Free The Conclusion by R.L. Stine Page A

“Play one more game, and we’ll show you how really bad we are!”
    â€œDo you live in Fear Hall too?” Al asked Will.
    Will nodded. “Chris and I are roommates.”
    Big Al finished his can of beer and let out a ferocious burp. “I’d clear out of there now if I was you,” he advised, only half joking. “I think the stories about that place are true. The kids in that dorm are dropping like flies.”
    Will and I exchanged glances. We had escaped the fear for a few minutes. But Big Al’s remark brought all the horror back.
    â€œCatch you later,” Al said, giving us a two-fingered military salute. We watched him push his way through the crowd to the door.
    â€œIs he always that loud and gross?” Will asked.
    â€œYou get used to it,” I replied.
    A few minutes later, we finished our game and headed out of the pool hall. It was a cold, cloudy night. No moon or stars in the sky. The air hung heavy and wet, threatening rain or maybe snow.
    I pulled the collar of my jacket up and ducked my head into the wind. Will pulled down the black wool ski cap he always wore.
    â€œSo what’s up with that girl you told me about?”he asked, hurrying to keep up with me. I walk fast when it’s cold.
    â€œYou mean Karen?” I asked. I felt a cold raindrop on my forehead.
    â€œYeah. Karen. You see her again?” Will asked.
    I shook my head. “Not since the other night. She’s kind of strange.”
    Will grinned at me. “How strange?”
    â€œI—I don’t really mean strange,” I stammered. “I mean . . . strange!”
    He laughed.
    We crossed the pool hall parking lot and turned onto the street.
    â€œShe’s very private,” I explained. “I mean, it’s very hard to get any information from her. Hard to get her to tell me anything about herself. She wouldn’t even tell me her last name!”
    â€œMaybe she doesn’t want to talk,” Will teased. “Maybe she just wants some action!”
    I shook my head. “She won’t give me her phone number,” I complained. “And she won’t tell me where she lives.”
    â€œWeird,” Will muttered. “Hey—it’s starting to rain.”
    â€œThe other night, I offered to walk her home,” I continued. “And she acted . . . I don’t know . . . almost frightened.”
    Will’s grin faded. “Maybe she has a boyfriend,” he suggested. “Maybe she’s sneaking out with you behind his back. That would explain why she doesn’t want you calling or coming around.”
    â€œHmmm . . . maybe,” I replied, thinking hardabout it. “No—wait.” I stopped walking. “She told me she just broke up with a guy. That’s right. The night I met her. She said she broke up with a guy who was really jealous and possessive.”
    â€œDo you think she was telling the truth?” Will asked.
    I didn’t have a chance to answer.
    I saw car headlights flash on.
    I heard the squeal of tires.
    â€œHey—!” I opened my mouth in a startled cry.
    The headlights washed over me. The car engine roared.
    It’s not going to swerve! I realized. Frozen. Helpless.
    It’s not going to turn.
    It’s going to crash right into me!

chapter
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18
    W ith a terrified scream, I shot out my arms, stretched forward—and dove to the side of the street.
    I landed hard on my stomach and hands, and slid about six feet over the wet asphalt.
    â€œOww!” Gravel sprayed up into my face. The street scraped the skin off my right hand.
    I turned in time to see the car squeal to a stop.
    I shook my head, trying to shake away the dizziness.
    Whose car was it? Who is driving? Why did he or she try to mow us down?
    Questions flew through my brain, racing by as fast as my heartbeat.
    Will! I thought. Where is Will? Is he okay?
    Still on my stomach, I saw Will