Truth or Dare . . by P.J. Night Page B

no reason. Then my room went icy cold. I was terrified. If just one or two of these things happened, I would think it was a coincidence. Or maybe even my imagination. But all of them, together . . . I mean, how could I imagine those texts? Or my top getting ripped up? Those things are completely real, and you can come see them for yourself if you don’t believe me.
    I need to make this stop NOW, and I have an idea, but I’d like your help. Can you meet me at school tomorrow morning before class starts? Like, eight a.m.? You are my best friend, Leah. Please help.
    <3
    Abby
    Abby read her e-mail to Leah twice before she took a deep breath and sent it. She didn’t know how Leah would respond, but she also knew that if Leah wouldn’t take her seriously, she’d have to move forward on her own.
    No matter how terrifying or dangerous it would be.

CHAPTER 8
    Thursday morning dawned cool and cloudy; Abby woke up earlier than usual after a long and restless night. Even with her bedroom door wide open and Chester sleeping peacefully at the foot of her bed, she had tossed and turned, alert to every little noise in the night. When she finally got out of bed just before her alarm went off, Abby stepped over to the window and saw damp mist seeping out of the woods into her backyard. She shivered as she pulled the gauzy curtains back across the window. She knew that she couldn’t be too careful; there was no telling who—or what—might be out there.
    Then she walked over to her computer to see if Leah had e-mailed her. By the time Abby went to bed, Leah hadn’t responded, which was so unusual it made Abbyeven more anxious. Abby didn’t know anyone who was more addicted to the Internet than Leah, so there was no possible way she hadn’t received the e-mail. The only explanation for her lack of response was that Leah was ignoring her.
    To Abby’s relief, though, she saw that she had an e-mail waiting from Leah. It was short, but Abby didn’t care.
    To: AbbyGirl
    From: Leah601
    Subject: Re: Sorry
    Hey Abby,
    Everything is going to be fine. I’ll meet u @ the flagpole. L.
    Abby got dressed and grabbed a stack of pages that she’d printed off the Internet the night before. When she went to the kitchen, she found her mom drinking coffee and reading the newspaper at the table.
    â€œMorning, Abby,” Mrs. Miller said. “How did you sleep last night? Was your room warm enough?”
    â€œUh, yeah,” Abby said as she grabbed a box of cereal out of the cupboard. “It was fine.”
    â€œYou’re up early today,” Mr. Miller remarked, walking into the room.
    â€œI’m meeting Leah before school,” replied Abby. “We, um, have a project to work on. That reminds me, can she come over after school today?”
    â€œI don’t see why not—as long as it’s okay with her parents,” Mrs. Miller said. “Dad and I are going out to dinner with the Takahashis, remember? So we won’t be here. Do you mind heating up some leftovers for dinner?”
    â€œSure,” Abby said, grateful that her parents would be out. “Leah and I will mostly be working on that project.”
    â€œWell, we’ll probably be home around eight. Then we can drive Leah home,” Mr. Miller said. “Speaking of rides, do you want me to drive you to school? I’m headed out for work in a few minutes.”
    Abby smiled at her dad as she quickly ate her cereal. “That would be great. Thanks, Dad.” When she was finished, she put her bowl in the sink and said, “Okay, I’m off. See you tonight, Mom.”
    â€œBye, Abby,” Mrs. Miller replied. “Have a good day!”
    Abby pulled on her coat and picked up her backpack as her mom went back to the newspaper. Standing in the cozy, cheerful kitchen, it was hard to believe thatsuch scary things had been happening. Abby wished, briefly, that they would just stop on