Free Why I'm Not Afraid of Ghosts by R.L. Stine Page B

more ghosts in the neighborhood?” Mr. Bowen asked.
    Oliver peeked at Shawn. Shawn hunched his shoulders and looked even more terrified.
    Should Oliver tell his dad about Shawn?
    No. No way.
    Maybe it was weird for a ghost hunter to have a ghost for a friend. But Oliver didn’t care! He liked Shawn. Shawn was fun. Even if he was a ghost.
    Besides, what better way to do research?
    â€œUh—there are lots of rumors,” Oliver said. “Shawn’s been telling me some of them. He’s a valuable local source.”
    â€œOh?” Mr. Bowen studied Shawn up and down.
    â€œAnd all the kids at school talk about ghosts too,”Oliver added quickly, so his dad would stop staring at Shawn. “It sounds like there’s enough work around here to keep us busy for years. But there aren’t any more bad ghosts in this house.”
    â€œGood. Fine work, and a fine report.” Mr. Bowen patted Oliver’s shoulder. “This calls for a celebration. Let’s go get some ice cream!”
    â€œOkay, Dad. I just have to catch my tarantula.”
    â€œThat thing got loose again? You know how your mother hates it when that happens. Better catch it right away,” Mr. Bowen said. He headed down the stairs.
    Oliver listened for the sound of the door shutting at the bottom of the stairs. Then he turned to Shawn.
    Shawn was staring at him. “Thanks for not turning me in,” he whispered.
    Oliver shrugged. “Hey, you’re my friend.” He pried the fake fangs out of his mouth.
    â€œYou mean—you’re not really a vampire?” Shawn asked.
    â€œNaw. It was just part of the plan. Pretty good, huh?”
    Shawn shook his head in wonder. “Awesome. And you don’t really have the Sight?”
    Oliver grinned. “Nope! I was just guessing where they were.”
    â€œIt was great.” Shawn paused. “So when they did all that stuff to you, you knew it was happening?”
    â€œYeah.” Oliver laughed. “I bet I drove those ghosts nuts pretending I didn’t notice their hauntings.”
    â€œYou drove them crazy!” Shawn exclaimed. “It was pretty funny. But how—” He nodded toward the mirror.
    â€œI painted part of the mirror with a special goo that doesn’t reflect,” Oliver explained. “We scared them right out of the house!”
    Shawn shivered. “Those two scared me! They knew good tricks.”
    â€œYeah,” Oliver admitted. “But that skull popping out of the TV trick was cool too. I wish I could do that.”
    â€œThanks,” Shawn said with a grin.
    â€œI wasn’t even sure this vampire trick would work.” Oliver stared at the fake fangs in his hand. “For one thing, what would a vampire want with ghosts? No blood!”
    He and Shawn laughed.
    Oliver popped the fangs back into his mouth.
    â€œBesides,” he added. “Everyone knows there’s no such thing as vampires!”

Are you ready for another walk
down Fear Street?
Turn the page for a terrifying
sneak preview.

    MONSTER DOG

T he beast waits for me every day after school.
    It hides in the bushes along Fear Street. It licks its teeth. It sharpens its claws.
    It waits just for me.
    I never know exactly where it will hide. I never know when it will attack.
    But I know it’s there.
    And it wants to get me.
    * * *
    â€œOnce again, Maggie Clark was the only student who managed to get an A on the last three homework assignments.” Mrs. Jenkins announced to the class. She beamed at me.
    I sank further into my seat. I felt my face grow warm.
    â€œLittle Miss Perfect does it again,” Billy Smithers whispered behind me. Someone giggled.
    Luckily the bell rang. Whew! Just in time. No more embarrassment.
    I know Mrs. Jenkins means well, but all her compliments are killing me!
    Mrs. Jenkins reminded the class to read chapter ten in our science books. All the kids jumped up from their seats and