"Jeez," Hawk mumbled. He reached over to where the radio sat beneath the curve of his wing, casting a yellow glow from its face. The dial clicked as he turned it off, choking off the on-air voice.

The red lights on radio towers winked on the horizon. Teige finally said, "The er...venison�ent half bad, sunshine."

"Thanks, goatface."



The next day came on overcast and damp; the trees beside the road were turning yellow but only in the most halfhearted way possible, the only sign that maybe the summer was finally over with. Hawk and Teige were now trudging along a stretch of newly paved road, in better spirits now.

"All right," Teige said, "Not that your roadkill special wasn't delicious, but hear me out."

He patted Hawk's arm jokingly. "I want a pizza. Try not to be too offended."

Hawk snorted, grinning. "Shut up," he suggested.

"I can drop it on the ground first if you like," Teige said kindly.

"Shut the fu--" Hawk paused. His face buzzed.

He looked ahead. They were coming up on a lone, short, round white sign that read 'DRIVE SAFE' and had a bundle of now-faded pink flowers tied around its pole. There'd been nothing near it a moment ago, but now a young girl stood beside it. She wore a red cap, a purple shirt, and a clean pair of baseball uniform pants, and she was totally alone but for the large teddy bear she was holding very tightly.

Teige followed Hawk's gaze.