Samantha (Corrections Officer)

Nails on metal, maybe. Without warning, the shape vaulted over the fence, landing a few yards away from me. That was all it took. I started running, lugging the laundry bag, my legs protesting with every ragged step. The bag kept swinging, nearly tripping me. The tapping turned into scraping, like claws skidding over pavement.

Nails on metal, maybe. Without warning, the shape vaulted over the fence, landing a few yards away from me. That was all it took. I started running, lugging the laundry bag, my legs protesting with every ragged step. The bag kept swinging, nearly tripping me. The tapping turned into scraping, like claws skidding over pavement.

I dared a quick glance behind me and glimpsed something bounding along the asphalt, arms and legs working in sync, eyes reflecting a strange red glimmer.

I dared a quick glance behind me and glimpsed something bounding along the asphalt, arms and legs working in sync, eyes reflecting a strange red glimmer.

i veered off into a yard ignoring the no trespassing signs the yard was a mess of weeds and stray junk my foot slammed into a half-buried cinder block and i tumbled hard knees and hands scraping raw with shaking limbs i tried to scramble to my feet but a cold presence was already looming over me The stench rolling off it was overwhelming, like a mix of stagnant water and decaying leaves.

i veered off into a yard ignoring the no trespassing signs the yard was a mess of weeds and stray junk my foot slammed into a half-buried cinder block and i tumbled hard knees and hands scraping raw with shaking limbs i tried to scramble to my feet but a cold presence was already looming over me The stench rolling off it was overwhelming, like a mix of stagnant water and decaying leaves.

I lifted my gaze. It was on all fours now, saliva trailing from a mouth full of jagged teeth. Without thinking, I yanked out the steak knife and swiped upward. The blade connected with something solid, and the creature emitted a noise that was part hiss, part roar. I managed to twist away as it smacked my wrist, nearly causing me to lose my grip on the knife.

I lifted my gaze. It was on all fours now, saliva trailing from a mouth full of jagged teeth. Without thinking, I yanked out the steak knife and swiped upward. The blade connected with something solid, and the creature emitted a noise that was part hiss, part roar. I managed to twist away as it smacked my wrist, nearly causing me to lose my grip on the knife.

a split second later headlights from a passing pickup burst across the yard the bright beams revealed everything its eyes shining like embers the papery looking skin stretched over lean muscles and scars criss-crossing its sides it staggered back then let out a guttural sound that nearly cracked my resolve in half

a split second later headlights from a passing pickup burst across the yard the bright beams revealed everything its eyes shining like embers the papery looking skin stretched over lean muscles and scars criss-crossing its sides it staggered back then let out a guttural sound that nearly cracked my resolve in half

but just as the truck moved on it bolted into the shadows leaving me sprawled on the cold ground unable to even gasp properly i don't recall much after that other than waking up in a cramped clinic room with stitched cuts along my forearm and bruises dotting my legs my uncle stood there relief plain on his face he demanded an explanation but i muttered something about a stray dog

but just as the truck moved on it bolted into the shadows leaving me sprawled on the cold ground unable to even gasp properly i don't recall much after that other than waking up in a cramped clinic room with stitched cuts along my forearm and bruises dotting my legs my uncle stood there relief plain on his face he demanded an explanation but i muttered something about a stray dog

I couldn't bring myself to say what I'd really seen. Part of me wanted to believe it was just my anxiety-twisting reality. But deep down, I knew. That thing was out there. Somewhere. And I doubted that single knife strike would make it forget me anytime soon. It's been 13 years since that night in Riverton. I'm 26 now, living in a small one-story house in Meadowview with my grandmother.

I couldn't bring myself to say what I'd really seen. Part of me wanted to believe it was just my anxiety-twisting reality. But deep down, I knew. That thing was out there. Somewhere. And I doubted that single knife strike would make it forget me anytime soon. It's been 13 years since that night in Riverton. I'm 26 now, living in a small one-story house in Meadowview with my grandmother.

Her health's taken a dip these last few years. Heart issues, arthritic knees, and she can't handle day-to-day tasks on her own anymore. Considering she's the only one who ever really took care of me, it feels right to be here for her. Still, the old fear from Riverton has stayed buried in the back of my head, like a bad dream that never quite lets go.

Her health's taken a dip these last few years. Heart issues, arthritic knees, and she can't handle day-to-day tasks on her own anymore. Considering she's the only one who ever really took care of me, it feels right to be here for her. Still, the old fear from Riverton has stayed buried in the back of my head, like a bad dream that never quite lets go.

The first few months after moving in were calm enough. I'd occasionally get jumpy if a branch creaked outside late at night, but I'd learn to shove those nerves aside. My grandmother's presence alone made me feel safer, and Meadowview had a quieter vibe than Riverton ever did. It helped that the house was better kept. No peeling paint, no flickering bulbs.

The first few months after moving in were calm enough. I'd occasionally get jumpy if a branch creaked outside late at night, but I'd learn to shove those nerves aside. My grandmother's presence alone made me feel safer, and Meadowview had a quieter vibe than Riverton ever did. It helped that the house was better kept. No peeling paint, no flickering bulbs.

Everything seemed normal, at least at a glance. But little things started adding up. Early in the morning, I'd find weird scratch marks on the side of the trash bin, like some stray animal had tried to dig through it. Once, I discovered large paw-like prints in the muddy patch by the driveway. bigger than any dog I've ever seen.

Everything seemed normal, at least at a glance. But little things started adding up. Early in the morning, I'd find weird scratch marks on the side of the trash bin, like some stray animal had tried to dig through it. Once, I discovered large paw-like prints in the muddy patch by the driveway. bigger than any dog I've ever seen.