Free Dust: Before and After by S.E. Smith

behind. She had finished eating the flesh that had been in the bags, but it had not been enough to build her strength. The storm and the necessity for them to hunt had also slowed down her ability to track the vehicle. The second storm in the distance was worse than the first one. This one was more dangerous, but it would also force the ones she hunted to seek shelter as well. She could feel it.
    A low whine from one of the dogs behind her drew her attention. It was hungry. Her eyes blazed as they ran over the beast. Turning, she trotted back to where it was lying. The dog immediately dropped its head down and tucked its tail between its legs before offering its throat in submission.
    A primitive urge swept through her and she wanted to rip into the vulnerable tissue. It was the new, cognizant part of her that cautioned her to wait. She would need numbers when she confronted the two-legged creatures again. Once they were eliminated, she could kill this one. Until then, she would have to wait.
    A low snarl of disapproval filled the air before she focused on the cringing beast. A low yelp escaped it, but it didn’t move as she bent closer. Her mouth watered at the thought of burying it into the soft flesh. She almost ignored her need for numbers verses her need for sustenance. Her mouth opened to reveal razor-sharp teeth. Her head started downward before it jerked up at the faint sound of her Beta’s howl. It had found the trail.
     
    *.*.*
     
    Dust paused outside of another massive red door. He frowned as he stared at it. Solidifying, he placed a hand against it and thought for a moment. He was about to open it when he heard the faint sound of footsteps and a flicker of light coming down the stairs.
    Stepping back, he faded again and waited. A minute later, Beau and Alex came into view. He was carrying a small tray in one hand and a flashlight in the other. Alex was carrying a shotgun.
    “I don’t know why we don’t just kill it,” Alex grumbled. “It’s just eating food that could be for the rest of us.”
    “Shut up, Alex,” Beau growled. “Open the door.”
    “What if it got loose again?” Alex asked, setting his shotgun down next to the door.
    “Then, you can kill it,” Beau replied in exasperation. “I warned it that if it tried to escape again, that there wouldn’t be a second chance.”
    “The only reason you haven’t is because…,” Alex started to say before he snapped his mouth shut. “Sorry, Beau.”
    “Just shut up, Alex, and stay focused,” Beau ordered, again. “I’ll go in, you stay by the door like you normally do. If it tries to get out, close the door and seal it.”
    “I know. I know,” Alex grumbled, grabbing his gun and pulling the door open.
    Dust curiously listened as the two talked back and forth with each other. He moved silently past Alex and followed Beau into the area. This one was different from the others. It had been left unfinished. Cold, gray concrete covered the walls, floor, and ceiling. In the center was a thick support column. Wrapped around it was a heavy chain. The entire room was illuminated by three bright shop lights mounted to the ceiling.
    Dust slid back along the wall just inside the door and waited. He watched as Beau cautiously stepped into the room and looked around. A movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention back to the solid beam in the center of the room.
    “Josie, I’ve brought you some food,” Beau called out, setting the tray down on the ground and sliding it toward the beam.
    A slender hand slid along the concrete post before a tangle of red hair appeared. Dust drew in a swift breath of air when a pair of vivid green eyes stared back at Beau. The body of a young girl, slightly older than him and Sammy, stepped out from around the pillar. Her eyes narrowed on where Alex stood at the door with his shotgun aimed at her.
    “I thought you forgot about me,” she whispered in a husky voice.
    Dust frowned when he saw the thick