Bad Moonlight

by R. L. Stine

  “Come on and catch me!” Danielle shouted back without slowing down.

  Danielle loved the rush of wind in her face and hair. The pounding of her heart. The slap, slap of her sneakers.

  Faster! she urged herself. Faster!

  “Danielle!” she heard Kit call, far behind her.

  But Danielle didn’t stop. Didn’t want to stop!

  Why am I doing this? Danielle asked herself. Why am I running like mad in the middle of the night?

  She didn’t know. She didn’t care. She couldn’t think. All she could do was run, like a stampeding horse.

  Like a wild animal.

  “Danielle!” She could barely hear Kit. He’d never catch up.

  The wind shifted. Danielle sniffed. Her eyes narrowed and she stopped. She stood still, listening.

  Something close by. An animal. Something small. She could hear its tiny heart racing with fear. She could smell it.

  There, in the side yard of that house!

  A rabbit. A small, plump rabbit.

  Danielle’s mouth watered. With one snap of her teeth she’d be able to taste the rabbit’s blood. As silently as she could, she leaped over a low hedge and bounded across the yard.

  The rabbit stood frozen for a split second, then darted away.

  Danielle lowered her head, urged her legs forward. I can catch him! she thought. I know I can!

  I can taste the blood already!

  Chapter 23

  A SURPRISE IN THE TRUNK

  “Hey, whoa!” Billy’s sharp voice cut through the chatter like a knife. “In case you forgot, we’ve got a show tonight. You want to try rehearsing instead of standing around shooting the breeze?”

  Mary Beth frowned. “We’ve been rehearsing, Billy. Now we’re on a break. Lighten up.”

  “Rehearsing? Is that what it was?” he shot back. “Could have fooled me. Maybe if you try a little harder, we might be good enough to play for birthday parties!”

  Billy made a big deal out of checking his watch. “Five minutes!” he called loudly as he strode away from the stage.

  “Wow,” Caroline muttered to Danielle. “What’s his problem?”

  Danielle shook her head. Whatever had bothered Billy last night was still troubling him. But she didn’t know what it was.

  “Well, I wish he’d cool it,” Mary Beth grumbled. “Tonight’s supposed to be fun—Bad Moonlight comes home to Shadyside and all that. And he’s ruining it with his attitude.”

  Mary Beth was right, Danielle thought. They were all looking forward to playing in Shadyside. Especially at Red Heat, the most popular teen dance club in town.

  Tonight’s show was sold out. Red Heat had been a huge warehouse, so “Sold Out” meant an audience of more than two hundred people.

  Everybody in the band had been really pumped when they arrived at the club to rehearse. But Billy’s sour mood had quickly brought them down.

  What was wrong with him?

  A husky voice broke into Danielle’s thoughts. “Hey, Danielle, please tell me that Billy isn’t always like this.”

  Shawna Davidson, the singer replacing Dee, stepped over to Danielle, brushing out her straight black hair. She was a friend of Kit’s. He had called her early this morning. She’d jumped at the chance to be part of Bad Moonlight.

  Tall and slender, Shawna was easygoing, with sparkling brown eyes and a good sense of humor. Danielle could tell she was surprised by the manager’s mood.

  “The first run-through sounded pretty good to me,” Shawna continued. “But I’m not about to argue with Billy, not on my first day with the band.”

  “Billy’s not always like this,” Danielle assured her. “I don’t know what’s wrong, Shawna. But I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have anything to do with the way we sounded.”

  Shawna glanced at her watch. “Three minutes left. Guess I’d better get ready.”

  Danielle turned from Shawna and bumped into Kit, who was kneeling next to one of the amplifiers.

  “Good. Two extra hands.” Kit smiled at her. “You want to hold this cable for me?”

  “Sure.” Danielle held the fat cable while Kit wrapped black electrical tape around it. When his long fingers brushed hers, she drew back.

  Kit glanced up. “Was it something I said?” he asked.

  “Excuse me?”

  He cut the tape and stood up. “Well, you jumped just now when I touched your hand. And last night, the way you ran away from me, I thought maybe I’d said something or done something to turn you off.”

  “No! Nothing,” Danielle told him. “And I wasn’t running away from you, Kit. I was just . . . running.”

  Funny. She remembered running. But she didn’t remember where. Or why.

  Danielle uttered a nervous laugh. “Guess I was a little jumpy just now because of Billy,” she explained to Kit. “He’s acting so strange.”

  “Yeah.” Kit frowned. “I’d sure like to know why.”

  So would I, Danielle thought. Something to do with Dee, I’ll bet. He must be furious because she quit so suddenly.

  “Okay, kiddies!” Billy shouted, striding quickly toward the stage. “Recess is over. Time to work!”

  Picking up their instruments, the members of the band quickly took their places.

  Danielle had changed the lyrics of the song she’d written the night before. This morning she’d worked out the music. She played the opening notes, then began to sing.

  “I’m at the window

  staring at the moon,

  crying out my love,

  trying to get through,

  through to you.”

  On the refrain, Shawna joined in.

  “I’m crying,

  crying crying my love

  Gotta find my way back,

  back to you.”

  Their voices blended well—Danielle’s high and clear, Shawna’s low and throaty.

  Danielle was happy with it. But Mary Beth thought it sounded too tame. “It needs something,” she insisted.

  Danielle laughed. “You should have heard the first lyrics. Instead of ‘staring’ at the moon, it was ‘howling.’ And it wasn’t “gotta find my way back,’ it was ‘gotta claw my way back.’”

  Mary Beth’s green eyes lit up. “That’s more like it,” she declared. “Let’s try it.”

  The old lyrics still made Danielle uncomfortable. But when they finished the song, Caroline and Mary Beth gave her a thumbs-up.

  Danielle tried to shrug off the uneasy feeling.

  When they finished that song, they ran through some others, and ended with “Bad Moonlight.”

  “All right!” Caroline cried when the session was over. “Shadyside is going to rock tonight!”

  “Nice work, Shawna,” Mary Beth told the new singer. “We’re going to be better than ever now.”

  Billy didn’t comment on the band’s performance. “Showtime is at nine,” he announced. “Everybody be here at eight.”

  Two and a half hours. Danielle planned to go home, shower, and eat. Maybe catch a short nap.

  But first she wanted to talk to Billy, find out what was troubling him.

  She caught up to him as he crossed the dance floor to the entrance. “Billy?”

  He stopped and turned, obviously annoyed.

  Danielle gulped in a deep breath. “I know you’ve got a lot on your mind, but—Billy, what’s the matter?” she burst out. “You’re so angry! And last night you were all nervous and jumpy.”

  Billy stared at her, his eyes wide in the red and blue lights of the converted warehouse.

  Danielle watched him lick his lips and swallow hard.

  He didn’t reply. Didn’t say a word to her.

  Instead, he turned away and hurried out the door.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Danielle arrived back at Red Heat a few minutes before eight. Billy leaned close to Kit on the stage, talking intensely. Caroline and Mary Beth rehearsed their intro to one of the songs.

  “Yo!” Danielle called, cro
ssing the big dance floor. “I thought I’d be early, but you guys beat me here.”

  Kit smiled. So did Mary Beth and Caroline.

  Billy glanced at her, then turned away. “Anybody seen Shawna yet?” he asked.

  “I’m here!” The entrance door slammed shut and Shawna hurried toward the stage.

  “Good,” Billy said. “Caroline and Mary Beth wanted to work on something with you.”

  “Sure.” Shawna caught her breath. “My bass is upstairs. I’ll go get it.”

  “I’ll get it,” Danielle offered. She held up her red dress, covered in plastic. “I’ve got to put this up there anyway.”

  “Thanks. It’s in the big trunk,” Shawna said.

  “Be right back.” Danielle crossed to the circular metal staircase that led up to the loft.

  A couple of dressing rooms were crammed into the low-ceilinged area above the main floor of the warehouse. The rest of the space held extra lights, cables, and other equipment.

  Danielle reached the top and flipped on the overhead lights.

  She hung her dress on a garment rack in the first dressing room, then went to get Shawna’s guitar.

  The big trunk, Shawna had instructed her.

  Glancing around the shadowy storage area, Danielle discovered three big trunks. Two of them were shoved back against the wall and covered with dust.

  Must be the first one, she decided. She examined it. It was a tall, black, upright trunk with three heavy metal clasps.

  Danielle started to pry the clasps open.

  Wow. It is boiling hot up here, she thought. She wiped her hand across her forehead, brushing away beads of perspiration.

  The trunk had been jammed between some cardboard boxes and a stack of folding metal chairs. Danielle grasped the trunk handle and struggled to slide it out.

  It didn’t budge.

  What did Shawna have in here with her bass? A ton of bricks?

  The cardboard boxes were loaded with colored gels for the spotlights. Danielle shoved them out of the way.

  Then, leaning over the trunk, she pulled open the lid.

  And peered inside.

  “Noooooo!” She let out a low cry.

  Dee’s body tumbled out.

  Slashed to pieces.

  Chapter 24

  BILLY KNOWS

  Dee’s body toppled onto Danielle’s shoes.

  Danielle staggered back. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out.

  Dee’s T-shirt and jeans were blood soaked and cut to pieces. Deep, long scratches ran down her arms. Scratches covered her neck as if an animal had clawed at her throat.

  Raising both hands to her face, Danielle backed away, crashing into a microphone stand. It fell with a loud clang.

  She barely heard it.

  Her heart hammered. A loud roar filled her ears. She squeezed her eyes shut, then forced them open again.

  As Danielle stared down in horror, she pictured herself in that frightening fantasy, running with Dee on the track. Running after her.

  Attacking her.

  Once again, Danielle saw the real fight they’d had, in the parking lot outside Dr. Moore’s.

  Snarling and wrestling in the gravel. Going for Dee’s throat.

  She had wanted to kill Dee. Wanted to tear Dee to pieces.

  And now Dee lay at her feet. Torn to pieces, as in Danielle’s violent fantasy.

  Clawed and scratched to death. As Joey had been.

  Dee and Joey.

  Did I do this? Did I murder Dee?

  The terrifying question burst into Danielle’s mind.

  She shook her head hard. Of course I didn’t murder them. Of course I’m not a murderer.

  But she couldn’t remember what had happened that night in the park with Joey.

  And Dee?

  Danielle couldn’t remember. Couldn’t remember.

  Dr. Moore had assured her she wouldn’t act out her violent fantasies. But what if he was wrong?

  A violent shudder ripped through Danielle. Get out! she urged herself. Get out of here—now!

  Danielle tripped over the fallen light pole and landed heavily on the floor. Pain shot through her knee, but she ignored it. Gasping for breath, she scrambled to her feet and raced down the narrow corridor.

  Someone waited at the top of the stairs.

  “Billy!” Danielle staggered to a stop.

  He watched her, not speaking.

  She stared into his eyes, her mind racing. Billy acted so nervous last night when he told her about Dee quitting the band. So nervous, he frightened her.

  He was hiding something.

  Was he hiding Dee’s murder?

  Did Billy know that Dee was dead when he came to visit Danielle?

  Was that why he acted so strangely?

  Did Billy murder Dee? Why? Why would Billy murder Dee?

  Billy shifted his weight and narrowed his eyes at Danielle.

  He knows, Danielle realized. He knows that I discovered Dee’s body.

  I have to get away. Have to get help.

  “Get out of my way!” she screamed at him.

  Billy didn’t move. He blocked her way to the stairs.

  “Let me out!” she shrieked in panic. “Let me out of here!”

  “No, Danielle.” Billy reached toward her. “I’m sorry. I can’t let you go now.”

  Chapter 25

  A HOWL IN THE WOODS

  Danielle felt a wave of panic sweep over her.

  What can I do? What?

  Run back, hide behind something in the storage area? No, I’ll be trapped. Cornered.

  She turned back to Billy. Anger quickly replaced her fear.

  He can’t stop me! I won’t let him.

  “Danielle.”

  “No!” With a roar Danielle charged at Billy. He stretched his hands out, ready to grab her. She crashed into him at full speed.

  He grabbed her arm. The fingers tightened, dug in.

  “No!” Danielle swung her fist at him, slamming it into the side of his head.

  Billy gasped. His fingers loosened.

  With a wild cry Danielle wrenched her arm free, shoved him away, and raced for the stairs.

  Halfway down, one of her sandals caught on a metal rung of the staircase. Danielle screamed and fought to keep her balance. The scream echoed in the vast warehouse.

  “Danielle!” she heard Caroline cry. “Look out! You’re going to fall!”

  Danielle kicked off the loose sandal. Stepped out of the other one.

  Behind her, heavy footsteps rang out. Billy came racing after her.

  Danielle dived down the stairs.

  Get out, she urged herself. Run away! As far away as you can!

  She jumped over the last three steps, staggered, and caught her balance. Then she lowered her head and plunged toward the door. She caught a glimpse of Kit’s alarmed face, and Shawna’s. She heard Caroline and Mary Beth call her name.

  She didn’t stop. Hands out in front of her, Danielle slammed into the bar on the door and burst outside.

  Her car was blocked. She couldn’t use it anyway. No keys.

  Danielle veered away from the cars, her bare feet slapping against the pavement.

  Through the parking lot, into the street. Horns blared at her. Brakes squealed. Drivers shouted.

  Danielle ignored them. Above the shouting and honking, she heard voices behind her.

  “She’s getting away! Stop her!”

  Faster, Danielle! she urged herself. Faster!

  A full moon hung in the dark sky like a gleaming ball of ice. Danielle felt the light wash over her head and arms. Cold. Dangerous.

  She ran harder.

  Heart pumping, she leaped across the sidewalk and plunged into a dark wooded area.

  The voices behind her faded.

  Danielle kept running. Pine needles pricked her feet. Branches whipped across her arms and face and snagged at her hair.

  Her side ached and the soles of her feet felt raw from running o
n the pavement. She slowed down, but she didn’t stop.

  She didn’t dare stop.

  A vine tangled in her hair, and Danielle hesitated. She heard a sound ahead of her.

  She stopped. Listened hard.

  Rippling water.

  The river flowed to her left.

  She knew these woods. She could cut through them and come out near her house.

  Gasping with relief, Danielle felt a surge of new energy. She ripped the vine from her hair and started running again.

  Batting branches out of her way, she spotted a glimmer of moonlight up ahead through the thick trees. Almost out of the woods, she told herself.

  She turned. No one behind her.

  Home, she thought. Got to get home.

  It was two or three miles on the other side of the woods. But she could make it now. She knew she could.

  Billy knows where I live, she remembered. Will he be waiting there for me? Is that why he didn’t chase after me into the woods?

  She couldn’t think about that now. She just had to get home.

  A rustling noise off to the right made her heart jump.

  She paused, listening, peering into the thick darkness. Silence. A squirrel or a racoon, she told herself. Keep running.

  Danielle reached the edge of the woods. She broke through the final barrier of branches and felt soft, cool dirt under her feet.

  Which way is home?

  Before she could decide, a figure crashed out of the woods and grabbed her arm.

  Danielle let out a shriek of startled horror.

  “Danielle! It’s okay! It’s me!”

  Caroline!

  Danielle sighed in relief. “Help me, Caroline!” she cried. “You’ve got to help me—or he’ll kill me!”

  Scratched and exhausted, Danielle flung herself at Caroline. “I—I can’t run any farther. Help me, Caroline, please! He’ll kill me! He’ll kill me too!”

  Caroline wrapped her arms around Danielle and held her tight. “Come on, Danny. Of course I’ll help you,” she murmured softly.

  “I’ve got to get home!” Danielle choked out. “He—he might hurt Aunt Margaret or Cliff!”

  “You’ll be okay. Catch your breath,” Caroline urged her. “I’ll help you get home.”

  Danielle rested her head on Caroline’s shoulder. Gradually her breathing slowed. She stopped trembling.

  Moonlight poured down on them. Danielle shivered. “Let’s go,” she said. “Let’s get out of here.”