Read The Evil Lives! for Free Online Page B

arm around his waist.
    Amanda turned from them. She stared at Judd.
    Something is wrong with him, she thought.
    He stood still, gazing around the room as if he’d suddenly landed in a foreign country.
    Amanda smiled at him, but Judd didn’t seem to notice. He blinked, his blue eyes baffled. And bright. Almost glowing.
    Even though Brandon had shut the door, the room stayed cold. Unnaturally cold. Amanda could feel the strange chill settling into her bones.
    Amanda shivered, frightened by the cold and the strange expression in Judd’s eyes.
    â€œHey, Judd, stop standing there like a zombie,” Keesha joked. “You’re freaking us all out. Sit down and join the party.”
    Judd blinked again and shook his head, as if he were trying to clear it. Slowly, he raised his handand wiped it across his face. His hand shook violently.
    â€œJudd?” Amanda stood up. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
    With a sudden groan, Judd crumpled to the floor.

Chapter 10

DID SOMETHING EVIL HAPPEN?
    â€œJ udd!” Amanda knocked her chair back and raced around the table. She dropped to her knees beside Judd and peered into his face.
    He’s so white! she thought in a panic.
    â€œWater!” Brandon barked out. He knelt next to Judd and tried to raise him to a sitting position. “Bring some water. Hurry!”
    Victoria rushed to the cupboard for a glass. The others gathered around as Amanda helped prop Judd against Brandon’s knees.
    â€œIs he breathing?” Janine asked anxiously.
    Natalie rolled her eyes. “Of course he is. He’s not dead. He just fainted.”
    â€œThanks, Dr. Morris,” Janine snapped.
    â€œDrop it, you guys,” Amanda told them sharply.
    Victoria hurried over with a glass of water and heldit to Judd’s mouth. Her hand shook so much, the water slopped out and dribbled down Judd’s chin and throat.
    With a frustrated cry, Victoria held the glass in both hands and raised it to Judd’s mouth again.
    Judd’s lips stayed closed for a second, but finally he sipped some water.
    Victoria took the glass away.
    Judd groaned softly, and his eyes fluttered open.
    Amanda let her breath out in relief.
    â€œHey, man, what happened?” Brandon asked.
    Judd struggled up and sat on his own. “Dehydration, I guess,” he explained in an unsteady voice. “I always feel so weak after practice. I sweat so much. I lose so much salt.”
    Brandon turned to Victoria. “Got any Gatorade? That’s the best thing when you’re dehydrated.”
    â€œI’m not sure.” Setting the glass on the table, Victoria hurried to the refrigerator and rummaged through it. “Thank goodness. Almost a full bottle.”
    Amanda and Brandon helped Judd to his feet and into a chair. Victoria returned with a bottle of orange Gatorade.
    Judd drank deeply, his hand still shaking a little. He paused, took a few more sips, then set the bottle down.
    â€œYou’re looking better. Not so pale.” Keesha squeezed his arm. “I think you’ll live.”
    â€œYeah.” Judd gave her a weak smile. “I’ll be okay. Sorry about crashing on your floor.”
    â€œForget it,” Victoria told him.
    â€œActually, it was a very dramatic entrance, Judd,” Keesha teased. “Did you ever think of trying out for the drama club?”
    Judd shook his head. “I don’t think I could do that fall again.”
    Everyone began chatting, relaxed now that the scare was over.
    But is it really over? Amanda wondered.
    She stared at Judd. Did he faint because he was dehydrated?
    Or did something else happen to him as he walked through that door?
    Something evil?

Chapter 11

A SURPRISE AT THE GAME
    â€œTigers on the loose,
    Tigers on the prowl,
    Better run for cover
    When you hear the Tigers growl!”
    The gym at Shadyside High vibrated with the sound of hundreds of people stomping their feet in rhythm to the