Free What Holly Heard by R.L. Stine, Bill Schmidt Page B

Jed anymore about what was happening. Jed had been replaced by a stranger.
    An angry stranger who really frightened her.
    *   *   *
    â€œI can’t do it,” Miriam told Ruth. She stopped in the main hallway of Shadyside High. She felt cornered. Trapped with Ruth in a long line of students heading for Holly’s memorial. “I can’t go in there.”
    â€œMiriam,” Ruth urged, “come on. It won’t be that bad.”
    Students pushed past them, heading for the gym. A lecture on student safety was planned, as well as a group counseling session for anyone who wanted to participate.
    Miriam couldn’t bear it. “They’re insane if they think we’ll get up in front of hundreds of people and talk about how we feel! I won’t do it.”
    Miriam didn’t say it, but there was another reason she didn’t want to step into the gym.
    She’d found Holly there.
    Ruth pleaded, but Miriam held her ground. Someone jostled her. Another kid bumped her from behind.
    â€œYou’re blocking the way,” someone complained.
    Ruth grabbed Miriam’s arm and dragged her out of traffic. “You can’t just stand here,” she whispered. “What are you going to do?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Miriam replied. “Just go, Ruth. Leave me alone, okay? I really need to be alone.”
    Ruth’s gaze softened and she shrugged. “Okay. But don’t get caught. You don’t need detention right now.”
    Miriam nodded. “Thanks, Ruth.”
    Ruth slipped back into the crowd and disappeared.
    Miriam pictured Holly on the gym floor, her bloated face and purple neck, the trickle of blood down her cheek.
    Was
this
what the counselors wanted her to discuss? Her memories of a strangled corpse?
    A sour taste rose in her throat. Suddenly Miriam felt truly sick. Clamping one hand over her mouth, she raced against the tide of students and pushed her way into the bathroom.
    She tossed her books into a sink, then dropped to her knees in front of the first toilet. Her breath came in hitches. Visions of Holly flew in her head—Holly fighting off her attacker. Holly choking. Holly dying. Miriam wanted more than anything to get it all out.
    But nothing happened.
    Miriam’s breathing returned to normal. A cold sweat coated her upper lip.
    She felt shaky but better.
    She took several deep breaths, then slowly rose to her feet.
    Her books had landed haphazardly in the sink. She stacked them neatly on a ledge and turned on the faucet. Then she splashed the cold water onto her face.
    She pulled a long strip of paper towel out of the dispenser and dried her cheeks, wiping away the salty grit that never seemed to leave her eyes since Holly’s death.
    She stared into the mirror.
    What’s happening to me?
she asked herself.
    She had been so happy. She had had Jed. She hadhad Holly and Ruth. Friends who loved her—who she loved in return.
    All slipping away.
    Miriam shivered. It was so cold in this bathroom. The porcelain of the sink felt frozen.
    Felt dead.
    She heard a sound.
    A slow creaking sound that made her flesh crawl.
    The bathroom door slowly opened, its hinges squeaking.
    Miriam turned.
    Mei and Noah stood in the doorway.

chapter 17

    â€œM ei?” Miriam croaked. She held on to the cold sink. Her legs suddenly felt shaky and weak.
    Mei and Noah entered the bathroom, letting the door close behind them. They looked as if they hadn’t slept in a week.
    What were they going to do?
    â€œMiriam, we need to talk,” Mei said. She held her hand out as if to calm Miriam down. “I have to know what you told the police.”
    â€œI told them the truth,” Miriam replied, trying to steady her voice. Her eyes darted from Mei to Noah.
    Mei’s lip quivered and she turned to Noah. He put his arm around her and glared at Miriam.
    â€œDo you have any idea what you’ve done?” Noah exploded.
    Miriam blinked