the movement of their enemy, who would take the opportunity to make a jump for another tree.
Rubin triggered his own electrical response, directing it precisely at the lead stroke that ran from cloud toward ground, so that it hit with deadly accuracy. Rubin was up and running, leaping over rotting tree trunks to cover as much ground as he could, heedless of the dense brush and the startled animals rushing before him. He heard Diego’s rifle but didn’t dare take his eyes from the clouds, where the charges were building faster and stronger.
He hunkered down as his body hairs rose. Incoming. Eyes, he warned his brother. Diego had gotten off a shot, but he hadn’t hit their enemy, which was nearly unheard of. Their opponent was brutally fast.
Several jagged bolts of lightning struck like swords at a location not too distant from Rubin, where he suspected Diego was hunkering down. Rubin had been expecting the retaliation and he triggered his own response in anticipation, his electrical charges knocking the rods sideways, away from Diego. It wouldn’t be long before the squirrel man would decide to take his next shot at him.
Immediately he was up and running again, toward the location the enemy had been in. Again, Diego’s rifle sounded off. This time, there was a loud crack and a splintering sound as a branch gave way. Diego pulled the trigger again.
I didn’t get a clean hit, but he’s down.
He’s fast. Rubin didn’t slow down, although knowing his opponent was wounded didn’t make him happy. He was a mountain man, a hunter. He knew to be cautious when tracking a wounded animal into the bush. Wait for me. I’ve got your six.
Rubin kept moving fast. He had pinpointed his brother’s location by their telepathic communication. His brother was on the move but at a much slower, cautious pace. Coming behind him and off to his left, but keeping the same speed, he felt the static electricity that could only signal Jonquille moving through the brush as well. She was silent, not disturbing leaves or branches, not stepping on anything that would snap under her weight.
The ground was wet, so that meant one could step in unseen puddles. Sound carried at night, even ragged breathing, but the splash in a puddle would instantly give away position even in the thick brush to an experienced hunter. But Jonquille made no sound. Had it not been for the static charges on his body, he would never have known she was close to him.
He’s in the tree branches, can’t get a bead on him. I hit him. There’s blood on the leaves.
Stay still, Jonquille. He’s going to strike at Diego.
I can feel it. She sounded very calm. I can steal his lead. I’m ground. Once I do, I can strike at him if you direct it.
The charge was building fast. It was not only fast, but Rubin could tell their opponent meant to blast the entire area so he could get away. The hunter knew he was in trouble and had to get out under cover of the ferocious lightning storm.
Now, Rubin directed, orchestrating their own strike.
Jonquille was magnificent. Both Rubin and Diego could feel the staggering power of her enhancement as her electrical charges burst from her, rising up to meet the jolting forks descending like swords from the clouds. At the same time, Rubin took aim for the tree where the wounded hunter was lodged, and as Jonquille connected, so did he.
The powerful bolts rained down, exploding the tree the hunter was in, reducing it to splinters, as well as the trees closest to him.
He made it out of the tree before the bolt hit, Diego reported, already on the move. That man is fast. He was a blur. Something warned him. He’s on the ground running.
Can you see him? Jonquille asked. She was moving as well, keeping pace with Rubin, but staying about ten feet to his left.
Diego kept going through brush, following a nearly nonexistent trail. Rain and ice fell from the clouds. Thunder rolled continuously.
Rubin answered for Diego. Glimpses of him. Low to the ground, running in between the red spruce and oak trees just beyond the stream. He blends in, but he’s so fast movement catches the eye.
Got him. Am dropping ball lightning on him. It will run low to the ground. You should be able to direct it straight onto him. He might not see it coming or expect it.
Jonquille was right. Ball lightning was a rare atmospheric