Page 6 of Paws and Claws

Dominic's squad car soon screeched around the corner, and his breath caught at the chaos before him. Five electrical poles lay scattered across the road, their wires dancing dangerously in the morning breeze. His lion's heightened senses picked up the sharp tang of ozone and burnt rubber.

"Get on the radio. We need utility crews here now." Dominic's gaze swept over the community park where children's swings swayed empty, the playground equipment mere feet from the downed lines. "And call for backup. We need this whole area closed off."

A group of mothers huddled with their children near the jungle gym, too close to a sparking wire for comfort. Dominic's protective instincts flared.

"Ma'am!" He rushed toward them, authority ringing in his voice. "Everyone needs to move back at least fifty feet from those lines."

"But our cars-" One of the women gestured toward the parking lot, now blocked by the fallen poles.

"We'll figure that out later. Right now, I need you all safe." The lion in him wanted to roar, to make them understand the danger, but he kept his voice steady. "Please move toward the basketball courts."

The crackle of electricity punctuated his words as another wire touched ground, sending sparks flying. The women quickly gathered their children, hurrying toward safer ground.

"Sheriff!" Connor jogged up, radio in hand. "Utility crews are ten minutes out. Fire department is on their way too."

Dominic nodded, already moving to redirect an approaching delivery truck. "Block off both ends of Cedar Street. No one gets through until this mess is cleaned up."

His nose twitched, catching an odd scent beneath the electrical burn - something wild and uncontrolled. Magic. Recent magic.

"Connor, you smell that?"

His deputy inhaled deeply. "Yeah, boss. Same as the other incidents."

"Set up a perimeter. Twenty feet back from any downed lines." Dominic's muscles tensed as he spotted an elderly man trying to navigate between two poles. "Sir! Stop right there!"

He jogged over, carefully guiding the confused gentleman away from danger. The lion within him paced restlessly, sensing the lingering magical signature all around them. Someone'spower had done this, and they either couldn't or wouldn't control it.

The wail of approaching sirens filled the air as Dominic continued directing people to safety, his mind already cataloging the similarities between this and the previous incidents. This wasn't a coincidence.

Dominic soon crouched next to a young girl who clutched her stuffed giraffe. Her mother, Mrs. Chavez, sat nearby on a park bench.

"Can you tell me exactly what happened, sweetheart?"

The little girl's eyes widened. "The poles went snap! Like matchsticks!" She demonstrated with her hands. "Then whoosh! They fell down."

"Did you see anyone acting weird?" Dominic kept his voice gentle, though his lion prowled under his skin, agitated by the lingering scent of wild magic.

"No, sir. We were just playing tag."

Mr. Rodriguez, the head of the local monkey troop, approached with his characteristic bounce. His silver-streaked fur caught the morning light. "Sheriff Blackmane, my people are rattled. Three incidents in two days? This isn't normal, even for Saltwater Grove."

Dominic straightened to his full height, meeting the troop leader's concerned gaze. "You're right. The magical signature matches the car crash and the ghost robbery."

"What do you think we're dealing with?" Rodriguez's tail twitched nervously.

"Someone with significant magical ability." Dominic's jaw tightened as he surveyed the scene. The utility crews had arrived and were carefully managing the downed lines. "The power required to snap these poles... it's concerning."

"But you'll catch them, right?" Mrs. Chavez pulled her daughter closer.

"Ma'am, protecting this town isn't just my job - it's my calling." His lion rumbled in agreement. "I've already got officers checking security footage from nearby businesses. We're increasing patrols, especially around schools and parks."

Rodriguez nodded approvingly. "The troop appreciates your dedication, Sheriff. Some of us remember when law enforcement wasn't so... accepting of shifters."

"Those days are long gone." Dominic's eyes flashed with conviction. "Every citizen of Saltwater Grove deserves to feel safe, whether they're human, shifter, or magical."

A young monkey shifter boy tugged at Rodriguez's sleeve. "Mr. Rodriguez! Can we still have the troop picnic on Saturday?"

The troop leader looked questioningly at Dominic, who smiled. "We'll have extra patrols in the park that day. No reason to let fear change how we live."

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