Chapter Fifteen
The Wildcats methodically worked their way through the arena in an organized manner.
They took out the Black Bears one by one and then made another pass, hitting everyone again just as their laser packs came back online. And it was all thanks to Dylan leading them like a SWAT unit.
They eventually had to scatter once the Black Bears realized what was happening. By that time, though, the Wild Cats had run up quite a big lead on the scoreboard.
Dylan leapt over a waist-high wall and hunkered low next to Harrison and Stryker.
“You did it,” Harrison said. “I don’t think they can catch up now.”
“It was a team effort,” Dylan said over the chirping lasers that filled the room.
“But it was your idea, and you had the training,” Harrison pointed out. “Nice job.”
“Thanks,” Dylan said. “Y’all ready to finish this thing?”
“Ready,” Harrison and Stryker both said.
They all three popped up from behind the barrier and began blasting. More of the Bears were hit. A moment later, the buzzer sounded, indicating the end of the match.
Everyone breathed heavy sighs. They were covered in sweat. Their legs were tired from all the running and climbing.
They stared up at the digital board. The Wildcats had not only closed their fifty-point deficit, but they’d taken the lead by almost as many.
The voice over the PA system said, “Wildcats win.”
The team jumped up and cheered.
“Good match,” Katie said to the Bears.
“Man, I thought we had y’all,” Megan said.
“We did. Until someone took the lead,” Colt said, eyeing Dylan. “You’ve done this before.”
Dylan grinned. “I’ve had some real-world experience.”
“Well, we’ll get you on the football field,” Colt said. “Or the football inflatable. Whatever that thing is.”
The teams said goodbye then left with their respective members. Outside, Eli said to the Wildcats, “Do y’all want to hangout some more? We could go to the park. Or the daycare.”
“I’m in,” Aurelia said.
“Me, too,” Stella said.
Dylan was about to answer when he felt his phone vibrate. He fished it from his pocket and checked the screen.
Captain King.
It was just a simple message, checking in, but it reminded Dylan of what he did for a living and who he was supposed to be.
Suddenly, he felt very self-conscious about wearing that diaper, even if it was concealed by the sweatpants. And he felt strange about being in Mountainville. It was a whole community dedicated to kink—more or less. True, it was far from some crazy sex orgy. All he’d seen the past couple of days was friendship and togetherness. Even the rivalry with the Black Bears was good-natured. But the community he served wouldn’t understand that. Right? The good citizens might flip out if they knew one of their “finest”—someone sworn to serve and protect—was running around a town like that.
And they’d judge him to be incapable of doing his job.
How could a Little stand against criminals? How could he shield the innocent? No one would take him seriously.
If they only knew.
Suddenly, Dylan needed to be alone. He needed to clear his head. If that was possible.
“Guys, I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Everything okay?” Harrison asked.
“Yeah. It’s all good. A text from my captain reminded me I need to keep up with some physical requirements of the job. I’m going to go for a run.” He waved his phone at them. “Even on vacation.”
They smiled and nodded.
With that, Dylan set off.
Maybe he could outrun this self-doubt.