The Vivisectionist by Ike Hamill Page A

tested his knot by hefting the rock.
    A second later, the guy was reaching into his paper bag. Smoker had taken a cigarette from behind his ear and smoked it as he waited for his target to be set. Shuffling backwards, Bag Man had tied the other end of his rope to an orange and white cat, wearing a harness.
    “Say what?” said Ben he lifted the binoculars. “That cat is tied to the rock.”
    “Oh man, gross,” said Jack.
    When Bag Man reached his friend, he took the proffered cigarette so Smoker could concentrate on his aim. The cat pulled on the harness briefly, but then crouched, facing the boys.
    Smoker took his time, aiming carefully this time. The boys saw the smoke from his gun at the same instant that a plume of dust rose near the cat. They heard the echoing report an instant later. The cat jumped forward and doubled back, trying to pull the rock. Both arms extended, Smoker dropped to one knee and reset his aim.
    The next shot nicked the cat along its neck and it jumped straight in the air—legs every direction. Bag Man pointed and said something to Smoker. After glancing between his friend and the cat several times, Smoker handed over the gun. Throwing away his inherited cigarette, Bag Man extended one arm confidently and shot.
    The cat rolled from the impact of the bullet into its flank. It ran in slow circles. Smoker grabbed the gun back from his accurate friend. Ben reported that Smoker appeared to be reloading the weapon.
    “Do you think they have more animals with them?” asked Stephen. “Like back in their car?”
    “We should find out,” said Jack.
    “Maybe that other guy went to call the cops,” offered Ben. “Shit, I forgot my camera.”
    “I don’t think these guys are going to rat each other out,” postulated Stephen. “They might 
all
 get in trouble then.”
    “We can’t let them shoot another animal,” said Jack. “I’m going to go see if they have one in the car.”
    “No way, Jack,” said Ben. “Your arm is going to slow you down.”
    “I don’t even need this thing,” Jack held up his sling. “It comes off the day after tomorrow anyway.” Jack removed the sling and threw it next to his pack.
    “Here,” said Ben as he handed a walkie-talkie to Jack. “Make sure the volume is low and we’ll call you if those guys head towards the car.”
    “Cool,” said Jack as he crept off.
    “Turn the volume down on that one too,” Stephen advised Ben.
    Ben adjusted the handset and then pushed the button: “Jack?”
    A voice came back from the device: “Yeah?” asked Jack.
    “Just checking,” said Ben.
    Back in the pit, Smoker moved closer to the injured cat and took aim again. His next shot dropped the cat to the ground. Bag Man hailed Smoker and held up a small rock. Smoker nodded and held the gun at the ready. After a pause, Bag Man tossed a rock into the air. Tracking the rock with his gun, Smoker loosed a shot when the rock reached eye level. The rock dropped unharmed. The pair repeated this game until the gun was empty again.
    Smoker and Bag Man sat down—using a large rock as a bench—to reload.
    “How long do you think it will take him to get there?” Stephen asked Ben.
    “He’ll let us know when he’s there,” answered Ben. “I just hope those guys stay put.”
    Smoker produced two more cigarettes and handed one to the Bag Man. He lit his own and then handed his lighter to his friend. Half-way through his smoke, Bag Man strode over to the dead cat. He rolled it over with the toe of his boot and then knelt to remove the harness from the body. He held it up and yelled something back to Smoker. Stephen and Ben heard Smoker laugh. Bag Man returned to his paper bag and opened it carefully. He pulled something out and dropped the harness back in. Bag Man then walked back to Smoker. They talked for several minutes.
    “Hey,” said Jack through the walkie-talkie.
    “What’s up? Any dogs or cats?” Ben pushed the button and asked.
    “I’m still pretty far away