Free Fear Hall: The Beginning by R.L. Stine, Franco Accornero

Hope—I was having the
worst dream.
”
    I sighed. “Real life is probably scarier than your dream,” I said sadly.
    She sat up slowly. I could practically see the thoughts running through her mind. I could see her remembering … reliving the horrifying scene at the driving range.
    The radio news droned on in the background. The distant, high wail of a siren floated in from the open window.
    â€œDave…” Eden said softly. Her voice was still hoarse from sleep. She cleared her throat again and turned to me. “Hand me the phone, Hope.”
    I didn’t move. “Why?” I demanded.
    â€œI have to call the police,” she replied firmly.
    â€œWe have to talk about this,” I insisted. I put a hand on her shoulder. But she brushed it away.
    â€œThere’s nothing to talk about,” she replied sadly. Her eyes were dull. Dead. She spoke lifelessly, almost as if talking in her sleep.
    â€œI can’t think straight,” she continued. “I can’t think at all. I can’t think of anything but Dave. And Darryl. Darryl being so vicious. Like a wild, ferocious animal.”
    She took a deep breath. “Hand me the phone, Hope.”
    I shook my head. “No. Wait, Eden.”
    â€œWait? Wait for what?” she demanded sharply. She lowered her feet to the floor. Her hands gripped the bedspread tightly, tensely.
    â€œI don’t want you to turn Darryl in,” I said, slowly, softly. “Not yet, anyway.”
    â€œI don’t have a choice,” Eden said in a trembling voice. “I really don’t.”
    â€œLet
me
deal with Darryl,” I urged. “Let me get him the help he needs.”
    â€œHelp?
Help?
” A scornful laugh burst from Eden’s throat. “He doesn’t need
help.
He needs to be locked up. He needs to be put away—forever.”
    â€œEden, please, listen—” I pleaded.
    But she jumped up. Pushed me aside. Moved toward the desk, her bare feet thudding on the carpet.
    â€œHe’s a dangerous animal, Hope,” she said, her jaw clenched. “He’s a
vicious
animal.”
    I hurried up beside her. She reached for the phone on the desk. But I pulled her hand away.
    â€œWait. Let me tell you a story,” I pleaded. “It won’t take long. Then—”
    She let out a shriek. “No! No more stories, Hope! It’s too late for stories.”
    She turned to me and put her hands on my shoulders. She brought her face close to mine. Her eyes burned into me. “I know how you feel,” she uttered in a trembling voice. “At least I think I do.”
    â€œNo, you don’t,” I insisted. “If you did—”
    â€œI know how much you care about Darryl,” she continued. “I know how much you want to be with him.”
    Her expression hardened. “But it’s time for a reality check, Hope. It’s time for you to realize that you
can’t
protect Darryl. You can’t protect him, andyou can’t hide him. He has to pay for what he’s done. And you’ll just have to get over him.”
    â€œNo … No, Eden.
Please—
” I begged.
    But she picked up the phone and raised it to her ear.
    She pressed 0.
    I
can’t let her!
I told myself.
    My heart thudded in my chest. The room started to tilt and sway.
    I can’t let her make this call!
    â€œEden—please!” I felt so dizzy. The room bounced and tilted, as if we were in an earthquake. As if my whole world was falling apart …
    â€œEden—!”
    She ignored me. Turned her back. Pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello? Operator?”
    Frantic, I whirled around.
    Picked up Angel’s hair dryer.
    Grabbed it by the nozzle—and swung the heavy handle at Eden’s head.
    It connected with a loud
thonnnnk.
    Her skull made a cracking sound. Like eggshells breaking.
    Eden groaned.
    Her eyes shot open in shock. Then they rolled up into her