Five

     It was a bright sunny afternoon. Kelley and Shawn were playing in the dusty location at the bottom of the front steps. They were happy and content, the horrors of their time in the city seemed far behind them now. The shiny spikey leaves of several nearby trees fluttered in the warm breeze. Several dark, hooked beak black birds called from the branches of these trees. Their reflective eyes gleamed mirror like. Their spikey feathers were stiff and unaffected by the breeze.

     Kevin sat in a tree at the forest edge watching for danger, completely alert. He would protect his own and be proud doing it. Shannon sat on the front porch steps with Glen. Glen was starting to feel like Shannon was his daughter. He felt closer and closer to her all the time. His wife did as well. They both had come to depend on the vampire for so much. And Shannon felt close to Glen and his family as well. They both enjoyed spending quiet time together. This house on the farm made that possible. They were both silent, enjoying the peaceful moment just relaxing, watching the grandkids. They were all gradually becoming aware of the changes in Kelley and Shawn, they were noticeably healthier and stronger. They were no longer pale and sickly. There was no question about it now.

     Glen and Jamie had discussed it privately and they both thought it more likely something that had been altered in them than the changed environment and having plenty of food to eat now. Or it was something in the food that was unnatural that was triggering the change in them, interacting with the radiation and virus that had been blasted into the air and carried around the world with the bombs exploding.

     But since it was a positive change they didn't worry about it but just wondered. Glen and Jamie had figured something in them had to be different since they had survived the nuclear holocaust. It wasn't reasonable to think they were still just regular human beings.

     A stillness suddenly rippled from the forest that swept across the clear space around their home, then swept over the house and them.

     Shannon was instantly on her feet, stiff and alert.

    “What is it Shannon?” Glen asked. Seeing her like this caused him to feel a rush of alarm.

     “Something's coming!” She shot across the field toward the tree line so fast he hardly saw it happen.

     Kevin had dropped from his tree lookout to meet her.

     “Get in the house kids.” Ordered Glen, fearful for their safety. He realized he was moving a lot faster and quicker lately as was his wife Jamie. He wondered at it. They both did. They were feeling younger and healthier. But he couldn't think of that now. He had to get the kids in the house and out of whatever danger was coming.

     Glen's new strength and quickness came in handy now as he rushed to his grandkids. They were still playing, not noticing anything unusual going on. “Kids. Get up. Get inside!”

     “Why Grandpa?” Shawn asked. He didn't look up at his grandfather.

A sign of their improving health was that they weren't so eager to do what they were told which caused Jamie and himself no end to irritation. “Danger!”

     Both kids looked up and around with suddenly wide eyes but they didn't see anything. Since they had started feeling stronger and not sickly anymore they also were a lot less afraid.

    “I see nothing.” Shawn said. He wanted to keep playing. He hated being trapped inside all the time. Kelley didn't like it either. The warm weather called to them to come out to play.

    “Get inside! Both of you! Don't disobey me like this!” Glen tried hard not to yell at them but it was difficult. His heart was pounding in fear now. He had no way of knowing what was coming only that something was coming and it most likely wasn't friendly. He took Shawn by the upper arm and hauled him to his feet. The boy made a loud protesting sound.

     That was when they all heard it. A high pitched trumpeting like sound and something large crashing through the forest.

Reviews

[Craig2591]

This is getting good. It's well told and easy to read. Nice cliffhanger.

[Black Cat Fever]

Ah, something scarry this way comes.

[Star Wolf]

Kids chose the worse times to disobey or do something to put their lives in jeopardy. It's like they loose their common sense. Awesome chapter.

[Wolf's Dark Song]

Now their peace is about to be shattered and a new horror is about to happen. I like the slow build up to this. Excellent chapter.

[Eric Cox]

Nice suspense. Nicely done.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good chapter. I like the intense feel of the situation. I like the good description and open ending. Thank you for the excellent chapter.
Coyote