in," I said, m

Emily, don't be foolish! Tha

ured in agreement, their

. I mean, I have a feeling... that cougar, it's not just r

s strong again,

imal, years ago. It ignored everyone else

pression thoughtful. "Wha

re's something in the yard, or in the hou

ple told, but a different one, earlier. It had been obsessed with the old shed, an almost fra

bered its s

nd out what it is. Maybe I can g

tted wooden doors, mostly covered by overgrown weeds, but there was a small ventilatio

ere when Dad's temper flared, or wh

lacked conviction. He looked at the splintering

others can create a diversion at the front, make enough noise to draw its att

a long moment. The

shot. But it's better than wa

on things, shout, use the torches. Keep that cat busy. Emily is going to try for the cellar vent. If sh

n filled the air, th

their makeshift w

Mike

ouse, shouting, banging a metal trash

rom a new direction. It spun away from the back doo

as my