Sheriff Blanton tore himself free, ripping his leg off the hook. Patrick was on his feet now, the gun leveled, but before he could fire, the sheriff bounded across the floor and sprang at the window. He balled up, going sideways through the panes, glass shattering all around his curled form.

He hit the ground, rolled through the mud, and popped up onto all fours like a wolf. We crowded around the window, watching with disbelief. Sheriff Blanton galloped for the high fence, somehow transitioning from all fours to his legs without slowing. Then he jumped.

His haunches pulled up as he rose, his heels skimming the top of the fence. For an instant he was in clear view, silhouetted against the moonlit sky.

Patrick had the Winchester raised, the sheriff in his sights.

Alex slammed her palm down on the top of the shotgun as Patrick fired. The shot blew up a cluster of marigolds in the garden.

Her father was gone.

She whirled on Patrick. “What are you doing?”

“You saw his face, Alex. His eyes. That thing handcuffed you and shoved you into a steamer trunk.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. “That thing is still my dad.”

Blood dripped from the baling hook in my hand, tapping onto the floor. Alex’s green eyes lowered to the curved steel protruding from my fist. She took in a gulp of air. I felt my face burn as if I’d done something wrong, even though I knew that I’d had to do it.

From the front of the house, we could hear the dogs barking ferociously. I sprinted out of the room, Alex and Patrick following me. Bursting through the front door, I jumped over the porch steps, running for the detached garage.

Around the corner, Rocky and JoJo huddled against the wall. The dogs had formed a protective ring surrounding them, Zeus snapping at the air, barking so hard that flecks of saliva sprayed from his mouth. I settled the dogs.

Only then did we realize that Alex’s hands were still cuffed. She shuddered and Patrick wrapped his arms around her.

“My dad keeps a spare key in his nightstand drawer,” she said.

“I’ll get it,” I said.

“Will you grab her a jacket and some clothes, too?” Patrick said.

I nodded and headed for the dark house.

Behind me I heard Alex ask, “Where are we going?”

“We’re heading into town,” Patrick said. “We have to get out of range.”

“Of what?”

I was glad I didn’t have to explain that one.

I walked through the halls of the Blanton house, the floorboards groaning beneath my feet. Cold winters and hot summers warped the wood, making our town a creaky place. Any other time that felt homey.