Wormwood Dawn (Episode VIII) by Edward Crae

into the sky.
    “That’s a chimney,” Dan said. “It’s gotta be.”
    But then, Dan lowered the scope to try and follow the trail to it, seeing several blobs of heat near the edge of the lot.
    “Shit,” he whispered.
    “What is it?”
    “There are heat signatures outside behind the windmill.”
    “What do they look like?”
    Dan shook his head. “I’m not sure, but they might be coyotes. And I’m pretty damn sure no natural coyote is out hunting, especially not a whole dozen of them.”
    Gena stepped off the crate, slapping a magazine in her rifle. “Let’s get rid them.”

Chapter Eight
    “Are you sure they’re just coyotes, man?” Travis asked as Dan, Gena, Drew, and Cliff bundled up.
    “Not just coyotes,” Dan said. “Coyotes usually don’t stand in a line and stare.”
    “Aw, shit,” Travis exclaimed.
    “I’m coming, too,” Eric said, pulling on his coat.
    “Alright,” Dan said. “Everybody ready?”
    They all nodded and followed Dan out the back door. They went through the gap on the left side of Travis’ shed, approaching the container door.
    “Stay quiet,” Dan said. “They can hear really well, and these mutants can see in the dark. We can’t.”
    Dan switched on his rifle light. The others did the same. Dan quietly opened the gate and they all went through the container. Outside, Dan turned left, but walked in a wide arc toward the front corner of the office. He shined his light toward the windmill, seeing dozens of pairs of eyes. He quickly shut off his light.
    “That was a bad idea,” he said, switching on his IR.
    “How many do you see?” Drew asked.
    “At least fifteen,” Dan said. “Maybe twenty.”
    “Jesus Christ,” Cliff said. “They’re having a fucking party.”
    “Sorry kids,” Drew said. “Party’s over.”
    “I wonder why they’re here,” Toni said. “Nothing new is happening.”
    “Maybe they’re just hungry,” Dan offered. “All the animals in the forest probably froze to death.”
    A chorus of growls rumbled in the distance, telling Dan that the creatures were prepared to charge. He looked toward the front of the office, seeing that the camera was pointed straight ahead toward the windmill. From his position, no one inside could see him. They needed the light on so they could see.
    Maybe he could make it to the camera’s POV if he ran fast enough.
    “Stay here,” he told everyone. “If they start charging, start shooting.”
    “I can’t see shit,” Toni said.
    “Exactly,” Dan said, rising up to a crouching position.
    “Where are you going?” Cliff asked.
    “Just wait,” Dan replied. “I’ll be right back.”
    Without another word, he took off running. The growls increased in ferocity, and his heart suddenly started pounding in terror. He knew they could rip him to shreds. He ignored that thought, though, and began jumping up and down waving his arms when he reached the camera’s view.
    “Shit,” he said when nothing happened.
    He switched on his light and pointed it right at the camera. Behind him, he could hear the crunching of the creatures moving forward over the snow. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he turned and ran back to the others.
    “What the fuck was that?” Cliff said.
    Just as Cliff finished his question, the bright flood light switched on, illuminating the lot. Dan grinned, nodding to the others.
    “Now we’re even,” he said.
    A dozen pairs of eyes began moving erratically, as if the light had startled them. Many of them disappeared into the shadows beyond the windmill. As the group listened, they could only the light howling of the wind.
    “What’s going on?” Drew asked. “I’m about to shit my pants.”
    Several more pairs of eyes ducked away, and Dan looked at his companions. They looked with an equal amount of confusion. Maybe the light had scared them away. Dan sighed with relief. It was too damn cold out to battle a bunch of mutant coyotes.
    “I think they’re leaving,” he