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A perilous end to such a privileged life. It was a hot day and the sun was at its peak. This is when Father decided to take a break; he fetched the water and cheese sandwiches. That was when we heard it.

 

A sound that reaches deep into any man’s soul. A screaming sound carrying pain and death along with it through the desert canyons.

 

At this point Father shouted at me “pack up! And do it fast!” My blood was pumping and I did not know how to react to such a sudden unfolding of events. Once I had got onto the horse we rode as fast as we could out of the canyons. However, that same gut wrenching sound followed us all the way for the next sixty six miles.

 

Whilst we were riding I was asking dad, what was that? He just turned and gave me an unforgiving look. I could not help but imagine all sorts of beasts that could be lurking. That night Father and I did not sleep. All we did was sit and watch the Horizon to make sure that animal had not followed us.

 

The next morning Father told me we were heading back home and no more questions were to be asked. I did not understand why he had been so afraid, was it a creature that had something to do with his past? Or was it just an old folk tail he thought was not true? Who knows?

 

All I could deduce from the situation was that we did not to be in this town much longer. And that we were running from something not like any other.

 

We arrived back at the hotel which we had been staying in for the last couple of days. Our car was still in the car park. Father gave me the keys and I got in, Father was starting to load up the car to go to the airport to catch a plane back to England. We have a house in London City Centre. I have had such a privileged life, so many things bought and done for me. I even have someone cut my food for me! However, I am not one of those posh stuck up snobs that take everything for granted. I will often help out around the house or clean up after tea.

 

After we had boarded our plane I asked dad what was that noise that occurred in the canyons? He just replied “something that every man is afraid of” I replied “what is every man afraid of?” rather stupidly. After a long pause of silence he finally said with a serious face “well son everyman is afraid of………….there ANGRY wife!!!” me and him just burst out laughing. I then asked him “what was mum doing in the canyons?” he replied “she was doing her climbing degree and must have seen us! Father: “look son… An angry wife is a bad life!”

 

By Guy Johns. Entry for BBC Radio 2, 500 words story competition