Wanted by R. L. Stine

felt it erupt inside me. My body churned — as if I were vomiting my anger!
    An animal roar burst from deep down. A terrifying, menacing bellow of horror. So loud and furious, it even frightened me .
    But I couldn’t stop the anger. I lost myself. Lost Lu-Ann. Lost myself in the boiling sea of anger. Sank into it. Sank deep into the red, blinding red of my hate and fury.
    I raised my eyes to the costumed kids in Polly’s living room. They were still laughing. The idiots. The stupid jerks. They thought I was putting on some kind of show.
    I’ll show them it isn’t pretend.
    I attacked. I leaped over the banister and landed on a boy in a mummy costume. We both toppled to the floor. I wrapped my hands around his throat and squeezed until he squeaked.
    Then I jumped to my feet. I lowered my shoulder and ran into a couple of girls. They fell backward and slammed into a wall.
    I tossed back my head and let out another furious roar.
    Kids weren’t laughing anymore. Now they were screaming. Now they were backing away in fright.
    Ha.
    I leaped up and ripped streamers off the ceiling. I knocked over a table and sent a lamp crashing to the floor. “Stop! Stop! Lu-Ann — stop!” I heard Mrs. Martin screaming.
    I grabbed a pumpkin pie off the food table and smashed it in her face. Then I hoisted up the food table in both hands and tipped it on its side.
    All the food and drinks slid to the floor. The punch bowl shattered into a million pieces, sending the orange drink pooling over the carpet.
    Kids screamed in terror. I saw a couple of girls run out the front door.
    Polly had a phone to her ear. Was she calling the police?
    I didn’t care. I couldn’t control myself. Couldn’t control my red rage.
    I ripped a painting off the wall and smashed its glass frame against the banister.
    Kids shrieked and screamed.
    I loved it!
    Polly’s mom was still wiping pie off her face. I heaved a vase at the wall. She spun toward me and sprang forward, trying to tackle me.
    With a cry, I dodged past her outstretched arms. I took a flying leap and dove right through the living-room window.
    Glass shattered and crashed all around me.
    I landed on my knees. Then I climbed quickly to my feet. And took off, roaring down the street, screaming like a crazed animal.

The cool night air felt good on my hot face. I was panting hard, my chest heaving up and down.
    I ran to the street. Stopped at the bottom of Polly’s driveway. And ripped the mailbox off its pole. I threw it at the house.
    My shoes slapped the pavement as I ran along the sidewalk. I knew I should stop running. I knew I should try to fight this anger.
    But it was too powerful. I wasn’t strong enough to battle it.
    I felt sooooo ANGRY.
    I saw three little kids trick-or-treating at a brightly decorated house across the street. I waited till they were halfway down the front lawn. Then I ran up to them, roaring.
    I grabbed their candy bags and ripped them to pieces. Candy went flying over the grass. Two of the kids started to cry.
    That made me laugh.
    I tipped over a bike in the next driveway. I bent down, grabbed a sprinkler hose — and ripped the hose in two with my bare hands. Water went gushing over the lawn.
    What next? What next?
    I turned the corner and ran, searching for more trick-or-treaters to scare.
    I slowed down when I heard sounds behind me. Heavy footsteps on the pavement. I heard a shout.
    Who was coming after me?
    I spun around — and saw Marcus and Brad running fast.
    â€œLu-Ann — wait up! Lu-Ann!” Marcus called breathlessly.
    â€œStop! We want to help you!” Brad cried.
    â€œHelp me?” I grunted in a raspy voice that wasn’t mine. “ You want to help me? Here’s what I think about your help!”
    I grabbed Brad and sank my teeth into his shoulder.
    He screamed, more in surprise than in pain.
    I laughed and let him go. I could feel thick drool running down my chin. I slid my fangs