Hiking Trip

The whhhhiind wound it’s wicked way through the snarl of broken skeleton like branches. In what was left of the dredges of dusky light it tore past the ancient rotting knot holes protruding from the bristling bark of Grandfather Oaks, creating a whistling, haunting sound that sent shivers up and down her spine. Old dead leaves lifting in sudden bursts of whirlwinds from the darkening forest carpet of pepper brush and poison oak rustled and rushed past touching her face as if trying to direct her attention to the dark void of the forest into which those long dead leaves disappeared. She stopped. She must keep going but fear was paralyzing her. A quote from JRR Tolkien buzzed in and out of her frightened mind…..“Still round the corner there may wait .. a new road or a secret gate…” It reiterated itself over and over in her mind. ….. Sounds. There were sounds beside ..and inside the wind.. It was more than creaking branches.. more than rustling leaves and whistling wind tunneling through the mazes of old dead moss covered bony trees. It was more felt than heard but …it was heard …a practically palpable sound… but elusive. It … the sound… created itself when she walked… it came from above and behind her. It stopped when she stopped….except for …except for …the breathing. She could feel it ..breathing. She thought to turn her collar up and cover her neck. Oh so scared ! Frozen scared! So alone! How do I get out of here!! It’s so cold! And then… she practically fainted as ..she …she felt it! The unmistakable Ssslow hot ..breath ..rasping ..on the back of her neck! … DAM IT ALL SUSAN !! WOULD YOU WAKE TA HECK UP AND GET OUTA BED! YOU’RE GONNA BE LATE FOR YOUR CAMPING TRIP!!!