full

[18+] “Firsts” by TJ Minde (read by Ta'kom, part 1 of 2)

[18+] When sheltered Anthony tells Jude he’s never celebrated Halloween, the outgoing dhole makes it his mission to run Anthony through seasonal events.

Welcome back to The Ghost of Dog on the Voice of Dog. 

Tonight’s story is the first of two parts of “Firsts” by TJ Minde, whose story first appeared in Fang 9, published by FurPlanet. Most recently, he was the lead editor for Altered States: Draconic Desires also published by FurPlanet. He is also currently working on his first novel.

Read by Ta’kom Ironhoof, the Equine Charmer.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/18-firsts-by-tj-minde-part-1-of-2

Transcript
Speaker:

The

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Ghost

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of

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Dog

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on

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the

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and

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first

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parts

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of “Firsts”

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by

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TJ

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Minde,

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whose

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story

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first

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appeared

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in

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Fang 9,

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published

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by

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FurPlanet.

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Most

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recently,

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he

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was the

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lead

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editor

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for

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Altered

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Draconic

States:

Desires

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also

States:

published

States:

by

States:

FurPlanet.

States:

He

States:

is

States:

also

States:

currently

States:

working

States:

on

States:

his

States:

first

States:

novel.

Read by

States:

Ta’kom

States:

Ironhoof,

States:

the

States:

Equine

States:

Charmer.

Fear

States:

of

States:

the

States:

Lord,

States:

according

States:

to

States:

certain

States:

accounts, is

States:

the

States:

beginning

States:

of

States:

wisdom.

States:

It

States:

could

States:

be

States:

argued

States:

that

States:

such

States:

a

States:

beginning

States:

is

States:

the

States:

purpose

States:

of

halloween:

halloween:

the

halloween:

child

halloween:

who

halloween:

experience

halloween:

a

halloween:

controlled

halloween:

dosage

halloween:

of

halloween:

fear,

halloween:

of

halloween:

nothing

halloween:

more

halloween:

dangerous

halloween:

than

halloween:

a

halloween:

neighbor

halloween:

in

halloween:

a

halloween:

mask

halloween:

and a

halloween:

bowl

halloween:

of

halloween:

peeled

halloween:

grapes, they

halloween:

may

halloween:

learn

halloween:

what

halloween:

fear

halloween:

feels like, tastes like, and need not meet it for

halloween:

the

halloween:

first

halloween:

time

halloween:

in

halloween:

circumstances of

halloween:

true

halloween:

danger.

halloween:

But

halloween:

there

halloween:

are

halloween:

always

halloween:

those,

halloween:

they

halloween:

need

halloween:

no

halloween:

introduction,

halloween:

who

halloween:

would

halloween:

prefer

halloween:

that

halloween:

nobody

halloween:

progress

halloween:

past

halloween:

the

halloween:

beginning

halloween:

of

halloween:

anything,

halloween:

and

halloween:

merely

halloween:

remain

halloween:

forever,

halloween:

in

halloween:

fear.

halloween:

But

halloween:

judge

halloween:

for

halloween:

yourself

halloween:

the

halloween:

relative

halloween:

positions

halloween:

of

halloween:

Fear

halloween:

of

halloween:

the

halloween:

Lord,

halloween:

of

halloween:

Wisdom,

halloween:

and

halloween:

of…


“Firsts” by

halloween:

TJ

halloween:

Minde,

halloween:

part

halloween:

one

halloween:

of

halloween:

two.

When

halloween:

the

halloween:

professor

halloween:

dismissed

halloween:

the

halloween:

class,

halloween:

the

halloween:

jackal slid

halloween:

his

halloween:

messenger

halloween:

bag

halloween:

over

halloween:

his

halloween:

lithe

halloween:

frame

halloween:

and

halloween:

joined

halloween:

the

halloween:

crowd

halloween:

milling

halloween:

out

halloween:

of

halloween:

the

halloween:

room.
A

halloween:

brick-red

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

slid

halloween:

beside

halloween:

him. “Have

halloween:

any

halloween:

plans

halloween:

for

halloween:

the

halloween:

Halloween

halloween:

weekend,

halloween:

Anthony?”

halloween:

He

halloween:

clapped

halloween:

the

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

on

halloween:

the

halloween:

back.
“None

halloween:

yet.”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

smiled. “You were

halloween:

rather

halloween:

quiet

halloween:

today,

halloween:

Jude.”
“Wasn’t really

halloween:

paying

halloween:

attention.

halloween:

Brought

halloween:

my

halloween:

laptop

halloween:

and

halloween:

bounced

halloween:

around

halloween:

online

halloween:

instead.”
The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

shook

halloween:

his

halloween:

head. “You

halloween:

plan

halloween:

to

halloween:

just

halloween:

coast

halloween:

through

halloween:

college?”
“What

halloween:

can

halloween:

I

halloween:

say?”

halloween:

The

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

shrugged. “If it

halloween:

worked

halloween:

in

halloween:

high

halloween:

school,

halloween:

why

halloween:

can’t

halloween:

it

halloween:

work

halloween:

now?

halloween:

Besides,

halloween:

some

halloween:

classes

halloween:

come

halloween:

easy

halloween:

to

halloween:

me.

halloween:

I

halloween:

mean,

halloween:

hell,

halloween:

most

halloween:

English

halloween:

classes

halloween:

are

halloween:

spinning

halloween:

bullshit

halloween:

anyway.”
“Yeah,

halloween:

but

halloween:

the

halloween:

professor’s

halloween:

trying

halloween:

to

halloween:

get

halloween:

you

halloween:

to

halloween:

look

halloween:

at

halloween:

the

halloween:

story

halloween:

from

halloween:

another

halloween:

perspective.”
“Chill

halloween:

out,

halloween:

Mr.

halloween:

English

halloween:

Major.”

halloween:

Jude

halloween:

smiled. “I

halloween:

mean,

halloween:

he

halloween:

can.

halloween:

But

halloween:

I’ve

halloween:

done

halloween:

this

halloween:

enough

halloween:

times.

halloween:

I’ll

halloween:

just

halloween:

do

halloween:

what

halloween:

I

halloween:

normally

halloween:

do.”

halloween:

The

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

raised

halloween:

his

halloween:

toned

halloween:

arms

halloween:

above

halloween:

his

halloween:

head

halloween:

and

halloween:

stretched. “Wanna

halloween:

hang

halloween:

out

halloween:

this

halloween:

weekend?
“You

halloween:

mean

halloween:

study

halloween:

together?”
The

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

blinked. “Do

halloween:

we

halloween:

need

halloween:

to

halloween:

clean

halloween:

your

halloween:

ears

halloween:

out?”

halloween:

He

halloween:

threw

halloween:

an

halloween:

arm

halloween:

around

halloween:

Anthony’s

halloween:

neck

halloween:

and

halloween:

blew

halloween:

into

halloween:

his

halloween:

ear.
The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

yipped,

halloween:

pulling

halloween:

away

halloween:

from

halloween:

the

halloween:

dhole. “Hey,

halloween:

not

halloween:

cool!”

halloween:

He

halloween:

reached

halloween:

a

halloween:

finger

halloween:

into

halloween:

his

halloween:

brown

halloween:

furred ear

halloween:

and

halloween:

rubbed

halloween:

the

halloween:

long,

halloween:

sensitive

halloween:

hairs

halloween:

inside

halloween:

before

halloween:

flicking it

halloween:

again

halloween:

and

halloween:

again.
Jude

halloween:

bent

halloween:

over

halloween:

laughing. “I

halloween:

didn’t

halloween:

think

halloween:

you’d

halloween:

jump

halloween:

that

halloween:

much.”
“That

halloween:

much?

halloween:

Every

halloween:

canid

halloween:

I

halloween:

know

halloween:

would.”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

shook

halloween:

his

halloween:

head,

halloween:

grinning

halloween:

as

halloween:

he

halloween:

walked

halloween:

on. “Rude.”
“I’m

halloween:

sorry,”

halloween:

Jude

halloween:

said

halloween:

as

halloween:

he

halloween:

ran

halloween:

to

halloween:

keep

halloween:

up. “So

halloween:

you

halloween:

don’t

halloween:

have

halloween:

any

halloween:

plans?

halloween:

Halloween’s

halloween:

Monday,

halloween:

you

halloween:

know.”
“Just

halloween:

homework

halloween:

and

halloween:

studying.

halloween:

Nothing

halloween:

special.”
“No

halloween:

costume

halloween:

parties

halloween:

or

halloween:

anything?”
The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

shook

halloween:

his

halloween:

head. “My

halloween:

family

halloween:

never

halloween:

really

halloween:

did

halloween:

Halloween,

halloween:

so

halloween:

I

halloween:

don’t

halloween:

see

halloween:

why I

halloween:

should.”
“What?”

halloween:

Jude

halloween:

took

halloween:

two

halloween:

quick

halloween:

steps

halloween:

and

halloween:

stopped

halloween:

in

halloween:

front

halloween:

of

halloween:

Anthony. “Wait,

halloween:

wait,

halloween:

wait,”

halloween:

he

halloween:

held

halloween:

his

halloween:

paws

halloween:

up. “What

halloween:

do

halloween:

you

halloween:

mean?”
Anthony

halloween:

shrugged. “I

halloween:

never

halloween:

did

halloween:

anything

halloween:

Halloween-related

halloween:

in

halloween:

high

halloween:

school.

halloween:

Why

halloween:

would

halloween:

I

halloween:

start

halloween:

now?”
“No

halloween:

way.

halloween:

I

halloween:

thought

halloween:

you

halloween:

always

halloween:

had

halloween:

plans?”
The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

shrugged

halloween:

again. “We

halloween:

had

halloween:

plans,

halloween:

yeah,

halloween:

but

halloween:

they

halloween:

were

halloween:

always

halloween:

some

halloween:

church

halloween:

event

halloween:

or

halloween:

other.

halloween:

Didn’t

halloween:

really

halloween:

do

halloween:

Halloween.

halloween:

Or

halloween:

trick-or-treating.”
The

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

shook

halloween:

his

halloween:

head. “You

halloween:

know

halloween:

what?

halloween:

You’re

halloween:

going

halloween:

to

halloween:

celebrate

halloween:

Halloween

halloween:

with

halloween:

me

halloween:

this

halloween:

weekend.”

halloween:

He

halloween:

prodded

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

in

halloween:

the

halloween:

chest.
“I

halloween:

don’t

halloween:

know

halloween:

if

halloween:

that’s

halloween:

a

halloween:

good

halloween:

idea.”

halloween:

The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

looked

halloween:

away. “I

halloween:

mean

halloween:

I

halloween:

have

halloween:

church

halloween:

on

halloween:

Sunday

halloween:

and

halloween:

Tuesday.”
Jude

halloween:

put

halloween:

a

halloween:

paw

halloween:

on

halloween:

Anthony’s shoulder. “I’ll

halloween:

make

halloween:

sure

halloween:

we’re at

halloween:

both

halloween:

services.”

halloween:

He

halloween:

checked

halloween:

his

halloween:

watch. “Hey,

halloween:

I

halloween:

got to

halloween:

run.

halloween:

I’ll

halloween:

pick

halloween:

you

halloween:

up

halloween:

tomorrow,

halloween:

okay?”

halloween:

With

halloween:

a

halloween:

wave,

halloween:

the

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

ran

halloween:

off.
Anthony stood there, blinking

halloween:

in

halloween:

confusion.

halloween:

Well,

halloween:

I

halloween:

guess

halloween:

I

halloween:

have

halloween:

plans,

halloween:

now,

halloween:

he

halloween:

thought.
#
A loud

halloween:

rap

halloween:

at

halloween:

the

halloween:

door

halloween:

pulled

halloween:

the

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

from

halloween:

his

halloween:

sleep.

halloween:

Rolling

halloween:

over,

halloween:

he

halloween:

looked

halloween:

at the clock: 8:27am. It’s too

halloween:

early

halloween:

for

halloween:

this.

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

slid

halloween:

out

halloween:

of

halloween:

bed

halloween:

and

halloween:

opened

halloween:

the

halloween:

door,

halloween:

peeking

halloween:

into

halloween:

the

halloween:

hall.
Jude,

halloween:

in

halloween:

jeans

halloween:

and

halloween:

a

halloween:

comfortable

halloween:

sweater,

halloween:

stood

halloween:

there

halloween:

with

halloween:

two

halloween:

insulated

halloween:

disposable

halloween:

cups,

halloween:

bright-eyed

halloween:

and

halloween:

full

halloween:

of

halloween:

energy. “Good

halloween:

morning,

halloween:

Sleeping

halloween:

Beauty,”

halloween:

the

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

said,

halloween:

red

halloween:

tail

halloween:

wagging. “I

halloween:

was

halloween:

worried

halloween:

you

halloween:

wouldn’t

halloween:

wake

halloween:

up.”
“You

halloween:

realize

halloween:

it’s

halloween:

not

halloween:

even

halloween:

eight-thirty,

halloween:

right?”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

rubbed

halloween:

the

halloween:

sleep

halloween:

out

halloween:

of

halloween:

his

halloween:

eye

halloween:

and

halloween:

yawned.

halloween:

He

halloween:

stood

halloween:

up

halloween:

a

halloween:

little

halloween:

straighter

halloween:

and

halloween:

positioned

halloween:

the

halloween:

cross

halloween:

around

halloween:

his

halloween:

neck

halloween:

at

halloween:

the

halloween:

bottom

halloween:

of

halloween:

the

halloween:

chain.
“Uh huh,”

halloween:

the

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

said

halloween:

with

halloween:

a

halloween:

nod. “That’s

halloween:

why

halloween:

I

halloween:

brought

halloween:

you

halloween:

this.”

halloween:

He

halloween:

raised

halloween:

one

halloween:

of

halloween:

the

halloween:

two

halloween:

cups. “We

halloween:

have

halloween:

lots

halloween:

to

halloween:

do

halloween:

and

halloween:

I

halloween:

wanted

halloween:

to

halloween:

give

halloween:

you

halloween:

a

halloween:

jump

halloween:

start

halloween:

before

halloween:

breakfast.”

halloween:

Jude’s

halloween:

gaze

halloween:

traveled

halloween:

along

halloween:

the

halloween:

stripe

halloween:

down

halloween:

the

halloween:

jackal’s side. “But,

halloween:

while

halloween:

I

halloween:

like

halloween:

the

halloween:

cross-and-boxers

halloween:

look,

halloween:

I

halloween:

don’t

halloween:

know

halloween:

if

halloween:

it

halloween:

works

halloween:

for

halloween:

the

halloween:

general

halloween:

public.”
Anthony

halloween:

blinked

halloween:

before

halloween:

looking

halloween:

down.

halloween:

As

halloween:

he

halloween:

realized

halloween:

half

halloween:

his

halloween:

leg

halloween:

was

halloween:

visible,

halloween:

he

halloween:

yipped

halloween:

and

halloween:

hid

halloween:

behind

halloween:

the

halloween:

door. “Sorry,”

halloween:

the

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

said. “Give

halloween:

me

halloween:

twenty

halloween:

minutes?”
Jude

halloween:

chuckled. “Okay,

halloween:

I’ll

halloween:

be

halloween:

in

halloween:

the

halloween:

common

halloween:

room.”

halloween:

He

halloween:

turned

halloween:

with a

halloween:

wave

halloween:

and

halloween:

walked

halloween:

down

halloween:

the

halloween:

hall.
Lord,

halloween:

give

halloween:

me

halloween:

strength.

halloween:

That

halloween:

was

halloween:

embarrassing.

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

sighed

halloween:

with

halloween:

his

halloween:

eyes

halloween:

closed

halloween:

and

halloween:

ears

halloween:

splayed,

halloween:

holding

halloween:

the

halloween:

cross

halloween:

around

halloween:

his

halloween:

neck.

halloween:

Wait,

halloween:

he

halloween:

liked

halloween:

my

halloween:

look?
#
The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

walked

halloween:

into

halloween:

the

halloween:

common

halloween:

room

halloween:

fifteen

halloween:

minutes

halloween:

later

halloween:

in

halloween:

jeans,

halloween:

a

halloween:

scarf

halloween:

and

halloween:

coat. “You

halloween:

ready?”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

asked.
Jude

halloween:

looked

halloween:

up

halloween:

from

halloween:

his

halloween:

cellphone. “Dude,

halloween:

are

halloween:

you

halloween:

trying

halloween:

to

halloween:

overcompensate

halloween:

for

halloween:

the

halloween:

earlier

halloween:

show?”

halloween:

He

halloween:

chuckled. “It’s

halloween:

like

halloween:

sixty

halloween:

out.”
“Maybe

halloween:

I’m

halloween:

used

halloween:

to

halloween:

warmer

halloween:

weather,”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

said

halloween:

from

halloween:

behind

halloween:

the

halloween:

scarf. “Besides,

halloween:

my

halloween:

phone

halloween:

said

halloween:

it

halloween:

was

halloween:

fifty-seven.

halloween:

Cold

halloween:

enough,

halloween:

thank

halloween:

you

halloween:

very

halloween:

much.”
“Well,

halloween:

we’re

halloween:

going to

halloween:

be

halloween:

moving

halloween:

today.”

halloween:

The

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

stood

halloween:

from

halloween:

his

halloween:

chair,

halloween:

shoving

halloween:

the

halloween:

cellphone

halloween:

into

halloween:

his

halloween:

pocket,

halloween:

and

halloween:

stormed

halloween:

back

halloween:

down

halloween:

the

halloween:

hall

halloween:

with

halloween:

both

halloween:

cups

halloween:

in paw. “Leave

halloween:

the

halloween:

scarf

halloween:

and

halloween:

put

halloween:

on

halloween:

a

halloween:

sweater

halloween:

or

halloween:

something.

halloween:

I

halloween:

don’t

halloween:

want

halloween:

you

halloween:

complaining

halloween:

later.”
“But

halloween:

I

halloween:

like

halloween:

what

halloween:

I’m

halloween:

wearing

halloween:

now,”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

protested.
“Trust

halloween:

me,”

halloween:

Jude

halloween:

said

halloween:

as

halloween:

he

halloween:

stopped

halloween:

at

halloween:

the

halloween:

jackal’s room.
With

halloween:

a

halloween:

sigh,

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

unlocked

halloween:

his

halloween:

door

halloween:

again

halloween:

and

halloween:

walked

halloween:

in. “Fine.”

halloween:

He

halloween:

made

halloween:

his

halloween:

way

halloween:

to

halloween:

the

halloween:

closet

halloween:

and

halloween:

hung

halloween:

up

halloween:

his

halloween:

scarf

halloween:

and

halloween:

jacket

halloween:

before

halloween:

slipping

halloween:

a

halloween:

sweater

halloween:

over

halloween:

his

halloween:

head

halloween:

instead.
“What

halloween:

type

halloween:

of

halloween:

Christian

halloween:

are

halloween:

you,

halloween:

again?”

halloween:

Jude

halloween:

asked.
The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

turned

halloween:

around. “Huh?”

halloween:

The

halloween:

dhole’s

halloween:

paws

halloween:

were

halloween:

linked

halloween:

behind

halloween:

his

halloween:

back

halloween:

as

halloween:

he

halloween:

looked

halloween:

at

halloween:

a

halloween:

cross

halloween:

above

halloween:

Anthony’s squat

halloween:

bookshelf.

halloween:

Jude’s

halloween:

long

halloween:

sleeved

halloween:

shirt

halloween:

bunched

halloween:

up

halloween:

around

halloween:

the

halloween:

top

halloween:

of

halloween:

his

halloween:

back,

halloween:

hiding

halloween:

the

halloween:

strong

halloween:

muscles

halloween:

that the

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

knew

halloween:

were

halloween:

there,

halloween:

but his

halloween:

jeans

halloween:

hugged

halloween:

his

halloween:

hips

halloween:

and

halloween:

rear

halloween:

tight.

halloween:

Man,

halloween:

he

halloween:

has

halloween:

a

halloween:

nice –

halloween:

no.

halloween:

Stop

halloween:

staring.

halloween:

He

halloween:

shook

halloween:

his

halloween:

head,

halloween:

lowering

halloween:

his

halloween:

ears

halloween:

a

halloween:

bit. “Uh,

halloween:

my

halloween:

family’s

halloween:

Roman

halloween:

Catholic.”
“Your

halloween:

family?”

halloween:

Jude

halloween:

looked

halloween:

over

halloween:

his

halloween:

shoulder. “You

halloween:

aren’t?”
Anthony

halloween:

stood

halloween:

there

halloween:

for

halloween:

a

halloween:

moment. “I

halloween:

am.

halloween:

It’s

halloween:

just

halloween:

odd

halloween:

saying

halloween:

it

halloween:

without

halloween:

my

halloween:

mother

halloween:

or

halloween:

sister

halloween:

around.

halloween:

I

halloween:

guess

halloween:

I

halloween:

never

halloween:

thought

halloween:

about

halloween:

it

halloween:

much.”

halloween:

The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

shrugged. “Part

halloween:

of

halloween:

why I

halloween:

wanted

halloween:

to

halloween:

get

halloween:

away

halloween:

from

halloween:

my

halloween:

family –

halloween:

so

halloween:

I

halloween:

can

halloween:

learn

halloween:

to

halloween:

be

halloween:

independent

halloween:

and

halloween:

speak

halloween:

for

halloween:

myself.

halloween:

Just

halloween:

don’t

halloween:

tell

halloween:

my

halloween:

mom

halloween:

that.”

halloween:

The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

let out

halloween:

a

halloween:

wry

halloween:

chuckle.
“But,”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

continued, “you’re

halloween:

supposed

halloween:

to

halloween:

be

halloween:

introducing

halloween:

me

halloween:

to

halloween:

my

halloween:

first

halloween:

Halloween,

halloween:

not

halloween:

talking

halloween:

religion.”
“You

halloween:

got

halloween:

it.”

halloween:

The

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

passed

halloween:

Anthony a

halloween:

cup. “We’ve

halloween:

got

halloween:

a

halloween:

big

halloween:

day

halloween:

ahead

halloween:

of

halloween:

us.

halloween:

First

halloween:

stop,

halloween:

breakfast!”
#
“Oof,”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

sat

halloween:

back

halloween:

in

halloween:

the

halloween:

seat

halloween:

and

halloween:

pat

halloween:

his

halloween:

stomach. “How

halloween:

the

halloween:

heck

halloween:

do

halloween:

pumpkin

halloween:

waffles

halloween:

fill

halloween:

you

halloween:

up

halloween:

so

halloween:

much?”

halloween:

He

halloween:

stared

halloween:

out

halloween:

the

halloween:

car

halloween:

window

halloween:

as

halloween:

the

halloween:

colors

halloween:

of

halloween:

autumn

halloween:

zoomed

halloween:

by.
“That’s

halloween:

the

halloween:

magic

halloween:

of

halloween:

pumpkin,”

halloween:

Jude

halloween:

said

halloween:

from

halloween:

the

halloween:

driver’s

halloween:

seat.
“I

halloween:

need

halloween:

to

halloween:

learn

halloween:

these

halloween:

magic

halloween:

ways.”
The

halloween:

dhole

halloween:

chuckled. “You

halloween:

might

halloween:

get

halloween:

the

halloween:

chance.

halloween:

Their

halloween:

coffee

halloween:

is

halloween:

pretty

halloween:

good

halloween:

too.”

halloween:

He

halloween:

took

halloween:

a

halloween:

sip

halloween:

from

halloween:

his

halloween:

cup.
“Bleh.”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

stuck

halloween:

out

halloween:

his

halloween:

tongue. “If

halloween:

I

halloween:

need

halloween:

a

halloween:

morning

halloween:

pick-me-up,

halloween:

tea

halloween:

is

halloween:

all

halloween:

I

halloween:

can

halloween:

do.

halloween:

Coffee’s

halloween:

too

halloween:

bitter.”

halloween:

The

halloween:

jackal

halloween:

sipped

halloween:

from

halloween:

his

halloween:

own

halloween:

warm

halloween:

cup.
Jude

halloween:

grinned. “Glad

halloween:

I

halloween:

grabbed

halloween:

one

halloween:

of

halloween:

each.”
“I

halloween:

am,

halloween:

too.”

halloween:

Anthony

halloween:

nodded

halloween:

his

halloween:

head

halloween:

with

halloween:

a

halloween:

grin. “So,

halloween:

how

halloween:

do

halloween:

you

halloween:

plan

halloween:

to

halloween:

introduce

halloween:

me

halloween:

to

halloween:

Halloween?”
“And

halloween:

spoil

halloween:

the

halloween:

surprise?

halloween:

Now,

halloween:

why

halloween:

would

halloween:

I

halloween:

do

halloween:

that?”
“Because

halloween:

I’m

halloween:

iffy on

halloween:

surprises?” Anthony

halloween:

replied

halloween:

in

halloween:

jest.
Jude

halloween:

smirked. “I know.

halloween:

But

halloween:

as

halloween:

the

halloween:

writer’s

halloween:

mantra

goes:

goes:

show,

goes:

don’t

goes:

tell.

goes:

But

goes:

if

goes:

anything

goes:

is

goes:

ever

goes:

too

goes:

much,

goes:

just

goes:

let

goes:

me

goes:

know

goes:

and

goes:

we

goes:

can

goes:

head

goes:

back

goes:

to

goes:

my

goes:

place

goes:

and

goes:

find

goes:

something

goes:

else

goes:

to

goes:

do.”

goes:

The dhole

goes:

flicked

goes:

on

goes:

his

goes:

turn

goes:

signal,

goes:

exiting

goes:

the

goes:

freeway. “We’re

goes:

almost

goes:

to

goes:

our

goes:

first

goes:

stop.”

goes:

They

goes:

pulled

goes:

off

goes:

the

goes:

busy

goes:

road,

goes:

just

goes:

out

goes:

of

goes:

town.
“Where

goes:

are

goes:

we?

goes:

Looks

goes:

really

goes:

farm-y.”
“Kinda cool that

goes:

this

goes:

is only

goes:

twenty

goes:

minutes

goes:

from

goes:

campus?”

goes:

the

goes:

dhole

goes:

said. “First

stop:

stop:

the

stop:

fairgrounds.”

stop:

Jude

stop:

set

stop:

his

stop:

cup

stop:

down

stop:

and

stop:

turned

stop:

the

stop:

wheel,

stop:

pulling

stop:

in to

stop:

a

stop:

parking

stop:

lot.
A

stop:

small

stop:

sign

stop:

sat

stop:

beside

stop:

the

stop:

entrance

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

parking

stop:

lot

stop:

with

stop:

a “Saturday”

stop:

and

stop:

hours

stop:

in

stop:

bold,

stop:

white

stop:

letters. “A

stop:

farmer’s

stop:

market?”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

asked,

stop:

reading

stop:

it

stop:

aloud.
“Yup.

stop:

But

stop:

around

stop:

this

stop:

time

stop:

of

stop:

year,

stop:

they

stop:

mix

stop:

it

stop:

up

stop:

a

stop:

bit.

stop:

Come

stop:

on,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

nodded

stop:

his

stop:

head

stop:

towards

stop:

the

stop:

entrance.
“Do

stop:

you

stop:

need

stop:

help

stop:

getting

stop:

veggies

stop:

or

stop:

something?”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

stepped

stop:

out

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

car

stop:

and

stop:

turned

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

tile

stop:

of

stop:

his

stop:

head.
“Almost,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

smiled.

stop:

We’re

stop:

going

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

back

stop:

half

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

fairgrounds;

stop:

it’s

stop:

the

stop:

real

stop:

draw

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

season.”

stop:

Jude

stop:

hooked

stop:

an

stop:

arm

stop:

around

stop:

the

stop:

jackal’s

stop:

and

stop:

the

stop:

two

stop:

walked

stop:

side

stop:

by

stop:

side.
I

stop:

can

stop:

feel

stop:

how

stop:

warm

stop:

he

stop:

is.

stop:

Anthony

stop:

almost

stop:

didn’t

stop:

hear

stop:

the

stop:

dhole.

stop:

With

stop:

a

stop:

cough

stop:

he

stop:

slid

stop:

his

stop:

arm

stop:

free

stop:

from

stop:

Jude

stop:

as

stop:

nonchalantly

stop:

as

stop:

he

stop:

could. “‘The

stop:

draw?’”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

asked.
“That’s

stop:

where

stop:

we’re

stop:

going.”

stop:

He

stop:

pointed

stop:

to

stop:

a

stop:

billboard

stop:

in

stop:

front

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

entrance

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

massive

stop:

pumpkin

stop:

with

stop:

the

stop:

words “Pumpkin

stop:

Patch”

stop:

in

stop:

bold

stop:

orange

stop:

letters

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

swooping

stop:

arrow.
The

stop:

jackal

stop:

raised

stop:

an

stop:

eyebrow

stop:

in

stop:

confusion. “Umm, we’re

stop:

picking

stop:

pumpkins?”
“Yup.” Jude

stop:

nodded. “You weren’t far

stop:

off

stop:

when

stop:

you

stop:

asked

stop:

if

stop:

we

stop:

were

stop:

getting

stop:

veggies.”
“And

stop:

that’s

stop:

fun?”
“Oh,

stop:

stop

stop:

trying

stop:

to

stop:

be

stop:

a

stop:

stick

stop:

in

stop:

the

stop:

mud.

stop:

There

stop:

are

stop:

tons

stop:

of

stop:

things

stop:

we

stop:

can

stop:

do

stop:

with

stop:

pumpkins.

stop:

But

stop:

I

stop:

want

stop:

to

stop:

show

stop:

you

stop:

something

stop:

else,

stop:

first.

stop:

Come

stop:

on.”

stop:

Jude

stop:

pulled

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

onward.
Anthony

stop:

let

stop:

out

stop:

a

stop:

bark

stop:

of

stop:

surprise.
“Oh

stop:

shit,

stop:

are

stop:

you

stop:

okay?”

stop:

The

stop:

dhole

stop:

asked,

stop:

bracing

stop:

the

stop:

jackal.
Anthony

stop:

planted

stop:

his

stop:

feet

stop:

under

stop:

him. “Yeah,

stop:

just

stop:

not

stop:

used

stop:

to

stop:

being

stop:

tugged

stop:

on

stop:

like

stop:

that.”
“Sorry.

stop:

I’m

stop:

just

stop:

so

stop:

excited.”

stop:

Jude

stop:

let

stop:

him

stop:

go

stop:

and

stop:

instead

stop:

stood

stop:

next

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

jackal,

stop:

rubbing

stop:

his

stop:

own

stop:

elbow. “I

stop:

haven’t

stop:

been

stop:

able

stop:

to

stop:

do

stop:

this

stop:

with

stop:

anyone

stop:

else

stop:

before.”

stop:

His

stop:

tail

stop:

wagged

stop:

enough

stop:

to

stop:

brush

stop:

against

stop:

the

stop:

jackal’s

stop:

leg.
Anthony’s

stop:

ears

stop:

warmed

stop:

in

stop:

a

stop:

blush

stop:

as

stop:

his

stop:

hip

stop:

and

stop:

tail

stop:

were

stop:

rubbed

stop:

by

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s.

stop:

That’s

stop:

nice,

stop:

but

stop:

I

stop:

should

stop:

stop

stop:

it.

stop:

The

stop:

jackal

stop:

coughed. “Uhh, Jude?”
“Hmm?”

stop:

The

stop:

dhole

stop:

kept

stop:

walking,

stop:

head

stop:

forward,

stop:

tail

stop:

wagging

stop:

and

stop:

eyes

stop:

up.
Anthony

stop:

took

stop:

a

stop:

step

stop:

away

stop:

from

stop:

Jude

stop:

and

stop:

pointed

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

patch. “Shouldn’t

stop:

we

stop:

be

stop:

heading

stop:

over

stop:

there?”
The

stop:

dhole

stop:

nodded. “Don’t

stop:

worry,

stop:

we

stop:

will.”
“But

stop:

what

stop:

else

stop:

is

stop:

there

stop:

to

stop:

do?”
“Well,

stop:

our

stop:

first

stop:

activity

stop:

is

stop:

right

stop:

over

stop:

there.”

stop:

He

stop:

pointed

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

edge

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

fairgrounds.
Tall

stop:

yellow

stop:

stalks

stop:

ran

stop:

the

stop:

length of

stop:

the

stop:

lot. “The

stop:

corn field?”
“It’s

stop:

not

stop:

just

stop:

a

stop:

cornfield,

stop:

it’s

stop:

a

stop:

corn

stop:

maze.

stop:

I

stop:

help

stop:

them

stop:

set

stop:

it

stop:

up

stop:

every

stop:

year,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

said,

stop:

beaming

stop:

with

stop:

pride.
Anthony

stop:

saw

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s

stop:

eyes

stop:

sparkle

stop:

and

stop:

he

stop:

couldn’t

stop:

help

stop:

but

stop:

grin. “Sounds

stop:

like

stop:

it’s

stop:

special

stop:

to

stop:

you.”
“It

stop:

really

stop:

is.

stop:

And

stop:

I

stop:

can

stop:

get

stop:

in

stop:

for

stop:

free.

stop:

Unless

stop:

you

stop:

don’t

stop:

want

stop:

to.

stop:

As

stop:

I said, I won’t

stop:

make you

stop:

do

stop:

anything

stop:

you

stop:

don’t

stop:

want.”

stop:

The

stop:

dhole

stop:

looked

stop:

to

stop:

Anthony

stop:

with

stop:

an

stop:

expression

stop:

of

stop:

reluctant

stop:

hope.
The

stop:

jackal

stop:

sighed. “You’re

stop:

really

stop:

excited,

stop:

aren’t

stop:

you?”

stop:

Jude

stop:

only

stop:

nodded. “Okay,

stop:

let’s

stop:

go.”
“Great,

stop:

come

stop:

on!”

stop:

Before

stop:

Anthony

stop:

could

stop:

reply,

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

ran

stop:

off.
“Hey,”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

called, “wait

stop:

up.”
“Hi

stop:

John!”

stop:

Jude

stop:

shouted

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

ram

stop:

by

stop:

the

stop:

field. “Jackal’s

stop:

with

stop:

me!”

stop:

He

stop:

pointed

stop:

over

stop:

his

stop:

shoulder

stop:

as

stop:

he

stop:

bolted

stop:

past

stop:

the

stop:

older

stop:

man

stop:

and

stop:

into

stop:

the

stop:

maze.
Anthony

stop:

chuckled

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s

stop:

exuberance

stop:

and

stop:

stopped

stop:

by

stop:

the

stop:

ram. “Umm,

stop:

thank

stop:

you

stop:

for

stop:

letting

stop:

us

stop:

in.”
John

stop:

chuckled. “No

stop:

need

stop:

to

stop:

thank

stop:

me.

stop:

Nice

stop:

to

stop:

see

stop:

that

stop:

pup

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

friend.”

stop:

The

stop:

ram

stop:

winked. “Go

stop:

on

stop:

and

stop:

have

stop:

fun.”
“T-thank

stop:

you.”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

walked

stop:

in.

stop:

His

stop:

ears

stop:

lowered

stop:

as

stop:

he

stop:

thought

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

ram’s insinuation.

stop:

Was

stop:

that what

stop:

I

stop:

think

stop:

it

stop:

was?

stop:

Does

stop:

he

stop:

think

stop:

Jude

stop:

likes me?

stop:

His stomach began

stop:

to

stop:

flutter

stop:

and

stop:

his

stop:

ears

stop:

grew

stop:

warm

stop:

again

stop:

as

stop:

a

stop:

grin

stop:

crossed

stop:

his

stop:

muzzle.

stop:

No,

stop:

no,

stop:

no.

stop:

I

stop:

can’t.

stop:

Flat,

stop:

golden

stop:

stalks of

stop:

corn

stop:

crunched

stop:

underfoot

stop:

and

stop:

brought

stop:

him

stop:

back

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

present.

stop:

A

stop:

slight

stop:

breeze

stop:

rustled

stop:

the

stop:

dry

stop:

leaves

stop:

as

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

followed

stop:

the

stop:

twists

stop:

and

stop:

turns

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

maze.

stop:

The

stop:

deeper

stop:

in

stop:

he

stop:

got,

stop:

the

stop:

quieter

stop:

it

stop:

became.
“Jude?”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

called out. “Where

stop:

are

stop:

you?”
“Come

stop:

on,

stop:

slowpoke.

stop:

I’m

stop:

just

stop:

up

stop:

ahead.”
The

stop:

jackal

stop:

started

stop:

to

stop:

jog,

stop:

trying

stop:

to

stop:

catch

stop:

up. “You’re

stop:

not

stop:

going

stop:

to

stop:

jump

stop:

out

stop:

and

stop:

scare

stop:

me,

stop:

are

stop:

you?” As

stop:

he rounded

stop:

the corner,

stop:

Anthony

stop:

found

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

coming

stop:

back

stop:

towards

stop:

him

stop:

and

stop:

jumped

stop:

back.
Jude

stop:

stopped

stop:

right

stop:

in

stop:

front

stop:

of

stop:

him. “No.

stop:

And

stop:

you’re

stop:

taking

stop:

forever.

stop:

Come

stop:

on

stop:

We’re

stop:

almost

stop:

to

stop:

my

stop:

favorite

stop:

part

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

maze.”
“I’m

stop:

coming,

stop:

sheesh.

stop:

Let

stop:

me

stop:

enjoy

stop:

this

stop:

place,

stop:

okay?”

stop:

The

stop:

jackal

stop:

chuckled.
“Fine,”

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

sighed.

stop:

He

stop:

stuffed

stop:

his

stop:

paws

stop:

in

stop:

his

stop:

pocket

stop:

and

stop:

walked

stop:

beside

stop:

the

stop:

jackal. “You

stop:

really

stop:

like

stop:

this

stop:

place?”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

asked.
Jude

stop:

closed

stop:

his

stop:

eyes

stop:

and

stop:

took

stop:

a

stop:

deep

stop:

breath,

stop:

nodding. “Yeah,

stop:

I

stop:

do.”

stop:

He

stop:

reached

stop:

out

stop:

his

stop:

paw,

stop:

rustling

stop:

the

stop:

corn

stop:

stalks.
“What

stop:

makes

stop:

it

stop:

so

stop:

special?”

stop:

he

stop:

asked.
“Man,

stop:

so

stop:

much.

stop:

I

stop:

love

stop:

the

stop:

smell

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

air,

stop:

the

stop:

cool

stop:

breeze that

stop:

blows

stop:

through.

stop:

And

stop:

this,”

stop:

he

stop:

said,

stop:

pointing

stop:

to

stop:

an

stop:

opening

stop:

in

stop:

the

stop:

maze.

stop:

As

stop:

they

stop:

walked

stop:

out,

stop:

the

stop:

two

stop:

stood

stop:

in

stop:

a

stop:

massive

stop:

circle

stop:

with

stop:

three

stop:

exits.

stop:

Stalks

stop:

were

stop:

pressed

stop:

flat

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

ground

stop:

with

stop:

yellow

stop:

hay

stop:

mixed

stop:

in,

stop:

keeping

stop:

them

stop:

down.

stop:

Square

stop:

bales

stop:

were

stop:

scattered

stop:

about.
Jude

stop:

walked

stop:

forward

stop:

and

stop:

sat

stop:

on

stop:

one

stop:

in

stop:

the

stop:

center. “I

stop:

feel,”

stop:

he

stop:

paused,

stop:

picking

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

hay. “I

stop:

feel

stop:

so

stop:

many

stop:

things

stop:

here.”

stop:

The

stop:

dhole

stop:

looked

stop:

up

stop:

at

stop:

Anthony

stop:

and

stop:

patted

stop:

the

stop:

space

stop:

beside

stop:

him.
The

stop:

jackal

stop:

looked

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

spot

stop:

beside

stop:

Jude. Lord

stop:

knows

stop:

I

stop:

want

stop:

to.

stop:

But…

stop:

I

stop:

shouldn’t.

stop:

Instead,

stop:

he

stop:

sat

stop:

on

stop:

a

stop:

hay

stop:

bale

stop:

nearest

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

dhole,

stop:

giving

stop:

him

stop:

his

stop:

full

stop:

attention.
Jude

stop:

held

stop:

his

stop:

smile. “When

stop:

its

stop:

busy

stop:

here,

stop:

or

stop:

when

stop:

we’re

stop:

setting

stop:

up,

stop:

I

stop:

feel

stop:

such

stop:

a

stop:

sense

stop:

of

stop:

community.”

stop:

The

stop:

dhole

stop:

picked

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

hay

stop:

again. “Creating

stop:

something

stop:

like

stop:

this

stop:

is

stop:

hard

stop:

work

stop:

but

stop:

so

stop:

rewarding.

stop:

And

stop:

on

stop:

a

stop:

busy

stop:

day

stop:

I

stop:

get

stop:

to

stop:

see

stop:

everyone

stop:

running

stop:

around,”

stop:

he

stop:

sighed, “I

stop:

feel

stop:

such

stop:

joy

stop:

and

stop:

belonging.”

stop:

Jude

stop:

laid

stop:

back,

stop:

neck

stop:

flopping

stop:

over

stop:

the

stop:

edge

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

hay bale.
“And

stop:

times

stop:

like

stop:

this,

stop:

when

stop:

it’s

stop:

quiet

stop:

and

stop:

I’m

stop:

by

stop:

myself,”

stop:

he

stop:

smiled

stop:

with

stop:

his

stop:

eyes

stop:

closed, “I

stop:

don’t

stop:

feel

stop:

alone.”
Anthony

stop:

sat

stop:

in

stop:

silence

stop:

before

stop:

moving

stop:

beside

stop:

the

stop:

dhole. “You’re

stop:

not

stop:

alone,”

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

said. “I’m

stop:

here.”
The

stop:

dhole

stop:

sat

stop:

up,

stop:

tail

stop:

hitting

stop:

the

stop:

hay

stop:

bale as it

stop:

wagged. “Thanks.”

stop:

Their

stop:

eyes

stop:

met,

stop:

happiness

stop:

easily

stop:

seen

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

other’s

stop:

face.
Jude

stop:

set

stop:

his

stop:

paw

stop:

on

stop:

Anthony’s,

stop:

causing

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

to

stop:

look.

stop:

Is

stop:

he…

stop:

Are

stop:

we

stop:

holding

stop:

paws?

stop:

He

stop:

coughed

stop:

and

stop:

moved

stop:

his

stop:

back

stop:

to

stop:

his

stop:

lap,

stop:

looking

stop:

around.

stop:

A

stop:

new

stop:

tension

stop:

crept

stop:

into

stop:

the

stop:

air.
“Okay,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

stood

stop:

and

stop:

stretched

stop:

back, “So,

stop:

we

stop:

have

stop:

two

stop:

ways

stop:

out.”

stop:

He

stop:

pointed

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

paths

stop:

ahead

stop:

of

stop:

them. “Left

stop:

is

stop:

point-to-point,

stop:

like

stop:

the

stop:

first

stop:

half.

stop:

Right

stop:

is

stop:

more

stop:

like

stop:

a

stop:

traditional

stop:

maze.”

stop:

He

stop:

looked

stop:

back

stop:

to

stop:

Anthony. “Which

stop:

way

stop:

do

stop:

you

stop:

want

stop:

to

stop:

go?”
The

stop:

jackal

stop:

thought

stop:

a

stop:

moment. “Which

stop:

do

stop:

you

stop:

like

stop:

more?”
“With

stop:

a

stop:

friend?”

stop:

Jude

stop:

put

stop:

a

stop:

paw

stop:

on

stop:

his

stop:

chin. “I

stop:

prefer

stop:

an

stop:

activity.”

stop:

He

stop:

grinned

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

jackal.
“‘An

stop:

activity?’”
“Tag!”

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

shouted,

stop:

tapping

stop:

Anthony’s shoulder, “you’re it!”

stop:

He

stop:

ran

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

right

stop:

path.
“Hey,

stop:

I

stop:

wasn’t

stop:

ready!”

stop:

And

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

chased

stop:

after

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s

stop:

wagging

stop:

tail.
#
The

stop:

jackal

stop:

moved

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

front

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

house

stop:

to

stop:

admire

stop:

their

stop:

work.

stop:

Into

stop:

the

stop:

flesh

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

pumpkin

stop:

he

stop:

chose,

stop:

Anthony

stop:

had

stop:

carved

stop:

a

stop:

large

stop:

jackal-lantern

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

crooked

stop:

smile

stop:

and

stop:

triangular

stop:

ears.

stop:

Jude’s

stop:

was

stop:

with

stop:

rounded

stop:

ears.
Anthony’s

stop:

tail

stop:

wagged. “I’m

stop:

happy

stop:

with

stop:

how

stop:

it

stop:

turned

stop:

out.

stop:

Especially

stop:

for

stop:

my

stop:

first

stop:

try.”
“Oh

stop:

yeah.

stop:

They

stop:

look

stop:

great,”

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

said. “Hey

stop:

give

stop:

me

stop:

a

stop:

sec,

stop:

okay?”
After

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

nodded,

stop:

Jude

stop:

ran

stop:

inside.

stop:

Standing

stop:

there,

stop:

Anthony

stop:

watched

stop:

the

stop:

flames

stop:

dance

stop:

in

stop:

the

stop:

afternoon

stop:

light.
A

stop:

moment

stop:

later,

stop:

Jude

stop:

walked

stop:

back

stop:

with

stop:

two

stop:

brown

stop:

bottles.

stop:

As he

stop:

stood beside the jackal,

stop:

he handed

stop:

a

stop:

beer

stop:

to

stop:

him.

stop:

Anthony

stop:

looked

stop:

from

stop:

it

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

dhole. “Isn’t

stop:

it

stop:

a

stop:

bit

stop:

early

stop:

to

stop:

be

stop:

drinking?”
Jude

stop:

shook

stop:

his

stop:

head. “Special

stop:

occasion.

stop:

Besides,

stop:

it’s

stop:

part

stop:

of

stop:

your

stop:

education.

stop:

It’s

stop:

a

stop:

pumpkin

stop:

ale.”

stop:

The

stop:

dhole

stop:

turned

stop:

the

stop:

label

stop:

towards

stop:

him. “This

stop:

brewer

stop:

only

stop:

releases

stop:

this

stop:

style

stop:

around

stop:

this

stop:

time

stop:

every

stop:

year.

stop:

But

stop:

you

stop:

can

stop:

say ‘no’

stop:

if

stop:

you

stop:

don’t

stop:

want

stop:

it.”
“Well,

stop:

if

stop:

it’s seasonal.”

stop:

He

stop:

took

stop:

the

stop:

cold

stop:

bottle

stop:

from

stop:

Jude. “And

stop:

your

stop:

parents

stop:

won’t

stop:

care

stop:

we’re

stop:

drinking

stop:

their

stop:

beer?”
The

stop:

dhole

stop:

shook

stop:

his

stop:

head. “If

stop:

I

stop:

pay

stop:

them

stop:

back

stop:

they

stop:

won’t.

stop:

Besides,

stop:

they’re

stop:

out

stop:

for

stop:

the

stop:

weekend.

stop:

Got

stop:

the

stop:

place

stop:

to

stop:

ourselves.

stop:

Enjoy

stop:

the

stop:

freedom.”
“In

stop:

that

stop:

case,

stop:

thanks.”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

raised

stop:

his

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s.
“Cheers,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

touched

stop:

his

stop:

bottle to

stop:

the

stop:

jackals

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

soft

stop:

clink

stop:

before

stop:

they

stop:

both

stop:

drank.
Flavors

stop:

of

stop:

pumpkin

stop:

and

stop:

spices

stop:

melded

stop:

with

stop:

the

stop:

amber

stop:

beer. “Wow,

stop:

that’s

stop:

unique”
Jude

stop:

smiled. “You

stop:

like

stop:

it?”
“Yeah.

stop:

It’s

stop:

just

stop:

so

stop:

different.

stop:

In

stop:

a

stop:

good

stop:

way.”
The

stop:

dhole

stop:

sipped

stop:

his

stop:

beer

stop:

again. “I’m

stop:

happy

stop:

it’s

stop:

not

stop:

that

stop:

cold

stop:

out.”

stop:

He

stop:

walked

stop:

up

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

porch

stop:

and

stop:

returned

stop:

with

stop:

two

stop:

plastic

stop:

folding

stop:

chairs

stop:

in

stop:

paw

stop:

and

stop:

set

stop:

one

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

lawn. “Still

stop:

comfortable

stop:

enough

stop:

to

stop:

sit

stop:

outside,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

said

stop:

as

stop:

he

stop:

set

stop:

down

stop:

the

stop:

second

stop:

and

stop:

flopped

stop:

into

stop:

it.

stop:

He

stop:

pointed

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

empty

stop:

one

stop:

with

stop:

his

stop:

bottle. “Take

stop:

a

stop:

seat.”
Anthony

stop:

sat

stop:

down

stop:

and

stop:

sipped

stop:

his

stop:

beer

stop:

again.

stop:

As

stop:

he

stop:

pulled

stop:

the

stop:

cross

stop:

around

stop:

his

stop:

neck,

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

stared

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

pumpkins.

stop:

The

stop:

candle light

stop:

moved

stop:

and

stop:

flickered,

stop:

creating

stop:

light

stop:

and

stop:

shadows

stop:

along

stop:

the

stop:

edge

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

faces

stop:

carved

stop:

into

stop:

the

stop:

squash. “Looks

stop:

a

stop:

lot

stop:

neater

stop:

than

stop:

I

stop:

expected;

stop:

never

stop:

really

stop:

watched

stop:

a

stop:

flame

stop:

move

stop:

like

stop:

that.”

stop:

His

stop:

tail

stop:

wagged.
“They

stop:

look

stop:

better

stop:

the

stop:

darker

stop:

it

stop:

gets,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

said.
Anthony

stop:

nodded. “Seeing

stop:

the

stop:

faces

stop:

shine

stop:

through

stop:

the

stop:

night

stop:

must

stop:

be

stop:

really

stop:

cool.”
A

stop:

comfortable

stop:

silence

stop:

set

stop:

between

stop:

the

stop:

two. “So,

stop:

you’ve

stop:

never

stop:

done

stop:

anything

stop:

like

stop:

this

stop:

before?”

stop:

Jude

stop:

asked.
“What,

stop:

drink

stop:

beer

stop:

while

stop:

watching

stop:

a

stop:

jackal-lantern

stop:

flicker

stop:

in

stop:

the

stop:

afternoon?”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

chuckled

stop:

and

stop:

shook

stop:

his

stop:

head. “Nah.

stop:

My

stop:

mom

stop:

said

stop:

it

stop:

was

stop:

all

stop:

devil

stop:

worship –

stop:

the

stop:

carving,

stop:

not

stop:

the

stop:

beer.

stop:

Though

stop:

she

stop:

wouldn’t

stop:

let

stop:

us

stop:

drink,

stop:

either.”
“That

stop:

must

stop:

have

stop:

made

stop:

watching

stop:

TV

stop:

tough

stop:

with

stop:

all

stop:

the

stop:

Halloween

stop:

specials,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

said
Anthony

stop:

scoffed. “She

stop:

wouldn’t

stop:

let

stop:

us

stop:

watch

stop:

TV.

stop:

Heck,

stop:

books

stop:

had

stop:

to

stop:

be

stop:

snuck

stop:

in

stop:

and

stop:

out

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

house.

stop:

The

stop:

only

stop:

ones

stop:

I

stop:

didn’t

stop:

have

stop:

to

stop:

sneak

stop:

were

stop:

my

stop:

bible

stop:

and

stop:

school books.

stop:

And

stop:

even

stop:

then

stop:

I

stop:

had

stop:

to

stop:

prove

stop:

it

stop:

was

stop:

for

stop:

a

stop:

school

stop:

assignment

stop:

if

stop:

she

stop:

hadn’t

stop:

read

stop:

it

stop:

yet.”

stop:

The

stop:

jackal

stop:

sighed. “Which

stop:

was

stop:

often.”

stop:

He

stop:

rubbed

stop:

the

stop:

bridge

stop:

of

stop:

his

stop:

muzzle. “Safe

stop:

to

stop:

say

stop:

I

stop:

got

stop:

real

stop:

comfortable

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

school

stop:

library.”
“Freedom

stop:

to

stop:

read?”

stop:

Jude

stop:

asked.
“Freedom

stop:

in

stop:

general.”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

threw out

stop:

his

stop:

legs

stop:

and

stop:

arm. “I

stop:

had

stop:

books

stop:

galore

stop:

and

stop:

internet

stop:

access

stop:

for

stop:

research.

stop:

And

stop:

some

stop:

personal

stop:

use.

stop:

I

stop:

didn’t

stop:

have

stop:

to

stop:

worry

stop:

about

stop:

my

stop:

mom

stop:

checking

stop:

my

stop:

browsing

stop:

history.”
Jude

stop:

grinned as

stop:

Anthony

stop:

sipped

stop:

his

stop:

beer. “Didn’t

stop:

want her

stop:

to

stop:

see

stop:

the

stop:

porn

stop:

sites

stop:

you

stop:

were

stop:

on?”
Anthony

stop:

choked

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

liquid. “No!”

stop:

he

stop:

said

stop:

between

stop:

laughing

stop:

coughs. “The

stop:

school’s

stop:

computers

stop:

were

stop:

firewalled,

stop:

too.

stop:

But

stop:

I

stop:

looked

stop:

up

stop:

sports

stop:

information

stop:

or

stop:

theatre

stop:

stuff.

stop:

You

stop:

know,

stop:

so

stop:

I

stop:

could

stop:

follow

stop:

conversations

stop:

with

stop:

other

stop:

kids.”
Jude

stop:

nodded. “I

stop:

can

stop:

understand

stop:

that.”

stop:

He

stop:

sipped

stop:

his

stop:

beer

stop:

as

stop:

another

stop:

silence

stop:

fell

stop:

between

stop:

them. “Is

stop:

that

stop:

why

stop:

you’re

stop:

still

stop:

trying

stop:

to

stop:

see

stop:

your

stop:

faith

stop:

as

stop:

your

stop:

own?”
“Partially.”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

shrugged. “I

stop:

mean,

stop:

I

stop:

feel

stop:

like

stop:

a

stop:

lot

stop:

of

stop:

fun

stop:

things

stop:

are,

stop:

well,

stop:

wrong.

stop:

I

stop:

heard

stop:

stuff

stop:

equating

stop:

all

stop:

fiction

stop:

about

stop:

magic

stop:

to

stop:

devil

stop:

worship.”

stop:

The

stop:

jackal sighed. “But

stop:

then, I

stop:

heard

stop:

the

stop:

pastor

stop:

preaching

stop:

about

stop:

how

stop:

God

stop:

is

stop:

love.

stop:

Hearing

stop:

both

stop:

ends

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

spectrum is

stop:

hard.”

stop:

Anthony’s

stop:

ears

stop:

fell

stop:

and

stop:

his

stop:

gaze

stop:

lowered.
“I

stop:

can

stop:

understand

stop:

that,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

said. “I

stop:

mean,

stop:

I

stop:

went

stop:

to

stop:

a

stop:

different

stop:

church,

stop:

of

stop:

course,

stop:

but

stop:

I

stop:

remember

stop:

hearing

stop:

some

stop:

of

stop:

that

stop:

stuff,

stop:

too.”
The

stop:

two sat

stop:

in

stop:

silence,

stop:

drinking

stop:

their

stop:

beers.

stop:

Jude

stop:

tipped

stop:

his

stop:

head

stop:

back,

stop:

draining

stop:

the

stop:

contents

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

bottle

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

happy

stop:

sigh.
“I

stop:

really

stop:

do

stop:

hope

stop:

you’re

stop:

able

stop:

to

stop:

come

stop:

to

stop:

terms

stop:

with,”

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

waved

stop:

in

stop:

Anthony’s

stop:

direction, “whatever

stop:

you

stop:

are

stop:

having

stop:

troubles

stop:

with.”

stop:

He

stop:

set

stop:

the

stop:

empty

stop:

bottle

stop:

down. “And

stop:

if

stop:

you

stop:

ever

stop:

need

stop:

help,

stop:

I’m

stop:

here.”

stop:

Jude

stop:

placed a

stop:

comforting

stop:

paw

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

jackal’s shoulder. “For

stop:

anything.

stop:

Faith,

stop:

school.

stop:

Girls.”
Yeah

stop:

right,

stop:

girls.

stop:

Anthony

stop:

scoffed. “Thanks,

stop:

I’ll

stop:

keep

stop:

that

stop:

in

stop:

mind,”

stop:

he

stop:

said,

stop:

trying

stop:

to

stop:

sound

stop:

positive.
Jude’s

stop:

phone

stop:

started

stop:

to

stop:

chime. “Time

stop:

for

stop:

more

stop:

pumpkin

stop:

magic.”

stop:

He

stop:

turned

stop:

off

stop:

the

stop:

alarm,

stop:

grabbed

stop:

the

stop:

bottle

stop:

in

stop:

one

stop:

paw

stop:

and

stop:

folded

stop:

the

stop:

chair

stop:

with

stop:

the

stop:

other

stop:

before

stop:

carrying

stop:

it

stop:

back

stop:

up

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

porch.
Anthony

stop:

sat

stop:

there

stop:

for

stop:

another

stop:

moment,

stop:

watching

stop:

the

stop:

flames

stop:

in

stop:

the

stop:

pumpkins

stop:

dance.
“You

stop:

coming?”

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

called.
“Huh?

stop:

Oh,

stop:

yeah.”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

finished

stop:

his

stop:

beer

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

sigh

stop:

and

stop:

stood,

stop:

collapsing

stop:

his

stop:

chair

stop:

before

stop:

setting

stop:

it

stop:

alongside

stop:

the

stop:

other

stop:

and

stop:

walked

stop:

back

stop:

inside.
“Any

stop:

issues

stop:

with

stop:

paprika

stop:

or

stop:

almonds?”

stop:

Jude

stop:

asked

stop:

from

stop:

the

stop:

kitchen.
Anthony

stop:

followed

stop:

the

stop:

sound

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s

stop:

voice. “None

stop:

that

stop:

I

stop:

know

stop:

of.”
“Good

stop:

to

stop:

hear,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

gave

stop:

the

stop:

bowl

stop:

a

stop:

shake.
Light

stop:

glistened

stop:

off

stop:

the

stop:

seeds

stop:

and

stop:

nuts. “Are

stop:

the

stop:

seeds

stop:

shining?”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

asked.
“Olive

stop:

oil,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

responded.

stop:

After

stop:

a

stop:

few

stop:

more

stop:

tosses,

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

spread

stop:

them

stop:

out

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

sheet

stop:

again. “Twenty

stop:

more

stop:

minutes.

stop:

Then

stop:

snack

stop:

time.”

stop:

He

stop:

smiled

stop:

as

stop:

he

stop:

washed

stop:

his

stop:

paws. “Hey,

stop:

do

stop:

you

stop:

like

stop:

musicals?”
Anthony

stop:

scratched

stop:

his

stop:

head. “I

stop:

mean,

stop:

I

stop:

saw

stop:

a

stop:

few

stop:

in

stop:

school,

stop:

but

stop:

not

stop:

many.

stop:

I

stop:

like them

stop:

well

stop:

enough,

stop:

I

stop:

guess.

stop:

Why,

stop:

is

stop:

there

stop:

a

stop:

Halloween-themed one

stop:

you

stop:

know

stop:

of?”
Jude

stop:

grinned. “A

stop:

few,

stop:

actually.

stop:

Though one’s

stop:

more of

stop:

a

stop:

Christmas

stop:

film

stop:

in

stop:

my

stop:

mind.”
Anthony

stop:

checked

stop:

his

stop:

phone. “I’m

stop:

not

stop:

sure

stop:

if

stop:

I

stop:

have

stop:

the time

stop:

for

stop:

two

stop:

movies.”
“Well,

stop:

I

stop:

was

stop:

only

stop:

planning

stop:

on

stop:

watching

stop:

one

stop:

tonight.

stop:

But

stop:

if

stop:

you’re

stop:

interested,

stop:

I

stop:

have

stop:

a

stop:

big

stop:

bed

stop:

and

stop:

some

stop:

extra

stop:

clothes.

stop:

Want to

stop:

stay over?”

stop:

the

stop:

dhole asked, drying

stop:

his

stop:

paws on

stop:

a

stop:

small

stop:

towel.
“I

stop:

haven’t

stop:

had

stop:

a

stop:

sleepover

stop:

before.”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

wrung

stop:

his

stop:

paws

stop:

in

stop:

front

stop:

of

stop:

himself. “I

stop:

didn’t

stop:

have

stop:

any

stop:

friends that

stop:

Mom

stop:

approved

stop:

to

stop:

spend

stop:

the

stop:

night. I’d

stop:

like

stop:

to

stop:

stay,

stop:

if

stop:

you

stop:

don’t

stop:

mind.”
“Great!”

stop:

Jude

stop:

pointed

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

to

stop:

the

stop:

living

stop:

room. “Sit

stop:

down

stop:

and

stop:

get

stop:

comfy.

stop:

I’m

stop:

going to

stop:

order us

stop:

a

stop:

pizza

stop:

and

stop:

I’ll

stop:

be

stop:

there

stop:

in

stop:

a

stop:

moment.”
Anthony

stop:

made

stop:

his

stop:

way

stop:

out

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

kitchen

stop:

and

stop:

sat

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

couch.

stop:

As

stop:

he

stop:

took

stop:

another

stop:

drink

stop:

of

stop:

his

stop:

beer,

stop:

a

stop:

pleasant

stop:

buzz

stop:

began

stop:

between

stop:

his

stop:

eyes

stop:

and

stop:

his

stop:

body

stop:

relaxed

stop:

into

stop:

the

stop:

cushion.

stop:

He

stop:

heard

stop:

the

stop:

dhole

stop:

chatter

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

phone

stop:

and

stop:

he

stop:

closed

stop:

his

stop:

eyes.

stop:

A

stop:

smiled

stop:

crossed

stop:

the

stop:

jackal’s

stop:

muzzle

stop:

as

stop:

he

stop:

focused

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

musicality

stop:

of

stop:

his

stop:

voice,

stop:

the

stop:

lilt

stop:

and

stop:

lift

stop:

of

stop:

it.
With

stop:

a

stop:

sigh,

stop:

he

stop:

sat

stop:

up

stop:

and

stop:

started

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

movie

stop:

collection

stop:

under

stop:

the

stop:

TV.

stop:

When

stop:

he

stop:

heard

stop:

Jude

stop:

end

stop:

the

stop:

call,

stop:

Anthony

stop:

spoke

stop:

up. “What

stop:

are

stop:

we

stop:

about

stop:

to

stop:

watch?”
Jude

stop:

chuckled,

stop:

walking

stop:

back

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

fresh

stop:

six-pack

stop:

and

stop:

a

stop:

bowl

stop:

of

stop:

seeds

stop:

and

stop:

nuts. “You’ll

stop:

just

stop:

have

stop:

to

stop:

wait

stop:

and

stop:

see.

stop:

I

stop:

mean,

stop:

if

stop:

we’re

stop:

going

stop:

to

stop:

corrupt

stop:

you

stop:

today,

stop:

we’re

stop:

doing

stop:

this

stop:

right.”

stop:

He

stop:

grinned

stop:

at

stop:

Anthony

stop:

before

stop:

turning

stop:

towards

stop:

his

stop:

entertainment

stop:

center

stop:

and

stop:

squatting

stop:

down

stop:

again.
The

stop:

jackal

stop:

took

stop:

a

stop:

pawful

stop:

from

stop:

the bowl

stop:

and

stop:

tossed

stop:

it in

stop:

his

stop:

mouth. “Oh

stop:

wow,

stop:

these

stop:

are

stop:

good.”

stop:

He

stop:

took

stop:

another

stop:

scoop. “Everything

stop:

crunches

stop:

nicely

stop:

and

stop:

you

stop:

don’t

stop:

have

stop:

to

stop:

worry

stop:

about

stop:

the

stop:

shells.

stop:

And

stop:

the

stop:

flavor

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

seasoning

stop:

is

stop:

subtle,

stop:

too.”
“So

stop:

good,

stop:

right? It’s

stop:

that

stop:

pumpkin

stop:

magic.”
Anthony

stop:

stared

stop:

at

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s

stop:

wagging

stop:

tail

stop:

and

stop:

his

stop:

eye

stop:

drifted

stop:

lower

stop:

where his

stop:

jeans

stop:

became

stop:

taut,

stop:

cupping

stop:

the

stop:

dhole’s

stop:

firm

stop:

rear.

stop:

His

stop:

butt

stop:

looks

stop:

really

stop:

nice

stop:

in

stop:

those

stop:

jeans.

stop:

He

stop:

shook

stop:

his

stop:

head,

stop:

ears

stop:

flapping

stop:

against

stop:

his

stop:

head.

stop:

Wait,

stop:

stop

stop:

that!
“You

stop:

say

stop:

something?”

stop:

Jude

stop:

asked

stop:

over

stop:

his

stop:

shoulder.      
“Nothing,”

stop:

Anthony

stop:

flicked

stop:

his

stop:

ear. “Just

stop:

chewing

stop:

on

stop:

some

stop:

of

stop:

the

stop:

seeds.”
“Okay.”

stop:

The

stop:

dhole

stop:

grabbed a

stop:

remote

stop:

and

stop:

sat

stop:

beside

stop:

the

stop:

jackal. “Now,

stop:

I

stop:

will

stop:

say,

stop:

this

stop:

movie

stop:

hasn’t

stop:

aged

stop:

very

stop:

well.

stop:

But

stop:

it

stop:

is

stop:

still

stop:

a

stop:

lot

stop:

of

stop:

fun. It’s

stop:

really

stop:

campy

stop:

and

stop:

a

stop:

hit

stop:

with…

stop:

unusual

stop:

folks.”
Anthony

stop:

tilted

stop:

his

stop:

head. “What

stop:

do

stop:

you

stop:

mean?”
“Let’s

stop:

just

stop:

say

stop:

your

stop:

mother

stop:

wouldn’t have

stop:

approved

stop:

of

stop:

this

stop:

film.”
“That

stop:

doesn’t

stop:

surprise

stop:

me.”
“I

stop:

think

stop:

it

stop:

might

stop:

be

stop:

better

stop:

if

stop:

I

stop:

showed

stop:

you

stop:

instead.

stop:

But

stop:

if

stop:

you

stop:

don’t

stop:

like

stop:

it,

stop:

just

stop:

say

stop:

and

stop:

we’ll

stop:

turn

stop:

it

stop:

off.”
“Okay,”

stop:

the

stop:

jackal

stop:

said

stop:

with

stop:

a

stop:

hint of

stop:

confusion.
“Let

stop:

the

stop:

show

stop:

begin,”

stop:

Jude

stop:

said,

stop:

starting

stop:

the

stop:

film.

stop:

As

stop:

the

stop:

production

stop:

company’s

stop:

name

stop:

rolled

stop:

by,

stop:

the

stop:

screen

stop:

went

stop:

dark…


This

stop:

was

stop:

the

stop:

first

stop:

of

stop:

two

stop:

parts

stop:

of “Firsts”

stop:

byTJ

stop:

Minde,

stop:

read for you by Ta’kom Ironhoof, the Equine Charmer. Tune in next

stop:

time,

stop:

when

stop:

we'll

stop:

pick

stop:

up

stop:

with

stop:

Anthony

stop:

and

stop:

Jude

stop:

and

stop:

see

stop:

how

stop:

the

stop:

night

stop:

ends.

As

stop:

always,

stop:

you

stop:

can

stop:

find

stop:

more

stop:

stories

stop:

on

stop:

the

stop:

web

stop:

at

stop:

thevoice.dog,

stop:

or

stop:

find

stop:

the

stop:

show

stop:

wherever

stop:

you

stop:

get

stop:

your

stop:

podcasts.

stop:

Thank

stop:

you

stop:

for

stop:

listening

stop:

to

stop:

The

stop:

Ghost

stop:

of

stop:

Dog.

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About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Voice of Dog
The Voice of Dog
Furry stories to warm the ol' cockles, read by Rob MacWolf and guests. If you have a story that would suit the show, you can get in touch with @VoiceOfDog@meow.social on Mastodon, @voiceofdog.bsky.social on Blue Sky, or @Theodwulf on Telegram.

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Khaki