Samantha (Corrections Officer)

Every attempt to drift off led to that moment on the road replaying in full detail the silhouette, the shovel, the hollow stare. I tried to rationalize it. Maybe he was just digging out a stuck vehicle, or maybe the clothes were ripped from brambles. But I remembered the way he looked at us, and it was impossible to dismiss.

Every attempt to drift off led to that moment on the road replaying in full detail the silhouette, the shovel, the hollow stare. I tried to rationalize it. Maybe he was just digging out a stuck vehicle, or maybe the clothes were ripped from brambles. But I remembered the way he looked at us, and it was impossible to dismiss.

A nagging sense of dread kept creeping in, making me wonder what might have happened if we'd broken down or gotten stuck. That was enough to jolt me from the brink of sleep every time. The more I thought about it, the more I regretted not turning around and speeding out of that area sooner.

A nagging sense of dread kept creeping in, making me wonder what might have happened if we'd broken down or gotten stuck. That was enough to jolt me from the brink of sleep every time. The more I thought about it, the more I regretted not turning around and speeding out of that area sooner.

The next morning, my friend and I spoke on the phone, trading insomnia stories and half-hearted reassurances. We agreed to stay away from that dirt road, and we didn't bother telling anyone else except a couple of close friends who listened with wide eyes.

The next morning, my friend and I spoke on the phone, trading insomnia stories and half-hearted reassurances. We agreed to stay away from that dirt road, and we didn't bother telling anyone else except a couple of close friends who listened with wide eyes.

I can't say for sure what was going on in those woods, but I still feel like we might have escaped something far worse than just an unsettling chance encounter. One thing was absolutely certain, I wouldn't be heading back there anytime soon. I headed out onto the beach well after midnight, wearing my rain jacket and rubber boots that still squished with leftover water from the downpour.

I can't say for sure what was going on in those woods, but I still feel like we might have escaped something far worse than just an unsettling chance encounter. One thing was absolutely certain, I wouldn't be heading back there anytime soon. I headed out onto the beach well after midnight, wearing my rain jacket and rubber boots that still squished with leftover water from the downpour.

The sky was a slab of black, no moon, no stars, nothing. Even the ocean seemed unnaturally hushed, like it was trying to keep secrets from me. Normally I'd spot a few locals or late-night partiers stumbling around with flashlights, but that night was all mine, if you can call it a privilege. I was there for my usual turtle patrol, hoping to see a green turtle drag itself ashore.

The sky was a slab of black, no moon, no stars, nothing. Even the ocean seemed unnaturally hushed, like it was trying to keep secrets from me. Normally I'd spot a few locals or late-night partiers stumbling around with flashlights, but that night was all mine, if you can call it a privilege. I was there for my usual turtle patrol, hoping to see a green turtle drag itself ashore.

They're shy creatures. One stray noise can send them right back into the surf. I've learned to tread lightly, but it was almost impossible to do in the thick darkness.

They're shy creatures. One stray noise can send them right back into the surf. I've learned to tread lightly, but it was almost impossible to do in the thick darkness.

with the fresh rainfall the sand was denser each footstep sounding far too loud in my ears i flipped on a small flashlight but it made little difference more like a flickering candle in a cave after a few minutes of scanning the shoreline i caught a glimpse of something that might have been a turtle's head peeking from the water my pulse was pounding a mix of excitement and unease being alone on a beach that quiet is unsettling enough

with the fresh rainfall the sand was denser each footstep sounding far too loud in my ears i flipped on a small flashlight but it made little difference more like a flickering candle in a cave after a few minutes of scanning the shoreline i caught a glimpse of something that might have been a turtle's head peeking from the water my pulse was pounding a mix of excitement and unease being alone on a beach that quiet is unsettling enough

and this total blackout from the clouds only made me more aware of every rustle of wind or distant wave crash still i was there to do a job so i inched closer to where i saw movement hoping the turtle wouldn't scare off just when i thought i might spot her crawling onto the sand i heard a shuffle in the dunes behind me it was faint like the sound of something nudging through sea oats or leftover debris

and this total blackout from the clouds only made me more aware of every rustle of wind or distant wave crash still i was there to do a job so i inched closer to where i saw movement hoping the turtle wouldn't scare off just when i thought i might spot her crawling onto the sand i heard a shuffle in the dunes behind me it was faint like the sound of something nudging through sea oats or leftover debris

a fox or coyote was my first guess they like to lurk around especially if they smell food no big deal right so i stayed calm waiting for the noise to fade only it didn't my attention flicked back to the water searching for that turtle but she was gone by then i realized the dunes had gone silent as if whatever was there had paused i couldn't decide if that was better or worse

a fox or coyote was my first guess they like to lurk around especially if they smell food no big deal right so i stayed calm waiting for the noise to fade only it didn't my attention flicked back to the water searching for that turtle but she was gone by then i realized the dunes had gone silent as if whatever was there had paused i couldn't decide if that was better or worse

a minute passed maybe two and then the sound picked up again a low almost wet grunt followed by the scrape of something shifting in the sand i tried not to let my imagination run away with me i reminded myself that animals can make all sorts of odd noises Still, the longer it went on, the more the tension started to weigh on my shoulders.

a minute passed maybe two and then the sound picked up again a low almost wet grunt followed by the scrape of something shifting in the sand i tried not to let my imagination run away with me i reminded myself that animals can make all sorts of odd noises Still, the longer it went on, the more the tension started to weigh on my shoulders.