Backroads and Hungry Woods | 5 Scary Stories: Werewolf, Ghost & Lake Monster

0:01 There's a moment on a camping trip when you start thinking about how far away the car is. The fire is burning low, you've heard something move in the trees twice now, and the person who promised there was nothing to worry about is already asleep. Welcome back, my spookies. Tonight, we're heading past the last streetlight for five horror stories from the woods and waters just beyond town. These are places that look beautiful in daylight. We'll be staying a little later than that. We begin with a scream across a lakeside camp. At a lonely ranger station, a woman hiding from a ghost has 22 minutes to wait for help.

0:52 Four teenagers ignore a lake's warning against swimming after sundown, a solo camper follows the smell of smoke off the trail, and a boy searching for a missing classmate finds a cottage deep in the woods. There's a light in the window. That ought to be reassuring. So pull your chair closer to the fire and keep your flashlight handy. Because this one is out there. And also out there. And make sure you're subscribed on your favorite podcast app. We bring you a brand new horror story every single Wednesday. Right here on Weekly Spooky. But now, I think it's time to pack up and head out. Let's get going.

1:46 That's good. Daria looked up into the night. Was that a scream? She turned to her boyfriend of three years. His face was illuminated by the dancing flames of their campfire. The look in his eyes told her that he had heard it too. His hand subconsciously went to his belt, where he had a knife attached in a sheet. It was probably coyotes, Brandon said, reassuring her. Sometimes they can sound like babies yelling. That was no coyote. Wasn't there a car we passed up a little ways ago? Maybe something happened to them. We should check to see if they're okay, Daria said. I'm sure it's just a bunch of drunks having a good time. I haven't heard anything since, Brandon said, looking back towards the old logging road that traveled its way around the small lake. where they were camping. We're in the woods. We're going to hear things we aren't used to. That's half the reason we come out here, to experience new things, he said, and smiled at her.

3:00 Do you need another beer? he asked. No, she said, sullenly, and stared into the darkness towards the sound she heard. She looked back at the flimsy tent and wondered what kind of protection it could actually offer. if something did come into the camp tonight. It was her first time camping. She was having a hard time relaxing. Brandon, on the other hand, grew up in the woods and had no problem enjoying the outdoors. It was fine during the day, but once the darkness started to settle in, her anxiety started to rise. She knew somewhere inside that she was just being foolish, but he wouldn't listen to her. The full moon's light played off the trees and cast shadows just out of the firelight. She constantly found herself looking around, thinking she saw movement. Brandon said she was just nervous because it was her first time in the woods. He had told her that he'd camped here before and knew the area well. The fresh air was great, she had to admit, and the quiet was unbelievable. No hustle of the city, no loud cars cranking base driving by. No fireworks or gunshots. You never really could tell. It felt like they were the only people in the world. Until that other car drove up the road. Brandon said there were other spots to camp around the lake, but it wasn't a well-known area. She had tried to fish earlier,

4:32 but grew bored after about an hour of trying. Brandon laughed at her for being impatient. She looked over at the folding table where they had some of their supplies sitting. Everything from pans and paper plates to utensils and even a tube of Pringles. The rest of the food had been packed away into a sealed container and put in the back of their SUV to keep the bears away. She looked up as she thought she had heard another scream. She turned back towards Brandon, but he'd fallen asleep in his camp chair. She stood and approached her boyfriend, who was lightly snoring. If tonight was any other drinking night, then he would sleep soundly. through the entire night. She undid his belt and pulled the knife and its holder off and slid it into the front of her shorts.

5:20 She grabbed a flashlight from the table and walked the little path up the logging road. She looked both ways on the road, the dirt illuminated by the full moon through the gap in the trees above. There was no movement or sound coming from either direction. She debated if she should check out the other camp. She wanted to make sure they were okay. It would give her peace of mind as well as making sure they were alright. She couldn't bring herself to start walking down the road. She was afraid. She hated to admit it, though, even to herself. I'm being silly, she said out loud and turned back towards her camp. The fire looked inviting from this far out in the cool night. She stumbled on a route as she entered the campsite. and it awoke Brandon.

6:10 He rose from his chair. Um, are you ready for bed, babe? He asked. Yeah, she replied, and poured the rest of her beer onto the fire to put it out. That's a waste of beer, Brandon said, and unzipped his pants. He started to piss on the fire. Daria headed to the tent, disgusted. Hey, uh, hey, babe, we should do it. It'd be fucking intense. Get it? Fucking intense? Brandon said and burst out laughing. He turned around and saw her slip inside the tent. No sense of humor, he said, zipping up. A few minutes later, Brandon was snoring next to Daria, wrapped up in his sleeping bag. If only she was that lucky, she thought as she watched the faint light from the moon dance in the shadows cast by the leaves. Every time the breeze kicked up, she thought it was something approaching her camp. There was no way she was going to sleep that night. She played with the idea of sleeping in the car. She might feel safer that way, as she looked at the knife she still carried. She slid her fingers across the edge of the blade to see how sharp it was. A thick trail of blood ran down her finger as she misjudged how hard to press. She stuck her finger in her mouth. A howl erupted out in the night. She didn't know wolves lived in these woods. She turned towards Brandon to see if he had heard it, but he was still snoring. She tried to place where the howl

7:42 had come from in her mind. She thought it came from the same area as the screams they thought they had heard earlier. It's just my imagination, she whispered and tried to close her eyes, but she was filled with nervous energy. She thought about how if Brandon was awake, she would take him up on his offer, just to have the companionship at that moment. She thought about waking him up. She knew if she did, he would be pissed. Was that a twig snap? She sat up in the tent. It sounded really close to the tent. The hairs on her arms rose up and gave her goosebumps. She looked down at the knife and realized she was holding it as hard as she could. The handle was sticky from where she'd bled from the cut. Okay, that time it was definitely close to camp. She tapped Brandon on the shoulder.

8:34 He could be as pissed as he wanted to be. She needed him right now. But he didn't stir. It was then that she saw the shadow pass over the tent. What the fuck was that? She wondered and poked Brandon harder. The large shadow stopped near the flaps of the tent and she could hear a sniffing sound. Fuck, fuck, fuck, it's a bear, she whispered and started to shake in fear. A low growl came from outside. A shadowy appendage rose in the darkness and she could see claws of the beast. She punched Brandon in the face and he woke up. What the f- he started to say, but she put her hand over his mouth and pointed to the tent entrance.

9:20 His eyes grew huge as he saw the shape in the moonlight. The sniffing continued. He reached down to his waist for the knife, but it wasn't there. The shadow moved toward Daria's side of the tent, and she practically leapt on top of Brandon. She saw the thin fabric stretch as the animal pushed against it with its face, still sniffing. She looked down at her hand. Oh shit, she whispered and showed Brandon her bloody finger. He took the knife from her and rolled his eyes. He pulled his pants on as a growl came from behind them. The tent shook from the animal probing it. He grabbed her and pointed towards the flap on the tent as he handed her the car keys she tried to protest but he shook his head her heart pounded in her chest but her limbs felt heavy almost frozen she wasn't sure she could make a run for it the growling stopped and all was silent for a moment The shadow moved off the tent into the woods. They could hear footfalls of whatever it was. Brandon made his way to the zipper on the tent and undid it, slowly. Now, he said, and opened the flap. She hesitated for just a moment, and he pushed her out of the tent, following right behind her. She scanned the campsite for whatever it was, but didn't see anything. A great howl came from behind the tent that made her move. She took

10:50 off to the short trail towards the car in the darkness. She heard Brandon behind her. Oh shit, oh shit, he said, and she turned around to see what he was talking about. A great black shape in the darkness charged after them, and she ran to the car and yanked the door open. She turned her head towards Brandon and saw him fifteen feet from the car. The large black shape bounced with lightning speed and landed on his back, driving him to the ground. No! She screamed, and the beast looked up in her direction. Its yellow eyes glowed, reflecting the moonlight. She'd never seen a bear up close before, but she knew instantly that it wasn't a bear. Close the door! Brandon called out to her from under the beast, which had put a clawed hand down on the back of his head, driving his face into the ground. She yanked the door closed and plunged the key into the ignition. The engine roared to life and she turned on the headlights and threw the car into reverse. She lined the front of the car up with the camp so that she could see what was happening. The beast, she didn't know what else to call it, stood on its hind legs. Like a human.

11:57 Its face had a snout, like a dog's, and its body was covered in corded muscle and silvery black hair, shining in the moonlight. She beeped the horn several times. Get the fuck off him! She yelled at the... the werewolf. There was no other way to describe it. It was a goddamn werewolf. The beast roared and leapt onto the hood of the car with a metallic clang on impact, its snarling face a mere inch from the windshield. She watched as saliva dripped from its canines as long as a thumb. Tears streaked across her face, and she wiped her hand across her brow. Behind the werewolf, she could see Brandon getting to his knees in the headlights. She waved her hands around, trying to keep the creature's attention, its yellow eyes darting back and forth, watching her movements.

12:44 Snarls escaped its mouth as it watched her. A clawed hand, so much like a human's, pounded on the glass, making tiny cracks in the windshield. Brandon darted around towards the passenger side of the SUV. The movement caught the werewolf's eye, and with inhuman speed it dove on top of Brandon. Daria watched as its clawed hand sunk into Brandon's back like a hot knife through butter. Blood began to seep from the wounds as Brandon screamed out in pain, so much like the scream's. she had heard earlier. Frantic, she looked around the front seat looking for anything to help, but she came up empty. Go! Brandon managed to say between screams. She didn't want to leave him here. She put the car in gear and backed it up a little.

13:28 The headlights illuminated a grisly scene in front of her. Brandon was lying face down. His back was covered in blood. The werewolf still had its claws embedded in her boyfriend's back. She beeped the horn to get its attention. Fuck you, Teen Wolf, she said and floored it. The car struck the beast on the left hip, spinning it around as the car drove across the narrow dirt logging road and struck a tree. Smoke rose from the dented hood in the headlights. Shit, she said and looked in the rearview mirror. She saw Brandon lying there on the road, but she didn't see the beast. Maybe she'd taken it out. She tried to back the car up, but it was stuck. The tires spun in the ditch the front end had fallen into. Brandon moved an arm. He was still alive.

14:15 She had to help him. She craned her neck around and saw no sign of the monster. She opened the car door and raced to her boyfriend. Why didn't you go? He asked between gurgles as blood escaped his mouth. She lifted the blue flannel shirt he was wearing and saw the hole in his back. She had expected a few puncture wounds, but this was a gaping hole. I'm not leaving you behind, she said. Can you get up? No. Just go, he said. I can't feel my legs. She looked at his injury again, and it suddenly became clear. The hole in his back was where his spine should have been. A good nine inches of it was missing.

15:02 She heard a snarl behind her, and she turned. The beast was backlit from the crashed car She looked at its clawed hand. It held Brandon's spine. It approached her and swung it at her, striking her in the face with her boyfriend's backbone. She fell over backwards on the far side of Brandon, who screamed again. The beast stood on top of him and sniffed toward her. It was her blood that had brought the beast to their campsite, she thought. It snarled at her and put one hairy, clawed finger on the back of her boyfriend's neck. as if teasing her. The werewolf's intelligence was apparent in its cruel eyes from this close. Please, she begged, between sobs.

15:51 Please leave us alone! The werewolf looked down at Brandon, then back at her, as if deciding who it wanted more. Leave him alone, you son of a bitch! She yelled out, and the werewolf sent her tumbling with a backhand slap. She rolled into a pine tree, and it knocked the wind out of her. She tried to get to her feet, but her body wouldn't yet respond. She heard a wet, snapping sound coming from the road, and she winced, knowing it came from her boyfriend. A moment later, she could finally move. She stood unsteadily, using the tree to help her up. The werewolf had its back to her as it snacked on Brandon, gnawing into his upper arm. Brandon wasn't screaming anymore. He had to be dead. she thought.

16:39 She wiped her hair out of her face and took a step towards the monster. It didn't seem to notice her yet. Two more steps and she watched in horror as the monster devoured the love of her life. Her fright started to fade miraculously and a calm it took over her. Cold and calculating, her mind thought of all the stories she'd heard about werewolves and how to kill them. There were no silver bullets, or silver anything around for that matter. She wondered if fire would kill it, but the campfire had gone out, and she doubted the werewolf would wait for her to start another. Another step. She could smell the animal. She could smell Brandon's blood on the beast as it huffed and growled its blood-lusted ecstasy.

17:34 A glint in the moonlight caught her eye, and she couldn't believe her luck Just behind the beast, by Brandon's feet, was the knife. She crouched carefully and grabbed it in her hand. With a surge of courage, she jumped on the creature's back, swinging the knife around and plunging it into its neck. A scream ruptured from the beast. She felt it reverberate through the werewolf's body. It tried to stand, and she held on with everything she had. As the beast thrashed around, she heard ripping as the knife cut deeper into it. It swung its arms around, trying to grab her, but failed. It did manage to cut her legs and hips up with its wild swings, though. It stood at its full height and started to back up while trying to swing its head around to bite her.

18:22 She put her free hand around the thing's neck, under the jaw, but not before it nipped her. She screamed in pain and could see the blood pour from her forearm. With a better grip, she pulled the knife towards her, ripping into the werewolf's flesh, carving her way around it. She could see a gap in its flesh. She pulled harder. The beast backed its way into a tree, trying to crush her beneath its weight and the hard surface. She nearly lost her grip on the knife as it grew so slippery from all the blood. It howled in pain and fell down to all fours. Daria sat on its back, pulling on its dog-like ears to expose the throat better. She pictured what it looked like from down the road and smiled, thinking about someone finding her riding on the back of a werewolf. It's funny how the mind wanders at the weirdest times, she thought. She reached around as far as she could and replanted the knife into the werewolf's throat. Its frantic movements had begun to slow, and she finally had some hope. She might come out of this alive. The werewolf fell over on its side, and she lost her grip. The knife was under the body.

19:31 disgusted with even the thought of doing so she wrapped her undamaged arm under the jaw of the beast and yanked upwards as hard as she could tissue ripped and gave way and the beast wasn't fighting anymore she adjusted and got a grip with both hands and yanked she heard a loud pop and the head came loose. She fell over backwards, still clutching the severed head in her hands. She dropped it and got back to her feet. She stumbled around the body, back to Brandon. But it was too late. He was dead. She wiped blood from her arm. on his flannel shirt and removed his belt for a tourniquet.

20:12 She looked at the monster that had ruined her life in the light from the full moon and spit on it. A few moments later, she'd started the fire up again and walked back to the road to grab the body of the monster to burn. When she arrived, there was no creature. A naked, middle-aged man's severed head stared back at her as she dragged its body to the fire She wasn't taking any chances. The smell of the burning body was too much to bear, and she headed back to the road to see if she could get her car unstuck. She tried to rock it back and forth, but it wasn't going to budge. She gave up and looked down the logging road. It was about two miles to the highway. She could walk that and hope to hitch for a ride back to the city. She put one foot in front of the other and started out down the road. The winding path was illuminated from the full moon through the break in the trees above. After about three minutes, she saw a fire and hope swelled up inside her. There was another camp. She could hitch a ride with them and get out of here. As she approached the site, she could smell a sweet smell.

21:30 It was nearly intoxicating. What was that? she thought. Was it s'mores? It was more enticing than anything she'd smelled before. She approached the campsite slowly, peering through the trees at the campers within. Ow, Thomas, that really hurt. Look, look, I'm bleeding, came a female voice from within. I'm sorry, babe, I was only joking. She heard a male voice call out. She licked her lips at the smell and was startled to find her canine teeth felt so much bigger. She felt something moving under her skin and watched in surprised horror as her nose grew into a snout. What was that noise? Daria heard the woman say. It was hard to make it out, now that all the other forest sounds were suddenly louder. She stepped into a clearing, trying to calm the campers, but the woman's scream surprised her.

22:30 Werewolf! The woman screamed and pointed at her. But she didn't notice, because she was focused on the woman's bleeding wound. Just stay calm, Laura. We have an officer dispatched that should arrive in 22 minutes, the male dispatcher told me on the phone. Okay, I thought. I just need to stay alive for 22 minutes. How hard could that be? Well, it would be tough because I had the ghost of a lumberjack with an axe trying to find me and I was hiding at a ranger station that was just an old single wide trailer. The ironic thing was that the place was stocked with plenty of food and provisions in case someone got stuck out here during the winter.

23:27 But I didn't need food. The only provision I needed was an Uzi. I wasn't hanging out there waiting for the weather to clear. It was August. I was trying the last 22 minutes, well, looking at my watch now, only 20 minutes. Best case scenario. So far, I hadn't heard any sign of him since I entered the trailer. But about five minutes ago, I was running away after watching him smash my fiancé' s face in with his axe. Please lose all hope that this story ends with me finding out that the wounds were superficial and he survives and we have a beautiful wedding not gonna happen i watched as he took his axe and made what was once such a beautiful face with perfect teeth and his cute little dimples that only appeared when he smiled and watched it turned into ground beef well ground beef with chunks of skull and teeth mixed in with extra ketchup on top how long now I asked the 911 operator, who I still had on the phone. Can I get your ETA, Officer 3457? He asked. I couldn't hear the officer's response. Yeah, uh-huh, yep, okay. Miss? Looks like 15 to 20 minutes until he arrives, he said. You made it sound like you knew the time to the minute!

24:54 I yelled, which was a mistake. Not because it upset the operator. No, he kept his cool, but a moment after my outburst, I heard the sound of the axe hitting a tree in the distance. The time I gave you was always an estimate. He did state that he is making good time, but it all depends on traffic, he said calmly. Traffic? Isn't that why they have those flashing lights on top of their car? I was frustrated but tried not to raise my voice. Boom! I heard the axe being slammed into another tree. It sounded nearer. What was this thing, I wondered. When I found this trail on the trail app, I didn't see any Watch out for the 100-year-old ghost of a lumberjack notes.

25:42 All it said was that a bobcat was sighted four years ago. I brought bear mace for that. Also, side note, if you ever get into this situation, bear mace does not work on ghosts. I know. Who would even think to try that? But I did. It seems dumb, but As part of the scientific process, we can now rule out pepper spray as having any effect on ghosts. You're welcome, the field of parapsychology research. I looked at my watch. I didn't want to ask the operator again. It had been about six minutes now since the original estimate, so best case scenario, I would only have to survive another 16 minutes. Are you still there? The operator asked. Yes, I said. What is happening? The operator asked. Nothing, just trying not to lose my mind in fear as the minutes to my safety slowly tick away, I said. Well, we have the time, so explain to me again what happened, the operator asked. I don't want to, I said. It'll help.

26:52 It'll kill time and we will have a record of it so you won't have to repeat the story right away after the officer arrives. From the beginning? I asked. Sure. The operator said. With fifteen minutes left, I started my story. Alan and I had been dating for the last two years, and we had finally decided that we should get engaged. We acted like I didn't know it was going to happen, but we had looked at rings together and we had planned this trip soon after I chose the perfect one. Boom! The crack of the axe hitting another tree. It startled me so badly that I peed a little. It sounded closer than I wanted to admit to myself. Before continuing my story, I moved into the one room with a door, hoping that it would damper the sound of my voice as I talked. Still there? The operator asked. Yes, I said. Continue.

27:49 Time is still passing, they said. I looked at my clock. Only 14 minutes now. I can do this. So, we planned this trip. This trail didn't have much to it except that it had a nice incline and supposedly had the remains of an old logging camp. I had seen pictures in the app of downed trees, cables, and a large steam donkey. Typically, I would think this stuff would have been taken by scrappers, but being that we are in the Pacific Northwest, the ground is fairly soft most of the year from all the rain. Add a large incline to that and you have scrap that's not worth the effort to the scrapper. but now I wonder if there was maybe another reason that the remnants remained. The coolest feature was an old abandoned steam donkey that was left up there. My father's father and his father were all in the logging industry, so I had a deep interest in that history. Boom! I heard and felt the axe slam into the side of the old trailer. What was that? the operator asked in a volume outside of his usual calm demeanor. Shh, he's attacking the trailer, I said as quietly as I could while still being audible.

29:08 Boom! I heard once again on a different spot in the trailer. It wasn't closer to my location, so I hoped he didn't know exactly where I was in the single wide. I looked at my watch. Thirteen minutes left. While I sat in silence, I I thought about those last happy moments after we had arrived at the abandoned lumber camp. I had been pointing out all the rigging and how it was used. Alan was a city kid and knew nothing about the lumber industry around him. even the woods for that matter. When we started dating, as soon as I felt that he was safe, I started planning hiking trips for us instead of traditional dates. What is that?

29:53 My soon-to-be fiancé had asked when he spotted the steam donkey. I can't believe this was left out here. This is so cool. I saw a restored one of these in action at the Timber Festival in Estacada one year, I told him. Yeah, but what is it? He asked. It's basically a winch, but steam powered, I told him. Hey, take a photo of me in front of it for the socials, I had asked him. Instead of taking my photo, he turned on the video function on his phone. Then he kneeled and started his speech. I was worried that the quality of the video wasn't going to be great.

30:36 It was starting to get dark, but I wasn't going to interrupt him. I figure I'll let him finish, then we can set up the tent. My dearest Laura, these last two years have been such a joy with you. I never want this time to end. he said before being interrupted by the sound of an axe hitting a tree. What was that? I asked. Alan was a perpetual optimist. Probably just somebody chopping wood for a campfire, he said. In the middle of August? During a fire ban? I asked. A moment later, we spotted the man coming through the clearing.

31:19 It was fascinating at first. He was there, but also not there. I thought to myself, wow, Unsolved Mysteries and Are You Afraid of the Dark had it right. Ghosts were semi-translucent, bluish-pale figures. His clothes were period-specific to the early part of the last century. Leather boots and loose-fitting pants held up with leather suspenders. He wore a dingy, long-sleeved white shirt that appeared to be covered in dirt and dried blood. Once he spotted us, he headed in our directions. Alan, like I said, was an optimist, so he tried to speak to it like it wasn't clearly a ghost. Howdy, out getting some firewood? Alan asked. Then the ghost slammed the axe into his face. Without even thinking, I pulled out the bear spray and shot the ghost in the face. It didn't respond in any way. I ran as quickly as I could, knowing that it was too late for Alan. The last image I have of Alan...

32:25 is when I looked back. He was on the ground with his hand up, still clutching the ring. My ring. The ring that symbolized a future we would now never have. Then the axe came down on his face again, and the arm went limp and fell to the ground. Boom! Boom! Boom! Fuck! The banging startled me, and I stopped telling the story for a moment. Then I heard the unmistakable sound of the door being opened. It dragged on the floor from years of weather damage. Then what happened? The operator asked.

33:13 Shh! He's too close! We have to be quiet! I told the operator, fearing that the ghost would hear his voice. The room I was in had a window, but it had bars, so it was not an escape route. I continued to listen and worry as I heard his footsteps walking on the floor. Thankfully, the operator had taken the command to be quiet seriously. I could hear him breathe, so I knew he was still on the line. So, I checked my watch. Nine minutes. Just enough time for this spectral logger to chop me into tiny little pieces. What do I do? What do I do? I kept asking myself. I looked around the room, but there was nothing that would work as a weapon. I mean, almost nothing.

34:03 There was a porcelain lamp, which wouldn't do much, a notepad, and an old-school phone book. I grabbed the phone book. It was a county edition, so it had some heft to it. I might be able to slow him down with it if I get a good hit in. I heard the floorboards creak as his footsteps approached the door to the room I was in. Well, I thought. The moment of truth. I held my breath as I watched the knob turn. I didn't even attempt to hide. All that would do is put me in a vulnerable spot when he found me. The door flew open and he stormed in. I took my yellow pages and slammed it through his head. Let me explain. I don't mean so hard that it smashed his skull and went through it.

34:50 I mean, I swung and it went through like nothing. Bullshit! I screamed. He can affect solid things well enough to kill the love of my life, but he's not solid enough for me to do anything. That thought train stopped when he swung the axe at my chest. Instinctually, I held the phone book in the way, which worked great as a makeshift shield. He snarled at me. I dropped down on my knees and ran under his legs to get away. I could have probably run right through him, but I didn't like the idea of that. Being that silence didn't seem to be a big deal anymore, the operator spoke. Are you okay? No! I screamed. He should be there soon, the officer, the officer said in his typical calm voice. My watch told me I had six more minutes. Okay, okay, you can do this, I said as I stood up and ran. I was just about to go out the door when I looked over once again at that supply shelf. Was that a flare gun?

35:56 I asked myself. I decided to chance it. I ran over and grabbed it. At that moment he came around the corner so I pointed the gun at him and fired. Nothing. It wasn't loaded. Fuck! I screamed as I turned and searched for the flares. I was in a state of panic as I searched so I didn't notice him raise his axe. I screamed when he slammed the axe into my wrist. It also caused me to drop the phone as this was no mere flesh wound. It was gruesome. It was deep. And even in the panic, I felt the bone break. I lifted my arm to look, but the lower portion just slumped to the side and blood began to flood out.

36:38 I wondered if I would run out of blood before the cop arrived to save me. I estimated that I had around four minutes, if I was lucky, which I hadn't been yet, so why would I be now? My fiancé was dead. My arm was fucked. and I couldn't find the damn flares. But then I did. The flares weren't even that hidden. I had just been too panicked to focus. He swung again, but I dropped down to the ground as he smashed the axe into the cans of cream corn. I attempted to roll on my side to get far enough away to load and fire the flare gun. But I landed on my bad wrist and screamed out. I screamed so loud that the lumberjack stopped and stared at me. I looked up and our eyes met.

37:24 I was filled with dread. The look in his eyes was death. He broke the gaze when he brought the axe up to hit me with it. While he did this, I loaded the flare gun and shot it at him, which did nothing. The flare went right through him, landing on the supply shelf. Why did I think it would do anything? The phone book didn't. What was magical about a flare gun? Make note, parapsychology researchers. I have ruled out bear mace, phone books, and flare guns as weapons against ghosts. I glanced at my watch, only three minutes, but then I thought, what could a cop do that I didn't just do? He'll probably die right next to me.

38:11 Then I saw flames. The supply shelf was catching fire from the flare. One of the shelves held lighter fluid. I didn't think that it would help against the ghost. but it did mean that I now had two reasons to get out of the trailer. I was still on the ground as I tried to make my exit. Do you know how hard it is to crab walk backward with only one good arm? It's nearly impossible, but a killer with an axe is a great motivator. Boom! The axe went into the floor in front of me, right between my legs. The lumberjack attempted to pull the axe back. Surely he wouldn't miss again. but the axe wouldn't budge. Yes, I finally got a little bit of luck.

38:56 As he struggled, I continued moving backward until I could reach the open door. I grabbed it with my good arm and pulled myself up. I couldn't check on the status of the officer since I had dropped my phone, so I looked at my watch. Only two minutes until he or they would arrive. Good, because I was starting to feel the loss of blood. Behind me, as I moved, I heard what I believed to be the sound of the axe coming free from its hold on the floor. I kept moving, then... Kaboom! The flames must have gotten to the lighter fluid. I never looked back to see the damage, too afraid that the lumberjack would be one step behind me, swinging that axe. I checked my watch again.

39:42 Shouldn't I hear him squealing his tires, rushing up the mountain road? There was only one minute left! Oh no, maybe he did hit traffic. Then I heard it. The sound of an engine and wheels spinning fast. I kept moving forward towards that sound. As I watched for the car, my vision started to blur. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground. So I kept crawling towards where the car was coming, hoping that they would see me and that I wouldn't get an axe in my back on the way. The driver saw me just in time. He had to slam on his brakes not to run over me. I heard him as he got out. Stand back, sir.

40:22 I'm going to need you to step back and drop the axe and we won't have any problem here, he said. The lumberjack kept moving forward. Sir, I said back up and put the weapon down now. The lumberjack moved forward. Having no other option, the officer pulled out his gun and shot the man, which of course did nothing. So he shot at him again. It's not going to work! I yelled. Then he shot again. He is invincible! Just get me in the fucking car and get me down this mountain! I screamed. Thankfully, the cop listened. He grabbed me and hauled me into the car. Then, I must have passed out. In the hospital, that cop was my first visitor when I woke up. He came and told me the rest of the story. He tried one more time to get the man to stop, but he didn't, so he jumped in the car and threw the transmission in reverse. The lumberjack was able to put two holes in the hood before we could get far enough away.

41:34 He said that a half hour later, his backup showed up after he'd radioed it in. They found no axe-wielding lumberjack. They did, of course, find the burning trailer and my fiancé' s body. Oh, before I go, we found this at the scene and I thought you would want it, the cop said, as he held out the ring that Alan was proposing with. I instinctually held my left hand for him to slide it on my finger. That was the moment I realized that my wounded left hand had been amputated.

42:19 The Creature from Richardson Lake by Charles Campbell It was July in the valley, and it was one of the hottest summers on record with daily temperatures averaging over 95 degrees, much hotter if you include the heat index. Sally Richardson was on register duty, taking money from the flock of patrons coming in to take a swim or sunbathe on the imported beach sand. Richardson's Lake had been open for business since the 1950s, and it was still as popular as it ever was. Sally was the great-granddaughter of Milo Richardson, the original owner of this redneck Riviera. Sally had a couple of cousins helping her run the place along with a few Valley teenagers from Midland Valley High School's swim team.

43:09 The days were mostly drama-free. The biggest issues they had outside of bad weather here and there were valley kids trying to pass off the stamp on their hands from the day before, as paid admission for that day. Sally had a system when stamping hands that involved many changing symbols and colors at the start of each swim day. Summer passes were also available, which some folks took advantage of, but most of them paid as they entered. Richardson's Lake was also a cash-only establishment. so they could be a little fudgy when it came to tax time. There was a hard and fast rule that everyone knew and no one broke, until someone did. No swimming after sundown. Well, that should give you a hint of where we're going with this story. Some dumbass valley kids ignored the rule one night, and this is what happened. Cecil Dalton had a cooler full of beer and a big pinch of skull in his gums. He was sitting on the front stoop of his mama's double-wide trailer, spitting tobacco juice as he waited. Then he saw Billy Frost's Jeep turn down Oak Street. Cecil leapt from the stoop and grabbed the cooler.

44:31 Billy dimmed the Jeep lights when he approached. He wasn't sure if Cecil's mama cared if he went out this late or not. Your mama home? Billy asked. Yeah, she's asleep. She don't give a shit where I go, so you're good, Cecil said with a grin. Hey, Cece, Angie Renew shouted from the passenger seat. She was a hyper little thing, skinny as a string bean, and Billy was smitten with her. Hey, little girl, guess you got shotgun, Cecil said. He smiled when he saw who was in the back seat. Now, that ain't who I think it is, is it? Get on back here, Cece, and give me some sugar, hollered Mandy Hudson. Mandy was not skinny as a string bean.

45:14 She was completely filled out in all the right ways. She had known Cecil since grammar school, and Mandy always loved flirting with her big teddy bear. Oh yeah, Cecil was an offensive lineman for the varsity football team at Midland Valley High. He climbed into the back of the jeep, and she planted a big wet one right on his lips. Ew, he's got a mouthful of that skull shit, Angie screamed when she heard the smooch. I don't care. More flavor, Mandy replied. Angie glanced at her man and said, Let's skedaddle. Billy obeyed and the quartet headed to Warrensville, South Carolina, home of the valley famous Richardson's Lake. Billy cut the lights when he approached the driveway to Richardson's Lake. They needed to be as quiet as they could because Sally's house was at the top of the hill, less than a quarter mile away from the swimming hole. Billy stopped short of the driveway and pulled the Jeep into a cutaway that was somewhat secluded, especially at night. It was a full moon, so they had that working for them.

46:28 There were no lights on inside the confines of Richardson Lake. Cecil smiled when he noticed the moon's reflection in the still water. He wished he'd brought his fishing gear, but if the bass popped like he thought they would on a night like this, it wouldn't be long before the Warrenville PD were called to deal with late-night trespassers. You bring the floats? Billy asked Angie. Yeah, you saw me put them in the Jeep. You bring the air pump? Because I ain't about to be blowing on floats for an hour. Angie shot back. Well. Floats ain't what I got in mind for you to blow. Billy, you better stop that sentence or it definitely won't happen. Angie cut him off as she winked at Mandy. Mandy was latched onto Cecil's arm. Yeah, I got the air pump.

47:14 Put some fresh batteries in it, too, Billy said. Well, I got the most important thing here, Cecil said as he lifted the cooler full of beer. I reckon everybody likes PBR. If you don't, you're SOL. Good deal. Now, we can't be hooping and hollering when we get to the water. Sally does have a shotgun, and I know she ain't scared to use it. I'm sure it's just rock salt, but I have personally been hit with rock salt, and I think Cecil has too, if I remember right. Cecil shook his head in the affirmative. And that shit hurts. She might pepper us with it before she calls the law, so we can swim, we can have some fun. He smiled at Angie. But we need to keep it down.

47:59 So no, we won't be playing chicken. Got it, Mandy said. She drug Cecil by the arm through the path. Richardson's lake was mostly fenced in with the exception of a small break where a deer plowed through the wood the summer before. Sally hadn't gotten around to fixing it and Billy noticed it a few Saturdays back when he and Angie swam beyond the yellow ropes, which got whistles galore from the Midland Valley High staffers. Angie had a beach bag full of towels and a couple of flattened floats. Billy grabbed the air pump and they followed Cecil and Mandy down the path. In the dark corner of Richardson's Lake, well beyond the yellow ropes that segregated the swimming hole, the creature raised its head from its meal. It stopped chewing on the very dead body of a fat copperhead, to listen. The gills on the side of its neck flexed open before closing. The creature took in a deep breath of night air through the two slits it had for a nose. The scent made it drop what was left of the snake. Something tastier was just added to the menu. The creature slinked into the dark water and swam slowly toward the swimming hole. Cecil was sitting on

49:30 a towel, chugging down his second PBR. Mandy was stuck to his side, drinking one of her own. Billy and Angie were quietly swimming. I don't know why they don't open this place at night, Mandy said. Yeah, it's pretty nice out here with the moon and all, Cecil replied. They heard Angie splash Billy, followed by a shh from Billy. We're going to get hit with some rock salt, aren't we? Mandy asked, as she placed her head on Cecil's large shoulder. Probably, Cecil answered, and finished off his beer before putting his arm around Mandy for a good squeeze. He loved the feel of her next to him. He couldn't imagine squeezing Angie like this. He figured she'd snap like a twig.

50:19 I want to jump off the diving board, Angie whined. Absolutely not. You want to go to jail tonight? Billy said. No. Can we at least swim out to the big platform? Angie asked, puffing out her lips. Yeah, that we can do. We can even race if you want, but... No shouting. I'll even give you a 30-second head start to make it fair, Billy finished. Deal. So what do I get if I win? Angie asked. Well, I'll take you to that movie you've been begging me to see. That chick flick, The Wedding, or something or whatever. It's called The Nuptials of Rosie and Blake, Angie corrected. When he heard that vomit-inducing title, Billy knew he had no choice. but to win.

51:09 And if I win, we can revisit that blowing thing we were discussing earlier, Billy said. Angie rolled her eyes and counted down from five before she started furiously swimming for the platform. Billy stayed in place and began counting. He didn't realize how long 30 seconds could be, especially when it meant the possibility of a shitty chick flick in his immediate future. The creature stealthily approached the swimming hole. It was just beyond the yellow ropes and it could see two of them in the water and two on the shore. It focused on the two in the water.

51:50 The smaller one started swimming in the creature's direction. The creature dropped its head below the surface and tracked Angie's movement. She was coming toward it and the creature began an intercept course. It could have moved swiftly. and pulled her to the deep within seconds. But this creature was like a cat in one regard. It liked to play with its food. Billy was almost to 30, and although it wasn't super loud, he could hear the steady rhythm of Angie moving her arms and legs. She had quite the lead with the 30-second head start, and Billy seriously doubted he could make up the time. He was just about resigned to defeat. Then the count was at 30, and Billy took off like a speedboat. Angie could see the platform just ahead, and she could hear Billy slicing through the water some distance behind her. He sounded fast, no doubt spurned on by the reward she didn't exactly promise him, but would give him anyway. But she really wanted to see this movie, so Angie kicked it into another gear.

53:02 She was only about 20 feet away from the platform, when she felt something graze her right leg. She didn't stop to figure out what it could be. Angie swam faster. Then something grazed her left leg. Ten feet away from the platform now, she would be on the ladder in just a few seconds. Angie wanted to scream, but she knew that it would bring all kinds of unwanted attention and, for what, a couple of curious fish bumping into her. She smiled as she was within a couple of feet of the ladder. Angie could almost taste the popcorn, and Riverwatch Cinema popcorn was the best popcorn on the planet as far as Angie was concerned. Angie reached up, grabbed a ladder rung, and in a blink of an eye, she was pulled under. A few moments before, the creature was directly underneath Angie. She was swimming with a purpose.

54:00 The creature extended a scaly arm, and gently swiped at her leg with its webbed hand. Angie kept swimming. The creature swiped her other leg. She kept swimming. The creature was aware of the platform. Even if Angie reached it and pulled herself up, she would be no match for the creature. The creature darted ahead and positioned itself just under the ladder and waited a few seconds until Angie grabbed the rung. The creature grabbed Angie by both feet and yanked her under the water She was so light, and the creature moved her with no effort. Angie was literally screaming underwater. Her eyes were open, but she couldn't see a thing. She felt a sharp pain in the side of her neck, followed by the sensation of being wrapped in something slimy. The creature had enveloped her, and it was ripping at her neck and throat with razor-sharp teeth.

54:56 Angie was dead. The creature pulled her along quickly to its nest. on the other side of the shore. There she would keep, while it went out, to get more groceries. Billy reached the platform. He didn't see Angie. Stop messing around, Billy said, trying not to be too loud. He pulled himself up onto the platform and walked around trying to see if she were hanging on any of the sides, waiting to jump up and scare him. All Billy saw was dark water, and his heart started to race. Should he scream out loud and wake up Sally in her rock salt with Angie surely revealing her location before the shitshow started, or would he just swim back to shore and wait out her shenanigans? He would go with the second option and hoped he knew his girlfriend like he thought he did. Billy dove into the water and began swimming.

56:02 They sure got quiet on us, Mandy said. Cecil smiled because that was okay with him. Mandy was laying in his arms in her bathing suit, no less, and they were stargazing together. You think there's something out there somewhere? Cecil asked. In the stars? Yeah, I'm sure there is. Too many possibilities for there not to be, Mandy said. She burrowed into the pit of his arm like a needy pup. I wonder what they look like. You think they have big brains like in that movie where they zapped everybody? Cecil pondered Maybe, Mandy replied She sat up when she heard someone swimming back to shore They could tell by the force that it had to be Billy Where's Angie? Mandy asked as Billy sloshed his way back to shore I was hoping she was up here with you I think she's messing with me We raced to the platform and she beat me But now I think she's trying to rub it in a little But seeing as she ain't up here with you two, it might be time for me to worry, Billy said as he turned back toward the dark water. Come on, Cece, let's help him look. She's probably still near the platform trying to get us to crack and wake up Sally, Mandy said.

57:21 But why would she do that? Cecil asked. To make a memory and be able to talk about that time we almost got tattered up with rock salt by Sally, Mandy replied as she followed Billy into the water. That's pretty fucking dumb, Cecil replied. I didn't say it was smart. Come on now, Cece, Mandy said, and waited until Cecil was beside her. They followed Billy back toward the platform. The creature had a membrane, much like an alligator that slid over its eyes when submerged. It slid open when its face broke the surface. It watched the trio enter the water. The creature submerged. and watched them from below.

58:06 It wasn't going to have to hunt for a while, after tonight. The three of them climbed on the platform, one at a time. Mandy searched the edges like Billy had done not long before. Angie! Mandy hollered, holding back as much as she dared. This isn't funny! Get your bony ass up here, right now! Cecil and Billy listened for movement after Mandy's command. Cecil glanced in the direction of Sally's house to see if any lights came on. It was still dark. Damn it, Mandy said. All phones were on the beach because none of them were waterproof and they didn't think they would be in a predicament where they would need them. They honestly believed that Angie would emerge from wherever she was hiding and say the joke was all on them. Now the realization of that not happening was setting in. Billy was walking around the platform.

59:08 Mandy approached Cecil. to say something when the creature burst up from the ladder and onto the platform. Fuck! Mandy screamed. The creature was tall, over seven feet, slender, and a very dark shade of green. The gill flaps on the sides of its neck were pulsating. Its body was covered in scales and its hands and feet were webbed with claws as sharp as its teeth. And the fucker was fast. Before Billy could react, the creature grabbed him by the back of his long hair and slammed him to the platform before pouncing on top of him and ripping his throat out. It had even more groceries to collect. Mandy and Cecil didn't waste any time. They were in the water and swimming for all they were worth.

59:53 Mandy was screaming as loud as her body would allow with every free breath. Cecil was ahead of Mandy. He heard the splash of the creature diving into the water. Cecil slowed so Mandy could get in front of him. Chivalry was not dead. Mandy glanced back. She saw light. The lights came on at Sally's house. Sally! Sally! Shotgun! Mandy hollered as much as she could while still swimming for her life. The feeling in Cecil's gut was one of hopelessness. He couldn't hear the creature, but he knew it was gaining on them. All the same. And it was so sudden. Cecil watched in terror as Mandy was pulled under in front of his very eyes. She was there screaming and swimming. And then she was gone. Sally! Sally!

1:00:44 Cecil was now hollering. He heard a car moving quickly down the driveway out of Richardson's Lake. He heard the screech of tires. Sally had heard them. Cecil hoped like hell she brought the shotgun. Cecil was now in waist-deep water. He was fighting for all he was worth to get to shore. Cecil could see the towel he and Mandy were laying on not half an hour ago. Oh, no, no, no, no! Sally screamed as she ran by the jeep, shotgun in hand. Cecil was now crawling on the shore, almost completely out of breath. Monster! Monster! He said, pointing to the water behind him. Sally nodded at Cecil as if to say everything was going to be okay when she raised the shotgun. Cecil turned back toward the water to see where she was aiming. Was the creature behind him? Sally racked the shell and pulled the trigger. Cecil's head exploded like a watermelon with a lit cherry bomb inside. There was no rock salt in this shotgun. Sally took a seat in the dirt. She'd wait until the family secret came and gathered the last of his groceries. The law would find an abandoned jeep, some empty beer cans. Sally would be sure to empty them all. And no kids. They'd half-ass drag the lake, ask her a question or two of which she would be clueless. You see, Sally was asleep inside the whole time. Oh,

1:02:14 and Sally would be sure to point out the biggest rule of Richardson's Lake. No swimming after sundown. And that reminded her to fix the fence. Camping alone can be terrifying, especially when something's hunting you. By Michael Kelso. The screams echoed through the trees. I couldn't tell if they were human or animal. All I knew was they were loud, which meant they were close. As I listened to the high-pitched shrieks, it almost sounded like a couple of people having a shouting match. If I had been at my apartment in town, that's exactly what I would have thought the sound was. But then the pitch changed, and it took on a feral quality. I knew whoever or whatever was making the sound, I wanted nothing to do with them.

1:03:27 Thinking you're alone in the wilderness is one thing. It gives a certain freeing feeling like you're so close to nature. But knowing you're alone and hearing the terrifying, nearly indescribable sound sent chills down my spine. I quickly questioned how much longer I would be alone or alive. Did those things know I was here? Were they planning their attack? Or was it just a gathering of... Something. Like a harmless chill session. In the woods. In the dead of night. Survival instinct was screaming for me to get out of there as quickly as possible. To hell with the tent and my supplies. Just leave. For a brief moment, I nearly listened.

1:04:16 Later. I would wish I had. Fortunately, I hadn't made a fire yet and decided against one now. If by some miracle those things didn't know I was here, a fire would draw them in like flies to, well, something I didn't want to be in. Even though the screaming was all going at a fever pitch, I quietly snuck into my tent and zipped it shut as if some flimsy material could would magically keep at bay whatever beasts were raging out there. Searching through my pack, I found my Swiss Army knife and kept it firm in my grasp as I lay down on my sleeping bag. I didn't dare settle in for the night. Sleeping through being attacked by wild... whatever's and torn to shreds can be bad for my health. As I lay there, eyes wide, listening to the horrible shrieks that seemed to come from everywhere.

1:05:20 They suddenly stopped. At first this was a relief, but when the sounds stopped, so did all other noises in the forest. It was as if someone had hit the mute button on all of nature. I heard a loud thumping sound that sounded like drums beating faster and faster until I realized it was my heart. Trying to calm myself so I didn't have a heart attack on the spot was a challenge. I tried to think of calm, blue oceans and sunrises, of beautiful things that had nothing to do with the situation I was in. Apparently, I did my job too well. I don't remember falling asleep, but I do remember waking up in a panic. Jumping up, I looked all around for the beasts that were coming to get me. when all that stared back at me were the contents of my backpack and the four walls of the tent, I allowed myself to take a few deep breaths. It was morning. The sun was up and the birds were singing. I took both of those as good signs. Being alive was a bonus as well. It was decision time. Do I pack up and cut my trip short by two days, Or do I write off last night's incident as a rare occurrence and not worry about it today, in the daylight, as the sun's rays

1:06:50 bathed me in warmth? It's funny how fear manifests itself so much stronger at night. Last night the forest seemed like the most horrifying place I'd ever been. Today it looks like all the beauty of nature is spread out before me. I couldn't imagine anything bad happening in such a picturesque place. As I looked out over the clearing in the woods, I saw a large dark spot that was moving towards me. I dove into my tent and emerged with a pair of binoculars. Peering through them, I saw the spot was a bear, and it was headed my way. So much for nothing bad happening in nature.

1:07:35 My plan of action was to hide and hope it went away or turned down another path. before it got here. That plan didn't work out so well. Within fifteen minutes I could hear it snuffling around the campsite looking for something to eat. I hoped it wouldn't be eating a fresh camper. The can of bear spray was firmly in my hand with my white knuckles clenching it. Having it was one thing, using it was another. That was my last resort. Spray and run. The sniffing got louder. and I could see the bottom edges of tent being pushed in by a large nose. My knuckles grew a little wider as I followed its progress along the edge and around the tent. And then, there was a pause. A dreadful pause. The kind of pause that horrible decisions are born from. I was contemplating my own horrible decision when the sniffing started again, this time leading away from the tent.

1:08:39 Breathing a cautiously optimistic sigh of relief, I opened the tent flap just enough to see the bear lumbering off into the woods. Again, I held a silent vote, just like the song said, should I stay or should I go? I'd only been camping up here once before, but I didn't remember it being this dangerous. Maybe I just got lucky last time. Not wanting my luck to run out, I packed up my tent and got ready to leave. The sun was already high in the sky, leaving me just a few hours to hike out what took me a full day to hike in. I looked for bear tracks to see which way it had left, but the ground was so dry there was nothing to see. Crossing my fingers, I headed out on the trail, hoping it had gone some other way. It was easy going, making the terror of last night fade even more. I still kept a wary eye for the bear, though. No use in getting so caught up in nature that I ignore her dangers. After around an hour of walking, I found a large rock on the side of the trail and decided to take a break. Pulling out a granola bar and a bottle of water, I looked around as I snacked.

1:10:01 There was a clearing in the woods and a rough path leading to it. It wasn't any official path, just one that happens when a lot of feet go the same way and tramp down the foliage. There was a faint whiff of smoke coming from the clearings. but I couldn't see exactly what was causing it. My curiosity wanted to see what was there, but my common sense said no way. In the end, curiosity fought dirty and said the smoke meant there had been a fire and the ashes could blow into the trees if the wind picked up and cause a wildfire. It was a good point, even though the wind was uncannily still at that moment.

1:10:43 I took a quick look around, to make sure the bear wasn't sneaking up on me, then started down the narrow path. The trees blocked out some of the light as I headed down the path toward the clearing, making me literally descend into darkness. It wasn't a good feeling. My eyes darted around, looking for anything out of the ordinary, and I slowed my pace. Then, suddenly, the trees opened up and daylight shone brightly on the clearing, and the remnants of a fire with a wisp of smoke still rising. Whoever had made it had been dangerously uncaring about the safety of the woods. The fire sat right in the middle of a patch of grass, with no ring of stones surrounding it. My ire rose at the carelessness of this person. I found myself wishing very bad things on them when I noticed something else. There were splotches of red all around the fire, It was like someone had spilled red paint all around It was strange Why would someone bring paint out here in the middle of the woods?

1:11:53 I stalked around the other side of the fire looking for the answer to this mystery Unfortunately, I found it There was something pale sitting just outside the burnt grass of the fire It was next to a splotch of red I bent down and moved the grass to see more clearly Picking it up, I saw. It was a severed human toe. I dropped it and stood up like a shot. The red splotches made sense to me now. They weren't paint. They were blood. A chill ran down my spine. I suddenly felt very alone and surrounded. My eyes darted all around the clearing and into the trees as I did a slow circle, searching for whatever. was about to attack. As I searched, I saw the red splotches led off into the woods in the opposite direction of the trail. Curiosity tried to get me to follow, but I told it to shut the hell up and hightailed it out of there, my head on a swivel, searching for threats. Just as I was about to reach the main trail, I literally ran into the bear. I'd been so busy watching behind me for whatever might be chasing me, that I didn't see what was right in front of me. It turned to face me, showing its red teeth. Then it stood on its hind legs, dwarfing me,

1:13:25 and roared. I wish I'd worn brown pants because I soiled myself in fear. I was so terrified I didn't move. I couldn't. I was paralyzed. It dropped back down onto its front legs and approached me, teeth bared. I knew right then it was responsible for the screams and the dismembered toe. The only thing I couldn't figure out was the fire. I'd never heard of bears being able to start a fire. This was unfortunately the last thought going through my head before being eaten. It sniffed and took a step back. If I'd known dropping a load in my pants would save me, I would have done it last night. As I looked into the eyes of my death, It wasn't looking back at me. It was looking past me.

1:14:17 I wasn't sure what kind of trick this bear was pulling. It wasn't like it had to fool me or anything. It had me dead to rights. Curiosity made me turn and follow the bear's gaze. I instantly regretted it. Standing near the clearing was a monster. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It stood on hind legs, at least eight feet tall. It had the horns of a deer, but the face looked like a deer's skull with no skin on it. Its shoulders were covered in what looked like a cloak made of another animal's skin. The bear let out a deep growl, full of menace. I took the opportunity to back away and allow the bear a clear path to its adversary. It glanced at me for a moment. then started toward the monster. As soon as it was past me, I dropped my pack and ran down the trail with every ounce of speed I could muster.

1:15:19 It didn't matter that my car was miles away. It didn't matter that there was no way I could sprint all the way there without collapsing and having a heart attack. Just then, I heard the fight. The growling, roaring, slashing, knocking trees down fight that would have been awesome to watch from inside a bunker with two foot thick concrete walls just me alone without a rocket launcher to defend myself there was no way i was sticking around i ran for a solid 10 minutes before the stitch in my side told me i had to at least slow to a walk i didn't dare stop i knew i had to keep moving it was my only chance of surviving by some miracle The sounds of the fight echoed throughout the trees, making it seem surreal to hear it.

1:16:12 Then hear it echo back again. It sounded like the fight was slowing down. I hoped it would last a little while longer. Maybe whichever one would forget about me or be too tired to track me down. My walk had become a limp. I was nearly out of energy and had a mile to go to the relative safety of my car. Surely by now I could take it easy. As the thought rolled through my brain, the sounds of the fight ceased. The fading echo was all that remained. I wondered which one had been victorious and comforted myself that the victor was surely enjoying the spoils by feasting on the fallen adversary. But in the back of my mind, unease grew. What if it didn't forget me? What if it was following me right now? I found myself walking a little faster, much to the pain and chagrin of my legs. The silence that fell in the aftermath of the fight was disconcerting. The animals around me had been chattering away. Suddenly falling silent was alarming. I started jogging, each step a new exercise in pain. There was no doubt I was being followed. The footsteps behind me were getting louder by the moment. My car was in sight.

1:17:38 I was almost free. The footsteps behind me were very loud now. I knew it was right behind me, but I didn't dare look back. Run. Don't think. Just run. My thoughts screamed at me. Even my curiosity had no desire to look back. Ten steps from the car, I dug in my pocket looking for my keys. For a brief, terrifying moment, I couldn't find them. Then I dug a little deeper and came away with my prize. I hit the remote to unlock the car and dove into the driver's seat. The engine had just roared to life when the monster appeared. I threw the car in reverse and stomped on the gas, whipping around and making the monster miss crashing through the windshield. I jammed it into drive and floored it as the monster recovered and started after me.

1:18:30 For a long, horrid moment, it seemed to be catching up to me. The road was gravel and had several potholes in it. I found myself swerving to miss the biggest ones so my car wouldn't bottom out. But by doing so, the monster gained ground. It was almost within reach of my rear bumper. when I slid sideways onto the main road once on the pavement I floored it and watched with satisfaction as the monster fell behind I breathed a sigh of relief as I relaxed and settled in for the ride home it wasn't long until I was pulling into my driveway and parking. My head fell back against the headrest, and I was tempted to take a nap right there, when my nose reminded me of the state of my pants. Walking in empty-handed was a mixed blessing. I'd left hundreds of dollars in equipment behind, but at least I was alive. My shower called to me.

1:19:32 I stripped, threw my pants and underwear in the trash, then settled into the longest, most rewarding shower of my life. After drying, I threw on a Metallica t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I came back out to the living room and settled in to watch a movie. Horror was out. I knew I'd have nightmares for weeks about my ordeal. I decided to watch an episode of Wipeout. Three episodes later, I found my eyelids fighting gravity and exhaustion. Heading to bed, I turned out the lights and and stepped up to the living room window. Looking out over the lights of the town, I sighed, seeing the trees of the park far in the distance, and knowing I'd never visit there again.

1:20:17 Before I turned toward my bedroom, something caught my eye. It was impossible. I rubbed my eyes to be sure. The monster was creeping out of the woods and coming straight toward my house. As I watched, it looked up and saw me. Our eyes locked, mine full of fear, its full of menace. I ran through the house making sure every door and window was locked. After that, I went to my bed stand and pulled out my snub-nosed. 38, checking to make sure it was loaded and grabbing a handful of extra bullets, shoving them in my pocket. Running back out to the living room, I looked out my window, but it was gone. Pressing my face against the glass, I searched the front yard. But it wasn't there. For an instant, I wondered if my imagination had been playing tricks on me. I went to the kitchen window and looked into the backyard. It was dark, and I couldn't see much. Reaching for the light switch, I hesitated, not wanting to see it suddenly appear in front of me.

1:21:29 But I had to know if this thing was real or not. I would rather that I was going crazy than ever see that thing again. Flicking on the light, I took a half step back. Nothing was there. I scanned the entire backyard, all the way to the woods that bordered my property. Nothing. I shrugged and was about to go to bed when I heard it. My foot stopped on the first step and I turned back toward the door. Someone or Something was scraping against the front door. Feeling like I was in a trance, I was drawn to the door, leaning up to the peephole. I closed my eyes and breathed a silent prayer that nothing would be there. My prayers were answered. There was nothing out there.

1:22:23 As tempted as I was to just accept this audible hallucination, my shaking hand reached for the doorknob. The distance between my hand and the door seemed to fade, like one of those scenes in a horror movie where the camera zooms in while going backward. I turned the knob and held my breath while opening the door. Nothing was there. I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Looking around, the yard was empty, just the evening mist clinging to the lawn. My imaginations had gotten the best of me. I turned to go back inside and saw the door and doorframe had long scratches on it. My blood froze. It was real. It was here. It had tracked me down. As terror gripped me, I saw a flash of brown fur an instant before it charged me.

1:23:27 In sheer desperation, I fell back into the door just as it hit the doorframe. Its antlers slammed into the frame, sending splinters flying as it struggled to get loose from the destroyed wood. I lay on the door, watching in grim fascination, stunned by the fact that it had missed gouging my eyes by a mere fraction of an inch. The doorway had saved me, the same doorway that was rapidly disappearing under the monster's onslaught. I regained myself and ran. As I darted through the living room, somehow I had the presence of mind to grab the house phone and dial 911 as I headed down the basement steps, slamming the door behind me.

1:24:09 911, what's your emergency? Came the lady operator's voice. I'm being chased by a monster who's trying to kill me, I said, vaulting down the stairs. I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I'm being chased by a monster who is trying to kill me. Are you talking about a person? No. What do you not understand about the word monster? I shouted. All right. It's my duty to inform you that prank calls will be reported to the police and you could face charges. Fine. Send the cops. Maybe they can fight off the monster long enough to put me in cuffs. The line disconnected.

1:24:53 Son of a... I said as I heard the monster stalking around inside the house. I squeezed myself into the far corner between the wall and the oil tank and tried to be as quiet as possible. Barely breathing, I listened to its measured steps as it crept from room to room. The floorboards complained with loud creaks, telling me this thing weighed considerably more than me. I heard it turn toward the stairs. and thought about making a run for the cellar door that led outside, when my phone rang. Hello? I whisper-screamed, trying to be as quiet as possible.

1:25:34 Is this the person who just dialed 911 about a monster? Yes, who is this? There was a pause as I heard the footsteps change direction. I'm from another agency, he said. Could you describe the monster for me? So you're from one of those three-letter agencies that always say they don't spy on our phone calls? Could you describe the monster for me? It's huge, I whispered. At least eight feet tall, covered in fur, and wearing the fur of another animal over its shoulders. Oh, and it has antlers like a deer. I heard a sharp intake of air.

1:26:15 Where is it? I gave him my address. I mean, where is it in the house? It's on the first floor and I'm in the basement, I whispered. But I think it's coming down here. Just then I heard the basement door open. Gotta go, I whispered, then hung up the phone. The basement stairs groaned under the weight. I hoped that the wood would collapse under the weight and it would fall, snapping its neck. No such luck. The stairs creaked as it continued to the bottoms. I had to duck in this basement, so I was sure it was on all fours to keep from getting tangled in the rafters. My heart pounded. I struggled to keep my breathing quiet so I wouldn't give away my position.

1:27:00 The chuffing of the monster's breathing was getting closer. I wanted to close my eyes, but had to know when it came close enough. Instead, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the gun, aiming it at the corner. I waited. The skeletal snout appeared, but I didn't shoot. The shot would just bounce off the bone. I wanted to hit something more vital and hope that I might somehow survive. The rest of the bony skull made its appearance and went by without noticing me. Next came the neck and the rest of the body. I wasn't sure where this thing's vital organs were, so I held off, hoping that it might not notice me at all. Those hopes were dashed when it sniffed, then whipped around and stared right at me. I took that as a sign to shoot it in the chest. The gunshot was deafening, especially in such a closed space. My ears were ringing so loud I could barely hear the monster screaming and tearing my oil tank limb from limb, trying to get to me. I fired again, trying to hit any part of its body as oil flew from its thrashing. We were both covered in heating oil, and yet it still kept coming. Three more shots didn't even slow it down.

1:28:25 It was so close the muzzle of the gun was nearly touching it. I shoved the barrel into one of its eye sockets and pulled the trigger. The flame from the exploding gunpowder set the oil on fire. I don't know if it was that or the bullet. bouncing around in its skull that made it shriek even louder. Flame engulfed its screaming form, making it look like a demon straight from hell. It ran out of the basement through the outside doors, bursting out into the open air and disappearing into the night. I was so relieved I didn't notice right away that I was on fire. The oil had splashed on me and had ignited when the monster caught on fire. I tried to push my way out quickly, but the monster had shoved the tank closer to the wall, pinning me. The fire devoured the oil on my clothes and my bare skin, making me scream in agony as I tried in vain to get away from the fire.

1:29:23 This was it. I would die this horrible, agonizing death, trapped in an inferno. The monster would get its revenge and not even know it. Maybe once it extinguished its own fire, it would come back and devour what was left of me, like a well-done steak. I must have been hallucinating, could have sworn a cloud enveloped me, just before I died. I woke in a white room with an annoying beeping sound that wouldn't stop. There was a smiling face in the corner staring back at me attached to a man I'd never met. How are you feeling?

1:30:08 He said, stepping over to the hospital bed. Am I dead? I rasped. Not yet, he chuckled. It was close, though. If we hadn't gotten to you when we did, you'd have been a shish kebab. I tried to lean up, but pain put me back in the bed. Yeah, you're not going to be taking any hiking trips for a while, he said. You've got burns all over your legs that'll need some time to heal. I'm never going hiking again, I said. Are you the guy I talked to on the phone? Yeah. Do you mind telling me the rest of what happened? He said, pulling out a pen and notepad. Sure, I said, shrugging. Since you saved my life, it's the least I can do. He pulled his chair over and got comfortable. What happened to the monster, anyway? I said.

1:31:03 He hesitated. It got away, didn't it? Yeah, he said, lowering his head a little. We lost the trail after it extinguished itself, but don't worry. We'll find it. I didn't comment on my opinion of the competency of government agencies out of respect for the man who saved my life, but suffice it to say... I wouldn't be sleeping very deeply once I got home. Where would you like me to start? I said. The beginning is always a good place.

1:31:43 The Chain of Time by Killian Crane Andrew Leed felt like a freshly poured fountain drink, from his blonde curls to his pudgy 12-year-old bellies. He absolutely fizzed. He was blind to the children enjoying recess around him on the playground of Pine Mill Middle School. His entire world was a bridge of grass to Claire Ellis. Claire sat in the front corner of his class. Andrew, who would never admit it to anyone, found himself looking at her more often than the whiteboard. She faced away from him, staring into the expansive forest behind the school. She had brown hair held up in a long ponytail by a pink ribbon.

1:32:24 He knew he had no business talking to a girl like her, but he decided that morning that he would ask her if she'd like to go to the gumbo festival with him. He just couldn't seem to move his feet. He finessed past several crinkling snack wrappers and drew his brass pocket watch. Flipped open, it showed there was still 15 minutes of recess. As he tried to put the watch away, the chain went taut and flew from his hand. Bewildered, Andrew turned to see Thomas Daniels. Thomas jiggled the watch, making it glint wildly. What you doing, chubber? Thomas asked. Andrew's fist clenched. Thomas, please, just give it back. Oh, I will, Thomas jeered. He swung the watch evenly. If you can catch me. Andrew saw Claire still staring into the woods, and then focused on Thomas. He made a clumsy lunge, and Thomas pulled it taut. palming the watch, then letting it fall free again, as if he was walking the dog with a yo-yo. Try again, fatty. Andrew did, but Thomas still held the watch. Cut it out, Thomas!

1:33:33 The metal grazed Andrew's fingers before it was pulled free a third time. Children gathered around to watch the spectacle. Thomas, the circus master, led Andrew in a wide circle like a prize animal. Uh-uh-uh, he teased. Andrew's face grew blood red with anger and effort. He charged, head low. Thomas dodged and stuck his foot out to catch Andrew in an embarrassing trap. The crowd roared with approval as he thudded to the ground. He struggled to his feet, his heart limping in his chest. He put his hands over his head, fighting the need to puke.' Look at those fat titties!' one kid squealed. Andrew, instantly shamed, covered his chest with his hands. Who said that? he squeaked, spinning around, trying not to jostle himself. No one answered. They simply pointed and laughed. Thomas spun the pocket watch high above his head, cocking his arm to throw it when an adult voice cut through the laughs of the children. What is going on here? Miss Minner demanded. The circle fell instantly silent, her eyes locked onto Thomas. Office, Mr. Daniels.

1:34:40 Everyone else back inside. Recess is over. There was a collective groan as the crowd headed for class. Thomas flung the watch hard into Andrew's chest. Once the watch was safe, Andrew searched the crowd for Claire. He didn't see her pink bow anywhere. The tree line, like a storm on the horizon, loomed, silent, and empty. Ten minutes into class, Claire still wasn't in her seat in the front corner. When he saw that Miss Minner still hadn't noticed, Andrew raised his hand. In the five weeks after Claire's disappearance, Andrew gained 20 pounds. He sat at the dinner table of his mother's small apartment watching a man who claimed to be an expert on the occult. The man waved his hands excitedly. In fact, people back then always kept precious metals on their person. Certain metals were believed to ward off the evil eye. Andrew's mother changed the channel to the news. The oven chimed, and soon a baking sheet packed end-to-end with French toast lay before Andrew. Crispy crusts, buttery middles, and the perfect amount of cinnamon. It was Andrew's favorite dessert. Thank you, Mama, Andrew said as he dug in. She tussled his hair. Love you, Gummy Bear.

1:35:57 The Leeds family hadn't always lived in a small apartment. Once upon a time, the Leeds were the proud owners of a successful restaurant. Andrew's father ran the business and his mother was head chef. Andrew was the professional taste tester, if he finished his homework. Monday nights, when business was usually slow, they watched westerns at the bar. Despite great business, Andrew's father had made many mistakes with the money. The last thing Andrew ever heard his father say was, It's getting where we can't even afford to feed him. The next morning, his father was gone. Andrew's mother sold the restaurant, their house, traded in her car, and moved them into an apartment. Despite their tight budget, she always made sure their son was fed. She cooked three hearty meals every day, with plenty of snacks in between. Shortly after his father left, Andrew began to gain weight. The telephone rang, and she quickly answered it. She looked over her shoulder before going out of the room to take the call in private.

1:37:00 Andrew wiped his fingers clean and downed the last of his chocolate milk. On the television, the window over the reporter's shoulder faded into a picture of Claire sheepishly smiling. A piece of ice lodged itself in his heart. and the reporter's words drove the ice home. The search for Claire Ellis, 12-year-old daughter of James and Olivia Ellis, has been discontinued by authorities. Claire was last seen wandering into the woods behind Pine Hill Middle School. The Ellis family asks that anyone with information involving Claire's disappearance call the number below. Feet pattered from down the hall back into the living room. A candlelight vigil will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Pine Hill Middle School. On behalf of all of us here at Channel 6 News...

1:37:42 The channel abruptly changed to cartoons. Andrew's mother held out the remote, letting out a sharp breath as she replaced the phone. I'm sorry you saw that, Gummy Bear. Let's not think about that tonight, okay? But Andrew had thought of Claire every night. As far as the police had learned, Andrew was the last one to see Claire. Despite being full, he wanted something to snack on. He flipped open his brass pocket watch. It was only seven. His mother sounded like a cracked china cup as she spoke. What's your watch say, cowboy? The previous year, Andrew and his mother went to the movies and saw a vintage western. When the hero strode into town, two bad guys leveled their guns.

1:38:25 The hero pulled out a brass pocket watch from his duster and said, Will you look at that? It's high time things changed around here. He pulled his gun and shot the men down. Andrew had been overjoyed, clapping loud enough to draw shh from somewhere in the dark. On Christmas Day, Andrew had an exact replica of the watch. Seven, it's getting late. he told her, holstering the watch. Though he truly loved the watch, it reminded him of times with his father, watching westerns. They had been a family then, and Andrew, whether he meant to or not, had ruined that.

1:39:05 He was the reason his father left. The more he thought about his failures, to his family, to Claire, the more he wanted to eat and forget. He rose and gave his mother a gentle hug. I'm gonna go to bed, Mama. I feel really tired. She hugged him back, and Andrew remembered a time when she had been able to wrap her arms all the way around him. Good night, Gummy Bear. I'll have a big breakfast for you in the morning. Sounds good, Mama. Love you. Love you, too. He drifted to his room, closing the door behind him. He no longer felt nice and full and sleepy. He felt fat.

1:39:47 If he hadn't been fat... He wouldn't have been picked on by Thomas. He wouldn't have had a problem asking Claire to go to the gumbo festival with him. Claire wouldn't have disappeared. The large bag of pretzels he'd kept in his nightstand lay in his lap, open. He sat on his bed, watching the pocket watch tick away the seconds, silently eating the pretzels, until they were gone. The next day, the children were allowed on the playground for the first time since the disappearance. Andrew sat at the edge of the forest eating from a plastic sleeve of mini donuts, watching the other kids play. Thomas was occupied humiliating another target. Behind Andrew, the new fence poles stood, but no fence barred the forest. During a lonely lunch two days before, Andrew heard Coach Bart say to another teacher, Those guys building the fence are really dragging butt. In the distance, Thomas gave some poor soul an atomic wedgie, pulling him off the ground, feet kicking. I wish I could help you, kid, Andrew said around a mouthful of donut. A familiar voice hissed behind him. You could help me, Andrew. He turned wide-eyed to see the back of Claire Ellis. She looked exactly the same as the day she disappeared down to her long ponytail tied with a pink bow. Claire? She laughed.

1:41:10 There was a scream from the playground, making Andrew wheel around. Coach Bart, who had taken Miss Minner's place as Andrew's teacher, had Thomas by the ear marching him towards the school. A crowd of kids followed, cheering and laughing, when Andrew turned back to the forest. Claire? The smallest crescent of Claire's face peeked from behind a tree deep inside. Claire, people have been real worried about you. Where have you been? She grinned, saying nothing. The wrapper crinkled in his trembling hand. You want a donut? With a laugh, she turned and fled deeper into the woods. Claire, wait! He called out as he breached the tree line. She darted tree to tree, far ahead of him. Her giggles seemed to echo. When Andrew slowed, she stopped and watched him struggle to catch up. Claire, please!

1:42:08 He wanted to go back to the playground and get an adult, but he pressed on. heaving and walking when he could no longer run, wheezing pleas for her to stop. She laughed in response and ran aimlessly deeper into the forest. His heart pumped madly, screaming at him to stop and turn back, but he couldn't. It was his fault that she got lost and he wanted to make it right. Pollen danced in low orange rays between branches. Andrew was nervous to see the time. Peekaboo, Claire said, disappearing behind a tree. He leaned on his knees, crushing the empty plastic sleeve. He had lost all the donuts running through the forest. Claire, I don't know what you're doing, but we have to go back now. Your parents miss you.

1:42:55 She beckoned in a low voice. Save me, Andrew. Apprehensively, he rounded the tree. He peeked, not seeing anyone. He called out to her, but only his echo answered. The dancing rays dimmed. as the sky continued to redden. Andrew searched for his trail of donuts, first calling for Claire, then for anyone. When night fell, the forest stirred with sounds of things unseen. Andrew didn't dare call out. A stray branch Andrew couldn't see gouged him deeply into his arm. The pain and the fear and the sheer exhaustion forced him to his knees. The harvest moon, large and orange in the sky, was swallowed by an inky sea of clouds.

1:43:44 Andrew huddled against a tree, sobbing as total darkness fell. The creatures of the night reveled in the cold void. He curled inward on the itchy forest floor, shivering. Somewhere in his tears, time slowed to the pace of a bad nightmare. Then, as suddenly as the forest came alive... It went deathly silent. There was a click in the dark, followed instantly by blinding light. He put his hands to his face and cried out. As his eyes adjusted, he saw that it was a flashlight held by an unseen figure. Hello?

1:44:28 Andrew called out, still shielding his eyes. There was nothing. Acute panic filled his spine and his voice. Are you here to help me? The forest floor crunched as the light approached. Andrew pressed against the tree, cornered. An angel gently placed her hand on his head. Her golden hair fell in strands around her white dress. Feeling her hand on his head, his muddy brown eyes locking with her emerald greens, his fear melted away. My goodness, she said as she melted. What are you doing here? Andrew sunk into the angel's shoulder, trying to speak between loud sobs.

1:45:14 I'm lost, miss. I followed my friend and I can't find her now. Please help me. She rocked him in her arms, shushing him. The angel held his face in her hands and wiped streaming tears from his cheeks. What's your name, sweetie? He sniffled. I'm Andrew, ma'am. She helped him to his feet. and shined the light under her face, illuminating a wide grin. My name is Agatha. She forced him to lock fingers with her. I heard someone crying in the dark. Children are always getting lost out here. Andrew wiped his nose on his sleeve. You live around here? Agatha leveled her face with his. Not far at all. Let's get you in the house and warmed up. They walked hand in hand, led by the flashlight.

1:46:07 Ma'am? Andrew inquired apprehensively. You said a lot of kids get lost in these woods. I'm looking for my friend Claire. She went missing a few weeks ago. You haven't seen her, have you? Nope. Sorry, sweetie. In a clearing ahead of them was a small house. Warm electric light peeked from behind a curtained window, as well as a familiar cinnamon smell. He brightened. What is that? Agatha smiled warmly. I like to have a late-night treat sometimes. She led him up to the porch steps and opened the door. After you. The inside of the house was cozy and warm. In the center of the small room was the dining table with tall back chairs.

1:46:54 The corner had a small reading nook topped with a lamp that dimly lit the room. Several large volumes lay on the table. Across from the entrance was another door, closed. Andrew assumed that was her bedroom. The kitchen dominated the room. Everything appeared to be commercial grade, reminding Andrew of his parents' restaurant. The deep double sink lay in a marble counter. On the counter sat spices of all kind and a large wooden knife block. The refrigerator and freezer combo was old, but well-maintained. The oven, the biggest Andrew had ever seen, was a source of warmth and... the cinnamon. Agatha locked the door and guided him by the shoulder to the dining table. Make yourself at home. Exhausted, he sank into a chair and settled comfortably like a mound of pudding.

1:47:45 She sat at the corner next to him, elbows on the table, hands concealing a smile. Thank you for helping me, Andrew said. Do you think my friend is okay out there? Agatha's hands fell, revealing a white, perfect smile. You have a little something, she said as she wiped the last bit of glistening blood from the cut in his arm. She stuck the sanguine tip of her thumb into her mouth and sucked it clean. The oven timer dinged and she glided into the kitchen. She moved like his mother. he thought she pulled a single glass from the wooden cabinet then swung open the fridge and found a carton of chocolate milk she held the fridge door open with one foot as she poured the milk feigning lost balance for Andrew's amusement once poured she replaced the bottle and let the fridge close itself With much showmanship, she donned two oven mitts that went to her elbows. Then she swung a locking latch above the oven's door before pulling it open. She fanned the heat like an angry goose.

1:48:51 Andrew didn't remember a latch like that on his parents' oven. She spun, closed the door with her heel, and marched, chocolate milk in the crook of her arm and a baking sheet in her mitts. She placed both squarely in front of Andrew. What do you think? she asked. It was a baking sheet packed, end to end, with French toast. Crispy crusts, buttery middles, and the perfect amount of cinnamon. The smell made the fear and the shock and the pain of the night's events settle onto Andrew's shoulders. He realized in his soul that he was hungry. Eat up, she pleaded. He had wanted to say something, but before he knew it, the bread was eviscerated. Staining his fingers with delicious stickiness, he devoured each slice like a starving beast, only stopping long enough to take big gulps of chocolate milk.

1:49:41 She grinned at him.' Sorry,' he said.' I' m so rude. You made this for you.'' Oh, no,' she whispered.' Please, eat up.' She rose with his empty glass in hand and refilled it. The oven dinged as she adjusted the temperature. Sitting back down, she slid the glass to him, just in time for another big gulp. I really do like it, ma'am. It's actually my favorite. Wonderful, Agatha said, eyeing him up and down. Not long after his third glass of milk, Andrew had finished the entire baking sheet. He sat back, feeling his stomach expand with milk and bread. Lethargic, he sighed.

1:50:22 Thank you. I think I needed that. She leaned over the table. a glint in her eye. I'll say, she whispered, as she playfully pinched his belly. He flinched away from her hand, gently swatting it away. Please don't do that, he said. Smiling, she stood slowly. Let me prep your room. I'll be right back. She unlocked the back door and stepped into total darkness, slamming the door behind her. Andrew went to the sink to wash his sticky fingers. Clean, he checked his watch. To his amazement, the brass vibrated in his hand. It had never done that before. He put it away, hoping it wasn't broken, when something at the reading nook caught his eye. His steps echoed as he moved towards it. The cover of the top volume was rough. Andrew could tell that the book was very old.

1:51:18 Something colorful marked the ancient pages. He opened the book and saw. It was a pink ribbon. The barest edge of one loop was stained with a trace of red. The book was written in a language Andrew didn't recognize, but there was a graphic drawing that he immediately understood. It detailed how to strip the meat from a human arm. The door to the bedroom popped open. It creaked on its hinges as a gnarled hand let it open. A hunched creature padded barefoot into the room. its back to Andrew. It drew a wicked-looking blade from the knife block. Andrew ran for the door, trying for the knob, only to find it missing. The window latch was also gone, like neither was ever there. In the kitchen, something that might have once been a woman stood in the dim light facing him. Its crooked nose was too large for its face, and long wisps of hair grew in sparse, golden patches.

1:52:18 Pale skin covered in moles, boils, and blisters sagged and creased from its ancient body like its skin. Its once-white dress hung, bedraggled. Its eyes glistened like wet, green mold. Agatha's dry voice strangled Andrew to panic. I like to have a late-night treat, gummy bear. He pounded the window as hard as he could, his fist bouncing ineffectively. The witch stalked him, slowly. He rounded the table, keeping it between them. Help me! Andrew cried to no one. Someone, please! Agatha cackled. No one is coming for you! Andrew fought back the urge to faint. He tried to call out again, but it jumbled into a garbled mess. The witch seemed barely able to contain her excitement. I've seasoned you, she said proudly. Not that you need it, my little well-marbled chubber.

1:53:14 Now Claire, she needed seasoning. Andrew thought he could feel his heart fall out of his chest at the mention of Claire. You know, Agatha confided, I couldn't eat her right away. She was all skin and bones, had to feed her for weeks, make her ripe. But you, she trailed off, licking her cracked lips. So plump and juicy already, she flashed a saw-toothed grin, showing off every inch of her yellowed gums. Andrew's fear had been replaced by something primal. If he hadn't been so fat, Thomas wouldn't have picked on him. He could have gotten to her in time.

1:53:54 He would have had the courage to ask. Even if she said no, she'd still be alive. That primal heat filled his entire being and spewed from his mouth like fire. You killed her! With all of his strength, he shoved the table into Agatha. Surprise flashed across her face, and she stumbled against the blow. She caught herself, then shoved back twice as hard. Struck, Andrew careened into the oven with a clang, the hot door stinging his cut arm, the latch caught on his ear, slicing him as it unclasped. He pulled himself up with the oven handle, dropping it open with a clank as he stood. The table flew across the room, no longer a barrier. Andrew shuffled backwards, holding his bleeding ear. She cackled as her vice-like grip seized him by his blood-soaked shoulder and hauled him into the darkness of the back room. Andrew ducked out of his shirt and tripped over an overturned chair. He was on his back just in time to see Agatha descending, knife streaking towards him. He jerked his head away just before the blade could sink into his eye. As the knife thunked into the floor, the blade bent and shattered.

1:54:56 She pinned his arms, her face against his. Her hot breath bathed his senses, making him wretch. This little piggy went to market, she whispered into his wounded ear. She licked the length of the bleeding gash, then bit down hard. Andrew screamed at the white-hot pain. She suckled at the pouring blood. Moaning with satisfaction, tears stung his eyes as her jagged teeth sawed and pulled, fighting to remove his ear. In her moment of delight, he was able to pull his hand free from her grasp. Something hot found its way into the palm of his hand. He held up the humming body of his brass pocket watch. The metal glowed with an inner light. Instinctively, he knew what to do.

1:55:37 Like butter on a hot skillet, the watch sizzled into her shoulder. She flew back, red dribbling down her chin, screaming in surprise and pain. Andrew held his mangled ear, trying to pedal backwards. The glowing metal spread through her putrid skin and deep, jagged forks. Her arm, eaten through, fell away from her and thudded sickly on the floor. Her wailing reached a pitch that forced Andrew to cover both of his ears as best he could, and the front windows exploded outward. The witch fell to the ground, sobbing heavily over her lost arm like a child over spilled ice cream. You horrible child, she whined, the brass still spreading along her back. Black sludge dripped from behind her teeth as she coughed. You've mangled me, you wretched, nasty boy. Andrew stood above her, the glowing innards of the open oven reflecting in his eyes. What are you doing?

1:56:32 she demanded. She felt frail and powerless as he lifted her. She resisted, pleading with him to stop. He slung her hunched frame headfirst into the oven. Her cry was guttural and otherworldly as her face sagged and blistered. He lifted her the rest of the way in and closed the door. She kicked, almost breaking free, but Andrew held the door fast, burning his palms. He swung the bloody latch closed. The oven dinged madly as he mashed the buttons to its maximum temperature. The witch was ablaze inside of the oven, kicking violently. Andrew backed away from the building heat. Dark, stinking smoke flooded the room. She wailed in an unknown, unholy language. objects inside of the house began to float her hand struck the oven window desperately there was a sucking noise as the flesh of her palm stayed behind as she pulled away her skeletal hand struck again cracking the oven window andrew had seen enough he jumped out of the front window falling hard enough to knock the breath out of him on will alone he ran into the night The house quickly became a roaring inferno, lashing out and striking trees, igniting the rest of the forest.

1:57:40 He ran as fast as he could manage, and so did the hungry flames. Animals, big and small, fled in all directions. They easily passed him in their stampede. When Andrew couldn't see through the spots in his vision, he collapsed to the ground. Deadly warmth danced towards him, but Andrew was far removed from the heat. All he could think about was his father, and how angry he was at him for leaving. It had never been Andrew's fault, he realized. All this time, he had chained himself to his feel glancing at them but never facing them. Between heavy wheezes he managed to laugh. He hadn't been a perfect person but he had done the best that he could.

1:58:23 At the very least he had slain a monster and avenged a fair maiden. In the end He had been brave. Content with that, he sighed. I got her, Claire. I got her. As the heat closed in, darkness mercifully overtook him. A thin droplet of water fell into Andrew's mouth, and he coughed awake. More light rain fell into his open eyes. The early morning sun hid behind thick, gray clouds. He shook soot from his hair as three men in heavy yellow jackets and hard hats rushed to him. As far as the eye could see in the smoke and dust, the forest had burned to cinders. Charred remains of trees stuck defiantly upward like great bones. The wind whipped ash and dust in violent swirls. Some of the tall skeletal remains fell prey to the winds and toppled, shattering on the ground, creating more upheaval. Far behind the men, A guardian angel was smiling thankfully to Andrew. She had long brown hair held up by a pink bow. The dead ocean stirred into a frenzy and she faded into the furious tide just as heavy rain began to fall. Andrew's ear was treated by an EMT in front of Pine Hill Middle School. His mother, eyes red with exhaustion and tears, ran to him. He jumped from the back of the ambulance and met her halfway. They sank to the concrete,

1:59:54 crying in each other's arms. She held him tightly, careful not to bump the fresh bandages over his ear. The police questioned Andrew about the fire and who attacked him. He told them about Agatha, what she had planned to do with him, and how she admitted to kidnapping Claire. He did not tell them what Agatha was, or how the fire had started. He told them he couldn't remember. When asked how he survived being in the middle of a forest fire... He told them the truth. It was an angel, he said. She gave me a second chance. Andrew didn't have to go back to school right away. For two days, he mostly slept. The painkillers made him drowsy.

2:00:38 He only woke long enough to eat small bowls of soup. As he ate, he looked up diet plans on his laptop. On the third day, he woke late in the afternoon, just before time for supper. He walked into the living room, a small stack of papers in hand, to see his mother watching the news. The reporter was talking about his story. Authorities are still combing the burned remains for signs of the mysterious Agatha and her house in the woods. So far, they have found nothing. His mother noticed him and turned the television off. Good morning, she said, crossing the room and giving him a gentle hug. You ready for supper?

2:01:19 How about a plate of French toast and chocolate milk? Andrew barely hid a dry heave. He held out the papers in his hands. Actually, Mama, I'd like to try one of these. She flipped through the recipes for chicken salad, quinoa chili, and cauliflower rice and chicken. She cocked her head, puzzled. You okay, Gummy Bear? He mimed drawing a brass pocket watch from his imaginary duster and flipped it open. Will you look at that, he said with a smile. It's high time things changed around here. Well, my spookies, we've made it back to the road. Hope you're somewhere warm with a door that locks. If these stories have you reconsidering that camping trip, there's no shame in a hotel.

2:02:17 My thanks to you all for joining us and enjoying tonight's stories. I've been your host and narrator, Enrique Couto. And thank you for keeping me company out there. It's always better to hear that strange noise with somebody else beside you. And make sure you follow Weekly Spooky on your favorite podcast app for a brand new scary story every Wednesday. Or you can even head to the Apple App Store or Google Play... and download our weekly spooky app. It's not only a great way to keep up with the show, but also an incredible tool for enjoying our massive back catalog of scary stories. And make sure you return next Saturday. We're setting the table for a feast of fear with our Thanksgiving horror collection just in time for the holiday. I hope you'll join us. Until then, look after each other, Keep the light on and stay spooky.