Chapter 5

 

Kat swallowed her sixth glass of whiskey, grimacing at the taste, before tapping the bar with one pointed fingernail.

Porter ambled over with the bottle of whiskey. “You sure you should have another, Kat?”

She squinted at him. “You’re not my mother, Porter.”

He laughed. “No, I’m not. But you’re not driving home, Kat. Hand over your keys.”

She scowled at him. “I don’t need to give you my keys, Porter. I’m not stupid – I’ll call a cab.”

“Okay,” he said and poured her another.

She made herself sip at this one and ignored the sounds of Tori and her best friend Lori giggling. Lori had shown up at the bar twenty minutes ago and immediately glommed on to Ronin like he was a piece of lettuce.

Jesus, she thought sullenly, the entire bar was filled with rabbit shifters and all of them were horny for the damn bird.

Not just the bunnies, her cat pouted.

Shut up.

She finished her drink before sliding off the barstool. She weaved unsteadily as she made her way to the ladies’ room. She ducked into the stall and used the toilet. As she was buttoning her jeans, the bathroom door opened and her cat hissed when she heard the high-pitched giggling of the rabbit shifters.

“Oh God, Tori, you were right. He is so dreamy,” Lori said.

“I know, right? My shift is over in an hour. Are you up for taking the bird home?” Tori asked.

“Oh, hell, yes,” Lori said. “The kids are with their dad tonight so my night is free.”

“Good. But listen, my kids will be at home so you need to keep it down.”

“Sure, no problem,” Lori giggled. “But you’d better tell the bird that too. The two of us are going to knock his tail feathers off tonight.”

Kat’s nails lengthened and her cat hissed angrily. She stopped herself from tearing open the stall door and showing the horny little bunnies what happened to females who tried to take what was hers.

Not yours!

Yes, mine! Her cat hissed.

“How do my tits look?” Tori asked.

“Fucking fantastic, how about mine?” Lori replied.

“Gorgeous,” Tori giggled. “Okay, we gotta get back out there. Porter will have my head if I stay in here much longer.”

She heard the sound of a high-five and clenched her fists again as the two rabbit shifters left the bathroom. She escaped the stall and washed her hands before staring at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were bright red and her dark hair had started to escape the clip. She scooped it back into place with hands that trembled lightly and clipped it securely.

Go home, Kat. You’re drunk.

Yes, that was an excellent idea. Besides, did she really want to watch Ronin leave with the bunnies?

No, she didn’t.

Kat pushed open the door of the bathroom, stopping in surprise when Ronin stepped out of the men’s room. They faced each other in the hallway and she frowned when Ronin, his voice uncharacteristically somber, said, “You’ve had too much to drink, Kat.”

“I’m fine,” she said.

He shook his head. “You’ve been tossing back whiskey like it’s water. I think you’ve had enough.”

She snorted. “Thanks for the advice.”

“I’m serious. Let me give you a ride home and – “

“I don’t think so, but thanks.”

“Kat, wait.” He grabbed her arm as she walked unsteadily past him and her nostrils flared as fresh lust filled her belly.

She turned and shoved him against the wall and he groaned softly when she rubbed her entire body against his.

“Kitten, what – “

“Shut up,” she muttered before rubbing her face against his neck. She grabbed his wrists and pinned his arms against the wall above his head before rubbing her body against his again. She rubbed against him repeatedly until he was panting and she could feel his erection against her belly with every slow stroke of her body against his.

She rubbed her head and then her cheeks against his face, relishing the feel of his warm breath puffing against her cheek.

“Jesus, Kat, you are killing me over here,” he groaned.

She ignored him and he made a harsh gasp, his entire body arching against hers, when she licked him from the base of his neck to his mouth. She licked his lips before licking the rough stubble on his chin. She purred loudly and turned around, sliding her body up and down his as he cupped her waist. She ground her ass against his cock, and he made another harsh groan as his fingers tightened.

“If you don’t stop doing that, I’m going to fuck you right here in the hallway,” he warned in a hoarse voice.

Her cat yowled with excitement and she ground her ass against his dick again.

“I warned you, kitten,” he muttered before turning her and yanking her against his hard body. His hands gripped her ass and he squeezed tightly as he lowered his mouth toward hers. Before he could kiss her, Porter, whistling loudly, appeared in the hallway.

“What the hell?”

He blinked at them and Kat tore herself away from Ronin as her cat hissed its disapproval. She stumbled down the hallway, shaking off Porter’s hand when he reached out to steady her, and hurried back to her barstool.

She sat down, her hands shaking badly, and stared at her empty whiskey glass. Jesus Christ, what was she thinking?

Ronin was sitting down at his table and her hands fisted around the glass when Lori immediately joined him. The rabbit shifter’s nose twitched rapidly and she took a step back before glancing at Kat. Even through her shame, Kat felt the hard bite of satisfaction when Lori took another step back and gave Ronin a disappointed look.

“What are you doing, Kat?”

Porter was back behind the bar and she refused to look at him.

“Another whiskey, Porter,” she said.

“No. You’re cut off. What are you doing?” He said firmly.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Her cat hissed angrily. Lori, after her initial hesitation, was back to pressing her ample chest against Ronin’s arm and giggling madly, and another hiss escaped her mouth when Tori passed by them and dragged her hand across Ronin’s broad back.

“Bullshit,” Porter said as he glanced at Ronin and the two rabbit shifters. “Wolves aren’t the only ones who mark, Kat.”

“We don’t mark like wolves,” she said grimly.

“No, not usually, but you can mark if you’re really riled up. He’s twenty feet away and I can smell you all over him. Does he know you marked him?” Porter said.

“It was an accident and besides, it doesn’t seem to be affecting his game any,” she said bitterly.

“Why the hell did you mark him? I’ve never seen a cat go after a bird before,” Porter said. “Does he know you’re a cat shifter?”

“Yes,” Kat said. “And I told you – it was an accident.”

“Sure it was,” Porter said with a small grin.

“It was,” she insisted. “He – he’s my employee.”

“What is up with the security firm and marking their employees? First Mal and now you,” Porter said conversationally, “You guys are going to get a reputation.”

“Oh my God.” Kat buried her face in her hands. “I am losing my goddamn mind, Porter.”

“Maybe what you need is a wolf to distract you from your lust for birds,” Porter said with a grin. “You know that little bird could never handle your claws, Kat.”

She glared at him and he held his hands up defensively. “Okay, okay. I’m just teasing. I know you, for some weird reason, don’t find me attractive in any way, shape or form. I’m mostly over it.”

“Fuck,” Kat groaned before rubbing at her temples. They were starting to ache from the alcohol and she started a little when a hand dropped on to her back.

“You okay, Kat?”

“Hey, Judd. Yeah, I’m good.” She smiled faintly at the bouncer. He was a bear shifter and a good guy, if not a bit of a player.

“You don’t look so good.”

“Just a bit too much to drink. I think I’m going to get a cab and call it quits,” she said as Porter took her empty glass. She fumbled out her credit card and handed it to Porter as Judd rubbed her back.

“Why don’t you let me give you a ride home, Kat? My shift is almost over.”

“That’s nice of you, Judd, but I can’t impose.”

“I don’t mind,” the bear shifter said. His hand was still circling her back as Porter frowned at him.

“Judd, she’s drunk.”

“I know,” Judd frowned at him. “I’ll behave myself for God’s sake, Porter.”

“Will you?” Porter asked.

The bouncer growled at him. “What the fuck kind of guy do you think I am?”

“I know you’re a good guy, Judd, but you’ve had a crush on Kat for a long time and sometimes – “

“Can the two of you please stop talking like I’m not here,” Kat said wearily before taking her credit card back from Porter. “Just because I’m drunk doesn’t mean I’m going to automatically fuck Judd.”

Judd flushed. “I didn’t think that, Kat.”

“Yeah,” she sighed, “I know. Listen it’s sweet of you to offer, but I’m just going to take a cab home.”

“I really don’t mind,” Judd said before curving his arm around her waist and hugging her briefly. “You should probably have someone make sure you get tucked into bed safely.”

“Move your arm before I move it for you.”

The terse demand made all three of them stare in surprise at the bird shifter standing next to the bar.

“What did you say?” Judd asked as his arm tightened around Kat’s waist.

“You heard me,” Ronin said. All trace of his usual good humour had disappeared and he gave the bouncer a dark look. “I’m driving Kat home tonight so do us both a favour and stop drooling on her.”

“Ronin, don’t,” Kat said.

“Yeah, Ronin, don’t,” Judd repeated softly.

“Last chance, big guy,” Ronin said.

Something in his voice made Judd stiffen and he dropped his arm before taking a step toward him. “You’re awfully brave for a bird shifter.”

“Let’s go, Kat,” Ronin said. He held his hand out, his gaze never leaving Judd’s.

“Hold on. Kat and I are old friends. I’m sure she’d much rather have me drive her home and tuck her into bed than a fragile little bird like you,” Judd said.

“Talk about her bed again and I’ll break your jaw, you idiot mouth-breather,” Ronin said softly.

“Oh, you just made a big mistake, little birdie,” Judd said.

Kat cursed loudly and slid off the barstool as Judd rushed Ronin. The shift was happening, her cat yowling to be free and help the bird shifter. Ronin was strong and Ronin was brave, but he was a bird and no match for the angry bear. She had seen Judd take down a thousand-pound bull without breaking a sweat.

Before she could shift, Judd, snarling under his breath, swung at Ronin. Her mouth dropped open when Ronin dodged it easily and grabbed Judd’s arm when the force of his swing knocked him off balance. He wrenched Judd’s arm up behind his back and the bear screamed shrilly as there was a loud crack.

Ronin pulled again and Judd dropped to his knees, snarling and growling viciously, as Ronin leaned over him.

“I’ve broken your arm but I did make a promise to break your jaw, didn’t I?” He said softly.

“Ronin, stop,” Kat said quickly as she staggered toward them.

“I’m going to let you go and you’re going to stay right where you are until the lady and I leave. Do you get me?” Ronin said to Judd.

The bear shifter snarled at him and Ronin yanked his arm higher. “Do you get me?”

Judd screamed again before nodding his head. “Yes! Yes!”

“Good.” Ronin dropped his arm, the bear shifter stayed on his knees, and held his hand out to Kat. “Let’s go, Katarina.”

She took his hand and followed him outside. He helped her into his car and buckled her in before starting the car. “What’s your address?”

She recited it to him and he drove down the dark streets as she stared at him.

“What?” He glanced at her and she was a little relieved to see the dark anger on his face was gone.

“Do you have a death wish?”

“Why?” He laughed.

“Judd’s a bear shifter. You’re lucky he didn’t kill you.”

“I can handle myself,” he said. “Don’t you worry about that, kitten.”

“You didn’t have to give me a ride home,” she said.

“Like I was going to let that Neanderthal drive you home. Even I could smell his lust and I can’t smell for shit,” he said.

“Judd’s just a friend.”

“He apparently wants more and if he had driven you home, he might have gotten it.”

She glared at him. “I’m not like that.”

“I know, but you’re drunk and sometimes when people are drunk they make bad choices,” he said cheerfully. “I was saving you from doing something you regret. See how nice I am? You should really reconsider your decision to kick me out of the applicant pool for satisfying your heat cycle requirements.”

“Why aren’t you satisfying those damn rabbit shifters? They were all over you,” she said moodily.

“Well, according to Lori and Tori - both with an i by the way - I am positively drenched in the scent of your sweet pussy,” he paused and grinned, “cat. Oddly enough the bunnies didn’t like it.”

Her cheeks flamed red. “That was an accident.”

“Oh, I know,” he said. “That hallway was pretty narrow and you pretty much had to rub your body all over mine. Now, the licking was probably over the top, but – “

“Oh my God, shut up,” she groaned before rubbing at her temple. “I’m drunk, okay? Besides, the bunnies were still all over you.”

“That’s true, they were,” he agreed.

“So why aren’t you…”

She trailed off and he raised his eyebrows at her.

“Being the lettuce in a bunny sandwich?”

“Yeah,” she muttered.

He shrugged. “Truthfully, I’m not really into bunnies. I prefer more teeth and claws.”

He winked at her and she flushed. “I don’t use my claws and teeth.”

“Now I know you really are drunk,” he laughed. “I heard you telling that straight-laced tiger shifter that you were demanding and aggressive in the sack.”

“A gentleman wouldn’t bring that up,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Probably not,” he said. “But he also wouldn’t point out that he had claw marks all over his chest for days after you fucked him.”

“It’s not my fault you’re a bird and don’t heal as well as the rest of us!” She snapped.

He laughed. “Birds heal just fine. I was actually only clawed up for a few hours but I thought I might get the sympathy vote in the ‘heat cycle servicing pool’ if you thought you’d injured me for days.”

“You’re not in the running. Do you understand that?” She muttered before closing her eyes. The interior of the car was spinning and she felt off-kilter and slow.

“Yes, you’ve mentioned that,” he said before falling silent.

They rode in silence until he pulled up in front of her house. He shut off the engine and she smiled briefly at him. “Thanks for the ride home, Ronin. I’ll see you at work on – shit!”

“What?”

“I left my damn purse at the bar. It has my house keys and my cell phone in it.”

“I can drive you back,” Ronin said.

She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Can I borrow your phone?”

He handed her the phone and she thought for a moment before punching the number in.

“Porter? It’s Kat. Yeah, I’m fine. Listen, I left my – oh, you’ve got it? Thanks, Porter.”

Kat smiled a little, “Yes, I’ll stop by your place tomorrow and pick it up.”

She listened and then laughed. “A five-minute make-out session is not going to be my thank-you. Nice try, buddy.”

She laughed again, “Yeah, I know. I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks, Porter.”

She hung up the phone and handed it to Ronin. He frowned at her. “How close are you to the bartender?”

“Why?”

“You know his phone number by memory.”

“I have a good memory for numbers,” she said absently as she opened the car door. “Thanks again, Ronin. Have a good night.”

She staggered a little as she got out of the car. Christ, she was more drunk than she thought. Her cat purred happily when Ronin appeared and slung his arm around her waist.

“What are you doing?” She swallowed down the purr rising in her throat.

“You’re locked out of your house, remember?” He tried to guide her back into his car and she shook her head.

“I’ve got a secret key. I’m good, you can go now.”

“I don’t think so, pussy cat. You need help in to the house.”

“I don’t,” she replied. “I’m not nearly as drunk as you think I am.”

“No? So that’s not your hand on my ass then?” He asked.

She peered behind him to see that her hand was indeed on his ass, squeezing and rubbing, and the sound of her purring was deafening in the quiet air.

She snatched her hand away and Ronin grinned at her before leading her up the front pathway of her house. Before Ronin had touched her, it had seemed very important to maintain some type of control. But now? The heat of his arm around her waist, his hard hand gripping her hip and his scent was making her cat nearly crazy and she really couldn’t remember why it was a bad idea to fuck him.

“The key is under the flowerpot,” she said.

He bent and lifted the clay pot. “This is not a safe hiding spot, Kat. It’s the first place a thief would – Jesus!”

He jumped when Kat’s hand slid between his thighs and cupped his cock. He straightened and knocked her hand away and she hissed angrily before taking a step toward him and falling.

He caught her with scarily quick reflexes and she licked her lips before slurring, “You’re so damn fast. Sure you’re not part cat?”

He shook his head and tried to protect his cock from her wandering hands. “Yes. God, kitten, stop doing that.”

“Stop doing what?” She asked innocently. Her nails had lengthened and she traced the zipper of his pants.

“Manhandling little Ronin,” he said grimly as he opened the front door and ushered her inside.

“Little Ronin? Oh believe me, handsome, there is nothing little about him.”

“Thanks,” he replied. “Which way to the bedroom?”

“Why wait for the bedroom?” She pushed him up against the wall and rubbed her body against his. “I’m a cat, remember? I’m very,” she paused and licked her lips again, “limber.”

She licked his throat before scraping her fangs across the stubble. He groaned and his hands tightened around her waist.

“I want to fuck my pretty little bird,” she whispered before licking him again.

He cleared his throat roughly. “I can’t, Kat.”

“What happened to fucking me in the hallway? Back at the bar you were more than willing.”

“Temporary insanity,” he muttered.

She reached between them and rubbed his erect cock. “Little Ronin seems more than up to it.”

He pulled her hand away. “I can’t,” he repeated. “Not when you’re drunk.”

“I’m not that drunk,” she purred. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“You don’t and I won’t take advantage of that,” he said.

She scowled at him and he kissed her forehead. “Tell me where your bedroom is.”

“Let me fuck you and I will,” she said.

He sighed loudly and she made a startled meow when he bent and heaved her over his shoulder. She lifted his shirt and licked the small of his back and he muttered a curse as he climbed the stairs. She wiggled her hands inside his jeans and squeezed his naked ass and he muttered another curse.

“You are killing me, Katarina.”

“I’d rather be fucking you, little bird,” she giggled before hiccupping.

She placed warm, wet kisses over as much of his naked back as she could reach as he opened the first door in the hallway and peered in.

“Not my bedroom,” she said before nipping him with her fangs.

He hissed, his back arching a little, and slapped her sharply on the ass. “No biting, kitten.”

She bit him harder in response and he grunted with pain and slapped her ass again. She squealed before licking at the bite mark.

“You might want to tie me down before we have sex,” she said conversationally as he carried her to the next door. “Sometimes I like to bite and,” she traced her claws across his naked ass, “scratch.”

“Yes, I remember,” he puffed as he opened the door. “But since we’re not having sex tonight, there’s no need for restraints.”

It was her bedroom and he breathed a sigh of relief before carrying her into the room and setting her on her feet next to the bed. She immediately staggered back and fell on the bed, giggling softly.

Ronin tugged off her shoes and socks and she sat up and traced her bare foot over his jean-covered erection. “Hello, pretty bird.”

He rolled his eyes and gently pushed away her foot. “Crawl into bed, Kat.”

“Help me take off my pants,” she said.

“Oh, hell no,” he said.

“I can’t sleep in my jeans,” she pouted. “Help me, Ronin.”

He sighed and reached for the button on her jeans. “Lie back and lift your hips.”

She did as he asked and he pulled down her jeans. She was wearing a blue thong and she grinned when his gazed dropped to her pussy.

“Fuck me,” he muttered.

“I keep trying. You won’t let me,” she said.

She sat up and pulled her shirt over her head. He stared hungrily at her breasts in the matching blue bra and his hands clenched into fists.

“Can you help me remove my bra, pretty bird?” She purred.

“Not a goddamn chance, kitten,” he said hoarsely.

She squeaked in surprise when he pulled her to her feet and yanked the covers back. She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and rubbing her pussy against his cock. He groaned and his hands dropped to her ass. He cupped it tightly and ground his cock against her before slanting his mouth over hers and kissing her. She sucked at his tongue, purring loudly and fumbling at the button on his jeans. He tore his mouth from hers and cursed again before knocking her to the bed, swinging her legs on to the mattress and pushing her on to her back. He covered her up quickly and backed away from the bed as she sat up.

“Go to sleep, Katarina,” he gritted out.

She hissed at him. “You can’t leave me like this, Ronin.”

“I have to,” he muttered. “Goodnight.”

He left the bedroom, slamming the door behind him and she collapsed on her back and stared at the ceiling, her body throbbing and her cat yowling with anger.

 

* * *

 

God his head hurt. The last two months the headache, which had started out as a faint pain at the bottom of his skull, had grown until his entire head felt too big and fragile – like it was a balloon that the slightest pressure would pop. He groaned and rubbed the back of his head in a desperate attempt to relieve the pain. He could feel his quills poking through his hair and panic threaded through him as he slid out of the bed and staggered to the bathroom. He shut the door and turned on the light, shading his eyes against the bright glow as he peered into the mirror.

“What is happening?” He moaned.

His quills were pushing through his skin and with a fierce bout of concentration that made his head throb sickeningly, his quills retracted. He blinked and leaned closer to the mirror. He could see lines of bright red threading through the whites of his eyes and as he watched they thickened and spread until no white remained. Fresh panic exploded within him. His quills began to poke through his flesh with a soft popping noise and he stumbled back, slamming into the bathroom door as his head throbbed and ached. His body was swelling, the bones cracking and his flesh splitting as his muscles increased to an impossible size.

“Bart? Bart? What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

He staggered away from the door as she pounded on it again. “Bart?”

Yes, he was sick. And it was all her fault. She had done this to him. She had – had fed him something that was killing him and she needed to pay for it.

He made an inhuman roar and ripped open the bathroom door. She cried out and fell on to her butt as he loomed over her. His quills were out and she screamed and scrambled back when a dozen of them shot out from his sternum and stuck like small spears in the carpet just in front of her toes.

“Bart! Honey, what’s wrong with you?” She cried as she scooted backward on her butt. He stalked toward her, his head – oh his aching head – lowered as he breathed harshly through his mouth.

“You.” His voice was garbled and he could feel his teeth elongating. Fangs appeared, scraping against his bottom lip and he licked away his blood. “You did this to me.”

“No,” the woman gasped. “No, honey, it’s me! It’s Marla! Please, honey, you’re scaring me.”

Her soft crying slipped past the madness in his head and he slowed to a stop, staring hesitantly at her.

“Marla?” He said hoarsely.

“Yes, honey. It’s Marla,” she whispered. “You – you’re sick and you need to see a doctor.”

“My head hurts so bad,” he mumbled. “Help me, Marla. Please help me.”

“I will, honey,” she whispered. “Just sit down, okay? Just sit down and I’ll call the doctor and – “

His eyes widened and he snarled at her, saliva dripping from his open mouth. “You’ll call the doctor? The doctor?”

He raised his arm, quills were poking out through his pajama sleeve and she shrieked when his fingernails turned to claws. He hesitated again, staring at the crying frightened woman below him before staring at his hands.

“Wh-what’s happening to me?” He moaned before clawing at his own face. Blood, black and foul smelling, spilled down his face and Marla screamed again.

“Forgive me,” he whispered before turning and lumbering from the bedroom.

Marla struggled to her feet as the front door slammed. She raced to the window and watched as Bart, his body twice the size and quills shooting in all directions, ran down the street and disappeared into the darkness. Her hands trembling, she reached for the phone and dialed 9-1-1.

 

* * *

 

“C’mon baby, don’t play shy.”

He held her hands and gave her a wry look. “I’m not being shy. We’re in a public park, Sandra.”

“So what?” She tried to wiggle her hand down his pants again and he squeezed them firmly.

“So we have a perfectly good apartment not five blocks from here.”

“Yeah, but isn’t this exciting?’ She giggled and squirmed on his lap. “Knowing that anyone could walk by and see us fucking on the park bench?”

He sighed and kissed her briefly. “It’s cold, it’s late and being arrested for public indecency is not my idea of a good time.”

“God, Brad,” she sighed loudly, “you’re such a prude.”

“Yeah, I know. C’mon, it’s time to go.”

She slid off his lap with a small pout. “Maybe I don’t want to have sex with you when we get home.”

“Your choice,” he said with a shrug.

She gaped at him. “You’re a real dick, Brad. You know that?”

“Don’t start, Sandra.”

“Don’t start? Don’t start what, Brad? Don’t start pointing out all the ways you treat me like shit?”

“Are you kidding me?” He glared at her. “Just because I won’t do what you want doesn’t mean I treat you like shit.”

“Whatever,” she sniffed. “Let’s just go.”

He tried to take her hand and she yanked it away from him. “Don’t touch me, Brad.”

“Fine,” he snapped. “Let’s go.”

He stalked ahead of her and she zipped up her jacket before following him. “You know, you think you’re so perfect, Brad. Well guess what? You’re not. Do you know how many guys would kill to have sex with me in a park?”

He snorted loudly. “Then why don’t you go find one, Sandra.”

“Maybe I will,” she said peevishly as she stumbled in her high heels. “Maybe I’ll – “

She screamed when it came out of the darkness. It roared loudly and swiped at her with its claws and bright agony flared across her thigh as blood poured out of the ragged cut. She fell on to her ass and stared wide-eyed at the monster standing over her.

“Sandra!” Brad was running toward her and she screamed again as the creature turned toward him.

“Get away from her! What the fuck are you – “

Brad bellowed in pain and she had a horrified glimpse of the needle-like quills that suddenly covered his face before the monster fell on him. Brad’s screams of agony pierced the night air and she shrieked with him as the creature tore into his stomach. Loops of intestines slithered out to land in the grass and the creature roared in triumph before ripping out Brad’s throat. Crying and moaning she slid backward as the creature stood and turned to stare at her.

“No,” she whispered as it grinned at her. Saliva and blood dripped from its horrifyingly large fangs and it screamed in outrage when Sandra, chittering loudly, shifted. Her clothes held the shape of her human form for a second or two before collapsing gently to the ground. The small, brown squirrel squirmed out of the jacket as the creature lumbered forward. It lunged for her and she darted between its legs and, limping badly, ran for the trees. It chased after her and she squealed thinly when its hand closed around her tail and she was lifted into the air. She reared up and, squealing and chittering, sunk her teeth deep into the scaly skin of its hand. It screamed and dropped her to the ground and she bounced to her feet before leaping for the large tree in front of her. She climbed quickly as the creature, snarling and howling with rage, clawed at the tree, shredding the bark and tearing deep marks into the wood.

The squirrel climbed nimbly despite her wounded leg and disappeared among the leaves as the creature dropped to its knees and snuffled the ground. Already it was losing interest as the scent of the squirrel faded, and it turned to the dead body lying behind it. It shuffled closer and dragged the body past the running trail that wound through the park and into a dense clump of bushes but before it could feed again, sirens were heard. They were drawing closer and as headlights swept along the road beside the park, the creature flinched and snarled softly before loping clumsily to the far end of the park. It vanished into the trees as a police car, it’s siren wailing and lights flashing, pulled on to the street.