Cats VS Dogs.

Romp in the Woods

Photo is of Sydney Evans

Dakarai was quickly turning out to be the best thing that had happened in this whole situation. Yes, his presence even trumped Jasper's kiss, but only because of Jasper's rejection afterward. Dakarai had flown in, so all of his things were at the airport. He insisted that he didn't need any of it right away, and when the time came, everyone would make the long trip to civilization. 

"Cassie, you're hopeless," he said, never taking his eyes off of the TV screen. 

"I'm sorry, I don't have a whole childhood of Call of Duty under my belt," I answered, pushing buttons frantically. "I'm dead," I announced, tossing down the remote control. 

"That's all right, it will be easier to win by myself anyway." 

"Whatever," I pouted, watching as Dakarai expertly finished off the rest of the attackers. 

"Go ahead and say it. I am amazing." 

"Your ego is quite big enough already, thank you," I said haughtily. 

"My ego?" he sputtered. 

The front door slammed open and Jasper strode in. "Did you bring anyone with you?" he asked Dakarai. 

"No, I came alone," Dakarai answered. 

"I just thought I would ask, he looks like a friend of yours." 

"I have to see this," Dakarai said, getting to his feet and leaving the xbox on. I followed suit. 

Out front, Anton and Lisimba were standing with a scruffy man who didn't appear to be talking. "A hobo reminded you of me?" Dakarai whispered in outrage. Jasper only smirked as he led us on. Honestly, I couldn't understand why he was a little standoff-ish towards Dak. He was hilarious and easy to be around, if a little too charming for his own good. Even Shawn liked him, in his own way. 

"I'm Jasper," Jasper said, holding out his hand. The man eyed it suspiciously with wild eyes. 

"Who are you?" Dakarai asked. He obviously sensed that something was off about the man, because he subtly edged his wiry frame in front of me. 

"Kyan Mannem," the stranger said in a thick accent. HIs words were almost intelligible. 

"Where are you from?" Jasper asked, shooting Dakarai a glance that clearly said to back off. 

He looked at him with a blank expression. "He doesn't understand the language," Lisimba said softly. He tried speaking to the wild man in his African tongue. No response. Anton tried his Russian, and got the same results. 

"Well, we can assume that he is here to fight," Jasper said, exasperated. 

I didn't like the looks of the man. His fingernails were long and dirty, his hair was long and matted, and he looked like he lived very primitively. 

The man, apparently tired of our conversation, hit the ground and shifted, running off into the woods. 

"What kind of cat was that?" I asked. It kind of looked like Syndey or Shawn, but the ears were strange. 

Jasper didn't answer, just shrugged. "Be careful, everyone," he advised. "Just until we know what Kyan Mannem is about." 

I looked over my shoulder and stepped closer to Dak. Jasper narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything. I just didn't understand him. Either he was really out to destroy any chance of happiness I might have, or he was jealous. But that was ridiculous.