Project Rescue - A Shifter Novel (NaNoWriMo19)
Chapter 22 - Knock, Knock

All of a sudden I heard yelling - it was the monster. I tried to listen harder but I couldn’t hear anything with the commotion going on. It sounded like a knock-down-full-on brawl. I could only hope everyone was okay.

It took only a second to hear the roar of a tiger - Madrid. He was not happy and couldn’t tell him how unhappy he was in words, not if he wanted to keep up the pretense. He kept roaring and snarling.

I finally caught Matheus tell him to go away and don’t bother him. He was tired of it and he had no idea where that girl was. Of course, he was saying it all in Portuguese. Not a problem, Manuel’s brother knew how to interpret Matheus’s words. He probably knew how to interpret Madrid’s words too.

I knew Matheus would be angry. I could tell by the tone of his voice. He had to be tired of the drug runners and the monster stopping by and tearing up his house. I felt bad that I had ran and put the men in danger. It scared me that the monsters men would kill Matheus, Manuel or Madrid. I should have thought about my actions before I ran. But, I couldn't stay with the monster anymore. I didn't want my life not be my own.

I sat in the tube and heard most of everything that was said, including what the monster was saying. He was always louder than he thought he was being. It was why the men knew what was about to happen. The trainer had to do some terrible things to establish himself. But, he knew ahead of time because he heard him talking to Fernando - his right hand man. And, the man who was killed by his mistress.

I should send her a thank you card.

Everything was quiet, not a peep. I started worrying that something was wrong with the guys. After ten minutes, I was getting ready to climb the tube and figure out how to get out. Then I heard voices.

I heard Matheus ask why he was bothering him? What did he have to do to prove he didn’t know that girl, whose picture he kept getting asked about? And, he even let his house be damaged while he searched. He would like to go to sleep and have some peace and quiet.

I heard Manuel's brother interpreting the words back to the monster, exactly the way Matheus asked them. I heard the words the monster said back to him. Something about coming during the night to search.

I heard Madrid’s bones shift back to his human form. “Come on and search tonight. The girl wouldn’t be here. She never was and never will be. How many different ways could he say it?” He said, not breaking cover.

Manuel's brother interpreted Madrid’s words to the monster. I couldn’t hear anything for a beat, then I heard the monster say whatever - like a teenage girl. Nothing against teen aged girls, he shouldn’t sound as one when he is supposed to be the biggest drug dealer and menace around.

It got quiet again but this time there wasn’t anyone talking or moving. I was starting to think they fell asleep or the monster took them with him. But, surely I would have heard running, fighting, anything. I, again, was about to pull myself out of the tube when the cover on my side slid open.

“Hold on, don’t say anything,” Matheus whispered.

After the General tracked the fucker out of the village and towards his compound he searched the other cameras for movement. I could tell he was thinking about me having to stay in the tunnels all night long.

“Bring her up and get her some food and bathroom break before the next wave of idiots come by. And, you and I know they will come by all night long,” the General suggested. “She’s smart enough to have already figured out she would be staying in the tube. I’m going to sleep outside in my tiger form.”

“Okay, if you’ll keep watch I will bring her up and feed her.”

I started working myself to the top of the tunnel, tube, whatever.

I could be a teenage girl too.

Matheus reached for me, pulling me in his arms. He kissed her forehead and whispered, “You need to eat and use the bathroom-”

I cut him off. “I know. It’s best I stay in the tunnel overnight. I’m fine with it actually. I already found a way to hook in where I can sleep somewhat comfortably. Don’t worry. You both need to do what you need to do. And, thanks for the comedy relief.”

I looked over at Madrid as he nodded his head the all clear. My stomach growled as soon as he nodded. Oops, I guess I was a little more hungrier than I thought. After Matheus handed me the plate he made me, I ate like the pig I felt like. I could tell the guys were just as hungry. I guess being comedians was a hard job - especially against the monster.

I finished up my food and laid my plate on top of Matheus’s. I looked at the monitor to make sure I had enough time to pee. If not I was peeing in the tube. I wasn’t picky where I went. I got the all clear from both men. Didn’t take me long to get my ass in there, I had to pee that bad.

After washing my hands, I whispered, “I know how to shoot the wings off a fly, running or standing. I can jump from a tree and hit the smallest of targets. I could swing from tree to tree one handed and fire, hitting the target every time. I can do this using any gun or blade.”

Both men looked shocked. I guess they have never had a woman tell them how proficient she was at weapons and mean it. I was surprised the trainer never told Madrid about it. At least they knew now, even though I couldn’t prove it and hide at the same time.