Free Bad Moonlight by R.L. Stine Page A

wide awake, Danielle jumped out of bed. I’ll get a soda from the machine at the end of the hall, she decided. Then maybe try to work on a song.
    She dug some change out of her duffel bag and pulled open the door.
    Danielle froze.
    Halfway down the hall, sprawled on the worn carpet, lay a body.
    Dark blond hair.
    Eyes shut tightly. Mouth hanging slackly open.
    Not smiling.
    Not smiling with the dimple in his cheek.
    Not smiling. Not smiling. Not smiling.
    No. Billy wasn’t smiling.
    Billy was dead.

Chapter 15

    VERY WORRIED ABOUT DANIELLE
    N ot Billy, Danielle thought. Please, not Billy!
    It’s a fantasy, she told herself, trembling all over. Another horrifying fantasy.
    Danielle squeezed her eyes shut.
    I’ll open my eyes, and he’ll be okay.
    I’ll open my eyes, and the body will have vanished.
    She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
    Still there.
    The blood throbbing at her temples, Danielle took a step toward Billy. Then another, and another.
    Billy’s yellow T-shirt rose and fell on his chest. He was breathing!
    Gasping with relief, Danielle ran to him and knelt down.
    A sharp smell floated up to greet her. The smell of alcohol.
    Then she noticed the can in his outstretched hand.
    A beer can.
    â€œBilly?” she whispered. She tugged his arm. “Billy!”
    He groaned but didn’t move.
    Billy didn’t drink much, she knew. Just a beer once in a while. He never got drunk.
    But how much had he drunk tonight? Enough to pass out in the hotel hallway.
    Why? Danielle wondered. What would make a responsible guy like Billy suddenly do something like this?
    She shook his arm again. “Billy, wake up!”
    Billy groaned again. He turned his head, swallowed, and opened his eyes. “Danielle? What . . . what’s up? I feel awful.” He choked out in a hoarse voice.
    â€œYou fell asleep in the hall,” she told him. “Come on, I’ll help you back to your room.” She took his arm and tugged.
    With great effort she got Billy on his feet. He squinted around the hall, his expression dazed. The beer can fell from his hand and rolled over the carpet.
    â€œWhy’d you drink so much tonight?” Danielle asked. “Partying?”
    Billy shook his head. “A lot on my mind.”
    â€œLike what?”
    Billy didn’t reply. Danielle guided him to his room.
    He leaned against the door, still dazed. He stared atDanielle, struggling to focus. Then he reached out and pulled Danielle close to him in a hug.
    Danielle closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her and his chin resting on her head. “This isn’t like you,” she whispered. “Tell me what’s wrong, Billy.”
    â€œI wish I could.”
    â€œWhy can’t you?” she asked. “It can’t be that bad.”
    Billy’s hands tightened. Then he straightened up and pushed away from her. “You’re wrong,” he told her. “It’s much worse than you can imagine.”
    â€œSo tell me!” Danielle insisted. “Maybe I can help.”
    â€œI want to, but—” Billy broke off and shook his head. His hazel eyes darkened. “No. You can’t help, Danielle. Just forget it, okay?”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œI said forget it!” Billy snapped.
    Danielle stared at him, startled by his sudden anger.
    He muttered good night and stumbled into his room. Danielle stood in the hallway, staring at the closed door, thinking about Billy’s troubled words.
    In the distance the howling started again.
    With a shiver Danielle turned and hurried back to her room.
    Tomorrow, she thought, slamming the door behind her and carefully locking it. Tomorrow I’ll be home with Aunt Margaret.
    Tomorrow I’ll be safe.
    â™¦ ♦ ♦
    â€œYou’re awfully quiet, Danielle,” Aunt Margaret commented as she sponged off the counter after lunch the next day.
    â€œYeah, we’re lucky!” Cliff