Jed was terrified. He sat in the dark with the other bunkhouse boys, all of them looking around and asking questions. Jed just cried. He knew something bad would happen, but he never thought it would be this bad. Or be all his fault. Henry sat next to him with an arm on his shoulder. It was too dark to write of use sign to communicate, so Henry just leaned against his friend. They heard a second crash. Jed stared at the door, waiting for Hannibal to enter. Sounds got closer and his heart started racing. But just as hope swelled in his chest, Jed heard Mr. Barlow growling through the door. His heart sank to his knees. Hannibal had been caught.
Jed began wishing he was the one who was deaf as he heard the familiar crack of a hand against a face. Jed wanted to race out that door and pound Mr. Barlow into pulp, but something stopped him. He took a breath as the noise outside died down and he realized they had taken his cousin away. He felt an odd determination. He would get Hannibal back, if it was the last thing ever done.
