Sheep's Clothing by Gary Lewis (dark books to read TXT) 📗

A slinky, black shadow formed the outline of someone skinny walking away toward the ditch as the moonlight shined across a white, four-door car that David recognized as Sarah's. He watched from the doorway until she came running up the steps. "Come on," David said, hurrying her inside as he opened the door.

"Did you actually see it?" Sarah asked with wide eyes.

"No. We heard sounds outside and there's a trail of tracks leading away from the house," he said.

"Did you call the cops or anything?"

"No. What the hell would I say? That I think there's a werewolf outside?"

"Show me the tracks," Sarah said, strolling swiftly across the kitchen to the backdoor, past where Janice stood silently.

David slowly opened the backdoor, peering his head gradually around as he stood in the doorway. He placed his hand firmly on Sarah's shoulder to escort her onto the deck. A light but swift slap knocked his hand back.

"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

"I'm sorry… I just-"

"Got me mixed up with Janice?" Sarah continued walking without even a glance.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What are you two doing here tonight, anyway?" she asked.

He shook his head with a huff. "What's your problem tonight, anyway?"

Sarah squatted down. "So, these are the tracks?"

"No,” David said with a lift of his hand. “Those are from some other werewolf."

"I was just making sure. They definitely look like dog prints, but they're huge," Sarah said. "Look how hard they press in." She placed her hand on the large paw print. Her widespread fingers fit neatly within the deep impression.

A rustle came from the bushes near the field and both of their heads jumped. "Let's get back inside," David said as she nodded in agreement and started to slowly rise to her feet.

"David, wait. There's a reason I wanted you outside for a minute," she said while reaching out to his arm as she stared back through the dark. David's thoughts swarmed as he wondered what she was up to next. She appeared to be thinking about what to say as she looked back into his eyes. It was strange for Sarah.

"I found this note in the garbage earlier." She handed him a bunched-up sheet of paper. "Have you noticed anything strange about Tony?" she asked as he uncrinkled the worn letter and began reading the scribbled pen marks.

"David, I'm sorry little bro. I did something awf," it read, before abruptly stopping. It was definitely Tony's handwriting. But what could Tony be sorry about? Something awful? David shook his head. Tony? That can't be right. 

He clenched his jaw for a moment before the words forced their way out. "Tony would give a stranger the shirt off his back, below freezing," he said.

"Don't look at me," she said, spreading her open palms. "I didn't write it."

David huffed as he turned to face the brightly lit backdoor window that cut through the darkness of Janice's backyard, shining across the wooden steps that led back to safety.

"Listen," she continued.

"Look," David said from an anchor of concern that tugged his focus back within the house. "I've got to get back to Janice and make sure she's alright."

"Who all has seen the message you sent the group?" Sarah asked.

After pulling out his phone, David scrolled with anticipation. His thumbs rushed to prove that Tony had seen it. Just a shred of evidence that he was still human. A wave of disappointment washed the enthusiasm from his thumbs.

"Vance and Tony are still out. Neither of them has seen it yet," David said.

"I just want you to know that whatever it’s about, David..."  Sarah began.

"Are y'all alright out there?" Janice's voice rang from a gleaming gap in the cracked open door.

"Yeah,” Sarah said. “We're coming.”

A heavy pack of burden pushed from David's mind to press his shoulders down as he carried the weight of his thoughts back to the steps.

"Wait, David," Sarah's voice scratched across his back. "There's something else too."

A well of frustration flooded into his chest as he blew a wave of hot air from his lungs and looked her in the eyes. "What the hell is it now?"

Sarah's eyebrows lifted as she stopped. "Really?" After a momentary pause, she finally followed up. "I'll just show you when we leave."

Without a word, David rose one step after another, gripping the smooth, wooden rail as he marched back to the light of the backdoor. Once inside, they went over everything they knew so far. Everything except for the note that Tony wrote. David was relieved that Sarah didn't mention it in front of Janice.

"Thanks for coming over, you two," Janice said with a yawn. "I'm going to try and sleep now."

"Make sure you keep your phone charged and the doors locked," David said.

"I will. I promise."

"Goodnight, girl," Sarah said as she gave her a brisk half hug on the way out.

Sarah led with a sweep of her hand. "Over here." Her hushed but sharp tone ushered him to follow. They walked quickly past her car, brushing their shoes through the grass. As they approached the ditch, a pile of broken plastic and metal was tossed just beside the driveway. A familiar green strap stood out in David's view as chunks of camouflage plastic verified exactly what it was.

"These are my trail cameras." David bent down to sort through the shattered, chewed up debris with his fingers. A twisted piece of broken metal was lined with serrated teeth. "Vance's bear trap?" David asked as he looked up at Sarah standing above him with one hand on her hip. It was all dumped here… And the tracks.

She folded her arms and tilted her head back as David stood, carrying the pile of garbage in his hands. "I thought so," she said with a shake of her head. “First Brad, when we all met at the cliffs,” Sarah said. “Then Danny right after we ran into him looking for clues.” She stretched her arm out to David. “Behind your place when you caught it on your camera.” Her head swung back toward Janice’s house. “Now at Jan’s.” Sarah’s eyes