I turned off the light and huddled under the covers. I stared at the ceiling. At the walls.
At the phone.
I didn’t sleep all night.
The next day I dragged around school like a zombie. But the bell for fourth period woke me with a start.
Fourth period. Mr. Crowell’s class.
I walked toward the room. Wide awake with pure fear.
I thought of going to the nurse’s office and pretending I felt sick. But I couldn’t desert Jordan, Cassie, and Lenny.
I reached the room as the last bell rang. Everyone else had taken a seat. I clutched my books to my chest and quickly found my seat.
Mr. Crowell’s tiny black eyes were fixed on me. Any second I expected him to shout out my name. To accuse me, in front of everyone, of trashing his house. To accuse the four of us.
But he didn’t say a word. Just stared at me coldly.
My hands trembled as I opened my notebook and looked up at the board. Mr. Crowell turned to the board and began furiously writing an algebra equation. The chalk made a scratchy sound that gave me chills.
I glanced over at Cassie. She chewed the top of her pen. Then she turned to me and, without making a sound, she mouthed the words, “Think he knows?”
I shrugged. Just then, Mr. Crowell spun around and stared at Cassie. “Give me the next step in this equation,” he demanded.
Cassie shifted in her seat and cleared her throat.
“Well? We don’t have all day,” he snapped.
She mumbled some numbers and Crowell wrote them on the board.
“But I nearly caught you,” he said to Cassie. “Didn’t I?”
Cassie sat up even straighter. She blinked, but didn’t answer.
Then Crowell stared at me again with his cold black eyes. I felt like an insect pinned to a dissection tray. My stomach clenched in a hard knot.
Finally, his gaze moved to Lenny.
Lenny stared right back at him. His arms crossed over his chest. His jaw thrust out. He didn’t look the least bit nervous.
Only I knew he was really freaked. Lenny has a habit of crossing his legs and shaking his foot when he’s nervous. His foot was shaking so fast that his desk vibrated.
Crowell moved in front of Lenny. A cruel grin twisted his lips. Then he asked Lenny for the next step in the equation.
Cassie and I glanced at each other.
Was Crowell baiting Lenny? Just to have more fun when he finally accused him of breaking into his house?
Lenny stared at the board a long time. Crowell came even closer. He stared down at Lenny with his crow eyes.
Finally, Lenny gave the right answer.
Crowell turned away.
What was Mr. Crowell thinking? I wondered.
Did he see us in his house? Did he know who stole his CD player? Did he know who moved his stuff around?
Maybe he was waiting until the end of class to corner us. What would he do? I could hardly keep still in my seat as I watched the big clock over the door. Each minute of class felt like an hour.
I sneaked secret looks at Jordan, Cassie, and Lenny. Crowell droned on, scratching out more equations.
Finally, the bell rang. I stood up slowly, weak in the knees. I gathered up my books. Everyone raced past me and rushed out the door.
Mr. Crowell’s eyes met mine. I dropped my math book.
I always stuff my graded papers in between the pages. The papers flew out of the book and scattered across the floor.
I knelt down and frantically grabbed them. I didn’t dare look up to see if Mr. Crowell was watching me. My hands shook as I picked up the papers. Then my science book fell and more papers hit the floor.
Crowell came over to help. “Diane, will you please stay for a few minutes?” he asked. “I want to talk to you.”
My heart missed a beat. I couldn’t say anything. Mr. Crowell handed me my old assignments, and I stuffed them into my book. We were all alone.
This was it. The moment I dreaded. He had seen me at his house. He was about to accuse me.
Mr. Crowell strolled back to his desk. He leaned casually against it.
“You’re a good student, Diane.”
I stared at him as if he had gone crazy. I rubbed a finger across my top lip to wipe away the sweat.
“Th-thanks, Mr. Crowell,” I mumbled. When would he get to the point?
“I was wondering how you’re doing on your midterm project,” he continued. “Do you need any help?”
My midterm project?
I couldn’t even remember what my project was about. Relief flooded through me.
“No, Mr. Crowell,” I said, trying to keep my voice from quivering. “Everything is fine. I’m almost done.”
He smiled. “Very good. You chose a difficult topic. I wanted to make sure you were clear on it. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. That’s what I’m here for.”
I could hardly believe it. Since when was Mr. Crowell so considerate? Was this his Christmas spirit or something? Was it possible that he hadn’t recognized us?
“I’ll make sure I see you if I have any problems,” I promised. “Can I go now?”
He studied me for a moment and then nodded. “See you tomorrow.”
I dashed out the door.
My friends waited for me at my locker. They looked worried as I hurried up to them.
Lenny reached out to hug me.
“Did Crowell keep you after?” Lenny asked. “I looked around and you weren’t behind me.”
“I dropped my book,” I answered. “And you guys ran out of the classroom so quick, I was all alone with him.”
“What did he say?” Cassie asked. She bit on her lower lip. “Does he know?”
“Did he say anything about last night?” Jordan demanded.
“Not a word.” I shook my head. “He wanted to know how my midterm project is coming.”
Cassie drew a deep breath. Jordan let out a nervous giggle.
“I think the Night Games have to stop,” I announced.
“Why?” Lenny asked. “Crowell doesn’t know who broke into his house. He would have come down on us if he did.”
“Maybe he doesn’t know now,” I answered, “but I’m afraid he’s going to find out.”
“Diane is right,” Cassie said. “He kept staring at us during the whole class. This isn’t fun anymore. I want to stop, too.”
“Just chill, you two,” Jordan scoffed. “He doesn’t have a clue.”
“That’s right,” Lenny agreed. “Every kid in school hates him. It could have been anyone. He’s so mean, it could have been his mother!”
Jordan chuckled. Even Cassie smiled.
I didn’t think it was so funny.
These Night Games had started as harmless fun. Something different. Exciting. But now I didn’t know where we were headed.
“Come on, Diane. Lighten up,” Lenny said, squeezing my arm. Then he glanced at Jordan. I could tell they thought I was acting like a wimp.
But I didn’t like what was happening. Shaking my head, I turned to my locker and yanked open the door.
“Someone called me last night after I got home,” I told the others.
Lenny’s smile disappeared. His eyes narrowed. “Who called you?” he demanded jealously.
“I don’t know. But someone knows what we did at Mr. Crowell’s. The person threatened me.”
I’m not sure why I did it. But I turned my gaze toward Jordan.
He frowned. And then he blushed.
Weird. Jordan blushing? He never blushes.
He glanced away.
“Who would threaten you?” Lenny asked.
I shrugged. The voice had sounded so familiar. Yet, I couldn’t figure out who it was.
Bryan came to mind. But I didn’t mention him. I knew if I mentioned his name, Lenny would start a fight.
“This is serious, Diane,” Lenny said. “If you even have a wild guess, you’d better tell.”
“I know it’s serious!” I cried. I twisted away from him. “That’s why we’ve got to stop. It’s just plain stupid to keep doing it. What if the caller phones the police?”
Lenny frowned. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he admitted. “If someone is watching us, we have to stop.”
“I think you’re all getting bent out of shape over nothing,” Jordan scoffed.
“Diane was threatened,” Lenny replied in a tough voice. “I don’t call that nothing.”
“I’m all for stopping,” Cassie said eagerly.
“Well, we need to tell Spencer,” I said.
Jordan rolled his eyes. “Great. He’ll think we’re all total wimps.”
“Grow up, Jordan!” Cassie snapped. “Who cares what he thinks? We’re the ones who have to face Crowell every day.”
“Fine,” Jordan replied. “Let’s go to his house after school.”
I met my friends in the parking lot after last period, and we walked over to Spencer’s house together.
Lenny knocked on the front door and rang the bell. No answer.
“Doesn’t look like he’s home from school yet,” Jordan said.
“He’s probably hanging out with someone interesting over at St. Ann’s,” Jordan said.
“You mean someone like a girl?” Lenny scoffed. “Spencer? Give me a break!”
“Hey, it could happen,” Cassie replied with a little smile. “Spencer is pretty cute now—not like he used to be.”
Jordan chuckled. “Well, he’s not fat anymore. But he’s still weird looking.”
“He is one ugly dude,” Lenny agreed with a harsh laugh.
The two guys cracked up and Cassie made a face at them.
“I guess we can’t talk to Spencer now,” I said. “Let’s just tell him tomorrow.”
I had dinner at Cassie’s house and stayed to study for our vocab test together. By the time I left, it was nearly nine o’clock.
The day had been cold and overcast. After dark, the mist from the river floated up into the town. A light snow fell.
I walk home from Cassie’s house all the time. I usually don’t mind being out at night all alone. But tonight, I felt nervous.
I found myself thinking about the phone call. The raspy voice. The knowledge that someone had followed me. Watched me when I didn’t even realize it.
Was someone watching me now?
I glanced quickly over my shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something—or someone—moving out of the shadows.
Then I realized that it was only a mailbox tilting in the wind.
Get a grip, Diane, I scolded myself. You’re freaking out over a mailbox.
I took a deep breath and kept walking. Down two more blocks and left at the stop sign. I told myself I was acting stupid, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched.
I sensed someone close behind me.
Hiding in the misty shadows.
I turned down my street. My house came into sight. A warm yellow light shone in the front windows.
I started past our neighbor’s yard. Thick boxwood hedges lined the sidewalk. I remembered how I hid in them when I was a little kid. They were so thick, no one could find me.
As I walked past, a hand shot from the hedges and caught my wrist in a strong grip. Fingers dug hard into my skin.
I screamed. My books flew out of my arms as I twisted to loosen the grip.
The hand tightened, twisting my arm up behind my back.
I couldn’t move. I opened my mouth to scream but a hand clamped down over my mouth.
“Diane, what’s your problem?” the attacker cried. “It’s only me!”
Bryan?
I took a gulp of air.
Only Bryan.
Finally the grip on my wrist relaxed. I yanked my arm away and spun to face him. Bryan ran a nervous hand through his thick, brown hair.
My fear slowly drained away. Replaced by anger. “Are you crazy?” I snapped.
“I want to talk,” he answered. “Please.”
“Were you following me?”
He glanced away, then back. “Yes,” he murmured. “I saw you go over to Cassie’s tonight. I came here to wait for you.”
“First your phone calls and now this?” I asked. “What is your problem?”
He gazed at the ground. “Why won’t you give me a chance? I waited out here in the snow all night just to see you.”
“Well, I’m so sorry you had to hang around,” I replied nastily. I turned away from him. But he followed me.
“I won’t leave until you talk to me,” he insisted.
“Go get a life, Bryan,” I snapped. “I don’t want to go out with you. How many times do I have to say it?”
“We could try again,” he pleaded. Bryan stepped toward me, and raised his hands. “Oh, come on, I won’t hurt you,” he said. “You must know that.”
“Go away!” I insisted.
“You deserve a better guy than Lenny,” he whined.
“And I suppose you’re the one I need, huh?”
“You need someone to protect you,” he insisted.
I stared at him in shock. “Protect me? From what?”
“Lenny is a hothead. He’ll get you mixed up in something bad. I know what I’m talking about, Diane.”
How much did he know? Had he been the one following us last night after all?
“You don’t know anything, Bryan,” I snapped. “Why don’t you just leave me alone? I’m not getting back together with you. And I’ve had enough of your threatening phone calls.”
A confused look crossed Bryan’s face. He shook his head. “Huh? Threatening calls?” he asked.
“Stop lying!” I yelled. “You’ve been spying on me! You’ve been watching me and my friends! And you called me and threatened me!”
“What are you talking about?” he cried. “I only called you once. And I didn’t threaten you, Diane. What are you so upset about?”
“Forget it, Bryan,” I said. “Stay away from me.” I turned to run.
But his strong hands closed on my arms and turned me roughly to face him. “I want to talk,” he insisted in a menacing voice. “Why won’t you just talk to me?”
My anger dissolved. Fear flooded through me.
His grip felt so strong. Like a vise.
I gasped and tried to pull away again.
He squeezed harder.
“Let go, Bryan,” I begged. “You’re hurting me. Let go. What are you doing?”