After The Fires Went Out: Coyote (Book One of the Post-Apocalyptic Adventure Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the dead coyote over his shoulders like it was a forty-pound gold medal.
    Fiona and Matt were downstairs with me; Sara was upstairs taking a shower, and I had no idea where anyone else was.
    Fiona stared at the creature like she expected it to jump onto its feet and attack; they don’t see a lot of fur stoles down in the GTA.
    “One down,” Justin said with a wide grin.
    “And two to go,” I said as I held open the door. “At the very least.”
    He tossed the coyote off onto the floor, barely missing the rug. I’m not sure why he thought we’d want it in the house.
    Matt walked over and stared at it; if he’d had a stick I’m sure he would have started poking it.
    “Two coyotes doesn’t make a pack,” Justin said. “I doubt they’ll be any trouble.”
    “Tell me you didn’t bait them.”
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    “I told you not to do it, Justin.”
    He sat down on the couch in the living room, throwing his boots up on the wicker coffee table.
    Fiona sighed, and of course she rolled her eyes. “You didn’t take your boots off,” she said. “How many times is that?”
    “Real men don’t take their boots off, sweetness,” he said.
    “Just take off the boots,” I said.
    He kicked them off, doing his best to spread more dirt than if he’d kept them on.
    “So now we have two coyotes waiting just outside for their next meal,” I said.
    “How is that different than yesterday?”
    “I don’t understand why you can’t just listen to me?”
    “How long have you been up here, Baptiste? A couple of years?”
    “Long enough.”
    “When I was five years old I used to go out and check the trapline with my uncle. What did you do back home in Toronto? Hunt for the lowest price on tampons? I’d say I’m more qualified than you to catch a few coyotes.”
    “That’s not the point,” Fiona said. “Baptiste is in charge.”
    “At least Justin gets results,” Matt said.
    “Kid’s got a point,” Justin said. “I do get results.”
    “The cockiness isn’t helping,” I said. “We’ve given you a chance here, Justin. After what you’ve done...”
    “Don’t start.”
    I knelt down and picked up the coyote with one hand. It was heavy enough for two, but I’d already committed myself to only using one. I carried it out and threw it onto the porch.
    “So now you’re the one baiting,” Matt said. “What will that bring us, anyway? Bears?”
    “I don’t know why I bother asking you not to do something, Justin,” I said.
    “Don’t bother,” Justin said. “Because I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep us safe.”
    “That’s not how it’s looking to me. I see a guy who’s doing his best to undermine me just for the fun of it.”
    He stretched back on the couch, wrapping his arms around his head. He was trying to show me just how not-worried he was.
    “I’m not trying to undermine you,” he said. “I’m honestly trying to help. Do you remember the conversation we had? I’ve got three guys lined up who are ready to go.”
    “Ready to go for what?” Fiona asked.
    “For Stems,” Justin said.
    “Three guys,” I said. “Not exactly an army. And how are you even getting in touch with Detour Lake anyway? Last time I checked they don’t like using the radio.”
    “No,” Fiona said. “You shouldn’t be talking to them. Sara says --”
    “You shouldn’t listen to Sara,” Justin said.
    “We’re not talking to them,” I said. “At least I’m not.”
    I heard footsteps on the stairs. I turned to see Sara and I wondered how much she’d heard.
    “Good morning, Justin,” she said with a smile. “Brought your dirty boots in, I see.”
    “Uh, sorry,” he said.
    “What were you guys talking about?”
    “Nothing important.”
    “They were talking about Stems,” Fiona said. “I guess Justin doesn’t want you included.”
    “And you’re doing this here?” Sara asked. “Are you joking?”
    “Kayla isn’t here,” Matt said. “She’s out at the old Williams