Into the Dark by R.L. Stine

Author:R.L. Stine [Stine, R.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

chapter 13

“I mean it!” the hoarse voice called. “Stop moving! All of you! Everyone stop what you’re doing and listen to me!”

Paulette heard a couple of chairs scrape back. Someone ran toward the door.

“I said freeze!” the voice repeated.

The footsteps stopped abruptly. The room grew still. Paulette heard a soft whimper from a girl behind her.

“This is a joke, right?” she whispered to her friends. “Someone playing a trick?”

“Shh!” Jonathan whispered back. “It’s real. He’s wearing a mask and he’s got a gun. Be quiet!”

“I want everyone to stay calm and do what I say,” the gunman ordered. “That way no one will get hurt.”

The gunman spoke again. “You, over there. Waiter! I want you to empty the cash register. Put the money in a bag and bring it to me. Move it!”

Paulette heard someone rushing to the counter. The cash register gave a beep and the drawer popped open. A moment later Paulette could hear money dropping into a bag.

“I don’t believe this,” Cindy moaned.

“Quiet!” the gunman shouted. “Now, the rest of you. Empty your pockets on the tables. Take off your watches and jewelry. Now!”

Paulette sat still, stunned. She heard rustling as everyone opened backpacks and pocketbooks. For a moment the loudest sound was that of jewelry and money being placed on the Formica tabletops.

She felt Jonathan squirm as he pulled his wallet from his pocket and placed it on the table. Across from them, Cindy sniffled. Paulette heard her unzip her pack and empty it.

“Go on!” the gunman demanded. “Do it! All of you!”

“Paulette!” Jonathan whispered. “You too!”

Her hands shaking, Paulette reached up and removed her earrings. She took off her braille watch and placed it on the table. Then she began feeling around for her backpack. It had slipped from the seat beside her and was somewhere under the table.

“Hurry up!” the gunman shouted. “I don’t have all day!”

Paulette bent down and groped beneath the table for her backpack.

“You!” the gunman yelled. “The girl with the long hair! What are you doing?”

“Paulette!” Cindy whispered. “He means you!”

Paulette ran her hands over the floor. “I’m trying to find my backpack!” she cried.

“You don’t need to climb under the table!” the gunman shouted. “Just look for it.”

She continued to feel around. Where was it? The guy was going to go crazy if she didn’t find it.

“Hurry up!” the gunman told her.

“She can’t see it!” Jonathan cried. “She’s blind!” Paulette heard him stand up.

“What are you doing? Sit back down!” the gunman yelled.

“I’m just trying to explain—” Jonathan began.

“Shut up,” the gunman interrupted.

Paulette’s hand brushed against one of the straps of her backpack. She heard a loud click. Then a deafening explosion filled her ears.

Jonathan screamed and fell against her.

Paulette’s ears rang. She heard Cindy give a long, high shriek. But her friend’s voice sounded so tiny. So far away.

“He shot him!” Cindy screamed. “He shot Jonathan!”

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