Rodeo & Maizie
Talking to Dad left Maizie hollowed out, as if all the worry and the fear that she'd been bottling up had simply drained out of her. She had a pretty strong feeling that it wouldn't last, that everything would come back later to hit her twice as strong. For the moment, though, it was kinda a relief. Or it would have been if she didn't feel keyed up as well, waiting for what was going to happen next. Not that Maizie was in a hurry to leave. She would've stayed for all of Dad's quarantine, if anyone would've let her. It was just that the adults had all this endless talking to do, none of it having anything to do with her, and so Maizie couldn't stop thinking about the What Ifs.
She hated the What Ifs.
"I'm just gonna go over there," she told one of the guards they'd brought along, pointing to a spot a little bit separated from everyone. Not far enough away that they'd get antsy and call her back, but enough that she could get a break from the tension.
The guard nodded and Maizie moved away, lifting her hair in hopes of getting a breeze on the back of her neck. It was hot as hell, but at least she didn't have to worry about Dad freezing his ass off in one of these tents, on top of everything else. She just hoped the Dog Park had enough water to keep everyone hydrated. And where did they get it anyway?
Actually, there were a lot of things about the Hellhounds that Maizie was curious about, and she couldn't deny that part of her wished she was here just for fun. For a lotta reasons. But she didn't even feel the least little urge to take a peek around the camp. Maizie glanced over at the group, studying the expressions on Aunt Day's and Savannah's faces. No, she wouldn't be wandering off today.