The Barking Ghost

8

Their heavy paws thudded the ground as they came bounding toward me. Their eyes glowed with excitement. Their large heads bobbed up and down.

With a terrified cry, I turned and ran.

If only I could fly!

"Helllllp!" Was that me letting out that frightened wail?

Yes. I think it was.

Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of light through the trees. Sunlight glistening off the jungle gym slide!

Yes!

Almost home.

The two black Labs ran at my heels. I could feel their hot breath on the backs of my legs. I felt a pair of sharp teeth scrape my ankle.

With one last gasp of speed, I burst through the trees and out of the woods. "Dad!" I yelled, racing toward my father.

"Help me!" I shrieked. "The dogs! The dogs!" I threw my arms around his waist and held on.

"Cooper, calm down! What's gotten into you?" my father asked, grabbing me by the shoulders.

"The dogs!" I wailed, refusing to let go of him.

"Cooper, what dogs?" Dad demanded.

I blinked at him in confusion. Didn't he hear them? Couldn't he see them?

I let go of him and pointed toward the woods.

"Wild dogs. Big, black Labs, I think. They chased me, and — "

I scanned the yard frantically. Dad and I were alone.

No barking.

No snarling.

The sunlight glistened off the slide.

The tire swung lazily from its rope.

The dogs had vanished.