Cave of Terror Read Online Free Page A

neck.
    "Ha ha, Mandy. Very funny."
    "What?” Her voice came from in front of me, not behind.
    I swung around, reaching out into the darkness, expecting to make contact with some idiot from my class. I came up with empty air.
    "I like to leave the lights off for a time to give everyone the opportunity to pick their noses if needed. So, go ahead and pick away,” said Stan.
    The lights flicked back on and everyone laughed. Everyone but me.
    Mandy stood in front of me and the only person left behind me was Stan who still stood stationed by the light switch. I glanced around, unsure of what I searched for. A quiver raced through me and a creepy feeling clustered in my gut.
    Something was very wrong.
    All my senses screamed danger.
    I'm not sure how I knew an evil presence existed in the cave, but I'd never been more certain of anything in my life. And no, it had nothing to do with it being Halloween. I don't believe in boogie men or ghosties. Well, at least I used to not believe in such things.
    As I frantically scanned for the source of my unease, a bat dive-bombed my head. I dodged just in time to avoid the near collision. A buzz whizzed through my head, seeming to shatter my eardrums. I squeezed my eyes shut against the pain. Bile rose in my throat, and I spasmodically swallowed to keep from hurling.
    "Wow! You don't see that happen very often. Most of the bats we find in the cave aren't active during the day. Y'all are getting a real treat for Halloween.” Stan flicked his light around, searching for more flying bats.
    Oh yeah, it was one heck of a treat. Another bat swooped down, barely missing my head.
    The cheerleader shrieked and snuggled next to Mr. Jock Itch, the studly quarterback.
    Stan chuckled. “You must be wearing some kind of bat attractant. You're a regular bat magnet."
    "Shazaam, girl! That last one nearly got you.” Mandy glanced around, ready to duck at a moment's notice.
    Two more bats flew between me and Mandy. She yelped and jumped back. They circled around us, then headed for the back of the cave.
    Mandy's eyes grew wide. “Snap! That was close. A little too close if you ask me."
    "You don't know the half of it,” I mumbled.
    "What?” Mandy asked.
    "Nothing."
    "Well, it looks like we're through with the flight-of-the-bats part of the tour. Let's continue.” Stan made his way to the front of the group and moved into a short tunnel. “This next section of the cave is called Headache Alley. If you're over five feet tall you'll understand why.” After walking a few more steps, he abruptly stopped, backed up and shined his light on a formation hanging from the ceiling of the cave. “Here's another bat. It's very unusual to find one this far back in the cave."
    Stan allowed each person to look at the bat while he continued to shine his light on the creature. The formation hung low, putting the bat just above our heads.
    "Aren't you going to take a look?” I asked Mandy.
    She stepped around me. “Naaaaa. They give me the heebie jeebies, but you go right ahead. I know how you're, like, into them."
    As I stood almost nose to nose with the bat, I noticed the light dusting of fur on its head. It appeared quite harmless and rather cute. I'd never had the opportunity to get that close to an actual bat in the open.
    Suddenly, my feet froze in place—immobilized against my will. A cacophony of screeching echoes rushed into my head. An ominous energy filled my body. I swayed side to side. The scent of almonds I had become accustomed to magnified and soured, leaving the sickening stench of evil.
    The bat moved forward using its wings to inch closer to me. It lifted its head and focused its attention on me. My heart accelerated as I stared into its beady little eyes. Eyes that held way too much intelligence for a mere bat.
    I wanted to run, but my feet stuck firmly to the floor. I wanted to scream, but my voice lodged in my throat like a lump of dry bread.
    The surrounding air pressed into me until I gasped