Goosebumps 08 - The Girl Who Cried Monster by R.L. Stine

Author:R.L. Stine [Stine, R.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-03-26T02:57:52+00:00

I swallowed hard. I didn't know what to say. My eyes searched the front hallway for a weapon, something to hit him with when he broke through the screen door and came after me.

Mr. Mortman's eyes narrowed. His smile faded.

This is it! I thought.

There was nothing around that I could use to fight him off. A little glass flower vase. That's all I could see. I didn't think it would be too effective against a roaring monster.

"Lucy, I believe this belongs to you," Mr. Mortman said. He held up my blue canvas backpack.

"Huh?"

"I found it back in the stacks," Mr. Mortman said, his smile returning.

"I didn't know who had left it. But I found your name and address on the tag here."

"You — you mean — ?" I stammered.

"I always walk home after I close the library, 'so I thought I'd bring it to you," he said.

Was this a trap?

I studied his face warily. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

I had no choice. I pushed open the screen door, and he handed me the backpack. "Wow. Thanks," I said. "That was really nice of you."

He straightened the sleeves of his yellow turtleneck. "Well, I figured you'd probably want to get started on Anne of Green Gables tonight," he said.

"Yeah. Sure," I replied uncertainly.

"I guess you ran out of the library pretty quickly," Mr. Mortman said, staring into my eyes.

"Uh . . . yeah. I had to get home," I told him, glancing back to the den.

The cartoon music floated into the hallway.

"So you didn't wait around or anything after our appointment?" he asked.

Does he know? I wonder.

Or is he just trying to find out if it was me or not?

"No," I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "I ran right out. I was in a hurry. I — I guess that's why I forgot my bag."

"Oh, I see," Mr. Mortman replied thoughtfully, rubbing his chins.

"Why?" I blurted out.

The question seemed to surprise him. "Oh, it's nothing, really," he said.

"I think someone was playing a trick on me. Staying in the library after closing."

"Really?" I asked, opening my eyes wide and trying to sound as innocent as possible. "Why would they do that?"

"To scare me," Mr. Mortman answered, chuckling. "Some kids don't have anything better to do than try to scare the kindly old librarian."

But you're not a kindly old librarian, I thought. You're a monster!

"I got up to look around," Mr. Mortman continued, "and whoever it was high-tailed it." He chuckled again.

"I wouldn't want to be locked in there overnight," I said, studying his face, hoping my innocent act was working.

"Neither would I!" he exclaimed. "It's a pretty creepy old building!

Sometimes I get so scared from all the strange creaks and groans."

Yeah. Sure! I thought sarcastically.

Behind him, I saw my parents' car turn into the driveway. I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Thank goodness they were finally home!

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