Dark Encounters

Chapter two: Encounter (continued). Daniel’s POV

A loud boom pierced the screaming; I watched as the beasts’ head jerked upwards before falling. It now lay unmoving on top of its prize. Its claws are still penetrating deep. She lay unmoving in my arms, “Julie!” I said, cupping her face with my trembling hands. I smoothed out her hair and whispered, “Julie.”

Larry rushed over to the scene; he pried the panther’s claws from her leg or what was left of it. I could see bone shining through. Strips of Jean fabric and flesh entwined together. The amount of blood that seeped out horrified me. There had to be an artery that was damaged.

“Hold her still.” Larry demanded.

Like she would be moving any time soon, she lay unconscious in my arms. The trauma of today and the pain too much for her to handle.

“Kira! I need strips of cloth.” Larry yelled.

He tore the rest of her jeans off, showing us the full amount of damage that had been done. Her flesh and muscle had been stripped clean away from the bone, exposing the shin bone.

Kira came sliding to a stop and handed Larry torn strips of fabric that looked like they had once been a shirt. He then continued to tie it around the length of her leg.

“This’ll hold everything together.” Larry said. He mumbled to himself.

“Don’t we have to call an ambulance or something?” I asked shrilly. “What happened to calling the police?” I continued, my voice rising.

“We don’t need either.” He said gruffly.

“What?” I asked.

“They can’t help her.” He spoke.

“What does that even mean?” I yelled at him. “Her leg has been shredded! Julie needs a doctor.” I became agitated. How could Larry be so uncaring? “Your niece needs medical help!” I shouted.

As Larry finished tying the last bit of cloth around her leg, he looked up at me. “I’m trying to protect her.” He began, “there are unforeseen forces at play that mere humans won’t be able to understand.”

I just stared at him, stunned.

“Bring her over here,” Larry continued.

But I couldn’t move, couldn’t comprehend anything.

Larry huffed and came at us; he reached for Julie. He picked her up cradle style and walked away.

My mind reeled; this can’t be happening. Mere humans? What does that even mean?

Once I got my bearings, I dialled triple zero on my cell phone. I requested an ambulance and explained what had happened. How badly she was hurt. I was halfway through telling them the address when Larry snatched the phone out of my hand, crushing it.

“What?” I asked dumbly.

“I told you! No human authorities!” Larry yelled, jabbing his finger at my face.

He chucked the crushed cell phone away and stalked back to where he’d lay Julie.

“Too late,” I said quietly. “They’re on the way.”

“You blithering i***t!” There’s a reason I said not to call them. You’ve gone and put Julie in danger!”

“How!” I shouted back. I rose to my feet.

Larry just sighed heavily, “there are things in this world that you won’t be able to understand.” But he wouldn’t elaborate. He sat down on one of the garden benches, his head in his hands. He looked utterly defeated.

An hour later the ambulance came to a sliding stop and Larry shoved past me. And out of curiosity I followed him.

“Hey guys, I’m sorry to have dragged you all the way out here. Turns out it was a false alarm.”

In the hour waiting Larry had dragged the panther out to the back pasture and proceeded to bury it. Eliminating evidence, I watched him dully. My mind recoiled in terror of what was taking place.

“I’m going to tell you something, I’ve thought long and hard about it. You deserve the right to know, if you’re going to be able to protect her as well.” Larry said as we waited, the hour dragged by. “But you must promise not to breathe a word of this to her. Unless she finds out herself.”

I nodded my understanding, “okay, I promise.” I said finally.

“Julie can heal herself. She’s something more than just human.” Larry explained and I’m sure he was leaving a significant part out.

But now as walked over to the paramedics, following Larry, I wasn’t quite sure of anything anymore.

“We still need to check the patient over.” I squinted at the name badge, Steve said.

He began to make his way over to her; he paused and squatted down. He checked the cloth wrapped leg. “Who did this? Steve asked, gesturing to Julie’s leg.

“I did,” Larry stepped forward. “To keep her leg from falling apart even more.” He explained.

“She needs to be transported to the hospital, stat.” Steve commanded.

The second paramedic came over; he looked to be about six-foot tall. He had a bald head and wore a moustache and a beard. He looked like he worked out too. He’s name badge read Michael.

I stood next to Larry as Michael came over and I could have sworn that his eyes glowed briefly.

“Julie will be in good hands; I’ll personally make sure of it. You’re welcome to follow the ambulance.”

He leaned in close to Larry and whispered something else, but I couldn’t hear what he said.

With that I watched them pick her up, place her onto a gurney and wheeled her over to the waiting ambulance.

“What did he say to you?” I asked Larry.

He just shook his head, “here take the truck, I’ll have Kira care for Prince.” He handed me a set of keys. “Make sure she’s safe.” Was all that was said before storming back into the house.

I sat in one of the armchairs that the room had and I couldn’t help but think back on everything that had happened. My mind was a whirl and filled with unanswered questions. They’d unwrapped the makeshift bandage, cleaned up the wound and re-wrapped it.

There wasn’t anything said about how bad it was. The security tried to make me leave at one point. They said I’d help her better if I just went home and I fought it. Eventually they left me at peace and I dozed in and out of the chair that sat next to her bed.

I felt it, the moment she woke up and when I heard Kira and Betty talking; I sat as still as I could. Listening to them.

“Hey!” Betty yelled; I flinched at the proximity but I still faked sleeping.

“Hey there, Little One, how are you feeling?” Julie asked.

“Okay, I guess.” Betty replied.

“Let Julie have some rest, Betty.” Kira said.

My eyes were closed, so I couldn’t be sure what Betty was doing.

“I see that your boyfriend hasn’t left your side.” Kira said, it felt like she was teasing Julie and reframed from smiling.

“Where’s Larry?”

Yes, where was Larry? Shouldn’t he be here?

“He’s outside, as usual. He doesn’t want to come in. That would mean he’d have to visit aunt Pat.” Kira explained.

I could feel Betty climb into my lap and poke her chubby fingers at me. Time to feign waking.

I groaned and stretched, purposefully knocking Betty off.