The jungle cat was huge, its height on all fours reaching my waist. It padded forward on giant paws, assessing us with cunning silver eyes that were stark against its black fur. Pale pink spots and swirls decorated its legs and long tail, and a growl resounded from the back of its throat.
“It’s a female,” Cerise whispered. “I bet she has young somewhere close that she’s protecting.”
“Well, that’s even worse,” I whispered back.
The cat paced back and forth, hissing and growling.
“What do we do?” Aaric asked.
“Everyone stay still. Don’t do anything she may perceive as a threat.”
The group followed my instructions as I picked my brain for some solution to get us out without injury.
“Does anyone have any food?” I asked.
“I have some dried beef in my bag,” Aaric replied.
“Get it out. Hand it to me.”
Aaric did as I commanded, handing over the meat. I held it out, allowing the cat to scent it. It sniffed the air and looked at me hungrily. I tossed the beef to the side and the cat followed, temporarily distracted.
“All right, let's go. Hurry.”
I remained in my spot, allowing the rest of the group to pass until it was just Cerise, Sylvie and myself remaining. As we were about to scoot by, the feline looked up, eyes locking on to the three of us.
Sylvie raised her hands, but this agitated the cat and shelunged directly at Cerise. Without thinking, I grabbed her, pulling her out of the path of the giant paw that swiped midair.
Sylvie screamed and I froze, realizing what had just happened. She’d been behind Cerise and now blood bloomed from three large gashes in her shoulder.
“Get behind me,” I said to both of them, holding out my hand.
Sylvie’s cries and whimpers echoed in the cave as Cerise tried to calm her.
Flames erupted from my palm and I shot a small fireball at the ground in front of the cat. Not to harm it, but to keep it at bay as we escaped.
The cat backed away and the three of us rushed the rest of the way out, exiting into the steamy rainforest with sighs of relief.
“My shoulder. My shoulder!” Sylvie sobbed, holding her arm.
Ivan rushed forward to assess her injury. “They aren’t too deep. We can address this back at camp.” Ivan scooped her up and headed back into the jungle. “She’ll be okay. Let’s go.”
Back at camp,I sipped on a beer while I sat beneath a tree, watching as Cerise used her healing magic on Sylvie’s wounds. Hunched over the grad student, Cerise tried to hide her frustration at Sylvie’s constant screams and wails, her brow pinched with agitation.
She’s awfully loud. Her wounds are not that bad,I thought to myself.
“Sylvie, you must stop screaming,” Cerise chastised. “I cannot concentrate.”
Sylvie quieted, her screams turning to whimpers. Cerise laid her hands on the wounds after having cleaned them thoroughly, and closed her eyes.
The rest of the team sat beneath one of the research tents,organizing our finds and measuring the specimens. I planned to join them in a few minutes; I just needed a moment away, still irritated that this injury could have been easily avoided if our damned guide—who was hovering over Cerise and Sylvie—had double checked the cave.
Cerise finished and rose, Ivan taking over to wrap the wounds. “After Ivan finishes, you should go take a nap in your tent,” she instructed. “You’ll feel much better after.”
Sylvie nodded and sniffled. Cerise ran her hand over her face as she turned and approached me. The lavender color of her shirt brought out the violet in her eyes and, though she was drenched in sweat and dirt, she looked beautiful in the late afternoon light. A piece of hair had come loose from her braid. Tucking it behind her ear, she plopped down beside me.
A bead of sweat dripped down her neck and I couldn’t help but follow it with my eyes as it disappeared into her cleavage. I cleared my throat, willing myself to look away.
Cerise snatched my beer and took a long swig, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and handed the bottle back. I froze, staring at her in shock.
