Samantha (Corrections Officer)

A pang of homesickness flashed through me, weird considering I was actually at home. I walked until I reached the first cluster of trees, letting my hand brush the rough bark. Everything grew quiet. No wind, no chirping birds, not even the usual rustle in the underbrush. A strange hush settled around me. I tried to shake it off and took a few more steps under the canopy.

A pang of homesickness flashed through me, weird considering I was actually at home. I walked until I reached the first cluster of trees, letting my hand brush the rough bark. Everything grew quiet. No wind, no chirping birds, not even the usual rustle in the underbrush. A strange hush settled around me. I tried to shake it off and took a few more steps under the canopy.

The farther I ventured, the darker it got, even though the sun was still high overhead. Without meaning to, I started thinking about old legends my family sometimes told during late night gatherings. Stories passed down about things best left alone. Creatures that show up when you're by yourself and vulnerable. I'd always laughed them off as spooky tales. Now, not so much.

The farther I ventured, the darker it got, even though the sun was still high overhead. Without meaning to, I started thinking about old legends my family sometimes told during late night gatherings. Stories passed down about things best left alone. Creatures that show up when you're by yourself and vulnerable. I'd always laughed them off as spooky tales. Now, not so much.

This patch of land had never seemed dangerous, but it definitely didn't feel inviting anymore. A soft snap echoed somewhere to my left. Might have been a branch, or maybe just my imagination. I froze, straining to hear anything else.

This patch of land had never seemed dangerous, but it definitely didn't feel inviting anymore. A soft snap echoed somewhere to my left. Might have been a branch, or maybe just my imagination. I froze, straining to hear anything else.

moments later a breeze finally swept through carrying the slightest whiff of something sour it reminded me of damp leaves left too long in the sun i tried to dismiss it chalking it up to the thick undergrowth i thought about heading back but curiosity tugged at me This was my childhood playground, right? Nothing to be afraid of here. Still, as I took a cautious step forward, my skin prickled.

moments later a breeze finally swept through carrying the slightest whiff of something sour it reminded me of damp leaves left too long in the sun i tried to dismiss it chalking it up to the thick undergrowth i thought about heading back but curiosity tugged at me This was my childhood playground, right? Nothing to be afraid of here. Still, as I took a cautious step forward, my skin prickled.

That uneasy feeling crept up my spine, and I couldn't figure out why. I glanced around once more, half expecting something to jump out but saw only gnarled trunks and shifting shadows. I convinced myself it was all in my head and turned around to head for the house. Tomorrow, I thought, I'd go deeper into the woods like I used to.

That uneasy feeling crept up my spine, and I couldn't figure out why. I glanced around once more, half expecting something to jump out but saw only gnarled trunks and shifting shadows. I convinced myself it was all in my head and turned around to head for the house. Tomorrow, I thought, I'd go deeper into the woods like I used to.

Whatever was bugging me had to be nerves, or maybe an overactive imagination fueled by old family stories. Deep down, though, I felt a flicker of anxiety that I couldn't quite name. Something was different here, and I really wasn't sure I wanted to find out exactly what it was.

Whatever was bugging me had to be nerves, or maybe an overactive imagination fueled by old family stories. Deep down, though, I felt a flicker of anxiety that I couldn't quite name. Something was different here, and I really wasn't sure I wanted to find out exactly what it was.

i woke up thinking that maybe i'd just overreacted the day before sunlight filtered through the curtains and everything seemed normal grandma in the kitchen clattering around with pots and pans grandpa on the porch whistling an old tune the sense of safety that came with daylight gave me a little confidence

i woke up thinking that maybe i'd just overreacted the day before sunlight filtered through the curtains and everything seemed normal grandma in the kitchen clattering around with pots and pans grandpa on the porch whistling an old tune the sense of safety that came with daylight gave me a little confidence

I decided to head back into the woods, convincing myself I needed to check if there was anything out there worth investigating, like an animal burrow or a fallen tree. Probably nothing sinister. The moment I stepped off the porch, though, I realized the air felt oddly still again. The grass glistened with dew, dampening my shoes, and every step sounded loud in that unnatural silence.

I decided to head back into the woods, convincing myself I needed to check if there was anything out there worth investigating, like an animal burrow or a fallen tree. Probably nothing sinister. The moment I stepped off the porch, though, I realized the air felt oddly still again. The grass glistened with dew, dampening my shoes, and every step sounded loud in that unnatural silence.

My gaze drifted to the same patch of trees I'd visited before. Part of me wanted to call it quits right then, but I just kept walking like I was on autopilot. Once I passed the first line of trees, that uneasy hush descended once more. No birds, no insects, nothing but my own breathing.

My gaze drifted to the same patch of trees I'd visited before. Part of me wanted to call it quits right then, but I just kept walking like I was on autopilot. Once I passed the first line of trees, that uneasy hush descended once more. No birds, no insects, nothing but my own breathing.

I reminded myself I'd spent entire summers out here without a single scare, so I pressed on, crunching over fallen leaves until I was surrounded by trunks and tangled undergrowth. I was about to turn back when a voice trickled through the stillness, calling my name. It sounded like my mom, but off somehow, as if it were coming through an old radio with poor reception.

I reminded myself I'd spent entire summers out here without a single scare, so I pressed on, crunching over fallen leaves until I was surrounded by trunks and tangled undergrowth. I was about to turn back when a voice trickled through the stillness, calling my name. It sounded like my mom, but off somehow, as if it were coming through an old radio with poor reception.