Johnny Henderson

At nearly 225 pounds and well over six foot, he wasn't one to give in to something like fear, but now he couldn't seem to calm down, and his heart was beating like a trip-hammer.

The feeling that he was being watched was getting stronger by the minute, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was moments away from a bad situation.

He slowly started to back away from the mangled carcass and head back to his truck.

And back to safety.

But no more than six steps into his journey, his blood turned to ice in his veins as a deep guttural wailing scream shattered the eerie silence along with what was left of his courage.

He had grown up on the farm all his life and had been an experienced hunter since childhood.

He was pretty familiar with every animal in this part of the state.

Not even a cougar, bobcat, or bear could have produced the scream that had torn through the early morning forest and filled him with such a bone-chilling apprehension.

Primal fear now gave way to stark terror as he chambered around in his .30-06 and turned around only to find there was nothing behind him.

His mind raced with confusion, and he was confronted with a million thoughts at once.

What should I do?

What could it be?

Should I run?

Am I going to die?

His survival sense was kicking into overdrive, so Jacob decided to continue on his previously contrived plan, which was go to the truck and get out of there while the getting was good.

Slowly and cautiously, he made his way toward the perceived salvation of his vehicle, silently praying every step of the way.

With 300 yards separating him from his only avenue of escape, Jacob began to hear heavy footfalls off to his left.

He could hear the crunching of withered leaves, all the sticks and debris that littered the forest floor.

summoning every ounce of courage that remained within him.

He forced himself to look in that direction, and that is when he saw the dark silhouette that followed him through the densely tangled forest.