the car to start. Nothing happened. They only had overnight bags in the trunk, everything else was being delivered the next day, so at least they didn’t have a lot to carry. She flicked the switch three more times and again, nothing happened. Finally, Sarah bounced her head back onto the headrest and huffed, Okay. Looks like we’re walking.
Kendra nudged her shoulder and said, Hey, look on the bright side, it’s late, so at least the car broke down here and not 60 miles ago.
Sarah huffed, I know it’s a negative perspective, but really
the car couldn’t make it just one more mile?
Sarah grabbed Shakespeare’s leash from the pocket of her door and popped the trunk. After they’d each grabbed a bag from the open trunk, Sarah slammed it shut and walked around to the back door. She clipped the leash onto the dog’s collar and tugged at him, but he resisted. She kissed at him and tugged again, but the dog pulled back. Kendra stepped up behind her and laughed, I guess he doesn’t want to walk either.
Come on Shakespeare! Sarah commanded with a big yank on the leash as she batted at her blonde locks that were blowing in her face. Finally the dog leaped down from the car and Sarah closed the door.
As they began their journey down the dark road in search of their new home, Sarah ground her teeth at the sound of Kendra’s humming. She seemed to be too at home cheerfully walking down the dark country road with her long red ponytail swinging behind her.
After a few minutes, Kendra’s humming finally stopped as she looked down at Shakespeare. He was thrashing about on the end of his leash, whining as he tried to spin to look into the woods behind them.
Sarah stopped in the road and also turned as she asked the dog what was wrong. Kendra shone the light from her cell phone down onto the dog and under the light, they saw that his stance was defensive and his hackles were raised.
He probably smells a raccoon or something, Kendra whispered.
I don’t know, but I don’t want to stick around to find out, Sarah squeaked. She pulled on Shakespeare’s leash, urging him to come along. The longer she struggled with him, the more uncomfortable she felt. A sensation of unease crept up her body from her toes, climbing her body, making all her nerve endings tingle with awareness and causing every hair on her body to stand on end. Finally, Shakespeare obliged her and began to follow, but no sooner had they all began moving again, a very loud crunch in the woods behind them halted their progress, causing all three of them to stop and turn.
How big are raccoons? Sarah asked through trembling lips.
Not that big, Kendra replied as she started backing away. Do NOT run and don’t make any sudden movements, just back away slowly.
Willing herself to pull her eyes from the trees, Sarah glanced over to Kendra who had her arms extended over her head and her chest puffed out.
What the hell are you doing? She asked as she fixed her eyes back onto the trees.
I’m trying to make myself look bigger. Bigger prey to take down.
Sarah gulped at her words and felt her heart rate pick up. She could feel her blood pumping through every artery, every vein, and her muscles tightened, preparing for flight. She thought it strange that she had never felt so aware, so in touch with her body, until now that her feet felt like they were cemented to the ground, even though her mind was screaming for her to run.
Shakespeare stepped in front of her, growling, hackles still raised, and Sarah focused her eyes in the direction of his stare. In the path of a diminutive sliver of moonlight, she saw a very large, furry being move from behind one tree to another.
Sarah slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp that erupted. Through her fingers, she whispered, Whatever that thing is, it’s huge!
It’s probably a bear. Don’t worry, they very seldom attack unless they feel threatened. Just keep backing away slowly, and make yourself appear harmless but not helpless.
Sarah swallowed hard and thought to herself that she was an innocuous creature, however, the beast in the woods, she was afraid, was not. She followed Kendra’s cue and continued stepping backwards, concentrating on the execution of each step because her trembling legs threatened to allow her to collapse.
Either Shakespeare also understood Kendra’s