"Junkyard Dog" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Max the mutt was the official guard dog of the Tripple J salvage yard located just outside of Tacoma, Washington.

Max's duties began at seven in the evening when the yard closed and ended at about sunrise. He began his rounds at the old trailer where his owner Ben lived.

Max walked slowly through the wrecked cars always listening for something that didn't belong. A large rat peeked out of a demolished car and Max growled until the rodent retreated back into the darkness.

As he approached the back corner of the yard, Max became a little uneasy. There was something menacing and evil in the twisted metal that he sensed but couldn't identify.

Loud voices alerted Max to intruders, and he rushed towards the sound. Several kids were trying to get over the fence, but they changed their minds when they noticed the huge dog intently watching.

After the boys had gone, Max resumed his patrol. An old woman appeared from behind a rusted bus and pointed at him. A moment later, the figure vanished. Max had become used to strange sights in the yard and did not become alarmed.

As the night wore on, Max heard something coming from an upside-down truck and he went to investigate. A mama raccoon and her babies had made a home in the cab of the truck. 

Max stayed with the raccoons until it was time to head back to the old trailer for his breakfast.

 

"Trail to Nowhere" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

After several hours of hiking on a new trail near Mount Rainier, Julie Sutton realized that she had become lost. Fighting panic, she decided to find a high point on the ridge to see where she was at.

Julie was near the summit when she unexpectedly came upon a large house in a clearing. She had no idea that anyone lived so far out in the wilderness.

Julie hesitantly knocked on the door and an old woman immediately answered. "Can I help you?" she asked. Julie explained her situation and the woman gave her a strange smile. "My son Rolf can take you to the main trail." she said sweetly.

The old woman led Julie into a living room that was filled with hunting trophies. As if on cue, her son "Rolf" emerged from another room.

Julie noted that Rolf was a much larger version of his mother with the same odd smile. He motioned for Julie to follow him, and they both left the house. 

Rolf had little to say and seemed to know what he was doing, but Julie felt that he was leading her away from the trail down the ridge and she started watching him carefully.

Deep in the forest, Rolf turned to her and pulled a long knife out of his coat. Julie had been expecting something like that, and she dashed into the woods at the side of the trail.

Rolf took chase, and Julie could hear him crashing through the forest behind her. but she ran as fast as she could and eventually the sounds of Rolf's pursuit faded away.

By the time the sun was going down, Julie had found the trail head where she started from, and she called the police as soon as her cell phone came into the range of a tower.

The police took her report, and the next day Julie agreed to show them where she had found Rolf and his mother's house. Julie did eventually find the clearing but there was no house or anything else. 

The police ascribed it as some sort of delirium and Julie was left to wonder if she had imagined the whole thing.