“It’s impossible to describe the sheer terror we felt…” no truer words could have been said about that night as I thought back to the events leading up to a night we will never forget.

It was the seventh and final day before we would be heading home in the morning. We decided to dedicate the day to fun not that the previous days weren’t fun but we were going to attempt to top them. It was hot out and Shane decided to go through some of his old things from his childhood and located water balloons and a water balloon sling shot along with his old lazier tag sets. We filled the water balloons and played a game where most of the group would stand on one side of the yard near the front porch and we would send two people a few yards away on the other side of the yard near the garden then we would slingshot a water balloon over there and the two people standing there would try to catch it. After the water balloons were all gone we had lunch which was grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and potato chips. After that the boys decided to go into the woods to play lazier tag. My friends and I retreated back into the air conditioned house and compiled a few moves to watch Sandlot being one of them along with Pirates of the Caribbean and Top Gun. When they got back Shane asked if we wanted to go on a walk before dinner and we all agreed. We just decided that we would walk down the road awhile. As we walked along we were talking and joking with each other and we sort of lost track of time.

It was dusk when we decided to head back and it didn’t take long before we were in almost complete darkness the only light being the full moon. We were still a fair distance from the house when we herd the high pitched howls along with some yipping and barking sounds. “It’s ok sounds like they are behind us.” said Shane but no sooner had he said this than we hear howls from ahead of us and then from the east and west as well. There was no telling how many there were but it sounded like a lot

“Are those all one pack?” Jeff asked

“Doubtful coyote packs aren’t that big I think we are dealing with multiple packs.” Shane said then continued saying “Keep heading towards the house and stay close.”

As we walked I could see dark silhouettes darting amongst the darkened trees and a image of Gmork with his glowing green eyes and razor sharp fangs leaping forward to kill Atreyu flashed through my mind. I cling a little closer to Draya and she squeezes my hand reassuringly. As we continue steadily towards the house we hear more high pitched howls and also barks and yipping that sound very close by. Suddenly a cloud moves over the moon plunging us into darkness a few of my friends I’m not quite sure which ones have taken out their phones and are using the flashlights on the phones to provide us with light and yet the sounds of the coyotes are coming closer. At one point the flashlight of one of my friends catches at least two coyotes trailing us “Don’t run…” Shane warns “…if you run they see you as pray and chase you also if five of you can continue to face them that would be helpful.” We linked hands Brain, Raquel, Forest, Jeff and Phil facing the coyotes backing away from them as we all keep making our way to the house. Then it is in sight but something else is in sight too. Four coyotes standing by the side of the road. We momentarily pause as do the coyotes who are trailing us as we begin to back away into Shane’s yard. The coyotes fallow but only to the edge of the road. For some reason they won’t seem to pass that threshold into Shane yard. We back all the way up to Shane’s front door and the instant it opened all thoughts of moving slow are forgotten and we are rushing and scrambling to get inside. I am surprised we didn’t trip and fall over each other with how hasty we were trying to get inside. Shane shuts the door and locks it.

As we sat at the dining room table with a meal of roast beef and vegetables in front of us we discussed the ordeal we had just experienced.

“That was the scariest thing I have ever been through ever.” Kelsey said

“I agree I won’t be able to go outside at night for a week.” said Tracy

“A week it’s going to take me a month maybe more!” Hallie exclaimed

“Why were they fallowing us anyway?” Phil inquired

“If I had to guess I think they were just curious big group of us they probably thought we were a herd of some strange animals.” said Jeff

“They were probably wondering if we were food or a threat or competition.” Forest said

“I don’t know how I am going to get any sleep tonight.” Raquel said

We fall silent for a moment at the sound of high pitched yips and howls but they are far away in the distance now.

“I hope they don’t keep that up all night.” Kelsey complained.

“First thing tomorrow I am installing a floodlight or two in my yard and looking up dogs that can ward off coyotes and then I’m gonna purchase a pup or three of that breed.” Shane said

“One thing is for sure…” I said “It’s impossible to describe the sheer terror we felt…” no truer words could have been said about that night.

The end to be continued in story titled Overnight Storm