The Nightmare Man Read Online Free

going to cope when you’re gone? I’m going to be calling you...’ She trailed off as Luke’s phone beeped and he checked his messages. ‘I’ll just talk to myself,’ she muttered.
    Luke’s face broke into a big grin. ‘It’s from Clyde. He wants us to meet up!’
    ‘What, now?’ asked Sarah Jane.
    Luke started walking to the door. ‘This afternoon, at school.’
    Sarah Jane called over to him. ‘Make sure you do some packing before...’
    But before she could finish, Luke had left the attic. Sarah Jane smiled and relaxed. Luke had forgotten about his nightmares and things seemed to be returning to normal.
    That afternoon, Luke walked into his old school playground. He looked up at Park Vale School and smiled. He’d enjoyed his time there so much.
    He pushed open the doors and walked down a number of corridors. He could hear the sounds of lessons taking place behind closed doors. He pushed through another door that led through to the Sixth Form building. Walking down a final corridor, he suddenly had a strange sense of déjà vu. A corridor with grey walls and red doors. He remembered his nightmare and shuddered.
    Then he forced himself to stop being silly. That had just been a nightmare. This was the real world and, in the real world, Clyde wanted to see him.
    He walked to the end of the corridor where there were two big red doors. Above them, a sign read, “Sixth Form Common Room”. Luke pushed the doors open and was surprised to find the room in darkness. Again, he remembered the nightmare. The black void. The man with the white hand and red flower.
    ‘Hello?’ he asked, trying not to sound nervous.
    ‘Surprise!’ screamed a load of voices as, suddenly, all the lights in the room were switched on!
    Luke struggled to take it all in. There were multi-coloured flashing disco lights. There was a huge banner with the words “Goodbye Luke!” painted on it. There was a table, covered in cake and fizzy drinks and chocolate and all his favourite food. And there, underneath the banner, were all of Luke’s schoolfriends. Jacob, Lance, Dave, Tony, Julie, Jade, Meena…and, of course, at the front, his two best friends – Clyde and Rani. They all popped party poppers in his direction! He stared, not knowing what to say. He couldn’t believe that they’d thrown a surprise party for him! Clyde came over to join him.
    ‘Did you do this?’ Luke asked.
    ‘You’re my best mate,’ replied Clyde. ‘As if I’d let you go without a party!’ Then he turned to face the others. ‘You hear me? It’s time to party!’
    They all cheered! And Luke smiled. This was quite simply the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Chapter Eight

Party of terror!
    Luke was reading a card full of messages wishing him good luck. He still couldn’t believe it. He looked up and around the room at all his friends. They were dancing and eating and chatting and smiling. It made Luke realise how lucky he was to have such good friends.
    He’d been made to help destroy the human race and, when he had started school, he hadn’t known how to act amongst others. People had thought he was weird. Over time, though, with lots of help from Clyde, he had learnt to relax and enjoy himself. He was never ashamed of being clever or different but he knew that if he wasn’t careful, sometimes it looked as if he was showing off. So, thanks to Clyde, he’d made many friends.
    Luke put the card down and went over to the table of food. He was putting some sausage rolls onto a paper plate when a voice sounded behind him.
    ‘So,’ asked Clyde. ‘Are you all right?’
    Luke turned to face his friend. They were both feeling slightly awkward. It had been a couple of days since they’d even spoken to each other.
    ‘Yeah,’ Luke nodded. ‘I’m all right.’
    ‘Okay. Good.’ Clyde took a deep breath. ‘It’s just...I’m no good at this sort of thing.’
    ‘Me neither.’
    ‘So, we’re cool?’ asked Clyde.
    ‘We’re always cool,’ Luke