Abduction! Read Free

hallway. He closed the door behind him and headed straight toward Denny.
    “Matt,” Denny said.
    “I’m going to the bathroom,” Matt said. He held a piece of yellow paper toward Denny. “I have a hall pass.”
    “I was coming to get you out of class,” Denny said. “You’re supposed to come with me. Right now.”
    The boy shook his head, frowning.
    “It’s an emergency,” Denny said. “Pookie got hurt, and I’m taking him to the vet. Your mom wants you to go along so Pookie won’t be so scared.”
    Matt’s eyes grew wide. “Pookie’s hurt?”
    “He got hit by a car. I stopped to help, and when I called the number on Pookie’s tag, your mom askedme to get you and then take Pookie to the vet. She’s going to meet us there.” Denny held out his hand to Matt. “We have to hurry!”
    Matt shook his head again, putting his own hands behind his back. “I don’t know you,” he said. He took a step backward. “I’m not supposed to go anywhere with someone I don’t know.”
    “You’re right to be cautious,” Denny said. “It shows you’re a smart kid. But I checked in at the office; see my visitor’s badge? That’s how I knew where to find you. If you walk outside with me, you can see my car from the playground. You’ll see I’m helping Pookie.”
    Denny went out the door, holding it open for Matt.
    Matt followed Denny out the door to the playground.
    Denny pointed. “That’s my car,” he said. “Pookie’s in the backseat.”
    Matt looked toward the green sedan. He saw the dog’s nose pressed against the side window of the man’s car.
    “Pookie!” Matt said. “How bad is he hurt? Are his legs broken? Is he all bloody? Is he going to die?”
    “He might, if we don’t get him to the vet right away. Pookie’s scared. He needs you to ride along to the vet, so he won’t be afraid.” He extended his hand again.
    Matt hesitated, glanced again at the dog, took the man’s hand.
    Together they ran across the playground toward the street.
    While the boy climbed in beside the dog, Denny tossed the box and the clipboard into the trunk, his heart thumping in triumph. His plan had worked perfectly. The woman in the school office never suspected that a fake UPS logo had been stitched on last night by Denny himself. Matt had seen the dog in the car and left the school without a whimper.
    As Matt hugged Pookie in the backseat, Denny started the engine and drove away, being careful to stay within the speed limit. The last thing he needed was to get pulled over for a traffic violation.
    He rounded the corner as the first school bus pulled into the drive. The car clock said 2:34.

B y the time Bonnie got to her last class of the day, her mood had brightened. Friday afternoons always felt full of promise, even if she had no special plans for the weekend.
    As she finished her math assignment, Nancy slipped her a note.
    CAN YOU LEAVE BABY BROTHER WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AND GO TO THE MALL WITH SHARON AND ME AFTER SCHOOL? MOM’S DRIVING US. WE’RE GOING TO TRY ON SHOES AND GET FREE MAKEUP SAMPLES.
    Bonnie sighed. She would love to go shopping with Nancy and her sister, but she wasn’t supposed to ask Mrs. Watson, her neighbor, to watch Matt unless itwas an emergency. She wrote I HAVE TO STAY WITH MATT. LUCKY ME. BRING ME SOME SAMPLES—MY FACE NEEDS ALL THE HELP IT CAN GET. She passed the note back to Nancy
    Bonnie often wished she had an older sister instead of a younger brother. Sharon helped Nancy with homework and hairstyles, taught her the latest dances, and let Nancy listen to her CDs. Best of all, Nancy never had to be in charge of anyone but herself.
    Last year, in sixth grade, Bonnie and Nancy often hung out together after school. They’d go to the library or talk with their friends for a little while before they walked home. Matt was in day care then, and Mom picked him up after work, so Bonnie didn’t have to worry about him.
    This year, with Matt in all-day kindergarten, Bonnie had to hurry