Samantha (Corrections Officer)

we had no working machine so that part made sense but it was the timing that got under my skin night-time seemed darker than usual and that flickering porch light didn't help still she didn't leave room for debate i was a big kid a solid two hundred and eighty pounds Yet the thought of strolling through those gloomy streets by myself sent an instant jolt of worry through my chest.

we had no working machine so that part made sense but it was the timing that got under my skin night-time seemed darker than usual and that flickering porch light didn't help still she didn't leave room for debate i was a big kid a solid two hundred and eighty pounds Yet the thought of strolling through those gloomy streets by myself sent an instant jolt of worry through my chest.

I'd grown used to feeling on edge. Sometimes my hands would shake when no one was looking, and my temples would throb from tension. Even so, I grabbed the oversized laundry bag, zipped up my hoodie, and told myself I'd be fine. But right before I stepped out, I slid a steak knife into my hoodie pocket. I couldn't explain why, but everything in me said I might need protection.

I'd grown used to feeling on edge. Sometimes my hands would shake when no one was looking, and my temples would throb from tension. Even so, I grabbed the oversized laundry bag, zipped up my hoodie, and told myself I'd be fine. But right before I stepped out, I slid a steak knife into my hoodie pocket. I couldn't explain why, but everything in me said I might need protection.

Once outside, the cool air pressed in on me. The street was unusually silent. Not a single car humming by, no porch gatherings, not even a bark from the usual stray dogs. The sidewalk felt strange under my worn sneakers. Every step seemed too loud. With each block, I adjusted my grip on the laundry bag, trying to keep it from dragging. And every time I paused, I picked up this faint tapping noise.

Once outside, the cool air pressed in on me. The street was unusually silent. Not a single car humming by, no porch gatherings, not even a bark from the usual stray dogs. The sidewalk felt strange under my worn sneakers. Every step seemed too loud. With each block, I adjusted my grip on the laundry bag, trying to keep it from dragging. And every time I paused, I picked up this faint tapping noise.

At first, I thought it was a trick of my imagination. Metal hitting something, like a coin flicked against concrete. I shook off the weirdness and forced myself to keep walking. My uncle's place was about six blocks away. Rather than trudge down the main street, I veered into a side alley, hoping to shave off time. Dim security lights flickered on and off, casting jagged shadows.

At first, I thought it was a trick of my imagination. Metal hitting something, like a coin flicked against concrete. I shook off the weirdness and forced myself to keep walking. My uncle's place was about six blocks away. Rather than trudge down the main street, I veered into a side alley, hoping to shave off time. Dim security lights flickered on and off, casting jagged shadows.

I couldn't get over the idea someone, or something, was studying me from behind a fence or a dumpster. But I hadn't seen another soul, so it had to be my own mind playing games. When I finally turned onto my uncle's block, I exhaled in relief. His house was a little beat up, but his porch light was nice and bright.

I couldn't get over the idea someone, or something, was studying me from behind a fence or a dumpster. But I hadn't seen another soul, so it had to be my own mind playing games. When I finally turned onto my uncle's block, I exhaled in relief. His house was a little beat up, but his porch light was nice and bright.

He opened the door with a snort that told me he already suspected my mother's reason for sending me. I handed off the laundry bag, and he offered to let me stay for a bit. But of course, that's when the phone rang. My mother, irritated and yelling that I needed to head right back. My uncle tried to argue, but she wasn't having it. I shrugged and said I'd handle it.

He opened the door with a snort that told me he already suspected my mother's reason for sending me. I handed off the laundry bag, and he offered to let me stay for a bit. But of course, that's when the phone rang. My mother, irritated and yelling that I needed to head right back. My uncle tried to argue, but she wasn't having it. I shrugged and said I'd handle it.

Honestly, I just wanted to get out of that conversation. the walk back felt darker clouds had rolled in blotting out any hint of moon or stars the street lights along my route were spaced too far apart leaving long stretches of near blackness in between that's when i heard the tapping again closer more deliberate

Honestly, I just wanted to get out of that conversation. the walk back felt darker clouds had rolled in blotting out any hint of moon or stars the street lights along my route were spaced too far apart leaving long stretches of near blackness in between that's when i heard the tapping again closer more deliberate

my pulse hammered so hard i worried i might tip over trying to keep calm i picked up my pace i told myself it was nothing maybe a loose gutter dripping somewhere then i spotted movement up ahead a tall gaunt figure stood partially behind a battered chain-link fence motionless except for the tilt of its head

my pulse hammered so hard i worried i might tip over trying to keep calm i picked up my pace i told myself it was nothing maybe a loose gutter dripping somewhere then i spotted movement up ahead a tall gaunt figure stood partially behind a battered chain-link fence motionless except for the tilt of its head

my mind churned trying to peg it as a person or maybe a dog on hind legs but it was too tall too narrow in the torso and had a glossy almost sickly sheen to its skin under the weak light my fingers automatically curled around the hidden knife in my pocket

my mind churned trying to peg it as a person or maybe a dog on hind legs but it was too tall too narrow in the torso and had a glossy almost sickly sheen to its skin under the weak light my fingers automatically curled around the hidden knife in my pocket

When the figure slunk forward, I realized its limbs bent in an unsettling way, almost like it was used to walking on all fours, but could stand upright if it wanted. A wave of dread shot through me. I tore my eyes away long enough to sidestep onto a side street, ditching the main road entirely. The thing rustled against the fence as it shifted, making that tapping noise again.

When the figure slunk forward, I realized its limbs bent in an unsettling way, almost like it was used to walking on all fours, but could stand upright if it wanted. A wave of dread shot through me. I tore my eyes away long enough to sidestep onto a side street, ditching the main road entirely. The thing rustled against the fence as it shifted, making that tapping noise again.