Driving a Truck Can Be a Nightmare, Literally: Cryptid Terror on the Road!

A delivery driver dreams that a towering creature rips him from his truck and drags him into the woods. Then the same monster appears beside his real highway route and his eight year old daughter already knows it's waiting tonight. One late run becomes a road straight into a living nightmare. What's that You want to be scared? Come with me? He will experience tails over our road, ghosts, and death. He does not recommended for the week at our listeners in the dark, It's more fun at that way. Wait, this is Weekly Speaking. Hello, my spookies, It's Wednesday, and you know what that means.

It's time for a little spooky in your weekly. I'm your host and narrator, Henrique Couto, and tonight we have a creepy one for you, one that takes us on a dark road and an even darker road in our own minds. But before we get to that, I want to say thank you all so much for joining me here tonight. If you're listening in the dead of summer, and I do mean dead, that means you are a true believer, because it takes one to know one celebrating Halloween all year long and I'm happy to help you do it.

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That's Weeklyspooky dot com slash Join. But now, as for tonight, most nightmares disappear when you open your eyes, the monster vanishes, the darkness retreats, and mourning lets you believe it was only a dream. But what if the nightmare showed you the exact road you drive for work, the bridge, the woods, and the creature waiting to drag you from your truck. You might call it coincidence until your eight year old daughter begs you not to leave. She asks whether you saw him, and you realize she's been dreaming about the same monster, and every time it's waiting beside the highway just for you.

So keep both hands on the wheel, lock the doors, and don't look too closely at the tree line, because sometimes waking up is only the beginning. Driving a truck can be a nightmare, literally by Michael Kelso. My shrieks of agony reached a pitch and volume I didn't know I was capable of. As the enormous, demonic looking creature sank its huge, razor sharp teeth into my shoulder, tearing through muscle and sinew. I refused to release my grip on the truck's door handle, so the monster chewed through my shoulder and ripped my body away from it as it dragged me into the woods, kicking and screaming, blood pouring from my shoulder, I looked back at my arm, still hanging on to the door in desperation.

Once it had dragged me so far into the woods that I could no longer see the lights of the truck, it released me. I tried to run, but the loss of blood weakened me. I got halfway to my feet before stumbling back to the ground. I tried again and again, but gravity kept yanking me back down. I didn't have the energy to make a run for it. Every time I tried more blood poured out of my mangled shoulder. It watched me struggle with that nightmare, mouth formed into a smile. It was enjoying this. It was toying with me.

My breaths came in ragged gasps as my body grew dangerously low on blood. I knew I was barely clinging to life. My will to live was gone. I had no fight left in me. Desperation had set in, but there was nothing left to act on. All I could do was lay there and wait for the inevitable. I guess I was no longer amusing if I wasn't trying to escape. It stepped over and picked me up by the neck. Pain screamed at me to do something, but there it wasn't anything I could do. It grasped the top of my head and turned its sideways, pulling my face into its maw of blood stained teeth.

I could smell the horrid stench of death and decay as it closed its mouth on my face. I woke and sat straight up in bed, gulping massive breaths of air. I felt like I was drowning in total darkness. My head swiveled around so quickly that I nearly gave myself whiplash as I searched for anything to show where I was. Eventually, my hand landed on my bedstand. I felt the hard wood and recognized it. My hand crept silently along until it discovered my cell phone. I turned the light on and shone it around. My wife lay in bed beside me, sleeping peacefully.

If I wanted to keep it that way, I would be quiet and stop shining the light on her. My sweaty palms and brow were the only remaining evidence of the nightmare I had woken from. My side of the bed was wet, but I told myself that it was sweat. My breathing slowly returned to normal as my mind told me it was a dream. I reached up and touched my face to make sure it was still there. Once that was confirmed, I reached for my shoulder and found it too, still attached to the rest of me.

I got up and went to the bathroom, then splashed some cold water on my face before checking the time. It was four thirty in the morning, only an hour before my normal time to get up. I debated staying awake, but in the end decided a little more sleep would do me good. After all, it was just a dream. My morning was like every other weekday morning. I got up, showered, and had some breakfast. Just as I was getting ready to head out the door, my eight year old daughter Angeline came downstairs to get ready for school.

She insisted I give her a hug every morning before I left for work, and then promised to be safe. The morning run was nothing out of the ordinary, the same headaches as every day delivering car parts to garages. I joked with one of the managers that my week went Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Friday. He laughed and agreed that sometimes it felt like his weeks went the same way. In the afternoon, it was my turn to do the late run. Twice a week. I had to drive the big box truck down to the main warehouse in the afternoon to pick up parts for the following morning's run.

I didn't really like the late run, especially in winter when it started getting dark early. I usually got home around eight, which was Angeline's bedtime. I would get home just in time to tuck her in and kiss her good night. If I ran late, she wouldn't go to sleep until I tucked her in. That afternoon wasn't much different than any other with one exception. I couldn't get the nagging feeling of deja vu out of my head. I knew I had done this run countless times before, but this time seemed different, like there was a growing expectation that something was about to happen.

Traffic didn't seem any worse than any other time, although I knew that there was always a danger when dealing with drivers. Accidents happened fast and you couldn't always avoid them. I kept a wary eye on the other cars and trucks around me, but still there was a growing dread in my mind. It increased with every mile I drove. Finally it hit me my nightmare. It had been on this road, and I was coming up on the area where it it happened. I tried to laugh it off and tell my brain that it was just a coincidence that I traveled this road twice a week for years.

Of course, I was going to dream about it from time to time, Trying to laugh it off or deny it was having the opposite effect. I was only a few miles away from the spot, and my heart was racing. I tried turning on the radio to calm my nerves, but the song playing was Metallica's All Nightmare Long. That was not helping. I was only a mile away now. I remember seeing a specific bridge in my nightmare, and I knew it was coming up. My fingers white knuckled the steering wheel. My eyes darted back and forth, looking for or anything out of the ordinary.

Out of the ordinary, I chuckled like a demonic beast, chewing my arm off and dragging me into the woods to devour me. I had just reached the bridge when my phone rang, nearly giving me a heart attack. Once the ice had melted out of my veins, I turned it on speaker so I wouldn't get pulled over. Hello, I said, daddy. Angeline replied, what's up, sweetie? Where are you? I'm on my way down to the warehouse. When will you be home? Probably around eight? Can't you come home now? She said with quiet desperation. Why is something wrong?

I said, suddenly feeling very nervous. She paused for a long moment. Are you and mommy okay? I said, Oh no, we're fine. Then what's the problem. Oh? Nothing, I just wanted you home. Okay. Well, I'll be home around eight. Love you, Love you too, Daddy. She hung up the phone as I smiled and shook my head. I'd love to be home earlier, I thought. The road stretched out in front of me suddenly felt different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something had changed. I drove the rest of the way to the warehouse, trying to figure out what it wasn't until I had loaded and was halfway home that I realized I had missed seeing the spot where my nightmare happened because I was talking to Angeline.

I chuckled to myself, thinking how worked up I had gotten over a silly dream. I pulled into the driveway a few minutes before eight and went straight to Angeline's room to tuck her in. Daddy, she said, jumping up into my arms. WHOA, someone's glad to see me, I said, hugging her then laying her back in bed. You made it, she said, don't I always? Did you see him? See? Who? Oh? No one? I love you, Daddy, I love you too. Sweetheart, good night. I closed her door, feeling more than a little confused. I walked into the kitchen, where my nose and eyes were equally treated to the smell of the delicious food my wife was getting out of the microwave.

What was going on with her today, I said, as I sat down at the table. What do you mean? She said, the phone call. I nodded with my fork halfway to my mouth. She came home from school and said she needed to talk to you right away. She didn't say why, I said between bites, Nope, just that it was important. Weird. She's eight, she said, smiling. She probably just missed her daddy. Yeah, I said, sighing. I get that, but she makes me feel so guilty for getting home late. I wish she understood that's just how life goes.

Sometimes She'll get there, she said, reaching across the table and taking my hand. I smiled and enjoyed the rest of my meal as we talked about our days and then went to bed. The next morning, Angeline acted as if nothing had happened. She got up, got ready for school, kissed us goodbye, and got on the bus. My day was frustrating, tedious and long, just like usual, I didn't have the late run and didn't get any phone calls from home. The day after that, however, was another matter. She got out of bed and immediately asked if I had the late run.

Yes, sweetie, do you have to do it? Yes, sweetie, can't someone else? No, sweetie, please please be safe. I will sweety. She was very distracted at breakfast and nearly missed the bus. She kept staring at me. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but I was half afraid of the answer. My morning run that day was easy, and I was able to get started on the afternoon run a little early. I'd loved to surprise the family by getting home early, I thought, smiling. My smile evaporated. As I approached the bridge. All the terror of the nightmare came rushing back, along with Angeline's cryptic comment about seeing someone.

I slowed down a little, and once again my eyes were on swivels. I searched the trees along the side of the road as they rapidly passed by. I was about to shake off my feelings as stupid when my eyes locked on something that made my blood freeze. In the trees, I saw a set of eyes. My mind tried to write it off as a deer, but there were a few problems with that. The deer would have had to be seven feet tall or standing on its hind legs on the second rung of a ladder. Since I didn't believe either of those things was probable, I had to go with the last option.

There was a giant creature standing in the trees, staring at me. All of this process through my mind in a flash. As I drove past. I saw it step out of the trees just before I passed it and bend down as if ready to spring out in front of me, But there was a car right behind, so it dove back into the cover of the trees. I shook myself mentally, as though waking from a dream. That that couldn't have been real, I told myself, wishing I believed it. The rest of my trip down, including loading the truck, seemed like some surreal vision.

It was like I was floating through a daydream. The trip back made me nervous as I approached the bridge, but I realized I was on the other side of a divided highway. There was a lot of open area between the lanes going north and the ones going south. Regardless, I kept my eyes trained on the other side of the highway when I came near the bridge. I didn't know if it was my imagination or if I had really seen eyes watching me from the other side. I didn't wait around to find out. That night, when I got home, Angeline met me at the door and nearly knocked me over in a tight hug.

You made it, she said, squeezing me so tight I could barely breathe. I carried her inside and put her to bed. Okay, Angeline, what's going on? I said, You're home safe, That's all that's important. What do you mean has someone been telling you I'm in danger? She lowered her eyes. Yes, who. She looked up and locked eyes with me. You saw him tonight. I stood and backed away, without realizing I had. What do you mean saw who? You know? He watched you. He tried to get you, but he couldn't because of the other car. I dropped to my knees beside her bed.

How do you know that, I whispered. She reached down and touched my cheek. I saw it in my dream. I sat there, silent in shock for a long time. Daddy Angeline said. I looked at her. Can you turn off the light now? I'd like to go to sleep. Automatically, I stood, kissed her forehead, and stepped out of the room, turning off the light as I went. I collapsed into a chair in the kitchen. What's wrong, my wife said, you look like you've seen a ghost. My eyes locked on hers for a long moment. I didn't understand what she had said.

Are you okay, she asked, sitting beside me and putting her hand gently on my shoulder. Finally I roused myself out of my stupor. I'm sorry, I'm fine. Just Angeline being concerned about me again. Where do you think that's coming from? I don't know, but she really is worried about you. When she got home, she said she was tired and wanted to take a nap. A short time after she laid down, I could hear her yelling in her room. I ran to her, and she was asleep but screaming no, he's my daddy and you can't have him.

I tried not to turn white as a sheet. Instead, I chuckled, kids, Where do they come up with this stuff? I said, with a smile. She loves you. You're her daddy, and she doesn't want to see anything happen to you, so she gets herself all worked up. You're right, I said, smiling. I kissed her, then ate my supper. After I was done, we went to bed and we kissed some more. The next day, once again, was like nothing happened. It wasn't until the following Tuesday, the day I would have to take the evening run, that Angeline was beside herself in the morning.

Please don't go today, she begged me. I have to go to work, you can't. I saw the desperation in her eyes. It frightened me beyond anything, but I fought to hide my fear. Okay, honey, I haven't called off in a while, so I'll take today off. I saw the weight lift from her eyes as she yelled yay. Then she hugged me tightly and ran out the door to catch the bus. Are you really taking the day off, my wife asked? Are you complaining? Not in the least. How about a movie sounds good. I don't remember the last time we watched a movie together.

Of course, my boss wasn't happy. He told me that if I was faking, i'd better update my resume. That was one of the best days I'd had in a long time. The next few days were awesome as well. It wasn't until the following Tuesday that the wheels came off. You can't go, Angeline squealed, as I headed for the door. I have to, honey, I said, trying to calm her. If I don't, they'll fire me. Daddy, Please don't go, she said, grabbing my leg and holding on for dear life. I'm sorry, I took the other day off.

If I don't work, we don't eat. I pulled her off my leg and handed her to my wife as I started out the door. Calm down, sweetie, she said, holding her tightly as she struggled to get to me. You don't understand he's waiting for you. I stopped and turned back to her. Who's waiting, my wife asked. I stared into Angeline's hopeful eyes. No one, I said, I have no idea what she's talking about. Must be her imagination going off the rails again, her eyes met mine, and betrayal leaked out and down her cheeks. I turned away to keep my heart from breaking, Daddy, she screamed.

I got in my car and drove away, drying my eyes on my sleeve. I tried all morning to get Angeline's look of hurt and betrayal out of my mind. It wasn't until I was half way down to the warehouse in the afternoon that her words really sank in. He's waiting for you. My veins turned to ice. I was hurtling toward my doom as I got closer to the bridge. Did I really believe there was a monster waiting for me? Or was this pure coincidence? Force feeding my daughter's paranoia. My truck was devouring miles faster than I wanted, forcing me into a decision.

Should I pull over if this thing is waiting for me? Would it even matter? I couldn't live the rest of my life hiding from fears that weren't even mine. I kept moving the bridge nearly in sight. I tensed up as I passed under and through the spot I had dreamed about. I sighed, chuckling at my own foolishness. I was still chuckling when the thing from my nightmare stepped out onto the road in front of my truck. Disbelief and terror flooded my eyes as this apparition stood in my way, daring me to hit it. I stood on the brakes and tried to swerve, but it was no use.

My truck smashed into the massive monster and came to a screeching halt as it slid sideways on the gravel and off the side of the road. I sat there, blinded by the air bag, waiting for it to collapse. As I peeled my fingers off the steering wheel and unbuckled my seatbelt, I slowly opened the door and stepped out of the truck. The darkness was punctuated by the headlights of passing cars. I stepped around the front, still in a daze, and looked at the destroyed passenger side of the truck. As I marveled at the destruction, I remembered what I had hit.

I turned to get back in my truck, but my way was blocked by the huge, demon looking creature staring down at me. My nightmare came rushing back with stunning vividness, as the front of my pants suddenly became wet and a yellow river ran down the inside of my pants. Standing very close to this exact spot, my arm grasping the door handle as the creature's teeth tore through my shoulder, leaving a bloody arm still hanging on to the door handle as it dragged me off to the woods to devour me. I stood there, remembering my nightmare as if it had already happened, and realized it was about to The creature took a step towards me, and I took a step back around the corner of the truck.

The only plan my petrified mind could conjure was to keep the truck between me and the creature. If it took one step at a time, we could do small laps around the truck all night. But I knew it wouldn't be patient much longer. It wore a feral grin composed of those horribly long, razor sharp, blood stained teeth, which told me it was about to strike. The truck sat sideways, shielding us from the lights of the cars as they rushed past us, oblivious of the life and death struggle playing out. At first, I held out hope that someone would pull over to check on me, or that a police officer would see my truck and stop to find out what had happened.

I saw the creature tensing up to spring at me and realized I didn't have time to wait for any law enforcement or good Samaritans. In fact, I had no time at all. I gripped the door handle and waited for death. I wished I had listened to Angeline and not gone to work. I wished I was home with my wife and daughter. I wished I didn't know that a creature like this existed. There was only one thing left to do. I closed my eyes and mentally said goodbye to my loved ones. Just as it was about to launch itself at me, I pushed off from the door handle and ran straight into traffic.

The last thing I remember was a horn honking, and then pain before the darkness took me. I woke up to a white room and machines beeping. Most of my body was wrapped in a cast, and there were ropes hanging from a metal frame that held up my arms and legs. I was in and out of consciousness, but caught little snippets of conversations. Multiple broken bones, hip replaced lucky to be alive. Eventually, a policeman did come to talk to me. I told him I had hit a deer and lost control of the truck. I said I had become disoriented by the airbag hitting me in the face, and that's why I stumbled into traffic.

He told me that the first car to hit me bounced me into the air, then I rolled off the roof of the next two cars before landing on the road. He said I was lucky that the cars had managed to stop when they did, or the next car was about to run over my head. I told him I felt lucky to be alive. The next day, my wife and daughter came to visit. Angeline was so happy to see me that she grabbed me in a big hug, sending pain shooting through me. My wife pulled her off and explained how much I was hurting.

I asked my wife if she would get the nurse to bring me some more pain medicine. Once she was out of the room, Angeline lowered her voice and asked the question I knew she was dying to act, ask did you see him? I closed my eyes and struggled with what to tell her. Do I let her continue to believe in this creature or do I lie to put her mind at ease. I looked into those expectant eyes and told her what I thought was best. No, honey, I just had a little accident. That's all. Her look fell from anticipation to disappointment.

I understand, was all she said before my wife came back in the room, followed by the nurse. Six months later, I'm walking again. The doctors say I might be able to drive again soon too. My wife got a job that pays the bills and puts food on the table. I'm looking forward to working again and helping out. I'll never drive a truck again. I'll never drive on that stretch of road again. I find myself questioning if it was real or not. Was there really a demonic creature bent on dining on my entrails or did I just hit a deer and stumble into traffic.

I don't know. My mind seems to be trying to protect me the same way I was protecting Angeline. She hasn't had any nightmares recently, and neither have I. Honestly, I hope I never have another dream. It isn't worth the risk of seeing that they ever again. Well, my spooky is the next time your GPS sends you down a lonely highway after dark, just remember fastest route available does not always mean safest route available. Our driver may have survived his nightmare, but between a demolished truck, a full body cast, and one very disappointed daughter who absolutely knew better, I think it's safe to say he finally learned the most important rule of supernatural road safety.

When your eight year old psychic tells you a seven foot demon is waiting beneath a bridge, call off work. The car parts can wait a day. Thank you for joining us, and remember we bring you something scary every single day here at Weekly Spooky, and every Wednesday there's a brand new scary story for you to enjoy. So make sure you're subscribed on your favorite podcast app. I promise you we'll bring you a little Halloween every day of the week to keep you chilled in the heat. And I want to say a very big thank you to all the folks who went to Weeklyspooky dot com slash join and signed up for as little as one dollar a month to support the show, and especially our Patreon podcast boosters, folks who paid a little bit more to hear their names at the end of the show, and they are Johnny Nix, Kate and Lulu, Jessica Fuller.

Mike is Skewey, Jenny Green, Karen we Met, Jack Kerr and Craig Cohen. Thank you all, and if you want to hear your name at the end of every episode, just head to Weeklyspooky dot Com slash Join and choose a tear at the fifteen dollars a month or higher mark. It really does help us keep the show going and I appreciate it so greatly. But now it's time for me to get back to work because tomorrow is Thursday Thrills and there's always something new and spooky we should dive into. So for myself, for my executive producers Rob Fields and Bubbletopia dot Com, my producer Dan Wilder, and my creepy composer Ray Maddis, I will talk at you tomorrow.

So until then, maybe it's okay call off work. If you need to thank you for listening. Make sure to find your way back next week week. But for now you are safe, trust me.