Trouble Comes in Threes - Chapter 4

Welcome to the  Wednesday Briefs  flash group (click to go to the site). The short stories have a maximum of a 1000 word count plus links at the bottom to the other flashers. If interested in joining us, drop me a line and I'll tell you how. :)
The prompts are:
 “Can you just give me five minutes to get this done?”“That… just never gets easier.”"And how was your day?""Option number one is…""Just a little case of mood poisoning... must be something I hate.""He has Van Gogh's ear for music.""You smelt it, you dealt it.""Oh my goodness, the fallout from that…" or use: cat litter, brush, tree limbor have character sneeze over and overor have music playing loudlyor use: ketchup, glass, bootsfind a penny on the groundor use: paper plates, hammer, magic marker or take the initiativeor "You have no idea what I've been through..."or "Don't judge me, bro..."or "She was bred in old Kentucky, but she's just a crumb down here..."
(Hey y'all. I shortened the guys names in my mastercopy so now they'll show up here shortened. Dolfoon is called Dolf and Talise is Tal. Just fyi for ya. I know it's abrupt, but it's scenes I added to the story.)


Trouble Comes in Threes - Chapter Four
Tiger chased Snowball through the house, swatting at his hind legs. Snowball shot through the living area and hauled ass to the kitchen, his claws clicking on the floor, tail held high. He made a lap through the kitchen, slipping and sliding across the tile. A cold breeze from the cracked door skittered across the floor, persuading Snowball to change directions. He yowled playfully over his shoulder at Tiger, then ran under the kitchen table chairs, weaving his way through them, then took a hard right. His back-end slid around, almost turning him in a full circle, then he sprinted toward the den. He ran full speed ahead, the other cat hot on his tail. A sudden sharp turn took him around the coffee table. Tiger cut across the top of the table and launched himself at the white cat. Snowball pulled up short as the black cat landed in front of him. Snowball jumped straight up. After he landed, and teasingly swatted at Tiger, he veered off to the side and ran toward the bedroom. Snowball leaped on the bed, back arched, as Tiger landed beside him. Snowball hissed, slowly fluffing up. Tiger prowled closer, eyes slitted. A flash of black, and then there was a blur of fur rolling around on the bed. Snowball rolled on his back, batting at the other cat above him. He managed to get his back legs under him and toss the black one off him. Snowball ran to the edge of the bed and looked back, his tail swishing black and forth madly. “Meooow,” Snowball mischievously purred, head cocked to the side.“Rawl!” Tiger dropped to his belly, eyes following the tail wagging in front of him.Another mad dash through the house ended with both cats in the half bath, Snowball pawing at the toilet paper. Tiger swatted the white cat’s behind, this time not quite as playfully, then nudged Snowball out of the bathroom. Snowball followed Tiger into the kitchen and waited for Tiger to drink. After they quenched their thirst, Snowball and Tiger dropped down in front of the fireplace. Tiger sat and cleaned his whiskers while Snowball lay down, his head resting on his paws. The fire popped and hissed. Tiger yawned and curled his paws under him. His eyes were just drifting close when another cold breeze raked across his fur. Tiger lifted his head, staring at the back door. “Meeeow.”Snowball flopped onto his side, tail moving lazily behind him. “Mnow?”Tiger stood and walked to the door that was still standing open. Tiger pushed it wider open, and stared into the ugly, cold weather. “Meroooww!” Meroooww!”The white cat came running, ears pinned low, growling, teeth threatening as he stared out in the darkness at an unmoving lump not far away. Tiger screamed, the call harsh and angry, rumbling through the sullen, cold darkness with frightful intensity. As the enraged yell ended, the ruthless sounds of bones popping, brutally breaking while ligaments stretched, filled the kitchen. A low groan echoed, followed by a painful hiss.“That… just never gets any easier, Dolf. And by the goddess Bast, it’s cold.” “No, it doesn’t, and yes, it is.” Dolf glanced at the shivering, naked man before him. “I’m going to need you to help me. Kirk’s flat on his back out there in the sleet. Come on.”“Is he…?” Tal followed the other male outside. He bent close to Dolf, wringing his hands. Dolf, also naked, sank down next to the human in the cold, wet snow. It was unpleasant enough with fur, but without? A nasty chill shook him. In his human form he was as susceptible to the cold as Kirk or any other human. Which was worse? Being out here naked, or being out here in wet clothes? Either way, the three of them needed to get inside. He touched the side of Kirk’s head, his fingers coming away covered in warm, sticky redness. Oh gods, blood. Kirk was bleeding. His cat yowled loudly again, hissing in anger. His gums tingled, his canines threatening to drop down. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. Now was notthe time for his cat to take over. He needed hands to get Kirk inside, he reminded his cat. A slight prickling sensation made his open his eyes and drew his attention back to his fingers. His nails had lengthened into claws. Kirk was hurt, and that just was not acceptable. It also wasn’t acceptable how close he was to losing control of his cat. Forcing his claws to retreat, he wiped the blood on his thigh then pressed his fingers to Kirk’s pulse in his throat. “He isbreathing, Tal. It looks like he’s been knocked unconscious, and he’s bleeding.” “Bleeding? Oh-oh….”“Easy there. Human head wounds tend to bleed a lot.” Dolf glanced around at several large logs that lay near, frowning. “He probably slipped on the ice and fell. One of the logs must have hit him in the head. We need to get him inside and get him warm. His clothes are wet.” Dolf ran his hands over Kirk’s chest. “I’ll carry him. You make sure to close the door after us.”Tal feathered his fingers over Kirk’s cheek. “Okay. Dolf, he’s so cold. How long has he been out here? How could we have not heard something? We were so busy playing—”“I know, my catalla, but we’ll have him warm soon. Don’t worry, mate.” Dolf picked up the human, holding him close to his body. The last thing he needed was for Tal to become upset. His mate tended to become rather… excitable. Hyper was a good word too. He hoped that calling Tal his catalla, or sweetheart, would settle the other shifter. His mate was already rather attached to the human. But then, so was he.Tal hurried ahead and held the door wide-open, shutting it quickly after they were inside. “His bedroom?”“Yes.”

TBC
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