Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13 Fletch looked at Wilkie with a sweet smile painted on his face. "I knew you'd find me, old pal. I knew it. I was sitting here praying. And here you are." Fletch was clutching that white flour sack. "Here," he said, holding it out to Wilkie. "See? I saved it for you. I was going to come look for you. I swear I was." "Sure you were, Fletch," Wilkie said in a weak voice. "I know you didn't forget about me." Leo and Morris looked at each other, unsure of what was happening. Did Wilkie really believe Fletch's lies? Was he going to join back up with him? "Come on," Fletch rasped. "We can share with your new buddies too, if that's what you want. Whatever you say, pal. Whatever you say."

"I'll take care of you, Fletch," Wilkie said. His voice didn't sound weak anymore. "Of course you will," Fletch said. "We're a team, you and me. We take care of each other." Wilkie snatched the flour sack from Fletch. He handed it to Leo. "Your gold is in there," he said. "Take it." "Sure," Fletch said. "Sure thing. Let the kid have his gold back. We're all friends now." Leo rummaged through the sack. It was filled with money — bills and coins, watches and wallets. He found his gold nugget. It felt warm, as though it had been in Papa's hand just moments before. He handed the flour sack back to Wilkie. Wilkie stepped back and stared at Fletch. "You left me for dead," Wilkie said. "No!" Fletch cried. "I was coming back for you. That's where I was heading. I swear it." Leo could see the rage on Wilkie's face. It was as though the heat and fury of the fire had taken control of him. Wilkie grabbed a splintered piece of wood. He raised it up, so it was over Fletch's head. Leo and Morris both leaped forward.

"No, Wilkie!" they both shouted. They each grabbed one of Wilkie's massive arms. Wilkie shook them off like they were butterflies. He glared at Fletch. He was set to smash that wood over Fletch's head. But Morris moved so that he was between Fletch and Wilkie. "We don't have time for this," Morris said, in his matter-of-fact voice. "We have to go." Leo stood frozen, afraid that Wilkie might hurt Morris. Then what would happen? But somehow Morris could always get people to pay attention, whether they wanted to or not. Leo reached up and took hold of the wood. Wilkie held it tight, but finally he let Leo take it. Wilkie grabbed Fletch roughly by the arm and stood him up. Fletch cried out in pain. Leo could see that his leg was horribly twisted. He needed to get to a hospital. Wilkie didn't care. He dragged Fletch, yelling and limping, out into the street and tossed him onto the sidewalk.

There were two policemen just up the street. "Maybe they'll help you," Wilkie said. Then he spat on the ground and stormed away. Leo and Morris hurried after him. None of them looked back at Fletch. But they could hear his rasping cries echoing behind them. They'd walked just a few blocks when they passed a woman standing in front of a ruined, burning house. Her four little children were gathered around her, their clothes tattered and covered with ash. The woman was sobbing to a soldier. "I've lost everything!" she wailed. "My husband! My house! Everything! What will we do? What will become of me and my children?" The soldier patted the woman's arm but then moved on. Wilkie stopped short. He went to the woman. Without a word, he handed her the flour sack. Then he turned and hurried back to Leo and Morris.

Leo could see that Wilkie's face had changed. The blazing look was gone. A peaceful look had come over him. He didn't look back at the woman. But Leo did. He watched her open the bag and look in. Leo knew he'd never forget the look of amazement on her face. With every hour they walked, they heard of new fires, new neighborhoods destroyed — all of the streets south of Market, Rincon Hill, downtown, Chinatown. City Hall was gone. So was the library, with its one million books. Morris got tears in his eyes when he heard that.

Hundreds of little fires had joined together into huge firestorms that raced through the city. No neighborhood was safe. And so they just kept walking. Leo had never been so tired. Or thirsty. His entire body ached. His eyes burned. He had cuts all over his hands. He had no idea where they'd end up. But he was still in one piece. That was something. He had his gold nugget back. And he had a feeling inside, one he hadn't felt since Papa was still alive. Walking between Wilkie and Morris, his shoulders brushing theirs, he knew in his heart that he wasn't alone.