by R. L. Stine
The tigers let out another roar. Deafening this time.
“Let me out of here!” I screamed.
“Pull up the curtain!” Amaz-O’s frightened cry from the front of the stage made me gasp. “Pull it up! Something is wrong!” Amaz-O screeched. “Hurry! Something is horribly wrong!”
I shut my eyes.
And dropped to my knees on the cage floor.
And waited for the attack. For the pain.
Another angry roar made me cry out.
I heard gasps from the audience. And then applause.
I opened my eyes. And blinked, startled by the brightness.
The curtain had been lifted.
The tigers were gone. Vanished into thin air—just as Amaz-O had promised.
My whole body trembled.
Why didn’t Amaz-O tell me what was going to happen? Why didn’t he warn me?
The tiger trick was like everything else at HorrorLand—too frightening to be fun. Too dangerous. Too real …
I grabbed the cage bars and pulled myself to my feet. Amaz-O had left the stage. The show was over. People were walking out of the little theater.
I swallowed hard and gazed around the cage. I couldn’t see a trapdoor in the floor. How had the tigers disappeared?
“Hey!” I tried to call out. But my throat was still tight with fear.
“Hey—is anyone going to let me out of here?” I managed to shout. “Hey—anyone?”
I held on to the bars and peered out. “Hey— I’m still locked in here!”
I couldn’t see anyone backstage. In front of me, the rows of benches stood empty.
“Hey—Luke? Clay? Where are you?” I called. “Somebody—get me out of here!”
A powerful-looking Horror in a guard’s uniform squinted up at me from the theater floor. “Hey—show’s over!” he barked. “You’ve got to leave!”
“They forgot about me!” I cried.
“Get moving,” he ordered. “Show’s over. Everybody out.”
“But I’m locked in here!” I protested.
“No, you’re not.” He scowled at me.
“Excuse me?” I moved to the cage door. And pushed the bars. The door slid open.
Not locked.
“Uh … thanks,” I uttered. But the Horror had already left.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the cage. Jumped down from the stage. Called out to Luke and Clay.
No sign of them.
I stopped in front of the big bunny posters outside the theater. “Luke? Clay? Hey!”
Two boys walked along the hedge, carrying caramel heads on sticks, licking at them as they walked. I blinked, thinking it was Luke and Clay. But no.
I shouted their names again.
I ran along the walkway past the theater, searching in every direction. Then I ran back. No sign of them.
Something is wrong, I muttered to myself. They should be here. They wouldn’t wander off without me.
Where should I look for them? I wondered. Is there a lost-and-found? Maybe they found the Stranges. Maybe they’re all waiting for me at the front gate.
I spotted a map of the park tacked to a wall. I hurried up to it. My eyes swept over the map. Words beside a red arrow read: YOU ARE HERE. YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
“Not funny,” I murmured. I desperately tried to figure out which path would lead me to the entrance of the park. I traced my finger along the map. Then I took off.
I passed the Coffin Cruise on the river. Then a ride called SWIM THE RAPIDS: LEAKY RAFT RIDE. I trotted past a sign that read: SCREAM CLUB. I could hear kids screaming their heads off inside the clubhouse building.
The afternoon sun was beginning to lower itself behind the trees. Long shadows stretched along the path. A few kids walked by, looking tired and upset. But the park was nearly deserted.
My side started to ache, and I had to slow down. I heard the clatter of bowling pins. A sign in front of a long, low building read: HEADLESS BOWLING. I didn’t stop to see what that was about.
Where are they? I asked myself for the hundredth time. Where did Luke and Clay disappear to?
It seemed to take forever, but I finally jogged out onto the wide, concrete plaza in the front of the park. I could see the small office building to my right. The entrance gates stood up ahead.
“Hey!” I stopped short when I saw the Stranges near the gate. “Hey!” I tried to call out to them. But I’d been running so long, I couldn’t catch my breath.
I stopped short, holding my side. And gaped in shock. What was happening?
Four Horrors had Derek and Margo surrounded. They were pushing them roughly toward the exit.
The Stranges were screaming angrily and gesturing wildly. They were trying to break away from the Horrors.
“Wait!” I cried.
I watched two Horrors grab the Stranges’ camcorders from their hands. The Horrors angrily tossed the video cameras to the concrete and stomped on them.
Then they shoved Derek and Margo out of the park and slammed the gate shut.
“No—wait!” I cried frantically. “Stop! Come back!”
Shouting, waving my arms, I ran to the gate.
The four Horrors moved to block my way.
“I need them!” I cried breathlessly. “Derek! Margo! Wait! Please!”
I tried to run past the Horrors and get to the gate. But they moved quickly. They surrounded me.
“They’re out of here. They won’t be coming back,” one of the Horrors growled.
Another Horror brought his green face close to mine and sneered, “You got a problem with that?”
“They broke the rules,” a Horror growled. “They had to leave.”
The other Horror still had his face inches from mine. “Maybe you have to leave too,” he whispered. He grabbed my wrist.
“No!” I cried. I jerked my hand free. “I have to find my brother and his friend! I can’t leave!”
“Time to go,” the Horror insisted.
“No! Not without the boys!” I screamed. “They’re lost!”
All four Horrors burst out laughing. “Don’t make us laugh. We have chapped lips!” one of them sneered.
He pulled open the gate and motioned for me to leave. “Ou.”
“No!” I insisted. “No way!”
He grabbed for me again.
I spun away and started to run. Gasping, my chest heaving, I tore through the plaza and back onto a narrow trail.
were they chasing after me?
Yes!
“Red alert!” one of them yelled to another group of Horrors. “Red alert! I want her brought in!”
Oh, no! I thought. Soon, every Horror in the park will be out to catch me.
Beads of sweat ran down my face. But I felt cold, so cold. Chills ran down my back. My legs felt rubbery and weak.
“Luke! Clay!” I shouted their names.
Where were they? I had to find them—before the Horrors caught up to me.
I was all alone now, all alone in this terrifying park. The Stranges were gone. It was up to me now. Up to me to find the boys and get us safely away from this nightmare place.
“Luke! Clay!”
I ran full speed through Zombie Town, dark even though the sun was still shining. Past the Bat Barn and the Doom Slides.
My heart pounding, I ran past a small gift shop. Dozens of green Horror costumes hung on display.
Why would anyone buy a Horror costume? I wondered.
I kept running, calling for Luke and Clay. I felt more frightened with each step. I kept telling myself not to panic—but it was too late for that.
Too late … too late …
When I do find them, how will we get out of here? I asked myself. And how will we get home?
One thing at a time, Lizzy, I scolded myself.
I turned a corner—and saw two Horrors heading toward me. “There she is!” one of them cried. They lowered their horns and started to run.
With a frightened gasp, I pulled back arou
nd the corner and took off in another direction. My shoes pounded the brick street.
I turned and headed behind a building called Howl House. Then I turned again, into a narrow alley. I came out of the alley and headed toward the river.
My chest felt about ready to explode. My head throbbed.
I glanced back and saw that I had lost them.
But I knew that more Horrors would be after me.
Running hard, I followed the path that curved along the water. I stopped short—nearly toppled over—when I heard screams.
Frightened screams.
I recognized the voices. Luke and Clay!
My eyes swept over a sign: VULTURE BEACH. PLEASE FEED THE VULTURES.
Another frightened shriek.
“I’m coming, Luke!” I screamed breathlessly.
I ducked under the sign. Onto a small, sandy beach.
And saw the two boys—chained down. On their backs. Handcuffed. Chained to wooden stakes that poked up from the sand.
Blue-black shadows swooped over them.
“Lizzy—help! Help us!” Luke wailed, struggling against the chains.
“Hurry—” Clay pleaded. “The Horrors —they chained us here!”
The shadows rolled over the sand, over the struggling boys.
I raised my eyes—and saw what was casting them.
Vultures.
Enormous, black vultures … swooping … lower and lower.
Their black wings stretched wide. Their bald white heads craned. Cawing and croaking hungrily.
Swooping lower …
Circling Luke and Clay. Preparing to feed.
“Lizzy—help! Hurry!”
I was frozen, staring up in horror at the ugly, swooping vultures.
But Luke’s desperate cry stirred me to action.
I plunged across the sand to the boys. Dropping to my knees, I tugged frantically at the chains.
“Get us out! Get us out!” Luke repeated, his eyes on the huge, circling birds.
I heard a hard BUMP on the sand, close behind me. A loud, ugly squawk.
I glanced back and saw that a vulture had landed. It flapped its dark wings and tilted its head. And came darting across the sand toward us.
BUMP.
Another big bird landed heavily.
“Hurry!” Luke begged.
The two vultures opened their curved beaks and uttered hungry cries.
I tugged at the handcuff around Luke’s wrist. “Don’t make a fist!” I instructed him. “Keep your hand loose. I think you can slide it out.”
“They’re going to eat us!” Clay wailed. “That’s what vultures do—right? They’re going to eat us alive!”
I didn’t have time to answer. I heard the heavy beating of wings.
“Hey!” I cried out as a vulture dove at me from behind.
I fell over and it shot its beak at Luke. Snapped at his neck. I heard a harsh shriek and it snapped again.
“Nooo!” I wailed.
I thrust out both hands and shoved the squawking bird’s side. The feathers felt hot and dry.
The bird flapped its wings frantically. Flapped until it regained its balance. Then dove at us again.
It batted its heavy wings against my face. Snapped its beak at my hair.
“Get away!” I cried, shielding my head with my hands.
Its wings thrashed against the back of my neck. Again, its powerful beak snapped just above me.
“No!” I screamed again waving my arms madly at the diving bird.
THUMP.
Another vulture landed on the beach. Another one swooped low, preparing to attack.
“What am I going to do?” I screamed. “I can’t fight them all!”
The first vulture let out an ugly shriek and swooped onto me again.
Its wings beat against my face. I couldn’t see … couldn’t breathe.
Squawking and crying, all the vicious birds attacked.
Beating us with their wings. Snapping their powerful beaks.
Batting them away with both hands, I lost my balance and fell to the sand.
Two vultures swooped over me and dove at Luke and Clay.
“Help me, Lizzy!” Luke screamed. “They’re trying to poke my eyes out!”
“No! Noooo!” Clay shrieked. He thrashed his head wildly from side to side, trying to dodge the attacking birds.
I grabbed two handfuls of sand. Andwitha furious cry, heaved them at the diving vultures.
The big birds stopped. They drew back. Sand clung to the top of their bony heads and the feathers on their backs.
I tossed another handful of sand.
The birds backed up. I could see that they didn’t like the sand attacks.
Two vultures stood at the shoreline, still as statues. They hunched tensely with their wings slightly raised, watching the battle. A silent audience.
I heaved more sand. Then I turned back to Luke. I held the handcuff. “Slide your hand out!” I shrieked, my eye on the angry vultures. “You can do it! There’s enough room!”
“Yes!” he cried happily as his hand slid free. He turned and worked his other hand free.
I hopped over him and set to work on Clay’s handcuffs.
Behind me, vultures squawked loudly. I turned to see them raise their wings … lower their heads …
“Noooo!” I let out a wild cry as the ugly birds attacked. Swooping furiously at us. Swiping their beaks. Snapping. Flapping wildly. Sending up a dark cloud of sand and pebbles and feathers.
“Clay—hurry!” I moaned.
I shoved a squawking vulture off my head. Its talons pulled at my hair. Nearly pulled me over. It dropped to the sand. Spun around. And dove at Luke.
“Okay!” Clay cried. He slid his hands free. I helped him to his feet.
“Let’s get out of here!” I cried, pulling him by the hand.
The vultures snapped. Dove at us. A shrieking bird flew into Luke, sending him sprawling to the sand.
Luke staggered to his feet.
And we ran.
Ran as fast and hard as we could.
Ran till we left the squawking birds behind us.
“Those birds must be starving!” I cried. “Vultures usually don’t attack living creatures!”
“Which way?” Luke gasped. “How do we get out of here?”
“Oh, no!” I turned and cried out. I saw a group of eight or ten Horrors running down the beach toward us.
I spun in the other direction. “This way!” I told the boys.
But another group of Horrors ran along the shoreline in that direction.
Trapped, I thought.
Now we’ll all be vulture food.
“No!” I wasn’t going to give up. “Let’s go this way!”
I took off, back toward the path that had brought me to the beach. The boys followed close behind.
“Where are we going? Why are they chasing us?” Luke demanded.
“Later,” I gasped. I led them into the narrow alley behind Howl House. We could hear screams and cries from inside the building.
“Stop!” an angry voice called.
I turned to see four Horrors advancing on us from the end of the alley.
I took off, around to the front of Howl House and then down a wide path that appeared to be empty.
But it quickly filled with Horrors. When they spotted us, they started waving furiously, shouting for us to freeze.
“I think every Horror in HorrorLand is after us!” I gasped. “We’ve got to get away.”
“But how?” Luke cried.
I grabbed both boys and shoved them around the side of a tall hedge. “This way,” I told them.
“But—why?” Luke demanded. “How are we going to escape?”
Suddenly, I had an idea.
I led them to the gift shop where I had seen the Horror costumes. There were no Horrors behind the counter. They were probably out with all the others, trying to capture us.
We grabbed costumes off the rack and scrambled i
nto them.
“This mask doesn’t fit!” Clay complained. I adjusted my mask and turned to him. His mask was too big. The horns fell over his face.
I tossed him another mask.
“They’ll know we’re not real Horrors,” Luke muttered. “This isn’t going to work.”
“Well, if you have any better ideas, tell us!” I snapped.
He shook his head.
“Try to walk like a Horror,” I told them. “Swing your tail. Like this.” I demonstrated. “And mainly, act calm. Don’t act suspicious. Walk slowly and calmly.”
“Okay, okay,” Luke replied impatiently. He glanced out to the road. “Where are we going?”
“To the front gate,” I told him. “We won’t be safe until we’re out of the park.”
“And where are the Stranges?” Clay asked.
“They were caught with their camcorders. The Horrors threw them out,” I said. “Come on. Follow me.”
We didn’t get far.
We stepped out onto the path and four big, powerful-looking Horrors surrounded us.
“Where do you think you’re going?” their leader snarled.
I stared at them through the mask. My heart nearly stopped beating. My legs suddenly felt too weak to hold me up.
“Uh … well …” I hesitated.
“We’re looking for those three kids,” Luke chimed in.
Yessss! Thank you, Luke, I thought.
“Yeah. We thought we saw them go this way,” he continued.
Luke, stop right there, I thought, holding my breath. Don’t go too far.
The leader of the four Horrors frowned at us. “No way,” he growled.
Oh, no. We’re caught, I realized. He isn’t buying Luke’s story.
“No way,” the Horror repeated sharply. “You’re not supposed to be searching this section. This is our section.” He motioned to his three partners. “Our section.”
“Sorry,” I burst in quickly. “We didn’t mean to. We were following the path and—”
“Check out the beach,” the Horror ordered. “Stay out of our section, hear? We’ve got it covered.”
“Okay,” I said, sighing happily. The boys and I hurried away. I could feel the Horrors’ eyes on us as we moved. I didn’t look back.
We passed two other groups of Horrors as we made our way to the front. They nodded to us, but didn’t speak.
When the front gate came into view, we ducked into the shadow of a building. “How are we going to get past the Horror at the gate?” Luke asked. “We can’t just walk out.”