Samantha (Corrections Officer)

I glanced at my rearview mirror more often than the road, convinced any second I'd see something, someone, barreling after me. The voices didn't return, but I could still sense them, as if the forest had swallowed them up. Every dip and bump nearly rattled my car apart, but I powered on, ignoring the dust billowing behind.

I glanced at my rearview mirror more often than the road, convinced any second I'd see something, someone, barreling after me. The voices didn't return, but I could still sense them, as if the forest had swallowed them up. Every dip and bump nearly rattled my car apart, but I powered on, ignoring the dust billowing behind.

Eventually, I hit a stretch of better road, still enveloped 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.

Eventually, I hit a stretch of better road, still enveloped 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 hand still quivering. I got out, took a breath, and realized my clothes were damp with sweat, clinging to me in the chill air. Yuri hopped out and stuck close to my side, tail between her legs.

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 hand still quivering. I got out, took a breath, and realized my clothes were damp with sweat, clinging to me in the chill air. 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 in search of an explanation, any explanation, for what I'd 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 bought a bottle of water and tried to compose myself, flipping through my phone in search of an explanation, any explanation, for what I'd 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 pines 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.

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 pines 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 forest 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.

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 forest 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 in 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.

All I know is, if you ever find yourself alone on those back roads in 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 everyday life. I remember noticing how still everything seemed.

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 everyday 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, nose 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.

Sure, there were bird calls in the distance, but the undergrowth felt oddly void of movement. My dog paused every so often, nose 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 roosting flock or two but i didn't spot any right away my dog's ears flicked and she let out a low uncertain growl instinct nudged me to slow I stopped, letting my gaze wander across the creek, noticing how the sun sparkled on the shallow water.

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 roosting flock or two but i didn't spot any right away my dog's ears flicked and she let out a low uncertain growl instinct nudged me to slow I stopped, letting my gaze wander across the creek, noticing how the sun sparkled on the shallow water.