Last Quarter: Purr of the Panther

By Veronica Anderson-Stamps

“The time is drawing near Matheson. You know, it took me a while to figure out how you kept your secret but then I realized something... those frequent trips back to South America. You only went on a certain time of the month. So I came back here to find my father’s notes. As I suspected, the information was all there. Your father was a monster and so are you.” Brad stared down at Matheson. “Don’t you say another word about my father! You don’t know anything Brad. You only have bits and pieces of the information. Do you really want to know the truth? Your father was the monster. He wanted to control my father.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Veronica Anderson-Stamps
• Release date: Aug 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301292912

Veronica Anderson-Stamps

Veronica Lolonda Anderson-Stamps was born on February 11, 1979 in Lexington Mississippi. Her parents are Loretta and Frank J. Robertson Jr. She has nine siblings. She married her husband, F. Lashon Stamps in 2015. Her childhood was spent in both Mississippi and Wisconsin. She graduated from Mississippi Valley State University in 2002 with a degree in History. While there, she received countless awards including President's Scholar and Honor Scholar. In 2005, she was awarded The Editor's Choice award from the National Library of Poetry and Poetry.com. She briefly attended graduate school during which she worked on a Masters in Criminal Justice. Before long, she was offered a job that would take her away from her studies. She currently resides in Mississippi where she incorporates technology during her work hours. In her leisure, she continues to write short stories, poems and songs. She also enjoys horror films, nature programs and science fiction movies. Verónica Lolonda Anderson-Stamps nació el 11 de febrero de 1979 en Lexington Mississippi. Sus padres son Loretta y Frank J. Robertson Jr. Ella tiene nueve hermanos. Se casó con su marido, Stamps F. Lashon en 2015. Su infancia transcurrió en tanto Mississippi y Wisconsin. Se graduó de Mississippi Valley State University en 2002 con una licenciatura en Historia. Una vez allí, ella recibió innumerables premios, entre ellos el presidente y Académico de Honor Académico. En 2005, fue galardonada con el premio al mejor hotel del editor de la Biblioteca Nacional de Poesía y Poetry.com. Ella asistió brevemente a la escuela de posgrado durante el cual trabajó en una Maestría en Justicia Criminal. En poco tiempo, se le ofreció un puesto de trabajo que la llevaría lejos de sus estudios. Actualmente vive en Mississippi, donde incorpora la tecnología durante sus horas de trabajo. En su tiempo libre, ella continúa escribiendo cuentos, poemas y canciones. Ella también disfruta de las películas de terror, los programas de la naturaleza y de las películas de ciencia ficción.

Book preview

Last Quarter:

Purr of the Panther

By Veronica Lolonda Anderson

Copyright © 2013 Veronica L. Anderson

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter One

The Wind at His Sides

Matheson Burke loved the feel of the wind on his body as he dashed through the forest. He loved going through the change. When he'd been younger, it had been quite painful but now his body was used to the strain of his skin being pulled and muscles being stretched. The transformation was something to marvel at. Tonight, he needed to work off a little stress. Working had been almost too much to bear. Someone was trying to sabotage his business. He had to find a way to smoke out the culprit. His thoughts ran deep on the matter. He stood to lose millions if he let this thing run its course. Far too late, he realized that someone had been tracking him. A sting at his side let him know that something had hit him. Was it some sort of poison dart? He felt himself tire. His eyes could barely stay open. His legs went numb and his mouth felt dry. He felt his body hit the ground with a thud. It was all over now. Surely he would be killed. As he slipped under consciousness, he heard the distinct voice of a woman. Okay, everyone we have to move fast. Jerry, come on now. Be gentle. We're trying to say this species not push it into extinction. Just get its numbers and tag him. She explained. I'm sorry Ashley. Sometimes these darts wear off pretty fast. Jerry explained. I know. I just don't want it traumatized from its interaction with humans. She admitted as she rubbed the animal's smooth fury face. He's beautiful! was the last thing he heard before the darkness overcame him.

Ashley knew that wild animals were impressionable. She knew that though the panther was feared my many, the creatures had its vulnerabilities. All around the world its numbers were down. There were few in captivity and there was a desperate need to know how many were actually left in the wild. If need be, some animals would have to be captured and used to initiate a captive breeding program. She looked at the creature. With his eyes closed, it almost looked as if it was sleeping. The panther begin to stir. Jerry looked at her. He's waking up! Both of them knew what they meant. They gathered their things as quick as they could. The animal would be shaky when he first awoke but there was no telling what he would do once he had his wits about him. Ashley, I'm beginning to think coming out here at night was a bad idea! Why do you say that? She asked while staring back at the waking panther. You know very well that night time is the best time to find these elusive creatures. She explained. When Jerry didn't say another word, Ashley turned to see another panther and it had pinned Jerry to the ground.

Ashley tried to scream but nothing came out. Not one single sound. She watched in shock by the light of the quarter moon as the creature devoured Jerry. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. She closed her eyes when the creature turned its attention to her. She knew that this was it. She couldn't outrun it. It was too dark to do anything. Jerry had had all of the equipment. If only she hadn't been so anxious to come here. Now she would be cat food for the very animal that she wanted to protect. The cat moved slowly towards her. She closed her eyes and sent up a silent prayer but all she heard was a powerful roar. Her eyes snapped open and her tagged panther stood between her and the beast that had just killed Jerry. What in the world was going on?

The invading panther was dead set on having her for desert but her tagged beast would not budge. She stared at both creatures. Was he protecting his next meal? Was her tagged panther going to have her for dinner? A soft cry escaped her lips and she grasped her mouth with her had. This was definitely a lose/lose situation. All it came down to was which panther would sink its teeth into her flesh. A flash back of her mother came to mind. What had she said? Be careful sweetheart. It’s dangerous out there. Animals are unpredictable. Her mother had been an animal rights activist for over twenty years. She had seen the clashes between animals and humans. Usually, the animals lost out. She and Jerry had been careful. They hadn’t expected two panthers to share one territory. Something wasn’t right. One of them must be an intruder. A tear rolled down her cheek. It didn’t matter who belonged her and who didn’t. There was no way she was going to leave this forest alive.

Matheson stood there. Since when did a midnight dash cause so much trouble? He knew that he couldn’t just let the