I took a deep breath, feeling the cool, fresh air of the
forest fill my lungs. There was nothing like it.
The Pacific Northwest was my favorite place to get away from
everything. No people, no noise, just the
green forest all around me. The tall trees, thick Moss, and
sunlight shining through the branches made me feel like I was
stepping into another world. I've done a lot of solo trips,
but this one felt different somehow.
I couldn't quite figure out why. Getting ready for these trips is
always a careful process. I had my camera lenses, extra
batteries, camping gear, and enough food for a week.
I double checked everything before heading into the deep
woods. There was no room for mistakes
out here. Once I was sure everything was
ready, I lifted my heavy pack over my shoulder, feeling the
familiar weight. It made me smile, a reminder
that I was ready for whatever adventure lay ahead.
The forest was amazing. The air was so fresh it almost
made me dizzy, and the earthy smell of Moss and fallen leaves
wrapped around me like a blanket.
I walked for hours, soaking in the beauty of the place.
The light shifted as the sun moved higher, casting golden
beams between the trees. Eventually, I found the perfect
spot to set up camp, near a gentle stream that bubbled over
smooth rocks. I could already tell it was
going to be peaceful. I pitched my tent and set up a
small fire pit, ready to spend the evening listening to the
sounds of the forest. As the sun began to sink below
the horizon, I sat by the fire, eating a simple dinner.
The woods around me seemed to darken quickly, the shadows
stretching out like fingers. I've always loved the quiet of
the wilderness at night, but tonight something was different.
The usual rustling of small animals and the chirping of
insects. All of it faded until there was
nothing but silence. It wasn't the kind of silence
that made you feel calm. No, this silence was heavy,
almost like the forest was holding its breath.
I shook it off, telling myself it was just my imagination.
I'd been out in the woods many times, and I'd felt uneasy
before. It was probably just the
darkness playing tricks on me. I crawled into my tent, zipped
up the flap, and tried to get comfortable in my sleeping bag.
But even as I closed my eyes, the strange stillness kept me on
edge. I don't know how long I'd been
lying there, half awake, when I heard it.
A howl, Low, deep, and so far off it almost didn't sound real.
My eyes snapped open and I held my breath, listening.
The sound echoed through the trees, making the hair on the
back of my neck stand up. It wasn't like any animal I'd
heard before. It wasn't a wolf or a coyote.
It was something else, something that made my stomach twist with
fear. I told myself it could be
anything, maybe just the wind or some animal I didn't know, but
deep down, I knew that wasn't it.
The howl came again, a bit closer this time, and I felt my
heart start to pound. I sat up, peering out through
the small mesh window of my tent.
I could smell a strong, musty odor, like a wet dog times 10.
The forest was pitch black, the fire now just a pile of glowing
embers. I could see nothing beyond the
dim light. They cast another howl, this one
even closer, echoed through the woods.
It was deep, almost like it was vibrating through the ground.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing.
I wasn't used to feeling scared out here.
The forest was my home away from home.
But right now it felt different, like I was somewhere I didn't
belong. I stayed awake for hours,
listening, waiting. But the howls eventually
stopped, replaced by that same heavy silence.
It was almost worse, not knowing if whatever made that sound was
still out there, hidden in the dark.
I didn't sleep much that night. Every creak of a branch or
rustle of leaves made me tense up, my ears straining to catch
the slightest noise. Whatever was out there, I had
the feeling it wasn't just passing through.
And as I lay there, staring up at the dark ceiling of my tent,
I couldn't shake the sense that I was being watched.
The howls from last night were still fresh in my mind as I
crawled out of my tent in the early morning light.
The sun barely peaked over the tree tops, and everything around
me looked washed out and Gray. I tried to convince myself that
what I heard had been nothing more than my imagination or some
strange animal call. But even as I packed up my gear
for the day, the memory of that deep, echoing sound made my
hands shake. I spent the morning hiking
through the woods, trying to focus on capturing the beauty of
the forest. With my camera, I photographed
the sunlight filtering through the leaves, the dewdrops
glistening on ferns, and even a curious squirrel that scampered
close enough for a picture. But no matter what I did, I
couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in my
chest. It was like something was
watching me just out of sight, hiding in the shadows between
the trees. By the time the sun started to
dip again, I was back at my camp.
The quiet of the forest was heavy, almost like it had been
last night. The stream nearby bubbled
softly, but even that sound seemed muted, as if the whole
forest was holding its breath. I tried to distract myself by
making dinner, beans and rice, nothing fancy, but my eyes kept
darting to the tree line. Every shadow seemed to move,
every flicker of light made me jump.
As night fell, I built up the fire, hoping the flickering
flames would chase away my fear. I sat close to it, feeling the
warmth on my face, but that strange silence returned.
The usual noises of the forest, the chirps, the rustles, the
soft scurrying of small animals, all seemed to vanish again.
I couldn't help but feel like the forest itself was warning
me. Then, just like the night
before, I heard it. Footsteps, Heavy, deliberate and
close. My heart skipped a beat, and I
grabbed my flashlight, flicking it on with trembling fingers.
The beam cut through the darkness, but all I could see
were the trees and shadows. The footsteps continued, slow
and steady, circling my camp. They were close enough that I
could feel the vibrations in the ground.
I shined the light around frantically, trying to catch a
glimpse of whatever was out there.
For a split second, I saw something, a flash of movement
at the edge of the light. My breath caught in my throat as
I saw eyes glowing like embers, staring at me from the darkness.
They were large, higher up than they should have been for any
normal animal, and they were watching me.
Panic gripped me. I didn't know what to do.
I called out, my voice shaky. Who's there?
There was no answer, just the heavy footsteps continuing to
circle. I stood up, the flashlight beam
bouncing wildly as I turned in every direction, trying to keep
the creature insight, but it stayed just out of reach, always
at the edge, always in the shadows.
The night felt endless. I stayed by the fire, clutching
the flashlight until my hand ached.
Every time I thought the footsteps had stopped, they
would start again, slow and deliberate, as if to remind me
that I wasn't alone. My eyes burned from exhaustion,
but I couldn't sleep. I was too afraid to even close
my eyes. By the time dawn finally broke,
the footsteps had faded away, leaving only the heavy silence
behind. I stepped out of my tent, my
whole body aching from tension and lack of sleep.
The first thing I saw were the tracks.
Huge footprints pressed deep into the ground, circling my
camp. Claw marks gouged into the
nearby trees, marks that were far too big to belong to any
animal I knew. A chill ran down my neck as I
looked around. I knew I couldn't stay here.
Whatever was out there, it wasn't just curious.
It was watching me, following me, and I had the sinking
feeling that if I didn't leave soon, it would do more than just
watch. I had to get out before it was
too late. I knew I had to leave.
There was no question about it anymore.
The footprints, the claw marks, the way the footsteps had
circled my camp all night, It was clear that whatever was out
there was not going to let me be.
My hands shook as I hurried to pack up my gear.
I had never packed so fast in my life.
Every moment I stayed here felt like a risk, like I was being
hunted. I could feel the silence of the
forest pressing down on me, thicker than ever before.
Even the gentle murmur of the stream nearby had gone quiet.
It was as if the whole forest knew what was happening, and it
was holding its breath, waiting to see what I would do.
My heart pounded as I slung my pack over my shoulder, my eyes
darting from shadow to shadow, always expecting to see
something step out from between the trees.
I started my trek back, my legs moving quickly despite the
weight of my pack. I tried to focus on the path
ahead, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being
watched. My instincts screamed at me to
move faster, but I knew I couldn't afford to lose my way.
In my panic, I forced myself to breathe, to stay calm, but it
was hard when every sound of leaves moving, every breaking of
a twig, made my heart jump. I hadn't gone far when I heard
it, a sudden loud crash behind me.
I spun around, my heart pounding, and saw the trees
swaying violently, as if something massive had just
pushed through them. I didn't wait to see what it
was. I ran.
My feet pounded the forest floor, my breaths coming in
ragged gasps. Branches whipped at my face and
arms, and the weight of my pack made every step feel like a
struggle. But I couldn't stop.
I could hear it behind me, the heavy, crashing footsteps, the
deep, guttural growls that sent chills down my spine.
It was close, too close. I could almost feel its
presence, like a dark shadow looming over me.
I didn't dare look back. I focused on the path ahead,
dodging trees, leaping over roots, trying to put as much
distance between myself and whatever was chasing me.
The forest seemed to close in around me, the trees blurring
together as I ran. My lungs burned, my legs ached,
but I kept going. I had to.
I couldn't let it catch me. Suddenly, the ground beneath me
gave way. I stumbled, my foot slipping on
the edge of a steep ravine I hadn't seen.
In my panic, I fell hard, the world spinning around me as I
tumbled down the slope. I hit the ground with a thud,
the air knocked out of my lungs. For a moment, everything was a
blur of pain and dizziness. I struggled to my feet, my whole
body aching. The ravine was deep, and I was
lucky I hadn't broken anything, but I didn't have time to think
about that. I looked up, my eyes widening as
I saw the shadowy Bigfoot figure standing at the edge of the
ravine, its glowing eyes locked on me.
It was huge, at least nine feet tall, its fur dark and matted.
It let out a roar that echoed through the forest, a sound so
deep and powerful that it shook me to my core.
But then, to my surprise, it stopped.
It stood there, staring down at me, its eyes burning like
embers. For a moment, it was as if we
were locked in a silent standoff.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my breaths coming
in shaky gasps. The creature let out a deep,
rumbling growl, then slowly stepped back, disappearing into
the shadows of the forest. There was an intense musty smell
after that made my eyes water. I didn't wait to see if it would
change its mind. I turned and ran again, my legs
barely holding me up as I scrambled away from the ravine.
My car wasn't far now. I could see the edge of the
forest, the glint of sunlight reflecting off the metal.
I stumbled towards it, my heart pounding with desperation.
I reached the car, fumbling with the keys as my hands shook.
I threw open the door, jumped in, and slammed it shut behind
me. My breaths came in ragged gasps
as I started the engine, my eyes darting to the tree line, half
expecting to see those glowing eyes again.
But the forest was still, the shadows deep and quiet.
I drove away, my hands gripping the wheel so tightly my knuckles
turned white. The road blurred beneath me as I
speed away, the forest slowly fading into the distance.
The terror lingered, a heavyweight in my chest.
I knew I had escaped, but I also knew that I would never forget
what I had seen. Some places, I realized, were
meant to stay wild and untouched, places that guarded
their secrets with a primal, terrifying force.
And I had been lucky to get away.
I don't plan on going into those woods again.
The Appalachian Mountains were beautiful, no doubt about that.
When the sunset behind those tall peaks, everything seemed to
glow in shades of orange and pink.
It almost made me forget how eerie the forest could be when
the night settled in. Almost.
I was Jake, just a college kid spending my summer working as a
camp counselor. It was my job tonight to keep
watch while everyone else slept in their cabins.
I took the night watch shift because, well, I wanted to prove
I could handle it. Plus, it was kind of boring to
sit around the campfire all the time.
I thought it might be nice to have some quiet out in the
woods, just me and my flashlight.
Boy was I wrong. The first hour was fine.
I walked around the edge of the camp, my flashlight swinging
side to side, making the trees look like dark, shifting giants.
I could hear the crickets singing and sometimes an owl
would hoot in the distance. The camp was peaceful, and I
kept thinking back to all the goofy things the campers did
earlier that day. One kid, Benny, tried to toast a
marshmallow without a stick and almost set his sleeve on fire.
I laughed to myself, shaking my head.
But then things started to get strange.
It started with a rustling sound.
At first I figured it was just the wind moving through the
branches, but it kept happening, like something was moving out
there, just beyond the reach of my flashlight.
I stopped walking, trying to listen closely.
The air felt different, like it was holding its breath.
I told myself it was probably just a raccoon, or maybe one of
the campers sneaking around for a prank, but my gut told me
something else. Something wasn't right.
The rustling grew louder, and then I heard it.
A branch snapping. It wasn't the kind of noise a
small animal would make. It was louder, heavier, like
someone or something was out there.
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry.
My flashlight flickered, and I cursed under my breath, giving
it a quick shake. The beam steadied, but my hands
were trembling now. I tried to keep moving, but the
feeling of unease grew with every step.
My ears strained to catch every sound.
And then I heard it. Footsteps.
Heavy, deliberate footsteps circling the camp.
My heart started to pound in my chest, each thud echoing in my
ears. I spun around, shining my
flashlight into the darkness, but there was nothing there.
Just trees and shadows. Then came the worst part.
I heard a breath, a deep, raspy breath coming from right behind
me. I whipped around so fast I
almost tripped over my own feet, but when I looked, there was
nothing. Only the empty darkness and the
beam of my flashlight cutting through it.
I felt my stomach twist with fear.
I wasn't alone, I could feel it in my bones.
My eyes dropped to the ground, and that's when I saw them.
Footprints, big clawed footprints pressed into the dirt
right in front of me. They definitely weren't from any
animal I knew. My heart was hammering now, my
whole body buzzing with fear. I had to get back to the main
cabin. I had to tell someone, but every
step I took felt like the forest was closing in on me, the trees
leaning closer, the shadows growing darker.
Suddenly I heard branches snapping again, this time
louder, closer. The footsteps were following me.
My breathing quickened and I forced myself to move faster,
almost tripping over roots and rocks in my rush.
I could feel the eyes on me, watching, waiting.
Whatever it was, it was out there, and it was getting
closer. The silence of the night had
turned into something threatening, something that made
my skin crawl. I knew I had to make it back to
the cabin, but fear was like a weight on my shoulders, slowing
me down. I could hear the breathing
again, the heavy, deep breaths of something that didn't belong
here. I took one last look over my
shoulder, and in the moonlight I saw the shadows shift, something
moving between the trees. I didn't wait to see more.
I turned and ran, the sounds of snapping branches and heavy
footsteps following me as I sprinted towards the cabin, my
heart pounding, fear driving me forward.
Whatever was out there, I knew one thing for sure.
This night was far from over. I ran.
I ran like I never had before, my feet pounding against the
dirt, my flashlight bouncing in my hand.
The shadows around me seemed to come alive, shifting and
twisting with every step I took. My heart was hammering so loudly
it drowned out everything else. I didn't care if I tripped or if
I lost my way. I just had to get away from
whatever was out there. The footsteps behind me were
getting louder, and I could feel the panic rising in my chest.
Each thud was heavier, more deliberate, like whoever or
whatever was chasing me knew exactly where I was going.
My lungs burned as I gasped for air, my eyes darting around,
trying to make out anything in the darkness that would give me
a clue about where to go. I had to get to the Ranger
station. That was my only chance.
I turned off the main path, crashing into the underbrush.
Branches tore at my arms and face, but I didn't stop.
I couldn't. I could still hear it behind me,
the snapping of twigs and rustling of leaves.
I knew it was close, too close. A howl echoed through the
forest, a deep, chilling sound that made the hair on the back
of my neck stand on end. It was like nothing I'd ever
heard before, Angry, hungry, and not human.
My legs felt like they were moving through water, the fear
pulling me down, making every step harder.
I stumbled down a small hill, my feet sliding on the loose dirt.
For a moment, I thought I was going to fall, but I managed to
catch myself, barely keeping my balance.
I could hear the creature getting closer, its breathing
ragged and deep, like it was savouring the chase.
I didn't dare look back, I was too scared of what I might see.
I spotted the outline of the Ranger station through the
trees, the small building barely visible in the darkness.
My chest tightened with hope, and I pushed myself harder,
forcing my legs to move faster. I burst out of the trees and
onto the clearing in front of the station.
My fingers fumble with the door handle, and for a heart stopping
moment I thought it was locked. But then it gave way and I threw
myself inside, slamming the door shut behind me.
The whole building shook as something slammed into the door,
the force of it nearly knocking me off my feet.
I backed away, my heart pounding, my eyes darting around
the small room. The station was dark, lit only
by the moonlight streaming in through the broken windows.
Maps were scattered across a dusty table, and there, on the
wall, was the radio. I rushed over to it, my hands
trembling as I tried to find the right frequency.
The creature outside let out another howl, the sound
vibrating through the walls. I could hear its footsteps
circling the station, the floorboards rattling as it
slammed against the walls. The radio crackled to life and I
let out a shaky breath, my voice barely more than a whisper as I
called for help. Hello, is anyone there?
Please, I need help. A voice came through, crackling
and faint, but before I could answer, the door splintered
under a massive blow. I turned, my eyes wide with
terror as a clawed arm reached through the gap, swiping at the
air. My eyes darted around the room,
and I spotted an old, rusted hatchet leaning in the corner.
I grabbed it, the metal cold and heavy in my hand.
I swung it at the arm, the creature letting out a growl of
pain. The door was breaking, and I
knew I couldn't stay here. The creature wasn't just trying
to get in, it was toying with me, enjoying my fear.
I took a deep breath, my hands shaking as I made a decision.
I hurled the hatchet at the creature, the blade grazing its
shoulder. It let out an enraged roar, and
I took my chance. I ran to the nearest window,
throwing myself through it. Glass shattered around me,
cutting into my skin as I hit the ground outside.
I pushed myself up, my whole body aching.
The creature was still behind me, its roars echoing through
the night. I ran, the darkness closing in
around me, my only thought to keep moving, to survive.
The headlights of a truck appeared in the distance, and I
felt a flicker of hope. I stumbled into the open, waving
my arms. The truck skidded to a halt, and
a Ranger jumped out, grabbing me and pulling me into the vehicle.
The door slammed shut and the truck speed away, the tires
kicking up dirt. I looked back, seeing the
creature standing at the edge of the forest, its eyes glowing in
the darkness, filled with fury. I collapsed against the seat, my
body trembling, exhaustion washing over me.
I knew I was lucky to be alive, but I also knew that whatever
was out there, it wasn't done with me yet.
The Ranger's truck speed down the narrow Rd. the headlights
cutting through the thick darkness.
My heart was still pounding in my chest, and every breath felt
like fire. I glanced over my shoulder, half
expecting to see the creature chasing us, but all I could see
were the trees rushing by in a blur.
The Ranger beside me was talking into his radio, calling for
backup, but his voice seemed far away, like I was hearing it
through water. All I could think about was the
creature, the glowing eyes, the way it moved, how close it had
been. The Ranger must have noticed my
shaking hands, because he reached over and gave my
shoulder a reassuring squeeze. You're safe now, kid.
He said, his voice steady. I nodded, but deep down I wasn't
so sure. I knew that thing was still out
there, and it wasn't going to stop, not until it got what it
wanted. The truck pulled up to another
Ranger station, this one larger and more secure looking than the
last. The Ranger helped me out of the
truck and we hurried inside. The door slammed shut behind us
and he locked it, sliding a heavy metal bar across for good
measure. The station was brighter, with
more lights and a big map spread out on a table in the middle.
There were a couple of other Rangers there too, their faces
serious as they listened to what had happened.
I tried to explain everything, the footsteps, the howling, the
way it had chased me, but my words kept getting jumbled.
My hands were still shaking and I couldn't catch my breath.
One of the Rangers handed me a bottle of water, and I took a
sip, trying to calm down. They were talking about
searching the woods, trying to track the creature, but all I
could think about was how it had looked at me.
Like it knew me, like it wanted me.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from outside.
My heart skipped a beat, and everyone in the room froze.
The Ranger who had driven me there moved to the window,
peering out into the dark. Stay here.
He said, his voice low. He nodded to the others and they
all moved towards the door, their flashlights and weapons
ready. I wanted to tell them not to go,
that it was too dangerous, but the words caught in my throat.
The door creaked open and the Ranger slipped outside, leaving
me alone in the station. The silence was deafening.
I could hear my own breathing, shallow and quick, and the
distant rustling of leaves outside.
I moved closer to the table, my eyes darting around the room,
looking for anything I could use to protect myself.
My gaze landed on a flare gun, half buried under a pile of
papers. I grabbed it, my fingers
tightening around the handle. It wasn't much, but it was
better than nothing. The minutes felt like hours.
I strained to hear any sound from outside.
Voices, footsteps, anything. But all I heard was the wind.
Then, out of nowhere, there was a deep, guttural growl.
It was close, too close. My stomach twisted with fear,
and I backed up until I hit the wall, the flare gun clutched
tightly in my hands. The window shattered, Glass
sprayed across the room and I ducked, covering my head.
When I looked up, I saw it. The creature, its glowing eyes
staring right at me through the broken window.
Its lips curled back, revealing sharp, yellowed teeth, and it
let out a low, menacing growl. I could feel the fear gripping
me, freezing me in place. I knew I had to move, had to do
something, but my body wouldn't listen.
The creature lunged, its massive arm reaching through the window,
claws scraping against the floor.
I raised the flare gun, my hands trembling so badly I could
barely aim. I pulled the trigger, and the
flare shot out, a bright, blinding light filling the room.
The creature let out a roar, jerking back, its eyes squinting
against the sudden brightness. I didn't wait to see what would
happen next. I turned and ran, throwing
myself through the door at the back of the station.
I could hear the creatures enraged growls behind me, the
sound of it tearing at the walls.
I stumbled out into the night, my legs barely able to carry me.
The woods were dark, the trees looming like shadows.
But I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.
I had to keep moving. In the distance, I saw more
headlights, more Rangers arriving.
I waved my arms, shouting, my voice hoarse.
The truck skidded to a stop, and the Rangers jumped out, their
flashlights cutting through the darkness.
One of them grabbed me, pulling me behind the truck as the
others moved towards the station, their weapons raised.
I collapsed against the side of the truck, my whole body
trembling, tears streaming down my face.
I could hear the creatures roars, the shouts of the
Rangers, but it all felt distant, like it was happening
to someone else. I was alive, but I knew this
wasn't over. That thing was still out there,
and it wasn't going to stop, not until it got what it wanted.
And somehow, I knew that something was me.
The hike up the Rocky Mountains was tough, but we didn't care.
We were too excited to be out here, far away from everything,
just us and the wild. The air smelled of pine and the
sky was so clear that you could almost reach out and touch the
clouds. I remember looking over at Kyle,
who had the biggest grin on his face like a kid on Christmas
morning. We all felt it, the thrill of
adventure, the freedom. Matt led the way, always a few
steps ahead, pointing out deer tracks and telling us about the
best spots for hunting. When we finally set up camp, the
sun was already dipping below the mountains, painting
everything in gold and orange. We got a fire going, and before
long we were laughing, roasting marshmallows and talking about
everything and nothing. It felt perfect.
I could hear the crackle of the fire, the rustling of the wind
in the trees, and the distant calls of animals.
The world felt big and peaceful, like we were the only people
left on it. But then, just as the night
started settling in, we heard it.
A noise from deep in the woods. It wasn't like anything I'd ever
heard before. It was this low rumbling growl,
almost like a mix between a bear and something else.
I looked over at Kyle, and I could see the unease in his
eyes. Did you hear that?
He whispered, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire.
Doug just laughed, shaking his head.
Probably just a bear. He said, trying to brush it off,
but I could tell Kyle wasn't convinced, and honestly, neither
was I. The noise came again, this time
closer. It was louder, more distinct,
and it sent a shiver down my spine.
It was like the woods themselves were groaning, something deep
and ancient that had no place in the modern world.
Trevor turned his head, squinting into the darkness, but
he didn't say anything. I think we were all waiting for
someone else to say it, to admit that it wasn't just a bear, but
nobody did. We tried to laugh it off, but
the mood had shifted. The fire didn't seem as warm,
and the darkness around us felt thicker, like it was pressing
in. We eventually crawled into our
tents, but sleep didn't come easy.
Every time I closed my eyes, I heard that noise again, echoing
in my head. I kept telling myself it was
nothing, but the unease stuck with me.
The next day, we kept moving deeper into the mountains.
The forest felt different though.
The usual sounds of birds and insects were gone, replaced by
this heavy silence that made my skin crawl.
Trevor swore he saw something, a large shadow moving between the
trees, but he quickly laughed it off, saying he must have
imagined it. I wanted to believe him, but the
way his eyes kept darting back to the woods told me he wasn't
so sure. By the time we set up camp again
that night, I think we were all on edge, even if no one wanted
to admit it. The laughter from the night
before was gone, replaced by 4 smiles and nervous glances.
When the sun finally dipped below the horizon, we gathered
around the fire again, but it didn't feel the same.
The shadows seemed longer, darker, and the forest felt like
it was watching us. Then, just as the fire started
to die down, we heard it again. That same guttural growl, but
this time it was closer. Much closer.
Kyle's face went pale, and even Doug, who'd been so confident
before, looked worried. I felt my heart start to pound,
and I could see the fear in everyone's eyes.
We were not alone. Something was out there watching
us, and it was getting closer. By the third day, we knew
something was very wrong. The forest was way too quiet,
and that strange feeling of being watched never went away.
Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves made me jump.
It felt like the woods had eyes and they were locked on us.
We tried to stay calm, but we couldn't ignore the tension that
hung over us. No one was laughing any more.
We all just wanted to get out of there.
That morning, we found them. The footprints.
They were huge, way bigger than any bear print I'd ever seen.
The tracks were deep, like whatever made them was heavy,
and they circled our camp like it had been watching us all
night. Matt knelt down, his face
serious. He ran his fingers along the
edge of the print, his eyes narrowing.
This isn't a bear, He said quietly.
No one argued with him. We all knew he was right.
Panic started to set in. We packed up our gear as fast as
we could, not even bothering to eat breakfast.
I could feel my heart racing, my hands trembling as I rolled up
my sleeping bag. I kept glancing over my
shoulder, half expecting to see something staring back at me
from the trees. Matt took charge, telling us we
needed to head back to the trailhead.
No one argued, we just wanted to leave.
As we started hiking back, the feeling of being watched only
got worse. The forest seemed to close in
around us, the trees pressing closer, the shadows darker.
I kept seeing things out of the corner of my eye, dark shapes
that seemed to move just as I turned my head.
Trevor was walking next to me, and I could tell he felt it too.
He kept glancing around, his face pale, his eyes wide.
Do you see that? He whispered at one point, but
when I looked, there was nothing there.
Still, I knew he wasn't imagining it.
We were all seeing it by the time the sun started to dip low
in the sky. We were exhausted.
The hike was tough, and the constant fear made it even
harder. We decided to make camp one last
time before we reached the trailhead.
No one wanted to stop, but we didn't have a choice.
We were too tired to keep going, and it would be dangerous to
hike in the dark. We set up our tents in a small
clearing and Matt built a fire. Though it didn't feel comforting
like before, the flames flickered weakly, casting long
dancing shadows that made the darkness seem even more alive.
We sat around the fire, not talking much.
The silence was heavy, like we were all waiting for something
to happen. And then it did.
The growl came again, but this time it was so close that I
could feel it in my chest, a deep rumbling sound that made my
whole body tense up. I looked at Kyle, and his face
was as white as a sheet. Doug, who had always been the
one to laugh things off, looked terrified.
He gripped his rifle tightly, his knuckles turning white.
Suddenly, there was a crash from the trees, and I saw it.
A massive figure just at the edge of the fire light.
It was tall, covered in dark fur, its eyes glowing in the
flickering light. For a second, none of us moved.
We were frozen, staring at this thing that shouldn't exist.
Then it let out a roar, a sound so loud and so full of anger
that it felt like the ground itself was shaking.
Everything erupted into chaos. Matt shouted for us to grab our
gear, but before we could do anything, the creature lunged
forward. I saw Kyle get grabbed, his
scream echoing through the night as the thing dragged him into
the darkness. I wanted to help him, but I
couldn't move. I was paralyzed with fear, my
heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of my
chest. The scream stopped suddenly, and
the silence that followed was worse than the roar.
Matt grabbed my arm, snapping me out of it.
We have to go now. He yelled.
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
We grabbed what we could and ran, the forest around us a blur
of shadows and fear. I could hear the creature behind
us, it's heavy footsteps crashing through the underbrush,
getting closer and closer. Branches slapped at my face and
I stumbled, barely managing to keep my balance.
All I could think about was getting away, about surviving.
We ran until my lungs burned, until my legs felt like they
would give out. Somehow we made it to a steep
hill, and we half ran, half slid down it, the creatures roars
echoing behind us at the bottom. We didn't stop, we just kept
moving, pushing through the pain and the fear, knowing that if we
stopped, even for a second, we wouldn't make it out alive.
By the time the sun started to rise, we were still running.
My legs felt like they were made of lead, every step of struggle,
but the fear kept me going. I could hear Matt and Doug
breathing heavily beside me, and Trevor, limping along with his
twisted ankle, was barely keeping up.
We were all running on pure adrenaline, the roars of that
creature echoing in our ears, pushing us forward.
We had no idea where we were going.
The forest all looked the same, dark, endless, and filled with
shadows that seemed to move when I wasn't looking directly at
them. Matt led the way, his face set
with determination, though I could see the fear in his eyes
every time he glanced back at us.
He kept telling us we were close, that we just needed to
keep going a little longer, but I wasn't sure if he even knew
where we were anymore. The creature was still out
there. Every once in a while we'd hear
its heavy footsteps crashing through the trees, or its growl,
low and menacing, coming from somewhere in the distance.
It was like it was toying with us, letting us think we might
have a chance, only to remind us it was still there, still
hunting us. My heart pounded in my chest,
each beat feeling like it was going to tear me apart.
Then, just as I thought I couldn't take another step, we
saw it. The edge of the forest.
It was still far off, but I could see the sky beyond the
trees, a lighter shade of blue. That meant we were finally
getting close to the trailhead there.
Matt shouted, pointing. I felt a surge of hope, and
somehow I found the strength to keep going, to push myself a
little harder. But the creature wasn't done
with us. I heard it again, a crashing
sound behind us, closer than ever.
I glanced back and saw it, a massive shape moving between the
trees, its eyes locked on us. It let out a roar, and I felt my
whole body go cold. We were so close, but I knew it
could catch us if it wanted to. We had to make it to the truck.
It was our only chance. We stumbled out of the forest,
the sunlight blinding after so long in the shadows.
The truck was there, just a few yards away, and I felt a wave of
relief. We ran for it and Matt fumble
with the keys, his hands shaking so badly he almost dropped them.
Doug and I helped Trevor into the back seat and I kept looking
over my shoulder, expecting to see the creature burst out of
the woods any second. Matt finally got the door open
and we scrambled inside. I slammed the door shut just as
I saw it, a massive dark figure emerging from the tree line.
It was even bigger in the daylight, its fur matted and its
eyes glowing with fury. Matt started the engine and I
screamed at him to go to get us out of there.
The truck roared to life and we speed away, the tires kicking up
dirt and gravel. I looked back, watching as the
creature stood there, its eyes following us as we drove away.
It didn't chase us, it just stood there watching until the
forest swallowed it up again and it was gone.
The silence in the truck was heavy, the only sound our ragged
breathing and the rumble of the engine.
None of us spoke. There was nothing to say.
We had made it out, but we had lost Kyle, and the weight of
that hung over us like a dark cloud.
As we drove away, I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't
over, that the creature was still out there, somewhere in
those dark woods, watching, waiting.
And I knew that I would never forget the sound of its roar,
the sight of those glowing eyes in the darkness.
We had survived, but a part of me knew that we were leaving
something behind in those mountains, something that would
never let us go. It was supposed to be a fun
family vacation, a chance to get away from all the stress of our
everyday lives and just be together.
When we arrived at the cabin, it seemed like the perfect place,
exactly what we needed. The cabin sat in the middle of
nowhere, surrounded by thick, towering trees.
It looked like something out of an old story book, with its
wooden porch and stone chimney. The air smelled like pine
needles and fresh earth, and I could hear the distant sound of
a stream somewhere in the forest.
My dad, Mike, seemed especially happy.
He stretched his arms above his head and grinned.
See, guys, isn't this great? No distractions, no city noise,
just us and nature. I wanted to believe him.
My mom, Laura, smiled too, though I could see her eyes
scanning the forest as if she was trying to get used to how
quiet it was. My brother Jake was already
pulling his bag out of the car, and I followed, eager to get
settled inside the cabin. It was even cozier than I
expected. The floors creaked when we
walked, and the fireplace looked like it had been used a million
times before. We unpacked and settled in, and
by the time the sun started to go down, we were all sitting
around the fire, roasting marshmallows and joking around.
It felt almost perfect, almost. That night, I woke up to a
noise. It wasn't loud, but it was
strange. A low, deep sound, almost like a
growl. I sat up in bed, holding my
breath, listening. The cabin was dark, and the only
light came from the moon shining through the curtains.
I glanced over at Jake, who was still asleep in the bed across
the room. Maybe it was just an animal, I
tried to convince myself, but something about it made my skin
prickle. The next morning, I wasn't the
only one who had heard it. Mom was in the kitchen, her face
pale as she looked out the window.
Did anyone else hear noises last night?
She asked. Dad shrugged it off, saying it
was probably just the wind or some animal wandering nearby.
He always tried to keep things calm, but I could tell Mom
wasn't convinced. After breakfast, we decided to
explore a bit. We hiked down a narrow trail
that led away from the cabin, and Jake found a good spot for
fishing by the stream. For a little while, it felt like
things were normal again, but as we walked back to the cabin, I
couldn't shake the feeling that we weren't alone.
I kept looking over my shoulder, expecting to see something, but
there was nothing there. Just the trees and the rustle of
leaves and the breeze. When we got back, that's when we
saw them. Footprints, huge ones, circling
the cabin. They were pressed deep into the
mud, each one almost twice the size of my dad's boot.
My heart started to pound and I looked at my parents.
Dad frowned, trying to act like it wasn't a big deal.
Probably just some prank. He said, but his voice didn't
sound so sure. Mom didn't say anything, she
just stared at the Prince, her face getting even paler.
Jake and I exchanged a nervous glance.
I wanted to believe Dad, but those Prince, they didn't look
like something someone would make for fun.
They looked real, and whatever had made them was huge.
We tried to go on with our day, but the feeling of unease never
left. Even when we were inside the
cabin, I felt like there were eyes on us, watching from the
forest. Every little sound made me jump,
the creak of the floor, the rustle of branches outside.
At one point I thought I saw something moving between the
trees, just a shadow slipping out of sight.
I told myself it was nothing, but my heart wouldn't stop
racing. That night, as the sun
disappeared and the forest turned pitch black, I couldn't
help but feel that whatever was out there was getting closer,
and I wasn't sure if we were safe in the cabin.
After all, it was late when it started, The heavy, thudding
footsteps that seemed to echo through the entire cabin.
I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep
because of the uneasy feeling in my stomach, when I heard the
first thud. I froze.
It sounded like something or someone was walking outside just
beyond the walls. And it wasn't just the sound, I
could feel the vibrations, like whatever it was had real weight.
I glanced over at Jake, he was sitting up too, his eyes wide in
the darkness. Did you hear that?
He whispered, his voice barely audible.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
The footsteps grew louder, coming closer to the cabin.
I could hear the floorboards creak as mom and Dad got out of
bed, their whispers coming from the other room.
I slipped out of bed and moved to the window, carefully pulling
the curtain aside just a tiny bit.
My breath caught in my throat when I saw it, a huge dark shape
moving just beyond the tree line, its eyes glowing faintly
in the moonlight. I let the curtain fall back, my
hands shaking. Jake, there's something out
there. I whispered.
He didn't respond, just stared at me, his face pale.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the front of the cabin.
It sounded like something had hit the wall hard.
Mom screamed, and Dad shouted for everyone to stay calm.
But how could we stay calm? The thing outside was trying to
get in, everyone in the backroom now.
Dad yelled. I grabbed Jake's arm and we ran,
mom and dad right behind us. We slammed the door shut and
pushed a dresser in front of it, the sound of our heavy breathing
filling the room. I could hear the creature
outside, it's growls deep and guttural, and then the
splintering sound of wood as it began to pound on the front
door. What is that?
Jake whispered, his voice trembling.
None of us had an answer. All I knew was that we had to
get out, and fast. Dad's eyes were wide, and I
could see him thinking, trying to come up with a plan.
The cellar, he said finally. We have to get to the cellar,
it's our only chance. He looked at Mom and she nodded,
though her face was white with fear.
We moved as quietly as we could, slipping out of the back room
and into the kitchen. The front door was barely
holding on, the wood splintering with each blow from the
creature. I held my breath as Dad opened
the cellar door, motioning for us to go down.
One by one we climbed into the darkness, the air cold and damp
around us. In the cellar it was pitch
black, and I could hear Jake breathing fast beside me.
Dad closed the door above us and we all crouched there,
listening. The sound of the door upstairs
being smashed open made my heart feel like it was going to
explode. The creature was inside.
Dad found a small window near the ground, just big enough for
us to crawl through. He smashed it open, the noise
making me flinch. Go.
He whispered, and we did. I crawled through the window,
feeling the cold night air on my face.
Jake followed, then mom and dad. We were outside, but we weren't
safe, not yet. We ran, our feet pounding on the
ground, the forest a blur around us.
Behind us I could hear the creature roar, a sound so loud
it seemed to shake the trees. I didn't look back.
I just kept running, my heart pounding, my legs burning,
hoping that somehow we could make it out of this alive.
The cold night air cut into my lungs as we ran.
Branches whipped at my face and the ground seemed to blur
beneath my feet. I could barely see where I was
going, but I knew one thing. I couldn't stop.
None of us could. The roar of the creature behind
us echoed through the forest, loud enough that it seemed to
shake the trees. My heart pounded in my ears,
drowning out almost every other sound except for the heavy thud
of our footsteps. Jake stumbled ahead of me, his
foot catching on a root, and he went sprawling.
I reached down, grabbing his arm, my fingers trembling as I
pulled him back up. Come on, Jake, I yelled, my
voice breaking. He nodded, his eyes wide with
fear, and we kept moving. I could see Dad up ahead, his
flashlight beam bouncing wildly as he led the way.
Mom was right behind him, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
I wanted to call out to them, to tell them we needed to hide, but
there was no time. The creature was getting closer,
I could feel it. Its growls were louder now, so
close that I could almost feel the vibrations in the ground.
Finally, we broke through the tree line, stumbling onto the
dirt Rd. where the car was parked.
My heart leaped into my throat at the sight of it.
Safety. We just had to get there.
I could hear Dad shouting for us to hurry, his voice desperate.
I glanced back just once, and that was enough.
I saw the massive shape emerge from the darkness, its eyes
glowing, its teeth bared. Dad reached the car first,
fumbling with the keys. His hands were shaking so badly
that for a moment I thought he wouldn't be able to unlock it.
Come on, come on. I whispered under my breath, my
feet pounding against the dirt as I ran.
I could see Mom pulling at the door handle, and then finally I
heard the beep of the locks. We all scrambled inside, the
doors slamming shut just as the creature reached the edge of the
road. It let out a roar that shook the
car, and I saw its huge hand swipe at the air, just missing
the back bumper as Dad threw the car into gear.
The tires spun on the gravel for a second, and then we were
moving, speeding away from the cabin and the creature that had
chased us. I looked out the back window, my
heart still pounding. The creature stood at the edge
of the road, its eyes glowing red in the dark, watching us as
we disappeared into the night. I couldn't breathe, couldn't
think. My whole body was shaking.
We'd made it. We were alive.
No one spoke as we drove, the forest blurred by the headlights
cutting through the darkness. I could hear Mom sobbing softly
in the front seat, and Jake was gripping my hand so tightly it
hurt, but I didn't let go. I couldn't.
I needed to feel that we were all still here, that we'd all
made it out. We didn't stop until we reached
the nearest town, a tiny place with a motel that looked just as
old as the cabin had. Dad parked the car and we all
sat there for a moment, the engine ticking as it cooled.
I could still hear the creatures roar in my head, still see its
glowing eyes. I knew I'd never forget it.
None of us would. We checked into the motel, the
lady at the front desk giving us strange looks as we stumbled in,
covered in dirt and shaking. But I didn't care.
All I cared about was that we were safe.
For now, at least. That night, as I lay in the
motel bed, staring at the ceiling, I could still feel the
forest around me. The darkness, the feeling of
being watched. It was all still there, just
under the surface. I knew we'd escaped, but I also
knew that whatever was out there wasn't gone.
It was still in those woods, waiting, and somehow I knew it
would always be there, a part of Maine that I could never quite
shake.