True Scary Stories For Sleep With Rain Sounds | True Horror Stories | Fall Asleep Quick Vol. 35

Hello everyone and welcome back to the horor Hut now I know a lot of you use these videos to sleep so before you drift off I thought it would be a fun idea if everyone can leave a comment to let me know where you are listening from in the world also like And subscribe if you are enjoying the episodes right let's get comfy and relax and let's Begin it's started with a small box no bigger than my hand left on my doorstep one Saturday morning no note no return address just a plain unmarked cardboard box

sitting there when I opened my door to grab the mail at first I thought it was a mistake something delivered to the wrong house but when I picked it up there was no name on it nothing written on it at all I'm used to getting deliveries who isn't these days but this was Different no company logo no tracking number just there there I figured maybe it was from a neighbor someone who thought it was mine and dropped it off I Shrugged and brought it inside inside the box there was an old rusted key nothing else

just the key I stared at it for a while confused it wasn't a key I recognized certainly not to my house or anything I Owned I checked the bottom of the Box thinking maybe there' be be a note or something to explain where it came from but there was nothing I was creeped out but I told myself I was probably some weird mistake people get stuff like that all the time right I left it on my kitchen counter and went about my day trying not to think about it but the thought kept creeping back in

I mean why would someone send me a Random key what was it for a few days passed and I I almost forgot about the whole thing but then another package showed up same plain cardboard box same spot on my doorstep no markings no return address this one was bigger about the size of a shoe box by then I was feeling uneasy this wasn't just a one-off mistake someone was leaving these packages for me and I had no idea why I Brought it inside and I hesitated for a moment before opening it inside was something I

recognized immediately an old sweater I'd lost months ago I had looked everywhere for it and eventually gave up figuring I must have left it somewhere or accidentally donated it but here it was folded neatly inside this unmarked box I felt a chill run down my spine how did they get this and why return it now Like this my first thought was that maybe someone found it and was returning it but then why not just leave a note why all the mystery I checked my front yard looked down the street even peaked around the side of

my house nothing no one in sight I sat in my living room for a while just staring at the box and the sweater trying to wrap my head around What was happening I didn't feel like I was in danger not yet but it was unsettling to say the least a week went by without any new packages and I started to relax I almost convinced myself that it was some weird coincidence or maybe a prank but then one night when I came home from work there was another box waiting for me this one was different bigger

than the last two Heavier I didn't even want to bring it inside I stood on the porch for what felt like forever staring at it my heart pounding in my chest I knew I shouldn't open it but I also knew I couldn't just leave it there I took a deep breath grabbed it and went inside I sat in my kitchen table with the Box in front of me hand shaking as I cut through the tape when I opened the lid I felt like the air had been sucked out of the room inside was a framed

Photo of me sitting on my couch in my living room it was taken from outside my house through the window I dropped the box and backed away my heart racing this wasn't just some prank someone had been in my yard someone had been watching me I rushed to the window and yanked the curtains closed my mind racing who was doing this and why I Double checked that all the doors were locked that the windows were shut tight I couldn't breathe I didn't sleep that night every noise every Creek had me on edge I sat on

the couch with my phone in my hand ready to call someone if I heard anything out of the ordinary but the house was quiet too quiet like I was waiting for something to happen the next day I called the police I didn't want to seem paranoid But I knew I had to report it they came over looked at the boxes and asked me a bunch of questions but there wasn't much they could do no fingerprints no leads they told me to call if it happened again and to stay vigilant it did happen again 2 Days

Later another box this time I didn't even want to open it I stared at it for hours my stomach and Knots but I knew I couldn't ignore it whoever was doing this wasn't going to stop I had to know what they wanted inside the box was something I hadn't noticed was missing a pair of earrings I used to were all the time I hadn't seen them in months and assumed i' misplaced them but here they were neatly placed inside the box like someone had been in my house and taken them without me knowing I felt

Sick how long had this been going on how many other things said disappeared without me noticing I searched the house looking for anything else that seemed out of place but everything else seemed normal I didn't know what to do the police couldn't help and I didn't have any clues to go on I thought about staying in a friend's place but I didn't want to drag anyone else into this I started leaving all the lights on a Night checking the locks obsessively but it didn't help the fear followed me everywhere the packages kept coming little things

at first more personal items that had gone missing old letters a photo from my childhood each time it felt like whoever was doing this was getting closer like they were taunting me the breaking point came about a month later I came home one evening exhausted from work and found another box waiting For me this one was different it was larger than any any of the others heavy and awkward to carry inside I didn't want to open it I knew something was wrong but I had to know I had to see what was inside when I

finally opened the box my blood ran cold it was a blanket from my bed the one I had slept under the night before I dropped the Box my heart pounding in my chest someone had been in my house a I Was sleeping someone had been watching me moving around my home while I lay there completely unaware I didn't know what to do I called the police again but they didn't have any answers they said they Patrol the area but I knew that wouldn't be enough whoever was doing this wasn't going to stop they were getting

Boulder that night I couldn't Sleep I barricaded myself in my bedroom with a chair wedged under the door handle clutching my phone in my hand every little sound made me jump I was certain they were coming back around 3:00 a.m. I heard something outside footsteps slow deliberate I froze barely breathing straining to hear the footsteps stopped just outside my front door I heard a soft scraping sound like Someone was dragging dragging something across the porch then silence I Waited For What felt like hours but nothing else happened eventually I worked up the courage to check

the window there was another box on the porch larger than any of the others I didn't open it I didn't want to know what was inside the next morning I packed up and Left I couldn't stay there anymore whoever had been doing this had crossed a line they were inside my house in my life and I had no idea how to stop them I moved out of the house a week later never looked back I don't know who it was or why they targeted me I still get paranoid sometimes wondering if they'll find me again

but I'm safe for now at least I hope I am I moved into that apartment about a year ago it was nothing fancy just a basic One-bedroom place in an old building the rent was cheap and the neighborhood was decent so I didn't have much to complain about it was the kind of place where people kept to themselves and I like that I wasn't the type to make small talk with neighbors and I appreciated that no one tried to make it the knocking started maybe two months after I settled in it wasn't constant at first

just here and there the first time I heard it it was around 2: in the Morning I remember waking up to this faint rhythmic knock it wasn't loud more like someone gently tapping their Knuckles on the door I was crocky and disoriented so I didn't think much of it I figured someone had the wrong apartment it stopped after a minute or two and I went back to sleep but it kept happening every few nights always around the same time middle of the night when everything was quiet the knocking would Start soft at first then a

little louder like whoever was on the other side was getting impatient I started to get annoyed thinking maybe it was some drunk coming home late confused about which apartment was theirs I never got out of bed to check I just lie there listening waiting for it to stop which it always did about a month in I mentioned it to the building manager he was an older guy probably in His 50s who lived on the first floor he Shrugged it off said he hadn't heard anything like that from anyone else told me it was probably just

pipes or the building settling something like that I didn't buy it but I let it go there wasn't much he could do about it the knocking kept up though always late at night sometimes it was so soft I'd wonder if I was imagining it other times it was loud enough to wake me up Pounding like someone was trying to get in I started to get paranoid I'd lie in bed staring at the ceiling waiting for it to start it was like I knew it was coming like I could feel it then one night something changed

the knocking was louder than usual more aggressive I was wide awake this time and for some reason I felt this overwhelming urge to check I'd never looked through the Peeple before I always stayed in bed waiting for it to pass but that night something in me snapped I was tired of feeling watched of being woken up by this Str strange endless knocking I got up slowly heart pounding and crept to the door the knocking stopped as soon as I got close I stood there for a second hand hovering over the doorknob hesitating then I leaned

forward and Peered through the peephole there was no one there the hallway was empty I let out of breath half relieved half confused I stood there for a minute just staring trying to shake the weird feeling in my gut then I went back to bed a few nights later it happened again same thing loud frantic knocking I jumped out of bed heart rcing And rushed to the door as soon as I got close the knocking stopped I looked through the peephole expecting the all way to be empty again but this time there was someone standing

right in front of my door I froze my heart felt like it was going to explode whoever it was they were standing so close that I couldn't see their face just the top of their head dark hair matted down like they'd been Out in the rain I could see their shoulders their arms hanging by their sides but they weren't moving they were just standing there inches away from the door completely still I backed away slowly now making a sound trying to keep my breathing steady I didn't know what to do call the police open the

door I wasn't sure what was happening but something told me not to make a move not to make any Noise I crept back to my bedroom shut the door softly and sat on the edge of the bed listening I didn't sleep that night I just sat there waiting for something else to happen but it didn't the knocking didn't come back and I didn't hear anyone in the hallway it was like whoever it was had just disappeared the next morning I left the apartment as soon as the sun came up I Didn't want to be there

anymore I went to work tried to focus on anything else but I couldn't stop thinking about it who was that why were they standing so close to my door and why didn't they say anything that night I didn't want to go home I stayed late at the office dragged out errands anything to avoid going back but eventually I had to when I got back to the apartment everything seemed normal no weird Vibes no strange Sounds for a moment I thought maybe I'd imagin the whole thing but then as soon as I turned up the lights

and lay down the knocking started again this time I couldn't ignore it I couldn't just lie there waiting for it to stop I got up crept to the door and looked through the peep Hall they were there again same person standing just inches away from the door this time I could see more their Face was pressed up against the door their I staring straight into the peep Hall it was like they knew I was there like they were watching me through the other side I I stumbled back my heart racing trying not to make a

sound I backed into the bedroom grabbed my phone and called the police I didn't care if it made me look paranoid something was seriously wrong when the cops showed up the person was gone they searched the building checked The security cameras but there was no sign of anyone the cameras didn't even catch anyone coming in or out of the building it didn't make sense after that I couldn't stay there I packed a bag and went to stay with a friend I didn't go back for a few days but eventually I had to I couldn't afford

to break my lease and part of me thought maybe it was over maybe whoever it was had moved on but the first night I was back the knocking started again This time I didn't check I didn't get out of bed I just lay there Frozen listening the knocking was softer this time almost like they were tapping their fingers against the door but it was relentless it went on for hours I didn't sleep I just lay there waiting for it to stop when the sun came up I packed my things and left for good I never

went back to that Apartment I broke the lease lost my deposit didn't care I couldn't stay there anymore I still don't know who it was or what they wanted but sometimes late at night I still hear that knocking in my head and I wonder if they're still out there waiting I was in town for a work trip a pretty standard thing for me so I wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary the company had booked me into This mid-range Hotel not too fancy but clean enough I had a few meetings lined up and was mostly

looking forward to getting through them and heading back home the first day was fine I checked in late after a long flight tired but glad to be off the plane the room was EXC exactly what you'd expect basic neat nothing special I unpacked a bit grabbed a shower and went straight to bed I Remember falling asleep pretty fast I didn't even think to lock the dead bolt it felt safe enough the next morning I got up went to my meetings and came back to the hotel around 5 in the evening I was exhausted ready to

just crash for the night while I walked into the room something felt off my suitcase was still where I left it but a few of my things seemed like they'd been moved nothing major just little things The TV remote wasn't where I'd left it on the desk and my toothbrush had been knocked over in the bathroom I brushed it off at first thinking maybe I'd been in a hurry that morning and didn't remember how I'd left everything still it bugged me a bit I checked the closet under the bed places like that nothing was missing

but the feeling stuck with me the next day I did the same routine meetings Back to the Hotel this time when I opened the door I Knew something was wrong the bed had been made which I thought was normal until I noticed a small note folded neatly on the pillow at first I thought it was something from the housekeeping staff maybe a receipt or some sort of welcome message when I picked it up it was a handwritten note my name was on it my full name in neat small handwriting all it said was nice to

see you Again I felt a chill run down my spine I hadn't seen anyone I knew in this city and certainly not anyone who should be in my hotel room I immediately went to the front desk I tried to stay calm explained to them that someone had clearly been in my room room while I was out and I wanted to know who had access the guy behind the counter a young kid who looked barely old enough to work there just Shrugged and said Only housekeeping had access I insisted that I hadn't seen any housekeeper when

I got back and no one should have been leaving me personal notes he looked confused and offered to change the key cards I agreed but it didn't exactly make me feel better I asked him if he could check the cameras but he told me the cameras only covered the lobby and hallways not the inside of the rooms that didn't help Either that night I locked the dead bolt and put the chain on the door I didn't sleep well kept waking up at every little sound it felt like someone was watching me even though I knew

the room was empty I thought about leaving checking out but the meetings I had were important and I told myself I was probably overreacting I tried to convince myself it was just some weird Coincidence the next day everything seemed normal again no new notes nothing out of place I felt stupid for worrying so much I went out for dinner after work stayed out late to avoid being in the room too long when I came back I didn't notice anything right away the bed was made again the room looked as it should but when I walked

into the the bathroom I saw it on the mirror written in the same small me handwriting was my name Again this time it said I know you're here alone it was written in lipstick my lipstick the one I'd left siipped up in my makeup bag in the bathroom drawer my stomach turned this wasn't housekeeping this wasn't just some mix up someone had been in my room using my things and they wanted me to know I called the front desk again shaking this time I demanded to speak to the manager he came up looked at the

mirror And said he didn't know what to tell me he checked the keycard log and claimed no one had used a te card to enter my room except me that didn't explain the note or how my stuff had been touched I asked if they could move me to another room but they said the hotel was fully booked I didn't believe them but I didn't have much Choice it was late and I had one more day before I could leave the manager Said they keep an eye out for anything suspicious that didn't reassure me that night

I pushed a chair up against the door and left the bathroom light on I barely slept jumping at every Creek of the old building I felt trapped I didn't want to stay but I didn't know where else to go I told told myself I'd leave first thing in the morning cancel my last meeting if I had to it wasn't worth it around 3:00 a.m. I Heard it the faintest sound the click of the door handle the chair against the door kept it from opening but someone was trying to get in I froze staring at the

door not daring to move my heart pounded in my chest and I felt like I couldn't breathe whoever was didn't knock or say anything they just stood there quietly trying the handle over and over the chain was on the deadbolt was locked and the chair Blocked the door but they didn't stop after what felt like forever the handle stopped moving silence filled the room but I didn't move for a long time afraid they might still be standing on the other side the next morning I packed my bags and left without even checking out I didn't

care about the bill or the meetings I just needed to get out of there as I was walking down the hallway to the elevator I glanced at the door of The room next to mine the cleaning cart was parked in front of it the door propped open I caught a glimpse of the housekeeper inside and she looked at me really looked at me her face was blank almost bored but her eyes followed me all the way to the elevator it was like she knew like she was waiting to see what I would do I didn't

say anything I didn't ask any more questions I just Laughed when I got home I cancelled my credit card and changed all my passwords I still don't know who it was that left those notes or who was trying to get into my room that night but sometimes late at night while I'm in bed I still hear the quiet click of the door handle and I wonder if they're still out there watching I was at the train station late one night around 11:30 I remember the time because I kept Looking at my watch hoping the train

would just get here already the station was completely empty not a single person around except for me it was cold and the kind of Silence that settles in the middle of the night made it worse somehow the lights above flickered a bit but that's normal for a place like this I was standing on the platform waiting for the last train I had to work late and by the time I got to the station all the buses had stopped running I didn't have much of a choice I'd taken the late train before and nothing ever happened

it's always empty just a few people minding their own business I paced back and forth checking the time on my phone hoping it wouldn't get delayed I looked down the platform and noticed someone standing there at the Far end just barely in the light I hadn't heard them come up they were just there I figured it was just another person waiting for the train but something about it didn't sit right with me the figure was facing me but they weren't moving just standing still staring I couldn't make out any details because of the distance but

I could feel their eyes on me the platform stretched out in both directions with no real way To go except forward or back toward the station entrance and that person was at the far end blocking one way I thought about walking back to the entrance but it would have meant turning my back to them and something about that made me uncomfortable so I stayed where I was trying not to look directly at them but it was hard not to my heart started racing a little though I tried to tell Myself it was nothing they were

probably just waiting for the train like I was a few minutes passed maybe longer and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong I looked again and that person was still there hadn't moved an inch not one step St I could have sworn they were closer now though life date shifted just slightly I wasn't sure I pulled my phone out pretending to scroll through it but my eyes kept Flicking back to the figure the train wasn't due for another 5 minutes 5 minutes felt like forever at that moment I told myself to relax to

just keep cool and wait it out people wait for trains that's what they do I thought no big deal but then the figure started to move at first it was just a step slow deliberate then another step they were Walking toward me not fast but steady I froze not knowing what to do there was no one else on the platform just me and this person I wanted to convince myself it was nothing maybe they were just coming closer for the train maybe they wanted to ask for the time but they didn't stop I could feel

my breath catching in my throat my hands starting to sweat I glanced behind me toward the exit but it was a long way back I was Too far down the platform the figure kept coming their steps quickening Panic hit me then hard I could see the shape of him now A Man Tall with broad shoulders I couldn't see his face clearly under the flickering lights but I could feel his eyes locked on me he started moving faster his Pace picking up until he was practically jogging that's when I knew this wasn't Normal this wasn't just

some guy walking toward the train this guy was coming for me I packed up looking for anywhere to go anywhere to hide but the platform was wide open I was exposed nowhere to go except the edge of the tracks my heart was pounding in my chest and I could hear my blood rushing in my ears the only thing between me and him was the empty space of the platform and he was closing the Gap fast I looked down the track hoping to See the train lights praying for them to appear but the tunnel was dark

no sign of the train I didn't have time to think anymore he was running now on sprinting toward me his feet pounding against the concrete I could hear it each step getting louder and louder I took a step back my legs stiff with fear then I turned and ran but there was nowhere to go I couldn't make it to the exit in Time he' catched me before I got halfway there my only chance was to jump down onto the tracks and try to cross to the other platform it was risky but it was all I

I could think of I reached the edge of the platform and looked down the tracks were deeper than they seemed and I hesitated for just a second but that second cost me I heard him behind me getting closer his footsteps were right there I could feel him almost breathing down my Neck I jumped the fall wasn't graceful I hit the grapple hard stumbling as I landed by man managed to stay on my feet I could hear him above me now shouting something I couldn't make out his voice horse and angry he was right there at

the edge of the platform looking down at me I didn't look up at his face didn't want to see it I ran along the tracks my legs Burning the cold air cutting through me my shoes slipped on the M rails and I almost fell I could hear him drop down onto the tracks behind me he was following me not stopping not giving up his footsteps were heavy crunching the gravel under his weight I could see the lights of the train now far down the tunnel but it was coming relief washed over me but I wasn't

safe yet the train was still a Ways off and I was stuck on the tracks I had to get off before it reached me I scrambled to the opposite platform trying to to climb back up my hands slipped on the cold concrete and I couldn't get a good grip my fingers were numb shaking I felt the man's presence behind me getting closer he wasn't running anymore just walking toward me slow like he had all the time in the world like he knew I Couldn't get away I forced myself up pulling with everything I had and

finally managed to get back onto the platform my knees hit the concrete heart but I didn't stop I got up and ran toward the exit Not Looking Back the train was pulling in as I reached the stairs I heard it screeching to a stop the doors opening the rush of air as it slowed down I kept running my feet barely touching the Ground I didn't stop until I was back at the station entrance where there were lights and people and safety I don't know if you followed me all the way I don't know if he

got on the train I didn't look back but I never took the Late Night Train again I didn't think much of it at first I was just picking up a few things at the grocery store after work work it wasn't late maybe 6:00 in the evening Still plenty of people around families grabbing dinner couples chatting in the aisles the store wasn't packed but it had a good flow of people just normal everyday stuff I didn't plan on being there long I only needed a few things milk bread eggs stuff like that as I crapped a

basket I noticed a guy not too far from me mid-30s maybe scruffy but not in a dirty way just unkempt he had a gray hoodie on pulled Over his head a little too much kind of hiding his face at first I thought he was just another shopper doing his thing like everyone else I mean why would I think otherwise I started in the produce section checking out the apples I didn't need any but I always like to browse you know take my time I grabbed a couple tossed them in my basket and turned to head

down the bread Aisle that's when I saw him again the guy in the ODI he was by the bananas now just sort of standing there staring not at the fruit though at me I brushed it off maybe he was looking past me or zoning out I wasn't sure I told myself it was nothing but I felt a weird little twinch in my stomach I moved onto the parad trying to shake the Feeling I picked up a loaf checked the date and tossed it in my basket I glanced down the aisle and there he was again

at the other end he wasn't looking at me this time just walking slowly like he was looking for something but it was the second time in just a few minutes that I'd seen him in a different aisle right where I happened to be it's a grocery store door though people shop people walk Around no big deal I tried to ignore it I had it for the dairy section next I needed some milk eggs maybe a block of cheese the feeling didn't leave though I could feel my heart rate pick up just a little that une

creeping in again I tapped my eyes on the shelves pretending to be engrossed in while I was looking at but I was aware of every movement around me when I reached for the eggs I Felt it again someone was watching me I glanced sideways and there he was again this time he wasn't pretending to look for anything he was just standing there at the end of the aisle staring at me it was obvious now my skin prickled and the unees hit harder this time he wasn't holding in anything no basket no cart nothing just standing

there watching me like he was waiting for something I Tried to act like I didn't notice crab the eggs quickly and moved to the next section but I couldn't shake him every time I moved every time I switched aisles there he was not close just far enough to make it obvious that he was following me I could feel him trailing me like Shadow keeping a bit of distance but never losing sight of me I went down the snack aisle hoping it was just a coincidence but I saw him again at the end pretending to look

at chips or Something I crapped a random pack of crackers and turned sharply heading straight for the checkout I didn't want to stay in the store any longer than I had to my heart was racing now my hand shaking just enough to make me fumble with the basket I got in line at the self checkout hoping he wouldn't follow I tried to focus on scanning my items but I could feel eyes on me as I finish ringing up my things I heard Footsteps behind me slow and deliberate I didn't want to turn around I didn't

need to I knew it was him then he whispered just loud enough for me to hear you in a hurry his voice was low rough like it hadn't been used in a while SM I froze for a second my hand hovering over the bag of apples my skin crawled I didn't look back didn't respond I forced myself to focus on the Checkout screen but I could feel him right behind me too close too close for comfort I grabed my bags and practically sprinted toward the exit my legs moving faster than I thought they could my

head was spinning and and my stomach was a knots I pushed through the doors feeling the cool air H my face and headed straight for my car the parking lot wasn't empty but it wasn't crowded either the sun was just starting to set The light fading enough to cast lawn shadows across the lot I spotted my car a few Rose away and made a beeline for it I didn't even look back just focused on getting to my car getting inside locking the doors but as I approached I saw him again leaning against a car just

a few spaces down from mine he was watching me his had pulled low over his face just like before I slowed down my heart pounding in my Chest I didn't want to get too close to him but I had to get to my car my hands were shaking so badly I wasn't sure I'd be able to unlock the door in time I glanced around the parking lot hoping someone else would notice but no one seemed to be paying attention just cars pulling in and out people going about their business I fumbled with my keys trying

to get the door unlocked as quickly as possible my fingers were trembling Slipping on the metal I heard footsteps behind me again slow and steady like he was taking his time he was getting closer and I could feel the Panic rising in my chest finally I got the door unlocked I yanked it open and jumped inside slamming it shut behind me my hands were shaking so badly I could barely get the key into the ignition but I managed the engine roared to life and I Locked the doors my breath coming in short Panic bursts I

glanced up and he was standing there just a few feet away staring at me through the windshield his hood was still pulled low his face mostly hidden but I could see his eyes they were fixed on me unblinking he didn't move didn't say anything just stood there watching me like he was waiting for something I threw the car into reverse And backed out of the space as fast as I could my tires screeching against the pavement I didn't care if I hit something I just needed to get out of there as I pulled out of

the lot I glanced in the rearview mirror and he was still standing there there watching me drive away I didn't stop driving until I was halfway across town I kept checking my mirrors half expecting to see him following me but there was no sign of him my heart was Still racing my hand shaking on the steering wheel I don't know who he was or what he wanted but I've never felt fear like that before that kind of fear that makes your skin crawl that makes every Instinct in your body scream that you to run to

get away way I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't left when I did I haven't been back to that grocery store since I don't think I ever Will I didn't really know where I was getting into when I decided to camp out there alone I've gone camping before but never by myself I figured it would be a good way to clear my head for the weekend just me the trees and some quiet the site I picked wasn't far off the beaten path about a 20-minute hike from where I parked the car it

wasn't an official campsite just a clearing I'd Found on a trail map I like that the idea of being away from people out in the middle of nowhere the first night was fine I set up the tent started a fire cooked some food everything felt peaceful the woods were calm and the sounds of the night animals were kind of comforting I spent a few hours by the fire just watching the Flames listening to the crackling enjoying the Stillness Around me it was dark but not too dark the moon was bright enough to light up the

clearing I stayed up until the fire started to die down then crawled into my tent zipped it up and fell asleep without much trouble I don't know what woke me up the next morning I didn't hear anything didn't feel anything but something was off you know how sometimes you just get that Feeling like something's not quite right that's what it was I woke up with this weird sense that something was wrong but I couldn't figure out what it was quiet too quiet for mourning in the woods usually there'd be Birds maybe some rustling but it

was dead silent I unzipped the tent and stepped outside rubbing my eyes trying to shake the grogginess the sun was up but it hadn't Been long the fire pit was cold no umbers left just some charred logs and Ash I looked around and that's when I saw it there was a mark on the side of my tent at first I thought maybe it was just dirt or something but when I got closer I realized it wasn't natural it was a symbol scratched into the fabric with something sharp Like a Knife it was about the size

of my hand and it looked like an X but with these Reir curls coming off the ends almost like claws I knelt down running my fingers over it trying to figure out how it got there my heart started pounding a little I knew for a fact that Mark wasn't there when I set up the tent I would have noticed it it was deep enough that I should have heard something during the night but I hadn't no sounds No footsteps nothing someone had been out here near My tent while I was asleep I stood up and

scanned the clearing but everything looked normal no sign of anyone just a tree the dirt the fire pit I tried to calm myself down telling myself it was probably just some prank maybe someone had passed through the woods during the night saw my tent and decided to mess with me that had to be it no big deal right but the more I Thought about it the less sense that made the Mark wasn't random it wasn't like someone had just scribbled on my tent it it was precise like they taking their time with it I felt

that uneasy knot in my stomach growing but I forced myself to keep it together I decided to pack up and leave no point in sticking around if someone was messing with me I threw everything into my backpack not bothering to fold up the tent properly Just stuffing it in as fast as I could I wanted to get out of there get back to my car and go home but when I got to to my car the tires were slashed all four of them deep Cuts Like someone had taken a knife and just stabbed right through

the rubber my heart sank I stood there staring at the car my mind racing I was in the middle of nowhere no self signal no way to call for help even If I tried to walk back to the main road it would take hours and there was no guarantee anyone would pass by I wasn't thinking straight I should have been scared but I was more Angry than anything who the hell would do something like this what kind of person follows someone into the woods just to mess with their car mess with their tent I turned

around and started heading back to the campsite figuring I'd at Least grab the rest of my stuff maybe I could try to walk to a ranger station or at least find somewhere with a signal but when I got back to the clearing I stopped dead in my tracks the tent was open the Zipper was pulled all the way down and my sleeping bag was dragged halfway out like someone had been rumaging through it I hadn't left it like that I was sure of it I backed up my heart pounding now Adrenaline kicking in my mind

was racing trying to figure out what to do should I hide run but where would I go I was in the middle of the woods miles from anyone that's when I heard the sound it was faint but it was there footsteps crunching leaves coming from somewhere behind the trees slow deliberate like someone was trying to be quiet but wasn't quite succeeding I couldn't see anyone but the Sound was getting closer I didn't wait to find out who it was I cracked my backpack the one thing I had left and bolted I didn't care which direction

I went I just needed to get away my legs were moving faster than they ever had but the trees seemed to close and around me making it harder to move I could hear the footsteps behind me still there still following I didn't stop running until I Couldn't hear the footsteps anymore my lungs were burning my leg shaking but I didn't dare stop I kept going weaving through the trees trying to find my way back to the trail back to the car I wasn't even thinking straight at this point just running on pure instinct when I

finally made it back to the trail I collapsed against a tree gasping for air I listened straining to hear any sign of footsteps but it was Quiet again too quiet the woods felt wrong like they were watching me I stayed there for a while trying to catch my breath trying to figure out what to do I couldn't go back to the car not with the tires slashed I didn't want to go back to the campsite either whoever was out there they knew I was alone they knew I couldn't leave eventually I started walking Sticking to

the trail hoping it would lead me somewhere anywhere I don't know how long I walked but it felt like hours my legs were numb my mind blank just focused on putting one foot in front of the other when I finally reached the main road I almost cried there was no one around but I knew I was closer to help I followed the road sticking to the shoulder keeping an eye out for any cars it was a long walk but eventually a Pickup truck came down the road and I waved it down the driver was an

older guy probably in his 50s with a kind face he asked if I needed help and I just nodded too exhausted to explain everything he gave me a ride to the nearest town where I finally managed to call for help I never found out who it was the police said they'd look into it but they didn't seem too concerned probably just kids they said but I know what I heard what I Saw someone was out there watching me waiting for for me to make a mistake I haven't been camping since I remember the day too

well it was a Saturday morning and I just wanted to spend some time at a coffee shop I liked the place wasn't fancy just one of those small cozy spots with mismatched chairs and dim lighting it wasn't busy when I arrived and I liked that there were a few people working on laptops a couple sitting by the window and me I ordered My usual black coffee and found a table in the corner I didn't think much of the guy when he walked in he was maybe in his mid-30s wearing a dark jacket and jeans average

looking nothing about him stood out he got a coffee and sat a couple of tables over from me at first I didn't even notice him I was focused on scrolling through my phone lost in my own world after a few minutes I felt someone looking at me I glanced up and He was staring right at me not in a creepy way at first just like he was trying to figure out if he knew me or something I looked away quickly thinking maybe it was a mistake but when I glanced up again he was still staring

this time he smiled then got up and walked over to my table mind if I sit here he asked I didn't want to be rude so I nodded sure go ahead he sat down across From me setting his coffee cup on the table for a moment neither of us said anything and I HED NE maybe he get the hint and leave me alone but he didn't instead he leaned forward resting his elbows on the table you come here often he asked I Shrugged sometimes he smiled again but it didn't quite reach his eyes nice Place

quiet I nodded still not wanting to engage too much I wasn't in the mood to make Small Talk especially not with a stranger but he kept going asking me about my day what I did for a living stuff like that I answered as briefly as I could trying not to seem too cold but also hoping he'd get bored and move on after a while I tried to end the conversation Politely well it was nice talking to you but I've got some stuff to get done I said glancing down in my phone as if I was

about to start working on something his smile faded a bit and he leaned back in his chair Crossing his arms why you in a rush the way he said it caught me off guard his tone wasn't friendly anymore it was more like a challenge like he was daring me to give him a reason to Leave I shook my head trying to stay calm no I just have things I need to do I said forcing a smile maybe another time he didn't move he just sat there staring at me with this strange look in his eyes

like he was trying to figure me out the air around us felt heavy all of a sudden and I could feel my heart starting to race another time he repeated slowly why not now what's wrong with now I could feel the tension rising and I glanced around the coffee shop hoping someone else might might notice what was happening but everyone was in their own little worlds headphones on eyes clued to screens no one was paying attention to us I really need to go I said standing up I tried to keep my voice steady but it

came out a bit shaky that's when he stood up too and suddenly he was much closer than I wanted him to be he wasn't smiling Anymore his expression was cold almost almost angry why are you trying to leave he asked his voice low but sharp what's the rush you don't want to talk to me anymore why I steep back my mind racing my heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears I just have things I need to do I repeated my voice barely above a whisper now but he wasn't having it

he stepped Forward again closing the distance between us no that's not it he said his voice dripping with something dark something I couldn't quite place you don't want to talk to me you're trying to get away why what's wrong with me my throat went dry I couldn't think of what to say I just knew I needed to get out of there fast but he wasn't moving he was Blocking my way his eyes locked on mine it felt like I was trapped I'm not trying to get away I lied my voice shaking I just I have

to go that's all he stared at me for what felt like forever not saying a word the silence between us was suffocating and I could feel my hands starting to tremble I didn't know what he was going To do next I just wanted to leave finally he stepped aside but only a little enough for me to squeeze past him I grabbed my bag keeping my eyes on him as I moved toward the door every muscle in my body was tense ready to run if I had to as I reached the door I heard him speak

again but this time his voice was quiet almost a whisper you'll be back he said and when you do we'll finish this Conversation I didn't respond I just pushed open the door and stepped outside my heart racing my hand shaking the cold air hit my face but it didn't calm me down I kept walking trying to put as much distance between myself and that coffee shop as possible I didn't look back I didn't want to see if he was watching me from the window or if he had followed me outside I just kept walking my

mind Racing trying to process what had just happened I made it to my car and got in locking the doors as soon as I was inside my hands were still shaking as I fumbled with the keys trying to start the engine I didn't feel safe until I was driving away the coffee shop disappearing in my rearview mirror I was driving home late that night later than I planned it was one of those empty rural roads where you don't see another Car for Miles no lights no signs just miles of Road cutting through fields and woods

I was trying to keep myself awake rolling down the window to let the cold air in but it was quiet out there too quiet I saw him before I even realized what I was seeing just a figure on the side of the road standing in the shadows close enough that the edge of my headlights caught him he was wearing a jacket maybe a backpack but what stood Out was how still he was no thumb out no walking just standing there looking at the road looking at my car I didn't stop I'm not the type to

pick up hitchhikers especially not at that hour hour especially not in the middle of nowhere but as I passed him something felt off it was just the way he was standing there so still like he was waiting for something my hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter but I kept going trying not to think too much about it I told myself it was probably nothing people hitchhike it's not weird except it felt weird I drove another mile or so my eyes started into the rearview mirror but all I could see was Darkness stretching out

behind me I tried to shake the feeling off maybe I was just tired maybe I was overthinking it a few minutes later the road started to curve and that's when I Saw him again same guy standing right in the middle of the road this time facing me directly in my path I slammed on the brakes the car screeching to a stop just a few feet from him my heart was racing I couldn't believe what I was seeing there was no way he could have gotten here before me not on foot it was impossible but there

he was standing there like he'd been waiting for me his face was in Shadow but I could feel his eyes on me feel him watching me through The windshield for a moment neither of us moved I just sat there my foot Frozen on The Brak staring at him trying to Fig figure out what the hell was happening I thought about turning around but the road was too narrow and I didn't want to risk backing into the ditch I hunt a horn just a short blast to get him to move but he didn't Flinch didn't even

blink he just kept standing there Staring at me something about the way he was standing it wasn't right his arms hung at his sides limp like he wasn't even using them to balance him himself he looked unnatural like someone who had forgotten how to move how to act like a person I hunt again longer this time and still nothing my heart was pounding in my chest and my hands were slick with sweat but I knew I had to do something I Couldn't just sit there I glanced at the passenger seat looking for something to protect

myself with anything but all I had was a water bottle and some loose change I rolled the window down just enough to speak but my voice came out shaky hey are you okay I called out trying to keep it together he didn't answer didn't move just stood there like he was waiting for me to do something the hair on the back of my neck stood up and Every Instinct I had was screaming at me to get out of there to leave but I couldn't I was trapped I shifted the car into to reverse my hands

trembling trying to back up slowly but he took a step forward just one step but it was enough to send a jolt of panic through me I stopped the car my foot hovering over the gas pedal my mind racing what did he want why wasn't he saying Anything I couldn't think straight my brain was foggy like I was in a bad dream and couldn't wake up I kept glancing at himing oping he'd turn around and walk away but he didn't he just stood there his face still hidden in the shadows like he was waiting for

me to make the first move I took a deep breath and gripped the steering wheel my Knuckles turning white there was no way I was getting out of the Car I wasn't about to confront him not when something felt so wrong finally I decided to risk it I slammed the car into gear and hit the gas swerving around him as fast as I could for a split second I thought I might hit him but he stepped aside at the last moment just enough for me to pass by I caught a glimpse of his face then

just for a second and it sent a chill down my spine his eyes were wide staring right through me and his mouth Was twisted into this strange unnatural grin I didn't look back I couldn't I just kept driving my hand shaking on the wheel my heart pounding in my chest the road stretched on ahead of me but it felt like it was getting longer like I was driving in circles and couldn't get out I kept glancing in the rearview mirror half expecting to see him standing there but there was nothing Just darkness I don't know

how long I drove like that gripping the wheel so tied my fingers hurt but eventually the road started to feel familiar again I passed assigned for the next town and I let out of breath I didn't even realize I was holding but even then I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong I couldn't get his face out of my head the way he looked at me the way he just appeared in the middle of the road like He' been waiting for me it didn't make any sense by the time I pulled into town my

body was exhausted but my mind was racing I parked a car outside a gas station and just sat there for a few minutes trying to calm down I could still see his face clear as day burned into my memory I don't know who he was or how he got there or what he wanted all I know is that I wasn't supposed to Stop I wasn't supposed to talk to him something about him wasn't human or maybe it was but in a way that scared me more I never went back to that road I couldn't even

now thinking about it makes my skin crawl like he's still out there waiting for me to drive by again I wonder what would have happened if IID stopped if I gotten out of the car part of me doesn't want to know it was around 10:30 when the first call Came in the office was quiet just the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead and the occasional clicking of my keyboard I was halfway through my night shift working late like I always did my job at this small office was usually boring but predictable I likeed the

quiet and it helped me Focus I'd been answering emails when the phone rang I remember thinking it was Odd because the office line never rain that late most people didn't even know I worked the night shift alone I picked up the receiver without really thinking about it expecting maybe a wrong number hello I said there was a pause nothing but silence on the other end just when I was about to hang up I heard Breathing slow steady deliberate breathing my skin prickled and I pulled the phone away from my ear looking at it like that

would help the silence stretched for what felt like forever before the line finally went dead I hung up feeling a little uneasy but I brushed it off wrong number I told myself probably some idiot playing a prank I tried to Shake it Off went back to typing but I couldn't focus the office felt too quiet now I Glanced at the clock only 15 minutes had passed since the call but I could feel the seconds dragging then the phone rang again I picked it up a bit slower this time hello a voice this time there was

a voice low almost like a whisper but I could hear it you're wearing a black sweater I froze I looked down at my sweater the one I always wore when the office got Cold the words hung in the air cold and deliberate what I asked trying to keep my voice steady you're wearing a black sweater and your hair is pulled back the voice said again clar is time it wasn't a question it was a statement whoever this was they could see me I felt my heart start to race my breath coming in in short shallow

bursts I looked around the office Scanning the dark Corners the doorways the windows but the blinds were down I couldn't see out and as far as I knew no one could see in who is this I asked trying to sound tough but my voice was shaking the line clicked and the call ended I put the phone down my hands trembling I stood up walking to the door that led out to the hallway I checked the Lock it was Secure the front door was the only way in and it required a key card after hours no

one should have been able to get inside without one I told myself it was just a prank maybe someone from the office messing with me but my cut was telling me something else something that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up I sat back down in my desk but I couldn't focus on my work I kept glancing at the phone half expecting it To ring again I looked around the room scanning every corner every shadow the office wasn't big just a few desks filing cabinets and the small break room in the

back but it felt massive right then too much space for me to cover with just my eyes my pulse hadn't slowed down and I was getting more and more anxious I could feel sweat start to gather on my Palms I thought about calling my boss or Maybe even the police but what would I tell them someone called me and described my clothes it sounded ridiculous in my head then the phone rang again I jumped nearly knocking over my coffee my hand hovered over the receiver not wanting to answer but knowing I had to slowly I

picked it up I I like the way you've tied your hair the voice said immediately my blood turned to ice my hands flew up to my head feeling the Ponytail I pulled my hair into just before my shift started whoever was calling me they weren't guessing they were seeing me right then in real time I stood up from my chair so fast it nearly tipped over who the hell are you I shouted into the phone my voice shaking silence again just the sound of breathing slow and measured like whoever I was wanted me to know

they were calm the opposite of how I felt where are you I demanded the line went dead again I slammed the phone down my heart racing I ran to the windows pulling the blinds back and pairing out into the parking lot it was dark barely lit by a single street light near the entrance I couldn't see anyone no cars besides mine no movement nothing I went back to the door checking the lock again making sure it was still Secure it was the office was locked up tight there was no way anyone could get in without

me knowing but that didn't matter someone was watching me somehow they were watching me and they were close enough to know exactly what I was wearing exactly how I looked I crabbed my phone my personal one and dialed 911 my fingers were trembling so badly that I had to press the buttons twice 911 what's your Emergency I explained what was happening trying to stay calm but my words were coming out in a rush the operator asked me to slow down to explain again I told her I was alone in the office that someone was calling

me describing what I was wearing watching me somehow are you sure the building is secure she asked yes I said glancing at the locked door again there's no way in without a key card I'm the only one here stay on the line she said we're sending someone Over I nodded even though she couldn't see me pacing the room room the phone pressed to my ear I kept looking at the windows half expecting to see a face peering in but there was nothing just the empty parking lot outside then my office phone rang again I stared

at it my heart pounding the operator was still on the line with me but my eyes were locked on the office phone it shrill ring cutting Through the quiet are you still there the operator asked yes I whispered barely able to speak the phone rang again don't answer it she said firmly just stay where you are officers are on their way but I couldn't help myself I had to know I had to hear what they were going to say this time I reached out with a shaking hand and picked up the Receiver stop calling me

I shouted my voice cracking there was a long pause then that same low voice you shouldn't have done that I froze my blood running cold what you shouldn't have called them the foam went dead again I dropped a receiver like it had burned me my legs were shaking so badly I could barely stand I staggered to the window again Pulling the lines aside searching the darkness outside for any sign of movement but the parking lot was empty no one there except there was someone had to be out there watching me I backed away from the

window my back pressing up against the wall I didn't feel safe anymore not even with the doors locked whoever this was They Knew Too Much they were too close the operator was still on the line telling me to stay calm that help was Coming but I couldn't think straight my thoughts were racing my heart pounding so hard I thought I might pass out minutes felt like hours but eventually I saw the flash of red and blue lights through the blinds the police had arrived I ran to the door unlocking it as quickly as I could

two officers came inside their faces serious asking me questions I told them everything about the calls about the voice describing why I was wearing about the way they knew I'd call for help they checked the building every room every closet every corner but they found nothing no signs of forced entry no one outside no one watching the phone calls though they believe me about that they checked the logs and saw the incoming calls but there was no Trace no Number whoever it was had blocked it I never found out who was watching me that night

the police couldn't track the calls and the office was Secure just like I thought but I quit that job the next day I had been driving for hours the dark Road stretching endlessly before me it was late and I was tired the monotony of the highway had begun to blur into the night the lines of the road becoming indistinguishable I decided to stop a Rest area to stretch my legs and grab a quick coffee it was a small place with just a few dim lights flickering overhead and a couple of vending machines lining the walls

after I parked I stepped out of my car taking a deep breath of the cool night air it felt refreshing against my skin I glanced at the empty lot just me and a few other cars parked nearby I've walked to the small building house in the restrooms and vending Machines the flickering lights inside cast Long Shadows on the floor making it feel even more empty I got a coffee from the fending machine and stood there for a moment sipping it slowly trying to shake off the fatig there was something Eerie about The Silence it felt

too quiet I finished my coffee and walked back to my car the sound of my footsteps echoing in the Stillness of the night as I approached I noticed something strange my heart dropped someone was sitting in the driver's seat I froze standing still in disbelief the person was smiling a wide unsettling grin on their face as if they belonged there I could not see their features clearly but the way they were looking at me sent a shiver down my spine what the hell I muttered to myself confusion Flooding my mind I must have locked the

car I was certain of it I stepped back cautiously scanning the part parking lot for anyone else no one was around the other cars sat silently shadows in the dark I tried to convince myself it was some kind of mistake maybe a friend playing a prank but deep down I knew it was something more Sinister hey I shouted trying to sound Confident what are you doing in my car the person just kept smiling their eyes fixed on me with an un settling intensity I felt a rush of adrenaline kick in my instinct screaming at me

to get away I turned to head back toward the building but something held me there a mix of fear and curiosity pulled me back to the car get out of my car I yelled again taking a few cautious steps closer my heart Raced I could not help but wonder how they had gotten in without me noticing as I got closer I tried to look through the tinted windows searching for any hint of who this person was they looked normal enough dressed in a dark jacket and jeans but the smile never wavered it felt wrong I

crapped my phone from my pocket my hands trembling as I prepared to call for help but before I could dial the person suddenly leaned back in the seat as if they were getting Comfortable why are you so worried they said their voice smooth and calm completely at odds with the situation I just wanted to talk talk I echoed my voice rising in disbelief you're in my car get out the person tilted their head slightly still smiling as if they found the entire situation amusing you know it's not very nice to keep me Waiting something inside

me snapped I could did not stand there any longer waiting for something worse to happen I took a few steps back ready to Sprint toward the building and get help but just as I turned the person's voice came again sharper of this time don't you want to know who I am I hesitated glancing back at them now I want you to leave my car now in that moment the smile vanished the person's EXP expression Shifted into something darker you really shouldn't have parked here alone they said the Comm is replaced by an edge that sent

a wave of fear coursing through me I turned and bolted toward the rest area adrenaline fueling my legs I could hear them get out of my car the sound of the door slamming shut echoing in the Stillness behind me my Ark pounded in my chest as I sprinted toward the entrance desperate to put as Much distance between us as possible I pushed through the door rushing inside and locking it behind me I turned to look back through the glass my breath coming in quick bursts I watched as the figure stood there outside illuminated by the

flickering lights staring at me with that same unnerving smile I reached for my phone dialing 911 as quickly as I could I need help I said my voice trembling as I Explained the situation my eyes glued to the figure out outside they stood there unmoving watching me the operator assured me help was on the way but I could not take my eyes off the person I thought about running out the back escaping out of sight but I was paralyzed with fear what if they followed me what if they were waiting for me to make a

move I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears a reminder of how alive I felt yet How close I was to Danger minutes felt like like hours and as I stood there waiting for help to arrive the person outside began to walk closer each step felt like a hammer hitting my chest my hand shook as I GED my phone tightly ready to fight if I had to finally I heard the distant sound of sirens breaking the tension in the Air Relief flooded me but I could not let my guard down yet the figure stopped

just Short of the entrance still watching me a twisted grin on their face it was as if they knew help was coming but did not care they just wanted to savor the moment when the police arrived they stepped out of their car and I rushed to the door flinging it open to tell them what happened I pointed at the figure my voice trembling that person is in my car the Officers moved quickly two of them approaching the figure while the third stayed with me asking questions I watched as they confronted the person who had finally

stopped smiling the conversation was short the officers were firm and I could see them searching the person before leading them away I stayed inside unable to look away the officers walked the person to their car and after some time they finally came back to me they assured me that the Individual was just a hitchhiker who had mistakenly thought my car was unoccupied and was simply looking for a ride still you did the right thing by calling us one officer said it is not safe to be out here alone at night I nodded still shaking I

could hardly process their words I thought about how easily things could have turned out differently if I hadn't trusted my instincts I felt grateful to have Escaped grateful that help had come in time as I finally returned to my car I glanced around the parking lot relief to see that the figure was gone I got inside and locked the doors taking a moment to breathe deeply I was exhausted but I felt a strange sense of Peace wash over me I drove away from that rest area the dark road ahead no longer seeming so endless I

would not be stopping for late night breaks Again I realized how quickly the night could turn from routine to terrifying and I knew I would remember this experience for a long time I went out for a jog like I always do there's this trail near my apartment that I run a few times a week it's nothing fancy just a dirt path that Loops through a bunch of trees and Fields it's quiet most of the time which I liked because I could clear my head and Just focus on the run that day was the same as

any other or at least it started that way I noticed him around the 3M Mark at first I didn't think much of it there are other people who used the trail too and he was just behind me keeping his Pace steady I'd seen a few people on the trail already some walking their dogs or riding bik likes so he didn't stand out he wasn't dressed like a jogger though he wore a dark hoodie and jeans which Seemed off since it was warm out but I Shrugged it off I didn't want to jump to conclusions just

because someone didn't look like the typical Runner I kept going trying to keep my mind on the music playing through my earbuds after another mile or so I realized he was still behind me not close enough to be a problem just there maybe 50 ft back his footsteps were steady but every time I glanced over my shoulder he was keeping up I told myself I was being paranoid that he just happened to be jogging in the same direction I even slowed my Pace to see if he would pass but he didn't when I reached a

fork in the path I decided to take a different route the one that went through the woods it wasn't the main trail more like like a narrow winding side path that didn't get as much foot traffic I figured if he was just out for a run he' keep going on the main trail and I'd lose him that way but as soon as I made the turn I heard his footsteps pick up behind me faster this time I glanced back and saw him heading straight for the same path my chest tightened and I tried to ignore

the Panic Rising Inside Me Maybe he just happened to be going the same way if it didn't mean anything right but then I saw the way he was looking at me it was like he was focused on me like he was locked in and not paying attention to anything else around him that's when I Felt the first real jolt of fear I pushed myself to go faster really digging in and picking up my speed I wasn't exactly a sprinter but I've been joging long enough that I had decent stamina the trail wound around a lot

weaving through the thick tree trees and I thought maybe I could lose him if I kept putting more distance between us but when I listened I could hear him getting Closer he was running now and his footsteps were growing louder I kept looking back and every time I did he was closer than before it didn't make sense how he was catching up so fast like he had been holding back until now I was running at full speed but he was closing the Gap like it was nothing my legs were burning and my lungs felt like

they were on fire but I didn't slow down I Couldn't I saw a split in the trail I had where it forked Again One path went up a steep hill while the other feared off into a thicker patch of woods I didn't know which was better but I took the hill it was harder to run up and my leg screamed at me but I thought if I could get to the top I'd be able to see more get a better view of where he was in me find a way out but as I reached the

top and looked down I saw him charging up the hill barely even Winded he was closer than I thought his eyes fixed right on me there was no mistaking it now he was coming after me I didn't have any doubt left the way he was running the way his face looked I knew he wasn't just out for a jog I sprinted down the other side of the Hill nearly tripping over my own feet as the path got steeper ER the trees were thicker here and the trail was narrower winding around bends that made it hard

to see what was ahead I Didn't care though I kept running darting off the trail at one point and pushing through the underbrush hoping to lose him in the trees the branches scratched in my arms and face but I didn't stop I could hear him crashing through the brush behind me and his footsteps were giving louder he was catching up no matter how fast I ran no matter how many turns I took I stumbled over a fallen log and Nearly went down barely catching myself before I hit the ground I saw clearing up ahead and

ran for it hoping it might lead back to the main trail or a road or something but when I burst through the trees there was nothing there just more wood stretching out in every direction I spun around trying to find a way out and that's when I saw him coming out of the trees behind me he was close now too Close I could see the sweat on his face and the way his mouth Twisted into a CR when he saw me standing there trapped in the clearing I backed away my legs trembling barely able to

hold me up I was exhausted out of breath and there was nowhere left to run stop I shouted my voice coming out horse and weak what do you want he didn't answer just kept walking toward me slow and steady like he had all the Time in the world I backed up until my back hit a tree and I had nowhere left to go I thought about trying to fight him off but I was so tired and he was bigger than me stronger he reached into his pocket and my heart nearly stopped I thought he was

going to pull out a weapon but instead he took out a phone and held it up he was filming me the realization had me like a punch in The gut I wasn't just being chased I was being hunted for sport like this was some kind of sick game to him I didn't know what else to do so I ran again I ran even though I knew I was running un empty I ran because I couldn't just stand there and wait for him to get to me I ran because that was the only thing keeping me

alive I cut back through the trees not even caring if I was on a trail anymore I just kept pushing forward ducking under branches and leaping over Roots finally I saw the edge of the woods up ahead where the tree thinned out and there was open ground I burst out onto a road nearly collapsing as I stumbled onto the asphal a car was coming down the road and I waved my arms shouting for help the car slowed and I ran up to the driver's side pounding on the window please help me I can't Gasped he's

after me the driver a middle-aged woman looked at me with white eyes and she unlocked the door I jumped in and she sped off leaving the Man Standing on the edge of the woods watching his drive away I never went back to that trail again I still jog but only in places where there are lots of people around I keep looking over my shoulder though every time I hear footsteps behind me I can't shake the feeling that he's still out there waiting for another chance I was working late that night it wasn't anything unusual I

had been staying at the office late more of often than not these past few months trying to catch up on all the extra work that kept piling up it was just past 11:00 p.m. when I finally wrapped up and by then the whole building was pretty much empty even the cleaning staff had already gone home the parking garage was On the bottom level a few floors down the stairwell was dim only lit by those old emergency lights and the place always smelled like mildew and stale air if it wasn't exactly the kind of place you

wanted to be in after dark but I was used to it I made my way down the steps my footsteps echoing off the concrete walls as I got closer to the bottom I thought I heard something else it was faint like the sound of footsteps far off in the distance but it was hard to Tell with the way the sound bounced around in there I didn't think much of it at first it could have been anything really and there were still a few other cars in the garage so maybe someone else was working late too

I didn't slow down just kept heading for the row where I parked but as I got closer to my car I heard the footsteps again this time they were more distinct coming from somewhere behind me they Weren't fast more like a slow steady pace and the sound of them seemed to grow louder with each step I took I stopped walking for a moment and turned around but I didn't see anyone the place was dead quiet except for the low hum of the fluorescent lights I strain my ears trying to listen for any other noise but

there was nothing I shook it off and started walking again a little faster this time it was probably just my imagination or The sound of my own footsteps echoing weirdly but as soon as I started moving I heard them again those same footsteps only now they were keeping Pace with me I stopped again in and spun around this time I was sure I'd see someone standing there but there was no one just Rose of parked cars and the empty space stretching out behind me I was getting a bad feeling though I couldn't quite put my

finger online the footsteps or whatever it was Had stopped whenever I did like they were following my lead I felt this chill crawl up the back of my neck and I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't alone I glanced around one more time before turning back toward my car and practically speed walking the rest of the way I could see it now parked under one of the dim lights a few Rose down as I got closer the footsteps started up again louder than Before they were behind me matching my Pace exactly I didn't dare

look back this time I just kept moving my heart racing and my breath coming out a little too fast my keys were in my pocket and I reached for them fumbling around as I tried to pull them out without slowing down I didn't want to break into a run and look paranoid but the urge to just B for my car was getting stronger with each step when I finally reached my car I pulled the keys out and unlocked it yanking open the door I couldn't help it I glanced over my shoulder one more time as

I got in there was still no one there nothing but the footsteps steps had stopped right when I reached my car I slammed the door shut and locked it my hands trembling a little as I shoved the key into the ignition the engine turned over and I let out of breath I didn't realize I'd Been holding I told myself I was being ridiculous that it was just the Acoustics in the garage messing with me but I didn't feel better I kept looking in the rearview mirror as I backed out of the space half expecting to

see someone standing there but it was just empty concrete like always I pulled out of the garage and onto the street telling myself to calm down I figured once I got out of there I'd feel fine it was just nerves or maybe I was just over tired from working too much I made it a few blocks from the office when I noticed something in the rearview mirror it was faint at first but there were headlights behind me a few cars back they seemed to be moving in and out of the traffic getting closer every time

I checked I told myself it was just a coincidence there were plenty of cars on the road and not every one of them was Following me but after a few more turns the same car was still back there and it was definitely keeping Pace with me I could feel my hands tightening on the steering wheel I took a few random turns going down streets I didn't usually take just to see if it was really following me or if I was just imagining things but it stayed right there a couple of cars back it didn't matter

which way I went I took another turn onto a side street and the Car followed I wasn't sure what to do I didn't want to go straight home and have this person know where I lived but I didn't know where else to go either I didn't have anyone nearby that I could just droping on I decided to head toward a busier area figuring that if I got closer to where there were more people around I'd feel safer I made another turn this time down A welllet road with a few shops and restaurants hoping the car

would just keep going straight or pull off somewhere else but it didn't it followed me onto the road staying right behind me I spotted a gas station up ahead and decided to pull in it was one of those 24-hour places with a convenience store and a few cars parked out front I figured if I stopped there the person would just drive un past I pulled Up to one of the pumps and watched in the mirror as the car slowed down as it passed the entrance it didn't pull in but it kept going in a crawl

for a moment before finally speeding off down the road I felt a wave of relief as I watched it disappear but my nerves were still shot I got out of the car and pretended to fill up the tank just standing there for a minute to collect my myself I kept looking around half Expecting the car to Circle back or someone else to show up eventually I got back in my car and drove the rest of the way home checking the mirrors the whole time there was no sign of the car anymore and I made it

back without any more problems but I couldn't shape the feeling of being watched even after I was inside with the doors locked I kept checking the windows making sure I was really alone It's been a few weeks now and I haven't seen that car again I still stay late at work sometimes but I park closer to the entrance where there are more lights and I always made sure to keep my eyes and ears open whenever I'm in that garage I don't know who was following me that night or why but I haven't forgotten those footsteps

it's like they're still echoing in my head whenever I'm alone in a quiet place It started about 3 weeks ago at first I didn't really notice it just thought it was one of those things that happen when you live in an apartment sometimes you hear people upstairs stuff like that but then it got worse and I couldn't ignore it anymore it was this p in sound back and forth over and over again every night it started late always past midnight and kept going until early morning at first I figured maybe my Neighbor was a night

owl or worked some kind of weird hours but it was constant the floor above me creeped with every step back and forth always the same pattern it drove me nuts I even tried sleeping with earplugs a few nights but I could still feel it that do out of footsteps was there pressing into my skull making it impossible to sleep I'd seen the guy who lived up there a few times in the Hallways he looked normal enough probably in his late 30s with a scruffy beard and those tired eyes that make you think they've had a

rough life we never talked much just a polite nod whenever we passed each other he wasn't exactly friendly but he wasn't rude either anyway I got fed up one night after another few hours of pacing it was around 3:00 a.m. and I just snapped I was dead tired and had work early the next morning I crabbed my keys And stomped up the stairs to his door when I got there I was still trying to think of what I was going to say I wasn't sure if I should knock or just shout through the door but

when I reached it I noticed it wasn't closed all the way it was just slightly a jar there wasn't any sound coming from inside no TV no music nothing except the faint creaking of the floorboards when I got closer I pushed the door open a little Enough to peek inside I didn't see anyone but the place was dark except for this th yellow light coming from the hallway I hesitated before I called out hello my voice echoed in the silence there was no answer I waited for a second then stepped inside calling out again ludder

this time still nothing it wasn't like the apartment was big it was just a one-bedroom place so There weren't many places to hide I felt uneasy standing there in a stranger's apartment but something didn't sit right with me about how quiet it was I stepped further inside looking around the living room was messy papers on the coffee table empty cans on the floor clothes scattered everywhere it seemed like no one had been cleaning up in a while I started to think maybe something had happened to Him like he had some kind of emergency and left

the door open but then I noticed something weird there was this pile of stuff on the bed in the bedroom I could see it through the half openen door it looked like clothes and bags just all jumbled together I stepped closer and when I I saw it was on the bed my skin went cold there were things there that didn't belong things that were mine a scarf I thought I'd lost a few weeks ago a pair Of my old running shoes even a few pieces of jewelry I hadn't been able to find for months it

was all just laying there in a messy heap like someone had been collecting it I froze trying to make sense of it why would my things be here I hadn't even been in this guy's apartment before I felt this sick feeling creep up inside me this awful realization that someone must have been taking my things for a while I didn't understand how I Hadn't noticed before but there was no doubt now I was still staring at the bed when I hearded footsteps they weren't coming from outside the apartment they were above me I looked up

and the ceiling seemed to moan with the sound of the pacing back and forth right above my head it didn't make sense this was the top floor of the building there shouldn't have been Anything above us but the roof but the footsteps kept going lot now like someone was stomping around in circles up there I felt this urge to get out of there to just leave and call someone but I couldn't move it was like my feet were clued to the floor I just kept staring at the ceiling listening to those heavy steps then out

of nowhere they stopped there was a long silence and I Found myself holding my breath without even realizing it then the door behind me slammed shut I jumped and spun around but there was no one there the front door was closed tight as if it had never been open in the first place my heart was pounding so hard it hurt I turned back toward the bed but now I noticed something else there was a piece of paper on top of the pile one I hadn't noticed Before I picked it up with shaking hands it was

a photo of me I dropped it like it burned me I don't even know where it came from but it was a picture of me taken from a distance I looked scared in the photo like I knew I was being watched but couldn't see who was taking it to realization that someone had been following me that they'd been inside my apartment without me knowing made my skin Crawl I didn't know what to do I just ran I crapped the door knob and yanked the door open bolting down the stairs as fast as I could I

didn't stop until I was in my own apartment with all the locks secured I kept checking the people waiting for someone to come after me but no one did I called the building manager and told him about what happened he came up with a set of of keys and said he'd Check the place out when he went up there the apartment was empty the door was locked from the inside and he said there was no sign of anyone living there at all it looked like it hadn't been lived in for a while no furniture no

mess nothing I tried to tell him what I saw about the Bed full of my stuff in the photo but he just looked at me like I was crazy he said the place had been vacant for months since the last tenant moved Out there was no guy living there there was no one who could have taken my things I moved out of that building a few days later I didn't sleep much before then kept hearing those Footsteps in my head but pacing back and forth sometimes even now I think I hear them just when it's

late and I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep it's like they're still out there somewhere walking circles above me I was out hiking on a trail I hadn't tried before it was one of those routes off the beaten path nothing fancy just a narrow Trail winding through the woods the trees were thick and it was quiet enough that all I could hear were my own footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves in the Wind I like that sort of thing the peace and being away from people for a bit I'd been walking for maybe

2 hours when I spotted something off to the side a Little way from the trail it was a campsite but there was no sign of anyone around I couldn't see a tent just some gear scattered around on the ground like a couple of backpacks a water bottle some clothes it looked strange because the stuff wasn't in any sort of order it was all just drop there like someone left in a hurry there was a little campfire Circle too but the ashes were old cold and Scattered like it hadn't been used In days it didn't feel

right I thought maybe someone had been camping there and decided to hike further into the woods but who would just leave their stuff like that I walked closer to the campsite looking at the scattered items a rolled up sleeping bag was lying open and some food wrappers were blowing around in the dirt the backpacks were half unzipped but it wasn't like anyone had been rumaging Through them it didn't look like animals had to the place up or anything like that either it just looked abandoned as I bent down to pick up a water bottle I

heard something it was a faint rustling in the bushes off to the side not far away at first I thought it was probably a deer or some other animal so I didn't think much of it but then and it happened again this time it sounded closer I straightened up and looked Around trying to spot any movement in the trees but I didn't see anything hello I called out thinking maybe it was the person who home the campsite anybody there no one answered the rustling stopped for a few seconds and then started up again moving even

closer it was this slow creeping no noise like someone trying to stay quiet while moving through the underbrush I couldn't see who it was Though the bushes and trees were too thick the air felt still and I noticed I was holding my breath without meaning to is someone out there I tried again I found your temp site nothing just more rustling getting closer it was like whoever or whatever it was was circling me moving around the edge of the clearing I turned slowly trying to follow the sound it was coming from different directions now like

there was More than one person but still no one spoke I was starting to feel uneasy that kind of tight feeling in your chest when you know something isn't right I started backing away toward the trail I figured maybe some kids were messing around or maybe someone was trying to scare me but it didn't feel like a joke it was too quiet except for the rustling and whoever was out there wasn't saying a word the campsite the scattered gear The way the sound seemed to follow me it was all wrong as I took another step

I heard a tweak snap loud enough to make me jump it was close too close like someone was right behind me I spun around but there was nothing just the trees and bushes still as ever like they were hiding something the hair on the back of my neck was standing up now and I could feel my pulse hammering in my ears I decided I'd had enough and Started back toward the trail moving quickly I didn't care about being polite or looking through the campsite anymore I just wanted to get out of there as I walked

I kept glancing over my shoulder and that's when I saw a quick blur of movement just out of the corner of my eye it was gone as soon as I looked directly at it but I swear I saw a shape like a person crouched low to the ground just beyond the tree line hey I Shouted who's there the rustling stopped again and for a long moment there was nothing but silence then out of nowhere the sound started up again but this time it wasn't coming from One Direction it was coming from all around me from

the bushes the trees the ground itself it seemed I could hear footsteps now moving slowly deliberately in circles I didn't wait to see who or what It was I started running pushing through the bushes and back onto the trail I didn't care if I looked stupid or if I was imagining things I just ran I kept hearing footsteps behind me getting faster like they were trying to catch up I didn't look back I didn't want to know what was there the trail felt longer on the way back like it was stretching out on purpose the

trees Closing in on me the footsteps behind me seemed to be gaining I could hear them clearly now heavy and uneven like whoever was chasing me was stumbling or tracking something I pushed myself harder not daring to slow down not even for a second just when I thought I couldn't keep running anymore I burst out of the thick Woods onto the dirt road where I had parked my car I didn't even stop to catch my Breath I just fumbled with my keys yanked the door open and threw myself inside I locked the doors and turned

the ignition my hand shaking so bad I almost dropped the keys the car roared to life and I peeled out of there dirt and gravel flying up behind me as I drove away I glanced in the rearview mirror there wasn't anyone on the road behind me but something about the woods didn't look right I thought I saw movement among the trees Just for a second like someone was watching me leave I didn't stop driving until I was Miles Away back on the main road I pulled over at a gas station and sat there breathing hard

trying to make sense of what just happened I thought about calling the police but what would I even say that I heard some rustling in the bushes that I got scared and landan I went back and forth on it for a while But I ended up not calling anyone I didn't know how to explain it and a part of me didn't want to it was like talking about it would make it more real would make whatever was in those woods come back for me I told myself it was probably just some hikers messing around but

it didn't feel like that there was something about that place that was off something that didn't want me there I haven't gone hiking since then even now whenever I hear leaves rustling Or branches creaking it brings me back to that day to the Footsteps in the bushes I don't know who or what was out there and I'm not sure I want to all I know is that I wasn't alone in those woods and I don't think I was supposed to leave I first noticed him a couple of months ago just standing there at his window

at first I thought it was nothing maybe he just happened to be looking outside as I left for work in The morning it didn't seem like much at the time but it kept happening every single day I'd leave my house and like clockwork he'd be there standing at his window just staring out at me it started to get to me the way he'd stand so still just looking down at me from the second floor like he was watching every move I made it wasn't like he was just glancing out he was focused there wasn't even

any attempt to Look casual about it I'd catch his eyes on me as I lock my door or walk down the path and he never looked away it made me uneasy but I told myself I was being paranoid people are allowed to look out their Windows right then one evening I was coming back from work later than usual it was getting dark and I was tired I parked my car and started walking up the path to my door when I saw something lying on the ground it was a piece of folded Paper I picked it

up thinking it might have been some fly or someone left behind but as as soon as I unfolded it I realized it wasn't that it was a note handwritten in messy letters that looked like they've been scrolled down quickly the words on the Note they were describing my routine least I Al at 7:15 every morning comes back around 6:30 most nights sometimes runs late on Wednesdays usually picks up groceries on Sundays it went on like that listing things I did almost every every day the times I'd been out late with friends the mornings when I'd

gone for a jog instead of driving to work there were details in there that even I didn't really think about things like the fact I've watered my plants every 3 days or that i' usually check my mail in the morning before I left it took a minute for it to sink in but then my stomach dropped someone had been watching me Really watching me keeping track of what I did when I did it and writing it all down I looked up at his window it was dark but I could just barely see a figure standing

back in the shadows I couldn't make out his face but I knew it was him it had to be he was the only one who would have been able to see all of that from his window I went inside locking the door behind me quickly my hand shaking as I twisted the dead Bolt I stood there in my entryway for a while just just listening trying to calm down I kept expecting to hear footsteps outside or a knock at the door but there was nothing just the usual evening noises from the neighborhood I thought about

calling the police but what would I say that my neighbor was looking out his window too often that someone left a creepy note on my doorstep I wasn't even sure if they Would do anything about it I kept telling myself it was probably nothing maybe it was just a prank some kid messing around but deep down it didn't feel like that it felt personal for the next few days I tried to change up my routine I left at different times took different routes anything to make it harder to keep track of me but every time

I went out I still saw him there Standing at his window it didn't matter if it was early in the morning or late at night night if I was coming back from work we just stepping out to get the mail he was always there watching one night I decided I needed to do something I thought maybe I'd go over and confront him or at least ask him what his deal was it was late almost midnight and his lights were on I could See him at the window again but this time he was standing closer his

face almost pressed up against the glass I could see his eyes clearly for the first time they were just staring straight at me wide and unblinking he didn't look away not even though I stepped closer to the edge of my property I hesitated suddenly unsure if I should actually go up to his door something about the way he was Looking at me made my skin crawl it wasn't just a passing glance it was intense like he was studying me I could feel his following me as I backed away and turned toward my own house the

next morning I found another note this time it was taped to my front door it wasn't a list like before it was just a few lines written in that same scratchy handwriting why don't you come Over I know you've noticed me I've seen you looking back that was enough I called the police that day I told them about the notes about him always being at the window and how it was making me feel unsafe they sent a couple of officers over who talked to him for a few minutes then came back to me they said

he didn't admit to anything and that it wasn't illegal to stand at a window in your own House they keep an eye on things but there wasn't much they could do I felt frustrated like they weren't taking me seriously that night I didn't sleep well I kept waking up thinking I heard something like footsteps outside my window or the creaking of the floorboards in the hallway I was starting to think I was going crazy the next day I decided to stay With a friend for a while just to clear my head when I came back

home a few days later it felt different the house was quiet too quiet it didn't feel like mine anymore like something had changed while I was gone I checked all the rooms making sure everything was in place but there was nothing out of the ordinary but as I walked back toward the front door something caught my eye a small black USB drive was sitting on the Doorm like it had been left there on purpose I hadn't seen it when I first walked in so it must have been put there while I was inside I took

it inside not sure if I should even touch it it could have been anything but my curiosity got the better of me and I plugged it into my laptop there was only one file on it a VL it was dark and greeny like it had been taken on a phone camera with a Shaky hand I recognized the ankle almost immediately it was from this window pointing directly at my house it showed me coming and going day after day there were even videos of me inside my house Through the Windows doing everyday things cooking watching TV

even sleeping I felt sick like I was going to throw up I pulled the USB drive out and ran to the phone to call the police again this time they took it more Seriously they came over and checked everything but when they went to his house no one answered the door they said they come back with a warrant but by the time they did the place was empty he was gone I haven't seen him since I don't know where he went and I don't care to find out I moved a couple of months after that

to a new town I keep my curtains closed all the time now and I don't stay in one place For too long I still think about those videos sometimes about how long he must have been watching me before I even noticed how he knew everything about me things I didn't even realize about myself it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it I don't know what he wanted or what would have happened if ID stayed any longer I just know that I was lucky to get out when I did I was out late that night

later than I usually stay up I couldn't sleep so I thought a walk might help clear my head the air was cool and the beach was quiet the waves just rolling in and out with that steady sound there wasn't anyone else around that I could see and that was the whole point I wanted to be alone just me and the sound of the ocean I was a little way down the shore maybe a mile or so from the nearest beach access when I first saw it out There a bit past where the waves started to

break there was someone standing in the water it was dark so at first I thought it might have been some Driftwood or a buoy or something but as I got closer I could see it was definitely a person a man he was just standing there chest deep in the water facing toward the shore facing me he wasn't moving I stopped walking I didn't know what to think at First maybe it was someone fishing in or just messing around out there but something about the way he stood so still with the water pushing and pulling at

his body didn't look right his arms hung at his sides and he didn't seem to be struggling or anything just standing there and he was staring right at me I kept my distance just standing there on the sand wondering what I should do I didn't want to get too close to the water it was cold and there was a rip Current warning out earlier in the day I wasn't about to go waiting in to check on some guy who might have just been drunk or something I took a step back and that's when he moved

it was slow just a small shift but his head tilted to the side like he was studying me his eyes didn't leave mine I could just barely make out his face in the Moonlight he didn't look scared or Desperate like someone who needed help would he looked Cal if that makes any sense Cal in a way that felt wrong like he was waiting for something I turned to keep walking trying to pretend like I didn't see him my heart was starting to pick up a bit but I told myself it was nothing just some weird

guy in the water I didn't knowe him anything I wasn't going to get involved I glanced back after a few steps just to see if he'd gone back to Whatever he was doing he he was closer he'd taken a few steps toward the shore the water now up to his waist he was still staring at me and I froze there was something in the way he moved how slow and deliberate his steps were I took another step back and he moved again matching me this time his head tilted to the other side like he was

listening for something I felt a chill go down my spine that had nothing to do with the Cold night air I started to back away faster putting more distance between us every time I took a step he'd moved to dragging himself closer to the shore always keeping his eyes on me he wasn't running or splashing around it was like he was pacing himself but for what I didn't know I turned around and started walking faster trying to shake off the feeling that something was very wrong I could hear the waves behind me The sound of

getting softer as I got farther from the water I was almost at the Dune when I glanced back again he was out of the water now standing on the wet sand his clothes clung to him dark and soaked and his feet were sinking a bit into the monk but his eyes they didn't look like they were seeing the beach they were fixed on me as if he was locked in and there was no expression on his face no Anor no fear no nothing Just blank that's when I started running I didn't know why and I

felt stupid for it but my legs just took over and I was running up the beach past the dunes and onto the pack path that led back to the road I kept glancing over my shoulder as I ran and every time he was still there still walking after me never speeding up just keeping that slow steady Pace I couldn't hear him though That's what was strange you think I would have heard his footsteps on the sand the slap of what feet hitting the ground but there was nothing just my own breathing in the thump of

my heartbeat in my ears when I reached the path I thought I was safe I told myself he wouldn't follow me off the beach that maybe he was just some crazy guy who liked to scare people but as I reached the top of the Dune and looked back there he was coming up the Path behind me still walking it was like he knew exactly how much distance to keep like he didn't need to rush because he'd catch up with me eventually I kept running I couldn't help it I ran until my lungs burned and the

beach was far behind me but when I looked back there he was always there never losing sight of me I turned down a side road hoping to lose him in the dark the street Lights were few and far between out there and it felt like I was running into a black tunnel I could see a few houses in the distance all with their lights off and I thought about banging on one of their doors but then I thought what if he sees me do that what if he waits outside what if he knows I'm in

there so I kept running weaving through streets taking random turns trying to make sure he couldn't keep up I was gasping for Air and my legs felt like they were made of lead I had to stop for a second leaning against a tree to catch my breath that's when I heard it footsteps they were slow deliberate just like before I looked up and saw him just a little way down the street it was like no matter where I went he knew exactly where I was he just keep finding me there was no running from him

I turned down the nearest driveway and Ran toward a house with a dim porch light on I banged on the door not even caring if I woke someone up or scared them I just needed to get inside away from him I glanced back and I saw I'm standing at the end of the driveway his shadow stretching out toward me in the light the door opened and a man stepped out looking half asleep I pushed past him breathless trying to explain what was happening happening but it all came out as a Jumbled mess I pointed down

the driveway but when I looked back the man wasn't there anymore he was gone like he'd never even been there at all the guy who answered the door thought I was some kind of nut case I could see it in his eyes but he let me use his phone to call someone I called my friend and had him come pick me up I didn't leave the house until my friend pulled up in his car and I made him stay on the line with me the The whole time we drove around a bit before heading back

to my place I kept looking out the window half expecting to see the guy walking down the street but I never saw him again I don't know what he wanted why he was out there or how he always seemed to know where I was it's been a few weeks since that happened and I haven't been back to the beach since I don't think I ever Will I still feel like there's someone watching me sometimes like those eyes are still on me even though I haven't seen him again I don't know who he was or what

he wanted but I'm not taking any chances I don't go out alone at night anymore I don't know if that's enough to keep him away but it's the only thing that makes me feel a little safer I was on the subway pretty late that night later than I planned I'd stayed out longer with some Friends and by the time I got to the station it was almost midnight the platform was mostly empty just a couple of people scattered around keeping to themselves The train pulled up and I got on picking his seat toward the middle

of the car at first first I didn't notice the guy sitting across from me I was just staring at my phone trying to stay awake but after a minute I got that feeling like someone was looking at me You know I glanced up and there he was sitting across from me staring right at me he was maybe in his 40s wearing a dark jacket and had this blank look on his face his eyes didn't move when I looked at him they just stayed fixed on me like he was studying my face I tried to ignore

it at first I thought maybe he's just zoning out or something I went back to my phone but Every few seconds I could feel his eyes on me it wasn't just a quick glance or anything he wasn't looking away not even when I shifted in my seat it was like he didn't care if I noticed the train stopped and a couple of people got off I I hoped some new people would get on but nobody did it was just me and him now the doors closed and the train started moving again I glanced up again

just for a second and I saw him get up he didn't rush or Anything he just stood up and walked a few steps closer taking his seat a couple of rows down from where he was before I felt my pulse pick up a little there was no reason for him to move closer the whole car was empty except for us and it wasn't like he was moving to the door to get off soon I tapped my head down pretending to be busy with my phone but I wasn't really looking at anything I could still feel

him staring At me like the air between us had gotten heavier the neck stopped Kan and I thought about getting off but it was late and I wasn't really close to home yet I didn't want to be stuck waiting for another Train by myself so I stayed on the door shut and the train started again I could hear him move just a shuffle of his shoes against the floor when I glanced up he was sitting in the row behind me now just Off to the side close enough that I could see him out of the

corner of my eye he didn't say anything I didn't hear him breathe or move or anything but I knew he was right there staring at me I tried to stay calm telling myself I was overreacting but then at the next stop he moved again this time he sat down right next to me I could feel the seat shift under His weight I froze just staring at my phone but I could see him in my peripheral vision see how he was turned toward me still watching I didn't know what to do my mind was racing trying

to think if I should get up and move but I was afraid if I did he'd follow me or Worse the next stop was coming up and I made up my mind to get off no matter what I didn't care if it wasn't my stop I just Needed to get away from him when the train started to slow down I stood up quickly and made my way to the door the whole time I could feel his eyes on my back the doors opened and I stepped out onto the platform I didn't look back right away

I just kept walking heading toward the exit but then I heard footsteps they weren't running just a steady Pace behind me and I glanced back to see him stepping off the train he was Following me I walked faster practically jogging but he tapped up I could hear the echo of his footsteps getting louder there were no other people around and the platform felt like it was a mile long the exit seemed so far away and I was terrified that if I ran it would set him off like it would turn this into a Chase I

finally reached the stairs and started to go up taking them two at a time I could hear him behind me his footsteps quickening now I burst out Onto the street and the night air hit me like a slab there weren't many people around just a few cars passing by I looked back and he was coming up the stairs not running just walking with that same calm steady Pace it was like he knew I couldn't get away no matter how fast I tried to go there was a convenience store across the street and the lights inside

were bright I ran for it nearly tripping as I hit the curb I shoved the door open and Hurried inside heading straight to the counter where the cashier was I didn't even know what to say I just stood there out of breath looking over my shoulder to see if the man had followed me in but he didn't he was standing on the sidewalk just outside the store he didn't come closer didn't try to open the door he just stood there staring in through the glass his face expressionless it was like he was Waiting for me

to come back out the cashier asked if I was okay and I just nodded trying to catch my breath I couldn't explain what had happened I didn't even know what was happening myself I told the cashier I was going to stay inside for a bit just until I felt safe to leave I kept watching the man outside he didn't move for a long time he just kept staring like he was Deciding something then after what felt like forever he finally turned and walked away down the sidewalk he didn't look back he he didn't hurry it

was like he had all the time in the world I waited a good while before I left the store when I did I had my phone in my hand ready to call someone if I saw him again but the street was empty there was no sign of him Anywhere I practically ran the rest of the way home looking over my shoulder the whole time I still take the subway sometimes but I never stay out that late anymore I keep thinking I'll see him again sitting across from me staring without blinking and I don't know what

I'd do if that happened I keep wondering what he wanted why he was following me and if he'd done that to someone else before I try not to think about it but It's hard when every little sound makes me jump and every person on the train feels like they're watching me I don't know if I'll ever feel safe taking the Subway at night again but I guess I'm lucky that I got away I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't I had gone to the laundromat pretty late that night it was the only

time I could fit it in and I liked it better when it was quiet Most people were already home by then so it was usually just me and a few empty machines when I walked in the place was almost empty just one guy sitting on one of the plastic chairs by the dryers I didn't think anything of him at first he was kind of slouched in his seat just staring off into space I dumped my basket of clothes onto a folding table and started sorting them into the washing machine I kept my head down trying

to Get it done fast but every time I looked up I noticed the guy was still sitting there not moving his eyes were fixed on me I didn't want to overreact but there was something about the way he stared it wasn't casual it was like he didn't even blink I ignored him and kept loading the washer I figured he was just killing time while waiting for his clothes to dry when I looked up again though he wasn't sitting in the chair Anymore I didn't hear him move but now he was standing closer just a couple

of machines down from where I was his head was tilted a little and he had this strange half smile on his face hey I said trying to sound casual need to use this one I gestured to the washer I was using he didn't answer just kept staring at me with that same weird smile I felt my skin start to crawl it wasn't just that he was looking at me it was house still he was like he was Waiting for something I turned back to my laundry and finished loading the machine then I put the quarters

in and started it I crapped a rest of my clothes and headed over to the dryer on the other side of the room trying to put some space between us I kept glancing over my shoulder and I saw him go back to the chair and sit down again but now he was watching me even more intently his eyes following me wherever I moved I decided to ignore him maybe he Was just weird or lonely or something and I was letting it get to me I pulled my phone out and started scrolling just to keep myself

distracted while I waited after a few minutes I reached into my laundry basket to start folding some of the clean clothes I had taken out of the dryer earlier but something wasn't right there was a shirt missing I knew I had put it in there but it was gone I looked up and there he was again standing right near the folding Table a little closer than before that smile was still on his face I tried to stay calm and asked him if he'd seen the shirt that had been in my baset he didn't say anything

he just shook his head slowly that smile not fading even a little it was like he was amused by the whole thing I was getting frustrated and a bit freak freaked out at this point but I didn't want to start Anything I went back to folding the rest of my clothes but I kept my eye on him this time I didn't look away for more than a second every time I glanced back he was still there that same smile that same look a few minutes passed and I noticed another piece of clothing was gone this

time it was one of my socks it didn't make any sense it wasn't like the sock could have just fallen out of the basket without me noticing it felt like he was messing With me on purpose but I hadn't seen him move I looked at him directly and I could see the look in his eyes change slightly like he was daring me to say something I finally confronted him are you taking my stuff I asked louder than I'd meant to my voice echoed a little in the empty laundromat he didn't flinch look away he just

stood there staring at me with that creepy smile I didn't touch your clothes he Said in a voice that was almost too calm like he was used to lying or something you must have misplaced them I knew he was lying there was no one else in the place and I had been right there the whole time I stepped closer to him trying to see if he had anything in his hands or his pockets but he just kept smiling like he was in on some joke that I wasn't check your basket again he said his voice

still calm but with a hint of something else something that sent a Shiver down my spine I turned back to my basket and started digging through it looking for the missing shirt and sock I knew they wouldn't be there but I didn't know what else to do when I looked up he had moved closer again he was standing right at the edge of the folding table now barely a foot away from me his smile whitened and I saw something in his eyes like a flicker of excitement it was like he was enjoying Watching me get

worked up I stepped back trying to put some distance between us I didn't want to turn my back on him but I also didn't want to stay in that place any longer I crapped what was left of my laundry and shoved it into the basket I'm leaving I said trying to keep my voice steady you can keep whatever you took he didn't say anything just kept watching me as I headed toward the door I could feel his eyes on my back And I half expected him to grab me or try to stop me but he

didn't I pushed open the door and stepped out into the cold night air as I walked away I glanced back through the glass window of the laundromat he was still standing there in the same spot that smile Frozen on his face like he hadn't moved at all he didn't follow me out he didn't even watch me leave it was like he was satisfied with Whatever game he had been playing when I got home I went through my laundry again and just like I thought the shirt and sock were still missing I don't know what he

did with them or why he took them I didn't go back to that laundr man after that and I made sure to start doing my laundry during the day even if it was crowded I keep thinking about the he looked at me like he was waiting for me to figure something out like he knew Something I didn't I don't know what he was after but the way he smiled it felt like he was telling me I'd never really be able to understand it even if I wanted to I'm just glad I left when I did

I had been driving for hours that day it was one of those long stretches where there's nothing but trees and Fields for miles and I was starting to feel tired I needed to stop stretch my legs and use the Bathroom there wasn't much around just a small rest area off the highway it was the only place I'd seen for what felt like forever so so I pulled over the parking lot was empty except for one beat up truck parked a little ways off it didn't look like anyone was inside so I didn't think much about

it I cracked my bag and got out of the car the air was cool and the wind was blowing hard enough to rustle the leaves and the trees around the lot the Rest area itself was just a small brick building a few picnic tables and an old pay Pham that probably didn't work anymore when I walked into the bathroom it was empty just as I thought the lights flickered a bit that kind of yellowish light you see in places like that it wasn't the cleanest place but i' seem worse I went into one of the

Stalls took ter business and then went to the sinks to wash my Hands as I was scrubing my hands under the cold water I heard something it was soft almost like a faint breath at first I thought it was the pipes or the wind blowing outside but then I heard it again this time it was clear and it sent a chill through me it was my name I froze my hands still under the running water it wasn't loud more like a whisper it seemed to come from the far end of the room where the last

stall was I turned off the faucet and listened but I didn't hear anything else the bathroom was silent except for the M of the fluorescent lights above I told myself I was just tired hearing things because I was exhausted from the drive but something in me couldn't shake the feeling that someone was there I took a few steps toward the Stalls peeking under each door as I passed the first two were empty when I Reached the last stall I hesitated I didn't know why I was so scared but my heart was pounding in my chest

I bent down slowly and looked under the door there was no one there it was completely empty I felt a bit silly and almost laughed at myself I was getting worked up over nothing I stood up and walked back to the sink drying my hands with one of those rough paper towels that never seem To work very well but just as I was about to toss the towel in the trash I realized something I reached into my pocket where I had put my car key before coming inside they weren't there I checked my other Pockets

thinking maybe I'd switch them without realizing but they were gone I turned and scanned the bathroom floor even looking back inside the stall I had used but there was nothing my keys had just Vanished Panic started to set in I thought maybe I dropped them outside or left them in the car so I hurri out of the bathroom and ran back to the parking lot my car was still parked right where I left it and I could see through the window that the keys weren't inside I was standing there my mind racing trying to figure

out where they could have gone then I heard it again the voice it was my name whispered again This time coming from the direction of the bathroom it was the same soft tone the same way it seemed to almost float on the air I turned back toward the building and my old body felt tense like every muscle was wound up too tight there was no one else around no sign of anyone that beat up truck was still parked a little ways off but the windows were so dirty that I couldn't see inside I took a

few steps back toward The bathroom trying to convince myself that I had just missed the keys somehow maybe they' fallen behind the sink or maybe I had put them down on the edge and forgotten but as I got closer I saw something that made my stomach drop there right at the entrance to the bathroom was my caring it was lying on the ground just a few feet inside the doorway I hadn't dropped them there I was sure of that I hadn't even been near The door after I came in I walked up slowly and picked

them up glancing around like I expected someone to jump out from behind the Stalls or something I couldn't stay there any longer I I hurried back to my car practically running I unlocked the door got inside and shoved the keys into the ignition I was about to start the car when I saw something in the side mirror there was a man standing by the entrance Of the bathroom right where I had found my keys he was just standing there not moving staring at me I hadn't seen him before and I had no idea where he

could have come from it was like he just appeared out of nowhere his clothes were dirty and his hair was long and messy I couldn't see his face clearly from where I was but I could feel him watching me his eyes locked on me Through the glass I didn't wait to see what he was going to do I turned the key started the car and tore out of that parking lot as fast as I could as I sped down the highway I kept checking the rearview mirror half expecting to see that man standing in the

middle of the road behind behind me or even following me somehow but there was nothing just the empty stretch of road and the dark trees on either side I Didn't stop again until I reached the next town and even then I stayed in my car for a while before I went inside to get gas I kept thinking about that voice Whispering my name and the way my keys had Shone up right by the door like someone had placed them there on purpose and that man I don't know what he was doing there or why he

was watching me but I can't can't shake the feeling that he had been there the whole Time hiding somewhere just out of sight I don't know if he was the one Whispering or if it was just my mind playing tricks on me but I haven't stopped thinking about it since I keep wondering what would have happened if I hadn't left when I did would he have followed me inside would I have even seen him if I hadn't turned around when I did I'll never go back to that rest area again I don't care how tired

I am or how far I Driven I'd rather keep driving through the night than stop somewhere like that ever again I was on a longdistance train heading through the countryside late at night it was one of those overnight night rides where you get a private compartment I figured it would be a good way to get some rest while still making my way to the next city the train wasn't crowded there couldn't have been more than a dozen people scattered in Different cars I remember thinking how quiet it was when I boarded I could barely hear

a thing except the faint hum of the engine and the rattling of the tracks beneath I had settled into my compartment sometime after dinner the door had a lock which made me feel safe enough to drift off for a bit I remember looking at the window at the dark Fields passing by the way the Moonlight glinted Off the tops of the trees after a while the motion of the train started to low me to sleep so I turned off the light pulled a blanket over myself and closed my eyes I don't know what woke me

up exactly but when I opened my eyes I knew something wasn't right the first thing I noticed was that it was colder in the room than it had been earlier I sat up still cruy rubbing my eyes and that's when I saw the door to My compartment was open not just unlocked but cracked open about 6 in I had locked it before lying down I was sure of that I always double check things like that the hallway outside was dark and there was no sign of anyone it was just a thin strip of Blackness showing

through the crack in the door door I reached over and turned on the light the compartment looked the same as before except for one thing my bag was Missing it had been on the seat across from me when I went to sleep and now it was gone I got up opened the door fully and leaned out into the hallway it was empty nobody was walking around and all the other compartment doors were shot I listened for any sounds footsteps talking anything but the the only thing I could hear was the low Rumble of the train

I thought maybe the bag had slid off the seat or something so I checked The whole compartment even underneath the bed nothing it was gone my heart was racing and I kept telling myself that I must have misplaced it that there had to be some explanation but I knew deep down that someone had been in there someone had come in while I was asleep and taken it I left the compartment and started walking down the corridor I tried knocking on a few doors But no one answered I wasn't sure if anyone else was even awake

the whole car felt deserted like I was the only person there eventually I made my way to the staff car and found one of the attendants he was an older guy probably in his late 50s and he looked like he'd been dozing off in a chair I told him what happened that my compartment door had been open open and my bag was missing he didn't seem too Concerned at first just kept blinking like he was trying to wake up are you sure you locked it he asked me as if I wouldn't have checked I told

him I was positive I explained again that someone must have come in that there was no way the bag just disappeared on its own he stood up and followed me back to my compartment checking the door in the lock it was still working fine no signs of Damage he looked around inside for a minute then glanced at me with this sort of doubtful expression there's no one else in this car besides the staff he said and no one reported seeing anyone wandering around I didn't know how to respond to that I mean the bag was

gone there wasn't really any other way to explain it but he kept insisting it couldn't have been a passenger he said maybe the bag got Misplaced somehow or that I could have moved it and didn't remember which was ridiculous because I hadn't touched it since lying down I started to wonder if someone on the staff had taken it there weren't many other options that made sense but when I asked if there were cameras on the train the attendant shook his head and said there weren't any in the compartments he assured me that he would Notify

the rest of the staff and see if anyone had noticed anything but his tone made it clear he didn't believe me after the that I went back to my compartment closed the door and locked it again I didn't bother trying to sleep I just sat there staring at the door listening to every Sound Outside every Creek of the train every Ratt felt like it could be someone sneaking around out there I kept imagining someone standing on the other Side of the door just waiting I checked the time still hours until the train would reach the

next stop I I didn't know what else to do so I started going through my ad trying to remember everything that had been in the bag my wallet my phone charger a few clothes some snacks and my ID my mind kept spinning back to my ID it had my address on it all my personal information whoever took it now knew Exactly what it was eventually I started hearing voices coming from the hallway it was a couple of the staff talking in low hones I opened the door to see what was going on they saw me

and came over telling me that they'd searched the entire train and hadn't found my bag and no one else had seen anyone strange out of place I tried asking if they could search the other compartments but they Said they couldn't do that without permission they offered to fill out a report for Lost Property once we got to the next station but that was all they could do I was on my own the rest of the ride felt like a nightmare I kept expecting the door to Creak open again kept waiting for some stranger's face to

appear in the window staring in at me I sat there with my back against the wall eyes on the door Too scared to even blink when we finally reached the station in the morning I was the first one off the train I reported the theft to the station authorities but they didn't seem optimistic about finding anything they said if my bag turned up they contact me but I could tell from the look in their eyes that they'd heard this kind of thing before and it RAR ended well I haven't gotten any calls haven't Heard a

word about the bag since I ended up replacing my ID and credit cards but I still think about it every time I travel now the worst part wasn't losing the stuff it was knowing that someone had been in my space while I was completely unaware just a few feet away from me and I had no idea who they were or what they wanted it's been months and I still can't shake the feeling that someone was watching me that night that they were closer than I Realized sometimes I wonder if they followed me off the train

if they're out there somewhere with my ID my address I've even started locking my bedroom door at night as if that will make a difference but I still wake up sometimes with that same cold feeling and I find myself listening for the sound of footsteps outside the door I had a long day at work and all I wanted was to grab some groceries and Head home the little grocery store I usually went to was only a few blocks away it was a small place place not the sort of store you would see bustling with activity

at that hour it was quiet and I felt grateful for that I parked my car in the lot turned off the engine and stepped out into the cool evening air while I walked in I noticed the faint hum of the fluorescent lights overhead and the slightly stale smell of old produce the store was mostly empty just A few other customers quietly shopping and I quickly gathered what I needed some fruit fruits bread a few Ked goods and a box of cereal I moved through the aisles picking things up feeling a little better as I filled

my basket the routine was comforting after a long day I made my way to the checkout counter the cashier a woman in her mid-40s looked up at me while I approached at first her expression Seemed friendly enough but as I placed my items on the counter her smile vanished she stared at the items for a moment then looked at me and it was like something shifted in her eyes there was a blankness a disconnect um I just need to check out I said trying to keep my tone light but I felt a little uneasy she

blinked a few times and then shook her head I can't ring those up I Paused surprised what do you mean I just want to buy these I can't she repeated her voice flat there was no explanation just a stubborn refusal that seemed so out of place in that small grocery store why not I pressed feeling my irritation growing is there something wrong with the Register her gaze flicked to the door behind me and back at my items her jaw tightening as if she were weighing something in her mind you should leave she said finally her

voice low almost a whisper you shouldn't be here confused I glanced around the store half expecting someone to LEAP out from behind a shelf there was no one else in line and the other Shoppers had disappeared into the aisles the hair's on the back of my neck Prickled is this a joke I just want to buy my groceries leave now she said her voice sharper it was like a warning but I didn't understand I felt a wave of unease wash over me something about her tone made me feel like I was being watched like there

was something lurking in the shadows of that dim store I took a step back feeling a little Shaky all right I said backing away from the counter the basket feeling heavier in my hands I turned and walked out my mind racing with confusion and discomfort once outside I took a deep breath trying to shake off the strange encounter I walked to my car a little blue sedan parked in the far corner of the lot it was still dark outside and the street lights cast Long Shadows across the Pavement as I approached my car I felt

an odd sensation prickling at the back of my mind like someone was watching me again when I reached my car my stomach dropped I saw it immediately a long scratch running from the front of my vehicle all the way to the back Jagged and deep shining like a fresh wound in the dim light it was hard to breathe as I moved closer my heart racing someone had keyed my car but that was an all a note had been left on my Windshield folded neatly in half with trembling hands I picked it up and unfolded it

my pulse pounding in my ears it read simply stay out out my heart sank I looked around the parking lot half expecting someone to jump out and confront me but it was empty just Shadows dancing in the light of the street lamps the realization Hit me hard someone had been watching me following me I felt exposed and vulnerable the adrenaline searched Through me and I quickly scanned the area again I rushed to my car glancing around my heart pounding louder with every step I fumbled with my keys trying to unlock the door but it felt

like my fingers were moving in slow motion finally the door clicked open and I jumped inside locking it behind me as if that would keep whatever was out there at Bay I sat in my car Breathing heavily feeling the weight of that note pressing Down on me I glanced back at the store hoping to catch a glimpse of the cashier maybe she had seen something maybe she knew something more than she let on but the store stood quiet and still the lights flickering above the entrance I couldn't stay there I couldn't risk being trapped my

instinct screamed for me to leave I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot glancing in the rearview mirror one last time before Heading home I drove fast my hands cripping the steering wheel feeling a mix of fear and aner as I navigated the quiet streets I kept thinking about that cashier's warning it was like a warning bell ringing in my mind what had she seen who had done this to my car once I got home I locked the door behind me checking all the windows before allowing myself to relax the ow felt

safe but I still Couldn't shake the tread that hum over me I sat down trying to make sense of everything but the Fe fear lingered knowing at me in the days that followed I couldn't stop thinking about it I reported the damage to my car but the police couldn't do anything without leads I went back to that grocery store a few days later hoping to speak with the cashier but she was gone replaced by a younger girl who had no idea what I was talking About I started avoiding the store alt together shopping elsewhere always

looking over my shoulder feeling like I was being wost Ed that note haunted me a constant reminder of how quickly things could turn strange and dangerous I never found out who would teed my car or why I never returned to that store again in my mind it was a place that held Secrets a shadowy corner of my life that I wanted to forget but the memory stayed with me a Warning to stay alert to trust my instincts and to be cautious in a world where danger could be lurking just out of sight it was late

one evening when I found myself driving through a small town feeling the hunger GW in my stomach I had been on the road for hours and the sun had dipped below the Horizon leaving the sky dark and for boing the diner stood out like a beacon against the night a warm light spilling From its Windows it looked inviting enough so I parked my car and stepped inside the door jingled Softly As I entered but as soon as I crossed the threshold I felt an unsettling hush fall over the place it was as if someone had

hit a pause button on the world I glanced around my eyes Meeting those of the patrons a group of older men sat in a corner move their laughter halted Mid-sentence a couple at the counter turned to stare at me their Forks suspended in midair even the waitress paused her mouth slightly aape as she stood behind the counter I felt my cheeks heat under their scrutiny but I crushed it off as me being overly sensitive I had traveled enough to know that small towns often have a way of making newcomers feel like Outsiders I approached the

counter forcing A Smile as I took a seat the waitress eventually shook herself out of her stuper and walked over her expression unreadable what can I get you she asked her voice steady but flat I scanned the menu trying to ignore the way everyone was watching me I'll have a cheeseburger and fries I replied attempting to keep my tone light and a coffee Please she raised an eyebrow a flicker of something concerned Crossing ing her face before she jotted it down I noticed she hesitated before moving away glancing back at me as she disappeared into

the kitchen the murmurs that had filled the diner before I arrived faded into silence replaced by the sound of pots and pans clanging in the back I sat there trying to shake off the strange feeling knowing in my insides the burger would be here soon I Thought I pulled out my phone hoping to distract myself but even the flickering screen could not drown out the sensation of being watched I could feel their eyes pouring into me piercing through the haze of the diner's dim lighting I turned to look out the window pretending to be interested

in the view of the empty Street outside the night was still the only sounds coming from the diner Itself a chill crept up my spine and I pulled my jacket tighter around me feeling a sense of tread begin to settle in my stomach when the waitress turned she placed my coffee in front of me without making a contact I tried to catch her gaze hoping for some indication that everything was normal but she avoided my eyes I took a sip of the bitter Brew its warmth spreading through me and finally my burger arrived steaming and

Glistening with melted cheese as I bit into it I noticed that the chatter around me had completely ceased every other Diner was still their eyes locked on me as if I were some sort of spectacle I chewed slowly the taste of the burger fading as the silence enveloped me it was unsettling I looked around again trying to cage what was happening the men in the corner were rigid their hands Clenching their Forks the couple at the counter barely breathing suddenly they all stood up in unison as if they had rehearsed this exact moment my heart

raced I was trapped surrounded by a sea of eyes all focused solely on me I felt exposed a feeling I had never experienced before in a public place I swallowed hard suddenly unsure if I was in a diner or a stage play where I had not read the script is there A problem I managed to say my voice trembling slightly I did not know what else to say their silence hung heavy in the air and I felt the weight of their collect of gaze pressing down on me the waitress finally spoke her voice low but

clear you should leave she said her expression still unreadable yet the seriousness of her tone sent a shiver through Me why I asked bewildered what's going on the diner was still and the silence grew louder I caught a glimpse of fear in her eyes before she glanced back at the other customers it was a look that made my skin crawl you don't belong here one of the men finally spoke his voice grappl and rough like gravel crunching underfoot his words struck me like a Physical blow and I felt my heart skip a beat I put

down my burger my appetite evaporating in an instant I'm just passing through I said my voice a shaky whisper I mean no harm the man stepped closer and I instinctively slid back on my stool trying to create distance he looked around the room and I followed his gaze realizing the other patrons had begun to shift as if they were preparing to Move my instinct screamed at me to run I really should be going I stammered trying to rise from my seat I could feel the air thicken around me attenion I had never encountered before the

waitress stepped forward urgency in her eyes just go she urged her voice a little louder now please without thinking I cracked my jacket fumbling with my things my heart pounding in my Chest I glanced around seeing the crowd Still Standing all of them fixated on me their expressions a mixture of fear and something else I couldn't place I dashed for the door feeling as if I were in a dream the diner bluring behind me as I pushed through I burst outside the cool night air hitting my face like a splash of cold water I quickly

made my way to my car the thumping of my heart echoing in my ears I fumbled with my teas my fingers Trembling I glanced back at the diner and I saw them watching me through the window their faces like Shadows expressionless and cold as I drove away the unease didn't dissipate the road stretched out before me illuminated by the lights but I could still feel their eyes on me that terrible Stillness filling my mind I had never felt so unwelcome so alien in a place that should have felt safe I thought never to return to

that Town again it's Diner forever Ed in my mind as a reminder of a night where I was not only an outsider but something that was hunted it was a chilly Saturday morning I decided to visit a small town thrift store I had heard about from a friend the store was tucked away between a few other shops on a quiet street I parked my car and stepped out feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity I had always loved thrift Stores there was something thrilling about sifting through someone else's disc discarded items finding a Hidden Gem

among the Clutter as I pushed open the door a small bell jingled above me the interior was dimly lit filled with shelves of clothes Trinkets and Furniture the smell of old wooden fabric hung in the air and I immediately felt at home I started browsing running my fingers over the various Fabrics looking For something that caught my eye after a few minutes I wandered to the back of the store there I saw a rack of clothes that looked slightly more warm than the others my gaze fell on along flowing dress with a floral pattern that

seemed familiar I picked it up holding it up to the light it was a beautiful piece the kind I would have worn in my early 20s I felt a strange chill run down my spine as memories flooded Back I could have sworn I had owned this dress years ago can I help you with something a voice asked I turned to see a middle-aged woman behind the counter her eyes bright and watchful she had a friendly smile but there was something off about it that made me uneasy I found this dress I said still feeling the

fabric between my fingers I think it belonged to me a long Time ago she stepped closer her expression shifting from friendly to oddly intense that dress is a treasure you should try it on um I think I will I replied feeling a little uncertain something in her tone made me hesitate but I Shrugged it off I just wanted to check if it fit the woman let me to the fitting room which was a small cramped space with a single Mirror and barely enough room to turn around she closed the door behind me and I slipped

on the dress as I looked in the mirror I felt a rush of nostalgia wash over me the dress hugged my figure perfectly just like I remembered I twirled slightly letting the fabric flow around me but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong does it fit the woman called from outside her voice sounded closer than it had Before yes it fits crate I replied but something in her tone made me uneasy why don't you come out and show me she suggested almost too eagerly I hesitated I just need a moment come on dear

I can help you with the price it's a special piece you will not regret it she insisted her voice taking on a more urgent Note I frowned I am just trying to decide if I want it why don't you let me see how it looks on you she pushed the insistence in her voice making me uncomfortable I took a deep breath trying to gather my thoughts the dress felt strange against my skin like it was more than just fabric I pulled it to ham nervously I am not ready to come out yet I said my

voice wavering Slightly the woman chuckled softly you should really come out it would be a shame not to show it off I felt a creeping dread crawl over me something about her insistence made my stomach turn I will come out when I am ready I repeated my voice fir her now there was a pause and then she spoke again her tone suddenly colder you do not want to miss this opportunity that dress deserves to be Worn by someone who appreciates it I step back heart rcing I just need a moment I heard her footsteps shuffling

outs inside the door then silence I felt trapped cornered by her strange insistence my mind raced why was she so eager for me to wear this dress I was just a customer finally I took a deep breath And opened the door crack I will think about it I said trying to keep my voice steady but she was right there standing Too Close her smile now wide and unnerving you look stunning I cannot believe you hesitated you must wear it I really need to think about it I insisted trying to back away but she stepped forward

blocking my way let me show you how Beautiful it truly is on you she urged stepping closer I could smell her perfume sickly sweet and it made me feel nauseous no I need to go I said Panic right rising in my throat why not take it home she asked tilting her head slightly you could give it a second in life it is meant to be yours excuse me I said my voice shaking I think I will Pass her expression darkened slightly the warmth fading from her face you do not understand she said her voice low

it is not something you can just walk away from it was made for you I pushed past her forcing my way out of the fitting room my heart was pounding in my chest and I didn't look back as I hurried toward the exit I could hear her voice Rising behind me her tone desperate but I kept moving wanting to escape the store and The strange woman inside as I burst through the front door and into the Fresh Air Relief washed over me I glanced back to see the woman standing in the doorway watching me with

an unsettling intensity I hurried to my car fumbling with my keys as I tried to unlock the door my hands trembled and I felt a surge of adrenaline I got inside locking the doors behind me and took a moment to Breathe the thrift door faded into the background as I drove away my heart still racing I never returned to that small town thrift store I still think about that dress the memories of stirred but I know that some things are best left in the past that experience taught me to trust my instincts to listen to

the warning bells that ring in my mind when something feels off and that day it was clear that Some Treasures are not worth the price I had been driving for hours when I decided to stop at a highway rest stop the sun was setting and I felt tired and a little Restless I pulled into the lot and parked my car near the small building it was one of those typical rest areas with fending machines a few picnic tables and a grimy restroom I got out and stretched taking in the fresh Air as I walked towards

the restrooms I noticed a car parked nearby with its door slightly a jar the vehicle was an old sedan rusted in spots with a faded paint job I glanced around expecting to see someone nearby but the area was quiet a slight unees crept in but I brushed it off maybe the driver had just stepped away for a moment curiosity got the better of me I approached the car peering inside the interior was a mess fast food Wrappers littered the seats and the smell of old takeout wafted out as I opened the door wider I looked

around but there was no one in sight hello I called half expecting a response silence hung heavy in the air I stepped back glancing around the lot no other cars were parked nearby just a rest stop in the woods beyond my heart began to race a little faster I felt like I was intruding on something I shouldn't be I decided it was time to head back to my car as I turned to leave I caught sight of something out of the corner of my eye a group of people stood silently behind me their faces expressionless

they were about 10 ft away just outside the Shadows of the building watching me I froze feeling my heart thump loudly in my chest there were four of them Dressed in in plain clothes their hair disheveled I could not tell if they were men or women their features blurred into one another under the dim light what do you want I asked my voice shaky no one responded they just stood there staring at me with vacant eyes I felt a chill run down my spine I wanted to ask again but the words got stuck in my

Throat I took a step back my instinct screaming for me to get away one of them a woman with dark hair that hum Loosely around her face took a step forward do you know where he is she asked her voice soft and almost melodic but there was an underlying tension in it who I managed to Stam her out she did not answer instead she glanced at the others and they began to move closer I turned my head quickly looking For an Escape Route my heart raced and I felt Panic Rising within me are you lost

another person asked a man whose face was gunt and sunken now I replied backing away slowly I need to go the group didn't seem to care about my answer they kept closing in their eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin crawl I was terrified I knew I needed to get out of there I turned and started to walk briskly towards my car trying to keep my composure wait one of them called out you cannot leave yet we just want to talk I quickened my Pace my breath coming faster as I reached

my car my hands fumbled at the keys and I could feel their eyes on me I finally got the door open slipped inside and locked it behind me me I took a moment to breathe trying to Steady My racing heart I Looked up to see the group had stopped a few feet away from my car still watching I felt their gaze piercing through the glass they stood together their faces still expressionless I started the engine and the sound seemed to startle them they flinched but remain still I glanced in the rearview mirror and my heart

sank as I saw the woman take another step Forward I quickly shifted into reverse and hit the gas backing out of the parking spot faster than I intended as I drove away I glanced back at the rest stop they had not moved from their place they stood there a dark shape against the fading light still watching I could barely breathe until I was far enough down the highway that I could no longer see the rest stop in my rearview Mirror once I felt safe I slowed down my mind racing with what had just happened I

couldn't shakee the feeling that I had stumbled into something very wrong I felt fortunate to have escaped and I knew I would never stop at that rest area again I drove on the highway stretching ahead of me grateful for the distance between me and that silent group I stopped at a convenience store late one night after a long drive it was one Of those small places that felt like they existed in the middle of nowhere the neon lights flickered casting strange Shadows on the pavement I needed to stretch my legs and grab a snack for

the road so I pulled into the lot and parked as I walked inside I noticed the work was busy stocking shelves he barely glanced up at me which made me feel a little more at ease I crapped a bag of chips and a soda And headed to the register there was only one other person in the store a man standing near the back he was tall wearing a dark hoodie and he seemed to be watching me I could feel his eyes on me as I paid for my things I tried to ignore him and focused

on the cashier but I couldn't shake the the feeling that something was off after I paid I quickly walked out clutching my snacks tightly as I stepped outside I glanced Back and saw the man had moved closer to the door still watching me my stomach dropped I hurried to my car and fumbled with the keys trying to open the door I got in and locked the doors glancing in my rearview mirror the man stood just outside his face still hidden in the shadow of his hood I felt a wave of panic wash over me I

started the engine praying I could just drive away and forget this whole encounter I pulled out of the lot and Turned onto the main road my heart racing I looked back again and to my horror I saw the man getting into a car park nearby he started the engine and pulled out behind me I tried to convince myself I was being paranoid but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was following me I took a deep breath focusing on the road ahead as I drove I tried to keep my composure I thought about taking a

quick detour hoping to lose him I turned onto A side street hoping it would help I glanced in the mirror and saw his headlights right behind me my heart dropped he was still there still following me I picked up speed making more more turns in hopes of shaking him off each turn felt like a gamble with every corner I took I could see his car getting closer the thought of what could happen made me sick I kept glancing back my hands Gripping the steering wheel tightly the man's car stayed right behind me almost too close

for comfort I turned onto a dark Road the street lights fading I felt like I was in a nightmare I hit the gas trying to put distance between us my mind raced with thoughts of how I could Escape I remembered seeing a diner a few miles back I could make it there I turned again hoping he would lose sight Of me but his headlights remained in view Keening on me I felt trapped I took another sharp turn and he followed I could see his car weaving in and out trying try to get alongside me my

heart pounded louder with every second I felt a surge of panic as I realized he was trying to run me off the road I could feel my breath quickening I spotted the diner ahead it was a small place open all night I pushed my foot down harder on the Gas I had to reach it I could see the sign flickering in the distance I turned sharply into into the parking lot praying I would make it I barely parked my car while I saw his headlights flash across the lot I scrambled out and my heart raced

as I dashed towards the diner the door swung open as I burst inside and I rushed to the front counter the waitress looked startled as I stumbled in breathless and Wide-eyed call the police I shouted glancing back out the door the man had pared his car but remained inside watching I could see him clearly now he wore a malicious smile and I felt my blood run cold are you okay the waitress asked looking at me with concern now I am not okay someone is following me I tried to keep my voice steady but fear laced

every word she picked up the phone and dialed her hand Shaking slightly I kept my eyes on the door the man's gaze fixed on me like a predator watching its prey I felt trapped and exposed moments later I heard the whale of sirens approaching the man's smile faltered when he saw the flashing lights outside he turned abruptly and dashed out of the diner my heart raced as I heard the door Slam behind him stay inside the waitress instructed her voice firm I nodded unable to take my eyes off the door the police arrived quickly and

I felt a rush of relief they jumped out of their cars shouting for the man to stop I could hear the sound of feet pounding on the pavement outside I waited in a corner my heart still racing I heard the officer shouting Commanding him to freeze a moment later I caught a glimpse of him he was running but he was no match for the officer they tackled him to the ground and I felt a wave of relief wash over me they brought him inside the diner and asked me to identify him I nodded still shaking

I could barely find my voice they took my statement and assured me I would be safe now I was finally free from the terrifying encounter but I Knew I would never forget the fear that had crept me that night I had escaped and somehow I felt stronger for it I would always be more cautious more aware of my surroundings after that I made sure to always trust my instincts I was driving back home after visiting my parents it wasn't supposed to take that long but I'd underestimated how much gas I had Left I wasn't anywhere

near a highway just driving through a bunch of back roads and when I saw the gas light flicker on I knew I'd better stop somewhere before I ended up stranded I passed a few small towns along the way so I figured I'd find something soon sure enough about 5 minutes later I saw a small gas station up ahead it wasn't much just two pumps in in a tiny building with a flickering neon sign that set open the place looked Old run down but I didn't have a choice I pulled in parked next to one of

the pumps and got out of the car there was no one else around the air was still and the place seemed too quiet for a gas station I filled up my tank as quickly as I could keeping an eye on the dark Windows of the little building I didn't like it there I I don't know why but the whole place made me feel off when I finished I realized I Needed to go inside to pay there was no card reader at the pump just my lock I took a deep breath and walked toward the building

the glass door squeaked as I pulled it open and I stepped inside the first thing that hit me was the smell like old cigarettes and something else something metallic the second thing was the guy behind the counter he was staring at me before I Even made it all the way in he was tall with greasy hair and a yellowing t-shirt that clung to him like it hadn't been washed in days his eyes were too wide like he didn't blink enough he didn't say anything as I walked up to the counter just watched me the whole

way I'm just paying for the gas I said trying to keep my voice steady he nodded but he didn't take his eyes off me Where are you headed his voice was low rough like he smoked a pack a day I didn't want to get into a conversation just driving home long drive huh he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes now a lot of people come through here this late I Shrugged handing him my card I just wanted to pay and leave yeah well just passing through Through he took the card but he didn't run

it right away he just held it in his hand staring at me you traveling alone that question made my skin crawl I didn't like how he asked it like he already knew the answer I forced a smile trying to act normal yeah just me he finally swiped the card but he was still watching me too closely not always safe for a woman to be driving alone at night he said his Smile still there but it wasn't friendly you never know who you might run into I didn't respond to that I just wanted my cart back

so I could leave my heart was starting to race and I could feel the urge to run but I stayed still hoping I could get out of there without making things worse he handed me the receipt but before I could grab it he spoke again where you headed from I took the receipt Slipping it into my pocket my parents' house I said keeping my answer short he nodded slowly like he was thinking about something that far must have been a nice visit I didn't reply just gave him a tight smile and turned to leave as

I reached for the door I felt his eyes on my back that heavy uncomfortable feeling you get when someone staring too hard I pushed open the door and hurried back to my car my Heart pounding in my chest I got in locked the doors and started the engine as I pulled out of the gas station I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw him standing in the doorway watching me his smile was gone replaced by this blank unsettling look I drove down the road trying to shake off the feeling of unease telling myself I was

just being paranoid but after a few minutes I Checked the mirror again and that's when I saw the headlights behind me at first I thought it was just another car someone else traveling through the area but as I kept driving the car stayed behind me too close every turn I made every Bend in the road it followed my stomach dropped when I realized it was him it had to be the gas station was the only thing out there and I hadn't passed any other Cars I tried to stay calm telling myself he was just driving

the same loud that it was a coincidence but the longer it went on the harder it was to believe that he was following me I was sure of it I sped up a little hoping he'd back off but he didn't he stayed right on my tail so close that his headlights filled my car with light my hands were shaking on the steering wheel and I started looking for a way out there were no other cars Around no houses no signs of life just a dark Road stretching out in front of me I tried to think

what was I supposed to do call the police but I didn't even know where I was I hadn't seen a town in miles and I didn't have a signal on my phone I spotted a small side road up ahead barely visible in the the dark I didn't know where it led but I didn't care I just needed to get away from him I made a sharp turn my tire squealing on The asphalt and took the narrow road hoping he wouldn't follow but he did the headlight swer behind me and my heart raced as I realized

he wasn't going to give up I pressed down on the gas speeding along the bumpy road trying to put some distance between us but the car stayed close too close I didn't know what to do I couldn't keep driving forever and there was nowhere to go my mind was Racing trying to figure out a plan but all I could think about was getting away from him the road started to curve and up ahead I saw a sharp Bend I slowed down just enough to take the turn but he didn't his car skitted the tires screeching

as he lost control for a split second I saw his headlight swing wildly and then there was a loud crash as his car slammed into the trees I didn't stop I didn't look Back I just kept driving my heart pounding my hands gripping the wheel so hard they hurt I didn't know if he was hurt or if he'd come after me again but I wasn't taking any chances eventually I found my way back to the main road I drove for Miles not stopping not slowing down until I finally reached a small town with a 24-hour

diner I pulled into the parking lot my hands still shaking as I parked the Car I sat there for a long time trying to calm down trying to make sense of what had just happened I didn't know who that guy was or what he wanted but I knew one thing for sure I was lucky to get away I never took that Rod again I had always liked small town fairs there's something about the smell of fried food the bright lights and the noise of the crowds that makes you feel like a kid again this year

I was Traveling for work and I found myself in one of those towns that barely sh rose up on a map it just so happened they were having their annual fair and since I didn't have much else to do I decided to check it out the fairgrounds were on the edge of town a big open field with a few rides gain booths and a stage where a local band was playing it wasn't as flashy as the big city fairs but it had its own charm there were families with kids running around couples holding Hands and

groups of teenagers laughing and shoving each other near into the bumper cars I bought a ticket at the gate and wandered in figuring I'd grab something to eat and maybe try a few games as I walked past a booth where a man was calling out for people to win a stuffed bear I noticed him a man standing off to the side just outside the main crowd he wasn't doing anything just Watching his face was pale almost sickly and he wore a long coat that seemed too heavy for the warm night his eyes were fixed on

me it was the kind of stare that makes you uncomfortable like he knew something about me that I didn't I Shrugged it off telling myself he was probably just some guy zoning out and went to get a corn dog I spent the next hour or so wandering around the fair trying out some of the games and watching the Rides I even went on the ferris wheel which gave me a good view of the whole place it was nice peaceful even but every now and then I caught sight of that man again he wasn't close but

he was there always just far enough away that I couldn't really make out his face but I knew it was him the coat the way he stood arms hanging at his sides watching it started to get to me after a while I couldn't shake the feeling that He was following me I told myself it was just paranoia that it was a small all fair and it made sense to see the same people more than once but as the night went on it got harder to ignore every time I turned around he was there not saying

anything not getting closer just standing still staring I tried to lose myself in the crowd moving between lights and booths but no matter where I went he was there I tried going into the fun house Figuring the mirrors in dark corners would throw him off but when I came out he was waiting near the exit standing next to a group of teenagers who seemed completely unaware of him I started to get this tight feeling in my chest like the walls were closing in it wasn't crowded anymore families were heading home and the groups of teenagers

had thinned out the fair was winding down and most people were near the stage watching the Band the farther I got from the main area the quiet here it got until it was just me and the H of the rights in the distance that's when I saw him again only this time he wasn't just watching he was moving toward me I stopped walking my heart pounding he was coming straight for me his hands shoved into the pockets of his coat his face was still hard to make out in the dim light but I could see

enough his eyes were locked on me his Mouth set in a grim line I turned and walked quickly in the opposite direction trying to keep my Pace steady I didn't want to run not yet not until I was sure but I could hear him behind me his footsteps crunching in the dirt getting faster I glanced over my shoulder and that's what I knew he was running I broke into a Sprint dodging between the booths and trying to head back toward the Entrance but the lights from the fair seemed farther away now like the whole place

had shifted while I wasn't looking my HS burned and my legs felt like they were moving through water I didn't know where I was going only that I had to get away I turned a corner and found myself in a part of the fairground that hadn't been set up with booths or rides it was just empty space dark and quiet my breath was coming in raged Gasps and I slowed down trying to listen I couldn't hear his footsteps anymore but I knew he was close I looked around trying to find a way out but there

was nothing just shadows and silence then I heard it soft at first like the wind moving through the grass but it wasn't the wind it was his voice you shouldn't have come here the words were low almost a whisper but they sent a chill down my spine I didn't know Where he was but he was close close too close I started backing up my eyes scanning the darkness trying to find him then out of the corner of my eye I saw movement he was standing just a few feet away half hidden in the shadows his

face was twisted in a sneer and his eyes were wild I just want to go I said my voice shaking I don't want any trouble he didn't answer just took a step toward me I stumbled back my hand Shaking and nearly fell I had to get out of there but every direction I looked seemed like a dead end the fair was just a distant blur of Lights now too far away he took another step then another his hands came out of his pockets and I saw the glint of something metal in the dim light a

knife I didn't think I just ran I don't know how long I ran for but It felt like hours my legs were burning my LS felt like they were going to burst but I kept going I could hear him behind me his footsteps pounding the ground getting closer I rounded a corner and saw the lights of the fair again the sound of the band echoing in the distance I wasn't far now but my legs felt like lead I pushed myself harder ignoring ignoring the pain ignoring the Fear I had to make it I burst out

of the dark back into the main area of the fair there were still people around still enough light and noise to make me feel like I had a chance I kept running not stopping until I reached the entrance the ticket booth was empty now and the gates were wide open I didn't look back I didn't want to know if you was still behind me I got to my car my hand shaking so badly I could barely get The keys out of my pocket I fumbled with the lock glancing over my shoulder every few seconds half

expecting him to appear out of the darkness but he didn't I got in started the engine and drove I didn't stop until I was Miles Away the lights of the fairlong behind me I don't know who he was or what he wanted maybe he was just some local who didn't like Outsiders or maybe he was something worse but I didn't Care I was safe now and that was all that mattered but I'll never forget the look in his eyes or the way he whispered those words like he was daring me to run like he knew

I wouldn't make it out I've always loved jocking in the park near my house it's small nothing fancy just a loop that winds through some trees and a small pond quiet peaceful usually empty in the early mornings when I go I like it that way it's my time to Clear my head before the day really starts I've been wuning there for years so I never felt uneasy about it until that day it started like any other morning I woke up early put on my running shoes and headed out the sky was still gray with just

a bit of light coming through but I like that running while the town's still half asleep the park was empty when I got there just how I liked it I parked my car in the usual spot grabbed my water Bottle and started my usual route I remember thinking it was colder than usual or maybe it was just the wind picking up through the trees either way it felt like a typical morning jog about 10 minutes in though I got the weird feeling you get when you know someone's watching you I glanced around but didn't see

anyone there's usually no one else around this early and I Shrugged it off trying to focus on my Breathing but as I came around a curve in the path something caught my eye off to the side just past the tree leine I saw a figure he was standing between two trees not moving just watching I slowed down thinking maybe it was another jogger or someone walking their dog but there was no dog no movement just a man standing there staring right at me I tried to play a cool picking up my Pace again and Telling

myself it was no big deal maybe he was just some guy taking a break or maybe he was lost but something felt wrong he didn't move didn't look away I glanced back over my shoulder as I ran and he was still there standing in the same spot watching me I tried to shake off the feeling but it was hard to focus my legs felt heavier my breath quicker I kept running but I could feel my heart pounding harder than it should Have been the trees felt like they were closing in on me the path ah

had seemed too long I just wanted to finish my run and get back to my car when I got to the far end of the loop where the trees Stand Out near the pond I looked back again this time he wasn't in the same spot but he wasn't gone either he' moved he was closer now about halfway down the path still just standing there still staring My stomach dropped I wasn't imagining it he was following me I forced myself to keep running even though my legs felt like they were turning to lead I just wanted

to get back to my car get out of there my mind was racing trying to figure out if I should confront him if I should call someone but all I could focus on was putting one foot in front of the other as I neared The end of the loop where the parking lot was I started to feel a little bit of relief the lot wasn't far now and once I was in my car I'd be safe I could lock the doors drive home forget this ever happened but when I got to the parking lot that

relief vanished my car was sitting there same as always but something was wrong the tires they were flat all four of them at first I thought Maybe I was imagining it that maybe I was too freaked out to think clearly but no they were definitely flat someone had let the air out I stopped dead in my tracks Panic hitting me like a wave my eyes started around searching for anyone else but the lot was empty and then from the corner of my eye I saw him he was standing at the edge of the parking lot

now just a few yards away he wasn't hiding Anymore he was walking toward me slowly deliberately like he had all the time in the world I froze my mind screaming at me to run but my feet wouldn't move he was getting closer I don't remember making the decision to run but suddenly I was sprinting heading for the park entrance my phone was in my car my cheese too but I didn't tear I just needed to get away from him I didn't look back didn't check to see if you was following I could hear my own

heartbeat in my ears my breath coming in likeed gasps the entrance wasn't far but it felt like it took forever to reach it I burst out of the park and onto the street not stopping until I was a good distance away I turned back then gasping for breath but he wasn't there the park entrance was empty for a second I thought maybe I'd lost him maybe he Wasn't following me after all maybe he was just some guy and I'd overreacted but then I saw him again standing just inside the park barely visible through the trees

he wasn't chasing me but he wasn't leaving either I didn't know what to do I couldn't go back to my car and I couldn't stay here there were no houses nearby no one to ask for help I was completely Alone I started walking not sure where I was going just trying to put as much distance between me and him as I could my mind was racing thinking about all the stories you hear all the warnings about going places alone I'd always thought they were exaggerated nothing like that ever happened around here but now it was

happening to me I walked for what felt like hours checking over my shoulder every few seconds but I didn't see him Again eventually I reached a gas station on the edge of town the clerk looked up as I walked in probably noticing how disheveled I looked but I didn't tear I walked straight to the counter my hand shaking as I asked to use the phone the police arrived a little while later I told them what had happened how the man had been watching me how he'd flattened my tires they asked me if I'd seen him

do it if I knew who he was but I didn't Have any answers I'd never seen him before in my life they offered to take me back to my car and I agreed though the thought of going back there made me feel sick when we got to the park my car was still sitting there the tires flat just like I'd left it but the man was gone there was no sign of him anywhere the police looked around but they didn't find anything no Footprints no evidence nothing they changed my Tires for me told me to

be careful and sent me on my way I drove home in a days my hands gripping the steering whe so tightly my Knuckles turned white I didn't feel safe until I was back in my house with all the doors locked and the windows closed but even then I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still out there watching I decided to visit a Small Town Farmers Market one Sunny Saturday I had heard good things about it how the locals made the best homemade goods and how friendly everyone was the drive there was pleasant the road

lined with tall trees and Fields bursting with color when I arrived the market was bustling with life stalls filled with fresh produce flowers and handly crafts greeted me I could smell the sweet scent of bit Goods drifting through the air as I wandered through the rows of tables I came across A vendor selling pies the woman behind the table an older lady with silver hair and bright blue eyes had a warm smile would you like to try a slice she asked her voice is cheerful I nodded and accepted a small piece it was delicious sweet

and Rich with flavors I couldn't quite place I decided to buy a whole pie the lady wrapped it up for me and thanked me as I handed her the Cash make sure you enjoy it she said a Clint in her eye that made me pause for just a moment but I shook it off maybe it was just my imagination I thanked her again and walked away p in and feeling pleased with my purchase as I found a bench near the market I sat down to enjoy a slice I took my first bite the flaky crust

melting in my mouth I savored it but as I did I Started to feel uneasy it was strange as if a weight settled in my stomach I noticed people around me staring they whispered to one another glancing in my direction I pred it off at first thinking maybe they were just curious about the newcomer but then I caught a few words here and there she shouldn't be here they will not let her leave my heart Raced was there something about this pie I didn't know I wiped my mouth feeling suddenly dizzy the world around me

began to tilt and I put a hand on the bench to steady myself I took another bite of the pie but it tasted different now sour and long I I swallowed hard feeling nausea rise in my throat I looked around again and the towns folk were still watching their expression serious their eyes full of Something I could not identify Panic searched for me I realized they were not just watching they were waiting I stood up abruptly but my legs felt like jelly I had to get out of there are you okay a woman asked stepping

closer her tone sweeted ins sincere I need to go I stammered trying to push past her I felt unsteady the CR shifting beneath me the woman grabbed my Arm holding me in place you shouldn't be in a hurry stay with us the pie is best enjoyed here her tightened and I felt my heart pound in my chest let go with me I shouted struggling to free myself but others were closing in blocking my path she needs to stay another man said his voice low and firm you are part of the community now the weight in

my stomach grew Heavier I felt the pie pushing back threatening to come up I managed to break the woman's stumbling back I glanced at the exit of the market but a few people stood there watching preventing my Escape please I begged my voice shaking I just want to leave a chuckle rippled through the crowd you are now allowed to leave The Tall Man from before said stepping forward you ate the Pie you have accepted our welcome my mind raised they had poisoned me I was sick from their food and they did not intend to let

me go I looked for a way out desperate I had to act fast I spotted a narrow path between two stalls it was a chance I bolted toward it adrenaline surging they shouted but I pushed through my heart pounding in my ears the Path led me away from the market and I could hear their voices behind me growing fainter I did not stop I ran until I reached my car fumbling for my keys I was shaking my hands clammy I got in locked the doors and turned the key in the ignition the engine roared to

life and I pulled out of that town faster than I had ever driven in my Life I could not look back as I drove my stomach Twisted painfully I knew I had to get away from that place the pie had been a trap and I barely escaped their grasp I drove until the town was just a memory in my rearview mirror and only then did I allow myself to breathe again I had learned a hard lesson that day not all towns were welcoming and sometimes kindness masked something much darker I promised myself I would never

Return never let myself be caught off guard again the