Free Bad Moonlight by R.L. Stine

Danielle, drawing her into the room. “You look upset.”
    â€œI am!” Danielle exclaimed. “Kit, she was so furious! I thought she was going to try to strangle me again. She said she knew the truth about Joey!”
    â€œExcuse me?” Kit’s voice came out shrill. “What did she mean by that?”
    â€œI didn’t give her a chance to tell me.” Danielle drew a shaky breath. “But you heard what she accused me of in the van!”
    â€œHey, calm down,” Kit said gently. Taking her hand, he pulled her toward the window. “Dee’s been really upset since Joey died, and—”
    â€œI noticed,” Danielle interrupted.
    Kit nodded. “Yeah, I guess I don’t have to tell you,” he admitted. “But anyway, I don’t think Dee really means what she says.”
    â€œShe didn’t even like Joey,” Danielle insisted. “At least, she didn’t act as if she did.”
    â€œSome people don’t show how they feel,” Kitreplied. He put his arm around Danielle again and pulled her close. “I’m not one of them,” he confided.
    Danielle smiled. “I’m glad you’re not,” she whispered.
    Kit bent his head and kissed her.
    Danielle kissed him back, enjoying the moment.
    A warm breeze blew through the open window, but Danielle shivered. She opened her eyes.
    Moonlight streamed in, bathing them both in its icy glow.
    Ignore it, she told herself. Enjoy the kiss.
    She pressed her hands against the back of Kit’s neck.
    But pulled away suddenly when she heard the long, mournful howl. So close. Just outside the hotel.
    She gasped and stumbled back from the window.
    Another terrifying howl.
    Danielle covered her ears. “Make it stop!” she cried. “Please, Kit! Make it stop!”
    â€œHuh?” Kit gazed at her with concern. “Danielle—make what stop?”

Chapter 14

    BILLY DIES
    K it studied her face. “Do you really hear something?”
    â€œI—” Danielle paused. Don’t tell him, she thought. Don’t let him know. He’ll think you’re weird. A freak.
    â€œDanielle?”
    â€œNo,” Danielle said. “I mean, yes. I heard some thing. A truck, I guess. You know, one of those monster trucks, roaring past.”
    â€œI didn’t hear it.” Kit shrugged and reached for her again.
    â€œListen, Kit, maybe you should go to the river with everybody else,” Danielle told him. “I was going to work on a song, but I suddenly feel really wiped.”
    She could see the disappointment on Kit’s face. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked.
    â€œYeah. I’m okay.” Danielle put her arm around his waist and urged him to the door. “I’m really glad you came back, Kit.”
    â€œMe too.” Kit leaned close and kissed her. “See you tomorrow. And try not to worry too much about Dee.”
    Right, Danielle thought as she closed the door behind him. I won’t worry too much about Dee. After all, I have a good list of other things to worry about.
    Like the horrifying fantasies.
    My parents’ car accident.
    The strange animal howls that no one else seems to hear.
    The moonlight. The bad moonlight . . .
    Danielle lowered the shade on the window to shut out the moonlight. She slid the red dress off and slipped into the faded blue, oversize T-shirt that she liked to sleep in.
    The howling had stopped for the moment. Maybe she’d be able to sleep. Then she could forget everything for a while.
    Danielle climbed into bed, pulled the sheet up, and closed her eyes.
    The howling began again.
    Ignore it. It’s in your mind, she scolded herself.
    No. It’s not. It’s real.
    She buried her head in the pillow, forcing away the frightening wails.
    She fell into a fitful, dreamless sleep. Woke fully alert a little after two.
    Caroline?
    No. Still not back.
    Why was Caroline out so late?
    Restless and