Werewolf Skin

11

I bent and grabbed up the flashlight. My knees suddenly felt weak. A cold wave of panic swept over my body.

I heard loud animal grunts. Another angry snarl.

I forced myself to move. I had to get away from here.

A clump of fat shrubs rose up in front of me. Clutching my camera case, I darted behind them. And dropped to my knees.

Hidden behind the bushes, I struggled to catch my breath. To stop my heart from thudding so hard in my chest.

I couldn’t see around the fat leaves of the bush. But I could hear the animal’s grunts and growls. I ducked lower, hoping I was completely out of view.

Hoping it couldn’t smell me.

And then I heard the crash of heavy feet on the ground. A high wail of anger, like a cry of attack.

A frightened bleat rose up. So high and tiny. A terrified cry-cut off quickly.

Snapped off.

Leaning into the shrub, my legs trembling, my whole body shaking, I heard a struggle.

So close. So close, I felt I could stand up-reach out-and touch the attacker and his prey.

So close, I heard every grunt, every frightened cry.

A thud. A growl. Another tiny, helpless bleat.

A loud ripping sound.

Wet chewing. The slap of jaws. More rapid chewing. An animal burp. Another ripping sound.

I shut my eyes, picturing what was happening right in front of me.

I heard a thud. Then silence.

The hiss of the wind seemed to grow louder.

A hiss… then silence.

I opened my eyes.

I stood up shakily.

And heard heavy footsteps. Twigs and leaves crackling under heavy feet.

The footsteps approaching rapidly. Coming my way.

Coming for me. The creature-the hungry creature-was moving toward me.

“Ohhhh.” A low cry of terror escaped my throat.

Gripping the camera case tightly, I spun away from the clump of shrubs. And started to run.

I heard animal grunts behind me. Heavy-breathing pants.

I didn’t glance back.

I ran deeper into the woods. I thought I heard the splash and trickle of a creek on my right. Wolf Creek? I didn’t stop to see.

A branch scratched my cheek as I scrambled past it. Pain shot over my face.

I raised one arm to shield myself as I ran.

Ran blindly. Ran through the darkness.

Where was the flashlight?

Oh, no. I’d left it behind in the bushes.

It was of no use to me, anyway. I was running too fast to keep to the path.

I lowered my shoulder and pushed my way through a patch of tall reeds. They snapped back, slapping me wetly as I shot through them.

My foot caught on a half-buried rock. I slid off it, somehow keeping my balance.

I leaped over an upraised tree root-and kept running.

Over the harsh gasps of my breath, I listened for the heavy, thudding footsteps behind me. The animal growls.

Was the creature still chasing me?

I grabbed a smooth, damp tree trunk and stopped. I hugged the trunk, struggling to keep my legs from collapsing, struggling to catch my breath.

I turned and gazed back.

Nothing there.

No growls. No grunts. No bang of heavy feet on the ground.

I sucked in breath after breath. My lungs burned. My mouth felt so dry, I couldn’t swallow.

I’m okay, I told myself. I’m safe-for now.

I gazed into the deep darkness.

And the creature hit me from behind.