The soft tones of Petula Clark weave in and out of the treetops throughout the open car window. Past the abandoned munitions plant, two nice couples drive back from dinner and a movie. Steve and Mary cuddle in the backseat talking earnestly about nothing at all. Roger rests his hand on Laura’s knee as he turns the steering wheel of his old station wagon. Suddenly his headlight catches a figure, a man, no not a man, a two legged creature with wings.

Did you see it?

Did you see it?

On his front porch, Newell nurses a jelly jar of moonshine and a few grudges. Bandit sleeps curled at Newell’s feet. All is silent except the the creaking of Newell’s rocking chair on the warped floor boards. Sudden and too loud, a chittering pulses out from the nearby woods. Bandit bristles. The grey muzzled German shepherd growls at the mysterious ocean of rustling. The dog leaps from the porch’s warm light into the darkness. Newell fumbles for his flashlight. Barking incessantly Bandit heads deeper into the night. A frantic flashlight catches a pair of enormous glowing red eyes. The barking stops.

Did you see it?

Did you see it?

A repetitive crunch of metal slicing earth rises from the Rosewood Cemetery. Kenneth takes a long drag of his Viceroy. Dewayne, Louie, and Pat continue to dig. Uncle Albie rests on his shovel. The night sky lurches awake to the slapping of great wings. Seven foot wing span unfurls around laser red eys. . The young men scatter in fear. Hands raised, Uncle Abbie falls to his knees. An inhuman screech cracks across the sky.

Did you see it?

Did you see it?

Mary screams. Roger floors the station wagon racing back to Point Pleasant. Something slashes at the roof of the wagon. Stumbling and shaking, Newell runs inside for his shotgun. Bandit lies motionless. Heavy wings clap. Flashing lights and sirens race to Rosewood. Kenneth helps Uncle Albie to his feet. They run from the shrieking shadow into legend.