The Hidden Valley Mystery Read Online Free Page A

scared.”
    Mike bent double with laughter. They couldn’t tease him about Elise. She’d sat on Maria’s other side, on the aisle. “So,” Gunnar slapped a long arm around Freddy’s shoulder, “now we know why you picked this movie. To make Maria grab your hand in the dark.”
    Freddy shook off Gunnar’s arm and walked ahead.
    Tuan danced closer. He twirled around again. “Oh, Freddy dear, squeeze my hand harder.”
    Freddy’s face reddened. “Shut up, Tuan,” he growled through gritted teeth.
    Tuan paid no attention. Around Freddy he circled. He puckered his lips and fluttered his eyelids.
    Mike watched Freddy’s shoulders tighten.
    Gunnar stepped in between. “That’s enough teasing,” he warned Tuan.
    But caught up in the game, Tuan only danced faster. He darted in front of Freddy and squeaked, “Give Maria a kiss!”
    “I said shut up!” Freddy shouted and lunged. His fist met only air. Out of reach, Tuan scampered across the sidewalk and into the parking lot. He blew Freddy a kiss.
    “I’ll get you!” Freddy howled, his face deep red. After Tuan he ran, muscles bulging, running shoes thumping from concrete to asphalt.
    Tuan wove and darted through thinning rows of cars. Freddy charged after him. Into the centre they ran, toward The Beer Store on the far side. The store was closing for the day. In the distance, the last customers trickled out.
    Mike and Gunnar chuckled as they watched. They knew what would happen now. By the time Tuan let Freddy catch him, they’d both have run off their mischief and anger. Together they’d flop on The Beer Store bench.
    Mike shook his head, as Tuan skipped left, just missing a stray shopping cart. “He sure is quick on his feet.” Gunnar shaded his eyes. “Try to tell that to Freddy.” He laughed. “He’s still tearing after Tuan.”
    Beyond the runners, Mike’s eye caught a stocky figure, laden with cases, striding out of the beer store. Before the glass doors flashed closed, the man turned back and shouted something inside. Swinging his cases forward again, he stomped to an old grey van parked down the curb. He opened the back and slung the cases in. After whamming the door shut, he stomped around to the driver’s seat and heaved himself up.
    “There goes Tuan!” Gunnar shouted.
    Mike chuckled as Tuan skirted more shopping carts, circled a lamp post, and dashed into the home stretch, Freddy plodding behind. A moment later, Mike heard an engine roar and wheels squeal to a start. He grabbed Gunnar’s arm.
    Tuan darted toward the bench. Without even slowing, the van swung straight toward Mike’s friend.
    Mike gasped. The van! “Tuan! Tuan! Watch out!” he bellowed.
    Wheels screeched. Dust few up. As if in slow motion, Mike watched Tuan’s body twist and fly into the air, his long green T-shirt wrapping around him. Without a sound, he doubled over and crumpled onto the asphalt. The van lurched to a stop.
    “Tuan!” Mike was running—running, hard as he could across the lot. His scraped knees ached with each jolt, as one foot, the other, hit ground. But despite his stiffened muscles and pain, he had to run. Easily Gunnar’s long strides passed him.
    Lagging behind, alone, Mike felt hot tears stream down his cheeks and blow off into the wind. But he didn’t care who saw. All he cared about was Tuan.
    Feet pounding the asphalt, he kept his eyes glued ahead. Gunnar and Freddy knelt on the ground beside Tuan’s small form. On the sidewalk behind them, bystanders gathered. “Gunnar!” Mike yelled. He staggered closer.
    Gunnar turned and waved. “He’s O.K.,” he shouted.
    With Freddy’s help, Tuan sat up. A couple of adults bent over his friend, nodded, then walked away. The crowd on the sidewalk broke up.
    Mike slowed to a hobble. Bending his head, with the backs of his fists he wiped off the last tears. When he looked up he saw the van crawling toward him. Still a short distance away, the stocky man leaned out the driver’s window and peered