Selena blinked when she looked back at Maximus. His expression softened, as if less concerned now that whatever creature it was had moved closer. She didn’t understand. He was the one on the ground.
“W-what is it?” she asked.
“A feral boar, I think,” Maximus said without looking up at her. “Of all the things people have introduced to the islands, that’s not so bad. They can be tasty at a luau. I was worried about something far more dangerous and far less tasty.”
“Like what? A polar bear?” Selena gasped. “And why are you acting like this isn’t a big deal? You can’t fight some wild boar with your bare hands. Get up here. I’m sure if we’re both in the tree, it’ll go away. This was a stupid idea, and I should have never brought you here. If you end up hurt, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”
Maximus crept to the side, ignoring obvious makeshift weapons like fallen branches and rocks. The boar emerged from the brush, a long beast at around five feet. Selena wasn’t an expert, but the animal must have weighed hundreds of pounds. The size was less of a concern than the prominent tusks, ready to puncture the man standing there without fear. This would be another problem if they were hauling equipment through the forest.
“Please,” Selena begged. “If this is about impressing me, then mission accomplished. You’re a tough guy, but I don’t want to see that thing rip new holes in you. Get up here.”
“It’s okay,” Maximus said, his voice low and growly. “This isn’t the first time I’ve had to stare down something that’s angry and has sharp teeth. This future bacon doesn’t get it.”
“Doesn’t get what?”
“That it’s not the one hunting.”
The boar grunted but didn’t move. He bowed his head, letting out a quiet growl. That couldn’t be good.
Maximus chuckled. “I’ve got no reason to mess with you. All you have to do is walk away.”
“You can’t reason with angry bacon!” shouted Selena. “Not stop being so stupid!”
The boar pawed the ground before growling. He lowered his head and charged. Selena screamed.
Maximus spun, dodging the boar like a trained matador. He only needed the tight pants and a cape. The thought of the man in tight pants almost made Selena forget the dangerous situation.
His opponent might be an animal, but it was an angry animal that wasn’t ready to run away. The boar changed direction, not losing much momentum before it launched another charge at the human who dared defy its territory. Maximus’s lightning-fast reflexes allowed another quick dodge, this one a side-step, sparing his thighs and stomach from the sharp tusks of the boar.
It was amazing, but it had to be luck. There was no way he could keep this up. No normal man could given the rough terrain.
Selena looked around, hoping she could find something, anything in the thick branches to help Maximus. Security in her high perch meant nothing other than leaves. Not a surprise, but it was a disappointment. She reached into her backpack.
“I’ve got a Taser,” she shouted. “And some pepper spray.”
“Save it,” Maximus yelled back. “This is almost over.”
“You’re kidding me!”
Selena didn’t see how it was almost over. If Maximus had some secret weapon, he’d not pulled it out yet. Using a Taser or pepper spray might not be that effective on a huge wild animal, but they were both better than nothing.
The boar ran several yards away before turning around with another series of grunts and growls. It didn’t immediately charge, instead watching Maximus. The last thing they needed was a careful but violent wild animal.
“I was hoping the big guy here would figure out it’s futile,” Maximus said, keeping his attention on the boar. “But I think I’m going to have to show him who the real beast is.”
“Get up here while you have a chance,” Selena said. “I’m not going to lie and say I’m not impressed by what I’ve just seen, but your luck is bound to fail. Or at least take my Taser or spray.”
“It’s not luck when you know what you’re doing. It’s up to him. All he needs to do is figure out he’s outmatched.”
Maximus almost looked like he was enjoying himself. He must have been a danger junkie, not that surprising given his line of work.
Growling, the boar charged again. This time, Maximus rushed forward and burst into a sprint. Selena’s eyes widened at the sight of an unarmed man heading straight toward an attacking wild animal. Maximus might be huge, but the boar had at least a hundred pounds on him.
She almost didn’t believe what she saw next. Maximus whipped up his hands and gripped the tusks, digging into the ground with his boot heels and letting out a loud grunt of exertion. Dirt flew, and the boar squealed, shaking from the sudden stop. Maximus growled, louder and more menacingly than the beast he was fighting. The boar continued squealing and growling, trying to shake off the man holding him before Maximus roared.
Selena shivered. Something about the sound scared and excited her at the same time. While no animals were brave enough to be near the confrontation of the human and the boar, birds ripped from trees in the distance, intimidated by Maximus’s challenge.
He continued roaring as he yanked the boar off the ground and twisted his body for a throw. He released his hold and the massive animal flew through the air before crashing onto the ground with an ear-splitting squeal. The boar staggered back onto its feet, swaying.
Maximus bellowed again, loud, bestial, and threatening. The boar hesitated before fleeing into the undergrowth.
Selena stared at Maximus. Some sweat trickled down the side of his face, and there was dirt on his hands, but he didn’t have a wound on him. The man tossed a fully grown feral boar around like it was nothing and scared
