After a chilling encounter with murder, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are now ready for a calm summer in Sweet Valley - until Eric Hankman appears.
Like Elizabeth, Eric is a quiet, sensitive writer, and the two of them immediately become friends.
But Jessica's not convinced that Eric is as perfect as he seems. Her suspicions are aroused when her new friend, Darcy Kayman, thinks she recognizes Eric as a boy from her hometown who has a mysterious past. Jessica knows Elizabeth won't believe a word of Darcy's story without evidence, but by the time she has all the proof she needs, it may be too late to save her sister!
"Eric?" Elizabeth asked softly. The coffee shop was deserted, and Eric was sitting at a corner table, fiddling with his pen. His jaw set, and he was glowering.
His expression darkened when he saw her, and he immediately looked away.
"Eric, what is it? Aren't you even glad to see me?" Elizabeth cried.
Eric stared at the floor, expressionless. "Why should I be?" A muscle jerked in his jaw, and Elizabeth felt a chill run up her spine.
"Eric, we've got to talk. Alone," Elizabeth said desprately.
"Why?" Eric cried, his face contorting. "What's the use?" He searched her face, then grabbed her arm, almost roughly. "All right. You want to talk? Then let's talk." He pulled Elizabeth out of the shop and into the corridor. He was almost running and his hand hurt her arm where he gripped her so tightly.
"Liz!" Elizabeth heard her twin shreik. Jessica, spotting the two of them as they left the shop, came charging after them, her eyes filled with terror.
Elizabeth turned to look back at her twin. Something in her voice made her stop dead in her tracks.
"Forget her," Eric said gruffly. He broke into a run, pulling her after him. Soon they turned into a tiny alley around the corner and fell against the brick wall. Eric clapped his hand over Elizabeth's mouth as Jessica ran past, and suddenly - though she knew it was crazy - Elizabeth was frightened.