Ella & Vlad at the end

#17 - hounded

Out on the second floor balcony Vladimir and Filomena are perched on the tubular stainless steel railing, watching the cows.

"Got one picked out?" He inquires having spotted one that has yet moved, "think I see a good one."

"Yes," she points her wing at the same cow, "that one's sleeping for sure."

"Yes I think you're right." Damn it! I was going for that one. Ah well let her have it, looks like the others around that cow are sleeping too.

Stopping them bright headlights can be seen flickering behind the trees at the back of the property. Looking over they can hear a heavy engine and big tires coming their way. Sharing a glance both worry dining will have to wait.

Instincts are prodding him to flee. "You want to fly over to the trees with me? See who's coming."

"Okay," just as curious Fil waits for him to lead.

"Alright," Vlad springs off the rail taking flight.

Fil follows close behind, "I hope it's not more of those guys. How could they find us at night? There was nobody left to tell."

Looking down at the bovines Vlad's got a bad feeling, "it's a dirt road with tire tracks left from this place to the crash. You think we could scare these cows into the trees?"

"Oh," the tire tracks she  hadn't considered, heightening desire to save the cows, "I'd be willing to try."

Above the trees they can see the vehicle getting closer, though dark the vehicle silhouette is easily recognizable to Vladimir as Hoss' men, "oh shit. They're checking ditches and land with spotlights."

Able to see light beams emitted from both sides of the vehicle reaching out far, she knows the cows will be spotted, "I'm going to fly back and try and get the cows by the house moving. Okay?"

"See what you can do. I want to see what we're really up against," Vlad keeps flying towards the vehicle.

"Be careful Vlad." Filomena circles back to the house debating the idea of dive-bombing the cows to get them moving.

Hovering over the trees he identifies the vehicle by sound. That's a Hummer, military class. Yup, Hoss's Hummer. Not good for us with that mounted machine gun.

Circling the sky Vlad glimpses Filomena nearing the house. We have to get away from here. I'm not much use like this. Can see her getting badly hurt if we stay.

Targeting a cow closest to the back of the mansion Filomena dives from the sky building speed.

Zipping past the second floor balconies Fil flips her body extending feet and sharp spiny claws. When the claws touch cow rump she clamps down while her body bumps the cow. The quick surprise pinch to the ass gets the desired effect; popping open the cow's eyes while kicking hind legs back trying to remove Fil. Mooing and stomping about the cow does move away from the house, just not all the way.

The other cows are alert but don't sense danger.

Leaping off the cow Fil takes flight to make a second attempt. Vladimir studies her while flying back.

Filomena dives form the sky as she flips again she tries to squeal. Hitting the same cow's rear she manages to get it moving. To keep the cow mobile she beats her wings against its' sides. Working better the cow moves closer to the pool house and causes nearby cows to move.

Taking off to try a third attempt Fil is tiring and doesn't think she can keep this up.

He can see she's a little slower to get up in the air.  As the cows are moving he decides to help, "nice work Fil. You may have picked a slow one but hit it one more time. I'll get this other guy by the patio."