Free How to Be a Vampire by R.L. Stine Page A

a vampire! I’d have to . . .”
    Andrew couldn’t put the awful thought into words.
    â€œYou have to do three things,” T.J. told him. “You have to drive a stake through his heart. Then you have to cut off his head. And then you have to stuff his mouth with garlic.”
    Andrew didn’t want to be a vampire.
    But he couldn’t do any of that horrible stuff!
    Or . . . could he?

16

    A ndrew hung upside down in his closet that night. He didn’t know what would happen. But he’d done everything possible to prepare for the night ahead. He was ready. At least that’s what he kept telling himself. Over and over and over.
    He tried to sleep. He knew he needed his rest. But his mind kept spinning. What if our plan doesn’t work?
    When the old vampire threw open his closet door, Andrew gasped. He’d been expecting it. But he wasn’t ready.
    Count Ved stood staring at him. His eyes glowed red. His skin was as pale as the full moon.
    Without a word, Andrew tossed off his quilt. Hehopped down from his clothes rod. He did this with ease now. He was getting used to it.
    Andrew glanced at his watch. It was hours until morning. He had to keep careful track of time.
    â€œSo, you left your hole.” The vampire grinned. “Don’t worry, kid. Soon you’ll like it underground. Now, open your mouth.”
    Andrew slowly drew back his upper lip.
    â€œHumph.” The vampire shook his head. “Nothing yet.”
    Nothing? Andrew ran his tongue along his gums. Hey! His fangs were gone! Maybe he was becoming less of a vampire already!
    The vampire sensed Andrew’s surprise. His eyes narrowed. “Remember the heartbeat?” he asked. “The tender little rabbit?”
    Andrew pictured the rabbit. As he did, his fangs slid down.
    Oh, no! Andrew thought. They’re back! And he knows it!
    Count Ved broke into a smile. “Congratulations, kid!” he said. “This calls for a change of plans.”
    â€œYou . . . you mean I have to hunt humans?” Andrew stammered.
    The vampire nodded. “The first one is delicious!”
    Andrew swallowed. He had to stay calm. He had to stay in control. If he didn’t, the plan would never work.
    Andrew glanced at his watch again. The plan hadhim getting to the Cameron mansion at four-thirty. He had to stall for time.
    â€œI have a question,” Andrew said. “Is it true that vampires can change the weather? Can you make it snow?”
    â€œOf course,” the vampire told him. “Snow is child’s play.”
    â€œLet’s see you do it,” Andrew said. “Right now.”
    The vampire shrugged. He walked over to the window.
    Andrew followed him.
    Count Ved seemed only to stare out into the night. But soon Andrew saw small white flakes drifting down from the sky. More flakes tumbled down, thicker and faster. Soon a carpet of white lay on the grass below.
    â€œCool effect,” Andrew told the vampire. “How about a thunderstorm? With lightning and thunder?”
    â€œWhat, snow isn’t enough for you?” The vampire scowled.
    Andrew shrugged. “It’s okay. If you can’t do it . . .”
    â€œOf course I can!” the vampire replied. Again he turned and stared outside.
    After a while, the snowflakes grew thick and wet. They turned to raindrops. A strong wind came up. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Andrew saw lightning flash across the sky.
    â€œWow! We should tune in to the weather channel,”Andrew told the vampire. “See what they make of all this. I bet it’s never snowed at this time of—”
    â€œQuiet!” the vampire ordered. “What’s with you tonight, kid? You’re babbling like an idiot!”
    â€œSorry!” Andrew shrugged. “I guess I’m just excited about—you know—being a vampire.”
    â€œYou are not a vampire!” the vampire corrected