The Smoky Corridor

75

It was Saturday and Benny was bored.

So he biked over to Zack’s house.

Maybe they could blow something up out in the woods. Maybe they could stick a firecracker in an old Lego model and watch the bricks fly.

Benny hopped off his bike and ran up to Zack’s front porch to ring the bell.

His stepmom answered the door.

“Hi, Mrs. Jennings!”

“Hi, Benny.”

“Can Zack come out and play?”

“Well, he’s not here right now.…”

“Oh.”

“He had to go to school.”

“Really? On a Saturday?”

Mrs. Jennings nodded. “It’s something, uh, special.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sure he wishes you were there with him … but, well, this is more or less a dry run … a test.”

“He’s testing something?”

“Yeah. More or less.”

“Okay. Thanks, Mrs. Jennings.”

“Sure, Benny. Say hi to your mom and dad for me.”

“Okay.”

She went back into the house.

Benny grabbed his bike.

This is so awesome! he thought. Zack was definitely doing something major at the school. Even if it was only a dry run or a test, it’d be exciting.

He pedaled hard.

He had to be there to see it.

He saw his buddy Andrew Oldewurtel riding around in circles on his bike in the street in front of his house.

“Hey, Andrew!”

“Hey, Benny. Where you goin’?”

“School. Zack’s gonna do something amazing!”

“When?”

“Like right now!”

“Awesome! Did you tell Riley and Emily?”

“No time,” said Benny, biking up the street.

“I’ll text them,” shouted Andrew. “They can text Jessie and Harry and Laurel. Hang on. I’m right behind you, man!”