Where the Trees Watch

The wind whipped throughout the trees, leaves flying into the sky. Clouds rolled overhead—dark clouds. The rain began to fall; fog crept up. The trail twisted in front of them, leaves covering the path. They strode forward. She resisted the temptation to run far and fast.

The van was in sight, shrouded in fog. The family walked over leaves, crackling as they stepped on them. Her pulse raced as they entered and slammed the van door shut. Peering through the van window, she saw the dark forest.

The van pulled out and started down the winding dirt road. A howl sounded in the distance; flickers of movement seemed to appear in the trees. They hit the paved road. The trees began to thin slightly. The van lurched to a stop. A shadowy figure flickered onto the road and then was gone, leaving nothing but the creeping fog and the road. They continued on, twisting through the trees until distant light appeared. Approaching, there wasn’t a light. A howl rang through the air. The trees seemed to be alive, flickering shadows appearing in and out from the corner of your eye.

Through the gloom, a figure appeared—head lowered, back slumped. Slamming on the brakes, they stopped. Dad opened the door and stepped out.

“What's going on here? Get out of the way,” he shouted, though his voice seemed to disappear in the howling wind. 

The figure straightened, blood-red eyes peering out of a dark face. She trembled, sitting back in her seat. Dad started backing up as well, the goosebumps raised so high that she could see through the murk. The figure grinned, showing bright yellow teeth. It leaped forward—slash, slash, collapse. It turned and peered in through the open door, then lunged forward. 

Slice, slice! She screamed as she felt the long claw slice her across the head. But no puncture, no death.

“One left to tell the story,” the creature whispered, its voice rough. It jumped out, and then darting figures appeared, pushing the van over, smashing into it with all their force. She tried to move, but the seatbelt was locked—one long claw sticking out of it. Screaming, she tried to struggle free.  

Dropping down—a crash. Silence. One heartbeat is still beating, but silent. The figures walked around it. The crunch of leaves.