Cheerleaders: The New Evil Read Free Page B

yell.
    â€œWhat was that big crowd around Jay?” Corky asked. “I saw you running over to him.”
    â€œGary and Jay collided. Jay thought he broke his nose!” Alex declared, snickering.
    â€œHuh?” Corky lowered her legs and sat up. “Was he okay?”
    â€œWith his nose, who could tell?” Alex joked.
    â€œHe’s supposed to be your best friend,” Corky scolded playfully.
    â€œDoes that mean I have to like his nose?” Alex shot back.
    They both laughed. Corky leaned closer to Alex.
    The road curved up along the Conononka River, past dark trees, shivering in a brisk wind. Through the trees, Corky glimpsed a solid blanket of white.
    â€œThe river is completely frozen over,” she murmured, feeling a little relieved.
    â€œWhy’d you want to come up here?” Alex demanded, pumping the brake pedal as the car started to spin at a curve.
    â€œSlow down!” Corky instructed. “If we go over the side—”
    Alex finished the sentence for her. “We’ll be dead—and my dad will go ballistic because I bent up his new car.”
    The tires crunched over the hard snow. He eased the car to a stop at the side of the road before they made it all the way to the top of the overlook. Swaying tree branches cracked above them.
    Alex shifted the car into park and left the engine running. He rubbed his hands together, warming them in front of the heater vent. “So why’d you want to come up here?” he repeated, a smile crossing his face.
    He leaned toward her, reached out, and pulled her close. Before Corky could resist, he was kissing her.
    His nose felt cold, but his lips were warm. Corky snuggled against him, returning the kiss.
    She ended it by gently pushing him back. “That isn’t why I wanted to drive up here,” she said softly.
    He pursed his lips into an exaggerated pout. “You sure?” He reached for her again as Corky pushed open her door. And climbed out of the car.
    The sudden cold surprised her, made her gasp. A gust of wind held the car door open. She struggled to close it.
    Gripping the car keys in one hand, Alex came around the front of the car to join her. “If you’re thinking about a swim, forget it!” he joked, shivering.
    She pulled the two sides of his parka together. “Why don’t you zip up?” she asked.
    He shrugged. “Because I’m macho.”
    â€œNo. Because you’re stupid,” she corrected him.
    He did his pout again.
    She laughed and led the way through the trees, her Doc Martens crunching over the hard snow. The cold wind swirled off the river, making the trees creak and bend.
    Alex hurried to catch up with her. He pulled the parka hood over his head and then took her hand. “N-nice day for a w-walk,” he said, shivering some more.
    â€œI just have to see the river,” Corky told him. “It’s hard to explain.”
    â€œWell, here it is,” Alex announced as they came out of the trees. “It looks like an ice rink.” He tugged her arm. “Can we go back now?”
    â€œIn one second,” she replied. The wind made her eyes water. She shielded them with a gloved hand and squinted out at the frozen river.
    A solid sheet of ice from shore to shore.
    The whipping wind sent sprays of snow up off the frozen surface.
    Yes, it’s totally iced over, Corky saw, beginning to feel a little better. The evil has to be buried still down where I left it. Nothing could escape that solid block of ice.
    Nothing. Not even the evil.
    And then Corky’s eyes settled on something and she let out a low, startled cry.
    And pointed in horror.
    She gripped the sleeve of Alex’s parka. “What’s that?” Corky cried.

Chapter 4

NIGHT VISITOR
    A lex’s eyes darted over the ice. “What’s your problem?” he asked, sliding an arm around her shoulders.
    â€œWhat is that?” Corky repeated shrilly. The wind