Page 6 of Beast of the Bayou

Tears blur my vision as I try to catch my breath. My feet hurt…but I made it out this time. Sitting down on a fallen tree, I look down at my phone. My finger hovers over the screen. I press 9-1…

The phone rings in my hand, jarring me. Dropping it in surprise, I gasp when I see the number. It's Ms. Landry. Wiping my face, I scoop up the phone and try to relax the tremble in my voice when I answer. "H-Hello. Ms. L-Landry?"

Silence.

I press my lips together to control my breathing.

"You okay, my dear?" she asks softly.

And I try. I swear I try so hard to stop it, but the sob bubbles out of me and the tears pour down. "N-no," I choke out. "I-I don't have anyone."

"Oh, mon chérie," she says gently. "You do now. You. Do. Now."

Chapter 3: Solomon

The air smells different. Intoxicating in a way that makes my mouth water. My eyes open slowly and I sniff. Underneath the sweetness is something else. Anxiety. Nervousness. And… fear.

The smell of fear is always noticeable. Sharp. Bitter. The few times I've made attempts to venture into town in the daylight, the smell of it was so overwhelming that I was forced to retreat back to my solitude.

"She's here," Edgar drawls playfully from the floor. He leaps cleanly on the bed and crawls on my chest. What can be described as a smile crosses his face as he stares down at me. "And she's quite enchanting might I add."

"Who's here?" I grunt.

"Your new housekeeper. I'm sure you can smell her. I sure can. And she smells—" His paw taps my nose. "Di-vineee," he purrs. "Like honeysuckle. I wonder if she tastes as sweet as she smells."

"Don't be crass." I swipe him off my chest as he chuckles low in his throat. "Lenora hired someone already? The ad was just placed yesterday."

"Fate works quickly, my dear boy."

Sitting up, my ears zero in—

I can hear Lenora. And right after that, I hear the new voice—soft and sweet.

"Is he gonna be mad I popped up like this? I don't wanna make a bad first impression. I look terrible."

She sounds scared.

"Don't you worry about that. He'll understand. You weren't safe. That's all that matters." Lenora replies.

Did someone hurt her?

"Are you planning to eavesdrop the whole time, or will you put on something decent to meet our guest?" Edgar asks.

My body feels flushed. The hair on the back of my neck bristles as my heart skips.

"Nervous?" Edgar asks in amusement.

I glare at him. But…I am.

Edgar lets out an exaggerated sigh and leaps on my broad shoulders. "Relax," he purrs in my ear. "She's just a girl. What could she possibly do to a big strong, man like you?"

I turn my head to him. "Are you being facetious?"

"Obviously." He swishes his tail in my face. "Now get up. Don't be rude to our guest."

I force myself from bed, ignoring the way my body is already responding to her. My canines are already fighting to protrude to full length. Her smell is saturating my nostrils and I can hear her heartbeat now. Almost steady—but still fluttering with nervousness.

I take a quick shower, brush my teeth and moisturize. Brushing my beard and sponging my curls, I step out. Dressing quickly, I pull on a pair of gray sweats and a black T-shirt. I give myself a once over in the mirror. "What do you think?" I ask Edgar as he sits on my dresser.