A cat named Damien

When the explosion happened, those that were outside had scattered for cover or went back to their homes, locking their doors. April rushed down the now empty street towards the bank. Clutching the weapon tightly, she steeled herself. She promised Texas she’d keep the town safe, and she was going to do it!

Seeing the bank, she saw the doors blown open and thick, green smoke coming from the building. As she got closer, she started gagging. The stench! It was fouler than the time Georgia had a chili eating contest, and the contestants held nothing back that day. The whole town stunk for a week!

Eyes watering, she pulled her shirt over her nose for protection. Standing in front of the ruined building, a dark figure was seen within the smog of foulness. Leveling the rifle, she steeled herself for whatever was coming.

“I do declare, that was a most satisfactory withdraw!” A smooth voice spoke out. Stepping out of the bank, a sack of cash slung over their shoulder, was an orange tabby cat. He wore dirty brown jeans, a patched up brown vest over a white shirt, black boots and black fingerless gloves covering his hands. Crisscrossing their chest were two bandoliers filled with dynamite, while their waist had a belt of dark looking orbs. Despite the drab looking clothes and the soot covering his face and short brown hair, he carried himself with a sense of class.

Waving a stack of cash in his face, he took a deep breath and sighed happily, unbothered by the stench. “Nothing like the Sweet smell of a job well done.”

“Stop right there!” April’s muffled voice called out. The tabby looked down the stairs to see the gun toting deputy glaring at him. “Drop the money and put your hands up!”

Instead of following orders, the cat stuffed the money into his pants pocket. “Well, what have we here, a mutt trying to play sheriff. Ain’t that cute.”

Biting back a snarl, the deputy reaffirmed her grip. “Last warning, Drop the money! Y’er under arrest!”

“Hah!” The cat laughed before taking a step. “Your hands are shakin’ more than leaves in the wind. You sure that gun ain’t too big for-”

BANG!

The tabby felt the wind and the sharp sting from their cheek, followed by the bullet hitting the door frame behind him. Bringing a hand up, he brushed his cheek and looked to see the faint traces of blood on it.

April cocked the rifle and adjusted her aim. “Next one’s leavin’ more than just a scratch. Now, drop the money, you no good varmint!”

Staring for another moment, the orange tabby looked back up to regard the deputy. April noticed the cat’s eyes turned to slits as the hand holding the money slowly lowered and letting the bag fall from it.

“I’m sorry, I believe we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.” He hissed out, a sharp grin appearing on his face. “Where are my manners, I haven’t even introduced myself? I am Damien Rumbleton the III.”

April's eyes narrowed as she saw one of Damien’s hands drift towards the belt. “Any funny business, and ah won’t hesitate to put one in you!”

“Heh, but no fun makes this kitty cat so bored.” The tabby’s hand grabs one of the orbs and, with a sharp tug, pulls it off. “Besides, I know you dogs love playing with balls.” The cat’s grin turned predatory as he brought it up, a faint hissing could be heard.

“Here. Fetch.”

Casually tossing the object, the deputy watched it arc as it came towards her. Moving her aim, she took stock of her grip and fired. As soon as the bullet made contact, it shattered.

A large plume of green smoke emerged and enveloped the fox. April choked; the foul stench filled her lungs, her shirt doing nothing to block it, as she stumbled back. Coughing violently, she barely made out the sound of a sharp hissing. Gasping, she jumped out of the cloud and rolled out of the way.

BOOM!

She shielded herself as the debris from the explosion pelted against her. Still coughing, she regripped her gun and stood up.

“Well, ain’t you quick on your feet.” April looked on as Damien walked through the putrid cloud without a care, casually tossing a stick of dynamite in his hand with a smile. “What’s wrong, didn’t want to play with my homemade ‘Stink-Balls’?

April aimed at the cat, but he held out the explosive in front of him. “Ah, ah, ah. One wrong move and this might get lit. I would be **** to toss it, and we wouldn’t want some poor, innocents getting caught up in our little game, now would we?”

“Then don’t make this more difficult! Drop the dynamite, and maybe, the sheriff won’t send your varmint butt to Blackrock.” She growled, never once lowering her weapon.

Damien eyed the deputy, briefly glancing up, and the smile grew wider. Bringing the dynamite back, he casually tapped his shoulder with it.

“Hmm, interesting offer you proposed there.” The tabby tilted his head up as he looked down at her. “However, I would need to discuss with my partner to get thoughts. You understand, right?”

Did he say partner?! Before April could contemplate this, a dark shadow soon covered her. She only had time to look up as something massive came down on her.