Just Creepy: Scary Stories - SCARY SKINWALKER STORIES THAT WILL HAUNT YOU FOREVER

Episode Date: September 27, 2024

These are 4 SCARY SKINWALKER STORIES THAT WILL HAUNT YOU FOREVER 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 00:15:17 Story 2 00:30:06 Story 3 00:44:40 Story 4 Music by: ► Myuu's channel http://bit.ly/1k1g4ey ►CO.AG Music http://bit.ly/2f9WQpe Business inquiries: ►[e-mail] #scarystoriespodcast #horrorstories #scarystories #skinwalker #cryptids 💀As always, thanks for watching! 💀

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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 patio a glow up. Springs calling. Ross, work your magic. My name is Eli, and I'll never forget the first night in those Utah woods. The trees were so tall they blocked out most of the sky.

The only light came from the campfire, crackling softly as it pushed back the cold night air. I had just started working with this logging crew, and even though I didn't know anyone very well, I could tell right away that something felt wrong out here. Isaac, the foreman, was an older guy, maybe in his 50s, with a grizzled beard and sharp eyes. He was the type of man who didn't scare easily, but tonight he seemed off. The other guys in the crew, Matt, Tyler, and Sam, were laughing and joking like everything was fine, but Isaac wasn't joining in. Instead, he kept staring into the trees, his face tense.

The woods were thick and dark, and there was something about the silence that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. No birds, no animals, just the fire and the low murmur of the guys talking. After a while, Isaac spoke up. You ever hear of a skin walker? His voice was gravelly, like he didn't even want to ask the question. The laughter around the fire died down quickly. The other guys glanced at each other nervously, but no one said a word. I didn't know what a skinwalker was,

but I could tell from their faces it wasn't something good. Isaac leaned forward, the flames reflecting in his eyes. These woods, they're old, older than you can imagine. People say there are things out here, things that shouldn't be. I saw one once, when I was a kid, not far from here. He paused, and I noticed my palms were starting to sweat. The air felt heavier, like the forest was pressing in closer, listening. It was late, almost like tonight.

I heard my dad calling my name from deep in the trees. Only problem was, my dad had been dead for three years. Isaac's voice dropped to a whisper. I didn't go to him. I knew better. and I'm still here because of that. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and I glanced over my shoulder at the thick wall of trees. Suddenly, the dark spaces between the branches felt too big, like something could be hiding there,

just waiting for us to drop our guard. Matt, the jokester of the group, laughed, but it sounded forced. Come on, Isaac, you're just trying to scare the new guy. He slapped me on the back, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. Isaac didn't smile back. I'm not trying to scare anyone. I'm telling you to stay close to camp. If you hear something in the woods,

if you think you see someone you know out there, don't follow. Don't ever follow. He looked right at me, like he knew I'd be the one to make that mistake. The fire crackled loudly, and a gust of wind rustled the leaves above us. The sound made me jump, and the guys laughed,

but there was still an edge in the air. The forest was too quiet. Too still. I tried to shake off the feeling, telling myself it was just an old man's story. But deep down, something told me Isaac wasn't lying. That night, as I lay in my tent, I couldn't sleep. Every little sound outside made my heart race. I kept thinking about Isaac's warning, about that voice he heard in the woods, and even though I told myself it was just a story, I couldn't shake the feeling that something out there was watching me. The next morning, The camp was a mess.

When I stepped out of my tent, I saw that the tools were scattered everywhere, like something, or someone, had gone through our stuff. Sam was cursing, trying to gather up the saws, while Matt scratched his head. Tyler was off by the trees, looking around like he was searching for something. Looks like raccoons or something got into our gear, Matt joked. But even he didn't seem to believe it. I noticed deep claw marks on one of the saws, like some of the saws, like something sharp had scratched right across it.

But they weren't the kind of marks a raccoon or any animal I knew would make. The others shrugged it off, but it stuck with me. As the day went on, the feeling of being watched only grew stronger. The air seemed thicker, heavier. No birds chirped, no squirrels darted between the trees. It was just silent, too silent. By the time the sun started setting, I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

I tried to focus on my work, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Then, right before dusk, it happened. I had wandered a little farther than I should have, trying to find a better spot to cut down a tree. The shadows between the trees were long, making everything look twisted and unfamiliar. That's when I heard it. Eli. My heart stopped.

It was my mom's voice, soft, gentle, just like she always called me when she wanted me to come inside. But it didn't make sense. My mom was back home, hundreds of miles away. Eli, come here. I spun around, trying to see where the voice was coming from. Between two trees, maybe 50 feet away, I saw a figure. It looked like my mom, standing there in the shadows. But something was wrong. She was too still, and her eyes. eyes. Her eyes were glowing, a faint yellow that sent a shiver down my spine. Mom, I whispered stepping back. My brain was screaming at me to run, but my feet felt stuck to the ground. The figure took a step forward, and the light in her eyes flickered, like a flame that

wasn't quite right. That's when I realized it wasn't my mom. It couldn't be. I turned and ran, not caring where I was going, just needing to get away. The trees blurred by. The trees blurred by, as I sprinted back to camp, the sound of my own breathing filling my ears. Every few seconds, I swore I could hear footsteps behind me, slow, deliberate, like someone was walking just out of sight. By the time I made it back to camp, I was out of breath and shaking. The others were sitting around the fire, laughing and talking like nothing was wrong. I wanted to tell them what I saw, but the words wouldn't come. They'd think I was crazy. Heck, I thought I was crazy. In Instead, I sat down by the fire trying to calm my racing heart.

But every time I glanced at the trees, I swore I saw something, just a flicker of movement, a shadow too tall to be one of the guys. I kept hearing that voice in my head, soft and sweet, calling my name. That night I barely slept. Something was out there watching us. I could feel it, and somehow I knew it was only getting closer. By the time the sun went down again, everything had changed. The tension in camp was unbearable.

Sam had been missing for hours, and we couldn't find him anywhere. We had searched the woods calling his name, but it was like he'd vanished into thin air. Isaac was pacing back and forth, his face pale and sweaty, mumbling to himself. Matt and Tyler weren't much better, their eyes darting nervously toward the trees as the darkness settled around us. I couldn't stop thinking about the thing I'd seen the night before, the figure that looked like my mom, the way her eyes glowed that unnatural yellow. Something was out there, and it had taken Sam.

I knew it, even if I couldn't say it out loud, the others wouldn't believe me, and I was starting to question whether I'd imagined it myself. But I knew what I saw. That night, we all sat close to the fire, not talking much. The fire crackled softly, the only sound. breaking the eerie silence of the woods. Every few minutes, one of us would glance at the trees, like we were expecting something to come charging out at any moment. Isaac, sitting across from me, suddenly looked up. Stay close to the fire, he muttered. His voice low and shaky. Don't wander off.

Matt tried to lighten the mood, forcing a laugh. Come on, Isaac, it's probably just Sam playing some dumb prank. He's probably watching us right now laughing his head off. Isaac didn't laugh. Sam's gone, and it's not a prank. His eyes flicked toward the woods. It's out there, waiting. I felt a chill run down my spine. The firelight flickered, casting long shadows across the clearing. The trees, usually so still, seemed to shift and sway, like something was moving between them. That's when we heard it. Matt. It was Sam's voice calling softly from the darkness. We all froze, listening. The voice came again, closer this time. Matt, help me. Matt jumped to his feet, looking toward the trees. Sam? Is that you? He grabbed a flashlight and took a step forward, but Isaac shot up and grabbed

his arm. Don't, Isaac hissed his grip tight. That's not Sam. But Matt pulled free, shaking his head. I'm not leaving him out there. He needs help. Without another word, Matt disappeared into the trees, his flashlight beam bouncing wildly as he ran toward the voice. Matt! I called after him, but he was already gone. Isaac cursed under his breath and turned to me and Tyler. Stay by the fire. Don't move. For a moment it was dead silent. Then the scream came. It was high-pitched, full of terror, Matt's voice echoing through the trees. The sound made my blood turn cold. We all stood there, staring at the dark woods.

But none of us moved. I wanted to run after him, to help him, but my legs wouldn't move. Isaac was right. Whatever was out there, it wasn't Sam. And now it had Matt. As we stood there, frozen in fear, I heard it again, footsteps, slow and deliberate, circling the edge of the clearing. Something was watching us, stalking us, just out of sight.

I felt the weight of its gaze and a voice whispered in the back of my mind, You're next. I had never been so scared in my life. Matt was gone, taken by whatever was out there in the woods, and now it was just me, Isaac, and Tyler. We sat huddled by the fire, barely speaking. The only sound was the crackling of the flames, and the occasional gust of wind rustling the trees.

But the worst part wasn't the silence. It was the feeling that something was watching us, stalking us, waiting for the right moment to strike. Isaac was the first to break the silence. We need to get out of here. Now. Tyler shook his head, his face pale. In the dark.

We'll never make it. Isaac's eyes were wild. If we stay here, we're dead. it's already taken Sam and Matt were next. I glanced toward the trees, my stomach churning with fear. I wanted to run to get as far away from this place

as possible, but the woods were so dark, so thick. It felt like they were closing in on us, like the trees themselves were alive. But Isaac was right. We couldn't stay here. Whatever was out there it wasn't going to stop. Isaac grabbed a flashlight

and pointed toward the old logging road. The trucks that way. We can make it if we stick together. I nodded, my heart pounding. Tyler, still shaking, reluctantly got to his feet. We started walking, our flashlights barely cutting through the darkness. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves made my heart race. The shadows seemed to move around us, twisting and shifting as we stumbled through the forest.

Keep moving, Isaac whispered, his voice barely audible. Don't stop. We hadn't gone far when I heard it again, a voice calling my name. Eli. It was my mom's voice, my real mom back home, soft, comforting, the way she used to call me for dinner when I was a kid. But I knew it couldn't be her. She was miles away, safe at home. I felt a cold sweat dripped down my back. Isaac stopped and turned to me, his eyes wide. Ignore it, he said. That's how it tricks you. But the voice came again, closer this time. Eli, come here. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block it out, but the voice was so real. My feet felt heavy, like they wanted to move on

their own, like something was pulling me toward the sound. I fought the urge to run into the woods. I knew that whatever was calling me wasn't my mom. It was the thing that had taken Sam and Matt. Suddenly, a loud crash came from the trees to our left. Tyler screamed. and bolted, running blindly into the darkness. Isaac and I shouted after him, but it was too late. He was gone. We have to go! Isaac grabbed my arm, dragging me forward.

We ran, the forest closing in around us, the footsteps behind us getting louder. I didn't dare look back. I knew it was right behind me, breathing down my neck, but I couldn't stop. Finally we burst out onto the logging road, the truck just ahead. Isaac fumbled with the keys, his hands shaking. The footsteps stopped. For a moment, everything was quiet. Too quiet. Then, I saw it. In the distance, standing just at the edge of the trees, was a figure. Its skin was stretched too tight over its bones, its eyes glowing yellow. It smiled, but its mouth was too wide, too sharp. Isaac got the truck started, and we sped off down the road. But as we drove, I looked into the rearview mirror. The figure was still there, standing in the middle of the road, watching us leave. And then, it smiled again.

Its glowing eyes burning into me. I'll never go back to those woods. Not after what I saw, what I lived through. The forest might seem peaceful from the outside, but I know the truth now. It hides something dark, something ancient and hungry. The memory of those glowing yellow eyes and that twisted smile haunts my every thought, no matter how far I run. Isaac never talks about it, and I won't either.

But one thing's for sure, I'll never set foot near that place again. The forest can keep its secrets and I'll keep mine. Kayak gets my flight, hotel, and rental car right, so I can tune out travel advice that's just plain wrong. Bro, Skycoin, way better than points. Never fly. during a Scorpio full moon. Just tell the manager you'll sue.

Instant room upgrade. Stop taking bad travel advice. Start comparing hundreds of sites with kayak and get your trip right. Kayak, got that right. It said everything happens for a reason, but maybe everything happens for a recess. Take noise-canceling headphones.

Do they block hearing to heightened taste? Mmm. That sound seems to show. Everything happens for a recess. I always hated long drives, especially through places like the rocky mountains. The roads were narrow, winding around cliffs, and the trees felt like they were closing in on us the further we went. Greg, on the other hand, seemed to love every minute of it. His hands were steady on the wheel, a grin plastered on his face as he talked about all the hikes and camping trips he'd been on recently.

I hadn't been out in the woods for years, not since we were kids. man it's going to be just like old times Greg said his voice full of excitement i nodded trying to act like i wasn't nervous but truth was i didn't feel great about this trip it wasn't just the long drive or the isolation it was the idea of being so far from everything no cell signal no other people just us and miles of wilderness i liked the city Greg was more of an outdoors guy but i couldn't shake this feeling in my gut that something was off. The sun was starting to dip behind the mountains when we finally pulled up to the spot Greg had talked about all week. The clearing was bigger than I expected, surrounded by thick, towering pine trees. The air smelled fresh, almost too clean. It was so

quiet, no cars, no people, just the rustling of leaves in the breeze. I got out of the car, stretching my legs and taking in the view. The rocky peaks loomed in the distance, jagged and sharp, casting long shadows over the forest. Perfect, right? Greg asked, already pulling gear out of the car. Yeah, I muttered, not really convinced. I felt exposed, like something was watching us from the tree line. I shook the thought away, telling myself I was just being paranoid. We set up the tents, gathered some firewood,

and soon had a campfire crackling in the middle of the clearing. Greg popped open a couple of beers, tossing one to me. We sat by the fire, the warmth pushing away the cool evening air, and started talking about old times. You remember the last time we camped out here? Greg asked, poking at the fire with a stick. Yeah, when we were like 15, right? He laughed.

You freaked out when that raccoon got into the food. I chuckled, feeling a little more relaxed. But then I heard it. A rustling sound coming from. the woods. It was faint at first, like something brushing against the branches. I froze, my eyes darting toward the trees, but I couldn't see anything. Greg kept talking, not noticing. The sound stopped, and I shook my head, thinking it was probably just an animal, but a few minutes later, I heard it again. This time it was louder, closer. I glanced at Greg, but he hadn't heard it yet. The rustling

turned into a low growl, like something big moving through the underbrush. My heart started to race, and I leaned forward staring into the dark woods. Greg, I whispered, my voice shaking a little. Do you hear that? He stopped mid-sentence, turning toward the trees. For a moment, the woods were silent again. But then there was another noise, something that made my skin crawl. It wasn't just the growl this time. It was something heavier, like footsteps. Greg and I sat frozen by the fire, straining to hear any more sounds from the woods. The growling and footsteps had stopped, but the silence that followed felt even worse. My heart was pounding, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I turned to Greg, hoping he'd laugh it off, but his face was

serious now, his eyes scanning the trees. You heard that right? I asked. My voice barely above a whisper, Yeah, Greg said, standing up slowly. He grabbed his flashlight and knife from his pack and handed me a second flashlight. Stay close. We stood up, shining our lights toward the edge of the clearing. The beams cut through the darkness, but the shadows between the trees were thick and deep. For a moment, everything was still. Then I saw it.

Just beyond the light, something moved. It was quick. a flash of a figure darting behind a tree. My breath caught in my throat. Did you see that? I gasped, gripping my flashlight tighter. Greg nodded, his jaw clenched. Yeah, I saw it. We both stepped closer to the fire, trying to see whatever was out there.

The forest was so quiet now, too quiet. My heart was beating so loudly in my chest, I was sure whatever was out there could hear it. Then we heard the growl again, low, guttural, and way too close. I swung my flashlight in the direction of the sound, and that's when I saw it. Standing just beyond the firelight, half hidden behind a tree, was the most horrifying thing I'd ever seen. It was tall, much taller than a person, and hunched over like it didn't quite fit into its own skin.

Its body was twisted, with patches of fur and skin stretched too tightly over its bones. The face, if you could even call it a face, looked like a warped version of a human, but wrong in every way. The eyes glowed in the light, reflecting back at us in a way that made my stomach turn. What the—what is that? I whispered. My mouth dry with fear. Greg didn't answer right away. He just stared at it, his face pale in the glow of the fire. Finally he spoke, his voice shaking a little. I think it's a skinwalker. A what? I asked, my mind spinning.

I had heard of them before. Old Native American legends about creatures that could take on the shape of animals or even humans. But that was just folklore, wasn't it? Before I could say anything else, the thing let out a sound, a screech, like nails on a chalkboard mixed with the growl of a wild animal. It was so loud it felt like it went straight through my chest. Greg and I stumbled back, our lights shaking as we tried to keep the creature in our sights. Back to the fire, Greg muttered, his voice tight with fear. Stay near the fire. We move closer to the

flames. Our flashlights trained on the spot where the creature had been, but it was gone. The woods were quiet again, but I knew it was still out there, lurking just beyond the light, watching us. Greg, what do we do? I asked, my voice barely steady. We wait. Greg said, eyes fixed on the darkness. And we hope it doesn't get any closer, but I had a sinking feeling that it was just beginning. I didn't sleep at all that night. Neither did Greg.

We stayed huddled close to the fire. Our flashlights pointed toward the dark woods, waiting for any sign of that thing. Every rustle, every shift in the wind made my heart race, but the creature never showed itself again. By morning the fire was just glowing embers. and my eyes stung from exhaustion. I glanced at Greg, his face pale and tired.

Neither of us had spoken much after what happened. We didn't need to. We both knew what we saw. And whatever it was, we weren't sticking around to find out more. We need to go, Greg finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was shaky, not like the confident guy I knew. Pack everything up. We'll take the short trail back.

I didn't argue. My hands were shaking as I stuffed my sleeping bag into my pack, my eyes darting around, afraid the thing would come back any second. The air felt thick, heavy, like the woods were watching us. The sky was overcast, casting a gray, eerie light over everything. We packed quickly, barely speaking, and started moving. Greg led the way, his eyes constantly scanning the trees. I followed close behind, gripping my flashed.

light even though the sun was up. I didn't trust the daylight to keep us safe. The trail wasn't an official one, just a path Greg knew from years of camping here. It was narrow, winding through thick trees and brush. After a few minutes, the campfire clearing was long behind us, and all I could see were endless trees. The farther we went, the more uneasy I felt. It was like the forest was closing in on us, the trees crowding together, blocking out the light. We were. We were a little bit of the light. We walked in silence for a while, the only sounds are footsteps crunching on the forest floor and the occasional snap of a twig. Every now and then, I'd glance over my shoulder, sure I saw movement in the shadows, but nothing was there, at least not that I could see.

We should be getting close to the car, Greg muttered after what felt like hours, but there was a strange tone in his voice, uncertainty. He kept looking around like something wasn't right. That's when I heard it again. That low, familiar growl. My blood ran cold. Greg, I whispered, stopping dead in my tracks. It's here. Greg froze, his eyes going wide. The growl came again, louder this time, from somewhere off to our right. It was followed by heavy footsteps, slow and deliberate, like it wanted us to hear it coming. We need to keep moving, Greg hissed. But as soon as we started walking again, the sound followed us. The growling, the footsteps. They stayed just out of sight, but always close, too close. Suddenly, Greg stopped,

cursing under his breath. This isn't right, he muttered, spinning in a circle. We should have hit the car by now. What are you talking about? I asked, panic rising in my chest. We've been walking for hours. Greg's face was pale. We're going in circles. I don't know how, but we're trapped. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. No matter how far we walked, we weren't getting out of the woods. And that thing, whatever it was, was still following us, waiting for the perfect moment.

We were trapped, and there was no escape. We were lost, completely, utterly lost. The trees all looked the same, and no matter which way we turned, it felt like we were walking in circles. Greg was breathing hard, his face pale as he kept looking around. I could tell he was trying to stay calm, but I knew the truth. He was just as scared as I was. The thing in the woods was still there, tracking us. I could hear it, those slow, heavy footsteps, always just behind us. It never showed itself, but it made sure we knew it was there. It was playing with us, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. We have to keep me. We have to keep

Moving, Greg said. His voice tense. He grabbed my arm and pulled me along. If we stop, it'll catch up. I didn't argue. I could feel the panic rising in my chest, my heart pounding in my ears. Every time we turned a corner, I expected to see that twisted creature standing there, waiting. But it never did. It stayed hidden, just out of sight, taunting us. As we walked, the sun started to go down again. The light filled. filtering through the trees grew dimmer, and the shadows stretched longer across the ground. The woods felt even more suffocating now, the air heavy and thick. We couldn't be stuck out here another night. I didn't think we'd survive. We can't do this, Greg, I said, my voice shaking.

We need to stop, make another fire or something. Greg shook his head, his eyes wild. No, if we stop it'll get us. We have to keep moving, but I could tell he didn't know where to go. We were just wandering deeper into the woods, getting more lost with every step. Suddenly we heard a voice, Help me! It was faint coming from somewhere ahead of us, but the voice, it sounded exactly like Greg. My stomach dropped. Greg and I looked at each other, both of us frozen in fear.

That's not me, Greg whispered, his face pale. Help me, please. The voice called again, more desperate. at this time. I knew what it was. It was the skin walker, mimicking Greg's voice, trying to lure us deeper into the forest. My skin crawled as the voice grew louder, closer. We can't follow it, I said, my voice barely a whisper. I know, Greg replied, his eyes wide with terror. But what do we do? Before I could answer, the voice changed. Now it sounded like me. Greg, over here, I'm hurt. I felt sick to my stomach.

The creature wasn't just following us. It was inside our heads, using our own voices to trick us. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped. Everything went silent. The air was so still, it felt like the forest was holding its breath. Then, from behind a tree, it appeared. The Skinwalker stepped into the fading light, its body twisted and deformed, barely human. Its face shifted, warping between Greg's face and mine, as if it was trying to decide which one of us to become. Its eyes gleamed in the dark, and it let out a low, growling laugh. I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe. We're going to die here, I whispered, barely able to form the words.

Greg grabbed my arm pulling me back. Run. We bolted, sprinting through the trees, not looking back. The skinwalker let out a screech, its footsteps pounding behind us, faster, closer. My legs burned, and my lungs felt like they were on fire. But I didn't stop. I couldn't. Somehow we burst into a small clearing and in the distance. I could see the road, our car sitting on the side of it like a lifeline. I gasped in relief, pushing myself harder, my legs screaming in pain. We were almost there. But then, Greg screamed. I turned just in time to see him

pulled back into the trees. His voice cut off. The Skinwalker had him, and I knew I was next. You said this place was steps from the water. We just haven't found the steps yet. How much did we save? Enough. Enough to get

lost. Or you could book a stay with Hilton. Welcome to your ocean front room. Just steps from the water. The Hilton sale is on now. Book on Hilton.com or the Hilton app and save up to 20% to get the stay you expected. When you want savings, not surprises. It matters where you stay. Hilton, for the stay.

The road twisted like a black ribbon through the dense pines, the occasional flicker of sunlight breaking through the canopy overhead. Beside me, Sarah sat quietly, her fingers nervously tapping the map spread across her lap. She was always cautious, always worried about details. I loved her for that, but sometimes, like today, it set me on edge. We should have stuck to the main trails, she said. Her voice barely rising above the hum of the tires on the dirt road. Relax, I replied, glancing over with what I hoped was a reassuring smile. It's going to be fun. Ben's got a good feeling about this spot.

Ben always has a good feeling about everything, she muttered, her eyes shifting to the rear-view mirror. I followed her gaze. Ben and Lisa were in the car behind us. the dust from our tires trailing back to them like a signal flare. Ben had talked me into this hike, a weekend away from the world, deep into the Uintas. We'd both needed it, truth be told. Things at work had been stressful, and Sarah and I, well, we could use a little adventure to break the routine.

But as we left the last sign of civilization, a small one-street town that barely warranted a dot on the map, I could feel the air between us shifting. I just don't see why we had to go this far, Sarah pressed. The guy at the gas station, did you see the way he looked at us? I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the road. Locals always get weird when out-of-towners roll through. Small towns are like that. No, Mike, he didn't just look at us weird.

He warned us. I chuckled, though it sounded forced even to me. Yeah, I heard him. There are places here no one. should walk after dark. It's just local superstition, trying to scare the city folk. Yeah, well, it worked. Sarah's voice had a sharp edge now. She folded the map and stuffed it into her bag, staring out the window as the forest grew thicker around us. It wasn't just her. I could feel the weight in the air, too. Maybe it was the isolation. Maybe it was just the way the light barely

touched the forest floor, leaving long, deep shadows that seemed to stretch with every mile. Finally, the road ended in a small overgrown clearing. I pulled up next to a towering pine, killed the engine, and stepped out into the stillness. Behind us, Ben and Lisa's car rolled to a stop, the sound of their doors slamming, breaking the silence like a gunshot. Nice spot, Ben called out, his voice too loud for the place. Lisa followed behind him, quiet as ever. She didn't seem too thrilled about the deep woods either, but Ben had a way of bull, dozing over other people's concerns.

Yeah, I said, stretching my arms. It's something. Sarah was already unloading her pack from the trunk, her movements jerky and too fast, like she wanted to be prepared before something happened. I shot Ben a look, but he just shrugged. We'll be fine, man. You worry too much. Maybe. But something about this place felt off. The air was too still, the woods too quiet. And as we moved deeper into the forest, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching

us from just beyond the trees, something patient. The fire crackled in front of us, but it did little to chase away the dark. Sarah sat across from me, chewing on the edge of her sleeve, eyes darting to the tree line every few seconds. Lisa sat next to her, quiet as always, hands gripping her knees. Ben, of course, was trying to lighten the mood with another one of his damn stories, but even his voice sounded forced, hollow. So, there I was, knee-deep in the river, and this trout, swear to God, at least three feet long, comes out of nowhere. I grabbed the rod, set the hook, and, a sharp crack from the woods cut him off. All of us froze, staring into the blackness beyond the firelight. My heart jumped into my throat. It wasn't the first time we'd

heard something, but this time it was closer, too close. The kind of sound that made you realize how little the fire protected you, it was just an island of light in a sea of dark. Probably a deer, Ben said after a pause, but even he didn't believe it. His eyes flickered to me, looking for reassurance, but I had none to give. Sarah leaned forward, her face lit by the flames, shadows making her look drawn and scared. Mike, I swear I heard voice. earlier. Just faint, like, like someone whispering, but not in English. I forced a laugh. Wind in the trees, sir, that's all it is. But she shook her head, her eyes wide and shiny. No, it wasn't the wind. It sounded human. Ben snorted. Come on, Sarah. We're miles from anything,

probably just some animal making weird noises. Animals don't sound like people, Ben, she snapped, the fear breaking through her usual calm. You heard the old man in town. There are things out here. Maybe we should have listened. Ben raised his hands in mock surrender. Oh, right, the creepy local guy. Yeah, sure.

Probably just trying to scare the tourists. Before anyone could say anything else, a faint voice echoed from the trees. All of us whipped around, staring into the darkness. The voice was soft, almost too soft to hear, but it was there. It sounded like,

Sarah, but she was sitting right in front of me. Did you hear that? Lisa whispered, barely audible. I did, Sarah said, her voice tight, and it was me. It was my voice. I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. The firelight felt weaker now, like the darkness was creeping in closer, smothering it. Okay, no one panic, I said, trying to keep my voice steady. It's got to be an echo, or something. But my heart wasn't in it. Deep down I knew this wasn't some natural phenomenon. My gut told me this was wrong, all wrong.

The forest wasn't just quiet anymore. It was holding its breath. Like it was waiting. Another snap, this time closer. The same voice again, clear as day now. Mike. It was Sarah's voice, but distorted, drawn out, mocking. I stood, my legs shaky, staring into the dark,

trying to see where the sound was coming from. but all I could see were shadows, and something, just at the edge of the firelight, moving between the trees, too tall, too thin. Ben stood beside me, his face pale. What the hell is that? I don't know, I whispered, heart pounding, but we need to go, now. We didn't waste any time. The moment that thing appeared, standing too tall, its limbs too long, we packed up fast. The fire was, we were, we were, we were to go. The fire, was still burning when I yanked my pack over my shoulders, and Sarah was right behind me. Ben kept talking, muttering under his breath about how he wasn't scared, but I could see the fear

in his eyes. Hell, I could feel it in my bones. We'll head back to the cars, I said, trying to take control. It's only a couple of miles. We stick together. No one goes off alone. Sarah nodded, her eyes wide, reflecting the firelight like a deer caught in headlights. Just go, Mike. Let's just go. Ben threw a look over his shoulder, still acting tough. It's probably some kind of animal, maybe a bear or... That wasn't a bear, Ben, I snapped. I don't know what it was, but it wasn't any animal I've ever seen.

Let's just move. We started down the trail, but it didn't feel like the same path we had come up on earlier. The trees loomed over us, their branches twisting together to block out the moonlight. The further we walked, the further we walked, the course of the road. quieter it became. No wind, no rustling leaves, just our footsteps crunching against the forest floor, and the occasional crack of a branch behind us, too close for comfort. Every now and then I heard it, that voice. My name drifting through the woods like it was floating on the breeze, but it wasn't my voice anymore. Sometimes it sounded like Sarah. Other times, Ben. Every time it called,

I flinched. I could feel Sarah tense beside me, her hand gripping my arm like a vice. We're being followed, she whispered, her breath hot against my ear. I know, I said keeping my voice low. Don't look back. It wasn't long before Ben cracked. He was trying to keep his cool, but the longer we walked, the more he muttered under his breath. This is stupid. We should stop. We're lost. I don't even recognize this trail anymore. We're not stopping, I said, not slowing down. We're almost there. But I wasn't sure.

The trees had started closing in, the trail narrowing, twisting in ways it hadn't before. I kept thinking we were making progress, but every time I glanced around, everything looked the same, like we were going in circles. And that's when I realized, maybe we were. Ben suddenly stopped, turning to face me, his eyes wild. We're never getting out of here, are we? We're just going in circles. Keep it together, Ben, I warned, stepping toward him. We'll get out.

But his eyes darted around like he was seeing things I couldn't. You don't hear that? he asked, his voice rising. It's, it's us. I hear our voices. Out there. I tried to grab him, to keep him from running. But he was gone before I could stop him, crashing into the trees. Ben, wait!

Sarah screamed. And then, silence, no rustling, no footsteps, just stillness. We waited. One minute. Then two. Then came the scream, high-pitched, raw, and full of terror. It ripped through the forest like a gunshot, Ben's voice. But as quickly as it started, it was gone.

I stared into the darkness, my heart hammering. We have to go after him, I said, though every part of me wanted to turn and run. No, Sarah said, pulling me back. Mike, that wasn't him. at the end. It sounded like him, but it wasn't. I didn't argue, because I knew deep down, she was right. I don't know how long we stood there frozen, waiting for something to happen, maybe a minute, maybe ten, but nothing came out of the woods after Ben, and no more screams followed the first, just silence, a heavy, suffocating silence that clung to the air like fog.

We can't stay here, Sarah said, her voice trembling. Whatever that thing is, It's hunting us. She was right. I felt it too. The air had changed. It was colder now, like the life had been sucked out of the forest. I glanced at Lisa. She hadn't spoken in a while, her eyes wide,

staring at the darkness like she was trying to see something beyond the trees. Something she hoped wasn't there. Lisa, I said softly, trying to snap her out of it. We need to keep moving. Ben's gone, but we have to get back to the car. She blinked, then slowly nodded, but her movements were mechanical, like her mind was somewhere else entirely. I wasn't sure how much longer any of us could keep it together. Hell, I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep it together.

I glanced at the trail, or what I thought was the trail. The path seemed to shift, twisting in ways that didn't make sense. We had to be close to where we started, but everything looked the same, too much the same. like the woods were playing a trick on us, looping us back over and over. And then there were the voices. Mike, the whisper came again, Sarah's voice this time, soft and pleading from somewhere deeper in the forest. But Sarah was standing right next to me, gripping my arm tight enough to hurt. Don't listen, I whispered to her. It's trying to mess with us.

We started walking again, slower this time, every snap of a twig setting me on edge. The trail seemed to stretch out forever, and with each step I felt the weight of the trees pressing in, suffocating us. I kept thinking about Ben, about the way he'd run off, the way his scream had been cut short. What if it had him now? What if it was wearing his face? I didn't want to think about it, but the thought crept in anyway. Then, the clearing appeared. I don't know how we stumbled into it, but suddenly the trees opened up, revealing a strange circle of stones, old, covered in moss and carvings I couldn't make out in the dim light. The air was different here, thicker, like we'd stepped into a place where the rules didn't quite apply.

What is this? Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper. I don't know, I said, but I could feel it, the wrongness of it. This was where it wanted us. We'd been led here. That's when I saw it, just beyond the stones. A figure tall and gaunt, stepping out from behind a tree. Only it wasn't just a figure. It was Ben. Or at least it looked like him. But his eyes.

His eyes were hollow, glowing faintly in the dim light. He smiled, too wide, too unnatural. Mike, he said, but his voice wasn't right. It was too smooth, too perfect. It mimicked him, but I knew deep down that wasn't Ben. Not anymore. Run, I whispered to Sarah. My voice barely working.

Run. But it was too late. The thing, whatever it was, was moving toward us. And as it stepped into the clearing, its face began to change, twisting and shifting, becoming something else, something worse. And in that moment, I realized we were never going to make it out. The last thing I heard before the world went black was my own voice, calling Sarah's name from the shadows.

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It was our first day of the hunting trip, and I was excited, but something felt off. The forest was quiet, too quiet. Usually you could hear birds, rustling leaves, or the distant crack of branches, but today it felt like the whole place was holding its breath. Come on, Matt, Jake said, nudging me with his elbow. Lighten up, man. You're acting. like something's watching us. I forced to laugh. I'm fine, just focused on tracking. Brian, my cousin, wasn't talking much.

He was always a bit jumpy in the woods, especially after hearing old stories from his grandfather. He believed in all that stuff, spirits, curses, and skin walkers. Jake and I, we didn't buy into it, at least not until that day. We moved deeper into the forest, following the trails we'd scouted the night before.

The sun was climbing, higher, but the light barely made it through the thick canopy of trees. My boots crunched against the ground, but the sounds seemed too loud in the eerie silence. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up, like something was just off. Look, Brian said, his voice low. I followed his gaze and froze. In the clearing ahead was the body of an elk, but not like anything I'd ever seen. The thing was torn apart, its belly ripped open, guts spilling. out like someone had sliced it with a knife. Its eyes were wide, staring at nothing. What the hell did this? Jake whispered, kneeling next to the carcass. He poked at it with the

barrel of his rifle, but I could tell he was as freaked out as I was. Bear? No way, I said, shaking my head. Bears don't do this. They don't leave their kills this clean. The cuts were too perfect, too precise. It looked like something out of a horror movie. Brian stepped back, his face pale. We need to go, now. I tried to laugh it off. Come on, Brian, don't start with the Skinwalker stuff. I'm serious, Matt, he said, his voice trembling.

I've heard stories about things like this. We're not supposed to be here. Jake snorted, but even he wasn't cracking jokes anymore. Man, you're really starting to freak me out. I wanted to tell them both to calm down, that there was a logical exonerated. explanation. But deep down, I felt it too. The sense that we weren't alone. The trees around us seemed to close in. The shadows longer, darker. Darker. We'll head back, I said, forcing a grin I didn't

feel. No need to freak out. As we turned to leave, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, something slipping between the trees, just out of sight. I spun around, heart racing, but there was nothing there. Just the silent woods and the cold. still air. We're being watched, Brian whispered. I didn't argue. We were. I could feel it.

Something was out there. Something that wasn't going to let us leave easily. We started walking faster, but the forest felt different now. And whatever was out there, it was following us. By the time we made it back to the cabin, the sun had almost set, and a thick fog had rolled in, making everything look blurry and strange. The small wooden cabin sat on the edge of the forest, its old boards creaking in the evening wind. We hurried inside, locking the door behind us like it could somehow keep whatever was out there from getting in.

Man, what was that? Jake asked, his voice shaking. He threw his gear down by the fireplace and started pacing. You both saw something, right? It wasn't just me? I nodded, my heart still pounding. I saw it. Something big, moving through the trees. I didn't want to admit how scared I was, but I knew Jake and Brian felt the same. You could see it in their faces. Brian was standing near the window, peeking out through the small gap in the curtains. His face was pale, and he was gripping his rifle like it was his only lifeline. It followed us, he whispered. I know it did. The cabin felt too small, too fragile. Every creek in the wood, every gust of wind made me jump. I kept telling myself we were safe inside, but I couldn't shake the feeling that we weren't alone. Night fell quickly, and with it, the noises started. At first,

it was just the sound of leaves crunching outside, like footsteps creeping around the cabin. We all froze, staring at the door, hoping it was just an animal. But the footsteps didn't stop. They circled the cabin slowly, pausing near the windows, then starting to up again. What do you think it is? Jake whispered, his voice barely audible. I don't know, I replied, not wanting to say what was really on my mind. Brian's stories about skin walkers kept echoing in my head. Then the footsteps stopped. Complete silence. We didn't move, didn't breathe, straining to hear anything in the thick quiet. I glanced at the others, their eyes wide with fear when suddenly, thump. Something hit the roof, hard. We all jumped and Jake cursed under his

breath. The sound came again. A heavy, deliberate thud, like something, or someone, was walking on top of the cabin. Brian gripped his rifle tighter. It's trying to find a way in. I grabbed my flashlight and pointed it at the ceiling, but of course I couldn't see anything through the wooden beams. The scraping started next, like claws or nails dragging across the roof. slowly, methodically. Whatever was up there wanted us to know it was close. Then from outside the door, we heard it, my voice. Let me in. The words were calm, but they were my voice, no doubt about it, but I was inside with the others staring at the door in horror. That's not you, Jake said, backing away. That's not you. I know, I whispered, my hands trembling. We are. We are

all stood frozen, terrified, as the thing on the roof moved again, making its way to the edge, and then, silence. No footsteps, no scratching, nothing. We can't stay here, Brian whispered, it's playing with us, it's waiting. And deep down, I knew he was right. Whatever was out there, it wasn't done with us yet. The next morning came too slowly, and none of us had slept. Every noise outside the cabin kept us on edge, but by dawn it seemed like whatever had stalked us through the night had gone. The sun peaked through the thick trees, casting an eerie, pale light. We were still scared, but we had no choice. We had to leave. We're getting out of here. Now, I said, slinging my rifle over my shoulder.

My voice was steadier than I felt. Brian didn't argue. He was already packing his gear, his hat. His head. hands shaking as he zipped his bag. Jake, usually the jokester, wasn't saying a word. He just kept glancing at the door like he expected something to break through any second. We packed quickly, too quickly, fumbling with our gear as if we couldn't leave fast enough. The whole time the cabin felt like a trap, its wooden walls too thin to protect us from what we had seen or heard the night before. Once outside, the cold morning air hit my face, but it didn't feel like a relief. It felt heavy, like the forest itself was watching us.

We didn't say much as we started the hike back to the truck, keeping our eyes on the ground, our senses on high alert. But as we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling. That creeping sensation in my gut, the same one from yesterday, was back. We were being watched again. The deeper we went into the woods, the more I noticed it. The forest was too quiet. No birds, no wind rustling the leaves.

Nothing. Just our footsteps crunching against the ground. And then, I saw it again. Out of the corner of my eye, a shadow darting between the trees. Did you see that? Jake whispered his voice hoarse. I didn't want to scare him more, but I nodded. Yeah, it's still out there. Brian turned. His face pale, his eyes wide. We need to hurry. It's hurting us. "'Hurting us?' I asked confused. "'It's leading us off course,' Brian said, his voice shaking, "'making sure we don't get back to the truck. "'That's when I realized it. "'We should have hit the dirt road by now, "'the one that led to the truck. "'But all around us was nothing but trees,

"'thick, dark trees that seemed to go on forever. "'We're lost,' Jake said, panic creeping into his voice. "'How are we lost? "'We need to calm down. I said, trying to sound confident, but I could feel fear crawling up my spine. I checked my compass, but the needle spun wildly, useless. We're going to figure it out. But the forest had other plans.

A sudden rustling from the trees made us all stop in our tracks. Something was moving. Fast, coming right at us. Before I could react, the thing was gone, vanishing into the shadows. I couldn't see it, but I felt it. It was playing with us. We have to run, Brian said, his voice tight with fear. Now.

Without another word, we took off, running through the trees as fast as we could. My legs burned. My breath came in gasps, but I couldn't stop. I could hear it behind us, the sound of something crashing through the forest, something faster than us. We were running for our lives, and I wasn't sure we'd make it out alive. We ran until our lungs burned and our legs burned and our legs. legs ached, but no matter how fast we moved, it felt like the thing chasing us was always

right behind. Its presence was everywhere, the crashing of branches, the sound of heavy footsteps that seemed to come from all directions. I glanced back once and saw a shadow dart between the trees, long and misshapen. It wasn't like anything I'd ever seen before. Not human, not animal, something in between. The fear was like ice in my veins. We can't outrun it, Brian gasped, stumbling as we made it into a small clearing. It's too fast. He was right. I could feel the thing closing in. Its mocking whispers carried on the wind. It sounded like us, like it was mimicking our voices again. I heard my own voice calling from the trees. Come back. You can't escape. We have to make a stand, I said, trying to sound braver than I felt.

Here, now. Jake looked at me wide-eyed, his face pale. Are you crazy? That thing, whatever it is, will tear us apart. We don't have a choice, Brian said. His voice trembling but steady. It's either fight or keep running until it catches us. He was holding his rifle so tightly his knuckles were white.

The clearing wasn't much of a safe spot. but it was all we had. We quickly gathered what little we could find, branches, rocks, anything that could serve as a barrier or a weapon. I wasn't sure what we were up against, but I knew we couldn't keep running, not anymore.

We lit a small fire in the center, hoping it would at least keep the thing at bay. The flickering flames cast long shadows, making the trees around us look like they were alive, twisting and swaying. Every noise felt louder, every breath felt heavier. Then it came. At first we saw nothing, just the silence pressing down on us, but soon the shape of the creature appeared at the edge of the clearing, half hidden in the shadows.

It was tall, its body shifting, almost melting in and out of different forms. One moment it looked like a wolf, the next like a twisted, distorted human. Its eyes glowed red, and its lips curled into a sneer, like it was enjoying the fear it caused. We can't let it get close, I whispered, raising my rifle. My hands shook, but I aimed straight at the creature. I fired once. Bang, but the thing barely flinched. It was like the bullet passed right through it, like it wasn't fully real. It's not working, Jake cried, firing his own shot. Panic surged through me. How could we fight something that didn't follow the rules of this world? Brian, though, was digging through his bag.

Wait, he yelled, pulling something out. A small, ancient-looking bone smooth and worn. This, it fears the bones of its ancestors. It's the only thing that can stop it. Without thinking, Brian held the bone high in the air. The creature hesitated, its form flickering like a bad TV signal. It snarled but didn't move closer. For a moment, the world seemed to stop.

The thing frozen in place. Go, I shouted. Now's our chance. We didn't need to be told twice. We ran, the creature howling behind us, as we broke through the tree line and spotted the road. Our truck was just ahead, salvation in sight. I could still feel it watching, its hateful eyes burning into us, but we didn't look back. We reached the truck, slammed the doors, and floored it down the dirt road, the engine roaring to life. Behind us, the thing screamed, a sound so terrible, So inhuman.

It echoed in my head long after we sped away. We had escaped, but I knew one thing for sure. That creature, that Skinwalker, would always be out there waiting in the shadows. Ryan Reynolds here for MintMobil. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same premium wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities, so do like I did and have one of your assistance assistants switch you to MintMobil today. I'm told it's super easy to do at mintmobile.com slash switch. Up front payment of $45 for three-month plan, equivalent to $15 per month required.

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