Welcome to Free Books For Kids .com

They heard the first howls that night after finding the lost boy. Nobody thought anything about them other than that they sounded very strange for that part of the country. No wolves had lived around there for years. When it was reported to the camp counselors they brought everybody together for an emergency meeting. The counselors explained it was probably a bunch of teenagers playing recordings on loud speakers. Another theory was that it was someone who had moved into the area who had wolves for pets. In any case it was certainly not a pack of real wolves but just to show an abundance of caution they told everyone to use the buddy system whenever doing anything including going to the bathroom. That meant you took someone with you whenever you went to the bathroom, or to the snack machines or anywhere else. What was scary about the howls was that the few kids that lived in areas where there are wolves, claimed these howls were different. They sounded like they came from bigger animals. Once once of the kids said that it just a matter of time before somebody else brought up the dogmen. Dogmen were fairly recent to the world of boogymen, leprechauns, bigfoot and the many other mythical creatures and bad guys which littered American folklore. The first one to become well-known was probably the one in Michigan which they called the beast of Bray road. It is said to have the head of a wolf and the body of a human being. Long sharp teeth with amber or blue eyes, a snout that is as long as a German Shepard with wide shoulders like a man and a thin waist with legs that have knees that bend the opposite way than knees on a human being. Some say they are migrant and never stay in one area for a long period. Others say they live in a different dimension and travel through our world on their way to another. Most say it is all a fairy tale. On that warm night at Cherokee campground it did not sound like a fairy tale. The howls were all too real and all too scary. As the night grew later even the kids which made fun of the dogmen, were no longer making fun. Everyone was scared. The counselors stayed up all night and patrolled the campground. Nothing ever came of the howls so the next day a meeting was called and they talked about sending everyone home. A man who claimed to be from the corporate office, whatever that meant, showed up mid-afternoon and joined the discussion. He said they were bringing in armed guards to each campground even though nothing had happened beyond a lot of howling. The man was able to talk everyone into staying. The corporate office also sent out cake and ice cream for everyone. A small celebration was enjoyed and nobody gave the dogmen much more thought. That is, until it was time for bed. Everyone waited to hear the howls and they did come, but not to the extent that they had happened the night before. This time they sounded further away and there were less of them. The counselors decided that the security guards, all two of them, were enough to patrol the campground. So they slept through the night. In fact everyone slept through the night. Nobody was allowed to go on hikes or to leave the campground the next day. Games like kickball, basketball, football and tag were organized to help pass the time. The campground supplied a nice lunch, which usually the kids had to make their own. The day finally passed and that night there were even less howls that sounded even further away than before. As such the next day the ban was lifted and the kids were again allowed to go on canoe rides, fishing, hiking and all the fun things you can do at a summer camp. The only catch was nobody was allowed to stay out camping away from camp Cherokee. Everybody had to check in before dark. The four friends sat outside their tent discussing what to do that day “Its going to be hot. We could go swimming at the swimming pond here at Cherokee, with all the other kids crowding in there. Or we could head over to the crevice pond. Maybe he will be there.” Noah said. “Maybe they will be there too.” Ohpra said. “Those howls were real.” “Yeah but they have been getting further away every night.” Rev said in defense of the crevice pond. “Besides the chance the howlers would be over there is unlikely. They wouldn’t risk falling into the pit which is a risk, unless the climbing rope we left attached to that tree, is used. But I don’t see the wolves being smart enough, or capable of using the rope to swing across the crevice.” “What if there is another way up there from the other side?” BG said. “We never explored beyond the pond. It is entirely possible there is another way up there from the back side.” “Even if there is, it doesn’t mean that the howlers would be using it. Or that they’d even know about it.” Noah said. “Then again, Big Hairy found his way up there.” “Yeah, but maybe that’s how he ended up in the pit. He tried to walk across a fallen tree to get across, slipped and ended up trapped.” BG replied. “All the more reason to think the time when we saw him at the pond that he might have used another way to get there.” Rev argued. “Well are we going to go to the crevice pond or stay here and swim?” Ohpra asked. “I had a ton of fun with Hairy. I think its worth the travel time to go to the crevice pond. If Hairy isn’t there well … at least we will have Opes all to ourselves.” Rev said. “I always said you were the smart one of our bunch.” Noah said, patting Rev on the back. “I like the way you think.” “Knock it off or I will do it for you.” Ohpra threatened. “Better get used to it.” BG said. “It will only get worse the older you get.” “Only until your twenty-five.” Rev said. “Then you got to plan on settling down.” “Where did you get that timeline?” Ohpra asked. “My sister. She says she can party until she’s twenty-five but then she has to concentrate on choosing a good man to marry. She says if you don’t get married by the time you’re in your thirties that it is unlikely you will ever marry. She says a woman over the age of forty has a better chance of being killed by a terrorist than getting married.” “Geez Rev, you’re a real glass half full kind of guy.” Ohpra said. “Don’t blame me. I didn’t make up that statistic. I just am repeating what my sister said. I’m pretty sure she didn’t make that up though because she was major bummed when she told me about it.” “Hey Rev, I’ll marry your sister.” BG offered. “I’m sure that will brighten her day, Gupper. What will be her official title? Mrs Big Gulp?” “Lets get going. I’m looking forward to swinging over the crevice and hitting that cool water.” Noah said excitedly. . The four friends let camp Cherokee that morning and arrived at the place where they could swing across the crevice that separated the main part of the mountain from the rest of it. “Seems spookier today.” BG said, standing next to where they had tied the rope off so that it didn’t end up hanging over the crevice where nobody could reach it. “Here No, you can go first.” Noah took the rope in his hand and sneered at BG while saying, “Thanks Beege! Your courage leaves me speechless.” Then Noah swung across the divide and landed safely on the other side. The others took their turns. Each enjoyed the splendor of swinging in and out of the sunlight as it was periodically blocked by leaves. Where they were at the sunlight had not yet been able to reach in full force so it was still cool especially when you were swinging which caused a breeze. By the time the four friends had climbed back up to where the pond was located they were all ready for a dip into the cool water. Big Hairy was no where in sight. Everybody was disappointed but they held out hope maybe he would show up later in the day. “I wish he had told us how to contact him if it wasn’t an emergency.” Ohpra said. “But I’m pretty sure what he taught us was just for emergencies. Like when the little boy was lost. The call brought several of them. None of which were Hairy.” “Yeah, we will learn to communicate as time passes. I mean, that is, if we ever see him again.” Rev said. “I hope we do.” “Its lunch time. Lets fix the hotdogs.” Ohpra said. “Maybe the smell of my cooking will bring Hairy around.” “Cooking? Is that what we are doing?” BG said, while gathering up some sticks of wood that were brittle so they would be sure to burn easily. “Burning. Warming. Scalding. Oh, and under cooking. Now those words I would agree with. But cooking? You’re very generous dear.” “Generous is right. Beyond generous actually.” Ohpra said slyly. Rev saw the shot coming so he set her up. “How’s that Opes?” “I’m letting BG hang out with me aren’t I?” She said smiling. “You know I’m kidding you Gupper. What I meant to say was that WE are generous because WE are letting you hang out with US!” Everybody laughed. They got the fire going and opened one of the two packages of hotdogs they had brought. After the last time they decided to start carrying an extra package of hotdogs in case Hairy ate with them again. That dude could pack them away. “Hey look. Hairy’s back.” Rev said, pointing at the bigfoot swimming across the pond to where they were all eating hotdogs.
“See BG, my cooking did bring him back.” Ohpra said laughing. She immediately pulled out the second package of hotdogs and proceeded to get them all stuck on the end of a stick so she could cook them over the fire. They were the picture of happiness. The four friends sitting around a campfire eating hotdogs with their new friend Big Hairy, the bigfoot. They had the pond next to their campfire. Things couldn’t have been better. After waiting a while for their food to settle, everyone went swimming again. Once again Hairy would throw them up in the air and they would splash back down. The three boys decided to try and get on each other’s shoulder’s so they could wrestle Ohpra who was riding on the shoulders of Hairy. The boys lost. The friends talked to Hairy not knowing if he understood what they were saying. The bigfoot did have a language but it was not one that was close to anything the friends spoke. They thanked Hairy for the emergency call because it had saved the lost little boy. They also warned Hairy that there might be something evil around. “Beware the dogmen!” BG said sincerely. “They are said to migrate and this is the time they are passing through our area.” “I think he can handle any darn ol’ dogman that comes around.” Rev said. “Sides, they aren’t real anyways.” “Yeah, what’s been doing the howling recently then?” Ohpra said accusingly. “Sure isn’t just the wind.” “I have to agree with Opes on this one.” Noah said. “Something is definitely making those howling noises. Be careful Hairy. Wolves tend to run in packs. If you run into one, beware, there may be more around.” “Speaking of being careful. Its getting on towards sunset. We should be back in the campground when the sun sets.” Rev said. “So we should probably start back soon. Hairy I hope you come back out and swim with us again.” The bigfoot put his big arm around Rev for a second. Then he gave the other kids each a semi-hug and took off. The friends climbed back down to where they used the rope to swing across the divide that separated the two parts of the mountain. Noah was the last of the four to swing back across to the side of the crevice where they would climb back up a ways and then head for the campground called Cherokee. Once again they would have to travel through some really dark stretches before getting back to Cherokee campground. Through every stretch of darkness caused by the overgrowth of trees, the four friends expected to hear some howls. Then if they didn’t make themselves think of something else, the image of the dogman would appear in their minds. He was seven feet tall with wide shoulders and a thin waist. Hands similar to humans, the beast had the head of a German Shepard. It had long, razor-sharp teeth that dripped saliva when it barred them behind snarled lips. Dark yellow eyes that had no kindness or mercy in them. “One more stretch of darkness and we’ll be back at Cherokee campground.” Rev said. “Remember what happened to us last time we made it to the last stretch.” Ohpra said fearfully. “Now I wish we had left earlier so we wouldn’t be in so much darkness.” “We’re going to be fine.” Noah said, looking around the forest. “Stay calm, keep moving. No sense in being too loud either.” “Copy that.” GB said. Then he reached into his pack and pulled out his canteen, pouring it on the ground as they walked through the dark forest. “What are you doing?” Rev asked. “Ditching excess weight in case we have to run for it.” BG replied. “I doubt that is going to be the difference.” Noah said. The other three emptied their canteens too. ————– Chapter —————————– They arrived back at camp Cherokee just in time for the howls to start becoming consistent. There had been something moving in the forest surrounding the path that led back to the campground. “Something moved ahead of us.” Noah said as they entered the part of the path that was completely dark due to such thickness of trees and their overhead canopy. “Not feeling like its all rainbows and unicorns.” Ohpra said. A howl was heard in the distance. BG reached into his pack and produced a flashlight. “After our last walk home in these dark pathways I decided to bring a flashlight with me.” He shined the light ahead of them and then behind, then back ahead again. “Good man!” Rev said. “I am not sure I have ever loved you more Beege.” “Ditto.” Ohpra parroted A noise in the darkness to their right from a dead branch being stepped on caused everyone to jump and BG to point the flashlight in that direction. There was the briefest of flashes of movement seen. “Did you guys see that?” Ohpra asked . “Stay calm. Keep moving.” Noah said. “Not a problem No, in fact its all I can do to keep from running.” BG said. Noah attempted to keep things light. “Bad idea Beege. In case you weren’t aware, the rest of us emptied our canteens too. Do I have to point out you have never outrun any of us in all the time we have known you. Not even that time your mom drove by the baseball field and said that your favorite dinner was ready and all your friends were invited but there was only enough for three. Although I will admit that day was the only time I ever saw you run anywhere without having to stop and rest halfway there.” “You did make pretty good time Beege.” Rev said. “I remember I didn’t even have time to finish my meal before you came busting in hollering how you were there and not to give away your favorite dinner. I felt so bad I almost gave you half of mine. … Almost.” Ohpra couldn’t hold back laughter. It put them all more at ease. “What’s so funny Opes?” Rev asked, wanting to keep the conversation, any conversation, going. It kept his mind off what might be just out of reach in the darkness. “I couldn’t help but remember the time BG kissed my aunt but was trying to get all of us to believe he almost kissed her, but didn’t. It was a twist on the old switch the kisser with the back side of a dog. Anyways Beege, I have a confession to tell you. I know we told you it was really my seventy-five year old aunt that weighs two-eighty and that we’re pretty sure five of those pounds are lipstick, but it was really me. I just loaded up on the same color lipstick as Auntie and told her to wink at you the next time she saw you. It was really me that you kissed that day. You spent that next month brushing your teeth ten times a day for nothing.” Noah laughed and interrupted. “Oh I wouldn’t say it was for nothing. BG never had better smelling breath.” “I think Auntie was starting to come around too.” Ohpra said being silly. “I think it was because of that time you had something in your eye and she thought you were winking back at her.” “Is that the sure-shot way of winning a woman’s heart?” Rev asked Ohpra. “Only if you have the many charms that a guy nicknamed Big Gulp, would have. In your case Rev I would suggest simple and honest begging. A pile of money next to you wouldn’t hurt either.” Ohpra said. She was having fun kidding her friends but her eyes didn’t stop searching the path ahead for any sign of trouble. BG’s flashlight began to fail. That made Noah start laughing which became infectious and soon they were all laughing. “What’s so funny anyway?” BG asked. “Only you would have thought to bring a flashlight but not to check to see if the batteries were charged.” Noah laughed. “If you had brought a gun, you’d have left the ammo sitting at home. Only you.” There were more noises in the surrounding forest but the four friends arrived at camp Cherokee unharmed. The howling had been increasing ever since they heard the first one. They seemed to be coming from everywhere. Now the friends were left to wonder if those noises had been associated with the howling. Camp counselors and the two security guards were all out patrolling the campground. The kids were all outside of their tents unsure of what to do? Some were crying. Others attempted to console the criers. Through all that the howls continued. The four friends gathered outside their tent. “Get the night vision goggles.” Noah said to Rev. “On it.” Rev replied. He disappeared into the tent for a minute and then came back out holding night vision goggles. Rev put them on and was immediately shocked at what he saw. There were three of them. They were tall. Standing on two legs like men, but with the heads of a dog or wolf. They were spread out in the forest beyond the campground. Suddenly came howls from the other side of the campground. Rev tried to see what was out that way but it was too far for the goggles to be of any use. “I see three bogies here on our side. Much closer than you’d have thought. They are spread out and using the trees to hide their presence. Obviously from the new howls coming from the other side of the campground, we are surrounded. I cannot however see the beasts on the far side of the compound.” Rev announced. “What are we going to do?” Ohpra asked, looking around fretfully. “Stay calm for starters.” Noah ordered. “Nothing good comes from panic. So far they are keeping their distance from the open ground. Just keep your head. We should keep vigil on our lookout too. If we see one getting close, we’ll cry out for the counselors or security guards.” “Well they are moving in closer all the time.” Rev said, looking through his night vision goggles. “They are taking their time and being careful to stay hidden but they are moving in our direction.” “Too bad we don’t have any of those dog whistles.” BG said. “So they’d know exactly where to go to kill us?” Rev asked. “I thought they hurt a dogs hearing.” BG replied. “Maybe so, but considering these are not dogs, but dogmen, they might just use the whistle as a way to find you in the dark. Still want a whistle?” Ohpra asked. “On second thought.” BG said. “I think I would rather take my chances using a hatchet-hammer or fillet knife.” “We need weapons.” Noah cried. “We need Hairy!” BG said, grabbing up a baseball bat. “Point me to the nearest tree.” “I’m all for that.” Ohpra said. “Me too!” Rev agreed. BG walked over to the nearest tree and gave it three whacks. The four friends followed that up by saying in unison, “Woop! Woop!” They waited and nothing happened for about ten minutes. Just the darkness and the howling. Then there was the sound of a dog being hurt. Something gave out a loud yelp followed by some whimpering. The next thing the four friends knew; their friend Big Hairy was standing in front of them. All ten feet of him. One of the kids staying in a nearby tent came over. “Wow! I didn’t think they were real.” He said. “Easy mistake to make.” BG said, like he was suddenly the authority on bigfoot. “The reason people make it is because bigfoot is mostly a nocturnal creature. Simplified that means he sleeps during the day. When you consider how poorly human beings see at night it is not that much of a mystery why humans never see bigfoot. They are hard to see during the day time when in their surroundings because they blend in. If you add darkness into the equation, the mystery becomes how humans are aware of them at all?” “Forgive BG, he tends to rattle on when he’s nervous.” Ohpra said. “My name is Tom.” “Tom, we have a favor to ask. Please do not tell the grown-ups about our friend Hairy. We are afraid they would not let us hang out with him any more. And as you can see, he’s a pretty good friend to hang out with, especially when surrounded by dogmen.” Noah pointed out. The howling picked up as the moon climbed higher overhead. Now even the kids without night vision goggles, could see the silhouettes of the dogmen. When the moon was directly over them, the dogmen began to move closer. The howling was beyond annoying. It was like a constant reminder the beasts were out there and that they were coming. Hairy moved out toward the three near the tent belonging to the four friends. They continued to howl. Then he began to battle with them. Their was growling and yelping and Hairy would let out a roar. Finally the three dogmen were beaten and they disappeared deep back into the forest. Hairy returned to the four friends (and Tom. “There are too many for Hairy to fight alone.” Rev said, carrying the baseball bat. He was headed for the nearest tree. Then he saw Hairy and said to the bigfoot. “I was gonna call for more help.” Hairy took the bat from Rev and walked over to the nearby tree and gave it three loud whacks. Much louder than Rev could have accomplished. “Woop! Woop!” the four friends (and Hairy) hollered into the darkness of the night. Tom just stood there watching it all. The howling continued to get louder and closer to the four friends (and Tom). The dogmen were testing the boundaries. Suddenly shots were fired from the other side of the campground. The security guards were firing upon the dogmen. Noah turned to say something to Hairy but he was gone. “Where’s Hairy?” Noah cried. “Gone. I imagine to take the fight to them.” Rev said. “Opes, get inside the tent. We’ll be right outside.” “I can kick your butt. If anybody should be in the tent it ain’t me.” Ohpra replied. “Everybody find something to use as a weapon.” Rev had the baseball bat. “Batter up!’ He thought. “I’m gonna show them dogs what a home run feels like, and not in the good way’. Instead of saying what he was thinking, Rev said, “I’m ready!” BG picked up a fillet knife while handing Noah the hatchet they always brought on camping trips. He sure never thought they’d be using it this way back when he bought it. The howling was becoming almost constant. As soon as one would stop another would start, often times there would be three or four howling at the same time. Then they started hearing yelps. As the dogmen closed in on the campground something was happening to save the campers. The kids, counselors and security guards were all retreating until they were huddled together with the bigger kids and adults on the outside of the huddle, ready to fight whatever came at them. That never happened. They saw flashes of somethings that were dark come near them but then they were gone. The yelps started happening all around the campground. As soon as the howling would sound like it was almost on top of the huddled group, there would suddenly be a thrashing and then a yelp. By the time the light began to invade, announcing that anyone still alive, had made it through the night, the dogmen were gone. Never one to miss an opportunity, as soon as BG realized there were no more dogmen he came out from the middle of the huddle and started jumping around waving his fillet knife saying, “Come on you lousy excuses for lap dogs. I’ll teach you to scare people!” He went on jabbering other threats that would never happen. In the end it was just reason for Ohpra to laugh. Also gone were the unknown heroes that arrived in the middle of the siege, to save the kids. There was a lot of talk about what or who had come and saved them in the darkness, only to disappear before the morning light. It was a mystery. Some said it was just the dogmen that they saw flashing in the darkness but they could not offer a reason why the dogmen came so close to attacking only to back off. Others said it was angels that were sent down from heaven to keep them safe. It was a mystery to everyone except the four friends, and Tom. On a side note: Tom never gave away their secret. He remembered the secret call for help when out in the woods however, and he used it one time when he got older. That is a story for another time however. The four friends went on to have more adventures that summer with their new friend. Those stories are for another time also. Suffice to know that the summer also had time for enjoying nature, going swimming, hiking, camping and fishing. They learned archery, frisbee, frisbee golf, mushroom hunting, cooking over an open fire, and a number of other interesting and fun skills one is exposed to when doing something outside. The End