Chapter 19: Alpha Rising

Dimitri drove east to Melbourne to get the supplies he would need for the night's bonfire REO Speedwagon blaring from the speakers about how she doesn't like the tough guys. The problem with being out in the middle of nowhere was that you needed to drive thirty minutes in any direction just to hit a grocery store. Or a drug store. Hardware store. Decent restaurant. Well, just about anything really. Of course, the upside was that it cut down on traffic jams in the immediate area as well as loud neighbors. Plus, he wouldn't need a burn permit for his bonfire. He chuckled to himself. There's always a silver lining if you look hard enough.

Josh offered to remain behind and clear out the area they had spotted their first day in Bull Creek to ensure there would be nothing burning except the wood they intended to torch. Of course, Josh continued to mutter about what a stupid idea it was to have a giant blaze going during the hottest—and driest—part of the year, but Dimitri had grown used to h