He and Savannah had carried through his “makeover” plan after they’d reentered the barn … even after they discovered the gruesome fate of Thedford’s horse. When the Jackrabbits had gotten their fill of the dead animal, Cole had assigned Savannah the task of spraying off the blood and entrails with a garden hose they’d found in one of the stalls. Meanwhile, Cole had gone about the dirty work of removing the various objects embedded in his teammates’ bodies. The work had been slow going, and the hours had stretched out interminably. He had been forced to pull out everything from metal screws and glass shards to steel shanks and football spikes.

There had also been a few even less desirable procedures. A number of limbs had to be forcibly shoved back into joints. Some players had body parts that were so damaged they had to be removed completely. Cole had had to snip off Deke Watley’s dangling left ear with a bailing wire clamp. Clemont Nutley’s thumb and Jaimie LeBrane’s pinky toe had met a similar fate. The most challenging procedure had been to push Fenmore Pewley’s spleen back into his midsection. Cole had crudely stitched the wound closed with a leather saddle lace.

Their work had succeeded in making the players more presentable. But it was the consumption of the horse that had done the most to improve the Jackrabbits’ appearance.

Minutes into the feast, the color began to return to their skin. A sense of focus replaced the vacancy in their eyes. And Savannah was right: along with the improved physicality came a noticeable change in the players’ demeanor. They seemed less lethargic and more reactive, even agitated. In truth, Cole thought they looked pissed off, but he didn’t share that opinion with Savannah.

He swiveled the driver’s seat around and took her hands. “Look, I can see that they’ve changed, too. And I’ll admit that while they appear healthier than they did, they still seem … not quite right.”

“It’s like they don’t look dead anymore,” she whispered. “But then, they don’t look alive, either. There’s something almost evil about them, Cole. It scares me.”

“I know. But looking evil is a good thing for a football team, right? Let’s not forget the monsters we’re gonna be going up against if we can make this game happen.” He squeezed her hands. “I can’t do this alone, Savannah. I think we’re both in it too deep to turn back now. But I have to know that you’re still with me.”

She brought her eyes back slowly and nodded.

The bus rocked under an anxious shift of the players’ weight.

It was time for the Jackrabbits’ entrance.

“Okay, Savannah … you’re on.”

CHAPTER 30