Fly by night – challenge of the oppressor

Fly by night – challenge of the oppressor.

Caught! He finally has it. Although relief floods his system, he nearly falls from his shaking knees. Best not let that happen. He shifts his weight so that his upper body keeps the bucket pressed to the ground. Within the confines of the bucket all hell is breaking loose. He has it though, whatever the hell it is, he has it now.

Another mad scramble inside the bucket. Jacob holds tight. Even though the thing is now shrieking, he keeps the bucket pressed to the ground. If he needs reminding of how serious this is, he need only remember what it did to that raccoon. As if reading his thoughts, the thing inside the bucket doubles down on escaping. The obvious rage in its effort confirms Jacob’s hunch that it is severely wild in its nature. No fly by night exterminator will know what to do with this thing. He has no doubt he will be mauled and sliced to pieces if the thing gets out.

The thing. It’s the name he thinks about when he sees it. And, he’s seen it too much lately. It’s obviously some kind of animal, but what kind, is the twenty dollar question. Furthermore, Jacob isn’t worldly wise, but he’s been around enough to know this isn’t the run of the mill savage beast. Something is off about this…thing.

Fly By Night

Tyler has an appointment. But first he wants to have some fun. The old guy goes into the corner store. Tyler watches him go in and quickly steps into the alley just beside the store. He pulls the pistol from his pocket and checks the load. All set. Holstering the gun, he decides this will be more fun if takes the hands on, approach. A couple more people enter the store while Tyler waits in the alley. He checks the time. Can’t be late for his “appointment”. It’s too important.

The entrance bell over the door jingles as the older guy comes out of the store and turns toward the alley where Tyler waits. Showtime. Tyler steps out of the shadows and quickly strikes the man across the face. The shock of the hit causes the man’s knees to buckle. Tyler catches him mid-fall, and drags him back into the darkness of the alley. Then he slams the old guy against the wall and pins him there.

Challenge of the Oppressor

“Give me your money and your phone” he shakes the old guy for emphasis, “Now!”

The old guy hands over the phone and a wad of cash from his pocket. Tyler takes the loot. He is having fun, but not as much as he thought he would. It is too easy. Therefore, he decides to up the game, before he has to leave for his appointment.

“You know, you caught me on a good day, I’m feeling generous today old man, so I’m going to give you one chance,” he pauses, relishing the old guy’s confusion and fear. Then he pulls out the pistol. “We’re going to see who’s faster, you or me.” He grins at the look of terror on the old guys face. “Oh now, no need to get all scared, all you have to do is run faster than I can shoot.” He pauses again, and pushes the old guy against the wall even harder. “Do you understand me? Nod if you do, old timer.” The old guy reluctantly nods.

Tyler releases his hold and pushes the old guy deeper into the alley. “I’m going to count to three and while I do, you run. That way” he points into the darkness of the alley. “When I reach three, I shoot, and I’m a crack shot old man, so you better run fast.” Tyler can see the old guy is almost too afraid to stand, much less run. He rolls his eyes, what is happening in the world these days? Absolutely nothing is fun anymore.

The Trap

Jacob feels a profound sense of relief. It took thirty minutes to get the thing into the crate. The creature fought and raised hell the entire time. In fact, it is still raising hell inside the crate. Apparently it finds containment offensive. The problem is that it doesn’t appear to be getting tired, or worn out, from all the hell raising. In fact, it’s getting worse. There is no doubt it will break free from the crate. Then what? He can’t just leave it to wreak havoc on innocent passersby. The alley is usually deserted at this time of the night, but the thing he captured is completely berserk and unpredictable.

As if to solidify his thought an old guy with a look of stark terror runs past him at top speed. This is immediately followed by the sound of three gunshots. Jacob, startled by the gunshots, and the sudden appearance of the old man, watches in horror as the third shot shatters the crate with the thing inside.

Fly By Night

The result is immediate. There is a final shriek of rage from the creature in the crate and then it is free. Not only free, but a purposefully driven blur of fur and razor sharp claws, and demented madness.

The insane creature rockets out of the destroyed wooden crate. It races back up the alley straight toward the origin of the gunshots. One moment later and the screams begin. There is one more gunshot, then more screams, and another underlying sound, more guttural and savage. One minute later and there is silence. Jacob stands motionless, barely able to get his mind around all that just happened. The distant sound of sirens floats across the still night air as Jacob grabs his bucket and heads back home.

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