Samantha (Corrections Officer)

I clicked the lamp to white mode, desperate for a better look, though I knew it would drain the battery fast. For a split second, I saw an outline, low to the ground, slipping behind a rock about 25 yards off. It moved with eerie grace, too smooth for a harmless critter. My mouth went dry. I stared at the spot, waiting, but it didn't show itself again.

I clicked the lamp to white mode, desperate for a better look, though I knew it would drain the battery fast. For a split second, I saw an outline, low to the ground, slipping behind a rock about 25 yards off. It moved with eerie grace, too smooth for a harmless critter. My mouth went dry. I stared at the spot, waiting, but it didn't show itself again.

That little glimpse was enough to send a wave of anxiety through me. I considered running, but the thought of charging blindly down the mesa didn't sound like a winning plan. I did the only thing I could, tried to make myself seem larger and bolder than I felt. I raised my arms, spread my jacket, and let out a series of forceful shouts that echoed across the quiet landscape.

That little glimpse was enough to send a wave of anxiety through me. I considered running, but the thought of charging blindly down the mesa didn't sound like a winning plan. I did the only thing I could, tried to make myself seem larger and bolder than I felt. I raised my arms, spread my jacket, and let out a series of forceful shouts that echoed across the quiet landscape.

The lamp's bright beam flickered ominously, reminding me I couldn't keep it on for long. My best bet, ironically, was to switch back to red mode and ration what little power I had left. Not exactly comforting. When I turned my back on that rock, I almost imagined the shape creeping closer. My nerves were shot but I forced myself to keep walking.

The lamp's bright beam flickered ominously, reminding me I couldn't keep it on for long. My best bet, ironically, was to switch back to red mode and ration what little power I had left. Not exactly comforting. When I turned my back on that rock, I almost imagined the shape creeping closer. My nerves were shot but I forced myself to keep walking.

After a few minutes, I looked over my shoulder again and flipped to white mode. Two points of green light flashed in the darkness, hovering at the same level as that earlier silhouette.

After a few minutes, I looked over my shoulder again and flipped to white mode. Two points of green light flashed in the darkness, hovering at the same level as that earlier silhouette.

they didn't move toward me just hovered there as if testing my resolve my stomach tightened this was no curious deer that much was obvious whatever it was seemed to be trailing me at a steady distance refusing to either vanish or close in I tried to keep my breathing steady, but the fear got worse with every step. Eventually, I fumbled for my phone.

they didn't move toward me just hovered there as if testing my resolve my stomach tightened this was no curious deer that much was obvious whatever it was seemed to be trailing me at a steady distance refusing to either vanish or close in I tried to keep my breathing steady, but the fear got worse with every step. Eventually, I fumbled for my phone.

One bar of service popped up, and I managed to call a friend. My voice came out shaky, which pretty much told him everything he needed to know. Between rushed explanations, I managed to spit out where I was and that I felt I was being followed. I joked, in an attempt at humor, if I'm not back soon, here's where you can find my mangled remains. But neither of us really laughed.

One bar of service popped up, and I managed to call a friend. My voice came out shaky, which pretty much told him everything he needed to know. Between rushed explanations, I managed to spit out where I was and that I felt I was being followed. I joked, in an attempt at humor, if I'm not back soon, here's where you can find my mangled remains. But neither of us really laughed.

Hearing another person's voice helped calm me, though, at least a little. I didn't feel quite so alone, even though physically I was still by myself out there.

Hearing another person's voice helped calm me, though, at least a little. I didn't feel quite so alone, even though physically I was still by myself out there.

battery life on my lamp ticked steadily downward i decided to push forward focusing on making it down the steep part of the trail before full darkness dropped like a curtain in the back of my mind a question kept nagging what happens if that silhouette decides to come closer

battery life on my lamp ticked steadily downward i decided to push forward focusing on making it down the steep part of the trail before full darkness dropped like a curtain in the back of my mind a question kept nagging what happens if that silhouette decides to come closer

But I forced myself to move, imagining all the ridiculous ways I'd fight back with nothing but a stick or a small knife if I had to. Anything to avoid picturing the alternative. I kept checking behind me, scanning with that dim beam, never quite sure if I'd see those eyes again. Every inch of the way, tension clung to me like a second skin.

But I forced myself to move, imagining all the ridiculous ways I'd fight back with nothing but a stick or a small knife if I had to. Anything to avoid picturing the alternative. I kept checking behind me, scanning with that dim beam, never quite sure if I'd see those eyes again. Every inch of the way, tension clung to me like a second skin.

I could feel it in the way my shoulders hunched and the way I gripped my trekking pole. This was only the start of a long, nerve-wracking journey back to safety, and I could already tell it would be a nightmare. Yet I had no choice but to keep going. I didn't waste any more time lingering where I'd spotted those glowing eyes.

I could feel it in the way my shoulders hunched and the way I gripped my trekking pole. This was only the start of a long, nerve-wracking journey back to safety, and I could already tell it would be a nightmare. Yet I had no choice but to keep going. I didn't waste any more time lingering where I'd spotted those glowing eyes.