He shouted when he realized it was a dog. Marcy came running around the corner, thinking Mark was having a bad dream, but then started laughing when she saw him cowering at the head of his bed. “It’s just Sheriff,” she said. “He won’t hurt you. He’s a police dog. He found Macy and me. He hasn’t turned wild like the others. He even brings us food sometimes,” she said and reached for the dog, scratching just under his ears. Mark reached out his hand, shaking with fear and Sheriff smelled it, then took in his scent and walked out of the room to go about his own business for the day. Later that day, because he was still too weak, Mark helped where he could and Bang took him outside to practice with the bow and arrow. Ennis worked on one for the young man and each time he practiced, he became better and better at it. Mark was a little embarrassed to have a five-year-old teach him how to shoot straight, but like Graham said, “Might as well learn from the master.”
