Sally's Bones Read Online Free

and sat obediently, six feet above.
    â€œGood boy,” she said as she pulled herself out of the grave with the help of some conveniently exposed tree roots. “So, I guess your name is Bones?”
    â€œGGGgggrrrr-uff!” the deceased mutt barked.
    â€œWell, Bones. It’s very nice to meet you,” Sally said as she held out her hand. Bones placed his paw in Sally’s palm and they shook.
    As she tickled her new companion’s actual backbone, Sally caught sight of her watch. “Yikes! It’s 7:30, already? I’ve got to get home.” Her shoulders slumped. “I guess I have to leave now, Bones. I really wish I didn’t, but…”
    â€œGGGgggrrr-uff! GGGgggrrr-uff!” Bones trotted over to Sally’s backpack, grabbed its strap in his mouth, and lugged it over to her. She bent down to take the bag.
    â€œThanks—”
    â€œGrwoof,” Bones said as he turned away and dragged the knapsack to the cemetery’s exit. Wagging his tail, he waited for Sally to catch up.
    â€œYou’re coming home with me?” she asked, barely able to contain the smile that threatened to overtake her face. “OK! But let’s be careful not to let anyone else see you just yet.”
    The dog’s tail froze mid-wag, and his flat, round ears drooped.
    â€œNot that everybody won’t love you once they get to know you, of course,” Sally reassured. She leaned down and pressed her nose to his. “Bones, you’re the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. You’re special, and for the first time in my life I think I might be special too. Let’s just get home so I can introduce you to my dad first. Trust me. OK?”
    Bones pushed his snout forward and wiggled it against hers. In a booming voice, he replied, “GGGgggrrr-uff,” and wagged his tail happily once more.
    As the new friends prepared to go home for the night, a nearby bush began to shake. Blinded by their happiness, neither Sally nor Bones took notice. Indeed, not once during their entire meet and greet did either of them have any awareness of the hooded figure that lurked in the shadows, studying the duo, listening to their every word.
    As Sally and Bones said good-bye to her mother’s grave, the figure decided to let them pass…for now. It was not yet the moment to strike.
    The autumn moon shone brightly on the revived girl and her reanimated pet as they walked from the safety of the graveyard into the unknown dangers of the night.

Chapter 5
    Mr. Simplesmith’s introduction to his daughter’s new pet did not go according to plan. In part, this was because Sally had no idea how her brainy father and bloodless hound should meet. When she rushed into her house, late for dinner, she muttered something to Bones about hiding in the bushes before closing the door in his face.
    As Mr. Simplesmith passed the peas, a harrowing howl caught the absentminded professor’s attention. “What was that?” Sally’s father asked.
    â€œWhat was what?” Sally replied nervously. “I didn’t hear anything.”
    The howling began again.
    â€œOh, you mean that Ow-wooh-wooh-wooh noise coming from the front yard?” she stalled. “Probably just a squirrel…being eaten…by a bear. I hear it all the time when you’re at the lab. Speaking of which, how was work today? Any earth-shattering breakthroughs? Wow, this chicken looks really great, Dad. Eat up! Yum!” Sally tore at her drumstick, stuffing her mouth with a much-too-large bite.
    â€œOh, the lab,” replied her father, no longer distracted. “Yes, we made a fascinating discovery today. Remember that fruit fly we named Lance?”
    â€œOw-wooh-wooh-wooh.” The howling grew louder, coming now from outside the kitchen where the Simplesmiths dined.
    â€œA bear?” Sally’s father murmured as he reached for a pair of barbecue tongs. Holding the makeshift weapon high