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Hudson: Stop. He’s thirteen, and it was his first shift. Blaming him isn’t useful.

My eyes snagged on Hudson’s name. He was already taking control of this situation.

Hilary: Hudson, where are you?

Hudson: Home. On the phone with Dana Wilkes. Her pack is one town over, and she has someone on the school board.

Mason: The kids were screaming. One of them threw a shoe at Eli.

Trevor: understandable

Karen: This is not funny.

Trevor: fear and comedy can coexist

Patty: What did Eli look like?

Mason: A wolf.

Patty: Duh. I meant size.

Mason: Big enough to scare the shit out of everyone in the gymnasium.

I read the message twice.

A wolf.

Not a mascot costume. Not a student called Wolf by people who were too committed to the bit.

A literal wolf. What the hell?

My stomach turned over.

Hilary: Did anyone record it?

Mason: I don’t know.

Karen: Of course they recorded it. Teenagers record themselves opening beverages.

Patty: That is unfortunately true.

Hudson: Dana’s contact has spoken to the principal. They’ve already started telling students it was a prank involving a trained animal and a costume.

Byron: That explanation contains many contradictions.

Hudson: It doesn’t have to survive academic review. It needs to create enough uncertainty that videos don’t become evidence.

Julie: What about Eli?

Hudson: His parents have him. He’s frightened and embarrassed, but otherwise he’s physically fine.

Grandma Ruth: TELL THEM TO BRING HIM HERE THIS WEEKEND. I’LL MAKE PIE.

Karen: Pie doesn’t solve the risk of exposure.

Grandma Ruth: IT HELPS FRIGHTENED CHILDREN.

Hilary: Mom is right.