The Evil Lives! Read Online Free PDF Page A

rose from the chair and slid her feet into a pair of blue flip-flops. “The whole thing sounds crazy, I know. But people did die. And nobody could ever explain those deaths.”
    Amanda thought of Corky’s letter again. “What about now? I mean, is the spirit supposed to be dead? Or could it be called up again?”
    Adele shot her a suspicious glance. “Why are you asking these questions, Amanda? You haven’t done anything to disturb the spirit—have you?”
    Amanda turned away so Adele wouldn’t see her face and know she was lying. “No,” she replied. “Of course not.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    We haven’t done anything to disturb the Evil, Amanda thought as she pulled into the student parking lot at Shadyside High the next afternoon.
    We haven’t.
    And we won’t.
    She still didn’t know whether to believe in the evil spirit. It sounded totally crazy, like something from a horror movie.
    But people had died, as Adele said.
    Was it just a bunch of horrible accidents? Or had one of the cheerleaders really been possessed?
    I don’t want to find out, Amanda decided as she climbed out of the car. Why take any chances? Just get that box from Janine and throw it in the garbage.
    No—burn it. It will be gone for good that way, joke or not.
    Hitching her duffel bag on her shoulder, Amanda hurried across the parking lot. She was late. Not a good example for the captain of the squad to set.
    As she pulled open the heavy door, a high-pitched scream echoed down the hallway. It came from the gym.
    Amanda frowned and began to run down the hall.
    What was going on? Had somebody been hurt?
    Another scream pierced the air. The gym doors burst open. Keesha raced out, her face twisted in horror.
    â€œShe’s killing her!” Keesha shrieked. “She’s killing her!”

Chapter 7

EVIL BY CANDLELIGHT
    â€œH urry—she’s killing her!” Keesha repeated desperately.
    â€œWho?” Amanda called out. “What are you talking about?”
    But Keesha spun around and plunged back into the gym.
    Another scream rang out as Amanda reached the gym doors. She hurried inside and stumbled to a stop, shocked at what she saw.
    At the far end of the gym, Janine straddled Natalie, who lay on her back on the shiny floor. Natalie’s heels kicked against the wood and her slender fingers yanked hard at Janine’s hair.
    It must have hurt, but Janine didn’t seem to feel it. Her hands pinned Natalie’s shoulders to the floor.Her round face was red with fury as she squinted down at the other girl.
    Keesha darted forward and plucked at the sleeve of Janine’s sweatshirt. But Janine ignored her.
    Victoria, who was probably strong enough to pull them apart, couldn’t seem to move. She stood frozen, watching the fight with a horrified expression on her face.
    Amanda flung her bag aside and sprinted toward them.
    â€œYou’re crazy!” Natalie shrieked up at Janine, trying to twist her body sideways. “Get off me! You’re crazy!”
    â€œYou’re the one who’s nuts!” Janine shouted. She lifted her hands from Natalie’s shoulders and grabbed her wrists.
    Natalie immediately rose up to a sitting position and shoved Janine sideways.
    â€œStop it!” Amanda shouted, as the two girls tumbled across the floor. Amanda gave Victoria a little shove. “Snap out of it, Vicki! Help me get them apart!”
    Victoria blinked, then quickly reached down and wrapped her arms around Natalie’s waist. With one jerk, she lifted the slender cheerleader up and dragged her away from Janine.
    Janine hopped to her feet and took a step toward Natalie. Amanda and Keesha each grabbed an arm and held her back.
    â€œCut it out!” Amanda ordered. “Both of you—just stop it!”
    Victoria let go of Natalie. Amanda and Keesha dropped Janine’s arms.
    The two cheerleaders glared at each other,