Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11 Barry's heart pounded. That dog was crazy. What if he came after Barry? Cruz barked some more. Barry had to get out of here! But then there was a noise — a whimpering howl. It rose above the wind, and it was the saddest sound Barry had ever heard. Sadder than Cleo's sobbing. Sadder than the song Dad had played at Gramps's funeral. Sadder than Barry's own sobs.

That didn't sound like a killer dog. It sounded like a dog that was terrified. Cruz howled again. Begging. Pleading. Help me, please, he seemed to be saying. Help me, please. Barry knew what he had to do. He hoisted himself up, climbed through the window, and eased himself down on the other side. It was very dark, but Barry could see shadowy shapes around him: a couch floating in the corner, a smashed lamp, and a big cabinet lying facedown in the water. Cruz barked brightly, like he could tell help was on the way. "Cruz!" Barry shouted. The dog barked again. "I'm coming!" Barry called. Barry waded carefully. His shoes were still floating around in his living room at home; his socks had been ripped off in his ride through the flood. Already his feet were sliced up, and he knew there had to be glass and nails everywhere. Cruz was whimpering loudly now. "Don't worry!" Barry called.

Cruz barked like he understood. Barry made it to the stairway, which rose out of the water. The house was tilted to the side and rocked gently in the waves. Barry had to hold on tightly to the banister. Cruz was waiting for him in the doorway of Abe's room. His leash was attached to Abe's bed, which Cruz had managed to drag across the room. He was straining so hard to get free that he was practically strangling himself. Barry paused for a second, thinking of all the scary stories Abe had told him about Cruz. But then he closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He walked up, reached for Cruz's collar, and unhooked it from the leash. Cruz leaped up, and for a split second Barry thought he'd made a terrible mistake. But then Cruz licked Barry's chin. He licked Barry's hands and pushed his head against Barry's leg. Then he sat down and looked up into Barry's eyes. He gave four little barks. Thank you! he seemed to cheer. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Barry bent down next to Cruz and patted him on the head.

"You're welcome," he said. Cruz gave Barry one last kiss on the nose and then looked at him expectantly. What now? he seemed to ask. What should we do? And that was when it hit Barry: He wasn't alone anymore. He and Cruz were together.