Running Ragged

Lochlan keeps her back to the brick wall, just around a corner out of sight. She hears the steps of shoes on the pavement. Her hands grip an open pocket knife with a chain tied to the end of it. Just as the footsteps get close she grips the other end of the chain and swings it out around the person’s neck. The neck of a human. The human is startled as she pulls the chain tightly and yanks the person backwards into the alley. They try to fight her off but it’s no use. She shoves them into a brick wall while keeping as much pressure on their throat as possible. The human tries to reach back to grab at her but by then it was too late. Even after the person goes limp, she keeps the pressure for a few minutes just to be sure. She lets go, letting the body drop onto the ground as she huffs, “Thank you for being easy.”

She wraps up the chain into a simple loop and closes the pocket knife before putting them away in her pocket. She grabs the body and slings it over her shoulder with difficulty as her legs shake a bit, “Fucking hell- you’ve heavier than the last one-”
She heads through the alley and towards the backroads that run behind the shops. She pauses before continuing to check for anyone nearby and continues on seeing the coast is clear. She heads down the road for a few blocks. The path takes a sharp turn but she continues forwards instead, into the tree line of the forest. By now her legs begin aching from the sheer weight on her as her neck and arms are starting to cramp up. She reaches an isolated clearing and drops the body there. She takes a moment to catch her breath with her hands on her knees before standing upright again and stretching her arm and neck.

The dirt in this area is much darker than the rest of the woods. The tree branches above have been snapped off so a perfect circle gives a clear window into the sky, allowing direct sunlight into the clearing. She turns and starts to walk the direction she came while digging into her pockets. She takes out a piece of metal shaped like a small cylinder, barely the size of a pinky bone. She puts it between her lips and takes a deep breath in before blowing air through it. Several fibers inside of it rattle creating a loud and distinct bird call.

Just as she takes the piece out of her mouth and stashes it away, she hears the loud thump of massive limbs colliding into the dirt behind her, violently snatching up the body, and immediately taking it away out of sight and into the sky. Only leaving behind a few drops of blood that stain the ground below it. As she walks away from the area she gets a phone call. An upbeat ring tone goes off as she takes out her phone with an annoyed expression. Before she can even say anything, Rosey’s face comes screeching out the other side, “LOCHLAN GUESS WHAT!?!”

Lochlan moves the phone away from her ears and grumbles with a tired voice, “Again with instantly screaming. What the hell.”

Rosey lowers her volume, “Oh! Sorry! I’ve just been up ALL night and couldn’t wait to tell you about this new recipe I found!”

Lochlan’s voice is much more gravely as her pace starts to slow down,”Yeah. And I’ve been up all morning too. I told you I was warning that other human to stay away. The guy didn’t step out of his house untill the next fucking day. I’ve been here all night.”

Rosey seems to pause a moment before continuing, “It’s this cake recipe with chocolate icing. It also has chocolate shavings! And there’s also wine in the cake itself, it’s like drinking but you’re eating! How cool is that!?!?”

Lochlan is glaring ahead as she deadpans, “...Not really.”

Rosey exclaims, “We should make it together as soon as you get home!!! I also made cookies to go with it!”

Lochlan pinches the bridge of her nose with her other hand and takes a deep breath, “Ok, Rosey. I told you this before. Other people get tired unlike you and don’t want a fucking dog whistle pitched banshee in their ears the moment they get home from a long day. Hell, I’m not even back yet and I’m ALREADY hearing it.”

“But you'll help when you get back right!?!”

Lochlan holds the phone out in front of herself and stares at the contact information as she glares. She hears Rosey’s voice still through the mic, “Lochlan? Honey?”

Lochlan flips the phone closed, ending the call as she growls under her breath, “I need a fucking drink after all of this. And one I don’t have to chew…”