Book of Horrors (Nightmare Hall) Read Online Free PDF

when something in the sky above Rain’s head caught her attention.
    Something black. Circling overhead.
    The black object made no sound, but as the snow began to thicken, blurring Reed’s view, she thought she saw glossy black wings flapping.
    “Why don’t you cut chem and come to Vinnie’s with us?” Link urged. “I’m “starving. It’ll be fun walking while it’s snowing. C’mon.”
    Reed’s eyes remained fixed on the black object in the sky, which seemed to be swooping closer to the science building. It wouldn’t kill her to cut chem, but Lilith and Debrah and Jude were visibly pouting, mad at her for stealing that job out from under their noses. How much fun could eating an early lunch with them be right now?
    But she did want to hear all about the McCoy rumors Link had mentioned. And she was hungry.
    She turned.
    In the sky overhead, the black object turned, too.
    It turned toward Reed.

Chapter 4
    A HARSH SHRIEKING SOUND just above Reed brought her head up. Coarse, bristly feathers brushed against her ear. A claw dug into her shoulder. Another shrieking caw split her eardrum.
    She gasped and staggered backward, throwing up her hands to bat frantically at the air around her.
    Coarse black feathers flapped near her hair. A claw yanked at one long, dark strand and became entangled.
    Reed felt the claws on her shoulder, heard the snapping beak. She covered her eyes and screamed again and again.
    Everyone froze.
    Then Link ripped off his windbreaker and waved it between Reed and the frenzied bird.
    Debrah swung her heavy shoulder bag, but succeeded only in hitting Reed on the arm.
    Jude bent to scoop up a snowball to throw at the bird, but ended up with little more than a handful of flakes.
    Lilith dug into her purse and threw every object she could find: compact, hairbrush, wallet. But the bird hung on tenaciously.
    It was Rain, hearing the commotion and running back to the steps of the science building, who thrust out an arm and snared the bird. He lifted it gently off Reed’s shoulder.
    “Poe,” he said quietly, “what are you doing out here in this weather?”
    Reed sagged against Lilith as the weight was lifted from her shoulder. “Poe?” she breathed, her eyes on Rain, gently cradling the bird in his hands. “That’s your bird that attacked me?”
    “He’s got a bird?” Link said. “With a name?”
    “It wasn’t attacking you, Reed,” Rain said. He unzipped his ski jacket and thrust the bird inside, carefully covering it with the jacket’s folds. “Our jackets are the same color. He thought you were me, so he came down to sit on your shoulder, the way he does on mine.” Glancing down at the bird, he said, “Poe, you scared the lady. Shame on you!”
    “He … he wasn’t attacking?” Reed asked, her fingers gingerly checking her face for scratches. There were none. “He thought I was you?”
    “Got tangled in your hair, that’s all.” Rain partially zipped his jacket, so that only Poe’s beak protruded. “This bird wouldn’t hurt you, Reed. He’s a pet. Tame as a kitten. But he shouldn’t be out in this weather. My mother must have …”
    Left the cage door open, Reed thought. And the door to the cottage.
    “Maybe they went for a walk,” she suggested aloud. “And then Poe got away and went looking for you. And,” she added ruefully, “thought he’d found you when he saw my jacket.”
    Rain shook his head. Long, dark hair brushed the collar of his jacket. “I don’t think McCoy would go out when it’s threatening snow. Too easy to get … lost. But I’d better get this bird back home.” He looked at Reed, apology in his dark eyes. “Sorry about the scare. See you Monday.”
    “You’re not still taking that job, are you?” Link asked, barely waiting until Rain was out of hearing distance. “That bird is nuts! And if that guy’s mother can’t even take a walk in the woods without getting lost, sounds to me like you’re going to be a glorified baby-sitter for