Free Broken Hearts by R.L. Stine Page A

“Oh, Muggy!”
    Opening her eyes, she took a reluctant step toward the unmoving animal.
    â€œMuggy. Muggy,” she wailed.
    The little terrier was on its back, its head twisted to the side, eyes wide in a blank, unseeing stare.
    The wind battered against the glass storm door, startling Josie. She grabbed the Formica countertop for support as her entire body lurched in a tremor of horror.
    Josie felt sick. She started to turn away, but something caught her eye.
    What was that shiny thing in Muggy’s stomach?
    Pressing both hands over her mouth, she squinted at it. It took her a while to realize it was a letter opener. A silver letter opener. The letter opener from the desk in the den.
    â€œWho did this?” she cried out loud, hot tears streaming down her cheeks.
    Her horror was rapidly turning to anger. “ Who did this?”
    How had it happened? Had someone come to the back door? Had Muggy come running to investigate?
    Josie tried to picture it. Someone pulled open the storm door, came into the kitchen, and murdered the poor little dog with the letter opener from the den.
    But who? Why?
    â€œMuggy,” Josie cried, shutting her eyes again, shutting them so tightly they hurt. “Oh, Muggy.”
    Josie suddenly realized she wasn’t alone in the kitchen.
    Opening her eyes, her hands still pressed against her face, she turned to find Rachel standing right behind her.
    Rachel wore a long blue-flannel nightdress. Her hair was tied back and fell forward over one shoulder. She looked very pale in the fluorescent light of the kitchen.
    Rachel’s emerald eyes were aglow as she stared atMuggy’s corpse, and Josie was horrified by the evil smile on her twin’s face.
    â€œRachel!” Josie cried, turning to face her.
    â€œThere’s the puppy,” Rachel said brightly, her smile growing wider. Rachel pointed down to the gruesome sight. “There’s the puppy.”
    Why is she so happy? Josie asked herself, suddenly frightened. Why does she think this is funny?
    â€œThere’s the puppy,” Rachel repeated in her singsong voice.
    â€œRachel, you shouldn’t be down here,” Josie scolded, still gripping the top of the counter.
    â€œBut there’s the puppy,” Rachel insisted, smiling, her green eyes shiny and excited.
    Without warning, Erica appeared behind Rachel. “When did you get home?” she asked Josie. And then her eyes fell on the murdered dog. “Oh no!” Erica cried weakly. Her mouth dropped open in horror.
    â€œThere’s the puppy,” Rachel said, pointing.
    Rachel’s words seemed to break Erica out of her silent spell.
    â€œOh, no,” she muttered. “Oh no, no, no, no.” Then Erica’s expression changed. She grabbed Rachel’s shoulders, her features tight with concern. “Come away, Rachel. Come with me.”
    â€œBut there’s the puppy,” Rachel protested.
    â€œDon’t get upset, dear,” Erica told Rachel sternly. “Don’t get upset. Come upstairs.” She dragged the still-smiling Rachel out of the kitchen.
    Josie, left alone, shut her eyes once again. Whywas Rachel so happy? she asked herself, suddenly feeling exhausted and drained. Why was Rachel so happy?
    And who came into my house and murdered my dog?

Chapter 11

“SOMEBODY HATES YOU”
    M elissa pushed back the curtains from her bedroom window and stared out into the night. The sky hovered low and purple, dotted with pale white stars. The trees in the front yard appeared to shiver from the cold.
    Across the street the McClains’ house was dark except for the yellow porch light. Melissa had been at her window a few minutes before, at a little after eleven. She had seen Steve’s car pull up the drive. She had seen Josie get out of the car and walk slowly up to her house.
    Josie’s spending all her time with Steve these days, Melissa realized. And as little time as possible at home.
    It