The Second Evil by R.L. Stine Page A

girl!” Corky cried closing her eyes tight, trying to shut out the terrifying screams.
    Opening her eyes, she saw that the girls had stopped cheering and were all staring at her in open-mouthed confusion.

Chapter 8
Corky Is Captured

    â€œC orky, what’s
wrong?”
Kimmy rushed over to her.
    As soon as the cheering stopped, the screaming stopped too. Corky blinked hard, her heart pounding. She felt dizzy. Even though the shrieks had quieted, the sound echoed in her mind, refusing to fade.
    Kimmy gently gripped Corky’s shoulders. “What happened? Are you okay?”
    Corky’s eyes moved from one startled face to another. “Didn’t you hear the screaming?” Corky asked.
    Heather and Megan shook their heads and glanced at each other. Debra stared hard at Corky. Ronnie lowered her eyes. Miss Green had disappeared into her office before the cheer began.
    â€œWe didn’t hear anything,” Kimmy said softly. “Do you want to go sit down?”
    â€œNo.” Corky shook her head and forced a smile. “Guess I’m hearing things.”
    â€œReally. Sit down. Get yourself together,” Kimmy urged, gesturing toward the sidelines.
    â€œNo. Let’s start again,” Corky insisted.
    Debra was fingering her crystal, squeezing it in her fist. When she saw Corky looking at her, she tucked it back under her T-shirt.
    â€œReally,” Corky insisted, stepping back into the line. “I want to try it again.”
    Reluctantly Kimmy moved back to the other end of the line. Ronnie asked her a question. Kimmy shrugged. The other girls moved into place.
    I’m
going
to do this, Corky told herself. I’m
going
to succeed.
    She arched her back, straightened her legs, and waited for Kimmy’s count»
    I’m
going
to do it this time.
    But as soon as the girls started cheering, the frightening screams returned.
    Again. Again. A terrified girl in some kind of terrible trouble. High-pitched, shrill—screaming for her life. Inside Corky’s head.
    â€œNo! Please, please!” Corky cried, covering her ears, dropping to her knees.
    The cheer stopped. So did the screams.
    Kimmy reached down, took Corky’s hand, and gently helped her to her feet. “Corky, what
is
it?”
    â€œThe screams. I heard them again,” Corky managed to stammer, her voice breaking.
    The gym spun in front of her. At the other end of the floor, some of the basketball players had stopped practicing and were asking what the problem was.
    It was all a blur to Corky now. A blur of colors and hushed voices.
    Kimmy led her gently to the wall. “Do you have a headache?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” Corky said uncertainly. “I don’t think so. I mean—I just heard someone screaming.” She stared at Kimmy. “You really didn’t hear it?”
    Kimmy shook her head. “I’ll go get Miss Green. Maybe we should call a doctor or something.”
    â€œNo!” Corky said sharply. “I mean—no doctor. I’ll be okay. I’ll just sit down and watch for a bit. Then maybe I’ll do some round-offs with everyone. You know—limber up.”
    What am I saying? she asked herself, the brightly lit gym still spinning in front of her. I’m babbling like an idiot.
    What is
happening
to me?
    Her face taut with worry, Kimmy spread out her coat for Corky to sit on. “You want some water or something?” Kimmy asked.
    Corky could see the other girls huddled together, talking excitedly. They’d steal quick glances at Corky, then look away, shaking their heads.
    They all think I’m crazy, she thought glumly.
    â€œCorky, can you hear me?” Kimmy asked, standing over her.
    â€œOh. Uh … sorry. No, thanks. I don’t need water.” She stared up at Kimmy, forcing a smile. “I’ll be okay. Go ahead—do the cheer. I’ll watch.”
    Kimmy turned and started to jog back to the others.
    What is that