chapter 74

HENRY

“Watch out!” a voice yelled.

A flash of silver barreled down the trail like a rabbit. Behind it, someone was running so fast that he couldn’t stop himself. He tripped over Brae, who galloped up to greet him, and fell into Henry. Henry fell into Zavion. They all lay sprawled on the ground, stunned for a moment.

Henry spoke first. “Hey, Nopie.” Brae nudged Henry with his nose and licked the ground under him.

“I dropped the can of tuna and then it was rolling down the trail.” Nopie picked up the can and began to scoop tuna back into it.

“Oh, gross!” said Henry. Brae licked Henry’s jacket. “Aw, you smell like fish, Brae! Get off me!” He struggled to stand up.

Nopie extended his hand to Zavion with a can still in it.

“He doesn’t want that,” said Henry, grunting as he got on his feet.

“I forgot I had it,” said Nopie, setting it down. Brae’s nose was in it in a flash. “Hi, I’m Nopie,” he said.

“I’m Zavion.”

“What are you doing up here?” said Henry.

“Looking for Tiger,” said Nopie. “I thought he might come to me if I brought some tuna.”

“And—”

“No sign of him yet. But I think he’s up here. I talked to the rest of the neighbors on that one side of the road. Two of them saw Tiger. He was heading up the mountain. I’m sure of it.”

The wind was getting fierce. Henry shivered and pulled the sleeves of his jacket down over his hands. “So why are you going back down the mountain?” he said.

“I ran up to the top. Left some tuna there. I’m working my way back down.”

“You don’t think some other animal—or, like, twelve of them—are going to eat that?” Nopie looked deflated. Henry felt bad. “You really think Tiger’s looking for Wayne?”

“I know it.” Nopie pulled his sweater up above his chin and breathed into it. “And I know he’ll come back.”