Xbalanque - Night

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Night falls. And something happens at the Mission.



The wind was picking up as night fell, and humidity pressed down on Santo Tomás, thick and stifling. The lanterns rattled outside, the flames flickering as the wind kicked itself up another notch. Everyone retreated to the safety of the main building, gathering in the open common area. Dr. Mendez looked up from where he was tabling figures as the women busily closed the shutters, flicking on the lights.

"~Storm's coming,~" Dr. Mendez mused, as the branches whipped against the windows. "~Did we remember to put all of the animals in?~" He turned to look meaningfully at his assistants Armando and Jaime, who were playing cards nearby. Armando blinked, and then looked at Jaime.

"~We did, didn't we?~" he asked his nephew.

Jaime nodded and plucked another card from the deck. "~Put them all in after dinner.~"

"~All of them?~" Dr. Mendez rubbed his hands through his hair.

"~All-" There was a crash and a loud bang, coming from the main entrance. Several of the children screamed. With a quick glance, Armando and Jaime stood. Dr. Mendez motioned for the children to be moved to the other end of the building. The bang sounded again.

Someone was trying to get in.

"~The doors!~" Dr. Mendez shouted, Jaime and Armando followed him the main entrance. Whatever was trying to get in threw itself against the heavy wooden frame, the wood bowing inward. A low, loud growl could be heard from the other side.

"~Keep it from coming inside!~" Armando yelled. They pushed against the doors, trying to keep them in the frame. The creature outside growled against and threw itself against the doors, wood cracking and splintering. Jaime and Armando were knocked back when the heavy door gave way, crashing to the floor.

And the creature. Too thin, too large, too wrong looking to be a jaguar, seized Dr. Mendez in it's jaws and disappeared into the night.