15
1058 Words
Trey leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, smirk firmly in place. “So let me get this straight,” he said, glancing between Elijah and Will. “Rae willingly gets back in a kayak with Del every summer, knowing she’s basically signing up for an accidental drowning?”
Elijah grinned. “It’s either bravery or denial. I can’t decide which.”
Will chuckled, tapping the edge of the map. “Maybe she likes living dangerously. Or she’s collecting near-death experiences like merit badges.”
Rae narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. “You three think you’re real funny, huh?”
Trey shrugged. “If Del’s track record’s that bad, maybe wear a life vest on land too.”
Elijah snorted. “Or a helmet. For paddle-related incidents.”
Will added, deadpan, “Pre-filled insurance forms wouldn’t hurt.”
Del tried not to laugh and failed spectacularly. “Okay, that one was good.”
“Traitor!” Rae gasped. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”
Aspen barked once, like he agreed with the boys.
Trey grinned wider. “You have to admit—it’s impressive you haven’t banned her from kayaking.”
“I’m about to ban you from breathing near me,” Rae shot back.
“Threat or promise?” Trey teased—just in time for a stress ball to whiz past his head and smack Elijah in the shoulder.
“Hey!” Elijah protested, laughing. “Collateral damage!”
Rae grabbed a pen and lobbed it next. “Next one’s sharper if you don’t stop talking!”
Will tried—and failed—to keep a straight face. “Careful, Rae. You’re giving Aspen ideas.”
As if summoned, Aspen trotted over, picked up an empty paper cup, and dropped it at Rae’s feet like an offering.
“See?” Rae said smugly. “Even Aspen’s on my side.”
Del was doubled over laughing. “You two are menaces.”
“She’s scarier off the water,” Elijah muttered to Will.
“Definitely scarier,” Trey agreed.
Rae lifted the cup threateningly. “Keep talking, Carter.”
Will held up his hands. “Alright, truce before she turns the war room into a battlefield.”
Remi, who’d been quietly observing, finally smiled. “This is what teamwork looks like? Pure chaos.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Rae replied.
The laughter lingered—easy, familiar, the calm before the next problem.
While the brothers returned to routes and formations, Rae sat at the monitor bank, fingers flying as she ran diagnostics on the sensor network. Then she paused.
The room was… quiet.
Too quiet.
No jingle of tags. No tail thumping. No suspicious snuffling near Del’s snack stash.
“Where’s Aspen?” Rae asked suddenly.
Trey didn’t look up. “Passed out under a desk after his fry heist.”
“Or planning another one,” Elijah added.
Rae frowned. “No. I’d hear him snoring.” She stood. “I’m finding him before he eats a power cord.”
Remi smiled knowingly. “Good luck.”
Rae checked the lounge—empty. Kitchen—clear. Storage—nothing. Then she noticed a cracked door at the end of the hall.
Elijah’s room.
“Oh no,” Rae whispered, pushing it open.
Aspen was sprawled on the rug like a king on his throne, Elijah’s carefully hidden stash of peanut butter cups torn open around him. Wrappers everywhere. Chocolate smudged on his snout.
He wagged his tail.
Rae stared for a beat—then burst out laughing. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Of all the things to steal, you go for Elijah’s secret candy stash?”
Aspen barked proudly and nudged an empty wrapper with his paw.
“Oh, you’re in trouble,” she snorted. “He’s gonna lose it.”
Aspen tilted his head innocently.
“Come on, snack thief,” Rae said, still laughing. “Let’s face the music.”
When she returned to the war room, she was laughing so hard she could barely stand. Everyone looked up.
Will raised a brow. “That’s either victory or chaos.”
“Both,” Rae wheezed. “Mostly chaos.”
Elijah frowned. “What did he do?”
Rae cracked up again. “You might want to check your room.”
“Why?” Elijah asked warily.
Aspen trotted in behind her, licking his muzzle.
“Oh no,” Del said. “Please tell me—”
“He did,” Rae managed. “Your peanut butter cups are gone.”
Elijah blinked. “…They were imported.”
Trey lost it. “That dog’s fearless.”
Will shook his head, smiling. “Guess he’s got a sweet tooth.”
Remi laughed softly. “He bypassed your ‘secure storage system.’”
“That was a locked drawer,” Del teased.
Elijah groaned. “I searched three towns for those.”
“I warned you,” Rae said, unapologetic. “Never leave snacks unattended.”
Aspen barked proudly.
“Next mission,” Trey said, “we just send him in to raid supplies.”
Elijah pointed at Rae. “You owe me a new bag.”
She shrugged. “Take it up with him. I’m just the handler.”
Del laughed. “Handler? You’re his partner in crime.”
Will moved the last marker on the map. “Alright. No more candy emergencies. Patrols in ten.”
Remi handed him a tablet. “All synced.”
“All systems online,” Rae said, scratching Aspen’s ears. “Including the snack thief.”
Will sighed, amused. “Make sure your partner stays out of the supply room.”
“No promises,” Rae said cheerfully. “He’s got initiative.”
Remi laughed. “You’re impossible.”
“And effective,” Del added.
Elijah finally smiled. “Next time I’m locking my door.”
“Won’t help,” Trey said. “He picks locks.”
Rae snorted. “Genius dog. You’re just jealous.”
As the team dispersed, the last echoes of laughter lingered. Aspen padded proudly at Rae’s side, tail high, zero remorse.
“One day,” Rae said, smiling down at him, “you’re gonna get us banned from every war room in existence.”
Aspen barked happily.
Rae laughed. “Worth it.”
- Writer
