The Dare Read Online Free

scary creatures on Fear Street?”
    â€œMr. Northwood is the scariest creature I’ve seen there!” I joked.
    We both laughed.
    We were walking side by side toward the parking lot exit. Our shoulders bumped a couple of times.
    I was feeling super-charged. Really excited.
    Dennis is just a great guy, I thought. So great-looking with that black hair over his broad forehead, and those eyes that could burn right into you like green fire.
    I have to admit, it felt really great walking down the hall with one of the most popular guys at Shadyside High. I suddenly wished the school weren’t empty. I wanted the halls to be crowded with kids so that everyone could see that Dennis and I were together.
    We stepped out of the building into the dark gray afternoon. The air was heavy and wet.
    â€œLooks like snow,” Dennis commented, his eyes on the low clouds. “I’m glad Coach called off practice today.” He headed along the walk to the student parking lot, and I followed.
    Maybe he’d like to go get a Coke with me, I thought. We could just walk to The Corner. The Corner is a small coffee shop a couple of blocks from school, where Shadyside kids hang out.
    A picture flashed into my mind: Dennis and me, sitting across from each other in a booth in The Corner, holding hands over the table, staring dreamily into each other’s eyes.
    What a picture.
    I took a deep breath and worked up my courage to ask him if he wanted to get a Coke. “Uh … Dennis—?”
    I stopped when I saw where Dennis was headed.
    Right to the little red Miata stopped with its engine running at the end of the walk.
    Caitlin’s red Miata.
    I could see her behind the wheel. She smiled and waved at Dennis as we approached.
    Dennis turned to me at the end of the walk. “Sorry,” he said. “I’d offer you a lift, but it’s only a two-seater.” He shrugged, then crossed to the passenger side to get in.
    â€œThat’s okay, Dennis,” I told him with a devilish smile. “I’ll make room.”
    I pulled open the driver’s door and grabbed Caitlin’s arm with both hands. “Get out,” I ordered.
    â€œHuh?” Caitlin’s dark eyes went wide in shock. “What?”
    â€œGet out!” I cried.
    I gripped her arm tight with one hand. Then I raised my other hand to her dark brown hair.
    She screamed as I started to tug.
    But I was too strong for her.
    I jerked her out of the car, knocked her to the ground, and gave her a hard kick that sent her sprawling.
    Then I slid behind the wheel, slammed the door, and drove the car away with Dennis beside me.
    I glanced over at him to check out his reaction.
    He was staring back at me with amazement and admiration.

chapter 5
    A fter that Dennis realized that he and I belonged together. He dumped Caitlin, and we lived happily ever after.
    Do you believe that?
    No way.
    Of course I didn’t really pull Caitlin from the car.
    Of course that wild little scene was all in my skinny little head.
    What
really
happened was that I stood and watched as Dennis climbed into the car. Behind the wheel Caitlin stared right through me, as if I weren’t even there.
    Then she drove away with Dennis. Dennis didn’t even look back.
    And I was left standing there, my imagination playing out all kinds of evil scenes.
    Why do I have such violent fantasies?
    Why am I always picturing myself socking people inthe jaw, pushing people down stairs or off cliffs, tearing people’s heads off and watching the blood gush up from their necks?
    Why do I always imagine myself doing the most horrible, unspeakable things?
    I guess it’s because in real life I’m such a total mouse.
    A week later there was an empty seat in history class. Dennis had gone to the Bahamas with his family.
    Poor Dennis, I thought bitterly. He’s missing the midterm exam tomorrow—and today he’s missing a fascinating lecture on the separation of