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right? We should just forget it.”
    “Just a minute. I want to try. There might be something good inside.” Mrs. Slater rummaged around and came back with a rusted letter opener.
    Casey’s terrible feeling grew stronger. As her mother jiggled the opener in the lock, Casey started to panic.
    “Don’t open it!” she screamed.
    Mrs. Slater looked at her, startled. “Casey! What on earth is wrong?”
    “I … don’t know.” Casey couldn’t explain why she found the trunk so horrifying.
    Her mother nudged the lid one last time. “Well, it’s not going to budge.” She gave Casey a curious look. “You’re a little pale. Why don’t you take a break, and get some fresh air? I’ll finish up and be down soon.”
    Casey nodded, relieved to get out of the room. As she descended the stairs, she still felt shaky.
What happened in there?
she wondered. She wished she could call Jillian. Her best friend would probably have some funny explanation, and the two of them could laugh about it together.
    Despite the hot day, it was cool on the first floor. As Casey stepped into the front hallway, the hairs on her neck prickled. She had a feeling she was being watched.
    Casey glanced back over her shoulder. Thestairway was empty. She looked into the living and dining rooms. They were empty, too.
    I’m imagining things,
Casey thought.
Mom is right. I do probably need some fresh air.
    She started toward the front door, and froze. There was a face in the glass window. A pale face, staring right at her.
    Casey screamed.

CHAPTER SIX
    At once, the face disappeared. A second later, Casey heard a thump, followed by a muffled curse. Heart pounding, she went to the front door and yanked it open.
    A boy was standing on the porch. He was bent over, grasping his bare toe as if he’d just stubbed it. When he saw Casey he froze, a half-guilty, half-curious expression on his face.
    “What are you doing?” Casey exclaimed. She was frightened and her voice came out louder than she’d meant it to.
    The boy blinked in surprise and let go of his foot. “I brought some food,” he said, pointing to acovered foil pan he’d left in front of the door. “It’s from my mom.”
    When Casey didn’t say anything, he added, “We live in the big green house just down the way. I’m Erik Greer.”
    He was a little bit taller than Casey, with a square chin and light blue-gray eyes. A froth of curly white-blond hair topped his head like a pile of whipped cream.
    Casey suddenly thought of the message on the mirror.
Could this boy be the one who wrote it?
she wondered. Maybe the food was just a ruse, and he was actually scouting their house, planning another break-in.
    “Why were you looking in our window?” she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
    “I wanted to see if anyone was home,” Erik said with a shrug. “I rang the doorbell, but I don’t think it works. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He cocked his head and added, “You sure can scream.”
    Casey felt herself blush.
    “Casey?” Mrs. Slater came to the door behind her. “Oh, hello. I thought I heard voices,” she saidwhen she saw Erik. “I’m Desiree Slater. We just moved in.”
    “Erik Greer,” said Erik. “We live just down the road. My mom sent over some supper for you. She would have come herself, but she’s too busy with the kids and Gran,” he explained.
    Mrs. Slater looked down at the covered dish, which was still sitting in front of the door. She picked it up and smiled warmly. “That’s very kind. Tell your mother thank you. I look forward to meeting her. And I see you’ve already met my daughter, Casey.”
    “Not officially.” Erik turned to Casey and raised his eyebrows. “Nice to meet you, Casey.”
    She didn’t say anything. She could tell from his smile that he was teasing her.
    “I guess she’s scared of me,” Erik confided to Casey’s mom. “She screamed when I showed up.”
    “It’s not you. It’s this peaceful country life,” Mrs. Slater