A Creature of the Night

A Story by Sean H.

A girl is being hunted by something unknown in the forest.

Something was lurking out there in the forest. I heard it moving, leaves rustling and crunching. Holding tight to my flashlight, I turned, following the sound. The light beamed into the darkness but I saw nothing.

The tall, bare trees stood, obstructing my view. Then the leaves in front of me flew into the air, there was a blur and a gust of wind.

I tried to call out into the forest, but my voice wouldn’t come. I was too scared. My entire body trembled. Each breath quickened.

The rustling of the leaves stopped. Still holding the light, I didn’t dare take a single step. It was still out there. It had to be. The sound returned, slower this time, steady steps. One after another came crunches of leaves. I tried turning to see what it was but I couldn’t will my body to move. I felt paralyzed.

The crunches slowed, then came to a stop. Silence.

Something touched my shoulder. I whirled around to find myself face to face with a man, tall, pale and muscular. The edges of his mouth were stained red.

He plunged towards my throat. All warmth was sucked from my body…