I agreed to go hiking in the woods today. My friend and her boyfriend from my hometown were visiting, and he planned to propose to her when we reached the end of the trail. Honestly, I was happy to help, since I’ve known them since high school. I rented a camera from the library and agreed to take pictures of the proposal.
We started the trail with high hopes, which steadily declined as the time went by. As we ascended the slope, a heavy fog descended on us. We were soaked as if we were being rained on, but the moisture seemed to come from within the woods, instead of from the sky. We hiked for a while to the end of the trail. I’m not in the best of shape, so it felt like it was uphill the whole way.
We got to the end of the trail and arrived at a lookout, the ideal spot for a proposal. My friend got down on one knee and followed through. There were tears and a ring. Everything went perfectly.
I took pictures as I promised, and then we started the trek back. My friends walked a bit ahead, absorbed in their plans for the future. I lagged behind, struggling to put my camera away and pull my water bottle out for a drink. This was too difficult. I stopped and balanced my bag on my knee to do the swap.
My camera was stowed, and my thirst had been quenched. I resumed my walk. Where did the other two go? I jogged for a bit in an attempt to catch up, but I didn’t see anyone. They must be just a bit farther up ahead. I slowed down again, a bit winded. There was no point in running; I would catch up with them eventually.
As I continued along the path, I spotted a rock on the bend in the path that looked familiar… had I passed it before? I sped up a little. The trail was now densely covered in roots, so walking was difficult. I had to place my steps carefully, or risk tripping.
The forest was silent. It was quiet before with the dense fog muffling the sounds of nature, but now it felt like cotton had been stuffed in my ears. There were no birds or insects to be heard, only the gentle crunch-crunch of my shoes on the wet pine needles and the slow creaking of the trees in the wind.
Wait. I stopped for a moment. There was no breeze. I strained to listen. The creaking sounded closer. Where was that coming from? I whipped around feverishly, looking for the source. It seemed to have stopped when I did. There, off the path behind me, stood a slender tree. It was blackened with age and swayed quietly. That must be it. I wiped the sweat off my brow, ashamed to have caught myself frightened as a child would be.
I turned back and continued on the path. The creaking started again. I stopped and turned back, looking for the tree again. There, off to the right of the path. Is it closer?
That’s not a tree.
The gaunt creature was nothing more than skin and bones, draped in a ragged black pelt. Only an animal skull for a head. All eight feet of it sprinted towards me. I gave a soundless yell, my breath caught in my throat in surprise. I turned to run, but I stumbled on the many roots at my feet. My ankle twisted as I went down. I only had time to turn and see a whirl of gray and black descend on me, its hot breath on my neck.
***
“Hey, where were you? You disappeared for a bit back there,” the couple asked as they exited the forest. The car was just up ahead. The trio stepped into the car and the newly engaged man looked in the mirror. “You stop for a breather or something?”
The boy in the back looked up and smiled back with just a bit too many teeth.