Ember Eyes (standard:drama, 1682 words)
Author: Walt	Added: Apr 17 2013	Views/Reads: 3506/2095	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A cat's tale Even jungle cats are curious . . .

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

“Pedro, are you certain of the size of Ember Eyes? I must use the right
amount of tranquilizer in the darts.” 

“Si, Señorita Doctor, he is at least 100 kilos. Is that not right,
Jose?” 

“Si, Pedro – he is a big, bad hombre – El Gato Negro! He must be more
than two metres – maybe three metres with his tail!” 

“Yes, Sylvia, if it's the mate of the one we had to shoot, he is that
big.” 

“What happened that day, Sam?” 

“We had tracked the cat to its lair in a cave, about four miles from
here. We tried to dart her, but the dart missed. One of guides tried to 
scare the cat into a tree so we could get another shot at her, but 
instead of running, the cat attacked. She knocked the man down and bit 
him in the neck before I could shoot. It was too late for our guide, 
but I killed the cat. Once they attack a person, they will do it again. 
I guess they lose their fear of man.” 

Fear of man? We respect them when they come in numbers – but fear – no.
I almost growled but kept the rumble deep in my throat. Even then, 
Pedro lifted his head as if he had heard me. 

They drank little sips of some liquids from small tin cups, laughing at
their own words, until they tired and crawled into their thin canvas 
tents. The fire died down to a few glowing coals. I arose, stretched 
all my muscles and carefully padded into the camp. I smelled each 
sleeping tent, remembering the scent of each of them, particularly Sam. 
I lifted my leg and made my mark along the side of his tent, thinking I 
could easily maul the snoring man. Panther piss is very aromatic and I 
heard Pedro and Jose stirring from their slumber. I grabbed one of the 
packsacks and carried it off. It contained nothing edible. 

I watched from afar but the people in the camp made no effort to follow
my tracks, even though I dragged the packsack on the ground and left it 
where the fire ants could eat it. Curious about the behaviour of the 
gringos, I crept closer so I could hear them talking. 

“The cat will be back, if not tonight, then tomorrow. I have studied cat
behaviour for years. He will come back.” 

“Sylvia, you studied house cats, not panthers. There is no way I'm going
to sleep tonight without my gun by my side. Didn't you see the size of 
those paw prints this morning? I say we go back and get dogs, tree the 
cat and then shoot him,” Sam said. 

Dogs. They tried that a year ago. Three dogs from somewhere else, a
place called Kentucky. Blue ticks, they called the dogs. The local dogs 
know better than to chase me. I led those three foreign dogs into the 
swamp water and one at a time I drowned them. Left them for the 
alligators to eat. I don't like dogs so I was happy to hear the 
senorita say no dogs. However, I did not understand what she meant by 
night goggles. 

That evening the camp was noisier. It was almost if they were trying to
annoy the forest. I was curious to see what the cause of the commotion 
was. I stealthy made my way to the brush I used the night before, 
stepping over little branches, avoiding dried twigs, keeping my tail 
still even though it helped with my balance. I noticed small metal 
things attached to trees but they were high up, no danger to me. Once 
in a while one of them would whirr, but they seemed harmless. 

Pedro was wearing big sunglasses even though the sun had long ago sunk
into the hills. He seemed to be watching for me but I was certain the 
campfire would ruin his night vision, just as it made my eyes glow. I 
moved my back leg a little to be more comfortable and Pedro said, 
“Señors, Señorita! The glasses. Twelve o'clock.” 

They all put on their sunglasses and the light of the fire reflected on
them like green glowing embers. They seemed to be looking at me but I 
knew they could not see in the darkness. 

“I have him,” Sam said. 

“Do you have a clear shot?” Sylvia asked. 

“Yes.” 

“Take it.” 

I heard a hiss of air and something stung me in the hip. I roared, leapt
up and ran towards Sam. José threw a net and I tripped in it just as I 
was reaching for Sam.. What happened in the next few seconds is not 
clear to me. 

I awoke as the sun came peeking through the trees. I was in the camp but
the people were gone. I had something around my neck and I tried for a 
time to pull it off but I could not release it. I had blood on one of 
my paws and it tasted hot and sweet, perhaps somewhat like pig blood. I 
felt thirsty and headed for the stream to get a cooling drink. And 
perhaps a small fish for a snack. 

I had the feeling that someone was watching me, following me but I could
see no one. Sometimes my cat's imagination plays tricks on me. 


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