Chapter 108 Havoc
Havoc
The kid shows up three days later.
He’s standing at the edge of the property like he’s not sure if he’s in the right place or about to get arrested.
Skinny. Brown hair. Too serious for a kid.
And he’s holding a leash.
Saint is the one who spots him first.
“Hey,” Saint calls gently. “Can we help you?”
The boy swallows.
“I’m looking for my dog.”
Ranger, who has been asleep on my foot like a traitor-shaped heating pad, lifts his head.
His ears go up.
Then he bolts.
Right past me.
Right toward the kid.
They collide like they’ve been separated for years instead of days.
The dog nearly knocks him over.
The boy drops to his knees, laughing and crying at the same time, hugging that mutt like it’s the last solid thing in the world.
“There you are,” he says into the dog’s fur. “Grandpa’s been so worried.”
We give him water.
And a chair.
And about thirty seconds of silence before Wolf asks, “So whose dog is it?”
The boy hesitates.
“His name is Buddy,” he says. “He belongs to my grandpa. My Dad gave him to Grandpa a long time ago.
“Where is your grandpa?” Saint asks.
“Sick,” the boy says. “That’s why my mom and I moved in with him.”
Something in his voice makes my spine tighten.
“How sick?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Real sick.”
Buddy pads over and sits beside me again.
Of course he does. I shake my head.
The boy watches what happens and looks… relieved.
Like he needed to know the dog had been safe.
“You took care of him,” the boy says.
“Someone had to,” I reply.
He nods. “Thank you.”
Then he adds, very quietly, “He ran off when the ambulance came.”
That lands heavier than it should.
Saint crouches in front of him. “What’s your name, kid?”
“Dylan,” he says. “Dylan Gray.”
“And your mom?”
“Aspen.”
I don’t know why that name sticks.
But it does.
They leave an hour later.
Buddy looks back at me as they are walking away.
I tell myself I don’t care.
The house feels… emptier without him. Maybe I’ll get myself a dog.
That night, Wolf looks at me and says, “You’re thinking about the kid.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You’re thinking about the dog.”
“…Maybe.”
He smirks.