The Inari Kitsune

A cold Autumn Night

Jay D let out an exhausted sigh and stepped out of his small apartment and into the cold autumn night, New York was always at its freezing point in October, He shivered and shoved his hands in his coat pockets as a frigid breeze swept past him, everyday was the same routine for Jay, he was 21 and lived in the outer parts of the city, it was quite and almost nothing interesting happened. Jay stepped of of the concrete door step and marched down the snow covered side walk, every night at midnight Jay got up and walked to the park out side his apartment complex, it was a hefty four mile walking trail with a large pond that was usually frozen over this time of year, Jay loved the night and photography was his passion, he was forced to drop out of college a year ago because of financial deprivations so he had plenty of time to indulge in his hobby.

Jay shuddered as another gust of bitter air nipped at his exposed skin, he tensed, bringing his hands out of his coat pockets and rubbing them together in an attempt to restore blood flow to his aching fingers, he knew the consequences of being out at night in mid October, but tonight the sky was perfect and was giving off just the right amount of light, he couldn't pass down the opportunity to capture the stunning beauty of it all. Jay continued walking for a good mile, stopping every few paces to snap a picture of a bushel of night blossoms or a great oak shedding its leaves, even the frozen water made for a great photo opp at this light, Jay sat down on one of the park benches and opened his camera case, revealing his Kodak, he had spent his left over college funds on his camera, it was the best he could find. He brought it up and flipped off the cap, he snapped several pictures of his surroundings and put the Kodak back. He sat in silence watching his breath materialize in front of him and shuddering at every breeze, Jay pulled his phone out of his pocket and punched in the lock code for his front screen, he checked the time, three thirty five, it was getting later and the temperature was dropping exponentially  he stood up started walking back toward his apartment.

Jay reached the main road and entrance to the park, his apartment was two miles from the park, he never did mind walking, Jay stepped forward and flinched as he heard a scream pierce the silence of the night, he turned to the park and watched vigilantly. His heart was beating fast and hard, screams in these parts never meant good. Jay stood his ground, too terrified to move, too cold to run, his blood froze as he heard the blood curtling scream again, this time closer, he felt glued in place as he watched the lamps lighting the park go out one by one till the only one lit up was the entrance. His heart was practically jumping as he stood frozen in fear, a few moments of silence passed, before the next scream jabbed at Jays mind, this time it was distinguishable and coming from right in front of him, suddenly a dark figure burst through the veil of darkness clouding the park, Jay D stumbled backwards as he attempted to turn and run, the figure latched on to Jay and pulled him toward it, jay made out the physical features of the figure, a tall lean old man with a weak stature and a raggly beard he was also soaked in fresh blood, Jay guessed by his torn coat he and unshaven appearance that he was a vagrant , they weren't common in these parts but the occasional vagrant would tire of the city and find his way here, they were characteristically unfavorable people, unclean and mean. Jay flinched as the buggy eyed vagrant pulled him close,

"Run Boy! Run! Their coming, the Howlers are coming" the vagrants voice was harsh and coarse as he yelled into Jays face,

A loud howl broke the vagrants grip and he was dragged into the darkness screaming, Jay turned around and broke off into a full sprint down the side walk, the screams stopped as he left the visible range of the park and turned down the street before his, he was pumped and full of adrenaline so his pace was steady and fast, he rounded the corner and caught sight of another dark figure barreling down the street, this one was distorted, a deformed shadow. Jay quickly cut right down an alley way he used as a short cut