He clasped his hands behind his back. His features softened some as he made another scan down the line of lost faces. “Gentlemen, if you’ve understood anything I’ve just said, then I hope you’ll understand this, too: It’s been an honor to coach you this year. You gave me everything you had and then some. And I’m damn sorry for what’s happened. My prayers will be with you and your families until the day I join you on the other side … and that’s a promise.” He looked at Cole through misty eyes. The two of them shared a nod. Then the coach cleared his throat and blew his whistle. “Now get your dead asses on that bus. We’ve got a game to win.”

CHAPTER 44

HELLO.”

“What are you wearing?”

“Cole! Thank God!”

“Your dad let me use his cell.”

“So he found you?”

“He found me; I found the Jackrabbits.”

“So is everything okay?”

“That depends on your definition of—”

“Is anyone else dead, moron?”

“No … at least, not that I know of.”

“Where are y’all?”

“Your dad’s on the bus, heading for the locker room with the team, taking the long way around town to avoid the sheriff’s patrol cars.”

“You left him alone with them!”

“Only when I felt confident that everything was cool. Don’t worry. The guys knew who he was and did as he said … same as they did with me. If it helps any, your dad’s also got the rifle … just in case.”

“Oh, I feel so much better. So where are you?”

“I just crossed the city line, heading back into town. The pickup got stuck, so I had to steal a car. Long story. I’ll tell you later. Are you still at home?”

“No, I’m at the Buttered Bean. I didn’t think it was a good idea to stay home with the sheriff out looking for me.”

“Good call.”

“I ditched my car a mile from here. Don’t worry, nobody knows where I am. Anyway, listen, I’ve made calls to every news organization in the county, telling them to head over to Jackrabbits Stadium if they want to catch the biggest story in town. It’s already all over the TV and radio. I also started a few email and text-messaging chains, which are passing through the Killington High student body as we speak. Apparently word is spreading like wildfire. I just learned that the stadium is already starting to fill up.”

“Sheriff’s office? State troopers?”

“I’m told there are only a handful of them at the school now. Seems there was a little resistance at first, but eventually the crowd got so big there wasn’t much the authorities could do without taking drastic action. I’m thinking they don’t have too many men to spare at the moment, what with the Jackrabbits still at large. Not to mention us.”