Bitch: Puncture (book 2)

The deputy showed up around midnight, he was driving like a banshee. His old 4x4 bronco bouncing down the tree lined road. It slid to a stop behind the vet’s van. Then I could hear the alternative rock go off. I’d been enjoying the night air outside of the minibus, I was lying a few feet away in the dark. It was suddenly quiet as if the forest was waiting for something. The cicadas were still and the breeze died.

His door squeaked open. He walked to the door of the minibus, adjusted himself and then knocked. “Hey Nat?”

Natalie opened the door smiling. “Hey there you sexy beast.” She launched herself out and into his arms. He held her off the ground for a minute and they kissed. “I missed you.”

He spoke quietly, but I could hear him perfectly, “Me too, babe. So what was so crazy urgent that I had to come see? I gotta work tomorrow, early. The sheriff has us driving up and down these roads looking for this minibus. So this better be good intel, or I really should consider calling it in... let her make deals with the Sheriff. Were you and Dr. Broon able to help her dog? I’m surprised that you’re both still here, he doesn’t seem like the type to like to help.”

Natalie snorted. “I may have twisted his arm a little. But it’s a total mind-fuck, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.” She curled her fingers in the hair around his ears. “C’mon.”

He smacked her butt and set her down. “Show me.”

She curled her finger and led him inside the bus.

“What the...” He yelled when he spotted Apoc.

“Wait, wait, just wait. He’s tame.” Natalie yelled back and squatted down to show him.

“You said a dog. Not a wolf!”

“The dog’s outside silly, she wanted to go out, but she’ll be back in a minute. She’s wicked smart.” Natalie was back to charming him.

I figured that was my cue.

I walked in behind him, he still had his hand on his gun, but he seemed like he’d relaxed a bit.

The deputy started, “Wow that is... what kind of dog is that? I don’t recognize the breed.”

Dr. Broon said, “Definitely a new one.”

“Well thanks for coming out doctor, were you able to treat her dog? Make it better?” The deputy wondered.

Dr. Broon pointed, “It has a clean bill of health, at least as much as I’m qualified to make that statement as a vet. He on the other hand has so much hardware built into him... I’m not sure what to make of him.” He held up the X-Rays for the deputy to look at.

The Deputy took them and glanced at them, “What am I looking at here doc?” He handed them back.

“You are looking a medical marvel and a real live biological impossibility.” The doctor took the X-rays and crossed his arms.

“Still not following doc...”

“Remember the Alex James show where he had that dog on that he claimed used to a be a woman, a human woman?” Natalie prompted.

“Yeah, they’ve disproved that. It was all special effects fakery to get him ratings.” The deputy shrugged it off.

Natalie snickered, “Who told you that? The Sheriff?”

“Everybody knows that, they were talking about it at work. C’mon Nat, what’s going on? Did you bring me out here for some kind of joke?” The deputy was getting upset.

“Meet the last person to see Chris alive.” Arlene pointed at me.

“What?!?... You said person... that’s not a person.” Said the deputy.

“I’m afraid it is, or rather was at one point.” Dr. Broon disagreed. “I’m not sure what to call it now, for it seems to fit into neither category. You are looking at genetic modification and forced mutation on a scale that I can’t even conceive of...”

“What? Is this some kind of joke?” the deputy looked around and then finally at me. “What? That furball is supposed to be a person? ... Nat this isn’t funny. I could be asleep right now you know.” He looked at Arlene, “I went out on a limb for you, I got the vet to come out here in the middle of the night. I feel like I should just call this in and let the Sheriff sort this out.” The deputy reached for his radio.

Dr. Broon said, “If you’re worried about the money don’t. I can’t explain this either. But before you make that call deputy, you might really want to open your mind and listen to what these two women are telling you.”

There was a long moment. He looked at me, Dr. Broon, Arlene, and finally at Natalie, his mouth twitching. “Fine. I’ll listen. And it better be good.”

I barked and he jumped a little.