Echo

taken to the local shelter. Dognapping victims were being advised to stop by to examine the dogs. Human bones taken to coroner, weapons in abandon vehicles, fighting apparatus, unexplained crime scene, copious amounts of animal blood, authorities stumped, etc., etc. …
    Yeah, Scotty thought as he put the paper down. They knew all the facts except who done it and why. Not surprised, he felt no guilt. No way could either he or Echo allow the dogfighting to continue. It’s a way of life with those ignorant hillbilly assholes. They don’t change. No second chances for them. They didn’t give the dogs any second chances. No, all they got was bashed in skulls with a baseball bat and sledge hammer, or chewed to death as prey objects by the fighting dogs. Tears came to his eyes as he thought about the innocence of the tragic pets stolen from their suburban lawns and their loving homes, not understanding why they were being torn apart. The kind of man that can do this to an animal is on par with a pedophile. They both prey on the innocent for their own gratification, dispose of the evidence through merciless torture and murder. They’re both predators, their predilection hard wired into their brains. The only difference is that pedophiles know what they do is wrong. The other bastards think they have a God given right. Well, where the hell is God when the agony and suffering goes down? The scum in the woods sure won’t be touching another helpless dog again and he was not sorry .
    “Where were you last night?” Jose looked steamed. Glancing at Abby for help, he knew he was on his own, her face reflecting worry.
    “There’s no sense denying it Scotty, the skeletons tell the story. You can’t just go around killing people. Was Echo with you?” Turning to Abby, Scotty hung his head. He felt an aura caress his mind as Echo spoke up.
    “Brother Scotty did not kill anyone.” Jose stood up, disappointment on his face.
    “Echo, please don’t tell me it was you.”
    “It was not me, Brother Jose. But they needed to die. They were very evil.”
    “Then who was it. How did they die?” Jose sat down, his posture seething with disbelief.
    “It was the Womb.”
    “You saw the Womb? Come on, cut the crap.”
    “I did, Jose. I saw it.” Jose took a deep breath, a grenade ready to explode. His fingers drummed impatiently on the table, the tempo escalating.
    “I can’t deal with this right now. Can you please keep an eye on him? I’m not in the mood for fairy tales.” Jose abruptly rose up from the table stalking out of the room. Scotty scratched his head, ready to condemn Jose’s overreaction.
    “What’s with him?”
    “I don’t know, just stress. Promise me you’ll stay around the house? Stay out of trouble?”
    “Yeah, I’m going back to bed if you don’t mind. I have plans later with Echo and the dogs, if that’s okay?” Scotty sounded contrite, looking to placate Abby. Why blow up on her anyway? He knew he could always count on his sister to be in his corner first, ask questions later.
    “Don’t leave the island.” She put her hand on his. “You know we have to talk about this sometime.”
    “Yeah, just later, please Ab.” She patted his hand again.
    “Okay, go back to bed, kiddo.” Abby smiled, getting up to give him a quick hug. “I understand. I know how much creatures mean to you. Don’t take to heart what Jose says. He’s just trying to keep us on the down low and out of the public eye. I’ll calm him down. He just isn’t as nutty crazy as you are about creatures, so he doesn’t get it.”
    “Don’t worry Ab, I’ll convert him sooner or later.” As Scotty left the room to head up the stairs, the entire posse, including Echo, trundled up the stairs behind him, back to bed.

Chapter 2
    Scotty slept late into the afternoon, Echo and Barney already outside. Throwing on a pair of denim cutoffs and a terry cloth shirt, he ran down the grand staircase out to the terrace, hunting for his posse. Putting the memory of last night behind him for now, he allowed himself to get jazzed about the surprise he planned for Echo. This was just for her. Whistling for the gang, they came running in a pack, Echo holding on tight to Barney as Penny and Mimi brought up the rear. Appearing in the front of the house, Scotty cautiously slipped Echo inside the garage, mindful of unwelcome eyes. As everyone piled in his Jeep, he lifted a baby carriage into the back of the truck, smoothing down the opaque