Blazen

Night terrors

All the wind left my lungs when I heard it. A long, slow cry into the night. It sounded like heavy metal music screaming, but higher pitched. And it was smooth sounding. Whatever it was, it was not human.
Then I heard the other scream.
"HELP!"
Loud and clear. And it was definitely human.
Then I heard it again "Someone help me!" Followed by the cries again. It sounded like many of the things now calling out.

I shivered.
"Coyotes?" I said to Thomas
But he was gone.
"Thomas? The fuck?"
I looked out below me to the desert valley and could barely make out Thomas' figure running across the flat towards the sound. The light was fading and it was almost all the way dark.
"Fuck, Thomas!" I called after him. The idiot was going to get himself killed. Again.
I started running after him, leaving my bag and shirt on the hill next to his.

Barely able to see, I sprinted after him. I caught up in no time, probably because I was far more athletic, and found Thomas crouched behind a small shrub looking out into the desert.
"Dude, what-" I began to say but Thomas whipped around and put a hand over my mouth.
"What the hell dude-" I tried to say but he put a finger up to his lips and turned back around. He kept looking in the direction of the cries, now further in the distance. I looked in the direction and squinted my eyes. I thought I could make out a light, like a campfire but I wasn't sure.

"C'mon," Thomas said running towards it.
We both sprinted towards it, only stopping when we heard the cries. They never sounded close, but you never know. As we got closer to the light you could tell it was a campfire, and there were tents and bags setup around it.

People! Finally! Safety!
Relief washed over me and I sighed loudly. It had been hell out here with this kid, and now I was safe. But Thomas didn't move a muscle. He just kept staring at the camp. But I wasn't going to wait around for a welcome party.
"Thank GOD!" I said, walking into the camp.
"No Josh-!" Thomas quietly called after me, but I heard him too late.
What I did hear was the crying sound, right in my ear, and dark figures surrounding me. I didn't even have time to react before I was hit with something in my back.
Now face down in dirt I could feel myself slipping away into unconsciousness, but I saw Thomas, behind the shrubs, slowly backing away, disappearing into the night.
"Dick..." I muttered as everything went dark.