over the years my friends and I explored countless trails and camped in some pretty remote places but there's one trip we took that none of us will ever forget a weekend in a cabin deep in the woods that we found through some obscure online listing it was supposed to be a fun getaway a chance to disconnect from the world and enjoy nature instead it became a nightmare that still haunts us to this day the plan was simple drive out to this old cabin we'd rented for next to nothing spend the weekend hiking cooking over a
camp fire and maybe telling a few ghost stories around the fire the listing had described the cabin as rustic and secluded which was exactly what we were looking for a place to escape the grind of our daily lives we set out early on Friday the five of us crammed into Aaron's old SUV laughing and joking as we drove deeper into the countryside the road wound through small towns and farmlands then narrowed as we entered the woods the trees closing in around us like a tunnel the farther we went the fewer signs of civilization we saw
no houses no power lines just miles of dense forest the GPS struggled to keep up the signal fading out as we ventured further off the beaten path by the time we reached the cabin the sun was beginning to set casting Long Shadows across the clearing where the cabin stood it was an old old weathered structure with peeling paint and a sagging porch the windows were dark and the whole place had an air of Abandonment like it hadn't seen visitors in years I remember feeling a shiver run down my spine as I stepped out of the
car though I quickly brushed it off as just a reaction to the sudden drop in temperature looks cozy Aaron joked though I could hear the uncertainty in his voice we all laughed but it was a nervous kind of laughter the kind you use to cover up unease there was something about the cabin that felt off but none of us wanted to be the one to back out so we grabbed our bags and headed inside the interior was just as rundown as the outside Dusty Furniture creaky floorboards and a musty smell that hung in the air
the kitchen was small with outdated appliances and a sink that looked like it hadn't been used in years the living room had a few old mismatched chairs and a threadbear couch all facing a stone fireplace that dominated one wall a wooden staircase led up to a loft where there were a couple of small bedrooms as we unpacked I couldn't shake the feeling that we were intruding like we weren't supposed to be there the place was eerily quiet the kind of Silence that presses in on you making every little noise seem louder than it should be
but I didn't say anything shocking it up to nerves and the unfamiliar setting we spent the first evening trying to get settled in Aaron and I got got a fire going in the fireplace while the others unpacked and set up the kitchen we made hot dogs and beans for dinner the kind of meal that tastes better when you're out in the woods we ate around the fireplace the crackling Flames the only sound in the cabin the conversation was light but there was an underlying tension that none of us wanted to acknowledge after dinner we decided
to explore the area around the cabin before it got too dark the woods were dense and overgrown the trees tall and close together blocking out most of the remaining light we wandered around for a while talking about how we should go hiking the next day maybe even try to find a stream we could fish in but as we moved deeper into the woods that feeling of unease started to creep back in the trees seemed to press in on us the Shadows growing longer and darker with every step eventually we stumbled upon a small clearing where
we found something that made us all stop in our tracks a cluster of old gravestones half buried in the earth their inscriptions worn Away by time there were no signs of any buildings or paths nearby just these forgotten graves in the middle of the woods it was unsettling to say the least but we tried to laugh it off guess we know why the cabin was so cheap Sarah said her voice a little too high-pitched yeah I replied forcing a smile nothing like a graveyard to keep the rent low we didn't stay long after that the
sun had set and the Darkness was closing in fast we made our way back to the cabin trying to ignore the growing sense of dread that seemed to follow us through the trees back at the cabin we tried to shake off the unease by playing cards and telling stories but the atmosphere had changed the Fire Light cast flickering Shadows on the walls making the old furniture look even more decrepit every Creek of the floorboards every gust of wind outside made us jumpy our nerves on edge it felt like the cabin was watching us at some
point we heard it a faint noise coming from outside like someone or something was moving around the cabin it was a soft shuffling sound almost like footsteps on the dirt we all froze the cards forgotten our eyes darting to the windows did you hear that I whispered my heart pounding in my chest Mark nodded his face pale in the Fire Light yeah maybe it's just an animal none of us believed that the sound was too deliberate too slow to be an animal it circled the cabin pausing every so often then continuing the silence inside was
suffocating broken only by the crackling of the fire maybe we should check it out Mike suggested though his voice lacked conviction no way Sarah shot back we should stay inside whatever it is it'll go away but the sound didn't go away it continued methodically circling the cabin getting more distinct it was as if whoever or whatever was outside wanted us to know it was was there wanted us to be afraid I grabbed a flashlight and stood up I'm going to see what it is I said trying to sound braver than I felt Aaron joined me
and together we approached the front door the others stayed by the fireplace their faces tense with fear the air inside the cabin was thick with tension the only sound the Relentless footsteps outside we opened the door slowly the hinges groaning and protest the cold night air hit us like a wall and the Darkness outside seemed impenetrable I sha the flashlight around the beam sweeping across the trees the porch the dirt path leading to the woods but there was nothing no sign of anyone or anything Mark and I exchanged a nervous glance then stepped outside the
gravel crunching under our feet the sound had stopped but the silence was even more unnerving we walked around the cabin the flashlight casting long Eerie Shadows but there was nothing there no Footprints no signs of disturbance just the endless darkness of the woods we went back inside trying to convince ourselves that it was nothing just our imaginations Playing Tricks on us but deep down we knew something was wrong the atmosphere in the cabin had shifted the air thick with an unspoken fear we sat by the fire for a while longer trying to act normal but
the tension was unbearable eventually we decided to call it a night hoping that sleep would take away the unease we all agreed to sleep in the living room not wanting to be alone in the small dark bedrooms upstairs we set up our sleeping bags around the fireplace the flickering Flames providing the only light in the room but sleep didn't come easily I lay there listening to the creaks and groans of the old cabin every little noise made my heart race my mind Conjuring images of Shadows moving just beyond the Fire Light I could tell the
others were awake too their breathing quick and shallow their bodies tense then then just as I was starting to drift off I heard it again the sound of footsteps this time coming from above us in the Loft the sound was unmistakable slow deliberate footsteps moving across the wooden floor above us my heart stopped my breath catching in my throat I glanced at Aaron who was wide-eyed staring up at the ceiling someone's up there he whispered his voice barely audible I didn't respond too terrified to speak the footsteps continued pacing back and forth as if whoever
was up there was searching for something the floorboards creaked under the weight the sound loud in the Silence of the night we were paralyzed with fear too scared to move too scared to even breathe the footsteps moved to the top of the stairs then stopped for a moment there was nothing just the crackling of the fire and our own panicked breathing then slowly the footsteps began to descend the stairs I don't know what came over me but in that moment I knew we had to get out I jumped to my feet my heart racing and
grabbed the flashlight we need to leave now I said my voice shaking the others didn't need convincing we scrambled to gather our things our movements frantic and uncoordinated the footsteps continued down the stairs growing closer with every second we didn't wait to see who or what was coming we bolted for the door bursting out into the cold night air we ran to the car not daring to look back Aaron fumbled with the keys his hands shaking but fin managed to get the door open we piled in slamming the doors behind us the engine roared to
life and we sped down the gravel path the cabin disappearing into the darkness behind us we didn't stop until we were miles away no one spoke the fear still fresh in our minds it wasn't until we reached the main road that Aaron finally broke the silence what the hell was that he asked his voice trembling I don't know I replied my heart still pounding but I'm not going back to find out none of us slept that night we found a cheap motel in the nearest town and huddled together trying to make sense of what had
happened but there were no answers only the lingering fear and the memory of those footsteps coming down the stairs there's something about being out on the water that's both calming and unnerving the vast expanse of a lake the isolation the way sound carries across the still surface it's the kind of place where you can feel both completely free and utterly exposed I love fishing especially on remote Lakes where it feels like the rest of the world doesn't exist but after what happened on that Lake a few summers ago I can't shake the feeling that some
places are better left alone it was at the tail end of summer and my friend Mark and I decided to take a trip up to a lake we'd heard about from a couple of locals in the nearby town it wasn't on any map just a secluded spot deep in the woods the kind of place where you wouldn't find another Soul For Miles the locals had described it as a Fisherman's Paradise clear waters Plenty of Fish and best of all total seclusion the drive up there was long and winding the kind of road that twists and
turns through dense forests where the trees Arch over you like a tunnel the sun was setting as we finally reached the lake casting everything in a warm Golden Glow the lake was even more beautiful than I'd imagined crystal clear with the last rays of sunlight sparkling on the surface the water was so calm it looked like glass reflecting the trees and the sky perfectly we set up camp on a small clearing by the shore our tent facing the water there was a slight chill in the air the first hint that summer was coming to an
end but the sky was clear and the stars were already beginning to appear it was the kind of night that made you you feel glad to be alive to be out in nature away from the noise and stress of everyday life after setting up camp we decided to get in a bit of fishing before it got too dark we pushed our small aluminum boat into the water the soft splash of the ores breaking the silence the lake was eerily quiet no birds no insects just the sound of the water lapping gently against the sides of
the boat it was peaceful but there was something almost unsettling about the silence like the whole world was holding its breath we rode out to the middle of the lake where the water was deep and dark the sun had fully set by then and the only light came from the sliver of a moon hanging low in the sky and the faint glow of our Lantern we cast our lines sitting in companionable silence waiting for a bite that's when we noticed him at first it was just a shadow on the shore barely visible in the fading
light I thought it might have been a trick of the light or maybe an animal moving through the trees but then as I looked closer I realized it was a man he was standing on the shore motionless just watching us hey Mark I whispered trying not to sound alarmed you see that guy over there mark turned to look squinting into the darkness yeah I see him weird you think he's just another camper I don't know I replied my voice low but I thought we were the only ones out here Mark Shrugged trying to brush it
off maybe he's just a local you know checking out who's on his Lake we tried to ignore the man and focus on our fishing but it was hard not to feel uneasy every time I glanced over at the shore he was still there standing perfectly still just watching he wasn't holding any fishing gear no flashlight nothing just standing there in the dark after a while I couldn't take it anymore this is starting to creep me out I said my voice shaking slightly why is he just standing there mark nodded his expression serious now yeah it's
weird maybe we should head back to Camp I didn't argue we reeled in our lines and I grabbed the ores rowing us back to the shore the whole time I kept my eyes on the man but he didn't move he just kept watching us his figure barely visible in the shadows we reached the shore and quickly dragged the boat onto the bank the man was still there but now that we were closer I could see him a little better he was tall and thin with long unkempt hair ha and clothes that looked dirty and ragged
but what struck me most was his face it was blank emotionless like he was in a trance Mark and I exchanged a nervous glance both of us thinking the same thing this guy wasn't just another camper there was something off about him something that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up let's just get back to the tent I said trying to keep my voice steady we started walking back to our campsite our footsteps quickened as we moved away from the lake I glanced back over my shoulder half expecting the man to
be following us but he was still there on the shore watching us leave we made it back to the tent our nerves on edge the fire we'd built earlier had burned down to Embers casting an eerie glow over the campsite we didn't say much as we sat down both of us too spooked to talk about what had just happened the Silence of the night seemed to press in on us the only sound the occasional crackle of the DI fire I couldn't shake the image of the man's face from my mind the Blank Stare the way
he just stood there unmoving I tried to tell myself it was nothing that he was just some strange local but deep down I knew something wasn't right we should have just asked him what he was doing Mark said after a long silence his voice strained maybe he's harmless just weird maybe I replied though I didn't believe it but what if he's not we both knew the answer to that question the isolation the darkness the fact that we were miles from the nearest town it all added up to a feeling of vulnerability I'd never experienced before
we were alone out here and if something went wrong there was no one to help us we tried to distract ourselves by cooking a quick dinner over the fire but the tension in the air was palpable our eyes darting to the darkness beyond the fir light it was as if the entire forest was holding its breath waiting for something to happen after dinner we decided to turn in for the night hoping that sleep would take the edge off our nerves but as I lay there in the tent staring up at the canvas ceiling I couldn't
shake the feeling that we were being watched the wind picked up rustling the trees and sending shivers down my spine I listened intently straining to hear anything out of the ordinary but all I could hear was the wind and the soft lapping of the lake against the shore just as I was starting to drift off I heard it a soft rhythmic sound like something gently tapping against the side of the tent my eyes snapped open my heart pounding in my chest I held my breath listening trying to convince myself that it was just the wind
but the sound came again louder this time tap tap tap I reached over and shook Mark awake my hand trembling Mark wake up do you hear that Mark groggy sat up rubbing his eyes hear what before I could answer the tapping came again this time more insistent we both froze our eyes wide with fear it was coming from the side of the tent right next to where we were sleeping who's out there mark called out his voice trembling there was no response just the wind and the faint rustle of leaves then after a moment of
silence the tapping stopped we sat there in the dark holding our breath waiting for something anything to happen but the only sound was the wind after what felt like an eternity Mark grabbed the flashlight and slowly unzipped the tent peeking outside there was nothing there just the trees swaying in the breeze and the faint glow of the moon on the lake but as Mark Shone the flashlight around the campsite he caught a glimpse of something that made my blood run cold Footprints fresh Footprints leading from the shore to the side of our tent and then
back to the lake the realization hit us like a punch to the gut someone had been outside our tent watching us while we slept we scrambled out of the tent our fear driving us to pack up as quickly as possible the thought of staying there even for another minute was unbearable as we hastily packed our gear I kept glancing toward the lake half expecting to see the man standing there again but the shoreline was empty the water still and Silent it was as if he'd vanished Into Thin Air we didn't speak much as we packed
up our movements were quick driven by the overwhelming need to get out of there the once Serene and beautiful Lake now felt like a place of danger a place we needed to escape from as fast as possible the drive back to town was tense the silence in the truck heavy with fear the road wound through the forest the trees casting long dark shadows in the Moonlight I kept glancing in the rearview mirror half expecting to see headlights following us but the road remained empty it wasn't until we were back on the main Highway the lights
of the town just VIs visible in the distance that I finally started to relax the sense of relief was overwhelming but the fear lingered a nagging feeling that something wasn't right we never talked about that night again we both knew that whatever had happened on that Lake it wasn't something we wanted to relive but the memory of that night has stayed with me to this day I still don't know who that man was or what he wanted I don't know why he was watching us or why he followed us to our tent but the fear
I felt that night the feeling of being watched is something I'll never forget and though I've tried to put it behind me the memory of that man and the sight of those fresh Footprints outside our tent still haunts me because sometimes in the middle of nowhere you're not as alone as you think I've been a land surveyor for nearly two decades now and I've worked in some pretty remote areas I've seen it all wild animals unpredictable weather and Equipment failures miles from civilization but nothing prepared me for what I encountered under that bridge in the
Arizona desert it's the kind of experience that sticks with you gnawing at the edges of your mind reminding you that out there in the middle of nowhere you're truly on your own it was mid July the kind of day where the heat presses down on you like a weight and the sun seems determined to burn everything to a crisp the Arizona desert stretched out in every direction an Endless Sea of sand rocks and scrub brush with nothing but the occasional Cactus to break the monotony the sky was a brilliant cloudless blue the kind of blue
that seems to go on forever I was assigned to survey a bridge that spanned a dry riverbed about 50 Mi outside of Phoenix it wasn't a glamorous job but it was straightforward enough check the structural Integrity measure the wear and tear and make sure it was still up to code the bridge itself was old probably built back in the 60s and hadn't seen much traffic in recent years it was isolated Far From Any town or main road which made it perfect for someone like me who preferred working alone I drove my truck down a Dusty
narrow road that wound its way through the desert the tires kicking up clouds of red dust in my wake the radio crackled with static the signal fading in and out as I got far from civilization I didn't mind the quiet though in fact I relished it out here there was nothing but the sound of the wind and the occasional Cry of a hawk overhead I reached the bridge around midday the sun high in the sky baking the earth below I parked my truck on the side of the road grabbed my gear and started the routine
inspection the bridge looked worse for wear rusted metal beams cracks in the concrete and a layer of dust and grime that hadn't been Disturbed in in years as I moved under the bridge to check the supports I noticed something unusual a large dumpster tucked away in the shadows beneath the structure it was an odd site completely out of place in the middle of the desert I couldn't imagine why anyone would leave a dumpster out here especially in such a remote location curiosity got the better of me and I decided to take a closer look the
dumpster was old and battered covered in Rust and graffiti there was a faint unpleasant odor coming from it like something had been rotting inside for a long time I hesitated for a moment then carefully lifted the lid half expecting to find nothing but old trash what I saw instead made my blood run cold inside the dumpster were piles of tattered clothes dirty blankets and what looked like empty food containers it was clear someone had been living here using the dumpster as a makeshift shelter but there was something else something that sent a shiver down my
spine among the debris were strange crude drawings scratched into the metal walls they depicted distorted faces Twisted bodies and symbols I didn't recognize my first thought was that some Drifter had taken up residence here someone down on their luck using this desolate spot as a place to hide from the world it wasn't unusual to come across homeless camps in remote areas but this felt different more desperate more unhinged I backed away from the dumpster my heart pounding in my chest I'd seen enough I just wanted to finish my inspection and get out of there I
tried to shake off the unease that had settled over me focusing on the task at hand but as I worked I couldn't help but glance back at the dumpster half expecting to see someone emerging from the Shadows that's when I heard it the sound of footsteps crunching on gravel I froze every muscle in my body tensing as the footsteps grew louder closer I scanned the area my eyes dark starting from the bridge to the surrounding desert but I didn't see anyone the sound stopped and for a moment there was only the wind whistling through the
dry riverbed then out of the corner of my eye I saw movement a figure stepped out from behind the dumpster A man his clothes filthy and tattered his hair wild and matted he was tall gaunt with a crazed look in his eyes he stared at me for a moment his expression unred then began to move toward me my heart leaped into my throat I didn't know what this guy wanted but I knew I didn't want to stick around to find out I quickly backed away trying to keep some distance between us but he kept coming
his Pace quickening with every step hey I called out my voice shaking despite my efforts to stay calm I'm just doing my job here I'll be out of your way in a minute but he didn't respond his eyes were locked on me and there was something in his gaze that sent a wave of fear crashing over me something Wild unhinged like he was barely holding on to reality my mind raced trying to figure out what to do my truck was parked a few yards away but the man was between me and it I didn't want
to turn my back on him but I knew I couldn't stay here the survey the job none of that mattered anymore all I cared about was getting out of there in one piece then he spoke his voice low and grally this is my place he said his words slurred and broken you shouldn't be here I'm sorry I said keeping my tone as calm as I could I didn't know I'll leave right now okay but he didn't stop he kept coming his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides his eyes wilded with some emotion I couldn't
read I took another step back my heart hammering in my chest the distance between us was closing fast and I knew I had to act without thinking I reached for the revolver I kept holstered at my side a precaution I always took when working in remote areas my hand shook as I pulled it out and aimed it at the man my finger hovering over the trigger stop I shouted my voice breaking don't come any closer the man froze his eyes widening as he saw the gun for a moment I thought he might back down that
he might realize the situation had gone too far but then he did something I didn't expect he smiled a twisted Eerie grin that sent chills down my spine you think that's going to help you he sneered taking another step forward out here you're just as alone as I am I didn't wait to find out what he meant by that I fired a warning shot into the ground at his feet the sound echoing through the empty desert the man flinched but he didn't stop he kept coming his smile widening his eyes gleaming with some Dark Intent
Panic surged through me I knew I couldn't take my eyes off him but I also knew I couldn't stay here I took a deep breath stealed myself and made a break for it I sprinted toward my truck not daring to look back my heart pounding in my ears I reached the truck yanked the door open and threw myself inside my hands fumbled with the keys but I finally managed to start the engine as I slammed the door shut I caught one last glimpse of the man standing by the dumpster watching me with that same Eerie
smile I floored the gas pedal and sped down the dusty road the tires kicking up clouds of sand behind me I didn't stop until I was Miles Away the bridge nothing but a distant memory in the rearview mirror I never went back to that site I reported the incident to my supervisor who sent someone else to finish the job I don't know what happened to the man under the bridge and I don't want to know all I know is that I came too close to something dark something that could have ended very differently even now
I still think about that day I still see the man's face that twisted smile in my nightmares and every time I find myself in a remote area I can't help but look over my shoulder half expecting to see him standing there waiting watching The Experience under that bridge taught me a lesson I'll never forget when you're alone in the middle of nowhere You're vulnerable in ways you can't imagine the isolation The Emptiness it plays tricks on your mind makes you question what's real and what isn't and sometimes you encounter things that remind you just how
thin the line between safety and danger really is so if you ever find yourself in the middle of nowhere remember this story stay aware stay cautious and most importantly stay safe because out there you're on your own and you never know what might be lurking just out of sight I've stayed in all kinds of motels over the years from the Cozy and Charming to the rundown and questionable but there's one motel that I stayed at a few years ago that that I'll never forget it was a small isolated place off a lonely stretch of highway
in the middle of nowhere I didn't plan on stopping there but after driving for hours with no sign of civilization I didn't have much choice I just needed a place to rest for the night what I found instead was a nightmare that still haunts me I'd been driving for hours trying to make it to the next town before calling it a night but the road seemed to stretch on forever winding through miles of empty fields and forests the headlights of my car barely cut through the Blackness the occasional signpost or abandoned Barn the only indication
that I was still on the right path when I finally saw the flickering neon sign for the motel I felt a wave of relief it wasn't much a small single story building with a handful of rooms a few old cars parked out front and a faded sign that read vacancy in dim sputtering letters the place looked like it hadn't been updated in decades the paint peeling off the walls the windows grimy and cracked but I was too tired to care I just needed a place to sleep somewhere to rest my head before continuing my journey
in the morning I pulled into the gravel lot the tires crunching under the car as I parked the air was cold the sky overcast and a faint Mist hung in the air clinging to everything like a damp shroud the only light came from the neon sign and a single bulb above the motel's entrance cast an eerie yellow glow on the worn out pavement I grabbed my bag and headed inside the door creaking on its hinges as I pushed it open the lobby was small and dingy with faded wallpaper and a few outdated brochures scattered on
a Dusty counter behind the counter sat an old man his eyes barely visible behind thick smudged glasses he looked up as I entered his expression blank almost indifferent need a room I said trying to sound more confident than I felt the old man didn't say anything at first just stared at me for a long moment before nodding slowly he reached under the counter and pulled out a worn leatherbound Ledger flipping it open to a blank page his hands shook slightly as he handed me a pen sign here he muttered his voice grally and low I
scribbled my name in The Ledger and handed it back to him he didn't even glance at it just shoved it aside and reached for a key hanging on a hook behind the counter room six he said sliding the key across the counter smoking no pets got it I replied taking the key thanks he didn't respond just stared at me with that same blank expression as I turned and headed back outside room six was at the far end of the building next to a thick line of trees that bordered the property the door was old and
chipped the number barely visible but the key turned easily enough in the lock the room inside was about what I expected small with a sagging bed a rick dresser and a tiny TV mounted on the wall the carpet was stained the wallpaper peeling and the whole place smelled faintly of mildew but it was warm and after the long drive it was enough I tossed my bag on the bed and sat down the mattress creaking under my weight I grabbed the remote and flicked on the TV but all I got was static sighing I turned it
off and glanced around the room noticing a small door to the side that I assumed led to the bathroom I walked over over and pushed it open revealing a cramped outdated bathroom with a cracked mirror and a flickering overhead light after freshening up I changed into some sweats and crawled into bed pulling the thin blankets up to my chin the room was eerily quiet the only sound the distant hum of the highway I turned off the lamp beside the bed and closed my eyes trying to let the exhaustion of the day take over but sleep
didn't come easily the darkness felt oppressive the silence too complete as if the world outside the room had ceased to exist I tossed and turned trying to get comfortable but an uneasy feeling gwed at the back of my mind something about the motel about the old man behind the counter about the whole place felt wrong just as I was starting to drift off I heard a soft almost imperceptible sound coming from outside the room it was a faint noise like something gently tapping against the door my heart skipped a beat and I sat up in
bed straining to listen I told myself it was just the wind maybe a branch from one of the nearby trees brushing against the door but the sound was too deliberate too steady it wasn't random it was intentional I felt a chill run down my spine and my hands shook as I reached for the lamp the light flickered on I stared at the door my heart pounding in my chest the sound still echoing in my ears I didn't want to get up didn't want to see what was causing the noise but I knew I wouldn't be
able to sleep until I did slowly I swung my legs over the side of the bed my feet hitting the cold floor I crept toward the door my breath shallow every nerve in my body screaming at me to stop to turn back but I didn't I reached the door and placed my hand on the cold door knob hesitating for just a moment before turning it and pulling the door open the night air rushed in cold and damp but there was nothing there just the empty parking lot the gravel gleaming faintly in the light of the
distant neon sign I stepped outside the gravel crunching under my feet and looked around the Mist hung low to the ground making everything look ghostly unreal there was no one there no sign of anything or anyone that could have made the sound I shook my head trying to shake off the unease maybe it really was just the wind or maybe I was more tired than I realized I was about to turn back to the room when I noticed something a single footprint in the gravel just a few feet from the door it wasn't mine the
print was large the outline clear in the Mist covered gravel and it led away from the room disappearing into the line of trees at the edge of the property my heart skipped a beat and I quickly retreated back into the room slamming the door behind me and locking it tight I pressed my back against the door my mind racing someone had been out there standing just outside my room but where had they gone and why were they just standing there tapping on the door I tried to calm myself down telling myself it was just some
weirdo messing around maybe one of the other guests playing a prank but deep down I knew that wasn't it there was something off about the whole situation something that made my skin crawl I crawled back into bed pulling the blankets up to my chin but there was no way I was going to sleep now I lay there in the dark staring at the door the hours seemed to stretch on forever the silence in the room thick and suffocating then just as I was starting to think I'd imagined the whole thing I heard it again this
time it was coming from the window I froze my breath catching in my throat the window was right next to the bed covered by a thin curtain that barely blocked out the light the sound was soft almost like someone gently tapping on the glass with their fingernails I didn't want to look I didn't want to see what was out there but the sound continued pers istent rhythmic like it was trying to Draw Me Closer trying to get me to look I squeezed my eyes shut pulling the blankets over my head like a child hiding from
a monster under the bed I told myself it wasn't real that it was just my imagination that if I stayed still stayed quiet it would go away but the tapping didn't stop the room felt like a prison the walls closing in around me I was trapped the tapping grew louder more insistent and I knew I couldn't just lie Li there and do nothing with a trembling hand I reached out and grabbed the flashlight from the nightstand I took a deep breath trying to summon the courage to look to see what was outside the window I
slowly pulled the blankets down the flashlight clutched tightly in my hand I sha the flashlight at the window the beam casting a faint glow on the thin curtain I could see a vague shape behind it something standing just outside the glass barely visible My Heart pounded in my chest as I reached out with my free hand gripping the edge of the curtain I hesitated for just a moment then yanked it aside the flashlight beam Illuminating the window there was nothing there no figure no face no sign of anything that could have been making the noise
just the empty parking lot the Mist swirling in the faint light of the neon sign I let out a shaky breath my heart still racing I was about to close the curtain when I noticed something something small barely visible in the corner of the window a handprint smudged and faint but unmistakable my blood ran cold the handprint was on the inside of the glass Panic surged through me I stumbled back from the window the flashlight slipping from my hand and clattering to the floor I grabbed my keys my bag anything I could reach and bolted
for the door I didn't care about checking out didn't care about anything except getting the hell out of there I fumbled with the door my hands shaking so badly I could barely turn the knob finally I managed to wrench it open and ran out into the night the cold air hitting me like a slap in the face I didn't look back didn't stop until I was in the car the engine roaring to life as I tore out of the parking lot gravel spraying behind me I drove for hours the lights of civilization finally bringing some
semblance of safety I found a motel there one that was clean and well lit and checked in without a second thought but even then I couldn't sleep I kept seeing that handprint in my mind kept hearing that soft rhythmic tapping I never found out what happened that night never went back to that Motel to find out who or what was outside my room I've told a few people about it but most just laugh it off say it was probably just my imagination or some prankster messing with me but I know what I heard what I
saw and I know that whatever was out there it wasn't just my imagination I've spent a lot of time on the road since then stayed in a lot of motels but I always make sure to find a place that's well lit that's near other people and I never ever stop at some lonely isolated place in the middle of nowhere because out there in the darkness in the silence there's something waiting something that will find you if you're not careful and once it does you may never Escape if these stories sent chills down your spine make
sure to hit that like button and subscribe for more terrifying Tales share your own creepy Encounters in the comments I'd love to hear what keeps you up at night and don't forget to ring the bell so you never miss an upload thanks for watching and remember the scariest places are often where you least expect them stay safe out there and I'll see you in the next one
