Cool breeze whirled against the setting night, a chilly disposition against the rays of the sun. The sounds in the forest began to still as the night went on, the only sound being the crunches of frosted leaves beneath the feet of the hikers. The hikers were young, in their teens they liked to explore and see the nature of the world. They found harmony in each other and the dazzling world of life around them, a world much different from the mainstream cities.
The one hiker was a small beautiful girl named Jasmine, she had rosy cheeks, sparkling blue eyes, a smile that seemed to light the dark around them, and a bouncy energy no one could contain. The latter being Tim who while seemed gruff in nature had a mind of fun. He was broad shouldered and tall, had hazel eyes and a mess a brown hair on the top of his head. Tim knew the trails well for he grew up exploring them as a lad. He carried a machete and knife on him whenever he went in the woods, knowing vines and small game were all around. This night he thought to take Jasmine to the top of the mountain, where the stars glowed brightest the sky was clearest.
The trails could be tricky to pass through at times, only being used by the deer and small animals that inhabited this far into the forest. The trails were dense and full of briars, he knew snakes liked this area for they liked to call the tangle of foliage a place of solitude. The trees in the area stood tall, harboring mostly oaks and walnuts the trees seemed to blend with the grayness of the ensuing night. Before long the two made it to the top of mountain, the trees became smaller and the foliage less dense. The darkness seemed to retreat as the canopy's of the trees began to disperse, allowing for the moons light to shine its guidance.
The two lovers came upon an open clearing where the grass was light and short, and flowers bloomed. There was lake towards the top of the clearing it's still waters reflecting the glow of the moons light. Jasmine gasped in awe at the beauty of it all, taking in the sight of the gorgeous view she looked at Tim and smiled. The air was cool and the breeze was light, causing Jasmine's hair to float softly behind her. In the moonlight she looked gorgeous, her eyes sparkling and her soft lips curled in a smile Tim began to feel faint. He loved this girl, his heart in his chest he bagan to a approach her lifting his hand to gently brush the remaining hair from her eyes. But the motion was never finished for a chill ran up his spine and the hairs on his body stood on end. He felt a cold sweat break his brow and realized what the feeling was, he was being watched.
Jasmine's eyes widened in question when he froze, but she too now felt uneasy, the silence beginning to feel eerie in this isolated place. Tim spun around waving his light looking for the source that had caused his feeling, he scanned the forest's edge for the culprit and soon found a pair of yellow eyes glinting in the light. The figure used a bush to conceal its full figure but Tim had a hunch on what it could be. His hunch however was soon concluded as a blood curdling howl took place. He unsheathed his machete, its smooth edge sparkling in the moonlight he waved for Jasmine to get behind him. Jasmine looked at Tim in horror and confusement as the barks and howls echoed around them. Tim had heard and seen these animals before but had yet to encounter one, let alone a whole pack. "Coyotes, stay close and watch the edges" he said aloud. Jasmine nodded her head and they waited for the encounter. Tim could feel the adrenaline flow through his veins his eyes scanning the edges for movement his grip on his machete tightened. His muscles twitched and tensed in the anticipation of the incoming fight. He waited for what seemed like ages as the coyotes circled them, barking in communication for there attack. They were just another feast for the pack, warm meat for the young and battle scars for the adults. But Tim had no wish to die today.
A flash of yellow appeared in the corner of his vision, he swept his light towards the movement when he heard Jasmine's high pitched scream. He turned and saw a coyote, yellow eyes filled with a craving for blood, and saliva rolling down its barred jaws. It was a light gray in color and muscular, obviously feeding well on the poor prey in the forests. Tim wrapped his arm in front of Jasmine and pushed her behind him, his foot pivoted in the dirt and he brought the machete up in a defensive gesture knowing he could do nothing but brace for the impact of the blood crazed beast running towards him. The beast crashed into him sending his pivoted foot deeper into the dirt, the beasts bite didn't connect with flesh but with steel as in clamped down on Tim's blade. The sound of enamel cracking and scraping on steel sent a chill up his spine, but he had no time to hesitate. Tim brought his pivoted foot forward in a kick catching the coyote in the ribs. The coyote whined and rolled back over onto its feet in a low guarding stance, glaring and barking as blood dripped from its gums. He could feel Jasmine's presence behind him, using his body as a way to hide from danger. The coyote stood guarded and cruel, waiting for his next move. Tim sprang forward cleaving his blade in a downward diagonal arc, the beast danced smoothly out of harm's way and shot forward towards Tim's exposed side. But the coyote never made the connection for Tim twirled quickly to the right bringing his left foot up into the beasts breast. He could hear the wind being knocked from the beast's body as his foot connected, unwise to make another stand off with his foe Tim pounced upon the stunned coyote using his left forearm to pin it's neck to the ground. He stabbed the blade into the coyotes ribs and heard it's pitched whine as warm blood flowed from its body. With one last struggling kick the beasts breath whisked away in the dark and all was quiet.
