The R.L. Stine Fill in the Fear Contest

The Dark One...

Marty was already guiding Veronica and Jillian toward the door, "We're not listening to your rules," he said, reaching for the handle and giving it a violent shake. "What the hell—it's locked!"

"You're crazy, Alyson," Veronica scoffed, looking back at their hostess. "You have officially lost your mind! Look, I'm sorry that your sister died, but you are in serious need of some professional help. I don't think you're handling Marie's death very well."

Alyson turned her dark eyes toward Veronica, regarding her through narrow slits. "Well now, it looks like we have a volunteer," she stated with a demented grin. "Thank you, Veronica, for making my job a little easier tonight. I must say, I was hoping it would be you." Alyson took a step closer toward her intended prey and presented a sharp knife, gleaming in her clenched fist. "Don't worry—it'll be fun! After all, this is a party, right?"

Veronica gasped as candlelight illuminated the smile that played upon her tormentor's lips, confirming her intent. "What are you doing?" she questioned as fear began to make it's way into her voice.

"I've already told you," Alyson replied with a shrug. "I need to make a trade. Your life for Marie's."

"But you said this was a game," accused Veronica.

"My party, my rules," Alyson said, staring down her victim. "As far as I'm concerned, you volunteered."

Veronica glared at their hostess with contempt in her eyes. "I knew coming to this party was a bad idea," she threw over her shoulder to her friends. "Throwing a party not even one week after your sister dies makes absolutely no sense."

The wind outside began to whistle through the cracks in the old farmhouse, adding to the mounting anxiety felt indoors. Marty stepped forward, "Veronica's right, Alyson. This is insane. I think we all need to get out of here," he suggested nervously. "We're in the middle of nowhere and it sounds like there's a storm coming."

Alyson threw her head back and laughed, "Pay no attention to the storm outside, Marty. It's just The Dark One at work, preparing for tonight's ritual. Come on now, Veronica, it's time to step forward and make the offering. Marie is waiting."

"I'm not stepping forward to offer anything!" Veronica shouted. "We're leaving."

"I don't think so," Alyson said, shaking her head. The candlelight flickered, causing her steadfast expression to appear even more deranged than it already had.

The Shadyside High students cowered together as the shadows dancing around the room began to gather, forming malevolent shapes. The silhouettes appeared intelligent, knowing, and worked in unison creating a barrier, as if they were preventing anyone from entering...or from exiting.

"What's going on?" Jillian screamed. "I want to go home!"

"You can't go home, not yet. Not until Marie's soul is able to rise up from the depths of Hell. The Dark One has given her special gifts—just as he gave our grandmother many years ago," Alyson explained. "Marie is able to see and do things that other's cannot, and she has a prophecy to fulfill. Grandmother Goode said if a human sacrifice is offered and Marie's soul is able to take possession, she will become even more powerful than she was before. That's why she took her own life, to be resurrected in a ceremony before The Dark One. Now it's time for me to execute my part of the rite, in order to please Him."

Thunder rolled in the near distance, followed by bright claps of lightening. The approaching storm lit up the old house, making the dread everyone felt more evident.

"There's no time to waste," shouted Alyson over the sound of the imminent rumble. "You must surrender!" She lunged toward Veronica as the shadows frolicked about, causing the party guests to scream in fear.

"No, I'm not going to be your sacrifice!" Veronica cried out.

A strong wind made it's way inside of the dilapidated home, bringing with it a deafening noise. The flames of the candles quivered violently, and panic grasped the guests as they watched in horror as Veronica attempted to fight off her crazed attacker.

"You will be sacrificed! My sister needs your body to increase her strength and complete her calling," Alyson demanded, pushing the sharp knife into Veronica's side. "The Dark One has promised us many things and you must obey—there is no other way! Marie needs to return to follow the path The Dark One has paved for her!"

Veronica took a step back and stared down in shock as blood began to seep through the white cotton of her shirt. She looked up, meeting the triumphant eyes of her assailant.

The sound of chanting began to resonate throughout the candlelit room, overpowering the howl of wind and terrified screams of the students.

"Offer yourself!" Alyson shrieked, her face a mask of unbridled frenzy. "You must do it now, the witching hour is upon us!"

Veronica's eyes searched the room, desperately looking for an escape. She pressed the palm of her hand to the open wound on her side, her fingers red with blood.

There seemed to be no way out.