55. Tyler
Chapter fifty-five
The air is thick with toxic black smoke as I step out from the tree line, panting. When the explosion rocked the forest, I ran as fast as I could, but it seems I’m too late. A combination of fear and rage fills me as I get as close as I can to the burning structure and breathe deep.
My nose has always been sensitive, ever since I was a child.
I could smell lies and fear and laughter from across the room, and I never forget a scent.
Which is how I can smell that pack of reprobate degenerates holding my rabbit hostage.
They’re everywhere, in the grass, in the trees, and even in the ash of the home they destroyed.
But beneath it all, my sweet, delicious rabbit is there. Her delicate scent like a balm to my soul. My cock twitches in my jeans, always reacting to her in the most primal of ways. I need her back, now more than ever.
I squint against the smoke trying to block my eyes as I look around, circling the ruined house for any sign of where they may have gone.
I can’t get too close before the heat of the still-burning structure rebuffs me, but I’m able to search the ground around the perimeter.
Lots of heavy footsteps going back and forth between the main house and the outbuilding.
Recent tracks, from the looks of them. And around the front, more footprints and tire tracks leading away from the house.
I pull out my phone and check the tracker data. Still active and moving away from my location. At least she’s still alive. Her companions, however…
Their days are numbered for keeping my rabbit from me.
A roar from behind me pulls my attention and I let out a huff of annoyance.
That stupid, fucking bear is back. She’s standing near the trees, snout down in the underbrush, eating.
Or at least she was a minute ago. Now she’s looking at me, her chest expanding as she prepares to protect her food from a perceived threat.
I ignore her as I move back toward the trees, my eyes on my phone. I can’t tell where they’re headed exactly, but if I make it out of the woods fast enough, I should be able to catch up.
Another roar pulls my eyes up, and this time I freeze. The bear has advanced on me, one paw out and ready to swipe. I dodge backward, pulling my gun from my side and raising it. I’m tired of having to deal with this fucking bear.
POP!
POP!
POP POP!
The animal crumbles as four bullets pierce its skull, blood seeping onto the forest floor as it twitches, letting out a long, rasping, pathetic whine before finally going still.
Finally. A little peace and fucking quiet.
I turn on my heel and head back to my camp, my strides purposeful as righteous fury fills my belly.
No more pussyfooting around. I’m going to get Delilah back, no matter what it takes.