Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT TITAN BARKED
Harold moved Wyatt to his sister's farmhouse outside town.
The sheriff arranged additional patrols.
Jackson's attorney coordinated with investigators.
For several days, nothing happened.
Then the storm returned.
Snow fell heavily.
Roads closed.
Power flickered.
At nine thirty, Titan began barking.
Wyatt looked up from his book.
“Grandpa?”
Harold stood.
“Stay here.”
He moved toward the window.
A vehicle was parked beyond the fence.
Its headlights were off.
Harold's stomach tightened.
He called the sheriff.
Then checked the doors.
Titan growled.
Deep.
Low.
Warning.
Wyatt clutched his book.
“Grandpa?”
Harold turned.
“It's okay, son.”
But his voice didn't sound convincing.
Outside, a car door opened.
Footsteps crunched through the snow.
Harold moved Wyatt away from the windows.
“Go to the back room.”
Wyatt shook his head.
“I don't want to leave you.”
Harold knelt.
“Listen to me. You're not leaving me. You're doing what I need you to do.”
Wyatt swallowed.
Then nodded.
Titan followed him.
A loud knock struck the front door.
“Mr. Morrison?”
Harold didn't answer.
Another knock.
“Open up.”
Harold stared at the door.
Then called out:
“Police are on their way.”
Silence.
The footsteps moved away.
A vehicle engine started.
Then tires spun on the icy road.
Harold exhaled.
But the danger wasn't over.
Ten minutes later, Sheriff Price arrived.
He checked the property.
Reviewed the tire tracks.
And confirmed that someone had approached the farmhouse.
Wyatt emerged from the back room.
Titan pressed against his leg.
Harold hugged him.
“You did good.”
Wyatt began crying.
“I'm scared.”
Harold held him tighter.
“I know.”
That night, Jackson arrived after the sheriff confirmed the area was secure.
He found Wyatt sitting on the couch.
The boy looked up.
“Mr. Jackson?”
Jackson knelt.
“Hey, buddy.”
Wyatt's eyes filled.
“Are the bad men coming back?”
Jackson swallowed.
“I don't know.”
The boy began crying.
Jackson looked at Harold.
Then back at Wyatt.
He reached into his pocket.
Pulled out the lucky stone.
Placed it in the boy's hand.
Wyatt stared.
“You still have it?”
Jackson nodded.
“Every day.”
The boy looked up.
“Are you scared?”
Jackson swallowed.
“Yes.”
Wyatt nodded.
“Me too.”
Jackson put a hand on his shoulder.
“Then we'll be brave together.”
May you like
Titan rested his enormous head between them.
And for a moment, three frightened hearts found comfort in the same small room.
