Just Creepy: Scary Stories - 5 Terrifying Forest Horror Stories For A Rainy Night

Episode Date: September 25, 2024

These are ⁠5 Terrifying Forest Horror Stories⁠ Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/its_just_creepy⁠ Story Credits: ►Sent in to ⁠https://www.justcreepy.net/⁠ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:00:18 Story 1 00:09:58 Story 2 00:23:10 Story 3 00:37:01 Story 4 00:50:39 Story 5 Music by: ► Myuu's channel http://bit.ly/1k1g4ey ►CO.AG Music http://bit.ly/2f9WQpe Business inquiries: ►[e-mail] #scarystories #horrorstories #forest #deepwoods #scarystoriespodcast 💀⁠As always, thanks for watching! ⁠💀

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Like skin health, metabolism, or even stress response. Find your precise probiotic at a Walmart near you. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This is a true story that happened to my friend and me in Cold Creek, Nevada. Her family has a cabin out there, about 30 miles from Las Vegas where we both live. We planned to spend the night during the full moon because my friend wanted to do a spell for her cousin. If you know anything witchy, you'll know doing spells for other people is generally not a good idea.

We knew that, but I was down to help her out, and besides, I was excited to get out of the city for a bit. Crystal warned me ahead of time that the cabin didn't currently have power or a cell signal. So living at home, I told my parents they might not hear from me, and that I'd be back by the next afternoon. I also packed extra blankets and sweaters since no power meant no heat, and Nevada nights in autumn can get cold. We headed out around 5 p.m. that Friday, and started the drive to Cold Creek. On the way, we grabbed some coffee and left the city lights behind as we hit the dark, empty highway. About halfway through the drive, Crystal pointed out the prison we passed along the way. It's creepy, but whether it's relevant to what happened later depends on what you believe.

The stars were out, and the road looked almost too bright under the full moon. We drove for another 40 minutes past the prison before turning onto the dirt road that led to the cabin. After a drive full of 21 pilots and Broadway musicals, we finally pulled up. The first thing that stood out was the big thing. fence surrounding the property. Crystal hopped out with the car lights still on and opened the gate so we could drive in. I noticed right away that there weren't really any neighbors nearby. The closest house seemed far enough away that if we screamed, no one would hear us. Or if they did, they probably wouldn't know where it came from. But of

course, I wasn't as concerned about that as I probably should have been. Once Crystal parked the car on the dirt path, she went to lock the gate while I started unloading our stuff. It was quiet, with only the sounds of critters and the faint trickle of a nearby stream. We left the car lights on because without them, it would have been pitch black. After locking the gate, Crystal grabbed a flashlight from the car, turned off the lights, and we carried our things inside the cabin. The cabin was cozy. As soon as you walked in, there were stairs leading up to the main floor. It had a tiny balcony overlooking the fire pit, some cute pictures on the walls, one bed, one couch, and a lot of candles. We dropped our stuff on the couch,

and Crystal grabbed the items she needed for the spell. It was a love spell for her cousin, who was going through a rough patch in her relationship. The plan was to say a few words under the full moon, put a picture of her cousin and her boyfriend in a jar of honey, and seal it with a candle. Her cousin would then put the jar under their bed to help strengthen the relationship. Spoiler alert. It didn't work. She's now happily with a different man, and they have a baby together. With Crystal holding her spell supplies and me with the flashlight, we went back outside. She got to work on the fire. Luckily, her family had left plenty of firewood next to the pit, so we didn't need to look for more. While she lit the fire, I wandered around a bit and left the

flashlight by her feet. The fire pit was about 15 feet from the front door of the cabin, and about seven feet away from the pit was a little stream surrounded by bushes. There was a small wooden board over the stream, probably for safety, but I didn't feel like crossing it. The bushes blocked the firelight, and I didn't want to go back for the flashlight. Plus, there was just a strange feeling past that stream. I couldn't see any other lights near us, and the stars were bright. It felt like a really nice evening.

Crystal beckoned me over to the fire to sit and chat for a bit before we were ready to do the spell. We joked around about past relationships. I accidentally melted my shoes on the side of the fire pit trying to warm my toes, and we sat for an hour or so just talking about nothing important. Finally, the full moon was at its peak, and we were ready to get started on the spell. I don't remember exactly how the verbiage for the spell went that crystal used, but right when she got the candle wax melting on the top of the jar, it went quiet. I didn't hear any critters, owls, or even wind. It was dead silent. Suddenly, we heard a dog whimpering, a faint, pitiful sound, like a puppy crying for help from the bushes near the stream

to my left. Crystal and I both stood up fast, eyes locked on the bush. My heart started racing. There was no rustling, no movement. The crying just echoed out of the darkness. We listened, frozen for maybe ten seconds and then, out of nowhere, there was the unmistakable sound of something sprinting at us from behind. The footsteps were heavy, fast. Without looking, we both bolted for the front door of the cabin, Crystal a foot or two ahead of me. I could hear the footsteps right behind me, pounding into the dirt, closer and closer. Whatever it was, it was breathing, hard and ragged, like it was going to grab me at any second. Yanked open the door, and as soon as I flew through, she slammed it shut. Then,

Wham! Something hit the door, full force. We scrambled to lock the deadbolt and ran upstairs, panic blurring my thoughts. We were lighting candles, grabbing flashlights, and looking out the windows. But all I could think was, what the hell was that? I wanted to scream at Crystal to ask if she saw anything, but I was too scared to make a sound. I kept picturing that thing outside. listening. We crept onto the tiny balcony, armed with a hammer and a whole lot of fear. Crap, the fire is still going, Crystal said, her voice low and tense. I just stared at her. When was there time to put it out? Do you see anything? We both leaned over the edges of the balcony, scanning the darkness. Nothing moved. No shadows,

no figures creeping in the trees. But the silence, oh God, the silence, it was still. still there. No critters, no night sounds, nothing but the quiet murmur of the stream, and definitely no dog whimpering. We hurried back inside locking the balcony door behind us. We started talking over each other, too freaked out to make sense of anything. Did you see it? That wasn't a dog. It sounded like it had two feet. Where did it come from? Neither of us saw anything, but we both heard it. and whatever it was, it slammed into that door. Crystal took a deep breath and finally said, We need to put out the fire.

I am not burning down this entire area just because something is trying to scare us. That's how people die in horror movies, I muttered. She ignored me, pointing to the bucket by the fire. We just need to run out there, grab the bucket, scoop up water from the stream, pour it on the fire, and run back. I really didn't want to, but Crystal was ready to go alone, and that seemed worse somehow.

So armed with my trusty hammer, we crept outside every step a little too loud in the eerie stillness. Crystal grabbed the bucket, scooped water from the stream, dumped it on the fire, and we both ran back to the cabin. This time, nothing followed us. We locked the door again and sat upstairs, keeping an eye out for any sound, any movement. I even tried calling 911, hoping satellite would work, but the call failed. Crystal tried texting her aunt. Nothing went through. We couldn't get out, and we couldn't get anyone in.

Eventually we heard a sound, a clang, metal hitting metal. What could be metal on the house? I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Crystal thought for a second, the power box. Clang, clang, clang, clang. We were paralyzed for a moment before Crystal remembered the window by the bed opened upward. She crawled over, tried to open it silently, which of course it wasn't, and we both listened. Silence, no footsteps, no breathing, just that cold, empty quiet.

We sat there for what felt like hours, just listening. Eventually, I started hearing animals again, the soft rustling of night critters, the breeze in the trees. The adrenaline wore off, and I began to drift off. Crystal kept waking me up, but by 3.40 a.m., we were both too exhausted to stay alert. We fell asleep until the sun came up. As soon as it was bright enough to see, we packed up. Crystal loaded the car, and I walked around the property. I checked the bushes where we heard the dog.

No sign of anything, not even a paw print. I went to the power box, saw the rocks had been moved, and found a wrench sitting on a pile of wood. No damage to the box, though. Then I saw them. Two shoe prints on the other side of the fence, right where someone could have watched us through the window by the bed. I told Crystal what I found, and we drove out of there. I'm not sure what we experienced that night, whether it be a skinwalker, demon, or just an escaped convict. But whatever it was, I'm glad it is in the past.

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The thud echoed in the quiet evening, the only sound besides the occasional breeze rustling through the trees. It was strange being alone in the house. My kids were spending the weekend with their dad, and the silence was a little unnerving. The house was too big, too empty, without them. My backyard stretched to the edge of a steep drop-off, where thick forest covered the slope leading down. The air was still, but every once in a while I felt like something was watching me from the woods. I had always heard rumors about this place, how the development was built on an ancient burial ground. I didn't believe in any of that, but being alone like this, my mind started wandering.

I kicked the ball one more time and watched it bounce off the fence. The sun was sinking lower, painting the sky and soft oranges and pinks. I needed to do something to keep busy, so I went inside to. clean. I started in the kitchen, wiping down the counters and picking up stray papers and old takeout containers. The sound of the mop swishing on the floor was oddly comforting. The steady rhythm of cleaning took my mind off the silence that pressed in from every corner of the house. After a while the floors were gleaming and I was sweating, so I decided to reward myself with a swim. The pool water was cool against my skin as I floated on a tube, sipping a can of soda.

I watched the last bit of daylight disappear, leaving the sky a deep cyan blue. Fireflies began to blink in the bushes around the yard, little flashes of light like tiny cameras snapping photos in the dark. I was just starting to relax when something strange happened. A small rock landed in the yard, splashing into the pool. I sat up, startled. Another rock followed, hitting the edge of the water. I looked around, expecting to see the neighbor boys goofing. off, but the rocks were coming from behind the fence, and the slope back there was too steep for

anyone to stand on. My heart started to race. I told myself it was nothing, probably just some loose gravel falling from the hillside, but I couldn't shake the weird feeling creeping over me. As the sun finally set, the pool lights came on, casting a soft blue glow, but the air around me felt different now, heavier, colder. Then I smelled it. The foul sun. stench hit me out of nowhere. It was so strong it made my stomach turn. It was like the smell of something dead, something rotting. The wind picked up and I could hear birds suddenly taking off from the trees, as if they were fleeing from something. That was enough for me. I scrambled out of the pool, grabbed my towel and hurried inside, my heart pounding. I locked the sliding door

behind me, feeling foolish for letting my imagination get the best of me. But no matter how hard I tried, couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that something wasn't right. Something was out there. Later that night, I was still trying to shake the feeling that something strange had happened by the pool. The kids weren't home, and I was alone, but I wasn't really alone. There was something off, and I couldn't figure out what. I needed a distraction, so I decided to play some video games.

I curled up on the couch, pulled a soft blanket over me, and fired up my PlayStation. It was just what I needed. I got lost in the game, shooting enemies, laughing with friends over the headset, trying to forget how uneasy I'd felt outside. Then, I heard it. Mommy! It was faint, but clear.

A small voice calling for me, like my daughter when she was scared in the middle of the night. My heart jumped into my throat. I paused the game and pulled off my headset, listening. Nothing. I shook my head, laughing at myself. You're hearing things, Evelyn, I muttered. My kids were at their dad's house.

There was no way they could be here. Still, I couldn't shake the chill that ran down my spine. I brushed it off and went back to my game. Minutes passed, and just when I had started to relax again, I heard it louder this time. Mommy! It was definitely my daughter's voice. I dropped the controller and stood up, my heart pounding.

Lily! I called out, turning toward the hallway. Lily, is that you? No answer. I grabbed my phone from the coffee table, my hands trembling slightly. Maybe they had come back early. Maybe my ex had dropped them off while I was too distracted with my game. I quickly unlocked my phone, but there was no missed call or message. Then a notification popped up, a video message from Lily. I opened it, and there she was, skating with her brother at the roller rink, laughing, happy, nowhere near the house. I felt a cold knot form in my stomach as I stared at the screen.

My daughter wasn't here. She was miles away, but someone, or something, had called my name in her voice. I whispered to myself, this isn't real, this is just my mind playing tricks on me. But the room suddenly felt darker, heavier. I could feel my pulse thumping in my ears, and I stood there frozen, listening. The silence pressed in, thick and suffocating. Trying to calm myself down, I told myself it had to be some weird glitch, maybe even in the game. I was just stressed from being alone for so long.

I took a deep breath and sat back down, putting the headset on again. But I couldn't focus. My eyes kept darting toward the dark hallway, waiting for something to move, for some shadow to shift. I tried to ignore it, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I could feel eyes on me, though I couldn't see anything. I wasn't alone in this house anymore. Something else was here. I could feel it watching, waiting.

But what did it want? I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. I kept telling myself it was nothing. But deep down, I knew it was more than just my imagination. I tried to distract myself again, this time with some snacks. Mozilla sticks and jalapeno poppers fresh out of the air friar sounded like just the thing to calm my nerves. the kitchen felt safe lit by the soft glow of the overhead light i grabbed a plate and reached for the wine-bottle i had opened earlier as i poured myself a glass i heard it a knock at the front door

It was soft at first, just a light tapping, but in the stillness of the house, it felt loud, like it was coming from just behind me. I froze, the glass of wine still in my hand. Who would be knocking at this hour? The house was far from the road, and I didn't know anyone in the neighborhood well enough for them to drop by unannounced. My stomach tightened with dread, but I tried to stay calm. Another knock, this time louder, more urgent. I set the glass down and tiptoed toward the door, grabbing the baseball bat I kept near the entrance.

I peered through the peephole. No one was there. I felt my heart race as I hesitated, the silence thickening around me. Help me, please! A man's voice cried out from the other side of the door. It was shaky, desperate. My grip on the bat tightened as I considered opening it. The voice sounded like my neighbor, Mr. Miller, but that didn't make sense.

sense. He and his family had moved away months ago. The knocking grew louder, almost angry now. Please, I need help. My pulse quickened. There was no way it was Mr. Miller. It couldn't be. My mind raced with possibilities, an intruder, a prank, or something worse. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves. I had to do something. Slowly, I unlocked the door, bat raised just in case. With a deep breath, I flung it open, ready to defend myself. Nothing. The yard was empty, the street silent, not a single person in sight, just the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze.

I stepped out onto the porch, looking around, but the only movement was a couple of possums darting across the lawn. I slammed the door shut, locking it again. My heart was racing, and my breath came in quick, shallow gasps. What was happening? Was I losing my mind? I backed away from the door, feeling a chill crawl up my spine. The air in the house seemed colder now, heavier.

My mind kept racing back to the voice, how familiar it had sounded, how real. Then I heard it again, this time from behind me. Please help me. I spun around, bat still in hand, but there was no one there. My body trembled with fear as I scanned the empty living room. My throat tightened as I realized the voice wasn't. coming from outside anymore. It was inside the house. The voice was inside. My whole body froze. I stood in the living room, gripping the baseball bat so tightly my knuckles turned white.

The silence after the voice echoed through the house felt suffocating, like the walls were closing in on me. My mind raced, trying to make sense of it. How could anyone have gotten inside? I backed away slowly, my eyes darting around the room. Every shadow seemed dark. every corner hiding something I couldn't see. The air was thick with dread and my breath came in short, sharp gasps. I had to get out, but I couldn't move. A faint tapping sound came from the kitchen. It was soft, like fingers drumming on glass. I turned toward the sound, my heart hammering in my chest. Slowly I crept toward the kitchen, each step feeling heavier than the last. The tapping continued, rhythmic and steady. As I read, I recouped toward the kitchen. As I recouped toward the kitchen,

reached the doorway. I saw it. Standing outside the glass patio door was a figure, a tall, dark silhouette with glowing yellow eyes. It stood completely still. Its gaze locked on me. I couldn't make out its features, but those eyes, they were wrong. Too bright, too focused. My stomach twisted in fear. I stumbled backward, dropping the bat. The figure didn't move. It just watched me, unblinking, like it was waiting for something. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to scream, but my voice was stuck in my throat. Suddenly the door creaked open. I hadn't touched it. I hadn't unlocked it. But the door swung open, letting in a rush of cold air that carried the unmistakable smell of rotting meat. I gagged, covering my mouth with my hand, as my mind screamed

at me to run. The figure took a step forward. Without thinking, I bolted up the stairs. I bolted up the my feet pounding against the wooden steps. I could hear something following me, its footsteps heavy and slow, but steady, like it wasn't in a rush, like it knew I had nowhere to go. I slammed the door to my bedroom and locked it, leaning against it as I tried to catch my breath. I grabbed my phone and frantically dialed my daughter, hoping her voice would bring me some comfort. When she answered, her sleepy voice was a brief relief. Hi, Mommy, she said, yawning. What's wrong? I just

I wanted to hear your voice I whispered trying to keep the panic out of my voice I miss you as I spoke to her I heard it again footsteps right outside my door slow deliberate

I clutched the phone my heart pounding in my ears mommy are you okay she asked I'm fine sweetie I'll call you in the morning okay I hung up

my hands and my hands hands shaking. The footsteps stopped, but the silence was even worse. I could feel it, the presence just outside the door. I grabbed the shotgun from my closet, my fingers trembling as I loaded it. Then the doorknob turned. I aimed the gun, waiting for it to open, but the door didn't move. I took a step forward, my breath shaky. Suddenly, the door creaked open a crack, and I saw it, yellow eyes glowing in the darkness. I fired, but the blast hit nothing. but shadows. A cold, bony hand grabbed my shoulder and I spun around, but no one was there. The lights flickered off, and the room was plunged into darkness. In the faint glow from my phone, I saw them,

figures moving through the room, their eyes glowing, their bodies contorted and wrong. I screamed, but my voice was swallowed by the darkness as they closed in. I never should have stayed here alone. Some things work better together, like NARS's soft matte complete concealer and radiant creamy concealer. Soft matte complete concealer erases and blurs imperfections with full coverage. Then, radiant creamy concealer evens and brightens with a luxurious texture and radiant finish. Two concealers, one flawless look. Perfect for a no foundation base.

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what she was thinking. She wanted to rest, and so did I. The house felt warm and safe like nothing could disturb us. Even outside there was hardly any wind. The maizefield stood tall and still under the moonlight, and rusty, our dog, was out there with the cattle. keeping watch. Everything felt peaceful for a moment. I let out a sigh and wrapped my arms around Mira. She leaned into me, resting her head against my chest. We didn't speak. We didn't need to. I closed my eyes, letting the calm of the night wash over me. That's when I heard it, the sound. It was faint, like a quick gust of wind moving through the maze, but it was enough to make me tense up. I opened my eyes and looked out the window.

At first, everything seemed normal. The field stretched out into the distance, bathed in the moon's glow, but something felt wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the peaceful feeling from a few moments ago was gone. My heart started beating a little faster. I scanned the fields again, looking for any sign of movement. And then, just as I was about to turn away, I saw it, a faint shimmer, like a pair of red eyes reflecting the moonlight.

They were small, but they were there, watching. I pulled away from Mira, my throat dry. She gave me a confused look as I stepped closer to the window. What is it? she asked, her voice sleepy. Stay with the kids, I said, my voice barely a whisper. What? Why? She asked, sounding more awake now. There's something out there, I muttered.

still staring at those glowing eyes. Mira looked at me like I was crazy, but then Rusty started barking. It wasn't his normal bark. It was loud, panicked. He was scared, and I could feel my own fear rising inside me. Mira's eyes widened.

Is it? No, I cut her off, knowing she was thinking about her brother Jonah, who had been missing for a month. It's not him. Rusty kept barking, his howls echoing in the still night. The sound sent shivers down my spine.

Something was out there, something that shouldn't be. I didn't know what it was, but I knew one thing for sure. It was dangerous, and it was getting closer. I turned to Mira. Lock the door, don't open it unless I say so. And with that, I grabbed the nearest thing I could use as a weapon and move toward the stairs. Whatever was out there, I had to stop it from getting any closer to my family. Rusty's barking was getting louder, more frantic.

My heart pounded in my heart. chest as I stepped away from the window. Mira stood frozen near the kids, her face pale with fear. She wasn't used to seeing me like this, worried on edge, but there was something out there, something bad. Liam, what's going on? she whispered, her voice shaky. Do you think it's Jonah? I shook my head quickly, though a small part of me wished it were true. Jonah, her brother, had been missing for weeks. Some people in a Oak Hollow thought he'd run away. Others whispered darker things. Things I didn't want to believe.

But no, this wasn't Jonah. Whatever was out there wasn't human. Rusty's barking suddenly stopped, and the silence that followed was even more terrifying. I rushed to the front door, grabbing the biggest piece of wood I could find. It wasn't much of a weapon, just a broken leg from an old chair, but it was all I had. I shoved the cot against the door to block it, just in case. My hands shook, but I tried to focus. I thought back to the last time I'd seen Jonah. He had looked different that day, scared, like something was haunting him. It was after one of the villagers went missing, and Jonah had come back covered in blood.

I still remember the panic in his eyes when I asked him what happened. I don't know, he had said, trembling. It wasn't an animal. It was something. Something else. At the time I didn't believe him. I thought maybe the stress of the disappearances had gotten to him. But now, staring out into the dark fields, I wondered if Jonah had been right.

What if something had been stalking Oak Hollow this whole time? What if it was here now, circling my house? A loud crash from the shed jolted me out of my thoughts. My breath caught in my throat. I could hear rustling, like something was moving inside. Rusty wasn't barking anymore. My stomach turned as I realized what that meant. Liam, Mira's voice broke through the quiet.

She was still standing by the bed holding the kids close. Their eyes were wide with fear, even though they didn't fully understand what was happening. I'm going to check the shed, I said, though I wasn't sure how I'd stop whatever was in there. Just stay here, lock the door. Be careful, she whispered, her voice barely audible. I nodded, swallowing hard. I knew what I had to do, but feel. Gere gripped me like a vice. I pushed the cot further against the door, then moved toward the window, peaking outside. The moonlight cast long shadows across the maze field, and the wind made the plants sway just enough to create a soft rustling sound. But then, through the darkness, I saw it. Something was moving out there. Big. Too big to be any animal I knew. Its shadow stretched across the field, long and distorted.

My breath caught as I watched it head toward the shed. I couldn't see its full shape, just flashes of a hunched body and legs too thin to support something that large. And then, as I stared in horror, I heard it. The sound of tearing flesh. Rusty was gone. My stomach churned, but I knew I couldn't turn back now. Whatever this thing was, it was coming closer.

And if it reached the house, we'd all be next. The sound of tearing flesh echoed in my ears. and my stomach twisted in knots. Rusty was gone. Whatever had taken him was still out there, lurking in the darkness. I couldn't let it get any closer to the house. I gripped the broken chair leg tightly in my hand, trying to steady my shaking fingers.

My heart was racing so fast it felt like it might burst out of my chest. I took a deep breath and peeked through the window again. The moonlight bathed the field in an eerie, pale glow, and for a second everything was still. But then, I saw it. A massive shadow creeping through the maze. It moved unnaturally fast, its limbs long and gangly. I couldn't see its face, but I could feel its presence, cold and wrong.

My mind raced back to what Jonah had said, how he'd sworn it wasn't an animal that attacked the villager. I hadn't believed him then, but now I wasn't so sure. Mira's voice broke through my thoughts. Liam? What's happening? I turned to look at her. She was holding the kids tightly. Her eyes wide with fear. I wanted to reassure her, to tell her everything was going to be okay.

But I couldn't lie, not now. Stay with the kids, I said, my voice steadier than I felt. Whatever you do, don't come downstairs. Her face paled, but she nodded. I knew she was scared, and so was I, but I had to keep them safe. I had to face whatever was out there. I crept toward the door, careful not to make any noise. The wooden floor creaked beneath my feet, and I winced.

I reached the front door and placed my hand on the latch, pausing for a moment. My mind flashed back to Evan, my traveler friend and his crazy stories. He told me about creatures, monsters, he called them. things that hid in the shadows of places like Oak Hollow. At the time, I'd laughed it off. Now, staring at the door, I wasn't laughing anymore. With a deep breath I slowly lifted the latch and cracked the door open just enough to peer outside. The night air was cold and the silence felt heavy, like the world was holding its breath.

I could see the shed from where I stood, but the door was smashed open, hanging loosely on its hinges. Whatever had torn through it wasn't human. I stepped outside, my bare feet crunching on the dry grass. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I felt that primal fear creeping in again, and then I saw it. The creature stepped into the moonlight and my breath caught in my throat. It was huge, towering, with a hunched back and long sinewy arms that dragged near the ground. Its skin was a sickly gray, covered in patches of matted fur,

and its face. Its face was twisted, like a wolf, and a man had been fused together in some horrible way. Its eyes glowed red, and it held Rusty's head in one of its claws. I froze. My mind screamed at me to run, but my legs wouldn't move. The creature sniffed the air, its eyes locking on to me. A low growl rumbled from its throat, and I knew, in that moment, this thing wasn't just hunting for food. It was enjoying this. I gripped the chair leg tighter, knowing it wouldn't do much. But I had to try. I had to protect my family.

The beast took a step toward me, its growl turning into a snarl. This was it. It was either me or the monster. And I wasn't planning on losing. The beast's red eyes locked onto mine. And I could feel my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. It stood there for what felt like forever, just staring, almost like it was deciding how to tear me apart.

My grip tightened on the broken chair leg, though I knew it wouldn't be enough. But I didn't have a choice. I had to stand between this thing and my family. I had to protect them. The creature took a slow step forward, and its snarl grew louder, more menacing. The sound sent a chill through my entire body. I glanced back at the house, knowing Mira and the kids were huddled together upstairs, terrified. I couldn't let this thing get to them.

With every ounce of courage I could find, I raised the chair leg and shouted, Stay back! The creature paused, its head tilting slightly like it was surprised. Then, it let out a low, guttural laugh. The sound was inhuman, twisted. My hands were trembling,

but I couldn't back down. I took a step toward it, swinging the chair leg in the air, trying to make myself look bigger, braver. But it didn't care. In a flash, the creature lunged at me, its claws slashing through the air. I barely had time to react, swinging the chair leg as hard as I could. I felt it connect with the creature's side, and for a moment I thought I might have heard it.

But the beast didn't even flinch. Its massive hand caught me in the shoulder, sending me flying backward. Pain exploded through my body as I hit the ground gasping for air. Before I could get up, it was on me, towering over me like a shadow of death. death. Its claws pressed into my chest, pinning me to the ground. I struggled, trying to push it off, but it was so strong, and I was so weak. Its breath was hot and foul, and I could feel the weight of its body crushing me. I thought about Mira, about Elliot and Nina. I couldn't let them be next. With one last burst of strength, I grabbed the chairleg again and jammed it into the creature's face.

It howled in pain, stumbling back just enough for me to scramble to my feet. I took off toward the house, my heart racing, my shoulder burning with pain. I could hear the beast's heavy footsteps behind me, closing in fast. I barely made it to the front door, slamming it shut behind me and locking it. My chest heaved as I listened, waiting for the sound of the creature attacking the door. But instead, there was silence. That's when I heard it. A distant howl, long and mournful, echoing through the night.

Then another, and another. My blood ran cold. There wasn't just one of them. There were more, out there in the darkness, coming closer. I backed away from the door, my legs trembling. I heard Mira whisper my name from upstairs, but I couldn't move. My eyes were glued to the door, waiting, listening. The final howl rang out, so loud and close it made the wall.

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Work had been stressful, my girlfriend had broken up with me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't belong anywhere. I figured a walk in the woods would help me clear my head, maybe give me a break from all the noise in my life. The path was quiet, with only the sound of birds and the crunch of leaves under my boots. trees, tall towering oaks and thin birch trees stretched high above, their branches crisscrossing like a giant leafy ceiling. I felt small beneath them, but the quiet was nice. It was calming at first. As I walked deeper into the forest, things started to change. The sun, which had been bright and warm,

began to fade behind thick clouds. The air grew cooler, and the silence became heavier. I couldn't hear the birds anymore. The only sound was my own breathing, which seemed louder than it should have been. I paused and looked around. The trees now seemed closer together, their branches reaching out like fingers trying to block out the sky. The path I'd been following was harder to see. The ground was covered in thick roots and tangled brush, and every step felt like it was pulling me deeper into the woods. I couldn't tell if it was my imagination or not, but something about the forest seemed different, darker. I checked my phone, no signal. Of course, I wasn't worried yet, but the unease was creeping in. My mind played tricks on me, making me think I saw movement

in the shadows, but every time I turned to look, there was nothing, just trees. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that something, or someone, was watching me. I kept walking, telling myself I was just overthinking it. But the deeper I went, the worse it got. The air felt thick, almost like it was pressing down on me. My footsteps seemed too loud, and the silence around me was almost unnatural, like the forest was holding its breath. I had a growing sense that I shouldn't be there. That's when I saw it. Through the trees, hidden behind thick branches and leaves, there was something towering. At first I thought it was a tree stump or some rock formation, but as I got closer, I realized it was an old signal tower, tall and crumbling.

The thing looked ancient, like it had been forgotten by the world a long time ago. Rust covered the metal, and vines crawled up the sides, wrapping around it like they were trying to pull it back into the earth. I should have turned around right then. Every part of me screamed to go back, to leave the tower and the forest behind, but instead I stood there, staring at it. Something about it pulled me in, like I needed to know more. Before I knew it, I was walking toward it, my steps slow and careful, the feeling of being watched stronger than ever. When I reached the door, my hand hesitated on the rusted handle.

The air around me felt cold, colder than it should have been for a summer evening. I knew deep down that opening that door would change everything, but I opened it anyway. The door creaked loudly as I pushed it open, the sound echoing through the dark space beyond. My heart was racing and part of me was screaming to run, but something stronger, curiosity maybe, kept me rooted to the spot. The air inside the tower was freezing, and it smelled old, like damp wood and rusted metal. I took a step inside, and the door slammed shut behind me, the noise like a gunshot in the silence. I jumped, spinning around to see the door.

It looked different somehow, heavier, darker. I grabbed the handle, but it wouldn't budge. Panic shot through me as I yanked harder. Nothing. I was trapped. Calm down, I muttered to myself, my voice shaky. It's just a stuck door. But it didn't feel that simple. The air was thick, pressing in on me,

and the tower itself seemed to pulse, like it was alive. I could hear a faint whispering, like voices, but I couldn't make out any words. My stomach twisted as I turned away from the door and faced the inside of the tower. It was bigger than it should have been. From the outside the tower had looked old and narrow, but inside the space stretched farther than I could see. The walls were made of stone now, not the brick I'd seen before,

and they seemed to shift, like shadows were crawling across them. Shattered wood and rusted metal littered the floor, along with bones. Tiny broken pieces of what looked like animal bun, were scattered everywhere. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the growing fear in my chest. I had to get out of here. I walked forward, my footsteps echoing strangely, the sound bouncing off the stone walls in a way that didn't make sense. The further I went, the darker it got. I tried to use the flashlight on my phone, but the light barely cut through the thick shadows. Every time I thought I saw something move in the corner of my eye, I'd whip around, only

to find more darkness. That's when the whispering started to grow louder. At first, it was just a soft hum in the back of my mind. But now, it was like a hundred voices all speaking at once, their words blending together. I could almost hear them clearly, but not quite. The more I tried to listen, the more my head hurt. You won't be leaving! The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze. I didn't know where the voice had come from, but it was close, too close. My hands shook as I looked around, trying to see something, anything in the darkness. The walls shifted again, closing in on me. I turned to run back toward the door, but the hallway stretched out, impossibly long and winding. The entrance was gone, replaced by an endless corridor. The shadows

seemed to ripple and twist, and my head spun as I tried to focus. I was losing it. The tower. It was changing, and I was trapped inside. There was no way out. Calm down, I whispered to myself again, but I knew it wouldn't help. My voice sounded hollow, like it wasn't even mine anymore. I don't know how long I had been walking down that endless corridor. Time felt twisted in this place. The air was suffocating. heavy with the smell of rot and something else, something metallic. My head was pounding, and every step felt like I was being dragged further into something I didn't understand. The whispers never stopped. They were always there, just on the edge of my hearing,

taunting me. Suddenly, I stumbled into a new room. It was stark and cold, completely different from the decaying tower I had been moving through. The stone walls were gone, replaced by smooth, white walls that seemed to glow under harsh flickering lights. In the center of the room was a single metal chair, and sitting in that chair was, me. I froze, my heart thudding in my chest. The person in the chair looked exactly like me, but older. His face was hollow, his skin pale and stretched tight over his bones. His eyes, my eyes, were sunken and lifeless, and his lips curled into a cruel smile as he looked at me. What is this? I whispered, stepping back. My whole body was shaking. The older version of me tilted his head, still smiling, but it was a twisted, horrible expression.

You know what this is, he said, his voice low and raspy. It's time. Time for what? My voice cracked as I backed up further, bumping into the cold walls. I couldn't stop staring at him. He looked like a version of me from some nightmare. For you to sit, he said simply, motioning to the chair in front of him. We all do, eventually. I shook my head, trying to make sense of the words, but they felt wrong, heavy with meaning I didn't want to understand. I'm not, I'm not going to sit in that chair. The smile on his face grew wider, and the whispers around me intensified, almost like they were laughing. You will. You can't resist it. The tower. It chooses us. It keeps us. And now it's your turn. His words sent a chill down my spine and suddenly the room felt even smaller, like the walls

were pressing in on me. I took another step back, but my legs felt weak, like something was pulling me toward the chair. I tried to fight it, but with every second, it became harder to resist. My body felt like it didn't belong to me anymore. like the tower had control over me now. No, I muttered, shaking my head, my breath coming out in short gasps. This isn't happening. This can't be real. The older version of me just watched. His eyes dark and empty.

It's already happening. I turned, trying to find another way out, but the door I had entered through was gone, replaced by smooth white walls that went on forever. I was trapped. The whispers were louder now, clearer. Sit, they hissed. Join us. My legs moved on their own, carrying me toward the chair, no matter how much I tried to fight.

I could feel the weight of the tower pressing down on me, squeezing the air from my lungs. I wasn't going to make it out of here. I don't know how it happened, but suddenly I wasn't moving toward the chair anymore. The pressure holding me seemed to lift just a little. I could finally breathe, though the air. air was still heavy and cold. That's when I heard the door creak open behind me. I spun around. A young man stood in the doorway, blinking in confusion, just like I had when I first entered this horrible place. He was about my age, maybe a little younger, with a backpack slung over his

shoulder. He looked like he had no idea what was happening. A wave of relief rushed over me, but with it came something else. Something darker. This stranger. He was a little bit of a was my way out. The whispers around me faded, and for the first time, I felt something like hope. But it wasn't the kind of hope I expected. It felt wrong, like it didn't belong to me. It was the tower. It was offering me a choice. I knew what it meant. I could leave, but only if someone took my place. The young man looked at me, his eyes wide with fear. What is this place? He asked, his voice shaky. How do we get out? I opened my mouth to tell him the truth, to warn him, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, I felt myself step forward. My hand reached out and rested on

his shoulder. It felt cold, like something inside me had already changed. It's your time now, I whispered. The moment I said those words, I felt a strange, heavy weight lift off me. The pressure, the whispers, the feeling of being truited. trapped. They all began to fade, as if the tower had loosened its grip on me. The young man's face paled, and I could see the terror in his eyes. I knew exactly what he was feeling because I'd felt it too. He tried to step back, but it was too late. The tower had him now, just like it had me. He was already being pulled toward the chair, his feet moving against his will. His breaths came out in ragged gasps as he struggled to break free, but there was no

escape. I knew that all too well. I watched as he sat down, his body shaking, just like mine had. The whispers grew louder again, circling him now, ignoring me. I was free. I didn't waste any time. I turned and bolted toward the door, the exit that had reappeared as soon as the young man stepped inside. I could feel the cool night air just beyond the threshold, calling to me. My heart pounded in my chest as I ran out of the tower and into the door. the forest. The forest was quiet, almost peaceful, with moonlight streaming through the trees. The oppressive feeling from before was gone. The air was lighter, and I could breathe again. But even as I stood there, gasping for air, I knew that I wasn't the same. I had escaped,

yes, but at a cost. Someone else was trapped in the tower now, doomed to the same fate I had just narrowly escaped. I glanced back at the signal tower, now barely visible in the distance, shrouded in darkness. I had gotten away this time, but I knew deep down that the tower was still there, waiting. Next time, I might not be so lucky. I turned and walked away, the weight of what I had done pressing on me like a shadow I couldn't shake. The forest felt different, but not in a good way. I was free, but I wasn't sure I could ever truly escape what I'd become. I've lived on this land for as long as I can remember. The wide-open fields and the gentle creek running through the middle of our Idaho property

always made it feel peaceful, like nothing bad could ever happen here, but the northern edge of our land was different. There's a patch of thick woods, about ten acres or so, that I've always avoided. As a kid, I'd run around the creek, climb trees, and explore every corner of our property, except for those woods. It wasn't like anyone ever told me to stay away from them. I just knew. The trees there grew so close together, their branches twisting overhead,

making it dark, even in the middle of the day. The underbrush was so thick and tangled that trying to get through felt impossible. Plus, there were thorny bushes and plants that my mom said were poisonous. I wasn't stupid. I knew better than to mess around. in there. Still, even without going in, the woods made me uneasy. Sometimes when I'd be walking along the edge, I'd get this weird feeling like I wasn't alone, like something was watching me. I'd never see anything, of course. It was just a feeling, but it was enough to keep me away.

That's why it was so strange when one day, out of nowhere, I felt this pull to go into the woods. It didn't make any sense. I hadn't thought about those trees. trees and years. But that afternoon, I couldn't stop thinking about them. The more I tried to shake the thought, the stronger the urge got. Finally, I grabbed the hatchet we use for chopping wood and headed toward the woods, telling myself I'd just take a quick look, just along the outer edge, nothing crazy. The minute I stepped into the trees, though, the air felt different, heavier. It was quiet, too, no birds chirping, no wind rustling the leaves, just sighted. I started cutting through some of the thick brambles with the hatchet, pushing deeper in than I had ever gone before.

The farther I got, the more uneasy I felt, but I couldn't stop. Then, all of a sudden, I stumbled into a small clearing I hadn't expected to find. It was like the woods had just opened up around me, the trees standing back as if to make space for this one spot. And that's when I saw it. A backpack. An old, dirty, mud-stained backpack. sitting right in the middle of the clearing. Next to it was a small doll, its face smudged and faded, and a rusted canteen lying on its side. I stared at them for a long time, trying to figure out why they were there. This part of the woods hadn't been touched in years. No one ever came back here. For some reason, the sight of those things made my skin crawl. I wanted to believe it was

just old camping gear someone had left behind, but it didn't feel right. especially because from the clearing I could see my house perfectly. It was like whoever had been here before had been watching, watching my home. I turned and hurried back out of the woods, my heart racing. Even after I got back to the house, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Something about that clearing was off, and deep down, I knew it wasn't over. After I found that old backpack and the creepy clearing, I tried to forget about it. I told myself it was just a weird coincidence, some abandoned stuff left by a camper or something.

I mean, it wasn't like I saw anything truly scary, right? But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the image of that muddy backpack and dirty doll out of my head. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them sitting there, perfectly still, like they were waiting for someone to come back. The days passed, but the feeling that something was wrong kept creeping up on me. I avoided the woods completely, not even walking near them anymore. Whenever I was outside, I felt like someone, or something, was watching me from the trees. I'd turn around and stare into the thick shadows, but there was never anything there. At least, not that I could see.

Then, one evening, something happened that I still can't explain. It was late, just after sunset. The sky was fading to a deep purple, and I had. was heading back to the house after taking out the trash. I don't know why, but I glanced toward the woods. That's when I saw them, two glowing yellow eyes staring back at me from deep in the trees. At first, I thought it must be an animal, maybe a raccoon or a deer, but those eyes, they were so bright, like they were shining from within, and they were watching me. I froze, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. I wanted to run, but I couldn't move. I just stood there,

staring into the darkness, waiting for whatever it was to make a move. Then, just like that, the eyes were gone. One second they were there, the next, they weren't. I blinked and squinted, trying to see if I'd imagined it, but the woods were still, nothing but shadows and trees. My legs finally unfroze, and I sprinted back to the house, slamming the door behind me. Inside, I tried to calm myself down. I told myself it was just an animal, maybe a trick of the light. But deep down, I knew something was off. Those eyes hadn't looked like any animal I'd ever seen,

and the way they vanished so suddenly, it felt wrong. I thought about telling someone, maybe my parents, but what would I say? Hey, I saw some creepy eyes in the woods? They'd just think I was overreacting. Besides, what could they do about it? It wasn't like the police would come out for something like that. Over the next few weeks, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every time I was outside, I could feel those eyes on me, even when I couldn't see them.

I tried to convince myself that I was just imagining things, that the woods weren't dangerous. But the unease grew, gnawing at me like a shadow that wouldn't go away. I told myself I wouldn't go back into the woods. Whatever was out there, it wasn't worth finding out. But deep down, I knew something was waiting, and it wouldn't stay hidden forever. Things started to feel a little more normal after Marcus moved in. Marcus was my best friend from childhood, and having him around made the whole situation with the woods seem less intense. He brought this energy to the place, always wanting to be outside.

hiking or riding his bike. He didn't believe me when I told him about the backpack or the glowing eyes. He just laughed and said I'd been spending too much time alone. I wanted to believe he was right, that I had just overreacted, so I showed him the clearing. We went out there one afternoon, and I pointed out where I'd found the backpack and the doll. He didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, he found the whole thing amusing. This is what freaked you out? He asked. chuckling as he kicked some dirt over the spot. It's probably just some old campers junk, no big deal. We tossed the backpack, the doll, and the rusty canteen into a dumpster near the house,

and for a moment I actually felt relieved. Like maybe it was all just a weird misunderstanding. Marcus didn't waste any time after that. He decided he was going to make a new trail through the woods for mountain biking. Might as well put these creepy woods to good use, he joked. Every weekend he worked on clearing a path, chopping down branches, pulling out undergrowth, and making a winding trail through the trees. I wasn't thrilled about it, but seeing Marcus's enthusiasm made it harder to stay scared.

Maybe the woods really weren't so bad. Then one Sunday, Marcus disappeared. That morning Marcus went out early to work on the trail while I stayed in the house. The hours passed, and I didn't think much of it. He was always out there for most of the. day. But as the sun started to set, I realized I hadn't heard from him in hours. No sound of his bike. No calls for help moving logs. Nothing. I stepped outside, calling his name, nothing. His tools were still scattered near the edge of the woods, and his bike leaned against a tree,

untouched. My stomach twisted with a familiar unease. I grabbed a flashlight and headed into the woods, my heart pounding harder with every step. I followed the trail. Marcus had been making, calling his name over and over. The woods were so quiet like they were holding their breath. Then I saw it, Marcus' bike, lying on its side. The frame was bent and twisted, like it had been thrown with force. Something about it didn't look like an accident. I yelled for Marcus again, panic rising in my throat. But the only sound was the eerie rustling of leaves in the wind. By the time I bolted out of the woods and called the police, it was nearly dark. They searched for days, using drones and search dogs, but they never found a single

trace of him. It was like he'd just vanished into thin air. The police said they'd keep investigating, but I could tell they didn't think they'd find anything. Weeks passed and Marcus was still gone. I couldn't stop thinking about the twisted bike and the silence in those woods. Something had happened to him out there, something no one could explain, and whatever it was, I knew it wasn't over. Weeks had passed since Marcus disappeared, but I couldn't let it go. Every day, I thought about him, about how we had been laughing one moment, and then he was just gone. The police stopped coming by after a while, and everyone seemed to move on, but I couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking about the woods. I knew something was out there, something they hadn't found.

One afternoon, after pacing around the house for what felt like hours, I grabbed my flashlight and headed back into the woods. I don't know why I kept going back. Maybe I thought I could find some clue the police had missed, or maybe I just needed to feel like I was doing something. But this time, as I followed the path Marcus had been cutting, I noticed something that made my heart drop. The same mud-stained backpack was back, sitting right in the middle of the clearing. I froze. We had thrown that thing away weeks ago. I was sure of it.

I even remembered Marcus laughing as we tossed it in the dumpster. But here it was, in the exact same spot I had found it the first time, looking just as filthy and out of place as before. My breath caught in my throat. The air around me felt thicker, like it was pressing down on me. I took a shaky step toward the backpack, and that's when I heard it. Marcus's voice, Help me.

It came from deeper in the woods, faint and distorted. I stopped in my tracks, my heart pounding in my ears. Marcus? I shouted, spinning around, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. Marcus, where are you? Help, me. The voice came again, but it wasn't right. It was like someone was trying to sound like Marcus, but it was off. The pitch was too low, and the words dragged like they were being stretched out. My skin prickled with fear.

That's when I saw them again, the yellow eyes. They were closer this time, just beyond the trees glowing in the shadows. My flashlight flickered, the beam shaking as I held it toward the woods. The eyes didn't move. They just stared at me, unblinking, glowing brighter with each second. I backed away, my heart racing. The voice came again, closer this time. Help, me.

But it wasn't Marcus. I knew it wasn't. I turned and ran. my feet pounding the dirt path as I bolted out of the clearing. Branches snapped behind me, and I could hear something, no, someone, following me. I didn't dare look back. I just ran, faster than I ever had in my life, not stopping until I was back at the house. I slammed the door shut and locked it, my hands shaking.

I stood there in the dark listening for anything outside. Silence. But I knew it was out there. I could feel it. waiting, watching. That night I didn't sleep. I couldn't. I sat by the window staring out at the woods,

waiting for something to move. Something wasn't right. And whatever had taken Marcus, it wasn't done yet. I don't know what it is, but it's out there, lurking, and it's watching me now. Spring just slid into your DMs. Grab that boho look for that rooftop dinner, those sandals that can keep up with you,

and hang some string lights to give your peasant. patio a glow-up. Spring's calling. Ross, work your magic.