Tne Secrets of tke Pear Family . . . The history of the Fear family is a dark and strange one, filled with death, madness, tragic love, and revenge. No one can escape the curse of the Fear family. Simon Fear tried. He changed the spelling of his family name from Fier to Fear and tried to start a new life. But he could not hide from his destiny—the Fear curse destroyed his entire family. Except one. Nicholas Fear. The child of Daniel Fear and Nora Goode. Will this new Fear be the one to break the curse? Or will he suffer the fate of his doomed family? i Books by R. L. Stine Fear Street THE NEW GIRL THE SURPRISE PARTY THE OVERNIGHT MISSING THE WRONG NUMBER THE SLEEPWALKER HAUNTED HALLOWEEN PARTY THE STEPSISTER SKI WEEKEND THE FIRE GAME LIGHTS OUT THE SECRET BEDROOM THE KNIFE PROM QUEEN FIRST DATE THE BEST FRIEND THE CHEATER SUNBURN THE NEW BOY THE DARE BAD DREAMS DOUBLE DATE THE THRILL CLUB ONE EVIL SUMMER THE MIND READER WRONG NUMBER 2 TRUTH OR DARE DEAD END FINAL GRADE SWITCHED COLLEGE WEEKEND THE STEPSISTER 2 WHAT HOLLY HEARD THE FACE SECRET ADMIRER Fear Street Super Chillers PARTY SUMMER SILENT NIGHT GOODNIGHT KISS BROKEN HEARTS SILENT NIGHT 2 THE DEAD LIFEGUARD CHEERLEADERS: THE NEW EVIL BAD MOONLIGHT THE NEW YEAR'S PARTY The Fear Street Saga THE BETRAYAL THE SECRET THE BURNING Fear Street Cheerleaders THE FIRST EVIL THE SECOND EVIL THE THIRD EVIL 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil THE FIRST HORROR THE SECOND HORROR THE THIRD HORROR The Cataluna Chronicles THE EVIL MOON THE DARK SECRET THE DEADLY FIRE Fear Street Sagas A NEW FEAR Other Novels HOW I BROKE UP WITH ERNIE PHONE CALLS CURTAINS BROKEN DATE Available from ARCHWAY Paperbacks Fbr orders other than by individual consumers, Archway Books grants a discount on the purchase of 10 or more copies of single tides for special markets or premium use. Fbr further details, please write to the Vice-President of Special Markets, Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. For information on how individual consumers can place orders, please write to Mail Order Department, Paramount Publishing, 200 ad Tappan Road, Old Tappan, NJ 07675. ii rasmte h^kwlm A Parachute Press Book a AN ARCHWAY PAPERBACK Published by POCKET BOOKS New York London Toronto Sydney Tokyo Singapore iii The sale of this book without its cover is unauthorized. If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that it was reported to the publisher as "unsold and destroyed." Neither the author nor the publisher has received payment for the sale of this "stripped book." This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. AN ARCHWAY PAPERBACK Original An Archway Paperback published by POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 Copyright © 1996 by Parachute Press, Inc. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 ISBN: 0-671-52952-8 First Archway Paperback printing March 1996 10 987654321 FEAR STREET is a registered trademark of Parachute Press, Inc. AN ARCHWAY PAPERBACK and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster Inc. Cover art by Lisa Falkenstern Printed in the U.S.A. iv R. L. Stine wishes to thank Brandon Alexander for his contributions and efforts on this manuscript. v 1 Prologue Tke Village of SL adysicle 1900 Nora Goode Fear bowed her head. Tired, so very tired. She had been sitting in this cold room most of the night, answering questions. Describing everything she had witnessed at the Fear mansion. Not once. Not twice. But three times now. And still they held her prisoner here. In this room without windows. In this room that held more darkness than light. The flame of a solitary candle flickered. The shadows shifted. Nora lifted her gaze to the man sitting behind the desk. He alone would determine her fate. He had the authority to set her free. He had the power to lock her away. The man sighed heavily and leaned back in his 2 chair. He scattered papers before him. Papers containing his questions and her answers. Nora wiped the tears from her eyes and straightened her spine. She tried to swallow, but her throat was too dry. Her back ached. She was hungry and tired. She wanted to slide out of the chair, curl up on the floor, and go to sleep. She wanted to dream of Daniel, her husband of one day. Of the happy times they shared before his family's curse brought them death and destruction. "All right, Nora," the man said sternly. "Tell me again what happened." Again? Nora's shoulders slumped forward. If I am not insane now, she thought wearily, I soon will be. How can I keep telling this tale of horror over and over? I want to forget all that happened, but he forces me to remember. Impatiently, the man rapped on the desk with his knuckles. "Tell me the truth about what happened at the Fear mansion. Tell me the truth and you shall be released." I must be strong, Nora thought. Strong for my baby. Daniel's and mine. Nora knew she carried Daniel Fear's child. Knew it in her heart. She would do anything to protect their baby. Anything. She swallowed hard and forced herself to answer calmly. "Daniel's grandfather, Simon Fear, was celebrating his seventy-fifth birthday. All the candles on the cake were burning. Daniel announced that Nora 3 Goode Fear was his new wife. His grandfather screamed—" "Liar!" the man cried. "You were never married. Everyone in Shadyside knows that." "We were married!" Nora protested. How could she convince the man to believe her? "Our marriage was a secret," Nora explained. "We did not want to tell our families until after the ceremony. We were afraid they would try to stop us—because of the feud between the Fears and the Goodes." The man shook his head, his lips pressed together in a thin line. "Go on," he said impatiently. "Daniel and I eloped. We did not even take the time to choose wedding rings. Daniel gave me this instead." Nora lifted the chain of the amulet she wore around her neck. "That night was Daniel's grandfather's seventy-fifth birthday. Someone brought in a cake with all the candles lit. Then Daniel announced our marriage. His grandfather screamed and rose from his wheelchair—" "Impossible!" the man barked. "Simon Fear was a weak old man. He could not rise from his wheelchair." Nora flinched at his harsh tone. "But he did," Nora insisted. "Then he fell and crashed onto the table. The cake toppled off. The flames from the candles started the fire." "You expect me to believe that the tiny candles on a 4 birthday cake burned an enormous mansion to the ground?" Nora squeezed her eyes shut and nodded. She could see Daniel standing by her side and introducing her to his grandparents. The next moment, a wall of fire separated them—forever. "You did not try to put out the fire?" the man asked. "No one could put out the fire. Daniel tried, but it was like a living, breathing thing. A thing with a will of its own. So hot and bright." Nora took a deep breath and forced herself to meet the man's cold eyes. "And I saw faces—laughing, screaming faces—in the flames," she said firmly. Nora felt more tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She dashed them away. "Enough!" The man pounded his fist on the table. "I gave you four opportunities to tell the truth. The events you describe are impossible." He picked up a pen, dipped it in an inkwell, and scrawled his name across the paper. The candle flame wavered. Shadows danced across the man's face. He lifted his eyes and captured her gaze. "I am sorry, Nora, but I have no choice. I must declare you insane and commit you to the insane asylum." Nora opened her lips and uttered an anguished cry that echoed through the room. 5 PART ONE 6 7 i Tke Village of Sk aclysicle 1901 Nora hated the night. During the day, she heard a cry or two from down the hall. She heard a thump above her cell or a bump below. But at night, deep moans and screams reverberated off the walls of the asylum. Nora covered her ears, but she could still hear the cries of the other inmates. What do they see in their nightmares? Nora wondered. Can it be more horrible than what I see through my window? Nora peered through the black iron bars. Just as she had every night for ten long months now. The ten long months she had been locked in the asylum. Beyond the bars she could make out the remains of the Fear mansion against the full moon. How could any nightmare be more terrifying than that? 8 Nora noticed the workers had made more progress on the road running through the Fear property. A road they would call Fear Street. Nora wrapped her arms around her body. She had tried to tell the doctors and nurses that the road was a bad idea. They would not listen. Why would they? They thought she was insane. But she knew the bad luck that surrounded the Fears had somehow seeped into their land. Tainted it. She turned from the window. The darkness always came too swiftly, wrapping shadows around the bed, the table, the chair. And the cradle. Bending, Nora lifted her son into her arms. Nicholas gazed at her with trusting brown eyes ... his father's eyes. Daniel Fear's eyes. She returned to the window and sat on the wooden floor. Wind whistled through the cracked glass. Nora leaned forward and breathed deeply. The fresh night air reminded her of the world outside. The world she wanted Nicholas to know. But her son had been born in this place. He had never been outside the iron bars and locked doors of the insane asylum. Nora preferred to sleep leaning against the window, holding her son. Her mattress stank of stale perfume, blood, sweat, and death. She never used it. She rocked back and forth. Someone screamed—a high shrill sound. Her son cried softly. Looking at his innocent face, Nora brushed the brown hair away from his furrowed brow. 9 "It is only the wind. Only the wind," she whispered. "I will take care of you. Do not worry. I will always take care of you." Nora felt the warmth of the sunlight on her eyelids. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Another day. Keys rattled as someone unlocked the door. Nicholas whimpered, and Nora picked him up and held him close. The door burst open. A large woman stood in the doorway. Martha, Nora's nurse. Her body blocked the light from the hallway. "It is time for your bath, Nora." Martha stepped aside. A young girl darted into the room. "Nancy will watch the babe," Martha said. Nancy wore a coarse white cotton shift like Nora's. It identified her as an inmate of the asylum. She waved her hands frantically before her, an empty smile frozen on her face. "Baby. I watch baby." Nora hugged Nicholas tighter. "Could a nurse stay with him?" "Nancy is twelve. Certainly old enough to watch a baby," Martha snapped. "Twelve," Nancy repeated as she held out her arms. "He's sleeping," Nora lied as she placed Nicholas in the cradle. "Sleeping," Nancy said. She sounded disappointed, but her smile remained. "You must not hold him while he's sleeping," Nora said. 10 "Must not hold him," Nancy repeated as she stared into the cradle. "Just watch him and keep him safe," Nora added softly. "Watch him and keep him safe," Nancy mimicked. She began to rock the cradle and sing a lullaby. Reluctantly, Nora followed Martha from the room. Martha slammed the door shut and locked it. She wrapped a beefy hand around Nora's arm and forced her down the stairs. When they entered the first floor, Nora saw a man banging his head against the wall. "It hurts," he said. And banged his head again. "It hurts." A woman sitting in a corner clawed at her face with her fingernails. Bright red blood covered her hands. Martha charged over to the woman, jerking Nora with her. She grabbed the woman's wrist. "Stop it! Stop it, Charlotte!" "I need to get them off," the woman whined. "Orderly! Tie this woman to her bed!" Martha shouted. "I have to get the spiders off. They are biting me. Biting my face," the woman wailed. A young man rushed over and picked Charlotte up as if she were a child. He carried her down the hallway. "I need to get them off," the woman cried again and again. Martha tightened her grip on Nora's arm and stomped toward the stairway leading to the basement. Nora stumbled as Martha yanked her down the stairs. Martha opened the door and shoved Nora inside 11 the dark, damp room. Nora pressed her back to the wall. She hated coming here. Martha pushed open another door. "Get inside." Nora held her breath as she entered the room. The light was dim. A scrawny woman with loose skin hanging from her bones stepped out of the cast-iron bathtub. Open sores covered her shivering body. Her teeth chattered. Nora knew the water was cold. The water was always cold. And the room had no fire to warm it. An attendant wrapped a blanket around the thin woman and guided her out of the room. Nora released her breath and the room's foul odors rushed into her nose. Sweat, decay, mold. She always felt dirtier after a bath in this room. "Hurry along," Martha instructed. "You do not want Nancy to play with your son too long." Shivering after her bath, Nora followed Martha back to her room. She had dried off, but still she felt damp. Martha slipped her key into the lock, turned it, and shoved the door open. Nora rushed in. Nancy stood by the cradle, rocking it back and forth. "Say bye-bye," she muttered. "Nancy say bye-bye to baby." Nora studied her son. His eyes were closed. He slept peacefully. "Come along, Nancy," Martha ordered from the doorway. "Come along," Nancy repeated in a singsong voice. 1 Nancy trotted toward the door. Then she spun back to face the cradle. "Nancy say bye-bye. Baby go to new home now. Baby go to new home." "What?" Nora gasped. She clasped her hands together to keep them from trembling. "What, Nancy?" "Nancy say bye-bye to baby," Nancy answered. She nodded her head up and down, up and down. Slowly Nora raised her eyes to meet Martha's. "No," she whispered. "Yes," Martha answered firmly. "Nancy is correct. The baby cannot be raised in an insane asylum. He is almost old enough to leave you. They will take him soon." 13 2 When?" Nora yelled. "When will they come for Nicholas?" She had to know. She needed to make plans. She would never allow anyone to take Nicholas from her. "Calm yourself," Martha ordered. "They will come when they come. Screaming your throat raw will not change anything." Nora grabbed Martha's arm. "What will they do to him? Where will they take him? Please tell me. You must." Martha pried Nora's fingers off her arm. "That is enough," she ordered. "I do not want to have you restrained." Martha made her way to the door. "Wherever they take the baby, he will be better off," she said over her shoulder. But he will not have me, Nora thought. He will not 14 have his own mother. And no one else could love Nicholas the way I do. The moment Martha locked the door behind her, Nora reached under her mattress and pulled out the rope. She rubbed it between her fingers. Still not thick enough. And she had been working on it for months. Nora unbraided her hair and shook it free. It fell almost to her knees. She separated several strands and jerked them out, ignoring the irritating pain in her scalp. She wove the hair into her makeshift rope. A rope made of hair, threads from her blanket, threads from her clothes, and anything else she could find. Nora tried to be gentle as she plucked more hair, but her hands shook. She felt afraid. Afraid they would come too soon. Afraid they would come and take Nicholas away before she was ready. When she finished the rope, Nora planned to push the chair leg against the cracked corner of the window until the glass gave way. Then she would bundle Nicholas in a blanket, tie the rope around his protected body, and slowly lower him to the ground. Next she would douse the fire in the hearth and climb up the chimney until she reached the roof. Somehow from there she would find a way to the ground and Nicholas. Nora rehearsed the escape plan over and over in her mind as she added to the soft rope. The plan had to work. It had to. The wind howled outside. Nora stopped her work 15 to listen more carefully. She heard another sound mingle with the sound of the wind. Someone calling for help! Nora sprang to the window and peered out. She saw one of the doctors run down the front steps. A red-haired boy dashed over to him. "There has been an accident!" the boy yelled. "A bad one. On that road they are making by the Fear mansion. Three men crushed!" If only they had listened to her. Nora knew the dark forces of the Fear family would claim more lives. She knew the road would only bring disaster to the town. Nicholas whimpered softly. Nora lifted him into her arms and rocked him gently. The evil Fear legacy would never touch her son, she promised herself. Never. The baby drifted back to sleep, and Nora returned him to his cradle. Then she reached up and grabbed another clump of her hair. She yanked it out, gritting her teeth against the pain. She had to get Nicholas away from this horrible place. Away from the asylum. Away from the town. Away from everything tainted by the Fears. Nora wove the hairs into the rope. She grabbed another bunch of hair and tore it out. She felt the warm, wet blood trickle down her cheek. She did not care. All she cared about was Nicholas. Nora added the hairs to the rope with trembling fingers. She gazed into the cradle. "Do not worry, Nicho- 16 las," she crooned. "I will take care of you. I will not let them take you from me. Not ever." The door flew open with a bang. Nora gasped. "What are you doing, Nora?" a low voice demanded. 17 3 Nora jerked her head toward the door. Her doctor stood there watching her. She had not heard him enter. The doctor strode to Nora. "What is this?" he asked, pulling the long, silky braid from her hands. Nora fought to remain calm. "Since you took away my pen and writing paper, I have nothing to do. The braid is simply a way to occupy my time." The doctor wound the rope of hair around his hand. "Very clever, Nora. Did you think to escape with this flimsy rope?" "No!" she insisted. "But I do not belong in this awful place." "That is for me to decide," he said. He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped a streak of blood from Nora's forehead. The doctor strode to the door and opened it. "Send 18 Martha to me," he called down the hall. "And tell her to bring the scissors." "No," Nora whimpered, tears filling her eyes. "Please, no." Nicholas began to cry. Nora scooped him up and held him tightly. Moments later Martha stalked into the room. "Nora has been pulling out her hair to make a rope," the doctor informed Martha. "Cut it off." "Of course, Doctor." Martha gave him a wide smile. "Come, Nora," Martha crooned as she held up a large pair of scissors. She opened and closed them several times. The tinny sound set Nora's teeth on edge. "It is for the best. We cannot have you pulling your hair out by the roots. We cannot have you hurting yourself." "I will never do it again," Nora promised, backing away. Martha slipped the scissors into the pocket of her uniform and held out her arms. "Give me your son. I'll put him to bed." I could run, Nora thought frantically. I could dart between Martha and the doctor before they know what I have in mind. I could be out of this room, down the stairs, and away from the asylum before anyone caught me. And if they grab me? Nicholas might get hurt, she realized. Martha might accidentally stab him with the scissors. Or I might drop him. 19 He is innocent. I must protect him. Now is not the time to fight. But the time to fight will come. Defeated for the moment, Nora tenderly placed her son in Martha's arms. She watched Martha return the baby to his cradle. "Now, move closer to the hearth, so I can see what I am doing," Martha snapped. Nora walked to the hearth and sank to the floor. Folding her hands in her lap, she waited. Martha grabbed a fistful of Nora's hair and yanked it up. Nora bit her lip to stifle a cry of pain. The scissors snipped. The tinny sound grated on Nora's nerves. A lock of her long, dark hair fell into her lap. Daniel loved my hair, Nora thought numbly. She stared into the fire as the weight on her head lightened. Martha jerked her head as she cut, but Nora would not complain. How would Nora escape now? Without her long hair, she would never be able to weave another rope. And soon they would come to take her son away. Nora lifted her eyes and stared at the doctor. He stared back, his eyes cold, his face expressionless. Nora knew tears and pleading would have no effect on him. He would not help her keep Nicholas. The cold steel scissors touched her scalp and Nora shivered. She did not dare reach up to see if she had any hair left. Martha gathered her shorn hair and tossed it into the fire. The flames in the hearth hissed and crackled. Smoke drifted into the room. The odor of singed hair stung Nora's nostrils. 20 "I hope you learned your lesson," Martha said. "You are without power here. Cause us any more trouble, and you will regret it." Nora held back her tears until she heard Martha and the doctor leave the room, locking the door behind them. Then she bowed her head and released a wail of despair. I must find a way to escape before insanity claims my mind, she thought. Against her will, her fingers touched the bristly remains of her hair. How could anyone look at me now and not see a madwoman? she wondered as she buried her face in her hands. When will this nightmare end? Harsh voices in the hallway woke Nora. She rose from the floor, tiptoed across the room, and pressed her ear against the hard oak door. "She probably cried herself to sleep," a scratchy voice murmured. Nora recognized the voice of the doctor. "What will we do when Nora tells people?" another voice asked. "Who will believe her? We will simply explain she killed the baby and we buried him. Who do you think they will believe? An insane woman? Or a respected doctor?" Nora backed away from the door. She glanced around the barren room. She had no weapons, no way to protect Nicholas. She walked to his cradle and lifted him into her 21 arms. "Our journey to safety will begin soon, Nicholas. I don't know how we will manage it, but we will find a way to escape." He gurgled and smiled at her. Tears stung her eyes. He trusted her. She would not disappoint him. She walked to the window. Holding Nicholas close, she waited. Sweat popped out on her forehead. She wiped it away impatiently. She heard the key go into the lock. "They're coming," she whispered. "They're coming." Nicholas cooed. She tightened her hold on him. "I must convince them we don't belong here," she said softly. She looked at her son. "It is wrong to lie, Nicholas, but I am desperate. To save you, I will do anything." Bowing her head, she kissed his soft cheek. "When you grow up, always tell the truth." Metal ground against metal as the key turned. Silence filled the room. Seconds ticked by like minutes. The knob turned. The hinges squeaked. The door slowly opened. The doctor and two large assistants stood in the shadows. Escape was impossible. Nora stepped into the center of the room. She straightened her back, tilted up her chin, and met the doctor's questioning gaze. "I lied the night you questioned me. You were right. 22 There were no ghosts that night. No screaming faces in the flames. The only screams I heard were my own." Nora rushed on. "I know the truth. The Fears possess no dark powers. There is no curse on the family. There is nothing wrong with building a road on Fear property. No one in Shadyside is in danger." "I am proud of you, Nora. I know that was difficult for you," the doctor said. Nora released her breath in a long sigh. Would she and Nicholas finally be able to begin a new life? She gazed at the doctor. Her heart beat fast as she waited for his decision. "I knew someday you would tell me the truth about that night in the Fear mansion," he continued. Then the doctor's eyes hardened. "But it is too late, Nora." "No!" Nora cried as rage rushed through her. "You promised to release me when I realized the truth about that night. A fire destroyed the Fear mansion. A horrible fire. I imagined all the rest." "It is clear you still believe the Fear family is cursed," the doctor said firmly. "You still need our help. I have arranged for Nicholas to live with a good family until you are ready to be released." 23 4 Jr lease," Nora wailed. "Please do not take my baby away. He is all I have." "When you are well, he will be returned to you, I promise," the doctor told her. Nora backed against the wall. "Your promises are worthless," she spat. "I will not let you take my son." "You cannot stop me, my dear. You are the patient. I am the doctor. And the family has agreed to pay me a large sum for a male child. I do not want to disappoint them." He signalled to the attendants. They lumbered toward Nora. She raced across the room and placed Nicholas in his cradle. "I can defend you better if you are not in my arms," she whispered. She turned and glared at the two men approaching 24 her. Like the madwoman they claimed she was, she released a wild yell that rose from deep within her soul. She bared her teeth. Her nostrils flared and her green eyes narrowed. Her fingers curled into claws as she lunged at the huge men. She slashed her fingernails across the neck of the closest man. She felt his skin gather beneath her nails. He yelled as blood flowed down his chest in rivulets. Nora reached for the man's eyes. The second man grabbed her and yanked her back. She sunk her teeth into his upper arm. Jerking her head back viciously, she ripped out a chunk of his flesh. His agonized scream drowned out the doctor's frantic orders. The first man knocked Nora to the floor. Breathing heavily, she savored the metallic, salty taste of warm blood on her lips. "You take one arm, I will take the other," one of the men growled. Nora scrambled to her feet. Both men lunged at her. She darted to the right. One man caught her arm. He slammed her into the other man. Their hands closed around her arms like iron bands. She kicked and bucked. She heard laughter. The doctor's laughter. Echoing off the walls. Surrounding her. Suffocating her. The stale odor of their unwashed bodies filled her nose as she struggled to free herself. She was no 25 match for their strength. She was so tiny. They were so big. The doctor sauntered over and stood before her. "My dear Nora," he said softly, "continue to fight them, and a slip of their hands could break your neck. Who would care that you died?" He strolled to the cradle. "Ah, this precious child has made me a rich man." He leaned down and reached for Nicholas. "No!" Nora cried in desperation as she fought against her captors. "Keep away from my baby!" She felt the Fear amulet grow hot against her skin. The floor shook. Nora gasped. The doctor spun around. Eyes wide with fright. The fire crackled and blazed. The flames grew higher and higher. They reached past the hearth. They climbed the wall. The flames lapped greedily at the ceiling. They grew brighter until all Nora could see was a wall of fire. A man emerged from the writhing flames. "Daniel," Nora gasped. Her husband had come back from the grave. Nora's legs went weak. Daniel stared at her. His face serious. His eyes accusing. "I am sorry," Nora cried. Her voice trembled. "I am so sorry, Daniel. I tried to protect our child—but I could not. Forgive me," she begged. "Come and join me, Doctor," Daniel rasped. He 26 reached past Nora and drew the doctor into the raging inferno. Screaming, the doctor fell to his knees. His eyes bulged. Bulged out farther and farther. Then, with a moist pop, his eyes flew from their sockets and rolled across the floor. They hissed as flames devoured them. Nora turned her face away from the horrifying sight. Stunned, the attendants released Nora. She backed toward the cradle. Nicholas would be terrified. The doctor's agonized shrieks blended with the roaring flames. Nora forced herself to look. The doctor's skin formed bubbles that burst open to reveal the bone beneath. Bubble, burst, bone. Over and over. Nora felt a sharp taste hit the back of her throat. She swallowed hard. Calm down, she ordered herself. You have to be ready to save Nicholas. The doctor's skin boiled away—until nothing remained but his skeleton. Daniel dropped the doctor. With a shriek of fury he snatched up one of the attendants—just as the man reached for the doorknob. The second attendant dashed for the window. Daniel shot flames at him. They covered the attendant like a blanket. The fire continued to blaze, stretching toward the 27 corners of the room, painting the ceiling in orange flames. "Nora!" Daniel shouted. She jerked her head toward the hearth. From within the fiery depths of the inferno, Daniel reached out for her. 28 5 Nora felt the heat blasting from Daniel's hands. "Daniel, no!" she cried. "Don't you recognize me? I am Nora. Your wife. I know you do not want to hurt me." Strips of skin peeled away from Daniel's face. His burning hands were almost touching her. Nora could not move. She had to stay in front of the cradle. She had to shield Nicholas. Nora forced herself to stare into Daniel's glowing white eyes. "Daniel. You must understand. I am Nora. Our son needs me." "Run, Nora," Daniel rasped. Nora dashed to the cradle and swept Nicholas up. Then she rushed to the door. She hesitated a moment and gazed at her husband. The flames retreated to the hearth-. "This is your son," Nora told him, her voice 29 cracking. "When he grows up he will look just like you." "Go!" Daniel begged. His face contorted with pain as the flames leapt around him. "I love you, Daniel," Nora cried. Daniel released a mournful howl and fell to his knees. Nora raced from the room and ran down the hallway. The flames followed her. The fire roared around her. The walls became blinding sheets of fire. The inmates frantically banged on their locked doors. The yells for help were ignored as thick smoke clogged the air. Hugging Nicholas tightly, Nora rushed down the stairs. The rooms on the next floor were not locked. Patients raced in all directions. Nora spotted one woman sitting in the middle of the floor, rocking back and forth in a daze. "Fire!" Nora yelled. "Run! The building is on fire! Save yourself!" The woman continued to rock. Nora began running again. Faster. I have to run faster. I have to save Nicholas. I will not let the evil touch him. I will not let the fire burn him. She darted down the stairs, shoving people aside. Doctors and nurses yelled orders. They did not notice Nora. A man grabbed the hem of her shift. She heard the material rip as she jerked free and continued to run. 30 Her eyes stung. The hot air scorched her lungs as she breathed. Her heart pounded. Her ears rang. Her throat grew dry. We have to escape, she thought, as she forced her blistered feet down the final flight of stairs. We will escape. We will. She ran out the front door. Out into the night. Screeching sirens and clanging bells greeted her. Behind her people screamed, the fire roared, the building began to crumble. Nora did not pause to catch her breath. She darted across the lawn. The cool grass eased the pain in her feet. When she reached the safety of the bushes, she crouched and watched the insane asylum burn. I am free, Nora thought. She could hardly believe it. What should I do now? Hide. I need a better place to hide. Then I can make plans. Find a way to get out of Shadyside without being seen. She trailed her fingers along her son's soft cheek. "We must go where no one knows us, Nicholas," she whispered. "We must find a town where no one has ever heard of the Fear family. We must go far, far away." She looked one last time at the asylum. She could see the window to her room. The bars did not seem so frightening from the outside. The glass burst out of the window. Like long arms, flames reached out for the nearby trees. 31 Nora saw Daniel standing at the window. Staring down at them. "We must go, Nicholas. We must go now. Goodbye, Daniel." Nora struggled to her feet. Cradling her infant son, she staggered away from the asylum and stumbled toward the unknown. 32 6 Shivering, Nora curled around Nicholas. She felt the warmth from his tiny body as he nestled against her chest. They had taken refuge in the hold of a ship. It held no warmth. It had no fire. Nora's fingers felt like icicles, frozen and stiff. She was afraid she would wake Nicholas if she touched him with her cold hands. She knew he was hungry. Just as she was. There had been no time to gather food as they ran from the asylum. No time to think about how they would survive alone, with only each other. She had only cared about escape. They had traveled through the night. Avoiding the main roads and people, they slowly made their way to the docks in a neighboring town. With the early-morning fog draped over the land, Nora sneaked aboard the ship. She did not know its 33 destination. She did not care. The ship would take them away. That was enough. She felt the movement of the boat and heard it scrape against the dock as it headed to sea. Nora gazed down at her son. Nicholas slept peacefully in a wooden crate lined with some old flour sacks. Nora's eyelids grew heavy. I must not sleep, she chided herself. She rubbed her puffy eyes. Her eyes stung when she closed them. They burned when she opened them wide. I must keep watch, she reminded herself. If I do not, they will come. They move quickly. Even in the darkness, I can feel their tiny beady eyes watching us from the rafters above. She shuddered. If I close my eyes for a moment, they will attack. The ship groaned with the motion of the sea. Concentrate on the noises, Nora told herself. Anything to stay awake. She listened to the footsteps of the sailors overhead as they worked. The wind whistling across the sea. The scrabble of tiny feet. They are moving closer, Nora thought. Nora peered into the blackness surrounding her. She couldn't see anything. She felt exhausted. Her body ached. The skittering of sharp little claws grew louder. They were coming. 34 But Nora was too tired. Too tired to worry. A long, cold, hairless tail brushed along her cheek. The rats had arrived. Nora bit back a scream. She forced herself to remain motionless as the rats gathered around her. I have to maintain my strength. For Nicholas. I must remain strong. She shot out one hand and snatched one of the rats. It squirmed in her fist, squealing. Nora broke its neck with a sharp twist, and ripped off its head. The other rats scattered. The rat's warm, thick blood oozed across Nora's hand, thawing her icy fingers. She tilted her head back, fighting against her revulsion. Have to stay strong for Nicholas. Have to stay strong. Nora held the rat over her open mouth and squeezed tightly. Its blood dripped onto her tongue and rolled down her throat. The door to the cargo hold banged open. Light spilled in through the doorway. Nora tossed the rat away and wiped the sticky blood from her mouth. She picked Nicholas up and scooted behind a stack of wooden crates. Footsteps echoed through the hold. Nora watched the light from a lantern bounce across the floor and walls. The light moved closer and closer. The footsteps grew louder. 35 Nora held her breath. Then the light moved away. All grew still. Silent. Where is the man? she wondered. Is he going to leave? Nora held her breath. Please leave! she thought. Please go away and leave us in peace. Nora strained to hear something that would give away the man's location. But she heard nothing. Not even the scurrying of the rats. Nora's heart thudded. She waited. Where is the man? Where is he? Cautiously, she inched forward and peered around the wooden crates. Large, rough hands grabbed her and yanked her to her feet. "I knew I heard more than rats moving around down here," the man cried. Nora struggled to break free. "Do you know what we do with stowaways?" he demanded. Nora shook her head. "We throw them to the sharks!" The man narrowed his eyes and studied her. Nora's thoughts raced. What is he going to do to me? I have to keep him away from Nicholas. "Give me that necklace you are wearing and I will not tell anyone you are here," the man ordered. "But it was a gift from—" "I want it," he snarled. "And one way or another, I will have it. You can give it to me or I will take it." 36 He wrapped his fingers around the silver chain. "No!" Nora shrieked. The amulet grew warm against her skin. "I want it!" he growled. He twisted the chain and gave it a hard jerk. The chain tightened around her neck and dug into her throat. She gasped for air. She struggled to squeeze her fingers underneath the chain. Air. She needed air. Darkness surrounded her. Her hands fell limply to her sides. Nicholas. Who would take care of Nicholas? From far away Nora heard the man utter a shrill scream of agony. The pressure around her throat eased. Damp, salty air rushed into her lungs. She forced her eyes open and looked at the man. If she had had the strength, she would have screamed. Rats swarmed over the man. They dropped on him from the rafters. They scurried up his pant legs. They crawled down the collar of hi& shirt. More rats jumped from the crates, fighting for a place on his twisting and thrashing body. The rats scratched and chewed until Nora could see pieces of the man's white bones. Nora's stomach twisted as she watched the rats. They ripped at the man with their claws and their sharp yellow teeth. One rat yanked away a chunk of the man's earlobe. One pulled off a tiny piece of his eyelid. 37 The man howled in agony—and one of the rats leapt into his mouth. The man fell to the floor. He curled himself into a tight ball. Nora heard him whimpering. Whimpering as the rats fed on his flesh. What if they are still hungry when they have finished? Nora thought. She positioned herself in front of Nicholas's makeshift cradle and stared at the rats. They would have to get through her before they touched her baby. 38 7 JHleavy footsteps pounded down the stairs. The door crashed open and men poured in. Sailors, shipmen, workers. What will they do if they find me? Nora slowly backed into the corner. Lifting their lanterns, the men stared in mute horror as the black rats swarmed over their shipmate. Pools of dark blood glistened around him. One of the men snatched up a crate and hurled it at the rats. A few ran off. The rest kept feeding. Nora's stomach cramped when she caught sight of the spongy gray brain matter spilling from the man's head. "There is no saving him," one of the sailors muttered. Nicholas gave a little whimper. 39 Please do not cry now, Nora begged silently. Please. Not until they are gone—and we are safe again. She jiggled Nicholas up and down. He liked that. It usually made him stop crying. Nora shifted from one foot to the other as she tried to keep the baby quiet. One of her feet came down on a piece of wood. It snapped with a crack. "Look!" A man pointed at Nora. A shiver raced through her as all the men turned and stared at her. "The rats left her alone," another man whispered hoarsely. "She must possess some dark magic," someone called. The men murmured in agreement. "No!" Nora cried. "I have no magic. You must believe me." One man edged nearer. He had straw-colored hair and freckles. "I am Tim." He puffed out his chest. "First mate." He glanced at the bloody body on the floor. Still. So still. "This is not a safe place for a woman and a baby. Follow me." Some of the men muttered in protest. Tim pushed his way through the crowd. Nora was careful to stay close behind him. They trudged up the stairs. The other men fell in behind them. Nora noticed that none of them came too close to her. They are afraid of me, she realized. Afraid, but angry, too. "This way," Tim urged. When Tim reached the end 40 of the corridor, he pushed open the last door. "In here, missy." Nora stepped inside the small room. Beds were stacked one on top of another along two walls. Large wooden trunks lined another wall. Above the trunks, pegs in the wall held yellow rain slickers. Tim opened a wooden trunk. He took out the clothes and tossed them into a corner. Then he took a blanket from the bed and dropped it into the trunk. "You can put the baby in here," he said gruffly. Nora placed Nicholas in the trunk. She wrapped the blanket around him. Grateful, she started to thank Tim. But his eyes were hard and cold. "You are not to leave this room," he commanded. "I will have to discuss your presence with the captain." "Shouldn't I talk to the captain?" Nora asked. Tim shook his head. "A woman on board a cargo ship is bad luck. He won't like this. He won't like it at all." He shut the door firmly behind him, and Nora heard a key turn in the lock. Nora sank down on the floor beside the trunk. I am a prisoner again, she realized. She stroked Nicholas's back gently. But at least there are no rats here. And we have light. Now if they will just bring us some food. The ship lurched. Waves crashed down on it. She grabbed the edge of the trunk and held on tightly. She crooned to the baby as the ship pitched back and forth. 41 "It is a storm, Nicholas," she said. "That is all. A storm. The men are used to storms at sea. They know what to do." Nora heard a man yelling orders. She thought he sounded scared. She heard footsteps racing back and forth above her. The ship pitched more violently. Nora braced herself against one wall, fighting to keep Nicholas's trunk steady. What is happening to us? Nora wondered. What is happening to us now? "One minute the sea is calm—now this," Nora heard a man yell. "It is not natural." "It is that woman!" another man yelled. "She has dark powers!" The ship plunged. Nora was thrown against the door of her room. Nicholas's trunk slammed into her. Nicholas squealed in fright. Nora tried to comfort him. But her voice shook as she whispered to him, and her heart thudded against her ribs. Nora heard footsteps racing down the corridor. "She brought this down on us!" a man shouted from outside the door. "Yes!" another man shouted. "She controlled those rats. She had them kill Frank. She will kill us all if we let her." "I did not kill your friend," Nora called through the door. "Please believe me!" "Why should we believe her?" one of the men growled. 42 Nora pulled Nicholas's trunk as far away from the door as she could. "I will keep you safe," she promised him. "Do not worry. Mama will keep you safe." "Throw her overboard!" someone yelled. Nora returned to the door and stood waiting for the men. The key turned in the lock. The door flew open. A man charged in and grabbed her by the waist. Nora fought wildly, scratching and kicking. The man swore and hoisted her over one of his shoulders. "Let me go!" Nora screamed. She twisted back and forth. Trying to break free. "I have to stay with my baby!" The big man tightened his grip and hauled her out of the room and up some narrow stairs. He shoved open the door leading to the deck. The wind caught it and tore it from its hinges. Nora screamed. The rain pelted Nora as the man carried her outside. The wind stung her face. Waves rushed over the railing each time the ship lurched. Nora could not stop shaking. How could she convince these men she was innocent? The man stalked toward the railing. "Throw her over! Throw her over!" the other men chanted. The man slid Nora off his shoulder. Her unsteady feet hit the deck. "Stop the storm!" the man yelled. Nora staggered in the wind. He grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her tender skin. "Stop the storm!" he yelled again. 43 Nora shook her head. "I cannot. You have to let me go back to my baby. Please!" The sailors howled in fury. They rushed forward and hoisted her into the air. She struggled as they carried her to the rail. "Stop! I have no magic!" Nora screamed. "I have no power over the storm!" "Throw her overboard!" someone yelled into the wind. The men lifted her higher. They swung her over the railing. The ocean churned beneath her. 44 8 The ship lurched. The men stumbled backward—away from the railing. They released Nora. She felt herself falling. Nora landed on the deck. Pain burst through her chest as the air was knocked out of her. A powerful wave crashed over the railing. Nora heard men scream as the wave pulled them over. Gasping for breath, she struggled to her knees. I must get to Nicholas. This ship cannot survive this storm. It will sink. It will sink to the bottom of the ocean. I cannot let it take Nicholas with it. Nora felt the Fear amulet grow warm against her chest. She wrapped her fingers around it. The bow of the ship lurched into the air. Straight up. Nora grabbed onto some rigging and wrapped it around her hands. 45 Men slid past her, clawing at the deck. They screamed in terror as they fell into the sea. The bow plunged back into the water. Nora shook free of the rigging. She crawled to the stairs and tumbled halfway down. Nora heard the wind scream. Water poured down the stairs. She hauled herself to her feet and braced a hand against the wall to keep her balance. The amulet began to glow. Its strange blue light helped Nora find her way. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, icy water swirled above her ankles. "Nicholas!" she cried. "I'm coming!" She struggled down the hallway and threw open the last door. The trunk had not been moved. And she could see Nicholas's fists waving in the air. "I am here!" she cried, lunging for the trunk. A strong hand landed on her shoulder and stopped her. Nora spun around. No one could keep her from Nicholas. No one. "You must die!" the sailor yelled. "No!" Nora shrieked. She had to save Nicholas. She had to save her baby. 46 9 phe grabbed the man's shirt. She felt power rush through her body. She felt strong enough to fight every man on the ship—if that is what it took to save her son. She rifted the man into the air. And hurled him against the wall with all her might. Thunk! A wooden clothes-peg burst through his chest. Hot, sticky blood sprayed across Nora's face. The man howled in agony as he hung suspended from the peg. "Look what she did to Samuel," someone screamed. Nora turned toward the voice. Three men stared back at her. "She is evil!" one of the men declared. "Pure evil." 47 "That's right! I am evil!" Nora screamed. "Stay back! Stay back or I will kill you as well." She stroked the amulet. Its heat flowed through her fingers. The men hesitated. Nora could tell they were frightened. Frightened and angry. "I have the power. I will use it. Run from me while you can!" She meant every word of her threat. She would kill them. She would kill them all to protect Nicholas. Nora rushed at the men. "Run while you can!" The men scrambled over one another as they bolted from the room. Crack! Nora heard the sharp sound above the storm. Water began seeping through the walls of the cabin. The sides of the ship are splintering, Nora realized. She rushed to Nicholas. The trunk was made of solid wood, but would it float? Or sink to the bottom of the sea? She spotted a coiled rope on the floor. She snatched it up and tied one end securely around her small waist. She kissed the tips of her fingers, then pressed her fingers to her son's cheek. "Keep safe." She closed the lid on the trunk and ran her hand over the finely polished wood grain. "Keep safe, my baby." The ship lurched and rolled. Water poured into the room faster and faster. Nora wrapped the rope securely around the trunk. 48 Over and under. Knot. Knot. Around. Another knot. Beneath and over. Another knot. The cold seawater circled her calves. The chest rose slowly with the rising level of water in the cabin. Nora tied another knot. "We will be all right, Nicholas," Nora murmured as the water crept higher and higher. The wooden planks of the ship creaked and moaned. Nora watched in horror as the planks buckled. They are not going to hold, she realized. The planks caved in. A huge wave crashed down on Nora. It filled the cabin with water. The icy saltwater surrounded her. It burned her mouth and nose. It stung her eyes. Nora struggled to the hole in the cabin wall. She had to get out. She needed air. Her lungs burned. She pulled herself through the hole, tugging Nicholas's trunk behind her. Then she swam as hard as she could. Up, up, up. She had to reach the surface. The trunk bumped into her side, into her shoulder, against her head. Pain shot through her. Dots of light burst before her eyes. Nora shot up to the surface. She sucked in a huge gulp of air. The gale lashed at her unmercifully. It flung the trunk away from her—but the rope held. Nora coughed and gagged. Her water-soaked clothes weighed her down. She pulled the trunk back to her and clung to it. It 49 helped her stay afloat as the waves crashed around her. Nora heard the men scream as they were thrown into the sea. They struggled to keep their heads above the churning water. As Nora watched^ the ship slowly sank beneath the water. Down, down, down. Then the wind stopped. The sea calmed. The screams stopped. What happened to the men? Nora thought. She searched the ocean around her for survivors. But the dark waters had become as still as a glass mirror. Nicholas's trunk bobbed up and down. Nothing else stirred. Not one of the men lived. A deadly peace spread its cloak over them. Nora felt exhausted. Every muscle and bone in her body ached. I just want to sleep, she thought to herself. But I must not. I have to save Nicholas. I have to find the shore. I have to find safety. She slipped off the trunk and into the cold water. With great effort, she began swimming, pulling the trunk behind her. She tasted blood on her lips. Blood and salt. She did not know if the salt came from the water surrounding her ... or from her own tears. Nora's arms grew heavy. She forced them over her head again and again. 50 Her legs began to cramp, but she continued to kick. How much farther? Where is the land? Nora heard a mighty roar. She stopped swimming and clung to the trunk. She scanned the water. Her eyes widened. Dark clouds circled over the sea. Lightning lit the sky. The waves stirred, rising up from the depths of the ocean. The storm had returned. She scrambled onto the trunk. And waited. Waited for death to claim her. Roaring, the storm advanced. Huge waves tossed the trunk up and down. The ropes dug into Nora's fingers as she hung on. She was at the mercy of the storm. And it had no mercy. 51 10 JNora felt the fine spray mist her face. She was tired, so terribly tired. She only wanted to sleep. Painfully, slowly, Nora opened her eyes. She was no longer clinging to the trunk. She lay sprawled upon the ground. Sand stuck to her face and her bare legs. She bolted upright. Nicholas! Where was Nicholas? Nora's eyes darted around the beach. She spotted the trunk—and gasped. The trunk had smashed into a huge rock. The lid was open. Was Nicholas still inside? Was he hurt? Nora scrambled to her feet and ran toward the trunk. She slipped on the wet sand and fell to her knees. She forced herself to her feet and staggered for- 52 ward. With dread filling her heart, she gazed into the trunk. Nicholas rested there. Still. So very still. "Nicholas?" she whispered in a raspy voice. He did not move. Seagulls flew overhead, but even their screeching did not wake him. He is dead, Nora thought dully. Nicholas is dead. Tears welled in her eyes. She reached out and touched her baby's cheek. "Nicholas?" He scrunched his face and released a long wail. He was alive! Nora laughed, lifted him out of the chest, and held him close. The warm breeze caressed her face as she stood on the sandy shore. "We are safe, Nicholas. Safe." Nora walked into the ocean until it lapped around her knees. She stared at the crystal-blue water that stretched into eternity. "We will start a new life together," she promised Nicholas. He reached up with one tiny hand and grabbed the chain of her amulet. The chain snapped. The amulet fell to the ground. Nora picked it up and studied it. She turned it over and read the inscription: dominatio per malum. "Power through evil," Nora whispered. "Your father gave this to me as a symbol of his love, Nicholas. The amulet was special to him, because it had been in his family for a long time." 53 Nora sighed. "Your father's family had power and money. But they paid a heavy price. They let evil into their lives, and it destroyed them." Nora stared down into the ocean for a long moment. "I do not want that evil to be a part of your life, Nicholas. I do not want you to suffer the same fate your father did." The amulet felt heavy in her hand. Heavy and warm. Nora brought her arm back and flung it into the calm sea. Relief swept through her. She hugged Nicholas. "Now the Fear evil cannot touch you." Nora stared down into her baby's face. "We are going to start a new life—with new names. From now on, we will be known as Nora and Nicholas Storm." 54 55 PART TWO 56 57 11 ow Cove 1919 Nicholas Storm hated being a fisherman. He hated the feel of slimy fish. The taste of salt on his lips. The odor of brine that filled his nostrils. As he trudged home, he carried the stink of fish with him. No matter how often he bathed or how hard he scrubbed, the stench clung to his skin. He hated it. He hated everything in his life. Everything. Everything but Rosalyn. Rosalyn was different. She did not belong to Shadow Cove. Rosalyn came from Spain. Nicholas loved her long black hair and dark brown eyes. And the tiny gold studs she wore in her pierced ears. None of the other girls in Shadow Cove had pierced ears. None of the other girls were anything like Rosalyn. The other girls in their town only wanted to get 58 married and settle down. Have babies. And eat the fish their husbands caught. Rosalyn wanted more. And so did Nicholas. They wanted to get married and leave Shadow Cove together. But Rosalyn's father would never give them permission to wed. He had strict requirements for the man who would marry his daughter—the man had to be rich and powerful. As rich and powerful as Rosalyn's father. Rosalyn had been forbidden even to speak to Nicholas. They always had to meet in secret. Nicholas promised himself he would make Rosalyn's father accept him someday. No matter what it took. And then he and Rosalyn would get married. Nicholas strode up to the house he shared with his mother. The salt air had faded the warped, weather-beaten boards to a dull gray. Nicholas pushed open the door and stepped into the kitchen. He came to an abrupt halt. The house stood dark and silent. Too silent. Flies buzzed around the eggs he had left on his plate at breakfast. "Mother!" he called, wondering why she had not washed the dishes. A crab skittered sideways across the wooden floor. Slowly Nicholas walked through the kitchen into the front room. Empty. Nicholas heard a low groan. He ran down the hallway and barged into his mother's room. He found his mother curled into a ball on the floor. She did not move as Nicholas rushed over to her. 59 Her face was as white as the shells that washed up on the beach. Her eyes were closed. He knelt beside her and took her hand. It felt as cold as ice. "Mother?" he whispered hoarsely. The stench of death surrounded her. Nicholas rubbed his mother's hand with both of his. Her hand felt cold. Too cold. "Mother, what is wrong?" he cried. "Are you ill?" Nora struggled to open her eyes. She stared up at him. "Daniel?" she rasped. Relief washed through Nicholas. "No, Mother. It is Nicholas." Nora smiled wistfully. "You look so like your father." "So you have often said," Nicholas replied. "Now tell me what happened," he urged. "My heart. .." Her words trailed off. He scooped his mother up in his arms. Light. She felt so light. When did she begin to look so old? he wondered as he stared down at her. His mother had the appearance of a woman twice her age. Her once bright green eyes were dull. Her once brown hair now gray. Grief tightened around his heart as he gently lowered her to her bed. He picked up the coverlet from the floor and wrapped it around her. His mother had worked so hard to support them. As soon as he was old enough, Nicholas had gotten a job on one of the fishing boats. But for years his mother had taken care of him all alone. He remembered the hours his mother had spent 60 sewing, and washing clothes, and mending fishnets to earn enough money for them to eat and keep their little house. Nicholas always promised himself that when he made his fortune, he would give his mother everything she wanted. She would never have to work another day. Nicholas sat down next to his mother. Time was slipping away from him, like sand through his fingers. He realized he would never be able to give his mother the things she deserved. "Nicholas. I have something to tell you," his mother said, her voice weak. "I wanted to protect you, but..." Protect me from what? Nicholas thought. A shiver ran through him. Nora swallowed. "You need to know the truth about your family. I will not always be here to protect you." Nicholas felt his throat tighten. He wanted to tell his mother that she would be around to protect him for years and years. But he knew it was a lie. Seagulls screeched in the distance. Wind whipped through the house, shaking the doors and windows. His mother looked deeply into his eyes. Her expression so intense it almost frightened Nicholas. "Your father . . . your father . . ." she began. "Tell me," Nicholas begged. "Tell me." He had waited so long to hear about his father. His mother had never spoken of him—except to say 61 Nicholas looked just like his father. Now he would finally learn the truth. "Your father left you a legacy . . ." Nora told him. She gasped for breath. "A legacy of. . ." Her body spasmed. Nicholas heard a rattling sound deep in his mother's chest. The death rattle. Her hands released their grip. She fell back on the bed. Her eyes stared blankly up at Nicholas. She is dead, Nicholas thought. My mother is dead. 62 12 Nicholas heard his mother's words over and over as he stood beside her grave. / wanted to protect you . . . Your father left you a legacy . . . Would he ever understand? Would he ever learn what she wanted to protect him from? Would he ever have the legacy his father wanted to give him? Nicholas shivered in the cold wind. He wished Rosalyn were here. He needed to talk to her. She would help him figure things out. He knew Rosalyn had wanted to be with him at the funeral. But her father would not allow it. If I already had my legacy, I bet Rosalyn's father would change his mind about me. Rosalyn and I could be married right away. When the sun set, Nicholas walked away from his 63 mother's grave. He wandered down to the beach and stared at the vast ocean spread before him. The full moon reflected off the water. Nicholas did not want to go home. The little house would feel too empty without his mother there. Tears stung Nicholas's eyes. He did not want to cry. He strode down the beach. Moving faster and faster. Then breaking into a run. He ran until his heart pounded painfully and his lungs burned. Ran until he heard someone call his name. Rosalyn! The blue silk of her dress billowed as she raced toward him. The blue stones of her favorite necklace captured the moonbeams. Rosalyn threw herself into his arms. Nicholas held her tight. So tight. He never wanted to let her go. He rested his cheek on her head. Her long black hair smelled like the rose perfume she always wore. And it felt so soft. With a sigh, Rosalyn stepped back and lifted her gaze to his. Her dark eyes held a serious expression. Nicholas bent down and kissed her tenderly. Her full lips felt soft and welcoming. Then he cradled her face in his hands. "Rosalyn, what is wrong?" he asked quietly. "You must leave," Rosalyn blurted out. She pressed her face against his chest. He felt her trembling against him. "You must leave Shadow Cove right away." 64 "Why?" She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. "Tonight, my father told me that he is planning to arrange a marriage for me. A marriage to a wealthy man, a man who can take care of me. I was so upset. Without thinking, I told him I love you." Nicholas gritted his teeth. "Was he furious?" She nodded. "He vowed he would kill you before he allowed us to marry." She wrapped her fingers around his arm. "You must leave. My father does not make threats he will not carry out." "There is something I have to tell you. Something that might make your father change his mind about me," Nicholas said. "Before she died, my mother told me my father had left me a legacy." "Did she tell you who your father was?" Rosalyn asked. Nicholas shook his head. "But I will find out. I have to." Rosalyn looked doubtful. Nicholas rushed on. "Even if I do not, I will find a way to make my fortune. I plan to leave Shadow Cove tomorrow. When I have enough money to convince your father to give us his blessing, I will come home. And then we will be married. Promise me you will not let your father force you to marry anyone else." Tears glistened on her face. "When you return, I will marry you," she told him. "I promise I will never marry another. No matter what my father does." "I will hold you to that promise," he said. 65 She gave him a shaky smile. "I must go before my father discovers I am gone." "I will come back for you, Rosalyn," Nicholas promised again. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. He would miss her so much. Rosalyn eased out of his embrace. "Please take care." "I will." Nicholas's throat tightened as he watched her race away from him. When she disappeared from his sight, he turned and headed toward his empty house. Dark clouds passed before the moon, hiding the faint light. Nicholas hurried up the beach and back to the dirt road. He heard a sound behind him—like a twig snapping. He twisted his head and scanned the road. Empty. He slowed down, but kept moving. Cautiously, he turned his head slightly and glanced behind him. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a shadow move. Is someone following me? Nicholas shot another quick look behind him. A man ducked back into the shadows. Had Rosalyn's father sent someone after him already? Nicholas kept walking. He did not want the man to know he had been seen. When Nicholas reached a large elm tree, he ducked behind it. He wanted to get a better look at the man. Nicholas peered through the branches. The road stood empty. 66 Where did he go? Nicholas heard a shuffling sound behind him. He spun around. The man stood in front of him. "It cannot be!" Nicholas cried. The man looked just like him. 67 13 "Who are you?" Nicholas demanded. He hoped the man could not see him trembling. How could the man look exactly like him? The man stared back at Nicholas in silence, his face blank. Nicholas felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. "Who are you?" he shouted again. His eyes darted over the young man. Same dark brown eyes as mine, Nicholas thought frantically. Same straight brown hair. Same height. Calm down, Nicholas ordered himself. Calm down. It is only a strange coincidence. Brown hair is not uncommon. Brown eyes are not. . . No. That does not explain it, Nicholas thought. He does not look like me. He is me. "What do you want? What are you?" Nicholas cried. 68 The other man opened and closed his mouth. But no sound came out. "Can't you speak?" he barked. The man stared at Nicholas pleadingly. He opened his mouth again. "Shadyside!" he croaked. The man's face contorted. As though speech were agonizing to him. The man began to fade. "I don't understand," Nicholas cried. "What did you come to tell me?" Nicholas could hardly see the man now. "Shadyside," the man shrieked. Then he was gone. 69 14 "One ticket to Shadyside," Nicholas said. He anxiously watched the man behind the counter in the train station. Nicholas did not know if a place called Shadyside even existed. But the man gave him a curt nod, took his money, and handed him a ticket. Nicholas had been unable to sleep the night before. He kept thinking about his strange vision. Then he knew what he had to do. At dawn he packed his few possessions and made the long walk to the train station. He did not know what he would find in Shadyside. But he had to start his search for his father's legacy somewhere. Perhaps the vision had been sent to guide him. Nicholas paced up and down the platform. He could not wait to leave and find out what awaited him in Shadyside. 70 Nicholas straightened the lapels of his new brown suit. He had bought it on the way to the train station. He was off to seek his fortune. He did not want to look like a poor fisherman. His mind on his journey, Nicholas bumped into a woman in a straw hat. She stood hunched over, a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. "Excuse me, ma'am," Nicholas said. The woman glanced up. Her brown eyes held his. "Rosalyn!" he cried in surprise. He grabbed her arm and led her away from the few passengers waiting to board the train. "What are you doing here?" he asked when they were safely out of sight. "I wanted to see you one more time," she explained. "So I decided to come to the train station. I knew I would find you!" He squeezed her hand. "I am glad you did," he told her. "I have something to tell you. When I was walking home last night, I had a vision." Rosalyn gave a little gasp. "What happened?" "It is difficult to explain," Nicholas told her. "It was a vision of myself. This vision of me spoke only one word—Shadyside." Nicholas pulled out his ticket and showed it to her. "I did not even know if such a place existed. But it does. So that is where I will begin my search for my father's legacy." Rosalyn shivered. "I do not like the idea of you following this vision," she said. "You do not know if 71 it came from good or evil—even though it took your form." "I know it is a strange thing to do," Nicholas admitted. "But I feel it is my . . . my destiny." Rosalyn nodded. "I understand. Good luck, Nicholas. Stay well. I will count the minutes until you return. But I must go. My father will be furious if he finds out I saw you." Rosalyn thrust a small package into his hands. "Here. I want you to take more than my love with you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Nicholas held her tight and breathed in the scent of roses that always clung to her. Then she pulled her shawl over her head, glanced around, and scurried away. Nicholas slipped the package into the pocket of his jacket. He heard a whistle blow and spotted the train far down the tracks. He could not wait to begin his journey. Faster, he silently urged the train. Faster, faster. Finally it pulled into the station, the brakes squealing. Nicholas climbed aboard and made his way to a padded seat next to a window. He had never been on a train before. He had never been anywhere outside Shadow Cove. The train whistle blew and black smoke raced past the window. The train lurched forward. Nicholas pressed his forehead against the window. When I return to Shadow Cove, no one will recognize 72 me, he thought. No one will believe I am Nicholas Storm, the boy who always stank of fish. Nicholas reached into his pocket for a peppermint and felt Rosalyn's package. He had forgotten all about it. He unfolded the note and read the words she had written in her beautiful flowing script: S)eare&t> J/tcAoAz&>, When* Sunz& a/ cAdd, S o/ten> um/ked a/on/p tAe sAore-. One' evening/ as- tA& sun began/ to- set, Ssaw-sometAing/ sAininyjast be/oar- tA& sand. Jtjyfbjrom' tAe sea/, Si/ is/ my most ftreciou$> Aossessio/i/.