Officer Jones listened carefully, his brow furrowed in thought. Though puzzled, he saw the desperation and honesty in Lukas’ eyes. “Alright,” Jones said finally. “Show me where this is happening. Let’s see if we can find out what’s going on with these dogs.”
Lukas led Officer Jones to the forest’s edge, explaining softly, “They usually show up around recess.” The two waited in the parked police car, the quiet thick around them. Lukas’s heart hammered with nervous anticipation as the minutes crawled by, his hope battling growing anxiety.