by R. L. Stine
Now youll have more room to put your stuff, Jay replied casually. He sat hunched against the tent wall, his expression tense, his eyes on the darkness outside the tent door, which was left open a few inches.
Larry was nowhere in sight. Colin sat quietly. He still wasnt feeling right.
I shifted my weight and stretched out, trying to find a comfortable position. I really wanted to go to sleep. But I knew I wouldnt be able to sleep until after Jay and Roger returned from their adventure.
Time moved slowly. It was cold outside, and the air was heavy and wet inside the tent.
I stared up at the dark plastic tent walls. A bug crawled across my forehead. I squashed it with my hand.
I could hear Jay and Colin whispering behind me, but I couldnt make out their words. Jay snickered nervously.
I must have dozed off. An insistent whispering sound woke me up. It took me a while to realize it was someone whispering outside the tent.
I lifted my head and saw Rogers face peering in. I sat up, alert.
Wish us luck, Jay whispered.
Good luck, I whispered back, my voice clogged from sleep.
In the darkness, I saw Jays large shadowy form crawl quickly to the tent door. He pushed it open, revealing a square of purple sky, then vanished into the darkness.
I shivered. Lets sneak back to the bunk, I whispered to Colin. Its too cold out here. And the ground feels like solid rock.
Colin agreed. We both scrambled out of the tent and made our way silently to our nice, warm bunk. Inside, we headed to the window to try to see Jay and Roger.
Theyre going to get caught, I whispered. I just know it.
They wont get caught, Colin disagreed. But they wont see anything, either. Theres nothing to see up there. Its just a stupid cabin.
Poking my head out the window, I could hear Jay and Roger giggling quietly somewhere out in the dark. The camp was so silent, so eerily silent. I could hear their whispers, their legs brushing through the tall grass.
Theyd better be quiet, Colin muttered, leaning against the window frame. Theyre making too much noise.
They must be up to the hill by now, I whispered. I stuck my head out as far as I could, but I couldnt see them.
Colin started to reply, but the first scream made him stop.
It was a scream of horror that cut through the silent air.
Oh! I cried out, and pulled my head in.
Was that Jay or Roger? Colin asked, his voice trembling.
The second scream was more terrifying than the first.
Before it died down, I heard animal snarls. Loud and angry. Like an eruption of thunder.
Then I heard Jays desperate plea: Help us! Pleasesomebody help us!
My heart thudding in my chest, I lurched to the cabin door and pulled it open. The hideous screams still ringing in my ears, I plunged out into the darkness, the dew-covered ground soaking my bare feet.
Jaywhere are you? I heard myself calling, but I didnt recognize my shrill, frightened voice.
And then I saw a dark form running toward me, running bent over, arms outstretched.
Jay! I cried. Whatis it? What happened?
He ran up to me, still bent forward, his face twisted in horror, his eyes wide and unblinking. His bushy hair appeared to stand straight up.
Itit got Roger, he moaned, his chest heaving as he struggled to straighten up.
What did? I demanded.
What was it? Colin asked, right behind me.
II dont know! Jay stammered, shutting his eyes tight. Itit tore Roger to pieces.
Jay uttered a loud sob. Then he opened his eyes and spun around in terror. Here it comes! he shrieked. Now its coming after us!
11
In the pale starlight, I saw Jays eyes roll up in his head. His knees collapsed, and he began to slump to the ground.
I grabbed him before he fell and dragged him into the cabin. Colin slammed the door behind us.
Once inside, Jay recovered slowly. The three of us froze in place and listened hard. I was still holding on to Jays heaving shoulders. He was as pale as a bedsheet, and his breath came out in short, frightened moans.
We listened.
Silence.
The air hung frozen and still.
Nothing moved.
No footsteps. No animal approaching.
Just Jays frightened moans and the pounding of my heart.
And then, somewhere far in the distance, I heard the howl. Soft and low at first, then rising on the wind. A howl that chilled my blood and made me cry out.
Its Sabre!
Dont let it get me! Jay shrieked, covering his face with his hands. He dropped to his knees on the cabin floor. Dont let it get me!
I raised my eyes to Colin, who was huddled against the wall, away from the window. We have to get Larry, I managed to choke out. We have to get help.
But how? Colin demanded in a trembling voice.
Dont let it get me! Jay repeated, crumpled on the floor.
It isnt coming here, I told him, trying to sound certain, trying to sound soothing. Were okay inside the bunk, Jay. It isnt coming here.
But it got Roger and Jay started. His entire body convulsed in a shudder of terror.
Thinking about Roger, I felt a stab of fear in my chest.
Was it really true? Was it true that Roger had been attacked by some kind of creature? That hed been slashed to pieces?
Id heard the screams from the hillside. Two bloodcurdling screams.
Theyd been so loud, so horrifying. Hadnt anyone else in camp heard them, too? Hadnt any other kids heard Rogers cries? Hadnt any counselors heard?
I froze in place and listened.
Silence. The whisper of the breeze rustling the tree leaves.
No voices. No cries of alarm. No hurried footsteps.
I turned back toward the others. Colin had helped Jay to his bunk. Where can Larry be? Colin asked. His eyes, for once not hidden behind the silver sunglasses, showed real fear.
Where can everyone be? I asked, crossing my arms over my chest and starting to pace back and forth in the small space between the beds. There isnt a sound out there.
I saw Jays eyes go wide with horror. He was staring at the open window. The creature he cried. Here it comes! Its coming through the window!
12
All three of us gaped in horror at the open window.
But no creature jumped in.
As I stared, frozen in the center of the cabin, I could see only darkness and a fringe of pale stars.
Outside in the trees, crickets started up a shrill clatter. There was no other sound.
Poor Jay was so frightened and upset, he was seeing things.
Somehow Colin and I got him a little calmed down. We made him take off his sneakers and lie down on his bed. And we covered him up with three blankets to help him to stop trembling.
Colin and I wanted to run for help. But we were too frightened to go outside.
The three of us were up all night. Larry never showed up.
Except for the crickets and the brush of the wind through the trees, the camp was silent.
I think I must have finally dozed off just before dawn. I had strange nightmares about fires and people trying to run away.
I was awakened by Colin shaking me hard. Breakfast, he said hoarsely. Hurry. Were late.
I sat up groggily. Wheres Larry?
He never showed, Colin replied, motioning to Larrys unused bunk.
Weve got to find him! Weve got to tell him what happened! Jay cried, hurrying to the cabin door with his sneakers untied.
Colin and I stumbled after him, both of us only half awake. It was a cool, gray morning. The sun was trying hard to poke through high white clouds.
The three of us stopped halfway up the hill to the mess hall. Reluctantly, our eyes searched the ground around the Forbidden Bunk.
I dont know what I expected to see. But there was no sign of Roger.
No sign of any struggle. No dried blood on the ground. The tall grass wasnt bent or matted down.
Weird, I heard Jay mutter, shaking his head. Thats weird.
I tugged his arm to get him moving, and we hurried the rest of the way up to the lodge.
The mess hall was as noisy as ever. Kids were laughing and shouting to each other. It all seemed perfectly normal. I guessed that no one had made an announcement about Roger yet.
Some kids called to Colin and me. But we ignored them and searched for Roger, moving quickly through the aisles between the tables.
No sign of him.
I had a heavy, queasy feeling in my stomach as we hurried to the counselors table in the corner.
Larry glanced up from a big plate of scrambled eggs and bacon as the three of us advanced on him.
What happened to Roger?
Is he okay?
Where were you last night?
Roger and I were attacked.
We were afraid to go find you.
All three of us bombarded Larry at once.
His face was filled with confusion, and he raised both hands to silence us. Whoa, he said. Take a breath, guys. What are you talking about?
About Roger! Jay screamed, his face turning bright red. The creatureit jumped on him. Andand
Larry glanced at the other counselors at the table, who looked as confused as he did. Creature? What creature? Larry demanded.
It attacked Roger! Jay screamed. It was coming after me and
Larry stared up at Jay. Someone was attacked? I dont think so, Jay. He turned to the counselor next to him, a pudgy boy named Derek. Did you hear anything in your area?
Derek shook his head.
Isnt Roger in your group? Larry asked Derek.
Derek shook his head. Not in my group.
But Roger Jay insisted.
We didnt get any report about any attack, Larry said, interrupting. If a camper was attacked by a bear or something, wed hear about it.
And wed hear the noise, Derek offered. You know. Screams or something.
I heard screams, I told them.
We both heard screams, Colin added quickly. And Jay came running back, crying for help.
Well, why didnt anyone else hear it? Larry demanded, turning his gaze on Jay. His expression changed. Where did this happen? When? he asked suspiciously.
Jays face darkened to a deeper red. After lights-out, he admitted. Roger and I went up to the Forbidden Bunk, and
Are you sure it wasnt a bear? Derek interrupted. Some bears were spotted downriver yesterday afternoon.
It was a creature! Jay screamed angrily.
You shouldnt have been out, Larry said, shaking his head.
Why wont you listen to me? Jay screamed. Roger was attacked. This big thing jumped on him and
We would have heard something, Derek said calmly, glancing at Larry.
Yeah, Larry agreed. The counselors were all up here at the lodge. We wouldve heard any screams.
But, Larryyouve got to check it out! I cried. Jay isnt making it up. It really happened!
Okay, okay, Larry replied, raising his hands as if surrendering. Ill go ask Uncle Al about it, okay?
Hurry, Jay insisted. Please!
Ill ask Uncle Al after breakfast, Larry said, turning back to his eggs and bacon. Ill see you guys at morning swim later. Ill report what Uncle Al says.
But, Larry Jay pleaded.
Ill ask Uncle Al, Larry said firmly. If anything happened last night, hell know about it. He raised a strip of bacon to his mouth and chewed on it. I think you just had a bad nightmare or something, he continued, eyeing Jay suspiciously. But Ill let you know what Uncle Al says.
It wasnt a nightmare! Jay cried shrilly. Larry turned his back on us and continued eating his breakfast. Dont you care? Jay screamed at him. Dont you care what happens to us?
I saw that a lot of kids had stopped eating their breakfast to gawk at us. I pulled Jay away and tried to get him to go to our table. But he insisted on searching the entire mess hall again. I know Roger isnt here, he insisted. Hehe cant be!
For the second time, the three of us made our way up and down the aisles between the tables, studying every face.
One thing was for sure: Roger was nowhere to be seen.
The sun burned through the high clouds just as we reached the waterfront for morning swim. The air was still cool. The thick, leafy shrubs along the riverbank glistened wetly in the white glare of sunlight.
I dropped my towel under a bush and turned to the gently flowing green water. Ill bet its cold this morning, I said to Colin, who was retying the string on his swim trunks.
I just want to go back to the bunk and go to sleep, Colin said, plucking at a knot. He wasnt seeing double any longer, but he was tired from being up all night.
Several guys were already wading into the river. They were complaining about the cold water, splashing each other, shoving each other forward.
Wheres Larry? Jay demanded breathlessly, pushing his way through the clump of shrubs to get to us. His red hair was a mess, half of it standing straight up on the side of his head. His eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot.
Wheres Larry? He promised hed be here, Jay said, frantically searching the waterfront.
Here I am. The three of us spun around as Larry appeared from the bushes behind us. He was wearing baggy green Camp Nightmoon swim trunks.
Well? Jay demanded. What did Uncle Al say? About Roger?
Larrys expression was serious. His eyes locked on Jays. Uncle Al and I went all around the Forbidden Bunk, he told Jay. There wasnt any attack there. There couldnt have been.
But itit got Roger, Jay cried shrilly. It slashed him. I saw it!
Larry shook his head, his eyes still burning into Jays. Thats the other thing, he said softly. Uncle Al and I went up to the office and checked the records, Jay. And there is no camper here this year named Roger. Not a first name or a middle name. No Roger. No Roger at all.
13
Jays mouth dropped open, and he uttered a low gasp.
The three of us stared in disbelief at Larry, letting this startling news sink in.
Someones made a mistake, Jay said finally, his voice trembling with emotion. We searched the mess hall for him, Larry. And hes gone. Roger isnt here.
He never was here, Larry said without any emotion at all.
II just dont believe this! Jay cried.
How about a swim, guys? Larry said, motioning to the water.
Well, what do you think? I demanded of Larry. I couldnt believe he was being so calm about this. What do you think happened last night?
Larry shrugged. I dont know what to think, he replied, his eyes on the cluster of swimmers farthest from the shore. Maybe you guys are trying to pull a weird joke on me.
Huh? Is that what you think? Jay cried. That its a joke?!
Larry shrugged again. Swim time, guys. Get some exercise, okay?
Jay started to say more, but Larry quickly turned and went running into the green water. He took four or five running steps off the shore, then dived, pulling himself quickly through the water, taking long, steady strokes.
Im not going in, Jay insisted angrily. Im going back to the bunk. His face was bright red. His chin was trembling. I could see that he was about to cry. He turned and began running through the bushes, dragging his towel along the ground.
Hey, wait up! Colin went running after him.
I stood there trying to decide what to do. I didnt want to follow Jay to the bunk. There wasnt anything I could do to help him.
Maybe a cold swim will make me feel better, I thought.
Maybe nothing will make me feel better, I told myself glumly.
I stared out at the other guys in the water. Larry and another counselor were setting up a race. I could hear them discussing what kind of stroke should be used.
They all seem to be having a great time, I thought, watching them line up.
So why arent I?
Why have I been so frightened and unhappy since I arrived here? Why dont the other campers see how weird and frightening this place is?
I shook my head, unable to answer my questions.
I need a swim, I decided.
I took a step toward the water.
But someone reached out from the bushes and grabbed me roughly from behind.
I started to scream out in protest.
But my attacker quickly clamped a hand over my mouth to silence me.
14
I tried to pull away, but Id been caught off guard.
As the hands tugged me, I lost my balance and I was pulled back into the bushes.
Is this a joke? Whats going on? I wondered.
Suddenly, as I tried to tug myself free, the hands let go.
I went sailing headfirst into a clump of fat green leaves.
It took me a long moment to pull myself up. Then I spun around to face my attacker.
Dawn! I cried.
Ssshhhh! She leaped forward and clamped a hand over my mouth again. Duck down, she whispered urgently. Theyll see you.
I obediently ducked behind the low bush. She let go of me again and moved back. She was wearing a blue one-piece bathing suit. It was wet. Her blond hair was also wet, dripping down onto her bare shoulders.
Dawnwhat are you doing here? I whispered, settling onto my knees.
Before Dawn could reply, another figure in a bathing suit moved quickly from the bushes, crouching low. It was Dawns friend Dori.