Page 31 of Concluded
“Bears,” Boone growled.“They’re worse than cats.Stupid and brutal.”
“Well, this one wasn’t very pleasant.But I’ve met other bears who were really decent.”
Judging from Boone’s snort, he didn’t believe it.But Achilles lacked the will or energy to argue.He closed his eyes and drifted, somewhere between awake and asleep, the soft conversation between Dee and Boone gently washing over him.It reminded him of when he was a little boy and his parents and their guests would continue talking well after Achilles’ bedtime.He could hear their voices coming up through the air vent in his bedroom, quick banter in Greek and frequent laughter, and he’d found it comforting.What would his young self make of Achilles now?
* * *
Darkness had fallen,along with the temperatures, and Achilles was shivering again despite his sweatsuit, hat, and socks.Boone and Dee huddled close against him, which helped a little, but this coldness seemed to emanate from Achilles’ core.He wondered whether Dunn had changed something within him—created an infection, either biological or metaphysical—but he decided there was no use worrying about something he could neither assess nor control right now.At least his stomach felt settled enough to eat a couple of protein bars, a Snickers, and a packet of peanut butter crackers.
Suddenly, Boone sat up straighter.“They’re here.”He leapt to his feet and started stuffing trash into the backpack, an action that Achilles admired.Some of the current feds might not want to respect the history of this place, but Boone was doing his best to preserve it.
“I don’t hear anything,” said Dee.
Boone shot him a grin.“’Cause you have those stupid human ears.Doesn’t it drive you nuts not to hear anything?Not to mention your useless nose.”
A look of comprehension passed over Dee’s face.“Oh, right.Coyotes.”
Achilles decided against giving Boone a lecture on ableism.He knew that many NHSs found human limitations weird or pitiable, and he also figured that it was good for humans to be periodically reminded that, as a species, they were far from perfect.
Less than a minute later, Achilles heard engines.With Dee’s help, he got to his feet, but he had to lean against the wall in order to remain upright.His feet were torn up from trekking through the desert in socks, his legs weak from being immobilized while chained to the table.Now a headache threatened to add to the party.But hey, he was standing, and that was something.
Boone hurried out of the building and returned a moment later with a woman and two men, all of whom had the look of coyote shifters.The newcomers took a moment to goggle before Boone urged them into action.Then everyone went outside—Achilles leaning on Dee for support—where a trio of ATVs awaited.Apparently it wasn’t going to be a comfortable ride out of here, but it was better than walking.
Perhaps not surprisingly, coyotes drove ATVs like maniacs, hurtling through the roadless dark with seemingly little consideration for topography or the laws of physics.Achilles, seated behind one of the men, clutched him for dear life and kept his eyes tightly closed.He knew that coyotes could see well in low light and that their reflexes were faster than humans’.And presumably this crew was well acquainted with the local landscape.If he hadn’t been exhausted and aching, he might have found the ride exhilarating; but as it was, he was terrified he’d lose his grip and go tumbling off a cliff.
He was deeply relieved when the vehicles skidded to a halt in a small valley.There were only a few lights here, so he couldn’t make out the details of the surroundings, but he had the sense that the entire coyote clan was gathered: thirty or so people, some in human form and some canine.One of them, a middle-aged woman in jeans and a plaid shirt, approached him before he had a chance to peel himself off his driver.
“I’m Jackie,” she said without preamble.“This is my pack.”
Achilles dredged his memory for coyote etiquette.“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.I’m Agent Achilles Spanos from the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs, and that’s Dee Martell.I apologize for not bringing gifts.We’re… in pretty desperate straits.And I’m incredibly grateful for your clan’s assistance.”
“My mother made an agreement with your agency twenty years ago.We keep our promise.What do you need?”
Achilles wanted to sob with relief.“A phone, please.”
“No cell service here.But I got a landline, so come on in.”
Achilles dismounted from the ATV… and promptly collapsed onto all fours.Dee—whom he was growing ever more fond of—rushed over and helped him back to his feet.Jackie told her clan members to stand back, then led Achilles and Dee to a small adobe house where an elaborately carved front door stood ajar.The interior was dark, and she switched on some low lighting as she took them into a tidy kitchen that looked as if it had escaped an Ikea showroom.Well, coyote shifters had to buy home furnishingssomewhere.
After glancing at Jackie for permission, Achilles sank onto one of the white-painted chairs arranged around a small table.She brought him a corded black phone that was probably older than he was.
“I’ll give you some privacy,” she said and left the room.She’d be able to hear everything perfectly well from there, but he appreciated the gesture.
It took a moment to remember the phone number; he was accustomed to simply pressing a contact name on his cell.Henry answered after a single ring.
“Bureau.Who’s calling, please?”
“Hi Henry.It’s Spanos.We’ve got?—”
“Oh mygods, Achilles!Are you all right?We’ve been searching for you.”
Achilles hadn’t expected otherwise; the Bureau didn’t willfully abandon its agents in times of need.But it was still really nice to know that the effort had been made despite busy times, and it was also soothing to hear Henry’s genuine relief.
“I’m all right now.Mostly.But I urgently need to speak to the chief, please.”
Henry didn’t hesitate.“Of course.He’s out in the field but I can patch you through.When you’re finished with him, please have him let me know whether to call off the search.”
“You can do that now.I’m found, sort of.I mean, I know more or less where I am.”
