Free Shadow Girl by R. L. Stine Page A

I’m Shadow Girl.”
    The words sounded so funny to me. So strange. As if another person were saying them.
    He squinted at me. “My ribs…” he moaned.
    “Can you stand up?” I asked. “Should I call for an ambulance? Or call your parents?”
    “I—I think I can stand,” he said, gently touching his cut cheek. He started to stand. I grabbed his arm and helped pull him up.
    “That costume,” he said. “Why—”
    “Never mind,” I said. “I just came back to help you.” I handed him his cap. “Who were those guys who beat you up?” I asked.
    “ Who wants to know? ” a harsh voice behind me demanded.
    Startled, I twisted around—and saw the four tough-looking boys in black leather jackets.
    I saw the baseball bats in their hands. I saw their eyes narrow menacingly. Their bodies tensed, as if getting ready for battle.
    And then, raising their bats, they moved in on me.

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    A wave of fear swept over me. I can’t do this, I thought. I can’t fight these boys.
    I forced myself to my feet. I took a step toward them. Then another. My cape billowed behind me. The mask clung wetly to my face.
    Baseball bats raised in front of them, the four boys circled me.
    “You’re a little late for Halloween,” one of them shouted.
    The others laughed.
    “Put down those bats,” I told them, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m Shadow Girl. You can’t hurt me.”
    They laughed again. “She’s crazy,” one of them muttered.
    “She’s toast,” another one said.
    My breath caught in my throat. I’m going to get killed! I realized.
    How do I fight these creeps?
    Please—please—let me be strong! I silently prayed.
    They moved in closer, circling, circling. And then a tall boy with cold gray eyes and a silver ring in the side of his nose swung his bat.
    He swung it at my waist.
    I danced back. Felt the swoosh of cold air as the bat missed me by an inch or two.
    The next boy swung his bat at my head. I ducked. Reached out. Grabbed his bat.
    I pulled it easily out of his hands. His eyes went wide. I could see he was startled by my strength.
    I heaved the bat into the wall of the gas station. It made a loud clang and bounced away.
    With a grunt, the first boy swung again. I raised my hand. Caught the bat in mid-swing. Tugged it out of his grasp.
    And snapped the bat in two between my hands.
    “Whoa!”
    “Hey—!”
    “Weird!”
    I could see the surprise on their faces. Surprise—and fear.
    I lurched forward. Grabbed the bat from another boy.
    He held on to it tightly. Struggled to pull it away from me.
    I heaved the bat with all my strength—and watched as the boy and the bat sailed up to the gas station roof.
    The boy landed hard. I heard him utter a groan. The bat clattered across the roof.
    And then the other three boys took off. Screaming as they ran, they vanished around the front of the gas station and disappeared down the street.
    Dizzy, wheezing with every breath, I wheeled around. And saw that the boy with the ski cap had disappeared too.
    I stood up straight. A smile spread across my face. “My first victory,” I murmured. “I did it! I’m Shadow Girl!”
    Then my body shook so hard, I dropped to my knees.
    I was sick. Sicker than I’d ever felt in my life.
    I bent over and puked my guts out.
    I couldn’t stop trembling.
    Chill after chill ran down my body.
    Finally, I felt strong enough to stand up. I wrapped the cloak around me and began to make my way home.
    I can’t do this, I decided.
    I can’t be a superhero.
    It’s not just that I’m scared. I hate it. Hate it. Hate it!
    Back in the bedroom, I woke Jada up. “I can’t do this,” I said. “I’m sorry. I tried it, and I can’t do it.”
    She blinked up at me through sleep-filled eyes. “What makes you think you have a choice?” she whispered.
     
    The next night, Jada forced me to test my powers.
    She pulled me to the hidden room. “Hurry. Get dressed. Go,” she ordered.
    I swallowed hard. “Are you coming with me?”
    She