Samantha (Corrections Officer)

There was a part of me that wanted to grab Grandma and Grandpa, pile into the car, and tear out of there for good. Another part couldn't stop wondering if it would even matter. Because once you've seen something like that, something that knows your name and isn't afraid to call it out, you start to fear it can find you anywhere.

There was a part of me that wanted to grab Grandma and Grandpa, pile into the car, and tear out of there for good. Another part couldn't stop wondering if it would even matter. Because once you've seen something like that, something that knows your name and isn't afraid to call it out, you start to fear it can find you anywhere.

I pulled onto that back road with just enough moonlight to silhouette the thick tree line against the sky. The night air drifted in through my window, left open from when I'd been smoking earlier, and I remember glancing in the rear view for no real reason, a sense tugging at my gut that maybe I wasn't as alone as I thought.

I pulled onto that back road with just enough moonlight to silhouette the thick tree line against the sky. The night air drifted in through my window, left open from when I'd been smoking earlier, and I remember glancing in the rear view for no real reason, a sense tugging at my gut that maybe I wasn't as alone as I thought.

the road stretched out in front of me empty silent and unsettlingly dark no street lights no farmhouses lit up in the distance just a narrow route cracking beneath my tires i tried to shake off my nerves by fiddling with the radio but every station offered nothing but static my hands clenched the wheel tighter than usual

the road stretched out in front of me empty silent and unsettlingly dark no street lights no farmhouses lit up in the distance just a narrow route cracking beneath my tires i tried to shake off my nerves by fiddling with the radio but every station offered nothing but static my hands clenched the wheel tighter than usual

It felt like the trees were watching me, as if waiting to see if I'd keep going or turn around. Still, I pressed forward, telling myself everything was fine. When I spotted a lone stop sign at a ragged four-way intersection, I exhaled in relief. It was a small hint of civilization.

It felt like the trees were watching me, as if waiting to see if I'd keep going or turn around. Still, I pressed forward, telling myself everything was fine. When I spotted a lone stop sign at a ragged four-way intersection, I exhaled in relief. It was a small hint of civilization.

I slowed down, not quite stopping, thinking, all right, just make a left and you'll be halfway to your friend's place.

I slowed down, not quite stopping, thinking, all right, just make a left and you'll be halfway to your friend's place.

that was when the tree line erupted with motion some creature burst into view barreling straight toward my door i nearly slammed the brake before instinct made me gun the gas instead my headlights caught a flash of something with elongated limbs and teeth that glistened in a way teeth shouldn't the sheer ferocity in its eyes or whatever they were made my stomach twist it was so close i could sense its aggression like it had been waiting for me to roll by with that open window

that was when the tree line erupted with motion some creature burst into view barreling straight toward my door i nearly slammed the brake before instinct made me gun the gas instead my headlights caught a flash of something with elongated limbs and teeth that glistened in a way teeth shouldn't the sheer ferocity in its eyes or whatever they were made my stomach twist it was so close i could sense its aggression like it had been waiting for me to roll by with that open window

i pressed the accelerator until the engine roared my heart thudding in my ears the beast kept pace for a few unnerving seconds snarling in an almost human rage my window was wide open an invitation if i screwed up for even a second the tires squealed in protest and i wrestled with the steering wheel to keep from flying off the road gravel pinged against the undercarriage the creature lunged again missing the window by inches

i pressed the accelerator until the engine roared my heart thudding in my ears the beast kept pace for a few unnerving seconds snarling in an almost human rage my window was wide open an invitation if i screwed up for even a second the tires squealed in protest and i wrestled with the steering wheel to keep from flying off the road gravel pinged against the undercarriage the creature lunged again missing the window by inches

a guttural noise rang out behind me and i couldn't tell if it was an animal's growl or something else then it fell back swallowed by the dark my pulse continued to pound as i tore away from that intersection desperate to outrun whatever had just tried to reach me only once the road curved and the creature vanished from the mirrors did i allow myself a shaky breath my mind raced with impossible questions

a guttural noise rang out behind me and i couldn't tell if it was an animal's growl or something else then it fell back swallowed by the dark my pulse continued to pound as i tore away from that intersection desperate to outrun whatever had just tried to reach me only once the road curved and the creature vanished from the mirrors did i allow myself a shaky breath my mind raced with impossible questions

Had I run into a rabid animal, or did something with genuine malevolence just choose me as its target tonight? Staring into the night, I kept my foot on the gas, determined to leave that lonely crossroads and the thing that lurked there, far behind. I pulled into my friend's driveway, still gripping the steering wheel like it was the only solid thing in the world.

Had I run into a rabid animal, or did something with genuine malevolence just choose me as its target tonight? Staring into the night, I kept my foot on the gas, determined to leave that lonely crossroads and the thing that lurked there, far behind. I pulled into my friend's driveway, still gripping the steering wheel like it was the only solid thing in the world.

Every muscle in my arms felt tight, and my pulse throbbed in my temple. The moment I killed the engine, I noticed how shallow my breathing had become. My fingers shook with leftover adrenaline as I fumbled with the door handle. I could almost sense that thing from the road hovering right behind me, ready to lunge again if I let my guard down.

Every muscle in my arms felt tight, and my pulse throbbed in my temple. The moment I killed the engine, I noticed how shallow my breathing had become. My fingers shook with leftover adrenaline as I fumbled with the door handle. I could almost sense that thing from the road hovering right behind me, ready to lunge again if I let my guard down.