A commission I did for  FAUXHAMMER

Added Story description from the commissioner himself:

I slump back against the dull, plain concrete wall surrounding one of the outlying storage buildings. It's supposedly to protect it from Taliban potshots, but personally, it was probably just padding for a contractor's pocketbook. Whatever. Secluded as it is from the hustle and bustle of the airstrip and primary checkpoint, it's a perfect spot to relax in solitude.

The moon looms large over the cloudless Afghanistan night. Apparently it's supposed to be larger than normal, a "Supermoon." I'm not sure how "super" it really is, but it casts a soft glow across my darkened surroundings. Aside from the chatters of nocturnal insects and the far off scream of a Predator drone taking off, it is quiet. I appreciate it.

I pull a sleek e-cigarette from one of the cargo pockets of my fatigues. Kai all but forced me to abandon my occasional Newport indulgence, but I still enjoy a bit of nicotine once in a while. Helps calm my nerves. I bring it to my lips, and take a deep inhale, feeling the chilled desert air rush back my fingertips through the small intake in the center. I hold the smoke in for a while, enjoying the unique warm-cool feeling deep in my diaphragm. Finally, when I can take no more, I exhale, sending a petite cloud of smoke spiraling off into the night. The little rush of menthol sits tenderly on my tongue, like the faintest hint of an after-dinner mint your lover decided to snack on a few minutes before.

Lost in my thoughts, imagining patterns in the starry expanse above, I don't notice the powerful snow leopard grinning in front of me, arms loosely crossed.

"Heya fox. Enjoying yourself?"

"I was until you came along." I don't really mean it though. With those gold-flecked, Phthalo-blue eyes looking oh so hungrily at me, I can't imagine a more perfect evening to enjoy a full moon.