I swallowed a lump in my throat as I wrapped my arms around one of Frankie's. I had to be ready for whatever he threw at us. I should not have been awestruck that a guy like Stine spotted us. He must have heard us. Hard to not hear and see us. We gave ourselves away.

I gave Stine a sickening glare. "When did you first spot us?"

He made his way into my home and pushed his glasses up. "When you turned the corner."

Frankie played with one of her ponytails. "Uh...did you see us running down the sidewalk?"

"I did not."

My heart slowed. If he did not see us dashing down the sidewalk, then he did not see us leaping out from those bushes. He had no clue that I knew of his dark secret. I could use it against him. I could blackmail the dummy. He deserved it. No, no. I could not do it. I would feel so guilty. I could not stoop to Stine's level. I should be the bigger person. So should Frankie.

"Why were you two running down the sidewalk?" Stine asked with a raised eyebrow. "Did you see a monster or something?"

His sister wriggled her arm out of mine. "Now that you mention it, we—"

I interrupted. "We ran away from what we thought was a ghost. I gazed back and wanted to slap myself silly. It was only a white sheet blowing in the wind."

Frankie was understandably confused. "I saw no sheet. Where was it?"

"It was in a neighbor's yard. Do not ask me why. It just was. I figured that it was a ghost and warned you. I did not realize my mistake until we were on the porch."

She must have caught on because she said, "Ah. That is why you mentioned a sheet. I was wondering why. And I assumed that you were referring to washing yours."

I was concerned that her brother would get suspicious. He is the most intelligent student in school after all. So I was taken aback when he burst out laughing. He held his stomach as tears ran down his cheeks. His laughter echoed off the walls. I swear that the neighbors heard.

I growled and covered my ears. I raised my voice so he would hear me. "Have you ever been told that you have an obnoxious laugh?"

"Wait. He is laughing?" Frankie questioned, scratching her head. "I thought that he was crying."

Stine immediately stopped laughing and quickly wiped away his tears. "This is why you girls will remain dumb and single. No boy would want to be with scaredy-cats. But it would not matter because you are ugly."

What was his problem?

I jabbed a finger in his chest. "The only ugly being here is you, Stine. You might not be ugly on the outside, but you sure have an ugly heart. No wonder that you are so lonely."

I noticed the rage in his eyes. "You are lonely too."

I smirked and wrapped my arm around Frankie. "How can I be when I have a friend?"

"Awe. I am honored to be your friend," she said.

He clenched his hands so tightly that we could view his veins. I was worried that I would get slapped again - or punched. I would defend myself this time.

Frankie went up to him and gripped his shoulders. "Do not do anything that you will regret, Stine. Please. I am begging you. You are difficult to put up with, but I love you. I love you because you are my brother. Our family does not want you in prison. It is the last thing that we want."

Hearing her say that warmed my heart. Her heart is as pure as diamonds.

Stine jerked away and dropped his bag and suitcase. "I will tell you what. I will not slap Nikki if you beg to me. Beg properly."

She took a step back. "How do you want me to beg?"

"Get on your knees and clasp your hands together."

I heard the anger in her voice. "I am not doing that!"

Then we heard a raspy voice.