The Story of the Black Dogs

Chapter 3.1

     Charles's foot pressed hard onto the gas pedal as he sped down the road. The sound of his engine growling loudly as he pushed the truck to go faster, caring only to escape the terrifying creature.

     He swerved and sped down various roads, hoping he could throw off the creature. It was chasing him after all. Wasn't it?

     Mustering up some courage, Charles slowed his speed and peered into the side-view mirror.

     Nothing

     Nothing?

     Charles slowed and pulled over to the side of the road. His hands were shaking, and the truck was filled with the sound of his ragged breath.

     'Am I going crazy?' Charles thought to himself. 'Am I losing my mind?'

     A piercing pain shot through his arm.

     Pain?

     Charles' eyes slowly drifted to his arm, before a small chuckle escaped his lips.

     Blood. Crimson-hot blood had soaked his sleeve, serving as an assurance of his sanity and a reminder of the danger he was in.

     As reality sunk in, Charles began to laugh even harder, as his brain struggled to accept the events he had just been through.

     Soon laughter gave way to fear, and he found himself trembling as he leaned his head against the steering wheel.

     Uncertainty and fear clouded his mind once again.

     'What was going on? Why was that thing after him? No! This can't be real!' These thoughts flooded Charles' mind like a torrent, and soon he knew that they would overtake him.

     A melody suddenly flooded the car, pushing away the thoughts before they could consume him. Looking up, he could see that the melody came from his phone, as the screen lit up and showed his wife's name.

     Charles fumbled for his phone like it was a lifeline.

     "He-Hello." Charles' voice came out in a broken gasp.

     "Charles?" her voice sounded muffled and far away as if she were attempting to talk while being immersed in water.

     "Yes, honey it's me," Charles said frantically. "I can barely hear your voice."

     "I miss- sgkgzulbyty can - iguncj- me you're- hjgfyfku" Her voice sounded frantic and full of worry, but Charles couldn't understand what she was saying."

     "Honey? I- calm down. I can barely hear your voice." Charles instructed her. Although his words were more toward himself.

     "I'm here! I'm here!" she said frantically, although her voice was barely audible. "Thedoctajfhhwruhghqregh and they are-"

     *Beep *Beep *Beep

     "Hello? Hello?" Charles looked down at his beeping phone.

     Disconnected

     "No, no, no." Charles vigorously tapped his phone in a desperate attempt to recontact his wife. He needed her. He needed-

     *Beep *Beep *Beep

     Again. He called the number again.

     *Beep *Beep *Beep

     Fear loomed around him, threatening to drag him into a dark abyss. He could feel his chest tighten as his breath became more ragged. He could feel the cold darkness wrapping around his soul.

    *Beep *Beep *Beep

     "Useless piece of sh*t!" Charles tossed his phone causing it to slam against the dashboard. Then without a second thought, he sped off.

     Yes, Anger. Anger at his phone. Anger at his unfortunate circumstance. Anger was what he would use to fight his fear.

     Charles looked once more at his blood-soaked arm. He had to do something about that. Then after that, he could worry about whether that creature was real or not.