The enormity of their size didn't hit me until they were both on top of me, growling and snapping, their faces inches from mine like Cerberus sans one head. They emitted an odor that smelled of blood, flesh and thicker things. As one of them dripped toxic goo onto my skin I tried to remember everything I knew about canine and pack behavior. Wait- did hyenas even behave like dogs? What if they were more like cats? I knew that I couldn't scream because not only would no one come to my aide, but doing so would also expose my throat. All I could focus on was the two snarling faces with serrated teeth filling my vision. I tried to feel for one of my knives- even the small throwing knife, but both of the creatures had me trapped under their surprising weight. I did the first thing I could think of.
"SIT!" I shouted. Instantly the two hyenas backed down in unison and whined, but they complied, backing away and easing away and sat. I leapt up, eager to be on my feet in case they decided to jump me again. The pair peered up at me and cocked their heads to the side, almost expectantly.
"What? Do you want a treat for trying to kill me now?" At that question they wagged their tails and tried to rub against me, but I didn't trust the two little devils. I backed away from them, boots slipping on the slick linoleum floor. I picked up speed, walking backwards before doing an about-face, turning tail and running full speed in the opposite direction.
Jeez, I hadn't run this much in months. It was starting to take a toll on my lungs. I had to find Ivy, but the place was huge and I didn't want to run into the hyenas again. I didn't bring my phone because I didn't see a need to. We were criminals, technically. No, not technically. We had just stolen close to ten grand worth of biological specimens. I didn't know if Ivy had brought hers, but it didn't matter. Meet me in the Honors Lounge, I prayed silently.