A walk in the woods

This night after a very stressful day I decide uncharacteristically to take a walk in the woods in the middle of the night. The moon is full and bright lighting my way. At first my pace is a slow stroll listening to the quiet calm. The calming sound of a trickle from a stream near by puts my mind at ease and the stress from the day finally starts to fade away.

But then the atmosphere starts to change...

As I walk deeper in the woods, fog starts to creep in blocking the comforting light of the moon.

Then, suddenly, I hear a twig snap in my left ear, startled, I look towards the direction to see a great twelve point buck standing there. A magnificent creature. He is observing me, watching my every movement, daring me to come closer so he can make his move. I shuffle cautiously to the right ready to take flight just in case the big beast decides to chase me. For a minute he acts like my movement is a dare but decides I’m not worth the energy and walks away unaffected by my presence here.

Peace and quiet return again and I walk along without a care. Then an eerie feeling comes over me. Something out there is watching me. I look ahead and sure enough two green eyes are peering out from the hedge. A wolf is staring me down looking to make a meal of me. He jumps out and gives me a fright, I say out loud, “not tonight!” As he creeps closer, I stare him in the eyes and yell out with all my might, “you will not have me this day my sir! Go grab a chicken and be on your way.” Then he turns with a gruff and runs away.

Once again I continue my walk gracefully, now listening to a barn owl call out. It’s a horrible sound, a raspy, continuous screech making me uneasy. So much that I start to walk a little faster. Soon the screeching starts to take shape in to a word, it starts with a rolling Rrrr and then I hear very clearly RUN, RUN, RUN

I take off as fast as I can, the barn owl flying on my tail screeching RUN , RUN, RUN

The noises come crashing in from all around. Twigs snapping, the wolf howling, the owl screeching. The torment is to much for my heart to take. The world around me starts to fade to black. Before I know it I’m on the ground, trying to catch my breath, just before the lights go out there is an image standing over me. He stood so tall staring down upon my limp body. A stranger in the woods. A chill runs the entirety of me just before I pass out.

I wake up in a haze, confused about my state. Am I saved by the stranger in the woods? I look around to find my grim answer as I see blades and nails all around me. I’ve gone from earth to hell. There are bloody fingers on the floor and a sheath of skin on the door. I realize now I will be here forevermore. The sound of footsteps comes nearer. I’m frozen in fear.

BOOM!

I’m startled awake safe and sound in my bed. I knew I wasn’t crazy enough to take that stroll in the woods in the middle of the night.

As I look up, I realize my nightmare was a warning for the stranger from the woods is standing over me. One hard blow he knocks me out, takes my head for his trophy, leaving my body in my bed to be a final farewell to those who care. Take heed of my story, pay attention to your dreams and nightmares for they are messages from the great beyond and may be your saving grace.