Shriek

She accosted him on the sidewalk, as he was loading the last of his gear into the truck. He had just come from a client's house, the last job of the day. He was loading his backpack sprayer when she slammed into him, nearly knocking him off his feet.

She was hysterical, weeping and wailing, clutching at his shirt. "YOU KILLED MY CHILDREN!" she cried.

"Ma'am..." he sputtered, trying to regain his composure.

"YOU KILLED THEM! YOU KILLED THEM! YOU KILLED THEM!" she screamed.

"Ma'am, no!" he protested. "I never killed no one! I'm just an exterm--" He stopped then, eyes widening with sudden understanding. "Oh. No." He tried to back away, but couldn't. "Oh, _god_ no."

He realized her eyes were glowing crimson -- how had he not noticed her eyes?! -- and wondered, _What is she even doing here?_ There had been no forecast of a Shriek anywhere in the area for _weeks_. If there had, he would have, _should_ have, taken the day off.

"YOU. KILLED. MY. CHILDREN," she repeated, extending her claws.

He supposed he had.