Page 21 of Captured on Film
“And Nessie.”
Thunder crashed, and rain rattled against the tent withevery gust of wind. Caleb’s heart sank, but it was useless to search for theirdog on such a night. He was the responsible brother. The one who used his head.He needed to give Josheb permission to give up. For now. “We’ll get her backtomorrow. Together.”
Small Comfort
Caleb couldn’t get to sleep. Partly because he couldtell that Josheb wasn’t. And there was a distinct possibility that if Calebdropped off, his brother would sneak out. So he had no choice but to keepwatch. Not for bigfoot, or whatever threat awaited them. But over Josheb, who lovedNessie more than he liked to let on.
Rolling onto his other side, Caleb said, “You didn’t findanything bad.” He was comforting himself as much as his brother. “No blood? Nosigns of a scuffle?”
“Yeah. Nothing like that.” Josheb’s next words came slowly.“I’d fastened her leash around that column. Someone unclipped it and led heraway.”
“Someone that the others mistook for bigfoot?”
Josheb snorted.
“If anything’s possible, and you do tend to believe inanything, then you have to admit that it’s possible that Nessie’s fine.”
“I thought you’d be frantic.”
“You’ve got it covered.”
Josheb punched his shoulder.
Caleb asked, “When will it be light enough?”
“Four, if the storm passes.”
“Two more hours. Let’s catch a nap, then do what we have todo.”
“Can’t sleep,” Josheb grumbled.
“It’s easy.” And because he knew it would help more than itwould embarrass him, Caleb said, “Want to know my secret?”
“I know your secret.”
“You know the big one. I have little ones.”
After a long beat, Josheb asked, “Yeah?”
He sounded so hopeful. He sounded gullible. But while Caleb oftenrefrained from mentioning things to his brother, he’d never lied to Josheb.“There’s a reason I live in the highest loft I could find.”
“Distancing yourself from nature?”
“No.” Caleb could feel a blush coming on. “I was trying toclose a distance. The higher I am, the better I can hear them.”
“Figments?”
“Nooo. At least, I don’t think so. Figments have tinyvoices.”
Josheb fumbled in the dark, and Caleb reached back. Hisbrother’s hand was too cold.
After a few moments, Josheb whispered, “I don’t hearanything but rain.”
“Listening with your ears doesn’t work.” This was so hard toexplain. “They’re singing, and I can hear them.”
“But not with your ears.”
“It’s more like … umm ….” He trailed off, feelingvulnerable. The songs had always been his secret, too precious to share. “Look,I don’t know how it works.”
