SeanWard.org

“Meow.”

He couldn’t believe it didn’t work. He tried again, using the swing he used when chopping firewood. Alex could split a log right down the middle with an axe, without using a wedge. Clunk.

“Meow!”

“Let me try,” said Darren. He took the club.

“No,” said Alex. “Not with the club. It’s not going to work. We need something else.” He wasn’t sure now that the cat couldn’t survive.

“What?” said Darren. “Do you have a knife?”

He did. he told him to go to my apartment to get it. He had a folding lock-back knife that he used to cut open boxes with. He told him where to find it.

“Don’t bring a kitchen knife. Samantha will see it and it will be hard to hide. I’ll stay with the cat.”

Darren left. Alex stroked the cat. It purred. Another cat appeared. It came right up and sniffed them both.

“Go away,” said Alex. It walked a few feet away staring, flicking its tail.

“Go away.” It stayed. There was a scream far off, Samantha. She had seen the knife. A few minutes later Darren slipped behind the fence. He handed Alex the knife. He opened the blade. It clicked as it locked into place. He put his hand under the cat’s head and drew the knife under its throat. He purred. Alex’s stomach twisted.

“Are you going to do it?”