A New Fear Read Online Free

hands could break your neck. Who would care that you died?”
    He strolled to the cradle. “Ah, this precious child has made me a rich man.”
    He leaned down and reached for Nicholas.
    “No!” Nora cried in desperation as she fought against her captors. “Keep away from my baby!”
    She felt the Fear amulet grow hot against her skin.
    The floor shook.
    Nora gasped.
    The doctor spun around. Eyes wide with fright.
    The fire crackled and blazed. The flames grew higher and higher. They reached past the hearth. They climbed the wall. The flames lapped greedily at the ceiling. They grew brighter until all Nora could see was a wall of fire.
    A man emerged from the writhing flames.
    “Daniel,” Nora gasped.
    Her husband had come back from the grave.
    Nora’s legs went weak.
    Daniel stared at her. His face serious. His eyes accusing.
    “I am sorry,” Nora cried. Her voice trembled. “I am so sorry, Daniel. I tried to protect our child—but I could not. Forgive me,” she begged.
    “Come and join me, Doctor,” Daniel rasped. Hereached past Nora and drew the doctor into the raging inferno.
    Screaming, the doctor fell to his knees. His eyes bulged. Bulged out farther and farther. Then, with a moist pop, his eyes flew from their sockets and rolled across the floor. They hissed as flames devoured them.
    Nora turned her face away from the horrifying sight.
    Stunned, the attendants released Nora. She backed toward the cradle. Nicholas would be terrified.
    The doctor’s agonized shrieks blended with the roaring flames. Nora forced herself to look.
    The doctor’s skin formed bubbles that burst open to reveal the bone beneath. Bubble, burst, bone. Over and over.
    Nora felt a sharp taste hit the back of her throat. She swallowed hard.
    Calm down, she ordered herself. You have to be ready to save Nicholas.
    The doctor’s skin boiled away—until nothing remained but his skeleton.
    Daniel dropped the doctor. With a shriek of fury he snatched up one of the attendants—just as the man reached for the doorknob.
    The second attendant dashed for the window. Daniel shot flames at him. They covered the attendant like a blanket.
    The fire continued to blaze, stretching toward thecorners of the room, painting the ceiling in orange flames.
    “Nora!” Daniel shouted.
    She jerked her head toward the hearth.
    From within the fiery depths of the inferno, Daniel reached out for her.

Chapter 5

    N ora felt the heat blasting from Daniel’s hands.
    “Daniel, no!” she cried. “Don’t you recognize me? I am Nora. Your wife. I know you do not want to hurt me.”
    Strips of skin peeled away from Daniel’s face. His burning hands were almost touching her.
    Nora could not move. She had to stay in front of the cradle. She had to shield Nicholas.
    Nora forced herself to stare into Daniel’s glowing white eyes. “Daniel. You must understand. I am Nora. Our son needs me.”
    “Run, Nora,” Daniel rasped.
    Nora dashed to the cradle and swept Nicholas up. Then she rushed to the door.
    She hesitated a moment and gazed at her husband. The flames retreated to the hearth.
    “This is your son,” Nora told him, her voicecracking. “When he grows up he will look just like you.”
    “Go!” Daniel begged. His face contorted with pain as the flames leapt around him.
    “I love you, Daniel,” Nora cried.
    Daniel released a mournful howl and fell to his knees.
    Nora raced from the room and ran down the hallway. The flames followed her. The fire roared around her. The walls became blinding sheets of fire.
    The inmates frantically banged on their locked doors. The yells for help were ignored as thick smoke clogged the air.
    Hugging Nicholas tightly, Nora rushed down the stairs. The rooms on the next floor were not locked. Patients raced in all directions.
    Nora spotted one woman sitting in the middle of the floor, rocking back and forth in a daze. “Fire!” Nora yelled. “Run! The building is on fire! Save yourself!” The woman continued to