Lost Luggage

The four, wet-fanged coyotes didn’t so much drag Jan away screaming, as they had her just follow them into the deeper grass beyond the trail.  She’s other side of the distant winter poplars now, holding up to the sun (like it’s an offering) a wafer of rock she thinks might be mica or vermiculite. Both of them so damn far from home. She left her toffee and caramel tote bag at the side of the trail, but there’s only an old novel in there anyway, an old novel and a card for Sue, because Sue has been struggling lately and sometimes a kind word …

Truth is, though, Jan thinks maybe Sue actually should suffer at least another day or two, considering how shitty it was, what she said, and how the wild dogs ought to be Jan’s priority, given they’ve outflanked her, and the bigger two are arguing something fierce over plot details.