Avocations

Ferndale

Prologue
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I hear the dogs howling wildly in he night. They are getting closer and I can see the light of flashlights flickering through the trees. My heart is pounding and I can hear the blood beating in my ears. I struggle against the impulse to gasp and instead control my breathing, slowly in, slowly out. I am lying flat but have my arms positioned like a pushup so I can quickly rise if the pursuit turns my way. A distant helecopter washes portions of the wood with light.

I detect a rise in the intensity of the barking. I can hear voices now, shouting to one another and even the breaking of branches as they force thier way through the undergrowth. They are drawing nearer and I know I will need to make another break for it. They will detect me instantly. It would be hopeless to try moving silently through this wood at night.