Read Online The Journey Home by Brandon Wallace - Free Book Online Page B

him!” Jake yelled, plunging the broomstick into the snow.
    â€œHey!” the girl said, narrowing her eyes. “Keep it together and carry on searching, okay? If he’s got an air pocket to breathe in, he’ll be fine.”
    If, Jake thought. He drove the broom handle into the snow again and again. But what if he doesn’t? Hi, Mom, glad you’re still alive, but unfortunately I got Taylor killed.
    Suddenly Cody began barking thirty feet up the slope.
    â€œOver there!” Jake shouted.
    They scrambled up to find the terrier digging into a deep snowdrift. Jake and the girl dove in to help. Jake plunged his hand into the snow and felt something— a leg!
    â€œWe got him!” Jake shouted. Together they dug down to Taylor’s waist and grabbed a leg each.
    â€œOn three,” the girl ordered. “One, two . . .”
    With a heave they dragged Taylor out. He wasn’t moving. Jake fell to his knees next to him.
    â€œTaylor, come on, it’s going to be okay. We got you. Taylor, wake up, please !”
    But Taylor didn’t reply. His skin had turned waxen and his eyes were closed.
    The girl leaned over Taylor. “Let’s get him back to the house, now !”
    Jake put Taylor over his shoulder, fireman style, took a few steps, and collapsed under the weight.
    â€œLet me help,” the girl said. They each took one of Taylor’s arms and tried dragging him, but it was slow going as his body sank into the snow. If only they had a sled . . .
    Jake suddenly had an idea. He pulled out the poncho from Taylor’s pack and spread it on the snow.
    â€œCan you help me get him onto that?” Jake asked. Working together, he and the girl maneuvered Taylor onto the poncho. Then, each taking hold of the poncho, they pulled. Jake held his breath—would it work?
    It did! The poncho glided easily over the snow, and in no time they slid Taylor down the slope, all the way to the front door.
    They carried him inside and lay him down next to a woodstove in the living room. The girl knelt down and felt for Taylor’s pulse.
    â€œHe’s still breathing,” she said. “And his pulse is pretty good.”
    â€œTaylor, can you hear me?”
    Nothing happened at first. They were the longest minutes of Jake’s life, as he gnawed his lip and prayed that his brother would wake up. Then, just when Jake had begun to give up hope, Taylor’s green eyes fluttered open, and a loud hacking cough rumbled from his chest.
    â€œTaylor, are you all right?” Jake shouted, feeling the relief course through him.
    Taylor swallowed and muttered, “Wh-why are you yelling? I’m right here, you idiot.”
    The girl laughed and looked across to Jake. “He sounds all right to me!”

    A half hour later Taylor sat in a chair next to the woodstove, two blankets wrapped around him, a cup of hot cocoa in his hands. Jake perched in a chair next to him, only taking his eyes off his brother to glance at the room around them.
    The house was about twice the size of Abe’s cabin, and much more modern. It also had more conveniences, including running water, a refrigerator, and electric lights—powered by a gas generator, Jake guessed. The whole setup seemed luxurious compared to what the boys were used to.
    â€œHere you go.” The girl handed Jake his own cup of cocoa and pulled up a chair next to Taylor. She wore a T-shirt and jeans embellished with sequins. “How’re you feeling, Taylor?”
    â€œBetter.” Taylor smiled through a cocoa mustache. “I’m finally getting warm.”
    â€œThat’s good. It might take a while. I’m Kim, by the way.”
    â€œYou live here by yourself?” Taylor asked.
    Kim shook her head and laughed. “Mom’s out visiting the cousins. She won’t be back till later. So, Taylor, Cody, and . . .”
    â€œJake,” said Jake.
    â€œYou two are