full
“Reclamation” by Timber Donk (read by Ta'kom)
When Theo and his friends break into his deceased grandfather’s house, they only intend to retrieve his childhood belongings. Things get more complicated when they realize they are not alone in the house.
Today’s story is “Reclamation” by TimberDonk, and is dedicated to the rat who helped edit it. TimberDonk is a comic artist and author. His current comic, The Devil of Altar Lake, is currently running on his Patreon. You can find more of his work on his Bluesky account.
Read by Ta’kom Ironhoof, the Equine Charmer.
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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/reclamation-by-timber-donk
Transcript
You’re
Speaker:listening
Speaker:to
Speaker:Pride
Speaker:Month
Speaker:on
Speaker:The
Speaker:Voice
Speaker:of
Speaker:Dog.
Speaker:This
Speaker:is
Speaker:Rob
Speaker:MacWolf,
Speaker:your
Speaker:fellow
Speaker:traveler,
Speaker:and
Speaker:Today’s
Speaker:story
Speaker:is “Reclamation”
Speaker:by
Speaker:TimberDonk,
Speaker:and
Speaker:is
Speaker:dedicated
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:rat
Speaker:who
Speaker:helped
Speaker:edit
Speaker:it.
Speaker:TimberDonk
Speaker:is
Speaker:a
Speaker:comic
Speaker:artist
Speaker:and
Speaker:author.
Speaker:His
Speaker:current
Speaker:comic,
Speaker:The
Speaker:Devil
Speaker:of
Speaker:Altar
Speaker:Lake,
Speaker:is
Speaker:currently
Speaker:running
Speaker:on
Speaker:his
Speaker:Patreon.
Speaker:You
Speaker:can
Speaker:find
Speaker:more
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:work
Speaker:on
Speaker:his
Speaker:Bluesky
Speaker:account.
Read
by
Speaker:Ta’kom
Speaker:Ironhoof,
Speaker:the Equine
Speaker:Charmer.
It
all
Speaker:well
Speaker:and
Speaker:good
Speaker:to
Speaker:be
Speaker:accustomed
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:polite,
Speaker:celebratory,
Speaker:festival
Speaker:face
Speaker:of
Speaker:Pride.
Speaker:But
Speaker:we
Speaker:must
Speaker:not
Speaker:forget
Speaker:that
Speaker:the
Speaker:first
Speaker:Pride
Speaker:was
Speaker:a
Speaker:riot,
Speaker:and
Speaker:that
Speaker:those
Speaker:who
Speaker:wish
Speaker:to
Speaker:stamp
Speaker:it,
Speaker:and
Speaker:us,
Speaker:out
Speaker:by
Speaker:force
Speaker:are
Speaker:still
Speaker:here.
Speaker:Let
Speaker:us
Speaker:remember,
Speaker:then,
Speaker:it
Speaker:is
Speaker:they
Speaker:and
Speaker:not
Speaker:us
Speaker:that
Speaker:are
Speaker:unnatural,
Speaker:and
Speaker:that
Speaker:all
Speaker:we
Speaker:have
Speaker:gained
Speaker:since
Speaker:the
Speaker:first,
Speaker:riotous
Speaker:pride,
Speaker:has
Speaker:not
Speaker:been
Speaker:the
Speaker:work
Speaker:of
Speaker:conquest,
Speaker:but
of:
“Reclamation”
by
of:Timber
of:Donk
Theo
and
of:his
of:friends
of:stood
of:outside
of:his
of:grandfather’s
of:house
of:at
of:the
of:witching
of:hour.
of:This
of:was
of:only
of:safe
of:because
of:his
of:grandfather
of:had
of:died
of:three
of:weeks
of:ago.
of:Regardless,
of:Theo’s
of:chest
of:tightened
of:and
of:he
of:had
of:to
of:remember
of:to
of:slow
of:his
of:breathing
of:before
of:his
of:friends
of:noticed
of:his
of:anxiety.
of:They
of:had
of:not
of:hiked
of:through
of:the
of:woods
of:in
of:the
of:rain
of:only
of:to
of:turn
of:back at
of:the
of:finish
of:line.
of:Theo
of:would
of:claim
of:what
of:was
of:his
of:and
of:that
of:was
of:that.
“I’ll
go
of:through
of:the
of:window
of:and
of:unlock
of:the front
of:door,”
of:said
of:Theo. “After
of:that
of:I’ll
of:give
of:you
of:guys
of:a
of:tour
of:of
of:the
of:place.”
of:Droplets
of:clung
of:to
of:his
of:whiskers
of:and
of:his
of:measured
of:breath
of:rose
of:in
of:a
of:vapor
of:before
of:his
of:face.
of:He
of:gripped
of:a
of:duffle
of:bag
of:tight in
of:his
of:paw
of:and
of:brought
of:his
of:eyes up
of:to
of:look
of:at
of:each
of:one
of:of
of:his
of:friends
of:in
of:turn.
He
first
of:looked
of:at
of:Agnes,
of:the
of:possum’s
of:bright
of:face
of:illuminated
of:in
of:spite
of:of
of:the
of:oversized
of:hood
of:shielding
of:her
of:from
of:the
of:rain.
of:Her
of:eyes
of:crinkled
of:as
of:she
of:smiled
of:at
of:Theo.
of:He
of:returned
of:the
of:smile
of:and
of:looked
of:up
of:from
of:her
of:face
of:to
of:Weston’s.
of:The
of:tall
of:canine
of:gave
of:Theo
of:a
of:wolfish
of:grin.
of:It
of:reminded
of:him
of:of
of:the
of:virtue
of:of
of:mischief.
of:He
of:felt
of:less
of:anxious
of:and
of:allowed
of:his
of:own
of:smile
of:to
of:turn
of:as
of:wolfish
of:as
of:a
of:mountain
of:cat’s
of:could.
of:Theo
of:was
of:starting
of:to
of:feel
of:like
of:raising
of:a
of:little
of:hell.
“We’re
with
of:you
of:till
of:the
of:end,”
of:said
of:Agnes.
of:She
of:turned
of:her
of:back
of:to
of:Weston
of:so
of:he
of:could
of:dip
of:a
of:paw
of:into
of:her
of:pack.
of:He
of:withdrew
of:a
of:flashlight
of:and
of:held
of:it
of:out
of:to
of:Theo,
of:but
of:when
of:the
of:feline
of:grasped
of:the
of:handle
of:Weston
of:placed
of:his
of:other
of:paw
of:on
of:top
of:of
of:his.
of:He
of:gave
of:Theo’s
of:paw
of:a
of:little
of:squeeze.
of:His
of:paw
of:pads
of:were
of:warm
of:and
of:soothing
of:in
of:contrast
of:to
of:the
of:crisp
of:torrents.
“I’ll
give
of:you
of:a
of:boost,”
of:said
of:Weston.
of:He
of:let
of:go
of:of
of:Theo
of:and
of:squatted
of:down
of:with
of:his
of:back
of:to
of:the
of:wall.
of:He
of:then
of:cupped
of:his
of:paws
of:into
of:a
of:foothold.
of:Above
of:his
of:head
of:was
of:a
of:window
of:leading
of:to
of:the living
of:room.
of:Theo
of:did
of:not
of:like
of:that
of:he
of:could
of:not
of:see
of:through
of:the
of:glass;
of:the
of:interior
of:of
of:the
of:house
of:was
of:entirely
of:dark
of:and
of:anything
of:could
of:be
of:waiting
of:for
of:him
of:inside.
“Ridiculous.”
Theo
of:said
of:aloud
of:without
of:letting
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston
of:in
of:on
of:the
of:worst
of:case
of:scenario
of:playing
of:through
of:his
of:mind.
of:Weston
of:cocked
of:his
of:head
of:and
of:Agnes
of:giggled.
“Sorry,
that’s
of:not
of:what
of:I
of:meant.”
of:Theo
of:sighed. “He’s
of:dead
of:and
of:we’re
of:safe.
of:Right?”
“So
long
of:as
of:nobody
of:knows
of:we
of:came
of:and
of:went,”
of:said
of:Weston. “Let’s
of:get
of:you
of:out
of:of
of:the
of:rain
of:and
of:into
of:this
of:dead
of:bastard’s
of:house.”
“No
longer
of:HIS
of:house,”
of:Theo
of:murmured,
of:but
of:he
of:placed
of:his
of:foot
of:into
of:Weston’s
of:waiting
of:paws
of:and
of:the
of:canine
of:hoisted
of:his
of:friend
of:up.
of:Theo
of:was
of:suddenly
of:much
of:taller
of:and
of:much
of:more
of:wobbly.
of:He
of:immediately
of:grabbed
of:the
of:window
of:sill
of:to
of:stabilize
of:and
of:got
of:to
of:work.
of:Even
of:though this
of:window
of:had
of:a
of:lock,
of:this
of:was
of:a
of:very
of:old
of:house
of:and
of:had
of:little
of:upkeep.
of:All
of:Theo
of:had
of:to
of:do
of:back
of:in
of:the
of:day
of:was
of:jiggle
of:the
of:loose
of:half
of:of
of:the
of:sliding
of:glass
of:in its
of:frame
of:around
of:the
of:clasp
of:and
of:sneak
of:past
of:his
of:grandfather
of:late
of:at
of:night.
of:Luckily
of:that
of:was
of:still
of:true,
of:and
of:the
of:window
of:slid
of:open.
Theo
climbed
of:through
of:and
of:looked
of:around
of:the
of:space
of:with
of:a
of:knot
of:in
of:his
of:stomach.
of:Little
of:could
of:be
of:seen
of:in
of:the
of:dark,
of:so
of:he
of:switched
of:on
of:the
of:flashlight
of:to
of:make
of:sure
of:he
of:was
of:truly
of:alone.
of:It
of:did
of:little
of:to
of:alleviate
of:his
of:fears;
of:memories
of:started
of:coming
of:back.
of:His
of:eyes
of:darted
of:to
of:the
of:chair
of:his
of:grandfather
of:occupied
of:so
of:often
of:in
of:his
of:later
of:years
of:and
of:he
of:again
of:had
of:to
of:force
of:himself
of:to
of:breathe
of:slowly.
of:In
of:spite
of:of
of:his
of:efforts,
of:Theo
of:felt
of:his
of:fur
of:bristling
of:under
of:his
of:rain
of:jacket
of:and
of:t-shirt
of:while
of:his
of:mouth
of:went
of:dry.
of:He
of:still
of:felt
of:his
of:grandfather’s
of:presence
of:in
of:the
of:chair
of:behind
of:the
of:stack
of:of
of:books
of:on
of:the
of:coffee
of:table.
Theo
wrestled
of:his
of:mind
of:back
of:to
of:the
of:present
of:and
of:turned
of:to
of:gaze
of:down
of:through
of:the
of:open
of:window
of:at
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston’s
of:upturned
of:faces. “Come
of:around
of:and
of:I’ll
of:let
of:you
of:in.”
Theo
left
of:his
of:grandfather’s
of:den
of:in
of:a
of:hurry
of:and
of:tried
of:to
of:ignore
of:his
of:jangling
of:nerves.
of:He
of:walked
of:through
of:the
of:darkness
of:with
of:his
of:flashlight
of:and
of:found
of:that
of:he
of:still
of:knew
of:where
of:to
of:step
of:to
of:avoid
of:creaking
of:floorboards.
He
reached
of:the
of:front
of:door
of:and
of:unlocked
of:the
of:bolt
of:and
of:knob.
of:The
of:hinges
of:gave
of:a
of:dry
of:creak
of:as
of:the
of:door
of:swung
of:open
of:to
of:reveal
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston
of:standing
of:in
of:the
of:rain.
of:For
of:all
of:their
of:extra
of:support,
of:even
of:they
of:looked
of:hesitant
of:to
of:enter
of:this
of:place.
of:Agnes
of:pointed
of:her
of:light
of:past
of:Theo
of:down
of:the
of:hallway
of:he
of:had
of:come
of:through.
of:Dust
of:swirled
of:in
of:the
of:air
of:thickly
of:and
of:spider webs
of:were
of:already
of:manifesting
of:in
of:the
of:corners.
“Did
it
of:always
of:feel
of:so
of:heavy
of:in
of:there?”
of:Agnes
of:asked
of:as
of:she
of:stepped
of:over
of:the
of:threshold.
of:She
of:shivered
of:visibly
of:and
of:droplets
of:sprinkled
of:from
of:her
of:rain
of:jacket
of:to
of:the
of:hardwood
of:floor.
of:Weston
of:stepped through
of:and
of:placed
of:a
of:paw on
of:Theo’s
of:shoulder
of:as
of:he
of:looked
of:around.
“Let’s get
to
of:it.
of:Where
of:are
of:we
of:going?”
of:Weston
of:barely
of:got
of:the
of:question
of:out
of:before
of:sneezing
of:into
of:the
of:crook
of:of
of:his
of:elbow.
of:Agnes
of:instantly
of:whipped
of:a
of:tissue
of:from
of:her
of:backpack
of:with
of:a
of:grin.
of:Theo
of:laughed
of:and
of:Weston
of:stared.
“What?”
She
of:said. “I’m
of:prepared
of:for
of:everything.”
of:Weston
of:took
of:the
of:tissue
of:and
of:stuffed it
of:into
of:a
of:coat
of:pocket,
of:grinning.
Theo
gestured
of:for
of:them
of:to
of:follow
of:and
of:he
of:walked
of:through
of:the
of:hallway
of:toward
of:the
of:stairs.
of:Instead
of:of
of:ascending
of:he
of:got
of:down
of:on
of:his
of:knees
of:before
of:the
of:first
of:step
of:and
of:gripped
of:the
of:edges
of:of
of:the
of:wood.
of:He
of:yanked
of:with
of:his
of:whole
of:body
of:and
of:the
of:tread
of:slid
of:out.
of:In
of:the
of:space
of:beneath
of:lay
of:a
of:bag
of:covered
of:in
of:dust
of:and
of:cobwebs.
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston
of:watched
of:Theo
of:pull
of:the
of:bag
of:out
of:and
of:dust
of:it
of:off.
of:He
of:looked
of:up
of:at
of:his
of:friends
of:with
of:a
of:smile
of:and
of:opened
of:the
of:bag
of:to
of:reveal
of:a
of:stuffed
of:beetle.
of:The
of:fabric
of:was
of:clean
of:and
of:soft.
“It’s
still
of:here!”
of:Theo
of:said. “He
of:never
of:found
of:it!”
Agnes
knelt
of:to
of:take
of:a
of:look. “How
of:old
of:is
of:this?”
“My
dad
of:gave
of:it
of:to
of:me.”
of:Theo
of:held
of:the
of:beetle
of:reverently
of:and
of:let
of:the
of:legs
of:dangle.
of:He
of:was
of:small
of:when
of:his
of:father
of:took
of:him
of:to
of:the
of:county
of:fair
of:and
of:helped
of:him
of:win
of:the
of:stuffed
of:toy.
of:He
of:flipped
of:it
of:over
of:and
of:felt
of:along
of:the
of:side
of:of
of:the
of:bug’s
of:body
of:for
of:a
of:split
of:seam.
of:When
of:he
of:found
of:it
of:he
of:poked
of:a
of:couple
of:digits
of:inside
of:and
of:withdrew
of:a
of:photograph.
Weston
and
of:Agnes
of:squatted
of:behind
of:Theo
of:on
of:the
of:floor
of:to
of:look
of:over
of:his
of:shoulder.
of:The
of:photo
of:showed
of:a
of:handsome
of:cougar
of:laughing.
of:His
of:eyes
of:were
of:crinkled
of:at
of:the
of:edges
of:and
of:he
of:looked
of:up
of:at
of:the
of:small
of:cat
of:riding
of:on
of:his
of:shoulders
of:with
of:pure
of:adoration.
of:The
of:young
of:Theo
of:in
of:the
of:picture
of:was
of:hugging
of:his
of:dad’s
of:entire
of:head,
of:tiny
of:paws
of:wrapped
of:under
of:his
of:parent’s chin.
Theo
sat
of:motionless
of:and
of:silent
of:long
of:enough
of:to
of:cause
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston
of:to
of:look
of:to
of:each
of:other
of:behind
of:his
of:back,
of:unsure
of:of
of:what
of:to
of:do.
of:They
of:sank
of:to
of:their
of:knees
of:and
of:hugged
of:Theo
of:from
of:behind.
of:Rain
of:hammered
of:the
of:roof
of:above
of:as
of:the
of:three
of:friends
of:sat
of:in
of:the
of:dark
of:together.
Theo
finally
of:sniffed. “I’m
of:sorry.”
“You
apologize
of:for
of:very
of:silly
of:things.”
of:Weston
of:stood
of:and
of:offered
of:Theo
of:and
of:Agnes
of:each
of:a
of:paw,
of:which
of:they
of:took.
of:They
of:dusted
of:themselves
of:off
of:and
of:Theo
of:clicked
of:his
of:flashlight
of:back
of:on.
“How
many
of:hiding
of:spots
of:like
of:that
of:do
of:you
of:have?”
of:Agnes
of:asked.
Theo
cleared
of:his
of:throat. “Well…
of:anytime
of:I
of:didn’t
of:want
of:my
of:grandfather
of:to
of:take
of:something
of:from
of:me,
of:I
of:hid
of:it.
of:And
of:there
of:are
of:several
of:things.
of:If
of:he
of:found
of:one
of:of
of:my
of:spots
of:I
of:didn’t
of:want him
of:to
of:take
of:everything
of:so
of:I
of:sort
of:of
of:hid
of:them
of:all
of:over
of:the
of:house
of:separately.”
“Genius!
All
of:you
of:had
of:to
of:do
of:was
of:wait
of:for
of:him
of:to
of:shed
of:his
of:mortal
of:flesh
of:and
of:collect
of:the
of:goods!”
of:Agnes
of:winked
of:at
of:Theo.
“That
was
of:morbid.
of:Thanks
of:Agnes.”
“I’m
here
of:all
of:night.” The
of:possum
of:bowed.
Theo
opened
of:his
of:duffle
of:bag
of:and
of:stowed
of:the
of:beetle
of:inside,
of:but
of:he
of:tucked
of:the
of:photograph
of:in
of:his
of:wallet
of:and
of:replaced
of:it
of:in
of:his
of:back
of:pocket.
They
ventured
of:deeper
of:into
of:the
of:oppressive
of:gloom
of:with
of:Theo
of:in
of:the
of:lead.
of:He
of:retrieved
of:several
of:more
of:items
of:from
of:various
of:hiding
of:spots
of:including
of:money,
of:a
of:stack
of:of
of:books,
of:a
of:poster
of:featuring
of:a
of:shirtless
of:and
of:very
of:muscular
of:bull,
of:and…
“What’s
this?”
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston
of:stood
of:in
of:front
of:of
of:Theo
of:as
of:he
of:removed
of:a
of:loose
of:floorboard
of:in
of:an
of:upstairs
of:bedroom.
of:Theo
of:wore
of:a
of:bashful
of:expression
of:and
of:his
of:face
of:felt
of:warm.
“When
I
of:was
of:younger
of:I
of:used
of:dad’s
of:typewriter
of:a
of:lot.
of:I
of:felt
of:closer
of:to
of:him
of:when
of:I
of:used
of:it.
of:I
of:wanted
of:to
of:be
of:a
of:writer
of:like
of:him,
of:so
of:I
of:eventually
of:branched
of:out
of:from
of:typing
of:school
of:papers
of:with
of:it
of:to
of:writing
of:a…
of:well,”
of:Theo
of:stammered and
of:smiled sheepishly. “An
of:erotic
of:fantasy
of:novel.”
Agnes
laughed
of:with
of:delight
of:and
of:Weston
of:opened
of:his
of:mouth
of:to
of:speak
of:when
of:the
of:air
of:grew
of:dense.
of:Theo
of:thought
of:for
of:a
of:moment
of:he
of:imagined
of:it,
of:but
of:they
of:had
of:all
of:grown
of:still
of:and
of:silent.
of:A
of:familiar
of:dread
of:flushed
of:the
of:warmth
of:from
of:Theo’s
of:body
of:and
of:the
of:room
of:grew
of:darker.
It
felt
of:like
of:being
of:a
of:kid
of:again
of:trapped
of:in
of:this
of:house
of:with
of:his
of:grandfather.
of:His rage.
of:His
of:impatience.
“Theo, let’s
get
of:the
of:stuff
of:and
of:go.”
of:Weston’s
of:voice
of:was
of:hard
of:to
of:focus
of:on.
of:He
of:was
of:becoming
of:self conscious
of:as
of:he
of:held
of:the
of:pages
of:of
of:his
of:work.
of:Theo
of:felt
of:silly
of:for
of:wanting
of:something
of:so
of:frivolous
of:as
of:to
of:feel
of:happy.
of:Like
of:he
of:didn’t
of:deserve
of:the
of:two
of:friends
of:in
of:the
of:room
of:with
of:him.
of:He
of:had
of:pulled
of:them
of:into
of:this
of:stupid
of:plan
of:for
of:no
of:good
of:reason.
“Theo.”
Agnes’
of:voice
of:was
of:small
of:and
of:she
of:reached
of:out
of:a
of:small
of:claw
of:to
of:touch
of:his
of:shoulder.
“I’m
sorry.”
of:Theo
of:said
of:again. “I
of:shouldn’t
of:have
of:brought
of:you
of:two
of:here.”
“We
came
of:here
of:so
of:you
of:didn’t
of:have
of:to
of:be
of:alone,”
of:Weston
of:said.
of:Then
of:he
of:surprised
of:Theo with a
of:hug.
of:In
of:spite
of:of
of:the
of:voice
of:invading
of:his
of:mind,
of:Theo
of:lifted
of:his
of:arms
of:and
of:hugged
of:him
of:back.
of:The
of:embrace
of:was
of:warm
of:and
of:surprisingly
of:tender.
of:Theo
of:was
of:quickly
of:becoming
of:self-conscious
of:because
of:of
of:his
of:meltdown
of:and
of:opened
of:his
of:mouth
of:to
of:speak.
of:Weston
of:beat
of:him
of:to
of:it.
“If
you
of:say
of:sorry
of:one
of:more
of:time,”
of:Weston
of:breathed
of:in
of:his
of:ear, “I
of:will
of:kiss
of:you
of:right
of:on
of:the
of:mouth.
of:Then
of:we’d
of:all
of:feel
of:pretty
of:embarrassed.”
“Speak
for
of:yourself,”
of:Agnes
of:wore
of:a
of:smug
of:expression.
of:She
of:was
of:clearly
of:pleased. “But
of:seriously
of:Theo,
of:we
of:should
of:get
of:out
of:of
of:here
of:before
of:the
of:shadow
of:comes
of:back.”
Theo
blinked.
of:They
of:really
of:had
of:all
of:experienced
of:something,
of:and
of:they
of:did
of:need
of:to
of:get
of:out
of:of
of:this
of:house.
of:He
of:let
of:go
of:of
of:Weston,
of:who
of:looked
of:as
of:hot
of:under
of:the
of:collar
of:as
of:he
of:felt.
of:Theo
of:would
of:have
of:to
of:examine
of:his
of:feelings
of:later,
of:but
of:he
of:was
of:certain
of:something
of:had
of:just
of:changed.
At
that
of:moment
of:the
of:front
of:door
of:squealed
of:on
of:its
of:hinges
of:a
of:floor
of:below.
of:The
of:trio
of:froze
of:in
of:place
of:and
of:stared
of:between
of:each
of:other
of:as
of:if
of:to
of:seek
of:an
of:answer
of:to
of:the
of:situation
of:unfolding
of:under
of:their
of:feet.
of:All
of:the
of:warm
of:feelings
of:inside
of:Theo
of:twisted
of:into
of:something
of:more
of:primal.
Footsteps
echoed through
of:the
of:empty
of:hallway
of:below.
of:Theo
of:could
of:tell
of:exactly
of:which
of:boards
of:the
of:stranger
of:stepped
of:on
of:from
of:sound
of:alone.
of:He
of:had
of:crept
of:that
of:hall
of:in
of:silence
of:his
of:whole
of:childhood
of:in
of:an
of:attempt
of:to
of:pass
of:undisturbed
of:and
of:unseen.
of:There
of:was
of:only
of:one
of:place
of:they
of:could
of:be
of:headed.
Theo
never
of:thought
of:he
of:would
of:hear
of:the
of:basement
of:door
of:again.
of:The
of:hair
of:on
of:his
of:nape
of:stood
of:on
of:end
of:as
of:the
of:rasping
of:metallic
of:scream
of:reverberated
of:through
of:the
of:house;
of:open
of:and
of:then
of:agonizingly
of:slow
of:on
of:the
of:close.
Weston
and
of:Agnes
of:stared at
of:Theo.
“We
have
of:to
of:leave
of:right
of:now.”
of:Agnes
of:breathed.
Theo
desperately
of:searched
of:the
of:dark
of:space
of:under
of:the
of:floorboard
of:for
of:the
of:final
of:memento
of:as
of:quietly
of:as
of:he
of:could
of:manage.
of:With
of:a
of:descending
of:sickness
of:settling
of:in
of:his
of:gut
of:he
of:realized
of:his
of:grandfather
of:had
of:found
of:the
of:one
of:thing
of:he
of:cherished
of:most.
“Where
the
of:fuck
of:is
of:it?”
of:Theo
of:thought
of:he
of:would
of:feel
of:panic.
of:Any
of:reasonable
of:person
of:would
of:be
of:crawling
of:out
of:the
of:window
of:and
of:leaving,
of:but
of:anger
of:began
of:to
of:boil
of:from
of:that
of:sickness
of:in
of:his
of:gut.
of:He
of:wanted
of:to
of:rip
of:every
of:board
of:from
of:the
of:floor
of:and
of:dismantle
of:the
of:house
of:if
of:that
of:was
of:what
of:it
of:took.
Ding.
Theo
stopped.
“The
typewriter.”
Frenzied
typing
of:could
of:be
of:heard
of:from
of:below.
of:Only
of:the
of:rain
of:stood
of:apart
of:from
of:the
of:rapid
of:percussion
of:of
of:words
of:they
of:hammered
of:out.
of:The
of:anger
of:Theo
of:was
of:feeling
of:moments
of:ago
of:turned
of:cold
of:inside
of:him.
“Who
did
of:your
of:grandfather
of:leave
of:the
of:house
of:to?”
of:Agnes
of:finally
of:asked.
“His
church.”
Theo
had
of:never
of:expected
of:anyone
of:to
of:come
of:here
of:in
of:the
of:middle
of:of
of:the
of:night.
of:He
of:had
of:spent
of:years
of:avoiding
of:his
of:grandfather’s
of:friends
of:who
of:congregated
of:in
of:the
of:basement.
of:He
of:was
of:forbidden
of:from
of:descending
of:below
of:the
of:house
of:himself
of:and
of:had
of:subsequently
of:never
of:hid
of:his
of:belongings
of:down
of:there.
of:In
of:fact,
of:he
of:had
of:been
of:so
of:careful
of:to
of:avoid
of:his
of:grandfather’s
of:bad
of:side
of:that
of:he
of:often
of:pretended
of:they
of:didn’t
of:have
of:a
of:basement.
“Times
have
of:changed,”
of:Theo
of:told
of:himself.
of:Every
of:piece
of:of
of:his
of:psyche
of:had
of:its
of:own
of:reaction,
of:but
of:the
of:whole
of:agreed
of:dad’s
of:typewriter
of:was
of:the
of:only
of:physical
of:object
of:he
of:loved.
of:His
of:resolve
of:to
of:follow
of:through
of:with
of:the
of:plan
of:forming
of:in
of:his
of:mind
of:grew
of:stronger.
“I
know
of:you
of:should
of:probably
of:say
of:no
of:to
of:this,”
of:Theo
of:said, “but
of:I
of:have
of:a
of:plan
of:that
of:works
of:much
of:better
of:with
of:a
of:solid
of:distraction.”
of:He
of:looked
of:between
of:his
of:friends. “If
of:you
of:don’t
of:want
of:the
of:risk,
of:I
of:don’t
of:blame
of:you.
of:But
of:I
of:can’t
of:leave
of:without
of:getting
of:what
of:I
of:came
of:for.”
Weston mimed
cracking
of:knuckles.
of:Agnes
of:split
of:into
of:an
of:impish
of:grin.
of:She
of:turned
of:her
of:backpack
of:to
of:Weston
of:once
of:more. “Could
of:you
of:please
of:grab
of:the
of:one
of:that says ‘Rainbow
of:Power’?”
…
Theo
of:perked
of:his
of:ears
of:in
of:the
of:shadows
of:down
of:the
of:hall
of:from
of:the
of:basement
of:door.
of:He
of:used
of:a
of:wall
of:as
of:cover
of:and
of:awaited
of:the
of:signal.
of:If
of:needed,
of:Agnes
of:had
of:given
of:him
of:firecrackers
of:from
of:her
of:pack
of:to
of:create
of:his
of:own
of:distraction,
of:but
of:that
of:proved
of:unnecessary.
of:Theo’s
of:worries
of:the
of:stranger
of:might
of:not
of:hear
of:were
of:proven
of:wildly
of:false.
of:The
of:explosion
of:of
of:light
of:and
of:sound
of:from
of:outside
of:could
of:have
of:brought
of:his
of:grandfather
of:back
of:from
of:the
of:dead.
A
beautiful
of:display
of:of
of:every
of:color
of:painted
of:the
of:trees
of:in
of:the
of:woods
of:around
of:the
of:house.
of:The
of:whizz
of:of
of:fireworks
of:launching
of:toward
of:the
of:sky
of:echoed
of:through
of:the
of:house
of:before
of:exploding
of:on
of:high.
of:Theo
of:felt
of:the
of:vibration
of:through
of:his
of:paws.
of:More
of:fireworks
of:launched
of:into
of:the
of:sky.
of:A
of:thunderous
of:explosion
of:followed
of:and
of:Theo
of:did
of:not
of:need
of:to
of:see
of:with
of:his
of:own
of:eyes
of:to
of:know
of:lightning
of:had
of:struck
of:one
of:of
of:the
of:fireworks.
of:This
of:was
of:going
of:better
of:than
of:he
of:could
of:have
of:expected.
Footsteps
pounded
of:up
of:the
of:stairs
of:and
of:the
of:stranger
of:crashed
of:into
of:the
of:door.
of:Theo
of:felt
of:his
of:mouth
of:go
of:dry as
of:he
of:listened
of:to
of:the
of:door
of:grind
of:open.
of:It
of:was
of:hard
of:to
of:hear
of:past
of:the
of:cacophony
of:in
of:the
of:woods.
of:Theo
of:dared
of:to
of:spy
of:past
of:the
of:edge
of:of
of:the
of:door frame
of:to
of:look
of:down
of:the
of:hall.
of:He
of:saw
of:the
of:darkened
of:silhouette
of:against
of:the
of:beautiful
of:glow
of:of “Rainbow
of:Power”
of:pouring
of:through
of:the
of:back door.
of:The
of:stranger’s
of:many-pointed
of:antlers
of:shined
of:in
of:the
of:night.
Theo
leapt
of:down
of:the
of:hall,
of:from
of:sturdy
of:board
of:to
of:sturdy
of:board,
of:dodging
of:the
of:ones
of:that
of:creaked.
of:The
of:stranger
of:never
of:turned
of:around,
of:he
of:instead
of:ran
of:into
of:the
of:night.
of:Theo
of:didn’t
of:expect
of:that
of:much
of:luck,
of:but
of:he
of:wasted
of:no
of:time
of:in
of:grabbing
of:the
of:basement’s
of:door frame
of:to
of:ricochet
of:down
of:the
of:stairs.
of:He
of:held
of:his
of:flashlight
of:aloft
of:and
of:went
of:down
of:as
of:fast
of:as
of:he
of:could.
A
strange
of:energy
of:lingered
of:in
of:the
of:air
of:at
of:the
of:bottom
of:of
of:the
of:stairs.
of:It
of:was
of:too
of:dark
of:to
of:see
of:in
of:the
of:corners
of:of
of:the
of:room,
of:but
of:he
of:could
of:see
of:a
of:tunnel
of:ahead.
“A
tunnel?”
Theo
didn’t
of:know
of:how
of:to
of:process
of:the
of:subterranean
of:space.
of:A
of:dirt
of:floor
of:ornamented
of:with
of:moss
of:and
of:other
of:plant
of:life
of:squished
of:beneath
of:his
of:shoes,
of:but
of:a
of:clear
of:dirt
of:path
of:led
of:to
of:the
of:mouth
of:of
of:the
of:passage
of:ahead.
of:He
of:then
of:spotted
of:the
of:hoof
of:prints
of:in
of:the
of:moist
of:dirt
of:leading
of:in
of:and
of:out
of:over
of:and
of:over
of:and
of:over.
Theo
breathed
of:in…
of:and
of:out.
He
continued
of:his
of:advance
of:at
of:a
of:brisk
of:pace
of:through
of:the
of:tunnel.
of:He
of:walked
of:only
of:a
of:few
of:moments
of:before
of:seeing
of:light
of:ahead.
of:He
of:turned
of:his
of:flashlight
of:off
of:and
of:stepped
of:into
of:a
of:space
of:filled
of:with
of:a
of:dim
of:ruddy
of:light.
of:Three
of:pews
of:of
of:stacked
of:stone
of:formed
of:ripples
of:of
of:increasing
of:circumference
of:around
of:an
of:altar
of:at
of:the
of:back
of:wall.
of:Theo’s
of:eyes
of:rested
of:there.
of:A
of:tree
of:grew
of:from
of:the
of:dirt
of:wall,
of:its
of:trunk
of:curved
of:toward
of:the
of:empty
of:pews
of:and
of:twisted
of:back
of:up
of:toward
of:the
of:house
of:above.
of:In
of:the
of:shade
of:of
of:its
of:dehydrated
of:foliage
of:was
of:a
of:pool
of:of
of:rust colored
of:murk.
A
single
of:ripple
of:disturbed
of:the
of:surface.
Theo
shook
of:himself;
of:he
of:needed
of:to
of:take
of:the
of:typewriter
of:and
of:go.
of:Fortunately,
of:a
of:string
of:of
of:loose
of:pages
of:formed
of:a
of:trail
of:to
of:his
of:prize.
Theo
pounced
of:over
of:the
of:stones
of:and
of:landed
of:in
of:the
of:pew
of:before
of:it.
of:The
of:stranger’s spot
of:on
of:the
of:stone
of:was
of:still
of:warm
of:beneath
of:him.
of:Next
of:to
of:his
of:seat
of:on
of:the
of:pew
of:was
of:a
of:thick
of:book
of:in
of:progress.
A
drip
of:from
of:the
of:ceiling
of:landed
of:on
of:the
of:page
of:in
of:the
of:feed,
of:drawing
of:the
of:cougar’s
of:attention.
of:Theo
of:pulled
of:the
of:paper
of:out
of:and
of:scanned
of:the
of:text
of:on
of:the
of:page.
“I
am
of:open.
of:I
of:am
of:of
of:service.
of:I
of:am
of:eternal
of:in
of:His
of:domain.
of:I
of:am…”
of:The
of:litany
of:repeated
of:nearly
of:half
of:the
of:length
of:of
of:the
of:page
of:before
of:halting
of:mid
of:sentence.
“…HIS
domain?”
Theo
noticed
of:the
of:loud
of:silence.
of:How
of:long
of:had
of:it
of:been
of:since
of:the
of:last
of:firework?
of:He
of:threw
of:open
of:the
of:duffle
of:bag
of:and
of:placed
of:the
of:typewriter
of:inside.
of:He
of:grabbed
of:the
of:zipper
of:and
of:pulled
of:it
of:closed.
“Who
are
of:you?”
A
drop
of:of
of:moisture
of:landed
of:on
of:Theo’s
of:paw,
of:still
of:holding
of:the
of:zipper.
of:He
of:tilted
of:his
of:head
of:toward
of:the
of:maw
of:of
of:the
of:cave.
of:The
of:deer
of:lingered
of:in
of:the
of:entrance,
of:his
of:eyes
of:were
of:glossy
of:and
of:staring
of:from
of:the
of:shadow.
of:His
of:lower
of:half
of:was
of:in light,
of:revealing
of:mud
of:on
of:his
of:trousers
of:and
of:hooves.
Theo
did not
of:answer.
“William,”
the deer
of:said
of:aloud, “I
of:need
of:you.”
He
dropped
of:to
of:his
of:knees,
of:bathed
of:in
of:the
of:sanguine
of:light
of:of
of:the
of:room
of:and
of:began
of:writing
of:with
of:his
of:fingers
of:in
of:the
of:dirt.
of:The
of:deer
of:used
of:frantic
of:stabbing
of:motions
of:and
of:whispered
of:as
of:he
of:wrote.
of:Theo
of:suspected
of:it
of:was
of:more
of:of
of:the
of:litany,
of:but
of:that
of:did
of:not
of:help
of:him.
of:Why
of:was
of:he
of:talking
of:to
of:his
of:dead
of:grandfather?
of:Should he
of:barge
of:past
of:toward
of:the
of:stairs?
of:Should
of:he
of:wait
of:for
of:the
of:man
of:to
of:make
of:a
of:move?
The
whispers
of:grew
of:in
of:intensity.
of:Flecks
of:of
of:mud
of:spotted
of:the
of:deer’s
of:collared
of:shirt
of:in
of:his
of:single
of:minded
of:intensity
of:to
of:carve
of:his
of:mantra
of:into
of:the
of:dirt.
of:Over
of:and
of:over
of:again
of:he
of:went
of:back
of:and
of:forth,
of:seeming
of:to
of:grow
of:more
of:desperate.
of:Theo
of:took
of:a
of:step
of:onto
of:the
of:pew
of:with
of:the
of:duffle
of:bag
of:gripped
of:in
of:a
of:firm
of:fist.
“Get back!”
The
of:deer
of:bolted
of:to
of:his
of:hooves
of:and
of:retreated
of:a
of:step.
of:Theo
of:saw
of:a
of:flash
of:of
of:his
of:terrified
of:face
of:before
of:he
of:slipped
of:into
of:shadow
of:again. “William!
of:William,
of:I-.”
The deer
went
of:stiff.
of:He
of:stood
of:motionless
of:and
of:obscured
of:in
of:the
of:shadow.
of:Theo
of:considered
of:shouting
of:for
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston
of:when
of:the
of:deer’s
of:body
of:language
of:changed
of:entirely.
of:He
of:stood
of:taller.
of:He
of:flexed
of:his
of:neck
of:side
of:to
of:side
of:and
of:nearly
of:scraped
of:his
of:antlers
of:on
of:the
of:top
of:of
of:the
of:tunnel.
of:The
of:deer
of:stepped
of:into
of:the
of:light.
His
eyes
of:were
of:no
of:longer
of:framed
of:in
of:a
of:fearful
of:face.
of:The
of:deer
of:scrutinized
of:Theo.
of:There
of:was
of:something
of:cold
of:and
of:familiar
of:in
of:the
of:fury
of:behind
of:the
of:eyes
of:staring
of:back
of:at
of:him.
of:The
of:red
of:light
of:grew
of:dim
of:and
of:the
of:breath in
of:Theo’s
of:lungs felt cold.
“Theodore.”
Intense
dread
of:reached
of:a
of:crescendo
of:inside
of:him
of:and
of:he
of:dared
of:not
of:break
of:eye
of:contact.
of:He
of:had
of:been
of:caught.
“I
thought
of:I
of:told
of:you to
of:never
of:come
of:back.”
This
was
of:impossible
of:yet
of:Theodore
of:knew
of:exactly
of:who
of:spoke
of:to
of:him.
of:He
of:clutched
of:his
of:duffle
of:bag
of:tighter.
“I
thought
of:you’d
of:be
of:in hell.”
“You
always
of:had
of:a
of:foul
of:mouth.”
of:Even
of:in
of:this
of:form,
of:it
of:was
of:unmistakably
of:his
of:grandfather’s
of:pacing
of:and
of:sharp
of:tone. “You
of:can
of:take
of:everything
of:but
of:that
of:typewriter.
of:It
of:doesn’t
of:belong
of:to
of:you.”
Theo
bypassed
of:his
of:confusion
of:and
of:terror.
of:Rage
of:had
of:boiled
of:beneath
of:the
of:surface
of:for
of:a
of:long
of:time.
of:The
of:things
of:he
of:had
of:wanted
of:to
of:say
of:to
of:this
of:man
of:in
of:life
of:were
of:unfurling
of:in
of:his
of:mind
of:as
of:if
of:written
of:on
of:a
of:roll
of:of
of:endless
of:parchment.
“My
father
of:left
of:his
of:belongings
of:to
of:me.”
of:Theo
of:held
of:the
of:bag
of:closer
of:to his
of:side.
“You
think
of:your
of:anger
of:is
of:justified
of:but
of:you
of:are
of:the
of:cause
of:of
of:all
of:this.
of:Petulant
of:brat.
of:Not
of:only
of:do
of:you
of:contribute
of:nothing,
of:but
of:you
of:are
of:a
of:thief.
of:You’re
of:not
of:a
of:member
of:of
of:my
of:family,
of:you’re
of:a
of:parasite.”
“Fuck
you.”
of:Theo
of:needed
of:to
of:keep
of:him
of:talking
of:while he
of:figured
of:out
of:a
of:way
of:around
of:him.
“Your
being
of:is
of:perverted
of:beyond
of:help.
of:You
of:don’t
of:even
of:have
of:the
of:decency
of:to
of:grant
of:us
of:a
of:child.”
of:He
of:pointed
of:at
of:the
of:writing
of:in
of:the
of:dirt
of:below
of:his
of:hooves. “There
of:is
of:no
of:grace
of:for
of:selfishness.
of:I’m
of:glad
of:your
of:father
of:didn’t
of:live
of:to
of:see
of:you
of:become
of:a
of:waste
of:of
of:a
of:man.
of:It
of:would
of:have
of:broken
of:Teddy’s
of:heart.”
“I’ve
had
of:enough
of:of you to
of:last
of:a
of:lifetime.”
of:He
of:pulled
of:Agnes’
of:firecrackers
of:from
of:his
of:coat
of:and
of:lit
of:the
of:wick.
of:He
of:held
of:them
of:at
of:eye
of:level
of:for
of:the
of:deer
of:to
of:see.
of:His
of:grandfather
of:opened
of:his
of:mouth
of:to
of:speak
of:but
of:Theo
of:talked
of:over
of:him. “I
of:won’t
of:accept
of:criticism
of:of
of:my
of:life
of:from
of:a
of:miserable
of:corpse.”
of:Theo
of:talked
of:long
of:enough
of:for
of:the
of:wick
of:to
of:nearly
of:expire
of:and
of:hurled
of:his
of:fistful
of:of
of:fire
of:at
of:the
of:stag.
The
explosion
of:was
of:deafening.
of:The
of:deer
of:charged through
of:the smoke
of:toward
of:Theo,
of:antlers
of:first.
of:He
of:scrambled
of:over
of:stone
of:pews
of:around
of:his
of:grandfather
of:but
of:an
of:antler
of:caught
of:his
of:shoulder
of:and
of:ripped
of:through
of:his
of:skin.
of:Theo
of:ignored
of:the
of:burn
of:and
of:maintained
of:his
of:momentum
of:through
of:the
of:smoke filled
of:tunnel
of:and
of:into
of:the
of:next
of:room.
of:Agnes
of:and
of:Weston
of:stood
of:at
of:the
of:top
of:of
of:the
of:stairs
of:waiting.
of:He
of:was
of:already
of:half way
of:up
of:when
of:he
of:registered
of:the
of:roar
of:from
of:below
of:and
of:the
of:frantic
of:urging
of:from
of:above.
Theo
jumped
of:up
of:and
of:through
of:the
of:open
of:door
of:and
of:tucked
of:the
of:duffle
of:bag
of:against
of:his
of:body.
of:He
of:landed
of:shoulder
of:and
of:hip
of:bones
of:first
of:on
of:the
of:hardwood
of:floor.
of:It
of:knocked
of:the
of:wind
of:out
of:of
of:him.
of:Theo
of:looked
of:back
of:as
of:Weston
of:threw
of:the
of:screaming
of:metallic
of:door
of:shut
of:on
of:the
of:stag’s
of:face.
The
latch
of:closed.
of:The
of:deer
of:collided
of:with
of:the
of:door
of:and
of:Theo
of:heard
of:a
of:visceral
of:crunch.
The
man
of:behind
of:the
of:door
of:screamed.
Agnes
slipped
of:a
of:bike
of:lock
of:on
of:the
of:door,
of:working
of:her
of:nimble
of:paws
of:quickly
of:to
of:secure
of:the
of:basement.
“It
won’t
of:hold for
of:long,
of:it’s
of:a
of:thin
of:chain.”
of:She
of:closed
of:the
of:lock
of:and
of:Weston
of:zipped
of:her
of:pack
of:closed
of:for her.
Theo
grabbed
of:their
of:paws
of:and
of:the
of:three
of:friends
of:ran
of:through
of:the
of:front
of:door,
of:down
of:the
of:porch
of:steps,
of:and
of:into
of:the
of:yard.
of:They
of:cut
of:their
of:flashlights
of:off.
of:A
of:crash
of:from
of:inside
of:the
of:house
of:made
of:Agnes
of:squeak
of:but
of:they
of:kept
of:going.
of:Theo
of:glanced
of:over
of:his
of:shoulder
of:just
of:in
of:time
of:to
of:catch
of:sight
of:of
of:the
of:stag
of:stumbling
of:into
of:the
of:yard.
His
right
of:antler
of:was
of:broken
of:off
of:at
of:the
of:skull.
of:Blood
of:drenched
of:his
of:right
of:shoulder,
of:an
of:impressive
of:amount
of:visible
of:against
of:the
of:white
of:button up.
of:Theo’s
of:mind
of:produced
of:an
of:intrusive
of:image
of:of
of:his
of:face;
of:pained,
of:furious,
of:right
of:eye
of:bright
of:in
of:a
of:sea
of:of
of:dark
of:blood
of:trickling
of:down
of:from
of:above
of:a
of:furrowed
of:brow.
His
grandfather
of:looked
of:about,
of:unsure
of:where
of:to
of:go
of:in
of:the
of:rainy
of:night
of:before
of:bellowing
of:a
of:guttural
of:cry.
of:He
of:advanced
of:toward
of:the
of:trees
of:where
of:they
of:hid.
“Time
to
of:move.”
of:Agnes
of:hurled
of:a
of:rock
of:into
of:the
of:night.
of:The
of:echoing
of:knock
of:of
of:stone
of:striking
of:a
of:tree
of:caught
of:the
of:deer’s
of:attention
of:and
of:he
of:charged
of:off
of:in
of:the
of:wrong
of:direction,
of:if
of:only
of:temporarily.
They
took
of:their
of:head start;
of:they
of:would
of:have
of:to
of:take
of:what
of:they
of:could
of:get.
“You
ate
of:food
of:from
of:my
of:table,”
of:the
of:voice
of:carried
of:through
of:the
of:mist. “You
of:lived
of:in
of:my
of:home,”
of:the
of:voice
of:was
of:getting
of:closer
of:in
of:spite
of:of
of:their
of:efforts. “I
of:never
of:wanted
of:you,
of:but
of:I
of:had
of:to
of:be
of:the
of:man
of:my
of:community
of:expected of
of:me.
of:And
of:for
of:what?”
Their
shoes
of:slipped
of:on
of:loose
of:rocks
of:and
of:leaves
of:along
of:the
of:forest
of:floor.
of:Three
of:people
of:running
of:as
of:fast
of:as
of:they
of:could
of:with
of:no
of:light
of:and
of:a
of:duffle
of:bag
of:full
of:of
of:a
of:previous
of:life
of:were
of:no
of:match
of:for a
of:vengeful
of:spirit
of:with
of:nothing
of:to
of:lose.
of:Theo
of:focused
of:on
of:keeping
of:up
of:with
of:Weston
of:and
of:Agnes,
of:but
of:the
of:cracking
of:limbs
of:and
of:crashing
of:hoof
of:beats
of:behind
of:were
of:impossible
of:for
of:him
of:to
of:ignore.
Theo
really
of:didn’t
of:want
of:to
of:do
of:what
of:his
of:instincts
of:told
of:him
of:to,
of:but
of:his
of:body
of:seemingly
of:made
of:the
of:decision
of:for
of:him.
Theo
slowed
of:down,
of:causing
of:Weston
of:to
of:cry
of:out.
of:He
of:turned
of:with
of:all
of:the
of:momentum
of:of
of:a
of:moving
of:train,
of:paw clenched
of:tight
of:around
of:the
of:duffle
of:bag’s
of:handle
of:as
of:he
of:whipped
of:it
of:back
of:in
of:a
of:powerful
of:arc.
He
looked
of:directly
of:into
of:the
of:stunned,
of:stolen
of:eyes
of:of
of:his
of:grandfather
of:as
of:the
of:typewriter
of:collided
of:with
of:the
of:deer’s
of:skull.
of:A
of:metallic
of:smash
of:mixed
of:with
of:a
of:dull
of:thud
of:on
of:contact
of:and
of:the
of:deer
of:crumpled
of:to
of:the
of:ground.
Theo
panted
of:heavily,
of:tired
of:but
of:still
of:ready
of:for
of:a
of:fight.
of:Weston
of:and
of:Agnes
of:ran
of:back
of:to
of:him,
of:neither
of:one
of:speaking.
of:They
of:all
of:stood
of:above
of:the
of:still
of:deer.
“He’s
not….
of:Well, you
of:know,”
of:Agnes
of:struggled with
of:words
of:for
of:a
of:moment
of:before
of:expelling
of:her
of:question. “He’s
of:not
of:dead,
of:is he?”
The
deer
of:bolted
of:up
of:with
of:a
of:sharp
of:intake
of:of
of:breath.
of:The
of:trio
of:cried
of:out
of:and
of:jumped
of:backwards
of:away
of:from
of:the
of:man.
of:Agnes
of:whipped
of:out
of:a
of:pocket knife
of:and
of:pointed it
of:at
of:him.
of:He
of:yelped
of:and
of:raised
of:his
of:arms
of:in
of:front
of:of
of:his
of:bloody
of:face.
of:The
of:eyes
of:were
of:wild
of:and
of:his
of:focus
of:slipped
of:from
of:the
of:tip
of:of
of:the
of:blade
of:to
of:stare
of:at
of:Theo.
of:His
of:right
of:eye
of:glittered
of:from
of:the
of:darkness
of:of
of:the
of:matted,
of:bloody
of:fur
of:on
of:his
of:contorted
of:face.
“William
is
of:not
of:pleased.”
Theo
glared
of:at
of:the
of:man
of:and
of:raised
of:the
of:duffle
of:bag
of:threateningly,
of:but
of:the
of:deer
of:scrambled
of:to
of:his
of:hooves.
of:He
of:turned
of:and
of:fled
of:back
of:through
of:the
of:woods
of:toward
of:the
of:house.
of:They
of:huddled
of:together
of:and
of:watched
of:him
of:run
of:until
of:the
of:mist
of:around
of:the
of:dark
of:property
of:swallowed
of:him
of:whole,
of:antler
of:and
of:all.
Droplets
from
of:the
of:canopy
of:above
of:splashed
of:onto
of:the
of:forest
of:floor.
Theo
began
of:to
of:cry.
of:Weston
of:hugged
of:him
of:tight
of:to
of:his
of:chest.
of:Agnes
of:wrapped
of:her
of:arms
of:around
of:them
of:both
of:and
of:they
of:sank
of:to
of:their
of:knees
of:on
of:the
of:forest
of:floor
of:together.
The
rain
of:slowed
of:down.
The
embrace
of:eventually
of:melted
of:away,
of:leaving
of:them
of:all
of:warm
of:and
of:shifting
of:about.
of:They sat
of:on
of:the
of:ground
of:and
of:opened
of:the
of:duffle
of:bag
of:to
of:discover
of:the
of:damage.
Theo
shined his
of:light
of:on
of:the
of:remains
of:of
of:his
of:dad’s
of:typewriter
of:in
of:the
of:bag.
of:He
of:had
of:dreaded
of:this
of:part,
of:but
of:something
of:unexpected
of:blossomed
of:in
of:his
of:chest.
of:This
of:time
of:it
of:was
of:something
of:light.
of:Something
of:beautiful.
“My
dad’s
of:typewriter
of:saved
of:us.”
That
feeling
of:grew
of:inside
of:him.
of:He
of:smiled
of:and
of:imagined
of:what
of:fun
of:it
of:would
of:have
of:been
of:to
of:type
of:the
of:story
of:of
of:their
of:escape
of:with
of:the
of:familiar
of:resistance
of:of
of:each
of:key
of:under
of:paw.
“It’s
all
of:in
of:the
of:bag,”
of:said
of:Weston.
of:He
of:took
of:Theo’s paw
of:and
of:squeezed
of:it
of:gently. “Maybe
of:it
of:can
of:be
of:repaired.”
Theo gazed
into Weston’s
of:eyes.
of:His
of:primal
of:side
of:made
of:another
of:decision
of:for
of:him;
of:he
of:gave
of:Weston
of:a
of:kiss
of:on
of:his
of:cheek.
of:The
of:fur
of:against
of:his
of:lips
of:was
of:soft
of:and
of:bristly,
of:alive
of:and
of:warm.
of:It
of:was
of:the
of:antithesis
of:of
of:his
of:experiences
of:as
of:a
of:lonely
of:child
of:in
of:an
of:angry
of:man’s
of:house.
of:It
of:was
of:the
of:stuff
of:life
of:was
of:meant
of:to
of:be
of:lived
of:for.
Agnes
snapped
of:a
of:photo.
Theo
and
of:Weston
of:stopped
of:and
of:stared
of:at
of:her.
of:She
of:smiled
of:and
of:shook
of:the
of:polaroid
of:under
of:her
of:free
of:arm,
of:shielding
of:it
of:from
of:diving
of:droplets
of:above.
of:She
of:looked
of:between
of:them
of:and
of:smiled
of:broader.
“You
two
of:are
of:cute,
of:but
of:I’m
of:starving.
of:Can
of:we
of:go
of:to
of:the diner?”
Theo
felt
of:something
of:release
of:inside
of:and
of:he
of:laughed.
of:The
of:muddy
of:cougar
of:stood
of:up.
of:He
of:offered
of:Weston
of:a
of:paw
of:and
of:pulled
of:him
of:to
of:his
of:feet.
of:They
of:didn’t
of:let
of:go
of:of
of:each
of:other.
of:Agnes
of:took
of:Theo’s
of:free
of:paw
of:and
of:nuzzled
of:her
of:head
of:into
of:his
of:shoulder.
“I
would
of:commit
of:a
of:crime
of:for
of:waffles,”
of:said
of:Theo.
of:Weston
of:grinned
of:widely
of:and
of:licked
of:his
of:chops.
of:Agnes’
of:stomach
of:growled.
They
walked
of:paw
of:in
of:paw
of:into
of:the
of:night
of:with
of:the
of:gentle
of:tinkle
of:of
of:Theo’s
of:broken
of:typewriter
of:marking
of:each
of:step
of:they
of:took
of:together.
This
was “Reclamation”
of:by
of:Timber
of:Donk, read for you by Ta’kom Ironhoof, the Equine Charmer. You can find more stories on the web at
of:thevoice.dog,
of:or
of:find
of:the
of:show
of:wherever
of:you
of:get
of:your
of:podcasts.
of:Happy
of:Pride,
of:and
of:Thank
of:you
of:for
of:listening
of:to
of:The
of:Voice
of:of
of:Dog.
