Page 87 of Junkyard Dog

The brothers tore over the sand, sticking far from the paved roads and dirt paths that peppered the park. Alex led the way, giving wide berth to Lost Horse Mine and skimming against the ridge and peaks until they reached the Keys. The sun was dropping fast, the cover it would provide within the hour eagerly anticipated by the brothers. Standing on a familiar ridge, he scanned the territory for signs of life.

Or white work trucks.

He stalked down the hill, Ryan and Bo holding back until they were given the all clear. Small lizards were making their evening rounds, scurrying between the chollas and taking refuge under the larger bushes. He paused, a familiar scent assaulting him.

Dog food.

Glancing back at his brothers, he shook his head quickly before descending the rest of the hill, stopping at the empty bowl, a few pieces of kibble still nestled at the bottom. He wrinkled his nose and looked toward the road, half expecting Charlotte to be crouched beside her car, hand extended.

Finding nothing but a delicious rabbit huddling motionless a hundred yards away, he doubled back to his brothers and led them across the deserted terrain.

*

Bo and Ryanremained across the street, tucked tight in the shadows of the parked cars as Alex waited outside the trailer park gates, slipping in alongside a car and creeping along the fence until he came up on his site.

His site, and his SUV.

Checking the darkness for onlookers, he transformed and dropped to his knees, running his hands along the underside of his trailer, his fingers gripping the small plastic container and pushing it open. Key in hand, he scanned the area quickly and crept into his trailer, pulling the door closed and flicking on the light.

Power’s still on.

He entered his bedroom and grabbed some clothes, tossing two sets onto the sofa and yanking his jeans over his hips before he threw on some shoes and jogged to the gates. He keyed in the code and motioned for his brothers to stick to the outer fence as they made their way to his trailer. Bo bounded in first, his tail bouncing off the tight quarters until he transformed.

Ryan held back, entering only after Bo moved out of the way to give him room.

“Your SUV made it here,” Bo called out, his head ducked into the barren fridge while he fastened his jeans.

Alex opened his cupboard and set a few cans of soup onto the counter. “You start this, I’m going to check it out.”

Grabbing his spare keys, he unlocked the vehicle and opened the passenger door, leaning in to hunt for any sign of how it got from the park to his site. Coming up empty, he eased the door closed and popped the hatch, brows rising as he took in the meticulously stacked piles.

Camp stove.

Backpacks.

Boots.

Hefting the first of the bags onto his shoulder, he scooped up the boots and opened his trailer door, dropping the items in before going back for the rest.

“Tell me Ryan’s credit cards are in that pile,” Bo pleaded, ripping open one of the backpacks. “This soup smells like shit and I want pizza.”

Ryan held his hand out for his bag, rifling through it for a moment and producing the desired Visa.

Bo snatched it away. “Thank fuck. Alex. Call it in.”

“We have three phones here,” he muttered, setting them on the counter. “All dead, but all here. Ryan, could you plug these in?”

Spreading the phone chargers throughout the small trailer, Ryan frowned at the stack of clothes and camping gear. “Your little ranger?”

He shrugged, hoping he was projecting a much calmer response than the one that had a vise grip on his chest. “Maybe. I’d put my money on her partner, though.”

Though Max didn’t seem like the kind of guy to fold socks before packing them.

Ryan’s phone buzzed to life, pulling the attention off Alex as Bo launched into the onerous task of selecting pizza toppings and hot wing heat level.

*

Charlotte laughed asthe little girl squealed, backing away from the small lizard Charlotte held gently in her hand. She placed it back into the sand and rose to her feet, adjusting her hat. “Have fun tonight! Remember to put your campfire out before you go to bed.”

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