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4

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They were all out of breath by the time they made it back to the road. “What the hell was that back there?” Travis asked, trying to catch his breath. Mike shrugged looking like he was trying not to cry. Everyone tried to find something else to look at while he wiped at his eyes.

“I don’t know big mouth what do you think it was? Chris replied.

Travis shot him a look. “Probably, just a fish or some shit jumping out of the water.”

“Big ass fish.” Misty muttered.

Mike whine. “Guys I think I lost my shoe in the swamp.” He said pointing at his feet. Which revealed one muddy shoe and one very muddy sock-clad foot. Misty looked at herself and at the others. They were completely covered in mud. Damn. Forget being able to just wipe down her shoes, now Chris and her were going to have to hide these clothes until there parents left long enough to throw them in the wash.

“Well, do you want to go back and get it?” Travis asked him snidely. Mike shook his head and looked away.

“Whoa, guys we all need to calm down. I mean come on you don’t really think that was a ghost? It had to be someone pulling one over on us.” Misty said, trying to laugh it all off.

They all looked at her. “Who?” Mike asked sounding hopeful.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure someone will take credit for it. I mean I would. Maybe tomorrow we can go back out and check it out. Find out who it was and prank them right back.” She said. Not quite believing it herself but unable to swallow the alternative. After all there was no way in hell they’d just seen a ghost, right? She wondered. 

They all made their way up the street back to the center of town. This time not caring if a car saw them. Of course, at this time of night there were no cars on the road in Beacon Hills. Her dad was always fond of pointing out that the whole town closed down at around eight. She almost wished a car would come by just so there would be some noise and some more light. All the earlier sounds of the night had gone strangely silent. She listened hoping to hear anything besides the sound of their feet on the pavement. Not even a dog barked in the distance.

Almost by silent agreement they decided to walk in the middle of the road away from the woods. As though they were afraid that at any moment something would come out and snatch them up. They didn’t even turn off their flashlights when they made it to Travis and Mikes street. The two of them practically running to their respective houses.

“We could walk around.” Chris suggested as they stood looking into the dark woods separating them from their nice, safe house.

Misty shook her head. “No, we might as well get this over with. Besides like it or not this is the fastest way.” Putting one foot in front of the other, she took the first steps into the wooded path. Leaving, Chris to have to catch up. Even though their flashlights illuminated the path in front of them, it still felt that on all sides shadows were closing in. They walked briskly almost at a run, neither one of them wanting to spend more time in the woods than they had too.

Suddenly, there came a loud crunch to the right of them. Like someone or something stepping on a stick. They stopped and shined their flashlights all around, trying to find the culprit. “What was that?” Chris hissed, as they looked around.

“How should I know?” Misty replied. They didn’t see anything. “We are getting as bad as Mike out here.” She said with a small laugh. More from nerves than actual humor.

“Guess you're right.” Chris replied, still shining his light around.

The sound of movement came from out in the woods. The sound of something big, moving slowly, knocking things out if its path as it does so. More twigs snapped and a sudden cold wind cut through the humid night air raising goosebumps on both of the siblings.  They shivered and looked at one another. Whatever was moving around in the woods was getting closer. Something told Misty that under no circumstances did she want to see it. She nodded at Chris and they took off running. Not, sprinting, not jogging, but honest to God pedal to the metal running. At one point Misty had to remind herself to breathe. This must be how rabbits feel when the hounds are after them, she couldn't help but think.

With every step they took, the sound of movement in the woods seemed to get louder. Neither one of them knew if whatever was making the sounds was chasing them. But, only because neither one of them would look back. They could see their house and pushed on. Chris drew up short and wheeled around to catch Misty before they both shot through the front door.

“What?” She gasped completely out of breath. The outside light above them flickering and for a moment they both stood still as they waited for it to go out. They both sighed in relief when it didn't.

Chris too, was out of sorts. He kept looking behind them, but there was nothing there. Perhaps, it had been their imagination after all.  “Look, we can’t go running into the house and banging around do you want to get in trouble?” He whispered, doing his best not to raise his voice.

Misty wanted to kick herself for forgetting. The last thing she wanted to do was make a bad night even worse. Hell, the last thing either of them needed right now was to be chewed out by their parents. Instead, they walked to the back of the house and took their shoes and socks off in the shed. That way there wouldn’t be any questions  and they wouldn’t track mud in the house. Then using old rags they did their best to get some of the mud off. It didn't work too well. Misty was just glad she hadn’t worn anything nice, because she honestly doubted a lot of the thick, black mud that seemed to be clinging to them was going to come out. Especially, since it was going to have the rest of the night to dry.

Either way, they didn’t breathe easy until they closed and locked the back door of the house. Putting, the woods and the swamp behind them as they marched quietly up the stairs and off to their own bedrooms.