I was still clutching the bayonet in its case, and it was heavier than it looked. My chest started aching after the first three blocks, but I kept running. I’d told Mom about Luther’s boardinghouse, and she said she knew the place. She’d probably left home in the car by now. I just had to get there before she and Vern did. And Luther had to take the bayonet. I knew I’d be in big trouble whenever Mom caught up with me or when I went home, but that didn’t matter now. Luther needed me, and I was going to help him. It was starting to get dark. A big, orange sun crouched behind the trees as I ran, pitching long shadows across the street. In a few minutes it would disappear, and the night would throw a curtain over everything. Including Ruckus, if he was in town already. I ran even faster. Finally the boardinghouse came into sight. Lights were on inside, but Luther’s window was dark. Where was he? Maybe he’d gone to Landen’s to clean up. I had to be sure he wasn’t in his room.
