One shots

Scene 5

“What was that?” Landon shrieked, jumping a foot in the air. His twin brother Michael doubled over in laughter as a small gray rabbit hopped across the path in front of them. “It’s not funny!” He scolded, snatching the red leash from Michael’s hand. “Come on Lucy, we’re going home.” He said to the german shepherd at the end of the leash. Michael composed himself and caught up with his brother, nervous about being alone in the woods at night. Even at eighteen, he was still afraid of the thick woods that enveloped the area behind their home. Moonlight streamed down from the treetops, emanating from from the full July moon overhead. The night was cool, and Michael was glad that his mother had told him to bring a sweatshirt as they walked the dog.

“We better get home.” Michael said calmly, hiding the fear that was creeping into his voice.

“What are you? Scared?” Landon joked, glad it was his brother’s turn to be afraid for once. Michael landed a solid punch on his arm in reply and the talking ended there. They continued down the worn dirt path until they reached the edge of the woods that bordered their property, sighing in relief Landon slowed his pace as they walked across the freshly cut lawn. Michael bent down and unhooked the leash from Lucy’s pink flowered collar just as he had done hundreds of times when they arrived home from their walks. Lucky growled lowly, the hairs on her back standing on edge. Both boys looked at each other in confusion, panic flashing across their faces almost simultaneously. Lucy barked once and took off running back into the woods. Landon called after her, but it was no use, she was already deep into the woods again. A cool breeze swept through the air and Michael turned to go back inside as an uneasy feeling grew in his stomach.

“Where do you think you’re going? We have to go find her.” Landon snapped at his brother while wrestling with his emotions. Fear bubbled within him as he looked up to the sky to see thick black storm clouds rolling into the area. He turned back to his brother who was already safely inside the house. “Fine! Be that way!” He shouted at the sliding glass door, knowing that Michael couldn’t hear him but saying it anyway. Mumbling to himself, Landon straightened his white t-shirt and strode confidently back toward the woods. Using the flashlight off his Iphone Landon walked nervously on the path he had just been on moments ago.

Owls hoo’ed questioningly as they looked at him with their large yellow eyes. The moonlight had all but disappeared from the sky, making their glowing eyes glow even brighter. He continued walking, occasionally calling out Lucy’s name, hoping that she would hear him and come running, but she never did. He continued on in the silent woods, painstakingly aware of the eerie silence that surrounded him. The woods are never silent, but they were now, and that was the most disturbing thing of all.