Behind the Eight Ball by M.A. Church

their protection. Are you trying to start something? What you’re doing could be taken as a threat.”
    The wolf growled at me even as it slowly backed away into the darkness.
    Lovely, this one had a flare for melodrama. Just my luck. As the night shadows reclaimed the wolf, a howl ripped through the night. Chill bumps raced over my skin. Wow, someone was mad. Furious.
    Jeez, that was straight-up anger driving that howl. I had no idea why the shifter was pissed or why it directed that at me. I’d never had any personal contact with wolves, as far as I knew. I watched it disappear.
    Well, now that the threat was no longer staring me in the eye, I had a bad case of the shakes. The sudden urge to cry hit me, and my knees went weak. I dropped the lid, the harsh metallic clang hitting the driveway sounded far away.
    I’d come too close to possibly being hurt, or maybe even killed, before I had a chance to explore this thing between Heller and me. And why was I standing out here? Damn if I was going to sit around waiting for a replay of the night’s adventure.
    No, I needed to get inside. No sooner than I locked the door, I sank down to the floor, unable to draw a deep breath. I clutched my chest as an endless parade of “what ifs” strolled through my mind.
    First one, then another tear trailed down my face. I lifted my hand and caught the wetness. I sniffed, then gulped, struggling for control. I’d just faced off against a werewolf with nothing more than a metal trashcan lid, a stick, and my big mouth.
    A sob broke from me and the floodgate opened. Tears raced down my face, leaving me choking helplessly. I buried my face in my hands as I gave in to the hideous fear. I had never been so scared. Not even when I found out about Marshell. But as much as I loved Janelle and her brother, that wasn’t what sent me into hysterics.
    There was a phone call I had to make.
     
     
    “ WHAT ?” MARSHELL yelled.
    I jerked the phone away from my ear. The fact I heard his voice even over the pounding music from whatever club he’d staked out was impressive. I quickly explained what had happened, and now was dealing with the fallout.
    “Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay!” Marshell demanded.
    “I’m….” I took a deep breath. “I’m okay.”
    “That’s it? Just you’re okay? How can you be so… so blasé?”
    I knew if I didn’t stay calm, Marshell would really freak out. That’s the last thing I wanted or needed. “I’m not being blasé, okay. I’m still shaking and my heart is pounding, but I’m okay. So you need to stay calm, especially since you’re where you are and surrounded by… folks not like you. Follow what I’m saying?”
    “Yes, dammit, I get it. Just… are you sure you’re okay?”
    “Come on, dude, I’d think I’d know if I—”
    “And—and… are you sure you saw what you thought you saw?” Marshell yelled again.
    I scowled at my cell. So much for him staying calm. “It had yellow eyes like a wolf. It walked like a wolf. It howled like a wolf. Yeah, I’m pretty certain it was a damn wolf.”
    “Oh… oh my goddess. Wait a minute. Did you say you used a stick to defend yourself? A stick ? Lawson, what were you thinking?”
    “I was thinking that was all there was! If I thought I could’ve interested it in a game of fetch, I would have.” Now I was yelling. “Since it looked like it was more interested in using me as a chew toy, I though holding on to the stick might be a good idea.”
    “Are you in the house? Is it locked down?”
    Did he think I was completely stupid? “No, I’m on the back porch enjoying the night air. Jesus, Marshell, of course I’m inside with the doors locked.”
    “You keep your head down and wait for me. Do not do anything stupid. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
    “We? Aw, shit, Marshell, there’s no need to call Janelle. Hello?” Well now, that was a dial tone buzzing in my ear. Marshell had hung up.
    Great. Time to batten down the hatches.