The Tattooed Rats by Jerry B. Jenkins

Author:Jerry B. Jenkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2010-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

35

SORRY. I’VE GOT TO GO,” Molly said. Ms. Strong pretended to act hurt.

Molly spun, took a step. Another roadblock.

Erin, Claudia, and Nancy stood in a tight line, arms crossed like security guards.

“We’ve missed you so much,” Claudia said. “Love your hair.” She reached to caress it, but Molly jerked away. “You don’t have to be like that,” Claudia said.

“I have to get going.” The speaker again blared for patients to report to their rooms. “See?” Molly said.

“Good seeing you,” Erin said.

“Almost sounds like you mean it.”

Finally Molly was outside. Now to find Patch. She lifted her skirt and tore toward the meeting place.

TALK ABOUT WEIRD,” Ms. Strong said.

“Maybe she didn’t know what to say,” Mr. Wattington said. “You two didn’t exactly part as friends.”

Ms. Strong glared, then softened and shrugged. “Wonder if she knows how Patch is doing. I should have asked. I’ve got to catch her.”

Mr. Wattington strolled after her, then had to race to keep up.

PATCH PACED. Where was she? The van was there, wide open. This was their chance.

Someone was coming. He hid within the brush. But he couldn’t leave without her. Not like last time with Amber.

“Told you it’d be worth our while.” Two guys from the cleanup crew wheeled out tubs of coleslaw, strips of dry chicken, and plates of deviled eggs. “This will feed the fam for a couple of days.” The two unloaded their haul, dividing it between the two vehicles. Patch crouched, watching.

The big barber came to the side of the van. He spoke to the men snagging snacks. “Sorry, guys. The boss sent me to tell you about the mess in the kitchen. Needs your help now.” The men grumbled, but duty called.

So much for a ride, Patch thought. Oh well, Molly had ruined it all anyway.

He heard lips smacking. “This is good stuff.” The man’s mouth was full of deviled eggs.

Patch couldn’t believe his bad luck.

SHE RAN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, shoes slapping concrete.

“Molly? Molly!”

What now? Molly slipped between two cars. Ms. Strong chased her, and others followed, shouting her name. Molly covered her ears. Couldn’t anything ever work out right?

CLAUDIA MARCHED BETWEEN THE VEHICLES. She banged them with open hands as she passed. Car alarms whined, roared, beeped. Patch came out of hiding and slid under the van and his shirt ripped. Feet stomped past.

What have you done, Molly?

His next thought was: I don’t know if I can help you. Not if I want to escape.

THERE YOU ARE.” Molly looked up. Ms. Strong stood over her. “Thought you had to get to your room.”

Molly opened her mouth, but words wouldn’t come.

“Not that old mute trick,” Ms. Strong said. “It’s already been done.”

Erin, Nancy, and Claudia, appeared. “Gotcha,” Claudia said. Molly dropped her head into hands and sobbed.

Mr. Wattington herded the girls away. “Let Ms. Strong handle this.”

Claudia pushed back. “Don’t you dare try and cut me out! I want my piece. That reward’s mine.”

Molly noticed Erin and Nancy watching, the truth apparently dawning on them too.

PATCH SLIPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN, slid in the side door, and struggled past the food.

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