Soar by Tracy Edward Wymer

Author:Tracy Edward Wymer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

The Rescue Mission

I unzip the cross pouch and stash the walkie, adjusting the pouch so it’s not in my way. I stream the flashlight over my bike. From where I’m crouched it’s hard to tell if there’s any damage. After seeing the torn-up couch on the front porch, I’m prepared for the worst.

A light from inside the house turns on and comes flooding into the yard. There are no curtains or blinds on the windows, so I have to be cautious. Knocking over the garden gnome or tripping over a pogo stick could lead to failure, and Operation Ninja Bird cannot end in failure.

I climb the chainlink fence, sticking my shoes inside the gaps and pulling myself up. I plant one foot on the top bar and leap over the fence. I land quietly in the grass.

Stepping around a pogo stick, I slide around the cupid statue, which is bigger than it looked from the side yard.

I run the flashlight along my bike to check its condition. Nicks and scratches cover the frame. The seat stem is loose, and the seat cover is coming off. The handlebars are wobbly, the grips are torn, and the tires—oh, the tires—they’re completely flat.

The bedroom light is still on. I wonder if it’s Mouton’s bedroom or his parents’ room. I’m better off not finding out.

I pick up my bike with both hands and walk toward the fence. After three seconds I set it down and catch my breath. Then I use all my strength to lift it over the fence.

Suddenly the back porch light turns on, lighting up the whole backyard.

I drop to the ground, flat on my stomach. I stay as low as possible. The same words keep replaying in my head—spies do NOT get caught—like they’re scrolling across a sign in my brain.

My bike lies on the other side of the fence, free at last. But now I’m lying in Mouton’s backyard, waiting for Mouton to shine a light in my face and sit on me.

I keep my eyes on the back windows, checking for signs of life. There’s a sudden movement in the bedroom.

It’s Mouton.

He’s facing the wall, his back to me and the window. He’s wearing an apron, tied in a knot. Because his back is to me, it’s hard to tell what he’s doing.

The sight of Mouton in an apron makes me curious. I can’t help it. I should hop the fence and walk my bike into the night, with Gabriela walking next to me. I know that’s what I should do.

But I have to find out why Mouton is wearing an apron.

I crawl toward the bedroom window, my chest sliding over the wet grass. When I get to a tall patch, I get a face full of weeds and spit them out. I scoot past a second garden gnome, but this one has a missing nose.

I keep crawling.

The bicycle with the huge wheel and tiny wheel looms over me.

When I make it to the window, I rise up into a crouch and peek over the windowsill, into Mouton’s bedroom.

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