The Third Evil Read Online Free PDF Page B

the scarlet flesh of Hannah’s legs.
    Hannah pulled the towel around herself more tightly. She didn’t reply.
    â€œI wouldn’t deliberately hurt you,” Corky muttered.
    â€œShould we get you to a nurse or something?” Kimmy asked.
    Hannah shook her head. “They’re starting to feel better. I was just shocked, that’s all.”
    â€œI’m really sorry,” Corky said, “but I know the water was okay when I left it.”
    Hannah shrugged. “Okay. Guess I overreacted.”
    â€œYou sure you’re okay?” Kimmy asked.
    â€œYeah. Fine,” Hannah replied. She took a few stepsinto the center of the room. “I guess I’m okay. Sorry I freaked like that.” She turned and disappeared back into the bathroom.
    â€œSee you at the gym!” Kimmy called. “We’ll explain to Miss Green why you’re late.”
    Corky’s mouth dropped open in a silent gasp as her sister suddenly flashed into her mind. Bobbi had died because of scalding-hot shower water, Corky remembered.
    â€œI really did test the water,” Corky muttered, more to herself than to Kimmy.
    Kimmy picked up the carton of pom-poms. Then they headed out the door.
    â€œWeird,” Kimmy muttered, shaking her head as they walked quickly down the long corridor to the elevators. “Weird.”
    It sure is, Corky thought.
    And then she remembered that Kimmy had gone into the bathroom while the water was still running.
    That’s right, Corky told herself. Just before we left the room, Kimmy went into the bathroom.
    She glanced at Kimmy as the elevators came into view. Kimmy stared straight ahead, her face expressionless, revealing no emotion.
    Did Kimmy go into the bathroom and turn the hot water up? Corky wondered.
    Did Kimmy try to scald Hannah?
    â€œHey, America—the time is here! Shadyside, stand up and cheer! Here we come. We want the world to know Shadyside is the HIT OF THE SHOW!”
    Cheering loudly, the six Shadyside cheerleaders ended the routine with synchronized back handsprings.
    â€œOw!” Ronnie cried out, losing her balance and landing hard on her arm.
    Miss Green blew her whistle as the other squad members clustered around Ronnie. Kimmy and Debra helped her to her feet.
    â€œI’m okay,” Ronnie insisted. “Really. I’m all right.” She tested her shoulder, rotating her arm like an airplane propeller. “It feels okay.”
    â€œThen let’s try the routine again,” Miss Green said brusquely. She glanced at the sidelines, where one of the camp officials was scribbling notes rapidly on her clipboard.
    Miss Green blew her whistle again.
    Whistles were blowing all over the enormous gym. Cheerleading squads from fifteen different schools were shouting, dancing, leaping. Sneakers squeaked and thudded on the polished floor. Songs echoed off the tile walls.
    What an amazing sound, Corky thought. I’ll bet it doesn’t sound like this anywhere else in the world!
    A few feet away the cheerleaders of the Redwood Bulldogs were practicing rollups into partner pyramids. Their blue and gold uniforms, which they wore even though uniforms weren’t required, looked fresh and new.
    â€œLook at that girl. Their captain,” Corky said to Kimmy, practically having to shout in her ear to be heard. She pointed to a cheerleader with beautiful long red hair. “She’s really
awesome!”
    â€œI
know
her!” Kimmy exclaimed. “She used to go to my Sunday school. Her name is Blair O’Connell. She
is
awesome—and she knows it!”
    They watched Blair perform an astounding cartwheel, then flip herself effortlessly up onto her partner’s shoulders, her red hair flying like a victory pennant.
    â€œWow,” Corky said, shaking her head in admiration. “She is really outstanding!”
    â€œWe can beat her!” Hannah cried, suddenly appearing behind Corky and Kimmy. “We’ll just