Samantha (Corrections Officer)

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 onto a more solid stretch of gravel, I let myself breathe a little.

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 onto 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 as if the woman by the truck or that circling 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.

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 as if the woman by the truck or that circling 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.

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 treeline. The source?

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 treeline. 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 themselves. Every so often, other campers peeked 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.

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 themselves. Every so often, other campers peeked 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.

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-attentive look. they were mostly older teens or early twenty somethings 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.

As I got close, the frat boys paused their banter, giving me that half-attentive look. they were mostly older teens or early twenty somethings 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 it 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.

"'These woods have a reputation, and it's not for the best sing-alongs.' They laughed it 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 uncertain glances, but one just shrugged, muttering that they'd keep it down. I issued a final warning anyway. Stay quiet. Don't wander off. And if they heard anything odd outside in the dark, make no sound.

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 uncertain glances, but one just shrugged, muttering that they'd keep it down. I issued a final warning anyway. Stay quiet. Don't wander off. And if they heard anything odd outside in the dark, make no sound.

I only hoped 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.

I only hoped 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.