Samantha (Corrections Officer)

It was quiet, but not quite peaceful. more like the calm before a storm if the storm decided to stay hidden eventually the trail got clearer and i could make out a path leading toward the road my adrenaline was still pumping but i realized i could see the faint glow of street lights in the distance I kept imagining those eyes would pop up one last time, maybe right behind me, but they never did.

It was quiet, but not quite peaceful. more like the calm before a storm if the storm decided to stay hidden eventually the trail got clearer and i could make out a path leading toward the road my adrenaline was still pumping but i realized i could see the faint glow of street lights in the distance I kept imagining those eyes would pop up one last time, maybe right behind me, but they never did.

Step by step I put more distance between me and the mesa, until the terrain flattened and I could actually make out the shape of my car under the moonlight. When I finally reached it, I just stood there panting, hands shaking. I half expected to sense that creature behind me again, but there was nothing.

Step by step I put more distance between me and the mesa, until the terrain flattened and I could actually make out the shape of my car under the moonlight. When I finally reached it, I just stood there panting, hands shaking. I half expected to sense that creature behind me again, but there was nothing.

it's incredible how even a little piece of metal and glass my car felt like a fortress after the night i'd had sliding into the driver's seat i locked the doors out of sheer reflex then let out this exasperated laugh like i couldn't believe i was in one piece looking back on it i'm almost positive it was a mountain lion Nothing else fits that kind of stealth and patience.

it's incredible how even a little piece of metal and glass my car felt like a fortress after the night i'd had sliding into the driver's seat i locked the doors out of sheer reflex then let out this exasperated laugh like i couldn't believe i was in one piece looking back on it i'm almost positive it was a mountain lion Nothing else fits that kind of stealth and patience.

It must have decided I wasn't worth the hassle, or just got bored, I'll never know. But I do know that crossing through a top predator's territory, alone, at night, with a dying flashlight, was one of the dumbest moves I've made. As I sat there with the engine idling, I promised myself I'd do better next time.

It must have decided I wasn't worth the hassle, or just got bored, I'll never know. But I do know that crossing through a top predator's territory, alone, at night, with a dying flashlight, was one of the dumbest moves I've made. As I sat there with the engine idling, I promised myself I'd do better next time.

More importantly, I'd remember how it feels when something is out there in the darkness, quiet and watchful, letting me know just how fragile I really am. I can't remember the exact time, but it had to be close to three in the morning when I decided I'd had enough of that basement.

More importantly, I'd remember how it feels when something is out there in the darkness, quiet and watchful, letting me know just how fragile I really am. I can't remember the exact time, but it had to be close to three in the morning when I decided I'd had enough of that basement.

The place belonged to one of my cousin's friends, someone I barely knew, and the concrete walls, low ceiling, and flickering overhead lights were starting to mess with my head. A few of us were sprawled out on mismatched chairs, half asleep, while others just mumbled about random stuff.

The place belonged to one of my cousin's friends, someone I barely knew, and the concrete walls, low ceiling, and flickering overhead lights were starting to mess with my head. A few of us were sprawled out on mismatched chairs, half asleep, while others just mumbled about random stuff.

we'd killed a six-pack hours ago then dipped into some cheap drinks and i was definitely feeling it the music had died down to an irritating static like buzz and nobody seemed to be in any state to keep a conversation going i'd been in that haze where you're too tired to be drunk yet too tipsy to act normal My eyelids felt like they had weights attached.

we'd killed a six-pack hours ago then dipped into some cheap drinks and i was definitely feeling it the music had died down to an irritating static like buzz and nobody seemed to be in any state to keep a conversation going i'd been in that haze where you're too tired to be drunk yet too tipsy to act normal My eyelids felt like they had weights attached.

So, I stood up, nearly tripping over someone's backpack, and announced to nobody in particular that I was heading home. You sure? My cousin mumbled from the couch, barely lifting his head. It's freezing. I shrugged. I just need fresh air, I said. And to be honest, it felt like something was telling me not to stay there a second longer.

So, I stood up, nearly tripping over someone's backpack, and announced to nobody in particular that I was heading home. You sure? My cousin mumbled from the couch, barely lifting his head. It's freezing. I shrugged. I just need fresh air, I said. And to be honest, it felt like something was telling me not to stay there a second longer.

The house wasn't even that far from my cousin's place, maybe a fifteen minute walk on a clear day. I figured, well, it's practically day with the moon reflecting off all that snow. As soon as I hauled myself up the basement steps and stepped outside, the wind slapped me so hard that I was instantly more awake. The yard stretched out under a bluish glow, the snow seeming to swallow every sound.

The house wasn't even that far from my cousin's place, maybe a fifteen minute walk on a clear day. I figured, well, it's practically day with the moon reflecting off all that snow. As soon as I hauled myself up the basement steps and stepped outside, the wind slapped me so hard that I was instantly more awake. The yard stretched out under a bluish glow, the snow seeming to swallow every sound.

No cars, no people, just silent white emptiness. It was one of those nights where you couldn't tell if it was really late or super early. I pulled my coat tighter and glanced around. The other houses in the neighborhood were dark. Their windows shuttered like they'd been deserted for the winter. It seemed like I was the only person alive. Usually that kind of solitude doesn't bother me.

No cars, no people, just silent white emptiness. It was one of those nights where you couldn't tell if it was really late or super early. I pulled my coat tighter and glanced around. The other houses in the neighborhood were dark. Their windows shuttered like they'd been deserted for the winter. It seemed like I was the only person alive. Usually that kind of solitude doesn't bother me.