Something Deadly This Way Comes Read Online Free PDF

pointing out the empty seat in front of Tammy.
    Nakita sat stiffly, her nose wrinkled as if she smelled something bad. I agreed with her. I hadn’t ridden the bus since I’d gotten my car a year ago. ’Course my car was still in Florida with my mom, but I’d rather ride my bike in the rain for five miles than take the bus now. I gingerly leaned back, my feet spread wide for balance as I fell into the half-aware stupor that the bus had always engendered in me. Slowly Nakita’s posture eased as she took in my slouch and the barely contained havoc of the rest of the bus. It was noisy. I’d forgotten that part. Oh, joy.
    The bus lurched, and I propped myself straight as we hit the main road. Slowly the noise evened out and the roaring of the diesel became a background hum. Okay, I’d found Tammy. Now the question was, how could I convince her to stay home tonight so her apartment wouldn’t catch on fire, Johnny wouldn’t die, and she wouldn’t lose faith in herself and the world? It wasn’t like I could turn around in the seat and tell her to make a better decision or her brother was going to go to the big arcade in the sky.
    â€œOh, it’s to die for!” a loud voice said, too bold to be comfortable on my ears. “I saw it last night. His pants are so tight you could bounce a peanut butter cup off them, and I swear, his shirt had a new button undone in every scene.”
    â€œGood God, Jennifer,” Tammy said. “What is it with you comparing boys to food?”
    â€œSo what?” the loud voice protested. “I’m going to see it again tonight. With Chris. You want to come? We can invite Dan and double date.”
    â€œI’ve got homework,” a new voice said from right behind me, sort of a soft, quiet voice that sounded like it belonged to someone who had been beaten down one too many times by her friends. I knew that voice. It had never been mine, but I knew it.
    â€œHomework,” Jennifer snorted. “I knew you wouldn’t come. I was talking to Tammy.”
    Beside me, Nakita started fiddling with her amulet. I glared at her, not wanting her to draw her sword. Barnabas would have a fit.
    â€œCome on, Tammy,” Jennifer coaxed. “You like Dan, right? Now’s your chance to find out how good he can kiss.”
    â€œUh . . . my mom . . .” Tammy started, and Jennifer laughed.
    â€œPle-e-e-ease!” she moaned. “There is no way your mom will find out. She’s working.”
    â€œYeah, but it’s not like I can sneak out with Johnny around. The little brat will tattle on me.”
    â€œSo wait until he’s asleep. We’re going to the late show, anyway.”
    The image of a burning building drifted before my eyes, and again, the terror of Tammy seeing the quietly flashing ambulance with its small, covered stretcher filled me. I turned my head just enough so I could see Jennifer leaning over the back of Tammy’s seat, her arms dangling. Her expression was mocking, and I recognized that pissed look Tammy was now wearing. I’d been goaded by people I thought were my friends, too. She was going to do it, not because she wanted to sit in a dark theater with Dan, but because she didn’t want Jennifer to think she was chicken.
    â€œLook,” Jennifer said, gum snapping, “wait for your mom to call at nine, like she always does, and then come out when bug boy is asleep. Easy peasy. You’ll be home by twelve thirty.”
    The girl who had begged off with homework had her lips pressed, silently telling Tammy to say no. Jennifer saw it and pulled back a little. “You’re chicken,” she said derisively.
    I sighed, knowing what was going to happen next.
    â€œAm not!”
    I held the edge of the seat as we took a corner, looking away when Jennifer’s eyes met mine for a second. “Then I’ll see you at ten thirty,” the girl said, and I