Frostbite-Fifty Three Chapter 3

My ears twitch at the sound of distant gunfire, pinning back at the thought of Fiftythree and Anon alone out there. I sigh and sit up, looking around Anon's bedroom. The Armalite, Annie, and Hatfield the shotgun are watching Live PD reruns on TV. I stand and go the them.

"Girls... I'm worried about Anon and Fifty..." You say. Hatfield looks up at you, blue eyes and Southernized looks contrasting with her Arab features. "I am too, Mauzra." She says to you.

"They're fine, probably fucking around back there." Annie says, laid back. "They can handle themselves, just try to relax, gramps."

"You aught ta listen to her, Ann. She's been through more than either of us..." Hatfield says, looking between me and the AR.

"I thought they were hunting coyotes, not Krauts or Croats." Said carbine grins, watching the TV as I frown down at her.

I frown at the little Armalite. "I fought the enemy of the men who carried me. Like Fiftythree is now. You should be wanting to keep anon safe."

"I do." She says. "But hey, let Fifty have her fun. Besides, you know what they'll be doing after the shooting..."

I blush a bit, memories of post range time cleanings dancing behind my eyes. "Yes, that wouldn't be appropriate..."

"Im still worried he'll run around and break his leg or somethin'." Hatfield replied.

"... He's got a cell phone." I add. I had to admit that perhaps Annie was right. Leave Anon and the Mosin to their own devices for the night. "If he's hurt, he will call the house. And he's in good hands, so let's leave him to his mission."

"I-I guess you're right... And 'sides, someone's gotta watch the house." Hatfield said, scooting over on the sofa. I eased in between the younger geists, still somewhat concerned for Anon, and the only other veteran of war he possessed, but content to let him complete his mission for the night.
Amidst the chatter of the TV, I could make our a faint rustling and clattering from outside. I stood, and walked to the kitchen window, looking outside. A shed light was on, but that was normal. What wasn't was the shadows being cast in the light. Someone was digging through the inside, the light betraying their movement, but not their form.

"Girls, we have a problem..." I warned, watching as the stranger fiddled with something. Hatfield was quickly out of her seat, peaking out the window beside me.

"Uh ooh..." She gulped. "W-what so we do, Mauzra?"

"What is it?" Annie asks, looking over the back of the couch.

"Someone, or something, it's in the shed, sh-" I started, the the arms light had already started out the door.

"I'm gunna kick its ass!"

"Wait you fool! You'll get yourself killed like that!" I yell, chasing after the carbine as she runs to the shed, but it too late. As I rush out the house door, she's already made it into the outbuilding.

"Gotchya, you shit sta-AHHRG!" Annie back out, violently batting at a hissing black and grey ball of thievery and hate. She grabs the raccoon by the scruff of it neck, holding it out away from her and giving it a hardy shake. "Fucking oversized rat..!"

I sigh, the beast flailing and hissing. "This would be funny if you hadn't gotten me spooked like that..."

Hatfield walks up now. "It was a raccoon? What was it after?"

I peek in to the shed. Some of the tools have been pushed off of a bench and onto the floor, and a drawer is open. A torn box of Little Debbie's sits inside, along with a few half eaten snack cakes.

"Why the fuck does Anon have food in his workshop?" Annie asks, peeking in from the other side of the door frame.

"I... Don't know. Go let the poor beast go, I'll clean this up..." I reply, moving to start sorting droid from tools as Hatfield and Annie go to release the captured critter.

I hate animals.