The dogs bark and growl, and a man curses at them.
“Get the hell out. Get, get.” He kicks them out of the door and slams it shut.
“Hey, those are my dogs.” I scramble down the ladder. “Who are you? Wonderman?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” the man says. He has red hair and a scruffy beard, but he doesn’t seem as nice and happy as he was this morning trying to put up the star. Maybe the police tortured him on account of me.
“I didn’t mean for you to go to jail,” I explain. “I just wanted my dogs back.”
“You can have them,” he practically growls, as he screws his eyes and squints at me. “What did you say your name was?”
“Glen Thornton. I’m your buddy on Realm of Rogues. TrickyGlen the Thief.”
“I knew that, just testing you, kid. What are you doing here?”
“You invited me over to get my dogs.”
“Yeah, so I did. You have some place to take them?” His eyes shift around the room as if he’s looking for something.
“I’ll be out of your way.” I slide over to my backpack and heft it on my back. “My parents have an empty vacation home not too far from here. You can take me there. We’ll need to delete all our messages. Otherwise, you’ll get into more trouble.”
“Have you seen Cait?” He rubs his beard and heads for the bedroom.
“She drove off looking for you after the cops took you.” I sidestep toward the door, hoping he doesn’t notice I’ve stolen his cell phone.
“I have to find Cait. Let’s wait for her to come back before I take you to your house.” Wonderman goes to the kitchen and opens the refrigerator.
I open the door and let the dogs in. “It’s okay. He’s a friend. Don’t get all excited.”
Both dogs lower their ears as they slink into the cabin. Melia hides behind the couch and Sierra keeps up a low growl.
“He’s upset the police arrested him for helping me,” I explain to Sierra. “But he’s my friend. We’re waiting for his wife.”
The snow is coming down faster and piling up. I hope his wife hurries up. I don’t know why we need her anyway, but obviously Wonderman is worried about her and doesn’t want to leave until she’s home safe.
