Samantha (Corrections Officer)

At one point, a faint screech echoed from somewhere in the woods.

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 it off 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

and i nearly tripped over my own feet spinning around to face the door marvin squeaked then tried to laugh it off 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 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

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'd inform the higher-ups i wasn't staying on nights not another hour let them call me paranoid whatever i'd seen out there it wasn't just a trick of the dark

by the end of that endless descent my mind was made up the moment i got the chance i'd inform the higher-ups i wasn't staying on nights not another hour let them call me paranoid whatever i'd 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 two marvin and i trudged toward the ranger station the first rays 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

something in those woods had noticed me and i had no intention of sticking around for round two marvin and i trudged toward the ranger station the first rays 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 scarier 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.

it was only empty space maybe that was even scarier 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, seemed smaller and lonelier than usual.

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, seemed smaller and lonelier 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, Marcus, and Dana gathered around the battered table in the corner, trading jokes while we waited out another quiet shift. Instead, I found them pacing around, each one fiddling with equipment or rechecking logs.

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, Marcus, and Dana gathered around the battered table in the corner, trading jokes while we waited out another quiet shift. Instead, I found them pacing around, each one fiddling with equipment or rechecking logs.

It was my turn to do a final walkthrough outside. Usually I enjoy strolling around under the moonlight, scoping out the treeline 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 groan. I half wondered if the entire structure would shake itself apart.

It was my turn to do a final walkthrough outside. Usually I enjoy strolling around under the moonlight, scoping out the treeline 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 groan. I half wondered if the entire structure would shake itself apart.