Chapter 3
Dakota didn’t sleep that night. He catnapped off and on while Chip snored softly, exhaling onto his bare chest. His eyes snapped open when Howie’s head popped up. The dog uttered a low growl.
With his free arm, Dakota snatched his night-vision goggles in place. He scanned the vicinity for signs of another attack by the scavengers.
For a second time in a few hours, his heart jumped for joy in his chest. A thin coyote was drinking from the water, downstream just where the bend took the river out of sight.
“Buddy!” Dakota whispered loudly. Chip stirred, but did not wake up. The coyote raised his eyes and ears in their direction.
“I don’t have any food for you, Buddy. I’m sorry.” He whispered as if the coyote could hear and understand. Howie kept growling, despite Dakota’s effo
