Dillon Hunt And The Desert Oasis Resort by Chad Stewart (books suggested by bill gates txt) 📕

He kneeled at the edge of the tree-line, reached down and grabbed a handful of dead leaves, and sprinkled them lightly so that he could get a sense of the wind direction. The wind was blowing back the way he had come, which meant that it was blowing, more-or-less, away from the doghouse.

Dillon knew that he had to act sooner than later. Slowly he began to creep toward the watch, walking in a crouched position, watching carefully where he placed each foot as he moved. He was almost there when he noticed a slight change in his environment. He felt the wind shift ever-so-slightly as the hair on the back of his head moved in that direction; the direction of the doghouse. His heart started to pound, threatening to burst from his chest. Then he heard it. The low growl that drained the blood from his face. Slowly, he looked up to see Chocolate crouched low in his doghouse and starring at him with those deep brown eyes, barring his shiny white teeth.

Dillon’s hand was so close to the watch. A few more inches and he would have it. Chocolate slowly started to emerge from the doghouse. Dillon grasped the stick tightly in his hand while he moved his other hand over and grabbed the watch. Chocolate’s growl grew more intense. Slowly, Dillon began to stand. “Hey boy,” he said in a steady tone. “How are you today?” Chocolate barked.

“Easy boy,” said Dillon with his hand out. “You want the stick?” he asked as he began to wave it. Chocolate still growled and issued a bark. Dillon waved the stick a little more emphatically. “Wanna play? Come on boy … come on …” he said in the most playful voice he could muster.

Dillon started to back away slowly. He didn’t think the dog was going for it. He still waved the stick and tried to get Chocolate’s attention with it. The dog crouched lower and began to stalk in. Dillon now knew that he had but one option: run. Before he was able to turn, Chocolate leaped at him, his canine fangs leading the way. Dillon twisted and turned around the nearest tree; the dog landed with a thud, tearing at the bark where Dillon was just a moment earlier.

The young boy pumped his legs as fast as he could, knowing that the ferocious dog was coming at him without mercy. He could hear the dog break around the tree in pursuit but he didn’t dare to even turn his head and look. His only hope, he knew, was to get to the fence.

Chocolate tore through the brush like a dog possessed! He was almost on top of Dillon when his name rang through the air as a large stick land right near him. Chocolate stopped to take note. “Over here Chocolate!” yelled Sarah again, standing about fifteen feet from him.

Dillon glanced over to see his friend standing there and noted that she had just bought him some time. Sarah ran as soon as the dog noticed her. It was confused for a moment as it stared between the two, as if wondering which one would make a juicier snack. It decided to keep going for Dillon as it again turned toward him and resumed the chase.

Dillon could see the fence and the others standing safely on the other side. They began to cheer when they saw him and Sarah, then their cheer turned to shrieks of horror as they saw Chocolate in hot pursuit coming through the small clearing that led to the fence.

Dillon knew he was going to be hard-pressed to make it so he turned to meet the charging dog and got his stick up just in time. Chocolate bit down on the branch and began to tear it back and forth. It was all Dillon could do to keep the stick in his hands. He knew he had to make a break over the fence, so he let go of the stick and twisted his body, placing a hand on the fence and leaped. The dog tore at the stick a little more then threw it to the ground and lunged toward Dillon. The boy curled up his legs as Chocolate snapped his huge maw at him. The dog managed to grab some of the fabric on Dillon’s pant leg, but it wasn’t enough to get a good hold, and it tore free. Dillon cleared the fence and landed on the ground with a thud, feeling some of the wind being blown from his lungs.

He lay there for a moment, trying to get his breath back. When he managed to look up he saw the faces of his friends staring down at him with huge smiles, cheering, and offering to help him up.

Dillon quickly sat up onto his elbows then glance over to Sarah who was just getting up from where she was kneeling after jumping the fence. Chocolate was barking as ferociously as he could and ramming his head into the fence.

“That was awesome!” yelled Tyler Jones, a scrawny ten year old who always loved hanging out with Dillon on the playground and being part of his adventures. The others agreed enthusiastically.

Dillon nodded and shook off the loose grass that clung to his clothes. Sarah marched over and punched him in the arm as hard as she could. “Ow!” he complained. “What was that for?”

“Oh I think you know!” she replied. “You know … you know … you know!” she yelled. “That was the stupidest thing you have ever done!”

Dillon was quiet, and so were the rest of the kids. In fact, the silence was so awkward that the others started to slink away muttering one excuse or another. Sarah’s angry eyes bore into him. From his pocket Dillon produced the watch and smiled.

“Was it worth it?” Sarah asked, her anger not abated at all. “Is that worth your life?” she yelled, pointing an angry finger at the watch.

“I think you’re exaggerating a little,” Dillon responded as he put the watch back in his pocket. “And yes … I can’t explain it, but this was worth it.”

Sarah looked at him in disbelief, snorted, and stormed away. By then Chocolate had calmed down and slunk back into the tree-line, heading for his doghouse again.

Dillon was left there by himself; the soft, cool wind brushing against his face. Why was this so important? he thought to himself. After a moment more he merely shrugged the thought away and headed toward the school as he knew the lunch break was about to end.