The Chupacabra by Jean Flitcroft

Author:Jean Flitcroft
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Many witnesses report a very bad smell when the Chupacabra is around. It is a strong sulfuric odor that is traditionally associated with el diablo, the devil.

On the way home Vanessa avoided all discussion of Pablo and the Martinez family. Instead she told funny stories about her brothers and even got off her bike to mimic Luke’s lanky walk and his deep voice. Nikki was an only child and was always telling Vanessa how lucky she was.

“Oh, brothers can be such pains, Nikki, I promise you. You’re not missing anything, really—is she, Carmen?”

Nikki laughed and gave Vanessa a playful shove. Later, nobody could recall what actually happened next. Just that Xolo was suddenly there beside them, snarling and growling ferociously, his teeth bared. It took Vanessa a couple of seconds to realize that he was crouched, ready to pounce.

Had Xolo thought Nikki was going to hurt Vanessa? Was he really trying to protect her, as Izel had said? Or was there someone else nearby?

Vanessa tried to follow the direction of the dog’s gaze. He was not really looking at Nikki—it was more toward the trees. She saw nobody, but she thought she heard a sound. Footsteps, perhaps? Could it be Pablo? Had he seen them looking at his house?

Vanessa put her hand quickly on the back of the dog’s head to calm him. Then she made a low, rumbling noise in the back of her throat, and Xolo relaxed. The moment had passed.

“That’s amazing,” said Carmen. “The way you can control the dog like that. I thought he was going to savage Nikki!”

“Let’s go,” said Nikki. “I don’t like it here. It’s creepy. And there is a horrible smell all of a sudden.”

Vanessa patted Xolo, and the dog loped away.

“Race you home!” Vanessa cried, leaping onto her bike again.

“We should have that dog locked away during the day, Joseph,” Frida said when she heard the story that evening at dinner. “I have noticed that he is starting to behave erratically.”

There was no doubt that Xolo had attached himself to her, Vanessa thought, but that wasn’t odd or erratic. He probably never got much affection or attention before, that was all.

“And he needs a wash,” Carmen added. “I think he smelled very bad this afternoon.”

“The smell wasn’t him,” Vanessa said flatly to no one in particular. She kept her head down.

There was a slight pause in the conversation, and everyone heard the phone ringing in the hall. It was a surprising sound in the house. It didn’t often ring.

Izel arrived, breathless, her face flushed.

“The phone is for you, Vanessa!” she exclaimed as if Vanessa had won the lotto. “Come, come.”

The sound of Lee’s cool, familiar voice was wonderful. Vanessa hadn’t realized that she was homesick, but now it washed over her without warning. She had to clear her throat a couple of times before she could speak.

“No, no, honestly, Lee, I’m fine. I promise. It’s just so lovely to hear your voice, that’s all.”

Vanessa looked behind her to see if

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