R.L. Stine - The Horror of the Black Ring

Series 2000- Horrors of the Black Ring R. L. StineScholastic (1998)

---

Rating:Tags: Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Mysteries Detective Stories, Schools, Horror Tales, Horror Ghost Stories, Horror Stories, Monsters, Plot-Your-Own Stories, Specimens, Rings, Schools - Fiction
Fictionttt Juvenile Fictionttt Mysteries Detective Storiesttt Schoolsttt Horror Talesttt Horror Ghost Storiesttt Horror Storiesttt Monstersttt Plot-Your-Own Storiesttt Specimensttt Ringsttt Schools - Fictionttt I stared deep into the ring. A cloudy form shifted inside the jewel. It moved as if -- as if it were alive. Miss Gold turned the ring in the light.

The cloud became a face. It frowned inside the jewel. "What is that?" I gasped. "It's a flaw in the jewel," Miss Gold explained. I couldn't take my eyes off the ring. So creepy. So evil. So evil.

Goosebumps (R) Series 2000 No. 18 HORRORS OF THE BLACK RING by R.l. STINE Copyright 1999 Parachute Press, Inc. BOOK JACKET INFORMATION Goosebumps No. 18 APPLE FICTION Ring around the creature! Welcome to the new millennium of fear Goosebumps (R) SERIES 2000 I stared deep into the ring. A cloudy form shifted inside the jewel.

It moved as ifas if it were alive. Miss Gold turned the ring in the light. The cloud became a face. It frowned inside the jewel. What is that? I gasped. Its a flaw in the jewel, Miss Gold explained.

I couldnt take my eyes off the ring. The face inside was so ugly. So creepy. So evil. SCHOLASTIC INC. RL4 008-012 HORRORS OF THE BLACK RING Bethyou promised! my seven-year-old sister, Amanda, whined.

You promised to take me to the petting zoo after school today! I didnt promise you anything, I insisted. It was a warm spring day. Amanda and I were walking to school. She buzzed around me like a mosquito. She looks kind of like a bug too. Short black hair, skinny arms and legs like sticks, a pointy little chin, and beady black eyes.

I hiked up my baggy cargo pants and swatted her away. Im so different from Amanda, youd never guess we are both in the Welch family. Ive got red hair to my shoulders, tons of freckles, round blue eyes, and a round face. Im not crazy about the way I look. But at least I dont look like an insect. Be-every-eth! Amanda zipped in front of me again.

I heard you say it last night. You said, Amanda, tomorrow after school Ill do anything you want! I snorted. I would never say that! Now, get out of my way. Youre going to make us late for school! Please? she begged. I really miss those cute little goats. You dont miss the goats, I shot back.

You miss shooting rubber bands at them. Its true. She shoots rubber bands at the petting zoo animals. She likes to see how they react. I cant stand it. I love animals.

I hate to see them get hurt. Besides, I added, I dont have time today. Ive got to work on the Spring Carnival after school. Oooothe Spring Carnival, Amanda teased. You mean the I Love Danny Jacobs Fair? My face suddenly felt hot. What are you talking about? I know you have a crush on him, Amanda said.

On Danny Jacobs? You must be crazy! I shrieked. My voice was just a little too loud. Youre only working on the carnival because hes the head of it, Amanda accused. Im one of the heads too, I reminded her. Were cochairpeople with Tina Crowley. Whatever.

Amanda rolled her eyes. The important thing is, you want to be with Danny. Thats why you wont take me to the petting zoo! Amandashush! I cried. Youre totally making this up. I I stopped as a shrill scream ripped through the air. I whirled around.

Anthonyno! I gasped. Anthony Paul Gonzales came roaring down the street on his bike. Look out! he shrieked. No brakes! A truck rumbled toward him. He screamed and swerved onto the sidewalk. The truck zoomed past.

Anthony flew right at us. Watch out! he warned. At the last second, Anthony squeezed his brakesand veered away. Amanda and I clutched each other, trying to catch our breath. You jerk! You almost ran us over! I gasped. Anthony let out an evil laugh.

I hate that laugh. Beth, how can you fall for that old no brakes gag? he asked, grinning. Youre too easy to trick. I am not! I fumed. You just missed us! You probably didnt even see us, Amanda sneered. Your sunglasses are too dark.

Anthony proudly adjusted his dark glasses. Like em? My brother gave them to me. They cost a hundred dollars. Your brother wasted his money, Amanda muttered. Anthony is in my sixth-grade class at school. Hes tall and thin with short dark hair.

Hes always playing mean tricks. Not just on meon everybody. He thinks hes really funny. Two years ago he told me that my cat, Benson, had been hit by a car. I saw him lying in the street! he said. I screamed and ran outside to check.

I loved Benson. My cat was sitting calmly in the front yard, licking his fur. He was fine. It was only Anthonys idea of a joke. Benson died of old age last year. When I told Anthony, he laughed.

Hes totally cold. Lately, Anthony had been meaner to me than ever. He wanted to be one of the heads of the carnival. But the class didnt vote for him. Hes been playing tricks on me ever since. Ill get even with him somehow, I thought angrily.

The trouble is, Im not the get-even type. I mean, Im not good at thinking up nasty tricks. Maybe I should take lessons from Amanda. Shes great at it. See you at school, fool, Anthony sneered. He started to pedal away down the sidewalk.

I noticed something lying on the sidewalk a few feet ahead of him. It was small and black. It twitched. Its a bird! I realized. And Anthony was about to run over it! Anthony, stop! I screamed. He didnt stop.

He didnt even turn around. I dove forward and grabbed the seat of his bike. I yanked on it. He jolted to a stop. Hey! Whats your problem? he snapped. Id stopped him just in time.

Anthony had nearly crushed the bird. Look! I cried. Its wing is broken. And you almost killed it! Its half-dead anyway, Anthony groaned. I crouched down beside the bird. It struggled to stand up and fly away.

But its left wing wouldnt move. Poor little birdie, I crooned. Amanda mimicked me. Poor little birdie. Youre such a sap, Beth. I didnt listen to her.

I gently picked up the bird. What a goody-goody, Anthony muttered. Tell Miss Gold Im going to be late, I told Anthony. Im going to take this little bird home. Well get him all fixed up. Wont we, little bird? I stroked the birds head with my pinkie finger.

Oh, brother. Amanda sighed. You really are a goody-goody, Beth. Just shut up and go to school, I snapped. Hey, Bethlook! Anthonys dark glasses made him appear even meaner than usual. You know what bikes are good for? Squishing things! He pointed at a worm squirming on the sidewalk.

Before I could stop him, he rolled his front tire over it. SQUISH. Anthony! I shrieked. How could you do that? Anthony and Amanda laughed their heads off. Youre so lame, Amanda said. I am not! I cried.

Every living creature is importanteven worms! You guys are horrible. My little speech made them laugh even harder. Someday you wont think its so funny, I warned. Someday someone will try to squash you. Maybe itll even be me. Anthony doubled over with laughter.

Im so scared, Amanda said sarcastically. I wheeled around and took the bird home. I had to admit, I could see why they were laughing. Maybe I am kind of a goody-goody. But I dont care. Im sorry Im late, Miss Gold.

I walked into school about an hour later. Miss Gold smiled at me. Anthony told me why you were late. Hows the sick bird? I think hes going to be okay, I reported. My mother is taking him to the vet this afternoon. Good.

That was very responsible of you, Beth. She smiled at me as I sat down in my seat. Her smile is really beautiful. Her teeth are white and perfect and her eyes twinkle. Some things are more important than being on time for school, she went on. Saving a life is one of them.

Even if its only a birds life. I beamed as I sat in my seat. Everybody loves Miss Gold. She looks just like her name sounds. Shes young and pretty. Her shiny golden hair comes down to just under her chin.

Next page