Jenna nodded. “Mom and dad are donating soda, water and snacks. They’ll drop them off tomorrow on their way to work.”
“What about dogs?” Chloe asked. “Are they bringing in search dogs?”
Jenna and Amy exchanged a quick glance. Jenna said, “They really don’t need them… considering.”
“Duh,” Chloe groaned as she realized her mistake.
Amy actually smiled a little. “Thanks for suggesting a search party, Chloe.”
Chloe shrugged. “With a little luck and Jenna’s charm, we’ll have a reason to throw a welcome home party.”
Amy’s eyes began leaking again and she actually leaned over to hug Chloe. Jenna bit back a smile and raised her brow. Stranger things had happened.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chloe watched the clock’s minutes tick by at a snail’s pace. It seemed like the day had gone on forever. When the bell finally rang at one o’clock, she hurried to the courtyard to meet Jenna and Amy. Sheriff Mackie and the other volunteers were already gathered there and it took a few moments for Chloe to find the girls.
Chloe glanced at Amy who was dressed in a simple shift dress. She and Jenna had dressed in jeans and tennis shoes. Smothering a smile, Chloe imagined Amy tromping through weeds, brush and sticker bushes in the woods. Who the heck went to the woods in a dress anyway?
The sheriff looked terrible today. His hair was windblown and his clothes were rumpled. Chloe imagined he’d worn the same uniform for days now. He stood on the stone bench in the middle of the group and shouted out instructions. He finished by reminding everyone to pick up a bag of supplies from Mrs. Grimes.
The crowd erupted in excited voices. Some continued to shout questions as others moved toward the parking lot where Mrs. Grimes waited.
Amy said, “I’ll go get our supplies.” Within seconds she disappeared in the mass of moving bodies.
Mackie whistled and the sharp sound echoed off the brick buildings surrounding them. The crowd’s voices died to a dull murmur. He said, “Each team has been assigned a captain. I’ve already met with them, so if you have further questions, they should be able to answer them.”
Chloe glanced around at the students and adults milling about. Everyone wore a look of determination. There were a few that appeared to be making this time to visit and mess around. She suspected they’d only signed up to help so they could get out of class.
“Meet back here and check in before dark. If you find anything, anything at all, your team leader is to call me immediately.” He hopped off the stone bench then shouted, “Be safe out there, people!”
Jenna turned to Chloe and whispered, “What do you want to bet all the team captains are members of the pack?”
Several minutes passed before the courtyard cleared enough for them to search for Amy. She pushed through the throng of milling bodies and hurried toward them. “Ready?”
Jenna nodded then turned on her heel to move toward the back of the property. Chloe and Amy walked side by side behind her. Amy kept glancing at Chloe. She seemed on the verge of saying something as they passed the Ag building. Finally, she said, “Thanks for helping with this. Especially after all we’ve done to you.”
Chloe forced her features to remain neutral. “We’ll find him.”
Jenna glanced over her shoulder. “Are we alone?”
Chloe nodded. “Just the three of us back here.”
Amy slipped her shoes off. She motioned for the tote bag full of supplies. “I’ll put my dress in here.”
Jenna stared at her a moment. “You’re going in wolf form?”
“Yeah, dad said it was okay since both of you know my secret.”
“Cool,” Jenna said then unhooked Travis’s necklace from around her neck. She laid it on the concrete then removed a small vial from her pocket. “Will you be able to understand us?”
Amy smirked. “Of course I can. I’m not some dumb dog.”
Diffusing the situation before Amy could get mad, Chloe pointed at Jenna’s potion and asked, “Is this really going to work?”
“Remember, we have to believe in the magic in order for it to take effect,” Jenna said as she unscrewed the cap. She held the nozzle over the charm and allowed several drops of the mixture to fall over the necklace, she said, “For the one who is out of sight. When we’re near, do burn bright.”
***
Chloe batted bugs out of her face as she stomped through another tangle of weeds. She was hot, itchy and starting to get crabby. The stupid necklace charm wasn’t working. It didn’t buzz or hum. It didn’t glow or blink. The silver fang just hung around Jenna’s neck like a worthless bauble.
Amy ran ahead in wolf form. Her head was only inches from the ground as she sniffed for signs that Travis had come through here. She darted past trees and jumped over fallen brush piles as she frantically searched for her brother.
Chloe and Jenna yelled, “Travis!” for what seemed like the millionth time. Still, there was no answer.
The emotions coming off Amy were full of anxiety, hope and fear. She kept thinking she caught Travis’s scent, but would lose it just as quickly. At one point she didn’t know if she was picking up a fresh trail or an old one. Not to mention the olfactory overload since so many other creatures that had scurried through here.
Chloe knew exactly how she felt. A multitude of thoughts and emotions constantly bombarded her and they all came from the animals hiding in the woods. The only way she could tune them out was by focusing on Amy’s frantic voice in her head.
Amy’s distress rang out in Chloe’s head. “Damn it! I caught a whiff of him, but then I smell the rest of the pack. It must be residual from the last time we ran through here.”
Knowing better than to reveal that she could hear all of Amy’s wolfy thoughts, Chloe simply said, “I don’t think she’s picking up anything.”
A branch snapped back and smacked Jenna across the face. She cried out in pain then brushed at the spider web that was still attached to her hair. Wiping her hands down the legs of her jeans, she grimaced and said, “We’re getting nowhere.”
Chloe ducked a low hanging branch then whispered to Jenna, “I’m not picking up anything. I can’t hear him at all. He’s either not here or in human form.”
Amy stopped on the trail up ahead. Her ears were twitching this way and that, listening for any sound that might give her a new lead. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth as she panted. When she met Chloe’s gaze, she whined in disappointment.
Jenna stopped to pick a large burr off her pant leg. She flung it at the tree next to them. “What should we do? We can’t wander around out here until dark. We’ll get lost.”
“Okay, let’s think about this for a second.” Chloe surveyed the dense trees surrounding them. The sun was blotted out and everything rested in shade. “If someone were to grab him then come this way, would they stay on the trail where people might see footprints?”
Jenna shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve never kidnapped anyone before. I guess if I knew where I was going, I’d get off the path to make it harder to follow.”
Amy leapt to her feet then darted into the trees. She ran with her nose low to the ground, searching for clues.
“Hey, don’t get out of sight!” Jenna called after her. “We don’t know the woods like you do.”
It seemed like they wasted hours wandering around the woods before Chloe said, “Look, your charm isn’t working and Amy hasn’t been able to track Travis. I think it’s safe to say he’s not out here.”
Amy brushed past them, leading them back to the trail. It took a while before they reached the school. Amy darted behind the building to transform. Moments later, she rounded the corner and smoothed her dress. She sat on the concrete next to Chloe and frowned. “That was a complete waste of time.”
Chloe said, “So you and the pack searched around your house, right?”
Amy’s jaw had a grim set to it. “Yes. Dad was working and I was with Kelly. Travis was the only o
ne at home.” She ran her finger along a crack in the concrete.
“And the pack didn’t pick up anything?” Jenna asked as she looked out at the trees they’d just come from.
Shaking her head, Amy said, “Dad thinks it’s someone Travis knew. He said Travis must have let them inside because there were no signs of break-in. They got into a scuffle and whoever it was dragged him outside, through Travis’s window. We lost the trail there. The kidnapper must have put him in a car.”
Chloe stared at Amy, trying to figure out how to say what was on her mind. “You couldn’t identify the car?”
“Cars are hard.” Amy’s shoulders dropped and she sighed. “They smell like fuel, rubber and anywhere the owner has been. There are usually too many scents to decipher, but this one was weird.”
“What do you mean?” Jenna asked as she picked more stickers from her sock.
“It was freshly washed. It smelled like wax and soap from the car wash.”
“And the kidnapper? No one recognized that either?” Chloe twisted a lock of hair around her finger.
Amy sighed then shook her head. “Just as strange. I guess whoever did this knew we’d be able to track them. They sprayed that deer urine stuff hunters use to attract deer all over the place. Just under that, we could smell … wolf. But it wasn’t a normal wolf smell.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” Chloe released the lock of hair and allowed it to fall back in place. “Was it a wolf or not?”
Sudden tears shimmered in Amy’s eyes. “I don’t know!”
Jenna put an arm around Amy’s shoulders. Amy stiffened at Jenna’s touch, but within moments she relaxed. Her head rested on Jenna’s shoulder and she allowed herself to sob.
“Now what are we going to do?” Chloe spread the map out on the ground then marked off the places they’d already searched.
Jenna pulled a water bottle out of the bag of supplies then gave it to Amy. She guzzled down half the contents then wiped her eyes. Her face was blotchy and red as she sat the water aside.
“I don’t know,” Jenna finally answered. “We have to search close to where he is for the charm to work.”
Chloe continued to look over the map. She pointed to an area to the east of the school. “What’s over here?”
Amy leaned closer. “Neighborhoods.”
“It’s in our search area,” Jenna said as she stood over them and peered down at the map. “Do you want to try over there?”
Amy bit her lower lip and looked out toward the trees. “He’s been gone two and a half days. Anything could have happened to him.”
Though Chloe still didn’t trust the older girl, she knew Amy was scared and desperate for reassurance. “You can’t think like that. We’ll find him.”
Somewhere down the corridor, a classroom door creaked open and startled Chloe. She twisted to peer between the buildings.
“I’m going to call dad,” Amy muttered as she pulled her phone out of the bag. She must have connected right away because she immediately began talking in a hushed voice. Chloe suspected she was fighting another round of tears.
Coach Lewis stepped out of the room a few doors down from where they were sitting. What the heck was he doing in the biology classroom?
“Be right back,” Chloe scrambled up and moved toward him.
“Any luck with the search?” he asked then glanced toward the courtyard. His hands fidgeted with the bandage on his wrist and he looked like he wanted to bolt.
Chloe shook her head. “No, not yet.”
“That’s too bad.” Coach stared at her for several awkward moments then turned to go. As he moved away, Chloe noticed he was limping.
She jogged after him. “Are you okay? What happened to your leg?”
It wasn’t her imagination that he actually tried to speed up. Wincing each time his bum leg moved, he cast another glance back at her.
Chloe caught up to him and grabbed his upper arm. “Wait, I need to talk to you.”
Jenna and Amy hung back, watching Chloe with curious faces. Amy slid her phone into the bag then glanced at Jenna with a raised brow.
Coach groaned, seeming to realize Chloe wasn’t going away. Finally, he answered, “Dog bit me.”
This close, she could see several angry scratch marks that ran down his throat then below the collar of his shirt. There were more on his forearm. It looked like he’d been in a catfight with Sasquatch. She grimaced then said, “Your puppy seems awfully bitey lately. Maybe you should take him to obedience school.”
Casting a nervous glance at her, he said, “Yeah, I guess he’s teething.”
“Listen,” Chloe said in hopes that he’d take the news well. “I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be coming to practice anymore. I mean, it’s kinda awkward now that you and mom broke up.”
“Uh huh,” he said as he sped up a little. The limp got worse as he moved faster.
Chloe dropped back and watched him hurry toward the parking lot. What the hell? She was a great runner, one of the best on the team. Coach Lewis had even said so himself. It seemed weird that he didn’t even attempt to change her mind. He hadn’t even asked about cross-country next year.
She turned to look at her friends. Jenna was motioning her over and Amy’s face looked pale as a ghost’s.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Chloe asked, looking from one girl to the other.
Jenna gripped Amy’s hand. “Go ahead. Tell her what you just told me.”
Amy glanced down the corridor. “I thought…” She shook her head in disbelief. “I thought I caught my brother’s scent just now.”
Chloe whipped her head around to search the deserted courtyard and dark buildings. There was no sign of him anywhere.
“Travis?” she yelled, her voice bouncing off the building then echoing down the corridor. “Travis, are you here? Can you hear me?”
Jenna held up the charm hanging around her neck and examined it. “It’s not glowing. I don’t think he’s here.”
“Maybe the charm doesn’t work,” Amy said as sprinted down the corridor. She tilted her head and sniffed the air. Her voice took on urgency. “This way!”
Together, Jenna and Chloe hurried after her. When Amy suddenly stopped, they bumped into her. Jenna asked, “Did you lose the scent?”
Chloe and Jenna exchanged a tense glance.
Amy stood in front of the classroom belonging to Mr. Sanders. It was the same door Coach Lewis had just come out of. She ran a trembling hand over the knob then glanced over her shoulder at Chloe.
Chloe nodded approval. “Open it.”
Giving the knob a quick twist, Amy shoved the door open. It bounced off the wall then shuddered to a stop. “Travis? Are you in here?”
Chloe held her breath, listening, hoping. When they received no answer, all three girls hurried into the room. Amy jerked open the closet while Jenna looked beneath the desk. Chloe stood in the middle of the room, listening.
“He’s not here,” Amy announced. Her shoulders slumped and she hung her head. Covering her face with her hands, she sobbed quietly.
Jenna pulled her out of the room. “What about now? Picking up anything?”
Chloe shut the classroom door then ventured down the corridor toward the courtyard. Amy ran past her. “It’s faint, but I smell him!”
Chloe and Jenna followed her to the parking lot.
Amy turned in a tight circle, a frown darkened her face. “I don’t understand. It just stopped.”
Jenna glanced at Chloe and shrugged.
“Oh my god,” Chloe said in disbelief. The very thought of it made her shake.
“What?” Jenna and Amy demanded as one.
“You thought your brother’s scent was in the room that Coach came out of.” She glanced at the girls then grimaced. “And just now you followed it to the parking lot where he got into his car and drove away.”
Amy’s eyes widened. “Are you saying Coach Lewis has been in contact with my brother?”
Chloe nod
ded. “I’m saying it’s odd that you picked up something when he was around and now that he’s gone, so is Travis’s scent.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ryan crawled from the rocky crevice he’d slept in overnight. He shook his fur, sending dirt and debris flying in all directions. A big yawn and stretch felt good after being in the cramped space. His leg had healed enough that he only occasionally noticed a twinge of pain. Within a day or two, he’d probably be able to run full speed on it.
He made his way down to the reservoir and lapped at the water. His stomach rumbled and demanded to be fed. He tried to remember the last time he ate, but drew a blank. Perhaps it was at the clinic, a couple pieces of fruit and the chicken strips Mrs. Williams had given him for being such a “good boy”. He’d refused to eat the dry kibble she’d given him.
He walked along the shoreline for a few minutes, looking for a shallow place to cross. The nearby bushes rustled and drew his attention. Ryan crouched down low, hidden in the overgrown weeds. He watched the trees, waiting to see who or what was coming.
The voices reached him first. Sheriff Mackie was shouting at what must be a search party. Travis must not have been found yet. Judging by their footsteps, they’d burst past the tree line any moment. He needed to get the hell out of there before they saw him.
Keeping to the shaded areas, he slunk past trees and brush piles. As he made his escape, he heard someone shout that they saw something moving ahead. Damn! Even though it pained him, he broke into a full sprint. He had known it was only a matter of time before they came looking this far out of town. This could only mean they were no longer searching for Mackie’s son, but a discarded body instead.
Behind him, too many people crashed through the undergrowth after him. He could only hope that there were outsiders among them, preventing the wolves from transforming. There was no way he could outrun the other wolves on his injured leg.
Ryan crashed through the shallowest point of the reservoir then scrambled up the rocks on the other side. He ran like his tail was on fire. Until someone found that asshole Travis, he wasn’t safe here. It would be even worse if they found just a body. They’d never believe he had nothing to do with whatever bad luck had happened to Travis unless they found him alive. Only then could he clear Ryan’s name. He’d have to leave Hunde. This was a certainty now. If he stayed, Chloe could be in grave danger. She’d be guilty by association.
The Bad Wolf Page 21