Hi there. I'm Samantha.
Sam and I was a park ranger for six years.
I won't specify where because I don't want to get in trouble.
One of the people I worked with told me to read the other park
ranger stories on here. So I thought I'd give it a shot
and hell. It's good to see someone being
honest, it inspired me to share some of my own stories.
People need to know what happens in the woods.
I quit my job a couple of years ago, I couldn't deal with
bottling up all the things I've seen nobody wants to talk about
them, but I feel like I'm drowning in the memory of it all
so I'm going to share them. I don't know if I'll be able to
share everything, it might be too hard but I'll give it a go.
I hope this raises some awareness of the true dangers of
the woods and makes people consider their safety.
I don't want people to think. I'm copying someone or making
these things up. I'm just sharing my stories and
experiences. Let's get into it.
This was my first weird experience as a junior Ranger.
To this day. I still don't know what I saw,
but I know it wasn't friendly. I had just received a call about
screams coming from deeper in the forest off, one of the more
popular trails. This wasn't unusual.
If you've heard a mountain lion, you know, it can sound like a
woman screaming. Just as I was about to set off
my chief at the time, asked to come along.
I found this odd because the job seemed too insignificant for his
rank, but I brushed It Off. I was new and figured, maybe he
wanted to check my progress. we set off making small talk and I
was obviously trying to suck up a little We were joking around
when he made a quick remark about taking even small jobs,
seriously because you never know what you'll find.
That turned out to be some of the most valuable advice I ever
got on this job and I definitely learned my lesson later, but
that's another story. We reach the area where the call
originated and headed north of the trail.
We heard the screams and it sounded like a mountain lion but
something was really off about it.
We kept walking toward the noise About 10 minutes in all of a
sudden, it was like every sound was sucked out of the woods.
It was dead silent. I couldn't even hear my own
breathing. I thought maybe I had gone deaf
but I looked at my chief and saw he had the same nervous
expression on his face. By the way, he was acting.
It felt like he encountered this before, which I now know to be
true. Just as quickly as the silence
came, I started to hear a low buzzing but it wasn't just a
buzzing. I could feel it vibrating
through my entire body so much that my ears and jaw began to
hurt. The best way I can describe it
is like when you're getting your teeth drilled at the dentist but
worse. Even my vision started to
vibrate and as that happened, I swear, I saw a black figure
about seven feet tall step out from behind the trees in front
of me. It started letting out that same
scream as it bent down and began crawling toward us, naturally, I
freaked the hell out and stepped back to run.
My chief grabbed my arm hard, almost knocking me over and put
his other arm around me as he began to walk me out of the
forest. Just as I was about to fight him
and yell for us to run, he said in a calm voice.
Don't run. Don't talk.
Don't look back, just keep walking.
I did exactly what he said. He obviously knew something I
didn't. And as much as I wanted to run,
I didn't want to find out what would happen if I did.
Those 10 minutes were excruciating, I could tell it
was crawling behind us by the buzzing in my head, and the
faint wailing sound, it made, I wanted to run so badly.
Eventually, I think it ran off because all the regular noise of
the forest came back in the buzzing stopped.
When we got back on the trail. I was shaking.
I was in such shock. I couldn't even cry.
He let go of me and started walking back to the main base
without saying a word about what happened.
I started screaming at him. Asking what the hell that thing
was. He said and yes I remember this
word for word. There are things in these Woods
that have been here longer than us things.
We can't explain or get rid of if you don't think you can
handle that, you should pack your bags now.
He kept walking and I followed behind trying to make sense of
what happened. I obviously stayed in the job.
When it was good, it was really good.
I met some amazing people and I love nature but in the end the
bad experience is outweighed, the good and I had to leave
Honestly, I wish I had left when he told me to pack my bags.
I know this experience doesn't sound that scary in writing, but
trust me, living through it was terrifying and there are worse
ones, some of them are scarier, some are more explainable.
I'm still debating whether to share all my stories, maybe I'll
see how I feel after posting this.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences with the woods.
Part 2, A lot of people seem to be interested in stairs found in
the woods. I've seen a set of stairs in the
woods once and personally, it wasn't too scary, just a bit
creepy. I know a couple of my friends in
the force, a force to be reckoned with have some stories
about stairs that they've mentioned in passing.
If and when I decide to contact them for permission, maybe I'll
post those. I do however have a story about
a ladder that I wish I could forget because just thinking
about, it gives me the creeps. My experience with the stairs is
pretty tame, so I'll add another incident afterward.
We were searching for a young girl who had wandered off, we
found her, she is fine. The team was stretched out
pretty far, so I was walking alone, but within shouting
distance of others. as I was walking, I saw a set of stairs,
they sort of looked like they belonged there, but also didn't
They were overgrown, like they might have been the steps to
someone's house. But I realized there was no way
someone had put them there. Recently, I figured I'd stumbled
upon one of those mysterious stairs.
My co-workers had talked about I thought I'd be terrified if I
ever saw them, but I wasn't. I did however feel an urge to
walk up them like something was pulling me toward them, maybe it
was just the excitement of finally seeing them or maybe
something darker. Someone nearby called out that
they'd found something and it snapped me back to reality.
I'm really glad they did. I'm not sure what would have
happened if I had gone up? We found the girl and all was
well. On the way back, I mentioned to
a partner that I had seen some stairs.
She got worried and sort of grilled me about whether I
touched or walked up them. I said no.
And that was it. So yeah, pretty tame.
Nothing too intense. I'm not going to lie or over
emphasize anything here. this next occurrence isn't about
stairs, but it is about a ladder, which I would say is
pretty similar this happens sometime during my first year,
as a park ranger around the start of summer when poison, ivy
really goes wild, We had to do weekly checks on the trails and
the surrounding brush. My partner and I were assigned
to check some of the less popular trails.
We came to a smaller trail that forked for a couple of minutes
and then joined up again. Being the idiots.
We were we split planning to meet where it connects.
We could still see each other through the brush in the middle
so we thought it was fine. He took the left path and I took
the right. As I was walking, keeping an eye
out for Ivy, I caught something in the corner of my eye, a large
clearing in the middle of the trees.
It looked man-made perfectly round.
As if someone had been maintaining, it there wasn't a
single tree Bush or even a weed. I was so focused on the lack of
vegetation that I almost didn't notice the huge unmistakable
ladders standing right in the center.
It was upright and leaning against absolutely nothing.
Like some unknown force was holding it.
I looked up and saw a man at the top, wearing a business suit.
It almost seemed comical like he'd walk straight out of a
corporate office. His head was tilted back staring
up at the sky and his mouth was wide open.
I couldn't get a clear view so I called to him a few times.
No response. I circled the ladder looking for
wires or strings. Hoping it was some sort of prank
or art installation but I found nothing.
He looked like he was on display for some bizarre exhibition.
I didn't know what else to do and I couldn't see my partner so
I radioed him to come over. While waiting I made the stupid
decision to touch the ladder. I know terrible idea.
Don't touch weird crap. You find in the woods.
I got a weird feeling just before my hand reached it, but I
brushed it off and touched it anyway.
The moment I did the man at the top snapped his neck in this
horrifically. Contorted way to look at me and
let out an ungodly gasp like he was drawing his last breath.
His face was still warped in this gaping expression.
Eyelids and lips pulled back as though he were In Perpetual
shock. I stumbled back and grabbed my
Taser. Just then, I heard someone
behind me and I spun around taser raised, it was my partner
hands in the air to avoid getting tased.
When I looked back the latter was flat on the ground and the
man was gone. My partner asked what was going
on. So, I explained and begged him
not to think I was crazy. Of course, he didn't.
He knew as well as I did. That weird stuff like this
happens more often than you think we had to do a quick
search for the guy protocol, which I hated I was praying.
We wouldn't find him. We didn't, I never saw anything
like that again and neither has anyone.
I've talked to That guy was balancing on top of a ladder
that wasn't leaning against anything.
Maybe I met Houdini when you see stuff like that, you make jokes,
or you'll never move on. I'm really glad people are
enjoying what I have to say. I'm not sure when all right
more, don't expect too much because this is both tiring and
cathartic. I'm thinking of sharing some of
the less spooky stories in the ones that are just about humans
being weird. We'll see.
I should have known something was off.
When my supervisor called me in for an urgent adjustment to my
usual shift. A bunch of people had recently
on the night schedule without much of an explanation so it
landed in my lap. At first, I wasn't exactly
thrilled, but a small part of me, was curious about what it
would be like to watch the park after dark.
I guess I figured it'd be hours of quiet.
Broken up by the occasional hoot of an owl or flicker of a
flashlight. so there I was hiking up the towers endless
steps with a backpack full of coffee energy drinks and
whatever courage I thought I had The night are tasted cool.
Almost damn. And my boots crunched on gravel
in a way that echoed like I wasn't the only one listening.
By the time I made it to the top, my legs felt like jelly but
I forced myself to shrug it off. The towers narrow, wooden
platform, led me into a cramped room with three walls of glass
and a fourth wall, hosting a door.
There was a rickety bed, a tiny kitchen corner with a mini
fridge, and a microwave plus a desk.
Where the calm station, sat blinking, I gave the radio a
test. Static popped and hissed, but
Donnie's voice came through. Eventually saying something
about how I'd better make friends with my flash light
because the moon was barely out. That bit of chatter, studied my
nerves a bit like okay. At least I wasn't alone in the
world. I stepped onto the balcony to
get a proper. Look at my surroundings trees
stretched in nearly every direction.
Their tops. Swaying faintly in the breeze
off to my right was the Lagoon, which looked more like a giant
puddle choked with algae, lily, pads, and random debris.
The water sat way too still for my comfort.
Meanwhile, the usual nighttime. Orchestra kicked up frogs
crickets leaves rustling. It was almost soothing I leaned
over the balcony, railing the area with binoculars.
At first, I spotted nothing except a few Moonlight clearing
and shadows that I assumed were just logs or rocks.
But near one of The Ridges, I caught a glimpse of something
pale. A shape that stood out against
the dark. it looked suspiciously like a person, maybe a kid,
wearing a blanket with two big circles where eyes might be A
ghost costume. In the middle of summer, on
Federal Land with no one else around.
It threw me off so hard. I nearly dropped the binoculars.
I blinked steadying the lenses again.
This little ghost thing was still staring straight at the
tower. Part of me, wanted to believe it
was just some leftover prank but my gut churned in protest.
I pulled out my handheld radio and called Donnie.
Hey man, you an earshot. There's I don't even know how to
say this. There's a kid dressed like a
ghost on the ridge, right below the big dip in the tree line.
Donnie sounded as confused as I was a ghost, you serious?
As a heart attack, I muttered. Could be some lost campers kid
or maybe a runaway want to check it out before it becomes our
problem. He sighed, but agreed.
Fine. I'll head that way.
Keep your eyes on him and let me know if they move.
I caught a flicker of Donnie's flash light weaving through the
dark beneath me. He wasn't fast, but at least he
was going in the right direction.
I stayed on the balcony, sweeping the binoculars around
glancing back at the ridge every few seconds.
The figure didn't move at all. Like it was a statue with the
bed sheet draped over it. Then it just as Donnie's light
got closed, his flash light went out.
The beam vanished so abruptly that I thought, maybe my eyes
tricked me. My radio, let out a burst of
static and Donnie's voice cut off, mid-sentence.
In that exact same instant, the forest dropped every sound, it
had not one chirp, not one Russell, the hush felt alive,
like I'd stepped into some bubble of silence, my pulse
hammered, in my ears and I stumbled back into the tower,
practically yanking the door off its hinges to close it.
I tried calling Donnie again nothing but static.
My flash lights spotlighted, the corners of the towers room and
everything, looked normal, but my nerves were lit up.
I decided to go back outside. Maybe yell into the darkness of
a few times. That was when I noticed a shape
below next to the first flight of steps.
It looked like a woman but impossibly tall and unnaturally
thin with a soaked dress clinging to her body.
Her hair dangled and wet clumps. And she seemed to be bent at odd
angles. Like someone had tried putting a
puzzle together. The wrong way.
She wasn't just dripping, she looked swollen with water.
Her skin is sickly bluish color that glistened in the Moonlight.
She lifted her face eyes cloudy like murky pond water and her
mouth stretched open far too wide.
A sound emerged high-pitched gurgling way too loud to be
human. My stomach flipped every cell in
my body demanded. I get the hell away from that
door. I jumped back inside locking the
knob as fast as I could, though a flimsy piece of metal didn't
feel like it had stopped anything.
The radio squawked uselessly from the desk providing 0
comfort. I stayed there pressed against
the wall trying to catch my breath.
Shining my flashlight at the door in case the woman decided
to break it down. I could still sense, her
presence outside but I had no idea if she'd left or if she was
crawling her way up to the balcony, the quiet returned in
force making every second stretch out.
My hands trembled so hard that holding onto the flash light was
a challenge. And I kept thinking, if this is
some weird joke, it's the sickest one anyone's ever
pulled. But there was nothing funny in
those eyes, or that sound echoing in my head.
Know that had felt horribly real.
I had a wild urge to bolt, but stepping outside again, seemed
suicidal. All I could do was stand in the
darkness alone with no clue, where Donnie was or who, or what
was waiting by the stairs. I stood in front of that flimsy
wooden door for what felt like an eternity.
Every nerve in my body Twisted tight, the tower had gone, so
deathly quiet that each breath felt like a shout.
My flashlight beam wavered lighting up, only empty corners
and the reflection of my own Terror in the glass panels.
Tiny rational part of me insisted that I was safe inside
but the rest of my brain, kept painting images of that, drowned
figure lunging through the door. Those cloudy eyes rolling as she
shrieked. Eventually, I forced myself to
breathe deeper one. Step back two steps back until I
bumped into the kitchen counter. My hands slid, across it,
searching for anything solid. And I ended up clutching a long
steel knife. My legs were ready to collapse
under me, but I gripped, the knife like a Lifeline.
I tried the handheld walkie-talkie.
Again, pressing the button so hard, my thumb, acked Donnie, I
hissed, answer me, man, where are you?
Static a faint pop. Then another hiss nothing.
I swung around shining my flashlight behind me because I
felt like something was creeping closer.
Only to land on the big cabinet in the corner.
Something about it. Seemed different.
The door was open. I knew it was sealed tight when
I arrived which gave me a vicious jolt of dread Instinct
forced me to raise the knife as if expecting that watery
nightmare woman to burst out. My heart thundered like an
engine in my chest and out stepped a little ghost.
The same ragged sheet I'd seen on the ridge.
That was enough to make me want to scream, but then the figure
lifted it off. Revealing Marvin Donnie's, son
sporting a grin so wide, you'd think he'd scored the prank of
the century. He also had a walkie in his
hand. The green LED winking mockingly
at me. I feel meet flush my face.
Marvin, what the hell? Before the kid could answer
another voice crackled over the main radio on the desk.
There he is, how he do. Marve, he freaked out,
recognizing Donnie's voice, I stomped across the room and grab
that radio. You set me up.
I yelled. So Furious, my voice went ragged
hiding your kid in my tower dressing him like some cheap
Little Ghost Donnie, and a second voice had to be his other
son. Joey started howling with
laughter apparently, they'd been planning this for days.
Snuck. Marvin in here.
Before my shift made a show of him standing on the ridge, cut
the power to Donnie's flash light at the perfect moment.
I'm sure they expected me to lose it.
Mission accomplished. Relax Donnie cackled over the
line. It was just some harmless fun,
man. Thought, we'd welcome you to the
graveyard shift in style more Snickers.
In the background, how's your blood pressure?
I felt relief and anger, crashed together like thunderclouds in
my gut. You have no idea how close I was
to stabbing. I stopped short eyeing, Marvin.
He gave me a playful shrug like he hadn't.
Just watched me panic and genuine Terror.
I wanted to tear into Donnie but there was still one problem,
overshadowing everything. What about that thing outside?
My words, choked in my throat. Some waterlogged woman or I
don't know what. You can't tell me that was part
of the plan, too. For a second, the radio went
silent. Then Dorney.
Let out a short laugh. One, that sounded less certain.
Wait, slow down. You think I hired an extra for
your personal horror movie or something more Awkward Chuckles.
We only plan the ghost kid. That's it.
No, ladies in sight. His words hit me like a punch to
the ribs. Even if they'd orchestrated a
bunch of details to fool me, the shrieking creature, I'd seen was
Way Beyond a backyard prank. I couldn't shake the memory of
that Salo stretched skin. I had the insane urge to fling.
Open the tower door just to see if she was still out there, but
the possibility kept me rooted in place.
Marvin must have seen the alarm still etched on my face because
his grin faltered Dad, he said, softly into his own walkie.
What if someone else is out here?
The question hung in the air, heavy is lead.
After a moment, Donnie tried to keep it light.
Look, maybe you saw a deer or your eyes played tricks on you.
It's late and you're wound up will swing by.
Once we finish up sound good, I clicked off the radio without
answering my anger was draining replaced by an old deep fear
that stuck to my thoughts, like tar.
Part of me wanted to chase. Marvin out with a scolding but a
stronger part. Maybe the protective side,
wouldn't risk letting him leave alone.
Until this thing was explained or gone, I had zero trust in
that black stretch of forest. I pasted the tower double
checking windows and fiddling with the lock on the door.
It felt so thin, like a stiff, wind could knock it down.
Meanwhile, the night outside remained too quiet for comfort.
Marvin looked just as jumpy as me now.
Hugging his arms close to his body like the joke wasn't so
funny anymore. Time crawled every so often.
I'd catch a glimpse of movement outside a branch shifting or a
swirl of mist over the Lagoon. But I never saw that gaunt
figure. Again, it was almost worse, not
knowing, if it was still lurking beneath the tower.
At one point, a faint Screech echoed from somewhere in the
woods. And I nearly tripped over my own
feet spinning around, to face the door.
Marvin squeaked, then tried to laugh at all, but his eyes were
wide by the time. The first streaks of dawn
arrived. I felt shredded my chest was
tight. My muscles stiff from clenching.
Donnie came through on the walkie once more to say
something about making the rounds, but I barely registered
it. All I could think, was that if I
had to do another shift here, locked in this Fishbowl.
I'd lose my mind. Jokes were one thing but that
woman's milky gaze was not something.
You faked with store bought makeup, I couldn't explain it
and Donnie wouldn't listen. That left me with one real
choice. All right, Marvin time to go.
I said, quietly and escorted him down the tower, steps in the
fragile, early light. The two of us jumped at every
rustle or bump. I was armed with that kitchen
knife, feeling ridiculous, but unable to relax.
The Lagoon looked almost peaceful in daylight but I was
too on edge to appreciate it. By the end of that endless
descent, my mind was made up. The moment I got the chance.
I had informed, the higher-ups I wasn't staying on nights, not
another hour, let them call me paranoid.
Whatever I had seen out there. It wasn't just a trick of the
dark. Something in those woods had
noticed me and I had no intention of sticking around for
round 2. Marvin and I trudged toward the
ranger station, the first of Sun hitting the trees in a washed
out glow. Part of me expected to see that
soggy figure trailing behind us. But every time I looked over my
shoulder, it was only empty space.
Maybe that was even scary it meant.
It could still be anywhere. I'd always believed the night
shift was nothing but quiet hours.
But nothing from this point, forward would ever feel normal
again. When I glanced back at the
tower, all I saw was a lonely shape against the morning sky
and the silent unmoving Lagoon. But I remembered that scream.
I remembered the hush that followed it too.
And I wondered if maybe it was the woods themselves sending a
warning, some things aren't meant to be watched after dark.
At least not by anyone who wants to make it home, sane.
I knew the night was off to a strange start.
The minute I checked in the ranger station, which normally
felt like a second home to me seems smaller and lonely than
usual. Even the warm glow from the
overhead lights, couldn't chase away, the Gloom pouring in from
the windows. I stepped inside figuring I'd
see Pat Markus and Dana gathered around the batter table in the
corner trading jokes while we waited out another quiet shift
in Stead I found them pacing around each one fiddling with
equipment or re-checking logs. It was my turn to do a final
walk throughout. Usually, I enjoy strolling
around under the Moonlight scoping out the tree line for
raccoons or wandering deer. Tonight, the moon was hidden
behind roiling clouds and the path beyond the station was
Pitch Black. The wind whipped across the
roof, making the beams grown I have wondered if the entire
structure would Shake itself apart.
After a few minutes of testing the locks and listening for
anything unusual. I stepped back inside my jacket
dripping with cold Dew. Pat gave me this.
Look that said all good out there. and I nodded but I didn't
really feel certain before I could settle at the desk, Dana
spoke up she's usually the Practical one never letting
gossip or superstitions rattle her, but her expression was
guarded She asked if we'd ever heard rumors about the Phantom
of Hollow Grove Marcus LED out a nervous laugh but Pat's face
turned serious. Dana explained how this old
local Legend had been passed around since before any of us
were hired a name tied to unexplained Vanishing especially
when the moon was at its fullest.
She didn't sound like she was spinning.
A Campfire Story. Her voice was calm, too.
Calm like she was remembering something.
Unsettling the station lights flicker.
Just then it might have been a hiccup in the power, but it made
every single nerve in me. Go on alert, even the fireplace
which usually made the room cozy seemed to cast weird shadows
across the walls. Pat venture to the window and
peered out, the glass was flicked with condensation.
Making it tough to see anything but vague outlines of trees
shifting in the wind Marcus, normally the easy-going one was
already double-checking the radio, as if he expected to need
backup at any second, I felt this nagging urge to go outside
again. To scan the perimeter and be
absolutely sure we were alone. Yet the idea of venturing past
the door, gave me pause. I remembered all the times.
I teased guests about being nervous in the dark and suddenly
I wondered, if I had been a fool to brush off with the woods
might conceal, Something about the night, put a knot in my
chest. I kept seeing movement in the
corners of my eyes just enough to unsettle me every time I
turned. There was nothing, but old
walls, and Dusty corners. Dana cleared, her throat and
said, we should try to keep it together that sometimes these
shifts set our imaginations on Overdrive.
She kept talking about how the stories of Halo growth weren't
just for spooking tourists. There was a grain of Truth
buried in them enough to make even Skeptics look over their
shoulders now. And then I wanted to brush it
off, but I couldn't. Not with the wind howling
outside. Like it had a purpose. not with
the odd quiet in the station, even though the four of us were
there, And definitely not with the sense that something or
someone was beyond our beam of light standing, just out of
sight, waiting. We didn't speak for a while.
After that, we just sat there each lost in our own thoughts,
half expecting a knock on the door or a flicker of movement in
the dark. When we finally did say
anything, it was barely above a whisper, as if we were afraid
of, who else might be listening? Dana had a far away.
Look that practically begged us to lean in.
I could see. She wasn't sure if she really
wanted to rehash, whatever was sitting on her mind but she let
out a shaky side and began. Couple years back.
She said quietly. I was finishing up a shift here.
The weather had been horrible for days.
Relentless rain, all the trails basically.
Sludge nobody was bothering to visit which meant I had to keep
an eye out by myself. That night, I was still new
enough to think. Every single bump outside could
be a stray animal, except the sounds.
I heard were from an animal. She paused gazing at the table.
None of us moved even Pat who usually tries to crack a joke
and Brake tension. Just watched her in silence.
Dana went on about how she'd spent the whole evening hauling
Fallen. Branches off the paths.
When the sun set, she ducked inside thinking, she'd wait out
the storm and call it a night. The wind was raging so hard, the
station Windows rattled every few seconds.
Finally, her stomach growled. So she ordered from the nearest
diner. Old Henry, a delivery guy,
everyone in town knew pulled up half an hour later.
She stepped out onto the porch, to grab her food.
I remember how dark it felt. She said, rubbing her hands
together, like she could still feel the chill.
There was this dampness that wouldn't let go the diners
headlights cut across the station's walls.
But everything else was swallowed by black sky.
She tried to keep it casual chatting with Henry about the
rain. How he managed to drive in such
miserable conditions. But he kept glancing over her
shoulder. Finally, he blurted that
somebody was standing among the Twisted Oaks near the fence.
Dana saw nothing. At first just the silhouette of
trees shifting in the Wind. Then she made out of shape.
Thin ragged like, it was half crouched behind a trunk.
That's when they both heard something like a hushed voice,
telling them to go. It didn't feel like a threat,
Dana admitted, tapping her fingers on the table.
It was more like someone warning us, but I couldn't begin to
guess who or what was trying to help.
She said the fear ramped up quick.
She and Henry jumped into his car without saying a word, not
caring about anything. But getting down that mud slick
Road, the tires spun kicking up gravel and water and they raced
off. After a couple miles Henry
pulled over and they just sat there shaking from adrenaline.
Neither one could fully believe what they'd seen, Dana spent the
next minutes debating how to explain taking off mid-shift,
but it turned out, she didn't have to buy that time.
She said the Station security system had already caught a
group dressed in dark hooded coats, smashing the door in.
They roamed inside for about five minutes, rummaging around
with this Eerie calm. They didn't steal a thing.
It was more like they were inspecting the place as if
searching for something. Then they walked out into the
storm, like, none of it mattered.
Leaving behind a few soaked Footprints and a lot of
unanswered questions. The cops called me in, Dana said
lowering her voice and all they could figure was a botched
robbery but who breaks down a door just to poke around, they
never left a single fingerprint. We all glanced around half
expecting to see those hooded figures lurking.
Right? Outside our Windows.
Dana's story was unnerving enough but she wasn't done.
She mentioned the little wooden bundle.
She discovered later lying in the corner.
Near the Supply Closet, a pile of Twigs bound with a strip of
ribbon. So tightly noted that she had to
use a knife to cut it. No one in the department, could
explain it and eventually someone just tossed in a box to
be forgotten. That was the same day, the
break-in happened. She said, so call me paranoid if
you want. But I've spent every day since
wondering why those people came in and who they really were.
Maybe it has something to do with all the old stories about
this place or maybe we just got on Lucky, but either way, I
still can't shake the feeling it's not over.
She finished talking and the little hum of our electrical
devices was the only noise left. I was imagining Henry's
headlights reflecting on a figure half hidden by trunk and
Branch waving them away, like it was granting Mercy.
Dana blinked a few times as if waking from a bad dream.
And that's when I realized her story had changed the air in the
room, we weren't just Rangers killing time on another routine
shift. We were four uneasy souls
perched in a remote station with something out there in the
darkness. A presence that might help us or
harm us. And we had no way of knowing
which We all fell silent after Dana finished.
Her story. Like we were waiting for the
Shadows outside to respond. Pat broke the tension first,
clearing his throat and suggesting a perimeter check.
It should have been routine but every step felt heavy.
I volunteered to team up with Dana while Pat and Marcus swept.
The back outside. The air was colder than before.
The station's floodlight didn't reach far.
So most of the yard was barely visible.
I noticed how the wind had died down.
It made every noise Echo, like the forest was an empty stage
waiting. For an actor to appear.
Dana and I started circling around the side.
Flashlights. Bouncing off Twisted.
Branches and Soggy undergrowth. I tried to calm my breathing
telling myself. We were just being thorough.
Yet, it felt like we were trespassing on something's
territory. A few yards from the storage
shed. Our beams picked up Footprints
Barefoot pressed into the mud They veered in a weird
Meandering path toward the tree line.
I glanced at Dana, who, knelt and prodded one of the prints
with her fingers. They were fresh enough to still
glisten with moisture. Goosebumps prickled along my
arms. Nobody sane would walk around
Barefoot at this hour. Suddenly a branch snapped in the
distance louder than it should have been my flash light swung
toward the tree line, finding nothing but dark shapes.
Then I spotted a tiny wooden figure perched on a fall in
love. A crude stick person tied with a
thread, the color of dried blood For a moment, I could have sworn
at Tilted. Its head at me.
I knew that was impossible, but it felt real.
Dana approached. Slowly her steps careful.
She reached out and lifted the figure.
Up close. It was damp and smelled faintly
of rotting leaves. Some kind of totem were warning.
We heard murmurs then. Hushed voices carrying through
the hush of the night. I flicked off my flashlight
signaling. Dana to do the same.
Through the Gloom, we made out movement Silhouettes.
Shifting among the trees, maybe four or five.
They moved in a rhythmic way as if following a practice
formation. No flash lights, no phones, just
bodies and shadows. We crouched our hearts pounding
thoughts racing about what we do, if they headed our way Pat
and Marcus stumbled upon us, nearly causing me to jump.
Marcus malt, we saw them too, pointing toward another patch of
Darkness. We decided in silent agreement
to back up to the station. As we retreated, I kept looking
over my shoulder convinced, we were being watched but I caught
only faint outlines flickering through the trees.
Inside. We locked the doors.
Drew, the blinds and shoved. A heavy table against the main
entrance. The logs in the fireplace.
Popped scattering Embers in a sudden burst Usually that sound
is comforting but this time, it felt more like a warning shot,
no one sat. We hovered near the windows,
peaking out through narrow gaps in the blinds, the station
smelled of damp clothes and fear.
If fear can have a smell, Pat wanted to call for backup, but
Dana hesitated. What if they're gone by the
time, anyone arrives will look paranoid.
She had a point. I remembered the story.
She told us the unanswered questions Left Behind after the
hooded group trashed the station.
If they were the same ones prowling outside, they'd likely
vanish, as soon as they heard sirens.
Time dragged. The wind picked up again,
rattling, the siding, my eyes burned from staring out the
window, half expecting to see faces pressed against the glass.
The phone lines were spotty this far out.
If the lines went down, we'd be stranded without any
communication. Marcus joked about how we should
have transferred to a Beach post but the humor fell flat.
We all knew we were in over our heads.
Hours later the forest remained silent like it was holding its
breath for something worse. We agreed to wait for first
light before making any bold moves.
Whatever lurked outside, it felt like it was waiting too.
The four of us ended up around the fireplace jumpy at every
twig, snap, or gust of wind. Nobody wanted to say it out
loud, but we all knew the night wasn't done, testing us as the
clock inched closer to Dawn, we heard the faintest scrape
against the back wall, like someone running a blade or a
rock along the wood. I stood flashlight, trembling in
my hand, but the noise stopped. No footsteps, no break-in but
they'd reminded us. They were out there.
We realized morning might not bring any safety at all, but for
now it was the only hope we had. We took turns peering Through
the Windows watching for shapes among the trees each minute
feeling like an hour. There was a shared unspoken
sense that whatever happened to night, was just the prelude.
And as we huddled by the sputtering fire none of us felt
particularly eager to see what came next.
I made my decision Before Sunrise.
We all did. By the time, the gray light
started filtering through the station's, Grimes, smeared
Windows. Our nerves were shredded every
noise from the night before still seemed to Echo.
In the back of my mind, the shifting Silhouettes, those
footprints in the mud, that faint, scrape against the wall.
None of us had slept, we were running on pure adrenaline, and
Dread, Pat asked if anyone wanted breakfast trying to mask
the tension with a sliver of normalcy, but no one had much
appetite. Marcus simply shook his head
staring at the barrier. We'd set against the door.
Dana, who had always been our Rock looked like a stranger.
Her eyes were Dark Hollow circles.
She forced a small smile but didn't say anything.
I realized we'd each reached the end of our tether, we peeled
back the blinds to watch the first of mourning, cut through
the forest, turning the nearest Treetops into a dull silhouette.
Though the night had received, it hadn't taken that malevolent,
feeling with it. I still sensed, we were being
watched maybe from the Shadows maybe from Beyond The Battered
fence line. That unshakeable dread was
enough to convince me. I couldn't keep doing this
Marcus packed his gear in a frantic clumsy way almost as if
he thought we needed to evacuate immediately.
I couldn't blame him, I grabbed my backpack, stuffing it with
whatever personal items, I could find spare clothes, and old mug,
a few dog-eared field guides. None of us spoke more than a few
words but there was a shared understanding we were done for
good. It was like the forest itself.
Had finally broken. Our last bit of resolve Pat,
tore down the makeshift barricade tossing, the table
aside with a grunt. I, I'm not sticking around, he
mumbled blinking away the fatigue that clung to all of us.
I'll do the paperwork, whatever it takes, but I'm not coming
back here. Dana States silent but her eyes
darted around the station. One final time, almost as if she
was memorizing, every crack and Splinter.
I could only imagine what she was feeling given her past
run-ins with whatever lurked out there.
Then she swallowed hard and whispered, let's go.
We stepped outside. The morning are chilling.
Our lungs instead of the usual, Dawn, Chorus of birds.
There was near complete silence. It was as if the entire Forest
held its breath waiting to see if we'd actually leave Aloha
Hayes lingered around the tree roots and the wind through damp
leaves that creeping unease. Wouldn't let up I felt like eyes
were drilling holes in the back of my head at the trucks we
didn't even try to pretend we'd come back.
Normally, there'd be talked of the next shift or a reminder to
lock up carefully. This time, we just piled in
turned keys and drove away. No glances in the rearview
mirror. We knew what we were leaving
behind. It wasn't just the station, it
was the memory of that horrific night, the footprints in the
mud, the indecipherable, murmurs among the trees, and the strange
totems that hinted. We were in over our heads.
As we hit the main road, I felt a glimmer of relief mixed with
guilt. Part of me, worried about the
next person, who'd fill our roles, but I knew I couldn't
stay there. The forest had become too loaded
with shadows and unanswered questions.
We pulled up to the central Ranger Office later that
morning. The woman at the front desk
looks startled, as we handed over our resignations in near
unison. Pat's words, tumbled out shaky,
but resolute. We're done.
No more nights out there. No more of whatever's in those
woods. Nobody asked a single follow-up
question. Maybe they'd heard rumors.
Maybe they saw our pale faces and realized we'd seen enough.
All I know is We Gather our belongings from our lockers
without a glance back. I heard Dana quietly.
Muttered that. If anyone tried to make her go
back, she drive three states away before she set foot in
another Forest. Marcus just nodded in padded her
shoulder. We left that day each in our own
car driving away from the ranger service and the job.
We'd once loved Even though I was relieved, there was a tiny
voice in my head. Warning, me those woods,
wouldn't forget us. Sometimes when I'm alone and
thinking too much, I picture the Barefoot prints and those hooded
shapes slipping back, beneath the branches.
There's a sense of finality to it, but all.
So a lingering question mark, did we escaped or just postpone
the inevitable? Either way, I've got no
intention of going back to find out and if anyone were to ask,
I'd tell them the same thing. Some places aren't meant to be
understood or Concord. Some forests can keep their
secrets and I'll keep my distance forever.
I could sense. The isolation, the instant are
tires left, the main road and hit that patchy.
Excuse for gravel. Every bump felt magnified, like
even the dirt wanted us to turn back.
My boyfriend who all called Dylan try to act like all this
was part of the adventure, but I caught him glancing, in the
rearview mirror more than once, scanning the empty, stretch
behind us. We'd heard about this primitive
camping spot from a friend of a friend, a place.
So remote. You'd swear you were on another
planet. No designated sites, no cell
service, no company other than the occasional deer wandering
past. We thought it'd be just the
Escape we needed. As the road got narrower in the
trees pressed in I began to wonder if we were going too far
off grid after. What felt like an hour of Muddy
twists and turns we noticed a truck pulled off by the side.
It's Hood was popped but there was no sign of obvious trouble.
No steam. No, frantic waving A woman
leaned against the driver's door, not trying to flag us down
or anything. She just stood there.
We slowed a little automatically ready to help but Dylan grip,
the wheel, and shook his head, his gaze locked on her.
The way she stared made me feel like she'd been expecting us
specifically. Like we were already part of
some plans she had in mind. I tried to get a better look at
her face but Dylan pressed the gas and suddenly she was just a
figure in the rearview mirror. I caught myself checking the
side mirror, half expecting her to jump in her truck and fallow
that didn't happen or at least not right.
Then we headed on but the air inside our car felt heavy Dylan
said it was nothing but I knew better.
It took us another 10 or 15 minutes to find a place to pull
off. The spot wasn't ideal mud clung
to our boots and we had to stomp around a bit to find a decent
patch for the tent still, it was level enough and we figured we'd
be left alone. That was the whole point, right?
We set up a small fire, both of us, trying to shake off, our
uneasy start. I cracked a couple jokes about
wanting s'mores hoping that normal conversation might make
everything feel safer. Then a car crawled by a rusty
old sedan with a driver who slowed to stare at us.
I tried not to dwell on it, maybe he was just curious.
But when the same car came back a second time, lingering, even
longer my pulse. Pounded.
Dylan muttered something about folks trying to find dry land in
this swampy. Mess I nodded but secretly I
wasn't buying it. He circled back again.
This time I locked eyes with him for a Split Second.
He didn't smile or wave just kept his gaze.
Fixed on us before he drove off. Dylan and I shared a look.
Neither of us voice. What?
We were thinking, maybe we should leave But the idea of
hauling all our stuff through slippery mud only to have him
follow our tracks, made that plan seemed pointless.
Arrived. Bringing the kind of Silence,
that feels unnatural. Our tiny fire crackled in the
clearing but the dark pressed in from every side.
We ate our hot dogs, intense silence checking the road every
few minutes, waiting to see headlights, Creepin by.
When nothing else happened, we tried to call it a night.
The moment we zipped ourselves into the 10th, though, every
Russell, every snap from the fires dying Embers felt ominous,
I tried to call my racing thoughts.
Reminding myself that weird encounters happens.
Sometimes, especially, far from civilization Dylan seemed tense
too tossing, and turning. But we both tried to act like we
were fine. Neither of us.
Wanted to be the one to say, let's pack up right now.
Not when we'd invested so much energy, just getting there.
The last thing I remember before drifting off was wishing.
The night would pass quickly, but deep down, I sense things
were about to get a whole lot worse.
Night settled around us in a suffocating.
Hush. I remember lying there.
Counting the second between the crackling Embers of our dying
fire and the distant Russell of undergrowth.
Dylan's breathing was shallow. I could tell he was as on edge
as I was though neither of us. Admitted it sometime past
midnight, must have been closer to 3 a.m. an awful noise, tore
through the silence. It was this warped combination
of metal scraping across gravel and a machine trying to start
up. It came in bursts each one
echoing through the trees. My chest tightened as I strained
to figure out how close it was. Dylan quietly, unzipped the tent
window, just enough to appear out the Moonlight painted, the
clearing and pale light. But everything looked still The
sound must have been Bouncing Around The Hills or maybe it was
closer than I realized my mind was racing with questions.
I didn't dare say out loud, I heard Dylan whisper that it
could be far away but his voice wavered, it didn't sound like he
believed that himself. I kept imagining shapes moving
at the edge of the clearing people lurking just out of
sight. Usually I'd rationalize it all
away. Tell myself, it was a weird
Echo, an animal anything but there was nothing familiar about
that. Metallic grinding a few minutes
later, Dylan sat up and started rummaging through our gear my
pulse hammered as he pulled out the machete, we'd packed It was
still wrapped in that plastic packaging because we never
intended to use it for more than chopping brush.
Seeing him carefully, remove it in the middle of the night in
total silence made me. Realize we were past the point
of hoping this would all blow over, he motioned for me to get
dressed quickly. No big speech.
No debate. We both knew we needed to leave.
We moved as quietly as possible unzipping, the tent and emerging
into the cool night. My senses were in overdrive.
My eyes, jumped to, every shifting Shadow my ears caught
every Twitch in the undergrowth. We started Gathering our gear.
In the week, Moonlight, I almost tripped over an empty.
Can I hadn't noticed before? I nudged Dylan, and he froze.
We hadn't brought any beer so it definitely wasn't ours.
That realization sent a jolt of panic through me.
Someone had been here close enough to leave trash by our
Embers. We didn't bother taking time for
a detailed cleanup. We crammed our sleeping bags.
Into the trunk tossed, the tent on top and locked ourselves in
the car. Dylan checked the gas gauge.
He'd been worried that whoever was out there might have
siphoned our tank. Thankfully, we still had enough
to get out of there. He fired up the engine and the
headlights carved, two Stark beams through the dark.
Every tree seemed like a potential hiding spot and every
Bend in the muddy Road threatened to reveal something,
we weren't ready to face. We kept our eyes peeled for
movement as we barreled through puddles and Slick patches
slipping a bit now and then, but never stopping.
Once we finally got on to a more solid stretch of gravel, I let
myself breathe a little Dylan tried to make a joke.
Something about how a hybrid saved us from ending up in some
horror movie. But even the humor felt forced,
we were both still wired scanning.
The roadside is if the woman by the truck or that Circle, in car
might appear around the next Bend.
When we reached a main road, we didn't say much.
Relief washed over us, but it was the kind that left a bitter
aftertaste. We'd wanted isolation and ended
up feeling Hunted. Neither of us, slept easily that
night and for the rest of the trip, we stuck to crowded
campgrounds or cheap motels with bright lights in the parking
lot. I couldn't believe how different
everything looked when morning finally came but that lingering
sense of unease stayed with me. in a single night, our idea of a
remote peaceful getaway had been ripped apart by something or
someone we never even got a good look at I pulled into the
campground, Just Before Sunset expecting the usual, a few quiet
families, roasting marshmallows. Maybe a couple of seasoned
hikers, turning in early. Instead I was greeted by the
clamor of loud, music, echoing off the tree line.
The Source a cluster of tents circled around a blazing fire
where a group of Frat, Boys hollered and laughed.
Like they had the whole place to the themselves.
Every so often other campers peaked out of their tents uneasy
and clearly wishing these guys would tone it down.
I couldn't blame them. Noise doesn't just shatter the
calm of a campsite it draws attention from things.
Best left undisturbed Out here, folks, whisper about the ghost
cats. Those local mountain lions that
are known to slip into camps without warning.
I'd seen enough tracks in eerily close proximity to sleeping
bags. To know these stories were more
than rumors. I parked my rig a little ways
off and walked over picking my path carefully around scattered
coolers and folding chairs. As I got close, the Frat, Boys,
paused their banter. Giving me that half a tenth of
look, they were mostly older teens or early 20s.
Still buzzing with alcohol and late night bravado.
Evening, I started trying to keep it friendly but firm.
I'm the ranger on duty. Got some other campers worried.
You're attracting unwanted attention.
I motioned toward the looming tree line.
These Woods have a reputation and it's not for the best
sing-alongs. They laughed at off at first.
So I leaned in lowering my voice, I described how mountain
lions sometimes, stalk, the perimeter of noisy camps, how
you won't spot them until they're practically brushing
against your tent walls. I explained how we call them
ghost cats because of their uncanny silence, the way they
seem to appear out of nowhere. They sobered up a bit a couple
exchanged on certain glances, but one just Shrugged muttering
that they'd keep it down. I issued a final warning.
Anyway stay quiet. Don't want to wander off and if
they hurt anything. Odd outside in the dark, make no
sound. I only hope they'd actually
listen. Once I'd done all, I could I
headed back to the station. My buddy Jim was there flipping
through some old Wildlife photos.
He raised an eyebrow when I told him about the Frat Boys, Let me
guess blasting music ignoring, every rule we've got right.
He said clearly unimpressed. Bingo, I replied and they're not
taking the mountain lion threat. Seriously.
He let out a quiet laugh. That contained zero humor.
We both knew this was more than a minor annoyance.
If something did happen. We'd be the ones, hauling them
out or dealing with an injured cat that got too comfortable
around humans. That's when we started talking
about a plan not to harm anyone, obviously, but to Rattle them
enough that they'd finally grasp the gravity of a place like
this. Jim reminded me about The Old
Lion pelt. In our interpretive Center used
it once or twice for Educational Tours though.
It always gave me the creeps. Its glass eyes, caught the light
in this unnerving way, like it was still alive.
We also had night vision. Goggles stashed away.
Thanks to a budget Splurge before the new fiscal year.
Perfect for sneaking around in the dark, unseen by unsuspecting
campers. over the next half hour, we piece together a
strategy, fake prints hidden, growls and a well-timed
appearance of a lion silhouette It might just be the jolt they
needed to pack up, or at the very least, dial down the party
volume. Grabbing the Pelt from a Dusty
storage closet. I noticed the faint musty smell
of fur, mixed with something almost medicinal I ran my hand
over the stiff, main shivering at how realistic it still felt.
Next, we tested the night vision goggles.
Even in the dim station lights, they turned everything into an
eerie green that made my pulse Spike.
By the time we had our gear ready, the sun had slipped below
the horizon. The woods outside, transformed
into a dark maze. I had this sense that the Frat
Boys, oblivious in their tents were about to discover that
being out here isn't just a Carefree getaway.
If they refused to respect the campgrounds, unspoken rules.
Well, we'd give them a night, they wouldn't forget.
Jim killed the overhead lights as we locked up.
We checked our plan one last time, and I took a breath
settling my nerves. We were about to sneak into that
campsite loaded with props and a fair share of wild imagination.
in the back of my mind, I thought about the actual ghost
cats prowling, these Hills I hoped, we wouldn't run into a
real one while pulling our prank.
It's one thing to frighten a few campers.
It's another to come face to face with the genuine article.
Still, I felt this Rush of adrenaline as we set off into
the darkness. Maybe it was the satisfaction of
delivering a wakeup call. Or maybe it was just that
strange hushed. Energy you feel whenever you
realize you're not at the top of the food chain out here.
Either way, there was no turning back.
We had our plan and we were committed to seeing it through.
The night was only getting darker and the silent woods
seemed to hold their breath waiting for whatever came next.
I hunched down in the cramped, front seat of our Jeep
double-checking that the lion Pelt was still tucked out of
sight. Outside Moonlight drenched the
forest in faint silver and every rustle of Wind Through the
branches made me brace for actual movement.
I couldn't help scanning the dark spaces between the trees
searching for any flicker of eyes that might belong to the
real thing. My coworker Jim was fidgeting in
the passenger seat, adjusting the small PA system we'd use for
the recorded roars. Ready?
He asked voice low as I'll ever be, I replied half hoping those
frat kids were already asleep in half itching to put our plan
into action. Either way, we needed to move
quickly, the night sky was starless and visibility would
only get worse. I ease the Jeep toward their
campsite headlights off to keep our approach silent.
Stopping a good distance away. We slipped out and quietly shut
the doors. The path under our boots was
damp from an earlier drizzle which made our footfalls softer
but also gave the soil, a perfect texture for stamping
fake tracks. One by one.
We planted oversized paw prints in the mud.
Making sure to press deeply near the tents.
Every so often we pause to listen worried someone inside
might stir and peek outside but all we heard was the faint
crackle of a Dying fire. Next Jim propped.
The lion Pelt onto two sturdy sticks.
We duct tape together. Seen straight on.
It was eerily convincing, massive head, snarling mouth,
and the kind of glassy eyes that appear to stare into your soul.
I caught myself glancing over my shoulder half expecting an
actual animal to emerge drawn by The Uncanny shape.
With the Pelt setup, we turn to the other part of our plan.
The Roars, we'd preloaded the PA system with a series of snarls
and growls from real mountain, lion recordings.
Jim started them at a low volume from across the clearing.
The first noise rumbled, through the darkness like a threat and I
could almost sense the campers tensing in their tents.
A second Roar followed echoing off the surrounding trees,
making it sound as if multiple Predators were encircling the
area. I slipped back into the Jeep and
carefully flicked on the headlights, aiming them.
So that they backlit the pelt. From the angle of the beam.
It looked like a living breathing, cat, pacing along the
outskirts of the camp. Jim shouted from behind a bush.
Stay in your tents. Though his voice shook with just
enough Panic to convince anyone. He was facing a genuine attack.
She is moving around us, he hollered layering more drama in
to the moment. Then he bellowed there's another
one. The reaction inside these tents
was instant. I heard muffled cries frantic
rustling and the scrape of tent, zippers being yanked, shut
again. My own heartbeat thudded, as I
realized how convincing this whole thing probably looked and
sounded from their perspective. In the glare of the headlights.
The Pelt silhouette shifted as though, it was preparing to leap
at any second. I killed the lights in one
sudden, click. Darkness swallowed the campsite
Jim dropped the sticks and we rested the lion Pelt free.
In, under a minute, we tore back to the Jeep, adrenaline through
every vein. Once inside, I started the
engine and didn't hold back kicking up.
Gravel as we made our getaway. Over the rumble of our tires.
I thought I detected one final Roar playing through the PA
system, echoing behind us like a last warning when Don finally
broke the camps radio chatter, indicated that nobody had poked
their head out until well into the morning.
From our station windows. We could imagine their pale
faces and wide eyes. Discovering the huge paw prints
scattered around some alarmingly close to their tent doors.
We heard they packed up not long after throwing nervous glances
over their shoulders at the looming Forest, no doubt they
were rattled to the core Jim and I swapped glances both relieved
to hear. They were safe but also
satisfied, we'd give them something to think about.
We'd wanted them to respect these Woods, or at least
remember that nature doesn't tolerate fools.
From what we heard later they told everyone about the mountain
lion attack, they'd barely survived.
Maybe next time. They'd remember that out here.
Silence can be the difference between a peaceful night and
something far more dangerous? I honestly don't know where to
start or if I'm ready to post this story of mine, but
hopefully, it'll help. I know you won't believe me.
And honestly, I wouldn't blame you.
It still doesn't make sense in my own head.
I've heard stories about unknown creatures in the woods, but I
never thought I'd encounter one myself, you know?
I posted another story about some creepy old people, I ran
into in the woods but that's nothing compared to this.
It might sound like a good horse story to some people but it
haunts me every day. Anyway here we go.
I love hiking I usually go with my three-year-old German
Shepherd Kyrie and let her roam off leash since we prefer
secluded places. I've hiked all over the
mountains in Utah. But wanted to find a new Trail.
Not too far from home. I have an app all trails that
tells me about nearby hikes whether they're challenging, if
there are any reviews and if their dog friendly I was
scrolling through it hoping to find something new and to my
surprise, there was a listing I hadn't seen before.
I don't remember the name but it was at the bottom of the list
with just one review that said good.
I thought it was odd because people usually leave detailed
reviews but I figured maybe it just wasn't popular.
The next day Kyrie and I packed our gear and set out.
I always carry a first aid kit, extra food, a knife and other
emergency items in case I get lost.
It's important to note that Kyrie eats raw meat, so I
brought some along in her little blue backpack planning to feed
her later when it got warmer. Where I live, you drive through
a long Canyon with many roads, branching off toward different
trails. This one was farther than I am
used to but I was excited to try something new and Kyrie always
wins until we arrive. I followed the directions on my
phone and ended up on a narrow hidden Road.
No wonder. I've never heard of this place.
I thought because it was so tucked away in the mountain.
The road only fit, one car. So I was nervous about meeting
another car head-on. Luckily none ever came when I
reached the parking lot. If you could even call it that,
I saw space for maybe three cars total all crammed together.
It was Tiny. So I parked with my car facing
out just in case. I worried it might be private
property, but the app didn't say anything.
So I Shrugged it off, got Kyrie out and we headed for the trail
although I didn't see any other cars, I initially kept carry on
her leash in case there were bikers around After about 30
minutes without seeing a soul, I let her off leash.
The first half was steep but it was a beautiful hike.
We were deep in the woods and I felt it piece.
I used to wear headphones while hiking but stopped, so I could
listen to the forest. It was still early and I wore a
light jacket planning to feed Kyrie her breakfast when it got
warmer. Now before anyone points it out,
I know carrying raw meat was absolutely stupid and ignorant.
I'd never seen a bear wolf or anything else scary.
So I got cocky and figured it would be fine.
I learned my lesson that day. No, need to tell me.
I was dumb. I already know.
Anyway, here's where the bad part begins.
The trail leveled out into an easier path.
At the top through the trees, I could see a beautiful Open
Meadow Beyond it. I could hear a river and a
waterfall, the trails circled, the meadow and it was all
stunning, the mountains. In the background, the sound of
Rushing Water, it was one of the most gorgeous places I'd ever
hiked. Kyrie and I were near the center
of the meadow when she stopped in front of me and stared
straight ahead. She usually walked a bit ahead
of me. So when she stopped like that, I
trusted her instincts and stopped too.
Before I even looked the smell hit me a strong.
Rotting odor that burned. My nose and made my eyes water.
I lifted my shirt, over my nose feeling sick and turned to see
what Kyrie was staring at. in the middle of The Meadows, stood
a deer I've seen Doe's before but never a buck and its antlers
were enormous think the deer spirit and Princess Mononoke It
was breathtaking, but that smell was unbelievable.
The deer was facing away from us, looking toward the
mountains. I thought maybe Kyrie's food has
spoiled, but when I checked it seemed okay, then when I glanced
back up, the deer was looking directly at us.
Kyrie's hackles went up and she whimpered nervously, I'm Native
American. So I grew up hearing about when
to goes and skinwalkers. Plus, I've listened to plenty of
scary stories on YouTube. When Kyrie reacted, that way, I
got a bad feeling in my gut. Despite already feeling sick.
I realized it had to be a wendigo These creatures were
only supposed to be in the stories.
My grandmother told me not in real life.
She was the one who really knew about them, but she's gone now.
No one else in my family has her knowledge.
I looked at Kyrie again when she whined, then back at the
creature it started to stand on its hind legs.
Holy hell, it was tall and turned to face me.
It began walking toward me and I was about to run.
When I heard something in my head, I am the one of this land,
suddenly a charged at me, full speed, I screamed called Kyrie
and took off running. She was right behind me.
I was crying as I ran because I heard it crashing closer
smashing through everything in its way.
My adrenaline was so high that I just kept moving, not even
thinking about a Direction. The trail narrowed and thorny
bushes appeared, they scratched and cut my arms, but I barely
felt it just as I thought it was about to catch me.
It's worth off to the left. While I kept going straight, I
dared to look back, both it and Kyrie were gone.
Kyrie, I shouted right. Then the trail dropped about a
foot onto some rocks. I stumbled off the drop.
Hit my head and started bleeding a little though, I barely
noticed. I stood up looking around
frantically, when I heard Kyrie cry, out to my right.
Kyrie, I yelled. I was sobbing and had no idea
what to do. I saw a river leading up to the
waterfall? I'd heard earlier.
Suddenly something heavy slammed into me and we both fell.
I hit my head again and then saw Kyrie her neck covered in blood.
Kyrie, I cried. She was whimpering and breathing
heavily. Her backpack, was ripped in
places before I could do anything.
A scream echoed from the woods, I looked toward the waterfall
and somehow I managed to pick up my 85 pound, dog, and run.
I don't know what my plan was. Just that the waterfall seemed
like safety. I almost reached it.
When I heard the creature land on the same rocks, I had I
tripped and looked back to see it staring right at me.
Its eyes were black or maybe there was nothing there at all.
I tore off Kyrie's backpack and threw it at the monster.
Hoping it would go for the raw meat in stead of us.
I scrambled backward toward the waterfall, crying as I dragged.
Kyrie with me. Being near that thing, made me
literally weak in the knees. It walked toward us and huge
steps. It looks so different from
before. What had seemed?
Like a deer. Now looked like, a full blown
monster. I don't know how else to
describe it. Water hit my head hard, as we
reach the waterfall, I kept going until I was pressed
against The Rock Wall in a spot where the water didn't
completely drench. Kyrie in me.
Kyrie was limped by then. I could see the creature through
the waterfall. It stood on its hind legs
watching me. The smell was beyond words and I
almost threw up, it reached out an arm and I screamed.
So loudly that I lost my voice. Then out of nowhere.
Another scream came from deep in the forest.
The creature snapped its head around, almost a full 180
degrees and looked toward that sound, which was similar to its
own Screech. I was still clinging to Kyrie
crying and screaming because it's arm was so close.
It turned back to me, pulled its arm away.
And I heard again, in my mind, I am the one of this land.
With that it backed away from me and moved down the riverbank on
all fours. it paused where I had thrown Kyrie's backpack ripped
it apart, and devoured, the meat bag and all Then it screeched
again and ran off in the direction of that other screen.
The moment I fell to. It was gone.
I shakily got to my feet and carried.
Kyrie back to the trail. Along the way I found my own
backpack. Torn to shreds, I took off my
jacket and wrapped it around kyrese neck to slow the
bleeding. After that, I remember very
little just getting back to my car driving like crazy and
screaming all the way to the emergency vet At the vet, they
asked what happened? I said it was a bear.
They called an ambulance because I was covered in blood and they
couldn't tell who's it was Kyrie.
Survives surgery, needed stitches, and had a pad for her
wounds. She developed a big bump that
got infected, but eventually healed.
She also had a bite mark of her left eye that healed better.
They pulled out a 4-inch tooth, which I refused to look at, but
they decided it had to be from a bear.
Even though they said it looked odd.
While waiting for Carrie, I tried to look up the trail on
the app, but it was gone. I have no idea why or how, and I
can't remember exactly where it was.
It's all a haze. I do have pictures of Kyrie.
One is of her with my niece. On a hike.
My mom took them on a few weeks later.
Carry looks nervous in it and you can see the huge bump on the
left side of her neck. There's another picture of her
with bandages, around her neck and a recent one, showing the
black area where her stitches came out.
The last picture is of the top of her head also black, but now
healed. I'll figure out how to post
them. I haven't been hiking since and
I refused to let Kyrie out of my sight.
My mom wants took her hiking while I was at work, but
regretted it when Kyrie got so scared.
They had to turn back. My mom knows about my
nightmares. I screamed in my sleep for a
couple of weeks. She placed white candles in my
room to ward off negative Spirits attracted to my trauma.
So that's my story. I've heard of people seeing a
wendigo and walking away, unscathed I wish that was my
experience. I hate hiking now my therapist
thinks I have PTSD but I only told him it was a bear I'm
working through it and so is Kyrie.
Maybe one day I'll go back but not anytime soon.
If you're going to head into the mountains, please, please
prepare yourself Mother. Nature is unpredictable and
there are things out there that don't make sense to us.
Stay safe. Seriously, if there's another
subreddit where I could share this and possibly help someone
else, please let me know. Thanks for listening.
I drove into Mendocino National Forest feeling both eager and
oddly Restless. Usually I get a burst of energy.
The moment I hit winding roads and thick woods but something
was off this time. The forest just seemed too
quiet, not the peaceful sleepy. Silence you might expect on a
late afternoon but a heavier Stillness, that lingered in the
air. Daring me to press on Yuri.
My dog was panting in the back head resting on the window
ledge. She's been my companion on
countless Backcountry trips before.
So I rely on her to sense if anything's wrong up, until now
she'd seem perfectly content. I kept glancing at the rear
view, mirror half, hoping, she'd offer some reassuring sign that
everything was normal each time. I looked though, she was just
watching her ears, flicked, back and forth.
As if she was listening for something, I couldn't hear the
dirt road climbed higher becoming bumpy or with each turn
my tires crunched over loose gravel and I caught myself
easing off the gas, not wanting to go too deep into a place that
had my nerves jumping. I tried to brush it off, maybe I
was just spooked by how isolated this route was.
Usually, I crave Solitude, I'd planned this trip precisely
because I was tired of crowded campsites and wanted somewhere.
Remote where Yuri could run free.
Yet every foot forward stirred. A growing unease in my gut.
I decided to pull over when I saw a small clearing on the edge
of a bluff. It was a decent spot to stretch.
My legs and give Yuri a chance to sniff around the view should
have been stunning, a sprawling Valley with dark Green Tree Tops
stretching out like an Endless Sea.
But I felt unsettled enough that I couldn't properly appreciate
it. My phone had just enough
reception to send one last text to my boyfriend.
Something along the lines of I feel strange out here.
Might head back He joked as he does saying, maybe something
mythical was lurking in the woods.
Under normal circumstances. I'd have laughed at all, but his
words hung in my mind longer than they should have.
I climbed out of the car and Yuri hopped after me.
The breeze was light, but it carried a stale undercurrent
that seemed out of place for this kind of forest.
Then I noticed a squirrels body near the dirt.
At first, I figured it must have been run over by some passing
vehicles, but the road was empty and barely more than a narrow
path. The site of broken glass
glittering around. It was also jarring.
The shards poked through the dirt reflecting the Sun and Tiny
blinding pin pricks. It had me wondering, who would
bother hauling bottles this far into the woods only to smash
them and leave the mess behind. Yuri.
Let out a low Rumble. One, I'd almost call a growl.
She usually reserves that for encounters with strange dogs, or
wild animals, never for random debris by the roadside My chest.
Clenched at the sound. I knelt down ran a hand along
her back to calm her. And her ears flattened against
her skull. She made direct eye contact with
me as if to say we don't belong here.
Determined not to overreact. I exhaled slowly and got back
into the driver's seat. With every bump of the road as I
continue to uphill. I kept telling myself that weird
Vibes happen. Sometimes Solitude can play
tricks on people's minds, the Stillness of the forest, the
lack of traffic, the abandoned glass, maybe it was nothing more
than unfortunate coincidences. That's one more.
Unsettling details came into Focus.
I saw other animal remains small creatures like birds and rodents
splayed out in ways that made my stomach tighten.
Granted Wildlife Parishes out here naturally but never quite
so frequently along a single seldom used Road.
The deeper, I went the heavier. Everything seemed each stretch
of the journey felt like Crossing into terrain that
wasn't meant for casual visitors, Yuri stirred in the
backseat panting. Quietly ears pinned forward as
if expecting something I glanced at her then force myself to keep
my eyes on the narrow track. The scenery World by tall trunks
dense canopies of green, patches of sunlight fighting through the
leaves. But the silence was the most
oppressive aspect of all. No birds no rustling underbrush,
just the scraping sound of my tires and my own uneasy
breathing. I couldn't help remembering
other trips. I'd taken by myself times.
I'd welcome to the hush and the isolation Why was this
different? I tried to rationalize maybe the
area got hit by drought, maybe some sickness had spread among
the small animals. But that same creeping tension
wouldn't let go of relief washed over me when I spotted a
pull-out wide enough to stop again, I needed a moment to
gather myself. This time I didn't even bother
getting out of the car. I just sat with the engine off
the silence wrapping around me. That was when I heard faint,
murmurs distinctly male voices, though.
I couldn't tell if it was one person or more, They weren't
shouting the tone sounded conversational but I couldn't
make out any real words. My heart started to pound so
fiercely, it felt like it might echo in the confined space of
the car. Yuri perked up, ears drawn tall.
A twin of alarm raced through me, I hesitated debating whether
to answer with a quick shout or maybe honk the horn, but
something some internal alarm made me, stay quiet instead.
I peered out the window scanning for any glimpse of movement
through the trees. Nothing.
The voice is faded as soon as they'd arrived replaced by that
grating Stillness. Again, I sat there torn between
forging ahead and turning back. The plan had been to find a
clearing to set up camp. I love the idea of being alone
in nature getting away from the stress of daily routine.
Yet my gut kept urging me to rethink everything.
In that moment stubbornness one out.
I started up the engine telling myself.
I just needed to push on a bit further.
Maybe the ideal campsite was just around the bend.
As I drove the murmur of voices, popped up again, then vanished
like a distant radio station, flickering in, and out of range.
My pulse throbbed at every twist in the road half expecting to
see someone or something. But every turnout I passed was
vacant. No tents.
No cars. Not even a stray piece of trash.
Finally, I paused on a narrow stretch of gravel, overlooking
the steep slope below. The Setting Sun pressed in on me
throwing Long Shadows across the dusty path.
I needed a decision. Either commit to staying the
night or get off this mountain while I still had enough light.
My hand clenched around the steering wheel.
Knuckles gone white with tension.
Movement in the tree line, caught my eye just a flicker a
shape. I couldn't fully make out it
disappeared. Quickly leaving me with a rush
of dread that turned my stomach Yuri.
Let out a short sharp bark, which made me jump that sealed.
My choice enough was enough, I wanted to show.
I was Brave that I could handle remote camping but some
intangible danger clung to these Woods.
I turned the car around as quickly as I could feeling a
mixture of relief and disappointment in myself.
The voices went quiet. Again, the oppressive hush
settling over the forest, like a cloak.
Yet, I swore I could feel unseen eyes tracking my departure
nerves, buzzing. I maneuvered back down the
mountain at a careful, but urgent pace.
Part of me hated feeling spooked.
But every mile away from that Eerie stretch of forest lifted a
weight off my chest Even if I ended up second guessing my
decision later, I knew I was making the safer call for me and
my dog. I wasn't sure what if anything
was hidden up there beyond the twisting trees but the leftover
tension told me it was nothing good.
I came back down that Mountain Road With Yuri at my side, but
even as we were leaving, I couldn't shake the nagging sense
that I should have stuck around to investigate more.
Part of me felt like a coward. Like maybe I was turning my back
on something I needed to understand.
In the end, my curiosity, got the best of me.
I checked into a cheap motel for the night, slept fitfully, then
made a rash decision at first light.
I'd head back up there. I told myself, I just do a quick
scouting trip figure out what had me so rattled then leave for
good. The next morning, I followed the
same Winding Road. My stomach knotted up every time
I recognized a stretch of it from the previous day, Yuri
stayed quiet in the passenger seat.
This time, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery.
She occasionally sniff at the air in short bursts as though,
trying to pick up a scent. I couldn't detect.
We covered the same ground in about half the time.
I seemed more determined more prepared for what I find when I
pulled onto that first clearing. I noticed the broken glass in
the little squirrel, carcass were still there.
Untouched. The forest floor looked about
the same still covered in thick layers of debris and pine
needles. There was no wind, no, Russell
of wildlife. Nothing.
That distinct hush pressed in on me and once again it made the
place feel vaguely guarded. Like it had Secrets, it wasn't
in a hurry to share. As I moved deeper along the dirt
track, I spotted more dead animals, Birds smaller rodents
just like before this time though I dare to stop and
inspect one. It was a small rabbit, it's
firmed and its body strangely intact no sign of predation or
typical Scavenging. It creeped me out to the point
that I practically sprinted, back to the car.
Yuri whined, as I slid into the driver's seat and I caught
myself mumbling that I was. Okay, even though my hands were
shaking, Farther up the road curled, around a thick stand of
trees branches. So dense that sunlight.
Barely reached the ground I slowed almost to a crawl
scanning the woods on both sides.
The voices. I'd heard the day before were
nowhere to be found just a crackling silence.
Yet the more I Advanced, the more certain I became that
something was lurking in those Shadows following me in that
subtle. Menacing way you sense before
you actually see it, Yuri perked up and started a low throaty
sound not a full growl but more like a warning.
My pulse jumped, I didn't see anything at first but then came
a flicker of movement through the cluster of trunks.
I made out what looked like a hunched shape skirting behind a
fallen log. It was quick gone almost before
I registered it could have been a bear, maybe a large deer that
was spooked by my presence, except the movement fell off.
Swift and upright in a way most forest animals aren't?
I fought the urge to call out telling myself.
It was a bad idea. No need to announce my presence
to something I wasn't prepared to deal with.
My main concern was Yuri. If whatever, that was decided to
come closer, I didn't want her dashing into the trees after it
edging. The car forward again, I noticed
the air had this stale heaviness to it.
Like the forest was holding its breath.
I made a point of checking my phone, hoping for even a single
bar of reception but the screen just showed no service typical
for these Backcountry areas but that helpless feeling of
isolation, only Amplified the sense of being cornered by
unseen Watchers. The next turn opened onto a
narrow Plateau, a clearing with a partial view of the valley
below. It looked like an ideal spot to
set up camp if anyone were insane enough to do so, in these
conditions, I parked and tried to see if there were Footprints
or any sign that other people had been around.
That's one, I discovered a pile of bones off to one side, half
hidden under a tangle of branches.
They appeared bleached stripped of Flesh and left in a
disturbingly neat stack. I could make out a small skull,
likely a deer, the weirdest part was how deliberate it looked
like it was placed rather than left by scavengers, I backed
away feeling a surge of dread Yuri, must have sensed it
because she started pacing in and out of the car muzzle low
tail rigid. In that moment, it felt like the
entire forest was a trap that I driven right back into something
that didn't want me there. Suddenly I heard voices This
time they were clearer at least two men.
Maybe three arguing and hushed tones that Rose and fell too
quickly for me to catch their words.
My heart was practically thudding out of my chest, as I
tried to locate the source. It sounded so close, but there
was nobody visible in the clearing just those bizarre
Bones, the thick tree line and the breeze that had begun
stirring the branches ever so slightly.
I climbed halfway back into the driver's seat door.
Still open, trying to decide whether to shout a greeting
before I could work up. The courage, the voice is cut
off as if someone had flipped a switch. that abrupt silence had
me, trembling no normal conversation ends that abruptly
in the middle of an argument. It felt like they'd noticed me a
shape flashed between two Tall Pines at the edge of the
clearing for a moment. I saw a pale face or maybe just
the suggestion of one peering from behind the bark.
It vanished the second, my gaze landed on it.
My breath caught in my throat. Yuri fixed her stare on the same
spot emitting a guttural snarl that I'd never heard from her
before. It was enough.
I jumped into the car, slammed the door, and gripped, the wheel
tight. My tires spun in the loose dirt
as I whipped around practically fishtailing as I aimed back the
way I came, I didn't even bother with the brake at the washboard
turns, which made The Descent feel Reckless and dangerous, but
I had to get out of there. The forest itself felt hostile
like it was compressing funnily me out.
I glanced at my rearview mirror more often than the road
convinced any second. I'd see something someone
barreling after me. The voice is didn't return but I
could still sense them as if the forest had swallowed them up.
Every dip in bump nearly rattled my car apart, but I powered on
ignoring the dust billowing behind eventually.
I hit a stretch of better Road, still in developed by the thick
trees on either side. It was lighter out though and
the sense of immediate danger started to fade.
If anything was chasing me, it had given up or it was just
waiting. I couldn't decide which was
worse. When I reached a paved section
near the edge of the park relief flooded me.
The tension in my neck and shoulders felt enormous.
I accelerated until I saw the sign for a nearby gas station
and pulled in my hands still quivering.
I got out took a breath and realized my clothes were damp
with sweat clinging to me in the chill heir.
Yuri hopped out and stuck close to my side tail between her
legs. I bought a bottle of water and
tried to compose myself, flipping through my phone and
search of an explanation, any explanation, for what?
I just witnessed, local news articles, missing persons,
notices Cryptid lore even My mind darted to the strange bits
of Legend, I'd read before, about creatures in the Deep
Woods that can mimic human voices.
Suddenly, all of it felt a bit too plausible.
I ended that day locked up in another motel room, curtains
drawn, unable to fall asleep. My thoughts, looped over the
images, the Stacked Bones, the Blurred figure behind the
Pine's. Those disembodied arguments,
that ended the moment I arrived. It wasn't just standard
isolation. This place had a darkness that
cut through whatever logic or bravery.
I thought I possessed Whatever. Had been in those woods, I was
certain it was aware of me in ways, I didn't understand even
recalling the memory. Now I get the same knot in my
gut. Maybe I'm just another spooked
traveler. Who let the Primal quiet of the
forests. Stir up old Legends.
Or maybe there really is something out there that likes
to watch wait and toy with people foolish enough to come
looking for it. all I know is if you ever find yourself alone on
those back roads and Mendocino, pay attention to every gut
instinct, you've got Maybe you'll get out unscathed, or
maybe you'll find yourself listening to voices.
You can't see in a place that feels as though, it never wanted
you there in the first place. The air felt cool against my
cheeks. As I followed the narrow
footpath. My dog.
A stocky. Mix with bright eyes.
Padded alongside me occasionally glancing up like she wanted
reassurance. It was early.
Sunbeams were still stretching across the leaf?
Littered ground. I'd chosen this public.
Stretch of woods for The Quiet mostly to enjoy a morning.
Free from the rush of Every Day Life.
I remember noticing how still everything seemed Sure.
There were bird calls in the distance, but the undergrowth
felt oddly void of movement. my dog paused every so often knows
working overtime, like she sensed something I hadn't I felt
that twinge of caution the same jolt you get when you realize
the world around, you might be watching more than you realize.
The trail meandered through dense.
Scrub eventually dipping toward a shallow Creek bed.
A cluster of leafless. Branches overhead looked like
they'd host a rusting flock or two, but I didn't spot any right
away, my dog's ears, flicked, and she let out a low on certain
growl. Instinct nudged me to slow.
I stopped letting my gaze wander across the creek.
Noticing how the Sun sparkled on the shallow water?
In that moment, a subtle impulse tugged at me.
It's difficult to explain an instinct may be without a single
conscious thought I reached for my dog's collar.
Shortened, the leash and crouched low, a crack of anxiety
moved through me, it was as if every sense sharpened
simultaneously telling me to wait, I scan the tree line.
At first, I noticed a group of turkeys perched in the branches
nearly invisible in the morning glare.
They were big bulky Silhouettes, rustling quietly in the canopy.
Relief flickered. In me thinking maybe that was
the cause of my nerves. still, I stayed put not wanting to
disturb them or get a surprise Wing slap if one spooked A
moment later a Russell came from behind?
My dog flinched and I pivoted carefully expecting a deer or
another hiker. What emerged from the brush was
a man dressed in top tier camouflage.
Cradling a bow in one hand. I barely made out his outline
until he stepped fully into the light.
He wore a mask of irritation that I understood too well.
A hunter interrupted midstock. He froze when he spotted me,
probably guessing I had been sitting there like some clueless
bystander. For a second.
I thought he might say something or lay into me for messing up
his morning, but instead he just stood shoulders tents staring
first at the turkeys, then it me.
I raise a hand in an uneasy wave.
Not sure if words would help, He glanced from me to my dog and
then, back to the creek, his mouth twitched some mix of
annoyance and resignation before he turned and cut in entirely
New Path through the thicket. I watched as he melted into the
undergrowth quiet as a shadow leaving, barely a snapped branch
in his wake. A swirl of conflicting emotions
churned in my gut. I couldn't decide whether I was
more. Sorry for scaring off his Quarry
or relieved. I'd spotted him before.
He loosed an arrow in our Direction.
There was no question. Something in me had registered
his presence moments before my eyes ever found him.
It made me look at these Woods differently.
I'd always been confident in my outdoor sense.
Knew the habits of local Wildlife new the sweet spots
where deer like Tibet had a notion of How To Tread without
spooking half the forest. But this felt personal, I'd
caught that man's glare before fully seeing him like an
invisible alarm. Telling me you're not alone.
My dog whined softly as if echoing my thoughts.
I gave her a scratch behind the ears, and we continued on
though, it wasn't the same calm hike.
I'd planned. Every step forward felt loaded
my eyes scanning for any movement in the brush.
My mind kept returning to the hunters, cold laser focused
expression. A look that said you just cost
me a morning's work. I left that trail with fresh,
respect for how quietly, danger, or at least tension, can lurk in
the woods. Sometimes it announces itself
with snapping branches and fluttering Wings, other times,
it hovers unseen relying on your instincts, to register it and
occasionally, you get lucky, you sense The Observer before they
have a chance to fade away like they were never there at all.
My second encounter happened a year later.
I chose the Suburban Edge trail that day expecting a
straightforward stroll, something to clear my head
without the rugged challenge of backcountry Terrain.
The spot was known for its wide paths, and Scenic overlooks
often buzzing with joggers and dog walkers.
My dog and I had a comfortable routine walk in, enjoy the
sights and head out before evening rolled in.
Yet, as we started down the gravel stretch.
I noticed something was off. No chatter no footsteps.
Padding behind us. Even the usual of traffic from
the nearby Road, felt muted. It was the kind of hush that
clings to a place when people sense a reason to stay away, I
tried to brush aside. My unease.
Maybe it was just an off-hour maybe everyone else had better
places to be. But my dog's tense posture.
Stopped me from pushing that thought too far.
She paused every few yards, straining her nose toward the
Timberline. Every leaf crunch under our
feet. Rang loud enough to carry to
calm my nerves. I focused on details the
brilliant yellows and reds in the foliage.
The sunlight slanting through half bare branches, the distant
shape of the Hills. The area had a certain postcard
charm the kind that draws families on weekends.
Except there were no families today, no, casual hikers.
Not a single face appearing from around the next Bend, About
halfway in. We reached a wooden Footbridge
spanning a shallow trickle of water.
Usually a popular photo spot empty.
My dog whined in snake, her head side to side, a sense of
watchfulness, ignited in me recalling, the time we'd
encountered that camouflage. Bowhunter this time, however, I
doubted, it was a legitimate Sportsman hunting.
Here was banned I crouched by the railing trying to see if
something down by the stream was causing her alarm.
Nothing caught my eye. No sign of movement in the
bushes. No leftover trash or Footprints
along the muddy Bank. The silence pressed in thick and
foreboding. Standing again, I scammed the
tree line, beyond the water. My mind, toyed with different
explanations. Maybe a wild Predator had
slipped into these Suburban Woods.
I'd heard rumors of cougars, occasionally drifting into
places. They shouldn't most folks wrote
those stories off as urban legends.
Another possibility less comforting was that someone sat
hidden among those trees. Deliberately tracking me, I'd
known people who thought scoping out.
Unsuspecting hikers, was a thrill A faint Breeze stirred.
The branches overhead carrying a stale scent, reminiscent of damp
soil. And something else.
Not exactly Decay, but not the crisp autumn smell.
I expected my dog bristled. And a subtle.
Whine, escaped her throat. I tried to steady myself with
logic. It could be an animal carcass
nearby or a small scattering of leaves left to rot.
Yet the tension in my gut wouldn't let me chalk it up to
something benign. I kept an eye on the undergrowth
searching for a glint of metal or the flash of glass that might
indicate. Binoculars.
I saw nothing. Still the feeling of being
evaluated by an unseen presence. Persisted Pressing on felt
necessary, even if every step tightened the knot in my
stomach. The next Bend led to a narrow
Corridor of trees. Their branches arching overhead
to form a tunnel of sorts. Light filtered through casting
elongated Shadows on the path. My dogs Pace.
Slowed her tail dropping, she glanced back at me almost
pleading. A branch snapped off to my left.
I froze, ears, straining another crack.
Like, someone trying to creep unnoticed through underbrush,
but missing a step. My heart hammered against my rib
cage, my mind, jumped back to that camouflage Hunter months
ago. Only this situation was worse.
My dog was nervous. The park was empty, and nobody
was around to see if anything went wrong.
I Stood Still scanning the spot where the noise came from. a
moment passed and the forest returned to its unnerving,
Stillness I suppressed the urge to call out something told me
not to give away my exact location to whoever or whatever
might be lurking. Without a solid plan.
I moved forward. Each footstep measured.
My dog crowded close panting, shallowly.
The trail felt endless winding through silent trees.
That seemed eager to hide secrets.
I did my best to keep calm but every shift of the wind every
Shuffle of leaves. Raised my tension higher
eventually, the path opened near the edge of the woods and I
glimpsed the parking area in a clearing through the final stand
of Timber. Relief washed over me, but I
kept glancing back, half expecting someone to burst from
cover. Reaching the lot.
I found it as deserted as the trail, a single Street Lamp
hummed flickering weekly, getting my dog into the car took
two tries because she was trembling her paws slipping on
the seat. I fumbled with the keys,
resisting the panicked urged to floor.
The accelerator, the moment, the engine came alive.
Pulling away. I glanced in the rearview
mirror. For an instant.
I thought I caught movement among the trees, a lean shape or
a silhouette, but it faded when I blinked it could have been my
anxious mind playing tricks. Safe behind the wheel, I should
have relaxed, but that tingle of being watched refused to vanish.
Questions swirled. Was it a big cat?
A reckless thrill seeker with a scope or simply my imagination,
amplifying, every stray noise. Truth be told, I had no real
answers. All I knew was that the uneasy
hush in those woods. Felt different from any Ordinary
Day. I wasn't going back anytime
soon. Even as I drove away the sense
of invisible eyes lingered, a reminder that sometimes in
places meant for peace and Recreation, there are Watchers
who don't belong. I remember the drive out to my
grandparents Place, being both nostalgic and strangely tense.
The asphalt seemed endless winding through fields that felt
emptier than I remembered. When I finally pulled into the
long. Gravel driveway, the crunch of
the tires set me on edge, for no, real reason I could put into
words, My grandparents little Farmhouse came into view and all
though, it looked the same white paint peeling, and places a
sagging porch, that needed new boards.
I got the sense, something about the area had changed, maybe it
was just my imagination acting up.
Grandma and Grandpa greeted me at the door fussing over how
much taller I had gotten? Since my last visit and asking
if I was hungry. The smell of fresh cornbread
wafted through the open window which usually made me feel right
at home. It sort of did at first but
while Grandma rambled about chores that needed doing and
Grandpa talked about a recent, coyote problem, I found myself
glancing over at the tree line more often than I wanted to
admit nothing stood out as threatening still my gaze kept
drifting over there. Eventually, I decided to stretch
my legs and wander out toward the woods.
That big yard used to be my stomping ground.
When I was a kid, a place where I had spin around until I got
dizzy and collapsed on the grass, staring up at the sky.
Now, the grass felt Too Tall prickly against my ankles and
the air tasted heavier. Each step I took seemed to stir
up old memories. A Pang of homesickness flashed
through me. Weird, considering I was
actually at home, I walked until I reached the first cluster of
trees letting my hand. Brushed the rough bark.
Everything, grew quiet. No wind, no chirping birds, not
even the usual Russell in the underbrush.
A strange hush settled around me.
I tried to shake it off and took a few more steps Under The
Canopy. The farther I ventured the
darker, it got even though the sun was still high overhead,
without meaning to I started thinking about old Legends, my
family sometimes told during late night, gatherings, Stories
passed down about things, best left alone.
Creatures that show up when you're by yourself and
vulnerable. I'd always laugh them off as
spooky Tales now, not so much this patch of land had never
seemed dangerous but it definitely didn't feel inviting
anymore. A soft snap echoed somewhere to
my left. Might have been a branch or
maybe just my imagination. I froze straining to hear
anything else. Moments later a breeze, finally
swept through carrying the slightest whiff of something
sour. It reminded me of damp leaves
left too long in the Sun. I tried to dismiss it chalking,
it up to the thick undergrowth. I thought about heading back,
but curiosity tugged at me. This was my childhood
playground, right nothing to be afraid of here.
Still, as I took a cautious step forward my skin prickled.
That uneasy feeling crept up my spine and I couldn't figure out
why. I glanced around once more, half
expecting something to jump out, but saw only narrowed Trunks and
shifting Shadows. I convinced myself, it was all
in my head and turned around to head for the house. tomorrow, I
thought I'd go deeper into the woods like I used to whatever
was bugging me, had to be nerves or maybe an overactive
imagination, fueled by old family stories.
Deep down though. I felt a flicker of anxiety that
I couldn't quite name. Something was different here and
I really wasn't sure. I wanted to find out exactly
what it was. I woke up thinking that maybe I
just overreacted the day before. Sunlight filtered through the
curtains and everything seemed normal.
Gram on the kitchen, clattering around with pots and pans on the
porch, whistling an old tune. The sense of safety that came
with daylight gave me a little confidence.
I decided to head back into the woods convincing myself, I
needed to check if there was anything out there worth
investigating like an animal burrow or a fallen tree.
Probably nothing sinister. The moment I stepped off the
porch, though. I realized the are felled.
Oddly still again. The grass glistened with do.
Dampening, my shoes. And every step sounded loud in
that unnatural silence. My gaze drifted to the same
patch of trees I'd visited before.
Part of me wanted to call it quits, right then, but I just
kept walking like I was on autopilot.
Once I passed the first line of trees that uneasy hush descended
once more. No birds no, insects nothing,
but my own breathing, I reminded myself, I had spent entire
Summers out here without a single scare.
So I pressed on crunching over fallen leaves until I was
surrounded by trunks and Tangled undergrowth.
I was about to turn back when a voice trickled through the
Stillness, calling my name. it sounded like my mom but off
somehow, as if it were coming through an old radio with poor
reception, My immediate Instinct was to shout back, but a warning
flickered in my mind. She was supposed to be in the
house, not out here. I froze scanning the area.
I tried to trace the direction of the sound, but it seemed to
dance around me far away. One moment.
Close the next My pulse race. I knew my mom wouldn't be
wandering. Aimlessly in these Woods.
Not in that tone. A second call echoed, and I
realized it wasn't just me imagining things.
My eyes flickered over to a gap between the trunks.
That's where I spotted. It an impossibly tall figure
hugging the bark of a wide tree. At first the details were hard
to make out but as it shifted slightly, the pale color of its
skin was unmistakable. It wasn't the shade of anything
alive and healthy more like old cracked leather stretched over a
frame too large for its head. Angled to the side.
Revealing a mouth lined with Jagged teeth that glinted in the
dim. Light fear tightened every
muscle locking me in place for a split second.
I thought about calling out to it asking if it was hurt or
needed help. but the longer I stared the more I realized how
wrong it looked it peered back at me with eyes.
I can only describe as hungry and a foul smell drifted in the
air, like something rotting in the Sun.
Without warning, it shifted away from the tree and a sudden jerky
motion. Almost like it was testing how
quickly it could move. My instincts, overrode every
other thought, and I stumbled backward, nearly tripping over a
tangle of roots. That's one of bizarre crackling
sound filled, the silence like branches snapping in half, but
it seemed to come from the creature itself.
My mind screamed to run but my legs felt stuck for a moment.
The sight was so horrifying that part of me refused to believe it
was real. Then the creature took, another
lurching step in my direction, and I finally managed to turn
around. I bolted through the trees not
caring, how many branches or Thorns scraped my arms.
My breath came out and ragged bursts and every twig cracking
behind me. Sounded like it could be that
thing right on my heels. I force my way through the
undergrowth practically diving over a fallen log.
That rancid smell seemed to follow lodged in my nose.
My chest burned. And I was convinced, I was
second from being grabbed. By the time I reached the edge
of the woods, my legs were shaking so badly.
I nearly fell. The yard opened up before me,
bathed in the daylight that suddenly felt like the only
barrier between me and whatever lurked in these trees.
I sprinted to the house heart pounding grandma was in the
kitchen window, smiling at something on the counter
completely unaware. I slowed down just enough to
look back over my shoulder. The tree line, stood silent.
Once again, as if it had swallowed, the thing whole But I
knew it was there. Watching maybe even waiting for
me to come back. I slipped inside without a word.
A surge of nausea hit me. And I had to take a minute to
steady myself. Neither Grandma nor Grandpa
noticed how rattled I was. So I pretended everything was
normal. But inside, I couldn't calm
down. I kept replaying the moment.
Those eyes fixed on me. That Twisted version of my mom's
voice drifting through the trees.
That night sleep was impossible. Every little sound a settling
floorboard, the Old Clock chiming felt like a Potential
Threat. I could practically feel the
darkness pressing against the windows.
There was a part of me that wanted to grab Grandma and
Grandpa pile into the car and tear out of there for good.
Another part couldn't stop wondering if it would even
matter. Because once you've seen
something like that, something that knows your name and isn't
afraid to call it out, you start to fear, it can find you
anywhere. I pulled onto that back road
with just enough, Moonlight to silhouette the thick tree line
against the sky. The night are drifted in through
my window left open from when I'd been smoking earlier and I
remember glancing in the rear view for no real reason a sense
tugging at my gut that maybe I wasn't as alone as I thought.
The road stretched out in front of me.
Empty silent and unsettlingly dark.
No streetlights, no farmhouses lit up in the distance, just a
narrow route, cracking beneath my tires.
I tried to shake off my nerves by fiddling with the radio but
every station offered nothing but static.
My hands clenched the wheel tighter than usual.
It felt like the trees were watching me as if waiting to see
if I could keep going or turn around.
Still I pressed forward telling myself everything was fine when
I spotted alone, stop sign at a ragged.
Four-way intersection. I exhaled in relief.
It was a small hint of civilization.
I slowed down, not quite stopping thinking.
All right, just make a left and you'll be halfway to your
friends place. That was when the tree line
erupted with motion, some creature burst into view,
barreling, straight toward my door.
I nearly slammed the brake before Instinct made me gun the
gas instead my headlights caught a flash of something with
elongated Limbs and teeth that glistened in a way teeth
shouldn't The sheer ferocity in its eyes or whatever they were
made my stomach twists. It was so close.
I could sense. Its aggression, like it had been
waiting for me to roll by with that open window.
I pressed the accelerator until the engine roared.
My heart. Thudding in my ears.
The Beast kept pace for a few unnerving seconds snarling in an
almost human rage. My window was wide open and
invitation. If I screwed up for even a
second, The tires squealed in protest and I wrestled with the
steering wheel to keep from flying off the road.
Gravel pinged against the undercarriage, the creature
lunged again, missing the window by inches.
A guttural noise, rang out behind me, and I couldn't tell
if it was an animal's growl or something else.
Then it fell back, swallowed by the dark, my pulse continued to
pound, as I tore away from that intersection desperate to
outrun, whatever had just tried to reach me.
Only once the road curved in the creature, vanished from the
mirrors. Did I allow myself a shaky
breath? My mind, raced with impossible
questions had I run into a rabid animal or did something with
genuine malevolence just choose me as its Target tonight.
Staring into the night. I kept my foot on the gas
determined to leave that lonely. Crossroads and the thing that
lurked there, far behind I pulled into my friend's
driveway, still gripping. The steering wheel.
Like it was the only solid thing in the world.
Every muscle in my arms, felt tight and my pulse throbbed in
my temple. The moment I killed the engine.
I noticed, how shallow my breathing had become?
My fingers shook with leftover adrenaline?
As I fumbled with the door handle, I could almost sense
that thing from the road, hovering right behind me.
Ready to Lunge again? If I let my guard down, Inside
the house was warm and filled with laughter, so, painfully
normal that my brain needed a second to adjust.
The conversation dropped. The instant, I walked in I must
have looked a complete mess wide eyes, hair, plastered to my
forehead. I tried to find my voice but it
came out raw and broken. Once the shock wore off enough
for words, I rattled off a rambling account of something
huge with teeth. Something that seemed more like
a nightmare than any animal I'd come across before.
Their face is reflected confusion, a couple friends
asked if I was messing with them, or if I had too much to
smoke. They're dismissive reactions hit
like a punch to the gut. I kept insisting, it was real
too real but it felt impossible to convey the intensity.
My mind kept replaying how close that thing had gotten, how it
showed this unnatural hostility? The more I tried to talk about
it, the more I realized nobody could truly understand without
having been there. I forced myself to sit down but
my nerves were thrumming too fiercely to stay still.
Even when I tried to breathe and calm down my gaze flicked toward
the windows half, expecting those eyes to appear behind the
glass. The walls felt stifling and I
couldn't decide if I wanted to be hidden away in my room or
surrounded by people. Either way, I couldn't banish
the image of snapping Jaws in the grading guttural sound still
echoing in my head. Night dragged on and everyone
else drifted off to bed, sleep was the last thing on my mind,
there was a heavy weight in my chest like Dread.
That just wouldn't dissipate. I flipped through my phone
searching for anything. Urban legends, weird.
Sightings local warnings. my heart, hammered, as I stumbled
onto stories about shapeshifters, and cryptic
creatures, said to stalk lonely roads, Some details were scarily
similar Eerie canine forms the sense of an intelligence behind
the brutality. It made me question if I pushed
my luck on a path, I had no business traveling alone.
The later, it got the more my thoughts, spun in circles, I
wondered if it attract me, if it knew exactly where I ended up.
Logic told me that was absurd, but a gnawing suspicion kept me
glancing at every window. Eventually exhaustion forced me
to shut my eyes though. Sleep brought no comfort.
I dreamed of glinting teeth and felt in the pit of my stomach
that the next time might not end.
So cleanly. by morning, I was a jittery wreck fueled by the same
obsessive questions. Had I really escaped something.
No one else. Believed existed.
Should I let it go or try to learn more Fear and curiosity
clashed in my thoughts and I dreaded the idea that I might
need to see that place again, just to prove, it wasn't my
imagination. Even so the mere notion of
returning to that cursed intersection twisted, my
insights with anxious anticipation.
Something told me my story and the creatures wasn't finished I
was about nine, the Thanksgiving.
We arrived at Grandma's place nothing but trees surrounding
that old house so thick you could hardly see the sky.
The driveway felt longer than usual like it stretched deeper
into some secret place. Grandma's house.
Always felt a bit strange with all those Native American masks
hanging on the walls and the faint smell of incense or
something that hinted at Old ceremonies.
Whenever I stepped inside, I half expected those masks to
whisper warnings, I couldn't quite catch, Thanksgiving meant
cousins everywhere, piling coats in the hall way in chatting so
loud. It drowned out any sense of
caution. Aunt Sandy was setting the
table. Uncle Jim raged around in the
fridge and everyone else drifted in and out of conversation.
I remember glancing out the back window noticing how dark the
woods looked even in daylight the branches gnarled.
Like they'd been there for centuries.
My older cousins, Sam, caught, my stare and raised an eyebrow.
Like he knew I was thinking about exploring.
Once we wolfed down some snacks, Sam nudge me to head outside.
Mom gave a half-hearted wave to go have fun.
Maybe expecting we just skip rocks in the creek or pick up
arrowheads along the usual path. Instead Sam wanted to push
deeper, he'd heard, there was a massive Rockledge somewhere far
behind the house and he was determined to find it.
The air in those woods was thicker than I remembered.
Every footstep sank and damp leaves.
And the silence pressed in around us until it felt like we
were tiptoeing through someone else's territory.
We passed the old sweat lodge structure with rotting hides
still clinging to a wooden frame.
I'd always been too nervous to peek inside.
Even now I sped up to get away from it.
Sam didn't say anything, but I saw him glance over his
shoulder, like, he expected someone to emerge from that
sagging doorway. After what felt like forever, we
saw a rocky ledge jutting out ahead.
It towered over a slope filled with broken branches and dead
foliage. Salmon and I stood there kind of
breathless scanning the drop below.
That's where I noticed something.
That shouldn't have been there. It looked like a person standing
in ragged clothes, maybe 30 feet down.
I remember trying to Blink it away.
Maybe a scarecrow or some lost hiker, who never made it out but
then it moved I barely breathed. Sam's eyes went wide.
The figure turned letting us see its face.
It was long and shaped like a Moose's snout with rough
mottled. Fur in these Eerie dark eye
sockets. It gazed straight at us, like it
knew exactly who we were. And that we'd made a terrible
mistake. Stepping this far into its
domain, my inside's nearly locked up.
I had this wordless Instinct screaming to run but no part of
me want to make a sound Sam grabbed my arm.
We bolted back the way we came crashing through undergrowth.
Twig sliced at my cheeks and damp leaves stuck to my clothes.
With every step, I felt a presence behind me.
As though, the thing below, the ledge had silently decided we
weren't allowed to leave. The light through the canopy,
seemed to Flicker and the trees around us Twisted into shapes.
I barely recognized. We stumbled onto a clearing that
shouldn't have been there. An open circle of grass and
mushrooms arranged in rings. A weird green glow, hung in the
air and a sudden wave of warmth made my head swim.
It felt like the whole place was pulling me in urging me to slow
down to forget why I was running.
Sam shook my shoulder, his voice tense, we needed to move, but I
couldn't figure out where to go the brush.
We'd cut through had simply vanished, then a shout cut
through everything, my mother's voice, echoed in the distance,
calling my name. It snapped me, back to reality.
We scrambled out of that clearing following her voice
until we burst into our backyard panting and covered in scratches
Everyone else was just setting the table for dinner.
The same old bustle of holiday chaos.
No one believed the garbled story Sam.
And I tried to spill about a moose face figure and a bizarre
clearing that tried to trap us At that moment I almost wished.
I could block it all out too. But as the sun sank lower my
mind, refused to let go of the image of that tall ragged shape.
It was somewhere out there in those depths of the forest and I
was certain it remembered us. Dinner.
That evening was supposed to be the high point of our holiday.
Everyone crammed around Grandma's table, swapping
stories and passing turkey. Like it was a relay race.
But I couldn't focus on anything, except what I had
witnessed a few hours early with Sam.
While everyone else. Bantered about football or joked
about old family Tales, my thoughts kept wandering to the
figure with the Moose, like, head lurking out there in the
darkening Woods. The swirl of voices, and the
glow of candles couldn't blot out that creeping sense of
unease. I glanced at Sam.
He was barely touching his food every now and then he Dart his
eyes toward the window as if expecting a tall silhouette to
slip past The grown-ups shot us. Odd looks for being so quiet.
I knew they chalked it up to silly childhood fears, some
rumored ghost story or a product of too much imagination.
But I noticed a few uneasy glances at the walls where
Grandma's native masks seem to watch us their carved eyes lit
by flickering Candlelight If they had known what we actually
saw out there, maybe they'd have believed us.
Or maybe it was easier to pretend, nothing was wrong.
After desserts, some of the older cousins, suggested around
of Manhunt to break the tedium. normally the idea of running
around at night flash lights Dancing in the Dark brought a
spark of excitement, This time my stomach twisted.
Still, it seems safer to be with a big group than wandering
alone. I figured I'd stick close to
everyone else and not stray more than a few yards from the back
porch. The cousins burst out in a
flurry of jackets and laughter. the yard sat under a thick
canopy of stars and the line of trees loomed like a fortress,
And Sandy switched on a big flood.
Light near the tool shed which cast just enough glow for us to
see the game's boundary. At first, it felt almost normal
people sprinting between tree trunks calling out and mock
bravado. I teamed up with Sam and we
proud the perimeter with flashlights.
Leaves. Rustled as some cousins, snuck
by trying to avoid being tagged. Occasionally, we found ourselves
scanning the darkness searching for a shape that didn't belong.
Each time a cousin would pop up instead, shrieking, or laughing,
which felt like relief and disappointment at the same time.
Deep down. I worried I'd spot an antlered
silhouette among the branches. We were about to give up on the
last hit and cousin when someone shouted from a cross, the yard
over here. We rushed toward the sound.
Flash lights. Bobbing A group of us converged
on a dense cluster of bushes, close to the trees.
The beams swept over leaves revealing a crouched figure that
missing, cousin trying not to breathe, too loud.
But behind him, stood, something else.
A shape. So tall.
It nearly blended with the Shadows of the branches.
Overhead My pulse hammered as the flashlight.
Beams caught slivers of torn Fabric and what looked like fur
along its neck. The antlers Jagged decaying in
places stretched above the creatures, head it towered in
silence. And the part of me that had been
trying to forget the earlier encounter shattered in an
instant There was no mistaking, the Slender Twisted limbs or the
elongated snout of a moose like face.
Its eyes reflected the flash light glow, forming two,
pinpoints of malevolence. All of us froze.
Not a single joke, not a single breath wasted.
The cousin in the bush turned around and a split second pass
before he realized what loomed just behind him.
His face contorted into horror and he scrambled out so fast.
He nearly collided with two others, the entire group
screamed at once. Someone dropped their flash
light. I stumbled in the rush to get
back toward the house. Every Instinct hauler, that the
creature could yank one of us off our feet at any moment.
Footsteps pounded across the lawn breath ragged Hearts
hammering like frantic drums. We crashed through the back door
in a jumbled swarm shrieking for the adults.
Aunt, Sandy nearly dropped the stack of dishes.
She was washing when she saw us all sweaty, shaking and yelling
about something in the yard. The rest of the family quickly
gathered. At first, they were skeptical.
Some asked if we were pulling a prank, but the collective Panic
changed their minds. We all babbled over each other
describing. The antlers the face, the
Towering silhouette. That was when I realized nobody
was laughing anymore. A hush fell.
Heavy with Dread as if acknowledging something beyond
our comprehension had taken root in these Woods.
The House suddenly felt too small Windows too large the
backyard. A yawning black hole ready to
devour any of us who ventured out again.
A few uncle's locked the doors and flip off lights to reduce
visibility from outside Grandma. Stood in the corner, her eyes
shut like she was recalling story she'd heard long ago.
Maybe warning from the same people who once lived on this
land. I retreated to the living room
with Sam pressing myself to the wall, beneath those old masks.
The hum of shaking voices and muffled, saws filled the house.
It was the first time we'd ever considered not being safe and
grandmas home. part of me wanted to believe it was a nightmare
but I couldn't deny the memory of those Hollow eyes scanning us
under the flashlights glare We were no longer just telling
ghost stories. We were living one and outside
something. Monstrous knew exactly who we
were. I remember the headlights
cutting across the sand, like twinblades slicing through the
dark, my friends. And I had gathered under the
stars at our usual spot a desert Trailhead, just outside El Paso.
It was late, but we'd done this so many times that none of us
were phased by the hour. We joked about who'd eat dust on
the first big Dune and swap stories of past rides.
While the wind rattled the truck doors The Desert Air seemed to
whom with energy enough to stoke our excitement for the ride
ahead. we were just about to set off when alone four-wheeler
appeared in the distance at first I could barely make out
the shape, just a hazy Globe bobbing over uneven ground As it
approached, the figure on the ATV, offered a quick nod, more
of a gesture than a greeting. His gear looked battered by the
elements and a layer of grime. Covered his bike.
No introductions came. He didn't ask where we were
headed. Didn't say much of anything.
He just lingered near our group helmet visor down waiting.
I glanced around at my buddies. We were all thinking the same
thing. Should we invite the stranger to
ride with us? The desert at night can be
overwhelming for anyone going solo?
Besides there's a sort of code among off-roaders help each
other out when needed. So, I waved him over.
Your good if you want to join. I hollered he gave that same
silent nod. No name?
No backstory. Still.
I Shrugged it off. Might have been nerves, might
have been pure exhaustion. Who was I to judge?
Engines roared, as we headed off in a single file line, we found
out a bit, so no one got blasted by another's dust.
The moon didn't provide much light and our ATV headlights
wove, a jittery dance across the sand.
It was exhilarating speeding through Shadows, shifting weight
on the bike as we climbed ridges and feeling that crunch under
our tires. I intentionally kept myself
second to last leaving the newcomer in the rear, so I could
keep an eye on him. Every few minutes, I do a quick
glance over my shoulder, to make sure he wasn't lagging too far
behind or struggling at first. He held his own.
His headlights stayed close enough for me to see bouncing
along in time with our group. But something about him felt
off. He never pulled up alongside me
or tried to talk though. That was hardly a crime.
Still, my nerves started simmering.
When I noticed how he'd occasionally accelerate, like he
was about to catch up then, drop back, just as fast.
We pressed on through winding trails and patches of Rocky
ground where the dust seemed to hang in the air like a fog.
My buddy is looked comfortable. Probably laughing into their
helmets about some inside joke but my mind kept drifting to the
quiet writer behind me. Something tugged at my thoughts
urging me to stay alert. He hadn't done anything
threatening yet, I found myself checking my mirror more than
usual. After a solid hour of weaving
through washes and shallow Ravines, we decided to head to
our favorite overlook. It's a High Ridge with a
panoramic view of the surrounding desert, a spot where
we typically kill the engines and soak in the scenery.
When we finally reached it, we parked our bikes in a rough
semicircle. The night sky opened above us.
A million stars shining. The gentle glow of the city far
off in the distance. It was the kind of place that
could remind you just how small you are.
I twisted around on my seat, fully expecting to see the
newcomer pulling up in that last position.
But the space behind our group was empty.
Only my own tire tracks, Trail back down the slope.
A cold Ripple of alarm worked through my gut he'd been on my
tail the entire time, right? Why wasn't he cresting the hill
now My friends noticed the vacant spot too, a few Shrugged
assuming he'd slowed or taken a wrong turn.
That's when we flipped on our flashlights and started calling
out waiting for a sign, any sign of him.
Coming over that Ridge. Nothing.
One of my buddies. Volunteered to ride back a short
way. Maybe the strangers bike,
stalled out, or he caught a flat.
We hoped that was all time. Dragged on and the unsettling
possibility that he'd vanished sunk in.
The desert can play tricks under Moonlight distorting shape in
distance. But how far could he have gone
without one of us noticing? I stared down the slope
straining for the glow of his headlight in the Darkness.
Only a vast expanse of sand and rocks.
Stared back, we regrouped quickly.
My mouth felt dry and it wasn't from thirst.
A wave of anxiety crawled under my skin.
As I fired up my ATV again, ready to retrace our route.
Who was this guy? And why did he vanish?
So suddenly could he have crashed in a hidden drop?
Did he peel off for reasons? We wouldn't want to know a dozen
scenarios world through my mind. And none of them felt
particularly comforting with the moon.
High overhead, we revved our engines and split off to search
The desert once exciting and freeing had turned menacing
under its silent cloak. The hush of it, all rattled me
more than I cared to admit engines.
Roared again, headlights swung wildly, but all that open space
gave no clues. In that moment, I had one
thought pinned at the front of my mind, we had to find him.
No matter how bizarre, the circumstances seemed leaving,
anyone lost out, here wasn't an option.
We had no idea what we were up against yet.
There was no turning back. We needed to figure out what
happened to The Stranger in the dunes.
I satisfied. My ATV engine humming beneath me
while the rest of the group formed a huddle in the sand.
We had all gotten a glimpse of how quickly thrilled could twist
into alarm. That stranger.
Silent nodding gone. Everyone was on edge.
Our friend Julio pulled up. Alongside me his flashlight
beam. Trembling a bit as he scanned
the trail behind us. Nobody spoke for a moment.
We just listened to the Drone of our machines and the wind
carving through the dunes. We decided to split into pairs
our plan was to backtrack, methodically sweeping each path.
We'd take in that night, it felt like a massive undertaking and
total darkness, but there was no alternative Leaving someone out
here especially a writer. None of us knew felt like a
banding a lost cause I kept picturing him sprawled out
somewhere behind a rock formation injured and unable to
call for help. Julio.
And I inched along the first stretch of Ridgeline headlights
coming through swirling dust. Every time I hit a bump, my
stomach lurched with Dread. This search was different from
anything I'd experienced. The silence pressed in heavier
than usual. I tried shouting over the
engines growl calling out. Hello, buddy.
Can you hear us? But the desert swallowed my
voice. We found ourselves creeping
forward with the beams pointed in every direction, desperate
for any glint of metal or movement.
We push deeper into the trails offshoots places, where we
rarely wrote At Night. The terrain got rough dotted
with Rocky outcrops that casts strange Shadows.
Once Julio shouted for me to stop thinking he spotted a
glimmer of something near a gully.
Turned out to be just a discarded can reflecting our
lights back at us. This small Discovery useless as
it was rattled me. The idea that anything could be
lying out here some clue or maybe a rekt bike felt all too
real. As we pressed on the deserts
Darkness seemed to expand. My flash, light revealed Twisted
shape of cacti. Occasionally, giving me the
sense I was looking at contorted figures.
A flicker of Moonlight, on a large Stone, would make me slam
on the breaks. Sure, I'd found the missing
Rider at Last, Only to realize it was just another rock. with
every false alarm tension built, There was something uncanny
about the whole situation, someone Vanishing with hardly a
Trace. By the time we regrouped with
the others, the night sky was at its blackest, only the faint
glow of distant stars above. Everyone's expression showed the
same mix of confusion and anxiety.
We formed a loose Circle flashlights.
Bobbing as we talked over each other questions, flying around.
No one had seen anything. Not a skid mark, not a tire.
Track veering off, not even Footprints leading away.
One of our friends rosea suggested, maybe he left on
purpose, but we all know that made little sense. why right up
to a random group stick with us for an hour and then vanish We
agreed to push farther out searching in a wide or Arc.
Another hour passed with the same dead ends, the desert
slopes yielded nothing, except the occasional Tumbleweed or the
rustle of unseen creatures. The dreaded weight on Me Harder
with every passing minute, I kept envisioning the sun rising
over an empty stretch of land where we never saw the thing.
As we climbed higher to another vantage point, we cut our
engines and stood listening. Normally, if an ATV were
running, anywhere close, you'd pick up on the hum, echoing
through the Canyons. We heard nothing beyond our own
breathing in the scrape of boots on Rock.
The Desert was an expanse of Blackness rolling on all sides.
A few of us yelled again, hoping for a response, but the Echoes
just mocked us bouncing off distant ridges before fading to
silence. We settled on one.
Last pass through the main route, the route, we knew best.
My mind was torn between worry and a creeping sense that maybe
we'd stumbled into something we shouldn't in towns near the
border. You hear enough rumors to keep
you up at night stories of clandestine, Crossing's deals,
gone. Wrong people who disappear,
without a word. Could that be what we were
looking at right now. Sometime after two in the
morning, we return to where we'd started the night faces Grim
under the glow of our quads headlights.
We cut the engines again letting our flash lights, light, our
anxious Expressions. It was clear.
None of us wanted to give up, but exhaustion clung to our
voices. we were out of leads, out of directions, to try We
rode back to our trucks in a somber line.
A far cry from the excited banter that had filled the air
just hours before reaching the parking area, we held on to a
flicker of hope that maybe we'd find the strangers sitting there
alive and well. The lights showed only our own
vehicles and an empty patch of gravel.
The absence of his bike made the night feel colder.
I felt an ache in my chest. I couldn't explain. we climbed
down from our ATVs and stared at each other in disbelief dust
settling on our clothes, and in our hair, Nobody had a real
answer. Calling the cops was mentioned
once or twice but we had no clue who we'd even be reporting
missing. He never gave a name or
background. It was like we'd imagined him
except we all saw him with our own eyes.
That night as we all parted ways, I could sense.
A collective question floating Among Us.
What in the world had we just witnessed?
Back at home, I tossed and turned catching only glimpses of
sleep. it felt wrong to Simply move on, but we'd done
everything, we could think of The only thing left was to stay
alert for any news, any shred of an explanation.
Days. Later I'd still flip through TV
channels, scan social media, anything to see if our silence
stranger turned up nothing. the desert had swallowed him whole
or so it seemed, whenever I drove past that Trailhead
afterward, I found myself gripping the wheel, a little
tighter reminded that sometimes people can vanish and leave you
questioning every Dusty mile, you retraced And in those
moments, I understood just how big and how utterly unforgiving
that desert can be. I've always been the kind of
person who jogs and out of the way spots mostly to avoid
traffic and curious onlookers. Back then I lived in this
rundown corner of town where the main drag abruptly ended and
lonely unmarked. Stretch of asphalt took over, no
streetlights, no sidewalks. Just a ton of trees in the
occasional scurrying animal most people would have avoided it but
I preferred the quiet at least. That's what I told myself.
On one of my first runs down that road, I noticed something
odd on the left side, a sagging fence, half concealed by wild
undergrowth, and behind it. In Orchard Gone.
Wild Gnarled apple trees clustered together their Twisted
limbs heavy with fruit. Except the fruit never seemed
picked. Loads of it, lay rotting on the
ground, filling the air with a syrupy.
Over-ripe smell that clung to my clothes.
If I got too close. It was bizarre this abandoned
patch of land producing so much yet.
No one around to collect a single thing.
Late one afternoon, I decided to head that way.
Just as the sun started slipping beneath the horizon.
The temperature dipped and the Shadows along the road
lengthened. I told myself it was just
another workout but deep down, I sensed a heavy silence.
Each footstep echoed louder than it should have like the trees
were leaning in to hear every breath.
Farther down the brush on both sides of the road grew thicker,
almost forming a tunnel. the deeper, I went the more anxious
I got there were these faint rustling noises, almost
inaudible, over my breathing. At first, I chalked it up to
Small Critters. Still, my nerves were on edge, I
kept glancing back half expecting a shape to sink out of
the trees. Finally, as I drew close to that
broken fence the smell of fermenting.
Apples washed over me again. I slowed my pace.
The property look darker than usual.
Like the encroaching Woods were swallowing at whole, a nasty
feeling Twisted in my stomach. I'd come for a simple run, but I
found myself in that Orchards orbit, wishing I'd turned around
sooner. Nothing jumped out at me.
Nothing. Screamed.
But the sense that I wasn't entirely alone stuck with me.
And for the first time on that road, I regretted being there by
myself. I went back to that overgrown,
Orchard, a few days later telling myself, it would be a
quick visit. The memory of those apple trees
had been rattling around in my mind, it felt wrong that, so
much fruit was just rotting away.
Even though I sensed something was off the last time, I
convinced myself, I was imagining things.
Looking back. I should have known better.
The sun dipped lower than I had anticipated.
By the time, I reached the battered fence daylight was
fading and the place looked even Bleaker.
I could barely make out the tree trunks in the dimness, except
for ghostly outlines of Twisted branches, the scattered apples
on the ground. Shone with a pale, gleam more
white than read in that light every step crunched on Fallen
debris. The kind of sound that makes you
think you're disturbing a space best left alone.
I gingerly stepped around. Thorny brambles hoping to snag
some apples. That weren't completely bruised.
The heavy fermenting scent, clung to the are enough to make
me cough. I grabbed a couple of half
decent pieces and turned to head back.
No reason to linger. My instincts, nagged me to
hurry. Like I was trespassing on land
that had quietly decided, it wanted to be left in peace.
That's when I saw movement at the edge of my vision, just a
quick twitch of something in the shadows, my pulse hammered as I
wove around a thick bush trying to reach the road. suddenly a
figure blocked, my path, a man mid-40s maybe crouched low, and
moving with deliberate steps, his arms were out like he was
about to grab something and for a heartbeat, I thought that
Target was me I yelled practically launching the apples
in his Direction, he jumped. Like he'd been shocked and
stumbled backward with a sharp gas.
We both stood there breathing hard.
Our eyes locked in mutual alarm. Then after what felt like an
eternity he blurted out. I I thought you were a deer.
His voice cracked in a shaky apology and he retreated a few
steps onto the asphalt. Stunned relief washed over me.
My mind. Replayed, every horror story,
I'd ever read and I realized how badly this could have gone.
He kept apologizing saying he'd been tracking deer and never
expected a person to appear out of nowhere.
I was torn between wanting to chew him out for creeping around
and just being overwhelmed that he wasn't out to hurt me.
We stood like that for a moment. Under The Fading light.
Neither one. Sure.
What to say next. In the distance, the orchard
Russell as if the land was eavesdropping on our jittery
Exchange. Finally, he mumbled one, last
apology and started walking away.
Leaving me alone in that patch of dying daylight.
My legs shook as I made my way to the road.
I still had an apple clutched in my hand.
Didn't even remember. I was holding it.
Even after getting home, the whole thing stuck in my head,
maybe he really was harmless. Just some clueless Soul hoping
to spot wildlife. Yet there was something in his
posture that ignited a deep sense of unease.
Regardless, I promised myself, one thing, no more late, visits
to that Orchard, the cost of free apples, wasn't worth the
jolt of panic still coursing through my veins.
I could practically recite the route from memory an hour and a
half on winding roads, peppered, with narrow turns, through thick
forest, My friends and I had driven this way, countless times
always with the same giddy excitement for climbing.
I remember glancing in the rear view and seeing my friends Jeep
trailing close behind Headlights, cutting through the
early evening dimness. Even though the drive was
familiar, I felt a nagging buzz in the pit of my stomach kind of
like when, you know, something's off, but you can't quite place
it. When we finally pulled up to our
usual, spot, that same clearing by the rocky outcrops Nostalgia,
hit me in waves. It was exactly.
As I remembered the tree line, hugging the open space, The
Boulders towering in the distance, and the wind carrying
that faint scent of damp Earth. I hopped out of my car.
Giving the surrounding a quick once-over.
No. Immediate signs of trouble, just
that subtle hush, that always settles over the place at dusk.
We piled out and started unloading tents in gear.
Conversations were light at first everyone, joking about
their worst climbs, or embarrassing spills from
previous trips. Deep down, I sensed attention,
we were trying hard to ignore. After all last year, one of my
friends had her gear vanish in the middle of the night.
A few jokes and forced laughs can only do so much to disguise,
that unease. We chose a well-worn spot for
the tents. Like we always did.
Each time we'd arrange them in a semi-circle around an old stone,
fire pit. So we'd all be close to the
warmth into each other. Someone joked that the missing
gear could have been the handy work of a squirrel hoarding
chalk powder, but nobody really bought that story.
I think we all just wanted to make light of the situation to
keep the weirdness away. The sun started sliding down
behind the Treetops faster than we expected painting the sky
with these fiery streaks of orange and red.
We hurried to pitch the tents before.
Darkness got too thick. I was fumbling with the polls
more than usual, which I blamed on shaky hands, but I didn't
want to admit, I was on edge. It almost felt like every small
noise in the forest had been Amplified.
The rustle of leaves sounded just a bit too close.
The crack of a twig. Snapping somewhere off to the
left. Made me turn my head.
Nothing ever appeared, but that didn't make me any less jumpy.
By the time, our tents were secured and the fire was.
Crackling Knight had fully settled in.
We set up camp, chairs around the flames and doled out some
snacks. The glow of the fire felt
comforting on my face, but I kept finding myself peering past
it into the Blackness Beyond. It's amazing how quickly my mind
started Conjuring images of shapes and figures out there,
hunched between trees. I couldn't see anything but the
sense of being watched lingered around the edges of my thoughts.
When the conversation drifted, someone finally brought up the
missing gear from the year before.
We debated the odds of it, being an animal versus a person who
crept in. My friends swore up and down,
she was positive, she'd left everything right by her tent
flap, only to discover it gone at sunrise.
No, scraps of fabric, no stray shoe left behind just gone.
We tried to rationalize it but excuses felt Hollow in the
silence. I remember glancing at her
noticing her eyes Dart toward the shadowy brush as she spoke
like she was both angry and uneasy at once.
I attempted to change the topic staring everyone back to
climbing routes. We were excited to try the next
day. That worked for about five
minutes until we heard a sharp snap of a branch nearby.
Every head, swung, around flashlights, raised.
We stared for a long moment, but saw nothing.
Just the flicker of our own firelight bouncing off.
Tree trunks. Tension hung thick in the air.
I could practically taste it. Eventually we forced our
shoulders to relax and carry on. It was still early in the night
and we warned about to let Jitters ruin the trip.
We told a few more stories. Some of them genuinely funny
about epic bouldering fails and the time someone nearly tumbled
off a ledge because they sneezed mid climb.
Laughter helped a little, it felt like a small Shield against
the feeling that something might not be right.
Hours passed and the Flames died down to glowing Embers.
I offered to fetch more wood but the stack was already running
low. We decided to call it a night.
Saving what was left for the morning?
Chill. Nobody said it aloud but I think
we were all relieved to retreat to our tents as if zipping
ourselves, inside could provide some semblance of real safety.
Before heading to mine, I took a quick walk around the perimeter
trying to assure myself. No one else was out there.
The trees loomed tall and the Moonlight filtered in patches
through the canopy. It felt eerie but I chalked it
up to imagination. Satisfied more like two, spooked
to keep looking. I went back to my tent and
crawled inside my friend in the next tent, over called out a
half joking. Don't vanish on us which earned
a few nervous Chuckles. I tried to settle in but
sleeping was impossible. Every time I let my eyes drift
shut, I'd become a cutely aware of how thin the tent walls were
how close the forest was? I kept replaying that moment
when the gear disappeared last time, wondering if someone had
been Brazen enough to sneak up while we all slept my mind kept
circling back to that question. If there was a thief or
something worse, would they be desperate enough to come back?
That final thoughts stuck with me.
I ended up lying Their Eyes Wide Open listening to the wind
whistle through the branches. I wanted so badly to believe it
was just a normal Night in the Woods that nobody was out there
that everything was fine. but some distant part of me
suspected that we weren't alone and that maybe we never had been
I must have only dozed off for a few minutes at a time because it
seemed like every small noise yanked me back to reality.
My friends, muffled snore would fade and the wind would stir the
leaves. Just enough to make it sound
like movement outside. I kept picturing someone
creeping between the tents scanning through our stuff.
It was relentless. At one point, I couldn't take it
anymore, I slipped on my boots grabbed a flash light and unzip
the tent. The cold air on my face was
sobering. The Embers in the fire pits,
still cast a faint orange glow across the clearing.
I could make out the Silhouettes of the other tents bent dome's
in the Darkness. I decided to step a little
farther away. Partly.
Just to confirm there wasn't anything Sinister lurking right
beside us. And partly because I needed a
moment to loan to study my nerves.
I moved beyond the reach of that feeble light, where the forest
floor, turned into patches of undergrowth and Tangled roots.
The flash lights beamed across tree trunks.
Everything looked ordinary it. I couldn't help but feel
exposed. I tried to shake off the
paranoia, forcing myself to believe.
I was just psyching myself out. That's when I noticed something
off. There was a subtle shift in the
Gloom. A few yards ahead low to the
ground. I froze, shining my light in
that direction. Initially, I thought I'd caught
sight of an animal, a raccoon or maybe a fox.
The shape didn't move though. So I took a step closer.
A creeping sense of dread started pooling in my gut,
because I realized I was seeing a, human silhouette splayed out
as if lying prone. It reminded me of old military
movies where someone in camouflage is crawling through
the brush. We locked eyes, or at least I
sensed we did. My mind went blank for half a
second. I flicked the flash light
directly on him. Sure, enough.
Whoever it was worried, ghillie suit, the kind that makes people
almost melt into the surrounding.
He had clearly been watching the campsite head lifted in our
Direction. The Reflection from his eyes was
unnerving, like an animal caught in the headlights.
I couldn't decide whether to shout or run my body didn't want
to do either. So, I just stood there, gripping
the flash light, it felt like an eternity, but it might have only
been two seconds. Finally, this figure realized I
was on to him and launched up from the ground.
He took off deeper into the forest van Vanishing so fast
that I didn't even hear much in the way of snapping Twigs or
rustling foliage. He just melted into the
darkness. My flashlight beam darted around
trying to track him, no luck. I was left with the Echoes of my
own heartbeat thudding in my ears and a panicked feeling that
maybe he wasn't alone. Adrenaline kicked in and I
practically sprinted back to Camp, nearly tripping over a
root. As I went By the time I reached
the tents, I was gasping for air stammering over my words to
explain what it happened. Everyone scrambled out of their
sleeping bags disoriented but fully alert after hearing the
fear in my voice flash lights, flicked on.
And every direction, my friends kept asking me to repeat myself,
not sure if I was exaggerating, once they realized I was
serious. We all stood in a tight knot
around the dying. Embers shining beams across the
tree line, nothing stirred, it was like the forest had gone
silent. No chirping insects no Sway in
the branches. Someone muttered that we should
go look for Footprints or broken bushes.
So a couple of us inched forward with flash lights scanning the
ground, the rest stayed near the tents half packed, in case we
needed to bolt. I had my eyes peeled for any
sign of him, bent grass, a snapshot brand, maybe a stray
piece of Gilly fabric. We found nothing the area where
I had seen him flying looked undisturbed as if he'd never
been there. We gather together again by the
fire pit forming a circle. The conversation was a mess of
suggestions. Should we stay awake all night?
Should we drive off right now? Should we report it somehow?
Part of me wanted to leave immediately but the idea of
stumbling through unfamiliar back roads in total darkness
freaked me out just as much. Eventually we agreed to keep
watch and shifts, huddling close to the low flames.
I doubt any of us truly relaxed. Every gust of wind set.
Our nerves on edge flashlights, cut across the darkness
searching for signs of movement. Time dragged on minutes felt
like hours and the black Sky slowly turned gray as Dawn.
Approached the relief that came with those first light rays was
almost overwhelming. We hurried to break down the
tents tossing, gear into bags without caring about neatness
loading up the cars. Like it took an eternity.
Each of us scanning the shadows in case the figure was still
around. Once everything was stowed, we
locked the doors and climbed inside.
Nobody spoke much on the drive out.
Even once we hit the main road, I couldn't stop.
Checking my mirror. Half expecting to see a Ghillie.
Suited stranger sprinting down the asphalt.
By the time I reached home, my mind was still buzzing with
questions. I couldn't figure out what this
person wanted, why they target our camp, or what happened to my
friends gear the previous year, There was no closure, just the
unsettling reality, that someone out there, knew our habits,
watched us without making a sound and slipped away, like a
phantom. In the days that followed we
swapped a flood of anxious group texts.
Everyone wondered if we should report it to the park rangers or
something like that. In the end, we made our choices
quietly. None of us plan to return to
that spot. The Cliffs and boulders might
still be calling to some other Carefree group of campers, but
I'm not so sure that Forest is his innocent as it seems.
And the truth is, I'd rather not find out who's hiding in the
undergrowth keeping close tabs on anyone.
Foolish enough to spend the night I tossed my gear in the
truck at dawn, feeling excited and just a bit anxious about the
day ahead, my friend and I had to shooting trip in this logging
area that was supposedly. So remote we'd have the place to
ourselves. We joked about having the entire
Wilderness to do what we wanted. But deep down, I noticed how
quiet, everything felt no traffic sounds, no voices, just
the crunch of the tires on gravel in the heavy Stillness of
Back Country Roads. We drove for what felt like
ours. Only passing the occasional turn
off that led deeper into dense brush.
We kept losing phone reception and each time we checked we saw
the same mocking no signal on the screen.
I tried to laugh at off telling myself, it was the perfect
digital detox, but something about those winding roads was
unsettling. Even the crows perched on dead,
branches off in the distance, made the place feel unwelcoming,
eventually the dirt path. Narrowed Huge ruts, scarred the
road. And on one side, there was a
pretty steep drop. Made me wonder how any logging
trucks maneuvered here without sliding right over the edge.
My friend said, we should pick up the pace but between the
Shaky Ground and the bumpy potholes.
I kept my foot on the brake. Every time I glanced over the
edge, my stomach did a nervous flip.
Like, all it would take was one wrong turn to Tumble straight
down. As we climbed a small Ridge,
something caught my eye. An old pickup, its headlights,
barely visible through the haze of dust.
I eased over letting my truck hug the tree line, so they could
pass except they didn't, they rolled right up nose to nose
with my front bumper. Until I was certain, we were
only inches apart. two guys sat inside rifles, propped, casually
across their laps, the back of their truck overflowed with
fresh cut Lumber I couldn't see much detail through their dirty
windshield, but I caught enough of their expressions to sense.
They weren't in a chatty mood. I raised a hand in greeting.
No reaction. Tried a quick.
Hey, y'all headed out. Still nothing, they just stared.
My friend turned slightly in his seat probably ready to reach for
his sidearm. The air felt suffocating like
something was about to go very wrong.
I couldn't reverse easily, and pushing forward, wasn't an
option. Unless these guys moved, we were
stuck, basically alone far from anyone who could help if things
went South I braced both hands on the steering wheel, trying to
decide how to handle this. There was an urge to honk or
yell, but something told me that any sudden, move might trigger a
reaction. I didn't want to see These
strangers definitely weren't here for a friendly Morning
Drive. The question was, what were they
going to do next and how were we going to get out of it?
I sat there with my hands clamped around the steering
wheel. My buddy next to me, both of us
completely, unsure if we should speak first or even move the two
guys in the pickups stayed, glued to their seats rifles
across their laps, Lumber spilling out the back.
The silence felt suffocating like the air itself was pressing
down on us. Just when I thought we might be
stuck in this weird stalemate forever.
Another set of headlights appeared behind their truck.
Then another and another until it was this whole parade of
ramshackle cars and trucks creeping over the Ridge, one by
one. Each was just as loaded down
with stolen logs, as the first like a convoy in broad daylight
That Couldn't care less who saw them.
I remember glancing at my buddy and he gave me this look that
said this is bad, really bad. There was no question.
We were witnessing something illegal.
If these folks realized we'd seen too much they could easily
decide we weren't leaving to talk about it.
We were stuck on a narrow dirt Lane with a cliff on one side
and a wall of trees on the other.
In the middle of nowhere, without a shred of sell signal
to call for help the vehicles moved at a snail's pace.
Each passing close enough that I could see the lumps of wood
stuffed into backseats tied to roof racks and piled in truck
beds. Some drivers stared, right at me
through their Windows, others acted like we didn't exist even
the kids in one beat up minivan. Peeked out from behind the stack
of planks eyes wide. Nobody said a single word.
It was like, we'd stumbled into some secret operation that
demanded absolute silence. My friend shifted in his seat,
his sidearm now on holstered and resting near his leg.
I took the hint and eased my own weapon out of its case, keeping
it low. In my head, I Was preparing for
the worst. If someone jumped out or decided
to raise a rifle, we'd have to fight or make a break for it
either. Option was terrifying, we had no
backup and there were way more of them than us.
When the final car in the Convoy crawled past leaving behind a
haze of dust the original pickup.
Still blocked our path. Their engine hummed but they
stayed put for a long moment. I swallowed hard wondering if
they were about to raise their guns, or ran our bumper, or who
knows? What else.
My buddy is Knuckles when white around his grip, then, as if
they'd finally decided, we were not worth the trouble.
The driver punched, the gas, Their truck lurched forward
practically grazing, my front end and rumbled around the bend
without so much as a glance, back the dust settled and the
road fell silent again, like we just witnessed a ghost town
passing through. I released a shaky breath, still
clutching my pistol. My friend told me to wait a
second before moving just to be sure, they weren't lying in
wait. We both scanned, the tree line.
No sign of movement nothing but the lingering smell of diesel.
We had no intention of sticking around for round two.
Guns. Still in hand.
We turned the truck around as carefully as we could on that
Narrow Lane. I didn't bother with the scenic
route or any more off-road exploring.
We just wanted to put as much distance as possible between us
and that Convoy even after we'd hit the main highway, I couldn't
shake the feeling of being watched.
It wasn't until we saw the first sign of actual civilization,
that I let go of the tension in my shoulders, right.
Then in there, I knew I'd be finding a proper shooting range
back home. Somewhere with reliable phone
reception and staff around. I realized that out in these
remote places when things take a turn there's no safety net
You're on your own. I spent half the day driving
over abandoned logging roads. The roads were gravel
occasionally pings against the underside of your car.
And you never see another soul. I kept waiting for some old
radio tower to pop up or an RV pulled off to the side but
nothing appeared. Just miles and miles of Silence.
Usually, that's what I like the isolation, the freedom.
That day, though the whole Drive had a strange energy, every
little bump made me glance around, half expecting
headlights to blaze up behind me.
By late afternoon, I pulled into a spot, I'd scouted on the map a
flat clearing near a sluggish Creek. getting the SUV level'd
took a couple trees since the ground was lumpy, eventually I
settled unpacked, a folding chair and let myself unwind A
little wine seemed like a perfect idea.
I remember sipping from the bottle, letting my eyes wander
across the sea of trees. I might have gotten more relaxed
than I intended, which is why I ended up crashing in the back of
the SUV earlier than usual. Sometime in the night, something
reached my ears. It didn't sound like normal
Forest, noise, no rustle of leaves or crack of a twig.
It was more like a low humming pattern if I had to guess, I'd
call it chanting, but it was so faint.
I couldn't be certain my nerves started.
Buzzing, No one else was supposed to be out here.
No campsites. No cabins, no vehicles.
I rolled onto my side telling myself the road must have
carried sound from way off. The worry stayed, though.
I checked my phone for a signal. Nothing.
Of course then drifted into an uneasy dose.
A while later three sharp knocks blasted through the Stillness.
Each one, a clear note that set my pulse galloping I pushed
myself upright and spotted a face at the window.
My mind practically short-circuited another person
right there. I yelled in this scratchy
guttural way. I barely recognized.
Whoever it was darted off so fast, I only got a glimpse of
movement in the Darkness. I fumbled for the keys hands
trembling so badly. I almost dropped them.
Then flicked on the headlights. The beams swept across a few
scraggly bushes in the creek Beyond, but no shape, no
Footprints, just me and the hum of the engine for a long time.
I just sat there, breathing in short bursts, flicking my gaze
around for any sign of that, stranger silence.
After a while, I started questioning my own senses but I
couldn't deny those. Three knocks, nobody runs around
out here in the dead of night for fun.
I kept the engine running headlights on scanning until the
sky began to lighten. The wine Buzz had long since
worn off replaced by a raw Edge in my gut.
At first light, I hauled myself out to do a quick sweep around
the SUV. No Footprints, no trampled,
grass, no, broken branches. That baffled me even more no
sign of a vehicle either. It was like someone had drifted
in from thin air and vanished just as fast.
Deciding, I'd had enough of that spot.
I packed everything up at record speed.
My plan was to find a safer location, maybe somewhere with
more open space, so I wouldn't feel so cornered.
Still, as I drove away, every reflection in the side mirrors.
Got me jumping half convinced. I'd see someone trailing me.
I'd come looking for solitude but suddenly it felt like the
last thing I wanted I eventually found a new clearing but let's
just say the rest of that trip was overshadowed by the memory
of those Knocks. My mind kept flashing back to
that face in the window. Some part of me wondered if it
might be better, never to know who or what that person was.
By the time I finally made it home, I was a wreck.
That drive back every unmarked. Turn every shadow on the side of
the road. Felt like it might bring another
unwanted visitor. I never did figure out how they
managed to appear out of nowhere and maybe that's a good thing.
Sometimes the not knowing can be a safer place to live in.
I drove a few miles away to this clearing, I'd heard about
supposedly a safer spot or at least one where you could see
someone approaching. The place wasn't exactly
luxurious. Just a level of dirt with a few
straggly trees around but it felt more open.
Figured that would help me sleep easier.
It didn't that first night in the new spot, I barely rested.
Every rustling Leaf was a potential Intruder.
I set up my little camp stove tried to eat something but my
nerves had the better of me, the face I'd seen at the window kept
replaying whenever I blinked, I fiddled with my phone hoping for
a shred of signal so I could call a friend and get some
reassurance. No such luck.
It was like the forest itself. Wanted me.
Isolated, I finally dug out my satellite phone which I usually
reserve for real emergencies. I got a faint Connection in
immediately. Dialed a friend.
She listened to me Babble about mysterious chanting in the woods
and a stranger banging on my window.
She kept saying it sounds like you should come home and all I
managed was I'm not ready to give up yet.
Probably stubborn Pride talking the connection cut out halfway
through our conversation leaving me with static and a feeling of
being stranded in more ways than one That night, I did everything
possible to stay calm zipped myself into my sleeping bag.
Kept a flash light in hand and locked all the doors.
Problem was my mind wouldn't cooperate couldn't stop
picturing a dark shape lurking behind every tree waiting for me
to let my guard down around midnight.
I heard a loud crack in the distance, maybe a branch
snapping and my pulse ratcheted up again.
No chanting this time. But honestly I wasn't sure which
was worse, the unknown or the memory of it by the next
morning. I felt wrong out like I had
barely closed my eyes at all. Even the bright sunlight didn't
chase away the sense that I was being watched.
I'm not one to give up easily, but there's a point where you
realize this kind of dread can unravel you So I packed up in a
hurry, double checked the engine and started the long Trek back
to civilization, the whole drive home was just as tense.
Each time the road curved, I caught myself glancing in the
mirrors. Bracing for a figure behind me.
Nobody showed up. Eventually, I rolled onto a main
Highway and the sight of a passing truck filled me with a
strange relief. I never thought I'd appreciate
so much when I finally walked through my own front door, I
half expected, some hidden presence to have followed me.
Nothing did of course? Yet I still locked.
Everything turned on every light, as if my home had become
an extension of those woods. Even days later I jolt awake at
night, imagining someone outside my window.
I had never had a trip. Twist my nerves so hard.
And the worst part was, I had no answers just a lingering echo of
knocking in the dark, reminding me that Solitude can turn on you
and ways you never see coming I was spending a quiet evening at
the ranger station. Sorting gear.
Minding my own business when the call came in. a missing person
possibly Under the Influence vanished near the Parks Edge in
the middle of a vicious winter storm, Even before the details
arrived, every part of me knew this wouldn't be a routine.
Rescue, the temperature had plummeted to brutally low levels
and white out conditions were closing in fast. in weather,
like that, every moment out there, counts double my partner
and I hopped into our truck and hit the roads.
Leading out to a set of isolated cabins.
The drive felt like a slow crawl through thick swirling.
Snow headlights, bouncing off endless, flurries We eventually
spotted the dim glow of cabin windows.
Outside a handful of frantic figures waved us down.
The second we got out their story, tumbled out in pieces, a
young woman part of a group doing psychedelics had dashed
out into the cold with minimal clothing.
No coat, no boot's, just everyday clothes, that wouldn't
hold up long in these conditions, the storm was
relentless. My partner and I spent a few
minutes piecing together the woman's last known Direction.
Her friends seemed disoriented themselves eyes wide with
leftover adrenaline, or something else.
It didn't help that the snow was falling.
So heavily, any Footprints would be wiped away in minutes. still
we started combing, the perimeter flash lights, barely
slicing through the swirling, White trudging through high
drifts left my muscles burning. My partner kept a steady Pace
beside me, both of us calling the woman's name over and over.
The Wind made it feel like the sound died right as it left our
throats. Even so we pressed on scanning
tree lines and Shining lights into every Halo at one point.
We thought we saw movement but it was just a shrub bent under
heavy snow. The sense of being surrounded by
nothingness was overwhelming. as we pushed deeper, the only real
signs of Direction were the faint outlines of footprints,
half-filled by drifting flakes, each clue felt like a Lifeline,
maybe we'd catch up if we hurried Times slid by with
terrifying speed. My body was soaked in sweat
beneath the layers. But my face felt raw from the
icy wind. We kept yelling her name.
Hoping Beyond hope for a response.
Suddenly I spotted a piece of cloth half buried in a snowbank.
We knelt down to examine it a shirt.
Several feet away. Lay a single shoe.
Also, partially covered. This was when alarm Bells really
went off in my head. Anyone stripping off clothes in
a snowstorm, is in critical danger, paradoxical and dressing
is no joke. Hypothermia can make a person
feel burning hot and they start peeling off layers.
We were in a Race Against Time. We pressed on bracing ourselves
for whatever we'd find next. About 50 yards, further the beam
of my flashlight. Caught a figure slumped at the
base of a tree. The woman was motionless.
Missing every bit of clothing. We scrambled down an incline
nearly tumbling over each other in the rush.
When we reached her, the silence was crushing her eyes stared
ahead without any flicker of awareness.
My partner called out her name. Tried to check vitals but it was
already too late. The reality of it made
everything else fade like the storm noise dropped, several
decibels and left. Only the site in front of us.
She looked heartbreakingly vulnerable. skin tinged in a way
that only deep cold can cause We did what we could but we knew it
was over. We radioed for backup though.
Rescue was passed. The point of mattering.
Local police made their way out with a snowmobile and we gave
them a Grimm summary. The group from the cabin showed
up some of them, not even dressed for the weather weeping
and trembling. I stood to one side, trying to
muster something anything to say but words felt useless.
The wind whipped snow in our faces as the authorities, zipped
her into a bag. They guided the group back
toward the cabins, while my partner, and I slogged behind
every step, waited, with the knowledge of what we just
witnessed. That night I stayed at the
ranger station long after my shift ended replaying the scene
in my mind. I had known the Wilderness was
harsh, but there's a big difference between knowing it in
theory and seeing real consequences unfold in front of
you, the sound of that wind, the snapshot of her half, buried
Footprints. The terrible hush around that
tree those moments clung to me, like a living memory.
Even now, whenever the sky threatens snow, I recall the
sheer force of that storm and how it claimed a life in a way
that felt both sudden and painfully drawn out.
I ended up driving home at dawn coasting through.
Nearly empty roads, my thoughts spinning the entire time.
I kept picturing footprints in the rearview mirror fading under
the Relentless sweep of snow. It struck me that isolation can
be terrifying and more ways than one and sometimes all the
preparations in the world won't Shield you from the final
outcome. It was a lesson.
I never wanted to learn but nature doesn't ask for
permission before it teaches you the hardest truths.
I lingered on that Mesa way too long staring at the fading glow
of the sunset. Like it was my last chance to
see something beautiful. I'd hiked up for a quick
photography trip but the sky had turned into this swirling
palette of orange and crimson. And I got carried away, clicking
pictures from every angle. By the time I realized the sun
had dropped below, the Horizon dusk was already sliding into
night. My phone's battery was
practically gasping but I still tried to capture a couple more
shots before stuffing everything back into my pack.
The moment I fished out my headlamp a jolt of unease shot
through me the thing powered on. But only in that week read mode,
not ideal but still better than wandering around in Pitch
Darkness. I flicked the switch a few more
times, hoping I would get a bright beam, but the battery
icon blinked at me. Like it was on its last legs.
Great. Five miles of Rocky Trail,
minimal light, and not a soul around to bail me out.
I tried to shrug it off as no big deal telling myself that red
light was actually a smart way to preserve night vision.
But with each step, my breathing felt tight.
The terrain under my feet was unpredictable sharp Stones
jutting Out in every direction I had to shuffle along carefully,
feeling more and more. Like I was being swallowed by
Shadows every rustle of wind every shift in the dirt.
Made me grip my trekking pole. A little tighter, maybe it was
my imagination playing tricks but the quiet started to seem
off like even the insects were holding their breath, Even so I
kept plodding along hoping I get used to the darkness.
Then I stopped dead convinced I sensed something behind me.
I whipped around shining that pitiful red glow into the Gloom,
only to see the same Boulders and shrubs as before.
No sign of anything moving at least nothing I could make out
my mind. Was humming with tension though.
No matter how hard I tried to dismiss it a prickling
sensation, climbed up the back of my neck, almost like a
warning. Finally, I couldn't take the
suspense. I click the lamp to White mode
desperate for a better look though.
I knew it would drain the battery fast.
For a split second, I saw an outline low to the ground
slipping behind a rock about 25 yards off. it moved with Eerie
Grace, two smooth for a harmless critter My mouth went dry.
I stared at the spot waiting but it didn't show itself again.
That little Glimpse was enough to send a wave of anxiety
through me. I considered running but the
thought of charging blindly down the Mesa didn't sound like a
winning plan. I did the only thing I could
tried to make myself seem larger and Bolder than I felled, I
raised my arms, spread my jacket and let out a series of
forceful, shouts that echoed across the quiet landscape.
The lamps bright beam flickered. Ominously reminding me.
I couldn't keep it on for long. My best bet ironically was to
switch back to read mode and ration what little power.
I had left. Not exactly comforting when I
turn my back on that rock, I almost imagined the shape
creeping closer. My nerves were shot but I force
myself to keep walking. After a few minutes, I looked
over my shoulder again and flipped to White mode.
Two points of green light, flashed in the darkness,
hovering at the same level as that early or silhouette.
They didn't move toward me. Just hovered there as if testing
my resolve. My stomach tightened, this was
no curious deer that much was obvious.
What ever? It was seemed to be trailing me
at a steady distance refusing to either vanish or close in I
tried to keep my breathing steady, but the fear got worse
with every step. Eventually I fumbled for my
phone one bar of service popped up and I managed to call a
friend, my voice came out, shaky which pretty much told him
everything he needed to know. Between rushed explanations.
I managed to spit out where I was and that I felt I was being
followed. I joked in an attempt at humor
if I'm not back soon, here's where you can find my mangled
remains. But neither of us really laughed
hearing another person's voice. Helped, calm me though at least
a little I didn't feel quite so alone, even though physically, I
was still by myself out there, battery life, on my lamp ticks
steadily downward. I decided to push forward
focusing on making it down the Steep part of the trail before
full Darkness dropped like a curtain.
In the back of my mind, a question kept nagging what
happens if that's silhouette decides to come closer.
But I forced myself to move the imagining, all the ridiculous
ways. I'd fight back with nothing but
a stick, or a small knife if I had to Anything to avoid
picturing the alternative I kept checking behind me scanning with
that dim beam, never quite sure if I could see those eyes again.
Every inch of the way tension, clung to me like a second skin.
I could feel it in the way my shoulders hunched and the way I
gripped. My trekking pole, this was only
the start of a long nerve wrecking Journey back to safety
and I could already tell it would be a nightmare yet.
I had no choice but to keep going, I didn't waste any more
time lingering where I had spotted.
Those glowing eyes. Gripping my trekking pole.
I started The Descent knowing full well that the path below
was a loose mess of rocks and gravel each step felt uncertain
like the ground wanted to betray me.
On top of that, the darkness was spreading fast.
And the only light I had was a red beam, barely strong enough
to light my boots. I occasionally flick to White
mode just for a few seconds. Hoping to catch a glimpse of
whatever was stalking me. It was there.
All right whenever I switched I had spot those same green
Reflections. Never closer.
Never farther like a shadow that knew exactly how to keep a safe
distance. Once or twice, my foot slipped
on the gravel and I had lurched forward arms flailing.
It was all. I could do not to topple down
the slope every time I nearly wiped out my mind, images of
that creature watching waiting. I imagine that it was analyzing
my missed steps, looking for the perfect moment to strike.
But nothing happened. It just kept trailing me.
That was almost worse. It was unnerving.
Knowing it could leap out at any time yet.
It seemed content to let me walk myself ragged, my headlamp
flickered in and out the red glow, getting weaker by the
minute. part of me wanted to just say screw it and keep the
bright Beam on, but I knew it had burned out in seconds if I
tried I couldn't risk stumbling around here with no light at
all. At least, not until I got off
this Rocky Terrain. every time that thought crossed my mind my
grip on the trekking pole tightened like that stick was my
lifeline, Every so often I'd hear a faint scrape behind me or
what I thought might be one. Anyway, it sounded almost like
something brushing against Stone but so faint, it could have been
the wind. I'd freeze up switched to White
mode and scan the darkness. Those two green pinpoints would
stare back at me then slink out of sight.
I'd let out this shaky breath fumbled, the lamp, back to red,
and keep going. Heart hammering in my chest.
The Descent was brutal. My legs burned from the strain
of stepping carefully and not letting gravity hurl me forward.
When I finally reached flat or ground.
I realized I only cleared the rocky portion of the Mesa.
Now, I was entering this open field where the moon offered,
just enough light to see outlines of tall grass I almost
laughed out loud from the relief of not having to navigate Jagged
rocks with a dying lamp. But then I noticed the grass
shifting in the breeze. It was unnerving.
That something could hide in their crouching out of sight.
Only a few yards away. My headlamp let out one final
flicker before shutting off. Great.
Now, I was down to the Moon, my phone's dim flashlight, which
probably had 10 minutes left tops and a prayer.
Oddly enough part of me fell to Tiny surge of relief.
Like at least I didn't have to worry about babying that useless
lamp anymore. I picked up my Pace trying to
keep my footsteps light but moving quickly enough that if
something were behind me, it wouldn't have an easy shot, a
few times. The grass rustled in a way that
made me think the Predator had crept closer.
I jerked my phone out, Swipe on its pathetic, flash light, and
wave it around. Nothing.
The only sound was my own ragged breathing, it was quiet, but not
quite peaceful, more like the Calm, before a storm, if the
storm decided to stay hidden. Eventually the trail got clearer
and I could make out a path leading toward the road.
My adrenaline was still pumping but I realized I could see the
faint glow of streetlights in the distance.
I kept imagining those eyes would pop up one last time,
maybe right behind me but they never did step by step.
I put more distance between me and the Mason until the terrain
flattened and I could actually make out the shape of my car
under the moonlight. When I finally reached it, I
just stood there, panting hands, shaking.
I half expected to sense that creature behind me again, but
there was nothing. It's incredible.
How even a little piece of metal and glass my car. felt like a
fortress after the night, I'd had Sliding into the driver's
seat. I locked the doors out of sheer
reflex then. Let out this exasperated laugh.
Like I couldn't believe I was in one piece.
Looking back on it. I'm almost positive.
It was a mountain lion. Nothing else fits that kind of
stealth and patience. It must have decided.
I wasn't worth the hassle or just got bored.
I'll never know. But I do know that Crossing
through a top predators territory alone at night with a
dying. Flash light was one of the
dumbest moves I've made. As I sat there with the engine
idling, I promised myself. I do better next time.
More importantly, I'd remember how it feels when something is
out there in the darkness quiet and watchful letting me know
just how fragile I really am. I can't remember the exact time
but it had to be close to 3 in the morning.
When I decided, I'd had enough of that basement.
The place belonged to one of my cousins friends.
Someone, I barely knew and the concrete walls, low ceiling and
flickering overhead lights were starting to mess with my head.
A few of us were sprawled out on mismatched chairs, half asleep,
while others just mumbled about random stuff.
We'd killed a six-pack hours ago then dipped into some cheap
drinks and I was definitely feeling it.
The music had died down to an irritating static like buzz and
nobody seemed to be in any state to keep a conversation going.
I'd been in that Haze where you're too tired to be drunk yet
to Tipsy to act normal. My eyelids felt like they had
weights attached. So I stood up nearly tripping
over someone's backpack and announced to nobody in
particular that I was heading home.
You sure my cousin, mumbled from the couch, barely lifting his
head. It's freezing.
I Shrugged, I just need fresh air.
I said, and to be honest, it felt like something was telling
me not to stay there a second longer.
The house wasn't even that far from my cousin's place.
Maybe a 15-minute walk on a clear day.
I figured well it's practically day with the moon reflecting off
all that snow as soon as I hauled myself up the basement
steps and stepped outside, the wind slapped me so hard that I
was instantly more awake. The yard stretched out under a
bluish glow. The snow seeming to swallow
every sound. No cars.
No, people just silent white emptiness.
It was one of those nights where you couldn't tell if it was
really late or super early. I pulled my coat Tighter and
glanced around. The other houses in the
neighborhood were dark their Windows shuttered.
Like they'd been deserted for the winter.
It seemed like I was the only person alive usually that kind
of solitude doesn't bother me. There's a certain calm to being
by yourself in the cold but something about that night fell
off. As if the world was waiting for
something to happen, I started trudging through the snow aiming
for the small patch of Woods at the edge of the property.
My boots made these loud crunching sounds that seem to
Echo. Even though I was still feeling
the alcohol, my senses were on high alert.
Each Snowden branch each flicker of moonlight seemed sharper than
usual. I tried to laugh off my
uneasiness. Dude, I muttered under my
breath, your literally freaking yourself out, but the quiet out
there had a presence of its own like.
It was pressing in on me. After a couple of minutes, I
reached the tree line, lean bear, trunk stood, like dark
Silhouettes. All around.
There wasn't much undergrowth just drifts of snow, piled
against roots and stumps. My phone flashlight.
Barely cut through the Gloom. So I mostly relied on the pale
shine of the Moon to guide me. Somewhere off in the distance
branches snapped or maybe Ice broke.
It was hard to tell. I stopped straining to see if
anything moved. It was probably a deer or
something, but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone might
be out there. I held still for a few seconds.
Waiting for another sound, but everything went back to being
hushed. Part of me wanted to Sprint like
a maniac to like I got home but I tried to keep it together.
I forced myself to keep walking at a normal Pace even though the
adrenaline in my system begged me to hurry.
My breath was ragged sending faint clouds of vapor swirling
in front of me. Eventually the trees thinned
revealing open land. My cousin's place sat a little
past that stretch warm lights, probably shining through the
Windows though. From Where I Stood.
I couldn't see them yet. For a moment.
I felt some relief. Just a straightforward.
Snowy field, then home. No big deal, right?
I paused and let myself take it in, like, I could breathe easier
in that open space. The moon was bright enough to
throw silver edges on everything and the snow seemed to Glow.
But that same brightness also left me completely exposed.
No shrubs or fences to hide behind if I needed to.
I found myself glancing behind me more often than I would like
to admit scoping out every dark shape in the trees.
Nothing moved. Yet my nerves were jacked up.
You'll be fine, I muttered trying to sound like I believed
it, just walk. And so, I did.
I shifted my bag on my shoulder, Doug, my hands deeper into my
coat pockets and stepped out of the tree line into the yard of
white. Each footstep broke the surface
of the snow and made a soft crunch that somehow echoed, the
kind of sound. You Can't Hide even if you
tried, I couldn't help thinking that if anyone was lurking
around, they'd have no problems zeroing in on me.
As I made my way across that field, the wind shifted
whistling across the open space. Little gusts of snow blue
sideways, nipping at my face. I quickened my steps determined
to reach my cousin's home sooner than later.
I wanted to believe I was overreacting that it was just
the booze, the darkness, and the rural quiet messing with my
head. Yet something at the back of my
mind, kept bugging me like a little alarm.
That refused to shut off. I tried focusing on how great it
would be. Once I got inside, maybe I would
make some hot chocolate wrap myself in a blanket and watch
dumb videos until I passed out. Almost there.
Just a few more yards and I'd be Insight of the back porch.
But as I drew closer to the far edge of that field, my pulse
picked up for reasons. I couldn't explain That sense of
being utterly alone yet not alone at all washed over me
again. Like, the night itself was
watching. I told myself not to look back
at the woods. Not to imagine Silhouettes
standing there. Just keep moving.
Keep breathing, keep going. Little did I know this was only
the start of a far more disturbing walk than I ever
signed up for. I made it maybe halfway across
that moonlit field when something at my left, caught my
attention, way off at about my 10:00.
At first, I thought it was just a trick of the light or my buzz
playing tricks on me, but there was definitely a figure out
there. My body jerked to a stop.
Like I'd stumbled into an invisible wall.
Whoever it was had paused too. Almost mirroring my reaction.
The distance between us was probably 70, maybe 80 yards yet.
I could tell they were tall and dressed in dark clothing and
something about the shape of their face.
No, not their face more. Like the lack of one made me
realize they had a ski mask on. My brain tried to rationalize
it. Some random night hike, her a
farm hand checking on livestock at this ungodly hour.
Except there were no Farms this closed and nobody, I knew would
be wandering around a field alone at 3 in the morning with
their face fully covered. My heart thrummed hard enough to
make me feel light-headed. I let out this awkward laugh
that came from sheer nerves. I gave us a small wave almost
like I was saying oh hey sorry to scare you but it was a dumb
reflects. The Stranger didn't move, not
even a nod. He just stood there, staring
right at me or at least. That's what it looked like.
With the mask, I had no way of knowing for sure, couldn't see
any hint of an expression. The utter lack of response.
Locked me in a weird state of disbelief.
Was he about to say something was resizing me up?
the wind stirred, another gust of snow between us momentarily,
obscuring, his figure My stomach lurched and panic.
When the flurry cleared, I could still see him exactly where he'd
been like a statue. I started to realize in a very
real sense, I might be in trouble.
Every Instinct was screaming that something was terribly off.
My little, wave felt ridiculous. Now, I considered calling out
asking if he needed help or Direction's but my throat was
too tight. To form words.
A searing cold sweat broke out across my body, any lingering
effects of the booze vanished in a snap replaced by a jolt of
adrenaline The silent heavier than ever.
I heard the wind in the crunch of snow under my boots, but no
sound from him. Finally common sense told me to
move. So I did I turned away and aimed
myself toward the house, forcing my legs to pump his fast as the
slippery ground. Would let me Each step felt like
a risk. Like I was giving him an
opportunity to rush me if he wanted.
If I had the nerve, I might have thrown a glance over my
shoulder, but fear told me that was a horrible idea.
In my head, I pictured him lurching forward.
The instant I looked back lunging through drifts of snow
with unnatural speed. It was enough to keep me going
in a half run half stumble. I could practically feel the
distance between us like a stretched tether and every
crunch of my boots sounded so loud that it felt like I was
drawing him in. My breathing, became erratic,
little puffs of steam hitting the are the Moonlight which
minutes ago seemed comforting now felt like it.
Put a spotlight on me, making me an easy target.
When I reached the Far edge of the field a week, floodlight
from my cousin's, back porch. Finally came into view.
Relief washed over me, but I wasn't safe yet.
The house, sat another 50 yards away with no fence or heavy
brushed to hide. I almost slipped as I picked up
speed, my boots failing to find solid traction, on the snowy
ground. Part of me expected to hear him
pounding the snow behind me. The image of that masked face
propelled me forward. I remember letting out a shaky
startled, sound, some kind of stifled Yelp, because the fear
that he was about to grab me from behind was so overwhelming.
Even the possibility that my footprints might guide him
straight to the door. Made me push my legs harder.
The porch steps never looked so beautiful.
I vaulted up them nearly crashing, into the wooden
railing. My gloved hand fumbled for the
doorknob and I almost tore the screen door off in my rush to
get inside. Once I crossed that threshold, I
slam the door behind me my finger scrambled to lock it and
I nearly dropped the keys while double-checking the bolt.
Only then did I allow myself to glance out the window the yard
was bathed in that same pale glow and I couldn't see anything
stirring out there but who knows?
Maybe he was just beyond the reach of the light hidden by
some drift or tree trunk. My pulse refused to call him
down my whole body quivered from a cocktail of cold leftover,
adrenaline, and raw Terror. My cousins were all asleep up
stairs and I couldn't bring myself to wake them.
Who would even believe my story? It would be easy for them to
chalk it up to booze or an overactive imagination.
So I stood there near the window for what felt like an hour I
scanning the darkness. Occasionally a flicker of
movement, would catch my attention, a shadow, a trick of
the light. And every time, my chest
tightened expecting to see that masked figure creeping closer.
Eventually, I convinced myself to move away from the window and
drop onto the living room, couch, my legs, still felt
shaky. And my head swirled.
Sleep was out of the question. my mind kept replaying that
standoff me out in the open him silent and still I couldn't
figure out what he wanted or why he didn't speak and that made it
worse because I had never know if he was just some lost
traveler or something much darker by morning, the sun,
broke through the blinds, lighting up the room, and
dragging me out of a half, conscious state, Everything
looked normal in the daylight but I hadn't forgotten that
image stayed burnt into my thoughts.
I realized I wasn't willing to risk Crossing that field alone
again, anytime soon. The entire Place suddenly felt
contaminated by Danger. Friends and family.
Tried to ask me what was wrong? I just Shrugged them off.
Set. I had a rough night.
But I knew I wasn't sticking around for Repeat Performance.
North Dakota had always seemed quiet harmless.
Yet in those few minutes, it felt like I'd peered into a part
of the landscape. That was anything but safe.
I wanted to pack up, get in my car and head back to campus away
from the snow, the silence and that faceless Watcher who still
lurked in my imagination. The memory of him Frozen in that
field refused to leave. It stayed with me.
A reminder that sometimes the scariest thing isn't the howling
wind or the darkness itself. But the silence stranger waiting
just beyond the edge of the light.
I packed the truck at dawn, half excited, and half nervous about
returning to my dad's old cabin, my friend rode shotgun, fiddling
with the radio, even though there wasn't much chance of
picking up a station out here, We'd been on that lonely,
Highway for hours. Watching the scenery,
transformed from tired Farmland to dense, forest the deeper, we
drove the more I realized how isolated we were.
Every mile felt like it was pulling us further from anything
resembling civilization, eventually we found the battered
wooden sign marking the Logging Road.
Grass and weeds, choked the entrance and our tires crunched
over rocks. As we turned in, I tried to
crack a joke about horror movies, starting exactly this
way. Two guys heading into the
Wilderness without telling many people where they were going, My
friend forced to laugh but I could hear the edge in his
voice. The road was rough, bouncing us
around in our seats. It wound through towering trees,
that shut out, most of the sunlight.
The place felt like it was swallowing us whole and I
couldn't decide if I loved it or hated it.
We parked at a clearing when the path got too narrow to continue.
Then we lugged our gear on foot for another couple of miles.
Every step got quieter as the underbrush absorbed the sound of
our boots after what felt like forever.
The cabin came into view small and worn but somehow comforting
in its own ragged way. I remember standing there,
taking in the moss covered roof and the peeling paint on the
door. My friend glanced around like he
was waiting for someone or something to jump out, but
nothing stirred except a breeze that rattled.
The branches overhead Inside the air was still.
I flicked on my flashlight revealing.
A space. That was more or less.
Just four walls. Too rickety, bunks and a little
fireplace in the corner. The kitchen counter held a
couple of Dusty mugs remnants of past trips.
I told myself it was good to be back.
We unrolled our sleeping bags on the bunks, trying to make
ourselves comfortable. That silent hush clung to
everything. And even our low conversation
felt too loud. We stacked our supplies in a
corner, canned food, water, jugs, a single Lantern for
nighttime. Use as dusks settled, the woods
outside, turned darker than I'd ever seen them.
We cooked dinner over a tiny camping stove talking about old
memories to keep our nerves. In check.
I kept glancing at the window half expecting to see a face
peering back. My friend teased me for being
jumpy but his eyes darted around too.
The truth was we both knew we were out there on our own.
No help for Miles. No cell service.
Just us in the unending Forest. When we finally decided to call
it a night, I shut off the Lantern and the cabin slipped
into an Inky Darkness. I lay on my bunk ears, attuned
to every Sound Outside. The wind brushed against the
cabin walls, making them grown like they might collapse.
A couple of times I heard faint cracks in the distance could
have been branches, falling, could have been wildlife.
My mind kept Conjuring images of figures lurking.
Among the trees. The kind of thoughts.
You don't want, but can't stop. I tried shutting my eyes but
rest stayed Out Of Reach. My friends seemed Restless too
tossing and turning. We both tried to pretend we were
fine but an uneasy tension hung in the stale air.
Maybe it was just the unfamiliar Stillness or maybe a deeper
Instinct was telling us this trip.
Wasn't going to be the peaceful getaway.
We'd planted Either way, that sense of being cut off from
everything familiar didn't ease up.
If anything, it got heavier as the night wore on, I must have
dozed off at some point because the next thing I remember was a
jarring sound against the cabin door, a rasping scrape that
snatched me right out of that. Half-sleep Haze.
My friend, and I locked eyes in the darkness, our breathing
shallow. We waited hoping it was just a
branch brushing the wood. Then the tapping started, a
deliberate sequence that couldn't be ignored.
I froze unsure if I should call out or pretend we weren't there,
the nox continued steady and too confident for a random animal.
It felt like the whole cabin was holding.
Its breath waiting for something to happen.
My friends bunk creaked as he shifted and I could sense his
alarm. We didn't dare say a word.
I had no clue who or what stood on the other side, but the
notion that someone had walked all this way in the dead of
night without any announcement clutched at my nerves, when the
sound finally stopped the silence that followed was worse.
we strained to hear footsteps Fading Into the Woods or a
whispered voice but nothing came The air in the cabin weighed on
me like a wet. Blanket, thick and oppressive.
Every so often the wind out side would stir the branches and I
jump certain, it was another signal at the door.
My friend kept switching his gaze between the entrance and
the dusty Windows. Expecting a figure to
materialize. We each quietly debated if we
should check what was out there, but neither of us could muster
the courage to actually get up. the rest of that night, crawled
by I tried to distract myself by counting our supplies in my
head, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the Phantom
visitor who knocks in the middle of nowhere and then vanishes
without a single word. I wasn't sure if it was safer to
cower inside or go outside and risk finding out.
Times stretched into a Sleepless blur. every Creak in the rafters
and grown of the cabin, walls seemed ominous like the forest
was trying to swallow us whole at the first trace of dawn, we
forced ourselves out of our bunks.
The light filtering through the small window offered a hint of
relief, but I couldn't ignore the lingering sense of unease.
We stepped out onto the porch together.
Bracing for anything, a confrontation Footprints,
something, Instead, the area was perfectly still like nothing
unusual had happened. No tracks in the soft dirt.
No scrapes on the door. My friend stared at the ground
muttering how it made no sense that someone could have walked
away without leaving a single clue.
We circled, the cabin, we searching for anything that
might explain the nighttime visitor.
There was nothing, no bent grass, no scuffed Earth, no
litter. It was as if the forest had
erased all signs of an intruder neither of us.
Wanted to say it out loud, but we both knew we weren't
imagining this. We heard those knocks.
It wasn't a wind-blown branch. This discovery left me more
unsettled than before the morning sun didn't do much to
calm my nerves. It just highlighted how isolated
we truly were. By the time we finished our loop
around the perimeter, I was torn between finding the courage to
stay or packing up and getting out.
My friend was quieter than usual lost in thought.
We talked in circles rationalizing possibilities.
Maybe someone was lost. Maybe it was a local playing a
prank. But why no Footprints why?
No trace of a visitor. That question still turned in my
head long after we returned to the cabin and tried to make
breakfast. Every time I caught sight of
that door, I'd recall. The sharp knock in the Silent
Night, imagining a silhouette waiting on the other side.
I knew one thing, for sure, we weren't going to forget that
noise anytime soon. I'd been on the road with two
close friends for what felt like forever.
Sleeping under the stars, sharing, whatever, scraps of
food we could scrounge and roaming through parts of
Northern California. Few people ever to visit We'd
spent nearly three months in pure Wilderness where towering
trees and endless. Dirt trails seemed like home,
but on our final night up north, everything shifted in a way.
I still can't believe. I remember how tired we were
when we stumbled upon this tiny excuse for a town.
A battered wooden sign sat at a fork in the road, half hidden by
overgrown brush. Passed.
It there was a loan gas pump, a Shabby post office, and a bar
glowing with a half-dead neon sign.
Not exactly a warm welcome, but we learned to make do The sun
was dipping below the Horizon so we figured we'd Camp just
outside the main strip. If that's what you could call
one, dusty road and a scattering of ramshackle buildings.
We turned off onto a rocky patch of ground.
A mile or two beyond the Barre. It was quiet like unnerving
quiet. No, sounds of wildlife.
No distant Roar of highway traffic.
Nothing. We pitched our tents around a
small clearing Whispering stupid jokes to lighten the mood.
My buddy tried to start a fire with damp wood, and we ended up
with a sputtering flame that cast jittery Shadows on the
canvas. We cooked noodles in a tiny pot,
but despite the food, my stomach felt tense.
I crawled into my sleeping bag. Trying to convince myself.
The silence was nothing new. After all we'd had plenty of
nights in remote campsites. Yet something about this place
got under my skin. Every twig, snapping felt
Amplified and I kept waiting for my friends to say something
about it. They stayed quiet too which made
my mind race even more. A ways off angry voices tour
through the night. At first, I thought I was
dreaming but the shouting kept going like a bad argument
spiraling out of control. More than one person was
involved. Sounded like three, distinct
voices yelling over each other. I nudged my friend in the tent
next to mine and he froze. Another friend, poked her head
out eyes wide, none of us moved in inch.
I was trying to figure out if it was just some drunks at the bar
but the intensity in those shouts, suggested something else
entirely suddenly a single gunshot cut through everything.
The echo clung to the air and the yelling stops so fast.
It didn't feel real. My thoughts Tangled into a mess
of fear and confusion. I lifted the edge of my tent
flap, just enough to see my friends doing the exact same
thing. Their faces were pale in the
weak Moonlight. No one wanted to speak even
Whispering felt risky Instead we all slowly backed into our tents
as if we believed staying hidden, might keep us safe that
quiet afterward was brutal. I lay their eyes open, straining
to pick up any sign of movement, or additional shots.
Not a single sound. It was as if the entire area had
collapsed into Stillness. Normally I'd hear crickets wind
in the leaves, maybe a stray animal crashing through the
brush this time. Nothing, my pulse thudded in my
ears and every second dragged, We stayed that way until first
light. Not sure any of us really slept.
I kept one hand near the 10th zipper, just in case I had to
bolt thoughts, world around. Should we check if someone was
hurt? Should we leave right then?
And there Or lay low until morning. eventually exhaustion,
smothered those questions and the weight of the night took
over That was how our last night in Northern California.
Ended three of us curled up in our tents Paralyzed by what
happened beyond our little clearing.
Even though Dawn was a few hours away, it felt like an eternity.
I kept telling myself, we'd be gone a Daybreak that we'd leave
this strange place behind. But no matter how hard I tried
to push those screams, and that gunshot out of my head, the
image stayed with me unresolved and terrifying. by the time the
sky started to lighten, I had realized our Backwoods Adventure
was over replaced by a sense of dread, I couldn't deny the sun
came up, like, it always does but that morning felt different
instead of relief, the light only reminded me how raw last
night had been I crawled out of my tent groggy unsure if the
gunshot had really happened or if it was some sick dream, then
I met my friend's eyes and I knew we'd all heard the same
thing. We packed our gear in silence.
Normally we'd banter or make coffee but no one suggested it.
I kept glancing around as if someone might leap out from
behind a boulder, but everything stayed still, no voices, no
footsteps, not even a whisper of wind.
It felt like the Earth was waiting for something else to
happen when we finally had our backpacks loaded.
We trudged toward the dusty road that led into the little town.
Closer, we got the more I realized how deserted it really
was. The gas station looked
abandoned, the pump might have been older than me the bar.
So quiet and dark might as well have never opened.
A few crooked mailboxes lined a faded post office.
I caught sight of a single battered pickup, down the road
but nobody stood near it. Should we find the sheriff?
One of my friends asked though, it sounded more like a plea than
a plan. We all knew the story, just one
share of patrolling multiple counties rumored to have ties
with folks. We do best to avoid.
We Were Out of Towners. Basically nobody to these
people. Reporting a gunshot in a place.
Like, this could be worse than saying, nothing at all.
So, we did the only thing that felt safe we kept our heads
down. My legs wobbly with every step,
but I kept the moving. Forcing my mind to stay focused
on leaving. I couldn't shake the tension
though, every dried up Bush and broken road signs seemed to hold
a secret, one of them had holes in it round, rusted patches that
I realized were bullet marks the site made my stomach twists at
last a Dusty truck. Rattled passed its engine
coughing, like it might give out.
The driver pulled to the side waving us over.
We locked eyes. Unsure if it was any safer than
sticking to the road but we hopped in the back.
Anyway, the truck bed smelled of stale cigarettes and there were
old beer cans rolling around near our feet.
The driver didn't say much just nodded once and started driving
bouncing along. The uneven pavement, I kept
glancing over my shoulder convinced, I'd see someone
chasing us, I was still replaying the screams in my head
that muffled chaos that had been silenced with one shot.
The further, we went the less likely we'd find out what
actually happened and maybe that was for the best in places like
this, curiosity could come at a steep cost.
The road stretched on line by tal scraggly trees that blocked,
most of the sunlight. The driver took us a few miles
then slowed to a stop where a bigger Highway intersected.
He muttered something that might have been good luck and then he
was gone, leaving us standing at the shoulder with our backpacks
and a haze of dust swirling around our ankles Part of me,
felt relief that we were out of that.
No name, town. But the guilt nodded at all of
us. We had no idea if someone needed
help back there or if they were already passed saving and we'd
done nothing. Logic said there was no choice
but it didn't make me feel any better.
We started walking again, thumbs out for another ride.
Heads down Hearts racing whenever a car slowed, I kept
scanning the tree line Half expecting to see Shadows
lurking. Of course, nothing appeared yet.
The Dread clung to me like a damp chill.
Like I couldn't shake Eventually we'd find our way to the next
city. Maybe a hostel or campsite more
populated than the empty brush. We'd left behind But I knew we
wouldn't forget that nameless place or the sounds we heard in
the night. No matter how far we traveled
that memory stayed, a reminder that for all the freedom, the
open road offers it also holds moments that can turn your world
upside down. And once you've lived through a
moment like that, you never look at a sleeping bag and a Starry
Sky, the same way again. I remember pulling the car into
a half Frozen gas station. Lot just after four in the
afternoon already feeling the weight of night creeping in My
friend was fiddling with a printout of vague Direction's,
some random online forums, where there was an incredible hiking
trail hidden at the end of an old dirt road.
We'd convinced ourselves. This was our best shot at
discovering, a local gem, even though everyone else in town
seemed to have never heard of it.
By the time we got back on the road, the sky was a dark slate.
Street, lights hadn't even blinked on yet, which only made
the Twilight feel heavier. I kept glancing at the fuel
gauge, making sure we had enough to handle any detour.
My friend tried to reassure me saying, we'd find the turn off
soon, but the more I drove, the more the surroundings blurred
into endless stretches of trees. They looked tightly packed
almost claustrophobic. Like they were inching closer to
the pavement. Finally, we spotted a faint sign
that was barely hanging from a rusty post.
The Letter's were so Chip and Faded.
I couldn't make out a single word.
Still it matched the rough description we had.
So I made a slow turn onto the Narrow Lane.
The gravel crunched under the tires.
Giving off an unsettling echo in the quiet.
With each small dip, the headlights bounce, briefly
Illuminating, the thick canopy overhead.
Everything beyond that circle of light vanished into Shadows
about half. A mile in my friend turned off
the radio. It was almost comical like we
thought of the music was gone. We'd hear a clue that might lead
us to the trail, but no such luck.
Instead we were greeted by silence so profound it made me
uneasy I kept telling myself we were just in the back woods but
something about the hush felt unnatural like the world was on
pause. We must have crawled along that
road for a good two miles. Every so often tree branches,
reached across the path scraping against the car with the shrill
noises that raise the hair on my arms.
The headlights did their best to cut through the Gloom, but it
seemed like the darkness out here, swallowed every bit of
brightness. I was thankful the cars.
Heater was blasting full force, or I might have been tempted to
head straight home. Eventually the lane ended in a
small clearing, the road just stopped as if someone had a band
in the project mid build. I put the car in park letting
the engine idle, my friend flashed, our phone's flash light
around searching for any sign of a marker that might indicate the
trails entrance. Nothing only masses of brambles
and Fallen branches. I rolled down the window for a
moment hoping to catch any hint of running, water or footsteps.
Anything that might prove, we weren't just stranded.
All I heard was the soft hum of the engine and beyond that an
eerie Stillness. We climbed out for a moment
boots, sinking into loose, gravel the cold, stung, my face,
and I couldn't see more than a few feet without the flashlight.
My breath felt louder than it should have.
Like every exhale, exposed how unsettled I was becoming.
My friend aimed the phone's Beam at the tree line.
Swearing they saw a faint path but when we shuffled over all we
found were dense. Bushes that had to take a
machete to get through. Disappointment, hit hard.
We'd driven all this way and we were nowhere closer to an actual
Trail. My friend mumbled something
about feeling watched but tried to laugh at all.
Neither of us stuck around long enough to confirm that suspicion
heading back. Felt like the only sane decision
at that point. I spun the car around being
extra careful not to slide into a ditch and started retracing
our route Oddly enough, the path felt different like it had
stretched somehow. every Branch overhead seemed narrowed and the
more, I stared, the more they resembled claws instead of
ordinary limbs My friend said nothing and I was too on edge to
make conversation. So we just listened to the tires
crunching on gravel and the low Rumble of the heater as we eased
forward. I caught myself glancing in the
rearview mirror, half expecting something to appear behind us.
The tension was suffocating. My pulse studded in my ears, and
I found myself gripping the steering wheel tighter than
usual. I silently promised that if we
made it back to the main road, we'd stick to Daylight hikes for
the foreseeable future. We still had no idea.
What was waiting further down that dark Lane.
We only knew we needed to get out and the sooner, the better.
My friend was hunched in the seat, I scanning the Blackness
just beyond our limited headlight range.
There was a mutual understanding that, we wouldn't truly relax
until we were off that cursed Road.
And so we pressed onward. Hoping we were about to discover
exactly why every rational person stayed away from this
part of the woods after sundown If there was a prize at the end
of that trail, we sure didn't find it.
All we found was a growing sense that we'd missed a warning sign
somewhere along the way assigned, telling us to turn
back before nightfall sealed us in.
The headlights were our only comfort as we headed back along
that gravel path. They cast a narrow beam of light
on the brush lining each side and the Shadows seemed to twist
in ways. My imagination refused to leave
alone. My friend was silent in the
passenger seat staring out the window.
We both expected nothing but more dark.
Empty road ahead. Instead something blocked our
view up ahead. A shape standing near the tree
line. Two still for just another
Crooked Branch. My first response was to ease
off the gas uncertain if I should pull over or go around,
that's when our low beams revealed.
A man, he was dressed in torn. Filthy clothes, gripping a dirt
cake shovel like it was the most normal thing in the world.
He glared right at us as our car crawled to a stop.
There was no waving for help or shouting just that icy look that
made me forget all the sensible rules about offering assistance.
The attention in the car was suffocating, I felt like we had
slammed into an invisible barrier.
My friend whispered something I couldn't catch voice tight with
panic. Every muscle in my body was
coiled. The man leaned forward, a
fraction of an inch and that's slight movement was enough.
I pressed the accelerator forcing myself, not to jerk the
steering wheel. In the glare of the headlights,
he stepped back, just one step, never shifting his gaze.
I couldn't tell if he was stunned Furious or something
else entirely. We passed him at a crawl tires
crunching. The gravel as though it was the
loudest noise in the world. I refused to make eye contact
again but my friend was stuck looking over mouth.
Parted in disbelief. Once we were a few yards Beyond
him, I pressed the pedal harder and the car lurched forward.
I checked the mirror, he hadn't moved from that spot only
pivoted his head to follow us, it felt like we were trapped and
slow motion driving down a road that never seemed to end.
My friend and I exchanged quick. Frantic glances trying to
process. What had just happened.
Where we overreacting. Was he a lost hike her.
Something didn't align his expression, the shovel, the
warned of his clothing. None of it felt like a harmless
coincidence. Finally, we reached the main
Highway. A jolt of relief crashing
through the tension. Street lights up ahead glowed
like a promise that we were back in some version of normalcy.
The sight of other cars in the distance, gave me the nerve to
breathe easier. A big chunk of me wanted to keep
driving and never look back. Still the shock lingard, my
friend muttered about calling the local sheriff or something,
but we weren't even sure how to explain it.
There's a man with a shovel standing.
By a dirt road, we'd say that's no crime.
Yet something nodded at me. Insisting that we had veered
dangerously close to whatever secret layout there.
We stopped at a convenience store, parking lot, down the
road. The bright fluorescent lights
hurt, my eyes after so much Darkness.
We checked the car for scratches nothing.
New my friend kept pacing around the hood, shaking their head,
going over the possibilities. I leaned against the door,
fighting the urge to look toward the highway.
Like I expected that man to appear again.
Later that night, I sat on my couch mine buzzing with
questions. Every attempt to drift off, led
to that moment on the road replaying in full detail, the
silhouette the shovel the hollow stare.
I tried to rationalize it, maybe he was just digging out a stuck
vehicle or maybe the clothes were ripped from brambles.
But I remembered the way he looked at us and it was
impossible to dismiss. A nagging sense of dread kept
creeping in making me wonder what might have happened if we'd
broken down or gotten stuck. That was enough to jolt me from
the brink of sleep every time. The more I thought about it the
more I regretted not turning around and speeding out of that
area sooner. The next morning, my friend, and
I spoke on the phone trading, insomnia, stories, and
half-hearted reassurances. We agreed to stay away from that
dirt road and we didn't bother telling anyone else, except a
couple of close friends who listened with wide eyes.
I can't say for sure what was going on in those woods, but I
still feel like we might have escaped something far worse than
just an unsettling chance encounter.
One thing was absolutely certain.
I wouldn't be heading back there any time soon.
I headed out onto the beach. Well, after midnight wearing my
rain jacket and rubber boots that still squished with
leftover water from the downpour The sky was a slab of black.
No moon, no stars. Nothing Even the ocean seemed
unnaturally hushed. Like it was trying to keep
secrets from me. Normally, I had spotted a few
locals, or late night, party years, stumbling around with
flashlights, but that night was all mine.
If you can call it a privilege, I was there for my usual, Turtle
Patrol, hoping to see a green turtle.
Drag itself, ashore their shy creatures.
One, stray noise can send them right back into the surf.
I've learned to tread lightly, but it was almost impossible to
do in the thick Darkness. With the fresh rainfall.
The sand was denser. Each footstep sounding far too
loud in my ears. I flipped on a small flash light
but it made little difference more like a flickering candle in
a cave. After a few minutes of scanning
the shoreline, I caught a glimpse of something that might
have been a turtle's head, peeking from the water.
My pulse was pounding, a mix of excitement and unease being
alone on a beach. That quiet is unsettling enough
and this Total Blackout from the clouds.
Only made me more aware of every rustle of wind or distant wave
crash. Still, I was there to do a job.
So I inched closer to where I saw movement, hoping the turtle
wouldn't scare off. Just when I thought I might spot
her crawling onto the sand, I heard a shuffle in the dunes
behind me. It was faint like the sound of
something nudging through seo's or leftover debris.
A fox or coyote was my first, guess they like to lurk around,
especially if they smell food. No big deal.
Right? So, I stayed calm waiting for
the noise to fade only. It didn't my attention flicked
back to the water. Searching for that Turtle, but
she was gone. By then I realized the dunes had
gone silent as if whatever was there had paused.
I couldn't decide if that was better or worse.
A minute passed, maybe two and then the sound picked up again.
Hello. Almost wet grunt followed by the
scrape of something shifting in the sand.
I tried not to let my imagination run away with me.
I reminded myself that animals can make all sorts of odd
noises. Still the longer it went on, the
more the tension started to weigh on my shoulders.
My flash light was useless Beyond a few steps, which meant
the Dune area was a black void. I found myself leaning forward
straining to see any outliner shape that could explain the
racket. My eyes played tricks on me.
Forming faint Silhouettes. That vanished as soon as I
focused. The turtle I'd been waiting for
wasn't coming back, not with that disturbance in the
background. So, I decided to move farther
down the beach in hopes of finding another spot.
That's my usual. Move in these situations.
If something Spooks the wildlife just relocate.
But each time I walked a few steps, I heard more rustling
like I had a shadow in the dunes mirroring my every motion.
I glanced back scanning with my tiny beam of light, but it felt
like the darkness devoured, everything outside Arms, Reach,
My nerves were on high alert with each passing second.
It became harder to ignore the tiny Pricks of anxiety needling.
At my chest, the sky was impossible, to read clouds
layered over each other, creating a Gloom.
So thick you could almost taste it.
The smell of wet seaweed clung to the air and the breeze had
picked up just enough to carry a low whisper across the sand.
I kept telling myself it was just the wind, just the normal
home of a deserted Beach. but that persistent Russell said,
otherwise I needed a plan. My vehicle was parked in the
direction of the noise figures, right?
Staying put wasn't an option. I still had work to do in.
No Turtle to watch here. I exhaled slowly steeled, my
nerve and decided to walk farther down to see if the
unsettling presence would leave. Part of me.
Hoped whatever was out there would get bored and slip away
before I had to make my return trip.
But the night had other ideas and I was about to find out just
how unnerving total darkness can be when you're not quite alone.
I couldn't just hide out on the far end of the beach all night.
So eventually I worked up the nerve to head back.
My gut was telling me. I'd have to pass that shadowy
Dune area again, and I really didn't want to, but the
alternative was staying in that lonely.
Stretch of sand until sunrise, and even that felt riskier, the
more I thought about it, The thought of crossing paths with
whatever or whoever was out there, made me uneasy yet, I had
to make a choice as I started my Trek.
The wind decided to pick up each gust.
Blasted me with a damp chill. Roughly my jacket and drowning
out. The usual gentle Rhythm of the
ways. It sounded like an entire
Orchestra of Whispers blowing through the dunes.
I tried to keep my Pace steady but with the wind in my ears
every shift in the dark felt Amplified, my flash light was on
its last legs barely pushing through the darkness I kept
shining it ahead hoping I wouldn't stumble across anything
worse than a tangle of seaweed. I was maybe halfway back, when I
heard something more than just rustling, there was an outright
shout in the distance, the voice, sounded slurred distorted
by the gusts. My feet paused for a split,
second, the impulse to run the other way was overwhelming.
But my vehicle was passed that Dune area and I was determined
to reach it. I forced myself to continue each
step feeling loud as I crunched over seashells and what clumps
of sand The Voice shouted. Again, this time louder and
harsher, like an angry Outburst, at the empty night.
It was clear that whoever was making that racket wasn't
exactly sober. I hunkered low and tried to keep
the Dune between me and the source of the noise hoping that
if I stayed out of sight, they'd never know.
I was there. My flash light beam flickered
and I yelled under my breath images of it.
Dying on me, completely made me sick with worry.
The shouting abruptly changed tone.
Taking on a desperate, grumbling Cadence.
It felt directed at me, like, I was being singled out by name
even though I couldn't make out any real words.
My heart hammered as I imagined some unhinged strangers scanning
the beach ready to lash out at the first thing that moved I
ducked behind a small ridge of sand and cut the flash light off
for a moment. Letting my eyes adjust to the
murkiness. The wind whipped my hair and I
had to clasp a hand over my mouth to keep from breathing,
too heavily in that total near Blackness time stretched.
I listened for any footsteps or the crunch of sand moving
closer, instead, I heard more incoherent yelling There was a
pause and then some kind of Shifting sound up in the dune
grass, like somebody crawling or stumbling around.
Maybe they were dealing with their own confusion or anger,
but that didn't make me any less tense.
For a few seconds. I debated turning back again in
hiding, but I had to face the fact that my only ride was in
the same direction as that voice.
So, I pushed forward. Clutching the flash light.
I took a wide detour around the dune.
My heart was pounding so hard. I was convinced whoever was up
there. Could hear it every few steps,
I'd freeze, when I heard a loud or shout, or the distinct crunch
of sand more than once. I think knee deep into a wet
spot. Cursing under my breath
desperately, hoping not to attract attention.
I could finally see the faint silhouette of my car in the
distance, when I noticed a shape crumpled on the ground near it,
My pulse throbbed and I swallowed hard shining the weak
beam ahead and arm, then a leg, somebody lay Motionless In The
Sand. My thoughts raced had they
passed out or was I walking into some trap drawing closer.
I spotted a cluster of empty cans scattered around the
closer. I got the more detail I could
make out a guy sprawled on his back, half his clothes soaked
from the rain mouth open, letting out the occasional
incoherent, Mumble, the stench of alcohol was unmistakable.
This had to be the person who'd been hollering all that time.
The reason my nerves were shot. He was out cold, only stirring
enough to let loose those random yells that had echoed across the
beach. Relief washed over me but I
couldn't ignore how uneasy I felt being so near him.
Drunk strangers can be unpredictable, so I skirted
around carefully. Hoping not to wake him.
The sand sucked at my boots and I kept my flash light aimed low
to avoid flashing it in his face.
My hands shook a bit while I fumbled for my keys part of me,
still expected him to jolt upright and confront me in his
stupor. When I finally got my car door
open, I hesitated half expecting another outburst from behind.
All I heard was the wind and the distant Rumble of waves.
The sense of relief was enormous.
But so was the lingering dread of what could have happened.
If he'd been hostile, this beach is vast and dark anything.
Or anyone could be lurking here after midnight, I turned the key
in the ignition thinking about how easily a routine Turtle
Patrol turned into a nightmare scenario.
I didn't stick around to find out if that man would wake up
and start yelling again. As I pulled away the headlights
briefly illuminated his played form.
The empty cans glinting in the sand like a twisted trail of
breadcrumbs leading back into the dunes.
That was all I needed to see. I left the beach that night with
my mind churning over, just how close Darkness can bring you to
the edge of your own fears and driving home.
I promised myself never again to underestimate how Eerie
isolation can get when you're out there alone.
I've been hiking this lonely stretch of Pennsylvania Trail
for years. The Solitude always felt
comforting like the woods were my own private escape from the
noise of everyday life. There's this cabin though.
Smack dab. Where you'd least expect it
straight off the trail. About four or five miles from
the nearest main road. normally, it's boarded up tight, but I
still can't resist peaking inside every time I pass I'd see
Dusty Furniture. A table with old newspapers,
maybe a pair of boots in the corner.
Nothing ever stirred inside. One afternoon, I was by myself
and decided to tackle my favorite route.
After hours, on my feet, I rounded a bend and noticed smoke
curling above the Treetops. My initial thought was that,
somebody might be doing some controlled, burn or cooking
s'mores With Friends. But as I crept closer, I spotted
that Ricky cabin and to figure standing out front.
Not exactly the neighborly camper.
I had pictured. This guy was tall wide
shouldered wearing a grimy shirt with stains down the front, a
handful of beer cans, littered the ground around his grill and
there was a haze of smoke mixing with the evening air.
He glanced up and I sort of Frozen place, not sure what to
say or do. I mean, you don't expect to see
many folks way out here, let alone, someone hosting their own
backyard barbecue. He raised an eyebrow and
grunted, something like no food here, buddy.
As if I'd come begging for scraps.
The whole thing felt awkward. But I gave a quick nod and
hurried on I caught him still watching me from the corner of
his eye. Like he was sizing me up.
That night back in my tent, my thoughts wandered, to that
porch, seen. His attitude was weird.
Not exactly menacing but definitely off-putting.
When I continued my trip, I tried to chalk it up to a random
and counter with a guy who wanted some seclusion.
Still, I remember feeling restless, my ears on alert for
the crunch of footsteps that never came.
Time passed. And I more or less forgot about
him. Then the next summer rolled
around and I decided to bring my sister, my wife and her best
friend on a camping. Excursion I wanted to show them
the best spots in that region. Lush overlooks.
Hidden streams, the works. Our plan was to take a multi-day
loop that just so happened to pass by that same Eerie cabin.
I figured the probability of seeing that dude, again was
slim, especially since I had only seen him once in all my
years on the trail we spent two days trekking enjoying the
scenery and each other's company laughter and chatter filled the
air as we navigated switchbacks and muddy slopes, then we
reached that familiar stretch and sure enough, I caught the
faint smell of smoke in the breeze.
A knot tightened in my gut approaching carefully.
I realized it was him again. He hadn't changed much, still
huge. Still wearing clothes that had
seen better days, still surrounded by an army of empty
beer cans. He flipped something on the
grill with an intensity that made me uneasy initially.
He shot us a dismissive wave like he was about to say his
usual. Move Along.
But his expression shifted when he took in the sight of my
companions. His demeanor, turned friendly
two friendly. He invited us over, said he had
plenty of burgers and hot dogs. The way he insisted was
unsettling like he wouldn't take no for an answer.
I tried to keep it light politely, declining mentioning
we had our own food inside. I was already on edge because I
could feel him staring especially at the women in our
group. Eventually, we managed to walk
away. As we rounded the corner, I
glanced back and spotted him leaning forward watching.
My sister remarked that he gave her the creeps and my wife's
friend nodded vigorously. None of us were thrilled about
the idea of camping, anywhere near him, but the next known
campsite wasn't far and everyone felt tired.
The site itself, seemed decent a relatively flat spot near a
small stream. We pitched.
Our tents got a small campfire going and tried to shake off the
earlier encounter. The forest around.
Us felt darker than usual though.
A breeze. Rustled leaves overhead and
every so often I swore I heard distant Echoes of laughter, but
maybe it was just the wind I kept thinking about how that
guy's eyes had lingered on my group.
I made sure my air horn stayed Within Reach in case we needed
to scare off a bear or something else.
Night fell and the others turned in early hoping to get some rest
before a big hike, the next day. I laid there in my sleeping bag
pulse pounding louder than it should have waiting for morning
to come. It was tough to drift off,
knowing the man from the cabin, wasn't all that far away.
My head was spinning with questions.
Had he followed us before? Would he lurk around?
All I could do was keep my ears open and pray, we'd be left in
peace. Little did I know that evening
was just the Prelude to an encounter.
I replay in my mind, long afterward, the moment are
harmless Trek transformed into something far more sinister.
Knight had settled over our campsite like a heavy blanket
and I was still Wired from the encounter earlier that evening.
The others fell asleep eventually, but I couldn't fully
relax. My mind was stuck on the memory
of that guy by the cabin, the way he'd give us that odd
invitation the way he'd stared a little too long.
Part of me wished, we'd kept hiking to put more distance
between us and him. But our group was exhausted and
I knew we'd made The Logical Choice by camping at this spot.
At least, that's what I tried to convince myself.
At some point I must have dozed off because the next thing I
knew I was stirring awake to the sound of shuffling outside our
tents. My first groggy assumption was
that maybe some Wildlife had picked up on the scent of our
food. But I heard mumbling alone,
slurred voice and my nerves ignited.
Slowly, I unzip my tent just enough to see out.
Moonlight caught a figure in our campsite stumbling between the
10ths. It was him he was weaving around
clearly drunk out of his mind muttering words, I couldn't
quite make out. My gear was scattered at his
feet and I realized he'd already been rummaging through our
belongings. I clutched the small air horn, I
always kept handy. Normally I only needed that
thing for scaring off animals. I never thought I would use it
on a person. I took one breath and eased
myself out of my tent. I noticed my wife's tent.
Just a few steps away. She and my sister.
Plus, our friend were likely on the verge of waking up from all
the noise. He still hadn't noticed me yet.
So I crawled across the ground with the horn in hand heartbeat.
Drumming in my ears. Closer Closer.
Then I stood up and unleashed the loudest most deafening sound
I could manage. Instant chaos erupted the horns
blast tore through the Silent Forest by friends, woke up
shouting disoriented, he reeled backward cursing at the top of
his lungs. For a second.
I thought he might charge at me. Instead he staggered and almost
fell onto our dying. Campfire scalding, Ash flying up
around him. He spun away disoriented by all
the noise and the beams from our flash light lights, stumbling
into tree. Branches cursing, trying to
regain his balance. My sister aimed her flash light
right at his eyes, while the rest of us yelled at him to get
out. Finally, he swerved away from
our sight disappearing among the trees.
I could still hear him mumbling something but the words faded
with every step he took. Once he was gone, the forest
fell silent again, but the tension was thick.
We all exchanged frantic. Whispers trying to figure out
what to do. My wife was shaking her friend
on the verge of tears. None of us wanted to risk
staying there. Another minute.
So we rushed to break camp. Stakes got lost in the rush.
Zippers stuck sleeping bags were shoved haphazardly, into packs.
It was a frenzy to get everything together.
While keeping one eye, on the darkness beyond our headlamp
beams. Finally, we took off down the
trail clinging to each other's glow sticks and flash.
Lights our nerves on edge. Roots and rocks seemed to Lunge
at our feet in the dim light but we pressed forward anyway.
Nobody said, much. We just wanted to put as many
miles as possible between us and that creepy and counter.
As we hiked under the moon, I couldn't help looking over my
shoulder. Every snapping twig every rustle
of leaves set me on high alert. The idea of him following us
never left my mind. How long had he been watching
before he stumbled in? Had he planned on doing
something worse? If I hadn't blasted that horn.
My thoughts spun in a loop of fear and anger. eventually we
reached a broader section of the trail, one that felt slightly
more familiar and a little less menacing The Horizon showed
hints of Dawn and with it, a wave of relief, though, it was
stained with lingering dread. Our plan was to hike until we
found a safer place to rest, or maybe a ranger station, where we
could get help, the girls were exhausted.
And so was I but none of us felt safe stopping. looking back on
that night, a cold understanding settled in out here, miles from
civilization, one person's Twisted, Behavior, can turn a
simple camping trip into a terrifying ordeal The Wilderness
used to feel like freedom. But now, it felt like a place
where Anything could happen and no one would know until it was
too late. Even though we'd escaped the
memory of his raspy voice in the sight of him, rifling through
our gear, clung to me, That night changed the way.
I look at every backpacking trip since reminding me that human
threats can be far more unpredictable than any bear or
mountain lion ever could be. I started out from Cheyenne at
Daybreak figuring, I could knock out most of the drive to Seattle
in one long push. I triple checked my old Subaru,
the night before oil level tire pressure, emergency kit, all
that stuff. Despite my careful prep, a
little voice told me. I was forgetting something.
I hate that voice. It always seems to show up
whenever I'm about to tackle something big.
Anyway, the first couple hours were nothing special, the usual
empty highways, a few semi trucks and my scratchy playlist.
Keeping me awake. Occasionally I glanced at the
fuel gauge telling myself. I'd grab gas at the next decent,
stop. of course, next decent, stop kept getting pushed back
because each exit seemed sketchier than the last One was
a battered rest area with no visible pumps.
Another had a motel that looked like a horror movie set, I told
myself I'll keep going. There's bound to be a nice or
station for her up after a while.
The roads got lonelier and the wide Wyoming Plains started
blending into Idaho's emptiness. Clouds crawled to cross the sky
and an unsettling hush settled Over the Horizon.
My phone signal came and went. when it was gone I realized how
cut off I actually was Maybe that's what put me on edge.
The next billboard I spotted had half its letters missing but I
made out something about a town called Clarkston offering gas
and Homestyle meals. The sign looked ancient faded
paint Corners peeling. I veered onto a narrow State
Road that supposedly LED their noticing.
No other cars, not a single soul, The fields looked brittle,
like they'd been scorched ages ago and never recovered.
That sense of isolation started Weighing on me but the gas tank,
was nearing the red zone. So I pushed forward.
Finally, I rolled into Clarkston it.
Barely resembled a town. I saw a couple of warped.
Wooden signs, a diner with its front windows boarded up and a
rundown gas station at the edge of Main Street. if you could
even call it Main Street, The station, had a neon sign in the
window flickering weekly. At first glance, it was a
relief. At least it was something I
parked by the single pump hopped out and listened.
Nothing no distant trucks. No, muffled voices.
Just the wind brushing against cracked asphalt.
When I yanked the nozzle free and squeezed the handle, I got
absolutely zero flow. I tried again jiggled a lever
peaked at the side of the pump to see if there was some ancient
switch. Still not a there had to be
someone inside who knew how to operate this dinosaur.
So I walked up to the door, a metal bell clanged overhead.
When I went in the air inside was stale like nobody had
propped. Open that door in years of
Dusty, candy bars lined, the shells Brands I recognized but
with rappers, that looked off like they'd come from a
different decade. a newspaper stack near the counter,
displayed a headline about some local fare The date was 2002.
I nearly laughed at how bizarre that was, but it only made me
more uneasy I stepped around the counter calling out a casual.
Hello. Even though I was already
spooked by the emptiness. A door in the back.
Stood half, open Curious. I pushed it a bit wider.
A single bulbed on the ceiling flickering on and off making the
whole room strobe a coffee mug, sat on a desk, the contents
dried to a thick residue, a coat draped over the chair as those.
Somebody would be right back to grab it.
I tried telling myself the owner was out, running an errand, but
who leaves their coffee, half finished and vanishes for seven
years or however long. It had actually been a faint
off-putting smell lingered, near one corner, something like metal
shaving and spoiled meat. I inched closer saw an old mop
bucket filled with slimy water and backed away.
No thanks. By that point, the building felt
oppressive my stomach Twisted at the idea of continuing further
like the rest of Clarkston might hold sights worse than a crusty
mop bucket. I headed outside again, scanning
the row of buildings across the street.
They all look. Similarly abandoned Windows,
caked in dust doors boarded or hanging off hinges.
A battered sign reading restaurant creaked overhead in
the breeze but the glass was so grimy.
I couldn't see inside. As much as I wanted to jump back
in my car and pray, I had enough gas to reach the next town.
I hesitated thinking maybe there was a single living Soul around
who could help that's what got me.
Hope mixed with Dread So I made the impulsive decision to walk
across the cracked pavement and investigate.
If I found someone, maybe they could point me to a working
pump, if not. Well, I tried not to think about
the alternative with each step toward those silent buildings
the pit in my stomach deepened and I grew more certain that
Clarkston held Secrets I might regret on covering Still, I kept
going telling myself, I had only peek around for a minute before
getting out of their, my gut urged me to turn back, but I
pushed that aside one minute wouldn't hurt, right?
That's what I thought. I hesitated in the middle of
that cracked Street as if stepping forward, might trigger
something awful. Like I couldn't undo Every
building looks so lifeless. Paint curled off the walls and
old broken signs, hung overhead. Swaying in a small gust, there
wasn't a single working light that I could see apart from the
weak flicker by the gas station. Yet, I kept thinking maybe I'd
spot movement in one of the windows.
Somebody who could explain why this place felt like a ghost had
swallowed it whole when I reached.
The first storefront, I knocked on the door frame.
No Echo, no answer. Just a dull thud peering through
the grimy window. I made out of a few tables
buried under thick layers of dust.
As if time itself, had quit on the place.
A flyer on the wall inside advertised a Summer Festival.
The image of a fairy wheel loomed in faded colors.
Making me wonder how long ago someone attacked it up.
I moved on before my mind, could wander further.
The next set of building seemed to be houses.
Small single story homes, clustered close yards, choked
with weeds. One door, stood slightly open
the hinges, rusted and screechy. Curiosity tugged at me again, I
told myself I might find a radio or something inside that still
worked. Maybe even a set of keys or a
functional phone, plus the creeping awareness that nobody
was around. Made me braver than I probably
should have been the moment I stepped into that house, the
stale air, hit my lungs, it smelled like old books and
something. Sour the living room looked
Frozen in an ordinary afternoon from who knew when a couch
draped, with a blanket, a half finished puzzle on the coffee
table and a TV remote perched on the armrest. a layer of grit
covered every surface though, as though the world outside had
blown in and never left, I inched farther in passing family
photos on a wall. Smiling faces cheerful
vacations. My gaze settled on a photo where
a small kid, held a balloon grinning from ear to ear.
It made me wonder if that child grew up elsewhere, or simply
vanished with the rest of the town.
The Eerie silence, gave me. No answers.
Toward the back was a narrow Hall way.
At the end, a door, stood a jar. I nudged it with my foot heart
pounding in my ears. Inside a bedroom's curtains were
half drawn letting in just enough light to see the chaos.
Clothes Spilled Out of a dresser pictures scattered across the
floor. I crouched to pick one up a
snapshot of a teen hugging, a dog. the dogs fur was a blur,
like it was mid wiggle when the camera clicked Something about
that, caught me off guard and I nearly dropped the photo.
Everything looks so alive in these snapshots yet there.
I was in an empty house in a dead town.
Down the hall. Way, a smaller rooms door was
painted with stars and planets chipped and Faded.
I pushed it. Open a child's bed.
Stuffed animals, tossed around A teddy bear stared at me with one
missing. I Its first seems stiff matted
with, who knows? What?
A coloring book. Lay facedown crayons left
scattered. It felt intrusive to be standing
there as if I barged in on a family's private moment.
Only the family was long gone. Suddenly, I thought I heard a
slight Creak like a floorboard adjusting underweight.
My heart thudded. I paused holding my breath
scanning the dark corners. I saw no one but the Sensation
that I wasn't alone locked my muscles, the next few seconds
felt like ours. When nothing else happened I
convinced myself it was the wind or my own footsteps.
Echoing Still the tension remained in my gut.
I backed out, nearly stumbling over an overturned chair in the
hallway. My nerves screamed at me to get
out of their back to my car, back to anywhere else.
Once outside, I fought to inhale, fresh air though.
It tasted of dust and despair. Street lamps were either broken
or had never existed in the first place.
And Twilight was setting in the sky dimmed, painting everything
and dull, purple's, and greys. I jogged to my Subaru, half
expecting the engine to fail me or Worse to find it gone but it
was still there. Silent as ever I got in slammed
the door and locked it. The fuel gauge was dangerously
low. I cranked the ignition, which
coughed twice before kicking to life.
Static Buzz through the radio speakers.
I twisted the dial frantically hoping for any station that
could reassure me civilization existed somewhere nearby just
faint crackles and hisses at least the engine was running so
I had a shot at getting out of Clarkston.
I rolled through the main strip ice, flicking to the side
mirrors worried, a shape might pop up behind me.
Not a single figure stirred. I passed that old Diner.
Its neon sign dark and dead, and I caught a glimpse of the gas
station again. The memory of those outdated
candy bars and that coffee cup Frozen in Time, made me grip the
steering wheel until my Knuckles ached.
Eventually, I saw a battered sign reading leaving Clarkston.
Someone had spray painted something over it.
Maybe a faded message, but I couldn't make sense of the
letters in the dim light. I drove on the road ahead,
practically pitch-black the headlights, Illuminating only
the cracked asphalt and tumbleweeds.
Relief, battled with lingering dread each competing for space
in my mind. Finally, I spotted a more modern
road sign pointing to Mountain Home?
My heart's. Surged at the idea of a real
town with functioning lights, open, gas, stations, and living
breathing people. By the time I got there, the
Subaru was running on fumes. A yanked up to the pump and pure
relief flooded me. When I heard the pump start
humming, Inside the convenience store.
I babbled something about just driving through a ghost town,
the clerks stared. Like I was unhinged, She asked
what town and I nearly snapped Clarkston back that way.
But she only Shrugged never heard of it.
Frustrated, I grabbed my phone and tried calling the local
sheriff's office to ask if they knew anything.
After a few transfers, a deputy told me.
Yeah, might be an old settlement folks abandoned he didn't sound
very curious or even particularly surprised.
He offered no real details, just mumbled something about
Farmland, drying up and moved on.
Once I got on the road again, my mind replied, the images of dust
rooms, that child's teddy bear, The unblinking Emptiness of
Clarkston. Even as I reached Boise checked
into a motel and finally let myself relax, I couldn't shake
the heavy thoughts. Were those people gone by choice
or by force. Something about the place felt
worse than just an economic collapse.
It felt like people had left in the middle of ordinary life and
never looked back. By the time I reached Seattle, I
tried forcing myself not to dwell on it.
My friend laughed off my story, suggesting maybe I'd stumbled
into some deserted area that never rebounded from a
recession. Still every so often I'd get a
flash of that bedroom with scattered crayons and wonder if
something bad happened. if the truth was locked away in a
battered file at some Sheriff's Office, I'd never visit part of
me long to know the answer but the rest of Mew it'd be better
if I never set foot in Clarkston again.
I was 13 when my mom decided I was old enough to handle the
worst corners of our rundown neighborhood, all by myself.
I lived with her and my little sister in a cramped duplex on
the very edge of Riverton. The paint on our place.
Had peeled away to reveal Sun, fated boards and the porch light
flickered like its struggled to stay alive.
Our street felt drained too. A few folks still lived around
us, but they rarely stepped outside.
My mother didn't seem concerned about any of that.
She had her own orbit of interest that never seemed to
involve me or my sister, whether it was borrowing groceries, or
delivering some package, she always found a way to send me
out after dark. As if the time of day made no
difference if anything she looked downright smug whenever
she forced me to go. One chili November night, she
barged into the living room and announced I needed to haul a
huge laundry bag over to my uncle's place.
So he could wash our clothes. We had no working machine so
that part made sense but it was the timing that God under my
skin. Nighttime seemed darker than
usual and that flickering porch light didn't help.
Still, she didn't leave room for debate.
I was a big kid. A solid 280 pounds.
Yet the thought of strolling through those gloomy streets by
myself sent an instant jolt of worry through my chest.
I had grown used to feeling on edge.
Sometimes my hands would shake when no one was looking, and my
temples would throw up from tension.
Even, so I grabbed the oversized laundry bag, zipped up my hoodie
and told myself, I'd be fine. But right before I stepped out,
I slid a steak Knife into my hoodie pocket.
I couldn't explain why, but everything in me said, I might
need protection. Once outside the cool are
pressed in on me. The street was unusually Silent,
not a single car humming by no porch.
Gatherings, not even a bark from the usual stray, dog.
The sidewalk felt strange under my worn sneakers.
Every step seemed too loud. With each block, I adjusted my
grip on the laundry bag, trying to keep it from dragging.
And every time I paused, I picked up this faint.
Tapping noise. At first, I thought it was a
trick of my imagination. Metal hitting something like a
coin, flicked against concrete. I shook off the weirdness and
forced myself to keep walking. My uncle's place was about six
blocks away, rather than trudged down the main street.
I veered into a side alley hoping to shave off time.
Dim security lights flickered on and off casting Jagged Shadows,
I couldn't get over the idea. Someone or something was
studying me from behind a fence or a dumpster.
But I hadn't seen another Soul, so it had to be my own mind
playing games. When I finally turned onto my
uncle's block, I exhaled in relief, his house was a little
beat up but his porch light was nice and bright.
He opened the door with a snort. That told me he already
suspected my mother's reason for sending me.
I handed off the laundry bag and he offered to let me stay for a
bit. But of course, that's when the
phone rang. My mother irritated and yelling
that I needed to head right back.
My uncle tried to argue but she wasn't having it.
I Shrugged and said I'd handle it.
Honestly, I just wanted to get out of that conversation.
The walk back felt darker clouds, had rolled in blotting
out, any hint of moon or Stars the streetlights along my route
were spaced too far apart leaving Long stretches of near
blackness in between That's when I heard the tapping again
closer. More deliberate my pulse
hammered so hard. I worried I might tip over
Trying to keep calm. I picked up my pace.
I told myself it was nothing, maybe a loose gutter dripping
somewhere. Then I spotted movement up
ahead. A tall gaunt figure, stood
partially behind a battered chain link.
Fence motionless, except for the tilt of its head.
My mind churned trying to Peg it as a person or maybe a dog on
hind legs. But it was too tall, too narrow
in the Torso and had a glossy almost sickly Sheen to its skin
under the weak light. My fingers automatically curled
around the hidden knife in my pocket.
When the figure slunk forward I realized its limbs bent in an
unsettling way. Almost like it was used to walk
on all fours but could stand up, right?
If it wanted a wave of dread Shot Through Me.
I tore my eyes away long enough to sidestep onto a side street
ditching, the main road entirely. the thing rustled
against the fence as it shifted, making that tapping noise again,
Nails on metal, Maybe. Without warning the shape,
vaulted over the fence Landing. A few yards away from me.
That was all it took. I started running lugging the
laundry bag. My legs protesting with every
ragged step the bag kept swinging, nearly tripping me,
the taping turned into scraping like claws.
Skidding over pavement. I dare to Quick, Glance behind
me and Glimpse something bounding along the asphalt arms
and legs working in sink eyes. Reflecting a strange red
glimmer. I veered off into a yard
ignoring the no trespassing signs.
The yard was a mess of weeds and stray junk my foot slammed into
a half bury cinder block, and I tumbled hard knees and hands.
Scraping raw with shaking. Limbs, I tried to scramble to my
feet, but a cold presence was already looming over me.
The stench rolling off at was overwhelming like a mix of
stagnant water and decaying leads.
I lifted my gaze. It was on all fours.
Now, saliva trailing, from a mouth full of jagged teeth.
Without thinking, I yanked out the steak knife and swiped
upward the blade connected with something solid.
And the creature emitted, a noise that was part his part
Roar. I managed to twist away as its
smacked, my wrist nearly causing me to lose my grip on the knife.
A split second later headlights from a passing pickup.
Bursts, the yard The bright beams revealed.
Everything its eyes shining like Embers.
The papery looking skin stretched over lean muscles and
scars Criss Crossing its sides. It staggered back then.
Let out a guttural sound. That nearly cracked my resin
half. But just as the truck moved on
it bolted into the Shadows leaving me sprawled on the cold
ground unable to even gas properly.
I don't recall much after that other than waking up in a
cramped, Clinic room with stitched Cuts along my forearm
and bruises dotting my legs. My uncle stood, there relief
plane on his face. He demanded an explanation but I
muttered something about a stray dog.
I couldn't bring myself to say what I'd really seen.
Part of me wanted to believe. It was just my anxiety twisting
reality. But deep down I knew.
That thing was out there. Somewhere and I doubted that
single knife strike would make it for me anytime soon.
It's been 13 years since that night in Riverton, I'm 26.
Now, living in a small one-story house in Meadowview with my
grandmother. Her Health's taken a dip.
These last few years. Heart issues, arthritic knees
and she can't handle day-to-day tasks on her own anymore.
Considering she is the only one who ever really took care of me.
It feels right to be here for her.
Still the old fear from Riverton is stayed buried in the back of
my head, like a bad dream that never quite lets go. the first
few months after moving in were common enough, At occasionally,
get jumpy if a branch Creek outside late at night, but I had
learned to shove those nerves aside.
My grandmother's presence alone. Made me feel safer.
And Meadowview had a quieter Vibe than Riverton ever did.
It helped that the house was better, kept no peeling paint.
No, flickering bulbs. Everything seemed normal at
least At a Glance. But little things started adding
up early in the morning, I'd find weird scratch marks on the
side of the trash bin like some stray animal had tried to dig
through it. Once I discovered large, Paul
like Prince in the muddy patch by the driveway bigger than any
dog I've ever seen. A next-door neighbor grumbled
about strange Footprints in his backyard.
Some folks blamed raccoons others blamed coyotes.
I tried to do the same telling myself, it had to be local
wildlife. But those prints looked wrong,
like the front and back legs weren't quite in the right
alignment. Sleep became a mess, even the
slightest noise outside felt magnified.
Pulling me to the window. To check the yard most times,
I'd see nothing, but darkness and an empty Street.
I told myself I was overreacting After all more than a decade had
passed since that horrifying encounter.
That was back in Riverton and I was older.
Now, smarter tougher, right? One night around 1, a.m.
I heard a loud clatter from the backyard.
Grabbing a flash light in a heavy duty crowbar.
That I've been using as a doorstop.
I went outside. My breath hitched in my throat,
the moment, I clicked on the flash light, the trash can was
knocked over and this gangly figure was hunched beside it.
Rummaging through the scattered garbage, a pungent odor, like,
rotting leaves hung in the air. I aimed the beam at The
Intruders back and it turned its head toward me. when those eyes
reflected in the light, everything froze, My limbs
stiffened and the flashlight wobbled in my hand.
Staring back was something tall enough that even crouched.
It looked half my height. Pale scabbed skin clung to a
wiry frame and Faded scars to cross its shoulders and rib
cage. Before I could fully process the
site, it bolted. In a single fluid motion.
It lunged over the chain link, fence, and vanished into the
brush. Behind my grandmother's house.
the yard fell silent, like reality had paused I blinked a
few times, chest height trying to wrap my head around it.
The shape, the scars, the eyes. I couldn't shake the idea that I
had seen all of this before. My first impulse was to call the
police, the dispatcher sounded half asleep.
When I told her a large animal had knocked over my garbage.
She promised a patrol car with the neighborhood but I could
already guess what? That meant.
The next day I set out on a mission to secure the yard.
I replaced the flimsy gate lock shoved bricks around the base of
the fence and even rigged up some old wind chimes near the
back Corners. So I adhered if anything
approached My grandmother watched me from the porch and
uneasy expression on her face. I tried to smile and make it
seem like a minor nuisance, but she's known me too long to buy
it. She asked, is this about that
thing. You saw years ago?
I sidestepped the question just saying I felt uneasy she stayed
quiet but I could tell she wanted me to open up.
I got more and more paranoid. Each evening, I checked the
window locks test the door, knobs and flick, the backyard
light on and off a dozen times. I'd peer through the curtains at
random intervals searching for a silhouette that wasn't supposed
to be there. The dread was worse than a
mosquito bite, you can't scratch it.
Stayed under my skin. Making me jumpy and exhausted a
few nights later while I was up reading in the living room.
I caught movement outside through the corner of my eye.
The old Street Lamp near the curb flickered.
For a split second. Something seemed to linger
beneath. It shoulders hunched almost like
it was waiting. I shot off the couch and
scrambled to the window, but by the time, I yanked, the curtain
aside, there was nothing but a dark stretch of pavement.
Eventually, I found myself on the back porch, at 2 in the
morning armed with a flash light and a kitchen knife.
My grandmother was asleep and I wasn't about to tell her.
I planned on standing guard until sunrise.
I settled into a rickety, wooden chair with the porch light off,
so I could see into the yard better heart, pounding in my
ears, scanning every shape for that familiar silhouette.
Hours. Dragged by at some point, I
nearly dozed off only to be startled awake by the clang of
the wind chimes. My hand went straight to the
knife, I crept down the steps, searching the perimeter of the
fence, with the flashlight's beam. was the wind chime
rattling because of a breeze or had something triggered it The
silent yard offered. No clues.
Just a faint smell of damp grass.
The attention in my chest refused to settle.
It seemed logical to go inside, lock up in attempt to sleep, but
I stayed out there convinced that whatever lurked in the
shadows was biting, its time. Sunlight, eventually stained The
Horizon. And birds started chirping in
the distance. My eyes, stung from
sleeplessness but I had made it through the night, unscathed.
Still there was no comfort in that.
If anything it felt like the Calm before a bigger storm, I
was certain that the same creature scarred and monstrous
the one that nearly took me out all those years ago had found me
again. And the worst part, it didn't
seem in any hurry to leave. I had been cooped up for days,
juggling late, shifts and barely finding time to breathe.
Let alone unwind that night. I finally snapped I needed a
break something. Anything to clear my mind.
So I pulled on my sneakers, grabbed my headlamp and headed
out to a trailer. I used to walk all the time.
It was passed midnight, but I convinced myself a bit of fresh
air would do me good. From the start, the trail was
darker than I remembered. The trees, stood, like, silent
Watchers on all sides. And the crunch of leaves under
my feet was almost too loud. I clicked on my headlamp
Illuminating a narrow path that curved ahead.
Usually this place felt calming but something was off.
I Shrugged it away. Attributing it to my own nerve
overthinking, right? I can continue further until my
fitness watched chimed around the mile mark.
That's one. I caught a hint of motion.
In the underbrush off to the side.
Could have been a rabbit or some other small animal, but it felt
heavier I paused Switched Off My headlamp and listened for any
sound. Each second crept by noting.
Eventually, I flicked the light back on and started walking
again, quickening, my Pace. Now just in case a few minutes
down the trail, I heard leave shifting again.
But this time it came from behind me, my mind raced another
Walker, a stray dog, maybe a deer. except it wasn't that
casual rustling noise, Wildlife usually makes It had a pattern
like footfalls trying to match mine.
I whip around pointed my headlamp into the darkness but
only caught glimpses of branches and Tangled roots.
No person, no animal. Silence again.
I tried to reassure myself. Maybe my imagination was an
Overdrive. still, I couldn't ignore how the night felt heavy
or I yelled out. Something about calling the cops
if anyone was messing with me, no response.
The trail just stretched on under the weak glow of my lamb.
That's when my beam caught a shape off to the right, a blur
of pale skin low to the ground. It moved like it belonged there
on all fours, smooth and unnerving.
I only saw it for a second or two, but it was enough to send
my pulse skyrocketing. Nobody crawls that way.
Nobody. Is that quiet?
That fast? I shouted again nonsense words
tumbling out of my mouth, half threat, half plea, instead of
running toward me it darted away with a terrifying speed that
made me feel rooted in place a laugh.
Echoed. Not a normal human laugh.
It had a high pitched mocking Edge almost giddy.
That shattered, my last ounce of self-control.
I took off stumbling over rocks and kicking up dirt.
Everything else blurred into a single purpose?
Get out. The faint, light of neighborhood
houses. Eventually appeared Beyond the
Edge of the woods. My legs burned lungs felt ready
to burst but I didn't care. I just needed the safety of
streetlights and the thought of other people nearby.
I fumbled for my phone and called the police.
Barely able to form coherent sentences A man, something
following me the trail. I left out anything that sounded
too outrageous. As soon as the call ended, I
locked myself in my room. It didn't feel like home though.
Even in my own walls, I was on edge, I kept replaying that
strange shape darting on all fours and that warped, laugh.
Ringing in my head. The next morning they told me
they found no one out there. Just Disturbed leaves and
Footprints leading off Trail, which eventually disappeared.
No sign of trespassers. No obvious Clues.
They didn't exactly call me crazy, but their shrugs and nods
said enough. Once they left, I stayed by my
window staring into the night. I knew I couldn't let it end
like that. Whatever I encountered wasn't
gone and I sensed I'd go back. Despite Common Sense curiosity
and fear were already dragging me toward another walk in that
dark stretch of forest. It took me a couple of days to
work up the nerve but I couldn't bear feeling powerless.
I described everything to my three friends, every Eerie
footstep, every glimpse of that pale shape crouching in the
trees. Naturally.
They were skeptical. They called me.
Dramatic. But I saw a spark of interest in
their eyes. The more I told them, the more
they got hooked on the idea of investigating a little
Adventure, Never Scared them or so they claimed we agreed to
meet at my place around 9:30. At night, two buddies, came
armed with pistols. Another showed up with a shotgun
and I had my own sidearm tucked under my jacket, let's be real.
None of us were serious Hunters. We just felt safer holding
something that might give us a fighting chance if things turned
ugly. One friend held the flash
lights, plus his phone to record.
If we got lucky enough to capture footage, stepping onto
the trail again, felt surreal In the dim glow of our flash
lights, we retraced my path, each of us on usually quiet.
Even the jokes toasters of the group had run out of wisecracks,
every so often someone would crack a branch Under Foot and
all of us would jump. It was ridiculous, but we were
on edge. I knew they were all thinking
about how I described that thing in the woods.
We marched past. My usual stopping point
somewhere close to a mile and a half in Without any sign of
trouble. That brought me 0 Comfort,
though. A hush seemed to follow us, like
the forest had decided to keep it Secrets locked away.
The canopy overhead blocked. Most of the Moonlight making the
beams from our flashlights. Look puny the further we went
the more claustrophobic. It felt eventually a distant
rustling reached. Our ears.
It sounded like someone trudging through deep leaves and it
wasn't stationary. It was circling far off the
trail. One friend, switched off his
light motioning, the rest of us to do the same.
Darkness, swallowed us, the footsteps, edged closer unsteady
for a moment then suddenly sped up like a Gallop, each stride
pounded, the ground, our hearts hammered so loudly.
I expected them to give us a way.
We snapped the lights on scanning frantically.
Shadows, jumped across the tree trunks but we couldn't see
anything moving. My friends started yelling,
who's out there, show yourself. That's when the sound stopped,
just froze. As if it had never existed in
that silence. We all stood, there, listening
hard enough to hear our own breathing.
Then came the shriek a single piercing cry that seemed half
human and half animal. It jolted us so badly that
someone pulled the trigger. Light flashed The Gunshot echoed
and my ears felt stuffed with static in that burst of
brightness. I saw something pale and long
limbed Dart across my vision hugging a tree as if it had
suction cups for hands. No.
Normal person could move like that.
A second shot rang out. Another flash more ringing, in
my ears. We stood there waiting for a
body to drop, but nothing hit the ground.
No Cry of pain or rustle of leaves suggested.
We'd landed a single shot. Instead that cackling laughter
answered us from a darker spot in the forest.
It felt like it was mocking our attempts to catch it off guard,
everything in me. Screamed to leave.
I glanced around at my friends and they all had the same wild.
Look, we couldn't keep shooting blindly.
It was too risky and clearly not working.
One friend was convinced he'd blasted it, but there was no
sign of blood or anybody on the ground.
Just a newly, shredded patch of bark on the nearest tree.
That cackle came again but this time it was further out, like
the thing was leading us even deeper.
We had two choices, follow the noise or backtrack.
Nobody said a word. We just started retreating.
In jerky steps, half expecting it to launch itself at us.
Flashlights, swung in every direction, revealing nothing,
but more darkness and twisted branches.
The entire time, I imagined that shaped slithering behind the
trunks waiting. Eventually the sight of a loan
Street, Lamp beyond the trail, entrance filled us with relief.
Once we'd reached the road, we realized how fast we'd been
going. Sweat clung to our clothes and
we were all gasping for breath. My house wasn't far, we huddled
in my living room, each one trying to describe exactly what
we witnessed. The shotgun guy admitted he'd
caught a glimpse of something tall but he couldn't make out a
face if it even had one nerves rattled around the room we had
weapons, we had flash lights and still we'd been left shaking in
our boots. Worst of all we didn't get a
shred of proof. Our designated camera guy
confessed. He forgot to open his phone's
camera in the panic and nobody else thought to do it either.
We were kicking ourselves for letting that chance slip.
Before the night was over, we made a plan.
Next time, we'd be prepared with actual cameras rolling from the
start. Someone even suggested grabbing
a game camera or two rigging them to trees at intervals.
Part of me knew how Reckless it sounded and yet.
I couldn't ignore that gnawing urge to find closure, whatever
was lurking in those woods was still out there, mocking us The
idea that a point blank shotgun blast, didn't drop it.
Made my blood run cold, we spent hours talking strategizing
trying to rationalize what we'd seen.
But deep down, I think we all understood.
We were crossing a line into unknown territory None of us was
ready to admit it though. We parted ways with a plan armed
recording, no more messing around.
And I lay awake into the early morning, listening to the echo
of that, laugh over and over questioning whether we were
making the worst mistake of Our Lives by going back.
I always trusted the woods. They were familiar to me like
the Warren grip of my shotgun or the weight of a lantern in my
hand. I grew up in these Hollows of
Tennessee, my boots, sinking into the same.
Dirt paths, my father hunted on and his father before him.
But that night that night, the woods changed, it started like
any other hunt. The sun dipped below the tree
line, casting Long Shadows that stretched.
Like claws over the undergrowth. I remember the way the air felt
heavy like the trees were holding their breath.
Eli and I trudged down the old fence line.
Our boots crunching softly against the frostbitten leaves.
The dogs copper and red were ahead of us noses to the ground.
Tails, wagging with the kind of confidence.
That made me feel like nothing in these Woods could surprise us
but even then, I could feel it a wrongness in the air like
something was watching from the Shadows, just beyond our
lanterns glow. You feel that I muttered more to
myself than Eli. He snorted, the sound forced
feel, what the cold But his eyes darted to the tree line, and I
knew he felt it too, we pushed deeper into the woods, the fence
line, our guide through the thickening dark.
Usually the woods hummed with life at night, the chirp of
crickets the hood of owls, the rustling of raccoons in the
brush. But not tonight.
Tonight, the woods were silent and then the dog stopped copper,
the older of the two froze mid-step.
His nose lifted to the wind red, let out a low growl, the fur on
his back bristling. I'd seen them face down Bobcats
even a Bear Once and they never flinched like this.
What's gotten into them, Eli whispered, his voice tight
before I could answer, I heard it crunch.
Not on the ground above us. We froze our lanterns casting
shaky light into the Tangled branches overhead.
For a heartbeat. There was nothing but Shadows,
then my eyes caught it a shape too big and too still crouched
in the branches of an old oak. It was watching us.
The thing was massive. It's black fur blending into the
night, but its eyes. Its eyes glowed not like the
reflection you see in an animal's eyes when the light
hits, just right? These eyes were aware,
calculating Christ, Eli breathed, wait I hissed but it
was too late crack. The shot echoed through the
woods loud and sharp the bullet hit.
I saw the flick of movement in the creatures shoulder but it
didn't Flinch. It didn't even blink.
It just kept staring, then it moved with the sound like
tearing flesh. The thing dropped from the tree
15 feet straight down, landing on all fours with a thud that
rattled my bones. For a moment, it crouched there,
it's long, sinewy tail. Twitching, like a cat.
Ready to pounce. Then it charged copper was the
first to meet it. My Brave stupid old hound lunged
with a bark that turned into a Yelp midair.
The thing caught him in its jaws, like he was nothing more
than a rabbit. And I'll never forget the sound
the crunch of bone quick and phenol red didn't stand a
chance. He left teeth bared and the
things swiped him aside with a single clawed, paw Reds.
Body hit a tree trunk with a sickening, snap sliding to the
ground in a heap of fur and blood.
My body moved before my brain caught up.
I raised my shotgun, took aim and fired.
Boom. The blast hit the creature
Square in the shoulder close enough.
That I felt the heat of the discharge on my face.
It's staggered snarling, but it didn't fall it turned.
Its head toward me, and I swear to God at grinned its lips
peeled back to reveal rows of jagged yellow teeth too long,
too, sharp, Eli screamed. I turned just in time to see him
trying to run, but the thing was faster.
It lunged. Swiping at his back, I heard the
rip of cloth saw the flash of blood as his shirt tore like
paper Eli, stumbled forward, the lantern flying from his hand and
shattering against a rock. Plunging us into near Darkness.
I didn't have time to think I fired.
My second shot into the things gut, the blast echoed and the
Beast. Let out a roar a sound that
didn't belong in this world. A mix of a wolf's howl and
something deeper something wrong, but it didn't die.
It stumbled. It's glowing eyes dimming for
just a second, but it kept coming.
I could see the blood pouring from its wounds black and thick
like tar, but it wasn't enough. I was out of shells with no
time. To reload.
I did the only thing I could I dropped the shotgun and grabbed
the nearest fence post yanking it from the ground with a
strength. I didn't know I had The old wood
splintered in my hands, but I didn't care.
I charge, the Beast had its attention on Eli who was
crawling backward in the dirt. His eyes wide with Terror.
It didn't see me coming. I swung the post with
everything, I had the weight of fear and rage driving me
forward. The first hit connected with a
crack splintering against the creatures skull.
It let out a whimper, a high Keening sound that sent chills
down my spine, it sounded Almost Human, but it wasn't dead.
I swung again this time bringing the post down across its spine,
I felt the bones snapped beneath the blow heard, the wet choking
gas, as the Beast, collapsed to the ground.
Twitching for a moment. The only sound was my own ragged
breathing then the creature. Let out one last pitiful, sound
a soft, rattling wine like a dying dog and then it was still.
I dropped the fence, post my hands shaking.
The lantern was out, but the Moonlight was enough to see the
things body sprawled in the dirt.
Its head was that of a wolf, but two large two elongated.
Its limbs were thick and Powerful ending in Clause that
glistened with blood. The fur was black as midnight,
but in some places, it looked almost mangled, like patches of
human skin stretched, too tight and its eyes even in death.
They glowed faintly, as if something inside refused to let
go Eli was on his knees staring at the thing.
Like it might get up again. I couldn't blame him.
I half expected it to. What the hell is that James?
He whispered, his voice. Barely audible, I didn't have an
answer. I didn't think there was one but
one thing was certain this was no bear.
No Panther no animal. We were meant to find in these
woods and whatever it was. I had a sinking feeling.
This wasn't the end of it. For a long time.
Neither of us moved. The thing lay there in the dirt.
It's twisted body steaming in the cold night air The woods
which had been silent before. Now felt dead.
Not just quiet Hollow. Like the trees themselves were
holding back something worse, something watching from, just
beyond the lanterns. Reach, Eli was still kneeling
his breath ragged, his shirt hanging and tatters from his
back where the beasts Claus had torn through his blood left dark
streaks, down his spine, but he didn't seem to notice.
His eyes were locked on the creature's body wide and
unblinking like he thought if he looked away, it might get back
up. I wasn't so sure.
It wouldn't. My hands trembled as I stepped
closer. The fence post.
Still gripped tight the beasts chest.
Didn't rise. No breath no twitch but its
eyes. Jesus, its eyes even in death,
they held a faint unnatural glow, like Embers that refused
to die out. I crouched beside it close
enough. Now to see details, I wished, I
never had its head was unmistakably wolf-like but the
proportions were wrong. The snout was too long, the
teeth too Jagged and where a wolf size should have been wild
and animalistic. These were knowing human, almost
it's fur was thick and black, but patches of it were missing
revealing modeled gray skin beneath Like it was in the
middle of becoming something else.
Or had been something else once its paws.
If you could call the that were massive ending in Clause like
curved knives. I could still see the blood from
copper and red clinging to them thick and dark.
The tale was long, almost Serpentine curling around its
body even in death. The saint Rite elife.
Finally whispered, his voice hoarse James.
This this ain't right. I didn't have the words to
argue, we should have left it there, walked away, but some
stubborn part of me needed to prove what we'd seen needed
someone else to look at this thing and tell me I wasn't
losing my mind. We're taking it back.
I said my voice steady though. My insides were shaking like a
leaf. Eli snapped, his head toward me
eyes wide, what you out of your damn mind.
We need to burn it, but I was already reaching for my knife.
Help me gut. It will drag it back to the
cabin. Eli stared at me like I'd
sprouted a second head. But in the end, he didn't argue.
Maybe he didn't want to be left alone with it, or maybe he too
needed proof. That we weren't crazy.
The smell hit me. The moment.
I sank the blade into its gut, not like any animal I'd ever
Hunted. It wasn't just blood and awful.
It was wrote. Like the thing had been dead for
days, maybe longer but it's body was warm too warm and then there
were its inside's. I've gutted dire Bear, all kinds
of game but nothing prepared me for what was inside that Beast.
Its organs were wrong Twisted in ways that didn't make sense.
The heart was too big, pulsing faintly, even as I carved it
out. The intestines were dark almost
black and the blood. It wasn't the rich red of life,
but a thick tar like sludge. Eli gagged beside me.
Turning away to retch in the dirt.
I didn't blame him. I wanted to do the same.
We lashed what was left of the carcass to a makeshift sled?
Using old fence rails and rope we found nearby.
The thing was heavy impossibly. So like it didn't want to be
moved. Every step back to the cabin.
Felt like dragging a piece of the woods itself.
Something ancient and angry. The forest stayed silent as we
moved, but that didn't come for me.
It felt like the trees were watching holding their breath
until we were gone. And more than once.
I swore, I heard something behind us, soft footsteps.
Just out of sight. But when I turned, there was
nothing. Nothing but the Shadows.
By the time we reached the cabin Dawn was creeping Over the
Horizon staining the sky as sickly Gray.
My muscles burned. My hands raw from the Rope but
we didn't stop. We dragged the Beast inside,
slamming the door shut like it could keep whatever Darkness
we'd start out. Eli collapsed into a chair.
His face pale sweat soaking through his torn shirt.
I lit every Lantern in the cabin, the flickering light,
casting Long Shadows that made the creatures.
Body. Look even more.
Grotesque, we stared at it in silence for a long time.
What now Eli, finally whispered his voice Halo.
I didn't answer right away, my mind was racing grasping for
something. Anything that could explain what
we'd seen. Then I thought of Professor
Alden Moore, the reclusive scholar, who lived on the edge
of town? Folks said he knew more about
animals than anyone else. Maybe too much.
Some whispered, he dabbled in things, better left alone, but I
didn't care. If anyone could tell us what
this was, it was him. We take it to more, I said,
finally Eli looked at me like I lost my mind again but he didn't
argue. Maybe he didn't have the
strength. Getting the Beast to Moore's
place was no easier than dragging it out of the woods.
By the time we got there, the sun was high, but it didn't feel
warm. His house, sat at the edge of
the forest, a crooked old thing with dark windows, that seemed
to watch us as we approached. More answered the door.
After the first knock, his thin face pale and drawn, like he
hadn't slept in days. His eyes flicked from me to Eli,
then to the tarp covered shape behind us.
Without a word. He stepped aside motioning us
in. We dragged the Beast, into his
study, laying it out on a table that creaked under the weight.
The room smelled of old books and something sharp like
chemicals more circled, the creature, his eyes narrowing as
he peeled back, the tarp for a long time.
He said nothing just stared, then his face changed, his skin,
went even paler his mouth tightening into a thin line.
His hands steady at first began to tremble.
What is it Eli whispered? His voice barely Audible.
More didn't answer right away. He leaned in close examining the
beasts face. Its claws.
The gaping wound in its gut. When he finally spoke, his voice
was low and strained, like it hurt to say the words, you
shouldn't have brought this here Eli flinched.
What do you mean? You know what it is?
Don't you more straightened, his eyes darting to the window then
to the dark corners of the room, like, he expected something to
crawl out of the Shadows. I don't want to know he
whispered and neither do you. I stepped forward.
My hands balling into Fists. What the hell does that mean?
More? We killed this thing.
We need to know what it is. But more just shook his head, he
backed away from the table, like the Beast, might rise up and
grab him. His eyes wide with a fear.
I'd never seen in a man before. Stay out of the woods at night.
He said his voice barely more than a breath.
And pray, you didn't bring more than just the body back with
you. And with that he was gone, he
left us standing there. The beasts carcass between us
the weight of his words settling like a stone in my chest.
We went back to the cabin after that, but the Beast didn't stay
dead for long. Not in the way that mattered. by
morning, it was gone and the woods, the woods were watching I
should have known something was off the second.
We pulled up to the lease. The cabin sat there hunched in
the trees, like, it had been waiting for us.
It's weather beaten Woods. Sagging under years of Storms
and silence. It always looked a little rough
around the edges. It's been in our family forever
but this time it felt different. The place was too quiet.
Not the peaceful kind of quiet, you expect out in the woods but
something heavier. No, wind through the trees.
No birds chirping. Not even the usual rustle of
small Critters in the underbrush, just silence thick
and unnatural even the dogs were weird about it.
Normally they'd be jumping out of the truck Tails wagging ready
to sniff every inch of the place but today they slinked out slow
ears. Flat Tails tucked low.
Like they knew something I didn't.
I shook it off. Just tired from the drive.
I told myself. The road out here is long and
boring and my mind had a habit of playing tricks when I was
exhausted. I grabbed my gear.
Hauling it toward the cabin, the gravel crunching loud.
Under my boots in the Stillness. Inside it felt worse.
The cabin is always been a little cramped filled with old
hunting photos and mounted deer heads from trips long before I
was born. But now, the walls felt like
they were pressing in the air was thick like the place.
Hadn't been aired out in years. Even though we just been here
last season, it smelled like mussed gunpowder and something
else. Something rotting faint, but
there. My parents barely noticed, busy
unpacking, their stuff and chatting about the morning hunt.
I didn't say anything. I've always been the one in the
family with a thing for the Paranormal and I knew, if I
brought up how weird the place, felt they just chalk it up to
me, spooking myself. I got the small room near the
back of the cabin. It wasn't much two twin beds,
squeezed into a space. Barely big enough to fit them, a
rusty rack piled with camo jackets, boots, and two small
backpacks hanging off the side like they'd been there forever.
I tossed my bag on one of the beds in sat down, trying to
shake the uneasy feeling that clung to me like humidity But it
didn't go away that night. I went to bed, early, figuring
some sleep would clear my head. My parents were two doors down
and the dogs were settled by the fire finally relaxing a bit.
I left my phone on the nightstand, face down, and tried
to let the familiar Creeks of the cabin, LOL me to sleep.
It didn't last at exactly 11:44 p.m.
I snapped away, no sound, no movement.
Nothing that should have jolted me out of sleep, but my heart
was already pounding, like, I'd been running.
The room was freezing colder than it had any right to be, and
my breath came out and shallow Puffs.
I knew something was wrong before I even opened my eyes.
But when I did there, she was standing by the rack half hidden
in the shadows was a tall. Female figure.
She wasn't just tall. She was unnaturally tall.
Her head brushing against the low ceiling.
Limbs too long joints bent at odd angles like she'd been
folded wrong and put back together.
Her form was black but somehow transparent like a shadow, that
shouldn't be there. But it was her face or what I
could see of it. That chilled me to the Bone.
Her head was tilted to the side like, her neck had been snapped
and her eyes. God, her eyes were tiny points
of pale, light glowing faintly in the dark locked onto me.
And then she spoke come on. She whispered her voice dry and
brittle like leaves scraping against old wood.
Take a backpack and come with me.
I couldn't move. My mind was screaming, but my
body was frozen locked in place by pure raw Terror.
What? I croaked, my voice barely more
than a Whisperer. Who are you?
She didn't answer. She just repeated, it her voice
lower. Now, more insistent.
Come on, take a backpack and come with me.
That's when I snapped out of it. My hand shot to my side fumbling
for my phone on the nightstand. My fingers were shaking so bad I
almost dropped it but I managed to flick on the flashlight and
point it straight at her and she was gone.
Not like she faded out or walked away.
She was just gone. Like she'd never been there in
the first place. But the feeling the crushing
weight of her presence was still there.
Clinging to the air like smoke. I sat there for what felt like
hours my heart, slamming against my ribs, the flash light,
trembling in my hand. I whispered prayers under my
breath, trying to steady myself, trying to convince myself.
It was just a dream. But I knew better.
I've always believed in this stuff but believing and
experience in our two different things.
Eventually, I convinced myself to lie back down but I didn't
turn the flash light off. No way in hell was I letting the
dark back in? But it didn't matter.
I must have drifted off because the next thing I knew I was
waking up again. My back was pressed against the
wall and the air felt even colder than before.
That's when I realized, it wasn't just cold.
It was wrong. I opened my eyes slowly already.
Dreading what? I'd see and there in the bed
across from me was a figure sitting up It wasn't the woman
from before this thing was worse.
Its skin was gray stretched thin over sharp bones, its face Halo
with glowing empty eyes that stared straight at me, it didn't
blink, it didn't move it. Just stared, my breath caught in
my throat and before I could even process, what I was seeing,
I felt it another presence. I turned my head slow as
molasses and there by the clothes rack was another figure
standing exactly where the woman had been that was it.
My body. Finally, kicked into gear.
I bolted out of that room. Heart pounding so hard.
I could hear it in my ears. I didn't stop until I was in my
parents' room, slamming, the door behind me.
Gasping, out words. I could barely string together.
They stared at me wide-eyed as I told them everything.
I was shaking so bad I could barely get the words out my
voice trembling like I just run a marathon.
They didn't laugh. They didn't tell me.
I was imagining things, they knew me too.
Well for that, my dad suggested I sleep in the bunks outside.
Their room near the dog's crates with their door open.
It wasn't perfect, but it was better than going back to that
room. I set myself up in the bunk the
dogs at my feet but I couldn't relax.
The whole cabin felt like it was watching me waiting.
Every Creak of the wood, every groan of the wind felt like it
was coming from something else. Something that wanted me to go
back to that room. I don't know how long I lay
there in the bunk staring at the ceiling, like it might split
open and drop something horrible on me.
The dogs by the crates were restless shifting and whining
under their breath, their eyes flicking to the dark corners of
the room, like they saw something I couldn't The little
Comfort I thought they'd give me gone.
If even the dogs were scared, what chance did I have?
I tried to listen for my parents in the Next Room, focusing on
the soft murmur of their voices, hoping that normal everyday
sounds would pull me back to reality.
Maybe I'd wake up and find out. None of this had happened that
the woman, the figures, the cold, It was awesome kind of
Twisted dream. But deep down, I knew better.
Just as I was starting to relax or maybe just too exhausted to
care. I heard it a sudden shout it
came from my parents room. Loud enough to snap me up right
in the bunk. My heart was already racing, but
now, it felt like it was trying to claw its way out of my chest.
For a second. I thought maybe my dad was
having a nightmare but then I heard him screaming.
Not just yelling, but panicking like something was attacking
him. Get it off me, get it off, he
bellowed his voice ragged with Terror.
I was on my feet before I knew it.
Fumbling with the bunk railing, the dog started barking loud,
and frantic their claws. Scraping against the wooden
floor as they lunged at their crates, trying to get out.
My mom's voice followed frantic but trying to stay calm like she
didn't want to believe what was happening.
It's okay. It's okay.
She kept saying but her voice was shaking too.
There's nothing there there's nothing there but there was, I
knew it. I could feel it.
I rushed to their door but I froze just outside my hand
hovering over the knob. What if it wasn't done yet?
What if whatever was in there turned on me next?
The thought rooted me to the spot.
My body. Trembling so bad I could barely
breathe. Eventually the noise settled.
My dad's yelling faded into heavy ragged breathing and my
mom's voice softened turning into low.
Murmurs, I couldn't make out I stood there for a few more
minutes heart still racing before I forced myself back to
the bunk. Those sleep was out of the
question. Now, morning couldn't come fast
enough. When 5:30 a.m. finally rolled
around, I felt like I hadn't slept at all my head was
pounding and my muscles were sore from how tense I'd been all
night. I sat up in the bunk groaning
when I heard it bang. It was loud too loud.
It sounded like someone was hitting the wooden walls of the
cabin from the inside. I froze.
The dog started growling low in their throats.
Hackles raised their bodies stiff as they stared into the
Shadows. Three distinct knocks each one
deep and deliberate echoed through the room.
I waited holding my breath, The Sounds stopped.
I thought maybe it was just the wood settling or the wind
outside, but then three minutes later it happened again, bang.
Bang this time. It felt closer.
Like it wasn't just random noise.
But something moving through the cabin, looking for me, I jumped
up and ran to my parents room, practically kicking the door
open. My mom was already awake sitting
on the edge of the bed, while my dad sat there, pale and Silent
staring at the blanket, bunched around his waist.
I blurted out what I'd heard. My voice barely holding steady.
My mom nodded slowly her face tight with worry.
But it was my dad who spoke first.
Something tried to pull the blanket off me last night.
He whispered his voice rough. Like it hurt to talk.
It wasn't a dream. I felt hands.
Cold hands yanking at me. He pulled the blanket back
showing long ragged tears in the fabric, it looked like someone
or something with claws, had shredded.
It my stomach Twisted. We sat there in silence for a
few minutes. The only sound the faint
creaking of the cabin as the sun started to rise outside.
But even the daylight didn't make me feel any safer later
that morning as we prepared for the hunt, the atmosphere was
thick with tension. Of us talked about what happened
but it hung in the air, like a bad smell.
I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting to see that
tall shadowy woman standing there waiting with one of those
backpacks. But the worst part the banging
didn't stop every few minutes another set of three, knocks
echoed through the walls, like something was trying to get our
attention. I started noticing a pattern.
The Knocks would happen after three minutes.
Then five, then three again. It felt deliberate like a
message. Do you think it's trying to tell
us something? I asked my mom quietly while we
were loading the gear into the truck?
She didn't answer right away when she did, her voice was
soft. But there was no mistaking, the
fear in it. I think it's trying to take
something. After the hunt, which none of us
could really focus on, we returned to the cabin to pack
up. The lease was ending soon and
honestly, I couldn't wait to get out of there.
But when I went back to my room to grab my bag, I stopped dead
in my tracks. The clothes rack was empty.
The backpacks were gone. My heart thudded in my chest.
As I scan the room, my eyes landing on the bed where that
figure had sat the night before. There was an indentation in the
mattress deep and unmistakable like someone or something had
been sitting there for hours, I didn't wait to find out more.
I grabbed my stuff and bolted out of that room.
My mind racing with the woman's words.
Echoing in my head. Come on, take a backpack, and
come with me. As we drove away from the cabin,
I stared out the back window. Half expecting to see her
standing there watching us leave but the road stayed empty, the
trees swaying gently in the breeze like nothing had ever
happened. But I knew better, the cabin
might have stayed behind, but whatever was in there, wasn't
done with me yet. And I had this gnawing feeling
deep in my gut, it might just follow me home.
Okay, so I have no idea what we saw that night I've searched
everywhere for sightings or even myths around the area where we
saw it and I found nothing. If anyone has any idea what we
saw or if anyone else has seen it, please let me know my
husband and I think it could be a wendigo, but I'm not sure.
I haven't heard anyone else say they've seen anything like it in
Red River Gorge. I guess I want help figuring out
what we saw and what to do. After the night, I'm about to
describe. I think we've had a few close
encounters with it since My friends and I go camping a lot
and my favorite place is Red River.
Gorge Kentucky. We go there often and I've been
going ever since I was an infant.
I'm 28 now married with a kid and I still go.
It's the closest place to where I live where you can see the
Milky Way on almost every clear night.
It's perfect for stargazing and I see a shooting star nearly
every time I'm there. When we go with out, our kid
will night hike to a good Lookout Point and stargaze for
hours. Our first experience is night,
hiking were on Trails, we knew well and that were used
frequently. During the day, ones with log
fences and gazebo resting places The most used trail is a Natural
Bridge State Park and leads up to the Natural Bridge.
It's around two miles uphill, depending on where you start.
I've done this Trail every summer of my life and could do
it blindfolded. It has wooden steps carved, Rock
steps, log handrails, and multiple sitting areas under a
roof plus trash cans. But after you reach the main
Trailhead, there are no lights at all.
While it is uphill, the difficulty level is low.
As long as you have good shoes and water, you'll be fine.
My friends have done it with me multiple times in our confident
with it too. Technically hiking this Trail at
night isn't allowed but I've never really cared about closing
times for the outdoors. When we use this main trail, to
hike, to the top, we would park in the lot.
Designated for the pool and hoedown Island.
You walk across the road, leading to the pool and you're
at the first Trail marker. You go up gravel for a while
past the Natural Bridge State Park Lodge, and there's a
waterfall and some lights. So it's best to walk quickly and
watch out for Rangers who might tell you to leave.
Then you cross another road and there's a small shelter or a
rock wall to rest on. That's where the trail to the
top really begins. The night started off strange.
As soon as we began hiking, the clouds rolled in, and it looked
like stargazing might be a bust. We went anyway.
Hoping it would clear. By the time we got to the top,
At first, we were just dealing with the usual.
Paranoia, that comes with night hiking.
It kept us stressed and quiet. You know, you've reached the
bottom of the bridge, when you see a giant wall of limestone at
that time, there was a gazebo to the right of the wall and the
trail continued alongside it. We had just come up a fairly
steep part of the trail. So the Gazebo was a welcome spot
to rest. My husband my best friend at the
time and I all sat on the Gazebo steps, the bench under the roof
was even darker, so we stayed on the steps facing down the trail,
that runs along the Limestone wall.
Each of us had a bright LED headlamp and a handheld flash
light. We didn't look at each other
much because the lights were so bright.
We sat in a line like the last supper and would walk in a line
or staggered to avoid blinding each other.
It was after hours by then. No ski lift rides had gone on
for hours and the Rangers had already done their final sweep
and left right before we got out of the car.
The ski lift takes you to the top.
But the workers there, do a headcount and only leave after
everything is clear. I mentioning this because that's
what I was thinking about. When out of nowhere, a girl with
a headlamp started walking down, the trail in front of us.
She was wearing a sundress and flip-flops.
This hike is uphill and might be considered easy, but not in
flip-flops with no water. And at night, she would have had
to hike up and then back down alone without being seen by any
Ranger. her light was bright and when she reached the spot where
the trail curves from in front of the Gazebo, down to where we
came from, she stopped She stood there straight like an
anatomical drawing facing us. We had six LED lights aimed at
her face, but she didn't turn away or seem bothered at all.
I said, hello. she replied very slowly pausing between words,
something like Hello, how are you?
I said something like good, how are you?
And she took even longer pauses before saying, oh, I'm fine.
Then she just stood there hands at her sides.
Staring her light was so bright. I had to Shield my eyes.
Then she turned and walked slowly down the trail.
We had just come up. She reached a Bend stayed there
for a minute and then the light vanished. we waited a while
before continuing I kept saying how weird that was, but everyone
else brushed it off as me being jumpy.
The fact remained though no one came after her.
She'd done this alone at night and wasn't caught by any Ranger.
We got up and started again to the top.
It felt like it took way longer than usual, but we eventually
made it. There are Stone steps called fat
man's squeeze that take you to the top of the bridge and you
can walk across it while up there.
We heard Twigs snapping almost alternating from left to right.
We lay down trying to stargaze, but the clouds had only gotten
thicker. It was miserably hot every so
often we heard voices and my husband kept checking, but he
never saw anyone. We saw a quick flash of light
with no person attached to it and we heard a bird call that
sounded more like a human imitating, a bird very rhythmic,
not natural. I was convinced we weren't alone
and hadn't been alone for a while but I'm the most easily
spooked of the group. I asked if we could leave and
the others immediately. Agreed, which scared me, because
it meant they were also afraid. We headed back down the way we
came, and it felt like it took forever.
We were moving quickly but it seemed like we weren't making
any progress. I even said this feels much
longer and they agreed. I kept shining my flashlight
behind me. My husband kept looking off to
the sides and my friend mostly pointed hers forward.
I felt like something was watching us.
I couldn't tell which footsteps were ours and which weren't if I
heard a noise, I shine my light that way, but never saw
anything. My husband said, he kept
catching eyes in his flash light.
It could have been a raccoon or something else, but he wore it
might be a bear or a big dog. he couldn't keep his light on them
long enough to identify whatever it was, Eventually we were on a
flatter section of the trail. A log fence or handrail was on
our right and we were walking in a row close to it. suddenly, my
husband stopped and said, what's that in more of an alarmed tone
I pointed my headlamp but didn't see anything at first.
Then my husband's lights, caught a shape, and so did mine.
And then my friends, all six lights illuminated a light grey
creature. It was crouched kneeling on its
right leg and began turning toward us, it slowly stood up my
mind was racing, it looked human but was way too big skinny and
Tall almost white but actually a pale Gray.
Its skin looked kind of like a dolphins, a bit shiny reflecting
our lights. It Rose to its full height.
Its head was long and its eyes were set like a human's forward
facing not on the sides but I couldn't make out any other
features. Just Big Empty pits where I
should be. It looked right out of us and
our lights. The way it stood was
intimidating, almost like a snake rearing up to show its
strength. It had been crouching and then
slowly faced us as if challenging us, its arms hung
low and its hands looked long, possibly reaching near its
knees. I'd guess it stood around 9 feet
tall, it had no hair at all and its head was large.
I couldn't process what I was seeing and froze.
Then I felt my husband hitting my back yelling.
Run run, run, run. I realized we had to get out of
there and I saw it pivot to the right heading, back up the
trail. So it could circle around the
barrier and get behind us. We sprinted the rest of the way
down knowing it was faster than us and could catch up once it
was past the fence. None of us spoke.
It felt like if we did, we'd get caught, we just ran struggling
with the Steep sections. It never felt like we were out
of its sight. By the time we reached the first
gravel part of the trail, we heard something crashing through
the forest to one side. We ran until we got to our car,
then drove off as fast as we could.
As soon as we hit the main road, the sky was clear and the stars
were visible. When it looked at us, I knew it
was smarter and faster than we were.
If we hadn't seen it first, it could have easily taken one of
us. I think it only hesitated
because all of us saw it at the same time and we stayed
together. Once we got back to where we
were staying, we each took out our phones and wrote down, what
we'd seen We didn't talk about it until after we compared our
notes and they all matched. Without a doubt, we had all seen
something real. I pulled up to my parents old
place just as the sun dipped behind the orchard.
The house looks smaller than I remembered like time had pressed
in on its walls, warping the roof and giving the windows a
tired stare. A Crooked Fence half hid, what
used to be my childhood? Playground?
The Tangled Grove of fruit trees, that felt more like a
wild forest. On the drive over.
I tried telling myself. It was all kids stuff.
The strange shape. I used to imagine darting
between the trunks, the nervous Rush In My Veins, whenever I
stepped onto the proper property, But creeping back onto
this land, memories came flooding in whether I wanted
them or not. I stood in the driveway bag in
hand, trying to keep my breathing steady, the orchard
was silent. No rustling leaves.
No distance. Snapping of Twigs.
Just a weird hush like the place was sizing me up.
I'd barely set foot inside when my sister Nicole nearly tackled
me with a hug. She got here before me which
made sense. She was always the early bird of
the family. She forced a smile, though.
Her eyes gave her away. She was on edge too.
Probably remembering those same, unexplainable things.
We never talked about once we moved away.
Mom offered to make us both tea, which was basically her polite
way of giving Nicole and me space to catch up privately.
The house smelled like old floorboards and dust stirring
that sense of being a kid again freaking out over every bump in
the night. Later when Mom and Dad turned in
early Nicole and I ended up in the living room, yellow light
from an antique lamp cast Long Shadows across the walls.
She asked me what I had seen so far.
I Shrugged and pretended. Everything was fine.
The orchard was the last thing I wanted to discuss but somehow we
circled right back to it. We both kept glancing out the
window half expecting something to lume near the fence.
Eventually, we went upstairs to check out our old rooms, mine
felt Frozen in Time. Same faded posters same creaky
bed. Same curtains, fluttering in the
draft. I dropped my suitcase on the
floor and looked out the window at the thick cluster of fruit
trees. Rain clouds had rolled in.
So the orchard was just a dark blur.
Instinct told me not to stare too long but I couldn't help it.
My chest felt tight, like I swallowed a stone.
Something about that. Place always set me on edge.
When I finally peeled myself from the window I heard Nicole
in the hallway. She asked if I remembered how we
used to sneak out there during the afternoons, leaving behind
random trinkets books, leftovers, even shiny rocks.
We thought looked cool. We used to laugh about Forest
Friends. I kind of froze.
It wasn't so funny. Now, not after the things that
happened in that Orchard, our parents always chalked it up to
overactive imaginations. But deep down we knew we'd seen
too much to dismiss. I gestured for Nicole to come
into my room and we shut the door quietly. she looked nervous
chewing her lip the way she does when she stressed I asked her if
she truly remembered seeing those shapes.
And she nodded before I even finished the question.
She explained she still got nightmares from time to time.
Always involving tall Silhouettes, lurking behind
warped, trees hearing it in her voice.
Made my stomach clenched. We'd never actually admitted
this stuff to each other, not this directly.
It was late, so we decided to call it a night but sleep didn't
come easy. I kept thinking I might hear
something outside or notice a figure gliding past the window.
My mind spun with possibilities, maybe I'd step out in the
morning and discover footprints in the wet grass.
Or perhaps something else entirely was waiting hidden.
Just beyond my line of sight. I tried to stay rational,
telling myself it was just the heaviness of the past playing
tricks but that unease kept gnawing at me and I couldn't
relax. Before I crawled under the
sheets, I took one last glance at the orchard.
The clouds had cleared a bit and the Moonlight gave the trees a
Ghostly shein. I didn't see anything move but I
sure as hell fell watched. It was as if that entire stretch
of land had been anticipating my return.
I shut the curtains flipped off the light and slipped into bed.
Heart, thudding hard enough to keep me awake.
Somewhere beyond these walls. The orchard loomed silent
brooding and two full of memories.
Neither Nicole nor I wanted to face again.
I woke up feeling like I barely slept at all, but Morning Light
was filtering through the curtains.
After the Restless night, I felt a weird determination settle
over me. I needed to face that Orchard
The plan was simple. Nicole and I would walk past the
broken fence scope out the trees and broad daylight and put our
minds at ease. Except deep down I suspected
we'd only confirm our worst fears.
Nicole was already up pacing by the back door with a flashlight
in her hand. It wasn't even that dark out,
but we both clung to the idea of extra light as if it might
Shield us. We didn't talk much.
Maybe we didn't want to voice. What we were really thinking
that we were about to step onto ground, we should have left
alone. I nudged the old fence testing
its stability, rotten planks, gave under my hand.
So we crawled through a gap in the boards instead.
The orchard greeted us with this damn overgrown, Stillness.
Weed sprouted near the Trunks and narrowed branches Twisted
overhead blocking out, patches of sun the deeper we went the
quieter. Everything seemed like the air
itself had thickened after a few minutes Nicole called my name
Softly. She pointed to the ground, where
a strange print marked the soil. It looked like a large hand with
a elongated fingers pressed into the mud.
And there were more staggered as if two or three creatures had
passed through. Some Impressions were bigger
others thinner, but all of them had that unsettling almost human
shape. My stomach churned at how fresh
they looked. No leaves, no debris.
Filled them in yet. We kept going stepping carefully
between the gnarled roots. Broken branches.
Littered the ground. Some arranged in odd patterns
like a scatter of Bones around a sacrifice site.
The hair on my arms prickled when Nicole led me to a half
collapsed lean to hidden behind a tangle of branches at first.
I thought maybe homeless folks had taken shelter here until I
caught the smell. It was a mix of wet animal fur
and something rotting. Around the lean to lay a
scattering of smaller bones, maybe raccoon or opossum lined
up in an almost ceremonial pattern.
I tried to steady my breathing as we walked farther in.
The orchard felled, massive more like a twisted Forest than the
neat rows. I remembered from childhood.
My ears started picking up on faint Russell's though.
I couldn't pinpoint where they came from.
Nicole raised the flash light, even though the afternoon sun
was still filtering through the leaves.
That pale beam swept across tree trunks, marred by scratches
long. Deliberate streaks that spiraled
around the bark. It reminded me of some kind of
cryptic writing. Then out of the corner of my
eye, I saw something move. I froze, a tall gangly figure
stepped out from behind a trunk just enough for me to make out
its silhouette. It had blotchy patches of hair
on its shoulders, and its arms bent in an unnatural angle
against its chest. The face was hidden by Shadow
but I could sense it watching. I felt an overwhelming tension
Ripple through me as if my body was warning, me not to get any
closer. Suddenly it fled only fled is
too tame a word for how it moved.
It darted away in a burst of blurred speed limbs contorting
as though it wasn't fully Bound by joints or bones.
Leaves and twigs crunched in its wake, Nicole cursed under her
breath. And I stumbled backward, I
scanning the orchard for any sign of it.
That's when she pointed out another shape lurking, a few
yards deeper a broader figure standing completely still it's
eyes dull and whitish stared, our way like a pair of dead
orbs. We both stood their hearts
pounding. Not sure whether to run or speak
or simply stand our ground in the end, our instincts chose for
us. We backed away one step at a
time. Refusing to look away from those
glowing eyes. The creature stayed rooted as if
it was letting us leave on our own.
Once we turned and began speeding up the orchard broke
into a frenzy of noise. Branches, snapping leaves
rustling. I couldn't tell if it was behind
us or somewhere off to the side. All I knew was that we had to
get out By the time we reached the yard, my chest felt tight
and Nicole's face had lost all color.
We slammed the back door, locked it and stared at each other
breaths ragged I realized I still had the flash light death
griped in my hand. She leaned against the wall,
trying to calm down. And finally looked at me with an
expression that said it all This wasn't just our imagination.
Those prints that lean to those things.
They were very real. We dragged ourselves to the
living room where the sun shining through the windows fell
almost surreal. After what we just seen, neither
of us spoke for a good few minutes. then Nicole whispered
that she couldn't shake the feeling they knew we were
coming, like we'd walked into their domain uninvited And I had
to agree. It was as though, the orchard
had been anticipating our return waiting to reveal how it had
changed, and to show us that we weren't the only ones prowling
those Twisted rows of trees That evening Nicole and I huddled in
the living room. The only light coming from a
single lamp that cast jittery Shadows on the walls.
Outside the orchard loomed, all dark Trunks and twisted
branches. A storm was brewing, gusts
rattled, the windows making us Flinch at every sudden noise.
Neither of us wanted to head upstairs.
So we made a silent pact to stay up and keep an eye on the
backyard. Part of me hated the idea.
Like, if I looked hard enough, I might invite something to stare
back, but ignoring it felt worse.
Midnight approached and the wind kicked up whipping leaves around
the yard. In the faint, glow of the porch
light. I noticed a shape dark between
the trees I nudged Nicole and she killed the lamp plunging us
into near Darkness. Through the window I could make
out what seemed to be one of those long limbed figures head
tilted. As if listening for us I found
myself gripping the windowsill with tents fingers we stood
there for what felt like forever until the figure drifted out of
sight behind the orchard line. Nicole whispered that we needed
to follow it? That maybe this was a chance to
learn something. I didn't like it but a weird
sense of determination force my hand.
We grabbed our flashlights, pulled on jackets, and slipped
out the back door. The cold night, air practically
stung, my face. I inched forward, scanning the
darkness. A glimpse of milky white eyes.
Flickered behind a gnarled trunk then vanished.
The orchard was drawing us in. We crossed the fence again,
stepping onto the path, where the ground turned spongy from
all the recent rain. My pulse hammered, as we moved
deeper the flash, light beams, picking up nothing, but branches
and Scattered debris. soon though, we found ourselves in a
small clearing, Moonlight seeped through a gap in the canopy,
Illuminating in arrangement of sticks and Bones piled around an
old tree stump The site made my stomach churn clumps of fur,
rotting fruit, and bits of cloth were woven into a strange
pattern. It almost looked like a shrine
or maybe a warning, a Russell broke the 10 silence. something
tall crouched behind a cluster of shrubs at the clearing, Zedge
At first it watched us with that blank, lifeless stare.
Then it pulled back like it was waiting for our next move
Nicole, gently set an apple near the stump mimicking.
The offerings. We left his children.
Her hand shook, but she managed to keep steady long enough to
place it down. another shape crept through the trees, a
creature with broader shoulders, half hidden in the Gloom Its
presence felt more assertive. Like it was the one in charge.
Everything happened in a blur. There was a snapping noise from
the shadows and we caught sight of a third figure smaller, but
disturbingly quick crawling on all fours.
Nicole and I backed away a surge of Terror Royal in my chest and
my flash light trembled the beam dancing across Twisted roots, We
heard heavy breathing hours, maybe theirs and the orchard
seems charged with a Restless energy.
We both did branches at my jacket tripping, me up as Nicole
and I sprinted toward the fence, adrenaline, pounding in our ears
behind us. We caught fleeting movements in
the darkness part of me thought they were chasing us but when we
reached the fence line, everything went eerily calm like
the orchard exhaled, once we crossed out of its domain.
We stumbled into the house, locked, the door and collapsed
onto the living room floor. My heart hammered so hard.
I felt dizzy. Nicole looked just as rattled
tears threatening at the corners of her eyes. we sat there, both
of us struggling to process, that clearing those silent
watching figures and the feeling that we'd intruded on something
ancient and territorial by mourning, neither of us could
pretend this was just an overblown childhood fantasy
anymore. We packed our bags quietly
deciding to leave Redwood Falls. A weight of dread clung to me,
though. Like we were only postponing the
inevitable. Those things in the orchard had
seen us recognized us. And somehow, I couldn't shake
the idea that we'd been allowed to leave this time.