After Dark Read Online Free Page A

then shut the door. “We’ve got to turn the lights out,” he said and flicked them off.
    The room went pitch-black.
    â€œWhat now?” I asked. “Do we just stand here in the dark for the rest of the night?”
    He didn’t get a chance to answer because the door in the far corner creaked open.
    â€œWho’s there?” Miles blurted, bumping into me, and then the lights came back on.
    I don’t know if it was Hal’s shotgun or all that talk about paranormal activity, but I was pretty worked up by that point, so I was half expecting to see a psychopath dressed in overalls and carrying a chainsaw standing on the other side of the room. Instead of a psycho, though, it was just my mom standing in the doorway, wearing green pajamas and looking tired.
    â€œWhat’s going on down here?” she asked.
    â€œOh, just standing around in the dark,” I said. “By the way, thanks for leaving me out in the truck.”
    She wiped her eyes and yawned. “You were dead to the world when we got here, and you’re too heavy for me to carry up to bed anymore, sunshine.”
    â€œA note would’ve been nice. Maybe a warning about Uncle Hal being mildly deranged.”
    â€œYou saw Hal?”
    â€œHe let us in,” Miles said.
    â€œWho are you?” Mom asked Miles.
    â€œI’m Miles Van Helsing,” he said, hunching his way across the room and holding out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, but we’ve got to turn out the lights, immediately. This is an emergency.”
    â€œWhy are you here?” she asked, quickly shaking his hand.
    â€œHe was chased here by paranoid creatures?” I said.
    â€œHumanoid creatures, and from what I’ve seen, they’re very dangerous. We really can’t attract attention to our-selves,” he said and then quickly reached for the switch and turned off the lights.
    Mom flicked them back on.
    â€œWhat’s going on, Charlie?”
    â€œI have no idea.”
    â€œPlease,” Miles said, reaching for the light switch again.
    She covered the switch with her hand. “Do your parents know where you are?”
    â€œMy mother is aware that I’m not at home,” he said.
    â€œWell, I think now would be an excellent time to go back.”
    â€œI can’t go outside, not now,” Miles said, retreating across the room.
    â€œWhy is he here, Charlie?”
    â€œUncle Hal let him in.”
    â€œWhere is Hal?”
    â€œHe’s outside, possibly hunting whoever or whatever was chasing Miles.”
    â€œPlease turn out the lights,” Miles said.
    â€œI’m not turning out the lights!” Mom snapped. “I’m calling your mother. What’s your phone number?”
    â€œI won’t tell,” Miles said. “It’s too dangerous for her to be outside.”
    â€œFine, then I guess I’ll just have to call the police. Give me your phone, Charlie.”
    â€œUh …” I started, “I don’t seem to have it anymore.”
    â€œSeriously?”
    I nodded.
    â€œThat’s the fourth phone you’ve lost this year. I swear to you, I’m not buying another one.”
    â€œHere, use mine,” Miles said, pulling a cell out of his pocket. “After all, this is a public emergency and Sheriff Dutton should be informed.”
    â€œI was bluffing,” Mom said. “I didn’t really want to call the police.”
    â€œToo late,” he said, handing her the phone. “It’s already ringing.”
    â€œThis is ridiculous,” Mom said, but took the phone anyway.
    I guess someone must have answered, because she started explaining the situation right away. When she was done, she nodded a couple of times and handed the phone back to Miles.
    â€œThe sheriff’s on his way,” she said. “I guess that means I’m going to have to get changed. Charlie, come with me. I’ll show you up to your