The Empty City by Erin Hunter Page B

intact.
    â€œThat’s our way in.” Lucky nodded at the window.
    He put a paw against the wire mesh, but quickly drew it back. It felt so sharp, reminding Lucky of his Trap House cage. He couldn’t afford a second wound—but Alfie’s howls were a tormenting racket. The sound made Lucky’s bones ache and his blood pound. I can’t give up!
    Lucky scrambled up on a pile of rubble, Bruno at his side. Together they tugged with their teeth, and Lucky tried scratching the wire aside with his claws, but it was no use. Lucky got a good grip on a sagging piece of mesh, but it sprang back, giving his nose a stinging blow. Lucky jumped away and tilted his head, frustrated.
    â€œThis is no good. What should we do now?” Bruno frowned.
    Lucky realized that the proud old dog was deferring to his experience. He felt a flush of confidence surge through him. I can do this .
    â€œI got it!” Lucky turned and bounded down from the pile of blocks. “I know what to do!”
    â€œLucky, look out!”
    Lucky heard Bruno’s shrill bark of alarm. He looked up in terror as the groaning tree gave a crack like the war of the Sky-Dogs.
    He couldn’t falter. He dashed on, dodging sideways as the massive branch above him plummeted to the earth. It missed the tip of his tail by a hair’s breadth; he felt the rush of air on his hindquarters.
    As the crash of leaves and branches faded, he paused to glance back at Bruno, catching his breath. He gave a sharp bark of gratitude for the warning. Then he was running hard for Bella’s house.
    Bella and Sunshine barked something he didn’t catch as he sprinted away from Alfie’s home. The rest of the Pack was still huddled together on the grass patch in between the longpaw houses. Were they encouraging him, or trying to get him to stop? He didn’t have time to think about it now. He reached Bella’s door and hesitated, his heart thrashing.
    This longpaw house might collapse, too. Lucky’s forelegs trembled with nerves as he eyed the cracked walls.
    I’d better be quick....
    Darting through the doorway, he found Bella’s sleeping corner and snatched up her soft-hide in his jaws. It was big and thick, and awkward to carry, but it was perfect for what he had in mind. He dragged it out through the door, his muscles trembling with relief as he reached the open air once more. He paused, letting the pounding of his heart calm a little—and giving quick thanks to the Earth-Dog for her tolerance—then raced back to where Bruno waited, to where Alfie still whined pitifully for help.
    â€œWe’re coming, Alfie,” growled Bruno reassuringly. “Not long now! Stay calm.”
    Please, Earth-Dog , Lucky took a moment to beg, will you help me again like you did in Bella’s house? Please let us get Alfie out. Please don’t let the Big Growl come for us....
    With the soft-hide between their teeth protecting their soft gums from the tearing spikes of wire, Lucky and Bruno tugged as hard as they could. Lucky felt his body jerk back as strands of wire weakened and tore apart. One last tug—and a whole section of wire was ripped aside.
    Yes! We’re in!
    There were jagged spikes of broken clear-stone around the wooden frame, but the soft-hide cushioned those, too, and both dogs managed to squirm through and into the longpaw house.
    Bruno stood on the rubble-strewn floor, panting from the exertion. “Alfie! Where are you?”
    There was a soft whine from beneath one of the longpaws’ sitting-boxes. Lucky tugged at it with his jaws, loosening a tangle of broken wood and metal till they could reach the dog trapped beneath. Bruno squirmed between the wooden legs, grabbed Alfie’s collar, and dragged him free.
    The little dog lay shivering for a few moments before getting shakily to his paws. He glanced nervously at Lucky. Alfie was short and stocky, and his face was blunt and covered in wrinkles. His