Zoophobia: Alternative

Basket Case -- Part 3

Ryan stared at the demonic-looking woman, eyes wide with shock, as on instinct, he started to take slow steps backward to get a better look at her.

The woman responded with a low, sinister chuckle as she watched the teenager back away from her in awe. She stepped forward and leaned face-first toward Ryan, startling him.

"What's the matter, young man?" she asked, smiling. "You act like you've never seen a vampire before."

"Vampire?" Ryan stuttered. His face then went from fear to confusion. "Wait, I thought vampires disintegrated in sunlight?! It's the middle of the day!"

"Good question. I don't know that myself," the vampiress said, shrugging. "I mean, of course, not that I'm complaining."

She grinned viciously as she opened her mouth and licked her fangs, unsettling Ryan.

"After all, I've been rather thirsty since I woke up. I could use some breakfast."

All of a sudden, Ryan felt an arm wrap around his waist, and then, the next thing he knew, the wind was blowing in his face as Zill flew through the city at blazing speed, carrying both him and a screaming Horris, a visibly panicked expression on his face.

"Zill?!" Ryan shouted over the sound of the wind whipping past them. "What are you doing?!"

"We have to get back to the school, now!" Zill shouted back in a fearful tone.

Unfortunately, Zill didn't get very far. Without warning, a tail covered in grey fur wrapped itself around his torso, causing him to let out a sharp exhale as the wind was promptly squeezed out of him. Immediately after, Ryan, Zill, and Horris were thrown sharply to the ground below.

Ryan looked up to see the concrete sidewalk coming at him fast. Closing his eyes to focus, he quickly activated his telekinesis, sparing himself the pain of the impact as he came to a halt a split second before hitting the ground, levitating right above the pavement.

Zill, meanwhile, kept his hold on Horris as he braced himself to hit the ground, manifesting a neon green aura around his body. He grunted as he hit the sidewalk, rolling a short distance further along with Horris before coming to a stop.

Ryan floated back to the ground, wincing as he looked upon the rough-looking landing. He started to walk towards Zill to see if the chimera-mutt was still alive when he heard another voice close by.

"What's the rush, tough guy?"

"Huh?" Ryan looked up, trying to find the source of the new, raspier voice, only to find nothing... until a cloud of inky black mist came out of nowhere, right on top of Zill. The mist dispelled, revealing an anthropomorphic wolf dressed in Victorian-era clothing, glaring at Zill with his eerie, glowing red eyes.

Groaning, Zill shook himself out of his daze, and opened his eyes to the sight of the wolf staring at him menacingly.

"You owe my mistress an apology," the wolf hissed. When Ryan looked at the wolf's mouth, he could see fangs inside, just like those of the woman.

The wolf leaned closer to Zill, who shrank back, terrified.

"See, we've heard a lot about you, 'Little Mister Superhero Wannabe'..." the wolf growled. "Especially your little phobia of vampires."

Horris, lying on the ground with Zill, just as afraid, spoke up suddenly.

"What are rogue vampires doing in the city... during the day?"

The vulture's voice held none of the bravado that was with him when he arrived at the school.

The wolf looked at Horris, his red eyes boring into his soul.