The Fall of Candy Corn Read Online Free PDF

“You should be proud.”
    â€œProud is not the word I would use.”
    Janet finally returned. “That was quite a vanishing act,” she chided Josh. “I turned to get your cape, and when I turned back you were gone.”
    â€œSorry,” he said, looking sheepish.
    Janet attached the cape. Josh turned slowly, the cape fluttering. “Better?” he asked.
    â€œMuch,” Candace said. “Which maze are you in, Count?”
    â€œWhy, Castle Dracula, of course,” he said.
    â€œSeriously?”
    â€œYup. It’s in the castle. Haven’t you been to a Scare before?”
    â€œNo,” Candace admitted.
    â€œOh you should. It’s marvelous fun,” Janet said, fussing some more with Candace’s costume.
    â€œTruth be told, I’m terrified of mazes. I’m not too fond of being scared either,” Candace said.
    â€œWow. This must be your idea of just the best time ever,” Josh said.
    Candace rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure how I let you talk me into it.”
    â€œMe? You’re going to blame me?” he asked.
    â€œWell, I can’t very well blame Janet.”
    â€œThank you. I get enough blame this time of year,” Janet said, putting some pins around the bottom of Josh’s cape.
    â€œWho’s getting blamed for what?” a familiar voice asked.
    Candace turned and saw Roger, one of the guys who had been on her team for the end-of-summer scavenger hunt at the park. She gave him a quick hug.
    â€œHey, Roger, how’s it going?” Josh asked.
    â€œGreat. I’m on the soccer team at school. Varsity,” Roger said, pride in his voice.
    â€œThat’s wonderful!” Candace said.
    Before Scavenger Hunt, Roger had been the referee best known for tripping over his own feet. Winning that night had changed all of them, though, and Roger had gotten a much needed boost of confidence. Apparently, his klutziness was a thing of the past.
    â€œSo, are you back to be a maze monster?” Josh asked.
    â€œYeah, I get to be a dead baseball player in the Last Draft maze in the Game Zone.”
    â€œStellar,” Josh said, giving him a high five. “I’m Count Dracula.”
    â€œI was hoping so,” Roger joked. “Otherwise we were going to have to talk about the whole cape thing. It works for you. I’m just not sure you want to adopt it as an everyday thing.”
    Josh laughed. “And what do you think of Candy?” he asked.
    Roger turned and looked at her. “Are you actually playing yourself?” he asked.
    â€œApparently,” she said.
    â€œThat’s funny. Bold choice.”
    â€œI didn’t exactly choose it. I got the part because I can scream really well.”
    There was a pause, and then Roger said, “Of course you can.”
    Janet left briefly and returned with a tattered and faded Yankees uniform, which she handed to Roger. His face lit up as he took it from her. “This is going to be great,” he said. “I came to Scare once when I was twelve. I’ve been afraid to ever since.”
    â€œDidn’t like the monsters?” Candace guessed.
    â€œNo, I knocked down twenty people and part of a maze roof,” Roger said.
    Candace bit her lip to keep from laughing, but it was no use.

    Later that night Candace and Tamara were on Tamara’s bed, talking. Candace had told her all about her day, and Tamara had laughed when she heard what happened to Roger at his first Scare.
    â€œPromise me I won’t embarrass myself that badly,” Tamara gasped.
    â€œI can’t even promise I won’t embarrass myself. I refuse to make any guarantees about you.”
    â€œWell, maybe if I do, Josh will swoop in and rescue me,” Tamara teased.
    â€œAre you sure you’re not into him?” Candace asked.
    â€œYes. Like I told you, it’s just not right.”
    â€œOkay, so he’s not Mr.