The Killing Moon by Dan Padavona (books to read for 13 year olds .TXT) 📕

“Darren can’t leave the park until four. By then, Benson will grab the money and slip through our fingers.”

“LeVar is a raw recruit. What if we canvass the farmhouse, and Benson shows up? I can’t predict how your brother will react.”

“Have faith in LeVar. He’s experienced far worse than Mark Benson.”

“I’d feel better with you as my partner. How about we drive past the gym on the off chance he stopped by, then stake out the house together? Send LeVar to interview Ellie Fisher.”

“We don’t have time. Every second we waste debating our next move puts us further behind.”

Chelsey shook her head and handed Raven a radio.

“Just in case you lose cell coverage. I want updates from you every ten minutes. I swear, Raven. If you don’t reply on time, I’ll call Thomas and tell him to send the search party after you.”

Raven set a hand on Chelsey’s arm.

“I can take care of myself. Let me tell you something, Chelsey. Nobody threatens me or my family and gets away with it. When I catch Benson, he’ll wish he never crossed me.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

October 31st

10:10 a.m.

Ugh.

Mr. Pierpoint was driving her nuts.

Valerie slammed her locker and checked the time. Five minutes until study hall. Pierpoint barely acknowledged her after she turned in her essay, despite his admonition this morning. He just stared at Derek’s open chair and grilled Valerie over her boyfriend’s whereabouts.

Her boyfriend. Wow, that happened fast.

What was Pierpoint’s obsession with Derek? Sure, he was the teacher’s pet. But Pierpoint paid Derek too much attention, always asking him what he did over the weekend, comparing notes on their favorite musical artists, as if Pierpoint wasn’t almost twice Derek’s age. What a creep. Then, after a rough social studies lecture that almost put Valerie to sleep, Pierpoint encountered her in the hallway, again asking about Derek. His eyes held knowledge. Almost like he knew where Derek was, but wanted to test Valerie. So weird.

Calling up her web statistics on her phone, she checked last night’s numbers and swallowed. Sometimes, the podcast listener counter ran behind and caught up the next day. She’d tripled her listeners. If Mom and Dad couldn’t pay for college, Valerie would cover the expenses from advertising. That settled it. If she ended the story tonight, she’d leave money on the table. Time to cash in on her success. The show needed to go on.

What was scarier than a madman murdering Valerie on-air? It came to her. What if the Halloween Man hosted the show? Her listeners might imagine Valerie’s dead body slumped in the corner and gathering flies while the killer spoke to them. Derek needed to reprise his role.

She dialed his phone and listened as it rang. Strange, the call didn’t dump her into his voice-mail. She hung up and sent a text.

Where the hell are you? Pierpoint is losing his mind because you didn’t turn in your paper. Write me back. Got a great idea for tonight’s show. It involves you and a sharp knife. Ha!

Ten seconds passed. Then thirty.

So, yeah. I want you to play the Halloween Man. You host the show. One night only. Warn everyone to lock their doors before you go on another killing spree.

Still no reply.

I’m worried you’re blowing me off. Did I say something? If so, I’m sorry. Write back when you can, K?

Valerie stared at the screen, waiting for a return text. When Derek didn’t reply, she scrunched her brow and stuffed the phone in her pocket. Something was wrong. It was one thing for Derek to ditch school. It was another for him to ignore messages. Had she pushed him too hard last night?

Leland threw his hand against her locker and assailed her with an impish grin. Beside him, Gardner folded his arms and studied his shoelaces. Since Leland had seen Derek last, she’d finally get answers.

Tall and fair-haired, Leland was a good-looking guy, except for the acne and bloodshot, stoned eyes. Somehow, he kept his grades up despite stumbling around in a perpetual haze. The honor society had inducted him last month, and Leland won a music scholarship to Ithaca College.

“You told me your show was gonna be special, but wow. Epic.”

“Gee, thanks. Did you repay me by getting Derek too high to drag himself to school? I need him for my Halloween show.”

A confused expression fell over Leland’s face.

“What are you talking about? Derek didn’t party with me last night.”

Valerie glanced at the time. Two minutes until study hall.

“Walk with me. I’ve already been late once this morning. So where is Derek?”

Leland shrugged and turned his body sideways so the rush of students didn’t trample him.

“I messaged him after midnight and told him to stop by. He never showed.”

Fear flashed through Valerie. What if something happened to Derek? The train tracks weren’t safe after dark. She remembered the fog, the sharp moonlight, and something moving through the field while they walked down the access road. Anger replaced her fear, and she shoved Leland’s shoulder.

“Hey. What was that for?”

“Derek no-showed, and you didn’t bother to find out if he made it home?”

Leland looked away and ran a hand through his hair.

“I fell asleep.”

“What?”

“Look, it was almost one in the morning.”

“And you’d partied since sunset. Jesus, Leland. What if something happened to Derek?”

Leland glanced at Gardner, expecting his friend to back him up. Gardner raised his palms. Leland scratched his arm.

“Derek blows me off all the time. When he didn’t show, I assumed he walked home and finished his paper. Isn’t he in school?”

“If Derek showed for school, would I ask you what happened to him?”

Leland’s mouth opened. Nothing came out.

“Wasn’t Derek’s paper due this morning?” Gardner asked.

“It was, and Pierpoint is throwing a shit-fit over Derek not showing up.”

“I’m surprised Pierpoint doesn’t know where he is,” Leland said over his shoulder as he pushed through the crowd. “He’s like Derek’s best friend.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Derek didn’t tell you? Pierpoint showed up at his house at the