EXCERPT:
Chapter One:
The temperatures dropped drastically on that December evening as the winds picked up speed, whipping into Greenwood Lake, NY with a biting edge. Within minutes, the ground and grassy surfaces were covered with snow and the Weather Channel announced the storm of the decade. Orange County was expected to receive close to 36 inches of snow over the next two days, and the winds would classify the storm as a blizzard.
Linda Murphy parked her Jeep in her driveway, opened the hatchback and grabbed three bags from her grocery shopping. Making her way quickly to the front door, she slipped and almost fell on the icy walkway. Once inside, she dropped the bags onto the mudroom floor and played with the switch for the outdoor flood light. Cursing when the light refused to illuminate, she made her way back outdoors for the remainder of the bags.
With the winds picking up speed, she could barely see the Jeep she parked twenty- feet away. Rolling her eyes up to the ceiling in silent protest, she slowly walked toward the Jeep. The wind nipped at her face and bit the tips of her ears. She wondered why she decided to sport the latest, short haircut. For the first time in weeks she missed her long hair.
Pausing in her driveway, she put on the hood of her jacket and continued her journey to the tailgate of the Jeep. Slipping and sliding on the coating of snow that decorated the neighborhood, she grunted over the possibility of falling on her butt. Grabbing two more grocery bags, she noticed the snow was already accumulating into measurable quantities.
Letting out a sigh, she regretted waiting until the last minute before doing her shopping. The storm warning, released by the media two days before, didn’t deter the procrastinator inside her. Waiting until the storm began before tackling her grocery shopping, she found that she wasn’t alone in her quest for batteries, milk and eggs. The lines were long, the cashiers tired and the children celebrating the closing of school.
Turning to make her way back into the house, she heard a scream. Standing still, she listened. Looking up and down the road, she saw nothing but blinding snow. Passing it off as a howl of the wind, she ran inside, dropped off the bags and made her way back outside for the remainder. Carefully walking down the three stone steps near her front door, she slipped twice on the circular, snow-covered driveway on her way to the Jeep. Picking up in intensity, the wind nipped at her skin. She dug her feet into the snow for traction, dragging them, to speed up her trip to the vehicle.
The sound of a shrill-like scream filled the air. Chills shot up her spine. Running to the Jeep, she grabbed the last two bags, slammed down the hatchback and ran toward the house.
I need to get the hell inside! That was not the wind!
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement on the roof of her house.
Looking up, she tried to see what was going on but the heavy snow made it nearly impossible to see anything. She blinked as her eyelashes caught the fresh powder. Removing her hood, she moved her arm over her brow to block the falling precipitation. On the roof, she saw two dark blobs.
What is that?
Gasping, she saw dark figure standing erect. It was swinging a limp object in its hands.
What is that? Is that a person? Can’t be.
Suddenly, it lifted the object in its hand, and threw it directly at her, knocking her to the floor. Coming down on the concrete drive, she fell with a thud. The object rolled off of her shoulders and rested on top of her legs. Losing the groceries from her clutches, she saw a single tomato fall from the plastic bag, roll down the slippery walkway and lose itself inside of the snow. Her feet were stuck under something.
Something is on me!
Furiously kicking her legs, the object rolled from her feet and lay limp in the white powder, ten feet from where she had fallen. Crawling, she moved closer to the dark lump. The snow was falling faster, as the winds began to howl. She screamed upon recognizing the object as her elderly neighbor, Emma. Using her hands as leverage, she pushed herself to her feet.
Anxiety devoured her body; her body began to shake. Screaming, her sounds ran with the howls of nature. Although only a few steps from her front door, she knew there was no chance to escape it. Standing before her, the dark figure looked down at her. One move of its massive arm sliced through her coat and sweater, exposing her flesh. Feeling liquid drip down her body’s chest cavity, she moved her hands to the warmth.
It hurts.
Unable to stand, she fell to her knees. Her screams echoed throughout the valley. The creature crouched over her, and plucked out her throat, cutting off her scream.
For Linda, it was over within minutes. A feral howl released itself from the creature. The snow fell faster. Silence filled the valley.
COMING IN 2010
Copyright © 2008 - 2009 Maryann Paige - All Rights Reserved.
Text and Media may not be reproduced without written permission.
Wolf Strap
