Is That A Challenge

The sharp October sun cut through his vision as PJ the satyr followed Buford out of the dim interior of his mechanic's shop and into the salvage yard where cars sat in various stages of deconstruction.

"Is that a challenge?" PJ smirked as he peered through the windshield of an Oldsmobile Cutlass while Buford inspected the interior.

"No!" Buford moved to the next vehicle. "When I say stop or you'll burn down the shop, it's never a challenge. Not the first time when you burned the shop down. Not the second time when—"

"The second time, it was just a little singed around the edges."

Buford gave PJ the side-eye. "It's not a cake. When a shop full of oil cans, greasy rags, and tires bursts into flames—"

"Fine. Fine. Don't be so dramatic." PJ flicked his thumb, and a flame ignited on the tip. He used it to light a hand-rolled cigarette. Buford glared. "What? We're outside."

Before Buford could respond, a wisp of black smoke curled out of the shop's roll-up door. They both took off at a run. Inside the shop, a vortex of flames rose from the inside of a tractor tire.

Buford rounded on the satyr. PJ smugly pointed at the flames. A mangy, gray cat leapt out and sauntered past with a rattail hanging from its mouth.

"If you don't want open flames, maybe don't keep a Hellcat as a mouser," PJ yelled after Buford as he ran for the fire extinguisher.

Modified Photo - Original by Mermek Avitia