Sheep's Clothing by Gary Lewis (free ebook reader for pc txt) 📕

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The clouds passed across the sky as it cleared to reveal the stars, where the moon still hung with an ominous, orange glow.

"At least I can see the road," Jake said, continuing his trek up the forested mountain path, shouting periodically for Tony. But as he walked further, he lost sight of Tony's tracks. He now missed the bright flashlight that he once held as he continued up through the dim gravel chasm that sliced its way through the pitch-black walls of wooded unknown, stretching from both sides to swallow his path.

Every crack that sounded from the forest snapped Jake's attention from the road as the forest noises got louder, closing in around him with the shadows. The air grew heavy as he walked faster, trying to focus only on his destination. But he hadn't seen a single print in a while and the rocky soup that his shoes pattered through continued to remind him how far from safety he had traveled. "Tony!" Jake shouted erratically as his pace picked up to a jog.

A distant roar echoed through the woods. Jake turned to look down the steep drop-off into the dense woods below. "I know we don't have lions out here now," Jake said. The sound continued blasting through the lower areas of the forest with a ferocity that sucked the strength from his feet. A shaky fear spread up his legs into his groin and stomach. He jumped as a steady howl rung out across the wilderness. Jake turned to run further up the road. At least he was now certain where it came from and that it was some distance away. Jake was determined to keep it that way; no longer shouting, only running and huffing his way up the hill.

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Terror descended into Pine Bluff once again, stalking the shadows deep in the woods. As if to take the place of the passing storm, it snuck in with the silence that followed. Whether it was drawn to the fear of those who wandered into its lair or had been right there with them the entire time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to hunt them down, its presence was felt as much as heard through the drenched forest. It resurrected a primal panic from the pit of every soul that wandered through the secluded hills that night.

#Terry#

"Terry, you sure this leads back to the truck?" Blane asked as they used their phones to light the way down the narrow path that twisted through dense pine growth hugged by thick patches of mountain laurel.

Terry looked up the steep hill to his right. "I'm not exactly sure where to climb up and check the road,” Terry said. “But Tony told us it was the quickest way back."

"So, we're lost, you mean?"

"We have to keep moving, Blane," Terry said as they hurried down the trail. "You heard that behind us. We're going this way."

From ahead of them, the loud rustle of snapping sticks broke across the trail.

"Wait!" Terry said, holding his hand behind at his brother and standing in place. They waited, listening closely as a dark form pushed its way through the barely visible brush. Even the insects and frogs went quiet above the pattering of water droplets. Now the forest became dead still.

A crash broke from the woods ahead as something large and hairy began to come into view. Its arms spread to its sides with slender, talon tipped fingers. Long ears raised at the top of its head.

"Run!" Terry screamed. "Go! Go! Go!" They both turned to dash back up the trail through the darkness. Blane tripped face first onto the ground. Terry jerked him by the arm back onto his feet. He dragged his little brother along as they huffed with the horror of what pursued them.

Grabbing Blane hard by the shoulder, Terry placed his finger over his mouth with wide, serious eyes. He tugged Blane into the nearby bushes to the left of the trail and they began to crawl up the steep slope on their bellies. Terry hoped the road would be just beyond the next bush. Their lives depended on it. He watched Blane slowly pull himself up by the base of a dead tree. Below, the crashing of brush sounded and continued quickly past where they left the trail. Terry stopped to wait for a few moments of silence before climbing any further up the steep hillside.

"What is that?" Blane's hushed whisper came chopped between shaky gasps of air.

"I don't know," Terry said as he clasped his hands together in silent prayer.

"We need to go," Blane said a little louder than before.

As Terry reached for the large rock just above, a feeling came over him. It pulled him back down from the pit of his stomach and he pressed his other hand down onto Blane’s shoulder, holding him in place.

The dark dirt road above was just in view. Terry peeked between the tightly bound weeds and a couple bushes to see a familiar pile of trees laid beside the pickup they had arrived in. He felt his pocket for the rattle of keys as Tony's words began to speak from his memory. If things get hairy, y'all just ride on outta here and don't look back. Terry contemplated a rush for the truck, but wondered if he could really leave with Tony out there all by himself. What if David and Sarah are also still trapped on the mountain? But he had his little brother to think about and knew he could still bring help for the others.

Terry squeezed Blaine’s shirt with resolve and bent his knees for a desperate sprint. He noticed a shape on the other side of the pickup. Another truck was parked beside it. Focusing in the darkness at the large, red vehicle he didn't recognize, Terry wondered if he was mistaken. Nobody else came in with them.

A rapid galloping sound came from above. As Terry halted in place, he looked at Blane crouching silently beside him. The sound