Winter Hawk Star by Sigmund Brouwer

Author:Sigmund Brouwer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV000000
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2007-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

chapter ten

“Listen up, guys,” I shouted to get the kids’ attention. “Weather looks good out there today. Anyone want to play some street hockey?”

As expected, they cheered. I didn’t blame them. The Youth Works playroom was small and crowded. Normal kids would go crazy in here. And as Riley and I had learned during our visits here, this bunch was definitely so hyperactive they were beyond normal.

“Riley’s got the sticks,” I shouted. “Let’s not tear down the hallways as we go outside. Zip your lips and line up in single file.”

I couldn’t believe what happened next.

The kids stopped shouting and laughing and screaming and began to line up in single file.

Riley gave me a surprised look.

“They must like hockey,” I said.

I stayed at the door, and Riley led them out.

I watched Ben, Samantha’s brother. He was in the middle of the line. When he passed me, I patted his shoulder.

“How you doing?” I said. What I really wanted to ask him was if anyone had tried to kidnap him for the second time. I really wanted to ask him if he knew why the director of Youth Works was threatening his sister.

“I’m doing good,” he said. “Can I be a goalie today?”

“Sure,” I said. “Hey, what’s with the cotton ball?”

He was wearing a T-shirt, and a cotton ball was taped to the inside bend of his elbow. I’d had the same thing myself after donating blood to the Red Cross.

“Blood tests,” he said, like it was no big deal. “We all get them. Samantha says I have to leave it on until after dinner.”

“Oh.”

He marched onward. I followed him out of the room and down the hallway. I kept my eyes open for Samantha. She was always running around and doing different things around the building. If I was lucky, I would run into her and find an excuse to ask her to the dance. There was only a week left. I didn’t have the courage to call her on the phone.

But I didn’t see her.

Fifteen minutes later, I had bigger things to worry about.

Joey, my favorite little, redheaded, monster kid, stopped in his tracks in the middle of the courtyard. He toppled to his side as one of the other kids fired him a pass.

His head made a horrible sound as it hit the pavement. His body began to flop around. I got there just as his face was turning blue. Riley arrived a half second later.

“Ambulance?” Riley asked.

“Yes, hurry!” I said. This was no time to ask any other questions or think about anything else.

Riley dashed toward the Youth Work offices.

I dropped to my knees and leaned over Joey. He was wheezing.

I whipped off my jacket and folded it as a pillow beneath his neck. I pinched his nostrils together with the thumb and forefinger of my right hand. I pulled his chin down with my other hand. His face was cold and clammy.

“You’ll be all right, little buddy,” I said with a lot more calm than I felt.

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