One Plus Two Equals... - 49

There was a knock on the door, the requisite code rapped out. Turning off the security system, Duane unlocked and opened the door. 'Mr. Pink' stood there, four men now flanking him. All of them held guns which were pointed at Duane.

"Don't even think of shifting," one of them growled as they stormed through the doorway, surrounding Duane. "You'll be dead before you do."

Hands grabbed him roughly, his arms were twisted up behind his back and shackled. The leader of the group pressed the barrel of his gun to Duane's forehead. "Where's the boy?"

"What boy?" Duane replied defiantly, wondering in surprise why it was Julyan they were after when they had him.

'Mr. Pink' backhanded him. "Don't play games. The boy who was here this morning. Where is he?"

"He left soon after you did."

"Liar!" A fist landed in Duane's gut, doubling him over for a moment until he was pulled erect again. "I was watching, no one left."

"Spread out and search the place," the leader ordered his companions. "The boy is here somewhere. Find him."

Duane could hear doors opening and things being moved about as the men searched. One by one they returned to report that they hadn't found Julyan.

"Fun and games time." A large knife appeared in the leader's hand. He smiled maliciously at Duane. "How much pain can you take before you cave and tell me where you've hidden him?"

Duane remained silent, his eyes locked on the knife. 'Mr. Pink' stepped behind him, yanking his shackled arms up, forcing him to his knees. The leader fisted his free hand into Duane's hair, pulling his head back, and the torture began. Duane screamed finally, and again, but the only words he said were, "He's…not…here. He's safe from you…you bastards."

Suddenly there was an earthshaking roar of rage. Then an immense feline sprang into the room, its huge canine teeth bared. It swung its head from side to side for a moment then leapt, claws tearing into the leader's chest before its teeth ripped open his throat. Without hesitation, it spun to attack a second man, dropping its prey seconds later.

"Shoot it," 'Mr. Pink' shouted as he aimed his pistol at the saber-toothed cat and fired.

Another roar emitted from the beast's throat. It attacked, fangs ripping through the flesh of 'Mr. Pink's' arm. Sharp claws raked bloody lines down his back when he wheeled in an attempt to escape. Moments later he was dead, unaware that the last two men had fled in terror.

With its enemies dead or gone, the cat sank down beside Duane, its rough tongue licking at the deep wounds which decorated his body. Duane groaned, his eyelids fluttering open. For a second, panic flooded him. Then his eyes met those of the gigantic cat.