Masquerade by Cambria Hebert Page B

glanced at the door to the church. I
could do this. I sprang forward running as fast as I could toward
the door, but something leapt in front of me blocking my way. I
skidded to a stop, and it prowled closer. It was so dark I couldn’t
tell what it was, but I knew that it was
an animal, possibly a rabid dog. It was huge; its hulking shape was
terrifying in the dark. It was a dark color – most likely black – because it blended in
so well with the night. It peeled back its lips and pure white
flashed in the night. I stifled a whimper when I took in the size
of its fangs. It made sounds that I only heard on Animal Planet and
the hairs on my arms stood up. Slowly, I
backed away, but it followed.
    “ Nice doggie.” I said,
trying to get the animal to realize I wasn’t a threat and run
away.
    It lunged. I squealed and
took off toward the dumpster, jumping onto the ladder built on the
side. I scrambled up as the animal snapped at my
heel s. Without looking back I jumped into
the piles of trash and froze, trying to make as little noise as
possible. A loud bang sent the metal of the dumpster vibrating
around me. Again and again the animal barged into the side of the
container. Was it trying to leap in after me? The inhuman sounds
that keened through the night were somewhere between a growl and a
scream. Agonizing fear rolled through me and I slapped my hands
over my ears as tears rolled down my cheeks. Why was this
happening? The metal of the dumpster was humming from the force of
the hits; I was sure I would feel the force in my bones tomorrow.
That is, if I lived until tomorrow.
    Suddenly, everything went quiet. I prayed the animal had given up and
gone away.
    I couldn’t bring myself to
climb out and see. I was paralyzed with fear and terrified of
getting attacked. Slowly, I lowered my hands away from my ears and
swiped at my tears. It was still there. I
could hear it standing on the other side of the dumpster breathing.
What was it doing? Why had it stopped? From nearby another sound
cut through the dark. A long, lingering howl followed by a snarl
that set me to shaking all over again. The animal just outside the
dumpster made an answering sound – almost like a challenge; then it slammed itself
into the side of the metal again, and I screamed. My scream set off
another angry snarl, and I heard whatever else was out there race
forward. The sound of bodies slamming together and gnashing teeth
terrified me all over again, and I tried to sink even further into
the filth that filled the container. Garbage was preferable to the
beast that lingered outside. And what was even worse?
    Now there seemed to be two of
them.

 
     
    Sam
     
    The interior of the truck
smelled like her. For me it was a scent that once tasted, I would
never forget and something I would always seek out. Until I laid
eyes on her I never thought feelings like this were real. Before her my life was a
barren landscape. A world in black and white. Even as a child
nothing seemed as vivid as it does now.
    The first time I saw her
had been an accident. I was racing through the woods, attempting to
run away from what I am, from the life I lived. Before I even heard
her, I caught her scent and I was lost. I stopped running and
turned, seeking out what called to me. When I found her my life
changed.
    She was riding a horse,
the animal was large and powerful looking, but it was she who
commanded the attention. She was sitting in the saddle full of
confidence and grace. Her light blond hair floated out around her
and flirted with the breeze. It had been late summer and her skin
was kissed by the sun; she was wearing a top that bared her
shoulders and arms.
    As I watched, the horse seemed to
sense my presence and dance beneath the canopy of green the trees
provided. In fluid, calm movements she leaned forward and spoke
stroking her hand along the horse’s neck.
    “ Settle, Jasper. We’re
safe.”
    Envy speared through me. I
wanted to be that horse. I wanted her to