Then the final card flipped.
The Pawndex began to hum. The crank turned backward, one last time.
Click. Ding.
The animals parted. From the empty space in the circle, a man stepped out. He was tall, gaunt, and wore a frayed suit. His face was a mosaic of faded, forgotten features. But his hands were clear: one was a man’s hand, pale and long-fingered. The other was a paw.
Click. Ding. Click. Ding. Click. Ding.
Click.
Elias lowered the bat. “Hey, boy.”
Click.