Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11 Michael sprinted toward the bikes parked behind the soccer goals, Sadie and Justin close behind. "C'mon, Merle!" Michael shouted over his shoulder. Merle just stood there for a moment, still in shock. But soon he shook it off and raced to catch up with the kids. If you've ever seen a squirrel crossing a street or running away from a dog, you know how fast they can be! Merle bounded into the backpack as Michael climbed up on his bike and began pedaling as fast as he could across the grass toward the parking lot. "We're coming, Pearl!" Merle shouted. But now the trunk was closed, and there was no way of knowing if she could hear him. The man in the suit and sunglasses revved up the car as the kids reached the edge of the parking lot on their bikes. "Hey! What are you doing with our squirrel?!" Michael called out. "Stop!" Justin shouted. The tires of the car spun out on the blacktop, white smoke billowing out of the wheel wells.

"Can Toyotas do that?!" Justin wondered out loud. The car sped toward the road, leaving the kids struggling to keep up in its smoky trail. "Pearl!" Merle screamed in his loudest squirrel voice. Through the haze, Sadie was able to make out the license plate number. "CPG 872, CPG 872, CPG 872," she repeated. Michael huffed as his legs spun faster than they ever had before. Finally, with the car around a corner and out of sight, he gave up and coasted down the street, struggling to catch his breath. "I can't keep up! I'm sorry, Merle. I'm sorry." Merle said nothing as he gazed after the car. "What are we gonna do?" Justin asked as he caught up with Michael. "We need help." Michael turned and pedaled hard toward home, Justin and Sadie close behind him.