Sammy Keyes and the Wild Things (24 page)

Quinn finally moved toward them with his arms all spread out, which did make them hop forward a few yards, but then they just stood there some more.

But after another few minutes of this breathtaking excitement, Big Mama must've gotten bored, too, because without any warning, she spread her wings and
whoosh,
she went overboard, down into the canyon.

Then all of a sudden
whoosh,
Marvin was gone, too.

We rushed to the edge to see them in flight.

We looked left. We looked right. We looked into the canyon. Across the canyon.

People shielded their eyes.

Binoculars appeared.

But we saw nothing.

Nothing but one stupid caw-y, oily, flappy crow.

“Where'd they go?” Cricket cried, but they were gone.

Just
gone.

And we were finally just giving up, when all of a sudden from behind us came the sound of distant thunder.

We spun around and there they were, overhead, gliding toward us, broad and black, their wings out straight and steady.

I gasped.

I literally could not believe my eyes.

I knew they were big, but this big?

Their wings seemed to fill the skies as they glided over us. Then they circled once effortlessly around us, looking at us.

It was almost like they were acknowledging us.

Thanking
us.

I turned, following them as they circled above. Then off they went, gliding out over the canyon, as free as the wind that carried them.

All of a sudden I was choked up and tears were streaming down my face. Casey came up from behind and wrapped his arms around me. And as we watched them soar away, he put his chin on my shoulder and whispered, “That was the most awesome thing I have ever seen.”

And it was.

I mean, yeah, maybe they don't know the difference between human trash and condor kibble, but whose fault is that?

They're the ones who belong in these canyons.

Soaring on the thermals.

Beating thunder through the skies.

I watched them glide through the air like masters of this harsh and unforgiving world, and I got it.

I finally,
truly
got it.

O
THER
F
AVORITES
BY
W
ENDELIN
V
AN
D
RAANEN

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Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary
Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy
Sammy Keyes and the Search for Snake Eyes
Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception
Sammy Keyes and the Psycho Kitty Queen
Sammy Keyes and the Dead Giveaway

How I Survived Being a Girl
Flipped
Swear to Howdy
Runaway
Confessions of a Serial Kisser

Shredderman: Secret Identity
Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger
Shredderman: Meet the Gecko
Shredderman: Enemy Spy

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2007 by Wendelin Van Draanen Parsons

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The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition of this work as follows: Van Draanen, Wendelin.
Sammy Keyes and the wild things / Wendelin Van Draanen.
p. cm.
Summary: While on her first hiking and camping trip, thirteen-year-old Sammy tries to solve a mystery involving endangered condors while avoiding scorpions, ticks, and embarrassment.
[1. Camping—Fiction. 2. Hiking—Fiction. 3. Condors—Fiction. 4. Endangered species—Fiction. 5. Southwest, New—Fiction. 6. Mystery and detective stories—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.V2857Sar 2007
[Fic]—dc22
2006029261

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