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WINTER MOON
By AlanGrant5
WINTER MOON
[PROLOGUE] MAYBERRY WOODS
Hovering above an ocean of trees, was a radiant afternoon sun. Two hours had passed since the school bell rung, ending a day of persistent busy work. Mounted onto the branches of a sturdy oak tree was a large wooden platform used as a meeting grounds for one group of locals. Sitting side by side, their feet dangling from the platforms edge, were Tyler Coleman, Kevin Hathaway, John Edwards, and Daniel Foster. The four children had started a club immediately after the platform had been built. In all honesty, the club hadn’t even a name or purpose, for all they ever did was talk about random subjects, ranging from school, to girls, to school girls.
“Shit,” Kevin said, lifting himself from the floor, “My mom’s gonna get pissed if I’m not home in ten minutes.”
“Jesus, she have you on a leash or something?” John said, stuffing his face with various finger foods.
“You have any idea what time it is? It’s 5: 10! Fuckin 5:10!” Slipping on his jacket, Kevin made his way down the ladder of the tree house.
“5:10?” Suddenly a look of concern fell over the large boys face. Tapping the remaining chips from the plastic bag into his mouth, John rose from his crouched position. His foot steps could be felt when sitting on the platform and that spelled trouble for the future of the newly built tree house.
“Alright, well I ain’t stayin if you guys are goin,” Tyler said, tossing an old comic book aside. “I’ll see you later Daniel.”
“Okay,” Daniel said, his eyes focused on his homework.
“Aren’t you goin home Daniel?” John asked, looking up at the platform.
Peeking his head over the platform’s edge, Daniel said, “Nothing to go home to.”
“Alright, suite yourself. See you tomorrow,” John replied, walking alongside Kevin and Tyler.
Daniel glanced at his distant friends, then back at his homework. Indeed, he had nothing to go home to. His mother, a full time waitress at Loui’s Diner, would be home at 6:30 if not later and his dog, Tyson, was at the local veterinarian after being bit by a rattlesnake. Fatherless, Daniel found himself in many situations where he had to be left home alone. So naturally, he had adapted to his lifestyle and embraced it, for he knew things could of been much worse.
Glancing at a sky decorated in various shades of orange and pink, Daniel took the time to breathe in the fresh air only offered in the mountain community. Setting his pencil aside, he turned on the radio, and dove back into his studies. Disturbed by a noise made in the distant forest, Daniel turned the volume down on the radio, and listened intently. It was screaming... someone was screaming! Daniel was certain it was Johnny screaming. Was this some kind of a joke?
Climbing down the ladder, he set foot on the ground and gazed at the direction the sounds were being made. Taking small steps, Daniel found himself almost paralyzed with fear.
“John? John is that you?” Daniel asked for confirmation.
No reply.
“If this is some kinda joke, don’t expect me to fall for it!” Daniel yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth to form a bull horn. His friends have been known to pull stunts like this from time to time. That’s all it was... just a stunt.
Silence invaded the area, his statement echoing throughout the forest. Breaking the silence was the sound of one’s crying. It was then Daniel realized, this was no joke. Beginning a fast pace towards the origin of the sounds, Daniel felt as if he were experiencing a dream. The further he ran into the forest, the further the forest seemed to pull away from him.
“JOHN?” he yelled.
Birds began to flutter from the tree tops, drowning out the sounds made by the crying child. Daniel found himself running, his heart pounding in his ears.
“JOHN!”
Suddenly, Daniel came upon a terrifying sight. It was the body of John Edwards and looming above it was a creature. It stood upright on two legs, with scales covering much of its body. It’s spine bulged out from its back, fingers as well as feet were webbed, and its face beyond horrific. A mouth filled with needle like teeth, eyes as black as night, and a hole for where its nose must have been, defined the creature as being vicious. Daniel, both confused and frightened began walking backwards, away from the monster. Finally turning around, Daniel ran as fast as he could. The creature hissed and the sound repeated in his ears.
Not sure if the creature was behind him or not, Daniel ran for dear life, never looking back. Pushing excess foliage out of his path, he climbed the ladder and pushed himself back onto the platform. Untying the ladder from the branch and watching it fall to the ground, gave Daniel a sense of security. Daniel grabbed a blanket and threw it over himself. His eyes closed, Daniel began to shake and his teeth began to chatter.
“It’ll go away,” Daniel whispered repeatedly, with a single tear flowing down his cheek. “It’ll go away.”
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4/4/2002 12:27:46 AM
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