Danniels was surprised to find that he wanted to talk to her. He might try hobbling over to her or calling her over to him. But with the instinct he had developed while being hunted, he knew it was wrong to call attention to the two of them together.
He noticed that he was in line with the door. Julie would have to pass by him when she left ... after the celebration.
"The celebration begins in five minutes."
Someone he hadn't seen had shouted into the big room. The words bounced back slightly and hung suspended.
The people's waiting became an activity. Tension lived in the room.
And then the cat was released.
The Pack members moved apart from the rest and struck at the scrawny yellow beast. The cat didn't make it very far down the line. The men from the other end of the room moved up quickly to be in on the kill.
The clubs rose and fell even after it was clear there was no reason for it.
Their ranks parted and they left their handiwork where it could be admired.
It must be hard to find animals in a closed city like this, Danniels thought. It must be quite a treat to find one to beat to death.