INTRO

            It was one year ago that the strange events began in our small farm town. October 29th 1987 year of the circles and wolves began. It started just like any other fall harvest festival: the pumpkin carving contests, bonfires, and the crop contest – daddy always won a blue ribbon for his squash—and of course the seasonal farmers market. As sunset approached upon our little party the wolves began their chorus. The wild dogs’ moon shone brightly and the wolves sang sweet songs of submission.
         
          Chris and I spent most of the day making our costume for the festival. I couldn’t sew to save my life but Chris was a master – even if he is a guy. We decided to go as Superman and Wonder Woman. I was surprised he could make it so much like the comic --never gonna underestimate his talent again. I loved my costume though the tin foil didn’t suffice for bullet-proof cuffs. I won’t say Chris was unattractive in the spandex I bullied him into and the cape suit him well.
          Twenty or so minutes later John, Anna, Matt, Sara, and Maria walked a few paces ahead of Chris and I. John and Anna held hands as they strolled along the gravel roads down to the town square. I couldn’t help but be a bit envious. I have been single most of my life and there aren’t exactly million options in No-Where’s Ville, Kansas the officially unofficial nickname of Riverton. I love the people don’t get me wrong now, I love this place but sometimes it gets old. Same church, same friends, same hobbies, same jobs, though the skies are never quite the same as the last, that I absolutely love.
          John leaned over and kissed his Anna on the cheek. I couldn’t help but notice that got Chris to blush a little bit and as I looked up at him he smiled in a way I hadn’t seen often. I inched closer to him as we rounded the corner onto Mayberry Ave. just a few blocks away from the fair. I don’t wanna jump to conclusions but I think he was flirting with me this morning. I looked up at him and smiled, it was my normal smile but then again it was Chris which made me smile a little bigger.

         Well I didn’t notice it but we were at the festival in less than 5 minutes. Our gang made the usual plans of Josh and Anna going to eat, Matt and Maria carve pumpkins, Matt, Sara and I headed to the hay ride and haunted forest.  Jack drove the tractor as usual and we sat with 30 little children—most of which I have taught at Sunday school. Chris sat surprisingly close to me on the ride. I kinda liked it his strong, warm, let resting against mine. As these thoughts passed I felt his arm slide around me. It made me tense up but god did it feel nice. We arrived at the woods a few moments, or maybe it was 20 minutes, later the tractor stopped.
          Jack helped every little dragon, zombie, vampire, lion, and princess off the back. After that we were herded into an old bike trail and sent for our “doom”. The same werewolf popped out of the bush five feet in, a chainsaw fired up another 10 feet in, and the floor dropped out from under you at the fork in the trail if you picked the wrong one. I can’t lie I purposely missed the turn and as I started to fall Chris picked me up. He held me close like I was just saved from a thirty foot plummet instead of a two inch drip of uneven ground. I cant say I didn’t love it he was quite a bit taller—eight inches to be exact—and as he held me I felt his heart pound against my eardrum like the pedal slapping the bass drum in my head. Then something pulled me out of my daze and into a nightmare.