20 TRUE Horror Stories from the Applachian Mountains

as a computer programmer struggling with a monotonous job I often found solace in weekend camping trips to unwind there was something about sitting around the campfire sharing stories with my friends and gazing at the stars that captivated me it was April 2011 when my friends and I planned to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a weekend of relaxation and Adventure our group consisted of myself my longtime friend Gregor Hartman his fiance Coraline Bellow and my friend from work Alo

nzo chalice we chose a popular campsite near Cade's Cove for our first night in the park it wasn't long before we settled into the familiar comfort of roasting marshmallows for esmor as faint laughter echoed from neighboring groups I remember telling everyone an embarrassing tale from my senior prom complete with wacky dance moves and ill-fated wardrobe choices enough to elicit eye rolls and hearty laughs from everyone the next morning we decided to find a more secluded spot further away from fa

milies and tourists after setting up camp in this remote location our conversation focused on remembering memorable camping experiences from our past trips a failed attempt at midnight skinny dipping and disastrous bear encounters topped our lists it's getting late Alonzo commented and the sky is so clear tonight I'd bet we can spot some far off constellations once it gets darker hours passed as we shared life stories jokes and countless plates of esmor until the darkness had fully consumed our

surroundings in the chilling quiet of nighttime we were alarmed by faint snapping sounds coming from nearby bushes at first I casually dismissed it as a curious raccoon or a possum scrounging through our discarded food scraps however with every passing moment I couldn't shake the feeling that something else was there something much larger and all together unfamiliar guys I think we should pack up and head back to our original spot I said hesitantly while trying to mask my fear they all hesitated

but agreed stemming partly from fear and partly from Curiosity about the unidentified noises as we hurriedly packed our belongings and doused the campfire coralene screamed we all rushed to her side her face was pale and a large bloody gash on her leg made it clear that something had attacked her the strange creature stood several meters away obscured by Shadows but emitting a pungent rotting odor its large eyes glinted unnaturally in the dim Starlight as it snarled at us Gregor pulled out his

pocket knife as Alonzo shouted into the darkness for help but we were isolated and far away from any other campers who could have heard his pleas our fear threatened to paralyze us as the Beast began closing in slowly seeming to Revel in our Terror the grotesque creature appeared to be an amalgam of various predatory animals iterating body parts such as Slender legs ending in curved Talons that seemed designed for ripping flesh seny muscle visible beneath patches of model fur and an elongated sn

out filled with rows of razor sharp teeth all pretense of humor was gone as we faced the Monstrous being with Gregor brandishing his pocket knife like a warrior in battle I'll distract it he declared through gritted teeth and you all ran back to safety we hesitated for a second as Gregor danced around the creature attempting to draw its attention away from us finally following his lead we began our slow Retreat from the creature that filled our nightmares each step was painstakingly calculated t

o minimize sound as we made our way back towards civilization Gregor's voice echoed through the forest behind us interspersed with guttural growls from the Monstrous creature with each fading scream we knew our friend was was valiantly fighting for our survival as we moved away from the scene of Gregor's confrontation I couldn't help but think about his sacrifice not daring to hope he would make it out alive our journey back to civilization was painstakingly slow trying to be as quiet and discre

et as possible so as not to attract the attention of the Fearsome creature that had attacked us we didn't risk calling for help or speaking loudly which only Amplified the already oppressive silence Coraline's limping soon became more pronounced and her leg weakened from the gash inflicted upon her by the Beast despite the pain she must have felt Coraline bit her lip and pressed on without saying a word unexpectedly Alonzo whipped out his phone and snapped photos of the claw marks left on trees

and other signs of destruction in our path he reasoned that we could use them as evidence when we report what happened once we reached safety we knew it would sound unbelievable even into our ears but at least these images would substantiate our claim to some extent emerging from the forest we finally arrived at a familiar spot just on the outskirts of a small town relieved and no longer in immediate Danger from the lurking creature we dared to raise our voices slightly Alonzo suggested going st

raight to the police station with Coraline so she could get urgent medical assistance and someone needed to inform Gregor's family debating internally if I should make a call for help or not my fingers hovered over my phone before deciding against it my gut told me that it was too dangerous for anyone else to venture into that Forest while the creature was still on the loose it became our unspoken agreement within the group this creature should remain our burden for now in no time at all Sirens

echoed through the air as an ambulance came rushing toward us to Aid Coraline followed closely by a police car Coraline was ushered onto a stretcher wincing as the paramedics treated her wounds we then found ourselves explaining the whole ordeal to the police officers who initially appeared skeptical however with Alonzo's photos of the claw marks and Coraline's substantially injured leg they began to take our account more seriously the officers informed us that they would conduct an investigatio

n into the beast but insisted that we keep our story quiet they warned us not to cause any unnecessary Panic among nearby towns people we were reluctant but agreed finishing up our statements and awaiting news on Coraline we had to confront the reality that our friend Greg might be gone forever a victim of the horrifying creature grief and despair settled over us like a dark cloud when we overheard a snippet of conversation between two officers our hearts dropped even further evidently they deci

ded to list Gregor's case as a tragic accident and sweep it under the rug Revelations like these painted a bleak picture of Hope forever capturing or obtaining Justice against the creature that took our friend from us for days we struggled as we processed the events that had unfolded in the forest and attempted to catch up with our everyday lives the traumatic memories haunted each one of us refusing to release their grip causing sleepless nights with dreams filled with nothing but nightmarish s

cenarios it wasn't long before each of us received Anonymous letters left at our doors with a stark warning urging us never to speak of the creature again or risk more dire consequences we knew someone wanted this kept quiet but we also understood that we had no choice our Quest For Justice was doomed from the start in this small town where secrets were spun like webs we opted not to involve anyone else in our journey we remembered his bravery and selflessness and hoped that somewhere he was at

peace free from the horrifying creatur creature that ultimately changed our lives forever Story number two I'd always been a fan of cheddar cheese Doritos the crunchier the better the problem was so were raccoons I didn't know that until I went camping with my friends in the alagan National Forest in Pennsylvania it was September 2021 and we desperately needed to unwind after a long week at work we set up camp not far from Beaver Meadow Creek an idilic spot surrounded by towering trees and Wildl

ife that seemed more interested in fighting over our food than we did my friend Ezra had the idea of hanging up our food supplies in a nearby tree to keep them safe from Curious Critters however I gave him such a hard time about his questionable notot tying skills that he let me do it instead night approached and we warmed ourselves by the fire roasting marshmallows and laughing over stupid jokes we made up on the spot hey Kellen Kaia teased what concert costs only 45 cents I don't know what I p

layed along 50 Cent featuring Nickelback she couldn't suppress her own laughter as she delivered the punchline we groaned and continued swapping jokes back and forth all of a sudden there was a blood curdling scream from just beyond our Fire Light it was Mina we leaped to our feet and rushed towards her voice we found her trembling and pointing at something on the tree where I had hung our food in an instant laughter turned to concern and fear as we saw an enormous creature perched on a thick br

anch easily 15 ft off the ground its massive body was covered in dark fur but that was neither a bear nor any other ordinary animal its eyes glowed like red Embers staring down at us with unmistakable malevolence none of us could speak we were too Paralyzed by fear to say or do anything this monstrous creature then suddenly let out a gut-wrenching Roar that sent us scattering in all directions we stumbled stumbled through the darkness and I could hear Kaa pleading with us to regroup but the only

thing on my mind was getting away from this Unholy nightmare eventually we managed to find one another and though we were still terrified we were determined to get back to our campsite and figure out a way to escape from this Forest infested with Uncharted beasts I had no idea how unique and horrifying the encounters with this antagonist would become as we made our way back toward camp we stayed as quiet as possible like a pack of mice trying to avoid being eaten by a cat it was difficult to na

vigate through the wooded terrain at night but our fear drove us onward without hesitation what other choice did we have we came across another camper who looked just as scared as us but was armed with a rifle his name was Lester and he had heard something stalking him in the night he offered to help us on our Trek back towards Camp which seemed like the most logical decision given our circumstances just when we saw the glowing Embers of our fire in the distance Mina yelled in pain her leg was b

leeding profusely from a large gash that she didn't even remember feeling realizing what must have happened while scrambling away earlier Panic set in even more amongst all of us Lester carefully examined Mina's wound and quickly used his first aid kit to patch her up we all agreed that we needed to get her to a hospital but we also couldn't leave without our gear the combination of fear and urgency fueled our efforts as we cautiously approached the campsite I noticed that the creature had ravag

ed Our Food Supplies leaving claw marks on the tree trunks the site was in shambles but none of us dared to complain we were all focused on grabbing whatever belongings weren't destroyed and getting away as quickly as possible as we moved through the woods Lester led the way with his rifle at the ready we believed that safety in numbers would help protect us from the creature lurking among the trees but it quickly became evident that our assumptions were wrong we heard a rustling in the bushes a

nd Lester nervously aimed his rifle at its source suddenly the Monstrous creature leaped out and attacked him from above knocking his rifle away it pinned Lester down with its massive Paws while unleashing a series of devastating blows in shock we all froze momentarily before realizing that we needed to help Lester Kaa picked up a rock and threw it at the creature's head making it momentarily lose focus and giving Lester an opportunity to struggle out from underneath it the Beast snarled in ange

r and turned toward us we realized that attempting to fight back was feudal our only choice was to run as we fled in Terror I could still hear Lester's cries for help echoing in my ears but I knew that turning back would be certain death for both of us we managed to stumble upon a ranger station soon after our escape from the creature Mina's condition grew worse due to her injury and exhaustion from running in such dire conditions upon reaching the Rangers station we frantically asked them for h

elp with Mina's injuries and informed them about Lester's desperate situation the Rangers immediately contacted Emergency Medical Services for mina while simultaneously arranging a search and rescue team for Lester unfortunately when they found Lester it was too late the gruesome sight indicated that the Beast had mauled him beyond recognition our group was devastated by the loss as the kind stranger who had come to our Aid met his untimely demise right in front of us once Mina received medical

attention and recovered enough for us to leave the ranger station we vowed to never forget Lester's bravery and sacrifice we also agreed to share our harrowing tale with others so that they'd be aware of the dangers lurking out in the wilderness and of the heroic man named Lester ree who risked his life to help others the events that transpired in those woods remain etched into our Memories Forever This Sinister creature remains a mystery with no explanation for its existence or Origins but it s

erves as a chilling reminder that there are still unknown threats lurking in this world that can't be explained or rationalized all we can do is stay vigilant and honor those who stood up against these perils like Lester whose courage will forever be remembered as we walked away from the ranger station with Mina now stable a heavy weight lay on our hearts we silently mourned our lost companion and prayed that no one else would face the same terrifying fate at our hands or pause of that horrifyin

g creature that stalked Us in those dark woods Story number three in the Sierra National Forest I was carrying out my duties as a park ranger the sun began to descend behind the Towering trees casting long Eerie shadows as the day shifted into the evening my name is Shawn Walker and I've been doing this job for over a decade people often tell me I'm an odd character but it's my sense of humor that keeps me balanced in these Woods for instance I'd always say if a tree falls in the forest and no o

ne is around to hear it does it still make a sound of course it does that's why I have no friends on July 7th 2023 at precisely 7:23 p.m. as I patrolled the Forest Trails with mild apprehension in the air something caught my attention a faint distressed call echoed in the distance unsure whether it was human or animal in origin I rushed towards the sound despite my playful nature that day had an ominous feeling from the get-go upon reaching what appeared to be an abandoned campsite near a shallo

w Creek bed my eyes bore witness to something Indescribable an eviscerated corpse bound to a fallen tree branch by a coil oiled mass of thorny Vines my stomach was churning at the nightmarish sight before me there was an abrasive odor that filled my senses with Dread several fellow Rangers arrived on the scene as I reported what happened via my walkie-talkie while inspecting the grizzly sight we couldn't wrap our heads around who or what could have done such a gruesome deed it was then that an u

nfamiliar woman stumbled into view pale and trembling from fear or pain perhaps both and drenched in blood that seeped through her tattered clothes she shared bits and pieces of a horrific story she spoke of intense torment and Terror imposed by someone with maddening unblinking eyes and the most obtuse grin she had ever seen it was a malevolent stranger whose features were distorted by grotesque scars as the evening lights dimmed Into Darkness an unsettling weariness slithered through the branc

hes overhead while we searched the area for more clues our radios occas Al blared cryptic Whispers that sounded eerily like taunting laughter our colleague's presumably lifeless mutilated body refused to loosen its grip on our thoughts which seemed to play directly into some sort of Twisted Rivery it began to rain cold water dripped from the trees mixing with my sweat my heart pounded in my chest each beat seemingly getting louder as if it wanted out at that moment I noticed a series of inexplic

able muddy footprints leading into the dense underbrush Jerry I whispered to one of my colleagues motioning alongside where the tracks vanished in the pouring rain we followed the trail as cautiously and silently as possible feeling increasingly vulnerable with each step deeper into darkness the woods almost seemed to be breathing claustrophobic and Alive we peered around giant trees straining our eyes to catch a glimpse of whatever being was responsible for these horrific Deeds suddenly the the

re it was a human-like figure stood at the edge of a clearing where the cold beams of moonlight reflected off his sick grin and revealed ghastly scars across his face his unnatural eyes never blink as they meet mine a chaotic storm of malice was brewing within them both Jerry and I froze in place a deafening crack echoed around us before I could react and grasp what happened Jerry's body dropped harshly onto the wet ground with a thud while blood trickled down his forehead following a precise Bl

ow by some blunt object swirling through the air the figure lunged toward me in a swift motion and then out of nowhere a powerful force struck me in the chest and sent me flying back into the thick underbrush I gasped for air as the wind had knocked out of me panic surged through my veins as I struggled to get back to my feet leave him alone I heard someone yell looking through the darkness I could make out another figure emerging from the woods Beth one of our friends who had joined us earlier

on this ill-advised exploration she was armed with a makeshift club and a large tree branch she'd picked up along the way the man's gaze shifted from me to Beth and I saw an opportunity to act picking up a rock that lay beside me I threw it at the crazed man with all the strength left in my trembling limbs The Rock struck him in the temple and he staggered backward momentarily stunned by the unexpected blow Beth seized the opportunity and leaped forward swinging her tree branch with full force a

gainst his legs he crumpled to his knees with a scream of pain as we both pounced on him trying to restrain his arms you guys have no idea who you're messing with he growled blood dripping from his Temple onto his deeply scarred face his wrists were scarred Too Old Wounds similar to the ones on his face and I couldn't help but feel a momentary flicker of pity for whatever atrocities he'd endured suddenly we heard sirens approaching in the distance someone must have called 911 after they'd heard

his screams or something else had happened nearby as if sensing that he was running out of time our captive began thrashing violently against our hold despite our struggles he managed to free one of his arms and reach into his pocket pulling out a vile looking syringe filled with an ominous green liquid you'll pay for this he snarled driving the needle into Beth's arm and plunging its toxic contents into her bloodstream with a shriek she collapsed to the ground convulsing and twitching as though

lightning pulsed beneath her skin paralyzed with fear I could only watch in horror as his chilling laughter filled the night air and panic raced through me as I saw the lights from the approaching police cars they surrounded us quickly guns drawn and shouted commands that seemed to be muted by my shock the police officers hustled the scarred man ran into the back of a cruiser one of the officers managed to pry the syringe out of his hand and stow it away carefully in a sealed bag but as they we

re whisking him away he leaned toward me rage swirling in those terrible eyes I'll be back he rasped and you better pray I don't find you first the cop car sped off into the night with him inside leaving me gasping for breath on the cold forest floor Beth had stopped convulsing but remained unconscious deathly haale from whatever poison was coursing through her veins Jerry's lifeless body remained where he had fallen a tragic loss at the hands of this lunatic we'd survived our brush with an unsp

eakable nightmare but we hadn't emerged unscathed a heavy cloud of dread hung over my heart as my mind kept repeating those final chilling words I'll be back as much as I wanted this nightmare to be over I knew that it was far from finished whether we liked it or not we were part of this Twisted game now irrevocably Bound by Fate to this monstrous manman bound and waiting for whatever gruesome challenges lay ahead in our inevitable dark future Story number four working as a cemetery night Watchm

an was never my first choice my buddies always teased me saying I had the perfect job for introverts and jokesters alike but a paycheck is a paycheck and I've come to appreciate the quiet Tranquility of those dank and Eerie nights it was on September 24th 201 19 that my reality was forever changed the cold evening started like any other there I was doing my usual rounds in the Cold Spring Cemetery in Buffalo New York keen on getting home to catch up on some much needed sleep I half-heartedly sho

wn my flashlight around tombstones as I trudged along muddy paths what do you call a group of musical zombies I mumbled to myself to pass time grinning as I whispered back the answer a band of dead heads little did I know that the chuckle that followed would be my last for the night as I Saed past an especially ancient looking Tombstone out of the corner of my eye I spotted something much darker than normal Shadows intrigued by this odd deviation from routine I turned my flashlight toward it my

hand shook as the light illuminated a smoldering Crater where a grave had once been with sudden apprehension settling in like a cold Mist on a murky Pond I jumped on my walkie-talkie with Jerry one of the those Pals who'd thoroughly enjoyed teasing me about my work and who was patrolling another section of the cemetery Jerry I mumbled with urgency something's off at Mrs pemberton's grave Amusement evident in his voice Jerry replied with a slight mockery what did you find one of her socks were yo

u expecting her to bake cookies as much as that would have been preferred something far more Sinister presented itself when I heard heavy footsteps approaching at an unnatural Pace a large humanoid figure standing at least 7 ft tall and sporting long greasy hair with bony fingers tipped with razor sharp nails the unknown creature exuded an unimaginable odor akin to Rotting Flesh realizing the severity of the situation I stammered into my walkie-talkie Jerry this isn't a joke there's something he

re let's meet at the main entrance and call for backup or something his tone sharpened suddenly and he responded with tness fine just don't make this one of those jokes that come back to haunt us later meanwhile in my haste and panic I had earned the full attention of that ominous being as it turned to face me I felt Frozen overcome by Terror as I beheld its cold eyes which seemed like black pits of Pure Evil I knew running was futile but Instinct took over sprinting in a Mad Dash toward what no

w felt like an impossibly distant main entrance I silently prayed that Jerry was already there and had called for help lungs burning and legs numb from exhaustion a chance glance over my shoulder revealed the creature still in Pursuit never any closer than before but always maintaining its deadly distance Panic surged as Jerry's Voice crackled through my walkie-talkie everything all right it can't be that bad but truth be told none of us could ever have imagined how truly terrible this encounter

was for how could anyone ever comprehend such an otherworldly horror my breath hitched at the thought of facing that vile monstrosity again the nearing sound of sirens blaring gave me some hope perhaps we could find safety in numbers as I met Jerry halfway to the entrance we exchanged frantic looks of acknowledgement before sprinting ahead together a new sense of determination fueled my escape with the trust that it would Prevail as it had in so many dire moments before but as the creature did

something Unthinkable that trust began began to Wayne in a voice like hundreds of shrieking rats being crushed underfoot it whispered my name reaching into my soul as if it could strip the wool to live right from my core I stealed myself eyes locked on the Ethereal blue lights that marked the police Cruiser's drawing mirror the entrance provided a sanctuary but we were still far from assured safety as Jerry and I rushed towards the police cruisers the Abomination followed with Relentless determi

nation the officer came out of their vehicles with guns drawn but they had no idea what they were up against as soon as they saw the creature I could see their disbelief one Brave officer aimed his gun at it and fired at it but the bullets barely grazed its tough leathery skin the creature howled before ripping through the officer's body in a blood soaked frenzy the remaining officers stared in Terror Jerry and I didn't have time to process the gruesome scene before us we just continued sprintin

g towards safety amidst the screams and the chaos police radioed for immediate reinforcements while tirelessly attempting to subdue this incomprehensible threat during a brief pause in our flight we bumped into an old groundkeeper named George who had worked at the cemetery for decades he often shared stories of strange happenings and legends surrounding its history seeing our desperate attempt to escape he grabbed Us by the arms and whispered urgently that we needed to lure the creature away fr

om everyone else driven by a sense of Duty and a slight glimmer of hope offered by George's knowledge of this seemingly age-old threat we led the gruesome faux down Twisted paths lined with Crypts that dated back centuries or more George told us that he believed we were dealing with a creature named nagra known to haunt cemeteries and feed on human souls he recounted events befalling past night Watchmen who'd experienced similar encounters over countless years years it prayed on its victims when

least expected often appearing only as a Sinister shadow in the corner of one's eye until fear allowed it to take form we delve deeper into this Labyrinth of tombs when George suddenly directed us towards an ancient Crypt covered in mysterious symbols he claimed would hold not grow back if we managed to lock it inside despite the creature's persistence we somehow managed to outre it with well-time Dodges and heart pounding close calls we cornered grow within the crypts walls and locked it insid

e while we'd succeeded albeit temporarily there was no denying that an unimaginable evil now lay trapped amid Cold Spring cemetery's aging confines we went back to the main entrance sickened by the Bloodshed and grime that stained our clothes hands and Memories Forever the reinforcements arrived shortly after our Victory Jerry spoke to them in muted whispers about the chilling events that transpired although he excluded any specific mention of forced confinement or natur itself since then our li

ves have never been the same we still work at Cold Spring Cemetery both because we feel it is our responsibility to protect others from this beast and due to the constant reminder that it could break free again at any moment this awareness has cost us deeply sometimes in the dead of night just before Dawn breaks over grave markers barely visible in the dim light offered by looming lamp posts I can almost hear a low guttural growl emanating from within the crypts like a twisted mockery of wind or

rustling leaves and in those moments my trembling body offers a single silent prayer let not growls imprisonment hold strong until my time here is done Story number five gripping the shovel tightly with sweat pouring down my face I could feel the weight of my task as a park ranger in the appalachin mountains it was my duty to maintain the trails and ensure that visitors to the This Magnificent natural wonder returned home safely rarely did I encounter any danger Beyond down trees or an occasion

al lost hiker May changed everything it was dusk in early May and I found myself walking deeper and deeper into a forested area of the mountains known as Whispering Pines a sparsely populated region Whispering Pines was known for having some of the most all inspiring views in the entire mountain range yet few visitors ever made it out there due to it remote location a hiker named Harvey Johnson had reported strange disarray along some of the trails in this area I decided to investigate half expe

cting to find no more than your run-of-the-mill vandalism or a mischievous animal as I approached one of the trails in question however I noticed that a faint stench hung heavily in the air huh I muttered aloud it smells like rotten eggs the bizarrely repulsive odor was nothing like other animal signs I'd encountered before despite my discomfort I pushed ahead to follow the trail further along I stumbled upon what looked like a recent landslide that had Swept Away parts of the hiking path the da

mage was beyond anything I'd ever seen before and bore no Hallmarks of a natural Calamity something far more Sinister seemed to be at play with each step further into this Eerie Place pine needles crunched ominously beneath my feet while my uneasiness grew by now it had grown dark enough for me to use my flashlight to scan the surroundings for Clues as to what could have caused such Devastation as I moved ahead slowly and cautiously I heard an uncanny sound coming from Beyond the trees a bizarre

sort of rustling followed by a gut-wrenching crunch I continued forward armed only with my flashlight and the trusty shovel which had been my faithful companion throughout the years and then finally I Came Upon it the source of the strange noises and their Grizzly aftermath a horrifying sight met my eyes countless pulverized signs littered the ground as if they had been chewed up and spat out the perpetrators stood not far away at top a pile of mangled debris the size of a moose with black toug

hs covering its entire body like some grotesque work of art and horn-like protrusions that sprouted from its massive shoulders its hideous appearance made me shudder involuntarily it was unlike anything I'd ever seen before or could even imagine its eyes gleamed with a dreadful predatory gaze that seemed to pierce through me as I stood there Frozen in Terror and helpless to do more than watch the Monstrous creature in front of me continue on with its Rampage there was little left to do but wish

I'd tried to radio back for help or left Charlene a message about what was happening still gripping my shovel I felt an icy Cocoon of fear enveloping me as the creature gradually moved closer its breath was labored and red of blood and Decay causing bile to rise in my throat I knew then that whatever this Abomination was it wouldn't be content until it ravaged everything in its path including me with every step the Beast took my own legs grew weaker knowing that each movement brought it closer t

o me its enormous limbs crushed debris underfoot with ease and without hesitation the Moose likee monster sniffed the air before letting out a blood curdling Screech that echoed throughout the area sending chills down my spine as it approached my body acted on Instinct rather than reason I began to run desperately trying to evade this monstrosity glancing back I saw that it easily kept pace with me increasing the distance between us fear gripped me as I stumbled upon a small group of people hudd

led together sobbing in Terror the creature lunged toward them with unmatched speed and brutality tearing into their bodies with its grotesque appendages their screams would haunt me for the rest of my days I wasn't thinking straight As I reached for my cell phone to call for help the desperate situation had overwhelmed any logical thought processes that may have been present before encountering the monster dialing 911 as quickly as I could manage I sputtered out a description of both the creatu

re and our location before ending the call it seemed feudal but it was all we could do as much as it tore at my heart to leave innocent people behind in such a brutal circumstance I knew there was no use trying to save them or fighting this creature myself my only chance was to get away from this scene and pray that help would arrive soon enough by now there were two other survivors with me an elderly woman who could barely stand and a middle-aged man who trembled so violently that he could hard

ly walk there wasn't much time left we hurried away from this blood soaked scene as as fast as we possibly could the three of us reached a small cabin hidden in the woods around half a mile away from where we had first encountered the grotesque creature we barricaded the door hoping it would buy us some time if the monster came our way we listened to each other's ragged breaths in silence as we spoke only when necessary sharing our experiences and attempts to understand what had just happened th

e elderly woman whispered that she and her granddaughter now one of the slaughtered victims had been out for their daily walk when they stumbled upon this terrifying Beast the man shared that he had been out collecting firewood for a camping trip when he'd found himself stalked by this horrifying Abomination as the hours dragged by we found a radio in the cabin and tried to locate any news of police or rescue teams approaching our location it seemed that several calls had been made from people w

ho'd witnessed the creature and needed help but their effort were met with doubt and disbelief finally the sound of sirens reached our ears bringing with it both relief and renewed fear the creature was still at large when we were escorted to safety by a team of armed officers who informed us that it had disappeared back into the dark Wilderness from when it came days later after attending somber funerals for those who hadn't escaped this terrifying ordeal I reflected on my survival and mourned

those I couldn't save every time I closed my eyes I could see the black Twisted fur and those haunting eyes glaring into my soul a sad realization washed over me there was no unfinished business no Vengeance to be sought there is no justice for those we lost the monster remained uncaptured and unnamed in the face of our feeble understanding an eternal reminder of that horrific day that still hangs over my head like a thick suffocating fog I have learned one thing from this harrowing experience l

ife can be ripped away as easily as it is given that thought keeps me awake at night haunted by the fear that the creature could strike again and attack those I love and care about to this day I remain both grateful for my own Survival and Forever burdened by the memory of the losing battle I left behind Story number six I yelled in disbelief as the marshmallow I was toasting was engulfed in flames it was the third one I'd ruined tonight my friends chuckled around the campfire clearly enjoying m

y Misfortune man Avery Thompson you really can't get these marshmallows right can you said my best friend Mike he then proceeded to observe my feudal attempts with Amusement as we sat around the warm Blaze at our campsite located in a remote region of Yellowstone National Park I couldn't help but feel at peace we were miles away from civilization which was ideal for our first ever annual getaway trip seven of us had decided to exchange technology for nature and embark on a camping Adventure as f

riends bonded by the stress of daily life before turning in for the night June one of the two women in our group noticed a massive scratch on a nearby tree trunk it looked like something had violently clawed at it but we disregarded it as An Occurrence of nature the Blissful evening soon progressed into the night and we all went to our separate tents to get some sleep the morning sun woke me up early I peaked outside my tent to see Leslie and Jason sitting near the fire pit discussing their plan

s for breakfast their voices low and calm convenience or not something felt off an unease crawled up my spine even though everything seemed normal I rubbed my eyes and glanced around the campsite once again that's when I noticed that Mike's tent was open and empty he must have gone for an early morning walk somewhere close by Mike returned about an hour later flustered in semi hysterical you guys won't believe what I just found his face was white as a ghost He stammered on about an uncanny scene

he'd stumbled upon not far from our sight curiosity peaked and we all gathered around as he described in shivering detail what appeared to be the remains of a mutilated deer carcass its limbs were splayed wide as if something had torn them apart with strength beyond that of any ordinary Predator suddenly that mysterious scratch mark on the tree felt much more ominous we decided to investigate Mike's horrific Discovery though some hesitance lingered among us before leaving Leslie mentioned wanti

ng to call for help or contact a park ranger unfortunately our cellular reception was non-existent in this part of the park as we reached the disturbing scene it was indeed as gruesome and horrifying as Mike had described teeth marks on the bones indicated some sort of carnivorous Predator had feasted I made an off-hand joke about using my charred marshmallows As Weapons against this unknown Beast trying to lighten the mood we all knew deep down we were Disturbed but we still found solace and la

ughter later that night stomachs filled with another round of burnt marshmallows and hot dogs we decided to skip sharing scary stories around the fire reality was terrifying enough but little did we know our fears were about to manifest in an unimaginable way letting out a deep sigh I zipped up my tent and prepared myself for a night's rest when suddenly I heard what sounded like footsteps and they were too close for comfort I held my breath and listened intently to the slow approach of an enorm

ous creature I could only assume was responsible for that shredded carcass earlier today it lumbered heavily past my tent then abruptly paused the creature's breathing was harsh and labored very close to my tent I knew calling for help would be useless as the sound could provoke an attack and and none of us had any weapons or means to defend ourselves I curled up in my sleeping bag and tried to stay as still and quiet as possible Mike must have sensed the presence of the creature too because he

whispered softly what do we do Jason responded stay quiet and don't move maybe it'll go away Leslie the bravest Among Us slowly crept out of her tent crouching low to the ground she managed to sneak closer to the creature without alerting it she had picked up a large stick hoping it would be enough to scare off the Beast if necessary the creature was massive nearly 7 ft tall when standing upright on its hind legs it had matted dark fur and a muscular build that conveyed tremendous power the hulk

ing Beast had a wolf-like face but was more Sinister with rows of sharp teeth dripping with saliva its deep yellow eyes scanned the area constantly sniffing the air for a scent As It lumbered Forward again Leslie preped prepared to swing the stick at it if it got closer to our tents she did not want any of us killed or Worse however fate took over as a squirrel darted through our campsite suddenly catching the attention of the creature the terrifying being took off in pursuit of the squirrel cra

shing through bushes and trees with Incredible speed Leslie signaled for us to pack our belongings quietly but quickly while keeping an ear out for any sound indicating the creature's return none of us could deny that we were terrified at this point staying in these Woods was dangerous so we decided to make an escape plan and head toward where we hoped we'd find cell reception as we moved cautiously trying not to make any noise or leave any noticeable Trail the sun began to set weighed down by f

ear and fatigue Mike accidentally stepped on a dry twig which snapped loudly beneath his foot our hearts stopped as we heard a distant growl from the direction we'd left we picked up our Pace knowing that time was running out we had no answers for what that Beast was or how it had come to be in these woods but one thing was certain it wanted us frantically we stumbled upon a path leading downhill where we hoped to find Assistance or at least cell reception as night fell we heard the terrifying h

owl of the creature echoing through the forest behind us once our phones showed signs of signals we called for help immediately but didn't wait around for it to arrive the four of us pushed forward while discussing how to explain our situation who would believe such a story escaping that place felt like an eternity as our minds were plagued with the Dreadful feeling that the creature lurked at every turn hiding in the shadows eventually help arrived in the form of local authorities and park rang

ers who were bewildered by our bizarre account but took it seriously enough to investigate further they traveled into those those dark woods and found evidence supporting our experience the mutilated remains of multiple animals including the deer carcass Mike had found earlier as time went on those authorities managed to keep locals and other campers out of the area they never captured nor identified the creature that had terrorized us that fateful weekend Our Lives returned to a semblance of no

rmaly as we tried to move on from those events however some things can never be forgotten completely among them the images of that terrifying beast and its Sinister gaze for Mike Leslie Jason and me we may have escaped those woods alive but we can never Shake free from the lingering fear of the unknown and the memories of those we couldn't save will forever be a painful reminder of that gruesome and disturbing ordeal Story number seven staring at the Twisted remains of the campsite I couldn't he

lp but drop my backpack in sheer disbelief the tents were torn and their contents were scattered all around it looked as if a tornado had blown through scattering everything in its path what happened here Cried Out Dominic one of my fellow hikers I don't know I replied my voice barely above a whisper but this doesn't look like a bear attack or anything no one is hurt right asked Sasha our ever concerned friend we quickly confirmed no one was missing or injured while carefully stepping around the

debris looking for Clues we need to leave I insisted but both Dominic and Sasha were too bewildered to comply immediately just as we started to pack our things and leave we heard an unfamiliar rustling From Within the Woods the sound was somehow deliberate even stealthy what is that whispered Sasha gripping my arm in fear the source of the sound appeared before us a large grotesque creature with large Razorsharp Claws and a mangled humanoid face its body was covered with dark possibly Blood Sta

ined fur Dominic tried to calm us down down it's just some Mountain dweller wearing a goddamn costume hey man that's not funny get out of our campsite but his voice trembled with unease the creature didn't react it just stood there observing us intently suddenly it let loose an odd shrill laugh which made every single hair on my body stand on end let's go now back to the car shouted Dominic as we left our backpacks behind and sprinted deep into the woods while running downhill towards where we h

ad parked our car earlier in the day I couldn't stop thinking about that creature it seemed so unreal yet terrifyingly intelligent the image of the creature's Twisted face and its shrill laugh haunted me a loud crash echoed from behind us prompting us to pick up the pace I could hear rustling in the trees next to us and my heart pounded so hard I was sure it would burst out of my chest as we stumbled Out of the Woods into a clearing we saw another group of hikers Camp just ahead gasp ing for bre

ath I yelled out a warning leave now there's some gruesome creature after us they were understandably skeptical but the fear stamped on our faces quickly convinced them otherwise as they abandoned their campsite we found ourselves on the run with new allies strangers Bound by a common enemy we ran in a tight Collective but suddenly Dominic tripped on a gnarled route hidden beneath dried leaves he managed to groan out a silly joke between strained breaths leave me here huh I never wanted to die w

ith flat feet anyway desperation turned into determination as we all collectively decided to carry Dominic with us leaving him to be hunted by that creature just wasn't an option with Dominic over our shoulders we continued running every sound signaling the approach of the horrifying creature the new hikers who had become our allies knew the area well and guided us through the treacherous paths despite the terror we knew we had to make a plan quick thinking led us to decide to split up into smal

ler groups each armed with makeshift weapons sticks rocks anything we could find we agreed to regroup in a nearby cave once things had settled down hoping that would throw off the creature long enough for us to call for help as we split up I noticed that one of the new hikers had managed to grab a flare gun from their camp with a nod I asked him to use it as a last resort if things took a turn for the worse our group consisted of Dominic whose injuries had begun to worsen Lucy and Ethan two of t

he hikers and me carefully we moved through unfamiliar terrain towards the cave throughout our journey we could still hear the horrifying screeches and growls of the Relentless creature trailing close behind upon entering the cave we found several other members of our Entourage already present everyone looked bruised and battered but alive our group sadly reported one missing person Melody from another hiking group we dared not imagine her fate in that Monster's grasp while Whispering about a pl

an to escape this nightmare and summon help without attracting its attention Lucy took out her phone only for us to realize that there was no signal in this location the group decided it was time to use the flare gun as our way out and attempt to find somewhere with reception Luke who looked the most fit Among Us at that moment volunteered to make the journey promising he would fire off a flare if he were able to make contact with authorities minutes slid into hours as we waited tensely in the c

ave eventually we saw the bright red flare in the sky through the cave entrance relief turned into Panic at The guttural growls echoing closer and closer outside in an instant the creature emerged from the darkness its claws nashing and leaving gouging marks on any surface they touched we witnessed its grotesque skin modeled gray with veins pulsing beneath framing a distorted face that seemed too human amid its deformed features our hearts sank when we recognized its victim melody was barely ali

ve and severely mutilated a testament to her struggle with this vicious abomination in a cruel twist it appeared to have manipulated her screams as a lure drawing us out of our hiding place before we could react it lunged seizing Sarah in its monstrous Jaws even as we struck out with our feeble weapons her pleas for help were swallowed by cruel Agony suddenly a series of headlights blinded both us and the creature Luke had returned with a policeman who led him towards our cave in search of us th

e bright lights threw off our attacker long enough for us to flee from its grasp as authorities arrived on the scene the Beast receded Into the Wilderness leaving nothing but broken bodies and mangled Souls behind they never caught it or found any trace of its existence aside from eyewitness accounts in the aftermath Melody and Sarah's families mourned their devastating losses as all hikers involved struggled to regain some sense of normality our lives were forever altered by an enemy we couldn'

t name or understand the only thing left is an unspoken promise between survivors never forget those who have fallen prey to that nightmarish monster and never Venture back into those cursed Woods where it waits to strike again Story number my trip to the Appalachian Mountains started as an escape from The Daily Grind it was supposed to be a weekend of hiking and camping with a bit of exploration thrown in for good measure little did I know that this unassuming Journey would soon turn into somet

hing entirely different Friday evening found me entering a small real life town called Kingwood nestled among the mountains of West Virginia I had a light dinner at a local Diner while chatting up some friendly locals most of whom were amused by my determination to explore the lesser-known paths around their Hometown they shared some good nature jokes but didn't offer any warnings or cautionary tales the following morning I started my hike under Clear Blue Skies the fresh Mountain Air and breath

taking views quickly made me forget about the world I left behind as I wandered deeper into the forest I felt like I was discovering a world Untouched by human hands it was as if Mother Nature had hel this place in her protective Embrace sometime during my Trek I stumbled upon an old cabin tucked away amidst the Shady trees curiosity peaked I decided to take a closer look what's the harm in checking out an old abandoned building the dark and unsettling presence lurking within would soon teach me

otherwise the moment I stepped inside that cabin things took an unsettling turn several doll-like Figures were hanging from the ceiling like distorted marionet their odd shapes cast Twisted Shadows that danced in response to what little daylight filtered in through broken windows a FedEd smell permeated the small space it was a mix of Decay and dampness so potent that it almost choked me despite my many misgivings I pressed on to explore further after all fear wasn't something that could stop m

e as soon as I extended my hand towards one of those Eerie Creations the atmosphere changed it became heavier as if gravity itself tried to weigh me down the temperature dropped suddenly leaving an unnatural chill my breath was purified by the cold air and clouds of vapor I found I could no longer move toward the figure panicking now I tried to pull my hand away and Retreat from that place I slammed into something wet and slimy sending me tumbling to the ground my trekking partner for this weeke

nd trip emerged from one of its dark Corners Dave my best friend his face contorted with Terror he whispered don't touch anything else in here we need to leave now he explained later that he'd entered the cabin before me he'd seen a different side of it an even darker side he wasn't ready to discuss yet we exited cautiously only to find ourselves surrounded by those same doll-like figures standing suspended in midair like puppets puppets waiting for their masters to give them life they seemed al

most alive responding to our presence with an unseen hunger with no idea how they'd appeared outside the cabin or indeed how long they'd been stalking us we began retreating back down our Trail in close formation our Pace quickened as we realized we didn't have an eternity to solve their Mysteries we needed to put as much distance between ourselves and these creatures as possible but they followed closely behind every time I looked back their distorted Silhouettes danced with even greater feroci

ty by Nightfall we managed to cover a substantial distance but sensed we hadn't escaped whatever Madness had infected that place even when sleep eventually claimed Us hidden dangers lurked just beyond sight or sound range waiting patiently for us to stumble into their trap once more it wasn't until days after we made it back into civilization that Dave finally opened up about what happened inside that cabin after his incident during our escape the doll figures had tormented him further on severa

l occasions always pushing him away from me so he suffered their attacks alone however neither of us could answer the questions plaguing us since that terror-filled weekend who strung those hideous creatures up what motivated us to venture within that forlorn cabin against our better judgment the real source of this Sinister ordeal could it be a creature of ancient lore lurking in those mountains reving in the terror swn among unsuspecting hikers or was it merely our minds playing complex tricks

on us as of yet life has given no answers to these questions but the mystery endures its dark silhouette trailing just behind us like specters born from the memories that refuse to let us be captive in our own minds but I digress let me begin our tale at 9:32 p.m. on that fateful Friday night when my friends and I ventured Into the Heart of the mountains seeking a retreat from the monotonous drone of City Life a weekend getaway to unwind and reconnect with untouched quickly turned sour as we ap

proached our cabin rental the isolation was deafening but we tried to shake off the growing unease then there they were the grotesque and twisted figures hanging from nearby trees their bodies sliced open dangling entrails dripping onto the foliage below it was a sickening sight one that shocked us all into Disturbed silence as if things couldn't get any worse there came a rumbling from beneath the ground an earthquake perhaps or something much more terrible fear clawed at our minds as we desper

ately tried to maintain a grip on reality stricken by Panic we had no choice but to consider the unthinkable that some ancient unearthly Force could have awoken in these remote Woods my friend JN took a swig from his flask of Whiskey A desperate attempt to quench his escalating anxiety guys maybe we should leave now he stammered wiping sweat off his brow we all exchanged uneasy glances words failed us as each of us considered what could have driven someone or something to commit such heinous act

s before our trembling limbs could move an inch towards Escape however we heard a feigned voice echoing from within the ominous cabin just steps away it was a voice none of us had ever heard before haunting yet unmistakably human resoundingly familiar come in beckoned The Voice inexplicably drawn towards this new threat like moths to a flame we felt powerless against its presence an invisible force in snaring us as for who or what would greet us from the dark abyss of that cabin door we could on

ly Wonder dread coursed through our veins but onward we marched towards Doom it wasn't until days later at a nearby hospital that that the chilling facts of the case came together a crumbling pile of newspaper archives revealed a local legend that swirled around these very mountains complete with Eerie photos and disturbing stories of Terror stricken hikers from decades past the name that became etched into my memory that night was Brennan McMath a psychotic hermit who once inhabited the area su

rrounding our cabin years ago Brennan mcmath's deranged Legacy had haunted the town's people for Generations ever since his own family fell victim to his Twisted mind in a particularly Grim mass murder disappearing into the mountains he was never heard from again until now like a malevolent Spectre fueled by his own dark desires McMath continued to sew Terror throughout the years inadvertently we had stumbled into the lair of a true monster one hidden beneath layers of folklore and chilling spec

ulation a man whose presence had invaded our unconscious minds and taunted us with unrelenting fear as for how he managed to communicate with us inside the confines of that Dreadful cabin we may never know Upon returning to society forever changed by what we had experienced in those mountains I could couldn't help but glance back at that dark silhouette trailing just behind me in my memories an emblem of evil incarnate sticking to my soul and so Brennan McMath served as an unwelcome reminder tha

t even in this fragile Society masked by false security and civility there remain nightmarish Tales waiting to be Unearthed the gateways laying dormant and hungry for their next unsuspecting victim perhaps it serves as evidence that some stories are best left unopened some door doors are best left closed and some Mysteries are best left forgotten but no matter how far we try to distance ourselves from the Shadows Of Terror they lie within the recesses of our minds never relenting and forever wai

ting for the perfect moment to resurface and drag us back into darkness Story number nine in the midst of Carefree laughter and sizzling marshmallows over the Open Fire I remember thinking that life couldn't possibly get any better camping with my close buddies in yosity National Park was our annual tradition a chance to escape the Daily Grind and reconnect with each other as well as the beauty of nature I was kneeling near the campfire poking at it with a stick when my friend Talia let out a pl

ayful groan Jake seriously you're telling that old story again Jake grinned sheepishly and Shrugged it's a classic what can I say and how many times have we heard it joked Eric another member of our still quite rambunctious Bunch by now Mara could retell it in her sleep the five of us shared a chuckle and carried on with our conversations completely unaware of how much our lives would change later that night as we settled into our sleeping bags beneath the Towering Pines like every other year we

felt absolutely Invincible sometime in the wee hours of the morning I was suddenly awoken my ears pricking up at an unfamiliar sound it was a gut-wrenching cry cutting through the crisp air like a knife my friends stirred uneasily in their sleep too what on Earth was that Seb asked wide-eyed as he sat up I'm not sure said Eric cautiously maybe just some Wildlife no animal I've ever heard makes that sound Talia added nervously Jake and Mara nodded in agreement though none of us wanted to admit i

t out loud we were all genuinely spooked grabbing our flashlights and donning jackets and Boots as quickly as we could manage half asleep we ventured out to investigate at further mostly to soothe our jittery Minds as we treed deeper into the surrounding Woods though the cries only grew more intense and terrifying fear continued to Ripple through our group around yet another Bend peering out from behind a Thicket like a living nightmare we all caught sight of something so horrifying that it rema

ins burned into my memory to this day there it was a twisted aberration standing manlike with long deformed Limbs and enormous Twisted claws at the ends of its arms the creature's grotesque head perched a top a knobby elongated neck and its bloodied mouth gave the impression it had been feasting moments ago but it was the eyes two glowing orbs of crimson hate that pierced our souls and filled us with what felt like an eternity of dread transfixed by Terror none of us could even manage to breathe

as we stood face to face with this monstrosity at that moment our previous joking assumptions about unknown Wild Life life took on A New Perspective this was no deer or wolf but a creature straight from the darkest recesses of human nightmares whoever or whatever this is now holds complete dominion over our lives the stalemate seemed to last forever until Talia let out a soft whimper as if triggered by her pitiful sound the creature lunged forward with Incredible speed sep managed to grab his p

ocket knife while Mara shouted for us to run but we knew deep down that none of our Hasty maneuver would make any difference now as we scrambled desperately to get away from the creature it was clear that calling for help would be feudal our phones had no signal in the thick forest and even if they did who could possibly rescue us from this unimaginable horror the Beast chased us relentlessly its movements a grotesque display of deadly agility it lunged at Seb first tearing a chunk of Flesh from

his arm with its terrifying claws before he barely managed to break free we heard his screams echoing through the trees and we knew we couldn't stop not even for our injured friend each one of us took turns being attacked by this living nightmare Eric's leg was brutally slashed open while he attempted to fend off the monster with a fallen Branch his weapon shattered in an instant beneath the brute force of our antagonist the situation grew more dire as minute by minute we found ourselves severe

ly wounded Jake and Mara stumbled on an old hunting cabin concealed in the shadows determined to find Refuge we bolted inside our hopelessness now replaced with a slim chance of survival we barricaded the door and windows as best as we could with whatever objects we could find lying around in hopes that it would at least delay the Monstrous creature the agonizing cries of our friends outside didn't go unnoticed as Jake decided there might be weapons or tools in the cabin to help fight back again

st the creature Des des spiration and Reckless bravery drove him onward but the scene outside confirmed our worst fears Seb and Eric were near death their bodies mangled by that merciless Beast it's over Talia sobbed quietly quietly next to Mara as they stared at their devastated friends through a cracked window while the glow from their flashlight scanned every corner of the dark cabin searching for any useful tools Mara began to grow frantic what are we going to do how is it possible that some

thing like this even exists we're never going to make it out alive we all knew she was right but we also knew that panicking wouldn't save us or our friends as the creature continued to Maul at Seb and Eric with gory Precision Jake finally found his weapon a rusted machete he hesitated for a moment considering our battered States and inability to face the monster maybe it still needs time to recover after attacking them he suggested grimly we'll never have a better chance than now without waitin

g for a response Jake sprinted Straight Into The Fray with the machete clenched tightly in his hand mustering every ounce of strength and determination he swung at the beast's monstrous head the machete's blade found purchase embedding itself deeply into the creature's horrid Visage instantly its terrible screams joined those of our friends though none could be certain whose cries were worse to hear but even as Jake Buried The Rusted blade its grotesque limbs reached out to grab hold of him goug

ing his chest with its vicious claws Mara and Talia screamed at this ghastly scene while I managed to yell run we swarmed around the corner of the cabin as quickly as our injuries would allow with whatever stamina we had left after such a horrifying ordeal we ran towards the tree line where the first rays of dawn provided any semblance of safety breathless and limping from our injuries we managed to distance ourselves from that hellish nightmare hours passed until we stumbled across a park range

r station and at last we were rescued from those woods life would never be quite the same too much had been lost amidst those towering Pines the gruesome fate of Seb and Eric is forever etched deep within our minds a chilling reminder of the night where everything went wrong though no one else ever believed our story we knew the truth we were just the unfortunate victims of a bizarre and brutal monster a creature that vanished Without a Trace into the depths of the forest waiting for its next un

wary prey to enter its domain and even now years later as I recount this tale I can't help but spare a thought for the friends we lost beneath those towering Pines and an even greater one for the Invincible feeling we once held in that cursed Forest Story number 10 growing up I had The Uncanny ability to turn practically any situation into a joke it made people feel at ease and kept the mood light which was something I always enjoyed doing it was September 2004 and my friends and I decided to sp

end a weekend camping as summer Drew to a close we set out for a place in rural Oregan called Cedar Falls Campground where we figured we could relax and enjoy the Peace of nature my friends Sasha kleene and Warren Benjamin had just finished setting up their tents when I pulled out my camera to document our adventurous getaway we exchanged stories around the campfire that night laughing and reminiscing about the Antics we'd encountered during our college Years little did we know that our Carefree

camaraderie would soon be shattered by an unimaginable Terror as night fell upon the forest we gathered sticks for roasting marshmallows while trying to muster once our stomachs were full of sugar Warren suggested a late night hike through the surrounding trails we ventured into the forest armed with only our flashlights and our sense of humor to guide us as we treed deeper into the darkness we noticed a disturbing odor growing stronger with each passing moment trying to brush it off I cracked

another joke geez Warren at least warn us when you plan on letting one rip like that we all chuckled momentarily distracted from the unsettling stench suddenly Sasha let out a horrifying scream as she stumbled upon something grotesque in front of us our laughter gave way to gasps as we shined our flashlights on what appeared to be mangled remains of what used to be an animal or possibly more than one strewn about in bloody disarray the sight was sickening my stomach churned as I tried not to let

the gruesome sight overwhelm me Warren still gasping for breath suggested it might be the work of a wild animal feeling uneasy we all agreed to head back to our campsite immediately our once light-hearted banter was twisted into into anxious glances and whispered suspicions back at the camp we tried to make sense of what we had just witnessed the initial belief that a wild animal was responsible didn't entirely sit well with any of us there was something about the mangled remains that seemed in

tentional we decided it was best to stay alert and take shifts keeping watch throughout the night as I sat alone on my watch I couldn't shake off an impending sense of Doom it felt as if something evil lurked in the darkness beyond our campsite I tried to focus on staying calm but my mind raced with all sorts of terrifying possibilities suddenly a bone chilling scream pierced the air Sasha rushing towards the sound Warren and I came face to face with an unimaginably grotesque creature that defie

d comprehension standing at least 8 ft tall with elongated limbs ending in Raisor sharp claws its appearance sent shivers down my spine the thing's eyes reflected the a dim Fire Light like those of a wild cat hunting in the night cold and merciless without hesitation Warren grabbed a burning log and swung it at the creature hitting it squarely across its deformed face the creature let out a gut-wrenching howl as it lashed out with its long arm and swiped him away like an annoying fly as Sasha an

d I backed away in Terror I realized there was nothing funny about this monster or our current situation in fact this was far beyond anything we had ever experienced before Sasha Warren and I scrambled away from the grotesque creature we didn't know what it was or how to fight it and calling for help seemed useless since we were deep in the woods the only logical thought in our minds was to run and try to find someplace safe we sprinted through the trees gasping for breath and not daring to look

back the creatures guttural growls echoed through the forest reminding us that escape was far from guaranteed finally exhausted and terrified we stumbled upon a small cave hidden among the dense foliage with no time to consider any other options we hurried inside praying that it would be enough to keep us safe the Cave's entrance was narrow forcing the creatures massive frame to squeeze through if it wanted to reach us we backed as far away from the entrance as possible hoping that our Sanctuar

y would somehow deter the Beast the night seemed endless as we listened intently for any sign of the creature in our fear we hadn't taken a moment to ask ourselves why this horrific being had attacked us in the first place it wasn't a normal wild animal its actions were deliberate and seemingly targeted our group specifically as the hours dragged on without any sign of the monster reappearing we began to hope that perhaps we had managed to evade its clutches after all but our relief was shortliv

ed when we heard the horrifying sound of sharpened claws scraping against rocks outside the cave none of us dared to breathe as the creature's chilling presence Drew closer and closer its shadow loomed across the cave entrance at that moment we knew there was no escaping this merciless fiend we huddled together in abject Terror as its gaze fixed squarely upon us a hunter zeroing in on its prey Warren thought quickly and attempted another bold play launching rocks from deep within the cave at the

creature one struck it squarely in its horrifying face which only seemed to irritate it further enraged the Beast began tearing into the Cave's entrance desperately trying to widen the opening enough to get to us Panic set in as we frantically searched for any Escape Route or anything to defend ourselves with it was Sasha who made a startling Discovery at the very back of the cave partially obscured by dirt and debris was another exit the fear of being cornered by the monstrosity outside outwei

ghed our Tre idation about venturing into unfamiliar territory we had no choice but to enter the tunnel and hope for the best we crawled through twisting passages our lungs burning and our muscles aching from exertion our hearts pounded in unison driven by adrenaline fueled desperation when we finally emerged from the darkness and went back into the moonlit Forest our relief was palpable but there was no time to celebrate our narrow Escape we had to put as much distance between ourselves and tha

t creature as possible with legs heavy with exhaustion we pushed forward through the Wilderness until we finally came across a park rangers station a Beacon of Hope in an otherwise nightmarish ordeal emotionally drained we relayed our harrowing experience to the Rangers all too aware of how absurd it must have sounded their initial skepticism quickly turned to genuine concern when they saw Warren's torn skin where he had been swiped away the following days saw author searching for any traces of

the Beast that tormented us that fateful night as ours turned into days with no sign of its existence or any further attacks our unbelievable story began slipping into local Legend status just another Wilderness tale told around campfires by frightened campers in memory of Warren's sacrifice during our escape attempt Sasha and I marked his grave with a simple wooden cross in a private corner of the woods we couldn't comprehend why we had survived and he hadn't but we hoped that he had found some

semblance of Peace although life went on neither Sasha nor I could fully shake the memory of that horrifying creature our shared experience forged a bond between us that few could understand we never returned to those woods fearful not only of a monster still lurking in the darkness but also of the crushing memories it would bring with each step taken Story number 11 night wasn't my favorite time of the day but after bouncing between dead end jobs I landed a gig as a night Watchman on a wind fa

rm out in Cedar Rapids Iowa there was something strangely relaxing about being alone with the rhythmic humming of the Towering turbines While most of my friends and family hated their jobs to no end I had to admit that mine provided me with Solace and Solitude that I'd come to appreciate on December 3rd 2007 I arrived at work in my usual way accompanied by an assortment of caffeine loaded energy drinks and a mixtape of standup comedy shows as I began patrolling the farm around midnight I realize

d that the bright Moonlight created Eerie Shadows on the ground beneath each turbine they looked like ancient symbols from some apocalyptic prophecy trying to warn me of impending doom talk about chewing up too much caffeine I muttered to myself as I made my way back toward the main facility I saw Phil another guard who worked in a different section of the farm hunched over his seat by one of the turbines I figured he was taking his routine nap on his break walking towards him enjoying what was

left of my shift a faint noise stopped me dead in my tracks it sounded like metal being dragged along concrete or asphalt pure dread assuming it was Phil playing some sort of elaborate prank I doubled back and reached him discreetly poking his shoulder to get his attention to my horror Phil didn't respond peering down at him from behind revealed his lifeless eyes staring at nothing in particular his throat was bruised and swollen an evident sign that he'd been violently choked Panic coursed thro

ugh me as I darted back toward the main facility only to notice muddy Footprints leading off into a nearby corn field overwhelmed with fear but driven by adrenaline I approached the cornfield with caution shouldering the responsibility of both a friend and a Watchman I ventured into the rows of cornstalks blind to what may lie ahead after what seemed an eternity I stumbled upon a small open patch in the field near a dilapidated Barn that appeared to have been abandoned years ago as I examined th

e surrounding area I saw a dirty shovel resting against the barn door just Within Reach of an earthy mound of dirt as if someone had haphazardly hidden something beneath the soil staring at the mound my curiosity got the best of me in my gut something told me this wasn't an ordinary pile of dirt from farmwork trembling I grabbed the shovel and slowly dug into the soil it wasn't long before my worst fears were confirmed beneath merely a foot and a half of dirt lay corpses victims far beyond count

ing they'd been mangled and mutilated in ways that were bone chillingly brutal I wretched at both sight and smell collapsing on my knees in horror a crack echoed in the distance quickly followed by a deep gutural laugh mocking by its very nature fearing for my life I sprinted out of the cornfield and rushed towards the main facility the possibility of an unknown entity lurking around was far too risky not to call for help I grabbed the phone to contact the police but my hands were shaking and I

struggled to dial the number after several attempts I finally put together a coherent report and requested backup I waited inside the main facility barricading the door with everything I could find minutes seemed like hours until I finally heard sirens in the distance as they approached a sense of relief washed over me when officers arrived on site I swiftly ushered them toward the gruesome sight in the cornfield the authorities were as appalled as I was by the gut-wrenching scene that unfolded

before them they started to collect evidence and questioned me further about what had happened that night then we went back to check on Phil's body near the turbine while investigators combed through the area area one of them noticed a book lying on the ground near some bushes it looked old and worn with ancient symbols scrawled across its Pages symbols eerily similar to those I'd seen in Shadows cast By Moonlight earlier that night as we delve deeper into the contents of this mysterious book we

discovered it described an otherworldly creature known as The Shadow breather it was said to have been created from centuries of anger and suffering using Darkness as its primary weapon against humanity piecing together what had occurred it now seemed apparent that this creature had been stalking us since earlier in the evening we'd unsuspectingly tread on its domain and anger it by intruding upon its territory at night the cruel laughter we heard remained an unsettling reminder of its malevole

nt intentions with this newfound knowledge local law enforcement decided to join forces with an experienced team that specialized in dealing with Supernatural entities such as the shadow breather however they knew capturing the creature was a near impossible feat the wind farm became a restricted area we were warned of the dangers that lurked under the cover of Darkness Phil and the others were eventually put to rest with the proper ceremonies they deserved while all who knew them grieved their

untimely passing rumors circulated around town about the Dreadful creature that seemingly couldn't be captured or killed no one dared Venture near the Wind Farm after Nightfall too afraid to confront the shadow breath themselves even I couldn't bear to return to my job as a night Watchman instead seeking employment far from where it had made its presence known eventually life in the town continued as it always had maintaining an uneasy peace with an unspoken understanding that no one would encro

ach upon the shadow breathers territory again it remained at large and was never confronted directly by anyone Brave or foolish foolish enough to challenge its terrifying wrath while I tried to move on from the harrowing experience it still haunted me in my dreams and I realized that not everything could always be explained Away by Logic or Reason there was evil out there very real and living among us and sometimes all we could do was hope we never crossed its path again or challenged its Author

ity forever etched in my memory I continued my life knowing full well the shadow breather exist Ed lurking somewhere in those vast Fields waiting for another unsuspecting soul to trespass upon its territory Story number 12 my name is archabald Fenton but folks call me Archie I'd say I'm your average guy except I can always recite the worst possible jokes at precisely the moment when the conversation lulls into an awkward silence anyway it was June 2014 and four of my buddies and I decided to tak

e a camping trip in shenendoa National Park we were all in need of a break from our hectic lives and figured a weekend in nature would be just the thing to lift our Spirits we set up camp at a designated Campground and dawned our hiking boots before embarking on one of the Park's most popular Trails Old Rag Mountain we'd heard about its challenging Rock scrambles and intense climbs but also knew the payoff would be well worth it panoramic views awaited us at the top as we made our way up exchang

ing good-natured banter and laughing at my absurd jokes we noticed an unsettling presence first came the odor something pungent and sickening that penetrated our nostrils like needles then came a series of tattered pieces of clothing caught on nearby branches we joked nervously that maybe Bigfoot had woken up on the wrong side of the forest and got a bit rough with his wardrobe but deep down each of us felt more than a twinge of unease as we pressed onward still we discovered peculiar markings o

n tree trun trunks long parallel sets of claws gouging deep slashes into their bark what do you guys think did that Samuel muttered peering intently at one particularly large gouge our friend Lyla stepped forward looking both puzzled and concerned I've grown up around here I've never seen anything make marks quite like that she confessed Paul let out a brief chuckle and waved his hands dismissively come on guys probably just wild animals passing through Shen andoa is home to all sorts of beasts

Old Rag isn't exactly an easy hike that stench is probably some poor Critter who bit off more than it could chew we continued our hike though there was now a growing sense of unease within our group as afternoon turned into evening the scent continued to linger until at last we came across a clearing our reward after a grueling Ascent having reached the summit we snapped photos and posed for selfies before beginning our descent eager to return to the relative ative security of our campsite as du

st enveloped the forest the Shadows grew longer and more menacing in contrast to the Dying Light we gasped collectively when we stumbled Upon A grotesque sight one of the trees seemed to have been torn to shreds and hollowed out as if by some malevolent Force the pungent odor intensified like an oppressive Force pressing against us from all directions as we finally arrived back at our campsite lla suddenly cried out in panic freezing in her tracks Maggie grasped her arm for support fear evident

in both their eyes something's been here while we were gone lla screamed as she motioned toward what once was our campsite our tents had been ripped open and our belongings were scattered about like leaves in the wind having no other choice but to huddle together around a meager fire we attempted to make light of what had happened with nervous jokes as exhaustion took its toll on my friends and one by one they drifted off into Restless sleep around the fire I couldn't shake this sinking feeling

that something more Sinister awaited us with that unsettling thought echoing through my mind I tried to keep alert watching and listening for any sign that might reveal what nefarious creature had wrought havoc on our camping trip the fire crackled loudly punctuating an eerie silence that seemed to envelop our entire Campsite in the distance I glimpsed what appeared to be a large looming figure striding across the edge of the Fire Light its movements calculated yet Swift as the large figure cont

inued to stride across the edge of the fir light my heart raced uncontrollably it was clear this creature was responsible for the destruction at our campsite its massive body towered above us and its unnerving gaze seemed to pierce right through us I nudged Paul awake while attempting to keep my eyes on the figure Whispering I explained what I had seen but by the time he fully awoke the creature had vanished man we should call Park Rangers or something Paul suggested his voice tense with fear we

all agreed but there was no cell service in this remote part of shenendoa National Park leaving us stranded without a way to call for help the Monstrous being reemerged from the darkness this time closer to our campfire Heath its large muscled limbs shifted smoothly as it moved we could now see its wide eyes and elongated snout filled with razor sharp teeth revealing a predator unlike anything we'd ever encountered it lunged toward us snatching Lyla before any of us had a chance to react her sc

reams echoed through the forest as the Beast retreated into the darkness once more Panic surged within our group as we realized we were powerless to save her our priority became to survive and exit these cursed Woods as quickly as possible as Dawn approached we hastily gathered our belongings and began a cautious descent back toward the park entrance we encountered Park Rangers during our descent who could tell that something was terribly wrong they escorted us safely down the mountain while we

recounted our ordeal the Rangers took our story seriously but expressed their own disbelief at what could have prompted such a creature's existence in their territory the horrifying creature remained elusive throughout our trekk back down Old Rag Mountain we ultimately never learned its origin nor did we receive any explanation for its motivations lyla's fate remained uncertain and the authorities decided to investigate her disappearance reluctantly we were allowed to return home with heavy hear

ts back in the comfort of our own homes it was hard to ignore the grief that enveloped us Lyla was gone and we never had the chance to say goodbye or even grasp what had truly happened to her life continued its Relentless March forward Paul and Maggie struggled to cope with the trauma that persisted long after the sun had risen over shenendoa National Park in hushed conversations they spoke about seeking therapy in an attempt to process their grief and come to terms with their friends harrowing

demise as for me I could only hope that lyla's suffering had been brief the horrifying memories of our camping trip continued to haunt my dreams night after night a constant reminder of the incredible danger lurking within the shadows of Old Rag Mountain in time months passed since our ill-fated hike we all tried our best to slowly get back on our feet and continue moving forward we made a pact that we would honor lyla's memory by cherishing every single day given that life could be so brutally

appended within mere moments stories of Brave hikers conquering Old Rag Mountain continued to be shared amongst our community mostly avoiding any mention of the creature lurking Beyond human sight lines it seemed as though its reign of terror only targeted our our little group that Unforgettable night on a seemingly normal camping trip we endured as best as we could never truly forgetting or understanding the gruesome ordeal we had faced in those woods the passing years dulled some of those shar

p edges but deep down within us there would always be an unspoken longing for closure and a profound ache for the friend who never made it out alive Story number 13 crunching leaves echoed in the still Appalachian Forest as I scrambled under a failing tent trying to salvage my water logged belongings hiking alone through these mountains after a sudden storm had soaked everything my understanding of living an adventurous life did not involve scrambling to keep my electronics dry the month of Sept

ember's temperature had gone from warm to scathingly cold in a matter of days reducing the Lush landscape to a desolate gray expanse after packing up my soggy gear I trudged through the muddy ter Rin towards a nearby Inn hoping to regroup and rest a few miles ahead streaks of crimson engraved themselves into the bark of an ancient tree shivering more from Curiosity and Dread than the cold I noticed the air around the disturbing scene grew heavy with an indifference this surely has to be some sic

k prank I uttered in an attempt to break this silence what kind of person would do this the trail took on bizarre appearances as more signs of death marred the serenity of nature flesh and senu coated branches overhead Bones dangled from Twisted Twigs like perverse wind chimes my mind raced with theories ranging from crazed Hunters accumulating their trophies to wild animals ravaging some unwary prey though Grizzly conclusions churned in my head none matched the degree of sadistic intent display

ed on this macabra stage curious hikers approached as their casual banter barely masked their emerging unease while observing this tesque theater unfolding before them hey there greeted Marissa Lucas whose face bore Terror after witnessing the Carnage up close what on Earth happened here who could have done this I don't know either I replied while shrouding Panic with vain nonchalance together we decided to continue onward towards our destination gnarled Roots caught our feet as oppressive Darkn

ess awaited our every step demonic Whispers gurgled amidst the natural Melody of crickets and Eternal creatures cold sweat trickled down my spine as we walked through a seemingly Endless Sea of trees in the midst of this tension Marissa's light-hearted laughter broke through Like A Shard of sunlight piercing the Gloom in an odd way she said it feels like we've walked straight into one of those b-grade horror movies I mean seriously hikers encounter gruesome animal remains deep in the woods the f

ilmmakers must be chuckling somewhere despite myself I let out out a nervous chuckle in agreement unknown to us Twisted Shadows wried behind Marissa's piercing green eyes as we braced ourselves for what a waited ahead we finally stumbled upon the bass sign and not long after dusk our fear dulled by exhaustion all the disturbing details leading to our Discovery seemed painted by the hands of Madness this warranted urgent questions for Lodge owner Haren Reeves who met our inquiries with a dismissi

ve snort blame it on Barry's sick sense of humor the weirdo thrives on scaring his guests Haron scoffed Marissa and I exchanged concerned glances before insisting on meeting this mysterious Barry about his handiwork Haren sighed in defeat muttering his brother's whereabouts as we ventured deeper into that forboding Darkness upon reaching a rickety wooden Shack ragged breath seeped through decrepit planks mixed with murmurs of Despair yet despite the terrifying scene painted outside his stained w

indow panes Barry appeared ordinary and unassuming with weary reluctance encoded within every crease on his face I didn't want you to find out this way he stammered while tears painted streaks down his cheeks it was such a long time ago so many visitors have vanished without anyone batting an eye but after hearing the forceful sincerity in his voice I could not bear to condemn him Barry hesitated before demonstrating the truth nerve-wracking moments passed as he led us toward an even darker corn

er of the Woods unearthly growls echoed through the trees decaying trunks molded to form sickening depictions of half-consumed human bodies just as the last vestiges of Sanity teetered on the edge Barry raised his Trembling Hands toward an unseen presence stalking beyond our line of sight please stay back Barry whispered I don't want you to get hurt I should have never let you come here but it was too late the Beast lunged forward its grotesque ma revealing rows of Jagged teeth and drool drippin

g down from the corners the vile creature stood on two legs but emitted a guttural growl reminiscent of a deranged animal its elongated limbs were tipped with razor sharp claws the tattered remains of humanlike Flesh clinging desperately to the Monstrous frame staring at the Beast I realized that calling for help was feudal there was no time without hesitation Barry's hands made contact with the Unseen presence and it stopped dead in its tracks seemingly unable to move or attack us further confu

sed by this sudden pause and violence I exchanged a glance with Barry what now I muttered still shaken by what had just transpired we need to run he replied urgently get as far away from here as possible while it's immobilized seeing no other viable option available to us we sprinted Through The Dark Forest twigs and Thorns clawed at our skin and snagged our clothing as we rushed toward any semblance of safety we could find as we put substantial distance between us and the Monstrous foe we emerg

ed into a clearing where Moonlight filtered through branches overhead are you okay I asked Barry hastily as I tried to catch my breath yes I think so he responded between gasps I just wasn't prepared for that suddenly there was a blood curdling scream echoing through the trees around us someone else was not as fortunate in Escaping The Creature as we had been we instinctively ran towards a house at the edge of the clearing and escaped from whatever horror continued to unfold deeper within the fo

rest just as we reached the house and slammed its door shut the Monstrous creature surfaced yet again slamming against the door with a Primal Rage my heart pounded as we kept our weight against it trying to hold it at Bay Barry shouted do you have your phone call the police I fumbled through my pockets only to realize that my phone wasn't there I must have dropped it when we were running I said despair seeping into my voice suddenly a neighbor emerged from the Shadows armed with a shotgun the lo

ud blast pierced our ears as he fired at the creature that threatened to break down our only barrier of protection despite his Valiant efforts the monster retreated momentarily but quickly changed its attention toward him screaming in agony as the claws tore into his flesh our courageous neighbor met an untimely the end the Beast savagely mauled him in a horrific and gruesome display before finally retreating into the forest as another neighbor called the police in desperation our shattered grou

p reflected on this traumatic night Barry's heavy breathing subsided as we all realized that life would never quite return to normal after witnessing these events unfold one thing remained depressingly clear although the creature had retreated for now everyone who had come across its path was either dead or injured ured in ways Beyond Comprehension friends neighbors all gone we huddled together with tears streaming down our faces but mine quickly turned to anger we would never call those woods h

ome again knowing that a dreaded creature lurked among them only one thing was certain we had been forever changed by this terrifying experience and would spend every day of our lives trying to understand what had happened and what still awaited Us in those malevolent Woodlands Story number 14 I struggled to maintain my footing on the Steep Mountain Side the Appalachian Mountains were full of surprises but this encounter was far more Sinister than I could have ever imagined a deep guttural Roar

echoed among the forest before me shaking me to the core my hand covered in freezing mud slipped but I was able to clutch a nearby tree branch to regain my balance Breathing heavily I glanced at my best friend Carter who stood next to me with a mix of Terror and awe etched on his face Charlotte a brave girl from the nearby Town who befriended us on this hiking trip sought cover behind another large Boulder what was that Carter whispered loudly his eyes scanning the treacherous Wilderness around

us I don't know I answered attempting to maintain some semblance of composure maybe it's just a bear or something Charlotte suggested nervously clutching her backpack tightly we couldn't call for help there was no cell phone connectivity in the area the Eerie silence enveloped us once more as we carefully tread down the slope the dense foliage and fading daylight made visibility even worse as we approached a small stream flowing over Jagged Rocks Our senses were heightened by fear suddenly our e

ars pricked up upon hearing a sickening crunch nearby rounding another cluster of Tree Trunks and bushes we laid eyes upon a Grizzly sight an abandoned campsite filled with with mutilated bodies and Scattered belongings the Carnage appeared as if wild beasts had torn into them their limbs bent and twisted in unnatural positions these poor souls never knew what they had stumbled upon in these Woods I gagged from the overwhelming stench of fresh blood choking out an involuntary SOB while Charlotte

suppressed her screams with her hand over her mouth Carter looked around in disbelief before turning to us and saying we need to get out of here now we tried to trace our steps back but everything around us looked the same Panic seeped into our minds as we panted stumbled upon rocks and waited through sharp underbrush all around us Darkness closed in and the gnarled branches fused together blocking out the sky a faint rustling in the foliage behind us sent shivers down our spines and we quicken

ed our Pace suddenly a massive clawed hand grabbed Charlotte's arm from the shadowy trees pulling her away with ease screams erupted from all of us as I lunged forward to rescue her before I could react to save her she vanished into the darkness her shrieks echoing throughout the night Carter and I exchanged horrified looks before bolting deeper into the forest branches scraped at my face as I staggered forward my lungs burning while tears filled my eyes the next moment a terrifying Roar sounded

from our left unseen eyes piercing into Ours from an unknown Darkness gritting my teeth and wiping sweat from my brow I screamed our decision split up we have to Carter hesitated for a second before nodding determinately and veering off to the right my heart shattered knowing that I was leaving him behind but one of us had to reach civilization as I sprinted further into the Wilderness Moonlight barely penetrated the thick canopy above me my heart pounding in my chest threatened physicality whi

le nausea crept over me from previous sightings of Mutilation mixed with unbearable fear sounds of heavy breathing and footfalls pursued me relentlessly through those haunted Groves each one more harrowing than the last adrenaline surged withstanding fatigue as something unearthly continued nearing with every step suddenly an intense pain seared across my back as sharpened claws raked over it tearing through my coat and blood gushing forth warm and sticky I let out an agonized scream forcing mys

elf to maintain speed in a desperate bid for survival I could hear the Beast shuffling behind me its monstrous breaths and terrifying snarls interwoven with my own fraying cries we were a cacophonous symphony of Primal survival musical notes composed of Agony and Terror my mind raced searching for an Escape Route but each turn led me deeper into the unfamiliar Woods it was difficult to see anything in the dim light but I knew that my attacker was persistent and fast as my legs threatened to buck

le under the strain of constant running I decided my only chance was to find help I had to put distance between myself and this horrifying creature the ground suddenly gave way beneath my foot causing me to trip and crash into the dirt in those terrifying moments struggling to breathe and overcome by blind panic I could hear it drawing ever closer just as I stumbled forward a strange weight pressed upon my side it was a rock large enough to provide some kind of Defense with every ounce of streng

th left in me I lifted The Rock and threw it blindly over my shoulder to my amazement a gut-wrenching Screech pierced the air as the creature was struck by the unexpected projectile this granted me a few precious seconds in which I could distance myself further even with adrenaline coursing through me exhaustion gripped my body tightly my lungs burned as I tried to catch any gasp of air that would make its way through my unwilling throat my surroundings remained unfamiliar there wasn't any sign

of civilization where I could call for help the Shadows surrounding me spoke of a hostile presence lurking just beyond sight as it emerged once more from behind a tree Moonlight exposed its ghastly form dense gray fur covered its body while muscular limbs met clawed hands and feet otherworldly nature its face contorted in Rage as eyes stained red glowed with murderous intent then just barely Audible over the pounding of my pulse came the distant sound of voices calling out hey over here my heart

leapt at the prospect of help being so close at hand but these people were still unaware of the danger they were about to face I must shout and warn them run my horse voice barely managed to escape my throat there's something chasing me the unknown group hesitated for a second but hearing the fear in my voice they began running towards me armed with flashlights and other Improv vised weapons as we met panting heavily I desperately urged them not to face the creature but to take me back to safet

y together we managed to reach their cabin which was hidden amongst the trees once securely inside they tended to my wounds and listened as I recounted the events that unfolded including my friend who had been left behind the seriousness of my injuries and my insistence on calling for help finally convinced them to call the police within hours the authorities had arrived red at the cabin they took statements from everyone present and launched a search party determined to find my friend and captu

re whatever creature had been hunting us that night despite the combined efforts of search teams working tirelessly no Trace was ever found of my friend or the Monstrous creature day after day they morphed into weeks until eventually they gave up their search the events have haunted me ever since a constant visceral reminder of how I narrowly escaped es aped that fateful day now memories of my friend drift by like silent wisps of mist his absence remaining a sorrowful Echo that will never truly

disappear in time I learn how fragile the illusion of safety could be and how it can slip away in an instant when faced with Horrors unimaginable Story number 15 the early morning sun peaked over the horizon on an unusually warm February day in the Appalachian Mountains had I known what would happen I would have savored the sunrise more I set off for what was supposed to be a normal weekend hike with my friends Taylor and Jack over breakfast we couldn't help but exchange banter about Taylor's co

untless failed attempts at baking as our laughter echoed through the woods we ventured deeper into the trail that led to an area called Panther Gap in the middle of Jefferson National Forest it was a regular spot for us where we often cracked open beers reminisced about old times and listened to tracks from our favorite class classic rock bands everything appeared to be just as normal as any of our previous trips the air tingled with excitement and anticipation for the weekend ahead we talked an

d laughed admiring Nature's Beauty unaware of the horrifying Menace that lay hidden in plain sight and set up camp near a small waterfall with our bellies full of grilled hot dogs and burgers Nightfall descended upon us the silence was pierced only by occasional bursts of acoustic guitar strumming as Jack played songs from his favorite artists like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd it seemed almost too perfect like a cliche scene from some lame movie at one point we heard an unrecognizable sound that

we initially dismissed as a deer or some kind of animal passing by in the forest's depths we Shrugged it off until it happened again louder this time Taylor voiced her concern but Jack assured us that it was just some wild animal curious about our presence the noise persisted into the night accompanied by an eerie rustling between trees that sent chills down my spine despite my skepticism as a bolt of unease hit me suddenly I suggested we put out the fire and go inside our tents to avoid attract

ing unnecessary attention my friends agreed but we remained uneasy less than an hour later the sounds returned and this time we caught glimpses of a massive silhouette slipping between the tree trunks Jack whispered urgently that no animal that large could move so silently whatever it was it wasn't your typical Woodland creature the fear was palpable as the realization set in something terrible was happening we scrambled into action grabbing whatever makeshift weapons we had at hand Jack brandis

hed his Bowie knife while Taylor used a heavy Branch I picked up a rock with a sharp Cliffside Edge it wasn't much but it made us feel better staying together and moving cautiously to guard ourselves from every possible angle we crept toward the menacing figure that appeared periodically in the Moonlight making its way closer to our camp at one point just when I thought my heart would burst from my chest we cornered it behind a group of rocks I turned my head for what must have been only a momen

t but that moment was enough for something to happen something terrible and gruesome before our very eyes I screamed in shock and could tell that Taylor and Jack were equally horrified by what we'd stumbled upon in front of us lay the mangled body of what once resembled one of our late night visitors a fox or raccoon perhaps but now only a horrifying mess of torn flesh and twisted limbs was all that was left of it certainly not the work of any Wildlife Predator any of us had ever encountered bef

ore but there wasn't time to process what had just taken place the foul creature responsible for this massacre was still nearby from out of nowhere drips of foul liquid split splattered our faces as something emerged Above Us hidden among tree branches our adversary finally revealing its terrifying self with grotesque features Twisted into an otherworldly snarl it seemed to defy the laws of nature oozing an air of Menace that chilled us to our core the confrontation had escalated far beyond what

we could handle fighting back tears of fear and Desperation we made a frantic decision we need to leave now I choked out my voice barely Audible without thinking or looking back Taylor Jack and I abandoned our once Safe Haven and bolted through the forest deathly afraid that the Monstrous Apparition would be fast in Pursuit as we ran through the forest our fear fueled adrenaline propelled us forward despite our Terror desperation compelled us to keep moving the once tranquil Forest that surroun

ded our Haven now seemed to be closing in around us creating a suffocating and Eerie atmosphere that Drew unsettling thoughts into our minds hoping to outrun the Monstrous Apparition we reached a small clearing where we paused for a moment to catch our breath Taylor's eyes nervously scanned the surrounding area searching for any sign of danger guys do you see that Jack whispered urgently pointing towards an old dilapidated building hidden among the trees without discussing it further we made our

way over to it as a temporary Sanctuary inside the musty smell of damp wood and Decay filled the air adding to the already unnerving atmosphere we huddled together in one of the rooms wondering what had brought this nightmare upon us our minds raced with questions and doubts were we truly safe here would that thing find us our once solid friendship was eroding away under the unimaginable Terror we were experiencing then we heard it distant footsteps approaching the building echoing through the

darkness paralyzed with fear we held our breaths as they grew closer suddenly a shadowy figure appeared at the door an older man dressed in torn clothing and covered in dirt his eyes were cold and piercing as they locked on ours leave this place immediately he warned gruffly his intense gaze never breaking away from ours you've Disturbed something that was never meant to be uncovered but who are you I stammered as my friends looked on in Terror my name is Peter he said grimly I used to live here

many years ago when this place was still still thriving what you encountered is the reason why everyone abandoned their homes what is it Taylor asked looking at the floor in fear Peter sighed deeply before revealing the truth it's my brother James he admitted somberly he was always into dark and twisted things rituals black magic anything forbidden one day he vanished Without a Trace and we were left with that monster it would terrorize this town killing relentlessly until all the residents wer

e for forced to leave we looked at Peter in disbelief and sympathy our hearts aching not only for our own trauma but for his as well this place is cursed he continued James's actions Unleashed something evil that has haunted this land ever since is there no way to stop it I asked desperately no Peter responded solemnly a tear streaking down his dirt covered face it cannot be stopped with heavy hearts and guided by Peter's words we reluctantly accepted that we had no choice but to leave the place

we once called home heeding his warning sealed the gruesome truth firmly in our minds that monstrous entity would forever stalk these grounds fueled by retribution born from its anguished past as we left the confines of that nightmarish Forest we shared one final glance back at our Haven now transformed by the horrors it contained knowing we could never return again we did not speak of that night or what we had learned some things are left unresolved to haunt you forever ever Story number 16 I

stumbled over a large protruding route as I made my way deeper into the forest the wind whispered eerily through the tall trees towering above while the thick underbrush made it difficult to keep track of the trail sometime in August 2015 I embarked on this solo hiking trip to explore the beautiful appalachin mountains eager to escape my mundane life for a brief period of time my name is Haren Cunningham and out door Adventures have always been a passion of mine while trekking on this beautifull

y rugged terrain I noticed several trees scratched to shreds as though a massive Beast had torn away chunks of their bark at first I assumed it was probably just some wild animal marking its territory nothing too concerning starting to feel hungry I decided to set up camp near a small clearing and started to build a fire as the flame roared to life I pulled out a pack of Trail Mix from my backpack and began to snack enthusiastically why did they put so many raisins in these things I muttered und

er my breath suddenly an earpiercing Screech rang through the air and made me jump out of my skin the thought of local mountain lions crossed my mind but that sound was unlike anything I'd ever heard before hesitantly I grabbed my torch and set off in search of whatever could have emitted that unearthly cry as I moved further into the forest Darkness enveloped me like an icy blanket the beam from my torch swept through the foliage feverishly when suddenly it fell upon something utterly grotesque

before me lay a mutilated hiker sprawled out on an assembly of bloodied leaves their flesh seemed shredded beyond recognition in some places while other parts appeared to be gnawed right down to the bone a noxious smell assaulted my nostrils as bile Rose in my throat geez I gagged turning away from the horrifying sight what kind of animal could do this frantically I stumbled to my feet and raced back to Camp the chilling thought of encountering whatever was responsible for that atrocious scene

now at the Forefront of my mind as I ventured further a chilling sensation racked my spine I felt as though something was watching me closely and hungrily as my Camp came into view I noticed disconcerting prints in the dirt around its perimeter they looked like neither bear nor wolf tracks and appeared far too large for any animal native to the Appalachian Mountains unable to shake off a growing dread I quickly grabbed essential supplies from my tent and set back with haste with a gasping breath

I plunged deeper into the forest in search of civilization the chilling feeling intensified when suddenly an enormous creature leaped onto the path ahead of me bizarrely it looked both bird-like and reptilian with sickly green scales covering much of its lanky form it had large piercing yellow eyes that that seemed almost locked on to mine mouth a gape in Terror my pulse thundered relentlessly against the walls of Sanity as I endeavored to maintain some semblance of composure in an instant flig

ht intuous instincts took control of me and without another thought I veered down a different Trail frantically attempting to put distance between myself and my monstrous pursuer the gnarled branches above seemed alive while Shadows played upon their Twisted limbs concealing the abhorent Beast from sight a cacophony of tormented cries echoed through the night while the stench of blood tailed close behind me my breath came in ragged gasps as I continued to Sprint through the forest desperate for

any sign of life or escape from this other worldly Terror the trail ahead felt endless and my energy was quickly dwindling Panic coursed through me leaving no room to think about calling for help or remembering my phone which was still in my tent as I rounded a corner on the winding path I spotted a figure stumbling toward me perhaps another unfortunate soul lost in this nightmare I dared not to slow down even as I neared them fearful of what the creature might do if it caught up to us but as I

drew closer the horrifying truth became apparent this was no lost camper but a dead one their bodies were mutilated and torn apart by the beasts violent attack their unrecognizable features barely clinging together with senu and blood so flesh my bewildered mind struggled to process the horrific sight while my exhausted body continued its desperate flight Terror stricken thoughts buzzed like static through my Consciousness leaving no room for rational thought or coherent conviction I knew I need

ed help that much was clear my only hope lay in finding a nearby Road a house or a sign of civilization anything that might lead me to assistance before this monstrous thing could find me again but but my focus remained solely on flight survival instincts dictated every step there was no call for help or thought of anyone but myself as I ran blindly through the dark forest with my lungs burning and my legs like lead weights I burst into an open field My Hope began to build at the sight of distan

t headlights on a road not far ahead adrenaline pushed me onward until suddenly something slammed into my back with terrifying Force sending me sprawling onto the cold Earth as I lay there involuntarily inhaling damp grass pain screamed through every fiber of my being while guttural noises filled the air the creature had found me and I was certain that death would soon follow yet even in my pain fogged State some latent Instinct for self-preservation prevailed the thought of allowing this same f

ate to befall my loved ones if I did not warn them of the Unspeakable horror lurking in the woods fueled A desperate resolve I wanted to shout for help to let anyone within earshot know of the monster that stalked nearby but fear cold and paralyzing held me silent as I lay there watching the creature continue its brutal maming and attacks on anything that crossed its path by some inexplicable stroke of Fortune it then seemed to lose interest in me perhaps it believed that I was already dead with

a guttural growl that reverberated through the air it turned from my inert form and stalked off into the darkness once more as its Twisted form disappeared into the Shadows I was left with only the cold Embrace of dread accompanied by the labored Echoes within my punctured lungs agonizing breaths cutting through the pain My Hope was fleeting yet I reached for my phone with Trembling Hands calling for help and praying to relay enough information about this bloodthirsty Beast before someone else

became its prey when paramedics arrived and carried me away on a stretcher toward safety thoughts of gratitude were overpowered only by mourning for those who had been lost the other folks trapped in these Woods met their Grizzly end at the hands of this Relentless Predator their memories would stay with me along with my harrowing tale of survival the ordeal left me scarred but alive questioning what could have spawned such an Abomination it also instilled a newfound understanding when faced wit

h with Terror Beyond imagination true nightmares that haunt even our wake hours survival are not just a physical challenge but a mental one as well Story number 17 I've always been cautious my friends even call me paranoid but let me tell you that trait has saved me more than once especially during that camping trip in March 1999 my friends and I decided to camp out in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff Arizona there were five of us myself Benjamin tobery Percy lens Andrea worth and Sca

rlet osterhouse after months of planning and coordinating schedules we were ecstatic to gather around the campfire sharing vintage wine and recalling old memories we set up camp in a dense area nestled between Tall Pines where the air was cool and fresh the first few days were full of laughter and Unforgettable moments Andrea even introduced us to her fantastic Talent producing obscure yet hilarious parodies of famous songs it was on the fourth night when everything changed we heard a series of

strange noises as we sat around the campfire it sounded like an animal rummaging through our supplies despite stowing them away with care I bet it's just a raccoon Percy said dismissing the noise as he grabbed a flashlight he stepped cautiously closer toward the noise leaving us in suspense by the fire moments later he returned scratching his head Patricia found some tracks Percy mumbled referring to his beloved German Shepherd rescue dog always eager to please but they don't belong to any anima

l I recognized there was something about that statement that unsettled us all however we continued on with our evening later that night as I lay wide awake in my tent with Patricia snuggled against me for warmth the strange thoughts wouldn't leave my mind in an effort to subside my paranoia I grabbed my flashlight and walked back to where Percy found those prints earlier the ground was marred by bizarre clawed Footprints reminiscent of those made by a giant Aven Beast with some nocturnal adaptat

ion the prince extended into the Shadows getting fainter as they neared the dense forest the hairs on the back of my neck Rose as I continued to follow the tracks eventually disappearing in a nearby Thicket and then I heard it the sound of snapping branches accompanied by a low growl and eyes gleaming like Embers in the darkness Panic washed over me as I realized that whatever made those tracks was still out there I sprinted back to Camp my lungs burning as cold sweat drenched my clothes the oth

ers had nearly drifted off unaware of what lay beyond our campsite guys wake up we need to leave now I shouted trying to sound assertive the group jolted awake meeting my statement with a cocktail of concern and outrage stammering I tried to articulate what I saw there's something out there a creature those Footprints lead towards it arguments erupted among us some insisting we pack up immediately While others brushed off my findings as a poorly executed trick or an overactive imagination in the

end we decided to retreat in the morning since moving in haste through the forest at night posed greater danger despite our unease as we settled back into our tents and extinguished our lanterns all I could think of was those eyes their unease weighing heavily on my chest as if that Beast stared at me relentlessly from Beyond those trees the more morning came too slowly we hastily packed and left Camp behind though uncertainty fueled our departure as we had yet to find any substantial evidence

of the creature the farther we ventured from Camp the more uneasy we became the sickly odor of an ill-boding presence seemed to follow us continually then Benjamin dragged attention to his forearm deep claw marks marred his skin though he had no recollection of when or how the marks appeared Panic grew natural light was waning and Dread was mounting as we continued to the forest's edge and there it was again those awful eyes are now accompanied by a gutural snarl suddenly the creature emerged fr

om behind thickets revealing its previously hidden grotesque body distorted scale encased flesh razored Claws and a salivating maw filled with death dealing teeth my heart pounded in my chest at an alarming rate adrenaline burned through my veins as if I were on fire the Beast charged toward us limbs stretched menacingly forward seeing no other option I yelled at my friends to run as the Monstrous creature Advanced we scattered in different directions frantically trying to put as much distance b

etween ourselves and the Beast as possible in the chaos Benjamin bumped into Tim who tripped on a tree route in his desperate attempt to flee the creature swiftly cornered him its grotesque form towering over the terrified teenager help me he screamed but we all knew there was little any of us could do the Beast snarled and lunged its jaws snapping shut around Tim's torso blood spattered onto nearby trees as the monster tore him apart crunching through his bones like they were mere Twigs it was

a horrific sight for a brief moment time seemed to slow down as we could only watch in Terror and disbelief while the creature was preoccupied with Tim's mutilated body we seized the opportunity to regroup and Sprint away every ounce of our energy was focused on putting as much distance between us and the Beast as possible as panic-stricken as we were there was no way we could call for help in this isolated Wilderness and even if we could reach someone what could anyone do against such a monstro

sity we had hoped that with enough distance between us and the campsite perhaps the creature would lose interest or be unable to track US any further but that hope proved to be in vain no matter how far we ran or how many twists and turns our path took us through the dense Woods the sickening sense of imminent danger persisted exhausted and terrified for our lives Marie remembered her father's hunting cabin not far from our initial campsite we decided it was our best chance at securing shelter f

rom this Relentless threat while devising a plan to escape alive upon reaching the cabin we barricaded ourselves inside a feudal effort to dull our fears of the creature that still pursued us with no other option but to wait we recounted the horrors experienced thus far I was not in the mood for casual conversation or brainstorming terrified that the Beast would come crashing through doors and windows at any moment a sudden noise outside startled us all peering through a gap in the boarded Windo

ws my hands trembling I saw the creature approaching fear surged through every fiber of my being as I glimpsed its hideous form again scales glistening in the Moonlight amidst Blood Stained Claws and mutilated flesh then it seemed to just stop for reasons unknown the creature ceased its advance and instead seemed to sniff the air almost as if confused this moment of hesitation allowed us a narrow window of opportunity one we couldn't afford to squander while Marie gathered what few supplies the

cabin held like flashlights and rope we sought a stealthy exit managing to narrowly avoid detection we crept around the the perimeter to put distance between ourselves and our monstrous stalker ultimately we managed to find our way out of the forest but not without great cost Tim's brutal death would forever be etched into our memories alongside that nightmare inducing Beast that relentlessly pursued us as we narrowly escaped with our lives for days afterward we debated whether we should inform

authorities about what transpired in that Dreadful Forest realistically who would believe such a tale unwilling to Bear scrutiny or further endanger our loved ones or those who might investigate we reluctantly decided against reporting our experience the terrifying events we experienced remain a secret shared only among those present during those harrowing days in the woods we count ourselves lucky to have survived however Tim's memory lives on a tragic reminder of an otherworldly presence lurki

ng within the depths of Darkness an experience we could never have imagined possible but will remain indelible amid the dark recesses of our minds Story number 18 fishing line in hand I attempted to untangle the mess as I sat around the campfire with my friends at Brownwood State Park in Texas last October my friend Jeremy chuckled as he watched me struggle with the nodded Tangled mess dude you seriously have no patience he commented taking a large Swig of his beer it's not that I replied I just

wish this damn thing would cooperate behind us are two other friends Zenia and Odell engaged in an intense game of cards they were known for their competitive spirits and back and forth banter suddenly Zenia yelled in pain grasping her forearm ouch what the hell was that she scanned her surroundings before we all noticed the small bleeding puncture wound on her arm Odell quickly swooped in to inspect it it looks like a spider bite or something we all dismissed it as such since it wasn't uncommo

n for spider to be found in this park as the night wore on we laughed and shared stories until exhaustion hit us tent by tent we all retired for the night to catch some much needed sleep the next morning I awoke to find Zenia pale and distressed her puncture wound had become severely swollen and discolored Odell insisted on driving her to the nearby hospital while Jeremy and I stayed behind to keep an eye on our camping site unease settled within our group but we chocked it up to an unfortunate

reaction to a spider's venom once night returned Odell received a call from Zenia her voice was barely audible over Jeremy snoring beside me within our shared tent what do you mean they're not sure what bit you Odell asked incredulously his alarmed tone was enough to wake Jeremy who groggy rubbed his eyes hey man what's going on with Zenia he inquired Odell covered the speaker of his phone relaying the news the doctor can't identify the Venom it's spreading rapidly and isn't responding to any tr

eatments they've tried Jeremy's expression turned grave but we couldn't worry about it for now with Zenia in professional care we had no control over the situation we kept our phones close waiting for updates days went by with no improvement in zenia's condition after discussing it with Jeremy Odell decided that he would keep an eye on Zenia in the hospital while Jeremy and I packed up our gear and headed back to town in the middle of packing I spotted a trail of peculiar tracks leading away fro

m our campsite while initially thinking they were from a wild animal the claw markings were far too large and precise to belong to any creature I was familiar with Jeremy noticed me studying the tracks maybe it's a bear he suggested nervously shifting his weight no I replied firmly Bears don't have claws this sharp or elongated I exchanged a worried glance with Jeremy before continuing our packing in haste something just felt off about this whole scenario from discovering the tracks to zenia's m

ysterious bite it wasn't adding up our minds raced with questions as we hurried towards our car and sped back into town towards Zenia and Odell we arrived at the hospital around dusk and found Odell pacing outside zenia's room we eagerly asked for an update I just saw her he stammered anxiously they have her on life support because her breathing declined suddenly are you sure you're okay staying here Jeremy asked gently after nodding Odell insisted that we return home instead of spending another

night at that cursed campsite we couldn't argue with that before we left I whispered to Jeremy I don't think this was just a random encounter with a creature who bites tracks they've never encountered this type of Venom before Jeremy shuddered at the realization Whispering back let's get out of here before whatever decides to come back we urgently alerted the hospital staff about the tracks we had found hoping they would consider them in zenia's situation they agreed to pass on the information

to the doctors treating her meanwhile Jeremy called the local police and informed them about our Strange experience and the Mysterious tracks hoping they could shed some light on what attacked Zenia the next day a police officer called Jeremy to inform him that they had consulted with a biologist who said that the tracks did not match any known animals in the area the police initiated a search for any dangerous creatures still lurking nearby they also recommended securing zenia's room in case wh

atever injured her decided to come back at dusk we received a message from Odell saying that zenia's condition was deteriorating rapidly and she might not make it through the night with heavy hearts and fear gnawing at us we rushed back to the hospital while discussing what to do next with Odell we saw movement outside zenia's window noticing our startled looks Odell rushed over and peered outside as well sitting on a nearby rooftop was an unnerving creature unlike anything we had ever seen befo

re it was a large black furred Beast covered in matted hair with powerful limbs that ended in razor sharp claws the villainous creature's eyes glowed red like burning coals observing us with malicious intent the three of us stared at it in shock and Terror we knew there was no point in fighting this nightmarish monster Our Only Hope was to protect ourselves and call for help we quickly contacted hospital security and Emergency Services while barricading ourselves inside zenia's room we were too

taken by surprise to check if it had entered our world from other dimensions the creature stayed on its perch unmoving until minutes later when Sirens blared outside the hospital as soon as the authorities arrived the bloodthirst monster fled the scene leaving behind its gruesome claw marks on trees and walls in its wake for the next several days teams of police officers and expert trackers hunted the Monstrous Predator to no avail they could find no trace of it though the creature did not retur

n Zenia passed away due to complications from her venomous bite we mourned our lost friend with countless others who had been touched by her kindness and spirit we demanded answers from the authorities but they had none to give the town was forever changed by these horrifying events plagued by a constant fear that the malevolent creature would eventually return we saw firsthand how defenseless we were against such an unknown danger and we knew other people needed to be aware of what happened und

er code names and with strict confidentiality we reported our terrifying ordeal to various investigative agencies some dismissed us as deluded or hoaxers however some took an interest in our story they pledged to look into this elusive threat that prayed on innocent lives with zenia's memory carried in our hearts and thoughts Jeremy Odell and I grieved for our fallen friend while hoping that one day we'd find Justice for Zenia and a way to prevent this atrocity from harming any other person time

went on as each day felt like a struggle knowing that there was an unseen predator in our midst as much as we wanted answers for ourselves and everyone who had been affected directly or indirectly we knew deep down that it might forever remain a twisted mystery that haunted us all Story number 19 it was a warm July 14th evening in Casper Wyoming my air conditioning unit had broken down earlier that day so I left all the windows open to let in a fresh Breeze I stepped out onto my porch to enjoy

the sunset a half-eaten bowl of spaghetti in hand as the sun dipped below the Horizon I noticed something something odd about my neighbor's house her garage door was open even though I knew she was away on vacation out of concern for her property I decided to walk over and close it for her as I approached the garage strands of unfamiliar creeping Ivy seemed to have taken rout inching along the walls much like an unrelenting River with every step and crunch of leaves beneath my shoes a shiver ran

through me but not from coldness it was more like a bad Omen warning me to stay away way as I stood in front of the open garage all of a sudden without any reason or explanation the lights flickered on in that short moment of Illumination I saw an unusual sight an odd coincidence collection of tools and containers strewn all over the garage floor one particular object caught my attention a pair of bloody gardening shears that looked as if they had been used just moments ago who's there I called

out hesitantly but heard nothing in response just as I was about to turn and Scurry back home heavy footsteps echoed from within the garage paired with labored breathing like someone had just returned from a long run I slowly tiptoed around the corner and saw a tall figure wearing overalls stained with dark spots rumaging through my neighbors belongings frantically tossing aside items that seemed of no importance to their urgent search their unkempt hair cascaded down the back when they tilted

their heads from side to side inspecting each box closely without warning they must have heard my presence because he suddenly paused and let out a low menacing growl I stood Frozen in shock as they turned to face me I jumped back as our eyes locked and mine launched like a missile down a rabbit hole of sheer Terror what do you want I stammered with my voice barely above a whisper the figure lunged toward me grabbing a Shard of Glass on the way Blood Stained and Jagged I managed to dodge just in

time getting away from them while running at full speed back to the safety of my own house as I leaped through my front door with adrenaline surging like Liquid Fire through my veins I took no time in locking every door available out of breath and Terror stricken pure desperation propelled me forward guiding me to search for anything to secure the house further moments later the Intruder began banging on the door in a fevered rage demanding entry into my home their grunts and incoherent mumblin

gs only escalated the unsettling tension that seemed to fill the air like an impenetrable fog in an old horror movie I grabbed my phone to call 911 when suddenly all the power went out leaving me standing there in the darkness grasping at buttons unable to reach anyone for help Panic began to rise almost swallowing me whole as the man outside continued his assault on my home then it struck me I still had the construction tools left over from last Summer's renovation sitting in a box underneath m

y bed it wasn't much just a hammer and some nails but it was enough to create makeshift barricades under each window frame ensuring he couldn't get inside without considerable effort as I alternated between trying not to think about what was happening outside and placing makeshift barricades on all windows I could still hear him attempting to force his way in growing more furious with each failed attempt the angry shrieks were like A Chorus of dire warnings pulling at something Primal buried dee

p within my heart then the banging stopped I stood at my window peeking through the curtains waiting for the Relentless attacker to reveal himself the banging had come to an abrupt stop leaving only an eerie silence hanging in the air my heart raced and I strained my ears to pick up any sign of his whereabouts I couldn't believe what was happening my quiet neighborhood had turned into a scene straight from a horror horr movie The Stillness was interrupted by the sound of shattering glass I wince

d as I realized he had broken one of the windows in a last ditch effort I grabbed my makeshift tools and quickly rushed over to secure the broken window as my hammer struck the nails I held my breath and prayed that it would be enough to keep him out after several tense minutes I cautiously made my way back to the living room the front door remained untouched and it appeared Fe that my barricades were holding up but just as relief washed over me a chilling sound filled my ears The Wailing scream

s of a woman crying out for help from my neighbor's house I couldn't ignore her desperate please I had to help her armed with my hammer I ventured out of my fortified sanctuary and stealthily approached her house ready for anything as I stepped inside her home through the shattered window he'd used as an entrance I was greeted by a nauseating scene blood smeared on the walls and floor and belongings were destroyed and scattered everywhere the woman's cries echoed throughout the house guiding me

towards her location I found her trembling in a corner of her bedroom as fear flashed in her eyes her body was covered in cuts and bruises from his actions between sobs she revealed that his name was Jack Mitchell a former Gardener in our neighborhood with ties to illegal activities we both knew she needed urgent medical attention but calling 911 could put us at greater risk while Jack was still on the loose instead we decided to take a wellc calculated risk and Escape as quietly as possible hea

ding to her car we swiftly made our way through the horrors he left behind and drove towards the nearest hospital as we began to retell the gruesome details of Jack's actions to the police something struck me Jack never intended to harm me specifically I just happened to cross paths with him at as he searched for something valuable in my neighbor's home the realization haunted me knowing that I unwittingly became his Target a chance encounter altering my life forever days later I learned from an

officer that Jack had vanished Without a Trace leaving no clues behind as they dug into his background somehow this man managed to escape Into Thin Air since then every Creek of the floorboards and unexplained noise has kept me on edge I find myself constant ly checking the locks on every door and window hoping that one day this Relentless fear will subside but a small part of me knows that as long as Jack Mitchell remains at large there will always be a lingering sense of dread a reminder that

danger can lurk in unexpected places waiting silently for its unsuspecting victims an unsettling presence that refuses to let go Story number 20 I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off as I stepped out of the Humvee my boots sinking in into the muddy ground here I was with a team of highly trained Green Beret scouting for potential hideouts near Mount Knox Mississippi the date was April 17th 2007 we'd been warned about possible Insurgent activity in the area but everything appeared

quiet and still little did I know that it was just a calm before the storm my name is Dexter warhurst before joining the green berates I was a small town boy from Nebraska searching for a purpose in life but honestly that's not what matters right now what happened on that day changed me and it's a Memory that haunts me to this very moment Richard Kaiser one of the squad members nicknamed Cyclone suddenly broke my train of thought hey Dex it's about time you join us for a proper Mission he teased

as he lit up a cigarette and offered me one as if you had any doubts I smirked leaning against our vehicle and looking around at this strange location Mount Knox wasn't your typical Forest site moss covered rocks littered the landscape eerily complimenting Twisted trees with gnarled branches reaching up to an overcast Sky even the silence felt too loud as we moved deeper into the forest our communication Specialists Kurt Cobra and Melone kept hearing increasingly unusual static interference com

ing from somewhere nearby frustrated by his inability to pinpoint its origin he muttered under his breath about faulty technology it wasn't long before we stumbled upon an abandoned campsite with traces of what seemed like a struggle torn Fabric and specks of blood scattered everywhere we exchanged worried glances but continued cautiously the static disturbance in our Communications grew worse as we came across three seemingly random piles of human bones and torn clothing the state of the remain

s half eaten chilled down my spine making me even more uneasy while I was familiar with the brutality of War this was different it was Primal and violent trying to keep a brave face and lighten the atmosphere I joke nervously guys I think we've just entered a seriously Twisted version of Jurassic Park Kaiser let out a forced laugh that ended quickly when we heard the gutteral growling coming from somewhere behind us echo in the air turning to face this unknown threat our weapons were no longer a

imed at potential insurgence out of nowhere we saw it a monstrous creature that seemed to defy all logic impossibly large and covered in dark fur with piercing red eyes that held Fury and blood lust its enormous claws stained with Crimson looked as if they could rip through any obstacle unsure whether to engage or Retreat we stood Frozen by pure Terror as the growls intensified that was until it lunged at one of our teammates chaos erupted and we began firing round after around at it but with li

ttle effect it moved unnaturally quickly as it started attacking multiple members members of our team at once Cyclone get reinforcements I ordered through gritted teeth while barely dodging an unexpected swipe from the creature's colossal claw as the creature attacked our team with ferocity I quickly remembered the hunting knife strapped to my thigh in desperation I gripped the handle and plunged it deep into the beast's side the creature held in pain and momentarily turned its attention on me g

iving my team a chance to regroup everyone back to the hum I shouted knowing our Firearms were not enough to subdue the Beast the remaining Green Beret scrambled desperately to retreat while I kept the creature at Bay with adrenaline fueled swings of my knife I could see it was wearing down but so was I the Beast lashed out managing to score a hit across my chest gasping for breath and feeling blood seep through my shirt I realized I had no choice but to buy time for my teammates go I'll hold it

off I screamed as they sprinted toward the vehicle I continued to battle the creature each stri pushing me further towards exhaustion though wounded it was relentless in its Pursuit Of Carnage as we fought back and forth among the trees it soon became clear that this conflict could not be resolved through raw strength alone a plan suddenly flickered into my battered mind and in that moment of realization I knew what had to be done taking advantage of a brief opening when the creature stepped ba

ck after an attack I sprinted away from it and charged toward a nearby Ravine that we' passed earlier on our way up Mount Knox darting through the tense Forest air each stride fueled by a mix of fear and determination I'd felt the agonizing pain of my wounds being overwhelmed by something more profound survival with each passing second as the Beast pursued me with wild snarls echoing through the air its red eyes gleaming with cold Fury I started mentally counting down 3 2 1 0 the ground beneath

us suddenly gave way just as I had anticipated caught off guard the creature tumbled head first into the Ravine its claws desperately grasping at empty air with a burst of strength I dove sideways and managed to latch onto a twisted tree route before following the creature into the abyss the sound of its enraged howls grew fainter as it plummeted toward the darkness that swallowed Mount Knox the sight of a monstrous creature felt like something out of legend or mythology yet it left a very real

trail of death and broken lives weak but alive I clung to the rote and waited to be rescued by my shaken teammates once back at the base camp it was discovered that Cyclone had been killed by the Beast and that multiple others had narrowly escaped death grieving but grateful for our lives we all agreed that this nightmarish Mission would remain a secret spoken only among ourselves in the end no one truly understood what had occurred on Mount Knox or where the creature had come from it was as tho

ugh it were an embodiment of the Mountain's Darkness itself we may never know if it survived that fall or if there are more like it lurking in other parts of the world however One Thing Remains indelible as that impact scar across my chest this was an experience we would carry with us for the rest of our lives the military May deal with enemies known and unknown but sometimes there are monsters far beyond even our worst nightmares waiting in the shadows to strike when we least expect them