Chapter Ten #3
“You did this the day you attacked me in my own driveway! Do you think it is fair for me to come outside before work and see a freaking tiger running full speed at me? You think it’s okay for me to see your brother change from a man to a tiger while leaping through the air.
Do you know the shock you caused? Do you understand the pain?
Not just in my arm as you clawed me either, Stellan, I mean do you understand the aftermath?
Hardly anyone believed me. I lost friends.
I got scared of my own home. Do you understand that?
I was scared to go to my driveway. I would have these recurring visions of the moment you slammed into me and I was pinned against the garage door, certain I was going to die.
It played at least a hundred times and at the least opportune moments.
Everyone thought I was crazy, and meanwhile I’m having PTSD flashbacks that I can’t control.
I had to go to counseling for two years for something everyone thought I made up in my head because the tigers were never found.
So, I’m just crazy. I couldn’t sleep. I had to move.
I moved out of a house I loved to an apartment where I would be surrounded by other people because I thought maybe just maybe there would be safety in numbers and I could get a fucking night of sleep! ”
Her voice echoed through the barn, and Marsden flinched like she’d hurt his ears. “Here.” He handed her another shot, and she took it neatly. It didn’t burn half as bad as her arm did right now.
“And then just when I finally, finally start feeling safe. Just when I can sleep and not check the door locks a dozen times before bed, Dame shows up by my car, and you tried to kill me. Again! And for what? I did nothing to you!”
“You existed,” Stellan said softly. His face had softened.
“Stellan?” Dame asked, approaching him. “Are you here with us, man?”
“I…I don’t know for how long. He’s mad. He doesn’t like any of this.”
Dame jammed his finger at him. “You have to be stronger.”
“What’s happening?” she asked Mars.
He took a shot of whiskey himself. “The human side is back. For now, at least. Misty, meet Stellan. Stellan? Misty.”
“I’m so sorry,” he choked out, and wore this helpless look on his face.
“I’m so sorry, but you should run. You should go far away from here and never post anything online about where you live.
Never let me find your address. I’m so sorry.
Mars, Dame, please put me down—” Suddenly he doubled over and groaned, and in horror, Misty watched the monster of her nightmares rip out of him.
His jeans were shredded in tatters across the floor, and the enormous tiger stood slowly, it’s gold eyes on hers. He was the deep orange with the close together stripes she remembered. He snarled a terrifying sound and began pacing the cage, eyes on her, eyes on her, eyes always on her.
“He’s not unsalvageable,” Mars said low to Dame.
“I know.”
“He’s still in there—”
“I said I know! Why do you think I haven’t put him down yet?”
“You can’t make a decision like that without me—”
“Why are you even still here?” Dame demanded. “Huh? We all know the second I get some relief and start to depend on you, you’ll bounce and leave my life even harder than it was. So tell me, Mars, why are you here?”
Marsden shook his head and scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know why I am still here. I keep trying to leave and my body won’t do it.”
Dame inhaled deeply and rested his hands on his hips, glaring at Stellan’s tiger. “How do we do this?”
Mars dragged his hand down the dark scruff on his face. “Maybe reach out to the other Cats. See if anyone has ever pulled off of a Rabbit hunt? I don’t know man. You look tired. I’m wide awake. I’ll take the first shift. Sub in at three and I’ll sleep on the couch and make sure the Rabbit is okay.”
“My name is Misty,” she said softly.
“It’s easier not to get attached if I just call you the Rabbit.” Mars clearly still thought she had a very short expiration date. Great. “Go get some rest with your lady,” he said to Dame.
“Fine,” Dame said low. He wrapped his hand around hers and led her to the door of the barn, where Misty paused and pulled him to a stop.
She turned for the tiger, and said, “Stellan, if you are in there, it was nice to meet you.”
The tiger snarled and lashed out with his enormous paw as far through the bars as he could.
Misty pursed her lips and followed Dame out.
She was exhausted, needed a shower, was a little tipsy as those two quick shots were kicking in, and was more confused than ever about how she was going to survive this mess.
“It’s going to be okay,” Dame murmured, pulling her against his ribs as they walked the path that would lead to the house. “I’m going to figure this out.”
Misty nodded, but this hopeless feeling was starting to creep into her heart. “Yeah,” she said, as upbeat as she could muster.
“I promise I will,” he said low, and kissed her temple.
She hoped he was right, for her sake and for his.