The Conclusion by R.L. Stine

did you meet this guy?” Jasmine asked, sitting up.
    â€œIn a coffee shop,” I told her. “You know that place. Java Jim’s.”
    â€œDetails,” Angel insisted. “Come on, Hope. Spill. More details.”
    â€œWell . . .” I hesitated. “We just started talking, that’s all. I thought he was cute. But he seemed really shy at first. And I didn’t really want to talk to him because of . . . you know.”
    â€œWhat’s his name?” Jasmine demanded.
    I had to think. “Chris.” Then I couldn’t help myself. The words just exploded from me. I felt so excited.
    â€œHe’s perfect!” I gushed. “I just know he’s the guy for me. I can just feel it!”
    â€œWhoa. Slow down!” Angel insisted. She put an arm around my shoulders and led me over to the couch. I sat down next to Jasmine.
    Jasmine snickered. “You couldn’t even remember his name!”
    â€œHe doesn’t know my name, either,” I told her. “Not my real name, anyway. I couldn’t tell him that, not with my name in all the papers. But, you know what? I don’t even think he’d care if he knew I was the same girl. He’s so easy to talk to. He’d believe I’m innocent.”
    â€œHope, I’ve never seen you so psyched!” Angel exclaimed.
    She was right. My heart was pounding like thunder.
    â€œWell . . . I just wasn’t expecting to meet anyone,” I explained. “You know. With all the bad luck we’ve had, and everything. I didn’t think—”
    â€œYeah. Speaking of bad luck,” Angel interrupted. “What about Darryl?”
    I felt a chill at the back of my neck. My throat tightened. “Yes, I know,” I murmured softly. “Darryl . . .”
    â€œYou told him not to come around anymore,” Angel said. “You told him you wanted him out of your life.”
    I swallowed hard. “That didn’t mean anything to Darryl. He didn’t believe me. And . . . and . . .” My voice caught in my throat. “He thinks I want him to kill those girls. Melanie and Margie.”
    â€œYou have to talk to him again,” Angel urged. “You have to make it clear to him—”
    â€œYou know Darryl!” I cried. “He’s out of control! He doesn’t listen to a word I say.”
    Jasmine picked up her magazine. She pushed her wavy, blond hair behind her shoulders and settledback against the couch. “You won’t feel safe around Chris,” she said softly, “unless you do something about Darryl.”
    I knew she was right. But what could I do?
    I started to reply—but cried out when I heard a clattering sound at the front door.
    I froze as I heard the front door slam open.
    Voices. A man, then a woman.
    Who is it? I wondered. Who would come here so late at night?
    â€œQuick! Hide!” I whispered to my roommates.
    I dropped behind the couch. Then I crawled into the dining room.
    I stayed down on the floor. Turned. Peered back into the front room.
    Flashlights played over the floor, swept up the walls.
    Who is it? I wondered. Who? What are they doing here?
    And then I heard a man’s voice, close, very close. He said, “We’ve found her.”

chapter
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13
    T he words chilled me.
    I pulled my head back. I froze, thinking hard.
    Did they see me?
    Should I scramble to my feet and make a run for it? Can I make it to the back door before they catch me?
    â€œYes. We’ve definitely found her.” The woman’s voice this time.
    â€œWe’ve found the house we’ve been looking for,” the man said. “Thank you for showing her to us again. Sorry about it being so late.”
    â€œNo problem,” another woman replied. “I knew this old house was right for you two. I don’t mind showing a house at any hour, if I know the people are really