Sneak Attack

Nestled peacefully in a cocoon of warmth, I listened to the wind hammer rain against the side of the house, I contemplated a change of plans. We are in desperate need of rain so it was great that it was raining, just not today, not now.
Being that I haven't had to run in the rain in ages this scene appeared pathetic, was I getting soft? I had run in the rain, I had, daily, for weeks at a time, until I feared my feet may permanently prune. However, after being spoiled with cool, dry weather every morning for months today just didn't seem like the best day to put an end to such an agreeable streak of good fortune.
As I pulled myself out of bed the battle in my head continued. "I can't let a little wet weather win this one," I said to myself, at least I shouldn't. With little recollection of dressing I found myself in the garage lacing my shoes. The rain wasn't as heavy as I stepped outside. Gusting wind whipped fog, leaves and rain around menacingly, there was not a star in the sky, it was surprisingly warm. It felt eerie, like something was about to happen. My head lamp struggled against the inky black as the front door sunk away behind me.

Between gusts was dead calm. Everything was loud then: my feet on the gravel, a leaf as it landed among others in the ditch, an unseen something skittered away from me as I made my way up the road. I crossed the cattle guard, at the next intersection I paused briefly, then went right instead of left. I almost always go left. At a sign that read "Devils Britches" I went left again. I felt drawn in this direction for some reason. I love this route although I don't take it often. It provides an alternative to the summit of Hemphill Bald and it is a lot of fun.
I could see no light between the trees, in the valley or surrounding hills, it was spooky. I run these logging roads, hills and trails around my house regularly but today felt different for some reason. I hadn't gone far before I felt like I was being watched. The wind had calmed, my footsteps and breathing was all I could hear. I stopped running and looked behind me and waited, not a sound. Maybe I will head back? No, I was closer to home the way I was heading. I kept running, scanning left then right and in front of me, periodically looking over my shoulder. I was starting to feel uneasy.
Suddenly I sensed something to my right and above me, I ducked, jerked, turned and looked up at the same time. An owl swooped toward me. I shrieked as it slammed into my head in a flurry of talons and feathers. My hat and head lamp tore off as I hit the dirt, the bird tumbled tail feathers over tea kettle to my left only visible because my light now lay on the ground like beacon in its direction. The bird regained composure quickly, shook off the landing and stared through the glaring light at me for an eternity. I didn't move. Then its eyes flashed again, he seemed to consider the light in front of him then looked at me as if to say "WTF," he hopped towards me spread his wings and silently disappeared into the darkness above me. I waited, carefully stood, picked up my hat and light and put them back on my head and resumed running up the trail toward home. Adrenalin flowed like a surging river, my hands shook. Was the bird following me? I anticipated subsequent attacks but they never materialized. My head was on a swivel until I reached the front door safely.


Owls Attack