Free What Scares You the Most? by R.L. Stine Page A

into the colors.
    Where was she running? She didn’t know.
    She wasn’t thinking. She lost all sense of time, of where she was, of what was happening.
    It was as if she were moving through a dream of bright, shimmering colors.
    And then strong hands grabbed her from behind.
    She’s caught me! April thought.
    April spun around. “Pam!”
    â€œApril—what happened? Where are you going?” Pam cried breathlessly.
    â€œThe chopping sounds—” April gasped, struggling to catch her breath.
    Pam’s face twisted in confusion. “The what ?”
    â€œThe lightning—” April croaked.
    â€œYou mean the lights popping?” Pam asked. “Yeah. That was weird.”
    â€œAnd she was there, Pam,” April said. “She was there. Running after me.”
    â€œYou mean Mrs. Harper?” Pam asked, still holding on to April’s shoulders. “Yes. I saw Mrs. Harper running across the stage to you. She thought you were having trouble.”
    â€œNO!” April protested. “It wasn’t Mrs. Harper! It was the woman in the blue cloak. The woman from the cave who—”
    â€œCalm down,” Pam said gently. “Please. Let me take you back to school. Maybe the nurse—”
    â€œNo!” April tugged free of Pam. “I—I can’t.”
    â€œYou know, you probably shouldn’t go back to the island,” Pam said suddenly.
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œI’m really worried about you, April. I don’t think you could handle the reunion. I think I should go in your place. I really do.”
    The two girls stared at each other, both breathing hard.
    Finally, April spoke. “You’re a real friend,” she said bitterly.
    Then she turned and ran.
    â€œApril—wait!”
    She heard Pam’s shout, but she didn’t turn back. She ran back into the bright colors of the day. Floating over lawns and streets.
    Where am I going? she asked herself. It’s as if I’m being pulled…Pulled away from school. Pulled somewhere new. Pulled out of my own control.
    At times she slowed to a walk to catch her breath. Then she would run again.
    Not looking. Not seeing anything but the shifting colors. The clear sky above, clear as the ocean waters. The trees, waving in a soft wind like the palmtrees on the island.
    I’m not on the island, she told herself. I’m back home.
    The island is thousands of miles away from here. Thousands…
    So why am I running? Where am I going?
    And then she heard a voice calling to her. A boy’s voice, sounding very far away.
    â€œApril…April…” He called.
    April stopped running. She glanced around. She didn’t see anyone. “Who’s there?”
    â€œApril…it’s me!” the voice called.
    â€œHuh? Marlin?” Again she gazed in a circle. “Where are you, Marlin?”
    â€œHelp me, April!” he called. So far away. His voice a whisper on the wind. “Come back for me. You have to come back for me!”
    A chill prickled the back of April’s neck. “Marlin? Come back? What do you mean?” she called shrilly. “Where are you? Marlin?”
    Silence now.
    April stood trembling, waiting for the voice to return.
    Silence.
    She leaned over, pressed her hands against her knees, and waited for her heartbeat to slow. Then she stood up and glanced around.
    I’m at a mall, April realized. But which mall? I don’t recognize it. This isn’t the Applegate mall.
    How did I get here? Why don’t I remember?
    Her throat ached. Her mouth was so dry, she couldn’t swallow.
    Across the aisle, two women with shopping carts were staring at her.
    I’ve been running so long, I must look horrible, April thought. She brushed back her hair with both hands and straightened her bangs. Or maybe those women are wondering why I’m not in school.
    Well, I’m wondering too, she thought unhappily.
    She wiped the