Creepy - What Lurks in Nightfall Forest

Episode Date: December 16, 2019

A warning before you go camping...***Written by Tara A Devlin and guest narrated by Molly Lankford***Check out Depth of Darkness at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/depth-of-darkness/id1460047833***Check out our reward tiers at patreon.com/creepypod***You can also subscribe to us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/creepypod***Produced by Steve Blizin***Title music by Alex Aldea***Intro/Outro Narration by Joe Stofko Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Creepy Presents What Lerks in Nightfall? Forest, written by Tara A. Devlin, with guest narration, by Molly Lankford. People will warn you about the dangers of nature when you go camping. But that's not what you should be afraid of. Not exactly. I went camping with my girlfriend in a place called Nightfall Forest. As you might expect from the name, it was a dark foreboding place, with areas where the trees

grew so thick that very little sunlight got through their old. overgrown branches. Lacey, my girlfriend and biologist in training, wanted to study the ecosystem of a particular area of the forest known for its unique fungi and bacteria. It was a lot of science words to me. Put a break from work zone to great, so I agreed to take along. She moved out to set up her instruments as I set up camp not too far from the river. It was cool. A gentle breeze blowing over the camp as I hammered the last nail into the soil below. I had to admit it was nice. Nobody's screaming at me about deadlines.

No phones ringing every few minutes to complain about a product I had no part in making. No cars honking at traffic or neighbors yelling loudly over the noise of their TVs. Nothing but the sound of the wind through the trees. The trickle of water over rocks. And a few birds that I couldn't quite pinpoint the dense foliage above. What are you smiling at? Lacey walked over and sat down beside me on a half-rotted log. It creaked under our combined weight.

I was smiling? You were. Just enjoying the quiet and solitude, I guess. It really is nice out here, isn't it? She grabbed my hand and kissed the knuckles. Don't worry. You can get back to your keyboard tapping and smog-infested city in just a few short days. That night, we cooked a fish Lacey caught over the fire she built,

and struck me how little I knew of surviving in the way. wilderness. I was a city boy born and bred. This was foreign land to me. We made love for the first time under the stars. What little of them shone through the trees above us. And then retired to the tent. I was beat. It was around 2 a.m. when a sound outside woke me up. Dry leaves crackled and branches snapped. I looked over and Lacey was gone. And for a brief moment I panicked. Something took her. A wild animal came in who was dragging her away right this very second. A crazy old hermit was living in the woods, and he abducted her as penance for trespassing on his land.

Endless scenarios ran through my mind as a shadow appeared in front of the tent. This is it, I thought. This is where the crazy hermit comes to murder me and rip out my liver for tomorrow's breakfast. The zipper began to rise slowly. Each metal tooth that ran over-reverberated through the tent Throughout my soul Inch by inch it rose Getting stuck on something halfway

It was too dark to see I fumbled around for something Anything I could use to defend myself It was my pillow All the tools were outside Yet I was The zipper broke free of its snagued and rose again Edging closer and closer to my impending doom

I grabbed the pillow and swallowed. At the very least, I could confuse the intruder and escape into the forest. If it was too dark for me to see, then when it was too dark for them to see as well. I braced myself. You scared me. That's my line. What the hell are you doing? I had to pee.

Did you have to pull the zip on the tent like a serial killer? I didn't want to wake you. Too late. I'm awake. Fuck me. I thought I was about to lose my liver. Your liver? What?

Lacey got into her sleeping bag and fluffed up her pillow. Never mind. Well, now that I'm awake, I'm going to go pee too. Have fun. I made my way out into the darkness. Crickets chirped and the trickle of water over rocks continued on abated. It was both unnerving and soothing at the same time. I finished my business and as I turned to return to the tent I froze.

I wasn't alone. This wasn't Lacey trying to sneak her way back into the tent without. waking me. This was someone standing in the trees, just a few meters away. It was too dark to see anything but a vague outline, but there was no mistaking it. There was a person right there. I could pick up a rock and hit them with it. Did they see me? I couldn't tell which direction the person was facing. They were just standing there, like a statue. I stood still, waiting to see if the figure would make a move. I was sure I could hear the beating of my heart

in my chest. Why wasn't it moving? There was a cry in the distance. We both turned towards the sound, and the figure turned to look at me. Its eyes glinting in the darkness before I took off running. I scrambled for the tent and yanked the zipper down as hard

as I could, forcing this got stuck several times. Lacey asked, rubbing her eyes. I put a shaking finger to my lips and crawled into my sleeping bay. We waited listening. There was another cry. Fainter at this time. And then silence.

The thing was gone. There was someone out there. I whispered, unable to hide the fear in my voice. Lacey sat up. What do you mean someone out there? Who? I shook my head. There was a cry, a scream, something.

And then they took off. I doubt the part about the eyes. No need to worry her and make her think I was insane. I was a city boy. She would put it down to my unfamiliarity with the woods and not take me seriously. Camping Virgin or not. The thing I saw? It wasn't human.

Morning came without a wink of sleep and Lacey went off to check her instruments. Don't you want some breakfast? I called out. I'll eat later. The forest was cold, unwelcoming, like eyes were watching me from every corner. I stood up, thinking to join Lacey as she did her rounds. But then it dawned on me that I had no idea where she was. I was setting up camp when she put out her stuff.

I was alone. I made my way over the trees where I saw the figure the night before. There were footprints in the mud, leading in the same direction the figure. you ran off. I didn't imagine it. I followed them for a few meters before they disappeared. It wasn't that the mud ended. The footprints just stopped.

I needed to think of an excuse before Lacey got back so we could get out of here. She could call me a chicken all she wanted. At least that would be an alive chicken. But as the morning went on, there was no sign of her. I tried my hand at fishing, but all about was frustration and even more time to think. I tried to set up booby traps around the camp, but I was no Boy Scout. I didn't know the first thing about setting up a snare. Mud squelched under my feet, and twigs snapped.

How on earth did someone get so close to our camp without us hearing them? I couldn't take two steps without alerting half the forest. Several hours passed with no sign of Lacey. I bit my nails and wore a path in the grass beside our tent. Our phones were off and unable to receive reception out here regardless. I knew the way back to the car, but that was it. If I went looking for Lacey, chances were I'd get lost myself. I'd be in even more trouble.

But then a scream drew me from my thoughts. Lacey? I took off running. Getting lost didn't matter if Lacey ended up dead or injured instead. I pushed my way through the trees, branches scraping in my arms and face. There was another scream to my left. I turned sliding in the mud before picking up speed again. The thing I saw outside the tent.

It had her. It was all I could think. I slipped and fell several times covering myself in mud. And then I heard a third scream. This time to my right, I was playing with me. I fell to my knees exhausted. I had no idea where I was, no idea how to get back, no idea where Lacey was or even if she was okay, lured me out here, away from the camp, and now it could do as it pleased with Lacey.

It was all I could think of, rational or otherwise. Lacey. I had to save Lacey. I stood up and ran in the direction I came from, at least the direction I thought I came from. Panic was settling in, and the forest looked the same, no matter of the way. how far I ran. I could have been running in circles for all I knew. Maybe I was.

My heart jumped in my throat. Footprints. If I followed them back, I could reach the campsite. I didn't miss a beat as I'd left over rocks and branches. It would have been beautiful if I wasn't scared shitless. Then something moved in front of me, and I was on my back in the wood. Lacey? What are you doing?

I extracted myself from the muck and grabbed her by the shoulders. That's my line. Are you okay? I heard screams. Her brow furrowed. I didn't hear anything. Are you sure you're okay?

My head pounded. My chest ached. My brain was clouded with fear and confusion. You didn't hear those screams just before? They were loud enough I heard him from camp. I thought it was you. At that she smiled. Aw, you're so sweet.

But I was just checking my instruments. I didn't hear anything at all. Really? She nodded. You're probably just tired. You didn't get much sleep last night after all. Maybe. A sleepless night wasn't new to me,

but it didn't explain why I heard someone screaming when she didn't. Come on, let's go back to camp. I'll whip up a lunch special of canned beans and filtered river water. I attempted a smile that never. quite reached my lips and followed her back. The forest was quiet. Too quiet. My nerves refused to settle down.

We ate lunch in silence. My muddy clothes hung from the tent, and all I could think was that I didn't want to be out here any longer. Camping wasn't for me. We were supposed to stay a few more days, but I wasn't sure if I could make it through the next night. Lacey? Yeah? She asked, stuffing her face with beans like she'd never eaten a meal before in her life. I want to get out of here.

You want to go for a walk or something? No. Out of here. Entirely. I want to go home. She's snickered. Now you're just being silly. We just got here and I haven't finished my recordings.

I felt bad, but I couldn't do it. Please. She looked at me. You're serious? I am. She considered it and then sighed. Is this about the screams? I shook my head.

It's not just that. I know you didn't see them, but I saw someone last night, right there by the trees. I don't like this place. It's dangerous. Who's to say that tonight they won't return and murder us for real?

I know you wanted to do some research, but the research isn't going to do us any good if we're both dead. I don't like this place. I just don't. I want to go home. Please. She finished her plate of beans and set it down on the log beside her. You owe me, you know.

Big time. I couldn't hide the smile from my face. Anything at all. You name it. Yeah, well, first I have to go and get all my gear, I suppose. One day's worth of results is better than nothing. And you, sir. get to break the tent down and put everything away.

Not a problem. It'll be done before you know it. My spirit's lifted. No doubt she'd give me shit the entire way home, but I could deal with that. Because we would be alive and we would be safe. That was all that mattered. I gathered up our gear in record time and was waiting when Lacey returned. We loaded up.

I said an internal, Fuck you. Hope to never see you again. To the forest, and we went on our way. Did you manage to get anything from your tests? I tried to make conversation as we walked, so I wouldn't have to think about how creepy the forest was. The sun was setting and it would be dark soon.

I hated winter. Early nights sucked. Not very much, no. But it's fine. I can come out here some other time by myself. I scratched my nose and avoided looking at her. This was the right thing to do. I wasn't imagining things.

I wasn't. I'm sorry. I know you were looking forward to this trip. Look, if you're going to mope the whole way home, just stop that shit right now. I agreed to go back with you, didn't I? She did, yes. Now stop fussing over it. Sorry.

We walked in silence. The closer we got to the car, the more the forest sprang to life. Birds sang, insects chirped, and various creatures. She was scuttled around the forest floor. This sounded several large animals stomping through the brush caught my attention, but I couldn't find them. As long as we didn't get in their way, we'd be fine. The sun disappeared beneath the horizon, but the car was in sight.

Just a few more meters than we'd... John! Lacey, a few steps ahead of me, stopped dead in her tracks. She turned to look at me in the gloom of dusk. Her expression unreadable. Lacey's voice called out my name. Only Lacey, standing in front of me, wasn't the one who called it. It came from the trees to our right.

What the fuck? We need to go now. Lacey said. She didn't wait for an answer and picked up the pace towards a car. Josh, wait. Something came running out of the trees. It was Lacey. What the fuck?

Lacey, the original Lacey turned around. There were two of them, looking right at me. What the fuck? Lacey. The other Lacey was dishevelled and covered in mud. I took a step back as she ran towards me. Josh, it's me. My eyes flickered back and forth.

forth between the two of them, my back pressed into a tree. I went out to pee last night and something grabbed me. That thing isn't me. I didn't know what to believe. Other than the mud and messy hair, they were the mere image of each other. The non-messy Lacey looked at me. Her eyes wide. I don't know what that thing is.

But I can tell you that when I went out to pee last night, I most certainly wasn't grabbed. And yes, I agree. We really should get out of here now. The messy lacy turned and jumped before I could see a word. Two lacy's fell in the mud, scratchy and punching and kicking. I ran over and grabbed the nearest one and pulled her off. There was a growl deep in the forest. I swallowed.

That wasn't a deer. There was no time for this. It was getting darker and colder by the second. I turned to the lacy on my right. What did I get for my fifth birthday? A red matchbox car. She said without hesitation. I turned to the Lacey on my left, pushing herself out of the mud.

What did I want but not get for my birthday last year? A rainbow cake but buttercream frosting. She sat flicking the mud off the front of her pants. Both were correct. The red matchbox car was a pride in my childhood and still sat on my dresser at home. Only Lacey knew. about the cake I wanted last year, but due to a mistake at the bakery, he never got. This was insane.

I don't know what the fuck is going on here. But I can't be the only one who heard that growl just now. Lacey, both Lacey's looked at me. A second later, it was on us. A featureless man, like something molded out of clay ran for Lacey. Its eyes glinted in the darkness, and it barreled into her at full speed, sending them tumble into the ground. I screamed barely had time to escape my lips before it was all over.

The clay man ripped out her throat. The other one beside me screamed. The yellow eyes turned toward her, then looked at me. A mistake was made. There weren't supposed to be two lacy's. Something fucked up the process. The clay man grabbed my wrist and began to change before me. I grew taller, matching my height.

The watch on my arm began to form on his. The bear chest morphed into my shirt and jacket, its blank face, clouded my vision. It was on everything, every crease and crevice in my body. I extracted my limbs and swung for the thing with my face. It grunted and grabbed my hair, pulling me back down. Grounded as it adjusted to bear its full weight down on me, I lifted my might, sending the other me tumbling to the ground. I grabbed Lacey's hand and ran blindly for the car.

Get back here! The man yelled with my voice. I ran as fast as I could, no turning back. Hey, don't leave me here! The car was just dead. Lacey was dead. This, my Lacey. There's no time to think about it.

I press a button on the keys, relief flooding through me as I heard the familiar beep signifying the car was unlocked. I ran for the driver's side while Lacey ran for the other. Our things could be replaced. Our lives could not. I saw myself running for the car as I put the key in the ignition. Even more frightening than seeing Lacey in front of me was seeing myself. It was a perfect...

It even ran with heavy feet just like I'd had. The engine roared to life as the no longer a clay version of myself jumped down the front of the car. Lacey had her head and her hands crying. I threw the car in reverse and watched as I went flying into the parking lot. I sped off. Visions of myself were running like a crazed terminator with a limp in the rearview mirror burning into my mind. Lacey said nothing as we drove the empty roads home.

We both watched her, or at least another version of her, die before our very eyes. But which Lacey was it? Did she even know herself? And now there's another version of her. me running around somewhere out there too. Both Lacey's truly believed they were the original. It keeps me up at night sometimes, wondering. I've never seen anything to doubt that the Lacey's sleeping beside me isn't the one I first met

when we were 17 years old and stupid kids with too much time on our hands. But I could see it in their eyes when they argued. They both believed that they were the one and only true Lacey. They both had the same memory. the same features, the same scars, the same feelings and emotions. Somewhere out there is another version of me. Did he return to the woods, lost and confused? Or is he figuring out his next move,

waiting for the right moment to get rid of the imposter inhabiting his house, sleeping in his bed, making love to his girlfriend. Sometimes I wonder though, in the quiet of the night when the world is asleep am I really me if we both have the same memories if we both believe ourselves

to be the one and only true version how do I know that I'm the original even if he does come to kill me and take my place how will I ever know that worries me the most for more information including pictures and videos of the start

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