Samantha (Corrections Officer)

That day, though, the whole drive had a strange energy. Every little bump made me glance around, half expecting headlights to blaze up behind me. By late afternoon, I pulled into a spot I'd scouted on the map, a flat clearing near a sluggish creek. Getting the SUV leveled took a couple tries, since the ground was lumpy. Eventually, I settled, unpacked a folding chair and let myself unwind.

That day, though, the whole drive had a strange energy. Every little bump made me glance around, half expecting headlights to blaze up behind me. By late afternoon, I pulled into a spot I'd scouted on the map, a flat clearing near a sluggish creek. Getting the SUV leveled took a couple tries, since the ground was lumpy. Eventually, I settled, unpacked a folding chair and let myself unwind.

A little whine seemed like a perfect idea. I remember sipping from the bottle, letting my eyes wander across the sea of trees. I might have gotten more relaxed than I intended, which is why I ended up crashing in the back of the SUV earlier than usual. Sometime in the night, something reached my ears. It didn't sound like normal forest noise, no rustle of leaves or crack of a twig.

A little whine seemed like a perfect idea. I remember sipping from the bottle, letting my eyes wander across the sea of trees. I might have gotten more relaxed than I intended, which is why I ended up crashing in the back of the SUV earlier than usual. Sometime in the night, something reached my ears. It didn't sound like normal forest noise, no rustle of leaves or crack of a twig.

it was more like a low humming pattern if i had to guess i'd call it chanting but it was so faint i couldn't be certain my nerves started buzzing no one else was supposed to be out here no campsites no cabins no vehicles I rolled onto my side, telling myself the road must have carried sound from way off. The worry stayed, though. I checked my phone for a signal.

it was more like a low humming pattern if i had to guess i'd call it chanting but it was so faint i couldn't be certain my nerves started buzzing no one else was supposed to be out here no campsites no cabins no vehicles I rolled onto my side, telling myself the road must have carried sound from way off. The worry stayed, though. I checked my phone for a signal.

Nothing, of course, then drifted into an uneasy doze. A while later, three sharp knocks blasted through the stillness, each one a clear note that set my pulse galloping.

Nothing, of course, then drifted into an uneasy doze. A while later, three sharp knocks blasted through the stillness, each one a clear note that set my pulse galloping.

i pushed myself upright and spotted a face at the window my mind practically short-circuited another person right there i yelled in this scratchy guttural way i barely recognized whoever it was darted off so fast i only got a glimpse of movement in the darkness

i pushed myself upright and spotted a face at the window my mind practically short-circuited another person right there i yelled in this scratchy guttural way i barely recognized whoever it was darted off so fast i only got a glimpse of movement in the darkness

i fumbled for the keys hands trembling so badly i almost dropped them then flicked on the headlights the beams swept across a few scraggly bushes in the creek beyond but no shape no footprints just me and the hum of the engine for a long time i just sat there breathing in short bursts flicking my gaze around for any sign of that stranger silence

i fumbled for the keys hands trembling so badly i almost dropped them then flicked on the headlights the beams swept across a few scraggly bushes in the creek beyond but no shape no footprints just me and the hum of the engine for a long time i just sat there breathing in short bursts flicking my gaze around for any sign of that stranger silence

After a while I started questioning my own senses, but I couldn't deny those three knocks. Nobody runs around out here in the dead of night for fun. I kept the engine running, headlights on, scanning until the sky began to lighten. The wine buzz had long since worn off, replaced by a raw edge in my gut. At first light, I hauled myself out to do a quick sweep around the SUV.

After a while I started questioning my own senses, but I couldn't deny those three knocks. Nobody runs around out here in the dead of night for fun. I kept the engine running, headlights on, scanning until the sky began to lighten. The wine buzz had long since worn off, replaced by a raw edge in my gut. At first light, I hauled myself out to do a quick sweep around the SUV.

No footprints, no trampled grass, no broken branches. That baffled me even more. No sign of a vehicle either. It was like someone had drifted in from thin air and vanished just as fast. Deciding I'd had enough of that spot, I packed everything up at record speed. My plan was to find a safer location, maybe somewhere with more open space so I wouldn't feel so cornered.

No footprints, no trampled grass, no broken branches. That baffled me even more. No sign of a vehicle either. It was like someone had drifted in from thin air and vanished just as fast. Deciding I'd had enough of that spot, I packed everything up at record speed. My plan was to find a safer location, maybe somewhere with more open space so I wouldn't feel so cornered.

Still, as I drove away, every reflection in the side mirrors got me jumping, half convinced I'd see someone trailing me. I'd come looking for solitude, but suddenly it felt like the last thing I wanted. I eventually found a new clearing, but let's just say the rest of that trip was overshadowed by the memory of those knocks. My mind kept flashing back to that face in the window.

Still, as I drove away, every reflection in the side mirrors got me jumping, half convinced I'd see someone trailing me. I'd come looking for solitude, but suddenly it felt like the last thing I wanted. I eventually found a new clearing, but let's just say the rest of that trip was overshadowed by the memory of those knocks. My mind kept flashing back to that face in the window.

Some part of me wondered if it might be better never to know who or what that person was. By the time I finally made it home, I was a wreck. That drive back, every unmarked turn, every shadow on the side of the road, felt like it might bring another unwanted visitor. I never did figure out how they managed to appear out of nowhere, and maybe that's a good thing.

Some part of me wondered if it might be better never to know who or what that person was. By the time I finally made it home, I was a wreck. That drive back, every unmarked turn, every shadow on the side of the road, felt like it might bring another unwanted visitor. I never did figure out how they managed to appear out of nowhere, and maybe that's a good thing.