The Third Evil Read online

  A few minutes later Corky, Kimmy, and Debra found themselves in their assigned room.

  A large picture window overlooked the campus. The walls were lime green, the low ceiling bright yellow. Two small desks were pushed back to back in the middle of the room. A third desk stood against one wall between two low dressers. Over one of the dressers, someone had tacked up a poster of U-2.

  “I claim this bed,” Debra declared, tossing her backpack onto the narrow bed in front of the window. “I have to have a window.”

  Corky spotted the bunk bed on the opposite wall. “Do you want the top or bottom?” she asked Kimmy.

  Kimmy shrugged. “Top, I guess.”

  “The campus is so much bigger than I thought,” Debra said, staring out the window at the green quadrangle, a grassy square surrounded by brick classroom buildings and other dorms. “What a shame there’s no one here.”

  “Just cheerleaders,” Kimmy said. “Dozens and dozens of cheerleaders.” She opened her suitcase and began to unpack, unfolding tops and sweat suits and balled-up socks, and jamming them into the top drawer of the low maple dresser beside the bunk bed.

  Corky laughed and pointed. “You sure you brought enough socks?”

  Kimmy’s cheeks turned pink. She brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. “My feet sweat a lot.” She glanced up at Corky. “Some of us don’t like to wear the same socks for a month!” she teased. She pulled a worn brown teddy bear from the suitcase and tossed it up on the top bunk.

  “Oh, wow,” Debra exclaimed from across the room. “Kimmy, don’t tell me you still sleep with your teddy bear!”

  “Even my little brother gave up his teddy bear,” Corky teased. “But your bear is really cute!”

  Kimmy’s cheeks burned even redder. “I don’t need it to sleep with. I just…take it places. It’s sort of a good-luck thing.”

  “I guess we can use some good luck,” Debra said wistfully.

  Her comment brought a chill to the room.

  Everyone became silent. Debra, her arms crossed over her chest, continued to stare out the window, her suitcase still unopened.

  Corky knew they were all thinking about the evil spirit. Had it followed them to camp? Was it in the room with them now, hiding inside one of them?

  Without realizing it, Corky stared hard at Kimmy. Kimmy seemed so nervous. She’d been so tense on the bus that brought them from Shadyside that she hadn’t joined in on the songs or any of the kidding around.

  Sitting next to Debra in the back of the small bus, Corky had confided her dream. She told Debra about Bobbi pulling off the top of her head, about the cockroaches inside and the cockroaches she thought she saw on her bedroom floor.

  She knew that Debra wouldn’t laugh at her. Ever since the evil spirit had been revealed the previous fall, Debra had become obsessed with the occult, with ancient superstitions and spirits. She had begun wearing a crystal on a pendant around her neck, a crystal that she believed had special powers. And she read book after book on spiritualism, the occult, and the dark arts.

  “I’ve been studying dreams,” Debra had replied seriously, her icy blue eyes staring into Corky’s.

  “What could that awful dream mean?” Corky demanded. “I mean, it was just so gross.”

  “Bobbi was trying to tell you something,” Debra replied in a low voice. “She was trying to show you something.”

  “Show me what? Cockroaches?” Corky asked. “Why would she want to show me cockroaches?”

  Debra chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. She shook her head. “I don’t know, Corky. I don’t get it.”

  Corky wanted to forget the dream and enjoy the cheerleading camp. But the dream was hard to shake. It had followed her to the campus.

  Had the evil spirit followed her too?

  All three girls were shaken from their somber thoughts by a loud knock on their door.

  Debra reached the door first and pulled it open. “Hannah! Hi!” she exclaimed.

  Wearing a green T-shirt over black leggings, Hannah marched past Debra into the center of the room. She was lugging two large leather suitcases, one in each hand. She plopped them down and sighed. “Ugh.”

  “What’s going on?” Debra demanded, closing the door and following Hannah back to the center of the room. Kimmy and Corky both stared at Hannah curiously.

  “Can I room with you guys?” Hannah asked, reaching back to adjust her long braid behind her shoulders.

  “Huh?” Corky cried in surprise.

  “There’s no room for me with Ronnie and Heather,” Hannah declared. “They both filled up the dressers before I could start to unpack. And look at all the stuff I brought.” She gestured to the two bulging suitcases.

  “Your room is bigger,” Hannah continued, gazing around. “There’s nowhere for me to put my stuff in the other room.”

  “But, Hannah—” Kimmy started to object.

  “And get this,” Hannah said, ignoring Kimmy. “Ronnie took the top bunk even though I told her I can’t sleep on the bottom. I mean, it just creeps me out to have someone sleeping above me. You know? But she was so stubborn—she refused to move down.”

  “What about the other bed?” Kimmy suggested. “There’s a third bed, right?”

  “Yeah. Sure,” Hannah replied heatedly. “But Heather claimed it. She says she has to be by the window or else she can’t breathe.”

  “I can understand that,” Debra said, glancing at the bed she had staked out by the window.

  “So can I room with you guys?” Hannah asked.

  “But there are only three beds,” Corky protested.

  “Yeah. These rooms are designed for three,” Kimmy added, gesturing around. “Three desks, three dressers, three beds.”

  Hannah sighed again and rolled her eyes unhappily, her face drooping into a pout. “Well, would one of you trade with me?” she asked reluctantly.

  “I’m all unpacked,” Kimmy protested. She clicked her empty suitcase shut.

  “Come on,” Hannah urged in a tiny voice. “Somebody trade places with me. You’ve got to. I’m just too claustrophobic in the other room. I’ll freak. I’ll totally freak. Really.”

  She glanced from Debra to Corky, then back to Debra.

  “Well…okay,” Debra finally relented. “If it means that much to you, Hannah—”

  “Yes, it does! Thanks, Debra!” Hannah cried. And to Debra’s surprise, Hannah rushed over, threw her arms around Debra, and hugged her. “You’re a real pal!” she squealed.

  “No big deal,” Debra said, casting an uncomfortable glance at Corky. She started to collect her things.

  Hannah dragged her suitcases over to Debra’s bed by the window.

  “Hey, we’re going to be late,” Kimmy cried, glancing at her watch. “We’re supposed to be in the gym at two o’clock.”

  “See you down there,” Debra called. The door slammed behind her.

  “Where’s the gym?” Hannah asked, opening one of her suitcases and starting to unpack.

  “It’s that big gray building with the dome. Remember? We passed it on our way here,” Corky told her.

  “I’ll never get unpacked in time,” Hannah said. She turned to Kimmy. “Which dresser is mine?”

  Kimmy pointed. “You’ve got to hurry. We get points taken off for being late.”

  “Even for practice? That isn’t fair,” Hannah protested. “Do we have to be in our uniforms?”

  “Not for practice,” Kimmy said. “Only at night for the competitions.”

  “We’re going to win every night!” Hannah declared. “I just know it.”

  “That’s the spirit,” Corky said dryly.

  “Corky, would you do me a big favor?” Hannah asked, unfolding a pair of jeans from the suitcase, the third pair she’d pulled out.

  Why did she bring so many jeans? Corky wondered. Why did she bring two suitcases for a one-week stay?

  “Sure. What?” she asked Hannah.

  “Would you run me a hot bath?”

 
; The request caught Corky by surprise. “What did you say?”

  “Would you run a tub for me? I feel so grimy after that long bus ride. But I’ve got to get this stuff unpacked. And I don’t want to be late. Please?”

  Corky glanced at Kimmy. Kimmy made a funny face, crossing her eyes.

  “Yeah, sure,” Corky told Hannah. She started toward the bathroom in the corner.

  “You’re a pal,” Hannah said, pulling two pairs of denim cutoffs from her suitcase.

  I don’t believe her nerve, Corky thought angrily. She really thinks she’s a princess or something.

  Corky pushed back the white plastic shower curtain, then bent down to turn on the water.

  First Hannah complains that the other room is too small for her, Corky thought, getting even more annoyed. Then she orders me around like I’m a servant. It’s really unbelievable!

  She put her hand under the faucet to gauge the water temperature, then turned the knob to make it a little warmer.

  “Okay, it’s going,” she told Hannah, returning to the main room.

  “Thanks,” Hannah muttered distractedly. She was arranging her makeup and other cosmetics on a dresser top.

  “We’d better hurry,” Corky said to Kimmy. She walked to the mirror and pulled a hairbrush back through her straight blond hair. “You ready?”

  “In a sec,” Kimmy replied. She disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

  “I guess we’ll meet you in the gym,” Corky told Hannah.

  “Yeah, fine,” Hannah said, starting to unpack her second suitcase.

  Kimmy emerged from the bathroom. “Don’t take too long,” she warned Hannah.

  Corky followed Kimmy out to the hallway. She closed the door behind her. She heard the latch click as Hannah locked the door from the inside. “Do you believe Hannah?” Corky asked as they started to walk toward the elevator.

  Kimmy stopped short. “Oh, no! I forgot the pompoms. Miss Green said she was counting on me to remember them.”

  They both turned and made their way back to the room. “That was a close call,” Kimmy said.

  Kimmy reached for the doorknob.

  But her hand stopped in midair as a scream rang out.

  Both girls froze.

  Another high-pitched shriek.

  It was Hannah, Corky realized at once.

  Hannah inside the room. Screaming in horror.

  Chapter 5

  “I Could Just Murder Her”

  Corky fumbled in her bag for the room key. Kimmy pounded furiously on the door. “Hannah—whats wrong? Hannah!”

  Her hand trembling, Corky finally jammed the key into the lock and pushed the door open.

  As she and Kimmy hurtled into the room, Hannah came running out of the bathroom, a large maroon bath towel wrapped around her. Dripping water, she pointed an accusing finger at Corky, her eyes wide with anger.

  “How could you?” she shrieked in a shrill, high-pitched voice. “How could you?”

  “Hannah—what happened?” Corky demanded, gaping at her, bewildered.

  “What happened?” Kimmy repeated right behind Corky.

  “How could you? How could you?” Hannah repeated frantically. “You tried to scald me!”

  “Huh?” Both Corky and Kimmy cried in unison.

  “The water. It was so hot! I didn’t know. I stepped right in. I trusted you.”

  “But, Hannah—” Corky started.

  “Look at my legs!” Hannah screamed. “Look!” She lifted the towel to give the other two girls a better view. “You tried to scald me!” she repeated.

  Corky lowered her eyes to Hannah’s legs. Still dripping wet, both legs were bright red from the feet nearly up to the knees.

  “But that’s impossible. I tested the water,” Corky protested.

  Hannah glared furiously at Corky. “That’s just so mean! I—I—I don’t—” she sputtered.

  “The water probably started coming in hotter after Corky left,” Kimmy said, coming to Corky’s defense.

  “Really. I tested it. I did,” Corky insisted, staring at the scarlet flesh of Hannah’s legs.

  Hannah pulled the towel around herself more tightly. She didn’t reply.

  “I wouldn’t deliberately hurt you,” Corky muttered.

  “Should we get you to a nurse or something?” Kimmy asked.

  Hannah shook her head. “They’re starting to feel better. I was just shocked, that’s all.”

  “I’m really sorry,” Corky said, “but I know the water was okay when I left it.”

  Hannah shrugged. “Okay. Guess I overreacted.”

  “You sure you’re okay?” Kimmy asked.

  “Yeah. Fine,” Hannah replied. She took a few steps into the center of the room. “I guess I’m okay. Sorry I freaked like that.” She turned and disappeared back into the bathroom.

  “See you at the gym!” Kimmy called. “We’ll explain to Miss Green why you’re late.”

  Corky’s mouth dropped open in a silent gasp as her sister suddenly flashed into her mind. Bobbi had died because of scalding-hot shower water, Corky remembered.

  “I really did test the water,” Corky muttered, more to herself than to Kimmy.

  Kimmy picked up the carton of pom-poms. Then they headed out the door.

  “Weird,” Kimmy muttered, shaking her head as they walked quickly down the long corridor to the elevators. “Weird.”

  It sure is, Corky thought.

  And then she remembered that Kimmy had gone into the bathroom while the water was still running.

  That’s right, Corky told herself. Just before we left the room, Kimmy went into the bathroom.

  She glanced at Kimmy as the elevators came into view. Kimmy stared straight ahead, her face expressionless, revealing no emotion.

  Did Kimmy go into the bathroom and turn the hot water up? Corky wondered.

  Did Kimmy try to scald Hannah?

  “Hey, America—the time is here! Shadyside, stand up and cheer! Here we come. We want the world to know Shadyside is the HIT OF THE SHOW!”

  Cheering loudly, the six Shadyside cheerleaders ended the routine with synchronized back handsprings.

  “Ow!” Ronnie cried out, losing her balance and landing hard on her arm.

  Miss Green blew her whistle as the other squad members clustered around Ronnie. Kimmy and Debra helped her to her feet.

  “I’m okay,” Ronnie insisted. “Really. I’m all right.” She tested her shoulder, rotating her arm like an airplane propeller. “It feels okay.”

  “Then let’s try the routine again,” Miss Green said brusquely. She glanced at the sidelines, where one of the camp officials was scribbling notes rapidly on her clipboard.

  Miss Green blew her whistle again.

  Whistles were blowing all over the enormous gym. Cheerleading squads from fifteen different schools were shouting, dancing, leaping. Sneakers squeaked and thudded on the polished floor. Songs echoed off the tile walls.

  What an amazing sound, Corky thought. I’ll bet it doesn’t sound like this anywhere else in the world!

  A few feet away the cheerleaders of the Redwood Bulldogs were practicing rollups into partner pyramids. Their blue and gold uniforms, which they wore even though uniforms weren’t required, looked fresh and new.

  “Look at that girl. Their captain,” Corky said to Kimmy, practically having to shout in her ear to be heard. She pointed to a cheerleader with beautiful long red hair. “She’s really awesome!”

  “I know her!” Kimmy exclaimed. “She used to go to my Sunday school. Her name is Blair O’Connell. She is awesome—and she knows it!”

  They watched Blair perform an astounding cartwheel, then flip herself effortlessly up onto her partner’s shoulders, her red hair flying like a victory pennant.

  “Wow,” Corky said, shaking her head in admiration. “She is really outstanding!”

  “We can beat her!” Hannah cried, suddenly appearing behind Corky and Kimmy. “We’ll just have to work harder,
that’s all! Come on, everybody!” Hannah shouted, clapping her hands. “Let’s show the Bulldogs they’re not so hot!”

  Hannah acts as if she’s the captain, Corky thought scornfully. But she found herself caught up by Hannah’s enthusiasm anyway. Clearing her mind of all unpleasant thoughts, Corky threw herself whole-heartedly into the routine.

  “Hey, America—the time is here! Shadyside, stand up and cheer!”

  As the Shadyside squad practiced its cheer, Corky saw Blair O’Connell watching, her arms crossed over her chest, a sour look on her face. As the routine ended and Ronnie again mistimed her backflip and fell, Corky saw Blair laugh gleefully as she pointed Ronnie out to one of the other Bulldog cheerleaders.

  Kimmy stepped up beside Corky. She had obviously been watching Blair too. “I never liked her,” she said in Corky’s ear. “She’s so stuck up, she’s disgusting.”

  “But what a figure!” Corky exclaimed. “She’s so tall and—and—look at that tiny waist and—”

  Miss Green’s angry voice interrupted their conversation. “We’re not here as spectators,” she scolded. “Let’s start again. Ronnie, are you going to land on your feet or your butt this time?”

  Ronnie blushed. Her upper lip glistened with perspiration. She tugged at her curly copper-colored hair and uttered a cry of exasperation. “I’ll get it this time,” she promised.

  “Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!” Hannah cried, jumping up and down and clapping.

  She’s the cheerleader’s cheerleader, Corky thought sarcastically. Her eyes went from Hannah to Blair. Two of a kind, Corky thought bitterly. Except that Blair is more talented.

  Corky lined up with the others to begin the routine again. The gym grew hotter, the air thick and damp. The shouting voices, the cheers, the singing and clapping—it was all starting to make Corky’s head spin. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, but the bright lights didn’t fade. The echoing sounds only grew louder. She reopened her eyes and began the routine.

  It went better. At least, Ronnie didn’t fall. Again, Corky watched Blair O’Connell in her sleek blue and gold uniform, an expression of superior amusement on her beautiful face.

  They did the routine one more time. Then Miss Green suggested they work on handsprings.

  As they practiced, camp officials circulated and studied each team carefully, jotting down notes, having brief conversations with coaches and advisors.