We met behind Spencer’s house at midnight. The temperature had dropped during the afternoon, and the night air froze my breath into smoky clouds.
I shivered in my leather jacket. Lenny didn’t wear a coat. I don’t think he even noticed the cold.
Jordan and Cassie clung to each other. It was too cold for them to fight. Nobody spoke.
We waited for half an hour before Spencer finally climbed out of his house. He didn’t apologize for being late. Instead he led us off into the night without a word. His expression matched Lenny’s.
Solemn. Determined.
The empty streets echoed our footsteps. I looked at the darkened houses. I imagined people asleep inside. I wished that I was home in my own bed. Not out in the freezing cold, creeping through the shadows.
I watched Spencer as he walked in front of us. He wore all black again. His graceful movements made me think of a panther. A night stalker.
When did he change so much?
We reached Mr. Crowell’s house. It looked empty. No Christmas lights blazing. No car in the driveway.
Lenny crept up to the side window we had used before. I grabbed his arm.
“What if he’s waiting for us in there?” I whispered. Lenny jerked his arm away. I turned to Spencer. “What if he called the police and they’re waiting for us? This is stupid!”
“Come on, Diane,” Spencer urged. “You’ve come this far. It’s only a joke.”
“I don’t care if he’s home or not,” Lenny snarled. “Let’s go in. I hope he is home!”
Lenny pushed past me to get at the window. I couldn’t move. My legs suddenly felt trembly and weak.
The mood tonight frightened me. None of the other Night Games had started this way.
With so much anger.
“Are you coming or not?” Lenny demanded.
Cassie sighed and clung to Jordan. Jordan nodded.
I slowly followed him inside. I was so afraid, I expected Mr. Crowell to jump out at me at any second.
I took a single step into the dark room.
A loud crash made me scream.
My foot had tangled in an electric cord. I had knocked a lamp to the floor.
My friends snickered at me. I picked up the lamp and put it back. My hands shook as I patted the bent lamp shade back into shape.
The house was totally dark.
Cassie linked her arm through mine. I felt her trembling.
The guys fanned out into the room. Lenny stood directly in front of me.
The moon came from behind a cloud and washed eerie, white light through a window. It glinted off the metal in Lenny’s hand.
A gun?
No! Not Lenny. Not a gun.
“Lenny!” I cried. “Are you crazy? What are you going to do with that?”