On the Victory Trail Read Online Free PDF Page B

want — which is most of the time,” Sooze answered smartly.
    â€œCan’t you give her another chance?” Skye pleaded, turning to face Mr. Chambers.
    â€œOh, but we are,” Mr. Chambers reasoned. “She’s getting the same chance as you and Morgan. We’re trying to help you girls learn what’s most important in life. Sooze, you’ll get nowhere thinking everything that hap-pens to you is someone else’s fault. We’re praying that you accept this discipline and learn from it. You may go to your room. Morgan and Skye may visit you later for a while if they’d like. And remember,” he said, “we’re doing this to help you, not to hurt you.”
    â€œYeah, right,” Sooze replied sarcastically.
    Sooze hurried out of the room and ran down the hall. She slammed her bedroom door so hard it shook the whole house.
    Uh, oh. I smell trouble , Skye thought. Almost getting bucked from Stormy was going to be the least of Sooze’s complaints.

    Before bedtime, Skye knocked on Sooze’s door with Morgan trailing right behind.
    â€œHey, what’s up?” Skye asked, as she gently pushed open the door.
    â€œNothing. Just go away and leave me alone!” Sooze fumed, leaning up against the headboard and planting her sneakers firmly on the bed. She pressed her head with her hands. Obvious pain shrouded her face.
    â€œNo problem,” Morgan said, pivoting and heading out the doorway. “I have better things to do than listen to this baloney.”
    â€œAnother headache?” Skye asked as she turned toward the door. “No wonder you’re in such a lousy mood. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    â€œNo — wait,” Sooze whispered. “C’mere.”
    â€œI wish you’d make up your mind. What’s up?” Skye asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.
    Sooze ignored the question, sliding next to Skye, “I’m out of here tonight. Are you with me?”
    â€œAre you crazy?” Skye whispered loudly. “Where would you go? And how? Sooze, think! This might land you in Chesterfield for good, and you’ll never get to ride Stormy again.”
    â€œWell, big deal!” Sooze growled. “What’s the difference? They are not going to tell me what to do — here or anyplace else.”
    â€œWhere are you going? And how?”
    â€œSkye, sometimes you are as thick as that wall. The Chambers have a piece of junk with four wheels they call a truck. Right?”
    â€œYeah — so?”
    â€œI’m taking that truck, and I’m history. I’ve watched every time Mr. C. has parked it, and he always throws the keys under the seat. So, are you coming with me or not?”
    Skye chewed her lip, trying not to let her face show her fear. “Sooze, this is so not a good idea. You can’t drive. You’re only fourteen.”
    â€œHey, been there, done that. There’s nothing to it,” Sooze said smugly. “I’m only asking you one more time. Are you coming or not?”
    â€œWhere to? And for how long? Where will you stay? How will you eat?”
    â€œI told you I have friends all over the place. Some of them live just an hour from here. They’ll hide us until I can think this through. I don’t need this goody-two-shoes life.”
    â€œI — I don’t know. It sounds really stupid to me.”
    â€œFine,” Sooze mocked. “If you never want to see me again, that’s fine. But if you want to help me, meet me down at the truck at midnight.”

    Skye pulled the curtain back on her bedroom window. The clear night sky twinkled with a curtain of stars, and a full moon lit up everything outside with a soft white glow. She studied the backyard intently, focusing on a figure creeping down to the barn and slipping into the front seat of the old pickup. Skye lifted her window an inch and listened to the engine grinding. With headlights out, the