Beaten and thrown out of his home by his father, Guy ends up on the streets. A few days later he's 'adopted' by two strays, a German shepherd mix and a gray kitten. Later that night, when he returns to a vacant house he'd found the previous day, he meets three other homeless teens -- Mack, Tone, and Dani. After a false start, because they think he's a punk looking for trouble, they become friends. Dani insists the animals need names, and she decides to call the kitten Ghost, while the dog becomes Shadow. When Mack and Guy are threatened by two real punks in the alley behind the house, Shadow defends them, with Mack's help. This leads to their decision that it isn’t safe to remain where they are. As they move on, the quartet's friendship deepens, and Guy eventually trusts them enough to tell them he's gay ... which they accept with no problem, as it turns out so are Mack and Tone. Now they have to continue dealing with life on the streets while COVID ravages the country, making being homeless a fight for their very survival.

Strays in the Time of COVID

Impulsively, Guy took Tone’s hand as they walked, hoping he wouldn’t pull it away. He didn’t. Instead, he brushed his shoulder against Guy’s as he glanced around. “Living dangerously?”


“Not really. Since it’s close to the university, I’m sure people are used to seeing students, even two guys, holding hands. If they don’t like it, well, tough. I may be new at this, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some idiot dictate how I can act.” Guy hedged his bets, adding, “At least around here where it’s probably safe.”


“Got it. Downtown’s another story, but we know that.” Easing free of Guy’s grip, Tone put his arm around his waist.


Tone gave him an innocent look, and probably smirked as well, although because of his mask Guy could only presume so. “Shadow? He seems a bit too interested in the cute poodle that woman over there is walking.”


Chapter 27