Free Killer's Kiss by R.L. Stine Page A

decided. That’s exactly what she wants. I’m not letting her ruin my party. She got an invitation. She didn’t come. That’s her problem.
    Around midnight, people started to leave. Vincent found his thoughts returning to Delia.
    It is weird that she didn’t show, he admitted to himself. Even if she still felt angry, she wouldn’t want me to be alone with Karina.
    It didn’t make sense.
    Any of it.
    Britty hurried over to him. She had her coat on. Vincent saw Gabe waiting for her by the door.
    â€œNot that you care, but we’re going to stop by Delia’s on the way home,” Britty told him. “Maybe she’s sick or something. Maybe—”
    Britty gasped as the double doors swung open.
    Vincent sucked in a sharp breath.
    Delia staggered into the doorway. She took two steps—then stumbled.
    The heel of one of her red shoes had snapped off, Vincent saw.
    The right sleeve of her dress was ripped at the shoulder.
    Vincent’s mouth dropped open as he saw the scratches that covered her arms.
    And the blood. The dark blood that trickled down her face.
    â€œHelp me … help …” Delia moaned.

Chapter
    19

    D elia swayed on her feet.
    Gabe and Britty came running toward her. She saw Vincent close behind them.
    Delia collapsed before they reached her. Her head cracked against the hard wooden floor. Pain shot through her neck and down her back.
    She tried to sit up. She had to find Karina. Now.
    Britty pulled off her coat. She rolled it up and placed it under Delia’s head. “Lie still,” she ordered.
    Stewart rushed over with a glass of water. Vincent took it from him. “Get me a paper towel!” he called. “Or some napkins!”
    Someone handed him one, and Vincent gently washed the blood off Delia’s face.
    Delia stared up at all the people crowding around her. Gabe. Stewart. Britty. Vincent. Dozens of other kids from school.
    They all looked so worried. So confused and upset. They really care about me, she realized.
    Delia’s heart fluttered in her chest. She struggled to sit up.
    â€œGive her some room,” Gabe called. The crowd moved back a little. Gabe knelt beside her. “Delia—what happened? Were you in an accident?”
    Delia forced herself to take a slow, deep breath. “Help me up,” she whispered.
    Vincent wrapped his arm around her waist and eased her to her feet.
    Delia leaned against him as she searched the crowd. Finally she spotted Karina.
    â€œDo you want to know what happened?” she cried. “Ask her! Ask Karina!”
    A low murmur ran through the crowd. Eyes turned to Karina.
    Karina stood at the edge of the crowd. “Ask me? Ask me what?” she demanded.
    â€œShe invited me to her house tonight,” Delia started, pointing at Karina with a trembling finger. “Before the party. She said she wanted to talk. She wanted to apologize for all the horrible things she’s done to me. She—she said she wanted us to be friends again.”
    â€œNo!” Karina cried. “Are you crazy? I did not!”
    â€œYes, you did!” Delia insisted. “You did! So I drove to your house. You said your parents were out for the evening. You told me to come upstairs so we could talk. I trusted you. I trusted you.”
    â€œWhat are you saying?” Karina screamed. “I haven’t seen you in days! I—”
    â€œI followed her to her room,” Delia continued, ignoring Karina’s protests. “She hit me over the head with something. I—I blacked out. And when I woke up, I was tied to the bed!”
    â€œOh, Karina— no!” Britty cried.
    Delia began to shake. Vincent wrapped his arms around her tightly.
    â€œNo!” Karina screamed. She stared around the room, her eyes bright with panic. “No! She’s lying. It’s all a big lie!”
    Delia took a step toward her. “Did you think you would get away with it?” Her