Just Creepy: Scary Stories - Scary WILDERNESS Horror Stories For A Spooky Autumn Night

Episode Date: October 14, 2024

These are 3 Scary WILDERNESS Horror Stories For A Spooky Autumn Night 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 00:24:33 Story 2 00:43:02 Story 3 Music by: ► Myuu's channel http://bit.ly/1k1g4ey ►CO.AG Music http://bit.ly/2f9WQpe Business inquiries: ►[e-mail] #scarystories #horrorstories #compilation #skinwalker #deepwoods #nationalpark 💀As always, thanks for watching! 💀

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That's 1-800flowers.com slash Spotify. We were already running late by the time we finally reached the beach house. The roads leading here had been confusing, and the rain didn't help at all. The directions on the map felt like a joke, and honestly, I was starting to wonder if this getaway was worth all the hassle. But as soon as we pulled into the gravel driveway, I took a deep breath. It looked quaint, I guess, kind of what you'd expect from an isolated vacation spot by the beach, white paint chipping off the wood, a cute front porch, and lots of seagrass swaying in the wind. See, we made it, Maddie said, her smile trying to lift the mood.

I smiled back even though something didn't feel right. I chalked it up to exhaustion. Ethan was already asleep in the back seat, hugging his stuffed dinosaur, and I hated to wake him. But we were here. Might as well try to enjoy it, right? Inside, the house was mostly cozy, but something about it just felt off. There were all these old glass bottles lined up on shelves, each filled with different colors of sand. There must have been dozens of them, and everyone was labeled in this neat handwritten script. I didn't pay much attention to them at first, though. I was more focused on getting our bags inside before the rain picked up again.

We set Ethan down in the bedroom that had been set up for kids, brightly painted walls, a small dresser, and a rocking chair in the corner. It had a kind of worn-out charm to it. That's when Ethan spotted it, a large rag doll sitting right on the bed. Its red yarn hair and stitched smile gave it this weirdly cheerful look, but there was something about its button eyes that made me pause. Look, Daddy. Ethan grinned, grabbing the doll.

She's going to be my friend. Her name's Miss Molly. Maddie gave me a shrug and a smile. Guess Miss Molly's coming along for the vacation. I forced a chuckle. Sure, buddy. Miss Molly's great. Still, as we unpacked and got settled,

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was a little strange. The house had that salty, damp smell like most places near the ocean, but there was also something metallic in the air, like rust or old nail. Every time I glanced at those sand bottles on the shelves, I felt like they were almost watching us. I know that sounds silly, but they just seemed out of place. Later we decided to make dinner. Maddie took charge of the kitchen, and I helped where I could, mostly keeping Ethan busy.

We laughed, we ate, and things started to feel normal again. Maybe I'd been overthinking it. Maybe I was just tired. But right after dinner, while we were cleaning up, Ethan's... said something that made me freeze. Miss Molly says we shouldn't go near the lighthouse, he mumbled, staring at the doll with wide eyes. I exchanged a glance with Maddie, who raised an eyebrow.

What lighthouse? she asked. We hadn't even mentioned it to Ethan. The one outside, she says it's bad. Well, that's just your imagination, buddy, I said, my voice sounding more confident than I felt. But inside something was twisting. How did he know there was a lighthouse? We hadn't even left the house since we arrived.

Maddie brushed it off, telling Ethan it was just a game, and soon we put him to bed. He insisted on keeping Miss Molly with him, and I figured it wasn't worth the argument. I tucked him in, gave him a kiss on the forehead, and turned off the light. He looked so peaceful, clutching that doll, but for some reason it left a nod in my stomach. After Ethan fell asleep, Maddie and I sat on the couch, trying to unwind. The wind was picking up outside, and the house seemed to creak with every gust. We tried to watch something on TV, but the signal was bad out here. Eventually, we just let the sound of the rain fill the room. I don't know when I fell asleep, but I remember waking up with a

start. The room was dark, and everything was quiet, too quiet. It took me a second to realize what had woken me. There was a noise, something soft and rhythmic. A tapping sound. I blinked, trying to shake off the sleep. Tap, tap, tap. It was coming from the window. I turned to Maddie, but she was still asleep, her head resting on the arm of the couch.

Carefully, I stood up moving towards the window. My heart pounded in my ears as I peered through the glass. There, just beyond the porch, was a figure. A man, standing in the rain, staring right at me. He didn't move. Didn't say anything, just stood there, his face shadowed under the brim of a hat. I swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down my spine. Who was he? What did he want? For a second I thought I saw his mouth move, like he was trying

to say something. I reached for the latch, my hand trembling, but then the figure just turned and walked away, disappearing into the dark. I stood there, from, my breath catching in my throat. I wanted to wake Maddie, to tell her what I'd seen, but something stopped me. Maybe it was fear, maybe it was disbelief, maybe I just wanted to pretend it hadn't happened. But as I stood there, staring out into the rain, I knew one thing for sure. Something wasn't right here, and whatever it was, it had just begun. The rest of the evening went by without much excitement, but I couldn't shake the image of that man standing outside in the rain. Who was he? Why was he just staring at us like that? Every time I thought about it, I got this

weird feeling in my chest, like something was pressing down on me. But Maddie seemed calm, so I tried to be too. I mean, maybe he was just some local guy who got lost in the storm. At least, that's what I told myself. After we put Ethan to bed, I made sure to lock all the doors and double check the windows. I even peaked out the front window one last time, but there was no one out there, just the rain falling on the empty porch, and the shadows cast by the swaying trees. Everything was still, but in a way that made me feel uneasy, like the quiet was holding its breath. Maddie had already drifted off on the couch, so I decided to join her. The wind was picking up again, making the house creak, and honestly, I was tired. I wrapped a blanket. I wrapped a blanket,

it around my shoulders, but sleep wouldn't come. My eyes kept flicking over to the windows, half expecting to see that man again. But after a while, I guess exhaustion won, and I finally dozed off. I don't know how much time passed before I woke up. It was one of those moments where you're not sure if you really heard something or if you dreamed it, but there it was again, this soft, rhythmic tapping sound. Tap, tap, tap. It was coming from the front door this time. I sat up slowly, my heart thudding in my chest. The room was dark, and the only light was from the moon filtering through the curtains.

Maddie was still asleep, curled up on the couch. For a second, I thought about waking her, but something stopped me. I didn't want to scare her if it was nothing. I got up and moved towards the door, trying to be as quiet as I could. The tapping continued, steady and patient. Tap, tap. Tap. My stomach was in knots, and I felt like I could hear every beat of my heart in my ears. I took a deep breath and peeked through the peephole. It was him, the man from the beach.

He was standing there, his face half hidden under his hat, his clothes soaked from the rain. I couldn't make out his expression, but his eyes seemed wide, almost frantic. I felt a chill run down my spine. What did he want? Slowly, I unlocked the door. just enough to crack it open. The air was cold and wet, and I could hear the rain more clearly now. What do you want? I whispered, my voice barely audible. The man leaned in closer, his eyes locking onto mine. He opened his mouth, and I had to strain to hear him over the wind. She's listening to your son through the doll, he said, his voice hoarse and urgent. I blinked, not sure I'd heard him right. What, I asked, but before I could say,

anything else, he turned and ran, just like that. He bolted down the porch steps and disappeared into the darkness, leaving me standing there with the door half open and my heart racing. I slammed the door shut, my hands shaking as I locked it again. I took a step back, trying to make sense of what just happened. She's listening to your son through the doll. What did that even mean? I turned around, my eyes immediately landing on the hallway that led to Ethan's room. I felt this sudden rush of panic. like I needed to check on him right away. I hurried down the hallway, my footsteps barely making a sound on the old wooden floor.

When I opened the door to Ethan's room, everything looked normal. He was asleep, his small chest rising and falling gently. Miss Molly was there, tucked under his arm, her button eyes staring up at the ceiling. I felt my stomach twist. There was something about those eyes that made my skin crawl. I walked over to the bed,

trying not to wake Ethan. I reached out and carefully pulled the doll away from him. He stirred a little but didn't wake up. I held Miss Molly in my hands, turning her over, trying to see if there was anything unusual about her. She just looked like an old rag doll, worn fabric, stitched smile, nothing strange. But I couldn't ignore what the man had said. I carried the doll back into the living room and set her down on the coffee table.

Then I went to the kitchen and grabbed a pair of scissors. I hesitated for a second, my hand hovering over the doll. I felt ridiculous, like I was overreacting to some weird guy's ramblings. But then I thought about Ethan, and that was enough to push me forward. I cut into the fabric, the stitches coming apart easily, stuffing spilled out onto the table, soft and white. I kept going, my hands trembling as I opened the doll completely. There was nothing inside, just more stuffing, no hidden devices.

no strange notes, nothing. I let out a shaky breath, feeling both relieved and frustrated. Maybe the guy was just crazy. Maybe this whole thing was just some bizarre misunderstanding. I gathered up the stuffing and the torn fabric and stuffed it all into a plastic bag, shoving it into the cupboard under the sink. I didn't want Ethan to see Miss Molly like that in the morning. I went back to the living room, collapsing onto the couch next to Maddie. She stirred a little, mumbling something in her sleep, and I pulled the blanket over both of us. I tried to relax, to let the sound of the rain lull me back to sleep, but I couldn't stop thinking about that man, his eyes, the way he'd looked at me. It was like he was trying to warn me, like he was scared for us.

I didn't know what to believe, but one thing was for sure. I wasn't going to let my guard down, not now, not until I knew we were safe. The next morning, everything seems to be. He said, and I was seemed a little less scary in the daylight. You know how it is. Sometimes when the sun's up, all the things that kept you up at night start to feel a bit silly. I was almost starting to convince myself that maybe I'd imagined half of what happened last night. Almost. But then Ethan's cough started up again, and Maddie and I realized we'd left his inhaler back at the house after we went to the beach. The weather had turned nasty again, rain slamming down, wind whipping around, and there was no way I could let Ethan go without his inhaler,

especially since it looked like his breathing was getting worse. So I offered to drive back alone and grab it. Are you sure you'll be okay? Maddie asked, her eyes searching mine. I could see she was worried, but I forced a smile, trying to keep things calm. I'll be fine. It's just a quick drive there and back. I won't take long, I said, giving her hand a squeeze. Honestly, though, I wasn't sure if I was saying it to reassure her,

or myself. The drive back felt different. The road was more like a maze of muddy puddles, and every so often, the rain would lash against the windshield so hard I could barely see. The wipers were working overtime, and even though I kept telling myself I was being ridiculous, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. It was that same prickling sensation, like someone's eyes were on me, just beyond where I could see. When I finally pulled up in front of the house, I let out a shaky breath. It looked just like we'd left it, quiet, empty. But the air felt heavy, like it was holding some secret I wasn't in on. I stepped out of the car, the rain instantly soaking through my jacket, and jogged to the front door. That's when I saw it. The door

wasn't closed all the way. It was cracked open, just a little. My stomach did a nervous flip. I was sure I'd locked it last night. I remembered checking it, double-checking it even. I swallowed, trying to steady myself. Maybe the wind had pushed it open. Yeah, that had to be it, right? I pushed the door open the rest of the way, stepping inside. The house was cold, colder than it should have been, and the air felt damp.

I glanced around, everything looking mostly the same, except there were muddy footprints. They started right by the door. leading down the hallway towards the stairs. I felt my heart start to pound. Someone had been here. Someone had walked right into our house. I had this urge to run, to get out of there and call the police from the car, but I had to get Ethan's inhaler first. I couldn't leave without it. I moved as quietly as I could, my ears straining for any sound. I could hear the rain outside, the wind rattling the windows, but inside. Silence. I followed the footprints down the hallway. My eyes saw, fixed on the stairs ahead. They led right up to the second floor towards the bedrooms. I reached

the base of the stairs and hesitated. Every part of me was screaming that I shouldn't go up there, that I should just turn around and get out. But I needed that inhaler, and I needed to know what, if anything, was still upstairs. Slowly I started up the stairs, each creaky step sounding way too loud in the silence. When I reached the top, I could see the hallway stretched out in front of me, leading to Ethan's room. The door was open, just like we'd left it, but something felt wrong. The air felt thick, like I was waiting through it. I took a deep breath and stepped towards the room. When I looked inside, I almost thought I was imagining it. Miss Molly, the rag doll we'd ripped apart last night, was gone. I'd put the pieces in a bag, stuffed it under the kitchen sink.

But the bed was empty. There was no bag, no stuffing, no duffing, no duffing. No doth. doll. My heart started pounding faster, my throat tightening. Someone had been here, and they'd taken the doll. I turned and hurried back down the stairs, my hands shaking as I pulled out my phone. I needed to call the police, tell them someone had broken in, that they were still out there. I stumbled out of the house, slamming the door behind me, and practically ran to the car. I locked the doors and dialed 911, my fingers trembling. 911. What's your emergency? The operator's voice crackled through, calm and professional.

I tried to steady my voice, but it still came out shaky. Someone broke into our house. I think they're still here. I... I don't know what they want, but they took something. I need help. The operator asked me to stay on the line, and I could hear my own breathing, fast and uneven. I kept my eyes on the house. half expecting to see someone come out, but no one did. The rain kept falling, and the house stood there, dark and empty.

It felt like forever before the police finally arrived. Their blue and red lights cutting through the rain. Two officers got out of their car, and I waved to get their attention. They nodded, one of them gesturing for me to stay put while they went inside. I watched them go in, disappearing behind the door. My fingers tapped nervously against the steering wheel. I wanted to believe that they'd find nothing, that it had all been in my head, but deep down, I knew that wasn't true. After what felt like ages, the officers came back out. They didn't look

alarmed or worried, just confused. One of them walked over to my window, and I rolled it down. We didn't find anyone inside, sir, he said. His expression almost sympathetic. Nothing seems to be disturbed. I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him about the footprints and the missing doll, but the words got stuck in my throat. They wouldn't understand, and maybe they wouldn't believe me anyway. I nodded slowly, feeling a mix of relief and dread. Thanks, I managed to say. We're leaving today. I don't think we'll be staying here any longer. The officer gave me a nod, and they both headed back to their car. I watched them drive away, the house. The house. house still standing there behind me, its secrets hidden inside. I took a deep breath and started

the car. It was time to go, to get Maddie and Ethan, and leave this place far behind. Whatever was happening here, I wasn't sticking around to find out. After the police left, I just sat there in the car for a minute, trying to calm myself down. I knew one thing for sure. We had to get out of this place. Whatever was happening here, it wasn't safe for us. and I wasn't about to take any more chances with my family. I took a deep breath and turned the key, the engine roaring to life. Time to go back and get Maddie and Ethan. The drive back to the other house felt longer than it should have.

My nerves on edge the whole time. Every rustle of the wind, every flicker of a shadow, made me grip the steering wheel tighter. I kept telling myself that it would be okay once we got out of here, once we were far away from this place, but it was hard to believe it. When I finally pulled into the driveway, Maddie was already at the door,

holding Ethan close. She looked relieved when she saw me, and I couldn't blame her. I waved to let her know everything was okay, or at least as okay as it could be, and I quickly got out of the car. We need to pack up and go now, I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The police didn't find anything, but I'm not taking any chances. Let's get out of here before the storm gets worse. Maddie nodded and we both went inside. Ethan was tired and confused, clinging to Maddie as we packed our things. I tried to move quickly, throwing clothes into bags and gathering everything we needed. I wanted to be out of that house as fast as possible. Every minute we stayed felt like a minute too long.

I headed upstairs to grab Ethan's toys from his room. The air felt even colder up there, like the house was trying to keep us in. I shook off the thought and went straight to his room, my eyes scanning the shelves and the floor. That's when I noticed something that made my stomach drop. One of the sand bottles was missing. There had been a line of them on the mantelpiece, each bottle a different shape, filled with sand in different colors. But now, the one shaped like a lighthouse, was gone. I stood there, staring at the empty space, my mind racing.

Who would take it, and why? A chill ran down my spine and I felt my heart start pounding again. I couldn't ignore it. Something was wrong here, something that went beyond just an old doll and a strange man in the rain. I had no idea who had been in this house or what they wanted, but it was clear now that we were being watched. And they'd left with something of ours. I grabbed Ethan's toys, shoving them into a bag and hurried back downstairs. I could feel the weight of the empty space on the mantelpiece, like it was calling after me.

but I ignored it. I had to focus on getting my family out of here. Nothing else mattered. When I reached the living room, Maddie was zipping up her suitcase, her eyes wide with worry. What's wrong? she asked, her voice soft, but I could hear the fear underneath. I hesitated for a moment. Should I tell her about the missing bottle? Would it make things worse knowing that someone had been inside again? But then I realized that she needed to know. She deserved to know why I was so scared. One of the sand bottles is gone, I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The one shaped like a lighthouse.

I don't know who took it or why, but someone's been in here. We need to leave now. Maddie's face went pale, and she nodded, pulling Ethan closer. Okay, let's go. We carried our bags out to the car, the wind whipping around us as we loaded everything in. I kept looking over my shoulder. half expecting to see that man again, standing in the distance watching us. But there was no one there, just the empty house and the rain-soaked landscape.

Once everything was packed, we all got into the car, and I started the engine. I glanced back at Ethan, who was sitting in his car seat, holding his stuffed dinosaur. He looked up at me with sleepy eyes, and I forced a smile. We're going home, buddy, I said, trying to sound cheerful. No more spooky beach house, just us, okay? Ethan nodded, but he didn't say anything. I could tell he was still confused, but he trusted us, and that was all I needed. I turned back to the road, my hands gripping the wheel as I pulled out of the driveway.

The house grew smaller in the rearview mirror, but the unease didn't leave me. As we drove away, I couldn't help but glance back one last time. I knew it was just a house, four walls, and a roof, nothing more, but it felt, like it was watching us leave, its secrets hidden behind those peeling walls. The missing sand bottle, the man in the rain, the eerie warnings, they all weighed on me, like a puzzle I couldn't solve. I wanted to believe that we were safe now, that whatever had been there couldn't reach us anymore. But deep down, I knew that wasn't true. The missing bottle was out there somewhere, and whoever had taken it, whoever had been watching us.

was still out there too. I looked over at Maddie, who was staring out the window, her face lined with worry. I reached over, taking her hand in mine, and she looked at me, giving me a small, tired smile. I tried to smile back, but it felt forced. Everything's going to be okay, I said, though I wasn't sure if I believed it, we're going to be fine. Maddie nodded, but I could see the doubt in her eyes. I squeezed her hand, focusing on the road ahead. The rain kept falling and the wind howled, but we were moving forward.

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stay you expected. When you want savings, not surprises. It matters where you stay. Hilton, for the stay. I wasn't sure what I'd expected of Hollow Woods, but this wasn't it. You know how some places just feel wrong, like they weren't meant for you? That's what I felt the moment we parked the car and stepped into the thick, dense forest. It was something in the way the shadows seemed to stretch further than they should, like they wanted to pull us in. But Mike, well, he didn't. He didn't didn't seem to notice. He was grinning ear to ear, like he was born to be out here, surrounded by nothing but trees and the promise of something unknown. Come on, Lucy, Mike called, hoisting his pack higher on his shoulders. It's not that far. Lucy rolled her eyes, tugging at her backpack

straps. I could tell she wasn't thrilled. Her eyes had that look that said, I'd rather be anywhere else but here, though she wasn't quite ready to say it out loud. I gave her a smile, trying to ease her nerves, but it felt thin. Something about the place had my own anxiety brewing too. I just wasn't ready to admit it either. The others, Brian, always relaxed, and Sam, practical to a fault, were already chatting ahead, their voices cutting through the otherwise dead silence of the woods. Even the birds seemed to be holding their breath, but maybe that was just my imagination. About half an hour in, we stumbled across this old well, set back a bit from the path. It looked ancient. The stone covered in green moss. Vines tangled around it like nature was trying to hide it from view.

And the water, well, it was the oddest thing, clear enough that you could see the bottom, but with this weird greenish glow, like it was reflecting light from somewhere that shouldn't exist. Wow, Mike said, leaning in a little too close for my liking. This is kind of cool, isn't it? Lucy didn't think so. Her feet were aching. I could see her winceing with every step. So when she plopped herself down beside the well and dipped her feet in the water, I couldn't say I blamed her. But I didn't like it, not one bit. Something about that well made my skin crawl. Lucy, I said, trying to keep my voice light. Maybe don't...

She just looked at me, tired and done with it all. It's fine, Kate. Honestly, it's just water. But it wasn't. I couldn't put my finger on why, but every part of me screamed that there was something wrong with it. the way it glowed, the way the air seemed colder the closer you got. But I kept my mouth shut because, well, what do you say when everyone else thinks it's just your imagination?

After a while we moved on, though Lucy seemed different, quieter, like something had drained the life out of her. The others didn't notice. They were too busy laughing at Mike's ridiculous stories. But I noticed. And the further we went, the heavier the feeling got, like the woods were pressing in on us. watching. By the time we reached Raven Hollow, the light was fading. We set up camp, and for a little while, things felt almost normal. The creek nearby was beautiful, sparkling in the sunset,

and the tension that had been nodding up my stomach seemed to ease. We even laughed, really laughed, like we'd done a hundred times before. And for a moment, I almost forgot about the well, about that strange cold dread. Almost. That night, after the fire had burned down and we'd all settled in our tents, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling of fabric above me. Lucy was next to me,

but she hadn't said a word since she'd gone to bed. Just lay there, still and silent, her breathing shallow. I turned over, trying to sleep, but that feeling wouldn't leave me. Something was off. Something was wrong. And then I heard it.

the faintest whisper, like a voice carried on the wind, coming from somewhere deep in the woods. I held my breath, listening. It sounded almost like Lucy, but it wasn't her. I knew that with a certainty that made my blood run cold. The whisper stopped, and all I could hear was the rustle of leaves outside and the pounding of my own heart. I wanted to wake the others, to say something, anything, but I didn't. Instead, I closed my eyes tight. praying for morning, praying that it was all just my imagination. But deep down, I knew it wasn't. I'd hoped a good night's sleep would make everything feel normal again.

Funny how hope can feel so misplaced when you're staring at a nightmare. I woke up to Mike's face, pale as a ghost, hovering over me, his eyes wide with something I'd only ever seen on people who've stared death in the face. Pure, unfiltered fear. Kate, he whispered, shaking my shoulder. You need to come with me. It's Brian. It's bad. I blinked at him, not quite awake, but the look in his eyes pulled me upright like a fish on a line. I didn't even put on my shoes. I just followed him out of the tent, heart pounding, every instinct telling me that whatever was waiting was going to change

everything. We crossed the clearing in a rush, the early morning mist clinging to our legs, damp and heavy. I could hear the creek before I saw it. The soft murmur of water over stones, usually so peaceful, now felt sinister, like it was hiding something from me. And it was. When I saw Brian, everything inside me went cold. He was face down, half in the water, his body lying there like a discarded rag doll. His skin was covered in dark bruises, and there, just beside him, was a jagged rock. its edge smeared with blood. It wasn't supposed to be like this.

This was supposed to be a fun trip, a break from the city. But there he was, and I knew that whatever fun we thought we'd have was over. God, I whispered, stepping closer, though every part of me wanted to run the other way. What happened, Mike? He didn't answer, just shook his head, his eyes glued to Brian. I could feel the panic rising in my chest, like a scream that wouldn't couldn't come out. I turned and ran back to the campsite, hoping to find Sam and Lucy, praying this was some kind of sick, horrible accident. But when I got there, the scene was worse than I could

have imagined. The tent was torn, like something had ripped it apart from the inside. There was no sign of Sam, only the remnants of our gear scattered around and drag marks, marks that led away from the campsite deeper into the woods. I stood there frozen. My mom, mind raced trying to piece it together. Where was Sam? And Lucy? Where was she? I turned to Mike, who'd followed me back, his face as white as mine felt. We both knew we had to do something, but neither of us could seem to move. We have to find them, I said, my voice sounding small, even to me. We can't just, I know, Mike interrupted, and there was a quiver in his voice I'd never heard before. He looked around, then grabbed a flashlight from the ground. Come on, we can't

Stay here. We followed the trail, my heart pounding louder with each step. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. Every rustle, every snap of a twig made me jump, my eyes darting from shadow to shadow. The trees felt alive, like they were closing in on us, whispering secrets I didn't want to hear. When we reached the clearing, I almost couldn't believe what I saw. Lucy was standing there, but she wasn't Lucy, not really. Her skin was. an awful, sickly green, her eyes empty of anything I recognized. She was hunched over something, her hand stained with red. It took me a second to realize it was Sam, lying at her feet. Lucy, I called out, my voice breaking, but she didn't even flinch. She turned to us. Her face

twisted into something I couldn't understand, and I knew right then that whatever was left of my friend wasn't really her anymore. Mike grabbed my arm, pulling me back and we ran. I don't remember much about that moment, just the sheer terror, the feeling that if I turned around, I'd see her right behind us. And maybe I did hear her, those same whispers from the night before, chasing us through the dark. We reached the car, panting, my hands shaking as I fumbled for the keys. But it was too late. Lucy, or whatever she'd become, was there, and before I knew it, she had Mike, dragging him

into the underbrush. His scream echoed through the trees, a sound that'll never leave me. I knew I should have helped him, but I didn't. I turned the key, the engine roared to life, and I drove, tears blurring my vision, my heart-breaking with every mile that took me further from him. I was alone. It's funny how that word doesn't quite hit until you're really, truly by yourself, surrounded by nothing but dark woods, and silence so thick it feels alive. The car sped down the dirt road, tires kicking up dust behind me, but I couldn't hear a thing over my own heartbeat. It echoed in my ears, pounding out a rhythm of guilt and fear. Mike was gone, and it was my fault. I kept driving, my hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel. The forest felt

endless, the trees blurring together like they were all conspiring to keep me there, to swallow me whole. I didn't even know where I was going, just that I needed to get away, away from Lucy, or whatever she was now. I thought about stopping, about turning around, but the memory of Mike's scream stopped me cold. It was like I could still hear it, echoing in the back of my mind, mixing with those whispers I'd heard the night before. They were still there, buried under everything else, and it made me sick to my stomach. After what felt like hours, the road finally opened up, the trees thinning out until I could see the early morning sky again. I pulled over, my hands shaking so badly I could barely put the car in park. I had to catch my breath, had to think. I leaned back in

my seat, closing my eyes. Maybe if I just stayed here for a minute, I could figure out what to do. I wasn't ready to go to the police, not yet. How could I explain any of this. My friends were dead, and Lucy. How could I even begin to describe what she'd become? I opened my eyes and looked out the window, my gaze drifting to the tree line, and that's when I saw it, a movement, just at the edge of the woods, a flicker of green like the moss on that old well. My chest tightened, and I felt that familiar dread creeping up my spine. It was Lucy, or at least it looked like her. She was standing the there half hidden in the shadows, her eyes fixed on me. They were empty, hollow, like they were

seeing right through me. My breath caught in my throat, and I fumbled with the keys. My finger suddenly too clumsy to do anything right. Come on, come on, I muttered. My voice barely a whisper. The engine roared to life, and I slammed my foot on the gas, the car lurching forward. In the rearview mirror I saw her, standing there watching me go. Her eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and even though I was getting farther away, I could still feel them on me, like a weight pressing down on my chest. I drove until I hit the nearest town, my hands still shaking, my mind spinning with everything that had happened.

I pulled into the parking lot of a diner, the neon sign flickering above me, and finally let myself breathe. I needed help. I needed someone to tell me that I wasn't losing my mind. The door to the diner jingled as I stepped inside, the warmth and the smell of coffee hitting me all at once. A waitress looked up, giving me a polite smile, but it faded when she saw my face. I must have looked like hell, pale, wild-eyed like I'd just seen a ghost, and maybe I had. Are you okay, hon? she asked, her voice gentle, and I wanted to tell her everything. about Brian, Sam, Mike, about Lucy and the well.

But all that came out was, I need to call the police. She nodded, reaching behind the counter to grab the phone, and I sank down onto a stool, my head in my hands. The whispers were still there, just under the surface, and I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't over, not by a long shot. The police arrived a few minutes later, two officers, both of them looking more confused than concerned. I tried to explain but the words felt wrong, too strange to make sense.

They nodded, took notes, but I could see it in their eyes. They didn't believe me, and honestly, I couldn't blame them. After they left, I sat there staring out the window at the empty street. The sky was getting lighter, the dawn breaking over the town, but it didn't bring me any comfort. I knew she was still out there. Lucy, or whatever had taken her place. And as I sat there, the whispers grew louder, until they were all I could hear. I never thought I'd be so happy to see the inside of a police station. But there I was, hands trembling as I gripped the edge of the counter. The officer behind the desk looked at me like he couldn't quite figure out what I was doing there, like I was some ghost that had wandered in from the cold. And honestly, I felt like one. I'd barely slept, barely eaten. My clothes were still damp from the woods, and my face. I hadn't even looked in a mirror, but I knew it wasn't a pretty sight.

Ma'am, you need to slow down, he said, holding up a hand. His voice was calm, like he was used to dealing with people on the edge, and I realized that's exactly what I was. You're saying there's bodies? Yes, I croaked, nodding, my throat raw. My friends, they're dead. Brian, Sam, and Mike The names felt heavy on my tongue

Like saying them out loud Made it all more real And it did They were gone And Lucy I couldn't even bring myself to say her name The officer's eyes flick to his partner Standing a few feet away

They shared a look One I knew well It was the kind of look that said This lady's lost it But I wasn't crazy I knew what I'd seen Please, you have to go out there There's something

Someone's still out there It's not safe. He sighed, picking up the phone, and I heard him call for a team to check out Hollow Woods. It felt like an eternity before he hung up, giving me a slow nod. Okay, we'll take a look. Why don't you sit down? Get some water. I nodded, but I couldn't sit.

I paced the small waiting area, the walls feeling like they were closing in. Every noise, the clink of a coffee mug, the shuffle of papers, felt too loud, too sharp. My head was spinning, and that's when I realized. The whispers hadn't stopped. They were quieter, muffled, but they were still there, just beneath the surface of everything else. I turned, staring at the window. The sky was bright now, the morning sun cutting through the blinds, and for a second I almost believed it was over.

Almost. hours passed. The police had gone to the woods, and I just waited. I don't know what I expected, maybe some kind of relief, a sign that they'd found her, or at least put an end to whatever nightmare had started at that well. But when the door opened and the officers walked back in, I could see it in their faces. They hadn't found her. They'd found Brian and Sam, sure. But Lucy, she was gone.

One of the officers, a woman with kind eyes, came over to me. She knelt down, her voice soft. We'll keep looking all right. right? We'll figure out what happened. But I could tell she didn't believe it, and neither did I. They let me go later that afternoon, and I ended up in a cheap motel on the edge of town, the kind with flickering lights, and a bed that felt like it was stuffed with rocks. I didn't care. I just wanted to be somewhere with walls, somewhere that wasn't surrounded by trees and the echoes of those whispers. Night fell, and I tried to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes,

I saw Lucy. Her face, twisted and green, her eyes empty. I kept telling myself it wasn't her anymore, that she was gone, and whatever I'd seen was something else entirely. But it didn't help. Not really. Around midnight, I heard it, a sound that made my blood run cold, a whisper right outside my window. I sat up, heart pounding, my eyes fixed on the curtain. It was just the wind. It had to be, but as the whisper grew louder, more distinct, I knew it wasn't over. Slowly I got up, my feet moving without me telling them to. I reached for the curtain, my fingers trembling, and pulled it back. There was nothing there, just the empty parking lot, the neon motel sign casting a sickly glow over the asphalt,

but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was still out there, watching, waiting. And deep down, I knew she'd never stop. I let the curtain fall back into place, sinking down onto the bed, my hands shaking. I was alone again, but it didn't feel like it. It felt like the woods had followed me, like they'd wrapped themselves around me, whispering secrets I'd never understand. And as I lay there, staring at the ceiling, I realized I'd never really left Hollow Woods. Not entirely. Part of me was still there, with Lucy.

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I was so excited I could barely stand it. This was my first real camping trip alone with Dad, just the two of us and Kodak, our dog. We'd been planning it for weeks, and I felt like I was finally old enough to handle everything. You know, just me and dad in the wild. It wasn't a family trip like usual, and I liked that. It was supposed to be special. We'd been hiking through the forest for hours, and honestly, it was beautiful. The air was fresh, full of that piney smell that makes you think

of Christmas and winter, even though it was summer. The sun peaked through the branches above, and I could hear Kodak running up ahead, his tail wagging so fast it was like a blur. He was in his element, jumping over logs and sniffing everything. Dad was in a good mood too. He kept pointing out different things like birds and plants, telling me what they were. I didn't always know if he was making it up or not, but it didn't matter. It felt like an adventure. I even tried to remember some of what he said, just in case I needed it, like how to tell poison ivy from regular ivy. That seemed like important information. After a while, we found that. We found that the same thing. We found the perfect spot to set up camp. There was this small clearing surrounded by thick trees,

and you could still see a bit of the sky. It felt like we were the only people for miles, which was awesome, but also kind of, I don't know, quiet, like the world had paused just for us. Anyway, we set up the tent and Dad let me help with the fire. He showed me how to get the kindling just right so it caught, and I was pretty proud when the flame started to crackle. As the sun began to set, the fire turned into this warm glowing thing and I felt safe. The flames flickered and shadows danced along the trees and everything felt right. Dad roasted some marshmallows and we made s'mores. He told me some stories about when he was a kid coming out here with grandpa and I could tell he was happy.

That made me happy too. Eventually it got late and Dad said it was time to turn in. I didn't want to. I wanted to stay by the fire all night. but I was tired and my eyelids felt heavy. The tent was cozy, with our sleeping bags all set up, and Kodak curled up next to me, warm and breathing in that slow, relaxed way dogs do when they're totally comfortable. I could hear Dad's soft snores from his corner of the tent, and it made me smile. I closed my eyes listening to the crickets outside and the wind in the trees. It was like a

lullaby almost. But then... I don't know. I don't know. I'm not. I don't know. I'm just. I woke up and something was different. It was too quiet. I couldn't hear the crickets anymore. It was like the whole forest had just stopped. I lay there trying to tell myself it was nothing that maybe I'd just imagined the quiet. But then I noticed Kodak.

He was awake, his ears standing straight up, staring at the tent flap. His body was stiff, and I could hear this low growl rumbling in his throat. I felt my heart skip a beat. Kodak? I whispered, barely loud enough to hear myself. He didn't look at me. He was focused on something outside. I tried to wake Dad up, gently shaking his shoulder. Dad, I whispered, something's out there. He just mumbled and turned over, still half asleep. Then I heard it, a sound that made my skin crawl. Footsteps, heavy, deliberate footsteps, crunching on the leaves just outside the tent. It wasn't an animal, I could tell. It was too slow, too careful. My heart started pounding, and I reached for the flashlight next to my sleeping

bag, my hand shaking a little. I switched it on, and the beam of light seemed so small against the darkness. Kodak was standing now, his growl louder, almost a snarl. The footsteps kept going, circling the tent. I wanted to scream, but I felt frozen, like if I made a noise, whatever was out there would know exactly where I was. I had to see. I had to know what it was. I crawled slowly toward the tent flap, my hands trembling as I reached for the zipper. I opened it just a crack, enough to peek out. The campfire was out, and everything was dark, too dark. The moonlight barely lit up the clearing, and the trees looked like shadows, towering and unmoving. I could feel sweat trickling down the back of my neck. Nothing. There was

nothing there. But then, just as I started to think maybe I'd imagined it, I heard the footsteps again. This time, they were moving faster, circling us like they knew I was watching. My breath caught, and I jerked the flashlight toward the sound, the light slicing through the darkness. But there was nothing. Just more shadows, more trees. I backed away, crawling toward Dad, shaking him harder this time. Dad, I hissed louder, my voice cracking. He finally woke up, blinking at me, confused. What's going on? He asked. His voice groggy. There's someone out there, I said, my voice barely a whisper. Or, something. He sat up quickly, his face changing, all the sleepiness gone. He grabbed the hatchet we'd brought for chopping wood, and he looked at me, his eyes serious.

Stay behind me, he said. I nodded, my heart pounding in my ears. The wind started to pick up again, rustling the trees, but the footsteps were gone. Whatever it was, it had stopped. But I knew one thing for sure. I didn't feel alone anymore, and I didn't feel safe. The air inside the tent felt too tight, like I couldn't get a good breath. Dad was right next to me, clutching the hatchet,

and Kodak was standing at the tent flap, still growling, his hackles up. I tried to steady my breathing, but it was hard. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. I wanted to believe, Dad, that it was just an animal, but I knew in my gut it wasn't. Stay close, Dad said, his voice low. He zipped the tent flap open all the way, and we stepped outside. The air was cold, colder than I thought it would be. The fire had gone out completely, and everything was dark. The moon was up there somewhere. but it wasn't doing much good. The forest seemed to swallow all the light.

Kodak ran out first, sniffing around, his ears still perked. I kept my flashlight on, the small beam shaking as my hand trembled. Dad stepped out with the hatchet raised looking around, and I just stuck right behind him, trying not to make a sound. We listened. The wind rustled the branches, and for a second I almost felt relieved. But then, nothing else. No crickets.

No rustling of leaves like before. Just silence. I felt like we were the only people left in the whole world, and the forest was closing in on us. Dad let out a long breath. Probably just an animal, kiddo, he said, though his voice was tight. He knelt down by the fire pit and started to gather some of the kindling we'd left nearby. Let's get this fire going again, okay?

It'll keep anything away. I nodded. Even though I still felt like something was wrong, really wrong. I helped him with the fire, though my hands were shaky, and every little sound made me jump. I kept glancing out at the tree line, expecting to see something, or someone, watching us from the shadows. But there was nothing, just the dark shapes of the trees, standing there like they were waiting for something too. After what felt like forever, we got the fire going again. The flames flickered and popped, and I felt a tiny bit of that warmth,

return. Dad smiled at me, trying to make me feel better. See, he said, nothing we can't handle, we're safe here. I tried to smile back, but I could tell he didn't really believe it either. He kept looking out at the trees, his eyes narrowed, like he was expecting something to come rushing out at any second. Kodak finally relaxed a little, lying down next to me, though his eyes still followed every little movement outside the light of the fire. We sat by the fire for a while, not saying much. Dad tried to make some jokes, talking about how we'd tell Mom about our big adventure when we got home, but his voice had this edge to it, like he was forcing it. I just nodded, not really laughing. The firelight made the shadows dance across the trees, and every time I looked,

I thought I saw something moving out there, but when I turned my head, it was always nothing. Eventually, Dad said we should try to get some sleep. I didn't want to, not really. I didn't want to close my eyes, not with whatever was out there. But he promised he'd keep watch for a while, and I was so tired. My body felt heavy, like I could barely keep myself upright anymore. So I crawled back into the tent with Kodak following me in. He lay down close, his body warm against mine, and I tried to tell myself that Dad was right.

We'd be fine. We'd get some sleep and in the morning, everything would be better. I must have dozed off at some point, but it wasn't a good sleep. I kept waking up, hearing little noises, branches snapping, the wind howling. It felt like every time I closed my eyes, something got closer. And then, suddenly, I woke up to a sound that made my stomach drop, heavy breathing. It was right there, just outside the tent, like someone, or something, was something. standing right at the entrance. I sat up, my heart pounding so hard at hurt, and I looked around.

The tent was empty, Dad was gone. Dad? I whispered, my voice shaking. No answer. Just that breathing, slow and heavy, like it was waiting for me to come out. I grabbed the flashlight, my hands trembling as I switched it on. The beam of light cut through the darkness, and I crawled to the tent flap, unzipping it just enough to peek outside. My breath caught in my throat. The fire was out again. The clearing was dark, even darker than before, like the night had gotten thicker. I couldn't see anything, but I knew, knew something was out there. I could feel it, watching me, waiting. Dad? I called again, a little louder this time, still nothing. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. Movement in the trees. A figure, tall and shadowy, just barely visible

in the moonlight. It wasn't dad. It was too far away, too still, just standing there watching me. My stomach twisted, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I shined the flashlight toward it, but the light didn't do anything. It was like the darkness swallowed it up, bending around the figure. I couldn't see its face, but I knew it was looking at me. I could feel its eyes on me, cold and angry. My breath hitched and I backed away, almost tripping over Kodak. He was up now, growling again, his hackles raised. I couldn't think. I just turned and ran, the flashlight beam bouncing wildly as I stumbled out of the tent, Kodak right behind me. I didn't know where I was going. I just had to get away from it. The forest was.

dark and I couldn't see, but I kept running, my legs burning and my heart pounding. I didn't stop until I reached a clearing, panting and terrified. I looked back, but the figure was gone. The forest was still again, but that didn't make me feel any safer. And then, just when I thought it couldn't get worse, I heard it, a whisper. It was soft, almost like the wind, but I knew it wasn't. It was saying my name, and it wasn't my dad's voice. I could hardly breathe as I stood there in the clearing, the whisper of my name still echoing in my ears. Kodak stayed close, his growl low and steady.

I felt like my heart was going to pound its way right out of my chest. The forest around us was so dark, darker than it had any right to be. It was like the trees were sucking up all the light, leaving us alone in the thickest shadows I'd ever seen. Dad, I called out again, my voice cracking. The only answer was the wind rustling the branches overhead, and that whisper, I swear I heard it again, so faint, like it was drifting on the breeze. I couldn't just stand there.

I had to find him. I had to know where he went. Taking a deep breath, I shined the flashlight around, the beam flickering as my hand trembled. Come on, Kodak, I whispered. Let's go find Dad. We moved forward, back toward the campsite, but every step felt like I was walking deeper into something terrible. The clearing where our tent was supposed to be was only a few minutes away, but it felt like it took forever to get there. I kept hearing noises, branches snapping, leaves rustling, but nothing that made sense, and always that feeling that I was being watched, like something just out of sight was keeping

its eyes on me. Finally, the tent came into view, but it was dark and empty, the flap hanging open. The fire was nothing but a pile of ashes now, the cold embers barely visible. I swallowed hard, my throat dry. Dad? I tried again, stepping closer to the tent. No answer. Kodak sniffed at the ground, his nose moving quickly, his body tense. He let out a short, sharp bark, and I jumped, my heart skipping a beat. I turned the flashlight in the direction he was facing, but there was nothing there. Just more trees, more darkness.

Where are you? I whispered to myself, feeling my stomach twist in knots. It didn't make any sense. He wouldn't just leave me here, not in the middle of the night, not without saying anything. Something had happened.

I knew it, deep down, even though I didn't want to admit it. Suddenly, Kodak's head snapped up. his ears perked, and he let out another growl, deeper this time. I felt a chill run down my spine. He was staring at the edge of the clearing, where the trees were thickest, like he could see something I couldn't. I shined the flashlight over there, my hand shaking so bad that the beam wobbled. For a second, I thought I saw something, a shape, just barely visible between the trees. It was tall, too tall, and it didn't move like a person.

It just stood there, watching. My breath caught and I froze, my eyes locked on that spot. But then, just as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone. I blinked, trying to make sense of it, but there was nothing there anymore, just darkness and shadows. No way, I whispered, shaking my head. I didn't know if I'd really seen it, or if my mind was playing tricks on me. Either way, I knew I had to get out of there. I turned back to the tent.

my hands fumbling as I grabbed the sleeping bags and stuffed them into my backpack. I wasn't about to stay here, not after everything that had happened. I needed to find Dad, and if he wasn't here, then I was going to go looking for him. I didn't care if it was the middle of the night. I couldn't just sit around and wait. Kodak stayed close, his eyes darting around, his ears twitching at every little noise. I could tell he was just as scared as I was, but he wasn't leaving my side. good boy, I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady.

We're going to be okay. We just have to find Dad. I slung the backpack over my shoulder, gripping the flashlight tight. We started walking, moving away from the clearing and deeper into the forest. I didn't know exactly where I was going. I just kept moving, hoping I'd find some sign of Dad, something that would tell me he was okay. But the further we went, the worse that feeling got. The darkness seemed thicker, the trees closer together like they were trying to trap us. And the noises, they were getting louder, branches cracking, footsteps, heavy, deliberate footsteps, just like before.

I stopped, my heart racing and turned the flashlight around, shining it in every direction. Who's there? I shouted, my voice echoing through the trees. Nothing, just silence, thick and heavy, pressing in on me. I could feel the sweat on my forehead, the chill of the chill of the trees. of the night air making it feel cold. And then, just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I heard it again. That whisper. My name, drifting on the wind, so soft I almost missed it, but it was there and it was close, too close. Please, I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. Where are you? My voice broke and I felt that fear, deep and sharp, cutting through me like a knife.

Kodak barked, loud and fierce, and I spun around, the flashlight beam catching something, a glint of movement, a shadow slipping between the trees. I didn't wait to see what it was. I grabbed Kodak's collar and we ran. I didn't care where we were going. I just needed to get away from whatever was out there. Branches whipped at my face, the ground uneven beneath my feet, but I kept running, my legs burning, my lungs aching.

Kodak stayed with me, his growls mixing with the sound of my own panicked breathing. I didn't stop until I couldn't hear the footsteps anymore, until the forest around me seemed still again. I stumbled into another clearing, falling to my knees, gasping for breath. Kodak stayed beside me, his body pressed against mine, warm and solid. I looked around my eyes wide searching the shadows, but there was nothing. Nothing but the wind. And that feeling. that awful feeling that something was still out there waiting watching and i knew deep down that this wasn't over i don't know how long i sat there in that clearing just trying to catch my breath everything was so still so quiet the kind of quiet that makes you want to scream just to break it

kodak pressed against me his warm body the only thing that made me feel like i wasn't completely alone but i was terrified i can't I kept thinking about Dad, where he could be, what could have happened to him. I stood up slowly, my leg shaky, and looked around. I had no idea where I was anymore. Everything looked the same. Trees, shadows, darkness. The flashlight wasn't much help, and it felt like the batteries were starting to die. The light was dimmer now, flickering just a bit, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows

were closing in on us. Dad, I called again, even though I knew it wouldn't do any good. My voice sounded small and lost in the vastness of the forest. I tried to think, tried to figure out what I should do next. I knew I couldn't just stay here. I had to keep moving. I had to find Dad. I started walking again, one hand gripping Kodak's collar,

the other holding the flashlight out in front of me. Every step felt like it was taking me deeper into something I couldn't escape. The trees were thick, their branches reaching out like they were trying to grab me, and the darkness was so heavy I felt like I could hardly breathe. Then I saw it again, movement, just out of the corner of my eye. I whipped the flashlight around, the beam shaking, and there it was, a figure, tall and shadowy, standing between the trees. It wasn't moving, just watching.

I could feel my stomach twist, my whole body going cold. Who are you? I shouted, my voice cracking. What do you want? The figure didn't answer. It just stood there, almost blending into the darkness, like it was part of the forest. I took a step back, and Kodak growled, his teeth bared. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might pass out. And then, just like before, it was gone. One second it was there, and the next it had vanished, swallowed by the shadows. I felt my knees go weak, and I stumbled backward, almost falling. I didn't know what to do. I didn't even know if I was awake anymore.

Maybe this was all some horrible nightmare, and I'd wake up in the tent with Dad beside me, snoring away. But it wasn't a dream. I could feel the cold air on my face, hear the rustle of the wind in the branches. This was real, and whatever that thing was, it was real too. I turned and ran. I didn't know where I was going, but I couldn't stay there.

The flashlight beam bounced wildly, the dim light barely lighting the way, but I just kept running. I could hear Kodak right behind me, his paws thudding against the ground, and that was the only thing that kept me from completely losing it. I stumbled through the trees, branches scratching at my arms, the cold air burning my lungs. I couldn't hear the footsteps anymore, but I could still feel it. that awful sense of being watched, like eyes were on me, following me through the darkness. I wanted to scream, but I didn't dare make a sound. I just ran, hoping that somehow, some way, I'd find Dad, or maybe even just a way out of this nightmare.

Suddenly, I burst into another clearing, and I stopped, gasping for breath. My flashlight flickered, the beam growing even dimmer, and I looked around, my eyes wide. There was nothing here, just more trees, more darkness. But then I saw something, a glint of light just for a second, reflecting off something on the ground. I stepped closer, my heart in my throat, and knelt down. It was Dad's hatchet. I picked it up, my hands shaking.

Dad? I whispered, my voice barely audible. He had to be close. He had to be. But then I heard it again, that whisper. My name, drifting through the air, so soft it almost felt like it was inside my head. I looked up, my eyes darting around, and there it was. The figure, standing at the edge of the clearing closer this time. I could see it more clearly now, tall, with long, thin limbs, almost like it wasn't human.

The way it stood so still, so silent, made my skin crawl. I felt tears sting my eyes, and I took a step back, clutching the hatchet. Leave me alone, I shouted, my voice breaking. Kodak barked, loud and fierce, but the figure didn't move. It just watched, and I could feel its eyes on me, cold and empty. The flashlight flickered again, then went out completely, plunging us into darkness. I gasped, my breath catching in my throat, and I could feel the panic rising inside me like a wave that was about to crash over me. I couldn't see anything. Just blackness. thick and heavy, pressing in on me from all sides.

Kodak barked again, and I felt him press against my leg, his body warm and solid. I gripped the hatchet tighter, my knuckles white, and tried to keep my breathing steady. I could still hear that whisper, my name, repeating over and over, like it was trying to pull me toward it. I didn't know what to do. I felt like I was trapped, like there was no way out. But I couldn't give up. I had to find Dad. I had to get us out of here. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding, and started moving again, one step at a time,

into the darkness. I didn't know where I was going, or if I'd ever find my way out. But I knew one thing for sure. Whatever was out there, whatever had taken Dad, I wasn't going to let it take me too. And as I walked, the whisper followed, my name echoing through the trees, A reminder that I wasn't alone. Not really. Not in the way that mattered.