Middle Row by Sylvia Olsen

Author:Sylvia Olsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV000000
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2008-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“On the count of three, Vince, Raedawn, you run ahead. I’ve got a bad hip, but I’ll be right behind you.”

I yank Raedawn’s arm. We stand up together and take off. At first I’m dragging her behind me, but after a few steps she bolts ahead. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it could bust through my ribs at any second. I expect to hear gunshots. My life, like a speeded-up movie, shoots through my mind. Stupid stuff like Mom and Dad fighting, a grilled cheese sandwich I burned and a Speedo bathing suit I got for my thirteenth birthday.

Raedawn slows down and glances at me as we reach the cabin. I can’t believe it. She actually wants to stop and look for Dune.

I say, “Don’t even think about it,” before she has a chance to speak.

Uncle Dave is nowhere in sight, but I can hear him smashing through the bushes.

We run by the shed, through the clearing and past the all-terrain vehicles. Raedawn is burning up the trail ahead of me. Her short legs are really moving.

Suddenly a dog appears out of nowhere. He’s snapping at our heels like he’s herding sheep. At first I think he’s going to take my leg off.

Raedawn slows up a bit.

“Look at that dog,” she calls over her shoulder.

He’s a strange-looking mutt with long wiry hair and spots like a Dalmatian. He looks familiar, but I can’t think of where I would have seen him before.

“That’s Dune’s dog,” Raedawn gasps. “I know it is.”

“Hurry up. He’s not going to hurt us.” “I know Dune’s around here, Vince. He’s really close.”

She slows down and is jogging beside me.

“How do you know it’s Dune’s dog?” I ask.

“Vince, we have to go back.”

“Forget the dog, Raedawn.”

“It’s not the dog. It’s Dune.”

“Dune or the dog. Forget it. I’m not going back.”

I’m ahead of her now. The weather has changed. The sun is gone. Raindrops whipped up by the wind sting my face. I’m grabbing my sides and gasping for breath. Running all day on the basketball court is nothing compared to running for my life. I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.

“They’re on the vehicles,” Uncle Dave hollers when he comes into view.

The ATVS’ engines are revving like race cars.

“A couple of guys were running behind me,” he says. His face is red and he is puffing away. “They could have caught up with me easily if they wanted. Then they jumped on their machines to show a little muscle. I don’t think they’ll hurt us, but I don’t want to give them anything to shoot at. I don’t like messing with bullets.”

Raedawn ignores what he’s saying. “That’s Dune’s dog,” she says. “Vince, don’t you recognize him from the painting at school?”

Of course. That’s where I’ve seen that mutt. There’s a huge oil painting of the dog’s face hanging outside the principal’s office.

“You’re right,” I gasp. I’m having trouble talking and running at the same time.

We slow up a little to keep in step with Uncle Dave.

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