Casmas Clan: Josiah and Clara
Chapter Twelve

~ Clara The storm was getting bad, very bad. Clara was currently attempting to board up the several dozen windows in the two-story house. The glass was rattling hard, making her hope it wouldn't shatter before she was able to board all of them. Her father was strangely absent, so she was cheating by using her powers to board one while manually doing another.

Clara's head was throbbing, with sweat pouring down her face, when she decided it was time for a break. At least she had gotten the entire first floor done and most of the second before the rain started. She could take a quick break, eat something, and then finish with the rest of the house before the worst of the storm hit.

Clara slowed to a stop when she reached the first floor and noticed the front door was open. Strange, she didn't open it; it was definitely closed and locked when she went upstairs. Her brow creased in confusion as she walked up to the door. Perhaps the wind had blown it open? It was possible, unlikely, but possible.

Clara grabbed the wayward door before peering outside. She looked first one way then the other. No one was around in the nearly eighty miles per hour winds. Shrugging, she slammed it closed, locked it, then turned around and screamed in fright.

A four-foot-tall, seven-foot-long, scaly creature with hundreds of teeth, sat behind her quietly. His head was tilted slightly to the left, as though he was trying to figure out why she was making such a horrible noise. "Pipsqueak! You nearly scared me to death! You can't sneak up on someone like that."

Clara took several deep breaths before a thought suddenly occurred. "Wait. How did you get here? You've never left the swamp before."

Pipsqueak stepped closer and made a shuffling noise by her chest. Backing away, his head tilted in the other direction. Seeming to ask if she understood. She did.

"You followed my scent. Were you worried about me?"

A very toothy grin. "Well good. I was worried about you too. Do you want some food? After we eat, you can keep me company while I finish the house."

Clara didn't bother waiting for any kind of response from Pipsqueak. She knew he would eat with her, he was always hungry. If he came all this way from the swamplands, then he would stick around until the storm was through. Clara was glad for that; she really didn't want to be alone through a typhoon.

~ Josiah The Killt pack was coming. Josiah paced back and forth within Alpha Dermet's den, waiting for the command to go after them. After the extremely long lecture from Dermet, Josiah felt quite chastised over his actions within the past couple of years. Dermet had then told Josiah he could have Albert during the coming battle since he was able to tell him who the betrayer was. Josiah couldn't wait.

Dermet, Harvey, Catalina, and Charlie were all in the same room. Sitting comfortably and waiting for the storm to hit its peak, before going out after the Killt. From Craig and Albert's conversation Josiah overheard, the Amo pack wouldn't be with the Killt. Josiah had made certain with Dermet that Clara would be protected either way. Dermet's response was amusing, though not surprising. A large Crama had been seen entering Clara's home. Glad Pipsqueak was with her, Josiah had let that worry drop for now. No one was stupid enough to take on a Crama.

Lightning erupted outside, shaking the entire house a moment before the door was flung open. A lioness not much older than Josiah hurriedly slammed the door closed, then approached Dermet.

"Alpha Dermet, they are here. The Killt were spotted entering Kosta less than five minutes ago. They are quickly approaching the City Playground as we speak."

"Thank you, Aria. Sit, relax, we will be moving out shortly. Any news from the other scouts?"

"Ceti and Harp have reported six Killt pack members each, while Cray and Mary have nothing to report as of yet."

"So they are trying a pincer attack. It won't work, but it's good to know. Harvey, take Josiah and head off for Ceti. Catalina, Charlie, both of you go aid Harp. I want no survivors."

Josiah may not be a hunter or a killer, but he found he could not wait for this fight. He had such rage built up, most of it was his fault, over giving up Clara, that he was ready to take it out on his ex-pack. He quickly followed Harvey out of the den and through the rainy and windy streets.

~ Clara Clara nearly leaped out of her seat when the boards came flying off a window in the den. Pipsqueak quickly stopped her with his tail when she stood up to see what happened. He then slithered away, like an alligator of old, but with sharp spines down his back and sides. Clara took two steps closer, so she could see down the hall and into the den. All she could see was Pipsqueak moving this way and that. It was almost like he was fighting someone or thing. A moment later, a growl erupted within the house, causing shivers to flee down her back.

That growl belonged to a wolf! How did a wolf get here and why would it break into her home? Clara had heard from several different townsfolk that the Casmás Clan didn't like canines within their town. Clara would think the wolf only got lost and broke in to get away from the storm, but the way it fought against Pipsqueak belied that thought. It was out to kill him, and possibly her as well.

Chanting a quick spell, Clara waited for Pipsqueak to move out of the way, before unleashing a bolt of lightning at the snarling beast. The smell of burnt fur and flesh nearly brought her to her knees, though somehow the wolf still stood and fought Pipsqueak. Its attention seemed solely on her, even though it fought him savagely.

Clara was readying another spell, when Pipsqueak made a quick swipe with his left claw, completely cleaving the wolf's head from its shoulders. It bobbed several times across the carpeted floor, making a bloody mess and causing Clara to feel ill. She barely made it upstairs and to the toilet, when Pipsqueak devoured the head, seconds after it came to a rest against the fireplace.