Dark Encounters

Julie’s POV

“Just because, I did try to save you. It was Larry that had killed the beast.” He said, “but I put in the hard work.”

I scrunched up my nose, remembering the scene.

“Larry might have been the one who killed it,” I began. “But you’re right, you did put in the fort to do the saving.”

I could feel my face heat up and I knew then that I was blushing. Giving everything away. “We’re not even together.” I whispered back. I very much would like to be, though I added in my thoughts.

He kissed me again, the tip of his tongue seeking entrance. I gave it to him, and he moaned as he got a taste of me.

The passion of the kiss made my whole body sigh. Our small moment ended when Betty came running back into the room, with a doctor in tow.

He carried a plate of beef stew, which smelled really good. My stomach growled in anticipation, which also reminded me that I hadn’t eaten in a few days.

Daniel’s POV

My day started out normal and quiet. I have always loved the quiet in the morning. My thoughts were focused on a particular lady as I got dressed and tied my boots up.

Prince is my horse and lately I could feel that he needed to run, the bond that I shared with him went beyond normal.

Julie and I have always been close friends, even as kids. But now that we are much older, my feelings for her have grown. And I’m sure that hers have as well. She definitely looks at me differently, she’s more unsettled. Unsure of herself when i am around.

Today is the day that i tell her how i feel, the day where i know where my heart belongs. The day i feel her lips against mine.

I found Prince prancing around in the stock yard, a shake of his massive head and an eye roll. Which I’m sure said, “it’s about time.”

“All right, calm yourself.” I told him.

I entered the tac room first, piling the riding blanket and bridle on top of the saddle before carrying it out to Prince.

Prince stood stock still as I laid the blanket then the saddle. Before pulling the straps tight, I allowed him to breathe outwards first. When he blew out, I quickly pulled them tight, buckling them up.

His skin sent waves of vibration over his back, shoulders and rump in anticipation of the ride.

“We’re going to go see Julie.” I told him softly. He turned his head to give me another eye roll. His ears pricked back, listening to me.

The last thing to do was to slide the bit into his mouth and the bridle up and over his head. Julie’s face flashed across my mind.

By taking the reins, I let Prince from the yard and swung up into the saddle. I leant over his neck, gave him a pat and said, “run.” And gave him the lead.

He reared once, his hooves pawing at the air before slamming down and galloping at full speed down the driveway. The wind whipped and whistled past my face, the race to Julie’s felt like forever before we got there. When Prince began to slow to a canter, I knew that we had arrived.

I could just make out Julie, he back turned towards me. She stood frozen in place, her behaviour odd in the morning light.

Before Prince could slow down any further, I dismounted and my long legs made the distance to Julie short.

She turned to face me, and I grabbed her shoulders, scanning her face. The fear was evident in her eyes.

Something had frightened her, and I looked up over her head to scan the blackness behind her. The blackness of the interior of the barn.

A huge panther stood still at the rear of the barn, the head lowered, his muzzle drawn back. The fangs on that guy were huge, he hissed in frustration.

I felt Julie turn in my arms, back to facing the predator. I lowered my head next to hers and whispered in her ear, “ stay as still as you can. Don’t move.”

I backed away, whistling softly to Prince, because I always carried a rifle case with me that was clipped on the saddle. For emergencies that I may encounter while out riding. You never know what could be out here in the bush.

My steady hands I un-clipped the case and reassured myself that, yes, I’ve loaded it. I bought it up, sighting down the length of the barrel before squeezing the trigger. I stood to Julie’s left, just a foot behind her and a quick glance over to her told me that she was safe.

But the way she clutched at her chest spoke volumes, the pain she must be in made her double over. But it wasn’t from the panther, that beast hasn’t attacked yet.

My gaze lingered too long on her, trying to figure out why she was in pain. That made me miss the opportunity, the panther took a step forward bunching in on itself. It sprang forward catching me off guard. I fired the rifle anyways, causing the panther to miss Julie. Just, he tore her arm open on the way through.

She clutched at it, “fook!” I heard her say.

I bought the rifle down and rapidly reloaded it, bringing it up again. My whole focus was set in getting another round in, so having Larry yell out from behind me, startled me a bit.

“What the hell is going on here?” He boomed.

A quick glance told me that he stood in the doorway, barring Kira and Betty.

The panther circled, trying to find a way in. I sighted down the barrel for the second time, finding aim. I slowed my breathing, slowed my heart beats and I fired again.

The bloody panther twisted out of the way again but this time it lunged for me. I tripped and stumbled backwards. This isn’t going to go well for me.

I looked over to the girls and yelled, “call the police!”

I brought the rifle down, un-c*****g it and reloading again. I fumbled with it, and as the panther swiped at me, I dropped it. The round falling through my fingers.

The urge to protect Julie raged within me, and I couldn’t see Larry or whatever he might be saying. Blood filled my ears as my heart raced with fear of losing Julie.

I made the decision to drop my weapon and ran towards her; she had fallen to the ground. She tripped over her own feet, trying to flee. I grabbed her under the arms, hauling Julie to her feet. Or at least that was the plan, she struggled against me and I lost balance. The extra weight caught me off guard.

Julie fell back down and I went to kneel next to her, I started to pull at her arm. Trying to get her into my lap so that I could shield her with my own body and I did. I covered her upper body with my own.

Julie screamed; the panther had her right leg. His claws dug deep within flesh, tearing bits off. It’s massive jaw clamped down on her ankle.

She screamed and kicked, trying to dislodge it with her left foot. She kicked it in the head, but it just made the beast angrier.

Its claws tore deep, and a sprout of blood arced upwards.