The Blackout
        
Jack woke up with a happy stretch.
Sunbeams danced on his blue dinosaur wallpaper.
He heard birds singing a cheerful morning song outside his window.
Today felt like a perfect day for adventure.

A warm, yummy smell floated up from downstairs.
It was Daddy making his famous blueberry pancakes.
Jack bounced out of bed, his pajamas a blur of red and yellow stripes.
He couldn't wait to play with his friends.

After a quick breakfast hug, Jack zoomed out the door.
He rode his bright green scooter down the sunny sidewalk.
His friends, Lily, Max, and Chloe, lived just a few houses away.
He whistled a happy tune as he went.

He parked his scooter by the big oak tree in front of Lily's house.
He pushed open the squeaky gate and saw Lily and Max already playing catch.
Chloe was coloring a rainbow on the porch swing.
"Hi everyone!" Jack shouted, his voice full of glee.

Lily waved a bouncy hello, her red pigtails swinging.
Max grinned, tossing the blue ball high into the air.
Chloe looked up, her purple crayon still in her hand.
Jack quickly counted his friends, "One, two, three..."

A tiny frown creased Jack's forehead.
"Wait a minute," he mumbled, counting again slowly.
"Lily, Max, Chloe... but where is Sam?"
Sam was always there, ready for fun.

A little worry wiggled in Jack's tummy.
"Did anyone see Sam?" he asked, looking around the garden.
Lily shook her head, and Max shrugged, "Not this morning."
Chloe pointed down the street, "Maybe he's at the park?"

Jack didn't wait; he jumped back on his green scooter.
He whizzed past colorful flowerbeds and friendly mailboxes.
He looked in every garden and peeked around every big bush.
"Sam! Oh, Saaam!" he called out, his voice a hopeful chirp.

He rode all through the sunny streets of Redmond.
He saw Mrs. Gable watering her roses and Mr. Henderson walking his fluffy white dog.
He even saw a squirrel burying a nut under a big tree.
But no Sam.

Just as his legs were getting tired, Jack saw a flash of blue by the big red fire station.
It was Sam! Sam was sitting on the curb, looking a little sad.
A huge smile spread across Jack's face.
"Sam!" he shouted, relief washing over him like a warm wave.

Jack pushed his scooter faster, his heart thumping with joy.
He wanted to give Sam a big, happy hug right away.
He was so excited to tell him that everyone was waiting to play.
His feet pedaled as fast as they could go.

Suddenly, his scooter hit a small, bumpy rock hiding in the path.
Jack wobbled, then tumbled forward with a little "oof!"
Everything spun around for a second.
Then, all the vibrant colors of Redmond slowly faded to black.