Halloween Party by R.L. Stine Page A

boys laughed.
    â€œDon’t do us any favors, man,” said Bobby, and heshoved Philip, hard, in the chest. With a gasp Philip fell backward and banged into a table.
    â€œUncle Philip!” cried Justine in horror. Several of the kids rushed to Philip’s aid. Niki, her dark eyes wide with fright, ran to Terry, gripping his hand.
    â€œSorry about that. It was an accident,” Bobby said, slurring his words. He stumbled over a floorboard, and Terry realized he’d been drinking.
    By now the other kids were recovering from the shock of the bikers’ entrance. “Go home!” several shouted. “Get out of here, you creeps!”
    Bobby and Marty ignored the others. “Nice place they got here,” said Bobby. “Kinda looks like your place, huh, Marty?”
    They both laughed as if Bobby had just made a hilarious joke.
    â€œWhy don’t we help ’em out a little and clear away some of the cobwebs,” said Marty. He unhooked a chain from one of his belt loops and, with a flick of his wrist, swung it at the cutouts over the fireplace. Instantly they fell to the floor in tatters.
    Terry stared in disbelief. Why didn’t someone do something? Now Marty started to wreck the decorations over the window.
    Terry couldn’t stand it anymore. “Hey, man, don’t do that!” he said.
    He took a step toward Marty, but Bobby moved faster. Terry felt his head jerk back as if he’d just been hit by a truck. The next thing he knew he was on his back, with Niki’s face, very close and frightened looking, gazing down at him.
    He tried to sit up, but Niki pushed him back down. “Don’t try to move,” she whispered.
    â€œUh-oh. The skinny guy tripped,” Bobby said,grinning. He stared at the others menacingly. “Hope nobody else trips—or anything.”
    Marty laughed. They slapped each other high-fives with their black-gloved hands.
    These guys sure know how to have a good time, thought Terry. Whatever they’d been drinking or smoking had made them think they were hilarious.
    Justine stepped forward again. She was still angry, but Terry saw that now she was also frightened.
    â€œAll right, guys,” she said. “So I made a mistake. I was wrong not to invite you to the party. But everything was planned for the nine people who are already here. If you’ll just leave now, I promise I’ll have a special party—just for you—next week.”
    â€œHey, that’s okay,” said Bobby. “We’re having a great time. Don’t sweat it.” He walked over to the food. Ricky, Angela, and Trisha, who had been standing there, quickly edged away.
    Bobby took a big bite of one of the hors d’oeuvres, then spat it out. “Yuck!” he bellowed. “What is this stuff? It tastes like fish!” He turned angrily to Justine. “Haven’t you got any real food here? Chips? Pizza?”
    â€œThere’s plenty of pizza on the shelf over there,” said Justine. “Take what you want and—”
    â€œWhat about drinks?” interrupted Marty. “All I see here is kid stuff.” He turned to Philip, who was sitting on a low stool now, looking sick. “Where do you keep the wine coolers, man?” Marty asked.
    â€œI don’t drink,” said Philip curtly. “I never keep alcohol in the house.”
    â€œI don’t believe you,” said Marty. “What kinda host are you? My friend and I are thirsty.” He grabbed Philip by his lapels.
    â€œStop it!”
    Alex’s sudden yell stopped Marty for a moment. Like a silver streak, Alex crossed the room and grabbed Marty, pulling him away from Philip.
    Marty bellowed in rage. Alex’s triumph was short-lived. A moment later Bobby grabbed Alex from behind, then held on to him while Marty kicked him, hard, in the stomach.
    â€œOhhh.”
    With a gasp of pain Alex fell to the floor and lay curled in a ball, gasping