Page 74 of Catching Camila

Travis blushed. “Maybe it wasn't Michelle who called.”

Fer rolled her eyes. “Oh please. Look, we just need to find Camila now.”

Travis shook his head back and forth sadly. “I called everyone we know.”

Fer shook her head. “Not good enough.” She held out her cellphone to Travis. “Call Michelle and tell her to get her dad to organize a search party.”

Travis eyed the phone. “I don't…think it'll be that easy.”

Camila stepped into the room. “Travis, it's okay. You don't have to call anyone.”

Fer ran over and crushed Camila with a hug. “I thought you were dead.” Her eyes found John standing in the doorway. “What's he doing here?” she said, stiffening.

Travis bolted upright, his stool clattering to the floor.

Camila shook her head. “Guys, please, he's not a killer. You gotta believe me.”

Travis opened his mouth to respond when a horrible ripping noise cut through the ice cream shop. They watched in horror as the door separated from the back wall.

Concrete popped and metal screamed as the back door splintered out of its hinges and crashed into the alley. Debris shifted through the light now pouring in from the hole. Two shapes stepped into the void.

The claws were black scimitars, six-inches long on paws the size of a grizzly's. The beast stood seven-feet-tall, a wall of muscle, the shaggy mane of fur behind the horrible, knotty skull. And those eyes, red and reptilian, that seemed to zero in on her.

She stopped breathing.

Beside her, Fer screamed.

Nomad walked around the beast like one would his faithful dog and looked at John. Nomad's eyes were almost sad as he addressed him.

“I tried, Jopari. I tried to tell you what a mess you were making. Now the top brass says this is the way it goes down.”

John moved in front of Camila. “Nomad, listen to me. I'll go. I'll leave with you and the beast right now. No one has to get hurt.” John's arms tightened. Even from behind she could see his chest heaving.

“Yeah, we'll go.” Nomad turned to the beast. “Do what you what you were ordered.”

The beast turned toward Camila and opened its mouth, saliva dripping down its fangs hungrily.

Then it charged.

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