. His body twisted and thrashed as he tried to throw Liz off.

  Liz uttered another cry—and reached for Sean’s throat. His face went red as she tried to choke him. “Drop the knife! Drop it! Drop it!” she shrieked.

  Reenie forced herself to move. She grabbed Liz by the shoulders and struggled to pull her off Sean.

  With startling strength, Liz leaned out of Reenie’s grasp. Sprang onto Scan’s arm—and tore at his wrist with her teeth.

  Sean let out a howl of pain.

  Liz cried in triumph as she pulled the knife from his grasp.

  She jumped to her feet.

  Sean rolled away from her, holding his wounded arm.

  Liz scrambled after him. “I guess you want to be first, Sean!” she rasped, breathing hard. She slashed the air with the blade.

  “Liz—don’t!”

  Liz froze. The knife shimmered for a second in midair. Then she grabbed Sean and pressed the blade against his throat.

  “Don’t, Liz!” the voice repeated.

  Reenie spun around to see who was warning Liz.

  “P.J.!” she shrieked.

  He stepped quickly into the room.

  “Don’t do it, Liz,” P.J. repeated.

  “You’re alive!” Reenie cried. “P.J.—you’re okay!”

  “Thank goodness you’re alive!” Greta chimed in happily.

  “P.J.—tell your sister!” Reenie pleaded. “Tell your sister we didn’t hurt you. Tell her!”

  P.J. hesitated, his eyes on Liz.

  Liz kept the knife blade pressed against Sean’s throat. Reenie saw a drop of red blood roll down Sean’s neck.

  “Liz—” P.J. moved slowly toward his sister.

  Liz pulled the knife away from Sean’s neck. She lowered it to her side.

  “That’s better,” P.J. said softly, soothingly. “I’m glad you stopped, Liz. I’m glad you listened to me.”

  Whew! It’s over! Reenie told herself. Thank goodness P.J. arrived when he did. It’s over. It’s over.

  A grin slowly crossed P.J.’s face as he stepped up to his sister. “I’m glad you waited, Liz,” he said softly. “I would be so disappointed if you started without me. I want to watch them die, too.”

  Chapter 32

  STABBED

  P.J. spun away from Liz and faced Reenie and her friends. His eyes gleamed with hatred. “I want to watch you die. All of you!” he cried.

  “But, P.J.—we’re your friends,” Greta insisted. “We’ve all been so worried about you. Where were you? What happened that night after Reenie’s party?”

  Behind P.J. and Liz, Reenie saw Sean slowly climb to his feet.

  What is he planning to do? Reenie wondered. Be careful, Sean, she pleaded. Please—be careful.

  “I’ve been here all along,” P.J. revealed. “I wouldn’t miss the fun. I watched Liz kill Sandi and Marc. She killed them—but I got to watch.”

  “That’s sick!” Reenie cried. She hadn’t meant to say anything. But the words burst out of her.

  “Why?” Greta wailed. “Why did you kill them, Liz?”

  Artie stepped up close to Greta.

  Meanwhile, Sean crept up behind Liz and P.J.

  Reenie felt sick. How could Liz be a murderer? How could P.J. enjoy watching her kill?

  They seemed so normal. So totally normal.

  “How could you kill Sandi and Marc because they played a harmless trick on P.J.?” Reenie asked them.

  Before either of them could answer, Sean grabbed Liz around the waist. He pinned her against him with one arm—and grabbed the knife away with his other hand.

  Liz spun free.

  She dived at Sean.

  He tried to dodge out of her way.

  Too late.

  Liz l
ost her balance. Stumbled into him.

  And the knife plunged deep into her chest.

  Screams rang out in the huge room.

  Everyone screamed but Liz.

  Reenie stared in amazement at the blank expression on Liz’s face.

  “Ohhhh.” A frightened moan escaped Sean’s throat.

  Reenie knew that he hadn’t meant to stab her. And now he was trembling all over, his eyes wide with horror.

  Only Liz remained calm.

  “N-no blood—!” Artie stammered, pointing.

  Reenie gaped at the front of Liz’s dress. No blood. No blood poured from the wound.

  With a loud gasp Sean pulled the knife from Liz’s chest.

  Liz didn’t move. Didn’t cry out.

  Reenie’s body convulsed in a tremor of fear.

  What’s going on? she wondered. What is happening here?

  Chapter 33

  IN MEMORIAM

  Reenie stared at the knife in Sean’s hand. The blade gleamed under the ceiling light. No blood.

  No blood. The words repeated in Reenie’s ears until they became a roar.

  Liz turned to Sean, a strange smile on her face. “You tore my dress,” she told him with a phony pout.

  “I-I—” Sean let the knife fall to the floor. His face tightened with fear as he backed away from Liz.

  Liz laughed. “Scaredy-cat,” she whispered. “So sorry, Sean. But you can’t kill me. Know why?”

  “Why—?” Sean managed to choke out.

  “Because I’m already dead.”

  “Noooo!” A cry of protest escaped Reenie’s throat.

  “P.J. and I are already dead,” Liz revealed. “We both died before you were born. Here. I’ll prove it to you.”

  Liz strode over to the table and grabbed the old Shadyside High yearbook. She tossed it to Reenie.

  Reenie’s fingers shook as she ran them over the embossed cover. Class of 1965. She opened the book.

  The glossy pages automatically fell open to a full-page photo in the front. The photo was surrounded by a heavy black border.

  Beneath the photo the caption read: