A little laugh. “You got a better idea?”

They walked in silence again until Argus cleared his throat and said, “I want to talk to you about something.”

Noble shrugged. “Go ahead. We’ve got time.”

“Okay…” A pause. “Well, it’s no secret I’m not doing all that well at school.”

“It’s a human school,” Noble said. “It’s got walls and windows and locks on the doors. It’s not the best environment for someone like you.”

Argus smiled, appreciating his brother’s understanding. “Sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing there.”

“We all feel like that from time to time, but it’s important that we graduate because we won’t be able to do much in the human world without a high-school diploma.”

Argus was quiet for the longest time. Finally he said, “I don’t think I’m going to graduate.”

“Of course you are. Harlan’s been hacking into the school computer to make sure you’re a straight C student.”

“That’s not what I mean,” said Argus. He put a hand on his brother’s shoulder and turned Noble around to face him. “I’m thinking of leaving the pack…living in the forest. I might even find another pack to run with.”

Noble felt his heart drop. He’d been expecting something like this from Argus, but not for another year or two. Argus was a fighter and, as such, he was constantly being frustrated by the limitations imposed on him by the human world. It was killing Argus to stand by and watch Harlan being bullied by Jake MacKinnon, when every instinct he had told Argus to tear the little jerk apart. “But you’re part of our pack,” Noble said. “We need you.”

Argus nodded. “I know, but I need something else. I feel my future is out there—” He gestured toward the woods. “—and it’s calling me. Into the forest and away from the pack.”

Noble turned and resumed walking. It was obvious that his brother had given the matter a lot of thought. They were talking about what he felt in his heart, not some child’s dream of becoming a fireman. “Have you told Ranger Brock?”

Argus took a deep breath. “Not yet. I’ve got to get my courage up first.”

“You? Courage?”

“He’s a great man. I don’t want to hurt him…or Phyllis.”

“He’ll understand,” said Noble. “Just like I do.” A pause. “It’s your life. You have to do what you want to do with it. I’ll be sad, but I won’t stand in your way.”

“Thanks,” Argus said, resting a hand on Noble’s shoulder. “I appreciate it.”

The two brothers continued on into town.

* * *

They caught up to Willie Greene behind the bowling alley. He was slumped over on the back stairs drinking something from a paper bag.