The First Adventure Read Online Free

Slovak, we don’t know anything about Luthor being missing.”
    â€œThat’s a relief.” She sighed, and went back inside.
    Ben wheeled on his friend. “Way to go, Griffin. Now when this blows up in our faces, we’re going to be in twice as much trouble for lying!”
    â€œWe didn’t lie,” Griffin said reasonably. “Luthor isn’t missing. We know exactly where he is. Relax, Ben. Personally, I’m not worried about this plan at all.”
    Ben bit his tongue and said nothing. When Griffin wasn’t worried, it was usually time to start worrying.

    T he front hall was clogged with the biggest piece of luggage anyone had ever seen. It looked like a regular hockey equipment bag, only longer, and on wheels. The tag read:
Griffin Bing, Camp Ebony Lake.
    When Mr. Drysdale pulled up into the Bings’ driveway to pick up Griffin and deliver him to the camp bus, all he could do was stare.
    â€œWhat have you got in there? Camp lasts four weeks, not four years!”
    Griffin grinned. “Oh, you know — just some of my stuff.”
    â€œI packed a lot of things, too,” Savannah put in nervously, trying to distract attention from her friend’s enormous duffel.
    It didn’t work. “You’re supposed to be leaving home, not taking it with you!” her father exclaimed in amazement.
    It took both fathers and both campers to wrestle it into the back of the SUV.
    Mr. Bing arched his back, groaning. “A few of the necessities of life, huh, Griffin?”
    Griffin laughed uncomfortably, hugged his parents good-bye, and got into the SUV. It was only a two-minute ride, but Mr. Drysdale could not keep his eyes off the rearview mirror and the giant duffel that obscured the back window.
    Finally, he stomped too hard on the brakes, and pulled over to the side. “Sorry, Griffin, but I’m going to have to see what’s in that bag.”
    Savannah nearly jumped out of her skin. “There’s no time, Dad! We’ll miss our bus!”
    â€œIt’ll only take a second,” he assured her. “I’m just going to check inside.”
    Griffin shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
    The look Savannah shot him was nothing short of a horror mask.
    Mr. Drysdale popped the rear access and unzipped the giant bag.
    Savannah closed her eyes and waited for the world to end.
    â€œBooks?” her father questioned.
    â€œOh, Dad. You can’t just let —” She stopped herself just in time. “Books?”
    The inside of the duffel was stuffed with enough paperbacks to start a lending library.
    â€œI never pegged you as such a reader,” Mr. Drysdale told Griffin. “You’ve got more books than clothes in here.” He shook his head. “I could have sworn — never mind. Sorry I brought it up.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” said Griffin graciously.
    The bus to Camp Ebony Lake was parked on Seventh Street, beside a grove of tall trees. Mr. Drysdale loaded Savannah’s bag in the luggage bay, then, with great difficulty, shoved Griffin’s in beside it.
    â€œOkay, you guys, have a great time. Uh — happy reading, Griffin. Try to get out some.” He kissed his daughter, shook hands with her friend, and drove off.
    As soon as he was gone, Savannah wheeled on Griffin. “What’s going on?” she hissed. “Where’s Luthor?”
    Griffin was already hauling the enormous duffel out of the bus. “I had a panic attack last night that someone would unzip the bag, and there he’d be.” He dragged the luggage on its wheels into the stand of maples, opened it, and began tossing books in all directions. Then he let out a high-pitched whistle.
    Luthor was on them in an instant, hauling Logan and Ben at the end of his leash. The big Doberman jumped all over Savannah, deliriously happy to see her after his imprisonment in Logan’s basement. Savannah was nearly as wild, planting kisses