Page 205 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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The door at the end—

Is cracked open.

Just slightly.

Every instinct I have goes sharp.

I slow my steps.

Weapon up.

Careful.

Controlled.

I push the door open with my foot.

It creaks softly.

Outside—

Nothing.

No movement.

No sound.

But the night air rushes in like something just slipped out into it.

“Damn it,” I breathe.

Aspen steps past me before I can stop her.

“Havoc—”

“Wait—”

Too late.

She’s already outside.

Spinning.

Looking.

“Grandpa!” she calls, her voice cutting through the darkness. “We have to find him. He has dementia. He can’t take care of himself.”

No answer.

The yard stretches out in shadow.

The old farm is half a mile away. We don’t even know if that’s where he went.

Too many places to hide.

Too many places to disappear.

My gaze drops.

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