by R. L. Stine
“That’s why I’m worried,” Tina answered.
She checked the answering machine. No messages.
Tina swallowed.This was not like Josh at all. Something wasn’t right.
“Do you want to come with me to the studio?” Chris asked.
“No,” Tina answered quickly. “I’ll stay here and wait. Please go see if he left a message there”
Chris stared into her eyes. He wants to kiss me again, Tina thought.
But instead he smiled.
“I’ll call you if there’s a message at the studio. And I’ll see you tomorrow,” he promised. He gave her a quick wave, turned, and left the room.
Ten minutes later the phone rang. Tina rushed to answer it.
“Josh?” she cried. She couldn’t wait to hear his voice.
“No. It’s me. Chris.”
Tina carried the phone over to the bed and stretched out. “Any word?”
“Josh left a message for you here,” Chris said.
“What happened? Why didn’t he call the dorm?”
“He tried, but the machine is broken,” Chris explained. “The garage couldn’t get the car part until tomorrow. So they have to spend the night in a dumpy motel.”
“Really?” Tina said shrilly, unable to hide her disappointment. “When will they be back?”
“About noon tomorrow. They’re about four hours away,” Chris told her.
Four hours. They wouldn’t be back until lunch. Tina would hardly have any time with Josh.
“Tina, are you there?” Chris asked.
“Yes. Thanks for calling,” she said. “See you tomorrow.”
Tina hung up the phone. This has to be the worst weekend of my life! she thought angrily. It will probably be months before I get the chance to be with Josh again. She heaved the pillow across the room.
Tina changed into a long T-shirt and climbed into Josh’s bed. She smelled his aftershave on the sheets. She had never missed anyone so much in all her life.
If Holly hadn’t run off, at least I’d have someone to talk to. Tina decided to wait up for her cousin.
She pulled a geology magazine from Josh’s bedside table and flipped through, searching for an interesting article. Rocks and minerals! How boring.
She found something on gold mining and started to read. But after only a few seconds the words started to blur, and she felt herself drifting off to sleep.
Yawning, she padded across the room and turned off the light. Then she crawled back in bed.
Cold silver moonlight washed in through the window. The frightening face of the man at the train station flashed before her eyes. She turned away from the window. Think of something else, she ordered herself. But the unfamiliar shapes in the room made her imagination run wild.
This is silly. I’m in a dorm room, perfectly safe.
I’ll think about Josh. And only Josh.
About how it feels when he puts his arms around me. About tomorrow when we’ll go to the carnival together and ride the Ferris wheel.
Nice thoughts. Restful thoughts. Thoughts that drift into sleep ….
What’s that noise?
Tina awoke with a start. What time was it? How long had she been sleeping? She didn’t want to move, so she couldn’t see the clock.
She lay still, holding her breath.
There it was again.
A strange clicking noise.
Someone’s here, she thought. Someone is in the room.
chapter 7
Tina sat up, squinting into the darkness. A chill ran down her back.
“Holly—is that you?”
No reply.
“Josh?”
I have to turn on the light, she decided.
But what if someone is in the room with me? What if they grab me when I stand up?
Tina listened hard. She couldn’t hear anything but her beating heart. She slid out of bed and stumbled across the carpet.
She flipped on the switch.
Her eyes darted around the room. Empty.
“Wow,” Tina muttered. “I must be completely stressed out. I’m hearing things now.”
She froze.
The door stood open.
Someone had been in her room.
She stepped out into the hall. She glanced up and down the corridor.
No one.
An eerie silence settled over the dorm.
Shaken, Tina slipped back inside. She shut and locked the door.
She grabbed the blanket off the bed, wrapped it around her shoulders, and paced nervously.
I can’t believe I left the door unlocked, Tina thought. Who was in here?
The digital clock read four. Four! And still no Holly. Where was she?
Tina gazed out the window into the night. Dark clouds rolled across the sky. A storm must be coming, she thought, hugging the blanket around her.
Tina pictured Josh asleep in a dumpy old motel room. With cockroaches crawling up the cracked walls.
Serves you right, Josh, she thought. Why did you have to leave this week?
Tina dragged herself over to Josh’s desk. She pulled out the chair and sat down.
She spotted her last letter to Josh on the desktop. Tina smiled. He saved it. I hoped he would.
She picked through some receipts for CDs, a pile of change, and a mineral chart. Off to the side lay a research paper on rock formations.
When she picked up the paper, a familiar stone caught her eye.
Isn’t that the key chain I gave him last Christmas? she wondered. What is it doing here?
She picked up the rectangular piece of quartz. His keys dangled from the chain.
How could Josh drive upstate without his keys? He always claimed this quartz brought him good luck. He never went rock collecting without it.
“I’ll call Chris,” she murmured. “He’ll have the answer. No, I can’t call him now,” she argued. “It’s the middle of the night.”
Oh, great. Now I’m talking to myself, she thought.
Get a grip. Stop being so suspicious. Besides, Josh called earlier.
I’ll go back to sleep. That’s it. And when I wake up it’ll be morning. Everything always looks better in the morning. At least, that’s what my mother’s told me four thousand times.
She crawled back into bed.
“What’s that?” she said out loud.
Something knocked against the window.
Tina gazed into the night. A heavy rain beat against the glass. Lightning flashed across the sky. Thunder crackled through the air.
Tina hugged the blanket closer to her chest.
I bet Holly would say that the storm is a bad sign.
Go to sleep, Tina, she told herself. Don’t think. Go to sleep. Don’t think. She repeated the words over and over until her eyes fluttered shut.
When she woke up, sunlight streamed into the room. Now, there’s a sign. And a good one, she thought. The storm is over.
She glanced at the clock. Ten-fifteen. How could I have slept so late? Josh will be back in two hours!
She turned to the other bed, expecting to find Holly. The bed hadn’t been touched.
Holly’s clothes remained where she’d left them.
She stayed out all night.
You’re not her mother, Tina reminded herself. Holly couldn’t wait for this no-curfew weekend.
Well, if Holly isn’t going to call me, then I’ll have to call her, Tina thought.
She dialed information and asked for Alyssa Pryor’s number.
“I’m sorry. There’s no listing under that name,” a sweet voice replied.
Now what? She decided to call the studio.
“Is Josh back yet?” she blurted into the phone when Chris answered.
“He’s not due for a few more hours, Tina,” Chris reminded her.
Tina sighed. “I thought maybe he’d call me from the motel this morning.”
“He probably thought he’d wake you up. Want me to come by and show you and Holly around the ca
mpus?” Chris offered.
“Holly didn’t even come home last night.”
“She probably crashed with that girl she knows,” Chris suggested.
“Maybe,” Tina replied, twisting the phone cord.
“Calm down.” Chris’s soothing voice made her feel better. “Let me just finish developing this one set of proofs and I’ll be right over.”
“And also, Chris?” Tina started. “I found Josh’s keys last night.”
“You what?” Chris asked. “I can’t hear you. A big truck is passing by. Oh, there’s the timer,” he said. “I’ll be there soon.”
Tina stared at the receiver and listened to the dial tone. Chris hadn’t even said good-bye.
She pulled on her clothes. Music blared through the wall from the next room.
Tina felt a pang of jealousy. Everyone else is having a good time. Everyone but me. She picked up a piece of green mica.
This is just like my prom corsage, she thought.
She was still gazing at the mica when Chris knocked on the door.
“I thought you might be hungry.” He handed her a bag of doughnuts. “I hope you like chocolate.”
She did. In fact, they were her favorite.
But she had more important things on her mind than doughnuts.
“Chris, look what I found,” she said, picking up Josh’s keys. “Didn’t you say they took his car?”
“I’m sure he has a spare set,” Chris answered quickly.
“But why wouldn’t he take the key chain I gave him?” Tina asked. “He said it brought him good luck.”
“Maybe he didn’t want to lose it,” Chris replied. “Or get it scratched. They’re camping in a really rough place.”
He’s right, Tina thought.
She devoured two doughnuts as they walked to the campus.
The sun beat down on Tina’s arms. A cool breeze rustled the treetops. Chris took long, slow strides, his arms swinging at his side.
Their fingers touched. Tina stuffed her hands into her pockets. I have to watch myself, she thought. I’m so attracted to him.
“This is fraternity row,” Chris explained as they passed several Victorian-style homes.
“Did you try to get into one?” Tina asked. “What do they call it? Did you pledge a fraternity?”
“No,” Chris answered sharply. “I’m not into that.”
“Neither is Josh,” Tina replied.
“Really? Then how come he’s pledging next semester?” Chris asked.
“He is?” Tina asked, stunned. She and Josh always agreed that fraternities and sororities were uncool. Has he changed so much? Tina wondered.
“Haven’t you guys been talking lately?” Chris asked.
“I think maybe he did mention it,” Tina lied.
“Patterson College,” Chris announced as they walked up the main steps. “Home of the losing Mavericks. One touchdown a game is their limit.”
“Don’t they ever win?” she asked.
“Hardly.” Chris smiled. “Let’s check out the drama department.” Chris pointed up a hill. “Sometimes the drama majors sleep in the dressing rooms. Maybe Holly stayed with them.”
Chris and Tina hiked up the sloping hill to an impressive brick building.
When they entered, Tina gaped at the high ceiling and long corridors. Posters of famous plays and actors lined the walls.
This is nothing like the tiny drama department back in Shadyside, Tina thought.
They poked their heads into several rooms.
“Anyone here? Holly?” Tina called.
No answer.
“Let’s go backstage,” Tina suggested.
She dragged Chris through the big auditorium. Their footsteps echoed as they crossed the empty stage.
Someday I’ll be modeling on a stage like this, she thought. Strutting down the runway in fancy clothes.
“What are you thinking about?” Chris asked.
“Modeling,” she answered.
“You’d be great.” He gazed at her admiringly.
His stare made her nervous and happy at the same time.
“Let’s go check the dressing rooms,” she urged.
Tina climbed onto the stage and hurried across. She peeked into every dressing room. Wonderful costumes hung on hangers. Long Victorian dresses, capes, torn shirts, ballet outfits.
Then she explored the crowded prop room. This school definitely has a great drama department, she thought. I bet Holly decides to go here in the fall.
“She’s not in a dressing room,” Chris called.
“And she’s not in here, either.” Tina sighed.
They headed for the exit. Tina heard a swishing sound.
She grabbed on to Chris’s arm.
A janitor appeared with his broom.
I have to calm down, she thought. I’m so jumpy.
“Now where?” Tina asked.
“Let’s try the cafeteria,” Chris suggested. “Holly eats—doesn’t she?”
Tina laughed. “Sometimes.”
They hurried to the other side of the campus. The smell of strong coffee drifted out the cafeteria windows.
Tina ran inside. “Have some drama students been here?” she asked a group of girls at a long table.
They shook their heads. “Not this morning,” a girl with long dark hair replied. “But I think there was an all-night party over on Fifth Street.”
Tina turned to Chris. “Do you think they went there?”
“Could be,” he answered. “But on the weekends there’s a party every few feet!”
If only my parents had let me come alone, Tina thought. I’d have been so much better off.
They left the cafeteria. Tina slumped onto the grass. “Now what?” she asked. “We can’t drive around the whole town. I know I’m not Holly’s baby-sitter. But I’d feel better if I found out where she is.”
“Why don’t we try calling her friend?” Chris suggested.
“I tried already. It’s not listed.”
“I can get it,” he said. “There’s a student directory in the bookstore.”
Tina waited while Chris trudged up the hill to the bookstore. She pulled out a blade of grass and twirled it between her fingers. Here she sat on a gorgeous college campus, and she couldn’t enjoy herself for a moment.
“Got it,” Chris said, interrupting her thoughts. “Here’s a quarter.”
They found a pay phone. Tina dropped in the quarter and dialed the number. Her spirits lifted. Alyssa will answer. Holly will have a dumb excuse for not calling.
But at least I’ll know Holly’s okay, she thought. Then I’ll go back to the dorm and wait for Josh. He’ll be back in an hour.
After two rings the message machine turned on. “This is Alyssa,” a tiny, high-pitched voice began. “I’m onstage right now and can’t take your call. Leave your name and I’ll—” The machine clicked off in midsentence.
Tina dropped the receiver. It dangled against her leg.
Something was wrong. Tina knew it now for sure.
The voice on the answering machine was not Alyssa Pryor’s!
chapter 8
“Something’s wrong!” Tina cried. Too many things are wrong, she thought. Too many.
She didn’t want to admit it, but Holly’s sixth sense could be right this time.
“The machine cut me off. I couldn’t even leave a message. And that wasn’t Alyssa’s voice.”
“You know actresses,” Chris replied. “They’re always goofing around with fake voices and accents. Maybe she’s rehearsing for a part.”
“Maybe,” Tina answered. “But I wanted Holly to know we’re looking for her.”
“Do you want to call home?” Chris suggested. “You can use my calling card.” He pulled out his wallet and began shuffling through his credit cards.
Wow! Tina thought. He has more credit cards than my mom!
“No.” Tina wandered back to the grassy area and plopped down. “No, if Holly’s off with some guy, I’ll just
get her in trouble. And then I’ll be in trouble, too.”
Chris sat beside her, his shoulder almost touching hers. “It’s not your fault.”
“You don’t know our folks,” Tina grumbled. “We’re supposed to watch out for each other.”
A couple strolled by holding hands and laughing. Tina envied them. This is supposed to be the best weekend of my life, she thought. So far it’s the worst.
A blue jay chirped in the tree overhead. Tina heard music off in the distance.
“That’s the carnival starting up,” Chris explained. “It’s over in the main quad. You want to check there?”
Tina parted the grass with her finger. “What time is it?” she asked.
Chris checked his watch. “Ten to twelve.”
“It’s almost twelve?” Tina jumped up. “We should go back to the dorm. Didn’t you say Josh would be back around noon?”
Chris didn’t answer.
“Chris,” Tina prodded. “What’s the matter?”
“Is that Carla?” he asked, squinting his eyes.
Carla came rushing up over the grass. Her white T-shirt had PATTERSON MAVERICKS printed across the chest. Sunglasses held her hair back from her face.
“Finally!” she cried. “Where have you two been?”
“Everywhere,” Tina answered.
“Josh and Steve called,” Carla announced.
“They did!” Tina’s heartbeat quickened.
“He tried your room first,” Carla explained. “But you were out.”
“Well? Where are they?” Tina demanded.
“They’re still stuck. The garage fixed the car, but then it broke down again.” Carla tucked a stray hair behind her ears. She kept twisting around, staring behind her.
“So anyway, I’m going to drive up there and get them.” Carla turned to leave.
“Wait!” Tina grabbed her arm. “I’m going with you.”
Carla bit on her lip. Her eyes darted to Chris.
“No,” she told Tina. “You can’t!”
chapter 9
“Why not?” Tina held on to Carla’s arm. She wasn’t about to let her leave.
Why is she acting so weird? Tina wondered. She won’t even look at me. Josh is my boyfriend. I want to go with her to pick him up.
“You have to take me,” Tina insisted.
“There’s no room,” Carla explained. “I only have a two-seater.” She pulled Tina’s hand away. “One of the guys is going to have to scrunch down in the window well.”