The Evil Lives! (13 page)

J
udd's eyes followed Amanda's gaze to his sneakers. Looks like I walked through a swamp, huh?”

Or a grave, Amanda thought. “What are you doing here?”

“I stopped by to see how you are,” he explained. “I mean, everyone is so scared and upset about Natalie. And I didn't get a chance to talk to you this afternoon. I wanted to make sure you're all right.”

Amanda kept staring at him. He's the one, she thought, her heart racing. He must be. He left the note and the muddy footprints in my room. He signed the note with Sarah's name.

The Evil is inside Judd.

Judd shifted his weight, an uneasy expression on his face. “What's wrong?” “Huh? Oh. Well, it's like you said—I'm upset.”
Amanda heard her voice shaking and took a deep breath. “But I'll be okay. Thanks for stopping by.” She reached for the door and began to swing it shut.

“Hey, wait a sec, Amanda,” Judd protested. “I'm kind of freaked about all this. I thought we could talk a little. Can I come in?”

“No.”

Judd stared, his blue eyes startled. “I thought you said I could.”

Stay calm, Amanda told herself. Don't let him know I'm on to him. “Sorry, I forgot. I was just leaving for Janine's,” she explained.

“I'll drive you,” he offered.

“No, you don't have to do that. Really,” Amanda told him. “It's getting kind of late. I don't know how long I'll be there. Janine's
really
upset about everything, and I don't think she . . .”

“I'll drive you,” Judd repeated firmly. “You're really pale, Amanda. You look like you're going to pass out. You can't drive like that.”

If she slammed the door in his face, he'd find a way in. If she got in the car with him, she might never reach Janine's.

“Come on.” Judd reached out and took hold of Amanda's arm, pulling her through the door. “Let's go.”

Feeling helpless and terrified, Amanda walked with him across the porch and down to his car. He kept an arm around her the whole time.

A week ago I dreamed of getting together with Judd, she thought. Now here I am with his arm around me.

But it's a nightmare, not a dream.

As Judd pulled away from the house, Amanda
slipped her fingers around the door handle and pulled.

Nothing happened.

Automatic lock, Amanda realized. Why did I ever get in? Now I'm trapped. Trapped in this car with the Evil.

She glanced at Judd.

His long fingers gripped the steering wheel firmly as he guided the car around a corner. In the glow of a streetlight, his expression seemed calm.

Of course he's calm! Amanda's mind screamed at her. He's in control. You got into the car with him, and now he can kill you anytime he wants!

Feeling her eyes on him, Judd turned his head and smiled.

Amanda smiled back weakly. Sliding her hands up inside the sleeves of her sweater, she huddled against the passenger door.

He's waiting until we get to Janine's, she thought frantically. He's going to kill us both at the same time. He'll burn the house around us. Or blow it up. Something horrible and gruesome.

Amanda shuddered, and Judd glanced at her again. “There's an extra jacket in the backseat,” he told her. “Sorry—I didn't give you a chance to get yours before we left.”

Before you dragged me out of the house, you mean. “I'm not really cold,” Amanda murmured.

Judd turned the car onto Canyon Drive. Amanda tensed up even more. She could see Janine's white, two-story house at the end of the block. Almost there.

Almost dead.

“Isn't that Janine's car?” Judd asked. He pointed at a blue compact backing out of the driveway.

Amanda nodded. She could see Janine's face as she backed the car into the street. Then, as the car turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of Brandon's red hair glowing in the streetlight.

“I thought she was waiting for you,” Judd said. “You must have mixed up the time. They're probably going for pizza or something. Want to follow them?”

“I guess,” Amanda agreed. If she made it to the pizza place alive, she could jump out of the car and scream for help.

Janine drove quickly through the winding neighborhood streets, then turned down Park Drive. When she reached Division Street, she didn't turn off. Instead, she kept driving to the Old Mill Road, then made a right turn onto Fear Street.

“Guess I was wrong about the pizza,” Judd commented. “I wonder where they're going.”

Amanda didn't reply. The blue car had pulled over to the curb, and she saw Janine and Brandon climb out.

Another car shot in front of Judd, and he had to stop quickly. By the time he'd started rolling again, Janine and Brandon were out of sight. But Amanda knew where they had gone.

Into the Fear Street Cemetery.

What is going on? she wondered as Judd pulled to a stop behind Janine's car. Why did they come here?

Amanda grabbed the door handle.

“You really want to go after them?” Judd asked. “In a graveyard? At night?”

“Yes.” Amanda tugged at the handle. Still locked.

Judd's mouth curved up in a little smile. “Aren't you scared of ghosts?”

He's teasing me, Amanda realized. Playing with
me, like a cat with a mouse. “Don't be silly,” she replied, forcing herself to laugh. “Unlock the doors, okay? You can leave if you want. I'll get a ride back with Janine.”

Judd shook his head. “I'll come with you.”

“Fine.” Amanda wasn't about to argue. She tightened her grip on the door handle. “Let's go.”

As soon as Judd popped the main lock, Amanda flung the door open, scrambled out of the car, and flew across the street.

“Hey!” Judd shouted behind her. “Amanda, wait!”

Amanda didn't slow down. She raced into the cemetery, following the path she and Janine had taken before.

“Amanda!” Judd's voice called. “Come on, wait up!”

Amanda could hear him sloshing along the path behind her. She tried to pick up her pace, even though the mud sucked at her shoes with every step.

“Amanda!” Judd's voice sounded farther behind her now.

She felt a surge of hope. If I can get to Janine, we can run out the other side of the cemetery, she thought. Find a house and use the phone to call the police.

Then what? she wondered. What will we tell them? That Judd is possessed by an evil spirit? No way will they believe it.

Worry about that later, she told herself. Just catch up with Janine and get out of here!

As she rounded a curve in the path, Amanda finally saw Janine up ahead, pointing at Sarah Fear's empty grave. Brandon stood beside her, gazing down at the gaping hole.

Janine turned when she heard Amanda's footsteps, a startled expression on her face. “Amanda! What are you doing here?”

Amanda grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. “It's Judd,” she announced breathlessly. “I know it is.”

Janine frowned in confusion.

“The Evil is inside Judd!” Amanda cried. “He left me a note and said I'm next. What are we going to do?”

Janine's face grew pale. Her brown eyes widened in fear as she glanced over Amanda's shoulder.

Amanda spun around.

Judd stood on the path.

“I heard you, Amanda.” His voice sent a chill up Amanda's spine. “I heard every word.”

“E
very single word,” Judd repeated. Anger made his voice harsh. His blue eyes burned coldly.

I'm next, Amanda thought, remembering the note. Her heart pounded in rhythm with the words. I'm next. I'm next.

Judd clenched his fists and began moving toward her.

Amanda backed up a step, closer to the grave.

“How could you say that about me?” he demanded.

Amanda stepped back again. She quickly glanced over her shoulder. The empty grave stretched out behind her.

Judd kept coming, his angry eyes burning into her. He lifted his hands and uncurled his long fingers, reaching for her.

Amanda screamed.

“Get away from her!” Janine shouted. She grabbed Amanda's arm and yanked her to the side. “Brandon!” she cried. “Help us!”

“Yes. I will.” Brandon turned away from the grave and raised his head.

Amanda gasped.

Brandon's eyes glowed golden-green like a cat's in the dark. An eerie, supernatural green that radiated evil.

Evil! Amanda's mouth went dry as terror shot through her.

It's Brandon. The Evil is inside Brandon.

“I will help you,” Brandon repeated.

Why didn't I think of it? Amanda asked herself. Brandon walked in beside Judd the night we called up the Evil. Brandon killed Luke so that he could be the starting player. And Natalie must have told Brandon she was going to talk to the principal. So he killed her too.

Brandon's glowing eyes gazed back and forth between Amanda and Janine. “Thank you for calling me up,” he told them. “But now I have no choice.”

“What do you mean?” Janine's fingers dug painfully into Amanda's arm. “What are you talking about?”

“I must send you both to your graves!” The glow in Brandon's eyes grew stronger. “You first, Amanda.”

Amanda's throat closed up in terror as his green eyes loomed closer, filling her vision. Janine screamed and tried to pull Amanda away.

Both of them stumbled, falling to their knees in the muddy ground.

Brandon began to close in on them.

“Nooo!” Judd shouted. He sprang through the air and landed on Brandon's back. His fingers clawed at Brandon's shoulders and neck.

Brandon shook himself like a wet dog. Judd slipped to the side, but managed to hang on. He grabbed a fistful of Brandon's red hair and yanked viciously.

Brandon hardly flinched.

Judd clamped his other hand over Brandon's face, his fingers digging into the flesh. “Run!” he shouted to Amanda and Janine. “Get out of here!”

Janine and Amanda struggled to their feet. Holding on to each other, they began to edge their way around the two boys.

Brandon reached up and grabbed Judd's wrists, then bent forward and dragged him over his head.

Judd hit the ground hard, landing flat on his back in front of Janine and Amanda.

Amanda cried out and reached out to help him up.

But Judd rolled away and jumped quickly to his feet. “Run!” he shouted again. Then he dived at Brandon.

Brandon caught him in midair. Holding Judd over his head, he spun around, then heaved him through the air.

Judd's body slammed up against a tree, then dropped to the ground.

He didn't get up again.

“Judd!” Amanda cried. She spun to Brandon. “You killed him!” she screamed. “You killed him!”

“Amanda, come on!” Janine pleaded, yanking at Amanda's sleeve. “Hurry! We have to get out of here!”

“Too late!” With a shout, Brandon knocked Janine aside and grabbed for Amanda. “You're next,” he growled.

B
randon's hands grasped for her throat.

Amanda ducked and dodged sideways.

His fingers brushed her hair, and she screamed in terror.

“Your turn, Amanda.” Brandon snagged the back of her sweater. “Your turn.”

“No!” Amanda twisted violently away and lost her balance, falling on her side into the mud. “Janine! Help me!”

Janine uttered a low moan.

She must have hit her head, Amanda thought frantically. She's dazed, she can't help!

Brandon stalked toward her, reaching for her again.

Amanda rolled onto her back and kicked out with her legs. Brandon grabbed an ankle, but she kicked up with the other foot and cracked him under the chin.

His jaw snapped shut on his tongue. Blood spurted from between his lips. He cried out in pain and his grip loosened on Amanda's ankle.