Storm Rescue by Laurie Halse Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

sounds worried. “I’m rather concerned about him, actually. Is Dr. MacKenzie available?”
    I clutch the phone, wondering if something new is wrong with Stormy. Sherlock finally quiets down—thank goodness. “Um, no. Can I take a message?”
    â€œI’d appreciate that,” Bill says. “You see, I’m stuck at work because of flooding. I had planned to dash home and check on Stormy. I wanted to give him another dose of his tranquilizer and bring him inside. He’s in his outdoor kennel right now. He seemed calmer there than in the house this morning, so we left him out. I should have known better. But since the clinic is so close to our house, I was hoping Dr. Mac or Gabe could go get him and look after him until I can get there. Do you think they might be able to do that?”
    â€œUm ... ” I’m not sure what to say. Dr. Mac would probably agree if she were here, but she’s not. And I definitely don’t feel like leading that huge dog through the storm. I glance quickly at the others, who are watching me curiously. With a gulp, I remember how David teased me yesterday about being a scaredy-cat—and I remember the horse. “Yes,” I tell Bill. “Don’t worry. I know she’ll want to help.”
    â€œThank you, Sunita.” Bill sounds relieved. “I really appreciate this. Tell Dr. Mac I’ll be by as soon as I can.”
    â€œSure. Bye.” I hang up.
    What have I done?
    â€œWho was that?” Maggie asks.
    After I tell them the whole story, Zoe tugs on a strand of her long blond hair and frowns. “Why didn’t you tell him that Dr. Mac and Dr. Gabe are both out?” she says. “There’s no telling when they’ll be back to go get Stormy.”
    â€œI know,” I say. “That’s why we have to go get him ourselves.” I’m already nervous about what I’ve agreed to do. But I know it was the right decision. Even though Stormy scares me a little, he’s a nice dog. I hate the thought of him being trapped, like the horse we just saw on TV. What if his outdoor kennel floods or blows away or something? What if he gets struck by lightning?
    â€œSunita’s right,” Brenna says, jumping to her feet, which makes Sneakers start barking. “Come on!” she shouts over the noise. “Let’s get moving!”
    â€œWait!” Maggie cries. “We can’t all go. Someone needs to stay here in case any patients come in—and to tell Gran where we are when she gets back.”
    We all exchange anxious glances.
    â€œI’ll stay,” Zoe speaks up after a second, bending down to soothe Sneakers. “Humidity does terrible things to my hair anyway,” she jokes nervously.
    Â 
 
We all hurry back into the clinic and put on our raincoats. Mine’s still a little wet from this morning. David opens the door. Outside, the sky looks worse than ever. There are puddles everywhere, as well as tree limbs and all sorts of debris. By the time we’ve gone half a block, the rain finds its way into my shoes and down the back of my neck.
    The wind is still blowing, and a siren is blaring somewhere nearby. We don’t talk much. The Jermaines’ house is only about four blocks away, on the corner of Franklin and Willow streets.
    We struggle against the wind down the first block, then the second. But we keep moving. An animal needs our help, and that’s the only thing on my mind. I know my friends feel the same way.
    Before long we’re turning on to Franklin. The Jermaines live on a block lined with nice colonial homes that have backyards overlooking the old section of town. I hear barking in the distance. As we get closer to the Jermaines’ green-and-white house at the end of the block, the barking grows louder, along with a sound of rattling metal. It’s coming from behind the house.
    â€œThat’s Stormy!” David says. “His kennel