Page 41 of Captured on Film
“You’re an excellent watchdog, so I’m going to give you animportant job.” Caleb was desperate enough to try anything. “Watch over Joshebfor me. Keep my brother safe while I’m away.”
Sasquatch’s attention shifted to the other brother.
“Stay. Protect Josheb.”
The dog whined softly, but he went to lie on the floorbeside Josheb’s bed, muzzle on his paws, gaze mournful.
Caleb slipped out and tiptoed down the passage. He wasn’tsurprised to find a candle lit in the kitchen or Andor seated beside the hearth—feetpropped, frown firmly in place as he stared into the embers. Until Calebstepped into the open.
Andor’s eyes widened, then shifted to the passage, as ifexpecting Sasquatch to appear.
Swallowing his pride, Caleb pantomimed drinking. “Is thereany wine? I was hoping …?”
With a hesitant tone, Andor asked something. But then hecurled his fingers, beckoning Caleb closer.
“I really need to learn a few words. Maybe Eri could teachme?” Pointing to the door, he practically begged, “Can I visit Eri? I was actually,really hoping … you know?”
With another long look at the inner passage, Andor wrestledbriefly with the ring on his finger and extended it.
It wasn’t exactly what he wanted. But they were closer to anunderstanding.
Caleb strode forward and closed Andor’s fingers over thering, then plucked at his sleeve and pointed at the door. “Eri. Please? Willyou take me to see the stars?”
All of Andor’s hesitation vanished, replaced by the samekind of pleased look he’d shown when Caleb complimented his wine. With slowmovements, he took Caleb by the wrist, pressed his ring against his palm, and closedCaleb’s fingers around the crystal. Working his jaw, he spoke a single word. InEnglish. “Peace.”
“Peace,” Caleb readily agreed, elated that Andor was makingan effort.
With a grunt, Andor swept him off his feet and smuggled him outthe door.
They stopped in a different cave long enough for Andorto pass him three cups and to shoulder a squat cask. It was all very secretiveand celebratory, like the stars were welcoming Caleb home. He was jittery withanticipation. Or maybe it was just the cold.
“Should have brought a jacket,” he mumbled. “And we need tohave a serious discussion about socks and shoes.”
Andor grunted.
He might have been smiling.
Caleb wished he knew why.
Then again, not everything in life needed to be documented.
Complaints Filed
Hours later, Andor tucked Caleb back into his own bed.The blankets were bliss. Everything was. Possibly thanks to the star wine. Howmuch had he consumed? Andor had topped off his cup every few sips, so it wasdifficult to guess. Caleb was beyond buzzed and happy to have pulled offsomething daring.
“Lived up to my name,” he mumbled to Sasquatch.
The dog grumbled and snuffled and sniffed and sneezed.
Then a hand was stroking his hair, and two voices rumbledoverhead. Gruff, but not angry. Andor bent over him, his expression troubled.But he touched Caleb’s shoulder and said, “Peace.”
Happiness washed over Caleb. He’d befriended bigfoot.
Andor blinked, and he looked embarrassed. But he kept hispromise and handed over his flask before hurrying away. Caleb curled around it,pleased with his prize. He could share it with Josheb tomorrow.
It took a few moments to register that someone was still pettinghis hair. He turned, squinting into the dim. Candlelight wasn’t much to go by.“Whossat?”
“Sasquatch.”
