True Small Town Scary Horror Stories for Sleep | Black Screen With Rain Sounds

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 relaxed and let's Begin I was driving along on a long stretch of highway the kind where you don't see another car for miles the trip was supposed to be a straight shot

but I'd left later than I planned and ended up driving through the night I didn't mind it first it was quiet peaceful even but as the hours dragged on my eyelids got heavier and I knew I needed a break it was close to midnight when I saw the lights of a diner ahead there wasn't Much else around just empty Road in darkness so the glowing sign felt like a relief Darlene's Diner it said it looked like the kind of place that probably hadn't changed in decades old neon sign a row of booths along the windows

and a counter with swivel stools I pulled into the lot the gravel crunching under my tires and parked near the entrance inside the place was mostly empty except for a few people scattered At the tables the ballop of the door jingled as I walked in and a woman behind the counter immediately smiled at me too wide like she'd been waiting for me evening Han she said her voice sugary sweet just you tonight I nodded and took a seat at one of the booths by the window it was quieter in there than I expected the kind

of quiet that makes sure ears ring the air felt heavy like The whole place was holding its breath the woman behind the counter Darlene I guess from the sign came over with a menu but I didn't need to look at it I just wanted coffee something to keep me awake just coffee please I said she gave me another to White smile and headed back behind the counter I glanced around feeling uneasy for reasons I couldn't quite explain there were maybe four other people in the diner all sitting at Different tables none of them were eating

in fact they weren't doing anything at all just sitting there staring ahead their eyes blank I tried not to make a contact with them but it was hard not to notice one man sat in a booth across from me his hands resting on the table completely still his eyes didn't move didn't Blink he was staring directly at me I shifted in my seat feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up Darlene came back with my coffee setting it down in front of me with a soft clink I tried to give her a

polite smile but it felt forced the whole place was off like stepping into a dream where nothing quite makes sense where you headed Darlene asked lingering by my table just passing through I said taking A sip of the coffee it was bitter and lukor but I didn't care I just wanted to leave she nodded slowly like she knew more than she was letting on not many folks come through here this time of night I didn't know what to say to that so I just nodded and glanced out the window hoping the conversation would end the

diner's parking lot was empty except for my car and beyond that was just darkness no other buildings no street Lights just the road disappearing into the black I started to feel trapped like the wall walls were closing in on me the silence in the diner was deafening now the air heavy with something I couldn't name I glanced back at the other customers and my stomach turned when I realized they were all looking at me every single one of them their faces were blank but their eyes were fixed on me Unblinking I looked down at my

coffee trying to study my breathing maybe I was just tired maybe my mind was playing tricks on me but when I looked up again they were still staring everything all right Han Darlene's voice made me jump she was standing behind the counter her hands resting on it as she watched me closely too closely I'm fine I said my voice a Little shaky I think I'll get to check her smile didn't falter but something changed in her eyes she didn't move you sure you don't want anything to eat we make a great pie now I'm good

really I said standing up quickly I cracked my jacket ready to leave but when I turned toward the door my heart Stopped the door was locked I hadn't noticed it when I came in but now there was a heavy chain looped through the handles secured with a padlock I turned back to Darlene my mouth dry why is the door locked she didn't answer right away just kept smiling at me like nothing was wrong oh don't worry about that it's for your own Safety lots of strange folks out on the road at night I took a

step back my pulse racing I think I'd like to go now Darlene tilted her head her smile never leaving her face you haven't finished your coffee I looked around desperate for a way out the other customers hadn't moved still sitting there like mannequins their eyes locked on me my hands were shaking but I tried to keep my voice Steady unlocked the door Darlene didn't move instead she walked over to the counter her heels clicking on the tile and picked up a phone she held it in her hand watching me I'll just give our friend a

call he'll want to know you're here I didn't wait to hear the rest I bolted for the back of the diner hoping there was another exit my heart was pounding in my chest my mind racing there had to be a way out there had to Be I ran past the kitchen the smell of crease and old food hanging in the air and pushed open a door that led to a narrow hallway at the end of it I saw a door marked exit I nearly cried with relief as I sprinted toward it but when I reached

it and pushed on the handle it didn't budge the door was locked just like the front Panic set in real and sharp I pounded on the door hoping maybe Someone outside could hear me but I knew it was pointless there was no one around for Miles I turned around my back against the door trying to catch my breath that's when I heard the footsteps slow deliberate coming down the hallway it was one of the men from the diner the one who had been sitting closest to me he was walking toward me his face blank his

eyes fixed on mine Darlene says you should come back he Said his voice flat emotionless I backed away my hands fumbling for something anything to defend myself with but there was nothing just a dead end and a locked door he kept coming his eyes never leaving mine I didn't know what he was going to do but I wasn't going to wait to find out I ran past him back into the diner hoping maybe I could smash a window or find something heavy to break the lock on the door but when I got back to the

Front Darlene was waiting for me her smile gone now replaced with something colder darker she was holding a set of keys in her hand dangling them in front of her like bait you're not leaving until he gets here she said her voice low you might as well sit down I felt the room spinning my vision narrowing who was he what did they want with me I didn't care I just wanted Out without thinking I grabbed a chair and swung it at the window shattering the glass the sound sound was deafening but I didn't stop to

look back I climbed through the broken window cutting my hands on the shards and ran to my car the grapple crunched under my feet as I fumbled for my keys my hands slick with blood and sweat I jumped into the car started the engine and peeled out of the lot not daring to look back as I sped down the Highway the diner's lights disappeared into the distance swallowed by the darkness I didn't stopped driving until the sun came up 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 shows 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 gained 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 the bumper Car 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 want 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 shape the feeling that he was following me I told myself it was just paranoia that it was a small 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 rides and booths but no matter where I went he was there I tried going into the fun house figuring the mirrors and 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 quieter it got until it was Just me and the am of the rides 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 CRM 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 H 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 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 steep 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 lungs 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 the pain

ignoring the Fear I had to make it I burst out of the dark back into the main area of Affair 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 he was still behind me I got to my car 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 fair long behind me I don't know who he was or what he wanted maybe he was just some local who didn't like out iders 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 was driving through this stretch of nowhere when I realized I wouldn't make it to the next town before dark I had been on the road for hours and everything around me was just open Highway and Fields I spotted a sign for a motel up Ahead just before the sun dipped below the Horizon it wasn't like I had many options so I took the exit and followed the road for a mile or so before I saw it this

old beat up place that looked like it hadn't seen a renovation in decades the sign buzzed flickering a weak neon vacancy the parking lot was mostly empty except for two cars parked near the office one of the headlights from one of The cars was cracked hanging Loosely like someone had backed into something but never bothered to fix it I parked and walked into the front office which smelled like stale cigarettes and cleaning chemicals there was an old man behind the counter eyes glued to a tiny TV with the volume turned too low to hear I

rang the bell and he looked up slowly like I had interrupted something important NE a room he asked his voice Rough like he didn't talk to people much yeah I said hoping I didn't sound too uncomfortable I just wanted a place to crash for the night one night he didn't say anything after that just took my cash and handed me a key the key wasn't even one of those modern Tey cards but an actual Metal Key attached to a worn leather tag with the number five stamped on it rooms around the corner he said already

looking back at his TV checkouts at 10: I nodded and left the office walking across the parking lot to Room 5 the motel was a single story building maybe 10 rooms in total the place was quiet but there was something about it that just felt off the walls looked like they'd been ped matched up a 100 times and the paint was peeling around the door frames it felt like one of those places where people just disappeared and no one Noticed I unlocked the door to my room and stepped inside it smelled like old carpet and

Mew but I wasn't expecting much from a place like this the bed was an old double the kind that creaked when you sat on it there was a small TV on a dresser a couple of lamps and a bathroom in the back it wasn't clean but it wasn't filthy either just run down I dropped my bag by the door and Sat on the bed trying to shake off the unease that had crept up on me since I pulled into the parking lot I told myself it was just because I was tired it wasn't like I

hadn't stayed in worse places before after a few minutes I decided to take a quick shower the water pressure was terrible and the hot water ran out out after a few minutes so I didn't stay in long when I came back out I thought I heard Something a faint thud coming from the room next door I paused listening it was quiet again so I figured it was just the walls being thin I turned on the TV trying to find something to watch but the static on half the channels made it clear that I wouldn't be

getting much entertainment from it eventually I settled on some old black and white movie that was barely audible over the buzzing of the old TV it was around midnight when I started Hearing the noises again at first it was soft like someone moving around in the room next door but then it got louder there was a scraping sound like Furniture being dragged across the floor followed by a series of loud thuds I turned off the TV and listened feeling that same unease creeping back I tried to ignore it at first telling myself it was just

the old building settling or maybe someone moving around but the noises kept going and They started to sound wrong like someone was trying to be quiet but wasn't doing a good job of it then I heard something that made my skin crawl a faint muffled voice I couldn't make out what they were saying but it was coming from the room next door I told myself to mind my own business that it wasn't anything to worry about but something about it felt off it wasn't like an argument or anything Like that it was more like someone

was whispering to themselves I couldn't help it I got up and went to the window pulling the curtain back just a little to see if I could spot anything outside the parking lot was mostly empty just my car and the two others I had seen when I pulled in everything else was quiet too quiet I went to the door pressing my ear against it Listening the noises from next door had stopped but now there was something else it was faint but I could hear it like a soft humming coming from somewhere inside my room I

turned looking around theam was coming from near the dresser but there was nothing there I crouched down listening closely and that's when I saw it just under the edge of the dresser partially hidden by the wood a small hole barely noticeable unless you were looking for it I leaned Closer and that's when I saw the tiny lens a Camara my heart stopped there was a CA hidden in my room aim directly at the bed I felt sick I backed away quickly my pulse racing someone had been watching me this whole time I couldn't believe it

I didn't know what to do should I leave should I confront the guy at the front desk but then I thought about the noises I had heard what if it wasn't just me what if the person in the room next door had been caught too I needed to find out I cracked my phone turning on the flashlight and crept out into the hallway the door to the room next to mine was slightly a jar I could feel the tension in the air like something was about to snap my breath caught in my throat as I

reached for the door pushing it open just enough to peek Inside I saw made my blood run cold the room was a mass Furniture was overturned the bed sheets torn off and in the middle of the floor there was a camera on a tripod facing the bed but there was no one there the room was empty but it felt like someone had just been there like they had left in a hurry I turned to leave my heart pounding in my chest but as I stepped back into the hallway I heard the faint Creek of footsteps

Behind me I froze my breath catching in my throat someone was there I turned slowly and that's when I saw him the old man from the front desk standing at the end of the hall staring at me with cold dead eyes he didn't say anything just stood there watching me like he had been waiting for this moment my mind raced I didn't know what to do my first instinct was to run but my Legs felt like they were made of lead he took a step toward me and that was enough to snap me out of

it I bolted from my room slamming the door behind me and locking it I cracked my bag fumbling with the zipper as I tried to pack up my things as quickly as I could I wasn't staying here another second I threw on my shoes and rushed to the door my heart racing but when I reached for the handle I heard it again the soft humming coming from somewhere Inside the room I froze my hand hovering over the door slowly I turned around and that's when I saw it another camera hidden in the vent above the

bed I felt like I was going to be sick I was trapped whoever was watching me wasn't just in the Next Room room they were everywhere I didn't wait to find out what was going to happen next I yanked the door open and ran I didn't look back Not even when I heard the door to the room next to mine Creek open behind me I ran to my car my hand shaking so badly I could barely get the key in the ignition but I did I started the car and sped out of the parking lot

the tires screeching on the pavement I didn't stop until I was miles down the road far away from that place I don't know what was going on in that motel and I don't want to know but I'll never forget the way that man looked at me or the feeling of being watched I've stayed in plenty of motels before but after that night I don't think I'll ever feel safe in one again I didn't want to stop not at first I was passing through the small town just trying to get back home I had a project

I wanted to get started on before the weekend was over replacing some old flooring in the guest room and I was missing a few things Nails Somewhat glue and a new utility knife simple stuff but when I saw the hardware store sign off the main road I figured it wouldn't hurt to stop the place didn't look like much just a small rundown building with a weathered sign that said Smith's Hardware in faded letters there were a few pickup trucks parked outside and one of those plastic open signs hanging crooked in the window I parked my

car and went inside Figuring I'd be in and out in a few minutes the moment I walked in I noticed how quiet it was the kind of quiet that makes you feel like you're the only person in the the world the Bell above the door chimed Softly As I stepped inside and I glanced around the shelves were packed tight with tools screws and all sorts of stuff but everything felt off the lights were dim and there was this faint smell like old wood and something Metallic there was a man behind the counter maybe in his

late 50s he had thinning hair and wore a stained apron that looked like it hadn't been washed in weeks his eyes snapped up as soon as I walked in like he had been waiting for me he didn't say anything right away just watched me as I wandered down one of the aisles I tried to shake off the weird feeling I found what I needed pretty quickly a pack of nails somewhat glue And a decent looking utility knife and headed toward the register as I approached the counter the man finally spoke you working on something his

voice was w aspy like he'd been smoking too much but there was something in his tone that rubbed me the wrong way too eager maybe yeah I said setting the items down just replacing some flooring at home he nodded slowly like he was considering something that old knife you got there It won't last long you're better off with a heavier one something that'll cut through the tougher stuff I glanced at the n knife it looked fine to me this should work for what I need he stared at me for a second too long then gave

a slow smile well suit yourself just don't come back complaining when it breaks on you I didn't respond just waited while he rang up my Things I could feel his eyes on me the whole time like he was sizing me up like he knew something I didn't it made my skin crawl that'll be 2250 he said finally looking away I handed him the cash and as he gave me my change he spoke again you doing the work yourself he asked yeah I said keeping my answer short I didn't feel like getting into a conversation with

this guy he nodded again like he Approved I could come by give you a hand if you need it I laughed thinking he was just making small talk no thanks I've got it covered but he didn't laugh his smile stayed but it was wrong like it didn't belong on his face no trouble at all I know my way around this kind of stuff been doing it for years you'd be surprised how many folks think they can handle it but it turns out they can't I could save you some time time I Shook my head trying

to be polite but firm really I'm fine I'm just doing a small job he didn't seem to hear me where's your place just outside of town I could swing by tonight get it done quicker that's when I started to feel really uneasy he wasn't just being friendly there was something else going on here something I couldn't quite put My finger on his insistence the way he kept leaning forward as if he was trying to pull me into something I appreciate the offer I said taking a step back from the counter but I'm good I grabbed

my bag of supplies and started to head for the door but just as I reached it I heard him call after me you sure I'm happy to help I could follow you back right now I turned my hand on the door knob and gave him a final look I'm sure thanks anyway I didn't wait for him to respond I pushed the door open and stepped out into the fading daylight as I walked to my car I glanced over my shoulder half expecting him to be standing in the doorway watching me but the door was closed

and the parking lot was empty save for the two trucks I got into my car car tossed the bag onto the passenger seat and started The engine I couldn't shake the weird feeling in my gut it wasn't just that the guy was being pushy there was something more to it like he knew something I didn't like he was waiting for me to slip up somehow I pulled out of the lot and got back on the main road heading toward home I tried to put the whole thing out of my mind it was just a weird

interaction small town were full of Weird people right but as I drove I kept checking the rearview mirror half expecting to see one of those trucks following me and then I did at first I thought it was just a coincidence there were plenty of trucks in this part of the country but as I kept driving I noticed it stayed with me hanging back just far enough to not seem obvious but never too far behind my chest tightened and I felt my Palm start to sweat maybe I was overreacting maybe it was just someone heading in

the same direction but I didn't like it not one bit I decided to test it I turned off onto a side road that I knew led to a dead end if the truck followed me down there then I'd know for sure sure enough it did I felt a cold knot in my stomach as I watched the truck in the mirror it was the same one I'd seen parked Outside the hardware store there was no mistaking it I kept driving down the narrow road trying to stay calm I told myself that I just needed to get

to the end turn around and drive past him maybe it was a misunderstanding maybe he'd just keep going but as I approached the dead end the truck sped up closing the distance between us my heart was racing now I didn't know what this guy wanted but I wasn't going to find out by sticking Around I pulled to the side of the road and threw the car into reverse my hand shaking as I backed up as fast as I could the truck kept coming getting closer and closer until it was just a few feet away I

floored the gas spinning the car around and speeding back toward the main road I didn't look back I didn't want to see if he was following me again I I just kept driving my Knuckles white as I gped the steering Wheel eventually I made it back to the highway I didn't stop until I was miles away from that town my heart still pounding in my chest I don't know what that guy wanted or why he was so insistent on following me home but I'm clad I didn't find out something about the way he looked at

me the way he spoke it felt like he had other plans I never took that EX it again and I never went back to that hardware Store and now whenever I need supplies for a project I make sure to stop at a big chain store somewhere crowded somewhere safe 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 a tiny building with a flicker neon sign that said 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 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 luck 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 watch 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 or you had 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 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 cart 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's 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 route 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 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 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 tires squealing on the asphalt and took the narrow road hoping he wouldn't follow but he did the headlight swerf 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 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 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 whe 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 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've lived in the same small town for years it's the kind of place where everyone knows each other's names and nothing much happens there's only one post office and Old Brick builting on the edge of town I've used it for years never thought twice about it it's just one of those places that fad

into the background until it Didn't about 6 months ago I started noticing something strange the post office would be closed during regular hours sometimes for a whole day I'd show up to mail a package or pick something up and the doors would be locked lights off no sign no explanation just closed the first couple of times I Shrugged it off everyone needs a break right maybe the postmaster was out sick Or something but it started happening more often I checked the hours posted on the door and I knew I wasn't going crazy they were supposed

to be open but the place was locked up tight people in town began to notice too I hear them mention it at the grocery store or at the diner asking each other what's going on with the post office no one seemed to have any answers the postmaster this guy named Dawn Wasn't exactly the chatty type he'd been working there as long as I could remember he was always polite always did his job but something about him was a little off he didn't smile much and he rarely made a contact still it never struck me as

anything more than a guy who didn't like his job one day I needed to send some important documents out I had to get them in the mail that day no exceptions I drove to the post office at Around 10:00 a.m. while within the open hours but again the doors were locked this time though it wasn't dark inside I could see lights on and there was movement someone was in there I knocked but no one came to the door I knocked again harder and then I heard it muffled voices it's sounded like at least two people

maybe more talking inside I pressed my ear against the door Trying to hear but the voices were too low to make out what they were saying I knocked one more time and finally the door creaked open just to crack Don was standing there blocking the entrance he didn't look surprised to see me but there was something off in his eyes he stared at me for a moment before speaking his voice flat we're closed closed I said pointing at the sign it Says you're open he didn't even glance at the sign we're closed I was starting

to get frustrated I just need to send a package it'll take 2 minutes he didn't move come back tomorrow I tried to look past him but he stepped in front of me blocking my my view of the inside the voices I heard earlier were gone now like they'd stopped the second I knocked that's when I noticed something strange there was a streak of what looked like dried M on da shirt smeared across his chest like Heap in in a hurry his hands were shaking slightly too what's going on in there I asked my voice more

firm this time nothing he said but there was a tension in his voice that hadn't been there before he glanced behind him just for a second but it was Enough you should go at that point something clicked in my gut and I knew something wasn't right but before I could say anything else Dawn stepped forward pushing the door shut in my face I heard the lock click into place and then there was silence again I stood there for a moment just staring at the door I didn't know what to do my mind was racing trying

to make sense of it why was the place locked who was inside with Dawn and why Were they trying so hard to keep it hidden I walked back to my car my heart beating faster than it should have been as I drove away I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Don standing at the window watching me it sent a chill down my spine something was wrong and I wasn't about to let it go the next day I went back this time I didn't go during normal hours I waited until after the post Office was

supposed to be closed if Dawn was up to something I figured it might be easier to catch him off guard I parked a little way down the street and watched the building for a while there were no cars no signs of life it looked completely deserted but I didn't believe that for a second after about an hour I saw movement the door opened and Don stepped out looking around like he was checking If anyone was watching he didn't see me tued away in my car and I watched as he locked the door behind him and

walked off down the street once he was out of sight I got out of my car and hurried toward the post office I didn't have a key but the door wasn't as secure as I thought it would be it only took a few minutes of fiddling the lock before I managed to get it open the moment I stepped inside The smell hit me it was thick heavy like milw in something rotten the air was stale like no one had been inside for days but I knew that wasn't true I'd seemed on here just hours earlier

I walked through the lobby past the empty counters and toward the back of the building where the mail was usually sorted the lights were on casting Long Shadows across the floor as I moved deeper into the Building I heard something muffled sounds almost like Whispers it was coming from a room down the hall I crept closer trying to stay quiet the door to the room was cracked open and I could see a dim light inside I pushed the door open just enough to see what was inside what I saw made my stomach turn there was

a man tied to a chair and in the middle of the room his head slumped Forward he was covered in dirt and blood his clothes torn and filthy he wasn't moving but I could hear faint breaths coming from him next to him on the floor was a shovel covered in fresh dirt I backed away my heart pounding in my chest I had to get out of there had to call the police but as I turned to leave I heard the door to the post office Creek Open my blood ran cold dawn was Back I froze

my mind racing I couldn't let him find me here I glanced around the room looking for a place to hide but there was nowhere to go the only thing I could do was stay quiet and hope he didn't come this way I heard his footsteps getting closer slow and deliberate he was humming to himself a low Tess sound that made my skin crawl I pressed myself against the wall barely daring to Breathe the footsteps stopped just outside the door I could see his shadow in the hallway long and dark my heart was pounding so hard

I was sure he'd hear it but after what felt like an eternity he moved on his footsteps fading as he walked down the hall I didn't waste any more time as soon as I was sure he was far enough away I slipped out of the room and made a run for the front Door I didn't look back I just ran my heart racing my mind spinning with what I'd just seen I didn't stop running until I was back in my car slamming the door shut behind me and locking it I sat there for a few

minutes trying to catch my breath trying to make sense of what had just happened I called the police told them everything I'd seen they came asked me questions searched the post PO office but by the time they got there the man In the chair was gone the room was empty clean like nothing had ever happened they found Don later that night trying to leave town he didn't put up a fight when they arrested him turns out he'd been involved in some kind of smuggling operation using the post office as a cover the man I'd seen

tied up was one of his Partners who tried to back out of the deal they never found the guy though 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 Runing 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 roundout 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 any one 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 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 ahead 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 s out Near the pond I looked back again this time he wasn't in the same spot but he wasn't gone either he'd 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 but suddenly I was Sprinting heading for the park entrance my phone was in my car my keys too but I didn't care I just needed to get away from him I

didn't look back didn't check to see if he was following I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears my breath coming in ragged 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 Dis 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 here 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've walked for what felt like ours 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 care 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 send me on my way I drove home in a days my hands gripping the steering will 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've always been interested in my family's history and after years of listening to old stories from relatives I decided to dig a

Little Deeper her I had traced my family back to a small town one that wasn't far from where I lived my great grandfather had grown up there and I thought it might be Interesting to learn more about his life and the town itself I didn't expect much just thought I'd spend a quiet afternoon going through some old records the town wasn't exactly a tourist destination it was quiet almost too quiet and seemed like the kind of place where not much ever happened the Main Street had a few shops a diner and the library where I

was headed the library Was small tuck between two other buildings easy to miss if you weren't looking for it inside it smelled like old books and dust there was a single librarian sitting behind the desk a woman who looked like she had been working there forever she glanced up when I walked in but didn't say anything just watch me as I made my way way over to the record section I wasn't sure where to start so I grabbed a few old newspapers and Started flipping through them most of it was just local news nothing exciting

I was about to give up and leave when I found something strange it was a small article buried in the back of a paper from the 1950s it mentioned a missing person just a brief note about a man who had disappeared Without a Trace there wasn't much information just a name and the date he was last seen I didn't think much of it at First Missing persons happen everywhere even in quiet towns like this but then I found another article and another all about people who had disappeared over the years the more I looked the

more I found it seemed like every few years someone would just vanish the Articles were always short always fake no followup no explanation just Gone I went back to the librarian carrying a few of the articles with me when I asked her about it her expression changed at first she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about but when I showed her the Articles she got defensive said it wasn't something people around here talked about that made me curious why wouldn't they talk about it I wasn't asking for much just wanted to know

if there was any more Information maybe there had been a string of kidnappings or something and they didn't want to scare people I figured there had to be more to it than just these little notes in the paper but the librarian got this weird look in her eyes she leaned in close and told me I should stop looking into it said I was digging into things that were better left alone I thought she was being being traumatic trying to make it sound more Mysterious than it really was but there was something about the way she

said it that made my skin crawl I went back to the records ignoring her warning I found an old file tucked away in a drawer that looked like it hadn't been opened in years it was full of information on local missing person's cases dozens of them going back decades names dates descriptions all of them were Locals all of them disappeared in or near the town as I read through the file I started to notice a pattern the disappearances weren't random they all happened around the same time of your late summer just a few weeks apart

and they all happened in the same general area a part of town that was mostly abandoned now I didn't understand what I was looking at but it felt like there was something more to it something The town didn't want people to know I decided to ask the librarian again this time pushing for more answers when I brought up the file she looked genuinely angry told me I needed to leave that I shouldn't be snooping around in things I didn't understand she said it was dangerous that people had been hurt before because they didn't listen I

didn't know what to make of it why was she so Upset it was just old news nothing more than that but the more she talked the more I realized she was scared not angry scared she kept glancing around like someone might be listening her voice dropping to a whisper as she told me to leave town to forget what I'd seen I didn't leave I should have but I didn't I couldn't shap the feeling that I was on the verge of uncovering Something something important I decided to go to the area where most of the disappearances

had happened it was only a few blocks away and I figured it couldn't hurt to take a look the area was run down like I expected a few boarded up buildings overgrown yards it looked like no one had lived there in years but as I walked through the streets I got this feeling like I was being Launched every time I turned around there was no one there but the feeling wouldn't go away it was like the whole place was holding its breath waiting for something I found an old house that matched the description in one

of the Articles it was one of the last places a missing person had been seen before they vanished the door was locked but a window around the back was broken so I climbed in the inside was just as Rundown as the outside dust everywhere old furniture covered in sheets I don't know what I was expecting to find but the house felt wrong I can't explain it it was just a house empty like all the others but something about it made my skin crawl it was too quiet too still I started to leave when I heard

footsteps outside at first I thought maybe it was just someone passing by but they didn't Go away they got closer slow deliberate steps coming right toward the house my heart was pounding in my chest as I crouched behind an old couch hoping whoever it was would just leave but they didn't the door creaked open and I heard someone step inside I couldn't see them from where I was hiding but I could hear them walking through the ow their footsteps echoing off the walls they were moving slowly Like they were looking for something or someone I

stayed as still as I could barely breathing praying they wouldn't find me the footsteps got closer then stopped I could hear them r on the other side of the couch I thought for sure they had found me that any second now they'd reach down and grabbed me but after a moment the footsteps moved away I listened as they walked through the house then out the Door I waited a long time before I moved just in case they were still outside when I finally got up I made a run for it climbing back out the window

and sprinting back to the main street I didn't stop running until I was back at the library the librarian was waiting for me she must have known I would come back she didn't say anything just shook her head and handed me an envelope I didn't open it until I got Back to my car inside was a single sheet of paper it was old yellowed with age and the handwriting was hard to read but it was a list of names all the names I had seen in the missing person's file plus a few more at the

bottom of the list was a note scrolled in shaky handwriting leave before your next I didn't need any more Convincing I left town that day and never went back I don't know what's going on in that town and I don't want to know but I'm sure of one thing the people people that know exactly what's happening and they don't want anyone else finding out I hadn't been back to that town in years my mom's family was from there a small place out in the middle of nowhere it was one of those towns she'd never hear

about unless she knew someone Who lived there after my grandparents passed we stopped visiting there wasn't much reason to go back until the funeral it was my great aunt who died I didn't know her well just met her a few times when I was little she was a nice woman from what I remembered but we weren't close still my mom insisted we go family was family she said so I drove her there a couple of hours from where we lived And found myself in that Tiny Town again the funeral home was old with a creaky

sign hanging up front it looked like it hadn't been updated in decades but that didn't seem unusual for a place like this everything moved slower here the town itself was almost eerie and how quiet it was even for a funeral day not many people were walking around and the streets felt deserted I figured everyone was either at work or attending the Service we went inside signed the guest book and took our seats in the back the room was small maybe 30 chairs lined up and row facing the casket at the front there was a soft

murmur as people talked in hush voices but no one seemed too upset most of the people there were older and I guess they'd known my great anunt for years my mom whispered that a lot of them probably grew up with her the funeral director was standing by the casket he was tall and thin dressed in a Black suit that looked too big for him his hair was slick back and he had this strange smile on his face like he was trying too hard to be polite but it didn't quite reach his eyes something about him

made me uneasy but I told myself it was just a weird atmosphere as the service began I tried to pay attention but my eyes kept drifting toward the casket the lid was half open just enough so you could see the body Inside it wasn't something I like to look at but I couldn't help it my great aunt was there dressed in a pale blue gown her hands folded neatly on her chest she looked peaceful but something about it felt off I couldn't put my finger on it at first but the longer I stared the more

certain I became that something was wrong her face it didn't look right I leaned over to my mom and whispered does she look Different to you Mom glanced over squinting she shook her head but I could tell she wasn't really looking she just thought I was being sensitive it was a funeral after all people don't look the same once they're gone I tried to tell myself that but I couldn't shake the feeling that the woman in the casket was in my great a after the service people started lining up to pay their final respects I

stood with my mom waiting for A turn but my eyes kept flicking toward the funeral director he was watching the line smiling that same forc smile when we got to the casket I hesitated my mom stepped forward placing a hand on the edge of the casket Whispering something under her breath I just stared at the body it wasn't her I was sure of it now the face the hands even the way the Gown fit it was all wrong this wasn't my great Ant I turned to the funeral director trying to catch his eye he noticed

me staring and came over still smiling everything all right he asked his voice smooth but cold I swallowed hard that's not her he tilted his head his smile fading for just a second before it came back wi did this time I assure you that's Mrs harrove we've taken great care to prepare her for Today now I said my voice shaking that's not her my mom tugged on my arm trying to pull me away stop it she whispered you're making a scene but I couldn't leave it alone the more I looked the more certain I became

I turned back to the funeral director who is this his eyes narrowed and the smile vanished completely he stepped closer lowering His voice this is not the time for that you need to be respectful I glanced around no one else seemed to notice what was going on they were all still lined up paying their respect completely unaware of the wrong body lying in the casket my heart was racing something was seriously wrong here I need to leave I muttered to my Mom pulling away from her crib the funeral director moved in front of me blocking

my path I'm afraid I can't let you do that he said his voice flat and cold now what are you talking about I tried to step around him but he cracked my arm hard his fingers dug into my skin and I gasped you've seen too much he whispered leaning in close it would be best if you stayed Quiet I pulled back trying to shake off his grip but he held untight let go of me I hissed he didn't budge his eyes were cold almost lifeless as he stared at me you need to stay quiet understand

my mom noticed now her eyes white with confusion what's going on she asked stepping closer nothing the funeral director said Quickly his still tight on my arm just a misunderstanding your daughter's a bit upset that's all I yanked my arm free my AR pounding in my chest we're leaving I said lot of this time the funeral director stepped back his smile returning but it didn't reach his eyes of course I'm sure you'll feel better once you've had some time my mom grabbed my arm pulling me toward the Door I could feel the funeral director's eyes

on me the whole way out as soon as we were outside I turned to my mom trying to explain but she just shook her head you're being ridiculous she said it's a funeral emotions run High I knew she wouldn't believe me but I couldn't let it go that wasn't her in the casket I didn't know who it was but it wasn't my great aunt something was wrong and the funeral Director knew it he was hiding something something terrible we got into the car and I told my mom I needed a minute I sat there staring

at the funeral home my hand shaking what was I supposed to do I couldn't prove anything no one would believe me but I knew what I saw as we drove away I glanced in the rearview mirror the funeral director was Standing in the doorway watching us his face was blank now no smile no expression at all just watching I didn't sleep that night I kept thinking about that body in the casket the cold look in the funeral director's eyes the way he grabbed my arm I couldn't shape the feeling that I was in danger that

he wouldn't let this go a few days later I got a call from my mom she heard from one of her cousins that the funeral home had been shut down The state had gotten involved after some complaints and they found evidence of something she didn't know the details just that the place was under investigation I never found out what happened to the real body I never went back to that town and I don't plan to but I can't stop thinking about it about what the funeral director said you've seen too much I don't know what

he meant by that But I have a feeling I was lucky to get out when I did I went to the local barber shop last week just looking for a quick haircut nothing fancy just to clean up and I figured it would be a good way to start the weekend I've been to this place a few times before it was an old shop kind of rundown but that's the charm of a small town right the kind of place where Everyone knew everyone and you'd usually end up up talking to someone you hadn't seen in years

no matter when you walked in I didn't recognize the guy cutting hair that day but that wasn't unusual they seemed to have someone knew there pretty often this guy had gray hair and a weathered face he looked to be in his 60s maybe older he was quick and quiet at first just asking how I wanted my haircut Nothing more I told him short on the sides keep the top a little longer and sat back trying to relax at first everything felt normal he worked fast his scissors snipping away and there was that steady Buzz of

the Clippers it wasn't until he started talking that things felt off so you've been living here long he asked out of nowhere I answered a few years now moved Here for work settled down he nodded like he was listening but not really interested in my answer then he paused for a moment running his fingers through my hair before snipping again you know people don't leave this town once they come he said almost casually I didn't think much of it at first figuring it was just small town banter it's a common thing really people like to

talk about how everyone who Comes here ends up staying but the way he said it was strange like it wasn't just an observation but a statement about something more I chuckled lightly yeah I guess people get comfortable pretty quiet place here his hand stopped for a moment and I felt his eyes on me through the mirror he looked at me like he was sizing me up quiet is Right real quiet almost like the place keeps people You know he went back to cutting his voice s s but sharper now like he was speaking in a

lower more deliberate tone I didn't know how to respond so I just nodded and said yeah I guess there was a pause I glanced around the shop and it suddenly felt a bit too still there wasn't anyone else there the door which was usually left open for fresh air was closed I assumed maybe someone had closed it to keep out the wind but it Struck me as AA I hadn't noticed him close it he kept cutting but his tone turned a little darker you ever wonder why people don't leave I Shrugged not really I mean

it's a nice town I guess what's not to like he smiled but it wasn't a friendly smile it was one of those Smiles that felt like it had some hidden meaning behind it it's not the town that keeps People it's something else something people don't like to talk about I looked at him through the mirror my stomach tightening I was starting to feel uncomfortable but I didn't want to make it obvious it wasn't like I could just get up and walk out I didn't know what his deal was but he didn't seem dangerous at first

just strange I don't know what you mean I Said trying to keep the conversation light what do you mean by something else his sisters paused for a second and then he set them down on the counter he turned to face me you're not from here are you I felt my heart skip a beat ah like I said I've been here for a few years now he stepped a little closer his eyes never leaving mine and his voice dropped even lower you know what happens to people who try to leave I froze for a moment not

sure if he was messing around or if this was going somewhere I didn't want it to my mind raised I didn't think he was joking anymore and the way he was looking at me sent a chill down my spine people try to leave all the time I said keeping my voice steady but my hands were starting to shake his face hardened no they Don't I glanced toward the door but I noticed the key hanging on on the wall behind him it was hanging from a hook right next to the door and I realized the door

was locked it had been locked the entire time I've been there I shifted in the chair is there a reason the door's locked I asked trying to keep my tone casual but my nerves were already starting to fray he smiled again but this time it Wasn't comforting at all it was almost like he was daring me to speak again you ever wonder why no one ever leaves the air fell thick suddenly and I was starting to panic my Palms were sweating I stood up pretending I was just going to check my phone but I was

really trying to figure out how I could get out of there look man I'm just here for a haircut I said trying to sound calm I don't know what you're talking About I need to go I reached for the door handle but it didn't move I tugged harder the handle was jammed stuck in place I tried pulling it harder but it wouldn't budge my heart started pounding I felt the blood rush to my ears the barber was standing just behind me now watching me with that same unnerving Smile no one ever leaves once they come

he said softly his breath warm on the back of my neck we we all stay here we're part of the town no one ever leaves I turned around trying to stay calm but my legs were shaking what the hell is that supposed to mean I asked my voice trembling he didn't answer right away he just kept staring at me like he Was studying my face you're not going to leave either he said we've got things here we don't let people leave it's better that way I felt trapped and my mind was racing I could feel

the weight of the situation settling in I had to get out I couldn't let this guy this freaky old Barber and keep me here there was something wrong with this place I should have known it when I First walked in I should have left a moment he started talking like that I packed up away from the barber my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst I reached into my pocket trying to find my phone but my hands were shaking too badly to hold it steady I couldn't let him get close why W you

just let me go I shouted but my voice cracked he didn't say anything he just took another step Closer still smiling like he was enjoying this in a panic I I ran to the back of the shop trying the back door it was locked too I could hear the barber slow deliberate footsteps behind me I didn't have a choice anymore I couldn't think of a way out I had to do something I crapped a metal comb off the counter and turned to face him the look in his eyes send a jolt of fear through me

I rushed at him Swimming the comb toward him desperate to push him back for a second I think I caught him off guard he stumbled and I bolted past him out the door I ran into the street my heart racing not stopping until I was far enough away when I finally got home I locked every door and window I still don't know what he meant about no one leaving but I haven't gone back to that town Since every time I think about it my hands still Shake I still remember how he said no one ever

leaves and I don't know if it's just a creepy threat or if there's something darker going on in that town I moved to a small town last spring it was the kind of place where everyone seemed to know everyone and people looked at you a little longer than you usual if they didn't recognize you but I figured that was normal in a place like That I come from the city and I was used to being just another face in the crowd so the change felt different the air was cleaner people said hello on the street

and I thought it would be a good place to settle down a few months after I moved in I heard there was going to be a town meeting at the community center they out these meetings every so often and it seemed like the kind of thing I should start attending if I wanted to really be a part of the Town I hadn't met too many people so I thought it would be a good chance to introduce myself the flyer said it was a Newcomer's night where they welcome people who'd moved to the area recently I

got there early and found a seat near the middle the room was small with folding chairs set up in rows and a table up front where a few people from the Town Council were sitting there was a Podium two and a few sheets of paper Paper scattered on the table probably some kind of agenda the lights were bright and there was a strange bu coming from somewhere I couldn't tell if it was the lights or maybe just my nerves more people started coming in most of them chatting in low voices I saw a few familiar

faces from the local shops but I didn't know anyone well enough to say hi as I looked around I noticed something odd the people who Had been sitting near me were getting up and moving to different different seats away from where I was I thought maybe I was just being paranoid but as more people filled the room it became more obvious they all seemed to keep their distance from me the meeting started with a man named Gary at the podium he looked like the kind of guy who'd lived there his whole life have he said

with a beard that hadn't seen a Reaser in months he welcomed everyone especially the newcomers and talked a bit about the town's history it was the usual small town stuff old buildings festivals things like that but when he finished and it was time for people to speak there was a shift it was like the air got thicker someone from the back spoke up a woman with gray hair wearing a faded cardigan she didn't look at me when she spoke but her voice carried through the Room don't you think we should talk about the incidents she

said Terry didn't seem surprised he nodded slowly and glanced over at the other council members who were all looking down at their hands for their papers he turned back to the woman and said I think it's fair to address that Ruth it's on everyone's mind I didn't know what incidents they were talking about and nobody was explaining it there were murmur from Some of the others and I felt more eyes drifting in my direction I didn't know why but I could feel it there was a man a couple of rows ahead of me who kept

glancing over his shoulder every time I caught his eye he turned back around quickly like he didn't want me to see him looking then another person spoke up this time a man in his 60s his voice sharp we've had our share of problems since folks started moving in he said things disappearing People not feeling safe in their own homes I wanted to stand up and say something to ask what had to do with me but I couldn't find the right moment the more they talked the more the room seemed to close in it was like

they weren't having a meeting anymore they were having an argument but I wasn't sure with who it was like they were all arguing at me without actually saying it someone else chimed in a younger woman with dark hair tied back maybe it's time We started asking who's really a part of this town and who's just passing through she said her voice tight she didn't look directly at me but her words were pointed enough Gary cleared his throat and tried to keep the meeting on track but it was no use the whole thing had shifted into

something else something that wasn't on any agenda people kept bringing up F complaints about newcomers strangers they called them someone mentioned the Old house on Birch Street that had been broken into a few weeks ago and another person mentioned finding their dog wandering far from home one night I felt my stomach twist it wasn't just the accusations there was something else in the way they talked it was like they had already decided who was to blame for whatever had happened and they didn't need any proof I didn't know anyone here well enough to have done

anything to them but That didn't seem to matter they kept hinting around it like they didn't need to say my name out loud for everyone to know who they were talking about I finally found the nerve to speak up I'm sorry I don't understand what this has to do with me I said my voice sounded small in the room nobody answered right away G looked like he was going to say something but then he stopped the older man who had spoken before turned around in his chair fixing His eyes on me we know you're new

here he said slowly and maybe you don't know how things work in a small town but people pay attention what are you trying to say I asked standing up from my seat the room went quiet too quiet everyone was staring now I could feel sweat on my back my hands starting to Tremble G spoke again his voice soft almost like he was trying to Cal a child we're just saying maybe you should keep an eye on your behavior he said people are watching and we noticed things little things that don't sit right I felt trapped

the door to the hall was on the other side of the room and I wasn't sure I could make it out without someone trying to stop me I could see people starting to shift in their seats leaning forward just Slightly it felt like they were closing in I turned on my heel and walked straight for the exit not waiting for Gary or anyone else to say another word I pushed open the doors and didn't look back my heart pounding in my ears I didn't know what had just happened in there or why they were acting

like that I hurried to my car and locked the doors as soon as I got in starting the engine and driving away the next day I started packing up I didn't Need to be told twice I wasn't going to stick around and find out what happen next as I left town I saw some of the people from the meeting out on their porches were standing by their cars just watching me drive away I didn't stop I didn't look back I just kept going and I haven't gone back since my car broke down late in the

Afternoon I was about halfway through my road trip somewhere in a town I didn't even catch the name of I've been driving for hours and the engine started making a knocking sound I thought it was the kind of thing I could push through just get to the next city or even a rest area but after another few miles it just died completely I coasted under the shoulder and sat there for a minute just staring at the dashboard hoping it' start right Up again but it didn't the engine didn't even turn over I was stuck there

wasn't much around just a small auto shop down the road it was the only place I'd seen for a while I crapped my phone to call for help but I couldn't get a signal I remember feeling that sinking feeling in my stomach realizing I have to walk over there it wasn't far maybe A4 mile but I felt exposed out there on The open road with nothing but fields on either side the sun was was getting low casting Long Shadows across everything I reached the shop and it looked like it had been there forever one of

those places that seems Frozen in Time the paint was peeling off the walls and there was a sign out front that looked like it hadn't been updated in years there was a man behind the counter older with a scruffy beard and a stink blue Jumpsuit he glanced up when I came in car trouble he asked though it was pretty obvious I told him what happened and he said he could take a look but wouldn't be able to get any parts until the next day he offered to tow my car back to the shop for a

fee and I didn't have much choice so I agreed we took his old tow truck back up the road and he hooked up my car without saying much back at the shop he had me Pull up a chair in the waiting area while he started checking under the hood the place was cluttered like a 100 projects had been left half finished there was a faint smell of oil and M the kind that gets in your nose and sticks I sat there just hoping it wouldn't be a big fix after what felt like an hour he

came back in and said the engine was shot something about a blown head gasket Though he wasn't clear on the details he said there was no way he'd be able to fix it until tomorrow at the earliest I was stuck there for the night you can sleep in here here if you want he said like it was nothing guy caught in the back not the best but better than the car I didn't like the idea but the town was so small I doubted there was a motel around and I didn't see any other options I

asked him how much it' be to Fix the car and he just Shrugged like he hadn't thought about it yet depends on what I got it do he said we'll figure it out in the morning I didn't feel right about it it something about the whole thing seemed off but I told myself I was just tired I went to the kahat set up in the back but I couldn't sleep I kept hearing noises little clinks and clatters from outside I told myself it was just him Working on something but it didn't sound like tools it

was more like footsteps and sometimes they seemed too close to the window near where I was lying after a while the noises stopped and I finally drifted off I woke up Suddenly to a faint scraping sound like metal onm metal it was coming from the direction of my car I got up and walked out to the shop floor the man was standing by my car is Back to me he was working on something but I couldn't see what it was when I got closer I noticed he'd taken one of the wheels off and had the

hood propped open again what are you doing I asked my voice sounding too loud in the empty shop he didn't look up thought I'd get a head start he said no harm in getting things ready for tomorrow something wasn't right I mean who works on a car in the middle of a night like that I stepped Closer trying to see what he was really doing and I saw that he had my car battery out and a few other parts laid out on a cloth it didn't look like he was was fixing anything it looked more

like he was taking it apart I thought you said it was too late to work on it I said and that's when he finally turned to look at me his eyes were dark like they were set too far back in his skull and there was Something in his expression that made my skin crawl go back to bed he said his voice low and steady you don't need to be out here I felt a jolt of fear run through me but I forced myself to keep calm I mumbled something about being restless and backed away heading

back to the cart but I didn't go back to sleep I just sat there my heart pounding listening for more Sounds I didn't know what his deal was but I knew I wasn't going to stick around to find out while I was sure he wasn't looking I crept back out to the shop floor and checked my car he' taken out more than just a battery there were a few other parts missing stuff I didn't recog nize it looked like he was making sure it wouldn't be able to start again I glanced back toward the office

and saw him coming out wiping his hands on a rag I ducked down behind the car just in time he walked right past where I was hiding muttering to himself he went over to a cabinet and pulled out a tool I didn't recognize it had a long handle and a sharp edge and he CT it like he knew exactly how to use it I didn't wait to see what he was planning I crawled around to the other side of the car trying to stay out of his line of sight my hands were shaking And I

didn't know if I could make it to the front door without him noticing I was halfway there when I heard him say where do you think you're going I didn't look back I ran for the door yanking it open and bolting outside I heard his footsteps behind me the door slamming shut I took off down the road my lungs burning not even sure where I was going I just knew I needed to get away From him I saw some lights up ahead and realized there was a diner about a mile down the road I kept

running even though my legs were screaming at me to stop when I finally reached it I burst through the doors gasping for breath the woman behind the counter looked up startled are you okay she asked I didn't even know what to say I just shook my head pointing back down the road toward the shop she called the police and when they showed up I Told them what happened they went to the shop but by the time they got there the man was gone the place was locked up like nothing had happened but they found the

tools he'd been using and my car was still half disassembled the police didn't seem too surprised when I described the man to them they said he'd been a problem before though they didn't go into details they towed my car to another shop in a different town where it Finally got fixed I never found out what his real intentions were and I'm not sure I want to know I haven't been back through that area since and I don't plan on it there's just something about being stranded in a place where no one knows you or there's

nowhere to run that still makes me uneasy I decided to take a weekend for myself at a bed and breakfast in a small town a Few hours away I booked the place because the photos online made it look cozy like the kind of spot where you could just disconnect for a while the house was old one of those Victorian style places with a big porch out front and lace curtains in the windows when I arrived the owner a woman named Nora greeted me at the door she seemed friendly enough at first smiling and shaking my

hand like she'd known me for years she showed me around pointing Out the dining room where breakfast would be served in the little sitting area that had a couple of armchairs and a shelf of books she took me up to my room on the second floor it was nice just as the picture showed with a big for poster bed and a few of the garden up back she lingered at the door after I'd set my bag down asking if I needed anything else then started asking where I was from and if I had come out

here alone her tone was Casual but the questions felt strange to me like they weren't just small talk I told her I was here by myself for the weekend just trying to get away from work for a bit she nodded and said she understood then she asked if I had family nearby or if any anyone knew where I was staying I remember feeling a little put off by that it wasn't the kind of thing you'd usually ask a guest but I brushed it off thinking she was just being Curious I answered as vaguely as I

could said something about a friend who knew where I was she looked at me for a second then just said she HED I enjoyed my stay and left that night I was lying in bed reading one of the books I picked up from the sitting area when I heard footsteps in the hallway outside my room at first I thought it might just be another guest but then I remembered I was the only one there Nora had Mentioned that earlier the place was completely booked up the previous week but i' come at a slow time the

footsteps were quiet like someone trying not to make noise and they stopped right outside my door I got up and walked over to the door pressing my ear against it I didn't hear anything else else just the faint sound of the wind outside I almost opened it but then felt stupid for being so Chumpy I figured it was probably nothing and went back to bed but I didn't fall asleep right away I lay there listening half expecting the footsteps to start up again the next morning I noticed that some of my things weren't where I'd

left them I had my phone charger plugged in near the nightstand and now it was wound up neatly and placed on the desk I was sure I didn't do that my suitcase which I'd left unzipped was now closed And buckled up it was just little things but they felt wrong like someone had been in there while I was asleep at breakfast Nora acted completely normal serving me coffee and chatting about the town I kept trying to catch any hint that she knew more than she was letting on but she just smiled and kept the conversation

light she didn't mention anything about the night before or ask if I'd slept well which seemed strange Because that's the sort of thing you'd expect someone wanting a bed end breakfast to ask right I wanted to bring up what I heard but I felt ridiculous if it had been her in the hall she probably just deny it or maybe even think I was accusing her of something the second night I was even more on edge I locked my door and pushed a chair in front of it just in case it made me feel a little

better but not Much I left the lamp on and tried to distract myself with more reading but I couldn't focus it felt like the room was pressing in on me I'd been listening so hard for any sound that when I finally heard a faint scraping outside the window I jumped it was soft at first then got louder like someone was brushing against the side of the house I got out of bed and moved slowly toward the window I didn't see anyone but I noticed That one of the shutters was open I was almost sure they'd

both been closed when I come up to the room earlier I backed away and went back to the chair I propped against the door just standing there not sure what to do it was like I was waiting for something but I didn't know what eventually I did fall asleep but it wasn't restful I kept waking up feeling like I'd heard something but not being sure If I dreamed it when morning came I felt more exhausted than I had before I'd come on this so-called getaway I started packing up to leave as I was sipping on

my suitcase I noticed something that sent a chill down my spine my toothbrush which had been on the sink the night before was now in my bag it was wrapped in a small plastic bag that wasn't mine I hadn't touched it since I'd Arrived I went downstairs to check out and Nora was there smiling as always I tried to keep my voice steady as I asked as she come into my room at all during my stay her smile faded just a little and there was a quick flash of something in her eyes annoyance maybe or

recognition but it was gone so fast I couldn't be sure she told me she' had no reason to go up there and asked if everything was all right I didn't know what to say so I Just nodded and handed her the payment I was almost up the door when she said you left your window unlocked last night you know I froze and turned to look at her there was something in the way she said it like she knew it would get under my skin I hadn't told her about the shutter being open I hadn't even

mentioned the window I forced a smile and told her thanks then hurried out to my car as I pulled out of the driveway I glanced Back at the house and saw her standing on the porch watching me go she had that same smile but there was something different about it now like it was more for her than for me I drove straight home and didn't stop until I was well out of that town for the rest of the drive I couldn't shape the feeling that there was something I hadn't noticed while I was there something

she' done or said that i' missed I kept going over every little Detail in my head wondering what could have happened if I hadn't left when I did I'm not sure what her deal was or what she was trying to do but I've never stayed at a bed and breakfast again there's just something about staying in a stranger's house that doesn't sit right with me anymore I was passing through a small town on my way back from a long drive somewhere in the middle of nowhere I'd been on the road for hours and Started to

feel a headache coming on probably from dehydration and just sitting too long behind the wheel I remembered I had a prescription in my glove box from a while back some headache meds my doctor had given me but I never felt I figured I'd stop at the first Pharmacy I found get it filled and then I could make the last couple of hours home without my head pounding I pulled into this small Pharmacy on the corner of a quiet street it looked old fashioned the kind of place you'd see in a movie set in the 1950s

there were only two cars in the lot and I didn't see anyone inside at first just the lights on and some dusty shelves Through the Windows I hesitated before going in wondering if the place was even still open but the door wasn't locked and a little bell jingled as I walked in there was a faint smell like medicine mixed With something musty the shelves were filled with the usual stuff over- the- counter meds bandages some toiletries but it all looked like it hadn't been touched in a while the counter was at the back and behind

it was a man in a white coat probably in his late 50s or early 60s with thinning hair and glasses that sat crooked on his nose he didn't look up right away just kept scribbling something on a Clipboard excuse me I said holding up the folded prescription slip could I get this filled he looked up then and his eyes locked onto mine for a second too long before drifting down to the paper I handed him he took it from me and scanned it over then nodded slowly sure he said his voice low and gravy I'll

get that ready for you might take a few minutes we don't get many people coming in this time of Day I just nodded and wandered around the store while he disappeared into the back I thought I heard some clattering back there like bottles being knocked over but I figured he was just digging around to find the right meds I picked up a magazine and flipped through it but the pages were yellowed and old so I put it back after a while the pharmacist came back out and set a small paper bag on the counter he

had this weird little smile On his face that didn't reach his eyes and I didn't like the way he was looking at me here you go he said that'll be $15 I handed him a 20 and he put the change on the counter without counting it back to me when I reached for the bag I noticed the label on the bottle inside wasn't the medication I had been prescribed it was some other name I didn't recognize and I pointed that out to him ah this isn't what I asked for I said this isn't the right

Medication his smile stayed fixed in place but there was a slight shift in his expression like he was annoying that I even brought it up it's the same thing he said just a generic version does the same job probably even better I was pretty sure it wasn't I wasn't about to take something I didn't recognize especially not from a place that didn't look like it got much business I'd rather have what was on the prescription I Insisted I'll wait if you need more time his face hardened then it's the same thing he repeated this time

with a bit of a bite to his words I know what I'm doing been doing this a long time he kept his hand on the bag as I reached for it again like he wasn't going to let me take it unless I agreed to what he was saying I just prefer what I was prescribed I said trying to keep my voice calm or maybe I'll just get it Filled somewhere else his hand tightened around the top of the paper paper bag and he leaned across the counter a little you're not going anywhere until you take

what I gave you he said and his voice was low and steady almost like he was trying to threaten me without raising his voice a chill ran through me I didn't know if he was just some old guy with a bad temper or something was seriously wrong here but I wasn't about to argue with him Anymore all right fine I said taking the bag from him I'll just take this and and be on my way as I backed away from the counter I saw his eyes following me watching every step I took toward the door

the moment I pushed the door open I heard him say take it as soon as you can it'll work better that way there was something off about the way he said it like there was a hidden meaning behind the words and I didn't wait around to find out what he meant I got to my car And tossed a bag onto the passenger seat started the engine and pulled out of that lot as fast as I could without peeling out when I was a few miles out of town I finally took the bottle out of the

bag and looked at it closer it wasn't even close to what I had been prescribed the label didn't match anything I'd heard of and when I searched the name on my phone I couldn't find any results for it no information At all like it didn't exist the pill color was different too a pale blue instead of the white ones I've been prescribed I wasn't sure what I'd just been given but I knew one thing I wasn't about to swallow any of it I pulled over and tossed the whole bag into a trash pin at the

side of the road then I just sat there for a few minutes trying to shake the feeling that I just escaped something that could have gone very Wrong I don't know if it was some kind of scam or if the guy was testing something out on me without saying it maybe he was trying to see if I'd even notice he gave me the wrong thing all I know is the whole time I was there he acted like he knew something I didn't like he was waiting for me to do exactly what he wanted and when

I didn't his whole demeanor shifted like he had a plan that didn't go the way he expected I ended up calling my doctor And telling him what happened he seemed just as confused as I was and said it was a good thing I didn't take the pills he told me to just come into the office and get a new prescription I didn't mention the name of the town or the pharmacy because to be honest I wasn't even sure if I remembered the name right it was just a blur after that I just kept driving until

I felt like I was far enough away from there I still get a chill when I Think about that guy's eyes the way he stared at me like he was trying to figure out if I was going to play along or push back and the way he held on to that bag like he wasn't going to let me leave without it still gets to me I haven't stopped at a small town Pharmacy since I just don't trust them anymore I was just passing through this small town on a weekend trip I had some time to

kill and spoted a little Bookshop tucked between two old Buildings it had one of those withered signs swinging over the door Townson books and the front window was crowded with Dusty stacks of books and Faded posters it looked like the kind of place where you might find something interesting a Hidden Gem or an old classic you've forgotten about so I went in figuring I'd browse for a bit and maybe pick something up to read inside it was dim and it smelled like old paper and damp wood the shelves Were crammed close together and there didn't

seem seemed to be much order to how things were arranged there were books stacked sideways some leaning against each other and a couple that looked like they've been shoved back in a hurry it was quiet too so quiet that I could hear my own footsteps on the creaky floorboards I didn't see anyone behind the counter when I walked in but a little bell over the door had jingled so I figured someone must have noticed I'd come in I started wandering through the aisles looking at the spines of the books most of them didn't have any

kind of organization and some didn't even have titles on them just blank covers it was a bit strange but I was curious so I kept browsing I must have been walking around for a good 10 minutes or so before I spotted a section in the very back Tucked away behind a tall shelf that seemed like it was almost meant to hide it there was a handwritten sign over it that said Private Collection it wasn't big just a small area with a few shelves and a narrow table the books here were different some looked really old

with cracked leather covers and yellowed pages but what caught my eye were these thin little booklets almost like journals they didn't have any titles on Them just scrolled writing them the front I picked one up and flipped it open the pages inside weren't printed they were handwritten the writing was messy and shaky and it wasn't really stories or poems it was more like thoughts or ramblings a few sentences on one page would be about someone following the writer then the next page would be about seeing strange shadows in the woods outside town the more I

read the more it Felt like the person who wrote it wasn't right in the head I put it back and picked up another one this one had more notes like that except these talked about people in the town describing them in weird ways saying they were Watchers or keepers I didn't know what any of it meant but it made my skin crawl like I'd stumbled on something I wasn't supposed to see just then I heard a floorboard Creak behind me and I turned around to see the Shopkeeper standing there he was an older guy maybe

in his late 60s with white hair and a mustache that hummed down past his lip he had this thin frame and his cloth looked oldfashioned like he hadn't updated his wardrobe in decades but the way he was was looking at me it was the way his eyes didn't blink didn't move away they were fixed on me in a way that made me feel pinned in place find something interesting he Asked his voice was calm too calm I fumbled to put the little booklet back on the shelf and shook my head no just browsing I said

trying to sound casual but my voice came out shakier than I meant it to he took a step closer and his eyes flick to the booklets then back to me not many people go back there he said that section's meant for the locals I didn't know I said starting to back away I was just Curious curiosity brought you here he replied taking another step now you're part of it I didn't like the way he said that like there was some kind of hidden meaning behind the words I took another step back but he moved quicker

than I thought an old man could stepping right in front of me and blocking the way out of the little section his thin frame didn't look like much but there was something in his stance the way he squirt his shoulders That told me I wasn't going to just push past him I should be going I said trying to keep my voice steady I didn't mean to you don't leave not now he interrupted his voice dropping lower you you've read what's in there you're part of the community now I didn't know what he was talking about

and I didn't care I just wanted to get out of there I took a step back and tried to move to the side but he reached out and grabbed My arm his fingers digging in harder than I thought he'd be able to let go I said trying to pull away but his tightened I felt a surge of panic then like cold water pouring over me the way he was holding on to me it wasn't just a grip to keep me from moving it felt like he was trying to drag me somewhere I'll call the police

I said Luder this time hoping to scare him off just let me go he didn't let go but I Saw a flicker in his eyes like something had shifted in him his lips curled into a smile and he said no need for that you won't be needing a phone where you're going F that was it I hanged my arm back as hard as I could and managed to break free from his grip I didn't look back I just ran straight for the door my heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat

and every step I took felt like it took a year to give me closer to the Exit I expected him to come after me to crab me from behind and pull me back into that dark corner but when I reached the door and shoved it open he was still standing there just watching me with that same smile I sprinted to my car fumbling for the keys in my pocket my hands were shaking so much it took me three tries to get the key into the ignition and the whole time I kept looking back at the

shop he was still standing there just inside the Door watching me with that same plank stair I finally got the car started and pulled out of the lot so fast I nearly ran off the road I didn't stop driving until I was at least a few Towns over I couldn't shake the feeling that he'd somehow followed me or that he put something on my car but when I finally pulled over a rest stop and got out to check there was nothing just me my car and the empty road behind me I don't know what that

place was or what he Meant by Community I don't know if the things in those booklets were real or just the ramblings of someone unwell but the way he looked at me the way he said I was part of it now it was like he was convinced that I could cross some kind of line and there was no going back I haven't been able to get the image of his face out of my head or the feeling of his hand gripping my arm like he'd never let go I don't know what he Was planning to

do but I'm sure of one thing I'm never setting foot in that town again if you ever find yourself passing through don't stop just keep driving I was out of town for work passing through this small place I'd never heard of before needed to grab some groceries for the week so I stopped at the first store I found it was this older looking grocery store not a chain just a local place with faded signs and flickering Lights in the parking lot the kind of store that seemed like it had been there forever but still wasn't

too run down I didn't think much of it at the time I was just there to get some Basics and get back on the road it was quiet inside not many people around just a couple of customers scattered through the aisles I didn't notice anything strange at first just crapped a basket and started going up and down the aisles looking for what I needed but a few Minutes in I started to feel like something was off I kept seeing this guy mid-40s kind of scruffy looking with a baseball cap pulled low over his face at

first I didn't think anything of it figured he was just doing his shopping too but then I noticed he'd end up in almost every aisle I was in just a few feet away from me always looking down at his phone or pretending to look at the Shelves I tried not to get paranoid but it kept happening I I'd go to the next aisle and a minute later there he was again just close enough that I could tell it wasn't a coincidence I started picking up the pace not even grabbing anything just walking through each aisle

to see if he'd follow and he did every single time I stopped in the frozen food Section and tried to stay put standing there for what felt like forever I was staring at a row of TV dinners waiting to see if he'd show up again I was almost convincing myself it was just my imagination when I saw him step into the aisle he didn't even pretend to shop this time just stood at the far end leaning on his cart watching me he had this strange little grin on his face like he knew something I didn't

I turned And headed for the front of the store I was done I didn't even care if I didn't get everything I needed I just wanted to get out but as I walked up to the checkout Lanes I noticed a cashier this young woman was staring at me with white eyes like she was scared or something there was no one else in line so I went up to her set my basket down and tried to act normal I'm ready to check out I said but She didn't move just kept staring at me her hand hovering

over the register Keys before I could say anything else I heard a click behind me and I turned to see one of the other employees this older guy in a dirty apron pulling down the metal gate over the entrance he locked it with this big padlock and then turned to face me with this blank look like he didn't even care that I saw him do it I took a step back From the counter what's going on I asked trying to keep my voice steady but I could hear it shaking nobody answered the girl behind the

register just kept looking at me with this frightened expression and the older guy stood there like he was waiting for something then I saw the man with a baseball cap again he was standing at the end of the last checkout lane Leaning against the wall still with that little Gran he started walking toward me slow and steady like he wasn't in any hurry I packed up even more knocking my basket over the groceries Spilled Out but I didn't tear I was looking for another way out there was a side door by the produce section the

kind that employees probably used I bolted for it but as I got close I saw another guy in an apron come out of the stock room and block the door Crossing his arms and giving me this blankstare just like the other one I didn't know what to do my heart was pounding and my throat felt tight it didn't make any sense it was just a grocery store but it was like they had all decided I wasn't leaving I turned back toward the checkout lanes and the guy with the cap was still coming toward me still

at that same slow pace I tried to reason with them even Though I didn't know what I was reasoning against what do you want I yelled looking from the cashier to the older man why won't you let me leave nobody said anything the only sound was the soft squeak of the guy's shoes as he got closer I grabbed a k from a nearby display and threw it toward him not even really aiming just trying to make him stop it Clattered to the floor and he paused just for a second then kept walking I glanced back

at the other side door the one near the Frozen Foods it was my last chance I sprinted for it not caring who got in my way the older guy moved to block me again but I pushed past him hard and M managed to reach the door I hit the metal bar with my shoulder and it flew open with a loud clang I was Outside I didn't stop to see if they were coming after me I just ran I ran past the parking lot and into the street not even thinking about my car just needing to

get away from that place I didn't look back until I was a few blocks away standing in front of some Lund down Diner gasping for breath the street was quiet no one had followed me I waited there for a while just trying to calm down but my heart wouldn't stop Racing I didn't know what that was what they had wanted or why they' locked me in I felt like I'd stepped into some kind of trap but I didn't know what for eventually I walked back to where i' parked my car it was still there nothing

seemed out of place but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched I kept looking around expecting to see one of them the man in the baseball cap or one of the employees just standing there watching me again but there was no One I got in my car and drove out of that town as fast as I could I don't know what was going on in that grocery store or why they did what they did but the way they looked at me the way they acted like it was all just normal to them

it was like they' done this before like it was just a matter of time time before someone else came through and they do it all over again I still get this sinking feeling in my gut when I think about it Especially the way the guy smiled at me like he was already sure how it was going to end I haven't been backed that way since and I don't think I ever will I was driving through this small town I'd never been to before I wasn't planning on staying or anything just passing through but I saw

this little church and felt like I should stop I've been going through a rough time just needed some quiet or something Familiar I guess the church wasn't big or fancy just an old building with a sign out front that said Sunday service it was starting soon so I figured I'd go in there weren't many cars in the lot but I thought maybe it was just a small congregation when I stepped inside the place was quiet almost too quiet I'd expected to hear some music or people talking but there was nothing just the sound of my

shoes on the wooden Floor the whole church had this dim lighting and the air smelled kind of stale like it hadn't been aired out in a while I saw about 15 or 20 people sitting in the pews spread out not really talking to each other nobody even looked up when I came in I walked down the aisle and took a seat near the back figured I'd just stay for a bit and then leave if I didn't feel comfortable but then I started noticing the way people were acting they weren't Really praying or talking just sitting

there staring straight ahead I kept glancing around trying to catch someone's eye or give a little nod like you do but every time I looked at someone they just Look Away real fast it felt weird like they were purposely ignoring me I thought about leaving right then but the service was about to start and I figured I'd just sit through a bit of it before heading out when the pastor came out he didn't really seemed Like any Pastor I'd ever seen before he didn't have the kind of welcoming look you'd expect he was tall thin

had this worn out black suit on and his face was pale with these deep set eyes that make to look like he hadn't slept in days he didn't smile or greet the congregation just stood up at the pulpit and started talking in this flat voice there was no opening him or prayer just in Speaking he was saying something about devotion but it wasn't like any sermon I heard before it felt off like the words didn't fit right it was hard to explain he keep pausing looking around the room like he was making sure everything everyone

was paying attention every time he did I felt this uneasy feeling in my stomach like I shouldn't have come there at all after about 10 minutes I couldn't Take it anymore I stood up quietly and started to walk toward the back but before I could reach the doors I noticed two men standing on either side of the exit they hadn't been there when I came in I was sure of it they were big guys both wearing these dark suits that looked almost identical they were just standing there staring straight ahead but I could tell they

were watching me I tried to act Casual and walked a little slower not wanting to draw any attention to myself but just as I was a few feet away from the doors I heard the pastor's voice echoed through the room where are you going he asked it wasn't loud but it cut through the silence in a way that made everyone turn and look at me I froze not sure what to say I I was just stepping out for a moment I replied my voice sounding shaky even to me the pastor didn't say Anything else but

I noticed that everyone in the pews was now looking at me their expressions didn't look concerned or curious they looked blank like they were waiting for something I took another step toward the door but the two men moved closer just enough that I knew they weren't going to let me through I looked back toward the pastor and he was just staring at me with that same flat expression like he was studying me I think I need to leave I said lot of this time but nobody moved or said a word it was like I was

trapped in some kind of strange theater where everyone knew the script but me the pastor took a step down from the pulpit slowly walking toward me his shoes clicking against the floor you should stay he said we haven't even gotten to the important part yet my heart was racing now I glanced at the windows thinking maybe I could get out that way but they were high up and had Thick glass there wasn't a chance I could break through I took another step back and the two men at the door stepped closer blocking my path completely

I was starting to panic and I didn't care if it showed let me out I said my voice breaking a little I'm not staying here nobody answered the pastor stopped walking and Just stood there watching me his head tilted slightly like he was amused or something I didn't know what else to do so I turned and ran up the aisle trying to get to a side door I'd seen near the front but as I reached for the handle I felt someone grab my arm I looked back and one of the men in the suits had

a tight grip on me his face still expressionless I pulled away as hard as I could and managed to break free Stumbling back into the aisle the other people were starting to stand up now moving slowly like they weren't in any hurry they weren't saying anything just closing in on me from all sides I bolted toward the other side of the room where there was another door I didn't know where it led but it was my only shot I reached it and shoved it open running into a narrow always lined with old wooden Doors it

looked like some kind of storage area our offices I didn't care I just kept running trying to find an exit I could hear footsteps behind me giving closer I didn't stop to see who it was just ran faster shoving open doors as I went hoping one would lead outside most of them were just closets or small rooms but finally I found one that led to a back stairwell I took the steps two at a time almost tripping over myself and when I got to the bottom I saw a door leading outside I pushed it open

and stumbled out into the daylight gasping for air like I'd been underwater I didn't stop running until I reached my car fumbling for my keys with shaking hands I got in and locked the doors looking back at the church the pastor was standing in the doorway just Watching me he didn't didn't come after me didn't say anything just stood there with that same blank expression there were a few other people behind him standing just inside the door but none of them came outside I didn't wait to see what they' do next I started the car

and sped out of there my heart still pounding in my chest I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't gotten out but the Way they looked at me it was like they were all waiting for something like I was supposed to be part of it whatever it was I still don't understand what was going on in there and I'm not sure I ever want to know all I know is that wasn't a church service at least not the kind I've ever been to and whatever they were planning I'm just glad I didn't stick

around to find out I was 17 when it happened I was driving back from a friend's place and it was late later than I should have been out the route took me through a small town I didn't know too well but I figured it was no big deal since I passed through before and I'd be home in about an hour I was on this stretch of road just fields on either side when the car started making this knocking noise from the Engine I hoped it would go away but it just kept getting louder and then

the temperature Gau Shut up I didn't know much about cars but I knew enough to pull over before I ended up stranded in the middle of nowhere I managed to limp into a small gas station that had an old garage attached the kind you don't see much of anymore with a little office and a couple of service base that looked like they hadn't seen a new car in years the Mechanic was an older guy maybe in his 50s or 60s wearing a stained jumpsuit he had a kind of rough look but I didn't think much

of it at the time I told him what was going on with the car and he said he'd take a look at it I watched him poke around under the hood tapping a few things and muttering to himself after a few minutes he came back over and said it wasn't good he told me the radiator was leaking and the engine might have been close to Overheating said he could fix it but he didn't have the right parts on hand I'd have to leave the car overnight and he'd order what he needed first thing in the

morning he must have noticed the look on my face because he said not to worry he could give me a ride home I hesitated but he assured me it wasn't far and I didn't see any other options since I didn't know anyone nearby I agreed and he went back into the shop for a bit told me to wait in His truck it was this old beat up pickup with tools and junk scattered all over the floor the passenger seat was worn down and it smelled like oil and cigarettes I was nervous but I figured it

was just because I wasn't used to this kind of thing and I'd be home soon enough when he got in he didn't start the truck right away he just sat there for a moment looking straight ahead like he was thinking about something then he Turned to me and asked if I'd ever been through this town before I told him I'd passed through but I didn't know it well he nodded and said something about how not many people come by anymore except for when they're lost were just passing through we pulled out of the garage and

for the first few minutes it was just a normal drive he was quiet and I didn't have much to say Either I was looking out the window trying to recognize any landmarks but everything looked the same just dark streets and houses with the lights off that's when I noticed we were heading in the opposite direction from where I thought we should be going ah I think my place is back that way I said pointing over my shoulder he glanced at me just a quick look and then back at the road to squee quicker he said

his voice Flat trust me kid I've lived here a long time I didn't know what else to say but something about the way he answered didn't sit right with me we kept driving and the streets got narrower fewer Street lights it was like we were heading out of town not through it I felt my hands getting sweaty and I shifted in my seat I wanted to ask him again but I was afraid of sounding like a scared little kid then he started talking real casual Like he was just making conversation you know there's a lot

of places out here folks don't know about he said old roads old buildings things changed slow in these parts I didn't know how to respond so I just nodded even though he wasn't looking at me I kept glancing at the dashboard trying to see if I could recognize any signs or anything but it was just dark and empty out there he kept talking going on about the history Of the town but his tone had this Edge to it it wasn't friendly it was more like he was trying to fill the silence or keep me from

asking questions we drove for another 10 minutes maybe more and the houses were gone by then it was just fields and trees on either side of the road I knew something was wrong I wasn't sure how far we were from anywhere but I had to say something I cleared my throat and spoke up trying to sound calm Are we Almost there I don't really recognize this area he didn't answer right away just kept his eyes on the road one hand gripping the little tighter then he gave this little laugh but it didn't sound like he

thought anything was funny almost he said not much further now my chest felt tight and I was trying not to panic I reached for my phone in my pocket hoping maybe I could call someone But when I pulled it out I saw I didn't have any signal I tried to act like I was just checking the time not wanting him to notice I was nervous we took a sharp turn onto a dirt road and that's when I decided I had to do something I told him I needed to get out that I'd walk the rest

of the way I reached for the door handle but it wouldn't open I kept pulling on it but it was stuck or locked or Something sit tight he said his voice lower than before it's safer if you just sit tight I looked at him and for the first time he turned and looked right back at me there was something in his eyes a kind of coldness that sent a chill down my spine I knew right then that I had to get out no matter what I started fiddling with the lock trying to pull it up

but he reached over and grabbed my Arm squeezing it hard calm down he said his tightening I'm just trying to help I yanked my arm away and kicked at the door as hard as I could it didn't budge but I didn't stop I kept kicking and trying to push the window down the truck started to slow and I knew he was going to stop and try to pull me back if I didn't get out right then as the truck came to a crawl I saw a patch of woods to the right and Decided it was

my only shot I leaned back pulled my legs up and ticked at the window with everything I had it cracked but didn't break I ticked again harder this time and the glass shattered I shoved myself through the broken window feeling The Shard scrape against my arms and tumbled out onto the dirt I hit the ground hard but I didn't wait to catch my breath I got up and ran for the trees Now looking back I could hear the truck's engine still running and then the sound of the door opening but I didn't stop I ran

into the woods the branches whipping in my face stumbling over roots and locks I kept going until I couldn't hear the truck anymore just the sound of my own breathing and the crunch of leaves under my feet I didn't know where I was going but I wasn't going to stop until I found a Road or a house somewhere with people after what felt like forever I saw lights through the trees and came onto a small Road I flaged down the first car I saw a woman who thankfully stopped and let me in I told her

what happened and she took me to the nearest police station I filed a report but they never found the guy the shop was there but the owner said he hadn't worked there for years he disappeared a while back and no one knew Where he'd gone they searched around but it was like he just vanished I never found out what he really wanted or what he was planning to do but I still think about it sometimes the way he looked at me like he was sizing me up for something it's been years now and I still

don't like driving through small towns or stopping at places I don't know I don't think I ever will I granted a small cabin for a few Days just to get away from everything it was off a quiet road on the outskirts of a small town nothing fancy but it was supposed to be peaceful I'd been there two nights when I woke up to the sound of glass breaking downstairs it was just a little past midnight I sat up heart rcing listening for any other sounds trying to make sense of it there were footsteps and the

creek of the floorboards I cracked my phone and Called 911 right away I whispered to the operator saying there was someone in my cabin and they needed to send someone quick the operator told me to stay calm and stay on the line while they dispatched an officer I crept over to the bedroom door and quietly locked it I didn't have anything to defend myself with so I crapped the nearest thing I could find a metal floor lamp I stood there barely breathing Clutching the lamp in both hands and listened after a couple of minutes I

couldn't hear the footsteps anymore just the hum of the refrigerator downstairs I didn't know if they'd like or if they were just waiting quietly like me I stayed in the room until I saw the blue and red lights flashing through the window I made my way downstairs still holding the lamp and went outside two officers were standing by The patrol car and I told them what had happened they walked inside had a quick look around and said there was no sign of anyone one of the officers he was older with thinning hair asked if anything

was missing I said I didn't think so but it was hard to tell since I didn't bring much then I showed him where the window had been broken he looked at it for a second then turned back to me and asked if I'd been drinking that night I said no I Hadn't I was just sleeping when it happened the other officer a younger guy with dark hair leaned in a little closer and asked if I'd been alone the whole time I was at the cabin his tone wasn't right it didn't sound like a normal question

I told him yes I'd been alone and he just stared at me for a moment before glancing over at the older officer there was this look they shared like they knew something I didn't the older officer told me they'd do a patrol Around the area and see if anyone else have reported anything but he said it in a way that didn't sound like he thought it was necessary I asked if I should file a report or something but he shook his head and said it didn't seem like there was much to report since nothing was

missing and there was no sign of an intruder I didn't understand why they weren't taking it more seriously I mean the window was broken And I heard footsteps it wasn't nothing but they just kept saying there wasn't much they could do before I went back inside the younger officer asked if I was staying in town long I said I had a few more days and he told me to be careful until locked the doors at night he said it in this strange way like he was giving advice to someone who didn't know any better I

nodded not sure how to take it And went back inside the next morning I drove into town to the police station thinking maybe if I went in person they'd take it more seriously the station was small not very busy and when I went up to the front desk a woman behind the counter looked up at me with a kind of blank expression I told her I needed to report a Breakin at the cabin I was renting she asked for my name and where I was staying and I Gave her the details then she just looked

at me for a moment like she was waiting for me to say something else I explained again about the broken window and how I'd hurt someone inside she sighed like she was annoyed and said they'd already sent officers out last night and nothing was found I said I knew that but I thought there should still be a report filed she stared at me a bit longer before picking Up a phone and calling someone from the back a minute later the two officers from the night before came out the younger one gave me this strange half

smile when he saw me but it didn't feel friendly the older officer asked me again if I was sure I hadn't been drinking and I said yes I was sure I could feel my frustration building and I asked why they kept bringing that up did they think I imagine the whole thing the older Officer stepped closer leaning on the counter between us we get a lot of people coming through this town he said especially folks who aren't used to the quiet sometimes they start hearing things that aren't really there I told him that I knew

what i' heard I wasn't some City person who' never been outside before there were Footsteps in the cabin and the window didn't break itself the younger officer chimed in saying it was probably just an animal and maybe I'd startled myself when I heard the noise I was getting nowhere with them and I started to turn to leave when the older officer spoke up again his voice lower if I were you I think real hard about sticking around here he said we don't usually have trouble in this town and we don't want to start it didn't

make any sense it almost sounded like a threat by couldn't tell why they'd say something like that I tried to shake it off Thinking maybe I'd misread the tone or something but as I walked out of the station I couldn't help but feel like there was something wrong about the way they talked to me like they knew something they weren't saying I went back to the cabin and spent the day trying to distract myself I went for a walk by the lake sat on the porch with a book but I kept thinking about what had

happened that evening I decided I didn't Want to stay another night I was going to pack up and leave early the next morning around 9:00 I was sitting in the living room going through some things when I heard a car pull up outside I looked through the window and saw a police car parked out front the older officer was standing by the car and the younger one was walking up to the door I opened it before he could knock he told me they'd just come by to Make sure everything was all right he said they

had a few reports of suspicious activity in the area the way he said it made my skin crawl like he was trying to sound reassuring but didn't quite pull it off I told him everything was fine but I'd be leaving in the morning the older officer who had stayed by the car called out you should reconsider that I looked at him confused what do you mean he just shook His head some places people are better off staying put things happen on the road out here that was enough for me I told them I was fine

and went back inside I locked the door and double checked all the windows then I went upstairs and packed my things as quietly as I could feeling this urgency to get out right then and there I didn't sleep that night I kept listening for any sound outside waiting For the first light of morning as soon as the sky started to lighten I grabbed my bags threw them in the car and took off I didn't stop until I was Miles Away back on a main Highway surrounded by other cars and normal people I still don't know

what they were trying to do or what was really going on but there was something about the way they talked to me the way they acted that made me feel like I was a problem They needed to keep an eye on I thought about it a lot and I still still don't have any answers but I know one thing I'll never go back to that town and I'll never rent a cabin in the middle of nowhere again I was driving through this little town just passing through on a road trip on I saw roadside Fruit

stand up ahead it was one of those wooden stalls painted white but chipped and faded like it had been there Forever there were a few crates of apples peaches and some jars of Honey lined up on a table I figured it was as good a place as any to take a break and pick up some snacks for the road so I pulled over and parked on the shoulder as I got out of the car I noticed the woman waning the stand she was an older lady probably in her second 7s with thin gray hair tied

back in a bun she wore a loose dress that hung off Her and there was a faded apron over it her skin was wrinkled but she had these sharp eyes and she was watching me closely as I walked up I gave her a polite nod and started looking at the apples trying to figure out which ones look good you like peaches she asked her voice kind of raspy but with this strange cheerfulness that didn't fit her face I said sure I like peaches and she immediately picked one up and handed it To me here taste

it the best around I promise I wasn't that interested in eating it right then so I just thanked her and took it figuring I'd add it to whatever else I was going to buy I asked her how much for the apples and a jar of honey she didn't answer right away just kept looking at me like she was sizing me up you must be knew in town she said I told her I was just passing through trying to keep it light I wasn't looking to get into a Conversation I just wanted to pay and leave

but then she leaned in a bit still smiling and said you should come by for lunch I've got a stew on the stove fresh bread too I was a little caught off guard by that and I told her thanks but I was just going to grab a few things and keep driving she didn't take the hint she kept insisting saying how it would be no trouble at all that it was just down the road and I'd be doing her a favor Because she didn't get company much her voice was friendly but there was something underneath

it like she wasn't asking so much is telling me I should come I kept politely refusing trying to wrap things up by pulling out my wallet and asking how much I owed that's when her smile faded and her eyes got even sharper almost like she was angry angry though wasn't agreeing she put the peach back in the crate without breaking a contact and Said you're being rude you know it didn't sound like a joke I gave her an uneasy chuckle like trying to laugh it off and told her I didn't mean to be rude I

was just on a schedule I started to walk back to my car but before I could get the door open she was right behind me closer than she'd been before she crapped my arm not hard but just enough to stop me from moving I'm not asking she said quietly Almost like she was talking to herself her hand was bony and cold and I pulled my arm away as gently as I could telling her I really had to get going she just stood there staring at me not blinking I got into the car and shut the

door locking it right away she didn't move from where she was standing just kept watching me with that same look and I could see her her lips moving like she was mumbling something I couldn't hear I started the car and pulled away trying Not to look back but when I glanced in the rearview mirror she was still there watching the car as I drove off I kept driving for a few miles trying to shake off the weird feeling I didn't know why she'd gotten so insistent but I figured it was just some lonely old lady

who didn't know one to take no for an answer I tried to put it out of my head and focus on on the road but about 10 minutes later as I was passing through Another small patch of town I saw something that made my stomach tighten there was a rusty old truck behind me not too close but following steadily it had appeared out of nowhere and I hadn't seen it when I pulled out from the Fruit Stand the more I drove the more certain I was that it was the same truck that had been parked

near the stand the one I noticed without really paying attention to now it's seemed like it was keeping Pace with me no matter How many turns I made I decided to test it just to be sure I took a random left onto a narrow Side Street then a quick right circling back toward the main road the truck stayed behind me matching every turn my heart was thuing in my chest and I couldn't shake the thought that the old woman was behind the wheel chasing after me for some reason I didn't want to know I sped

up a bit not too much just enough to put some distance between us I Didn't want to look like I was panicking but when I glanced in the mirror again the truck was closing the Gap that's when I realized it wasn't just following me it was speeding up too I saw a gas station up ahead and decided to pull in thinking maybe if I was around other people she'd give up and go away I parked next to the pump and watched as the truck pulled into two stopping a few space pieces down I could See

the figure in the driver's seat now and it was her she was sitting there gripping the steering wheel her head turned slightly toward me but not getting out I went inside the station pretending I needed something I walked around for a few minutes keeping an eye on the truck through the window she didn't move just kept sitting there watching the Entrance I wasn't sure what to do I didn't want to go back outside while she was still there but I couldn't stay in the gas station forever eventually I decided to go out the back door

and circle around to my car from the other side I figured I could get in and drive off before she realized what I was doing as I came out from behind the building though I saw her she had gotten out of the truck and was walking slowly toward my car looking At it like she was inspecting it I froze for a second not knowing if I should shout or run or just keep quiet she hadn't seen me yet so I ducked back behind the building peeking around the corner to watch her she reached out and

touched the door handle of my car pulling on it even though it was locked then she walked around to the back and did the same with the trunk I couldn't stay hidden anymore I stepped out and yelled at her Asking what the hell she was doing she looked up at me her eyes wide and angry like I just caught her in the middle of something she didn't want anyone to see you're being difficult she said almost shouting I only wanted to have lunch there was this itch to her voice not desperation but something darker like

she was mad I'd made her follow me this far I told her to get away from my car and then I was going to call the police if she didn't Leave she just stared at me not moving I pulled my phone out making making sure she saw it and started dialing as soon as I did she turned and walked back to her truck not in a hurry but calmly like she wasn't worried at all she got inside and drove off heading back the way we'd come I didn't wait around I jumped into my car and

sped out of there not even stopping to think about which direction I was going I just wanted to get as far away From that town as I could I kept checking the mirror for a long time after expecting to see her old truck again but I didn't I drove for hours barely stopping just trying to put as much distance between me and that place as I could I still don't know what she really wanted or why she wouldn't let it go maybe it was just some crazy person who' fixated on me for no reason but

the way she followed me the way she spoke it was like she wasn't just asking for Lunch it felt like she was looking for something else else and I was lucky I didn't find out what I had been thinking about getting a dog for a while I always imagined it would be a joyful experience so one Saturday morning I drove out to a small town in animal shelter that I had heard good things about the shelter was modest just a single story building with a faded sign inside it smelled like cleaning Supplies mixed with the

faint odor of dog food I wandered through the rows of tels listening to the soft wines and Barks that's when I saw her she was a medium-sized M with big brown eyes and she was sitting quietly in the back of her kennel her fur was a mix of brown and black and she had scars on her legs that made my heart ache I leaned down and she came to me pressing her nose against the Bars I felt an immediate connection and after talking to a staff member I decided to adopt her the woman who helped

me was friendly but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was watching me too closely she smiled too wide like there was something she wanted to say but didn't I pushed it as side excited to take my new companion home I named her Bella the first few days with Bella were wonderful she was sweet and playful and It felt like she was already a part of my life but something started to change when I began to notice her scars more often they looked old like they had healed long before I met her but I couldn't

help but wonder how she got them a few days later I decided to go back to the shelter to ask the staff about Bella's past I thought it would be a simple question I walked into the shelter Created by the familiar smell but when I approached the front desk the woman who had helped me before was gone instead a man stood behind the counter he looked up as I approached and smiled but it didn't reach his eyes can I help you he asked his tone cheerful but a bit too forced I told him I wanted

to know more about Bella's background I explained I noticed the scars on her legs and I was curious about what had Happened his smile faded slightly and he leaned back in his chair Bella is a sweet dog he said avoiding my gaze she had a rough start but she is safe now rough start I asked sensing the tension in the air what do you mean he shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat some dogs come from tough situations but she's here now and that is what Matters I pressed further but what happened to her did she

come from an abusive home at that moment I felt a chill creep over me as if I were being watched I turned to look behind me but the lobby was empty The Man Behind The Desk was now leaning forward his eyes narrowing maybe you should take it easy He Said She is safe here and that is all you need to Know I could feel my art racing there was something off about how he spoke I decided it was time to leave but as I turned to walk away I noticed a woman standing at the entrance

of the shelter she had an unemp appearance her hair Tangled and her clothes were stained she looked at me with wide frantic eyes as if she had just run in from the street Reet don't let them keep her she shouted they are not what they Seem I was startled and the man at the desk immediately stood up his demeanor shifting ma'am please you need to leave he said firmly but the woman rushed past him her eyes fixed on me they do bad things to the dogs you must take her away they hurt her my heart

raced as I processed what she said the man stepped closer his expression cold and threatening you need to ignore her she Is not stable he insisted I glanced between the two of them fear flooding my chest what is going on I demanded my voice shaking the woman turned to me desperation in her eyes you have to listen they hurt the dogs here Bella is not safe before I could respond the man reached for the phone behind the desk his eyes never leaving mine you need to Leave now this is private property he said his voice

calm but dangerous I felt trapped I couldn't let them take Bella from me but I couldn't ignore what the woman said either I packed away slowly but the man stepped forward blocking my exit please just go home take care of your dog he urged his smile returning but looking even more Sinister I was Terrified I could feel the tension in the air and I knew I had to get out I glanced at the woman but she seemed lost caught in her own fear I turned and pushed my way through the door rushing outside my heart

pounded in my chest and I glanced back to see the man standing in the doorway watching watching me with a look that sent chills down my spine I hurried to my car fumbling with my keys as I tried to catch my Breath I drove home in a days my mind racing with questions had Bal been abused what had that woman meant about the shelter once home I took a moment to calm down I sat on the couch Bella curled up beside me I ran my fingers to her fur feeling the scars under my touch I

resolved to protect her at all costs I couldn't let anyone hurt her again the next day I called a Veterinarian to get ballot checked out I needed to know if there was anything wrong when I explained Bella's background the FED agreed to see her that afternoon as we waited in the examination room I kept looking at Bella and I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right the Fett came in examining her gently he noted the scars and asked about them but I couldn't tell him much He looked concerned as he examined her closely I

need to check something he said after a moment he stepped out of the room and I sat there with Bella rubbing her ears and trying to reassure her when the fat returned he had a serious look on his face I need to talk to you about Bella's scars he began some of them look like they could be from a abuse or neglect I felt my stomach Drop abuse I whispered yes it is possible she has been mistreated he said his voice gentle but we can work with her it may take time but with the right

te and training she can learn to trust again that's when it hit me the shelter had known what had happened to Bella and they didn't want to talk about it they were hiding Something I left the vet's office with a plan I would find out the truth over the next few days I researched the shelter I found local news articles mentioning complaints about their treatment of animals it seemed I wasn't the only one concerned I gathered everything I could find and prepared to confront the shelter staff when I returned I was ready I walked in

and the same man was Behind the desk I felt a surge of determination I want to speak to the manager I said firmly he gave me a tight smile what seems to be the problem I pulled out my papers my voice steady I know about the complaints against the shelter I want answers about Bella you will tell me what happened to her his expression darkened and he stood up Slowly you need to leave this is a private facility I stood my ground I won't leave until you tell me what you did to those dogs at

that moment the woman from before appeared again looking more compose this time please you have to listen to her they will not let you go you have to take your dog and leave I turned to her feeling the weight of her Words I knew she was right I needed to protect Bella I backed away ready to leave you can't hide this forever I called over my shoulder as I headed for the door as I stepped outside I could hear the men yelling behind me but I didn't turn back I rushed to my car and my

heart raced as I drove away I had Bella and that was all that mattered from that day on I focused on Bella's ter and Training she slowly started to heal and the scars became a part of her story not the end of it I often thought about what happened at that shelter and how close I had come to losing her I couldn't shake the feeling that there were others like her still trapped there but for now I had Bella and I would do everything to make sure she felt safe and loved I decided to take

a weekend getaway to a cabin in the woods I packed my bags and made a list Of supplies I needed for the trip the drive was long but the scenery was beautiful filled with tall trees and open Skies after a few hours on the road I came across a small town it looked charming and quaint so I thought I would stop at the general store to pick up some last minute supplies the store was small with wooden beans and a creaky door that opened with a slight Push inside it was dimly lit with shelves full

of various Goods tent Foods snacks and outdoor supplies an older man stood behind the counter he wore a worn out apron and had gray hair that fell messily over his forehead he looked up as I entered offering a polite nod I walked down the aisles Gathering what I needed some canned soup snacks bottled water and a few other Essentials for my retreat as I moved to the back of the Store I noticed a section filled with camping gear there were flashlights rope and some other items that look useful I picked up a sturdy flashlight thinking

it would be good to have in case the power went out at the cabin why I brought my items to the counter the man's expression changed he HED the flashlight and frowned you can't buy that he said his voice low and grally I paused Surprised why not I need it for my trip that flashlight belongs to the town he insisted his tone firm it's not for sale I looked around confused what do you mean it belongs to the town it's just a flashlight it's part of a community Supply he replied Crossing his arms you can't

take it I could feel irritation rising in me I'm sure you Have others just sell me this one the man shook his head I can't sell you that it's now loud my patience wor thin look I'm just trying to buy some supplies for my TR Tri if it's a community Supply then let me know how I can pay for it I'll contribute he leaned closer to the counter lowering his voice you don't understand this is not for Outsiders you are not from here I took a step back my heart racing I'm just here for the

weekend I'm not trying to cause trouble he leaned back his eyes narrowing you should leave what you have chosen it is better that way I felt a wave of une wash over me something about his demeanor felt off and I could sense that he was serious I'll take the other items then just let me have the Flashlight he shook his head again his expression unyielding I told you you cannot have it I glanced at the items on the counter then back at the flashlight the longer I stood there the more uncomfortable I felt I picked

up the flashlight determined to leave with it I'll be taking this I don't see why I can't have it but man's face darkened and he straightened up you need to put that Down this is not a game I'm not putting it down I said my voice Rising I'm a pain customer you can't refuse to sell me something he leaned over the counter his eyes wild you don't know what you're doing you need to leave those items and go I felt the tension in the air thicken I could sense that things were escalating quickly and my

instincts kicked in I took a step back clutching the flashlight Tightly I am leaving and I am taking this with me as I turned to walk out of the store I heard the man yell behind me you cannot leave with that you are not welcome here ignoring him I pushed through the door my heart pounding the ballop of the door jingled as I stepped outside the warm sun hit my face but my mind was racing I glanced back half expecting him to come storming out after me instead he stood at the entrance a furious Expression

on his face you need to come back you cannot take what belongs to us I felt a surge of adrenalin I hurried to my car my hand shaking as I fumbled with the keys I could hear him shouting but didn't turn around I got into the car and locked the doors my heart racing I could still see him standing there his arms crossed a look of pure Anger on his face I started the engine in pulled out of the parking lot glancing in the rearview mirror the store was still there the old man now a

small figure in the distance I could feel the weight of his stare as I drove away as I got back on the main road I felt a mix of fear and relief wash over me I continued my drive to the cabin my thoughts racing I wondered if I had just made a Mistake if I should have left a flashlight behind the memory of a man's angry face lingered in my mind I shook it off reminding myself that I was only trying to prepare for my weekend away when I finally reached the cabin I parked and

took a deep breath trying to calm my nerves the surroundings were peaceful and I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I unloaded my Supplies I set the flashlight on the table noticing how sturdy it felt in my hands I was glad I had it as evening fell I I lit a fire in the fireplace and settled in the flickering Flames cast Shadows on the walls creating a cozy atmosphere I opened a can of soup and warmed it on the stove feeling a sense of comfort enveloped me I was finally able to relax

but then as I sat there the events from the store crept back into my mind I Couldn't shake the feeling that I had upset something in that small town I glanced out the window the Darkness enveloping the woods around me I imagined the old man pacing the store telling others about me about how I had taken something from them that night I tried to sleep but I kept hearing sounds outside the rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of a branch made my heart race I told myself it was just Wildlife But a part of

me couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched I felt the tension in the air as if the woods themselves were holding their breath in the morning I decided to take a walk to clear my head I crapped the flashlight and stepped outside the sun filtering through the trees the forest was beautiful but the unees lingered in my mind I tried to enjoy the scenery but I couldn't shake The feeling that I needed to be cautious after a while I came across a small stream the water flowed gently and I sat on a rock

trying to Rel relax as I took in the surroundings I noticed movement in the distance a figure emerged from the trees and my heart dropped it was the old man from the store he was walking slowly his face set in a Crim Expression I quickly stood up feeling the flashlight in my hand I didn't want to confront him again but I didn't want to seem scared either I took a deep breath and decided to stay put hoping he would pass by but he didn't he stopped and stared at me from a distance his eyes locked

onto mine the tension from the store flooded back and I felt my heart race he shouted something I couldn't hear but the Anor in his voice was Clear I glanced around searching for a way out but the path behind me LED further into the woods get back to where you belong he yelled his voice echoing through the trees I I turned to run but I tripped over a route and fell to the ground the flashlight rolling away from me I scrambled to my feet but he was already closer his footsteps heavy on the ground Panic

surged through me as I grabbed the flashlight and turned to Face him leave me alone I shouted my voice trembling he stopped a few feet away his expression Fierce you don't understand what you have done you are not not welcome here I raised the flashlight defensively feeling the weight of it in my hand I don't want any trouble I'm just trying to enjoy my weekend he took another step forward his anger Palpable you think you can take from us you think you can just walk in and take what belongs to the town I was terrified

I felt trapped but I couldn't back down I'll leave just let me go he hesitated his eyes flickering with something maybe doubt maybe something more dangerous I could sense that this was my Moment I took a deep breath and swam the flashlight toward him now with the intent to hit but to show I wasn't afraid back off I yelled and to my surprise it seemed to work he paused his expression shifting as if he was weighing his op c s after a tense moment he stepped back you should not have taken that flashlight he muttered

but his voice was less aggressive now I seized the opportunity and turned to run I dashed Down the path my heart pounding in my chest I could hear him yelling behind me but I didn't look back I ran as fast as I could pushing through the trees and branches until I reached my car I jumped inside and locked the doors my hand shaking as I fumbled with the keys I started the engine and tore out of there my heart racing I glanced in the rearview mirror half expecting to see him chasing after me but there

was nothing just a road Stretching behind me as I drove away I felt a mix of fear and relief wash over me I had escaped but the memory of that confrontation lingered I realized that I had stumbled into something much darker than I had anticipated it was a small town with its own rules and hidden dangers the flashlight sat on the passenger seat and I couldn't help but think about what it represented a confrontation with something I did not Fully understand I would never go back there the woods were beautiful but they held Secrets I

was not ready to uncover as I drove away I felt the weight of the Town lift off my shoulders knowing I had made it out safely I had been living in the small town for a few months when I noticed something unsettling it began with strange noises in the middle of the night distant scratching sounds outside my window the creaking of the old boards in my house I pred it off as the sounds of an old place settling but it was when I found the scratch marks on my door that my unease turned to fear

I decided I needed to take action the next morning I drove to the local hardware store it was a modest place a single story building with a faded sign hanging above the door that read Joe's Hardware as I entered the Bell above the door jingled and a wave of warmth enveloped me the smell of wood and metal Fill the air I scanned the aisles searching for a lock that could secure my door an older man stood behind the counter he had thinning gray hair and a thick mustache that twitched when he spoke can I help

you he asked looking me up and down I need a lock for my door I said trying to sound as calm as possible I think someone has been trying to break in he frowned his brow furrowing as he studied me you want a lock huh for your Door yes I replied a bit taken a back by his strange tone I needed to feel safe he shook his head Crossing his arms you don't understand we don't sell locks to Outsiders my stomach dropped what do you mean Outsiders I live here the man leaned closer lowering his

voice as if someone might overhear this town has its rules you should know that you can't Just lock your door confusion washed over me why not I don't understand I need to feel secure I have to protect myself he leaned back against the counter a hint of a smirk playing on his lips you see the town does not allow Outsiders to lock their doors it's not safe for us if you do that I felt my art race what does that mean are you serious he nodded slowly as if this was Common knowledge we look out

for each other here locking your door is a sign that you do not trust a community it makes things complicated I could feel my anger Rising I I came here for help if I cannot secure my home I am at risk how is that fair he Shrugged his indifference chilling it's just how things are you can buy other things but not a lock I felt a mix of frustration and Fear I had no idea what I was dealing with what do you suggest I do then just leave my door open he Shrugged again not offering

any solutions you will have to figure it out that is your choice Panic began to set in I turned to leave but my mind was racing I felt trapped in this strange town surrounded by people who refused to help I stepped outside feeling the cool air head my Face I had to find a way to protect myself I decided I would drive to the next town of over and find a hardware store there as I got back into my car I could still see the store owner watching me through the window I quickly drove away

my mind filled with the unsettling thoughts of what had happened I could not shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong after a short drive I reached the next town The hardware store was larger with a bright sign and a more welcoming atmosphere I stepped inside and immediately felt felt a wave of relief the store was busy filled with customers and a friendly atmosphere I approached a woman behind the counter her smile warm and inviting I need a lock for my door I said trying to keep my voice steady of course she replied enthusiastically we

have plenty of Options what kind you need I quickly explained my situation and she nodded in understanding that is awful you deserve to feel safe in your own home let's find you a lock that will work well for you as she showed me different options I felt a sense of calm wash over me after making my choice I purchased a lock and some tools to install it I thanked her profusely feeling grateful to have found someone Willing to help on my way back to my cabin I could not shake the feeling of unease that lingered

from my encounter at Joe's Hardware I knew I needed to install the lock as soon as I got home Once I arrived I gathered my tools and set to work my hands were shaky but I focused on the task hoping the new lock would bring me some sense of safety after some time I finally finished kala clicked into place with a Satisfying sound and I took a deep breath feeling a wave of relief wash over me that night I felt a sense of security that had been absent for so long I locked the door and

settled in for the evening determined to enjoy the peace and quiet of my cabin however as I lay in bed I still felt a Nanking anxiety in the back of my mind the incident at the hardware store replayed in my head the way the owner spoke about the town and its rules Haunted me I could not shake the feeling that I was not safe that I was somehow being watched the hours passed slowly and as midnight approached I heard a noise outside it was faint at first but it grew louder a low rustling sound like

footsteps moving through the underbrush my heart raced and I lay still straining to listen the sound stopped but my nerves were on edge I waited hoping it was just my Imagination then I heard a loud thought against my door my heart dropped and I sat up in bed my breath caught in my throat the noise echoed in the quiet of the night and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me I reached for my phone ready to call for help but my hands were trembling who's there I called out my voice shaky no answer came

just the quiet of the woods another thud lot of this time Made me jump I crapped a flashlight from the table and C crept toward the door I pressed my ear against the wood trying to listen I felt my pulse pounding in my ears I could hear faint Whispers but I could not make out the words it felt as if someone was outside just waiting I took a deep breath and turned the flashlight on Shining it through the peep Hall the beam of light illuminated the porch but there was no one there I Hesitated unsure

of what to do I wanted to call for help but I remembered that there was no one nearby I was alone after what felt like an eternity the noises stopped I backed away from the door feeling a mixture of fear and anger I had a lock now I had taken steps to protect myself but what if it was not enough hours passed in silence and Eventually I fell into a Restless sleep the next morning I awoke with the sun streaming through the window I felt exhausted but relieved to have made it through the night I

decided to drive back to the hardware store in the small town to confront the owner I needed answers I gathered my things and left the cabin determination fueling my steps the drive back felt longer than it should have and my heart raced as I Approached Joe's Hardware while I walked through the door the Bell jingled and the familiar smell of would hit me again the owner was behind the counter his face unreadable back for more he asked his tone dripping with disdain I need to talk to you I said firmly what you said yesterday was

unacceptable he looked me up and down his expression unimpressed did you find what you were Looking for I did but that does not change the fact that you refused to sell me a lock you put me in danger his demeanor shifted slightly a Clint of amusement in his eyes danger in this town you are safe as long as you play by the rules what rules I pressed you expect me to just leave my door Unlocked he leaned forward his voice dropping you should understand that locking your door changes things it invites trouble I felt the

anger boiling within me I have a right to feel safe you cannot just dictate How I Live he Shrugged dismissing my words you are not one of us you do not belong here in that moment I realized that he was not going to give me the answers I needed this town was not going to accept me and There was nothing I could do about it I felt a wave of frustration wash over me I turned to leave feeling defeated as I stepped outside I glanced back at the store the feeling of being trapped settling heavily

in my chest I would now allow them to control me any longer back at my car I took a deep breath reminding myself of my choice to lock my door I had a lock and I was going to use It I had to look out for my myself regardless of what anyone else thought I drove away from that town feeling a mixture of fear and relief I would find another place a town that accepted me as I left I looked in the rearview mirror one last time the town faded into the distance but I could

still feel the weight of their Gaze on my back that lock was a small symbol of my determination to keep myself safe and I would never let anyone take that away From me again I had planned this weekend retreat to a small town for some peace and quiet I rented a small cabin near the edge of a park a place surrounded by trees and a gentle stream it seemed perfect for some Solitude a break from the city the first first day I explored the park it was quiet with only the rustling leaves and the chirping

birds breaking the silence I noticed a group of locals Gathered near the playground laughing and playing games they seemed to be having a good time I observed them from a distance feeling a strange pull to join in on the second day I decided to be brave I walked over to the group they were tossing a ball back and forth and the atmosphere fell light I approached them with a smile trying to blend in hey mind if I join you I asked hoping they would welcome me They looked at me and for a moment there was

silence a tall man with a broad buil step forward he had a strong jaw and an unsettling stare what do you want he asked I felt a chill run down my spine I just thought it looked like fun I'm new in town new ha another member of the group a woman with Wild Hair Sneered we don't take kindly to Outsiders here I chuckled nervously thinking it was a joke I'm just here for the weekend I won't cause any trouble trouble The Tall Man said his voice low and serious you don't belong here we don't want

you here come on I'm just trying to have some fun I said my heart racing is I tried to laugh it off they exchanged glances their expressions turning dark You should leave the woman said sharply now my instinct told me to walk away but I didn't want to seem weak I hesitated trying to figure out what to say I'm just playing a game I don't mean any harm the man stepped closer invading my personal space you don't understand this is our place you are not welcome I felt the atmosphere Shift the laughter had stopped replaced

by a tension that made my stomach notot I'm just visiting I insisted I'll leave in a couple of days the crewp began to close and around me you need to go the man said his voice called if you don't leave we will make you regret it Panic washed over me and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest I took a step back trying to create space between us okay okay I'll Go right now the woman snapped I turned to leave my mind racing I could hear their whisper behind me low and threatening I

hurried away from the park glancing back to see them watching me their expressions filled with disdain I made my way back to the cabin feeling the weight of their stairs on my back I locked the door behind me my heart still racing I tried to convince myself that I Had overreacted that I had misread the situation but as night fell I could not shake the feeling of dread the next morning I decided I would not return to the park I would pack my things and leave I had no intention of getting involved with those people

again as I packed I could hear the sounds of the Town waking up outside cars driving by people chatting but the thought of the group from the park lingered in my mind I left the cabin and started my car but the engine sputtered I turned the key again frustration mounting as it refused to start after several attempts I gave up I stepped out of the car feeling a sense of helplessness wash over me I needed help I remembered seeing a small Diner down the road I decided to walk there hoping someone could help me with

my car as I walked I felt Uneasy the Sun was shining but the warmth did little to calm my nerves I felt exposed like I was being watched when I reached the diner I opened the door and stepped inside the atmosphere was friendly with the smell of fresh coffee walking through the air a few patrons looked up from their meals but I didn't see anyone I recognized I approached the counter and A waitress smiled at me can I get you something she asked her voice cheerful I need help of my car it won't start I

said feeling a wave of relief is there anyone who could take a look at it the waitress frowned oh I'm not sure most of the locals are busy with their own things just then I heard the door swing open behind me I turned and my heart sank as I saw The Tall Man from the park Step inside he scanned the diner and when he spotted me his eyes narrowed he walked toward me and the atmosphere shifted immediately look who it is he said his tone dripping with malice thought you could run away did you the

waitress looked between us confusion spreading across her face is everything okay here stay out of this the man crawled his voice low and Threatening I took a step back feeling the tension lies in the room I just want to leave I said my voice shaking not so fast he replied moving closer you need to learn your place before I could react he reached for me and I instinctively pushed back knocking over a chair in my Panic the diner fell silent all eyes on us the waitress looked frightened but she didn't Move leave me alone I

shouted my heart racing enough the waitress finally stepped between us you can't do this here leave him alone the man hesitated his expression darkening you don't know what you were doing he said but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes get out or I will call the sheriff the waitress insisted her voice Steady the man glared at her then back at me you are lucky this isn't over with that he turned into stormed out of the diner I stood there trembling the waitress turned to me concern etched on her face are you okay

I nodded though I felt anything but I just need to get out of here let me help you she said her tone Softening I can call someone to look at your car it is better to stay here for now I agreed grateful for her kindness she made the call while I sat at the counter my mind racing I could feel the eyes of the other patrons on me but I tried to focus on the waitress's reassuring presence when the mechanic arrived I felt a wave of relief he assessed my car quickly and told me it

was a simple Fix I watched him work thankful to be away from that man and his threats after a short while my car was up and running I thank the waitress and the mechanic profusely feeling a mixture of gratitude and lingering fear as I drove away from the diner I felt a weight lift off my shoulders I glanced in the rearview mirror half expecting to see The Tall Man behind me but there was nothing just The Quiet Road stretching ahead I left the town feeling both shaken and relieved I knew I had made the right

choice to leave that group in the park was dangerous and I I would never forget the way they had looked at me I would find another place to retreat somewhere I could feel safe as I drove I promised myself I would never return to that town again the thought of those locals and their aggression haunted me but I was Determined to move forward and find peace elsewhere 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 trive 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 baked goods drifting through the air as I wandered through the rows of tables I came across a fender 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 cheerful I nodded and

accepted a small piece it was delicious sweet and Rich with flavors I couldn't quite play 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 ey 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 high in hand feeling pleased with my purchase as I found a bench near the market I sat down to enjoy a

slice I took 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 brushed 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 swallowed hard feeling nausea rise in my Throat I looked around again and the town's folk were still watching their expressions serious their eyes full of something I could not identify Panic surged through 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 and Sincere I need to go I stammered trying to push past her I felt unsteady the ground 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 of me I shouted struggling to free myself but others were closing in blocking my path she needs to stay Another man's 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 eat 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 I had always been proud to be the mayor of our small town I loved a sense of community the way everyone knew each other we looked out for one another or at least I thought we did it was a quiet town a place where crime hardly ever touched us that is Until a few months ago when I started noticing things that didn't sit right it began subtly I would catch glimpses of a group of young men loitering outside

the local Diner their faces shadowed by their hoods they seemed to watch me every time I passed I thought maybe they were just poor kids looking for something to do I mentioned it to the police chief but he just Shrugged it off telling me to not Worry you are the mayor people will always look he said with a chuckle but it felt different their eyes seemed cold empty almost predatory I tried to ignore it telling myself it was my imag ination the weeks went by and I started to get phone calls at our hours harassing

calls they would hang up before I could even say Anything it felt like they were testing me seeing how far they could go I started to get uneasy but I didn't want to seem weak I had a job to do one night after a late town meeting I left the building and walked to my car parked in the lot it was was dark and the only light came from a flickering Street Lamp nearby the parking lot was empty and I had that unsettling feeling that someone Was watching me I got into my car locked the

doors and turned the ignition as I looked into the rearview mirror I caught a glimpse of movement behind me my heart raced as I glanced back but nothing was there I told myself it was just Shadows playing tricks I drove home but the feeling of being watched lingered the next day I received an anonymous letter slipped under my office door the note was short and Menacing stay out of our way I felt a chill run down my spine I knew I had to do something but what could I do the police were not taking me

seriously and I didn't want to cause a panic I was supposed to be the leader the one who kept everyone safe a few days later I decided to go for a walk in the park hoping the fresh air would clear my mind as I strolled along the path I saw them again the same group Of young men laughing and talking hanging out by the swings they turned their heads as I approached their laughter fading I picked up my Pace trying to ignore the way they stared then without warning one of them stepped forward hey mayor

he called out the way he said it made my skin crawl can I help you I asked trying to sound calm though my voice Trembled just wanted to talk he said a smirk on his face you think you can run this town forever we don't need you here I took a step back realizing they were blocking my path I think you should leave me alone I replied my heart racing the moment I turned to walk away they laughed and I knew I had made a mistake one of them lunged at me I stumbled back but

he caught me pushing Me hard I fell to the ground the breath knocked out of me I tried to scramble to my feet but before I could they surrounded me they shouted insults each word cutting deeper than the last I felt their fists land on me each hit bluring my vision pain shooting through my body I fought back instinctively swinging my arms but I was outnumbered I could hear their laughter that horrible laughter that echoed in my Ears let's teach the mayor a lesson one of them shouted just as I thought it might be the

end I Heard a Voice shout from behind them hey get away from him it was an older man a local shop owner I recognized the gang turned their heads momentarily distracted and I seized the opportunity to push myself up I ran as fast as I could adrenaline coursing Through Me Not Looking Back I could hear their angry shouts following me but I Didn't stop until I reached my car I jumped inside locked the doors and fumbled for my keys my hand shaking I drove away my heart pounding in my chest I could still feel the

sting of their punches and the humiliation of being beaten down for days after I stayed inside my home terrified to go out haunted by what had happened I reported the incident to the police again but I felt like I was Shouting into the void I was the mayor and yet I felt powerless eventually I decided I could not let them win I started going out again determined to show that I was not afraid I attended town meetings hosted events and slowly I began to regain my confidence but I did not forget those boys I saw

them every now and then working in the shadows their eyes cold and Watchful I kept my distance making sure to avoid places where I might run into them alone one evening as I was leaving the diner after dinner I saw them across the street they were laughing but I could see the intensity in their eyes they spotted me too my heart dropped and I took a deep breath reminding myself that I was not alone this time I stepped into the street facing them head on my chin Lifted they paused surprised and for a moment it

felt like the world had stopped I held my ground refusing to show Fear leave me alone I said my voice steady you do not own this town there lack faded replaced by a tense silence finally the leader of the gang Shrugged smirking you are in over your head mayor he said before they turned and walked away their figures disappearing into the Shadows I felt a wave of relief wash Over me but I also knew this wasn't over I had escaped them before but I could not let them intimidate me anymore I would protect my town

and I would make sure they knew they could not control it I walked away from that street a little Bruce but not broken determined to reclaim my strength