The Taste of Night by R.L. Stine Page A

gasp. “ You ? What are you doing here? Get away !”

chapter thirteen
A SURPRISE REUNION
    THE CIGARETTE FELL FROM HER MOUTH. LIVVY stared at her sister, at her black skirt and white top, her blond hair pulled straight back so neatly, her plastic bracelets on one wrist, everything so neat and perfect.
    Except what was that expression on Destiny’s face? Eyes so wide and chin quivering. Destiny stared at Livvy as if she’d never seen her before.
    And was that fear in her eyes?
    â€œDestiny, go away,” Livvy repeated. “I don’t want to see you.”
    â€œI’m your sister.” Destiny’s voice trembled. “Why are you saying that?”
    Livvy stared at her. “I’m busy right now. I’m waiting for someone. Take a walk, Dee. I mean it.”
    Destiny swallowed. She didn’t move. “You look so different. You cut your hair. You’ve lost weight, haven’t you. And those dark rings around your eyes—”
    â€œHey, no beauty tips, okay,” Livvy snarled. “I don’t read Cosmo Girl anymore.”
    â€œYou’re so pale, Livvy,” Destiny continued. “You look as if you haven’t slept in weeks. Listen to me—”
    â€œNo, you listen to me, Dee,” Livvy said through clenched teeth. “Read my lips: Go away .” She glanced over Destiny’s shoulder. Where was Patrick?
    â€œWas that you this afternoon?” Destiny asked, crossing her arms in front of her. “The bat?”
    â€œExcuse me?” Livvy pulled another cigarette from the pack. Her hand shook as she slid it between her lips. “What bat? I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
    â€œIt wasn’t you?”
    â€œNo way. Were you dreaming or something?”
    I don’t know why I did that, Livvy thought, remembering the afternoon. I’ll never do it again.
    â€œI thought I saw you in the club,” Destiny said, motioning to the entrance with her head. “You didn’t see me, did you? I was with Ari. But I think he left. We had a fight. I feel terrible. He’s so sweet.”
    â€œTell someone who cares,” Livvy said. She yawned.
    Destiny startled her by grabbing her arm. “Come home, Liv. Come home with me right now.”
    Livvy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. Good idea.” She tugged her arm free.
    â€œNo, really,” Destiny insisted. “Dad will find a cure. I know he will. He’s working so hard, Liv. He’ll find a cure for you, and you can be normal again. You know. Back home.”
    Livvy let out an angry cry. “You never could stand to see me have fun!” she shouted. “Get a clue, Dee. I don’t want to go back to that boring life.”
    â€œYes, you do,” Destiny replied, tears in her eyes. “You don’t mean what you’re saying. You can’t like what you’re doing. The way you’re living. You can’t .” A sob escaped her throat.
    Livvy took a deep breath. Her hands were clenched into tight fists at her sides. “Don’t you see? I’ve made my choice. I’m going to live forever. That’s my choice. You want to stay home and see your boring friends and that boring geek Ari, and go to school like a nice girl and be a nice, boring person for the rest of your life. And I’ve made a different choice. That’s all. No big deal, right?”
    â€œBut, Liv—”
    â€œI’m going to live forever. That’s my choice. So get out of my face, Dee. Go away and don’t come back.”
    â€œI…don’t believe you.” Destiny let the tears roll down her cheeks. “You’re my sister. My twin sister. And the two of us belong together. We—”
    â€œWe belong together? Okay!” Livvy cried. She let her fangs slide down over her lips. “You want to stay together forever? Fine. You stay with me .”
    She grabbed Destiny around the waist and