Free Silent Night 2 by R.L. Stine Page B

pain in his head grew sharper, spread down over his eyes.
    He closed his eyes, trying to force away the pain.
    He could hear voices at one end of the stockroom, someone shouting angrily. Another voice replied, just as angrily.
    Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.
    He could feel the anger now, the throbbing anger, throbbing with the pain.
    He opened his eyes, tried to focus.
    But the walls were red. The wooden crates had turned red.
    The floor shimmered red, bright red. Throbbing red.
    Fight it down. Fight it down, Danny told himself.
    This had been happening so often to him lately. First the pain, then the red anger.
    Maybe I should see a doctor, he thought. He pressed his hands against the pulsing.
    And then she was there.
    Reva. Wearing a long white sweater over black leggings. Carrying a stack of small packages.
    Yes.
    Danny squinted through the bright red, saw her clearly. Saw her come near. Nearer.
    Yes!
    The pain shot through him. It felt as if someone were tightening a thick rubber band around the top of his head. Tighter. Tighter.
    Glaring into the red, he crept up behind her.
    He raised the black wool coat.
    I’ve got you now, he thought, struggling against the pain, against the rage that roared through every muscle.
    I’ve got you now, Reva.
    I hope I don’t have to do anything terrible.

Chapter 17

GOTCHA!
    S taring into the rearview mirror, Diane watched the grim-faced officer approach. He had his dark blue cap pulled low over his forehead. His hands were in gloves, one resting on the handle of his nightstick, the other swinging at his side.
    This isn’t happening, Diane thought, her throat choked with panic. She forced herself to start breathing again.
    This can’t be happening.
    Oh, please. Please—walk by the car. Keep right on walking. Please.
    But no. He tapped on her window.
    Diane reached for the knob and lowered the window halfway, her entire body shaking. Her chin quivered, out of control. She wondered if he could see it.
    â€œWhat are you doing here, miss?” he asked. His voice was high and thin. It didn’t match his heavy body or hard, solemn face at all.
    â€œUh . . . nothing.” She couldn’t think straight. She could barely speak.
    She glanced toward the loading dock.
    What if Danny came running out with the girl right now?
    They’d both be caught.
    â€œWhy are you parked here?” the officer asked, lowering his head to the window, his gray-green eyes exploring the front seat of the car.
    â€œUh . . . I’m waiting for someone,” Diane managed to choke out.
    She glanced at the wide doors again. Don’t come out, Danny. Don’t come out now.
    â€œI’m sorry,” the officer said, frowning. “You’ll have to move.”
    â€œHe’ll be out in a minute,” Diane insisted in a trembling voice. “Really.”
    â€œThere’s a parking lot over there,” he said, pointing a black glove in the direction Diane had come. “You’ll have to wait there.”
    â€œBut, sir—?”
    â€œSorry.” His eyes narrowed at her. “There’s no waiting back here. Move it. Now.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Fighting back the waves of pain at his temples, Danny lifted the heavy coat in both hands.
    The floor shimmered like a pool of water. Red then gray. Red then gray.
    Moving quickly, Danny crept up behind her.
    She stopped suddenly.
    He nearly bumped into her.
    Swallowing hard, struggling to see through the curtain of red, he pulled the coat down over her head.
    Her arms shot up. The boxes she’d been carrying fell noisily to the floor.
    Danny glanced around. No one in sight.
    She tried to scream, but he wrapped the coat tightly over her face. Her cry came out a muffled whimper.
    She twisted and squirmed.
    He gave her a hard shove forward, wrapping his arm around the coat, holding it tight around her head.
    â€œDon’t fight me!” he murmured, surprised at his own