Saving Cody by Brandon Wallace

Author:Brandon Wallace
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2023-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

12

Lindsey leaned back against her blue car, chewing a piece of gum and eyeballing the boys. She looked about seventeen and had long dark hair braided in cornrows. She wore an oversized Sacramento Spartans jersey and a very doubtful expression. Naomi stood next to her, tapping her booted foot, short blond hair streaked green and blue to match the team’s colors.

Kai, Andy, Benjamin, Jake, and Taylor stood across from the girls, Cody parked at their side.

“I’m sorry,” Lindsey said. “You want us to do what?”

“Give these boys a ride to Pollock Pines,” Kai said. “C’mon, Linds. It’s just past Tahoe. You’re gonna pass right through there. What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal?” Lindsey said, eyes darting between Jake and Taylor. “I don’t know. For starters, how old are you two?”

“Sixteen and thirteen,” Jake lied.

“Then why can’t you drive yourself, huh?”

Jake sighed. “Okay. We’re fourteen and twelve. But—”

“So you’re runaways, is what you’re telling us,” Naomi said. “Lindsey, this is bonkers. We should call one of those places that help runaway kids.”

“We’re not runaways!” Taylor piped up.

“Oh?” Lindsey said. “So your parents know where you’re at, then?”

Taylor shuffled some loose rocks on the pavement with his foot. “Not exactly,” he mumbled.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so,” Naomi said.

“Babe,” Andy said. “You gotta listen to their story first, okay? Then make up your mind.” He gestured to Jake, who cleared his throat and started talking.

“We didn’t run away,” he said. “Not exactly. We just need to get our dog to our grandmother’s house.” He explained the story, again, about the bullies and Cody’s life on the line. “But once Cody is safe, we’ll go home. We promise! We can’t let anything happen to him. Cody’s the best dog and friend you’ll ever meet.” Despite himself, Jake could feel his eyes beginning to water. But you know what, who cares? Jake thought. He’d shed more than a few tears if anything happened to Cody.

As if on cue, Cody nuzzled Lindsey’s and Naomi’s legs, tail wagging. Then he both gave the girls his love-me look and flopped onto his back for belly rubs.

“Oh man.” Lindsey’s face softened. She leaned down and rubbed Cody’s soft tummy fur. Cody’s short legs pedaled the air. If he’d been a cat, Jake was pretty sure he would have started purring.

“See?” Andy said. “We can’t let anything happen to this little guy.”

Cody sat up and leaned on Lindsey.

“He likes you,” Taylor said.

“Aw, I like him too,” Lindsey answered. She rubbed Cody’s head and stood up straight. The green and yellow beads in her braids clacked together. “He’s a sweetie.”

“So you’ll help us?” Jake asked hopefully.

The girls were silent a moment. Lindsey blew a bubble and snapped her gum. She looked at Cody, then the boys.

“Okay,” she said. “Here’s the deal. We’ll take you to Pollock Pines.”

“We will?” Naomi said. “But—”

“BUT,” Lindsey continued with another gum snap, “not until you let your parents know you’re okay. I’m sure they’re going crazy looking for you. And I don’t want to get picked up for kidnapping or something….

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