Night 58: Infirmary

[ninelivesonce]

[from here]The door to the infirmary swung open slowly, as Taura pushed it open first a crack, and then far enough to slip through. Vague shapes -- beds? -- lined the walls, but even her eyes couldn't pick out more than that. She switched on her flashlight and blinked at the brightness

Comments

[damned_monsters]

A few moments after the woman entered the infirmary, a lean, dark shape silently slunk through the door. The cat smelled prey, and it was waiting for the best opportunity to strike. For some creatures, the dark put them at a disadvantage, but this one knew how to use it as a cloak. When the woman crouched closer to the floor, the cat grew still, its gaze focused on her.

Then, without warning, it leaped forward. Extending its sharp claws, it tried to land a good swipe at her legs.

[Jansen]

[ninelivesonce]

Two men were lying on the end beds, talking animatedly, though no matter how hard Taura tried, she couldn't hear a word. The closer one had his back to her, but she knew that crew cut -- people said they all looked alike, but that was just an excuse for dirtsiders to complain about spacers when her hair had fooled them into thinking she was otherwise.

Or, more likely, they'd forgotten to think of her as human, and thus had relegated her to the realm of terrifying furniture. Which, to be fair, seemed to be a dirtsider specialty. At least on some planets. Some times it was what they did on the furniture, but sometimes it was just...odd.

As she stood up to get a look at the man TK was talking to, something slashed into her right calf. Careless! She hissed, in pain and in recognition

[damned_monsters]

If the cat had been a sentient creature, it would have wondered why Taura was talking to an empty room. Of course, her words were meaningless compared to its insatiable hunger. The scent of fresh blood reached its nose, fueling its desire for even more.

Letting out a sharp hiss, the creature easily regained its balance. Despite the darkness, the cat saw her produce some sort of sharp object with ease. Of course, that meant little when compared to the prospect of a good meal. It jumped forward again in a single, lithe motion, trying to claw at her legs again in order to bring her down onto the floor this time.

[ninelivesonce]

Neither of the men moved. "Now!" Taura couldn't spare them another moment; but if she could bring whatever this was, down, they'd all be spared as many as they wanted. She eyed the creature, pacing in the dark, eyes glowing back at her.

A predator's eyes met its prey, but who was who? Taura held her ground, and waited for it to jump. Her metal claws were longer, and she could bring them down across its forelimbs as she stepped out of the way.