The Sound Outside

Ted muted his TV and cocked his head. “Help!” rang out from outside. There it was again. He pushed his recliner upright with a groan, grabbed his Mag-lite, and headed out the door into the moonless night.  

He swept the flashlight across the sprawling yard. Another blood-curdling “Help!” rang out, and he saw a shape moving near the corner of the yard. He aimed the beam at the silhouette and chuckled. It was a male peacock, plumage spread, strutting his stuff. Mr. Smith’s pet peacock had escaped again. Figures. 

Then, from somewhere beyond the trees, a woman’s voice cried, “Help!”

*****

Note: 100-word Micro-fiction