Chapter 23: Alpha Rising

The flames flickered up into the warm night air as Dimitri stood at the fire's edge, a beer in one hand, his other hand in his front pocket. So far, only Josh and himself filled the small clearing, and while Dimitri was disappointed, he wasn't surprised. The residents of Bull Creek were leery and for good reason.

Josh shrugged as he lifted his beer bottle to his lips. "It's not like we actually invited people. You should have made fliers or something. We could have posted them on doors. Besides, it's still in the upper eighties even with night closing in on us. Most people probably think this fire proves you're nuts." He chuckled. "They wouldn't be wrong."

Dimitri glanced over at his friend with a soft laugh and a shake of his head. "True. I guess I hoped people would scent the fire and wander over to see what was happening, just to tell me how stupid I was. I guess the residents of Bull Creek just aren't that curious."

"They're skeptical and for good reason," a male's voice sounded fr