Fire at Dusk: Part 1

Two solitary streams of sunlight illuminated a figure who sat perched on a massive granite slab, the fiery ether setting the silhouette ablaze. The final beams of light faded, leaving the dim twilight and the outline which burned on, despite the nouveau darkness.

***

The clatter of crunching underbrush and snapping twigs filled the darkened forest. Two figures stumbled through the undergrowth. The one man tripped over a large branch which had been obscured by the darkness. “Dammit Roger, I told you we ain't had enough time to get back before dusk,” the man said.

“Well Buck, if you had taken your head out of yer ass for long 'nough to take care of business proper then we wouldn't be out here in the first place,” said Roger.

“I told ya before, Shirley Sue asked me to help her out for a few and you known I got a sweet spot fer 'er”.

“Then it serves ya right fer lettin' yer...” Roger's voice cut out as a shriek pierced the ears of the two travelers. The men froze mid stride as though time itself had been split by the noise.

“What the 'ell was that?” Buck whispered.

“Trouble and I ain't stickin' 'round to figure out what kind,” Roger whispered back, doubling the pace they previously had been traveling at.

The two figures gained speed as they hurried through the forest, hardly uttering as they half tripped, half dodged trees and branches. As they neared their destination, Buck glanced behind and saw a figure, which seemed to glow faintly.

“Holy shit! Behind us! Go go go!”

Roger glanced behind to witness the same sight which his brother had observed. The two ran faster. Fear filled their veins and their haggard breathing filled their ears. Just a little ahead was an meadow. From their they would be able to make it to the cabin.