All-Night Party Read Online Free PDF Page B

ahead, through the trembling branches, Gretchen could see the lights from the cabin.
    Okay, it’s not so far. I can make it.
    Then she heard something else.
    A scraping sound.
    Up ahead of her.
    Gretchen stopped. “Who’s there?” she called out.
    No answer.
    â€œIs anyone there?” she called again.
    Still no answer.
    â€œMarco, if that’s you, I don’t think it’s funny,” Gretchen called into the darkness.
    No answer.
    The scraping grew louder.
    Gretchen felt her body trembling with fear. She held her breath and listened.
    Something was out there.
    Coming closer.
    The sound vanished. Gretchen’s body sagged in relief. She took a gulp of air.
    No one’s there. I’m freaking out over nothing. It was only an animal. That’s all.
    She searched for the cabin lights again. But she couldn’t see them through the thick brush.
    It’s out there, somewhere, she reassured herself. I know it.
    She took a few steps forward, but stopped when another sound ripped through the silence of the night.
    The sound of breathing .
    Human breathing.
    â€œWho’s there?” Gretchen cried out.
    No answer.
    But the breathing grew heavier.
    Gretchen’s mouth turned dry. She stopped andleaned against a tree trunk. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribs.
    If it was Hannah or Gil or anyone else from the cabin, they’d answer.
    Unless…
    Unless it wasn’t someone from the cabin.
    And if it wasn’t one of her friends…
    Gretchen’s stomach tightened as she realized who it might be.
    The escaped prisoner .
    I’ve got to run, she decided. But before she could move, a figure leapt out of the woods.
    And grabbed her.

Chapter
12

    G retchen opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
    Marco laughed.
    â€œGotcha again!” he exclaimed, holding her tightly.
    â€œYou idiot!” Gretchen shrieked.
    She furiously pounded her fists on his chest. “You’re sick! You’re really sick!”
    â€œWhoa—calm down,” Marco protested. “It was only a joke.”
    â€œJoke? I told you about the escaped prisoner! What were you thinking?”
    â€œGretchen, lighten up.”
    â€œLet me go!” Gretchen cried, struggling to break away from him. “Let me go!”
    Marco dropped his arms and backed away. “What’syour problem? All night long you’ve been avoiding me. You act as if you don’t even want me here.”
    â€œI don’t!” Gretchen blurted out.
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYou weren’t supposed to be here. I purposely didn’t invite you,” she admitted.
    Marco’s face grew tight as he stared at Gretchen. She’d seen that expression before. Right before he lost his temper.
    Gretchen braced herself and watched his reaction.
    â€œWhat did I do?” Marco asked.
    â€œNothing,” Gretchen replied, shaking her head. “It’s just that—” She stopped. She didn’t know how to explain.
    But she had to tell him. “Listen, I didn’t invite you because I didn’t want to see you. I guess I don’t want to see you anymore.”
    â€œHuh?” Marco took a step toward Gretchen. She backed away from him.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Gretchen?” Marco asked. He sneered at her. “Scared of me?”
    â€œNo. No, I’m not,” she replied, taking another step back.
    His hand reached into the back pocket of his jeans. He pulled out a slim, shiny metal object.
    Her eyes widened with shock and her breath caught in her throat.
    A switchblade glistened in the palm of his hand.
    Marco pressed a button, and the blade snapped out.
    â€œWhat are you doing with that thing?” Gretchen cried. “Put it away.”
    â€œI need it,” Marco answered quietly. “I need it.”
    Gretchen inched away from Marco. She tried not to stare at the knife in his hand. But she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
    â€œI