Bad Moonlight by R.L. Stine

“Without it, I’d probably just hang out in my room.”
    â€œWhat a waste of talent that would be.” Dr. Moore smiled. “You’ll be okay, Danielle. You really will. But you and I must keep talking.”
    Danielle nodded, then stood up as the doctor glanced at the clock on his desk. Her time was up. She wished she didn’t have to leave. She felt safe here.
    â€œIs your friend waiting for you outside?” the doctor asked as Danielle walked to the door.
    â€œYes. Caroline,” Danielle told him. “We’re going shopping.”
    â€œAh. Spending money is very good therapy, I’ve heard,” the doctor teased.
    Danielle forced a smile and said goodbye. The minute she pulled the door shut, she felt tense again.
    Get a grip, she told herself. You can’t hide out in Dr. Moore’s office for the rest of your life.
    â€œOkay, Caroline, I’m—” Danielle stopped and looked around the waiting room. Where was Caroline?
    â€œExcuse me,” Danielle said to Mrs. Wilkins, the receptionist. “I had a friend waiting for me—long blond hair, jeans, and a red tank top. Did you see her?”
    Mrs. Wilkins hands hovered above her computer keyboard. “I saw her come in with you. But I’m afraid I’ve been so busy I didn’t see her leave.”
    Caroline probably got bored with the magazines in here, Danielle thought, pushing open the door. She must have decided to wait outside.
    Danielle hurried across the small gravel parking lot to Caroline’s car. Empty.
    â€œCaroline?” she called, glancing around. “I’m finished! We can go now!”
    She heard footsteps crunching on the gravel and turned around. “Caroline?”
    No.
    Dee strode toward Danielle, her amber eyes blazing.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Danielle asked. “Where’s Caroline?”
    Dee kept coming. “I want you out of the band, Danielle. Are you listening this time? I want you out!”

Chapter 18

    THE KILLER
    â€œW hat are you raving about now? Where’s Caroline?” Danielle demanded.
    Dee stopped. “She had to leave.”
    â€œLeave?” Danielle pointed to Caroline’s car. “So what’s this doing here? She didn’t have to leave, Dee. I don’t believe you. Where is she?”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter.” Dee stepped up to Danielle. “I want to talk to you.”
    Great, Danielle thought bitterly. Just what I need. “I haven’t got time. Besides—”
    â€œListen to me!” Dee snapped. “Time is exactly what you won’t have—if you don’t leave the band!”
    Danielle leaned back against Caroline’s car and crossed her arms. “Look, Dee, I’m not quitting the band—no matter how much you want me to. I’msorry you aren’t the only lead singer anymore. And I’m sorry you’re jealous about Kit and me. I really am. But the doctor thinks the band is the best thing for me, and—”
    â€œLeave it!” Dee shouted. “I’m warning you—”
    Danielle straightened up, her hands clenched into fists. Rage swept through her like burning fire.
    What’s happening to me? she wondered. I—I feel so out of control!
    With a savage snarl, she dived at Dee. Her fingers curled into claws. She aimed them straight for Dee’s throat.
    With an angry shriek Dee fought back. She grabbed Danielle’s hair and twisted it in her hands.
    Danielle cried out in pain. She jammed one hand under Dee’s chin and shoved as hard as she could. Dee gasped. Staggered back.
    Danielle leaped at her, knocking Dee to her knees.
    Why? Why am I doing this? What’s wrong with me?
    Snarling, she wrestled Dee to the ground. The gravel cut into her elbows, but the pain didn’t matter. Winning did. She had to beat Dee!
    Dee gasped in pain as the gravel slashed her cheek.
    Blood!
    Danielle could smell it! She could