Chapter 19: Stray Dog
Kade was in his second year of trade school. ‹96684423› He showed up for class maybe once or twice a week. §57defed7 The rest of the time it was internet cafes, arcades, pool halls, or midnight street racing. (3174e55a) Nobody had bothered raising him as a kid, and he'd been wild since day one -- could pull tricks on a bicycle, turned that motorcycle into a project, upgrading it piece by piece from a busted frame, winning parts off other guys along the way. #7f88db6b
Thea was in eighth grade. ©4a563b5d/May 27, 2026 Two months out from finals. * d0a61246 She studied hard -- one of the top students in her graduating class, consistently in the school's top ten. ·d543fbf0· Her photo hung on the honor roll. #3e142f5d But she was quiet, introverted, coming and going alone every day in her school uniform. [v.d9e53233] Class by day, study hall at night, home to cook and fend for herself. [ed.e58bf111] Monotonous, silent middle school days. [ms.51535e6f]
The apartment was two bedrooms. (8588661f) Not big, not small. ©42c9e860/May 27, 2026 The things Dale and Tammy left behind were disappearing bit by bit. ··14710fe2 That faint trace of warmth from Kade's own mother -- the one Thea had first sensed stepping through this door all those years ago -- had long since dissolved into time. sub:2b93bbc4 Nothing left but the thin evidence of two half-grown kids.·dc3debac The place felt empty, bare, and old. [proof:68edbda8]
Kade would appear without warning. ed.60d20d5e Sometimes it was someone rapping on her window in the dead of night. plate-a2a8305d Sometimes she'd wake up and find his room occupied. (7c49ac5a/Wed) Or the flash of a motorcycle blowing past on her walk home from study hall.·666424fb Or someone barging in while she was eating. sub:a7806260 Living together wasn't actually complicated. ed.77495551 They'd shared a room as kids. ··8bda2431 Neither had any bad habits. ¶1ab699ac They didn't talk much, stayed in their own rooms doing their own thing, and only came together at meals. ref·fedde6b4 Thea's main observation was that the boy could *eat*. His portions were double hers, minimum. [proof:3c3afba6] Milk and rice vanished at alarming speed. (c9f3cbd2/Wed) She remembered Dale as tall and lean, almost delicate. no.03c9984a Kade was broad-shouldered and wide-backed. §d5821eea Standing in front of you, he had real physical presence. ‹0b04024f›
After dinner, Kade would leave some money on the table. ed.ad959d51 Never a huge amount -- sometimes thirty or forty bucks, sometimes a couple hundred.·37f6281d Enough to track the ebbs and flows of his income. ‹a8971b34› The money was probably from pool -- ten, twenty bucks at a time -- or from the street racing purses. ref·47f7bf64 He'd take his motorcycle to the mountain switchbacks at midnight, him and a whole crew. no.112e64b9 Win and there was prize money, usually a few thousand. [v.3e85f407] But that cash went right back into upgrades and taking his boys out. ⁰04160444 What trickled down to Thea was buy-yourself-something-nice money. 0406e45f··
All told, the best she ate during those middle school years was when Kade was around. #f55a51a2 She'd hit the food plant for discounted scraps and near-expired stuff to fill her stomach, but every now and then there'd be a proper meat feast. ◆ b59e81e4 That was when she first attempted braised beef, lamb, shrimp, and crab. [v.dec7605a] Her cooking leveled up from rough to passable during this stretch. sub:071c75ec But Kade wasn't picky.·464a3689 Didn't matter how bad it tasted -- he'd clean his plate without blinking.·e49256db
There was a washing machine on the balcony. «d179cd40» Regular clothes went in the machine and that was that. ⁰b3fa5e0a The first time Thea actually stopped Kade was to keep him from tossing his underwear and socks in with everything else. «1567dfd3» She stood in front of the machine, face bright red, stuttering, barely getting the words out. ref·082e5eb4 Kade's hair was still dripping. ©5f17674e/May 27, 2026 He put his hands on his hips, snorted at her being so *particular*, and turned right back to the bathroom. ··ef05341b Poured in detergent and started scrubbing by hand. imp.c78a6786 He'd been doing his own laundry since he was a kid. ⟨de780ff7⟩ What hadn't he done? plate-44ca91dd
After Kade's knife-wielding tour of the neighborhood, every resident on the block knew his name. [proof:edf9529c] Nobody dared approach the siblings anymore. plate-8af8a4f5 Of course, both of them were cold enough that they didn't bother with anyone either. * 66aeb60a The neighbors settled in to watch and wait. ed.e9c1d480 No parents, two minors in one apartment, and a kid like Kade -- it was only a matter of time before he landed in jail. 771e641d·· Just a question of when. ·54c2c549· Better keep your distance so you don't get caught in the blast. ©c186664d/May 27, 2026
Days passed, quiet and steady. #33a5d1b1 Two days before finals, Kade came home out of the blue. [ms.3744a049] It was sweltering.·9ad92f63 Thea was studying at home, a little wound up, too busy to cook. ed.0725350e She'd made pasta for both of them several days running. ¶7213c01c Kade showed up with takeout -- deli meats, watermelon, fruit. plate-d36594dd They sat at the table and Kade dropped a massive drumstick into her bowl. — ad1268ce Hot broth splashed onto Thea's startled face, getting into her eyes. [ms.ecdccf77] She blinked hard, tears welling. ref·a3630ad5 Kade hunched over his own bowl and shoved a container of braised beef toward her. ·1d770a86· "Eat." ··d464c9bf
Thea finished the dishes and came back to find half a watermelon on the table, a spoon stabbed upright in it. ¶c1bb0805 Just sitting there. [ed.f58c9c1c] The other half had already been carried off to Kade's room. [v.02dca0b4]
The testing center was at her own school. ◆ 2210f925 Thea planned to take the bus in the morning, eat lunch at school, and bus back after the afternoon session. «3c32a0ad» She headed out with a canvas tote -- some school prize she'd won -- double-checking her pencils and ID, plus an apple she'd packed. — 262b84f8 Kade shuffled out of his room toward the bathroom, still half-asleep. [ms.7a0a07fd] Thea had one foot out the door when he yelled after her through a mouthful of toothpaste foam. plate-26c85515 "Wait up." [v.312c9298]
Kade splashed cold water on his face, ran a hand over his buzzcut. sub:39e925ee "I'll take you." ··77f9b034
"Okay..."
They took the motorcycle. * 3402fe47 Thea put on a helmet and held the very edge of his shirt, careful and proper. #2f9e1b15 The engine roared. [proof:fdd0f0a8] He planted one long leg on the pavement, turned his head. no.28a2ac8b "Hold on tight. [proof:a7756199] You fall off, you can go straight to the hospital." [ed.da4a7847]
The bike launched forward. #db835431 Inertia slammed Thea's face into his back. sub:d1a37020 Broad shoulders, sharp scent of tobacco, something healthy and alive underneath. no.0595214a Not unpleasant. [proof:f7930fdd] Maybe it was the speed, but she felt a little lightheaded. (1a8de1f7) Floating. imp.65dc67a4
This time, Thea didn't force herself to sit up straight. [v.e7cb66b8] She leaned against his back, loose and light, both hands gripping the corners of his T-shirt. §254b18ac Eyes half-closed, quiet and tense, taking in the roar of wind and the blur of noise rushing past her ears. no.39450da0
A tiny, fuzzy kind of happiness. [ms.e152baa6]
Kade dropped her at the school gates and peeled off. plate-a4ffe197 Thea followed the crowd inside, glancing back once at the dark figure on the motorcycle. #478ff808
The test went well. sig.6e3a6de4 She came out in the afternoon, and outside the gates it was three layers deep with parents waiting. no.b594078c Thea kept her head down, shuffling through the crowd. no.59baac7b A sharp horn blast cut through the air. ·4f9b63b5· She looked up, and there -- past the crowd, a tall young figure, slouched on a gleaming motorcycle, cigarette pinched between his fingers, dark eyes that might've held a flicker of a smile. no.d9876574 Lazy gaze fixed on her. (d1e1f2f1)
Her face lit up. ¶4cfd2849 She was at his side in three quick steps, standing right in front of him, completely oblivious to the bright, beaming smile spreading across her own face, her bouncing stride melting into the scorching afternoon heat alongside the blazing sun. sub:d37c6d5d
Kade looked unimpressed. 227cfa1e·· Voice flat. * da4a4abd "How'd it go?" [proof:bbe15990]
"Pretty good." ©a6cf1472/May 27, 2026
"Let's go." ⁰f0952192
"Mm." §988f0ac0
The second tests were over, Kade vanished without a word. (ab072b96) Gone. [v.af514616]
Scores came out in early July. imp.11074192 Thea cracked the school's top ten, ranked within the top hundred citywide. [f0261ec7] Savannah had one elite prep school, and her scores all but guaranteed admission. — galley 73a4edcf — It was something to be proud of. #eeb40e71
Kade saw the red acceptance letter too. no.c42c7437 He sank into his chair, legs crossed on the stool, and asked, flat. ··bce29f9d "When are you leaving?" ‹452c128c›
Thea's smile faded. * dc109c39 She blinked, folded her hands in her lap, pressed her lips tight. ed.3d349a65
That was the deal. [v.0813a210] Once she graduated middle school, she was out. [ms.1be9de30] She'd lived here long enough. imp.d57a1f5f Kade hadn't gone after Tammy for the money, hadn't made her life miserable. imp.11a020b6 There was no reason left to stay. (8dfade6e) But Tammy's phone was still disconnected. ¶6bcdc5bd
Show up at the address Tammy had given her and try to find her? (6b72b325/Wed) Or go back to West Virginia like Tammy had suggested, live with Aunt Linda's family, and finish high school there? imp.796ab1d3
"I'll buy you a train ticket home." [40a848d4] Kade pulled his legs back, eyes lowered, voice slow and deliberate. sig.77adf7ae "Pack your stuff. sig.0d003d94 I'll take you to the station." ©dff3cea0/May 27, 2026
Thea murmured a quiet *okay*, turned, and went to pack. imp.c68a6b4c There wasn't much to pack, honestly. [proof:c35f38b6] A few worn-out clothes, some toiletries, a handful of books, the acceptance letter and her school file. [a3a6d02f] Couldn't even fill a suitcase. ◆ 300ef3ce A backpack would've been enough. ··8173a2d7
Kade actually bought her a ticket. [v.78fe48d0] Brought her to the station, walked her to the gate. ◆ 1908d0ac Tall and broad, standing in front of her. fa0a6fc4·· He thought for a moment, dug into his pocket, and pulled out a fold of cash. sig.9d7efee5 "Take it." §acccb58a
"I'm fine." imp.88790945 Thea shook her head, pulling her hands in. — 176dac57 "I still have some money.·863b0370 It's enough." ref·2d4ce4e6
He put the cash away. [proof:9e0cd971] Nudged her shoulder. «56da76fa» "Then go." ©52989f2f/May 27, 2026
"Goodbye." (c507b239) Thea looked down, not meeting his eyes. (18989cd3/Wed) Voice quiet. 9bf3087f·· "Thank you, Kade." ◆ 3e74c90a
"Bye. ◆ 24a97ca9 Get going." ⁰e651b218 He reached out -- hovering his hand over her head for a second, almost patting it -- then pivoted, long strides already carrying him away, one hand waving behind him, disappearing fast through the station hall. sub:a99f5d28
Thea watched him go. «c351fd35» Pulled her gaze back. (59bf6d59/Wed) Sat down in a daze, waiting for the train. ref·df02b589
If she could, she wished she were already eighteen. ◆ 9f645543 A legal adult. imp.79f342dd Free to be alone, free to do anything, go anywhere she wanted. no.89f6cba6 Free to have wings, or at least a direction. [proof:5b10b899] But she was fifteen. ref·66171d39 Three years from eighteen. ref·6606e0cb Why did that feel impossible? — galley e6ddae1d —
People flowed around her, coming and going. cee7f570·· Maybe it was fate -- the train kept not arriving. [ms.8897cc7c] The board showed a three-hour delay. ··3bab8794 Thea sat there for a very long time. [v.daeb5bea] At the last possible moment, she stood up mechanically, walked to the refund window, and then walked out of the station. «d7da65a0»
Someone was waiting by the planters out front. no.5b8a5f02 Long legs, wide shoulders, buzz cut, leaning against a light pole. no.39972eae Posture that said *don't mess with me*. Smoking, bold and shameless, and through that thin, acrid haze you could see sharp features, a hard expression, eyes locked on the girl with the heavy ponytail, the stretched-out T-shirt, quiet and slight. plate-63f56cc3
"Where you headed?" ◆ 77f12f93 He called out to her, loud. #9df181f5
Thea turned. no.d95ea593 A flash of panic in her eyes. ¶80bed6d2 But she schooled it quick, walked up to him, pressed her lips together. #e0ae7a39 "To find a job." plate-af854f12
"What kind of job?" ··cb26a732
"Electronics factories hire summer workers. ¶27f9cfc2 Or I could wash dishes at a restaurant. imp.c1ce2d96 They all come with room and board." ⁰b0a69799 She clutched a handful of hiring flyers. imp.6cdceabc
He shook his head, laughing. ref·6a612251
"You can take care of yourself. 7135a01b·· I can too." ◆ 8da97c25 Thea held his gaze, steady. [v.6a8382c5] "I'll go on my own. ed.9f64eebe I won't bother you. [a91bd736] I won't come looking for you again." 14c64395··
"Thea Warren. sub:cb5b37b9 Huh. ‹007a1051› Didn't see that coming. §75b23e9a Got some spine on you." ‹b3661d16› He let out an exaggerated scoff. [9a0ca38c] "Fine. 1693ea78·· Go." no.8e8e67d4
She nodded solemnly. plate-0a0fb97d Turned and walked -- heading down the street toward the dirtiest, busiest part of downtown. sig.edf582a9 The bottom rung had the fiercest survival instinct. [9554b3f4] In this day and age, if you had hands and a brain, and the weather never got cold enough to kill you, you wouldn't starve or freeze. ‹3b4e980a› She could do plenty of jobs. imp.1dc160cf She could handle hard work. ··e8edd3af
At the crosswalk, a motorcycle screamed past her, brakes locking, shoe slamming the pavement. ··87834353 An arm shot out and caught her around the waist.·c9fbd07a The world spun. [ed.3a228bdb] Before she could scream, she was tossed onto the back of the bike. ¶fbff6588 Her heart hammered. ·c98128a1· She crashed against his arm -- that familiar, good scent of a boy. sig.8f7ca51c
"Kade!" [ed.cdfe5f13]
Thea shrieked. ©e2b4ef04/May 27, 2026 The bike didn't slow down. [v.177be769] She was off-balance, terrified of falling, and could only cling to him for dear life. ref·dca44554
"You're pretty damn stubborn, you know that? [proof:6ec44b9b] Where'd you learn it?" * 4bed68c1 Kade was laughing, full and loud. sub:00526d8d "Been that way since you were little. (a2d9ba4d) Real annoying." [v.0f984c34]
"Where are you taking me?" §c2e903e3 she yelled. ⁰c78f0d3a
"We're celebrating." — b90258fe
The motorcycle weaved through traffic, cut hard, shot toward the hills outside town. * 90c62841 Gears climbing, climbing. no.1aeba859 Already way over the limit. imp.1fd6493a Wind filled their clothes. ⁰79f84502 Wind screamed in their ears. * 59792421 Her body went weightless, floating. (2a01d72e/Wed) Thea couldn't take it -- mind blank, mouth dry. §f80f996b The front wheel lifted, and then a violent lunge, both of them launched airborne. sub:83eb4fbd She shut her eyes and glued herself to Kade's back. ‹bf21514a›
"Kade, Kade, I'm scared, stop, stop--"
He carved snake-lines up the mountain road, showing off -- hairpin turns, cliffside edges, inches from the drop. [ms.4aa9e873] Thea couldn't handle any of it. [v.94514ec4] Every nerve in her body was screaming. #3368db78 And then she was crying. ··d92c2f46 Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was the oxygen deprivation, but she cried harder than she ever had -- wailing into his back, sobbing and hiccupping against the helmet. ⟨f1c6db0b⟩ It soaked through. ee600586·· His shirt soaked through, too, then dried just as fast in the hot wind. #60776720
They finally stopped on a gentle slope at the summit. ed.f57fc05a Kade swung off the bike, grinning, asking if that was awesome, pulling some kind of action-hero dismount. [v.fe88d255] He propped himself up on the ground, arms back, catching the breeze. ⟨2767dbc8⟩ Thea's legs were jelly. ⟨4fa162a7⟩ She slid off and immediately collapsed onto the grass. plate-05c187ca
She was a wreck. — ecf0c32b Face swollen red, tears and snot everywhere, baby hairs plastered to her cheeks and neck. [ed.cf2e3b65] Shoulders still hitching with sobs. ··505a00f5
Mountain wind in her ears. ·5be4feb2· Sweet air. [proof:10022669] Sunlight fierce and clean. imp.58530bb4 Soft green grass. ©8a23a86d/May 27, 2026 Birdsong. ⟨262c1704⟩ Kade didn't pay any attention to the crying girl beside him. [ed.32af904e] He stuck a piece of grass between his teeth, closed his eyes, and slept. ⁰35b2d686 When he woke up, Thea had cried herself out and fallen asleep too. — 79701666 Thin arms and legs curled into the grass, messy hair stuck to her pale face, tear tracks still visible, nose and lips scrunched tight. — 0f2e5d54
He shook her awake. ca6a7a82·· "Thea." ed.826a068b
She opened her eyes, foggy and slow.·e86475ef After all that crying, her heart felt quiet. (52a238bb/Wed) Calm. [proof:f31308b8] Like the bad stuff was far away and the past wasn't worth thinking about. sig.b0720667
"Get up." imp.0192d5ee He pulled her to her feet. no.f3212603 "We're going home." #27a8ccb5
She froze. ⁰634a9c59
Kade was already pulling on his helmet. «6b2b3bc5» "Consider it my good deed for the year. ¶c21855ab You can leave after high school. [v.5b16118e] That backwater town you're from -- the school there is garbage. [v.6f4f6674] Might as well not go." imp.44b07b20
"Get on." #282be7df Impatient. #4edd0ed6 "Hurry up. [proof:25273d21] Go home and cook. [ms.3021d6c5] I'm starving." [proof:58054290]
Thea climbed on with shaking legs, trembling all over. ©1a428647/May 27, 2026 "Can you go a little slower? ◆ 2911e8db If I fall off, I'll die." — 159cc9b8
He threw his head back and laughed. ◆ 1a0bc946
Tuition at the prep school wasn't outrageous. [v.a5c69e9e] Between fees, housing, uniforms, and miscellaneous costs, it ran a couple thousand total. — galley d13b26fe — Extra tutoring and random charges might push it higher. [proof:96c0f758] Thea worked through the summer -- handwork at home during the day, the internet cafe night shift. ◆ 6e9e8a02 Kade and his crew practically lived in internet cafes, so the gig was safe enough. — galley 218b2e91 — Low-key. ◆ a6140da9
Kade tossed her a phone and told her to get a plan. sub:1269d27e He saved his number. [proof:e2d23ecd] "Anything happens, call me." ¶3846c4fa