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IT’S DARK WHEN I OPEN MY EYES.

I LAY PANTING ON THE SHORE.

“GOOD DOG,” HE SAYS WITH A GRIN.

I DREAM ABOUT A SOLDIER IN A BLUE UNIFORM.

I GET AWAY FROM THE WAREHOUSE.

IT’S GETTING LATE.

CHANCE LEADS ME THROUGH THE SHADOWS ON THE SIDE OF A HOUSE.

I DREAM OF THE BLOND SOLDIER.

CHANCE TAKES ME TO DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA.

I FOLLOW MYRON PAST THE GROOMING STATIONS.

WE GO UP TO CHANCE’S ROOM.

TWO OFFICERS IN BLUE UNIFORMS STAND IN THE LIVING ROOM.

CHANCE IS CELEBRATING.

WE ABANDON THE BIKE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PROMENADE.

THE RAIN HAS STOPPED.

“WELCOME TO PETSTAR, WHERE YOUR PET IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW.”

THERE’S SOMETHING FAMILIAR ABOUT JUNEBUG’S FACE.

WE’RE SITTING BEHIND A 7-ELEVEN.

JUNEBUG SQUIRMS IN HER SEAT.

I OPEN MY EYES.

THE HOUSE SEEMS TO BE EMPTY.

WE WAIT TOGETHER IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

DR. PAO’S COMPOUND IS AT THE END OF A LONG ROAD.

THERE ARE GARDENS EVERYWHERE.

“YOU DON’T REMEMBER ANYTHING?” THE DOCTOR ASKS.

DR. PAO STANDS WITH HER BACK TO THE DOOR.

WE RUN THROUGH THE YARD, USING THE TREES AS COVER.

JUNEBUG DRIVES FAST THROUGH THE WEST VALLEY.

WE DRIVE INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

WE STAY HIDDEN.

THE DREAM RETURNS.

HIS SCENT IS MASKED.

THE SKY GLOWS OVER THE TREE LINE.

THE SITE HAS BEEN DESTROYED.

THE SMELL OF FUEL HANGS HEAVY IN THE AIR.

I PREPARE FOR A FIGHT.

THEY BRING ME TO CHANCE.

I CAN SMELL THE OCEAN THROUGH THE CLOSED WINDOWS OF THE VAN.

I DO NOT REMEMBER THE HORVATH FAMILY.

I WAIT UNTIL THE FAMILY IS ASLEEP.

I DIVE THROUGH THE TRAPDOOR AND DROP ONTO THE BEACH.

THE SUN IS RISING OVER MALIBU BEACH.

WE’RE STANDING OUTSIDE A DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY IN CULVER CITY.

I RUN THROUGH A DOG PARK.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS