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

could feel the rumble of the snarling growl that issued forth from deep in her chest while her yellow eyes glared intently at David who found himself unable to move. She was now more creature than Sarah. It bared its sharp looking, long, white teeth, slinging its head side to side as the snout slowly popped to become longer.

By now, no matter what he might say, there was no getting through to Sarah. It wasn't even her anymore. Perhaps she never even was. He curled into a fetal position and squeezed his eyes shut as hard as he could. Accepting that he would die a horrible death wouldn't be enough. He didn't know how much longer he could stand the sight of that horrible beast as he cried as loud as he could, still unable to obscure the sound of its snapping growl or of Sarah's clothes ripping apart.

The water took on a louder rushing sound. It seemed as though the boat was suddenly bouncing up and down just as the werewolf lunged, busting him through the bottom floor paneling. Cold water splashed into his clothes and everything became bright. It was bright enough to hurt his eyes as he bounced up, trying to focus his blurry vision.

###

"Drink," a deep voice cut through the ringing that felt like the audible sound of his headache. "You need to drink, man."

David sat up, drenched and chilled as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.

"Good thing you're so damn skinny," Vance's voice echoed from the blurry form sitting in front of him.

"What happened?" David mumbled, slowly turning his head around to see the small waterfall that poured down into the creek which snaked its way through the shady forest. Bright rays of light beamed down through gaps between the leaves above them.

"Thought I lost you for a minute there," Vance chuckled. "Oh, and don't get the wrong idea. I just didn't want trouble, leaving you for dead out here and all." Vance stood up and motioned his hand at the wet canteen on the ground between them. "Better drink up. We don't want to be out here all day."

David reached to lift the military relic of a black metal container and as he felt the cold liquid meet his mouth, his thirst returned. The long-forgotten taste of water had now emerged from the depths of his memory. He guzzled it down so fast that he choked up on the water he inhaled, coughing it up through his stinging nose.

"Not so fast," Vance said. "You'll need some electrolytes soon."

"How do you know this stuff?" David asked.

"Think I'm stupid, huh?" Vance grinned and stared, but David remained silent. "Used to happen all the time in early practice. Folks go soft all summer in their pretty air-conditioned houses, playing video games and then they jump right in. Don't know shit about living it hot and run down."

"Sorry," David said. As he climbed to his feet, his heavily soaked clothes clung everywhere to his body. He began to pat his pockets with worry.

"I emptied your pockets before I dragged you through the creek." Vance reached for his pack and pulled David’s phone and keys from a pocket on the side. He tossed them and David fumbled to catch.

"Dragged? Through?"

Vance lifted his hand toward the stream. "...The creek.” He looked at David and nodded up and down. “Had to bring your temperature down somehow, didn't I?"

A deep shiver vibrated from David's core as his teeth chattered just a bit. "Whatever the hell you did sure worked."

The forest trees spread to just enough open ground for easy foot travel and the rushing creek quieted to a far trickle as David followed Vance through the woods at a noticeably slower pace than earlier. Despite the loud, constant buzz of insects continuing in the background, a sense of peaceful tranquility blanketed David.

"It sure is quiet out here," David said with a calm smile.

"I don't like it," Vance said.

David shook his head and looked over at him. "Of course you would have a problem with some peace and quiet."

"It's too quiet. I haven't seen a squirrel hit the ground in half an hour." Vance stopped and held up his hand, halting David in his tracks. Standing still as though in deep concentration, he turned his ear behind them.  "Don't look back." It seemed like Vance read his mind before David had even thought to turn.

"What is it?" David's whisper barely sounded above the insects while Vance began to silently walk.

"Just keep walking."

"If you're bullshitting me again, I swear..." David said.

"Just walk." Vance continued as David tried to match his pace just as quietly.

Vance reached around behind him to draw his gun from the back of his blue jeans.

"What's that for?" David whispered.

"Shut up," Vance whispered back.

They continued on for a few minutes and Vance came to a dead stop. "Wait." David leaned far to his left to look around in front of

Vance's broad shoulder. The tree in front of them was splashed red with blood, missing large pieces of bark, strewn around the ground amongst bright red spatter. David's breathing sped up. He didn't care about being quiet or playing hide and sneak through the woods anymore.

"Is it Tony?" David asked. "Tell me. What is it Vance?" He raced to go around him as Vance turned to halt him with a single forceful hand shoved against David's chest.

"I need you to calm the hell down for a minute," Vance said slow and serious, looking David square in the eyes. "Just wait here." Vance crept between the trees, following the trail of disturbed ground and trampled plants with his gun drawn in each direction he looked.

Vance slowed to a stop and lowered his weapon halfway as he looked around in a circle. He slowly raised his arm and waved David over.

"Deer," he said aloud.

David stepped in the direction of Vance, now kneeling on the ground, examining the scene intently. The ripped open carcass laid on top of a pile of dug earth. Ribs protruded from its side, rising