Claws by Kassanna Page B

the big cat had circled back.”
    “It’s too quiet, Court. Last time it was silent like this a hurricane was bearing down on us. The animals have hunkered down and I don’t know why.”
    “It’s gotta be the panther. The smaller critters know a bigger, better, predator is out there.” Court pulled the rifle off him and held it at his side.
    “I need a pan to fry up this squirrel.” Tim rose.
    “I’ll get it. Why don’t you get the pit started? It’s too hot to cook inside.” Court moved toward the shack.
    “Gotcha.” Tim moved toward the back of the house.
    Court climbed the steps and ambled to the front door.
    Tim stuck his head around the side. “Hey!”
    “Yeah” Court stopped his hand on the doorknob.
    “Grab us a few beers out of the cooler while you’re in there. We are so close to catching and skinning us a panther I think we should celebrate.” Tim dipped his head and disappeared around the corner.
    Might as well let his friend have a good time. Tim was living on borrowed time and he didn’t even know it. Court sighed. “Oh yeah! Tim?”
    “Gimme a minute, Court.”
    Court shook his head. “Never mind.” It was sad what he had to do. Tim was his best friend. Fifteen grand was a nice tidy sum for the big cat and sharing the profits just didn’t feel right anymore. He caught most of the animals anyway and friends were easy to come by, money not so much. Court tapped back the bleakness that suddenly seemed to overwhelm him. He’d give Tim’s mama three months’ worth of rent money. That should assuage his guilt. He pressed his lips together and turned the knob. The door swung open. He heard the hiss first before stepping over the threshold and catching his foot on something. Looking down he couldn’t see what had snared him. He heard the sizzle of several matches lighting at once and looked around the small room.
    He saw the flame in his peripheral vision and turned his head. Staring into that side of the room was like looking into one of those amusement park funny mirrors. Everything shimmered. A funny smell reached him and he knew exactly what it was. Oh shit .
    The gas ignited.
    A fireball blew the house apart, flinging him backward. Splintered wood rained down on him as he was thrown from the building. Pieces of his home lay scattered around him. Smoke flooded the area around him, clogging his nose and burning his throat with every inhale. He lifted his head and dropped it as spikes of pain rushed through his brain. The soft grass tickled his neck. He knew his eyes were open, but his vision was filled with shapeless colorful blobs. Moaning was coming from somewhere. He closed his eyes and grunted against the piercing aches his body suffered as he tried to roll over. Disjointed thoughts tumbled through his mind. Had Tim discovered his plan and decided to strike first? Dust choked him and he dropped his head to the side. Nausea threatened to overtake him as bile climbed up his throat and darkness encroached on his blurred sight.
    A roar sent the birds chattering in the trees.
     

     
    Etienne pushed his foot on the brake at Loubel’s home, Bayou Faux Frere. The truck skidded to a stop, sending rocks flying as Etienne popped the gear into reverse as the end of the road loomed ahead. The trucks front end pushed into the thick reeds. They were the only thing keeping his vehicle from continuing into the water. The tires spun, creating a cloud of red dust. They finally took hold and the truck went careening backward. Etienne stomped on the pedal and the four by four jerked as they came to a stop.
    Armand turned in his seat, his eyes wide and his breath coming out in short pants. He took a deep breath. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he yelled.
    “Did you feel that?” Etienne checked his mirrors.
    “I felt nothing but the beat of my heart as you tried to kill us.” Armand yanked the lever, shoved the door open, and jumped out.
    Etienne looked up as birds en mass exodus flew from