In Laymon's Terms

“God damn,” David whispered as he stopped next to Henry. “Don’t people work around here?

“Sir,” David said, adopting a professional tone, “get back in your house.” The man froze and stared, surprised to see them standing midway in his driveway. “We have the situation under control.”

“Situation?”

Henry felt the quiet, exasperated breath before David tried to explain as succinctly as possible what they were doing.

“We’re with the Department of Health, O.V.M. Division.”

The man blanched and backed toward the door.

“Good idea, sir.”

They waited until the man disappeared inside the house.

“Damn residents,” David said. “Between them and your snipes, I’d take the snipes. There’s no law against killing snipes.”

They separated upon entering the garage; Henry took the left side. He was deliberate, looking under the car and behind boxes. In his three months working this job, he had seen strays hiding in the most unusual places, sometimes folded so tight they had to be cut out of their hiding place.

“God, look at this one!”

Damn, Henry thought. He was right.

The animal cowered in the corner, curled like a fetus, knees drawn up against its naked chest.

It lifted its head. From beneath grime-coated knots of hair glowed large, translucent, green eyes that seemed to light up its face.

“Look at the tits on this one.” David adjusted the crotch of his jeans. “It’s giving me the wiggles.”

“Save it,” Henry said. “Let’s finish this.”

“Don’t be getting Puritanical on me. People might get the idea that you care. Just do your job and shut up.”

Henry ignored him and let the leash unravel. He dragged it along the floor, drawing the animal’s attention.

He flicked the leash.

It hit the animal’s ear. The animal instinctively tried to grab the leash. It uncurled, leaving itself open. David rushed in, slipped the loop over the animal’s head and pulled it tight. The stray struggled and batted at the pole.

“Let’s get this thing into the van!” David fought as the animal tried to yank the pole out of his hands.

Henry ran and opened the door to the back of the van while David dragged the animal down the driveway. The asphalt scoured off skin from its hands and knees as it pushed back against David.

David climbed into the back of the van and pulled the stray up. It floundered at the end of the pole, blindly trying to step on the bumper to keep from choking. It found a foothold and clambered inside.

David bent down, took a temporary chain leash anchored to a metal ring on the floor and secured it around the animal’s head. He removed the loop and handed the pole to Henry. David ducked back into the van and began to close the door.

Henry stopped the door. “David, not now. If the lab guys find out—”

“Forget the lab guys! Just get into the van and drive!” David turned and headed back toward the animal.

Henry swung the door; before it shut he saw David’s pants fall and heard the clack of the stun gun hitting the floor. Door locked, he put the pole back in its compartment. He hurried to the driver’s seat, anxious to be underway. Plans had changed. They were now bound for their private dumping hole.

The engine grumbled to life. He put the van into gear and lurched into the street.

Thunder reverberated within the van as the thin sheet-metal walls were struck. The animal barked and mewled in the back.

This was one of the best specimens they had ever captured; it was obvious that underneath all that dirt and grime was a sleek and flawless creature.

And those green eyes. They threatened to hypnotize him if he stared too long.

Henry tingled as he imagined the animal hunkered down on its knees while its head whipped back and forth against David’s thrusts. His heart raced at the thought of watching those moist green eyes flare as David ripped into it.

It would be a shame to waste such a creature on science. An animal like that was good for one thing: enjoyment.

Henry shuddered and shook his head. “Damn, I’m starting to think like David.” He squeezed his legs together, shoving his erection against the unyielding denim of his jeans.

But those eyes called to him from the back of his mind; they flared with each heartbeat. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shatter the images with an explosion of gritty afterimage pinpricks. He clenched the steering wheel harder, trying to resist his thoughts.

Henry stopped the van, jumped out and ran to the back. He unlocked the door and opened it.

David’s head twisted around at the sudden brightness. His body faced forward, hiding the animal except for its feet poking out on either side of his knees.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? I told you to drive the fucking van!”

Henry climbed into the back and kicked the stun gun.

They both looked down at it. Henry had totally forgotten about the stun gun; its placement seemed almost divine. David immediately understood the spreading grin on Henry’s face.

They both went for the stun gun, but it was no contest. Even now, David didn’t want to relinquish the animal.

Henry stood above David.