The Third Evil Read Free Page B

with emotion. “No! We’ll find it. We’ll stop it. Somehow we’ll stop it, Kimmy.”
    Kimmy nodded but didn’t reply.
    Corky stared hard at her. She wanted to reassure Kimmy. She wanted to convince Kimmy that the evil spirit no longer possessed her.
    As Corky studied her friend’s face through the thickening shadows, doubts began to gnaw at her mind.
    Would Kimmy know if the evil spirit was still inside her?
    If she did know, would she
admit
it?
    As Corky stared at her, Kimmy’s face began to glow. Her blue eyes lit up as if from some inner light.
    Corky shut her eyes.
    When she opened them, her friend appeared to be normal again.
    â€œCall you later,” Corky said, and took off on a run up to her house.
    *   *   *
    â€œHi, I’m home!”
    Corky closed the front door behind her and stepped into the living room. “Anyone home?”
    No reply.
    The house smelled good. Corky inhaled deeply. She recognized the aroma of a roasting chicken from the kitchen.
    Home, sweet home, she thought, feeling a little cheered.
    She turned toward the stairway. A pile of neatly folded clothing lay on the bottom step. Laundry day. Corky stooped to pick up the bundle, then made her way up the stairs to deposit it in her room.
    Cradling the freshly laundered clothes in both arms, she stepped into her bedroom. Her eyes went to the windows, where the white curtains were fluttering. Then to the bed.
    â€œNo!”
    The clothing fell from her arms as she began screaming.
    Lying in her bed, tucked under the covers, was the hideous, bloated head of a corpse.

Chapter 3
Night Visitors

    C orky stood gaping in horror at the lifeless, distorted face. She didn’t see the closet door swing open.
    â€œApril Fool!” Her little brother Sean leapt out and began laughing uproariously.
    â€œSean!”
    He slapped his knees, then dropped to the floor and began rolling on the carpet, uttering high-pitched, hysterical peals of laughter. “April Fool! April Fool!”
    â€œSean—you’re
not
funny!” Corky cried angrily. She swung her arm, playfully trying to slug him, but he rolled out of her reach, still laughing.
    â€œStop it!” Corky snapped. “Really, Sean! You’re not funny. You’re just
dumb.”
    Stepping over the clothing she’d dropped, Corky strode over to the bed.
    How could I have fallen for this? she asked herself.The stupid head doesn’t even look real. It’s all green and lumpy. And it has only one ear!
    â€œGotcha!” Sean taunted, getting the most from his victory.
    â€œI only pretended to be scared,” Corky told him, turning away from the bed.
    â€œYeah. Sure,” he exclaimed sarcastically. “I gotcha, Corky!” He climbed to his feet, ran to the bed, and grabbed up the head in two hands. “Think fast!” He heaved it at her.
    Corky stumbled backward but caught it.
    â€œCool, huh?” Sean asked, grinning. “I made it myself. Out of papier-mâché. In art class.”
    Corky turned it in her hands, examining it, a frown on her face. “What kind of grade did you get for this mess?” she demanded. “An F?”
    â€œWe don’t get grades in art, stupid!” Sean replied.
    â€œDon’t call me names,” Corky snapped.
    â€œI didn’t. I just said you were stupid.”
    She tossed the disgusting head back to him. “Watch out. I’m going to pay you back,” she warned playfully. “It’s my turn next.”
    â€œOooh, I’m scared. I’m soooo scared!” he said sarcastically.
    She hurried over to him, and before he could escape, reached up with both hands and messed up his blond hair. He punched her hard in the shoulder.
    Then they went down to dinner.
    That night, with a full moon casting a wash of shimmering, pale blue light into the room, Bobbi floated through Corky’s bedroom window.
    Corky watched her sister hover