Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny by Jim Laughter

officers?”
    “Yes, there is,” began an older man. “I thought we were going out to pick up this boy’s brother.”
    “You are definitely mistaken,” she answered. “His older brother has been trying to raise this delinquent for many years. The boy has been nothing but trouble. He hasn’t made any effort to care for himself, or to help his brother support him. He reported to us that Delmar assaulted him and has run away, and is now terrorizing the neighbors. Irate neighbors have reported numerous thefts and vandalism, and many are threatening him because of the actions of his delinquent brother. He has voiced concern for his personal safety. Our efforts today are to bring this vagrant to justice where he can be punished for his crimes.”
    A hand went up hesitantly. “Yes?” she asked one of her caseworkers.
    “Ma’am, you mean we’re to bring him in for counseling and rehabilitation, don’t you?”
    “Yes, that’s what I meant,” Hornbeck answered. She was pleased that the caseworker understood their policy.
    The two officers had not said anything since her explanation, so the director adjourned the meeting and they dispersed to their waiting ground cars.
    Arriving at the Eagleman farm, they all gathered around the front porch. Dorn was sitting on the edge of the step looking distraught. The view through the open door showed the living room had been trashed.
    “You see what that monster did to me!” Dorn sobbed. “He came home again last night and tore up the house and then attacked me with a broken bottle!” He held up his poorly bandaged arm.
    “Why didn’t you call the police?” one of the officers asked.
    Prudence Hornbeck frowned at him. “Don’t you see this poor man has been through enough?” she said angrily. “His brother threatened to kill him if he did, so he called us instead. I will not have you badgering our victim!” Everything grew silent again except for the pitiful sobbing of Dorn.
    “Here’s what I want you to do,” Hornbeck said. “I want you to search the woods for this dangerous criminal while we stay here with this man. Now move out!”
    The officers noticed that they were the only ones to start toward the woods. The director and caseworkers gathered around Dorn and someone said something about a grant request to pay for the damages supposedly caused by Delmar. Continuing into the woods, both officers were glad to be clear of the bureaucratic circus.
    ∞∞∞
    The fish had not been biting, so Delmar was checking his bait when he heard the crashing of someone in the forest below. He gathered his things and silently slipped into a hidden viewpoint where he could observe the intruders.
    Shortly after reaching his lookout point, Delmar spotted two police officers on the lower trail. Several minutes passed and he determined that there were only two of them. He suspected they were looking for him.
    Carefully sliding back from his perch, Delmar edged along the trail toward his cave. He could still hear the noise below so he didn’t unduly hurry. Rounding a bend, the boy was suddenly confronted by one of the officers. He froze as the man looked at him and grinned.
    “Don’t worry, Delmar,” the officer said, “we’re not here to find you.”
    “But how did you catch me?” he asked. “I could hear you down on the trail.”
    “An old trick that you better learn, son,” replied the officer. “We saw you watching us by the reflection from the metal in your hands,” the officer said, pointing Delmar’s fishing tackle. “So as soon as we were out of your line of sight, we split up.” Just then, the other officer came through the brush. He was also grinning.
    The first officer continued. “After we split up, Joe here continued making noise like an army of greenhorns while I circled around another trail to intercept you. Remember, it’s not the obvious that you need to be wary of.”
    Delmar looked from one smiling officer to the other. “Are you going to take me