Home Alone Read Free

years ago he murdered his whole family and half the people on his block with a snow shovel. He's been hiding out in this neighborhood ever since."
    "If he's the slayer," Rod said, "how come the cops don't arrest him?"
    "Lack of evidence," Buzz said. "They never found the bodies. But everyone around here knows he did it. It's just a matter of time before he does it again."
    Buzz turned and gave Kevin a scary look. "Right, Kev?"
    Kevin backed into the corner and didn't answer.
    "What's he doing?" Rod asked, pointing out the window. Marley was standing at the street curb, using the shovel to clear a clogged sewer grate.
    "Maybe he dumps the bodies in the sewer," Rod said.
    "Naw, he's just trying to fake people out. He hides the bodies in his basement," Buzz said. He turned to Kevin. "You know all those mannequins Mom keeps in our basement?"
    Kevln nodded.
    "I bet Marley's basement looks just like that," said Buzz. "Except instead of mannequins, they're . . . real . . . dead . . . bodies!"
    Kevin's eyes went wide. That was it! He'd heard enough! He was going to find Mom! He ran out the door . . . and ran right into his father. Kevin grabbed his father's leg and held tight. Back in the room, Buzz and Rod were laughing.
    Why did everyone laugh? Kevin wondered.
    "You look like you've seen a ghost," Peter said.
    Kevin just trembled. Peter stuck his head into Buzz's room. "If you played the music lower You'd know the pizza's here."
    "Pizza!" Buzz shouted. He and Rod burst out of the room. Peter looked down at Kevin, who still clinging to his leg.
    "Hey" there's nothing to be scared of," Peter said.
    Kevin shrugged and held tighter to his father's leg.
    "I'm looking forward to the day when you're as big as Buzz," Peter said.
    "So am I," answered Kevin.
    Harry looked at his watch. It was going on forty-five minutes and he still hadn't spoken to an actual responsible head of the household. Two teenagers had recently run past, but neither looked very responsible. Next to him the pizza boy was getting impatient.
    "Don't they know time is money?" he asked.
    I've got the time, Harry thought, looking around. And they've got the money.
    A responsible-looking gentleman now started down the stairs, accompanied by a little kid.
    "Excuse me," Harry said. "Are you the Mr. McCallister who actually lives here?"
    "Uh, yes," said Peter.
    "Great," the pizza boy cut in before Harry could continue. "Because someone owes me a hundred-and-twenty-two bucks."
    Kevin stared up at Harry in wonder. He'd never seen a gold tooth before. Harry noticed the kid staring at him funny. It gave him the creeps, but he had to keep up the charade.
    "And I need a word with you sir," Harry said.
    "My wife will be down in a second," Peter said. "She'll take care of both of you."
    Peter and Kevin left. For the first time that evening Harry didn't mind being left alone. He was glad to get rid of that kid.

December 21

    Oak Park

    7 P.M.
    By the time Kevin got to the kitchen, there were open pizza boxes all over the place. Everyone was taking slices and cups of soda.
    "Use paper plates, everyone!" Aunt Leslie squeaked. "And don't give Fuller any Pepsi."
    Kevin grabbed a plate and headed for the nearest pizza box, but Uncle Frank put out a fat hand and stopped him. " Parlez-vous fran çais yet, squirt?"
    Everyone stopped talking and stared at Kevin.
    "My name isn't squirt," he said. "It's Kevin."
    "Yeah," said Frank. "Know what they're gonna call you in France?"
    "What?" asked Kevin.
    Frank reached around his waist and grabbed hold of his pants. "Yank!" Uncle Frank shouted, yanking down Kevin's pants. Everyone laughed. Kevin quickly pulled up his pants. He was so angry he wanted to punch Uncle Frank in his fat face. But he was hungry so he went for the pizza instead. In the meantime everyone started talking again.
    "What time do we have to go to bed?" little Fuller asked, his face smeared red with pizza sauce.
    "Early," said Uncle Frank, his face also smeared with pizza sauce.