Lightning flashed, and the boys ran, pumping their legs as hard as they could.
“Did you see that?” the first cried.
“No, and neither did you! Keep running!”
“I can’t,” came the reply. “I’ve got to stop for a sec.”
They dropped behind a fallen log and sucked air in ragged gasps, the panic of their flight showing its toll on them. Blood roared in their ears as their scared and exhausted bodies tried to compensate for the brutal run.
“Was that what I think it was?” the first asked. The reply came as a nod. “How can that be? I thought they were just legend?”
The second shook his head. “I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter now. We just have to get away. Ready?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Good. We’re almost there.”
They stood to run again, and another flash of lightning illuminated the shadow looming over them, arms outstretched, a wooden pole shoved up its back. They screamed, and the thunder boomed.
In the morning, the ring of scarecrows circling the town had increased by two.
[Originally posted on Ficly.]
