Bad Moon Rising

Don't go camping.

Bad moon rising. Not sure what that means, but it feels appropriate right about now. Misty yellow moonlight filtering through the trees. Bony branches making shadows creep around me. Bad moon rising. Yeah, no doubt.

 

I know it was around 10 p.m. when I left the campsite to pee. That seems like an hour ago. Why did I have to walk so far? Who cares if they hear me peeing -- it's natural!

 

Now, I'm wandering around trying to find a path back to my tent. Shouldn't have drank that last beer.

 

A twig snaps to my left. What was that? Probably a wayward squirrel. Hopefully. Another twig snaps. This one's behind me.

 

Okay, so a squirrel is stalking me. No big deal. Nooo biggg dealll. Let's pick a direction and start walking. I head north. I think.

 

About five minutes later, I'm no where close to the tent. I don't even smell a campfire anymore. Now, I'm getting nervous. Should I yell for my friends? 

 

"Joey! Hey, where are y'all? Hello!"

 

Silence responds. A twig snaps. I spin around, putting my back against a tree. The bark is rough on my skin. Eyes searching the darkness, I will them to see through shadows. Nothing.

 

Wait. My eyes track back to the right. A dark mound crouched between two trees. I can't make out arms or legs. It looks about human-sized.

 

My racing heart is pleading to flee, but I don't want to run even further from camp. The figure moves. Or rather twitches. Like its bones are old -- not used to bending. 

 

Sounds like twigs snapping.

 

It raises up slowly. A dark shroud raising to waist height, chest height, my height -- how tall is this thing?

 

Seven feet of horror loom in front of me. "Help, somebody, oh my god! Help!" I'm panicking.

 

The thing creaks toward me. A disjointed, slow limp. Like its feet are broken. 

 

I run. 

 

Bad idea.

The creature shrieks after me. An unearthly noise, like a throat being ripped out. I feel it in my soul, blackening it, poisoning me.

 

I run through the trees. Branches scratch my face, hoping to catch and hold me captive.

 

I hear water. Oh god, we camped by a river. Please, please let me see firelight. I make the choice to run downstream.

 

I see light, I hear my friends. I crash into camp like a rabid bear. My face dirtied and tear streaked.

 

They scream. I scream. Something in the distance screams too.

 

 

Reviews

[Clif]

Could it have been a Bigfoot in the woods?

[Evie]

Loved this so much. The detail and head voice really drew me in. Glad i found this!

[AshTM]

Thank you for the feedback!