The Third Horror Read Online Free PDF

bedroom door.
    Two years ago. Kody had pretended to be a ghost. Late at night she had knocked softly hke that on her sister's door.
    Three soft taps, then three more.
    But now Cally was dead. And Kody was standing frozen in a strange, dark trailer, her neck tingling with fear, her skin cold, her heart thudding, listening— listening to the same soft taps.
    Remembering.
    Listening.
    *'Cally—is that you?"
    Tap tap tap.
    Kody dove for the door. Pushed it open with both hands.
    And peered out.

Chapter 8
    No one there.
    Kody stared out at the front yard of her old house.
    No one. The workers had all left.
    "Cally—were you here?" Kody whispered. "Did you knock on my door?"
    Silence.
    Somewhere down the block a baby was crying.
    Kody saw a yellow beam of light darting near the house. The light from a flashlight carried by one of the night security guards. The beam played over the shrubs against the front wall, then disappeared around the side of the house.
    Without realizing it, Kody stepped out and wandered onto the grass. She stared up at the house, looming black against the purple evening sky.

     
    The two upstairs windows seemed to stare down at her like eyes—cold, unfeeling eyes. That was my bedroom, she remembered. And Cally's was down the hall.
    Kody swallowed hard. She missed her sister so much.
    She moved closer, drawn to the house.
    Drawn back to her memories.
    Wet grass clung to her sneakers. A heavy dew had fallen.
    Somewhere down the block the baby continued to cry. Short, shrill howls.
    Kody stepped over cables and around metal cases of equipment and made her way to the window beside the front door.
    Here I am, standing on this spot again.
    Staring into this house. Into this dark living room.
    A dim light in back.
    She blinked. Once. Twice.
    Is it just my imagination? My eyes playing tricks on me?
    No. Pale light filtered into the hallway, casting long shadows over the carpet.
    Someone left the kitchen light on, Kody realized. Maybe they're still working in there. Maybe they're still cleaning up.
    Once again she pictured Sam McCarthy holding his hand up. The blood spurting over his arm. The lifeless, mangled fingers.
    Are they working in the kitchen?
    Or, Cally, is it you?

     
    Cally. Cally. Cally.
    Cally, you're the real reason I came back, Kody thought, moving to the front door.
    Pushing the door open. Stepping into the narrow entryway.
    Cally, I promised I'd come back to find you. I saw you the day we left, watching so sadly from the window. I saw you, Cally.
    And now I've come back to keep my promise.
    Are you here, Cally? Is that your light in the kitchen?
    Have you been in this house these past two years, waiting, waiting for me?
    Crazy thoughts, Kody knew. Such crazy, frightening thoughts.
    But here she was. Walking silently through the back hallway. Toward the light. The pale light from the kitchen.
    And now, here she was in the kitchen doorway.
    Staring at the figure bent over the sink.
    Staring at her in shock.
    Covering her mouth to keep from crying out.

Chapter 9
    Kody sank back into the shadows. She didn't want to be seen.
    Is that really Mrs. Nordstrom? she asked herself.
    Is that really our old housekeeper scrubbing the sink?
    Staying close to the wall, Kody leaned warily into the kitchen. The old woman had her back to Kody as she bent over the sink, scrubbing vigorously. But Kody recognized her.
    What is she doing in this house after everyone has left? Does she still come here every day? Does she still work here?
    "Mrs. Nordstrom!" Kody called out, hurrying across the kitchen.

     
    The old housekeeper turned from the sink, her mouth open in surprise. She squinted across the room. "Cally—is that you?"
    Kody stopped in the center of the room. "No, it's Kody. I'm Kody."
    Mrs. Nordstrom wiped her hands on a dish towel. Her hands still dripping, she moved forward and wrapped Kody in a quick, wet hug. "What a surprise, child. It's been so long! How is your family?"
    "Okay," Kody replied. "I mean,