{"sf1_id":2061118,"sf2_id":"AnK8EPv1","title":"Zeal","author":"LiveIron","words":1455,"posted_at":"2023-10-16T18:39:15.000Z","tags":["Anger","Angst","Anthrostate","Blood and Injury","Car Chases","Dark past","Gun","Horror","Human","Interspecies","Interspecies Awkwardness","Large Breasts","Magic","Old Friends","Pain","Paranormal","Possession","Resurrection","Size Difference","Spies \u0026amp; Secret Agents","Tiger","Tigress","Transformation","butt slapping","driving","fights","firearm","healing","monsters"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2061118-zeal","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/AnK8EPv1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/e3/ca/e3cab24b-f2eb-435b-aba7-d58ee3362f17","description":"'Move'","content":"\\\u003eThe lights and sirens appear right when the adrenaline begins to wear off.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou curse and look to the side mirrors -- Rebecca's slumped mass blocks the main one.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe road is empty, just you and them.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou press on the accelerator and check the radio again.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThis time the signal's clear -- you were still getting static in the woods.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eDitching the repeater probably didn't help.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Hummingbird reporting! Hummingbird reporting, over!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou step on the gas.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Steele receiving!\" comes the tigress' voice from the other end. \"Reinforcement team was sent in half an hour ago, should be there in --\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Upgrade it to full liquidation!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"What?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I said, upgrade it to full li--\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe cop blasts their sirens and yells over the loudspeaker.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Pull over, now! Slow down, and come--\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I'm gonna have an APB on my ass, Steele,\" you say, \"I can't give you a full report now, but trust me, the mansion's a shitshow!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Where are you?\" she growls through the speakers.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Southbound on 187,\" you say, \"can't tell if it's a local department or sheriff!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe engine's growl and whipping wind keep you company while you wait for a response. The lights of the cruiser draw ever closer -- you might've been able to outrun them if you weren't hauling a half-ton of tigress in the back.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"I can dampen transmissions, but that's it,\" Steele says as the cop curses over the loudspeaker. \"You'll have to deal with that one on your own.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Got it,\" you growl, turning down the volume, \"I'll be right back.\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou check the rearview again and tap the brakes; the cop doesn't appreciated being brake-checked.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou curse as the weight in the bed shifts.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Rebecca, you alright?\" you ask, looking back through the window.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eShe still lies motionless, shadowy curves taking up the whole back window.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou groan. Wherever you end up, dragging her around again is gonna be a pain in the --\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou duck when the shots ring out.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Those were warning shots,\" the cop yells. \"Pull over NOW!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Fucking hell, can't you see there's a woman in the back?\" you yell.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eNot that they can hear you. Or see the body in your bed, apparently.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eGlass breaks and metal thuds when the cop fires again.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou wrench the wheel with a roar, feeling the car glide beneath you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSlamming the stick feels good as the car spins.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe cop's surprise comes through over the loudspeaker as the truck whirls around to face them, engine screaming in reverse.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe Kolibri is lined up with the driver's seat.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThen you're back on a different highway with a different truck, pointing a gun at a different cop.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eFire.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRolling cars.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eAsh.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eDeath.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou grunt and pull the shots low, squinting at the spiderwebbing glass.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Oh shit!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe cop swears more into the intercom as they try to control their skid. It's not easy with flat front tires.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou wait until you see the headlights come to a slow stop at the side of the road before whipping the truck back around.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou sigh.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eAs you reach for the handset, something makes your ears perk up.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe engine sounds different.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou look over the instrument panel. The cop didn't shoot when it was in front of them, and you don't think--\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe truck lurches with a dull thud. You curse as the screech of metal fills the cab.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe shadow of a car fills the driver-side mirror and pushes against your side.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou wonder why the hell their lights are dead for the half-second before a claw scrapes along the doors.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Damn it all,\" you hiss.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe thralls don't give up easily.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou stomp on the breaks and twist the wheel; the thrall car slides up to your bumper with a scream.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe sedan is illuminated in your headlights as it spins. You fill the front half with as much fire as you can.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt tumbles off into the ditch and you stomp on the gas again.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe mirrors are pitch black -- there's no other headlights to illuminate them, and the moon is too weak.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eAnd driving backwards the whole way sure as hell isn't going to work.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe PsyScope whines when you flip it back down.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eWarnings and damage reports fill your vision and one of the lenses is scratched. You knock at the controls to clear them -- all you care about is the night-vision.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe mirrors look hazy and strange, but it works. Wavy cars veer across the road behind you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIf it weren't for the big mass in the bed, you'd just shoot through the back of the cab.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eInstead you have to lean out the window like a maniac.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour stomach falls when you get a clear picture of what's behind you; the two-lane highway, its shoulders, and ditches are all filled with the driving dead.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou take a breath and start shooting.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eHaving no recoil and no one firing back makes things a little easier, but not by much.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou're screaming along asphalt at 70 -- there's only so much stress you can negate.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou go for tires. The thralls can barely drive as is.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eTalia's power sends the 2mm slugs through the rubber with ease. Spinning and squealing cars fill the road behind you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour eyes dart back to the front every few seconds, squinting against the whipping wind.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Shit!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou cut the wheel and lurch back into the cab, trying to meet the fast-approaching curve. Talia disappears as you grip the wheel and promptly overcorrect.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eRebecca's weight in the back is the only thing keeping you from skidding down into the ditch.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou pull the truck back to the center. The adrenaline keeps the bone-rattling bumps from hurting.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou mirrors are still filled with hazy cars.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Christ,\" you hiss, then grab the radio.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Steele! Make sure the liquidation team has EMP! Got some rogue vehicles that might still be around!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Rogue vehi -- Hummingbird, what the hell is going on?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Busy!\" you yell, trying to dodge the wild thrusts of the thralls' cars.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Disruption charges, do you have disruption charges!?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Not an option!\" you yell. The tires squeal as you brake, letting a sedan bounce off your front quarter panel.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSteel says something as you put more rounds through the windshield into a thrall on your hood.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt thumps under your wheels.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Gonna be a lot of damage control...\" you mutter.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou drive as defensively as you can, but the normal serpentine doesn't work with a half-ton tigress in your trunk.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe extra weight means other cars bounce off, but one wrong hit to your wheels and you're screwed.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe leather creaks as you grip the wheel.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou have to keep moving.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eKeep bobbing and weaving.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThey can all go faster than you, they'll all eventually catch up.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou sigh; one buzzes past you into a road sign.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt's what you deserve.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eAhead, something glints in the distance.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eBut it’s not what she does.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Talia,\" you say, staring at the upcoming bridge, \"I need you to take the wheel!\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou let go and fumble on your kit.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou know this bridge. Somehow you do.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt'll have to be perfect.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou unbuckle and watch the steering wheel, explosive charges in hand.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eIt twitches side to side, but you don't see it glow.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Talia?\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Dumb -- ass --\"\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou move.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eWhether she's got it or not, you have to.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eSitting outside the window on the highway is a dumb idea.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eOnly now instead of cops, any fuck-ups will be dealt with by the driving dead.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou grip the hood and look ahead at the bridge.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eBreathe.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eFocus.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eClear the wind and engines and screaming from your mind.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou pop the pins on the charges and cast them out behind you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe flashes of IR illuminate the scene.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe end of your truck, scarred by bullets and claws.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThe rushing roadway, guard rails on either side.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eAnd the flood of possessed cars filling the highway behind you.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eThen it's all lit by fire when the bombs go off.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYour ears ring; the bridge is no more.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou see a van smash into the jagged edge of rubble.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eMore follow suit.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou climb back into the cab -- you didn't realize you were holding your breath.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e\"Thank you,\" you whisper, taking the wheel once again.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eTalia huffs in your mind.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou finger the radio, then think twice about it.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou're not out of danger yet. You should put more distance between you and the thralls.\n\n \n\n\\\u003eYou need to be safe when you take care of Rebecca and call things in. And fortunately, you know just the place.\n\n \n\n\\\u003e...\n\n \n\n\\\u003e...Steele is going to be pissed when she hears you blew up a bridge.","series":{"name":"Negligent Discharge: Repent","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2061117-sloth.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2062357-greed-and-charity.json"}}