Free The Empty City by Erin Hunter Page A

wide. He was taken aback by a sudden scornful disdain. No, his sister really wasn’t an Alpha dog.
    But the others were no better. Mickey had sprung to his feet, staring. Daisy was yapping wildly in sympathy, and suddenly the others joined in.
    â€œWe’ll go back to the longpaw houses!”
    â€œNo, we can find a vet! Find a vet!”
    â€œWhere? Where will we find a vet? They’re ALL GONE!”
    â€œThe longpaws are all gone! What will we do ?”
    Snapping out of his disbelief, Lucky jumped to his feet and gave a single angry bark.
    â€œCalm down !”
    Falling silent, they stared at him. He thought back to the longpaw he’d seen with the vivid yellow coat. Should he tell the dogs about his encounter? But that longpaw had been so … strange. No, it would only confuse matters—make them think there was a longpaw around to help.
    He stood straighter. “I don’t know what a vet is, but I’m sure Sunshine doesn’t need one. Let me see.”
    Tentatively, her flanks quivering, Sunshine crept forward and shyly offered him her paw. Lucky sniffed at it. There was a smear of blood, sure enough, but it was no more than a tiny tear in the skin. He touched it delicately with his tongue.
    â€œHere, it’s just a scratch. That’s all. I’ll show you.” Lying down, Lucky stretched out his own wounded paw, turning the pad up for their examination, and there was a collective gasp of horror.
    â€œThat’s terrible!” squeaked Sunshine. “You need a vet more than I do!”
    â€œNo I don’t,” said Lucky in exasperation. “It’s only bad because I haven’t stopped long enough to tend to it. Look.” He licked carefully at the wound. Sure enough, it felt better already. Maybe if I had given it more attention before, I would have had an easier time getting away from those foxes , he thought. He licked at it again. “Come on, Sunshine. Try it.”
    Obediently Sunshine bent her head and licked rather dubiously at the scratch on her own paw. When nothing terrible happened, she tried again, and was soon washing it quite painstakingly.
    â€œYou’re right,” she whispered in awe. “It doesn’t sting as badly. It does feel better.” She stopped licking to gaze admiringly at Lucky. “He’s right, everybody!”
    â€œYou see?” he barked. “You don’t need a silly longpaw vet!”
    They were all staring at him in respectful silence. He met their eyes, feeling a ripple of unease in his fur.
    â€œThat’s wonderful,” murmured Martha, lowering her big black head and tilting it to study Sunshine’s paw.
    â€œFine job. Fine job!” growled Bruno. “Splendid!”
    â€œYou’re so clever !” exclaimed little Daisy. “I can’t believe you knew that!”
    Mickey said nothing, but he looked profoundly impressed. Even Bella was gazing from him to Sunshine and back again, with delight. Six tails wagged and thumped.
    Oh no you don’t! thought Lucky. I’m not your Alpha!
    Hastily he rose again, and backed off a step. “Listen, I—I’m really grateful you helped me out there. You were the best!” He retreated another couple of paces, his hackles rising. “But I’ve got to go. Thank you, again. And good luck!”
    Before any of them could react, he had turned and was trotting as fast as he could out of the mall. He could feel their stunned gazes, could almost sense those drooping tails and ears, but he wouldn’t look back. Would not look back—
    Lucky came to a halt. Outside, the sky had turned a dark charcoal gray, heavy with water. Even as he hesitantly lifted a paw to leave the mall, brilliant light lit the street for a fraction of an instant, and then a colossal bang shook the world.
    Lucky froze.
    Lightning!
    In a second there would be battering water, falling in torrents from the sky. The shattering crash of a