The New Year's Party (16 page)

Please come. I'm inviting all my closest friends to my house around nine.

Hope to see you then.

Liz

R
eenie peered through the car window as Sean pulled to a stop in front of Liz's house. An icy wind sent white waves of snow swirling across Fear Street.

“I don't see any lights on,” Reenie commented. “And there aren't many cars parked on the street.”

“You're right,” Sean answered. “I wonder how many people Liz invited.”

“Even if she invited a lot, I don't think many kids would come.” Reenie sighed. “Justin Stiles is having a huge party tonight, remember? And his parties are always great.”

“Maybe we can cut out early and head over there,” Sean suggested. “Ready to go in?”

Reenie pulled open her bag and dug around for her favorite berry-pink lipstick. She waved it in front of Sean's face. “I think you kissed it all off,” she told him.

“I hope you don't expect me to apologize,” Sean teased.

Reenie shook her head and finished reapplying her lipstick.

“Ready?” Sean asked.

“Not really,” Reenie admitted. “I'm glad Liz invited us. But I'm nervous about seeing her again.”

“Come on—it's New Year's Eve!” Sean exclaimed. “Let's party!”

A horn beeped behind them. “Greta and Artie,” Sean observed.

“Great! Now we can all go in together. It will be easier to face Liz in a group.”

Reenie and Sean climbed out of the car and met the other couple on the sidewalk. I'm glad they didn't break up, Reenie thought. Enough bad things have happened this year.

“Party time!” Artie exclaimed. He slapped Sean a high five. “Happy New Year's Eve, guys!”

They made their way up the snowy front walk. “Haven't they ever heard of shovels?” Greta complained. “I'm going to kill myself trying to walk through snow in these shoes.”

Reenie grabbed the rail as she climbed up the porch steps. She didn't want to go flying on the icy cement.

The porch light was off. Reenie didn't hear any music or voices coming from the house.

“Why is it so quiet?” Greta whispered.

Reenie shrugged and rang the doorbell. “I guess we're the first to arrive.”

“Have you ever been inside?” Artie asked as they waited for Liz.

“No. I dropped Liz off a couple of times, but never went inside. And we talked on the porch the day I tried to apologize,” Reenie answered. “I wonder if her parents will be home tonight. I've never met them.”

Reenie hoped they wouldn't. She didn't know how she could face them. What could she say to them about the night P.J. disappeared?

“What's taking Liz so long?” Artie demanded. “It's freezing out here.” He raised his fist to knock—and the door swung open.

Liz appeared, wearing a red velvet party dress. That deep red is a great color for her, Reenie thought. But Liz is so pale. Even her lips appeared almost colorless.

Liz swept out her arm, gesturing them inside. “Come in. I've been waiting for you,” she said softly.

“I'm so glad you decided to have a New Year's Eve party!” Reenie exclaimed. She gave Liz a quick hug. But Liz kept her arms at her sides, her body stiff.

Why did she invite me if she's going to act so cold? Reenie wondered.

Liz turned her back on them abruptly. She walked briskly down the hall toward the only room with a light on. “The living room is this way,” she called.

Oh, no! Reenie thought as she stepped into the room. She heard Greta give a little gasp behind her. I
shouldn't have come here, Reenie told herself. I never should have come here.

Liz had decorated the entire room in black. Black crepe paper draped the walls. Black balloons floated at the ceiling.

It's not a party. It's a funeral, Reenie thought glumly.

“Are your parents home?” Artie asked, gazing around the room tensely.

“No,” Liz replied. She didn't volunteer any other information.

Reenie glanced over at Greta. Greta rolled her eyes as if to say, “Do you
believe
this?”

Reenie studied the room, trying to appear interested in the house. But her eyes kept returning to the black decorations.

“Wow. Your living room is as big as a hotel lobby,” Reenie gushed. She couldn't stand the silence one more second. Every muscle in her body had tensed.

Liz didn't reply. She stared blankly at Reenie. What is wrong with her? Reenie wondered.

The huge room was practically bare. In a corner Reenie spotted a round table with a punch bowl. Beside the punch bowl stood a large book.

“Is your family redecorating?” Reenie asked.

“No,” Liz answered.

Maybe Liz's parents couldn't afford to furnish the whole place at once, Reenie thought.

“Let me take your coats,” Liz said suddenly.

They handed her their coats, and she disappeared into the hallway.

“Whoa. Did we crash the Addams Family's New Year's party?” Artie burst out as soon as Liz closed the door behind her.

“Really,” Sean agreed.

They stared at each other, wondering what to do. No music. No place to sit. No way to avoid the solemn, black decorations.

“How about some punch?” Greta suggested. She wandered over to the table and peered into the bowl. “At least it isn't black,” she announced.

They gathered around the table as Greta filled four cups.

“So what is going on here, guys?” Reenie asked in a whisper.

“Who knows,” Sean replied. “But I say we stay for half an hour and get out.”

“Definitely,” Artie said. “Liz is giving me the creeps. I'm not even going to try to figure out these black decorations.”

“Check it out,” Reenie said, picking up the big book from the table. “Liz has an old Shadyside High yearbook. What year is it? Wow—1965. I wonder if her parents went there.” She flipped open the cover.

Greta snickered. “Listen to this inscription: We'll be friends until the ocean needs diapers to keep its bottom dry.”

“Not too corny,” Sean joked, rolling his eyes.

Reenie turned the page. “Are those the cheerleaders?” Artie cried. “Their uniforms come down past their knees!”

“Leave that alone!” Liz yelled from the doorway.

Reenie jumped. She hadn't heard Liz return. She quickly closed the yearbook.

“Why were you snooping?” Liz demanded sharply as she crossed the room toward them.

“Liz, the yearbook was on the table. I didn't think it would be any big deal. Sorry,” Reenie replied.

A knock on the front door caught them all by surprise.

Great! Reenie thought. More people. More people means we can leave early. Maybe the room won't feel so creepy if it's crowded.

“Good!” Liz declared. “I didn't want to start until we were all here.”

Start what? Reenie wondered. She watched Artie take a cautious sip of the punch.

“How is it?” Sean asked.

“Regular fruit punch.” Artie grinned. He drank down the rest of the cup.

“Brrr!” Greta cried, rubbing her sleeves. “It's cold in here.”

“I know,” Reenie answered. “I don't think she has any heat on. I wish I'd kept my coat.”

“Here's my date,” Liz announced. She led Ty over to the others.

She sounds a little happier at least, Reenie observed. Maybe Ty will get her in a better mood.

“Yo—Ty. Where've you been, man?” Artie asked. “Haven't seen you for a while.”

“Me, either,” Sean said. “We keep getting different shifts at the Burger Basket.”

Ty shrugged. “I haven't been doing too much. Just hanging out.”

Hanging out with Liz, Reenie thought.

The room grew quiet again.

I have to ask her about P.J., Reenie decided. We can't all pretend we've forgotten what happened to him. “Any news about your brother?”

“No,” Liz replied blankly, her face expressionless. “The police still haven't found any sign of him—except for his jacket.”

“I hope they find him soon. We all hope he's okay,” Reenie said.

Liz stared at her. A harsh, cold stare.

Believe me, Reenie silently pleaded. You have to believe that. I didn't mean for anything bad to happen. Not to P.J. Not to you. Not to anyone.

Liz turned away. “We'll learn what happened to him sooner or later—won't we,” she murmured.

What is that supposed to mean? Reenie wondered. When they find his body? Or what?

“You think P.J. could have run away?” Greta asked. “Gone to another city or something?”

“No,” Liz replied flatly.

“Why don't you think so?” Greta asked. “Kids our age run away a lot. I mean, it's pretty common. And he was having a tough time at school.”

“I know my brother,” Liz said crisply. “P.J. wouldn't want me to worry. He'd never run away.”

Liz poured Ty a cup of punch and took one for herself. “It's time,” she announced, waving them into the center of the room.

Time for what? Reenie wondered. It's not midnight yet.

Liz raised her cup. “A toast to our departed friends. We miss them all very much.” She gazed at each person in the circle, then brought the cup to her lips.

Reenie took a sip of punch. Horrifying images of the past two months flashed through her mind. The blood dripping down Marc's cheek. Sandi sprawled on a pile of garbage. Both of their heads twisted completely backward.

And P.J. so cold and pale as she frantically gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Would they find P.J. next? Would his head be turned around like the others?

Or was P.J. hiding somewhere? Responsible for the murders—and planning to kill again?

Liz raised her cup. “Another toast to our departed…” Her words trailed off. Her lips trembled and tears began rolling down her cheeks.

Liz buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

Poor Liz, Reenie thought. She's so pale. So thin. I have to remember how much she's gone through. No wonder she's feeling so emotional tonight.

Ty led Liz to a corner at the far end of the room. They could still hear her wrenching sobs.

“Do you think we should leave?” Greta whispered.

“I don't know,” Reenie answered. “It might make Liz feel worse.”

Reenie glanced over at Liz and Ty. They huddled close together, their backs to the others.

“Now what?” Sean muttered. “Should we keep pretending this is a normal party?”

“No!” Liz said loudly. “I won't.”

Reenie turned and saw Liz shove Ty away from her. She strode toward them, her face twisted with anger. Her eyes almost glowing.

“I'll tell you why I invited you all here!” Liz declared.

Ty reached for her.

“Keep away from me!” she screeched.

He backed up, a hurt expression on his face.

Liz narrowed her eyes at Reenie. “The reason I gave this party is because I decided it would be easier to kill you all at once—instead of continuing one by one.”

“
D
on't try to run,” Liz warned. “The doors are bolted.”

“Liz, this isn't funny!” Reenie protested.

“I'm leaving,” Artie declared. “I'm not playing this dumb game anymore.”

Sean stared hard, studying Liz. “I don't think it's a game.”

“Listen to Sean. He's the smart one,” Liz told them.

“Do you mean that you killed Marc and Sandi?” Greta demanded.

“Now you're catching on,” Liz replied with a cold smile.

Reenie felt goosebumps roll up and down her arms.

“No!” she gasped. “I don't believe it. You couldn't kill anyone—no matter how angry you are.”

“I killed them. And I enjoyed it,” Liz insisted, her eyes burning into Reenie's. “I loved hearing the
crack!
as I broke their necks. I loved staring into their terrified faces.”