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

The tires screamed with a sharp turn as Terry's car drifted. He began driving in a circle around the parking lot. David snuck out of his cover, shuffling from one tree to the next. He got closer to the pavement with every move as he watched the werewolf bolt across the middle of the vacant lot, trying to cut Terry off. Terry's car sped up and the monster just missed him. It roared out at the sky, raising its claws as Terry flew past, just yards from where David squatted in the grass.

Large wolven ears stood high as the creature looked straight at David from where it stood. Not even half of the small parking lot separated them as he held perfectly still, hoping the shadows still concealed him beside the trees. The werewolf's eyes glinted bright yellow with Terry's headlights as he continued speeding around the parking lot. Another swinging flash of light from Terry's car swept by, showing the creature's blood covered hair. It lowered its head baring a row of long, bright teeth straight across the empty section of parking spaces. Looking straight where David stood halted in place, its growl became audible and it stepped closer. His skin stung cold with fear while he looked for anything he could use as a weapon.

It continued creeping toward David, fixated only on him. Drool oozed from its open jaw as it approached the curb just downhill. David stared it in the face, paralyzed by the cold shock of impending death.

Terry's horn blared as his headlights gleamed behind the large creature. Blinding lights engulfed the werewolf and it turned to let out a snarl. Terry’s car slammed into the beast and it collapsed under his bumper with a thud. David jumped out of the way as Terry crashed his way up the hill, tumbling over the huge pile of fur that rag dolled to the curb. The side of the car crashed across a tree before it came to a dead stop near the small restroom building.

From the smoking wreckage, Terry's door creaked open, spilling crumbled glass around the ground. David rushed over as Terry stepped out carrying a lever action rifle.

"I decided guns might not be so bad after all," he said with a quirky smile as he adjusted his glasses.

"Are you alright?" David asked.

"I think so." Terry brushed off his shirt as he turned to lower his eyes upon the wreckage. "But my car might not agree."

"I’m sure glad you showed up when you did," David said.

"To be honest, I'm a little surprised to see you," Terry said, raising his eyebrows as he turned to look downhill, toward the parking lot. A dark pool began to seep around the large body that slumped against the curb. From the dark brown fur, an arm laid stretched across the pavement with long claws. The exposed skin seemed a dark gray, almost black, under the dimly flickering street light.

"Thought it might go back to normal," David said.

"Yeah. Like the movies." Terry pressed his eyebrows as he and David glanced at one another before looking warily back down the hill.

"If it's not you, then..." Terry raised his gun and started one slow step down the hill.

David reluctantly followed. His thoughts raced with visions of who might be lying dead on the cold, crusted pavement below. They continued stepping closer. What if it's Janice? David took another step down the hill, just behind Terry. Or Sarah? He resisted picturing either of those outcomes. What if Sarah was right and it's Tony? The thought lingered as he stopped.

"What is it?" Terry asked. A long pause filled the air as the clap of distant waves smacked against the docks. "I know it's tough, David, but we need to see." Terry descended further down the tire tracks that dug their way up the loose soil only a moment ago. "You can wait there if you want."

David grunted out a sigh as he followed from a few feet behind.

A crack sounded from the heavy body just yards away from where they stood. "Did you hear that?" David asked, staring at the lifeless corpse.

Terry turned to speak. "It doesn't seem to be-"

It popped again. David continued watching alongside Terry as a squishing, crackling sound began from the motionless body.

"Maybe it'll turn back." Terry's words traveled to David's heart where they pounded with more images of who might lie below.

From the noise, a series of gurgling clicks became faster and deeper. The eerie sound turned into a rattle and filled with deep vocals into a steady growl. Bright white teeth flashed through the piled mass of darkness as it shifted over and rolled on the pavement.

"Terry!" David tugged the shoulder of Terry's shirt, squeezing it between his white knuckles.

As the dark form of the beast continued to writhe on the ground, twisting into shape, David tugged back at Terry's shoulder. Terry raised his rifle at the monster. It clicked. He fumbled with the lever and hit the side of the gun.

"Come on," David shouted. "Hurry!"

Terry took aim at the creature only to give forth another empty click.

The squirming beast's ears became visible as it shook its head, pushing its broad shoulders up with its arms.

"Run!" David yelled as he let go of Terry's shirt and made a break toward the docks. The sound of Terry's steps rapidly beat behind him as David took one look back. A snarling ball of movement chased from the distant shadows. They both raced for the murky lake. The inevitable end of earth at water's edge rapidly approached.

"There!" Terry huffed, pointing to a lonely canoe beached against the muddy shoreline, just beside the docks.

"No good." David panted for breath as they bolted toward it.

"Beggars can't be choosers," Terry said.

They slowed to a jog and Terry jumped to the right of the abandoned wooden relic. David took the left side as they pushed knee deep through the dark waters of Moss Lake, heaving the small boat further out. He strained to hold it level as Terry climbed into the canoe, tipping it side