Snippets: Vol 1 & 2

I've been working on Vol 1 & 2 the past few nights, and while I don't want to post anything substantial, here's some (obviously unedited/unrefined) tidbits of what I've been up to.


Vol 1. - Faster Than A Speeding... Oh Wait, No.
Therianthropes, even in their human form, are fast. I launched forward with a snarl, a single bound closing more than half of the distance between us. But therians are not faster than bullets. The man’s eyes opened wide with surprise, but he leveled his handgun and pulled the trigger. He fired only one shot, that certain that he could kill me. The bang resonated through our small kitchen, deafening, and my forward momentum simply… stopped. I think Estelle was screaming, but the sound was almost completely drowned out by the ringing in my ears. I stood dumbly, not even feeling the bullet yet, and like every asshole in a made-for-TV movie, I stared down at my chest with surprise. Watched, like I had all of the time in the world, as the tiny hole in my shirt became wreathed in red.

I looked up, my field of vision already narrowing, and staggered a few clumsy steps forward. The handgun discharged again, and this time I felt it; as the bullet ripped through my abdomen and out my lower back, it felt as though it was simultaneously stabbing, beating, and burning its way through my insides. I yelped like a wounded animal, my legs giving out as I teetered on the brink of unconsciousness from the shock of the pain. Crumpling against the kitchen floor, I begged every god I didn’t believe in to please, please not let me lose consciousness without ensuring that Estelle was safe.

Vol. 2 - Lost Dog
Scrape, scrape scrape. A high pitched whine. The clatter of claws as a tight circle was paced. I sniffed the air and stood in dumb shock for a beat; Elise? And one moment later, I caught another scent: my neighbor Mrs. Roberts. Shit. Her Pomeranian erupted into a rapid-fire series of high pitched, territorial barking. God damnit. I opened the door to see Elise looking over her shoulder in a startled crouch, ears pinned and hackles rising. This could get ugly fast.

"What should I do, should I call animal control?" gasped Mrs. Roberts, eyes wide and wrinkled lips pulled back in a fearful grimace.

"I think it's just a lost dog," I bluffed. "She was clawing at my door to come in."

"Come in to eat you maybe. By God Mr. Wiktor, I've lived in Montana long enough to know a wolf when I see one!"

I did my best to muster an insulted frown to mask my growing dread.

"M'am, I am a wildlife biologist. I think I'd know a wolf if I saw one." I crouched down to Elise's level. "Hey girl, you lost? It's ok, c'mon." I silently willed Elise to wag her tail and play along. She only looked at me uncertainly.

"It's ok girl," I urged. "Good dog, do you want to come inside for treat?" My voice lilted at 'treat' for effect, but I'd emphasized 'come inside' as well, and she finally got the picture. Tail lowered and wagging, she licked my outstretched palm and whined, then curled in a sit leaning against my side. It was an applause-worthy performance. Mrs. Roberts breathed an audible sigh of relief as I scratched behind her ears then rose to open the door. Elise padded through the doorway.

"See, no problem. I'll call around and see if anyone reported a missing dog; if not I'm sure someone will give her a good home." I faked a noble and compassionate smile then fought every urge to hurriedly slam the door shut behind me as I returned inside.