The Second Horror Read Free Page A

Brandt stepped into the pale glow from the hall light. “Brandt? What’s going on?” his father asked. Brandt rubbed the little scar on his cheek. His mother came running out of the bedroom, her features tight with concern. “Brandt, you look terrible!” she cried. “What happened?” “I heard noises. In the attic,” Brandt replied breathlessly. “I went up to investigate. I—I found a raccoon.” “Is it still up there?” his father demanded, gazing past Brandt to the attic door. “It’s gone,” Brandt told them. “I forced it back outside.”
    “Thank goodness!” Mrs. McCloy cried, raising both hands to her cheeks. “Who left the attic window open?” “I—I should tell you something else,” Brandt started hesitantly. “I think the raccoon might have had rabies. It was acting very strangely. It attacked me.” Mr. McCloy took Brandt by the arm and began to check him over. “Did it bite you or scratch you anywhere?” “I don’t think so,” Brandt said. “I think I’m okay.” “Let’s make sure,” Mr. McCloy said. He led Brandt into his room and made him stand under the light. Brandt’s parents carefully checked his arms, his throat and face, his chest. “I don’t see any marks,” Mr. McCloy announced with a sigh of relief. “But you’ve got to be more careful, Brandt,” his mother said. “What did you think you were doing? You shouldn’t have been up there by yourself, trying to fight a rabid raccoon!” “Your condition, Brandt,” his father reminded him. How could I forget? Brandt thought bitterly. But he kept the thought to himself.
    Cally’s ghost watched Brandt make his way back to his bedroom. Invisible, she floated in the doorway as he slid into bed, pulling the covers up to his chin. Nice going, Brandt, Cally thought, a scornful smile playing over her lips. I wish I could tell you how much I enjoyed your big scene in the attic just now. But I’m not quite ready to reveal myself to you. I will, though. Soon, I will. You are turning out to be very entertaining, Brandt. I enjoyed watching you fight that raccoon. I haven’t had so much fun in ages. You’re so cute looking when you’re scared, Brandt. I like the way your big brown eyes flash, and the way your jaw sticks out when you clench your teeth. Cute. Real cute. Cally watched Brandt roll onto his side. Can’t get to sleep, huh? she thought. Still thinking about your narrow escape? Well, you don’t have to worry about getting rabies, Brandt. That raccoon didn’t have rabies. There’s another reason that it acted so strangely. There’s something else that made it act viciously. The evil, Brandt. The evil in this house. But there will be time to discover that. Plenty of time. Better get your sleep, Brandt. Better rest up, Cally told him silently. Because I have lots of excitement in store for you. You and I are going to be really good friends.

Chapter 5
    Brandt slept late the next morning. His room was dark, but glancing at his clock, he saw that it was already after ten. Through the thick cover
    of trees outside the window, he thought he spotted a patch of blue October sky. A sunny Sunday, he thought with satisfaction. A good day for a long drive. I’ve got to get away from Mom and Dad for a couple of hours. They’re working my nerves. Downstairs he found his parents in the driveway unloading groceries from the battered blue minivan. “Go help your mother,” his father ordered. “There’s a twelve-pound turkey in the backseat, and I don’t want her to strain her back lifting it.” Brandt carried the turkey into the house for his mother. “We practically bought out the store,” she told him. “I’ve got roast beef, chicken, vegetables, cake mix—What would you like for dinner tonight, Brandt?” “Roast beef sounds good,” Brandt replied, shoving the turkey into the refrigerator. “I’ll make a devil’s food cake too,” Mrs. McCloy said. “Have you finished unpacking your room, Brandt?” his