Free First Date by R.L. Stine, Sammy Yuen Jr.

It’s like a miniature town from up here.”
    She took a few steps but hesitated several feet behind him.
    â€œCome on over,” he called impatiently.
    Chelsea took another step, then stopped. “I can’t,” she told him. “I’m afraid of heights.”
    For the tiniest fraction of a second, disappointment crossed his face. It quickly disappeared when he hurried back to her and put his arm around her shoulders.
    â€œI’m sorry. I didn’t know,” he apologized, guiding her away from the cliff toward the woods behind the road. “We’ll walk this way,” he said softly. “I like the woods at night too, don’t you?”
    â€œIt’s a little cold,” she said with a shiver, herbreath steaming in front of her, white against the black night. “But I like it,” she added quickly. “It’s so peaceful up here. I feel as if I’m a million miles away from home.”
    Their sneakers scraped against the hard dirt path that led to the woods. As they made their way under the first trees, it became even darker. There was no light now, not even moonlight.
    Will slowed his pace, let Chelsea get a few steps ahead. Then he pulled the length of cord from his jacket pocket, silently untangled it, and pulled it taut between his hands with a quick
snap.

chapter 11
 
    A s Will readied the cord between his hands and hurried to catch up to Chelsea, he thought about his sister.
    Chelsea was so much like Jennifer.
    Or at least the way he remembered Jennifer.
    You were the lucky one, Jennifer, he thought. You went with Mom.
    You didn’t get the drunken beatings night after night. You didn’t live in a horror show you couldn’t escape from.
    You and Mom had it nice. You ran away and left me. You didn’t tell me where you were going.
    You didn’t write to me. You didn’t call.
    You and Mom had such a good life.
    And you never even thought about me.
    Well, I’ve been thinking about
you,
Jennifer. I’ve been thinking about you and Mom a lot.
    A lot of girls deserve to die because of you.
    A lot of girls are going to die.
    And then someday I’m going to find you two.
    And you’re both going to die.
    Just as I died every night. Every night.
    Just as I wished I were dead.
    He opened his mouth and sucked in a cold lungful of air.
    Holding his breath, he stepped up behind Chelsea and raised the length of cord, ready to lower it around her neck.

chapter 12
 
    T he twin lights startled them both.
    Will had just enough time to jam the cord back into his jacket pocket as Chelsea spun around. “What’s that?” she cried, her voice a whisper.
    Car headlights.
    Another car was pulling in beside theirs.
    â€œThe lights—they scared me,” Chelsea said, holding on to his arm. “We were so alone and—”
    â€œIt’s getting too crowded up here,” he said, laughing a bit too loudly. “Let’s go.” He took her hand, leading the way quickly back to the car.
    His heart was pounding. When he saw die headlights, his first thought was that it was a patrol car out searching for the old Pontiac he had stolen earlier that afternoon.
    But it wasn’t the police. It was just two teenagers looking for a place to make out.
    They had ruined his plans, ruined his night.
    He’d have to take her home and then dump the car.
    He’d have to kill her another night.
    Be patient, he told himself, holding open the passenger door for her, forcing a warm, reassuring smile on his face.
    Be patient. There will be other nights.
    This girl’s time will come.
    Soon.
    He started up the car and backed onto the road. Then he switched on the headlights, the thick woods lighting up in front of them.
    Chelsea shivered, shoving her hands into her coat pockets. “That was nice,” she said dreamily, sliding down low, resting her head against the back of the seat. “It’s so beautiful up