Ashley sat in the dusty law section of the town library. Surely her best recourse against the Council could be found in the tomes of city ordinances and environmental protection acts. The city library had long served as the hub for lawyers in San Caribino county and featured a large volume of legal works. If the solution was in the law, it would be here.

The rule of law was just. It was made to protect all people, even if they were caribou. The bastards in the council wanted to trample their rights like a herd of caribou passing though a vegetable garden. But no, the laws must protect them and Ashley would find the key.

As the hours passed her research only made her more disheartened. The relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection act had been repealed. The Reaping appeared to be fully protected by the federal Violence Against Nature Protection Act, which had been signed into law during Nixon's fifth term as president.

She was exhausted and it was long since sundown, but still she persisted.

"There must be something here that can help the caribou" Ashley whimpered as she dozed off at the reading desk.

She sat there in a dreamless sleep until a tapping on her shoulder awoke her. A man in a dark overcoat stood behind her. A broad hat obscured his eyes. He shoved an envelope towards her.

"You might need this" he said.

Note: Was I supposed to claim a spot? I didn't see a spot 4 reserved so I just jumped in as the inspiration struck.