Read Brooks Berry In The Case Of The Stolen Season Page 15

  Chapter 14 Wake Up Call

  Brooks woke up with a sharp headache and a groggy feeling, his arms were pinned behind his back and he had tape over his mouth. He didn't quite know where he was, but he was definitely out of the scoreboard and despite the fact that it was pitch black he could discern that Brad was lying next to him, still passed out. It was quiet but he could hear an engine running, but didn't feel any movement. His hands could feel canvas; it was like they were inside some sort of a big bag.

  He kicked Brad whose eyes fluttered open. As he gained awareness of his surroundings Brad's eyes became wide. Brooks was not panicked, as he knew that wouldn't help the situation. As Brad began kicking and thrashing around whatever contraption they were in started to move. It rolled a few inches and hit something solid and stopped.

  A car door opened and the smell of cigarettes entered the vehicle. "Look here, boy sleuths," a raspy voice said. "You need to stop digging around this football thing. Mind your own business, or you'll really get hurt. Next time we decide to knock you out, you won't be waking up, you boys understand?" The man kicked whatever it was that the boys were laying in. Luckily the kick landed between them and didn't hurt them. "I SAID DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

  A flashlight was waved in their faces, illuminating the boys but simultaneously nearly blinding them as their eyes had adjusted to the dark. "NOW TELL ME IF YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING!" the man demanded again. Both boys nodded becoming increasingly frightened and angry. "RUIN MY PLAN AND YOU'LL PAY. I'VE WORKED MY WHOLE LIFE TO GET TO THIS POINT AND I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE IT RUINED BY 2 KIDS! NOW GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE! AND IF I HEAR OF YOU TWO DOING ANYMORE DIGGING AROUND OR CAUSING ANY MORE TROUBLE, WE’LL BE MEETING AGAIN!"

  The light clicked off and more medical tape was quickly put over both of their eyes, plunging them back into darkness. Another door opened; and the boys were suddenly sent rolling down a ramp. The cart they were in was accelerating quickly! Above the clanking sound made by the metal wheels of the cart on the ground, they heard tires screeching and a motor racing. The boys rolled on a flat surface for what seemed like a few seconds before the cart fell over and the boys tumbled out of it, Brad falling on top of Brooks.

  Luckily, the darkness didn't help the man who was putting the tape over the boys' eyes as it was done pretty poorly. They could both see out of one eye and made eye contact.

  Brooks looked around and recognized the Tosa East teachers’ parking lot. They were about 200 feet from the stadium parking lot. Their arms were still secured behind their backs and tape over their mouths. Brooks grunted and motioned with his head for Brad to go to the fence with him. When they reached the fence Brad shrugged his shoulders to indicate confusion.

  Brooks sat down with his back to the fence and started rubbing the sharp wire at the bottom of the chain link fence on the tape. It cut through it after about 40 seconds. Brad imitated Brooks and was free a few seconds after. Both boys ripped the tape off their mouths and started rubbing their wrists where the tape was to get the circulation back.

  "Those guys aren't kidding around!" said Brad. "Are you ok?" "Yeah, I'm fine, just annoyed I got burned again by those jerks." "I thought for sure that lock was going to do the trick," said Brad.

  The boys walked back to the cart that they were held captive in. It was a big canvas laundry cart used by the school’s athletic department for towels and dirty uniforms. The cart was now laying on its side in the parking lot.

  Brad grabbed it and set it upright. The dim lights of the parking lot made it hard to see, but there was something white at the bottom of the basket. It was a towel; Brooks reached in and fished it out. It was a bit damp and Brooks held it up.

  "I don't really want to take this wet towel, but we should see if it can help us." "Gross," said Brad. Brooks threw the towel at Brad but before it could hit his face Brad had grabbed it and returned the throw at Brooks. He wasn't expecting it and the towel hit him straight in the face and wrapped around his head. "OH MY!" yelled Brooks.

  The boys sat down in the parking lot and started laughing, the stress washed off of them as they sat their laughing. "What time is it?" asked Brooks, as Brad helped him to his feet and the boys made their way back to their bikes. "10:30, man we are in some trouble!" said Brad. "I hope my mom doesn't gas me and throw me in a clothes hamper!" joked Brooks. But despite his humorous comment, he knew he'd have to make a choice - tell his parents what had happened or think of some way to explain being out so late on a school night.

  The boys got back to their bikes and Brooks pulled out his mini flashlight from his backpack. The light beam hit the towel. Looked like an ordinary white, school-issued towel. "Nothing here," said Brooks. "Wait!" said Brad pointing to some small black lettering near the bottom seam.

  Chapter 15 The Two Minute Warning

  Brooks leaned in for a closer look and read: STATE COLLEGE PORCUPINE ATHLETIC DE