Samantha (Corrections Officer)

there was a mutual understanding that we wouldn't truly relax until we were off that cursed road and so we pressed onward hoping we weren't about to discover exactly why every rational person stayed away from this part of the woods after sundown if there was a prize at the end of that trail we sure didn't find it

there was a mutual understanding that we wouldn't truly relax until we were off that cursed road and so we pressed onward hoping we weren't about to discover exactly why every rational person stayed away from this part of the woods after sundown if there was a prize at the end of that trail we sure didn't find it

All we found was a growing sense that we'd missed a warning sign somewhere along the way, a sign telling us to turn back before nightfall sealed us in. The headlights were our only comfort as we headed back along that gravel path. They cast a narrow beam of light on the brush lining each side, and the shadows seemed to twist in ways my imagination refused to leave alone.

All we found was a growing sense that we'd missed a warning sign somewhere along the way, a sign telling us to turn back before nightfall sealed us in. The headlights were our only comfort as we headed back along that gravel path. They cast a narrow beam of light on the brush lining each side, and the shadows seemed to twist in ways my imagination refused to leave alone.

My friend was silent in the passenger seat, staring out the window. We both expected nothing but more dark, empty road ahead. Instead, something blocked our view up ahead, a shape standing near the tree line, too still for just another crooked branch. My first response was to ease off the gas, uncertain if I should pull over or go around. That's when our low beams revealed a man.

My friend was silent in the passenger seat, staring out the window. We both expected nothing but more dark, empty road ahead. Instead, something blocked our view up ahead, a shape standing near the tree line, too still for just another crooked branch. My first response was to ease off the gas, uncertain if I should pull over or go around. That's when our low beams revealed a man.

He was dressed in torn, filthy clothes, gripping a dirt cake shovel like it was the most normal thing in the world. He glared right at us as our car crawled to a stop. There was no waving for help or shouting, just that icy look that made me forget all the sensible rules about offering assistance. The tension in the car was suffocating. I felt like we had slammed into an invisible barrier.

He was dressed in torn, filthy clothes, gripping a dirt cake shovel like it was the most normal thing in the world. He glared right at us as our car crawled to a stop. There was no waving for help or shouting, just that icy look that made me forget all the sensible rules about offering assistance. The tension in the car was suffocating. I felt like we had slammed into an invisible barrier.

My friend whispered something I couldn't catch, voice tight with panic. Every muscle in my body was coiled. The man leaned forward a fraction of an inch, and that slight movement was enough. I pressed the accelerator, forcing myself not to jerk the steering wheel. In the glare of the headlights he stepped back, just one step, never shifting his gaze.

My friend whispered something I couldn't catch, voice tight with panic. Every muscle in my body was coiled. The man leaned forward a fraction of an inch, and that slight movement was enough. I pressed the accelerator, forcing myself not to jerk the steering wheel. In the glare of the headlights he stepped back, just one step, never shifting his gaze.

I couldn't tell if he was stunned, furious, or something else entirely. We passed him at a crawl, tires crunching the gravel as though it was the loudest noise in the world. I refused to make eye contact again, but my friend was stuck looking over, mouth parted in disbelief. Once we were a few yards beyond him, I pressed the pedal harder, and the car lurched forward. I checked the mirror.

I couldn't tell if he was stunned, furious, or something else entirely. We passed him at a crawl, tires crunching the gravel as though it was the loudest noise in the world. I refused to make eye contact again, but my friend was stuck looking over, mouth parted in disbelief. Once we were a few yards beyond him, I pressed the pedal harder, and the car lurched forward. I checked the mirror.

He hadn't moved from that spot, only pivoted his head to follow us. It felt like we were trapped in slow motion, driving down a road that never seemed to end. My friend and I exchanged quick, frantic glances, trying to process what had just happened. Were we overreacting? Was he a lost hiker? Something didn't align. His expression, the shovel, the worn state of his clothing.

He hadn't moved from that spot, only pivoted his head to follow us. It felt like we were trapped in slow motion, driving down a road that never seemed to end. My friend and I exchanged quick, frantic glances, trying to process what had just happened. Were we overreacting? Was he a lost hiker? Something didn't align. His expression, the shovel, the worn state of his clothing.

None of it felt like a harmless coincidence. Finally, we reached the main highway, a jolt of relief crashing through the tension. Streetlights up ahead glowed like a promise that we were back in some version of normalcy. The sight of other cars in the distance gave me the nerve to breathe easier. A big chunk of me wanted to keep driving and never look back.

None of it felt like a harmless coincidence. Finally, we reached the main highway, a jolt of relief crashing through the tension. Streetlights up ahead glowed like a promise that we were back in some version of normalcy. The sight of other cars in the distance gave me the nerve to breathe easier. A big chunk of me wanted to keep driving and never look back.

still the shock lingered my friend muttered about calling the local sheriff or something but we weren't even sure how to explain it there's a man with a shovel standing by a dirt road we'd say that's no crime yet something gnawed at me insisting that we had veered dangerously close to whatever secret lay out there We stopped at a convenience store parking lot down the road.

still the shock lingered my friend muttered about calling the local sheriff or something but we weren't even sure how to explain it there's a man with a shovel standing by a dirt road we'd say that's no crime yet something gnawed at me insisting that we had veered dangerously close to whatever secret lay out there We stopped at a convenience store parking lot down the road.

The bright fluorescent lights hurt my eyes after so much darkness. We checked the car for scratches, nothing new. My friend kept pacing around the hood, shaking their head, going over the possibilities. I leaned against the door, fighting the urge to look toward the highway like I expected that man to appear again. Later that night I sat on my couch, mind buzzing with questions.

The bright fluorescent lights hurt my eyes after so much darkness. We checked the car for scratches, nothing new. My friend kept pacing around the hood, shaking their head, going over the possibilities. I leaned against the door, fighting the urge to look toward the highway like I expected that man to appear again. Later that night I sat on my couch, mind buzzing with questions.