Night of Howls

Chapter Five

Near the walking trail. I saw a sign that read:

Welcome To Tecumborg Forest

"We're here." I blurted out. Looking from the edge of the forest, it looked beautiful. To me, anything that's too beautiful is dangerous and too good to be true. I silently prayed that there's nothing out there to cause any harm or danger. All I wanted was to spend time and enjoy a great time with my friends.

We all got out of the car to grab belongings that belonged to us then Rayla shut the car door. "Everyone has their things and whatever else ya might need" They both nodded their heads and I locked the car as the beep went off. The three of us started walking off towards the trail in a wish that me, Rayla, & Paisley get a good head start within the forest. The afternoon is still around so the further we are the better in order to find a good camping spot to set up tents and gather firewood.

About an hour of walking, the forest we entered was a nut-brown color. The beauty of it comforted my heart. I was astonished by the scenery and how the little squirrels were scampering off to find food or choosing to climb back up the trees that were tall or taller. Brown squirrels were all I see. I wanted to see a black squirrel but knowing how rare they were my chances weren't so great after all. One day I'm hoping to catch one and keep it as a pet.

I don't think I could beings though it lives in the wild.

There were creaks from left to right sometimes from the aged branches that were hanging or almost on the verge of falling. "These branches are gonna give me a heart attack before the last day of camping," Paisley told Rayla. They both were walking behind me only a few feet away.

"Yeah, I'm thinking we should minimize these approximately two days into one. We can leave tomorrow perhaps?" Paisley was a bit scared of staying out in the woods. Especially at night. She's never seen anything out of hand and she wasn't planning on sticking around any longer to find out.

"Okay, scary asses. We'll head out tomorrow. Next time I'm prolonging the next camping trip. I don't want to hear any complaints. If y'all are too scared to stay for two extra days then I'll gladly enjoy it myself." With that, I sped walked to continue looking for a spot that's clear for our tents and campfire.

After hours of walking, the spot came into view and it was perfect.

"It's gonna be dark soon." I blurted out as I used my hand to cover the top of my eyes to look up at the sun. It was still shining but I need to make sure we all are set before the sun starts to set.

The watch on my wrist it was now showing 4:55. Time rushed when the tents were up and ready. "I'll be back shortly. I'm gonna go gather some wood for the fire. I'll be back in ten." I left to gather what I needed. There were moss covering some branches that were left on the ground but maybe that'll do as to what I thought.

"I forgot to get the scent-killing soaps. Fuck me!" I whispered yelled. "I won't make it back in time to get them if something happens." Upsetting myself even more, now I have to find out a way to get something to mask away their scents. I just don't want Paisley and Rayla in trouble.

It was now 4:50 pm. I rushed back with the wood in my arms not wanting to be out in the woods alone getting firewood.

"Ray, I'm gonna need you to gather as much of acorns as possible. Possibly two pockets full of them and as for you, my dearest, grab some pines for me."

They both looked at each other like I was a bit crazy.

"What are you gonna do with them?" Rayla looked at me with a raised brow.

"Just go and pick some off the ground, please? Can you both just go already? I'll tell you once you guys are back. Thank you?" Starting on the campfire as I heard their feet walking in the distance.

\( ^3^ )/

We all sat around the fire just having a good time laughing, talking, and gossiping about our old days in school and who looked good, who was the school whore, and what boys on the football team had looked sexy.

"Hey, um.. are you ever gonna tell us why you asked us to get those things?" Pointing to the ground, looking straight at me while I was chewing on my beef jerks.

"I need those to mask away the human scent. I forgot to get those soaps out of the car. In case if shit goes down you both need to rub these on your clothes including yall hair. Doing this will help hide your scent from preys. Depending on what forest you're in some of these things might not work. Before its time to go to sleep make sure it's done. It's for safety and I want you both to be safe." It was a lot to be explained but I kept it short and simple. I didn't felt like going that long of mile with talking.

Paisley finally asked me. "What about you? Aren't you going to do the same?" Looking with worry plastered on her face.

"No, I can't. I have this thing called allergies." Wasn't the best excuse but they both bought it. I didn't want them going off wondering why wasn't I doing the same or why I was being weird when they still think I'm the same as them.

I was the same as them but only on my skin side. They didn't have a clue what's hiding behind my human form. I had a wolf that I didn't want them to know about. For the most part, I wanted to keep it away from them as long as I could. Bearing the thought of Paisley and Rayla leaving me and never wanting to speak to me has always been a toll on me. My identity and species is my first priority to keep safe.

"I'm headed to sleep. I'll catch you guys in the morning." Paisley told us. "I'm doing the same. Have an early start in the morning." Following behind Paisley.

"Take this and this. Rub them on yourselves now. Right in front of me. I need to make sure you do as I say before bed." I've watched them as I swallowed down my water. "All done. See you in the morning. Get some sleep. I know how you are at night." I giggled and excused them off to bed. Little to my knowledge on how to hide wolf's scent, I was fucked. Maybe if I could find a skunk that could spray me it'll be just as perfect.

I just hope it doesn't cause me to get asthma anytime soon. Just thinking about the scent made me think how disgusting I would smell.

"Hmm.. maybe that's why I'll do." A skunk's spray usually has a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals. The odor that's produced from them is an offensive odor which is powerful enough to keep away bears or other preys. I wasn't too sure if it's good enough to hide a wolf's scent.