Ankyra Sound the devil's garden

"you see a man again in dat way, i suggest you put him down. "

a dark shape burst from the base of a tree near by and looked around, as if trying to spot his pursuer. after a few heartbeats, he began to run.

yes, manman, lafayette whispered.

then he ran, too.

the rain began to pick up, or perhaps it only felt stronger at this speed. he whipped around the forest trails, blinking water from his eyes, looking for a glimpse of the devil. his paws slipped on new green undergrowth, slick with moisture;

if he wasn't careful, he'd send himself headlong into a sequoia's massive, solid trunk.