Night Walk (Story Excerpt)
Angie pulled her jacket collar up. Shoved her hands into her pockets and walked faster. A shortcut through the park had seemed like a good idea.Now she wondered if the longer, well lit route was the better choice. During the day, Schaefer park was filled with people. Kids on swing sets and jungle gyms. Soccer mom’s jogging. Jocks playing sports. The trees had been planted to create a natural perimeter. Shielding it from the surrounding streets. Directly behind basket ball court and playground lay what the neighborhood kid’s called “the woods”. A massive expanse of trees and bushes, with a winding earthen jogging trail. Much of the lamping placed along the trail had dim or broken bulbs. Leaving parts of the trail unlit at night. As she walked, her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. Alerting her, it was nine o’clock. Mom wont be home for another hour. She’ll never know I was out this late. The wind nudged the branches above her. They rustled, leaves shaking loose. Tree limbs framing the black, starry sky and bright, full moon.
At five-foot three inches, Angie was shorter than many other sixteen old girls. She had dark-brown skin and large dark eyes. People always told her that she looked like her mother, especially, the high cheekbones and full plump lips. Angie’s mother worked long-shifts to support them both. Get decent grades and you wont have to struggle like me. Her mother would often say. Angie took that advice to heart. Trying her best to be a model student and obedient daughter. So when her friend Deanna told her about tonight’s party, she felt almost entitled to go. Its not that big of a deal. I won’t drink or do anything stupid with a boy. I don’t even like boys. It’s just one party and Deanna will be there.
Angie was drawn to Deanna from the first time they met. She had large green eyes, impossibly pale skin, and a slight gap in her teeth. Sporting a mane of splendous, curly, red hair. She always wore whatever was stylish and in. Deanna was an immensely popular girl. Just being near her made Angie giddy. Sometimes she even wondered if what she felt for the outgoing red-head was more than ordinary friendship.
Angie and Deanna spent most of tonights party with each other, largely ignoring the boys. Especially poor David Wells, who was so drunk he stumbled over a table and fell flat on his face. Deanna whispered in her ear. Why are boys so stupid? Wrapping her arm around Angie’s shoulder. Angie just giggled and shrugged. Trying her best not to look into Deanna’s seductive green eyes. The memory of their being so close warmed her and suddenly the night seemed less cold.
SNAP
The sound of a twig breaking behind her interrupted her thoughts. What was she thinking? It was late and dark. She’d stupidly chosen to cut through the abandoned park. Now someone was following her. Angie swallowed and began to walk faster. She knew she wasn’t alone as she peered and squinted into the darkness. There was someone approaching. Without thinking she stepped backwards. An exposed rock catching her heel, causing her to stumble. Behind her on the trail, a familiar figure emerged.
“Hey slow down.” Deanna laughed. “It’s me”.
“Crap!” Angie relaxed. “I thought you were some psycho.”
The red-haired girl laughed again. “Nope. I got worried.”
“So you stalked me through the park?”
“I figured I’d walk home with you and possibly crash at your place”.
“What about your parents?”
“They already think I’m spending the night”.
“Oh.”
Deanna walked ahead of her. “Come on. Lets get going before your Mom gets home”.
The two girls continued to walk. Silently for awhile, side-by-side. This was the rhythm of their friendship. Frantic bursts of activity and talking. Followed by short periods of silence. Angie thought about how different they both were. Deanna always loudly talking or gossiping. In contrast with Angie, who positively loathed the spotlight.
Deanna grinned looking directly at Angie. “So have you heard about the Coyote?”
“Stop, trying to scare me Dee!”.
Deanna continued. “Seriously. It’s been on the news. Some Coyote’s been eating pets. Cat’s and small dogs at first. But last week they found a half-eaten German Shepard out here.”
Angie shuddered. She didn’t like the idea of sharing the night with a hungry Coyote.
A rustling movement startled both of the girls. “What was that” Deanna’s eyes widened.
“Come on”, Angie tugged at her friend’s jacket sleeve. “We can cut ahead, to the street”.
“Yah, that’s a good idea.”
The two of them headed towards the break in the trees. The brightly lit street waiting ahead of them. Angie thought she heard something again. It’s my imagination. Nothing out here but squirrels and stray cats. I shouldn’t let Deanna freak me out.
Deanna stopped. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes” Angie tried not to panic. “It sounds like breathing.”
That’s when it emerged from the shadows, barring their way. Angie’s heart stopped in her chest. The beasts entire body was covered in lustrous silver and black fur. It sniffed the air with its misshapen snout. The girls tried to make sense of the creature crouching before them. Angie stared into the creatures eyes. They were large and yellow. She’d never seen a dog with eyes like that before.
“That’s not a coyote” Deanna whispered.
The beasts muscles tensed beneath its dusky coat. As its powerful five-fingered forepaws dug into the earthen trail. Then it growled, a trickle of thick salvia dripping from the corner of it’s mouth. Revealing white, long, and sharp fangs.
Deanna whispered, “We’re going to have to run for it.”
They ran, the animal in rabid pursuit behind them. Ahead Angie spied the cinder block rest area. God, please let it be open. Deanna reached the door first. “Come on”. She yelled.
“Close it!”, Angie yelled as she lept in. Deanna pushed the door closed and locked it. The building was cinder-block with metal, bolt-locked doors. It was small however, with only one stall and three rusty looking urinals. A leaky faucet dripped and echoed off the walls, as it formed a dark stain in the porcelain basin. There was the unmistakable smell of garbage, and urine. Deanna slumped to the floor. “I’ve never been in the men’s room before”.
Angie reached in her pocket and finding her cell-phone. She Flipped it opened and dialed.
“911, where is the emergency?”
Angie replied. “We were attacked!”
“Ok, can you be more clear please?”
She continued. “It attacked us..A dog or a wolf...”
“Are you ok?”
“Yes, but it’s still out there”.
“Ok where are you?”
“Schaeffer Park, in the Men’s room. We locked the door”.
“Who’s with you?”
“Just my friend Deanna.”
“Is she hurt?”
Angie looked over at her friend. The red-head smiled weakly and gave her a thumbs up.
“No we’re both ok”.
“What does the dog look like maam?”
“Its not really a dog. It’s big. Like a wolf. I think its got rabies”.
“Maam, remain calm. I’m sending someone out there”.
Screeeetch
The sound of long nails dragging along the roof caused both girls to look up in fear. The old cinder-block building had one weakness. A broken skylight, covered in plastic. Before they could react, the wolf-thing shredded past the barrier and had lept in. It advanced towards Deanna. Grabbing her by the throat, with its jaws. In one easy motion tossing the tiny red-head against the stained tiled wall. Next, leaping on top of her limp form, tearing at her with its monstorous jaws.
“Maam...maam are you there?”.
Angie was frozen in place. Why can’t I scream? Ohmigod I think it’s EATING her! Concern for her friend broke through her fear. LEAVE HER ALONE. Angie threw her phone at the creature. Hitting the thing as it crouched over its prey, with an impotent thud. Howling, the devil turned it’s head towards her. Smashing the device in a powerful blow, with its massive five-fingered paw.
Angie bolted towards the door, somehow managing to open and unlock it in seconds. She was outside and could see the well-lit road just a few yards away. If she could make it there, maybe someone would see. Maybe someone would help. The wolf-thing lept out behind her. It’s powerful paws hitting the mud and leaves with a dull thud. Angies legs pumped furiously beneath her. The beast launched itself, slashing at her heels with its claws. Angie cried out and fell face forward into the wet mud. The beast smacked one it’s mighty paws on her back. Effictively pinning her facedown in the mud. It’s toying with me. When she was twelve she’d witnessed her pet German Shepard maul a small Squirrel. It would shake the poor thing in its jaws. Letting it escape only to pounce on it and abuse it again. Panic spread over her as she realized the same fate now awaited her.
Blam Blam Blam
The shots rang out in quick succession. The creature howled and fell back. Suddenly she was free. Angie felt strong arms grab her shoulders and turn her over. She squinted as bright halogen lights assaulted her eyes. She could barely make out the figures standing above her. She attempted to form words but her lips refused to move.
- Miss. can you hear me. Can you hear me?
- Nice Shot right between the eyes!
-There’s another girl in here. Jesus.. what a mess.
-What about this one?
-Shit, she’s been bitten.
-Should we put her down?
- No. Sedate her and get her back The Department.
Angie felt a slight twinge in her arm. Suddenly everything faded as she fell into a sea of blackness.
At five-foot three inches, Angie was shorter than many other sixteen old girls. She had dark-brown skin and large dark eyes. People always told her that she looked like her mother, especially, the high cheekbones and full plump lips. Angie’s mother worked long-shifts to support them both. Get decent grades and you wont have to struggle like me. Her mother would often say. Angie took that advice to heart. Trying her best to be a model student and obedient daughter. So when her friend Deanna told her about tonight’s party, she felt almost entitled to go. Its not that big of a deal. I won’t drink or do anything stupid with a boy. I don’t even like boys. It’s just one party and Deanna will be there.
Angie was drawn to Deanna from the first time they met. She had large green eyes, impossibly pale skin, and a slight gap in her teeth. Sporting a mane of splendous, curly, red hair. She always wore whatever was stylish and in. Deanna was an immensely popular girl. Just being near her made Angie giddy. Sometimes she even wondered if what she felt for the outgoing red-head was more than ordinary friendship.
Angie and Deanna spent most of tonights party with each other, largely ignoring the boys. Especially poor David Wells, who was so drunk he stumbled over a table and fell flat on his face. Deanna whispered in her ear. Why are boys so stupid? Wrapping her arm around Angie’s shoulder. Angie just giggled and shrugged. Trying her best not to look into Deanna’s seductive green eyes. The memory of their being so close warmed her and suddenly the night seemed less cold.
SNAP
The sound of a twig breaking behind her interrupted her thoughts. What was she thinking? It was late and dark. She’d stupidly chosen to cut through the abandoned park. Now someone was following her. Angie swallowed and began to walk faster. She knew she wasn’t alone as she peered and squinted into the darkness. There was someone approaching. Without thinking she stepped backwards. An exposed rock catching her heel, causing her to stumble. Behind her on the trail, a familiar figure emerged.
“Hey slow down.” Deanna laughed. “It’s me”.
“Crap!” Angie relaxed. “I thought you were some psycho.”
The red-haired girl laughed again. “Nope. I got worried.”
“So you stalked me through the park?”
“I figured I’d walk home with you and possibly crash at your place”.
“What about your parents?”
“They already think I’m spending the night”.
“Oh.”
Deanna walked ahead of her. “Come on. Lets get going before your Mom gets home”.
The two girls continued to walk. Silently for awhile, side-by-side. This was the rhythm of their friendship. Frantic bursts of activity and talking. Followed by short periods of silence. Angie thought about how different they both were. Deanna always loudly talking or gossiping. In contrast with Angie, who positively loathed the spotlight.
Deanna grinned looking directly at Angie. “So have you heard about the Coyote?”
“Stop, trying to scare me Dee!”.
Deanna continued. “Seriously. It’s been on the news. Some Coyote’s been eating pets. Cat’s and small dogs at first. But last week they found a half-eaten German Shepard out here.”
Angie shuddered. She didn’t like the idea of sharing the night with a hungry Coyote.
A rustling movement startled both of the girls. “What was that” Deanna’s eyes widened.
“Come on”, Angie tugged at her friend’s jacket sleeve. “We can cut ahead, to the street”.
“Yah, that’s a good idea.”
The two of them headed towards the break in the trees. The brightly lit street waiting ahead of them. Angie thought she heard something again. It’s my imagination. Nothing out here but squirrels and stray cats. I shouldn’t let Deanna freak me out.
Deanna stopped. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes” Angie tried not to panic. “It sounds like breathing.”
That’s when it emerged from the shadows, barring their way. Angie’s heart stopped in her chest. The beasts entire body was covered in lustrous silver and black fur. It sniffed the air with its misshapen snout. The girls tried to make sense of the creature crouching before them. Angie stared into the creatures eyes. They were large and yellow. She’d never seen a dog with eyes like that before.
“That’s not a coyote” Deanna whispered.
The beasts muscles tensed beneath its dusky coat. As its powerful five-fingered forepaws dug into the earthen trail. Then it growled, a trickle of thick salvia dripping from the corner of it’s mouth. Revealing white, long, and sharp fangs.
Deanna whispered, “We’re going to have to run for it.”
They ran, the animal in rabid pursuit behind them. Ahead Angie spied the cinder block rest area. God, please let it be open. Deanna reached the door first. “Come on”. She yelled.
“Close it!”, Angie yelled as she lept in. Deanna pushed the door closed and locked it. The building was cinder-block with metal, bolt-locked doors. It was small however, with only one stall and three rusty looking urinals. A leaky faucet dripped and echoed off the walls, as it formed a dark stain in the porcelain basin. There was the unmistakable smell of garbage, and urine. Deanna slumped to the floor. “I’ve never been in the men’s room before”.
Angie reached in her pocket and finding her cell-phone. She Flipped it opened and dialed.
“911, where is the emergency?”
Angie replied. “We were attacked!”
“Ok, can you be more clear please?”
She continued. “It attacked us..A dog or a wolf...”
“Are you ok?”
“Yes, but it’s still out there”.
“Ok where are you?”
“Schaeffer Park, in the Men’s room. We locked the door”.
“Who’s with you?”
“Just my friend Deanna.”
“Is she hurt?”
Angie looked over at her friend. The red-head smiled weakly and gave her a thumbs up.
“No we’re both ok”.
“What does the dog look like maam?”
“Its not really a dog. It’s big. Like a wolf. I think its got rabies”.
“Maam, remain calm. I’m sending someone out there”.
Screeeetch
The sound of long nails dragging along the roof caused both girls to look up in fear. The old cinder-block building had one weakness. A broken skylight, covered in plastic. Before they could react, the wolf-thing shredded past the barrier and had lept in. It advanced towards Deanna. Grabbing her by the throat, with its jaws. In one easy motion tossing the tiny red-head against the stained tiled wall. Next, leaping on top of her limp form, tearing at her with its monstorous jaws.
“Maam...maam are you there?”.
Angie was frozen in place. Why can’t I scream? Ohmigod I think it’s EATING her! Concern for her friend broke through her fear. LEAVE HER ALONE. Angie threw her phone at the creature. Hitting the thing as it crouched over its prey, with an impotent thud. Howling, the devil turned it’s head towards her. Smashing the device in a powerful blow, with its massive five-fingered paw.
Angie bolted towards the door, somehow managing to open and unlock it in seconds. She was outside and could see the well-lit road just a few yards away. If she could make it there, maybe someone would see. Maybe someone would help. The wolf-thing lept out behind her. It’s powerful paws hitting the mud and leaves with a dull thud. Angies legs pumped furiously beneath her. The beast launched itself, slashing at her heels with its claws. Angie cried out and fell face forward into the wet mud. The beast smacked one it’s mighty paws on her back. Effictively pinning her facedown in the mud. It’s toying with me. When she was twelve she’d witnessed her pet German Shepard maul a small Squirrel. It would shake the poor thing in its jaws. Letting it escape only to pounce on it and abuse it again. Panic spread over her as she realized the same fate now awaited her.
Blam Blam Blam
The shots rang out in quick succession. The creature howled and fell back. Suddenly she was free. Angie felt strong arms grab her shoulders and turn her over. She squinted as bright halogen lights assaulted her eyes. She could barely make out the figures standing above her. She attempted to form words but her lips refused to move.
- Miss. can you hear me. Can you hear me?
- Nice Shot right between the eyes!
-There’s another girl in here. Jesus.. what a mess.
-What about this one?
-Shit, she’s been bitten.
-Should we put her down?
- No. Sedate her and get her back The Department.
Angie felt a slight twinge in her arm. Suddenly everything faded as she fell into a sea of blackness.