Chapter Twenty-Three
That night, the Wildcats moves stealthily through the darkness.
Each held a long gun, designed by Stryker. Only these guns didn’t hold pumpkin guts. They held rolls of toilet paper.
“Just load a roll, put the end of it on this part,” Stryker said, modeling how to properly equip the gun, “then aim and squeeze the trigger. That’s it.”
He put the stock up to his shoulder, pointed it toward a towering tree in Megan’s yard, and fired. The role of toilet paper flew to the top branch, looped around it, and fell to the ground, leaving the thin, white streamer to blow in the slight, chilly wind.
The other Littles smiled with sadistic, naughty glee as they joined in the fray. Soon, the yard and house were covered in toilet paper.
They tried to be quiet, containing their giggles as they scurried off into the night, on their way to the next house. But they couldn’t stifle all the laughter.
They were just being too naughty.
And having too much fun.
It was one of the best nights of Dylan’s life.
***
Sitting in Dax’s parked pickup truck, Bo chuckled as he watched the naughty Littles hurry past.
They hadn’t even noticed the two law enforcement officers in the truck. Nor the woman who sat in the backseat.
Both men had asked her on several occasions if she wanted up front. But she was fine being in the back, her legs spread out and feet up, watching the show.
“Thanks for your help, Marshal,” Teagan said to Dax. “I didn’t know exactly what he needed when I called you. I just knew he needed help.”
Dax nodded. “Glad we could be of assistance. He’s got a tough job. He’s a damn hero. Served our country. Now he serves his community. Lord knows he deserves a little break and some fun.”
“He’s sure fallen into Little Space,” Bo said. “I’m glad. He seemed a little shy at first.”
“Nothing like naughtiness to get them out of their shells,” Dax said.
“So, did you come up with this idea of the feud all by yourself?” Teagan asked.
“Nah,” Dax said, shaking his head, still watching the fleeing Littles as they grew smaller. “I enlisted Stella, Eli, and the others. Just told them to get into mischief and make sure to take Dylan along. They were eager to help. Of course.” He turned in his seat and looked back. “They didn’t necessarily stage this playful feud with the other team. They’re not lying to Dylan. But they are all on board, if you know what I mean. The Wildcats and Black Bears. It’s all in good fun.”
“I’m grateful to them all,” Teagan said.
Dax turned back around and crept the truck up along the curb, trying to get a better view. But it was no use. The Littles disappeared into the darkness.
“Well, they got my house,” Bo said. “Probably on their way to Christopher’s place now. I think he’s the next closest one.”
“Yep,” Dax said. “This sure is going to be a mess in the morning. Of course, there was already a mess when Stella had to clean all that glitter out of her hair.” He shook his head as he remembered. “Lord have mercy, it got all over the sink!”
The trio sat there in silence for another moment.
“You want to see more, ma’am?” Dax asked.
“No. But thank you. I need to get home and pump before turning in for the night. Who knows how late Little Dylan will be out. I can’t wait around on him.”
“Littles will go all night with this sort of thing,” Bo said with a knowing chuckle.
Dax nodded, put the truck in drive, and pulled away from the curb.