The Broken Road Read Online Free PDF Page B

out, papers thrown on the  floor, items from my cabinets and pantry were smashed and ruined. I peered into the living room. My couch was now a skeleton, only a frame where cushions had once been. Finally, my rational side took over and I bolted from the house.
    I ran down my driveway, gasping for air. What the hell?!  I’d been robbed! Who the heck would do something like this? How could this have happened? Horrible thoughts ran through my head. God, where’s Penny ?  I felt like puking and punching someone at the same time. I pulled out my cell phone and with shaking hands, dialed 911.
    “911 dispatch. What’s your emergency?”
    “I’ve been robbed. Please hurry. I can’t find my dog, and I’m scared to go back inside.”
    “Stay calm ma’am. What is your address?”
    I gave her my street address and stayed on the phone until the first two squad cars pulled up. A young officer by the name of Officer Vaughn took me aside to ask some questions. I answered them as best as I could, but couldn’t stop staring at the scene in front of my house. Neighbors gathered outside to watch the commotion and gossip their theories. I quickly dialed Shane. He is   my roommate and all, his belongings could have been affected too; I rationalized.  Bullshit. You need him here.
    “Megs, I can’t talk right now. I’m with Allison and—”
    “Shane, listen. You need to come home. The house was broken into and I can’t find Penny!” my voice broke into a bit of hysteria. I don’t care if I interrupted him or who he was with.
    Silence. “Did you call the cops? Are you alright?” he asked briskly. 
    “Yeah, yeah. I’m alright. I called the cops; they are here now. Please get here soon Shane. I’m really scared,” I was scared beyond belief and at this point, I didn’t care about sounding weak. 
    “I’m fifteen minute away. Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon,” he replied softly. Relief replaced some of the fear in my heart, but it didn’t take away from the hollow pit of dread.
    My neighbor, Mrs. Sanders, waved to me from across the street. I headed over for the inquisition. Mrs. Sanders watched from the window at all hours, day and night, and could spread the neighborhood gossip better than anyone else. If there had been anything to see, she would know.
    “Megan! What happened? I heard something about a burglary. Did they steal anything? The power went out in the whole neighborhood. They think a transformer blew. I didn’t see anyone go in. Can I do anything?” she asked, her flannel housecoat covering her frail eighty-five year old body. I knew she wouldn’t fail me. The sweet-talker probably bribed a poor rookie cop with a piece of shortcake or something.
    I shook my head. “I’m just worried about Penny. I really don’t care about anything else. I don’t know where she is.”
    “Penny? Oh dear, we put a note on your front door. Penny was running around the front yard around nine o’clock, so Ronald brought him into our house. I figured you were out and that she had escaped again. Her collar was off, so I didn’t have a number to call…” I didn’t hear her finish. I sprinted to her front door and threw it open. Penny sat at the door, waiting for me. I dropped to my knees and buried my face in her chest, with tears of relief running down my face.
    “Oh god, Penny. I thought I had lost you,” I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to Penny. I sat for a minute and thanked my lucky stars that she was safe. Resigned, I left her there while I waited for the report from the police officer. I stood on the sidewalk and watched the drama unfold in front of me. Completely absorbed in the scene, it barely registered when my name was called.
    “Megs,” Shane came running over and drew me into a big hug. I closed my eyes and let myself crumble in his arms, sobbing. Shane cupped my chin, and brought my face to look into his brownish hazel eyes. “Did you hear anything about