Chapter 16: Dogs in the Sun

The actual park where Kate went was small. It was more of a playground for kids in her subdivision. There were seesaws, a push merry-go-round, slides, swing sets and a jungle gym. Like most parks in the Philippines, it was right next to a street and had more concrete than trees or grass; the trees being mostly palm. And because it was weekend, there were a lot of people – that is, kids, their parents and senior citizens.

Kate was the only teen because she would’ve gone to the mall with Lor and the Bali Girls if this was an ordinary weekend or with Josh if they hadn’t broken up. Kate tried to block out this last thought. The afternoon was of course sweltering hot but there was enough shade on the benches by the park edges and on some of the playground equipment.

Kate picked the most isolated of the green metal benches and sat down.

“I can hear children screaming,” Ecto’s voice came through her earphones with undisguised alarm. “What manner of place is that?”

“Don’t worry. They’re sc