Samantha (Corrections Officer)

Gripping my trekking pole, I started the descent, knowing full well that the path below was a loose mess of rocks and gravel. Each step felt uncertain, like the ground wanted to betray me. On top of that, the darkness was spreading fast. and the only light I had was a red beam barely strong enough to light my boots.

Gripping my trekking pole, I started the descent, knowing full well that the path below was a loose mess of rocks and gravel. Each step felt uncertain, like the ground wanted to betray me. On top of that, the darkness was spreading fast. and the only light I had was a red beam barely strong enough to light my boots.

I'd occasionally flick to white mode, just for a few seconds, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever was stalking me. It was there all right. Whenever I switched, I'd spot those same green reflections, never closer, never farther, like a shadow that knew exactly how to keep a safe distance.

I'd occasionally flick to white mode, just for a few seconds, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever was stalking me. It was there all right. Whenever I switched, I'd spot those same green reflections, never closer, never farther, like a shadow that knew exactly how to keep a safe distance.

once or twice my foot slipped on the gravel and i'd lurch forward arms flailing it was all i could do not to topple down the slope every time i nearly wiped out my mind conjured images of that creature watching waiting

once or twice my foot slipped on the gravel and i'd lurch forward arms flailing it was all i could do not to topple down the slope every time i nearly wiped out my mind conjured images of that creature watching waiting

i imagined it was analyzing my missteps looking for the perfect moment to strike but nothing happened it just kept trailing me that was almost worse it was unnerving knowing it could leap out at any time yet it seemed content to let me walk myself ragged My headlamp flickered in and out, the red glow getting weaker by the minute.

i imagined it was analyzing my missteps looking for the perfect moment to strike but nothing happened it just kept trailing me that was almost worse it was unnerving knowing it could leap out at any time yet it seemed content to let me walk myself ragged My headlamp flickered in and out, the red glow getting weaker by the minute.

Part of me wanted to just say screw it and keep the bright beam on, but I knew it'd burn out in seconds if I tried. I couldn't risk stumbling around here with no light at all, at least not until I got off this rocky terrain. Every time that thought crossed my mind, my grip on the trekking pole tightened, like that stick was my lifeline.

Part of me wanted to just say screw it and keep the bright beam on, but I knew it'd burn out in seconds if I tried. I couldn't risk stumbling around here with no light at all, at least not until I got off this rocky terrain. Every time that thought crossed my mind, my grip on the trekking pole tightened, like that stick was my lifeline.

Every so often I'd hear a faint scrape behind me, or what I thought might be one anyway. It sounded almost like something brushing against stone, but so faint it could have been the wind. I'd freeze up, switch to white mode, and scan the darkness.

Every so often I'd hear a faint scrape behind me, or what I thought might be one anyway. It sounded almost like something brushing against stone, but so faint it could have been the wind. I'd freeze up, switch to white mode, and scan the darkness.

those two green pinpoints would stare back at me then slink out of sight i'd let out this shaky breath fumble the lamp back to red and keep going heart hammering in my chest the descent was brutal my legs burned from the strain of stepping carefully and not letting gravity hurl me forward when i finally reached flatter ground i realized i'd only cleared the rocky portion of the mesa

those two green pinpoints would stare back at me then slink out of sight i'd let out this shaky breath fumble the lamp back to red and keep going heart hammering in my chest the descent was brutal my legs burned from the strain of stepping carefully and not letting gravity hurl me forward when i finally reached flatter ground i realized i'd only cleared the rocky portion of the mesa

Now I was entering this open field, where the moon offered just enough light to see outlines of tall grass. I almost laughed out loud from the relief of not having to navigate jagged rocks with a dying lamp. But then I noticed the grass shifting in the breeze. It was unnerving that something could hide in there, crouching out of sight, only a few yards away.

Now I was entering this open field, where the moon offered just enough light to see outlines of tall grass. I almost laughed out loud from the relief of not having to navigate jagged rocks with a dying lamp. But then I noticed the grass shifting in the breeze. It was unnerving that something could hide in there, crouching out of sight, only a few yards away.

My headlamp let out one final flicker before shutting off. great now i was down to the moon my phone's dim flashlight which probably had ten minutes left tops and a prayer oddly enough part of me felt a tiny surge of relief like at least i didn't have to worry about babying that useless lamp any more

My headlamp let out one final flicker before shutting off. great now i was down to the moon my phone's dim flashlight which probably had ten minutes left tops and a prayer oddly enough part of me felt a tiny surge of relief like at least i didn't have to worry about babying that useless lamp any more

I picked up my pace, trying to keep my footsteps light but moving quickly enough that if something were behind me, it wouldn't have an easy shot. A few times, the grass rustled in a way that made me think the predator had crept closer. I'd jerk my phone out, swipe on its pathetic flashlight, and wave it around. Nothing. The only sound was my own ragged breathing.

I picked up my pace, trying to keep my footsteps light but moving quickly enough that if something were behind me, it wouldn't have an easy shot. A few times, the grass rustled in a way that made me think the predator had crept closer. I'd jerk my phone out, swipe on its pathetic flashlight, and wave it around. Nothing. The only sound was my own ragged breathing.